Chapter Text
You hadn't expected it to be this lonely. Not here. Over the past two years, you worked your ass off to make this city your home, learning more about yourself during your stay than in the first twenty-some years of your life. Nothing had ever been so challenging and rewarding, no place motivated you more. So naturally, when your world came crashing down in form of an ACL tear just months before the Olympics, there was only one place you wanted to escape to. Frankfurt. If you had any shot of making it back for the Olympics—heck, if you had any shot of making it back at all, you needed to get away, you knew that. You needed a reset button. You claimed back your old apartment and tried your best to adjust back to the German way of life, the life Ali Krieger knew best. It wasn't like before. Your new routine didn't involve the teammates you'd grown to love, it didn't include the adventures you escaped to on your off days. Your new life revolved solely around rehab. It was a nine to five job. You had never been a nine to five girl, not in college and not now. The hours proved grueling, draining everything in you. You started the morning with a treatment at nine, followed by a session in the weight room. Then it was time for interval training on the bike. After lunch—which you generally ate alone—another treatment was ordered followed by stem cell therapy. You repeated this six times a week and, if you were lucky, you'd get to actually play on Sunday. One month in and the isolation hit. It hits you harder than thought you were capable of feeling. You like alone time. When you first moved here, you were alone but there was something adventurous about it. You were energized. Now, you feel robotic going through the motions. The only person you share interactions with on a daily basis is Chris Gorress, your trainer from back home you insisted on flying out. If it was a good week and you played on Sundays, you'd see your old FFC Frankfurt teammates. Other than that, your schedules hardly match up and you find yourself spending most of your time alone. Any free time was filled with exploring local cafes and restaurants, but most nights you resigned to a movie cuddled up on your couch, too exhausted to walk down the block. One month back in Germany and you were losing sight of why you were here in the first place.
You wait as patiently as a women on the verge of a breakdown can as your ears adjust to the loud computerized ringing. It takes nearly a minute for your brother to answer the Skype call. His face illuminated by only a table-side lamp, Kyle squints as his eyes react to the light.
“How's my favorite German?” He smiles through his groggy voice. He doesn't mention that it's nearly four AM for him, or that he has to be up in two hours. Since you moved back to Germany, Kyle has made himself available at a moment's notice and you don't think you'll ever be able to fully thank him. His voice alone makes you feel lighter.
“Better, now” you tell him honestly. He senses your tears floating behind your lids and treads lightly.
“And that knee?”
“Good,” you say. “I'm getting there. I'm about a month ahead of schedule.” Kyle noticed the lack of excitement in your voice.
“Correct me if i'm wrong,” he starts with his distinctively uplifting voice, even at four A.M. “but isn't that supposed to be a good thing?” You chuckle.
“I'm sorry,” you shake your head, trying to clear your mind. You know he's right, you know you've made progress and should be proud. “I just feel stuck.”
Kyle hates seeing you like this and you know it. You've always been his rock, his lighthouse. Still, you both know you're the one that feels too much. You laugh, hurt and love the hardest. You've never half-assed anything, including your emotions.
“Maybe we need to find you a boy-toy or something, to fill your time,” he says, trying to lighten the mood. You know he's not serious, but you scoff.
“Yeah cause that always works.” You both leave the subject at that, not wanting to bring up the only guy that ever made you feel close to the pain you're feeling now.
Kyle racks his brain for ways to cheer you up but falls short. Eventually, he takes a deep breath before the words slip out of him at record speed.
“I wasn't supposed to tell you but the team has a training camp in Munich next week.” Kyle clasps his hands over his mouth but the surprise is out.
“What?” You breathe, only half realizing what he just said. After a long, lengthy pause, Kyle resigns.
“I ran into Mittsy,” he explains. “The girls were planning on surprising you in Frankfurt, taking you along for the trip. You know, to be around everyone and get your spirits up a little. I wasn't supposed to tell you but you looked like you needed it.” It takes all of three seconds for your eyes to overflow. Boy did you need it.
“Oh no, no tears,” Kyle jokes. You laugh, assuring him they're happy tears this time. “They land on Monday!”
After nearly an hour of talking with Kyle, you're feeling more like yourself than you have in weeks. After apologizing for yet another 4 A.M. wake up call, you say goodnight and immediately shoot Heather Mitts a text.
Cats out of the bag! Hear the gals are headed to Munich. Send me the details and I'm there.
P.s. Don't hate Kyle... I really needed the boost. Xx
Knowing you have a few hours till Heather wakes up, you tuck yourself into the quilted bed. For the first time in weeks, you've found something to look forward to and fall asleep in minutes.
