Trixie 7

Unabashedly, Trixie and Honey collapsed in the small clearing like two turtles stuck on their backs. A shadow passed over her and Trixie regretfully looked over. Jim was knelling by her side with a concerned look on his face.

"You okay? Why didn't you tell us you needed a break?" He asked unhooking her from her pack as Brian did the same for Honey. Flopping over and pushing herself up in a sitting position, Trixie smiled.

"Break? Oh, no we're fine. Aren't we Honey."

Honey sighed, "This isn't going to work." She said near tears.

Brian frowned. "What isn't working?"

"Nothing. Just a bit of heat stroke. Get her some water as a doctor you should know better!" Trixie scolded at her still frowning brother.

"I'm not a doctor yet." He grumbled getting his water bottled and giving Honey a sip.

The four ate lunch, Trixie eating much slower than usual. The more rest the better.

Jim kept giving her curious glances not used to her being so quiet.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Trixie blushed "I'm pretty sure you don't want to hear my thoughts right now."

He frowned. "I don't understand. If you and Honey didn't want to go hiking, why did you suggest we go hiking?"

"Um, I can see why you're confused Jim. Honey and I love hiking. Don't we Honey."

"Why yes!" Honey took over. "We just haven't done it a while. With all the strong male Bob Whites gone we didn't think it would be safe to go out hiking alone. So we're a tad outta shape."

Brian nodded in agreement and Trixie was pretty darn sure he would agree to anything Honey said. Ever.

Jim was a harder sale. He frowned. "Trixie when is it that you and Honey started doing things that were safe and smart?"

"Since you left us." She said stung by his words as she got up and walked over to the creek out of site.

Jim silently cursed himself for being an idiot as he went to follow her.

"What's wrong Trixie?" He asked placing his large freckled hand on her shoulder. Trixie snorted unlady like as she turned around to face him. He was very close and she had to look up up up. Normally this would have sent her into a fit of shivers but she was way too pissed off for that.

"I don't appreciate being called an idiot."

Jim sighed hugging her to him but she pushed back. He looked down.

"I'm sorry Trixie. It is just. You usually don't think things through, you get in trouble and end up needing rescuing. Perhaps I'm just a bit put out that you don't need a knight in shiny armor anymore."

"Jim, what am I too you?" She questioned.

His brow crinkled. "You're my special girl. You know that."

"Do I? Am I your only girl Jim?" Her doubt and uncertainty came to the surface.

"Of course Trixie. You should know that."

"But I don't. Honey and I have been so lonely since you and Brain left. Yes, you call and write but I want more."

"More?"

"Yes, you'll find out." She said mysteriously as she headed back to the other couple leaving Jim more confused than ever.