Well, since people appear to be reading and I've gotten some nice feedback so far… here's the next installment! Before we continue though, I wanted to point something out since Camp Lazlo had some 'continuity errors' throughout the series and just so you all know the plot points I'm sticking with from the show. In this fic, the series finale with Lumpus being a 'phony scout master' never happened since that WHOLE thing contraindicated SO many things in the series prior, and instead, I'm having Lumpus being married to Jane Doe (not the Migrating Mulberry Tree) and in his final year as a Scout Master and head of Camp Kidney with Mr. Slinkman taking over once Lumpus retires. As for the Migrating Mulberry Tree; however, you'll see how I decided to 'pay homage' later in the fanfic to that character and episode. Haha. ;) In this chapter, we will FINALLY join in with the now 17-year-old Jelly Cabin Trio we all know and love to start! Hope you all enjoy! :)

({No POV})

As the night started setting in on Prickly Pines and things were getting close to 'lights out' at Camp Kidney, some of the older Bean Scouts decided to keep going into the night of the Summer season by doing whatever they wanted in the comfort of their cabins.

One of these groups was Jelly Bean Cabin.

Raj had his record player going as he used his tusk brush to clean off and polish his now mature tusks while Clam sat on the edge of his bed and seemed like he was relacing up his shoes with a slight smile on his face.

They both kept up their usual nightly routine until the door swung open and Lazlo grinned as he walked in and stretched his arms before stating happily, "Ahh! It feels so good to be back in good 'ol Jelly Cabin with my two best friends! Got a good lineup of tunes, Raj?"

Raj sat up with a grin as he motioned back with his thumb before saying proudly, "Oh, don't I always? The real question should be when don't I have a good selection of music? Tonight we are welcoming you back to camp in 'style'."

Lazlo smiled in appreciation as he expressed, "Thanks, guys. You know, a Spider Monkey can't ask for two better friends. Hey Clam, what are?..."

"Sorry, running now!" Clam announced, smiling ear to ear as he got his feet before briskly jogging past Lazlo and calling out behind him, patting Lazlo on the back on his way out of the cabin, "Welcome back, Lazlo! Be back later!"

After that Lazlo watched on in confusion as Clam breezed past him and ended up taking off into the woods behind the cabin.

The only sound heard for several moments was the music coming from Raj's record player.

Finally, Lazlo scratched the back of his head in confusion before he looked back at Raj and pointed out to the woods where Clam went and asked, "Uh, Raj? What's up with Clam?"

Raj just responded casually by shrugging and explaining, "Oh, that? Almost every night since last summer, he goes on these 'night jogs'. No idea why, but he says it is 'cooler' for him or something. Then again, he has been obsessed with 'exercise' and 'sports' for the past 3 years now. I mean, just look at what is under his bed!"

Lazlo ducked his head down and saw a random collection of balls for various sports, a bat, a hockey stick, and… rope?

Immediately, Lazlo quirked up an eyebrow and looked back at Raj before asking, slightly hesitant, "What's the rope for?"

Raj's expression seemed almost 'flat' as he answered matter of factly and gestured with his thumb behind him, "For pulling that big rock back and forth on the beach."

Lazlo's expression became even more confused until he looked outside the screen and saw a giant boulder on the beach that he remembered seeing earlier, but just didn't think that much of it until now.

"Oh…" Lazlo finally got out in understanding despite still clearly 'processing' Clam's new habits.

Well, at least until he rationalized, "But, Raj all of us like to play sports and games too here at camp. Besides, are we sure this isn't just Clam being 'Clam' when he gets his usual 'fixations' over stuff? I mean, remember when he was obsessed with talking like Edward? Or the 'pancake outlaw' thing? Or that time when we were 12 and his 'adult horn' started growing in so he kept wanting to scratch it against everything from rocks to the back of our cabin? Actually, I'm pretty sure the scratches are still back there."

Raj crossed his arms and tilted his head up before explaining further, "Lazlo, I am telling you. This is more than just a 'phase thing' with Clam. He is obsessed. I don't think he ever stops 'moving' except for when he's sleeping!"

