When the heck did Canada get so good!

A new year brought on a new crop of players for the Canadian team and they were stacked on offense. Julie was forced to call upon all her experience and natural instinct to keep the game close. She was already disappointed that two goals made it to the back of her net. The Ducks had the slim lead of 3-2 as the third period wound down in the first game of the final round.

While the Canadian's were rolling 4 lines of decent scorers, it seemed the Ducks defense was taking a nap out there. Reed was the exception, but Portman and Averman were both looking a little lethargic. And it was a complete defensive breakdown that left Cat facing four bodies that ended up netting a goal. She was frustrated with her teammates and made sure they knew it in the last intermission, and yes it did feel good when her team captain completely agreed and had her back.

Portman finally redeemed his lackluster playing tonight when he managed to get Tyler cleared for the knuckle-puck. It managed to hit the net and finally the Ducks had some breathing room with the score being 4-2 in the final minutes of the game.

With the time counting down, Bombay ordered his squad into a defensive shell to protect the lead. Canada was coming on strong and Julie made some spectacular saves. Her heart was pumping hard and her eyes remained focused. With the final buzzer finally going off the Ducks were able to breathe out a huge sigh of relief. They had worked hard in the last week to prepare for this series; it was a hard-fought win even though they could have played better.

In the locker room it was pretty quiet considering they just won the game. Bombay closed the door and paced the floor for a few minutes before addressing his squad, "Guys," he finally threw his hands up in the air, "what happened tonight?"

Averman sighed, "Yeah that would be my fault, when I fell in practice yesterday I think I re-injured my ankle."

Luis frowned at his teammate, "Les, why didn't you say anything?"

"Well you know, I was going to, but I woke up and it felt pretty good."

"And now after playing on it for a whole game it's worse than before, isn't it?" Coach Bombay watched Averman blush a little and nod the affirmative to his question, "I've been there man, you can't play injured you could cause some serious harm to yourself. Alright, so we'll take a look at it later on but the rest of you aren't off the hook. You guys seemed to wake up in the third but only after Cat and Conway let you have it."

Charlie eyed his team before looking at his coach, "Something to remember is we all worked extra hard in our final practice with Iceland yesterday. I think some of us pushed ourselves a little too far and are paying the price for it today."

Portman nodded in agreement, "One too many sprints coach, my legs are killing me right now."

Bombay closed his eyes before answering, "Alright, I'll allow that we may have pushed the endurance training a little far yesterday. Rest up tonight you guys and go easy in your workout tomorrow, do just enough to loosen your muscles. Come on Les, let's get you checked out. Goldberg, we might need you on defense."

Greg smiled, "I'll be ready!"

Stanssen, Olaf, and Gunnar were waiting for them all out in the hallway. Wolf went along with Gordon and Les to seek out the medical team. It was still strange that the coaches were…friends.

Julie was taking off her skates when she saw Gunnar enter the room with Olaf right behind him. Adam greeted the two Vikings followed by the rest of the Ducks, even Dean acknowledged the two of them. Taking a seat beside his girlfriend Gunnar began to silently put Julie's stuff away in her bag. Charlie and Adam pulled him into conversation while Julie left with Connie to change into their street clothes.

"Man, I'm beat," Connie announced upon re-entering the main area of the locker room.

"Me too," Dean agreed whole-heartedly.

Dwayne leaned forward on his knees, "I think we all are."

Olaf smirked after sharing a knowing glance with Gunnar, "You guys are feeling the effect of working with our coach. Don't worry you get used to it."

"No wonder you guys are huge," Ken observed, despite the fact he'd grown quite a bit in the past year, "I don't think I'll ever get used to this. Practice yesterday was brutal."

"Yeah, I thought we might have fun with it like last year," Guy added in, "obviously not."

Julie eyed her teammates, "Well I think we should keep it up." Half of her teammates looked at her like she was crazy, "What? You all know how I feel about our-"

"Our conditioning, blah blah blah," Dean cut her off feeling exhausted and just wanting to flop down on his bed.

"It couldn't hurt," Adam came to Julie's defense, "it takes hard work and dedication to stay on top."

Apparently several of the Ducks were finished with the conversation as they stood up and simply headed out the door. Julie shrugged and went to grab her bag only for Gunnar to wink at her and take it himself. Olaf did the same for Connie and with Charlie, Adam, Fulton, Dean, and Dwayne the group left the arena.

Dwayne and Dean were questioning Olaf on his training outside of team practices and the three ended up in a long discussion over it. It seemed that Julie had gotten to at least a few of her teammates. As it was, Julie herself always pushed herself hard, her coach back home was a strong believer in exactly what Adam had said…hard work meant dedication which meant success. It was one of the many things that she had in common with her exceptionally handsome boyfriend, they believed in hard work.

Connie's voice brought all of their attention together, "Wait, what?"

Dwayne shrugged, "What's the problem little lady? Are you too tired?"

"No!" she stomped her foot and crossed her arms, "I'm game if you are!"

Julie eyed them all, she'd been to lost in her thoughts and had no idea what they were talking about. Gunnar saved her by saying, "No thank you, I've worked out enough for one day already. Julie, do you want to go to the park?"

