At first, the weather on the mountain didn't seem too cold. The temperature hovered in the forties. I could handle the forties, I wore layers, I even wore Under Armour therma-wear under everything and Powder gave me little square hand-warmer packets; the beads inside heated up and kept my fingers toasty. I had the hand warmers slipped under my gloves. "It's only for three days," Powder said. Powder seemed to be trying to reassure herself. "And they're setting up a heated tent." She pulled a fake-fur wrap tighter around her head. "I'm going to set up my station." Powder hurried up the path. The rocks on either side of her were khaki colored, and large ridges filled with snow lay in the distance. The whole location was beautiful, and other than Powder's distrust of the outdoors, spirits were high. I drew in a deep breath, the smell of plants and fresh air, was refreshing I'll admit. White snow edging the path sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. Despite seeing snow countless times in my life, I can never stop myself from patting and crunching the toe of my boot into it.

"See, you like the snow," Zach said. "You're playing in it."

I looked up from the white powder covering the toe of my boot and raised her eyebrows. "Just because it's something I don't see super often and interesting doesn't mean I like it."

Zach laughed and pulled me close. "Am I interesting?"

"Mmmhmm."

"So would that mean you don't like me or you do?"

I scrunched my nose and held in a giggle.

"Tell me you like it a little."

I tilted my head back and looked at him through my blue mirrored sunglasses. "Maybe a little." I said

"You didn't see me super often for a long time and I like to think I'm interesting. Tell me you like me a little."

Hm well, you're interesting, good or bad hm you can make that call." I grinned at him. I couldn't see his eyes past his mirrored sunglasses but I knew he was definitely amused with me.

The assistant director stood further up the trail, clapping his mittens together, shifting from one foot to the other, sending anxious looks at the sky. He wanted them locked into three days here: no overtime, no going over budget. "Let's get started and get back to Lincoln." The nearby town of Lincoln served as our base camp. Last night the small group had eaten dinner together in the restaurant at our hotel, forming a new sense of camaraderie and purpose.

I hated to admit it, but these might be my favorite three days of shooting. And believe it or not I honestly started to think that—until it started to rain. Forty degrees was very bearable until you got wet. I huddled in the heated tent as soon as the first drops fell, rolling the hand-warmer packet between my fingers like a rosary. Powder huddled by a heater, staring at her black nail polish. She wasn't outdoorsy. I didn't mind the outdoors at all until I'm freezing, let alone freezing and wet. My hair that poked outside of my head hand that kept my ears warm were damp, despite pulling my coat hood up.

The actors rotated in for touchups and to get out of the cold. I had seen them all except the star.

"Where's Zach?"

One of the actors answered her. "He's in all the scenes, so they're keeping him out there. Filming will slow if he takes a break."

What?! I groaned, I genuinely felt so bad for him. They were having him lay on ice as they filmed in the freezing rain. It literally was freezing rain at this point as it pelted against the heated tent. I grabbed a blanket that was by the heater and a hot chocolate, and I headed for the opening to the tent. The relentless rain, pouring off my umbrella in steady streams, and the muddy ground under my heavy duck boots, made the fifty feet to the shooting area seem much further. Zach sat slumped, tied up on a log by a fire, his character's face defiant. His huddled shivering didn't look fake.

"Cut," the assistant director called. Awee poor guy, he looked so miserable. I moved in and carefully placed the cup of hot chocolate between his icy, bound hands. "Thanks." Zach lifted the drink to his mouth. He made a sound of annoyance and twisted the fake restraints off his wrists. The rope fell beside his boots, soaking into the muddy snow. I lowered beside him. "I'm all wet," he warned when I scooted close. Holding the umbrella in one hand, I used the other to toss the blanket half around him, half around myself, and huddled into him. His body radiated chill instead of his usual warmth. Putting my right arm under the blanket, my touched his soaking shirt. All he was wearing was a long sleeve t shirt that was drenched by the rain that had turned into freezing rain. I slipped my warmed hand underneath his now almost see through shirt and touched him. His skin felt icy against my palm. Zach made a pleased sound and lifted a hand for the umbrella.

"Use both hands." I nodded and slid my other arm around him in a hug, certain his affectionate look was more about my warmth than my company. The nearness made the wetness of his clothing seep against my coat and turned my light blue coat a deeper blue as it got wet. God how is he putting up with this?

