Oh my FREAKING GOSH! has a heart attack I actually broke 600! has another heart attack...twitches on the floor sporadically...gets back up I'd just like the thank my reviewers SOO MUCH! I love you all more than I can say, and YOU ALL GET COOKIES! gives reviewers lots of yummy things I love you ALL! sneezes Sorry...I think I'm catching something...of course, this is AFTER winter ends...but work with me here. I'm just weird and nonconventional that way.

Allie- Yay! An extra-long review AND cheese at the same time? Lol...whoo. Well, it's good that you are resting up your minions. nods Uhh...Charlie and Pacey snarl and growl back Boys! Bad! Don't growl at Allie. they complain that SHE growled FIRST I don't care. Now be my good like fictional characters and behave. they glare at Allie but nod, crawling under the couch where it's safe Sorry about that. They're still bitter. grins I like the rain too! Charlie frowns and tries to un-smile-ify his face from Allie's clutches Hehehe...Charlie mutters something about 'psychos' and 'not getting paid enough for this' as he crawls back under the couch to hide from Allie and her forcing him to smile Yay! I'm glad you like my "she put to much coffee in her sugar" thing. I feel so special when you quote me. feels all special and stuff Wet Charlie...swoons...shakes head Anyway. Ooh...just waking up in boxers Charlie...goofy smile...shakes head again NAVY HOODIE! Hehehe. I have one TOO! We're like TRIPLETS! Lol... I actually quite like you wired on coffee. Lol...makes for amusing reviews.

Jen- I'm glad you liked the chapter, and thanks so much! Lol...I think everyone (or most everyone, at least...lol) was mentally smacking Julie upside the head for trying to talk to Charlie about his problem. Lol...It was good to hear that you enjoyed trying to imagine Charlie walking into the place taking off his shoes. grins stupidly I'm so glad you like the story!!!

Sarah- Lol...Charlie is quite happy with the clean, dry socks as well (can't imagine why...lol). Hehehe. Yeah. Charlie a bit of a pessimist...He's upset because he temporarily screwed things over with Julie. Lol...Thanks for the review!

Banksiesbabe99- Hehehe...I can feel the oozing sympathy for Charlie. I can. Lol... Thanks for the review, but I'm afraid I won't be subjecting Bombay to such torture. I don't know if my story can handle it. Lol... Charlie'll come around eventually...Patience is a virtue (says the author who hasn't fixed him in 56 chapters)...Lol...Enjoy!

MDSWitter26- Whew. I've been forgiven. Lol. Yeah...it just depends on how you look at it. Charlie is warped and confused, Julie is trying to help. Oh, what a tangled web we weave. Lol... Stubborn is most likely a big understatement. There aren't really words.

Adriana- I'm sorry you lost your review...I can sympathize with that more than I'd like to admit. Lol...That's happened to me more times than I can count on my fingers and toes. And they are always the LONG and PERFECT ones that take FOREVER to write...so then I write a shorter one that consists of mostly rantings of sheer hatred for fanfiction.net and all the mean nasty things I want to do to my computer for shattering my dreams. Lol... So yeah. I'm feelin' it. What I've come to do is type it up in Word (or even notepad) first and then copy and paste it just in case it doesn't work. That way I have backup. Yes, I'm obsessed. But coming that close to insanity will do it to ya. gasp I was cheated by FF.NET! Man, this site is SO incompetent. I've lost a total of eight reviews that they decided NOT to give me. Sure, that sounds spoiled and selfish and stuff, but STILL! I feel so CHEATED! Lol...they need to get their act together sometimes. Moo. As for "One Way Ticket," I don't really know when it'll be updated...Whenever I get inspired and find myself capable of writing something that doesn't shame me to the core. Lol...basically, I'm having writer's block/dissatisfaction with any chapter I write. Have fun fuming!

Brnnttebabe12- Lol...yeah. Charlie doesn't listen well when you tell him not to do things. And you'll just have to see what happens! I have a plan...it'll all work out.

Joshrox116- Yay! I got quoted! Lol...I'm glad you liked that line. I was hoping it wouldn't be stupid and nobody like it, therefore shattering any attempts at humor later on. Lol... I'm glad I made you feel better after a bad day! I know how those are...

