Authors note:

It has been a long and busy summer and fall, for both malloysgirl and myself. We had originally planned to have this story finished and posted by the end of July, for timeline purposes. Life threw both of us vicious curveballs. Between kids graduating and going off to college, job-related issues, family health issues, and everyday life, in general, our posting timeline suffered immensely.

Alas, along with the frustrating and emotional events that derailed our timeline, there were some spectacular experiences, as well. Both of us managed to enjoy wonderful vacations and we were actually able to meet and spend some time getting to know one another. My husband and I had made our vacation plans in early March; our vacation was planned for late July. After talking with malloysgirl, it was discovered that we were vacationing in her neck of the woods. It was a no-brainer that we would take the opportunity to meet; after all, we had already struck up a wonderful e-mail and phone friendship.

Though our visit with malloysgirl and her family was a short one, it is an experience that I will always treasure. Our husbands hit it off fabulously, and we have been discussing future visits, with them visiting our area, and us re-visiting their area.

What an awesome experience it was to not only be able to meet a fellow writer, but to be able to strike up such a wonderful friendship with someone sharing the love of writing about our favorite television characters from the past. I have had the pleasure developing several e-mail friendships through this love of writing, and I treasure each and every one of those friendships.

In essence, on behalf of malloysgirl and myself, I would like to thank the creators and writers of Adam-12 and Emergency, as well as the actors that brought our favorite characters to life. I would also like to thank the forces behind the Fan Fiction website. Without all of these entities coming together, we never would have had the opportunity to meet and develop such a wonderful friendship. Thank you, to all involved.

rookiegirl

Disclaimer: We do not own the licensed characters in the following story, we have only borrowed them from their creators for the purpose of creating what we hope will be an entertaining story for all to enjoy.

When we last left our favorite crime fighting duo, the guys of Adam-12 and their paramedic pals from Station 51, had decided to take their wonderful wives on a relaxing camping trip; little did they know that the trip would be anything but wonderful. Join us as danger awaits our boys in blue and their darling damsels when a relaxing weekend getaway turns into a fight for survival. They are in for a rock solid adventure. Crossover Adam-12/Emergency

(For story background, refer to The Breaking Point, on the Emergency fan fiction site, posted under the pen name of malloysgirl.)

A Camping We Will Go

"So, how far away is this campground that we are going to?" Jillian asked, to any one of the other three occupants of the vehicle. She and Pete were with Jim and Jean, in the Reed's sedan. They were going to meet up with Johnny, April, Roy and Leah, at Johnny and April's ranch, and then follow them to the campsite.

"Uh, Pete…you want to take this one?" Jillian and Jean had both been full of questions since leaving the Reed residence nearly fifteen minutes ago. It was only a twenty-minute drive from their house to the ranch and already the women had asked at least thirty questions between them. Pete and Jim had been taking turns fielding the questions.

"Thanks a lot, partner." Pete let out a sigh and then slightly turned in the front seat so that he could see Jillian and Jean in the back seat. He wanted to gauge their reaction to his answer. "It's up near the Red Rock Canyon area, about two hours Northeast of Los Angeles. It's not exactly a campground…it's more of a…a…wilderness site; wouldn't that be what you'd call it, Jim?" Pete turned his eyes toward his partner.

"I'd say that's a pretty accurate description from what Johnny told us…matter of fact, I think 'wilderness site' was his exact terminology."

Pete cast a glance at the two women in the back seat and both were shooting daggers at their husbands.

Jean was the first to speak, "A wilderness site…that doesn't sound like someplace with a shower facility…or a bathroom. Tell us that you're joking."

Neither man spoke, as Pete turned back around in the front seat so that he couldn't see the women's faces.

"Jean…they ain't joking. They are taking us out in the middle of nowhere! Pete, is this someplace that Johnny has camped before? Is it safe?"

"Jim, are you sure we should be going out into the wilderness where nobody will know where we are at? What if…"

"Relax, Jean. It's safe; Johnny's been out there before and it's not that far out of civilization. Besides, we have three vehicles going out there so we're covered in an emergency. Quit worrying."

"I'll quit worrying, Jim…but I still don't like it."

"It'll be fine, Honey, you'll see." Jim reiterated as he cast the women a glance in the review mirror.

Not hearing from Jillian, Pete figured that he'd better turn around and see what she had to say about the matter. "Sunshine? You okay with this, too? You're awfully quiet all of the sudden."

Jillian held up her hand, "I'm okay with it as long as there aren't any bears or ferociously wild animals that are going to come calling in the middle of the night! I absolutely refuse to be a late night snack for some wild beast before I've even had the chance to relish in the joys of motherhood, Pete Malloy!"

"Well…I don't THINK there are…" and then seeing the looks that he was getting from both women, once again, "Okay, okay…there aren't. I promise!" God, help us all if I'm wrong!

A few minutes later, they were pulling into the driveway leading up to Johnny and Aprils' house. Roy and Leah's pick up was already there, with the rowboat in the back. Jim turned the car around and pulled in behind the truck. The four got out of the vehicle, and as the women went into the house to help with last minute food packing, the guys sought out Johnny and Roy in the barn area, where the camping gear was stored.

In the Gage's kitchen…

"Hi April, hi Leah. Is there anything that we can help pack up?" Jillian asked as she and Jean entered the kitchen to find April and Leah packing up boxes of food items.

"Hi girls! You made it, Leah here bet me five bucks that one of you would back out on us."

Leah smiled "guess I just didn't have any faith that you two would want to wilderness camp when Jim and Pete told you about it last week. Why don't you hand us those cans of beans over by the pantry?"

"Oh? Well, Pete failed to mention 'wilderness camp' when he sprung this on me...he just said a camping trip." Jillian handed Leah the beans.

