Morning arrives, bringing with it sunshine and warmth, balanced by a cooling breeze. Maria is first up; she elects to enjoy a morning swim instead of her normal routine of watching cartoons. After ten minutes, Hanna joins her in the lake.

"Morning meanie!" Maria greets as Hanna wades into the shallows. "Thought you hated getting wet?"

"Morning!" Hanna replies. "And I admit I'm not keen on getting wet, but only because it makes my tail look stupid."

"Still better than mine!" Maria winks.

Now fully in the water, Hanna swims out to join Maria, about twenty feet from shore. "Looking forward to the trip?"

"Course!" Maria chirps. "Though I am going to miss home."

"Me too…"

Maria notices Hanna's melancholic tone. "What's the matter? Big old meanie getting cold feet?"

"A little."

"Worried about Captain Icky?"

"No; Rob has already assured me about that. It's just…"

"You'll be away from your parents."

"Exactly."

"We won't be away that long."

"I know."

Maria sighs. "Eighteen years is a long time to be without parents; I'm not going to pretend to understand what that's like. And I know you were reunited with them only five weeks ago. But the one thing they've made clear is that you have your own life, and they're not going to get in your way. And I'm sure, when you told them about this mission, they were encouraging and supportive. You should count yourself very lucky to have them… I have to admit… I wish they were mine…" Maria is putting on a brave face, but there's no mistaking the tears; she takes a brief moment to compose herself. "So stop being silly and get excited for our trip already!" she finishes, back to her normal self.

"You're right," Hanna sighs, somewhat relieved. "They are very supportive, my mother especially. And I am excited for our trip. I just-"

"Then look excited!" Maria chuckles, splashing Hanna.

"Oh, you asked for it!" Hanna replies, grinning mischievously; without warning, she throws herself at Maria, dunking them both just below the surface.

"You big meanie!" Maria giggles as she surfaces.

"Guess us boys are getting all the supplies ourselves then?" Rob calls from the bank.

Hanna curses mildly. "Forgot we were planning on doing a supplies run this early," she mutters to herself. "It'll take me a few minutes to dry off," she calls back to Rob.

"Unless you don't mind Danny riding your ATV?" Rob suggests. "It's better for towing than his trike."

Hanna considers the option for a moment. "So long as he brings it back intact."

"Cool," Rob smiles. "We'll see you two about lunchtime, if all goes well! And try not to get stuck again!"

"We'll have lunch ready when you get back!" Hanna promises.

With a wave, Rob, Danny, and Xander set off on their supplies run, and Hanna and Maria resume their playfighting in the lake.