"I don't want a house in the mountains either," Zach said, he buried his face in the nook of where my neck meets my collar bone and chest area. His hair was so cold and wet, as if he had just stepped out of a cold shower. "We can just do a day hike sometime." He said into my shoulder.

I grinned against his upper chest in total agreement.

"You should tell the assistant director you're ready to stop for the day. Or at least a real break."

"I'm fine." His body shook. He let out a quiet cry. He was definitely not okay. I felt so bad for him, I know he's tough, he's a spy, but the soft caring side of me knew he was holding in his discomfort to seem tougher.

"Okay," the assistant director said, "We're ready for you, Zach." Zach muttered a cut-off groan in response. Ashley noted in annoyance that the assistant director wore a full parka and had someone holding an umbrella over his head. I gave Zach a small rub against his back and a final pat and lifted away from him. "I'll get a dry blanket and come back, do you want anything else?"

Zach offered me a small smile, and pulled a little on a piece of my blonde hair that was sticking out weird from my hood and shook his head no.

He glanced up at the gloomy, cold, and rainy sky, "You're hair has gotten so much blonder and brighter, kind of like sunshine." He gave me a pathetic look, offered a small smile, he let go of end of my ponytail that was sticking off of my hood. He sat back down against the muddy snow and scooter to the icy part he was supposed to lay against.

"Cam."

I turned around at the call of my name, and saw the freezing rain pelting through his drenched clothes. Yuck, I'm sure he hates life right now.

"Thanks for being my warm ray of sunshine."

The temperature was falling with each raindrop, and Zach's skin felt even colder when when I returned.

Zach said, "I think this is the last shot." His teeth chattered around the words. "They're worried about the condensation on the cameras."

My heart hurt for him, he looked so pathetic, "Here." I said as I took hold of the umbrella and blanket and I monitored for him to come close. He unzipped my heavy coat and slid his hand under my sweater and under my other thermal layers. The icy feel of his fingers against my warm waist made me jump. He tried to withdraw his hand, but I pressed it back in place, and I took his other, placing both hands back against my skin. He gave me a sad, unsure look but didn't pull away this time and soaked up my warmth. The blanket slipped, and I grabbed hold before snuggling into him, one arm around him, one hand clutching the blanket and the umbrella.

"The assistant director suggested I think warm thoughts, like the beach." His teeth practically clattered as he talked.

"If your hands are the indicator, that's not working."

Zach leaned his head into the same nook of where shoulder and neck connect to the rest of my body. "I'm glad I made you come out here with me."

"That's not very nice." The pinging rain became harder pounding rain that blew in sideways. The angle made holding the umbrella over their heads almost useless. I mean hell I might as well let go of the umbrella before I fly away with it in the wind.

"I'm not nice. Tell me something warm to get me through the next shot."

The assistant director warned, "Five minutes, Zach."

"Hmm, well, you could think about the lodge and a warm cozy corner by the fire."

"Are you sitting by the fire too?" Zach asked has his cool breath hit the inside of my neck, making me shiver.

"I'm sitting by the fire telling a nice guy all about the kissing pentagon." Zach stiffened and picked up his head to look at me with bright eyes.

I said, "Too bad you're not nice."

Zach gave me a sad pouty look, "I can be nice, only to a select person." Zach put his head back down into my shoulder.

"Be my sunshine. Tell me about a perfect summer day."

"Hm any day is perfect in the summer especially when it's spent with the right person. It's whoever brings the light into your day."

"Mmhmm that's why I want you to me my sunshine." Then I felt Zach's cool lips press against my neck.

The assistant director called out, "Okay, we're ready. Let's get this last shot over and wrap. The rain at this angle is really getting to the equipment."

I stood from couching down with Zach, and I lifted the blanket with me. Zach surprised me by standing too. He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. "Thank you, sunshine." He pressed his cold lips to my neck and offered a light bite and did that me me shiver, but not due to the cold.

I was assigned to sharing a hotel room with Powder, but that meant giving up all claim to counter space. Powder's stash of cosmetics covered the small area, in addition to every other spare surface in the room. This is so much more than what Macey ever had, she used to make me do a bunch of face cream and stuck but went to bed each night at this hotel slathered in face creams. Now of course my skin looked great in the morning, but not so much at bedtime. Tonight was our last dinner together on the mountain, sticking to schedule we'd leave tomorrow morning.

