Disclaimer: I do not own Human Target and intend no copyright infringement

Ilsa looked a little doubtful. "So, this is it?"

Chance beamed at her like a cub scout on his first camp-o-ree. "The perfect campsite! Secluded, wind-protected, close to water and with plenty of firewood around." Obviously excited, he started setting up the tent while Ilsa unloaded the car.

"Just to make something clear: "No Colombian black-tailed deer, black bear, gray fox, cougar, bobcat or Roosevelt elk…"

"Are you done yet?", Katherine asked with a rather bored expression. Marshall Pucci whipped out a list.

"…no garter snakes, rattlesnakes, treefrogs or redwood salamanders…"

"Don't be ridiculous, Marshall."

"No kingfisher, chickadee, towhee or hummingbird interfering in any way, shape or form. Did I make myself clear?"

Katherine made a face. Satisfied, Marshall put the list away.

They watched Ilsa and Chance in silence.

For a moment.

Gekk-gekk. Gekk-gekk. Gekk-gekk.

Ilsa stopped dead in her tracks. "What in the world…?"

"A gecko", Chance replied, rather surprised. "Strange. They're common in Southeast Asia. Maybe someone set his pet free…" Shrugging, he returned to getting the tent ready. Ilsa helped him with the guy ropes.

Marshall rolled his eyes. "Very funny, Katherine."

Katherine smirked. "I won't be dictated to, Marshall. Fair dos is the key here. So no fake poacher alert with Chance's description that will sent the ranger down here, no jammed sleeping-bag zipper, no collapsing tent."

Marshall pressed his lips together in disapproval, but didn't argue.

For a while they watched Chance and Ilsa in silence again. They were preparing food and fire for dinner now.

"What a brainchild idea, taking her on a camping trip", Marshall finally grumbled. "When we went on vacation, I never let her sleep anywhere except in the finest hotel rooms."

"He's desperately trying not to copy you, don't you see?" Katherine crossed her arms over her chest, but more in a thoughtful than in an annoyed manner. "He's trying to start something new with her."

"Has he ever gone camping with you?", Marshall asked.

Katherine shook her head. "We didn't have the time."

Meanwhile, night had slowly fallen. Chance and Ilsa were sitting by the camp fire. Ilsa began to shiver visibly.

"Can't he get his lazy ass up and get her a blanket form the tent?", Marshall hissed angrily.

"I don't think that's the idea behind the maneuver", Katherine replied, intently watching the two.

A second later Chance wrapped his arms around Ilsa. She snuggled comfortably against him while he cautiously buried his face in her hair.

"Maybe we should leave", Katherine told Marshall.

He didn't reply. His eyes were trained on Ilsa, curled up in Chance's embrace.

"Come on, Marshall, let's go", Katherine insisted. She lightly touched his shoulder. "Have you ever seen the city by night from the top of the middle tower of Golden Gate Bridge? It's spectacular."

Nodding slowly in defeat, Marshall disappeared along with her.

A/N: Thank you, veniceit, for leaving a comment on after Maria! It means a lot to me! Yes... Emma Barnes... I'll try to think of something, but don't let your hopes go up too much, "try" will be the operative word here.