French Chipmunk- Ha ha. Charlie? Happy? That makes me laugh. Lol...I'm just kidding. It'll happen someday...in the possibly distant future. I guess it depends on what your definition of "distant" or "near" is. Lol... Rah for crazy people. Rah for angst. Rah for Charlie. Rah for Charlie angst.

Rachel- Yes...the room=good. Lol...I felt bad for making Charlie walk out on Julie, and heck, I WROTE IT! Lol... Rah for ness. Ness is a super-cool word. Rah for laughing gas. Aw...I haven't seen any of the DC episodes lately because I have school, and they're all recorded on tapes in my drawer. Lol... I'm a bit obsessed. I'm glad you liked the update, thanks for reviewing, and enjoy the chapter!

Nebula- I guess I can forgive you. And I'm glad you like the light chapters. smiles Sometimes resorting to childhood can help out. Lol...Shrinks are useless! Lol...not like I would know or anything. Lol...but work with me here! I have a good imagination! Heh...yeah. We can't have Charlie posses any type or sort of sense for an extended amount of time. It simply wouldn't work with the dysfunctional theme of this story. The good Charlie is hiding in there! He really is!

Hotashell99- Lol...you should realize by now that things NEVER go well in this fic! Hehehe...I seriously don't know where I get the patience to write this story...I'm not a patient person at all myself. I'm glad you liked the update, and thanks for the review!

Sophie- OMG has a heart attack Lol... Yes...I was quite excited to see that you're back! Yay! Yay! Ha...yeah. Greatness. POTC is a good movie, I must agree. Lol...wow, I bet you are exhausted. pats Sophie's head and hands over a bottle of water...giggles Yeah, I think you stopped at a pretty big cliffhanger...amazing you didn't slip and fall off! DUN! DUN! DUUUUUUN! The Sophster has...returned. music plays in the background Ha. Yes. We are quite the melodramatic bunch. Aww...I hate it when parents interrupt reading. That's never fun at all. pouts Mine have done that before. Meh, sleep is for weaklings! Ha! Lol...just kidding. I actually quite like sleep...stay up all night, sleep until noon...lol... Lots of love!

Disclaimer- I don't own The Mighty Ducks.

-Chapter 56-

As several days passed, Charlie felt himself distancing from Julie and the other Ducks.

By his third visit with Dr. Shylo, he was clamming up even more then before. He was mad at himself for fighting with Julie, but he couldn't apologize because he was still upset with her. Upset with all of them.

At the end of Charlie's third session with his "shrink," Dr. Shylo asked for Gordon Bombay to come in and talk to him while Charlie waited outside the room.

"Mr. Bombay?" the psychiatrist said.

"Yes? How has Charlie been doing?" Gordon asked.

Dr. Shylo let out a sigh and sat back down in his desk, signaling for Bombay to sit in a chair.

"It's been interesting...The last few sessions, I scarcely got him to talk at all. He's been in a sour mood and often snaps whenever asked a question. If anything, it's getting worse."

"Is there anything you can suggest?" Bombay asked with a sigh.

"I think it would be best if we put him on some anti-depressants. I have a prescription written out for him," the man replied.

"Anti-depressants? Are you sure they'll help?" Gordon asked.

Dr. Shylo nodded. "Yes. They should help moderate his moods and give him a middle ground. It's the best we can do right now."

Gordon Bombay sighed and nodded reluctantly. "If you think it can help bring Charlie back, then by all means, it's worth a try. You know better than me; you're the doctor."

Dr. Shylo nodded and pulled out a small, orange tube of pills; it was no bigger than his palm and about as long as his thumb. "Just have him take one at breakfast, and you can come back for refills when they run out."

With a nod, Gordon received the pills. "Thanks for your help. Do you want me to keep bringing Charlie?"

"That would be best. We need to monitor his progress to see if the pills are working correctly. We can give them a week to start working, and if they don't help, we can change his prescription," Dr. Shylo said.

"Okay; thanks for your help," Gordon said with a nod, walking out the door to Charlie.

When Gordon found Charlie, he stuffed the small tube of pills into his pocket. It wouldn't be best to cause a big scene in front of everyone.

