A/N: Whoa, it's been a while, hasn't it? Hopefully this will make up for the lost time (and if it doesn't, just humor me)…

Thanks to all who reviewed – you keep me going! mackgirl, TahnDawg, Carnivorous Angel, xXxSour-LemonxXx, Avila Naislin

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Chapter 7: The Truth Revealed

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George woke slowly, blinking as he looked around the tent. Seeing that the opening had returned to its rightful place he stretched and sat up, eager to escape the cramped environment. Just as he pulled himself out of the sleeping bag, Calli began to stir.

"Morning," she said sleepily.

With a small grunt, George nodded and quickly exited the tent in an attempt to avoid talking about what had happened the night before.

Fred was cooking breakfast. "I see you're alive and well."

"Barely," George grumbled, glancing warily over his shoulder.

Seeing the look on his brother's face, Fred leaned forward and whispered, "Alright, what happened?"

George looked cautiously around the campsite. "Where's Aralyn?"

"Sleeping. So, tell me… what happened?"

George bent low over the flames, avoiding his brother's eye. "Why do you think anything happened?"

"Because," Fred said, grinning, "you're acting like something happened. And since there are no visible injuries…" Suddenly, he began to laugh, causing George to startle and frantically 'shush' him. "You kissed her, didn't you?"

Feeling the heat climb up his neck, George slumped against a tree and lowered his head.

"I knew it!" Fred exclaimed.

"I didn't say anything!" George snapped.

"Didn't have to."

"Didn't have to do what?" Aralyn asked, stretching as she crawled out of the tent.

"Nothing," the twins said in unison, a little too quickly.

The guilty look on George's face, and the grin on Fred's told Aralyn that 'nothing' really meant 'something.' "What'd you do to her, George?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Before George could answer, Calli emerged from the tent. Seeing him, she quickly looked down at the ground. Aralyn opened her mouth to speak, but Fred pulled her away from the group. "George, watch the sausages, will you?"

"Fred, what happened?" Aralyn demanded as he led her near the wood.

"Let's just say George's and Calli's argument ended on an awkward note."

"What happened?" Aralyn repeated, frowning.

Fred rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. "He kissed her."

Aralyn choked. "He – what?"

"He kissed her. And judging by the fact that he's still alive, I'd say Calli didn't mind one bit," Fred said, amused.

"Are you serious?" Aralyn stood there, staring wide-eyed at the pair by the fire.

Fred glanced over his shoulder, watching his twin. "You tell me."

"Do you think this is going to change anything between them?" Aralyn asked. He gaze followed Calli, who was doing her best trying to avoid George.

"I'm not sure," Fred admitted. "How would you have reacted?"

Aralyn quirked a grin. "Who would have been doing the kissing?"

Fred returned the grin. "George?"

"Hmmm… I suppose it would be a bit awkward," Aralyn said thoughtfully.

"Alright then," Fred hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "What if I did the kissing?"

Aralyn chewed her bottom lip. "Don't know. You haven't kissed me yet…" She brushed past Fred and returned to George and Calli.

Fred watched her walk away. Releasing a huff of laughter, he shook his head and followed.

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x0x0x0x0x

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Breakfast was irritatingly awkward. Fred and Aralyn kept trying to hold a conversation with the others, but George and Calli were rather tight-lipped. Breathing a sigh of frustration, Aralyn stood up and made her way to her and Calli's tent, ducking inside. Not a moment later, Calli appeared, looking nervous.

"Something wrong?" asked Aralyn as she began to change into her swimsuit.

"N-no. Nothing's wrong. Why would you think something was wrong? Nothing's wrong." Calli spoke very fast, and her voice was at least an octave higher than usual.

"You were unusually quiet at breakfast…"

"I'm just tired. Didn't get much sleep last night," Calli replied. Seeing the amused smile on her best friend's face, she continued hurriedly, "It wasn't very nice of you to lock me in that tent with that madman, you know."

Grinning, Aralyn grabbed her towel and crawled out of the tent. "Oh, I think you two got along all right…"

Calli hurried after her. "Where are you going?"

"To the waterhole. Why else would I be dressed like this?" Aralyn said, not bothering to stop.

