Summary: A tale of our favorite Ducks and where their lives take them, beginning Senior Year at Eden Hall. Focuses on Adam, Charlie, Julie, Dean, Connie, Guy…and more to come!

Disclaimer: The Mighty Ducks and all its characters belong to Disney. I do not own any of it!

Flying Together

By Rebecca

Chapter 11: Accident

Charlie slammed through the locker room practically dragging his roommate with him. Luckily, very few people were out on the ice. Most of them were still changing. "Ladies and Gentlemen!" he announced like a carnival master, "Meet the newest addition to the world of minor league hockey!"

            Immediately hands came crashing together in applause as everyone rushed to congratulate Banks.

            "Man, we knew it'd be you."

            "When didja find out?"

            "What team Adam?"
            "Far out dude."

            "Congrats Cake-Eater."

            Adam fielded his new fame as best he could, but really wished Charlie hadn't made such a big deal about it. For all his skills and talent, Banks had always been a pretty humble guy. This was just a little too much for him. He was thankful when Orion came through the crowd, shook his hand and told everyone to get out on the ice. Adam sat on the bench and started suiting up.

            Still overwhelmed by his phone call that morning, he was the last person left in the locker room. He was just putting on his pads when Julie came running in. "Adam! I just heard." He stood up just in time for her to practically jump into his arms for a hug. "Congratulations!"

            "Thanks Jules," he smiled, his stomach starting to ache as he realized from somewhere in the back of his mind that he didn't exactly want to let go. He couldn't help but think that had things gone different…he stopped. He really couldn't think like that now. He pulled away as she went to her locker.

            "What team?"

            "Cyclones," he said, pulling on his shoulder pads.

            "Wow, Cincinnati? That's awesome."

            Adam nodded, "Yeah, they want me as soon as the next season starts. I leave for training right after graduation."

            "Right after?" Adam nodded. "Wow, that's quick."

            "Yeah, but don't worry. They'll probably kick me off the team when the realize that Friday was a fluke."

            Julie laughed, "Yeah right. Well…" she scrambled, "I'll uh, see you out there. Congrats again."

            "Thanks," Adam grabbed his stick and headed out.

            "Rich boy!" Someone called as he left the locker room.

            Good God, "Hey Portman."

            "Hey great job Banks!" he laughed slapping him on the back.

            "Heh, thanks," he said, mentally rolling his eyes. Rich boy?

            "Movin' up in the world huh?"

            "Looks like."

            They walked towards the group who had congregated in the center of the rink. "Hey, we were all just talkin' here. We're all gonna head to this place downtown after practice today and celebrate." Cheering agreement came from the crowd of players.

            "Aww come on guys, that's ok really," he said.

            "Adam! This is great news," Connie said, "I mean, you'll be in the minors for like 2 weeks before the NHL grabs you."

            "Yeah come on Banks," Charlie added.

            Adam sighed. Outnumbered by the ducks once again. "All right."

            More cheers were soon silenced by Orion's whistle. "You ladies finished making your plans? Let's play some hockey."

            Practice was lively to say the least that day. Everyone was in high spirits. By the end, Adam was actually looking forward to hanging out in whatever this place was that Portman knew about, and didn't really care that it'd been his idea, nor did he care that by the time he'd gotten out of the shower and changed, car pools had already been picked and he was apparently riding with Portman and Julie. By this time Adam had resigned himself to the fact that he was just going to have to get used to Dean Portman.

            As they all headed for the parking lots, a team of 12 split into 3 or 4 cars, Connie came running up behind them. "Julie!" she called.

            They turned around just as they had reached Portman's Chevy. "Connie, what's up?"

            Connie looked quickly at the guys and turned to her roommate. "I um, need to talk to you. Do you mind if we take my car?"

            Julie searched her face, "You ok?"

            Connie gave a half nod combined with a look that screamed "Pleeeeease."

            "All right," she turned to the guys, "We'll meet you guys there."

            "You know where it is?" Portman asked.

            Julie smiled, "We were there last weekend Dean, I know where it is." Dean kissed her on the lips…Adam clenched his fists and turned to open the car door.

            "Looks like it's just you and me Banks," Portman chuckled as he got in the driver's side and started the engine."

            "Heh…yeah," Oh goodie. Ok maybe he did mind that he'd gotten stuck with Portman. He hoped it wasn't gonna be a long drive. They pulled out of the lot and started down the road. They weren't even off campus before Dean stopped the car in front of his dorm building.

            "Gotta grab my wallet, be back in a minute." Adam rolled his eyes and leaned his shoulder against the door. Looks like he was going to be late to his own party. He saw Averman's beat up station wagon pulling up behind him and opened his door when Les honked his horn.

            "What's goin on?"

            "He forgot his wallet."

            "All right, see ya there." Adam watched the other cars speed off. He waited a few more interminable minutes and finally Dean ran back wallet in hand…and a new bandana wrapped around his head. "Nice hat," he said blankly. Dean just laughed.

            "The others leave already?"

            "Yup."

            "Hmm…well Fulton knows the way I guess. Here we go!"

            Adam had to laugh. Dean was borderline goofy at this point. They pulled onto the freeway and started talking.

            "So uh, when do you leave?"

            "Right after graduation."

            "That soon?" Banks nodded, "Wow. It's pretty awesome cake-eater."

            "Would you please stop calling me that? It's getting' kinda old."

            Portman looked at him in shock as if Banks had just asked him to cut off a limb. "Um, ok sorry."

            "Nah, it's ok. Never mind."

            "You all right? I mean for a guy who's movin' to the semi-pros you're not very…um awake."

            Adam shrugged. "Tired I guess. Long practice."

            "Well I know what'll get you going." He flipped on the radio and some horrendously loud screaming voice came on, Dean immediately started bopping to the beat. Adam laughed again. He had to give Portman some credit. He really had no idea why Banks didn't like him that much at the moment. All he was trying to do was hang out and celebrate his good news. All in all, he was actually acting more decent than he ever had…Julie probably has something to do with that, he said to himself and smiled.

            Adam was just about to tell Dean these very thoughts when he noticed that the Chevy had zipped past several cars in the last few minutes. "Uh, Dean?" he shouted. "Don't you think we're goin' a little fast?"

            Dean shouted back, "Don't wanna be late for your own party Banks!"

            "Yeah but-" Adam looked back to the road. A silver Ford truck had just merged onto the highway at frightening speeds. Dean swerved to avoid it. "Portman look out!"

            Dean missed the truck, and cursed as he tried desperately to move out of the way of another car he was dangerously close to in the next lane. He yanked the steering wheel to the left and Adam watched in horror as the passenger side smashed into a mini-van.

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