AN- Ok so I totally didn't do my homework and watch D2, but hey I got all weekend to! screams joyfully for weekend So, on that note, this is chapter 3 with everything I remember. If I leave anything out, I'm sorry!

''Charlie, it's your turn to do the dishes.'' Casey's voice rang out, sounding from a distance.

Charlie shook himself out of the daydream where him and Julie were quite alone on the ice.

''What?'' he asked, distractedly.

''My goodness Charlie, where is your head tonight?'' Casey questioned.

''Oh, give him a break, Case. He's probably nervous about tomorrow, right Champ?'' Scott asked.

The trio family were sitting down to dinner and Charlie had been spacing out all evening. Casey was beginning to get a little worried.

''Maybe he shouldn't go tomorrow.'' she muttered.

Charlie's head jerked up, his eyes pleading.

''No, mom! I have to go!'' he exclaimed.

Casey and Scott were surprised at the intensity of his response. They didn't think hockey was that important.

''Alright sweetie. Just do the dishes and go to bed.'' Casey said.

Charlie sighed as he waited for the water to get warm. He wanted tomorrow to come already! He heard footsteps and looked over as Scott shuffled inside.

''Hey Champ. Thought I'd help you out.'' he said, walking over to Charlie and ruffling his hair. Charlie bit back the scowl that threatened to appear. He hated when Scott did that.

''What do you want?'' he asked.

''I'd thought I'd help with the dishes. You rinse, I dry.'' he said, picking up the towel from the counter.

Charlie rolled his eyes discreetly and began to scrub the dishes with the sponge then putting them under the hot water.

''Nervous about tomorrow?'' his step-dad wondered, taking the first plate from Charlie.

''Not really. We're gonna win. We have Coach.'' he said, the proud evident in his voice.

Scott nodded, racking his brain for more topics.

''Tell me about the newbies. Anyone interesting.'' he asked.

Charlie was quiet as he handed Scott another dish, and the step-father prepared himself for the silent treatment which was quite common from Charlie at times.

''Just five new people. There's Ken Wu, he used to figure skate. We have Dean Portman, he's from Chicago. He's the enforcer. We have Luis Mendoza from Miami. He's a speed skater. There's Dwayne Robertson, he's a good puck handler. And we got a new goalie.'' Charlie told him.

''What's him name?'' wondered Scott.

He glanced at Charlie when he got no answer, and was surprised to see the boy blushing.

''Her name is Julie-the Cat- Gaffney.'' he muttered.

Scott suddenly grinned. The daydreaming, the response from earlier, the blushing. It was obvious now. Charlie had a crush.

''Is she nice?'' Scott asked.

''She's ok I guess. I didn't really get a chance to talk.'' Charlie muttered again, handing Scott another dish.

''Well, as long as you guys get along, I'm sure you'll win.'' Scott said, confidant in his step-sons abilities.

''Thanks, Scott.'' Charlie said, smiling up at the older man.

They finished the dishes in silence and Charlie said goodnight to his step-dad and it wasn't a sarcastic, obviously forced one either. It was genuine.

The next morning Charlie awoke with the familiar butterflies in his stomach. He was going to see Julie today! He grinned and dressed quickly, his bag already packed the night before. He rushed downstairs quickly, his mom and Scott already waiting for him.

''Let's go.'' Charlie said, hurriedly, the huge grin still planted firmly on his face.

Casey glanced questionably at her husband, who just shook his head with a smile.

They arrived at the airport just as Connie and Guy did, her parents giving him a lift. Charlie greeted his teammates, his eyes searching for that beautiful blonde.

''Ok Scott, what is with Charlie?'' Casey asked, as her son glanced anxiously around for the 500th time.

Scott grinned.

''Charlie's got a little crush.'' he explained.

Casey looked surprised.

''Really? On who?'' she wondered.

Her eyes landed on Connie, the girl player whom she thought of as a daughter, the same feeling's her parents got about Charlie, only son, not daughter.

''Not-'' she whispered, urgently.

Scott's eyes followed hers and he shook his head.

''No, Case. She's like a sister to him and the girlfriend of his best friend. It's a different teammate.''

This time Casey glanced reluctantly at the boys.

