Disclaimer: I do not know or own any of the Mighty Ducks characters. Any original characters and the story belong to me. Not making any money from this.

Chapter Nine... Departure and Reflection.

Julie got up early to escort Connie to the airport, she was going to miss having another woman to talk to, she could talk to her on the phone but it wasn't the same as being able to have her there and talk to her face to face. Gunnar had said goodbye to her at the apartment, he knew that they would want some girl time to chat. Julie had noticed that when she came in Gunnar and Connie abruptly stopped talking and were being all secretive. Julie and Connie sat together in the coffee shop at the airport and they were using the last hour they had together before Connie's plane to have a bit of a girly chat. 'Connie, you have to come back again.'

'I know. I want to, I miss having my friend around to talk to'

'Me too. What were you talking about with Gunnar before?'

'Sorry Catwoman, I can't say.'

'Why not?'

'He made me promise not to, I can promise that you'll like it.'

'I see, so you're not going to tell me?'

'Nope, you'll just have to be surprised.'

'Okay, just this once I'll let you off with not telling me.'

'Good, besides you're in safe hands.'

'I know, when he kisses me, it makes my heart flutter, it makes me feel things. He could have taken it further last night and he didn't, he respected my wishes.'

'Catwoman, it's okay to feel things, I told Gunnar he has my blessings for a reason. If you want to go further then do it, you're a woman. I approve, totally, you'll know when you're ready.'

'I think I am, when he touches me, my stomach feels like it is fizzing.' Julie blushed.

'What are you blushing for?'

'I don't know, I suppose I haven't been in this position for a long time.'

'It's good for you my dear, there's colour in your cheeks and a sparkle in your eyes, one I haven't seen for a long time. Gunnar is good for you.' Julie nodded and smiled, it was true that she was happier now than she had ever been.

Connie's flight was announced over the speakers, Julie and Connie hugged and promised to see each other soon. Julie left the airport when she couldn't see Connie any more, she really was going to miss her. Connie was her closest friend and having her around the past few days had been good. Living so far away from her friends made her feel alienated sometimes, New York was a very big place and it's hard to feel grounded when people are always rushing about around you.

Julie wandered about, she wasn't ready to go back just yet, she wanted time alone with her thoughts and memories of Connie's visit. She had been very busy with the new team and having her first date in years and now she just wanted to reflect. The memories were tinged with sadness at having to let Connie go home but there was hope underneath. She had someone new in her life and it was heading in the right direction.

Julie stopped when she reached a small field and sat down under a tree, she wasn't due in work today as she had taken the day off, another first for a few years. When things had gone sour she had thrown herself head first into working, anything to dull the ache in her heart. She only took her holidays when she really had to, when the office told her she had to. When she wasn't at work there was no way to silence the voice in her head that told her she had failed in some way. Getting rid of him had been a good decision, at best he was selfish and at worst he was lazy and inconsiderate. Connie had disapproved right away and when it had ended she had dropped everything to come over and supply endless tubs of ice cream and chocolate. Julie had been the one to end it but it had been hard to do it. She was glad that done it, Gunnar was definitely better than him and his selfish ways.

She wondered what Gunnar and Connie had been talking about before she came in, she knew Connie wouldn't keep anything that was bad from her, if it was something bad she would have told her and more than likely hauled Gunnar over hot coals, literally. Julie hadn't told her about Sanderson coming, she defintely would have postponed going back just so she could have a go at him. Julie was willing to give him a chance, people could change, Gunnar had after all. Maybe he would be different after ten years. Julie got up and wandered back the apartment, Gunnar would be worried about her if she stayed out much longer.

She let herself in and heard Gunnar talking on the phone in Icelandic, she might not have understood what he was saying but she could tell that he was talking to someone important. She went into the lounge as he put the phone down. 'Gunnar?'

'Hi Julie. Did Connie make her flight?'

'She did, I'm really going to miss her.'

'I know, we can go and see her and she can come and see us.'

'Us, you just referred to you and I as us.'

'Is that a problem?'

'No, I like it.'

'Good. That was my mother on the phone.'

'Oh, does she only speak Icelandic?'

'No, but she likes to speak to me in our native language.'

'I see, that's logical.'

'I told my her about you, she wants to meet you.'

'She does?'

'I told that I'd met someone, that you were my girlfriend.'

'Girlfriend? We've been out on one date.'

'Would you like to be my girlfriend Julie?' Julie stared at Gunnar, she wasn't expecting such a question so soon, she wasn't sure how to answer. 'Forget it, I shouldn't have asked, it's too early.'

'Gunnar, come here.'

'It's okay, really, I'll wait.'

'Gunnar, listen.' Julie pulled him to her and whispered in his ear. 'Yes, I'll be your girlfriend.'

'I'm glad, when do you want to meet my mother?'

'Now there's a question. Do you still have things left in Iceland?'

'I do, there were some things I couldn't bring with me as I didn't have the room.'

'If you're staying then it might be a good idea to bring them back with you.

'I think so too.'

'I'll book some time off work and then we can go and meet my parents and yours, I'll let you know when I have it all figured out.'

'Okay, by the way, I have something booked for our second date on Saturday.'

'You do? What is it?'

'A surprise, keep the day free for me.'

'Okay, a surprise it is, I shall look forward to it.'

Gunnar was happy that Julie had agreed to be his girlfriend, his mother was overjoyed that he had met someone, Stansson had insisted on his players not having a long term relationship. His mum always worried that he spent too much time on the game and nothing else, she was always ask him when he was going to meet a nice girl and bring her home, now he was giving her a reason to be happy.

Julie placed a call to her parents and told them that she had met someone and she wanted them to meet him. Julie's mum was happy but her father was ready to give him a thorough questioning, because he never tired of telling her that she would always be his little girl. She said she would call them again when she had her time off work and they could set up a date to come to the house.

Gunnar, meanwhile, organised his meeting with Sanderson while Julie was on the phone to her parents. 'Olaf told me he's coming on Wednesday, I said he had to stay in a hotel.'

'That's probably a good idea.'

'I need to talk to him alone first.'

'I understand, come and sit with me.' Gunnar followed Julie, he was going to relax with his girlfriend, his girlfriend, he liked the sound of that.