So sorry this one took so long. Thanks to sarabug08 for your review. I'm glad you like it.

Chapter 27: Back to School

Lizzy and Mr. Robertson took the team to the airport early Monday and a few hours later they were landing in Minnesota to be greeted by Coach Orion and Charlie's Mom. After welcoming the team and getting their luggage into the 15 passenger van, they loaded up the team and took them to the school, all except Lizzy and Fulton who drove up to Stillwater to get the rest of their stuff. Once they picked up her stuff, they drove to his place to get his and found his dad at home. Jim helped them load Fulton's stuff then he wrapped both kids in a hug. "Now, I know that you're less than an hour away and the phone does work both ways and I'll see you in a couple of weeks for the first hockey game of the year but don't be strangers, okay?" Jim said.

"Course not, Dad," Fulton said.

"Never, Jim-Jim," Lizzy agreed.

"Especially since you both can drive," Jim finished.

"Yes, sir," both kids answered. Soon they were pulling up in front of Eden Hall where a whole slew of students were moving into the dorms. Fulton grabbed his duffel and his hockey bag and made sure Lizzy was okay before heading inside. Lizzy grabbed her baseball bag and backpack and turned to go inside. She didn't get more than two steps from her car when she was approached by the baseball trainer, Alex Mason.

"Hey, Liz," he said.

Lizzy was slightly startled by his sudden appearance. "Uh, hi, Lex," Lizzy said.

"You have fun this summer?" Lex asked.

"Spent most of it with my brothers, mind if we walk?" Lizzy asked, shifting the backpack on her back.

"Of course." Lex motioned for her to lead the way. Lizzy began walking towards the building and Lex followed beside her. "I spent most of the time with my mom. My dad was on one of his business trips so that was good."

"Okay, well I have to find my room and boys aren't allowed on this floor so ..." Lizzy trailed off. Lex nodded and headed back for his dorm. Lizzy took a deep breath and shook her head. She wondered who she would be rooming with this year. She was back in the co-ed sports dorm but with Julie and Connie rooming together again, she didn't blame them as they got along better than Lizzy did with either of them, she had no idea who they would room her with. She was pretty sure that unlike the year prior, when she had shown up in the middle of the year and they had roomed her alone, that she'd have a roommate. She found her room easily, the exact same room she had the year prior. It was still completely empty though. She dropped her stuff on the bed closest to the door then returned to her car for her suitcase, stereo, and TV. She stared at the TV for a moment knowing she couldn't lift the TV by herself. She turned to find someone and once again was surprised by someone appearing behind her. This time it was Jim Williams, the second baseman from her baseball team. "Hey, how about some help?" Lizzy smiled brightly.

"Of course," Jim said. He picked up the TV as she took the other two items. "Lead the way."

Once she was back in her room, he put the TV on her dresser then let her be. She got mostly unpacked then, when she couldn't find her bear, she went back out to her car and found it sitting in the middle of the back seat. As she headed back inside, arms wrapped around her from behind. "Uh ... hi?" she questioned.

"Don't question me, just smile. Mom, take the picture," the voice from behind her said. A woman in front of her lifted a very professional camera and Lizzy smiled as she snapped a few photos. When she put the camera down, Lizzy spotted she was a blonde woman maybe in her late 40's with a professional camera hanging around her neck. From a distance she looked like she could fit in with most of the kids milling around, casual and laid back but the semi-stern look said there was more to her story.

"Bastian," she said her hands going to her hips. Lizzy glanced back to see it was indeed Bash behind her. His arms settled around her waist and his chin dropped to her shoulder.

"Mama, this is Lizzy. Liz, my beautiful mama and your aunt, Sasha Johnson," Bash said.

"By aunt, I take it you are Austin's sister's youngest. Lizzy Jacobs. The pitcher I've heard so much about," Sasha said, making her way over.

"Yes, Ma'am," Lizzy answered.

"Don't Ma'am her, she's your Aunt Sasha," Bash said.

