Thanks to all of you who continue to read.

Chapter 14: Fighting

Lizzy stepped off the elevator at the hotel and walked over to the stack of waffles that was sitting on the counter next to Star. She pulled the top one off, tore it in half, bit into it, then melted. "Made them just how you like them. I know waffles are your favorite," Star said, not looking up from the waffle iron.

"Actually, French Toast is my favorite, followed by chocolate chip pancakes. Waffles are a distant third, though these close that distance a bit," Lizzy answered, shaking her head.

Star looked up suddenly then looked as if to say something but before she could Matt came and repeated Lizzy's actions to a T. "Delicious as always, beautiful," Matt said then kissed her cheek. "Hey Teddy." He grinned at his sister. When Lizzy was little she followed Matt everywhere and though he was ten years older, he hadn't minded too much. One of Matt's friends had seen it and compared her to a little teddy bear and it had stuck.

"You two ..." Star shook her head.

"Mom used to do it. When one of us would come down on waffle morning, she'd pick the top one, tear it in half, take a bite out and hold it up like a smile," Matt said. A lump formed in Lizzy's throat. "You would have loved growing up with Mama." Matt smiled softly as he gazed at his sister.

Star looked at Lizzy and saw the girl looked slightly upset. "Matt," Star chastised as she slid the waffle from the iron to the plate. She walked around the counter and hugged Lizzy.

"I'm sorry, Lizzy," Matt said. He looked at her worriedly.

"No, it's okay. I like hearing about Mom. I get a little sad knowing I'll never know her."

"She loved you so much; from the moment she laid eyes on you." Matt shook his head.

"Boys! Hurry up and eat, then get your stuff packed. Check out is in an hour," their dad said, walking into the kitchen. "Uh you too," he said, patting Lizzy on the shoulder. He walked to the coffee pot as Lizzy shared a confused look with Matt.

"First cup?" Liz asked Matt. Matt nodded. Lizzy rolled her eyes but didn't say anything else. Her dad was often a little out of it until he had his first or second cup of coffee.

Then her Grandma Jacobs entered the room. "Rob, didn't you say that Lizzy wasn't going to make it to graduation?" the woman asked.

"I did. She has a musical today," their dad answered.

Lizzy bit her lip and Matt answered, "While I applaud your effort to stay involved with your daughter's life, the musical is next weekend and she's standing right there."

Rob looked at his little girl then took a long drink from his coffee mug. He blinked a few times then looked at her again. "Oh, Liz ... We only have 10 tickets," he said.

"I just got off the phone with Danni," Seth said, breaking the tension. "She has an extra ticket Lizzy can have." Everyone had breakfast before meeting Ben and Val near the arena.

"How are you two getting in?" Lizzy asked as Ben gave her the extra ticket.

"Each student ID is a valid ticket," Ben said. "Danni and Chris are already inside. They said they'd meet us out here after."

After a semi-enjoyable ceremony, they milled around outside waiting for Chris and Danni who were still inside getting their diplomas. They had been given the fancy folder that held the diploma during the ceremony but couldn't get the real paper diploma until the finance office cleared them; at least according to Ben. Fulton, Lizzy, and Matt were talking about Detroit's chances at the Stanley Cup when Lizzy felt two arms encircle her waist. Figuring it was just Charlie, she just smirked and a flash went off. Lizzy squealed when those two arms tightened, then lifted her up off the ground. "Put. Me. Down!" Lizzy demanded.

"Did you hear her, Mattie? I don't think I've heard her squeal like that since she was real little." Lizzy went stiff as he set her down. That wasn't Charlie's voice, it was Chris's. Lizzy swatted her brother's arm then turned to glare at him as he kept his arms around her. "I'm not going to apologize for picking on you, that's a brother's job." He had a smirk on his face though it was starting to waver slightly as her look darkened.

"Apples and bananas," Lizzy said, narrowing her eyes at her brother.

"What?" Chris said. The boy was so confused.

"Don't think it's about you picking on her," Fulton commented.

"Let me go," Lizzy said. Chris removed his arms and held up his hands in a surrendering motion. Lizzy walked over to Nat who was taking to Val and Casey about some fashion magazine. Lizzy stood and listened for a bit. She spotted Jim taking photos but lost track of him almost instantly when Nat asked her opinion.

