Alice pulled out her hiking shoes and flashlight and nodded towards her bunkmates, “Alright then gang.  Saddle up!”

*-*-*-*-*

            “Oh my god, this is amazing,” Sandy nibbled the truffle and savored the combination of the red wine and dark spicy chocolate.  She smiled at Lara, “This whole evening has been amazing, actually.” 

            Lara smiled and leaned back on her elbows gazing at the moon, which shone brightly over the river.  “I’m enjoying myself as well.”

            Sandy leaned down and lightly grazed Lara’s lips.  Pulling back slightly she whispered, “I’m glad you brought me here.”  She looked at Lara intently for a moment before leaning in again, to resume the kiss.  Lara lay back on the blanket and wrapped her arms around Sandy, pulling the woman on top of her.  Sandy moaned as she felt Lara’s body respond to her touch, and she coaxed Lara’s mouth open and gently deepened the kiss. 

*-*-*-*

            “What was that?”  Alice whispered, hoarsely.

            “I think it was a frog.”  Tina whispered back. 

            They had picked their way down a trail that ran beside their cabin, and sounded as though it were leading to running water.  Alice’s flashlight had proved to be unnecessary as the bright moonlight practically illuminated the path.

            Shane bumped into Alice, who grunted in pain.  “Damn, for such a skinny girl, you’re pretty solid.”

            “Once again, fuck you.”  Shane looked around wildly.  “What was that?”

            Bette considered the sound thoughtfully.  “Owl, I think.  Tina?”

            Tina nodded.  “You’re right.”

            “It’s like hiking with Steve Irwin and Jack Hanna.”  Alice muttered.

            “Who?”  Shane asked.

            “You know the crocodile hunter and the Wild Kingdom guy.”

            Shane looked at her blankly.

            Bette added, “They’re both naturalists.”  At Shane’s continued look of bewilderment she continued, “You know,  the one that always yelled ‘crikey’ and got stabbed by the manta ray?”

            Shane nodded doubtfully.  “Sure.”

            Tina suddenly tilted her head, “What was that?”

            Everyone stopped and listened for a moment. 

            Shane responded first.  “It’s two women making out.”

            Alice, Bette and Tina turned to stare at her.

            “What?” Shane looked at them, “I’m a naturalist in my own right.”  She tilted her head for a moment, then struck off gesturing for the others to follow.  “Come on, I’ll prove it.”

            They stealthily worked their way down the path and stopped when Shane held her hand up.  She knelt down and moved behind some bushes.  “There,” she whispered, and pointed across a small clearing to a rock outcropping at the edge of the river.

            “Damn.  You’re good.”  Bette whispered admiringly.

            “So are they.”  Tina added with a grin nodding towards the couple.  The woman on top had just sat up and removed her tank top revealing a toned back.  As she pulled the shirt over her head, the woman lying on the rock was in clear view, with her shirt unbuttoned and a red lace bra exposed.

            “Wait.  Isn’t that–”  Shane’s voice cut off as she was knocked forward by Alice, who had suddenly jerked upright.

            “Shit!”  Shane cried out as she plunged through the bushes and sprawled into the open clearing.

            Sandy and Lara jerked around with matching cries of alarm.  As Lara scrambled to her feet, while clutching her shirt, she lost her balance and fell backwards into the water.  

            Sandy, who had been focusing on Shane spun around quickly.  “Lara!”  She dropped to her knees and reached out to help a sputtering, soaked Lara back onto the rock.

            As Lara caught her breath, Shane stood up and extended her hand in a sheepish wave.  “Hi, Lara.”  Her characteristically low voice had a definite note of chagrine.

            Lara looked up from buttoning her shirt with an expression of disbelief.  “Shane?”

            “Yeah.”  Shane looked back towards the bushes, which remained suspiciously quiet.  She cleared her throat loudly.  “Was just out for a walk.  Didn’t expect to see you here.  Didn’t mean to scare you and….?”

            Sandy spoke up.  “Sandy.”  Curiously she looked around Shane towards the bushes.  “Are you talking to the shrubbery?”

            A decidedly embarrassed voice answered resignedly.  “No, she’s talking to us.”  Bette poked her head out and smiled.  “Hi Lara!”  She stepped out into the clearing and turned to help Tina out who waved in Lara’s direction.  After a moment of furious whispering into the bushes, the leaves shook once more and Alice stepped out into the open.  Keeping her head down she muttered, “Hello Lara.”