"Where's River?"

Ian shook his head.

"Don't ask, Adams. You don't want to know the answer…"

"Oh?"

It was apparent from his tone of voice that Shawn did want to know the answer, and Ian shrugged. They were on their way to the cabin to get the kids ready for campfire – it was still raining like a sonofabitch and Ian was glad that the canopy was up to keep them at least somewhat dry – and since the boys had rushed up to the cabin ahead of them, it was more or less safe to answer without big ears hearing.

"He's off with someone."

"A female someone?"

Shawn wasn't stupid, of course, and he knew River even better than Ian did.

"Most likely."

If he wasn't, then Ian didn't want to know about it.

"He's not planning on being gone long, is he?"

Not that Shawn was worried about him and Ian being able to handle the kids – Ian acted like he didn't like the boys, but Shawn knew he'd never let anything happen to them – he just didn't want things to get too out of hand with River. There was always a chance the Californian and whomever he was 'with' could get caught in a compromising position, and Shawn hoped that it wouldn't happen, because it would be worse than scandalous, and it wasn't something that either River – or the camp needed to deal with.

"He'd better not be," Ian drawled, telling Shawn that he was pretty much thinking the same thing.

"We'll-"

They'd reached the door of the cabin by then and it was thrown open even as Shawn started to say something, revealing Sammy and Brian, who were just as wet as Ian and Shawn – only they were inside, now.

"How long until we get to go down?" Sammy asked, excitedly. Gary had mentioned s'mores when he'd dismissed the kids, and they were all excited about having that extra treat before bedtime. Especially now that all of them were armed with pet rocks to protect them from the dark and the Wraith. They were ready to enjoy a campfire!

"Not until the bell rings," Shawn said. "Find some dry clothes."

That was all they needed were for the kids to get chilled.

"Where's River?" Brian asked.

"He's…"

"He's off looking for a good place for us to sit," Shawn lied. Shawn was a much better liar than Ian was – although the New Yorker had had no intention of answering that question truthfully." He'll probably just meet us down at the campfire pit."

"Cool."

"Get a dry sweatshirt on," Ian said to Sammy, who was shivering. Of course, it could have just been excitement, but why take any chances? He looked at Brian. "You, too."

Both boys scrambled to obey, and the other boys in the cabin did the same – if they hadn't already done so. Then they hung out in the cabin, talking excitedly about their pet rocks and what songs they wanted to sing, while Ian slipped on his other sweatshirt – which was only a little less damp than the one he'd been wearing most of the day. At least this one didn't have paint all over it – but Cassie was probably going to kill him for ruining her sweatshirt.

Darkness fell early due to the heavy cloud cover, and by the time the bell rang, the only lights that they had to help them – and the other campers – find their way down to the campfire were the lights that lit up the parking lot, porch lights from each cabin, various lights from the main building to their right, and the lights from their flashlights – most of which were running out of batter power due to being used so often the night before when the slightest sound would send several beams of light toward the sound.

"Stay close to us," Ian said to the kids who were walking in the rain with him and Shawn. The kids were more than willing to do just that. Hands in their pockets clutching their pet rocks, they were feeling a little more secure about venturing out into the darkness, but they still wanted to be close to Ian and Shawn, and it was a fairly tight group that walked down the first hill that skirted the parking lot, and then down the next hill that led to the lagoon where they could see the light from the fire illuminating the canopy that was going to keep the rain off them.

"Where's River?"

"He's probably around," Ian said, evasively. "Just sit down over there where it won't rain on you."

He pointed to the place he wanted the kids to go, and they went willingly, greeting the other kids – mainly the boys, of course – and showing off their pet rocks, while at the same time checking out the large pile of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers that was sitting near the fore, but far enough away that they weren't getting melted before they were supposed to be.

Gary was standing nearby, mainly watching the kids, but also guarding the snacks from the suddenly starving kids, and when most of them were gathered and seated, he nodded to the two staff members with the guitars. The two stepped forward and the kids quieted instantly, and then the music started, and Ian found himself wishing that he was making pet rocks again as they started singing – and the first one was to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance…

Little toad, o little toad
why did you hop onto the road?
You used to be so cautious,
but now you make me nauseous.
O little toad, etc.

You used to be so big and sweet,
but now you're just coyote meat,
O little toad etc.

You used to be so big and fat,
but now you're just a big red splat
O little toad o little toad, why did you jump into the road?

The kids loved that song. It was an easy one to learn, and it was gruesome enough that the boys sang loudly and with gusto – except Ian, of course. Halfway through the second time around, the New Yorker found himself joined by River, who sat down without a word and started singing, proving that he'd been within hearing at least long enough that he knew the words.

"Where the hell have you been?"

River ignored the softly hissed question, instead just smiling. Which he knew would annoy Ian. And it did.

Then they sang She'll be Coming Around the Mountain again, and that did even less to make him cheerful.

When the song was over, they made s'mores, and the kids were occupied for a fair amount of time while they munched on their sticky, sweet and gooey treats. It was a break for Ian, who didn't eat any s'mores – although he was more than willing to let the kids take as long as they wanted to. Unfortunately, they ended up singing again almost as soon as the last bite was swallowed – and the song was another one that the kids sang loudly.

Well, I stuck my head in a little skunk's hole
and the little skunk said
"Well bless my soul.
Take it out. Take it out. Take it out.
Remooooove it."

Well, I didn't take it out
and the little skunk said,
"If you don't take it out, you'll wish you had.
Take it out. Take it out. Take it out.
Remooooove it."
Pssssssssssssssssssss

I removed it too late!

The kids roared with laughter at the end of the song, but Ian could have cheered when Gary stood up and the guitar players moved off to the side.

"Okay, kids! It's wet and getting cold, so we're going to call it a night…"

There were moans and groans but Gary didn't mind. He was used to that, too. Again, Ian felt like standing up and doing a wave all by himself.

"Up to your cabin! And don't forget to brush your teeth!"

There were more grumbles, but the kids started getting up, shepherded by their counselors who were carrying more flashlights than the kids were. River joined the boys, who were talking excitedly as they walked up towards the cabin, but if he did that to avoid questions from Ian and Shawn, he was wasting his time. Neither cared where he had been now that he was back.

They counted heads when they reached the cabin to make sure they didn't lose anyone on the way up from the campfire, and once they were certain all the kids were there, they ushered them into pajamas and then into bed.

"You guys can talk," River said, from his own bed. "But you have to do it softly."

The Californian was well aware that the kids weren't going to stay up late that night. They hadn't slept much the night before and they were tired – at least they would be once the sugar highs wore out.

The kids reacted predictably; chatting quietly in the dark room, and almost immediately starting to drift off one by one. Just as Ian started to fall asleep as well, a soft knock on the door brought him awake – and he rolled over on the little bunk to face the door just in time to see River open it, letting in a flood of light from the porch. In the light, they could see Gary, and Ann. Both looked tense, and immediately Ian was certain that River's little tryst had been discovered – although he had to admit he hadn't expected Ann to be the other party.

He was proven wrong only a moment later.

"Ian? Shawn?" The voice was soft, but carried easily into the dark, quiet room.

Ian sighed, and rolled out of his bunk, whacking his shin on the rail. Again. And then he joined Shawn and River at the door, expecting to hear some kind of lecture for River's behavior. Instead, Ann looked at Gary, whose face was serious in the dark. Gary closed the door, leaving the five of them on the small, wet porch.

"We're missing a camper…" He said, softly.