Author's Note (3/20/17): Hey, thanks for dropping by! This story was my first novel-length project, and I'm afraid it showed in the original posting. I have gone through and edited out the typos, revised the paragraph structure in some chapters, fleshed-out some skeletal scenes, and cut out the author notes. Despite all of the rookie mistakes in the original, I'm still fond of the story, and I tried not to fundamentally change it; my goal was to create a version of the story that was easier and more enjoyable to read.

Whether you're a new or returning reader, hopefully you'll find this edition worthwhile!

-GrownUp90s/Matt

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the original edition: Margreat, Luv990696luv, MasteringAMuggleLife, GodsGirlForever, LadyConfidential, Herek, and the anonymous guest ;) Special thanks to Maryeemeeh whose early reviews were generous and hugely encouraging, and to Mami-21, whose regular reviews were honest, friendly, and always a fun source of motivation. I do not own the Mighty Ducks movie or hockey franchises, and stand to make no profit from this story.

Chapter One: Minnesota is Where the Heart is

Julie 'the Cat' Gaffney awoke to a gentle tug on her arm.

"Julie? We'll be landing soon," Steven Gaffney informed his 15-year old daughter.

The girl yawned and stretched her arms over her head. She and her father had endured a very early start having to fly from Bangor, Maine to Minneapolis with a crossover in New York; but the comely all-American teenager was happy to be on the flight that was taking her back to her team, the Eden Hall Junior Varsity Ducks.

As the plane began making its final descent, Steven grabbed his daughter's hand in anticipation of landing.

Julie smiled, unsure if this gesture was more for her sake or her father's, but aware of the fact that she had a wonderful dad. Not many parents would allow their daughter to give up a full scholarship to a prestigious prep school, but Steven had made it clear to Julie that she was free to walk away at any time if she didn't like Coach Orion. And this year, he was bringing her back to Minnesota early because she had found Maine so stifling.

There was a thud as the plane landed, followed by the screech of the tires as Steven's stomach made what he hoped would be the last of its churning. Flying was the least favorite aspect of his job, though this business trip was made sweeter by Julie's presence. It tore him up letting her leave nearly two weeks before the end of summer vacation, but he knew that it was for her own good.

After the plane came to a halt, Julie and Steven grabbed their carry-ons and gradually made their way toward the plane's exit as passengers closer to the front began disembarking. They then made their way out of the terminal and Julie began looking for a familiar face.

"Julie, over here!" Connie Moreau called out to her teammate and friend.

Their freshman year had been a baptism by fire, but the Ducks pulled through and became a formidable two-way hockey team that went on to be the first JV team in school history to beat Eden Hall Varsity in the annual scrimmage. So impressive was the JV triumph that even the stuffy old trustees agreed to ditch the classic Warrior name in favor of the Mighty Ducks.

Julie followed the sound of the excited voice and saw a beaming Connie waving and practically jumping up and down in excitement. Next to her stood a woman who looked to be a well-dressed older sister, but Julie knew was Mrs. Elizabeth Moreau. Like mother, like daughter, the two Moreaus shared the same porcelain complexion, chestnut hair, honey brown eyes, and radiant smiles.

"Thanks so much for letting me stay with you guys," Julie offered with a smile as she greeted the two with hugs.

Julie's summer back home in Maine had been boring at best and awkward at worst. Her time in Minnesota made her feel alienated from her New England friends, as if the world back home had moved on without her; in many ways, it had. The agreement between the Gaffneys and the Moreaus to let Julie return to Minnesota nearly two weeks before classes began came as an enormous relief to her.

"Not at all, sweetie," Elizabeth replied before turning toward Julie's father. "You must be Steven," she figured, extending her hand, which Steven promptly shook.

"Yes, ma'am. It's nice to finally meet face-to-face," he replied with a polite smile.

"Absolutely," she agreed before turning back toward Connie and Julie. "Come along, girls. This way to the baggage."

The blonde goalie's curious green eyes looked around as she and Connie followed the adults to the baggage carousels. Connie noticed this and raised an eyebrow.

"Looking for someone special?"

"Oh, just the old ball-and-chain."

Connie couldn't help betraying a grin. As close as she and Julie had become, getting the latter to talk about boys was like pulling teeth.

