Disclaimer: Disney owns the Mighty Ducks and all related characters. I own Terry, Bubba, the twins, Pastor and Magic. God owns me.

A/N: Hey all. Yup one more installment of this twisted tale. Did you really think that I could leave it like that? No way! There were just way too many loose ends lying around. Don't worry there is one last chapter to go and then this story will be done. The next chapter is VERY long though and filled with music. I think? Anyway the story continues once again as I start back to school and tryout for my colleges ice hockey team. Wish me luck.

Knowing You

Chapter 5

By Silver Elf Child

Wildwing met Tanya at noon on Drake One's platform.

"Okay, Tanya, what first?"

"Come on, Wing," Tanya scoffed. "Can't you remember how to access your email?"

Wildwing frowned. "No. I haven't used a computer in over two years. I figured since you were the computer wiz that you could help me."

Tanya stood with her hand on her hip, skeptical of Wildwing's ignorance. He remembered everything before and during the last battle with Dragonus, yet nothing of the past two years. According to him, it had only been a few days or weeks since the battle. Tanya resigned from her accusations and activated the remote access to the internet. Soon they were logged on and Tanya brought up the page to access Wing's email. "Okay, type in your account and password."

Wildwing stared at the screen and tried to remember his email account. For some reason he didn't have the foggiest idea of what it was. Tanya had her back to the screen and watched Mallory approach their position. She never noticed Wildwing's clueless expression as he sat dumbfounded at Drake One's controls.

"Hey, Tanya, Wing."

Wildwing turned his chair to face the red head. "Hey, Mal. You're looking good this morning."

Mallory's smile broadened as a slight blush touched her cheeks.

"What are you doing?"

"We are accessing Wing's email," Tanya informed.

"Wow, that thing should be full."

"Junk mail galore," Wildwing said dubiously.

Mallory patted his shoulder as Tanya laughed at his comment. Wildwing turned back to the screen and concentrated on finding the email account in his clogged memory. He glanced at Mallory's hand, which was still resting on his shoulder, and he was surprised to see a very large diamond ring blazing on her finger. He gently took her hand and swiveled the chair to face her. Mallory noticed the inspection and quickly withdrew her hand. She smiled sheepishly while hiding the ring behind her back.

"What's that?" Wing inquired.

"Nothing."

"Where did you get it?"

"No where."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say that, that was a wedding ring."

"It's nothing, Wildwing."

Wildwing's skepticism filled the room, as did Mallory's apprehension. He wanted to question her further, but he could tell the he wasn't going to get the answers. He sucked in a deep breath before turning back to the computer screen. *More questions without answers! When will this end?*

"Wildwing"

"I don't get it! I've supposedly been lost for two years! Things had to have happened in that time and you guys insist that nothing did. Why am I being kept in the dark?!"

"We are not trying to hide anything from you."

"Then why won't you tell me about the ring?"

Mallory's eyes filled with tears. She turned and left without another word. Wildwing gave Tanya a baffled look. He didn't understand her quick emotions or motives for hiding the answers in which he seeked.

"Wildwing," Tanya said softly. "Mal's been under a lot of pressure lately. Please don't push her."

"Will you tell me the answers?"

Tanya's eyelids flickered as she tried to squeeze them shut. It was not her place to tell Wildwing the answer to his question. "Wildwing, check your email."

It wasn't a request. It was an order. Out of spite, Wildwing turned and typed out blindly the email account and password. To his amazement the screen changed and up popped a screen saying that he had twelve unread messages. Wildwing clicked on the inbox and waited for the message choices to be displayed.

"Yo, Wing! You're finally up!"

Wildwing turned his head to see Nosedive approaching. "Hey, Dive."

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Checking my junk mail. I thought for sure I'd have more messages then twelve."

"Well," Tanya shifted nervously. "I have been deleting the junk mail every day for you," Tanya confessed.

"But how did you get?"

"I'm a hacker, Wildwing. It's pretty easy when you're using the same computer to access passwords."

Nosedive leaned over, "remind me never to check my email on Drake One."

