*Finally*

Yes, I know it has been way to long since I last posted, but my life has been uber crazy. I could never imagine stopping the story completely though, so rest assured that even though you don't hear from me but every once in a while, I'm still working on the story here and there when I have time. :) Big thanks to Erin, Chelsea, and Caroline who all contributed in some way to episode 28.. they're great! Hope you all enjoy. Cheers!

Anna

Mr. Teacup's Window Washers Episode: 28 (A William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, and LOTR Cast Story)

Yet another piece of comical genius..

You turn your head towards the window as your eyes flutter awake.. the sound of rain patters against the bedroom's balcony, hitting the sliding door and trickling down. After a few minutes of watching the rain gently tumble down, you turn your head back to see Chelsea still sleeping, then slip out of bed. You walk over to the glass door and peer out as the rain gets a little harder and the wind picks up, making the palm trees dance. 'Mmm.. what a cozy day.' you think. It's not exactly beach-perfect weather, but rainy days can be fun. Especially when you have a good movie to watch or huge resort to reek havoc in.

After stumbling around grabbing some clothes and toiletries, you make your way into the bathroom and take a quick shower, putting on some makeup and letting your hair dry naturally afterwards. Because of the humidity, it curls up at the ends and your bangs turn into little spirals framing your face. You pull some back with bobby pins, but leave a few 'twirls' to soften your look. When you step out into the living room area, you see Erin tucked down in a couch next to the glass door to the main balcony reading a book. She looks up when she hears you walk in and says, “Good morning.” You smile back and reply the same, then continue, “I thought I'd go down to the breakfast place.. I have a hankering for chocolate chip pancakes. Want to come?”

“No thanks.” Erin responds, “I already grabbed some breakfast with Elijah and I'm at a climatic part of the book.. I don't think I can stop.” You laugh an, “Okay.” and turn around to slide your white flats on and grab your hotel key off the counter. “See you in a few.” you say quietly and slip out the door.

(under the "Preview" header click "Click to Load") http://www.sfxsource.com/previewframeset.cfm?Product_ID=26496&CFID=6938436&CFTOKEN=20572784

Once down at the breakfast restaurant, you ask to be seated near a window looking into the main lobby. You decide to treat yourself to 2 percent milk with your pancakes and ask for extra whipping cream and strawberries. Your food comes a little while later, after you've had time to people watch and spot several famous people. You savor your pancakes as you eat them, enjoying the quite of being alone, but the energy of watching people bustle along. The rain outside casts a laid back feeling on the day, though, and you sink back into the booth after you're happily full. Just as you're thinking you could use some coffee, Jason comes into view through the window. You see him shaking hands with a long blond haired man and talking as he nods his head, obviously wrapping up whatever conversation or meeting he was having with the man. As he turns to walk away, he spots you in the restaurant window and waves. You smile and give a short wave back. As he makes his way towards the restaurant, he sees another guy he knows and pats the side of his shoulder as he shakes his hand. As he says a few words to the guy before walking on, you realize it's Rupert Grint and give a little laugh to yourself, remembering one time when Chelsea and yourself had spent an entire evening watching interviews of him. Which is actually rather random, considering you've never actually seen all the Harry Potter movies and aren't really a raving fan or anything like that.

Jason fumbles around in his pocket and brings up his cellphone to answer a call, stopping 20 feet or so from the restaurant window. He looks at you as he says, “Hello?” then motions an up signal to you with his finger and furrows his brow. You nod and begin to gather your things. He hustles off in another direction and your make your way to the elevator.

The elevator ride is slow, stopping many times, but you enjoy the smells each floor brings. Fresh roasted coffee beans, cleaning chemicals, the staple resort smell, potent perfume.. that weird guy on the 12^th floor..

Finally you reach the 17^th floor, and step out of the elevator into the cool hallway. You linger by a window for a few moments, entranced by the rain and the way it changes the whole look of the resort, then continue on towards Jason's room. You gently rap on the door and wait for a moment, but when he doesn't answer you assume he hasn't made it up quite yet. So instead you walk further down the hall to a roof top garden and step outside underneath the awning. The cool mist from the pattering rain touches your face and you smile, refreshed.

“Hello.”

You jump back a bit and turn to see Will standing beside you with his hands in his pockets.

“Were you out here when I stepped out?” You ask slightly laughing to yourself. Will gives a small smile and responds affirmatively. “Oh. Obviously I'm really aware of my surroundings then.” you say and raise your eyebrows at yourself, feeling a little awkward.

“Would you like to sit down?” Will asks and motions with his shoulder to a covered bench nestled into a tree a little further into the garden. “Uh, sure.” You reply. It starts to rain a little harder and you sigh an, “Ohh drat. 1.. 2.. 3!” to queue yourself to run. Will quietly chuckles and jogs to the bench with you. You laugh when you get there and run a hand through your damp hair as you sit down. For a moment Will doesn't sit. “It's really beautiful here, isn't it?” he rhetorically asks in reference to the ocean.

