Disclaimer: We don't own the Ducks and probably never will because they belong to Disney. However, Emaliar Malfoy does own Bella, Emily, Alex, and Johnson. Bobcatwriter owns Annie, Mike, Travon, and all the characters at Lakeshore Academy.
A/N: This is the sequel to the other Mighty Ducks stories "The Way Things Are" and "The Way Things Were". We recommend you read those two first. However, this can also be read as a stand-alone story. Please read and review.
Chapter 15
July 5th, 1998 Bella's POV
I ran into Dr. Jobman in the hallway on my way up to see Adam. "Dr. Jobman?" I asked.
"Yes Bella?" Dr. Jobman asked.
"Yesterday when my brother wanted to die, what made you want to put the mask over his face?" I asked.
"His will to die. I knew that deep down inside he wasn't ready to die, yet. But there is no need to worry about it, he was breathing in oxygen," Dr. Jobman said.
I started to laugh, "That's a relief," I said.
"It happens all the time around here. That is what we are trained to do when we have a patient like your brother. Because I knew he wasn't ready yet. But this doesn't go any further then you and me," Dr. Jobman said.
"Done," I said.
Later after mine and Ollie's shift at the hospital. Ollie took me to McDonalds to get a drink. "So, what are we doing here," I asked.
"Well I need your opinion and I didn't want Adam to be an influence on what I am about to say," Ollie said.
I got really scared before I said, "What are you talking about Ollie?"
Ollie cleared his throat and then said, "What would you think if I moved home from France for good?"
I spat out my drink, "What? I thought you loved being in France."
"I do I mean I did. I don't know, with everything that Adam has undergone in the last couple of years I think I am needed more at home then in France," Ollie said.
"So that means that you would," I said.
"Quit hockey?' Ollie interrupted, 'Yeah maybe, I don't know. I had been talking to Dr. Binford for the last couple of days, they said that they could use some help raising money for their program. I would look after Adam and a few other things to help turn the unhealthy menu around into a healthy menu that will help all of the students now and into the future."
"What about what dad thinks, isn't he going to be upset?" I asked.
"Screw them, I am so tired of pleasing that shithead. I am 21 years old, almost 22 it's time that I live my own life. If I decided to take my schooling seriously when I was a Freshman in college, I would be finishing with school next June, instead of piddling away the opportunity and landing in France to play hockey," Ollie said.
"I remember that, God Dad was so pissed at you for what you did. So, I take it that France has lost its allure to you?" I asked.
"Yeah, it has. I was fine until Adam's relapse in cutting last September, but now it's not worth it," Ollie said.
"That's why you waited until mid-November to go back to France?" I asked with wide eyes.
"Yeah, I felt guilty. I'm your guy's older brother. I am supposed to be looking out for you guys. I have failed as a big brother," Ollie said.
"Your blaming yourself for all of Adam's problems, aren't you?" I asked.
"Maybe, Bella. If I would have been here, I would have taken all the heat from dad instead of passing it down to Adam to deal with," Ollie said.
"I don't know I don't think it would have made a difference when Adam switched back to JV from
varsity with Dad. I think Dad still would have disowned him; I don't know why?" I said.
"Because he thought that the Ducks were losers, always. I remember when I was playing for the Hawks and each time, we faced District 5, there would be a new coach behind the bench. Until Bombay landed as coach. District five when through more coaches than Carter has pills. I think that you guys playing for the ducks reminded dad of where he came from. I guess he didn't want you two to face what he did when he was a kid. You don't know this, but before you two were born mom, dad and I lived in a dinky two-bedroom apartment in south Minneapolis," Ollie said.
"What?" I asked.
"Yep, Phillip Arthur Banks the one-million-dollar man for the Minnesota North Stars living in a small two-bedroom apartment, in the projects with his wife and 3 kids," Ollie said.
"Wow, what happened?" I asked.
"Mom forced him to buy a house in Edina, where you two were born. In fact, your room wasn't done yet, when you two decided to grace the world with your presence," Ollie said.
"Can you imagine, the three of us sharing a room together?" I asked.
"Well you two shared the same hot tub for 7 months. It took mom months to get you two into separate cribs, you were always all over each other," Ollie said.
"I guess deep down inside I always wanted to protect Adam," I said.
"No, I think that sometimes it was the opposite," Ollie said.
"What about Francesca doesn't she get a say?" I asked.
"No, she and I aren't together anymore," Ollie said.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I don't want to talk about it," Ollie said.
"She had to have broken up with you if you don't want to talk about it," I said.
"So, what do you think?" Ollie asked.
"Well it's your life, so you can do with it what you want," I said.
"Thanks Bella, I knew I could count on your support," Ollie said.
"I have a small confession," I said.
"What's that?" Ollie asked.
"I am thinking about asking for emancipation from mom and dad," I said.
"If you want emancipation from mom and dad, do it. It would show Adam that you care for him more than dad's money," Ollie said.
Later that night, I couldn't sleep. I woke Casey up at 2:30 am. "Casey?" I asked.
"What is it, Bella?" Casey asked.
"I can't sleep, can you drive me to the hospital?" I asked.
"Why?" Casey asked.
"I needed to see Adam, please?" I asked.
"Do I have to get dressed?" Casey asked.
"No, I just need you to drop me off," I said.
"Alright, let me get my shoes," Casey said.
I had to really convince the nursing staff to let me stay with Adam in his room. It was past visiting hours and technically I was not allowed to stay. I had to plead with Adam's nurse to let me be in there with him. When Adam's nurse finally relented on letting me stay, I went into Adam's room. I knew that he was sleeping hard. I ended up climbing in bed with him, that bed was smaller than it looked with him and me in it together.
A/N: Well, what do you think? What will happen if Bella does file for emancipation? What will happen next? Was Dr. Jobman right in pretending to try and kill Adam? What will happen when Gunnar and Charlie do turn up? Please be kind and leave a review.