Happy Friday! I hope you enjoy this Chapter.

Chapter 26

Finn was watching Rory on the phone, she was pacing and biting her lip a lot. That could only mean bad things. It also meant her study break with him was over unfortunately. She had two finals left and was determined to go over absolutely everything for them. Finn only had one more left and was quietly confident he'd do well.

"I didn't think I needed to-" Rory was saying. "Oh, but... I didn't even know... yeah, I guess. Erm, yeah. Yeah, I'll talk to him. To them... Oh, yeah... I'm done with finals the day after tomorrow... no I still have nightmares about that... I'll ask sure... no I can't tell... I must have gotten your genes there then dad... okay, alright. Yeah, bye."

Rory hung up and just stood staring at the phone for a moment.

"You alright love?" Finn asked breaking the staring contest where he was fairly certain the inanimate object would win.

"I... my grandfather left me money in his will." Rory said looking up at him surprised.

"Yeah?" Finn asked, he was surprised too, Straub hadn't exactly had any kind of relationship with his granddaughter.

"Yeah, apparently he couldn't be seen to having left a trust fund to Gigi and nothing to me. Apparently, I need to go and sign something and talk with my Grandpa and you about investing some of it." Rory bit her lip again.

"Invest? I don't know a lot about investing money. I can give you the basics but you're better off talking to someone else about that kind of thing love. Rain man for example. The wolf of wall street." Finn laughed.

"Well, I'm not worrying about getting a job anymore." Rory said sitting down on the bed next to him.

"How much money are we talking then love? Are you keeping me in the fantastic lifestyle which I have become accustomed too? Or are we flying commercial?" Finn grinned. He could tell she wanted to talk about it and didn't know where to start, a little push would be all it took.

"You never fly commercial you have your own jet." Rory giggled. "Apparently it's just a token amount and not as much as Gigi will get but... I have two million dollars."

Finn knew that for Rory two million dollars was an awful lot of money, enough to change her life. To Finn... not so much. His trust fund was five times that and that was without his allowance and what he had accumulated over the years from interest in separate savings accounts.

"Wow, two million. Are you going to move out into a fantastic mansion now with a butler and a maid? Become completely eccentric and have seven cats all named after dwarfs?" Finn asked.

"Yes." Rory nodded trying to look serious and not laugh. It was cute.

"Alrighty then, as long as I know." Finn replied.

"I guess I just save most of it and invest it? Two million sounds a lot but when I leave college, I'll need a house and living expenses and travel costs if I'm a reporter. Clothes, shoes, books, coffee, they all add up." Rory said. "Oh, and holidays. I can take mom on that rollercoaster holiday we spoke about!"

"Don't forget you'll have a trust fund from your grandparents too love. You might want to speak with Richard about all of this. He'd be able to give you a better idea of what kind of money you have and how to invest properly." Finn said seriously. Again, he didn't think her trust fund would be quite as large as his but he was sure it would be substantial.

Finn wanted to talk about her idea of buying a house and travelling after college but decided she probably had enough going through her mind right now. And anyway, it was still two years away.

"And dad wants to have dinner." Rory said.

"Again? Why? I' mean I know I'm awesome but you're pretty dull really." Finn joked and got a smack in the arm in response as well as a laugh which never failed to make him smile.

"Probably to make sure I'm not dating a gold digger now I'm a woman of means." Rory quipped.

"Why of course. I plan on seducing you so you profess your undying love for me, then giving you limitless pleasure in return for you spending all of your riches on me." Finn said.

"I could live with that arrangement, you're already pretty much there. I just need to start spending money on you." Rory chuckled.

"Maybe I should have made sure you had the money before I seduced you hey?" Finn said kissing down her neck.

"Probably would have been a better idea." Rory said before moaning as he bit her earlobe. He could live to be a hundred and never get bored of that sound he knew it.

/\\\/\\\

"I'm done!" Mia shouted into the flat as she returned home, the last of her finals were done and she was ready to celebrate.

