One Last Time
Chapter 12: Remembering
By aznJEDI13
Disclaimer: Disney owns the Mighty Ducks. I own the plot and any original characters in this series.
Notes: This was written as pure fun. I hope that this does not offend anyone and if it does I did not by any means do it on purpose.
Sorry I didn't have time to fix the grammar and all that fun stuff!
This ones not that good.
And, finally – Thank you everyone for reviewing last chapter. Without sounding obsessive, I hurried home to check reviews and then checked almost every hour just because I wanted to know your opinion of it!!!!
Sorry there's three cuss words here and a few references to other stuff.
And by the way the italics now mean flashbacks.
Chapter 12: Why do I have to remember such bad times?
'… Everything falls apart,
Even the people who never frown,
Eventually break down…'
It didn't seem so far down from where he stood. The wind blew quickly brushing his hair against his face as the waves danced with the shore. No, it didn't seem far at all.
And it wasn't. Maybe twenty, thirty feet down – someone of his physic and his built could easily survive the fall. It was what came after the fall, he knew, that would surely guarantee his death.
He remembered this scene. Remembered the party before and the funeral after and the deaths that followed one after the other.
Yes, now he certainly understood.
He didn't get it at first, but now he did.
And now he remembered.
That windy night, driving home from visiting Averman, Connie half asleep as his right arm was draped across her shoulder. He remembered – all too clearly.
Images haunted his every move – his every dream.
"Guy?"
It was raining that night – which was the only difference. Drops of water pounded against his windshield, against the rocks below, against Fulton's half gone body.
"Hmm?" He had responded half-dazed and half-concentrating on the road.
"Was that as sad as I thought it was?" She had asked.
He nodded, wanting to close his eyes, but knowing he couldn't. He resorted to taking a very deep breath; "It's depressing."
She snuggled deeper, "Are you afraid?"
"Of what?" He questioned.
She took a deep breath, "Of dying?"
He laughed cynically, "Now that's a morbid thought – Averman's not dying."
She shook her head, "I wasn't thinking about that…" Her voice trailed off for a second, "Averman's not going to die. I was thinking about life, in general."
He nodded, "Well, if you put it that way." He paused, "Then, yes I am afraid."
"What exactly are you afraid of? The pain? The fact that you don't exist anymore?"
"I'm afraid," He pulled her tighter, "That wherever I go you're not going to be there." He paused, "I'm not afraid of the pain, unless it's the pain of you not being there."
"Be serious, Guy." She eyed him.
"I am being serious!" He smirked, "What brought on this morbid thought?"
She shook her head, "I don't know…" She paused, "Just thinking I suppose."
"Don't think to hard then."
She elbowed him slightly, "Keep your eye on the road, hot shot."
"What about you?" He asked, suddenly, "Are you afraid of dying?"
"I'm afraid…" She bit her lip, "Of everything right now."
"Nothing bad going to happen, Cons…" He shook his head, "Don't set yourself up – don't set us up."
"I'm not setting us up," She replied, rather quickly he noted, "I can just feel it – first Averman, now what?"
He gripped her hand tighter; "I'm still here Cons."
She shook her head and released his head, moving to the other side of the car, "But for how long?"
"Thinking such morbid things won't help, babe."
She bit back, "Don't get philosophical on me Germaine."
"I wouldn't be so philosophical, if you weren't being such a psycho path!"
She shook her head, "Shut the heck up."
His eyes narrowed, "What the crap is your problem lately?"
"My problem? Maybe my problem is you being such self-righteous and egotistical jerk!"
He slammed the break, jutting the car off road, "Self-righteous? Egotistical? Where did all this come from?"
The engine shut off, "Don't play innocent with me Germaine."
"No, no." He shook his head, "I don't understand, Connie, where has all this bitterness been conceived from?"
He reached for her, but she tried to back away, "Don't touch me."
His brows creased in consternation, "Connie?" He paused, "I don't understand – what did I do?" When she didn't answer, he moved towards her again, "Connie?"
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry." She began, "I haven't been myself lately."
