"Last chance to have some kind of emergency so I don't have to go…" Ian said, standing at the door to the house, watching while Shawn and River loaded his trunk with an assortment of camping supplies.

"Sorry, Ian," Sam said from her position beside him. "I can't think of any reason to make you stay." Not one serious enough that it would make Hammond change the orders, at any rate.

"I can think of a million reasons I shouldn't go…" Ian muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.

She felt just a little guilty, knowing that this was – a little bit – her fault. Overlaying the guilt, however, was a lot of worry. She could think of a million reasons he shouldn't go, too. A hundred of them, anyways.

"Just try not to kill any kids, okay?" Jack said, coming up behind them, holding Jake, who was freshly cleaned of all the milk that his godfather had sprayed on him. "And don't teach them any new words. Understand?"

"Fine."

"And watch Shawn…"

Ian nodded.

"I will, Jack."

"See you in a week, then."

"Six days."

"Who's counting?"

"Five days, three hours, forty-five minutes and…" Ian looked at his watch… "…Twenty-five seconds."

Sam smiled, and gave him a quick hug, as Shawn and River returned.

"We'll see you soon."

"Yeah."

She released him and hugged Shawn and then River – just because.

"Be good, you guys."

"We will," River promised with a grin. "And we'll try to keep Jerky Boy here from self-combusting, too."

"Screw you, Hayden."

Ian moved off the porch and headed for his car and Shawn and River followed rather than risk being left behind.

"Shotgun!" River called, grinning at Shawn, who scowled.

OOOOOOOO

The drive wasn't so bad – despite the destination. Ian liked driving, and he especially liked driving his car. They stopped for gas and junk food, and then headed towards the mountains, following Shawn's directions. The day was sunny, with only a hint of clouds and although they had the rush of wind from driving with the top down, there wasn't a breeze aside from that.

When they pulled into the parking area of the camp a couple of hours later, Shawn couldn't help but smile, excitedly. He knew Ian wasn't happy about this, but he had fond memories of this place, and he couldn't help the way he jumped out of the car when they came to a stop.

"It's perfect camp weather," Shawn told River and Ian, looking towards the main building.

There weren't a lot of cars in the lot – they'd arrived early enough to get settled in before any campers arrived, and to have a chance to attend the counselor meeting that would be held to discuss the week ahead – but Shawn was hoping to see someone he knew.

"Lucky us," Ian muttered, getting out of the car as well. He took off his sunglasses, looking around.

The main building was fairly large, with a rail porch going all the way around the front – Ian couldn't see if it went around the back as well. There were a couple staircases leading up to the porch, and a couple of doors leading into the building. Beside the parking area was a small hill, and Ian could see cabins nestled among the trees at the top of the hill. It was a nice looking place. If you liked that kind of thing. Which Ian didn't.

"Sweet looking place, Adams," River said, looking up the hill and then down past the main building where there was a glint of sunlight off water.

"Yeah." Shawn came over to stand beside Ian, getting his attention without having to do anything. When Ian looked over, Shawn gave him a serious look. "These people are friends of mine, Ian," he said. "Do me a favor and try not to be a jerk…?"

He started to say something smart-assed, but stopped himself just in time. Shawn had been coming here for several years, and Ian knew that he really did like the place. It wasn't his fault that Ian had been forced to come, and he wasn't going to take it out on him – or his friends. If he could help it.

"No problem, Adams."

Shawn didn't look quite convinced, but before he could say anything, one of the doors opened, and a man came out of the main building. He stopped only a moment before heading their way, and Shawn grinned.

"Shawn! It's good to see you, young man."

"Hey, Gary."

They shook hands, and Shawn turned to River and Ian.

"These are my friends; Ian Brooks, and River Hayden."

Gary smiled, offering them both his hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Gary Hines, Camp Director."

"Nice to meet you, Gary," River said, shaking his hand warmly. River never met a stranger, after all. "You mind if we call you Gary?"

"Not at all. Not at all." He took Ian's hand as well, and could tell immediately that the dark-haired young man wasn't nearly as excited to be here as Shawn and River would, but Ian forced a smile. "I'm glad you could make it. We're very short handed this week."

"That's what we were told," River said, speaking up before Ian could say anything. "We're glad to be here."

Some of them were, anyways.

Gary's smile grew.

"We're going to have a quick meeting when the others show up," he said. "Until then, feel free to look around and get to know the place. Shawn can show you around. The names of the cabins are different this year," he warned Shawn, "But the boys are on the left side, and the girls are on the right. You and your friends will be with the youngest boys, in Australia."

"Great."

"When you hear the bell ring, come down to the dining room."

"Okay."

He headed back for the main building, and left the three of them alone.

"The youngest boys?" Ian repeated, watching as Hines vanished into the building.

Shawn shrugged.

"How old are we talking, Adams?"

"I'm not sure, Ian. The ages change week by week. It could be anything."

"It doesn't really matter, Brooks," River said, heading up the hill. He'd been in the car long enough to be ready to walk some kinks out. "Little kids are a kick. We're going to have fun."

Ian scowled as Shawn trotted up the hill to join River.

"A kick, huh? I'll bet…"

Right in the groin, probably.