"Grass Stains"
by Catherine Boone and the NatPack

Time: After everything else we've written.  Thbbt.

"Umm, guys?"  Generally sleepy groans and mutters were thrown in Amy's
direction, along with a feeble pillow or two.  "I think the sun's out
again."  Multiple eyes popped open simultaneously, and everyone reached
for their glasses.  There was a brief confusion as people tried to figure
out whose glasses they'd just picked up and where their own were, which
fell quickly into group Glasses-Trading. 

"Ooh!"
"Wow."
"Betsy, I had no *idea* you were so blind."
"Hey Amy, come over here and see this!"
"Pretty blobs of color swirling..."

What can I say?  We're high on life.

Amy refused to be sucked in, even by Glasses-Trading.  Instead, she
grabbed Bast's arm.  "Tina, come see this! The sun rose!" Tina pulled
Maureen's glasses off, blinked carefully once or twice, then put her own
back on. 

"Hey, what do you know.  It did."

Jill had also managed to find her own glasses, and peered out the window
speculatively.  "I think I liked it better dark." 

Perri agreed with a humph.  "Sun evil bad."

"Still, I think we should go out."  Boo endured the withering pout Perri
inflicted. 

"Sun evil *bad*!"

There was only one response, really.  "Beach trip."

Lynn's eyes lighted up.  "Beeeaach trip."

"Swimming."
"Splashing."
"Lounging."
"Guys in speedos."
"Picnic."
"Food."
"Grocery store!"
"NOW!"

A massive rush for the door, halted by a single imperious command: 
"STOP!" 

Jill was standing on the couch by the window with her hands on her hips,
looking much the way she might if Katie had had an accident on a prominent
bit of carpet.  She pointed at the open suitcases scattered across the
floor.  "Clothes." 

They looked at each other, then down at themselves.  Nightshirts abounded,
with the occaisional silk sleepwear.  There was even a bunny slipper or
two. 

"Clothes," it was agreed.

***

Running into Natalie at the grocery store was completely unexpected.  They
just rounded a corner, and there she was, stocking up on peanut butter. 

Linda went for the light, innocent approach.  "Hi, Nat."  Sure, the sun
had come up, but who knew if the pan-dimensional thingie-bopper was
actually stitched up right?  This ain't no tonsillectomy, y'know. 

"Hi, guys."  She appeared happy to see them, and was carrying no obvious
weapons.  More importantly, she appeared sane.  Three very good signs. 
Nat stood on tiptoe to try and see everyone in the crowded aisle, and
Valerie waved from the back, behind Jennie's right shoulder.  "Wow.  Looks
like the gang's all here." 

Lynn decided to bite the bullet first.  She leaned in close, resting a
hand on Nat's arm.  "Nat, are you okay?"  At Nat's confused look, she
added, "You're not wierd or anything, are you?" 

At that, a distinctly glazed look came to Natalie's eyes.  She leaned in
even closer, until the two of them were practically nose-to-nose.  Looking
odd and slightly maniacal, she said quite distinctly, "Boo." 

"What?" came the response, from behind Jennie's other shoulder.

Natalie's face crinkled into a big smile.  Lynn grinned.  "Yep, that's her
all right."  The thingie-bopper was stitched tight after all. 

Thank goodness.

"C'mon, Nat.  We're going to the beach after we load up on goodies."

She looked down at herself, still in her work scrubs.  "I don't have
anything to sunbathe in." 

"Who said anything about sunbathing?" Judy frowned thoughtfully.

Jill nodded.  "Sunbathing is strictly a spectator sport.  Don't worry, I
think we have an extra straw hat in the car somewhere." 

"Well, in that case, I think I know the perfect place."  She smiled.

If there was any ensuing bounciness, it has been omitted for the safety
and well-being of the reader.  Okay, so there was a little..  y'know.  Not
a lot.  Just a little.  Okay, maybe a lot.  It's not like there's a law
against it or anything, sheesh.  Prude. 

***

You had to admit, Kew Gardens was pretty darn gorgeous.  Lots of trees and
grassy areas which eventually opened out into a stretch of sand and water. 
After Boo's obligatory dive into the water, which sent her screeching back
to shore and into the comfort of a nice WARM dry WARM towel, they opted to
stick to the warm grass to eat, taking only occaisional sightseeing
expeditions along the sand.  Maureen and Betsy, in particular, set out to
claim a man in the name of Spain, and hadn't come back yet.  They were
left some food, but no ice cream. 

Kim finally asked, "So Nat, where have you been this whole war?  You
missed out on some choice people-watching."  Natalie laughed. 

"Are you kidding?  I took one look at that penguin LaCroix and decided
running for cover was my only safe option."  Her eyebrow rose as she fixed
Kim with a frank look.  "I mean, really.  Wouldn't you?" 

It didn't take a lot of hard thought.  Kim nodded understandingly.

"How long do you guys think you might stay?  I didn't get to see much of
you this time." 

Boo sighed.  "I wish I could stay, I really do.  But I have to catch a
ride to my train.  I have to skedaddle if I want to catch it before it
finishes its run." 

But more or less everyone else agreed to stay, for at least a couple days. 
Long enough to find the end of this beach and its distractions, that was
for sure.  Not to mention finding Mo and Betsy. 

But all that could wait, for now.  The NatPack chatted and laughed,
wearing their long sleeves and big straw hats in the sun, and no one paid
them any mind at all. 

Except Dianne, who was probably fuming.  But that was to be expected,
don't you think? 

END.