“Yeah.” you reply as he then sits down on the wooden bench. “I'm really not even sure what to say about yesterday..” you say sheepishly and look up at him. He laughs.

“Don't worry about it. In retrospect I think it's rather amusing. And kind of flattering.” he says.. the last part rather smugly.

“Well, now don't get any ideas! It wasn't really about you.” You reply getting easily worked up about his comment. Will does his cheeky little high pitched laugh and looks down as he says, “Right.” You stare at him for a second, thinking about if you should be truthful or not. Honesty is not the best policy- honesty isn't the best policy!!! ACK, okay fine, honesty is the best policy. “Okay, so maybe it was kind of about you.. but it was about William Moseley as someone we'd never actually know.. not someone I'd eventually work with. Which makes things really weird. And awkward.”

“Well I'll try not to let it get to my head.. or bring it up too much on set. I mean, once a day isn't too much, is it? But by then you'll probably have done something else completely insane that I'll have to mention instead.. either that or you'll find out something immensely embarrassing about me and have that to threaten me with. How much do you know about pine nuts?” Will replies. Your eyes grow big and full of worry until he smirks and says, “I'm just kidding.” in a silly 'I'm-teasing-you' sort of way. You sigh in relief, starting to realize that he may be just as crazy as the lot of you (Erin, Chelsea, or your father. Er, I mean 'and Caroline'). “Oh.” you nod your head slowly.

“I'm really not some stuck up movie actor or anything like that so you can relax.. I mean if you take the part we'll be spending a lot of time together, so I thought maybe we see how things would be if that happened.. so if you want to relax a bit.. I'm fine with it.” he says sweetly. You “Awww!!”on the inside and try to make yourself feel less awkward and nervous.. it's just William Moseley. OH MY GOSH WILLIAM MOSELEY!! *ahem* Okay, self, keep it together. Calm. Mmhmm.. that's it. You smile. “I'm trying. It's a little weird talking to a famous actor from one of your favorite movies though.. I'm not gonna lie.”

Will chuckles, “I'm really not all that special. I'm just sort of a normal guy whose been thrown into a very surreal world.”

“I guess you're right. You do have a very cheesy smile and a very apparent lack of brains.”

“I'm sorry, what??” Will asks, a little shocked.

“Oh, uh, nothing. It was just sort of a.. joke..” You answer. It's really weird talking to the person who's the butt of a lot of your jokes (and by that I mean you have a lot of personal jokes about him) with Erin, Chelsea, and Caroline.

“Well, as with most fan girls-”

“I'm not a fan girl!” you exclaim.

“I didn't say you were! That was bad terminology, sorry. You hardly seem like a fan girl. My apologies.”

“Apology accepted.” you purse your lips together, a little on the kidding side. Will smiles and continues.

“What I mean to say is it's sort of weird for me because I feel like you know a lot more about me than I know about you. I mean that's sort of how it works with being an actor.”

“Oh right right, I understand.” You nod, but think 'Oh my stars.. this is soooo cliché..' You continue anyway. “Well, let me see.. I'm not nearly as interesting as I hope to be, but I'll try to think of some random things about myself so you don't feel so weirded out. Um, I have three siblings- Chelsea, who was actually adopted from England, Jonathan, and Matt. Chelsea's the same age as me and Jonathan and Matthew are both younger. 17 and 11, respectively.”

“Oh so you're the oldest! So am I.” Will exclaims.

“Oh, cool. I actually already knew that...” you say, then blurt, “-buuut that probably weirds you out more and I don't know why I just told you that, uh, so anyway, moving on.. Chelsea is one of my best friends, as well as Caroline and Erin. We're all pretty close, if you couldn't tell. We hail from a smallish town where we never thought Jason would ever show up. Not that we knew who he was at the time. Annnnd.. we ended up meeting Billy Boyd, Dom Monaghan, and Elijah Wood at Busch Gardens a few days ago.. really random. Anyway, more about me.. umm.. I use Aussie shampoo and conditioner and love wild cherries?” you giggle. “OHH I have a cat named Oreo who is the bestest cat in the whole wide world-” you continue, saying 'world' in sort of a New Jersey-ish accent (whaeyuld.. kind of). This reminds you of Will's “Cwafee and a mwuffen” interview and you begin to laugh. (Check it out here if you haven't seen it already.. it's short, but funny. :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLmTdEM5QUI)

“What?” he asks.

“Oh, uh, nothing.” you say and look to the side, quietly chuckling to yourself. It's ironic that half the stuff you're reminded of and laugh at reminds you of interviews and special features of the person you're now actually talking to face-to-face. So ironic.

“Well you sound much more interesting than you give yourself credit for. I look forward to getting to know you better. Any decision on taking the part or not yet?” he asks.

