Summary: Gordon is back at Ducksworth and unfortunately for him, it's time for the annual holiday party. Even worse, there's going to be alcohol there. Lucky for him, he's got some Ducks who will help him get through it

To say that Gordon was dreading the upcoming Ducksworth holiday party would be an understatement.

His job at the Goodwill Games had not panned out as he had hoped. It was discovered that one of the qualifying teams had cheated on a handful of previous games prior to them coming. The secret came out, in Gordon's opinion, as a revenge ploy. Nonetheless, it caused a severe stir. Consequently, that team was disqualified and without any backup teams to use, it was canceled. It meant he had no job and no reason to stay in California.

He'd done a lot of thinking. A lot of decision making. Hockey was his life, but maybe he just wasn't meant to be with the big leagues. His knee and now this-he should stick to something smaller. Like coaching. While he'd liked his job at the games, coaching was something he found that he was truly passionate about. But he couldn't survive financially on coaching alone; he went back to being a lawyer, in the mindset of ensuring that things would be different this time.

He hadn't originally intended to return to Ducksworth. His former boss had made it clear what his priorities were-integrity wasn't one of them. Somehow, though, Ducksworth had found out that he was searching for a suitable firm and offered him back his old job with a promised increase in salary. Gordon didn't care about the money and was not enticed by any of it. He had fully planned on declining and would have, if his Ducks hadn't urged him to go. Adam came over one evening to convince him, insisting that it was okay and he shouldn't pass it up.

And so, he was there once again.

"Coach," Dwayne whined, "this shirt's itchy."

With a few guests.

Ducksworth had this grand idea of inviting the Ducks to the holiday party, under the guise of wanting to see his team again after all this time. Gordon was no fool; this was for image purposes only. It certainly looked good to anyone for him to have sponsored the disadvantaged kids.

He'd been tempted to not tell his Ducks about the invitation, as it wasn't going to be anything they would be interested in anyway, but maybe they would be helpful distractions. He'd been antsy about the party for a very good reason.

Alcohol.

He'd not had a sip of it in years. He couldn't say since getting caught and charged with a DUI because he most certainly had. It was in smaller amounts so no one would notice him drunk, but there had been moments. It was Hans who eventually got him to see past his old ways, forcing the ugly truth of what he would become if he didn't stop.

It was the hardest thing he'd done in his life-getting sober and staying that way.

It was everywhere. How did he not notice that before? Maybe because he was consuming, not avoiding it. Some days were better than others. And some days were much worse. It would take every inch of willpower not to stroll down the aisle at the grocery store or agree to go out for some drinks after work-or in the case of his former job, go out for some drinks after a game to celebrate. No one else knew of his prior alcoholism besides Hans and he preferred to keep it that way.

It was why he hadn't wanted to attend the party. Cups would be all over the place; at the bar, carried by waiters and toasts for various reasons.

Gordon wasn't ashamed to admit that he wasn't that strong to be able to resist it like that.

"Coach," Russ started and not for the first time, Gordon felt like a mother being hounded constantly by her children. "I thought you said girls were gonna be here?"

He smiled slightly, laughing softly. "It's a workplace holiday party, Russ. Why would there be any girls for you here?"

He shrugged.

Charlie yanked off Adam's tie, causing him to yelp. "Pretty sure Coach didn't tell us to wear a tie."

"It's called dressing for the occasion," Adam said pointedly, though it lacked heat. "You should try it sometime."

"My mother made me wear a dress," Connie complained as she approached him. "It's freezing out there but she said Connie, you never know who might be there."

"I think you look beautiful," Guy kissed her cheek.

"Don't make me listen to that all night," Portman scoffed.

"Then don't listen," Guy shot back.

"Someone gag me," Russ wrinkled his nose.

"Bitter about being single?"

"Better single than a whipped puppy."

"Behave, all of you," Gordon hid his grin.

"Who dares me to quack at Ducksworth when he comes by?" Averman asked the group.

"You're not doing it," Gordon said before any of them could chime in. Averman pouted.

"Aww, but Coach-"

"No. There won't be any quacking tonight."

"Don't worry, Coach," Luis said, hitting his chest with his fist, "we promise."

"Mhm," Gordon said, unimpressed. "Now uncross your fingers, Luis."

"He's like a mom," Luis mumbled to the others. "He just knows..."

"Think I could pass for twenty one?" Portman nudged Fulton.

Gordon turned sharply to them. "I don't want to hear any of you drinking underage, understand?"

"Alright, you won't hear about it," Jesse said smoothly.

"I'm serious, Jesse," Gordon frowned.

"Okay, okay," Jesse muttered. "Fine."

