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CHAPTER 4 - 'THE DATE'
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Evening fell over Acmetropolis, The sky grew darker and lights turned on.  The nightlife scene began.  The four remaining Loonatics were busy watching rented movies, passing the occasional comments abut how their fellow team-mate’s date was going.

Meanwhile, Ace and Lexi were sitting in a small booth in a French restaurant called ‘Le Petite Fromage’ (I know it means The Little Cheese, but it’s all I can think of!)

“So Ace, what made you ask me out all of a sudden?” Lexi enquired

“Well, um...to be honest.” Ace started, moving closer to Lexi.  He placed his hand on hers.

“I’ve always liked you.  I’m always trying to make sure you’re okay, cause I would never want anything to happen to you.” He started to lean in as he said the last of his sentence.  Placing his free hand around her waist.

They both leant in and their eyes began to shut.

“Excuse me, oh um, I’m terribly sorry...” The waiter stuttered as he realised what they were about to do.  “Would you like to order?”

“Yeah sure” Ace replied.  He looked at Lexi disappointedly, before turning his attention to the waiter.

After placing their orders, the two bunnies stared at each other.  The mood had been shattered when the waiter came.  They smiled at each other nervously, deciding almost simultaneously in their heads that they would have to wait for a more intimate moment to continue with their first kiss.  After all, they wanted it to be special.

------------------

The two spent the evening talking about their past, and sharing their experiences of how they developed their crush over one-another.  As well as sharing their stories where they felt they had humiliated themselves in front of each other.

“Yeah, I got kinda embarrassed when you pulled me from that Tornado that Weathervane created, and I landed on my butt and rolled over.”

“Sorry about that, trust me; I thought you were gonna brain-blast my furry white tail for not catching you!” Ace snorted.

Lexi chuckled. “I wouldn’t do that...to you...I would to Duck but, you meant well and that’s all that matters.”

Whilst the two were talking and laughing together happily, they had no idea that they were being watched.  The figure followed them as they got up to look out over Acmetropolis bay from the Restaurant’s balcony.

“Thanks for dinner Ace.” Lexi smiled. “It was really great.”

“I know, it beats the time we have eating with the guys.”

“Slam and Duck?”

“Their eating habits and constant bickering, never cease to astound me.” Ace joked “And of course, it disgusts me!” He finished, looking down at Lexi, whose head had managed to find resting spot of his shoulder.

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CHAPTER 6 - 'THE NIGHT'S STILL YOUNG'
__________________________________
 

An hour passed and the two rabbits were still lying on the beach looking up at the stars, Ace had his arm around Lexi as the two lay there silently, smiling.

“Beautiful night isn’t.” Lexi said, finally breaking the silence.  Startled by the sudden comment, Ace sat up, resting his forearm on his knee that was raised; he looked down at Lexi, who was still lying on the sand.

“Not as beautiful as you.” Ace smiled as he said this.  He put one of his arms behind her back, and the other under her legs, picking her up, Bridal style.  He began to walk along the beach as he started for their HQ. 

Occasionally he glanced down at Lexi and smiled.  She smiled and rolled her eyes.  She never liked being carried, it gave her a feeling of helplessness, as you can’t control where you’re being taken and it can be difficult to leave someone’s grasp.  She was too used to that, when her brothers would pick her up and hold her next to large spiders they found around the house, while she would kick and cry for them to let go of her. 

Ace however, she never minded with him, only, the only other occasions that he ever carried her, was if she was knocked out, or injured during a mission, but that rarely happened.  Although she wasn’t fond of being carried, having Ace’s strong arms supporting her, the scent of his colone and the warmth of his body against hers made her feel carefree and safe.

-----------------

Outside the door of Head quarters, Ace finally set Lexi down.  Her legs felt like jelly as she stood up and she stumbled a bit until Ace put his arm round her shoulders to stop her from falling.   Once again they kissed, before walking into the elevator and making there way up to the main room of their Head Quarters.

The rest of the team were still half way through yet another rented movie, but they turned their attention to the two bunnies as they walked happily into the room.

“Soooooooooooooo how was the date?”  Duck asked raising his eyebrows.

“It was...really, really good.”  Lexi answered happily.  She kissed Ace on the lips.  “I might go to bed, Night guys.”  Lexi said as she walked out of the room.  Though, Lexi had a slight alluring look in her eyes as she stared briefly at Ace.

The guys smirked at Ace who was smiling calmly.  

The rest of the team soon resumed their film whilst Ace sat down on a bean bag and started to contemplate in his head, why Lexi looked at him like that. 

After no luck, Ace continued to watch the film with the others.  Once it had finished, the guys disbanded to their individual rooms for the night, although instead of his room, Tech walked to his lab.

Ace decided that he wanted to go and talk to Lexi so he walked to her door, and politely knocked on her door.

He could hear music coming from inside her room; he knew she liked to read before bed.  After waiting for a while Ace knocked again.  There was still no reply. 

Ace started to worry, with her sensitive hearing Lexi would easily be able to hear him knocking, even with her music playing. 

When their rooms were designed, Tech had installed locks on each of their rooms for privacy, but in the event that a team-mate was locked in, or the others were worried about a certain team-mate, there was an access code to get into the rooms from the outside.  Only Ace and Tech had memorised the access codes for everyone’s rooms Ace, because he was the leader and was in charge of the team and their safety, and Tech because he built and input the access codes.

Although Ace was doing this for a safety purpose, he couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable with just barging in. 

He and the other male members of the team had decided between them that they would only go into Lexi’s room like that if they had a definite feeling she was in trouble, being that, she was the only girl in the team, and none of them like the thought of being brain blasted, or kicked where it hurts, for going into her room...especially if she was getting dressed.

Ace wasn’t entirely sure whether this was a time where he should be using the access code or not, and he winced at the thought of her getting angry at him for coming in.

With a sigh, Ace pressed the enter button after punching in the keys and the door opened.  Ace walked in, not sure what to expect.  Her room was clean and her shelves had numerous books.  As he walked in, Ace noticed a wall filled with photographs and framed certificates from when Lexi took part in the annual gymnastics competitions, held every year at the Acmetropolis Gymnasium.  There was also a desk that stretched across the width of the wall that had numerous trophies of different sizes arranged along it.  Ace noticed a picture of two female rabbit Anthros standing beside Lexi after she had won a competition, each of them smiling, with the two older figures standing with their closest hand on Lexi’s shoulders.

“That’s my mum and my Grandma....If you’re interested.”

Ace turned round to see Lexi standing behind him in her pyjamas, holding her uniform, neatly folded in her arms.  To his surprise, Lexi didn’t look angry, but instead had an intrigued smile on her face as she gazed up at him.

Regaining his composure Ace looked down at Lexi and voiced his thoughts. “Where were you? I knocked and you didn’t answer, I got kinda worried.”

“Humph, That explains why you’re here I guess, saves me asking.  “Lexi said.  She walked over to a draw and put her uniform in it.

“Well...” Ace asked following her “Where were you?”

“Bathroom, I was changing.” Lexi answered she pointed at her pyjama top and smiled at him.

“You get dressed in your bathroom?” Ace asked raising an eyebrow.

