Chapter 30
The next day was quiet for the others because they couldn't leave Jamaica without any fuel for the plane. Most of the cast were fine with that, feeling like they were in desperate need of a vacation after everything Chris had put them through. Since the plane had landed on a beach they had stayed outside with Gwen paying frequent visits to the infirmary to check on DJ and Bridgette. They were both okay, considering their injuries but luckily Chris actually had some competent doctors on standby for anyone who was hurt more than he intended.
She walked in holding a tray of fruit for both patients. "Hey there."
"Hey Gwen!" Bridgette smiled as Gwen set the tray down on the table between the beds. "Thanks! I haven't had anything good to eat for weeks!"
"You're welcome." Gwen handed her an apple. "Anything good happen here?"
"Nah, not much. But guess what? I think your right, the curse wasn't real! Look at this!" DJ gestured down to the sleeping Bunny on his lap. "She's been here for over a day and nothing bad has happened!"
"About time you realized it." Gwen smirked. "So when's Chris sending you two home?"
"Actually my Momma's flying down here. With me already here she saved enough money to book a flight down here and she called and said that they'll have a room in a hotel ready for us when she arrives." DJ explained with a bright smile. "Once we're all settled in we'll start trying to get a house and a job."
"That's great, DJ. At least you got somewhat of a free trip here." Gwen said with a small smile, but her voice held a tint of guilt.
"Ah, it's not a big deal. I was actually surprised a broken arm and a concussion was all I got." DJ chuckled.
"What about you, Bridgette? Can you handle a few months without surfing?" Gwen's eyes turned to the surfer.
"It's going to be a little boring." Bridgette said, somewhat saddened. "I used to stare out the window during winter, just wishing for the snow and ice to melt and the sun to warm everything up so I could run out and catch some waves."
"Maybe you should move in with DJ." Gwen said jokingly. "They'll never run out of waves for you down here."
"That's always been one of my dreams, to move down to Hawaii and live out the rest of my life in the sea." Bridgette sighed as she laid her head back on her pillow. "The clear blue sky, the sun shining down on my face as I woke up to see a beautiful ocean through my window."
"Were you ever a fish in your past life?" Gwen asked.
"Maybe! I would be so happy to find out I used to be a dolphin!" Bridgette laughed.
Gwen shook her head and laughed. She can't remember the last time she had been able to laugh so care free with Bridgette or anyone else for that matter. She didn't have a chance to hang out with them because they were all on opposite teams and she had been stuck with several of her worst enemies even if Dawn and Elliot had taken the pressure off her. She hadn't parted on good terms with LeShawna because she had been angry that LeShawna had accidently injured Dawn during that fight she had with Heather.
She knew LeShawna was sorry for that but she still had been angry and didn't speak to her after that, even when she was eliminated. She heard LeShawna's wish to make up for what she did and allowed Andromeda to give her a chance but whether or not that wish would come true was still uncertain.
"So how long before you mom gets here?" Gwen asked, deciding to forget about everything that had happened for a moment.
"She called this morning so she'll be here probably during the afternoon." DJ replied.
"That's great. You won't have to worry about this stupid show anymore." Gwen said with a smile. "You're probably the envy of every sane person on this show."
"I know...Hey, Gwen, is it true what you did to Alejandro?" DJ asked, changing the subject.
Gwen looked away for a second, her smile fading when he asked that question. "Who told you?"
"Duncan came in, talking and chuckling about you kicked Alejandro between the legs after you found out what he did." DJ explained.
"You did what? When did this happen?" Bridgette sat up.
"You were napping when Duncan came in." DJ replied.
"Seriously, Gwen?" Bridgette turned to Gwen who looked a little sheepish.
"He had it coming." Gwen shrugged.
"Gwen, you know how I feel about using violence." DJ sighed.
"Speak for yourself, DJ, I wish I had been there to see the look on his face." Bridgette grinned. "He deserved a lot more than that if you ask me."
"Careful, Bridgette. You're supposed to be the nice girl on this show." Gwen smirked. "Can't let Chris hear that."
"I know but Alejandro..." Bridgette scowled.
"Forget it. Let's not ruin this good moment by talking slime balls." Gwen shook her head. "This'll be the last time any of us see DJ for while, possibly ever. I can't imagine his mother letting him back on the show if there's another season."
