Three months of intense training flew by in what seemed a continuous blur. Before the Ducks knew it they were all on a flight headed straight to Los Angeles for a second go at the Junior Goodwill Games. The USA Ducks were the defending champions and high expectations weighed on all their shoulders.

They were going to be staying in the large hotel across the street from the ice arena where all the games were to be held. And luckily their rooms were a lot nicer this time around. Connie and Julie were quick to ditch the boys and checked out their lavish room, taking turns to soak in a hot bubble bath. The tub was large with jets and everything, it would be perfect for relaxing after the practices and games. The girls then called their families to let them know they made it to LA just fine before dressing up to head out for a small shopping spree.

Once they stepped off the elevator and onto the richly decorated main floor, Julie stopped in her tracks at the sight of a face that had haunted her for nearly a full year. It was him. Gunnar Stahl.

Just as his eyes raised to meet hers Connie was suddenly occupying her entire vision. Julie could see the concern in the deep chocolate gaze of her friend. "Is that who I think it is? I can't believe the Vikings are staying here to."

Julie could only nod as she never figured she would be seeing him so soon. There went her wishes for him to be too old to participate now. She groaned and closed her eyes, only for the new and recent vision of his startling eyes piercing her own from just a few moments ago to firmly plant itself in her mind. He looked so different, the same, yet different. Older, stronger, taller, even more attractive than before, he was just…different.

"Come on Cat, we aren't going to let a couple of bully's from Iceland get to us. We didn't put up with their crap last year and we certainly won't start now. Let's go."

Julie tried to smile in agreement and allowed her arm to be caught up in her feisty friend's. She tried to keep her head down so as to not draw attention to herself. Still, she could feel his fiery gaze on her as Connie led the way to the grand entrance/exit of the beautiful hotel.

She glanced over her shoulder at the last moment and sure enough there he was looking straight at her. Julie felt her breath still in her lungs because this was a new look in his steel-grey gaze. A look that could only mean one thing, he was hungry to exact his revenge on her.

Connie pulled her through the door and sunlight suddenly surrounded them. "Hey are you okay, Cat?"

"Yeah," she tried to brush it off only to smile sheepishly as her friend tapped her foot impatiently waiting for a bit of honesty, "I just didn't think we would see the team from Iceland this soon."

"And this has nothing to do with their star player eyeing you up back there? Don't think I didn't notice that."

Julie sighed and started walking down the street, "I don't want to think about it anymore."

"Whoa Cat, hold on," Connie rushed after the star goalie, "he won't hurt you, we won't let him."

She nodded and offered up a small smile, she really didn't want to think about Gunnar Stahl or anything else Viking related. Connie seemed to get the hint as she turned their conversation in a more silly direction. By the time they reached the first shop (not on Rodeo Drive, thank you very much) Julie was finally back into a lighter mood.

The two girls enjoyed their afternoon out and about shopping. They each bought some new bathing suits, Connie even convinced her friend to be daring and get a bikini. When Julie hesitated her dear friend reminded her that half the team and already seen in her nothing but a towel. There were several giggles shared over the memory some months ago at how ridiculous boys could be.

Also they bought some new pairs of sunglasses, some cute summer dresses and various tops. Connie bought at least 5 pairs of shoes while Julie settled on two pairs of ballet flats. They enjoyed a light lunch at a café near the hotel and ice rink before returning back to their rooms. Connie and Julie took turns modeling their new wardrobe for each other and continued on in their laughing banter. Sometimes it was just fun to let loose and act like a girl every once in a while.

Guy, Charlie, and Adam were soon knocking on their door and asked if they wanted to go swimming. The pool was outside on the top floor and the girls decided the boys could swim while they got a little bit of sun. The guys left after agreeing to meet them at the pool. Connie had dared for them to both try out their new suits and Julie was all for it. After their little encounter with the team from Iceland she was feeling a little fired up.

Once dressed the girls looked themselves over with approval. Connie had her ever present braid running down slightly past her shoulders, she had on a sheer white cover shirt and khaki shorts over her suit with sunglasses pulled up in her hair. Julie's long straight blonde hair fell to her lower back over one shoulder before she pulled it up into a quick bun, she had on a black tank top and jean skirt to cover her own new bathing suit. Once they deemed themselves ready, Julie grabbed her sunglasses and sunscreen and they left to join the boys.

