Hey There,

Welcome back, Quoganites! It's Thursday and new chapter time! I hope you've got your popcorn popped, buttered, and in something that won't topple over too easily. Because this post will be mostly Logan's Perspective and it's a doozy. I also want to give credit to the on-loop playing of Justin Timberlake's [but really *NSYNC's] new song "Paradise." SUCH an inspiration for getting these chapters done so that I can get to the part where these lovely people are TOGETHER AGAIN! Ahh! More than 20 years later and *NSYNC is still a writing inspiration for this die-hard fan! But enough of my yakky-yak! Let's get going!

Special thanks to anyone who placed this story on their favorite story list or story alert list. Also, special thanks to anyone who placed me as an authoress or your favorite author's list or author's alert. That is high praise and I hope you're still reading an enjoying.

Special thanks to my reviewers: AwkwardGurl05 (Yes, girl! I've never had these two apart for any longer than a weekend since they got together. So I have been having a field day with gaping that distance. And letting that pine-ing meter crank on. Sorry not sorry, because you know when they get to be together again… Whoo! It's gonna be good! Can't wait! And thank you so much for letting me know it's characterized okay. That gave me so much peace of mind as I was perfecting this chapter this week. God bless you! Yes, this could or could not be the catalyst that got Quinn to make a virtually indestructible phone in Zoey 102 combating Logan's sweetness and ALL melting vibes… Just saying, it's a possibility… Wink wink! It's funny how you brought up video chatting and sleeping in the future too... hmm. Logan really does know how to get his girl blushing, and eyeroll, he also knows how to melt her down and make her crazy. I'm so thrilled that someone liked Irvine's little spiel too… OCs are always such a gamble, and he's been a fun perspective to hear my head. I was SO worried he wouldn't read nearly as fun, thank you for letting me know he'd made you laugh a few times. I'm also so glad that you were tickled over the baby alpacas, the prospect of Quinn and Logan having some grand-crias together to spoil... I have been dying to tackle that premise for a while. I'm trying to remember to utilize and incorporate everyone else as much as I can while they're still mostly all together at PCA. Because the rest of the summer they're keeping up long distance until Hawaii. Then they'll be together for a bit, before splitting up till September. It's all still drafting and coming together but while they're all still together [minus Quinn, of course] I keep trying to make it feel like watching a lost episode or something. Trying to give it that PCA feel! I'm so glad you have been enjoying it, and had fun imagining it! That is the red badge of courage! That is the goal! Between you and me, oh yeah, Quinn's seen him cry. But being Logan, yes. He wouldn't let many other people see him that vulnerable. But you know Quinn's one of the exceptions if not THE exception. YES! I'm so glad you're here for the Marky-Mark shutdown show and Del Figg Newton shootdown, where Stacey has the smoking gun. It's gonna be therapeutic… for Quinn as well as readers, like it was in the Zoey 102. I'm not their biggest fans either, but that was funny. I have to say. In the Quarintine epi he did stress she would be lucky to be Mark's ex. Why could Quinn have picked up on that subtle hint sooner! LoL! You're a joy! You helped me so much through this very rough week! Thanks so much for giving it a chance for making my day with these comments, PMs, and your kindness! You're such a breath of fresh air. I hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!), [my friend] Rose-Aki (Hey girl! Thank you so much for saying you liked the conversations between Quogan. They really didn't need to be in front of each other to still melt our little fangirl hearts. But thank you so much for also saying you liked the peek into Irvine's perspective too in that last post. You know firsthand how tricky OCs can come across and your words just made me feel so much better about including his intel. That and you know how nervous I get posting the riskier things like a character no one knows. God bless you for giving me peace of mind and it didn't end there. You even mentioned liking this family of Quinn's and how close they all are and that they respect the connection between Quogan too! Just- I can't even tell you what that meant! But I'm thrilled to death that your favorite part [was again my favorite bit too] Otis and Maybelline's twins on the way. I have been so stoked to pen this for ages and I have always been excited to get to that. THANK YOU so much! You always make those words seem small so I gotta write them in all caps! You're literally the best and I'm so lucky to count you as a friend! Thank you for your boundless kindness and unwavering support. It carried me through this last week. Bless you, you made my day! Hope you're having a GREAT week! Take Care and Much Love!), and Guest Nina (I know, that was crazy last week, you got that review in there literally right before I posted. It was so funny! But I'm so glad I saw it, and caught it! And I'm even more tickled you wrote again! I love this pairing, I'm having a BALL with this fic and with spring starting to show up now… it's a good time to be writing this, I think. Thank you so much for saying such lovely things about this project as well as my others for this fandom. You're just a ray of sunshine we all needed. I am so excited about when these two get to be together again and ALL of the pent-up feelings this separation is creating, and taking to the limit, get to come out as well as some of the spicier things I have planned for this story! Whoo! Cannot WAIT! To share those[they've been cooking up in my head for YEARS so… Hopefully it's gonna be good!] Thank you so much for saying you liked the way the last chapter exhibited Quogan's connection as well as the understanding the family has of their reltionship. And that her family isn't trying to belittle or seperate Quogan anymore than they already are. They're being so fun about it, instead of being buttheads. And thank you for liking the way Logan didn't put down Quinn's excitement over the baby alpacas or her caring for her alpaca family. He just cautioned her to take care of herself too. Because I felt it was so important to show that, and I didn't know if any readers would like that. Thank you for saying you did! The reunion is shaping up soon AND yes, Logan can't hold out much longer... I think this chapter will bring that idea along even more. LoL! But thank you for making my day again with your kindness, your energy and your enthusiasm. It isn't always easy to keep these weekly posts going. But you helped motivate me so much through a difficult week and I can't thank you enough, God bless you, Take Care and Much Love!)

