The next chapter. I don't own anything you recognize from cannon.

Chapter 51: Reassurances


The next morning as I was working out with Goldberg my cell phone buzzed with a text message at 6:45. I flipped to it and smiled.

"What's up Lizzy?" Goldberg asked.

"Just Dean saying good morning." I answered still smiling.

"He's sure going all out." Goldberg said looking a bit cautious.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Goldberg motioned to a bench and we sat down. "Lizzy, I know we haven't always been real close but you've always been there when someone's needed you. I tried not to get close to anyone in peewees because I thought I was going back to Philly but hopefully you'll listen even if you don't take me seriously. I don't know how much Fulton and Charlie and Banksie told you about Port's past but you really need to be careful around him." Goldberg said.

"They've told me some things but not much."

"None of Port's relationships have lasted this long. I'm not trying to put you off him. "I'm just trying to say be careful. I've heard girls say Port's only looking for one thing in a relationship and once he finds out how good it is ..."

"He is a teenage guy Goldie."

"Yes, but you should still be more careful with him. I don't want to see you hurt, Bombay's done that enough, so I thought I'd warn you."

"If he really is as bad as you say, why has he stuck around so long? He knows I'm not going to give it up."

"Because you're a Duck. He found out at Christmas that you aren't ready right?" I nodded. "Let's say that he dumped you right after that, you'd know he was only dating you for that reason and you'd go straight to Charlie and Fulton. He'd end up taking too much heat from a lot of people. To avoid that he'll try his hardest to make it look like a normal relationship and that way when he does dump you it'll look like it was because things went bad instead of you not sleeping with him."

"Oh."

A few moments later he smiled. "Or I could be completely off my rocker and he could really be into you. That or you're the first girl who has made him think with his head instead of his pants."

"Either way it's something to think about. Thanks Goldie. I'm glad you felt safe enough to come to me." I said. "I love input from all my ducks and don't worry I'm not kill gonna kill you for your opinion."

"Take care of yourself Lizzy." Goldberg said.

"If I can't I know I've got you guys you guys to watch my back." I answered. "And now I must go shower." When I reached the cafeteria the clock read 7:30 and even though the entire team was at the table only half of them seemed to be awake. "Why is it just now 7:30?" I asked trying not to yawn as I sat down next to Dean.

"Yes because it seems like not even half an hour ago I was in bed." Fulton said sarcastically.

"Because half an hour ago you were in bed, Dude." Dean answered.

"Late night Lizzy?" Adam asked.

"More like early morning, but seriously it should be like eight or nine."

"If it were nine you'd be in class and eight you'd be going to class." Russ said. "You're probably anxious for tomorrow when you fly to Chicago and meet the rest of Port's family that is going to seem like today and tomorrow are going to drag on forever."

"Too early for psych mumbo jumbo," I groaned.

"And on a Thursday," Luis said. "Which reminds me hand over my little, baby boy."

"And redundancy." I passed the baby then put my head down.

"Are you sure you're not just in a bad mood?" Kenny asked.

"Too much to think about," I said resting my chin on my folded arms. "You know to tell you the truth Dean, I am kinda dreading meeting Mitch. I've got a bad feeling about him.

"It'll be ok I promise. I'm not going to let you get hurt." Dean said.

I then turned to Luis. "Speaking of this weekend are you sure you'll be ok on your own?" I asked.

"For the most part, I need to talk to you about the journal but other than that watching him isn't too hard."

"I'll drop by your room after dinner and give you a crash course in imagination and how to make it believable." I said.

"Thanks Lizzy."

"Sure." I shrugged. Fulton prodded me to eat then and after what seemed like forever the bell rang for classes.

After a long boring morning lunch rolled around and I took Ant back for the afternoon. This time not only did I have to feed him but his diaper was also full. I took him to the bathroom to change him and my cell phone rang. I looked around the empty bathroom and then answered it.

"Hey Lizzy, how are you doing?" Chris asked.

"Fine. Shouldn't I be?" I asked.

"I suppose. Matt called."

"He told you what Seth said didn't he?"

"Yes."

"I don't know what I'm going to do, Chris. I'm scared." I said softly.

"Hang tough little sister. We're doing all we can to convince Dad that giving you up is an asinine thing to do."

"I'm tired of being tough. Sometimes I just want to be a girl. I want to curl up and hide and let Daddy take care of everything but I can't do that because he's causing the problem."

"Then hide and let your big brothers take care of everything. You don't have to worry about anything. I promise even if we can't convince him not to give you up you won't be in Florida long. Matt would do anything to keep you in Minnesota." Chris said.

"Yeah you can't promise that a judge will even listen to him." I said.

Then I heard Chris sigh. I knew he was trying to figure out how to calm me down. What he said next helped more than what he said in English. "Ne vous inquiétez pas Firearm. Nous nous chargeons de tout. Je vous promets." Chris said.

(French Translation: Don't worry Firearm. We will handle everything. I promise.)

"Vous me le promettez?" I asked.

(French: You promise?)

"Je vous promets." Chris repeated.

