One Last Time
Chapter 13: Belong
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.

Vote for my story for the Best Romance at Fan Fiction awards here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MightyDucksMovies/.


Chapter 13: Can I go back, back where I belong?

'…I'll turn around and pick up the pieces,

One more push and I'll be there,

Back where I belong…'

"Pancy-ass Banks is going to pay."

The two of them were walking home after school at Eden Hall. Their gym bags slung over their shoulders, their backpacks on their backs. They had opted today not to skate him, Adam had told him he enjoyed talking to him more.

Adam was in the midst of telling him a story about something that had happened to him at school today. He listened with half an ear and used the other to glance around at their seemingly peaceful surroundings.

"I knew the answer – I knew all the answers!" he formed imaginary pictures with his hands and used his voice to emphasize, "But I flunked the test. I did so bad. I finished the quarter so bad."

He heard the screeching of tires suddenly, the smell of burning rubber filled his nostrils. The noise of a car approaching, he heard vividly.

Adam wasn't paying attention.

"I finish the year with a 'B'. Man, how is that going to look on college applications? A 'B', Averman, a 'B'!"

He turned back to look at Adam and in front of him, but a last minute something told him to turn back around.

He noticed now that the car was a lot closer. In fact, he realized, it was coming toward them.

And the driver was his own teammate – their own teammate.

"Uh…" He stuttered, "Adam! Hey, Adam!" He cried.

"What-"

He didn't have time to listen to Adam; he pushed him down right as the skin came into contact with their skin. It was a forceful impact, one stronger than ever before and it made being checked into the boards seem like nothing.

He couldn't feel his legs he noted. That was the last thing he thought as he drifted off into unconsciousness.

And after he heard Adam scream in pain.

"Where's Julie?"

Dean turned to look up at the voice. "Finish screwing with my wife?" He asked bitterly.

"Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing?" He replied, staring into the other man's eyes.

"We were just talking." He retorted.

Adam laughed sarcastically. "And you were just talking in high school too." He paused, shaking his head, "Just tell me where she is, Dean."

Dean looked at him and then spit into his empty cup, "She went with Connie to find Guy."

Adam nodded and turned to walk away when a hand grabbed his own, "Sit down, cake eater." Once Adam had a seat, Dean began, nervously cupping his glass of water, "I'm sorry-"

"Why are you apologizing Dean?"

Dean took a deep breath, "I'm apologizing for being such a jerk to you." He closed his eyes, "For treating you so bad. For slamming you into lockers, for…"

"Dean." He shook his head, "What's done is done."

Dean shook his head in a maddened fashion, "No, no, Adam. You don't understand."

"I do."

He shook his head again, "No you don't. I was so angry, so pissed. I had to."

"You had to break our friendship? Throw away our team?"

"Adam." He cried, tears threatening his eyes, "Adam don't. Adam its hurts so much already."

"You, Dean Portman? The great enforcer in pain? What is the world coming to?"

"Shut up Adam."

"No, you shut up, Dean." He shook his head, "You don't seem to understand, you kept me away from hockey for two years. Two years! I could've been in the NHL – I could've been great!"

"Look at you pancy-ass rich boy." He paused, "I loved her."

"But you gave her away. You broke up with her." He paused whispering, "You didn't have to hit me with your car. You broke up the team. You broke Averman."

Dean shook his head, "Cut the crap, Adam. I feel bad already. I feel terrible. Knowing that Averman's…knowing that and it hurts so bad." He breathed in; "It's like a knife to my heart."

"Just shut up both of you!" called Charlie. "We all make mistakes in life. We just need to forget and move on." He paused, "Adam sit your ass back down."

Adam noted the intensity in Dean's eyes and complied. Charlie across the way looked at him worriedly, "You can tell us anything, Adam." He began.

He narrowed his eyes at Charlie, "I thought I could tell you everything Charlie." He paused, "I was wrong." He glared at Dean, "I never trusted you in the first place."

Charlie pressed forward, "What's that suppose to mean?"

"You know what I mean, Charlie." He bit his lip; "You broke up the team as well. Both of you, have you no shame?"

Charlie began, "Adam-"

"No." He shook his head, "You broke up Connie and Guy, you broke up the team." He turned to face Dean; "You broke Averman." He shook his head once more, "And neither of you ever asked for forgiveness." His eyes narrowed, "And neither of you deserve forgiveness."

