DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Mighty Ducks
AN: Thanks so much for the reviews! They mean a lot!
CHAPTER TEN
"Running Scared"
Sunday morning, Charlie was out in the hockey rink, shooting pucks. It helped him to clear his head. He definitely had a lot to clear. Coach Bombay was still in love with his mom, Guy, no longer wanted to be a Duck, and the biggest problem, Connie. Just thinking about her brought a smile to his face. He didn't know why he didn't realize it sooner.
He sighed. He didn't know why he even bothered. Nothing could come of it. He knew she'd want some time after all that had happened. Plus, what would she ever see in him, anyway. Charlie let loose a crazy shot, which almost hit the person heading onto the ice.
"Hey!" Charlie glanced up.
"Sorry!" He called.
"Don't sorry me, Conway!" Russ said as he pulled off his helmet.
Charlie grinned. "Hey Russ."
"So, what's up? I mean, there's got to be a reason you're out here at six in the morning on a Sunday shooting hockey pucks. And it's not just for the extra practice."
Charlie smiled. "Couldn't sleep."
Russ looked at him as if to say, 'go on'.
Charlie just gazed out across the ice.
Russ sighed. "C'mon Charlie, we're buds, you can tell me anything."
Charlie looked at his friend. Maybe it would be a good idea to tell someone besides Coach Bombay. "Um… I got a problem, Russ."
"You're in love with her, aren't you?"
Charlie glanced at him in surprise.
"It's obvious, Charlie."
Charlie sighed. "Does everyone know?"
Russ grinned. "Everyone except her."
Charlie laughed. "I should've known. I couldn't keep a secret from the Ducks."
"So, you love her, now what?" Russ asked.
"Nothing." Charlie replied as he headed off the ice.
Russ stood there. "What? What do you mean, nothing?" He demanded, following him.
Charlie spun around. "I mean what I said. Let's face it, Russ. Connie's never going to see me as anything other than her best friend or someone like her brother." He continued walking towards the locker room.
"No, you know what, Charlie? You wanna know the real reason you're going to do nothing?" Russ said, hurrying up beside him.
Charlie shook his head. "Not really."
"You're scared."
Charlie stopped and turned to face him. "So what if I am? Don't you think I have a right to be? Do you not remember what happened with Linda and me? Do you know how bad that hurt me?"
"Yah, but I also know that Connie would never do that to you. And that maybe, deep down, she's hurting just as much as you were. Maybe you could help each other."
Charlie just stared at him.
"Just think about it, Charlie." Russ said as he walked on past him.
When Connie woke up and 9 that morning, she was shocked to see, Julie sitting on the edge of her bed, watching her.
"Aaah! What are you doing?" She cried.
Julie smiled. "Waiting for you to wake up."
Connie gazed at her friend, curiously. "Why?"
"Tell me what's really going on with you and Charlie?"
Connie immediately became busy fiddling with the sheets. "Nothing."
Julie laughed. "You and I both know better than that."
Connie sighed in defeat. "I don't know, ok? One minute, he's just some guy, I've known my whole life and then I'm having crazy thoughts about kissing him!"
Julie smiled. "You know, this is exactly how I felt about Adam. One minute he was just a fellow Duck and teammate. And then out of nowhere, he became my best friend and boyfriend."
"Did things change between you, guys?" Connie asked, that was her really worry about her and Charlie. So many things had changed, she didn't think she could take it if her and Charlie changed too.
"Yah, but only for the better." Julie said, smiling. "It's like I finally have someone who understands me in a way, no one else ever could. I mean I can tell him anything and he'll still love me, no matter what."
Connie looked up at her friend. "Are you really in love with Adam."
Julie thought a moment before smiling and saying, "yah I guess I am."
Connie pulled her knees up to her chest and Julie gazed concerned into her friend's face. "Do you love, Charlie?"
A tear trickled down Connie's cheek. "I think so."
Julie reached over and wrapped her arms around her, as Connie buried her head against Julie's shoulder. "That's nothing to cry about." Julie soothed.
Connie nodded. "yes it is! I'm so scared, Jules. What if me and Charlie ended up like me and Guy?"
"You won't."
"I'd never forgive myself." Connie sobbed.
Julie continued rocking her friend until her sobs finally quieted.
Casey Conway was in the midst of trying on her wedding dress in a bridal shop in town, when she happened to glance out the window, to see non other than Gordon Bombay walking by. Figuring, it would be lucky if she could catch him again before he left town, she jumped off the stool and headed for the door.
"Gordon!" She called.
He turned and gazed in wonder at her. She looked absolutely stunning. "C-Casey?"
She smiled. "Yes, how are you?"
He smiled as well. "Actually, I've been better."
Suddenly, Casey couldn't keep her curiosity in check any longer. She had waited six and a half years to ask this question, hoping sometime, he'd just tell her.
"Gordon?"
"Yeah?"
She took a deep breath. "Why did you never call?"
Gordon sighed. He had been dreading this question for almost as long as she had been wondering it. "I don't know Case… I guess I just got scared. I'd never felt that way about anyone before and…" He trailed off, realizing how stupid and childish it seemed now.
She seemed to agree because she said rather stiffly, " Sometime the things you're afraid of turn out to be the most worthwhile."
Gordon gazed at her. "If I could, I would go back and change it."
She smiled sadly. "But you can't."
Was that remorse, he heard in her voice?
She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. "Anyways, Gordon. I just wanted to invite you to my wedding."
Gordon smiled faintly. "Send me and invitation and I'll be there."
She nodded as he went his way. Why did she suddenly feel so bad?
