Disclaimer: I don't own the Ducks just my story.
This is going to be sad but it is also a romance. It's a Julie/Charlie fic. I have always thought those two belonged together and I have never seen any fics about them. So I am writing one. I hope you like it. Please read and review.
Oh and I am Co-writing this with my friend Chelsea. Ya'll might know her as C-chan. Actually she is just helping me with this one, with ideas. We are writing one that will be the sequel to this one. It will be about the Ducks in college. Anyway, I will get one with the fic now.
A Note From C-chan: Hey all! It's 12:00 midnight and my stomach is turning itself inside out so I figured you guys could live with any mistakes still in here! ^_^ Am I right? Of course I am! I always am...anyway, I'm basically Liz's beta reader in this; she came up with the plot. I just made sure errors were gone. In the sequel, we're both writing it. I added stuff and changed the formatting and stuff. ^_^ Okay, churning stomachs and late nights are bad for me...I'm going to sleep now...oh, and I came up with the title in all its retarded glory! *grins* Oh, it's beautiful...*sniff*...*wipes away a tear*...okay, sleep time now...
Dana: EEEP! Sorry, my computer is doin' freaky things...SOOOO sorry! I'm working on it as I type this...it's goin' psycho on me...*cries* it's confusing my brain!
---Introduction---
The Ducks were now sophomores at Eden Hall. It is in the middle of the year just after Christmas. The Ducks have about eight more games in the regular season and they were defiantly going to the playoffs this year; they had won almost all the games but two. Connie and Guy got back together over the summer and are just as close as ever. You could even say they were closer if that was possible. Charlie and Linda had broken up because Linda had still not learned to like hockey. She had been trying to get Charlie to quit but he wouldn't so she broke up with him. Charlie wasn't that upset; he had been planning on breaking up with her for a while. He couldn't be with a girl who didn't like him playing hockey. Hockey was one of the most important things in his life. He and Julie started hanging out a lot. They were really good friends but then they started to hang out more and get closer. They weren't "official" yet but the Ducks knew that it was just a matter of time before they were. The team hadn't changed since freshman year. The Bash Brothers we're still at it and Charlie was still the Captain. Charlie had actually put the C down and asked if anyone else wanted it, but they all told him that it wouldn't be the same if he wasn't Captain. Unable to argue with them, he agreed to keep it.
---Part 1---
Julie Gaffney was absolutely freezing. It was January and naturally, it was freezing outside. She didn't have enough clothes on for the weather because that morning she had been late to class. In her frenzy, she hadn't thought to dress for the temperature. She was walking back to the dorms to drop her books off and get her equipment for practice. She couldn't run because it was icy and she didn't want to risk falling. She found herself wishing that she would run into one of the guys because she knew that they would warm her up buy putting an arm around her. But she didn't see any hope of that so she just walked by herself. However, Charlie saw her ahead of him looking like she was freezing and miserable so he quickened his pace and caught up to her. He took her backpack and put it on his shoulder and then put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.
"Hey Jules. You okay?" he asked the short blonde.
Julie looked at him and smiled. "Hey Charlie. Yeah, I'm fine.just cold. I was too late this morning to put much on and I couldn't find my jacket so all I have is this sweater and it isn't that heavy."
Charlie nodded and rubbed her arm. "Well, when we get to the dorm you have a few minutes to look for your coat, and if you still can't find it come to my dorm. I have an extra jacket there that is actually to small for me. You can wear that if you want."
Julie shivered and tried to get closer to Charlie. "Thanks Ch-Charlie."
"No problem Jules." Charlie smiled sweetly at her and wrapped his arm around her tighter.
They got to the dorms and Charlie gave Julie her books back and they split up in the direction of their dorms. Julie got to her room and opened it up. She put her books on her bed and went to look in her closet for her jacket. She looked for a few minutes and then looked on the floor and there it was. She bent down and picked it up and put it on. Then she got her equipment and left. She looked at her watch and saw that she was a little early so she decided to go to Charlie's room and walk with him. She got to his room and knocked softly on the door.
Charlie opened the door. "Hey Julie, I see that you found your coat. What are you doing here?"
"I left to early to go to practice so I thought I would come over here and we could walk to practice together." She replied.
Charlie smiled. "Sounds good to me." He looked at his watch. "Let me get my equipment and we can go."
Julie nodded and he went to get his stuff. Once he had gathered all he needed, he came back, shut his door, and smiled at her. "Ready?"
Julie nodded again.
Charlie noticed that she looked tired and pale. "Jules, you ok? You look pale." Julie sighed. "Yeah, I guess I'm just tired."
Charlie nodded before replying, "Here, let me take you equipment."
Julie handed Charlie her equipment and smiled.
They walked to the rink and stepped in, happily exchanging conversation. Most of the team was already there and they weren't surprised to see Charlie and Julie walk in together. But they were surprised to see that he was carrying her equipment. Despite the fact that they WANTED to, nobody said anything about it. They all got ready and went out to the ice. Coach Orion told them to warm up by doing about twenty laps and sprints. Julie who usually keeps up with the group was lying back more than usual. She was extremely tired, but she didn't let that keep her from doing her duty as the goalie; she was just slower than the rest doing laps and sprints. The coach noticed how she wasn't with the rest of the group.
