A/N 1 - hey guys! I hope everyone is enjoying this story. I'm having so much fun writing it and am sad it's almost over.
A/N 2 - this chapter is rated M for mature themes
A/N 3 - only two more chapters until this story is over.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
(chapter title - Changing Lives, Part 3)
Carol clapped her hands at the ensemble of The Prom, "this is our final dress rehearsal before the final performance in a few days. Make sure you get your E-Vites out to family and friends, or whoever you want to come to the musical by after dinner tonight."
She talked for a while longer before she had the ensemble go to their dressing rooms to get ready - the girls were in one and the guys were in the other.
Lily made sure she sat in a makeup chair near Robin, "Robin, can we talk?"
"About what?" Robin asked as she and the other girls got their makeup out and started applying it.
"The bombshell you dropped on us - what do you mean you're moving to Canada? You're not happy here?" Lily asked as she applied her makeup.
"I told you - my dad got a new job, so I'll be moving before the school year starts" Robin said as she applied eye liner.
"Should we go?" Rachel asked.
"No" Lily and Robin said in unison.
"Let's talk later, please" Robin said, finishing her makeup and went to put on her first costume for Act 1.
"Okay" Lily sighed as she finished her makeup and put on her costume for Act 1.
Once rehearsal was over, everyone did their own things.
"The cabin's empty, so let's chat there" Lily said, pulling Robin into the unoccupied cabin and closed the door behind her, "sit and explain."
Robin sighed, "I didn't mean to drop the bombshell on you - I meant to tell you after camp was over. Dad didn't even want me to tell people, just in case he got a better offer, but it slipped and before I could stop myself, I was spilling the beans. Will you come visit me?"
"Of course" Lily said, hugging her best friend.
Robin smiled and hugged Lily back.
"I'm glad we're friends again" Robin said.
"Best friends" Lily said, smiling.
Meanwhile…..
Gretchen relaxed on the beach, not hearing Barney sneak up behind her. She squealed as he began kissing her neck, his arms wrapped around her waist.
"You ever had sex on the beach?" Barney whispered.
Gretchen squealed with laughter, "oh my God - you're bad!"
"That was a serious question - have you ever had sex on the beach?" Barney asked, coming over so he was directly in front of Gretchen, brushing her hair behind her ears.
"No, I have not" Gretchen said, looking around.
"Come with me - I found a private lagoon" Barney said, helping Gretchen gather her things before they walked a short distance down the beach to where two large beach towels were set up.
Gretchen sat down her things before looking at Barney, "when did you set this up?"
"About an hour ago" Barney said, going to one of the towels and sat down, patting the spot next to him. He smiled as Gretchen sat down next to him, "did I ever tell you how beautiful I think you are?"
"Yes" Gretchen said, holding one of his hands in hers, "I'm ready to go to the next step."
"Really?" Barney asked, a small smile on his face.
Gretchen nodded, fiddling with the tie on her bikini top.
Barney took it off her, kissing her shoulders and neck before looking at Gretchen, "may I kiss your boobs?"
Gretchen nodded, laying down on the towel so Barney could get on top of her. She whimpered softly as Barney kissed her breasts, while his hands traveled down to her shorts.
Gretchen felt her heart race as she and Barney made love on the beach, far away from prying eyes.
Barney kissed her shoulders as he helped Gretchen get her bikini on after he put his shorts on, "I love you."
"I love you, too" Gretchen said, smiling as Barney helped her to her feet.
"I feel like Elphaba and Fiyero during the song As Long As You're Mine" Barney said.
"Kiss me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
I need help believing
You're with me tonight
My wildest dreamings could not foresee
Lying beside you with you wanting me
And just for this moment
As long as you're mine
I've lost all resistance
And crossed some borderline
And if it turns out
It's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine" Gretchen sang softly as they headed to the cabins.
"You know, As Long As You're Mine is one of my favorite songs from Wicked" Barney said, pulling Gretchen close.
"Really? It's one of my favorites, too" Gretchen said, "let's say our favorite song from Wicked on three. One….two….three - Popular."
"As Long As You're Mine" Barney said in unison with Gretchen.
Gretchen smiled as they stopped in front of the Heather's cabin, "this is my stop."
"Are your roommates in?" Barney asked.
"I don't think so, but I don't wanna risk it" Gretchen said, "I'll take a quick shower and meet you in the Mess Hall."
"Okay" Barney said, kissing her hand, "I'll see you then, my Elphie."
"Oh Fiyero" Gretchen said, entering the Heather's Cabin as she watched Barney walk to the Hamilton cabin.
That night, Gretchen and Barney went to the Shucked cabin, since it wasn't in use.
Gretchen whimpered as Barney thrust gently inside her, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I'm almost there - you?" Barney asked.
