Hey There,

It's Thursday! It's time to party and here is chapter 3! Three! Already! Whoo! Some of you may be getting this on Friday because I posted late, but regardless. Welcome! And I'm so glad you're here! Let's get statted!

Special thanks to anyone who placed this story on their story alert or favorite stories lists. And special thanks to anyone who has placed me on your favorite author's list or author's alert. That is high praise and I hope I don't let any of you down.

Special thanks to my reviewers: [my friend] Rose-Aki (Yes, it was a tough chapter with an even tougher goodbye at the end. But we've talked about these kinds of posts so many times and it just jumped out at me as having to be written. Thank you so much for your encouragement and boundless support. Writer to writer as well as friend to friend. I hope that this chapter is gonna be more light to read. Getting back to the usual rhythms of funny and all out fun in places while still weighting all of the ramifications. I could not do any of this without you! Hope that you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!), AwkwardGurl05 (My goodness, girl! You didn't just review once but for both chapters! And everything you said was more than kind and supportive, I can't thank you enough for that! You get it! You truly do and for the record, Yes. I imagine Logan did cry but since he waited till no one was around. If no one saw it, it didn't happen. But we know. I agree with you on Mark too. My other story exhibited all of Mark flunting his relationship with Brooke, rubbing it in Quinn's face… because that was what kind of person Brooke was and what she brought outta him. But in this story, it is gonna be the 'shut down show.' It's gonna have hints of how Mark got with Stacey, but mostly its gonna be all of the things that DIDN'T work for them on a platter and served cold. Just because I HATE the way he treated Quinn and you KNOW she told Stacey some of that. That sounds fun! Especially with Quinn so much better off now. AND the Quarantine episode is one of my all time favs! For two HUGE reasons. One being 'the Three Stooges' intro that the boys performed [me and my sis LOVE the Three Stooges and have always compared those three guy friends to the real deals and then THAT happened and we freaked] AND because I noticed that the whole time Logan's laying on the couch with that little hand mirror. He's using it to watch Quinn. The whole time! And they aren't even together YET! I LOVE THAT! I love how you always bring up episode moments that send me down a fangirl spiral! LoL! Thank you so much for your kindness, your energy, you deep love of these characters and the series. And thank you so much for giving this story a chance. Hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!), and Guest Nina (Girrrrl! You snuck in there last minute, I almost missed you. But I'm so glad I didn't and so glad to hear from you. And that even though that last post was sad, I have you interested in where it's all going. I agree, that those writers hadn't given enough love and limelight to ALL of these awesome characters. I'm trying my best to do better, because I really love them all. I do! Thank you so much for that question and YES! I am planning for this very story having some hotter scenes [hotter than I've ever written for these guys] that are gonna push that T rating to the brink. When these guys are together again, and not surrounded in their friends ALL the time. Or PCA's rules, staff and they're NOT hiding a thing! Can't WAIT! I have a hotter version of Prom Night too that I penned and may post soon [it's just getting it to sound right, ya know?] So happy, you asked! I hope that's all good news when you read this and when these things come up, I hope I can do these wonderful people justice. Hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!).

Standard disclaimers apply - I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, Fig Newtons (you'll see what I mean) or any of the other trademarked things mentioned below. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted enjoyment. Most will be returned unharmed.

Enjoy!


"How We Spent Our Summer Vacay!"

Chapter 3 - Otis the Escapist!


(Quinn's Perspective)

I slept the whole way home on my Uncle's shoulder.

I know exactly how bumpy and LONG that ride is. So that tells me that whatever that nurse had given me had WORKED! That and I know how emotional it had been when Logan's hand had slipped outta mine. And he'd held onto tight till the last minute. If that drug hadn't knocked me out, I probably would have cried the whole way home…

I don't remember feeling like that whenever I'd had to say bye to my ex-boyfriend. And I don't remember anyone ever looking as heartbroken as Logan had. I hope he's doing okay…

But I slept the entire trip and woke up in my Uncle's spare room at his house. He has a couple of spares, but this is usually the one I end up in whenever I stay over. It has a painting of Otis' mom on the wall. She died giving birth to my alpaca baby, and he's always thought he was more human than alpaca because I raised him more than herd my uncle keeps.

The moment I opened my eyes my soon-to-be new aunt Marion had called for pizza and told me to stay where I was. When it arrived, she and my uncle would bring it to me and we would all eat together in my room. And that was exactly how I spent that first night back. Sharing pizza with two of my favorite family members. And listening to my Uncle bring her up to speed on everything. Including the fact that I wasn't dating Mark anymore, but I was now dating Logan.

Marion had rolled her eyes and shared, "He's been saying since that boy came to visit last summer. That he wished you were dating Logan-"

"Who?" My uncle asked her comically.

"Logan! The one you insist on calling 'City.'" Marion had told him seriously, while he was trying to be cute.

My uncle asked just to get under both of our skins. "Is that that boy's actual name? I forget."

Marion told him point blank, "Maybe it would be easier to remember if you called him by his name sometime."

But my uncle stuck to his guns, "Where's the fun in that?" He always insists on nicknames.

I had forgotten how adorable they can be. But it had been so nice reconnecting with the both of them and relaxing all together like that. They're wedding is coming up fast and soon, they'd planned it coinciding with my original school dismissal dates, so I had some time to recover before I got to be Marion's Bridesmaid. And stand up with them in front of all of their friends… and hopefully SOME of our family. They were letting me in on some of the drama they were facing and backlash from our relatives. Besides the drama of my parents being on the other side of the globe.

When dinner was over, and I'd taken all of the medicine I was supposed to. I had a little time before it kicked in so I did text my friends and even write a short e-mail to Logan in that time. Just to show how serious I was about keeping that up for him. As I had promised, and trying to cheer him up… as well as myself. You wouldn't BELIEVE how much I missed him already. In just a short while… but we've been inseparable for the longest time. Sharing every moment possible together… Being this far away from him, from all of my gang. But especially Logan… it just felt so strange.

But even when I took my pain meds… I had the hardest time getting to sleep. I ended up calling my roommates and putting them on speaker so we could fall asleep talking like we always did our first nights away from each other, like every summer. It can be hard to adjust to sleeping alone when you're used to two other people always being there.

But both Zoey and Lola went right to sleep with ease, and I STILL couldn't nod off. So I hung up with them, and I just laid there for the longest time. Staring at the ceiling waiting for sleep to come… and it just wouldn't.

