Ben had just finished his shower, he reached for his blue jeans and green long sleeved t-shirt to put on. As he was getting dressed he wondered if Kailey had gotten up yet and tried to get in the shower. He knew she was going to be mad at him for stealing the shower and in all honesty he wasn't sure why he had done it. He was doing a lot of stupid things around her lately but he just couldn't seem to help it. He towel dried his hair and left his room on his way to the kitchen in search of food. As he passed through the living room he stopped at the sight of Kailey in the dojo. She was still in her pajamas, a light blue tank top and blue and yellow plaid pajama pants. She was doing what looked like Tai Chi movements bending and swaying to silent music. The sight of her made his heart beat a little faster. He hadn't realized how much more focused she'd gotten. She must be practicing a lot. Just then Brennan and Jesse walked in to the living room from the kitchen.
"Hey man. What's up?" Brennan said as he and Jesse stopped to say hi. Brennan looked from Ben to Kailey and he noticed a slight flush creep up Ben's face.
"Oh, I was just waiting for Kailey to finish. I thought I'd apologize to her for stealing the shower this morning." Ben said quickly, trying to explain why he was watching her.
"She was pretty ticked at you." Jesse said with a chuckle.
"I'll bet," Ben replied glancing in her direction again. "Think she'll forgive me?"
"I am sure you'll work it out." Brennan smiled and he and Jesse continued on to where they were going. The conversation had caught Kailey's attention. Ben walked towards the dojo and picked up the towel lying on the stairs and handed it to Kailey. She took it but offered no thanks in return.
"Look I am just going to say it," Ben started, "I am sorry that I took the shower."
"It's not just about the shower. You seem to be deliberately annoying lately. Why?"
"I know I have been and I don't know why." That wasn't entirely true he did know why. Lately he'd been feeling things for her that he shouldn't be. She thought of him like a brother and he thought that by making her mad at him he might get mad a t her and not feel so strange when she was around. The only problem was he hated it when she was mad at him. "I think I am just messed up by everything that's happened." This made Kailey soften a little and she sat down and gestured for Ben to join her.
"Are you okay?" She asked concerned. "We haven't really talked about your dad dying."
"I am fine really, just a little overwhelmed." Ben sighed.
"Well if you ever want to talk, about anything, I am here." She said looking him the eye, searching for some sign that things were okay. He smiled.
"Promise; but really I am okay."
"Good, then I won't have to feel guilty for beating you for stealing the shower." Kailey laughed as she playfully started to punch Ben.
"I surrender!" he yelled and through up his hands.
"And you won't steal the shower any more?" She challenged.
"Cross my heart." Ben crossed an x over his chest with his fingers. The two continued to laugh when Shalimar and Emma entered the room followed by Adam.
"Nice to see you two getting along," Adam said with a smile.
"Morning Adam, where have you been?" Kailey asked.
"In the lab, where else?" Shalimar answered, rolling her eyes and smiling. Just then Jesse and Brennan entered the room arguing about what kind of music was better.
"Good I am glad we're all here. I have something to tell you." Adam started.
"Oh, not another mission; even crime fighters need a day off every now and then." Shalimar wined playfully.
"Actually, I was going to suggest that we take the day and go to the beach, I hear it's supposed to be 97 degrees today."
"That sounds totally fun!" Kailey exclaimed. Everyone seemed to like this suggestion.
"Alright then everyone get your stuff." Adam said and everyone rushed off to their rooms
The group met back in the living room in thirty minutes. Kailey had on a yellow sundress and matching visor, Ben was wearing blue board shorts with orange stripes down the side and an orange t-shirt. Brennan had on his brown swim trunks and a white tank top and Jesse was wearing green shorts and a grey t-shirt. Brennan couldn't help but look over at Shalimar in her red bikini top and matching sarong, her strong abdominal muscles glistened because of the suntan lotion she was wearing. Shalimar didn't seem to notice Brennan staring at her as she took the picnic basket from Emma, who was wearing a black racer back bathing suit with cut off jean shorts over top, but Jesse noticed and gave Brennan a little nudge to bring him out of his stupor.
"Hey, what was that for?" Brennan asked pretending to be confused but Jesse just smiled.
"All right are we all ready to go?" Adam asked. He, of course, was wearing a dark grey suit with a black t-shirt underneath.
"Adam is that what you're wearing to the beach?" Kailey asked as they were heading towards the double helix.
Adam just smiled and said, "Unlike some people, I have no desire to expose my skin to harmful UV rays."
"Uh, sunscreen." Kailey said sarcastically and everyone laughed.
Once in the helix Ben, Jesse and Brennan started to make a bet about who could build the best sand castle.
"Winner does the other twos' chores for a week." Brennan proposed.
"You're on." Ben and Jesse both agreed.
"Who's going to be the judge?" Ben asked.
"I say we leave it to the lovely ladies." Jesse schmoozed as he turned to smile at the three girls in the back of the helix. They just rolled there eyes at the attempt at bribery.
"No fair, he's sucking up to the judges and we haven't even started yet." Brennan laughed.
