Show of Shows

By Northstar

Part One

"Did you hear?" Kit asked Sherry as she ran into the room. Kit was so excited she could barely contain herself.

"Calm down Kit." Sherry urged her friend. "Did I hear what?"

"Oh gosh, you haven't heard then. I can't believe it. We get to go back."

Sherry took Kit by the shoulders and gently pushed her back and down on the chair. "Sit. Take a deep breath. Good. Now tell me what has gotten you so excited and where is it that we are going back to?"

Kit took another breath that calmed her down enough so that she could speak a little more coherently. "We are going back to Pinehaven." There, she got it out. She was so excited about this as she had such a marvelous time there at Christmas.

"Pinehaven? Why?" Sherry asked. She could use some down time. She had been busy non-stop for the last few weeks and some rest would certainly be a welcome respite.

"Well, looks like there are going to be some renovations and rebuilding done here which means that we all will be having some major downtime in a few weeks. When North was informed about it she phoned Scott and Kristen and got us invited up for a week. Isn't that wonderful?' Kit gushed. "I can't wait to see what the place looks like in the spring."

"Well I can certainly tell that you think it is and yeah... so do I." Sherry agreed as she smiled at Kit. "With everything that has happened around here lately we could all use a break. I guess that means we had better get caught up with our paper work so we can go without any worries or work left undone."

Kit laughed at that. She knew a subtle hint when she heard one. She got up off the chair and made her way to the door. "Okay, I'll leave you to get on with your work. Besides, I want to spread the news to the others. I'll catch you later."

"Okay Kit. Oh if you see North in your travels tell her I'll have that report to her in about an hour." Giving Kit a hug she gently pushed her out the door and closed it. Heading over to her kitchen area she put the kettle on for tea as she thought about the well-deserved holiday they were all going to get.

***

The news traveled quickly to all the girls and before long they were all gathered together in the common room as if drawn there by a magnet. Kit, Sherry, Sly, Rita, Cindy, Trace, Aly, Nabiki, Avillion, Kathy, Andrea, Deiket, Curlly, Stacey, Nikita Fire and Brenna were all talking excitedly as North walked in pushing a tray of goodies and drinks. She had just gotten off the phone after an hour of talking with Kristen and the two of them had come up with a plan for the week they would be at the lodge. They were hoping to get the same guests as at Christmas. Kristen said that she and Scott would do their best to get the LFN cast to be their guests and with any luck they would be successful.

Once the girls got their refreshments they settled back down and waited for North to speak. "Okay girls, I know you have heard that we will be going on a little vacation in a few weeks and I thought I would fill you in on some of the details." North began. "Some of you were lucky enough to go during the holidays but we do have a few new girls that will be joining us this time."

Deiket, one of the new girls she had just been speaking about spoke up, "North, exactly what is Pinehaven?"

"I'm glad you asked Deiket. Pinehaven is a lodge that my good friends Scott and Kristen own and on occasion we have been lucky enough to visit with them and enjoy the amenities they have to offer." North explained to the new girls. "The last time we went was at Christmas after they had done some major renovations and we stayed for the New Years party they had. In the winter they have skiing, skating, oh… just about any winter sport you can imagine and they have all kinds of summer sports there as well. We are lucky in that we will be able to go just before their busy season starts."

"North," interrupted Curlly, "Will there be any 'special' guests there this time too?" she asked.

"Well Kristen said she would see what she could do but she couldn't promise anything. "It will all depend on if they have a hiatus scheduled or not."

"Special guests? What kind of special guests?" Brenna piped in.

North chuckled. Obviously the others hadn't thought to mention who they had seen and had been lucky to mingle with the last time they had visited. "Well Brenna, last time, well actually all the times I have been there, we have been lucky to rub shoulders with the actors from the show La Femme Nikita. It's sort of their 'getaway' spot and they have also filmed parts of some episodes there as well. I can remember my first time there we were lucky enough to be snowbound for a few days with them. We had a lot of fun and I am sure that if they come again this time it will be no different."

Sighs could be heard throughout the room as some of the others remembered their time there as well. Trace and Aly just looked at each other as they too remembered this past New Years eve and the dance and all the fancy dresses and the surprise of seeing the stars. "So Northy," Trace said, "anything else special planned this time? Another party? Lot's of food?" The girls all laughed as she asked this. "What? So I like food. Big deal." She looked around at the rest of them. "Like no one else here does?"

"I have to agree Trace. They did put up a wonderful spread the last time didn't they?" North smiled as she remembered. "I am sure there will be much of the same this time. I think I just lost all the weight I put on from the last visit." She noticed some of the others nodding their heads in agreement. "Now as to anything special that might be planned? Well you could say that. Yeah, definitely something planned, but you will have to wait to find out what it is until I can get the details worked out." North chuckled as she thought of the plan she and Kristen had cooked up. The girls would have a lot of fun. "I'll get a memo out to you in the next day or two so be on the lookout for it. In the meantime… let's get all our work done around here so that we can go away with a clean slate."

North turned to leave the room but before she exited she turned back, "Oh girls, don't be up too late tonight. We do have a few busy days ahead of us. Andrea and Nabiki, I would like to see you in my room for a few minutes now to go over a few things if you wouldn't mind."

Andrea looked at Nabiki and back at North. "Sure thing North. We'll be right there."

***

North headed to her room and quickly went over to her shelving unit. Finding the items that she wanted she picked them up and waited for the two girls to join her.

"Okay North, what's up?" Nabiki asked as soon as she walked through the door. "I know you have something up your sleeve from that look you had on your face when you left."

"Me? Have something up my sleeve? Why whatever do you mean Nab?" she laughed at her friend.

