Metamorphosis

Disclaimer: I own nothing

A/N:

Chapter 21 (Game of Chess)

After searching around for Lindsay, Trina finally found her friend in the lounge of the mess hall. There was a television in front of the girl. Beside Lindsay was Travis. The two had cowboy hats on and were watching Walker Texas Ranger.

She was stunned, since she never realized Lindsay was a fan of the show. Before she could interrupt and say anything, the two began to sing along to the theme. "Seriously?" Her hands fell to her waist and her eyebrow rose.

Patiently she waited for them to finish, smirking when they finally did. "The eyes of ranger are upon you…" Her eyes lifted skyward and she turned her attention to the right. Jason was leaning against a counter, his elbow on the surface. His right ankle crossed over his left, and in his right hand was a cup of water.

"I never thought Travis would find a girl to watch that show with," Jason laughed. Trina approached him and leaned her back against the counter, propping both of her elbows onto the surface and dangling her hands over the edge.

"Do you like the show?"

"A little bit, but it's not something I watch on a regular basis." Jason took a drink of his water and exhaled as he turned his gaze to the television. "I mean it's got enough action for me. I prefer action." Trina let out a contemplative hum. She enjoyed some action films and shows, but not all.

"I like action a little. I enjoy comedy now and then, but I really enjoy scary movies and crime dramas." Jason flashed a grin at her. Trina caught the smile and blushed. "Maybe we could watch something together sometime, unless this is the only television in camp."

"Nah, I have certain 'amenities' if you will. They give me a television in my office." Her heart jumped to her throat and her eyebrows started to rise. "I'm usually too busy to watch anything, but eh, I could make some time for you if you really wanted."

"Sounds good." She glanced at Lindsay. She was impressed when the girl laughed out and put her arm around Travis. Her face softened and her lips curved into a tiny smile. "They're good for each other, I think."

"I'll agree." He set his now empty glass into the nearby sink and turned to her. "I've been standing here about five minutes or so and they have hardly noticed me." She laughed.

"Great. Here I wanted to see if Lindsay wanted to do something."

"You too, huh? Travis and I were supposedly going to play a game of chess. Lindsay showed up with Walker Texas Ranger." He crossed his arms and Trina chuckled once more. It seemed like they were almost being pushed into a third wheel position by their friends.

"So what's happening here? Our best friends hook up and all of a sudden we're left alone on the sidelines?" Jason's hands slid down and gripped the edge of the counter, his elbows bent behind him and his mouth turned up into a slick smirk.

"Well, I don't know if I'd say we're alone on the sidelines." He looked at her and she blushed. It was evident what he was referring to, and she was still processing that she got into a relationship with him.

"I don't mind playing chess with you." She leaned her back against the edge of the counter, using her hands to support herself. Jason's eyebrow rose and he turned towards her, seemingly sliding in front of her. Her breathing held in her throat and her eyes slid down his still figure. "Um…I might not be that good, but it's something."

"How often do you play?"

"Not often enough." She smiled coyly and lifted her eyes to his lips. She took a deep breath and cleared away the lump in her throat. "Usually play against a computer or something. You?"

"My uncle gets me to play a game of chess on a regular basis. Travis and I tend to play online once in a while, he's my chess partner around here." She pushed her upper body forward. Her tongue slid across her lips swiftly. "You still want to play? My partner's got a girlfriend now, so I may need a new partner."

"Well. You are dating somebody now. Maybe you can teach her how to win at chess, hmm? I'll give you a kiss?"

"Tempting. Can I have that kiss now?" His eyebrows rose and she felt a sudden shyness sweep over her. She bowed her head a bit and began pulling her hand through her hair. His hands moved to the sides of her torso and his gaze fell into hers.

"Yeah." She giggled once, then mentally scolded herself for it. "I need to stop doing that."

"It's cute."

"Oh." He tucked his right forefinger beneath her chin and Trina tilted her head back. "I'm not just some little schoolgirl though."

"No, you're not. You're more than that, I can tell." He was searching her eyes. Her lips were a centimeter apart and her body heat was on the rise. Her eyebrows slid together and lifted in the middle.

"What do you see in me?"

"A beautiful woman with many layers that she hasn't let anyone see." He leaned in slowly and her eyes moved towards his lips. She moved her arms around his neck. Her lips trembled nervously, anxious and waiting. "Maybe you'll let them out, show people who you are."

"I don't know who that is. Everyone rejects me before they know me."

"I won't." She closed her eyes and leaned in, meeting his tender kiss with her hungry lips. A fire rushed through her body, and every nerve and muscle in her was reacting to the electricity of his touch. She pushed herself up, pressing herself against him and moaned as his strong hands slipped to the small of her back.