Coach Orion called out for Julie. "Gaffney!!! Come here."
Julie skated over to him. "Yes coach?"
"Are you ok? You aren't with the rest of the team like you usually are." Coach Orion asked.
"Yeah, I'm ok. I'm just tired, but I am ok." Julie replied with a half- smile. Orion nodded. "Okay, just wanted to make sure..."
Julie nodded and went back to the laps.
They finished their warm-up and went on with the practice. At the net, Julie did as she always did, blocking almost all the shots. Everyone's fear suddenly disappeared as she blocked shot after shot with fluid perfection. The practice came to a close and they all went to the locker room. Julie sat down at her locker and just stared off into space. She really didn't want to change; she was just too tired. Soon enough, Charlie came over to her and bent in front of her.
"Jules are you going to shower and change? Everyone else already has. In fact, most of the Ducks have already left." He asked her.
Julie groaned and mutterd, "I guess."
Charlie is concerned. "Okay, go on then. I'm going to wait for you."
Julie shook her head. "Charlie, you don't have to do that. I will be fine, I promise."
"Jules, I am not leaving you alone in her. I'm not blind, I can see you're exhausted and I'm worried about you. I'm going to stay and wait for you and walk you back. Now go and shower." Charlie said strongly, but gentle at the same time.
Julie sighed and nodded and went off she showered and got into her regular clothes. Then she went back into the locker room and put her equipment back in her bag. She put her jacket on and zipped it up before she turned to Charlie and gave him a halfhearted smile.
Charlie smiled. "You ready?" he asked.
Julie nodded in reply.
"Ok then, let's go." He then saw her struggling with her bag. "Here let me have that." He said, taking her bag from her.
"Thanks."
Charlie smiled. "Anytime Jules."
They started their walk towards their own respective dorms in silence. Most of the time Julie had her head down looking at the ground. But something caught her eye and she looked up, nearly coming face to face with Scooter, who was walking towards them. Julie groaned. "I really don't feel like dealing with him right now."
"Why? Has he been bothering you?" Charlie asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
Julie rolled her eyes and replied, "Yes for the past fricking month he has been trying to get me to go out with him again. I told him if he hadn't treated me like crap and had actually listened to me, I might consider it. But since he DIDN'T listen to me, I refuse give him the time of day. Here he comes..."
Charlie nodded. "Ahh, okay."
Just then Scooter walked up to them and smiled at Julie. "Hey sweetie how you doing? Want to go get something to eat?"
Julie, as tired as she was, did not like being called "Sweetie" by Scooter, or anyone for that matter. Well, she did let the Ducks call her that sometimes. She then pounced on Scooter and knocked him on the ground before kicking him in the ribs. Having that done, she bent down into Scooters face with an angry glare emitting from her face.
Julie was truly pissed. "Don't EVER call me that again, you hear me, jerk?" she shouted. Scooter nodded, frightened by the sudden violent outburst.
"Good, and no I don't want to get something to eat with you now or ever. As a matter of fact, right now I am going to bed." Julie spat out.
With that Julie walked off leaving Scooter on the ground. Charlie caught up with her and saw that she looked like she was crying.
Charlie stopped and reached out, gently grabbing her arm. "Julie, what's wrong?!"
Julie looked down. "Why can't he get the picture that I don't want to go out with him? Why won't he just leave me alone?"
Charlie pulled her closer for a hug. "I don't know Julie, I don't know, come on lets get you to bed."
Julie nodded. The two teenagers went inside the dorm that they were in front of and he walked her to her room. She opened it up and went inside He followed her in and put her equipment down.
"Jules, you sure you don't want anything to eat?" Charlie asked.
Julie nodded. "I just want to go to bed."
Charlie nodded back. "Ok well I am going to go, alright? I am going to go get something to eat but then I will be in my dorm the rest of the night. So if you need anything, you can call me ok?"
She nodded and pulled her bag off the bed to the floor. Charlie walked over to her and hugged her.
"I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" he said.
Julie nodded and he kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Julie changed and went to bed turning the light off. She got up the next day feeling a lot better. She made sure that she put on plenty of clothes and got her jacket. She had a feeling that this was going to be a good day, plus they had a game tonight.
She got to her classes on time and had fun at lunch. She sat with Charlie and they talked about the game, her family, his family and then they just play fought. Which caused Julie to get teased the rest of the day by Connie but she didn't care...it was fun. The school day ended and it was time to get ready for the game. She went to the dorm and got her stuff. She sighed and walked out the door to go to the bus. She didn't want the Ducks to know it but she was seriously nervous about this game. She had heard that the players were about as big as the Iceland players were in the Goodwill games. She got to the bus put her back up and got a seat. When she set down, she took a deep breath and began trying to calm herself down.
Julie then muttered something to herself. "I wish Charlie was here."
Jus as she said that, Charlie poked his head in the bus and gave her a big grin. "Hey Julie, ready for the game?" he asked.
