Author's Note: I didnt realize that chapter 14 was supposed to take place before 13. Oops. Thats what happens when you dont work on something for awhile. Anyway, on to next chapter.I'll try to keep in chronological going forward.


"Ducks Tie Cardinals, 2-2"

Gordon Bombay could hardly believe it. District Five, now the Ducks, had tied and got their first point. Ever.

Hans made sure to get Gordon his own copy of the newspaper 'Let's Play Hockey' and Gordon decided to frame it and hang it on his wall in his study. The previous week during his weekly AA meeting they were talking about about the ABCs of AA. That weeks letter was the letter 'H'. Humility, Hope, Honesty and Happiness.

Gordon went over them in his head.

Humility. Gordon smiled at the memory. He had to humble himself to go to Charlie and admit he was wrong. Gordon hated it at the time but he was happy he did. Charlie had accepted his apology and welcome him into his life. He never met anyone like Charlie before. Gordon wouldnt admit this to anyone but he found himself caring for the younger boy more then he thought he would. Much more. Charlie, to Gordon's surprise, didn't seem to mind and welcomed the friendship.

Which gave him Hope. Hope for the future. Bombay promised himself that he would still continue to coach the ducks even after his community service was completed.

Honesty. Gordon sat down at his desk. Hans had told him earlier that day that he wouldn't even been a duck now because the boundaries had changed. Which meant that the Hawks's star player, Adam Banks, would be a duck as well. Bombay knew the Banks family as well. They provided the firm a large amount of business. He wrestled with what to do about it. He wanted to have Banks on the team. Not just because he was a good player but he knew first hand the pressure that came with being the star player on the hawks. But at the same time, he didn't want to upset his boss after all he's done for him over the the year. Bombay was torn.

Gordon heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Tracey opened the door and closed it quietly behind here.

"Hey."

"Hey."

There was a pause.

Gordon felt uncomfortable after their last meeting.

"Listen, I…"

Tracy cut him off. "I'm leaving."

Bombay blinked. "Leaving?"

"Yeah."

Bombay shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"I'm sorry," Tracey said.

Bombay was incredulous . "Sorry for what?"

"For my behaviour at the Christmas party."

Bombay was stunned. Tracey had nothing to apologize for. "Listen, if its about the sex, it takes two to tango.."

"It's not that. I mean it is but its you know…" Tracey was trying to find the words but couldn't. Tracey walked over to his desk and picked up a coin.

"This." Tracey said referencing Bombay's 30 day sober coin. "I knew you were trying to stay sober but …. I didnt care."

"It's not your fault." Bombay faulted. "I didn't do anything I didn't want to do."

"Really?" Tracey asked.

"Yes." Gordon assured her. "Really."

Neither one of them said anything for awhile.

"So you're leaving.." Bombay prompted.

"Yeah. I need a break. " Tracey paused. "From everything."

"From me?" Gordon asked.

Tracey shook her head. "Not you. Just…you ever think about about leaving it all and just living day by day?"

Gordon chuckled. "Thought of it. But then eventually reality comes crashing down." Gordon looked at her. "Was there something you needed? "

"You."

Gordon stared at her. He pointed to himself. "Me?"

"One last time."

Tracey leaned into to kiss him. "You make me feel good," she whispered in his ear.

Gordon couldn't resist. "Last time."


Gordon woke up in a few hours. He looked around for Tracey but she was gone. He didn't hear her leave. After showering, Bombay made some calls. The first one to the Minnesota PeeWee hockey league to make a complaint that Adam Banks was playing for the wrong team.

"Hello," Gordon Bombay said."Have I reached the league office? Yeah, I'd like to report that a player , Adam Banks, should be playing for the District Five Ducks but is currently playing for the District Six Hawks. Yeah? Double check that address again against the district lines. Yes. Yes. I can be there in person at the Hawks next game. 3 pm? Sure. I'll be there."

Gordon hung up the phone and got ready to meet the league official at the hawks next game.


Gordon made sure to show up early to the Hawks next game. He watched Banks and his fellow Hawks warming up for the game against the Jets.

"You sure you want to go though with this," the league official asked one last time.

