Chapter One: The Jersey

Author's Note: There are a lot of scenes missing from D3 I find.. I have like 6 of these. This one was the hardest to write. Serious writer's block . Next on the list is Portman / Bombay screen in Chicago. Because that 100% did happen off screen. Maybe do a Fulton returning to the team. Just stuff which probably happened.

Coach Orion sat in his office twirling a pen between his fingers as he re-read his teams' contracts for the fifth time in the last hour. He was no lawyer but he couldn't see any justifiable reason for the board to revoke their scholarships. They were now five hundred for the season with their last win over the St. Paul Knights and the team as a whole had a B average even with Fulton and Conway having missed classes.

The events of the past few months were enough to make his head spin. He had talked to Bombay about taking over the team two weeks before the school year started. Bombay seemed more interested in discussing the many inner personal intricacies within the team than anything to do with actual hockey. Orion was confused at the time on why this was but the events of the past month made it abundantly clear that for this team to be successful, they had to be a cohesive unit on and off the ice.

When the JV team arrived at Eden Hall, he could tell right away that changes needed to be made. On and off the ice. He was determined to be tough but fair.

He knew about bullying from the varsity during school hours and about Conway and Fulton skipping classes and although he had no confirmation, he had heard rumours of a long-drawn-out prank war between the JV and Varsity teams. He had considered briefly asking the team about it but quickly reconsidered. The less he knew, the better.

Orion heard a small knock on the door to his office but he didn't look up. He shared a space with the other JV teams at Eden Hall as well as the PE department. There was a group of students looking for a volleyball earlier and he figured they were just returning it.

There was another knock. A little louder this time. Orion looked up. "Conway?"

Charlie Conway stood in the doorway holding in his right hand what appeared to be a ducks jersey. Charlie stepped forward and scanned the office until he saw what he was looking for. A box with twelve duck jerseys in it. He walked over to the box and placed his jersey, 'C' removed, gingerly in the box.

Charlie opened his mouth as to say something but then closed it. Opening his mouth had got him in enough trouble. He sighed and then turn to leave.

"Sit."

Charlie froze with his hand on the doorknob. He looked back. A single chair sat in front of Orion's desk. Charlie reluctantly sat down.

Ted Orion looked at Charlie. Gone was the anger that he saw when he first met the teenager. Charlie remained expressionless but he could see the apprehension in his eyes.

He noticed a drastic change in Charlie since he returned to the team. At first, jubilation upon his reunion with the team. Once the initial excitement had passed, he noticed Charlie had gone too far the other way. The arrogant, hostile, angry Charlie was gone and was replaced with a new more timid and shy Charlie.

He had thought before that coaching the hot-headed, abrasive Charlie was difficult. Coaching the new Charlie proved to be even more difficult. Before he had to scream at him to back-check but now it was if Charlie was afraid to carry the puck out past centre ice.

Coach Orion leaned back in his chair and exhaled. He knew that if somehow Bombay was able to keep them at Eden Hall past the next semester, he would need Charlie at his very best to beat the varsity at the JV/Varsity showdown. He couldn't have Charlie acting the way he was before he quit but he also needed him to lead. As much as he hated to admit it sometimes, he was the leader. Just as Bombay had told him, he was the heart of the team.

Charlie's words to him that morning had stung. Charlie was way out of line. Even for him although Orion knew Charlie only said it out of anger because he outlawed their duck jerseys and knew that if he wanted to go back and play for the NHL, he could.

Orion was tough on him. He could admit it. He had to be if they had any hope of surviving Eden Hall. But where did that get him? On the verge of the team losing their scholarships? He needed a reset with Charlie. Orion knew once Charlie was set right, the rest of the team would follow.

Orion carefully deliberated on what he was going to say. He knew this was probably the one chance he would have to get Charlie alone and to talk things through.

"I have three questions," Orion started. He could see Charlie visibly gulp. "Why did you come back?"

