Alex slowly crept out of her tent without disturbing Shane and stretched out with a little groan. She decided to give the ladies a break and go ahead and get everything set up for breakfast on her own. Just as she was blowing gently on the little fire she had started, Dana crawled slowly out of her tent rubbing her face as if she was wiping it away for a new one. Rough night, Dana? Alex asked through a chuckle. Dana just groaned and mumbled something, cozying up to the growing fire. Alex got up and kept setting up for breakfast while Dana continued to slowly wake up next to the warmth of the fire. She eventually got to her feet and helped Alex making some coffee. Not surprisingly, Shane emerged from the tent shortly after, rubbing her palms in anticipation of a hot cup of the morning brew. The three women chatted quietly, trying to remember what they had done the previous night to be so sore. Ive got all these little bruises on my stomach, Dana complained, pulling up her t-shirt to show Alex and Shane. They pretended to ogle Danas toned bare midriff, which wasnt the reaction she had wanted, so she pulled it down and gave them a hurt look.

I think that might have been from our cannonball competition, Alex said as she sipped her coffee. But Im really good at those, Dana whined, tugging at the hem of her shirt. Well, I think last night you were slightly sub-par, Shane offered, patting her shoulder consolingly. Dana shrugged her shoulders and sighed; she then squared her shoulders toward Shane, Im helpless when Im stoned, arent I? Shane nodded her head soberly, pursing her lips to keep from smiling. Alex suddenly cleared her throat very loudly, darting her eyes in the direction of Bette who was standing just a few yards away stretching out in her t-shirt and boxers. Shane gave her a little whistle which echoed through the woods and Bette grinned in return making her way over to them and gratefully accepting the cup of coffee that Alex offered her. Shortly after, Tina joined them as well.

Tina: How did you guys sleep?

Alex: Great(turning to Shane) did you know you kickrather violently I might addin your sleep?

Shane: Ive never had any complaints before.

Dana: Oh god!

Bette: I thought you guys were gonna engage in some illegal activities last night.

Dana: Not meas soon as my head hit that pillow, I was OUT!

Shane: Awcongratulations, Danaits about time.

Dana: Bite me.

Alex: (turning to Tina) How did you guys sleep(grinning slyly) that is if you slept at all.

Bette: We slept just fine, thank you very much.

Alice: (shouting from the tent) CAN YOU HENS KEEP IT QUIET OUT THERE!

The entire group fell silent, smirking and laughing at Alices irritated mood. Bette leaned over to Tina and whispered something into her ear. Tina whispered into Shanes and Shane passed the info onto Alex. Alex nodded her head and they began moving away from the table, leaving Dana completely out of the loop. She looked around helplessly then decided to follow Alex who was walking to the suburban. Whats going on? she hissed pulling on Alexs wrist. Bettes gonna get even with Alice, Alex stated flatly. She looked around the back of the van finally sighting what she was looking for. She pulled on a large cooler and opened the top; Dana noticed that it was the cooler they had used to bring fruit with them, it was now full of water with a few pieces of ice still floating around. Alex stuck a finger into the water, and whipped her hand back, shivering slightly. Dana suddenly realized what was going to transpire and a look of absolute glee spread across her face.

Tina and Shane were positioned by Alices tent, and Bette approached Alex and Dana to give them the rundown. Okay, Shanes gonna unzip the tent, then Tina and I are gonna grab Alice and drag her out, Dana youll be positioned to hold down her hands, then Alex you deliver the final blow. Dana nodded excitedly, but Alex shook her head and offered Bette the cooler, This is your baby, Ms. Porter. Bettes lips unfurled into an appreciative grin as she took the cooler, her chest heaving with pride and gratitude. The three quietly joined Tina and Shane by the tent. They watched Alex for the signal: She nodded her head, and Shane ripped open the zipper, deftly moving out of the way so Tina and Alex could lunge in. They grabbed Alice by her legs and ankle and pulled her out quickly as she wiggled and screamed at the top of her lungs. Dana moved quickly to pin her hands down to ground and then Bette moved into position, towering above Alices head with the cooler poised. Alice suddenly stopped struggling, shaking her head slowly and mouthing No as she looked up at Bette. Bette just nodded and grinned wickedly as she tipped the cooler.

Alices shrieks could be heard miles around, scaring birds out of the treetops and causing their triplet-baring neighbors to poke their heads out of their tents. Alice stood up, dripping wet and shivering uncontrollably, BbbbbbbbetteIIIIIIIIm gggggggonna kkkkkkill yyyyyyou. Bette just wiped her eyes, tossing the cooler at Alex. Alice shook herself off a bit and began pointing an ominous finger at all of them as her teeth continued chattering, Yyyyyyyyou wwwwill all ppppppay ffffffor this. Dana offered her a towel, which Alice snatched away angrily, disappearing into the tent. The rest of the group went back to finishing breakfast, and in an effort to make peace, sent Shane to Alices tent with some food.

