Author's Note- I'm supposed to start incorporating Conway into this, as Jessi says. But I can't think of a plot for the life of me. So I'm just going to write some filler Julie/Connie crap. Cheers. Oh yes as I digress, I'm trying to keep this as realistic as possible. I hate to sound rude and condescending but there's so many unrealistic fics here it's frustrating.

Oh yes, shout outs to noters (I've always wanted to do this, I'm a bit of a note whore eh? And I'm bored…)

Disclaimer- I'll write a new one in due time. The Mighty Ducks belong to Disney I suppose, as do all the characters. If you really want to sue us, go ahead, you'll get some crappy pink skate guards, a worn Paul Kariya poster, some chocolate covered espresso beans that have been in my co-captain's hockey bag since out tournament in Vail 2 years ago and lots and lots of stale marshmallows. Plus a textbook from Jessi, cause she's sorta nerdy like that.

~*~

[Percussion] Thanks. I'm not a big fan of the fluffy everyone loves everyone and gets along great crap. Hockey teams just aren't like that from my experience.

[Meme-Ann] Kariya is mine :-D Since 95. So there :sticks out tongue mockingly:

[anne918] I was never a huge Connie fan either.

[plainjane] Well Connie's playing for the Select, U 19, Colorado's best girl's team. I was asked to join but refused. From my knowledge they practice in the Denver metro area, Aurora, Arvada, Littleton, etc. Where in Colorado do you hail from?

[Schiz] There's a lot of puck sluts out there… :groans: But thanks.

[crazy4nc128] Thanks. I can't guarantee frequent updating, both Jessi and myself have the worst bouts of writer's block.

[kshyne99] It's hard to figure out what to do with the rest of the Ducks. I want to be very realistic, yet angsty. It's hard to balance the two. And you sadly can't have too much slash and substance abuse.

[LostDreams] That's what I hear. Especially when there's a much much greater amount of guys' leagues than girls' it's much easier to be spotted on a girl's league.

[kellyerielf] Jessi sends her thanks.

[Padfoots] KAITLIN WATCH THE MOVIES!!!! :-D You know I love you… occasionally.

[alienated lycanthrope] Don't worry. Jessi is a complete sucker for fluff, so I think it will all wind up nicely in the end.

[Wheeler Chick] I'm having a crisis writing the Julie/Connie portion. I've already somewhat gotten rid of one of them by joining a chick league, now I'm torn whether or not I should give in to what I stand against and get Julie involved with one of the guys or even base her on a shrew type character, or make her a girl too. For personal sake I choose the latter, but for plot's sake I think I'll make her a bitch. I will always reach for the stars, lol.

[Vinnies-Angel] Don't worry mon cher, there will be plenty of slash ;-)

~*~

Julie recklessly applied the strong scented balm to her lips. The small tube held deformed purple wax that was indented by repeated use on her friend's lips. A cheap grape fragrance filled her senses now as a layer of soft slick Chap Stick swathed her mouth. The longer she sat there inhaling the overwhelming scent began to go slightly rancid, which posed the question in her mind, 'Can chap stick go bad?' Hastily she searched the text of the tube for some indicator of an expiration date, coming up with only Bonnie Bell and Groovy Grape. Her mind now moving a hundred miles of hour in complete misdirection, she tossed the tube into her bag from her seat on the bench and flung herself against the wall with a hard thud.

She clenched her eyes shut, as the voices and the noise and the thoughts had become overwhelming, no longer distinguishable they ran together in a heavy hum. Taking long steady deep breaths, damp heavy air perfumed by stale sweat filled her lungs. Once she had regained some sense of control she opened her eyes, to find she was alone in the locker room, Connie was not there with her. Only her lip gloss remained.

"Julie Gaffney, get a fucking hold of yourself. You're loosing your mind because your friend decided to sell out. Good G-d," she groaned running her hand through her damp dirty blonde hair, as she finished ripping her garter off. With a sense of dazed apathy she stuffed her equipment recklessly into her bag, contrare to her usual semi organization. Her chest protector was knotted with her one sock and garter, her neck guard somehow tied into her pants and covered with tape balls. "You're fucking loosing it Gaffney," she spat at herself. "Admit it you need Connie and she'll probably never speak to you again." She tore her sweat soaked shirt over her head before responding to her comment. "But you know Connie's not like that, she's too damn perfect. She'll accept you with open arms, it will be like a scene from a cheesy cheep romance novel or teen movie or… I dunno someth-"

"Cat-Lady you got any stick ta-?" a familiar brunette asked entering the room pausing in awe at the one woman argument that was occurring. Julie stopped in mid breath and spun around to the door where her captain stood, damp brown curls falling into his face, which held a bemused look.

"Your mom ever teach you to knock Conway?" she spat somewhat regaining her composure carelessly pulling a red Volcom hoodie over her head.

"Pop a Midol Juls, I just was wondering if you had any stick tape," he shrugged running his fingers through his hair, his deep brown eyes shining carelessly.

"Unprepared eh?" she retorted tossing her bag onto her shoulder.

"No, just out of tape. Sorry for disturbing you your royal highness of the net," he replied curtly with a lighthearted smirk on his face. "I willith return to my den while I leave thy alone with thy raging hormones. Good day m'lady," he bowed backing out of the room the door closing silently. Julie scowled her eyebrows knitted in disgust spitting towards the trashcan in the middle of the room.

'If only Con was here,' she sighed silently rubbing her lips together and walking towards the door. They were sticky now the sweet smoothness having disappeared.

~*~

Charlie left the rink, bag on his shoulder, hood over his head, his demeanor having changed. The crisp night air bit into his flesh, nipped at his bones, refreshed his spirit. Walking alone in solitude he felt was the only time he could be himself. When he was around his team, his teachers, his mom, he was Charlie "Captain Duck" Conway. The charismatic determined leader, who defied the odds and always held his head high. It was all a veneer. As he walked along the dark ally way, snow banks encrusted with dirt and grime, puddles filled with trash, a tint of orange light deflecting from the street lamps, he could be himself. He didn't have to pretend, he didn't always have to have that damned smile on his face, the sense of determination. He could be lost, confused and alone.

Sighing he walked towards a trash bin outside what probably was a bar from the scent. Dropping his bag into the littered snow he collapsed on it burying his head in his lap his breathing slow and raspy. He gnawed on his lip unknowingly digging through his hoodie pocket. Looking around to see nothing but limp bags of trash, scattered bottles and a tattered piece of cardboard, probably where someone was planning on spending the night he pushed up his one sleeve his white flesh glowing in comparison to the navy fabric. In the dim light traces of purple scars stimulated by the cold ran jagged up his arm to his elbow. Scattered deep crevasses surrounded by black flesh were indented amongst the lines. Cigarettes and razor burns, he sighed precariously. Taking a razor he had jacked from his Biology class during his lap he took the sharp point and dug it into his flesh, tearing tenderly along the tell tale green vein. First a barren path was invisible but as he clenched his fist the crevasse began to fill with crimson blood. It came soon in droplets and puddles and he continued to draw aimlessly, digging with passion, tears of salt and crimson mixing.

Biting his lip from the welcomed throbbing pain and biting cold, his cheeks freezing with dampness he asked himself chocking back tears, 'Wouldn't they like to see their Captain now?'