So I texted Logan to see if he was up. Or having the same trouble and he immediately texted back. "Can I call you?"

He even sent a second before I could answe the first that said, "I want to hear your voice."

So sweet!

I texted back, "Sure, I guess."

I was typing a longer message after that but I didn't get to send it before my phone was ringing.

I answered it and the second I heard his voice, something unclinched in my chest. That I hadn't even realized was constricting my heart and breathing. He sounded just as relieved but sad, as me. He'd said, "Hi."

And I'd said, "Hey."

He asked me, "Where am I finding you? Are you in one of Irvine's spare rooms?"

"Yep, my usual one, with the painting of Otis' mom on the wall." He's slept here before too, so he knew exactly where I was talking about. Then I got to ask him, "Where am I finding you? I'm not disrupting you in your roommates am I?"

"No." He assured, "Michael & James were all studying late with Vince and Chase. They're all asleep in my dorm room, wherever they landed. On the couch, on the bunk beds… Del Figgs is asleep on the floor. I stepped out into the lobby just down the hall. So it's just you and me."

"Oh, good." I said, glad for that. I didn't want to say anything that would get him teased by the other guys.

"So you made it, home alright and already e-mailed me." He'd said trying to lighten up. I could hear the effort in his tired voice.

"I did… but I slept the whole ride here… so now I can't sleep anymore, I guess." I said, before I asked, "Why are you up so late? When you have class tomorrow, and exams looming so close?"

"Can't sleep either…" He said while he was letting out a big breath. "Already missing my girlfriend too much…"

"That weird girl?" I teased.

He'd picked up on my teasing and he'd said, "Every bit of her, yep."

"You're not relieved to be rid of her? Even a little bit?"

"Well…" He'd tried before he said everything in a gush. "No, I can't even kid about it. It's too raw, and new. It's terrible, Quinn. Like dentist chair and no numbing stuff bad, like not even nominated snubbed by all the awards ugly."

"Baby, you barely slept a wink last night." I pointed out.

But he had his own point, "I couldn't take my eyes off of you… not knowing when I'd get to be with you or look at you again."

Ahhg! He's bringing it! All of the heat he didn't get to give me tonight, in one of our sneak away moments, or little meet ups, when we saw each other at dinner time, or after dinner time. He's bringing all of it over this phone call and if I'm not careful this guys gonna melt me and my phone. I somehow quit melting long enough to re-solidify and remember my point. He may think just because my meds kept knocking me out that I didn't notice, but I had. I stressed to him, "Logan, you need to rest, and sleep at some point."

"I know… and I tried, but I just miss you too much… I don't know how I'm gonna get through these last weeks of classes. Or the exams." He'd said truly sounding flabbergasted.

I had to admit, "I wish I knew what to tell you, to make it better. But I'm just as bad, and I can't seem to cheer up either."

Almost as soon as I got these words out, Marion came to check on me. And was surprised to find me not asleep and almost in tears. Over missing Logan so terribly, hearing him say he missed me too… I didn't know what to expect from her. I knew if this had been my mom or dad finding me on my phone at this hour. I would be told to hang up immediately no matter what and forced to try harder to sleep.

But Marion had been so cool, she sat on the side of my bed and said, "Hello Logan." Brightly.

He'd greeted her kindly, but there was an edge to his tone that sounded just as panicked and unsure as I felt. But Marion was a complete godsend. She not only didn't make me hang up, but she took the opportunity to not only thank my baby for saving my life. But for quote, "Being such a wonderful friend to Quinn. And it sounds like you're an even better boyfriend. Irvine and I feel a lot better knowing she's with someone who cares the way you do."

I was almost crying for a whole new reason when Logan said, "I'm the lucky one, Marion. Believe me, she brings out the best in me. Thanks for not making her hang up just now. Neither of us can seem to sleep."

Marion suggested. "Why don't you two quit dwelling on this time when you're sad and apart? Focus on the much happier subject of when you'll be together again. Or talk about some of the fun you've already had together since this all started." Then she said, "Not tonight, but sometime soon I would like to hear the tale of HOW this all started from you guys. Maybe if Logan ever gets to visit this year. But for now, both of you just try to relax and sleep if you can." Before she kissed my forehead, got me to lay down, and told us both 'goodnight.'

And we both gushed about how cool my new aunt is! Both of us knew our parents would have made us hang up too. Well, my mom and dad. And Logan's Dad or Chauncy. Not everyone has a Chauncy. As Marion had suggested too, the rest of our conversation was about happy things, past and future. We both sounded like ourselves in no time.

Then he'd yawned and so had I just picturing him yawn… they're so contagious. But we both felt like we could maybe sleep… maybe. Even after admitting this out loud though neither of us wanted to hang up… but he needed sleep even more than I did.

So I said, "Go! Lay down while you're relaxed and see if you can sleep a while. Even for a little bit. You need to if you can."

"Okay." He said before he said, "I love you… so much."

"I love you too." I said and meant. "So much."

"Wish I could kiss you goodnight… I hate it whenever I can't do that." He complained.

"But hey," I tried to cheer him up. "It used to be because we were keeping this all a secret. At least we don't have to do that anymore… that's progress."

"Yeah, but we go public, I blink, and now you're in Seattle. Why did we keep it a secret for so long again? Remind me?" He'd teased.

"Because we couldn't take our friend's reactions, or our classmates at first." I reminded on cue.

He said, "Now it just seems dumb. Instead of using all that time and energy to keep 'us' a secret. I should have been using it all to hold you and kiss you while I could."

"Who says I would have let you?" I'd flirted back. He has been bringing it this whole conversation. Wherever and however he could, I had to give everything I could back.

He'd put on the sexy tone when he said with confidence, "Oh! You would have, believe me."

I dished right back, "You're probably right, I do seem to remember a lot of making out even when we were hiding things. I wouldn't trade those times for anything Logan."

He'd said with effort, "Me either, GOD! … You're really not making this easy on me. If you were here-"

That was when it struck me, I knew how to still give him a goodnight kiss. Realistically! Tell him what would have happened, if I was there right now with him. So I said, "If I was there, I would be pushing you in the direction of your dorm. Telling you to 'go to bed, while you're feeling tired.' And panicking over getting caught, but knowing you, you wouldn't care about that at all-"

He said before I could, "I'd be too busy trying to tug you into a last kiss. Doing everything I could think of to grab you or trap you."