Gretchen nodded, "same."
Barney held Gretchen in his arms after they did the deed, loving her skin against his.
"We should go to our own cabins before someone spots us" Gretchen whispered.
"Mkay" Barney said, getting out of bed and helped Gretchen put her clothes back on before getting himself dressed.
"Love you, Fiyero" Gretchen said as she quietly entered the Heather's Cabin.
"Love you too, Elphie" Barney whispered back, heading to the Hamilton cabin.
The following day at breakfast, Barney and Gretchen couldn't keep their hands off each other.
"Ew - some of us are trying to eat here" Phoebe said, watching Barney wrap his arm around Gretchen's shoulder, then squeeze her left breast.
"Sorry, Phoebe, but we're in love" Gretchen said, kissing Barney's lips.
"Monica and I are in love, but you don't see us being all handsy" Chandler said, eating some bacon.
Monica smiled a tiny bit, "yeah, what Chandler said."
After breakfast, everyone headed to the Performance Space to do a run through of the show without costumes.
Whenever they weren't in scenes together, Barney and Gretchen would sit in the audience, holding hands and watching the scene before them.
"I'm needed on stage. I'll be right back" Barney whispered to Gretchen before joining Rachel, Joey and Phoebe on stage for Changing Lives (Reprise).
After the song, Tonight Belongs To You, the ensemble had lunch.
"How are we feeling about the show?" Barney asked his friends as they walked towards the Mess Hall.
"I'm really liking it" Robin said as she gave Lily a piggyback ride.
"Do you think we're like our characters at all?" Gretchen asked, suddenly feeling nauseous.
"A little bit" Rachel said, looking at Gretchen, "honey, are you okay?"
Gretchen shook her head, zooming to her cabin and entered the bathroom, emptying the contents of her stomach. She flushed the toilet, brushed her teeth and washed her face before exiting her cabin.
"You okay, sweetie?" Barney asked.
Gretchen nodded, "I'm fine" she gently kissed Barney's cheek, "I think it was something I ate."
Barney nodded and walked with Gretchen.
As the day wore on, Gretchen got to know Ted, who was Barney's best friend.
"So, are you and Barney dating now?" Ted asked.
Gretchen nodded, "he's a great guy."
"He really is" Ted said, smiling a tiny bit, "you think you guys will hang out after camp is over?"
"I hope so" Gretchen said.
After rehearsal, everyone got involved in a giant water balloon fight.
"Go clean up, then dinner will be arriving" Carol said, laughing as she got hit by a water balloon.
Once everyone was cleaned up and back at the Mess Hall, dinner was served - hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni & cheese, salad, roasted chicken and baked beans.
Gretchen got a little bit of everything before going to join Barney at a table.
"Hey Elphie" Barney greeted Gretchen as she sat down.
"Hey Fiyero" Gretchen greeted as she joined him.
Rachel, Ross, Chandler, Monica, Lily, Robin and Joey ended up joining Barney and Gretchen.
"What's up with you two calling each other Elphie and Fiyero?" Ross asked curiously.
"It's from the song As Long As You're Mine from Wicked" Barney said.
Gretchen nodded as she ate her cheeseburger.
After dinner, everyone went to the fire pit for s'mores and campfire songs, along with ghost stories.
Gretchen roasted a marshmallow, smiling at Barney across the fire from her.
Barney was laughing with Ross, Ted, Chandler and Joey.
Wonder what they're laughing about Gretchen thought to herself as she perfectly cooked her marshmallow.
"We're gonna go back to the cabin and play Truth or Dare. You guys in?" Rachel asked, standing up.
"Sure" everyone chorused and followed Rachel to the SIX cabin.
It was now Barney's turn.
"Gretchen, truth or dare?" Barney asked.
"Dare" Gretchen said.
"I dare you to make out with me - right here, right now" Barney said.
"With everyone watching?" Gretchen asked.
"Okay, not that. Then I dare you to use my phone to do a prank call to someone" Barney said, handing Gretchen his phone.
"I know the perfect person" Gretchen said, dialing a number and put it on speaker. She then cleared her throat and disguised her voice, making sure to shush everyone around her.
Once everyone had enough of Truth or Dare, everyone left the cabin.
Barney walked Gretchen to her cabin, holding her hand in his, "have we said that we're boyfriend and girlfriend yet or am I imagining it?"
"I don't think we've called each other boyfriend and girlfriend" Gretchen said, looking into his eyes.
Barney smiled and kissed Gretchen's forehead, "good night, girlfriend."
"Good night, boyfriend" Gretchen said, closing her eyes as she felt him kiss her forehead.
I hope we can stay friends after camp Gretchen thought to herself as she got ready for bed, not able to get Barney out of her mind.