Disclaimer: I don't own Total Drama. All rights to Fresh TV and Cartoon Network.

To say Gwen was unhappy about her current predicament was an understatement of colossal proportions. It's been a year since All-Stars, and with the season immediately after that introducing an all-new cast, Gwen was thankful she could finally take a break from reality shows. Unfortunately, it didn't last.

Shortly after Pakithew's finale, Gwen received a phone call from a producer, revealing part of her contract Gwen herself wasn't aware of. Apparently, her contract had stated that as in addition to Total Drama, she would participate in any other reality shows produced by the network, one of which being 'Ridonculous Race'. Gwen wasn't exceptionally fond of competing in another show, especially when she heard she must choose a partner. Though her nerves calmed upon hearing Chris wasn't hosting the show.

This is what had led to Gwen's current situation, as she was having trouble deciding who to choose as her partner. She tried writing down a list of possible names, but most of the options were unavailable.

"Alright, let's try this again. Cody? I mean, he's one of my closest friends, but he's never managed to take a hint. Besides, bringing him along will equal Sierra, and there's no way I'm putting up with her for another season. Owen's already teaming up with Noah, so both of them are out. Leshawna's apparently busy with another reality show. Zoey? No, she doesn't want anything to do with reality shows after the Mal debacle. DJ? He's nice and all, but after his curse, I gotta pass. I'm not sure if Trent's over his little 9 obsession, and that's a risk I'm not willing to take."

With a sigh, Gwen leaned back. "Couldn't I just not take part? No, that would just lead to a lawsuit, and that's a mess I don't want." Gwen took one last look at the names. Most of them had been struck off the list, though one still remained. The Goth had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but with the other options unavailable, it seemed she had no choice.

A few days later…

"About freaking time." Duncan growled to no one in particular upon hearing the sounds of boots hitting the floor, the signs that a cop was coming to free Duncan from his cell. As soon as the door opened, he hopped off the bed like a juvenile rabbit. "Took you long enough. You know, I was supposed to be out by noon, right?" That comment only got an eye roll from the guard. "Don't blame me for the fact that Rohan decided to start a riot and get us put under lock-down."

Paying no attention to the guard's sarcasm, Duncan strolled down the hall. Some of the other prisoners, who had become close friends with Duncan during this time, wished him well. He was given back his normal clothes and the few things he had on him when he was arrested, including a black leather wallet, his cellphone, pocket knife, and zippo lighter. Everything else was in a suitcase, which he assumed was with his parents. He wasn't in a rush to go there just yet though, since he knew his father would be lecturing him almost immediately.

Aside from being released earlier than he would have thought, only one thing had taken him by surprise, and that was who had paid for his bail. Though he had quickly brushed that aside, it was miles better than his other ex bailing him out. Maybe Pasty had missed him after all? Nah, she probably just did it to rub it in his face about how he had messed up. It had happened before, and he wouldn't be surprised if it happened again.

"You know what, whatever! Our relationship sucked anyway! She was always telling me what to do and bringing me down!" Duncan thought to himself as he stepped out of jail for the first time in a long while, ignoring the sun's blinding heat assaulting his eyes. "Wait, no. Scratch that. That wasn't Gwen. That was Courtney. Gwen accepted me, didn't try to change me. She didn't draw up a contract because she needed to be in control. If only our relationship wasn't a complete mess…."

Relieving those bad memories caused Duncan to unearth a sigh. Gwen had said she'd come pick him up because of something 'Total Drama-related.' which he wasn't looking forward to either, especially since it most likely meant another few weeks of torture at the hands of the psycho himself, Chris McLean. Pushing those thoughts aside for a few moments, Duncan prowled through the parking lot in an attempt to find Gwen's car. After what felt like hours of searching, he found it. With its black and teal colour scheme, Duncan could easily tell it was Gwen's car. "Welp, here goes nothing."

The ride to Gwen's house was perhaps one of the most awkward moments of Duncan's life. Neither of them had said a word to the other, leaving many questions in Duncan's head unanswered before he decided to speak up after what felt like centuries of silence. "So, I take it you really missed me, eh Pasty?"

"Not in the slightest." Gwen answered as quickly as possible. She wasn't looking at Duncan, but the Delinquent could feel the anger radiating off her, which she seemed to be hiding with her trademark sarcasm. "But if that's what you want to believe then sure I miss you." Duncan was sure that if she wasn't driving, she would have crossed her arms. Duncan looked down for a minute, not sure what to say, before he responded without thinking. "But...you were willing to pay a ton of money to bail me out."

"Your bail wasn't that big." Gwen scoffed. "Most people despise Chris, and you got a lot of pity after you nearly flew to the sun during All-Stars, so your bail money was only about four or five hundred. Not even a tenth of the reward money that Mike and Zoey got." Duncan raised his eyebrows, beginning to wonder if getting released was even worth it. At least people respected him back inside.

After a few more moments of silence, the two ended up in Gwen's neighbourhood. Duncan was never usually creeped out, but this was one of the exceptions. The lights were switched off, leaving the two in almost complete darkness aside from the light of the moon. Houses that were once painted with all the colours of the rainbows were now a decaying grey and brown. Gwen opened the faded door, stepping into her warm house with Duncan following not long after.

The beige walls were practically covered in art, which Duncan assumed were hand-made by Gwen. The wooden floor creaked under Duncan's feet as he strolled into the middle of the living room, trying not to trip over the paint tubes, socks, and magazines Gwen had left trailing around. "So..." Duncan trailed off, not looking at Gwen as she flopped down on her brown couch, spreading dust everywhere before Duncan sat down next to her.

"If you aren't that upset about me being in prison, why'd you decide to bail me out?" Duncan asked. He couldn't help but feel that was the greatest mystery right now. Gwen sighed, an almost emotionless look plastered on her face. "I gotta ask you something." Duncan raised an eyebrow at this. He knew curiosity killed the cat, but right now, his curiosity was getting the better of him. "You're not gonna ask me to forgive Crazy In Training, right?" Duncan asked, referring to a certain other ex of his. Gwen almost immediately shook her head. "You know how Owen's still doing Reality TV, right?" Duncan nodded. He never understood how Owen could do so after nearly three seasons of getting tortured by McLean, but he had learned not to question it. "And he's dragging the dweeb along with him?" Gwen nodded, though he wasn't sure whether it was because Noah was coming along with Owen for his reality shows, or if she was agreeing that Noah is a dweeb.

"You know about the Ridonculous Race, right? They're doing that?" Duncan heard the name being thrown around prison, because apparently it was a new reality show being made by the producers of Total Drama. "I think so. But what's that got to do with us?" Gwen had to resist the urge to facepalm. "Recently I was asked, or should I say FORCED to compete in the race, and I need a partner. they asked me to pick a partner, and I was wondering if...you would?"

Duncan smirked at this, leaning against the couch's arm. "Do you really need a partner, or do ya just miss me that bad?" This only got Gwen's signature eye-roll. "Don't get too excited. You were the last option. Everyone else I was thinking of was either busy or teaming up with someone else. Anyway, it's a free trip around the globe. Would you want to do that, or spend three more years rotting in prison?"

Duncan hesitated, was it really worth travelling around the world with his ex to avoid prison? "Ah, sure. Why not. Let's do it."

Gwen smirked at this. "Thank you. We gotta drive out to Toronto for our first episode sometime next week. I'll send you the info so we can prepare." Gwen then stood up from the couch and walked off, leaving Duncan to his thoughts.

Just don't make me regret this, Duncan.