"And I'd be trying to escape, before we're caught for both being up after curfew. Which would be bad enough, but getting caught together… like that… "

He'd scoffed, "Who cares! It's the end of the year. What are they gonna do? Not let me take exams? I don't think so." But at this point, he'd caught on to what I was doing. And he'd said, "Nope, we'd have nothing to lose, and I would be telling you that. Plus, you and me are both kinda known as heroes around here since the fire."

"I think you mean you and Vince are the heroes." I corrected.

But he corrected me, "No! I had it right! … Me and Vince ONLY get called that cause of the fire. But you've been a hero to so many people campus-wide year-round. Everyone's saying the place isn't the same without you. It's not just me, or our friends, or our classmates... It's everybody."

But I needed to get this back to giving him a goodnight kiss. By telling him what would happen. I said, "See! I know just how to distract you and get your mind off of kisses when I need to make a clean getaway."

"Oh! You'd say that was what you were doing." He said and I could just hear him smirking. "But really… You were having too much fun making me work for it. Making it a game that we would both win in the end. Then I'd finally trap you against the wall and you'd smile right before I FINALLY kissed you."

I closed my eyes and it was like I was there. Like we were there, even if really being there would have been so MUCH better. I added, "Because it's like you said, we both win in the end."

"Yeah." He agreed dreamily.

I concurred, "Finally, is right. I'd try to pull away quickly, before we're caught. But you'd do that thing where the second you get ahold of my waist-"

"You're mine." He confirmed. "You're not going anywhere, even when you run outta breath I'll just trail kisses down your neck till you catch your breath. And I'd just keep kissing you till you're a giggly mess. That's always the goal and the best."

"You see? You did give me a goodnight kiss and this way we're not worried about getting caught." I'd reasoned.

He said, "But actually kissing you would have been WAY better."

"I know… but this wasn't so bad." I'd tried and he admitted.

"Yeah, I feel a little better." He said before I yawned this time. And he'd heard it, so he said, "I'll let you rest, see if you can sleep. Thanks for letting me call you, I needed this."

I said, "I did too," before I said it first this time, "I love you."

He said, "I love you too. Night, babe."

"Sweet dreams, baby." And I fell right to sleep easily after that.


((Uncle Irvine's Perspective))

I'm a simple man, with a farm in Seattle. And that place is my life.

It has to be indoor and outdoor, because of it's location. One of the rainiest places in the world… But what my farm does isn't the typical farm you have in your mind. With lots of fields plowed for vegetables and fruit. It is loaded to the hilt in livestock of all kinds… but even that isn't exactly what you would expect.

My business deals in rescuing all kinds of animals, live-stock included, but not exclusively. The hurt, disabled, and supposedly worthless ones that no one cared about. That would be just put down or killed, unless people like me speak up for them. I take them in and give them a place to live out the rest of their natural lives without fear. I take care of them and you wouldn't believe how they take care of me too.

I have a dedicated group of animal lovers who help around the place too. Some I pay and others volunteer their time. We have programs for people of all ages to come spend time with our animals. My favorites are the retirement home field trips we get… the way retired animals and retired people understand one another never gets old. People who LOVE animals and caring for them. That never gets old!

But none of my family is as passionate about my chosen profession as my neighbor and niece Q. Her name is 'Quinn,' and I always liked that name but I think I've only called her 'Quinn' a handful of times in her life. To me she has always been 'Q' and she is my favorite family period.

She gets it! And has her own way with all living things.

I had been all excited about her coming home… for her summer break. A couple of weeks from now. It's the only time she's home anymore, and my brother is gone more often than not. Globe trotting trying to keep up with his wife. I've been a bachelor all my life, so I wouldn't know about that. But this summer, that will all change. As I will finally marry the woman I've been dating these past five years.

My soon-to-be bride and I had even picked our wedding date out. With Q in mind, we both wanted her here with us when we exchanged our vows. Marion, my love, is a zookeeper… she cares for the hippos, elephants, rhinos, and giraffes at her zoo. We met when the zoo was stuck with a few animals that it couldn't afford to keep anymore. And the places they'd come from had no interest in taking them back. I not only rescued those animals from her zoo, but we've started a program with all zoos in Calfornia and Washington State. Where older, retired and forgotten animals of ALL kind will ever have to face termination because of human oversight like this again. If we can't find a place for them, I take them in till a place is made or ever sometime build for these amazing animals. Marion and I are both very passionate about this project. We're a match made in heaven and everything has been going relatively to plan. Since we started to make real plans for our own union taking place in June.

Till my brother called me from India, in a panic. Telling me all about 'Q being in some fire at her school.' Almost as soon as I hung up with him, promising to find out more about this fire and my niece's involvement in it. I got a call from Zo and Lo (Zoey and Lola). Q's roommates, telling me there was an explosion in the lab next to Quinn's and she'd been inside of her lab at the time. The girls explained to me that she'd been taken to a hospital near the school and that they weren't allow to go with her, or go see her. The school was in lockdown till the situation was handled. Because several students and teachers had been injured. But they were damn lucky no one had died.

I did ask the question I hated to ask, but… I did ask if my niece caused this explosion.

Because Q inherited her father's propensity for catastrophe. She's her father's daughter that way, Howard (my brother) is a handyman who usually messes things up and screws up to the point of distaster. Q is a scientist, an inventor, and an innovator as much as she's a humanitarian… I LOVE the way she channels it. But if you know her, you know why I had to ask this question.

This explosion was not her fault, but it occured in the lab next to hers. While she'd been in that room tinkering away in whatever brillant new thing she was trying to make. The girls explained all of this in their call. And promised to explain more to me when I arrived at Pacific Coast Academy. Since my niece had been blue the last time we spoke on the phone with her. I found it really interesting that her roommates also warned me that Quinn wasn't dating the same boy as I though she was. She had a new boyfriend and that "Mark" kid had the nerve to dump my niece for some floozy he isn't even with anymore. And it had been discovered since this rocky breakup that Mark was never faithful to my niece… for a single day of that more than two-year stint… Interesting. I'm so glad I never go any place in my truck without my shotgun under the benchlike seat..