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things and writing my own twisted plots and premises. Most will be returned unharmed when I'm done.

Enjoy!

"How We Spent Our Summer Vacay!"

Chapter 4 - Blanket Thieves!

(Logan's Perspective)

Three things are certain to me after reading Quinn's e-mails. (I've read her latest entitled "The Kiss You Missed" like 27 times, no lie!)

One - I need to get to Seattle!

Two - I need to ace these exams and get them over with as soon as possible. So I can Go to SEATTLE! And find a way to spend as much time with Quinn as possible. For ALL of our summer break! Because this separation is pure torture!

If possible I need to try and plan things out so we can be together instead of alone all summer… how awesome would that be. If we were only apart this little bit at the start and together the rest of the time? We'll have to see how things go though. Could be a pipe dream.

And Three - Besides the obvious… which is I NEED to GET to SEATTLE!

…After talking to Quinn and all of our friends… I had to admit that I need some help.

They were all worried about me, my nightmares were keeping more than me up at night, and my trouble sleeping since the fire. How I've been dealing and not dealing with things. Also missing Quinn like CRAZY while she's not here too… I ended up in an early morning group yoga and meditation session Saturday morning that was run by Lola and Lisa. All of my friends showed up for it too, to make me feel less stupid, and so many of them made me laugh. You could tell who'd never done it before. But Zoey told me it could help to 'unlock my chakras.' I have no idea what that means, but it did make my joints feel looser. It helped my aching head a little too. The Yoga stuff did anyway. But the meditation was too much like sleep and whenever I tried to clear my mind, I was back in that fire again. And I couldn't get to Quinn in time. It was the same nightmare I was facing whenever I fell asleep.

So... that hadn't worked! But it was a nice try.

That's how I landed myself in an early morning group therapy session. With Vince on the following Sunday morning too. And I couldn't believe I missed a pickup basketball game for that waste of time! In the end, I think the game would have helped more than that had.

It wasn't helpful at all, it was basically a circle of people competing to tell their stories of how their lives were worse than each other's. I just sat and listened to all of the arguing, over who had it worse. Never adding a thing or reacting at all. Which I've been in enough anger-management-styled therapy sessions. To know that is NOT how these sessions are supposed to go.

When we left, Vince tried to tell me "It's not normally like that." And I pretended to believe him.

He even said, "The normal teacher who runs the circle was injured in the fire." Like I needed that reminder. He blamed the rest of that hell-on-earth session on "exam tension." Claiming it "Must have made everyone crazy."

But it turns out, Vince wasn't through trying to break through to me. He'd gotten the gang to show up for a pickup basketball game after lunch. Since the guys played with me all the time. I knew this was the girl's turn to be supportive (they'd made the guys come to yoga and the girls hate basketball usually besides Zoey, she's still on the team even now). But when I saw all of the couples flirting with each other. I missed Quinn so much worse! But I kept my head in the game anyway and we played for as long as we could.

Now, there! I had blown off steam, and I had tired myself out. After a shower, I fell into a dreamless sleep of blackness. I meant to only rest for a little bit I didn't even think I could fall asleep. And I'd gone out like a light. I didn't wake up till Monday morning. My first day of exams! I had to write to Quinn during my breaks and explain why I hadn't called her last night. But she was so relieved to hear I'd slept without night terrors that I was completely off the hook.

Even if I had a SECOND email waiting for me titled, "The 2nd kiss you missed"...

I've gotta FREAKIN get to SEATTLE!

I lost count how many times I've read and re-read both kisses I'd missed. But my girl has a gift with making it feel like I hadn't missed it.

It was all I looked at in between my exams and breaks. The first day went by pretty quickly because of it too, but it was what Quinn called 'mentally exhausting.' Because of all the test taking and project presentations.

So she called me earlier Monday night saying. "I wanted to hear your voice. It's been a couple of nights since we've gotten to talk."

I gotta get to Seattle!

"Yeah, it has." I realized. Before I asked her, "Where am I finding you? Are you at your uncle's house? You're not in the Barn, are you?"

"No, I'm not." She said, but I know I distinctly heard Otis in the background.

So I asked her, "Then why do I hear Otis back there?"

"Because… we're home, not at my uncle's house… I walked home tonight." Quinn said before she went more in-depth. "I finally felt up to the walk here and Otis saw me going. So he followed me and we just walked into the front door here. I think my uncle and his team cleaned the place from top to bottom. Because I know no one's been here for several months and it looks just great, even all of my stuff's up in my room instead of here in the living room, like I expected."

"Is that's why you sound outta breath? Because you walked all that way? You didn't push too much, too soon, did you?" I had to ask, I can't see her to tell and that fact is making me more than a little crazy. I have gotta set up a video chat sometime soon. I can't stand not seeing her this long.

She said, "Nooo, it's just… the six steps I had to walk up to get inside… that was the worst. It's far fewer than my Uncle's house… It's eight steps to get inside and fourteen to reach the next story where my bedroom is. I've had to count it a few times lately."

I remembered, "Yeah, but you're bedroom is upstairs in your house too."

