Chapter 20: Caffeine and Chicken

A/N~ I have a huge Spanish test next period, but instead of studying, I'm here writing a chapter. You better appreciate this. Like I said in one of those notes in your chapter, why haven't I really kissed Aragorn? He has all that manly stubble and in real life, I wouldn't be able to stay away. But in this story, I have. Am I broken? Anyhoo, here's the next chapter in Nessa's POV.

A/N2~ I'm sorry about the format. My computer's being screwy. Why do you need to study? I passed all those tests with 'A's and I never studied. You haven't kissed him because I don't want you to! Yes, you're broken. No! Wait! I remember what happened the last time you were broke! Nevermind! You're fine!!!

Disclaimer:

Me: Uhhh... too tired to think up a disclaimer and my computer's being psycho right now & I dunno how to fix it! Ahhh!

Boromir & Aragorn: Hi. We had to say something for it to be a good disclaimer.

Me: True. It's good. Now, leave me. I'm gonna sleep!

Boromir & Aragorn: OK.

"I'm gonna kill her!" I muttered to the group at breakfast. "She's driving me nutzo!" (My specialty!) Christy was still hopping around the dining area, stroking her 20 oz. Bottle of Vanilla Coke.

"I love caffeine! I love caffeine! I love caffeine! Oh, and Tolkien too!" she continued to sing, while practically jumping off the walls.

"It'll get better," Courtney said. "She's almost onto her 'calming soda', so she'll calm down in a few moments." (I have a 'calming' soda now?)

"I hope so," Legolas commented, holding his pointed ears closed with his hands. "If she doesn't shut up in the next 5 minutes, I'm leaving."

"I agree," Kitty said.

Just then we heard, "Uh-oh. No more soda. Caffeine go bye-bye."

"Yea!" we cheered.

"Finally!" Courtney said, exasperated. "I didn't realize how much 20 ounces really was." (It's 1 pint (I love pints!) and 4 oz!)

"I found another dollar!" Christy cried. "I'm gonna go buy another drink. I'll be back in a few moments." Then she skipped off to the vending machines.

I started to rise and chase after her, but Aragorn held me back. "Let go! Let go of me! I'm going to kill her! I figure, if I kill her then we won't have to listen to her proclaim her love for caffeine." (But...but...but...I love caffeine...)

"True," he answered. "We wouldn't have to her babble about sodas. Does anyone object if I set her loose?"

A chorus of 'no's and one 'yes' erupted. Merry was, of course, the only objector.

"(I do the bidding of Baal!) Shut up, hobbit-boi!" Kitty screamed. "If she's not going to shut up on her own, we're gonna make her." (She's one to talk; you can hardly get her to shut up!)

"No! But...but...she'll calm down eventually." (He sooo does not know me! Cuz, no I won't!! I refuse!!)

"Fine," Courtney said. "I give her 5 minutes. But if she doesn't calm down, Aragorn, you have my permission to let Vanessa go."

"Yea!" I squealed, clapping my hands in glee.

Christy then walked out, holding a bottle of Cherry Coke this time. "What'd I miss?" she asked, quite normally. "It's a funny thing; I don't remember anything past buying a coke this morning to right now."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas muttered. (That's, like, my favorite line by Eggo-my-Leggo boi.)

.~*~.

Since we awoke a little late, and we had to wait for Christy to calm down, ½ the day was already spent. So we decided to spend the remainder of the day at the hotel pool.

"Wow!" Sam cried, looking at the size of the pool. "That is way too deep!"

"It's only 6 ft," I retorted, shedding my robe and jumping in the pool. "Come on, Sam; it's nice and warm."

He shook his head. "I think I'll just lay here, thanks."

Just then, Gimli appeared. He was wearing only a hunter green Speedo (don't own that either (thank God!). See I'm getting better with the disclaimers. Can my sedative come back?). "How's the water, lass?" he asked.

I couldn't answer. My eyes were just about bulging out of my head at the horrid sight in front of me. I looked at Christy, who wore an expression that matched my own.

"What...when...where on earth did you get that?!" I asked, slightly flabbergasted.

"This? Why, I found it in the laundry room. I can't understand why anyone would leave it behind."

Just then, John and Josh R. Walked out of the hotel and headed to the pool area. Josh caught sight of Gimli, looked him up and down, and cried, "That's my Speedo!!"