(French: I promise.)

"Que faire si vous avez tort?" I asked.

(French: What if you're wrong?)

"Ai-je jamais manqué à une promesse?"

(French: Have I ever broken a promise?)

"Pas."

(French: No)

"Voir? Pas de quoi s'inquiéter."

(French: See? Nothing to worry about.)

"Alright I'm sure you have to go now. I'll talk to you later." I said.

"Sure. Later." Chris said.

I hung up and sighed. Then I finished the diaper change and went back out the cafeteria. When I sat down Dean wrapped an arm around me and whispered comforting words to me. I don't know how he knew I was upset but I was kinda glad he did. I think time moved faster that afternoon than it did that morning because before I knew it that afternoon I found myself at the hockey rink for practice.

During practice Orion pulled me aside. "I got the permission slips and your brother's information and turned them into the Dean this morning. I'm positive he'll say yes so the two of you better be set to leave right after the game."

"Thanks Coach." I answered. During one of the water breaks I gave Dean a soft smile. "We got the go ahead."

"As long as..." Dean trailed off.

"He hasn't gotten the dean's approval yet but Coach is certain he'll say yes."

"Good. My mom will be happy to hear that."

A bit later the dean came in. "Conway, I want two on two scrimmages. Work on left side defense." Orion called before going to talk to the dean. Charlie had just set me and Dean up against Dwayne and Connie when Orion walked back out on the ice. "Reed, Germaine, take over. Jacobs, Portman, come here."

I glance over at Dean but pulled my helmet off and we skated over to Coach Orion. "What's up Coach?" Dean asked.

Orion led us up to where Dean Buckley was sitting in the crowd. "Matt Jacobs is your brother, correct?" Orion asked looking at me.

"Yes sir. You met him on Valentine's Day and Dean, you met him just after Christmas."

"Of course. And he has met Mr. Portman, correct?" Buckley asked.

"Yes sir at Christmas." I answered. "And Mrs. Portman has also spoken to Matt."

"Your father has approved of this?" Buckley asked.

"Yes sir. Said he understands the legality of everything being a lawyer and that he could understand why we had chosen Matt."

"Well then you've done everything correctly and I have no other choice but to approve this."

"Thank you Dean Buckley. We really should get back to practice." I said.

The dean nodded and we shook hands before getting back to practice.

Only too soon it was Friday at lunch and I was sitting with my baseball team. "How did today go by so fast?" I asked.

"Because you're dreading something," Jim said.

"Maybe the game tonight?" Alex suggested.

"No, I don't think that's it."

"Well what else could it be?" Sam asked.

"I guess I'm nervous meeting Dean's family." I sighed.

"That must be a pretty serious relationship kid. Meeting his family is a big step." Brick said.

"Dean's brother Jeff is getting married and his mom gave him two tickets. He had to take a date."

"No he could have taken his best friend or asked one of his other female teammates." Sam said.

"True." I shrugged. "Guys if your girlfriend's brother was in a really bad relationship and you knew about it what would you do?"

"Confront the girl about it." Tom said, he was our center fielder.

"Your girlfriend?" I asked.

"Well I'd find out what she knew about it then I'd talk to her brother and his girlfriend."

"Is something going on between you and Dean?" Bastian asked.

"Dean and his brother think their sister is in a really bad relationship. They don't have any proof so they haven't brought it up but they're worried."

"Their sister the only girl?"

"Yeah, she's also the second oldest and scheduled to marry the guy after spring break."

"You may not want to get involved Lizzy. It could hurt your relationship with Dean. If you're wrong and you bring it up his parents may not trust you and Dean could leave you."

"But I just can't let it go."

"Charlie told me about your gut feelings but you have to be careful." Bash warned. "Meet the guy and if your gut says don't trust him, get proof, solid proof, that he can't be trusted. You have to be careful of what you get involved in. Port is allowed to hate him, it's his sister, but you need proof if Port's sister is going to trust you."

I looked around at the rest of the team and they all nodded. "Thanks guys now do me a favor and don't say anything. Dean doesn't need his problems spread around the school." Again they agreed. After lunch I headed off to psych where Luis and I talked to Russ about the game. After classes let out I went back to my dorm and packed what I thought I'd need for the weekend into my hockey bag. By taking out some of my extra practice stuff it all fit.

"Hey you all packed?" Dean asked from the doorway.

"Yep, it's all in here." I said tugging on the strap of my hockey bag.

"I meant for this weekend."

"And again it's all in here."

"How'd you make it all fit?"

"I took out what I didn't need." I answered rolling my eyes.

"Have you talked to Orion about getting an Eden Hall bag?"

"And give up my Ducks bag? I've had this bag since peewees. No way am I giving it up."

"Alright." Dean answered holding his hands up.

After dinner he grabbed his bag and I grabbed the strap of mine pulling it across the floor. "Hey Dean," I called.

"Yeah babe?" He answered.

"I made it all fit but now ..."

"You can't lift it?" He asked.

Sure I could. I never packed so much that I couldn't lift it but it was a hockey bag and he should have offered to take it. "Nope," I shrugged.