"Wait! I'll come with you…" Calli ducked inside the tent, and a few moments later emerged wearing her swimsuit and holding the towel around her body as thought she had just stepped out of the shower. "Okay," she said, glancing nervously at the twins, who had yet to take notice of the girls. "Let's go."

As they passed the campfire, Fred strode over to them, his gaze lingering on Aralyn's bare midriff.

"Calli and I are going to the waterhole," Aralyn told him. Fred lifted his gaze, raised an eyebrow. "Give us about twenty minutes, okay?" she continued quietly. She turned back to Calli, who was tapping her foot impatiently, eager to get away. "Ready?"

Calli slanted her a look and tutted. "No, I'll just stand here for a while longer, shall I?"

"Suit yourself," Aralyn drawled. She brushed past Calli, calling over her shoulder, "Fred, if you and George feel like coming down to the waterhole later, just follow the path to the left – it'll lead you straight there."

Fred nodded. "Maybe later."

Calli tossed her hair over her shoulder and walked briskly after the brunette. "Hey, Are! Wait up!"

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x0x0x0x0x

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As the girls reached the waterhole, Aralyn set her towel on a large rock overlooking the pool and breathed a contented sigh. The view was like a scene from a book: a sparkling pool surrounded by masses of foliage and rock and a cascading waterfall gleaming in the morning sun – breathtakingly beautiful.

With a splash and a small shriek, Calli dived into the water. "I f-forgot how c-cold the water is t-this e-early!"

Aralyn laughed and settled onto her towel, leaning back with her hands against the smooth stone. "Think you'd learn after three years…"

Calli splashed Aralyn, making the brunette squeal. "You'd think, wouldn't you?" She pulled up onto the rock and lay down, stretching out in the warmth of the sunshine.

"So…"Aralyn looked expectantly at the blonde beside her.

"So?" Calli said apprehensively.

"He kissed you, huh?"

Calli sat up quickly, her jaw dropped. "He told you?"

Aralyn couldn't hide her smirk. "No, Fred did."

"He told Fred? I can't believe this!" Calli pouted.

"No, he didn't say a word to Fred."

The blonde put her hands on her hips. "How did he find out then?"

Aralyn gave her a look of pity. "In case you hadn't noticed, Calli, they're twins. George didn't have to say anything – Fred can read him like a book."

Calli shivered lightly and brushed her hair back from her shoulder. "It's not like it was a big deal, really."

"No?" Aralyn grinned. "Then why are you two acting as though you got caught doing something wrong?"

"I am not!"

"Calli, if it was no big deal, you'd still be back there, vowing revenge."

The pout returned as Calli stared at her best friend. "I'm not that bad, am I? I mean, is that really what you think – that I'm out to get the guy?"

Aralyn thought for a moment, staring at the waterfall. Finally, she shook her head. "Calli… no. I just think – I think the two of you got a bad first impression of each other. George is sweet, really."

"Sweet? Aralyn, the man pinned me to him last night and then kissed me when I threatened to scream!" Calli said dramatically.

"Could have been worse," Aralyn told her. "He could have just shoved a sock in your mouth."

The blonde pounced on her, causing both of them to fall into the water below. Laughing, they tussled about, each dunking the other under the water. As they broke the surface, sputtering for air, perched on the rock above them stood the twins.

Calli let out a small yip and ducked under the water again, swimming over to the waterfall. Aralyn was slightly more dignified, though she felt incredibly foolish, realizing that both men had just witnessed her and Calli's little wrestling match.

"I see you found us then."

Fred nodded, grinning broadly. "Seems so. Though I don't think we were expecting to find the two of you trying to drown each other, were we George?"

George was too busy watching Calli to bother with an answer.

Aralyn blushed and hoisted herself up onto the rock, sitting down next to Fred. "Well, you know Calli – all that pent-up energy…"

Fred laughed and draped his towel across Aralyn's shoulders. "Bit cold for a swim, isn't it?"

Aralyn shook her head. "Nah. The water's fine once you get used to it. Besides, the sun is out now – it'll warm up quickly."

