Author's Note: So I saw that this chappie had no disclaimer before I re-edited it. Sorry about that.

I disclaim everything but the plot, my friend.

She shifted in her seat, a little uncomfortable with being the center of attention.

"Well it was the strangest thing," she began. "I woke up on the lawn outside of my house. I just sat there for a moment, wondering what had happened. Then I realized where I was. As I was getting up to go inside my folks came running out. My mom and dad were both crying--it was a pretty big scene--the neighbors started coming outside and soon word spread that I was there. Everyone was asking me what had happened. But my parents pretty much told everyone to back off and let them be with me."

Summer raised her legs in front of her and leaned over, stretching for a minute as she continued to tell the story.

"Well I knew once my parents got me alone I was going to have to explain. And I knew that you," she gestured to all of her friends, "had told the police the actual truth and they obviously thought you were nuts. So while I was thinking of something to say my dad started telling me what everyone had thought had happened. And my mom joined in and they were giving me all the stories. I hoped that if I just let them keep talking they would give me an idea. And they did."

"What was it?" Michael asked.

"They told me about the police theory about drugs and how there were three of us missing. Then they finally stopped talking and looked at me. They waited for me to say something. So I decided to tell the truth."

"You what?!?" Tom shouted. Summer cringed at the face he made and the tone he used.

"Let her finish." This came from Zach. They all turned to look at him. The fact that it was Zach defending her did not escape Jenny or Summer's notice. Tom calmed down a fraction.

"Sorry. Go on."

"So I said that when we opened the game and had drawn the dolls and set everything up I got kind of dizzy and I must have passed out. The next thing I knew I was getting picked up. I managed to open my eyes but all I could see was a person in a white ski mask with blue tinted ski goggles on. I opened my mouth to scream but before I had a chance to there was this foul smelling cloth placed over my mouth and nose. I remember thinking that it tasted really bad too and then I blacked out again. The next time I woke up there was something covering my eyes and a gag in my mouth. I could occasionally hear a voice, sometimes more than one, but it was always muffled, like it was coming from behind a door. I heard someone saying they'd gotten the stuff back but they had to wait until the heat was off before getting rid of the insurance."

"Wow. Summer that was so smart. I mean, talk about your quick thinking." Audrey's voiced was laced with admiration. The rest of the group couldn't agree more. The story was perfect. It was better than anything anyone could think of to say.

"Then what?" Michael asked, his voice hushed with awe.

"Then I told them that I never got another look at anyone or heard anything else useful from them. Someone would give me food and stuff but they never talked to me or touched me at all. I said that the night before last someone had put another gross cloth over my nose and mouth and then when I came to it was outside the house."

"So did they believe you?" Michael couldn't help interrupting to ask.

"They both just kept hugging me and saying it was just so wonderful having me back. Then they cried again. I'm serious, you guys. I think I can safely go the rest of my life without seeing either of my parents cry ever again. It freaked me out. Anyway after a while my mom said we needed to go to the police station. So we did."

"Oh my gosh!" Audrey exclaimed. "What did they say?"

"Well I told them my story and they said they were glad I was back. Then they said how they had suspected drugs all along and would I mind taking a polygraph?"

"They didn't believe you." Dee stated flatly.

"I don't know if they did or not but I passed it, so what they think doesn't matter. Then I heard them say as I was leaving that they better see if PC and Slug were around."

Everyone else looked at Jenny, and Summer followed suit.

"So Jenny, are PC and Slug around?" Tom asked. Jenny wondered for a moment why he would think she knew. She did know, she was just curious why he was asking her directly instead of posing it to everyone. Come to think of it, everyone but Summer had looked at her first. So just because Jenny's grandfather was alive they thought she knew. It was Zach's grandfather, too. Why didn't they ask Zach first? She realized she was being stupid, and that regardless everyone was waiting for an answer.

"Yes, they're alive." A thought struck her. "And that means I need to get a message to them about what the police think. That means I need to find Angela."

She scooted off the table as Summer asked,

"Did I miss something?"

"Oh my goodness she doesn't know!" Audrey exclaimed.

Just then the bell rang.