"No problem." With what seemed like no effort at all he hefted my bag on his shoulder and headed for the door. I shook my head and locked my door then headed after Dean. Julie grabbed my arm as we stepped onto the bus and I plopped down on the seat next to her.

"What's up with Port being all chauvinistic?"

"Chauvinistic? He's being a sweet guy. And who said chivalry had to die?"

"Come on, if you can't carry your own bag—"

"I can, but I think it's sweet when a guy offers. It's not like I want him to carry my purse. Hell a girl who can't carry her own purse is an idiot but a hockey bag full of gear and a weekend worth of clothes along with my computer and cell phone, well that is sweet. I'm all for women's rights and being independent but sometimes I like to see him carry my hockey stuff just so he knows he answers to me."

"Power struggle?" Julie asked.

"But he still has his freedom right?" Connie asked from behind us.

"Of course. A guy who doesn't have his own freedom and no guy time means he's obsessed with his girlfriend and doesn't let her have her girl time." I answered. "And as much as I hate girl time even I need a little bit of it sometimes."

"So ..."

"Trust me; it's all part of my master plan to keep things interesting. And if a guy can't put up with the real me then he'll dump me, sooner rather than later." I said.

"Well that's good to know." Julie said hesitantly.

"Jules, everyone has their dating strategy and it's time Portman was put in his place." Guy said.

"Thanks Guy." I said not expecting help to come from him.

Soon it was halfway into the second period and I was starting to get worried that we would lose. Although we had been working with old plays all week it seemed like the Sharks knew them all. Then I realized why as I looked at their bench. "Charlie, we've got to come up with new plays." I said as Guy set up for another face off.

"Why?" Charlie asked.

"Number 17, he's an ex-Flame from peewees. He knows most of our plays."

"OK," Charlie said, and then sat pensive for a few moments. He then turned to Orion who nodded and called a time-out and Charlie explained the two plays to the team. Those plays held us to halftime when the score became 3-2 in favor of the Sharks.

After coming up with a few more plays we were back on the ice. Halfway through the final period I saw Matt heading for the bench. Once again time out was called and this time it wasn't for a play. "Portman, Jacobs, there's been a change of plans. The two of you have to leave now. It's almost eight and if you don't, you'll never make the nine o'clock flight." We nodded and rushed back to the locker room. After a quick change, he grabbed my hockey bag and his and we rushed out to meet my brother in the parking lot.

At the gate of the flight Matt pulled me into a tight hug. "Be careful in Chicago and have fun. If you don't like the guy, stay away from him."

"I will."

"And remember, there is less chance of you dying on an aircraft than there is of you being struck by lightning." Matt said.

"I know. That just doesn't make my tummy feel any better." I said batting my eyelashes at him.

Matt rolled his eyes then kissed my forehead. "I love you."

"Love you too." I answered.

"Dean, take care of my baby sister. And by the way she's terrified of flying so good luck. If something happens to her, you'll want to run and hide." Matt said.

"I wouldn't dream of letting her get hurt." Dean answered.

"Good. Bye guys." Matt said. Dean led me to the terminal and after a final wave to Matt we boarded the plane.

"So when Matt said you're terrified of flying..." Dean prompted.

"He meant it. I've only been on a plane four times. When Seth and I went to see the Iceland games in LA. They weren't very good flights. You'll be right there right?" I asked.

"Of course." Dean answered. "The flight is only an hour long and I'll be beside you the entire way. And don't worry about my family. Tony will love you because I do, Jeff's like Matt and he'll be cautious at first but when he talks to you he'll love you, and since my mom loves you Lissy will absolutely adore you."

"Lissy?" I asked. "Did you just call your sister Lissy?"

"Yeah, that's her nickname. Why?" Dean asked. Dean took my hand in his and rubbed the back of it as the plane took off.

"Well, it's just ... Nat's friend Beth Fisher said she had a friend named Lissy and Beth's a Chicago native. I just thought it was a little odd. Imagine that."

"Liz, you mean Star Fisher?"

"Star? Redhead, deep brown eyes, about 5'7, almost 26, they call her Star because Beth is also her grandmother's name? Are we talking about the same girl?"

"Yep. She's Lissy's best friend, they grew up together and Star came up here to go to school. Some say Star kept Lissy out of trouble. She didn't meet Mitch until after Star left. She might be there this weekend too."

"What about Krista and Mitch? Will they like me?"

"Krista will. Mitch ... if we're right about him, he's not gonna like you at all. My dad, honestly I don't know. It took him three months to warm up to Krista. Mainly because he and Jeff are close but we'll only be there for three days. You should probably just stay away from him." Dean said.

"You and your dad not get along?"

"Not as well as I wish."

"He loves you." I said.

"I think so." Dean answered. "Anyway I love you and that's all that matters. At least I hope that's all that matters."

I nodded, kissed his cheek, and after moving the armrest between us I put my head in his lap and dozed off.


There you have it. Sorry if the French Translation is off. I used the web as I don't speak French.