Lucas rubbed the back of his head while shooting Banster a sheepish smile. "Looks like I'm not going to get out of going on the ice?"

Laughter rumbled from the captain's chest. "We will get you on there. You might as well make it sooner than later." His eyes twinkled.

The E.C.H.O. agent nodded. "Might as well...it's not like I have anything to loose...other than my dignity."

Banster slapped a hand on his back. "That's what I like to hear." He nodded to the open locker at the back. "So, Auden's gear it is."

"Sure thing."

"I can help you figure out how to put it on."

Lucas' mind raced. He resisted the urge to let his eyes dart to the vent. Instead he flashed a lopsided grin. "I'll figure it out."

Baster hesitated.

"Besides," Lucas' grin widened, "You might want to get some more practice in before I come out there."

The hockey player chuckled at that. "I'll be sure to warn the others." He turned to the door, water bottle in one hand. "Don't take too long or we might get too good practicing."

Lucas nodded. As soon as the other player disappeared he turned and headed for Auden's locker. His eyes darted to the cameras before turning to the vent. I need a blind spot... The idea hit him as soon as his eyes landed on the hockey stick. Walking over he casually picked it up. A moment was taken to look it over. Next, he swung it through the air, as though testing it out. He repeated the action, moving closer to the camera. Two inches to the right, he calculated.

The stick swung again as he took on the expression of an excited teen trying out different moves. He raised it high. Whack. It hit the side of the camera with enough strength to move it a couple of inches in the planned direction. Lucas froze. Guilt settled on his face as he didn't let the acting stop.

"Shoot," he muttered just in case there were sound sensors.

Satisfied, he slid up to the door. A quick glance out showed the abandoned hallway. Not losing a moment, Lucas shut the door. He propped the stick against it, before turning. There wasn't much time.

He grabbed another stick and used it to open the vent. As it was out of reach he took a few steps back. Running forward, he used the lockers to propel himself into the air. His fingers latched onto the edge of the vent and he pulled himself up within moments. He replaced the vent briefly before turning in the dark. For a moment he sat, letting his eyes adjust. He didn't have any equipment with him, but he had dealt with having nothing before.

Eyes adjusted he began to move forward. The move was stealthy, not a sound to be heard as he made his way along the vent. He came to a halt when the way split in two. Hesitating his eyes darted from one to the other as he listened. Other than rushing air there was nothing. Lucas frowned. His eyes narrowed as he strained his ears.

In the end he opted for left. When in doubt, always go left, he thought to himself. It was odd, but had actually saved him on several occasions. No sooner did he round the corner than he paused. It was faint but there was a buzzing sound coming from ahead.

Lasers... the realization his him. Lucas' eyes scanned the area, but as expected he couldn't see a thing. If I had... he shoved the thought aside. There was no use in thinking about what he didn't have. But one thing was for sure. Extra security measures...there's something here.

Thump.

Lucas stiffened.

Thump.

It took him but a second to go back the way he had come. There was someone in the vents, he was certain of it. Shoving aside the memory how last time in this situation he was shot, he took the vent branching to the right. Though he moved quickly he still managed to do so silently.

A few more paces and he saw a beam of light.

Gotcha, he thought in satisfaction.

The light disappeared but Lucas was in pursuit.

He rounded the corner just in time to see a figure disappear in another direction. Blood pumping at the thought of a chase, Lucas pushed on. Friend or foe, there's only one way to find out.

Only a few feet more and he froze. The sound of footsteps and voices drifted through a nearby opening.

"You seriously left him alone?" a voice asked.

"He said he was fine." The second was Banster.

"Dude, he's never played hockey before. You really think he'll figure out how to put on all that gear?"

"It's not rocket science."

Shoot! Lucas realized immediately where they were headed. He shot a glance in the direction that the figure from before had disappeared in. It was regretful, but he had no choice. Turning he scampered back towards the locker rooms. Finding the way wasn't hard, he had memorized it with ease. However, if he would get back in time was another question.

