A/N: So every time I wrote more it felt like the ending wasn't quite right. I still don't like the ending to this chapter, but I can't make you guys wait anymore. Sorry for the long gap in updates. Over the weekend I had a retreat that gave me no time to write, and college started back today. Updates won't be as frequent now, but I will continue with this story - I promise.

Ezekiel starts really scheming in this chapter. Hope you enjoy!

The plan. The awesome, brilliant plan. This plan, for an awesome plan, has had very little planning involved. And, because of that, I'm going to startup phase three of my awesome plan.

What's that? Let's go with hugging.

You see, they've had dinner (thanks to me), Stone gave her flowers (thanks to me), they made up over a fight (thanks to me), but there's never any hugging. Why is that? Probably because Stone prefers to act like he's made of actual stone. But no, if Cassandra can sleep on his shoulder, they can give each other a bloody hug.

You might think, 'why is a hug so important, oh awesome Ezekiel?' But you see, when two people hug, the sad chaps in the hug let out endorphins, which can make your brain realize why the that person you're hugging is so amazing to you. Probably. I don't know the real science to it, I'm not some science nerd, am I? But I'm right. I'm always right. And this? This will work. Just have to figure out what this is.

First, we just gotta get the hell out of this car.

"Are we there yet?" I groaned, slumped in my seat with my hood over my head and my eyes closed.

"Jones, if you ask that one more time…" Baird threatened.

I peeked open my eyes, looking at Jadra over there. - No, not Jadra. Definitely not Jadra. Anyway, Cassandra was asleep again, but her head on the window, Jacob's jacket as a pillow. Jacob's head was rested on the back of the seat, his eyes closed, but his breathing didn't indicate that he was actually sleeping.

I turned my head back up and sighed. "Are we there-?"

"Jones, I swear, one more time and I'll pull the car over and personally make sure you never arrive anywhere ever again."

Baird was grumpy. Good to know. I was about to respond when-

"Well Jones," Flynn started, sitting in the passenger seat. He looked back at me with a grin. "I do believe I can say, we are indeed there."

Stone sat up a little, his eyes now open. He looked out the window and then looked irritated at Flynn. "We're only at the dang border, Flynn."

"Yes!" he exclaimed. "The border of Canada itself!"

"Mate," I said, looking unimpressed. "It's Canada. They say 'eh' a lot and eat lots of maple syrup."

"I wouldn't be so sure, Jones." He looked away, way too excited. It really amazed me how he could be so excited about a place like Canada. We go to places like Paris every day.

"What makes this National Park of yours so great anyway?" I probed.

"Well, first off," he gave an amused chortle. "It is not of my possession – though I do strongly wish that were so. Secondly, Jones," he looked at me with another ecstatic grin. "Nothing but the pure bliss of adventure that awaits us could make this place any more special than it already is."

I tweaked a brow. "So there's treasure buried somewhere, then?"

"Exactly."

"What?" Baird shrieked, taking her eyes off the road to give him a sharp glare. "Flynn Carsen! If we were going on another mission, you could've told me from the beginning!"

"Who said anything about a mission? We get no pay check from fun, Eve!"

"Wait," I put up a finger, sitting up some. "You get paid?"

"Flynn, fun or no fun, it's a task that you have set for all of us. Does this buried treasure involve magic?" Baird shifted her eyes to Flynn and back to the road. Flynn just stayed quiet. "Figures. Leave it to a Librarian to bring work with him on vacation. Unpaid work, for that matter."

"No, seriously," I spoke up. "You get paid? Are we all supposed to be paid?"

"Yes, well, leave it to the Guardian to insist on driving, and paying for her food, and going back for our passports, and getting the gas without help, and killing the fun out of every adventure we undertake!"

"Why do you need another adventure, Flynn? Why is it so important to you to constantly have your time filled with life thrilling, and life threatening journeys to wrap yourself into? Why can't we all just drive to Canada, eat a meal, explore the mountain side, and go home?"

"What's the fun in that?"

"The fun in it is not almost dying every waking moment!"

"You know what this really is Eve? This is you and your ridiculous fear of dying."

"Okay one, there is nothing wrong with being cautious over my own life. Second, Flynn, I'm not afraid of me dying, I'm afraid of you dying!"

"Eve we have gone over this-!"

"I think you mean you have. I just get the wonderful privilege of listening."

"I'm a Librarian! It's my job to be in danger!"

"Yes, but guess what, Flynn? It's my job to-!"

"Guys!" Stone was acting like he was awake again – the threat in his voice shutting everyone up. "Cass is tryin' to sleep. So why don't we all shut our pie holes and let her, all right?"

Flynn looked at him and nodded. "You're right. Cassandra's not well when she's awake. For her sake, I shall keep my mouth sealed."

Baird scoffed. "That'll be a first."