"That's what Jim told me, too. I think those two are in cahoots and knew what we'd say."

"Uh-huh, and what do you want to bet that they were both holding their breath in the car, just praying that we wouldn't ask where we were going camping!"

April couldn't help but snicker just a bit. "You mean they didn't tell you it was wilderness so you could pack...well, necessities?"

Leah and April could tell by the confused looks on the girls' faces that they weren't quite sure what April was asking them, but they quickly caught on with Leah's next question. "April, don't you keep the extra toilet tissue in the hall closet? From the looks we're getting, we probably need to pack for more, shall we say, 'guests'."

Turning to Jean, Jillian crossed her arms and said, "I don't know what you're thinking right now, but I know one man that is going to get a piece of my mind, and all the while, I'll be taking a chunk out of his behind. He'll be wishing for a wild bear to come calling, just to bail his fanny out of this one!"

"Oh, believe me, Jim will be getting a piece of my mind, too...that's for sure!"

The snickers that Leah and April were trying to hold in had broken into roaring laughter at this point. "Leah! You might want to grab the extra first aid kit too, while you're at it; Jim and Pete might need it!"

Amidst the laughter in the hallway they heard "You got it!"

April then tried to show them some sympathy, "look Jill, Jean, you'll be fine; Leah and I go with our guys all the time, we're old pros at this."

Leah re-entered the kitchen with the important supplies, "April's right; besides if it were going to be that bad, do you think that she would go with being pregnant? It'll be fine, and fun, we promise."

Both Jillian and Jean let out groans and began to laugh at the situation their husbands had managed to get them into.

"You know, Jillian, take it from an old married pro...you can hold this over Pete's head for a very, very long time. Poor Jim is still paying for things that he did in our first year of marriage!" All of the women were laughing now.

"So basically, what you are telling me is that our guys are probably expecting us to be upset with them, right? Well, maybe we'll just have to catch a few flies with honey instead of vinegar...that'll make 'em sweat, just waiting for the other shoe to drop! That's almost better than having a shower and bathroom facilities...is there at least an outhouse, or do you just...you know...go...oh this is embarrassing...go squat in the woods?"

"Jillian there are some questions that are just better not to ask ahead of time, but since you did, the answer is 'yes' that is exactly what you do, only very carefully."

"What Leah means is that always look before you, you know, because you never know what might be behind your behind."

Jillian rolled her eyes, "Okay, now that was just a really bad play on words, ladies...and you're right...I'm sorry I asked." And then turning to Jean, "Well Jean, what d'ya think? Are we up to this?"

"I'm game if you are, Jillian...but Jim's still not going to be out of the doghouse that easily!"

"Oh, I never said that Pete's off the hook...but he doesn't need to know that until I want him to know that!"

About that time the door opened "don't need to know about what?"

All the girls got quiet until April broke silence "Oh nothing Johnny, we were just plotting a little fishing competition but we weren't going to tell you guys about it." The girls shot each other a glance while trying to hide the smiles on their faces.

"Uh-huh, I bet. Look, are you all ready? We're loaded up out here."

"What's taking so long?" Roy questioned as he then came into the kitchen.

Leah went a put her arms around his waist and planted a big kiss on his cheek, "We're almost ready, the food is packed so you can take these boxes but give us 5 more minutes. I think the girls would like to make one last pit stop before we hit the road." and the ladies of the room erupted with laughter.

Confused Johnny asked, "What's so funny?"

"Don't ask, Johnny, when will you learn when the girls are obviously up to something, just don't ask; grab a box and let's just go wait in the truck." Roy grabbed Johnny's sleeve and pulled him back towards the door as the laughter grew louder in the kitchen.

"Well I know that you aren't going to have to twist my arm to get me to use the little girls' room one last time before we head out!" Jean exclaimed.

"Ditto! You know, there are a lot things that I miss when I go on vacation, but somehow I never thought that a toilet would be on that list!" Jillian added, causing another round of snickers and giggles from the women.

After taking care of business in the house the girls filed out the door locking it behind them to find the guys outside putting the finishing packing touches on the gear.

"Johnny what is that box of straps and ropes for?" Jillian wanted to know.

Pete put his arm around her and pulled her close to his side "That is rock climbing equipment."

"You mean we have to climb rock to get to this wilderness site?" Jean asked Jim, adding to her thoughts that this trip was going to be a bit much.

"No Honey, Johnny was just showing us the equipment and said that he and Roy could show us some techniques. It's something that I've always wanted to try."

"Not on your life, Mister! You have enough danger around you with your feet on the ground, I don't want you dangling from a rope off the side of a mountain."

Leah smiled at her friend, "Jean it's not like that, and the equipment is very safe and he will be with experienced climbers."

"You mean you don't mind Roy climbing like this? I mean isn't it dangerous?" Jillian asked.

"No, I don't mind because usually I'm right up there beside him."

Jean was surprised, "Leah you climb? April do you rock climb too?"

"Oh no! Not me! You couldn't get me off the ground on a rope and believe me Johnny has tried his best to talk me into it; besides I have a good excuse this time with the baby, I don't have to try."

"You're right honey, this time you're off the hook. Look girls we wouldn't put Pete and Jim in any danger. We wouldn't do this if it wasn't safe and it is an incredible feeling."

Roy proudly put his arm around Leah, "Besides you might want to try it sometime and Leah could teach you, she finished first in her class in the rock climbing competition at the Topanga Canyon Competition."

"Are you serious?" Jillian was learning more about her friend.

Leah smiled, "Yes, I'm serious. I love climbing with Roy, we are each others line spotters and belayers; why don't you give it some thought while we are on the road and then Jean, you, Jim and Pete can decide if you want to give it a try."