He went as fast as he could without raising the alarm that he was crawling around above. No sooner had he reached the room than he kicked the vent open and jumped down. He grabbed a stick, replaced the opening, and threw open Auden's locker. With one hand he pulled out the gear, scattering it on the ground before he turned and snatched the stick from the doorway. He had just sat down and pulled on a random piece of the hockey gear when the door opened.

"Yo. What's taking so..." Banster paused as his eyes landed on all the scattered pieces.

Lucas looked up from where he sat and shot him another sheepish grin. "I really thought I could figure it out...."

Another player, also dressed in full gear, pushed by Banster and Lucas recognized him as Holt, one of the team members who often hung around with Auden.

"I told you so," Holt informed Banster before marching forward. "Useless captain. Extending invites and then just abandoning the said invited."

Banster sighed. "As always, being insulted by my own team."

Holt just shook his head. "Here." He handed Lucas the first piece. "Start with this."

Lucas let the other two boys direct him and proceeded to put on the gear. The more he wore, the more wrapped up he felt. Pretty soon he was sure that there was no way anyone could move around on ice wearing what he was. While he had skated before, hockey was certainly not something he had tried. Well...it'll be something new...and challenging, he told himself.

Banster's eyes landed on the camera and his eyebrows rose. However, he didn't say a word.

"Game time!" Holt announced as he shoved a helmet on to Lucas' head and a stick into his left hand. "We've been trying to get a football player on the ice for forever." He grinned.

"Uh..." Lucas' eyes darted to Banster who only shot him an encouraging smile.

"To the ice!" Holt turned and marched to the door.

Lucas got to his feet, wobbling slightly on the skates. He found himself waddling after Banster and Holt down the hallway. On the way his eyes darted up as curiosity engulfed him. Who is up there?

They reached the rink to find the other players taking a short break. They sat in their box, water bottles in hands. One sprayed another, laughing at the protest that erupted.

"Look who we brought!" Holt announced.

The members who were present turned.

"Auden?" one asked.

"Nope." Banster thumped Lucas on his back again, almost making him trip. "Believe it or not, under all this is Lucas Johnson."

"Hey!" echoed all around as greetings were yelled.

Lucas nodded in reply.

"Ready for round three?" Banster asked.

There were yells of agreement from tea, members as well as the small crowd that watched. Water bottles were thrown aside and helmets pulled back on. Lucas watched the guys grab their sticks before moving to the ice. As soon as they were on it they glided across it with ease, teasing each they as they skated to the middle.

"Seven of us, so four on three," Banster told Lucas as he waited for him by the entrance to the ice.

Lucas hesitated as he looked down at the smooth surface.

"You'll be with me and..."

"Nope, we're taking him," Holt beat Banster to it. He grinned at Lucas before he pushed past him and took to the ice. He skated away backward. "Think of it as football...except for the more talented."

"Sure..." Lucas stepped onto the ice. He almost slipped and latched on to the edge to stop himself from doing so. It's more slippery than I remember. He looked up to find Banster grinning at him. "No lessons?" Lucas asked innocently.

"And where would be the fun in that?" Baster snatched up a puck and skated toward the middle line. He threw it down before turning. "The best way to teach a child to swim is to throw them into the water, right?" he called.

"I'm pretty sure that's called murder," another team member replied. Banster responded by hitting the offender's helmet with his stick.

"Alright then..." Lucas let go of the wall and moved cautiously forward. His past experience helped him keep his balance, and yet it was taking effort due to the extra gear to figure it out exactly. "Let's see how well I can swim then."

"That's what I like to here." Holt skated up next to him. "Andrew, Jim and I are on your team. Just try to run over everyone else and it'll be fine."

"Sure." Lucas wobbled.

"Ready?" Banster called. He was holding the puck in the air.

"No explaining the rules?" Lucas protested.

"Now where's the fun in that?" Banster replied.

Two guys skated up on either side. They placed their sticks down and stared at each other.

Banster dropped the puck and both sides exploded as the fight for the puck began. Banster's team got a hold of it and went for the attack. On wobbly legs, Lucas followed his own teammates. By the time he made it to the other end the puck had already changed possession and was going in the opposite direction. Lucas turned. By the time he made it to the middle line the puck had been passed back and forth more times than he could count.

