I absolutely want to apologize to everyone that added this story to one of their lists or commented on it 2 years ago! I am so sorry I let it fester. I feel that part of this chapter was not how I wanted it to be, BUT, its how it worked out in my head so, hmm. There will be more and I really, really hope that it doesn't take me 2 freaking years to update!

I own nothing. NO flames! 0:-D ... they hurt my feelings and I just like to do this for fun, so no making fun of my fun!

Julie opened the glass doors leading into her firm. Yawning, she held up her Starbuck's cup as a form of waving to the receptionist, as her bag was in the other hand with her suit coat draped over that arm. Taking a sip, she moaned with a mouth full of coffee as she spilled a few drops onto the front of her new, red sleeveless turtleneck. Coming to her office, she unceremoniously dropped her leather tote bag and coat onto the floor as she fiddled into her pocket for the keys she put there earlier. Opening her door, she huffed, placing the cup on her desk. No sooner had she pulled her belongings into her office from the middle of the hall way, her phone rang.

Wrinkling her eyebrows, Julie reached for her office phone.

"Julie Gaffney."

"Jules! Its me. You sit'n down?" Connie rushed out.

"Aren't you supposed to be supervising a cafeteria breakfast or baby sitting other peoples kids or something?" Julie couldn't help the smile on her face.

"Har. Har." Connie replied dryly. "You wanna go to Detroit tomorrow for Saturday's first Stanley Cup finals game?"

"Hu?" the ex-goalie replied, sitting at her desk and flipping open her lap top.

"The finals! Pittsburgh against Detroit! Adam! The last of our boys! Lets go!" Connie clambered off.

"Well... hold on a sec."

Connie stood on the other end of the line, leaning against the brick of the school, waiting right next to the parking lot. As soon as she had gotten the phone call this morning on the way to work from Adam, she agreed to his invitation and immediately called Julie. There was no waiting. Looking down, she wiggled her arm, letting her bangle bracelets fall from their place on her forearm to be free at her wrist. Pushing off the wall, she rocked back on her heels and teetered back and forth and finally rolled her eyes. "Julie!"

"What..!" the blonde snapped from her end.

"It's not a career move, jesus! Its a yes or no!" she laughed.

"Unlike you, I do not have set hours, and I had to check my calendar to see if I scheduled a deposition or a preliminary objections hearing a while ago. These things get scheduled months in advance you know!"

"Well live on the wild side mama!" Connie then began walking toward the school.

"OK, tomorrow is Friday and I have nothing scheduled... convenient for you." Julie smiled. 'For the first Friday in months actually. Is that fate?' she thought to herself.

"Great! I will call Tams on my lunch. We'll talk tonight so you know what to pack! Toodles!" and with that, the brunette hung up.

Julie pulled the phone from her head and looked at the receiver before she placed it back. Shaking her head, she had a smile on her lips the whole time. Standing, she leaned over and closed her door. Bringing up her internet browser, Julie punched in 'Hotels in Detroit' and began searching. She didn't tell Connie obviously, but she was excited.

"So let me get this straight. He called you, asked what we were going tonight and Saturday, completely last minute mind you, and offered three tickets waiting for us under his name?" Julie asked as she climbed into Connie's silver Nissan Altima.

"Yes. And then he told me about dinner reservations after the game. OH, but whatever you're thinking, he said he wasn't able to get us box seats or anything. Adam said, and I quote, 'You're down with all the working stiff's because thats what you are'." Connie said the last quote in her best guys voice, rolling her eyes.

"What an ass..." Julie smirked.

"Well I'm excited! Its nice of him to do this! Those tickets are expensive!" Tammy commented from the back seat, leaning up between the two other women.

"Speaking of expensive, " Connie turned to Julie as they sat at the red light in Friday evening rush hour traffic. "..you didn't have to buy the room like that!"

"Well I wanted to, besides I was worried that the longer we'd wait... the worse it might get."

Connie gave her friend the lamest look.

"Ok fine! I wanted a nice room that was only a few blocks from the arena! Sue me!"

"I can't, your my attorney!" All three women giggled at Connie's remark. The trip was underway. In a few hours they were in Detroit, settled, and snug in their beds, resting for their first live hockey game... in years.