He didn't want to argue. Scanning the crowd for his former-now-turned-current-boss, he said to his Ducks, "Ducksworth will be looking for you guys," he said. It wouldn't surprise him if there was a camera nearby. Anything for the man's image.

"Can we brag about how we got Banksy and the Hawks didn't?" Averman grinned.

"No-"

"Do it when Adam's dad is around," Charlie cut in. "You know it makes his eye twitch."

Averman laughed.

"Remember when we played that prank on him?" Guy said, grinning.

"Which one?" Julie asked.

"Oh, you mean-" Connie clarified.

"The one about school? Yeah," Guy sniggered.

Adam sighed, rolling his eyes. In spite of that, he was amused.

"We made Adam's dad believe he was coming to school with us," Charlie told the non-Minnesota native Ducks. "That was before Eden. So his dad thought he was going to some run down public school."

Gordon remembered that. At the time, it was after the Goodwill Games, nearing the end of the following school year. He'd been working alongside Hans at the skate shop when a group of Ducks came inside, giggling mischievously.

"Adam's dad's probably gonna yell at you," Charlie said with laughter in his voice.

"And why would he do that?" Gordon raised his eyebrows.

"We told him Adam was going to school with us," Jesse piped up.

"We told him Adam's mom said it was okay," Charlie added.

"He's probably gonna think it's your fault," Guy told him.

Gordon stifled his own laughter. These kids. "Thanks for the heads up, then."

"Bet he took it real well," Russ smirked.

"He almost choked," Jesse said gleefully.

"It was hilarious," Guy and Jesse high fived.

"Almost choked and nearly fainted," Adam said wryly. "Thanks for trying to kill my dad, guys."

"No problem," Guy, Jesse and Charlie chorused.

"Gordon," Ducksworth seemingly came out of nowhere. That phony cheerful persona was in full swing. "Glad to see you made it."

"Gerald," Gordon said politely.

"Aha!" the other man said, catching the attention of the kids. "These are the Ducks. You've certainly grown up, haven't you?"

The kids side-eyed each other.

"Adam, it's good to see you!" Ducksworth clasped him on the shoulder. Adam managed a small smile.

"Uh, good to see you too."

"Your dad told me you're applying to Minnesota State," Ducksworth said.

"Yes, Sir," Adam nodded.

"I'm surprised, I admit. I would have thought you would have chosen NYU or some other."

"I'm planning on staying in Minnesota," Adam explained. "Didn't see any need to go out of state for that reason."

"I see."

Ducksworth's attention had fallen from Adam and was now back onto Gordon. As a waiter passed by, he grabbed two champagne glasses and handed one to Gordon, who froze. "A toast to you and your teams' success. Gordon. I don't think any of us thought the Ducks would be where they are today."

He stared down at the red wine sloshing around in the glasses, feeling his stomach churn.

Ducksworth wasn't aware of his alcoholism and now sobriety. He'd only known that Gordon was caught drinking and driving, assuming that it was a one time occurrence because of his celebration on his thirtieth case. Gordon wisely kept it a secret, not wanting word to get out or his reputation to get any further damaged.

What was he supposed to say now? Pretend to drink? If his lips touched any of that wine, he would be ruined. He couldn't. He couldn't risk it. He'd want it again after this night. Again and again until he spiraled.

"Mr. Ducksworth!" Someone that Gordon only vaguely knew of was waving the man over. "Mr. Ducksworth! Might I steal you for a moment or two?"

"Of course," Ducksworth responded. To Gordon, he said, "I'll be back in just a moment."

"Take your time," Gordon said under his breath.

It was only once the man left that he realized he was under the gazes of his Ducks.

"What was that?" Charlie asked.

"What was what?"

"That look on your face," Connie said suspiciously.

"You had a look when Ducksworth gave you that glass," Guy said.

"Do ya think he's trying to poison ya?" Dwayane whispered urgently.

"What? Dwyane, where do you get those ideas?" Gordon put on an act of exasperation, but in reality, he was mildly amused and appreciated the momentary distraction.

"You'll have to forgive him, Coach," Portman said, "his mom dropped him on his head."

"Only twice," Dwayne said.

"But seriously," Adam was wasting no time with this, "what was that look for?"

"You kinda froze," Fulton added.

"It was nothing," Gordon shook his head. "Don't worry about it, guys."

"You can't use that anymore," Goldberg protested. "We're older now. We know stuff."

"Some of us," Jesse snorted.

"Come on, Coach," Charlie said coaxingly.

His Ducks would find out one way or another. Sighing, Gordon said, "Alright, just come outside with me for a moment."

It was easier to get away than he would have thought with how big of a group they were. But they made it outside; the snowflakes were still falling, the temperature still below freezing. Guy draped his jacket over Connie for warmth.

When the door shut with a soft snap, Gordon took a deep breath.

