Disclaimer: Disney owns the Mighty Ducks and all related characters. I own Terry, Pastor, the twins and Bubba. Too bad I don't own the Sharks either. God owns me. May He continue to work his miracles in my heart and everyone who reads.
A/N: Thank you to all who have reviewed this and all my other stories. I am glad that I have not offended anyone by writing this story. I personally have had some amazing experiences this summer in this area of concern. Speaking of this summer, it is almost over and I have only gotten one story posted. I feel so horrible. I will try to crank out the rest of this story before I head back to school.
Knowing You
Chapter 4
By Silver Elf Child
The Mighty Ducks stood outside the hospital room and looked in at the Slugger family. Terry was asleep in the bed as Mac slowly paced the room cradling his daughter. Tanya's eyes filled with tears at the touching scene.
"Come on."
"What has got your boxers all tied up in knots, Nosedive?" Duke asked.
"Let's go get Wing."
"We can't," Grin said softly.
"What do you mean, we can't'?"
"Nosedive, those are his kids."
"Yeah right, Tanya! There is no way Wing can have kids with a human."
"He did."
"No he didn't!"
"Nosedive, they are ducks."
Nosedive shook his head no.
"Nosedive look at him. He's happy and a great dad."
"He's my brother!"
"And their father! Nosedive, you have to let him go," Duke joined the argument.
"I don't believe you!"
"Dive," Mallory said softly. "We were all there when they were born. You saw as well as we did that they are ducks like us."
"They are not like us! They are human spawn! I don't know how she did it, but I'm going to find out and reverse it!"
"Nosedive!"
"They are NOT HIS!" Dive shouted down the hall as he stormed out of the hospital.
***
Three days later the ducks sat around the rec room discussing their current contract offers. Phil had offered them a sweet deal that would extend their league membership for five more years.
"I don't know guys, I was figuring on going back to Puckworld after we got Wing."
"Nosedive, do we have to go through this again?"
"They are not his, Mallory."
"How do you propose we get him? He's happily married. I don't think any amount of begging or bribery will work," Duke informed.
"We could always tie a bag over his head, drag him back to the Pond and brainwash him into knowing us," Nosedive smiled.
"That would be fun, but it's wrong."
"Come on, Duke. I know you can do it."
"I gave that up years ago kid. I don't do crime anymore."
"But, Duke"
"How about some TV?" Mallory offered as she turned the television on.
The picture showed a live broadcast of a news conference. A human woman was standing behind a podium speaking. "I would like to thank the Mighty Ducks for all their help with the delivery of my children. I wish I could do more. I will never be able to stop singing praises for you or be able to repay you for the awesome gift you have brought my husband and I. Thank you so much."
Nosedive hastily ripped the remote form Mallory and turned the television off.
"Nosedive!"
"Yeah, she's thankful for ruining my life! I'm going back to Puckworld. I've had enough of these stupid humans!"
The ducks watched as Nosedive stormed away before turning the program back on, but by that time the newscast was over.
***
Mac and Terry sat in their apartment sharing each other's company and playing with their children when a knock came at the door. "I'll get it," Terry said as she rose to answer the door. "Oh my gosh!" she gasped.
"Who is it Ter?"
"It's the ducks!"
"Who?"
"The Mighty Ducks!"
Terry raced to the bedroom to put their son into his crib. Mac quickly followed her and laid their daughter next to her brother. Terry frantically tried to clean the apartment in an attempt to make it halfway presentable. Mac took the laundry from his wife and silently signaled her to calm down. She shook her head no and continued to bustle around the room in a crazed cleaning fit. Mac sighed regrettably and went to answer the door.
"I guess no ones home, too bad," Dive shrugged after no one had answered the door for ten minutes. "Let's go." Dive turned and started to walk away. The sound of the dead bolt unlocking stopped him dead in his tracks. Silently he cursed before turning around. The door slowly swung open to reveal Mac in the doorway.
"Hello."
"Hi, we're" Duke began.
"The Mighty Ducks. We were not expecting to see you here."
"Consider it an unexpected house call."
Mac smiled at the gray mallard. "Come in, Terry stop that!"
The ducks squeezed their way into the tiny apartment. Boxes of different odds and ends were piled everywhere. Mallory glanced into one box and found a large baby toy still in its container. Other boxes contained clothes and more with diapers, blankets and bottles. Mac moved several boxes off the couch and offered the seat to the hockey players. Terry offered the recliner she had been sitting in to Duke, as Mallory, Tanya, and Dive sat on the couch. Grin was content to sit on the floor between two large boxes.
