Hey There,

Welcome back, lovely readers! I'm sorry this reaching all of you a week (and maybe a day) later than planned. But last week (and this one) were both VERY trying weeks emotionally. And I was just not ready to post last thursday. It took me till this one for this chapter to sound right… (and for me to also bargain with Logan who was being difficult, even though this is a Quinn post…AHHHG!) But if there's any group of people who can understand how tough that actually was. I really hope it's you guys. And that even if late, this chapter was worth the wait! But enough of my jabber jaw, let's get to it!

Standard Disclaimers Apply - I do not own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickelodeon, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am merely borrowing all of these things for my own twisted amusement. Most will be returned unharmed.

First off thanks to anyone who's read this far! Honestly! Thank you for taking a chance on this story and coming this far! It means more than you know whether you leave a review or not. Thank you!

Special thanks to the few of you who have placed this story on your favorite stories list or story alert list. Also thanks to the few of you who have placed me as an authoress on you favorite authors list or author's alert list! Truly! Thank you!

Special thanks to my reviewer : [my friend] AwkwardGurl05 (Thank you for liking the last chapter's title. That was Logan's influence, entirely! Thanks for noticing! Thank you for saying you can't wait to read my take on soem of the movie stuff too. Bless you for that! And OH! You make me feel better that I'm not the only writer Logan keeps up at night till everything's exactly the way he said it, meant it, or worse. It's just how Quinn said it meant it and he can read it tomorrow when it goes up… AHHHG! And YES! You can't bottle that up, it never works out. You gotta take it down while he's cooperating. Aww! Thank you so much for your compliments to my 'Collective Trials' tale too. It's LONG I know, and took ages to get right. I'm so glad that you are enjoying it too! Quinn gets on you about 'Logan-things' too… making sure you cover all of the many sides of his personality just right too? Oh good! Again I thought it was just me that had that going on inside my head all the time. And thank you for letting me know I'm not alone in that [your secret is safe with me, winkwink], AND taking a look at some of the other projects I've got in the works for them… I'm getting pulled all different directions on some of them. YES! I believe Malcolm had a HUGE hand in ALL of Logan's proposal whoas. In fact the Malcolm in my head just boasted, "I may have gotten married more, but he proposed WAY more and all to same girl. But I said it once and I'll say it again. If I had one like her, I'd be JUST as crazy about her and she wouldn't get away either. Nope! But they only made one Quinn and she BELONGS with my son… she's FAMILY. The daughter I never had." LoL! But that's the Malcolm in my head… who's always had a soft spot for Quinn, LONG before Logan was even calling her a girlfriend. Thank you for not thinking I'm crazy… well, in a bad way. For this method of madness. Always taking down what they told me. Yes, I plan on writing an anniversary fic, where Logan WILL get it all. The fanciest wedding he ALWAYS dreamed of and ACTUALLY getting to say 'I do' during it! It's also so funny that you mentioned ring pop proposals too… because heehee! Ohhhhhh! Just wait and see when THAT's coming back up! YES! Mark is so terrible only ever giving her rocks and a painted portrait of himself. Funny that you bring up those yellow tulips in the bot wars epi too… because in the 'Collective Trials' they get a little call back too, so does the nearly dead red rose in the closet they danced in too. But I won't tell you how or why. That's a little something something you'll find later. More letters are coming. So glad you look forward to these posts, answers, PMs or letters. My goodness there are times I'm like… "I really hope I'm not bugging her too much." But yes, Wednesday said it best! And you've brightened my days so much too, bless you! And I STILL can't wait to see what you'll post too! Whenever that happens. Gotta tuck that in there too, You're the BEST! Thank you so much for your energy, your encouragement, and friendship. I can't even tell you how it has helped me through these tough times. We get to ch.12! Yes, it's a GREAT song and Logan has kept us up to "3am" too many times for me to not come for just smidge of revenge… evil giggles. Yes, I thought that moment with Howard needed to happen, I'm so glad you liked it. And I had to get Logan with one of those earpieces barking orders… it's just his natural state of business. LoL! Yeah, he was trying to play it cool but we all know… that's tough for him. Poor Maverick's so clueless. Yep, every hour he thinks about it… even before there was a wedding happening around him to give him the excuse. He's got it that BAD! He even noticed all of the littlest changes real time and immediately… not all guys would. Yep, he had to stick his eyes back into his head… and that was just over the nail polish. Me too, I always though Quinn would have some family that was a little eccentric like that too. And thank you for not agreeing with Logan about Birdie's real name too. I appreciated that! YAY! The "cookie" bit was funny! And yep, Quinn's glasses were fogged, but she tried to be slick about cleaning them so Logan wouldn't get anymore smug. LoL! Still can't hear "Rump Shaker" the same, since I started imagining them Mambo-ing to it! He did mean shifting the gears of the car… he did. But he was just so far gone his description was a little vague there wasn't it? Winkwink! He was totally hoping to sneak ANY moment with her, and he did get a little one… More [better] moments are in this update and YES! Quinn's perspective… mostly. Thank you for your assurances and encouragement as always. I hope that covered all of it, if I missed anything it's probably gonna get covered in one of my letters. But seriously, you gave me the push I'd needed to get this done and up! I hope it's worth the wait, hope you're having a GREAT week! Take Care and Much Love!)

Enjoy!

"How We Spent Our Summer Vacay!"

Chapter 13 - The FIRST Plane to Paradise

(Quinn's Perspective)

I can't even express the overwhelming peace I felt seeing Irvine and Marion dance together. FINALLY husband and wife… After seeing all that they've had to overcome. After doing everything I could think of to make this day a little easier for them. Knowing full and well that it was still hard as hell. They weren't pros like Gleb and Paulina… but their sheer elation… just getting to hold each other and hear their song "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain. They made me CRY, that dance was so good, and Paulina had been handing Gleb and me tissues too. She'd even said, "Love is so beautiful, no?"

All of the reamining animals had been ADORABLE. They'd done they're part and would be arriving at the farm few at a time over the next several days. But I tried not to think about all of the work we still needed to do and tried to just stay in this moment with ALL of this family I don't get to see so often.

Paulina was right, Love had made the whole DAY - SO perfect. I was so boundlessly happy for them. And then to see my parents back to kidding each other and flirting like I wasn't even here… I was so happy that I couldn't have stopped grinning if I'd tried!

Even all three of my grandparents were dancing. Bubbe, the life of the party as always when any of her favorite tunes played. Especially anything by Little Richard (She lost it when "Tutti Fruity" and "Long Tall Sally" played). But even the set of grandparents who have given me so much drama. Before today, opposing nearly everything I did, or Irvine had wanted. Were also kidding around and in HIGH spirits… And yes, I realize that the consumption of so much alcoholic spirits could have helped that along. I tried to not focus on that and joke along, even though they'd been so terrible up to now… And it didn't rain a single drop till after we were all at the reception area. And by then most adults were too drunk to care.

They were all so happily together, as they should be. And I knew that no matter where they were going. They were all going to be even better once they were off on their new adventures together. And I really wish more people saw their honeymoons that way. And as for my parents… they could be off on a second honeymoon… or a 15th honeymoon… depending on how you judge how often they travel together and apart. My grandparents would be heading back to Italy and their friends were waiting for them there too.

We all threw birdseed [rice can harm some birds. The seed is safer] at the newlyweds before they headed to the airport in a car covered in crate paper, toilet paper, and chalk paint all over the windows reading, "Just Married." It all stayed in place too, even though by then it was raining a little.