Flynn opened his mouth, but said nothing. He clearly was doing everything to hold in the next insults that were ready to come Baird's way. This arguing stuff though, it meant nothing. They did this all the time – and they're just as happy as ever together.

No, no my challenge was the two love sick puppies beside me. They contained their feelings, sure, but I could see right through them. Now I just needed a solid plan.

It would be getting dark out soon, which meant we would need to stay at a hotel for the night. We were probably going to pass the border; find a hotel; get some dinner; sleep; and then wake up at unacceptable hours of the morning so we could continue our supposed-to-be-four-hour-but-probably-more-like-six-hour-trip to Banff.

Those were good destinations. I could work with those. Dinner, probably. Hotel, definitely. Banff, I better. Only real challenge is getting the cooperation of the two love birds. Knowing they'll do anything to make sure I don't succeed, I better take the precautions that they don't suspect a thing. Until it's too late for them, of course.

Subtlety, Ezekiel. Subtlety is key. I've got this. What am I saying? Of course I've got this – I'm awesome! Self-doubt is for the weak. And me? I'm the opposite of weak, yeah? I'm … well, I'm Ezekiel Jones. And I can accomplish anything.

We stopped at the border, Cassandra waking up from the motion of the car. That woke her up, but not the yelling just thirty seconds ago? She rubbed her eyes and looked at Stone. They gave each other a smile and Stone whispered something to her again, which she in return let out soft giggle.

It couldn't be too hard, right? All I have to do is push them in the right direction. I've been easing into it, so might as well just jump right in and shove them that way. I'm not known for patience, and I'm not about to show any of that now, now am I?

Dinner, Hotel, Banff. If they aren't at least hugging by then I'm throwing this plan out the window and just shoving them in a closet instead.

I looked at Cassandra, who had thrown up her entire breakfast and lunch before we had even got on the highway. How a person got that car sick was beyond me. I never was one for doctor stuff anyway, though. Never appealed to the Ezekiel Jones way.

"Gosh, I'm starved." She announced. We all groaned. "What?"

"I don't think you need any more food until we find a permanent place to stay, Cassandra." Baird said, like she was the mother and Red was her sick child.

"Guys, I'm fine." Cassandra assured. She gave us all a reassuring grin and shrugged. "There's no way I could throw up again."

I scoffed. "You'd be surprised."

The car jerked a little, Flynn having to come to unexpected stop. Cassandra held her stomach a little, the color draining from her face instantly.

Needless to say, we all decided to get food after we found a hotel.

After driving for a while, we found a nice place to settle for the night. Canadians were even nicer than I expected – it was almost sickening - and this cheap motel was like some fancy hotel you'd find in Portland. Baird and Flynn were talking about room arrangements, and me, Stone, and Cassandra were all standing with the little bit of luggage we had in the lobby. We looked like lost children waiting for their parents to tell them what to do next.

Cassandra yawned, just recently waking up, and Stone ran a hand through his hair as he glanced at the time on his phone. I looked back at Baird and Flynn, talking to the receptionist. Looks like it's time for me to step in and fix everything – since I highly doubt Baird would make anything work the right way.

I walked up to the counter, stepping beside Baird. "We'll need two rooms, thanks." I said to the receptionist.

Flynn and Baird looked at me with furrowed brows. "Jones? Have something to tell us?" Baird said with more contempt in his voice than she'd like to admit.

"One room for you and Flynn, one for me, Cassie and Stone. Sorry, but not too hard to work out there, Baird."

"But-"

"Saves more money for us all in the long run, yeah?"

"We were just considering putting Cassandra and Eve in one room, and us guys in another, Jones-"

"Now how realistic is that, mate?" Flynn looked at me confused. "C'mon, you two are no secret. Besides, Cassandra spends most her time with me and Stone anyway, yeah? Makes the most sense."

"I don't know, Jones," Baird shook her head. "I think-"

"Trust me, Baird, my ways the best way."

She tweaked a brow, crossing her arms across her chest. "And how is that?"

I gave her a grin. "Because, my ways always best."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "You're up to something, Jones. You've been up to something since Utah. Whatever you're planning on doing-"

"Relax Baird, I'm not about to go rob a bank or something, now am I?"

She eyed me. "With you, I wouldn't be surprised."

"It's Canada. What exactly am I going to do with Monopoly money?"

Flynn looked down at the money in his hands – his fingers stretched over the multi-colored paper bills. "He has a point."

"That's – fine, but if I catch you up to anything illegal I'll–"

"What, ground me?" I laughed, laying a hand on her shoulder. She just glared at it. "I'll make sure no laws are broken, Ezekiel's promise."

"You do know I have absolutely no trust in that kind of promise, right?"

I grinned at her. "I'm Ezekiel Jones! What could I possibly be up to?"