"I'm sorry about the mess and limited space. We keep getting more things each day."
"Don't worry," Tanya smiled. "We can make do. How are the twins?"
"Asleep."
"And how are you doing sweet heart?" Duke asked.
"Tired, but I'll survive."
Duke stood up and offered Terry the recliner, but she insisted he use the seat. He laughed at her determined spirit. "I'll bet having one baby to worry about is hard enough, but two is definitely a handful."
"That and working two full time jobs is about to do me in."
"You're already back to work?!"
"I was back on Monday."
"Even though I told her not to," Mac put in.
"You should take some time off," Mallory suggested.
"I can't. Money is tight at the moment. Once we get caught up, we should be fine. Ever since Mac was injured on the job we've sorta been falling farther and father behind. If I don't work we can't make rent. By the way thank you for paying for my medical stay."
Nosedive was trying to ignore her ramblings, but something about Wing being injured on the job disturbed him. How was he injured? When? Why? Was he all right? Was it serious?
"Eh, it was our pleasure," Duke shrugged.
"Let me get you something to drink," Terry ran into the kitchen before anyone could object.
At the mention of refreshments Dive woke from his trance. "I'll have a soda."
"Um, we don't have any soda," Mac said awkwardly.
"Don't have soda!"
"All we have to offer is ice water," Terry apologized, carrying a tray with five glasses of water into the room.
"Uh" Nosedive began.
"That will be fine," Tanya said firmly looking at Nosedive.
"Thank you," Dive forced a smile.
Mac stood back and listened quietly to the small talk conspire between Terry and the ducks. He kept a watchful eye on Nosedive for any outbursts. For the most part he was silent but cordial when spoken to. Mac glanced over at the blond again and a sharp pain stabbed him through his left eye, into his brain, and out the back of his skull.
"Mac, are you all right?"
He looked up at his concerned wife and smiled. "Fine dear, just a little headache."
"Here sit down," Duke offered his seat. It felt awkward sitting while the hosts were forced to stand around. Besides the cushions were wet, no doubt a little baby accident that had been overlooked.
"No, I'm fine. Please sit."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll just take an aspirin or two and I'll be fine." Mac excused himself from the room and went into the kitchen to fetch the medication.
Terry was a little disturbed by her husband's hasty departure. She cast Nosedive a quick glance before trying to return to the previous conversation. Her hasty look read more then Nosedive would have liked her to know. He was obviously upset about the current situation, but the terror in his eyes scared her. Was he concerned for Mac? He must be, because the other ducks reacted the same way she had when Mac hissed in pain and reached for his head. Terry looked back at Nosedive and watched him closer. He kept on nervously glancing to the kitchen. His eyes were hollowed out with many months of worrying and blood shot from the sleepless nights and the silent tears he had cried. He looked older then Mac. Terry frowned inwardly. Slowly the realization sank into her soul and tore at her heart. Nosedive was Mac's older' brother. After all this time he had found his true family, yet he couldn't remember a thing. What should she do?
Nosedive sat nervously sipping the ice water. His brother looked horrible and seeing him in pain ripped his heart out. He quickly looked to the kitchen to see if he had come back. He hadn't. Dive looked back down at the coffee table and his drink. He didn't want to make his actions too obvious. But he couldn't help it, he was worried. He would have done anything to remove the pain Wildwing was now experiencing. Dive lifted his glass to his beak to take another drink and found his glass empty.
"Here let me fill that up for you," Terry offered when she noticed Dive's confused look staring down at the bottom of his empty glass.
"Nah, I can get it myself. Why don't you sit down and stop worry about us. You need to rest." Nosedive stood up, brushed past Mallory and Tanya before going into the kitchen. Terry smiled warmly before sitting on the floor.
"Here, sit in the chair," Duke offered.
"No thank you. I like the floor. It's better for your back."
Nosedive sauntered into the kitchen and found Mac leaning his head against the cabinet. It was obvious that he was plagued by more then just a little' headache. "Hey are you okay?"
Mac looked up, startled by the intrusion of his thoughts. He turned too quickly and slipped. Mac lashed out and tried to grab anything that could support his plunging weight. Nosedive threw his glass into the sink and dove to help Mac. The others heard the sound of the glass breaking and came running.
Nosedive was standing over Mac, who was in a corner on the floor with his hands clinging to the refrigerator door handle and the oven handle.
"What did you do?" Terry demanded of Nosedive.
