Ok, so this was supposed to be a one-shot, but like a lot of my writing, my brain just adds to the plot as I write and think of things and then my 3,000 - 5,000 word estimated story somehow turns into a complex 10,000 word one. *Sweats*
AND I would love to write about more pairings and scenarios, so if you want, drop me a ship/pairing in the reviews or a scene that you want to see played out and I will try my best to write it! Some couples are really hard for me to write but I will do almost anything for my reviewers and promise to at least try. :D
But anyways, here is part one of "Chaotic Relations".
Amy's POV
"Camping? Cool!" Dan's face lit up as he looked at his sister.
Amy beamed proudly. "So you're on board? You'll help me convince everyone else?"
Dan wrinkled his nose at her. "Wait, everyone else? You mean like Nellie, right? I mean, we need someone who can cook."
"Uh, no." Amy bit her lip, averting her gaze. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. But she plunged on anyways. "I was talking to the Holts and found out that they aren't doing anything for Spring break. Neither are the Starlings. So since that's almost everyone from the Clue Hunt I was thinking-"
Alarm lit Dan's eyes. "No! Not the Kabras! Please Amy; Natalie is still mad at me for sending her that exploding package in the mail."
Amy, who had opened her mouth to reply to Dan, paused. "Wait, you did what? Dan!"
Now he was the one avoiding her eyes, standing up from where he was lounging on the bed before his sister had cornered him. "Well," He stated. "I think it will be fine with just the Holts and Starlings. The Kabras will just take all of the fun out of everything."
Amy sighed, "We're Madrigals Dan. It's our job to try to unite everyone. Besides, we need to be aligned in case, you know."
She didn't want to say the word Vespers, but she knew that her brother caught her meaning when he winced again.
Letting out an exasperated breath, he stretched and walked over to his video console. "Do whatever you want. But don't come crying to me when the Cobras ruin everything with their snootiness and whining. And you can't make me be nice to them either."
"Fine." She relented, hoping that Dan wouldn't make things worse.
She turned to leave but halted when Dan asked, "Wait, what about Jonah?"
"He's busy." She replied, frowning in disappointment. "He's in the middle of a promotional tour for his new album."
"Oh. Well he would probably be just as bad as the snakes. He's used to being pampered too."
It was probably true, but Amy was tired of how Dan always thought the worst about people. Knowing that the next words that would come out of her mouth wouldn't be nice, she turned and left, dreading the phone call she was about to make.
Ian's POV
It was a fabulous day.
First of all, he had just received the news that the Vespers still were laying low (for now anyways).
Secondly, the stock market was looking good for the Kabras - not that they needed the money, but Ian loved it when his strategies literally 'paid off'.
Thirdly, his annoying little sister was gone for the morning. While he loved Natalie, all she had done that week was complain about Daniel Cahill and how the exploding pie he sent her ruined her one-of-a-kind Prada dress. Ian had scoffed at her though, how had his very own sister been so naive to open up something from Dan of all people?
Speaking of Dan Cahill...Ian's thoughts couldn't help but drift to the boy's older sister. I wonder how Amy is doing. Wait, why does it matter how she is doing? I don't care.
Shaking the thought from his head, he was glad when his phone rang. He needed a distraction from the image of her jade green eyes and sweet smile. He froze though when he saw the name come up on his phone: Incoming Call: Amy Cahill
What? Was his phone a mind-reader or something? He blinked his eyes and shook his head again, but when he looked it still showed her name. Clearing his throat, he hit the 'answer' button and smoothly said, "Ian Kabra here", like he didn't know it was her or something.
"Ian?"
"That's what I said." He was proud of how calm his voice sounded, because hearing her soft voice made his heartbeat quicken for some strange reason.
I'm just thrown-off, that's why. Why is she calling me?
"It's Amy. Um, how are you?"
"I'm doing well. Uh," He hated himself for sounding so hesitant, so he cleared his throat again and got right to the point. "Why are you calling me?"
"Wow, you don't have to sound so excited." Her voice was dry.
Disappointed at her reaction (he was expecting a small stammer at least) he mellowed his tone and tried again. "You just don't normally call me. Is something wrong?"
"No." She said, and he heard her let out a sigh. "I'm calling to invite you to a family event."
"Family event?" He repeated reluctantly. The last time they had all been together hadn't been under ideal circumstances. In fact, it was a miracle that they all managed to safely return home unharmed. They were Cahills after all.
As Amy explained the vacation - if you could even call it that - and who all was attending, his heart sunk further and further. Finally she paused, allowing him to get a word in.
"Natalie and I will have to decline at this time. But thank you for the invitation."
