AN: OMJ, you guys are the best!!!! Thanks for all your reviews! And keep them coming, please! I know it's been forever since I last updated, but I wanted to get this chapter up in time for Thanksgiving…I think I've finally figured out where I want to take this, but you all know how much Tess loves to meddle.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'd mention you specifically, but I really, really, really want to give you this chapter in time for the holiday. So enjoy!

Special AN: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!! (Unless you don't read this until Friday, in which case.,,I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!) Just don't tell Jason what happens at Thanksgiving...with the turkey, and the stuffing...Jason would be scarred for life!

Jason (runs in): What? What turkey?

Me (thinking quickly): You didn't see it? It ran over there (points in the other direction). Go get it!

Jason (getting excited): And then you'll make me a birdhouse?

Me (trying to sound enthusiastic): Absolutely!

Jason (starts happy dancing as only he can): YAY!!!! I'm gettin' a birdhouse, I'm gettin' a birdhouse...

Me: Jason!

Jason: What?

Me: The turkey?

Jason (narrows his eyes and stops dancing): Wait a minute, what happens if I get the turkey and the birdhouse? Do I get more bird cookies?

Me: If you want, I'll make them for you myself.

Jason (starts dancing again): YAY! I'M GETTING A BIRDHOUSE, I'M GETTING SOME COOKIES...

Me (getting annoyed): JASON!

Jason: What?

Me (motioning with my arms): The turkey?

Jason (stops dancing): Oh...right. Thanks for reminding me! (runs off)

Me (sighs in relief): OK, now on with the story.

Chapter 26

"Sorry…what?" Nate shook himself out of his revelation, and looked at Mitchie, who looked away suddenly. He hoped he didn't have something on his shirt, then silently berated himself for thinking that he needed to impress her. He shook his head, as if that would clear his thoughts.

"Do you want to keep working on this? Or is there something bothering you?" Mitchie asked politely.

"Sure, we can work on this," Nate said, just as Mitchie added, "Is there something you want to talk about?"

Both of them froze, and there was an awkward moment before Mitchie said quickly, "Never mind, just forget it."

"No, it's OK," Nate said, wanting to take away the look of distress on Mitchie's face. Maybe it was the two of them sitting so closely together, or the fact that they'd been working for a while on the same song, but whatever it was, Nate felt like it was drawing them closer together. Closer than two friends could ever be. "I just…need a drink. Want some water?"

"Yes, I'd love some," Mitchie said, her throat suddenly dry. She felt awkward sitting there with Nate, and she wondered if it was her. Maybe she just needed to get out of this place, and find out what was wrong with her. Mitchie decided to go and find Liz, and maybe Liz could tell her what was wrong. If anything was wrong.

"I'll get it," Nate and Mitchie said together, reaching for the doorknob at the same time. Their hands brushed, and they both snatched their hands away, as if touching a hot iron.

"It's OK, I'll get it," Mitchie repeated, her cheeks turning a bright red.

"No, I will. I'm the guy, and it's the gentlemanly thing to do," Nate responded.

"It's OK, Nate, I got it," Mitchie threw the door open, practically sprinting out of it.

"Great, just great…" Nate sighed, running his hand through his hair, and pacing once more. "Just one song, he says, and now this…Now Mitchie will tell Shane and Caitlyn what just happened, and I'll be toast."

Once outside, Mitchie headed straight towards Liz's. When she got there, she knocked 3 times.

"Come in," Liz called out cheerfully, and Mitchie entered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here," Mitchie said, seeing Jason by Liz's side, holding her hand and grinning at her, obviously lovestruck. "I can leave."

"No, it's OK," Liz smiled. "I want you to stay."

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Mitchie glanced over at Jason, then back at Liz.

"No, you're not. Jason was just telling me about the birds he's seen. He knows a lot about birds, and he makes them sound so fascinating," Liz said, beaming as she glanced at Jason admiringly.

"That's 'cuz they are!" Jason cut in. "And I was thinking about the whole Spotlight Jam thing, and I'm pretty sure there's a cool song with birds in it. 'Cuz that's what I want to sing. A song about birds. Just not Sing A Song of Sixpence…Those poor blackbirds!"

"We could sing a song about birds…Or at least a song that refers to birds in some way…" Liz said thoughtfully. "Like spreading your wings and trying to fly on your own, be independent…something like that."

"That's a great idea," Mitchie agreed, then remembered why she was there in the first place. "Um, Jason, do you mind if I talk to Liz alone for a few minutes?"

