Disclaimer: Yes, I own the plot, yes I know Portman is kinda OOC but you know what? It's my story so I can make him as much out of character as I want to!! lol I do own Althea, and I wish I owned Aaron Christopher Lohr Jr. and Dean Portman, but alas, I do not. (Maybe some day...) Please enjoy the story. Reviewers get Ducks players dipped in chocolate sauce with marshmallows :)
Smile,
~Sprite~

SHOUT OUTS!!

Adi Gallia: I'm glad you're into MD fics lol, otherwise you probably wouldn't have read and reviewed this story. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

BabyXtreme: Thank you for the compliment lol. I like this story too and I have some interesting ideas in mind for how it's going to play out. I hope you like it and review lol.

On with the story:

Skating Lessons

Portman smiled at the green eyed girl who was even more beautiful up close than she was from across the rink. Althea gazed at the smiling cutey and couldn't keep a grin off her face.

"Thank you for helping me up and I'm sorry for, uh, well, grabbing you." Portman laughed and Althea flushed bright red.

"It's all right. It's not often a pretty girl 'grabs me.'" Portman said insinuating something completely different. Althea turned tomato red.

"I was watching you skate, you're positively fantastic." Althea gushed trying to change the subject and compliment the young man she had witnessed skating. Portman smiled obligatorily, assuming that she knew he was on the Ducks and just wanted a date or an autograph. Althea noticed his less than real smile and misunderstood, thinking that he was just being humble and didn't believe her compliment. "No, really, I think you're an awesome skater. I wish I could skate like you, or at least get away from the wall." She laughed at her pathetic attempts to ice skate. *Maybe she doesn't know who I am,* Portman thought when she didn't continue glorifying him and the team. Before Portman knew what he was saying, he offered to help the brunette.

"Well, if you want, I could give you some quick lessons right now and at least get you away from the wall." Althea contemplated the offer for about half a second before nodding enthusiastically.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you so much." she said.

"You're welcome, 'sides it'd be a shame if you couldn't enjoy the rink to it's fullest," Portman responded, "oh, my name's Portman, by the way." Althea smiled at her new teacher. She wasn't getting any bad vibes from him which was good and liked him already. "And you're Fia?" Portman asked.

"Close," Althea smiled, "it's Thea, well Althea really." Portman nodded and took Althea's smaller hand in his own large one.

"All right Allie, we're going to move away from the wall." Althea tensed up immediately and
Portman could feel her stiffen. He squeezed her hand gently. "It's all right, I'm not going to let go." Althea opened her mouth, "no, you won't fall, I've got you." Portman interrupted her.
Althea relaxed a bit but was still nervous. Althea surprised Portman with her next statement,

"I know Portman, I trust you." No girl had ever told Portman that they trusted him before, and he had only known this girl for close to five minutes. Althea inched away from the glass, gripping Portman's hand tightly.

From across the rink, Aaron watched his sister carefully to make sure she wasn't in danger.
She didn't seem to be, and actually seemed to be enjoying herself as she moved steadily away from the rink. Aaron couldn't be sure, but the guy she was with looked strangely familiar.

"Wow Portman, this is actually pretty fun," Althea said grinning as she held Portman's hand, no longer wrenching it. Portman smiled wide. He was glad he could bring some happiness to some one through the ice, especially a pretty girl like Althea. "Is Portman you're real name?" Althea asked uncertainly after a few moments of silence.

"Yeah, but it's my last name, not my first." Althea looked at him confused. "See, my name's really Dean Portman, but most people just call me Portman." Portman explained.

"Well, would it be all right if I called you Dean?" Althea asked unsure, "I mean it's a very nice name and I just..." Portman interrupted her before she could continue rambling.

"Sure, if you want; it's just, most of my team.., friends, call me Portman, and Dean just sounds kinda lame." Althea smiled,

"Well, I like Dean." The girl said as Portman grinned, "besides, you gave me the nickname Allie. No one's ever called me that before. Thea and Althea, yes, Allie no. Personally, I like Allie better." Portman felt small butterflies in his stomach knowing that she liked his nickname for her.

"So, Allie," Portman said trying to make conversation as they slowly made their way around the ice rink, "is this your first time skating?" Althea looked up from the ice into Dean's beautiful dark chocolate eyes.

"No, I was here another time like six years ago. That's why I'm such a terrible skater." Portman laughed deeply.

"You're not a terrible skater, you're just inexperienced." Dean assured her as he caught a glance of the boy Althea had been "talking: to earlier. "And that boy you were arguing with earlier? Is he your boyfriend?"

"God no!" Althea said quickly, "no, that's my brother Aaron. He's a total jerk but I love him anyway." Portman smiled in relief. He really wanted to go out with this sweet and down to earth girl, but first he had to know if it was all an act and she was really after the prestige of his namesake.

"Allie, do you watch hockey or ice skating ever?" he asked.

TBC If I get enough reviews or emails lol. Please tell me what you think :)
~Sprite~