A/N – thanks again for the reviews.

This is the second to last chapter before the end! Like I said someone (or maybe more than one someone) will die and another will be seriously hurt. Sorry, no clues as to who the dearly departed will be ;) (I know its evil but last chapter is almost written)

He wandered almost aimlessly through the mall's car park finding his car where he left it. He slowly reached for the keys in his pocket, taking the opportunity to glance around just in case Julie happened to show up.

The parking lot appeared empty.

Sighing, Portman turned his attention back to placing the key in the lock and turning it not noticing the reflection in the window that someone had appeared behind him.

"You know, I told her to pray she'd get to you first but I guess she didn't pray hard enough" a voice startled Portman.

……………………………………………………….

Julie was breathing heavily and sweat was dripping down her face as she approached the Mall.

"Damn!" she exclaimed seeing the night security guards locking the front doors. Okay, don't panic. He might still be in the parking lot she thought breaking into a run again across the road, watching out for cars as she went.

She could see a car in the lot and hoped it was Portman's. She could make out two figures standing by the car, both looked male.

Something about their body language told Julie to slow down and not make her presence noted. Julie decided to listen to her gut instinct as she slowed to a walk and crouched down slightly moving stealthily in the bushes surrounding the lot.

She inched closer until she could hear their voices. They sounded angry and familiar. Julie couldn't place them at first and then it dawned on her.

……………………………………………………

"Hurry up Goldberg the mall is about to close!" Charlie yelled ushering his teammate to skate faster. Since Coach Orion had moved Goldberg from goalie to defence his skating had improved vastly and Charlie was thankful that he wasn't required to chase Goldberg through the streets of Minnesota any longer.

"I'm hurrying Charlie, you try skating with a belly full of Pizza" Goldberg yelled back, the strain beginning to show in his face.

"Oooo the Goldberg, ate too much at dinner and now he can't skate. Too full to save Port……" Averman cut in using his special "commentators" voice.

"SHUT UP AVERMAN!" Connie, Guy, Charlie and Fulton yelled at the same time.

Averman slowed slightly hanging his head, they never appreciate my jokes he thought to himself.

"Guys, short cut. Turn left" Guy announced.

The Ducks all followed Guy all of them unaware that it was the wrong turn and they ended up in a back alley with a nice large brick wall to signal a dead end.

"Nice going Germaine" Russ muttered.

"Yeah, good one" the rest of the Ducks grumbled turning around and skating back to the main street they were on before making the turn.

"Sorry guys I thought this was it" he announced hanging his head and following the group back out towards the main street.

"Yeah, well its not. I hope Portman's alright. What if…." Connie started but was cut off by Fulton.

"No what if's Connie, we'll get to him. We have to" Fulton said sternly as if he was trying to convince himself that it was the truth.

"Yeah, you're right" she said picking up the speed. Deep down she was worried sick about the fate of Dean Portman.

………………………………………………………………..

"You just couldn't leave her alone could you? You mess with me, you mess with her and then you go and mess with Riley, now you're going to pay" the voice continued and Portman felt something jab into his back.

"Mmmph" he suppressed a cry of pain as he felt something cutting into his skin.

"One word and I swear I'll shoot you" the voice warned and Portman felt a cold metal object pressed against the side of his neck. It didn't take a genius to work out that it was a pistol.

"Now turn around slowly, try anything and I swear to God I will kill you"

Portman turned around as slowly as he could. When he was face to face with his attacker his eyes slowly wandered up towards the attacker's face. He wasn't surprised to see that he was wearing a balaclava.

He knows about Julie and Riley which means he must be on Varsity. Shit! What if there's more of them? I'm really up shit creek without a fucking paddle. Portman thought with some worry, he couldn't die before telling Julie how he really felt about her.

………………………………………………………….

Julie gasped as she saw the gun being held to one man's throat. As he was forced to turn around she caught a glimpse of his face Portman! She almost screamed aloud.

She quickly ducked as low as she could and covered her mouth. She tried to rationalise the situation, okay, he's got a gun pointed at him but he hasn't hurt him yet, maybe he's just intimidating him. Maybe he's just a car jacker. If I stay low and try to get help maybe Dean'll be okay.

Unfortunately for Julie, Dean wasn't going to be okay.

……………………………………………………………..

"This is for Riley you motherfucker" he screamed and brought the gun down hard on Portman's head.

CRUNCH

Portman was knocked to the ground. He tried to stand up but CRUNCH! The pistol was brought down on top of his head again sending him sprawling to the ground.

"That'll teach you to mess with me you asshole" the voice tormented but was interrupted by the sound of someone screaming.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Portman recognised Julie's voice and found a sense of renewed strength. Anticipating the attacker's momentary distraction Portman heaved himself forward into the attacker sending the both of them sprawling on the ground.

But not before the gun went off.

Julie stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the gunshot. Her face stripped of all colour.