"You got that right." DJ nodded.
"All right." Bridgette sighed. "But Gwen you know he won't take it lying down."
"I'm on a team with Heather and Courtney. Trust me I'm used to having a target on my back." Gwen pointed out.
"I know. How is Courtney by the way? She's been really...moody." Bridgette asked, wondering about her friend.
"That's one way of saying it." Gwen sighed. "She's not taking things well with Duncan, especially with all the fights those two have had. Not to mention her misplaced anger towards anyone who disagrees with her on any subject. I think she's got some kind of mental disorder."
"Gwen!" Bridgette admonished.
"What? In her mind she's always right and anyone who disagrees is not only totally wrong but also an enemy. That's just one of many reasons she and Duncan have been fighting." Gwen shrugged. "Him disagreeing with her makes him a bad boyfriend."
"You got to admit, Bridge that Gwen had a point." DJ said. "You don't spend enough time around her to see how she treats everyone else."
"I know but how is badmouthing going to make a difference?" Bridgette asked.
"About the same difference as badmouthing Heather and Alejandro." Gwen pointed out.
Bridgette managed to look somewhat shameful with her own words thrown back at her.
"Look, I'm not trying to be Courtney's enemy but she's been after my head ever since she suspected me and to be honest I'm getting of that. Nothing I have said or done has even suggested that I'm trying to steal Duncan from her but when things go wrong she blames me. She never takes responsibility for her actions and she constantly finds fault in everyone else." Gwen explained. "I'm not saying that she's as bad as Heather or Alejandro but she's pretty cruel when she likes to be and I can't go on trying to be nice to her when she's like that."
"I guess." Bridgette sighed. "I just wonder why she's acting like this over Duncan."
"Like I said, Bridgette, forget it." Gwen said sternly. "This is about spending the last few hours with DJ and maybe the others before the plane takes off again."
"Your right." Bridgette nodded with a small smile. "Sorry."
"Now then, let's see if we can find something to watch." Gwen picked up the remote for the nearby television. "Know anything good on?"
"I think they're hosting the Aftermath." DJ said.
"I thought we were looking for something good." Gwen frowned.
"Actually Gwen can I see the Aftermath. Geoff will be there and I want to see if he's okay." Bridgette spoke up.
Gwen sighed as she turned the TV on and looked for the Aftermath. "You're lucky I love you guys more than I hate this show."
She knew which channel the Aftermath would be on and checked what time it would be when the show came on so when she found the channel she was looking for the show was already starting.
"Here you go." Gwen stood up from her chair.
"You're not going to watch?" Bridgette asked.
"Nah, I have better things to do than to watch some stupid reality show. I'm stuck on one already." Gwen chuckled as she walked towards the door.
"Hey, Gwen." She stopped when Bridgette called out to her.
She turned around to face the surfer. "Yeah?"
"LeShawna is going to be on this part of the Aftermath, you know. You're not still mad at her, are you?" Bridgette asked.
Gwen sighed. "No, but I am disappointed. She puts up with Heather for three seasons and she loses her temper over a little slap? Not to mention she gets so mad she knocks down someone who tries to break up the fight. That's not the LeShawna I have known for over a year now."
"Give her a break will you, Gwen? It wasn't just Heather's fault; Alejandro was messing with her head." DJ pointed out.
"And after Justin you'd think we'd be immune to handsome jerks by now." Gwen rolled her eyes. "Poor Harold though."
"Oh right." Bridgette realized. "Harold probably watched all the flirting."
"Yeah, let's not go there." Gwen shook her head. "Look, I won't be mad or disappointed at LeShawna forever. I just don't want any of my friends getting on the wrong side of her fist for whatever reason again."
"Hey take a look!" DJ pointed at the TV.
They all watched as the Aftermath was on and Leshawna stepped onto the stage.
"Looks we missed half the show." DJ remarked.
"Oh no. Is she about to..." Gwen started.
LeShawna was holding a microphone as she started singing.
LeShawna: You think you got me good, okay maybe you did.
You think you rule the game, I guess.
But you don't rule a thing cause baby you're a squid.
Who's gone and made a nasty mess!