"You might have noticed I'm a little nervous. I'm just uneasy around all the alcohol."

"Why would you be-" Aveman was cut off.

"I was an alcoholic, guys," Gordon shut his eyes, not wanting to see their faces. It took a lot to admit it to himself that he had a problem. It was harder to mention anything to Hans-who had already known. It was even harder to tell them. "Remember my DUI? That wasn't my first time drinking and driving, just the first time I'd gotten caught."

Opening his eyes, he saw the concern and the confusion on his Ducks' faces.

"I'm sorry," he sighed.

"For what?" Several of them said at once.

"You shouldn't be hearing this. I shouldn't be putting this all on you guys."

"You're not," Charlie said firmly. "We would've found out anyway."

Adam was studying him carefully. "So, are you sober now?"

"Haven't touched a drink in years," Gordon said quietly. He sighed again. "I didn't want to come here."

"Then why did you did you?" Luis asked.

"I don't know," Gordon mumbled. "Gerald told me he was wanting to invite you guys and I didn't want you all here without me."

"Is it because you knew we'd quack at him?" Averman broke the silence.

"Shut up, Averman!" Several of them glared at him.

"Geeze," Averman mumbled. "Sorry."

"Coach, you could've told us," Guy said.

"Yeah, we got your back, man," Russ said.

"We didn't even have to come here," Charlie nodded.

"It's not that great," Portman said. Then shrugged. "Or at all."

Gordon allowed himself to smile slightly. "Thank you."

A few of them hugged him. Others who weren't as affectionate like that, gave him shoulder squeezes or a light punch.

"Does your boss know about it?" Julie wondered. "Your alcoholism?"

"No," Gordon admitted. "I'd rather he didn't."

"Why?" Fulton said. "You think he'll fire you?"

"I don't know. I haven't done anything but I don't want word to get out." He'd been trying to put the past behind him. Unfortunately, it seemed to keep creeping up.

"We won't say anything," Connie reassured him.

"We'll even beat anyone up who tries to," Portman hit his fists together.

"That's not necessary-"

"They won't live to see another day if the Bash Brothers have anything to say about it!" He smashed his fist into Fulton's.

"Thanks," Gordon said dryly. He checked his watch, the one that had formerly been his late father's. "We should head back inside before anyone starts asking questions."

Back in there, more glasses were being passed around. People were starting to show signs of being tipsy; overly giggling, voices that were far better suited outside than in. Gordon swallowed. He'd used to be an obnoxious drunk. Actually, he used to be obnoxious without the alcohol but it certainly didn't help.

As if sensing what he was thinking, Charlie gently steered him in the opposing direction, away from the beverages. "Let's go over here," he said.

"Thank you," Gordon muttered. He exhaled. He was counting down the minutes until it was acceptable to leave.

"If you need to go just tell us," Charlie whispered. "Just...move your hand or something."

"Yeah, like a code!" Goldberg said enthusiastically.

"That's not necessary-" Gordon was touched, truly. "I can make it."

"Can you?" Russ was skeptical. "You look a little sweaty, Coach."

"I'm fine," Gordon said automatically.

His heart dropped a little when Ducksworth returned, holding onto two champagne glasses. "I thought you could use another," his boss said.

"T...Thank you, Mr. Ducksworth."

"No need to thank me-ahh!" Ducksworth yelped when the champagne spilled all over his crisp white dress shirt. Averman had slammed into him, causing the spill.

Gordon froze. Many of the party's attendees were looking over at them now.

"Oh, crap!" Averman said, panicked. "I'm so sorry!"

"It's...alright," Ducksworth eventually said.

"Let me help you!"

"No, no," Ducksworth said hurriedly. "That's quite alright. I'll just...I'll clean this up myself."

His boss scattered away, to which Gorodn glanced over at his Ducks again, mildly surprised when they all grinned.

"Did you do that on purpose?"

"It was Portman's idea," Averman told him.

Said Duck looked proud.

Gordon fought not to grin. "You probably ruined his shirt."

"He's not gonna make me pay for it," Averman shrugged. Then his eyes went wide. "He won't, right?"

"Told you that we got your back, Coach," Guy said.

Gordon smiled warmly at them. "I guess you do."

"I think we should get out of here," Charlie said. "Let's go to Twin City Slice."

Gordon gave him a knowing look. "Which has nothing to do with the fact that you've been hinting at going for four days."

"Of course not."

Gordon looked, really looked at the young men and women that he'd grown to love. They were truly extraordinary.

"I'm driving!" Portman said quickly.

"Yeah, right," Guy scoffed.

"I am," Portman said on their way out, "I already got the keys."

It took a moment for Gorodn to realize what he'd said. "What?" Gordon felt the side of his pants-his keys were missing. "Dean, give me back my keys!"