21:

Like a Duck to Water

(Part One)

Is it better to try and keep things the way they are or just sit back and watch it all change? Some things have to stay the same, right? And when do you just stop and take a step back from everything and let it all happen? Does that mean you're being too passive? Or is it worth it to help you settle and feel comfortable in a new area? And how long should it take for you to feel like you fit in?

One thing is for sure though: with us, it seems like things could be smooth sailing, and then some does something that causes a ripple effect for the rest of us. At least things eventually go back to normal. Right?

Charlie made a face as he adjusted his tie for the umpteenth time. One minute he was loosening it and the next, he was tightening his tie. The river boat had barely left the dock and he was already itching to abandon ship. The two teams had greeted each other stiffly and as cordially as they could—their respective coaches were on board as well so no insults could be traded—before splitting off to opposite sides of the boat.

"Would you stop fidgeting?" Connie asked, slapping at his hands before adjusting his tie for him. He didn't realize when she had moved to stand next to him. The other Ducks were scattered around the sitting area at the front of the boat. "You look like you've woken up on the wrong side of the bed and eaten sour grapes." She crossed her arms over her chest, the small purse hanging off her wrist, bumping into her stomach. "What's up?"

"What do you mean?" Charlie asked.

Connie let out a small laugh. "What do I mean," she repeated with a small grin. "Charlie, we all know something's up. With you." She waved her hand in the air. "With the team. With the school. Portman's barely been back a week and he's doing that freaky aura thing where he can tell thing are off kilter." She lifted her hands flat in the air, palms down before angling them to the side.

"So what's that got to do with me?" Charlie asked.

He nearly laughed out loud as soon as the words came out of his mouth. Everyone knew how much he greatly disliked, even borderline hated being at Eden Hall. He wasn't afraid to show it and tell anyone about it.

At least to his team.

He knew how much easier it was for his mom, at least just slightly, to have the scholarship to send him there in the first place. If it meant he had to talk the place up in her presence, then he would. He didn't want to put any more stress on her than he was sure he already had while growing up.

Connie shook her head back and forth. "Charlie, Charlie, Charlie," she said in time with each slow head swing. He hated it when she did that but at the same time, it always got his attention.

Connie was one of his oldest friends, one who often went along with whatever he said and did, or whatever her friends said and did, because she was that loyal and she didn't want to be left out. She was also was one to drill logic and sense into you when she thought strongly about something but in the nicest way she could muster. It was part of the reason why they had all called her the Velvet Hammer; the other with how great she was at surprise checks on the ice. If he had listened to her the first day of practice with Orion, things probably wouldn't have started off so bad.

"You're the center of this team," she explained to him, lifting her hands to brush her hair back behind her ears. "It was you, and Jesse, and Guy who wanted to start up the team in the first place, remember?"

Charlie felt his lips turn upwards into a smile despite his annoyance. Hans was staying with him during the day while his mom had gone off to a double shift at work. In his usual plan of trying to bend the rules as much as possible with Hans, he found himself climbing the shelves in his mom's closet in a game of hide and seek as he looked for a place to hide.

Using the hangers as a sort of step stool, he hooked his foot onto the hangar at the back of the row, using his small arms to try and lift himself up onto the shelf where the corners met. The plastic hangar couldn't hold his weight and a loud snap split the as it broke under his foot. On his way down, he hit his chin on the shelf, reaching for a stack of sweatshirts to hold himself up, and the broken plastic scraped the sides of his calf before he hit the carpeted flooring. The pile of sweatshirts landed on top of him.

Not wanting to get in trouble he quickly folded up the shirts as best as he could and threw them on top of the shelf. Finding a roll of Scotch tape, he put the two broken ends of the hanger back together as best he could and wrapped tape around it to hold together. When he went to retrieve the shirt the hanger was previously holding, he found the jersey sitting on the floor.

He had shown it to Hans who immediately told him all about his dad's success in the sport. His mom wasn't too happy about the findings when she got home that night. She did answer a lot of his questions, and had been a major support as his love of the sport grew. He had managed to get his friends to join the sport after having talked about it for a long time. Plus, it gave them something to do in the winter when they got tired of staying indoors.

But it indeed was Jesse, Guy, and himself who all thought about starting their own team. Not that any of them even really knew how to play or knew anyone to teach them. Their parents were the ones who did research to find that District 5 needed a representative for the hockey league. The rest was history as they say.

"Yeah, I remember," Charlie replied with a nod of his head.

"So, don't you think the rest of us kind of know and react to however you're feeling?" Connie asked, planting her hands on her hips.

Charlie let out a breath of air, running his fingers through his hair. She had a point. Connie always had a point. It was just a matter of time when she would speak up and let you all know what thoughts she had been working out for a while.