"Yeah!" Bridgette shouted.
LeShawna: You lied right to my face and messed up my head!
And ain't that just the way with men?
"Not you, Harold." She said to a smiling Harold.
LeShawna: I know just how to do, oh, brother's goin' down!
And won't be getting up again!
"Yes!" Geoff called out.
"Think he's mad at you?" Gwem remarked to a happy Bridgette.
LeShawna: Sisters, come together and take him down!
As she sang Harold and Geoff ran up and started dancing next to her.
LeShawna: Sisters, come together and sort him out!
Sisters come together and make him see what we're all about, whoah-oh!
Sisters come together show what's what!
Sisters come together help me strut!
Sisters come together now make him see what we're all about!
Oh revenge!
As she finished singing she did a twirl and accidently kneed Harold between the legs.
"OH!" DJ winced. "Poor Harold!"
"I guess Geoff's forgiven you at this point." Gwen commented, smirking at Bridgette.
"Or he just wants to beat down Alejandro." Bridgette smiled at the thought.
"Is there really a difference?" Gwen asked as she stood up. "I got to go, I can't look at LeShawna when she's dancing and I think they'll pay for her to stop."
Gwen didn't have any idea of how right she was.
Xxx
Needless to say the Aftermath had gained a lot of donation to make LeShawna stop dancing. Gwen wasn't a fan of her dancing either but she never had the heard to tell her friend that.
"Whoo!"
She looked out across the ocean and laughed as Elliot was washed up on the beach. Elliot shook her head, water flying out of her soaked hair as she stood back up.
"Come on Gwen! Come in and join us!" Elliot waved her hand.
"Us?" Gwen asked.
"WHOO!"
Elliot laughed as Ezekiel was washed up on the beach next to her.
"Those are some waves, eh!" Ezekiel said, trying to get up but he fell over several times.
He didn't look like he was used to the ocean because he kept on rubbing his eyes.
"Salt water, hard on the eyes until you get used to it." Elliot remarked, smiling at the prairie boy. "Come on, Zeke! We can't waste all the free time we have!"
Gwen chuckled as she headed back onto the plane to change into her swimwear. As she climbed up into the plane Heather appeared in front of her.
"We need to talk." Heather said.
"Can't it wait?" Gwen sighed, not in the mood for this.
"No. What was going on there? You realize you've made yourself a target for Alejandro. He'll stop at nothing to sabotage our team now!" Heather said urgently.
"He deserved what he got and I know you've wanted to do that for a while." Gwen scowled. "If he comes near me or anyone else I actually care about he'll get something worse."
Heather raised an eyebrow at Gwen's behavior. "You sure are hard to figure out sometimes, Gwenny."
"Like you even pretend to know me." Gwen commented.
"Look, you got to keep a close out now. With Alejandro trying to gain an alliance with anyone useful it's only a matter of time before he comes after you. While I would love nothing better to see you take the Drop of Shame out of the plane without a parachute I don't like losing." Heather pointed at Gwen. "So just try and stay out of trouble."
"Yes Mommy." Gwen said, sounding like a little girl.
Heather growled and walked away, leaving Gwen to change.
'She has a point you know.' Andromeda commented.
'I know. I just like to bug her.' Gwen replied as she found her bag and went to the bathroom to change.
She came back out in her swimwear and picked a nice chair under an umbrella. If she spent anymore time in the sun she'd get sunburn. Contrary to popular belief Gwen actually goes outside on sunny days despite her pale skin but her skin was sensitive and burned easily. Even with sun block on she couldn't stay in the sun for very long, especially in a place like Jamaica.
'And the ironic part is I actually trained you for things worse than a sunburn.' Andromeda commented smugly.
'Yeah, yeah.' Gwen relaxed under the shade of her umbrella.
She closed her eyes and dosed off watching the nice weather and the few contestants swimming in the ocean.
'Team Victory and Team C with one of them the Avatar of Nebula and we're still not any closer to finding out who he is.' Gwen thought. 'Is it even a good idea to be relaxing?'
'All of the contestants are being watched by you, Elliot, and Dawn. It's only a matter of time before one of them reacts, whether by acting strange or trying to trick you.' Andromeda replied. 'Just wait and watch carefully.'
