**A/N Blu:Well, here's a new story! We find ourselves back in the universe of The Mighty Ducks with another Gunnar/Julie story. I don't expect a lot of reviews, I know this fandom isn't very popular, but that doesn't bother me at all. I really enjoyed writing this piece. It's more mature and will have sexual scenes it in, and I'm sorry, but I will not post warnings for when they happen. The story will be rated M in advance. As you all know, I own the plot-line and nothing more. Please give it a chance & I hope you enjoy! OH...And Thank You Lady Crack (aka best BETA ever!) - hopefully I got all your suggestions...
A PRECIOUS MISTAKE
"I'm so glad you made it!"
Julie grinned as Adam pulled her into a huge bear hug, she was still trying to get over how different he looked, "I wouldn't miss this for the world; this is so exciting!"
"You look beautiful Julie, thank you so much for being here, it means a lot. Come on, Charlie and Coach are already here."
Adam escorted her to the table where they were to share dinner between long-time friends and team-mates. Gordon Bombay and Charlie Conway both stood up to hug the last addition to the small reunion and greeted each other warmly. Coach Bombay still looked exactly the same at least 5 years after the Goodwill Games tournament. Charlie and Adam were both taller than him by a good margin.
Charlie still had those same baby blue eyes and boyish smile that reminded everyone there just how good of a friend he was to have. His hair was still dark but cut a little shorter than he used to keep it. Julie had grown as well, though she still had her long blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Her figure was definitely more feminine now as she continued to develop into the woman she was becoming. Between the three of them Adam probably changed the most; he hit a huge growth spurt and was the tallest one there. His dark blonde hair was longer now and it framed his face rather nicely, he was turning out to be a very handsome young man. Yep, they were all grown up now and making lives of their own.
"I can't believe I haven't seen you guys since your first year at Eden Hall Academy," Gordon stated as he looked at them each one by one, "I was happy to know that you all still keep in touch."
"There are a few of us that we lost touch with, but these two have always been by my side," Adam winked at his two closest friends.
Charlie nodded, "And here we are now on this most epic day. Adam my man, this is freaking awesome."
"This is really cool, we're proud of you," Julie added in.
Gordon sat back and watched three of his former pupils interact together, seeing the deep friendship that ran between them. He was so proud to see that the kids he coached once upon a time still kept in touch and were friends to this day. They were here to celebrate Adam and support him in this great honor.
"Out of all of us, I always knew you would be the one to make it," Charlie lifted up his glass of water to the others at the table, "to Cake-eater!"
They clinked their glasses and Adam even blushed a little bit, even though he was happy to have these people that played such an important role in his life and career with him. Coach Bombay had started it all with the way he taught them all so much more than hockey, he had a major role in guiding him into being the man he was becoming. Charlie was always there pushing him to do better, to go further. And sweet Julie, he had no idea where he'd be if it weren't for her influence. Whenever he felt the pressure of everything building on his shoulders there she was helping to lighten the load. Her insistence, her confidence, it spread to him and was a huge part of how he got to this special, once in a lifetime moment.
The group of 4 enjoyed their meal and continued to talk for several long hours afterwards. Adam went over the program for the weekend and they all made plans around the schedule to see the sights around town. For the most part Adam would be with the officials or other prospects for meetings and rehearsals. His father was in a meeting and wouldn't be able to make it until just before the actual start of the event, but his mom was here and that was more than enough for him.
Julie left with Charlie and Coach Bombay once dinner ended and headed to check into the hotel they were staying at. It was nice to get this time with them, she talked with Adam and Charlie pretty regularly but seeing her old Coach was great.
When Adam called and invited her to his very special weekend she actually started to cry a little in happiness for him. She couldn't help it; her emotions were all over the place. Not only was she still getting over a pretty bad break-up but they had just put down a dog she'd loved since childhood. So Adam gave her exactly what she needed, a chance to get out of Maine for a while and focus on something positive.
After agreeing to meet up tomorrow morning with Charlie for breakfast she closed the door to her hotel room. Quietly she put all of her luggage away neatly and took a seat at the edge of the bed. These moments spent in silence were the worst. Because it was in times like this that her mind screamed out in agony. She missed him. He was no good for her but it didn't stop the fact that she did care about him.
It started out innocently enough, of course. He introduced himself and he made her laugh, a few weeks later they were going out for their first date. The guy was charming and cute and funny and she found herself really falling for him. They saw each other all the time, going to the same college and all. He was just as passionate about her new love of cooking as she was. Everything was great, and there were no regrets when she let him make love to her for the first time, though to be honest it wasn't all that great. Months passed and he turned into someone she didn't know anymore; demanding things from her, yelling and screaming at her for no reason, becoming jealous no matter what she did. Then she found out he was using drugs and confronted him about it, he shoved her backwards and made her fall onto a glass table. That had been the final straw. It was true, he'd hit her a few times before, it wasn't nothing to terrible. But when her back shattered that table she knew it was way past the breaking point.
Adam helped, he always helped her. She moved back in with her mom and Adam came to stay with her for a week. He was there when she had to get her stuff out of his apartment; he made sure her ex never even looked her way. She owed Adam so much. Julie never had a friend like him before and knew no one would ever be able to replace him in her life. There was just a bond there that could never be broken, and how it got there in the first place she wasn't sure, but it was something she will never take for granted.
