A/N. Hey all. thank's for the reviews! they make the world go round. this chapter is maybe a waste of space, but I think parts of it is cute. Am also trying to set a stage for things to come. read and REVIEW! enjoy!

Chapter 12. Love is murder

"So why do we order take out for a CSI-marathon? It's not like we're gonna want to eat while watching a bunch of grim murders." Logan pointed out as he and Finn helped setting up the table of food and snacks that was apparently essential when watching a six hour tv-marathon of any kind.

"Oh, Logan darling, how little you know your Gilmore girls." Loralai sighed as she brought the glasses and napkins to the table.

"I'm actually with Logan on this one." Kiera chimed in. "Who wants to eat while watching a forensic scientist carving up a very real-looking puppet?"

"We do." Loralai and Rory responded at the same time.

"I'm not opposed either." Finn stated and put the soda cans down next to the bowl of chips.

"I'm sure you're not. But then you are a little crazy." Kiera smiled and sat down next to the Aussie.

"That might very well be true. One the other hand, I'm not the one who threw myself into a lake fully clothed, just so I could make another person do the very same thing." Finn remarked and put his arm around her shoulders.

"God. I'm never going to hear the end of that one, am I?" Kiera rolled her eyes.

"Hey, Kiera, there's a letter for you here from Yale." Loralai handed her the envelope and sat down on the couch next to Finn. Logan and Rory had already taken up residence on the floor in front of them. Rory turned her head. "Must be the admissions decision. Open it, Kir."

Kiera unconsciously held her breath as she ripped the envelope open. This is it. This letter will decide my future. Do I get to stay here or do I have to go back to a school I don't like or a responsibility I'm not ready for yet? Please, please, please be the good letter! She eyes through the letter and exhaled deeply. A smile replaced her worried look.

"I'm in." she said. Finn hugged her shoulders tighter and kissed her cheek. "Of course you are. Did you doubt it for even a second? Come on, we all know that you belong with us. The universe wouldn't have it any other way."

Kiera laughed. "Yeah, maybe your right. Or it could just be the joint effort of Mr. Gilmore and my kick-ass interview with the dean."

"Already getting smug, are we?"

"Congrats Kiera. You kids are gonna have a blast this fall, I sure. Now shusch, we're starting!" Loralai said and reached for the remote and a handful of pretzels.

About three hours into the marathon the gang decided that it was time for a leg-stretch and bathroom break.

"Man, there sure are a lot of crimes of passion in this series." Logan commented.

"Yep. Carving into dead peoples' love-lives helps to build and maintain the sexual tension between some of the cops." Rory assessed.

"That's just weird you know."

"Hey, I'm just calling it as I see it."

"I'm going outside for some air. Call me when break is over." Kiera said and walked to the door. It was a clear night but surprisingly cold for July. Kiera walked over to the steps and leaned against the pillar and watched the stars. She thought about her admissions letter. Thank God for small favours. She thought. Her life felt so messed up as it was, she was really thankful that she wouldn't have to go back home and start working just yet. The thought of James and the unresolved furniture issues popped uninvited into her head. She needed to straighten that whole mess out before school started but she just couldn't bring herself to call him. She knew it would get ugly. Deep in thought she didn't hear the door open and close behind her. When a strong arm snaked around her waist she jumped a little and then settled back when she realised it was Finn.

"Sorry love. Didn't mean to startle you." He whispered in her ear. "What were you thinking about?"

Kiera sighed. "Just stuff. School, James. My future." She put her hands over his on her abdomen but didn't attempt to remove them.

"Is this what you consider friendly behaviour?" she asked and turned her head to smile at him.

"Well, maybe it's a little over-friendly, but I have to make sure you will come around to my way of thinking." He replied and grinned that sexy wolfish grin of his. "Besides, you looked a bit cold."

"Yes. I guess I was." And don't worry, mate. I think my mind is pretty much made up as far as you are concerned. Just wish that I had gotten to say my rational meaning before the vote was taken.

