Okay, reading over the last chapter again, it kinda seems like the plot from Everwood. Lol...I didn't mean for it too. And I don't know if anyone else caught it. But I unintentionally did it. But this will be original (I hope). And I'm SOOOO sorry for the long wait! I've been moving from our temporary apartment into our new house so I've been really busy. Not to mention I just started High School where they actually BELIEVE in too much homework. I've been spoiled up until now. Just this week I've had enough homework to last my whole life. I'll stop making excuses now. Lol...anyway...you didn't come here to listen to me rant; you came for the next chapter! So read on, young grasshopper!

DivaRane- Lol...that WOULD be funny...if I didn't already have a plot in mind, I might have had to use that idea. ^_^ Lol...

Nellie- *blushes* Aw, you're so sweet! *tears up* I'm crying! *wipes away tears of joy* you guys are always so nice! And sorry for the wait...I'm having issues here.

Chelsea- Lol, wait you must. It won't come out for quite a few chapters. ^_^ Lol, you and DivaRane apparently think alike. ^_^ And as for George, I hate him too. *nods* yeeeeep. And I created him. He's my own sick, demented little ummm...person. ^_^ Aw, no more Dawson's Creek? No more unrealistic- soap-opera- teen-angst?! I'm shattered! I bought the entire first season on DVD...lol...now THAT'S alotta Joshua Jackson. Not that you care, but me and my friend Liz stayed up nearly all night watching the entire first season of Dawson's Creek, the second Mighty Ducks movie and some scenes from the third, watched all the Special Features from The Skulls and stared at the cover of The Skulls. ^_^ Yeah, a Joshua Jackson-packed night. ^_^ Lol, you hate Katie Holmes, huh? Or technically, "JOEY", but that isn't the point. If Joey would just wake up and smell the coffee, I would be happy. I mean come ON, how can she be within a 100-mile radius of Pacey and NOT notice his hotness? Huh? HUH?! *clears throat* Anyway...

Natasha- Why thank you! ...*reads "nefarious"*...*blinks*...*looks up big word*...OHHHH!!! I totally agree! ^_^ Heh.

Skeet11- Thanks again! ^_^

Sloane Miette- Yes, I think we should all go after George. Lol...btw, did you get home on time? ^_^

Snorts90- Thanks!

Disclaimer- I don't own the Mighty Ducks. Disney does. It's a sad world, huh?

-Chapter 11-

Charlie lay in bed, not wanting to get up. He knew as soon as he put his feet on the cold hardwood floor, his nightmare would come to life.

The cold hard truth. He was moving to Montana whether he wanted to or not.

But Charlie managed to convince himself if he just stayed in bed, all his troubles would go away. When he opened his eyes, he would be in his old room and his mom would still be alive. He would be greeted with old pictures of the Ducks and his infamous peewee hockey jersey. He would smell food coming from the kitchen. His mother's cooking. She occasionally made breakfast before leaving for work. His father wouldn't be there and he wouldn't be moving to Montana.

Life would be as it was before...him...

Charlie involuntarily groaned at the thought.

Charlie's blue eyes slowly opened and saw the ceiling. Not even the ceiling was the same.

He frowned. He wasn't home. He never would be again. Moving didn't feel right. He had spent the last ten years of his life in Minneapolis. Why did he have to move now? His friends were here. His safe place.

The Ducks.

He sighed and sat up in bed. Putting his bare feet on the cold wooden floor, he shivered. He better have carpet in the new house or there would be bloodshed. He hated it when his feet were cold...

He sighed one last time before fully standing up and getting some clothes out of a box. He was mad that he had to move...if given more time, he would've protested. Maybe that's why his dad waited till the day before to 'enlighten' him.

Maybe his dad was smarter than he let on.

Nah, he just knew the ropes on how to torture poor, unsuspecting teenage boys who despise him.

As he put on his green Duck jersey from peewees, he heard the radio playing a song softly. He had never heard the song before but the depressing melody fit his mood so he decided to listen.