Julie Looked at herself in the mirror, frowning slightly as she twirled in her Pittsburgh Pens hoody that she had purchase in the lobby. Connie had insisted that they all buy something in black and gold, just for Adam. Julie didn't complain, one of her life's philosophies of course was 'One can never own too many hooded sweat shirts.' Julie shrugged and leaned forward, finishing her eye makeup. Suddenly, her thoughts betrayed her, finally bringing a deeply hidden desire to the fore front 'Would Dean and the others be here tonight... ?' Pulling back from the mirror, Julie brought her hand holding the eye pencil down. Leaning on the sink she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, she smirked to herself. 'No, Adam would have mentioned it to Connie... right?'

"Jules! You ready lady?" Tammy knocked on the door lightly.

"Yea... yea..." Julie ripped the door open, the breeze causing her hair to flutter around her face.

"Great! OH... Picture!" Tammy camera sniper-ed Julie before she could protest and scampered away laughing devilishly.

Connie walked to the door with Julie's purse in hand, motioning for her to hurry up.

The arena was packed with people waiting in endless lines outside, loud music to get the fans pumped up along with vendors selling beads, hats, towels, cups, flags, food and t-shirts. A group of guys about the same age as the three women walked by, a few cat-calling 'Pittsburgh Pussy' while the others just cussed at them for wearing 'that garbage.' Tammy had frowned until Julie reminded her that they were in Detroit wearing Pittsburgh clothes after all and they that in the end, they weren't a fan of either team, just there for the game. Tammy was always more sensitive than the other two girl. Connie and Julie had to be, they played for years on an all-male team, in a man's sport. After making it inside, they reached their seats and ordered their eight dollar beers, of which at that price, Connie said she was just having that one, and she would make it last the whole game! The introductions began for the teams soon enough and the girls found them selves among many other Penguins fans as they stood and cheered boisterously for Adam Banks. As the puck dropped, Tammy sat up at the edge of her seat the whole time, Connie kept her eyes glued to the jumbo-tron and Julie couldn't wipe the ridiculous smile off her face as she kept her eyes trained on every puck handler. However during that first time out halfway threw the first period, their demurs all changed dramatically.

"Ladies and Gentlement, Boys and Girls! Hockey fans of all ages and cities! I would like to direct you attention to the Jumbo-Tron! Members of multiple NHL teams are here tonight, among them, the former Eden Hall high school team mates of Pittsburgh's Adam Banks!" As the camera scanned the one particular luxury box Julie felt her throat tighten as her body felt enflamed, a searing hot flash lapsed over her body for the fastest second of her life. First Ken, Averman, Luis, Russ and the newly defeated Goldberg, followed by Charlie, Portman, Guy, Fulton and Dwayne. From that point, everything the announcer said, was in the back of Julie's mind as she stared blankly at the tall, tough Chi-town native, smiling, elbow nudging Charlie and Guy.

"The Eden Hall Mighty Ducks went to the Semi finals the first year, but it wasn't until these men were appointed Varsity at the school that the Ducks won back to back National Titles and before that, when they were in Junior High, there the World Champions of the Junior Goodwill Games! Give it up to these outstanding roll models!"

The crowd erupted loudly as the camera scanned the all too familiar faces. Julie, Tammy and Connie sat, stunned. In the back of all of their minds they had, like Julie in the bathroom earlier that night, silently hoped that their best friends and ex's would be there, but then they thought for sure Adam would have told me.

Julie sat staring at the back of the mans hat in front of her. Dean Portman was there, in the same mile radius as she was. It had been a few years since that had happened. It had been a few years since ...

The evening breeze was cool, but it was still a very warm and humid night. Mosquitos buzzed about as Julie had walked briskly to the latched door of the fence leading into the back yard of the Germaine Residence. Stopping, she fixed her dark jean skirt and forest green tank top. Letting a breath out, she lifted and latch and let herself slip into the back yard. Loud, deep laugh voices resounded from the porch where a fire pit was now surrounded by her old team mates, Tammy and Connie.

"Hi!" Julie let the smile spread as she lifted up the case of beer that she had been carrying.

Numerous 'Heys' and 'Hi Juls' and a few 'Kitty Cats' we hear from the group as Charlie, Fulton and Averman were the first to stand, greeting her with hugs.

"Hey lady..." Guy came out the sliding glass door, reaching for the beer. "Thanks! As if we don't have enough!" he smiled, kissing her on the cheek.

"Yea, well I was on the way over and thought I'd stop." she shrugged her shoulders.

"How was the library you nerd?" Dean Portman asked as he leaned back in his lounge chair between Tammy and Russ.

"Stimulating." Julie replied dryly.

