Notes: Disclaimer is with the first chapter. Umm...not much to say other than the song used in this chapter is 'I'm So Excited' by the Pointer Sisters. Okay, onto the fic…

4:30PM, Friday, July 14, 2002, Blush Magazine Headquarters

Dennis Finch sat behind his desk trying to keep his mind on his work. He had a few things he needed to get finished before he could leave the office. Most of the office personnel had already left for the day so it was strangely quiet. Also, Maya was still here, and he wanted to go over their plans again for that night before she left, but he hadn't seen her in the last hour. Finch was hard-pressed to keep his mind on anything other than the fact the he and Maya were going on a sort-of date tonight…okay, so they were only going out as friends, but that was still something. Reaching into his pocket, Finch pulled out two backstage passes to the concert. *I certainly hope that Maya appreciates all the effort I had to go through to get these…not to mention the money. These babies sure put a crimp in my bank account.* Suddenly, Finch was so excited that he couldn't sit still. He started spinning his chair in fast circles while silently chanting to himself, "I get to meet Barry Manilow…Barry Manilow. Manilow is the man."

Finch's chair was abruptly jerked to a halt as someone grabbed it to stop the spinning motion. Glancing up, he saw Maya looking down at him with her eyebrows raised. "Finch, you were making me dizzy." Maya looked around quickly to make sure no one was listening. Not seeing anyone left in the office, she leaned slightly closer to Finch and whispered, "What has you so excited? I know we're going to the concert tonight but jeez settle down will you." All of her caution was for naught as she missed the eyes looking out from the slightly opened door leading to Nina's office. Dennis smirked as he showed her the backstage passes. Maya's eyes widened and she gasped out loud. She grabbed the passes from Finch and looked at them with disbelief. "Dennis, where the hell did you get these? They must have cost a fortune!"

Finch just shrugged and said, "I'm not telling so don't ask."

Forgetting to keep her voice lowered, Maya exclaimed, "You mean we actually get to meet him?! Front row concert tickets AND backstage passes!" Maya couldn't contain her excitement as she started jumping up and down. "Oh, I'm soo excited!!"

Finch giggled and sang, "And I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. I'm so exited and I just can't hide. And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I want you." At the last part, Finch smiled lewdly. All of this interaction was being observed by their little peeping tom.

Maya blushed and whacked him over the top of his head, "Finch, get your mind out of the gutter." Finch just giggled and smiled at her. "Who sang that song by the way? I can never remember."

Finch's brow crinkled as he considered the question. Finally, he shrugged his shoulders and responded, "I don't know. Can't remember either. I just remember the chorus to the song."

Nina, hiding in her spot behind the partially open door, rolled her eyes and whispered to herself, "It's the Pointer Sisters, you idiots." Shaking her head, she thought, *What the hell is going on with them. They're going to a concert together? Are they dating, or are they just friends?* Scratching her head in confusion, she wondered to herself, *Who exactly are they going to see in concert? Neither of them has mentioned anything about any favorite artists coming to town.*

Nina's attention was dragged back to her two co-workers as Maya say, "Finch, the backstage passes are awesome…but they must have cost you a bundle. You don't have that kind of money to throw around. Let me, at least, pay for mine."

Finch smiled and held up his hand to stop her. "Nope, my treat. It's the least I could do after that little stunt you pulled on Monday. No one has ever sent me a singing telegram before. That whole monkey theme was very creative indeed. I got a good laugh out of it."

Maya snorted and said, "Yeah, I guess, but anyways, thanks for the backstage pass." Looking around quickly, Maya leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Grabbing her coat, she said, "You'd better get a move on. Don't forget that you have to pick me up in about two hours." With that, Maya disappeared out the door.

As he watched the doors to the office shut behind Maya, a slight blush made its way up Dennis' face and his hand came to settle on his check where she had kissed him. A dreamy look came into his eyes as he thought, *She kissed me. Maya kissed me. Her lips touched my cheek. I could die happy now…well maybe I'll wait to die until she kisses me on the lips.* Finch giggled to himself and continued staring at where Maya had just disappeared.

Nina observed Finch from her hiding spot. She noticed the hazy look in his eyes and the lazy smile on his lips. Her mouth suddenly dropped open in shock. *Dear god, he's in love with her! Oh my god, Dennis Finch is in love with Maya Gallo. When in the hell did this happen?! I knew they liked each other…but love?* Licking her lips, Nina decided to put an end to her charade and get some answers. Taking a deep breath, she pushed her door open and stepped out into the main office area.

