6- Hours, 7- Days

"Carey, this is retarded. You've been in there for hours! I mean seriously...you're such a girl!" Julia McNeil whined outside of the bathroom door.

"Jules, give me another five minutes!"

"NO! I have a job to get to!"

The sound of a ringtone echoed in the bathroom. Julia groaned.

"Please tell me you don't have your phone in there. That's just...suggestive in so many ways."

The bathroom door swung open and Carey Price, Julia's boyfriend, stood there, a white towel around his waist, with his dark hair spiked from the water. His muscular shoulders and arms were perfectly chiseled, giving Julia a reason to stare. But he wasn't staring back; instead he had his cell phone in one hand, frowning at a text message he'd just received.

"Ju Jube," Carey said slowly, his nickname for her, "I just got a text from one of the guys. It's about your friend...the one married to Crosby."

"What?" Julia crossed her arms, "Ok, what about her?"

"I think you should call her," Carey said, "There's an ugly rumour going around."

---

07. Days

"Steven, I made pancakes!" Erica Stamkos announced, "Your favourite Sunday breakfast!"

Steve Stamkos emerged from the bedroom, smiling, "I love you."

Erica blushed, "I know. That's why you married me."

Steve put his arms around Erica's neck, "Do you think we got it this time?"

Erica put a gentle hand on her belly, "I sure hope so, Stevie. We've been trying for a year now."

"Doctor says we've got a 50/50 chance."

The computer in the nearby living room perked up. Steven had received an email from team mate Martin St. Louis.

Erica gave her husband a pouty look as he left her to see the screen. His blue eyes suddenly flared; his hair looking more white than blonde. Erica tilted her head, "What is it, baby?"

Steven sighed, "An nasty headline posted on NHL.com..."

"About you?!"

"No," Steve turned to her, "About Brittany Crosby."

Erica went to stand by him, "Oh my god..."

-

Dan Bylsma bit his lip and awaited the final press question.

"Are you aware of the rumour that has surfaced on NHL.com regarding Sidney Crosby's wife?"

Dan sighed, "Yes, and I will attribute that the rumour is in fact, false. As well it is completely irrelevant to the Penguins and I will speak no further on the subject."

"Thanks, Dan."

Dan gave a nod and walked away from the FOX Sports news crew and put his hands in his pockets. Of course he'd seen the headline:

A DIFFERENT BUN IN THE OVEN FOR MRS. CROSBY?
GAVIN COULD BE GETTING A SIBLING FROM A DIFFERENT DADDY.

It was Ray Shero who had shown it to him. It went on to explain that 'an anonymous source in Buffalo, NY,' reported that 'Crosby's wife is pregnant with a second child but not by her husband.' Dan had shaken it off, as had Ray and the rest of the team. Dan knew Sidney and he knew Brittany. He knew she'd never do anything even as far as kiss another man.

Another day in life, he thought.

Max Talbot thought otherwise. He knew exactly who the rumour was supposed to be talking about. They'd caught the wrong sister. The only thing that stumped him was who had told, and why- he hoped it were pure coincidence- that source was in Buffalo.

Ryan Miller's team.

The father of Anna baby's team.

It had been a week since she'd dropped the news and the Penguins had been busy with new drills. Max had decided, since it was their first day off, to take Anna to the doctor and find out for sure what was going on. He was newly single and had nothing to occupy his time, since things had ended abruptly with Molly after a mere month. They both felt the small connection had faded altogether. Max was a little sad, but hoped Molly would find someone soon.

Max clicked off the news rerun on the television and turned to Anna, who was ready with her coat and purse. TK, Kris and Marc were waiting with him.

"I'm scared." Anna said quietly.

"It's ok," Max said, taking her arm, "I'd call you a fool if you weren't."