It was a bad bounce and Robertson was still apologizing for it. They had won over Trinidad 8-1, and with that one goal allowed there was honestly nothing Julie could have done. She was fast, but she had no chance when Dwayne skated in hard and ultimately deflected a pass into the USA Ducks net. It was what is known as a fluke goal and Robertson was really starting to drive her nuts with all his apologies. She kept telling him it was okay, but he was really being hard on himself for making her miss out on another shut-out. They won and really that was all that mattered.

They just finished up their end-game session with Coach Bombay and the media was interviewing him and Adam, seeing as how Banks scored 4 goals in the second period alone. He was definitely the star of the game. Julie was taking her time getting her gear taken off and was surprised when Portman plopped down next to her and boldly placed his arm around her neck. It seemed everyone else already headed out and now it was just the two of them. Dean was still icky from the game and was reeking pretty bad; in the back of her mind she wondered why she found Gunnar so eye-catching after a game but no one else. Was she really that into him?

"Hey sweetie, so you wanna grab a bite to eat with me tonight?"

"Sorry Portman but I already have plans," she told him as she attempted to get out from under the weight of his arm.

Dean merely tightened his hold on her, "I told you already you don't need to work out so much, me and Fulton won't let anyone touch you," unconsciously his hand was beginning to grip her neck a little too hard in his frustration. Why couldn't she see that he was trying to ask her out? He was getting more and more aggravated that she always had something else to do than hang out with him. Before he knew what he was doing, he had an excessively firm grip around her throat.

"Let go," she physically struggled against him, "Dean, you're hurting me!"

He released her as soon he realized what was going on, "Babe, I'm so sorry. Really, I wasn't thinking, I would never mean to hurt you. Are you okay, Cat I'm sorry."

"I'm fine."

Dean flinched at the hoarseness of her voice, "No you're not, I'm so freaking sorry."

She tried to wave him off, "Really I'm okay," she pulled out a water bottle and slugged it down, "just needed some water."

"If you're sure," he eyed her carefully, "guess I better get going and meet up with Fulton, but you're sure you are okay? I swear I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm such an idiot."

She nodded and even sent him a half smile in reassurance. Dean was gone not long afterwards and Adam walked in as she was finishing up zipping her hockey bag to take back to the hotel. With him was Olaf and Gunnar and the smile she sent the three was very genuine.

"Hello again Julie The Cat," Olaf greeted her, "you played well."

"Thanks Olaf, so what are you guys up to?"

Adam took a seat beside her and started removing his own gear, "Wanna hit the movie theatre? Get some ice cream afterwards?"

Julie's gaze caught Gunnar's to see if he wanted to change their plans and head out with their friends instead of spending it alone. He sent her a miniscule smirk and a nod, so with his acceptance she answered, "Sounds good to me."

Julie waited out in the hall talking quietly with her Iceland friends, though Olaf was quick to pick up on the light flirting between his captain and the goalie. As a group they moved through the arena. Quickly they crossed to their shared luxury hotel and agreed to meet up in the lobby before heading out. Julie grabbed Adam's shoulder and asked him to come to her room beforehand so they could talk.

Back in her room she found Connie there reading a magazine. The two girls talked for a little bit and the brunette stated she was waiting for Guy to come get her. By the time Julie finished her quick shower Connie was already gone. She was kind of missing her friend but could understand. Now that she was seeing Gunnar, she knew how wonderful it was to spend so much time with the guy you like. She changed into a light pink summer dress that fell to her knees and added a white belt around her waist. She had to blow-dry her hair instead of letting it dry naturally, which meant she would have a few fly-away pieces before the night was over. Pulling the long hair over her shoulder in her usual style she answered the door and let Adam in.

He was looking sharp in a pair of khaki's and a navy blue polo, his hair was still wet but would dry probably as soon as they stepped foot back outside. Julie took a deep breath and sat him down as she paced the room, not sure how her friend would accept the news.

"Just get it out Julie, tell me what's going on."

"I'm seeing Gunnar, as in we are dating."

Adam was silent for a moment but eventually laughed at her, "Things have really changed, haven't they? I mean, who would have though you and I would be best friends and hanging out with Olaf Sanderson and Gunnar Stahl?"

She sighed and took a seat beside him and found comfort in his arm around her shoulder, looking up at him she admitted, "He's not that same single-minded player from last year; he's different."

He chuckled lightly, "As long as he's good to you Julie that's all that matters. If you're happy then so am I."

"Thanks Adam, I wanted to tell you earlier but, well, it just didn't feel right with what is going on with your family."

Adam nodded in appreciation and stood, "Let's not talk about them anymore. I can't let them get to me when I need to focus on the tournament. Come on; let's return you to your new guy."

His teasing of her was the key indicator that let her know he was really okay with her seeing Gunnar. And this was a good thing, because Adam had been right, they were best friends. For so long she thought of Connie as the one she was closest to, but that simply wasn't true. Adam had been there for her, and vice versa, through everything. Their friendship was something she valued and hoped would never change.

As they entered the lobby laughing over something stupid, Gunnar and Olaf approached them. Gunnar took her hand and twirled her around in a circle before giving her a hug, "You are stunning."

She blushed as Olaf was laughing heartily and Adam shook his head with a small smile on his face. Her eyes took in Gunnar in his dark blue jeans and black t-shirt; even in his casual clothes he looked amazing.

Gunnar held her hand as they all left the hotel and decided to just walk the couple blocks it would take to get to the theatre. Conversation was surprisingly light considering just last year there was really bad blood between their two teams. Olaf and Adam had finally buried the hatchet and the two were really getting along as friends. It made Julie feel good seeing as Adam was important to her just as Olaf was important to Gunnar, she was happy to see they could be friendly with each other.