There was no response from the other line. "Amy?" He questioned, wondering if they had gotten disconnected somehow.
"Why?" She said, and it seemed to Ian that she had a bit of an attitude.
"Kabras don't do things like camp." He scoffed at the word."Sorry. You might try and call me back if you change your mind and decide to go on a normal vacation."
"Wow. Dan called it alright." Her tone was dry.
Hating himself for falling for the bait when he should hang up he asked warily, "What did Daniel say?"
"Dan said that you and Natalie couldn't handle a simple camping trip. And that you two - along with Jonah - would ruin the entire trip. So maybe it's a good thing you aren't attending. Good-bye."
Ian's mouth dropped open as the sound of Amy ending the call hit his ear. Not only had she insulted him and Natalie by saying that they weren't able to handle something and compared them to their annoying and spoiled rapper cousin but she had the audacity to hang up on him!
Pulling the phone back and angrily hitting the 'end' button (wishing for the first time that he had a flip phone so he could slam it shut) he immediately dialed his sister's number to inform her to pack her bags. It looked like for the first time ever, the Kabras were going - he shut his eyes briefly in pain at the thought - CAMPING.
Amy's POV
Breathing in the crisp air, she looked around the campground excitedly. "Isn't this beautiful?"
Not waiting for an answer she walked across the ground where their tents were set and peered through the thicket of trees along the edge of the clearing out over the water. She couldn't wait to start exploring.
"Since when have you been into outdoor stuff?" Reagan asked from somewhere to her left in a mystified tone.
Dan answered for her, "Since the Clue Hunt ended. Amy's done all kinds of training and now likes that stuff I guess. Me? Well I've always been athletic."
Amy rolled her eyes at her brother's bragging tone but didn't comment, determined to get through the next few days at peace with everyone.
Of course, it's going to be like pulling teeth, she thought as she glanced behind her at the others who weren't so enthused.
The Starlings had beaten everyone to the camping spot, and much to Amy's dismay had already pulled out all kinds of gadgets to 'make their lives easier' as Ned had explained. While she understood both Ned and Ted's physical difficulties she couldn't hold her tongue when she noticed the huge solar panel sitting out by the Starling's tent - a oversized tent that Amy was pretty sure held some sort of expandable beds they had invented.
"What do you need that for? We won't get the full camping experience if we cheat!" She had asked in dismay, pointing to the panel.
But Sinead had only rolled her eyes, "Hey it's good to be prepared. Besides, the Kabras will have a lot more crap than this. Maybe you should save your energy for them."
It was probably true so Amy clamped her lips together, thinking that it wasn't worth it. At least the Holts were roughing it. Glancing at them now and noting that they were totally at ease and the only ones besides her that looked halfway excited, she walked over to them.
"Hey guys!" She kept her voice upbeat, hoping that it would spill over on the Starlings, who were still in their chairs peering at their tablets.
"Hi Amy!" Madison answered happily, "What a great idea this was!"
Relieved that someone seemed to appreciate her idea, she opened her mouth to reply when she heard an abnormal sound, almost like a heavy vehicle approaching the campsite.
Heart beating fast, she turned and gaped at the huge, luxurious RV pulling into the site. At first she could barely hear her own thoughts over the shock coursing through her. But then shock was replaced by anger as she realized that Ian hadn't even bothered to listen to her instructions.
-Flashback-
'So you and Natalie changed your minds?' Amy was surprised but pleased, even as she lectured herself for feeling MORE pleased at the news than when everyone else had agreed.
'Yes. However Natalie promised that if your brother tries anything else she will be leaving immediately. And we aren't staying in a tent.'
Amy frowned. 'But that's what everyone else is doing. We agreed to leave luxury and technology behind for just the 3 days we will be here. Surely you and Natalie can survive staying in a tent for that long? Or are you going to let the rest of us best you?'
She heard his huff through the phone and barely held back a smirk. His ego wouldn't allow him to step down from any challenge she threw him, and she reveled in the power she felt at knowing that.
'Natalie and I can survive through anything and much better than the rest of you can. Until then.'
-End Flashback-
Gritting her teeth as the memory left her, she repeated to herself that it wouldn't help bond anyone if she decided to kill Ian. So she waited with her arms folded and a steady glare on the door of the truck that was pulling the blasted thing.
Long, tanned legs were the first thing she saw though, and she realized that Natalie was the one sitting in the front seat. Amy felt another pang of alarm as it was clear that Natalie wasn't planning on 'roughing' it at all. At least not the way she was dressed.