Before she could answer, there was a voice in her ear. "Are you going to tell your brother why you're mad at him or are you just going to let him wonder?" Danni asked in Lizzy's ear.

"I'm not mad, just disappointed," Lizzy shrugged, looking up at the sweet brunette.

"Why?"

"Because he's better than this. It would be one thing if he just admitted that he forgot but to not even—" Lizzy was cut off by loud fighting. She looked past Danni to see Chris and Matt shoving each other. Lizzy sighed heavily, gritted her teeth, and marched over to the pair, planting herself between them. "Enough!" Lizzy snapped. She pushed Matt back a few steps. "You're drawing attention. Do you want the press here?" Matt looked away ashamed. As a professional hockey player, it would be very bad if the press got a hold of the fact he was physically fighting with his brother. "Walk away," Lizzy said. Matt looked at her, his jaw clenched, then he walked over to Star. Lizzy watched after her brother until Star wrapped him in a hug. She then turned to Chris and took his hand. She pulled him away from the crowd, across the street, and up the hill.

"What was he talking about? I could never forget my baby sister." Chris stared at her almost sympathetically and a bit confused.

"You'll make sure Danni sends out the wedding invites?" Lizzy demanded, staring up at him.

"What are you talking about?" Chris said, brushing his hand through his dark hair after taking off his graduation cap.

"And I thought Ben and Matt were the blond ones." Chris took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. "Tell me, how did you invite me today? Did you call? Send a letter? Have Dad call?" Lizzy finally explained.

"I—" he suddenly looked like he had been hit by a truck. "No excuses, just an apology," Chris said. "I should have called. Of course I wanted you here, Lizzy. I forgot and there's no excuse for it. Forgive me?" He pouted.

Lizzy wasn't relenting though. "Did I even cross your mind in the past month or so?"

"Of course you did. I can't tell why I didn't invite you but I regret it. You're my sweet, little, Firearm. S'il vous plait, pardonnez-moi."

Sometimes Lizzy really hated it when Chris spoke to her in French. As mad as she was, it typically made her melt, even if he was just asking her to forgive him. Then there was the nickname. Teaching her to pitch and watching her get faster and faster, was one of Chris's favorite memories. Chris didn't get to teach her a lot, she preferred to default to Matt but baseball had been his area of expertise and she learned quickly and could pitch almost as fast as he could. "Don't do it again. Je t'aime."

"Love you too," Chris answered, pulling her into a hug. Lizzy rolled her eyes then together they walked back to their family. After Jim took a bunch of photos, Chris took them and Danni's family to an out of the way restaurant. Rob paid for everything though Danni's parents tried to protest. They talked for a bit longer before Chris broke the news. "Some of you guys know there are nine minor league teams in Tennessee. Two of which are Triple-A, none of which are affiliated with Kansas City."

"And?" Lizzy prompted.

"And I've gotten offers for four of those teams."

"As in they want you to join the team?" Danni's father asked. Chris nodded.

"Which team?" Lizzy asked.

"Well, there's a team that plays out of Knoxville so I wouldn't have to go very far and it's one of the top options," Chris said.

"That's Double-A ball," the older man at the end of the table said. Lizzy was pretty sure he was Danni's grandfather. "They are affiliated with Toronto." That meant if Chris played for them and did well, when they called him up to play for the major leagues, he'd play for the Blue Jays, out of Toronto, Canada.

"Yes, then there's another Double-A team in Jackson. It's their first season in Jackson, but they've been a team since 1968."

"I think they're affiliated with the Cubs, right?" the older man asked.

Chris nodded. "Then there is the two Triple-A teams. Nashville and Memphis."

"Nashville is definitely closer to Knoxville," Ben said.

"Yeah, but it means Pittsburg. Memphis on the other hand means St. Louis. Granted, neither one is Kansas City ..." Chris trailed off. Chris had been a lifetime fan of the Kansas City Royals who played out of Kansas City, Missouri and Lizzy knew as long as he wasn't playing for the Minnesota Twins he'd be happy.

"Memphis is a brand new team. This is their first year." Danni's grandfather seemed to know a lot about minor league baseball. "Plus it's on the opposite side of the state."

