Steph sees the dinner conversation heating up and decides she and Colin could make much better use of their time somewhere else. Steph/Colin. Steph's POV & Colin's POV.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls.


Chapter 4: Cognac

Colin sat beside me, his posture stiff and his smile forced as he spoke with his father across the table. My father, only a few seats away at the head of the table, was grinning with amusement. He always found the McCraes's arguments entertaining, particularly since Colin had started law school and his points had gotten sharper.

"You're not capable of that," Colin said with eyes narrowed, "You can't claim to be proficient in drafting prenups when you're sending out half a dozen alimony checks each month."

I nearly chocked on my wine when the words left his mouth, I looked at him sideways. His eyes were dark and his face stark, a quick glance told me his hands were clammy by the way he kept clenching them. Oh yes, Colin was upset.

"So Daddy, how have things been going with that merger?" I said, trying to divert the conversation. My father was usually involved in some merger or another and Mr. McCrae was usually lead council.

Daddy smiled at me, "Quite well, it looks like we may be able to complete the acquisition for less than was originally estimated."

"The other side's negotiating team is dismal at best," Mr. McCrae added after a swig of his cognac. Colin remained quiet, focusing in on his salad as our fathers and a few of their associates further down the table got into the conversation. I squeezed his hand under the table before asked my mother to excuse me for a moment.

She nodded a quick consent and I fled from the room with the poise she always reminded me about. Once safely out of earshot of the dining room I ran down the hall to the garage, finding my car parked in its usual spot, by one of the servants no doubt.

The ringing of my cell phone drew Mrs. Vanderbilt's cross expression. I mouthed a quick apology before slipping into the sitting room across the hall. I was surprised to see Steph's face looking back at me, her tongue sticking out and her eyes squeezed shut for the photo.

"Steph?" I questioned, but she quickly shushed me and I spoke quieter, "What's going on? Where are you?"

"Garage," she said, "The usual space." The phone clicked as she hung up on me and I made my way in the opposite way of the dining hall. Anything to get away from my father's egotistical, narcissistic comments.

Steph was sitting in the driver's seat of her blue Mercedes. I leaned through the window, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," she smiled at me, "We are escaping this dreadful event." She motioned to the passenger seat with her head and I found myself walking around the car to it despite what my better judgment told me. Neither of our parents would ignore out absence or miss the fact that we disappeared together.

But I only smiled as Steph accelerated down the path and through the gate of the Vanderbilt property. The guard at the gate looked perplexed, probably recognizing the car.

"Where are we going?" I said, ignoring Steph's aggressive driving tendencies.

She grinned over at him, "My place." I couldn't help the uptick of my lips as she continued to zip in and out of lanes. I loosened my tie as we passed through the gate of her complex. We walked through the lobby and rode the elevator up to her floor.

My hand found hers somewhere around the fifth level and once the door dinged open she was flying down the hall. Dragging me with her in one hand and the other holding her shoes. I always liked seeing Steph smile like that, eyes sparkling with amusement and a laugh just behind her lips. I'd never felt the tug in my chest before though, the sudden desire to kiss her. It was just a little terrifying.

I took her shoes from her so she could fiddle with her keys. Once inside she dropped my hand and turned to walk backwards toward the kitchen, "How 'bout a drink?" I nodded as I took off my jacket.

Steph's apartment was smaller than mine, not set up for entertaining either. The living room was cozy. An electric fireplace was insert in the wall beneath the flat screen and a door stood ajar between it and the small dining set she kept.

The fact that it led to her bedroom was nagging at the back of my mind. I took a breath and sunk into the cushions in the corner of her sectional. The most comfortable spot with the best view of the kitchen where Steph was pouring drinks and humming some silly song.

"So," she raised an eyebrow at me as she handed over the fifth of scotch, "What was with you arguing with your dad? You usually keep mum till you can shout at each other in private."

I rolled my eyes, "It's nothing, he was just needling on my nerve more than usual."

She kicked her legs up underneath her as she sat beside me, a glass of wine in hand, "You sure? It seemed like more than that to me."

I kicked my shoes off, "My mother might be getting remarried."

Steph nearly choked on her drink. She looked up at me in shock, "Wow, go Mrs. McCrae." I chuckled, "What? I didn't even know she started dating! Your mother's basically been a nun since the divorce."

"Yes, exactly," I said, "And he's been a bit…edgy, because of it. He spent an hour last week interrogating me about my classes and practice trials."

The smile on her face did not appease me, nor did the sudden burst of giggles a moment later. When she noticed my annoyed expression she grabbed my glass and placed it and hers on the coffee table.

A moment of pause before she moved over my lap, straddling my legs, "Didn't you spend most of middle and high school gripping about how he spent all his time with his bimbos and never paying attention to you and your brother. Now he's paying attention to you, and you're gripping again."

Despite the distraction of her position I managed to glare at her, "Bit different now." I placed a hand on her thigh, dragging a finger over it in little circles, "And I'm not a big fan of being a vent for his displaced jealousy. If he didn't want my mother to find someone else, he shouldn't have cheated on her."

She nodded, "Solid argument." Then she kissed me, "How 'bout we pretend our parents don't exist for a while."

I pulled her flush against me, "I'd like that better than discussing my feelings, without contest." She laughed, her golden curls bouncing around her face. That stupid knot in my chest tightened again and pressed her into the sofa, claiming her with a hard kiss.


Review?

A/N: Just to clarify, I used the word 'Gay' in the title to play off its original meaning of happy, Colin's lack of it, and how Steph's mother uses it in the fic for being homosexual. It is not meant offensively, I just thought it would be an interesting title given the content/subject. So I apologize if you take it badly, it's all meant in good humor.