Nosedive quickly looked over his shoulder. "Nothing. He just fell."
Mac shook his head in an attempt to clear his head. "Nosedive?"
Dive quickly turned back to Mac. "What?"
"Dive, is that you?"
"Wing?"
"Dive, where are we?"
"Wing! You remember!" Nosedive exclaimed as he fell to his knees beside his brother.
"What are you talking about? Of course I remember you."
Tanya ventured forward. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
"Two."
"Who is our manager?"
"Phil Palmfeather."
"What is today?"
"Does it matter? Tanya, I'm not senile and no I have not lost my mind."
Tanya smiled. He was going to be just fine. Wildwing struggled to his feet and with the aid of his brother walked into the front room. Wildwing sat down on the couch and rubbed the back of his sore head. He could have sworn a lump was starting to rise on the back of his skull. Nosedive sat clinging to Wildwing. "Dive, why are you?"
"I love you Wing."
"I love you too, baby bro." Wing said hesitantly. What had caused this sudden affection he did not know, but whatever had done it he was not going to question it.
The other ducks began to pour over their team captain. Soon their hushed voices were raised to a mirthful uproar. Terry stood back and watched this heart felt reunion. She was right, this was his family. Then it hit her; they lived in Anaheim and she in San Jose. How was this new development in her life going to work? Wing needed to be with the children as much as with his family.
"I'm so glad we didn't sign that contract. Now we can go back to Puckworld," Nosedive practically sang.
"Now that Dragonus is finished, you don't get any argument from me,' Wildwing agreed.
Terry froze. Puckworld? Going back? No argument? What about her and the kids? She quietly slipped into her bedroom to compose herself. The tears were brimming on her eyelashes, and she didn't want anyone to see her cry. Terry leaned against the closed bedroom door and listened to the muffled conversation in the other room as her tears fell in the dark room. *How can he say that? What about me? What about the kids? Why are you saying those things Mac? Mac, don't leave me!*
Terry slowly lowered herself to the floor and cried softly. She wrapped her arms around her bent knees and rocked from side to side. What she wouldn't have given to have Mac come running into the room to wrap his comforting arms around her like he had always done. She needed to hear him softly whisper comforting words into her hair. But there was no one to comfort her this time. No one to mend her breaking heart or save her from her own despairing thoughts. Why did life always seem to be cruel?
One of the twins gave a muffled moan and Terry looked up from her spot on the floor. She listened to the conversation in the other room before standing up. Terry dried her eyes and walked over to the crib that Mac had made for their children. The twins slumbered peacefully, oblivious to the earth shattering events occurring a few feet away. Terry caressed each child's cheek before turning to face the barrier between her and heartache. She could hear the ducks preparing to leave. She had to see them off. Terry quickly wiped the remaining tears away and left the bedroom.
The ducks were standing up, milling around Wildwing. Nosedive was wrapped around his brother in an everlasting embrace. Wildwing didn't seem to notice Terry emerge from the bedroom; instead he headed to the door with his arm around Nosedive's shoulder. She briefly caught Wildwing's eye before he stepped through the open portal. His expression did not hold any recognition for her or their life together. Terry fought back the tears as she watched him go. No goodbye, I'm sorry or farewell.
Terry stood back and watched the ducks file one by one out of her apartment. There wasn't anything she could do. Mac, or should I say Wildwing, remembered who he was. She didn't matter and neither did their children. Terry had always hoped that he would regain his old memories. Now that he had them, she was not worth a second thought.
Tanya and Duke noticed the pain on Terry's face. Grin could feel her heart sink into the abyss of loneliness. This was not right. They didn't have the right to steal Wildwing away from his new family. They couldn't permit this moral crime to be committed. Tanya quickly jotted down two email addresses on a piece of paper and handed them to Terry. "If you need anything, contact us. These are Wing's and mine email addresses."
***
Terry stood in silent limbo. Time was meaningless and nothing seemed to matter. She moved her fingers and felt the course wrinkled paper that had been quickly tucked into the palm of her hand. She looked down and read the inscribed parchment. Terry laughed. The sheer idea of it all was hilarious. Tanya had given her email addresses! She didn't own a computer. How was she supposed to use these addresses?
***
The Mighty Ducks filed into the Migrator with Wildwing in the lead. Wing and Dive seated themselves in the backseat. Dive's current preoccupation with Wing puzzled the older brother, but he welcomed the unexpected affection. It had been a long time since the two had had a bonding moment or that Wildwing felt like he was needed. Duke started up the engine and they took to the highway, heading home to Anaheim. Half an hour into their voyage Wildwing heard the soft sounds Nosedive made as he slept. Wildwing smiled and smoothed Nosedive's hair. It was in moments like these that he was glad to have been given the opportunity to bring Nosedive with him on the risky mission.