"Just tell us which team already," Lizzy said impatiently.

"Danni and I talked about this for a long time. I've also talked to Ben. My best shot is—"

"You're going to Memphis," Lizzy said, seeing the look on his face. He looked like he was regretting it but also like he knew this was his best chance. Lizzy bit her lip and looked at her uncle.

"Lizzy, I know this isn't what you wanted by any stretch of the—" Chris started.

Jim gave her a gentle smile and she cut Chris off as she looked back at him. "Go for it," Lizzy said.

"What?" Chris asked.

"I said go for it. What? Did you think I'd be like Alicia?" Lizzy asked when he looked at her stunned. "Did you think because you're not picking a team in Minnesota or affiliated with the Twins that I'd be angry? I know I can be a stubborn kid who thinks she should get her way, but I never thought that you thought I was that ... self-centered?" Lizzy said slowly, unsure if that was the word she was looking for. Fulton nodded, approving her word choice. "I know Kansas City is your dream choice and if you think that Memphis can help you get there faster and Danni is okay with it, then I can support that."

Chris observed his sister for a moment then looked at Matt. They exchanged shocked looks before Chris turned back to Lizzy. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with my sister?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lizzy asked.

"My kid sister has a temper bigger than anyone I've ever met. This laid back, easy-going, accepting person in front of me isn't my sister."

"Can't I just accept things once in a while? Especially if I know how happy you are about it?"

"I would like that but it doesn't sound like you."

"Maybe I'm just growing up. That's a good thing, right?"

"I don't know. For anyone else sure, for my kid sister ..."

"Growing up is never a bad thing for anyone, but it will take some adjustment on everyone's part," Jim said to both of them.

"Why can't you go play for Kansas City's minor league team?" Danni's mom asked.

"Because they play in Omaha, Nebraska. Plus they'd have to offer me a contract and they haven't. You know if I was aiming for the minor's, double-A ball, four years ago, I could have played out of Memphis. The Memphis Chicks. Minor league and affiliated with the Royals. They moved to Jackson this year but were affiliated with the Mariners last year and the Padres the two years before. It's alright. It's rare that a fan ends up getting to play for his actual team. Sometimes it's best to take what they give you and play your heart out," Chris explained.

Before they all headed back home, Matt pulled Chris aside and apologized to him and Lizzy was beyond grateful. On Monday, Lizzy was only a bit surprised to see the entire baseball team wearing their baseball jerseys and jeans that day. That day in their second study hall, Fulton looked up from his homework at Lizzy. He reached over and touched her hand. "I'm proud of you," Fulton said softly and seemingly randomly.

"Thank you," Lizzy said touched, as she looked up at him. Portman glanced at Fulton out of the corner of his eye but kept working on his math homework.

"I'm serious, Lizzy. Mom and Dad are too."

"What for?" Lizzy asked.

"The way you treated your brothers. This whole weekend, ever since you met with McGill really, you've been calmer. Not as prone to anger."

"Part of that is because of McGill. Maybe I am wrong about being so angry at him and by extension getting angry so often."

"Maybe but part of me does miss seeing you so angry."

"Why?"

"Because an angry Lizzy gets things done and scares off the right kind of people."

"Fulton, there isn't a single player on the Ducks that wasn't afraid of me when I first joined the team."

"There isn't a single player on that team that is afraid of you now."

"Maybe," Lizzy sighed, "But I don't want people to be afraid of me. You know what that's like." A lot of people were afraid of Fulton and that didn't make him feel too hot.

"I do and you're right." Fulton paused then dug thorough his backpack. "Dad wanted you to have this." Fulton passed her a photograph.

Lizzy flipped it over and smiled. The flash that had gone off the day before when Chris had snuck up on her, had been from Jim's camera. He had snapped a picture of them. "Thanks Fult, I love it."

Tuesday afternoon Lizzy left art and headed for the ball field, well she tried to. Connie stopped her and questioned her about play practice. Lizzy hated to miss it but it was the first game of the Minnesota State Baseball playoffs and she knew winning this would bring more attention to their team and the school. Plus their backup pitcher wasn't great and would probably lose the game for them. She didn't want that to happen. She explained all this to Connie who said she'd inform their play coordinator and hope she wasn't too upset.