"You've been…off since we set foot on campus, dude," Connie explained, "well, not just you, everybody."

Charlie watched as she twisted her mouth to the side, letting out a sigh through her nose, looking out over the boat deck, shifting her weight as she did so. "How're things with you and Guy?" Charlie asked. Connie instantly snapped her attention back to him.

"Fine," she replied. Charlie lifted his eyebrows. "It is."

"Con," he said, holding out her name, prompting her to talk.

"Honestly, I haven't had a lot of time to see him outside of class because of the Varsity's schedule," Connie explained. "I don't really know how he's been doing, to be honest. He doesn't want to talk about hockey too much. Then again, lately, I haven't either."

"Yeah," Charlie said with a hint of a laugh, "I know exactly what you mean. I mean, I share a room with Adam, but I've barely seen or talked to him." Connie gave him a look of surprise. Charlie was surprised, too. Not that he didn't try and talk to his friend whenever he could, but it seemed like just because Adam and Guy were on the Varsity team, they weren't allowed to talk to their old friends.

Or maybe they weren't, he thought to himself, squinting just slightly as the sun slowly crept across the open space, shining on him. Being a Varsity member is like a secret club or something. Maybe the Varsity team was worried about them spilling secret plays or something like that. But, Charlie knew his friends, even if they were given the opportunity, they wouldn't say anything.

Charlie craned his neck to try and catch a glimpse of his friends at the back of the boat. The center of the boat held the eating area, covered in large glass windows giving a 360 view of the river around the boat. Even Adam and Guy seemed to be "off kilter" as Connie put it.

He knew Adam and Guy to be lively and ready to jump into anything. Now it seemed like they had to have permission to speak or something. Apart from a passing nod or "hey" in the hallway, homework, teachers, and anxieties about tests and examinations were all they talked about around their classes.

"Maybe we all are off," Charlie admitted.

"It's not going to get much better being stuck on this boat with them," Connie said with a shake of her head. "I can't believe Bombay is making us do this."

"I can't believe this takes like two hours to go round trip," Louis muttered from where he was stretched out on an elongated, couch like sitting area. He held his cell phone high above his head, squinting at the screen. "And it moves soooo slooooow."

"It's a tour boat, Louis," Averman pointed out, removing his glasses from his nose, using the collar of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his boat. "It doesn't need to move fast. It's not like it's a speed boat or anything."

"Shoot, if we had one, we could really be havin' some fun," Dwayne replied, his word muffled from his hat that sat over his face. He sat up in his seat, eyes twinkling, positioning it on the top of his head. "Just hook some inner tubes to the back and we'd be flyin' down this river."

"What fun," Louis replied sarcastically, dropping his phone to his chest.

"Who've you been trying to reach, Louis?" Julie asked, lifting her sunglasses from her eyes. "You've been checking it like every thirty seconds."

"He's trying to reach his mom," Russ said with a loud laugh. He started talking in a baby voice. "Is Louis scared of the water?"

"Yeah, right, the dude's like a shark the second he jumps in," Fulton said, crossing his arms over his chest, crossing his ankles. "Man, this is so lame. If we can't get along with Varsity now, what makes Coach think sticking us all on a boat will help?"

"Well, it's not like you all tried getting along with them, right?" Portman asked. His eyes widened as everyone turned to stare at him. His eyes darted from side to side as he looked at his teammates. "What?"

"Who are you and what have you done with Portman?" Charlie asked. Portman rolled his eyes, putting his hands up defensively. Even Fulton looked surprised at the comment.

"It seems like their only problem is that we're actually here, so if we just stayed out of their way, things might calm down a little bit," Portman explained, giving a shrug of his shoulders. He then clicked his tongue, his right eyelid twitching. "But if that Rick throws one smug remark in my face, he's going to get it."

"I say we mutiny now," Ken spoke up, peering towards the water.

"Kenny, you don't swim," Averman pointed out to him.

"Correction," Ken replied, deadpan, shifting his gaze over to Averman. "I don't float." Charlie let out a loud laugh. "We're not that far from the shore. How deep could that water be?"

"It's not the depth you have to worry about, Ken," Danielle replied with a sigh, announcing her presence as she made her way towards her teammates. She pushed her glasses up her nose before smoothing out her clothes. "It's the water snakes."

Ken peered into the river water, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he was actually considering it. His nose wrinkled as he shook his head. "That's not even worth it," he muttered. He crossed his arms over his chest as he turned away from the water. "Where've you been?"

