Last Kiss

"It was a good shot Ali" Hope states as she walks up to Ali. Ali smiles at the keeper, "yeah must have looked good from 120 yards away," 

"ouch, got jokes Kriegy. For your info I was out of my box princess, so it's less than 120. Plus there is new technology called a Jumbo Tron and replay." Hope counters, crossing her arms with a grin. 

"I know you're tall but were you able to see over the brick wall" Ali says with sass. 

"Damn Kriegs, I think Hope might need to take an ice bath with Polar Bear after that." Pinoechimes in. Hope glares at Pinoe then Ali, but ends up shaking her head and starts laughing.  

The locker room laughs at the exchange, they didn’t expect Ali to be this carefree after having just squared off with Ashlyn. Or for Hope to join in, but never the less they are glad. 

Jill quiets everyone, "Ok Ladies, I'm not making any changes. We just need to finish what we start. back line is doing amazing, everyone of you is doing amazing out there. Now let's finish this. Show the world what this family is capable of." 

Kelley walks over to Hope and sits next to the keeper. "Hi."  

Hope turns her head to get a good look at Kelley, "Hey squirrel"noticing the semi serious look on her face. “Everything ok?” 

“um… I ..  I just wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you Hope” Kelley gets out a little nervous.  

“Proud of what Kel” Hope questions. 

“For being there forAli,  and me, and well the team.” Kelley smiles into the blue eyes, “you let down your walls and allowed yourself to become apart of this family, instead of just being on the team. You're showing everyone how much you care about them. And for that I'm proud of you” Kelley reached up and wiped the single tear that escaped from Hopes eyes. 

They share a small smile, sitting together in silence waiting for the second half. 

Half time is up and the team goes out to the pitch, they huddle on the side line for last minute instruction. 

"… remember when we score, andwe will score, we do as discussed.. Family on three" with that Hope starts the count down. 

The Germany team comes jogging out the tunnel and pass the US team as they shout "Family!" Ashlyn looks over and ends up locking eyes with Hope. (If looks could kill.) by the time her team is huddle up Ashlyn sees that the US is already in position ready to start. (let's do this.) 

"and we're back for the second half of the WC Semifinal match. The score is nil-nil. " 

The first 10 minutes of the second half is pretty much the same, pressure from both sides, attacks, clearances, chances, but no goals. 

The 59th minute however finds the Germany team with a penalty kick, after JJ drags Popp down by the shoulder for a yellow card in the box. (Shit! shit! shit!) JJ feels awful.  

Hope walks off to get a drink of water, she know Sasicis going to take the pk, trying to gather herself and physic out the German. Knowing she is 12 for 12 in penalty kicks during a WC.  

Sasicsets the ball on the pkspot, seeing Hope taking her time, she goes to her team mates giving high fives also trying to physic out the keeper. 

The ref approached Hope telling her to get on her line, but she just points to Sasicas if to say she's not even ready either. When Sasic takes her place, the ref backs off telling Hope to watch it. 

Hope zones in on Sasic. Sasiclooks away with a grin, hears the whistle and slots it left, with Hope diving right. (Fuck!) when Hope hears cheers she's slightly confused, coming out of her rolling dive. 

"And that is how you take the confidence out of a player for a pk. Solo just walked away to get water taking her time, obviously getting into the head of Sasic. Which caused her to lose her focus. Even though Solo guessed wrong she physicedout Sasic, causing her to shoot just out side the goal. Bravo." 
 

Sasicmissed. Hope can't help but jump up in celebration. She missed the pk. (That was close) 

Knowing her defender is beating herself up for having caused the penalty, Hope jogs up to JJ, "Hey Jules, look at me," JJ does as she's told letting a few tears fall, "it's ok, one time, out of the whole tourn-" 

"It could have costed us the game Hope." JJdrops her head at cutting off the Keeper. 

"but it didn't JJ." she puts both hands on the shoulders of the center back, "We're human, we have flaws, we make mistakes and we learn. You are a great center back, I wouldn’t want anyone else on the pitch with me..." 

"Not even Kelley" with a half smile JJ teases. 

