Emma stopped North before they followed Carolina and York into the store. North rolled his eyes, "What is the problem?"
"The guy who helped us is going to recognize us the second he sees us," Emma whispered hotly at him.
"Your point?"
She smacked him, "My point is that York and Carolina are going to wonder why the hell a jewelry store employee recognizes us and what if they hear why? He's going to want us to take the stupid damn rings."
"Hey," North cupped her face and kissed her forehead, "Chill. I'll grab him before he says anything."
"It's not going to matter if he's as loud as he was the first time we were in here," Emma growled.
"Calm down, it'll be ok," North chuckled.
"If it's not, and they find out before we're ready for them to know," Emma replied, her voice sweet but still laced with venom, "I'm killing you."
"Well then I will die a happily married man."
"Shut up."
North winked at her before turning and walking into the store. Carolina and York weren't paying attention, too busy talking to the man on the counter by the rings. North quickly spotted the employee that had helped them and flagged him down, motioning him to be quiet. They met him over near the necklaces on the opposite side of the store from where York and Carolina were.
"Ah the happy couple," the man smiled. "Come to pick up?"
"Long as you're quiet about it," North answered as Emma gave a nervous glance over his shoulder to make sure York and Carolina were still busy. North lowered his voice, "Wife here is being all secretive with our friends."
Emma smacked him, "Knock it the hell off."
"Say no more. Why don't you peruse the necklaces here and I'll go fetch for you. That way you have a reason to be walking out with something under the guise of something else."
North nodded his head at the man and looked at Emma, "Told you I liked him."
"Shut up."
"And if you pick out a nice necklace, you won't have to put your ring on with your dog-tags."
"I said shut up."
"What are they doing?" York stage whispered to Carolina. She glared at him. "Don't give me that. I've seen you scoping it out since they walked in behind us."
"I don't know," Carolina replied quietly. "Their backs are to us. She hit him at least twice already."
"I feel like something's up with them and they aren't telling us."
"Yes, well you leave it alone until they tell us whatever it is," Carolina gave him a warning glance. The employee that was helping them came back with a tray full of stones to set in front of them. "I can't believe you're making me do this."
"Believe it, love," York kissed the side of her head. "Now let the nice man size you up and I'll find you a pretty rock."
"I hate you…" Carolina grumbled holding out her hand to the man at the counter.
"Put that in your pocket and don't you dare take it out until we go to bed tonight," Emma growled.
"Yes ma'am," North grinned shoving the ring box into the pocket of his pants.
"Don't call me ma'am."
"Well I can't call you what I want to call you so make up your mind. It's one or the other."
"It's going to be my fist in your face," Emma grumbled. York and Carolina walked over. "All done?"
"Yup," York nodded. "Someone stopped being stubborn. Gotta come pick it up tomorrow."
"You two ready? Thanks to York, we're probably going to be late for our reservation," Carolina huffed.
"Waiting on you two," North chuckled.
"Buy anything nice?" York asked as the four exited the store and started walking towards the restaurant.
"Just looked mostly," Emma shrugged.
"She found a necklace she liked," North continued. Emma gave him a glare.
"Can we just go eat already?" Carolina huffed.
"Ok…so I umm…maybe I don't got this," Wash admitted to Tucker who was playing Poker outside with Simmons and Sarge.
"What happened?" Tucker sighed when he saw Wash was in a quiet panic mode. "Where's the kid?"
"She went to go get her stuffed bunny and hasn't been back yet and now I can't find her…" Wash squeaked in reply. The three soldiers stopped and all turned to look at him.
"You what?" Tucker asked. "You lost the kid? Did I hear that right?"
"I don't know if lost is the correct word…I just can't find her," Wash scratched the back of his head.
"Oh man, you're dead," Tucker chuckled.
"Carolina's gonna kill you," Simmons agreed.
"If that Emma don't get to him first," Sarge added.
"And that's not to mention what York will do if there's anything left of you," Tucker shook his head. "Wash, it was nice knowing you."
"Thanks guys," Wash huffed. "And here I was hoping you'd help me look for her."
"And stop our game? I'm winning right now!"
"I think my life is a little more important than a stupid card game," Wash growled. He looked around. "Where's Junior?"
"Oh he followed Ally when…" Tucker paused. "Shit."
"HA! See, now you have to help," Wash gave him a smug look before panic took over. "No really. We need to locate Ally like now. I don't know when they're coming back."
"Did you look in their place yet?" Tucker asked abandoning the cards.
"I did."
"And you checked all the closets and shit?"
"No Tucker, I just opened one door and saw no one inside and then closed it to come get you to help me," Wash replied sarcastically as the two hurried over to the house. A thought struck him and he hurried up to the sliding door and pulled it open. "Church!"
"Yo," the hologram popped up. "What's up?"
"Did Ally come in here?"
"Yea, her and Junior went in to her room and then left."
"Out which door?"
"The one you're standing in." Church looked at the two before he started sniggering, "Oh you're dead."
