Language in this one guys. A bit longer chapter. I had a lot of fun writing this part.

Once everyone made it out onto the Dock of Shame, Chris clapped his hands together. "Alright, listen up people! Tonight, you have a chance to unpack and have some R an' R. Tomorrow's your first challenge. The prize? A trip for two to the lovely Bahamas to melt away your stresses from being back here!" He laughed at his own joke. No one else did. Chris cleared his throat. "Oooookay. Anyway, girls, you're in that cabin," he pointed to a blue cabin. It was larger than the cabin they'd shared ten years ago. At least they renovated. "Guys! You're in that cabin," He pointed to a similar red cabin across the way from the girls. "A few changes have been made this time around. Due to our increased budget, Chef Hatchet can serve you decent food on a more regular basis. Not to mention you have nicer accommodations now. Also, we've set up a nice little cove toward the eastern part of the island that will have no cameras. The only catch is, you're only allowed there twice in a week for a total of three hours." He shot a look to Geoff and Bridgette. "And no hanky panky. I don't care that there's no cameras and that you're married. This is still a family show!" Geoff whistled and looked innocent, while Bridgette blushed fiercely. "I'll announce the first challenge tomorrow morning. Gniiiight!"

They all made their way to their bunks and unpacked without too much incident. The girls did their best to keep Heather and Courtney away from each other, though the room was thick with tension.

Over in the guys' cabin, things weren't much better. Harold was looking smug, which really pissed Duncan off. It was all he could do not to punch the geek square in the nose. Duncan gritted his teeth and unpacked his things, shoving his clothes into a dresser with unnecessary force. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed DJ finish unpacking and leave the cabin in a bit of a hurry. Duncan shook his head. He shoved his bag underneath his bed when Geoff plopped down in front of him on his bed. Duncan wasn't in the mood.

"Sup Geoff?" Geoff spent a moment trying to judge Duncan's state of mind.

"Dude... have you talked to her yet?" Geoff spoke in a low tone, trying not to get anyone's, particularly Harold's, attention.

"Who?" Duncan knew where this was going, but he wasn't going to let on.

"Courtney, dude. Have you said anything to her yet?"

Duncan shut his eyes, trying to look angry. He didn't want to talk about this. "Why, Geoff, would I want to talk to her?"

Geoff looked a bit startled. He thought for sure Duncan was still crazy about Courtney, but from his reaction, maybe what she had said was right. Maybe he had gotten over her.

Duncan saw that his act had worked. "Had it figured wrong, didn't you? Sorry pal, nothing personal. Courtney and I haven't spoken in years. I'm certain a few weeks won't change that." He gave Geoff a light punch on the shoulder. "It's good to see you though, dude. Can't wait to catch up."

Geoff still looked startled. "Dunc, why didn't you come to my wedding?"

Duncan had been making his way out the door, when he stopped and turned, looking thrown by that question. "Because I never got an invitation." He walked out without saying another word, leaving Geoff looking all the more confused.

Yes we did invite him... what happened?

6 years before:

Harold gave a crisp dollar bill to the young boy who'd once again delivered the mail to him from Duncan's mailbox.

"Let's see... ah, the letter Courtney sent him... annnnnd.. oh. Geoff and Bridgette's wedding invitation? Heh, can't have him going there and running into Courtney. That'd throw a wrench into things."

He took the two pieces of mail and gave the rest back to the boy to deliver back into the mailbox.

It was getting darker. Duncan had taken a walk around the island, getting familiar with the surroundings again. He headed up the stairs to his cabin when he stopped, noticing something else familiar. He grinned as he took a step toward the front of the cabin, seeing the skull he'd carved into the wood there. He traced the outline with his finger. "It's still here..." He turned and was stabbed in the heart by another memory. Before him was the railing where, ten years ago, Courtney had been throwing up from peanut butter sandwiches. The place where she had first kissed him. Seemed like so long ago. Longer than it really had been. Almost like it was in another world. The one where he and Courtney fell in love and lived happily ever after. He walked to the railing, placing a hand on it. He ran his fingers along the underside of the railing until he felt what he was looking for. Making sure no one was looking, he hopped over the railing and looked at another of his masterpieces. A small smirk came to Duncan's lips as he studied the mark he'd left there. D.N.C. Duncan N Courtney. Sure, that's not what he would tell people it stood for. How would it look if he told his best friends that the first tattoo he'd ever given himself was a reminder of his feelings for a girl he lost years ago? A little nuts? Yeah that's what I thought. He whispered, "I really miss you, Princess.."

He stood up and headed back up the stairs to the cabin. He stopped again when he heard music coming from the beach nearby. His curiosity got the better of him. He hopped off the stairs and made his way to the beach. Little did he know that his moment of nostalgia had been caught by someone lurking in the bushes nearby.

As Duncan made his way out of sight, a voice came out from the bushes. "Ahaha! I knew it! He still loves her. And I got the proof!" Chris jumped out of the bush and walked off whistling, camcorder in hand, looking pleased with himself. He decided to follow Duncan and see what happened next. Sure, the cameras were all rolling, but since most of the group was down by the lake, precious moments like that one didn't always get caught.

