Notes: It may seem that Vic and Star are tapped out and writing any old durge that comes to mind, but that is not the case. Actually, Sun is the most structured fic that we have ever tried. There are a lot (and I do mean a lot...) of hints as to what will happen in the next series. So please stick with us. We love you.

Chapter 8: Fun in the Sun

By Victory Thru Tears

Adam's POV

I check the mirror one last time, just to make sure my hair looks alright. I hear my mother chuckle from behind me, and I turn around, immediately defensive.

"What?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

She waves her hand at me, an amused expression on her face. "Nothing, sweetie. So, I take it Charlie's coming today?"

"Yes..." I try to say it indignantly, but it comes out with a slight giggle. Yes, a giggle. Stupid Charlie. Only he could make me giggle.

My mom laughs with me, and finishes with a sigh. She rubs my shoulder affectionately, smiling slightly.

"My little Poppet, growing up so fast..." She murmurs.

"Ok, Mom, if you even think about calling me Poppet in front of my friends, I will...do...something embarrassing." I say, wriggling out of her grasp. "Don't think I've forgotten Christmas, when you showed Charlie those stupid baby pictures."

"Oh? You'll do 'something embarrassing'? Like what, throw a temper tantrum? I just said you were growing up, that would sort of counter-act the progress, sweetie." She says with a grin.

Before I can reply, I hear the doorbell downstairs. I nearly jump out of the door, I'm far past simply eager to answer it. My mom laughs, and waves her hand.

"Just go. And don't forget to put on sunscreen, we don't want you to be a burned Poppet."

I shoot her a glare, before running down the stairs. While still in the hall I can see Charlie peeking through the front window, grinning. He waves, and I quickly open the door. He's standing on the front porch, along with Fulton, Portman, and Guy. The second the door swings open, he flies into my arms.

"Charlie, why do you always do that? Back at Christmas you almost knocked me off my feet, too. You've been hanging around Taz too much." I admonish, though beaming the whole time.

He shrugs, and drops a kiss on my lips. That's when I notice the glances that Guy, Fulton, and Portman are giving one another.

"What?" I ask, still holding onto Charlie.

"They didn't believe me when I said that we were back together." He informs me, glaring at them for good measure. "They just laughed."

I raise my eyebrows at them, and almost simultaneously their three faces split into grins.

"We just loved seeing how mad Charlie got when we pretended not to believe him. It was quite the show." Fulton confides in me.

I laugh. "I bet..."

I lead my friends to the backyard, and the pool. Fulton and Charlie immediately start to race each other to the diving board, stripping down to their bathing suits. Guy and Portman follow, but at a much slower pace. I'm about to join them, but I hear a car door slam in what is presumably my driveway. I walk around the side of the house, hoping to catch this person before they ring the doorbell. Halfway there, I hear a loud Irish voice. I'm tempted to turn around and pretend that I didn't hear her, but I sigh and continue walking.

"Hi guys." I call as I step onto the front lawn.

"Hello." The lesbians chorus, almost in unison. I grin, and motion for them to follow me.

Once back near the pool, Maya holds up a bag.

"We've got to change." She says.

I nod, but catch the gleam in Taz's eye. "Uh, sure. But do me a favor. No soiling my house during kinky adventures, ok?"

"Oh Adam..." Taz grins as she and Maya walk past. "All the fun's gone if you're not involved!"

I raise my eyebrows. Did she just insinuate a threesome? Man, she is so weird!

I shake my head, and turn my attention back to the guys. They're horsing around in the water. From the looks of it, they're trying to pull down Guy's shorts. Good thing Luis isn't here, he'd only think we were trying to 'turn' him.

I turn around to toss my t-shirt onto a pool chair, but catch a flash of red. I look up, shielding my eyes against the sun. Damien stands in the window of his house, looking down at me.

I wave, grinning. It takes him a second, but he does the same back.

"Wanna come over?" I ask loudly. Yeah, it's sudden. But the guy looks like he could use a friend. And I don't mind filling the position.

Damien thinks for a second, then nods. I grin.

"See you in a few minutes, then?" I call up.

He nods again, flashing me a quick smile. Then he draws the curtains.

"Hey Cake eater!"

I whirl around, just to get hit in the forehead by a frisbee. I blink a few times, and look around. Charlie stands about fifteen feet away, grinning madly.

"You're dead, Spazway!" I yell at him.

"Not if you can't catch me!" He shouts back.

So of course, I start running. I run right into Charlie...who happens to be hiding behind Fulton. I slip on the water by the edge of the pool, and the three of us fall in with a gigantic splash. So that's why they have signs that say 'No Running' by pools...

I sputter to the surface, frantically kicking my legs to stay afloat.

"I thought Ducks could swim." I hear an amused voice say from above me. My heart nearly stops. I know that voice...and it's not pleasant to hear...

Fulton, Charlie, and I all stare up at Riley.

"What are you doing here?" Fulton growls.

Riley holds up his hands in mock self defense. "Hey now, no need to get feisty, little mallard...Daniel just forgot his wallet."

We all turn to stare at my brother, who has just appeared from inside the house. Danny shoots me a glare, and then nods his head at Riley. They walk around the side of the house together, while we stare silently after them.

"When did Riley become friends with your brother?" Charlie asks me.

"No idea." I shrug. "But maybe it's not a bad thing - they're made for each other."

Charlie smirks, not quite a smile. I turn around to say something to Fulton, but I spot Connie sitting in a pool chair next to Guy. Good, all of my guests are here, except Damien.

"Hey Cons!" I call over to her.

She glances in my direction. "Hi Adam!"

"You coming in?" I motion to the water.

She nods and grins."Yup, in a little while."

Guy taps her arm excitedly, and she turns to him. He says something, I can't hear what, and she bursts out laughing, clutching his arm. What is this, now? Since when did Connie and Guy start acting like old friends? Well, they are old friends, but...they never act like it...not since last year happened...

I turn to Charlie, eyebrows raised. "There's some weird stuff going on..."

He shrugs, somewhat darkly. "Hey, she's your friend."

"Charlie..." I start, but am cut off by a large splash. Water sprays into my face, and I let go of the hold I have on the edge of the pool.

I come up, sputtering and wiping water from my face. Portman grins toothily at me.

"Sorry."

Before I can retort an answer, I hear my mother's voice calling my name. I look up to see her hanging out of a window.

"Adam, did you put sunscreen on?"

I exhale in irritation. "No, mom..."

"Well do it. I can already see you turning red from here!"

I sigh, and slowly climb out of the pool. I sit down onthe patio, and start putting on the cold lotion. I hear the gate creak open, and look over to see Damien walking into the backyard. I grin at him, and he comes to sit by me.

"Thanks for inviting me." He says somewhat softly.

I chuckle. This guy's pretty shy. I continue putting on my sunscreen, and Damien studies my friends. I watch him intently, looking for a reaction. He meets my eyes, looking oddly neutral.

"They're a great bunch....once you get to know them." I tell him.

He nods. "I bet."

I look down, then quickly back up. It occurs to me that I've just repeated Bombay's advice, given to me when I first joined the Ducks.

I smile. Hopefully, Damien will fit in with the Ducks just as well as I have.