"Today's game is against the Hampton Academy Rams," Coach Matthews said as they sat in the locker room before the game. Lizzy zoned out as he went on about his normal pre-game pep talk essentially telling the rest of the team to make sure Lizzy didn't do all the work and then he turned to Lizzy and clapped a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with an eyebrow raised. "This is the playoffs, and I know you can hit, but the only thing I want you doing today is pitching."

"Yeah, I hear ya." Lizzy sighed. It had been a great struggle between her and the coach to let her bat. He, like many coaches, thought pitchers were only great at pitching. Ben on the other hand insisted if she was going to play baseball, she was going to learn to bat, throw, and catch. When Chris had returned home for spring break during her first season playing for the middle school softball team he had agreed then worked with her stating if she could get a hit off him, she could get a hit off anyone. Plus it would give him a chance to practice his pitching over the summer. Chris had originally been disappointed to learn that she was playing softball instead of baseball but he helped her anyway. Then he came back that summer to find she was playing baseball for a local youth co-ed league.

After the game, which they won 4-1, Joey Larson caught Lizzy outside her locker room. "Have dinner with me," he said quickly.

"Uh ..." Lizzy paused, unsure if she should. Not only would her team be playing his twice more the following day but he was also a former Hawk. It could be seen as improper. Then Lizzy remembered that she didn't really care what others thought. "Not if it's about McGill."

"No McGill, I got it. I'll meet you at the diner in half an hour." Joey took off towards the Hampton Academy bus and Lizzy watched until he boarded then she went back to her dorm.

On the way back, Fulton fell into step beside her. "A Hawk?" Fulton asked.

"If you could read, you'd know his jersey says Rams," Lizzy answered lightly.

"I can read. That doesn't change what he was."

"Do you just talk to hear yourself speak or is it because you think you have good ideas and you believe in them?" She rolled her eyes at his confused look. "You're smarter than that, Fulton. A week ago it was "Forgive McGill, you'll feel better." Yesterday it was "I'm proud of you for staying calm and forgiving your brothers." Today it's "he's a Hawk, he's evil." That's not fair."

"That's not—forgiving someone and constantly being around them are two different things."

Lizzy stared at him astounded. "Constantly? I've seen him twice, maybe, since I moved back, not including games." Lizzy stopped short and stared at him. Fulton realized she had stopped, he did as well and turned to look at her. He looked a bit confused, but Lizzy could see something else in those normally guarded bluish-gray eyes. He looked almost scared. That's when it hit her. "This has nothing to do with Joey being a former Hawk."

"What? Of course it does." Fulton said defensively.

"Don't lie to me," Lizzy growled. She sighed and shook her head. "This is about what I said on Sunday. You're threatened by me growing up."

"Why would that threaten me? I just said that I was proud—"

"Because it means childhood is ending. And you think you're part of that." Lizzy closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. She buried her nose in his chest for a moment. His smell invaded her senses and calmed her; a scent that was purely male and pure Fulton though she couldn't describe it to save her life. "No matter how old or big or mature I am or how angry I get at you, I will always need you. You are my best friend—No, you are my brother, more than just blood." Lizzy pulled back a bit and looked up at him. He was looking down at her. "I can't put into words what you mean to me. There really aren't words to describe it. You mean the world to me, maybe even the universe. You aren't going anywhere and any boyfriend or friend that can't understand that doesn't deserve to be such for very long."

"That's not fair to you."

"Maybe not but it's who I am and it won't change unless you don't want to be my friend anymore."

"Lizzy," Fulton pouted, dragging out her name.

"Fulton," Lizzy answered in the same tone.

"I will always want to be your friend and I'm sorry. I just ... I don't like thinking I'm going to lose my best friend."

"Never," Lizzy told him. She reached up and cupped his cheek. For a brief second, Fulton wondered what she was up to then laughed out loud. "Now, this is a bit awkward, I'm going to go change."

"Don't change, I like you the way you are," Fulton answered smirking. Lizzy rolled her eyes and cuffed his shoulder as they both started walking back towards the dorms.

Again thanks for reading, drop me a line for anything you have questions or comments about.