“Well...yeah, its fine for you guys, you’re all male, so if someone came into your room while you were changing it’d be fine. Whereas if you guys came into mine while I was getting dressed...” Lexi smirked.  “...You’d probably be very sore.  Lucky I wasn’t in here when you decided to drop in huh.”

“Not really” Ace started “...Cause I wouldn’t have had to come in if you had answered me when I knocked.  Trust me...” Ace said putting his hands up to assure her “The guys and I would only come into your room if we really needed to.”

“...Like when?” Lexi Asked

“...Like...If we thought you were in trouble.” Ace replied

“What, Like if couldn’t get my bra off or something?”  Lexi asked playfully.  She knew what Ace meant, but hearing an answer to this was bound to be amusing.

“Well, yeah I guess getting a guy to do that would help.” Ace said, smirking.

Lexi playfully slapped Ace on the arm, only to have him pull her into his embrace while he kissed her deeply.  This kiss wasn’t like any of their previous ones, it was more passionate.  They didn’t part and they somehow found their way to Lexi’s hammock by the time they parted to breathe.  The night didn’t stop there as the two of them became physically intimate.

End of Flashback

“So...You OK?”  Ace asked after he too had taken a shower.

“Err, yeah.  Why?”  Lexi walked over to Ace.  Both of them were now dressed in their uniforms and were now standing in Lexi’s room.

Ace blushed and took Lexi by the waist and smiled down at her.  “Well, with...umm, what we did, I er...Look I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

She chuckled.  “Well it’s not like we can take it back now!”

“Well, yeah I know that, but, I just don’t want you to feel...I don’t know, uncomfortable or get worried or....”

“Now hold up one second!” Lexi interrupted him.  “What are you talking abou...wait, are you...do you mean, you’re worried that I’m...”

Ace nodded.  “Look, Lexi, I just don’t want you to find out and then not tell me or something.  I love you and you can tell me anything.  I don’t want to be the fault of you getting worked up about something you can’t control.” Ace had a serious tone to his voice that made Lexi look down, she too was now contemplating whether or not she could be carrying something that was merely the fault of their growing relationship.

“Why don’t we get some breakfast?” Ace suggested.  Snapping Lexi out of her thoughts and grinning at her contently.

“Okay, Let’s go.” Lexi smiled.  She and Ace cautiously checked around the door to make sure none of the others noticed them coming out of the same room. 

“All clear.” Lexi stated, she had used her amplified hearing to ensure no-one was coming.

“But of course we both know who is already up!” Ace joked as he and Lexi entered the kitchen to find Tech sitting with a cup of coffee, reading the morning newspaper.

“The two of you are up bright and early, and...oddly at the same time.” Tech slowed down as he said the last of his sentence, not from fatigue but more for his sudden realisation.  “So, er...strange how you’re both up at the same time...” Tech said as he rose from his seat and walked over to the two bunnies.

Ace and Lexi exchanged glances, they both knew that although Tech was a genius, he wasn’t an expert at relationships.   Ace stood he ground whereas Lexi suddenly found the fruit bowl on the table a fascinating object, and while the visual confrontation was going on, decided it would be best to stay quiet.

“Well...” Ace started, he wasn’t sure of what excuse to use.

“Do you guys have any idea how loud you snore!” Lexi diverted Tech’s suspicious gaze over Ace.  “I mean, how am I ever going to sleep, super hearing may be great on missions, but getting to sleep, obviously wasn’t part of the deal.  I guess, for his own reason Ace must’ve woken up, I only got up because I couldn’t sleep anymore.”  Lexi lied. 

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Ace wink at her, unbeknown to Tech.  She knew what Ace was thinking.

 ______________________________
CHAPTER 10 - 'TROUBLE AT THE BRIDGE (PART 2)'
__________________________________


Completely disregarding the threat Colossus was to her; Lexi immediately ran to the side of the bridge and looked down with a mixture of worry and fear for Ace.

Peering down carefully into the murky bay-water, Lexi could just make out the tips of Ace’s ears as he sank in the water.  She noticed the air-bubbles emerging and popping at the surface of the bay.

She knew that if he could’ve, Ace would’ve swum up by now.  Looking for advice she turned her head back to her Team-mates who stood struggling, trying to apprehend Colossus. 

Tech noticed her worried gaze.  Her eyes lining with tears, her chest inflating rapidly as she hyperventilated.  Her body was tensed and she looked like she was struggling to keep herself from passing out. 

Bracing himself from the strength and weight of Colossus, Tech called out to Lexi, his voice growling in hatred of their new found foe.  “Go!”

Lexi didn’t even hesitate, not looking back, not looking down; she dived off the edge of the bridge, her ears and ribbon flapping as the breeze swept by her tensed but relaxed body.  The rain that was now falling, created ripples that seemed to dance in front of her eyes, making her slightly bewildered and dizzy.  Ignoring this she stayed focussed; she had to find him, quickly and carefully.  She hit the cold water almost silently, the force of her dive, surging her thought the ever darkening depths of the bay.  She evaded the freezing, and dangerous water temperature she was exposing herself to as she searched for one person in particular.

Small particles and air-bubbles floated upwards through the cloudy water and Lexi began to wonder if she would ever find Ace.  Almost making her lose the oxygen she was holding in, Lexi jumped as something grabbed her wrist.  On instinct, she tried to pull away, but to no avail, she spun herself around in the water, wondering how easy it would be to beat up the thing under-water.  Her impending thoughts were disregarded however, as she was met with the sight of Ace.  He looked like he needed to go up for air in a matter of moments and signalled to Lexi that that was what they needed to do. 

Still clutching Lexi’s wrist, Ace swam quickly though the water, with Lexi an arm’s length behind.  He broke the surface, taking in a lungful of air as he did.  It felt amazing; to come so close to the end and to oppose the reason you were to lose your life.  Ace smiled as he felt the muscles in his lungs open up, and allow the life-giving gas to pass through them.  Next to him, Lexi too broke the surface, and rubbed her eyes to remove the dirty water from them. 

“Lex, are you okay?” Ace asked as he tread water, panting as he did so.

“Am I okay, Ace you could’ve been killed!” Lexi began to shout and Ace looked slightly taken aback.

“Lexi I…”

“Don’t even start that, why did you do that?”

“Lex, he was a big guy, he could’ve killed you!”  Ace calmed down, he knew she would understand, at least he hoped.

“Me! What about you?” Lexi was still shouting and started thrashing in the water.  “What do you think I would’ve done if something happened to you?”

“Not what you just did!” Ace’s voice was laced with authority as he grabbed hold of Lexi’s shoulders and wrapped his arms around her.

Still furious, Lexi looked at Ace.  He had pulled her right against him.  “What are you doing?”

“Keeping us warm.  It’s dangerous in this water.” Ace glared at Lexi.  “…And, with you thrashing around like that, you’re gonna lose energy.”

Lexi’s glare softened as she realised this, shouldn’t she be excited right now? Being this close to him, again? “Thanks.”

Ace smiled.  “No.  I should be the one thanking you.  You saved my life comin’ down here!”

“But you were fine when I found you, you were conscious?”

