Because of the huge food fight in one part of the ball field – and the fact that the ground was soaked in that particular area – the camp staff had set up the campfire for the last night in the far corner of the field, away from what little light there was shining from the edge of the corral and the barn that housed the horses and ponies. But, in acknowledgement of the fact that it was the last night of camp and therefore important, they had actually dug a fire pit and started a fairly large blaze in it, around which were several long benches for the kids to sit on.

The campers immediately grew excited at the prospect of a real fire and a whole night of singing, and their already eager pace increased as soon as they saw the flames. There was no substitute for the real thing, after all.

"What's wrong with Ian?" Jack asked River and Shawn as the three of them made their way up to the field. Ian hadn't said more than two words to anyone – including the boys. Luckily, the boys were excited enough about campfire that they didn't realize he was any quieter than normal, but Jack, River and Shawn all caught it – although Shawn was the only one who knew what was wrong.

"He doesn't like campfire," River said.

Which was true enough. But it wasn't the reason. Shawn shook his head, but he didn't say anything.

He couldn't really talk about what had happened, because River was with them and he couldn't go into details. And if River thought something was being held back – and he was smart enough to figure it out quickly that something was being held back – then he'd want to know what it was and would probably try to figure it out. Which wasn't acceptable, really. Especially if Ian found out. He'd never tell Shawn anything again – and with good reason.

Before anyone could say anything else, they were interrupted from behind.

"You guys are sooo lucky…"

It was Sam, who was carrying Jake and walking with Janet and Jaffer.

Jack smiled, but since he wasn't very steady with his knee wrapped so tightly, he didn't dare reach over to take the baby from her.

"Why are we lucky?" he asked, instead.

"Because Janet says you're not to stay on your feet for any period of time – which means you can't lead songs at campfire…"

Shawn had to smile at that. He didn't mind campfire nearly as much as Ian did – he actually rather liked it – but he didn't want to try and lead the songs. Especially to make up for losing a bet that he hadn't wanted to make in the first place.

"Awww, that's just too bad…"

Jack didn't sound all that sincere – and Sam wouldn't have been fooled for an instant if he had. She smiled.

"I'll just have to think of something you guys can do at home to make up for it."

"Like washing your car every day," River suggested.

Jack scowled, pretending to take a poke at the Californian.

"You keep out of this, mister, or I'll tell the Commandant at the academy that you're volunteering for summer classes."

River grinned; once he left camp he was on his way home, where he'd be spending the summer surfing and hanging out with his family.

"I don't think he'd have any luck trying to get my mom to let me go back – no matter what he says." Sierra walked past them just then, and River's eyes followed her progress. "Oops… I gotta go."

He smiled a goodbye to Sam and Fraiser, and trotted after the female counselor, who was more than pleased to see him from the looks of things.

"Some things will never change," Sam said, amused.

"Like that…?" Janet said, motioning with her chin towards the far side of the campfire area as they walked into the light of it. The Australian boys were divided; half with Ian and half with River and Sierra, but it was obvious that even though he was with them, Ian was a million miles away.

Sam frowned.

"Is he okay?"

Since Shawn didn't want Janet to think Ian was sulking – he wasn't – he shook his head.

"I made a comment that I shouldn't have," he admitted, softly. "And I think he took it badly."

He actually knew Ian had taken it badly, but he wasn't quite able to admit that he'd said something so dumb – at least not to all of them. Luckily, they all knew that Ian wasn't one to have his feelings hurt easily, which told them that whatever Shawn had said hadn't been something like telling Ian his jeans made his butt look too big. And since Shawn looked fairly guilty about it, they didn't press, assuming (correctly) that it wasn't something he'd want to discuss just then. If ever.

Sam handed Jake over to Janet.

"You guys find a spot. I'll go talk to him."

"Sam-"

"Relax, Shawn," she assured him. "I won't say anything. Trust me."

Which of course, he did. Shawn nodded, and they moved to find a spot to sit – someplace on the end of a bench so Jaffer could be on the ground without being a footrest – while Sam headed over to the far side of the campfire, and smoothly slid into the spot beside Ian, smiling at the boys as she did so.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked him.

He looked over at her, and shook his head. But he didn't reply.

"I don't think Ian feels good, Sam," Sammy said in a stage whisper that Ian obviously wasn't supposed to hear. Of course, since Sammy was sitting on one side of Ian and Sam was sitting on the other, Ian heard it just fine.

"Are you sick?" Sam asked. There was always the chance that Shawn was wrong, and that Ian had done too much too quickly, wearing himself out. He didn't look sick, though. Just hurt.

Ian shook his head.

"I'm fine."

"You sure?"

He nodded, looking down at his hands.

Sam frowned. True, he wasn't the most talkative person, but he'd usually at least open up with her. He was completely withdrawn just then, however, and she wondered what on earth Shawn had said. But of course, she couldn't ask. Especially not with the boys hanging around.

Sam patted his knee.

"I'll be back in a bit."

Ian just nodded again.

OOOOOOOO

"Any luck?" Jack asked as she came over to where they were sitting.

Sam shook her head.

"No…"

"I'm so stupid…" Shawn muttered, more to himself.

Sam patted his shoulder, looking around the campfire area.

"We just need to pull out the big guns, Shawn…" she said.

He looked up at her curiously, wondering what gun could possibly be bigger than Sam when it came to Ian.