Jennifer drops off Chloe

Jennifer's hand felt nice and comforting around Chloe's as they walked through the brush. She was holding on with just the right balance of firmness and tenderness, which Chloe surmised must make her a really really kind person, and the way she navigated the forest was almost beautiful to behold. Following behind her, Chloe felt almost as if the wild brush that surrounded them was clearing out of Jennifer's way.

"You don't get on with Kurt and the others then?" Jennifer asked suddenly.

Chloe looked alarmed at the question, shaking her head empathically. "It's not that."

"What is it then?" Jennifer replied kindly. "If you don't mind my asking."

Chloe sighed. "I just... It felt like I was third wheeling, or fifth wheeling. Nobody was really talking to me, and then all that shouting started and I just..."

Jennifer squeezed her hand. "I understand. It's tough in that situation. Do you know any of them very well?"

"Not really." Chloe shook her head. "I'm only really here because of Zack and Gavin."

"Didn't you want to go with them?"

"I guess I did, but I told them I was fine. I thought I'd be sort of out of place there as well. And I wasn't invited."

"I'm sure you would have been welcome." Jennifer smiled gently at her.

"I guess." Chloe felt so at ease with the older blonde. She'd never talked so candidly before with anyone outside of her family other than Zack and Gavin.

"To be honest, there's also..." she continued unasked. "Can you keep a secret?"

The beautiful ranger nodded. "Of course."

"Zack kind of has a... crush... on Victoria. But she seemed to be getting on really well with Kurt. She kissed his cheek, and it made me feel terrible all of a sudden, and I guess that's what made me run off. I wanted to comfort Zack." Chloe smiled bashfully. "But of course he was all the way across that water and I guess I didn't think about that. And even then I guess he..." The image she'd seen through the binoculars filled her brain. "I guess he isn't so bothered anymore."

The same image made Jennifer blush as she nodded knowingly. "Maybe not. That's very sweet of you though Chloe. He's lucky to have a friend who cares so much about him. And knowing how he was growing up I'm sure he cares about you too. He was always a very sweet little boy."

"You knew him growing up?" Chloe gasped in surprise.

"Didn't you know?" Jennifer laughed. "I babysat him. And I promise you, there were some days where it felt like all he'd talk about was his little friend Chloe."

A rush of warm feeling filled Chloe as she smiled back at Jennifer then for the first time, a lovely smile that lit up her whole face. Jennifer smiled back, relieved that she seemed to have cheered up, not realising that behind that warm smile was a feeling Chloe couldn't shake; that after what she'd just seen she wanted something more from her friend. Her cunt was dripping as the image of Heather sandwiched between her two best friends played over and over again in her brain.

Shawn greeted them at the front door, leaning nonchalantly on its frame as they approached. Jennifer hated the little worm, and the sight of him acting so casually whilst looking after a distraught girl made her even angrier.

"Where's Ashley?" she shouted at him as they approached.

"She's taking a nap," he replied casually. "Her sister's on her way."

"Alright," Jennifer nodded. She supposed his attitude could be forgiven if his charge was asleep. "Look after Chloe for a minute too."

"Fine by me." Shawn smiled at Chloe, who hid behind her hair. "Where are you going?"

"Some of these crazy teens got trapped on one of the islands after this morning's weather," Jennifer told him, eliciting a surprised chuckle which she cut off with a wintry stare. "I'm taking a boat to rescue them."

"Okay. Hannah will probably get here before you get back, so I'll deal with her."

"Fine," Jennifer nodded, turning to Chloe. "You okay with this Chlo?" Chloe nodded, but didn't want the kind ranger to leave at all.

Jennifer smiled warmly at her. "Alright, I'll bring your friends back for you." She squeezed her hand gently one last time before turning towards the boathouse. "I'll be back soon Shawn."

Her tone was vaguely menacing, but he bowed his head contritely and beckoned the rapidly flushing Chloe into the cabin.