Summary: As promised, the two teams finally meet. First impressions are given a second chance. Feelings are mixed. Tempers are tested. Actions are hard to understand. And some secrets are revealed.

Disclaimer: Do not and will not ever own.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait and thank you to all my readers for the reviews and for sticking by me while I try to get my chapters out. Heads up though, the waits between my updates are gonna be longer. This semester is killing me with all the homework, but please bear with it. This chapter is a bit shorter and the next one will be a continuation of this. Thanks and enjoy!

Expecting the Unexpected

Chapter 7: Bonding Time (First Half) Part 1

"What the hell!" Dean shouted at the Icelander in front of him. "You think you're so good. Why don't you just come here and prove it? Let's see just how tough you are blondie."

The other man smirked. "Yah, you need to work on your insults. But then again, it does not really surprise me. All you were ever good for was being an enforcer and you could not even play the part well. I have nothing to prove to you so just waddle away little duckie."

Dean was fuming. He moved forward, his fist raised. "Why you little sh---" He found himself suddenly held back by his teammates. "Let me go!" he insisted. He heard numerous "No Dean's." He whirled around, "What do you mean no?! We all agreed that we would try to be friends and that we wouldn't do anything unless they started something. From what I can tell, they already started something. No, Fult, don't you dare hold me back or I'll end up hitting you too. This moron needs to get over himself and I'll help him do just that."


With the girls and their escorts

"Dammit!" Connie exclaimed as she began running to the group of boys just a few feet ahead. Julie asked Gunnar and Olaf to handle their fellow teammates before snatching Linda's hand and ran after Connie.

"Portman what the hell do you think you're doing?!" screamed Connie as soon as she reached the large group. The boys looked up to see a girl out of breath, two more girls behind her and to their surprise Olaf and Gunnar.

"What does it look like I'm doing!" snapped Dean, still struggling against his friends. "That oaf over there started it all. It would have been fine if he hadn't started talking crap about our team and those nitwits beside him didn't' help much either." Dean managed to break himself free and lunged towards the Icelander, but staggered to a stop when Linda stepped in front of him.

"Haha," laughed the Icelander. "You better stop while you are ahead. What will your coach say when he hears about you hitting someone who you are supposed to be getting along with?"

Julie started laughing, causing the entire group to stare at her. She stopped abruptly and fixed a glare at the Icelander. "You're not one to talk," she said. "Your lack of sportsmanship puts you in a bad light. Tell me, how exactly are we supposed to be getting along when you can't even act your age? If you want to start something go somewhere else. We aren't interested."

The Icelander, insulted, was about to say something when Gunnar interrupted. "That is enough Weyden. We did not come here to exchange blows," he said with a tone akin to authority and the other man complied. Gunnar then turned to the Ducks and apologized for his friend's behavior.

"Julie. Connie," Olaf nodded at both girls, "It was good to see you again. It was a pleasure meeting you Linda. And once again please excuse Weyden's rude behavior. He is a good guy, really. "

Gunnar told the other boys to start heading back and turned to the rest of the crowd. "Please forgive Weyden. He normally has a friendly disposition. Our two teams will officially meet next week. If you are going to judge us on impressions, it would be appreciated if you all waited to do so until then. Good-bye." The Ducks could only nod and watched as the Icelanders walk away.


Gunnar's group

No one said anything for a very long time. Olaf, itching for an answer, finally asked the question. "So," he started, eyeing Weyden. "Do you mind telling us what exactly happened back there?"

Weyden answered, "I was just jesting. Is something the matter with that?" Olaf answered no, but it was Gunnar who wanted more of a confirmation. "Were you really?" he asked. "What kind of teasing would cause that enforcer to take so much offense that he was practically clawing at your throat?"

"Does it really matter?" asked Weyden in return. "They are our opponents after all." To this, Gunnar had to agree. No matter which way one looked at it, the two teams were always on opposite sides. "We are supposed to be getting along. Or at least trying to," reasoned Gunnar. A look of disbelief crossed Weyden's face. 'Is he serious?' he thought to himself. 'They took the Championship from us and he wants us to be friendly with them?' He looked to Olaf, knowing that his intimidating teammate would challenge what was said; however, he wasn't granted that satisfaction. Desperate, he looked to the other two who were with him during the incident, but they had turned their heads, unwilling to look him in the eye.

"What is this?!" he cried out. "Are you all seriously thinking of befriending those…those people? And you, Olaf. You despise them! You said so yourself, yet you say nothing to counter Gunnar's idiotic idea. Or is it because he is your closest friend that you do not voice your objection? Maybe it is because you have fallen for one of their players. I saw you two walking with them; I did not miss that. Are you both now trying to enter into a relationship with those girls? You know Stansson would never allow that. Does he even know?"

