Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to any of the Avalon series!!!!

Author's Notes: Hey everyone! Thanks to all that have stuck around, and waited patiently; well maybe not so patiently, on this chapter. Please, read and review!

~Chapter 16~

Adriane moved deeper into the blankets as someone turned on the light. She had no idea what time it was, but she knew should could sleep for at least another day.

"Wake up sleeping beauty!" Kara said, as she sat back down on her bed.

"I don't want to," Adriane moaned from the floor; putting one of Kara's pink pillows on her head. "What time is it?"

Kara gazed at her fuzzy pink alarm clock. "10:30."

Emily's curly head piped up from beside Kara. "I won the bed last night," she stated gleefully.

Adriane rolled her eyes as she sat up. "I know. Kara, you're carpet is pretty soft."

Kara gave Emily a sideways glance. "I think you were just tired... from kissing!!!"

Adriane sank back into the sleeping bag. "Shut up."

Emily giggled. "You two looked really cozy on the swing..."

"And in the living room..." Kara added grinning.

Adriane repressed the blush that threatened to appear upon her cheeks. "We just talked..."

"And did we see you two sitting by the pool locking lips?" Kara asked, knowing that they had.

"I think so, Kara," Emily agreed. "And did we also have to drag her away from Joey to come back to your house?"

"Okay, you guys. I get it. Yes, I kissed Joey. Yes, I liked it a lot. And yes, I plan on kissing him again," Adriane ducked as her friends threw their pillows at her.

Emily stopped mid throw and gazed at her dark-haired friend. "Wait."

"What?" Kara and Adriane asked in unison.

"What about Zach?"

Kara gazed back at Adriane inquiringly. "Yeah, what are you going to do about Zach?"

Adriane sighed and fell back onto the floor dramatically. "I don't know."

"Who do you like more?" Emily asked.

"Mmm. Zach..." Adriane started making them all laugh, "and Joey's... Joey-ness makes it too hard to choose."

"Sucks to be you," Kara stuck her tongue out.

"Kara! We're supposed to help her," Emily scolded.

"Just kidding," Kara winked. "Zach is hotter."

"Joey would be closer," Emily noted.

"She can't pick Joey over Zach just because he lives on Earth!"

Emily stared at Kara incredulously. "Well, she can't pick Zach over Joey just because he's cute!"

"You guys aren't helping," Adriane found herself saying.

"Sorry," they replied simultaneously.

"Zach mentioned me going to visit him the other day..."

Kara's eyebrows rose. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"What did you say?" Emily asked.

"I said that I'd think about it," Adriane replied. "I want to. I mean I really miss the pack..."

"But?"

"She doesn't want to go if she finds she likes Joey more," Emily said thoughtfully.

"Exactly."

"Well, maybe our trip there will help you make your decision," Kara said smiling wide.

"Our trip?" Adriane asked.

"Yep! You think we would let you go to Aldenmor without us? Not! You aren't the only one who wants to visit certain someones!"

Adriane laughed. "I guess not. When do you two want to plan on going?"

"Well, it's not like we have school anymore..."

"How about this week?" Kara asked.

A scoff passed Adriane's lips. "How are we supposed to leave for Aldenmor this week without Gran and you're parents asking a bunch of questions about where we're going all of a sudden?"

Kara rolled her bright blue eyes. "That's easy. We'll say we're going on a camping trip."

"A camping trip?" Emily repeated.

"Yeah. A camping trip," Adriane agreed. "At Ravenswood. They wouldn't think twice about it."

"Perfect," Kara smiled cattily. "I'll bring my cellphone so I can mirror back and forth to call and check in with them."

"Great idea!" Emily exclaimed.

"Cool. Then it's settled. We'll leave tomorrow?"

Kara nodded. "Sounds like a plan."

At that Adriane stood up and moved to Kara's full length mirror. "Wow. I really need to do something with my hair," she said, trying to tame her dark locks.

"There's a lot of hair bands and ribbons in the bathroom cabinet, Xena," Kara chided. "You might need this too."

Adriane turned just in time to catch the brush Kara threw. "Yep. Be right back," Adriane retorted, walking out of the pink bedroom. Brushing her hair along the way she slipped down the hall and turned to enter the bright blue bathroom. She stopped mid step as she almost ran into someone. "What are you doing here?"

Marcus looked her up and down. He had never seen Adriane Charday with only boxers on before. She looked good. "Brushing my teeth. What about you?" He asked, nonchalantly.