“I know I'd really like to, but I have to talk about it with my parents when I get home. I'd always sort of planned on doing the music thing, but I really enjoy acting too, so, yeah, I don't know. What about you?” you reply.

“I'm fairly certain I will, but there are still some things I need to sort out and double check on. I already talked to my agent and such earlier today.”

You nod your head.

The smell of hibiscus is pungent and as you look up you realize the tree is actually very large hibiscus plant with brilliant coral flowers gently being beat down by the rain and bouncing back up again. You smile as you turn to Will (hibiscus is one of your favorites) and he gets a very serious look on his face. He leans forward slightly with an intensity in his eyes you weren't expecting. You can't help but stare back, but it gets steadily more whimsical and weird (and awkward) as he says, “Anna?..” in a way that his soothing, British voice delves into the depths of your soul. Just as you're about to respond with a hesitant, “Yes?”, Jason's questions, “Will?” and steps out in front of the both of you. You look up, shocked, waiting to see what will happen. Oh my gosh please don't sock him- I don't think he meant anything by it!! you think, trying to telepathically calm Jason's nerves.

“What do you think?” Will asks Jason. What do you mean what does he think??

“I think you have great chemistry.” Jason replies, satisfied. What's going on here?

“Me too.. you're good.” Will agrees. What do you mean he's good?

“Thanks, but it's hard not to have chemistry with this babe.” Jason chuckles, takes your hand, and spins you up into his arms. You smile and he pecks you on the cheek. Will stands up.

“Well, I guess I'll leave you guys to it.” he says and smiles. You can't help but notice a little bit of hurt in his eyes. You suspect he must have just gotten out of a relationship or something like that and feel kind of bad. You also feel a little awkward because of the way Jason's holding you after the way Will made you feel in that split second of hesitation.

“It was nice talking.” you say, your eyes probably showing confusion.

“Yeah, you too. See you all later.” Will says as a farewell and runs to the awning covered door. You watch him disappear inside the resort before turning to Jason again, still in his arms.

“How are you?” you ask, trying not to look nervous.

“Quite well, and you?” he responds, his eyes dancing.

“Um.. I'm getting wet.” you say looking up at the gray sky.

“Oh, right.” Jason says. He takes your hand and you both run to the door as well.

Once inside, you try to shake off what's going on inside your head by asking him what that whole thing was about and find out that Will was testing the chemistry between the two of you since, if you take the part, you will be playing the lead roles in Another Rain and will have romantic interest. In the movie, that is.

“Ohh.. right.” You nod as Jason slides his hotel key in the door.

“You didn't actually think he was serious?” He asks, pausing in the doorway. You give a nervous laugh.

“Pssh, no. Of course not.” You say and shake your head. Jason rolls his eyes and puts his hand on your lower back to lead you into the hotel room.

“So what have you been up to today?” you ask as you glance at some papers on a table near the kitchen and Jason rummages in his refrigerator for something to drink.

“Oh, lots of meetings and things. I ran into Hugh Grant and we talked about an upcoming movie he's being considered for. He said he's seen the script and would love to do it, depending on the leading actress and if they'll take him. He's a really fun guy though, so it was good to catch up with him. I also talked to Andrew Adamson about the next Narnia movie since he won't be directing it.. he'll still have a part in the process, but since he's been 'in Narnia' twice I thought I'd talk with him about ideas and what advice he can give me and such. I had a lot of fun working for the last film, so I'm excited about the next one.”

'Hugh Grant? Andrew Adamson? Oh my word.. this is like.. wow. I guess Andrew's the one he was saying goodbye to when I saw him earlier then.'

You nod your head, still looking down and glancing through brochures and stuff, trying not to look completely shocked, which in turn makes you look a little uncomfortable. Um, hello, your freaking boyfriend knows all these famous people. Besides, you just got swept off your feet by William Moseley. More or less.

“Does it bother you?” Jason asks, reading your expression.

“Huh?” You look up, breaking your daze from your own little world.

“My job.. does it bother you?” Jason asks, concerned.

“Oh, um, no, not really. I think it's really cool, actually.” You respond and try to give a smile in his direction, despite the random nagging you still feel about Will. When you look up at him, though, you realize he knows something is up and you try to change the subject by turning around and walking towards the TV and saying, “Hey! We should see what's on.. Chelsea said Britain's Got Talent was starting early this year! Man oh man, that show is awesome.” You begin to ramble, plopping down on the couch with the remote. “Do you think they get it here? Simon Cowell, wow, that guy needs to take a chill pill. Well, not really actually, I actually think he's pretty cool. Except for his hair cut, sheesh! That thing is horrible. What do you-”

“Anna-” Jason stops you and kneels down in front of the couch. “Anna, slow down. First of all, Britain's Got Talent doesn't start until the spring. Secondly, what's wrong?”

“Nothing! I mean like.. except for the fact that you're blocking the TV.” you respond, not making much eye contact. Jason looks back at the huge flat screen television on the wall, then back at you with raised brows.