The hum of the Migrator's engine and the vehicles constant swaying from side to side lulled Wing to sleep. When he awoke he found himself in a large bed in a half doze. The soft-breathing pattern of the other beds' occupants made him smile. An overwhelming sense of satisfaction bathed over him as he closed his eyes. Visions of the intimate interactions from a few hours earlier filled his mind.
Wildwing jolted straight out of the dream and looked around. Nosedive was sound asleep by his side, unaffected by his brothers physical outburst. Wing looked around the Migrator and found Mallory asleep in her chair, Tanya was resting her head on Grin's shoulder and Duke was driving. The occasional street light would flash by from the highway's shoulder. The cold dark night added to the eeriness Wildwing felt. Something was not right, yet he couldn't put his finger on what. Who was that strange woman from his dream?
***
Terry laid in the empty queen-size bed. She glanced over at Mac's side of the bed and tried to control the tears. Why was this happening now? Their lives together had just started. She could feel herself slipping into the shadowy world of despair and depression. One of the babies sighed in their sleep and brought Terry back to reality. She couldn't let her morbid feelings drag her under. She had to stay strong, but how?
Terry reached for the phone on the nightstand. She let her fingers do the walking across the number pads. She didn't know what number she had dialed until a familiar mans voice spoke on the other end of the line.
~Hello *yawn*~
"Pastor?" Terry choked on her tears.
~Terry? Is that you?~
"Pastor, something terrible happened."
The Pastor sat up in bed and gripped the telephone receiver. ~Terry, what happened? Are you and Mac in trouble? Did something happen to the twins?~
Terry swallowed hard. How could she explain what happened?
~Terry? Terry, are you there? Terry!~
"I'm still here, Pastor."
~What's wrong?~ Pastor asked again as he cast his wife a concerned look.
"It's Mac."
~Did something happen to him?~
Terry nodded.
~Terry, did something happen to him? ~
"Mac he left me."
~What?! ~ Pastor asked, shocked by the revelation.
"Mac remembers who he was."
~That's good.~
"But he doesn't remember me or the kids." The flood of tears became too much and they cascaded down her pale cheeks.
~Terry, do you need anyone to stay with you? My wife and I can~
"No, no, I'm fine. I don't know why I called. It's late. I should go to bed now. Good night, Pastor."
~Terry, wait. Don't~ "Hang up."
"What's wrong dear?"
"Mac remembers his past, but he forgot about Terry and the twins. She said he left her."
"Dear, we have to go over there. She may need us."
***
Wildwing crashed onto his bed and pulled the covers over himself. "It's good to finally be able to sleep in my bed," he sighed.
"It's good to have you back," Nosedive smiled at Wildwing from where he hung upside down from the top bunk.
"It's good to be back baby bro."
"I love you, Wing."
"I love you too, Dive."
Nosedive rolled back onto his bed and closed his eyes. Wildwing rolled to face the wall, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
"Wing?"
Wing opened one eye. "Yeah, Dive."
"I missed you."
Nosedive felt the bunk bed shake as Wildwing moved below. He continued to stare at the ceiling, fighting the emotions that were consuming him. He felt Wing's gentle touch on his arm and he turned to find his brother standing next to the bed. "Want to talk about it?"
"Nah, just be close to you."
" Come here." Wildwing stepped back, opened his arms wide and waved his brother over to him. Dive jumped off the top bunk and into Wildwing's awaiting arms. Wing slowly ushered Dive to lay down with him on the bottom bunk. It took no time flat for Nosedive to fall asleep in Wildwing's arms from his current position. Wing sighed and closed his eyes. Now was the time for the pair to get some well over due sleep.
The sound of water falling graced Wing's ears and the cool sensation of the liquid rolling down his naked body relieved him of the excess body heat from the night. He stood in the shower and let the water droplets fall on him in an endless deluge. Two soft hands crept up his back, under his arms and stopped to clutch his muscular pex. The hand's owner stepped up behind him and caressed his neck affectionately. Wildwing smiled and turned to face his mysterious intruder. Of course he knew who it was, yet for some reason the face did not register.