Fred glanced around, taking in the scene. "How'd you find this place? It's beautiful."

"Well, the path leads straight to it, doesn't it? Calli and I just decided to take a walk one day. It's not really hard to find." Eyeing Fred, Aralyn grinned wickedly. "You're dry."

"I know I am," Fred grinned back.

"You shouldn't be."

"Really? And why do you say that?"

"This is a waterhole, you know…" Aralyn stood slowly, her grin growing wider.

Fred jumped up, backing away from her, and laughed. "Whoa! Wait! I still have my shirt on!"

"Since when has that ever mattered?" said George fiendishly. In one swift move, he was behind his twin and pushed him into the water.

Aralyn doubled over with laughter, watching Fred surface, his eyes wide with shock, brandishing a fist at his brother. George pulled off his shirt and turned toward her, grinning.

Aralyn couldn't help but stare. Fred and George were both very fit – she had known that – but seeing the twin without a shirt on made her appreciate the male form so much more. Aralyn glanced away, feeling the heat creep along her face.

"You don't really think I'm leaving you out of this, do you?" George growled as he advanced on Aralyn.

She backed away, hands out in front of her in defense. "I was hoping you would."

"Oh, no, no, no, no! Not after you locked me in that tent with that woman." George's eyes gleamed as he crept forward.

"But I was given the impression that you and Calli had… kissed and made up," Aralyn taunted.

George paused for a moment, smirked. "Impudent little witch…"

"She is, isn't she?" Aralyn mirrored the smirk, a hand on her hip. "But you mustn't blame Calli…"

George barked out a laugh and grabbed Aralyn about the waist, hoisting her over his shoulder and marching back to the edge of the rock. "I wasn't talking about Calli."

Aralyn squealed with laughter, beating on George's shoulder. "Alright! I'm sorry! Put me down, George!"

Winking at Fred, the redhead sighed. "Very well…" Leaning forward, he set the girl on her feet again. "You know, I can see why my brother likes you."

Teetering on the edge of the rock, Aralyn grasped George's arms for balance and laughed nervously. "You can? And why is that?"

"You're a lot alike," he replied casually. Taking a small step back, George placed his hands on Aralyn's shoulders. "You're both damn good-looking, witty, rather cheeky… and wet." Flashing her a brilliant grin, George shoved her off the rock.

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x0x0x0x0x

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"Stop! This is no fair! Two against one!" Aralyn shrieked with laughter as she scrambled away from the twins.

The three of them had been swimming and splashing around when suddenly, Fred and George decided to gang up on Aralyn: picking her up and tossing her into the water, splashing her mercilessly, and even taking turns sneaking up behind her to pull her under when she was busy trying to fend off the other twin.

Panting and giggling, the brunette climbed up onto a small embankment near the waterfall, looking around for Calli. "Calli! Where are you? Hey, Callidora!"

"What?" the blonde muttered as she emerged from behind the cascade.

"Where have you been hiding?" Aralyn asked, yanking her foot away from Fred, who attempted to pull her back in the water.

"I haven't been hiding," Calli snapped. "I've been–"

"Avoiding my brother?" Fred offered as he climbed up onto the embankment, shaking the hair out of his eyes.

Aralyn startled and whirled around. "Stay back!" she giggled, holding out her hands to ward him off.

Fred chuckled and stepped closer. "A little jumpy today, aren't we?"

Aralyn stuck out her tongue in response.

Calli rolled her eyes. "Oh, please…"

Fred stared at the blonde, smiling. "Nice to see you've finally come out of hiding."

"I have not been hiding!" she sneered.

"Well, join us then," Fred responded easily. He began wringing out his t-shirt, still on his body.

Calli stared at him for a moment, amused. "Won't do much good if you're just going to get right back in the water."

Fred made a face. "That's why I'm taking it off…" Lifting the shirt over his head, he tossed it onto the ground beside him.

Aralyn tore her eyes away from his lean, muscular frame long enough to glance at Calli, who was gawking at the man. Moving closer to her, Aralyn whispered, "See what you're missing?"

Calli made a noise in the back of her throat not unlike that of a cat in heat.

Fred raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Something wrong?"