When Finch heard the door open, his head jerked up in alarm. Stuttering slightly, he said, "Uhhh…hey Nina…didn't know anyone else was still here." *Oh god, did she hear anything?*

"Hmm…yes. Had a few things to finish up." Walking to Finch's desk, she looked like a panther prepared to attack. Finch swallowed quickly and tried to ignore her. Nina spotted the concert passes sitting on Finch's desk. With lightening quick movements, she grabbed the passes before Dennis could stop her. When she saw the name of the performer all other thoughts fled her mind as she let out a tremendous guffaw. "Barry Manilow…you're going to see Barry Manilow in concert! Oh, this is too good!"

Finch groaned and hit his forehead on his desk in frustration. With his head still down, he pleaded in a muffled voice, "Please don't tell anyone, Nina. Please, I beg you."

Nina snorted and shook her head, "Nobody would believe me anyways. Well, considering that it's you, they might. You already have a reputation for liking um…shall we say unmanly things."

Rolling his eyes, Finch looked up and said, "I'm not gay, Nina. So I like Manilow, sue me."

Smirking lightly, Nina replied, "I probably would be inclined to think you were gay if it weren't for the way you looked at Maya…not to mention the very near kiss you two almost shared the other day in the kitchen."

Finch looked at her in disbelief. With widened eyes, he asked, "How the hell do you know about that?" *Oh god, she's going to ruin everything. She's going to blab and either Jack or Elliott will kill me…maybe both of them together.*

Nina sat herself on the edge of Finch's desk, "Let's just say that I have eyes and ears. I notice things…little looks, glances, touches that most people would just disregard. Don't you think it was awfully coincidental that you two were given a warning just as Elliott was approaching the kitchen the other day? Hmm…yes. I thought it better that Elliott not enter the kitchen and find his ex and Dennis Finch in a lip-lock. There was bound to be bloodshed, and what was happening between you and Maya was just too interesting to have you killed off at such an early stage."

Finch just stared at her in flabbergasted silence for a moment before he threw his hands up in the air and exclaimed, "You mean that you've been spying on us this entire time!"

Brushing her fingernails off on her shirt, she replied, "Quite right. Though I do seem to have been wrong about one thing. I thought you were being the Dennis Finch that everyone knows and…well, knows. But I was wrong, wasn't I? Hmm Dennis?" Looking up at Finch's wide eyes, she continued before Finch could get in a word, "You're in love with her, aren't you? You're in love with Maya."

Finch looked like a fish out of water. He kept opening and closing his mouth, but nothing was coming out. He finally gathered his wits and muttered, "I don't know what you mean, Nina." *Crap, how did she figure that one out? I'm dead…seriously dead.*

Nina smirked and said, "You know exactly what I mean, and don't worry I won't tell anyone." When Finch looked at her in disbelief, she continued, "It'll be fun to see you fall flat on your face." Finch's eyes narrowed and he glared at her. In a cruel voice, Nina whispered, "Oh, come on Finch. Do you really think you have a chance with Maya? Mark my words, she would rather have an enema than get romantically involved with you. She's just using you for her amusement." A look of utter devastation and pain appeared in Finch's eyes. The look was gone as soon as it had appeared. Nina felt a sharp stab of guilt about her callous words. She couldn't believe that she had been so cruel…even if it was Finch.

Finch turned and grabbed the tickets from Nina's hands. He left his work undone and practically ran out of the door. The whole time he was thinking, *I'll show her. I'll show all of them. What a complete bitch. Everyone knows that Maya isn't the type to use people like that…is she?* Shaking his head, he considered, *I'll probably get fired. I left some pretty important documents undone…hell, I don't care. I just can't stand to look at Nina now.* Putting on his resolve face, he thought, *I have to get ready for Manilow tonight. Can't let Nina put a damper on my evening with Maya and Manilow.*

Nina stared at the door that Finch had rushed through. She felt the guilt building up inside her to nearly unbearable levels. Seeing the mess that Dennis left on his desk, she figured the least she could do was finish up the work he had left behind…it was, after all, her fault that he hadn't finished the work. She didn't need the guilt of Finch getting fired because of her on top of the rest of the guilt she was already feeling. *Why do I feel so guilty…it's just Finch.* Sighing, she sat down to finish his work, as she thought, *Because he's human…mostly… and he has feelings too. God, I never even considered I could hurt him that much. When did I become such a heartless person?*

After she had finished Finch's work, she started to get up. After a moment she sat back down and wrote Finch a quick note…

Finch,

I'm sorry about what I said on Friday. It was wrong of me. Plus, I really don't think that Maya would do something like that. It's something I would do but not Maya. I don't really know that she will ever see you in a romantic light, but it is obvious that she does see you as a friend. I can't believe that I'm actually apologizing, but you deserve it. And if you tell anyone, I'll deny it and beat you to death.

Nina

Nina folded the note and wrote Dennis' name on the outside. Sighing, she placed it in his mailbox. She walked to the door and shut off all the lights. She exited into the hallway and locked and closed the door behind her.