'playground school bell rings again

rain clouds come to play again

has no one told you she's not breathing?

hello I'm your mind giving you someone to talk to

hello

if I smile and don't believe

soon I know I'll wake from this dream

don't try to fix me I'm not broken

hello I'm the lie living for you so you can hide

don't cry

suddenly I know I'm not sleeping

hello I'm still here

all that's left of yesterday'

By the end of the song, Charlie's eyes were brimming with tears. It seemed like the song was fit for him at that moment. Well, except for the school bell and rain clouds. But that isn't the point.

Charlie then heard the man on the radio identify it as "Hello" by Evanescence. It was a new CD out and it was titled "Fallen".

Note to self: Buy that CD.

He wipes the unshed tears away and took in a deep breath before remembering something.

His mother's funeral.

He quickly ran a hand through his hair, deciding that brushing it would be a wasted effort at the time. He then ran downstairs and smacked into his father who had been walking up the stairs.

They both flew in different directions and landed roughly on the floor.

"Watch where you're going!" Charlie said, rubbing his now-throbbing head.

"Watch where I'M going?! You're the one who ran into me!" his dad countered. They were on a rough spot. Then again, they were always on a rough spot. And they would always be. Anything other than that would upset the balance of the universe.

"No! YOU ran into ME! You're such a jerk! You stalk me, kill my mom, take custody of me and move me away from my life!" Charlie spat angrily. Their conversation had been at least CLOSE to civil up until this point.

"I did NOT kill your mother! What makes you that?" George said, narrowing his eyes.

"Because you just seem like that kind of person! And all this started happening when YOU showed up! Life was just great until YOU came along! I wish YOU would've died instead of mom!" Charlie yelled, his eyes brimming with tears.

He then felt knuckles connect with his face. "Get a hold of yourself Charlie!"

Charlie stuttered backwards as his cold hand flew to the sore, burning spot on his cheek. His eyes looked up with horror. His dad had hit him. ACTUALLY hit him.

Then George noticed the fatal error he had just made.

"Charlie, I'm sorry! I just got a little carried away! But you weren't listening. I didn't mean to!" George said, hoping he could get this cleared up. It would NOT look good in front of the judge.

Charlie just stood there, part in shock and the rest in anger. He couldn't believe the NERVE of this guy. His FATHER, who he would be LIVING with, just smacked him in the face. It stung like you wouldn't believe too.

He gave his father a burning glare before storming off. He would not stand there and take that.

"Charlie! Come back down here!" George yelled up to Charlie.

Charlie turned back to his father, eyes burning with hatred. "Why? So you can smack me around a little more? Maybe give me a black eye this time?"

"No Charlie, I'm telling you, I didn't mean too! Please Charlie! You have to believe me! I would never hurt you on purpose. You're my son and I love you. Please listen." George pleaded.

Charlie furrowed his eyebrows. His dad seemed so sincere. It made him wonder. Could his dad be telling the truth? Maybe he HADN'T meant to hit him. Charlie knew he wasn't the most levelheaded person himself, but still...

The nearly six-foot teenager let out a sigh and looked at his dad. He knew he was taking a gamble here but he figured if he wanted to survive the trip to Montana, he should at least PRETEND to be civil. He decided he would give his dad ONE MORE CHANCE before retaliating. Besides, if he pulled that again, Charlie figured he could take him on.

"Okay. You're forgiven...for now." Charlie said reluctantly.

When George opened up his arms for a hug, Charlie just stared at him. "That's pushing it a little though."

George smiled. That was a good enough answer for him. Now with that out of the way...

"Um...dad?" Charlie started.

"Yes Charlie?" George said in a sickeningly sweet voice. The change in attitude disturbed Charlie a little but he shrugged it off.

"What are we doing for mom's...funeral." Charlie said, his voice quieting drastically at the word 'funeral'.

George furrowed his eyebrows in thought. He had not even thought of that yet. He was sure they could do a quick one that day then be off be evening.