Wildwing laughed as he shook his head. Dive always had a way of lightening up a conversation. Nosedive placed his hand on the console and looked up at the screen. "Feel good pages? Yup, sounds like junk (AHHHH Will they ever stop sending me those useless emails!!!!! If I got any happier I might make everyone around me sick. Wait a minute I already make them sick with my cheerfulness. It's a viscous cycle!) New Vision Lutheran Church? What's a Lutheran? Must be junk mail. Wow they sent you a lot."

As Nosedive inspected the message choices Wildwing looked his brother over from head to toe. His blond hair was a little longer and his chest had filled out. His voice had also deepened. Wildwing smiled. It must have been due to the enlargement of Dive's muscular arms. Then it hit him! He had missed Dive's coming of age. The most important day in any young ducks life, and he had missed Dive's. Wing hung his head and tried to concentrate on the keyboard, but some nagging feeling pulled his eyes towards his brother. The two forces opposed each other, yet worked together. Both won when Wildwing looked at the console in front of Dive and he studied Dive's hands. There was nothing different about them. They were the same hands Wildwing had always helped clean when Dive had scratched them. His fingers were long and slender. His fingernails had been carefully manicured; not a single hangnail existed. The tiny scar on the top of Dive's left hand lost some of its prominence, yet it was still visible. Wing was right that the blemish would always remain with his brother. The ring on Dive's left hand suddenly leapt out and caught Wing's eye. The realization hit him like a bulldozer. It was no mere coincidence that he found Mallory and Dive wearing matching rings on the same day. Something seemed to be guiding his actions.

"What's that?"

Nosedive turned from the screen to look at his brother. "What's what?"

Wildwing inclined his head toward the ring.

"Oh this?" Nosedive laughed nervously. "Nothing."

"Funny, Mallory said the same thing when I asked her about hers," Wildwing said casually as he rose from his seat.

"Will you hear me out?" Dive blurted out quickly.

Wildwing nodded.

"It was an innocent thing. Just a casual relationship. I needed someone to talk to and Mal was the first one ready to listen."

Tanya choked on a cry of disbelief.

"Okay, Tanya wanted to talk to me about it, but I wasn't ready yet. She wanted to go back without you!" Nosedive pointed at Tanya hoping to get the attention off of him. Somehow Nosedive found that Wildwing wasn't convinced. Was it the arms folded across his chest, tapping foot, or the glare aimed at him? Maybe it was all three?

"Wildwing, we didn't think you survived. We thought that you died like Dragonus did and that your body had rolled into a crevice deep within the razor sharp rocks."


"Tanya," Wildwing said calmly without taking his eyes off Nosedive, "I understand. So, Dive, when were you planning on telling me about this? Were you waiting till we got back home, or after you and Mal had a dozen kids?"

"I wanted to tell you, but I didn't know how."

"A simple, hey Wing, guess what, Mal and I are hitched' would have sufficed."

Nosedive shifted all his weight to his right foot and raised an eyebrow. "Sure, Wing. Then I'd have you jumping up and down ready to kill me."

"Dive, I would not kill you. It just would have been nice to know. I know I missed some important things in your life, but I didn't really have a choice."

"If I could have, Wing, I would have waited so you could have been my best man."

Wildwing smiled. "Dive, I'm glad for you. Thank the Lord that you were able to find happiness through immeasurable sorrow."

Nosedive smiled and hugged Wildwing. Wing was happy that the little storm had blown over, but did he just say that? Lord? Finding happiness within sorrow? Was he starting to sound like Grin, or was it his imagination?

"There!"

The two turned to see Tanya seated where Wildwing was a few minutes earlier.

"There, what?" Wildwing asked.

"I deleted all your junk mail."

"Thank you, Tanya."

Wildwing looked up at the screen to find the messages from the Lutheran Church still on his account. Tanya stood up and let Wildwing sit down to read his messages. Nosedive was intrigued by the messages and stuck around to find out what the church had to say. Wildwing clicked on the first message that was sent from the previous week.

Hello Mac, or should I say Wildwing? I'm glad you finally remember who you were. We are all so proud of you. As you know I don't have a computer or access to the internet, but our Pastor said I could email you through his email from the church. The kids are fine. The best way to contact me is to call me directly, but if you don't want to talk to me you can reply to this email. My number is'

The message quickly disappeared and Wildwing tried to figure out why and looked at Tanya.