“Yeah, I have no idea what happened, but I actually thought he must’ve hit you down as well, that’s why I pulled you up so quickly.”

“Oh.” Lexi looked down, as if in guilt. “Thanks, for everything then, you saved me,  a lot.”

“Don’t worry about it, that’s what team-mates do, but we’re a little past that!” Ace smiled and moved his head and kissed Lexi, but he pulled away suddenly.  “Lexi, you’re freezing, you need to get home!”  He looked concerned, Lexi’s smile slowly withered away as she realised he was right, she was cold, shivering to be accurate.

As if on cue, the two wet bunnies were teleported to the top of the bridge by Duck, where they were met with the sight of a tired looking team, a completely wrecked road, a pile of shattered cars and a trust-up, angry-looking Colossus.

“Woah-Ace-are-you-okay?-you-were-just-completely-knocked-off-the-bridge!-and-Lexi-that-was-so-cool-the-way-you-just-dived-in-like-that-so-you-two-are-ok-that’s-totally-sweet-sweet-sweet!”

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CHAPTER 12 - 'GETTING READY'
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Something seemed different.

Well at least that’s what Lexi thought.  She felt disorientated, waking up in someone else’s room. 

She breathed in the faint smell of colone coming from Ace.  She smiled when she thought of him, she always felt safe around him, knowing he would do anything he could to keep her safe.   She nestled her head into Ace’s chest and sighed happily.    The sudden movement must’ve woke Ace up, but suddenly after he did so, Lexi lurched upwards and froze.

Ace looked alarmed and put his hand on her shoulder.  “What’s wrong?”

“Sshhhh!”  Lexi whispered, and she gestured her head towards the bedroom door.  “Someone’s coming”

Ace quietly got out of bed, still in his pyjamas, just as the person on the other-side of the door knocked on it,   Ace turned to Lexi and signalled for her to wait in the bathroom for the moment. 

Ace soon turned to the door and pressed a button mounted on the wall that opened it; There stood the hyper-active road-runner of the team, still pyjama clad like the tired looking coyote next to him, Rev, who stood bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet, with an ear-to-ear grin stretched across his face.

Ace winced when he started to talk.  “Hey-Ace-Can-you-remember-what-today-is?”

Ace couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle at the road-runner’s question, how much of a young child he sounded like.  Ace casually leant on the door and folded his arms against his chest.  “Oh I don’t know Rev, why don’t you tell me?” Ace raised an eyebrow and Tech smirked.  Tech, for once considering what he was wearing, must’ve slept in his own bed rather than the bed, or desk in his lab.

“Well-duh-Ace-it’s-my-birthday-remember-we-were-talking-about-it-last-night?-Oh-yeah-and-I-need-to-tell-you-what-I-want-us-to-do-for-it-today.-I-know-I’ll-just-tell-you-all-now,-I-can’t-wait!”

Ace and Tech simultaneously flinched as Rev ran wildly around the corridor they were standing in, pounding on each door as he passed.   After he had done this at least 4 times he stopped and stood a few feet in front of Tech and Ace.

Within moments a groggy looking Duck and a grumbling Slam emerged from their rooms and stared blankly at Tech and Ace who were equally stunned. 

“Geez what’s with the early wake up call Rev?”  Duck grumbled.  He stomped over to Rev and pressed a finger to his chest.  “Can’t a guy get some rest at…at…?” Duck glanced at the wall clock in Ace’s room, whose door was still open, “…4:57 in the morning.  What! I’m going back to bed”

“Rev, what’s this all about?”  Tech yawned, pulling the retreating Duck back.

“Wait- Wait- Wait- Wait- Wait- Wait- Wait- Wait- Wait-Tech.”  Rev shook his hands in an alarmed manner.  “Lexi’s not here.”

Ace gulped and froze.  If Rev and the others didn’t find Lexi in her room, and in Ace’s room instead, there would be trouble, everything would add up, and it wouldn’t be long until they worked out what was going on between the two of them.  This was something Ace couldn’t let happen, not yet.

“Oh come on guys, let’s just let her sleep.  She’ll get up when she’s ready.”

The rest of the team turned to look at their leader.  Ace felt like he was sweating bullets, and hoped no-one could see his panic-stricken features.

“True…” Duck announced.  Ace jumped slightly, but sighed in relief once he realised what Duck had said.  “…I mean, we all know what Lexi’s like if she’s woken up in the morning, she’s worse than me!”

The rest of the team chuckled at Duck’s remark before deciding to make their way to the main room to make breakfast.

“I’ll be back in a minute.” Ace called back to the group as he made for his bedroom.   He swiftly checked around the corner before entering his room and jogging to his bathroom, inside Lexi stood next to the shower leaning on the wall, she smiled when Ace entered.

“What took ya?”

“…Just a little run-in with the runner.” Ace smiled.  Lexi walked towards him and rolled her eyes.  Ace put his arm around Lexi and they started to leave the Bathroom.  “I can’t wait to see what he wants us to do!” Lexi chuckled, sarcastically.

The two walked into the kitchen and were greeted by the rest of the team, who were all still pyjama clad. 

The two took up their places at the kitchen table, where all eyes focused on Rev, who was obviously trying to contain his excitement.

“So…”  Ace started, he tensed up slightly when Rev looked at him, obviously realising that as soon as he said the word, Rev would not stop talking…for a long time.

Rev eyed Ace intently, the rest of the team did the same, but more in a slightly nervous fashion than excitement.

“…What are we doing today?”  Ace finished.

“Well-Ace-I’m-glad-you-asked-because-I-was-thinking-that-actually-it-could-be-a-two-or-maybe-even-a-three-day-thing-we-could-do-as-a-team.-  At-first-I-thought-we-could-go-on-a-cruise-but-then-I-remembered-that-Lexi-gets-really-sea-sick-and-it-just-wouldn’t-be-fair-on-her,-so-then-I-thought-of-something-I-always-used-to-do-with-my-family,-that-We’ve-never-done-as-a-team-before-and-I-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-really-Would-like-us-to-do-it-as-a-team-because-it’s-really-fun!”  Rev finally finished, he now looked at his dumbfounded team with anxiety.

“Well, er that’s great Rev…” Tech started.

“…And considerate” Lexi smiled at Rev who returned the gesture.

“…But, you never actually told us what you decided we should do.” Ace said weakly, as he finished Tech’s original statement.

Rev stood for a minute, blankly, and looked as if he was thinking.  “…Oh-yeah-I-forgot-about-that-part, whoops!”  He blushed.  The rest of the team just smiled and shook their heads.

“I-was-thinking-that-as-a-team-we-could-all-go-camping!-I’ve-already-found-a-great-spot-in-a-reserve-out-of-the-city,-It-would-be-a-great-opportunity-for-us-to-leave-the-busy-city-life-and-take-a-chance-to-be-in-touch-with-nature!”

“Well I say we’re already in good touch with nature, I mean all we have to do is switch the TV onto the nature channel and Voila!”  Duck scowled, distastefully.

“Duck!”  Lexi hissed.  “I think it would be…cool, to go as a team!”  Lexi smiled.  The whole team, minus Rev who grinned gleefully, stared at Lexi with a mixture of amazement and disbelief.  “My family used to go camping all the time!  Only, my dad would never let my sister and me out of his sight…which sucked.”