Julie shook her head no. Charlie was the only person on the team that she trusted enough to admit her fear to. She refused to admit her weakness and anxiety to the other Ducks. She didn't want anyone to think she was a big baby. But Julie knew Charlie wouldn't condemn her for it; and she trusted him for that.
"Ahh, Jules, you're not scared are you?" Charlie asked in a slightly teasing voice.
Julie just nodded her head; Charlie frowned and walked over to her and hugged her, now completely serious.
"It'll be ok Jules, you'll see." Charlie said.
Julie sighed. "Its just that I heard that the guys are about as big as those Iceland players, and not only that, but my mom and dad are supposed to come and watch. With that combination I am scared to death."
"You'll be ok Jules. Just don't think about how big the players are." Charlie said in a comforting tone.
Julie was panicking. "My mom will freak if she sees them, so will my dad. But I can just tell them I will be ok and they will believe me. It's just...I have to wonder...do I believe myself?"
Charlie turned in his seat and looks Julie in the eye. "Julie, you will be fine. Look around you. You have me and ten other guys around you to protect you from those guys. Don't worry about it you'll be fine. Plus you get to stay in the goal."
Julie smiled; Charlie always made her feel better. "Thanks Charlie."
He smiles. "No prob, Jules. No prob."
She smiled and realized they were almost there. They soon arrived and unloaded. The team went into the locker room and started to change. They got on the ice and started to warm up. Julie looked into the stands and didn't see her parents. She sighed; it wasn't time for the game to start anyways. When the warm-ups were over and the game was about to start, she looked back up into the stands and sighed again. Charlie noticed that she looked upset and skated over to the goal.
"Hey Jules, you ok sweetie?" Charlie asked.
Julie shook her head. "Mama and daddy aren't here..."
Charlie patted her on the back. "Well I'm sure they will be here...don't worry about it, okay?"
Julie looked at him and gave him a small smile. "Okay."
Charlie grinned. "All right, ready to play?"
Julie grins hits both sides of the goal and says, "BRING IT ON!!!"
Charlie grins and says, "That's my girl!"
Charlie skates off and the game starts.
The first period went great. The Ducks scored two points and the other team didn't score any. At the end of the first period, Julie was pumped! Her team was winning and she wasn't as scared as she was in the beginning. She was skating over to the rest of the team and was looking around in the crowd to see if her parents were there. They weren't. She was starting to get worried now; they should have been there by then. She skated over to Charlie and tugged on his jersey. He looked at her and smiled but his smile quickly faded when he say the look on her face.
Charlie frowned. "What is it Sweetie?"
Julie was trying not to panic. "They're still not here. What if something happened to them?"
Charlie was trying to think of something to calm her down. "Julie, are you sure it was this game they were going to? Maybe they were going to go to a home game."
Julie shook her head. "No Charlie, Daddy called me yesterday and told me they were coming to this one."
Charlie replied, "Ok...well maybe something came up and they couldn't get a hold of you before the game. Come on we well ask coach, okay?"
Julie nodded. Charlie took her hand and they went over to Coach Orion.
"Coach, Julie's parents were supposed to be here and they haven't arrived yet. She's worried. Do you think maybe something came up and they couldn't come and they couldn't get a hold of her before we left?" Charlie said.
Coach looked at Julie. She didn't have her usual touch girl act on. He could tell she was scared. He nodded. "Probably. I happen to know of a certain ex-coach of yours that is here to watch you guys. He has his cell phone. Julie, does your dad have a cell phone?" Julie nodded and said, "Yeah, Coach Bombay has the number."
Coach Orion nodded. "Okay, well I will get him to call and find out what is going on. Would that be okay, Gaffney?"
Julie nodded again.
Coach gave her an encouraging smile. "Okay, now you two get back on the ice. The second period is about to start."
They nodded and went back to the ice. Julie skated to the goal and got ready. Charlie just stood out in the middle of the ice looking at her with a worried look on his face. She looked at him and gave him a small smile. That made him feel a little better and he smiled back at her. She hit the legs of the goal and did her usual. "BRING IT ON!". Charlie laughed and turned around ready to start the period. They were still winning in the middle of the second period when Connie skated by, stealing the puck from the other team.
Julie cheered for her fellow female Duck. "GO CONNIE!!! THAT-A-GIRL! SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS."
Guy laughed and so did Charlie. Connie passed the puck to Charlie who got to the goal and shot and scored. They celebrated a little but then got back into the game. Connie got the puck again and started skating towards the opposing goal. She didn't see the guy coming up behind her but Julie did.
Julie screamed out to her. "CONNIE! LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU."
Connie heard Julie's cry and passed the puck to Guy who shot and scored. Just as Guy scored, the guy that had been behind Connie body slammed her in to the wall hard. Julie saw this and started freaking out.
"CONNIE!!!" Julie began skating over to her "Connie, are you ok?"
Connie just lay there for a minute. Guy came over and bent down next to her.
"Connie! Look at me sweetie." She slowly looked up at him. "That's a good girl. Are you hurt or just dazed?"
Connie blinked. "I think I'm ok. Just dazed."
"Ok...can you get up? Do you need help?" Guy asked Connie.