Lazlo took in 'all of that' and looked like things were slowly coming together, especially since the more Raj kept elaborating… the more things started to make sense. Lazlo looked up and put his hand to his chin as he recalled, "Now that you mention it, Clam was doing things I never remembered him doing before. Like on our hike earlier with the new scouts, I thought he was just messing around, but then he lifted up a bench at the communal campground after lunch and started doing shoulder presses with it with a couple of the kids still sitting on it. And then when Gretchen threw him down this hole, he didn't even need any help since he just climbed out by digging his fingers into the dirt walls."

Raj's eyes went wide as he exclaimed, "Wait, Gretchen did what?! WHEN?!"

Lazlo just looked back at Raj calmly as he shrugged and reiterated, "Oh, just this morning on our hike. We ran into the Squirrel Scouts on our hike and Gretchen tossed Clam down into this pit. I mean, I know Gretchen's usually 'crabby', but she seemed really angry about something today. But, Patsy was there too and tried to help which was nice of her."

Raj looked like he was going to keep going on about Gretchen… until he caught Lazlo's expression when he mentioned Patsy just now.

Lazlo was sitting on his bunk with a slight smile and a thoughtful look in his eye.

Raj quirked up an eyebrow upon seeing that as he started, "Lazlo… that is a slippery slope you're going down. And you know that!" But, he didn't need to say anymore as Lazlo politely cut in, "Raj, I know what you're probably going to say and I know she used to kind of freak me out when we were kids, but… we were kids, you know? And that's probably why she freaked me out a little if I'm being honest. Honestly, I don't really think I ever actually tried to even talk to her when there wasn't some 'camp thing' going on to make things a little crazy. Besides, I don't know? Seeing her today was kind of… nice. Anyway, let's get this cabin party kicked off while we wait for Clam! You got the tunes and I got the nostalgia! Check out what I picked up in Prickly Pines earlier."

Right then, Lazlo reached into his backpack and tossed a bag of marshmallows in Raj's direction.

Raj's eyes lit up as a huge grin took over his face, clearly showing his 'sweet tooth' for his still favorite junk food as he expressed, "Now we are talking here! Let's get this summer started!"

After that, Lazlo and Raj tore into the bag of marshmallows before turning up the music and getting started with kicking off their first and last summer with the 'Jelly Cabin Trio' back together!

Well, at least until Clam came back later.

3 hours later

Since it was already a little past midnight and there was still no sign of Clam, Lazlo and Raj knew they probably had to turn in since they knew they were going to have an early wake-up call for their usual beginning of camp inspection by Commander Hoo-Ha at the crack of dawn so he can meet the new Bean Scouts.

The two of them went lights out and Raj was quickly fast asleep.

But through Raj's snores, Lazlo was still awake as he laid there in the dark. Partially he was wondering where Clam was for a bit until he couldn't stop himself from smiling to himself for 2 different reasons.

One was finally being happy to be back at one of his favorite places on Earth for his last Summer as a Bean Scout and two… he was also thinking about someone else who he was still surprised was on his mind.

But, especially considering the 'position' he and Patsy were in for a few moments earlier that day, it was really making it difficult to ignore.

Eventually, Lazlo couldn't help himself from smiling and letting out a sigh as he put his right arm behind his head and letting out a slight sigh with a smile as he drummed his fingers from his left hand on his chest for a moment.

Like Lazlo admitted to Raj a couple of hours ago, even he was surprised by how much he kept thinking about Patsy right now. But, Lazlo just decided to shrug it off for now as he smiled and closed his eyes, and settled into his bed for the night.

Though right as Lazlo seemed like he was on his way to drifting off to sleep, the screen door of their cabin 'creaked' open.

Lazlo looked over and saw it was Clam walking in and closing the door behind him as he did so.

At first, Lazlo was close to sitting up and smiling to greet his longtime friend, until he stopped and remained silent as he noticed something 'different'.