"Don't do this Adam. Don't widen the wedge." Dean shook his head turning away, "We know you're dying."

He laughed cynically. Laughed because it took the pain away, "Dying? You make it sound so morbid." He paused and narrowed his eyes once more, "Thinking it of going to a better place."

"Adam-"

"Charlie, I don't want your sympathy. I don't want your empathic speech 'We'll be there for you Adam'." He paused, "It's too late for that." He shook his head, glancing at Dean, "Like it or not guys, I'm going to die."

Dean looked at him, shock evident on his face, tears brimming on the enforcer's eyes, "Man, Adam, don't be so blunt."

"Everybody dies, Dean. Everybody someday dies!" He stood, realizing that tears were on the brim of his only eyes, "Fulton died. Katie died. Everybody dies guys!" he crumbled back into his seat and threw his head in his hands, "Oh my gosh, I'm going to die." He looked up at Charlie, tears running ragged down his cheeks, "Charlie, I'm going to die."

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"Connie…" He began, his hand drifting to touch the skin of her arm.

She turned to him; "We were pretty stupid, weren't we?"

He nodded, "Can we…?"

She shook her head, "I can't go back Guy, no matter how much it hurts, no matter how much I love you," She paused, biting back a sob, " I can't go back there. I won't allow it."

"But you'll deny it."

She nodded, "You wouldn't understand."

He wanted to hold her hand, but knew he couldn't, "I want to understand."

Julie interrupted, "We're here."

Connie exited the car only to run into Guy, "Connie please." He took her hands in his, "I love you."

She shook her head, "I can't Guy, I just can't."

He nodded and turned toward the house, walking slowly up the walkway.

Julie's eyes narrowed and looked at Connie. She rubbed her abdomen gingerly, "Connie, why did you do that?"

"I did what I thought was best for us," She looked, "What's best for him. I hurt him so much and I don't think I could stand myself if I did it again."

"Connie-"

She shook her head, "Listen Jules," She pulled out her wrist, rolling her sleeve up fiercely and shoving it in Julie's face, "Look at this. Look at what he just tried to do. Too much, Jules, too much."

"But Cons-"

"Don't tell me that I'm making a mistake Jules," She moved up the walkway and then turned to look at her best friend right before she entered, "I already know."

Julie closed her eyes and watched her friend make the biggest mistake of her life – again.

"Guy and I split Jules." Connie informed her from her wheel chair.

Julie, who sat on the bench beside her, looked toward her surprised, "What?"

Connie nodded sadly and tried to adjust the blanket, but couldn't. Julie put Connie's food down and helped her fix it. Connie nodded in gratitude, "Thanks," She smiled slightly, "I got the papers this morning. They're in one of my drawers."

"He won't be coming back?"

Connie shook her head slightly, "No."

Julie nodded, "Why?"

Connie shrugged in her chair, "What?"

"Why?" Julie asked again, "Why did you two…?"

"Irreconcilable differences."

Julie nodded the hint of that 'I don't want to talk about it' tone and let her off, "All right."

Connie shook her head, "You don't have to be here, Jules, you should be with Adam."

Julie smiled, "He's fine," She paused, "I came to visit you."

"You always visit me."

"What are friends for?" She smiled as she watched Connie smile.

"You haven't done that in a while." Julie observed.

"What?" Connie asked.

Julie touched her arm lightly, "Smile."

Connie nodded and looked away.

"He gave blood you know."

Connie turned to her, "What?"

"Guy donated blood for Adam." Julie waited for a reaction.

"Oh, good for him."

Julie tried to play it off as nothing. Connie didn't seem to care, What had happened? She wondered, what had drawn two people so much in love, apart?

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He was there.

When he entered the house he hadn't expected to see him there and more importantly hadn't expected to see him holding Adam. Adam was crying, bawling and Charlie, that backstabbing bastard, had his arm around him.

Animosity swelled in his veins, anger boiled in his heart, bitterness played on his skin. He hated him so much – he hated him even more right now.

It made him remember – then.

"We need to talk, baby." He turned to look at her. He had been starring out the window of her hospital bed.

He came toward her, reaching for her hand, "What is it?"

She sniffled and he watched a tear form. Before he had a chance he moved to wipe it away, but she pulled back, "Something happened, Guy."