"I can sleep in the spare room, downstairs if I have to here, though. And honestly, I may have to do that." She said tiredly. DANG! Why didn't I set this up as a video call! Think Logan! THINK!

I had to say, as cool as I could, while I still can't see her. "You sound like that's the master plan. Don't walk up anymore stairs than you have to."

She admitted, "Yeah, I think that's what I'll do too. Otis won't mind either."

Even though I can't see her, even though I'm just going on her voice here. I had to ask, "So are you gonna tell me what the real reason you left is? Or are you gonna make me guess?" Don't tell me how I knew there was more she wasn't telling me. But there just was.

And I was rewarded with her coming clean, "Ooooooh! How'd you know there was more to it?"

"Months of hiding this relationship from nearly everybody…" I shrugged, "I don't know, I got good at reading you. Even when you probably don't want me to. I heard what you were saying, as loudly as what you weren't saying."

"You really did," Quinn flirted.

I told her, "Don't try to distract me when I'm right. Come on, give already! What's going on?"

And she explained, "I told my uncle I wanted to head home for a little bit tonight. Because I wanted to do some work on the plans for Marion's bridal shower I'm throwing her. But really I wanted to give him and Marion some time alone."

Now I got it, "Oh, so they could be all mushy without worrying about you being around to hear it?"

"Well, yeah, that and I think they need some time to remember why they're going through all this drama they're going through. Why do they even want to get married when both of their families are acting so terrible." She said sounding even more exhausted than me. "It's like both families never expected either of these people to marry anyone. And now that they've found love and want to get married. Everyone hates being wrong more than hurting their feelings. It's just all such a big mess… So, I told Marion to fix my Uncle's favorite, and I was going home for a little bit. I really am planning to put together a shower. With all of the people not trying to hurt my uncle and soon-to-be-aunt… but after walking here-"

I cut her off, "Then don't worry about it tonight, fix something easy for dinner, maybe call take out or pizza so there's no work at all. Go to bed after you eat and get a fresh start on it tomorrow morning. You'll probably have better luck talking to people about it then too."

I heard her take a deep breath on the other end before she said. "I really hope you're right. I want to do something nice for them. They've both been so kind to me… throughout everything. How can anyone be so mean? To either one of them?"

"I don't know, baby." I was at a loss myself, but I reasoned anyway. "Some people can't see how they're hurting anyone else. Even when it's this obvious, they're too wrapped up in their own sh*t. It's more important to them who's right, and when they're wrong, it's their loss. They'll miss out in the end and regret things later, most likely."

She shared, with just a hint of venom, "I hope my grandparents do… they're being so unreasonable… and mean, right now. Even to me just because they think I'm choosing sides by staying here and asking them, to show up for their last unmarried son's wedding day… And if I did choose sides in this thing, I would choose Irvine and Marion all day, every day! No competition."

I had to tease her, "If they're your grandparents? Don't they know better than to cross you?"

"Apparently not," She tried to stay grumpy. I had to get her to lighten up before I had to go.

So I said, "Come on, they could still show up… and then you can shoot them up with your zap watch all throughout the ceremony if they misbehave. You are standing up with your uncle or aunt aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am, they're still fighting over who's side I'm gonna be standing on… but I could observe everyone from up there and zap away. That's nice to think about." It was still nice to hear her say.

I saw my shot, and I took it. I got her genius side working by saying "Or you could make some sort of gas that'll made them all impulsively nice or crybabies during the wedding. That could work too, show the sci-club how it's done. You could even bring back your knockout device that worked the minute you tried to throw it away."

Now she was laughing as she told me to "Oh! Stop! Now you've got me wanting to go up to my room just so I can work on some insurance prototypes. In case things aren't much better by then."

"Nope! No more genius work tonight, just dinner and bed." I tried to say as Otis backed me up. I told her "See, the Llama agrees with me."

"He's not a llama, he's an alpaca." She corrected.

"Whatever!" I tried to cover my mistake. I always forget what Otis is. I always think he's a goat or a llama. But she always has to remind me that alpacas aren't the same thing as either of those animals. But I ended up saying, "Sorry." Anyways.

"It's okay." She said, but I could tell it was only cause she loves me. And is too tired to probably hold her head up.

So I had to make this up to her and fast. I said again, "Otis knows you need to rest and you shouldn't be alone right now. No matter how much your uncle and soon-to-be aunt may need the alone time." And I started to paint the picture, "If I was there, Irvine and Marion wouldn't be the only ones needing that alone time either."

"Oh, reeeeeeeally?" She drew out comically.

"Yeah, really." I hinted before I asked, "You want me to go on?"

"Yes, please do tell, what would be the plan for this alone time?" She said sounding slightly happier than she had seconds ago. At even this possibility.

"Well, for one thing, we'd order take out again from that place. That had that awesome spicy chicken and vegetables you even got me eating. We'd kick back and watch a movie till it came."

And she guessed, "And maybe not watch the movie some too?"

"Well, we would be completely alone, wouldn't we?" I asked, "No friends rolling their eyes at us, no classmates gaging or teachers scoffing at us, no adults clearing their throats."

She said, "Just… us, then… for real."

"Yeah, and once the movie was over and we'd both eaten all we could. We'd go to bed and I'll be damned if I would go anywhere but where you're going. Be it first floor, second floor. Your room, any of the spares, one of Irvine's spares at his house. It wouldn't matter, I would be right there with you, and there wouldn't be all of f*cking distance between us. I could be right there and I could take care of you."