“Well.. you're kinda blocking it..” you say, looking down. Jason gently glides your face back towards him and you find yourself looking into those irresistible eyes again.

“Anna.” he says again, calming your mind and melting your heart. “I know something is wrong.” He takes your hands and brushes his thumbs over them, looking at them almost with inspection, as if he's trying to formulate what he's going to say next. For a moment you feel like a confused child lost in a supermarket being consoled by a friendly security guard. Except the key that Jason holds is one to your heart, not to the frozen meat display.

“This life.. it's not normal. I can't.. give you a normal life.” he begins apparently thinking this all has to do with his job and obviously pained and troubled by what he's saying. “Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to settle down and have a family.. or even to be an actor and have breaks in between movies. But what I do.. it never stops. And I can see how that would be alarming.” he stumbles out, then looks back up at you. “I knew we'd have to have this conversation.. I didn't think it'd be quite so soon, but I knew it was coming. Things are different with me, and I know that.”

You slowly slide down to the floor beside him and try to stop him with a, “Actually, it's not really about tha-” but the look he gives you takes away all the thoughts in your head, silencing you so he can continue. You wonder if he meant to do that or if he's blissfully ignorant of the power he has over you. Sheesh. He's like Superman.

“But.. I also know that.. I love you..” he says and meets your eyes once again. “So much.” (Ahh! Anakin flashback! Oh, sorry, back to the story.)

You swallow hard. You weren't exactly prepared for this. I mean, you were just having a teenage obsession over William Moseley, for heaven's sake.

Without warning, he scoops you up and onto the couch, this time leaning over you.

“But, I want you to know that if it meant being with you the rest of my life, I'd leave all of this in a heartbeat.”

His nearness and intensity make your heart beat faster. Without thinking, you whisper the first thing that pops into your mind.

“Jason.. sometimes I think you're too perfect..”

He smiles, then leans down and kisses you. You freak out at first.. you've never kissed anyone in your entire life.. you don't even know HOW to kiss. Kissing? What's that? Pssh, they do it in movies. But this isn't a movie. This is real. And cheese is just oozing from my brain right now. Ohh, sorry, anyway, yes, it's real! Just as the weird freaky awkwardness you're feeling is wearing off and you're actually enjoying the kiss (fancy that) there's a series of loud, rapid fire knocks on Jason's door. Jason steels one last glance into your eyes before making his way to the door. You're left sitting on the couch feeling even more confused and unsure than before.

“HOWDY!!” Chelsea bursts. “Is Anna here? She wasn't in the restaurant anymore, so we figured this was the best place to look. Hey.. nice biceps. I never noticed you were so... fit.” An eruption of laughter explodes at the door. You cover your face with a pillow as Chelsea, Caroline, and Erin stomp in and begin zooming around the room like airplanes. Dom shortly follows and pretends to shoot Chelsea down with a machine gun. “Gotcha.” he says and winks in her direction. As she falls to the floor in howling pain, Dom rushes over, now pretending to be an American Red Cross worker, and begins addressing her wounds.

“Here, let me.. examine.. you.” he kids.

“My lips hurt real bad.. maybe you could kiss them better?” Chelsea starts, but Caroline freaks out and covers her with a random sheet and declares, “No kissing necessary! She's.. she's gone. *sniffle* Gentlemen (and ladies), let us give 5 seconds to remind her by.. 5... 4... 3... 2...”

“I have come back.. to LIFE!!” Chelsea exclaims like the Egyptian lord dude from Night at the Museum 2, throwing the sheet off. Elijah 'hooray!''s as he walks in the door and Erin flits over to greet him. At this point you have tried to peer over the pillow and observe the madness, but have fallen back into the couch with embarrassment. The next thing you see is Jason hovering over you, lightly chuckling.

“You seriously think this is funny?” you ask, your cheeks a little red with embarrassment. I mean, hello, you just KISSED JASON and now your friends are acting like complete morons, which, granted, isn't abnormal, but still.. they kind of ruined the moment, I mean seriously.

“It's exciting, at least. Never a dull moment.” Jason replies and pulls you off the couch. “Who's up for indoor croquet?” he calls to the people zooming about the hotel room. Several, “Ooo pick me- pick me!!” and “Me me me me me me me me!!!”'s are heard and Jason takes your hand to lead you out the door. Then he looks at you with the spark in his eye that makes you have shivers of happiness and says, “To Neverland, my Wendy?” You practically swoon. “Only if I can have another thimble.” you reply cheesily. Jason grins widely before leading the parade out of his hotel room.

(Stop I Want Candy)

On the way to Ballroom C, where Dom suggested you play since he had previously rented that room for a pickle snorting competition which fell through since they only had bread and butter pickles in Jamaica and his sole competitor, Viggo Mortensen, refused to compete with anything but dill, you give Erin, Chelsea, and Caroline glances and signals that you needed to talk. NOW. They all, of course, quickly understand and upon arrival, Erin declares, “I need to go to the ladies room.” As we all know, that is code for indirectly calling a bathroom conference. You all murmur in agreement and hustle to the nearest bathroom.

