Disclaimer: Please part 1
Authors notes: Set during the camping bit at the end of D2. 

Adam's POV.


I think he knows.

He's been looking at me really strangely the last few days. He hasn't said anything, but I think he knows something's wrong.

When he gave up his spot on the team for me, I couldn't believe it. I walked into the room and told Coach Bombay that my wrist was healed and when he told me that he had a full roster my heart sank. When Charlie stepped forward though and told me I could have his spot. I wanted to hug him, I really did. Of course I didn't, but I did touch his shoulder. The only thing I could safely do without looking odd. Later he told me that he felt it was his place to give me his spot, because it was his suggestion to take Russ onto the team and thus fill my spot. I told him I didn't mind and that by stepping down, he had done something very special for me. He had actually hugged me then, something that I replay in my mind often. Of course, when we'd won and everyone came dashing onto the ice in a frenzy I had hugged Charlie then. Charlie had seen me skating over toward him and had welcomed the huge hug that I threw at him. Times like that are the only opportunities I get to really throw my arms around Charlie and not be worried about what other people, or Charlie, may think. 

When I was given the flag after we had won, I knew *exactly* who I wanted to give it to, who I *should* give it to. He deserved it. He'd given us as much coaching and support on the bench during that last game as Coach Bombay had and even before then. Charlie has always liked, I think, the planning and thinking part of hockey as much as the actual playing of it. He revels in both aspects.

But what I remember the most about that game is the look I'd seen Charlie give me as I was about to take my shot in the penalty shoot-out. Most people probably thought I was looking at Coach Bombay just before I took it and I was; at first. But my gaze slid over to Charlie who was stood next to him and who met my gaze with a look that I couldn't quite decipher. It seemed to reach right inside me though and I know that the goal I scored was for Charlie, to prove his decision was right, in giving up his place for me. 

Now as we're all sat here around the camp fire I can still feel his eyes on me. I try not to look though. Everyone is around us, even Coach Bombay, Miss McKay and Mr Tibbles. I'm squished in between Jesse and Luis, while Charlie is over next to Goldberg. We're all sat here swapping ghost stories, even Tibbles, whose story I think scares even Portman. 

I raise my eyes a little and meet his gaze, as I find him looking at me again. I let my eyes linger this time and don't look away. He doesn't either. Again though, I can't read his expression and it frustrates me slightly. He's not smiling, but he's not frowning either. Instead he looks pensive, thoughtful and at that moment I really want to know what he is thinking. 

I suddenly remember that Charlie and I are sharing a tent tonight. We're all in small double tents and when they were dished out earlier I found myself grabbed by Charlie. The camp out was Coach Bombay's idea, as a treat the last night before we all fly back to our respectful homes. But the thought of sharing a small tent with Charlie tonight fills me with both fear and exhilaration. 

I raise my eyes yet again and Charlie's gaze is there. He drops it quickly to the ground this time, before being caught up in a playful scuffle with Goldberg and the bash brothers. 

Everyone's slowly retiring to their tents now. Its getting fairly late and everyone's tired from the game and the hard work of the last few weeks. The air has a restful feel though, everyone's mellow and relaxed. I watch Charlie get to his feet after Goldberg leaves and then Fulton and Portman disappear as well. He says goodnight to Coach Bombay and Miss McKay, who are still talking quietly and heads over to our tent on the far side of the clearing. 

Connie and Guy have gone, as has Luis. Jesse is in deep discussion with Russ over something. So I wait a few minutes, soaking up the last dregs of atmosphere before heading over to the tent myself. Kneeling down, I open the flaps and crawl in. Charlie is in the middle of pulling his T-shirt over his head and pauses when I come in. I try not to stare but I know that my smile is somewhat forced and I think he does to. 