"Enough!" Gunnar demanded. "We can understand your dislike of them, but keep your words fair. Save your energy for our meeting on the ice, but until then, at least make an effort to be friendly to them."

Weyden gave a derisive laugh and shook his head. "You are our team's best and I have a great amount of respect for you. But Gunnar, do not make the mistake of assuming that we all think as you do. I give my word that I will try; that is all I can say."

"That is plenty enough," Olaf said, breaking his silence. "Let's go. They are all most likely wondering where we are; no doubt thinking that we have gotten lost and are too disoriented to ask for directions."


In a conference room

There was a long table in the middle of the room; chairs surrounding it. On the back wall was a white board, upon which an itinerary seemed to be written down. Hanging on either side of the board were two flags. On the right, was the logo of the Duck while its counterpart was that of a Viking. At one end of the table sat the Coach of the Iceland team. At the other end was the Coach of the U.S.A team. Their teams were seated respectively on their sides.

"Well," said Don Tibbles, looking around the room. "Here we are all together again and four years later. First of all, I would just like to welcome you all to St. Paul, Minnesota. It is a beautiful city with a lot of sights to see. Can't wait for you guys to see it all. Which brings me now to our itinerary. This first week will be spent here; both teams will be staying at the Sunrise Hotel. You will all be grouped up of course, you know, 'cause we can't exactly take over the whole place."

Dean raised a finger to get Tibbles' attention. "Do we get to pick who we are grouped with or has that been already decided?" Tibbles answered that the groups have already been picked, adding that the groups will be a mix of both teams. "Of course," Tibbles continued. "The first step would be two throw you into a mix. The girls, since there are only two of you, will be rooming with Maria and Michelle (that's Ms. McKay for those who don't remember). I'm passing the paper around that has the groups. Please find your group members now and sit together; it will be easier to find your rooms that way." The paper was passed and there were scraping of chairs and mutters of annoyance before everyone was seated again.

"Alright, settle down, settle down," Tibbles said. "The first thing to do is the most obvious. After this meeting, you will get to know the members of your groups; what their likes and dislikes are, you know, the whole she-bang. Tomorrow, you will be unleashed into the city. You will get to know your way around the city, but there is a catch, which will be unknown to you until tomorrow." He stopped to gauge the attention of his audience, almost laughing out loud at some of the expressions made.

"Anyways" he went on, "A small conference room has been reserved for our use at the hotel. Everyone meets there at 8 a.m. tomorrow okay? I'll explain everything then. The next day, we will be helping out at the local animal shelters. Yeah, you guys might be wondering why an animal shelter, but trust me, you're gonna love it. Wednesday, you will all have the pleasure of teaching little kids how to skate and some of them, a little hockey. It's a good opportunity to test your interactions skills. Thursday, the coaches, officials, and I will bring you all to the ice rink and have you practice. Don't worry, this will be your only practice; unless, of course, your coaches say otherwise. And Friday it's shopping for supplies in the morning and a night out on the town. So, how does that sound so far?"

Adam, Charlie and Fulton had annoyed looks on their faces. The girls were talking about the animal shelter. Dean was discussing with Jesse, the best way to shut Tibbles up. And the poor Icelanders were struggling to take in everything that was said. The fact that Tibbles talked fast was not helpful either.

"Don," Bombay said, noticing the majority of the people in the room were confused. "Maybe you should ease up on the schedule. Stansson and I have copies of the itinerary so we know what's up. But, uh, you kinda threw a lot on everyone else. " Tibbles scrunched his brows together and realized that Bombay was right.

"Oh sorry, sorry," Tibbles apologized. "Well, to wrap things up then, the weekend is for you own leisure and to pack up as well, because the following week will be spent at beautiful Lake Superior. Your groups will be switched up so you can get to know other people. That is it for now. It's 6 p.m. and I'm sure you're tired of hearing my voice so I'll leave it to you all to find your rooms and start being friends. See you all at 8 tomorrow morning. Night everyone!"


With all the girls

"Sheesh," Connie said as she threw herself on her bed. "We're not even here for a day and we already have the whole week outlined for us."

"Hahaha," Michelle laughed, "Connie you will be just fine. Just try not think about it all and take one day at a time. "

Julie nodded her head, then asked "By any chance, do you or uh," she stopped to look at the Iceland trainer not knowing how to address her. "Just call me Maria," was the response Julie got. "Um, yeah," she continued. "Do either of you know what tomorrow's event is supposed to be?"

"Now, now," said Maria, "You are not supposed to know, else it will not be a surprise."

"Yes," agreed Michelle, "And if we did know, we wouldn't tell you. Because that would ruin the surprise as well."