"That sounds like a good idea, we have a while before we get there; besides Jillian, you're off the hook too, Mommy." Pete smiled.

The group began to divide up into the vehicles and head out, following Johnny to their great outdoor adventure.

After driving for a little over two hours, the caravan of vehicles turned off of the main road and onto a narrow dirt road leading up into the wooded mountainside. By the time the fifteen-minute bumpy ride was over, Jillian couldn't wait to visit the little girls' wilderness.

Groaning as she got out of the car, Jillian excused herself and started for the woods, time being of the essence.

Pete called out, "Sunshine, do you want me to come with you?"

Stopping abruptly and turning to face him, "Pete, Honey, I love you…but there are just some things that we don't need to do together…ever."

"I was just going to keep a lookout for rattlesnakes…"

Looking startled at Pete's words, "You know, I don't think I need to take that trip into the woods right now, after all." Jillian turned to head back toward the group, looking a little miserable.

"Honey, I'm just kidding…no rattlesnakes, I promise." She could see the orneriness in Pete's eyes as he spoke.

"Just the same…I think I'm fine for now."

Pete chuckled as he walked over to where the other three guys had sauntered off to, strategically planning where they were going to pitch the four two-man tents.

Jillian wandered over to where Leah, April and Jean were standing. Looking around, she directed her question to Leah and April, "Well Ladies, you're the experts at this wilderness thing…where do we start with making camp?"

"I can't believe that you're just ready to jump right into this, Jillian…I'm still a little upset that Jim didn't tell me what we were getting into."

Blowing out an exaggerated breath and trying not to show her thinning patience, "Jean, I grew up trying all kinds of things that I never thought I'd like or even want to try. This can't be any worse than some of the other stuff I've done in the name of adventure; and that's exactly what I am considering this to be…an adventure; just as long as both of my feet can stay firmly planted on the ground, that is!"

"Good! It really will be fun, Jean." Leah exclaimed with enthusiasm.

"And just think, no housework or worries for a whole weekend…that's the best part!" April added.

Laughing at her friends' cahjohling, "All right you three, but if I see one bear, one snake, or anything else that looks like it wants to devour me, I'm outta here, got it!"

"Deal!" All three said at the same time.

"Okay, first things first, April, why don't you and Jillian go find some small pieces of kindling for fire starters. Jean, see if you can find some small to medium sized rocks for around and in the fire pit. The rocks around it can be a little bigger, to help give the fire boundaries; the rocks inside will let air circulate around the wood. I'll start digging the fire pit." The ladies set out to the assigned tasks that Leah had divvied out to them.

They guys were busy, working two and two, setting up the tents surrounding the center of the campsite. Each couple only had to walk about ten feet outside of their tent in order to get to the fire pit.

Jillian and April set off into the wooded area surrounding the campsite. Seeing that there was an over abundance of small sticks and twigs that were perfect for use as fire starters, the two began to gather as many as they could comfortably carry.

"April, I've built enough campfires to know that these twigs aren't going to last long once the fire gets going, so what's the plan for feeder wood?"

"Oh, don't worry about that; Johnny always brings along enough to get through the first couple of meals and then we just gather more…there's always dead trees down in these woods; we'll have enough, you'll see."

Nodding her head, Jillian stayed on task with picking up random sticks and twigs.

"So Jillian, how are you feeling these days?" April asked.

"BIG!" Jillian laughed as she gave her exaggerated answer.

"Big? You're not much bigger than this stick!" April was holding up a skinny twig.

"Okay, maybe 'big' isn't the right word…how about clumsy and extremely ungraceful, then? How about you; are you feeling okay this time around?"

"Oh I'm feeling great! I get a little tired by the end of the day, what with running after the three little ones, but I sleep very well at night!"

"Yeah, I know what you mean…and I don't have any little ones to run after; I hit the pillow and before I know it, the alarm is going off! Honestly, there are some nights that I don't even remember closing my eyes and the next thing I know, it's time to get up!"

Laughing at her friends' exaggerations, April said, "Just wait until the two a.m. feeding frenzies! Honestly, with Drew, I don't think I've had an uninterrupted nights sleep since he was born!" Seeing the look on her friends' face, "Oh, sorry Jillian, I'm not trying to scare you!"

"Don't worry, April, you're not scaring me. I was just thinking…it's already mid August…in just four months, Pete and I are going to be parents…" Jillians' voice was filled with awe at the realization!

"Yeah, and just think, in just three and a half months, Drew will be a big brother!"

The two women shared a smile with each other and then continued to gather the twigs, each quietly lost in their own thoughts.

Back at the campsite, Jean had found several nice size rocks in order to border the fire pit, along with a few extras for in the bottom of the pit. Leah had just finished digging the pit and was strategically placing the rocks around and in it.

A short time later, April and Jillian came back and unloaded their armloads of sticks and twigs in a neat pile a few feet from the fire pit before setting out to collect more.

"Wait up, girls, I'll go with you unless Leah needs me to do anything else…" Jean stated.

"No, go ahead Jean, I'm finished with the fire pit and we'll leave the food in the cars…to ward off any unwanted visitors. I'll see if the guys need help with the tents or anything else."

***************

Leah, Roy, Johnny, Pete and Jim had decided to take a short hike and scout out the best area for their rock climbing expedition the next day. Though they were invited along for the hike, Jillian, April, and Jean had decided that they would stay back at the camp and start the fire, along with the dinner preparations. With not having had any time to fish for their dinner that day, supper was going to consist of roasted hot dogs and campfire baked beans.

"What time did they say that they would back from rock climbing?" Jean wanted to know.

"They aren't climbing today, just looking for the best spot to head for tomorrow, so they should be back within the hour, I would imagine." Jillian answered.