Alice poked her head out took the plate and stuck her tongue out at everyone, then ducked back into the tent. The gang decided to start packing everything up. They would stop by the lake on their way and do a little more fishing and then hit the road. Alice emerged several minutes later, a great deal dryer and apparently in better spirits. She shot Bette an angry look, but then started helping with the cleanup. A couple of hours later, they had pretty much packed everything into the suburban except for the fishing gear. Shane and Alex walked down the road a bit to get rid of the garbage, while the others stayed behind to keep packing smaller things into the van. Bette and Alice reached for a bag at the same time and they both pulled back, staring at each other. Alice finally stuck her hand out, Lets call a truce. Bette arched an eyebrow, but shook Alices hand nonetheless. Once Shane and Alex returned they all jumped in the suburban and drove the couple of minutes to their fishing spot. Tina borrowed Alices camera to take some pictures of the view and the events of the last day of fishing, Wow Alice this zoom feature is really cool! Alex glanced knowingly at Alice, but Alice continued looking intently at her line, although Alex noticed the corner of her mouth curling slightly. The fish werent biting that day, so they decided to just hit the road and make it back to LA in time for dinner.

Shane played navigator and DJ on the way back, choosing Danas Norah Jones CD, which seemed to agree with the rest of the group. Bette and Tina cuddled in the back, whispering every now and then, while Dana and Alice sprawled all over each to catch a quick nap. After being on the road for about a half hour, Bette suddenly started saying no firmly, and everyone glanced back to see what was up. Tina leaned forward between Alice and Danas heads, a mischievous grin on her face, Hey Al, since you guys didnt you knowuseany of yourstuffmaybe we should Alice turned around, smiling broadly, Use some of my stuff now? Bette groaned and slumped into her seat as Tina nodded eagerly. Shane reached into her pocket, removed her lighter and tossed it back at Dana. Alice dug into her bag and pulled out the necessary ingredients. Bette covered her face and shook her head watching Tina bouncing anxiously next to her. Alice rolled a hearty joint and held the last little flap in front of Tina, Lick it for me, baby! As Tina glided her wet tongue over the thin paper, Bette glared at Alice, but she just smiled sweetly in return as she turned to Dana and asked her to do the same.

Pretty soon, the van was filled with a sweet-smelling smoke. Bette coughed profusely, angrily looking at Tina out of the corner her eye. Tina was oblivious or at least unconcerned as the joint was passed to her again. Her face was totally relaxed, a complete contrast to the giggling Dana in the seat in front of them. Alice was happily singing along with Norah, coughing whenever she hit a high note. Alex and Shane had rolled their windows down to keep themselves alert enough to get home safely. Tina held the little joint delicately between her thumb and index finger and leaned in closer to Bette, Cmon, baby, have a littleits actually really good! Bette gave her an irritated look and turned to look out the window. Tina shook her head and tapped Alices shoulder, Hey, take a picture of me and little Miss tight-***** over here. Bette tried to duck out of the way, but there was nowhere to go. Tina pressed the little roach between her lips and gave the camera a thumbs up as she struggled to get her arm around Bettes shoulders.

Several minutes later, the van was completely silent except for the sounds that accompany sleep. Alex glanced into the rearview mirror and noticed that everyone, even Bette, had surrendered to the trip-induced slumber. Shane tapped her elbow and showed her the case of a Modest Mouse CD. Oh, I love that band! Alex whispered. Shane pointed to the title of a track and whispered back, Should we be niceor wake them up and piss them off? Alex shrugged her shoulders, Its your funeral, Shane-ster. Shane popped the CD and turned the volume to the max. Satin in a Coffin started blaring through the speakers and the suburban shook from the disoriented movements of the women in the back seats. Shane and Alex high-fived each other as a flood of curses and expletives momentarily drowned out the music.

**

Were here! Alex mumbled wearily as she pulled into Tina and Bettes driveway. Everyone tumbled slowly out of the suburban and Tina took the lead toward the back of the house with Dana and Alice at her heel. Bette placed her hands at her hips angrily as she watched them walk away. Alex and Shane exchanged nervous looks and opened the back door of the van. The three of them brought all of Tina and Bettes things in while the three others raided the fridge, eating everything in sight. Once they were done, Alex clapped her hands and looked around the room, Alright guys, we better get in the suburban so we can get you all home. Alice and Dana grumbled as Shane pulled on their hands, dragging them out of the kitchen through the back door. Alex gave Bette and Tina a little wave and then disappeared around the corner. Bette closed the doors sighing, then leaned against them and locked her eyes on Tina, I cannot believe you did that. Tina stuffed her mouth with the last of the olives and started opening and closing cupboard doors, Babewhere are the chips? Bette shook her head and walked over to stand in front of Tina. Tina sighed and bit hungrily into an apple that was on the counter, What exactly are you mad aboutthat I smoked pot or that I called you little miss tight assorcould it possibly bethat Im the cool parent and youre jealous.

Bettes jaw fell with disbelief, but before she could say anything, Tina kissed her softly. Mmmmmbut youre my lovable straight-laced, tight-*****, un-cool parent, she mumbled, smiling into the kiss. The juices from the apple she was eating dripped slowly down Bettes chin. Tina pulled away and placed the apple on the counter again, Im gonna go take a napcall me when youve ordered dinner. Bette stood with her mouth slightly open, not even turning around to watch Tina leave. She picked up the bitten apple and widened the hole as she took a big bite. She chuckled quietly to herself as she picked up the phone; Tinas probably gonna be in the mood for Thai, she thought.