Author's Note: I have two more chapters planned, but if you want me to add something, let me know. I'm near the end. Short by sweet this time.

Orion pulled into the driveway, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions.

He had driven home directly from the game. His team, the Ducks, had just won their first game of the season.

It had not been an easy start to the year.

Orion had played hockey since he was old enough to remember, but this was his first year behind the bench.

As he entered his home, the weight of his decision pressed heavily on his shoulders. His wife, Andrea, was in the kitchen, her usual warmth replaced by a worried glance as she noticed his troubled expression.

"Ted, what's wrong?" she asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.

"The board is trying to revolve the JV's scholarships," he replied, his voice low. "If they're successful, they'll only have until the end of the semester."

"Did they take your job as well?" Andrea said quietly, sensing the worst.

"No, they offered me the chance to pick my own team," Orion said glumly.

Andrea sighed in relief. "It might be for the best," she admitted. I know how hard it's been coaching these kids."

"I told Buckley that either they stay or I go," Orion said, taking off his jacket.

Andrea's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? You can't be serious. "

"I know it sounds rash," Orion admitted, "but I don't want another team."

Andrea shook her head, frustration and concern mingling in her eyes. "What about us? What about our future? You've worked so hard to get where you are. You can't throw it all away because of a bunch of kids you just met."

Before Orion could respond, their daughter, Kalie, entered the room. She had wheeled herself in from the hallway, her face filled with understanding.

"Mom, It'll be okay," Kalie said softly. "We can find a way to make it work."

Andrea looked at her daughter, her anger slowly giving way. She saw the love in Kalie's eyes for her father. She took a deep breath, her gaze softening as she turned back to her husband.

"I don't understand it," Andrea said finally, "but if this is what you want, we'll find a way to make it work."

Orion felt a wave of relief wash over him. He reached out, taking Andrea's hand in his. "Thank you. I promise we'll find a way through this."

Andrea forced a smile. "What happened? Did you finally win a game?"

"We did," Orion smiled. "And you're not going to believe this. Conway came back. Fulton too."

Andrea's eyes widened. "Really? He came back on his own?"

Orion chuckled. "Bombay probably had something to do with that," he admitted. "Banks is back as well. I have my team."

Andrea poured Ted a cup of coffee. "So what are you going to do?"

"I don't even know if this is legal," Orion told his wife. "All I know is that we're going to fight it."

Andrea nodded. "You going to ask Bombay to help?"

"Yeah," Orion said, taking a sip of his coffee. "Maybe he can be on the right side of a case for once."

Andrea took a seat next to her husband. "You trust him?"

"Yeah."

Brilliant.

That was the only word that came to Orion's mind after watching Bombay's legal mastery on show in front of all to see.

He had seen a different Bombay years ago. That Bombay was long dead.

As the crowd poured out of the room, Orion could hear Bombay tell Charlie that he'd be in Chicago but that he'd be back soon. If Charlie needed anything, he should give him a call.

He'd never seen the boy's face beam that bright before.

"Okay? I mean it," Bombay said sincerely.

Bombay motioned for Orion to follow him back to his office. Orion followed him, and once they were both in the office, he closed the door behind him.

"You still got it, don't you," Orion said.

Bombay smirked. "Never lost it."

"Still cocky," Orion laughed before turning serious. "Thanks for bringing him back. I don't know what you said to him, but he's done a one-eighty."

"Don't say anything, but I'm trying to get Portman to come back," Bombay said. "You need an enforcer."

"Don't I know it," Orion agreed. He had seen Portman's tapes. He wasn't much of a skater, but the ducks needed his size.

Bombay's eyes met Orion's. "Take care of him for me," Bombay said seriously. "All of them."

"I will," Orion promised. "You know, I'm enjoying coaching more than I thought."

"It grows on you," Bombay said, checking his watch. His flight to Chicago was only in a few hours.

"Are you going to be back for the JV/Varsity game?" Orion asked. I know it'd mean a lot to the team if you were there."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."