"What happened?"

"I don't know, maybe NOSEDIVE!"

Wildwing turned to find his brother holding the mouse and a fire in his eyes he had never seen before. Wildwing looked back at the screen and found all the messages were highlighted.

"Nosedive, what are you doing?"

"They are junk mail!"

"Nosedive, no!"

Wildwing and Nosedive fought for control of the mouse. Nosedive pushed the enter key on the keyboard and gave Wildwing an evil smile. Wing glanced back to the screen and found that the messages had all been deleted and the trash emptied.

"Why did you do that?!"

"They were junk mail," Nosedive shrugged.

"Who do you think you are?! That was MY mail, not yours!"

"Somebody has to save you from yourself. The others aren't, so I have to."

"Nosedive! That was important!"

"So."

"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Wings voice became shrill.

"Yeah, I do. I saved you from having your brain washed again."

"Terry did not brain wash me!"

"She has a name? Funny, I call her something else."

"Nosedive, I am this close," Wing held his index finger and thumb close enough that they almost touched in front of Nosedive's face, "to loosing my patience with you."

"She kidnapped you!"

"Kidnapped?!" Wildwing's facial expression was incredulous. "Nosedive, we are married."

"No you are NOT!" Nosedive screamed.

"Yes we are. See!" Wing held up his left hand where a gold band glittered. "We are married. You have to realize this. I can't do anything about it."

"It's a trick! She's lying."

"Nosedive"

Wildwing tried to explain to his brother his feelings on the topic, but Nosedive wouldn't listen. He was adamant that his brother was single. Wildwing grabbed Nosedive's hair and forced his fist with the ring on his finger into Dive's face. "Look, Dive. Look good and hard. I'm married like it or not."

"Not" Nosedive grabbed Wildwing's hand. "For" He pried Wing's fingers apart. "Long." Nosedive slipped the ring off Wing's finger and attempted to pocket it.

"Nosedive, what are you doing?"

"She will not control you!"

"Give me back my ring!"

The two brothers fought over the ring. Wildwing was all over Nosedive, slapping, spitting, and clawing. Nosedive ducked, dodged, and evaded Wildwing's attempts to snatch the ring back.

"Nosedive, that's mine."

Wildwing slapped at Nosedive's hand, but missed. Instead he made contact with his inside elbow. The force pulled Nosedive's arm down as it collapsed at the elbow. It also struck a major muscle group and caused Nosedive to open his fingers.

"Nosedive, NO!"

The ring went flying. Wildwing watched in horror as the golden band bounced off the floor and away from him. The team captain tried to chase it down, but he was still tangled up with the left wing. Just as he freed himself from Nosedive's clutches he heard the clatter of the ring falling into the heater duct and fall to oblivion. Wing grimaced at the sound.

Wildwing turned and faced his brother. Nosedive stood triumphant towering over his brother. The pain of loosing the ring was etched on Wing's face, yet Nosedive was unaffected by it. "How could you?" Wing seethed, hunched over.

"Good ridden to bad rubbish." Nosedive turned and left the room.

Wildwing looked back at the vent then to his brother's retreating back. *How could Dive have done this to me? Why did he do that?* Wing fell to his knees and strangled an anguished cry. All was lost. His memory, the emails, the ring, his love, his hope, everything. Or did he loose everything?

"Wildwing."

"Not now, Tanya."

"You just got another email."

"I don't care."

"It's from Terry."

Wildwing looked up, the fire of hope burned anew within his heart. "What does it say?"

"I don't know. I haven't opened it."

Wildwing perused his choices. He could go after Nosedive and continue their squabble, or he could read the email. "Tanya, can you keep an eye out for Dive? I don't want him deleting this one."

Nosedive did not reappear to disturb Wildwing's exploration for answers.

