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"Come on now... I'm waiting."
Rory crossed her arms around her chest, looking the other way. "I'm not drinking that," she replied vehemently.
Finn grinned boyishly, "Just one shot."
"I can't hold my alcohol. I'm going to be dizzy just drinking that," Rory said, eyeing the shot glass hesitantly.
"One won't kill you," Finn laughed, holding the vodka near her face tantalizingly.
"Finn," Rory half-whined, "I know what you're doing..."
"Oh?"
"You're trying to get me drunk," she said matter of factly.
Finn rolled his eyes, biting back a smile. Instead, he swallowed the vodka he meant to give her. After the bitter alcohol made its way past his throat, he leaned against three pillows that he had stacked together and grabbed a slice of kiwi. He chewed thoughtfully before uttering another word.
"So... tell me about yourself," he grinned at her before taking another slice of fruit.
"Well," Rory started, "What do you want to know?"
Finn shrugged, "Let's start with the basics, shall we?"
"Alright," Rory agreed, "But you have to answer them too."
Finn nodded in agreement. "Easy questions first alright?"
"Okay."
"Full name."
"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore the third."
Finn's eyebrow raised, "Finley Hamilton Morgan the third."
Rory chuckled, chewing on her Reese's bite thoughtfully trying to think of another question. "How many relationships have you been in?"
"Serious relationships?"
Rory nodded.
"Just one," he answered truthfully, "When I was sixteen... her name was Abigail something."
"Abigail something? If the relationship was so serious then you should know her last name."
"I do... well did. It was a long time ago," he laughed sheepishly.
"What happened?"
"I moved to America," he said, his voice had now become soft.
"Did you love her?"
"We were sixteen," Finn answered, "I didn't know what love was back then."
She nodded understandingly.
"So, how about you then?"
"Two. Dean and Jess..."
"What happened?"
"Dean - well we met when we were was sixteen and he was the perfect boyfriend. He was trustworthy and safe. Then there was Jess... Luke's nephew. He was the complete opposite of what Dean was. Jess was this rebel that I was weirdly attracted to him... but one day, he just left," she explained.
"Both are bloody stupid if you ask me," Finn replied, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Rory laughed, "I'm over them."
"I'm glad... and if you don't mind me asking love, what's going on with you and my best mate?"
"Colin and I? Well… don't tell anybody but we're madly in love and are thinking of eloping next week."
"Am I invited?"
"Maybe."
"Will there be cake? I love cake."
Rory scoffed, "You silly man! Of course."
"Now honestly, you and Colin make a lovely image in any sane person's mind… but I'm talking about the other one. Logan Huntzberger… does that name ring a bell?"
"A tiny one," Rory blushed at his question, "Nothing serious."
"But I assume you want it to be."
"Your assumption is correct, yes," she blushed even more at her revelation, "But that doesn't mean it's going to happen. Logan Huntzberger doesn't commit."
Finn attempted a smile, only to have it come out lopsided. "Well that may be true... but on the other hand, it may not."
"Really?" her smiled widened hopefully.
Finn took note of this and nodded, inwardly sighing. "He's never brought a girl to one of our adventure's before. He doesn't want Colin and I to get attached to one of his girls... but he has no problem introducing you to us so that's got to mean something, right?"
"I guess... but I'm not getting my hopes up," she said, picking at her half eaten mallomar.
Finn shot her a small smile before bringing his drink up to his lips, all the while thinking, you shouldn't love... you really shouldn't. It was hard for him to swallow his beer as thoughts filled his mind. He knew Logan Huntzberger well, and he knew that it would take more then just one girl to change his playboy ways. Finn looked at the brunette from the corner of his eyes and sighed into his drink... he couldn't bring it to himself to tell her the truth about his best mate. His feelings for her blinded his way of thinking and he silently cursed her for that. Besides, he refused to be the one that would hurt her.
"So how did you, Colin and Logan meet?" she suddenly asked.