He clasped her hand finally at first unsure if she would pull it away, "What's going on?"
"Everything's so," She paused, biting her lip, "Overwhelming."
"Connie," He pulled her into a hug, "What have I done?"
She shook her head, "Nothing." She sniffled, "I'm sorry Guy, I just…"
His brows creased in consternation, "What happened?"
She shook her head again continuously; "It's nothing." She smiled, "It's nothing. I'm sorry I called you those things; you're not."
He nodded and they hugged silently. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her, "Guy."
"Connie, you know it's been so-"
She silenced him with a deep caress of her lips against his own. He smiled. "There's a reason, Germaine," Her voice turned seductive, "That we bought a van."
His smile brightened and he pulled her with him, "Come on, Cons."
She laughed as they landed heavily on the middle seats; "You're so…"
He kissed her as she roped her arms around his neck, "Ruggedly handsome?"
She pulled back, her eyes twinkling with mischievous as they continued to kiss, "Not exactly."
Finally with his shirt was removed and her lips moving down his neck, he looked up briefly as his hands went to the hem of her shirt.
He froze.
When she realized he hadn't moved she stopped, "What is it, babe?"
His eyes were big as they starred out the window, "That's Fulton's truck."
Her brows creased, "What?"
"That's Fulton's truck by the cliff."
And before she could say anything he had thrown his shirt back on and ran out of the van door. "Watch the car." He ordered.
"Fulton!" He screamed, the rain pounding against his body, thwarting his senses. "Fulton." He saw the figure at the cliff and approached him quietly, "Fulton."
The figure turned, almost in surprise, "Guy."
"You left so early."
"I had other things to do." His cold eyes turned to look at Guy. "I can't stand it there. I can't sit in the same room and watch him. It's too depressing."
Guy nodded, "I understand."
"Where's Connie?" Fulton asked.
"In the car."
Fulton took a deep breath and then looked away, "Life will get rough, Guy." He paused, "Don't give up. Don't be like me."
"What do you mean?" He looked at Fulton, following where his eyes directed – down. "What are you thinking?" He asked him.
Fulton shook his head; "It's time." He paused, "I'm giving up."
"Time? What do you mean?" He paused, realizing his words, "No, Fulton, you wouldn't. You can't."
"Why not?" He shook his head madly; "I don't have anything to live for."
"I don't get you."
He bit back a tear; "I don't have anything. I don't have an education; I don't have a hockey career. I'm ugly, fat, and slow. I don't want to live with life anymore."
"Why not?"
"I just can't Guy!" He paused, "Someday you will understand."
He grabbed him, "I understand Fulton. I understand life is hard, but it'll get better. It doesn't have to end this way."
"Life isn't hard for you Guy. You have everything you ever wanted." He paused, bitterly, "What do I have? I sit alone for dinner, I sleep alone, I wake alone."
"So this is the way to go?" Guy questioned.
"It's the only way."
He watched, almost in slow motion as Fulton moved toward the cliff. Too shocked, too appalled – he didn't know what to do.
"Goodbye Guy."
"Fulton!" He screamed.
It was too late, though, and he watched as Fulton's body plummeted to the bottom.
He felled to his knees, weeping. Two hands pressed against the small of his back and then took him in her arms pressing his head to her shoulder.
They wept together.
Under the frosty air, he sniffled and pulled his jacket around him tighter.
It was time he joined Fulton.
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She tried to ignore the sober air that hung over their heads. Glancing out the window, she couldn't help but remember. When was the last time the two of them had been in the car together?
It seemed like decades ago.
They had grown up – changed the direction of their lives, of their destinies. Of course though, destiny had destroyed their lives. Fate had played tricks on them – laughed at them.
Guy and her had married young and found themselves in a whirlwind of problems. Adam and Julie had married even later and still found themselves succumbing to the trials and tribulations of the world.
"Its back." Julie stated suddenly, her voice monotone and melancholy.
"What's back?" Connie questioned, knowing the answer but hoping it was something else.
"The cancer." Julie choked slightly.
All Connie could do was nod her head.
