Post by teri on May 23, 2006 0:27:33 GMT -5
Wow. I feel like I'm writing a book instead of a fan fic. When I started writing this I didn't think it would wind up being this long. Oh well, I'm having fun writing it. Hope you're enjoying reading it. Thanks for the reviews.
Business or Pleasure – Chapter 7
Katrina hadn’t said another word to Apolo until they were seated at the restaurant. She opened the bottle of red house wine sitting on the table and poured them both a glass. She took an appreciative sip, leaned forward slightly and looked directly into Apolo’s eyes. “Alright,” she started in a very clipped tone, now why don’t you tell me what is going on here.”
Apolo’s temper started to flare and Katrina could see the anger in his eyes. “Katrina I know I took you away from your other work but this is a great opportunity and I really don’t know why your acting like such a hard *ss.”
“Oh, you don’t,” Katrina sputtered almost chocking on her wine.
“No I don’t and I wish you would just be a little open minded and listen to me. I think once you hear me out you will understand.”
Katrina opened her mouth but before she could say anything the waiter walked up to take their order. She had to reign in her temper or she would have snapped the poor waiter’s head off. She ordered the chicken pasta primavera without looking at the menu. Apolo said he would have the same and they were left alone once again.
Apolo had thought about this conversation for days. He thought Katrina would understand once he explained but he was still a little nervous. He took a sip of the wine and let out a sigh. “Katrina lets forget about the past for right now. You know I’ve been getting ready for Vancouver for the past year but I’ve also given a lot of thought to what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
Katrina surprised Apolo by letting out a laugh. “Apolo do you realize we have had this conversation twice already and both times you changed your mind. Why should this time be different? You get me all involved in your life but you don’t really need me or even want my help in the end. How am I supposed to believe this time is different?”
Katrina saw hurt flood Apolo’s eyes. Good God she didn’t want this pain anymore. She didn’t want to hurt him, she was just afraid of getting hurt again herself. She reached across the table and took his hand. “I’m sorry, finish telling me about your plans and I’ll try to keep quiet,” Katrina said giving him a sad smile.
Apolo squeezed her hand and started again. “You’re right I’ve kept changing my mind about what I want to do. “I had thought I wanted to try the entertainment field or sports broadcasting but neither allowed me to keep participating in the Olympics in a real way. Neither gives me the access to the ice I’ve found I need. That’s why I decided to compete again,” Apolo said quietly.
“The truth is I know I can’t walk away from the sport but I also realize I can’t keep competing forever. These are the last Olympics I’ll be skating and I’ve been looking for a way to stay involved. I have the chance to invest in a number of ice arenas and go into coaching. I would really like to pursue that.”
Katrina was a little shocked. Apolo had told her he didn’t want to be a coach. “Apolo what changed your mind? You said you didn’t have the temperament to coach. You liked the idea of going into broadcasting.”
“Yeah, I did but I hated some of the media events and I don’t like everyone delving into my private life. I don’t want to live like that.” He smiled at the puzzled look on Katrina’s face. “Besides, I’ve kind of been coaching already with the younger guys on the team the past year. I finally realized that I love the feeling of helping someone better their skills and reach their potential.”
They both sat back as the waiter arrived with their lunch. Katrina pushed her food around on her plate while she tried to digest what Apolo’s life would be like if he followed this course.
“Apolo, if this is what will make you happy, I think it’s great. I just don’t understand what it has to do with my handling your media events and publicity. If you’re going into coaching and don’t need to build up an entertainment career, why all this talk about marketing?” Katrina asked more than a little confused.
“Well you know short track was never very popular in the US. In fact before Salt Lake most people had never heard of it. Trying to push the sport to a new level where it is popular and there are more opportunities for the athletes has been a goal among the short track community for awhile now,” Apolo said between mouthfuls.
“This is great. Do you eat here a lot?”
“No, this is a treat for me. Usually I eat at my desk or between meetings. Anyway I’d be afraid if I ate here too often I would get fat. I just can’t resist the pasta,” Katrina said smiling. “You still haven’t gotten to your plan and how I fit in.”
“Sorry, it’s just with the training I don’t usually get to eat like this very often. Anyway some of the younger skaters have a chance to do well in Vancouver. We figured if we have a really good showing and we have the right publicity and media coverage we can set up short track to move to the next level. We need more corporate sponsorship, more races and events, which will allow us to bring short track to a bigger crowd. That will generate interest in racing at a younger age where we can start clubs and teams for kids.”
“The men and women teams are behind the idea. The entire plan rests on our performing well in Vancouver and having an aggressive media plan. So what do you think?” Apolo asked. He fidgeted in his seat waiting for Katrina’s reaction.