I couldn't say I was sorry. The freezing rain and snow shit had killed my momentary lapse into being a girl who enjoyed the outdoors.

I looked at my phone to check the time; thirty minutes to fix my hair and dress before dinner. Powder stood at the wood-framed mirror doing her make up, even in the mountains in shitty weather she wore black leather pants, a leopard-print tank top, and an intent expression.

I didn't want to get in her way, so took the curling wand into the bedroom. I finished, and unplugged the wand, wound up the cord, and set it on the desk I had my stuff on to let it cool off for a bit. Opening my suitcase, I snagged a pair of jeans. "Not so fast," Powder said from the doorway, holding a tube of makeup like a weapon.

"We're on top of a mountain." I reasoned.

"So? You're dining with one of the hottest guys on the planet. Well, at least that's what the magazines say, not really my type, but anyway, what kind of friend would I be if I let you go out like that?"

I looked in the mirror, I only put mascara on and nothing else, but I guess that wasn't enough for our last dinner together up in New Hampshire.

Powder patted the bathroom counter. "Up." Even though I just taken a shower shortly before curling my hair, the steam was already gone from the bathroom. I hopped up and let Powder start her makeup. "You can wear one of my skirts," Powder said.

My eyes widened and Powder smacked me on the leg. "Eyelids down."

"You know I only like-"

"Natural but pretty. I know. And I haven't ever gone over the top have I? Trust me."

After Powder finished with a dusting of highlighter, I hopped off the counter and turned to face the mirror, assessing my new look. I wore more makeup than I usually wore, I don't always wear eyeliner but here I am and all fancy with the eyeshadow, completely unsuitable for the weather. I liked it though, however I'd never be able to duplicate the makeup without looking crazed. Well at least yet, I'm learning.

"Thanks." I smiled at her.

"You're welcome. Now put on that black form fitting turtle neck on that you wore under your sweater. That'll work. Black bra, hopefully you'll thank me later for that one and this skirt." Powder held up a skirt that was slightly high waisted but definitely above mid thigh.

"What? Can I at least wear like nice stockings with that skirt? My ass will hang out if I bend over."

Powder shrugged, "Don't bend over. But, I'll reason with you and say you can wear the sheer but nude shade of pantyhose."

Wow, at least she was going to let me layer slightly. Powder held up the black and white houndstooth short skirt and tossed it to me. The hem came to slightly above mid-thigh on me, so the skirt must be a micro mini on the tall Powder. It wasn't much of a layer with the pantyhose though.

Powder said, "We need to go shopping together when we get back."

"Yeah, that would be fun. But don't go crazy with me, I'm a subtle girl." I grabbed my light blue, heavy water proof coat; the put side still felt damp under her fingers. "Ack, don't, what are you doing?"

"Um, it's forty degrees."

"That thing got all wet, I know you have a deep red coat somewhere." Powder shook her head. "And you wonder why you couldn't catch some guys. What are they teaching you girls at Gallagher I guess the uniforms are all you wear?"

"All I'm saying is I will freeze if I go down there like this. I'm wearing a thin mock turtle neck and a shirt skirt and its freezing."

"Please, if some guy doesn't step up to offer you his jacket or a warm arm around your shoulder within five minutes, I'll go without makeup all week." I gasped. "Really?"

"No. But trust me, you'll thank me later."

"Soo uh, I only have duck boots."

"They do not work...hm what size shoe are you?"

"Six..."

"Okay well I'm a seven but these are lace up and tie in the back boots, here."

Powder handed me black suede, thigh high boots, with a heel. I wore a pair of socks with them so the fit a little better and she tied them tight around my calf and the back of my thighs.

I walked down the main stairs into the open lobby of the lodge hotel, arm in arm with Powder, hesitant to hear any crap about my outfit. Then again, I knew Powder would give anyone making a crack a smackdown, I could too but I can't pull any spy moves. I wonder if Zach would say anything to anyone if the made a comment about my short skirt. The bar area was almost full tonight, a few of the crew sat in overstuffed armchairs scattered around the room, but most stood belly up to the bar. Arms waved and Powder gravitated toward them.

