⊱ ─ Understanding ─ ⊰

Bombay had woken Charlie up early and dragged the Conway boy out of bed, well, tipped the mattress making Charlie fall to the floor. Bombay took Charlie to the ice rink and made him sit down when music began playing. Orion skated out on the ice with his daughter who was seated in a wheelchair. "That's his daughter. She was injured in a car accident about five years ago. He was driving, and they got sideswiped," Bombay explained to Charlie as they watched the father and daughter move around on the ice.

Charlie slumped his shoulders, "That's why he gave up playing pros?" Bombay nodded. "When the North Stars left Minnesota, he stayed. He didn't want to disrupt her recovery. Her doctors and her friends were here," Bombay explained helping Charlie understand. Orion and his daughter laughed together happily. "We all just thought he was some washed-up bully who couldn't hack it," Charlie replied, his tone laced with guilt.

Bombay smiled as he sighed, "He can hack it, Charlie. He just simply made a choice. I don't think he's ever regretted it for a minute." Charlie nodded in agreement with those words. "Come on," Bombay said before leading him out of the rink. "Check this out," Bombay pointed at a photo. "Look at that hair. I look like Greg Brady," Bombay said, the two of them chuckled. "I was like you, Charlie. When I played hockey, I was a total hotshot. Tried to take control of every game," Bombay explained as he looked at Charlie.

Bombay sighed, "I wound up quitting. So I tried the law. Same thing. I rule in the courtroom, but inside I'm a mess. I started drinking. Man, I was going down. But then this... great thing happened." Bombay smiled, "Maybe the best thing ever. I got arrested... and sentenced to community service. And there you were, Charlie and the Ducks." Charlie smiled at Bombay. "And as hard as I fought it, there you were. You gave me a life, Charlie. And I want to say thank you," Bombay said.

Charlie furrowed his brows as Bombay sighed again. "I told Orion about all this when I talked to him about taking over. I told him you were the heart of the team... and that you would learn something from each other," Bombay informed Charlie who was stunned by what he was hearing. "I told him... that you were the Minnesota miracle man," Bombay finished. "You did?" Charlie asked, still stunned by what he was hearing. Bombay smiled and nodded, "I did. So be that man, Charlie. Be that man." Charlie smiled widely before the two hugged.

⊱ ──── {.⋅ ⛸🦆🏒 ⋅.} ──── ⊰

The Ducks were revisiting their roots by playing some street hockey, even Jesse and Terry joined in and they were all having a load of fun. They were all laughing as they played an endless game of street hockey, Jesse and Daisy teaming against Fulton and Terry like the old days. "Hey, it's Coach Bombay!" Dwayne pointed out and everyone looked over to see Bombay and Charlie. "Yo, Conway. What took you so long?" Terry asked with a smirk. "Yeah? We had to jump in just to make it fair!" Jesse added making Bombay and Charlie laugh.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's play!" Daisy called out with a smile. Bombay and Charlie joined the game, they all continued playing and scoring endless shots. Daisy smiled as she looked at everyone from the bench, she looked up to the sky. "Thank you, Hans. For bringing us together again," Daisy whispered before looking back at the game just in time to see the team tumbled onto Bombay who began laughing. Charlie skated over to Daisy and grabbed her hand, pulling her up from the bench with a smile before they skated over to the others.

⊱ ──── {.⋅ ⛸🦆🏒 ⋅.} ──── ⊰

The next day, they had a game. They all filed into the bus and waited to leave. Daisy sat on an empty seat in front of Fulton and behind Averman. Orion was taking attendance when he noticed Charlie standing at the door. "Conway?" Orion questioned. "I want to be on the team, Coach. I want to play two-way hockey. Can I come back?" Charlie asked, hopeful. "Take a seat, we're running late," Orion said, everyone cheered as Charlie sat down next to Daisy.

Charlie went to speak but was cut off by Dean Buckley stepping onto the bus. "I almost missed you. Coach, you mind if I have a few words with your boys?" Dean Buckley spoke. "And girls!" Julie, Connie and Daisy said in unison. "Yes, of course. And girls," Dean Buckley replied with a slightly sarcastic undertone. "If you can make it quick, Dean. We're running late as it is," Orion said annoyed. Daisy understand why Orion was annoyed by the pretentious old man.

Buckley cleared his throat, "I'm afraid this is important. We have a board meeting scheduled for tomorrow, and, well, you are all on the agenda." Everyone looked at each other before focusing back on the Dean as he continued, "We have to think long-term here. What's in your best interest. Hard as it us for me personally, because you kids have been a breath of fresh air around here, the board is going to approve the withdrawal of your scholarships." The Ducks all looked at the Dean wide eyed as they scoffed or gasped at the news.

"Now, you'll be welcome to stay through the rest of the semester, but after that, it will be necessary for you to seek other educational opportunities," Buckley finished off before Orion followed him out of the bus. Daisy took a deep breath as everyone listened to the conversation between the Coach and the Dean. "So that's it? You're dumping 'em, just like that?" Orion asked. "Coach, I'm sorry. Your team isn't performing, and I've been under enormous pressure," Buckley responded.

Daisy rolled her eyes as she leaned into Charlie's chest. "From who? The alumni group? A bunch of aging prep clubbers?" Orion questioned. "Ted, I'm trying to do you a favour. With those kids gone, you'll be able to pick your own team. Let's face it, the Ducks are drowning," Buckley said as he shrugged. Daisy was fuming and she was ready to prove them all wrong. "I got my team. Either they stay or I go," Orion negotiated making the team smile proudly for their Coach, the final branch of trust formed with those words.

Dean Buckley rested his hand on Orion's shoulder, "We'll miss you, Ted." Buckley walked away as the team walked down the steps looking at Orion. "We're just pawns, puppets for the stage show, jesters to entertain the kind, barnacles on the bottom of-" Averman began until Daisy elbowed his side, "Shut up, Averman!" He nodded as he rubbed his side. "Coach, is this legal? I mean, don't we have contracts or something?" Goldberg asked. "I don't know what it is. All I know is we're gonna fight it," Orion responded.

Charlie and Daisy looked at each other with smirks, they knew exactly who to call for this. And they were gonna win.

⊱ ──── {.⋅ ⛸🦆🏒 ⋅.} ──── ⊰

Author Note
It's almost over. Also, I decided to bring the Hall brothers back for the street hockey scene because I love those two and miss them.

-Rose <3
{1226}