“You used the THIMBLE LINE??” Chelsea exclaims as you finish up your explanation of the morning.

“Well.. yes..” You reply sheepishly.

“I think it's sooo romantical!” Caroline chimes.

“I thought we agreed the thimble line is frickin' CHEESY!” Chelsea continues.

“But it was so romantical!” Caroline argues.

“Guys, guys, stop it. Obviously she's confused, so stop bickering about whether it was cheesy or romantical.” Erin scolds.

“Personally I think it was sort of both.. actually..” You add.

“Wait wait wait. You thought something was romantic?” Caroline says, getting all serious.

“Maybe..” You hint.

“OH MY GOSH GUYS.. this is serious!” She exclaims, grabbing hold of the fluffy armrests of the chairs in the sitting area of the posh bathroom.

“Keep a level head, here, Caroline. I'm sure it's not as bad as it sounds. I mean can a silly teenage obsession and fluttering heart for William Moseley really effect your ardent adoration for the ever amazing Jason?” Erin consoles. Chelsea and Caroline both reply with a huge, “YES.”

“Stop it guys, you're not helping.” You say, looking to the side.

“Aww, don't let it get you down.” Caroline tries to comfort, patting your knee. “I mean, where would I be without your psychological help? I've had many problems like this before and you always were able to help me figure it out! Granted they were in like.. eighth grade about boys who later turned out to be creeps and not two dashingly handsome knights in shining armor, but still!! You are my personal psychiatrist- I'm sure you'll figure it out.”

You sigh in her direction. “Thanks Caroline.”

“Well, the obvious approach is to dump Jason and ride off into the sunset with Billy!” Chelsea informs.

“Wait, what??” You ask, giving her a double take. Erin snorts a laugh before getting serious again.

“I think you should be honest with Jason AND Will. Well, maybe not. That would be way too awkward. ... I think that you really love Jason, but because of silliness about Will in the past, seeing him now makes things kind of.. whimsical. And maybe you're tricking yourself into thinking you like him and you really don't. Or maybe you do like him some, but you don't love him like Jason. You haven't known him long enough. In fact.. you've only really had that one conversation with him. Ever.” she says.

You think about that thought for a moment. Maybe that's it. It makes sense, right? Will was intentionally trying to make you feel that way- to see if you would have chemistry on screen. That's all. And you responded, which is good since you'll probably be taking the part. So it was all natural, right? Wouldn't Jason want that response from you? I mean, he is the one who cast you both in those parts..

“I think I've got it figured out, thanks guys.” You smile. Erin's wisdom was quite needed. For being such a stupid head at times, she definitely could dish out the advice.

Meanwhile, in Ballroom C...

“I don't know, guys, something's wrong and she won't tell me what it is. It concerns me. I don't like seeing her upset.” Jason speaks to the other guys as he mounts some croquet hoops onto the floor.

“I find that if I just sit back and let the ladies fall on me a solution to the problem presents itself.” Dom advises. Elijah rolls his eyes.

“Obviously the only approach is to do background checks on her friends and family. You know what they say, eight out of ten attacks are from the circle of closets friends and family. Or is it from behind?” Elijah babbles. Just when Jason looks over to him in confusion, a voice speaks at the entrance of the room.

“Hello?”

“Oh hey, Skandar, come on in.” Jason welcomes.

“Hey.. I heard you guys were playing and I thought I'd join you. Is Cinderel- I mean Caroline- here yet?”

“Not yet, but I'm sure she'll be arriving soon. The ladies went to freshen up.” Jason says and smiles at Skandar's eagerness as he continues making the croquet course.

“Sweet. Is there anything I can help with?” Skandar asks.

“Sure.. take some of these hoops and connect that line over there to the ending. You can decide on how much crazy stuff you want to do. Dom's already spelled out, 'I love you Chelsea' over there. .. Not sure how easy that's going to be to play..”

“It's called the crazy hard Chelsea course of PASSION!!” he exclaims from across the ballroom. Jason and Skandar share an amused and slightly awkward glance.

“Don't you mean doom?” Elijah questions.

“Hey guys! We're back!” you strut proudly into the ballroom. You've figured things out.. or at least you're making yourself to believe that for now. Until you've had more time with Jason, there's no way to be completely sure. But you compensate for your insecurities by pretending like you have none. In fact you pretend quite the opposite. You walk over to Jason.

“Wow, the course looks great.” You smile. He stands up next to you, wiping his hands together.

“You think so?” he asks.

“Definitely.” You say and give him a flirty glance.

“Problems, eh?” Dom walks by and mumbles. Jason jabs him in the side with his elbow.