"Yeah, it won't take them long to find the perfect spot. Leah can sniff out a good place to climb within a ten mile radius." April offered.

"Well they have already been gone for almost an hour, now." Jean interjected.

"Jean, will you hand me a few more of the twigs, I want to lay a good foundation of starters so that the fire will take."

"Sure thing, Jillian." Jean reached down and picked up a handful of sticks, placing them in the crook of her arm; she then leaned down and was just about to pick up a second handful of the twigs when one of the sticks started to slither its' way up her arm. Simultaneously, Jean let out a scream and threw the sticks in the air, causing them to fly in every direction.

Jillian and April both jumped when Jean began to shriek.

"JEAN! WHAT'S WRONG?" Jillian yelled, trying to be heard above the screaming.

"A SNAKE! There was HUGE snake in those sticks! OH, I HATE THIS!" Jean was still squirming and ranting, when suddenly, the others, having heard the screams, came running into the camp, eyes wild with fear that something had happened to the girls.

Pete was the first to speak. "What's going on? What happened?"

Jim had run over to Jean and was holding her, trying to get her to calm down and talk to him. She was still ranting and her eyes were shooting daggers at poor Jim.

Johnny stood next to April, who was trying to tell him what Jean was screaming about, but couldn't, as she didn't trust her voice to speak just yet. Thinking about how comical it looked when Jean threw the sticks in the air, it was all April could do to keep from laughing.

Roy and Leah stood off to the side, looking on with amusement at Jillian, who had knelt down next to the frightened snake and was picking it up with a stick and looking intently at it.

"Sunshine? What are you doing?" Pete asked in a concerned voice, not getting too close to Jillian and the snake.

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm bonding."

Pete's eyebrows shot a mile high. "You're WHAT? Put that thing down before it bites you…or sics you, or whatever it's going to do."

"Oh Pete, don't be such a worry wart, it's just a harmless garter snake and all I am trying to do is to determine what species that it is. If memory serves me correctly, I believe this species is common on the West Coast; don't worry, it won't hurt you…but it's probably frightened out of it's skin with all of the racket going on, though."

"Well I don't want it in our campsite…throw it away!" Jean ordered, before burying her face into Jim's chest. He put his arms around her and held her tightly, while looking on helplessly.

"C'mon Pete, you can walk into the woods with me and we'll find a nice little bush to place it under…but it will probably come back tonight, seeking the heat of the fire, or the sleeping bags." This last part she said quietly, out of earshot from Jean.

"You can't put it in the woods! We have to go in there to…you know!" Jean exclaimed.

"Take it to the 'little boys' side of the woods." Roy threw in, causing a round of chuckles from all of the men. The women knew better than to laugh because they could see that Jean was still pretty shaken.

Jillian felt bad for her friend so she handed the snake entangled stick to Pete, as she deadpanned "here Pete, you go find it a new home. I'm not going to the 'little boys' woods…after all, everyone knows that the men's room is always filthy and germ laden!" Her line had the desired effect as Jean began to laugh along with everyone else.

Reluctantly, Pete took the snake from her and headed off into the woods, muttering as he went, "If I'm not back in a few minutes, you'd better send in the reinforcements." A round of chuckles followed. A few minutes later, Pete was back. He told everyone that he had found a nice little wild rose bush, just inside the little boy's wilderness trail, and he placed the snake underneath it.

A short while later, the four couples sat around the campfire eating hot dogs and baked beans while making small talk that centered around families, fishing, and rock climbing.

Much to Jim's relief, Jean had since recovered from the snake scare and was exhibiting signs of enjoying being out in the wilderness and sharing time with her friends. She even took the initiative to ask Jim to go for a little stroll with her after dinner; a request that he readily agreed to.

The three remaining couples sat around the fire sipping coffee and passing the time with chitchat.

Johnny, still picturing Jillian holding the snake and studying it, said, "You know, Jill, I'm impressed."

Jillian looked at Johnny questioningly, "Impressed with what, Johnny?"

"The whole bit with the snake. I know a lot of guys that wouldn't go within twenty feet of a snake, and here you go and pick the darned thing up and study it!"

Pete, who was in the midst of taking a sip of coffee, nearly choked as he began chuckling,

"Hmph…you should see her with mice and worms!"

Four pairs of eyes landed on Jillian as she elbowed Pete in the ribs and muttered in his ear, "Watch it buddy…you're within a stone's throw of NOT sharing my sleeping bag tonight!" Her smile left no doubt in his mind that she was only joking with him and that she had every intention of cuddling in the cool night air.

Pete quickly put his arm around her and flashed her a smile that said he was looking forward to some cuddling as well. "Mmmm…is that so? We'll just have to see about that."

Jillian decided that it was time to change the subject. "So, Leah, tell me a little more about this rock climbing business."

"Well Jillian, it really is a lot of fun, and it really is a lot safer than you think. Maybe after the baby is born, you'll want to give it a try."

Jillian visibly shuddered, "No, I don't think so. My sense of adventure doesn't include anything that has me airborne…unless I am safely strapped in to the seat of an airplane, that is!"

"Have you always been afraid of heights?" April asked.

Thinking back to her childhood, Jillian shook her head and said, "No, I don't think so. I can remember climbing out onto the rooftop a couple of times, and getting stuck up in a tree once or twice. There wasn't a whole lot that I wouldn't try when I was younger. For some reason, I was a lot more brave then…or maybe just too young to recognize danger. Anyway, we used to have a tree house that I would go up into and spend hours just playing. None of those things ever bothered me until…" And then, as if a light bulb went off, "until the time when I was eight and I was up playing in that tree house and a really bad storm whipped up suddenly. I remember that when I tried to climb down the ladder, my foot slipped off of the top rung and I fell."