“Well…I guess Lexi’s right, it would be cool, especially as a team, we could share past stories and…stuff” Ace smiled.

“…So-It’s-a-yes?”  Rev jumped up and down anxiously.  Ace hesitated for a moment and studied the rest of the team’s faces, they all seemed pretty happy about the idea, save Duck, and he couldn’t resist Lexi’s smile, how could he say no to that?  “Okay Rev, It’s a yes.  We could give you your presents there too!”

As if he never even heard the rest of Ace’s answer, Rev sped of to his room.  Some bangs, bumps and crashes could be heard coming from Rev’s room, even without the need for super-hearing, and with every crash and bump the team flinched, and Ace slightly regretted his answer.

“…Well, then.”  Tech seemed slightly alarmed, “I guess we should get packing too” He finished, getting up, the rest of the team following his example.

“Abdn jfidpgi dgidog dksfjsfksll!”  Slam grumbled.

Ace chuckled “Don’t worry Slam; we won’t make that much noise packing!”

The rest of the team separated into their individual rooms to begin packing for their trip.

--

“Hey Ace, Where’s the first aid kit?” Lexi asked as she walked into Ace’s room.

“First aid kit?” Ace jumped, and began to inspect her, “Why, what…why do you need a first aid kit?”

Lexi giggled, and pushed Ace away slightly.  “I don’t need it, we need it.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, camping, we might need a first aid kit.  You know how Duck, Rev and Slam can be sometimes!”

Ace chuckled, “True, it’s in the Kitchen.  Cupboard above the sink, third shelf up, you can’t miss it.”

“It sounds like you’re giving me directions?” Lexi pressed up against Ace.

“Yeah, I guess it does” He smiled.  “I’ve got one in the bathroom cupboard if we should take two?”

Lexi stepped back.  “Good idea!”  She smiled and kissed him quickly before walking to his bathroom.

Ace smiled and continued to pack his bag, soon Lexi returned, carrying what looked like a green lunch-box with a white lid and a red-cross on the front of it.  Lexi set the first aid kit down on Ace’s bed and, after a moment’s hesitation, sat down too.

Ace looked up at her and smiled.  “What are you doing?”

“Watchin’ you.  You need a hand?” Lexi folded one leg up onto the bed and rested her arms on it.

Ace looked around his room, thinking.  “Could you grab my compass?”

“Sure.”  Lexi got up and walked to Ace’s cupboard.  Before stopping and turning around, she stared at Ace quizzically. 

“What?”  Ace asked, surprised as to why she would be staring at him like that.

“Why do we need a compass?”

Ace smiled.  “So we don’t get lost, I thought you were smart Lexi?”

Lexi playfully stuck out her tongue, before turning round and grabbing the compass.  Once she had it, Lexi turned around again and walked over to Ace, and placing the compass in his bag.  “I mean.”  She continued.  “Why do we need a compass if we have built-in ones in our uniforms?”

“Well you didn’t think we were going camping in out work clothes did you?”

“Good point!”  Lexi smiled.  She looked down at Ace’s bag,  “You want me to sit on that?”

Ace looked up at her, and gave her a strange look.  “What do you mean?”

“You know, so you can actually get the thing shut” Lexi smiled.  “I had to ask Slam to help me shut my case.”  Lexi blushed slightly, but Ace smiled and shook his head slightly.

“Nah, I think I can manage.  I’m not as weak as you!”  Ace smiled, before pulling Lexi against him and tickling her, just like the previous night.

“No!  Ace…please…stop that tickles!”  Lexi giggled.

Ace smiled as he watched her squirm around laughing, but he continued to tickle her mercilessly nonetheless.  Ace almost dropped Lexi, however, when Rev burst into the room, carrying two bulging bags.  He was wearing a red and black chequered shirt, Beige ¾ length jeans, hiking boots and what appeared to be a fishing hat, and fishing gear.

Lexi continued to giggle slightly and attempt to catch her breath until she realised Rev was standing at Ace’s door.  Now the two bunnies stared guiltily at Rev who gave them a puzzled stare before fully coming into the room.

“What-are-you-two-doing-in-here?”  Rev asked.  “Lexi-you-seem-a-bit-giggly-and-you’re-on-the-floor.”  He switched his attention to Lexi, and then to Ace as he said this.  “Is-everything-okay?”  He said, eyeing Ace, surprisingly slowly.

“Yeah Rev, I’m fine.”  Lexi said as Ace and Rev helped her up.  “I was just asking Ace where the first aid kit was…”  She looked at Ace slightly guiltily.  “…and then…”  She tried to think of an excuse.  She couldn’t tell him that they just had a tickling incident. 

“…She fell over” Ace finished quickly, he winked at Lexi, who just smirked in response.  “…and that was what was so funny, Rev.”

Rev, for a moment, looked slightly unconvinced, but shrugged it off, literally.  “So are you two done then?”

It was only then that Lexi realised that both Ace and Rev were already changed and ready, realising she was still in her pyjamas she blushed suddenly.  “Umm…I just need to…you know…do…stuff?”  Soon Lexi made for the door, while Ace and Rev grabbed their bags and headed for the main-room.

In the main room of their HQ, Ace and Rev were greeted by Tech and Slam, who were also dressed, standing by their bags.  Slam, who stood with five bags next to him, was to carry three, due to his size and strength, the rest, Ace figured, must be Lexi’s.

Ace eyes what everyone was wearing, and realised how much of a ‘country club’ group they must’ve looked like.  Ace himself was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a green and white shirt, and a pair of white and green trainers (Sneakers).  Tech was wearing a light and dark green chequered shirt, a pair of ¾ length jeans and green hiking boots.  Slam was wearing an orange T-shirt with a pair of long, baggy grey shorts and grey hiking boots.

Soon the four males heard the sound of metal framing screeching against steel flooring, the floor surface later changing to carpet.  Duck walked slowly, wearing a yellow polo shirt and baggy blue jeans and white trainers (sneakers) with his back to the team, dragging his obviously heavy back-pack through to the main room. 

Seemingly annoyed by the noise and damage that was being done to the floor; Tech activated his powers and lifted the heavy and large bag into the air, and levitated it to the rest of the group.

Duck breathed a sigh of relief before collapsing onto the couch near Slam, his legs hanging off of the end of the large sofa.

“You know Duck, you are gonna have to carry that; onto the bus, the ferry and then of course through the forest until we get to the right spot…” Ace stood counting on his fingers, the amount of times Duck would have to carry his heavy bag on their trip.  “…and then you’ll have to put it in your tent, once you’ve made it up of course, and then you’ll have to do the same, all the way back home.”  Ace sighed, the length of his list being too long for him to comfortably say it without losing too much oxygen.

Duck scowled and buried his head into the couch, “You’re Despicable.”  Was muffled through the sofa, but still easy enough for the rabbit and the rest of the team to hear.

Tech sighed.  “Try one of the bags Slam’ll carry, see if it’s easier to lift.”

Duck roughly stood up, mocking the Canine’s speech with a higher-pitched and slightly babyish version.  “I’ll be just fine with the bag I have, thank you very much!  I’m not weak, I mean, it’s not like I’m Lexi!”