"Fantastic darling!" Colin smiled at her from the kitchen where he was making himself a drink. "As am I. Would you like a celebratory drink? I am making myself a scotch but I believe I have all of the ingredients for a rather fantastic Margarita."

"Yeah, bring on the Margarita's! Midnight Margaritas!" Mia danced happily.

"It's not midnight, that final must have been a doozey Little Red." Colin laughed.

"Don't tell me you've never seen Practical Magic?" Mia groaned.

"I haven't and tonight will not be the night I watch it. I plan on getting fall down drunk. Would you care to join me?" Colin asked passing her the drink he'd made rather expertly.

"Why yes. I would." Mia said happily turning on the music and turning it up.

"Wonderful." Colin smiled joining Mia to dance.

"Where's everyone else?" Mia asked after her third drink.

"Rory and Paris are at the library, Finn's probably playing guard dog and Lorelai fetched Pepper yesterday to take back to the Crap Shack." Colin said knocking back another scotch.

"Shall we go out?" Mia asked.

"Out?"

"Yeah! I'm in the mood to dance and drink and completely forget about school!" Mia laughed spinning on the spot. She felt free and finished and she wanted to enjoy it.

"You're wanting to go out? This is unexpected Little Red though a very happy turn of events. Let me get changed and I'd be happy to escort you to let your hair down. I won't even pick up a woman tonight in your honour." Colin winked making Mia laugh. He was so cute and the drink was making him cuter. More was the pity.

/\\\/\\\

Mia winced as she woke up. She didn't remember much from last night, other than she'd drank way too much if her throbbing head was anything to go by.

"Urgh." A voice muttered from next to her sounding as pained as she felt. Mia froze. She'd picked someone up at the bar or club or the pub, where ever she'd ended up. She'd picked someone up and brought them home. Where she lived with her brother. Great.

Mia turned her head to see just what she'd gotten herself into, though if the ache that she felt between her legs was anything to go by it had been a good night. If only she could remember it.

"Shit!" Mia cursed sitting up and then wincing at her actions.

"Too loud. Too, too loud." Colin said not opening his eyes.

"Shit. Colin!" Mia said urgently.

"Hmm... what!?" Colin opened one eye. "Shit! Shit! Shit! Finn is going to kill me!"

"Maybe we didn't...?" Mia grasped hopefully, though she knew they had, she wouldn't sleep with someone else and then go to bed with Colin.

"Yeah, we did." Colin said looking panicked.

"How do you know?" Mia asked. "Can you remember?"

"Kind of its a bit fuzzy around the edges but I'm looking at two, blissful reasons I'm sure we did." Colin said his eyes drifting pointedly and somewhat lustfully to Mia's chest which when she looked down, she realised was bare and on show.

"We're both adults." Mia tried to defend their actions.

"Yes, we are. But Finn is not going to care about that when he kills me." Colin said worriedly, his eyes not straying from her breasts.

Mia grabbed the sheets and pulled them over her chest, her hangover screaming at her making her clumsy and sick.

"OK... ok... let me think..." Colin groaned. "Alright I have an idea."

"Okay, what?" Mia asked checking out Colin's chest as the sheets had come away from it when she tugged them to cover herself.

"Mia, will you go on a date with me?" Colin asked.

"What!?" Mia's mind raced, her heart fluttered and she knew this was crazy.

"Will you go on a date, a real date with me?" Colin asked again looking completely serious.

"That's not going to stop Finn from killing you or me." Mia said though her heart was still pounding in her chest.

"Probably not, but if we date, really date he might be less inclined towards a psychopathic rage rarely seen outside of thriller movies." Colin said sitting up.

"Are you asking me on a date because you want to date me or because you're scared of my brother?" Mia asked.

"Both." Colin answered straight away.

"In that case, yes. I would like to date you." Mia replied blushing. She'd had a crush on Colin for a while, he always made her laugh and she felt safe around him.

