Chapter Title: Learning When To Let Go and When To Hang On

Summary: The summer before college everything changes. But can they handle it?

AN: I know I haven't updated in forever. I'm sorry you guys. It's kind of hard to update when you can only type with one hand. It would have taken me forever. But I get the stitches taken out of my hand tomorrow. So that means regular updates again.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Might Ducks. Okay, so maybe I have Charlie, Portman and Adam. Sue me. I dare you. You won't get a penny, because I'm broke.

Charlie looked at the sleeping figure next to him. He had tried to sleep, but the plane had hit turbulence and he hadn't been able to fall back to sleep since. Granted it was only a few bumps and shakes but it had freaked him out. He smiled when he saw Connie stir. He wouldn't have to deal with it on his own for long. Connie opened her eyes and looked up at him giving him a sleepy smile. Charlie brushed his fingers across her cheek before going back to reading his book. She placed her hand over his giving it a gentle squeeze before closing her eyes again.

An hour later Connie felt something brush against her shoulder. She opened one eye and saw Charlie holding out a hand to help her up. She looked around the cabin and people were walking down the isle to the exit. She took his hand and let him lead her off the plane. He had both of their bags slung over his shoulder as they made their way through the airport. Jesse was standing outside arguing with a valet about something. Charlie and Connie walked up to him and gave him weird looks.

"He's trying to charge me for parking here!" Jesse said before pointing the sign that said 'Free Parking.'

"This area is for pickup only." The valet said giving Jesse an evil glare.

"Jess lets go." Charlie said pulling Jesse towards his Jeep.

"Sorry." Connie said shrugging her shoulders before following them.

The car ride to Connie's was quiet. Charlie and Connie knew better than to try and talk to Jesse when he was mad. He was twice as bad as Charlie and Connie when you got him started. Luckily he didn't get mad as much as he used to. They pulled up in front of Connie's house and he turned to look at them. The two of them were in the back seat, Connie had her head on Charlie's shoulder and Charlie's head was pressed against the window.

"Okay kiddies, time to get out. I've got to go to work." Jesse said breaking the silence.

Connie sat up and grabbed her bag from the floor. Charlie followed her into the house. It was too quiet, he wasn't used to that. It was never quiet at Connie's.

"My family went to St. Paul for a couple weeks." She said reading his mind.

"I'm not used to being this quiet." He said sitting down at the kitchen table.

He watched her as she made her way around the room. She was going through mail that had been left on the counter. Then she walked out of the room. She came back a few seconds later and stuck her head through the door.

"You coming upstairs? Or are you going to sit in my kitchen?" She asked before heading upstairs.

He shook his head as he followed her upstairs. Something's would never change.

XXXX

Julie stood in line at a coffee cart waiting for Portman. His cell phone had rung as soon as they walked into the airport. He had told her to go ahead and that he would catch up with her. Someone held out a hand to pay for her coffee and she looked up. Portman stood next to her not giving her a chance to object. The vendor took his money and Portman pulled her over to a row of chairs.

She sat next to him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders pulling her to him. They should be better at this, but they weren't. It got harder to leave every time. One of them had to make the first move. But neither of them wanted to.

"I can come and see you."

"You can't miss anymore time from work." She said looking up at him.

"Screw work. If they don't like it they can kiss my ass." He said trying to sound tough.

The truth was that he had had the same job for the past two years. His boss loved him, he thought of him as his son. He wouldn't lose his job.

"You don't have to." She said taking his hand in hers.

"I want to." He said running a hand through her hair.

"Give me some warning this time?"

"What's the fun in that?" He asked giving her an evil smile.

She was glad he was doing better. He had gotten to see Hannah before they left. She was doing better, but it would be a while before she was her old self. She would have to go through a lot of physical therapy. The doctor said she should be fine by the time school started again. Portman just hoped that he was right. Julie's flight was called and she sighed not wanting to leave.

Portman pulled her up and pulled her to him again. They walked to her gate with their arms wrapped around each other. Julie walked up to the line of passengers and looked up at him.

"You go ahead. I know you want to get back."

"I can stay." He said pulling her so that both of her arms were around his waist.

"I love you." She whispered looking up at him.

"Love you too." He said before brushing his lips against hers.

He watched her walked down the hall and turn to get on the plane. She stopped at the last second and smiled at him. He winked back before she got on the plane. He wished she didn't have to leave. But he couldn't ask her to stay. Even if he knew she would drop everything and do stay if he had asked.

XXXX

Connie watched Charlie as they watched a movie in her room. She had lost interest in a few minutes before. She was more interested in the fact that Charlie was drawing lazy circles on her stomach. He had pushed her shirt up without her realizing it. And now his hands were splayed across her stomach. She could feel the heat from him all through out her body. She put her hands on top of his and felt his hand tense.

"Charlie?" She asked just above a whisper.

He looked up at her only to see her pull her shirt over her head. He gave her an unsure look and she nodded before laying back down. She pulled him up by his shirt and he kissed her trailing his hands down her sides. She leaned up long enough to unhook her bra before Charlie pushed her down again. She put her hands between them pushing his shirt up to feel his muscles flex under her touch. This was the farthest they had ever gone. She had wanted to be sure things wouldn't be weird between them before it happened. After he had come to California she knew without a doubt that there was nothing stopping them from taking things this far. She pulled away from him looking him in the eye.

"Do you have anything?" She asked trying to catch her breath.

"Shit, no." He said with a groan.

"It's okay, don't worry about it. I'm on the pill anyway." She said pulling him back to her.

He gave her a questioning look before she pulled his shirt over his head. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he settled on top of her again. He kissed her letting his arms settle at her sides. She ran her hands up and down his back, as their kiss got more intense.

Her hands were between them again before he knew what happened. She pushed his shorts down his hips not bothering to unbutton them. Charlie pulled away making his way down her body.

His hands were splayed across her stomach again as stared up at her. He stared at her in wonder before pulling her skirt down her hips. His boxers were next as made his way back up to her. Her underwear was last before she wrapped her legs around his hips.

An hour later they lay on their sides facing each other. Connie's hair was falling across her shoulders as she pulled the sheet over them. Charlie brushed her hair back over her shoulder before kissing her shoulder. She laughed trying to calm her nerves. She didn't know why she was nervous. This was Charlie, the guy she had known since she was four. And now he knew everything there was to know about her. She hadn't been this nervous after she had lost her virginity to Guy. He looked her in the eye before taking hold of her hand. He placed it to his chest and she could feel his heart beating just under her fingers. She smiled before closing her eyes. She kept her hand where it was as she fell asleep. Charlie pulled her close to him and wrapped his other arm around her before he fell asleep himself.