But he couldn't let Charlie know he hadn't given a funeral a second thought. That would seem...suspicious almost. He had counted on just getting out of there without any snags. But with this DARLING child of his, George decided most of his plan would be slightly off. But it was a setback he was willing to face.

"Um, today. We are doing that...today..." he answered quickly.

Too quickly.

"Um dad? I thought we were leaving this morning. We won't have time..." Charlie said in confusion.

"Uh, CHANGE OF PLANS! Yes, we will do a quick funeral, burry her and THEN we'll start our drive to Montana!" George said, hoping the boy didn't catch onto his uncertainty.

"Okay...I guess...can I invite the Ducks?" Charlie asked.

"Ducks?" George said with question.

"My hockey team?" Charlie said, hoping to spring any memory of his best friends. You would think someone's STALKER would know the name of the STALKEE'S hockey team...

Something in the older male Conway clicked. "Oh yeah, those kids you hang out with all the time. Yeah, sure I guess. But RIGHT AFTER the funeral, we're out! Kapeesh?"

Charlie didn't care as long as they came. "Kapeesh! I'm gonna go tell them! Thanks dad!" Charlie said, dashing out the door as quick as he could, the burning, throbbing sensation on his cheek starting to fade from his mind but not from his face.

George was stunned. The kid said THANKS to him. Maybe this would work out better than he thought. It works even better if they can get along.

Charlie bolted around the corner to reveal the empty basketball court...no Ducks.

Then it hit him.

School.

They were in school.

Charlie mentally hit himself upside the head. Of COURSE they were in school! He wasn't only because he was moving. But what about the funeral?

He turned and kicked the brick wall in frustration. Life was NOT being his friend these days. He felt the sudden urge to break and/or hit something but could find nothing. And if punching a brick wall hurt HALF as much as kicking it, then Charlie wasn't looking forward to that experience. His foot was REALLY starting to hurt...

He took a step back to calm down. He really needed to stop the violent tendencies. It was just so HARD! The nagging in the back of his brain to kick something REALLY hard was bugging him. He learned brick walls didn't make good targets. Neither did walls. He would stick with wire fences. They bended.

Why did it have to be a school day? Why must everything be so difficult? If his stalker dad was going to abduct him and his mom was going to die, you would think Fate would have the decency to make it convenient for the Ducks to GO to the funeral...

But alas, no. Life was cruel that way.

He glanced at his watch. It was about nine in the morning and Charlie still felt traces of sleepiness. Maybe he could just trek over to Eden Hall and ask for their presence. He was sure they could miss ONE MORE DAY of school for the funeral...

He finally arrived at the large school. It was as intimidating as ever. He swung open the large double doors and made his way to the office.

Charlie breathed easily as he walked up to the woman at the desk. He put on a pitiful look for the effect. He could be pretty pitiful-looking when he tried...

"Ma'am?" he said in a small voice.

The elderly lady looked up from her place at the desk. When she saw who it was, her face softened. The entire faculty had been told about his mother's death and his leaving the school, supposedly against his will.

"Yes young man?" she asked gently.

"I was wondering if I could pull the JV hockey team from classes. My mom is having her funeral today and I wanted them to be there." He said solemnly.

The lady nodded and picked up the intercom to speak. "Attention all Ninth grade teachers. Please send all JV hockey players to the office. I repeat, all Ninth grade teachers, send all JV hockey players to the office immediately."

Charlie gave a faint smile. This was really it. He was inviting them to his mother's funeral. Something he didn't think he would be doing for a LONG time.

Within a few minutes, the entire team walked into the office. And to be blunt, they were surprised to see a depressed Charlie waiting there for them.

"Guys, I talked to my father and he said we're having the funeral today before we leave. I wanted to tell you that you're invited." Charlie said as they left the office.

They all nodded. They had been wondering about that as well.

