"Miss Parker?" The sideline judge asked when she grimaced when bending to pick up her racket.
"I'm ok."
"Thirty, fifteen," was the score announced giving Parker the advantage but now Lee had found her weakness.
The lobs began with more frequency and Parker was having more and more difficulty getting the ball to go over the net no matter what angle she hit them from losing her the second set quicker than Lee had lost the first.
They were tied at six games apiece in the third when Parker finally had to call time. The constant stretches had taken their toll and the bandage could no longer hold back the blood. The only good thing about the whole situation was the medic who had put the stitches in was waiting for her just inside the tunnel like she had asked. Parker stripped her shirt off and grimaced from just that movement.
"Fix it so it'll last through at least ten more serves."
"Miss King.."
"Call me Parker, and I don't want to hear about how bad it looks, fix it. You have thirteen minutes before I have to forfeit the game."
The man got to work, admiring how Parker just sat in the tunnel not flinching no matter what he did. Before putting another pressure bandage he sprayed the area with a massive amount of deadening agent. It wouldn't last long but it might give just enough relief for Parker to go after some of the cheap shots Lee had sent her way. The medic figured one more lob and the Texan should fear for her life from the crowd.
"Miss King, are you ready to resume play?"
"Yes, sir." The man in the chair adjusted the microphone back into place and signaled the time out period was over.
"Tie break for the match, Miss King will serve first."
Parker looked up into the stands and looked for Emily before she made any move to serve. The blonde stood up making herself easier to find and smiled when their eyes met. Emily put her hands over her heart and nodded her head getting Parker to smile as well. Parker tapped over her own heart with her fingertips and swore she heard a collective sigh come out of the crowd.
The first serve went over the net and Parker was surprised how pain free her side was all of a sudden. Lee hit a backhand and the volley began. It was hard-hitting and fairly straightforward back and forth without a lot of flare for about twelve strokes. At her first opportunity, Lee sent a high lob over the net. Parker gauged it and stood waiting for the right moment.
"Point, Miss King." Parker had sent it over the net almost directly at Lee Darnell. If the kid was going to win it would be playing tennis, not by way of playing to Parker's injuries.
For fifteen minutes the audience in attendance and at home got the kind of tennis they had come for as both women battled for dominance. The trophy and title was just a shot away.
"Advantage, Miss King, match point." Parker had waited a lifetime to hear that one line. The crowd was just as pumped, standing and starting their chant of 'Kong.' Before them was a true champion who had clawed her way back into the game. There was blood on her shirt, she was covered in sweat and up in the stands Emily provided the tears.
"Quiet please."
Parker set and let one fly over the net sending Lee scrambling to try and get it. Her one salvation was the line sensor went off and the ball was called out. All Lee had to do now was jump all over the second more traditionally slower serve and bring the game back to deuce.
"Out," yelled the line judge followed by, "second serve," from the chair.
The only thought in Parker's mind before she served again was that it was time to go home. She could hear the waves hitting the pilings under her court at home and longed for an afternoon game that didn't have so much riding on the outcome.
"Quiet please."
There was no one more shocked than Lee Darnell when the second serve flew passed her faster than the first one did. She almost wanted to say she wasn't ready and wanted to play the point again, but it was too late, it was Parker's year to deliver the slam.
"Game, set and match, Miss King."
The center court stadium came alive with camera flashes as Parker lifted the trophy over her head and walked the complete circuit around. She stopped when she got to Emily and her family so they could share in the victory. Parker knew she hadn't accomplished this alone, and the people smiling down at her deserved a great deal of credit and their own time in the spotlight.
************************************************************************
"Long month, huh?" asked Gary as they sat in the airport waiting for their plane.
"Turned out ok, so it was worth the hassles." Parker scratched around the first cut that was for the most part healed. The emotions of who had done it and why would take longer, but time would resolve that as well.
Daniel King had been placed in a state hospital until he was competent to stand trial for both assaults on Parker. Over Gary and her sisters' objections, Parker had given Gail's attorney a statement for her part in the melodrama the tournament had turned into. Parker just hoped Gail would crawl out of the bottle long enough to get the help she needed.
"Miss King, if you'd like you and your friends can board early." The Virgin employee smiled at the only two people sitting in their VIP lounge and offered to take their bags. Nick had gone to buy some magazines for the flight to Miami and was just as anxious to get back to Press Cove. "Congratulations on your win this afternoon."
"Thank you." Parker followed the small brunette through the door thinking that Emily must have called ahead to assure the special treatment. The pilot was meeting her in Florida in a few days so they could decide their future.
A sense of déjà vu came over Parker as they turned the corner and the crew was standing there waiting to greet them. "Welcome aboard, Miss King, I hope you enjoy your flight, and congratulations on your win." It was the same line Emily had ever told her the day they met.
"Yeah, yeah, but if you really loved me," started Parker.
Emily narrowed her eyes and tried to look mad. "I'd do what?"
"This." Parker dropped her bag and moved toward the pilot. The crew and Gary looked on as they kissed and held each other, neither willing to let go first. When air became an issue Parker did pull back and looked down at her favorite face. "Though a chicken salad sandwich and some hot chocolate might just hit the spot."
"Go sit down, smart ass, I'm taking us home.