"Really?"

"I meant yours. Where's Guy?"

At that, Connie deflated somewhat but quickly regained her composure.

"You know we're not together anymore. We weren't all of last year, don't you remember?"

"Yeah," Julie replied with her lips twisted to the side. "I guess I just figured you'd work things out," she explained as her eyes scanned the bags that had begun sliding out onto the carousel.

Connie shrugged.

"It's better this way. What about you? You've got someone special, let's talk about him."

Julie looked puzzled. Over the summer she had gotten to know Adam Banks better, courtesy of AOL. In fact, she suspected that her hogging of the phone line was no small reason why her parents were willing to send her back to Minnesota. Her mind raced furiously as it sought an explanation for Connie's strange and cryptic assertion. Recalling that some of her exchanges with Adam had come dangerously close to revealing the truth, Julie worried that he had discovered her feelings towards him...and shared the revelation with Connie.

He wouldn't really do that, would he?

Observing her friend's increasingly tense body language, Connie gave Julie a playful clap on the shoulder.

"Oh you know, Scooter!" The brunette forward exclaimed. "Leave it to the Cat to get the hottest senior and totally forget about it."

Julie let out a barely-perceptible sigh of relief as she lifted a hunter green bag off the carousel and inspected its tag.

"If you say so," she deadpanned before setting the bag on the floor. "One down, one to go. Keep your eyes peeled for a red bag."

Connie chuckled upon recognizing Julie's classic stonewalling tactic. No boys, stick to the task at hand.

"Right, red bag."

The next afternoon, Elizabeth Moreau dropped Connie and Julie off at the front door of a sprawling mansion in Edina. As soon as Charlie 'Captain Duck' Conway learned of Julie's early arrival, he generously volunteered Adam's house for a Duck pool party. Adam had begun to show lawyerly persuasiveness inherited from his father when he convinced his indignant parents that a pool party was essential for team chemistry, and no hockey team could be successful without chemistry.

But his argument was not merely a rhetorical ploy, he genuinely believed it. So the tall, sandy-haired forward eagerly waited on an ivory-colored settee in the foyer to greet his teammates and guide them back to the pool.

Upon hearing the doorbell ring, Adam stood up and opened it.

Seeing the pair of female Ducks dressed in loose-fitting T-shirts and denim shorts over their swimsuits, he flashed a pearly white smile that looked a lot easier than its owner felt. As his sapphire eyes briefly locked onto Julie's emerald orbs, he could feel the tips of his ears get hot.

She quickly looked down.

"Uh, hey guys," Adam greeted the pair. "Come on in."

"Thanks, Adam," Connie replied with a polite smile, ushering Julie ahead of her as they walked into a grand foyer.

This was not even a proper room, but the softly-lit entry complete with hardwood floors, paintings, ornately upholstered sofas, grandfather clock and elegant chandelier indicated that the Banks Family had more money in their foyer than most people had in their living rooms. An imposing staircase complete with a landing and two side stairways gave the place a bit of an old hotel lobby feel.

Julie half expected a bellboy to greet her with a tip of the hat before showing her to her room.

"The pool's back this way, just follow me," Adam announced before turning and leading the girls through a door to the left of the staircase and past several well-furnished rooms. The trio passed through a spacious a kitchen before coming to a stop in a brilliantly sunlit dining area that looked out onto the patio and in-ground pool.

"I believe they call this a 'solarium,' darling," Connie declared in an affected English accent.

Julie laughed, causing Adam to blush.

The affluence of his family had always made him feel separate from the rest of the Ducks; not in a snobbish, but rather, a self-conscious way. It certainly made him the butt of many jokes, and Julie was laughing at him before the party had even begun. He cursed himself for not just taking the girls around the side of the house.

Why did I have to lead them through it?

Eyeing a large blue cooler, he figured he had an excuse. After all, the drinks needed to go outside.

"I just wanted to get some pop," he explained. "Could one of you get the door for me please?"

Julie nodded and slid the door open as Adam lifted a tub full of ice and soda pop before going out to the patio.

"Charlie, go help him," came a female voice from outside.

"He's got it, Linda," Charlie replied.

