"Come on, Ian…" Cassie said, nudging him. "It's kind of funny if you think about it…"
From the glowering expression on his face, Ian didn't think it was funny at all – and he'd had plenty of time to think about it. He and Cassie were leaning against the rail of the porch, while the rest of the camp – which at the moment consisted of all the counselors and a few staff members (minus Sam, Jake, Jack and Janet) – were on an impromptu scavenger hunt as they searched for Ian's missing license plate.
They'd been searching ever since one of the counselors admitted that it probably was Ian's license plate they'd used to fulfill their need for a plate during the camp scavenger hunt a few days back – although she'd been certain they'd returned it to the proper car. The only problem was, none of the counselors from that particular cabin could verify that the plate had been returned to the car in the frenzy of activity after the game had ended.
"Any luck?"
Ian was saved a reply by the arrival of Sam, who wasn't quite able to hide her amusement at the situation. True, Ian was furious, but she knew that was only because the car meant so much to him – and it was only a license plate, after all. Even if they couldn't find it, it could be replaced.
"Not yet," Ian told her as she came over to stand on the other side of him, flanking him between her and Cassie.
"I'm sure it'll turn up."
"Yeah."
Of course, he'd wanted to get the hell out of camp as soon as possible, and now that was all going down the fucking toilet, wasn't it?
Sam leaned against him just a little, watching as Jack loaded Shawn's gear into the back of the truck while Janet watched, holding Jake.
"Don't be angry…it wasn't personal…"
He sighed.
"I know."
"But you're mad."
"Yes."
There wasn't any reason to deny it.
"It's just a license plate."
"It's my license plate."
"And now you have to hang out and wait to see if they find it."
It wasn't the first time she'd seemed to read his mind, but he was still amazed that she seemed to do it so easily. Of course, she wasn't reading his mind, only his expression – and Ian was an open book as far as Sam was concerned. She read him that easily.
"I wanted to leave…"
"Was camp that bad?" Cassie asked, wondering why he was so eager to escape.
"Yes."
Now she wasn't sure if he was being serious because camp really had been that bad or because he was in a snit because of the missing license plate. Sam obviously wasn't certain, either, to judge by the next question.
"You seemed to get along with the boys."
"They were fine."
"So you're going to come back next year?" Cassie asked, half teasing.
"I'm never coming back."
Ian wasn't joking at all.
"I thought you said the kids-"
"It's not the kids," Ian interrupted.
"Then-"
"It's the camp itself, isn't it?" Sam asked. "You hate it because you were forced here against your will."
Ian nodded.
"That's…" Cassie trailed off without saying what she'd almost said. She'd been about to say that it was dumb, but really, it wasn't when she thought about it. Why would he like a place he hadn't wanted to come, and why would he want to come back and thrust himself willingly back into a situation he had no desire to be in? "…I guess I can see what you mean…"
Sam touched his arm.
"You being sent here was my fault," she told him. "I made a comment that was said in fun, but was taken seriously, and that's why General Hammond sent you here. I just thought you should know."
It was better that he know she was responsible.
He frowned, but before he could actually respond to that, one of the doors to the main building crashed open behind them, startling all of them.
"We found it!" Sierra said, cheerfully, coming over with the missing license plate in her hand.
"Where was it?" Cassie asked, curiously.
"In one of the closets."
She handed it to Ian, who glanced at it just long enough to make sure it was his plate.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
The rest of the counselors were gathering around as well, now, and Sam knew that they wouldn't have a chance to finish their discussion – at least not just then.
"Okay, guys," Gary said, walking over as well. "We have a few administrational items to take care of before you guys get going – so let's get that done so you all can head out and get home before dinner, at least."
Jack had warned Ian that there would be a quick counselor meeting after all the kids were gone, where they'd go over the camp and fill out a quick survey, so he wasn't surprised by the announcement. He didn't even scowl.
"Are you coming over when you get home?" Sam asked as they started heading for the door.
Ian shook his head.
"I've got some laundry to do, and I want to take a long shower and then a longer nap."
Preferably in a bed that you didn't have to break your shins to get into.