Hello Mac, it's me again. Pastor insisted I try to reach you one more time. He told me to give you time. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.' Hebrews 10:36. I miss you terribly. "Then shoult thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, here I am." Isaiah 58:9. The kids haven't been sleeping well. I don't know what to do. My mother is here and watching them while I go to work. I haven't seen them in three days. I know what you'd say. A mans heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.' (Proverbs 16:9) or maybe be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.' (Psalm 31:24). As before here is my home number, 555-4013. Remember Isaiah 53:5-6. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.' I forgive you for leaving us. This must be hard on you. I do not know what you remember but these things have I spoken unto you, that my joy remain in you, and that your joy might be full.' (John 15:11).

A tear came to Wildwing's eye halfway through the message. He couldn't remember Terry or his children, but somehow he had remembered the Lord'. Did he remember Him or was he fooling himself? Who was this Lord? He didn't know who the Lord was, so it mush have been a silly mind trick.

***

Wildwing spent the day in silence, meditating on his current situation. The team was back together, closer in some respects. He found out two hours earlier that Mallory was upset with Nosedive because he hadn't come forward and told Wildwing about their marriage. She wanted to tell Wing, but Nosedive had insisted on telling him. So the whole incident earlier that day with the tears was a result of her and Nosedive's weeklong battle. Nosedive and Mal were currently in Mallory's room trying to patch up the minor rift that Nosedive's stubbornness had caused.

This left Wildwing plenty of time to himself. What was he going to do about Terry and the kids? The team was already packed and ready to go home to Puckworld. He knew that Terry would never fit in there, and he here. How can a marriage survive with so many differences? Human marriages tended to fail within months and usually ended in divorce a year later. How could one duck and one human make it work on two different planets, galaxies apart? There was no easy answer. Either he stayed or he left. In the end he paid physically and mentally. Maybe if he called Terry, she could help him, but what would he say? That's what Wildwing was pondering at this current hour.

Wing paced his and Dive's room talking aloud to himself. "Hello Terry? Hi, it's me, Wildwing your ex-husband. No wait that doesn't sound right. Hello may I please speak with Mrs. Slugger. Good evening, this is Wildwing Flashblade, the team captain of the Mighty Ducks. Wait, she knows who I am. Why do I need to tell her that? Oh I got it! Hello Terry, this is the guy who was completely out of his mind when he married you. That doesn't sound right either. How about, I'm the duck you married, I think it's best we forget this entire blunder you call a marriage. Let's just face the facts that it was a folly and one of the dumbest things I've ever done. Yeah that sounds better."

Wildwing wrote down what he had come up with and reread it. He frowned at his speech. "I sound like an idiot. Why am I acting like a scared schoolboy? I'm an adult and so is she. She should understand if I explain it to her."

Wildwing's attention snapped back to reality when Nosedive waltzed into the room reading a comic book.

"Hey, Dive."

"Hi, Wing."

"You and Mal patch things up?"

Nosedive shrugged as he climbed onto the top bunk. "I guess. She's still a little upset, but when isn't she mad at me?"

"Why did you marry her if you knew that?'

"Because I love her," Dive said offhandedly, engrossed in the comic.

"Dive, do you mind?"

"Mind what?"

"I was about to make a private phone call."

"Go ahead."

"I said that it was private."

"Go ahead, I won't listen."

Wildwing huffed. "Never mind. It's not that important."

"Okay."

Wing glared at his brother. He grabbed his cell phone and jacket before storming from the room. Who cares about the long distance charges, he need to talk to Terry. Wing made his way up to the Pond's roof. The night air was cool and crisp. *Good thing I grabbed my jacket* Wing thought. The starry night sky was a magnificent sight to see. The stars twinkled their patterns on the satin black ribbon stretching across the universe. Some how this image calmed Wing's mind.

Wildwing flipped his cell phone on and dialed Terry's number. His stomach tightened with each ring. His palms began to sweat and his heart pumped at warp speed. The crickets chirping, freeway traffic, the rustle of leaves, and his heart racing were deafening.

~Hello.~

"Hell hello, Ter Terry?"

~Yes?~

"Hi, it's me."

~Mac?~

"No, Wildwing."

~Wildwing? Oh, Wildwing. I can't believe it's you!~ Terry sat up and clutched the phone.