Andrea shook her head, "Yeah like we really believe you North. Come on… out with it."

North started to giggle as she handed the girls the items she had chosen and filled them in on the plan that she and Kristen had come up with. "Now we really have to hope that the cast will be there to make this totally complete. But other than that… what do you girls think of this plan?"

"So we get to pick the ones we like best?" Nab wanted to get things clear. "And we also get to pick who does what?"

"Yes and from there we will search out the best in the other category to go along with them."

"This is going to be hilarious," Andrea laughed. "I already have some in mind and I know the perfect accompaniment to go along with them."

"Now remember girls, we can't let this information get out. At least not until we absolutely have to."

"We know that North. You can trust us."

"Yeah I know. We'll meet back here tomorrow morning and compare notes and then set up the agenda, or at least as much as we can, and let the girls know." North stood up and walked the girls to the door. "See you in the morning."

Part Two

The next morning the others were all curious when they noticed North, Andrea and Nabiki closeted up in North's office. Trace grabbed Aly and Sherry as they walked by, "You guys have any idea what is going on with them?"

Sherry shook her head, "Nope. No idea at all except that something tells me that whatever it is... I'm not so sure I am going to like it."

"Yeah, especially with that stupid grin on their faces," Aly commented watching the three of them in the office. "I wonder when we will find out what it is that they are all planning."

Just then Ayrelia one of the newest girls came up to them, "Is one of you either Trace or Sherry?"

"I'm Sherry and this is Trace and this over here is Aly." Sherry introduced them. "You must be Ayrelia our latest recruit."

"Yup, that's me. I was sent to find you guys and give you a message." Ayrelia grinned. "I guess that is what comes from being a newbie huh?"

"Don't worry that won't last too long." Aly smiled. "You'll be one of us in no time at all Ayrelia."

"Glad to hear that Aly." Ayrelia responded. "Now before I forget I had better give you the message I was sent here to give you. We are all to be in common room at 11 so that we can be debriefed on what will be happening when we go to Pinehaven. But before then North wanted to see Sherry and Trace in her office."

Trace looked to Sherry then back to Ayrelia, "Okay I guess when the head honcho speaks we listen." They all laughed as Trace finished speaking. "I just hope she clues us in on what is going on. Otherwise it is going to be a long few weeks until we get to leave for the lodge."

Rita and Cindy rushed over to the girls when they saw the group of them standing there and laughing. "Okay, what's up? What are you girls laughing at that's so funny? Does anyone know what North and the others are up to?"

"Whoa… slow down Rita. Sheesh, you'll blow a gasket if you keep that up my dear," Sherry put a calming hand on her shoulder. "We were just laughing at the fact that Trace called North the Head Honcho. As to what she and the others are up to… we still don't have any idea."

"So then you don't know what this meeting at 11 is about either then?" Cindy wanted to know. "I sure as hell hope they clue us in as to what is happening. All this secrecy stuff and giggling that has been going on since last night is going to drive me round the bend."

Aly nodded her head as did the others, "I know that feeling too Cindy but North does things in her own way. Always has and always will. But she always does things with our best interests at heart." Glancing at her watch she realized how late it was getting. "Hey guys, if you want to get North before the meeting then you had better get a move on. It's almost time for the main event."

***

A short while later the whole gang was waiting as North, Nabiki and Andrea walked into the room. North waited as Nab and Andrea took a seat in the front row before she began. "Nice to see you could all make it!"

"Yeah as if we wouldn't be here."

"Did we have a choice?"

"Choice? Nope, we certainly didn't. I sure wish she would get this show on the road."

Waiting until the grumbling died down North began. "Well first off, we leave here in 2 weeks. Secondly, you will each be handed a personal memo in a few minutes once this meeting is done. I know you have all been curious as to what the three of us have been doing." She glanced down to her co-conspirators. "I will say that the 'special event' we will be having will be a talent show."

"A What???" could be heard coming from the back of the room. North glanced up and to the back and realized who had made that comment.

"Yes Trace? Did you have something to say or comment on?"

"Yeah. I did. I don't do talent shows. I don't have any talents… well none that I am willing to share with all of you anyway." She grumbled.

"Oh? Well I don't think that will be a problem. In fact, none of you will have to pick what you will be doing. We've done that for you." North along with her cohorts grinned evilly as the others absorbed the news. "You will find all the information you need in the packets that will be handed out shortly. If there are any problems… well too bad." North chuckled. "Live with it. Just remember this is all in fun and I am looking forward to seeing you all perform at the First Annual Pinehaven Talent show. Oh and attendance is not an option ladies."

Andrea and Nabiki stood up and went over to the boxes that had been placed by the door opened them up and started to hand out what was inside.

***

…a few weeks later

Avillion, Ayrelia and Curlly were in the kitchen grabbing an after dinner snack and discussing their acts for the show. "You know girls," Curlly spoke between mouthfuls of cheesecake, "I think this is really going to be fun."

Avillion and Ayrelia both agreed. "From what I hear," Avillion swallowed before continuing, "they got most of the actors to agree to come for a few days. That means that we get to use them in our skits or whatever and they get to do some too. Do you realize that most of the songs that are being used are from the 60's? I wasn't even born then."

"Yeah," Ayrelia nodded, "and from some of the stuff I have seen this week it seems as though Nab, Andrea and North picked certain scenes from the show for us to perform to." The three of them giggled when they each pictured their fave scenes. "By the way guys, when do we leave?"

"In the morning, around 9 or so." Curlly mumbled. "I am going to hit the hay early tonight too. I don't want to miss a minute of our trip up there."

On their way to the sleeping area the three girls met up with others who had the same thought of getting to bed early too. "Goodnight everyone," were the words that echoed throughout the hallways.