Here's the new chapter. Oh my god, finally, right? I'm really sorry this took so long (what, 2-3 moths or something? :/ oops). I've been really busy with assignments and exams and all that shit that comes with school. So here I am, doing work experience at a day care for the most feral children I've ever met, writing this chapter during my break. Thank you to everyone who has been asking about it. It's good to know that there are people actually reading this story and waiting for me to update. So I'm extremely sorry x

This chapter starts out as Amian, but kind of drifts into Natan. So, here's the long-awaited chapter 8.

Ian's P.O.V

The evening went by in a blur. Music blared through a dozen speakers, as loud as it could be, hips swayed to the beat, lights flashed in a thousand different colours and patterns, pulsing throughout the room. Kissing, lots of kissing, hands wandering roughly, the bitter taste of alcohol lingering in the back of my throat. My head pounded lightly, and swirled through a haze. Colours, voices, blurs of movement.

And Amy.

She was always there, her fiery red hair cascaded around her head, soft to the touch, the faint smell of lavender mingling with the club's stench; sweat, alcohol, vomit, urine, and mould. Her pale skin glistened with the colours around us, the same swirl of lights reflecting in her jade green eyes.

She was always there. I never once left her side.

The taxis ride was easily unnoticed; the soft skin of her neck was much more tempting. The only regret was when the car stopped with a jolt, and I had to pull away.

My mind slightly foggy, ambitions and morals out the window, I stumbled up the hotel's front steps. I held Amy's hand tightly between us, our sides pressed together. We were the first on the elevator, and quickly pressed the up button. The moment the doors shut, Amy's back was pressed against the wall, her hands under my shirt, and my lips were on hers, hungrily taking the breathe away from her. My hands ran up and down her sides, squeezing her hips tightly as she deepened the kiss.

The elevator chimed softly as the doors slid open, and we pulled apart, gasping for breath. I hastily made my way down the hall, my arm around Amy, pulling her along. We were inside my hotel room in a matter of seconds, and I instantly pulled Amy towards me, kissing her passionately. She wrapped her legs around my waist, and I held her up, moving towards the bed. Her back hit the mattress without a sound, and she latched onto me, pulling my shirt off, her hands clawing my bare back. Her nails scraped along my skin, and some part of my mind registered the fact that I'd have long scratches marking my skin in the morning, but the thought quickly disappeared, like a wisp of cloud vapour, as her mouth moved along my jawline, a warm tingle in its wake. My hands moved to the buttons of her blouse, and I pulled them undone, tossing the thin shirt aside. My hands wandered to her back, about to unhook her bra, when I stopped, pulling back and peering down at her. It took a lot of will power, and was nearly impossible, but I removed my hands from her body and stared into her bloodshot eyes. Her cheeks were flushed red, from the effects of alcohol or their actions, I didn't know. Her mouth formed a small, adorable pout, clearly unimpressed that her body was no longer pressed flush against mine.

"Sorry," I whispered, stroking her cheek. "It's just… Are you sure?"

She nodded and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"You have to be alright with this. I don't want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, love," I said, wanting to be absolutely certain she was ready.

She smiled softly, lightly. "Come here," she whispered, pulling my head back down to hers. She kissed me gently at first, but then began biting my lips, her hands roaming down to the waist of my pants.

"I'm sure," she murmured.

Amy's P.O.V

A loud banging woke me up, and literally pierced my head. It ached, throbbing harshly, and as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, everything began to spin and a sharp pain racketed through my skull. I winced as everything came back into focus and stumbled to the door, pulling it open.

"Amy?"

I had to blink a few times to see who I was, but after a moment, what was a mess of colours cleared to show Dan's confused face.

"Dan," I hissed, "What do you want? I'm trying to sleep."

His eyes narrowed. "Why are you in Ian's room? And… what're you wearing?" He demanded, his voice rising.

I squeezed my eyes shut. "I'm in my room, Dan, and I'm probably still wearing last night's clothes. We got back pretty late… I think."

He cocked an eyebrow. "You think?"

"Well… it's a little blurry. And I don't remember much. And I think I'm going to be sick," I added as my throat tightened, my cheeks heating up horribly.

Dan studied me for a moment, his expression curious. Then it quickly changed to one of disbelief as he exclaimed, "You're hung-over! You. That means you were drunk."