"Ready?" Bombay asked.

"I've BEEN ready..." Charlie said with an exasperated sigh before getting up and following Bombay.

Charlie busied himself by staring out the window on the way home, but he couldn't help but notice a strange feeling about his former hockey coach. Usually there was attempted bonding and conversation taking place on the way home.

Not that Charlie was complaining.

The car pulled to a coasting stop, halting at the end of the driveway.

Charlie opened the door and got out, walking to the porch slowly; he had his hands dug deep in his pockets.

The boy stood to the side as his ex-hockey coach unlocked the door and walked in.

Just as Charlie was about to walk up the stairs to retreat into his bedroom, Gordon stopped him.

"Charlie. Wait a second..."

With eyebrows raised in mild annoyance, the boy turned around and sighed. "Yeah?"

Gordon stared at him for a second, running his fingers over the bottle of pills in his pocket. He could see Charlie was a bit strung from the session with Dr. Shylo and didn't look very friendly. Then again, the boy rarely did. Maybe it would be better to tell him in the morning...

"Never mind," Gordon said quietly, shaking his head and walking off.

Charlie blinked at him and cocked an eyebrow, shrugging it off. "Okay. Whatever."

The brown-haired boy watched his 'legal guardian' disappear into the kitchen, and he shrugged again, waking up the stairs to revel in teen angst.

The next morning, Gordon Bombay peeked in Charlie's door to see the teenager still fast asleep, wrapped tightly in a tangled mass of blankets. Not surprising.

"Charlie?" he said, walking completely in the room.

Charlie didn't stir.

"Wake up..." he said, shaking Charlie gently.

After a few more moments of trying to wake the boy up, he saw Charlie peek open an eye and let out an annoyed, irritated grumble.

"What do YOU want?" he asked, trying to cover his head with a pillow.

Gordon let out a sigh. "Good morning to you too."

When Charlie looked out from under the pillow, a groggy look and half- closed eyes evident on his face, Gordon continued.

"There's something I need to tell you, so come on downstairs. You can have some breakfast too," Bombay said, pulling the covers off of the teenage boy.

Charlie almost whimpered and closed his eyes tightly and curled into a fetal position. "Let me sleep...I don't wanna get up..."

"Well then I guess that's too bad. Now get up," Gordon said with little force as he crossed his arms. "I won't leave until you do."

"Then I guess you're gonna be standing there for awhile..." Charlie slurred with sleep, his voice becoming muffled from under the pillow.

"Charlie, I'm not joking. I suggest you get up. You can go back to sleep as soon as you have some breakfast," the older man said firmly.

Looking up at the man with squinted eyes and a sleepy expression, Charlie blinked. "Why are you so dead-set on me getting up? I don't have to go to Dr. Shrink today, and I'm supposed to be able to sleep on these rare occasions."

"Because, there's something we need to talk about. Now," Gordon said, dreading the moment Charlie actually agrees and thus forces him to mention the medication. He had the distinct feeling Charlie wouldn't like that too much...But it had to be done.

"Will you leave me alone if I do?" Charlie asked after a few moments, looking at his covers with longing.

"Yes," Gordon agreed.

"Alright. I guess that's fair enough..."

With that, Charlie got up and followed Gordon down the stairs and to the kitchen. Gordon could feel a knot form in his throat as he tried to figure out how to bring it up. It wasn't exactly something he could just SAY. Oh yes, Charlie. You have to go on medication now. Hope you don't mind.

He could feel his hands start to shake slightly, so he shoved them into his pockets, watching the teenager sit in the kitchen chair and prop his head up with his hand.

Gordon took a calming breath and sat down next to Charlie, earning a skeptical look from the boy. He could tell Charlie wasn't pleased at being woken up, and he definitely wouldn't be anymore pleasant after this conversation...

"Charlie..." he started, trying to think of the best possible way to say it.

Raising his eyebrows curiously, Charlie actually managed to tone down the hostility. It was far too early in the morning to be angry...

"Yeah?" he asked when his 'legal guardian' didn't continue.