"Alright. Now we just have to sneak out without Finn catching us and then get him to not go mad when we tell him we're dating. How hard could that be?" Colin asked. "Also, can you drop the sheet, I was enjoying the show."

"Mia! I'm freaking out here I need-" Rory burst in Mia's room and took in the sight of Colin and Mia, naked.

"Please, please don't say anything." Mia begged Rory with her eyes.

"Give me five minutes then you can sneak Colin out. But I want details." Rory said with wide eyes backing out of the room.

"Mother wouldn't tell, would she?" Colin asked.

"No. I don't think so..." Mia said twirling her hair around her finger. "We may need to get her coffee."

" Finn, Mia's not here, help me forget history so I can remember the things I need to, I'm freaking out?" They heard Rory shout out, a thud was heard, loud footsteps, the sound of Rory squealing and then the door to Finn's room slamming shut.

"She's good." Colin said.

"Uh huh. I don't want to think about it. We've got to get you out of here." Mia said looking around for their clothes. Which were scattered every which where.

/\\\/\\\

"So, there was a reason I asked you to join me at the pub." Colin said to Finn that night seriously. The pub where he was much less likely to actually murder him.

"Do we need a reason to visit our favourite watering hole darling Buttercup?" Finn asked with a chuckle while ordering another beer with a lazy wave of his fingers. "Oh, yeah Logan should be here soon. I told him to meet us here."

"Logan? I said I just wanted it to be us." Colin frowned. He'd need to get this out before Logan joined them now.

"And I much as I enjoy our date nights, I thought you meant just us as in not the girls. I thought a night out with the three amigos was what was needed." Finn grinned.

"Finn, I need to ask you something." Colin said feeling nervous. Finn was his best mate. Sure, he could be a hard ass when it came to his sister but surely ten years of friendship would get him somewhere. Right?

"Everything alright mate? Your dad hasn't cut you off again, has he?" Finn said more seriously.

"No, I don't need a loan. Look, I want to ask Mia out on a date." Ripping off the band aid. That was the way to go.

"Mia? My sister?" Finn asked.

"Yes, I hardly be asking your permission for anyone else." Colin said.

"No. No way. You're my best mate and I love you like a brother but no. I know what you're like, because I was like you. You are a player. Mia needs someone who'll treat her right." Finn said firmly.

"You don't think I can date a girl, just one girl?" Colin asked a bit angrily.

"I..." Finn looked at a loss.

"Remember Lane? I dated her and didn't see anyone else that entire time. Didn't so much as glance and I like Mia. I have done for a while." Colin said heavily.

"I..." Finn thought for a minute. "You have to really date her. Not your usual shag her and move on date, but a real date."

"Of course." Colin replied a bit flummoxed. This was going easier than he thought.

"And if things don't work out, I'm neutral. Switzerland. And I don't need to know dirty things. Ever. Or see them. Or hear them." Finn frowned at that.

"Yeah of course. So, I can? Ask her on a date?" Colin asked wanting clarification.

"I'm not her dad." Finn shrugged and grinned. "But I will be telling him."

"Great thanks."

"Yeah sure." Finn finished his drink in one and ordered another.

"Yeah. But seriously Colin if you screw around on my sister, I am going to castrate you without anaesthetic."

"Fair enough." Colin shrugged; he'd be getting off lightly if that was all Finn did. And truthfully, he was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen, he'd liked Mia for a long time and now, if he had a chance with her, he really didn't want to fuck it up.

/\\\/\\\

"So, you and Colin are dating?" Rory asked Mia the same night.

"Yes." Mia said happily. "Or yes when Finn agrees. If he agrees. What if he says no?"

"Then you leave him to me." Rory smirked; she could now buy things which would help convince Finn of pretty much anything.

"What if you can't change his mind? I want to date Colin; I really want to date him." Mia fretted; they were sat eating ice cream on the sofa.

"If Colin can't convince Finn, then give him your puppy dogs eyes, if that still doesn't work, then trust me I can change his mind." Rory promised. "Where do you think he'll take you?"

