Author's note: Hmmm... this might hit 100, after all...

OOOOOOOOOO

"Sweatshirts and jackets, guys," River said cheerfully as he reached for a sweatshirt of his own to be an example to them. Luckily, the Air Force Academy didn't make brightly colored sweatshirts – or other articles of clothing – so they weren't going to have to worry about being blinded that evening on their way to dinner. River was wearing jeans and a white sweatshirt with a simple academy logo on it – mundane colors for the Californian. So normal, in fact, that Ian was wearing the exact same thing – although his sweatshirt was navy blue. Shawn had opted for shorts – to show off the fact that he was actually getting a tan on legs that had been hidden under uniforms all school year – and was wearing a light jacket.

"I'll go get a table," Ian said, more than willing to beat the rush of kids and counselors to the cafeteria.

River and Shawn both nodded, and started double-checking the kids to make sure they had warm clothing on – although there would be a little time after dinner to go change. They'd already learned, though, that it took far more than just a little time for seven six-year-olds to get ready for anything, and were preparing in advance.

Since the counselors that were saving the tables almost always ended up heading down the hill at the same time, it hardly surprised Ian that he ended up walking with a few of them. Cody was one of the counselors that was with Hank in his cabin, but Ian hadn't had much contact with him, and Kelly, who had been the older female counselor who Ian had used as a meat shield the first night of camp were both walking by when he stepped out of the cabin, and he pretty much had no choice but to walk with them. Danin trotted up to catch up with them only a moment later, and she took the position on the outside, sandwiching him between her and Kelly, which was okay.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Ian?" Kelly asked, glancing over at him.

"Yes."

At the moment he was, anyways. Of course, he wasn't surrounded by screaming kids, either.

"Good."

"We're going to try and convince Gary that we need to do less singing and more storytelling or something," Cody said, proving that he'd spoken to Hank recently.

"Why's that?"

"Because we hate singing."

Kelly laughed.

"Good luck. Gary loves to sing at campfire."

"But this isn't campfire," Cody said, looking to Ian for help. "This is campout night – and we won't have a fire. It'll be perfect for storytelling."

"We can save the singing for another time," Ian agreed. Like a time when he was home. Or for that matter, when he was offworld.

"Good luck," Kelly repeated, shaking her head and smiling. She didn't sound like she had too much faith in their plan. Ian was just grateful to hear that another one of the counselors was willing to forgo singing – although he did notice that it was all the guys who seemed to not enjoy the singing and the women who didn't. It was probably a genetic thing or something.

OOOOOOOOO

Dinner was rushed. It took no less time than they normally did, of course, but the kids – at least the ones at Australia's table – wolfed down their chicken, potatoes and corn as fast as they could, as if they thought that the faster they ate the sooner they would all be excused to get up to the field. The boys were so excited about the upcoming campout that Ian thought they were going to pop, and he couldn't help but be amused by them. Especially when they tried to rush their counselors, who weren't eating fast enough for their liking. Even dessert – which was chocolate cake – was gobbled quickly; more because of them being in a hurry than because of the normal greed of a six year-old.

Finally, when the tension in the room – because Australia wasn't the only table that was excited – seemed about to become unbearable, Gary finally stood up from his position at the staff table and walked to the front of the room. It was immediately quiet.

"Everyone get enough to eat?"

The kids responded loudly, practically wriggling in their chairs, but Ian was pretty sure his guys hadn't even tasted their dinners. Gary grinned; knowing that they were all excited, and was just sadistic enough to draw it out a little.

"Anyone want seconds?"

There were groans of anguish, and Ian and River exchanged an amused look. This was pretty funny.

Gary obviously thought so too – although he took pity on the kids far quicker than Ian might have.

"Okay, campers, this is what we're going to be doing tonight. Up in the field are eight large tents. They're set up just like the cabins are; in the same order, and with the boys on one side and the girls on the other. In between the tents is a very large metal bowl. If I find anyone touching the bowl – or anything in it – you're not going to get to participate in the campout tonight. Understood?"

There were murmurs of agreement – although it was obvious that the kids were curious about this large metal bowl, too. They wouldn't do anything to ruin this campout, though, so none of them were going to touch it. Even if it had been filled with chocolate.

"When I dismiss you, I want you to go back to your cabins and grab your pillows. You'll take them up to the field, and find the tent with your cabin's country on it. Put your pillows in your tents on one of the sleeping bags that you'll find there and then meet in the empty part of the field so we can explain what we're going to be playing. Okay?"

There were shouts of agreement. Excited shouts that threatened to deafen the room, and Gary wasn't the only adult in the room to smile.

"Okay, up to your cab-"

He was completely cut off by the mad rush of kids as chairs were pushed back (a couple fell over, complete with the kid that was in it) and the children swarmed for the doors, talking excitedly among themselves. Ian started to push his chair back as well, and felt a gentle hand on his back. He looked up and saw Mandy had come and was standing behind him.

"Don't forget to stop at my cabin so I can take care of your back," she reminded him. The only reason he was able to hear her at all was because the majority of the kids had left the room.

He nodded.

"We'll meet you in the field," River told him, gesturing to himself and Shawn. There was no way the kids would stay calm for however long it took Ian to get his back lotioned. Shawn nodded his agreement.

"I'll be right there," Ian told them, standing up. If she was ready, then he was, too. His back was once more killing him, and the lotion she'd used earlier must have some kind of pain reliever in it, or something, because it had done a good job of allowing him to forget just how red he was. For a little while, anyways.

Besides, he didn't mind missing the first game or two if he could avoid it. He was clean and dry for the first time since he'd woken up that morning, and he wouldn't mind staying that way for a while.