Connie shook her head. "I'm ok, but I don't want to play right now. I just want to sit down."
Guy nodded. "Okay, come on."
Julie watched Guy take Connie off the ice and she went back to the goal. Charlie watched her and skated over to her.
Charlie approached Julie. "She's ok Julie, you know that right? She is just a little shaken up."
Julie nodded. "I know."
Charlie started to skate off but saw something in Julie's face that worried him. Charlie frowned. "Julie you okay?"
Julie was worried stiff. "What if something happened to them Charlie? Ugh, I hate not knowing! I'd rather know what happened then have to stand here worrying..."
Charlie went over to her and hugged her. "I know Jules, I know. But Coach is finding out right now so we will know in the next break. And Jules, I want you to know what ever happens, I will be right here for you okay?"
Julie pulled back and smiled. "Thanks Charlie."
Charlie smiled, kissed her on the forehead, and gave Julie her helmet that was on the back of the goal. She puts it on and Charlie skates off to finish the period.
She put it on and Charlie skated off to finish the period. The period ended and the team skated off the ice. Charlie went straight to the coach.
Charlie took in a deep breath and mentally prepared himself. "Coach, have you heard anything?"
Coach Orion answered him. "Yeah, and its not good. Do you want me to tell you and then you tell Julie or tell you and you be there when I tell Julie?"
"Tell me then, I'll be there when you tell Julie." Charlie answered back.
Coach sighed and proceeded to tell Charlie. "Okay. Well on their way here Julie's mom and dad were in a wreck. It was pretty bad, Charlie, and Julie's dad is in bad shape. They don't know if he is going to make it. Her mom is pretty bad to but they have her stable and they are pretty sure that she well be fine. Now the only question is how are we going to tell Jules."
Charlie was in shock for a moment. "Coach I just changed my mind...let me tell Julie."
Orion nodded. "Alright Charlie. I will go find her and send her in her; then I'll make sure the rest of the team doesn't bother you."
Charlie nodded.
Coach and Charlie talked a couple more minutes about some stuff before the Coach Orion left to find Julie.
After Orion left, Charlie laid his head in his hands for a second. He then sat back up, telling himself that he can't let Julie see him like that. A few seconds later, Julie walked in thoroughly scared about what is going on with her parents.
"Charlie?" Julie said in a soft voice.
Charlie looked over at her, stood up, and went to her.
Charlie approached Julie. "Hey Julie, why don't you sit down..."
Julie was visibly worried. "Did find out about mama and daddy?"
"Yea sweetie I did." Charlie answered truthfully.
Julie sat down at her locker and Charlie kneeled down in front of her and took her hands. "Julie, you parents were on their way here. They got in a horrible accident." He takes a deep breath and lets it out. "They are both in the hospital right now. They have gotten your mom stable, and she will be ok. They are having trouble getting you dad stabilized, and they are having doubts about him." Charlie explained, trying to remain calm and collected for Julie.
Charlie stopped there to let the news sink in. He looked at Julie and saw that she was struggling to not cry. He let go of one of her hands and reached up to her face. He then pulled her face up to look at him.
"Julie, sweetie if you want to cry let it out, ok? It's not going to hurt you to cry, I promise." Charlie counseled.
Julie looked at him, felt the gentle touch of his hand on her face, and started crying. Charlie stood up, picked her up, and sat down, pulling her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and started to rock her.
"Julie, sweetie, Coach said that he would be okay if you wanted to come out of the game and go to the hospital. Bombay will take you; he already said that. But he said that you could continue playing if you want and then go afterwards. What do you want to do sweetie?" Charlie said with tenderness.
Julie was trying to stop crying. "I don't want to leave the game. Mama and daddy wouldn't want me to leave the game, daddy told me that one time. I'll stay in the game and go after. Will you go with me Charlie?"
Charlie nodded and said, "Yes sweetie, I will go with you."
"Thanks." Julie said with a smile.
"You're welcome. Now come on, lets get you washed up for the third period, ok?" Charlie said with a comforting smile.
Julie nodded. Charlie helped her up and took her over to the sink. She washed her face with cold water and dried it off with Charlie's jersey. She looked at him and gave him a weak smile before turning to walk back to the ice. Charlie smiled and went after her. He told Coach Orion what she wanted to do and he nodded. The third period started and went without any scores. The Period was hard for Julie but she didn't let anyone know that something was wrong; she blocked every shot they sent her way. At the end of the game, Charlie and Julie celebrated a little while and then went and changed. Coach Bombay came in and told Charlie he needed to talk to him so Charlie went outside with him. A few minutes later, they both came back in. Charlie looked worried but Bombay didn't have any particular look on his face. Charlie went over to Julie and sat down next to her. Coach Bombay came and sat down in front of them. Julie looked at Bombay and knew something is wrong.
Julie looked worried. In a voice softer than usual, she asked, "Coach, what is it?"
Bombay frowned and replied, "Sweetie, I just got a phone call from the Hospital..."
