Author's note: In answer to a question in a review: I don't draft my chapters when I write them, I just write them. Most of the time (but not all) when I start a story I have an idea of what I want to have happen by the end, and usually make it up as I go along. Sometimes, though, I have to outline it in advance, because there are sometimes things that HAVE to happen, and if I don't outline it, I might forget to put it in… especially since things are coming to a head with the series and I'd hate to miss something important

OOOOOOO

Janet was well aware that of the three, she was the one least dressed. Of course, that wasn't exactly her fault. She'd been beamed in with just her nightgown and sweats – and felt fortunate to have those. Before they left the lodge, she mooched a pair of Andrew's aunt's flats, because there was no way she'd be able to drive in bulky ill-fitting boots, and retained possession of the sweatshirt he'd brought her earlier, which at least sort of went with her sweats. She didn't think she'd need a jacket, since they certainly weren't going to be driving with the top down.

"Ouch…"

Andrew had his first look at Ian's car in the mid-morning light, and he understood why the cadet had seemed so glum that morning. It was badly scratched in several places on the hood – and one spot on the front quarter panel, that looked like maybe one of the bear cubs had started to slip and had dug in a back claw for added grip.

Ian scowled as he looked the damage over – it didn't look any better now than it had. Fucking bears.

"It can be fixed," Janet assured him, opening the door and moving the seat forward so Andrew could slip into the back seat. "It's not like you're not insured, after all."

Ian didn't look mollified, but he just sighed as he went around to the passenger side and got in. It didn't look any better from this angle, though, and it was going to kill him to have to look at that hood the entire way home.

Janet slid behind the wheel, but a minute later they both got out of the car, Ian coming around to the driver's side so Janet could get the car keys out of his pocket, since his bandaged hand couldn't fish them out no matter how hard he tried.

"Sorry about that…"

She gave him a slight smile, knowing just how hard it was for him to allow someone else – especially someone old enough to be his mother – to drive him around in his own car.

"Don't be, Ian. When the stitches come out, you can keep the bandages off. Until then, just remember to put everything in the left pockets."

He nodded, and they got back in the car. Janet started the engine, and backed out of the parking area, while Ian looked over at the area of the woods that the bears had all vanished into the night before.

OOOOOOOO

They came upon the road crew only a short time later, and sure enough there was just enough room for the car to get through, with a huge wall of snow on either side of the small opening. A large snowplow was waiting for them, and when Janet came to a stop to see what they wanted her to do, the guy in the cab of the great machine waved her towards the opening in the snow, which really looked like a tunnel without the top. Janet waved her understanding, and headed for the entrance.

It was slick and bumpy, and Ian had to admit that he wasn't so sure that if he'd been driving he wouldn't have put the car nose first into one of the snow banks. Janet was a better driver than he was; he had to admit – in the snow, anyways. He'd never admit that she was better on the open road, and he'd never admit anything out loud, but he did breath a silent sigh of relief when they reached the other side of the opening.

He wasn't the only one.

"That was spooky…"

Andrew's voice was just a little shaky – which was how Ian felt, too. And he could tell Janet was fairly relieved as well.

"How is the rest of the road?" She asked, turning to Ian.

"Not like that," he told her. "Unless they fu- messed it up, too."

She pulled the car to a stop beside yet another rig, this one a snow mover, instead of a plow. There were several men standing there, bundled up in bright yellow coats and pants and looking decidedly chilled. One of them pulled down the ski mask that had been covering his face as he walked over to the car.

"Made it, I see."

Janet recognized the voice as belonging to the man who'd called them earlier. Grossman.

"It's pretty slick," she said.

He nodded his agreement.

"We sent mail up to the various residents that are serviced by this road warning them that we'd be doing avalanche control this weekend. I can't for the life of me figure out why you all didn't get the word, but we're really sorry about what happened."

"No harm done," Janet said, giving him a smile.

Ian scowled, glancing at the hood of his car again. Bullshit.

Since he was on the other side of the car, Grossman didn't see his look, however, and he nodded.

"The rest of the road's okay," he told Janet. "This is the only part that was blocked."

Which saved her the trouble of asking.

"Thanks."

Grossman turned back to his men, and waved Janet on through.

OOOOOOOO

Sure enough, the rest of the road leading from the interstate to the lodge was packed snow and ice, but wasn't any worse than it had been when Ian had driven it the day before. Janet was far more used to driving those conditions, and she took the turns faster than Ian had, although she was far from reckless. She was just in a hurry to get home and was certain they felt the same way. Not that the company was bad – it was far better than she'd expected – but she would have liked some underwear.

When she turned onto the freeway, however, Ian spoke up.

"Will you pull off at the first store you see?" He asked, breaking the silence.

She glanced over.

"Hungry?"

"I'd like a pop."

"Me, too," Andrew agreed. "And something to eat."

Teenagers. Always hungry.

Janet nodded.

"Sure thing, guys."

She wouldn't mind having another cup of coffee and maybe a snack, too.

Ten minutes later, she turned off on an exit, and pulled up in front of a gas station.

"Want something?" Ian asked, fairly certain she didn't want to get out of the car dressed like she was.

She smiled.

"A cup of coffee and some kind of muffin, please."

Andrew got out on Ian's side, and Janet watched as a guy walking out of the store stopped and looked at the hood of the convertible, frowning at Ian, whose bandaged hand gleamed brightly. As if he knew immediately that the injury had something to do with the car, the man shook his head.

"What happened to you?"

Ian closed the car door, but Janet heard the answer just fine. And it proved that while Ian might be making an effort with those around him, his attitude towards stranger hadn't changed much.

"None of your fucking business."