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 13: Darkest Before the Dawn

Adam just stayed and talked with his mom and Dr. Williams for about 10 minutes alone about what needed to be done. Obviously there was no problem with the doctor bill. He hadn't earned the nickname "cake-eater" for nothing. Williams recommend two of the top athlete trainers in the state to help Adam with his recovery and conditioning, but at no costs gave out any false hope for a quick fix. Adam would be unable to play hockey to his best ability for at least a year and probably more. Calls needed to be made first to his father, and next to the Cyclones. Adam tried hard to balance his emotions between depression and anger.

            Eventually, the ducks were allowed in to see him a few at a time. Portman, after hearing Banks was ok left immediately. Fulton soon afterward to find him and make sure he didn't do anything stupid…Julie stayed behind. She hadn't said a word to Dean since she'd first seen him on the hospital bed.

            "Hey Banks, lookin' good!" Averman pepped up in his lame attempt to get a laugh out of somebody. Briefly some people chuckled, including Banks himself.

            "How are ya Adam? Stupid question I know but…" Guy shifted his weight as he looked to his friend.

            Adam held up his cast wrist, "They say it'll heal in about 2 months. Same with my side. I'm feelin' ok."

            Connie's face lit up. "Really?"

            Adam nodded. No use in shelling out more bad news right now. Besides, he was alive wasn't he?…kinda? The rest of the ducks let out an audible sigh of relief that the Banks they saw would not look that way forever. Adam looked up at Charlie and Julie who were both standing right next to him. They weren't fooled. They were both looking right at his covered up leg. He gave Charlie a silent plea with his eyes not to tell anyone yet. He seemed to understand. Then he looked to Julie and asked quietly, "How's Dean?"

            Julie closed her eyes, "Broken arm. He'll be ok…I uh…think he left."

            Banks nodded. "Can't imagine why."

            She looked down. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

            "It's ok. Not your fault. Come on guys, I'm ok. Really."

            One by one, as they became convinced that their teammate really was going to be all right, they drifted out. In the end, only four of them remained. Connie and Julie sat on the small couch in the corner. Charlie stood next to the bed and Guy was leaning up against the door. Like Charlie, he hadn't been convinced that Banks was telling them everything. Of all the ducks, he and Guy were the most competitive, Guy only a fraction of a point behind Banks in every calculated average of the game. He knew as well as Adam that any injury, no matter now insignificant would put you behind that game.

            Guy looked at the foot of the bed as Charlie, reading his thoughts asked, "How bad is it hurt?"

            Adam sighed and reached down to feel the brace around his knee. "Ligament's torn. And they had to remove some of the cartilage."

            "How long?" Guy asked.

            Adam knew the rest of the question, "A year…minimum."

            "Oh my God," Connie whispered across the room. Julie just looked stunned.

            "I'm sorry man."

            Adam didn't answer. The group sat in silence for a few minutes before Charlie yelled again.

            "Dammit Portman!"

            "Charlie don't," Julie got up from the couch.

            "Don't what? Pretend your boyfriend didn't mess up Adam's chance to make it?"

            "That's not what she meant Charlie," Connie tried.

            "Come on Conway, please."

            "No. No, I think we've all cut Portman enough slack over the years. I'm not gonna sit here while his little girlfriend defends him in front of the guy who's career he just ruined."

            "Charlie-" Adam tried to reach for his arm and hold him back. Oh man, please don't do this now.

            Julie was on the verge of tears, "All I meant was don't get into it now Charlie. I wasn't about to defend him."

            "Come on C, calm down," Guy jumped in trying to settle the war brewing.

            "Yeah, I'm sure that's all you meant."

            Adam laid his head back against his pillow. He didn't have the energy to fight anymore.

            "Charlie come on."

            "Butt out Connie."

            "Hey!" Guy said, "Don't jump on her."

            "You know what? I-"

            "Don't try it Cat Lady, I don't wanna hear it."

            Stop it guys! Just stop! Adam cried in his head. Luckily his mom and the Doctor returned to see what the noise was all about before someone broke something. Charlie stomped off mid-sentence. No one tried to stop him.

            Tears streaming down her eyes, Julie managed to say good-bye to Adam as she ran off soon after. Adam cursed his leg for not being able to go after her, but he was too tired to even think that way at this point. Connie and Guy remained who also managed a weak "good-bye" and "feel better" and "we'll come back soon" before they walked out too. Adam was grateful when his mom held out her cell phone with his dad waiting on the other end…it at least provided a distraction.

* * *

Ok, you know that saying "It's always darkest before the dawn?"…hint hint, the title of this chapter? Those of you faithful fans out there who are sticking with this story, I thank you so much. I know it's gotten really "dark" but there's light at the end of the tunnel I promise you. No story is good without a little drama you know? Lemme know whatcha think.

(You guys have been awesome!)