"Logan… I'm fine… really, I'm not just saying it to make you feel better. I'm much better now and I get my stitches out next Monday. Okay?" She was trying to make me feel better in a hurry. She could hear me starting to come apart on my end. "I'm much better than the last time you saw me."

So I ended up saying, "Then maybe you could take care of me. Help me feel better, because I keep trying and I just don't know what's wrong with me. Even though I finally managed to sleep through one night with no nightmares. Waking up all my roommates, or neighbors."

"You know, I can always do that, baby." She told me, such certainty. Such confidence and I wished for the millionth time today I could see her, hold her, kiss her, and not feel so crazy.

So I put it out there, "Can we, one night soon, plan for a video chat instead of a call?… I think it would help me a lot more if I could see you."

"Sure, it would help me too. We can try for it tomorrow night if you would like. I would say we could tonight but-"

I was cutting her off right there, "No-no! We're both too exhausted." I didn't want my girlfriend to see me looking like a shambles. I wanted the chance to look good for too. It could happen tomorrow. That was doable.

So we agreed, that tomorrow we would try to video chat. And just as I reached the point where it was time to let her go, so she could rest. Before I hung up with her and while I'd let her fret over what she would fix for herself and Otis this whole time. I got a notice on my phone that my super secret handy work I had been secretly crafting through this whole conversation was done. And I told Quinn, "Don't worry about anything else tonight, and just go to your front door right now. If my e-mail's are right, dinner's just arrived on your front porch. I made sure no more stairs for you tonight"

"Lo-gan… you didn't." She'd said and I could just hear her blushing. As she slowly got up and walked over to her front door where the take out I'd mentioned was waiting for her. And hopefully still nice and hot… She announced, "You did! Ohhh, baby that's so sweet… But now all that's missing is you. You're not here to help me eat it."

"I know, but hopefully it feels like I was AND you can eat whatever's left tomorrow for lunch. Or Otis can have the veggies at least." I was teasing.

Quinn said, "Eventually you're gonna have to stop spoiling me."

But I let her know outright, "No way! That's a boyfriend perk, I NEVER have to give up spoiling you. But quit talking to me for now and get up in that takeout. Before it gets cold."

She said, "I love you. baby."

"Love you too, baby. Please no more stairs and get some rest. I want to see you tomorrow night! Around this time."

"I'll be here," she promised and Otis spoke up, reminding us both he was there. And Quinn laughed, "Probably Otis too. Please try to get some rest yourself too."

I promised, I would.

But we DIDN'T get to video chat the next night either. There was a three ring circus of exam prep happening in my dorm. Exam prep and final project perfecting workshops… I almost pulled all of my hair out.

But luckly Chase, reminded me, "I need to look good on camera for Quinn. Or else she'll worry way more than she already has."

He slung and arm around my shoulders guessing. "You were trying to video chat with Quinn tonight weren't you?"

"TRYING!" I lost it on him. He's so used to me, he didn't even bat an eye.

"Well, that may be out the window for tonight. Sorry, we didn't know and we just made this our base of activity as normal. I can't just move them all to my dorm I'm sharing with Del Figgs and Blake. But… I can guarantee I'll have it cleaned out for you guys tomorrow night. Okay? I'll make sure ALL of THIS is in our dorm and not this one. Okay? Call her, talk to her the old-fashioned way one more night. Set it all up for tomorrow night."

So Wednesday night! I had access to not just the camera built into my laptop's screen but ALL of my webcams in my dorm. I even had a chance to look nicer for seeing Quinn. Not date nice, but nicer than average. Nicer than I've looked recently for all of these soul-sucking examinations! And Chase kept his promise, we weren't interrupted once.

After countless days, more than a week, she finally came into sight waving at me from her room in her house. I recognized the brightly colored walls with so many science posters mixed with her environmentalist ones and favorite bands. But I wasn't looking at them… I noticed them and remembered them from my visit.

I was looking at her. She looked so much more like herself than she had when her hand was literally pulled outta mine. As her uncle drove away… She had more healthy color to her skin, even though I know she wasn't getting much sun in Seattle. Her cheeks were all rosy as we locked eyes. She just looked so GREAT! I instantly felt better, even if hearing her say, "Hey Baby!" Just made it that much better.

"Baby! God! You look so-" I struggled to even find the words.

"Okay? Riiiiiiight?" She guessed. "Not death warmed over, much better than you last saw me looking?"

I didn't feel right saying she hadn't been beautiful, because she ALWAYS is. And that was the picture of her I still had in my mind, that had been pulling me through this long. But this girl, I was skyping with tonight was drop-dead GORGEOUS. So I told her, "You were still my beautiful girlfriend, I've missed like crazy. But this girl, daaaaang!" She is Hot!

"She's working for ya?" She asked, not looking me in the eye. She always does that when she puts herself out there like that. And doesn't know for sure how I'll react. I've noticed it.

"She definitely is!" I had to say watching the rosiness get worse. GOD! Why didn't we do this sooner? I could feel my posture straightening and changing just with these few words with her. I had so much to say, I'd been thinking about it ALL day. But now that I was facing her… My mind was blank! Good thing I had a short list I'd jotted down in case this happened. But I was so happy to finally see her, that I forgot how to read for a minute… My scribble pad blurred in front of me. All I could do was stare at her and smile.