Julie continued, "He hasn't told me though. Dean just gave me his observations."
"Then maybe he doesn't have it." She concluded.
The former goalie laughed cynically, "You don't know Dean like I do."
Connie shook her head, "You're right, I don't know Dean like you." She paused, her anger slightly apparent, " I don't know that tough and sensitive guy you use to make out with after practice."
Julie threw her a look, "You know what I mean, Cons."
"I know what you mean," Connie shook her head, "But why does Dean's word mean so much?"
"Connie, if you and Guy hadn't…you know…" Julie paused awkwardly as her voice trailed off.
Connie laughed sarcastically, "If Guy and I hadn't screwed."
"Yeah and got married." Julie rolled her eyes, "And you had broken up mutually, wouldn't you trust his word?"
There was a silence that alluded them as Connie sat in the passengers seat contemplating. Julie kept her eye on the road.
Finally, "I don't know." Connie began, "Maybe I suppose – I always thought that I could until…" Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence and feel the pain that came with it.
Julie shrugged, "I thought when you love someone, when you genuinely love someone, you know almost automatically that they would never lie to you."
Connie bit her lip, but Julie didn't notice.
She sighed and continued, "I'm not saying that I'm in love with Dean, but at some point I did love Dean and a part of me I believe will always. I mean, he was my first love and feelings from that will never leave. Right, Cons?"
She turned her head slightly to look at her counterpart, "Cons? Connie?"
Connie face had a look of shock on it and her eyes had grown big as tears trailed down her cheeks, "Connie? Connie are you there still?"
"We have to tell him Connie."
"I can't tell him Charlie!" She paused and motioned to them, "This will kill him!"
Charlie shook his head, looking at her as she laid in the hospital bed, "We can't go behind his back anymore, Connie, you know you have to tell him!"
"I can't Charlie, I just can't!"
He shook his head, "Then I'll tell him, I'll tell him that his bastard best friend has been screwing his wife! How's that going to sound?"
She shook her head, crying, "Charlie…" Her voice trailed off, "Charlie…"
He bent and took her hand, "What is it Cons?"
"You make it sound so bad."
"What?" He questioned.
She bit her lip, "I'm suppose to love him! He's my first love Charlie – I was supposed to love him; not lie to him every second. Not fake the nights we were in bed, fake the smiles and the kisses." She cried, "I was suppose to love him, Charlie!"
"Connie," He paused slightly, "Once you tell him, we don't have to hide it anymore."
"You don't understand Charlie!" She cried, "I can't tell him, he's my husband, I can't tell him!"
"But I'm your lover."
"Charlie…" She began.
He interrupted her; "I'm your lover that's it. He's your husband and you love him, so you can't leave him. But you can leave me."
"Charlie, that's not what I meant."
He shook his head, releasing her hand and moving toward the door, "No, that's what you thought."
"Charlie!"
Julie looked at her strangely, "Connie, you there?"
"What?" She asked confused and then realized it, "Yeah, Jules I'm here."
"What happened, you spaced out for a bit."
Connie laughed and then shrugged, "Just thinking."
Julie nodded, "You okay?"
"What were you saying Jules?" She questioned.
"About how if you genuinely love someone you wouldn't lie to them."
Connie bit her lip, "Oh."
"What is it Connie?" Julie asked and then turned to see her face. It was pale and shocked, "Oh my gosh, Cons. I'm sorry I forgot."
Connie shook her head and then looked at her more carefully, "You know?"
Julie's eyes blinked, "About you and Charlie? Yeah."
"How?" Connie questioned curiously and fearful.
Simply, she replied. "Guy told me."
She received another, "Oh" from Connie.
Connie looked away and out toward the cliff. The sky was dark as the stars shined brightly, blanketing them in a frosty night bath.
Simply, all she could say was, "I hurt him so bad."
A silence evaded them at that point, filling the gaps and creating voids that hadn't existed before.
"What's that?" Julie asked, "Over there, look!"
Connie turned and saw a figure, standing over by the ledge. The figure resembled somewhat her ex husband… "It's Guy!" She cried, "Oh my gosh, what is he doing?"