"Oh my gosh, did you get hurt?" Leah asked.

"I didn't break anything, but I did get pretty bruised and skinned up. It scared me enough that I never climbed up that tree house ladder again…" Jillian's voice had trailed off as she zoned off into her own thoughts; Maybe it's not heights I'm afraid of, maybe it's just ladders…and the fear of falling off of them.

Almost echoing her thoughts, Pete pulled her a little closer and said, "Maybe it's just ladders that you are afraid of, and not heights, then."

"You know, you could have a good point, Pete." Roy interjected. "Jillian, maybe you are just associating the pain of falling off of the ladder and getting hurt, with the fear of heights. Maybe if you climbed up a ladder and back down again, without falling, you'd be okay."

Jim and Jean had come back to the fire by this time and had heard most of the conversation. "Maybe after the baby, you'll want to try that." Jim added.

Giving a thoughtful glance at Pete, Jillian shook her head and said, "No, I don't think that's such a good idea. After all, if I get over my fear of heights, or ladders, as the case may be, then Pete would expect me to do ALL of the painting whenever we do buy a house. I just couldn't bring myself to rob him of the joys of painting…especially after I have heard from Jean what a hard time he gives Jim about painting on days off!"

The group shared a laugh over that as Pete gave Jillian a gentle kiss on the cheek, "Ha, ha, Sunshine…you are just feeling too funny tonight, aren't you?"

Jillian flashed him a smile and a look that said 'too funny' isn't all that I'm feeling right now, as she got up, she gave a forced yawn and said, "I think on that note, I am going to turn in…I am bushed. Are you coming to bed SOON, Pete?"

Seeing the look that she was giving him, Pete jumped up and stretched, let out his own false yawn and quickly excused himself, feigning fatigue as well. The other couples chuckled amongst themselves, but it seemed to be unanimous that the evening was coming to a close.

Johnny banked the fire and then followed April into their tent. Jim and Jean had retired to their tent as well. Roy and Leah chose to sit and enjoy the stars a bit longer before turning in themselves.

The next morning…

"Roy just what do you think you are doing?" Leah stood over Roy with her hands on her hips as she watched him sorting through the climbing gear picking out harnesses and ropes.

"What does it look like I am doing? I'm gearing up."

"Not with that harness you're not. You are not going to be the belayer this trip. Johnny help me out here."

"Roy, Leah's right, your back is still tender and you don't need to take the extra weight on it, why risk it." Roy not quite convinced was still strapping a duel harness around his waist so Johnny continued. "Alright have it your way, but if Brackett or Early find out you are going to be in big trouble, and if you get hurt again, you are going to have to explain it to Dixie."

The last statement stopped Roy in his tracks and he started unbuckling the harness that he had just put on and said, "Ok maybe you're right."

Jim and Pete were watching the scene unfold and knew that they didn't have a clue what the conversation was about so Jim asked. "Look I know that you guys know what you're talking about but could you clue us in on it?"

Leah laughed, "Sure, What were talking about is who is going to be the belayer. Belaying is basically securing a climber to a rope, or belayer, so he doesn't fall very far in case of slipping off the rock, loose footing or their losing their hold."

Pete was looking intently at the equipment in front of him. "So the climber is attached to the other person and they catch him if he falls?"

"That's right, we use this special climbing harness, a pulley, and a belay loop, all of which are attached to the climbing rope. See like this. Then we secure your rope through the loop and with this hand break if you fall I can slow the fall and lower you slowly or stop the fall in mid air until you can get your footing back." Leah showed Jim and Pete the equipment as she explained how it worked and failed to notice that the information was not offering much comfort to Pete.

"So what you are saying is that the belayer literally holds their partner's life in their hands?" Pete asked as he could feel cold sweat beads forming on his forehead.

"That's right," Johnny answered, "so you have to do it right - every time."

Roy spoke up, "that is why Johnny and Leah are right and I'm not going to work the life line today, my back may not be up to carrying the extra weight and we don't want to take any chances."

Leah was harnessed up as well as Johnny and Roy, "Alright guys, you ready to get geared up and jump off this rock face? Pete you're on my line, Jim you're with Johnny."

The sweat that had beaded on Pete's forehead was now trickling down the side of his temple. Trying to keep his voice steady, as he reached up to brush the sweat away, he said, "You know I outweigh Jim by about 15 pounds, don't you think it would be better for me to be on Johnny's line?"

His question was met with deafening silence until Roy spoke, "Uh-oh, now you've done it."

Pete was sure that he saw Leah's eyes flash with just a hint of a spark. "What's the matter Pete, don't think a girl can handle the job or is that just a little bit of male chauvinism coming out?"

"No; no that's not it at all. I was just thinking that it would be easier..."

"Easier?" Leah responded as the other guys stood there with impish grins as they watched Pete dig the hole he was in even deeper. "Easier for whom? Me or your ego?"

Leah wasn't really as upset as she wanted Pete to believe. "I tell you what big brother, you go on my line for the down repel, and then if you're still not comfortable with little sis holding you're life line then you can go on Johnny's for the rock face up climb. Deal?"

Knowing that he had to pull himself out of the situation and still save face Pete agreed, "Ok, deal."

Leah turned to go up the path that led to the top of the rock surface they would repel down and Johnny and Roy started chuckling as if they had some secret that they couldn't share. Johnny slapped Pete on the back as he walked by him and said, "Boy are you gonna get it."

"What do you mean? Roy what did he mean?" Roy just smiled and followed Johnny and simply said, "You'll see."

Jim and Pete stood there for just a second when Pete whispered to Jim, "Jim, what do you think they meant?"

