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hell.
         AJ couldn't stop the smile that crept across her face. She still couldn't quite believe it. She had actually scored against Alec Kolchak! She was going to interview him and get her story!
         Her mind was already planning the course of her interview with Alec. Who was she kidding? She had been planning this since Tim had put the challenge out there! It was going to be extensive and in-depth, giving him the attention and recognition he deserved as a goalie.
         And giving her the chance at the staff spot at the paper.
         Her thoughts of making Gerry Brown crawl back under his rock as she put him in his place were interrupted by the doorbell. AJ winced as the echo bounced around the inside of her skull, and she made a mental note to finally go and get her migraine prescription refilled after she got rid of whoever was at the door.
         She threw on a pair of loose gym shorts and a sports bra then walked the short distance from her bathroom to the front door. She wasn't expecting company and wasn't in the mood for any, not when all she wanted to do was lie down and relive her victory from a few hours ago. Her mouth dropped open in surprise when she opened the door and saw Alec standing there. She smothered a laugh when he quickly turned his back to her.
         "Shit AJ. Do you always open the door half-naked?”
         "Uh..." AJ snapped her mouth closed and glanced down at herself, wondering if maybe she forgot something important, like her shorts. No, she was completely dressed. "I have clothes on."
         "You're missing your shirt."
         "Oh, get over it Kolchak. It's a sports bra. I'm in my own apartment!"
         Alec glanced at her over his shoulder, and AJ was surprised to see a faint blush tinge his cheeks. It amazed her. What on earth did Alec Kolchak have to blush about?
         "Yeah, well...you shouldn't walk around half-naked."
         "Uh..." Hearing the word naked coming from Alec's mouth suddenly made the room seem smaller and hotter and for once in her life AJ couldn't think of anything to say. Which was probably a good thing.
         "Actually, for this it's probably better. Come here." Alec grabbed her hand as he walked by her into her living room, tugging her along. AJ swore her heart stopped beating. She held her breath in anticipation then let it out silently when he none-too-gently led her to the sofa and pushed her down. "Sit and let me look at your shoulder."
         "What?"
         "I said, let me look at your shoulder," he repeated. AJ was stunned into silence as he gently pushed around the bruise, twisting and turning so that she was directly facing him as he bent over her. She swallowed as her eyes rested at his waist-level. Well, not exactly his waist, a little lower...
         AJ swallowed again. The jeans he was wearing were old and worn, snug in just the right spots so that her imagination caught fire...
         "Ouch! Hey, that hurt!" AJ twisted away from him, the burning pain in her shoulder putting an effective stop to her completely uncharacteristic thoughts. She placed her hand up to protect herself from anymore of his prodding, and hissed in surprise when his own hand covered hers in a gentle touch.
         "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it worse. Here, let me see it again." Alec laced his fingers through hers and moved her hand away. Instead of releasing it, though, he kept it loosely held in his as he continued to examine the bruise. AJ sucked her breath in again, but it had nothing to do with the pain her shoulder.
         In fact, she could barely feel the pain. All she could feel was the warm caress of his touch as he gently massaged the bruise, the strength of his fingers laced with hers as he continued to hold her hand. AJ turned her head away in case he could see her face, then immediately closed her eyes. He was standing so close to her, his hips only inches away from her face. All she had to do