Disclaimer: I added "own Mighty Ducks" on my wish-list for Christmas…so far, nothing

Chapter 11

I'm Back

Team USA gathered on their bench a few minutes prior to their game against Germany and were chatting casually. Coach Bombay was suspiciously absent, and the team was starting to get a bit anxious.

"Hey team! Ready to win out there?" Team USA looked up towards the stands to find Mr. Tibbles staring at them, an enthusiastic grin plastered on his face. The smile faded as he studied the bench, observing the lack of their coach. "Where's Gordon?"

"You tell us." Luis remarked from his perch on the bench door.

"I don't believe this…" Tibbles sighed, shaking his head.

Team USA was alerted to the presence of the head referee who had skated up to their bench.

"Team USA, I'm sorry, but without a coach on the bench, you'll have to forfeit the game."

"But you can't do that…" Adam started before Charlie cut him off.

"We have one," Turning towards the stands, he spotted Ms. McKay making her way to a seat near the front. "Ms. McKay!"

Their tutor twisted to find Charlie skating frantically in her direction. "Hey Charlie…" she began.

Wasting no time with small talk, Charlie launched straight into his explanation. "You have to pretend you're our coach."

Bewildered, Ms. McKay furrowed her brow, "Where's Coach Bombay?"

Charlie interrupted with a shake of his head. "Pretend or out of the tournament."

Their discussion was cut short by the ref's prescence. Ms. McKay bit back her reluctance. "Here she is," Charlie said. "Our coach, Coach McKay."

Ms. McKay made a split-second decision as she climbed up on the plexiglass walls separating the stands from the ice. Putting on a voice of authority, she stared down the ref.

"Well, what are we waiting for, the ice to freeze?" She barked, "Let's PLAY!"

The ref nodded in affirmation, "All right."

Charlie skated back towards the bench, his face split into a wide grin of triumph, "Yes!"

A few minutes into first period, Ms. McKay paced the bench, nervously. Wincing as she witnessed Averman take a hard check into the boards, she let out a loud, frustrated groan.

"Ah! We look tired!" She turned to Charlie and Adam who where seated on the bench. "We need to…" Ms. McKay stumbled over her words, "change places…" Charlie stared at her, a confused expression on his face.

Ms. McKay waved her hands, struggling for words, "Uh…new players!"

Realization hit Charlie, "OH! Say 'change it up'"

"Change it up." Ms. McKay's voice barely made it over the cheers of the crowd.

"Scream it!" Charlie prompted.

"CHANGE IT UP!!!!"

At the sound, Team USA jumped to attention. In a flurry of movement, the new line hopped over the boards, straight on the ice while the current line scrambled back to the bench, sitting down almost casually. As the last person settled in, Connie nonchalantly closed the bench door. Slightly bemused at the slight chaos that had ensued, and startled at the power she acquired, Ms. McKay crossed her arms and stared wide-eyed at Charlie. "Cool!"

Adam and Charlie shared a look of amusement.

Halfway through the second period, play was halted by a whistle. Adam watched as the line of Guy, Jesse, Averman, and Fulton huddled for a quick conference. Suddenly, a faint sound drifted across the crowd. Adam craned his neck to hear the noise. It was the sound of a Duck caller. The team searched the stands for the source of the call. Looking behind their bench, they saw the Minnesota Miracle Man, no, Coach Bombay, making his way down the asle. Dressed in a Team USA varsity jacket and jeans, his hair flowing freely onto his forehead, Coach Bombay sounded the Duck caller furiously. The current line hesitated, still on the ice. Adam caught their conversation.

"C'mon, what do we have to lose?" Guy reasoned, appealing to the rest.

"Respect! He'll dump us the minute it's all over." Fulton snapped.

"Man, forget about him." Jesse sneered. "C'mon, Averman, take the face-off."

As the rest of the line departed, Charlie hesitated, still gazing at the stands. Out of all the team, Charlie was hurt the most with Coach Bombay's trip to the darkside. Still feeling the pain from the betrayal of the man he thought of as a father, Charlie warily skated to his place on center ice.

"Bring it in!" Coach Bombay summoned Team USA with a wave of his hand. Adam watched as his coach leaned over to Ms. McKay and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek, whispering his thanks. She blushed, shyly, nodding in acknowledgement. Kneeling, Coach took a deep breath.

"Team…guys, I was wrong. And I'm sorry. I forgot about the team." Bombay sighed, "and the team is all I have." He looked at each one in turn, meeting their eyes. "All I want is one more chance. Just one more shot. I'm back, okay?" Heads nodded in affirmation, the whole team estatic to have Coach Bombay back. Coach smiled, grateful for the forgiveness, "Believe me."

Adam smiled as he looked over the morning's paper. The headline was big with a bold picture adorning the front page: FLYING V SOARS OVER GERMANY. He chuckled to himself as he recalled what happened after Bombay's apology.

Jesse took the face-off. With a quick sweep of his stick, he batted the puck over to Averman. Hovering in their area, Averman stalled with the puck shifting it back and forth between his stick. The German players hovered along the center line, unsure of whether Team USA was pulling a hoax. Quickly, Averman slid the puck to Jesse, who caught it behind the USA net. Jesse seemed cautious, reluctant to go along with the play.

"C'mon, Jesse!" Charlie called from the left wing.

Goldberg shifted to turn to Jesse between the pipes, "Jesse, just do it man!"

With a slight nod of his head, Jesse lifted his arm above his head forming a V, "All right! C'mon y'all! Flying V!"

Adam watched with anticipation as the rest of the line joined Jesse behind his net. In the commentators' booth, Bob Miller was going nuts, commentating excitedly.

Hall, joined by his team behind the USA net. They come out, and they form…a V! I've heard of this, but I've never seen it before. It's the Flying V, led by Jesse Hall!

Hall with it, passes the Germany blue line. Hall, still with it, passes back to Averman. HE SCORES!

Avenman raised his arms in triumph. Adam looked across the bench at Coach Bombay. Coach raised his fist, a goofy smile plastered across his face, laughing with excitement. The old Duck play had brought out the Coach Bombay they all knew.

Well, that's this chapter. Only a few more to go. I hope you all like it. Keep R&R-ing!

Roxie