Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!!

A/N : This story was originally called Finally Found, but as the story has progressed, I felt it didn't really fit properly, and right now I feel this title fits better.

Ratti pillo : I'm really glad you liked it. Yeah Adam is a dick, and believe it or not, I'm actually enjoying writing him that way lol, but I swear, hopefully somewhere in my plans, he will redeem himself, I just don't know when or how right now lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

Holly : I have a few ideas up my sleeve about Adam's jealously, but using Charlie sounds like a good idea, we shall see huh lol. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

Brucas-harmony : Sorry it's taken me a while, but it is eventually here lol. Yeah I like the banter between Connie and Charlie, it kinda reminds me of me and my best friend. I am hoping to do a few more flashbacks of them together, so fingers crossed, they'll be as good for you as the last one was. Anyways thanks for the support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

Chapter 7

"It was awful, absolutely horrible Anna, I mean think of you worst date ever, times it by a million, and then you're probably not far off from where I was on Friday night, but of course mine wasn't a date". Connie spoke quickly, as she wandered around all her unpacked boxes.

"Oh c'mon Con, it can't have been as bad as that. I mean can you even remember my worst date". Anna laughed gently. "My 2nd date with Joe Mason, now c'mon, that was awful. His very well to do parents, me, very expensive restaurant, Joe put his hand up my dress, or so I thought, turned out to be his father, who was the oldest looking 50 year old in the entire world, completely sleazy too".

"Ok, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but it was bad". Connie laughed, remembering Anna coming home and telling her. "The entire evening, he just, just made me feel so small. He was being arrogant, rude to the waiter, whose number I got by the way, and the worst part, was Melissa, she's just so nice, and really friendly, but every time I see her with Adam, I just feel sick, and want to get out of there so fast".

"You got the waiters number"? Anna asked, a slight giggle in her voice.

"Yeah, he was really cute". Connie gushed. "But back on subject Anna, I honestly don't know if I can keep going through repeats of Friday with him".

"Well maybe, you need to tell Charlie, surely he wouldn't force the 2 of you to be together if he knew how you felt, or, you call this waiter guy, go on a few dates, and really show him you've moved on".

"I can't burden Charlie with my problems. Adam's practically the brother he never had. It would kill him, if he found out his 2 best friends fooled around in high school, especially when one of us were in a semi serious relationship at the time. Charlie takes cheating very seriously, especially after all the jerks his mom dated when we were kids".

Connie seriously was at on an odd end as to what to do. She hadn't been able to leave the restaurant quick enough after the meal. Charlie had suggested that they all move onto a bar, but Casey and Steve had wanted to go home, Charlie's face visibly paling at the very thought of his Mom and Step Dad 'doing it', as he so eloquently put. Connie had excused herself, saying she wanted to try and grab an early night, ready for her moving into her new apartment, the following day. She had hated herself, when Melissa had offered hers and Adam's help with moving her things. It was a genuine offer, which she had felt awful dismissing, explaining she hadn't got that much to move, and she had her Dad, Brother, Mom and Charlie's help.

"For once in my life Con, I have no idea what to tell you to do". Anna admitted regretfully.

"I really know how to get myself into these messes huh"? Connie asked, trying to lighten the mood a little.

"You sure do girly, you sure do". Anna laughed gently. "So anyway, how's the new apartment"?

"Oh it's great, so nice to have my own space, away from the parental's. I mean sure, I love 'em, and I'm so grateful that they were letting me stay rent free and all, but, after 3 years of living away from them, they're a little hard to take, if you know what I mean". Connie admitted to her friend. "When you get back from your travels you'll have to come have a vacation or something".

"Definitely, I'll probably need a vacation to get over the 6 months of hard travelling".

"Anna please, travelling around Europe is going to be anything but hard". Connie replied, as there was a knock at the door. "Listen, there's someone at the door, so if I don't get chance to call you before, have a great time, and send me lots of postcards".