Connie and Julie groaned and fell to pleading with the older women to at least give them hints of what was to come.


"Hey ya'll! My name's Dwayne, but ya'll can call me Cowboy if ya want."

Ken Wu looked at his fellow Duck then to the two Icelanders in the room and tried to suppress his laughter. "Hey guys. My name is Ken and you don't really have to call him Cowboy unless you're comfortable with it."

"Uh yes, well," started one of the Vikings who was not sure how to react to the first introduction. "I go by my last name Niesel, so just call me that." Ken and Dwayne nodded their heads and said their hellos. The other Icelander, they noticed, had an amused look on his face. "Hello," he began, "My name is Gustav and it is a pleasure to meet you Ken and, uh, Cowboy." As he said the last part, he started to laugh. "I am sorry," he apologized, "I am not laughing at you. It is just that I remembered when you roped Olaf during the Championship."

The room was silent except for Gustav's laughter. Dwayne blinked a couple times, Niesel looked deep in thought, and Ken went into a fit of giggles.


Iceland's two main defenders were seated respectively on their beds, one trying not to make eye contact with the other boys in the room. Similarly, the Ducks two enforcers were on the couch, one attempting to keep his focus on the TV. Their introductions were hasty and a little rude.

Flashback:

"Hello, everyone calls me Bajer. It is actually my last name, but many of us like to be called by our last names."

"Cool," said one Duck, "People call me by my last name too. It's Portman, but my first name is Dean if you wanna call me that instead."

The other Icelander grunted, earning a glare from Dean. "Call me Weyden," he said. "Try not to get in my way. It is bad enough that we are roommates. I do not need blundering fools to ruin these two weeks for me."

"Why you-" started Dean, but was cut off by Fulton. "You know," he said, "If you would just stop talking like that then you wouldn't have to worry about us 'getting in your way' as you call it. Name's Fulton by the way. Can we at least try to get along? I know that since we are roommates, it doesn't mean that we have to be best friends, but it also doesn't mean that we have to make the situation worse."

And that was how the conversation ended.


Adam, Guy, Gunnar and Olaf walked into their shared suite, picking and choosing rooms before spreading out on the couches in the living room. After a few minutes Adam spoke.

"So I think that we might remember each other's names, but anyways, I'm Adam." He gave a little nod to the Icelanders.

"I am Olaf and I am sure you both remember me." There was a short silence before he continued saying Adam's name. The said boy looked up at the tall Icelander with questioning eyes. "How is your wrist now? It has taken four years, but I wanted to say that I am sorry," Olaf said. "I am not asking you to forgive me, but please know that I have reflected on my past actions"

Surprised by the apology, Adam was not able to give a quick response. "Uh," he started, "Naw, my wrist's healed. It wasn't anything bad so don't worry about it. Besides it was years ago, but I do appreciate you apology."

"Aww," snickered Guy, "That was sweet." This earned him a glare from Adam. "Haha, no I didn't mean anything by that. I was just saying. Alright…okay…sorry…jeez. Well my name is Guy."

Gunnar suppressed his laughter before speaking. "Um, well-"

"Don't even bother Gunnar," the other boys said. "There's no way me or Banksie could forget you two," Guy said. "Yeah," agreed Adam, "Iceland's best, we definitely remember."

"Aww," Olaf said. "How sweet; thank you for the recognition. Now if only you two were as good us as-"before he could finish the sentence he was hit in the face by a pillow." He heard a snicker, grabbed the pillow and threw it at Guy."

"Hey man!" exclaimed Guy, "That wasn't me." Adam picked up a magazine and chucked it at Guy. "Like hell it wasn't," he said as he hid himself behind a chair. "Banks you gonna get it!" shouted Guy. He picked up an empty water bottle and threw it at Adam. Only it wasn't empty and it ended up hitting Gunnar. Unfortunately for him the bottle was opened and it contained juice instead of water. So now Gunnar had a purple stain on his shirt. He picked up the cushion beside him and declared war.


As for the others

"Charlie what the hell are you doing?!"

"Yes, Iceland is actually really nice. You should visit sometime."

"So, uh…yeah. What do you guys like to do for fun?"

"GOLDBERG!"…. "Hehe…oops. My bad."

"Luis for crying out loud. Stop hitting on the maids!"

"Ahahaha, you completely butchered the word. But it is okay. Icelandic is very hard to learn."

Bombay and Stanton, both in their respective rooms could hear all the commotion and frankly they were getting tired of it all. Bombay opened his door at the same time Stanton did and both yelled to their teams to shut up. After a short silence they heard numerous "Sorry coaches." The two men nodded at each other and retreated to their rooms. However, not long after they heard some "thumps" and "ouch's!" and a few curses. This was going to be a long night.