'I guess I shouldn't be dosing off then.' Gwen chuckled in her head.
That was when she felt someone's arm around her shoulder, jolting her awake as she opened her eyes.
"AH!"
She saw Tyler in front of her fell onto his back with a camera flying out of his hand as he tried to take a picture of her...and Cody! She turned her head and narrowed her eyes at Cody as he jumped out of the chair and ran behind Tyler.
"Oh...hey Gwen!" Cody said nervously. "Didn't think you were awake."
Gwen stood up and picked up the camera Tyler had been holding. She saw the picture Tyler had taken with Cody sitting next to her on her chair with a very big and nervous smile with one arm around her and holding both thumbs up at the camera.
"Why am I not surprised?" Gwen sighed as she looked at the two shaking boys, afraid of what she might do. "At least you didn't try to kiss me while I was out."
She tossed the camera back to Cody who ended up dropping it onto the sand as it slipped through his hands.
"Here's a souvenir and it's the only one you're getting." Gwen said as she sat back down. "Try that again and no more cameras."
"O-okay!" Cody quickly ran off with the camera in his hands.
'Good thing you trained me to the point that if a paper clip falls onto the floor I'm up.' Gwen sat back down on her chair.
'Good reflexes are needed as much as Methods and powers.' Andromeda replied.
"Mmm..." Gwen closed her eyes.
"Hey there."
Gwen opened her eyes, getting a little annoyed that everyone kept on bothering her. In front of her was Duncan holding two smoothies in his hands.
"Yeah, Duncan?" Gwen sighed.
"Can I hang out here?" Duncan asked.
"So as long you get your own chair." Gwen shrugged.
"Thanks." Duncan handed her the blue smoothie. "It's blue berry."
"Thanks." Gwen took the smoothie and took a sip through the straw.
Duncan sat on the ground next to her chair under the shadow of umbrella, keeping him out of the sun.
"So...what's new?"
"Is that best you can come up with?" Gwen smirked. "Okay, what stupid thing did you do this time?"
"What makes think I've done anything?" Duncan asked.
"You're lousy attempt to start a conversation." Gwen pointed out. "What is it?"
"Okay...I need your help."
"With what?" Gwen turned her head slightly to face Duncan.
"Courtney has got to go." Duncan replied, his voice becoming harder. "I can stand her anymore."
"Really? I thought you were just playing hard to get." Gwen commented sarcastically. "And letting her go crazy on me and Elliot."
"I didn't think she'd go that far." Duncan retorted. "Look, Courtney's hot and all and I thought she was sweet but she got all demanding on me and I can't handle it anymore. I just want her gone so I can breathe here!"
"You want me to help vote off your ex-girlfriend who has been after my head since the second season because she thought I was 'stealing' you from her?" Gwen asked. "Do you want me to get skinned alive?"
"It's not a big deal. If we lose the next one we just vote her off." Duncan replied.
"Yeah, no big deal." Gwen frowned. "I'm not a part of this fight; you just have to settle this without me."
"Come on, Gwen. She's going nuts, flirting with Alejandro to make me jealous and she's making herself look all pathetic like to gain sympathy." Duncan exclaimed.
"So quit." Gwen said.
"You realize how dumb that sounds? Once you're on this stupid show you don't get to quit." Duncan pointed out.
"So now you want help in voting off your ex-girlfriend." Gwen sighed. "Duncan I'm not going to defend her but I am not going to help in this."
"You want her to win the million dollars? She'll be unbearable if that happens!" Duncan said, unable to believe that Gwen was not taking this seriously. "She has got to go before she gets that chance!"
"Is this about the money or the fact that you don't want her to win at all?" Gwen asked.
'When love turns to hate both people will do nothing wrong each other.' Andromeda whispered in Gwen's mind.
"Of course it's about the money." Duncan shook his head. "Courtney gets the money shell rub all our faces in it."
"Sure, whatever." Gwen leaned back against her chair. "Look, Duncan I am not going to b a part of this so drop it."
"And what happens when Courtney aims for you?" Duncan asked.
"She already is." Gwen simply said. "I don't need to be a part of this and I won't be so either settle or just run back to her and beg you to take you back."
Duncan shook his head. "You think you can rely on best friends for anything."