"High school. I met Logan midway sophomore year and Colin came a year later. Been inseparable ever since."
"That fact is quite obvious. We never see one without the other two close behind."
"Hey! Those two dipsticks are my brothers."
"Yes, you three are like triplets conjoined at the hip."
Finn laughed, "But even you have to admit that I am the most handsome."
Her head shook repeatedly as her shoulders shook from laughter, "I will do no such thing."
"But doll... it's quite true. You have yet to see Colin when he's just woken up. The most disgusting image imaginable."
"Well then, my most sincere condolences to Stephanie."
"To Stephanie? I share a dorm room with the bloke!"
They both laughed as they continued to share stories. Both took turns answering each other's questions, with Finn sometimes cutting in with a humorous story from time to time. Rory grasped a newly opened bottle of beer and without even a second thought; she swallowed a fair bit before realizing her need for another bottle.
-
"Alright, I got one," Finn announced, his side's aching from laughing.
"Take the stage, Mr. Morgan," Rory threw her arms up for emphasis, although she didn't mean to.
"Are you drunk doll?" he looked at her suspiciously, his eyes danced with mirth.
"No, not drunk…" she trailed off, slapping his arm lightly, "Just tipsy. I blame you."
"Me?" the Australian exclaimed, "I'm completely innocent."
"You… you… you," she pointed at his chest with her index finger, "You're just so persuasive."
"I'm not going to argue with you," he replied, puffing out his chest confidently.
Rory laughed, "So what was the story you were going to tell me?"
"Oh yes, before you so rudely interrupted me…" he cleared his throat.
"I did not-"
"Do you want to hear my story or not?"
Rory closed her mouth and nodded bashfully.
He smiled wryly, "Actually love, never mind. It won't beat the story of you getting hit by a deer…" he said thoughtfully.
"Ah, one of my most darkest moments. Because of that deer, Mr. Medina wouldn't let me take this test that I had studied so hard for," she shook her head at the dreadful memory.
"Howd'ya take it?"
"Not very well, I'm afraid," she pouted slightly, "I blew up Paris and this guy named Tristan."
Finn had not heard her answer as his eyes were fixed solely on her slightly parted pink lips. His stomach flipped and he worked hard to keep a steady breathing rhythm.
"I'm sorry love, I didn't quite catch that," he broke away from his trance-like state.
"Never mind," she laughed off the feeling in her stomach. She had caught him staring and it made her nervous.
Finn shifted a little under the pillows and found himself closer to where Rory sat cross-legged. Even with the dim lighting, he could see her anxiety-ridden blue eyes. He fought a losing battle with himself as he found himself inching closer to where she sat. The light from behind her only seemed to intensify her beauty and her angelic like features. Finn couldn't help but eye her tasty looking lips appreciatively, wanting so desperately to kiss her.
As he was thinking such thoughts, his body had subconsciously moved even closer to Rory Gilmore. They now sat opposite each other, both sitting cross-legged with the same look on their faces.
Their faces were now millimetres away from one another and Finn inwardly danced in anticipation. Gently, he brought his hand up to caress her cheek; he tilted her head carefully to better prepare her to the upcoming kiss. Licking his lips, he decided to end the agony and crushed his lips onto hers.
The intensity of the kiss took her by surprise. She staggered back and was met by pillows. To her relief, her sudden fall did not separate their lips… he was now hovering above her and his hands were positioned at either side of her body for support. Her right hand found its way into his dark locks while her left was resting on his waist, her thumb caressing his belt buckle.
The now passionate kiss was slowly escalating into something more. Finn's tongue outlined her bottom lip teasingly, awaiting entrance. Rory found herself moaning from this gesture and greedily opened her mouth, welcoming his tongue with her own.
"Morgan! Ace… where the hell are you guys?"
Rory jumped out of the kiss and pushed Finn away. She sat up and hurriedly fixed her brown hair… she could hear footsteps from outside. They only had mere seconds before somebody would come in.
"Did… did that just happen?"