The car came to a halt suddenly and Connie ran out of the car toward his darkened body. But as she ran, images flashed through her mind.
She was reminded of a time – Fulton's sudden death.
The rain had been falling so hard. It made it difficult for her to see. There were figures at the cliff, one was her husband and the other her teammate.
"Guy?" She screamed, but received no response.
She sat, huddled on the side of the open van door, watching silently.
She called again, "Guy!"
What was going on over there?
Better yet, why was she still at the car?
Slamming the door shut and locking it, she ran towards the cliff. As she neared them, her feet stopped – not wanting to disturb them.
She overheard them – not knowing if she should approach or turn away.
"I just can't Guy!" Fulton paused, "Someday you will understand."
Guy grabbed him, "I understand Fulton. I understand life is hard, but it'll get better. It doesn't have to end this way."
"Life isn't hard for you Guy. You have everything you ever wanted." Fulton paused, bitterly, "What do I have? I sit alone for dinner, I sleep alone, I wake alone."
"So this is the way to go?" Guy questioned.
"It's the only way." Fulton spoke soberly.
She didn't know what he meant until it was too late. She didn't understand their conversation until after Fulton's limp body had plummeted to the ground.
She screamed, with all the air in her lungs in pure, unabridged agony, but the rain washed her scream away and no one could hear her.
She took Guy into her arms and wept for the second time that day.
And here she was, not the same cliff of course, but the same situation with the man that she was suppose to have loved her entire life.
She approached him, slowly and quietly, not wanting to disturb him and possibly send him over the edge.
He turned at the sound of her footsteps.
She saw his face for the first time. There were no tears, but dried spots. There was a deep, cerulean blue in his eyes that looked at her closely. He could not hold his surprise.
In the dark, the moon cast a cold glow over his features, sending shivers down her spine.
"What are you doing here?" He asked. His voice was cold and callous – she didn't remember that tone. He spoke in a voice she didn't know.
She took a deep breath, sucking in the frosty air, "Don't push me away."
He turned away from her, "I'm not."
"What are you doing?" she questioned.
He laughed, cynically, "Isn't it obvious?"
"Why?" She reached for his arm, but he pulled it back forcefully.
"Don't touch me." He barked.
"Guy?" She asked startled by his tone.
"Connie." He paused, breathing heavily, "Don't touch me, you whore."
She wanted so much to slap him, to hit him as hard as she could and with all of her might. It took a great deal of strength to restrain.
Her eyes saddened with hurt, "Guy."
He shook his head, his nostrils flaring, and his eyes bearing all hurt, "Why are you here?"
"What do you mean?"
His eyes narrowed, "Shouldn't you be with him?"
She closed her eyes, not allowing the tears to come that threatened to fall, "What?" She asked incredulously.
"Why do you do this, Connie?" He questioned.
"Do what?" She asked, innocently and shocked.
He shut his eyes briefly, "Why do you hold me in your arms, but still kiss his lips?"
"Guy," She paused, frustrated, "What do you mean?"
He shook his head furiously, "Just leave me alone, Connie." He paused, bitterly, "Just leave me alone."
She started to say something, but then decided not to. She turned her back and began to walk away. Then, almost silently, she turned back to him, "Don't do anything stupid."
Julie approached her as she made her way back; "He won't talk to me."
Julie nodded, silently, and without words made her way to Guy.
"What are you doing?" She asked when she reached his figure. He was now seated on the ground, overlooking the beach.
He turned his head from where he had been looking at the stars.
Simply, he replied, "Nothing."
"Guy-"
"I don't need your sympathy Jules." He paused and sniffled, "What's the point?"
"The point?" She paused, "You have everything Guy."
He laughed bitterly, "Not everything." He sighed, "Nothing else matters, but her."
"So that's it?" She asked incredulously, "You're just going to throw your life away."
He turned away, "I don't have a life. Life isn't worth living anyway."
She shook her head, "Stop it Guy." She paused, "Don't tell me it wasn't worth it, Guy, just to see her face again. Just to be in her arms again. Don't tell me it wasn't worth it."
