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.
"Beau?"
She recognized that voice. She was sure that she did. Am I just so upset that I'm wishing I heard it? Holding her breath and her tears, Beau waited for a heartbeat.
"Beau?"
Lifting her head up slowly and blinking in order to see through her tears, Beau stared at the man crouching in front of her, concern etching his brow. He reached out a hand, laying it atop her knee and squeezed. "Hey, it's alright. I'm here." He smiled hesitantly, hoping to elicit the same from her, but she continued to stare at him in confusion. He hated seeing her this way –tired, upset, defeated. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks puffy, and her eyes rimmed in red. She finally spoke and her voice was deeper than its usual husky timbre, probably from the sobs, he imagined.
"What are you doing here, Banks?" She looked around behind him searching the crowd again, every feature on her face falling and her shoulders slumping when she didn't see anyone else she recognized. "I guess Charlie's not coming."
It tore at Adam to hear the tone of her voice when she said it. He had found it hard to believe that she hadn't moved on the past two years. He was still surprised that Charlie had not. Adam didn't believe in soul mates. He figured your found someone you could love and then you worked hard to make it stick. He didn't believe that you could pine away for someone for so long and still be as in love with them as you had been 24 months before. Seeing her face, hearing her voice, Adam started to think for the first time in his life that maybe he was wrong. Damn, Adam. Throw the girl a bone.
He sank to his knees on the floor, touching her leg again, drawing her attention from whatever place it had wandered and smiled. "Charlie wanted to be here, Beau."
She glared at him now and he realized that it had also been a long time since he had seen her, or suffered under that glare. He had forgotten just how painful it could be.
"He wanted to be here? But he just couldn't bear blowing me off himself? What a fucking coward." Angry now, Beau hopped to her feet, her eyes hurt and frantic, leaving Adam to sit on the floor. She slung her purse over her shoulder and stomped her foot once, trying to drive the intense feeling of betrayal out of her stomach. I am such a moron. Why did I think this was a good idea? She looked around. "Adam, look. I can't…" She was going to start crying again and she was too embarrassed for Adam to see. "I can't be here now. I've got to go. I'll give you a call in a few days. Thanks for coming."
Without even a hug, Beau grabbed the handle of her suitcase and took off towards the ticketing counter, leaving Adam to stand up hurriedly and call after her.
"Beau! Wait." When she didn't stop he started to jog after her. "Beau! He wanted to be here but his car broke down! He asked me to pick you up!"
She stopped in mid stride and was standing dead still. Even from ten feet away Adam could see her body vibrating. Very slowly she turned around, her eyes wide and disbelieving. "He wanted to be here?" She swallowed audibly, afraid to believe it. "Charlie wanted to be here?"
Adam nodded, letting a smile slide across his lips. "He was desperate to be here, Beau."
She was so happy that she had Adam in a tight hug in a second flat and was squeezing him so hard that he thought she might break a rib. He squeaked out a plea. "Beau. I need to breath."
Laughing she released him, stepped back a step and smacked him in the chest. Hard. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"So, explain to me again what happened." It was the second time that Beau had asked Adam to detail the situation for her. She needed the reassurance that Charlie really had been on the way to see her. Every time she thought about it, her heartbeat slowed a little more, allowing her breathing to return to normal.
Adam couldn't help but smile. She had pulled down the visor in his car more times then he could count, checking her hair, her make-up, God knows what else. "Charlie was on his way to see you. To pick you up. As he was driving down the freeway his tire blew and when he went to frantically put on the spare, cussing and spitting knowing Charlie, it turned out to be flat as well. His car out here is a rental."
"Mmm hmmm." Beau couldn't manage more than that as she was carefully reapplying lip gloss.
"So, he realized there was no way that he was going to be able to make it in time, even if he called a cab or a friend. I live really close to the airport and so he called me."