"Ouch!" I complained. "Headache!"

He crossed his arms. "What did you do last night?"

"I told you, I don't know. And I want to go back to bed."

Dan shook his head. "Not until you've answered my second question. What are you wearing?"

I sighed and looked down at myself. And stared. And stared.

"What am I wearing?" I asked, astounded.

Then a door clattered open and Ian stepped out of the bathroom. His stopped short when he saw me. "Why are you wearing my shirt?" he asked.

"What?" Dan screeched, and I covered my ears with my hands.

"Dan!" I moaned. "You're killing me here."

He huffed, glared at Ian, then stormed off, slamming the door. I winced as it banged shut, and cradled my head in my hands.

"Here," Ian said softly, standing in front of me with a glass of water and two aspirin. I gulped down the painkillers and water in a single breath.

"Why am I wearing your shirt?" I asked carefully, half a whisper.

Ian blushed. "To be honest, I don't remember all that much. Except… Well…"

I bit my lip and looked him in the eye. "We…"

He nodded, unconsciously pushing a lock of hair behind my ear.

Heat pooled to my face, and in a flash, images of last night – or early this morning – ran through my head like an old slideshow. Hands touching, lips brushing, and a feeling so fierce, so intense, the memory of it stopped my heart for a beat.

I sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting for the effects of the aspirin to kick in.

"God, I'm never getting drunk again. My head kills," I muttered, massaging my temples.

"It's strong aspirin. Lucian formula," Ian said, sitting beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I leant my back into his chest and sighed.

"I think it's already working," I told him. The pain in my head was slowly ebbing away, and it felt less like I'd been hit with a grand piano and more like a tennis ball.

We sat there for a while, unmoving, silent. When the pain had completely cleared, I stood up and pulled on the shorts I'd been wearing last night, tucking Ian's shirt loosely into the waistband.

"Breakfast time," I announced, kissing Ian on the cheek and pulling him out the door, my sprits a little higher then when I'd woken up.

When I sat down across from Dan in the restaurant, he looked away from me, and instead glared at Ian as he took the seat beside me. He wouldn't meet my eyes, no matter how hard I tried.

"So, Kiddos. How was last night?" Nellie asked. Sinead's and Hamilton's answers were to groan. Sinead lay across three chairs, her head in Hamilton's lap, and Ham's head rested on the table. Nellie turned to me, raising an eyebrow. "What about you, Amy? Have fun?"

"I'm sure she did," Dan muttered angrily under his breath, loud enough for the whole table to hear.

I scoffed. "Dan!"

"What? You think I'll just accept it?" he snapped. "No way, Amy. Not gonna happen."

Nellie's brow furrowed. "What's going on?"

"Yes," Sinead moaned. "Please sort it out before my head explodes." She sat up and looked at me. "How is it that you don't have a headache? You drank a lot more then I did."

Ian tossed a box across the table. "Lucian brand."

"Thank you," she sang softly, pouring herself a glass of water.

"You were drunk?" Nellie asked me, astounded.

"Yeah, she was," Jonah piped in. "Extremely drunk. And man is she an annoying drunk."

I looked at him, startled. "Really?"

Hamilton nodded, swallowing some of Ian's aspirin. "Yeah, Ames. You were really excited over everything, and then you were suddenly glaring at us. And I mean serious glaring, because you had to wait your turn to have another drink."

I snorted, trying to be nonchalant, but I could feel my cheeks burning.

"And you were dancing," Jonah added. "For hours. And… you know what? I'm not even gonna go there."

My eyes widened. "What? What did I do?"

Sinead smirked. "I think you can guess."

"I starts with C and ends in asshole," Dan growled.

"Dan!" I scolded.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about."

I slammed my hand down onto the table. "I'm eighteen, Dan. I can legally do whatever I want."

"That doesn't mean you have to be an idiot!" He yelled, jumping to his feet. "I can't believe you did that, Amy. And you're still wea-" he broke off, but I knew what he was going to say. I'm still wearing Ian's shirt.

"Stop it, Dan," I whispered.

He shook his head. "I thought you were smart. You're the one who's supposed to yell at me for being irresponsible, not the other way around. Just… don't even talk to me, Amy."

And with that, he ran out of the room, leaving me shocked and hurt, frozen in my seat.

