Ian wasn't pouting. True, he was in his own world just then, not paying much attention to anything going on around him, but he wasn't sulking. He was thinking about something Shawn had said months ago – how his memory, while it was one of his greatest assets, was also a burden, because it kept him from being able to forget the worst that had happened to him. Unlike most people, Ian couldn't let the bad memories fade away into something bearable. He could let them ease a bit, replaced with other, more powerful emotions, but when something happened – or something was said – that reminded him of whatever he'd been trying to forget, those memories would once more hit him full force.

Which was what had happened earlier that evening when he'd been talking to Shawn. He knew it hadn't been intentional. Knew that Shawn was honestly sorry for bringing up the subject, but it didn't matter. Now that he was thinking once more of when Dotty and James had been killed, he couldn't stop – and he couldn't forget the guilt and self-loathing he'd felt those terrible days. It was constantly in his mind, and there was nothing to distract his agile memory from replying every detail over and over again as he sat on the edge of the campfire, the boys chattering excitedly around him but his mind a million miles away.

Right up until he realized someone was standing in front of him. Right in front of him where he couldn't have ignored her if he wanted to.

"Ian?"

Libby had unconsciously picked the spot right in front of him, perfectly centered where he couldn't look around her and couldn't really look anywhere but at her once she had his attention. Sure enough, his dark gaze met her big blue eyes when he lifted his head at the sound of his name, and were fixed on her and nothing else.

"Yeah?"

His voice was distracted, but Libby had the self assuredness that come with all little girls who know they are welcomed wherever they may be at that particular time – and Libby had the added benefit of being certain that Ian loved her. After all, he'd been the one to save her, right? He'd held her when she was scared, and only people who love you do that.

"Can I sit with you?"

Ian frowned, certain that he'd heard her wrong – even though he knew he hadn't.

"What?"

She stepped up, her hands on his legs forcing his knees out of the way so she could get closer. He must not have heard her, because he wasn't picking her up.

"I said, can I sit with you?"

He hesitated, but nodded before he even realized he was doing it. Ian wasn't immune to her, after all, and she really was kind of a pushy little kid, already moving closer. There was a spot beside him that Sam had vacated. She could sit there, he supposed.

Libby's face lit up with a smile, and she climbed up into Ian's lap, completely ignoring the empty spot beside him. He froze, still scowling, but when she over compensated and started to slide off his lap, his arm came around her to steady her and Libby shifted, turning around on Ian's lap so her back was pressed up against his chest. This way she could be held, but she could also watch campfire and sing along.

Reluctantly, Ian relaxed a little, baffled at how quickly he'd lost control of things – especially when he was losing that control to a six year old girl – but short of dumping her off his lap there wasn't much he could do about it, now was there? He sighed, and she put her hands on his, holding him far more securely than he was holding her, the back of her head coming to rest against his shoulder.

OOOOOOOOO

"That was sneaky…" Jack said, impressed.

Sam smiled, looking over at the two without making it obvious that she was – just in case Ian realized that Sam had been the one to sic Libby on him. So far it didn't seem to be the case, and since he hadn't been paying any attention to anything that had been going on before, he might not make the connection at all.

"Yeah."

Janet looked over as well.

"I wish I had a camera."

Jack snorted, knowing that Ian wouldn't appreciate that, but before he could say anything in response, Gary stepped up to the front of the fire and grinned at the campers and counselors.

"Are we ready for some singing?" He asked them, grinning.

There were loud cheers and yells as the kids made sure he knew they were. Gary gestured for the guys with the guitars to step up and start the singing.

In a cottage in a wood

The kids all drew a cottage in the air in front of them as they sang this line.

Little old man at the window stood,

Now they put their hands over their eyes like they were looking through binoculars.

Saw a rabbit running by

Now they had their hands up, two fingers in the air for bunny ears as they 'hopped' the rabbit.

Frightened as could be.

And the kids made scared faces, grinning while they did.

"Help me, help me, sir," she said,

The campers threw their hands up into the air…


"Before the huntsman shoots me dead."

And they made little pistols with their hands, their thumbs the hammers.


"Come, little rabbit, come with me,

They made a beckoning motion with one finger.

Happy we will be."

One hand was once more the rabbit; the other was gently stroking the rabbit's ears lightly.

"Ian…?"

"Yeah?"

"You're not singing…"

Ian scowled, but Libby couldn't see it since she wasn't looking at him – and wouldn't have minded even if she had seen it.

"You can sing for both of us, okay?"

Since the campers were already starting to repeat the song – and Ian knew from experience now that they would repeat the damned thing at least four or five times – Libby didn't have a chance to argue about it. Not if she wanted to do the hand motions with the words – and she did! Secure in the knowledge that Ian's strong arms were around her and wouldn't let her fall off, Libby practically danced in his lap, singing and making exaggerated hand motions with the rest of the campers, while Ian simply tried to keep her from falling off, his attention pretty much completely on that task, now.

Which had been the whole idea.