Thanks to everyone who's still reading this. Also to Genius892050 who added this to their favorite stories list. A chapter dedicated to Julie, who like Averman is not in the chapter that bares their number. I have to get better about that.

Chapter 6: Skating

Monday she, Fulton and Charlie spent most of the morning working on homework in the kitchen. Casey, her mother, Jim, and Nat noticed that more often than not it was quiet in the kitchen but weren't sure as to the reason. Finally Jim walked over to them. "So, why are you guys so quiet?" Jim asked. "You're know you're not in trouble right?" Bombay had left the previous afternoon to go back to California for his job, Lizzy's dad was at work, and her brother Seth was back at school up near Columbus so that just left Fulton, his parents, Lizzy, her grandmother, and Charlie and Casey.

"We know, it's just the only two classes I have with Fulton are English Lit. and Math, and I only have History with Charlie. We've already finished those classes. The rest of our classes don't have the same teacher or they're not taking the same class," Lizzy explained.

"I took Auto Shop, she took Art, Charlie took Home Ec. I took Spanish, Charlie took French, and Lizzy took Civics," Fulton added.

"Charlie has regular English, and they're both in Biology while I'm in Chemistry," Lizzy finished smiling up at her godfather.

"I see," Jim answered. He wandered back over to the living room and sat back down beside his wife as they continued to watch daytime TV. After their homework was finished, the threesome retreated to the basement to play video games.

Just before dinner, Rob called his daughter into his office. "Liz, I got that budget you wanted," her dad said.

"How'd you do that? Preppy school like that should be tight-lipped about how much they spend," Lizzy said.

Rob motioned her into a seat across from him and she plopped ungracefully into the leather, wing-backed chair. He gave her an annoyed look and she shrugged. "Well, Tom Riley is the president of the school board and the alumni association and, last time I checked, your brother's godfather. It didn't take long to get it. What exactly do you want from it?" Rob asked.

"What did you tell him I wanted with it?" Lizzy asked. "And how do you know Tom Riley?"

"I went to Eden Hall. Tom's only a couple years older than I am. We also both went to the University of Minnesota. He got in some trouble during his final year, I happened to overhear it and I defended him in Student Court. I just told Tom that I wanted to see their budget before I made my decision on how much I wanted to donate for the next school year."

"He was okay with that?"

"Yes. Now, what did you want the budget for?" Rob asked, curiously looking at his little girl.

"I want to know if there's enough money remaining in this year's budget to redo the baseball field. I told you that. I know the baseball team there hasn't been the best but we deserve to have a halfway decent field."

"And you think the school would just randomly pay for it?"

"Maybe not, but they did pay a lot of money last year to redo the ice rink."

"So this year it should be the ball field?"

"If you didn't want to help, that's all you had to say."

"I'm just trying to prepare you for the board meeting where they will do anything to tell you no. Besides the ice rink is for their championship-winning, state-ranked hockey team, when was the last time the baseball team won state?"

"A few years ago."

"Ten. They haven't been to playoffs in eight and they haven't won a season in four years."

"If their team is crap, why'd you send me there in the first place?" Lizzy argued.

"Because Charlie was there. Fulton too. I knew if anyone could straighten you out and make you calm down after what your brother did, it'd be those two," Rob answered, placating his daughter. "On top of all of that, I knew Bash would look after you on the baseball team."

"Bash? As in—"

"Bastian Johnson, your third baseman. As in your mother's nephew. Her older brother, Austin's son," Rob explained patiently. He wondered why the boy hadn't told Lizzy they were related.

"I have another cousin?" Lizzy asked. For her entire life she had only had one cousin, Charlie. Then again having only found out that Alicia was her step-mother that past Christmas and not her biological mother meant that Lizzy had been and still was unaware of most of her family on her mother's side.

"Bash didn't tell you?"

"No, but that's probably because my brothers got to him first. Probably figured they could talk him into keeping an eye on me as a friend and I wouldn't know and couldn't prevent him from reporting back to them the way I have, mostly, with Charlie."

"I see. So this deal?"

"Maybe we can come to some kind of compromise. Like maybe they'll improve the stadium if we win the season. They've got all summer to do improvements."

