Cami looked up from her spot by the fire. She had never eaten cattails before, but she found the taste interesting. Not too fancy, but not bad either. And mixed with the other roots and wild potatoes it became a good enough supper.

"I am really sorry," Buck apologized for surely the hundredth time since he returned.

"It's okay!" Cami cried with a wide grin. She giggled and took another spoonful of roots in her mouth. "I like this, and besides, we had rabbit for breakfast."

"I could have taken him, I just slipped," Buck lied.

"It's okay," Cami nodded calmly. "As long as you didn't hurt yourself."

Buck's chest went warm. She's so sweet!

"I'm fine, just a little wet," he replied and swatted at his dripping trousers.

"Shouldn't you get out of those?" Cami asked between two bites.

"Maybe later," Buck replied; Cami couldn't miss how uncomfortable he seemed.

"Just don't catch something, okay? We wouldn't make it to a doctor in this weather."

Buck nodded with a smile and put his plate down. He was quite eager to get out of the wet clothes, but he didn't like the idea of sitting half naked in her presence. Sure, he would stay under a blanket, but still. He believed he would either get senselessly aroused, or so turned off by his own situation it would probably take a whole day before he had another wet fantasy. So he took the chance of catching a cold.

The horses began stirring over by the rocks and Cami put her plate down to go tend to them. She realized it must be the faraway thunder that was spooking them, but it didn't take long before she had calmed them.

"You're good with animals," Buck stated in awe.

"Nah, I just like them. No special education or anything," she replied modestly.

"That's even more admirable," Buck smiled.

They fell silent and Cami petted with their horses for a few more minutes. Buck contemplated going up to her; then he would tell her he liked her and possibly steal a kiss. But he didn't have the guts. Not this time either.

When he thought of how wonderful that would be he just got jealous of the fantasy. It felt so farfetched and unreal. It could never happen in reality. And not to him. He turned his gaze to stare into the fire, and his thoughts began to drift. He closed his eyes and tried not to get depressed again, like he usually did when he realized how stupid his feelings for Cami really were. He didn't notice her eyes on his features.

Cami smiled. A very coy smile. He was so handsome and sexy, sitting there by the fire with a relaxed and somewhat hopeless expression on his face. She wished for him to rise and walk up to her; and tell her he loved her just as much as she loved him, and maybe swing her into his strong embrace. And kiss her. She knew she could tell him, but it wasn't an option that appealed her too much. It was too unromantic and. well, too easy! She wanted him to say it first, though she realized that wasn't very likely to happen. Sure, he was nice to her, but why wouldn't he be? She was the only company he had out there, and he hadn't seen a human being for over a week when she came along. He even confessed that to her. She sighed as silently as she could and started for her bedroll.

She had only three or so paces left when she tripped on a loose rock that was all shaded by a larger one. She lost all balance and could just make out Buck right beneath her before she fell head over heals.

"It's alright," Buck mumbled. His voice was barely over a whisper since he was just as shocked as was she. "I got you," he whispered, and his arms encircled her slim waist; holding her safely across his lap.

Cami realized their faces were less than two inches apart and she couldn't stop herself anymore. She leant into him, but was met halfway by his already straining lips. She closed her eyes and let her first kiss ever happen without thinking ahead. Now was all that mattered. She felt his lips on hers and was instantly taken aback by the electric sensation that made her all dizzy. But his lips followed her and she could swear she felt he wanted this too.

Buck nearly moaned with pleasure. His whole body was exploding, he could swear it was, and his head was spinning with ecstasy. This was no doubt the best, the strongest, most electrified and most wonderful kiss he had ever experienced. Wave after extreme wave of delight washed over him and he had to lift his hands and run them through her hair. In response he felt her hands on his shoulders, moving slowly up his neck. The hairs there were standing on end and he felt goosebumps all over his body. His tongue pushed against her lips, which parted willingly. He didn't care if she so slapped his cheek; he had waited an eternity for her and this was his reward. He just knew it.

Cami felt she was going to faint. Her vision behind her eyelids were filled with white dots and she was so dizzy she could only thank God she was already sitting in his lap. She felt his warm tongue flick over her lips and as she parted them on instinct, she could feel him enter her mouth and suck her tongue gently into his. His head moved and his kiss grew more intense and passionate. She was out of breath, but she didn't want this to end, so she kept kissing him. And he made no notion of withdrawing either.