So while I drove to the state line and beyond to be with my niece. I drew little chalkboard drawing of that lout's demise in mind. Slyvester and Tweety style… or is Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner style? I'll go with Wile E. on this one, I just like his style better… for the rock-hugger that wronged one of my favorite people on planet Earth.

Anyways, Marky-Mark's a dead man when I see him… Not really, but hell if he'll ever hurt anyone else the way he's hurt my Q. That I CAN promise you.

And this new guy! This new beau, had played a major role in Q surviving this fire. He'd gone in after her and carried her outta there personally, just before her lab's roof collapsed. If he'd been a minute later, they could have all died… So I had to skin one boy and shake another's hand for not only being there. But for saving my Q, and hopefully for being a better man.

The other thing I had to think about before I arrived on campus. Of either the school or the hospital. Was who could this new beau be? As detailed as my niece's roommates had been about this new guy's rescue, they hadn't mentioned a name at all. There were a few suspects in my mind, of course. Some stronger than others, but Zo and Lo hadn't disclosed any name. Or if they did, I didn't hear it, the phone was breaking up sometimes. So it was on my mind during that LONG solo drive. Who could this new guy be?

I went straight to the hospital and called her parents and friends when I got there. She needed surgery, immediately to repair some internal bleeding. Most of it the docs were sure would heal on it's own. But a few bigger tears on her insides that had them worried… and I know she's been through worse… but not much worse. I consented for her surgery as her active legal guardian, thank heaven her parents had established me ages ago. For whenever they were outta the country (which is a lot). Or else this would have been a WHOLE lot harder.

Q was all banged up when I saw her and knocked out cold. But I knew she'd be okay. As I was sitting around waiting for any news, and she was in surgery. A group of teenagers like you wouldn't believe came running at me to wait for news too. It was all of my niece's friends. Most of them I'd met before, but some of them I was meeting for the very first time. Even if I had heard the names before.

Zo and Lo both hugged me and each had a bag full of things for Quinn. Her homesick blanket, snacks for her and me. As well as balloons tied to a stuffed alpaca, almost the same color as her Otis. Her guy friends I call Charlie Brown (Chase), Daddy Long Legs (Michael), and City (Logan) were all there too. Along Stac-Mace (Stacey), Little Lisa, and Marky-Mark… The little Casanova DARED to show his blank face in that hospital. Making me wonder if I hit him, would I finally see it change?

But the other thing I couldn't help but notice. As I was watching all of these teenagers closely for anymore clues. Was that City didn't look as much like a worried friend as something a little more. He looked as rattled and freaked as a boyfriend would be. And I kept noticing all of the group asking him if he was okay. And that he LIED everytime he said 'he was fine.'

I was introduced, for the first time; to Vince, James, Lydia and a BIG gal named Mo who had befriended my niece from the wrestling team… She looked like she could take me. But they all seemed like nice kids. As they held me back from busting Del Fig's lip. That Mo gal was probably the only reason I didn't. City looked like he would have liked it if I did. But I haven't figured out my nicknames for any of new ones yet. Not even after sitting with them all of those hours awaiting word on Q's surgery. I guess I was that worried for her myself.

The Dean of PCA, I can't remember his name… I think it was Lake, Stream, or something watery like that. (Rivers) found out about all of them sneaking off campus and came to scream at them. But when I stood up for them and my niece. The gent backed right off and explained to me, that he'd come to personally check on all of his students and staff who had to be taken here. And if he didn't say something to all of them about disobeying him or breaking the rules… some parents might claim he hadn't been hard enough on them… He even sat with us some throughout our waiting. And told stories on Q's successes and blunders with everyone else. Some of them I'd heard and some of them I hadn't.

But when things finally quieted down. When the Dean was off checking on other kids,or staff, and I wasn't trying to kill Fig Newtons (Del Figgs)… I FINALLY got to ask them. "Do you guys mind telling me which ones of you saved my niece and which ones of you is the new beau? You told me it was one of your guy friends, but you didn't tell me who."

Charlie Brown (Chase) asked, "Quinn didn't tell you… sir?"

"I heard she didn't tell anyone till very recently. Something about it being a secret for a while?" I cracked my knuckles. "I don't know if I like the sound of that too much. But I have my suspicions and I'm curious if they're right."

The newer kid, James asked me. "Do you mind sharing your suspicions?"

So I explained, "Well, Q seemed to think that this Charie Brown wasn't carrying a torch for a little red headed girl. But a blonde one named Zo-ey. Is that right?" And both of them blushed before confirming this. Even though they'd been holding hands since they got here. I went on, "Daddy Long Legs (Michael) has Little Lisa sitting on his lap. So I hope they're a thing?"

"We are Irvine, but we both love Quinn." Michael said as he seemed to be enjoying this.

I went on, "I think Q said Lo's boyfriend was Vince? Is that right?" I asked her.

Lola perked up, "Yes sir."

I narrowed it down, "That leaves James, here, and City… and I've always been suspicious of City. Since something I saw on my farm. Last summer."

"Last summer?" All the kids repeated after me.

"Yeah, but before I say what that was, is it you? Or is it You?" I asked pointing at both boys.

I always liked the one I call 'City,' because he had guts. A pretty stellar self-confidence and something about him. Reminded me of the friends I used to have, back in school. Just like those friends I used to have, his confidence blazed back to life the second I cornered him. And he admitted. "Yeah, you got me, Irvine. It's me, I've been dating her since February. But HOW in the WORLD did you see something last summer that made to you think it was me? None of these guys were even that suspicious of us… well, besides Vince… Vince had us pretty pegged."

Vince shrugged, "Hey! I thought you guys looked like you liked each other. And while I'm not the new beau, I was the accomplice that helped Logan steal the fireman clothes. And sneak into the building when it was still on fire."

First I shook Vince's hand cause he had been sitting closer to me. He looked like a fireman already and had a hell of a grip on him. But when I shook City's hand after that. I ended up hugging that boy. Not just cause I'd ALWAYS liked him and saw something between my niece and him. But because the poor thing looked like he needed it. He'd been through enough today. He'd literally almost killed himself getting to Q and getting her to safety. How could I not thank or like this guy?

He asked again, "What did you see? I didn't even know I loved her till recently. Like I just told her at Prom. Weeks ago, How did you almost expect it? When none of these guys even did? Not really. My Dad, Chauncy and you all weren't shocked."