She sighed, shutting the mirror for what she promised herself was the last time. "And so now he got someone to pick him back up and take him to the set? Why there?" She didn't really want a crowd when she saw him again for the first time.
Adam shrugged. "I dunno, Beau. I guess because it was the closest to the airport for him. Going back to his hotel would have meant another 30 minutes before he got to see you. I'm not sure he can wait that long." She looked at him, her features so unsure that he could read her thoughts all the way across the car. "I'm sorry babe, but I don't think it's my place to tell you what he's thinking. You guys need to talk this out."
She nodded solemnly. "Fair enough."
Driving up to a big name movie studio should have been an exciting once in a life time experience for Beau. Unfortunately, as Adam was cleared through the guard shack and they drove past several sound stages and fake streets of housing, Beau was too nervous to take in everything. She felt as if she was going to crawl out of her skin. The anticipation and the dread were killing her. Literally, she thought as a light sweat broke out on her forehead.
Adam slid the newer model black SUV into a parking spot and reached over to squeeze her hand. "Ready?"
She smiled over at him, her lips quivering a bit, and opened her door. "Not at all."
They entered through a large metal door, unceremoniously marked with a sign reading "The Mighty Ducks – Ice Rink." Despite her body being a bundle of nerves, Beau was able to appreciate that the whole building, the whole production, were a product of her book. This is crazy! When they got inside they were in a dark hallway flanked by half built walls and lighting fixtures. Adam was moving forward and Beau followed him tentatively. They walls finally dropped away and they entered a wide open expanse. As they did Beau breathed in the familiar scent of ice and sweat. It was strangely calming.
Adam stopped and she edged up to stand shoulder to shoulder with him, flexing her hands open and closed, trying to regain some feeling in them. She looked out over the ice and way across at the other end near the goal she could see Charlie sitting up on the boards, his feet dangling, his hands pressed down beside him, his arms flexed as he leaned forward. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the motions of someone drawing to his attention that she was standing there. His head swiveled slowly and even across the distance of the entire rink she could feel her skin heat under his gaze.
She watched as he hopped off the wall and walked slowly down the ice in her direction. She couldn't breath and tried to remind herself how important that particular function was. Sucking in a shallow breath she had a long time to see how he looked for the first time in person in nearly two years.
He was bigger than he had been in college. He still had a lean form, but she surmised that he had put on ten to fifteen pounds of muscle since joining the NHL. His hair was a bit longer, curling over the tops of his ears and keeping his face looking like a little boy's.
He was wearing slim fitted jeans and a navy blue t-shirt over a gray thermal long sleeved shirt. He padded towards her in his Pumas even more slowly as he got closer. He didn't blink his piercing eyes but it didn't make them any easier to read. Watching him move towards her, all coordination and intensity Beau fell in love with him all over again…if she had ever even fallen out of love with him.
She felt Adam's hand at the small of her back, gently pressing her forward and she reached around and squeezed his fingers in thanks. She took a deep breath. Here goes.
She looked different. Charlie hadn't realized how much she would have changed in two years. Her hair was shorter. It was up close to her chin and the curls were looser, falling in jagged lines. It made her looker older. Less like a tomboy and more like a woman. That thought shook him. She wasn't the little eighteen year old freshman anymore. She was twenty-two.
She wore long slim jeans and a bright pink tank top that was the perfect color on her. The fitted khaki jacket reminded him of her curvy body underneath and he watched as she shivered in the artificially cold air and hugged the thin material to her.
Her brown eyes were open wide and she looked like a scared animal as she moved to the boards around the rink. She placed her hands carefully on the barrier and sighed audibly. He glanced down and saw nails the same color as her shirt. She never got her nails done. She had done it for him, he was sure, and it touched him more than painted fingernails should have. As he drew within feet of the girl he'd been longing to see for so many months Charlie came to a realization that had been looming. I'm still in love with her.