The 2 friends quickly said their goodbyes, and Connie rushed to the door. She half expected it to be Charlie, since not many people knew where she lived so far, and there was no-one else she could think of that would just pop round. Swinging the door open, she let out a scream, before diving forward hugging her visitors tightly.

"Oh my god, I can't believe it, what are you doing here"?

"Well we did promise, as soon as you had your own place, we'd be straight over for a visit".

"I know, but I kind of wasn't expecting you like now". Connie laughed, grabbing one of her friends bags and leading the way inside.

"You have to forgive us Con, 'we' just couldn't wait a few more days".

"Oh shut up Dean, you were just as excited as me to be coming". Julie prodded him.

"Yeah, only because my girl Connie is gonna get us freebie tickets for the Wilds game". Dean retorted, sticking his tongue out childishly at his girlfriend. "You are going to be getting us free tickets aren't you"? He asked Connie in an after thought.

"Considering it's the off season Dean, no, but I promise you, the next time you're here during the season, I will get you tickets".

"See, this girl knows how to treat a man". Dean told Julie pecking Connie's cheek before plonking himself down on the couch, ignoring the eye roll Julie gave him.

"You are ok with us being here aren't you, it never entered my mind that you were starting your new job on Monday". Julie asked Connie, who was moving a few of her boxes around to make room for them both.

"Oh yeah, no I don't mind at all, so long as you don't mind taking care of yourself during the day, but you know you're more than welcome to come stay anytime". Connie assured her friend.

Connie still found it hard to understand, that after a number of years apart at different colleges, she still missed her best friend like crazy. Both Julie and Anna were the only 2 people in the world that could read Connie like a book, and though Connie had never told Julie about the 'fling', between herself and Adam, there was very little she didn't tell her. In fact there was only Anna, Adam and Connie who knew about the 'fling', and that was mainly because neither of them wanted to cause any awkwardness between the team, which was pretty inevitable, especially considering Adam was still dating his girlfriend Lisa at the time. The only reason Anna even knew, was because Connie had needed to vent one evening after receiving an email from Charlie, filled with pictures of all the Ducks, and there just happened to be one of Adam and Lisa which did nothing but break her heart once again.

During college, Connie and Julie had stayed in touch pretty much weekly, if not more, and visited each other as often as possible, which was never often enough, but they coped as best they could. They had never been exceptionally close, probably more so in the beginning out of duty, since they were the only 2 girls on the team, but with high school, and all the peer pressure, came a close bond, that soon grew even closer, until they were the best of friends, inseparable for both their junior and senior years.

In turn, Connie had become quite close with Dean. The bash brother, always so head strong, and rough around the edges, intimidated her a little, right from meeting, back in the junior goodwill games, but just as her friendship with Julie had grown, so had her friendship with Dean. After finding herself in a number of classes with him, she found a softness to the enforcer, that she assumed not many people knew about. It was during chemistry class one day, that he had finally told her about how he felt about Julie, listening intently to Connie's advice, and following it to a T, winning Julie's heart in the end.

Just seeing her 2 friends sat on her new sofa, reminded her of the last time they had all been together. It had been about a year previous, a long weekend right before the start of her final year of college. Charlie had meant to be there too, but had, had to back out at the last minute. So in the end, it had been just herself, Dean, Julie, Fulton, Averman and Goldberg. It had been a typical duck weekend really, full of laughter and drinking. Mayhem assured, they had, had a few drinks back at Julie and Dean's place, before heading out to the local carnival. Whilst walking around, Fulton and Averman 'kidnapped' her, and jumped on board the carousel. On each rotation, the 3 of them could see Dean, Julie and Goldberg looking around in hopes of spotting their missing friends. It hadn't been until Fulton yelled yee-haw at the top of his lungs, that they were found. Julie and Goldberg just looked plain embarrassed, whilst Portman looked gutted he hadn't been dragged along to join in.

"Yo Connie, Earth to Connie"? Dean called, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Oh sorry". Connie shook her head, freeing herself from her memories before sitting down opposite Dean and Julie.

"Hey are you ok? You were pretty out of it for a second there"? Julie asked concerned.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine, I was just remembering the last time we were together".

