"So are you going to stay for the bonfire tonight?" Rory asked Dean as they went for a walk around the grounds.

"Can't. It took me three hours to drive here and I've got school tomorrow," said Dean, taking her hand.

"You'll stay for the debate though, right?"

"Of course. I'd love to see Paris in action," Dean joked. "She's very…determined, isn't she?"

"Not the most commonly used adjective for her, but yes."

"Hey," said Dean stopping to face her and take both her hands into his. He looked in her eyes. "I need to discuss something with you. It's serious."

****

"Couldn't wait to see me, Kate?" said Tristan, handing the tall girl a can of soda, as he made himself comfortable on the carpet of his cabin.

"Something like that," said the girl, flipping the tab.

"How's your mom?"

"Good, good. She sends her love and a basket of muffins."

"Muffins?" Marcus' ears perked up as his head popped out from above the bunk bed.

Kate threw him a muffin.

"Muchos gracius babe!" said Marcus, catching the muffin. "See, Tris? Told you I knew languages."

"So how are things going with you and Rory?" Kate asked.

"Man, who HAVEN'T you told?" Marcus asked Tristan.

"Eat your muffin, Marc," Tristan advised. "Things are going good."

"Good?" Kate asked. "Elaborate."

"I take it you saw her boyfriend?" Tristan said.

"Yeah, I recognised him from that mug shot you drew," Kate laughed. "He's tall."

"Mmhmm."

"And cute," she added.

"Mmhmm."

"And he's the reason why she's not yours?"

"Mmhmm."

"Kind of…bad for you, huh?" Kate sympathised.

"Mmhmm."

"Poor Tris."

"Yeah, poor Tris," said Marcus, showering the pair below with pieces of muffin as he talked.

"And you're not even going to try and steal her away?" Kate urged.

"Nope. It never works," Tristan said. "Besides, she's happy. And Dean's actually a good guy. Bugger it!"

AN: Okay, I'll update again tomorrow. I've got it all planned out… it's only afternoon here so maybe I'll post the rest tonight if I get around to it. By the way, was the whole Dean/Tristan chummy thing too unbelievable?? I needed it to happen for the plot. So sorry for the OOCness of it all. Dang it! I forgot about disclaimers. D'oh! I always do this. I'll put it in with the final chapter (should still be about two or three more to go…) Dang it! I forgot to do disclaimer for my other fic, too! Grrr.

It's been a while since I've thanked my reviewers, so…THANKS MATES! I really really appreciate it!