One More Chance

Hi all. I've written another Daisuke fic. However, this one doesn't make fun of him like my last one did. It's serious and Daisuke's changed a lot from how we remember him. Read and review please.

Also, I'd like to dedicate this to someone special in my life. James, without the motivation I get from you, I don't think this fic would have turned out as well as it did. So thanks, love, for helping out, even though you didn't know it.

Chapter 1: Down in the Dumps

DemiVeemon walked into Daisuke's room. The high school senior was sitting at his desk, deep in thought. "Daisuke, what's a matter?" he asked innocently.

Daisuke turned his head and looked at the little blue digimon. "Nothing buddy. Nothing at all."

"Is it because Setsuko stood you up at prom?"

Daisuke flinched at the painful memory. "Maybe," he muttered.

DemiVeemon jumped up onto the desk and nuzzled against Daisuke. "You'll find someone much better than her."

"That's what I keep thinking, but it is not a reassuring thought. I mean, here I am about to graduate and I have no one to share it with."

"You have me and your friends," replied DemiVeemon.

"I didn't mean them. You know that. All I want is one more chance to find her. All I want is a girl who understands me and connects with me on the same level. All some girls want is my funny, cheerful side. Once they see my serious side, off they go. And others, all they want is sex. I'm not going to impregnate a girl that I'm not sure I'm going to be with in the next week. You agree, don't you?"

DemiVeemon patted Daisuke on the shoulder in sympathy. "Yeah. You've changed a lot Daisuke. Much more wiser."

"Heh. You have too little buddy. It shows. I know what we can do to cheer us up though."

"What?" asked DemiVeemon in anticipation.

"You digivolve to Veemon and we'll go down to the high school soccer field and shoot some balls. How about that?"

"Soccer always cheers me up!" exclaimed DemiVeemon happily.

Ten minutes later, Daisuke and Veemon were walking toward the high school—Daisuke with a gym bag in hand and Veemon wearing a little red soccer jersey with the number 7 on the front and back. "Let's play a one-on-one game Daisuke. I'm up for it!" shouted Veemon happily.

"I highly doubt that. Last time you could barely last five minutes running the full length of the field. No, I think we'll start on the 40-yard line with you as striker and I'll play defense. No goalie this time. What do you think?"

"As long as I'm striker first, I have no problem!" answered Veemon as they set foot onto school grounds.

"You're gonna need to work today though. There's no way you can get past me."

"Pshhsst! I can handle that easily," replied Veemon, taking the steps to the soccer field three at a time. Daisuke sat down in the bleachers with the gym bag. "Hurry up Daisuke! I wanna play," called Veemon.

"Well we aren't playing until I put my cleats on so you'll have to hold your horses for a few minutes."

"Can you at least toss me a ball from the bag then?" asked Veemon.

"Sure," answered Daisuke, tossing Veemon a red and black soccer ball. Veemon immediately chest trapped it and then began dribbling it down the field to one of the goals. Daisuke smiled and bent over to tie his cleat laces.

"Hello," called a feminine voice.

Daisuke jumped, startled. He turned and looked to see who was talking to him. What he saw was a girl about 5" 2' tall with dirty blonde hair staring down at him. He gathered up all of his courage and began to speak. "Hi. Name's Daisuke. Are you new around here?"

"Hi Daisuke. My name's Rei. I just moved here two days ago. I got bored of unpacking so I thought I'd come to the nearest soccer field to relieve some stress."

"So where do…" Daisuke was cut off.

"Daisuke! Hurry up! Let's play ball, not make kissy faces at girls!"

"Quiet Veemon! I'll be down in a sec okay? Go do some corner kicks if you're so impatient."

Veemon glared at Daisuke and trudged off toward one of the corner flags. "Is that a…" asked Rei, stopping as the name slipped her mind.

"A digimon? Yeah he's mine. He's always like this when we come to play soccer so you'll have to excuse his behavior." Daisuke finished tying his left cleat. He stood up and nodded to the girl. "Sorry I can't chat any longer, but I gotta go. See ya."

"Bye."

Daisuke dashed down the steps and onto the field. He watched as Veemon set up a corner kick and then popped it to him. Daisuke took the cross and shot the ball into the net. "And Daisuke scores the winning goal!"

