Nothing. I still own nothing.

You guys have all been so nice. This is my first attempt at fan fiction and your reviews have been so encouraging. Please keep reviewing. Thanks.

It's still not over. I never imagined that this story would become so long. The end is near, but I am thinking of doing a continuation. We will have to see.

Chapter 9: Dreams

This week was amazing, it just flew by. If this is one of the last times we will all be together, this was the way to do it. Some days we would get up early, eat breakfast all together and then head out for some sort of activity (the movies, the mall you name it). Other days we would sleep in, hang by Adam's pool or go to the rink and play the game that had brought us all together. Those have been my favorite days. We have played together for so long and always with such high stakes; a gold medal or a championship; that I had forgotten what it was like to play for fun. Dwayne would whip out his lasso or Averman would call out his unique play by play. One day we walked into the rink and Bombay had set up a wall of soda cans. We all burst out laughing; even Luis.

But now it's our last night together. We decided to spend it at the house. Some of the ducks have early flights tomorrow, so we figure we just won't sleep and we will all go to the airport together. We are going to have a big dinner and then just hang out until its time to go. Bombay must have something planned because he told all of us to think about what being a Duck has meant or given to us and write it down. The only catch....it can only be one word. It took me all day. How do I find one word to describe everything this experience has given me? I finally was able to do it and now I can't wait to hear what everyone else came up with.

After we all shower and some of us pack we head into the dining room. Goldburg's parents were kind enough to cater the meal for us; they even came earlier in the day to set up the food. The meal goes just like every other meal I have ever had with the Ducks. There are multiple conversations going on and there is also a whole lot of laughing.

When we are finished eating Coach Bombay stands up. I think we are all expecting a speech, but instead he asks us to one by one read and explain our words. Charlie, always the leader, goes first.

"Confidence. The Ducks have given me confidence. The first 12 years of my life were spent being scared and self-conscious. I never felt good enough. I blamed myself for my dad leaving. I was good at nothing and proud of even less. The Ducks changed all of that."

As Charlie spoke there was silence except for the occasional grunt of agreement. Connie, Linda, and I were already crying. Averman spoke next.

"Acceptance. For most of my life I was the nerd. Nobody liked me and I had no friends. My mom made me join the Ducks, then District 5. I didn't want to, I figured it would just be a new group of people making fun of me, seeing as I didn't know the first thing about hockey. However, after the first practice I realized that they were losers, just like me."

Everyone fakes hurt, but then we all start to laugh.

"Perspective. The Ducks showed me that there was more to life than my ranch back home. If it hadn't have been for this team I probably would have never left Texas."

"Family. Growing up I had no family. I would walk around town and scare people because I didn't want anyone to get to close to me. It wasn't until the Ducks became part of my life that I realized I could let people in and since that time you guys have all become my family."

Fulton's speak had Connie, Linda and I in full hysterics and now even some of the guys were starting to tear up.

"Coach, Terry and I have the same word. Is that ok?"

"Yeah Jesse, that's fine."

"Future. That's what you guys have given to me and my brother. I don't really like to think about what our lives would have been like if it wasn't for you guys, it's too scary. There is a good chance that at least one of us wouldn't be alive today. Our father enrolled us in sports to keep us off the streets and away from the gangs. It worked, while some of the kids on my block are in jail, or worse, Terry and I have had the opportunity to see the world and to make a better future for ourselves."

"That's a tuff one to follow. My word is strength. I was a shy kid growing up. I was afraid to voice my opinions or tell people how I felt. That all changed when I became a Duck. Thank God it did, or else I don't think I would be married today to the most beautiful women in the world."

As Guy finished he leaned over and kissed a very soggy Connie. Around the table the boys were moaning complaints about them being so lovey dovey, but it didn't seem to phase either one of them.

A few of the other Ducks stood up and spoke to us about their words. Some were funny and some were really poignant. I now felt it was my turn.

"Joy. I had the hardest time coming up with my word. I couldn't think of a word that could describe how happy being a Duck has made me and then finally I decided that was my word. You guys have given me joy."

I was now an utter mess. I could feel the little amount of mascara that I had put on dripping and then drying on my face. I can only imagine what I must have looked like. I put my face in my hands; I couldn't make eye contact with anyone. Then Adam put his hand on my back and stood up.

"Dreams. The Ducks have given me all of my dreams. As a little boy all I ever wanted was to play hockey. I didn't care who I played for or where, I just wanted to be on the ice. I would dream about one day playing for my country and about winning championships. Everyone knows it was my dream to play in the NHL and it was you guys that got me to the level I needed to be to do that. However, that was not my only dream as a child. There was something else, something I told very few people. All of my life all I have ever really wanted was a person to love and for that person to love me back. If it hadn't have been for the Ducks, I would have never met Julie. She is that person that I have always dreamt about. I love her more than I could ever have imagined and just knowing that she loves me too is the greatest gift of my life."

Now I was gone. No one has ever said something so romantic to me. I thought stuff like that only happened in the movies. I somehow managed to stand up and kiss Adam. It is a moment I will never forget.

The whole night was unforgetable. We watched old tapes of us playing; we looked through old photo albums. It was the perfect way to say good bye to my best friends. However, the goodbyes weren't over yet. In a few hours we were all going to the airport. I don't know how I am going to get through that.