Ace and the rest of the team glared at Duck, before pointing to Lexi, who stood with her arms crossed, obviously angry, behind Duck.

“What was that you said Duck?”  Lexi grumbled.  She wore a pair of denim blue shorts, White trainers (sneakers), and a white shirt that was undone, with the sleeves rolled up, showing a black vest underneath.

Duck laughed nervously before hiding behind Ace, who too was not impressed.  Lexi rolled her eyes.  “Don’t worry guys, with luck he’ll be eaten by a bear while we’re gone.”

The team chuckled before picking up their bags and preparing to leave HQ, with Rev bouncing up and down with excitement.

Ace put a hand on Lexi’s shoulder; she jumped slightly before turning round.  “You okay Lex?”

“Huh?  Oh, yeah...I‘m fine.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s bear season.”

Ace smiled, the rest of the team who were listening by the door, minus Duck, chuckled and continued to watch.  “You need a hand with your bags.”  Ace asked softly.

“No, I think I’m okay.” Lexi replied, slinging a small bag over her arm and putting on the large back-pack she had to carry.  She made a face of pain and yelped slightly when the bag pulled on her back, and she fell backwards a bit, the rest of the team jumping in surprise.

Before she could do any-more damage to her back, Ace grabbed one of the straps from on Lexi’s shoulder and pulled the bag off her, holding it securely and easily with one hand.

“Wow.”  Lexi put a hand on the small of her back.   “That’s really gonna hurt in the morning!”

“You okay?”  Ace asked, concerned over how much the bag would’ve strained on her.

“I think so.”  Lexi asked, but her voice trembled slightly, and she sounded unsure.

Tech came over and stood next to Ace, putting a hand on Lexi’s back.  “Can you move?”

Lexi straitened up and stepped forwards a few steps, before turning round and facing Tech and Ace.  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“…You want one of us to carry your bag Lex?”  Ace asked, putting his free arm on her shoulder.

Lexi looked guiltily at the rest of the team.  “…But you guys have already got like, two, or even three bags to carry.  It’s not fair on you guys.”

Ace looked concerned, but adjusted Lexi’s bag and moved it from his hand up to his shoulder, as another bag was already on his back and one was on the floor by his feet.  “Yeah, well it’s not fair if you have to carry something you obviously are gonna struggle lifting, you might get hurt.”

 ______________________________
CHAPTER 14 - 'CAMPING TRIP (PART 2)'
__________________________________


Ace looked around, desperate to try and find something to help Duck; a rope, a long branch, anything that would be strong enough to pull him in, without risking everyone else’s safety.  Looking round he came to the conclusion that they would have to go in, if they were to save their friend.

“Lexi, stay here.  The rest of us” Ace turned to the rest of the team.  “We need to go and help Duck!”  Rev, Tech and Slam immediately ran down the edge of the bank.  Ace went to follow but was stopped when Lexi grabbed his arm.

“Ace, Wha…why…what am I supposed to do, why do I have to stay here?”  She pleaded, small tears forming in her eyes. 

“Lex…”  He could see Lexi was clearly upset, but the pleads and calls of Duck were what made him make his decision.  He roughly pulled his arm away from Lexi, and turned to join the rest of the team.  He looked back once from the bottom of the bank, and mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ back to her.

Lexi accepted his apology, inside, she knew Duck’s life was a stake, and arguing with Ace was just going to leave one person short of helping him.  Instead of standing there and watching like a helpless damsel, Lexi decided to do something neither Ace or the others had time to do - Find something to pull him in, or them in if need be.  But, Lexi became slightly nervous over the possibilities of her being the only one who could pull the five of them back to land.  Would she be able to? Or would she fail them and accidentally cause their deaths?  She shivered and decided to focus on finding something to pull them ashore with instead.

--

Down on the river bank; Rev, Tech, Slam and Ace had all taken off their shoes at Ace’s command; ‘if they fill up with water, we’ll drown’ he reminded them.  Now they had decided to do the wisest thing, Put Slam, the strongest out first to try and retrieve Duck, if he couldn’t do it on his own; Rev, Tech and Ace would have to give assistance.

Slam carefully waded out into the water, well aware that if he was left in the same situation as Duck, he would too have to be pulled free, something that the rest of the team could struggle with.  Being the tallest, Slam had an advantage over Duck, the shortest, Slam would be able to easily stand in the water, without needing to swim and fight the under-tow to stay alive, and Duck could easily sit on his shoulders, or even be thrown across to the edge, until help arrived.  With this in mind, Slam wasn’t too worried.

--

Back with Lexi, She had ventured out into the forest, being sure to remember her bearings, in search of a stick long enough to pull them free, but it also had to be light enough for her to carry it alone, and strong enough to support the weight of her friends, and the river’s undertow.  In a forest abundant with branches, it seemed easy enough, but the lack of water in the forest also meant the branches were too brittle and would crack and break easily.  Finding a damp and sturdy branch, plus all the factors she had already considered, made her job a very difficult one to uphold.

In her desperation to not fail her team, Lexi fell several times during her search, but being as determined and strong-willed as she was, the safety of her team-mates came first.

Whenever she tripped, she got up, checked what she had fallen over wasn’t something detrimental to her health, or a Long Branch she needed, and continued on.  Several times she came into contact with snakes that either came out at night to hunt, or were returning to their dens now that the heat of the day was decreasing.  She had never been too afraid of snakes, much to the dislike of her ‘prankster’ older brothers, having grown up in an area where they were common, she knew not to approach them from behind in fear of provoking an attack, and she knew how to handle them if need be.

Another trick she had learnt from her over-protective father for situations similar to what she was in now, was; when finding sticks like the ones she needed, to test how strong they were, could be done by holding it straight over her leg and kicking it.  If it broke, it was too weak, if it stayed intact but was slightly weaker than before, it was damaged, but if it stayed sturdy, it was the type she needed.

Becoming exhausted of endless branch searching, and testing she began to reconsider her ‘branch-factors’ and wondered if she was being too picky, and wasting precious time.  She shook away those thoughts, and remembered to not become impatient, a trait she had inherited from her mother.

Growing ever-more tired of running, she lost awareness and tumbled painfully over-exactly the kind of branch she needed.  Testing it, several times before actually believing it was real and perfect, she sighed in triumph, and then turned around, adrenaline driving her forwards, back to the river where she needed to be.

--

Slam grabbed Duck’s wrist and pulled him out of the river easily, without a second thought for his own safety he took both of his hands, and placed the sodden Duck on his shoulder. 

Turning slowly, Slam found his foot entangled in some form of weed at the bottom of the river.  Glancing down into the murky water and then back at the riverbank where his friends were calling him, he sighed, and tried to signal that he was stuck.

“What the heck’s he stopped for?”  Ace wandered out-loud.

“I’m not sure chief, but let’s just give him time; he’s probably just regaining his balance or something.”  Tech scratched his head in confusion.

“Wait-maybe-he’s-caught-on-something?  Rev suggested, grimly.

Ace and Tech turned there heads and gave Rev a confused look.  “Hey-it’s-possible!”  Rev reminded them.  The two then turned back to Slam and Duck and considered what he said.

