Chapter 13. The ex and the next

The days rolled by at a pretty comfortable rate. Kiera finished up the book keeping for the inn. Something that got her many praises and the undying devotion of one really grateful Loralai Gilmore. Rory and Andrew were making steady process through The Mountain of Really Weird Books as they came to call it.

The day before the send off party Kiera convinced Rory to go to Hartford with her to do some shopping. "Come on. It'll be my treat!" was the only statement needed.

The night of the party the two girls drove to Hartford to meet up with the others for drinks at the Huntzberger mansion before they went out. Rory drove while Kiera was talking on the cell phone. She was pissed off and so was the person on the other end; James.

"We're here." Rory whispered as she pulled up on the drive way. Kiera put her hand up to signal that she would be with her in a minute. Rory rolled her eyes and decided to leave her some privacy. The last thing she heard as she gave Kiera the keys so she could lock the doors was "NO! That is unacceptable James, and you know it. What do you mean? This is business, so excuse me if I'm 'using my business-voice'."

Rory rang the doorbell and Logan opened the door.

"Hey Ace. Come on in." he said and kissed her. "Where's Kiera?"

"In the car. She's on the phone. James called."

"He had to call tonight, of all nights? Should we wait for her?"

"No, she'll be in when she's ready. Oh wait, here she comes."

Kiera was indeed getting out of the car and locking the doors. She was still on the phone though. She walked up to the house, talking animatedly. "I don't care anymore. Send him the pictures. I know. I really didn't want to be a bitch, but he's taking this too far. It is my furniture for crying out loud. And I'm going to need some of it when I move this fall. NO! No, we're not pressing charges. I'm not that much of a bitch, yet. Maybe his lawyers will make him see reason if we threaten to take the whole thing to court. Yes. Ok. Thank you, Mr. Baines. Bye. Hi! God, your tanned." Kiera finished her call and greeted Logan in pretty much the same breath.

"Thanks. Come in. Talking to the lawyers?"

"Yes. I really didn't want to do this, but he's not leaving me much choice. Stupid bastard."

Rory and Kiera left their coats with the maid and followed Logan into the parlour where the others sat, drinks in hand and all with a good mood.

"Ah, two more gorgeous ladies to brighten our night!" Colin said as he saw them enter.

"Introductions…I think everybody knows everybody except… Kiera, this is Julia and Rosemary. Girls, Kiera - the guest of honor."

"Ah, so you are the one who've turned our dear Finn's head inside out." Rosemary said and got up to shake hands with Kiera.

"Um, yeah. And I'm guessing so are you." Kiera smiled as she noticed the beautiful girl's dark red hair. "And Julia, you're the one who doesn't believe in eating solid food, right?" Kiera turned to the blonde. She smiled and took Kiera's hand. "That's right!"

"So, what would you ladies like to drink? Choose your poison." Finn said and indicated the well-stocked bar.

"I'll have a gin and tonic." Rory said and got her order instantly.

"Can you do that vodka thing you made in New York?" Kiera asked. "I need something strong, I think."

Finn cocked an eyebrow. "Bad day?"

"No, just a bad half an hour, really."

"Been talking to the ex?"

"Yes. Or yelling, more accurately. And then talking to the lawyer who's going to threaten the ex." She received her drink, took a sip and made a grimace. "This really should be classified as poison you know."

"Had a bad break-up?" Julia asked.

"Very. But let's not talk about that. It would totally spoil the mood." Kiera smiled and waived the whole thing away. She did intend to get plastered though. Good thing I'll be rid of the problem soon 'cause if I'm going to drink everytime he pisses me off, I'll be an alcoholic in a month.

"That's the spirit, love. Let's drink the buggar away." Finn said and slung his arm around her shoulders. "Come on Kir, be my drinking-buddy tonight."

"Why I do believe that is the appropriate course of action, dear Finn." Kiera replied and clinked her glass to his.

"No no. Bad idea! Remember last time you took the 'appropriate course of action'?" Rory asked.

"Is this about the lake incident again? 'Cause that was only a slight miscalculation on my part. I failed to count in all the options and variables, and I blame it all on insufficient information."

"Wow! You really like big words when you're drinking, don't you?"

Kiera just laughed. "Maybe I do."

"Ok. Should we get going then?" Logan suggested. "Places to be, people to see."

"What people? Are we expecting more friends?" Kiera whispered to Rory.

"He means the bar-men." Rory whispered back then added aloud "Yes, babe, let's go! Bring out the Frank!"

The music was high and so was the spirit at the second club they hit. Rory and Kiera had just left the dancefloor to get something to drink when they were joined by Julia and Rosemary.

"So why bungee-jumping?" Julia asked Kiera and fluttered her eyelashes to get the bartenders attention. Kiera shrugged her shoulders.

"I saw this travelling-program when I was ten. They were travelling the world, looking for the best jump out there. I decided right then and there that I would do that sometime. Now seemed to be the right time."

