A/N: Well, I'm always writing Author's Note, but I don't actually have anything to say this time (amazingly), except sorry it took me so long to update (again, I know). Thanks though, to all of you who so kindly took the time to review; it was much appreciated. I might have said that last time; I can't remember, but it still applies!  That's all…

Chapter Five

"I'm tired, and I'm hungry, and I'm about to drop dead if we don't stop walking now!" Ruby had had enough of walking, and couldn't believe that they hadn't reached anywhere yet. She looked at the Chanel watch her father had given her before she had left. The face showed her that three and a half hours had passed.

"Ruby, if we stop walking now, we'll never be able to start again!" Melody replied wearily. What was left of the day was fading fast, and Melody wanted to reach somewhere (meaning civilisation) before they stoped. Four girls alone in the middle of nowhere with no means of protection or shelter was not a situation she wanted to put herself, or any of the other girls, in. From somewhere behind her, Melody heard one of the girls, Dawn, she thought, call out.

"Ruby, sit with me, I'm stopping now. I can't keep walking in this heat, and I don't care if I get back up or not. I've been walking for too long, and my arms are about to drop off from carrying bags that feel like they weigh a tonne!"

Melody turned around in time to see Dawn plop herself down in the middle of the road, bags surrounding her. Like the rest of them, her expensive clothes were soaked with sweat, sticking to her skin, and she had tiny beads of sweat along her forehead and upper lip. She looked awful. Melody glanced at Ruby, and after seeing a flicker of hesitation pass in her eyes, the other girl quickly pushed past her and sat herself down next to Dawn.

"Dawn's right," Ruby announced. "There's no way I'm getting up now."

Melody sighed. "So you're just going to sit there are you?" She glanced at Laura, and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"I'm sorry Melody, but I'm really tired too. It's too hot, and this is way worse than being under Miss. Jessica Wakefield's command."

Melody opened her mouth to reply, but shut it again when Laura sent her another pathetic pleading look.

"Please, can't we stop? Aren't you tired too?"

Melody didn't want to admit it, but Laura was right. She was tired, and frankly she just wanted to lie down and never have to get up again. Besides, her shoes were killing her. "Okay, you win. We can stop. For now."

"That so called nurse has no idea what she's talking about!" Fanny exclaimed loudly in her southern drawl. "'There's nothing wrong with your foot!' Ah was dying, and that's all she could say!"

"It's alright Fanny," Chris said absentmindedly, as he helped her limp (a nice touch on Fanny's part) along back to her cabin. "I believe you."

"Why thank ya Chris. I'm glad somebody believes me." She turned her face away to hide the big grin that spread across her lips at Chris's words. Too soon, in Fanny's opinion, (but not soon enough in Chris's) they were back at the cabin. As soon as they approached the steps that would lead them up to the door, it was suddenly swung open, and Heaven and Cathy appeared in the doorway. Heaven looked anxious, but Cathy had her arms folded across her chest.

"Finally, you're back!" (Cathy)

"Fanny, are you alright?" (Heaven) Despite her vow to stop letting Fanny walk all over her, she still couldn't let it go. After all, she had spent so many years looking after Fanny; it wasn't easy to completely stop the habit so suddenly. No matter how badly Fanny treated her. Like almost all things in life, events, feelings and wishes didn't just simply occur because you willed them to.

"Heaven, ah really don' think yer care!" Like Heaven said, old habits die hard.

Chris patted Fanny's hand and simultaneously shot Heaven a sympathetic look. "I'm sure Heaven cares about you," he said to Fanny. "She is your sister," he added as an after thought, thinking about his own. Heaven watched as he shot Cathy a look, but she couldn't read it. It was purely a private look meant for Cathy, and Heaven felt uncomfortable, having caught it.

"Chris," Fanny said sweetly, in the voice she used when she wanted something. "Would ya help me into the cabin? (Translated: I want you to carry me) Just the thought of having to climb all those steps… (There were a total of three) Well, it just makes ma foot ache all over again!"

"Ah, sure Fanny," Chris said smiling. (Heaven knew he wouldn't say no; they never do.) As if she weighed nothing, he scooped her up in his arms in one swift movement, and was already half-way through the door. Heaven watched them disappear into the room sadly, wishing it was her in his arms. She glanced at Cathy to catch her reaction. She was surprised by the envious look in the other girl's face. That's strange, she thought. Why should Cathy be jealous of Fanny and Chris? Heaven followed Cathy as she marched into the room with her arms still crossed. Chris was just laying Fanny on her bed, him looking relieved, (or so Heaven thought) and Fanny was obviously the opposite. Heaven didn't know what it was that Chris said to her, but whatever it was, it made Fanny released the iron grip she had on him. She was forced to lie reluctantly back in her bed. Turning around, Chris came striding back to where Heaven and Cathy were standing, at the doorway.

"Cathy," Chris said. "Would you mind looking after Fanny for the night? I don't think she wants to be left alone. I'd stay, but I don't think the camp organises would be too happy with that arrangement, so I figured since you've had experience with nursing the twins, maybe you wouldn't mind doing the same with Fanny?"

Cathy looked surprised.

"Please?" Chris looked at her pleadingly. Heaven wondered what Chris was thinking, and why he didn't ask her to do it.

Cathy let out a big exaggerated sigh. "Fine. I'll do it, but only because you're asking." she said frowning.

Well, wonders never cease to exist, Heaven thought happily. And why? Because that would mean Fanny and Cathy were out of the way. And that would leave just Heaven and Chris. Alone. She wondered if that thought had been what was on Chris's mind while planning all this, but she didn't care either way, because things were turning out right for once. She walked quickly down the steps, and turned to looked back up at Chris, who was close behind.

"So," she said, shy now that they were alone. She looked at Chris expectantly. But who needs words, she thought. Not when his lips were already on hers.

"I thought they'd never leave us alone," he said grinning devilishly.