Clad in a sleeveless blue and white chevron mini-dress paired with white wedges that only further enhanced her skin tone and her full makeup face in place, Natalie looked like she was going to a cocktail party instead of staying in the great outdoors.
Hearing a hiss of breath beside her, Amy turned her attention briefly to her brother but Dan was looking at a tree to his left, a blank look on his face. She eyed him for a few seconds, a little thrown-off that he wasn't making a smart remark or anything but more movement from the direction of the truck pulled her eyes back just as Ian was stepping out.
He was at least wearing jeans but he had paired them with a dress shirt. Sighing she looked away before she could see his face and caught the smug expression of Sinead Starling.
See, the redhead mouthed when she noticed Amy's gaze.
Her sigh turned into a groan, and she decided to fully let her anger out.
"What is that?" She gestured towards the RV. Her tone must have come out exactly how she had thought it in her head, because she saw almost everyone in her vision flinch, even Ian.
Natalie simply raised her perfectly tweezed eyebrows at Amy though, not even seeming fazed as she replied, "Why this is where Ian and I will be staying while you all 'rough it' out here. Ian mentioned a tent but I simply wouldn't agree so we compromised."
Dan found his voice, saying in a strangled voice, "That is compromise? Wow you are way too much princess."
"Don't even start with me Daniel!" The change in Natalie's tone surprised Amy and she gaped at her, but the British girl was turning blazing eyes on her brother. "And just to make you aware, I absolutely will not put up with your immaturity this week, which is why I made sure are plenty security measures in place on our recreational vehicle."
At that, she whirled and flounced to the front door of the RV, slamming the door as they all stood staring at her display of anger.
"Well," Hamilton spoke up, "I would say that the pie wasn't one of your better ideas Dan. Now she's going to be mad all week."
Dan rolled his eyes but Amy caught the flash of uneasiness on his face.
Good. Maybe he'll be on his best behavior.
Her thoughts were cut off by Ian's figure approaching her. Bracing herself and making her eyes steely, she glared over at him.
The smile that was on his face froze but he managed to somehow find it again. His dark eyes cautious, he simply said, "Amy, it's good to see you again."
Trying not to be affected by his presence or his cologne - which was overpowering but not in a good way - she lifted her chin as he approached. "Ian."
"Well aren't we polite." He said, turning his attention from her to Dan. "Hello Daniel. I trust that you and Natalie will try to get along the next three days for the rest of the group's sanity?"
Dan scoffed, "I'm not the one holding a grudge." He pointed out as he turned to walk back to the tent he was sharing with Hamilton. "Maybe you should talk to her."
At that he disappeared inside much like Natalie had; only Amy was wondering what in the world he was planning to do in the small tent.
"Well, this is already turning out to be a blast." Sinead stood up and stretched, but instead of retreating too she walked right up to Ian. "That was a smart idea, bringing at RV to hide out in. Kind of cowardly though, don't you think?"
He glared at her, and Amy noticed that it made his eyes even darker than they already were. Blinking at the thought that went through her brain that the look was attractive on him she quickly looked over at the Holt girls, who hadn't said much.
But that's because they weren't there. Turning to Hamilton, she asked, "Where are your sisters?"
"Oh," He gestured down towards the water where Amy had been looking at earlier, "They went down there once they noticed how mad Natalie was. I don't think they wanted to be in the middle of a war."
"I'm going to find them." She stated, already turning in that direction and trying to calm her racing heartbeat.
Maybe the space would give her time to calm down and - she grimaced over at Ian and Sinead who were still staring each other down - put her back in the frame of mind to try to unite everyone.
Ian's POV
Ian breathed a sigh of relief as he sank into the plush cushion of his chair by the fire. Then his nose wrinkled as smoke hit his face.
Glancing at the Ted, who was seated on a log to his right, he asked, "Isn't there something you can invent that will redirect this blasted smoke off of me? It will be near impossible to get this out of my clothes later."
"We already have something like that. It's in our tent." Ted started to get up but a sharp voice halted him.
"SIT."
Blanching, Ted sank back onto the log, shooting Ian an apologetic look. Biting his lip to keep the complaint back, Ian chanced a glance at Amy, wondering if she was still angry over earlier.
Yes, I would say that she is. He took in her stormy eyes and hard features. But it was really all Dan's fault. And she wasn't the only victim of his stupidity.
Amy had mentioned hiking earlier that afternoon, and after much grumbling and whining the Kabras had finally joined their 'overly-enthusiastic' cousins in trampling around the woods like they were hobos or something.