Julie and Connie made their way out to the large patio with its cool white flagstones and saw Charlie and his girlfriend, Linda Tompkins, laying by the pool in loungers. Linda wore a purple tankini and Charlie was topless in black trunks.

"Besides," Charlie continued. "You keep telling me how muscly Banks is."

Linda scoffed.

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response."

Charlie stuck his tongue out, prompting Linda to roll her eyes.

"Hey, lovebirds," Connie greeted the couple.

"Connie, Julie!" Linda exclaimed as she got up to greet the girls. Despite her prejudice against jocks, Linda had warmed up to the Ducks as fellow outsiders at Eden Hall. She also appreciated their role in getting rid of the hated Warrior name and colors, and admired Connie and Julie as girls who could beat the guys.

"Cat Lady, Velvet Hammer," Charlie nodded in businesslike fashion.

"Mister Spazway," Connie replied in kind, eliciting a group laugh.

"Well, I'd love to stay and chat but the pool is calling me," Charlie announced before spinning around and diving into the deep end from the side of the pool.

Linda and Connie followed, Connie in her black one piece. Immediately, Charlie and Connie found an inner tube to fight over while Linda swam on a noodle. Julie had slid off her T-shirt and noticed, as she unbuttoned her shorts, that Adam had disappeared. Buttoning back up, she retraced her steps through the house and found him sitting on a settee in the foyer reading an issue of Sports Illustrated between occasional glances at the sidelights by the front door.

"Why do I get the strange feeling that you didn't want to have a party?"

Adam looked up with a start.

"Oh, hey there," he replied, setting his magazine aside. "No it's cool, I just wanted to be here when the rest of the guys show up. You know, so they can find the pool. This floor is kind of a maze."

I already gave two private tours. Can't play favorites with teammates, he reasoned.

Julie smiled and sat down next to him.

"I guess it is. I found you though."

"Yeah, how did you do that? Sometimes even I get lost in here."

"I Just followed the smell of your cologne," she explained. "Michael Jordan, isn't it? My dad likes the same stuff."

Adam let out a nervous laugh. It was one thing to be a rich prep, but to wear cologne to a pool party was a bit much. After all, who was he trying to impress? Only the girl who made his heart skip a beat. The girl in denim shorts and a white one piece that made her skin glow. The girl just inches away from him.

"Uh, yeah. Michael Jordan...the cologne that is."

Well put, Yoda.

Adam's heart skipped a few more beats as Julie grinned.

"I like it," she offered.

Without full awareness of what she was doing, she reached out and brushed his toned forearm, causing his skin to tingle.

"Uh, thanks," he replied. "It's actually on my neck."

His eyes widened at his own words.

Why did I just tell her that?!

Julie withdrew her hand but leaned in toward Adam's neck to breathe-in the elegant scent.

The look on Adam's face was a strange tapestry of horror and delight as Julie got closer to him. He had no idea what to do — but he knew that he didn't want to push her away. Should he lean in? Wrap an arm around her? Or kiss her right then and there? Paralyzed by nerves and indecision, Adam continued to sit ramrod-straight when the familiar, melodious jingle sounded.

Ah, saved by the bell.

He shot up like a rocket to answer the door, leaving a dazed and confused Julie behind.

After a raucous few hours in the pool, the Ducks went inside for pizza with Adam's parents and sandy-haired younger brother Eric. Two years Adam's junior, Eric was not the athlete his brother was; but he was intelligent, and in true Banks form, the 13-year old was pushed to be the cleverest honors student that he could possibly be.

After dinner, the Ducks made their way to the Banks' finished basement. The basement was suitably vast and well-furnished, boasting a fitness center that housed a treadmill, several Nautilus machines, and a full complement of free weights; a separate rumpus room contained a billiard table, a foosball table, a surround-sound theater, and a bar whose collection of pricey single malts was securely locked.

Over in the theater area, the 1993 baseball film Rookie of the Year played on the big screen. Though her teammates noticed an uncanny resemblance between Julie and the film's Becky Fraker, Julie just couldn't see it. And in any event, she found her foosball game with Connie more absorbing.

At the pool table, Fulton Reed displayed a surprising lightness of touch, sinking four balls in a row against an unamused Charlie.

"This is crap," the Duck Captain sulked.

