Thread or Log: e-mail log Open or closed: Closed Characters: Ian and Jack Setting: Jack's office Content: No warnings needed.
Jack sat in his office – there was no practice that day, the team had been told they could have the day off. With the Christmas party later that evening, it was doubtful they’d have been serious enough to practice anyway. So, instead he had told them take the day off, catch up with things they need to do anyway – making arrangements to go home for Christmas being one of the main suggestions. Jack wouldn’t be leaving, but he admitted, it’d be nice to have the place quiet for a change. Maybe he could relax for a week or two – God only knew that he needed it.
He had sent an email to Ian letting him know he had wanted to see him that morning. While he hadn’t given a time, he figured Ian wouldn’t put it off. If anything he’d probably show up soon just because he’d be concerned what it was about. Afterall, Jack was positive that Jake had told Ian something to let him know that Jack probably suspected something. And he did – the comments Jake had made sent up a red flag, Ian showing up because he sensed something was wrong added to that – but the kicker was as Jack sat in Chris’ jeep, alone, he remembered the phone he had slipped into his pocket. Pulling it out, he flipped it open and glanced at a few of the text messages and photos. It was enough to confirm any suspicion he might have.
As Jack waited, he rested his forehead in his hands. The accident had taken it’s toll on Jack, leaving him very stiff and sore. His shoulder, his neck, even into his arm – the annoying stiffness and pain was making Jack crazy and he planned to see one of the trainers for a massage after Ian left. For now, he wished he’d just hurry up and get there so he could get this all over with.
When Ian saw the e-mail from Jack, his heart started to race. Jake told him to be prepared for this but still, seeing it was different than mentally preparing. Ian tried to tell himself that maybe it was just a coach captain talk but even that wasn't working.
Walking down the hall to Jack's office, he took several deep breaths to try to steady himself for what ever was to come his way but even then he was down right scared truth be told.
Ian knocked on Jack's door frame and looked in. "Hey coach. You wanted to see me?" he asked as casually as he could.
Jack looked up from his seat as Ian peeked in, nodding as he sat back. Why had he decided to do this today? Had he known he’d feel to horrible this morning, he’d have put it off. Instead, he wiped his brow as he motioned for Ian to come inside.
“Yeah, come on in…have a seat” he told him, his voice not as annoyed as usual. He watched Ian for any hint of nervousness, a sure sign that he and Jake had spoken.
Being called to your head coach's office was akin to being called to the principal's office. It always made Ian a touch nervous. He hoped some small talk would help relax him. "How you feeling today? Did you get banged up?" he asked, careful not to call it an accident because Jack was driving.
“Pretty stiff” Jack replied, moving his right hand up to his neck, rubbing it a bit. “I thought I’d be fine, but nothing like this. I guess I’m still better off than Logan though” Jack waited to see if Ian would comment on Jake’s knee – he was positive Ian would’ve went to make sure he was ok. “You talked to him since we all got back? I need to talk to him later, see how he’s doing. Especially since it was my driving that made him bang that knee.” Jack’s voice remained amazingly calm – what Ian didn’t know is at that moment, Jack wasn’t sure he could yell if he wanted to.
He nodded while telling himself to play it cool. If Jack did have suspicions, Ian confession that he was waiting in Jake's room when he got back would only fuel the fire. "Yeah, when I saw him at breakfast, he said he knee was pretty sore last night but it was doing better once he got some rest. I think not skating today will help you both," he said with a smile.
“Yeah…if we had practice today, I think Chris would’ve had the whole thing himself….so, did he tell you anything we talked about?” Jack asked, still rubbing his neck a bit. “We were stuck there for awhile, nothing more to do than talk, you know? So…we discussed several things. Lots of things “ He waited, hoping that Ian would slip up.
"He mentioned that you guys talked about a lot but he didn't go into details, no," he said, trying to figure out where Jack was going with this. Either drop it or spit it out, don't delay it like this.
“Well…we talked about some things we want to change after the break, when you boys come back. You know, since you’re basically cooped up here, some things to help loosen things up. Get you guys out to Edmonton for a few weekends a month, or some ways to have fun around her…tournaments for instance, where the winners get a day off from practice. That sort’ve thing. You’re the captain, so I think you should have some sort of say in that…not to mention no one’s going to know what you guys would really want more than one of the group. Right?” Again, Jack waited – hoping that starting this way would get him to loosen up, relax, and talk freely.
Maybe Ian went into this all wrong. Maybe Jack didn't know anything. Ian smiled as he spoke. "I think that would be great, Jack. I mean I'm not gonna lie and say it's not been tough being, I don't wanna say stuck out here but being sort of isolated when most of the guys here have come from nice size towns ya know? And I think if they are giving a bit of freedom, they might be willing to fight more for what they have. If that makes any sense," he said, his mind now reeling at the possibilities they could have.