"Lucas!" his name was called and the puck came flying his way.

He reached out his stick and somehow trapped the black object at the end. Excitement filled him and he looked up to see if anyone else had noticed his accomplishment. A body smacked into him. Lucas crashed to the ice. As he slid along he watched the other team skate off with the puck and place it in the gaol. Cheering erupted.

Sitting on his butt, Lucas felt dismay fill him. Looks like this isn't going to be so easy.

"Did we practice too much before you joined us?" Banster teased as he came over and skated around him.

Lucas shot him a pained smile. "Nah...I'm using the whole make em think you're bad before showing them your skills tactic."

Laughing, Banster held out a hand. Lucas took it and the captain helped him to his feet.

"The moment you lose focus is the moment you've lost," Banster told him.

Lucas scowled. That sounds like what they would tell me at ECHO.

"Good luck." Banster skated back to the middle, puck in hand.

The second round began. Lucas found himself skating back and forth helplessly. The puck was passed to him on numerous occasions, however, he would either miss it or end up losing it while he skidded across the ice. There were ohs and ahs from the audience that seemed to be enjoying the match a little too much. Even the players on both teams couldn't hide their grins and Lucas' constant misfortunes.

Lucas couldn't blame them, he was sure it was entertaining to watch him. At the same time he couldn't help but admire how the other guys twisted and turned on the ice, moving as though they were born skating. Forward, backward, sideward, nothing seemed to be too difficult for the team.

They played for a little while longer before they called it quits. Exhausted, the boys made their way to the locker room.

"What do you think?" Holt asked as his teammates argued the over the final score. "Converting to hockey?"

Lucas pulled off the helmet to shake his head. "Not anytime soon."

"Oh come on. You weren't that bad." Banster followed him into the changing room. "We'll make a player out of you yet." His gloved hand ruffled Lucas' hair.

"In your defense, you are the only football member to actually come on the ice and join us," another player said as they entered the locker rooms.

"True," Holt agreed.

Lucas walked over to the bench and sat down. He hadn't realized just how exhausting being on the ice could be. He looked up to see the other guys already pulling their gear off and so he began to do the same. His eyes darted in the direction of the camera and he saw that it had already been readjusted to the position it was at before he had knocked it. It reaffirmed what he was suspecting.

There's something here they're hiding.

Lucas stood and stretched. Without all the gear on he felt unusually light.

"Anyone up for dinner in town?" Holt asked.

"Dude, I have to catch up on homework," one guy announced.

"My parents are coming tonight," another revealed.

"You suck," came Holt's response. His eyes turned to Banster.

"Already have plans."

"Seriously?" Holt nodded at Lucas. "How about you?"

Lucas hesitated. I need to come back here...

"How about the caf?" he suggested.

Holt's face fell. "How does the caf beat going out?"

"I'll come if it's the caf," the guy who said he had homework spoke up.

"You suck," Holt lamented. "Fine. The caf it is."

The boys headed out. In the end, it was only four of the seven guys who went to the cafeteria. It was pretty empty as most people were still out with their families. Lucas sat with them. While he ate and laughed along at the jokes passed around, his mind stayed on the hockey rink. There was something there, he was certain.

"Yo." A tray dropped next to him.

Lucas and the others shot the new comer a glance.

"Aren't you supposed to be hanging with your parents?" Lucas asked as he reached for his water.

"They've got to catch a flight back to Seoul." Nathan's hair was in a tussle and he looked tired.

"You okay?"

"Try listening to your father complain about your passion..." Nathan added something in Korean under his breath. "Seriously, I don't understand how he doesn't realize that not everyone wants to run a multimillion empire."

"Jeeze, that sounds horrible," Holt teased.

Nathan pulled a face. "My traitor of a sister managed to get off early. Left me all alone with the old man and my dear mother."

"Amber left?" Lucas' attention was piqued.

