'Oh my god Adam.' Julie yelled. All of the Ducks rushed over to Adam who was lying on the ice motionless. Charlie stood on the other side of the rink in shock watching the scene unfold.

'Banksie I'm sorry.' Portman babbled. 'Come on get up... please... man he wasn't looking.' Portman said to no-one in particular. 'I didn't realise it until it was too late, god if I'd known I never would have hit him so hard.'

'I know Portman, its ok.' Fulton said putting his arm around Dean to reassure him. The rest of the Ducks nodded in agreement.

'Come on clear out everyone, give him some space.' Coach Orion shouted as he skated over to Adam.

Charlie carried on watching in horror, his heart was in his mouth and he felt physically sick. Finally his friendship instinct kicked in. He skated straight over to Adam and started pushing through everyone to get to him. Charlie kneeled on the ice, threw off his helmet and gloves, took off Adam's gloves and then grabbed his hand. He didn't care who saw.

'Cake eater, come on you ok?' Charlie asked nervously.

'Charlie come on give him some space.' Coach Orion said soothingly. Charlie looked at Coach Orion pleadingly but also with a resolute determination in his eyes. Coach Orion let Charlie stay by Adam's side.

'Cake eater, come on. You're not a drama queen.' Charlie joked with tears in his eyes.

It was as if the emotion stirred Adam because with those words he began to come round. Coach Orion took off his helmet.

'I'm sorry Charlie.' Adam said weakly.

Charlie's eyes washed with relief. 'Shut up Adam.' He smiled squeezing his hand.

'Ok guys.' Coach Orion said. 'Practice is over, go get changed and I'll be in to talk to you later.' The Ducks skated off whilst Charlie lingered by Adam's side.' You too Charlie' Coach Orion said.

'But...'

'You can talk later, I want to get Adam checked out. You can see him later.'

Charlie squeezed Adam's hand one last time before skating off to join the rest of the Ducks in the changing room. Coach Orion helped Adam up from the floor.

'Come on Adam let's get you sorted...'

'So what's going on between you and Banksie then?' Averman asked Charlie.

Charlie looked at him and sighed. 'Stuff.'

'Oh stuff.' Averman retorted sarcastically.

'Yeah stuff... look it's complicated.'

'Well you'd better get it sorted.' Connie snapped. 'I hate all of this weirdness.'

Charlie put his arm around Connie's shoulder. 'I'm sorry; I promise we will sort it out.' He gave her a hug before looking at all of the Ducks. 'I'm sorry guys I know it's been weird lately.'

No one disagreed.

'Well thanks for disagreeing.' Charlie joked.

The Ducks smiled.

'We appreciate the apology Charlie.' Julie smiled. 'Just sort things with Adam ok.'

Everyone nodded.

'Ok.' Charlie stated.

The Ducks continued getting changed when Coach Orion came in.

'How's Banksie?' Charlie asked concerned.

Coach Orion looked at him. 'He's fine.'

The Ducks sighed with relief.

'The school nurse has checked him out and thinks he's ok but she's had him sent to hospital just to be sure. But he's going to be fine.'

'Thank god.' Charlie said sitting down.

'Yeah it could have been a lot worse.' Coach Orion stated. 'If nothing else you should all have learnt about the importance of concentration and the importance of team unity today.'

Everyone nodded sheepishly, Charlie especially.

'There is no place for petty squabbles on the ice, you either leave them outside the changing room or you don't play. I don't want anyone on my team compromising the safety of their teammates ok?'

'Yes Coach.'

'Practice was a mess and I don't want to see that again. If there are any problems you talk about them and sort them out!'

The Ducks nodded.

'Ok so we'll draw a line under this but I never want to see this again ok?'

There was more head nodding from the Ducks.

'Now our next practice is Monday and I expect to see a vast improvement.' Coach Orion finished as he walked over to the bulletin board and posted the team list for their game on Sunday. 'Be the Ducks I know you can be. Remember Ducks fly together.' He stated before exiting.

Charlie walked over to the board and scanned the team sheet. His name along with Banks' was absent, he wasn't surprised but he also didn't care.

He could finally see it now.

Why he'd been so mad when Banks had joined the Varsity team. Why he cared so much whenever Adam got hurt.

He knew what he had to do.

What he wanted to do.

And as he looked over at Fulton, Fulton knew it too...