A/N: I don't own Fablehaven or any of the characters (which you obviously know because I am not Brandon Mull), and as much as I wish I had Brandon Mull's writing skills, alas, I don't. But I hope you enjoy this story all the same!

Kendra knew something was wrong when she walked into her grandfather's study to find everyone assembled. Everyone. Seth, Stan, Ruth, Warren, Dale, Elise, Trask, Tanu, and Mara lounged on the mismatched furniture in the larger room. Kendra tried to ignore her fluttering heart and warm cheeks when she glanced at Bracken, sitting on a couch in between Warren and Seth. He stopped mid-laugh when he saw her entering the room. Suddenly self-conscious, Kendra looked away quickly and hurried to sit next to Vanessa.

"Sorry I'm late," Kendra apologized.

Vanessa slid over to make room for Kendra, smirking slightly. Kendra knew her friend could see right through her. But if Vanessa gave her any trouble Kendra would have no problem bringing up the numerous glances Vanessa made at Warren, or the way Warren's ears turned pink whenever someone noticed him looking at Vanessa (which Kendra knew happened when her older cousin was embarrassed).

"You're fine, dear," Her grandpa assured her. "I called you all here today because we have a mission sanctioned by the Knights."

Kendra raised her eyebrows. Everything had been pretty quiet lately, so she was surprised to learn that there was a complication. She had been enjoying her first week of summer and a mission-less past few months, but she should have known the break wouldn't last long.

"There is a summer camp going on in Missouri that has been facing some difficulties," Stan continued, "Animals in the woods surrounding the camp have been rather vicious and cruel lately, putting the campers in danger. There was talk of shutting down the camp, but then the situation came to the attention of a Knight whose niece is a counselor there, and now it has been brought to us."

Seth rolled his eyes. "So some of the animals are getting dangerous. Isn't that a job for animal control, not the Knights?"

Stan frowned slightly. "Usually, yes. But this Knight has reason to believe that the animals aren't animals at all, but rather dark creatures like the kind you would find here at Fablehaven. Naturally, the campers would see aggressive animals instead of a goblin or troll."

"Has anyone gotten hurt?" Bracken asked, concern etched into his face.

"Not seriously," Ruth amended, "But one camper who got separated from the group during a hike fell down a hill under suspicious circumstances and broke her wrist."

Stan nodded. "We are being sent in for reconnaissance on the camp and the surrounding woods. It is deeply concerning that dark creatures may be on the loose, free from a preserve."

"Reconnaissance?" Seth asked, "As in spying? Will we get to wear cool tactical gear with infrared night vision binoculars and comms?"

Stan grinned. "We won't be performing that kind of reconnaissance on the camp. All of us will be going deep undercover. Seth, Kendra, Bracken: you all will be undercover as campers at the camp. The ages of the campers range from sixth grade through seniors in high school, so you should fit in nicely. The rest of us will be in management or counselor positions."

"When do we leave?" Kendra asked.

"You will have tonight and some of tomorrow to pack. Tomorrow afternoon, we fly to St. Louis and should arrive at the camp around bedtime."

"Kind of short notice," Dale complained.

"Don't mind him, he just has a lot of beauty products he needs time to pack," Warren joked, grinning at his older brother.

Stan smiled at the group. "I have no doubt that this will go smoothly. I'll tell the adults their specific positions now, so if any research is needed they can prepare adequately. I will be the head of the camp. Ruth will be running the kitchens, as we will need her delicious food to get us through the mission," The group murmured their agreement.

"Mara will be in charge of the stables and aquatics department. Elise will lead the arts department: crafts, painting, music, and the like. Trask, you will run the sporting center as well as the zip-lining and rock-climbing structures. Tanu, you will head the botany and nature exploration department, along with Dale. Tanu, if there are magical creatures in those woods you will have to monitor the effects on the vegetation, and possibly scope for potion ingredients.

"Warren and Vanessa, you guys will be counselors. Counselors basically travel to all of the activities with their group of kids, and you will be in the best position to monitor the campers for signs of change in them. Vanessa, the campers go on hikes in the woods, which is when your specialty in magical creatures will come in handy."