He closed the final gap between them and instinct had him moving to rest his hands on top of hers. Looking down into her wide eyes her vulnerability knocked him back a notch and instead he set his palms on either side of hers. They were only inches apart. She had her lips pursed, apparently not sure what should be said. He heard his own nagging voice in his head. Do it, Conway. For once in your life be a man.
"Beau, I…"
Hearing his voice say her name after first the months and months of waiting, and then the weeks of hoping to hear just that over the phone, sent her body into overload. His slight accent and that special way that he had always said her name, like she belonged to him, like his heart was hers to love, to break, to have…hearing him say her name again, in just that way…it rocked her.
Having him right there in front of her, hearing his voice, sent a shock of urgency through Beau that she couldn't ignore. Something in her brain was telling her that it was imperative that she act. Reaching out it felt like she couldn't get her hands on him fast enough. It was like moving through water.
Finally her fingertips found his cheeks. They were smooth and tan and it was like a bolt of electricity when they touched.
When her fingertips slid gently across his skin it was like his whole body froze. Feeling her touch, still so familiar on his face, rendered him speechless and he could only stare at her, his mouth slightly open, trying to get out those all important words. But Beau didn't give him the chance.
She tightened her grip on his face and rose on her toes, pulling him towards her. Finally getting his brain around what was happening, Charlie didn't resist and leaned into her, his lips heating to a fire the moment that they landed on hers. She murmured softly and it made his heart race realizing one thing. She tasted the same.
He tastes the same. Beau's brain was reeling with the thought and her heart raced with the realization. That and the fact that he was kissing her back. She lost herself in the moment as he drove his hand into her hair, holding her against him and moaning gently against her lips. She recognized it as the same sound she had made when their mouths had first come together.
Needing air, and to see the reaction on his face, Beau pulled away gently, letting her hands slide down to rest against his chest. She was dimly aware of people across the ice staring in their direction, but as far as she was concerned the world could have been ending and her entire attention would have been focused on Charlie.
He looked down at her, a wealth of emotion swirling in his dark eyes. Seeing the look, she felt the cold hands of doubt starting to grab a hold deep within her. She had imagined a scenario like this. They had come together. Kissed. And then Charlie had calmly explained to her that he had moved on. That he missed her, yes, but that he was seeing someone. Had been seeing someone for a long time now.
Fearing just that, and feeling the overflow of emotion that had been building and compounding for so much time, Beau's eyes filled rapidly with heavy tears. One slowly slid down her cheek and she choked out the question she had been dying to ask.
"Why, Charlie? Why?" When he just continued to look at her she forced out the question she wasn't sure she wanted an answer to. "Why did you never say anything? All that time?"
She looked terrified, Charlie realized. She really thought that after all of this he wouldn't want her back. He had just kissed her the way that he had and now he was going to tell her to go home? It broke his heart to know that she could even think that way. Watching the big tear slide down her cheek and her lips trembling tore at every cavern of his heart. What an asshole I've been.
Reaching out a hand that was shaking imperceptibly, Charlie slid a finger under a choppy bang that fell on Beau's forehead and swept it aside as he had done so many times in the past. He smiled at her and then shook his head, more embarrassed than he had known was possible. He tilted his head to the side, trying to find the words.
"After the way that I wrote you off, Beau." He had to stop and clear his throat. He felt like talking to her for the first time in years was like talking for the first time after being in the desert for days. His mouth was desperately dry. "I needed the first words I said to you to be right – to be perfect." When she only looked at him in confusion he continued on. "I was terrified that I would say something stupid and lose you all over again." He brushed his fingers through her hair for a second time. "I couldn't take it."
It still didn't make sense to her. She had made it as clear as possible when they talked that she was ready to be with him. How could he have been afraid that he would mess it up? She looked at him, uncomfortable, and backed away a step, breaking both of their hearts in small fractions.
"I don't get it Charlie. What was so important to say? What was more important than just saying that you wanted to be with me?"
