"Are we there yet?" Sid rolled his piercing blue eyes and stuck his head far out the window.Bud gripped the steering wheel with both hands as he weaved the 4x4 alongthe mountain road. Michelle yawned as the scenery swept past her passengerwindow. Liz flipped another page in her book and kept reading, while Niseydozed in the backseat. Head back in the car, Sid glanced around the vehicle.Like a small child, he pushed buttons, switched radio stations and generally drove Bud crazy. Laughing to himself, Sid reached over and honked the horn.

"What are you doing?" Bud raised his eyebrows and shoved Sid's hand away.Sid shoved back, reaching for the horn. In no time his head was out the window again, with the horn honking persistently.

"Look out! Look out!!! Bud's driving! DUCK!!!" Sid screamed into the mountain air.

"Funny..." Bud dragged Sid back in the window, a scuffle ensued. Michelle glanced up front and wondered who was driving.

"BOYS!" Michelle rolled her eyes and pulled the two of them apart. "Bud, DRIVE! Sid, SIT!" Both of them grudgingly sat, or drove, in silence. This silence was eventually broken by Bobby Darin playing on the CD player.

"Not AGAIN!" Sid reached for the CD.

"Throw it out the window and I throw you out the window, Sid." Bud gave Sid a menacing glare...

"Oooohh..." Sid shook in mock fear and laughed, another scuffle ensued.

"BOYS!!!" Michelle yelled into their ears.

"WHAT???"

"Stop the jeep..."

"What??" Both of them looked very confused. Liz glanced up from her reading. Nisey awoke and rubbed her eyes.

"Look!" Michelle pointed, they looked... the jeep screeched to a halt as Bud pulled it onto the shoulder. Michelle hopped out of the backseat, the others followed.

"John?" Sid took a long look at the smoking engine of Biebe's patrol truck and began to laugh... and laugh...

"Shut up, Sid." Bud sighed as he peered under the smoldering hood. He gave John a consoling glance. John shook his head and rubbed his chin.

"I knew I should have taken the other patrol truck...."

"Ay you mates... just in time to rescue us, huh?" Jeff stepped forward, rugby ball in hand, with a huge grin and a delicious Aussie accent.

"Michelle?... Liz? Nisey!" A female voice this time. Michelle's head turned and she smiled.

"Gillian!" All three females replied in unison.

"And Teresa!" Teresa unfolded herself from inside John's patrol truck.

"Teresa!" The five gals greeted enough other as the men preplexed over John's patrol car.

"Okay... enough with the hugs and kisses... Looks like this ride is shot to hell..." Sid, playing mechanic, looked out from under the hood... grease smudged quite adorably on his nose. He frowned slightly, then grinned wickedly and came up behind Bud and gave him a BIG hug... rubbing his greasy hands into Bud's shirt.

"YOU LITTLE....!!!!" Another scuffle ensued with much yelping and wincing...

"So..." Jeff smiled and tossed the ball into the air.

"Where are the others?" Nisey asked.

John ran his fingers through his long hair, "Peaches, Max and Cort, and Loria? They're on ahead. We were gonna meet 'em at the next gas station. And then we're off to the lodge." He paused to watch the scuffle off to the side. "So..."

"I guess you're driving..." Michelle smiled at John and Liz handed him the keys.

"Driving?!? Who? What?" Bud disentangled himself from Sid's grip.

"Can we just get going?" Nisey hooked her arm around Jeff's and looked impatient. Jeff looked... well, like nothing bothered this Aussie.

"What a minute..." Bud stood his ground. "We're ALL going in MY jeep?!?"

"Yeah..." Everyone replied... And they began shifting luggage between vehicles as quickly as possible. John tossed a sleeping bag... which hit Sid in the head... Sid staggered backwards into Bud... Bud pushed him away and into Jeff... there was much yelling and a riot ensued.

Later...

"Finally." Jeff stashed the last of the luggage into the van. Sid climbed into the passenger seat with a chuckle.

"SHOTGUN!" He howled...

"Great. I get to ride behind HyperBoy the whole trip? Bud, d'you remember to bring your handcuffs?