"I bet." he winked at her. He hadn't seen her in ages or even spoken to her for that matter but the ass actually had the nerve to wink at her. Unreal. Julie felt her cheeks redden as she rolled her eyes, playing off her nerves. He looked great. Hair styled, navy T-shirt and destroyed khaki shorts, of course it didn't really matter to Julie what he wore, Portman always looked good.

"Hows your summer lawyer thingy goin Julie?" Dwayne asked her as Guy unfolded another chair next to where he was sitting.

"Um... my law clerk position is good. I do all the grunt work, but, just, one more year. " she smiled. "Thats all I keep telling myself."

"Yea... we're tired of paying for Julie's drinks when we drag her out... poor law school kid. When she makes the big bucks is when she'll pay for us!" Connie winked at her smiling.

"Big bucks... ha! With this group? Please!" The entire circle chuckled. "I'll make pocket change."

The catching up and banter had went on for a few more hours until it turned into reminiscing.

"That was the night that Russ thought it would be a great idea to run down the street screaming 'help I've been raped by Amanda Munson and it hurt so good!' " Everyone let out a loud laugh as Goldberg brought up yet, another famous Russ Tyler story from their Senior year.

Julie continued to giggle as she stood and walked to the house, pushing the door open, and made her way to the bathroom. Guys parents house was always kept in immaculate condition. Nothing out of place, not a speck of dust. She wondered how in the world they were ever ok with all of them at the house when they were younger. 'Even now!' she thought to herself as she began scaling the stairs to the second floor bathroom. She faintly heard the sliding glass door open as she closed the door behind her. A few moments later, she finished washing her hands, ran her hands through her hair, wiped the smudged eye liner at the corners of her eyes and opened the door.

Letting out a gasp, Julie stopped and looked up into Portman's face.

"Sorry..." she smiled shyly and tried to side step him, only he moved the same way.

"Sheesh Cat, took long enough?" she could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Unlike you, I wash my hands." she replied snidely.

"Ow.." Portman put a hand to his heart and made a pained expression.

Julie couldn't help but giggle at him, but she stopped as he moved forward and pulled her to him. She froze for a few moments, swallowing, she finally brought her arms up and wrapped them around his waist. He felt firmer and bigger then she remembered, if that were even possible. He tightened his hug on her neck and head as she buried her face into his chest, breathing deeply at his cologne.

"It's good to see you..." she could feel the air from his words tickle the hair on the top of her head.

"It's nice to see you too ..."

"I..."

"Portman..." Julie pulled back and started for the stairs. "... go pee." she giggled again and turned.

"Julie." her weight faltered a second as she gripped the railing, but she didn't turn. "You look great." she heard him barely mumble.

Turning her head back then, she looked at him through the blonde locks that veiled her face, one foot on the next step down.

" You too..." she breathed out with a lop sided smile. "...But you know that."

He let out a deep chuckle. "You are so snarky sometimes, you know that?

"But you do know that." She turned on the stairs then, coming up, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning a shoulder onto the wall. "Your Dean Portman! The Washington Capital's Mr. Tommy Tough Nuts, you're in a commercial Portman! You sell Jockey underwear! You're on Sports Center and in ESPN magazine and ... I ... " she faltered a moment, "... I purchase every magazine when theres an article..." her voice faded out realizing that she was slightly drunk and confessing something that would probably just make her look small, pathetic and living in the past. Glancing down, she swallowed.

"... You save the articles?" he asked, mimicking her stance in the bathroom entrance. He watched as she nodded her head.

"Man... " He breathed out. "My girlfriend doesn't even do that." he said it so small and deep in thought, looking down, concentrating on her pink toe nails.

Julie felt her throat burn at the news. Why was she acting like this? How ridiculous. The last time she saw him was the summer before their senior year of undergrad when Banks' family had a huge pool party and she was fine. Of Course at the time, she had Anthony there, her boyfriend at the time. Anthony, however, only lasted three months.

"Whats her name?" she was proud of herself sounding strong and unfazed as she pretended to be interested.

Portman picked his head up and locked eyes with her. "Amelia."

Julie forced a small smirk "Different. Don't hear that everyday. What's she do?"

Rolling his eyes, he shoved himself up from the door frame. "Well she's not going to be an attorney, thats for sure." he tone snide and biting.

"Whoa, I just asked a question! Jesus, fine..." Julie moved from her wall and made for the steps, this time making it half way down before she stopped at the sound of his voice.