He stood up and walked away, carrying his smoothie with him.
'Some things you just don't touch.' Gwen took another sip from her own smoothie. 'Especially something like this.'
'Why do I have the feeling that this relationship will affect several friendships?' Andromeda asked.
'Because drama screws up life.'
Gwen thought she wouldn't get anymore interruptions of her break but she was proven wrong again when she sensed a Method. She opened her eyes to see everything turn bright blue and everyone was left frozen in time.
"Am I ever going to get a break?" Gwen sighed as she stood up.
"Don't worry, Gwen. It's just a routine check up."
She turned around and spotted the person sitting on a chair with a umbrella of his own, holding a can of Coke in his right hand.
"Kurt." Gwen sighed. "I had thought you returned to Canada a while ago."
"I did, but I got word of the Departed Witch's island and your request for help. I thought you might run into some trouble that might have you calling for help so I was on standby." Kurt smirked. "I heard Dawn unsheathed her claws on that island."
"She sure did, I never saw her that powerful...or scary before." Gwen admitted as she sat back in her chair. "So what brings you over here?"
"Nothing bad." Kurt walked out of his chair and stood next to Gwen as she watched the beach. "That mop head's got a whole new pile of money coming in to pay for the gas so you'll be off the island, maybe tonight or tomorrow morning."
"Nice to know." Gwen nodded.
"The other news is that Carlos will be waiting at your next destination along with Bobby Collins and Alonso Carter." Kurt continued.
"Hmm? Why's that?" Gwen looked at Kurt.
"Things are getting more dangerous than we thought, even if with Dawn, Elliot, and Jimmy with you. The Marauder's whereabouts, Carlos is getting impatient and Nebula's Avatar hasn't been located yet." Kurt shrugged.
"Well, it's not like we haven't been trying here. We've looked over the others as best as we could without stripping them naked and seeing if the vessel connecting the Avatar to Nebula was a tattoo." Gwen retorted.
"I know, I know, Gwen. You don't need to bite my head off, I know for a fact you're smart enough to stand on your own two feet. But the fact is the longer Nebula is loose the more chance of something terrible happening here and that's the last thing anyone wants. Carlos has decided to use that scent he picked up back in the Amazon to find Nebula the old fashioned way." Kurt replied.
"Scent? You mean the sample of Nebula's spiritual aura color?" Gwen asked.
"It's long a shot but if anyone here has a but a small bit of Nebula's color in their life energy we'll have Nebula in our grasp." Kurt reasoned.
'And once Nebula's avatar is revealed you can capture and remove Nebula from his Avatar without harming the human.' Andromeda observed.
"Like I said, it's a long shot but no one wants anyone to be taking risks with this anymore." Kurt shrugged as he took a tip of his Coke. "You're going to have your hands full when they show, Gwen. You might want to take the time to make sure your ready."
"I will but there is something I need to take care of before I leave." Gwen said as she closed her eyes. "Something important to me."
Xxx
The sun was going down and the sky was dark enough that if you looked carefully enough you could see stars sparkling in the background of the dark blue sky. DJ was on the beach with his injuries bandaged watching as the plane was fueled up.
"DJ?"
He turned around and was shocked to see nearly everyone standing behind him. The only people who weren't present were Courtney and Alejandro. Bridgette was in a wheel chair with a cast on her right leg with Tyler pushing her. Even Heather showed up which not only surprised him but surprised most of the group.
"What's this?" DJ asked.
"Well, DJ, word is your moving to here and not coming back to Canada and if you stay here I can't ask you to come back to the show since then that would take up a whole lot of money." Chris said as he walked forward. "So, to make sure you don't get thoughts on suing me and the show we're throwing this good bye party just for you."
"Really?" DJ asked, looking at everyone.
"Come on, Deej, you're one of my best buds." Duncan walked up and bumped fists with him. "Not going to be the same without you man."
"Wow. You guys all came just to say good bye?" DJ asked.
"And this might be good for ratings too." Chris replied. "But regardless, with all your friends and fans you will defiantly be missed."
"Awww, group hug everyone!" Own cried out.
That was when everyone, even Heather joined in a huge group hug around DJ. A tear fell down the giant's face as he enjoyed a moment of peace with his friends.