Down at the beach, there was a large bonfire. Harold and Leshawna were off to one side, roasting hot dogs, looking cozy. Heather was surveying the scene with a look that crossed between manic glee and jealousy. Everyone else was actually having a good time. Most of all, Courtney and DJ who were at the center of attention. Upbeat Latin music blared from the CD player that DJ had brought along, and though dancing in the sand was a bit difficult, the two were having fun trying. Courtney was graceful for the most part, but a few times when DJ meant to spin her around, she ended up in the sand, giggling uncontrollably. This made DJ and the others laugh too, but each time, he picked her up and they continued. An impressive display from both of them. Geoff and Bridgette, Trent and Gwen tried as well. They ended up in a similar giggling heap in the sand.

Lindsay tried dancing by herself, but tripped over her own feet. Katie and Sadie clapped from a nearby log, gazing longingly at DJ, who'd gotten into great shape from dancing.

Courtney noticed this more than once and whispered the fact to DJ, whose mouth dropped as he glowed a bit red.

Duncan had arrived just in time to see Courtney whispering something to DJ and his reaction. He quirked an eyebrow. Of course, Heather had noticed too. Having also noticed Duncan nearby, she decided to push her luck a bit more. She strolled up to him as casually as she could, seeing the look of loathing in Duncan's eyes as he stared at Courtney. "Not really acting like a married woman, is she? Maybe your bad boy influence has worn off on her."

Heather leaned against Duncan, the back of her hand caressed his cheek. "I like bad boys," she whispered seductively.

Duncan hadn't even noticed that Heather was so close to him. Otherwise he would have decked her for insinuating that Courtney was fooling around, but her sudden change in tone threw him off. Before he could say anything, Heather had wrapped her arms around him and caught him further off guard with a very passionate kiss.

Courtney sat on the ground, giggling with DJ about Katie and Sadie when Harold called her name from nearby. Turning her head to grace him with a glare of death, she caught a glimpse of someone on the slope of sand leading up to the cabins. "Oh... my... freakin.. gosh. NO." She covered her mouth.

Bridgette saw the look on Courtney's face and followed her gaze. There were Heather--and Duncan... kissing!? "Gross... that can't be right."

Courtney had turned her head, burying her face into DJ's chest, but Bridgette kept watch. Something just isn't right. I can smell it... Heather pushed Duncan backward, out of sight. She decided to do some snooping. She caught the end of a crackling voice from across the bonfire. "--plished." Harold had a walkie talkie. Oh yeah... smells like bullshit to me. She excused herself from the party and headed up the beach.

Duncan's head was swimming. He snapped out of it, but he was sure that someone down at the fire had noticed what just happened. Heather had pushed him back behind a tree and was gazing at him contentedly. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and gave her a not so friendly shove. "What the hell were you thinking, Heather!?" He wanted to backhand her, but he stormed off towards the cabin. He needed some of that alone time. He was going to catch some kind of hell for that little incident, but he wasn't ready for it. He hoped that Courtney didn't see that.

Heather watched him go and chuckled softly. She pulled a walkie talkie out of her shorts pocket and pressed the button. "Mission accomplished."

Earlier that day on the boat:

"Ok, so... we gotta do our best to keep those two away from each other," Harold whispered to Heather. "I think some more misdirection is in order. Maybe if they think that you're interested in Duncan--"

"Oh are you kidding?? That's disgusting, you dweeb." Heather crossed her arms over her chest. "Me, interested in that jailbird?"

"Cmon.. Think of the look on Courtney's face when she sees it. It'll rip her apart..." Harold looked a bit crazed at the thought. "I'll even double the offer." He pulled out a wad of bills.

Heather's eyes lit up. She snatched the money out of Harold's hand and stuffed it in her pocket.

"Done."

Heather turned to head back to the party to see what grief she'd caused, when she ran right into Bridgette. Heather looked annoyed. "Out of my way, surfer girl."

"What are you up to, Heather?" Bridgette fixed her with a stony glare.

"I was just enjoying some private time with the man of my dreams," Heather swooned, faking some weak knees.

For the second time, she was shoved rudely out of the way. "You're in deep, Heather. I'm going to find out what's going on. When I do, you're going to be very sorry you chose Courtney to play your games with."

"Whatever, Mrs. Cowboy. You'll see that Duncan and I were made for each other." Heather nearly threw up with those words. Maybe she should be an actress.

Bridgette left Heather, shaking her head in disbelief. She was going to find Duncan and get the truth. She hated seeing Courtney so miserable. When she made her way to the cabins, she noticed Duncan leaving with Trent's guitar. What are you up to, Duncan? She followed behind him, not wanting him to know she was on his heels. Of course, having caught most of this drama on tape, they were followed by Chris and his Chris-cam.

"This is too good," Chris whispered. "I can't decide whether to let this go, or to break down myself and help these two blind lovebirds find their way back to each other." He paused. "Eh.. I have to let it go. I can't get involved... plus, the ratings are gonna be phenomenal!"