Author's Note: I'm finished with this for now. I can always add to it, as it's just a bunch of one-shots, but I'd like to finish my other stories before revisiting this. I intended this to be longer, but I came up with this.

The Ducks gathered in the locker room, still buzzing from the victory over the varsity team. It had been a hard-fought battle. The varsity team had left the ice immediately after the game; heads hung low in defeat. The Eden Hall Warriors were now the Eden Hall Mighty Ducks.

Coach Orion wore a smile as he looked over his team. He was proud of them and how far they had come. Coaching the ducks had given him a new lease on life. After leaving the North Stars, he thought he would never feel like this again, but Bombay, once again, had proved him wrong.

He decided that it was okay, maybe just this one time, to let the ducks in. Be vulnerable and let his guard down.

"Alright, everyone, settle down!" Coach Orion called out, though his voice carried a hint of pride.

The team quieted down, curious eyes turning to Orion as he proceeded to open the locker room to let a girl, about nine years old, wheel her way into the room.

"This is my daughter, Kalie," Coach Orion announced.

The Ducks greeted her warmly, offering high-fives and introductions. Charlie Conway, the newly minted captain, stepped forward. "Nice to meet you, Kalie. I'm Charlie Conway. "

Kalie smiled, her gaze watching, flicking to her father before answering. She had heard that name before. Her father had come home many times after practice, frustrated that this one player, Charlie Conway, would fight him at every turn.

But now, they both wore warm smiles as they stood beside each other. "My Dad talks a lot about you. A lot. You're not anything like he described."

Coach Orion tried to keep his face neutral as he felt the colour rise to his face. He looked over at Conway only to see a slight smirk beginning to form on his face.

"All good things, right?" Adam Banks said, earning a few laughs from the team.

"Alright, enough with the introductions," Coach Orion said, though his tone was softer than usual.

"Kalie, you should come to one of our practices," Connie Moreau suggested. "We'll show you how to be a real duck ."

Kalie glanced at her father, who gave a nod of approval. "I'd like that," she said with a grin.

Coach Orion chuckled. "We'll see. Get changed, and we'll head to Twin City Slice. Pizza's on me."

As the team began to change, the locker room was filled with the sound of exuberant chatter and laughter. Portman's boisterous laugh echoed throughout the room as Luis told Guy about finally getting together with Mindy.

Russ Tyler chatted animatedly with Ken Wu. "You know, Ken, with Portman here, you won't have to worry about the varsity team giving you trouble anymore," Russ said confidently.

As they made their way out, Portman was in the midst of a wild, impromptu dance routine in the hallway, a few of the other Ducks joining in. Goldberg and Julie "The Cat" Gaffney chatted about him finally scoring a goal while Guy held Connie's hand shyly.

"Get outta here," Orion laughed. "Before I change my mind."

Charlie was the last one out and when Orion spotted him, he pulled him aside as the rest of the team left to head out for the post-game celebration.

"Coach?"

Coach Orion threw an arm around Charlie's shoulders. "I'm glad you came back," Orion said, his voice filled with emotion. "It wasn't the same without you."

Charlie smiled and nodded. "I'm glad I came back, too."

As they began to leave for Twin City Slice, Coach Orion noticed Charlie looking around the arena, a hint of sadness in his eyes. He knew who Charlie was searching for.

"Looking for Bombay?" Coach Orion asked softly, stepping beside Charlie.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, I was hoping he'd be here. It doesn't feel quite the same without him."

Coach Orion placed a reassuring hand on Charlie's shoulder. "I know. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll miss him too."

Charlie smiled slightly, but Orion continued. "I haven't felt like this in a long time, and that's thanks to you. I thought that when I retired, I'd never feel like this again."

Charlie looked up, eyes glistening. "Thanks, Coach."

As the team headed out to celebrate, the Ducks couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in Coach Orion's from when he first took over coaching. Coach Orion, known for his gruff demeanour and no-nonsense attitude, was different around his daughter. It was as if Kalie's presence had softened his hard exterior, revealing a layer of tenderness usually hidden underneath.

When they reached Twin City Slice, the bustling pizzeria was packed with the ducks' friends and family. Kalie excitedly talked about the game as Coach Orion crouched down to her level, listening intently as she excitedly described every play she saw from the stands. His tough exterior seemed to melt away, revealing a warmth and patience that surprised everyone.

Adam nudged Charlie. "You knew about this?"

Charlie grinned. "Yeah."

Adam glanced at Kalie, who was chatting animatedly with her father. "Looks like he's duck, after all."

Charlie remembered what Hans had said at the beginning of the year. "Just had to show him the way."

The Ducks celebrated late into the evening. Coach Orion, usually on the sidelines watching over them, was right in the middle of it all, enjoying every moment.

Towards the end of the night, Coach Orion raised his glass. "To the Ducks," he said, his voice filled with pride.

"Quack! Quack! Quack!" the team echoed, raising their glasses in unison.