A/N: Double post because I've got tons of inspiration for this story right now. Tis one's kinda funny. BTW- most of the jokes are sorta inside ones but things we say/do that we really would do. ^^ Next chapter will be VERY Ashley & Hallam centric.
Enjoy and Please review!


Chapter Three

The laughter danced around their table like the wind. Tori munched on her pocky she brought along; Ashley, on her third drink, was leaning on the table with her elbow; and Hallam, who was on his second drink, seemed to think the joke Ashley just told was hilarious. "I'll go get you two another round," Tori said as she stood up with a stick of pocky hanging from her lips.

"Good idea," Ashley said.

Hallam nodded and took a swig from his glass. "So why're you two in Edinburgh?"

"We wanted to get a good brew." She held up her cup. "Looks like we found one," Ashley laughed.

Hallam rubbed his eyes as he laughed. "You came all the way here for a drink?" Ashley nodded, causing him to laugh more. Tori returned with three cups in hand. She placed one in front of Hallam and the other in front of Ashley with a stern look. "Thanks," Hallam said.

Ashley noticed that Tori's drink was not frothing around the top. "Hey. Didn't you get another?"

Tori looked at her as she opened the second package of pocky. "You know I don't drink that much. Anyways, I'm the designated driver."

The sentence itself caused Ashley to burst out laughing. "But we walked here!" Hallam, too, was in stitches.

Tori narrowed her eyes. "Someone has to get ya home."

Ashley stopped laughing. "True. Cause we know this one is still technically a stranger," she said in a low tone as she pointed at Hallam.

"'Ey. I am not. I could get yeh home if I had to," he said looking at her as a smile came across his face. Ashley and Hallam exchanged smiles and went back to their drinks.

---

Half an hour and a drink later, Tori was pushing Ashley and Hallam out the door of the pub. "See ya later!" Ashley called in to the barman.

Tori groaned and pushed her to walk. Hallam snickered as he walked behind the two. "Where do you live, Hallam?"

Hallam paused for a second, thinking. "That way," he pointed behind him. "It's a place over there."

Tori cringed at his accent and sighed. "Just come home with us. You can stay the night only because I'm not wandering town to find your place." Her eye seemed to make a small twitch. "And your accent…" Tori said quietly, so only she could hear.

Ashley skipped down the street; a few steps ahead of Tori. Hallam ran past her. "Hey!" she shouted. As he ran past, she grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and caused him to stumble. They both laughed as Tori caught up with them.

"Kids," she grumbled, pushing Ashley along.

---

Tori was unlocking the door as Ashley and Hallam were playing 'rock paper scissors' on the top step. She swung the door opened and walked in, assuming they would follow. She turned, noticing they weren't behind her. She poked her head out the door. "How about you two come in here and play?" The two looked at her with somber faces. Anyone would be able to tell they had a few drinks if they looked close enough.

Ashley crawled on her hands and knees into the room. "The world has a whole new perspective down here," she said in awe. Hallam walked past her. "Did you know that?"

He turned and looked at her. His look was half curious, half tired. "Yeah. Neat, huh?"

She got up from the wood floor and brushed off her faded blue jeans, then straightening out her black t-shirt and hoodie. Ashley made her way over to the couch and plopped down next to Hallam. Tori was on the floor, game controller in hand as she played the game from earlier. Her jean jacket was strewn across the small coffee table. The little television said, "Game Over," in a loud booming voice that made Ashley jump. Tori turned off the system and television and turned to look at the two. Ashley looked at Hallam, who was taking off his jacket. She saw that as a cue to follow suite and shrugged out of her black hoodie.

Tori gave her a weird look and got up. "How about we put you in the bath quick," she said, grabbing Ashley by the arm, and pulling her into the bathroom. "I'll bring you clothes then." Tori left the bathroom, closing the door behind her. Hallam was turned on the couch, watching her. "Do you need something?" she asked.

Hallam gave her a quizzical look. "Where would yeh like me to sleep?"

Tori scowled slightly and shook her head. "Anywhere you see fit. Just not in the room next to the bathroom. That's my room." She walked over to said door and went in, closing it behind her.

---

-Hallam POV-

Hallam was alone in the living room, sitting on the couch. He scanned the room for a second time that day. 'Nothing on the walls. No décor of any kind, except for the old furniture. They must've just moved in.' He shrugged and pulled his pack up from on the floor to his lap. He opened it and stuffed his jacket in carefully. He left his pack on the couch as he wandered over to another open door. It was a small bedroom that only had a bed, nightstand, lamp, and bookcase. Hallam thought about throwing himself onto the bed and falling asleep, but couldn't tell if it was Ashley's room or not. With an unsure and hazy mind, he turned and went back into the living room. He walked over to the little attached kitchen and got himself a cup of water. As he put the cup to his lips, he heard a door open.