AN: Wow, this chapter gets a bit deep. I don't think I'm good at dialogue, so I don't really write much of it, in case you haven't noticed. ^_^ Umm…I really only hit a few things in this chapter. Next one's the fun one. ^___________^ Snitch is going to have a few problems gaining Artemis' trust again. ^_~

Shouts!

Gryff: Ach, I don't know what to say to you. I know some of what you have planned, and you know what I've got planned (I think). We just need to talk soon. ^_^

Maddie: I'm glad you liked that one. ^_^ It made me feel all warm and fuzzy too.

Cassie: Yeah, I've got the Camp History binder practically memorized. ^_^;; Is much fun, especially when I can just spout off random facts like that. All that history was off the top of my head.

Christine: You don't know that! And yes, it's fun getting the stuff Gryff doesn't cover. ^_^

Kristan: Eh, I'll get to you eventually. I'm gonna try to work in something with you and Snipeshooter at the pool…? It'll be fun, trust me. ^_^

A few girls from Laurel Oaks showed up, along with Rain. Swifty, apparently an early riser, brought the half-dozen girls from Sunny Banks, and Gryffin and Blink brought the girls from Trails End. Artemis, having been entrusted with the spare set of pool keys by Harmony the night before, opened the gate and subsequently the shower room door, telling the girls they could enter. Normally she didn't volunteer for Polar Bear, prefering the Midnight Swims, but there weren't any this week. So, she'd volunteered Polar Bear with Eeyore and Vash.

Now, it just happened that Snitch was there, too. And Artemis would rather have Snitch there than Vash, any day. She settled in on one of the three milk crates and Snitch and Eeyore took flanking positions. Swifty and Rain sat close discussing their respective lives, and Gryffin sat leaning against the fence, Blink's head in her lap.

The girls played quietly as Artemis huddled into her sweatshirt, mug of tea-thank God for tea-grasped in both hands. She'd grabbed her whistle earlier, not that she planned on using it much. Eeyore, however, hadn't planned that far ahead.

"Shit," she muttered. Louder, she said, "Damn, I need my whistle. I'll be back in a second Arty." Artemis nodded, trying to keep her eyes open and on the water. Eeyore's frantic half-scream woke them all up. She burst out of the Guards' Room and raced to Gryffin. Gryffin coaxed the story out of her while Artemis continued doing her job…and shuddered when she heard. That was just…wrong.

As Eeyore was calming down, Orchard showed up for once in their lives. Nike entered the pool area with her usually audacity. Artemis relayed what had just happened to her, and Nike grew first shocked and then, when she saw Vash at the other end of the pool, an almost malicious smile appeared on her face.

Artemis tried desperately to ignore the brutal conversation at the other end of the pool, and when things got louder, she quickly called the girls out of the pool. As they exited, she turned to Snitch, who was still lying half-asleep against her. She quickly kissed his cheek. "Snitch? You gotta get up now, it's almost time for Flag."

Snitch blinked groggily, rubbed his eyes, and stretched quietly. "Okay," he said softly as he stood and pulled Artemis up after him. He pulled a little too hard and she stumbled into him. Taking advantage of the situation, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick hug.

Pixie, who was bringing the rest of Laurel Oaks to Flag, smiled when she saw Artemis and Snitch hugging on the deck. It made her think back to last night…she blushed and looked at Bumlets. He was an excellent dancer and singer, and having a theater group this session with him was wonderful. They'd been up late last night, talking over staging techniques, and, well, they'd been discussing stage kisses.

She'd said something about stage kisses not being real if it were the first time the couple had kissed. Bumlets had responded with a searing kiss for her, one that took her breath away and sped her heart up. She'd been forced to concede the point to him.

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Jem called an emergency meeting of the Pool staff immediately after breakfast. Eeyore had told her the story, and now the WD was determined to figure out what exactly had happened. Artemis, sensing this meeting would not likely involve her much, grabbed her pillow from the Guards' Room,** pulled her towel down from the fence, and set up on the deck to catch a little nap time. Their first group was not until the afternoon, so when Nike showed up, Artemis was a bit surprised.

"Whatcha here for, Nike?" The older girl was standing at the gate and Artemis was facing her. She merely pointed to behind Artemis, and the younger girl made the mistake of looking. Vash's disgustingly hairy back was bared for all the world to see, and his red swim trunks were sliding down his back…revealing a large, hairy plumber's crack. It was foul.

"Oh God!" Artemis quietly exclaimed, whipping her head back around. Nike nodded and grinned widely. "Is it just me," she said loudly, "or is there a bit of a BREEZE here?" Artemis' eyes widened and she put her hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. That was so typical of Nike.

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Artemis sat with Luna at lunch that day. The other girl, while normally occupied with her own problems (ie running the barn), noticed her friend's distress. She herself had the afternoon off, and decided that sleep and talking to Artemis were the only two things she'd get done before dinner.

The young blond had withdrawn into herself. She couldn't believe Snitch had said that to her. Especially after…March. She'd had her heart broken then, and now, someone was doing it again. He looked so young, and she didn't blame him. She was too jaded, too cynical. Swallowing, she kept the tears at bay until her table, Giggle Patties and all, was dismissed. Luna, for once, took over the duties of Head and let Artemis return to their tent. There, the tears began to flow.

By the time Luna arrived, Artemis was sobbing quite heartily into her pillows. Luna sat on the edge of Artemis' bed and calmingly rubbed her hand in circles on her back.

"S'just not fair," she mumbled into the pillows. "I don't need this again, I thought I went through it once already." Luna sighed.

"Boys are jackasses and not worth your time, honey." This, rather than comforting her, caused Artemis to cry harder. Luna sighed. It would be a long afternoon, and that nap looked long in coming.

End Chapter 5

Just be nice, please!