“Well, the break isn’t that far off, so why don’t you give it some thought…maybe ask some of the guys what they’d like? Obviously it has to be reasonable, but there’s no reason we can’t all go into town on a Wednesday night for instance, to go bowling or something? Or a movie. Things like that. Give it some thought, come up with a list, how’s that sound? “ Jack asked, “In fact I have a few lists I’d like you to work on when you have some time to give it some real thought.”
He nodded as he thought. "Yeah, I can talk with the boys for sure. And no, nothing unreasonable. Just some time away sort of thing. Maybe have a buddy come up for the weekend even? I think that would help some of the ...quieter guys out a bit?" He didn't know what other sort of lists Jack was talking about.
Jack thought a bit “Yeah, that might work, if their buddies can get here. That might be a good one in the spring. You know, so they’re not fighting the weather too. Good…so you’ll work on that. Perfect….now, this other list. “ Jack took a deep breath – he knew this one wasn’t going to be as easy. “What if I told you to make a list on who you thought would make a good captain of this team?”
All the excitement in Ian's head was gone in an instant. He was crushed. "I can do that," he said softer, trying to keep the hurt from his voice. "There are plenty of guys who would easily fill the role."
“Would you keep yourself on that list?” Jack asked, shifting carefully in his seat. As he did, he winced slightly, the pain in his shoulder continuing.
He looked Jack in the eye, remembering all the times Jack told him to speak from his heart not what he'd been coached to say. "Yes, I would. Not only because you felt I was fit to wear it in the first place but I don't see there needs to be a change."
Jack tried to stay calm, but for the first time he could feel pressure rise and his voice did the same. He leaned forward in his seat as he spoke. “So, what you’re saying is it’s fitting behavior for the Captain of the team to have an inappropriate relationship with one of the coaches? That’s not a conflict of interest?”
"With Jake?" he asked. Of course he meant Jake. "I've known him for almost five years, Coach. He's one of my closest friends," he said, knowing it would only take him so far. "Clearly you think it's an issue but I'd ask if you've ever seen it be an issue before. Has my work ethic changed? Do you not see me as a captain because of it?" he asked, trying to keep his fingers from gripping the arm of the chair too tightly.
“Well, considering I don’t know how long this has gone on between the two of you, I can’t really judge how you were before and after this started…why don’t you try telling me exactly what is going on between you two? This is more than close friends, I’m sure of that. You’re the captain, you’ve had no problem stepping up before…so do it now. Tell me the truth.” Jack sat back, taking a deep breath as he once more wiped at his brow. He was hoping Ian would just admit it and go, Jack wanted to just get up, get out of his office, and go lay down at this point.
Ian watched his coach carefully, noting that he just seemed off. "If you don't have something to compare it to, then there isn't an issue," he said a little softer. "Who you see is who I am. My friendship with Jake isn't now, or will be a problem."
“So…you insist nothing is going on between you two. Nothing more than friends.” He asked, sitting back again. “You’d swear that on the C stitched on your sweater…knowing that if I find differently, then you’re going to risk a lot more than just losing that after you lied to me?” He closed his eyes a bit, wishing Ian would just admit it so he could get him out of here. Admit it, deny it, storm out, anything…just get this meeting over with.
"I'm not lying to you," he said as calmly as he could muster as Jack's anger was getting clearer. "I'm just saying it's not making a difference for either Jake or myself and that's what matters. You want me to speak my mind more, coach. So I'm going to. The relationship between Jake Logan and myself is our business. We're long time friends and and he's very important to me. That probably shows, but that's all that anyone needs to know." Saying that much was just about admitting they were sleeping together but Ian wasn't going to come out and say it.
Jack listened as best as possible, not really believing what he was being told, but no longer feeling like dealing with it either. Instead, he waved his hand at Ian, as if dismissing all he was saying. “Just go kid, ok? We’ll talk about it more some other time…for now, I don’t want to see any hint of any special treatment at all while on the ice, got it? “ He glanced at Ian as he watched him get up. “One other thing I need you to do though ,ok? It’s important.”
Ian knew this wasn't over by a long shot but for now, he took a stand. He had to get to Jake to tell him about this as soon as he could without raising suspicion. As he stood, he turned back to his coach. "Sure, what?" he asked, grateful for being sprung free.
Jack glanced up at Ian as he now stood before closing his eyes once more. “Take a detour, find Dr Walters…tell him to come see me. Immediately.” He swallowed hard before reopening his eyes, looking at Ian, his voice much softer. “I don’t know much about the symptoms, but…tell him I think I’m having a heart attack.”