“Apolo, this sounds amazing but why did you wait so long to come to us with this. After everything you’ve said I have a million ideas running around in my head. I just don’t know how where going to get it pulled together with such a short amount of time.” Katrina’s mind was racing. This was wonderful and exciting and it felt like the right thing for Apolo.
“We couldn’t come to you with this until we knew if we had a chance at winning in Vancouver,” Apolo said looking down at his hands.
“How has training been going for you Apolo?”
“Honestly, I felt like I took too much time off. Like I started training too late. But the past few months have been good. I feel good and I really want this. I want you there with me Katrina.”
Katrina felt her heart skip. How could he keep doing this to her. “Apolo, I think your ideas for the future are great and I’ll do everything I can to make them happen,” Katrina started, “but you know how hurt I was this last time you left. That hasn’t changed. I’ll make sure the firm gives you the best we have and I’ll do everything I can for you but lets keep this business.”
“Just business Katrina? We’ve had more of a relationship than just business from the first time we met. At least tell me you’re still my friend; that I can count on you. You’ve been there for me at each Olympics and this is going to be my biggest challenge. I want to know you’re there for me.”
Katrina closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. If only he realized what she wanted and needed. She looked into his eyes, “Apolo I’ve always been your friend and I still am. You know I would always be there for you. But understand you can’t keep pulling me into your life and then shoving me out. I can’t take that anymore.”
Sitting back she said in a lighter tone, “I’m glad you explained everything to me. I’m totally behind you but we will have a lot of work to do. Can I come out to the training center at the end of the week with my team? I need to get contracts signed and we can review the plans we’ll draw up for the marketing."
Apolo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Katrina had come around and he felt everything would fall into place. “Call me when you have your reservations and I’ll let everyone know when you’re coming. We can work around the training schedules.” Apolo checked his watch; “I’ve got to get going if I’m going to catch my plane.”
“You go on ahead. I’ll call you tomorrow and we can talk some more.”
Apolo stood and walked around the table to Katrina. He took her hand and held it as he looked into her eyes. “Thank you babe,” he said softly. He leaned down and brushed a kiss against her forehead and turned and walked away.
Katrina put her head in her hands and shook her head. Was she going to get pulled in again and then shoved off to the side when she wasn’t necessary? “Oh well,” she thought, “at least I told him how I feel. Maybe this time will be different.” “Third times the charm,” she said out loud to herself.
Business or Pleasure – Chapter 7
Katrina hadn’t said another word to Apolo until they were seated at the restaurant. She opened the bottle of red house wine sitting on the table and poured them both a glass. She took an appreciative sip, leaned forward slightly and looked directly into Apolo’s eyes. “Alright,” she started in a very clipped tone, now why don’t you tell me what is going on here.”
Apolo’s temper started to flare and Katrina could see the anger in his eyes. “Katrina I know I took you away from your other work but this is a great opportunity and I really don’t know why your acting like such a hard *ss.”
“Oh, you don’t,” Katrina sputtered almost chocking on her wine.
“No I don’t and I wish you would just be a little open minded and listen to me. I think once you hear me out you will understand.”
Katrina opened her mouth but before she could say anything the waiter walked up to take their order. She had to reign in her temper or she would have snapped the poor waiter’s head off. She ordered the chicken pasta primavera without looking at the menu. Apolo said he would have the same and they were left alone once again.
Apolo had thought about this conversation for days. He thought Katrina would understand once he explained but he was still a little nervous. He took a sip of the wine and let out a sigh. “Katrina lets forget about the past for right now. You know I’ve been getting ready for Vancouver for the past year but I’ve also given a lot of thought to what I want to do with the rest of my life.”
Katrina surprised Apolo by letting out a laugh. “Apolo do you realize we have had this conversation twice already and both times you changed your mind. Why should this time be different? You get me all involved in your life but you don’t really need me or even want my help in the end. How am I supposed to believe this time is different?”
Katrina saw hurt flood Apolo’s eyes. Good God she didn’t want this pain anymore. She didn’t want to hurt him, she was just afraid of getting hurt again herself. She reached across the table and took his hand. “I’m sorry, finish telling me about your plans and I’ll try to keep quiet,” Katrina said giving him a sad smile.
Apolo squeezed her hand and started again. “You’re right I’ve kept changing my mind about what I want to do. “I had thought I wanted to try the entertainment field or sports broadcasting but neither allowed me to keep participating in the Olympics in a real way. Neither gives me the access to the ice I’ve found I need. That’s why I decided to compete again,” Apolo said quietly.