And of course the guys were already there, jumping around in the pool and having a good time. Julie shook her head as Guy swam up to them at the edge of the pool and lightly splashed at them. The two girls giggled and Guy got out and pulled Connie into his arms and jumped back in with her still fully clothed. Julie laughed as she saw her friend try and dunk her boyfriend for his mischievousness.

"Come on Cat," Charlie called out to her.

Adam pushed himself up and sat on the edge of the large pool, "Water feels great. The company isn't so bad either," he grinned up at her, "as long as you ignore the Vikings in the hot tub over there."

Her eyes looked to where Adam indicated and of course she finds the gaze of Gunnar Stahl right on her. She sighed and looked away from him, her fear of what he would do to her was something she had to get over and get over with quickly. She'd worked far too hard to let some punk from Iceland get into her head. Her acting this skittishly over some dumb jock was unlike her and it was seriously grating on her nerves.

So she shrugged and used her flip-flop clad foot to push Banks back into the water. He came up and splashed her big time. Julie put her hands on her hips and shook her head at him. Oh it was so on!

Quickly she kicked off her sandals and shimmied out of her skirt. Folding it she placed it on a table near where Connie barely managed to toss the towels before Guy pulled her in. Hesitantly her eyes glanced back towards the heated area of the pool before looking away to pull off her tank top. She hadn't been wrong; his eyes seemed to be locked on her. She tried to shake off the knowing feeling of someone watching her. After folding her top she laid it over her skirt and removed her sunglasses before taking down her hair.

Stepping back up to the pool she waited for Adam and Charlie to finish swimming towards her. She leaned down and splashed them just as they came up for air. The two best friends shared a look and each grabbed one of her hands and pulled a squealing Julie into the water. Charlie started tickling her as Adam pulled her up just to dunk her again. They were all smiling and lightly splashing at each other.

Finally done kissing each other, Guy threw Connie towards them. Not to be outdone Adam tossed Julie towards Guy.

"Okay we are not playing who can toss us the farthest," Connie admonished them.

Guy rolled his eyes before pulling Julie under with him. She wriggled away from his grasp and swam towards the deeper end of the pool. Guy made chase after her and playfully tugged her under once more. She managed to dunk him herself, pushing him far beneath the surface. Laughing happily she moved to sit on the ledge of the pool and Connie soon joined her. The three boys were wading next them as they fell into light conversation. Guy eventually pulled Connie back in again and blocked her in a corner for a little privacy, they were really cute together.

Standing and wringing her hair out, Julie could definitely feel eyes on her again. Knowing it was probably Gunnar as he plotted against her, she determined herself to not give him the satisfaction in knowing he was getting to her. Putting her sunglasses back on and putting her hair back into a bun she watched as Connie joined her. They took turns helping each other slightly dry off and apply sunscreen and lay out in some comfy loungers. The boys complained that they were no fun but Connie simply stuck her tongue out at them.

Now that they were lying out in the last precious hours of sunlight, the girls were able to really relax. The sun wasn't too warm and there was a nice breeze that came over them once in a while. Not even an hour went by before Guy managed to whisk Connie off somewhere. Julie would have to get used to her girl-time with her friend being cut short now that they were officially dating.

"Julie The Cat."

Beneath her sunglasses her eyes opened in alarm, she would recognize that accented voice anywhere. Pushing herself up to her elbows, her gaze was filled with the very attractive looking Iceland Captain. She couldn't even speak as her eyes drank in the sight of him. Already she could feel the color rising to her cheeks by just looking his way, he was probably out to destroy her but it didn't mean that he wasn't good looking. He was definitely taller than last year and she couldn't keep her eyes from taking in his tanned bare chest with water still beading slowly down his incredibly toned abdomen. And his face, she and Connie had both openly admitted that he and quite a few of his teammates were pretty hot. Evil and nothing short of sexist, but hot nonetheless. His hair looked to be a little longer too, and was darker with it being wet. Though she might never admit it to herself Gunnar was probably the cutest boy she'd ever seen. She watched wordlessly as he took a seat on Connie's vacated lounge chair.

And as his gaze remained on hers she wondered where the heck her Ducks were!