"It is not!" Gimli shouted.

"Is too!"

"'Tis not!"

"Oh, well, you look good in it," Josh said and winked at the dwarf. "I'll see you around." Then he turned to John," Come, dearest. I have a surprise for you."

John's eyes lit up. "Oh, how I do love surprises!" And the 2 of them walked back into the hotel.

"Well, that was um...interesting," said Courtney.

An hour later everyone, save the hobbits, but not Merry, and Gandalf, were in the pool playing "Chicken." I'm sure you can tell who was with whom, but for your entertainment, I'm going to tell you anyway. Christy was, of course, with Merry; Kitty was with Legs; I was with my hott- n-sexy-ranger-with-a-nice-butt; Courtney was with Boromir, since Pippin and water don't mix, and I don't think she'd be very happy with Gimli; and Gimli was the referee. Now, on with the game.

Gimli blew the whistle (I dunno where he got it from. But I don't care! It's just a frickin' story!) and the game began. Christy, being the witch that she is (ya know I'm joking, right? Right?!), attacked me first. She tried to push me, but I had too good a grip on my greasy (but still hott) Ranger. "Die!" she screamed.

"Never!" I yelled. But too late, because I slipped and plummeted into the clear water. When I resurfaced, I saw that Courtney had fallen too, so we waded across the pool to wait for the game to end.

It didn't take long, though, because Kitty delivered a nasty blow and the game was over. "That's no fair!" Christy whined. "You had an Elf!"

"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked (DUH! Leggo is, like, 2 or 3 feet taller than Merry, so she's about a yard taller and just had to kick me to get me off!! Grr!)

"I...don't...know. But she cheated! I know it!"

"Whatever," Kitty said. "Let's call it a day; I'm tired and hungry." She then turned to her husband. "Get my towel. Oh, wait, get my towel, please. I have to start learning manners, before the baby comes."

.~*~.

It was late. Really late. Like, 1 AM late. Got it? It was late. I awoke with a start. It was that horrid dream again (refer to fic #2, if you don't remember). I looked around the room. Everyone was sleeping soundly. 'At least that means I didn't scream out loud.'

I decided on going for a walk to calm myself down. So I grabbed by UT (University of Texas) sweatshirt and headed out the door, closing it behind me. As soon as I did this, though, I remembered that I had failed to grab the key. "Damn!" I cursed under my breath.

I blew it off and headed to the pool area. There wasn't anyone there, thankfully, so I sat down on one of the lawn chairs. It was a semi-cool night and I was thankful that I had my sweatshirt. Sitting there was quite relaxing, so I decided to close my eyes for a few minutes, before trying to find a way back into the room.

A few minutes after I had closed my eyes, I heard someone open the patio door. "Might I join you?" a strong (sexy!) voice that I knew all too well said behind me.

I opened my eyes and looked up; there, standing above me, was Aragorn. "Sure," I answered, moving over to allow him room to sit down. "You didn't happen to grab a room key before you left, did you?" He shook his head. "Darn."

"Are you cold?" he asked.

Since I was only in a pair of lounge shorts and my sweatshirt, I was pretty cold. "Yeah."

He put his arms around me and pulled me close. (Can anyone see where I'm going with this? *Grins evilly* I love toying with boys' emotions.) I made a mental note to rub it in Christy's face that my man was romantic; all she ever does is make out with Merry. (She says that like it's a bad thing! It's a very good thing!)

"It's nice out tonight," I commented as I looked up into his penetrating blue eyes. Ooooo...melt!! Slowly, I leaned up towards him for a kiss, closing my eyes in the process.

"There you are!" I heard someone yell. I opened my eyes and turned around. Christy. She always interrupts my intimate moments. (What can I say? It's my specialty!)

"Yeah, we're here!" I called back to her.

"Well, come on, you two. It's cold."

I gave Aragorn an apologetic look and a goodnight kiss/hug before following my best friend inside.

A/N~ Sorry I was so mean to you, Christy. You know I love you! Well, not love you, but you know what I mean. Your turn!

A/N2~ I'm seriously starting to think Alex was right about you. I mean you say you love me, you never make out with Aragorn, you make my conveniently appear during an intimate moment...the list goes on! ^.^ J/J! Review!