A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while! Been super busy with school. I hope you enjoy this chapter - and I really hope you continue reading even though I sort of threw you guys for a loop. Trust me, you guys won't regret it. Remember, reviews are like food to a starving man for me!

WASHINGTON.

"We're lost."

Eli huffed in frustration and Clare made a tiny noise of irritation next to him as she buried her head in the map. "How can we be lost if we don't even know where we're going?" Adam asked logically and was met by two glares from Clare and Eli. He shrunk back from their gazes and Alli patted him comfortingly on the shoulders, a small smile on her lips. Clare looked up in surprise as Eli pulled into a diner. His body demeanor was still stiff and she wanted to comfort him, to put her arms around him and hold him, but she had a feeling he didn't want her anywhere near him right now. She was lucky that he was still speaking to her. The rest of the gang scrambled out of their seats, Fiona verbalizing how she hoped they had a good salad and their goodnatured laughter drifted away as only Eli and Clare were left in the car. Eli turned the engine off and ran a hand through his hair, looking determindely at everything but Clare. She raised her hand, hesitated, before laying it on his shoulder.

"I'll keep apologizing till you believe me," she said softly. He bit his lip at these words and turned to face her, his eyes bright. She had never seen Eli cry before. Not even on Julia's death-aversary. Not even when he found out his mom was in a car accident. But here he was, the struggle to remain composed written all over his face and she leaned over, pressing her lips softly against his. A salty tear ended up on his lip and she kissed it away, swallowing his pain. His hand was warm and pressed tightly against the back of her neck and as their tongues gently touched, she moved herself further into his embrace.

When they finally separated, Clare leaned her forehead against Eli. "I love you." It wasn't the first time they had exchanged these words, but it was the first time she could feel the sincerity of it down to her very core. He swallowed tightly, his lips against her cheeks a silent revow. She climbed out of the car and was at his side, her fingers clasped tightly with his as they made their way inside the crowded diner. They spotted Alli waving at them from across the room and as they slid into the booth, Clare grabbed a lunch menu. If anyone noticed Eli's red eyes, they tactfully kept their mouths shut.

"So let's see this list, Edwards," Alli shot a smile towards Clare, her eyes sympathetic. Alli had known about the cancer about a week after Clare was diagonosed. She had been heartbroken as well. Clare smiled gratefully and pushed the list towards her. Drew and Fiona crowded their heads together as they peered at the list. "Dance club in Miami, yes!" Drew crowed in delight and Alli rolled her eyes but not before Clare saw the smallest glimmer of affection in her smile. The two lovebirds still hadn't managed to make up for their lovers quarrel at the Vegas Dance but Adam assured Clare that Drew was working on it. It was, apparently, a year plan to woo her back.

"Central Park," Fiona nodded in approval. "That place is beautiful during summer nights." Oh right. Fiona had lived in New York before moving to Canada. She thanked the waitress that delivered her water with lemon and Clare and Eli quickly put in their drink orders. It was about lunch time in the busy restaraunt and for the first time in a while, Clare was actually hungry. She smiled in delight at this rarity and she poured over the menu, her eyes scanning past chicken sandwiches and hamburgers and chicken caesar salads. "Tacos," her and Eli said simaltanousely. They exchanged smiles and Adam rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat.

"Get used to that sickening cuteness over there," he said, his arms wrapped casually behind his head. "It's going to be happening about every two seconds."

theadventure

They were back in the car about an hour later. They were already in Washington but couldn't seem to find the way to Seattle. "Shotgun!" Adam shouted and pushed past the girls and Drew as he climbed over the seat. Eli seemed ready to protest but Clare just linked arms with Alli. "Girltalk," she smiled and Fiona laughed. So they set off and Clare held her box of leftovers in her box, the smell of tacos mixing in pleasantly with the smells of the fresh air. Drew drifted off with his iPod headphones stuck in his ears, his mouth slightly open as he slept. Alli withdrew a pen from her purse and handed two others to Fiona and Clare silently.

"What are we doing?" Clare asked in a hushed whisper and Alli smirked wickedly. "A little payback." Fiona carefully drew a tiny heart on Drew's cheeks and they waited with bated breath for him to stir but he didn't. Adam had drifted off as well in the front seat and Eli was keeping careful attention on the road, looking for signs that would direct him towards Seattle. Clare laughed and leaned forward, her perfect penmanship skills coming to use. I love Justin Beiber. Alli laughed out loud and the three girls settled back in their seats innocently as Drew woke up, his eyes blinking sleepily. "Whuzgoingon?" He asked and Alli shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing. Go back to sleep."

He did almost automatically, and Alli leaned forward to clap Clare's hand as Drew slept on, his forehead and cheeks having been marked.

theadventure

Seattle during the evening was beautiful, Adam reflected. He snuck a peek at his best friend who was looking more tired than he had this morning. The girls and Drew were fast asleep in the backseat and Adam took this as his chance to finally figure out what the hell was going on. He turned down the radio and twisted in his seat to get a better look at Eli. "What's going on?" Adam asked, cutting to the chase.

Eli didn't say anything for a few seconds. Adam was patient though. He knew how his best friend worked. It was obviously big - life changing. But Adam felt like this whole trip was destined to be epic. Some of them were complete strangers, thrown together for a few months on a journey across North America? How could it not be the most amazing life experience they'd have? He adjusted the beanie on his head before he caught Eli saying, "Clare has cancer."

Adam felt his heart sinking. Literally. It was falling into his chest. He took another glance at his other best friend, curled up in the backseat like a cat next to Alli, and he couldn't imagine her having that. She just seemed too...good. Bad things like this didn't happen to people like her. He looked back at Eli and finally saw the hidden pain etched on his cheeks, burned in her eyes, twisted on his lips. Adam laid a hand on Eli's shoulder and said quietly, "I'm sorry."

That was all Adam needed to say. Eli breathed out heavily and Adam said, "We're going to make this the best. For her, man. For all of us." Eli nodded and they kept driving, to where, Adam still wasn't sure yet.

The Space Needle neared them and Adam was struck back by the sheer size of it. It was beautiful as it rotated slightly. Crowds of people parked their cars and got out, the delight on their faces clear as day in the dusky evening. Adam felt emotion rising in his chest and he got his camera out, taking a picture. "Stop one of the biggest adventure of our life," he said quietly and Eli finally smiled.