0000

Rory and Finn ate and laughed with some of his old friends but Rory noticed that Colby was avoiding not only Finn but her as well.

She spotted him a little way down the beach alone and she couldn't help herself and she headed off towards him.

"Hi," she said and she saw him jump slightly at the sound of her voice.

He turned and looked at her with his blonde hair hanging in his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Look I know you and Finn have a beef or whatever but that doesn't give you a reason to be mean to me," Rory said.

"Why should you give a damn? I'll never see you again after tomorrow, or Finn for that matter," Colby said and started to walk back to the group who had lit a bonfire.

"Why do you hate him? He said you were best friends before," Rory asked.

Colby stopped and turned back to face her. "He left…he ran away from Braden. We were here for him and he left. Great friend."

"Listen, I don't know you and I don't particularly care but he does. He may have ran away but can you blame him? His little brother was killed and then he was dragged back here…I wouldn't want to be here either," Rory stared. She wasn't quite sure where all of this was coming from but she was getting sick of thisguy being a jerk to Finn.

He stared at her for a few more seconds. Those were the most awkward seconds of her life, with his intense blue eyes boring into her. Then he turned and walked away without a backward glance.

0000

"Pint?" a voice asked Rory as she rejoined the group.

She turned and saw Roo by the keg waiting for her response. "Sure."

He grinned and handed her some which she downed in a few gulps.

"Finn has really found his soul mate," Roo laughed and filled her up again.

She grinned at the thought but decided to take it easy for the rest of the night in case Finn needed her to drive back to the pub.

Finn joined Rory and took her drink. He gulped some and handed it back to her.

"Aren't you drinking anything?" Rory asked.

He just shook his head.

"Why?"

"I'm not really in a drinking mood. Let me know when you want to get out of here," he said and disappeared again.

"Did he just say he wasn't in a drinking mood?" someone that Rory recognized as Erin asked her.

Rory shrugged. "Something's wrong but I don't want to push it right now."

"You're a good girlfriend. As angry as I am at Finn for leaving like that I'm glad that he found someone to be happy with," Erin said smiling warmly.

Rory instantly understood why Finn was so in love with her.

"It takes a lot to say that but thanks," Rory said to her.

Erin smiled but faltered slightly when she saw Finn laughing and talking to Roo.

"Still love him?" Rory asked noticing the look.

"No…over the years I've fallen away from that but it's hard not to miss him sometimes," Erin explained with her blue eyes following Finn's movements.

"I know that we don't know each other or anything but do you want to talk? I'd love to get to know the girl that Finn was so in love with," Rory offered.

Erin thought about it for a second and then nodded.

The two girls, who looked like they could be sisters, wandered a little way off from the drinking and bonfire and crowd.

"Where do you guys know each other from?" Erin asked.

"School…I met him at the beginning of sophomore year…that's last year. Wow I've only known the stooges for less than two years," Rory replied and she was surprised to realize she hadn't known the boys and Steph for very long at all.

"Logan and Colin being the other stooges?" Erin asked.

Rory nodded. "I know…they were asses when they were here."

Erin nodded.

"Tell me something about yourself…please?" Rory requested.

Erin was quiet for a moment. "I met Finn awhile ago and we were friends for awhile but I think that the little while we were together might have been the best time of my life. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with Colby and I might even love him but Finn was different. I think that's why I loved him so much…he was different from anyone I had ever met."

"I know exactly what you mean. Logan likes me too but I want nothing to do with him romantically. Finn is so original and I've never met anyone like him which makes every moment with him new and exciting," Rory agreed. She was glad that someone else felt the same way as her but felt back at the same time because she knew that whether they would admit it or not Finn and Erin would always love each other.

"This is going to be weird for you to hear but I want to say it. I think Finn broke my heart more than anyone else ever could. When I found out he was gone it was as if a part of me died. There isn't a day that passes that I don't wish it had been different. I know this is going to be really hard to believe but I'm honestly not in love with him anymore. I will always love him…I can't help that, but I'm not in love with him anymore."

"Not to interrupt but I want to get this out too. I agree with everything you just said," Finn said from behind the girls.

They both turned quickly and stared at him.

"Erin…I'm sorry I hurt you. But I couldn't have been here and you know that…I just want to be friends. Please?" Finn asked.

Erin smiled sadly, got to her feet, and hugged him tightly.

Rory watched and saw the look on Finn's face. She was surprised…it wasn't a look of love; it was a look of happiness. He was happy to have resolved part of this.

"I'm sorry about Colby," Erin said softly.

"Don't worry about it…I knew it wouldn't be easy," Finn replied releasing her and sitting next to Rory.

"You want me to talk to him?" Erin asked sitting down on Rory's other side.

"It doesn't matter. If he can't get over it then he can't get over it," Finn shrugged and pulled Rory into his lap.

Rory looked into his green eyes and saw that he was tired but relieved.

Finn kissed her on the forehead and she settled into his body with her back against his chest and the rest of her body between her legs.

"You guys are adorable together. I can feel the pash," Erin smiled at the two of them.

"Colby's headed over here," Rory whispered as the blonde approached them.

The other two looked up and saw him coming towards them with an air of purpose.

"Erin, let's go," he said not even looking at Finn and Rory.

"Why?" she asked staying on the ground.

"Because, there are people here that shouldn't be and I don't want to be around them. Let's go," Colby said and both Finn and Rory caught the meaning.

"Don't bother mate. If you're really that upset about us being here then we'll leave. Erin…it was ace to see you. Keep in touch," Finn said getting up and then helping Rory up.

"It was nice to meet you," Rory said smiling sadly at Erin. She knew that Erin just wanted Finn and Colby to make up but it had to be on their own terms.

"Likewise," Erin replied. "Good to see you Finn." She got to her feet and hugged Finn for a moment then Rory as well.

"You're lucky…don't let him go. I can see the love in his eyes," Erin whispered in Rory's ear.

Rory smiled at her and then took Finn's outstretched hand and they left together.

Hearing Erin's words made her want to cry though. She had actually thought there had been a moment before when they were kissing and when she was sitting on his lap but now she wasn't sure. She hoped that Erin was right though…this outing had made her realize how truly perfect Finn was.

0000

"Do you want another change of clothes? I know you're probably all sandy," Finn offered as they got back into their room.

"Yes please," she said quietly.

He tossed her another t-shirt and boxers this time.

"Finn? Are you okay?" she asked after she had changed.

They were each lying in their own beds in silence though they were both awake.

"I'm fine…it's just hard to be here and see everyone," he said after a moment.

"Are we still going back tomorrow?" she asked hoping the answer was no.

"Yes…we have to. My sisters and brother are going to be home and we have to be there to see them," Finn replied and she could hear the regret in his voice.

"Finn?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I sleep with you? I don't like sleeping in new places alone."

"Come on over...I never turn down a bed partner. And by the way, thanks for being there for me tonight," Finn said.

She didn't feel the need to respond to that because she assumed he knew that she would always be there for him. Sheclimbed out of her bed and into his. She snuggled up to his side and felt his arms go around her naturally and his lips gently touch her forehead. Nothing had ever felt so right to her in her entire life.

It was like this that the pair fell into a sleep that couldn't be disturbed by anything.

0000

A/N:

Ryan's Note- Yeah…one more chapter left written. I might divide it into 2 again. I'm not sure yet. Lara's coming home in 11 days so after that she might be able to post some herself. If not I'll help her write some more.Thanks everyone, and God Bless. -Ryan

P.S. Once again, thanks to everyone who says that Lara and I are lucky to have each other. You guys make not only Lara smile but me as well. Thanks.