Somehow, and I swear I really don't know how it happened, an unusual pairing was created and – I just went with it. (I'm planning on exploring them.) Thoughts? (Also, be patient about B&W...)

Time to meet the Donovans!

I don't own anything.

Chapter Three

Neither her parents or Tracy are at the cabin when she comes back, so Myka settles on a porch with a book. She's enjoying the quiet and entertainment for some time, when she hears a car approaching. She puts the book aside and watches as the car comes to a stop by the cabin next to theirs. Four people get out, busying themselves at once. A man and a boy, who seems to be around Myka's age, start to carry bags inside, while a woman is on the phone. A younger girl, maybe twelve, who is ignored by the rest, looks around, uninterested.

"Hi," says Myka, when she catches her eye. The girl comes closer after Myka gives her a smile.

"Hi. I'm Claudia Donovan. A very bored young person, only waiting for when she'll be able to get her computer back."

Myka is slightly surprised at the girl's vocabulary and attitude. But then again, she is not thrilled to be here herself, so maybe Claudia is not a fan of family vacation too.

"Myka Bering. So you're not here to sunbathe and swim, are you?"

"I don't know." Claudia shrugs, looking back to where her mother, phone still in hand, argues about something with the man who must be Claudia's father. "It's not like I had someone to go with. My parents work even when they're on leave. And Joshua, my brother, he's always caught up in his science projects or whatever."

"Well," Myka starts, looking at her sympathetically, "I'm going to the beach tomorrow morning, so you could come with me if you'd like."

"Really?" Claudia's unbelieving smile is radiant, and Myka fights the urge to hug her.

"Yeah, really. I could use good company."

"Ok, " Claudia tries to play cool, but her undying smile and the spark in her eye give the game away. "Ok, yeah, sure. I mean, it's not like I had other plans…"

"Claudia!" comes the yell form her father.

"Come on, kid, you have to unpack your stuff." Claudia's brother comes up to them. He smiles, extending his hand to Myka. "Hi, I'm Josh."

"Myka. Nice to meet you." They shake hands.

"Don't call me kid, I'm only five years younger than you," the girl says to her brother, wincing. She turns to Myka, "So, see you tomorrow? Is 9 good?"

"Sure. See you then. Bye." She watches the siblings get into their cabin.

"Who was that?" Tracy appears beside Myka. "Sis, I gotta start hanging around you, if you keep meeting all those guys."

Myka chuckles, scratching her neck.

"Joshua."

"Joshua," Tracy repeats gently, tasting the name on her lips.

Myka looks at her sister, amused.

"And Claudia," she adds. "She's a nice girl. I'm taking her to the beach tomorrow."

"Uhm. Is Joshua coming too?"

"Yeah, I don't think so." Myka shakes her head.

Tracy gives her a weird look.

"We'll see. I'm gonna ask him to come with us– "

"Us?"

"-when we're picking his sister up tomorrow. Nadia, was it?"

"Claudia." Myka stares at Tracy unbelievingly. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, Myka." Tracy smiles broadly. "It's very important to connect with other people, and since they're our neighbors now, it's just a kind thing to do." They both walk inside, heading for their room. "What time do I have to be up?"

# # #

It surprises Myka to no end, that Tracy gets up full three hours earlier than usually and doesn't even make a comment about the 'ungodly hour'. Apparently, Josh made an impression on her the day before, even though Tracy didn't get the chance to at least say hello to him. Funny, what love does to people, Myka muses, and wonders if she herself acted this way around Sam. It's hard to tell, actually, given how long ago it was, and how short was their time together. Only five months… And five minutes of me being late had him getting hit by a car. He wouldn't be standing there, in that spot, at this moment, if I was on time.

"Hey, Myka?" Tracy pats her shoulder, on her way to the door. "You ok?"

Myka smiles at her sister, appreciating her genuine concern. "Yeah, I'm good. I'll be downstairs in a while. I'll just grab some clothes."

"Ok. I'll make coffee. Don't count on breakfast, tho. Too early to eat."

# # #

It turns out it wasn't hard to get Joshua to join them, but Myka suspects it had more to do with his concern about leaving his little sister with – pretty much – strangers than Tracy's charm and wit. She doesn't say anything, however, not wanting to spoil her sister's mood.

"It's really nice of you, girls, to invite us along," Josh says, ruffling Claudia's hair. She brushes off his hand, but walking beside her, Myka can see a small smile on Claudia's face.

"Just being friendly," Tracy responds immediately. "You just got here, and we've been here for some time now…"

Yeah, like a day and a half? Myka smirks, muffling a laugh.

"So, you know, I could give you a tour around here, or something," Tracy suggests to Josh hopefully.

But it's Claudia, who speaks up.

"Is there an internet café somewhere? Cause I'm not gonna last long without my Internet."

"Slow down, kid. You're on vacation, so you can get a break from your cyber-world." Josh chastens her. "But I actually wondered," he turns to the Bering sisters, "if I can find a library somewhere here? I'm working on a project, maybe I could find more info. It's good to use different sources."

"True," Myka agrees. "I like to verify everything too. I was looking for a library myself yesterday, but didn't find one just yet. I'll tell you if I do." She offers politely.

"Great, thanks." They exchange smiles, and out of a corner of her eye Myka sees Tracy's gloom expression.

When the four of them reach the beach, they spread blankets on the sand and sit down. Claudia throws her flip-flops off and gets up again to wet her feet in the water. Joshua tosses his sandals, shorts and t-shirt aside, which leaves him wearing only a pair of green swim trunks.

"You guys swim?"

"Tracy does," Myka says, taking a book out of her bag and stretching out comfortably. "I'm here for the sun."

"Come on, Joshua." Tracy quickly undresses to her bikini. "Myka will hold the fort."

The two of them join Claudia in the water, while Myka's lying in the open air, eyes closed for the moment, quietly laughing.

# # #

Two or three quarters later, Claudia joins Myka on the blanket, putting a wet, cold hand on Myka's bare back.

"Hey!"

"Better your back than you book," Claudia comments, and they both start to laugh – Claudia at Myka's face which showed a mix of terror and relief, and Myka because the girl's laughter was contagious.

Myka, still lying on her stomach, rests her head on her folded arms. She looks at Claudia, asking, "Are you having a good time?"

"Yes, it's fun." She adds after a moment, "Your sister's got a crush on my brother."

"I noticed. Does that bother you?"

"No. I mean, he's probably clueless as always with these things, so, you know, poor Tracy. But if it goes somewhere, it's good too. You're cool, you and your sister."

Myka chuckles. "Thanks."

They are silent for several minutes. Myka wonders if Tracy and Josh will really 'get somewhere'. If so, Claudia will be left to herself again. Suddenly a thought comes to her mind, and Myka almost hits her own head for not thinking of it before. She sits up.

"Listen, Claud," she says enthusiastically, "I know a girl around your age, a little younger maybe. Her name is Leena and she's… well, kinda cryptic, but really nice. Her mom owns a B&B, and my friend, Pete, stays there for summer. I'm sure you'll like them, I can take you to meet them."

Claudia blinks, surprised by Myka's outburst. But then she nods her head, and a glint appears in her eyes.

"I like cryptic."