OHHH cliffhanger! What's going to happen? Well you well just have to wait and see, now won't you? Oh, and reviewing would be nice. *winks*
This is going to be sad but it is also a romance. It's a Julie/Charlie fic. I have always thought those two belonged together and I have never seen any fics about them. So I am writing one. I hope you like it. Please read and review.
Oh and I am Co-writing this with my friend Chelsea. Ya'll might know her as C-chan. Actually she is just helping me with this one, with ideas. We are writing one that will be the sequel to this one. It will be about the Ducks in college. Anyway, I will get one with the fic now.
A Note From C-chan: Hey all! It's 12:00 midnight and my stomach is turning itself inside out so I figured you guys could live with any mistakes still in here! ^_^ Am I right? Of course I am! I always am...anyway, I'm basically Liz's beta reader in this; she came up with the plot. I just made sure errors were gone. In the sequel, we're both writing it. I added stuff and changed the formatting and stuff. ^_^ Okay, churning stomachs and late nights are bad for me...I'm going to sleep now...oh, and I came up with the title in all its retarded glory! *grins* Oh, it's beautiful...*sniff*...*wipes away a tear*...okay, sleep time now...
Dana: EEEP! Sorry, my computer is doin' freaky things...SOOOO sorry! I'm working on it as I type this...it's goin' psycho on me...*cries* it's confusing my brain!
---Introduction---
The Ducks were now sophomores at Eden Hall. It is in the middle of the year just after Christmas. The Ducks have about eight more games in the regular season and they were defiantly going to the playoffs this year; they had won almost all the games but two. Connie and Guy got back together over the summer and are just as close as ever. You could even say they were closer if that was possible. Charlie and Linda had broken up because Linda had still not learned to like hockey. She had been trying to get Charlie to quit but he wouldn't so she broke up with him. Charlie wasn't that upset; he had been planning on breaking up with her for a while. He couldn't be with a girl who didn't like him playing hockey. Hockey was one of the most important things in his life. He and Julie started hanging out a lot. They were really good friends but then they started to hang out more and get closer. They weren't "official" yet but the Ducks knew that it was just a matter of time before they were. The team hadn't changed since freshman year. The Bash Brothers we're still at it and Charlie was still the Captain. Charlie had actually put the C down and asked if anyone else wanted it, but they all told him that it wouldn't be the same if he wasn't Captain. Unable to argue with them, he agreed to keep it.
---Part 1---
Julie Gaffney was absolutely freezing. It was January and naturally, it was freezing outside. She didn't have enough clothes on for the weather because that morning she had been late to class. In her frenzy, she hadn't thought to dress for the temperature. She was walking back to the dorms to drop her books off and get her equipment for practice. She couldn't run because it was icy and she didn't want to risk falling. She found herself wishing that she would run into one of the guys because she knew that they would warm her up buy putting an arm around her. But she didn't see any hope of that so she just walked by herself. However, Charlie saw her ahead of him looking like she was freezing and miserable so he quickened his pace and caught up to her. He took her backpack and put it on his shoulder and then put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.
"Hey Jules. You okay?" he asked the short blonde.
Julie looked at him and smiled. "Hey Charlie. Yeah, I'm fine.just cold. I was too late this morning to put much on and I couldn't find my jacket so all I have is this sweater and it isn't that heavy."
Charlie nodded and rubbed her arm. "Well, when we get to the dorm you have a few minutes to look for your coat, and if you still can't find it come to my dorm. I have an extra jacket there that is actually to small for me. You can wear that if you want."
Julie shivered and tried to get closer to Charlie. "Thanks Ch-Charlie."
"No problem Jules." Charlie smiled sweetly at her and wrapped his arm around her tighter.
They got to the dorms and Charlie gave Julie her books back and they split up in the direction of their dorms. Julie got to her room and opened it up. She put her books on her bed and went to look in her closet for her jacket. She looked for a few minutes and then looked on the floor and there it was. She bent down and picked it up and put it on. Then she got her equipment and left. She looked at her watch and saw that she was a little early so she decided to go to Charlie's room and walk with him. She got to his room and knocked softly on the door.
Charlie opened the door. "Hey Julie, I see that you found your coat. What are you doing here?"
"I left to early to go to practice so I thought I would come over here and we could walk to practice together." She replied.
Charlie smiled. "Sounds good to me." He looked at his watch. "Let me get my equipment and we can go."
Julie nodded and he went to get his stuff. Once he had gathered all he needed, he came back, shut his door, and smiled at her. "Ready?"
Julie nodded again.
Charlie noticed that she looked tired and pale. "Jules, you ok? You look pale." Julie sighed. "Yeah, I guess I'm just tired."
Charlie nodded before replying, "Here, let me take you equipment."
Julie handed Charlie her equipment and smiled.
They walked to the rink and stepped in, happily exchanging conversation. Most of the team was already there and they weren't surprised to see Charlie and Julie walk in together. But they were surprised to see that he was carrying her equipment. Despite the fact that they WANTED to, nobody said anything about it. They all got ready and went out to the ice. Coach Orion told them to warm up by doing about twenty laps and sprints. Julie who usually keeps up with the group was lying back more than usual. She was extremely tired, but she didn't let that keep her from doing her duty as the goalie; she was just slower than the rest doing laps and sprints. The coach noticed how she wasn't with the rest of the group.