My parents were right behind them, carpooling with others who were leaving. I don't think they'd even fully unpacked, and they were off again. I'd made sure to hug them all, not certain when we'd all be together again like this. I doubt my graduation next summer will be deemed this important. Even if I am staying for another week with a bunch of people to take care of the farm. Before I leave with Logan to stay with him for a while before Hawaii. And work on Mystic Mountain's Nature Trail.

All three of my grandparents were riding along with my parents, getting a lift to the airport. None of them would be waiting around too long for any lift-offs either. They were all happening around similar timeslots… Don't ask me how we pulled that off.

But seeing the newlyweds happy, and my parents leaving, and grandparents even happy as they left a wedding they'd been so against HAPPENING… That was all so normal to me. And wasn't so crazy as the rest of the last several weeks have been.

The part that was entirely new to me… was that now there was a hand holding mine and tugging me back to the dance floor. YES! Even after the newlyweds were headed off to their honeymoon. We were STILL dancing, even though my shoes were in my hand and he'd long abandoned his blazer that was hung over a chair nearby.

We'd danced and teased each other ALL night long and he was just as happy to be with me as I was to be with him… THAT was new and so lovely… and I hadn't just been teasing him, mercilessly either… I'm not that heartless! If we can manage to sneak away with him, for some quiet time together. I have every intention of doing that. I didn't want to be any place else tonight, but with him. And he made sure to let me know, he felt the same. Left me in NO doubt.

I wish I could say that all of the worst of the drama was behind us. With the wedding finished, my uncle and new aunt on a plane bound for Africa. Bubbe is heading back to Vegas, my other grandparents heading back to Italy AND my parents on a plane bound to the Bahamas… But as I'm sure you've realized by now [like I have] life's never so easy… that's just not how things went.

After wrapping up at the Zoo and cleaning up what we could. Logan had to come pry the broom from my hand and throw me over his shoulder to get me outta there. Telling everyone else to "Go home! Goodnight!" As he carried me outta there, even though I could have walked if he'd put me down.

Which sounds like he treated me roughly, but he'd only set me down in the passenger seat of his car. And he'd set me down so gingerly, made sure my dress was pulled outta the way, before he shut the door. He even made sure my shoes were still in my hand and put my seatbelt around me before he walked around to his side. And I'd playfully stolen a kiss while he'd been close and he'd told me. "Hold that though. If we start that here, we'll never get outta here, tonight."

But then he'd contradicted himself and had said, "Maybe one more." And he'd stolen a few more kisses as my seatbelt was tighted around me and clicked. He'd treated me with so much tenderness and care… and the kisses had been even better. He'd been holding back not wanting to piss off any of the overly protective male family members watching us. So those kisses even if still short had lingered too. My description would make you think he was being overbearing… but the actual way he went about it. Would make you think he doesn't have a rough bone in that body! Even if I've seen so much to beg the differ.

We all met back up at Irvine's house. Nearly everyone in the wedding party was crashing there tonight. (Mostly because EVERYONE was so EXHAUSTED. And the adults were all SO drunk and designated drivers were all told to drive people to Irvine's place if not the hotel where some people were staying. But the minors were all planning another sleepover in Irvine's Living room of epic portions. While the adults all slept it off).

My plan [and Logan's] had been to hang out and save face for a bit. Before we head back to my house and HOPEFULLY get a little alone time. Even if all I do is sleep next to him, getting to hold him and have that quiet time would just be… SO nice. After so much seemingly endless CHAOS! For days on end about this wedding and all the other events tied to it. Not to mention all that's recently happened between us. We haven't even really gotten to talk about things or process them. Because so many [too many] people had been counting on BOTH of us to help out with SO many things.

If we didn't sleep, it would be nice to talk about some of the things we needed to. Even though he's been staying here with me. I feel like we haven't gotten too much time together for days. That would have been SO nice, even just to talk to him. Without worrying who might overhear or misinterpret our conversation.

Stacey was hanging out with ALL of my cousins better than I ever have. And they were all planning all sorts of games and fun for the slumber party of sorts. That just could not HAPPEN without Stacey! I was so thrilled to see them all getting along so well and hitting it off.

But when we got back to Irvine's house another SURPRISE was waiting for us on his front porch. And no, it wasn't Otis who escaped again… not this time.

Mark, was here… Yeah! You read that right. Mark Del Figgalo was sitting on Irvine's front porch.

Mister 'Passive aggressive,' Mister 'How's that my problem?' Who HATED this place and NEVER came to stay more than a weekend every summer while we were together. Mister ALWAYS eating baked potatoes plain and wrapped in a wet paper towel. Was HERE! And impatiently waiting for us on Irvine's porch. This had to be about Stacey, because even when we were dating he HATED coming here for ANY reason. He said it always made him feel dumb and useless… but that's only because he wouldn't roll up his sleeves and learn or help anyone with a thing. He sat and complained the WHOLE visit… EVERY time.

I told Logan honestly, "I don't even want to get out and face him right now." The wedding had just ended and I was beyond exhausted. I didn't even feel like I could nicely navigate any conversation with him right now… or anyone else. We'd even stayed later than nearly everyone else helping with a lot of the clean up.

Logan had said sweetly. "You don't have to, either! I can park at your house, and we can totally pretend we didn't see him there."

"Well, yeah." I reasoned. "But he knows you're here and no one else would have a car like yours. And if we did that, then Stacey would have to face him alone… and that's not fair to her."

"If they're dating, she chose it." Logan reasoned. "You and Mark are over, way over. You shouldn't have to deal with him if you don't want to. You shouldn't have had to do that even when you were dating him."

But I knew, Stacey had never labeled it dating and Mark had… so the point was moot. And I was about to step out but Logan stopped me and told me. "If we're gonna face this hudger, we're gonna show him how it's done. Sit tight a sec."

Then he'd popped out and opened my door for me. He even insisted on me taking his arm, and walking me over to where Mark waited at the bottom of the stairs now. Mark should be taking notes!

Mark asked me, rather rudely,"Where have you been and why weren't either of you answering your phone?"

"My uncle's wedding, obviously," I said gesturing to the formal attire we both still wearing. And gestured to all of my relatives walking up to the house ALSO dresssed like us. Confirming we were in fact just finished with a wedding. While Logan mentioned, "We've only BOTH been talking about this for weeks. It's way late and there HAD to be a better time and place for this conversation." And Logan was right.

Mark seemed to realize the hour, how rude he was being, and quickly altered his accusing tone. "Ooooh, that explains it." The rudely he'd asked. "You didn't pick that color for yourself? Did you?"

"No, Marion did." I said feeling so self-conscious just in these few seconds standing here.

"Good." He said like he was concerned for mental stability.

Logan told him. "RUDE, much!"

But Mark had said, "I was just checking, it's not exactly flattering."

I didn't know that Logan had gotten on Mark about the way he treats people. Not to the extent that both him and Mark confirmed off to the side anyway. But my current boyfriend rushed at my ex and told him. "What did I tell you to do while Stacey's here with us? Or did that too, just go in one ear and out the OTHER?"

And Mark had said on cue, "You said I needed work on myself-"

"I SAID to 'work on yourself,' because it's not right the way you treated QUINN or Stacey. Is this what you call putting in that kinda work? On yourself? Showing up here in the middle of the night and ordering people all around?"

I stored that away for any alone time, and tried to focus in on Mark's response. Which had been, "Like you haven't been trying to run everything here since you got here. Like everything else, Logan."

"I have NOT." Logan said, before looking at me, "I haven't done that, have I?"