It was his turn to pull back, "Something happened? Like what?"

She took a deep breath, "When you were gone."

"When I was gone?" His brows tense in confusion, "I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, Guy, I had been so alone, so vulnerable."

"What are you talking about Cons?"

"I slept with Charlie."

His eyes went wide and his mouth dropped, "What?"

Tears fell down her beautiful face, "I'm sorry Guy, I didn't mean to! It all happened to fast." She paused, her breathing shallow, "I needed someone and you weren't there." She paused again, "Katie's death hit me as hard as it hit you and I needed to be held."

He stepped back completely, dropping her hand, "So you jumped into his bed?"

"Guy-"

"No, Cons, no." He sighed, "How could you?"

"Guy-"

His shook his head fiercely, "I thought you loved me."

"I do!" She cried, from her bed, "I do with every beat of my heart."

"And yet…"

"Guy I'm sorry." She screamed, "So sorry, baby!"

He sniffled and wiped his eyes; "I got to go."

"Wait!" She screamed again, "Where are you going?"

He took a deep breath, "Away from you." He shook his head, "Sleep and someone will be here when you wake up."

"Guy!" She cried, "Guy I'm sorry! So sorry!"

"Decided to help Adam cheat on Julie, did you?" He responded bitterly.

Charlie looked up, tears on the brim of his eyes, "Why you-"

"I'm ashamed Charlie, I would've thought someone of your prestige would have verbal rebuttal."

"Dude, Guy, Adam's in pain and all you can think about is fighting!" Charlie cried, releasing Adam, who wiped his eyes.

"I'm in pain too." Guy said quietly, "Suddenly you care about the agony others are in." He shook his head; "I don't remember you caring when his knee got blown out, when Averman's was hit, when anything happened before."

"I was a mindless, insensitive jerk, is that what you want to hear?" He screamed, shoving his fist into Guy's chest.

Guy shoved back, "You took my life away and you expect me to be all sweet and happy with you?"

Charlie pushed in response, "No, you're right, but you don't have to act like an insensitive bastard!"

"I'm the insensitive bastard?" He laughed cynically, "You were the one that thought it was okay to show up here!"

Charlie pointed his finger at his chest, "You showed up here uninvited."

Throwing his hands in the air, "I live here!" He shoved at Charlie again, "I thought you were my friend. My best friend, I was wrong." He paused, "Obviously."

"You weren't there, Guy!" He said shoving again, "She was in pain and you were gone."

"I loved her!" He cried, "Didn't you care?"

He pushed, "Well I loved her too!"

"Loved her? How can you know what love is?" He laughed, "You've never had a relationship long enough to know what love is!"

He shook his head; "Love is where you know you can't live without someone." He paused, "When you can't see tomorrow without them."

"She was my wife Charlie," He whispered, "My wife and you didn't care."

"You're right, Guy. She was your wife," He passed, narrowing his eyes, "And if I had known you were gonna be such a jerk to her I would've screwed her sooner!"

He wished he hadn't said that, but he before he knew it he had. Soon, he felt Guy's fist connect to his jaw and send him flying onto the couch.

He charged toward Guy, swinging his hands in the air, and sending them one by one into Guy's chest. Guy retaliated quickly and the two went tumbling to the ground.

Glasses, bottles, and cups all crashed on the floor. Charlie's shoe made a mark on the floor as his blood dripped onto Guy's shirt. The two wrestled, rolling over and over.

Finally Guy had the upper hand and his fist went full speed to slam into Charlie's head.

"Stop it, Guy!"

Guy's fist hit Charlie face and the two scrambled on the floor more. The carpet stained by a mixture of wine, beer, and blood.

"Guy!" She cried, "Guy!"

Charlie and him continued to roll on the floor, each planting punches when appropriate. Several times, items on the table would fall and be kicked around by their flying feet.

"Guy!" She cried. "Stop them someone!"

Adam and Portman rushed to the scene. Throwing hands and arms into stop the two. After much struggle, they managed to pull them away from each other.

Both pulled away with angry looks, hatred burning in their features.

"Chill out." Dean called.

"Yeah." Adam replied rubbing his temple, "Cut the crap."

Adam released Guy and Dean released Charlie.

Guy turned to walk away, "Sorry Conway." He paused, "That should teach you to get your own girl."

"Don't be a jerk Guy."