“Well, I think it's wonderful, despite what Dom says about it having problems.” You kid, then strut away from him and wink over your shoulder. Erin glances over and realized Jason's confused face as he looks at you.

“UhhhHHH- Anna! Wow, I have got a really bad hang nail.. could you come help me.. chop it off?” she says and adds a nervous laugh at the end. Elijah gasps and runs over to her, picks up her outstretched hand and starts studying it in concern.

“You probably shouldn't cut it off, I mean that could be potentially dangerous! You might chop off your nail, or your beautiful finger, or your hea-!”

“Elijah! Quit it! I don't actually have a hang nail!” Erin hisses and pushes him out of the way. Elijah's huge, blue eyes droop momentarily, but brighten in relief as you walk too eagerly over to Erin and give Elijah a glance of, “You are so weird and protective.. but I think it's hilarious. ”

“What?? Did I do something wrong? Is it too obvious?!” You frantically whisper to her.

“Well.. just a little. I think he can tell something is wrong because you're being so.. friendly.” Erin informs you.

“Oh.. okay. Hey, don't we need to.. uh.. Caroline? Are you okay?” You ask, concerned at her nails digging into her crossed arms as she surveys the premises with a sickened look.

“Uhhmm! Are you guys sure this is allowed? I mean.. we're kind of defacing public property..” Caroline asks, starting to get a little stressed out. Okay.. a lot stressed out.

You look over to the big blow-up obstacle course that Elijah is blowing up and taping croquet hoops to, then glance the other way to see Dom making duct tape creations on the floor and underbrush sculptures that vaguely resemble Chelsea. Skandar walks over and puts his arm around Caroline.

“Well..” Erin tries to comfort, “It's not really defacing public property.. I mean.. the hotel is privately owned..”

“Yeah!” You continue, “And it's not really defacing.. I mean we can clean it all up when we're done- it's not permanent.”

“But are you sure it's allowed?” Caroline says, slightly consoled, but still hesitant. Then Dom buts in.

“Probably not. But we're cotton-headed-ninnimuggins movie stars, so people don't really care.. Hey.. you know what I need to top this off? A necktie to tie around my forehead and some really ugly sunglasses.”

“Hey! I'll help you find an ugly tie! I think I saw one in the gift shop!” Chelsea exclaims.

All in an instant you are whisked away back out into the lobby area and once you find your footing and stop spinning around in circles with people whooshing by you in different directions, you just catch a glance of Dom and Chelsea running off toward the gift shop, then settle your gaze on Caroline and Skandar who are staring adoringly into each others eyes and being rather sappily romantic.

“Adorable, aren't they?” Erin says, walking up to you. You glance at her and share a smirk. Just when you're about to say something about Caroline Keynes and what a cool name it is and how it would look great embroidered on a stocking, Dom and Chelsea zoom by again. Never a dull moment.

“By the way,” Dom says over his shoulder, “Elijah's in there trying to keep an eye on Billy.. he might like some company.” He tries to wink, but gets yanked off by Chelsea.

“So I guess Billy decided to join us as well.” You say to Erin as Caroline walks up and Skandar goes into the coffee shop.

“I like croquet! It's a nice quiet game,” Caroline smiles, “and Skandar plays it.. but.. not very well..” A small giggle pops out of her heart.

“Somehow I don't think Billy plays it 'quietly'” you retort.

“I think it sounds like fun!” Erin exclaims, grabs Caroline's hand, and runs off whispering.

“Guys, Billy can get quite-” you start to say, but soon find yourself talking to air as Erin and Chelsea walk sedately back to the ballroom and wave as they pass through the huge mahogany doors. Oh my lanta.

Soon after, Jason walks up.

“Why hello. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find a most charming young lady with red hair, would you?” he says as if he doesn't know who you are or what awkwardness has been happening between you.

“Well, I don't know about the charming part, but, unless you've gone color blind within the last 10 minutes, you should know you don't need to be searching for that red head anymore.. you're looking at her.” you reply.

“And what a pretty sight she is.” he says and gives a small smile. Your cheesometer starts freaking out, but you can't help but nearly faint with his adorableness.

“Are you alone?” he asks, being a little silly.

“Well.. I wasn't, but I seem to have lost my entire party of fellow havoc reakers to other diversions." You answer.

"Really?"

"Yes. Ugly-tie hunting and croquet in the big ballroom of the hotel.. apparently." you reply, playing along. Jason looks quizzical but amused, and pretends to be oblivious.

"Well, that sounds... exciting. I'm going to assume some of the guys are involved in this. As nut- (oops) sweet as your friends are I doubt they'd be hunting for ugly ties of their own accord." He half grins.

"Um.. yeah, sure.. they'd never do something like that.." you cover for them stumblingly.

He smiles a little knowing smile and you give a shy laugh.