“…Maybe.” Tech said.

“Maybe, you’re right Rev.” Ace shouted, “Slam!”

Slam looked back at the bunny, frantically he tried to remember what he had convinced himself earlier, about him being able to stay above the water, but he couldn’t shake the sinking feeling he felt of just being caught in the midst of a river, helpless, with a Duck on his shoulder- only that thought just humiliated him slightly.

“Dgdghd klfksdjk?”  He called back.

“Don’t worry Slam, we’ll think of something, just hang in there.”  Ace turned back to Rev and Tech, “Anyone got any ideas?”

Both shook their heads.  “Great” Ace thought.

--

Lexi ran, finding the large branch she was pulling surprisingly easy to carry and run with, she reached the clearing that they were camped at, faster than she expected she would.  Dodging the camp-fire which was still alight, she ran to the edge of the bank, and looked over the edge.  To her relief, she could see everyone, safe…pretty much, but none of them were submerged, that being her main concern.

“Hey Guys!”  She called down to Ace, Tech and Rev, who looked up to her in surprise, “Need a hand?”  They nodded, and she threw the large branch down to them, before clambering down the slope herself and joining the three.

“Nice timing Lex” Ace commented.  “We were just about out of ideas.”

Lexi looked down at their shoeless feet.  “What, you were making a vain attempt to use your shoes as boats and sail across?”  She smiled.  The others chuckled.

They pushed the branch out to Slam, who grabbed it with one hand, whilst using the other to keep hold of Duck in fear of him falling and being lost, on the other end, Ace, Tech and Rev, with Lexi bringing up the rear, pulled the two heroes to the edge,    groaning and grumbling as they did so. 

When the two had been successfully brought to shore; the team let out a sigh of relief, and embraced their two soaked friends.

“You know…” Lexi started as she pulled away from the group hug.  “I got that branch incase all of you had gone in, you know in case Duck was unconscious or something.”

“Why just incase he was unconscious?”  Tech asked, as they walked back up the slope to the camp-fire. 

“Because, it helps if the member of the team who can TELAPORT is conscious and is able to do it.”  She smiled, while the rest of the team looked at her, awe-struck,   before turning angrily to Duck.

“And you planned on teleporting yourself and Slam outta there when?”  Ace asked.

“Well, “Duck started shakily “In my defence…It was…cold?”

“But I recall you mentioning that the water was ‘actually quite nice’” Lexi quoted, she smiled when Duck received angry glares from the rest of the team.  Perhaps it was her revenge for what he had done to her throughout the evening?

“Damn you woman!” Duck mumbled as he sat down on the same log as earlier.  Rev began to heat up their now cold food while the rest of the team, took up their seats from earlier, Except Ace and Lexi, who had walked off together to talk.

--

“Look Lexi, I just wanted to apologise.”  Ace said quietly.  They were in Lexi’s tent; she was changing into a pair of jeans for the evening, having become quite cold now that the sun had set.

“Apologise for what?”  Lexi asked as she pulled off her shorts, and got her jeans out of her bag.

“…For, leaving you here…while we went to help the genius that is Duck.”  Ace said, sarcastically adding the last part in.

“Hey, you had Duck to think about.  I understand.”  Lexi answered.  She stopped what she was doing to let Ace continue, he was being serious so Lexi though she shouldn’t be getting herself distracted, she sat cross legged on her sleeping bag with Ace opposite her.

“To be honest Lex” Ace started, he scratched the back of his neck in an embarrassed manner “I wasn’t thinking of the danger that could have come to Duck, at the time.”

Lexi looked confused, and set her jeans down, waiting to for Ace to continue. “What do you mean?”

“I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you if we had to go out and grab Duck and got stuck ourselves.  Lex, I wouldn’t want you to be killed because of someone else’s carelessness or my…lack of good leadership skills.”

“What! What do you mean ‘Lack of good leadership skills’?”  She looked down sorrowfully, and brushed some dirt off of her leg.

“I mean…what If I had told you to come with me to pull Duck out, and been completely unaware of the danger we would put ourselves in.”

“Yeah but, you wouldn’t do that.”  Lexi replied softly.

Ace sighed.  “I also did it because I knew if we did have to swim out, I knew you’re not the strongest in the team, and I didn’t want to see you suffer, or even drown if you couldn’t swim against the pull of the river.”  Ace too looked down ashamed of what he was next going to say.  “I…also didn’t want you to drown and have me go after you and make it seem like I didn’t care about Duck… as much as I did with you.” 

Ace didn’t hear an answer for a while.  He didn’t want to look at Lexi, and see what she though of what he said.  So he waited, and let her consider what he had said.  Eventually he realised how much he needed her, not so much as to know she was alive, but he just needed her.  Before he had told her how he felt, he would either bottle up his problems, or talk to Tech about them, but eventually he stopped, realising Tech probably didn’t need to, or want to hear his problems, and it wasn’t a very manly thing to do either.

But after he had confessed to her that he loved her, and they had kissed, hugged, and…spent a night together, he realised how much he wanted, needed and loved her.  He could tell her anything, she wouldn’t think of him as a coward, because she would be able to easily able to understand the stress and emotional struggles people faced through life, considering she got stressed and emotional quite often.  If he comforted her when she needed it, why wouldn’t she return the favour?  But of course he knew she would, she always had time to listen to the team about their problems, provide solutions and sympathy for them, without making them feel pathetic, or ratting them out.

So after what felt like an eternity of him waiting for an answer, all he heard was a small “Come here.”  For him to realise just how much she really did mean to him.  How much emotional pain he was in at the time really did show, as he accidentally pushed her down with the force at which he embraced her, not enough to hurt her obviously, but enough to make her giggle slightly.

Normally, he would’ve immediately got off her and checked to see if she was okay and, very humiliated, he would’ve left.  But now, considering how close they were, he didn’t really care, and he knew she didn’t either, he thought is was quite nice, just the two for them together, but of course the rest of the team were outside and didn’t know some of the more graphic details of their relationship.

Lexi laughed from underneath him, and kicked her legs slightly.  Their noses were touching and they were both smiling, Ace still had his arms around her, like he wouldn’t let go.

Lexi giggled.  “What are you trying to do Ace, eat me?”

Ace smiled, “Maybe.”  He pressed his lips to her neck for a while, before travelling upwards to her lips.  When it was at the point that they both needed air he pulled away and smiled at her.

Lexi took in a breath of air, before again; Ace pressed his lips to hers.  After counting up in her head for a while, she tried to pull away, but being underneath like she was, she couldn’t.  Eventually she managed to make Ace pull away by poking him in the side.

Ace leant up and looked down at Lexi, his eyes wandered over her for a while, until he noticed some dust and a small bruise on her knee.  Concerned, he blew some of the dust away and grazed his fingers over the small bluish bruise, he could feel that it was raised; obviously it must have swollen slightly.  “Lex, what happened?  I didn’t see this here earlier?”

Lexi, who had been watching Ace with some confusion, sat up, and answered, “Oh, so you were looking then?”  She smirked.

“Well, yeah…”  Ace smiled.  “But really, I didn’t notice that before, when did you get that?”