So she got to ask her questions first. "How were your exams today? And end-of-the-year projects? How's the gang? Did everything go a little better than yesterday?"

I didn't even think about what I was saying, it just flew outta my mouth. "Literally EVERYTHING today is better than yesterday."

"Well, that's great! Even your history final? I know you were worried about that one even long before this week started?"

I heard her, but I was just staring. She looked too good, I had to kick myself to remember to answer on cue. "Ye-Yeah! I was nervous about that one, before today, but like you said. I knew the stuff and I think I did fine."

"You do know the material. And I know you'll do great on tomorrow's too." She had to pep talk me even though tomorrow was my science exams. And since the science building was having a FULL overhaul starting now, (so it'll be back to normal by September when classes are in session again). My exams for Science were happening in the library. Some were in the gym, chemistry exams were all happening in the kitchens. It was the only place safe enough for cooking up all of those crazy chemicals and creme Brule… who knew?

But when I was kidding with Quinn about this. She'd laughed, like really belly laughed and I'm just a goner. A lost cause, she was too freaking gorgeous. I can't get over it.

I finally glanced at my scribbles and remembered I could read. I'd gotten to ask, "How are Irvine and Marion doing? Were they still mushy and happy to be getting married? Since you've been giving them so much more time alone together? Or were their families still being butts? Trying to ruin it all for them?"

Quinn said, "Oh! The families are still nothing but drama! I even think my family is being the worst, sadly. I feel ashamed of nearly the whole bunch."

I couldn't help but smile, she's so funny when she's pissed off like that. Especially when she's not pissed at me. I tried to comfort her in saying, "So it sounds like every wedding I've ever been any part of too. It's pretty normal actually."

Quinn grabbed her heart as she stressed, "But THANKFULLY it has had NO impact whatsoever on my future aunt and DEAR uncle's happiness. I'm determined to keep it that way! And I gotta say that I'm kinda glad some of these people won't be attending wedding. Because I don't want to read the headlines in the local newspaper. About the deranged bridesmaid who went on a punching spree and head-butting rampage, giving most of both families black eyes and concussions!"

Now it was my turn to laugh! God! I love her overprotectiveness, over the things she really loves. I love it when she's all worked up like this, over anyone… but I have to admit again. I love it the most when she gets this way about me or anything connected to me.

I've always thought of myself as kinda luck. But Seriously? How did I get this lucky?

I warned her, "Hey, you could end up at more than just this wedding this summer. You could end up going with me to some of the weddings I have to go to too. Ya know?"

"I wouldn't mind that!" She said with certainty. "Because those are weddings I don't have to help plan so much, or make people I've known since birth play nice with the strangers. Thank goodness this is happening in Marion's Zoo, outdoors and not in a church. There's no WAY there isn't gonna be profanity at this wedding. It should be happening on a playground, the way EVERYONE else is behaving. I'm trying so hard to make this more than a wedding for them. I want it to be more special and memorable. But it feels like I'm running headline into a wall of cinderblocks and concrete with all of Marion's family and Irvine's... even though half of them are MINE too."

"The struggle is real." I nodded. But when she locked eyes with me. All of that ticked-off-ness making her cross her arms and twist herself up deflated in a breath.

And she said, "But I won't mind OTHER weddings with OTHER crowds where I probably won't know anyone. I'll just show up and hope I look like I should be sitting next to you. Which will be whole different list of worries I'll have by then, I'm sure… If, I'm even invited."

I kept to myself that she was my 'plus one' at all five of the weddings I know about right now. And any others that could spring up between here and September. All five I know about were happening in July… I'd already confirmed all of that with whoever was getting married at each one. EVEN the one happening in Hawaii when we go there. But I couldn't keep in, "You're gonna be the hottest one there, baby. With the hottest guy, the bride and groom won't even look as good as us. They're getting upstaged, no worries… You know, if you can go with me."

"I can only hope, you're right! I've already attended one of your dad's 'almost' weddings this year. And that was… A LOT! Are any of these weddings for him?" It was a good question. She'd seen my family at it's best and worst that day. And she'd seen how many step-moms and almost-moms I had as well as my real mom on that day too. (Chapter 5 of "The Collective Trials")

I let her know. "No, no more this year… well, not that I know of." Dad could make snap decisions about these things sometimes and throw together a GREAT wedding in no time. He had that day. I could never say never with him. Especially when he's technically single and between relationships, like right now.

She'd said, "Well, even if he finds Ms. Right this summer. And you end up at another wedding like that one. I will happily keep you company like I did that day. If I can."

"Even after all that happened?" I had to ask her. It hadn't been all fun and games that day. I don't think I was a very good date either. But leave it to Quinn to just remember the good things.

She said, "All I remember is I was with you. You didn't let that almost-mom stick me somewhere in the back of the cathedral set your Dad recreated for that movie or their wedding opp." As I couldn't stop smiling and neither could she. She lightened things back up by saying, "Seriously though, it's impressive how real all of that was, even when it was happening on his set site. It was more than movie magic… it was the real deal."

"Well, Amazing does run in the family." I had to boast! She'd left that wide open and I couldn't help but laugh at the eyeroll I got. But the smile she shot me after that was everything.

"Oh brother!" She laughed before she admitted. "Walked right into that one."

Then I tried to get back on the subject of Irvine and Marion again, when I asked. "How's the shower planning going though?"