Immediately on her bringing their last visit up, she could see her 2 friends immediately begin to remember the antics which they had gotten themselves up to. Even now in their 20's, the Ducks still, when they all got together, acted like the 12 year olds they were, when they all first met. She never expected them to change either, maybe mature slightly, but still even when they hit 40, she imagined them still to be the fun seekers that they were.

*FLASHBACK*

"You cannot be serious about going on that thing"! Julie shrieked, as she watched the ride in question. Not that it was a ride in her mind, a death trap maybe, but a ride definitely not.

"Why not? You only live once". Connie replied. "Besides Jules, it's gotta be safe otherwise it wouldn't have passed it's safety check". She added, knowing her previous statement would not placate her best friends nervousness.

Out of the whole team, Julie was probably the most nervous when it came to carnival rides. She wouldn't even consider a ride until she knew for certain what safety harnesses were involved. She was very much a cup and saucer person, never adventurous, preferring to sit and watch others whilst biting her nails down to the quick in apprehension.

Whilst Julie was the one sitting watching the rides, just relieved she wasn't going on them, Connie, Dean and Fulton where the ones she was constantly watching. The 3 were typical adrenaline junkies, unsatisfied if they hadn't ridden the biggest, scariest ride in the vicinity. Though Dean probably wasn't the worst of the 3, and tended to know when enough was enough, Connie and Fulton would go all day, thriving from the head spinning, wobbly leg feeling all rides tended to leave you with.

The ride they were currently watching, was what was called a reverse bungee. It was a circular cage containing 2 seats, suspended by 2 giant bungee chords between 2 tall towers which were easily 150ft high. Once the passengers dumb enough in Julie's mind, were aboard and 'safely' strapped in, the bungee chords were tightened, before suddenly being released and flinging it's passengers nearly 250ft into the air. Just the idea made her feel sick, and as though she was the one about to go on it.

"I'm with Jules on this one". Goldberg added, whilst chewing happily on his candy floss.

"You're only saying that Goldie, cause you don't wanna barf up the 2 hot dogs you've just practically inhaled". Fulton joked, causing the others to laugh.

"Hey, they were the best hot dogs I've had for a while, but I don't intend on re-tasting them". He argued playfully.

"Well, you sit right there with Jules Goldie, while us men go"… Averman began, but was immediately stopped when Connie elbowed him playfully causing him to roll his eyes. "Us men and Connie, go show you how it's done". He continued, grabbing Connie's hand and leading her away, quickly followed by Fulton.

"Don't worry about it babe, we'll be fine". Dean insisted, pecking his worried girlfriends cheek, before chasing after Fulton, Connie and Averman.

Connie and Averman were the first to step forward. Both buzzing with excitement, climbed eagerly into the bucket seats, allowing the ride workers to first strap them in with the rally car safety harnesses, then the padded safety bar locked securely over their shoulders. Looking out into the small crowd, they could easily see Dean and Fulton grinning and bouncing around enthusiastically.

"By the way Con". Averman called over the pounding music.

"Yeah". Connie replied, gripping the hand he had offered her.

"If I start crying, it's not because I'm scared, it's because something will have flown in my eye, ok". He warned her, gripping her hand equally as tight.

"Ok". Connie answered laughing gently. "By the way, if I start crying, it's because I'm scared, ok". She added, causing him to laugh.

As soon as the bungee chords began to tighten, so did Avermans grip on Connie's hand. He was seriously begin to regret his decision to go on this ride, though after a quick glance at Connie, he knew straight away, she was in her element. He could see Julie and Goldberg in the distance, watching closely, but he could tell Julie was anything but happy at having to witness what to her was the most terrifying thing ever, and yet here he was, sat on the ride, beginning to feel the same.

Without warning, the cage was released, and shot them up into the air. Everything was a blur, but Averman knew he wasn't liking any of it. His stomach felt as though it was by his feet, and the jolting forwards and backwards in the restraints only made him more aware of how dangerous this ride actually was. Connie was screaming excitedly, obviously enjoying every second, though hadn't let go of his hand once.