"Well, unless you promised them a Jamba Juice, maybe." You decided not to share the story of how the girls had actually gone in search of ugly ties last summer and tried to make a hammock of them... it didn't work out so well. But they worked great when the girls decided to tie them around their heads and wander the mall pretending like they didn't speak English. Yeah..

"Hey,” Jason rebuts, “You forget I work with Billy and Dom. I can't even talk about half their schemes in public places." You both laugh. What a relief! A fellow normal human who enjoyed sharing the strange but always exciting company of affectionate nut house escapees. You look thankfully into Jason's eyes and he stops laughing to grin and put one arm gently around you. "Despite whatever is bothering you, I want you to know I think you're- you're.. well, so amazing that you render me speechless,” he winks, “and I love you very much.”

You thankfully and affectionately sigh and lean into him. Things are becoming clearer.. but it still kind of feels like you've been playing a dark, rainy Nancy Drew computer game for 24 hours straight and have had only cookies to eat for meals- strange and disorienting.. but oddly enjoyable.

“Shall we go check on them?" Jason asks, breaking the moment.

You gave a half-exasperated grin. "I think we'd better, before the fire department shows up.” You laugh, relieved, but itching to get back with Caroline, Chelsea, and Erin.

"Brilliant brilliant brilliant I tell you! Genius I say!" A barely suppressed giggle of sheer delight.. and maybe a little evilness.. and a LOT of mischief.. come from a stand of potted plants across the lobby doors.

"Heeeey, good one!" Two sneaky-looking figures wearing extremely ugly ties around their foreheads give a quiet high five from their hiding place.

"Chelsea, you are an evil mastermind," Dom says with a look of loving awe.

"No, you're the one who thought of the croquet game! That was so fiendishly clever!" Chelsea says adoringly.

“Actually Jason did.. but that's not the point. I'm sure deep down within your evil heart you thought, 'Hey.. we should plan a game of croquet IN the resort and get all the other couple alone so they can make mischief!'”

They argue passionately about who is more evil for several more seconds before returning to giggling and gloating with happy delight as Anna and Jason talk and laugh for a few more minutes by the lobby doors.

"Oh look, they're going in the ballroom! Quick, let's go warn Erin and Elijah!" Chelsea whispers.

Dom grins mischievously. "Oh I dunno.. it might be fun to watch them too..."

Chelsea giggles "Aww, this is going to be so cute! And evil!"

Dom grins and suddenly kisses Chelsea. They both look kind of shocked for a minute.

"Er.. sorry.. I couldn't resist you.. you just looked so fiendish. and.. pretty." Oh lanta..

They just squat there for a minute, then suddenly burst out in giggles. "Oh my goodness.. we're falling victim to our own plan!" Chelsea giggles helplessly.

"Hey.. you don't think maybe Erin and Elijah and Billy were trying to get us alone together do you?" Chelsea and Dom's eyes grow wide and Chelsea gasps.” Little double agents! And they look so innocent too - I never suspected!" Chelsea says, wondering at the evilness of it all.

“If they did.." Dom looks threatening.. ".. we should buy them all ice cream later!" Dom and Chelsea laugh and dash down the hall for a side door, ugly ties streaming behind them..

A few minutes later you are all back in the ballroom preparing to start your game. Billy, whose version you've never heard before, is explaining the rules while Elijah tries to illustrate beside him by hopping around hoops like a beaver and balancing a mango on his mallet, etc. Billy swears it's how you play “European Croquet.” You glance over to Caroline and Erin and exchange looks of worry and amusement when all of the sudden Dom and Chelsea burst in the room from the other side and start yelling like barbarians who are taking over the world. Dom clambers up the side of the blow up obstacle course and exclaims, “I take this territory for the land of Chel-see-a!” and Chelsea starts bellowing “Anthem” from Chess (you should go look it up.. the Josh Groban one. Beautiful song! But.. probably not when Chelsea sings it in this setting. Hahahha..) from her perch in the stacks of chairs that have been made into a tunnel by Billy. You stand with a blank look on your face for a minute, shocked, then have an epic *facepalm* moment.

The game proves to be interesting since Billy insists on enforcing his rules.

"Elijah! How maneh times! Ya can't go through 'ta second wicket til yee've declared an imaginary holiday from the eighth wicket. While hopping on one foot! HOP! What are ya doing? Ya said you KNEW how to play croquet!" he says.

Erin looks confused as she leans on her mallet and ponders. "I don't remember croquet being this complicated!” she thinks aloud.

Elijah nearly falls over as he hops on his shoelace. "Wow, European croquet is so involved. Are you sure you remember the rules correctly?"

"Of course I do." Billy smiles charmingly. "Declare your holiday."

Elijah hops thoughtfully. "Um.. I declare this to be.. Furry Green Hat Day." He grins shyly at Erin.

"That's the best holiday ever!" Erin laughs delightedly and gives Elijah a shy smile.

Billy looks upward in exasperation. "Lij!!"

