Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story belongs to me.

Note: Previously, in "Tomorrow's Just a Mystery," Finn learns of the murder of Seamus and Brianna.

Hey, guys! I apologize for the lack of updates (the last one being May 19), but real life has been hectic and I'm working on another project at the moment. Anyway, I'm going to treat you to an update now. No spoilers, just follow along.

Shreveport, Louisiana – The Next Day...

Damon sipped some coffee as he and Finn sat in the Camaro, which had doubled as their patrol car. They had come here to Shreveport because they got word that the O'Reilly siblings were in the area. Finn barely sipped his, especially since he was still thinking about the plight that they were in. Who the hell subjects three innocent people to something like this? He definitely wouldn't have liked it if someone killed Mikael and Eleanor. Though, he also empathized with them, since he would want to hunt down the assholes responsible, not giving a shit one way or the other how it would be accomplished.

"Hey, Finn, are you okay, buddy?"

Damon's voice brought him out of his reverie then and he looked at the blue-eyed Salvatore. "Hmm? What did you say, Damon?"

"I asked if you were okay," he replied. "You look like you're lost in thought."

"It's this case," said Finn. "I can't help but get the feeling that it's not going to be easy to solve. The one who murdered the O'Reillys is going to be a hard person to track down, even if we offer to help Sage and her siblings in their quest."

Damon doubted it, but before he could address it out loud, he saw three young people enter his line of vision. "Looks like our young friends have shown up. How should we handle this?"

"I'll do it," said Finn. "If they see both of us, they'll think we're surrounding them." He climbed out of the car. "Wait here and don't move."

Not letting his partner speak, Finn looked both ways before crossing the street and kept a safe distance so that the O'Reilly siblings didn't know he was following them. Don't want them to be startled, he thought. I want to gain their trust.

No sooner did he finish that thought than he was spotted by Connor, who looked over his shoulder to see that they weren't the only ones walking through the streets.

"Who the hell are you and why are you following us?"

Finn kept his cool as he replied, "It's all right, I'm not here to hurt you. I am Finn Mikaelson, and I'm one of the people investigating this case. I know that you didn't do it, and my partner and I can help you find the one or ones who did."

Connor was about to give him a snide remark when Sage stepped forward, preventing her brother from what he was about to do. The second he saw her, Finn felt his breath leave him. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on. Her vibrant red hair shone in the sunlight, making her green eyes sparkle, and he had to keep himself from drooling as he beheld her sensuous body, feeling his cock respond as he imagined himself making slow, tender love to her, and her lips were just perfect for someone like him to kiss and nibble.

"You say that you can help us?" she said. "How do we know that we can trust you?"

Clearing his throat, Finn said, "Because, Sage, my partner and I just might the only protection you and your siblings have against your parents' killer or killers. The three may think that you can handle this on your own, but you don't know the danger that you're putting yourselves in."

Sage was baffled as to how he knew her when they hadn't even met only just now. Still, he was quite handsome, with short brown hair, and chocolate brown eyes that she could lose herself in. To top it all off, he had a dreamy British accent that could make even the toughest woman turn into a giddy schoolgirl, a body that was ideal for a night of rough, hot sex, and lips that she could imagine herself kissing and nibbling.

"I don't know how you know me, or even about my family, but I suppose we could let you help us."

Connor gave her a quizzical look. "Sage Victoria O'Reilly, do you have any idea what you're saying? This man is working with the cops, and we can't take any chances with the cops."

"I know exactly what I'm saying, Connor Seamus," said Sage. "We're amateurs compared to Finn and his partner. Besides, if we go up against the person or people who killed Mom and Daddy, chances are we'll be killed as well. We need all the protection we can get, and Finn and his partner are just the protection we need."

"I agree with Sage," said Mackenzie, who had been quiet until now. "If we're going to solve this, we should trust these men." She smiled toward Finn. "Plus, I think Finn is kind of hot."

Mackenzie's bold statement earned her looks from Sage and Connor. While teenagers did have moments where they were completely brazen in what they said or did, they weren't prepared for what came out of their sister's mouth. Finn didn't expect to hear such a thing either, but he decided not to say anything in regard to it, knowing that she probably meant that he was hot for her sister.

He then looked at Connor. "Looks like you're outnumbered two to one, Connor. Will you accept my help? I know you have no reason to trust me in light of what happened to you, and you have my deepest condolences, but as I just told Sage, my partner and I are the only protection you have. If I were you, I'd take advantage of it."

Connor took his eyes off Mackenzie for the moment and scowled at Finn, not completely sure that he should trust him. However, he knew that he couldn't refuse his help. After all, he really had no clue what he and his sisters were going to be facing if they did this alone.

"Fine, we'll accept your help," he said finally. "But, let me make one thing perfectly clear, Finn, I am very protective of my sisters, so if you want your bloody cock to remain attached to your body, I suggest you keep your eyes, as well as your hands, to yourself. Do we have a deal?"

Finn looked at Sage, feeling an incredible heat flowing through him. How the bloody hell does he expect me to keep my promise when I'm in the presence of someone as beautiful as the redheaded angel before me? Dear God, Sarah never beguiled me as much as Sage is right now. What I wouldn't give to kiss her and caress her body, as well as run my fingers through her glorious red tresses.

Shifting his gaze back toward Connor, he said, "You have my word, Connor. I'll keep my distance." Though, eventually, my word might be broken, especially when feelings and passion overtake us. "For now, though, we should head back to New Orleans. I have a mansion there that is big enough for the three of you to take shelter in."

"Thank you, Finn," said Sage, again speaking before her brother could. "Though, you really don't have to do this, especially for three strangers you hardly know."

"I'm a gentleman first, and a gentleman always makes sure that he does things to help those in need," said Finn. "I can assure you, Sage, you and your siblings will be safe with me." He then got out his cell phone, dialing Damon's number and when his partner picked up, he said, "Damon, it worked. I got them to trust me."

"I'll be damned," he replied. "Curious as I am as to how you did it, I'll refrain from asking. However, I will ask what the next move is."

"I'm going to put them up at my mansion in New Orleans," said Finn. "This way, they'll be safe while we figure out a way to bring their parents' killer or killers to justice."

"Sounds good to me," said Damon. "I'll bring the car up and we can get the hell out of here."

Note: Yes, my lovelies, after a long hiatus, I have finally updated this story. Of course, it was thanks in part to some coaxing by TheIrishShipperholic, but I got Chapter 4 up, and Finn and Sage have met. How will he be able to keep his promise to Connor, especially when he's so smitten with Sage at first sight? Time will tell. Stay tuned!

ENJOY THE UPDATE AND REMEMBER TO REVIEW!