"Yeah, well, it's me," Wildwing laughed nervously.

~Where are you?~

"I'm currently looking over the edge of the Pond."

~Pond?~

"Yeah, the Anaheim Arrowhead Pond. It's where we, the ducks and I, live."

~You're on the roof?!~

"Yes."

~Don't jump!~

"What?"

The sound of crying pierced the receiver. Wildwing pulled the phone away from his head and only replaced it when the sound died away.

"Terry?"

~Yes,~ She whispered.

"The reason why I'm calling is to let you know that I got your emails."

~Are you still on the roof?~

"Yes."

~Don't jump.~

"Why would I jump?"

~Because you said that you would.~

"No I didn't."

~You once told me that you would rather jump off a building to your death then to live without me.~

"Oh here, I'm backing away from the edge. Is that better?"

~Are you off the roof?~

"No."

~I won't feel better until you're off the roof.~

"I can't go inside. There's too much of a chance someone will hear. Nosedive, my baby brother, he's been having trouble coming to grips with the whole concept of you and I."

~Please don't jump.~

"I promise, I will not jump," Wildwing gave a hearty laugh.

~I'm glad you're enjoying this,~ Terry scolded. ~At least one of us is.~

"I'm sorry. I just found it funny that you are so concerned for me. Even my best friend didn't have that much concern."

~I love you.~

"Terry, my friends and I are going back to Puckworld tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for this whole mess. You have no idea how this has torn me up. I don't belong here. I have to go home and find my family. I don't even know if my parents lived through the invasion."

~Wildwing.~

"Yes?"

~I understand. Just remember, For God, who commanded the light to shine our of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'~

"Second Corinthians 4:6"

~What?~

"I don't know."

~You said~

"Second Corinthians 4:6"

~How did you know?~

"I don't know, it just popped into my head."

The two remained in silence for several minutes contemplating the meaning of the miracle.

"I should go."

~Wildwing?~

"Yes, Terry?"

~Will you come to the kids' baptism?~

"When is it?"

~This Sunday.~

"That's three days from now."

~Please. It would mean the world to me.~

"I guess I could go. A few days later wont hurt."

Terry smiled at the phones' receiver. ~I'll see you Sunday?~

"See you Sunday."

~Oh and Wildwing remember Psalm 73: 23- 24.~

Wildwing heard Terry hang the phone up. He walked over to the greenhouse, which was on the roof, and went inside. He thought about his promise and he knew that Nosedive would not be happy.

"I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." Wildwing was puzzled with his last statement. *Where did that come from?*

***

The next morning the Mighty Ducks sat around the kitchen table discussing their soon departure from the planet. Nosedive came into the room and looked each duck over. "Hey guys, have you seen Wing?" he asked as he sat down next to Mallory.

"No."

"Nuh-uh."

"Nope."

"Why do you ask?" Duke inquired.

"He didn't come back to bed last night."

"Hmm, he might be in the garden. I saw him going up to the roof last night."

"Duke, he wouldn't sleep out there. He's never done that before."

"Maybe not, but he looked troubled. He could have been up all night thinking. He's done that many times, and you know that."

"I know, but what could he possibly be thinking about?'

"Trying to remember the last two years?" Grin suggested.

"Why would he want to? No, he only goes up there when he has to make a tough decision."

"The million dollar question is what," Mallory added her two cents.

"I'm goin' to go find out," Nosedive stood up.

"Leave him be, Dive. He's up there for a reason. We shouldn't disturb him."

"Not this time, Duke. If he's in trouble I need to be there to help him."

Nosedive left the other's and headed to the roof. The greenhouse, that contained plants from Puckworld, was situated a few yards behind the entrance shaft to the roof. Nosedive hated coming up there. The greenhouse was hot, humid, and very stuffy. He never comprehended why Wildwing insisted on its establishment. Nosedive inspected the plants from outside the small glass building. He never understood why they grew better out here then in Tanya's lab. He didn't see Wing on the roof or inside the greenhouse. Dive sighed and started back towards the door to go back down into the Pond. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed that several of the plants had been knocked off their shelves. *Wildwing will be upset when he finds them like that. I had better go pick them up.*

Dive walked into the greenhouse and found Wildwing sprawled across the floor, unconscious. Dive panicked and fell to his knees beside his team captain. "Wing, please don't be dead."