Baird groaned, taking the keys from the receptionist. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of." She handed me the room key. "I better not regret this, Ezekiel."

She will. "Why would you?"

"For countless reasons, if I understand correctly." Flynn stated.

I smirked. "Don't worry guys, I've got this all under control. You'll see."

She sighed. "Just go before I change my mind."

Cassandra heaved her luggage into her hotel room – her happening to bring one a very heavy suit case, despite having little to no clue what Flynn's surprise would be. She of course figured it out by reason. Flynn was all for adventure, and they were Librarians, so the possibility of it being travel related was very likely. Plus, Baird hinted on the phone that she might want to bring some luggage, but that's irrelevant.

She dropped the suit case on the ground, beside the first bed in the room, and assumed to find Eve in the room with her. However, she was in the room alone. "Eve?" She called. No answer. "Hm." She slanted her mouth to her side and shrugged. She placed her suit case on the one of two twin beds in the room and started to pull out clothes to sleep in.

Jacob was in the bathroom when he heard the door open, and then a thud hit the floor out in the bedroom (likely being a suit case). He assumed it was Ezekiel until it dawned on him that Jones didn't think to bring any luggage with him – having no clue what this surprise would be. Stone brought some things, but very little.

"Eve?" He heard outside the door. He raised a brow. Why was Cassandra looking for Eve in his room? After setting his toothbrush on the side of the sink he turned the handle of the bathroom door, pushing the door to, to see the back of Cassandra – unpacking?

"Oh, there you are," Cassandra said, not looking at Jacob, but continuing to unpack. "I was thinking about getting something from the vending matching out there – want something?"

Stone cleared his throat, unsure what else to do. "Nah, I'm … good."

Cassandra's body froze, clearly shocked to hear Jacob's voice. She then whirled around to look at Jacob, her face looking confused. "I … thought you were Eve."

Jacob nodded. "Yeah, well … I'm not." His tone wasn't rude, but simply a matter of fact, and slightly awkward.

She nodded back, giving him a small smile. "Yes," she chuckled a little, "I see that now. I must've found the wrong room."

Jake shook his head, his brows furrowed. "Our keys only open one door and one door only."

"Oh, right." She thought about it for a moment, then looked at Jake with raised brows. "Did Ezekiel give you yours?"

He groaned. "Yes. And you?"

She nodded. "I guess us three are sharing then."

Jacob didn't look convinced. "Could be." With his hands in his jean pockets he walked over to the other bed in the room, pulling his belongings up from the floor and pulling out a few odds and ends.

"Where is he going to sleep?" She asked, curiously. "I can sleep on the floor-"

"Cass," Jacob smiled at her. "I ain't lettin' a lady, especially you, of all ladies, to sleep on the floor. Jones can manage."

She smirked. "Just like he managed in the middle?"

Jacob growled. "That was a fight not worth fighting over." He shrugged. "Besides, got me sittin' by you, didn't it?"

Cassandra blushed and turned back to her suit case. What was Ezekiel up to? Was he just messing with her, all because he discovered her secret? Whatever it was, it was cruel. Messing with her emotions was not something Cassandra was okay with. She'd have to give him a good talking to later.

"I'm gonna go find Jones." Stone announced, walking for the door.

"Okay," She said with her soft, high pitch voice.

He smirked at her. "Want something from the vending machine?"

Cassandra chuckled and shook her head. "No thanks, I'll just get it myself."

"You sure? I'm already gonna be out."

Cassandra thought about it, then pulled out two dollars from her wallet and handed it to him. "I'll take anything chocolate."

He smiled at her and nodded. "I'll be back in no time."

And he turned the knob of the door, exiting the small two-bedded hotel room. Cassandra sighed. Ezekiel was really going to get a good chew out from her later.

I was standing by the counter of the hotel, waiting for the girl to come back with the key to my new room. I flipped a coin in my hand and stared down at it, seeing it land on heads. Good luck for me – maybe that means my plan will be successful these few days. Not that I need any luck for that – of course my plan will succeed. It's too awesome not to.

"Jones," I heard Stone's voice. I turned around to see him marching towards me. "What're you doin'?" He looked around at the counter, his eyes narrowed.

"Standing here. You?"

He glared. "Why are you standin' here Jones?"

Before I could answer, the receptionist came back with my key. "Here you go sir," she put out the key for me to grab. "Your room is 206."

"Thanks." I gave her a warm smile and took the key in my hand.

"Jones." I could hear the anger in his voice now. "Why is she giving you a room key?"

"How else am I supposed to get into my room?" I looked at him with a flagrant face.

"What about me and Cassandra?"

"Sorry, mate, but I'm not much for sharing."

He growled. He loved to do that. "So you're tellin' me you spent your money on a hotel room just so you didn't have to share a room with me and Cassie for one night?"