It took a while for them to decide on which movie to see. Then they bought a large amount of popcorn with slushies to go with it. They found a nice spot near the back of the theatre room and took their seats. Olaf and Adam were talking about different plays they were experimenting with while Gunnar simply held his Julie in his arms and watched the movie ads before the previews came on. Her head was tucked under his shoulder and against his chest, she could hear the steady beating of his heart and again she marveled at just being here with him.

When she felt him press a kiss to the top of her head she moved to look up at him. They shared a long look before closing the distance between their lips. It was a soft, drawn out kiss that left them both wanting more. Julie felt his bottom lip cover hers and a small moan emitted from her rather sore throat. Gunnar must have caught the sound as he tightened his arms around her and pressed more firmly against her mouth.

A clearing of the throat broke them apart, their gazes were heated and they neared to continue where they left off when Olaf spoke up, "Oh don't mind us."

Julie was blushing and Gunnar laughed while she tried to hide her face against the side of his chest. He rubbed his hand on her arm to reassure her while Adam added in, "Guess we get two shows tonight.

Olaf's laugh was very audible and soon all four of them were laughing in amusement. The movie started and they settled down. Gunnar kept his arm around her the whole time and occasionally stole a few kisses. Overall the movie was pretty good, it wasn't the one the star from Iceland had wanted to see, but had been overruled by the rest of them. And when Julie mentioned she had wanted to see this particular one then he was quick to agree.

Julie and Gunnar kept their arms around each other's backs as they walked with Adam and Olaf to get some ice cream. The two Ducks never knew just how funny Olaf could be, and they enjoyed the easy banter between the Iceland players. It was obvious the two were old friends.

The coldness of her frozen treat felt amazing on Julie's throat. And under the bright lights as they sat together in a booth, Gunnar suddenly went quiet in the middle of a sentence.

"What is it Gunnar?" Adam asked as he noticed Stahl's gaze was fixed on Julie, more appropriately, Julie's neck. Olaf had been sitting beside his best friend and followed his gaze, his own eyes suddenly widening at what he found, that was no hickey. Banks frowned as he looked down at the girl beside him.

Gunnar's voice was low and frighteningly intimidating as he spoke, "Julie, who did that to you?"

Julie eyed him from across the booth and swallowed nervously at the cold look in his steel-grey eyes, "What do you mean, what's wrong?"

"Those marks on your neck," he nearly growled out knowing he would never mar that beautiful skin. Trying to calm down he continued, "tell me who left those bruises on you."

Unconsciously her hand flew to the same spot that felt sore as she warily eyed her three companions, "There are bruises, are you sure?"

Olaf's fist curled on top of the table and his eyes were glowing an intense blue when he answered her, "Someone had their hands on your throat, I can see where two fingers choked you from here."

Adam turned in his seat to face her in shocked anger. He pried her hand away from her neck to get a better look at the bruises. "How did this happen?" Banks briefly glanced towards his best friend's new boyfriend with just a little bit of suspicion, though it was obvious right away that he wasn't the cause of this. Adam himself was pissed off, Olaf looked ready to pick a fight, but none of that could compare to the cold calculating fury on Gunnar's face or the promise of slow retribution hidden in his gaze at the one who dared to touch her.

Every muscle in Gunnar's body was tense with anger and worry, someone hurt this beautiful girl and when he found out who it was there would be absolute hell to pay, "Tell me Julie."

"He didn't mean it," she told him quickly, her eyes pleading for him to believe her, "really he didn't, and he already apologized. I didn't think he left a mark, I mean it hurts a little but-"

Gunnar suddenly brought a fist down to the table that startled not only their group but everyone else at the ice cream parlor. In a deceivingly calm voice he spoke to her, "You have been in pain this whole time and said nothing? An apology does not excuse the fact that someone outright choked you!"

Her eyes were filled with fear at the way he was acting, but she knew this was a time where she had to listen and trust in him. It was the only way they could learn from each other and grow as a couple, "I'm sorry Gunnar, it was just a little sore, please don't be angry with me."

Her words made his eyes soften and he grabbed her hands in his, "My anger is not at you, my beautiful Julie. Try to understand, someone hurt you, put their hands around your neck. I need to know who did this so I can protect you, it is important to me."

It killed her to out a fellow teammate, but knew she had to. From the looks on all three of their faces they weren't letting her leave until she told them what happened. "It was Portman. But honestly, he didn't mean to hurt me." It was obvious they all wanted the back story to what happened so with a sigh she filled them in, "He asked if we could hang out tonight and I told him I had plans. He got a little upset, but he let me go when he realized what he was doing. It wasn't on purpose."

The more she talked the more she could feel the three boys distance their demeanor from the topic of discussion. She literally felt Adam tense up beside her before he added, "He's been so rude and ignorant to you and Connie lately, more so with you, Julie I'm sorry this happened."

"It's not your fault Adam."

Gunnar closed his eyes for a moment and slightly tightened his grip on Julie's hands, needing to feel her to calm down more. When his gaze opened he was staring directly at Banks, "Make sure she's never alone with him. If I can't be with her then please stay by her side," his eyes shifted to stare at the girl he cared about, "I need to know you will be safe. I will deal with Portman when the time is right."

Adam nodded immediately and Julie's gaze melted under Gunnar's stare. They finally smiled at one another and as a group they left the ice cream parlor. They were all pretty quiet but none more so than Olaf Sanderson. Nope, he had a lot of things on his mind, things that needed to be said and cleared. He just hoped he would get the chance.