"Huh uh…" Calli answered.

Fred smiled irresistibly. "You sure?"

"Oh, I'm quite sure…" Calli smiled back flirtatiously.

"Quite sure about what?" George's voice came from behind Calli, causing her to startle.

"Nothing," she muttered, looking away.

Aralyn sauntered over to Fred and pushed him playfully, causing him to stumble backward. Fred grabbed her by the waist and fell backward into the pool with a 'whoop.'

George watched as the couple swam off together. Calli sat down with a huff, dangling her feet into the water. Staring at her from behind, George smiled to himself. His eyes traveled appreciatively over her form, and he shook his head to clear his thoughts. Pausing briefly, he wandered over to the edge of the embankment and sat down next to Calli. He could feel her tense up and heard her take in a sharp breath. Neither spoke a word as they stared into the water.

After several minutes, George slid into the pool and turned to face the blonde. "Why don't you come in?"

The question surprised Calli, though she really didn't know why. She shrugged in response. "Why?"

George trod water for a moment before he answered. "You look bored."

"No."

Swimming closer, he brushed his hand along Calli's ankle, making her flinch. "How's it feel?"

"Better."

Suddenly, George laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day…"

Calli stared at George, her brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

George grinned. "I have never known you to be this quiet. What happened?"

"Pfft." Placing her foot on the top of his head, Calli pushed George under the water.

As he surfaced, George sputtered and chuckled. "You shouldn't have done that, you know."

"Really? And why is that?" Calli smirked.

George swam back to her, hoisting himself up just enough to lean on the rock with his hands on either side of her. Calli stared at him, shocked by his daring. Her eyes traveled over his chest, tiny droplets of water dripping from his torso, to his face. He was close… very, very close.

"Because," George replied in a low growl that made Calli's heart beat in her throat. His face was a breath away from hers. "Now I have to return the favor."

Before Calli could react, she found herself underwater. Kicking to the surface, she emerged, gasping for air as much as she was gasping out of surprise. She was also desperately aware that George was still holding on to her.

"This isn't funny, George!" she spat.

George shook his head. "It's not meant to be." Slipping his arm around her waist, the wizard pulled Calli against him.

"George," Calli groaned. "Don't…"

"Relax," he soothed. Leaning back into the water, George pushed off from the rock, pulling Calli with him as he swam toward the waterfall.

As they came through to the other side, George let go of her. Calli knew George had brought her here because of its seclusion. What she didn't know was why.

"I just want to talk with you, that's all," George assured her, giving Calli the impression that he could read her mind.

She was not entirely convinced. "You could have talked to me out there."

"Yeah, I could have," George agreed.

With a smooth stroke, Calli glided to the wall, pulling herself up on a small ledge and tucking her feet under her.

George stared at her for a moment then he gave a small snort of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Calli demanded.

"You."

"Me?"

George nodded. "You."

Calli raised an eyebrow, clearly not getting his meaning.

"You're acting like a frightened kitten, huddled in the corner like that," he remarked.

Calli was not amused. "Well, what do you expect, George? You drag me in here like some captive–"

"I'm not forcing you to stay, Callidora," he told her, frowning. "I just wanted to talk to you privately. If you don't want to stay, don't. You're free to go."

Calli watch him silently. After a moment, she dipped her hand into the water and let it trickle over her thigh. "You wanted to talk… so talk."

George was too busy watching her to register what she said. Only after she splashed him did he respond. "I – I'm sorry. About last night."

"You're sorry."

George moved forward, stopping just short of the ledge Calli was perched on. "I shouldn't have kissed you like that."

Calli frowned. "No, you shouldn't have."

"It's just that you were shouting and–"

"So you thought you'd just kiss me to shut me up, did you?" Calli's eyes narrowed.

George looked away and sighed. "It was a stupid thing to do. I'm sorry."

"Are you some kind of control freak?" Calli alleged.

George was slightly taken aback. "No."

She cocked her head. "No? Why'd you do it then? Did you need to feel like a man – overpowering a woman? Or maybe–"

George grabbed onto the ledge. "You're crossing the line."

"Like you didn't last night!" Calli snapped.