"Yeah..." Bud answered as he crawled into the backseat, "but I'm saving 'em for later."

"Get in everybody." Michelle climbed into the seat behind Sid.

"Are you sure you don't want shotgun instead?" John smiled at Liz. Liz grinned back.

"You sure you don't want to let Bud drive...?" Liz eyed the backseat.

"Get in the jeep!" Sid was getting impatient to move.

"Fine, fine..." Liz clambered in behind John's seat.

"We'll take the back." Teresa giggled as she, Gillian and Nisey squeezed into the back seat and promptly struck up a conversation with Bud.

"Scuse me, girls." Jeff crawled over Michelle and Liz... stepping on Michelle's foot... apologizing... poking Liz's shoulder... apologizing again... bashing Michelle's head with his elbow... giggling... "You couldn't use the other door?" Michelle groaned, chuckling to herself as she held her head.

"Blocked off by luggage, love." Jeff seated himself against the leaning tower of suitcase and laughed hard.

"Are we all in?" John checked and double checked. Everyone one mumbled in affirmation. "Then we're off..." The Jeep coughed and groaned... too much luggage?... Bud winced.

"My jeep...."

And they were... slowly... wait for it... off....

"Let the skunk loose?" Peaches said looking at Loria.

"You can't seriously tell me that you don't smell that!" Loria said as she looked at her.

"Who ever smelt it, delt it!" Cort said as he started laughing.

"Oh that's so mature, Cort." Loria said as she glanced back at him. Peaches was driving, Loria had shot gun, Maximus and Cort were in the back seat. They were all in Peaches' 99 Ford Explorer 4x4. Peaches offered to let Maximus drive and give Cort shot gun but they declined. Maximus said that everyone kept complaining about his driving and Cort said he'd rather sit in back and be able to pester Loria.

They approached the gas station they were supposed to meet the other's at. Peaches pulled in and asked Maximus if he would put gas in it. Peaches and Loria headed straight for the bathroom. Cort went inside the gas station store, he was hungry and wanted something to eat. After they were finished in the bathroom, Loria and Peaches went inside the store.

"When are they supposed to met us here?" Loria asked as she looked at the selection of chips.

"I don't know, they weren't to far behind us, maybe a couple of hours, but you know John and his driving." Peaches said as she giggled.

"Well he is a sheriff, he needs to set an example." Loria said as she started laughing. Peaches grabbed a bag of Doritos and walked over to the soda fountain.

"Cort what are you doing?" Peaches asked as she watched him.

"Just making me something to drink." Cort answered grinning at her.

"But your mixing more than one flavor of soda, that's gross." Peaches said as she watched him add Mountain Dew into his cup.

"Well I couldn't decide which one I wanted, so I figure why not have them all." Cort said as he finished up and put a lid on his cup.

"That truly is gross." Peaches said as she watched him walk away and taking a drink. Peaches poured herself some Pink lemonade then went to the counter to pay.

Maximus moved the truck to the front of the store, then came inside to get himself something. "Not hungry are you, Loria?" Maximus asked as he watched Loria pile the counter up with food.

"I couldn't make my mind, so I thought I'd get everything that sounded good to me, its not like I'm gonna eat all of this." Loria said as she stared at him.

"I'll meet you all outside." Peaches said smiling at them. When everyone was finished they gathered around the truck.

"I think I'm gonna go for a walk." Loria said as she put her stuff in the truck and grabbed what she wanted.

"I'll go with you." Peaches said as she stuck the rest of her chips and drink in the truck.

"You girls don't go scaring those woodlynn creatures now." Cort said as he grinned at them. Loria just glared at him and Peaches just ignored him.

"Oh look at that!" Loria said as she pointed to a baby deer.

"That's cool!" Peaches said as she pulled a camera out of her pocket and took a picture.The walk was very relaxing and took about an hour and a half off of their waiting time.

"Cort acts so much like a little six year old." Loria said as they headed back to the gas station.

"He does it just to get on your nerves." Peaches said smiling at Loria.

"Ya well it works!" Loria said grinning back at her. "So you think John brought anyone this time?" Loria asked as they got closer to the gas station.