The unexpected extra weight falling on him, caused Wildwing to exhale sharply and startled him out of his sleep. "Dive!" Wildwing coughed.

"Wing, you're okay!"

"Of course I'm okay." Wildwing sat up as Dive's emotions overtook him. "Dive, stop crying."

Nosedive spoke quickly and incoherently, "I thought you were dead. You didn't come to bed and I got scared. Duke said you were on the roof, and when I couldn't find you I began to worry. I don't want to loose you again, Wing. Then I found the flowers on the floor and I came in here to pick them up and found you passed out on the floor. I thought you were dead."

Wildwing was perplexed as his brother divulged the information at warp speed. He never knew how hard those two years had actually been on Nosedive. Sure he fell in love and got married, but he had also lost an everlasting bond that he shared with his older brother. Wildwing took the blubbering blond into his arms and rocked him back and forth. "It's okay, Dive. I'm never going to leave you again. I will always be with you."

"Why, Wing?"

"Why what?"

"Why did this have to happen?"

"I don't know, Dive. But everything happens for a reason."

"What could be more important to loose you?"

"You and Mal?"

"What about us?"

"Think about it. You never made a move to tell Mal that you liked her until I was not there. Maybe, just maybe, you needed me out of the picture in order for the two of you to get together."

Nosedive smiled. "Yeah, that has to be it."

***

Later that day the ducks sat around the table discussing their departure with Wildwing and Nosedive.

"Is everyone packed and ready?" Duke asked.

"I still have a few more things to pack," Mallory said.

Duke's eye bulged. "Mal, you already have too much."

"I'm not done yet, Duke!" Mallory leaned forward in an attempt to get into the resident extheif's face.

"Fine, whatever."

"Wing still hasn't packed," Nosedive pointed out.

"Didn't you already pack his stuff?" Tanya asked.

"A few things, but now that he's here he can get what he wants."

"Wing, how long will it take you to finish packing?"

"Wing?"

Wildwing shook his head, clearing it from the comets he was chasing. "What?"

"Did you hear anything we just said?"

"Sorry, my mind was else where."

"Where?" Nosedive asked.

"Space," Wing shrugged.

"How long will it take you to pack up your things?"

"A day, maybe two, why, Duke?"

"We were planning on going home today. You do remember that?"

"Yeah guys"

"Yes, Wing."

"Do we have to leave right away I was hoping to stay a few more days."

"Don't you want to go home?" Tanya asked.

"Yeah I do, but I promised to do something Sunday."

"Like what?" Nosedive asked as he gave Mallory googly eyes.

"I told Terry that I would go to the kids' baptism this Sunday."

"Terry! When did you talk to her?!" Nosedive shouted venomously.

"Last night."

"Last night?! That's who you called! Wildwing how could you?!"

"Nosedive, we are married. I may not have my ring, no thanks to you, but I still have responsibilities to her and our children."

"They are NOT YOURS!"

"How do you know?"

"She brainwashed you! That slut is trying to steal you away from me again."

"She's not a slut, Nosedive."

"Couldn't fool me."

"Anyway, I'm going to the baptism. If you guys want to go to Puckworld without me, that's fine. I'll catch up with you later."

"NO!" Nosedive shouted, slamming his hands on the table and standing up.

"Don't tell me no, Nosedive."

"I won't leave you."

"Then you are coming with me to the baptism."

"Like hell I'll go!"

"Grow up, Dive."

"In case you missed it, Wing, I have. Oh wait, you did miss it. Two of the most important things in my life you missed thanks to that human! No wonder your crawling back to her!"

Wildwing squeezed his eyes shut to prevent the flood of tears that were threatening to fall. "Dive,' Wildwing whispered. "Please don't do this to me."

"She's evil, Wing! She's a monster!"

"Dive, do you have any idea what you are doing?"

"Yeah, saving you from yourself. She's going to try to brainwash you again."