"Hush you. She's got manners, I like it," Sasha said. "Ignore my manner-less son, I don't know where I went wrong with him."

"I'm sorry, Mom," Bash said.

"It's alright. I'm sorry we didn't get to meet before this. I've met your brothers though. Each a character in his own way. I love all of them though. I do hope we get to spend more time together. Maybe at Christmas or next summer. Call me if you need anything. Unfortunately it's getting late so I need to go." Sasha pulled Lizzy out of Bash's arms and into hers. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Lizzy answered. She shook her head and hugged the woman back. It felt a lot like Nat's hugs but seemed a little different. Lizzy smiled as Sasha pulled away. She spoke with Bash for a moment then said her goodbyes. Once Sasha was gone, Bash looked at her. "What?"

"Nice bear," Bash said. His eyes were focused on her stomach. Lizzy looked down and smiled.

"Bobert the bear. My mom got him for me when I was a baby. All I have left of her. Well, kinda," Lizzy said.

"You're not really sure about that?" Bash asked.

"Right. So, I'm going to go. I'll see you later." Lizzy smiled and went back to her room. After getting set up she was reading the newest sports magazine when her door opened.

"You Lizzy then?" a girl asked. Lizzy looked up and nodded. The girl in the doorway had a bright green suitcase on wheels in one hand and a pillow under the other arm. She had bright reddish-brown hair and when their eyes connected, hers widened suddenly. "Oh my God, you're that Lizzy."

"That Lizzy?" Lizzy asked confused. The girl set her suitcase upright and placed the pillow on top of it then rushed over to the end of Lizzy's bed. That's when Lizzy noticed her bright hazel eyes. They were mostly light brown with flecks of green and blue around the middle. It was an interesting color to say the least.

"You're the one that helped the Ducks last year when they trounced the St. Paul Pirates. According to our coach, you had only been on the team for a week. Plus our baseball team hated losing to you," she said.

Lizzy sat up and leaned back away from the girl. "Okay, back up, that's my face. Second, cool your jets. You went to St. Paul last year?" Lizzy asked.

"Yeah." Her face went dark and it almost seemed like her hair lit on fire. "We don't talk about last year."

"Got it," Lizzy said.

The girl instantly smiled and it felt like her entire personality changed. "Anyway, I'm Ashley Donovan. I'll answer to just about any nickname you call me, except Donnie. We're not going there. So how'd you do it? A week on the hockey team and you we're like the best one out there. And then to overcome the sexism of the baseball team? You are amazing." She asked most of this in one breath and Lizzy watched her trying to keep from looking too calculating. Ashley took a deep breath and slowly let it out but looked no less eager.

"I grew up playing with half the hockey team. It's in my blood and if you're good at what you do, the team will learn to accept you. What grade you in and why are you in this dorm?" Lizzy asked.

"I'm a junior, was at St. Paul High last year, and I play tennis for the school. Got a scholarship this year. My family and the rest of my stuff is outside so I'm going to get the rest of my stuff. We can talk more later."

"A few rules, don't mess with my Ducks. The Team USA Ducks, you've probably seen them in newspapers?" Lizzy asked. Ashley nodded. "Don't screw with them. However angry you can get or mean you can get, you can't top me when I'm mad about my Ducks."

"Got it."

"Also Fulton Reed is off limits. You can be friends with him but anything else is off limits. He is like a brother to me, I will kill for him."

"Got it. Anything else?"

"Don't touch the bear. You got anything?" Lizzy asked.

"You won't like me when I'm angry and don't ask about last year."

"Okay. Anything specific you want?"

"That closet." Ashley motioned to the one in the corner closest to her bed. "Other than that I'm good."

"A little heads up if you have a boyfriend in here would also be nice. Dry erase board note on the door or hair tie on the door handle." Ashley nodded and they lapsed into silence. When neither said anything, Ashley left and Lizzy lay down on her back going back to reading her sports' magazine.

