**Disclaimer** I just want to say that I am in no way related or changing Adventure Inc. show in any way, I am just having fun. I am not tied to the people involved in the show. Thank you!

I want to thank marymelon3 for reviewing my story. I really appreciate the feedback, (yes, serene, thank you too :-) !!)

CHAPTER 1

I packed all of my clothes, my laptop, (I need Gabe to reroute the circuitry for long distance internet access AGAIN!!), I also packed all of the books that would fit into my suitcase!!! For the plane ride, I decided on wearing my blue jean shorts with a simple white tank top.

I have never been very flashy. At fourteen, I look more like a fifteen or maybe even sixteen-year-old. I had let my hair grow very long, almost passed my back; I have very thick, chestnut colored hair, and I pride in it.

I am not excessively skinny, like model-size skinny, but I have not become overweight either. I am well proportioned and really tall for my age.

I decided to wear a pale blue and red cardigan over my top. In Seattle, the weather is very cool, even for May; but I knew that it was going to be hot in Miami; where Uncle Judson and everybody would be waiting to pick me up.

I went downstairs after first showering and making sure that everything was packed and that I hadn't forgotten anything. After blow-drying my hair, and pulling it back into a ponytail, I went downstairs to the smell of fresh pancakes waiting to be eaten.

"Alright, Cadence, I made blueberry pancakes and bacon. Do you have everything ready, are you all packed?"

My dad and I hadn't been away from each other since my mother died. My father, Dr. O'Neil, had been working on some special research for the government for the past five years. Now he had to go to China for some more research; so I am going to spend the whole summer with my uncle Judson on the Vast Explorer.

"Yes dad, everything is ready."

"Oh, good, now, here is my address in China, for whenever you need me. I'll e-mail you as soon as I get there."

"Thanks dad, now, let's eat those pancakes before they get cold!"

We ate the pancakes and bacon amidst conversation. My eyes drifted over to the clock after a while and I gasped.

"Dad, look at he time, we have to go to the airport; it is 5:30 am, I need to be at the airport by 6:00!!"

"Well, what are we waiting for? I'll get your suitcase, you go start the car!"

We got to the airport at around 6:00, but by the time we got through customs and checked my suitcase, got the to check-in line, it was almost 7:00! My dad couldn't go to the gate with me, some passengers only rule, so we said our 'good-byes'.

"Now, baby, you have your passport, right? Got your tickets, my address, and phone number, e-mail address? Do you remember where your terminals are? Oh, uh, what about sunscreen, uh, hat? Bathing suit?"

I gave him a big hug and kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you, dad, and I'll see you soon, okay?"

"I love you too, Cadence, you're right. I'm just going to miss you so much baby!"

"I'll miss you too, dad!"

Without another word, I walked through the gate, handed the flight attendant my ticket, and then walked through the gate.

The airplane was really full, it took me about almost ten minutes to get to my seat. I was in H-3, a window seat, and luckily, no one was sitting next to me. The flight was long, from Seattle to Miami.

For about seven hours, I read around three novels about romance and dragons and riding off into the sunset with the cheesy music and all.

Since I rode in coach, I was given a turkey club sandwich with a coke. I think that the mayonnaise was older than I was.

The flight was uneventful, but I was glad when we finally landed in Miami.

I waited to leave the plane until most of the other passengers had already left. Once I got off the plane I went to get my suitcase. I got my bag after first dropping it on my toes.

After asking a security officer where the bus to the harbor was, I made my way to the door. When I arrived at the bus, a man took my suitcase for me and another took my ticket and I got on the bus and found my seat.

This bus was like a tour bus; very big. The seats were similar to airplane seats. There was a fold-up tray, a cup holder, and air conditioning.

The bus ride was about twenty minutes long; they provided drinks and some nuts. I was just falling asleep when the bus came to a stop.

Once again I waited until most of the people got off the bus before I stood up and got out.

It was very hot and humid, so I took off my cardigan and put it in my carry- on. I got my suitcase and found a harbor official.

"Excuse me, sir, but can you please help me. I am looking for The Vast Explorer."

Then I saw them. Uncle Judson was walking with Mac and Gabe right to me.

"Uh, never mind, sir. Thank-you anyway!"

I ran up to them and they all hugged me in turn.

Mac then asked, "What have you been up to Cadence?"

"Oh, you know, planning world domination, plotting to overtake the Senate; you know, girl stuff!"

"SSSHH," Uncle Judson said, "Do you want the whole world to hear our secret plot?!"

Gabe then said, "I bet that you are hungry, right?"

"Yes, very!"

"Well, I made you a little treat to quench your appetite."

I was expecting Gabe to give me some warm German potato salad; my all-time favorite dish. Instead he gave me a disk.

"Ta-da! New software. This baby will upgrade your long-distance Internet, you'll get quicker service, cleaner pixels, everything!"

"Wow, thanks Gabe! I was going to ask you to upgrade for me!! You read my mind!"

"Well," Uncle Judson spoke this time, "Why don't we get back to The Vast Explorer and catch up there. I am sure that you are really hungry, so let's go put your stuff there, you can freshen up; and then we'll go out and celebrate. It is really god to see you again, Cadence."

"I am so happy to see all of you guys again! Two years is too long!"

We all linked arms and walked back to The Vast Explorer, Uncle Judson pulling my suitcase.

