Sorry for the cruddy title. ;)

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Sunday, March 24

Explorer Stadium, Huntsville, AL

The Minutemen players and coaches walked into the locker room silently, leaving the celebrating home crowd behind them. Coach Roosevelt did say it might take time for them to gel, and it was clear that time was needed.

But there was a more pressing concern.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Minutemen down by twelve, Vera La Tiérra (Red Vixen, SG, WIL) went up for a floater shot. Rookie Nikki Holmes (Tiger, PG, HNT) leaped up in an attempt to block the shot. The tiger bumped into the vixen as the two came down.

Holmes landed on Vera’s right footpaw and fell backwards, awkwardly landing on her tail.

The yelps of pain from the ladies were unmistakable and Leonard Mack (Fox, PF, WIL) immediately went to Vera’s side as she kneeled on the floor as play was instantly stopped.

“Vera, are you all right?!” he asked quickly.

“Mis dedos del pie... Nikki aterrizó en ellos,” she said, grimacing as the rest of her teammates gathered in a small group. Leonard looked over at Holmes, who was mewling while cradling her tail in one paw and pressing the other against her lower back, Gerald Puck (Coyote, G, HNT) with his paw on her shoulder.

“It was an accident, Leonard...” she said, cringing. Mack nodded; the last thing he would do was doubt the tigress, who seemed like an honest girl. Minutemen coach Morgan Roosevelt and head trainer Peter Ewing (tiger) jogged over themselves to take a look. A personal trainer, Ewing looked like he could play the game himself. After a brief discussion, the tiger helped Vera up and escorted her to the locker room. Leonard frowned as he watched them leave, seeing Vera hopping along on one footpaw, refusing to put pressure on it. Nikki was escorted off to the Mayors locker room by trainer Tina Ratcliffe (mouse, HNT) to have her tail examined as well.

Mack was the first inside the locker room after the Mayors finished the 16-point win.

Vera was already showered and dressed, a protective “shoe” on her right footpaw.

“It’s all right, guys, x-rays were negative. Nothing’s broken; Vera’ll just need to sit out a game. I did hear that Holmes won’t be out long, either,” Ewing informed the team as they filed into the locker room. With that tiny bit of good news, the team got dressed and ready to go.

Desmond Macon (Siberian Tiger, SF, WIL) and Silas Rand (Squirrel, PG, WIL) noticed that Leonard just seemed to be going through a bit of a daze as he got showered and dressed. He kept gazing back at Vera, who still occupied her seat on the bench.

As Mack dressed, Macon tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey, bro, you all right? You’ve looked like you had a major wipe out since Vera got hurt,” he said. Leonard shrugged and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Desmond. Just really concerned for Vera the whole time, that’s all.”

“Oh, yeah, I get it.”

Roosevelt went through the post-game talk with the team, telling them what they needed to work out. He reminded them again that this was no time to panic.

While Roosevelt talked, Desmond did notice that Leonard had his left arm around Vera’s shoulder. The vixen did seem to be paying attention, but she didn’t tell Leonard to remove his paw from her shoulder. Far from it; she seemed thankful for his support. In fact, the tiger also noticed their tails touching, almost as if they were hugging too. A universal sign of love if there ever was one.

After he finished the talk, Roosevelt called Rand and Teo Masalia (Black Panther, PG, WIL) into the small office quickly. He shut the door.

“Just a quick notice before we talk to the media, guys. Silas, you need to be prepared to take Vera’s place against the Tides,” the raccoon said. Rand grinned and put up two fingers in a salute.

“You can count on me, Coach,” he said. Roosevelt smiled at the camaraderie, seems that he and Wiley Twaddle (Woodchuck, SG, WIL) were almost two of a kind in that department.

“That’s what I like to hear. Teo, brief him on the playbook back at the hotel.”

“Will do, Coach.”

“Now let’s go face our favorite opponent.”

* * *

After speaking with the media, the team boarded the bus to get back to the hotel. Vera sat in the front, talking with Tina and Marron. Mack sat in the back. Desmond, seated behind Leonard, prodded him on the shoulder. The big fox turned back to notice a sly tigery grin on D-Chill’s face.

“So the rumors are true. Nice catch,” he said.

Silas popped up beside Desmond much like a gopher, a shocked look on his face.

“Shut up. Really?”

Leonard shook his head and smiled. “Couldn’t keep it a secret from you two much longer.” he joked. Macon chuckled.

“Hey, if there’s anything that’s cool with me, it’s a rad romance. You ever been to the beach with her? I know some REAL good surfing spots.”

The very idea made Leonard sweat a little and blush, and Silas grinned.

“Heh heh... I know what you’re thinking. She’s the best scenery on the beach.”

“Come on, Silas, cut it out. Gonna make me need another shower later,” Mack protested. Macon laughed and clapped Leonard on the shoulder.

“Just messing with you, brah.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“We’re all worried about her, so you’re not alone there," Silas added, then he grinned. "Tell her to heal up quick ‘cause I’m itchin’ to do some dunking for a while!”

“Heh, sure thing, Silas.”

He’d go see her later that night, she’d appreciate the company. Maybe she’d even like Silas’s little joke.

It just seemed like there would be constant bumps in the road for her this season.

He wanted to help her navigate that bumpy road so much.

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Leonard Mack, FBA ©  BuckHopper

Vera La Tiérra ©  JTigerclaw

Desmond Macon ©  BaddWill

Silas Rand ©  Christaphorac

Gerald Puck ©  Coyote42

Teo Masalia ©  GlenSkunk

Nikki Holmes, Morgan Roosevelt, Peter Ewing ©  Sam Gwosdz