The promised warmth of the fireplace's golden flames drew me in the other direction of the grand lobby, by the small coffee bar and café.

The popping crackles of the wood underscored the quiet pop music coming out of the café area, and the burning log smelled like it was from a real tree instead of a ceramic fake gas fireplace.

I took a breath and breathed in the realness, so different from being on set, and then lowered myself to the overstuffed bench right in front of the fireplace. Honestly it was probably more of an over fancy footstool with nothing to lean back against, but I wasn't willing to relinquish the position of the fire even if there was no back of the bench to be comfortable against. The fire heated the skin of my legs where the high boots stopped and the short skirt started, barely being covered by some thin pantyhose. i shifted how I had my legs, trying to expose as much skin as possible to the flames to soak up the warmth. Honestly being in front of the fire made any part of my body not directly in front of the fire chilled, so I had to keep up the rotation to have my shoulders and side warm too.

I sat alone for about one minute, then male voice said, "Can I get you a drink?"

I turned away from the hypnotic orange glow to look up at the guy. He looked college-aged, and had a love of the outdoors. The flannel gave that away.

"Oh, no, I'm good, thanks."

"Not even coffee?" He nodded towards the coffee bar. Now the thought of hot chocolate sounded great but I wasn't going to say that.

"That was killer rain today. Seriously." He took a sip of his beer.

Before I could answer, another guy joined them wearing a Dartmouth sweatshirt. "Dude, my trail was mashed up."

Huh I decide if my sudden popularity was because there weren't many girls in the room or my proximity to the fireplace. Powder returned from the bar holding two pink, bubbly drinks. She handed one to me and winked at the nearest guy.

"Yeah, definitely a day to stay inside." I fake laughed, I swiveled the glass in my hand, wishing the drink was heated.

I turned to Powder, "Thanks. Uh, what is it?" "It's a sweet raspberry drink I figured you'd like, it's almost as sweet as cotton candy!" Powder said. I smiled that she knew I was only going to try some sweet drink and put the chilled glass to my lips. Sweet with a tart after taste, it was some raspberry bubbly juice and something alcoholic. I should have expected it was going to be alcoholic but I don't know why I didn't think of that, I moved the glass away from the flames, holding the stem against my knees.

The Dartmouth guy said, "Dude, we're going to need another round of those." Powder looked him up and down. "You're on the water polo team and you can't handle a little water?" I was kind of impressed, I wasn't super on top of my observant spy game so I hadn't realized his sweatshirt was for the water polo team. Powder had moves. She took another drink. Flannel guy snickered and took a seat by me. I'm not going lie, I was eyeing his his warm shirt layered over a college sweatshirt with a little envy, I watched goose bumps appear on my exposed thighs so I raised the glass I had resting against my legs.

Mr. flannel asked me, "You go to school around here?"

"No," I said. "I'm only here for the weekend. I went to Gallagher Acadmey but going to college, Georgetown, this fall."

"Did you tour Dartmouth College yet? I could show you around."

"It was ever on my list actually, kind of cold, but I wanted to stay in the Virginia, Maryland, D.C. area. What's your major?"

"Urban design."

Now I did have an interest in that but I couldn't reveal who I really was, going to Georgetown to get extra spy training, so I played along. "No way!" I gushed.

"Way." He winked at me.

I batted my eyes and said, "I'm going to be an architect, too."

"Really?" No. But the the flannel guy didn't know that, but he looked pleased as he held out a hand. "I'm Scott."

"Cammie." I took his calloused hand and shook it. Scott seemed reluctant to let go when I pulled back. My only reluctance was that his hand was warm, but that's weird.

"So what's your interest? Building restoration, new design, community planning?" He asked me.

"Mmm, I don't know enough about them to say for certain, but probably new design."

"That's what I thought when I was a freshman, but I totally changed after a few classes, so you should keep your mind open to the possibilities."

"She knows her mind pretty well." A deep stern voice joined the group. I smiled up at Zach and held up my free hand. His returning smile was brooding as he took in my outfit. I braced for a smart ass remark, but he didn't deliver one, he took her hand and squeezed in beside my then said, "When we went house hunting, she knew exactly what she liked."