Lexi moved his hand away from on top of her knee, and inspected the bruise herself, “I guess it must’ve been from when I was trying to find a branch?  I fell over…a lot…”  She blushed as she stared guiltily at Ace.

Ace smiled and shook his head slightly, “Lexi, what am I going to do with you?”

“Love me?”  Lexi smiled.

“Nah, I’ll just do this instead.”  In an instance he had planted a kiss on her knee, where the bruise was and playfully pushed her down and began to kiss her more passionately, on the lips. 

“Ace, I…think we should stop.  The others are outside…and it is Rev’s birthday…we don’t want them to get suspicious.”  She whispered.

“Yeah, good Idea.” Ace replied.  He got up and held out a hand for her.

“Thanks.”  She smiled.  “Maybe we should leave…separately, you know, so it doesn’t look so suspicious.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you out there then.”  Ace said.  Getting up and leaving quietly.

Lexi hesitated for a moment, before putting her jeans on.  Like she had told Ace, she waited for a few minutes, before gabbing her iPod and head-phones and heading outside.

The rest of the team were waiting, for her, which made her feel slightly guilty, but reluctantly she sat down next to Ace, and was given her plate of food.

No-one really talked much during the time they spent eating, until they had finished.  Lexi volunteered to collect up the plates and put them in a bag, they were only paper, and so were disposable.  Once she had knotted up the bag and put it in the back-pack containing their food- and now, garbage, she sat back down in her place, and prayed for a conversation to start, to set at ease the uncomfortable silence they found themselves in.

“So, er…why don’t we all give Rev his…” Ace started, slightly scared to mention the last word.  “…Presents” He whispered; only everyone heard, and before Rev could even start to rant, everyone had run off to retrieve their present for Rev.

 ______________________________
CHAPTER 15 - 'CAMPING TRIP (PART 3)'
__________________________________


In the morning, Ace was awoken by the sound of birds, singing the morning chorus while the sun rose, waking them up.  Ace smiled and stretched out, the birds making him feel freer, it was different, waking up, and smelling the fresh-air, hearing the songs of dozens of birds, instead of the whirring of generators he was used to back at HQ.

He felt strange though, he assumed it would still be cold in the morning, considering the sun was only just rising and it hadn’t had much of a chance to heat the earth, Ace smiled nonetheless when he realised that it was delightfully warm outside, But of course, he thought, some of this warmth would have had to be coming from the sleeping form of Lexi next to him.

Sitting up and turning to his right hand side, furthest away from the tent flap, Ace found no-one.  His heart beat rose slightly with anxiety, until Ace found a note in the space Lexi would have been occupying. 

Ace,

Stop worrying.  I know you’re sitting up right now and are trying to work out where I might be. 

            Hah, I know what you’re doing and I’m not even here!

Don’t worry, I just went for a walk, I couldn’t sleep.  I’ll be back in time for breakfast…And I’ll be fine!

Just go back to sleep, and I’ll be back before you know it.

            Lexi

Ace smiled at his own stupidity, it was strange how Lexi seemed to know what he was thinking, and he was glad she left something so he could tell where she was.

He got up and left the tent, the low sun rising in the east, where he was facing now, making him squint as he walked.  He quietly went passed Slam’s tent, Tech’s, Duck’s and Rev’s before entering his own. 

Inside, he found his neat sleeping bag with a copy of the same note he found in Lexi’s tent earlier.  “Must be an insurance note” Ace said quietly, to no-one in particular.  He folded up the note and put the spare one, inside his bag, in exchange for a new shirt.

He took off his green shirt, and replaced it with a white polo, before heading outside.  The warm air made him feel relaxed.  He picked up the box of matches off of one of their campfire logs, and set the pile of chard sticks on fire again.  He put a few new sticks on the fire once it had started to engulf the pile.

Leaving the crackling fire, Ace went over to the river bank and looked out over the raised ledge.  The river, that seemed menacing and deadly yesterday evening, seemed harmless and beautiful.  The fiery colours of last night’s skies returned as the sun rose, in a dazzling light, which silhouetted the trees and made the lake over in the west shimmer and sparkle, like the water was dancing on itself.

Suddenly, Ace felt weight on his back, it was bearable, and quite light.  And he had just the idea of whose weight it was.  Ace smiled and moved his hands to his back, to support the person who was there.

“Miss me?”  Lexi asked.

“Nah,” Ace readjusted himself appropriately, still holding her, but spinning himself around so they were facing each other.  “I was just about ready to grab your iPod and run off to Acme-Mexico, what do you think?”  He smiled.

Lexi chuckled and played with the fur between his ears.  “So where were you?” Ace asked as he put her back down gently.

“I went for a walk.” 

“Where to, and why?”  He put on a mock-sad expression.  “I was so worried.”

“Oh I know you were worried Ace.”  Lexi giggled, poking him in the chest.

“Damn!” Ace smiled as he picked her up again, but held her against him.  “So…where were you?”

“Oh yeah, right!”  Lexi smiled, as she pressed on his nose with her finger.  “I just walked back to where you and I were yesterday.”

“…and nothing bad happened to you?”  Ace asked raising an eyebrow.

Lexi rolled her eyes and smiled.  “No, well… there was a weird looking guy hanging around there, but I’m sure he was just going for a walk too?”  Lexi sounded like she was lying; Ace didn’t let this slip by.

“Lexi, what else?”  He sounded concerned.

“He, he did keep looking at me weirdly, which is one of the reasons I came back, but I swear he started to follow me, until he saw there was more than one tent here.” 

Ace looked at her with pity.  “Is that all?”

“Yeah, but it kinda creeped me out.”  Lexi frowned.

“Well, I’m here, the guys are here- He won’t bother you with us around.  I’ll tell the guys, just so we can keep an eye out for him.  You know, have a little talk with him if we see him.”  Ace sounded confident, but also very angry that someone may have tried to assault her, or worse.  Especially where neither he nor the others would have been in earshot, and so wouldn’t have been able to come to her aid.

“Thanks Ace, but you don’t need to…”

Ace interrupted her by pressing a finger to her lips.  “No.  Lex, he could’ve done anything to you, and we wouldn’t have known about it, and we wouldn’t have been able to help you.  That guy needs to be taught a lesson.  Besides, what if he tried to do it again, then what?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”  Lexi smiled.  “I love you, so much!”  She hugged Ace, while he put one arm around her, as he was still carrying her.  “Oh, and for the record, I can look after myself you know.”

“I know Lexi; I just don’t want that guy to be intimidatin’ ya”

“Yeah, well you’re starting to sound like my dad!” She giggled.

“And what’s so bad about that?”

“He’s insanely over-protective and annoying.”

Ace smiled and put Lexi back down, ruffling her hair with his hand as he did so.  “I’m not that bad.”  He smiled.

“Yeah you are!” Lexi exclaimed in mock annoyance, “My dad always does that!” She tried to smooth down her hair with her hands.

“Nah, you can sort that out easily.”  Ace put his arm around Lexi as they walked over to the fire together.  The two sat down on a log and watched the fire burn and crackle in silence.

Soon, Rev and Slam, left their individual tents and joined the two around the campfire, followed by Tech and later, Duck.