"Zach. You two are headed in the same direction. Would you fill Summer in?" Jenny asked. Zach gave her a look but merely nodded and he and Summer headed off.

"What do you mean you have to find Angela?" Tom said softly.

Jenny shot him a surprised glance. No one moved a muscle.

"I don't understand. I have to find her so she can tell PC and Slug what the police think."

"Why? Who cares if the police think they had something to do with Summer's disappearance?" Tom replied.

"I care. I think that Slug and PC have suffered enough. After what they must have gone through I think they deserve a break, not to come back and get locked up for something they didn't do."

It was the closest any of them had come to talking openly about the Games since leaving Grandpa Evenson's house.

The silence that ensued was painful to witness. Tom and Jenny stood staring at each other, as combatants almost. She was daring him to tell her no. He was refusing to concede that Jenny was right. Each stood rigid, unmoving. Finally Dee cleared her throat to break the tension.

"Well I guess we'd all better get to class, huh?" She said, looking back and forth between Jenny and Tom.

"Yes, let's go." Tom said. He led and they all followed, quickly but quietly. Neither Jenny nor Tom saw Audrey and Dee exchange a glance, then shrug their shoulders.

Zach and Summer walked along for a minute before Summer broke the silence.

"So what are you supposed to tell me?"

"Oh. That our grandpa is alive."

Summer stopped walking, shocked. When she noticed Zach hadn't stopped she reached out and grabbed his hand to make him stop.

"Zach! That's great!"

"Yeah, it is. We woke up on the lawn outside Jenny's and Uncle Jim came out and said that grandpa had told him we were outside."

"Wow! What was it like to see him?"

"It was overwhelming."

They started walking together in silence again, each absorbed in their own thoughts. They had only taken a few steps when they simultaneously realized they were still holding hands. They paused, let go, and kept walking. Neither one could think of anything else to say. Summer's classroom was first so she ducked in with a quick "See you later" to which Zach merely nodded.

Jenny had to wait until lunch to begin her search. She went over to the junior high and began to look for Angela. She found her in a hallway, walking towards her. Angela took one look at her face and ran over.

"You know something. What is it?"

"Walk with me. PC and Slug are alive."

Jenny grabbed her shoulder as Angela turned to run. She swung her back around.

"It's not that easy. The police are looking for them."

Angela's eyes filled with tears. She opened her mouth but Jenny stopped her with a shake of her head.

"I know, I know. But that's not the issue. What's important is to get the police off the idea that they had anything to do with Summer disappearing. Now then, are you interested?"

Angela just nodded her head.

"Okay. It'll help a lot that Summer is back."

"She is?"

"Yes. But that's not enough. They need to be cleared of suspicion of all charges. And I think I know how to do that."

"What do you mean 'all the charges'? Now that Summer's back the police will know they had nothing to do with it."

"No, they won't. Summer told the police she never saw the face of her kidnapper. But the police found PC and Slug's fingerprints in my house. And so far there's been no explanation as to how they got there. Add that to their juvenile records and the police will and have connected the dots."

Jenny could tell that Angela was finally beginning to understand the problem ahead.

"So what can I do?"

"I need to tell you exactly what Summer said to the police. That way you can tell PC and Slug what they need to say in order to convince the police that they really had nothing to do with anything. The police need to believe they were taken advantage of, too. So let's meet right after school and I'll fill you in."

She turned to leave but Angela stopped her.

"What makes you think either of them will be looking for me? Or that they'll find me before the cops do?"

Jenny smiled in admiration. The girl was really bright. Those were good questions.

"Well, I'm really hoping that they can avoid the police until you have a chance to talk. And as far as them looking for you goes..."

She paused again, unclear as to how much she should reveal.

"All I can say is that I understand a little bit about what they went through. It's not the kind of thing adults would believe--not that you want to tell them, anyway. But it's something you may want to share with a friend--if you feel like sharing. And you're the most likely person PC would talk to, at least from what I know about you that's what I think. Now I have to get back. Will you meet me here?"

"Yes."

Jenny left, checking the wall clock as she passed it. She had just enough time to make an appointment with the guidance counselor for later in the week.