"Some stupid dorm meeting. My guess is she didn't want to listen to my parent's latest proposal on a suitor." Nathan stabbed the fish on his plate.

"Whoa, dud. That's dead, you don't need to kill it again," one of the guys told him.

Nathan looked up and is eyes narrowed. "Why are you all sitting together?"

"What? Teammate can't eat together now?" Holt asked.

"Lucas is on the football team."

Holt grinned. He threw an arm around Lucas' shoulder. "Well, today he started training for my team."

"Seriously?" Nathan turned his eyes on Lucas. "You were on the ice?" His face was filled with curiosity. "How did that go?"

Lucas winced.

"He gave us quite the laugh," one of the other guys chipped in.

There were chuckles all around.

"It's amazing what you get roped in to when you wander around this school," Lucas muttered.

"Then don't go wandering around." Holt grinned.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You joining the hockey team then?" Nathan asked as he finally shoved the fish into his mouth.

Lucas shook his head firmly. "I prefer dirt to ice." A grin spread across his face. "It's manlier."

"Hey!" There were protests all around.

One of the guys, however, was staring at Nathan, watching his every bite.

Seemingly to finally realize, Nathan put his fork down with a clang and looked up. "What?"

"I dunno..." the guy said. "It's just that you eat really well with a fork."

"So..."

"Do they use forks in Japan?"

Holt choked on the drink of water he had been taking.

"You've got to be kidding me," Nathan muttered.

Another hockey player slapped the one who made the comment over the head. "You're an idiot," he was told.

"I'm not of the same species as him," another announced.

"What?" the offender rubbed his head.

"Why is the world so uneducated?" Nathan complained.

"It was a legit question," the guy complained.

"Firstly, I'm Korean. Korean. Secondly," Nathan picked up his fork, "Yes." He resumed eating.

The offender got another slap over the head.

"Don't worry, they ask me that question all the time." A new tray landed on the table and Peter sat down. "Once I was even asked if I rode an elephant to school when I was younger. Apparently if you're from Angola that's what people think you use as a form of transportation."

"What did you reply?" Holt asked.

"I told the guy he had it wrong." Peter's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Who rides elephants when you have wooly mammoths?"

Lucas chuckled at that one.

"Seriously, people need to travel more," Nathan complained.

Holt nodded before he leaned forward. "What countries have you visited?"

Nathan swallowed a mouthful. "Singapore, the Philippines, Japan, Russia, France..." he began to tick them off.

Countries... Lucas shoved a carrot into his mouth as he thought. He'd lost count of all the places he had gone to on missions. ECHO's reach went around the globe and being on a plane to another country was just another part of life for him.

"I was in Egypt during our last break. Family vacation," Holt announced. The conversation seemed to have become a boasting game. "Five star all the way. You should have seen the hotels!"

"I went to Poland once," the others at the table joined in. "I think it's my favorite."

"Nah, Hawaii is way cooler."

"You been to other countries?" Nathan asked Lucas.

Lucas nodded.

"What's been your favorite?"

There was a pause. My favorite, huh? Lucas tried hard to think of one. The only reason I travel is to complete a job... He'd never really paused to think about anything other than the mission. "The Dominican Republic's pretty nice," he murmured. He winced as the words brought about the memory of the scar that was embedded on his left thigh. As nice as it can get doing a job.

"I've been there," Nathan told him in excitement. His face fell. "Didn't get to see much as my dear father was dragging me around for business."

"The only other country I've been to is Africa," one of the other guys spoke up.

Peter let out a long groan. "Continent. Continent man! Get it right. And that continent has over 50 countries."

"Sorry." The guy shot Peter a sheepish look.

The boys discussed various topics before they finished up. A few decided to head back to the dorm to do homework. Holt convinced a team member to go to town with him while they still had 'freedom' as he put it.

"Want to go be bums on the couch and play some games?" Nathan asked Lucas. "I feel like a good bloody game will help me vent some frustration."

Lucas shook his head.

"Why not?"

The two boys had just left the cafeteria. Lucas' eyes darted around to make sure that no one was nearby.

"I have to take care of something..." he murmured.