"Flying toad!" a voice called from the hallway. Lizzy looked up from her magazine to see a stuffed toad come flying at her and land directly on her stomach.

"Holy carp!" Lizzy exclaimed. "Could you be anymore immature?" Lizzy asked, seeing Fulton.

"Yes," Fulton agreed. "Chill out, I just borrowed it from Connie who said she got it from Guy. At least it wasn't real."

"You seen Aly yet?" Lizzy asked.

"Not yet but her last phone call said she'd be in later than the rest of us. How's your roomie?" He jerked his head to the bag that wasn't hers.

"Seems okay. Don't think she'll kill me in my sleep but not sure. And uh ... She went to St. Paul last year."

"Pirate? Okay." He stared at her for a moment. He slumped against the doorway, his shoulders hunched, hands in his pockets with his eyes more on the toad in her lap than on her face. This had to be serious. "Can I ask you to do something?"

"You can ask, sure. You know that."

"I want you to try out for the hockey team."

"And risk one of you not making the varsity team for me?"

"You certain you'd make the varsity team?"

"With a fair judge, of course. With Wilson, I don't know."

"I don't think all of us are going to make the varsity team. Not with how many seniors are left from last year."

"You think they'll split the team in half?"

"When I was younger and was used to having the whole team, at the end of the Goodwill Games, I thought nothing could split this team up. Every year it's going to be our team, all of us Ducks together, but now I realize it's just not logical. I'm surprised it didn't happen last year."

"You think we can make it?"

"I'll think we'll be fine. It'll take some adjusting but we'll be fine."

"Who do you think?"

"I don't know. You and Banksie definitely. Making varsity, I mean. Despite not playing for a few years, you're still good, plus you trained with Matt this summer. Julie, if they're looking for a goalie. Probably Port, he's all around good, same with Guy. I don't know about anyone else though." Lizzy nodded able to see the logic behind it. He pushed himself back up and smiled. "We're just a floor up if you need anything. Same room we had last year. The only one who doesn't have a Duck for a roommate is Dwayne. I'm not sure who he's rooming with though."

"Thanks, Fult," Lizzy said.

"You must be Fulton Reed." Fulton spun to see a very short redhead in the hallway.

"Wow, how old are you? Like 12?" Fulton asked.

"Fulton!" Lizzy chastised.

"I get that all the time. I'm 16 and a junior. You just happen to be tall." That's when Lizzy recognized Ashley's voice.

"Uh, Fult, please let my roommate into the room," Lizzy called.

Fulton stepped aside and Ashley entered the room. "I'm Ashley by the way, Ashley Donovan."

"Fulton Reed," he answered.

"Yeah, I see that," Ashley said. The girl looked excited but also like she was trying to play it cool. Lizzy smirked and noticed she had two boxes in her arms. Fulton took the top one and set it on her desk when she nodded to it.

"Hey, you want to bring your parents or siblings in here that's fine by me," Lizzy said.

"Nah, it's cool. And it's just my mom and siblings. Dad died serving overseas," Ashley admitted as she sat the other box on her bed.

"My mom died when I was a baby. Dad remarried when I was a year old but got divorced last year," Lizzy said.

"I'm the oldest of four and the youngest are twins."

"Youngest of five, all older brothers. Fulton here is an only child."

"Fulton whatever-your-middle-name-is Reed, get back here with my toady," Connie called from down the hall.

"It's Daniel," Lizzy called back.

"Connie middle-name Moreau, I don't have it," Fulton answered. Lizzy didn't say anything and Fulton gave her an open mouthed disappointed look. Lizzy smirked and shrugged. "Gotta go." Fulton took off down the hall to the back stairs and most likely ran up to his room.

"I've got it," Lizzy called to Connie. Connie slid to a stop in Lizzy's doorway and bent over, hands on knees, trying to take deep breaths.

"Man, I'm outta shape," Connie said.