Charlie tried to answer but couldn't. The words would not come. Even if he could answer, he didn't know what to say. The fact that he was wrong about Orion. That his friends were at Eden Hall. That Hans would have been disappointed if he didn't go back. That his mother would kill him for wasting this opportunity at a good education. Or that one early morning conversation with Bombay.

"This is where I belong," Charlie replied. It wasn't a good answer but it was the best he could come up with.

Orion watched Conways' eyes wander around the room until they rested on a picture with Orion, his wife and five-year-old daughter.

"Conway." Orion said trying to get his attention.

Their eyes met. By the look in Charlie's eye, Orion could tell that somehow Charlie knew the truth. Compassion. Understanding. But not pity. Orion hated pity.

"How?" Orion demanded. Although he didn't elaborate further, it was clear as day what he was referring to. Orion kept the real reason he left the NHL to himself and although he wasn't ashamed, he preferred to keep his personal life private.

"You know how," Charlie stated.

"Bombay."

Orion shifted uncomfortably in his chair as Charlie nodded. Charlie noticed this immediately. Rather than saying quiet, Charlie blurted out "I won't tell anyone."

He wasn't expecting Charlie to say anything but he gave a small appreciative smile. "Thank you."

Charlie was taken aback. He had expected Orion to yell at him. Or something. Anything other than gratitude. "What were the other two things?" Charlie asked, hoping that Orion's inquisition would be over.

Orion stopped smiling which made Charlie nervous. He turned serious. "You know, things can't go back to the way they were."

It was more of a statement than a question. But the message was loud and clear. Charlie couldn't go back to the way things were. He'd have to fall in line with the rest of the team.

"I know." Charlie said quietly, bowing his head.

Judging by Charlie's almost apology on the bus the other day, Orion didn't think he had to worry about Charlie challenging him at every turn. Charlie seemed remorseful for his actions but Orion could tell there was something else bothering him. Orion knew of Hans' death. He didn't know the man personally but he could tell he meant a great deal to this team.

"I'm sorry about your friend Hans," Orion offered. "I know he meant a lot to you."

Charlie looked up. Orion was being sincere. Charlie fought the emotion bubbling up inside of him. It had only been a week since the funeral and he was not yet able to contain the emotions within him. Charlie tried to put on a brave face in front of his coach but Orion could see right through it. Charlie hated anyone to see him this vulnerable.

"I'd , I mean, the team would like to dedicate the JV/Varsity game to Hans, " Charlie stated once he regained his composure.

Charlie looked at Orion and then hastily added,"If that's okay with you."

Orion nodded as he pondered on what to say next. He needed the Charlie that Bombay talked about. Charlie still acted as if he was walking on eggshells around him.

"You know, Bombay and I talked before I took over coaching," Orion started. Charlie raised an eye brown but didn't look shocked."But I see he told you that too."

"There isn't much we don't talk about," Charlie admitted.

A smile found a way on his face. It was the first time Orion had seen him happy since his reunion with the team. He was beaming. Bombay had the same smile when he talked about Charlie.

"I can see that," Orion said smiling. Charlie's smile was contagious.

Orion could tell by their respective smiles that Charlie's and Bombay's relationship went much further than player-coach. And although he knew that there was no replacing Bombay, he couldn't help but feel a bit envious. He could tell that the team was like family and part of him wanted to be a part of that family. Bombay had told him that once the team, and Charlie, had gotten used to him, they would welcome him into their little family too.

"Do you really think Bombay can convince the board to reinstate the scholarships?" Orion asked.

Charlie beamed. "I do."

Before Orion could say anymore, a bell went off signalling there was 5 minutes until the next class.

"Go. You don't want to be late."

Charlie hesitated.

"What is it Conway?"

"Take good care of the jerseys for us. We'll want them back when we graduate."

With that, Charlie bolted off to his next class. Once Charlie was gone, Orion examined the pile of duck jerseys.

"Might not have to wait that long Charlie."