A/N: Well here it is the final chapter...
I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that has read and reviewed FJLC!! =D Each review helped boost my confidence and made sure that I would update. A huge shout out to Awesome-ness XD. Who just yesterday went through and read and reviewed all of the chapters she hadn't read yet... Thank you so much!!
Once again I hope everyone is in character. Please R&R =D. Oh and make sure to check out my new TDI story It's One Hell of a Ride. Thanks!!
Disclaimer: Same as previous.
"Trust me Princess. It'll be a night you will never forget."
The two continued down the path into the forest. Moonlight shone through the leaves of the trees, making the forest calm and beautiful. Courtney held tightly to Duncan for three main reasons. The first was that her ankle was still not fully recovered and she wanted to compete in the challenge the next day. The second was that she didn't want to get lost out here on her own. And the third…
She just wanted to be close to him.
Courtney looked around in awe. Everything looked so beautiful, and Duncan looked so handsome. Every so often the moonlight would reflect off of one of his many piercings making him look even more desirable. They continued walking until they passed a rather misshapen rock. Duncan made Courtney stop and held out a white sash. She looked at him, confusion evident in her features. Duncan chuckled at her expression.
"Put it on."
"Huh?"
Duncan sighed and held out the sash again. "Put it on."
Courtney's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "But I already have one."
Now it was Duncan's turn to be confused. His confusion disappeared when Courtney gestured to the gold sash adorning her waist. He sighed before finally explaining what he had meant.
"Put it on like a blind fold. I don't want you to see the surprise until we get there."
"Oh," Courtney reached for the blindfold and adjusted it so her eyes were covered. "Why didn't you just say that in the first place?"
Duncan rolled his eyes at that predictable statement, glad that Courtney couldn't see. He then gently took her hand and led her a few steps. He noticed her stumble so he walked by her side, his arm wrapped securely around her waist. They continued on for another minute or so before Duncan realised that Courtney was shaking. He couldn't tell if it due to the cold, or the fear of tripping, so he did what any dedicated boyfriend in the same situation would do.
He scooped her up quickly into his arms and continued on his way.
"Duncan!"
He smirked, relishing in her squeal, before deciding to answer her.
"Yes Princess?"
"What are you doing?"
Duncan chuckled at the excited quiver in her voice before replying.
"Well… I'm carrying you towards your surprise."
He watched as Courtney's nose scrunched up. "But I don't like surprises."
"Too bad Princess. You'll just have to wait."
Courtney sighed. He turned to look at her and saw a knowing smirk on her face.
Oh crap…
"Please Duncan." She cooed, her bottom lip trembling slightly. "Won't you tell me? Please?"
Duncan shook his head and suppressed a groan. She knew exactly how to turn him on, and she knew it. He took a sharp intake of breath as her fingers danced daintily on the back of his neck.
Damn… I'm gonna blow it soon. She can't even see and she is still able to… God that feels good… I love that woman… Gotta say something to cover my sur… God yeah.
Duncan stopped walking, but still kept his hold on Courtney. Courtney stopped her actions on Duncan and cocked her head slightly.
"Are you going to tell me now?" She cooed.
Duncan smirked and whispered huskily into her ear.
"Of course Princess. I brought you out here where there are no cameras. I blindfolded you so you would be confused and unable to get back to camp. And now… I'm going to have my way with you…"
Courtney shrieked and jumped in Duncan's arms. He put her down as he continued to laugh. He laughter doubled as he watched Courtney tear off the blindfold, fixing him with a deadly glare. She stormed up to him and got up into his face.
"Duncan! That was so NOT funny!"
Duncan couldn't even respond and ended up doubling over with laughter.
Courtney scowled at him once more before turning on her heel and walking away from him.
After walking for a couple of minutes she realised that she had no idea where she was going. But her desire to put distance between her and the Neanderthal made her continue walking. Courtney was so caught up in being annoyed with Duncan that she forgot to notice if he was following her. When she turned around and saw he wasn't she began to panic.
Oh dear… What am I going to do?? I have no idea where I am or how to get back to camp. I should have just stayed with Duncan… Maybe if I turn around I can get… What's that??
Courtney stopped walking when she heard gentle music. She realised she had two choices.
1. Follow it and get closer to camp or at least a way out of the woods.
2. Turn around and walk back the way she came, in a desperate hope that she can find her way back to camp.
Courtney decided to follow the music and see where it led her.
As she headed towards the sweet melody she noticed that the trees started thinning. As she progressed she noticed there was a soft golden glow of light, but it wasn't from the moon. She continued until she saw the clearing. But what she wasn't expecting was how it was changed.
Small candles were placed on some rocks and in the hollows of trees, bathing the clearing in a soft glow. In the middle of the clearing sat a table with a pristine white tablecloth and two matching chairs. On the table sat a candle and two covered dishes, which Courtney guessed were food. Her eyes fell to the log where a gramophone was playing music. She smiled and swayed gently in time to the music. She walked up to the table and saw a small wooden skull she turned it in her hands and read the engraving on the back.
D+C= Forever
Courtney ran her fingers over the engraving as a small tear slid down her face. She gasped slightly as a pair of arms encircled her waist, and a head rested on her shoulder.
"Do you like it Princess?"