"Look, I–"

Calli pushed against George's arms, causing him to lose his grip on the ledge. "Then what was it George? Huh? Why'd you kiss me?"

George pushed away from the wall and swam toward the waterfall. "Forget it."

Calli stood up, hands on her hips. "No, George, you brought me here so we could talk. So, tell me – why did you kiss me?"

George swam to the edge of the waterfall before glancing back at Calli. "Because I fancy you, Calli. Why else would I come on this bloody camping trip?" He disappeared under the water before Calli could respond.

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x0x0x0x0x

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"Where do you think they've gone?" Aralyn asked, clinging to Fred as the water came up to his collarbone which, incidentally, would have been over her head had he not been holding onto her.

Fred scanned the waterhole then answered her question by pointing to the waterfall. George and Calli had just disappeared behind it.

Aralyn raised an eyebrow. "Now, just what would they be doing back there?" Her tone was not at all questioning, but rather, stating the obvious.

Fred chuckled, amused. "A little privacy, perhaps?"

The corner of Aralyn's mouth turned up in a crooked smile. "Great for snogging…" Then, seeing Fred blush, she did too.

Fred watched the empty space for a moment then turned to Aralyn, agreeing wholeheartedly with himself that she offered a much better view. He wondered how George could so casually kiss Calli when he himself hadn't even gathered the courage to kiss Aralyn – not that he didn't want to. He did. He really did. But when the opportunity presented itself, like now, he just kept thinking back to the day he had walked into Angelina's flat and found her being… very friendly with Oliver.

"Fred." Aralyn's voice snapped his mind back to the present.

"Hmmm?" he followed her gaze to where George swam alone, muttering to himself. "Uh, oh." Fred led Aralyn over to the rock where they had left their towels and helped her climb out of the water. "I'd better talk to him."

Aralyn nodded and watched him swim away, sighing deeply. This was getting to be a very interesting trip. What next?

Moments later, Calli pulled herself up onto the rock and grabbed her towel. "I'm going back to camp."

Aralyn caught her arm and pulled her back. "Spill it."

Calli glanced nervously at the twins still in the water before heaving a large sigh and plopping down onto Aralyn's towel. "He told me he fancies me."

"And?" Aralyn grinned.

"What do you mean, 'and?' He fancies me!"

"And?"

Calli buried her face in her hands.

Aralyn put her arm around the blonde and gave her a hug. "You like him too, don't you?"

"Uh, huh."

"So, what's the problem?" Aralyn laughed. "He likes you, you like him–"

"Do you know how weird that would be? If we started dating?" Calli was becoming slightly hysterical.

Aralyn smiled sympathetically and rubbed Calli's back soothingly. "I'm not sure I do."

"He's a wizard, Are! A wizard!" Calli grabbed Aralyn's arms, her eyes wild. "How am I supposed to date a wizard?"

"You live with me – it's not that difficult, is it?" Aralyn replied, pulling Calli's hands away.

Calli snorted. "I only live with you, Are, I'm not–"

"I love you, Calli, really. Just not in that way."

"Aralyn! I'm serious! What if we were to… to…"

Aralyn couldn't help it – she started laughing. The laughter continued until tears were streaming down her face. "Calli, I had a relationship with your brother, remember?" Seeing the look on the girl's face only made her laugh harder. "What? Do you think that you would start levitating or turn into a rabbit or something?"

This time, Calli shook with laughter. "Are! No! I just… just…"

"Look," Aralyn began, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Dating a wizard would be no different for you than it was for me to date your brother. Granted, there are certain… advantages–"

"Aw, no! C'mon now! Stop!" Calli snorted.

Aralyn giggled. "The point is, Calli, if you like him then go for it."

"Go for it? Just like you and Fred?"

"More or less."

Calli thought for a minute, then stood and gathered her things. "I don't know, Aralyn. I just need to think about it." She started to walk away then stopped suddenly and turned. "It's funny though…"

Aralyn cocked her head. "What's funny?"

"You. Giving me advice on dating George when you haven't even kissed Fred yet." Aralyn watched as she disappeared into the wood, knowing full well that she had just been put so perfectly in her place.