Whatever It Takes

"Of Dreams and Miracles" is still coming to me really quickly, but the other day I realized how much it changed from my original concept. It's a totally different story than I thought it would be and my original idea is still lingering in my mind.

So, I started writing it down and came up with a very different story. Same basic concept, an older daughter of Herb Brooks is there to watch the Miracle on Ice unfold, but despite that it's not the same story. The daughter's not even the same, I love Elizabeth as I created her, but Alexandra is shaper-tongued and more fiery, thus making all the relationships different.

Still, I'm a little hestiant about posting two very similar stories, so I thought I'd post the first chapter here before I decide what I'm going to do with it. I like this story, almost as much as I like "Of Dreams and Miracles".

So here it is, the first part of "Whatever It Takes".


//Whatever It Takes
By Misha

Part One- Tryouts

Early July, 1979

Alexandra Brooks stood in one of the boxes, looking down at the hockey players skating around on the ice below her.

It was the first day of tryouts for the 1980 Olympic team. Alexandra looked at her father, Herb Brooks, who was going to coach the team.

"What do you think Lexi?" Herb asked her, looking up from a piece of paper that he was busy writing stuff down on.

Alexandra shrugged. "I think they all look pretty good, but then I think you already know which ones you want and this is just for show."

"Very good." Herb told her. "You're right of course."

"Of course." Alexandra agreed, with a slight smile. "Daddy, I've only lived with you for twenty-one years. I know how you think."

Herb just nodded. "That's why I want you along for this, Lexi. You know me, you know how I think, but you also know the players or can get to know them. I think you can be a big help."

Alexandra nodded. "I said I'd help you and I meant it, besides I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing."

Alexandra turned her attention to the ice and to the boys skating on it.

She loved hockey, loved to watch it, loved to play it. Not that she had ever gotten really the chance.

Her mother, or rather stepmother, didn't think that girls should play hockey.

Herb's first wife Laura, the mother who Alexandra had gotten her thick auburn hair and big green eyes from, had died when Alexandra was two years old. Herb had met Patti three years later and the two had gotten married when Alexandra was seven.

Patti was the only mother that Alexandra had ever known, even if they didn't see eye to eye on everything. Like hockey.

Of course, Patti hated everything to do with the sport, which was the real reason Alexandra had never been allowed to play anything more than the occasional pickup game.

Patti had put her in skating lessons though, since figure skating was appropriate, so Alexandra wasn't resentful about never being allowed to play hockey.

As long as she could skate, she as happy, besides hockey was still a part of her life through her father. She had been hanging out in hockey rinks all her life and the last few years, she had taken to helping her father out at the U, where she was a student, though she was taking a year off before completing her degree.

She was bored with school. That was one of the reasons her father had offered her a job on the coaching staff, because she didn't have anything else to do and he knew she could do it.

Just then Herb's assistant coach, Craig Patrick entered the box.

"So Doc cleared him, he says it's just a sprain." Craig told Herb, referring to a player who had been hurt at the beginning of the tryout.

"That's good," Herb said, looking down at his piece of paper.

"I just wanted you to know how much I'm looking forward to coaching with you." Craig told him.

Alexandra smirked, knowing that by Lake Placid he'd be singing a different tune. Her father was not an easy man to work with by any stretch of the imagination.

"You were one hell of a player, Craig," Herb admitted, looking up. "You're gonna make one hell of a Coach."

Craig looked pleased.

"I'm going to need you to get to know these boys, stick tight with them." Herb continued. "You and Lexi both, I need you guys to be their friend and find out any problems brewing and come to me with the big ones."

Craig looked confused. "

Dad doesn't get involved personally." Alexandra clarified for them. "He says he's less effective as a coach if he's too friendly with the players."

"Ah." Craig said, as Herb handed him the piece of paper. "What's this?"

"Twenty-six names," Herb answered. "The tough part is going to be getting it down to twenty before opening ceremony."

"This is the final roster?" Craig asked, his mouth open in disbelief. "You're kidding me, right? This is our first day, Herb. We've got a week of this. You're missing some of the best players."