"Don't know, he didn't say he was." Peaches said smiling at her. "I don't think he's seeing anyone right now, anyway." Peaches continued.

"Well I hope he didn't, it gives us girls more of a chance with the guys when they don't have someone." Loria said as she grinned at Peaches.

When they got to the gas station, Sid ran up to them and grabbed both girls giving them a big squeeze.

"Sid, what are you doing?" Loria asked as he released them.

"Oh I just missed you two so much!" Sid said mocking the situation with the girls before.

"Sid, get away from me!" Loria said as she pushed him way as he tried to hug her again.

"Sid, let me guess, Bud drove." Peaches said as she giggled.

"I heard that." Bud said as he walked up to them.

"Hello, Bud." Peaches said as she grinned at him.

"Hello and what was the remark supposed to mean?" Bud asked as he put his arm around her.

"Um, nothing, your just a very careful driver, not a speed demon like old led foot here." Peaches said as she nudge Sid.

"Yeah I'm sure that's what you meant." Bud said grinning at her.

"I'm surprised that he's still here, thought for sure you would have tossed him out the window." Loria said talking to Bud, as she looked at Sid.

"What is this, pick on Sid day, come on, besides he ain't strong enough to take me on!" Sid said as he took his hand and rubbed Bud's head.

"THAT'S IT COMPUTER BOY!" Bud yelled as he took off after Sid.

Peaches and Loria walked over to the others. "Hey, 'Chelle, Nisey, Gillian and Teresa, where's Liz?" Peaches said as she greeted the girls.

"Oh I think she had to use the little girls room." Michelle said as she hugged Peaches.

"Hey love!" Jeff said as he greeted Loria.

"Hey Jeff." Loria said as she gave him a hug.

"Do I get a hug?" John asked Peaches grinning at her.

"Oh I guess." Peaches said smiling at him then hugging him.

"So, uh, where's your patrol car?" Loria asked as she gave John a hug.

"Well, I had a little problem with it." John said grinning at her.

"So how long is it supposed to take to get to this lodge?" Liz said as she walked up behind them. Peaches turned around and smiled at her friend.

"About 4 or 5 hours depends on who's driving." Peaches said as she giggled and then hugged Liz.

"Ok this time I'm riding with Peaches, Cort, Loria and Maximus!" Sid said as he ran passed them followed by Bud.

"OH NO YOUR NOT!" Loria yelled back at him.

"Liz, care to ride with us?" Loria asked as she put her arm around Liz.

"Sure!" Liz said as they headed toward the truck.

"All right people let's get on the road!" Maximus said.

"Spoiled brat," Loria muttered under her breathe and Peaches giggled.

"I heard that!" Sid leapt up and ruffled her hair, Loria screamed and retaliated by grabbing his gel-packed hair.

"NO!" He yelled.

"ALRIGHT! You TWO!" Peaches swirved on the road, "Guys! Cort, Max! Keep him in line!" Cort and Maximus grabbed Sid by the shoulders and pulled him back.

Liz smiled from her small seat in the back that she shared with a peaceful, uncomplaining pile of luggage.

".... 29 bottles of beer on the wall, 29 bottles of beer... take one down pass it around, 28 bottles of beer on the wall..." Michelle shook her head as the chorus continued in her ear. Jeff howled with laughter as he conducted them from the back seat. She focused on her driving as she clenched the wheel and pressed her foot harder on the gas pedal. They weren't getting to the lodge fast enough.

Bud grabbed the dashboard, "Ah... Michelle..." He watched as the tree flew past his window.

"Michelle..." John leaned in from behind. "The speed limit's 80, not 120."

Michelle sighed heavily and lifted her foot off the gas, "Damn it, why'd I have to get the car with two cops in it!"

A couple more hours passed and both vehicles had fallen silent, Peaches and Michelle pulled the trucks into the driveway.

"We're here!" Cort said as though speaking to a group of children. He received a pillow in the kisser, a couple of middle fingers and many groans before Maximus pushed him backwards out the door.

"Yeehaw... what a thrill... somebody unfold my legs..." Sid muttered from his seat.

