Disclaimer - I do not own anything even remotely related to The Mighty Ducks. I only wish I had thought of them first…

Italics indicate character thought.

-

Over the next few weeks the Wolfpack became more and more cohesive. The departure of Tommy Lex and his negative energy seemed to have brought them together, and the insertion of Jesse as a scholarship member of the team had really put them over the top.

They played their best game in several years against the always tough Grand Valley. It was the second shut out of the season and Cole and Beau were both starting to prove themselves as very valuable members of the second line.

Four days later they took on Eastern Michigan - another huge rival - in a sweat pouring, exhaustion inducing, blood spilling match up. The biggest challenge with the Eagles was their size. The Wolfpack, by all accounts, were small for a collegiate hockey team. You had Charlie, Fulton, Harding, and Cole who were all over 6 feet, but both Conway and Procida were lean. No one else on the team broke 5'11, and they were all small for the sport. As the team gathered, exhausted, in the fifteen minutes between the second and third periods, Guy looked up at the scoreboard; 2-1 and they were losing.

Coach Neumann was speaking quietly to Adam and Beau was trying to wave away a trainer who was hovering over her, applying a septic stick to her bleeding chin. The concern that some of the guys had shared early on in practices was proving to be true. Guys on other teams were gunning for her, presumably because she was a girl. Well, there was really nothing to presume. In both games in which she had played, she had endured sexist comments when being checked into the boards.

And Beau wasn't the only one bleeding. Portman had lost a glove in a pileup and had a hell of a scratch on his forearm and Averman had what could very possibly be a broken nose.

They were all looking to their coach and their captain for guidance. They were getting they asses kicked and they were getting discouraged. Adam finally looked at them, his face drawn and red.

"I know how it feels out there, guys. They're big, they're fast, and they're starting to get a little dirty." He looked around, catching his teammates' eyes. "And that is the exact reason that we have to step it up!" He yelled this, pounding his fist on his knee. "We are not going to go down to these jokers just because they are bigger than us." He was inspired by the nods he was receiving. "Fulton and Riley…" he pointed at them, "you have to start using your size more. We need you two to clear the way to the goal for us." He turned his gaze on Guy and then Beau. "Germaine and Mayland. We're counting on you to out skate their fastest players and get open. When Fulton and Harding clear a path, you have to get through it before it closes." They both nodded, looking at each other earnestly. Adam touched his own jersey then pointed to Dave Lawrence and Charlie. "The rest of us…we have to be on the move constantly. We're going to rely on the others to get us to the goal and get us the puck and then we have to commit! We have to make this happen!"

They all crowded in, putting their gloved hands together, waiting for their coach to speak. When he did, his voice was calm. "You guys were playing as individuals in the first period. You know you can't do that. You win as a team, and today, you're getting ready to lose as a team." He paused, letting it sink in. "In the second period, you started to get it right, but it's not enough. Adam has given you all your jobs. You each have to perform in order for the rest of your brothers to do what they need to do. You have to find each other." He looked around at their tired eyes, hoping to find the conviction he knew they would need. "It will take every single one of you to pull this out. Trust each other, believe. Know this victory is yours if you want it." He knew they believed. "Wolfpack on three." They pumped their hands three times. "Wolfpack!"

-

"Man, we pulled that one out of our asses!" They were all gathered over pizza, celebrating their 3-2 victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles and it felt great.

Charlie and Adam were sitting together at the end of the table, and Beau was enjoying watching them talk animatedly, analyzing every play of every moment of the game. Charlie was gesturing wildly and kept stopping to clap Banks on the back.

"Adam, man, you rock as captain. I'm so friggin' proud of you." Charlie knew it was sappy, but it had to be said. Banks was doing a great job.

Adam grinned back at him, taking a drink of his Yeungling. "Thanks, Charlie. That means a lot coming from you."

Cole and Fulton overheard this and laughed out loud, garnering the attention of the rest of the team. Cole leaned in, feigning conspiracy with Reed, but raised his voice to be heard.

"Geez, Fulton. Do you think they are going to kiss next?"

Fulton shrugged and scrunched up his face. "I don't know, Procida. They sure are getting all lovey dovey over there." The comment earned him a balled up napkin in the face from Charlie.