It hadn't been a very good hike. The Holts ended up way ahead, sending rocks down on everyone because of the way they were scrambling, Natalie had tried and failed to trip Dan climbing up a rock wall - much to Amy's dismay - and the Starlings had disappeared for a few seconds, only to reappear on the top of the mountains with the Holts (probably due to some invention they had snuck along in their backpacks). Amy, frustrated at them, had swung her arms around in irritation just in time to meet those of her brother's, who had a container of water aimed and ready at Natalie, who was tentatively trying to step over a bush in her now-dirty wedges. The result hadn't been good, knocking water all over Ian and Amy instead and sending Dan into howls of laughter.
Needless to say the hike had ended there, with Amy seeming to be angry with everyone, including him.
"Amy, can you hand me a roasting stick?" Dan asked from his place beside Ted, bringing Ian back to the present.
Ian had no idea why they were choosing to sit on a dirty piece of tree when there were plenty of chairs but he decided to hold his tongue, wincing again as smoke stung his eyes.
"I would have to get up to get one!" Amy exclaimed, apparently still holding a grudge with the way she snapped it out at him. "Natalie's a lot closer, ask her."
Dan was already standing up, making a face. "It's ok, I'm getting up."
Ian glanced over at his sister, wondering if something else had happened in his absence earlier while he was changing his clothes but she wasn't even sparing Dan a glance, glaring in to the fire like she was having the same issues with it like he was. Which was ridiculous, the guys were the ones sitting in the path of the smoke.
Then he noticed something strange. Natalie looked up and directly at Sinead, giving her a meaningful look and a quick nod.
He moved his gaze to Sinead but the redhead was standing up and stretching, not even seeming to notice his sister's gesture. She looked over at her triplet brothers and stated, "I'm going to grab something from the tent. Do you two need anything?"
Ian opened his mouth to request whatever it was Ted mentioned earlier, but a sharp stare from Amy halted him. Closing his mouth back, he wondered at the exchange between Sinead and Natalie.
What is that all about? He wondered. I haven't even seen the two of them speak to each other the entire day we've been here.
But then smoke hitting him cut off his thoughts and he quickly rose from his chair, trying to be graceful. "So what kind of food are you all eating?"
"Hot dogs." Amy answered shortly. "What else would we be holding on sticks over a campfire?"
Not sure if this was a trick question or not, Ian shrugged his shoulders, "Lobster? I don't know, I've never camped before."
Hamilton, who was standing by the picnic table holding the food and drinks, shot him a sympathetic look. "Man that sucks."
Not really. Ian thought, but decided to appease Amy and try out the hot dog. It couldn't be too terrible, right?
But it was. Fifteen minutes later, after he had finally managed to roast the third hot dog he had put on the stick and put the thing in his mouth, he realized just how awful it was.
Choking, he reached under his flimsy paper plate for a napkin and spit it out. Then, realizing how horrible his manners were, he glanced around the fire quickly. Madison was laughing at him, but besides that and an eye roll from Natalie no one seemed to have noticed. Delicately, he replaced the bite of pig slop - wrapped in the napkin of course - back onto the plate and grimaced over at his sister.
"We have food in the RV right?" He made sure he asked this question too low for anyone else to hear him. Even though Natalie had chosen to sit far away from the other girls on that side, he still didn't trust the others not to eavesdrop.
"The place where I'm about to go spend the rest of the evening?" Natalie replied, not looking at him but across the fire at Dan, who was smirking at her. "Yes."
Ian sighed loudly. "Now what did Daniel do?"
"Besides trying to throw water on me today? Nothing so far, but I can't stand the look he keeps giving me, like he's planning something."
"Natalie." He tried to keep his voice patient. "You do know that reacting like you do just adds fuel to his fire right? Why don't you simply ignore him?"
Her brown eyes flashed to his, "Ignore him? I can't let him win! Really Ian, you of all people should understand."
He started to open his mouth but her last sentence threw him off. "What do you mean, 'me of all people'?"
"You and Amy. I know you have feelings for her Ian, but you can't let her know so you act all snooty and like you're better than her. Pranking may not be the way you play the game but-"
"What?" As the horrifying words hit Ian, 'I know you have feelings for her' he thought he might be sick.
Trying to redirect his thoughts he suddenly registered the rest of her words. Scooting in close to her and lowering his lips to her ear he hissed, "Wait a minute. You like Dan? Like that?"
His sister jerked her head away, raising her voice, "What? No, of course not! That's absurd!"
The entire group around the fire - who had been talking quietly - now turned to stare at the sibling duo.
Clearing her throat, Natalie dropped her voice down to a whisper and leaned back in. "That's not what I meant. You like Amy but you have your Lucian heritage at stake. I detest Daniel and due to our Lucian heritage I can't let him best me."