Coach Orion called out for Julie. "Gaffney!!! Come here."
Julie skated over to him. "Yes coach?"
"Are you ok? You aren't with the rest of the team like you usually are." Coach Orion asked.
"Yeah, I'm ok. I'm just tired, but I am ok." Julie replied with a half- smile. Orion nodded. "Okay, just wanted to make sure..."
Julie nodded and went back to the laps.
They finished their warm-up and went on with the practice. At the net, Julie did as she always did, blocking almost all the shots. Everyone's fear suddenly disappeared as she blocked shot after shot with fluid perfection. The practice came to a close and they all went to the locker room. Julie sat down at her locker and just stared off into space. She really didn't want to change; she was just too tired. Soon enough, Charlie came over to her and bent in front of her.
"Jules are you going to shower and change? Everyone else already has. In fact, most of the Ducks have already left." He asked her.
Julie groaned and mutterd, "I guess."
Charlie is concerned. "Okay, go on then. I'm going to wait for you."
Julie shook her head. "Charlie, you don't have to do that. I will be fine, I promise."
"Jules, I am not leaving you alone in her. I'm not blind, I can see you're exhausted and I'm worried about you. I'm going to stay and wait for you and walk you back. Now go and shower." Charlie said strongly, but gentle at the same time.
Julie sighed and nodded and went off she showered and got into her regular clothes. Then she went back into the locker room and put her equipment back in her bag. She put her jacket on and zipped it up before she turned to Charlie and gave him a halfhearted smile.
Charlie smiled. "You ready?" he asked.
Julie nodded in reply.
"Ok then, let's go." He then saw her struggling with her bag. "Here let me have that." He said, taking her bag from her.
"Thanks."
Charlie smiled. "Anytime Jules."
They started their walk towards their own respective dorms in silence. Most of the time Julie had her head down looking at the ground. But something caught her eye and she looked up, nearly coming face to face with Scooter, who was walking towards them. Julie groaned. "I really don't feel like dealing with him right now."
"Why? Has he been bothering you?" Charlie asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
Julie rolled her eyes and replied, "Yes for the past fricking month he has been trying to get me to go out with him again. I told him if he hadn't treated me like crap and had actually listened to me, I might consider it. But since he DIDN'T listen to me, I refuse give him the time of day. Here he comes..."
Charlie nodded. "Ahh, okay."
Just then Scooter walked up to them and smiled at Julie. "Hey sweetie how you doing? Want to go get something to eat?"
Julie, as tired as she was, did not like being called "Sweetie" by Scooter, or anyone for that matter. Well, she did let the Ducks call her that sometimes. She then pounced on Scooter and knocked him on the ground before kicking him in the ribs. Having that done, she bent down into Scooters face with an angry glare emitting from her face.
Julie was truly pissed. "Don't EVER call me that again, you hear me, jerk?" she shouted. Scooter nodded, frightened by the sudden violent outburst.
"Good, and no I don't want to get something to eat with you now or ever. As a matter of fact, right now I am going to bed." Julie spat out.
With that Julie walked off leaving Scooter on the ground. Charlie caught up with her and saw that she looked like she was crying.
Charlie stopped and reached out, gently grabbing her arm. "Julie, what's wrong?!"
Julie looked down. "Why can't he get the picture that I don't want to go out with him? Why won't he just leave me alone?"
Charlie pulled her closer for a hug. "I don't know Julie, I don't know, come on lets get you to bed."
Julie nodded. The two teenagers went inside the dorm that they were in front of and he walked her to her room. She opened it up and went inside He followed her in and put her equipment down.
"Jules, you sure you don't want anything to eat?" Charlie asked.
Julie nodded. "I just want to go to bed."
Charlie nodded back. "Ok well I am going to go, alright? I am going to go get something to eat but then I will be in my dorm the rest of the night. So if you need anything, you can call me ok?"
She nodded and pulled her bag off the bed to the floor. Charlie walked over to her and hugged her.
"I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" he said.
Julie nodded and he kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Julie changed and went to bed turning the light off. She got up the next day feeling a lot better. She made sure that she put on plenty of clothes and got her jacket. She had a feeling that this was going to be a good day, plus they had a game tonight.
She got to her classes on time and had fun at lunch. She sat with Charlie and they talked about the game, her family, his family and then they just play fought. Which caused Julie to get teased the rest of the day by Connie but she didn't care...it was fun. The school day ended and it was time to get ready for the game. She went to the dorm and got her stuff. She sighed and walked out the door to go to the bus. She didn't want the Ducks to know it but she was seriously nervous about this game. She had heard that the players were about as big as the Iceland players were in the Goodwill games. She got to the bus put her back up and got a seat. When she set down, she took a deep breath and began trying to calm herself down.
Julie then muttered something to herself. "I wish Charlie was here."
Jus as she said that, Charlie poked his head in the bus and gave her a big grin. "Hey Julie, ready for the game?" he asked.