After Clam shut the door as quietly as possible to avoid waking up Raj and Lazlo (who he assumed were both sleeping), he just stood there.

Clam looked down at the ground for a moment with an almost 'puzzled' expression on his face, scratching the back of his head as he kept looking to be in a state of almost 'deep thought'.

Almost so much so that he didn't even realize Lazlo was now sitting up in his bed and giving Clam a slightly concerned look while tilting his head before asking in a tone that matched, but still trying to keep his voice down enough to not wake up Raj, "Clam?"

Right then, Clam snapped his head up before looking at Lazlo surprised and wide-eyed. Well, until he 'relaxed himself' before replying, also trying to keep his voice down, "Oh, hey Lazlo! Sorry."

Lazlo kept looking at Clam in concerned confusion as he started, "It's okay, I was still up, but… are you okay?"

Almost instantly Clam put his hands up, smiling, and replied in hushed enthusiasm, "I'm fine!"

Lazlo looked at him even more skeptical at this point.

Despite not being around Clam and Raj in almost 4 years, Lazlo could still see both of his friends in many real ways were exactly the same Clam and Raj he remembered meeting when they were all kids. And now was the biggest piece of evidence of that still being the case with Clam.

Because even though the 'night jogging' was new to Lazlo, Clam was still the same 'Clam' he remembered. And he knew his best friend enough that Clam wasn't as 'fine' as he said he was right now.

For as long as Lazlo has known Clam and from day one of meeting him, Clam has been Camp Kidney's resident 'quiet kid'.

Even living up to this reputation by always kind of being a 'wanderer' in every literal sense.

Sometimes Clam would disappear for an hour in the middle of the day and then return saying he 'went exploring'. At first Lazlo had no idea what Clam meant until they followed him one day and saw him quite literally 'walking' around the woods, occasionally climbing a large rock or tree, and later pretty much 'charging' and borderline headbutting trees and rocks when his adult horn started growing in.

Or at least that was how he remembered things from the last time they were all at Camp Kidney when they were 12.

Especially since Lazlo remembered Raj commenting before they decided to go to sleep that 'Clam was usually never gone this long', and even Lazlo had to agree that Clam being gone for multiple hours was not normal for him.

So, feeling off about what was happening, Lazlo even questioned this further as he asked, "Are you sure nothing is going on?"

But, Clam just instantly smiled and responded, while still keeping his voice down, "I'm fine! Just tired."

After that Clam just pat Lazlo on the back like earlier before looking like he was settling in for the night. Clam just sat on his bed and took off his shoes, T-shirt, and pants until he was in his undershirt and boxers like he usually slept.

Lazlo decided to just 'drop it' for now despite still not believing Clam for a second as he started to climb back into bed.

But, right as Lazlo started to settle down for the night again, he looked over in confusion to see Clam with that same looks of 'perplexity' that he walked into the cabin with as he sat on the edge of his bed and looked out the translucent screen toward the lake.

Lazlo just kept looking on at Clam continuing to look out at the lake. Well, until Clam just let out a long breath through his nostrils before he climbed under his blankets and laid down.

Meanwhile, Lazlo was still awake for longer than he was expecting as he kept looking at Clam in confused yet oddly intrigued concern before he eventually drifted off.

The following morning

(Patsy's POV)

Breakfast just ended and Den Mother Doe just had all of us sit down for our 'daily itinerary meeting' for the day while Ms. Mucus kept the new scouts in line in the meantime.

And for a former Green Beret like her… we all definitely respected Ms. Mucus and knew to never mess with her and always do what she said.

Especially for me being an 'Army Brat' because of my dad, I totally respect Ms. Mucus without question.

Anyway, the meeting was wrapping up as Mrs. Doe-Lumpus started, "Oh! I almost forgot! With this being the last summer for Scout Master Lumpus before he retires, we've been trying something different. I've been talking more with Mr. Slinkman about getting more Co-Ed gatherings and events together between Acorn Flats and Camp Kidney! So, if any of you have any ideas, please don't hesitate to approach me with any ideas. But, you all have a nice day today, ladies! Have a good one!"

