Disclaimer: I do not own the Mighty Ducks, or any of the characters. However I do own my characters Lis, Stealth, and Crystal. So please do not sue me.

Chapter Five

Not too long after and Duke finally broke the silence, "Hey; I think we should get back ta the lair before they think we're dead or somethin'."

"I don't think they'd mind so much if I were," Lis told him doubtfully.

Duke then placed his hand beneath her chin as he looked into her mixed colored eyes and said firmly, "I would mind, an' you'd better not doubt that!"

Lis no longer saw Duke's usual charm at this moment. No, this was not one of his mischievous plans to make her blush; this was Duke's serious side. Lis could tell that he was being very serious with her; he did care if something happened to her; and she didn't question it. Instead, she secretly thanked him with all her heart.

Soon after and they were back at the lair. Lis helped Duke to get to the infirmary so Trent could check on his leg.

"Another cut Duke; do you ever come back in one piece?" Trent asked with a chuckle.

Duke half frowned; but then forced a smile when he noticed Lis watching and waiting to hear if Duke would be okay soon.

Trent noticed as well, "Don't worry Lis; he'll be up and about by tomorrow. Just in time for the first banquet."

"Banquet?" Lis asked curiously.

"There are two banquets before the new leader takes the old one's place. The first is to say fare well to the leaving leader; and then the 2nd one is to welcome the new one," Duke explained.

"Oh wow, I didn't know that-."

"That there was more to the Brotherhood than stealin'?" Duke laughed, "This is a gang that relies on a good, strong, and skilled leader. Without a guide, we fall apart, and then there is no longer a Brotherhood. So this time is a very honored time indeed."

Lis was silent as she thought about what Duke had said. There really was more to the Brotherhood than she had thought; leadership and skill was a huge part of it. There was also much more elegance to the gang if they were having something so grand as a banquet.

"I suppose you're wonderin' if there'll be dancin' an' music?" Duke ventured a good guess.

She nodded meekly.

Duke chuckled, "Don't be so shy Lis; there is dancing. These banquets are very important to the Brotherhood, so you can imagine that it'll have all the works."

Lis smiled slightly.

"Well, I think she'll see that for herself soon enough; but for now you both should get some rest. Duke, I suggest that you stay here just for tonight to rest your leg. You should be fine by tomorrow morning. Then you two can talk some more if you wish," Trent said firmly as he lead Lis out of the room.

"Good night Lis!" Duke called quickly after her.

"Good night!" Lis replied as she left.

Duke hoped that Lis would be okay after all that had happened and had been said that night. He knew that telling him about all that she had gone through must have reopened many mental scars; but he had faith that she would be okay. Now that she knew for sure that he was looking after her, as a friend and possibly much more.

With that content thought, Duke lay down in his temporary bed and fell fast asleep; and Lis in her bed, did the same.

The next morning Lis was in the library when the girl from before found her. The black haired woman was furious as she grabbed Lis by the shoulder again and forced her against another wall.

Lis seethed in pain as the woman spoke, "I though I told you to stay away from Duke?!"

"Duke's my friend, and I won't stay away from him!" Lis said in her defence.

"What makes you think that Duke is interested in a child like you?" The green eyed woman demanded.

"What are you talking about?"

"You care about him don't you?"

"Yes, but friends are supposed to care for one another!"

The woman struck Lis across the face now with anger in her eyes as she yelled, "I mean romantically you brat!"

Lis was silent.

"So it is true; well just give up now, 'cause Duke doesn't want a runt like you! He wants a full grown woman, in which he deserves!"

Those words bore into Lis's soul like a slow moving bullet into her heart. She knew that this other woman was right; but at the same time she remembered how much Duke had cared for her; and how he had shown her so much concern and love when she told him about her past before they met. She couldn't let anyone tare the two of them apart; they were all each other had.

"I don't mind if Duke doesn't love me in return; but I will not stop seeing him. I will be there for Duke, like he's there for me!" Lis said bravely as she pulled away and left to see how Duke was.

Duke had been able to return to his own room, and was now resting for just a little bit longer just so he'd be okay for that night's banquet.

Lis cautiously knocked on the door to hear a quiet "Come in," from Duke.

She went inside to find him sitting up reading a book.

"Hey Duke!" Lis greeted cheerfully as she approached his bed.

"Hey sweetheart," he replied with a smile as he slowly stood up and hugged her.

They were quickly becoming unbreakable friends.

"Are ya alright?" Duke asked her with concern as he pulled away slightly to look at her.

She smiled, "I'm fine Duke."

He returned the warm expression with a mix of relief, "Good. Anymore trouble from Crystal?"