"I'm not sure Pete, but I can't wait to find out" giving him his second slap on his back in the last 30 minutes. Pete was the last to follow everyone up the path to the 150-foot drop that they were about to repel down. He almost felt like he was being led to his execution but was trying to convince himself, "I know these guys; they wouldn't really do anything that would get me hurt." But for some reason he wasn't really feeling any better about what was about to happen.

Once they were at the top of the drop off and were anchored off and had their ropes secure, Johnny and Leah began to give Jim and Pete a few lessons. They showed them how to feed the rope through the harness and how to look for the best repel spots for pushing off the cliff side. Then they showed them how to then feed the rope while out, then pull up the slack as they start back toward the rock face with their feet in front of them.

Roy was going to go down, with them in the center, to coach them on the way down and help them pick out the spots for the best landings. He checked his rope one final time and backed up to the edge and jumped and repelled down about ten feet from the top.

Jim was next and was a quick learner and jumped backwards and made a perfect landing almost dead even with Roy. Pete was next, and with much trepidation and a quick Hail Mary said under his breath he jumped backwards and in two landings was next to Jim and Roy.

Roy smiled, "Hey guys not bad for a first jump. You ready to take it down a little farther? We need to go about 10 more feet then lock in so Johnny and Leah can repel out then you will be ready to hand feed the ropes. Ok here we go."

They repelled down and locked the ropes, "Hey Roy this is great I could really get the hang of this."

"I knew that you'd like it Jim, just be careful to not get over confident, when you do, you make mistakes; on the other hand Pete you need to relax just a bit. You have a death grip here and that is going to wear you out. Loosen your grip just a little when you repel and let the rope slide through your hand like running water."

Pete attempted to smile, "Roy I am hanging over 130 feet in the air being held by nothing more than a rope, that is easier said than done."

"Oh you're being held by more than a rope, Pete. See that girl up there? You're in good hands because she's holding the rope that's holding you."

They received the hand signal and heard Johnny and Leah call out "On Belay" which meant that it was safe for Jim and Pete to repel further down the side; when they called out "Off belay." That was to tell them that they were about to repel and Jim and Pete were to hold their positions.

After the 3rd or 4th repel, Pete was beginning to relax and take in the beauty around him. When he heard Leah call "On belay," he released his rope to repel, but as he did his foot slipped on the edge of the rock face and he couldn't hold the rope. Instantly he was dangling away from the rock face and free falling straight down.

After about 15 feet Pete could tell that he was not slowing and he fell another 15 to 20 feet when there was a jarring of his body and the rope stopped and caught him mid air. It took him a few seconds to get his bearings and realize just what had happened. Roy was beside him in seconds and reached out and pulled his rope toward the rock face and held it until he could gain his footing back.

Breathing heavily, Pete just nodded his head when Roy asked him if he was alright. Then Roy said "You know Pete, she really wouldn't have let you fallen any further, she was tying to teach you a lesson and to show you how important it is trust her when climbing."

What Roy said was beginning to sink in and Pete said, "You mean to tell me she let me fall...on purpose?"

Roy chuckled and replied "Only the last 10 feet." Pete threw his gaze up at Leah and couldn't help but smile nervously when he saw her wave and then heard "off belay" being yelled down at him and the sound of female laughter ringing out into the canyon.

Jim looked at Pete, "Well I guess now we know what they meant when they said 'you're gonna get it'"

Pete's smile began to fade as Jim was laughing while heading further down the mountainside. Jim and Pete both had gained a new found respect for the wilderness and the beauty of being able to see the landscape from the vantage point that very few get the chance to view it from.

"That was great!" Jim said, "I want to try that again."

"I'm glad you liked it Jim" Leah smiled at him, "What about you Pete?"

Pete put his arm around Leah, "Sis, you have taught me a great lesson today; never underestimate your partner."

Leah elbowed him the ribs just a bit, "Good, because now we go back up!" laughing as she walked to the base gear and grabbed a canteen of water."

Jim asked Johnny, "What'd she mean by that?"

"Oh nothing," Johnny smiled, "just that going up is a lot harder and a lot trickier than coming down."

"Yeah," Roy added, "There's a greater chance of falling, but don't worry about your partner, Leah won first place in the competition on the up climb, she knows what she is doing..." then grinning "Johnny didn't you come in 3rd in that competition?"

"Me? Naw Roy, you forget, I was eliminated in the first round, I didn't even place...darn it." and then both headed off to join Leah for some water and watched Jim as he eased over to Pete who was taking his turn with an impish grin.

"Say Pete, I know you are nervous about being on Leah's line, you want to trade off on the next climb?"

"Me, nervous? Now Partner, what ever gave you such an idea." and Pete joined the others laughing just a bit.

They made the up climb without incident and had such a good time that Johnny and Leah belayed one more time for Pete and Jim to repel back down the mountain while Roy waited topside to retrieve the anchors after they were on the ground. It was getting late in the afternoon and it was time to head back to camp. They were starving having eaten a good breakfast that morning but only some trail mix and water for lunch.

As they hiked the mile back to camp Roy and Leah were walking hand in hand when Pete came up and put his arm around Leah's shoulder. "You know Sis, I'm really proud of you." He said, as he looked at his unofficial little sister, "You are an amazing person."

Leah stopped and looked at him, taking in what he had said. "Leah what is it?" Pete asked.

Leah smile at him, "Oh nothing; it's just that no one has ever said that to me, other than Roy."

"Well, now that we've adopted each other, I'll be sure to tell you more often." Pete smiled.

It was the closing to the perfect day and the entire group thought that this was turning into the perfect vacation.

**************
Jean was coming out of the woods. She had a disgusted look on her face and Jillian could just imagine that she was about to start in on another tirade about the lack of facilities in the wilderness.

"This is just not my idea of camping! At least when we busted in on you and Pete at the lake, the campgrounds that we stayed at had a bathroom and a shower facility!"