"Sounds smart," Robert said. "First things first, let's look at this budget." They looked for a while but eventually Rob shook his head. "Sorry sweetheart, there's no money left in the budget. Not this year at least. Let me call Tom, maybe he can fax me the projected budget for next year."

"I can't believe they have enough money for scouts but they can't pay to fix the baseball field," Lizzy huffed. She looked back down at the budget and a small asterisk was attached to a line item at the very bottom of the budget. "Hold up, what's this? It looks like there's a fund that was donated to the school about 10 years ago."

"Does it say what it was for?" Lizzy shook her head and handed it to her dad who looked through the paperwork to find the fund. "It just says Martin Spencer Fund," Robert said. "Hang on I saw that somewhere." The description was just a footnote but it explained what the fund was for. When Rob explained it to his daughter she put on what Charlie had come to term her thinking face. A face she used when she came up with her more devious plans. She thought about the wording of the description and a smile slowly bloomed across her face. "What?"

"This could work," Lizzy said.

"How?" Rob asked. Lizzy explained it to her father and he nodded. "So what's your next move?"

"Phone calls, explain it to the baseball team, and then the school board," Lizzy said.

"Make sure you include Gordon in on this," Robert said.

"Why include Bombay?" Lizzy asked.

"Because he's actually in Minnesota and he can protect you if you need it." Robert stared at his daughter for a moment.

"He's not in Minnesota any more than you are. He still works for the Junior Goodwill Games. With summer coming up, it's high time for recruiting and that means he'll be super busy."

"Then maybe you should have a conversation with either Phil Banks or Tom Riley. Having an actual lawyer to back you will make things easier and Tom can grease some wheels when it comes to the school board."

"True, but I don't want to blackmail the schoolboard into something or bribe them."

"You're not, you're just ... making a reasonable argument so they understand your position. Tom will trust a well thought out deal and it'll increase your chances of getting this passed. Remember last year; they wanted to cut the Ducks?" Rob said.

Lizzy nodded. Tom Riley had masterminded the entire plan to out the Ducks from Eden Hall but legally he had no standing. That had been the only reason they had stayed. Typically when Tom Riley wanted something, he got it. At least, according to Adam. She had heard the entire story from him. He had felt ostracized by the Ducks being put on Varsity so he turned to the only friend he felt he had left, Lizzy. She sympathized and reminded him that the entire team hadn't given up on him but with Charlie being hurt, the other Ducks had no other option but to rally around their captain. Maybe it would help to have Tom Riley on her side. At the very least it would keep her from getting a flat out no. "Okay, I guess that makes sense. You really think Mr. Riley will listen to me?"

"He might, if you make it sound important." Lizzy nodded to her father's suggestion. She looked down at the papers in her lap. "Tell me why you hate Gordon," Robert said.

"Have you not been paying attention for the past five years? Ever since that man came into your nephew's life it has been up and down and round in circles. Can you honestly say that letting this man back into our lives is a good idea? Because I can't."

"I understand, sweetheart."

"Do you? Do you really understand everything that man has done?"

"You know Chris and I have a lot in common. He was my second-born so I didn't make the mistakes with him that I made with Matt. He was actually raised pretty well and the one thing I am certain of is Chris's dogged determination to protect his baby sister. He gets that from me. All my boys do. I have always done my best to protect my baby sister and when I fail, it hurts but it also shows me just how strong she is. You remind me of her a lot. Especially when it comes to Gordon Bombay. You gave him a chance as a hockey coach in Pee Wees, all I'm asking is that you give him a chance as a man, now."

"I'll think about it," Lizzy said. "But what does it matter if I don't? It's not like he's involved with Aunt Casey."

"And if he was?"

"You think she'd get involved with him again after what happened four years ago when he left he for the minors? When he didn't stay in touch?"

"He never got married. Maybe there was some thing or someone that held him back?"

"I don't know, Dad. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if Aunt Casey got involved with Bombay again, after two marriages not working out, God knows she could use a good guy who loves her and her son, but I'm tired of him always leaving and Charlie's emotions being on a roller coaster. I feel like when—" Lizzy suddenly realized who she was talking to. "Never mind."