He pecked her lightly on the nose. "Come on. Break is over." He released her and went to open the door. Kiera was surprised to find that she didn't want him to let go of her. It felt so good to just stand there in his arms. She felt safe, which, the irony wasn't lost on her, was a little funny considering the company. She went inside and headed for the kitchen to get some water.

"Hey. Are you ok?" Rory asked her as she joined her in the kitchen. Kiera could see the concern on her face and smiled a somewhat tired smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…it has been a very intense day and I'm a little headachy. You really shouldn't worry so much about me, Rory."

"Can't help it. You've been through a lot lately and Finn isn't exactly helping with this thing he has for you. I want you to be happy again Kir. It feels like you've had to change so much since high school."

"So have you Ror. It's part of shouldering the responsibility our parents lay on us. And I will be happy again, I am happy. I have wonderful friends and family. I just got into Yale! Life is good!" She smiled a little more convincingly this time and gave her friend a hug.

"Ok." Rory said. "Come on, they'll start without us."

"Oh no! Hurry!" Kiera said in mock horror and the two girls ran for the living room.

In the end, six hours of crime drama turned out to be too much for Kiera. She fell asleep against Finn's shoulder and didn't wake up until he lifted her up to carry her to her bed. She put her arms around his neck and nuzzled into his chest. He put her down on her bed in Rory's room and she reluctantly let go of him. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"G'night princess."

"Night, prince Charming." She mumbled and smiled when she added: "Let me know if the real, somewhat insane, Finn shows up." He chuckled and squeezed her hand in good bye before he went out into the kitchen again where Logan and Rory were saying their own good nights. Something that involved a lot of touching and tongue. He looked at them and cocked an eyebrow. "Maybe I should just carry Kiera back to the living room so you two can get a room."

Logan chuckled. "Maybe you should." Rory giggled and punched him in the chest. "No, that will be quite enough of that mister. You're not getting laid in my mother's house."

"What? She doesn't know we have sex?"

"Of course she does. But that doesn't mean she wants to hear it. The walls are pretty thin in this house."

"Damn, I thought you meant that I can make you scream like no one else has."

"That's true as well but it's beside the point." Rory leaned in to kiss him again.

"Alright, I think I should leave now. This conversation is beginning to freak ME out." Finn said and left the kitchen. Loralai had made temporary beds in the living room for the guys as they really didn't want to drive back to Hartford in the middle of the night. He lay down on the couch and pulled the blanket over him. It was the same blanket that Kiera had used earlier in the evening and it still smelled slightly from her perfume.

The next morning they all had breakfast at Luke's before Kiera and Loralai left for the inn.

"So, what are you doing today Ace?" Logan asked as he brought her her second cup of coffee.

"Oh I'm going to help Andrew sort through a whole mountain of books. See, this old lady in town died and she donated all of her books to Andrew's book shop. Turns out she had like a house full of books. It is a mountain, literary. What about you? What's on the mischief-agenda for today?"

"No mischief, we're just meeting up with Colin down at the marina."

"Right. The sailing trip. How long will you be out?"

"A couple of days, four at the most. Might be shorter if Finn gets sea-sick again."

"Hey! I didn't get sea-sick. It was food poisoning and you know it." Finn said, sounding offended.

"Whatever man." Logan said and ducked when Finn took a swing at his head. "And after that I have to go away on a short trip with my dear dad. So we won't be able to see each other until next weekend."

"For the send off party." Rory nodded. "Ok. Well, I guess I'll have to manage without you."

"Can you please go somewhere else if you're going to start making out again. It really is too early in the morning." Finn complained.

"It's ten!" Rory replied.

"Like I said; too early."

"I thought this whole 'anything that happens before two in the afternoon is too early' was just a hang over thing." Rory said.

"No, it's pretty much a constant. In fact, the only time that I haven't thought it was to early was that morning in New York."