With the sun slowing sinking into the west horizon, the women made their way back to their campsite. Bette and Tina made sure to hide behind everyone else as the family next door made preparations for dinner. Alex quickly got a fire going once again, enveloping the scene in a soft orange glow. Alex and Shane then hopped in the suburban to find some chicken at a supermarket in the nearby town, while those left behind set up the rest of dinner.

Tina: So, Danaare you gonna make some smores tonight?

Dana: Oh, god! I ate so many marshmallows last night, I think Im set for the next decade.

Alice: I think tonight we should do what we originally came here for

Bette: And what would that be?

Alice: Smoke pot and go skinny dipping.

Bette: Dear lord!

Tina (smiling at Alice): Youyou didnt bringanydid you?

Alice just arched an eyebrow and jerked her head toward the tent she shared with Dana. Bette rolled her eyes and poked the fire a little harder with her stick, making the glowing ashes flutter into the air.

At the supermarket, Shane and Alex had made their way to the meat and poultry section. Maybe we should take some fish back insteadI mean since we didnt get to eat the ones we caught, Shane mused as she picked up a filet of tuna. Chickens safer and easier, Alex replied, stopping the cart short when she found the boneless, skinless chicken ***** they had been searching for. They found their way to the vegetables and fruits, and Alex pointed Shane toward the peppers they would need as she busied herself picking out some fruit to take back. Hey, Alex, check this out! Alex turned around to find Shane juggling three green bell peppers, holding out her tongue and shuffling her feet to keep them from falling. You never told me you had talents beyond those in the bedroom, Alex said archly, tossing a bunch of bananas into the cart. Shane just gave her a little wink as she carefully placed the peppers in a plastic bag. Alex smiled in return and surveyed what was in the cart so far, So what else is on momsI mean Tinas list? Shane pulled the little note out her back pocket and squinted at the scrawl, Um, marinadebut if we cant find it, then Italian dressing is okay. You really think so? Alex asked credulously scratching her head. Oh, noshe wrote that on here, Shane turned over the little note and showed it to Alex. She smiled and shook her head, I take it backshe is sooooo mom.

Shane and Alex finally got back to the campsite and all the women contributed to making dinner in some way or another. It was well after dark when they finished dinner, and by the time they finished cleaning up, the sky was pitch black and brightened only by the twinkling stars that studded it like diamonds. God, I am so stuffed! Alice groaned, plopping down on the ground next to Alex. I cant believe we have to leave tomorrow, Tina said through a sigh, pouting slightly. Maybe we can convince Alex to convince US to come camping again, Bette offered, gently stroking Tinas hair. Alex bowed her head toward them, raising her bottle of water with a with pleasure gesture. The group was relaxed and quiet, staring either into the blazing fire or at the beautiful night sky overhead in silence. Dana broke it suddenly with a loud yawn, Oh, geez Im sorry, I didnt realize how tired I wasIm totally beat! Alex struggled to get to her feet and dusted herself off, Im right behind ya, Danagoodnight all! Alex and Dana went to their respective tents, and a little while later, Bette and Tina also retired. Alice stretched on the ground as she watched the pair walk away, Hopefully, theyre tired enough to keep it in their pants tonight. Shane chuckled and stood up to kick some dirt onto the fire to calm it down.

She sat down on the rock next to Alice and rubbed her face, Are you sure you wanna do this, I mean the water was still kinda cold today, imagine at night, Alits gonna be like pins and needles. Alice propped herself on her elbows and gave Shane a piercing look, Shane, dont be a pussyitll be funjust imagine youre in Bette and Tinas pool. She gave her a little smile and got up quickly, making her way to her tent. Shane slid off of her rock and lounged out by the fire for while longer, looking up at the stars before she ducked into her tent as well.

**about 2 hours later**

The fire was completely out and the bright moon overhead cast strange shadows across the tents. Alex was on all fours, slowly creeping up to Bette and Tinas tent without making a single sound. She stopped about a foot short of it and listened intently for about a minute or so. Apparently satisfied, she retraced her steps, standing up straight once she was behind the bushes and catching the backpack that Shane tossed at her. Alice, Shane and Dana were standing several feet away from the tents, waiting anxiously for Alexs report. They began walking down toward the creek as they spoke:

Alice: So?

Alex: Yup, they are sound asleepI heard the little snort from Bette

Alice: Was it nasal or was it more throaty?

Alex: Throatyjust like you said!

Alice: Alright! That means shes out like a light.

Shane: Did you hear Tinas little wheezing?

Dana: How do you know Tina wheezes?

Shane: (shrugging): I noticed it when we were all in the van on the way here.

Alex: You knownow that I think of it, yeah I did hear that(turning to Alice) I thought maybe it was something youd forgotten to tell me about Bette.