"You do know it's addictive, right? I had this boyfriend who turned into a complete adrenalin junkie. If he didn't get to jump at least every six months, he would get very testy."

"Seems like a good high if it will last you six months. Tell me any other drug that can do that!" Finn joined them. "Are you getting your drink, love?" he added to Kiera who nodded in reply.

"Yes! And as soon as I get it we'll go right back to dancing." She said at pretty much the same time as her drink was set before her. She took a sip and offered the glass to Finn. "Try it! Tastes like strawberries and cream." Finn took a sip and made a face.

"You can't taste the booze!" he complained.

"No, that's exactly the point!"

"What's the point in drinking booze if you can't taste it?"

"I can't believe you just implied that any form of alcohol consumption would be pointless!" Kiera said and burst out laughing when she saw the horrified look on his face.

"That's not at ALL what I meant!"

"I'm just kidding! And the point, dear, would be that this way I can get drunk and have 'absolutely no idea how that happened!'"

Finn grinned at her. "I think I'll stick to vodka and scotch."

"Together?"

"If need be…" Finn picked up his glass, took Kiera's hand and pulled her with him back out on the dancefloor.

"I need some air!" Kiera shouted in his ear fifteen minutes later. "The floor. Moving."

She stumbled away from the dancefloor and out onto the balcony. It was close to empty. She heard someone behind her and turned to find that Finn had followed her.

"Are you alright, love?"

"Yeah. I just need some air. I think this might be the drunkest I've been in a very long time." She said and leaned heavily against the wall. Finn walked over to her and caressed her arm.

"Are you kidding? You're not nearly as soused as you were at the benefit in New York. Then come to think of it, neither am I. Wonder why that is…"

"Probably the dancing. It keeps you from downing your drinks at your normal pace." Kiera smirked. A gust of chilly night air blew across the balcony and she shivered. It was Finn's turn to smirk.

"You're cold. I like that. It gives me an excuse to put my arms around you again." He said and proceeded to do just that.

"Thanks." Kiera said and snuggled into his embrace. Her arms were folded between them and she put her head on his shoulder. "You know, I give up." She said. She kept her head against his chest and didn't see the confused look on his face. He didn't say anything.

"It's clear that I can't control this thing, however much I would like to. You make me feel…something. I can't put my finger on what it is. Sometimes, like now, it's comfort. I feel safe. Sometimes it's plain lust and other times it's raging madness because your so annoying with the way you've snaked into my brain." She smiled and looked up at him and saw that he was grinning too. "Bottom line is; let's do this. Let's start dating, Finn style."

He squeezed her tighter and looked down into her beautiful eyes. "I'm glad you have finally decided to see reason." His condescending tone annoyed her to no end and she tried to punch him in the chest, but unfortunately her arms were still trapped between their bodies. Her attempt wasn't lost on him though. He chuckled but didn't loosen his grip. Instead he bent his head and captured her pouting lips with his. The kiss was sweet and tender. Kiera loved the feeling of his soft lips against hers and realised just how much she had missed this. She wanted more, so when he didn't move it along, she did. She parted her lips a little and let her tongue graze his upper lip until he let her into his mouth. He tasted a little smoky still from the whiskey he'd had earlier. He demanded the control again and the kiss turned passionate. He bit her lower lip and got a lustfilled moan for his efforts. Her arms snaked up around his neck and her fingers played with his hair. He hugged her even tighter and she started to feel her body humming. Their bodies were practically melded together and she felt him move his hips against hers.

"Ooops! Sorry! We clearly interrupted." Came a cheerful voice from behind them. Kiera jumped, but she was held so tight that it didn't result in much movement at all except a little thrust of her lower body against Finn's, a movement that made him bite his lip to stop a groan escaping his mouth. He turned his head to see who had so rudely interrupted and was met by Julia's and Rosemary's giggling faces.

"It's ok." Kiera said.

"No it fucking isn't." Finn murmured. Their new company seemed unfazed though.

"We're moving on to SE7EN." Julia said. "Logan said that you have to come. He's afraid you will get into trouble if left alone too long."

Kiera giggled. "He's probably right about that. We'll be in in a minute." The two girls danced away again. Kiera turned back to Finn.

"Soo…" she said.

"Yeah."

"You ok?"

"Absolutely spiffy."

"We should probably get back." She giggled.

"I guess. Don't want to."

"We'll continue this another time."

"I'll hold you to that."

"That's only a threat when the person hasn't willingly offered."

"You might change your mind."

"Nope. Not again. My mind is made up."

"Good to know. Then we'll continue this another time." He consented and gave her a light kiss before letting go of her. She took his hand and took the lead back into the club where their friends were waiting, jackets in hand and ready to move on to the next place. Places to be, people to see.

A/N. good evening all. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. The story is still pretty tame. It will change. Read and review please!