''No!'' Scott shouted, pursing his lips as many people looked around at his sudden outbreak.

''It's the new, girl, the goalie.'' he finally told her.

''Are you Ducks ready!'' a voice shouted and the team all headed to where Coach Bombay was standing, the five newbies behind him.

Casey eyed the blonde girl, who was giggling at something with Connie, her son steps away, trying very hard not to stare. She sighed softly.

''What's wrong sweetie?'' Scott asked.

''He's all grown up.'' Casey said, tearfully.

She started to sob softly and Scott calmed her down the best he could.

Her baby boy was all grown up!

Soon it was time for the Ducks to take off and Charlie headed over to Casey and Scott.

''Hey Charlie.'' Julie called, and he stopped turning towards her.

''Hey Julies, what's up?'' he asked.

''Not much. Where you going?'' she asked.

Charlie nodded to where his adults stood.

''To say goodbye. Wanna meet them?'' he asked.

Julie bit her lip nervously before nodding. Charlie brought her over.

''Hey mom, Scott. This is Julie Gaffney, our new goalie.'' Charlie introduced her.

Julie smiled politely.

''Are you excited dear?'' Casey wondered.

Julie nodded, a grin forming as the conversation turned to something familiar.

Casey smiled at the young girl and then proceeded to hug the life out of her boy.

''You be good Charlie. Don't cause any trouble. Listen to Coach. Call me, anytime if you get homesick. I packed some extra underwear,-''

''Mom!'' Charlie shouted, turning red as Julie tried hard not to giggle.

''Just have fun kiddo.'' Scott said, prying his step son with the jaws of life away from his mother.

Charlie smiled and waved goodbye as him and Julie heading to where the ducks were.

''How embarrassing.'' Charlie muttered.

''Oh that's nothing. Before I left Maine, my mom asked, in front of my whole team mind you, if I need any ''special products.''' Julie said.

Charlie gave her a confused look.

''You know, the unexpected visitor? Connie doesn't complain about it?'' Julie wondered.

At those words, realization dawned on Charlie's face, along with disgust. Julie laughed.

''Ok, so let's never talk about that again.'' Charlie said.

''Duly noted.'' Julie said.

They walked over to Coach to get their seating assignment.

''Charlie, Julie. You guys are in 25J and 25K, right next to each other. How about that?'' Coach wondered as he sent a subtle wink Charlie's way, which the captain desperately hoped Julie didn't see.

Charlie sighed as he glanced around the plane. Adam and Jesse were sitting right behind them, Connie and Guy in front. He hoped Connie wouldn't try to turn around too much to talk to Julie. Speaking of his seat mate, Charlie wondered why she was being so quiet.

He turned towards her, surprised to see her chewing her bottom lip, nervously.

''You ok?'' he wondered softly.

Julie jumped slightly at his voice.

''Yea, plane's aren't my thing.'' she admitted.

''Well if you get too scared, you can always hold my hand.'' he said.

Julie smiled softly at him and Charlie looked deep into her eyes. The moment was ruined as Jesse and Adam made kissing noises behind them. Julie blushed and looked back out the window. Charlie turned around and glared at his friends.

''Shut up, you guys.'' he snapped.

Adam and Jesse just grinned.

The pilot came over the P.A., announcing their take off soon. Everyone strapped in their seatbelts and got ready. Julie's hands were gripping the arm rest and Charlie calmly pried one apart and squeezed her hand reassuringly.

''We'll be ok.'' he mouthed to her as the plane began its journey to the run way. Julie nodded, but gripped his hand tightly all the same. She didn't let go until they were safely in the air and Charlie felt disappointed.

''You ok?'' Charlie asked.

Julie smiled brightly and nodded.

''Thanks.'' she said.

''No sweat. It's what friends do for each other.'' he told her.

They smiled at each other again and got ready for the flight.

AN-And that's where I leave off. Chap 4 will have the plane flight and anything else I can add after I watch the movie tomorrow! WHOOO.

Let's all celebrate the awesome weekend. Review the story and make my weekend all the more brighter!

BTW, any requests or suggestions are welcomed and I'm saying sorry in advance if you give me one and I don't use it!

Cheers!