I explained, "Last summer when you came for that visit… You didn't see how you lit Q up. When she saw you, and when she told you what she had been doing. How she was trying to help Otis find a companion in the corral with some female alpacas. How she was playing music and trying all these different techniques to stimulate the entire herd. You didn't laugh at her or scoff… what did you do?"

He (Logan) remembered, "I played better music and Otis even liked my pics better than Quinn's."

"Yep! And it worked like a charm, Otis started showing the others how to dance. And some of them even started to do it too. He found his mate in the group named 'Maybelline.' When he wasn't dancing with her, Otis was dancing with his mama Q. But Otis wasn't the only one dancing with Q… Was he?"

City said, "I danced with her too… But we weren't dancing seriously, we were just messign around-"

"I saw what I saw." I'd told him.

And I think as he thought back and remembered that moment. He could see what I meant. Even when that wasn't the only time I'd seen my niece dance with this city-slicker. I'd kept it all to myself at the time. They both came with Marion (my lady) and me later that week to a benefit for the rainforest dance held at Marion's zoo. And they'd danced for REAL at that party. And you can't tell me they didn't feel something then… they'd been the best dancers there, and I wasn't just saying that cause they were with me either. Everyone still talks about it, on my farm and at the zoo. How cute these two had been together, on the dance floor and just hanging out together around the farm too. So many have said, "Shame she had a different boyfriend. City was pretty perfect." And even though I could still kill Fig Newton (Del Figgs)… City was one hell of a trade up.

That had just been the first time and I'd loved it so much that he didn't treat her like she was crazy. He accepted her as she was, her brilliant and authentic self. I still felt that way days later as I'd driven Q home with me… as we'd made it all the way back to my farm. And Q was still blissfully asleep on my shoulder. City had shared some plans with me, about coming here again this summer and even scored an invited to my wedding so he can escort my niece in style. But he asked that I keep it all a secret so he can surprise her when she's healed a little better from all of this chaos. See, why I like this boy?

I'd shared with him a secret of my own I was having to keep from Q. Before we'd left, because I figured I may need ALL of her friends help when that secret comes out. But we're getting to that… First! The Homecoming!

My Marion was at my house waiting for us. She helped me get Q outta the truck, into the house and into her bed at my place. Along with the few bags of belongings she wanted to keep with her here while she's recuperating. Marion had planned a whole welcome home thing for Q's return home BEFORE all of this. And it was all too much to move to that night… Not to mention Q was sleeping so good, we decided to throw it when she felt better. So Marion called for pizza and watched over Q for me, while I took my guys with me down to her house and unloaded all of the rest of her Quinnventions and belongings back into her house. So whenever she was ready to tinker with them again, or stay in her own house again… She could.

The first week of her stay with us, things were quiet and peaceful… But three days after her arrival during that first week with us… I heard my associates talking about an alpaca trying to break into my house. And at first I thought Oh! It's just Otis trying to get to his mama. But as it turns out, Otis hadn't just been trying to reach Q because he's missed her this time. (She spoils him rotten and he always stays with her in her house when she's home)… but he'd gotten into some tainted feed and was very sick with a bad fever.

He's okay, we caught it in time and quickly figuired out what it was… but it just made him sick for a bit.

We got him all set up in a special stall so we could care for him and keep an eye on him. We got his fever under control quickly. But his mate Maybelline is already in that same sick stall because she's pregnant with their first cria (baby alpaca). She's been feeling poorly and already taking it easy for a few days … But if I tell Q, ANY of this… there is no way she'll stay in her room, in the house, no matter how she feels! She's supposed to be on bedrest as much as possible while she's healing… If she finds out about her alpaca family's struggles and new addsion expected any time now… she'll be out here in the barn camped with them and in her condition… That should not be happening… It takes roughly 11 months for a female alpaca to carry a cria to term. So we don't know when to expect it exactly… I hope Q can heal a bit more before this new little miracle is born… But I know that right now I HAVE to keep this from her. That's my secret I was keeping from Q. Asking all of her friends to help me reason with her, when it isn't a secret anymore, and boy! Am I glad I did that!

Because I managed to keep it secret till Friday… but on the end of that fourth day… Otis really did break into my house and find his mama. Not only did he find her but he managed to drag Q out to the barn with him. To show her that Maybelline is expecting… And now… I can't get Q outta the barn. Even when I got my farmhands to carry her back inside and tie her down… she still got out and back out here to her alpaca family…

I love her, but how am I supposed to explain to her doctors. How she was camped out in a barn for MOST of her recovery time? Sitting in a pile of hay? I hope her friends can reason with her better than I can.


(Zoey's Perspective)

I had just finished my practice math exam, and I even though I'm pretty sure I aced it. I still felt just awful afterward. Like I'd been through something and didn't even want to eat my dinner. I was just moving it around with my fork, and leaned on Chase's shoulder. I didn't even want to steal a bite of his food… which I always do. Just to bug him.

My boyfriend said, "Cheer up, Zo. We've only got another week and this'll all be over with. It's Friday so after the weekend, we'll be taking three exams a day till the end of the year."

Him and everyone else at the table were eating and chatting away. Well almost everybody! Logan was the only one wearing the same expression as me. He had earbuds in, hacking away on his laptop and even though the temperature was in the upper 70s. He was wearing Quinn's blanket around his shoulders… Not talking to anyone. He'd been doing that a lot since she'd left and whenever anyone asked him what he was doing. It was always planning some part of our summer or writing to Quinn.

Given it can't be easy, being the odd man out. Lisa and Michael were planning some of the thigns they would do together this summer. Lola and Vince were feeding each other, while James was trying to get up enough courage to take Lydia's hand and Mark was trying to ask Stacey to do… something after his practice exam he was about to go take. She was shooting down every suggestion… I wasn't even the only single one here and I felt annoyed.

Chase always knows, without a word, when I don't feel great. And he'd pulled me into a hug that ended up with me just sitting on his lap and just hanging on to him. Then my phone started to ring and vibrate on my hip. And when I looked at the sceen to see who could be calling me. I announced, "It's Quinn." It's amazing how that statement had cut through whatever Logan had been listening to. Those earbuds popped out and he was all ears. Even if he was still typing away trying to hide it. I wasn't fooled for a moment.

I answered it, saying, "Hey Quinn! What's up?"

The last thing I expected to hear her say was, "I'm gonna be a grandma!"