Alexandra suppressed a grin. She knew what was coming and wasn't disapointed.

"I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm looking for the right ones." Herb answered, just as Alexandra had known he would.

"You have Jim Craig to back up Steve Janaszak?" Craig asked, obviously surprised, as he scanned the list.

"Other way around." Herb said casually.

"Other way around? I'm sorry didn't Janaszak just win you a National Championship?" Craig asked, obviously confused.

"This isn't the Nationals that you're playing for." Alexandra answered for her father. "Jannie's a good goaltender, he's solid, but not spectacular."

Craig ignored her and focused on Herb. "You know everyone I've talked to says Craig's game has been off since his mother died."

"Did they ever see him when his game was on?" Herb asked him.

"What about the advisory staff?" Craig continued, not answering Herb's question. "Aren't they supposed to have a say in this?"

"Technically." Herb answered.

"Which means yes, but that he doesn't give a damn." Alexandra said pertly.

"Watch your mouth." Herb scolded, but didn't bother deny her accusation.

Alexandra smirked. "See?"

---

Later that afternoon, Craig gathered the players to read off Herb's list.

Alexandra sat at the very back as he did so, just observing.

She knew a lot of the boys on the list and the ones she didn't know personally, she knew of. None of the names surprised her and she knew exactly why her father had picked the players that he had.

She picked out the faces as the names were called, seeing the various expressions of relief and excitement that crossed each boys face as his name was called.

"Eurizione." Craig called out, getting to the last name on the list. And that's the roster for now. The rest of you, thanks for coming out."

The majority of the boys got up and walked out of the arena, obviously crestfallen. The remaining hockey players began greeting one another.

Alexandra's eyes fell on one in particular. Robbie McClannahan. A grin spread over her face at the sight of him.

She had known, of course, that Robbie would try out for the team and had been 90% sure even going into the tryouts that he'd make the team. But that hadn't stopped her from being relieved when Craig called out his name.

"Take a good look around boys." Hearing her father's voice broke her out of her reverie. She tore her gaze from Robbie as Herb came down the stairs. "'Cause they're the ones getting off easy. We're putting a few of you on reserve, in case someone gets injured or their game goes to hell. The final roster will have twenty names on it, so more of you are going home. Give ninety-nine percent and you'll make my job very, very easy. I'll be your coach, I won't be your friend. Over there is my daughter Alexandra, she'll be helping us out these next few months, she might be your friend, it's up to her. Otherwise if you need one of those you can talk to Doc or Coach Patrick."

After making his speech, Herb turned around and left again.

"Congratulations," Craig told the crowd, breaking the silence that had descended. "Before you go pick up one of these. You've got a little homework to do before you celebrate."

The boys all made their way to the front and then began to exit.

Robbie was one of the last to leave and he stopped by Alexandra on his way out. "Hey gorgeous."

"Hey you." Alexandra said standing up.

Robbie pulled her towards him and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "So a bunch of us are going out tonight to celebrate, you going to come?"

"I'll think about it." Alexandra teased. "I might have a date with my other boyfriend, you know."

"Oh, him." Robbie answered in the same tone of voice. "Well, then."

Alexandra laughed. "I'll meet you there."

"Great." Robbie said, he gave her the name of the bar they were all meeting at and then disappeared.

Alexandra shook her head and exited the arena.

Her father was waiting by the car. "What took you so long?" He asked her.

"I ran into Robbie." She replied as she got into the car.

"Of course." Herb said, as he got into the driver side.

Alexandra suppressed a smile, her father had never approved of her dating Robbie.

"Keep it away from the rink." He warned her now.

"I will." Alexandra promised. "I know the rules, under no circumstances is my personal life supposed to affect the team."

"Make sure that you do." Herb said as he started the car.

"I just had a talk with Walter." He informed her, changing the subject. "He doesn't seem to like the way I'm doing things."

"Did you really think he would?" Alexandra inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"No." Herb agreed. "But he's giving me the benefit of the doubt, letting me do things my way."

"Is there any other way with you?" Alexandra asked wryly, knowing her father was very set on doing things his way at all times.

Herb didn't answer the question, which was answer enough for her.//