Elijah turns around in surprise. What?"

Billy looks patient. "You just declared an unpolitically correct holiday, completely forgetting to make amends for color-blind people. Also people who have had their fingers cut off in tragic accidents. Not to mention headless horsemen!"

Elijah grins half sheepish, half mischievous. "Sorry Billy, we're Americans. Always being insensitive ya know.."

Erin, who has been heavily leaning on her mallet while laughing hysterically falls over into the fake Astroturf grass that the guys have outfitted parts of the ballroom with.

Elijah rushes over to make sure she is okay while Caroline looks skeptically at Billy.

"Billy, I've looked up the rules to croquet, and I'm pretty sure there isn't a European one.." she says. "In fact.. this seems suspiciously like Calvinball."

“Elijah, you can't waltz around the northeast corner of the room, you have to go southwest and sing a nursery rhyme backwards. No, not like that- backwards!” Billy says, mischievously ignoring Caroline.

“Snow as white fleece lamb.. no no no.. Mary had a little lamb.. lamb little Mary..” Elijah mumbles and counts out, “1-2-3, 1-2-3.”

“It's obviously 'Snow as white was fleece whose lamb little a had Mary.' .. BAHAHA!! 'Lamb Little had a MARY! I bet Mr. Lamb Little married Hitler. Oh wait.. Mrs. Lamb Little. I mean I mean!! Ms. Lamb Little!!” Chelsea babbles.

Dom gazes at her adoringly. “You're so.. smart. And.. sinister..”

Caroline looks at you. “This sounds an awful lot like that joke they played on Elijah.. you know, that Tig game with all the silly rules?”

You laugh, “Oh, you mean when they-”

“Did you know that comets originate from a distant region called the Oort Cloud, which is a large halo surrounding our solar system? The distance between Pluto and the Oort Cloud is 2 light years, give or take a few light days.” Elijah begins, trying to change the subject.

“Whoa.. I had no idea.” Erin replies, slightly shocked at Elijah's knowledge of random solar facts, but amused and overwhelmed by his cuteness.

“Albuquerque. See? I can do it too. Snorkel.” You quote absentmindedly. Jason leans over and whispers in your ear, “Movie Quote Girl.” You smile with a laugh, but when you see Dom and Chelsea giggling madly and pointing at you while whispering to each other, you get a serious look on your face.

“Kiss me.”

“.. what?!” Jason asks, shocked.

“Just do it. Kiss me!” You answer, glancing at Dom and Chelsea, then at Caroline, who is now watching as well over her cup of coffee that Skandar has returned with.

“Well.. alright..” Jason says, slightly confused.

Jason leans down and kisses you in the most gentle, sweet, delicate way, and for a moment you forget about your evil little scheme. But Caroline's gasp brings you back and you look over just in time to see her drop her coffee and watch Chelsea and Dom's jaws drop with surprise. Skandar, slightly oblivious to the whole thing, gasps not at your shocking act, but at the spilled coffee, and runs off to get napkins. Erin begins to laugh as she notices Caroline nearly shaking with romance, adoration, and fright. Elijah gets an inspired look and turns to Erin, who indiscreetly mumbles something along the lines of, “My.. did you see that sky today? Talk about blue. Or.. gray.. rather. Hey look! My mallet kind of looks like a sausage!” Chelsea and Dom high five and start laughing madly.

“I TOLD you it would work.” Chelsea blurts.

“I never doubted you for a second, dearest!” Dom giggles.

“You're so evil.”

“No you are!”

“No really, you are like, king of all things evil.”

“Well if I'm the king, you are my princess.” Dom proudly states, then realizes what he said. “Uhr- I mean queen!”

You shake your head at their antics and laugh. “Sorry, I just couldn't resist you. I mean! That is totally not what I mean to say- haha! Silly me, sorry, I was just, um, well what I meant to say was that, haha.. wow.. can't believe I just said that. So what I was trying to say originally before I totally messed up and went all fan girl on you- well not really, I mean not fan girl, but you know, I was kind of.. oh my..*facepalm*”

“You couldn't resist seeing their reactions.” Jason chuckles.

“Precisely.” you sigh and smile at him.

An hour later you decide the game just needs to be called finished as you watch Elijah dangle from the great chandelier and try to throw his mallet into the koi pond on the other side of the ball room. While Chelsea giggles madly on the floor, Caroline hides her face in Skandar's chest, and Erin runs to find a trampoline to place under Elijah's precarious perch, Jason asks you if you'd be willing to go to lunch with he and Will the next day. Despite the sinking feeling in your stomach, you squeeze out a, “Yes, sure, that would be absolutely.. wonderful..”

“Great!” he responds. “We thought it would be good for you all to spend a bit of time together. Also he and I need to work out some logistics and I just want an excuse for you to be with me.”

You remind yourself of your previous conviction and find your heart footing long enough to round the girls up and agree to meet the boys for dinner.