Julie shook her head no. Charlie was the only person on the team that she trusted enough to admit her fear to. She refused to admit her weakness and anxiety to the other Ducks. She didn't want anyone to think she was a big baby. But Julie knew Charlie wouldn't condemn her for it; and she trusted him for that.
"Ahh, Jules, you're not scared are you?" Charlie asked in a slightly teasing voice.
Julie just nodded her head; Charlie frowned and walked over to her and hugged her, now completely serious.
"It'll be ok Jules, you'll see." Charlie said.
Julie sighed. "Its just that I heard that the guys are about as big as those Iceland players, and not only that, but my mom and dad are supposed to come and watch. With that combination I am scared to death."
"You'll be ok Jules. Just don't think about how big the players are." Charlie said in a comforting tone.
Julie was panicking. "My mom will freak if she sees them, so will my dad. But I can just tell them I will be ok and they will believe me. It's just...I have to wonder...do I believe myself?"
Charlie turned in his seat and looks Julie in the eye. "Julie, you will be fine. Look around you. You have me and ten other guys around you to protect you from those guys. Don't worry about it you'll be fine. Plus you get to stay in the goal."
Julie smiled; Charlie always made her feel better. "Thanks Charlie."
He smiles. "No prob, Jules. No prob."
She smiled and realized they were almost there. They soon arrived and unloaded. The team went into the locker room and started to change. They got on the ice and started to warm up. Julie looked into the stands and didn't see her parents. She sighed; it wasn't time for the game to start anyways. When the warm-ups were over and the game was about to start, she looked back up into the stands and sighed again. Charlie noticed that she looked upset and skated over to the goal.
"Hey Jules, you ok sweetie?" Charlie asked.
Julie shook her head. "Mama and daddy aren't here..."
Charlie patted her on the back. "Well I'm sure they will be here...don't worry about it, okay?"
Julie looked at him and gave him a small smile. "Okay."
Charlie grinned. "All right, ready to play?"
Julie grins hits both sides of the goal and says, "BRING IT ON!!!"
Charlie grins and says, "That's my girl!"
Charlie skates off and the game starts.
The first period went great. The Ducks scored two points and the other team didn't score any. At the end of the first period, Julie was pumped! Her team was winning and she wasn't as scared as she was in the beginning. She was skating over to the rest of the team and was looking around in the crowd to see if her parents were there. They weren't. She was starting to get worried now; they should have been there by then. She skated over to Charlie and tugged on his jersey. He looked at her and smiled but his smile quickly faded when he say the look on her face.
Charlie frowned. "What is it Sweetie?"
Julie was trying not to panic. "They're still not here. What if something happened to them?"
Charlie was trying to think of something to calm her down. "Julie, are you sure it was this game they were going to? Maybe they were going to go to a home game."
Julie shook her head. "No Charlie, Daddy called me yesterday and told me they were coming to this one."
Charlie replied, "Ok...well maybe something came up and they couldn't get a hold of you before the game. Come on we well ask coach, okay?"
Julie nodded. Charlie took her hand and they went over to Coach Orion.
"Coach, Julie's parents were supposed to be here and they haven't arrived yet. She's worried. Do you think maybe something came up and they couldn't come and they couldn't get a hold of her before we left?" Charlie said.
Coach looked at Julie. She didn't have her usual touch girl act on. He could tell she was scared. He nodded. "Probably. I happen to know of a certain ex-coach of yours that is here to watch you guys. He has his cell phone. Julie, does your dad have a cell phone?" Julie nodded and said, "Yeah, Coach Bombay has the number."
Coach Orion nodded. "Okay, well I will get him to call and find out what is going on. Would that be okay, Gaffney?"
Julie nodded again.
Coach gave her an encouraging smile. "Okay, now you two get back on the ice. The second period is about to start."
They nodded and went back to the ice. Julie skated to the goal and got ready. Charlie just stood out in the middle of the ice looking at her with a worried look on his face. She looked at him and gave him a small smile. That made him feel a little better and he smiled back at her. She hit the legs of the goal and did her usual. "BRING IT ON!". Charlie laughed and turned around ready to start the period. They were still winning in the middle of the second period when Connie skated by, stealing the puck from the other team.
Julie cheered for her fellow female Duck. "GO CONNIE!!! THAT-A-GIRL! SHOW THEM WHO'S BOSS."
Guy laughed and so did Charlie. Connie passed the puck to Charlie who got to the goal and shot and scored. They celebrated a little but then got back into the game. Connie got the puck again and started skating towards the opposing goal. She didn't see the guy coming up behind her but Julie did.
Julie screamed out to her. "CONNIE! LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU."
Connie heard Julie's cry and passed the puck to Guy who shot and scored. Just as Guy scored, the guy that had been behind Connie body slammed her in to the wall hard. Julie saw this and started freaking out.
"CONNIE!!!" Julie began skating over to her "Connie, are you ok?"
Connie just lay there for a minute. Guy came over and bent down next to her.
"Connie! Look at me sweetie." She slowly looked up at him. "That's a good girl. Are you hurt or just dazed?"
Connie blinked. "I think I'm ok. Just dazed."
"Ok...can you get up? Do you need help?" Guy asked Connie.