"Helping my dad," Danielle replied, suddenly looking tired. She lifted her glasses slightly and used the side of her hand to wipe the skin under the nose pads. "But, I'm going to need all your help, today." She rolled her weight back and forth on her feet. "It involves scheming and deceiving; your basic Duck stuff. But, you'd really be saving my butt if you helped me out."

Charlie's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What's up?" he asked.

Danielle let out a long, loud sigh, deflating in front of her teammates. "Remember how I told you that my dad was making me work to help pay off the chocolate fight damage?" she asked.

"Dude, I missed a chocolate fight?" Portman asked, actually looking offended. No one answered him. "And you say this school is boring."

"Well, I don't need the money for to pay for that," Danielle explained as she started to pace. She started talking faster and faster with each turn. "Well not anymore, at least not all of it. We're having financial issues because my mom's back in the hospital and the medical bills are really high and—"She let out an odd laugh, "I nearly begged Adam to give me some money which I just couldn't do. So, I got a job at the country club waiting tables which—guess what—are catering today so they had to supply servers and despite trying to get out of my job, they're already short staffed enough this weekend and I couldn't get anyone to cover for me, and I really need the money."

She was met with silence as soon as she stopped talking and tried to catch her breath. "Uhhh." Charlie blinked rapidly, shaking his head back and forth, trying to decipher the jumble of words rattling around in his head. "Ok. Whatever it is, I've got your back." Danielle gave Charlie a smile of relief as he held his hand out towards her.

"Thanks, Charlie," she said, slapping her palm into his hand. Her smile grew as her teammates all got to their feet, offering their support and apologies.

"Hey, we need something like this to liven up the day," Louis said as he sat up. He paused, cringing. "Not that I want you to have to go through something like this." He gave Danielle his charming smile as an apology.

"You know, and no offense, it's a wonder how you can talk faster than you think," Charlie commented, reaching out a hand to clap him on the shoulder. Louis just shrugged his shoulders. "So, what can we do to help?"

"I need some of you to help serve the guests on the lower level," Danielle replied, reaching for the waist band of her skirt, retrieving a folded up sheet of paper. She smoothed it out against her leg before holding it up for everyone to see. "Here's the floor plan. There aren't many people apart from us that are taking the boat ride today but they're sticking to the deck below." She pointed at the circles and rectangles that covered the paper. "This is what it looks like below, we're putting all the tables together into one long table for us."

"Wait," Ken said, putting his hand in the air. "We don't have to sit by any of the Varsity players, do we?"

"Unless you have a problem sitting next to Guy, no," Danielle replied before looking over at Connie. "Is that ok?" Charlie looked over at Connie as well who gave a nod of her head. He gave her a reassuring smile. He had seen the two of them fight and make up plenty of times before, but this was different. It was like they weren't on the same wavelength to work things out.

Maybe she was right. Maybe it was his own fault. Maybe his actions did affect others? If that was the case, then he needed to try and bring everything back to order. To feel normal again. If that meant having to sneak around to help out a friend, then so be it.

"Julie, do you mind sitting next to Scooter?"

'Uhh," Julie blinked as the attention was suddenly put on her. She gave a shrug of her shoulders. "No, it's fine." She let out an odd laugh, waving her hand in the air. "He's one of the nicer ones so…"

"Ok, good. There's a kitchen and bar downstairs as well, but they're being served by the kitchen up here since more of the staff are working for our party today. Averman, Louis, Kenny, and Dwayne, I'm going to need your help serving. I don't need your help just this moment, but I will for when food starts to come out."

Danielle quickly explained her plan for the rest of the day, explaining the strengths of each person and where they would be—the four boys being chosen for their people skills with an emphasis on Louis's speed, Goldberg and Russ were needed at the table for their lively chatter, and her worries that Fulton and Portman would punch a salad into someone's face and would rather it be the Varsity players then other guests.

Personally, that was something he wanted to see, but at the same time, he wanted things to go smoothly as well. Coach Bombay was there and he hated having his old coach disappointed in him. They were better players then they had shown him under the direction of Orion. He didn't hesitate to tell them so and it sucked seeing that look in his eyes.

"Hey." Charlie hurried to fall into step with Danielle as she led everyone into the covered dining area. "I'm sorry to hear about your mom." Danielle made a humming sound in the back of her throat. "Why didn't you say anything before? I mean, Orion might've taken it a bit easier on you if he knew."

"Risk facing the wrath of Orion? Yeah, right!" Danielle replied with a scoff. She brushed her hair back behind her ear. "People talk about my mom enough as it is."

"Normally, I commend her on her pride," Derek Taylor commented as he stepped over from his position behind the counter, towel drying a glass. He held his hand out to Charlie who slid his hand into the older man's shaking it. He then shifted his attention towards his daughter. "But, it doesn't hurt to let others help you out from time to time." Danielle "hmmed" a second time. "Take the drinks down to tables 17, 2, and 12, please? Oh, and champagne to 21. The other servers are taking their orders. And then you can bring everybody in to start."