"Amy," Ian said softly beside me, resting his hand on mine on the table. I pulled away and stood, staring frantically after Dan, trying to push my way out of the cage of chairs around me.

"What happened?" Nellie asked.

I glanced at her. "Nothing."

I started making my way towards the door when a small, elegant hand rested on my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks.

"Leave him," Natalie said gently. "He needs to cool off. If you go after him, you'll only make it worse."

I turned to her. "I have to talk to him. You don't understand-"

"I do, actually. He spoke to me." She glanced at her brother, then back at me. "I'll talk to him."

I sighed and nodded, and sat back down without a word. My head fell in my hands. "God, he's a pain," I mumbled.

Ian chuckled. "That's younger siblings for you."

"At least Natalie doesn't yell at you," I countered.

"She saves her lectures for rare occasions. And you'll hear her when that happens, trust me."

Nellie sighed, exasperated. "Can someone please tell me what's going on?"

I looked up. All eyes were on me. Sinead, Jonah, and Hamilton were smirking. They must've guessed what happened. But everyone else was watching me expectantly, waiting for an answer.

What do I say? I thought, panic washing over me.

"It's a long story," I improvised.

Nellie nodded. "We've got all day, Kiddo."

I cringed and let out a long stream of air. Think, Amy. You can't tell them – not just yet. I was tapping my fingers on the table drilling my nails into the soft wood. "I… I mean we… Well, we drank a bit too much."

Nellie stared at me for a moment, studying me warily, before she broke into a grin. "That's why he's so mad? Because you got drunk?" She threw her head back and laughed. "Well, what did he expect? You're eighteen, and you were clubbing. Did he think you wouldn't drink or something? Just sit in the corner and watch?" She rolled her eyes playfully. "You're brother's so naive." Her tone turned serious for a moment, an oddity where Nellie was involved. "Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed in you. But I expected it anyway, even if you were irresponsible and whatever else Dan said." She was laughing again, then, wiping a tear from her eye. "Oh, Dan. He's too protective."

I forced a smile, glancing at Ian. His expression was neutral, his eyes giving away nothing, but I had more trouble hiding the truth then him. He was a trained Lucian, and I was far from that. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"So," Nellie leaned forward on her elbows conspiratorially. "Just how drunk do you have to be to make Dan that mad?"

"Well, we started with tequila shots," Sinead said, smiling. "They dove at those. I was watching them all night, but I lost count at around nine. Then they moved on to cocktails. Amy likes her cocktails, don't you, Amy?"

I paled. "I have no idea. I don't remember a thing." It was partially true. All I could remember was walking into the club and wanting to run as far away as possible. But Ian's hand on the small of my back had stopped me, and I had pushed through the crowds with Jonah in the lead. I can remember the burn of the tequila scoring my throat. But soon after that, everything was a haze, with a few flashes of colour and light and sound here and there. The last thing I remember was early morning, when moonlight still spilled through the curtains and illuminated Ian's face as it hovered above mine. I remember the feelings, the sensations, the wanting. And Ian. I remembered him clearly, being with him. I could remember the moments I spent with him, in his room, inebriated and burning with lust and passion. I blushed at the memory.

Ian caught my eye and flashed his trademark smirk. Somehow, he knew what I was thinking about.

"Keep in mind that these two are light-weights," Sinead was saying, a huge grin split across her face.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I don't even know what that means."

Hamilton snorted. "It means you get drunk easily."

"And quickly," Nellie added. I glared at her, but she didn't seem to notice. "Well," she said, "I'll come with you next time to make sure you don't misbehave." My stomach dropped to my feet. She knows, I thought, but then she started laughing, and I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding.

I stood up. "I'm going to find Dan," I announced, and hurried away before they could say anything else. I had no doubt in my mind that Ian and I had spent the night at the club dancing together. And from the looks Hamilton was giving us, we had done a lot more than dancing. I didn't want to be there when he mentioned it to everyone.

I climbed into the lift, which took me to our floor. When I stepped out, I heard voices down the hall, low and angry.

"I don't care that she's eighteen, and I don't care that he's changed. I'm still mad at her." I recognised Dan's voice and froze, pressing my back to the wall. "I just don't understand how she could've been so careless. This is Amy we're talking about. She's a nerd, not a slut."