"Nope," Jason grinned. After a few glances from Liz and Mitchie, he got the point. "Oh, you mean, alone. As in you want me to leave?"

"Thanks, Jason. I think my mom has some special bird cookies she made just for you," Mitchie said, completely unprepared for Jason's reaction.

"COOKIES!!!!" Jason let go of Liz's hand, jumped up, and started running towards the door with his arms flapping like crazy. "I WANT BIRD COOKIES!!!!" He crashed into the doorframe, and crumpled into a heap.

"OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OWWWW!!!!" Jason moaned, rubbing his hands before getting up again. He forgot about his pain as he thought about the cookies waiting for him. "I'M COMING, COOKIES!" Jason ran towards the door, only remembering to lower his arms, turn the knob, and run through the doorway.

"Gotta love Jason," Liz smiled dreamily, clearly in love.

"Yeah, about that," Mitchie laughed, then cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Liz, have you ever looked at another guy and thought maybe that you liked him, or he liked you? I mean, after you and Jason met?"

"No, why?" Liz wondered. Then her eyes grew big. "Did some guy ask you out?"

"No, I'm just wondering, that's all…" Mitchie quickly answered, ignoring Liz's gaze.

"Mitchie, you can trust me, I promise not to tell anyone. Even Shane. Your secret's safe with me," Liz said, wanting to help her friend.

"I don't know," Mitchie said, looking away, then back at Liz. "There was this moment, our hands touched, and I felt…something. Maybe it's just me…maybe it was that moment…I don't know. I know I love Shane, but…"

"Then you have to talk to both of them. Not at the same time, but you have to talk to Shane first. Tell him what happened. I'm sure he'll understand," Liz said encouragingly. She smiled, but Mitchie wasn't so sure.

"You're probably right," Mitchie said, after thinking it over a moment. "I'll go tell him now."

"I could come with you, if you want," Liz said. "For moral support. I know I should be resting, but if Shane gets mad for some reason, I'll just stand in front of you. He wouldn't hurt someone who was already hurt, would he?"

"No, Shane's not like that," Mitchie replied. "Would you?"

"Sure, and Jason can come too. And Nate and Caitlyn," Liz added, not knowing that Nate was exactly who Mitchie was referring to.

"Maybe just the two of us. I wouldn't want to bother Jason and Nate, let alone Caitlyn," Mitchie said, trying to avoid another awkward situation. "I know how Caitlyn can totally lose herself when she's dancing. Just like Jason, when it comes to birds."

"Yeah," Liz said, her eyes glazing over. "Jason's so perfect…isn't he?"

"Yup," Mitchie agreed, happy that the subject had changed. "So…have you decided what Jason and you will be doing for the Spotlight Jam?"

"Not exactly…" Liz said, as the two girls started discussing their plans.

Meanwhile, outside Liz's cabin…

"So, Mitchie likes another guy…" Tess smiled, her eyes glinting evilly. She glanced at her friend Ella, who looked shocked. "Problem is, we don't know who that is. But we'll just have to find out, won't we?"

"Wait, I thought Mitchie liked Shane," Ella pointed out.

"Ella, have you inhaled too much nail polish? Duh, everyone knows Mitchie likes Shane. But if she likes another guy, and that guy likes her, then that leaves Shane free for me," Tess said slowly, as if Ella was too stupid to understand.

"Oh," Ella's eyes widened in realization. "And what do you want me to do about Jason?"

"Do I really have to tell you again?" Tess' eyes flashed in annoyance. "For the thousandth time…" She whispered instructions into Ella's ear, so they wouldn't be overheard. As soon as Tess was done, she glanced at Ella, who nodded excitedly.

"Got it?" Tess asked. "Now do you know why that is?"

"Umm…" Ella scrunched her forehead in deep thought. "I think so…"

"Good," Tess nodded her approval. "Now let's go."

"OK," Ella said, flashing Tess a bright smile. Then she scrunched her face in deep thought as she glanced at her nails. "Wait, which color should I paint my nails?" She reached in her pocket and pulled out two small bottles, which were exactly the same shade.

"Ella, they're exactly the same shade," Tess pointed out, clearly annoyed.

"Now you see my dilemma," Ella answered, still waiting for her friend's decision.

Tess rolled her eyes, then said, "That one", pointing at the one on their right. "Always pick the right one. Get it? Right one?"

"Ha ha, that's funny," Ella laughed. "Thanks Tess!" She started applying her nail polish.

"Enough with the small talk, Ella. It's time to set Operation Empty Nest in motion," Tess grinned.

