Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

A/N: Another fun chapter to write. It's a change of pace, kind of. This is a Portman/Julie one.

The lights flickered three or four times before finally the electricity went out. The only ducks that remained at the dorms were Averman, Julie, Ken, Luis, and Portman while the local ducks went to their homes for the night with the exception of Averman who stayed behind. Russ and Dwayne were staying with Fulton and Guy.

Julie had been reading a book when the electricity went out. "Can't I read a book without something going wrong?" She asked to no one at all.

Carefully, the fifteen year old got down on her knees and felt around for her bed. When she found it she reached underneath for her old flashlight that she had put there for when she needed something underneath the bed.

Grabbing it she pushed the switch into the on position. No light. "Well that's great."

From where Julie assumed was the door she heard a muffled voice, "Julie? Are you in there?"

"Yes. At lease I think I am." Julie said in response. She heard the door creak open revealing Ken along with Portman holding a candle.

"We're all gathered in Luis and Russ's room." Portman told Julie. He handed her the candle. "Someone said there was a city wide blackout."

Julie walked with the boys while the light from the candles flashed against the walls. "Really?"

"Well that's what biscuit head said, at lease." Ken clarified. 'Biscuit head' being one of the dorm advisers who was constantly telling people misinformation. "But it could only be a blown circuit in our building."

The blonde frowned, "I really hate that we don't know what's really going on. It worries me."

"Chill, babe. I'll protect you." Portman grabbed the doorknob of dorm room 136 as he reassured her.

Before they entered the room Julie retorted, "I really wish you'd stop with the babe stuff." The room was lighted with half a dozen candles with the two remaining ducks in the middle of the room. "You know, it really disturbs me that a teenage boy has so many candles."

"What can I say? Girls love a boy who knows aromatherapy." Luis grinned at her. He took her candle and put it with the others.

"Um, no they don't." Julie said. "It makes girls wonder about certain boys' sexuality."

Luis scoffed, "What would you know?" Averman who had remained quiet till then muttered, "Uh, Oh."

"Last time I checked I was a girl. I think I know what I'm talking about." Julie angrily said.

Portman slid next to Julie, "Hey, Jules? How come I've never been able to check to see if you are a girl?" Averman started laughing. The others turned and looked at him. "What?"

He was hysterical. "Please! You know you sneak a peak at her in the locker room!"

"WHAT?" Julie shrieked. "HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON?"

Luis slapped his forehead and shook his head. "Averman! That was a locker room secret! There are just something's that should never be mentioned."

"WILL SOMEBODY ANSWER ME?"

The boys didn't say anything. Portman actually looked scared of his girlfriend. Averman was still laughing so Luis being brave responded, "The peaking began during the Goodwill games," Julie looked murderous but he continued, "it was an accident really but once word got around it became a tradition of sorts."

"I'm going to kill all of you." Julie said then thought about it. "No, wait. I'm going to let Connie do it.

Averman stopped laughing to say, "She knows!" He began laughing again so hard he was literally rolling on the floor laughing.

Julie raised her voice again, "WHAT?"

Portman stepped up to the plate to answer her. "Dwayne being the good gentleman that he is felt guilty and told Connie. Remember when he liked her? Jeeze, that feels like along time ago!"

"Why the hell didn't she tell me?" The angry girl asked her friends.

"You weren't exactly best friends then. You didn't become friends until right before we all went home. I bet she thought she was never going to see you again." Luis explained.

Julie remembering what Luis said before asked them, "You said it was a locker room secret, you mean to tell me there's more?"

Averman who had finally sobered from laughing replied, "Sure, there are tons! Like, how Banksie might be gay, and – ." Luis rolled his eyes.

"Averman! We took an ode, man!" Portman exclaimed. The curly haired boy got a wild look on his face. "You're right. She knows too much! She must be killed!"

"Touch me and you will be dead."

Luis blinked and turned fully around. "Hey where's Ken? Wasn't he with you?"

Portman and Julie looked at each other. "Yeah he was right with us!"

Averman grabbed a candle and wiggled his fingers over it causing shadows to go everywhere. "Maybe the shadow demons took him?"

"Dude seriously?" The taller muscular boy took the candle away from him. "You're how old and you're talking like that?"

Averman gasped, "That really hurts my feelings. I'm not talking to you anymore."

"Uh, you just did."

"Shut up, Ken!"

They all turned to the former figure skater, and Julie asked, "Where they hell have you been?"

Ken smiled innocently and held up his right hand. He began counting down and dropping a finger with each number. When he was finished the lights flashed back on.

"Wow. How come you never told us you were magic?" Averman asked, but when he saw the horrified look on Portman's face he said, "Relax, Dean I was joking. Or was I?"

"Okay…" Julie said awkwardly. She still wasn't use to Averman's sense of humor.

Ken took a seat on the floor next to Averman. "So what did you guys do while I was away?"

"She knows, man." Luis said. Ken looking confused Luis added, "LRS number 7 and number 23."

"Holy Batman." Ken said causing Portman to say, "You've got to be kidding me!"

"How?" Ken asked. Julie pulled Portman away from the group while Luis and Averman explained to Ken what happened.

"Sweetie, it's okay. Let the boys be themselves." Julie instructed him. "I forgive you about the whole locker room thing."

Portman looked down at her, he had never noticed how much taller he was then her. "Really?" He whispered. She nodded. Standing on her tippy toes she placed a light kiss on his lips.

"AVERMAN! THE OTHERS WILL KILL YOU!" Ken yelled.

"Not if the shadow demons get them!"

Portman smiled and told Averman, "Or if they get you."

"AHHHH!"

Everyone started laughing, "So did Connie at lease hurt you?"

Luis looked around the room. "I still have bruises."

"Good."

A/N 2: I know I poke a lot of fun at Adam about being gay, but he isn't. The charactor in Sweet Home Alabama his character is based on is. Julie and Adam are going out in "real time". As seen in SHM.