"Oh joy," Danielle said, her upper lip curling. "One of those couples." She stuck out her tongue, making a face. "They probably can't stop staring at each other." She then gave him a pointed look. "Kind of like you and Linda."

Charlie let out a loud, "Ha, ha, ha," rolling her eyes. "I know what you're doing." She was trying to change the subject, but it did work. He could feel himself smile just at the thought of Linda. Truth be told, he'd rather have her telling him how much of a "stupid jock" he was then be stuck on the boat with the Varsity team. At least then, he'd still be able to spend time around her. "I can help. "I will do anything to not have to sit down at that table for another five minutes." He folded his hands together. "Please." He stuck out his bottom lip into a point.

"Alright, alright, alright." Danielle waved her hands in the air before grasping the black, rounded tray her dad pushed towards her. The glasses of lemonade, and tea jostled just slightly as she picked it up before balancing it on her palm, pressing it into her bicep as she did so.

"Danni will show you which table need the champagne," Derek said as he set a bottle of champagne onto the table with droplets of water rolling down the sides before setting two glasses onto the counter. "One of the other servers should've put an ice bucket by the table already."

"Got it," Charlie replied, carefully taking the glasses in one hand, using the other to grasp the bottle around the neck in the other. "Lead the way." He had to stop himself from snorting. Not like it's my job or anything. The thought suddenly slammed into his head. Yes, he was annoyed that he didn't get his captain's C, but he hadn't allowed himself to think about it for a while. He, at least, had control over that.

"Actually, Charlie, hold on a second." Charlie lowered the foot he had in the air to the floor. "Just do me a favor," Derek said, catching the teenager's attention. He nodded his head in the direction of the stairs that Danielle headed towards. "Make sure Danni stays out of trouble. She had a rough time at the end of the school year last year. I know it's been hard for her now, but she's not going to say anything about it until she's backed into a corner so…"

Case and point with today. Charlie let out a small laugh. "Can't really guarantee that with how much trouble I've been getting in lately," he replied, his eyebrow twitching. Derek laughed with him, albeit politely. "I'll do my best, Mr. Taylor."

"Thanks, Charlie," Derek replied with a grateful smile.

Charlie nodded his head before quickly making his way towards the small stairway Danielle disappeared down. This dining area was dimmer and had rounded windows, more eyelevel with the banks of the river. A few couples talked quietly at their tables scattered around the room. He instantly spotted the ice bucket and made a beeline for the table.

"Uh, here's your champagne," Charlie said, carefully setting the glasses down onto the table, barely glancing at the woman sitting there. "Sorry if there was any delay." He used his free hand to point over at Danielle. "I'm her friend, me and a couple of my other friends will be helping her out today."

"That's quite alright, I'm just enjoying the view," the woman replied, giving him a smile.

"I told you, you'd love it," a familiar voice said from behind Charlie. "I'm glad you decided to join me today." Charlie's eyebrows lifted and his grip tightened around the bottle of champagne as he looked into the startled face of his step-father. "Charlie. What are you doing here?"

Charlie was silent for a moment, sucking in a breath of air through his nose. "Lunch with my team," he replied, tilting his head back just slightly, jutting his chin outwards. "And Varsity; kind of a bonding thing. Seems you had the same idea with, um..."

"Elizabeth Johansen," Kyle quickly replied. "She's a co-worker of mine. We got a promotion at work and decided to come out and celebrate." He gave the woman a fleeting smile. "This is my son, Charlie."

"Stepson," Charlie instantly corrected him. "And congratulations on the promotion." He scratched the back of his neck. "It's funny though, the last time you got a promotion, you celebrated with mom." He shoved the champagne into the bucket of ice, chips flying through the air and onto the table. "I hope you enjoy your celebratory champagne."

Charlie spun on his heels, walking away as quickly as he could, ignoring Kyle's call of his name. He wasn't mad or disappointed. He really didn't know what was going on despite his suspicions. As far as he was concerned, despite having a step-father, he wasn't around enough to be considered one, anyway.

And as sad as it was, it made a whole lot of sense. Why his mom was always the one to come to school functions, why she was the only one to come to his games, why she was the only one who seemed to even care about his hockey career. It was just him and his mom; it was normal for him.

If that could go back to normal, maybe his team could too.

A/N: This didn't start out as a filler, but sometimes that's just how it goes. But, finally a new chapter. And I've got my inspiration and motivation back for this story. Once again, watching the movies again have helped out.

Thanks to everyone who's stuck around and checked out the story.