Disclaimer: I don't own the Mighty Ducks...or anything for that matter.

Chapter 2

Additions to the Flock

Adam gazed around him in wonder as he absorbed his surroundings. They were here. Los Angeles. The UCLA arena was massive with the air sharp with freshly paved ice. He shook his head amazed at the greatness. Taking in the sign welcoming Team USA to the arena. I sure as hell ain't in Minnesota anymore.

The Ducks gathered around Coach Bombay, who was looking dapper clad in a sweatsuit adorned in the USA colors. Adam still couldn't shake the fact that out of the entire nation, the Ducks were chosen to represent the USA at the Junior Goodwill Games. Mr. Banks, however, was more delighted with the shot his son was getting to attract the attention of the scouts and reminded his son that tidbit of information constantly. Adam grasped the lucky charm he wore around his neck praying on it he wouldn't screw this chance up before tucking it into his jersey.

The Hendrix representative Mr. Tibbles on the ice was talking to Coach Bombay. Adam fidgeted nervously, anxious to meet the new players. The Ducks were unusually quiet, all for the same reason. With the new players coming in, everyone knew there would be competition for playing time. Adam shifted his helmet to the other hand and listened to Tibble's introductions of the additions to the flock.

Luis Mendoza. Adam had to admit the kid was fast. He caught Connie's comment, "Good lookin' skater."

"Very good lookin'. What do you think, Guy?" Averman chimed in.

Adam snorted with laughter as Guy elbowed Averman to the ground in reply.

"There's one minor problem," Tibbles was saying. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the rink. Wincing, Adam watched as Mendoza ran headlong into the boards. "He has a little trouble stopping…"

I'll say. Adam thought.

Dwayne Robertson. Adam stared amused at the cowboy. Sporting a wide smile and a black cowboy hat, Dwayne would have looked more than a bit out of place on the rink if he didn't have his hockey gear on.

"Yeeee-haw! How's everyone? Y'all ready to play some puck?" Dwayne enthusiastically drawled in his thick southern accent, eliciting snickers from the Ducks. The laughter soon faded away as Dwayne started handling the puck. The team stood in awe at his immense ability with the puck. There was no doubting this cowboy could do more than ropin' hogs.

Adam, found himself losing interest as another player hit the ice, but as Tibbles introduced their new goalie, Adam grew curious. The player's back was to them but as the player turned, Adam drew a sharp intake of breath. The goalie was a girl and a beautiful one at that. As he stared transfixed, Adam just caught her name, "Julie 'The Cat' Gaffney. Won the state championship for Maine three years in a row."

Adam watched as the new players took turns shooting at her. Her grace and skill was evident, and Adam was mesmerized.

"Hey, a picture would last a lot longer." Adam turned to see Charlie grinning at him.

"Dude, what are you talking about?" His voice was tinged slightly with annoyance. Charlie chuckled humorously at the flustered look on the Cake-Eater's face.

"C'mon Adam, do you take me as an idiot? It's obvious you're into the girl. Take this as an oppurtunity get to know her."

Adam was about to answer when a big, burly forearm reached in and shoved Charlie to the ground. The forearm was replaced by tough looking teenager, singing loudly to a Walkman. The thug smirked at Adam before skating away and prompting a fight between the old and new Ducks. Adam hung back, watching the bedlam unfold between the Ducks and the Newbies.

The piercing shriek of a whistle abruptly ended the tussle as "Team USA" looked towards Coach Bombay. Wearing a look of utter fury on his face, Bombay proceeded to berate the team with frequent interruptions from Tibbles. A hard look from Bombay silenced Tibbles in midsentence, who muttered something about meeting a team tutor. Before he could get away Coach Bombay called him back. Holding out his hand, Gordon gave Tibbles a reproachful look. The other man silently removed the whistle from his neck and placed it in Gordon's hand. Coach Bombay closed his fingers around the whistle.

"You'll get it back at the end of the school term." The light-hearted quip broke some of the tension between the team. Looking at the team Bombay ordered the team to a scrimmage with a blast from the discarded whistle.

