It was around the wee hours of dawn when AJ came to. The large bonfire that had kept the camp ablaze with warmth was reduced to ashes. A conflagration is in order, he concluded, noticing the scantily clad girls and the bruised up Domon. It'd be easier to just wake them up or something but AJ knew better than to disturb females in their sleep. The thought of the damage they'd do to him sent a wave of cold shivers down his spine.

With little or no discretion, AJ went out to the woods alone for firewood. The idea of being harassed by wildlife seemed ludicrous, but AJ knew better than to tempt fate. He still remembered how he almost lost his leg during the championship game last year. The good thing was that he threw the game-winning pass to Domon, who ran the touchdown. The bad thing was that Seitte, the rusher of the opposing team, sacked him after the ball was in the air. And because of Seitte's extra thirty-five pounds over him, AJ twisted his leg badly and nearly had to have it amputated. He'd never forgiven Seitte after that incident…

With an armful of twigs and wicker, AJ took off toward the camp. He never finished his thought. Instead, his attention was focused on the beautiful hotel that was right in front of him. A sign near the entrance read: "Grand Opening of Guyana Hotel. Housing free of charge for one week only!" A side note mentioned something about hot springs. AJ grinned, finally understanding why there'd be hot springs in the middle of the forest.   

"Eh, maybe I should tell the others?" AJ asked, his eyes set on the majestic hotel. It would be an interesting topic to bring up…maybe another bet was in order?

Coming to his senses, AJ hurried back to the camp.

He didn't want the others to wake up and find him missing.

Allenby looked around frantically. Domon stared absently into the forest, Rain following suite. Allenby glared at Domon.

"Where the hell's AJ?"

Domon shrugged, his red bandanna undone and his unruly hair turned even more boisterous.

"How should I know? That guy comes and goes whenever he feels like."

Rain stared Domon down.

"Domon!"

Domon turned his attention to Rain, a look of confusion the expression of the day.

"What?"

Rain jerked her head in Allenby's direction.

Domon nodded in acknowledgment, giving her the thumbs up for a tacit answer. From what Rain had told him, Allenby had gone through a lot in her life, probably the reason why she was so cold toward men. The quivering form of Allenby muttering to herself was living proof of this fact.

"Let's go find him, okay?"

Rain looked expectantly at Allenby. She nodded and gave her friend a small smile.

"Okay. I just hope he's all right."

Domon grimaced, disgusted by the fact that AJ was getting more attention than he was.

"He's a big boy," grunted Domon, giving Allenby a disheveled frown. "He doesn't need people to worry their minds out for him."

Allenby flinched, her sea-green eyes dilated at Domon's words. Maybe he was right. She had not been herself ever since she met AJ. For one, she had caught herself wearing more revealing outfits in hope that AJ would notice. She was also concerned about AJ, something she had never shown to a guy. And from day one she met AJ, Allenby had found herself worrying about what he would think.

Maybe she was in love…

Allenby shook her head instinctively. There was no room for those kinds of emotions in her busy lifestyle. She HAD been in love once, and was crushed ruthlessly as if she were a mice and Chibodee a cat.

She had talked to Rain about her feelings at one time.

Rain, being the good friend that she was, expressed her opinion on her dilemma.

"Don't think, feel."

Those words were engraved in her mind from that day forth, but not one guy piqued her interest prior to her meeting AJ.

Rain's voice brought the young blue-haired girl from her thoughts.

"You coming or what?"

The tone of her voice was not meant to serve as a warning, but to curiosity.

"Yeah, no, sorry. Let's go."

AJ approached the group, confused as to what they were planning. Domon had a pack full of what AJ thought was rations, and the girls were clad in less form-revealing articles of clothing. What the hell was going on?

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Domon turned his head toward his direction. Looking irritated, he glared at Rain before stomping off into his tent mumbling. Rain shrugged, threw AJ a dirty look, and followed Domon into the tent.

Allenby took a seat near the diminished fire.

AJ went over and took a seat near her.

"Hey, what's going on?"

Allenby gave him a fake smile. "Oh, nothing. It's not important."

AJ looked perplexed when he noticed the fake smile but shrugged it off. "Anyway, I went to get some firewood and guess what I saw?"

"I don't know. What?"

"Guess," urged AJ.

Allenby stared right into AJ's eyes after recovering from the excitement in his voice.

"I give. What are you so excited about?"

AJ looked slightly put out, but recovered. "There's a hotel right here in the forest. It's free so I was wondering if we could head out in that direction maybe tonight? Of course, we have to ask Domon and Rain and see if they're interested."

Allenby smiled, an idea forming in her mind. It was a dirty trick, but the protests from her self-conscious lessened as her thirst to toy with AJ took over.

Slowly, she walked over to AJ and sat upon his lap. Allenby nearly fell to the ground into fits of laughter upon seeing his reaction.

She contained her urge however. The fun was just about to begin.

"Yeah, that sounds like a great idea," she whispered huskily into his ear. "Are you sure you want to ruin our plans by inviting Domon and Rain to come along?" Summoning up all her courage, Allenby pouted in a cute and innocent way. She would have to kick herself later for doing that.

AJ, however, did not catch her drift.

"I'm sure Domon will be fine if we leave his out, but Rain might not be so pleased with us. I think it best that we invite them."

Allenby sighed. A part of herself wanted to smack him upside the head and yell in his ear, "I'M TRYING TO SAY TAKE ME!!" but the other part wanted to kiss him for being so considerate to others. Torn by those two emotions, Allenby settled with a nonchalant expression.

"Okay, if that's what you want."

"Great! I'll go tell the others."

AJ placed a hand on Allenby's shoulder. That simple gesture meant more to Allenby than AJ would ever know. She felt a sensation perusing throughout her being, shuddering with the overwhelming bliss that she was experiencing from that one single touch.

In more ways than one, Allenby found herself wanting AJ even more.

Too bad he declined her proposition to leave Rain and Domon out in the wilderness.

TBC