It was agony. Pure and simple agony. The campfire seemed to go on and on and on – and it really did, so it wasn't just Ian's imagination. Since it was the last full night of camp, Gary had decided that the kids could stay up fairly late, and since they were enjoying the singing he was more than willing to let it go on as long as the guitar players and song leader were willing to play.

Which was forever, apparently, Ian decided.

Even worse for him, Libby had made no show of wanting to get off him. From her lofty perch on his lap, she did all the hand movements the songs required, and clapped as loudly and cheerfully as any of the other kids did – all the time perfectly secure in the knowledge that Ian wouldn't let her fall. Which of course was right on the money. He wasn't holding her tightly – it wasn't like a fall would break anything or something like that – but he was quick enough to shift his hold if she started to slip, and all the while the singing around him never stopped.

My momma
She gave me a dollar
She told me to buy a collar
But I didn't buy no collar
Instead I bought some bubblegum
BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

My momma
She gave me a quarter
She told me to tip the porter
But I didn't tip no porter
Instead I bought some bubblegum
BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

My momma
She gave me a dime
She told me to buy a lime
But I didn't buy no lime
Instead I bought some bubblegum
BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

My momma
She gave me a nickel
She tole me to buy a pickle
But I didn't buy no pickle
Instead I bought some bubblegum
BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

My momma
She gave me a penny
She told me to buy some bubblegum
But I didn't buy no bubblegum
Because I'm sick of bubblegum
BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum

BAZOOKA, ZOOKA bubble gum!

Ian groaned, softly, wondering who the hell came up with these songs – and how did the kids pick up on them so quickly? It obviously wasn't instinctual – he didn't know them – but they only seemed to hear it once to know all the words – and they always wanted sing them over and over.

Just as he was about ready to go absolutely nuts, the singing finally ended. Gary came to stand in front of the guitar players, who started to put their instruments away and Ian had to actually stop himself from cheering aloud.

"Okay, Campers!" Gary said, looking at his watch and ignoring the disappointed groans from the kids – who were quick enough to figure out that he was finishing up campfire. "It's almost midnight, and it's time to start heading back to the cabins."

More disappointed groans, but the kids all started getting up. Libby, however, made no such move, even though Ian knew she hadn't fallen asleep or anything. He poked her with his finger.

"Hey. Weren't you listening?"

She turned and looked at him, and nodded.

"Uh huh."

"Well…?"

"Will you go with me?"

"What?"

"Will you take me back to my cabin?"

He frowned.

"Why?"

"So the Wraith don't get me," she said, looking out into the darkness.

Ian scowled.

"Don't you have your rock?"

"I left him in the cabin."

It was obvious as Ian looked around that Libby hadn't been the only one to forget that after campfire it was going to be dark going back to the cabins from the ball field. And just as obvious that they'd allowed themselves to forget about the spooky Wraith – right up until they were once more faced with walking through the dark. While all of the kids were on their feet now, none of them were heading towards the cabins – and only one or two of them were toting their pet rocks.

Ian sighed, but really, he didn't have a lot of choice.

"Come on…"

He tightened his grip around her and stood up, picking her up and swinging her into his arms in a more comfortable manner. The other campers were crowding around their counselors for the trip back to their cabins – and Ian half expected the annoyed looking counselors to suggest that he go find everyone's pet rocks in their cabins and bring them back so the kids would have their protections with them as they went back. Luckily, no one must have considered it – although all the boys of Australia went immediately to Ian, figuring he was their safest bet.

Sam came over with Jack and Shawn, smiling to see him holding Libby. Predictably, Ian scowled at the look.

"She wants me to take her back to her cabin," he said, almost defensively.

"Good idea," Sam said, nodding.

"We'll take the boys," Jack told him, which was a relief, since Ian didn't want to be followed all over the camp by every little kid like some kind of freaky pied piper.

"Fine by me."

His relief was obvious, and it made Sam grin.

"I'll see you guys in the morning," she told them, giving Jack's hand a light squeeze.

As the boys said their goodnights to her, Ann came over, followed by the other girls in her cabin. She nodded a greeting to the others and extended her hands to Libby.

"Ready?"

Libby shook her head, clinging to Ian, who was tempted to drop her – just to get rid of her. It would be just his luck, though, that she'd land on her head or something and he'd have to listen to a dozen different people lecture him about being more careful.

"Ian's taking me back," Libby said, her face pressed against his neck and jaw.

Ann grinned at the expression on Ian's face, well aware that it hadn't been his idea.

"Okay, then. We'll walk with you."

Ian sighed, but couldn't think of any good excuse not to let them.

"Fine."