We're looking a bit rusty, Adam mused as he skated. Jesse had been knocked down during the faceoff, Goldberg run over by Mendoza, and Dean Portman, the goon who had pushed over Charlie, was freely banging heads. Averman slumped against the boards near Bombay.

"Haven't you guys been training in the off-season?" Coach Bombay was asking.

"You know, I knew we forgot something." Averman quipped as he took a desperate swig of water.

Adam shook his head as he grabbed a loose puck. Making his way to center ice, he spun around Portman trying to steal the puck. Deking around Dwayne, he neared Gaffney. Faking a shot to her stick side, Adam pulled the puck from his backhand to his forehand and fired a lightning-quick wrist shot past her reaching glove. He looked at Julie to find an of surprise and respect behind her mask. He took that as encouragement as he skated away.

Adam worked up his nerve to talk to her during a break in play. He spotted her between the pipes taking a breather, skating up to her, Adam lifted his helmet to speak.

"Uh, hey. Great job out there. You're really something else."

Julie turned and flashed Adam a smile that stopped his heart. "You're the guy who scored on me, right?"

Adam nodded, "Er, yeah. That's me." Nice Banks. Way to sound intellegent. Julie looked at him expectantly.

"Oh, hah. Sorry, I'm Adam Banks."

Julie laughed, halting a breath in Adam's throat. "Julie Gaffney. That was a great shot by the way."

"Thanks." Adam said, smiling shyly. Now he really felt weird. He, Adam Banks, who had never lost his mind over anything, was losing it to a girl.

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud, "DUCK!" Adam and Julie whirled in the direction of the stands towards the source of the shout just in time to witness Mr. Tibbles' unfortunate encounter with a stray Fulton Reed slapshot. Teetering slightly, the man had enough time to look surprised before crashing to the ground. Worriedly, the team skated to the stands.

Coach Bombay extended the hand holding a packet of smelling salts to under Mr. Tibbles nose. The unconcious man sniffed twice, before pushing Gordon's hand away. Wearily he opened his eyes and looked confusedly at the group around him. When asked if he was okay, Tibbles shifted from his position on Julie's lap and responded in a vauge "Uh yes, I'll have the fries and chocolate shake, please."

Adam laughed and caught Julie's eye as she turned to look at him. Adam, still smiling, stared for a moment, captivated in her clear green eyes. She smiled back before turning away, and Adam turned his attention to the woman Mr. Tibbles had brought with him.

"I think he'll be okay," she reassued the Ducks with a smile. Suddenly she realized the team, along with Coach Bombay, were staring at her with curiosity.

"I'm sorry, he didn't get to introduce us. I'm Michelle McKay, the team tutor."

Coach Bombay grinned, "I'm Coach Bombay…their coach."

Adam jerked out of his trance at the words "tutor."

"Who said we need a tutor?" He asked disgustedly.

"Man, I don't need no school." Portman affirmed.

Goldberg threw an arm around Ms. McKay's shoulders. "Ah, Ms. McKay, we're America's team. Shouldn't we be concentrating on hockey? May I suggest optional attendance?"

Ms. McKay listened at the team's encouragement at Goldberg's statement. "Well…"

"Call me Goldberg." Goldberg supplied.

"Well, Goldberg, yes, school will be optional." Goldberg turned toward the team, a triumphant smile on his face, slapping hands with Charlie, and Julie turned towards Adam smiling.

"However, however!" Ms. McKay's voice broke over the din of shouting, "Should you not attend, you will not be eligible to play." The statement brought a considerable damper to the team's spirits, as Goldberg despondently removed his arm from Ms. McKay's shoulders. Adam looked up to find Coach Bombay smiling, amused at Ms. McKay and wondered if their coach was developing feelings for the pretty tutor. He looked down at Julie, who was talking animatedly with Connie, understanding how Coach was feeling.

Okay, so that was Chapter 2. There will be more Adam/Julieness next chapter. Hope you like it. Sorry if it gets sappy. I'm a hopeless romantic. Key word: hopeless.

Roxie