You're messing it up, Charlie. He was screaming at himself in his mind and he knew he had to do something to fix it. He ran his hands through his hair and dropped his arms down by his side in an expression of exhaustion. Completely stripped of all his barriers he looked at her.
"I love you, Beau. I will never love anyone else the way that I love you. I love your mind and your heart. I love all of your little imperfections." He smiled. "I love your big imperfections. But mostly…" he dropped his voice, unfamiliar with the level of emotion he felt in his words. "I love the way that you love me. You make me feel…perfect."
She wanted to ask him to say it again. She wanted to hear it all one more time. She wanted to hear it all one million more times.
Her heart was racing and she felt like waves of energy were shooting through her veins. Her face blooming into a grin Beau launched herself over the boards and into his arms. Taking him by surprise she knocked him off of his feet and they landed in a heap on the ice. She felt the cold seeping through her sleeves and it did nothing more than remind her that she was awake – that it all wasn't a dream.
She levered herself squarely on top of Charlie and looked down into his eyes from mere inches away. He smiled up at her, realization of her actions sinking in. She gripped his face again. "Do you mean that, Charlie? Really mean it?"
Grinning, he nodded, inadvertently whapping his head against the ice.
"Ow." Charlie grimaced and reached around to sooth the sore spot where a lump was already forming on the back of his head. It reminded him that he was alive and that the woman he loved was lying on top of him. He grinned again and hugged her to him, forcing her to bring her forehead down and rest it against his. His voice was a whisper, choked with emotion when he spoke.
"We still fit together perfectly, huh?"
She smiled against his lips and he kissed her tentatively. "I meant every word, Beau. I've missed you and I love you, and I want you back." He thought before re-speaking. "I need you back."
She kissed him now, but his heart couldn't quite get back to normal until he heard what he had longed for to hear so long. Pulling back she smoothed a hand over his hair, letting her fingertips tickle his neck. She grinned now, her eyes bright.
"I love you too, Charlie."
This time when they kissed the cast and crew on the ice erupted into applause as Adam pulled out his cell phone to call Guy with the news.
Author note: This is not the last chapter. I have a bit more Charlie/Beau left in me I think. Unless you guys just think that will be overkill. Let me know!
Aradia-rising: Sorry for the gut punch. Had to be done. Also sorry about the Charlie end being short. I was aware of that and not sure about it but wanted to explore that in this chapter. I think you're right though. I should have done more back a chapter or two. Good call!
Joank: Beau is there expressly to see Charlie. She flew out because she figured facing him in person was a better solution than all of the mind games. I'll let you smack him around a bit if you like!
Cc: Well there's your happy future! I'm sorry you've been so stressed. Everything okay? Shoot me an email if you need an ear.
Sinbin05: I'm really glad you guys all liked Devin so much. I thought he was cute myself and reminds me of this kid I used to teach summer school to. Thanks for the review!
Johnny: NOW do you want to strangle Charlie? I hope not! I tried to help him redeem himself. Whatcha think?
Sween: to answer your question, no particular situations are based on anything. I played roller-hockey in high school and some of the team interaction stuff was definitely loosely based on my friendships with those guys, but sadly no Charlie in my life. A girl can hope though, right?
Duckfluff: I was excited to see you describe Beau as "too strong." That's totally how she lives in my head so I'm glad that it's come across. Thanks!
Hockey-girl90: Well? How did it go?
antiIrony: Yes, I would say that if a love doesn't include some pain then it isn't the real thing. Figured that should be true in the fanfic world as well.
BellaLou: You can stop threatening now. I've got Beau and Charlie in the same room. Happy? Hahaha. Thanks again!
Thehappy carrot: Thanks for reviewing. It's always appreciated!
Flyinghawk: Thanks for the review as always! As for Kenny, I mentioned him briefly as to what he was doing after high school I think, but I just couldn't write them all and I didn't think I could wrap my brain around him well enough to make it work. You should definitely give it a shot.