"Lizzy, I know we haven't been close because of your former step-mother and because I've never known how to raise a girl, but I want that to change. I love you, sweetheart, and I want you to be able to tell me everything you tell Nat and Jim or your friends."

Lizzy took a deep breath and sighed. "I feel like every time Bombay comes into Charlie's life, it's like a hurricane and I end up being like FEMA there to fix it. I'm tired of it. Why can't Bombay just be like the sun? Maybe scorch a little but overall nothing bad comes from the sun."

"I don't know, Liz, but like you said, he's going to be busy this summer so you don't really have to worry about him." Lizzy shrugged. "Just remember, talk to Tom Riley before you talk to the board. It should help."

"Thanks, Dad." After dinner, Lizzy turned to her dad. "We're going skating," Lizzy said.

"Lizzy," Jim warned.

Lizzy looked at him and saw his expectant look. She sighed angrily and then looked back at Fulton. His look matched his father's. Charlie shrugged. Lizzy did her best not to roll her eyes. "Dad, is it alright if Fulton, Charlie, and I go skating?" Lizzy asked.

"Be back before it gets dark," Rob answered barely looking away from the game on TV. Lizzy looked at her cousin who shrugged again.

"Okay, bye," Lizzy grinned. It was what she wanted but she wondered why it kinda hurt. She shrugged it off and they put their skates on in the garage as well as their winter coats and skated to the nearby basketball court. The court was empty so they skated around having fun then a group of boys showed up. Lizzy saw them and stopped. "We should go, it's getting cold and dark," Lizzy said softly. She refused to meet either boy's eyes and looked self-conscious. Charlie and Fulton had never seen her like this. Well, not since they were in Pee Wees and Adam, McGill, and Larson had cornered her early on in the season. About a week or two after the District Two Panthers had to forfeit their season due to the measles, Lizzy had been playing hockey by herself in their alleyway waiting for Fulton and Charlie to show up as they were both serving an afterschool detention when the three Hawks had encircled her. They threw around as many insults as they could without swearing until Fulton showed up and scared them off. The boy wearing the varsity jacket smirked maliciously and skated up to his favorite target.

"Well look what we got here boys, it's our wanna-be, pitcher. How's your season, wanna-be?" he asked. Fulton and Charlie stopped behind Lizzy and looked at the other boys who looked more hesitant to pick on her, especially as they sized up the other two boys.

"Leave me alone," Lizzy muttered. Charlie and Fulton shared a look. This wasn't their Lizzy. Their Lizzy had been taking on Hawks for as long as they could remember and never let anyone get to her.

"Leave me alone," the boy mimicked in a high pitched voice. "What are you going to do if I don't? Go crying to daddy?" he mocked in a babyish tone. "Daddy's not here, and neither is your boyfriend's father. You're going to pay for what you did. I got grounded for a month for what you did. They made me miss the season opener."

"Tyler," one of his friends warned. "Maybe we shouldn't."

"These two thugs couldn't touch me," Tyler snapped.

Lizzy felt Fulton move forward to prove him wrong but she grabbed his wrist. "Just leave me alone. I didn't do nothing to you. You did it to yourself," Lizzy answered softly.

"To my—to myself? Let's just see about that," Tyler answered. His hand shot out and landed on Lizzy's shoulder, this thumb digging painfully into her throat. "My uncle may have believed you, but when I'm through with you not even your dad will take your word." He pushed Lizzy backwards, she slid easily because of her skates, and Fulton and Charlie went after him. However the other three went after Charlie and Fulton, two at the big enforcer and one at the scrawnier captain. Lizzy swallowed as she was shoved back across the court into a fence but couldn't fight him off. He was the popular captain of the local high school varsity baseball team as well as their pitcher. Tyler drew back his fist to punch Lizzy when suddenly he was ripped away. Lizzy swallowed hard and slammed her eyes shut to avoid seeing what was happening. She was wrapped in a hug not long after that.

"Lizzy?" Fulton asked softly. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to find herself wrapped in a boy's arms; a boy that was not Fulton.

"Are you okay?" The boy with his arms around her asked. She sized him up. He was nearly as tall as Charlie and Fulton but because he was in sneakers instead of skates the height difference was more than obvious. His hazel eyes were focused directly on her face and his side swept light brown hair shone in the evening light.

