Summary: SEQUEL TO FLYING TOGETHER…a continuation of the life and times of the mighty ducks…Focus on Dean, Charlie, Connie, Guy, Adam and Julie…again. What can I say, they're my 6 favorite characters!

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

Grown-ups

By Rebecca

Chapter 2: Penalty Box

Charlie and Connie rushed into the "Penalty Box" and shoved the door shut, desperately escaping the Minnesota blizzard.

            "Whew!" she sighed out of breath, taking the scarf from around her neck and lowering the hood.

            Charlie stomped his feet, "What'll you have?"

            "Umm," she pulled off her gloves, "I'll have a screwdriver."

            "Hey Walt!" he called to the owner of the old bar, "2 screwdrivers."

            "Sure thing Spazway," a voice answered from the back.

            "Here lemme get that, " he turned to Connie.

            "Thanks," she said slipping off her coat and handing it to him. She smoothed out her long black skirt she still had on from earlier that morning and hoped up to one of the stools.

            "The Penalty Box" was really slow that night. The blizzard had kept many of the regulars home. Looking at the empty tables and stools, Connie swallowed hard and wished she were anywhere else…for starters, somewhere louder. Charlie being Charlie, was sure to ask her questions tonight that she didn't want to answer.

            "It's great to see you, Connie," he said as Walt poured their drinks.

            "You too, Charlie. Although…"

            "Yeah I know…not that pleasant of circumstances."

            "I just can't believe it," she whispered, still in mild shock that one of the ducks had fallen.

            "I know," was all Charlie could say.

            "I felt so bad for Dean today. I don't think I've ever seen him cry."

            They were silent for a short while, thankful when Walt brought their drinks. Charlie decided to change the subject.

            "Ducks have sure been through a lot of close calls," he tried.

            Connie chuckled, "Yeah, most of them have been Banks."

            Charlie laughed in agreement, "Amen to that." Another long pause, "It's uh…been a long time huh?"

            Connie fiddled with her hockey stick shaped drink stirrer and tried to smile.

            "I mean," he continued, "I haven't heard from you since-"

            "I know," she cut him off. "I'm uh, sorry I haven't kept in touch more."

            "Hey," instinctively, he placed his hand on her shoulder, "you've been through a lot."

            Connie wrapped her arms around her stomach, nearly shivering in the comfortably heated room.

            Charlie dropped his hand and started fiddling with his own drink, "You ok?"

            She sighed, taking a gulp, "It's been a long year."

            Charlie hesitated and took a deep breath, 'What's uh…" he was gonna pay for this. He knew it. "What's goin' on with you and Guy?"

            Connie clenched her fists as she huffed into her drink. "Charlie?" she started.

            "Ifyoudon't wannatellme-" he put his hands up in surrender.

            "Tell me something," she ignored him, "how come whenever something happens between 'Connie and Guy' people always ask Connie? Connie must've done something wrong? What'd Connie do? What about the 'Guy' part of 'Connie and Guy' huh?"

            "Take is easy Con-"

            "Does it ever occur to any of you, that it might just be Guy's fault? Guy's the one with the problem here?

            All the while, Charlie's eyes darted around the room, embarrassed at the faces starting at them from all directions.

            "Connie," he said quietly, "I've no doubt that Guy's at fault here. I just wanted to know if you're ok."

            Her shoulders slumped as she childishly went back to her drink. "I know," she whispered. "I'm sorry, I just-"

            "I know," he patted her arm, "It's ok." Charlie silently chided himself for bringing it up. He knew better. She'd been like his for nearly 2 years. Ever since…She was right. Guy obviously had something to do with it. It takes 2 willing people to agree to divorce that fast…but there was no doubt left in Charlie's mind that Connie…simply wasn't Connie anymore.

            "Look, I'm goin' back to the hotel," she said, pulling on her gloves. "Thanks for the drink, Conway," she stepped down from the bar.

            Charlie spun on his stool, "Conni-" he called to her.

            Then something about the way she turned sent Charlie all the way back to the Goodwill Games. Connie, be careful out there, they're gunning for you, he'd said. She brushed him off, Don't worry, I'll be fine.

            She hadn't listened then, and she wasn't listening now.

            "If you ever wanna talk…"

            She nodded and flipped her scarf over her head, tying it in front, "Don't worry," she said softly, "I'll be fine."

            Charlie watched in silence as the "Penalty Box" door closed.

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