He turned around, "What do you mean?"

"Look at you, rich ass, you got everything, but just cause you ain't got the girl no more, you bein' a pain in the ass jerk."

"Damn you Conway, you wouldn't understand." He looked at Connie, apologetically, "She's my heart and soul, without her I don't have a reason to live." Watching Connie flee out of the corner of his eyes, he narrowed his eyes bitterly; "You're the real jerk."

Charlie grunted, picking up the nearest empty beer bottle and heaved it toward Guy.

"Guy!" Julie cried.

He turned just into time to feel the bottle break against his chest.

"Guy!" Julie ran toward him as he collapsed on the couch. "Can you breathe?"

He nodded, "I'm fine Jules, just some cuts." He breathed in and out sharply and his shallow breathing was evident.

She turned, exasperated at Charlie, "Look what you did."

He heard Guy's shallow, heavy breathing and turned away, "Who said revenge was suppose to be sweet."

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She smiled.

She glanced at him standing on the balcony. He looked so beautiful there. Seeing him right now you could not tell that he, Adam Banks, was in great pain.

Her smile faded.

"I'm sorry I have to break this bad news to you, Adam and Julie."

Adam rubbed his head, his headache was worst now, "What is it? What's wrong?"

He felt Julie's hand tighten and he squeezed it, "Adam, remember we found a tumor in your brain. We tested it and its positive." The doctor sighed, "I'm sorry, you have semi-fatal cancer in your right lob."

"What do we have to do?" Julie asked before he could. He was too shocked – he had cancer.

"I suggest we start chemotherapy as soon as possible and then just go from there." He closed his eyes, "Is there anyway you two could stay with some friends?"

He glanced at Julie, she gave a half-heartedly smile, "How about Connie and Guy?"

Adam nodded, "We have a place."

The doctor placed the phone in front of them, "Why don't you give them a call, Julie, while I prep Adam for therapy."

"I'm starting right now?" he asked.

The doctor nodded somberly, "We have no choice." He sighed, "You don't want to die do you?"

He shook his head, of course he didn't want to die.

"How's Guy?"

She nodded, "He's better. I bandaged him up and his breathings almost normal." She paused, "Connie's with him right now."

"Charlie's so stupid."

"Adam-"

"No, Jules," He paused, "I don't know what happened to him." He shook his head; "He's so different now. He's not the man I knew, or cared about. He was my best friend and he just changed right before my eyes."

"You're not giving him much credit, Adam," She smiled, "He's gone through a lot."

He turned away, "You don't get it. I lost my best friend."

"Adam-"

"Why are we so different now? Life use to be so simple." He shook his head, "I've lost him. He changed right before my eyes and I couldn't save him."

She reached out and placed her hand on his, "It's not your fault."

"How can it not be?"

She shook her head; "People chose what they want to do. No one can stop them." Her voice grew quieter; "Otherwise it would've been my fault I couldn't save Connie."

"That's different, Jules." He retorted.

"How so?" She asked.

Simply, he replied, "Connie's still your best friend."

She ran her hand up his arm, "Adam." She sniffled, "Change happens. People change. We just have to get use to it." She smiled, "It doesn't mean that they can't be your friend still."

He nodded, "I'm sorry Jules." He pulled her into a hug.

She pulled away, noticing the tears on his cheeks. She reached up and cupped his cheek, "Adam tell me," She begged, "Please."

"You know?" He asked.

She nodded soberly, "I know." She wiped her eyes, "But I want to hear from you."

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"Ouch!" He cried as his chest sunk in sharply.

"Oh Guy," She winced and put the towel down, "I'm sorry."

His chest rose with his breath, "It's okay." He paused, breathing in sharply again, "Keep going."

They sat there for a few minutes. Guy, topless, on the bed breathing sharply as Connie sat on the ledge trying to clean the cuts.

She continued to dab the damp cloth against his chest.

His breath rose sharply, in and out, in and out.

"I don't see why you had to get him so upset." She concluded finally as she reached to damp the cloth in a bowl of water again.

She twisted the towel, ringing the water out when he didn't speak she kept on talking, "Why do you have to be so stupid sometimes?" She shook her head; "I could've lost you."

"Nothing happened."

She shook her head, reach up to place a band aide over his right brow, "Nothing happened, right." She shook her head; "All males are so pigheaded."

