"Good morning!"
Dan nudged the sprawled form of his son with a foot.
"Rise and shine!"
No response or movement forthcoming, Scott peeled back Lucas' heavy sleeping bag. The blond's face was buried beneath his arm; Dan shifted awkwardly, finally lifting his son's elbow and gingerly replacing it across Lucas' chest.
"We've got to get started. It shouldn't be too far." Ten seconds passed. "Might as well talk to myself."
"Or say his name." Nathan crawled into the opening, a decidedly unpleasant expression marring the innocent blush coloring his cheeks.
"You finally up? What, he take a sleeping pill or something?"
"I would." Nathan cast a cryptic glance about Dan's surroundings, letting the full meaning of his words sink in.
"It looks like rain. Cold rain."
"Most rain is cold." Dan shifted impatiently. "Why don't you check the fire?"
"Looked fine to me."
"Get some more wood. I already have coffee on."
"Goody."
"Nathan, if you have something to say, I suggest you say it or wipe that smirk off your face before I do."
"Sorry, Dad. Didn't know morning wasn't your time. Maybe I'll come back later."
"You shut up and tell me what the heck this is all about?"
Nathan raised an eyebrow. "I don't know, Dad. Maybe we don't need to be up at the stupid crack of dawn or whatever they call it. If we're nearly back, why don't we take it easy-or send someone ahead and the other two take it easy."
"You volunteering?"
"Sure."
"I say that we get moving and burn trail. Together."
"Well, looks like we're going to wait."
"He'll get up." Dan cast a dark look toward Lucas' peaceful form.
"If you can beat the pill." Nathan shrugged, easing out of the tent opening backwards.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dan jerked the flap open. "What did you do?"
His son stuffed both hands in his pockets, nonchalant. Well, cold and nonchalant. "Gave Luke a dose from the kit last night."
"Dose?"
"Like he didn't need it. I tried to slip you some, too, but you weren't eating then."
"When is he going to wake up?"
"I don't know. I think he'll manage."
"Nate, why would you do this? You know we're so close-"
"Not close enough. Luke hasn't been eating or sleeping normal since you found him."
"He'll catch up soon enough when he gets back in."
"We aren't you, Dad."
"You get your things together. Now."
Lucas hadn't budged when his father stormed back in.
"On your feet." Dan hauled him up by the arms, but Lucas fell back limply against his chest...a still serene smile parting his lips faintly.
"This is ridiculous." Unceremoniously dropped, Luke stirred, wondering why he was sprawled atop his sleeping bag. He gave a cold shiver, hauling the soft bed up over his ears.
"Mmm."
"Luke-time to get moving."
Dan's hand made him start. Lucas rolled over, eyes half open, as if surprised to see Dan Scott staring down at him, touching his shoulder.
"Good." Dan almost looked happy. Almost. "Let's get going."
Left alone, Lucas flopped back down.
Crazy. He had shared a tent with his "father."
The thought should have done more, but it was only mildly upsetting. Sleep was the all consuming need. Just to relax...X
"What is it with that man?"
Nathan stopped cramming the granola bar in his mouth long enough to follow the direction of Jake's stick.
"I have no idea."
"Practically trampled me to death."
"Jake, you committed the ultimate crime."
"What's that?"
Nathan plastered a fake grin across his face. "You were sleeping, bad boy."
"What, it was like five o'clock!"
"Tell me about it."
"Nate, I thought your dad was shot."
"Well, we can't have everything."
"Hey!"
Dan's burly shape emerged through the dewy pines.
"Get moving!"
"This guy's unreal." Jake rubbed his eye.
"Dad!"
"What!"
"You almost had Jake poke his eye out. Try warning us if you're going to pounce."
"Five minutes." The elder Scott stalked behind one of the tents.
"Ha ha." Jagielski snapped the toasting twig in two. "Eyeball on a stick."
"I can't believe you brought a bag of marshmallows."
"Lighten the air. Or so I thought."
"Pounce was the wrong choice of word. More like bumble. Charge. Crash."
"Okay, Nate."X
"You'd think it was an OD or something." Nathan bent over Lucas' sleeping form. "Maybe he's allergic."
"Or extremely susceptible." Jake shook his head. "If he never takes this stuff, it'd probably work really good."
"Never?"
"Nate, not all of us are pill poppers."
"Very funny. Okay, big brother. Time has come and gone."
"I think your dad would just leave him behind."
"No." Nathan shoved at Lucas' unresisting form. "His pride is at stake. He was the guy who saved Lucas Scott. Uh!"
Jake sighed.
"Luke."
"Maybe if I opened his eyes-" Nathan leant over, intent on his objective, when Lucas shifted.
"Nate?" The blond blinked. "What the heck!"
"Hey! You're awake."
Lucas had backpedaled through clinging blankets, right up against the tent wall.
"What were you doing?"
"Um-nothing!"X
Thanks to all who read and reviewed! ( :