We both continue undressing in silence, gathering our toothbrushes and heading over to the water tap. Crawling back into the tent we both slide into our respective sleeping bags. Charlie shuffles around in what I have learned is his usual customary manner before eventually settling down to sleep. I curl up on my side, hand under my chin, facing the centre of the tent. Charlie has all but disappeared inside his bag and considering the way the temperature has dropped tonight I don't blame him. I slide down further into my own bag, but don't take my eyes off Charlie.

"Are we okay?"

Charlie's question takes me by surprise. "What?"

He turns over and peers up from inside his bag. "Are we okay? Because," he pauses and drops his eyes, "I kinda got the feeling that something's wrong and.." he pauses again, his voice softer, "I kinda got the feeling it might be me."

He sounds so unsure and worried that my heart goes out to him. "I'm sorry," I say, but I can't tell him that its *not* him and he notices. His eyebrows drew together and his face drops slightly. 

"What did I do?" He asks quietly. 

"Nothing," I say quickly. "It's not you. Its me." I stumble slightly over the half truth, half lie. He frowns further. "I've just had a lot on my mind lately, that's all." God, how 'in-my-thirties' do I sound? I turn away, I can't look at him right now. 

"You can talk to me, you now."

I turn back and he's looking at me so earnestly that I blurt out, "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because...."

"It is me isn't it?" And he doesn't look insulted this time or worried. Instead he looks almost curious. "Adam, what is it?"

"I can't tell you" I say desperately, rolling away again.

"Adam, please." I feel his hand on my shoulder and shiver. "I'm worried."

I'm feeling so confused right now. And frustrated. I want to tell him so much, but I'm so scared of what will happen. I can't loose Charlie as a friend and I know I will if I say anything. "Charlie, please. Don't."

"What?"

I shrug his hand off and listen to the stillness that follows.

"Sorry," he says after a few moments. "I didn't mean to offend you."

"You didn't."

His hand goes back to my shoulder tentively and I close my eyes as he gently applies some pressure. "Adam, please, look at me."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Please, Charlie."

"Adam." He applies more pressure and I go with it, turning to find Charlie leaning up on his elbow, his face inches from mine. "What can't you tell me?"

Something in me snaps, whether it is the look on his face or the fact he is so close I don't know but what I do next is so completely out of control I don't even realise I'm going to do it until my lips touch his. Its a kiss so quick and brief I've hardly registered I've actually done it until I'm staring up at him in shock. 

I'm battling between feeling the shocking tingles of electricity shooting around my body to the reaction of touching his lips with mine and the mind numbing fear of what I've just done. Neither one is winning yet, so I'm just sat frozen in horrified shock. 

Charlie hasn't moved. His face is a mixture of shock and something else I can't interpret. He hasn't pushed me away yet but I don't want to wait to see the look of disgust filter into his expression. I'm scrambling up to get out of the tent as soon as is humanly possible when I feel his hand once again on my shoulder. 

"I'm sorry, so sorry," I mumble, "I don't know what came over me. I don't know why I did that."

He tugs on my shoulder and I stop talking and tentatively turn back. He's not smiling still, but there's a look in his eyes, on his face that makes me pause. He tugs on my shoulder again and I lie back down slowly. He leans back with me until we're both lay side by side again. I can feel him looking at me still and my heart feels as though its beating its way almost out of my chest. 

A hand tentatively moves across my chest and a warmth floods my side as Charlie pulls himself closer to me and wraps his arm around me. 

I can't breath. 

I'm holding so still as I can't quite believe what is happening. I fell him edge closer, still in our own sleeping bags, but pressed tightly together. His arm is wrapped around me, under my arm and up around my chest and I slowly, very slowly, start to relax into his embrace. His face presses lightly against the back of my neck until he's pretty much hugging me from behind. 

I can't move for fear of breaking this reality. It feels real; I can feel his warmth, his weight, smell his scent and feel the soft whoosh of his breath against my neck. 

But I still can't believe it.

He didn't run, or push me away. he didn't yell at me or grimace in disgust. Spit at me or hit me.

He's holding me.......


The End.