"Say what?" I asked her, knowing I just HAD to have heard her wrong.

But she'd repeated, "I'm gonna be a grandma to a cria!"

All of my friends were asking "how was she?" And "what's she was up to?" I felt crazy telling the smartest person I know, "Quinn, you can't be a grandma when you're not even a mom yet. Now what are you talking about?"

All the gang around me was shocked, except for Logan and Lola who said together. "She knows about Otis."

Vince asked them, "What about Otis?"

While James asked, "Otis? Who's Otis?"

But Quinn was answering me faster. "My baby Otis and his mate Maybelline are expecting a baby soon! That's what a cria is, it's a baby alpaca! I'm gonna have a grandbaby."

Lola said, "She better not be out in that barn with those filthy animals."

So I said, with authority, "Quinn? Where are you right now?"

"My uncle's farm, where I'm supposed to be." She answered wisely.

I said, "I know that, but where on your uncle's farm are you? Are you indoors and in your bed like your doctors told you to?"

"Of course, I am." She lied, I just heard it in her tone.

When I told Lola, "She's so in that barn, I know it." In a whisper as I covered the mouthpiece.

Logan silently put his hand out for my phone and I handed it over to him. Even though Lola and I had been about to do something about this. Logan was already telling her what she needed to hear. He got up and started walking away, but I was listening closely and I heard him tell her, "Baby you can't stay out there in the barn with them… Even if Otis came and got you! You're still healing and you've been through pretty major surgery… You just survived a fire… Quinn, I was afraid to hug you or make you laugh when you were still here. You cannot risk it…" That was when he was too far away to hear anymore and I wanted to remind him he had my phone. But I could tell he only stepped off like that to spare our ears as he worked his magic. Because the last thing I heard him saying to her as he verde closer again was, "I know, baby. But you're still healing and hurt…"

Lola acknowledged, "WHOA!"

And I agreed, "I KNOW. Good call, Irvine. Clueing in Logan, too."

Chase reminded us we weren't alone and said. "Have either of you mentioned to Quinn the way Logan's been acting at all?"

I said, "No, but I'll tell her if Logan ever hands me my phone back." I had been planning that, but I couldn't do it with Logan in earshot.

Vince told me, "Let him have a minute. He may be able to get through to her when no one else can. Not even her family up in Washington."

That was when Logan appeared with my phone and told me, "She wants to talk to you." I could tell the only reason he was handing the phone back to me was because he had to go take his final practice exam right now.

I did wish him luck along with everyone else. Before we waited for him to leave earshot and said. "Before we let you go and rest, um, Quinn. Can we talk to you about something?"


((Quinn's Perspective))

I guess it all started with my alpaca baby (I have more than one 'baby' these days, it's good to get that straight) Otis breaking into my uncle's house and finding me. I'd been so happy to see him I didn't realize at first that he wanted me to come with him. Till he kept throwing the rope tied to his harness into my hand and pulling me… hard, in the direction of the barn. Only when I followed him and didn't try to steer him, did we end up in the stables and…

He showed me his mate Maybelline… Who is very pregnant and was SO happy to see me too. She had almost been as happy as Otis… and I was so touched! And Excited!

I had called Lola first, knowing she could talk me down before I cry or dance or do something stupid I shouldn't. But when she didn't answer, I'd called Zoey next and I found her sitting with all of our gang eating an early dinner. Some of them still had practice exams to take, others were done for the day. But I missed them all so much and I was already busting with my news.

I'd told Zoey in a fit a joy, "I'm gonna be a grandma!" Otis is my baby even if he is an alpaca so that is the correct distinction.

But this admission had confused poor Zoey, who'd said. "Say what?"

"I'm gonna be a grandma to a cria!" I'm still flipping out, I forgot that Zoey probably has no clue what a cria even is.

Zoey felt the need to tell me, "Quinn, you can't be a grandma when you're not even a mom yet. Now what are you talking about?"

"My baby Otis and his mate Maybelline are expecting a baby soon! That's what a cria is, it's a baby alpaca! I'm gonna have a grandbaby!"

I heard Lola say to Zoey, "She better not be out in that barn with those filthy animals."

Zoey asked pointedly, "Quinn? Where are you right now?"

"My uncle's farm, where I'm supposed to be." It wasn't a lie.

"I know that," Zoey saw through it, "But where on your uncle's farm are you? Are you indoors and in your bed like your doctors told you to?"

"Of course, I am." I did lie, but only because I didn't want them to freak.

Zoey tried to hide it, but I heard her tell Lola, "She's so in that barn, I know it." Softly before I could hear the scuffles of the phone being passed. I expected to hear Lola's voice in lecture mode… I did not expect expect my boyfriend's voice at all.

Till he was telling me "Baby, you can't stay out there in the barn with them. You shouldn't even be out there in the first place."

I covered my shock and excitement at hearing his voice telling him. "I wouldn't even know about it if Otis hadn't broke into my uncle's house and made me follow him. He came indoors and up the stairs to get me."

But Logan stayed firm with me, "Even if Otis came and got you! You're still healing and you've been through pretty major surgery. You've got stiches going everywhere." He had a point, and how is he so freaking hot right now?

"How could my uncle keep this from me? Even with all that's happened?" I'd asked him.

Logan even reasoned, "You just survived a fire, he was probably protecting you. Your doctors stressed how the littlest movement too quickly could cause more internal tearing and you could pop a stitch too. He didn't want you getting hurt."

I said right back, "But even so, I couldn't have bared it if I had missed this. Not when I'm home and can be right here with them when the baby comes."

I could tell by his tone he was digging deep on this one. He said, with no shortage of effort or compassion. "Quinn, I was afraid to even hug you or make you laugh when you were still here. You cannot risk it, even for something this big."

"They're my family." I had to say.

And Logan even agreed, "I know they are."

When I started saying, "I know that sounds crazy-"

He'd interrupted, "No it's not."

But I was still going, "I know I'm talking about animals and I'm only human, but it's true."

"I know, baby." He'd said like he really did get. "But you're still healing and hurt, your health HAS to come first."

"Are you still sitting with all of our friends saying all of this to me?" I had to ask.

And he'd said, "No, I took Brook's phone and I'm gonna hand it back."

"Trying to spare them the goosh?" I guessed.