Grandpa paused, scratching his head. "Everyone understand their assignment? No questions? Okay, well everyone get packing. We'll all sleep here tonight, so everyone will be ready for tomorrow. Bracken, Mara, Elise, and Trask, there are extra bedrooms for you to sleep in. And I trust that everyone will sleep in their own rooms tonight."

Kendra felt her cheeks blaze a bright red. It took all she had to not look at Bracken, and she forced herself to examine her nails in disinterest. That comment wasn't directed at her, was it? It could have been directed towards everyone. She really wanted to look up to see if Bracken was affected by the comment as much as she was, but that would require her looking at him in front of everyone and everything was just so complicated! They weren't dating, but they spent some time together as friends. She still had feelings for him, but she wasn't sure if he even liked her anymore. He was a prince! He could do way better than a teenage girl, even if she was fairykind. Besides, he rarely visited Fablehaven even though the fairy realm had been completed.

So no, grandpa's comment definitely couldn't be about them.

While heading up to her room to pack, Kendra heard Bracken call her name. She turned, finding him standing in the doorway to the extra bedroom he had claimed. "Can you come here for a second, Kendra?" He asked, motioning to his room.

Kendra nodded and followed him into his room. He left the door open and sat down across from Kendra on the bed. "What's up?" Kendra asked, fiddling with a loose thread on the comforter.

Bracken's startling blue eyes bore into hers. "How do you feel about the mission?" He asked gently.

Kendra sensed that this wasn't the question he intended to ask her. "The situation sounds pretty scary, but it's important we help the campers. They shouldn't be in danger. Plus it's not like I'm alone. I have people going that will keep me safe as well."

"Warren says your training is going well."

Kendra wanted to ask Bracken why he asked Warren about her, but she just shrugged. "It's alright. I'm pretty terrible with a bow and my fists, but with swords and knives I'm not so bad. I like the training Tanu is giving me more, about healing. I wish I knew more defensive stuff."

Bracken brightened. "I could help you learn defensive magic. My mother and I aren't sure how much magic you can actually perform, but your potential is astounding. I realize I haven't been here to help recently, but at camp we can train together. If you want to, of course."

"Where have you been lately?" Kendra asked. "I thought once the fairy realm was finished you'd be around a lot more. I-We barely see you once a month."

Bracken leaned toward Kendra and took her hand. Kendra let him take it, enjoying the comfort in the simple gesture. "Believe me, Kendra, I've tried to come back here much more than I have been. It seems like every time I plan a trip back here to see you, I get pulled into helping another sanctuary or get tasked with a mission from my mother. I want to help, of course, but I've missed you."

Kendra didn't know whether to grimace or to smile. Being with him was so confusing. He left for months at a time, then talks about how much he misses her! "I've missed you a lot, Bracken. And I'd love to train with you at camp."

Bracken smiled hesitantly, then bit his lip. "There's also something else I've been meaning to ask you…" He began, eyes darting from the bed to Kendra and back again. "I know a year or so ago we talked about us, and decided we weren't ready for a relationship. But if I'm being honest, these months away from you were terribly hard."

Bracken took Kendra's other hand in his, so that he had both of her palms in his. "Kendra, the time away from you made me realize how strong my feelings are for you. And I've decided that when this mission is over, I'm going to stay here at Fablehaven. I've cleared it with your grandparents, and I hope that you're okay with me staying here."

Kendra didn't know what to say. She sat on the bed, motionless and in shock. Was this real?

Bracken squeezed her hands and continued, "I'm staying for you, Kendra. I'm choosing you. And if you need more time, then I'll wait for you, as long as it takes. Unless… unless you don't feel the same way-"

Kendra slowly pulled Bracken's hands toward her until he inched forward on the bed, curiosity in his eyes. She smiled, releasing his hands and tucking herself close to his chest, arms wrapped around his back in a hug. "I think that we would make a great us, Bracken. And if you're ready, I'm ready," She reassured him.

"We're going to make an amazing us." Bracken agreed, pulling her closer to him. Somehow his chin fit perfectly on top of her head, and when she was pressed this close against him he could feel her heartbeat thumping through her chest.

They only broke apart hastily when they heard Tanu and Stan's voices coming closer to their room as they were walking in the hallway.