As everyone was laughing, Cole and Fulton challenged Beau and Goldberg to a game of pool.

"You game, Mayland?" Goldberg had stood and held out his hand to her, which she took and followed him across the room, throwing Charlie a huge smile over her shoulder.

"I should warn you, Greg, I'm not very good at this, but I'll give it a shot."

He nodded, choosing a stick and chalking it up. "Works for me. Hey," he tapped her on the shoulder with the stick, watching as Cole racked the balls seriously. "Thanks for looking over that stuff for my creative writing class for me. Your notes really helped."

She nodded. "Anytime! I really like reading other people's work."

As the game started Fulton perched on a barstool, beer in hand, and considered Beau. "So is that what you're studying? English?"

She shot the cue ball down the table, hitting the 6, but missing the pocket by a mile. She winced at Goldberg, mouthing a silent 'I'm sorry' and then shook her head at Reed. "No, I'm actually just general Communication, but I'm concentrating on writing and editing classes."

He thought about this and smiled. "Very cool."

They played for a few more minutes, and Cole and Fulton became very aware of pointed looks that Goldberg and Beau were giving each other. When they both got to their next turns, suddenly they had sunk all of their balls. Beau was hitting shot after shot, and when she wasn't, Goldberg was. In frustration and surprise, Procida missed his last shot and Beau sauntered up to the table slowly, a grin spreading slowly across her face.

Cole pounded his stick lightly on the carpeted floor and looked at his partner in amusement. "Well, Fulton, I believe that we have been hustled. By a girl and a goalie. How embarrassing is that?"

As Beau sank the 8-ball and accepted a high five from her partner in crime, Fulton got an idea. He too had been holding back.

"Do you two want to play again?"

Goldberg laughed. "Well if you're up for losing again, sure buddy!"

"I think we should make it more interesting then, don't you think Procida?"

Cole nodded solemnly. "I think that's a wonderful idea."

Beau had narrowed her eyes, feeling a little uneasy. "Make it more interesting, how?"

The Bash Brother leaned back, crossing his arms. "Just a little wager. We set out losing bets up front. A task that each of us has to complete if we lose. No backing out, no changing, no being a big pussy about it."

Beau was starting to rethink, but Greg agreed before she could stop him. Looking back on it, she could have just said no, but by this point the whole team was gathering around and she had succumbed to peer pressure like the big wuss that she was.

"So if you lose, boys," Averman stood at the end of the pool table, laying out the rules, pointing at the all male team. "Procida, you will shave off the beautiful blond locks we all know you are so fond of. And Fulton, you will get your legs waxed." They both nodded solemnly as Averman turned to Beau and Greg. "And if you two ladies lose…" he laughed a little at his joke. "Goldberg, you will dance in just your pretty little panties up on the bar. And Beau…" he wiggled his eyebrows at her. "You will get your tongue pierced."

Goldberg agreed immediately but Beau was still hesitant. "This is so ridiculous. Why do you guys do these stupid challenges?" It was a team tradition and they all booed her question. She looked pleadingly at Charlie for help who just raised his hands and stepped back, grinning like an idiot. She gulped, knowing what she was about to say was a mistake. "I'm in."

-

"Does it hurt?"

It was the next day and Charlie was placating Beau as she sat on his couch pouting. She glared in his general direction.

"There is a hole punched in my tongue, a major muscle I might remind you. What do you think?"

He couldn't help but laugh at her. He leaned in a little closer. "Can I see it again?"

Beau rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue gingerly. She had had the piercing for nearly 24 hours now and it actually didn't hurt that much anymore, but she was enjoying Charlie doting on her. I can't believe this. I don't even like piercings. Sigh.

"You know," Charlie wiggled his eyebrows at her. "It's always been like a huge fantasy of mine to kiss a girl with a tongue ring." When her glare softened he continued. "You know, just to see how it feels."

"Is that so?" Beau had turned to face him now, her smile inviting.

"That's so."

She smiled sweetly. "Well, darlin' you'll just have to wait until it heals."

He pouted now. "You're going to keep it for a while though, right?" She didn't answer him and he stuck out his bottom lip. "Right?"

Rolling her eyes she punched him lightly. "Maybe just long enough to fulfill that fantasy of yours."