“So-guys-did-everyone-have-a-good-night-sleep,-I-couldn’t-sleep-for-ages-because-I-had-such-a-great-idea,- and-I-can’t-wait-to-tell-you-guys-it-would-be-such-a-fun-thing-to-do!”  Rev, naturally, piped up as he was making their breakfast.

“Oh no!”  Duck groaned.  “I slept on a rock last night and I couldn’t get to sleep, and I’m not going on some ‘awesomely fun’-nature bound-‘journey of discovery’-hippy hiking…”

“…Swimming.”  Rev announced smugly.

“Well hello!”  Duck perked up hearing this, but slumped back down.  “Wait, where, it better not be in some river!”  Duck put on a grim face as he looked towards the river he had almost drowned in the day before.

“No Duck!”  Ace smiled.  “The Lake.”  He said, gesturing towards the lake behind the water-fowl.  “Crystal clear and safe for swimming in”

“Didn’t you read the brochure?”  Lexi raised an eyebrow.

“Well, er…um…You know, I should go and get my bathing suit, wait we all should!”  Duck added getting up, he was about to run off to his tent when he was stopped by the sight of Lexi grimacing.  “What?”  He asked her, puzzled.

“Just make sure you put on your bathing suit before you leave your tent, okay.”  Lexi raised an eyebrow while the rest of the team smiled.  “There are some things here I really do not need to see!”  Though she sent a small smile to Ace, but no-one else noticed.

Duck chuckled before putting an arm around Lexi.  “Don’t worry Lex, you’ll learn to appreciate a guy when you’re married and have kids.” 

Lexi rolled her eyes and lifted Duck’s arm off of her shoulder.  “Yeah sure, like that’s ever gonna happen.”

Duck stopped outside his tent.  “Nah, it might.  You never know.” He winked at her before entering his tent, leaving Lexi stunned outside.

“Don’t listen to ‘im Lex.” Ace put his hands on Lexi’s shoulders and lead her to her tent,

“I never do.”  She smiled, as Ace entered his own tent.

--

Roughly ten minutes later, the team met near their campfire, with their normal clothes on but their swim suits underneath.

“So-is-everyone-ready-to-go-to-the-lake-for-a-swim-huh?-I-can’t-wait-it’s-gonna-be-so-much-fun-but-first-we’ve-gotta-walk-there,- but-once-we-have-got-there-we’ll-be-able-to-swim-it’ll-be-so-totally-sweet-sweet-sweet!”

“Walk, you mean…we have to…”  Duck put on a grim expression as he pointed to where the group were currently standing, to the Lake.  “…WALK, about, oh I don’t know...about a kilometre away!”

“Yeah Duck.”  Lexi raised an eyebrow, “what happened to obtaining your super-hero physique?”

“Ahh, you’re despicable.”  Duck pointed at her. 

Lexi glared at him, before moving his hand away.  “Yeah, just be careful where you’re pointing mister.”

Duck snickered. 

“Oh grow up!” 

Duck smiled to himself as he followed the rest of the team, as they moved west, down the river-bank, and through the trees, their shadows growing long and dark as they walked further and further away from the glaring morning sun.

--

“Wow, the lake is beautiful!”  Tech commented as they broke through a gap in the trees.  They still had a fair way to walk until they arrived at the lake-side.

“Yeah, sure whatever….” Duck grumbled as he swatted some flies out of his face.  But it’s stinkin’ hot out here, when we will get there!”

“We’ll get there, when we get there.”  Ace sighed; he rolled his eyes as he continued walking.  He almost forgot to mention to the others about the strange and dodgy man Lexi had seen, and been intimidated by; while she was out on her walk.  But he decided to tell them when they arrived at the lake.

Lexi seemed wary; she continued to look thoroughly at her surroundings, as though she knew of eminent danger, or was simply just concerned - the appearance of the strange man still fresh in her mind.  She didn’t like the thought of the others having to look out for her, especially since she was a super hero. 

The very thought brought her back to the weeks after a fateful day back home in Utah, the day.  The day where she lost all of her trust in men, even her brothers and father, after which she had to go to counselling so she could regain her trust for all her friends and family who happened to be of the opposing gender.  She hated how after it, her dad had become very protective of her sisters and her mother, and especially Lexi herself.  She loathed how her brothers and close male companions had to baby-sit her and her twin-sister, when they usually had the freedom to wander the forests near where they lived, but then they had to come with them in fear of something like it ever happening again. 

She hadn’t told her team-mates of it yet; fearing that they would take pity on her and treat her as though she couldn’t be let out of their sight.  They already had a mutual instinct to lookout for her and protect her in particular- even Duck.  Whether it was because she was female, she wasn’t sure, but she did like the slight feeling of freedom she had with them, but sometimes she did feel like she was being locked in a cage, as they would always ask her where she was going and when she would be back if she ever made even the slightest attempt to leave their head-quarters.  And of course one of them would always offer to go with her, and inevitably end up with her; which made shopping for certain feminine items difficult.  Sometimes she was able to distract whoever got the short straw, or send them away when shopping for female necessities.  The last thing she needed was a guy with her when she was buying more personal items, especially if any of the media decided to document the day that one of them was with her on such an occasion.  If the news reached her family back in Utah, she’d be screwed, and so would the rest of the team.

She almost jumped into Ace’s arms when there was a loud thump and a rustling of plants, as Duck fell over a tree-root, cursing to himself, even though it was perfectly audible to the rest of the team.

Ace shook his head, in slight annoyance.  “You know it’s rude to swear in front of a lady Duck.”  He smirked.  Duck blew a raspberry and stood up, regaining his composure.

“Yeah well, you hang around with guys long enough and this kind of stuff happens.”  Duck suavely remarked.  “Which reminds me Lexi: You should really get out more, spend some time with other women you know, fill that empty void you call your life!”  He sneered.  Slam seemed to emit a low growl while Rev, Ace and Tech simply sent hostile glares at their so called water-fowl friend.

Lexi gritted her teeth and was about to answer, but knew better than to stoop to his level.  She rolled he eyes and continued on, Ace and Tech soon catching up with her as Rev easily ran past them.

--

After another ten minutes of walking, the six friends arrived at the Lake side, they had found a spot where they could see their campsite from, and so they could always check that no-one was stealing anything.

“Phew, we’re here…finally!”  Duck sighed in triumph as he collapsed in the sand.

“Well done!”  Lexi commented sarcastically.  She sat down on a rock and simply looked out over the lake.  Ace came and sat with her, whispering something in her ear that the others didn’t catch.  Lexi looked at Ace with a contradicting look on her face, but Ace shook his head and whispered something else to her; that seemed to make her reconsider.  She nodded reluctantly, and hugged her knees as Ace called for the attention of the rest of the group.

“Guys.  We need to talk.”  He commanded sternly.

Rev immediately ran over to the two bunnies and smiled, ready to receive whatever information Ace was going to pass on.  Tech, Duck and Slam looked at Ace quizzically, but walked over to their leader anyway.

“Yeah, what’s wrong?”  Duck sounded impatient “I really need to go for a swim, or I’m gonna become a roast Duck over here.”