Umm…here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy. I have some notes listed at the end of this chapter. Don't read them until you read the chapter because they will give away an important aspect to this chapter. Hence, the reason they are at the end and not the beginning. Please remember to review J

12:45PM Friday, Finch's car, Van Wyck Expressway

"Oh man, look at this stupid traffic. We haven't moved an inch in ten minutes," Dennis Finch complained as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. "Traffic isn't usually this bad at this time of the day. I wonder what's going on?"

Shaking her head in exasperation, Maya retorted, "Why don't you turn on the radio and find out, genius boy." Maya leaned over and flipped on the radio. "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips came blaring out of the speakers. Maya giggled, "Have a thing for Wilson Phillips, huh Finch?"

Rolling his eyes, Finch reached over and changed the station to one that gave updates on traffic conditions for the New York area. "It's called a light sounds station. You know your favorite light hits from yesterday and today kind of crap. And no I don't have a thing for Wilson Phillips though that blonde chick from that video of them on that mountain isn't bad looking…and Carnie Wilson isn't looking too bad herself since she lost the tons."

"God Finch, you are so full of yourself. There's more to life than looks, and there was never anything wrong with Carnie Wilson even if she was on the heavy side."

"On the heavy side, she looked like the Pillsbury dough boy…or girl I guess." Maya looked over at him with disgust. As she was about to reply, Dennis waved his hand to quite her. "Shh, I want to hear what's going on with the traffic."

This is WFIL with an update on the traffic situation over on Van Wyck Expressway. Looks like a semi carrying some pretty caustic chemicals overturned on the northbound side of the expressway. Doesn't look like traffic will be moving at all for a good while until they are able to clean up the spill. So all you people stuck out on the Van Wyck Expressway just sit tight and keep on tuning in for more updates.

Throwing her hands up in disbelief, Maya repeatedly banged her head on the headrest of her seat. "This is just great. I have to be stuck in car for who knows how long with Wonder Boy the Cat-Lover. Could this day get any worse?"

An update on the weather, looks like it's gonna get hotter today. Temperatures have already hit the 92 degree mark, and we're expecting temperatures to reach as high as 96 degrees. Make sure to keep hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids.

"It just got worse. Hell, I shouldn't have said anything. We're gonna all die of dehydration sitting out here in the heat waiting for them to clean up that mess. Finch you'd better turn off the car for a while so it doesn't overheat. An engine fire isn't something I want to deal with today on top of everything else."

Turning off the engine, Finch turned the key so that only the radio was on. "It's not that bad, Maya. I always keep a store of bottled water and packaged crackers in the trunk for any unforeseen problems." Maya looked slightly impressed at Finch's preparedness. *Shoot and score. She's impressed with you…yep. The Finchmeister strikes again. * "Well, duh Maya. You should always have water, food, blankets, and a flashlight in case you ever run into car trouble out in the middle of nowhere."

"Umm, Finch…you do know that we live in a city with millions of other people. I don't think getting stranded in the middle of nowhere is a problem."

"Well, we're stranded now, and we're in the middle of a huge city. And haven't you ever driven outside of the New York City limits?" He looked at Maya and saw that she was grudgingly acquiescing to his observations. With a triumphant smirk, Finch patted her on the knee and said, "Don't' worry your pretty little head. I'll buy you all that junk after we get back. Consider it an early Christmas present. Wouldn't want to find you dead someday on some back woods road 'cause you got stranded without food and water."

"That's a lovely thought Finch. Everyone so likes to hear about dying on a deserted back woods road." * Though it is sweet of him to be concerned. Huh, sweet and Finch aren't two words that are commonly included in the same sentence. Though he does have his moments. * Maya turned to look out the window to hide the smile that made it's way to her face. *Don't want him to know that I'm flattered by the 'pretty little face' comment. Uhuh, don't want to give him the wrong idea. Though it is nice to be called pretty even if it is Finch handing out the compliments. *

Finch whined, "I'm bored of listening to the stupid radio. Want to dig through my CDs and find something we can both agree on?"

Maya began flipping through Finch's CDs. She looked at one particular CD in complete and utter disbelief. "Cats Sing the Christmas Carols…god Finch, really."

Dennis shrugged his shoulders and sheepishly smiled at her, "It's pretty good. Want to hear it?"

"No!!! That's ok. I'll find something more suitable…it's not even anywhere close to Christmas anyways. And why would anyone want to listen to cats meowing for hours on end."

"Hey, don't dis the cats in my car girlie." Maya looked up at him and stuck out her tongue. "You stick out your tongue again and I'll cut it off and feed it to the cats. Tongues belong inside the mouth unless your licking something…like me."

"Ewww…I think I'm gonna be sick." Finch just looked at her with a smirk and quickly leaned over and licked her hand. "Oh, that is so gross Dennis. Your not a stupid cat so keep your tongue to yourself."