"I can't breathe," Nisey gasped from underneath a pile of fallen luggage, Gillian and John unburied her and pulled her out of the truck.

"Bud, get out!" Teresa shoved impatiently at the sleeping giant who blocked her exit.

"Great ride, Michelle." Gillian added with appreciation, "Wonder what all that smoke under the hood is?" Bud bolted upright and clambered out to see the damage done to his precious vehicle.

"Thanks!" Teresa smiled.

"No problem." Gillian giggled as Bud glared at her joke. At last everybody was awake, sort of, and unfolded, with much pain, and standing eagerly.... well, blearily... under a canopy of trees staring with relieved eyes at the lodge before them. Twilight crept among the trees... stars appeared through the branches... somewhere far oof a wolf howled... it was all very peaceful and lovely and...

"MASTER BEDROOM!" Sid yelled and threw himself in the door...

"Like HELL!" Bud retorted and took off on his heels.

"Is there FOOD!?!" Jeff got a concerned look and tore off towards the kitchen.

"Hey guys!" More female voices greeted them from the front door.

"Jen? When'd you get here!"

"And Tina, and Laura! And about 10 minutes ago!" They all smiled.

The others dragged themselves inside, all except John who lingered behind pulling out the luggage. Noticing this, Loria returned to the truck and offered to help.

Later...

Ten bedrooms. Dilemma. Sixteen people, if not more later.... Ten rooms. Much pondering and posturing and clenching of fists began. At last Jeff convinced everyone to sit down to a nutritious meal of marshmallows and coffee. He'd also made toast.

"You're quite the gourmet there, Jeff." Michelle winked at him.

"Yep." Liz giggled. "Not a catch to let slip away." She elbowed Michelle.

During 'dining' John and Loria reappeared, smiling.

"Out of breath?," Peaches tossed at Loria.

"Shut up..." Loria hissed, her face turning a bright red.

"We're discussing the sleeping arrangements." Bud leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow. "It's going... uh... not well."

"What's the trouble?" Loria asked.

"Ten rooms. Sixteen of us... and that's just tonight... tomorrow there could be more."

"Oh..." Loria looked thoughtful, glancing up at John quickly then back at Peaches, her face turning even more red.

"I'll share with one of the girls!" Sid grinned and shifted his chair closer to Michelle's.

"Right." Bud crossed his arms.

"What's the problem, DAD?" Sid frowned.

"I'll share with Michelle... keep everyone out of trouble." Jeff grinned.

"Oh... our knight in shining armour." Sid made a face and laughed...

"I could stay with one of the ladies." John smiled sheepishly.

Loria bit her lip and nodded...

"Excuse me?" Sid choked on a marshmallow. "How is THAT solving things?"

"I like it..." Loria smiled.

"I don't think it's fair that SOME of us get a guy and SOME of us don't... share and share alike... or else find more... or else we all get to sleep frustrated." Liz crossed her arms and chuckled to herself.

"I agree." Peaches voiced her opinion.

"No... it's actually a good idea." Loria sighed grudgingly. John looked at her slightly stunned.

"C'mon. We girls can split up five rooms leaving five for you guys." Michelle added.

"Wait a second. There are six of us." Sid pointed out.

"Who gets Sid?" Cort laughed, looking at Bud.

"Don't look at me!" Bud held up his hands.

"C'mon Bud, you can handle him, being a cop and all." Loria smiled. "Problem solved!" She cheered after a brief second. Bud glared at her, she rose, avoiding John's incredulous stare and grabbed Michelle away from Sid's side, and headed to one of the rooms. Bud heaved a very long-suffering sigh.

"Come on then, Sid." Bud grabbed him by the ear and shoved him down the hall.

"This SUCKS." Sid pouted.

"Oh stop... I'll let you sleep by the window. I'll even let you build a fort with the covers." Bud grinned. Everybody stood up slowly. John sighed in resignation, Jeff grabbed a handful of marshmallows for the trip to the bedroom, Max and Cort grabbed their luggage and headed off down the hall.

"Hey!" Teresa's head appeared over the end of the bed.

