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"I don't think it's changed us as people, per se, but it's probably changed our life in the way that we're obviously more recognizable," Hedican says. "Every day, it's another interview, and, obviously, after the show, you've got 'Entertainment Tonight,' you've got 'Access Hollywood.'"

The unknowns are in the career options. Hedican's contract with the Hurricanes is finished, and his future with them -- and maybe hockey -- is up in the air.

"I'm not sure what the future holds in Carolina, as far as I'm concerned," he says. "I haven't had a chance to talk to [general manager] Jim Rutherford, which I do plan on doing when I come back, sitting down with him. Right after the season ended, it was a day or two, and I left right away to come out and see Kristi, and I'm down here taking care of the two girls."

Both Hedican and Yamaguchi say that, even if "Dancing" hadn't happened, they probably would be considering plans to move to Northern California, where they've had a summer home for a few years. Hedican says they'll likely sell their Raleigh home, in any case, as they've "grown out of it" since they had kids.

"I'm a California girl," Yamaguchi says. "I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. It's pretty much the place where we figure we're going to settle and raise our children. Right now, Bret doesn't have a contract, so we're just planning to settle in California through the summer and see what happens."

Soon, Hedican says, they will sit down and talk about future career plans for both of them. "Dancing With the Stars," he says, "has opened a lot of doors for her."

Yamaguchi has expressed a desire to do some reporting at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and says there have been some talks with NBC about that. This fall, she'll co-produce the seventh "Kristi Yamaguchi: Friends & Family" ice show special for NBC. She and Ballas say they'll be glad to participate in a winter "Dancing With the Stars" tour if they're invited, and they'll dance for special fundraising events.

Other than that, Yamaguchi tends to emphasize home life. With 20 or 30 million viewers watching her twice a week, and her face on the cover of TV Guide and other magazines, she may be more famous now than ever. But she doesn't see that lasting for too long.

"You know, I'm just kind of riding a wave at this point," she says. " 'Dancing With the Stars' is this amazing experience and kind of has a life of its own. It's been fun. I'm enjoying it while it lasts. I know it's short-lived, and something that's only going to keep going on as long as I'm on the show."

So, how does she see her chances tonight?

"One in three," she ventures, and laughs.

When pressed for some trash talk, she goes so far as to say: "I want a shot at that trophy. I want it as bad as those two boys. And I think it's about time a girl takes it. It's been five seasons since a girl has won."

You can almost hear "Dancing" judge Bruno Tonioli scream: "That's the attitude I want, darling! I love it!"

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