"Slowly…" She complained. "It's easier working with the local people who seem to really care."

"People around the farm and Marion's Zoo?" I guessed.

Quinn leaned heavily on her fist. "Precisely, People who aren't globetrotting, bickering, or trying to hurt Marion or Irvine. My mom's brother who isn't even from this same side of family has been AMAZING! He got married last year, and his wife (who owns the coffee shop mentioned during the 'Coffee Ban' episode) they have been super supportive and helpful. They're coming down to stay with us till the wedding happens, they're arriving sometime this weekend. I still don't know if they're bunking here with me or Irvine. But I'm so glad they're coming! I hope I feel less pressured when they get here."

I had to help her destress, I had to get her talking about happier things. So I asked the question ALL of my friends were begging me to ask. "I know you're planning a bridal one, for Marion. But what do you do when your alpacas are expecting? Does Maybelline get a shower too for you grand-crias?"

She'd giggled and said, "No! The other day you called Otis a llama, but you remembered their babies are called crias?"

"Yeah? You said that's what they called and all of the gang's been excited about it. Though I have been getting way too many riffs from the comedians of the bunch. About being a grandpa if your grandma." I had to complain and she'd laughed again. So cute, I almost forgot how annoying it's been... ALMOST!

Even if she was saying, "You kind of are, given I understand completely if that weirds you out. It did a number on Zoey and Lola."

"It doesn't, I'm game." I'd jumped at the chance. Before I reminded her, "After all, you may be Otis' mom. For sure, but I was the one who bonded with Maybelline first when she first arrived and your uncle couldn't even get her to step off the truck. She was all shakey, dirty, and rough-looking. And she only walked off for me, remember?"

Quinn jumped right in, "Yeah! You were even the one who started calling her 'Maybelline' and let her carry around those makeup containers in her teeth. Till she adjusted to life here, and being cared for all the time. Her first owners neglected her so badly, she was afraid of all of us at first, and they never even named her."

"She always picked the 'Maybelline' containers." I shrugged. "She had taste, I always though that make-up smelled nice. Not all of it does." Some of those heavy latex makeups I've had to wear, smelled God AWFUL.

"She's so uncomfortable now, she's clutching compacts again. She's clutching some of my eyeshadow in her teeth. Probably till she delivers." Quinn said.

"Is it the Maybelline brand?" I had to ask.

She confirmed, "I offered her a few choices, and she picked the only Maybelline thing I had on me at the time."

"Told you, it's the smell." I dare anyone else to deserve the title of cria-grandpa more than me, right now! Bringing it! And she's so getting a mini-cria-shower whenever I get to Seattle. I've already been working on that with Irvine, Marion, and our friends who are all sending things for the new babies through me too. See! I've already got this co-grandparent to alpacas gig nailed.

Besides that we talked about our friends, we talked about the project we were working on together at "Mystic Mountain." Lighting that super long path, and not killing EVERYTHING from the heat and electrical wiring that'll need to be done just right to keep it like it is now. I have some professionals lined up to help us with that too. That Quinn needed to approved of, and touch base with in her free time.

But the best of it was when I was eating take-out from "Sushi Rox" and she was eating her dinner. As we talked about all of the things we wanted to do together. When we do get to see each other again. Which is as soon as I can finish my time here at PCA, and check all of our houses, I stay one night with my grandparents then I'm going to SEATTLE. If I have to drive there myself like last year, I will do it again (and that hadn't even been when we were dating yet. I told myself it was because she was the closest friend… on the map… but clearly that wasn't the ONLY reason).

What I would have given to hold her hand, just for a minute. To put my arms around her and tell her everything would be alright. To have pulled her into my lap and held her till she believed all of her hardwork was gonna pay off. And there would be a time she could look back on all of this and laugh.

But all I could do at this distance was assure her, "All of your hard work is gonna pay off. The shower, and all of the other events are gonna be awesome. The best of the whole year, hands down. AND the best part is Irvine and Marion will be happy together. Nothing can ever try to come between them again."

She had to admit, "That part will be nice… once their married for sure, none of these people will be able to try and keep them from being happy anymore…" Then she shared something interesting. "But I feel like a failure to them because I've never been so involved in any wedding before this one. Not even my own parent's vow renewal they had on Italy three years ago when I got them to stay together."

I had to ask, "Are you telling me you weren't one of those little girls planning your wedding when you were little? I thought all girls did that."

She surprised me, like always admitting. "Not this one. I know all my friends did those things but I just wasn't that interested in it… even when it came up a lot at pageants when I was living that life."

"And ribbon dancing," I remembered, watching her hide her face in shame she shouldn't feel. She'd been adorable.

"St-ooooo-op! I can't believe I let you see those old tapes." She hadn't let me see them I'd found them. But when Del Figgalo coaxed a reenactment out of her. I bet he'd been able to sit on his hands for the whole performance and let her finish. But I couldn't! That's how I ended up in a huge tangled mess of ribbons with her making out with her before she could finish. And we even had some trouble twisting out of all of her ribbons afterward.

"You brought up your pageant days, expect this every time you do." I had to let her know. Before I shared a little something too. "None of that is gonna matter when the wedding gets here. Because you've gone out of your way to make it meaningful and personal for both your uncle and new aunt. Not everyone could do that, especially when they're starting from scratch with no experience and pulling it off. But you will, I know you will."