April and Jillian could both sense that their friend was beginning to get antsy once again so April jumped in and tried to change the subject. "I think the guys and Leah will be really happy when they see how many fish we caught for dinner tonight. Just as soon as they get back, I'll have the guys clean them and then we can cook them up."

Knowing that April was avoiding the outdoor plumbing conversation with Jean, Jillian jumped in and suggested that she and Jean start in on getting the fire pit ready and then the three of them could start peeling and cutting the potatoes, carrots, green peppers and onions for the foil packs.

While they were preparing the vegetables, Jillian noticed how Jean kept fidgeting and scratching. April had noticed it also and she and Jillian exchange knowing looks; Jean had probably found herself some poison ivy.

"Jean, I noticed that you are itching quite a bit. You didn't get into any poison ivy, did you?" Jillian asked her friend.

"No, I don't think so. I've been very careful to watch where I, er, uhm, well you know, where I'm at when I'm out there. Besides, there aren't any bumps on my arm; it's just a little red from where I have been scratching. I'm sure it's just a case of the 'itchies' from being in the woods with the bugs and all."

"Why don't you let me take a look at your back, just to make sure?" Jillian ventured.

"Really, Jillian, I'm fine."

"Well if you're still itchy later on, have Johnny or Roy take a look at it. They'll be able to tell for sure." April threw in.

Jean laughed at her overly worried friends, "Alright…but I'm telling you two, I'm fine."

The three women continued with their task at hand, with Jillian and April watching as Jean continued to periodically scratch at her arm and back every few seconds.

Soon the others strolled into the campsite and were greeted by the ladies, who were full of questions about the excursion. Jillian and Jean were especially curious, so while Roy and Johnny cleaned the fish, Pete and Jim entertained the ladies with a re-count of the day. A short time later, the food was cooking over the campfire while the group of friends sat around visiting. Talk was still centered on rock climbing and Pete and Jims' reactions to the experience.

"You should've seen Pete's face when Leah…" Jim never finished his sentence, as Pete stretched out is leg and 'bumped' Jims' foot while shooting a look that said 'can it or Jillian will have my hide…and probably Leah's, too.' Jim caught the look and quickly changed the subject.

Jillian had caught the look and the action on Pete's end, as well as Jim's reaction. She knew that she'd be having a talk with her husband later, in private. I'm not going to ask anything right now, it's obvious he wants to keep something under wraps. He does seem to be a bit slow with his movements, though. "Pete, why are you moving like a stoved-up old man?" Jillian queried. "Did you use some muscles that your body forgot that it had?"

"Uhm, yeah Sunshine. I guess I did." He was silently praying that no one else would bring up the incident from earlier.

Liar…you're keeping something from me, Pete Malloy and I WILL find out what it is! "Mmmm, I see. Maybe I'll give you back rub later."

The food was soon cooked and there was little conversation as they ate their dinner. Dessert consisted of juicy, ripe watermelon.

No one seemed to notice the grin on Jean's face as she took a watermelon seed and pinched it between her fingers, trying to shoot it at Jim. She missed, and it hit Roy in the arm.

"Hey! Who did that?" Roy asked.

No one fessed up. Jean looked toward the fire, knowing that if she looked at Roy she would bust out laughing. She quickly took another seed and shot it at Jim, once again missing and hitting Roy on the cheek. This time she giggled.

Roy looked up, surprised and was just about to ask again who was shooting him with seeds when he caught the sound of Jean giggling.

"Oh, so that's how you want to play, huh? Well, I can shoot seeds too." And with that, he pinched a seed and it flew directly at April, who squealed and pinched off a seed of her own, hitting Pete. The fight was on and soon the whole gang was involved in pinch shooting watermelon seeds at each other. After a few minutes, Jillian slinked off to the tent and pulled out her camera, snapping several shots of the group acting silly and shooting watermelon seeds at each other. Fifteen minutes later, the whole group had collapsed into fits of laughter as the last of the seeds were shot off.

Soon it was beginning to get dark and the group decided to get the dishes washed up and call it a night. The men took care of clean up while the ladies traipsed off to the little girls' wilderness.

**********************

When they were ready to turn in for the night, Jillian and Pete had once again opened up both sleeping bags and zipped them together so as to make one big double-sized bag, rather than two separate ones. It made for much easier cuddling, especially around Jillians' ever-growing baby belly.

Pete was lying on his back and when Jillian rolled over to drape her arm over his waist, she felt him flinch and heard a small sharp intake of breath coming from him. Her thoughts went back to the earlier conversation.

"Pete, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Hon, I'm just a little sore…that's all."

"Not buying it, Pete Malloy…try again."

"No, really, I'm okay."

"Listen Mister, I saw the look, and the not so subtle kick, that you gave to Jim earlier. I also saw his reaction. What are you keeping from me?"

"Really, Sunshine, it's nothing."

"Don't you dare 'really Sunshine, it's nothing' me! You'd better come clean right now buddy, or there will be heck to pay if I have to go out there and drag it out of one of the others!"

Pete could tell that Jillian was getting a little upset over being kept in the dark so he explained to her what had happened, and why, ending with "So see, it was just a prank, done in fun…no harm."

It was at least three very long minutes after he finished speaking before she could trust her voice enough to speak to him. Inside she was seething at the thought that her friend would take such drastic measures to prove a point. The only thing that kept going through Jillians' mind was What if that silly, immature display of one up-man-ship had gone awry; Pete could have been killed. And he's laying here acting as if it was the most normal thing in the world and I shouldn't be upset!