In what felt like hours, they were eventually lowered to the ground, where the ride attendants began removing the safety equipment. Averman hadn't been able to get off it quick enough, before he ran speedily passed Julie and Goldberg to the nearest trash can where he emptied the contents of his stomach, that had made it's way up his throat during the ride.

*END FLASHBACK*

"Aww man, Ave's was so ill that night". Portman chuckled.

"I honestly have no idea why though, I thought it was great". Connie laughed along.

"Only you Connie would think a ride like that was great". Julie rolled her eyes, obviously having relived her fears for them.

"Yeah, I have to agree, it was kinda boring after the 3rd time of going on it". Portman chuckled. "And even more boring than that, was trying for 20 minutes to drag you and Fulton off it".

They each laughed, at that. Connie had gotten off with Averman, watched Portman and Fulton, before taking it in turns to go on with her. After Portman claimed boredom, though both Connie and Fulton suspected his stomach could take no-more, they both went on a few more times, before being practically dragged off by their friends.

"Talking of Fulton, did he not wanna come with you guys"? Connie asked. Usually Portman and Fulton came as a package, something they had all teased Julie about when Portman had proposed.

"He was going to, but he's managed to get a job at the local hospital over the summer. He's hoping he can snag a few days, but he's not sure. Said to say hey though". Portman answered.

"You guys hungry, I haven't got much, but I can order a pizza".

"Man, Con I thought you'd never ask. I'm starved". Portman whined, causing Julie and Connie to laugh at his pained expression.

"I'll get right on it". Connie told him, walking past him, looking for her phone.

'Hey Conway, get your butt round here, I have a surprise for you. Oh and bring a few pizza's xx'

"They're on the way". Connie told them, sitting back down.

"But you didn't even call anyone". Julie pointed out, confused.

"Got my own personal delivery boy, via text message". She laughed.

20 minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Knowing exactly who it was, Connie bounded out of her seat and dashed toward the door, hearing Portman mutter something about her being really hungry too. She swung the door open wide, revealing Charlie and 2 pizza boxes, but stood over his left shoulder, was Adam and Melissa. Her smile faltered, but quickly she forced herself to look happy to see them. Adam was smirking slightly at her, obviously knowing she was uncomfortable in his presence, but there was little she could do about it.

"So what's the surprise Moreau"? Charlie asked, sliding passed her.

Remembering the reason she asked him over, she clutched his hand and dragged him to the living room. Shock crossed all her friends faces, at the sight of each other. As the excitement died down, Connie slipped away into the kitchen, where she's put the box of plates on the counter top. She needed a few minutes to collect herself. Even throughout everyone greeting everyone else, hell even as he was introducing Melissa, Adam had kept staring at her, knowing he was un-nerving her.

"Need any help"? A voice asked, a voice she really didn't want to hear right then.

"No, I've got 'em, thanks". She replied, reaching in and pulling the plates out, before going to the sink to rinse the dust from them.

"When are you going to stop avoiding me Connie"? He asked huskily, slowly stepping up to her, reaching for the dishcloth to dry the now clean plates.

"When you grow up and realize I am not avoiding you, but just trying to get on with my life. Just because you don't happen to be as involved in it as you once were, does not mean I am avoiding you". She hissed back, before pushing passed him, and heading back to the others. "Oh sorry". She apologized, as she bumped into Portman on her way out of the kitchen.

"You always were a bit of a wrecking ball huh Con". He replied, holding her shoulders in case she hadn't regained her full balance.

She merely nodded, and swerved passed him, back to the others. Though there was a nagging feeling in her mind. Portman had sounded different just then, angry et concerned. His grip on her shoulders seemed almost protective. Then it dawned on her, had he heard what she and Adam had said? The careful glances he threw her way while they ate, almost confirmed her suspicions, but she couldn't decide what he would make of the conversation. Would he just think they were arguing like normal friends, or would he read more into it. Oh god she hoped not.

Anyways, that's it for this chapter. Please R&R!!!!