True to the prediction, eventually the kids ran out of people to sign their books, and even the most enthusiastic finally had to sit for a while and simply read those notes that had been written. Of course this was as entertaining as gathering the notes in the first place, so when Gary stood up and dismissed them all back to their cabins, telling them to get them cleaned and to double-check to make sure that they weren't forgetting any of their stuff when they packed.

Ian stopped just long enough to bum a garbage bag from Jared, and River and Shawn made sure all the boys had their books (Shawn left his with Sam for safe keeping and Ian relinquished his to Cassie, who was still browsing through it, smiling every time she came upon a picture of him – especially when it included him doing something he normally wouldn't have.

"Okay guys…" Shawn said once the boys were all up in the cabin. "River, Chance and Chad take the bathroom. Make sure you have all your soap and stuff and make sure there aren't any towels left hanging around that still need to e packed. Wilson, Bruce, Brian and I will take the rest of the cabin, and Ian…" he looked at the pile of Sammy's stuff hat seemed to have grown even bigger while they were at breakfast. "You can help Sammy with his stuff – if you don't mind?"

Since he'd already planned on it, Ian just nodded. He didn't mind Shawn taking control of the situation – it was good practice for him.

The boys were pretty good about cleaning – even the ones stuck with bathroom detail. It helped that their counselors were doing most of the work and weren't complaining at all – of course, the three were used to doing dirty work from the academy where they did pretty much what they were ordered. And it didn't take long before the cabin was spotless and everything was picked up – including Sammy's incredible pile of stuff.

"Let's grab our gear and get it down to the main building before your parents get here," River said, reaching for Brian's gear. He, Ian and Shawn were just going to leave their own stuff until after the kids were picked up, so they had plenty of hands to help the boys carry their stuff – although it was touch and go with Sammy's things.

OOOOOOOOOO

By the time they reached the bottom of the hill, there were several cars in the parking lot or pulling in and already campers were reuniting with parents, eagerly hugging them and then pulling them along to meet their newly made friends and to meet their counselors. None of the boys from Australia had parents waiting for them, which gave them time to get their stuff onto the porch where it was stacked against the wall, waiting. Then the boys raced around chasing each other and burning up some extra energy by wrestling in the grass next to the parking lot.

"There's mom!"

Brian was the first to be picked up. He pointed eagerly to a black BMW that was coming down the road to the camp, tugging on River's shirt excitedly. No matter how much the boys didn't want to leave camp or their new friends, they were all eager to see their folks again, and Brian couldn't hide it any better than any of the other campers were.

Before the BMW came to a stop, Wilson and Chad were jumping up and down, pointing at a Blazer that was heading their direction.

The parents had started to arrive.

OOOOOOOOO

The rest of the morning was a fair whirlwind of activity. As each kids parents arrived (either as a set or in singles) they were brought over to meet the counselors. Shawn, River and Ian (mostly Shawn and River) greeted them cheerfully, and smiled while the boy in question talked excitedly about what they'd done that week and almost without fail, the boys in Australia couldn't help but mention how River's horse had been beaten up by Ian's horse, and how Ian had rescued Libby in the rain storm.

Then came the goodbyes, and they were just as tearful as Shawn remembered them being when it was him on the other end. One by one the kids mournfully hugged their counselors tight, promising to write every day and to keep in touch.

"Am I going to see you again?" Sammy asked Ian, tears brightening his eyes as he looked up at him.

Ian shook his head, feeling pretty gooey inside.

"Probably not." He reached out and put his hand on the top of the little boy's head. "But that doesn't mean we can't write to each other."

Sammy looked up at him, surprised.

"You'll write to me?"

Ian shrugged.

"Sure."

"Really?"

"Yup."

Sammy threw his arms around Ian's waist, hugging him close, and Ian picked him up to give him a proper goodbye. It wasn't something he was normally all that good at, but he knew Sammy needed it, and really, what was the harm in it? Besides, he liked Sammy.

He put him down a moment later, pointedly ignoring River and Shawn, who were watching with smug grins.

"Be good," he told the boy, wiping the tears from Sammy's cheeks.

Sammy forced a smile and nodded.

"I will."

He turned and headed for his mother, who had been watching with a warm smile, and Shawn moved over to stand by Ian as Sammy's mom and dad loaded his gear into the back of a truck (big surprise there).

"You big softy…"

Ian scowled at the amusement in Shawn's voice.

"Another word out of you Adams, and I'll toss you in the lake."

Shawn laughed, not at all concerned about the threat, and then changed the subject.

"I'm going to ride home with Jack and Sam… do you mind?"

Ian shook his head. He'd pretty much expected it.

"Not at all. I-"

"He's the last of them, huh?" River said, walking over and interrupting.

"Unless you had one hiding under your bed all week…" Shawn said.

The Californian grinned.

"Not that I know of." River had been busy bestowing goodbye hugs to most of the campers – especially the little girls – and he caught Sierra's eye when she walked by with one of her girls. "By the way, Brooks… I'm going to catch a ride with Sierra. She'll drop me off at Shawn's house this evening."

Ian looked over at River, but really he wasn't all that surprised. After catching them in a liplock the night before, he wasn't surprised that they'd finish the conversation at a different – and presumably more opportune – time.

"That's fine."

Which meant he was driving home alone – which was okay, too, really. Then he could speed. He glanced at his car, which was dusty after sitting in the parking lot for a week, and frowned as he noticed something odd.

"Where's my license plate…?"