"Here you go Cadence!" Gabe took the suitcase from Uncle Judson and brought it to my room for me.

"Thanks, hey, after dinner, can we look at my computer. I'd like to load the new software."

"Sure, you know, it is real good to have you back kid; I like being able to talk to you about stuff. Mac and Judson are worthless when it comes to computers!"

"Thanks, I am glad that somebody finally agrees with me!" We did our little secret handshake and then he left so that I could freshen up and change for dinner.

Mac came in later while I was putting my clothes away. "Hey Cadence!"

"AAHH! Oh, it's you; you scared the crud out of me, Mac. What's up?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing. Maybe catch up a little. How are you?"

I figured she was referring to my mother. We hadn't had a lot of communication since the funeral.

"Oh, you know, I'm pretty good. I am dealing, I mean. I am doing really well in school. I am going to miss junior high, though. Is high school scary?"

"Oh, you are going into high school? I can't believe it? I mean, I remember you when you were just a little six year old losing your first tooth. Now you are going into high school! Hey, do you have a boyfriend??"

She could tell the answer by the look on my face. "Cadence! Oooooo, tell me all! What is his name?"

"Well, actually, I don't think that he really is my quote boyfriend. I mean, we always hang out a lot and go to movies and stuff. His name is Daniel, and we have known each other a long time. We are really close friends. We went to the spring dance together."

"Oooohh, you little fireball!"

We were sitting on the bed now, my hunger forgotten.

"Mac! He is really sweet and sort of different. I don't mean different like 'challenged', but he has really blue eyes and the most gorgeous brown hair. I can tell him anything. Well, I can tell him almost as much as I can tell you!"

"Wow, he must really be special! Well, I will let you freshen up. I'll tell you what; I know where everything goes, so, why don't you take a shower while I put your clothes up for you, okay??"

"Thanks, Mac, you are so wonderful!"

"Nah, anything for you, Cadence!"

I took a refreshing shower, brushed my teeth, washed my face, and dried my hair. I pulled my long hair back into a half ponytail. I put on a frilly, flowery, magenta, knee-length skirt with a white t-shirt. I wore my summer sandals with the single blue strap with a big silver buckle on each shoe.

When I came out about forty minutes later, Gabe let out a whistle.

"Wow, Cadence, you certainly have grown up!!"

"Now Gabe," uncle Judson let out a warning, "Do you want to find out what it is like to be the hood ornament of a ship??!"

"Warning taken, Judson. Can we go now? I am so starving!"

We walked about two and a half blocks to this little Mexican restaurant where you eat on the porch. There were big torches that lit up the porch with a nice little net to protect you from hungry, pesky little bugs.

I ordered the chicken quesedila with extra sour cream, Mac ordered a whopping plate of nachos, Gabe ordered the beef fajita, and Uncle Judson ordered the bean quesedila. After we ate dinner, we walked back to The Vast Explorer. I told them that I was really tired and I wanted to go to bed.

"Guys, I am pooped. Can I call it a night?"

"Sure, Cadence. Do you want me to come and put you to bed?" Uncle Judson was almost asking me, so I said, "Sure, Uncle Judson, I would be delighted.
Give me five minutes, okay, so that I can get ready for bed and everything."

"Sure."

I went to my room and opened the door. I walked into the bathroom and took down my hair. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, came out and started to undress. Once I had gotten my pajamas on, I put my clothes away in my closet. As I opened my closet door, I let out a scream.

A hooded person wearing a black windbreaker with a black ski mask jumped out of my closet!! I let out another scream, hoping that somebody would get the message. I ran to my desk, grabbed the night lamp, aimed, and flung the porcelain lamp with little fluffy bunnies on it (**Serene's doing**). The lamp made contact with his thick skull as he let out an 'uummph', and fell to the floor.

At that moment, the door flung open, and Mac, Gabe, and Judson came flying in; Mac was holding her favorite gun.

"Well, it's about time, guys!" They could tell the anger in my voice. "It's a good thing that it wasn't a REAL emergency, or I might have been dead!"

"What happened Cadence?" Uncle Judson finally closed his agape mouth only to say something.

"Well, this person was hiding in my closet, he came out, and I hit him with a lamp. I hated that lamp!"

"Cadence," Mac was a little concerned, "Exactly how hard did you hit him?"

"I just threw the lamp at him! What, you guys didn't show, I had to take care of myself!"

Gabe then said, "Well, I'd hate to make you angry, Cadence; where did you learn to hit like that?"

"Daniel. He taught me how to throw, he is a pitcher for the youth baseball league."

"Oh." Was all that Gabe said.

"Who is Daniel?" Uncle Judson asked.

"UUUHHH....." Mac and I just looked at each other and then she winked.

"Well, Uncle Judson, I am really tired now, so can I please hit the sack?"

"Alright. Gabe, let's get this man and take him into the living room. We'll interrogate him when he comes to. Good night, Cadence!"

"Night!"

Before Mac left, she said, "Anyone else comes out of you closet, yell and I'll come and break their necks!"

"Thanks! I'll sleep better knowing that!"

"Oh, and Cadence, Daniel will remain my little secret!"

"Thanks! Night Mac!"

"Night Cadence!"

I turned the light off and went to sleep, wondering what adventure would happen tomorrow!