Everyone in Minnesota knew how affluent Hawks were. Some of the parents of the players were businessmen like Phillip Banks. Other were politicians, doctors and others lawyers like himself. He probably knew most of them from his high school days when he went to Eden Hall.

"I do."

Bombay and the league official walked to the Hawks bench.

"Excuse me. Coach Reilly? "

"Yeah?"

"I'm afraid there's a bit of a problem," the league office started.

"What's that?"

"It seems one of your players are ineligible."

Coach Reilly took the paperwork. It had Adam Banks's information on it. "Banks? Over here!" He called out to his star player

Adam Banks quickly skated over to the bench to Coach Reilly.

"This gotta be joke right?"

"I'm afraid its not joke."

Phillip Banks rushed down from the stands to see what the commotion was about. "Is there a problem Coach Reilly?" Phillp Banks asked.

"Oh no no no, just a mistake Mr. Banks."

The league official turned to Mr. Banks. "Are you this boy's father?" He asked looking down at the paperwork. "450 North Hennipen Avenue. Is that your address?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm afraid there's no mistake. This boy is playing for the wrong team."

"What?!" Adam Banks exclaimed. This had to be a mistake. His brother played for the Hawks when he was younger. So did all his friends.

"According to league rules, Adam Banks should be playing for District Five."

Phillip Banks stepped in. He had had enough. There was no way he was having his son play with those no good kids from District Five. "My son is a Hawk. Not a Duck."

Reilly ignored the league official. " Is this your doing Gordon?"

Bombay ignored Reilly. "I'll expect to see him at our next game." Bombay turned to Banks." We'll have a uniform waiting for you."

"No way."

Phillip Banks agreed with his son. "My son would rather no play than play for your team."

Bombay was disappointed but not surprised. "Fine, if thats the way you want it. But remember, if Adam plays for the Hawks, you'll have to forfeit every game for the rest of the season. Boy I'd hate to see that."

Coach Reilly glared at Bombay. He was not going to let this slide. He ran after Bombay though the area.

"Gordon? Hey Bombay!"called after him. "You stop when I'm talking to you son.'

Bombay didn't have time for this. He had another AA meeting to go to. "What's the idea here? You trying to sabotage me or what?"

"Laws a bitch when it works against you, isnt it Jack?" Look you've got a whole team full of Banks's. One kid isnt going to make a difference."

"Even with Banks, what do you think you're going to prove. You and that bunch of losers?"

Gordon had had enough. First it was Phillip Banks and now Coach Reilly. The last couple of weeks had been eye opening to Bombay. He saw how his team was treated differently. Just because of their social economic situation. He had enough. He thought back to his last AA session. Humility, Hope, Honesty and Happiness. Happiness. The ducks had brought him more happiness in the past month then in the past years combined.

"That's right coach" Bombay said sarcastically. "They are losers. And we hate losers, don't we? They don't even deserve to live."

Unbeknownst to Bombay, Jesse Hall and Peter Mark had seen Bombay. They were out for an afternoon with Jesse's Mom. Jesse never got to spend much time with his Mom so they were going to watch a movie but decided to stop in to the arena to see when the next public skate was. Jesse wanted to show his mom all the new cool hockey moves his coach had taught him.

Jesse and Peter watched in disbelieve at what their coach had said. Jesse frowned and went back to his mother and told her what he heard Bombay said.

"Mom," Jesse said. "I don't want to go skating anymore."

"Why not honey?"

"Coach is a filthy you know what."

"Jesse!" She scolded.

But Jesse was insistent. "He said we didn't even deserve to live."

Jade Hall raised an eyebrow. It didn't seem like the Bombay she knew. Maybe the old Gordon Bombay she met months ago but every recent AA meeting she saw him at, he did nothing but gush over these children like they were his own. Of how proud of them he was. It was all he could ever talk about.

"Maybe you miss-understood what he said. " Jade said.

Jesse became indignant. "Of course you defend him." Jesse lashed out. "You're all the same."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm not stupid. Dad told me everything. He heard from Charlie's mom, that you go to AA together. You're both addicts. Nothing has changed. You deserve eachother !"

Jesse ran off. Jade shook her head. Peter glared at her before chasing after Jesse.

"Gordon, what have you done?" she muttered to herself. Bombay had some explaining to do.