So that was her name.

"Nothing I can't handle," Lis replied with full confidence.

Duke now released Lis, a bit reluctantly, so he could return to his bed.

"Well, I guess I'll see you later at the dance," Lis said.

Duke nodded; and just as Lis left, the Leader of the Brotherhood came in.

"Can you ever stay out of trouble?" He asked Duke.

Duke looked up to find the leader approaching him as he closed the door behind him.

"Sorry Stealth, I guess I'm more reckless than ever; but I didn't want ta risk Lis like that."

"Speaking of which, you two were out very late last night," he commented, and he chuckled when he saw Duke's dark cheeks brighten with an extremely light red.

"We got in ta a bit of trouble," Duke finally said in his defense.

Stealth laughed a bit, "I see that you got into more trouble than she did."

Duke shrugged.

"Duke; I believe that you're falling in love with this girl," Stealth laughed in a good natured tone.

"NO!" Duke snapped quickly, "I won't love anyone ever again; not after what happened!"

"Duke, you can't give up on something that important!" Stealth protested.

"What Christina did nearly killed me in two ways; one emotionally, and the other literally! I won't fall for it again!"

"Duke, this girl could be different!"

"She almost ran away when she found out who I was!" Duke reminded.

"She was scared Duke; a lot happened to her that night! Yet then when she got to know you and you helped her, she's been your friend ever since. Duke, perhaps she feels what you feel, but she is even more afraid of it than you are."

"I AM NOT AFRAID!" Duke shouted with rage.

"Then why are you breaking her heart?!"

Duke fell silent when that was said, and he looked up at Stealth; wondering if he were right after all. Did he feel something for Lis after all, but just didn't realize it.

"Just don't give up Duke, a man like you was meant to fall in love, and remain in love."

With that Stealth left.

It was later in the afternoon when Duke found Lis in the library again.

"Hey Lis! Man, ya must really like ta read don't ya?" He asked cheerfully.

Lis nodded, "I do like to read a lot."

"Can I ask ya somethin' sweetheart?" Duke asked after gathering a great deal of strength from within him.

Lis looked up at him and smiled, "Of coarse Duke."

"May I...may I..."

"Duke, you okay?" Lis asked in confusion.

"I wanted to know if I may escort you to the first banquet tonight?"

Lis's blue green yellow eyes widened with surprise as she looked up at him. Did he know how she felt?!

Duke now took her by the hand as he bent down slightly to brush his lips over the light skin of her delicate fingers. More charm for her to fight back; and it was becoming harder and harder for her. Lis knew that it was growing more and more difficult for her to deny how she felt about him. She knew that she loved him; but she couldn't help but feel that her emotions were nothing but a joke to Duke. He was so much braver and stronger than she was; and he seemed to be the kind of man who wanted a full grown woman that could make him so much happier in many ways that she couldn't. It hurt her deep down to think that, but it was no use trying to fool herself; she'd only get hurt in then end.

Lis lowered her head; telling Duke in silence that she couldn't go with him.

Duke was crushed. He now knew that he had been harboring false feelings for her all along; feelings that he knew he shouldn't have given a chance in the first place. Yet he had, and now he would pay for it deeply.

Now the dark young man turned his back on her and love!

That is until he heard her crying. Duke couldn't help but turn back to her and feel his heart nearly break when he saw the sad clear liquid falling from her beautiful eyes.

"Lis, what's wrong?" He finally asked her while resting a hand on her shoulder.

Just then she burried her face into Duke's chest as she wept.

"Lis?!"

"I don't know why, but I feel so trapped!"

"Lis, ya don't have ta feel like you're alone! Didn't ya learn that last night?!" He questioned.

He felt her nod her head against his strong chest, "Yes, I know that Duke; but right now I'm feeling something that I can't even talk to you about. Yet I want to so much!"

"Then tell me Lis, it's alright hun'!" Duke assured her gently as he stroked her soft brown hair; wondering what was bothering her so much all of the sudden.

"I can't," she half sobbed, "But I do want to go with you. I just don't want you to hurt me!"

Duke was confused when she said that, and he gave her a long look of concern and honesty as he spoke, "Lis, I swear on my life that I will never hurt ya! Ya don't have ta be afraid of bein' around me! Okay Angel?"

Lis nodded with a smiling appearing on her pretty, young face.

"So ya want ta come wit' me tonight?" Duke asked once more.

"Yes, I do!" She told him as she hugged him tight.

Duke hugged her back, and he allowed himself to wonder if he did care about her as much as Stealth said he did. Deep down, Duke knew he did; but he just couldn't feel it.