"Probably to the Italian or something. Something cliché but romantic." Mia smiled.

"And you can't remember any of last night?" Rory asked again.

"Some. I keep getting random flashes. Us pashing, some nakedness, happy happy memories that I wish I had in full." Mia smiled wolfishly. "But the way I felt when I woke up this morning, you know, that ache where you know you've had a good time. Not pretended too but really had a good time."

"I've never pretended too, but yes I do know what you mean." Rory smiled.

"Never? So, you never pretended to... have a good time just so he would hurry up?" Mia asked shocked.

"Never." Rory shrugged with a smile. She was lucky, she knew from other people's conversations that she was very lucky but she had nothing to compare it to.

"Okay, we need to change this conversation." Mia said with a shudder, obviously disgusted with talking about her brother's sex life. "I hope I get this date. I mean Colin, he knows me. He knows I like hot chocolate and that I'm nerdy and I don't party but he still wants to date me. And I know him, womaniser and all but he's so cute and funny and he was a really good boyfriend to Lane. He..."

"You really like him." Rory supplied with a soft smile. Mia deserved the best and Colin was almost just that.

"I really like him." Mia smiled back sadly.

/\\\/\\\

"Mia!" Colin called as the front door opened.

"Rory!" Finn yelled out in a similar way with a chuckle. Rory thought that was a sure sign they were both drunk.

"Yes?" The girls chorused back together exchanging surprised looks.

"Mia, darling. Little Red." Colin staggered through the door into the main room. "I would like to ask you something!"

"Dramatic." Rory declared picking up some popcorn.

"Mother, this does not concern you." Colin said. "Mia, may I have a word with you, privately?"

"Sure Colin." Mia smiled and followed Colin into the kitchen area. His voice was low so Rory couldn't hear anything. She could however see.

Rory watched as Colin took Mia's hand, as Mia smiled and nodded. As Colin stroked her cheekbone gently and then softly kissed her.

"Hey!" Finn said indignantly, swaying as he came round to the sofa.

"Oh hush, its sweet. They're happy." Rory said leaning into him.

"It's not sweet, it's disgusting and incestuous." Finn frowned.

"You're not actually Colin's brother remember honey?" Rory giggled pushing some hair off his face.

"I don't like it." Finn pouted.

"You're drunk." Rory countered.

"If I don't like it when I'm inebriated, I'm going to like it less sober." Finn said sulking.

"Come on. Up you get." Rory said standing up and offering her hand to Finn.

"Go, go where?" Finn asked.

"To bed." Rory said.

"But then that leaves them alone. He might... defile her!" Finn frowned at the new couple who were making coffee and making googly eyes at each other. Or Mia was making Colin coffee anyway.

"Finn, bed." Rory said sternly.

"But..."

"Finn I'm wearing my red bra. The perky one." Rory said quietly.

"I'm coming to bed. I like the red bra." Finn stumbled to his feet. "Colin! No funny business with Mia!"

"I am a perfect gentleman Buttercup; I shall take your sister on a date before the funny business." Colin said.

"Finn, red bra. If you don't hurry up, I'm getting changed into your shirt instead." Rory said heading for his room before Colin said something he shouldn't.

"No love, I'll be good. Really, really good." Finn said with a slur.

/\\\/\\\

"So, I was thinking." Finn said the next morning his hand stroking patterns over Rory's bare back. He was much less hungover than she thought he'd be. "When we come back for the next year, you should move in with me."

"I already live with you honey, are you still drunk?" Rory giggled.

"Alas no, otherwise my head wouldn't be dancing a rumba currently. No, I mean you should move your things in here. Or I should move my things in your room, which ever." Finn said.

"You want to live together live together?" Rory said surprised.

"Well, we wake up in bed together every morning anyway. It'd just mean there wouldn't be the your room or mine conversation before bed." Finn said.

Rory thought for a moment.