But he'd said rather venomously, "Why should I spare them if they won't spare me? - AH! CRAP! I gotta go to my last practice exam. I'm calling you tonight and I better not find you in that barn. Up to your neck in hay, that can't be good for your healing."

I had to flirt, "What's my punishment if you do?"

He'd been so surprised he admitted, "I don't know…" Before he flirted right back. "I'll have to think of something killer. Between here and the next call. Please don't camp out and go back inside. For me, and my peace of mind, if nothing else."

"Alright! Alright! When you call tonight I'll be in my bed again, I swear. But I still want to know whatever you came up with regardless as a punishment." I had to flirt while I had him sounding too serious.

"I love you." He said and I could tell he'd needed that as he was walking back to the group.

I told him, "Love you too and good luck! Not that you need it." Before he handed me back to Zoey and I heard all of them wishing him luck too. After that I was left with Zoey, Chase, Lola and James. Everyone else had left to go to practice exams or studying. But the remaining friends had all wanted to talk to me and waited for Logan to be gone first.

And as soon as he was outta sight, Zoey started with, "Can we talk to you about something?"

"Sure, as long as it has nothing to do with all of Mark's odd external reactions to exam stress." I'd had to put out there, knowing he usually caused quite the spectacle. He usually battles all forms of odd stress side effects. Dry mouth, hair loss, weird food cravings, binge eating, night-terrors and in past years he even suffered vivid hallucinations involving balloon animals. I'd dealt with them as a caring girlfriend, but even though we're on better terms now. He still dumped me and I don't think it's asking too much to be kept out of that. I will be seeing him some this summer as we help out at his family's themepark too. Logan and I, so… no.

Zoey said, "I can't blame you there, but no. This isn't about your past guy, this is about your current guy of choice."

"Logan?" I asked, what could this be about? So I asked the first thing that came to mind. "He didn't get hurt or anything and hide it from me did he? He said he and Vince had gotten in and out of that fire scott-free-" I'd started to panic. He had just told me how careful he'd had to be around me… It was a sensible conclusion to draw.

Chase said, "And they did, that wasn't a lie or anything. But I think you may not be aware of just how badly he's been taking this early dismissal thing. Or the trauma he faced in that fire either. Logan's really good at bottling things up, you probably know that better than anyone. But even he's struggling to contain some of his strife lately."

"So you think he may be suffering from some post-traumatic stress?" I asked, knowing I've had the same thought recently. Many times but he kept swearing I was 'worried for nothing' It sounds like my friends were as unconvinced as me.

James chimed in, "He's been having nightmares EVERY night. To the point he's been afraid to fall asleep since the explosion. So he barely sleeps or eats, he spends most of his time on his laptop and he's even kinda anitsocial lately which, isn't him-"

I had to agree with him, "No that's no him at all." I said as Otis and Maybelline both sensed my worry and both tried to put their heads on my legs. And I pet them both to assure them I was okay.

While James went on to say, "And he's been wearing that blanket you left with him almost everywhere he goes. And you know how hot it is here, he doesn't need that. He even wore it to his practice exam just now." I had to keep in my exclamations of 'my poor BABY!' I had no idea he was that affected. That the gang had all noticed it. I thanked them for telling me and keeping such a keen eye on him for me.

Zoey, even Lola, both admitted to being concerned too. That he hasn't been himself, so it sounded like we both had some things to talk about when he called me tonight. I thanked my friends again for clueing me in and promised to do my part in helping with this. As well as promising them the same thing I had Logan. That I wouldn't camp out here with my alpaca family even if Maybelline starts to show signs of labor. I will go inside and be sure to rest there more than here… even if none of them KNOW how hard that'll be… if the babies start to come now.

I enjoyed my time with Otis, Maybelline and I even felt the baby moving around in her tummy. And found the baby's heartbeat with the stethoscope nearby. My uncle found me shortly after I'd achieved this feat and laughed. "I knew you'd find your way out here eventually… we almost got through a whole week before it happened."

I had to ask him, even after listening to Logan's logical reasoning, "How could you keep this from me."

"I was gonna tell you Sunday, after you'd been here and rested a full week. Maybelline isn't showing signs of labor yet and the doc seems to thank the cria won't get here till your original school vacation time. If Maybelline started showing signs of labor, I would have come and got you though. You know I would have."

I told him, "Yeah, I know you would have. Thanks for taking such good care of me and the baby's heartbeat is strong and healthy."

He took the doctor's tool from me and said, "If I show you something else, can you promise not to freak out?"

"I can try." That's all I could promise.

He used the stethoscope all around her belly and showed me that there was more than one heartbeat quicker than Maybelline's. So she's not just having her first cria she's carrying TWINS! I flipped out! I was so happy. Both heartbeats were strong and unwavering, but carrying twins also explained why Maybelline was so uncomfortable so ahead of her due date too.

Needless to say, it was pretty late when I was climbing the stairs and heading back to my room. Logan was calling me as I was taking the stairs very slowly. I answered hastily explaining, "I'm heading to my room now. I'm just a little slow on the stairs."

He told me, "Take your time, this isn't a race. But what kept you out there so late."

And I gushed, "Maybelline's not just carrying one cria, she's gonna have twins."

He even gushed back, "No way! Does that happen a lot?"

"About as often as it does for humans," I explained.

And he'd said, "Cool! You gotta be happy."

"I am, especially since it was so unlucky for Otis to ever have a family like this." I had to share as I was still taking the stairs slowly and had to keep stopping because it hurt so bad.

Then Logan asked, "How come?" And telling him this did help me distract myself from the stinging and sometimes sharp pains.

"Because Otis doesn't see himself as an alpaca. Not since he was a baby, he's always struggled to be any part of any herd. I raised him entirely on my own, his mom died giving birth to him. So he was formula-fed from a bottle even the first time he fed, and I made sure it was always me who fed him. When he was small my uncle's herd rejected him. And you know how unusual and unpicky his herd is."

And Logan rationalized, "It's all retired, disabled, orphaned, and mixed animals, isn't it?"

"Yep, and even they wouldn't accept him till very recently," I said before I finally reached the top of the stairs and let out a breath of relief. Sharing with him, "I don't think I can handle going down those again for another day or so."

He told me, "Please don't push yourself too much too soon, you still need to heal."

"I know." I agreed, before saying. "Enough about me though, how are you? How are you doing, we only had a short little talk earlier, I didn't even get to ask. How did the practice test go?"