But as Ian watched his sister lean back in her chair, adjusting her clothes as she shot Dan an arrogant look, he wasn't sure if he believed her or not.
And then what she said about him and Amy...he stole a look at the brunette now and noticed how close she was leaning to Hamilton. Sure, she was just showing him something on some sort of weird camping equipment but it was enough to make the sick feeling inside of him return.
Is Natalie right? Do I like Amy? I mean, the whole Clue Hunt I couldn't stop thinking about her but I've gotten better since then.
But Ian knew that was a lie as soon as the thought crossed his mind. He hadn't gotten over his feelings for Amy at all, the distance had simply assisted him in pushing them away But here in person, close to her, the attraction had come back full-force.
Like earlier. He now let his mind replay the scene with the water. Even as anger had taken over him as the cold liquid hit him, he couldn't help but let his gaze rake over Amy, taking in her angry expression, wet clothes (that he tried not to let his eyes linger over), and a strange feeling had hit him, the feeling of wanting to pull her to him and kiss her.
He realized now though that he had pushed the thought down the second it had hit, not even letting it register in his brain. And it had been a natural reaction because he had pushed many, many, thoughts like that down before.
So what are you going to do about it now that you can't deny it? His mind screamed at him. Are you going to do what Natalie is doing and turn your nose up and pretend that you're a better person than her, like she's beneath your status?
He winced at the thought, already knowing that it also was a lie. Amy had already proven over and over again that she had a lot more integrity than he did.
Voices raised in argument caught his attention and he looked across the fire to see what was going on. When he couldn't make anything out of it though, he raised his voice and boomed, "What is all of the racket about? Your voices are hurting my eardrums."
"Technically, our voices aren't high pitched enough or have exposed your ear to enough vibrations-" Ted was talking, but Ian was already tired of listening.
"Never mind all of that, can someone just please answer my question?"
"We're arguing about what to do tomorrow." Reagan supplied. "Amy wants us to go fishing, but hardly anyone wants to."
Ian looked over at Amy, who had her arms crossed in front of her and a defiant look on her face.
"I wouldn't mind doing something else, but no one wants to do the same thing!" She said, and he could tell by her voice that for some reason this was unacceptable.
"I don't see what the big deal is." Sinead put in, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms behind her head. "We hung out together today and we all know what a disaster that was."
Ian winced, thinking back to the icy cold water that was dumped all over him. "Yes, I agree with you on that one."
But then he looked at Amy more closely and noticed that behind her mask of annoyance there was a glint of hurt in her eyes, like she was taking all of this a bit too personally. Groaning inwardly, he opened his mouth and forced the words out.
"But at the same time, I think that we need to spend time together too."
Out of the corner of his eye he could see his little sister staring at him in disbelief. Ignoring her look he went on, "How about we try one more time to do an activity together and if it doesn't work out we do our own thing for the last day of the trip?"
"That actually sounds like a great idea." Hamilton spoke up from beside Amy, giving Ian an approving look.
Ian was starting to warm up to the guy until Hamilton looked over at Amy and added in a voice that was entirely too fond, "I'm in Ames."
Ames? He already has a nickname for her?
Hating the feeling of jealousy that was churning in his stomach, he quickly turned his face to the fire as the others gave their reluctant agreement. He was so annoyed that he barely caught the two soft words that came from Amy, but when he heard them he had to fight to keep a smile from forming on his face, all jealousy fading.
"Thanks Ian."
Amy's POV
Humming quietly, Amy finally allowed herself to sink into her sleeping bag to get some much needed rest.
After the day's events, she felt like she needed an entire day alone to recoup. She had been trying so hard to keep everyone from fighting and to keep the peace that it had emotionally drained her way before the hiking disaster even started. And then that, combined with the strange way Ian had acted just hours ago around the fire was enough to confuse the heck out of her.
What in the world is he up to? He was agreeing with Sinead that we should split up and then it was like he just flipped a switch and got everyone to side with me.
Frowning now, she thought back to the intent look on his face when stating that they needed more 'family time'. While she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, she had caught Natalie's shocked expression that had turned into an eye roll once everyone had agreed with him. What was that all about? And then after she had thanked him he hadn't responded or looked up at her, but she caught the corners of his mouth turning upward, like he was smiling at her words.
But that's ridiculous. Actually, his whole behavior since he's been here has been ridiculous. And by ridiculous I mean confusing.
Giving up on trying to understand him - at least for now - she rolled over and concentrated on getting some sleep. She had the feeling that she would need it.
Let me know what you think! I'm still writing part two but reviews help motivate me ;)