You have no trouble getting out of rehab for the week. Chris forwards your files to the US National Team staff so you can keep up your progress in their facilities, hopefully with some company. Turns out the team was planning for your arrival and already had your room set. You booked an express train to Munich and you're only two stops away. The ride is peaceful, scenic even. For the first time since you've returned, you're enjoying Germany again. You finished the book Kyle recommended and now you're doodling in your Moleskine to pass the time. The closer you get to your teammates, the harder it is to suppress your smile. You're giddy. Childlike. It's only been about two months since you've been with them, but they've been together training nonstop for the past month. You hate missing out on time with them.
You throw your backpack on, roll your suitcase behind you, and head towards the hotel. It's been well over a year since you've been in Munich and you pass the walk by admiring the architecture.
You find your way inside the hotel and it's Pia you see first, standing by the front desk with the concierge. She stops mid conversation when she sees you.
“Ali, Ali, Ali,” she sings, prancing over to you. As cold as she wants to think she is, you've never believed it for a second. She wraps you in a hug before bending down to examine your knee over your sweatpants. You laugh. Pia lightly taps your quad and says, “looking good!”
“Getting there,” you smile. Being with your coach again feels good, even if it's just temporary.
“We're glad to have you here. Good for your training, I believe.”
“Me too. Happy for the change in scenery,” you tell her. She senses you looking behind her, scanning for your friends. She lets out a light laugh.
“This way, Ali.” She walks you towards the conference room-turned-dining hall and opens the door. Before she has the chance to complete the word, “Girls,” a stampede is running towards you.
“Kriegs!” You hear from all angles as Kelley O'Hara jumps up and wraps her legs around you, gripping like a koala. Your bags fall to the ground instantly and Kelley's body momentarily blocks your view of your friends. You feel Heather Mitts' hand on your back and she begins hugging you both. HAO jumps around all of you and Tobin uses all her strength to rip Kelley off of your torso. You hear Megan, Alex and Sydney laughing behind them. You're laughing too, harder than you have in months, as your stomach fills with the purest form of joy. Christie, A Rod, Becky, Whitney, Meghan, Carli and Hope make their way over to embrace you. You're too overwhelmed saying hellos, hugging the girls, and answering questions about your knee to notice the unfamiliar face at the table. She's grabbing food from the buffet with the fitness staff, allowing your friends to great you. You're distracted and you follow Kelley to the table, in between her and Mittsy. The girls are firing questions at you and you're shooting them back. It takes nearly fifteen minutes for you to settle in and head to the main table to grab some food. It's not until then that you become aware of the stranger. You turn to Tobin in line behind you and whisper over your shoulder, “Who is that?” She follows your eyes and smiles.
“Oh, that's Ashlyn. She finally got called up last month. Really cool girl,” Tobin smiles. Tobin knows she doesn't need to really introduce her. Ashlyn Harris. You know the name. She was huge with the US Youth National team, played for UNC too with a bunch of the girls, Tobin included. She's been fighting to get called up for a few years now, in and out of the pool. You remember Whitney, her old teammate and best friend, mentioning a few setbacks in her career. You smile, feeling happy for her. You've always appreciated hard workers. You nod to Tobin in thanks and she heads back to the table with her plate. You're about to grab a dinner roll when you notice the new blonde rising and heading towards you. She doesn't look like you expected her too, but you're not sure you expected anything at all. You can tell she's a goalie from her broader body type and large arms. Even the loose fitting long-sleeve team warm ups hug her biceps tightly. Still, she has somewhat of a softer face. She walks towards you and begins to smile, stopping you in your tracks.
“Hey,” she smiles at you as she reaches the edge of the table. You're immediately taken aback by her voice. It's gentler than you thought it would be. “I'm Ashlyn.” She reaches out her hand and you adjust your plate to your left hand, reaching out with your right to grasp hers. She gives you a firm shake. “It's great to meet you. The girl's haven't shut up about you.” She doesn't even wait for an answer as she turns towards the table, grabbing two dinner rolls with the tongs. She places one on your plate and her eyes meet yours again. Your voice falters for a second but you catch it and manage a quiet thanks.
“Nice to meet you too,” you laugh lightly. “It's great you're finally here! I've heard a lot about you from Whit.” Ashlyn turns to you and smiles.
“Hopefully all good things,” she says with a wink. Before you realize it, she's back at her table, and you're standing alone at the buffet.