"Did she say where they were going?" Wash huffed.
"Nope. Said hi ghost-man, bye ghost-man and then out the door."
"Dammit," Wash cursed before turning, knocking in to Tucker and leaving.
"Maybe they went for a walk?" Tucker provided.
"You know how huge this place is? They could be anywhere."
"It's better than the alternative."
"Well then we're not coming back until we find Ally," Wash growled heading to the gate.
They didn't have to go far before the gate opened and Ally, Junior and Caboose all walked through carrying ice-cream. Tucker and Wash both froze.
"Uh oh," Ally paused seeing the looks the group was getting.
"Yea," Wash nodded, clearly not happy, "Uh oh is right."
Ally looked up at Caboose, "Uncle Caboose, did you tell Uncle Wash and Tucker we were going for ice-cream."
"Well…" Caboose trailed off in thought.
"No he did not," Wash answered for Caboose. "And you know who should've told me you were going for ice-cream and who actually should've asked to go for ice-cream before actually going for ice-cream so as not to give me a freaking heartache!?"
Ally hung her head and held up a bag, "We brought some back for you too."
"Cuz ya know, bringing back ice-cream makes up for the fact YOU LEFT WITHOUT TELLING ME!"
"Wash…chill," Tucker put a hand on his shoulder.
"I will not!"
"I'm sorry Uncle Wash," Ally pouted. Her eyes were watering. "I didn't mean to make you worry."
Wash took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He scratched the back of his neck briefly, "Just go inside. I'll be right in."
"Ok…" Ally sniffled walking into the house.
Wash turned his glare on Caboose before Tucker put a hand on his shoulder, "I got this. Go deal with the kid before Carolina and York come back and see her upset."
"Fine," Wash huffed turning to go into the house. Ally was sitting at the table watching her ice cream slowly melt in the dish in front of her. Wash walked over and sat down, opening the bag up that had his in it. "You know why I'm upset, correct?"
"Yea…"
"Ok then."
Ally watched him take off the lid and start eating. She watched him for a little while before wiping her nose, "Are you going to yell at me again?"
"No," Wash answered putting the spoon in his mouth again. "You understand why I'm mad and you're never going to do it again, correct?" She shook her head. "Then there's no need for yelling. Your ice cream is melting." Ally sat forward and grabbed her spoon again. "I do want to calmly explain to you though that you can't just leave without talking to someone first. Especially if it's an adult that is responsible for you that isn't one of your parents."
"We came right back though."
"You still left without telling anyone," Wash gave a frustrated sigh. She pouted at him. "Just don't do it again."
"I won't. I'm sorry."
"It's ok. Sprinkles make a better apology though," Wash smirked.
"You like sprinkles on your ice cream?"
"Oh yea," Wash chuckled.
"Ok! Next time with sprinkles!" Ally giggled. They ate their ice cream in silence for a little while before Ally looked up at Wash. "Are you going to tell Momma and Daddy?"
Wash paused and looked at her, sighing, "I guess we can keep it between us."
"Do you have any fun stories?"
"Sure," Wash chuckled. "What kind of story would you like?"
"You pick," Ally smiled.
"Hey Wash, why don't you tell her about the time with the grappling hook?" Church chuckled popping up on the table.
"What happened with the grappling hook?" Ally asked curiously.
"Thanks Church...that's not exactly an age appropriate story," Wash grumbled.
"How is it, they're walking up there, arms linked and we're back here walking behind them?" York asked North as they followed the girls.
"Because you thought it would be a smart idea to get them drunk," North replied. "Besides, they need some bonding time anyway."
"Yea, I just thought we'd be included in that," York sighed. They stopped when the girls stopped and turned around to walk back to them.
Emma threw her arms around North, "We're going out tomorrow night. And that's we as in me and Carolina."
"Ok," North chuckled as Carolina wrapped her arms around York's waist. "Why are you having a girl's night?"
"Bacheloretta party," Emma giggled. "Lina needs one if her and York are going to get hitched which they are going to so I need to take her out for the night."
"And Lina's ok with this?" York grinned looking at the redhead in his arms.
"Would we be telling you if we weren't?" Carolina smirked.
"True. Do we get a guys night out then?"
"What about Ally?"
"My parents could watch her. We'll see," York shrugged. "We can always just have a bonfire outside in the fire pit. That's good enough for me."
"Well we're going out," Emma smiled as she grabbed Carolina and pulled her along. "Maybe we'll see if Kai wants to join us. She seems like she knows how to party."
"Let's not go too crazy," Carolina chuckled.
"No, we're going crazy. It's been how long since you let your hair down?"
"It's down right now," Carolina chuckled.
Emma picked up a strand and flicked it over Carolina's shoulder, "Yes, but when did you last party-let it down?"
"Last time was when I met that one," Carolina pointed over her shoulder. "Kinda ruined the whole thing. I mean, I'm marrying him and we have a kid together. I'd hate to see what happens the next time I do that."