After that Gretchen immediately stood up and went outside, making me still give her a 'weird look'. Especially after what Nina and I saw last night.

But, I knew that had to wait for now as everyone else left and with what Den Mother Doe just said, it got something going in my head ever since I saw Lazlo yesterday.

And wasn't so much just 'seeing him' as it was what he said before I went back to camp yesterday:

"But, it was great seeing you again. Maybe we'll see each other some other time later this summer? Maybe at the Tug of War?"

That just got me thinking... really thinking.

The Onion Day Tug of War was 2 weeks away and this is my last summer here and probably the last chance I'll ever get any opportunity to be with Lazlo since he's probably gonna go back to Brazil and I'll probably never see him again.

And I am not standing for just 'waiting' for an opportunity to spend time with Lazlo when I can do something about it right now.

I still have time to get an opportunity… and Patsy Smiles doesn't let opportunities slip past her!

Everyone was gone by now and I eventually got the courage as I stood up and walked right up to Den Mother Doe before starting, "Um, excuse me, Mrs. Doe-Lumpus."

She looked up at me and her face lit up immediately with a big smile as she responded, "Oh, yes! Hello, Patsy! Do you have a question about something?"

Okay Patsy, you got this far. Just go for it!

I straightened up and smiled before saying, "Um, actually… it's not so much a 'question', but more of an 'idea'."

I barely had time to continue as she immediately replied enthusiastically, "Oh! How wonderful! What's your idea?"

Well, since I figured there was nothing left to do but keep going, I just continued as casually as possible, "Oh, um… good! Anyway, I know it's a little last minute, but I had an idea for an event we can have with the Bean Scouts. You know before the Tug of War? Like just a casual party this Friday or… something. Just to get the younger scouts more involved and socializing more with the Bean Scouts, you know?"

She looked at me for a second until I jumped a little when she just stood up and clapped her hands before almost yelling in total enthusiasm, "OOOOHHHH! Patsy, a party sounds just FABULOUS! What sort of party were you thinking about?"

Okay… this is going weirdly better than I thought it was going to.

But, I wasn't questioning it!

Even though I know what I wanted to ask about, I didn't want to come out and say I wanted to have a 'dance' since I can just hear everyone else's complaining already after the "Shindootenannebaloo" thing at Camp Kidney when we were 11, which apart from Mr. Lumpus's head exploding was probably one of the most annoying, awkward, and frustrating nights of my entire life.

Considering all of us were forced to go because of Miss Doe mainly.

Then all we did was listen to awkward stories from Raj, watch Clam line dancing to the terrible yodeling folk song they put on for 5 minutes, and then Miss Doe practically started 'playing matchmaker' and pairing us up to dance with the Bean Scouts (of which I was smart enough to stay totally out of sight as soon as Raj accidentally slowed the music down)... it was no wonder why all of us wanted to cut and out and leave the first chance we got.

PLUS, Lazlo wasn't even there the whole time anyway and pretty much ran out right as the entire thing started, which annoyed 11-year-old me more than anything else that he wasn't sticking around for the stupid dance that he invited us all to!

But, now? I feel like I could 'pitch this idea' better and hopefully get everyone to go with the idea.

For now, though, all I need is to get Den Mother Doe on board… and everyone else… hopefully.

And here we go full circle with Patsy now initiating an inter-camp dance with an 'ulterior motive' to spend more time with Lazlo. Just like Lazlo did in "Dosey Doe" by using the dance as a front for helping him get Lumpus and Jane Doe together. Looks like great minds (or 'Soulmate minds' from Patsy's perspective) think alike. Lol. XD But, will everyone else at Acorn Flats and Camp Kidney be as receptive to the idea? What's going on with Clam? Wait until next time to find out some of this and more! ;) Anyway, I thank you all for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter, and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated if you can spare it!

Stay Classy!

Dexter1995