"I'm fine. Thanks, Aaron," Lizzy said. "What happened?"

"What happened is that idiotic Tyler Smith thought he could get away with harassing you again," Aaron answered.

"Liz?" Fulton asked.

"Guys, this is Aaron Hoffer. He was a very good friend of mine," Lizzy said.

"Was?" Aaron asked.

"Is a very good friend of mine. Aaron, this is my cousin Charlie Conway and my best friend Fulton Reed."

Aaron dropped one arm from around her and turning, offered it to Charlie and Fulton. "Nice to meet you both," he greeted. Charlie and Fulton agreed as they both shook his outstretched hand.

Fulton gave Lizzy an inquisitive look and she smiled. "When Dad got transferred here in October a year and a half ago, I met Aaron. He was very sweet and nice. I also met Tyler. He was a jerk but to everyone else, he was great. He and his little league team was coming off the Ohio State Little League Championships. They lost to South Carolina in playoffs for the Little League World Series. Aaron had also played for that team but hadn't been so uptight about it," Lizzy explained.

"Tyler likes to make my life hard because I'm not a snob. I don't think I'm better than everyone else at the school. Lizzy's done her best to keep him from making it too hard for me. He's the varsity captain this year. Last year JV, this year varsity," Aaron explained.

"He's a sophomore, right?" Charlie said.

"Yeah, but the majority of our varsity team were seniors last year. I think there were four players that weren't. Tyler kinda took over. I'm still on JV because as good as I am, I refuse to be on the same team as Tyler unless I absolutely have to," Aaron said.

"Mav, why did you back down so fast? It's not your style," Fulton inquired. He often called her Mav after Maverick from Top Gun. She had been talking to him and Portman online and had discovered Portman shared her favorite movie, Top Gun. When they started quoting lines and how often they watched it, Fulton had given her the nickname of Mav and Portman the nickname Goose. He like to humor them even if he wasn't as enthralled with the movie as they were.

"Every time I've stood up to Tyler, Aaron sees the fall out. I don't want to cause trouble with Tyler and have him push Aaron out, especially when I'm not there," Lizzy said.

"What did he mean that your boyfriend's father wasn't here and even your dad wouldn't believe you?" Charlie asked.

Lizzy took a deep, shaky, breath and slowly let it out as Aaron dropped his other arm. "Turns out that Tyler is actually Portman's mom's sister's kid," Lizzy said.

"You're kidding right?" Fulton asked.

"Nope. I found out when I went to Chicago for his brother Jeff's wedding. Tyler insinuated that not only was I sleeping with Port, but also Aaron and that I wouldn't mind giving him a shot. I punched him in the gut for it. When he tried to complain to Port's dad, Mr. Frank didn't believe him and instead took my word. I guess he just thought he could make me regret it or force me to keep it from my dad. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to tell my dad what happened but not because of what he did. What did you do to him?" She looked back at Aaron.

"Ever since my mom got up the courage to leave my dad, I just haven't been taking Tyler's crap and I didn't do it this time."

"Did you hurt him?"

"He'll have a nice shiner in the morning." Aaron smirked.

"We should get going. It's late and we promised to be home by dark," Charlie said.

"Okay, well, I hope to see you sometime this week, Lizzy. Again, Charlie, Fulton, good to meet you," Aaron said. They went their separate ways and once again while they were getting ready for bed, Fulton asked about what had happened.

"I don't know what you mean, Fulton," Lizzy dodged.

"You never, never, ever back down from something, why this time?" Fulton asked.

"I told you why. With the Ducks, I'm always there to see if there's any fall out from something I've done; here, I'm not. They're in school all week and I don't want him getting hurt because of something I did." Lizzy looked down at her pillow and Fulton sighed.

"It's just odd to see you back down. You're always the best when it comes to getting your way or making other people be cool," Charlie added.

"You think I manipulate people?" Lizzy asked.

"Maybe, but I know when you do it, it comes from a place of love," Charlie answered.

"But I shouldn't do that," Lizzy said softly.

"As long as you're not threatening someone, we don't mind it," Fulton added. Seeing Lizzy uncomfortable though, he dropped the subject and they went to bed.

Could someone, anyone really, review and tell me if you're still enjoying this? Thanks.