That was a few months ago and she was still recovering. She didn't love him, not like she thought she did, how could she love someone who could be so cruel? But she did miss having someone to go home to. So yes, when Adam called and told her how much it would mean for her to be there for him, she agreed without any hesitance. Julie was so happy for him, he deserved this so much.
She was pulled from her musings at the clear sound of a key card being put into her hotel room door was heard. Even more shocking was the fact that the door opened. What the hell?
Staring back at her with equal surprise was a tall young man who looked oddly familiar with veiled eyes and dark blonde hair. His gaze turned into obvious annoyance as he stated, "You're in my room."
Julie raised a brow and stood to face him, "Actually it is you that is in my room," she crossed her arms under her chest, were all men jerks? Shame too, because this guy was all kinds of hot.
The man eyed her with a flicker of…something, then dropped the bag he had on his shoulder to the floor, "Then I guess we're sharing."
"Nice try; but I don't think so," she went to the desk and pulled out her reservation paperwork, "we should go to the concierge and get this straightened out."
But it seemed all he wanted to do at the moment was stare at her, "What did you just say?"
Julie looked around the room to try and find some patience. He did have an accent of some sort so maybe he didn't understand what she said. Looking at him again she told him slowly, "Let's go to the front desk, there must be some kind of misunderstanding."
"Not that. You just said," he leaned his head down a little to try and get a good look at her face, "nice try."
She frowned in confusion before settling down her nerves and really looked at him. Like really look at him. She took in the dark blonde hair that fell just short of his shoulders. And the straight aristocratic nose and lips that was now offering her a rugged smile. The eyes, she couldn't quite tell the shade but came off as deep and mysterious. They weren't quite blue and not a definite green, more of a grey and maybe the color changed with his mood, it was kind of fascinating.
There was definitely something familiar about him, "We've met before, haven't we?"
That crooked smile turned into a smirk as he regarded her, "Yah."
Ah, she suddenly smiled after hearing that one defining word, "Gunnar Stahl, well isn't this a small world." Her eyes looked him over once more taking in just how handsome he turned out. She was older now and could appreciate a good-looking man when she saw one.
He let out a brief chuckle, "So Julie," because yes he knew exactly who she was, "what are you doing here in New York?"
"I could ask the same of you, this is a far cry from Iceland," she couldn't keep the smile from her mouth. It kind of surprised her that he remembered her name after all this time, Julie didn't think she would ever see him again, "Though I imagine we're here for the same reason."
"The NHL draft. Yah, I was invited a few months ago."
"So was my former team-mate, Adam Banks. I'm here for him."
"I see," Gunnar glanced around the room before settling his eyes on her once more, "I guess we need to get our rooms figured out."
"Yeah," she giggled, feeling more comfortable now that she at least knew the stranger that opened up her hotel room, "probably not the best idea to share rooms."
Gunnar couldn't stop his gaze from looking her over suggestively, "Now that is a shame."
Julie saw his eyes roving over her and lightly blushed with satisfaction as he apparently liked what he saw. Strange considering this was the guy she robbed of a tying shootout goal so her team could win a championship game what seemed ages ago. His observation of her made her feel feminine and even a little sexy and flirty. It had been far too long since anyone made her feel that way.
He let her take charge and followed after her until standing at her side to speak with the concierge. Several apologies later it was finally sorted out. The room was actually Gunnar's but was accidentally double-booked when Julie checked in. They had meant to give her the room beside his but obviously messed it up. So once Julie turned in her room key and received her new ones they made their way back up to the room.
Gunnar watched as she pulled out her luggage and began to unzip it. "Julie wait, I'll take the other room. I didn't realize you had everything put away."
"Are you sure?"
"Yah, I don't mind," he picked up his bags and went for the door, looking over his shoulder he sent her a small smile that could definitely be described as sexy, "it was good to see you again."
With a matching smile of her own she told him, "You too."
The door closed behind him and she put away her suitcase once again. She could just barely hear him enter his own room and move around. Then she noticed their rooms were actually connected by an adjoining door, interestingly enough. It was actually kind of nice to be close to someone she sort of knew in a strange place. It also didn't hurt that he was smoking hot. Both Charlie and Coach Bombay were on different floors than her and she had no idea where Adam's room was.
Running into Gunnar Stahl; literally, was the last thing she expected during her stay in Buffalo, New York. He was a little different, maybe because the pressure and intensity of the Goodwill Games was over and Wolf Stansson wasn't breathing down his neck, at least she hoped not. The past couple years were very kind to him, sure he was attractive back then but his egotistical attitude ruined it for her. And now he was a downright hunk. Yes, this version of him was much better. This Gunnar Stahl she could be friends with.
**A/N Blu: Tell me if you like it so far or if you hate it. Flames are funny to read. As for my LotR followers, I'm so sorry. I honestly lost the rest of my 'Glow Of Dawn' story, the file was corrupt. I haven't felt the muse to recreate the last chapters again. I'm getting ready to marathon all six movies again so I'm hoping that will give me some inspiration to give that story the ending it deserves.