"I assume this is yours?" She grinned tossing the pillow back to it's owner.

"I can't do this...I can't lay here one more second.....Sleeping is the last thing I wanna do!" Loria whined.

Teresa pulled herself up onto the bed. "So got any ideas on how to pass the night?"

"A few." Teresa recognized the mischievous glint in Loria's eyes right away. "But one or two of them I think I better keep to myself."

Loria tucked her feet under her and stood on the bed, towering over Teresa. She looked thoughtfully at the other woman for a moment and then began a rowdy bouncing on the mattress.

"Think we could come up with something to torture Hyper Boy and the Lone Ranger?" Loria asked grinning at Teresa

With each bounce Loria shot closer and closer to the ceiling and soon Teresa was joining her, laughter bubbling from both women. "With those two, sure we can." Teresa giggled. Suddenly Loria jumped to the floor. "Come on.....Lets get somethin to eat first."

Teresa leapt to the floor behind Loria and fell into step with her until they passed the rooms only window. Loria came to a sudden stop. "Forget the boy wonders.....I just found something I wanna do more."

"What?" Teresa asked.

Loria pointed out the window to an eerie shimmering through a break in the trees. "A swim." She smiled.

A wide smile lit Teresa's face. "Race ya!" Both women dashed to the suit cases and clothes flew through the air. Loria came up with her favorite pair of faded cut off's and a tank top. Teresa retrieved a similar ensemble.

As they slipped into their nocturnal swim wear. Loria looked over at Teresa. "Hey, you know it's not fair of us to monopolize the nights fun."

Teresa looked quizzically at her. "What are you up to?"

"You'll see. Come on!" She hurried past Teresa, grabbing her arm.

Minutes later found the two women padding quietly along the hall towards the next door. Loria knocked lightly on the door. Seconds ticked bye until finally Peaches pulled the door partially open.

"HUH?" She drowsily whispered.

"Come on ...get dressed...were gonna have some fun!" Loria replied.

Michelle's head appeared over Peaches shoulder. "Fun? Sounds interesting. What ya got planned?"

"Never mind....You'll see...Just hurry up!" Loria motioned for Teresa to go wake the others.

"The guys?" Teresa asked.

"No...Let 'em sleep. They need all the beauty rest they can get." She gave her friend a wicked grin.

Teresa made the rounds to the next three rooms, waking the other women. Loria stood waiting in the hall throwing impatient glances over her shoulder towards the rooms where the men were sleeping. The thought of inviting the men along had occurred to her but then again a girls night sounded more in order. Slowly one by one Michelle, Peaches, Liz, Gillian, Tina,Jen, and Laura filed out into the hall.

"So where are we going?" Gillian asked.

Loria and Teresa looked at each other and then turned back to Gillian. "Swimming!" They answered in unison.

A few initial groans of annoyance came from the group but in the end they would all agree to the trek to the moonlit pond. Teresa led the way down the sparsely lit hallway and just as they were nearing the door which led to Sid's and Bud's room Teresa quickly gestured for everyone to stop.

Liz could see that Teresa had he ear trained on something none of the rest of them heard. "Teresa what is it?"

Teresa didn't have time to answer as the door in front of her was jerked open and Sid stood framed in the doorway.

"Hey what's goin on?" He asked, rubbing sleepily at his eyes.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited to see how Teresa would handle Sid. They didn't have long to wait luckily Teresa was a quick thinker.

"Sid baby, your dreaming." She smiled seductively.

"I am?" Sid's puzzled expression was almost more than any of the women could take. Jen was trying hard to stifle a giggle but failed as it slipped the bonds of the hand she held tightly over her mouth.

"Sure you are Sid. Now would this happen if you weren't?" Teresa asked as she reached forward throwing her arms around Sid's neck. Pressing herself tightly against him, her warm lips clamped over his.

Sid stood perfectly still as Teresa's lips worked over his. For the onlookers it was difficult to determine is Sid had actually fallen back to sleep of if Teresa had put him in a some sort of trance.

Hesitantly Teresa pulled away from him and watched him closely.