"No," I assured Logan before letting Mark know. "Logan has only done anything like that to help out. Not that you would know how that works, Mark."

"Yeah, you better have a good reason to even be here right now." Logan threatened.

Mark had said, "I'm here for Stacey, I need her."

Logan unconvinced asked, "You need her to what?"

"No," Mark stammered. "Not like that, not anymore. I need her help, really. I can't work on myself like some people can. I need help… her help… she'd been trying to help me… in all of these little ways around the house. Not just me either, she was like that with all of us at my house and we all miss her… everyone. If I really am gonna work on me and become a better person… a better human… I need her help. Stacey's help, so I'm not leaving without her…"

Logan said, "Strong words, but that's not up to you. No, it's up to Stacey! Where she goes and what she does. You can ask her, nicely, if she wants to do that. But you don't get to make demands when you shouldn't even be here right now. In the middle of the freaking night after a wedding, you'd know about if you'd pulled your head out of your a$$ for a second. And stop ONLY thinking about yourself all the Goddamn time!"

I backed him up and finally said, "If Stacey wants to go with you, Mark. No one's making her stay with us. But if she says she doesn't want to come with you. She has a choice, even if it's not the one you want to hear."

Mark said, "Can I talk to her?"

I said, "If she's ready to talk to you. Let me go check."

"She didn't ride with you guys?" Mark asked me.

But Logan answered, "My car only seats two. Where would I have put her? Ya want me to have put her in the trunk, or strapped her to the hood?"

For some reason, Mark said. "Bet she rode with Quinn's damn cousin."

I asked, "How do you know she's been hanging with my cousins here?"

Mark revealed, "Logan's been posting pictures all weekend of Stacey and your bearded cousin. The Cowboy. So has Stacey and some of the other guests… They were dancing, making googly eyes through every meal. I've been well informed, trust me."

To this, Logan insisted, "You should know you're not the only one interested."

Mark got right back in Logan's face and claimed, "I'm WELL aware of that, I don't need the constant reminders!"

Logan quipped, "Well, I didn't make you keep looking at all of them, you could have quit anytime."

I was stepping between them and you should have seen how quickly that simple step. Changed Logan's entire demeanor in a blink. He completely quit the whole argument with Mark and was freaking out about me still recovering from the fire. Mark, to his credit… even if he could have picked any nicer way of doing this. Stepped off too, and told me that 'I needed to be more careful while I'm still recovering.' When he'd gotten a glance at my marks all over my back. Why oh WHY did I have to pull my hair back into a ponytail when I was cleaning up after the wedding? Why couldn't I have just left it all down? Hiding all of my lacerations and stitchings even if it was so hot and suffocating in the summer mugginess!

But Mark had said, "Good God Quinn! Look at your back! Is that all from the fire?"

I was answering him, "yes-" but got cut off.

Logan warned him. "Careful…" Even though I tugged on Logan's arm trying to stop him he told Mark through his teeth. "Don't be looking at her back, or saying ANY thing about it or I will deck you. And all of her cousins will take turns after me."

"Sorry," Mark made eye contact with me as he said it.

I assured, "It's okay." Even if I agreed with him, it looked awful and I wished again I was still hiding it better. I did not want Logan starting a new game where Mark was the punching bag.

"How are you even standing up right now? Aren't you still healing?"

"Trying to, yes." I agreed before answering his question, "I'm still standing by the grace of God, and my energy drink I invented called Frazz." Don't worry, I've perfected it much better since poor Dustin got into my very first batch. But Yes! It had been the only way I had the stamina to get through this day and night… And I really was all this much of a mess, Mark even noticed.

I told both boys, "Now I'm gonna go ask Stacey if she's okay to talk to Mark. Are you two gonna play nice while I'm gone?"

Both boys promised to be on their best behavior before I was walking to Maverick's pickup. But believe it or not, when I got to Stacey and Maverick. Trying to gauge where Stacey was even at, right now on her emotion and temperament scales. I was amazed to find them not only jovial about this whole thing. But they sort of expected it too… That Mark would be here and serving up a healthy serving of humble pie. It seems like my baby wasn't the only one posting things online about the wedding. It seems all of my cousins had been in on this trend. Hoping to spark Mark's jealousy… Stacey and Maverick had even high-fived hearing this plan had worked and social media was BRILLANT when used as a tool, this way. Before waltzing back up to the house and offering to let Mark stay overnight. It was VERY late and everyone was so tired it would just be one less worry to have him stay and head out tomorrow if he must.

But Maverick pulled me aside as Stacey walked on and said, "I'll keep an eye on them. You and Logan should score some alone time. While you can, that boy's been looking at you all night like I look at my own cowgirl."

"Cow girl? Maverick?… You're in love too? Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"I was too chicken sh*t, to tell anyone before now, Q. You know me, too shy. But Stacey… she's a good friend, she helped me finally say it out loud. She even helped me tell the girl in question and my parents… she went outta her way to make me feel better. It even went over way better than I expected, with my folks, and it's all thanks to her making me feel safe, seen and heard the way she did. I'll look after her, you and City, go on! And Get! Before the others notice anything and try to stop y'all."

And I couldn't believe Stacey had only been here nearly three days and accomplished all that for my shy cousin. Maybe Mark was right and he does need her with him. To help him find his true self, the much better person he could be and should be…

But when I went to tell Stacey what was going on. She was already shooing me as much as Maverick. She told me, "Go… You and Logan head on home, and get some rest. You've both more than earned it. And you don't need me taggin' along and ruining the mood. I'll see you both tomorrow. But don't think you have to run over here either. Rest up, okay? You were the IDEAL Maid of honor! You may even be mine one day, I was that impressed!"

"Are you thinking about going back with Mark? Or are you thinking of staying with us, because you know you're more than welcome? To do whatever you want to do." I had to make sure she knew that.

"I know," She waved off. "But I won't know till I've talked with Mark more about what the past couple of nights have been like. Since I left… I'll let you know more when I know more… But seriously, you two go. Go!" Then she'd ran to usher Mark in the house and shooed Logan too.

She was right, so I stole Logan's hand and practically ran a good ways up the driveway. You know with nearly all the rest of my energy. Before we were both slowing down and walking the rest of the way home. He asked me, as he was still catching his breath. "Have you ever had more people telling you to go while you can, before?"

"I know!" I couldn't believe it either. "I think only Danny and Azalea will be like 'where are they?' Because literally, all of my cousins were covering for us… Like every one of them and they usually aren't so courteous. Trust me, you must have impressed them."

"Nuh," When did my guy get so modest? "I think they're just glad to see you more happy now. And looking forward to revenge on Mark, while he's here and you're not. They think you'd tell them not to do it, or something."

"Of course, I would!" I had to say as he took my hand again and we were swinging them between us. "I'm way over that and moved on, why would I hold any grudge over such a one-sided relationship?"

But Logan was ready with answers, "I wish you WOULD hold more of a grudge against him. I've seen you be petty plenty of times. How does he get a free pass?"

"I don't think I'd go that far, I guess I got tired of carrying around all of that ugliness and gave it up when I forgave him." I tried to explain.

"Well, it's like I told him. He needs to treat people better." Logan explained. "And you're not the only person he hurt here. All of them have been just waiting for the chance to get even with him for different things. Even if Stacey seems the most happy about all of this-"

"She should! Do you know how many times he showed up for me like that?"

Logan guessed correctly, on the first try. "None?"

"Yes! None! And he came running for her… Even when you told him not to. And someone else is showing her marked attention. An older boy too."