"Operation Empty what?" Ella looked confused. She stopped painting her nails.

"Never mind, just stick to the plan, OK?" Tess snapped, rolling her eyes.

"OK, whatever you say," Ella said, holding her hands up in surrender. "Ooh, that's a great shade on me. And it's all thanks to you." Ella resumed what she was doing, and it took all of Tess' patience just to focus on her main goal.

The next day…

"Hey, now that's something you don't see every day," Caitlyn smiled at Shane, as he matched her step for step. "It's about time you stopped tripping all over yourself."

"Ha ha, very funny," Shane remarked irritably, taking the steps and adding his own flair to them. He was about to say something mean, but remembered what his uncle had told him the previous night after he'd stormed into his cabin and threatened to quit. "You've got some nice moves yourself."

"Who are you, and what have you done with Shane?" Caitlyn stopped in her tracks, right before Shane crashed into her, knocking her down.

"Get…off…me…you klutz," Caitlyn hissed, as Shane lost his balance and fell on top of her. She pushed Shane off her, got up, and went over to stop the music. "Jeez, what are you? You weigh a ton! Must be all that food you inhale when…"

"I'm Sorry, Caitlyn," Shane stopped, shocked that he would follow his uncle's advice and apologize to her. He wasn't sure how she'd react.

"Sorry? You did that on purpose," Caitlyn shot back, her eyes blazing. "I bet you planned to knock me over, just to prove I'd fall for you. You just go around thinking you're Shane Gray, and everyone will run around and fall all over themselves just to get you to like them. Well, I won't!"

"Caitlyn, I'm not like that…anymore," Shane said. "I really am sorry." He let the words slip out before he could stop himself. "I didn't mean anything…Really."

"What?" Caitlyn asked. "OK, why are you being all nice to me? Especially after I just insulted you?"

"I know we fight a lot, but I think we can make this work. You know, since we have to dance together and everything," Shane said, holding out his hand. He winced inwardly as he remembered his uncle's ultimatum. Either he work things out with Caitlyn, or he could say goodbye to Mitchie until there was a break in his very busy schedule, which wasn't for another 6 months. And Mitchie was the only person Shane couldn't live without. "What do you say? Why don't we call a temporary truce?"

"Are you sure you haven't hit your head or anything?" Caitlyn narrowed her eyes, looking suspiciously at him. "This has to be some kind of trick. You wouldn't do this, not even if Brown or Mitchie made you."

"No, no tricks, I promise," Shane said quickly. Caitlyn's eyes bored into his, trying to see if he were lying or not. "I'm just…tired of fighting with you, that's all."

"But it's so fun," Caitlyn said, thinking Shane was going to smack her in the face with a pie or something. (AN: Let's just say I've had pie on my brain for a few days, with Thanksgiving happening and all. Not to mention an overactive imagination. Lol.).

"Caitlyn, please. We don't have much of a choice," Shane said, pleading with her. "And I'm sure our arguing is not making Mitchie and Nate feel any better."

"Um…OK?" Caitlyn said, her eyes widening. She couldn't believe Shane was making any sense, let alone begging her to agree. "I guess we can try. But if you try to trick me or anything like that, I am so going to make you pay…"

"I believe you," Shane smiled, and nodded at Caitlyn, who looked as shocked as Shane felt. He glanced at his watch, then gasped. "Oh snap, I gotta go. But I'll be here right in time for our next practice session."

"You'd better," Caitlyn warned him, not sure whether to believe him or not. Shane was famous for being late. "Or I'm gonna make you regret ever blowing off our rehearsal."

"I'm sure you will," Shane agreed, shuddering. Caitlyn grinned at his response. "Bye, Caitlyn," Shane smiled and winked over his shoulder before he left.

"Don't call me that," Caitlyn responded automatically, but Shane was already out the door. "Wait, did he just call me Caitlyn? He always calls me Geller. And why'd he wink at me? What's wrong with him? He must be up to something. I just have to figure out what…" Caitlyn sighed, wondering how long she could keep being polite. "Maybe he made a bet with Jason. That must be it…I think I'll go find out right now."

AN: Soooo, what happens next? Will Shane and Caitlyn be friends? And what about Nate and Mitchie? Are they really just friends, or something more? And what about Jason and Liz? Will they have their happily ever after? And what is Tess plotting? You'll just have to wait and see!

Please review! And I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving (if you're in the U.S., anyway). And if you're reading this, what are you doing on here? Go eat turkey already (and stuff yourself with pie). I am (ha ha).