His heavy gaze upon her made Adriane move around uncomfortably. "I need..." she started, as she lowered herself to the floor to open the bottom cabinet. "A rubber band," she finished as she dug one out of Kara's accessory box.

"Looks like you found it," Marcus said, holding out his hand to help her up.

She took it and let go as soon as she found her footing. "Thanks," she mumbled. As he winked at her she paced herself back down the hall.

Adriane walked fast into Kara's room and closed the door behind her. "Okay. I think Marcus just flirted with me."

"Wow. I think I should have let you sleep," Kara replied.

"No. I'm not joking."

Emily, now changed into a pair of shorts and lime green shirt, gave Adriane a curious look. "Weird."

"Yeah," Adriane admitted. "Anyway, what is he doing here?"

Digging through her closet, Kara spoke idly. "Kyle invited him over last night." She brought out a pair of white capris and matching white halter. "Yes. Joey's here too."

Adriane widened her dark eyes. Dropping to her knees, she looked through her bag and brought out a pair of camouflage shorts and a black tank top. She changed quickly and turned to her friends. "Look alright?"

Kara and Emily shared a glance. "Why?"

The warrior shrugged. "I just wanted to know."

"Since when do you care about how you look?"

"I've always cared, just not a lot," Adriane said indignantly.

"You look good," Emily said, slowly. "Who's hungry?"

"Obviously you are. Let's go get some food," Kara said, after pulling her shirt over her head.

The three girls made their way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Emily stopped and looked around. "Where's your parents at?"

"Work. Country club. Something like that I'm sure," Kara replied. She gazed around the kitchen and turned suddenly towards her friends. "Do you hear that?"

Adriane raised an eyebrow. "You're brother laughing?"

"Yeah."

Emily stopped looking into random cabinets. "Let's go see what's so funny."

"Okay," Kara said, walking slowly to the hall.

Adriane followed Kara and Emily into the living room where the three boys sat. They were all peering at something Joey held in his hands.

Marcus, Joey, and Kyle all looked around as Kara cleared her throat. "What're you looking at?"

"Nothing." Kyle stood up, blocking their view.

Kara cocked her hip and flipped out her hair. "Let me see!"

"Okay," Marcus said, getting up.

"Really?"

"No!" Joey said, running for the back door.

Adriane opened her mouth wide as she saw the digital camera in his hands. "You better not have any pictures of me on there!" She said loudly as she took off after him.

Kara's and Emily's eyes grew at the word 'pictures.' "Joey I will break that thing if you don't hand it over!!!"

Emily followed the screaming girl outside, Kyle and Marcus right behind her.

Joey stood by the bushes clutching his blue camera closely, while Adriane stood in front of him, daring him to move.

Kara cocked her hip, jaw clenched. "I know you took pictures of me last night, Micetti. Hand it over and no one gets hurt."

Kyle, Marcus, and Joey all laughed. "What are you going to do about it?"

As if on cue the three girls tackled Joey to the ground, Emily coming up with the device in her hands. "Got it."

"Good. Now run!" Kara yelled taking off to the house.

Adriane followed suit and ran through the back door all the way up the stairs to Kara's room, where the blond swiftly closed and locked her door.

Emily breathing hard, handed the camera over to Kara. "How bad are they?"

Kara turned it on and started going through them. "Oh my God!"

"What?! The other two girls asked, moving to peer over her shoulder.

It was a picture of Kara, about to eat a hot dog, with her mouth opened as wide as it would go to try and fit it in.

Adriane burst out laughing, "Great picture!"

Even Emily couldn't keep the giggle from escaping her lips.

"Shut up, this ones even better," Kara smirked.

The girls returned to Kara's side, only for Emily to cover her mouth. "Delete it!" All you could see was Emily's ice blue bikini bottom. "I was picking up the frizz bee!"

"Wow, nice ass, Em."

"Oh be quiet, Adriane," Emily muttered. "Next picture please."

Adriane wished Kara had never hit the over button, when she saw what it was.

"I didn't know he took a picture when Marcus untied your top!" Kara exclaimed.

The Indian, covered her face in embarrassment. "Me neither."

Emily patted her friend's shoulder. "Well at least your arms are covering everything."

Kara was trying not to laugh. "I'm sorry, Adriane, but your face is priceless!"

The other two looked back at the picture to see a shocked Adriane, blushing deeply.

Adriane had to laugh. "I thought I broke his nose after I got my top back on."

"Hey he got a picture of that too!" They all looked down at the stilled photo of Adriane with her fist raised, and Marcus covering his face.

"Okay, so that was totally worth it," Adriane admitted.