Hope chuckles, shakes her head, "Kelley is an outside back..." she sees JJ smirk, knowing what she's thinking the keeper adds, "and don’t you dare make me choose between her and Ali" JJ just laughs. Remembering what Kelley said in locker room, Hope brings JJin for a hug, "I need you out there ok, we got this." nodding her head JJ takes her place. 

Not even ten minutes later, Alex is at the top of Germany's box when Krahngets in front of her causing a collision. Alex tumbles in pain, Kling and Holiday rush over to her, while Krahngets a yellow and the US is awarded a pk. Making sure their teammate is good, they get set up  

Carli sets up the ball, and just stares at it with such focus, almost like she isn't surrounded by thousands of people with the game riding on her shoulders. 

The rest of the US is on the sidelines, hand and hand. 

Ashlyn steps on her line, she feels with out a doubt that she knows where Carli will send the ball. 

A silence falls over the stadium, time is standing still, everyone is holding their breathe. 

Carli starts her run, right before she connects with the ball, she looks up at Ashlyn. Ashlyn begins to subtly go left. 

Ashlyn steps left as Carli's foot connects with the ball. (I got this) Following the ball with her eyes, she reaches out, and the ball just grazes the finger tips of... her right hand. She hears it hit the back of the net, the stadium erupts. The ball was slotted straight down the middle, perfectly places where she was standing before she moved left (Damn, was I a target). What she sees when she looks back, breaks her to the core. 

"I can not believe what I am seeing, Not a single US member is celebrating this goal. Not even the side lines, not even Carli Lloyd. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, they all turned their backs, with one finger raised to the sky, jogging back to their positions. The sidelines lifting their hands in unison and walking back to the bench. How do you not celebrate 1-0 in a semifinal match." 

Ashlyn bit the inside of her bottom lip so hard she draws blood. She had prepared for the gloating and celebration if they scored on her, knowing how rowdy the bunch got. This was something else. 

"Well John, we all knew this was going to be an emotional game for the US, having to face their former team mate Ashlyn Harris in goal. They are sending a message to Harris, that message has been clearly received. There was speculation that Harris had left without notice, though it wasn't confirmed, it seems pretty evident. The US is clearly hurt by the keeper and means nothing but business now. Not a single celebration must have been something they talked about before the game. I could only imagine what's going on in Ashlyn Harris's mind, seeing her former teammates not celebrating and turn their back on you after scoring a goal. This is just insane." 

If you were to ask each player how they felt at that moment, they'd tell you it hurt like hell. They didn't want to celebrate scoring against Ashlyn, it felt wrong, but they had a job to do.  

72nd: Tobin goes to head a ball out, but ends up jumping on Kemme, and Germany gets a free kick. Tobin shakes her head and kinda chuckles in disbelief. (well that just happened) Kemme extends her hand out to Tobin and helps her up.  

Both teams set up, Goesslingsends in a cross from about 30 yards out. 

---- 

Ali's POV: 

(You got this Krieger) I see the cross coming my way, (clear it) I jump up and head the ball full force, connecting not only with it, but with something much harder. 

I swear I can see the stars above me (they look beautiful tonight, wait? aren't we in a closed stadium.) My body feels weightless even as I hit the floor. (the floor? shouldn't that hurt?) After a second, off in the distance I hear my name being called. 

The world around me is going blurry, I know I heard her voice, I can feel a hand on my cheek. I see the outline of someone above me, they are talking, but I can't make out the words as I succumb to the darkness "Ashlyn..." 

----- 

Hope's POV: 

(Ok here it comes) The cross is perfectly placed inside the top of the 6. (Ali's got it) I stay back, ready if anything comes my way. That's when I see it. Sasic coming at an angle. I know Ali doesn't see her. (No. No. No. Shit!) 

My stomach drops as I watch their heads collide, the sound is unbearable loud. I try to run to her by my body's moving to slow. They both hit the turf, Sasic gets up and Ali is still on the floor. 

"ALI!" My scream echo's with someone else's, but I don’t care, I need to get to her. 