Letting out a sigh and deciding just to go for it, Gordon looked Charlie straight in the eye. He saw the boy immediately break eye contact, but Gordon continued.

"I was talking to Dr. Shylo yesterday..." he continued, allowing the words to hang in the air for a moment as he gathered his thoughts and prepared for an onslaught.

Charlie blinked a few times and waited for the man to continue. "And? I already knew that."

"Well...he told me that you haven't been improving significantly...He said that it would help, and that it would be a good idea," Gordon said, rambling slightly as he tried to form coherent thought.

Furrowing his eyebrows with confusion, Charlie gave him a funny look. "What the heck are you talking about?"

Taking a deep breath and looking at Charlie again. Gordon continued in an even voice. "Charlie, Dr. Shylo suggested we put you on some medication."

"What?!" was Charlie's not-too-pleased reply.

"It's only for awhile until we can see if it works. It's only one pill, and he said it should really help. It's worth a try, Charlie. It's the best we can do right now, so you might as well give it a try..." Gordon said firmly.

"No! I'm not going on some stupid medication! I don't NEED IT, and you can't make me!" Charlie said, his anger flaring at the idea.

Gordon let out a frustrated sigh. "Charlie, yes you do. And I think you know it too...Just give it a try and stop making a big deal out of everything! Let us help!" he said, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I don't want your help, alright?! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Charlie said angrily, narrowing his eyes and tightening his mouth firmly. "I'm sick of you acting like you're my freaking BOSS! You can't tell me what to do!" Charlie shouted as he stood up and backed up.

"I'm your guardian, Charlie! I'm simply taking CARE of you! It's my job to be concerned, and as your guardian, I say you need to give this a try! You need help, Charlie! And it's time you simply accept it!" Bombay barked.

"I don't need help, alright? I'm perfectly fine! I don't need counseling, I don't need medication, and I don't need you pretending that you care! I'm sick of all of this, and I wish you people would LEAVE ME ALONE!" Charlie yelled, feeling his throat tighten.

Gordon let out a sharp sigh and stood up too. "PRETENEDING like I care?! Charlie, are you even listening to what you're saying? I'm not PRETENDING, Charlie! I do care! I want you to be happy, and if these will help, then you should just take them!"

Charlie felt a pressure in his head as his a familiar burning sensation settled in his nose. His eyes were narrowed and he held his jaw as tightly locked as possible. "I don't want to take them, alright?! I don't need them! I'm not a psycho, and I don't need them! So you can just tell Dr. Shylo to take his freaking pills and SHOVE IT!" he spat, feeling hot tears form before he blinked them away. "Now leave me alone!"

He turned and ran up to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. It was the only room with a lock...

Collapsing onto the floor, he pulled his legs to his chest and rested them on his knees. Rocking slowly back and forth, he drowned out the voice of Gordon Bombay trying to get him to come back out.

Charlie could feel himself shake slightly, and he could feel his chest tremor slightly with each breath. He couldn't believe they wanted him on pills...He didn't need their stupid crazy-people drugs...He wasn't crazy...

About ten minutes later, he heard the reluctant sigh of his former coach as the man walked away from the door.

Finally Charlie was alone again.

He curled up tighter and rested his head on his arms, trying to keep from crying. He didn't want to cry...Crying was for wimps, yet every time he ended up giving in.

With a sniff and a deep breath, he crawled over to the sink. Checking the drawer, he found the pocketknife where he had last left it...

Tentatively, he pulled it out and plopped back down on the tile floor. Again removing his watch, he flipped open the blade and curled up, feeling the release it brought. It was like his security blanket...His constant that he could always fall back on...

Every now and then, he would glance at the door in a state of semi- paranoia, though he figured Bombay wouldn't come in anyway. He was safely locked away...No one could get him...

He began to feel a little better as he lightly dragged the blade over the already-scarred skin of his wrist. He felt his anger seep away with the blood, and slowly the cuts grew less intense and eventually halted.

After staring at the news slits for a few seconds, he got on his knees and turned on the water faucet, washing the blade clean. Then he rinsed off his arm and pulled out a new bandaide, placing it over the new cuts.

Washing his slightly flushed face, he let out a sigh. He had everything under control, and he didn't need any stupid pills...