"Soft hands, Charlie," Fulton replied with a smirk.

Recalling his early shooting and passing struggles, Fulton figured that Coach Bombay could have hammered home his 'soft hands' lesson more effectively if he had simply likened it to pool — as opposed to the less-than-orthodox methods of the Minnesota Miracle Man. But Fulton managed to learn, and he had developed into a highly effective defenseman over the past few years — with far more subtlety and nuance than the dark-haired boy's tall frame and powerful build indicated at first glance.

Once it was Charlie's turn, he proceeded to lose the game by prematurely pocketing the 8-ball.

"We should get going anyway," Linda suggested before her boyfriend's mood could turn sour.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Good game, man," he gave a congratulatory high-five to his most loyal teammate before turning to the rest of the group.

"Later guys!"

"BYE CHARLIE!" The team chorused back.

After saying goodbye to their captain from their positions on the carpeted floor, Les Averman and Greg Goldberg returned to their high-stakes Pogs: the game of flipping round cardboard disks with a metal 'slammer.'

Eric Banks wasted no time stepping in for Charlie; his knowledge of geometry made him a formidable pool player and he rarely had anyone around who could give him a challenge. Fulton Reed presented such a challenge, and Eric seized it.

"That's game!" Julie declared in triumph at the foosball table.

"Best two out of three Jules," Connie replied.

She looked over toward the theater area to see Guy Germaine staring at her. The blond forward quickly turned his attention back to the screen.

Heh, I really don't know why Julie can't see the resemblance, he noted, observing the goalie's doppelganger in the baseball film.

"Hey, Guy. Come over here, let's play!"

Guy looked back to see a grinning Connie beckoning him over to the foosball table, and he quickly obliged.

"Two on one? You guys know that's not fair," Julie protested.

"Then find a partner," Connie replied with a shrug.

Julie scanned the vast room for a 'foosball buddy.' Everyone seemed to be engaged in something else, and she was reluctant to disturb any of them. She was about to suggest that Connie and Guy play by themselves when her eyes settled upon Adam. The tall, quiet forward was standing to the side of the pool table with a bored look on his face.

Why does he always frown? The goalie wondered as she observed Adam's natural expression from across the room.

"Hey, Banksie!" She called out with a playful grin.

It was a well-known fact that Adam hated being called 'Banksie,' but Julie earned herself a surprised smile as he looked back at her.

"Come over here!" She continued. "Connie and Guy are ganging up on me!"

"Uh, sure!"

Adam did not notice the tiny, knowing smile on Fulton's face as he began crossing the room towards Julie.

"What are you so happy about?" Eric asked in a high, pre-pubescent voice after he sank a ball.

"Ah, nothing man," Fulton replied, recovering a neutral expression.

Adam took his spot next to Julie, opposite of Connie and Guy, and the four of them began to play. Though competitive people never like to lose, Connie and Guy accepted defeat graciously enough.

"Re-match?" Connie asked.

"Nah," Julie replied. "You and Guy go ahead though."

Connie cocked an eyebrow as she observed Julie grasp Adam by the upper arm and lead him away from the foosball table.

"Hey," Julie began softly after she and Adam had separated from the rest of the group. "I just wanted to make sure that we were still cool...I'm sorry I invaded your space upstairs. We're still on for the art gallery, right?"

"Huh? Oh, of course!" He replied a bit too eagerly, recalling the trip he had promised Julie earlier in the summer. "I mean, if you're still up for it."

"Would I have asked if I wasn't?" She asked with a teasing grin.

As Adam racked his brain for a clever reply, Julie continued.

"Anyway, let's get back to the team."

A relieved Julie led Adam toward the home theater, pleased that he didn't seem freaked out by the encounter in the foyer...but disappointed that he declined to sit next to her when they began watching the movie.

She managed to keep her feelings well hidden, however. 'The Cat' had always been able to put on a cool face, even when she felt like a bundle of raw nerves. This ability had given her a reputation as a fearless goaltender even in the most pressure-packed moments; but it also made her feel misunderstood by those who couldn't read her — most people, in other words.

Flashing a quick glance at Adam, she observed his small natural frown; she had never been able to read him, though it was not for a lack of trying.