"Your right.....I'm dreaming." He gave Teresa a lop sided grin and turned disappearing back into the room he shared with Bud.

Teresa turned a triumphant smile on the others. She was about to continue down the hall when Loria grabbed her arm.

"Hey wait......We're gonna leave those two a little calling card." Loria pulled her towards the door as her other hand reached out and gently tried the knob.

The door silently opened and Loria looked back to the other women. Peaches gave the them an evil grin. "We'll just wait her for you two."

Loria nodded and slipped into the room shadowed by Teresa. They were greeted by the soft whistling snore that came from the bed where Bud lay. Loria grinned watching him sleep, his body folded around a pillow like a child on his first sleep over. Sid on the other hand looked more like something out of an insomniac's dream. He lay half on half off the wide bed, arms and legs spilled over the edge of the bed. Sheets and comforter lay in a pile on the floor beside the bed. Teresa shook her head in amusement. Loria slowly scanned the room until her eye's came to the dresser. Her elbow dug into Teresa's side as she nudged her friend and pointed across the room to a pair of similar looking toiletry bags.

Moving away from the door to the dresser Loria quietly began to search the contents of the bags and soon pulled out several items from both bags. From Bud's she retrieved aftershave and mouthwash. From Sid's it was a squeeze bottle of hair gel and tooth paste. Loria looked over at Teresa and a totally wicked smile graced her face.

"Do it!" Teresa whispered.

It only took seconds for Loria to mix the brew which would be the morning's surprise for the two men. As she replaced the items in the bags she suddenly became aware of the deafening silence in the room. Teresa paused in her retreat to the door and turned in the same direction as Loria. Both women exhaled a sigh of relief as Bud suddenly resumed his snoring.

"Correct me if I'm wrong here but weren't you the one that made a comment about Cort being immature?" Peaches chuckled as she slipped into the water beside Loria.

"UMMMM.....I invoke my fifth amendment rights." Loria grinned over at Peaches.

"HEY! The water is really warm!" Laura's eyes were wide with surprise as she twirled around in the water.

"The water must be coming from a hot spring somewhere." Teresa replied.

Loria looked up at Gillian and Tina as they splashed each other with the tepid water. "Watch it! I wouldn't get to close to the bank over there I saw a big mud hole when we came down the trail." Loria called.

"Wha...what's that?" Liz stuttered. Her eyes growing wide as she pointed to the bushed along the ponds edge.

Everyone heard her question and turned in the direction she was pointing. The bushed shook with more violence then the wind could have caused.

"Shhh! You hear that?" Peaches asked, dipping lower into the water.

Silence settled over the small group as several ears strained to hear the phantom noise. Then it came a shrill shriek that pierced the darkness. Followed on the heels by a strange shape that descended towards the pond out of the inky blackness of the midnight sky.

Riotous screams split the air echoing off the surrounding mountains as the women scrambled from the water. The ensuing chaos was like something out of a horror movie. Everyone ran in an opposite direction in blind fear.

John was the first one down the back steps of the lodge followed by Maximus, Cort, Sid, and Bud. He hit the trail to the pond in a dead run, hoping he was right about the direction of the screams. Coming to a sudden halt at the edge of the pond John visually searched the area but all was quite and still.

John jerked the pistol he carried with him up as a shadowy form detached itself from the surrounding night.

"I hope you not planning on shooting me sheriff." Loria gave him a relieved smile.

He returned the smile. "Any reason I should? Besides the fact that you scared the hell out of me."

At that moment Maximus followed by Cort and Sid entered the small clearing.

"Everything OK?" Maximus asked.

Loria had began to run her fingers through the long wet strands of her auburn hair, unsnagging as many tangles as she could. "Yeah. We just got a little spooked is all." She pointed to a nearby tree and the huge form that sat perched in it's limbs. "It was just an owl." Embarrassment tinged her cheeks a glowing pink hue.

Within minutes the men were joined by the women as they made their way back to the sound of familiar voices. All except one.

Loria stood close to John absorbing his warm body heat and admiring his lack of attire. His shirt and boots had obviously been left behind in the rush to come to their aide and the 501's he wore were only partially buttoned. Suddenly like a lead weight dropping on her head Loria noticed Teresa hadn't returned.

