A/N: If you haven't read my story, Secret, this chapter may come as a bit of a surprise. And Xan is a cool name and she's a friend of mine. Special thanks to Katy, who created the Sweetwater All-Stars team--Rita

Chapter 10

Charlie was less than cordial to Jack when they returned to practice the next day. No one could recall Charlie ever being so distant or surly to anyone before. Joanna had never seen him act jealous before. That was a good sign, she thought.

Jack, on the other hand, was devastated because he admired Charlie Weasley above everyone else on the team. He didn't understand that Charlie wanted Gretchen for himself, but once Joanna set him down and explained it to him; he'd never seen Charlie possessive of anything before. After practice, he apologized for being an ass. Charlie smiled and threw a protective arm around him.

"Okay," he said. "I was a little over the line myself. I'm just trying to get to know Gretchen, she's different from the girls I usually go out with."

"It won't happen again, Charlie," he promised.

"Good."

Charlie spoke with Gretchen every day after practice. He was tempted to go to her house, but he decided it was better if he gave her some breathing room. Talking to her several hours a night had to do. He also sent her peonies after he found out it was her favorite flower.

He talked about his day and Quidditch practice; mundane details really. She seemed to be interested, genuinely interested in his day, not as a fan, but as a friend. He mentioned the letter he'd gotten from his friends at the dragon preserve; they had discovered a new species of magical creature that everyone had thought was something else. He said he wished he could have been there. He described all the magical creatures at the preserve, most of which most had never heard of.

"The arachnids are huge," he said. "I've seen a pair that were bigger than a car. Can you imagine some drunk driving down the highway and one of those scurry across the road?"

Gretchen shivered. "No, I'd be frightened to death. Are they dangerous?"

"Uh, yeah, if you get caught in the webs, which are enormous, they'll eat you. Sometimes they get aggressive and attack, but I think it's self preservation. They'll more than likely just scare the shit out of you, although their bite is venomous, so it's best to stay away."

"I'm sure the sight of one would be enough for me. Imagine a giant spider coming after you," she shivered again.

"I'll protect you," he said.

"My hero," she said lightly.

Charlie felt strange tightening in his chest. He wanted to be her hero. Gah, he thought, I'm a mess. He pictured rescuing her from a giant spider and her falling into his arms.

"I wish my sisters could visit your preserve. They love magical creatures and dragons. They bought your books. I think they only got them because you wrote them, but after they read them, all I heard for a summer was dragons and unicorns. Of course Xan's favorite is the American Red."

"Mike Hendershot and I wrote the books together. He's a damn sight more creative than I am. I could get Mike to autograph the books for your sisters, if you'd like."

"That would be great," she said. "We're very excited about going to the game Saturday. We've never been to a professional game before. Roxie played in little league when she was seven. Birmingham has a Quidditch team. She made the team last year, hopefully she's be on it next year."

"Your school year confuses the shit out of me. Is it year round?"

Gretchen laughed. "Seems like it. They'll be going back in another month."

"I'd like to visit that school. The only one I've seen is Salem. It's very impressive. I'm hoping my daughter will get accepted there."

Gretchen was very quiet.

"Gretchen? Are you still there?"

"I didn't know you had children," she said.

"Oh. Yes, just the one. I don't have custody. Her mother's a muggle."

"Is she that woman?"

"Yes, Jessica. The self portrait. We're not together," he added hurriedly.

"I didn't know."

"Does it matter?" he asked.

"I don't know. Maybe. It's just something I thought you'd have told me sooner."

Charlie didn't know how to answer her. "I guess I thought you already knew about Ingrid. I'm sorry."

"How would I know that?" she asked.

"Celebrity magazines are always printing stuff about me. I gave an interview with a reporter, Linda Martinez, after Ingrid was born. Uh, no one else knows her mother's a muggle, Linda kept the mother's identity a secret."

"I don't read those magazines. My sisters do, but I don't." Her voice was a little strained.

"Is my having a daughter a deal breaker or something?" he asked cautiously.

She paused. "No, Charlie. I'm just a little surprised. I imagine Xan will tell me all about it. She seems to know everything about you."

"You know, most of the stuff they write about me is bullshit."

"Hmm," she said.

"Sincerely. I'm not as bad as reporters make out. They think I sell magazines. The press will probably have a field day with you."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"They usually go into a frenzy when I start dating someone. I hope that doesn't bother you. It's best just to let them have their pictures, and then they'll leave you alone."

