The Problem With the Chase

A/N:I want to thank everyone who reviewed or offered their congratulations to me. Reviews mean the world. I'm sorry I haven't updated, the guilt is overwhelming. Seriously. But I'll try to update more. Just keep the reviews coming!

Chapter four: Very Scary Masculine Hands

As soon as Rory managed to pry her eyelids open, she regretted it. She couldn't help the small gasp of discomfort as she quickly shut them.

Or the loud moan as she tried to open them once again.

Sitting up was not an easy task, but it was made easier by two hands.

Two very, very masculine hands.

Rory started to jump away from Finn and nearly landed herself on the floor.

"What the hell?"

"It's okay, love. Nothing happened, remember?"

If it hadn't been for Finn's comforting touch on her arm she would have doubted him.

She didn't remember a thing.

When Rory finally calmed herself she noticed Finn had brought her a tray; mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and orange juice that she was nearly positive had a bit of vodka in it.

There was also a glass of water and two little white pills.

"Finn! My savior!"

He just laughed as she reached out to take the pills and water from the tray.

In her clumsy movement Rory accidentally brushed her arm up against Finn's. Her throat constricted.

So did his.

He didn't think she'd ever looked so beautiful. Her hair had fallen partially out of her loose pony-tail and her eyeliner was smudged haphazardly under her eyes.

Finn felt a jolt in his stomach that he couldn't stop.

As Rory tensed almost imperceptibly, he knew it had shown in his eyes. He wondered if she acted this way towards every man that was attracted to her. She knew Finn was a sexual person, he wondered why it made her so uncomfortable all of the sudden.

Maybe it was time he started pushing a little. Just for fun.

"I want you, Rory. I'm sorry if that bothers you."

Finn waited a few moments for her to speak, but when she didn't he got up.

"I'll see you later, doll. I've got a class."

Rory watched him walk out the door, and with a great amount of alcohol induced suffering, caught up to him before he opened the door to the suite.

"Finn…"

He just turned, his look on his face cheerfully fake.

She had trouble speaking.

The flat, hurt look in his eyes chilled her to the bone. She hadn't meant to hurt him; she just wasn't used to men being so blunt, especially about anything sexual. It was different when Finn directed it in another's direction, or said it jokingly.

It didn't arouse her then.

"It doesn't… Bother me, that is. I just-"

"Have dinner with me."

Rory blinked at his interruption.

"I'll take you to a nice restaurant. We'll just talk. No alcohol, I promise."

He held up his hands as if surrendering and watched as she let a hesitant smile play across her face.

"Okay."

She didn't know why, but she didn't feel like she was being played.

Stepping into the hallway and closing the door softly, Finn ran right into someone.

Someone very blonde haired, blue eyed, and astonished.

"Logan, mate, good to see you."

He couldn't help but relish in his friend's shock for a moment. He knew how it looked, him walking out of Rory's room in the early morning.

He didn't care.

"Did you sleep with her?"

Finn was unsure whether the words were meant to sound angry or hurt, but they were full of both. He shrugged.

Finn wanted to say yes but Rory would never forgive him.

He thought about his love-hate relationship with Logan for a moment before replying.

"We just talked, mate."

Logan looked confused, but relieved. His smug smile came back.

Finn decided to wipe it off his face.

"But we do have a date."

The blonde's face fell slightly. He stayed quiet for a moment, waiting for Finn to speak. When he didn't, Logan went ahead.

"Finn…I'm dating Rory and I know she wants more. I know about your bet with Colin, but I won't let you use her that way. I don't want to see her hurt."

He paused for a second before deciding to lay it all out.

"That's the only reason I'm not with her."

Finn stood awkwardly for a moment before pulling out his wallet.

"How much do you want? Double what I bet?"

Logan was incredibly confused.

"What are you talking about, Finn?"

Finn nearly threw up his hands in frustration.

"It's not about the bet anymore. It's about her… I like her."

Logan wasn't quite sure what to say. Finn had never openly admitted to liking a girl. He wasn't sure Finn ever had liked a girl; and if he had it was definitely not for her conversation skills.

"I like her too. That's not what this is about. I like her a lot, but she's not like us, she's special… She's a relationship girl; way too good for us."

Finn let himself show a bitter little smile.

"No, mate, she's too good for you. Cause, see, unlike me, once you realized she was special you distanced yourself, instead of getting closer. Unlike me, you're not willing to give up other, not so special, girls to give her what she deserves."

Logan had never seen his friend get so worked up over a girl. As he watched the Australian walk away, he tried not to think about what he'd said, but couldn't help it. He'd always thought Rory was special, but he'd never thought to give her what he knew she wanted. He didn't even see it as a possibility.

He had come to her dorm expecting to see Rory, who he regretted ignoring the night before. But as he looked at her door, he knew he was right.

He didn't deserve Rory; he never had. He'd let himself believe she was happy when obviously, she wasn't. Even Finn could see that.

Logan turned and walked in the direction Finn had gone a few minutes before.

Finn was right, and he wasn't good enough for Rory.

What if Finn was?

In Rory's dorm, she was sliding down the door of her common room. She'd been about to go back to sleep when she heard voices.

She'd heard the boys' argument.

What the hell did she do now?

She couldn't be mad at Finn, as much as she wanted to. He didn't seem to care about whatever bet Logan had mentioned.

But if he honestly didn't care, why hadn't he mentioned it to her?

A/N: Hey sorry it took so long. You reviewers have been so good to me. I've had this written for weeks, but I needed to do the final editing, which I hate, because I always end up changing the entire plotline. But next time, the chapter will magically appear before you know it. Especially if you review. Reviews are my extra-strength white chocolate mocha- with raspberry and two extra shots of espresso with extra whipped cream.

Mmm… Starbucks.