I heard an exasperated sigh. "She's not a slut, Dan," Natalie said. "She's far from it. She let herself have one night where she could be carefree and not have to worry about her responsibilities. Yes, she was insanely drunk, which led to her having sex with my brother. But she's an adult now. She can do what she wants, and she deserves to have a little fun."

Dan scoffed. "I'm sure she had fun with Ian."

I moved closer, my back against the wall, to get a better look. They sat in a corner at the end of the hall, leaning against the walls, half facing each other. Natalie held Dan's hand tightly in hers, and Dan's thumb drew circles over the back of her hand. My eyes widened in shock, but I didn't say anything. I'd never seen Dan and Natalie so… intimate.

Natalie smiled. "Come on, Daniel. Don't be like that."

"Like what?"

"You know what."

His eyes met hers. "I'm just worried," he said softly. "I don't know if Ian hurt her or if she even wanted to-"

"Dan," she said, cutting him off. "I know you don't trust him, but trust me. Ian would never hurt Amy like that, and you know it. I told you already. Ian loves Amy, and whether you believe it or not, Amy loves him, too. And I know Ian well enough to know that he would sacrifice himself to keep the people he loves safe. He would rather kill himself in the most painful, inhumane way possible than hurt Amy. And Ian's not the pushy type. He wouldn't force her into anything she didn't want to do. He would wait."

"But he was drunk," Dan muttered, looking down into his lap darkly.

Natalie reached out and cupped Dan's face, lifting his eyes back to hers. "Remember what you told me last night? That I need to be a teenager and not worry about my responsibility? It's the same for Amy. She's been through so much – we all have. But for Amy, it didn't start at the clue hunt-"

"It didn't start at the clue hunt for you," Dan pointed out.

Natalie rolled her eyes but continued. "Amy's had to look after you her whole life after your parents died. Can you imagine how hard that must have been? Raising you? I would have given up-"

"Hey!"

She ignored him this time and spoke over him. "But Amy kept going. And then Grace died, and you joined the hunt, and your lives changed. Amy was probably out of her mind with terror the whole time, but she had to stay strong for you and she had to think about herself second. She cares a lot about you, Dan, just like you care about her. And after the hunt, she was given the responsibility to run a whole branch that she knew nothing about. She's had to sit through dozens of meetings, write mountains of paperwork, and keep the peace between the branches – and you know how hard that is. She has a lot to do, Dan. A lot more than most eighteen-year-olds. So don't you think it doesn't help at all when you come in and yell at her for doing what a teenager should be doing?"

Dan blinked and lifted a hand, resting it over Natalie's on his cheek. But he didn't say anything.

"Remember what you told me yesterday, Dan?" She asked softly. "No one can tell you what you can and can't do. If you can say that to me and mean it, then you can say it to Amy, too."

Dan blew a strand of hair out of his eyes. "I hate it when you're reasonable."

She smiled. "Aren't I always?"

Then something happened that I was not expecting. They both, simultaneously, leaned forward, and in the next instance, they were kissing as tough they'd done it a thousand times before.

I guess Ian and I aren't the only ones keeping secrets, I mused, a little stunned. But still, I smiled, watching them a moment longer as their arms wound around each other and their bodies pressed together. I was glad Dan was happy – it was painfully obvious he liked Natalie. His eyes always shone whenever he spoke to her, or about or, and simply looked at her. Kind of like how Ian looks at me, I thought as I turned around and went back down to the hotel restaurant to join the others.

"So," Ian said as I sat down beside him. "Did you talk to Dan?"

I shook my head. "No. But something tells me he's okay," I told him, smiling to myself. Nellie gave me a weird look, one eyebrow raised, and was about to say something when Dan and Natalie came into the room and sat down.

Dan looked over to me. "Sorry for yelling," he said meekly. "I shouldn't have overreacted. You can do whatever you want, and I can't tell you otherwise."

Natalie smiled beside him. "It's good to know Dan listens to someone."

"It's a rare thing," Dan admitted. "But I could get used to it."

"I have many methods of persuasion," Natalie said casually, admiring her nails. "And from what I know, they all work wonders."

Dan snorted. "Turning my words against me is amateur. And so not fair."

Natalie faked a pout and leaned towards him. "Aww. Did I upset poor Danny?" She reached out to poke him, but he grabbed her wrists.