Finn ran a hand over his now messy hair, he sighed and reluctantly nodded. "'Fraid so."
Rory bit her swollen bottom lip, preventing it from quivering. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"Don't be," Finn attempted an apologetic smile, cursing inwardly.
"It must have been all that beer," she fought for an excuse.
Finn nodded curtly before tearing his eyes away from her. He could see three figures standing outside. The flap opened and Logan popped his head inside.
"There you are!"
Logan stepped inside, followed by Stephanie and Colin.
"Ooh," Stephanie cooed, looking around the dimly lit tent, "You should have made a sign that said, Finn's love shack… female's only and posted it outside. You want me to make one for you? I have some glitter in my purse."
Colin also looked around and glanced at Rory briefly, then his eyes settled to Finn. It didn't take a smart man to know what had gone on. "You dog," he teased.
"Oh piss off, you whacker," Finn muttered before crawling out of the tent.
Colin turned to Stephanie who shrugged curiously. She signalled that they should follow their friend and Colin hesitantly agreed.
Logan and Rory were now the only ones left. Rory's head was down and she refused to meet his questioning eyes.
"So, did you have fun?" his voice oozed with sarcasm.
Rory found enough courage to meet his eyes and nodded stiffly. "Finn's an easy guy to talk to," she replied.
"Just to talk to?"
"How was grocery shopping?"
"Fine but unlike here, no kissing happened to or from the grocery store."
"Pity. I'd bet Stephanie would have loved to see you and Colin kiss," Rory quipped.
"So you did kiss Finn?"
"What if I did?" she challenged Logan using just her eyes.
"You're not supposed to!"
"And why not? It's not like we're in an exclusive relationship!"
Logan paused, "You're right Ace, you're absolutely right… go kiss Finn… hell, go kiss Colin for all I care. As for me, I'm going to go and give Jasmine a call… or maybe Susie, I'm feeling a little feisty tonight."
"Go ahead," she yelled, biting back tears as she exited the tent.
She stepped out of the tent only to be met by three pairs of inquiring eyes. Finn, Colin and Stephanie were all seated on the patio table, their eyes glued to her. Rory tensed at this, feeling extremely uncomfortable under their fixed stares. From behind her, she heard Logan step out of the tent and could feel his eyes on her back. Seconds later, she felt Logan's presence… he was now standing behind her.
A warm, almost comforting hand met her tense shoulder. "Rory… I'm sorry," he whispered close to her ear.
Rory promptly turned around, meeting his apologetic eyes with her apprehensive pair. She nodded wordlessly.
Logan smiled and brought her close to him, bringing her into a tight embrace. He buried his face deep within her vanilla scented hair before bringing his head up. Immediately, his eyes found the face of his best friend, his eyes silently sending him a message.
Finn was the first to break their eye contact. He had understood clearly. Now, he had to find ways to avoid Rory Gilmore as much as possible… he had to, for his best mate had told him so just a few seconds before.
--
I apologize for the extremely long wait… I sort of just winged this chapter and it took me forever to even begin to write.
Problem Child1: First off, let me begin to tell you how wonderful you are! I'm glad the last chapter made you laugh; it was such a giggle to write. And yes, I agree with you… I would not want to reach into Colin's pants either. Finn yes (they'd probably stay in there for a bit longer… mwahaha) but Colin's? No, no and no. I hate camping too… I went once and refused to go back.
ReeseAnn: There's some smooching for you! I hope you like it… and thank you for your reviews.
ElvenPrincess01: Wow… your review made me smile. Thanks a bunch!
ETB4670: I love them together also, and Finn being an Aussie is a big reason. Who can resist a man with an accent?
Smile1: Whenever I see that you've reviewed to one of my chapters, it makes me grin like no other. You're so sweet, but you give wonderful criticism also. Thank you for that and I'm glad you're enjoying this story! Endless possibilities for sure!
As for my other reviewers, THANK YOU SO MUCH… you guys are just the best! I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love youuu… (That Natasha Beddingfield song is on).