"It could even be JUST because I told him not to." Logan reasoned, "It's amazing how that works sometimes… I almost wish we could see it. When all of them get revenge."

I shrugged, "We could turn back-"

He'd comically yanked me back saying, "NO! No! I'm not that far gone."

"I was about to say." I teased as Logan had used the hand he was already holding to reel me in. And planting a kiss on me that settled it. Time alone was much more important right now. To both of us, and it really didn't matter to me if we did anything besides sleep. I just wanted to be with him. However and wherever that can happen, and we haven't been able to be like this for days… Even though that last time we had had time like this together…. Where we got to be this alone, really… So much had happened between us. In such a short time… Finding anymore time together had been pretty impossible till now. As my house got closer, I started to get a nervousness in my stomach. Even though I don't know why… It was just Logan and me and everything's already occurred between us that I should be nervous about… at least that's how I thought. It didn't make any rational sense to get nervous after things have already happened before… right?

But as we got closer my stomach wasn't filled with frilly butterflies either. It felt more like pterodactyls flying around in there, and my stomach hurt as my mind started to overthink everything. Like what if that happens again tonight? What if it doesn't? What if that's the whole reason Logan's even coming with me? What if Logan expects it? What if he really wants it to happen again and I choke? What if I can't ever do anything ever again as magical as that first time was? I usually say that science is the only magic that's real… but that night, may have changed my mind… but then again, when it comes to Logan, we've always had great chemistry… so we're back to science again… and you know how often I mess up there too… frequently! In case you've forgotten! Even if I don't give up easily, I'm far from perfect…

See? All of these doubts and skepticisms all took root in me. DEEP! And I even began to tremble, they got so outta control. Logan asked me, "Are you cold?"

And when I didn't answer, he'd draped his jacket over my shoulders. I'd lied and even giggled swearing, "I was fine."

But as if he could read my thoughts he said, with conviction. "Quinn… nothing has to happen. Don't ever think that, okay? It'll happen again when it's meant to, just like it did the first time… okay? I just want to be with you… okay. Even if sleep is all we do… really. I just want to be with you."

"I know." I said and meant, even if his words shrank the prehistoric aerial natives, back to harmless butterflies again… Maybe even smaller fireflies. I somehow still ended up saying to him, "Even though it's already happened, and all… I'm still way nervous and I don't even know why. I guess I just really don't want to mess things up, and that's what's making me shake."

"Don't worry," He'd stressed. "It's just us, and that will only happen again when we're both ready. Just like that night, okay?"

I ended up just hugging him tightly at the foot of my front steps. And thanking him for putting me at ease. He'd picked me up in that hug and carried me up my steps, knowing I was bound to be sore. Inside my house he'd even carried me up the other staircase too. And told me to "Go ahead and change, I'll run downstairs and do the same real fast."

I asked, "Meet you back in my room?"

He'd grinned, "Meet you there."

He changed outta his 'monkey suit' and I changed out of my even sillier dress. But I'm almost certain even the monkey's I'd seen today though my dress was funny.

All of that nervousness, all of that overthinking and psyching myself out. Was all for nothing, because when I came outta my bathroom and went back in my room. Logan had already sound sleep ontop of the covers. So I'd climbed in next to him, covered us both up, and curled into his side. Quickly fell asleep right behind him… more comfortable than I'd been in days. Just because I was beside him.

I know he'll probably be kicking himself for that later. Knowing him, but really. This had been the perfect way to prove that we really were the same. Afterall, you know? I just hope I can help him realize that when he wakes up. Hopefully tomorrow morning, after some much needed rest.

((Logan's Perspective))

I couldn't believe it… of all the stupid things I could have done.

I finally get some time alone with my girlfriend. After DAYS of that being impossible. Time that I should have used to talk things out with her. Assure her that even though something so HUGE happened between us the last time we'd gotten to be alone together. {We traded in our v-cards together} That not so much has changed really. I needed to really assure her of everything and anything she wanted to question. Starting with ALL the stuff we've had to hide ALL weekend long. Because even a minute of alone time was hard to come by before that wedding. And there had always been a risk of someone hearing us, before tonight.

We FINALLY cleared out her house full of guests, I even got all of her good cousins covering for us with Azalea and Danny. Even the cousins who Quinn thinks don't like her very much were doing their part. Danny and Azalea were gonna be working at the farm and chaperoning all of us underagers, and hopefully too buzzed to miss us… AND what did I do? I fell asleep while she was brushing her teeth. Only to wake up around 4am wishing I could have slammed my head into something. I was so sick of myself!

'Way to f*cking go, Reese!' I mentally shouted at myself. 'She was trembling in the driveway earlier. Probably overthinking everything even more than me. And what do I do? Go to sleep and abandon her with those thoughts! I'm no better than Mark right now! Seriously, Del Figgs would have even been able to at least say goodnight. Before passing out and leaving her high and dry, GOD!'

Seriously, the only perk to any of this was the warm soft body tucked into mine again. And that face of hers… so at peace on my shoulder. Her hand was resting over my heart and I could feel hers beating in sync with mine. GOD! How I've missed this! Missed HER! Missed having her with me like this!

How was I ever gonna sleep again on my own if it's already this hard now? I couldn't help but think of when school starts back up again in September. When we'll be sleeping in different dorms across campus from each other again. I'm gonna be planning trips to 'our beach' and slumber party dates EVERY weekend, at this rate just so I get SOME sleep SOME time.

Anything to steal even a little time, with her, like this! I can see that now!

Either I snuggled her too hard, already dreading the next time we can't be like this. Or the gears in my head must have been grinding away loudly. Because somehow, even though she wasn't wearing her glasses. Quinn woke up, looked at me, and asked me, "Hey? You okay?"

"Yeah… I'm just mad at myself." I admitted.

"Why?" She'd asked yawning and stretching out. When I didn't talk immediately, hoping I wouldn't have to add waking her up to the list of reasons I was disgusted with myself right now. She'd snuggled me till I was apologizing for both waking her up and falling asleep on her like that.

And she'd shushed me and told me. "We were both exhausted if you hadn't done that first. I probably would have."

"Yeah, but I really wanted to talk to you about stuff… so much has happened and we haven't really gotten to talk about any of it… at all." I did somehow still manage to say even as she'd rolled on top of me and pressed the whole front of her body against mine. And I couldn't think anything but how amazing she felt, and I could still feel her heart beating in tune with mine.

It must have felt good to her too, cause her eyes were closed a second longer than they needed to and she'd said. "I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too," I said even though, I've been saying for days… it wasn't any less true. And I'd smoothed down her hair as she tucked her head under my chin and I'd kissed her hair like three times. As we just held on to each other for a minute... or hour... I couldn't tell you how long we laid there like that.

She asked me something, but I'd missed it. So I'd had to ask her, "What?"

She repeated, "I asked you, 'have you told anyone?' What happened, between us? I know there was a guy's chat and we never discussed it before Stacey was here and so was my Dad… Kinda tough to talk about these subjects with them always around the corner."

Which sounds easy to have answered, but she was taking her fingers and drawing these tingling patterns every place. On my chest, my arms, my shoulders and I was having to THINK so HARD just to remember my own NAME! It felt so magical with her doing that… just… MAN! It was tough.

But SOMEHOW! Some way! I still managed to say, "Uhh, No. No, I haven't told anyone… not a soul… have you."

"Nope," She'd said still continuing her drawings and driving me crazy. "Do you want to tell people or do you really want to revert back to so much secret-keeping again? Because I feel like we just got out of doing so much of that. But I also don't wanna go around advertising it. It's such an uncharted territory."