"No, you're killing me. Do you have any idea how much this whole ordeal is tearing me apart?" Wildwing sniffled and waved his hands. "Forget it, you wouldn't understand in the first place. All you're concerned with is yourself and your feelings. You have neglected to realize that by some slim chance that I might have feelings too. Here, Dive," Wildwing tossed Dive a butter knife. "Why don't you just stab me with this. Your words have already done their damage. No wonder Terry was so worried last night. Maybe she's not the monster."

"I'm not a monster."

"I wasn't referring to you. I was speaking about myself. I'm the monster for abandoning my family, both my wife and kids and you. It would have been better if I had died along with Dragonus." Wildwing hung his head and left the room. Nosedive looked at he others, imploring them for help with his eyes. All turned away, ashamed of their own selfish desires to go home. Dive stood around begging for help, but no one volunteered. Mallory soon rose to help her husband and they left the room to talk. When they were gone Grin whispered "reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Duke asked.

"That we may need a higher power to consult to be able to help our friends. Spiritual living always gets one through."

***

Wildwing laid on his stomach face buried in his pillow. If he were lucky he would smother himself. He heard the door slid open and shut. No chance of smothering himself today, that sound meant only one thing Nosedive. He felt his siblings presence next to the bed and he turned his head to face the wall and away from his brother.

Nosedive said nothing. He didn't know what to say. Mallory stood next to him and gave him a gentle nudge. He silently signaled her What!'. She gestured toward Wildwing with a slight nod of her head and waited earnestly for Dive to do something. The problem was what he should do. Nosedive could tell that Mallory was loosing patients with him and he tried to come up with the best solution. *What would Dad do?* he thought to himself.

Wildwing silently wished Nosedive would leave the room. That way he could wallow in his sorrow. Right now his life was a runaway train going full steam toward a life threatening disease, depression. Every word Nosedive spoke pushed him closer to the edge of hysteria and paroxysmal despondency.

He felt the edge of the bed dip downward as Nosedive sat down. A frenzy of emotions boiled within him and an insane stormy rage was brewing in his mind. Nosedive slowly and hesitantly placed his hand on Wildwing's back between his shoulder blades. He felt Wildwing shudder and his tense muscles relax. Wildwing's melancholy mood dispersed as quickly as it arose. The storm clouds dispersed with Nosedive's touch and the torrent of emotions smoldered into ashes of forgiveness. Wildwing turned to face Nosedive. The anguish he was feeling was still present in his eyes, yet calmness was painted on he features.

"Why is this happening, Dive?" Wildwing's voice was a hoarse whisper.

"I don't know, Wing, but it must be happening for a reason."

"I always pictured myself like Dad. Terry can't come to Puckworld, and I can't stay here. If we stayed together one of us would be rejected by the other's planet. How can I provide for them in another galaxy?"

"I don't know."

"Maybe I should ask Phil."

"Phil?"

"He knows more about legal stuff. Besides he is a human. He should know what to do. If not, he may be able to point me in the direction I should go."

***

Wildwing softly rapped on Phil's office door before opening it a crack to allow his head to pear in. Phil was sitting at his desk talking on the phone. His back was to him and Wildwing thought about coming back later. Phil swiveled his chair one hundred eighty degrees and saw Wildwing looking in. He waved Wing into his office as he finished up his conversation. "Of course Michael, I know exactly what you mean Of course I'll find you a new team Paul Karyia? I don't know, he's not really a people person. Yes, Mike, I will go recruit him in the morning. Yes Sir. You can count on me to round up a new team. Yes a Stanley Cup contender. No doubt sir, I'm your man. I'm sorry Mike, but I have to go. No it's not another publicity stunt. Wildwing is here and wants to discuss something of importance with me. Yes I will tell him. Yes." Phil nodded and waved his hand in a circular motion and rolled his eyes. "All right, I'll talk to you later, bye."

"What was that about?" Wildwing asked sliding into the chair situated across from Phil.

"Phew, he never wants to hang up. That was Michael Eisner. He wanted me to convey his warmest wishes to you on your return here and to Puckworld."

"Thank you."

"Are you sure I can't talk you into staying one more season. Just until we get another team put together?"