Courtney placed the skull down and turned around so she was facing Duncan. She looked him in the eyes before burying her face in his chest and bursting into tears. Duncan's eyes widened in shock, before he held onto Courtney tighter. He bent his head down to her ear and began whispering comforts to her. As her crying subsided Duncan gently held her face in his hands. He kissed her forehead before soothingly rubbing her cheek.
"What's wrong Princess?"
When he got only a sniffle in response he continued.
"Is it too much? Don't you like it? Because I mean if you don't I could…"
Courtney gently placed a finger over Duncan's mouth to end his ramblings.
"I do love it Duncan." She murmured. "It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me… I just don't know what I did…" She trailed off and started crying again.
"Did what? Did what Courtney?" Duncan became panicked as her sobbing continued. "Did someone do something to you? Courtney??"
He gently held up her face to his. "Ok. Whose ass am I kicking?"
Duncan wasn't expecting her to burst out laughing.
He stood there with a stupefied expression as she continued to laugh. When she calmed down she began to talk.
"I don't know what I did to get you." Duncan was about to interrupt when Courtney stopped him.
"Just let me finish." Duncan nodded and she continued.
"I mean. I was horrible to you from the start, and I have tantrums and I yell and snap at you. And you do this for me." She trailed off waving her arm at the table.
Duncan gently grabbed Courtney's extended hand and held it within his own. He used his other hand to make Courtney look him in the eyes.
"Do you want to know why I do this? Do you want to know why I do nice things for you?"
Courtney slowly nodded her head, allowing Duncan to continue.
"It's because I love you."
He smiled at her and gently kissed her lips. When they broke apart Duncan continued.
"Now I know you have a temper, and snap at me… but you say that as if I don't. I may not have tantrums, but I have a temper, which for some reason only you can control Princess. We calm each other down. You help me behave, and I help you loosen up… We balance each other out."
He smiled and kissed Courtney's forehead.
"And as for what you did to get me…"
He stroked Courtney's cheek making her blush.
He bent his head to her ear. "You were yourself."
He leant back and relished in Courtney's smile, before she grabbed his face and brought him down for a kiss. When they broke Duncan took her hand and led her to the table. He pulled out her chair for her like a perfect gentleman, which caused a faint blush to stain Courtney's cheeks. He then sat himself across from her in the other chair. He lifted the lid off the food and Courtney followed suit. She gasped when she saw what Duncan had managed to get...
A big burger complete with a pile of chips, along with cola to wash it all down.
Courtney looked at the meal and burst out laughing. "How did you know??"
He smirked at her before beginning to eat. "After Chef's crappy food, what else would you want to eat?"
Courtney smirked, her eyes full of mischief. "Oh I don't know… caviar, smoked salmon… the finer things in li… uh!"
So busy being a smart alec, Courtney didn't notice Duncan leave his seat and grab a handful of chips before it was too late. He put the chips in Courtney's mouth, giving her no option but to eat them. Courtney then picked up a handful of food and shoved it in Duncan's mouth. The two of them continued to feed each other, until all the food on the plates was gone.
Duncan then straightened up and offered Courtney his hand. She gracefully took it and he led her closer to the gramophone. He then placed his hands on her waist, as her arms looped around his neck. The two began to gently sway in time to the romantic music.
"How did you manage all of this?"
Duncan smiled at Courtney's expression, before kissing her temple.
"That's for me to know, and you to keep guessing."
Courtney shook her head. "You won't tell me even if I get it right… will you?"
Duncan smirked before shaking his head. "You know me too well babe."
"Hmm."
Courtney rested her head on Duncan's shoulder and closed her eyes. She breathed deeply, trying to imprint his scent. He smelled like the forest after the rain. It was wonderful. She sighed happily and snuggled further into his arms prompting Duncan to hold her tighter.
"This is perfect." Courtney murmured.
"Do you know what would make it even better?"
Courtney looked up at Duncan, cocking her head to the side in confusion.
He stopped swaying with her and dug into his pants pocket. He pulled out a picture and showed it to Courtney. When she saw it she collapsed into a fit of giggles.
For the picture was of Heather.
But not a happy Heather.
Rather a very, UN-happy Heather.
She was covered from head to toe in seaweed. It was like a thick slimy extra layer of skin. Her face was panicked, and looked as if she would start hyperventilating at any moment. She was next to her bunk, which was also covered in seaweed. All in all it did not look good for Heather.
When Courtney's laughter finally died down, she was able to ask Duncan.
"Well not that that wasn't incredibly enjoyable. But why did you show me that?"
Duncan kissed her before explaining what he had heard from the others. When he was done he was surprise to find that Courtney was not seething with anger. In fact, she looked rather calm about it all. When Duncan asked her about it she smiled and kissed him. When they broke apart she gently ran her fingers through his hair.
"I'm not mad, because the guys got her back better than I ever could've." She giggled before turning serious. "And besides we learnt right?"
Duncan looked confused.
"We learnt that we have to trust each other."
Duncan nodded and kissed her. Once they broke apart Duncan rested his forehead against his love's.
"I love you Courtney. I always will."
Courtney kissed him quickly.
"I love you too Duncan. No matter what happens. I will always love you."
"Always." Duncan echoed.
He then took her hand and began dancing with her again. The two lost in their own little world where only they mattered. And no matter what was coming up ahead. Be it that one of them got eliminated, or they lived on opposite sides of the country. Their love would remain strong.
Always.