Scott's smile wavered. Oh shit. Zach was going to play some game with Scott. I gave Zach a side eye look and raised one eyebrow, then smirked. Zach made it sound like they were moving in together. Was he trying to add to the gossip? Or was he being territorial? Wait why would he be territorial? He still can't possible have a crush on me...does he? Whatever I'll dwell on nonsense later. He looked warm in his big cozy navy sweater, sweatshirt thing, branded with a large Tommy Hilfiger logo embroidered across his chest. I leaned back against him and breathed in, the soap he used had some type of woodsy tone, different from his usual stuff, still nice, though, honestly his presence was...calming.

"Well, like I said, she should keep her options open." Scott rose from his seat on the bench, footstool, then bent down and clicked his beer against her glass. "I'm Scott Parrnelli. Find me in the student directory if you want that tour." With those words, he walked away, back toward the bar.

Zach said, "The crew is going into dinner, we are gonna start making our way to the restaurant area."

"Okay." I stood as Zach stood, then looked at Powder and her water polo player.

"I'll hang out here for a while," Powder said. "You two go ahead."

Zach took my hand again and led me down the hall past the row of stuffed animal heads. "Where's the rest of your clothes?" He smirked.

"I thought you were going to be nice tonight."

"Nope, but I'm not complaining about your lack of clothes."

I playfully stuck my tongue out and then said, "Well, my sweater got wet helping out a friend. So it's drying. My blue jacket got dirty from the mud on the trail and crouching next to you. So I have a red thinner coat which I thought would be enough. Guess not."

"Powder didn't have anything?"

"I'm wearing her skirt." That drew his eyes down to her legs.

"Well," Zach took a sharp breath and raised my hand to his lips and kissed the back of my hand, "You look so, so great."

I blushed but recovered with a smirk, "Powder said some nice guy would probably lend me his flannel or sweatshirt. I had a pretty good shot at it too, until you walked up."

Zach sighed, "Cam you know I always would give you the shirt off my back." He reached down, and pulled his thick navy Tommy crew neck sweatshirt over his head. Underneath he wore a white dress shirt.

I grinned and held up her arms. "Touchdown."

Zach dropped the navy shirt into her open arms, I pulled her arms through, the thick sweatshirt still warm from his body. I didn't pull it all the way in yet, I anticipate the material to probably fall to the hem of my skirt, but I hugged the bunched yo material in front of my chest it. "Mmm. Nice, thanks."

Zach pulled my hair free of the collar and patted the length down my back. Instead of joining the crew at a picnic-style table, he led me to a corner table for two. The restaurant's food choices centered around wild game, but in this cold, there was no contest. They both ordered the hot potato soup. I eyed him over the rim of my spoon, blew to cool it and took a bite, eating a creamy square of potato. "I thought over dinner you could tell me about the kissing pentagon you and powder keep taking about." Zach smirked.

I dropped my spoon back into the soup, and the handle made a small clatter against the side of the dish. "You said if I was nice." Zach gave his sweater a sweeping nod. "Is it really a nice gesture, if you do it to get a reward?"

"Yes." Zach leaned closer.

"So, you'd call the kissing pentagon a reward?"

Smiling around her next bite, I nodded. "Intriguing. Will I call it a reward?"

Ashley considered. "Maybe, I don't know what you like. But the kissing pentagon doesn't involve rain."

"Well thank god because I've had enough of that the last few days."

My gaze caught sight of Jason, wearing one of his button-down shirts under a full navy sweater, walking in over Zach's shoulder, he was leading Powder by the arm. Jason seemed annoyed, and Powder seemed satisfied. That would teach Jason to be late. Poor Dartmouth guy, well I wonder what the water polo equivalent of a strikeout was called...

Zach tapped his spoon on the side of the bowl as he scooped up a spoonful, the noise drew my attention back to him.

"It's kind of cool that no one here recognizes you."

"The eight layers and coats with hoods help."

""You'll have to vacation in Alaska," I laughed. "Freedom from photos."

Zach shrugged, laughed and said, "Or maybe it's because there's mostly guys here,"

"They don't scream as much as the women." I rolled her eyes.

"But you didn't scream, either."

"I try to keep you humble." I laughed.

"That guy was being quite forward," Zach blurted our. "He definitely liked you."

"You call that forward?"