I put my hand on her cheek, looking into her eye's that all ready show signs of vacancy. "Ali stay with me, look at me." I become frantic as I see her eye's closing, "No, no, open your eyes, open your e-" I stop talking when I see her lips part, and I hear her breath out, "Ashlyn " as they close and her head falls into my hand. 

My heartbreaks, head jerks up and my eyes dart to the keeper who's at center field being held back by her teammates. (I can't believe this) 

---- 

Ashlyn's POV: 

As soon as I see Ali getting ready to jump up, I began to run out of my box. The world around me has become muted as I'm forced to watched in slow motion, Ali going to head the ball away. Sasictrying to head it in goal. ( No. No. No. No) 

The sound of their heads colliding is the only noise I could comprehend. My heart stops beating, I'm sure of it, and suddenly I'm being held back by Bartisiakand Krahnin the center circle.(I have to get to her) Both players falling to the turf but I see Sasic get up almost immediately, I begin to panic. 

"ALEX!" I screams at center field,my voice, along with someone else's, seems to echo in the stadium as it falls silent once again. 

I know I don’t have the right, but I become enraged when I see Hope at her side. She looks frantic as she placed a hand on her cheek. (That should be me) I can't make out what she's saying to Ali and it's pissing me off even more. Ali's head goes limp in her hand, I can feel my chest tighten, then I see Hopes head turn to me. What I see when our eye's meet isn't what I was expecting. She looks scared, I don't even think that's possible, and I feel the color drain from my face.  

My knees feel weak ( I need to get to her) I begin to push Bartisiakand Krahnoff of me. 

"StoppenAshlyn. Sie können nichtdorthingehen." {Stop Ashlyn. You can not go over there} Krahntries to stopme. 

It almost doesn't work until I look back up and see Ali lift her hand to her head. (oh thank god) 

----- 

Ali's POV: 

I groan as I lift my hand to my head, my eyes tightly shut, " Well that hurt" I rasp out. Ican hear someone release a sighof relief, "God Al, you scared me." I open one eye slowly and then the other, seeing Hope bent over me. "Why were you scared?" I look at her confused. 

She scrunches her eyebrow in worry and looks at the medical staffmember. (Brian. His name is Brian). "what" I ask looking between to two. "You were unconscious." (great now they are gonnatake me out) I sigh and wait for the questions. 

"What's your name?" 

"Alexandra Krieger" 

"Do you know where you are?" 

I grow impatient. "I am in the US box, on the pitch, in Montreal stadium, in Canada. Today is June 30th 2015, second half of the World Cup semifinal match, against  #1 world ranked Germany...." I pause for a second and close my eyes, "Playing against the women I'm still in love with, even though she ripped out my heart back in January..." I open my eyes and look at Brian, "I'm fine really, don’t take me out. I need to finish this game. I promise if something feels wrong I will gladly step off the pitch, I wouldn't risk the sacrifice we have made to get here. I swear I'm ok." I look at him with pleading eyes.  

He looks at Hope and she shrugs, “She sounds fine too me but you get the last call” 

“This is my job on the line here Ali” Brian states. 

"I swear Brian." I plead once more. 

"We're gonnawalk off the field and you are going to do a set of sprints, If you look fine we'll put you back in." I nod. Brian tells Lauren to run over and get approval from Jill to play with 10 for a few.  

Hope and Brian help me sit up and I tell them I feel good no head rush or anything. (Thank God) the crowd cheers and I wave. I gaze out towards center field for some reason, and my eyes lock with Ashlyn. ( Why did I do that) She looks like she's seen a ghost. I quickly look away and Hope helps me stand up. I'm able to walk off the pitch and Brian tells Jill the plan, which thankfully she agreed to. I see everyone take their places and the whistle blows. I do my set of sprints and Brian clears me, I rush back to field. (I'm not going down without a fight) 

----- 

“and Krieger is back on the field. I thought for sure they were going to sub her out. The way Hope Solo looked while by her side it seemed serious, but here she, living up to her German last name of Warrior.We see Kelley O’Hara checking in with the 4thofficial.The US sending in a fresh pair of legsin the 74th minute. Germanyhas yet to make a substitutions."   

Kelley gets subbed in for Tobin. In true Kelley nature she brings fire to the pitch. Helping with defense as well as assisting in attacks. Germany doesn't know what to do with the squirrel.  