"Yeah," I somehow manage to agree, on cue… even if I didn't even remember what I was agreeing with anymore. I had to ask her, "What were we talking about again?"

She'd giggled warmly and said, "Do we tell people about this? Or keep it a secret?"

"I say we keep this bubble of not telling till someone asks us, outright. But until then, technically it's not hiding anything, it's just not saying nothing… ya know? Just for a little while." Pretty good for the guy who couldn't tell you his own name right now.

But then she'd stopped and rolled off of me and said, "Hey, that's a great idea."

Not willing to let her go I rolled with her and asked kinda desperate-sounding, "Where are you going?"

"You sound sleepy-"

"I'm not!" I flipped out.

She insisted, "I'm keeping you up-"

"No, you're not!" I freaked even more needing that contact with her back. I smooshed her body against mine and felt her turn into me. Making it easier, and even making a happy noise when we were pressed together again. Only now I was on top of her, and she was smiling. "Why'd you stop doing that artsy doodle thing, you were just doing?"

"I don't know, you sound sleepy." She's said so happily. And I'd been watching the way her beauty mark above her mouth had moved when she spoke and ended up kissing her for a long moment.

"Please keep going, keep drawing." I'd said kissing down the length of her neck when she ran outta breathe before me.

She'd laughed happily, "Where? Yo-your chest is pressed to close to me now. With you on top of me."

"My back then." I pleaded and I'd started teasing her just as bad. I'd even said "Please." Before she did as I'd asked. I knew all the places to kiss and touch to make her breathless. I knew them all by heart.

She'd laughed such a gorgeous sound, and said. "We'd better quit if we don't want to end up like last time we were here alone together."

"You want to avoid that?" I'd asked her nuzzling her nose.

"I didn't say that…" She'd said, but it had taken effort. The eskimo kisses always pull at her heartstrings.

So I'd asked her, "What did you say then?" Still resting my face close to hers.

"It's only happened that one night before now, and it had been… perfect."

I'd agreed, "So perfect."

"What if we do this and it's different now? Not the same?" She said and I could see and feel all the worry creeping back into her body. In that instant… See! This is why we needed to talk. She needs to know how I'm feeling about all of this, and I'd needed to hear what she's thinking too. So much has had to remain unsaid till now, and it's gotta end now.

So I said, "Quinn…" And I took a deep breath, because I was so disgusted with myself, AGAIN. For not talking this out sooner with her, that she'd had to worry like this probably since that night happened. DAYS ago!

"I didn't expect any of that to happen that night… Or tonight either. I meant what I said to you in the driveway. I just want to be with you, don't get me wrong. I'm thrilled it did, I loved every minute of getting to be with you like that too and I would love it to happen again. But that doesn't mean it has to happen all the time now either. Okay? If it happens at all it can only be when we're both into it. And when it's like this has been now… where it felt like that's where we were heading… but only if you want to too. ONLY… I mean it."

"So this felt like that to you too." She'd said, and sounded relieved.

"YEAH!" I said louder than I meant to in the quiet house with only the two of us in it and the rain hitting the roof and windows from outside.

Quinn had giggled and said, "Did all of our dances feel different too?... To you, Since we've been like this?"

I'd had to agree, "Way different… but in a good way, I think… it was a good way right?"

She'd teased, "Maybe a little too good."

"No such thing." I'd disagreed and cuddled her close.

She asked, "Is it crazy that everything happened so intense the first time that I can't remember how it even happened too well?"

I ran a finger down the trail of buttons holding her sleep shirt closed and asked. "If you want, I could refresh your memory? I think I even know how you're blanking out on that part."

And she'd thrown her arms around my neck and nodded her head up and down. As I started to slowly undo one button at a time and make out with her in between. Explaining, "This is probably why… you don't remember… I distracted you the entire time… so you wouldn't think about… wh-what I'm doing."

"Like this?" She'd asked as she'd untied my drawstring on my pajama shorts.

"Yeah, just like that."

"Hmm, sneaky sneaky." She'd said but her last button was undone. And there was a clear path of skin peeking out at me. She'd let me slip a hand inside and feel her heart beating just as fast as mine. She'd leaned up and helped me get it off her. And since I'd come to bed shirtless, I really hadn't left her much work at all. Nearly everything else fell away till the only thing separating us was a very thin last layer on her…

I asked her, one last time. "Are you sure… you're alright… with this happening again so soon?"

And she'd told me the coolest thing, she'd said. "Yes, but… I'm loving you, Logan. I want to love you. Your the person I love more and differently than anyone else in the world… and I don't want you to think you know how much I've missed you… I want you to KNOW how much I've missed you since this happened the first time." She'd hugged me and told me. "I want to be with you again. I'm just scaried because I'm still so inexperienced. I don't know if it'll be as magic as it was last time."

I hope I'd done a good job telling her. "This time's already better." And that "I felt the same about her." Because I had been so focused on getting rid of that last thing she was wearing, and I was completely lost again to loving her after that. With all that I had, the rest of that night and into the following morning… Just trying to show her I loved her just as much as she loved me. I had missed her just as crazy too. And this had only been more perfect than that first time. I think we're somehow getting better at it too. Because it was just incredible… every second of it and I hadn't wanted it to end all over again.

This time I was the one telling her, "I'm afraid to fall asleep. I'm afraid it was all a dream and I'm somewhere asleep all alone wishing this was happening."

She'd whispered in my ear, "It's okay, go to sleep, I'll be waiting for you in your dreams too."

I had said, "You better be." Before I finally dozed back off but that had been the only way I'd fallen asleep. I had to know she'd be there too.

So we did talk things out a little more, and figure this whole new thing between us. A little more too, while we were at it… So the night wasn't a total bust, but I still wish I hadn't fallen asleep like that. Just because I wish I could have had longer with her than I got. But I also knew I'd never have enough of her either. So I tried to keep that in mind, as the world faded to black. And as promised she had been in my dreams too, but it didn't compare to being with her for real. Because I know now that not even my dreams can compete with that.

((Zoey's Perspective))

Bowling with our grandparents' bowling league was the perfect last hurrah for Chase and my trip to Flordia. Even though Chase accidentally threw himself in the gutter with his bowling ball… twice. AND we both couldn't out-bowl the grandparents… and we'd both scored more than 250! We were that close to a perfect game (300) and STILL the 'snow-on-the-roof' club beat us!

The following morning, we were off to Hawaii! And both of us kept pinching ourselves, we couldn't believe our luck.

I haven't been to Hawaii since the last time I went to see my uncle there. He lives there with his boyfriend. And technically his boyfriend is the owner of the place where we'll be working. Chase has never been there before so I gave him the window seat to prove that the islands aren't nearly as teeny as they seem on a map. Just so I could watch his face realize I was right.

The flight was long, but peaceful. I fell asleep on my boyfriend's shoulder two hours after take off.

When I woke up my head was still in that place on his shoulder. But the rest of me was practically in his lap. I asked him, "How did I get that way?"

He'd smirked, "Oh, you know. You're as bossy in your sleep as you are in life. I was powerless to defy you."

"Oh, right! I'm supposed to believe I ended up here with no help." I'd sassed right back.

And he'd stretched, "You did, not gonna lie. Even if I didn't complain." He'd kissed me, quickly. Before admitting. "I was too excited to sleep last night… at all."

"Me too, even though I've been here before. This place… you'll see, it's just magical. Like no other place on Earth. My uncle moved there for more than one reason."