"You gonna tell Bombay?" Guy asked, putting his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, I just decided while I was out I would get you guys. My father is obsessed with getting out of Minnesota so he's probably already calling everyone to arrange it. Not to mention this seems to be the first thought he's given it." Charlie said.

"Bummer." Fulton replied, feeling sorry for Charlie again.

They stepped out into the sun. It was warming quite a bit and a breeze was starting to flow through.

"If it isn't the little Duckies. What a coincidence. Are the portraits of perfection skipping?" they heard a voice from the shadows say.

They turned to try and figure out the source of the voice. When the male figure stepped out from the shadows, they realized it was the Captain of an opposing team. It just happened to be the team they were supposed to face that very night.

Soon enough the rest stepped out behind him. They, of course, were quite a bit bigger. The bad guys always are. It's an unwritten rule. Well, now it's written but I'm getting off track...back to the story...

Where was I? Oh yes, the rest of the team stepped out into the light and the Ducks frowned.

"Speak for yourself, Cake-Eater. We have an excuse." Charlie spat, not particularly in the mood for confrontation. Or maybe he was in the mood for confrontation and was just afraid of what he'd do if he was properly provoked.

"What's that, bird-brain? School too hard for you so you skip?" one said from behind the Captain.

"Bird-brain? I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. And who are you to talk? You're obviously skipping also. We're actually on our way to a funeral. We have somewhere to be so if you would be so kind as to let us go on, it would be very much appreciated." Charlie said evenly, keeping his anger in check.

"Hey Duck, you wanna start something?" another guy from the team said.

"If he did, would he be asking you to get out of his way?" Fulton asked, looking at him like he was stupid.

A few of them stepped forward and another shoved Fulton back. Portman lashed forward and punched him in the face. As a fight started, Banks yelled out.

"Let's save it for the ice, okay? We still need to tell Bombay. We don't have time for these losers."

"Wow, Banksie grew a backbone!" Russ said sarcastically as Adam gave him a ticked off look. Russ just held his hands up in surrender. He didn't want to start something inside Duck lines...again.

"Yeah, let's go on. My dad probably has it all mapped out by now. If we don't hurry, he might just cremate her or something." Charlie said, completely serious.

They all nodded and left the other team behind. Fighting off the ice wasn't the best idea at the time. It was then that Adam noticed the fading bruise from Charlie's face. The suspicious thing was Charlie wasn't part of the fight; he had been standing by Adam, completely out of harm's way the whole time. So how could he have a bruise? And why hadn't he noticed it before?

"Charlie?" Adam started.

Charlie turned a questioning glance to Adam while everyone turned to listen to whatever would be said. They were sure it would be interesting. It always was.

"Yeah Banks?"

"Why is there a bruise on you cheek?" Adam asked, concern evident in his voice.

Charlie immediately clammed up. What was he going to do? He couldn't tell them his father hit him. He had to come up with a story...and fast.

The other Ducks looked at his face and saw the large bruise on his face for the first time. They couldn't believe they had MISSED it.

"Um, I was walking up to my door and it opened really fast and hit me in the face." Charlie lied through his teeth, hoping no one would sense his lie.

Adam looked hesitant. Charlie seemed to be hiding something but Adam refused to jump to conclusions. He just hoped, for Charlie's sake, that Charlie was telling the truth.

Charlie then thought this over. He couldn't believe he could have a bruise. He knew his father had hit him pretty hard but enough to bruise him? Charlie had thought it was a minor hit. He obviously hit him hard enough to leave a big purple mark on his face.

Gee, how convenient.

And of course his friends know this before him.

But while he was nervous, he was thrilled that they noticed. He knew it sounded stupid, but they cared enough to be worried. Even after the brawl they just had. They really did care about him. And he loved them more then anything else in his life.

He borrowed Banksie's cell phone to call his dad for the time of the funeral. As Charlie figured, his dad had already planned it out. It would be in one hour. He then called Bombay and invited him. Bombay said he'd be there.

It was only a matter of time.