Pete was thinking, Come on Sunshine, don't be upset. It all worked out okay and there was never any danger…well, okay, maybe a little danger, but not very likely. Come on, say something; I knew I shouldn't have told her. Here goes nothing. "Now please don't be mad at Leah, she was just trying to get me to understand that when you're climbing, you have to fully trust your partner. Sunshine, I'm sorry that I've upset you by telling you this. Please don't be mad at Leah, though, okay?"

There were still several emotions going on inside Jillian when Pete spoke, however, she also knew that Pete hadn't meant to upset her. Deep down, she also knew that Leah would never intentionally put any of them in harms way. Trying not to let her voice betray her attempt at lightening the issue at hand, Jillian tenderly kissed her husbands' cheek and said, "I wish I could've seen the look on your face. Are you sure that you're okay?"

Rolling over and gently gathering his wife into his arms, "I'm sure Sunshine…I love you." He then began kissing her, sending her thoughts down other paths at that moment.

*********************

"Jean, lay still, will you?" Jim had been laying there, trying to go to sleep for the better part of an hour, but Jean kept fidgeting and asking him to scratch her back. Finally, he took the flashlight and turned it on, looking at Jeans' back. "Uh-oh. Honey, I think you may have gotten into some poison ivy."

"WHAT? That's not possible; I'll tell you, just like I told April and Jillian, I have been very careful out there in the woods! OH! It itches! Jim, I think I want to go home.

"Shah…Jean, you're going to wake everyone up."

"I don't care if I wake up Rip Van Wrinkle! I am miserably itchy and I want to go home!"

"Be reasonable, Jean, we can't drive down off of this mountain in the dark. Listen, let me go ask Johnny and Roy if they have any poison ivy lotion in the first aid kit. I'm sure they will have something."

"Fine, but I'm telling you right now, Jim Reed, you are taking me home first thing tomorrow, got it!" And then, softening her tone a little, " You know Jim, I don't think I have what it takes to wilderness camp. The next time you take me camping, if it's not a hotel room with a feather bed, air conditioning and indoor plumbing, can it at least be a place where the outside plumbing has four walls and no poison ivy?"

"Sure thing, Honey. And I promise, first thing tomorrow, we'll head home. Now hold on, and I'll be right back." Jim left their tent and went over to Johnny and April's tent, gently calling Johnny's name. A few minutes later, he was back in his own tent and putting lotion on Jean's poison ivy, giving her enough relief that she was able to fall asleep.

*********************

Johnny and Roy had both risen early and were preparing breakfast, giving the ladies a break from cooking. They also figured that breakfast would go a long way in ensuring that their wouldn't be much of an argument from the ladies when the men decided that they wanted to take off for a few hours to drown some worms.

Leah and April were the next ones to roll out of the tents, followed by Pete and Jillian. A few minutes later, Jim and was helping Jean who was leaning heavily on him as he led her to the nearest chair and got her some water to drink.

All eyes landed on her and everyone was shocked to see how much her poison ivy had spread. Her arms were fire engine red, as was her neck and face. The poor woman looked terrible. Jim spoke before anyone could comment. "Uhm, Jean and I are going to head back to town. She's not really feeling too well, right now."

Roy and Johnny were both instantly at her side checking her over to make sure that she was alright and there was not more going on that what was meeting the eye.

"Jim, you need to get her to the hospital she is running a pretty good fever and she's going to need a shot to control that poison ivy." Roy said.

"Yeah, it got pretty bad during the night. Uhm, do you have any more of that cream in the first aid kit; we used the last of the other tube."

"Yeah, sure Jim, just let me get it and I'll get an ice pack too." Johnny replied as he went over to the Landrover to retrieve the first aid kit.

The ladies had all gathered around Jean and were talking with her. They could see that she was upset about having to leave early. "I'm sorry guys, I knew that all I was doing was complaining and I didn't even understand why myself, I just felt so bad and that is when this rash started."

Jillian hugged her as best she could without hurting her and said, "Oh Jean, it's alright, we knew you just weren't yourself but now we see why. I know you're miserable."

April spoke up, "Jillian's right, we just hate it that you feel so bad, do you want one of us to go back with you?"

"No I'll be fine, I just need to lie down." She tried to stand up to go back to the tent until Jim was ready to go but she was weak and just didn't have the energy.

Jim caught her and scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward their car, "Here Honey, I'm going to put you in the back seat so you can lie down on the way back to the city."

"I'll get her a blanket and pillow." Leah called out.

As Jim was getting her settled in, Johnny told Jim not to worry about their camping gear; that they would pack it and bring it back with them on Monday when they headed in. The girls all assured Jean that they would check on her as soon as they were near a phone.

A short time later, Jim and Jean were all set and heading down the mountain. The remaining three couples sat quietly eating their breakfast in the early morning air. The mood was a little somber.

********************

"Just relax, Honey, we'll be back to town in just a little while and I'm going to take you straight to the hospital."

"I'm sorry Jim. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip." Jean replied, drowsily.

"Jean, Honey, there's nothing to be sorry for. It's just something that could've happened to anyone. There will be other camping trips. The main thing right now is to get you to the hospital and get that poison ivy under control. Now try and relax."

The cream that Jim had applied to the poison ivy before they left was curbing the itchiness enough that Jean was able to drift off to sleep while he drove them toward home.

About fifteen minutes outside of the camping area, on a narrow mountain pass, a gray prison bus was coming towards them from the opposite direction. With the road as narrow as it was, Jim had to drive dangerously close to the edge in order to avoid hitting the bus as it rounded a slight curve and went just a bit left of center. Jim's forehead broke out into tiny sweat droplets as he thought about the close call. He was really glad that Jean was asleep and hadn't seen the near miss.

I wonder what a prison bus is doing up here in the mountains. Surely they wouldn't use this off the beaten path route to transport prisoners anywhere. Hmph.