"What's that suppose to mean?" He breathed in deeply, the pain excruciating, "Oh, man."

Her head perked up, "What is it?"

He shook his head, "Nothing, nothing," He paused, breathing sharply, "Keep going."

She shook her head, "You're so stubborn," She damped a spot of blood, "You insisted you fight him. Must you retaliate physically?" She wet the cloth; "You should've talked it out. I wouldn't be sitting here," She reached for a pair of tweezers, "Trying to get bits of glass out of your chest!"

He laughed cynically, laughed because it made him feel better, "Don't tell me you don't enjoy me sitting here next to you without a shirt."

Trying not to be gentle, she pulled a piece of glass out, "Ouch!" He cried.

She shook her head, "Nope, don't like the chest." She breathed out, "Besides I just keep thinking about how stupid you were."

"I'm stupid?" He shook his head bitterly; "It was your lover who did this to me!"

She rolled her eyes, "Guy can't you just knock that off." She paused, her voice growing quieter, "Nothing is happening between me and Charlie." She dipped the damp towel back into the bowel and rang out the water; "I don't understand you Guy." She sighed, "You know I love you."

He shook his head, "That affirmation's suppose to be enough?" He shook his head, "Besides you don't love me enough to be with me."

"Oh Guy," She sighed, "Is that what everything was about?" She dropped the towel and reached for his hands, "I could've lost you Guy." She closed her eyes, "For more than a split second my heart stopped." She sighed again, "And when I saw you standing there on that ledge, I thought that this was it, my life is over." She sniffled, "I've lost you – forever."

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently, "Connie." He shook his head; "I'm a fool."

She shook her heard, "No, babe, I've been the fool." She sniffled, "I thought I could live without you."

He nodded, leaning forward and placing his hand gently on her cheek; "Didn't we venture down this road before?"

She nodded, "Do you think we can avoid the pain this time?"

He smiled gently, "Can I kiss you?"

She closed her eyes and then opened them again, "I thought you'd never ask."

He smiled once more and brought his lips to tenderly caress hers.

"Hey."

She looked up from her seat on the couch; careful to keep the bandage she had wrapped around her wrist secure.

"Hi." She turned back to her book.

He kneeled beside her, "Hey,"

She turned to look at him, "Yes?"

He smiled slightly and wrapped his arms around her; "Can I come back now?"

She smiled and kissed his cheek, "I thought you'd never ask."

He pulled her into an embrace and spoke, "I've missed you."

She pulled his chin toward her face and firmly pressed her lips against his, "I love you."

"I love you too." He nodded, "I won't leave you again."

"You better not." She smiled against his lips as he kissed her again and again. She was still smiling as they lay in bed together, his arms securely around her waist, pressing her body against his. She was still smiling as she and he talked together and she traced patterns on his bare chest. She was still smiling as she watched him sleep. The phone rang then though and the smile dropped from her face.

Charlie was on the phone.

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"They found another tumor." He sniffled, looking at her try to contain herself, "On the left lob."

"Adam-" He squeezed her hand gently.

"They said it's too far gone for chemo to work. Said there's nothing they can do." He smiled briefly and then wiped his eyes, "And I believe them."

"Adam, there has to be something."

He placed his hand on her belly, "I don't want chemo, its only going to prolong my suffering, only instill more pain." He smiled slightly, "I want to be at least slightly aware of things when this one comes."

"How long do you have?" She asked, not knowing if she wanted to know the answer, not knowing exactly how it would effect her future – their future.

"Six months," He sighed, "Eight if I'm lucky."

"But that's just an estimate?"

He nodded, "Just an estimate."

She placed her hand on his; "We'll get through this Adam."

He nodded and let a tear slip, "I'm scared Jules."

She burst into tears, "Me too," He pulled her into his arms, "Me too."

"Why does everything happen to us?" She sniffled, "Why does life have fun with us?"

"We're its favorite game pieces, can we help it?" He smiled and then reached to wipe her eyes. "There's nothing we can do, Jules. This is it."

They stood there, as their teammates went home not needing to ask what they were doing, hugging and crying silently. He was soothingly running his hands through her dark tresses and letting his own tears mix with hers.

Suddenly, she stood straight.

He pulled away, "What is it?"

One hand went down to clutch her stomach and she looked down to see she was standing in a pile of water, "My water broke."

To be continued…

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