DISCLAIMER: I've said it before, I'll say it again: I own NOTHING but Claire

Chapter 12

The next day, Charlie and I were at Mickey's with our mom, each of us trying to get our separate homework done. I was just finishing up my math when we heard a voice behind us.

"Hey. Can I sit?" Without looking up I knew it was Coach, so I slid over to the empty barstool next to me so that he could sit between Charlie and I. "Did you talk to the guys?" He asked us.

"We tried," Charlie answered him for both of us. Despite the fact that we had been sulking, Charlie had called most of the team and we had met up in the park. The two of us had tried every angle we could think of to get everyone back on board with the Ducks. "They think we're traitors for even showing up." Which was true. They hadn't taken very well to the fact that we had both shown up for the game. I felt like I was very close to losing Connie, who was the closest thing to a sister I had.

"I guess they hate me, huh?" Coach commented.

"Is it true you were really a Hawk?" Charlie asked him. I knew it was something that had been bothering my brother.

"Yeah" Coach told him.

"Peter said you blew a really big game once," Charlie started to pry a bit.

"Yeah, well, Peter's right. It was the last game of the state finals. We were tied, 2-2, in the end of the third period. I get a penalty shot. I go in, I triple deke, and I fake the goalie right outta his pads. The puck's headed in, and then -" Coach punched his palm "-clang." Charlie and I groan, knowing how awful that would feel. "Hits the post. We lost in overtime." Coach paused for a moment shaking his head. "A quarter of an inch this way and it would've gone in. A quarter of an inch, Charlie." he paused. "And Claire," he added as a bit of an afterthought, looking sheepishly over at me. I just gave him a small smile, letting him know the slip-up was fine and forgiven.

"Well, yeah, but a quarter of an inch the other way and you would've missed completely." Charlie pointed out. Coach laughed a bit.

"I never thought of it that way."

"At least you got to play in a championship game," Charlie said wistfully. "God, that must've been so cool."

"Hey," Mom said, appearing right in front of us, probably having just noticed Coach. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?" She asked him.

"I'd love one," he replied. Mom just grinned and walked away. I shot a devious look to Charlie, and he grinned back at me. Coach had watched Mom walk away, and Charlie and I looked in that direction too.

"Y'know," Charlie started, keeping a straight face and a laid-back tone, not even turning his head, "she has many fine qualities that men find attractive." Coach looked over at him.

"I know that, Charlie. That fact hasn't escaped me." He turned to me in order to direct his next question more towards me. "So, what kind of guy does she usually date?"

"Jerks," Charlie said with disgust from behind him. I nodded quickly, having been thinking the same thing. Coach turned back to Charlie, knowing he wouldn't get any words out of me. "I mean, most of them like her, and Claire," Charlie continued, "although not all of them liked Claire very much… but as soon as they catch a glimpse of me -" Charlie turned and smacked his left palm, pulling his right arm towards his body as he said "Pow! Warp speed, they are gone."

"Don't take it personally, Charlie. You either, Claire."

"Oh, we wouldn't even care, except it's not fair to our mom." Charlie told him for both of us. "She deserves somebody nice." Charlie paused for a moment. "Are you gonna come over for dinner again?"

Coach sighed. "I dunno, Charlie. I' not sure it's such a good idea. See, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I, uh, talked to Jesse and Terry's dad, and he's gonna take over coaching for the rest of the year."

"You're quitting?" Charlie asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

"I'm stepping aside to keep the team together, The guys can't play for somebody they don't trust."

"I trust you! And so does Claire! The other guys do too, they just don't know it. You gotta talk to 'em!"

"Charlie, I've done all I can."

"No you haven't. You gotta tell 'em! YOu gotta make them understand. You can't walk out on the Ducks! We're your team."

"No, you're not."

"We are too! We weren't even the Ducks until you came along. You made us and now you're stuck with us." Charlie flung himself from his barstool and ran out of the diner. I could see the tears in his eyes, could hear it in his voice.

"Charlie -" Coach called after him. He sighed and turned to me. "You hate me too now, don't you Claire?" I shrugged. "What's that supposed to mean?" I turned over my math homework and grabbed my pencil, scrawling some words onto the back quickly.

Yes and no. On one hand, I hate you for upsetting Charlie so much. He really looks up to you you know. But I also know that you're just doing what you think is best for the team. I'm not happy about it, but I can respect your decision.

He smiled at me. "Thanks, Claire. I guess that's all I can really ask for." I shot him a very small smile and stood up, gathering my homework and grabbing Charlie's before heading out of the diner myself.

That night, as I tried to sleep, I heard Charlie's quiet sobs. I knew he was trying to hide them from me, despite the fact he was barely five feet away from me. I slid out of bed and took the few steps over to his, climbing in silently beside him and comforting him to the best of my ability until we both finally fell asleep.