"How do you know?" She had to ask… and get me to share something I've never admitted to anyone.

"Growing up with all of the step-siblings, half siblings, and almost siblings I had… Which by the way is a village all by itself, bigger than my 'mom' headcount. Trying to bond or do anything to get on those people's good sides… I may or may not have been the groom in a bunch of those pretend weddings. For playmates, step sisters, half sisters, cousins, and almost siblings."

"You're kidding?" She said, but she was kind enough not laugh in my face.

"How else did I become such a good actor? I played house, I played dress up, and it was the same thing really… but if you tell anyone-"

"Your secret's safe with me." She promised and believed her.

"The bigger secret is that I even kept from those people that I didn't mind it, so much. I liked the idea of practicing something I'll need to get right one day." I admitted and immediately regretting it.

Why would I tell her something so totally lame? Don't I want her to think I'm a little cooler than that?

I regretted it till I heard her say, "Logan, that's so sweet. I think the main reason I didn't practice was because I really never thought anyone could ever like me that much? I'm still not convinced after all of this wedding drama that isn't even about me."

"Who said that?" I kinda demanded, can you blame me?

"The kids in pre-school, regular school, even at PCA. While I've been dating Mark and you both, several people have tried to convince me it won't last and anyone my age I met traveling with my parents were all usually so merciless. Telling me 'no one would ever like me.' I took it to heart, I guess."

"Well, don't!" I told her point blank. Anyone trying to say that about her's jealous or insane! Anyone talking about me, to her like that, probably wanted me for themselves. And they could just keep on dreaming. I simply wasn't interested in anyone else... I felt like I had to tell her, "Your future's up to you, not some idiot who's probably jealous of you or me. What you decide to do for yourself, is gonna be it. And I know it's gonna be without all of those haters."

All she said was, "I hope you're right."

"I know I am!" And then I don't know how she did it. But she got onto the subject of my nightmares. And you want to know the ever weirder thing?

Quinn realized, "Logan, I've been having the same one. Where I'm trapped and fire's everywhere. I can hear you but I can't see you and I can't reach you either."

I tried to reason, "You probably heard the other talking about what I'd seen... Or heard me talk about it before... then you started seeing it too."

But Quinn said, "No, I don't think think so. I think your nightmares and mine could be connected somehow. The way my parents nightmares sync up like this. Maybe there's a better way I can help you till you can talk to your anger management councilor. It may not work, but it's worth a try right?"

"Sure!" I didn't want to tell her how desperate I was for anything that could stop these horrible dreams. And like she said, it might not work, but how often is Quinn wrong? She's right way more often and she's a genius. I wasn't gonna turn this down.

Against all of the screams in my head that this was a bad idea. We tried meditating together, only this time when we both int the fire. Quinn's calm voice cut through all of the chaos and she said. "None of this is real, none of it's happening right now. Close your eyes and know that we're both safe."

I closed my eyes and there was so much fire at first. I could still see the light behind my eyelids. But as I listened to HER voice, all of the fire went dark, the unbearable heat went roomtemp then cool, and the fight to breathe wasn't so hard anymore. My heart beat slowed down to a normal pace and Quinn told me, "The next time you see fire. Take a deep breathe and remember you saved me, that I'm perfectly okay. And hopefully, somewhere in your dreams, I'm waiting for you to find me. But not because I'm in danger. But because I'm hopefully always waiting for you someplace in your dreams. And we're not surrounded in fire or danger, but we're someplace beautiful and fun."

I opened one eye to look at her even though it was against the rules, "You're waiting for me in my dreams?"

She didn't even look at me, she said with authority, "NO PEEKING! You're the one who's supposed to be meditating."

"Yeah, but you just said you're always waiting for me in my dreams." I repeated. "Does that mean you dream of me too? You said we could be connected."

"Eyes closed, clear your mind, breathe." She said firmly trying to dodge the question.

"I am aren't I?" I guessed anyways. "I'm in your dreams and this is how you've been coming up with all of these kisses I've missed. Isn't it? Because you didn't miss them."

"Logan!" She said firmly. "You're not taking it seriously."

"I am, I really am, I just have so many new questions now-"

"They can wait!"

"Can they?"

"Looooogan!" She drew out like a cry.

I answered innocently, "What?"

"I'm trying to help you!" She swore.

"And I'm trying to understand, is this what you do to beat nightmares? Think of me and the things we'd do together?"

"Maybe! Sometimes!" She admitted beet red, from the blush and anger. God! She's HOT! "When you're not like this! And you LET me help you!"

I hinted, "I so know what I want our next e-mail titles to say."

"Logan! Breathe now and flirt later, concentrate!"

"On not concentrating?"

"Exactly!"

"See, I can do this now, you did help."

"You may have meditated for a full four seconds! MAYBE! How is that helpful?" She asked.

I had to take it, "Now I have something to aim for, you're good at this."

"You're not supposed to aim for something, you're supposed to clear your mind."

That way doesn't work for me, I let her go on teaching me. But I knew I was gonna be doing it this way from now on and aiming for the Quinn waiting for me in my dreams. Maybe she would help me figure out what Quinn and me can be working on together. Since our collective trials are finished now and we've both been trying to figure out what topic we'll tackle next together. You know, besides all of these weddings, showers, this summer and senior year... Yeah, a new topic would be fun.