Veemon fetched the ball from the net. "Lucky shot! Now get back on defense so I can beat your butt good!"

Daisuke and Veemon played around for about 15 minutes. "Okay, Veemon. That's enough for now. Let's take a break," called Daisuke.

"I'm all for it," answered Veemon as he picked up the ball from the net. "Got any of that Spirit stuff to drink?"

"Nah not today. I only have some bottled water," replied Daisuke as he turned around. His mouth gaped open. That girl, Rei, was still there and she was shooting goals. Not only that, she was also a left footed-kicker and a good one. Daisuke watched her for a few minutes.

"Daisuke why are you…. Ohhh I see," muttered Veemon as he followed Daisuke's gaze. He trudged off the field muttering about Daisuke and his failed love life.

Rei kicked in another goal, but this one went too low in the net. As she went to get the ball, she felt as though she was being watched. Turning, she saw the boy she had talked to earlier. He was looking her over seriously, as if measuring her skill with his eyes. At least that's a change. No boy has ever thought me a good enough player for him she thought. She picked up the ball and jogged over to him. "What'd you think?" she asked him earnestly.

"You're a pretty good kicker. I've not seen many left-footed players before."

"I'm one of those weird ones you could say," added Rei.

"Heh yeah and a pretty cute one too," Daisuke answered before thinking. Then he realized what he'd said. "Gah! Uh see you later Rei!" he called sheepishly and ran over to Veemon.

Rei was left to stand there motionless and blushing a bit. I've never been called cute before. Why did he regret saying that though? Guess I'll find out some other time.

Daisuke kept quiet all the way home. Veemon didn't like the silence. He knew Daisuke was once again deep in thought. "Daisuke, what's wrong?" he asked.

"I screwed up again, Veemon."

"How? With the new girl?"

"Yeah. I didn't think and told her she was cute. Let's face it. I can't and won't get a girlfriend, no matter how hard I try."

"Aww now that's not true. Did she even say anything about it?"

"No. I ran off before she could."

"Daisuke, don't worry about it okay? You're already stressed enough as it is with finals looming ahead," suggested Veemon.

"You're right Veemon."

"Duh. Now how about a round at the arcade before going home?"

"Sounds cool to me," responded Daisuke as he turned the corner.

A week and a half passed and Daisuke forgot all about Rei. He was caught up in final exams and graduation. Veemon never reminded him, for fear that Daisuke would become depressed again. The day after graduating, Daisuke headed off to the mall to buy a new pair of soccer cleats for University in the fall. The team there had already drafted him to play on scholarship.

He went into the Soccer World store and back to the cleats section. As he was browsing, he bumped into someone. "Oh sorry," he answered in apology.

"That's okay," answered a feminine voice.

Daisuke turned to see whom the familiar voice belonged to. He jumped back when he saw that it was Rei. "Oh, hi," was all he could say.

"I see you're shopping for new cleats," observed Rei.

"Yeah. I need them for next fall. I've been drafted for the University team."

"I would play there, but I know I'm not good enough. My speed's not up to par. It never has been."

"But your kicks are awesome," interrupted Daisuke.

"That may be, but good kicking doesn't get you a spot on the team unless you can run well."

"How come you still play soccer then?"

"It's fun. I used to play on a league a few years ago, but I'm too old for that now. Besides, I can always teach little kids, which is why I'm buying a few things here."

"I see," answered Daisuke as he turned back to looking at a pair of turf shoes.

"Would you like to come watch unless you think it's boring and all. You don't have to come if you don't want to," stuttered Rei quickly.

Daisuke smiled at Rei. "It's not boring. Besides, you're helping some other kid learn how to have fun with a soccer ball. I'll even help you if you want."

Rei smiled back. "That'd be great. Meet me at the park next to the high school at four o'clock okay?"

"Sure I'll be there Rei."

"See you then," answered Rei as she turned and walked to the counter with a couple pairs of shin guards and a soccer ball.

Daisuke's gaze lingered a bit longer. He smiled to himself. Maybe this time I do have a slight chance.

Now that you've read the first chapter, please R&R. I'm hoping to make this at least 3 chapters, but my brain likes to tell me otherwise. Ta-ta 'til next time.