"Charlie, I'm a very private person; I'm not a celebrity. I'm not comfortable with people taking my picture," She said. "I don't want hundreds of people pointing out how big my ass is."

"Your ass, my dear, is perfect. And besides, I don't want to hide our relationship," he said earnestly.

"Right now we don't have a relationship," she reminded him.

Charlie was silent. "I think we do," he said quietly. "What are we doing now?"

"We're trying to get to know each other to see if we can have a relationship," she said. "I'm not sure yet."

"You'll give me a chance, right? Gretchen, I can talk to you. That's important to me. I'm attracted to you in all ways, intellectually, spiritually, and sexually."

She didn't speak for a long time. "Gretchen?"

Her voice was very low and tight. "Charlie, I have to go."

"Are you all right?" he asked. "Trust me; I'm going to take things slow, all right? I'm not going to rush you or anything, but I do want you."

"Good night, Charlie." Then there was silence.

"Shit," Charlie said, throwing his cell phone on the chair. He sat down and put his head in his hands.

The rest of the week went by rather quickly. He and Gretchen still talked every night, they were quick calls just to say goodnight. The upcoming game against Sweetwater was going to prove to be difficult and coach had them practice harder than usual. Charlie always stayed later than everyone else, and he practiced with a Golden Snitch that pulsated light so he could practice in the dark.

Right before the game on Saturday, Charlie found Jack sitting in the dressing room, chewing his fingernails. He was always nervous before a game.

"Gretchen brought her two sisters. Do you want to meet them?" Charlie asked.

Jack gave him a suspicious look. "Uh, you wouldn't bite my head off, would you?" he asked.

Charlie laughed. "No. Her sister Xan is closer to your age and I just thought… But, if you aren't interested, no big deal."

"No!" he said quickly. "If she looks half as fine as her sister, then I…" He blushed at the look Charlie gave him. "Um, I mean, sure."

They mounted their brooms and took off through the players' exit and flew straight up toward the stands. There were lots of people already seated and when they saw Jack and Charlie, the crowd began cheering. Charlie grinned and waved; Jack waved, too, but he was nervous seeing all the people. Charlie spotted Gretchen and flew down directly to their box seats. There were plenty of people close by who cheered. Roxie cheered the loudest, followed by Xan who looked like she was about to pass out.

Charlie and Jack stayed on their brooms so that people wouldn't rush them. "Hi, I'm glad you made it," he said over the din.

"Yes, thank you," Gretchen yelled. "These seats are wonderful."

"You remember Jack, don't you?" he asked.

She nodded and smiled at him. "Hello."

"Jack, these are Gretchen's sisters, Roxie and Xan. They go to school in Birmingham. Jack played Quidditch in Birmingham."

Xan blushed. "I know. I've seen you play. You're wonderful."

Jack gave her a big smile. "Thank you." Jack leaned over and reached out his hand to Xan. "It's a pleasure," he said. She looked his hand and they both blushed. A dozen flashbulbs went off and Charlie looked at Gretchen and grinned. The press would pay more attention to the young couple than him and Gretchen.

"Would you like to join us after the game?" Gretchen asked Jack. "I promised Charlie a home cooked meal."

Jack looked at Charlie who was nodding. "S-sure," he said, "if I won't be imposing." He gave a quick glance to Xan.

"No! Not at all," Xan interjected. "We'd love to have you." Roxie nodded vigorously as well. "Good luck today," she said shyly.

No one in the stands noticed, but Charlie's eyes never left Gretchen. After they said their goodbyes, Charlie flew around and signed autographs and posed for pictures, while Jack lingered by Xan. While he was mingling with the crowd, the rest of the team flew up to where they were and spent about twenty minutes signing autographs and showing the fans how much they were appreciated. They stayed until Coach Popov came out and blew his whistle. They flew back down to the ground, waving to the fans.

When the whistle sounded at the start of the game, Sweetwater's beaters, Philippe Du Pre and Trey Gilbert were relentless aiming the bludgers continuously at Jordan. There were several near misses, but Jason and Lee kept him clear.

Charlie stayed with Sweetwater's seeker, Rahi Patel; he knew that once Patel spotted the Golden Snitch, he would immediately fly after it, and the man was fast. Charlie had no intentions of extending the game any longer than was necessary, but he wanted to make sure the fans got their money's worth.