She smiled and nodded, about to agree when Adam jumped in, "Take me with you, please. I am not about to torture myself with whatever evil Olaf calls training."

"Yah," Gunnar agreed and hit the button to call for the elevator, "meet us in the lobby in half an hour."

"Yes, I really need a shower," Julie complained and wiped at her forehead, she was still sweating a little, she really worked hard in goal today.

Olaf and the others made their own plans and headed out to the track and field not far from the hotel. Gunnar laid out on Julie's bed while waiting for her to finish showering. She came out feeling much better and refreshed. Not wanting to keep their friend waiting they quickly left the room. Hand in hand they walked through the hallway, made their way down on the elevator and caught up with Adam in the lobby as planned.

There was a nice little park just a block down so they decided to simply walk the distance. It was late afternoon and the weather was beautiful, luckily it wasn't too hot or humid. Small children were seen running around, but overall the park wasn't crowded at all. Julie quickly found herself swinging with Gunnar and Adam looking on and laughing at her. She stuck her tongue out at them, Adam rolled his eyes but Gunnar just winked.

Finally Adam took the swing next to her and started pushing himself over the ground. Gunnar crossed his arms and watched them for a moment as he leaned against the long leg of the set. Banks challenged her to see who could go higher and they were all laughing before to long.

"Any higher and I think I'll go over the top!"

"You better not Julie," Gunnar shook his head at her, "but if you fall I will catch you."

Julie started to slow down with a smile on her face, "Good to know. Let's test that theory, shall we?"

"Wha-?" His eyes widened when she launched herself towards him. He rushed to her and opened his arms, a little miffed that she would put herself in harm like that. But he simply couldn't be mad at her when she was looking at him with such faith, trust, and love in those beautiful blue eyes.

So instead he kissed her. Adam laughed at them and their kiss was ended with them both smiling too widely to continue. He kept his arm over her shoulders as they faced Banks, he had slowed down and was standing up now too.

"I'm glad you had the sense to not see if I would catch you too."

"Shut up," Adam lightly punched Gunnar's shoulder, "you know you would have."

Julie giggled and they started walking towards a water fountain, "Do you think our Ducks are regretting taking Olaf up on his offer?"

Gunnar smirked, "Of course they are."

"I doubt they'll even show up for our team workout tomorrow," Adam guessed, "as long as they aren't dead on their feet for the next game I don't care what they do."

"Yah," Gunnar looked at the two of them after taking his turn at the fountain, "to be honest I'm surprised you guys won today."

"If it weren't for Cat calling us out after the second period we probably wouldn't have."

Gunnar eyed his girlfriend with respect, "You kept your team in the game today."

"What are you talking about, I let two goals in. It didn't feel like we were even close to being prepared for them."

Adam shook his head no, "Don't sell yourself short Julie, as always you were our rock. Why Coach didn't play you last year still confuses us all."

They continued to talk about the choices from last year's tournament. Gunnar made it clear that he agreed with Adam, he didn't understand why she didn't get the starts when it was obvious she was the better goalie. Julie admitted that she did go to Bombay about it last year and he promised she'd get her shot. And sure, she ruined it when she childishly pushed Gunnar and Olaf to the ice, but during practices she felt she had more to offer than Goldberg. Gunnar had the decency to blush and again apologized for his words to her that night. She simply smiled and admitted that she'd heard much worse before and didn't act on it. Adam wondered why it had bothered her so much that night after finally getting a chance to play and Julie simply shrugged and told them she didn't understand why either.

They made their way to the little café near the hotel and enjoyed a light dinner. Gunnar took the time to teach them a few words in his native tongue. Julie had already learned several words during their time dating and proved to be a quick learner. It was pretty funny to listen in as Adam attempted an Icelandic accent. Then he teased Julie that Gunnar's accent must be why she liked him so much to which she threw an ice cube at him.

They returned to the hotel and went their separate ways, or at least Adam headed off to see what Charlie was up to. Gunnar led Julie back to his room so they could relax together for the rest of the evening.

He turned on the radio to play in the background and turned to see her holding her arms out for him while kneeling on his bed. Julie's confidence was something that had attracted him to her from the very beginning. She was feisty and never backed down, she met him at every challenge and he adored her for it.

The time that they would have to say goodbye was rapidly approaching, and he just wanted to freeze time and be with her like this forever. So he went into her loving embrace, softly pressed his lips to hers and let their mouths confess their every desire and wish to one another. He savored the feeling of her hands on his body, in his hair, and everywhere they touched she left his skin burning for more. He moaned as her body pressed closer to his, wanting nothing more than to give in to the promising pleasure just beyond their reach. For her though, he would be strong, she was so worth it.

Tonight was a night to take their time and just enjoy the feeling of being in love. This night he wanted to commit all to memory. It was going to be a very long time before they could be together again. And yes, she was worth the wait, but it didn't mean that wasn't going to miss her. He already did and she was still right here in his arms, right where she belonged.

Julie was always going to have his heart, no matter how far apart they might be.