"Alright, I guess." I could hear him stretching. "I mean, I knew things and it didn't seem so hard. But I could go to my real exam next week and totally blank out."

I told him, "That won't happen to you. It's like you said, you know this stuff. It's not like they're springing new stuff on you. You'll ace it, I know you will."

"I don't know about acing anything, I'm not you." He said showing a little bit of that doubt everyone's been hearing from him. "You're the brillant one in this relationship".

I told him with certainty, "You're brilliant too! In your own way that I could never be either. I can't believe I'm telling you this but flunt that a little more."

"Seriously? That is a first." He'd laughed before he said "But I hope I do okay enough to pass at least. I'm trying to do better, hopefully I do."

"You've got this, I know it," I said, before I landed on my bed, flat on my back on top of the covers before. "Come on, where's my confident guy?"

"He's here," He assured not sounding too sure himself. "He's just never been a great test taker and I really want to do well. Better than usual."

"As glad as I am to hear you saying that. And to see you giving your all, I worry that you might be pushing yourself too hard too." I had to admit.

And his immediate reply was, "Who told? Was it Brooks? Martinez? Chase? Or was it the whole bunch ganging up on me through you too? I just finished telling all of them I'm fine. Did they get you in on it too?"

"I noticed it before I even left PCA." I covered for our gang.

But Logan saw through that, "They told you I was acting funny after I left today. Didn't they?"

"I had already noticed it a little, they just confirmed what I'd already thought for myself." I had to say overtop of him arguing with me. I had to be firm and say, "They told me more of what's going on around there and I'm glad they did."

He was still talking so much, "They shouldn't have told you that. You shouldn't be anymore worried than you already are. Why would they do that?"

"Logan you're asking me not overexert and push myself too hard too fast because of what I've been through. All I am asking is for you to do the same thing. I wasn't the only one hurt or effected by this fire. Even if I was the one who ended up in the hospital and home early."

He said, "I'm not the one who was trapped or blown up. I went in and out without a scratch."

"Yeah, but even you admitted you narrowly avoided disaster. You saw that roof fall in the moment you and Vince had gotten me out. Even if my wounds are physical and healing slowly… I think your wounds may not have even been treated. Because they aren't physical like mine."

He took a big breath on his end of the line, before he said. "You mean mentally and emotionally, don't you. Like those kinds of wounds."

"Logan you saved my life, but the things you and Vince saw weren't happening on a movie set or fake. It was all real and worry the ramifications of those horrors need treatment as much as mine do."

He took a few more big breaths before he admitted. "Vince was talking about possibly taking me with him. I could do that, when he goes to a group session, and my anger management therapist still makes me meet with him monthly. Maybe I should bring this up at my next session."

"Monthly? Wasn't it once a week at first?" I asked, remembering something more like that when he'd started. Even though that had all happened before we started dating.

I could hear him grinning as said, "Yeah, well, I haven't needed his help so much anymore. Since I started dating this really great girl who's always straightening me out."

"Oh reeeeally?" I'd drawn out.

He illegally used his sexy voice, "Really."

"When is that next monthly visit supposed to happen?" I asked, trying to get this thing back on track before I forgot what we were talking about. And so glad to hear him taking it more seriously.

"Right after school lets out." He admitted, "It's one of the first things I have to do as I go around checking all of my Dad's places when I get out of here. I have stay in each place for a night, the one closest to this quack is like my second stop."

"Please bring it up in that session and know you can talk to me anytime about anything too. Or our friends, if you're so worried about my wounds. They didn't tell on you or anything, they're just worried, and so am I. You're important to all of us, even if I will say you're even more important to me."

Still using the sexy tone, "I better be."

These's my guy! That's the overconfident, arrogance I've missed so much. But I encouraged this return the best way I knew how and asked, "So are you gonna tell me what my punishment would have been if you'd found me still in the barn and not inside Irvine's house?"

Again, I could just hear that smile, as he'd said. "All of the ones I keep coming up with. Either wouldn't work on you, and that super genius brain of yours. Or worse! It would be a bigger punishment for me than you. So I'm gonna need a little more time on that one."

"All I heard is I have something to look forward to." I'd summed up.

While he was shaking his head at me (I could just hear it), "How am I always left scratching my head at you?"

"I could ask you the same thing." I threw right back, "You're not always so easy to figure out either."

He'd said, "Never a dull moment."

"Nope, literally never." I'd had to concur.

That was when I heard all of these sounds on his end that I couldn't discern. If I had to guess it sounded like he was getting rushed by his roommates. And other guy friends, I think I even heard Michael say into the phone, "Bet this is Quinn! Hey girl!"

And Logan shot back at them all, "I - NEVER - BUG - ANY - OF - YOU! WHEN - YOU - CALL - YOUR - GIRL, ACROSS - CAMPUS! MINE'S - IN - WASHINGTON!"

Then Chase stole his phone and said, "Sorry Quinn but we're on a mission to cheer up this gloomy gus. He'll have to call you back."

I told him to, "Hand him back the phone so I can say goodnight then."

Chase advised, "You might want to make that quick because we're literally all right here." Then he shouted over the top of everyone else. "HEY! QUINN wants to say goodnight." And all the guys catcalled and 'Whooo'ed. Teased and riffed on us, MERCILESSLY.

Till I heard Logan demanding, "GIVE - ME - THE - PHONE!"

And all was quiet as he said, "Babe, I'll call you tomorrow. These idiots aren't taking no for an answer."

I told him, "Go have fun, I'll be thinking up your next goodnight kiss."

He'd gritted into the phone, "It better be a good one!"

"I love you!" I told him.

Before he said, "I love you too, Night!" And all of his friends went WHOOOOOOOOOO!" Before he hung up! I did just catch him yelling! "YOU - GUYS - ARE - AWFUL!"

But really we do have the best friends. I know they were doing their part to break him outta this funk. And I hoped that they were successful. Before I sent Logan a late email titled, "The kiss you missed." Just for fun, I had to do my part too. As a supportive girlfriend, and friend.


That's all folks!

Well for this update anyway! But don't fret, I will be posting more next Thursday! I really am trying my best to make this a regular thing. Hopefully, that's good news, please write in if you can. I would love to hear from you. Thanks again to my reviewers who wrote in for this post! Hope you're all having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85