"Meow. Most girls like it when a guy licks them…though they usually like it somewhere more private than the hand." Dennis' eyes were sparkling with his usual mocking. "I could lick you…"

Finch was cut off as Maya placed her hand over his mouth. "Don't even say it. You are such a pig. Men are such pigs." Finch licked the hand that covered his mouth and Maya quickly jerked it back. "Yuck. I told you not to lick me again."

Taking one of the CD cases, Maya bonked Finch on top of the head with it.

"Ow, I only licked you that time because I was having trouble breathing with your hand covering my mouth so it was your fault. Anyways, you taste funny." * Yep, she tastes like oranges or something…the lotion she wears maybe. She may taste funny, but she still tastes good. *

"I taste fine. See…" Maya glared at Finch as licked her other hand. A strange look came over Maya's face, as she exclaimed, "Wow, I taste kinda fruity."

"Yep, like I said you taste funny."

"I do not taste bad…just fruity."

Smiling and shaking his head, Finch retorted, "I didn't say bad…just funny."

"Oh…" Maya's face was suddenly flaming as she realized that Finch had basically said he thought she tasted good. * Not even Elliott ever said anything like that to me. * Maya's eyes grew large as she realized that she had just compared Finch to Elliott. *God, why do I let Finch get to me this way? * Maya suddenly noticed a case with some CDs she hadn't yet seen. Finch tried to grab the case as he saw her reaching for it, but she was a hair faster.

Finch desperately tried to divert her attention from the CD case. "Umm…lets not listen to music after all. We can play a game…yeah. A game."

Sadly, he wasn't successful, and Maya was soon laughing so hard tears were streaming down her face. "Barry Manilow. You like Barry Manilow."

"Ok, so you found out my deep dark secret. Pleeease, don't tell anyone. I'll even pay you. You always get accused of being gay if you listen to him, and I definitely don't want that. I'm 100% bone fide heterosexual." Finch looked at her with such pleading that she laughed even louder.

"No Dennis, I'm laughing because out of all the people in the world, you were the last person I would have thought shared my Barry Manilow obsession."

Finch stared at Maya in disbelief, "You're putting me on. You like Manilow too?"

Nodding her head, she said, "My mom loves him, and he just kind of grew on me until I became a huge fan." Letting out another peal of laughter, Maya considered, * Who would've thought Finch and I actually have something in common. * "It's so embarrassing that I've never told anyone…not even Elliott. Especially not Elliott. He absolutely detests Manilow. Every time any of his songs came on the radio, Elliott would immediately change the station." Leaning towards Dennis, she spoke in a conspiratorial whisper, "I think that is one of the reasons our relationship failed. How could I possibly marry someone who hates Manilow so much? It would be sacrilegious or something."

Nodding his head in agreement, Finch said, "Well, then put something by him in. My favorite songs are Mandy and Can't Smile Without You." *Wow, this is so cool. Someone to share my Barry Manilow obsession with and not get laughed out of the room. What fun…especially since it's Maya. Maybe I can use this to my advantage. * A mischievous sparkle cam into his eyes as he started planning his attack to woe Maya.

"Those are my fave songs too. I also love I Write the Songs. Heck, I love all his songs." Maya quickly fished Ultimate Manilow from the CDs since it contained all his best hits. Putting the CD into the CD player, she cranked up the volume when Mandy issued from the speakers.

Finch started belting out Mandy in a loud off-key voice…

Oh, Mandy.

Well you came and you gave without taking

But I sent you away

Oh, Mandy

Well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking

And I need you today

Oh, Mandy

A grimace appeared on Maya's face. "Finch, I hope you know that you can't sing for crap. My ears are being assaulted here in the worst possible way." Throwing her an arrogant smirk, Dennis simply started to sing even louder. Shaking her head in defeat, Maya finally smiled and started singing along with Finch and Manilow. * Oh my gosh, I haven't had this much fun in ages! I never got to act like a complete idiot around anyone else, but with Finch, it doesn't really seem to matter…probably because he already is an idiot." Laughing at that thought, Maya grabbed the bobble head cat Finch had in his windshield and started using it as a microphone.

Notes: All the songs mentioned in this story belong to Barry Manilow except for Hold On which as mentioned is Wilson Phillips. And if you're wondering, I based Maya somewhat on myself in this chapter. My mother is the Barry Manilow nut so I've heard his songs ever since I can remember. I don't really hear him anymore because I've moved far away from home, but anyways, I'm not really a fan. Though, I don't dislike him either. He sings well for the genre of music he does, but I'm more of an alternative rock kinda person. I just happened to hear Mandy on the radio the other day, and somehow I based a whole story on Finch and Maya liking him because for some reason I can see both of them, especially Finch, being fans. Yes, I am continuing with the story. I think this is going to be a very long fic. I have many ideas brewing in my head, but the whole fic started with one Barry Manilow song J