A/N: First of all, I am terribly sorry for the long wait. I really am. This is not my longest chapter, but the next one will certainly be a quite long one and there is an oneshot coming soon, so be prepared! I once again want to thank all of my amazing reviewers. You are awesome! O love you all!

Disclaimer: I, Burning Tulip, do NOT own the 39 Clues.

Chapter ten: Excursion (part two)

Dan liked the idea of a day trip. He would have a million chances to prank/gross out Natalie Kabra. They didn't really hate each other, though. They had a love/hate friendship, actually. There was a mutual respect between the two. Still, that wouldn't stop him from pranking and teasing her whenever he could. Making her angry was one of his favorite pastimes. So, he did. A lot. And nature would offer tons of new ways to do so. He didn't realize exactly when she came up to him and their conversation began, he just found himself talking to her.

"You have better not to try any tricks today, Daniel. I'm really not eager to make you beg for mercy this time."

"Me, tricks? Never!"

He said in a rather mocking tone. He turned to look at her, and she once again took his breath away. He wasn't in love with her, nor was she his crush. But he had to admit; Natalie Kabra was a beautiful young woman. With her raven black hair, her stunning amber eyes and her graceful posture, Natalie was the kind of woman every boy would want. Apart from him, of course. She turned to look at him, a serious look on her face.

"I'm not kidding, Dan. Do. Not. Try. Anything."

"Okay, okay, queen cobra!"

And that's how their argument began. It wasn't something unusual for them, in fact, as Amy had once said, the only way they could communicate was trough fighting. They never really meant what they said to each other, and they both knew it, so fighting had become their way of talking. It was quite refreshing too. They were bickering the entire way to the lake, laughing at some points too. They stopped one they reached their destination and looked around them in awe like everyone else.

"Wow. It's beautiful!" Natalie whispered.

"Indeed." Dan's answer was a whisper as well.

This was the first (and only) thing they would agree to that day. They soon started chatting again, speaking of trivial matters, like the weather. They argued and laughed and joked and had fun. They spoke to each other without fighting, for once. Maybe this was due to the magic of the place. They didn't know. What they knew was that they were talking like normal people for once. They both liked it.

"So, what do you think of the twins?" Natalie suddenly asked.

"Well, I can't really say anything... We only know them for a day."

"I see your point. But this whole thing seems so unrealistic, doesn't it? I mean, think about it! A secret city, Cahills born in two or more branches... It is a very weird situation!"

"True. But, we are Cahills. What is ever normal in our lives?"

"Nothing, I guess!"

There was a brief silence until Natalie said something really unexpected.

"It's a bit sad isn't it?"

"What?"

"Our way of living. We do not do what people our age do. Most people go out, have fun, study, spend time with others, they make memories for themselves. Stories to tell their children. They don't stop wars, fight with dangerous enemies or get into a deadly Clue Hunt to be the most power people on earth. They live life. We didn't have a chance to enjoy our childhood. We don't have the chance to enjoy our life while we still can. We are not normal."

Dan took a while to answer. He thought of what she had said, processed it and then he replied.

"We are not normal." He agreed. "But we have never been. That doesn't mean we don't live life, though. We do. Our way. We are not under any means ordinary people, but that doesn't equal we cannot enjoy our lives. We get to do things other people wouldn't even think of doing. We get to see things other people don't even dream about. We make memories too. They are not ordinary memories, but that only means they are not boring. We have learned things other people will never have the opportunity to learn. We are different, Natalie. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Not all of your memories are bad, are they?"

"No. Not all of them are bad. But a lot are. And I don't like the bad ones, Dan. I really don't."

Dan was shocked. He had never seen Natalie look so vulnerable before. Hell, he had never seen her being vulnerable at all! Still, Natalie is person, he reminded himself. A strong person, yes, but a person. She can't be strong at all times, no matter how hard she tries to. She is human. He let the realization down on him. Wow. Before he knew what he was doing, he took her in his arms and held her close. She was reluctant at first, but gradually gave in to the hug.

"Natalie, you shouldn't be afraid of your memories. They are a reminder of your past, and even though you may not like it, your past is part of you. It is your mistakes and your wins. You should not be scared of your past Natalie. Because you are not your past. It changes you, but does not define you. You do that yourself, Natalie. You control who you are and what your future will be like. It's your choice Natalie. You choose who you want to be. Don't be afraid of your memories. Embrace them, learn from them. This is the only way to let go of the past and be who you want to be."

"Who are you and what have you done with Daniel Cahill?"

"Oh, come on!" he said, but laughed. He knew she got his point though.

He would never tell anyone, but this Natalie, the vulnerable Natalie, had really scared him. He didn't know how to behave, what to do. He was just happy that it was over now and she was back to normal. If this can be thought of as normal. What is normal in our lives anyway? He thought to himself. Oh God! Now I sound like Natalie!

They had been in the lake for about two hours when Shaunee suggested they had something to eat. They ate all together, engaged in conversations with each other, laughing and joking. This day was turning out to be great! After having eaten, they spent another hour just sitting there, enjoying the warm, early summer sun. Then, they decided they should probably get going. They didn't really want to, because the place was really beautiful, but the newly arrived Cahills hadn't met with their representative mini-branch leader and the twins hadn't met with Cindy, the Janus mini-branch leader, to try on their dresses for the Great Ball and as Shaunee stated, they were probably "going to be killed in a very artistic way." So, they were soon heading back to GCC.

When they finally reached the city, they found a very stressed Cindy waiting for them by the gate.

"Were on earth have you two been?!" she yelled when she saw Seraphine and Shaunee. "I have been looking for you all day! You have to try on your dresses! I have not spent so many hours working on them and you won't even bother to look at them!"

"Cindy! Relax! We are here now! Besides, we are sure that your work is as incredible as it always is!"

"No, you won't get away with it like last time! You are coming to try them on and you are doing do now! I'm sure your friends here can find out the way back to their rooms on their own. Now, come!"

With that, she practically dragged the girls with her and left. The rest stood there for a minute, trying to understand exactly what had happened. Then, they all went separate ways.

Ted and Ned went to Ted's room. That's when Ted made the question which had been bothering him during the day.

"Hey, Ned? What do the twins look like?"

"Well, they have waist long golden brown hair. They are tall, though not too much. They have gray green eyes. They are really beautiful, actually. Like models, just not fake."

"I see."

"Technically, you don't."

"It's an expression, Ned."

"..."

"Never mind!"

They were discussing the latest news in the scientific community when Ned got a headache.

"Is it bad?"

"No, not really. It's a normal headache, not a migraine. I think I stayed in the sun for too long! I'm going to get some rest and I'll be fine. Honestly! It's okay, Ted. You worry too much." he added when he saw Ted's incredulous look.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his tone disbelieving.

"Yes!" With that he went to his room and Ted was left alone with his thoughts.

Waist long golden brown hair. Gray green eyes. Like a model, but not fake. That's all he could think of. He was able to match that description with Seraphine's voice. Then, another word popped up in his head. Beautiful...

A/N: So? What did you think? Now, last time, I had asked for a word to replace the word 'review'. I found it really tiring. So, I want to thank Agent Get Ian And Amy Together for suggesting a new word: Cookie! So, did you like it? If you did then cookie! I love cookies. Honestly! So do not forget to cookie and tell me what you think. The next chapter will include a cliffhanger and Amian (!) Yay! Have a nice day and don't forget to cookie!

Love,
Burning Tulip

P.S.: DO you not like the word 'cookie' as a replacement for 'review'? (I love it, but you are the reader!) If you don't then suggest another. I am certainly looking forward to seeing what your ideal review word will be.