In no time they were at the banks of the little creek, the cool water gurgling happily across the rocks. Dana and Alice stripped quickly, the moonlight dimly revealing their nude bodies as they inched deeper into the water. They shivered and cursed under their breath, but noticed that their bodies adapted remarkably to the cool temperature of the water. Shane and Alex meanwhile began expertly rolling several small joints with Alices generous provision. Dana dog-paddled over closer to them and waved them in whispering, Cmon, guys, its great once youre all the way in! Shane was the first to comply, undressing so quickly that Alex was slightly awestruck. As Shane dived into the water, Alex carefully held the joints in her fist and began taking her clothes. She grabbed the lighter and slowly walked into the water, her entire body shuddering at the contact.

Everyone else gathered around her, squealing gleefully as she passed out the joints and lighted each woman in turn. Ah, Alice exhaled slowly, I love camping. Dana took a long, labored drag and began coughing uncontrollably. Shane slapped her soundly on the back chuckling along with Alex, while Alice shook her head with disappointment. They had several races across the little creek, Shane winning every single one; she credited her success to her extensive practice in Bette and Tinas pool. Alex found a sturdy rock which they used to have their cannonball contest. Dana was too stoned at that point to coordinate the movements necessary for rolling herself into a ball, so all of her jumps were belly-flops. Later, Alice found a large piece of algae and wrapped herself in it, standing up on a rock and modeling for the others. They cat-called and whistled as she assumed different suggestive poses, each one more scandalous than the previous. They laughed for what seemed like hours when Alex inadvertently farted in the water, little bubbles forming all around her. They all took turns trying to repeat her feat for a little while, until their sides hurt from laughing so much.

Alex finally became lucid enough to suggest heading back to the tents and get some sleep. Alice and Shane helped haul Dana out of the water and they managed to get their clothes on (sort of), although it took Alice several attempts to not put her shorts on backwards. Alex just shook her head smiling as the three beside her continued to giggle and shush each other. Alex saw the distant flickering of a flashlight and grabbed Shane and Alice (who were flanking Dana, so she would naturally follow) down to the ground by their collars. She covered Alice and Danas mouths with her hands and shot Shane a dangerous look that effectively shut her up as well. As the flashlight became brighter, the rustling of leaves under moving feet could be heard and then soft voices. Alice suddenly slapped Alexs hand away and began listening intently to the approaching voices:

I don know if this is good idea

cmon its gonna be fun!

the water is going to be freezing!

not for long!

Alices eyes rounded into circles of amazement as she looked at Alex, then she pointed in the direction of the voice and mouthed, Bette and Tina. Alex nodded with a smirk and Shane rolled onto her back, giggling into the back of her hand, while Dana was busy scrutinizing something on the ground under her face. Alices eyes twinkled in the moonlight, and Alex began shaking her head slowly. Alice dropped her head closer to Alexs ear and whispered, Just come with me, cmon! Alex glanced at Shane who just waved her away, pulling a sleepy-eyed Dana into a protective embrace.

Alice and Alex slowly made their way in the general direction the voices were going. As they got closer to the creek, they heard giggling followed by some rather loud moaning. Alex raised her eyebrows at Alice, who just chuckled quietly in return. They slowly approached the creek several feet upstream from the unsuspecting night swimmers, finally settling behind a big rock. Alice reached into her back pocket, rolling her eyes as the swimmers laughter cut through the night air, and pulled her little camera out. Alexs mouth fell open, then slowly curled into a knowing smile as she watched Alice position herself, propping her elbows on the rock. She heard the little buzzing of the lens focusing, and stifled a giggle as the forest around them was momentarily illuminated by Alices flash.

oh, *****, *****, *****, *****

Alice quickly sat back next to her requesting a high five, which Alex couldnt help but give her.

Bette: *****, Tina lets get out of here!

Tina: It was probably just some lightning.

Bette: Without thunder?

Tina: Okay, a truck passing byjust come here.

There was some soft splashing, and Alice and Alex took that as their cue to get the ***** out of there. They safely made it back undetected to where they had left their comrades, but Shane and Dana were already gone. They quickly, carved their path back to the tents and arrived just as Shane was emerging from tucking Dana into her tent, She was totally falling asleep, sorry guys, she explained apologetically. Alice gave her the thumbs up and dove quickly into the tent, while Alex pulled Shane by the elbow into their own tent.

A good while later, Bette and Tina tiptoed hand in hand toward their tent, but before going in, Bette stepped quietly over to Alice and Danas tent, listening for a little while. She crawled into the tent nodding happily at Tina.

Bette: I think youre right T, it mustve been a truck or something.

Tina: Why do you agree with me now?

Bette: Because Alice is doing that nasal whistling kinda thing

Tina: (confused) Okay?

Bette: She only does it when shes completely knocked out.

Tina: Ohwell, seeI told you so.