"No, Fulton's just fast, especially for an enforcer and 200 pounds of muscle. What'd he steal your toad for?" Lizzy asked.

"He thought it was cute," she wheezed out. Lizzy then noticed that her roommate had disappeared again.

"Or to torture you?"

"That too. Thanks for not correcting him on my name."

"I fear you more than him."

"I doubt you could ever fear him."

"That much is true."

"Are his initials really FDR?"

"Yeah, but his parents didn't notice it until after it was printed on his birth certificate. Daniel is his maternal grandfather's middle name."

"Oh," Connie said. She caught her breath and looked around the room. "You like your new roomie?"

"Seems okay. Redhead. I don't really know. Do you know who is rooming with Dwayne?"

"Someone from the varsity hockey team. Can't remember if it was Riley, Brown, or the backup goalie from last year. Everyone else is rooming with one of our Ducks. Of course Captain and Banksie are together as are the Bash Brothers, you've got to be insane to room with the Bash Brothers, me and Julie too, but that's all I remember."

"Riley as in Kyle Riley?"

"Yeah. Word has it he'll be captain this year."

"Isn't he a junior?"

"No, he's a senior. Adam was the youngest among his group of friends."

"Well, here's your toad."

"Thanks. Julie and I are two rooms down on the left. I'll see you at dinner."

"Yes, ma'am. If you see Port, tell him I need to see him." Connie nodded and left the room.

When Portman came in later, Ashley was out. "Connie said you needed to see me?" he asked.

"Uh yeah. So the stereo was just the power cord but the TV?" Lizzy asked.

"Power cord and cable cord."

"And my computer?"

"Power cord and Ethernet cord. I can show you if you want." Lizzy nodded and climbed off her bed walking over to the dresser where the TV sat. "So you reach behind here—" he stepped up behind her and guided her hand along the back to the spot where the cable cord would connect. "Do you feel that?" Portman asked when their fingers brushed against the cable connection.

"Yes, I definitely feel that," Lizzy answered softly but she was more focused on the feel of his body against her back than the TV.

"The TV, Lizzy," he answered just as soft in her ear. Lizzy swallowed as she turned to look at him. His coffee-colored eyes were focusing on hers but every other second they'd slip down to her lips as she knew hers were doing too. "I don't think I've ever told you just how beautiful you are." Lizzy swallowed again then felt his soft lips press against her own. It was just like the first time they kissed. Fiery, passionate, yet slow, and gentle all at the same time.

"We shouldn't do this," Lizzy said, pulling back and opening her eyes. She hadn't even realized they had shut or that her hand had threaded itself into his hair.

"You're right. I'm sorry." Portman let his hands slip from her hips as her hand dropped from his hair. She bit her lip and he swallowed. "Why don't you take a walk? I'll sort the TV and the computer and be done in about 15 minutes." Lizzy nodded and left the room. She found herself in Julie's room who informed her that Adam was upstairs in his room with Charlie. Lizzy bolted up the stairs and found Adam alone in his room unpacking his suitcase.

"So Preppie can do things for himself," she teased. He spun around and smirked at her once he realized who it was. "Hawkeye, I screwed up," she said softly. Hawkeye was a childhood nickname she had given him when she realized how much he really was like the comic book archer.

"Sit down. Tell me what's going on," Adam said, sinking onto his bed. Lizzy sat down on Charlie's and told him what had just happened downstairs. "I want to tell you to stay away from him," he said when she finished, "but I know the forbidden fruit is only sweeter because it's forbidden. He's hurt you once, he could do it again and you'd be right back to where you were last March. It's not wrong to still have feelings for him but it can be potentially problematic. Just focus on school and try not get involved with him again."

"I hate it when you're right." Lizzy said. They trailed off into silence for a few moments then started talking about pro hockey and the teams' chances. When she was sure Portman would be done in her room, Lizzy headed back down but ran into him on the stairs. Portman apologized for what happened and promised not to make a big deal about it. Lizzy agreed.