Connie shook her head. "I'm ok, but I don't want to play right now. I just want to sit down."
Guy nodded. "Okay, come on."
Julie watched Guy take Connie off the ice and she went back to the goal. Charlie watched her and skated over to her.
Charlie approached Julie. "She's ok Julie, you know that right? She is just a little shaken up."
Julie nodded. "I know."
Charlie started to skate off but saw something in Julie's face that worried him. Charlie frowned. "Julie you okay?"
Julie was worried stiff. "What if something happened to them Charlie? Ugh, I hate not knowing! I'd rather know what happened then have to stand here worrying..."
Charlie went over to her and hugged her. "I know Jules, I know. But Coach is finding out right now so we will know in the next break. And Jules, I want you to know what ever happens, I will be right here for you okay?"
Julie pulled back and smiled. "Thanks Charlie."
Charlie smiled, kissed her on the forehead, and gave Julie her helmet that was on the back of the goal. She puts it on and Charlie skates off to finish the period.
She put it on and Charlie skated off to finish the period. The period ended and the team skated off the ice. Charlie went straight to the coach.
Charlie took in a deep breath and mentally prepared himself. "Coach, have you heard anything?"
Coach Orion answered him. "Yeah, and its not good. Do you want me to tell you and then you tell Julie or tell you and you be there when I tell Julie?"
"Tell me then, I'll be there when you tell Julie." Charlie answered back.
Coach sighed and proceeded to tell Charlie. "Okay. Well on their way here Julie's mom and dad were in a wreck. It was pretty bad, Charlie, and Julie's dad is in bad shape. They don't know if he is going to make it. Her mom is pretty bad to but they have her stable and they are pretty sure that she well be fine. Now the only question is how are we going to tell Jules."
Charlie was in shock for a moment. "Coach I just changed my mind...let me tell Julie."
Orion nodded. "Alright Charlie. I will go find her and send her in her; then I'll make sure the rest of the team doesn't bother you."
Charlie nodded.
Coach and Charlie talked a couple more minutes about some stuff before the Coach Orion left to find Julie.
After Orion left, Charlie laid his head in his hands for a second. He then sat back up, telling himself that he can't let Julie see him like that. A few seconds later, Julie walked in thoroughly scared about what is going on with her parents.
"Charlie?" Julie said in a soft voice.
Charlie looked over at her, stood up, and went to her.
Charlie approached Julie. "Hey Julie, why don't you sit down..."
Julie was visibly worried. "Did find out about mama and daddy?"
"Yea sweetie I did." Charlie answered truthfully.
Julie sat down at her locker and Charlie kneeled down in front of her and took her hands. "Julie, you parents were on their way here. They got in a horrible accident." He takes a deep breath and lets it out. "They are both in the hospital right now. They have gotten your mom stable, and she will be ok. They are having trouble getting you dad stabilized, and they are having doubts about him." Charlie explained, trying to remain calm and collected for Julie.
Charlie stopped there to let the news sink in. He looked at Julie and saw that she was struggling to not cry. He let go of one of her hands and reached up to her face. He then pulled her face up to look at him.
"Julie, sweetie if you want to cry let it out, ok? It's not going to hurt you to cry, I promise." Charlie counseled.
Julie looked at him, felt the gentle touch of his hand on her face, and started crying. Charlie stood up, picked her up, and sat down, pulling her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and started to rock her.
"Julie, sweetie, Coach said that he would be okay if you wanted to come out of the game and go to the hospital. Bombay will take you; he already said that. But he said that you could continue playing if you want and then go afterwards. What do you want to do sweetie?" Charlie said with tenderness.
Julie was trying to stop crying. "I don't want to leave the game. Mama and daddy wouldn't want me to leave the game, daddy told me that one time. I'll stay in the game and go after. Will you go with me Charlie?"
Charlie nodded and said, "Yes sweetie, I will go with you."
"Thanks." Julie said with a smile.
"You're welcome. Now come on, lets get you washed up for the third period, ok?" Charlie said with a comforting smile.
Julie nodded. Charlie helped her up and took her over to the sink. She washed her face with cold water and dried it off with Charlie's jersey. She looked at him and gave him a weak smile before turning to walk back to the ice. Charlie smiled and went after her. He told Coach Orion what she wanted to do and he nodded. The third period started and went without any scores. The Period was hard for Julie but she didn't let anyone know that something was wrong; she blocked every shot they sent her way. At the end of the game, Charlie and Julie celebrated a little while and then went and changed. Coach Bombay came in and told Charlie he needed to talk to him so Charlie went outside with him. A few minutes later, they both came back in. Charlie looked worried but Bombay didn't have any particular look on his face. Charlie went over to Julie and sat down next to her. Coach Bombay came and sat down in front of them. Julie looked at Bombay and knew something is wrong.
Julie looked worried. In a voice softer than usual, she asked, "Coach, what is it?"
Bombay frowned and replied, "Sweetie, I just got a phone call from the Hospital..."
OHHH cliffhanger! What's going to happen? Well you well just have to wait and see, now won't you? Oh, and reviewing would be nice. *winks*