Keeper Minchampton-Fossett was knocked off his broom and Alicia, Joanna, and Jack took full advantage and managed to score 8 quick goals before he was re-seated. Sweetwater chaser, Pete Marcham managed to score one goal after Jordan received a nasty blow to his shoulder and was almost knocked off his broom. The Sweetwater fans cheered like they had won the game. No one had been able to score against Jordan in over twelve games. While everyone was distracted at the 10 points earned by Marcham, Charlie swooped in and without anyone noticing, grabbed the Golden Snitch. After an hour and a half of play, the Reds won 230 – 10!

The fans went crazy cheering wildly. The team flew around the pitch and into the stands, finally landing on the ground below. Jason and Lee jumped on Alicia, who was cheering along with the rest. Joanna was kissing Jordan like they were alone. She was terrified that something had happened to him, but he was fine; still terribly upset that Marcham scored on him, but afterward, Jordan shook his hand and congratulated him on the goal.

A team representative escorted Gretchen and her sisters to the owners' and players' lounge to wait for Charlie and Jack. The girls were so excited. After the press conference, the team would congregate in the lounge to meet family and friends. They were fed and watered as they waited.

The team members had cleaned up and changed clothes by the time they met in the lounge, but they were still on an adrenaline rush from the game. Jack couldn't stop grinning and Alicia kept hugging Jason and Lee.

"Great game," she said, kissing both men squarely on the mouth.

Roxie was so excited that she kept jumping up and down. Xan hugged Jack, and they both blushed a matching red. Charlie held back to see what Gretchen's reaction was, but she was as excited as her sisters. She threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. It wasn't exactly the chaste kiss she had intended because before she could break away, Charlie had deepened the kiss, pulling her tightly against him. She struggled for a half second, and then sighed, surrendering to his crushing kisses.

Several flashbulbs went off, and Gretchen pushed him away. She looked embarrassed and Charlie couldn't tell if it was from being embarrassed or because she was responding to him.

"We'd better get out of here," Charlie whispered in her ear.

Jack took Xan's and Roxie's hands while Gretchen held on to Charlie. They walked out the back exit and prepared to disapparate when they were told it would be all right to leave.

The group apparated on the front porch. Gretchen opened the door for them. Gretchen's parents Dan and Tilly Wallace were waiting for the in the living room. Gretchen introduced the and Jack and Charlie were very polite. Dan looked a little star struck at meeting two famous Quidditch players. They were concerned when Xan held on to Jack's hand after she introduced him.

The house was crowded and warm and filled with laughter, which reminded Charlie of the Burrow. Dan and Tilly invited a couple of friends over, which Gretchen knew nothing about. The house was starting to get more crowded.

"Are we ever going to be alone?" Charlie asked

"No time soon, I'm afraid," she answered, giving him a sample of the dessert she had made.

"Why don't you show me the rest of the house? Especially your bed room," he said, licking the sweet sugary concoction from her finger.

She thought about it for a minute, then took his hand and pulled him to the back stairs. They climbed the steps quietly afraid that someone would follow them. Her room was in the back away from the rest of the bedrooms. She opened the door and he closed it behind them. He pushed her against the door and kissed her hard. She moaned and kissed him back breathlessly.

"We can't," she whimpered, as he kissed her neck and ear. "My parents. Oh, yes, that feels good." Her eyes were closed. "Please."

Charlie reached under her blouse and worked his way up until one hand was massaging her breast and his other was cupping her bottom. Her arms were around his neck and she was straining to get closer to him. Just as he was reaching for his belt buckle, there was a pounding on the door, and someone was pushing on the door to get in.

"Fuck," Charlie whispered in her ear. He took a settling breath while Gretchen held hers.

"Gretchen," the voice behind the door yelled. "I know you're in there. Open up. Mom's looking for you!"

"Fuck," Charlie repeated. He kissed her one more time, then pushed away from her.

Gretchen's face was flushed and she was trying desperately to control her breathing. "I'll be right there. Go away, Roxie. I'll be down in a minute."

Roxie was giggling. "Who's in there with you? I'm telling mom!" She wriggled the door knob and tried to open the door.

Charlie put his finger to this lips and started to back away. "I'm going to disapparate. Where can I go?"

"The basement," she whispered. "I'll be there in a minute."

He kissed her again, and disappeared with a loud pop.