"Just keep her away from any good looking dudes flipping a lighter and I have no problem you partying it up," York chuckled.
"Like we need your permission," Emma scoffed turning to talk quietly to Carolina.
"I don't know how I feel about the current situation," York mumbled to North.
"I don't know," North chuckled, "It's kinda entertaining. Emma drunk is epic all on itself. Adding Carolina into that equation is a whole new level."
"Ooo! Wait," Carolina planted her feet making Emma stumble. The guys stopped two seconds later.
"What's up babe?"
"No nicknames," Carolina glared at him before turning to point at something. They followed her finger, "We need to go do that."
"Lina," York chuckled, "You are aware that you and Emma are both wearing heels and dresses, correct? Running a rope course like that may not be the best idea."
"Shut up. Emma?"
"Dress, shmress," Emma giggled. She stepped forward, tugging Carolina behind her. "Let's go! Bet we kick their asses."
"This is not going to end well," York muttered.
"Just remember, it was your idea to keep feeding them the hard stuff," North grinned as they followed behind the girls.
Wash closed the door quietly before walking out to the living room. Ally had fallen asleep as they were watching the last movie. He was surprised by how late it was and that he had yet to see the group that had left or York's parents. Not that he was complaining, it was quiet. He was ok with quiet. It had been a long time since things were quiet.
He had just been starting to doze when he heard loud noises coming from outside. Curious, he got up to look to see Emma and Carolina celebrating something. Wash slid open the door and almost ran in to North in the process.
"Welcome back," Wash chuckled letting North by.
"Thanks," North smirked. "I'll be right out. Gotta run upstairs quick."
"Got it," Wash nodded. He walked outside and over to where York was sitting at the table. "You guys had fun I take it?"
"For the most part," York nodded watching the two women in the process of sneaking over to Grif who was had at some point resumed his sleeping on the lounge chair he had claimed. "Remind me in the future, that it's probably not a good idea to get those two drunk at the same time."
"Oh no," Wash chuckled. "I can only imagine."
"Yea," York sighed. "So how'd it go with the kid?"
"Great. We had ice cream and watched movies," Wash answered. "She fell asleep about an hour or so ago."
"No trouble?"
"Nope," Wash answered.
"Good," York smirked. "I'm thinking cookout tomorrow night. We have all those fish we caught today and the girls are going out themselves."
"That sounds like it could be dangerous," Wash chuckled.
"Oh yea," York sighed as North came back out just as Emma and Carolina were able to tip Grif into the pool.
"WHAT THE HELL!? WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO!?" Grif sputtered when he resurfaced.
"That's whatcha get for sleeping outside next to a water source," Carolina laughed.
"I was SLEEPING!"
"Exactly! Now you're not," Emma giggled. "Course that does look refreshing."
"It does, doesn't it?" Carolina exchanged looks with Emma.
"Oh dear God…" Wash commented as the two took a running leap, landing past Grif in the pool.
"Great," York huffed standing up. "I'll go get towels."
"You sound like you're not enjoying yourself, York," Wash chuckled.
"Let's just say I have forgotten what a drunk Carolina involves…"
"She's not that bad," North smirked as he sat down next to Wash.
"So says you," York commented dryly as he walked into the house.
"It's really his own fault," North explained to Wash. "He was the one ordering the shots for them saying they both needed to relax and have fun. Well now they are relaxed and having fun and he and I both have rope burn to show from it."
"Um…do I want to know?" Wash chuckled.
"We found a rope course on the walk back and they insisted we had to do it," North shrugged. "Needless to say, we were more worried about them getting hurt than us that we are the ones that actually ended up getting hurt."
"Way to go," Wash sniggered. North gave him a 'what can you do' gesture.
"Wash! Come swimming!" Carolina yelled.
"I'm good," Wash gave a wave.
"That's an order!"
"You're not my boss on vacation!" Carolina looked at Emma who nodded and together they both climbed out and walked over to Wash who quickly tried to get away. They were able to grab his arms and started pulling. "No, really, I don't want to go swimming. North, some help?"
Emma scowled at North, "You help him and you're not getting sex tonight."
"Sorry Wash," North chuckled. "Gotta listen to her."
"I hate you…"
"Love you too buddy."
"YORK!" Wash yelled as they got him even closer to the edge of the pool. "YORK GET OUT HERE!"
York came out carrying towels and paused when he saw the scene, "What did I miss?"
"Apparently it's Wash's turn to go swimming," North explained as Wash started fighting off the two.
"A LITTLE HELP! I don't want to go swimming!"
"Is there a reason you aren't assisting?" York asked North as he put the towels on the table.
"I got threatened-"
"NOT GETTING LAID ISN'T A LIFE-THREATENING THREAT!"
"Keep telling yourself that," North chuckled as Wash managed to slip his arm out of Carolina's grasp.
"And really Wash, you might want to quiet down. Ally is asleep after all," York smirked.
"I hate you both…"