Disclaimer: Still penniless and studying instead of being Shonda.

Alex looked worried, and she didn't understand why. The liquor made her feel lighter than air. She was soaring high above her now seemingly insignificant problems, and Alex seemed determined to pull her down and make her face them.

"You know the deal, princess. I told you mine, now you tell me yours."

She decided to try one last diversionary tactic.

Vodka always had made her flirty.

"How about we make a new deal? I show you mine, and you show me yours." She leaned closer, face inches away from his, her breath tickling his ear.

As tempting as the offer was, Alex summoned the last of his willpower to refuse it.

"Your breath is toxic. Get away from me." He pulled a disgusted face.

She shrugged. "Your loss, baby."

He couldn't help but grin internally. Plastered or not, Jo was acting like her old self again.

"Come on, tell me. It can't be that bad."

She pouted. "No."

She was acting like a child. He could have called her out on it, made fun of her, but something stopped him. Her childhood had been hard, not unlike his, and life wasn't much easier for her now. Tonight, she got to let loose a little. He'd just make sure she didn't do anything stupid.

"New deal, princess."

"I'm listening." She raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Tell me what's up, and I'll buy you a drink." He paused. "But you're going first this time."

Jo considered the offer. "No."

"No?" He was beginning to get pissed off now. If this was what he got for trying to help, he wouldn't be attempting it again anytime soon.

She gave him a coy look. "You owe me a drink...and a dance."

"A...dance." He repeated slowly, stalling. As if delaying the process would make it any more bearable.

"Is your hearing going downhill, old man?" She enquired, mock concern covering her face.

"Shut up. I'm not old."

"Your wrinkles beg to differ."

"Fine." Alex looked as if the very thought of it was enough to cause him physical pain. "One dance. If only to prove that I am still in my prime."

Jo disguised her laugh as a cough.

He scowled at her. "Tell me what has your panties in a bunch."

"You, Alex. My knickers twist solely for you."

He choked. She smirked, obviously pleased beyond belief with herself.

"Does alcohol always make you this..." He searched for a word that meant slutty but wouldn't leave him with a bruise. "Flirty?"

"Always." She nodded seriously.

"This is sexual harassment."

She looked mildly amused. "You should see me after a bottle of wine."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Alex was becoming increasingly aware that in this state, there was no way he could force her to tell him. He crossed his arms, ordering another beer, and prepared to wait her out.

He didn't have to wait long. The alcohol had given her the attention span of a goldfish. She smiled one of her typical smiles, the one that seemed to say that he didn't know her at all. And maybe she was right, but for whatever reason, he wanted to. He knew she wanted to tell him, and maybe that was why it made him so angry to think that she couldn't.

"Tell me, Jo. Freaking tell me! I can't take your little games anymore, and I can't help unle-"

"It's my birthday." she said quietly.

After that, she didn't want to dance anymore, so he took her home.

A/N: I still need to study. Help. The next chapter is going to be pretty long, and you'll be happy and sad if I'm any sort of writer at all. It's going to be set at the frat house. I have the next chapter or so plotted out, but if you have any suggestions put it in the reviews, or message me on tumblr. I use the same username as I have on here, j0karev.

Major love to Aoife, Burcu, Chanel, Vivian, SWChika and Annie for reviewing.