"Course not," I laughed. "I'm spending Baird's money. Swiped her card off her when she wasn't lookin'."

"Jones-!"

"Relax, Stone, she won't even know it's gone."

"That's not the point, Jones."

"Then what is the point?"

"The point –!" He took in a deep breath, keeping himself from yelling in the middle of the Canadian hotel lobby. "The point is I think you're up to somethin' and I don't like it."

Looks like my plan for subtly just practically jumped out the window. "I'm always up to something, mate. You're just mad 'cause you think it involves you."

"Well, doesn't it?"

I snorted out a laugh and gave him a smug smile. "I don't know. What'd you think?"

His stare was threatening as he said, "I think you better knock it off before I do it for ya."

I shrugged and placed a hand on his shoulder. "M'sorry Stone, I didn't feel much like being a third wheel tonight. You guys will have fun – watch some rom-coms or somethin'. 'Cause me? After dinner I'm going to bed. My bed time was 'bout three centuries ago."

I walked off, letting Stone cool off before likely chasing me again to shout at me some more. After a few minutes Stone came back beside me. To my surprise, however, he didn't shout.

He seemed to be deep in thought when he calmly asked, "Why're you doin' this?"

I casually waved my shoulders forward. "Just doin' my job."

He raised a brow. "What exactly do you think our job entails, Jones?"

"That's easy," I stopped at the elevator and looked at him with a haughty expression. "Helping people, whatever it takes, yeah?" I patted him on the shoulder and walked in the elevator, leaving Stone as stiff as a rock out in the lobby.

Seems my plan was working pretty well, considering the circumstances. Now I get to go to go eat, go to bed, and the next morning ask Cassandra how last night was. All I'm trying to achieve is Cassie and Stone to get some personal time in between them. They always have me, or Baird, or Flynn, or Jenkins – it's time for it to be just them, with some peaceful silence for a change.

But before I get ahead of myself we have a dinner to eat – and I have to make sure everything goes just like I plan it to go. Time for my brilliantly awesome plan to take an entrée tonight.

We walked into the diner – a little place resembling an iHop. All breakfast all day, with the options of burgers and soda if you're not in the mood for waffles. After how my stomach felt today from that omelet, I can safely say I am staying away from all breakfast foods for the time being.

"Jones," Baird started, looking around. "Where's Stone and Cassandra? You said they were going to meet us here."

I looked around, trying to look as innocent as Flynn looked. "Don't know. Guess they're on their way here. Stone probably made Cass wait so he could put on his cowboy boots."

She looked out the window a little worried and then back at me. "You did tell them the right place to meet us, right?"

"Baird, I'm hurt," I gave her an assuring smile. "It's me, Ezekiel Jones! I don't think I could get something wrong unless I was trying to. Do you?"

She eyed me, and then followed Flynn to a table. I tried to hide my proud smile as I followed Baird close behind.

Cassandra and Jacob walked into the restaurant, dim lighting, a romantic atmosphere, and something that sounded like a violin playing in the background. They gave each other a questioning look, before the hostess spoke.

"Welcome," She said with an eager smile. "How many tonight?"

"Um, actually," Cassandra said. "We're supposed to be meeting our friends. Likely under Carsen?"

The hostess looked on her paper, then shook her head. "I'm sorry. No one under that name."

"Baird?" Stone asked.

She shook her head.

"Jones?" Cassandra hoped, but her voice showed the doubt she had.

The hostess shook her head again. "But a Mr. Jones did reserve a table for a Stone?"

Both their eyes widened. "For how many?" Stone suspected.

"Two." She replied with a smile. Cassandra and Stone looked at each other, both knowing what this was.

"Jones…" Stone growled.

"We'll just call Eve," Cassandra offered. "She can tell us where we really are eating."

Stone nodded and reached for his phone. It wasn't there. He then searched his jacket pocket – nothing. He gave Cassandra knowing look, so she looked around for hers too. Nothing.

"Ezekiel." Cassandra mumbled.

"Would you like to take your table now, or would you like to wait?" The hostess asked, clearly needing to get to her other customers.

"Well," Stone sighed, looking at Cassandra with a defeated look. "Might as well eat here."

Cassandra timidly nodded. This place was way too romantic for two friends. "I'm too hungry to really go all the way back to the hotel."

"Then it's settled." He looked at the hostess and smiled. "We're ready to sit now, if we could."

"No problem." She grinned a fake grin. "Follow me."

Cassandra could just strangle Ezekiel right now. She gripped her stomach as it growled and grumbled.

But for now? For now they eat.

Reviews are like pancakes.
I love pancakes.

I will try to post the next chapter as soon as I can! Next chapter will continue with this Jassandra dinner. Thank you guys so much for your reviews and reads. You have been so awesome and encouraging.