He shook his head, "You don't understand."
"No, you're right." Her eyes narrowed, "I don't."
"It hurts to see them. It just hurts too much."
"You need to get over this Guy." She paused, sighing, "You can't hide your pain – you can't run from them. You're going to see them together." She smiled slightly, "It doesn't mean you have to like it – but you have to learn to tolerate it, if only a little bit."
He nodded, "I suppose you're right."
Julie smiled, "Don't end your life Guy." She paused, choking a sob back; "Some people don't have the chance or the luxury to chose when they die."
He looked out over the ocean, "Sometimes, Jules, though don't you wish you could just end? Just to have all your problems, your fears – everything that haunts you be taken away?"
She answers quickly and unbeknownst to Guy, her answer has a completely different meaning, "No, sometimes, Guy, you just wish that you had known before and done something to change it."
He shrugged. A silence invaded them, one full of resent and bitterness. He turned to look at her again, "Are you happy, Jules?"
She paused, thinking and then turned to smile at him, "Yes."
She leaned over and hugged him, "Are you happy, Guy?"
He kissed her cheek, "Sometimes."
She nodded soberly, "Come on, let's go home."
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The phone was ringing. It was way too early for someone to be calling.
She moaned and absently reached for the phone. When she finally found it, she answered it half asleep, "Hello?"
"Julie? Julie is that?"
She sat up, trying not to wake Adam, "Guy?" She whispered.
"Jules."
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"I need you to come down here. I've got a game, I need you to stay with Connie."
Nothing had registered in her mind, "Wait, back up Guy…with Connie?"
"Yeah, at the hospital." His voice choked, "I need you to come Jules."
"I can't just pick up and leave, Guy. I have to work." She blinked her eyes.
"Jules, please. It's serious. You need to hurry."
Her brows creased in worry, "What's wrong with Connie?"
He shook his head, "She's…" He paused unable to maintain stability in his voice, "She's a cutter. She's lost a lot of blood. She needs you."
She blinked again; not sure she was awake, "All right. I'll be there in a few hours." Her brows creased as she fumbled for her shoes; "Will you be there when I get there?"
She could tell he was thinking, "I'm not sure."
"Guy?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
He didn't answer for a while, "Nothing."
"Guy-"
"See ya in a bit, Jules."
The scene replayed in her mind as they road the way back to the house. They would pick up Guy's car in the morning. The silence was unbearable – between Connie's never-ending sighs and Guy's cruel glares she didn't know what was worst.
She couldn't stand either of them right now.
She wished that they could just make up like they usually did. And then after a while she would find them somewhere really making up.
"Guy?"
He turned his head from where he had been angrily staring out the window, "Yeah, Jules?"
"How's your team doing?" She questioned.
"Fine."
Connie sighed.
He twitched, "Why do you have to sigh every other minute?" He asked irritated.
"So it can distract me from your angry glances." She retorted.
His eyes narrowed, "I wouldn't be glaring if you wouldn't keep sighing!"
"Yeah, well at least you've got the balls now to admit your problems!" She screamed.
"I never had problems," His voice raised, "You had the problems."
She sighed.
"Will you stop sighing for crying out loud!" He screamed.
She took a deep breath, "I'm only sighing cause I found you by that cliff."
"I wouldn't have been by the cliff," he paused, "If I hadn't seen you and him getting it on!"
"Why do you have to refer to him as 'him' – he has a name Guy!"
He cried, "Why should I call him by name, that's your job!"
She let out a frustrated sigh, "Stop being an ass!"
"I'm only being an ass because you showed up – it's your fault!"
"Hey it's not my fault-" Connie began.
Only to be interrupted by Julie, "It's nobodies fault and nobodies being an ass." She paused sighing with annoyance, "Just cut it out guys."
His brows creased in consternation, "Why did you come any, Connie? You had no reason."
She shook her head mumbling, "I came because I love you."
He leaned forward, not hearing her, "What did you say?"
"I said I came because I love you."
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