"Ya'll going to play chess or make out?" Jason pulled his head from her and Trina broke out in a sudden gasp. Behind them, Travis and Lindsay were twisted around on the couch and smirking at them. Travis's elbow was hanging over the top of the couch and his eyebrow was up. "Damn Jason, I thought you didn't like PDA."

Jason's face reddened and Trina covered a growing smirk of her own. "I um…" He stepped back from her, clearing his throat. "Guess I'm guilty." He ran his hand over the back of his neck and looked at her with a smile.

She raised her shoulders and peered around at the otherwise empty room. "No one else was around," she replied. It might be a good idea for people not to see the head of the camp making out with one of the campers in his group, though.

She bit her lip, still tasting his on hers. She looked up to him and sighed. "Maybe we should keep our dates private, Jason?"

"I think I can agree to that." She didn't want to get him in trouble and certainly didn't want to get in trouble herself, although she didn't see why either of them would.

"Well, before we agree to no PDA…" She swung her body left and right, smiling sweetly at Jason. She brought her hand to his right shoulder and he glanced at it, watching as she slid it down his arm. "Maybe one more kiss?" Now she was certain she was being far too forward, but the thrill of that euphoric rush from his kiss was overwhelming.

"I think I can manage that." As he began to lean in, her pulse grew swift. Her eyes shut and her lips separated. Trina could almost feel his lips brushing against hers, so she closed her hand around his and let her body relax.

All of a sudden she felt him pull away. Disheartened, she opened her eyes and frowned when she saw someone walking into the area. It was one of the group leaders. "Jason."

"What?" He growled and turned to the interruption.

"I have this week's group report." Jason's eyes narrowed and the man stopped to look at him. His eyes slid from him to Trina and his lips formed a circle. "Um, I'll just put this in your office."

"I'd appreciate it." With that, the man spun on his heels and darted out the doors. Trina sighed heavily while sliding her hand along the back of her neck. It was hot to the touch and clammy from sweat.

Jason turned to her, practically spinning on his heels, then pulled her into a tight embrace. She met his kiss with a startled gasp, then turned her head slightly as she closed her eyes and let the fire between them grow.

He pulled his head back after several seconds, and his lips were turned into a handsome and cocky smirk. "So, how about that chess game?" Trina swooned. She felt her legs giving out from under her, so she wrapped her arms around his body.

"Yeah…"

"Is she going to be okay?" Lindsay teased. She shot her friend a glare and pulled away from Jason to place her hands on her hips.

"Of course I am. You get back to your Chuck Norris show." Lindsay started to laugh, so Trina ignored her. "Where's the chess table at, Jason?"

"Right this way." He motioned with his hand and smiled at her. Trina hurried in the direction, excited to be able to try her hand at this game of chess. As she followed him, she looked over her shoulder to see their friends smirking at them.

"So, what do I get if I win this, Jason?" The chess table was a simple table with a chair on either side. Jason pulled a chair out for her and she took a seat, careful to make sure there wasn't any dirt on it.

"Another kiss?" She smacked her lips and hummed at the thought of another one of his tender kisses. "Are we playing for prizes?"

"Well, I feel like I'd get a kiss out of you anyway…" They would move on from the kisses soon enough, but that didn't stop her from enjoying them. They gave her a strange sensation, and this man gave her a feeling that she'd never quite felt before. "I'm really just looking forward to seeing where we go from here."

"Me too." A slick and handsome smile spread across his face that sent her heart aflutter. She leaned over the chessboard, smitten with him, and watched as he removed the pieces from their small container on the side. "So, playing for keeps. How about winner chooses next date activity?"

"I think that works." She remembered seeing the small loveseat for two in his office, and of course the private television, so her heart was set on cuddling up with him and watching a movie. "How about watching a movie with you in that office of yours? Just me and you?"

"I could see that. I have to bargain something else then?"

"Yeah."

"Let me think." Jason scratched his chin and slid the corner of his lip up. "Well, being head counselor, I know a few secrets. Like, there's a diner just outside these woods that surround us." Her eyebrows shot up and her stomach started to growl. "I win, we could check that place out? There's a nice little hiking path to it as well, we could pass right by this huge lake…"

She put her hand to her abdomen and growled. "God you're making me hungry, stop that!" Jason chuckled softly and began setting up the pieces. "I know there's some sort of move where no one actually wins, so if that happens…can we do both dates?"

"No reason we can't do both anyway. I wouldn't mind the cuddling part." Jason leaned back in the chair and spread his hands outward over the board. "So, game on."

On to the game of chess. Well, we won't actually see the game, I have no actual reason to write out the entire gameplay since it doesn't pertain to the plot so much...but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Observations?