"Sorry, Phil."

"It was worth a try."

"Of course."

"So what can I do for you?"

"Who said I'm here for anything?"

Phil gave Wildwing a skeptical look before answering. "Wildwing, how long have we know one another?"

"Several years."

"And in that time you only came up to my office to either yell at me or demand that I stop with the publicity stunts."

"Yeah, so."

"I haven't scheduled any public appearances since you were lost. So you can't be here for that. You must be here because something's on your mind because you're not yelling."

"You're right. I do have something on my mind."

"Terry Slugger?"

"How'd you know?"

"Nosedive said something about how she conned you into marrying her."

"She didn't con me Phil."

"The marriage was your idea?"

"I don't know."

"So she could have tricked you."

"I didn't say that."

"But she could have."

"Phil," Wildwing growled, loosing his patience with his manager. "Nosedive has let his judgement be clouded. I may not remember much of the last two years, but I do know that I was not manipulated into doing anything I didn't want to do."

"I'm sorry, Wildwing. Please don't get upset. I'm not trying to pick sides. I'm just trying to point out other options."

"Phil," Wildwing warned again.

"Okay, I'll stop."

"I came here for some advice not a lecture."

"Advice?"

"Terry has two kids, my kids. Tanya and Duke said that she could barely support them. I have that savings account with all that money I've been saving. I want her to have it."

"Wildwing, booby, babe, don't you think you are just a little over reacting?"

"Phil, I don't want those kids to suffer. Terry can't come with us and the kids need their mother. I want them to be provided for even if I can't be there."

"Wildwing, will you please hear me out?"

"I'm listening."

"There is a small chance that they are not yours."

"Tanya's convinced their mine, as well as Duke, Mallory and Grin. Nosedive's the only one who doubts it."

"Fine, we'll say that they are yours, you can't just give them all that money."

"Why can't I?"

"Not all at once. Giving Terry all that money could be hazardous."

"Phil, you sound awfully close minded like Nosedive."

"You want your children provided for, right? Then instead of giving Terry the money, put some of it in two separate accounts. Call it a college fund. You also need to come up with legal documents that will provide Terry with a monthly income but restrict her from accessing all the money."

"What do you suggest?"

"Three hundred dollars a month should do for food and supplies."

"Five hundred."

"Okay, Five hundred." Phil pulled out a piece of paper and started to draw up the sketch of the proposed document.

"What about rent? She will need to pay for housing, electricity, garbage, and"

"All of life's expenses hmm, a thousand a month should be enough."

"Make it fifteen hundred."

Phil looked up at Wildwing. "Okay, fifteen."

"I know you don't like it Phil, but I don't want Terry and the kids to be in need."

"Wildwing, things change. Money isn't everything. It's nice to have, but it's not everything. Family comes first."

Wildwing gave Phil a confused look. Did Phil actually just say that? What happened during those two years?

"I know what you're thinking, this guy is some kind of clone, but I'm not. My older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer a year and a half ago. She's fighting it the best she can, but nothing has changed. The disease has really drained her and her family financially and emotionally. My nieces have been hit as hard as their mother has. Wildwing I hate to see those kids suffer."

"I'm sorry Phil. I don't know what to say."

"Your kids deserve the best. But I don't know if I've been any help."

"You have. I don't know much about legal stuff, but you do. By making that contract and coming up with the college fund is a great idea. Thank you."

Wildwing stood to leave as Phil stumbled over his words. "Uh, sure I think." Phil scratched at his head and stared at the parchment in front of him.

Wildwing smiled at his manager and headed to the door.

"Wildwing?"

"Yes, Phil?"

"If I were you I would not go back. I'd stay."

"Why, so I would still play for you," Wildwing laughed.

"Not for hockey, but for the kids. They don't need money they need a dad. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Duke said that he found this. He said it was yours."

"I'll think about that," Wildwing waved and left the room to think about his newest advice. Out in the hall way Wing opened the envelope Phil had handed him. Inside was his wedding ring.

I hope you liked. Trust me it gets better. I just love Wing torture!

Smile, Live, Laugh, Love and God Bless

Elfy.