"You said you needed to warn me about some stuff in the airport? Is now a good time, or did you mean when we get where we're going first?" He'd reminded me and I had been thinking the same thing.

I guessed now was as good a time as any. "Well… my Uncle… his name is Darrell… his my mom's big brother and he's very sweet. He can be a little much at times. Not the way Quinn's Uncle was always threatening with guns all the time either. Darrell… well, he's…"

Chase supplied, "The one who got us these jobs?"

"He is, yes, sort of… but he's also… special. Like- It's tough to even put a category on him."

"He's gonna be our boss?" Chase guessed again trying to help me.

"Yes and No, him and our boss are two separate people. Darrell is my uncle and Devon is our boss. But they're also sort of a package deal most of the time and always answer each other. Or for each other, like they BOTH run this place to a tee…but they're kinda hard to even separate, ya know?"

"So they're close." Chase supplied again.

And I'd felt my eyes pop, "Yeah!" That was one way of putting it.

Suddenly Chase asked me, "Zo? Is your Uncle by any chance gay?"

"Yep…" I said so worried about his reaction… because my Dad was SUCH a homophobe and swears all straight men are. He even worried when Dustin wouldn't joke with him about such things and still doesn't. (I love my baby brother, miss him even though I know he's spending time with mom and dad in London now. I need to remember to call him tonight at some point.)

But as if I needed to love Chase more, he'd said. "Why did you make that sound so painful to admit?"

"Because I'm worried how you'll react," I said making a face.

"Why?" He'd asked so sweet sounding.

"Well my Dad always says every straight male hates being around other gay men. It makes them uncomfortable, and I have been worried if you knew about Darrell and Devon. You might not even want to come."

Chase simplified, "So you're Dad's homophobic?"

"In spades." I admitted and hating how this sounded like I was trapping him if he'd really felt the same about being around gay people.

"Zo, you know my dad's sister is a lesbian. You even got to meet her a couple of times while we were in Baltimore. Why would I think any differently of someone like her?"

"Because your little aunt was so discreet, and lovely, and you barely noticed her little rainbow earrings or flirting with other girls. She could easily conceal her being so different from the norm… Trust me, my uncle's not nearly as quiet or deniable, neither is Devon or some of their guests… Most of their guests. And I've been scared to mention any of that before now."

"Did you think I wouldn't want to go? After hearing we'll be staying in a place where there are tons of LBGTQ people?" He'd asked me, sounding more shocked at my hesitancy.

"Weeeeell," I tried to explain. "Not everyone can handle that in a normal setting. Or beachside in paradise… My dad couldn't, but he knows I'm close to my uncle so he's letting me go anyways. He seemed to think my uncle needed my help… but even I don't know why."

"Aren't you close with this uncle?" Chase asked.

"Closer than all the rest." I admitted.

"Then I hope I can help him too, just because he's that important to you. But never be afraid to talk to me about anything, Zo. I want you to know you can always talk to me about anything. That hasn't changed, okay?" Chase said. Making me all the more thrilled he was with me and I'd ended up hugging and kissing him till a flight attendant made me climb back into my seat and outta my boyfriend's lap.

I knew he'd been the ideal choice, the moment I'd agreed to take this summer job. And by the time we reached our island, got off the plane and got lei-ed. I was even more convinced because Chase had been so adorable throughout every part of the rest of these travels. And I'd laughed the whole way… trust me the same trip with my parents and Dustin had not been this joyous!

I asked Chase if he was gonna do that guy-thing and text all our friends that "he'd gotten lei-ed."

And he'd said, "he wasn't," so I did!

And he had said "Zoey Brooks… you dirty girl!"

I reasoned, "It's not spelled the same it just SOUNDS dirty. And they'll appreciate it." So we BOTH did it just to see what people said and the responses from all of our friends had been hilarious.

Quinn was getting ready to walk down the aisle of Irvine's wedding in her texts. We were texting back and forth before she went up there. Cheering her on as we were going through the rest of our travels to reach our main destination. Lola had texted back, "That's my girl!"

Lisa had said, "Uh OH! Did I read that right? LoL!"

Lydia and Stacey had both texted, "Me next! Me next!" and started climbing what colors they wanted their flowers to be when they get here.

Michael had said, "Y'all better be talking bout those flowery do-hickeys that go round your necks."

James and Vince had both texted, "Sounds fun."

Chase tried to text Logan too but when he got no responses. I asked him, "How much you wanna bet he's running some part of that wedding too seriously? Any events like that, he always ends up with a clipboard."

Chase had shrugged, "Yeah! But he so cood at all of it… People always end up trusting him."

"True story." I agreed.

But Chase had guessed better, "I bet he's trying to get his eyes back in skull after seeing Quinn dressed up so nice again after Prom. You know the last time they were dressed that fancy together. He was yelling he loved her across a room… and he forgot he was supposed to be Stacey's date."

"And Quinn was Dustin's too! Yeah! Ohh! I bet you're right." I had to give him.

Just before I heard over all the noise of the other tourist and soon-to-be guest shuttling with us to the resort… "ZOEEEEEEEEEEY! There's my Queen of Sheba!"

See what I mean? No way he could contain all of that fabulousness… He just always comes off as a little much ing the best way.

As if both Darrell and Devon were determined to break Chase in on this first day. Not only did they show up yelling to us both across their parking lot. But they were both in full drag today for an event happening here at their place. Where almost every person you met was dressed as the opposite of what they identify as… (Unless they were non-binary, rock on!)

My uncle was sweet and sassy as I remembered, complementing my nails, outfit and shoes… he even said my luggage matched me in cuteness. Before he was complimenting my choice in boyfriend too. But due to Darrell being behind in all of his e-mails (because of this event and several others like it happening each weekend at the resort). When I'd mentioned I would be bringing my boyfriend… these two were expecting James. But both had seen enough pictures of my friends and heard enough stories where neither once called Chase "James." They KNEW who he was… See, why we're close?

Devon too was just the perfect match for my sweet Darrell. They were that perfect mix for one another, just like I remembered. Devon was chill, cool, and composed. Darren was a full octane blast to the face of sunshine, but also a little more high-strung under pressure.

But they'd met us first thing, not just to welcome us and see how we were doing. They had another surprise for us too, they're FINALLY getting married this summer too. Finally after dating for more than ten years. So they needed me to help with the wedding, but more than anything they'd begged my Dad to let me come, because they wanted me here when this happened. I get to be a bridesmaid and even though I've always hoped these two would end up together. I didn't know how Chase would be reacting. And he'd been so genuine and excited for them as I was… I just felt my heart melting for him… a little more.

He'd congratulated them both on the wedding. And how well they accomplished their drag appearances. Even saying not all men were as pretty as women, without a blink of weirdness. Seriously… Does he ever quit being so perfect all the time? He'd even admitted to having to play girl roles several times in school plays before PCA allowed girls to attend. So he knew first hand his drag capabilities were less than stellar.

Before Chase told both men, "If there was anything he could do to help with anything. To please let him know. With the wedding, our work here, anything at all. He just wants to help and learn as much as possible."

Awww! Look at my guy killing first impressions and making my dad out to be MORE of a jerk by the minute. Could I love him anymore? It turns out that YES I can. I wonder if any of the other girls are having this problem? Or if it's just that I'm still so happy and new to being with him like this… GREAT question for our next girl gab session.