"Yeah sure." She smiled up at Finn.

"Really?"

"Well yeah, you're right. We sleep in the same room every night. I have clothes in here, you have clothes in my room. It'd make more sense to share a room." Rory said. "I do have my own bathroom in my room though. Seeing as no one uses the guest room."

"Yes, but if we move to your room we have to listen to Paris and my sister have sex." Finn shuddered.

"Yes but seeing as Mia is now dating Colin you might have to listen to it in this room." Rory countered.

"No. No. No. No." Finn said firmly. "They can wait till they're married. In a house of their own and are retired."

"Finn..."

"Nope. They can't have sex."

"Finn!"

"No."

"Do you want sex again before you're married?" Rory asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Ouch. That hurt." Finn said with a pout.

"You'd do that to your best friend? Ask him to live in celibacy. You know Mia could have asked us not to have sex too. She was a really good sister though. Talked me through my panic attacks about not being good in bed, encouraged me to get comfortable doing other things first." Rory said coaxingly.

"You had panic attacks?" Finn asked.

"Not the point. Did you hear anything else of what I said?"

"Yes fine. But I don't want to hear it or see it or think about it." Finn frowned.

"Atta boy!" Rory smiled.

"You really had panic attacks?"

"It was my first time and you had a lot of practice, I was worried you wouldn't be... I don't know, satisfied?" Rory said long over her insecurities.

"You had no worries there love. You are very satisfying. Very." Finn said wrapping her in a hug.

"I'm passed that now." Rory laughed kissing Finn's shoulder. "I had a very good teacher."

/\\\/\\\

Rory was packing her boxes; finals were over and she was moving back home later that night. It was going to be really hard sleeping without Finn. She hated herself a little for being one of those girls who didn't want to sleep alone, but she was so use to cuddling up to Finn after a long day.

"Rory?" Mia came into her room.

"What's up Mi?" Rory asked looking up from her box of books. She wasn't taking them all home, just one box this time. It was nice having a home here as well as at Stars Hollow.

"Which dress?" She held up two dresses for Rory to see.

"For your date with Colin, tonight?" Rory asked looking at the two dresses. There was a nice strappy red one, knee length with a little flare to the skirt. The other was a deep green which was more form fitting and slightly shorter, not slutty though.

"No for my date with Michael Sheen on Tuesday, yes for tonight!"

"Wow, you're crabby for someone going on their first date." Rory said.

"Finn is driving me crazy! I'm really looking forward to tonight but he keeps shooting Colin these looks and talking about rules and which room we have to stay in. He's making me crazy and he's going to drive Colin away." Mia groaned unhappily.

"Do you want me to talk to him?" Rory asked sympathetically.

"Yes! Better yet take him far, far away." Mia said.

"I can ask him to help me take my stuff home I guess?" Rory said uncertainly.

"Yes perfect!" Mia finally smiled.

"Do you want a repeat of the other night tonight?" Rory asked.

"The one where we woke up in bed naked together? Yes. And I'd really like to remember it." Mia said enthusiastically.

"Then wear the green dress and borrow my black strappy saddles with the gold around the heel." Rory said opening her closet and pulling out the shoes.

"You are a girls best friend you know that?" Mia squealed.

"I thought that was diamonds?"

"You first, diamonds second. Thank you." Mia said.

"Honey?" Rory asked Finn.

"Yes kitten?" Finn asked packing his bag for home.

"Can you help me take my things back to Stars Hollow?" Rory asked batting her eyes at him.

"I can, but I'm interested in this new damsel in distress moment, would it have anything to do with my darling sister who just threw a coffee pot at me?" Finn asked Rory raising an eyebrow.

"Erm... yes." Rory admitted. "But still some help would be appreciated. Especially with my books."

"I'll help love, there's no need for the weapons of mass destruction." Finn laughed at her continuing to bat her eyelashes.

"Thank you." Rory smiled; it might have been for Mia but Rory was happy she could spend some more time with Finn however it came.