"He asked you out when you're clearly with me." Oh? I'm with Zach? I didn't let my happy reaction to his words show. "Well, he didn't take any of his clothes off and throw them at me, like women do to you."

"I inspire passion."

"I should do womankind a favor and keep the kissing pentagon a secret. That knowledge, coupled with your already irresistible self, would be too much of an advantage." I smirked and narrowed my eyes.

Zach finished his soup and pushed the bowl away. "Tomorrow there could be more rain, or bears, or an earthquake. We have to grab the chance at life while we can."

"Really?" I scoffed, "You're giving me the we may not make it out of here alive speech?" I took another bite and stirred my soup as I rolled my eyes at him.

"Is it working?"

I kept my eyes glued to the soup and smiled, "A little. I don't like earthquakes, I don't like cold and miserable." I let the spoon drop and leaned close. "The technique works better as a demo than a speech."

"Yes, show me." Zach popped to his feet, his blue eyes bright, and pulled my up from the table. They looked in the bar area but it was still packed. Zach led me to the front door. "Wait here one second, I'll be right back." He returned within a few minutes carrying a large coat. Coats and front doors meant one thing.

"No way. The weather's too cold and damp."

"You have on a sweater."

"But I'm wearing a skirt." Zach shrugged on the coat. "How long is the pentagon's first step?"

"Not that long." I looked toward the crowded, well-lit interior and toward the exit.

"Okay." Zach opened the door and they slipped outside. The cold hit us, hit me, instantly. It was a damp cold because of the rain. Brr. Zach led me over to the side of the lodge, away from the bright front entry lights.

I was shivering, I reached for him. The building only blocked a little of the bitter breeze. He was going to have to serve as the other barrier if he wanted me to stay out here much longer. Zach wrapped his arms around me and I backed up until I felt the log cabin's wall at my back, and said, "You know what would be great?"

"Hmm?"

"If we do this back in Virginia. Picture your cozy trailer, or even my car in the parking lot. Or hells bells, my house. A bed."

"Okay, yes," he agreed. "But now show me step one, at least." He gave me a pouty look.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest and suddenly I felt a little less cold. I tilted my head back against the log and looked up. He was kind of tall to demonstrate the first step on, unless I had a chair. The night was pitch-black around them, lit only by the lights from the hotel and the ton of stars in the sky, their sheer numbers and brightness something never seen in the well lit Gallagher Acadmey life. The difference highlighted how unreal the night felt. I lifted my gaze to his face, but couldn't really read his expression in the dark.

"Powder told me the steps, but didn't say anything about conditions. I don't know if the techniques work out here in the cold."

"Jeez, now I have to know."

I let out a small laugh. "Okay, I have to reach your mouth to do this."

"So far it doesn't sound that unique."

"You're awfully talkative for someone who wants to learn something."

"That's because I like it when you say nice things about my voice."

Leaning down, Zach tilted his head toward mine. I rose on my tiptoes, I definitely still couldn't reach him, poor guy was leaning pretty far down. But then I saw a better option and pulled back from Zach.

"Hey, see that? What is it? An arbor?" Zach turned his head. A rustic wooden structure stood in the darkness, not too far away. "No, I think it's for people who want to sleep outside."

"When there's a lodge thirty feet away?" He shrugged. "Let's check it out."

The camping structure had a wooden platform about two feet off the ground, three wooden walls, and a missing fourth wall.

"Is there supposed to be a whole bit missing?"

"They left it off on purpose, so you can enjoy the view."

I laughed, "Of the bears?"

"Cam Cam, I'm with you. Climb in. You'll be like those first British explorers who came to America under rough conditions." "My family stayed in England for while." Zach winked then climbed in and gave me a hand up. The inside was dark, and much less chilly without the wind. Leaning against the wall, he pulled me close. "You're tall." My short five two frame was nothing to his well over six foot frame.

Zach slid down the wall to the floor and pulled me down onto his lap. After opening his coat, he pulled me even closer. The wooden floor was cold against my knees and pantyhose were definitely getting snagged, but he was warm. "Mmm. Okay. You start with this—"

I kissed his mouth, a soft, fleeting touch. He pressed upwards and I pulled back, not letting him reach me.

"This one's all about being frustrated." I couldn't clearly see him in the dark, but I could hear the grin in his words.

"Cammie, that's never the goal."