"Cat. You know... I can't tell you what she does, because it's just going to remind me over again that, everyday I think about if a girl is really into me or the fact that I was going somewhere after college or if they're after the money now, " He paused and looked up at the back of her head, " and the last girl that was into me, just me, was in high school." She heard him take a breathe before he continued his rant, "...I used to think I saw you at parties and shit at school, out at bars... well at least I always thought I did. The chick always turned out not being you, obviously. I don't know what it all means, but I date girls that are cocktail waitresses, sell make-up at the mall or dance at the Washington Wizards games, not... someone accomplishing things and going somewhere! Someone with a fucking brain! The feeling sucks Julie. It fucking sucks."

Neither of them said anything for what felt like hours, she stared at the Germaine family photos ahead of her at the bottom of the stairs, listening to him breathe, knowing he was waiting for her reaction.

Dean stood at the top of the stairs, waiting to hear her say something, anything. Pulling a hand up, he raked it over his face, knowing he was drunk and stupid. Really fucking stupid. In less than two minutes of conversation with Julie, he had managed to spewed up his emotions in the form of verbal diarrhea to the girl he hadn't spoken to in years. They say you never forget your first love but never really moving on from it? Never heard that one. Dean Portman entertained many different types women in college and now as a professional athlete, but they never lasted long. He always got drawn in by the beauty, but after just a few dates, and sometimes just one, he realized that the only thing that seemed to be at attention were the fake breasts. Amelia at least had some aspirations, she was in her last year as a Human Services major at George Washington University, he met her while she was working her internship with the Capitals. Of course even now, he knew he was only reasoning with himself.

Julie felt her heart slamming into her chest as she realized everything she ever told her self about her first love was true; they were there for one another no matter the reason or purpose, but they were never exclusive and they were never in love, at least he wasn't. It was all one sided. Julie realized at that moment that in the end, they truly were just friends, best friends with benefits. She had basically thought of him as her first love, even talked about him to girls in school like he was, but never telling anyone his full name to seem snooty or precocious for dating an NHL athlete. A lot of people in law school weren't from the city and didn't know about her past or who she was or anything about Eden Hall Hockey for that matter, and she was ok with that. But the truth was finally out now, six years after high school, six years after it all gloriously happened. She thought she had loved Scooter, but Dean Portman... the menacing Bash Brother who she grew to tolerate, and then grew to like as a friend and team mate had totally showed her what true physical and emotional need, support and love was all about, even if he didn't realize he had affected her so. She bit her dry, bottom lip. He hated that it happened. Thats what he said right? 'Blah blah blah, I feel like I see you places, blah blah blah, it fucking sucks...' Yep, that had pretty much been the important stuff.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Portman..." she offered in a slight slur over her shoulder. Moving to the living room and heading to the kitchen, she yanked open the fridge and pulled out another beer. She blinked back a tear and swallowed the lump that formed in her throat as she pulled open the sliding glass door to the laughter and darkness on the patio.

BBrrrruuzzz! Julie felt her head shake at the loud interruption of the half time buzzer sounding for the rest of the period to presume, her memory fading to black. Glancing back up at the jumbo-tron only to see the images of her lost love and childhood team mates had been replaced with the stats of tonights game thus far.

Connie leaned over for both blondes to hear. "Are you still going to enjoy the game?"

Julie shrugged and Tammy gave a sad excuse for a smirk.

"Oh this is pathetic! We have been on how many dates and had countless men try to pick us up the last few years! Come on! You two are better than this!" She pointed back and forth between the two.

Julie watched as the line changed for Detroit. Gnawing on her bottom lip she smirked. "You're right Cons! Your fucking right!" she started laughing and looked at Tammy, "You and Fult are fine, I mean... you talk every once in a while on email and stuff! De, I mean, Portman and I had that 'altercation' two years ago at Guy's, but I'm sure we can act like adults! Besides, he emailed me the other day wanting to catch up!" Julie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, slouching comfortably, "We'll be fine..." Julie picked up her one hand and waved it idly trying to convince herself.

"Right, maybe he emailed you because he's single and wants to mingle..."

Julie sat up in her seat and glared at Connie. "Why, oh why do you insist on messing up a good personal motivational speech!"

"I'm being serious! What if he's not dating Amanda or Amber or whatever from Miami or Texas anymore!"

Julie sat back into her seat and huffed. "Who cares if he is..." she mumbled to herself.

Tammy glanced over at her and nudged her with her shoulder and smiled. Sitting up she reached past Julie and shouted "Hey... HEY! Beer here!" at the attendant lugging the bin of beverages past them. Julie smiled at her friend, for Tammy understood.