Wildwing sat up, startled by the vision. This was not natural. Why would he be having those kind of thoughts, and about a human no less? He had to clear his head. Why was he having these dreams? He had been having one every night for the past week! Wildwing looked at Nosedive, who was sound asleep by his side, and grimaced. He couldn't bring up the dreams with Nosedive around. His little brother may think that he had gone off the deep end.
Wildwing carefully crawled over Nosedive and left the room. He slowly paced the Pond pondering over his many questions. Who was that woman? Why couldn't he stop thinking about her? What happened when he was unaware of who he was? How long was he oblivious of his true self? When was he going to find the answers? *This is hopeless. I'm not going to find the answers this way.* Wildwing walked into the kitchen to find Tanya and Duke at the table. "What are you two doing up?"
"Can't sleep. You?"
"Same." Wildwing sat across the table from the pair and laid his head on the table.
"Are you all right, Wildwing?" Tanya asked.
Wing raised his head to look at her. "I'm fine. I just can't get this one dream out of my head."
"Dream, eh? What dream?" Duke asked.
"It's not just one dream, there are several ones. It's just that they all have the same trend."
"What are they about?" Tanya probed.
"Well" Wildwing felt awkward about telling his friends about the dreams. "There's this woman in it. I swear I know her, but I don't know from where."
Tanya and Duke cast each other a glance, which made Wildwing uneasy. "Go on," Tanya encouraged.
"It's a little personal, Tanya. I don't think that I should go on."
"How personal?" Duke questioned; intrigued by Wildwing's wariness.
"Personal!"
"Oh, personal."
"Yeah, personal. I just wish I knew who she was."
"Terry Slugger?" Tanya suggested.
"Who?"
"Terry Slugger," Tanya reiterated as she slid a newspaper clipping across the table to Wildwing.
"Sounds familiar," Wildwing stated reaching back into his mind trying to find a connection. He briefly glanced down at the article on the table, but had to do a double take. It was if he was looking at an apparition.
"What's wrong?"
"That's her! The woman from my dreams!"
"We were wondering when you were going to start remembering her," Duke casually said.
"What are you talking about?"
"You see, Wildwing, this is a picture of Terry. She and her husband were at a San Jose Sharks game when she went into labor."
"What does this have anything to do with me?"
Tanya cleared her throat and blushed furiously. "Um you see you're her husband."
Wildwing's bewilderment quickly turned to anger in an attempt to hide his injured pride. Wing lashed out at his teammates in his fury. "Impossible! I can't be married to a human!"
"You are."
"Impossible! No Puckworlder in his right mind would marry an Earthling!"
"That's true, but you were not in your right mind."
"Thanks, Duke, I love being insulted by my friends."
"I wasn't trying to insult you. I was trying to prove a point. You didn't know who you were or what you were doing."
"So you're saying I was an ignorant blundering fool."
"I didn't say that"
"Wildwing, you had amnesia. You survived the best you could," Tanya comforted.
"Survived," Wildwing scoffed. "Why does life have to be so complicated?"
"If it were meant to be a cake walk then it really wouldn't be worth living."
"How long was I missing?"
"Two years."
"TWO YEARS!"
"And we spent every day of it looking for you."
"No wonder I did something as stupid as marrying a human. Is she blind or just as stupid?"
"I don't think she's stupid."
"Ignorant then."
"Wildwing she loves you."
"Love? How can she love a duck?"
"She does. You broke her heart when you left."
Wildwing shuddered. That last information was like a knife to his heart. He hated to make anyone upset, yet unknowingly he had hurt an innocent.
"She has your email address."
"So."
"You can email her your apology tomorrow."
"That's a good idea," Wildwing sighed standing to leave.
"Wing."
"Yeah, Tanya."
"You also have two kids."
Wildwing stumbled over himself and fell back into the chair. "Kids?"
Tanya nodded.
"I'm a dad?"
"Yes."
Wildwing began to shake. "I'm a dad?"
Duke walked around the table and placed his hand on Wildwing's shoulder. "Keep telling yourself that. You'll get use to it."
"I'm a dad," Wing smiled.
"See, it's working all ready."
"Thanks guys."
"Do you remember anything else?"
Wing shook his head. "Give me some time. It might come back." Wildwing left Duke and Tanya to go back to his bed. Nosedive was still asleep, sprawled across his bed, drooling on his pillow. Wildwing frowned at the puddle accumulating, but had to smile. Now was the time to get the evidence that his brother drooled. Wildwing took a few pictures before clambering over Dive. He faced the wall and smiled. "Dad I'm a dad." Wildwing fell to sleep and dreamed of the new happy word.
To be continued in chapter 5