"Where's Teresa?" Panic laced her voice as she twisted around thinking she had just missed her appearance.

"Calm down! We'll find her." John soothed.

Maximus turned and made his way into the pitch black of the woods near the trail to begin the search. Cort was about to follow when Sid strode forward towards the big mud hole." Maybe she's......" He never finished the sentence. Without warning Teresa barreled down the trail and slammed full force into the back of Sid. Sending cart wheeling face first into the thick black mud.

Everyone stood stunned at the sight until Cort finally burst into a round of side splitting laughter.

"Shut up Cort! It's not funny." Loria tried to hide her own amusement as she reprimanded him.

"The hell it's not!" He continued to laugh. "Look at him! If that's not funny I don't know what is!"

Teresa took a step towards the prone form of Sid her hand over her mouth in horror. "Oh Sid! I'm sorry."

Slowly Sid pulled himself from the mud. The strange suction sound that the mud made as it released Sid made Cort howl louder with laughter.

Sid looked up at Teresa, his expression unreadable. "Sorry huh? I don't know, you don't look REALLY sorry to me!"

Teresa started backing up as Sid came towards her." Sid no!" She squealed.

Sid's hands snaked out and grabbed Teresa, flinging her over his muddy shoulder. Retracing his steps back to the pond her waded through the mud hole and out into the water.

"Ahhhh.....Looks I've gotten you all dirty too now. I think you need a bath!" Sid teased. Just as he was about to toss her backwards into the water she dug her hands into his shirt and sent him plunging into the water with her.

Both came up sputtering as they clung to each other. "I got news for you. I wasn't dreaming" Sid whispered as soon as he caught his breath.

Teresa starred at him in shock. "Good" she smiled.

Peaches had made her way back to the lodge with Maximus as well as Jen and Cort. Michelle was about to suggest to Bud that he may want to escort her back but a voice from the trail drew her attention. The smooth Aussie accent sent goosebumps along her skin.

"I miss the party?" The voice asked.

Loria spun around. "Colin!" She shouted in excitement.

She rushed him and through her arms around him. "I thought you couldn't make it?"

"Miss getting together with my mates? Never." He smiled down at her.

"How long can you stay?"

"How long do you want me to stay?"

"Not fair. You know whatever I say won't happen."

Colin glanced over Loria's head and saw that John was giving him a hostile stare and had a pretty good idea why. He quickly untangled himself from Loria's arms.

"John's it's been to bloody long!" He smiled extending his hand.

"Sure has Colin. Why don't you get settled and we can do some catching up." John seemed more at ease with the distance Colin had put between himself and Loria.

"Michelle, would you mind seeing Colin gets settled in. The good Sheriff has just offered to make a roaring fire to warm me up." She gave John a warm smile.

"Not at all." Michelle smiled moving beside Colin.

"Just lead the way darlin." Colin winked at the women beside him.

"Don't you two make a cute couple." Sid grumbled from his position next to the fire. Loria stuck out her tongue at him and snuggled in even closer, John helped by placing a welcoming arm around her.

"Hey guys!" Michelle appeared in the doorway with Colin in tow.

"G'day mates!" Colin greeted everyone.

"Hey Colin, c'mon and join the party!" Peaches cheered, directing them towards the large sofa.

"Don't mind if I do!" Colin grabbed a hot chocolate from Jeff and made himself comfortable.

"So what are we going to do tomorrow?!" Teresa poked Sid in the ribs as she tried to gain more space by the fire.

"You mean today?" John laughed pointing to the clock on the wall.

"I'm tired." Sid whined, poking Teresa back.

"Shut up." Teresa giggled and a scuffle ensued, squeals and shouts and racing around, until...

"OUCH!!!" Sid sat down in the middle of the floor, holding his head.

"What?"

"I bashed my head on the lamp." Sid pointed out the offending piece of furniture.

"Clutz." Teresa giggled.

"He's bleeding!" Peaches pointed to the blue nanogoo, "Sid, you're bleeding!"