79th minute brings in Abby for Pinoe. Germany begins to struggle, with the US having two subs and they only brought in one, who isn't at 100%. 

Germany does however send in a few shots, mostof them are wide or over the post.  

"You just see the confidence radiating from Hope Solo and her abilityto read the plays and direct her line. It comes from the years of experience. One shot that was ongoal, it looked like a difficult save from up here but Solomade it look so easy." 

85thminute: Germanygets a throw in on the US side. But it's quickly taken away by Lauren, who streaks'up the middle. She sends it up top to Abby, she holds it there for a few weighting her options. Looking up Abby sees Moe coming her way and passes it down to her.  

Moe sees Carli in the 18 and sends a great pass to her. Carli notices that Alex in marked pretty good but continues towards the goal warding off her defender.  

Kelley goes forward in the 18 as well trying to keep something open when she sees Carli getting closer to the 6 she runs to the goal. Carli sees her and cuts it back straight to where Kelley will be.   

Ashlyn thought Carli just kicked it wrong but when she turns see doesn’t even have time to react, she just stands there, completely thrown off.  

"Harris doesn’t look focused, To be honest it doesn't look like she's mentally recovered from when Krieger went down... " 

Kelley is unmarked, running andjumps in front of Kemme, perfectly timed. The flying squirrel karate kicks the ball into the back of the net.Her first International goal. The crowd goes wild. 

"and the US is up 2-0. Harris just looks baffled, she didn’t even try to follow the ball. That's where her inexperience at this level hinders her... and the US continuesto send their message.."  

 As excited as she is,  Kelleydoesn'tcelebrate, she sticks her arm upand jogs back.  

They team wants to celebrate for Kelley but when they see her sticking to what they discussed, they follow suit. Jogging back into position with their fingerhelp up.  

Carli looks over to Kelley, "O'Hara!" everyone turns to took at Carli, with her right hand she taps her heart twice, bring two fingers to her lips with a kiss and points to the brunette, nodding her head. It's not the celebration she wants to give the younger player but she felt that acknowledgingher first goal on the field was necessary.  

Kelley smiles at the gesture and looks over to Alex, who does the same thing. She turns to see that the rest of the team do it as well, she's over whelmed and puts her hand over her heart.  

They are all in place once more and Kelley steals a glance back to Hope. Hope smiles and shakes her head, repeating the gesture as well.  

The entire US team is on a high at the point. They are up 2-0 against number one ranked Germany. Germany is trying their hardest to bring in the attacks but you can see how tired they are.  

Ashlyn is frustrated that the coach hasn't made anymore subs. This is not how she imagined this game going at all. 

3 minutes of stoppage time is added, but it doesn’t make a difference for Germany.  

When the final whistle is blown, Kelley drops to her knees as the team and bench envelope her. Finally able to show how proud they are.  

Carli makes a bee line for Hope, "We're going to the final!".  

Hope embraces her long time friend, "Yes we are!" Her smile falls when she sees Ashlyn walking straight for Ali. She all but runs towards the keeper. 

Ashlyn's so focused on Ali that when she sees the brunette's signature smile, she melts, that is until she follows her defender's gaze. Now she's staring into the eyes of Hope Solo, who looks like she's about to kill her if she gets any closer. Ashlyn stops dead in her tracks clenching her fist as Ali throws her arms around Hopes neck.  

Hope is thrown off when see fells arms around her neck, but she doesn’t let it show to Ashlyn, she just keeps her signature bitch face to the blonde and hugs the person back.  

Ali moves on to hug someone else, oblivious to the fact that the two keepers are silently at war.  

Hope approachesAshlyn stoppinga few feet away, "You know I swore I was going to beat the shit out of you for what you did... but I won't, I won't hurt her like that." 

By now everyone has noticed the stand of between the keepers, no body moves, no body makes a sound.  

Ashlyn takes a step towards Hope, she's had enough, through gritted teeth she leans in, "Stay away from my girlfriend Solo,"  

As Ashlyn begins to step back, Hope scoffs, "She's not your girlfriendanymore Harris"