((Chase's Perspective))

Before James and Michael went to bed, I peeked my head in to make sure Logan wasn't still chatting away with Quinn. I found him asleep at the desk with his head down and Quinn asleep the same way on his laptop screen. So I stole the laptop into the hallway and tried to let Quinn know. She needed to go to bed, I hated to wake her. But being all bent over like that couldn't be good for her injuries or stitches.

She did wake up and ask, "Was Logan asleep too?"

"He was, but I'm gonna try to get the guys to help me move him. So he hopefully keeps sleeping." I explained, before saying. "I would have done the same for you too. If you were here, but it's a little hard with you being there, back home, and all."

"I know you would have, but really, I'll head on to bed and you guys be careful with my baby. He's had a very rough week." She told me.

I agreed, "Yes he has." But before I reached my dorm room where all the other guys were. And before Quinn let me go, she did ask me one more question.

She started, "I hear that Logan has been wearing my blanket all over campus and he believes you guys have hidden it from him. I understand if you have, but do you mind telling me what's going on there? Before I let you go?"

"Well, yeah! But the disappearance of your blanket wasn't my master plan at all. It was Zoey and Lola's who were tired of hearing Logan complain about how your blanket doesn't smell like you anymore. They took it, they're washing it and will drap it over his shoulders before his science exams tomorrow morning. Smelling like you again, don't ask me how they know how to accomplish this?"

But Quinn seemed to know exactly how as she grinned and told me. "Aww! They're awesome! I left behind some things that could do that in case Logan needed the extra boost. I'm gonna have to thank them, thanks for clueing me in, Chase. You're awesome too, of course."

I warned, "Don't call me awesome just yet. Let's see if I can transport 'your baby' to his bed without waking or dropping him first."

"Be careful with him," she said all panicked.

"I will, I'm going back for help now. You go to bed, and he'll call you tomorrow." I told her as she signed off and I closed the laptop and went back inside of my own dorm to prep the troops.

It ended up being James, Vince, Michael, and me toting a dead to the world Logan to the single bed at 2 am. But we got him there still snoozing and we almost dropping him once. But he stayed out the rest of the night.

But breakfast the next morning, he showed up all huffing and puffing mad. Demanding, "How did I get to bed? And where's my laptop?"

He was seething, and it was hard to keep a straight face with him. I told him, "Whoa, take it easy there Rex? Where's the fire?"

Micheal added, "Yeah! If I acted like this over all of the things I can't remember. Whoo-ooo! I wouldn't have time for anything else."

"What happened!" He demanded again. While most of my friends couldn't keep it together. Even Stacey was all smiled behind her hand at the table next to ours.

Stacey said, "Ehhh. Calm down, Logan."

"You calm down! Why don't I remember going to bed? Where's my laptop and where's Quinn's blanket? And what the HELL is so F*cking FUNNY!?"

James started it, "We helped you crawl into your bed. You fell asleep talking to Quinn and Quinn fell asleep talking to you."

He freaked considerably, "At her desk? Please tell me you woke her up and made her go to bed. That you didn't just let her sleep all night like that!"

I assured, "I woke her up and talked to her a little. She went to bed after that and told us to be careful with 'her baby.' When we helped you."

"Alright, now!" Michael teased, "So tell Quinn we didn't throw you down any stairs. But it was tempting."

James unzipped his bookbag and said, "Your computer got overheated, I was just letting it cool again my quick-cooling gel mate. It should be good to go by now." James handed it back to him and snatched it outta his hands.

Logan did say, "THANKS." But it sounded like it had hurt to say.

While Vince added over the lip of his orange juice. "And we didn't steal Quinn's blanket from you. We would never do that… but we know who did."

He demanded all disgruntled, "WHO! Who DARED to touch it!"

Zoey stood up and unzipped her bookbag now. "Lola and I did, but only because Quinn told us to." She pulled it out and tossed one end to Lola who helped Zoey wrap it around his shoulders.

As Lola helped explain. "Quinn knew the smell would fade too quickly, and she left an emergency supply of something to help with that, with us. Take a whiff."

He did as he was asked and his eyes went wide then closed. Before he stated in wonder, "It smells like her again."

Zoey chirped, "Yep!" As she threw a proud arm around Lola and they stood together.

Lola told him, "With that blanket, her smell back, AND natural knack for science these days. You'll kick that exam's a$$!"

Logan did thank them both genuinely and hug them while they were close together like that. Before he ran off to his first morning examinations. And the rest of us followed not far behind him. Logan was wearing that blanket like a cape, he looked like a little boy playing Superman. But he truthfully looked just as unstoppable too.

I really thought nothing could beat that this morning, and my stomach started to ache. Because now I was gonna be facing my math final, and I still didn't feel confident, even though I'd practiced figures long into the night…

Until Zoey had to go a different direction for her literary finals. She'd grabbed both of my shoulders and laid a kiss on me that made me feel like I'd just stuck a fork in a socket. I probably looked like that too. As she'd told me, "Good Luck, Cinnamon rolls, you're gonna ace that thing!"

And you know what, after that kiss, I felt I could!

That's All Folks!

Well, for this update anyways. This just felt like the perfect place to leave off and switch to a Quinn chapter so. So Next Thursday (God willing), it should be ready to go, AND I hope that's all good news. Hopefully it'll keep being more fun like this going forward. Please write in and review if you can, I would love to hear from you. Thank you to anyone reading these words right now. For giving this story a chance, hopefully it's a good thing. Hope you're having a GREAT week! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85