"I am?" Sid sounded alarmed.

"Are you?" John crouched down in concern.

"He is?" Colin peered at Sid's head.

"Step aside... out of the way... let a female take charge..." Jen stepped up to Sid and knelt beside him. "Help me get him to the couch..." John and Colin did so and the boys and girls hovered anxiously around their fallen playmate... like a bunch of schoolkids who threw rocks for fun and looked bewildered when somebody lost an eye.

"I'm fine!" Sid glared at everyone and pushed them away. "I'm fine... nothing a little glass won't fix!" He growled and sat up.

"Pillow fight!" Teresa howled and feathers flew, cushions were tossed and war raged long into the night.

The next morning...

Colin took a long drag on his cigarettes as he sat on the porch and watched dawn touch over the treetops. He sat alternately watching the splendor over the lake and sipping his coffee. Peace and quiet... nobody else was up... A yell interrupted his musings. Colin dropped his cup of coffee and raced into the lodge.

"What's up?!?" He rushed down the hall to the noise in the bathroom. Bud hovered over the sink, mouthwash glass in hand, gagging as he spat into the sink.

"You alright, mate?" Colin placed a hand on his shoulder.

"This mouthwash tastes like shit!" He tossed the glass to the side and wiped his chin. Colin picked up the bottle and sniffed it, jerking his head back as he did.

"That's aftershave, mate." He smiled

"Aftershave?" Bud grabbed the bottle of mouthwash and brought it to his nose. "Son of a bitch... I'll kill him! That little piece of cyberjunk." Bud glared at Colin. A scream from Bud's bedroom interrupted them.

"NOOOO!" Sid screamed. Colin and Bud entered the bedroom and found Sid holding his head.

"What is it?!" Colin ran up to him and then started laughing when he saw that Sid's hair was layered with toothpaste. Bud leaned against the wall chuckling as Sid danced angrily around the room.

"You DID this, didn't you!?!" Sid glared at Bud and started towards him.

"Whoa, mate!" Colin held him back.

"What's happening in here?" Michelle poked her head into the room and on seeing Sid and the state of his hair, burst into laughter.

"It's not funny!" Sid growled at her.

Michelle covered her mouth with her hand and glanced at Colin.

"You deserve every bit of it, cyberboy." Bud eyed Sid suspiciously.

"ME!?! Sid looked offended, "What'd I ever do to you?!?"

Michelle giggled and ran down the hall gathering up the other girls. Teresa and Loria came running into the room and fell to the floor laughing.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Sid yelled at them, glancing in the mirror at himself. His hair stuck out in all directions, coated thoroughly with green toothpaste. Teresa and Loria glanced back at Bud.

"Do you girls have something to tell us?" Bud raised an eyebrow as he gazed down at them.

"Us?" Teresa and Loria glanced at each other. "No? Why? What happened?"

"It was you two?" Sid stared at them, mouth dropping open.

"We didn't do anything!!" Loria stood up and starting pulling Teresa towards the door. Both Sid and Bud stepped towards them.

Teresa glanced at Loria, "Did your plan include escape?" She yelled as they scurried out the door and down the hall.

"What do YOU think?" Loria yelled after her, laughing.

"Great..." Bud muttered and chased after them, Sid right behind him. They were a furious blur of speed. Loria doubled back through the living room and ducking into the dining room. Teresa dodged in and out of the bedrooms. Bud and Sid split up, Bud following Loria, Sid following Teresa. Loria barrelled through doors... rooms... skidded into the kitchen... bashed full tilt into John... doubled back through the rooms. John looked terribly startled and confused. Bud hopped over the bed, dodged the chairs and pushed passed John. Loria slid into the back into the kitchen where Teresa was now cowering. They backed against a wall as Bud and Sid approached. Bud reached into the cupboard and pulled out a large bag of flour. The two girls screamed as clouds of flour rained down upon them. They stood there white and gasping as Bud and Sid surveyed their masterpiece.

"One more thing." Sid opened the fridge and topped off his delicacy with a bottle of coke over their heads. "Breakfast," he announced with a very wide grin, "is served."

On to Part 6-10