"Dan, I like. Daniel I'll cope with. But Danny?"

"You have huge hands," Natalie commented.

Nellie laughed. "He does, doesn't he!"

"Look," Natalie said playfully, "They're twice the size of mine." She held her hand up with Dan's pressed against it. Where the tips of her fingers ended, the bottom of Dan's fingers started.

"Maybe you just have tiny hands," Dan suggested.

She shrugged. "Maybe, Danny-o."

"Whatever, Natella."

Natalie's eyes widened, and for a second I thought she might slap him (which I probably would have laughed at). She leaned in and whispered something in his ear, and he blushed and grinned.

"Natella it is, then," he announced, clapping his hands together. "Natella Cobra."

Ian looked at me. "What was that about?" He asked, his brow furrowed. My hand itched to reach up a smooth it out.

But I said nothing, just waited and watched. If they were planning on keeping their relationship a secret, they were doing a terrible job at it. But something told me they were waiting for the right moment.

"You guys are so cute together," Nellie commented, her gaze on 'Danny-o' and 'Natella'. "There's something going on. Spill."

Dan looked at Natalie, his expression cautious. She just smiled and laced her fingers with his. The effect was instantaneous. A collection of gasps ran up the table, and I felt Ian tense beside me. Nellie and I seemed to be the only ones who weren't in shock.

The table was silent for a moment as everyone blinked, unbelieving. Ian poured himself a glass of water, his face slightly pale. Jonah was the first to speak.

"Amy and Ian, that I'd believe," he said, and I blushed. "But… Dan and Natalie?"

Dan narrowed his eyes. "Why the hell does everyone always bring up Amy and Ian? It's like a conversation starter. It's ridiculous."

Ian choked on his water beside me, and my cheeks burned. Jonah just had to say it, didn't he, I thought. I gripped the ends of the table, bracing myself for another round of yelling on Dan's part. Sure, I'd heard his conversation with Natalie, but that didn't mean he didn't disapprove. And it really wouldn't help to bring up what had happened last night – or early this morning – after Dan and Natalie announced their relationship. It would make things confusing and awkward. Not only was I now lying to my family, and keeping secrets from them, but my boyfriend was possibly my future brother-in-law. Weird.

I was saved, however, by Natalie once again. She turned to Dan and lowered her voice, but I just made out what she as saying.

"Remember what I said?" She whispered. "Calm down."

"I am calm," he whispered back, his voice steady, his face relaxed. "I was just pointing it out."

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Cahills."

I glanced around the table, taking in the various expressions of my relatives, ranging from shock, to amusement, to complete and utter confusion.

"Let me clarify something," Ted said. "Dan was angry at Amy because she was drunk, and now he's annoyed that everyone keeps saying Amy's and Ian's names in the same sentence. And Natalie and Dan are together? Remember, I can't see any of this. I just hear it."

The Holt twins nodded their heads slowly, baffled. But Ted couldn't see their gesture, and he just sighed. "Fine. No one answer me."

"Yes, Ted," Nellie answered. "Now what are we doing today, Kiddos? Preferably no alcohol involved. We go home soon, and I want to enjoy this three-day vacation while I can."

An eruption of chatter burst around the table. Numerous arguments over where we would go and what we would do sprouted up everywhere until it was like everyone was arguing with themselves. But I paid no attention. I didn't mind where we went, as long as I had Ian by my side. Despite the fact that we had been completely and utterly wasted at the time, Ian and I had still shared something special. He loved me, and he wasn't afraid to remind me, and that was more important to me than anything. My hand flew to my neck, clutching the locket Ian had given me the day before. I ran a finger over the smooth surface and smiled to myself. I may have had the most complicated family in history, but everything had its perks.

I don't know if I like that ending :/ I think I might re-do it when I have time. But please tell me what you think x

I want to apologise again for taking so damn long to update. And apologise in advance because I can't promise it won't happen again, although I'll try my best to update ASAP.

I hope you liked it x R&R

P.S: I wrote the start of this story about two months ago, and I originally wrote "It starts with B and ends in asshole" But I can't remember what the 'B' stood for, which sucks, because I remember being really proud of it ;). So it's now "It starts with C and ends in asshole" and the 'C' stands for 'Cobra'. If you can think of what the 'B' could have stood for, please let me know haha (like anyone will understand my mind).