“The truth is I know I can’t walk away from the sport but I also realize I can’t keep competing forever. These are the last Olympics I’ll be skating and I’ve been looking for a way to stay involved. I have the chance to invest in a number of ice arenas and go into coaching. I would really like to pursue that.”
Katrina was a little shocked. Apolo had told her he didn’t want to be a coach. “Apolo what changed your mind? You said you didn’t have the temperament to coach. You liked the idea of going into broadcasting.”
“Yeah, I did but I hated some of the media events and I don’t like everyone delving into my private life. I don’t want to live like that.” He smiled at the puzzled look on Katrina’s face. “Besides, I’ve kind of been coaching already with the younger guys on the team the past year. I finally realized that I love the feeling of helping someone better their skills and reach their potential.”
They both sat back as the waiter arrived with their lunch. Katrina pushed her food around on her plate while she tried to digest what Apolo’s life would be like if he followed this course.
“Apolo, if this is what will make you happy, I think it’s great. I just don’t understand what it has to do with my handling your media events and publicity. If you’re going into coaching and don’t need to build up an entertainment career, why all this talk about marketing?” Katrina asked more than a little confused.
“Well you know short track was never very popular in the US. In fact before Salt Lake most people had never heard of it. Trying to push the sport to a new level where it is popular and there are more opportunities for the athletes has been a goal among the short track community for awhile now,” Apolo said between mouthfuls.
“This is great. Do you eat here a lot?”
“No, this is a treat for me. Usually I eat at my desk or between meetings. Anyway I’d be afraid if I ate here too often I would get fat. I just can’t resist the pasta,” Katrina said smiling. “You still haven’t gotten to your plan and how I fit in.”
“Sorry, it’s just with the training I don’t usually get to eat like this very often. Anyway some of the younger skaters have a chance to do well in Vancouver. We figured if we have a really good showing and we have the right publicity and media coverage we can set up short track to move to the next level. We need more corporate sponsorship, more races and events, which will allow us to bring short track to a bigger crowd. That will generate interest in racing at a younger age where we can start clubs and teams for kids.”
“The men and women teams are behind the idea. The entire plan rests on our performing well in Vancouver and having an aggressive media plan. So what do you think?” Apolo asked. He fidgeted in his seat waiting for Katrina’s reaction.
“Apolo, this sounds amazing but why did you wait so long to come to us with this. After everything you’ve said I have a million ideas running around in my head. I just don’t know how where going to get it pulled together with such a short amount of time.” Katrina’s mind was racing. This was wonderful and exciting and it felt like the right thing for Apolo.
“We couldn’t come to you with this until we knew if we had a chance at winning in Vancouver,” Apolo said looking down at his hands.
“How has training been going for you Apolo?”
“Honestly, I felt like I took too much time off. Like I started training too late. But the past few months have been good. I feel good and I really want this. I want you there with me Katrina.”
Katrina felt her heart skip. How could he keep doing this to her. “Apolo, I think your ideas for the future are great and I’ll do everything I can to make them happen,” Katrina started, “but you know how hurt I was this last time you left. That hasn’t changed. I’ll make sure the firm gives you the best we have and I’ll do everything I can for you but lets keep this business.”
“Just business Katrina? We’ve had more of a relationship than just business from the first time we met. At least tell me you’re still my friend; that I can count on you. You’ve been there for me at each Olympics and this is going to be my biggest challenge. I want to know you’re there for me.”
Katrina closed her eyes and rubbed her temple. If only he realized what she wanted and needed. She looked into his eyes, “Apolo I’ve always been your friend and I still am. You know I would always be there for you. But understand you can’t keep pulling me into your life and then shoving me out. I can’t take that anymore.”
Sitting back she said in a lighter tone, “I’m glad you explained everything to me. I’m totally behind you but we will have a lot of work to do. Can I come out to the training center at the end of the week with my team? I need to get contracts signed and we can review the plans we’ll draw up for the marketing."
Apolo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Katrina had come around and he felt everything would fall into place. “Call me when you have your reservations and I’ll let everyone know when you’re coming. We can work around the training schedules.” Apolo checked his watch; “I’ve got to get going if I’m going to catch my plane.”
“You go on ahead. I’ll call you tomorrow and we can talk some more.”
Apolo stood and walked around the table to Katrina. He took her hand and held it as he looked into her eyes. “Thank you babe,” he said softly. He leaned down and brushed a kiss against her forehead and turned and walked away.
Katrina put her head in her hands and shook her head. Was she going to get pulled in again and then shoved off to the side when she wasn’t necessary? “Oh well,” she thought, “at least I told him how I feel. Maybe this time will be different.” “Third times the charm,” she said out loud to herself.