They let us have the first day to settle in and rest. We wouldn't be starting our jobs till bright and early the following day. Knowing the jet-lag from so many plane rides close together and the TIME CHANGES we were getting through could prove lethal. And they were massive, not gonna lie… I had the worst headache for a lot of that first day. But Chase kept squeezing my hand and checking on me all the time… And I was able to keep up cause of him.

Instead of sharing with strange roommates, and having to meet new people. My uncle or I should now get used to saying my uncles! Plural! YAY! Were trusting us, and letting me share with Chase. In a room with two beds. But when my uncles had described this room I was picturing a teeny room with two even teenier twin beds. But we had a very nice room and two full-sized beds to spread out in… Not exactly roughing it as much as I'd pictured. And my uncles taste is HIGH class. So even though this was a live-in staff area, both beds were wrapped in luxury… all of the best.

Chase had even simplified, "So we're just gonna be using the one? Right? Unless you get mad at me."

"Or you could get mad at me too." I had to point out, I remember how much we'd fought over things in the past. That radio Chase's grandpa sent him, had been one of our biggest fights. The biggest fight made both of us end up in London for a while. Grapes… Tacos… We mostly fight over food, and silly things but still… London… I did not want "Hawaii" to be another "London" disaster!

And my stomach was starting to hurt from the pressure. More than even my head as all the air travel, boat travel, it took to get here. Even worse than all the worries I was still carrying. So when Chase suggested, "Instead of crashing immediately. Why don't we go do one fun thing our first day here. Before we're working so much?"

I asked hopefully, "Just us?"

"Just us, sound good?"

"As long as it ain't nothing too elaborate or fancy." I had to put out there once all our stuff had been unpacked and put away.

He'd said, "I promise, we'll keep it light but come on." I took his hand and we ran off to find some fun together. It was just like everything I had been hoping for.

Everyone was so shocked that I hadn't been tripping over myself. Asking James to come here with me this summer. But I think since the moment I accepted this job, this had always been what I'd seen in my head. Chase and me running around like this, hand and hand, trying not to fall on our faces. Finding adventures and keeping his head from colliding with things… It's a tougher job than you would imagine too.

I hoped this trip would only bring us even closer than we already are.

(Chase's Perspective)

Zo tried to warn me. The islands are magical, like no other place on Earth.

But the added magic of that little sunkissed hand in mine. Was TOUGH competition, it's up for debate which was more powerful... And potent… But at the end of the day I've only been on island time for three full hours. Add that to the nearly ten-hour flight to get here from Florida, and long boat ride to get us to this place exactly. Even after attending a paradise school all these years, and being spoiled by it… Hawaii's STILL winning by miles! It's gotta be one of the most beautiful places on the planet… Even if Zoey again, was hard to look away from. I'd still noticed it.

GOD! I'm glad I'm here with her, that I had stuck to my guns. Insisting this wouldn't just be a chance to grow closer to Zoey as my girlfriend. But it was also an AMAZING opportunity, and both Zoey's uncles were dedicated to giving both of us GREAT college recommendations after our time here too… so it was lucrative and would hopefully be a GREAT experience too…

But come on… You KNOW nothing was gonna top spending the WHOLE summer with my BEST friend. Who I've missed so much for SO long and I'm still playing catch up to. I couldn't have bared summer in Baltimore knowing I could have been here. And I couldn't have handled so much more time away from Zoey either. Not after months on end ALREADY…

So I could not WAIT for this new adventure to begin. Even though we were both beyond bushed. I suggested we do one fun thing together before tuning in super early to hopefully sleep some of this jet lag off.

Zoey had asked to keep it light and simple. So we'd shared dinner on the beach, playing around in the water. Before turning in early together. The sun had still been up, but you've gotta remember. Our day started in Florida and this was several different timezones over. So it was taking us a bit to adjust…

But even though we were turning in SUPER early. To make sure we were up for our very first shifts tomorrow… The whole experience had felt like a date and say what you want about working for a place like this one. But those Drag Queens know how to PARTY! The singing, dancing and costume changes we saw. And we weren't even sitting where the event was happening. We were just on the beach beside it all. And it had been SPECTACULAR.

But even as great as the entertainment and the music all was. Just being with her was still the highlight.

And while we were out there, Zoey asked me. "So what do you think? Do you think it'll still be a fun summer?"

"I knew it was gonna be fun, even if it was just you and me." I told her honestly and watched how that made her smile. "Now the whole gang's coming for two weeks too. Mr. Reese is even planning to film here too. Though I can totally see why, now that I'm here."

Zoey supplied, "Yeah, supposedly he's working on some thriller where a time-traveling drag artist is trying to stop his own parents' murders from happening. So he doesn't have to grow up an orphan most of his life. And it's supposed to be taking place in the 80s or something."

I confirmed, "Yeah, I'd heard all that too, but I forgot that the main character was a 'drag' artist. I thought he was a musician or something."

But Zoey had to ask, "Why would a musician need to time travel though?"

I thought it was obvious, "To write the best song of all time, OF COURSE! No pursuit is better for a time-traveling plot in my mind."

"Yeah but that's mostly because you hope John Lennon got to do something like that." Zoey saw right through me. But come on! Everyone knows his life was cut way too short by an obsessed fan. All the music and good he could have done for the world, just living a bit longer.

"Chase!" Zoey had to call me back to reality. She knew my mind had just went down a deep and magnificent rabbit hole.

"Yeah, yeah! I was gone, but now I'm back."

She totally recaptured my attention though, tugging on our joined hands and asking me to, "Promise me something."

"Anything." I'd agreed immediately… you would have too if she'd given you that sidelong look. Have eyelashes always been that long and curly?

I focused better and listened closely. "Promise no matter what we get up to during this trip. No matter what trouble or high-jinx we get into that this… this right here." She stressed tugging on my hand she was still holding. "Doesn't ever get jeopardized like it did when either of us was in London."

That's what she's been worried about? That's what's been pulling her shoulders up over her ears besides all the traveling we had to do… all fourteen hours of it max. I promised her easily. "Zo, that is just about the easiest promise I've ever made." I even kissed her hand and told her the truth. "Nothing's more important to me."

"Me either," she said into my shoulder as she'd pulled me into a hug. She even whispered while we were close. "I'm so scared of messing this all up again. I know it was mostly my fault before too and I just can't seem to quit kicking myself for that."

Before she could get too far away form me. I kissed her smack on the lips and told her, "Put it all behind us and let this be our new beginning… well, this and the end of our year together at PCA…All leading up to Senior Year. Where there won't be all of this stuff between us anymore."

She'd grinned, "You mean like distance, continents, and oceans?"

"Well, yeah, those too." I couldn't deny that, I had no plans of going ANY place besides PCA till I graduated. "But I did also mean all the strangeness of not telling each other stuff to. Let's stop all of that right here and now and promise to also not let things get so outta hand again."

"Promise." Zoey said easily.

The first night on island time, we'd danced, we'd joked. Played "Would You Rather" for hours! GOD I've missed doing those things with her. But long before sunset, we headed back to the room... our room. And really did try to rest up for the ungodly early morning tomorrow. As GREAT as all of this had been. Nothing beats climbing into bed with her, wrapping my arms around my best girl friend and now official girlfriend. And falling asleep next to her... Nothing could possibly be better than that. And we'd both went right to sleep hoping our first day tomorrow won't be SO bad. Fingers crossed for us!

