Julie and Connie raced behind Dwayne show was running at top speed occasionally slowing down to yell "Yee-haw" at several students.

"What's got his panties in a bunch?" Julie hissed to Connie.

"Beats me" Connie had no idea what Dwayne's problem was. He hardly ever got this excited about things.

They came to a stop outside Dwayne's dorm room door.

"Okay girls now close your eyes" Dwayne ordered.

"Why?" Julie protested but was silenced by a raise of Dwayne's eyebrow.

Wow Cowboy's not usually like this Connie thought being reminded of the way Rick Riley operated.

Argh stupid Rick Connie thought trying not to think about the sensation of having his lips on hers.

"Okay girls, on the count of three open your eyes"

"One"

Connie heard the door being opened.

"Two"

Stifled giggles came from the male Ducks.

"Three"

The girls opened their eyes and there on Ken's bed sat Fulton Reed.

"FULTON!" the girls gushed almost falling over each other to jump on the reunited Bash Brother.

"I should leave more often" Fulton joked as he braced himself to catch the two lady Ducks who'd launched themselves on him.

"You and me both dude" Russ chuckled.

Julie swatted Russ whilst Connie thumped Fulton.

"Don't you EVER leave the team again Fulton" she scolded.

"Yes ma'am" Fulton grinned feeling like he'd made the right choice.

"Where's Charlie?" Julie knelt on the bed in between Fulton and Russ and looked around the room.

"Yeah where is Charlie?" Connie asked not at all fazed by the fact she was sitting on Fulton's lap.

The rest of the team immediately clammed up.

It didn't take a genius to work it out.

"So Captain Duckie won't be gracing us with his presence………..ever" Connie said aloud ignoring the glare Guy shot at her.

"Damn you Charlie" Julie cursed softly.

Connie's head dropped. She couldn't believe Charlie could do this to them.

Had all the years of friendship meant nothing to him?

"Dwayne just put the movie on" Russ instructed sensing the group vibe dropping considerably.

Connie shifted off of Fulton and settled in next to him. She was trying her hardest not to cry.

Freshman year was sucking big time. First they lose Coach Bombay, then Dean, then they lost Adam, then it was Fulton and Charlie.

Fulton came back but they were still missing their old coach and three players, three friends.

And to top it all of she was having some sort of secret fling with the captain of the Varsity team. That was almost like her saying she was in love with Olaf Sandersen.

Or worse.

Definitely worse. The team would never forgive her.


The next day the Ducks were called into Dean Buckley's office.

"We're goners, our scholarships are definitely gone now" Julie complained.

"Don't worry Catlady, I'm sure we can lift our game" Goldberg tried comforting her.

"Hey Banksie's here" Dwayne noted.

The group was surprised to see that Adam Banks had also been called to the office.

Before they could interrogate his reason for being there the door to Dean Buckley's office opened. There was an odd look on Dean Buckley's face as ushered them inside.

They weren't entirely surprised to see Coach Orion already in the office.

"Sit down team, we need to talk to you" the Dean gestured for them to sit.

"I'm sorry to be the one to have to tell you guys this"

"and girls" Julie interjected.

"Sorry and girls" the Dean corrected himself.

"I'm afraid we have some bad news" Coach Orion took over.

"We've had a phone call from Casey Conway, Charlie's mother I believe" Dean Buckley regained the reigns.

Every single one of the Ducks faces took on an expression of worry.

Something hadn't happened to Charlie had it?

"I'm afraid that Hans Janssen passed away last night" Dean Buckley continued.

The Ducks gasped in shock.

"What?" Guy spoke up with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry team, Mrs Conway said it was his time to go" Coach Orion tried comforting his team.

Connie's eyes glazed over with fresh tears. Hans couldn't be gone. He was the one who'd helped them see that they were a team; they needed to fly together.

He was the one who helped them see their potential as a championship winning hockey team.

And he'd taught them to do it the respectable way.

He'd taught them to become decent human beings.

And now he was gone.

"We'll be giving you special permission to attend the funeral which will be held on Friday" Dean Buckley told the group.

"I'm very sorry for your loss Ducks" he added as he showed them out of the office.

"I can't believe it" Adam said softly.

"I wonder how Charlie's taking this" Guy wondered.

Connie suddenly felt like she was suffocating. She had to get out of there.

"I need some air" she muttered leaving the group.

The rest of the Ducks were too busy dealing with their own grief to notice.


Once safely outside, Connie lost it.

She knew that once she started crying she'd never stop. Hans was like the grandfather she'd never had.

Everything around her was a blur as she ran for a secluded spot by a tall oak tree.

She didn't realise she had been seen by a certain tall, dark and handsome Varsity hockey player.

And he hadn't realised she was so upset.

"Did you miss me Moreau?" he asked as he approached her from behind.

She didn't need his sarcastic humour right now.

"Get lost Rick" she said in the calmest voice she could muster.

"Aw I'm hurt Connie, I've missed you you know" Rick had a playful grin which disappeared when she spun around to face him.

His face fell "What's wrong Connie?" he asked with genuine concern.

"Nothing now leave me alone" she choked out before the tears overcame her again. She dropped her head as she shoulders shook.

Rick hated seeing girls cry. Especially a girl as special as Connie.

Not caring who saw him he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the crying girl, allowing her to sob uncontrollably into his chest.

He kissed the top of her head and whispered "You can tell me in your own time"

I must be crazy he thought realising that this wasn't just some fling to him. He was really starting to like the girl.


A/N - sorry for not updating sooner, unfortunately its tax time which sucks! I'll try to update again soon. Thanks for all of your reviews.