((Quinn's Perspective))

When I first woke up the following morning, I was in my room at my house. But I was alone, so I really did think that I had dreamed everything I thought I remembered… I even felt my head for a fever, because that was the kind of dreams I'd been having. If I had imagined all of that…

But my glasses were still on my nightstand and my eyes were still closed. As I heard someone coming into my room after using my bathroom and closing the door behind them. I even thought for a moment that it must be Stacey coming to get me. Because since she's gotten here, she's been a frequent visitor to wherever I am. For all sorts of things…

Thank goodness, I didn't ask her 'what she wanted.' Because, while I was expecting Stacey's latest inquiry to borrow some of my clothes or asking where something is kept… The full weight of a person hit the unoccupied side of my bed and sounded like they were crawling back under the covers. That was all I registered before strong and toned arms found their way around me and Logan's voice was in my ear. "Are you awake?"

He was a blur, but I looked up at him anyways and whispered his name before hugging him. "I thought I'd just been dreaming again… all that, that happened late last night." But it was undeniable since not only was he here with me, but we both were wearing absolutely nothing under these covers.

"Again?" He'd chuckled, even while I tried to distract him by teasing him. "How often… are you dreaming things like that?"

"Oh! Don't start." I warned before pulling him down to me in a deep kiss. That should have made him forget the topic.

I must be losing my edge, cause he smacked his lips when he pulled away and asked, "No seriously? How often? Cause that was HOT last night? Like too hot to even make it as a dream I've had-"

"Are you sure about that?" I asked playfully. And he'd tickled and trapped me too well.

Before he said, "Seriously though, what dreams have you not been telling me about here?"

"Well, you've heard about some of them. Like the 'kisses you missed' those times and the e-mails like it I used to send you. While we were apart… I just didn't share ALL the details sometimes." I'd shrugged.

"So you've been holding out on me?" He'd pinpointed.

But I flirted, "Not as much as you apparently."

"What makes you say that?" He'd asked for it.

"Last night." I'd reasoned soundly, and his face had been priceless. He couldn't even argue with that logic.

But he did whisper directly in my ear again, "I wasn't alone there."

"And now you know." I'd murmured back, as his warmth and closeness were just getting intoxicating all over again.

But he'd kissed me and in between those small burst of affection he kept teasing. "I knew that already… somehow… just not how much." Then he'd flipped me over and began kissing all along my back. When I asked him, "What are you doing?"

He'd explained, "Mark was looking at your back, last night. And I should have decked him for it, the pantywaste!" He'd insisted on kissing every square inch back there before letting me face him again. Even though all of it had tickled and teased me.

When I was facing him again he accused, "You held back a lot too."

"Now you know." I managed to sneak in there.

"Is it terrible I think I could use a little more backstory here?" He'd asked into my neck as he'd snuggled me close.

"No, I expected as much… you've always been so wonderfully accepting of my experimental ways." I complimented as I also hinted. "I was even hoping I could show you what I mean… but only if you're okay with being even later today than we were last time-"

"Yeah! Stacey said we could sleep in, she'd cover for us, no need to rush back today. So… yeah!" He'd said excitedly.

So I put myself out there and asked, "If this is gonna be like I dreamed it, can you switch positions with me real quick?"

"With you? So that means I would be…"

"On your back." I confirmed.

And he'd said, "okay…" and I could see him trying to hide his excitement. And be cool, something about how miserably he failed to pull this off was just even more adorable than his normal cooler than school LIFE.

Once he was comfortably on his back and I climbed ontop of him. All of his cool guy exterior was nearly gone… it was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Not only loving him this way, the power of it. But also seeing him surrender the control to me completely, the truth there… along with everything else. He'd enjoyed himself so much that it wasn't even the only time we got to be together this way this morning. It merely kicked off another round of loving, and it was even better than our first morning spent this way. It had been so fun and ... just joyous beyond words.

So this experiment was not only a total smash success. Where he'd handed me the reins and power, gladly. But my conclusion is, that I truly am ruined for anyone else but this man. And it may even be a two-way street the way he was talking in his sleep afterwards. And looking at me, all DAY afterwards too.

Needless to say, the sun was HIGH in the sky when we were strolling back to the farm. But it wasn't raining at all. And we'd gotten to enjoy a little sunshine during that walk. But after the night and morning we'd just shared… I think we wouldn't have cared if it was raining cats and dogs. We would have probably still felt like we were walking in that sunshine. We were that content and happy... It was just so lovely.

Even as all of the workers who had gotten up at the normal time were razzing us the whole walk up. Even as the animals were even more judgemental than our fellow humans were. Little Velma and Daphne even slipped under the fence railing and went right to us. Even though they're nearly too big to fit anymore. They were gonna be total escape artists like their daddy. I could see that now. After coaxing the girls back under the fence. We kept walking back to the house.

But before we could reach the porch. Stacey was standing out front with a worried look on her face. And I b-lined to her, to see what's up. And of course, my first concern was her, after hopefully talking things out with Mark. Logan too had been asking all sorts of questions about that. And hot on my heels, worried for our friend.

Stacey had to immediately ensure, "Oh Mark and me are fine now. We talked things out and I had agreed to go back with him. When he leaves… but now… I just don't feel right leaving Quinn with what else is waiting for her inside. That has nothing to do with me or Mark."

Logan's arm flew around my waist protectively as he asked, "What is it?"

Stacey warned us, "Lola's here-"

"LO-LA!? Here?!" I flipped out.

Stacey went on, "Yep she's with Vince, Lydia, and Mo."

"MO? As in our friend Mona?! From the wrestling team? HOW?!"

Stacey said, "I would love to warn you about all of that too. I really would but they wouldn't talk to me about it. They all insisted on talking to you two. So I have no idea what's going on except I can guess it all has something to do with James. Not only because I know that's where they were all staying before now. But also because he was not with them and just the state that Lydia's in… I get the vibe that something bad has happened once James' parents returned home."

Which was a good guess, given he was the only friend missing from this group who we know has been together for a little while now.

Logan checked his phone now and realized, he had more than 20 missed calls and texts all from James. I had some on my phone too, but Logan wisely wanted to talk to the others before he got into James' side of this mess. He wanted to hear what everyone else had to say. So I asked Stacey, "You say they're all inside and wanna talk to us? Where?"

"They're all in the breakfast nook and your aunt's feeding them all. They haven't been here long, but they're not gonna come clean to anyone else but you two."

I could feel Logan's hand and arm on my waist tighten again. And I asked Stacey, "Could you and Mark hang back just long enough to help me figure this out? I've been talking to all of my cousins and Mark about your way of talking these things out with people. And you're amazing at it, Stace! Could you help me before you go?"

She took my free hand and assured, "I'd hoped you'd say something like that. Of course, I will do everything I can think of to help too."

And Logan said into my ear, "I've got your back too."

"I know you do." I said kissing his cheek. "Let's go see what's up before Azalea over-feeds everyone and they can't get back out the door." She's definitely an aunt who loves to eat her feelings. And believes everyone should need to eat something around her. If that many emotional teenage girls have found they're way to her, she's probably cooking up a storm and in her nurturing mode. So I had better get to the bottom of this quickly.

But walking in with both Logan and Stacey's help assured me. We would straighten everything out in no time.

That's all folks!

Well, for this chapter anyway! I hate leaving off there, but the rest of it was just getting too long and it's funnier coming from Logan too But don't fret readers, I will be back with another post next Thursday And the perspective will be switched to Logan then too. Even if that little rascal snuck into this chapter too and is gonna be entirely too SMUG after the night and morning we know he just experienced… LoL! But if you can, please review, I would love to hear from you and it really helps me stay inspired too. Getting these posts in here weekly, when I can. Bless ANYONE reading this right now. Hope you're having an GREAT week! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85