A/N: Yes, I wrote that last part like that on purpose. I wanted Kirsch to rescue Laura, even though Laura was blacking out so much that she couldn't realize it was him and not Carmilla. Issue with 50SoG: the language choices of the main guy are massive red flags to me that it was originally intended for someone who was born two centuries before. (I liked 'basket-making' better, btw)

The Hangover

It's quiet and serene. I am comfortable and warm, in this bed, that... isn't mine. I open my eyes wide and in panic as the headache starts to throb. I have no idea where I am, but it seems familiar. The room smells funny and the surroundings look like something I have seen before. My fuzzy brain realizes that this reminds me of my dorm room. The Zeta Omega Mu paddle on the wall tells me that I went home with a frat guy.

Oh, shit.

Fractured memories of the previous night come slowly back to haunt me. I was drunk. And I drunk-dialed Carmilla! Then Danny... I shivered at the memory of her forcing herself on me. I had no recollection of coming here, though. I take stock of myself and realize that I'm sleeping in an oversized t-shirt, bra, and panties. The bra was unhooked in the back, but not taken off of me. I don't think I had sex last night, but would I know? I have heard it makes you feel sore, and I don't feel sore at all. But I lost my shoes, my top, and my jeans?

I glance at the bedside table. On it is a glass of water, a yellow powerade, and two different bottles for headaches. Carmilla's overprotective control-freakishness? No, this doesn't make sense. I check the bottles and the tablets inside, and this doesn't look like some elaborate trap. My phone is plugged in and charging in front of a piece of macaroni art to Brody. I crack open the sports drink and take some pain medicine as I realize I am in Kirsch's dorm room.

It's thirst quenching and refreshing. My mouth and brain are dry and begging for water.

There's a knock on the door. My heart leaps into my mouth, and I can't seem to find my voice. Kirsch comes back in with a bag of greasy bacon goodness for breakfast. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Okay, this happened. What would Hermione Granger do? Not shirk away.

"Good morning Laura. How are you feeling?"

Oh no.

"Better than I deserve," I mumble.

"Greasy, salty food and electrolytes will put you to rights."

"How did I get here?" My voice is small, contrite. Tell me this wasn't my first time.

"You drank too much and have a hangover. You hungry?"

I peek up at him. He places the bag on a chair and pulls out two biscuit sausage things, one with cheese and another with cheese and bacon. He's staring at me, offering me to have one for breakfast. I took the one with bacon and tore into it. Usually I found this disgusting, but today it was delicious.

He comes and sits down on the edge of the bed. I begin to curl up and he backs off, realizing what I am thinking.

"We didn't," I whisper, my mouth drying in mortified horror as I can't complete the question. I stare at my hands.

"No, I slept on my futon last night. Laura, you were comatose. I hate that frat guys get assigned that kind of reputation. I like my women to be able to consent, and honestly, taller." he says dryly.

"Oh." I replied sheepishly.

"Sorry, Laura, you got really drunk and started to black out, and your roomie looked like she was taking a guy home so I brought you here," he says apologetically. "I wasn't about to let someone take advantage of you like that. I have a little sister and I wouldn't be cool with anyone doing that to her." His eyes lingered on the elbow macaroni by his bed and I felt a lot better.

"Did you put me to bed?"

"Yes." His face is impassive. I could handle this.

"Did I throw up again?" My voice is quieter.

"No. You let it all out by the bar. My truck thanks you."

"Did you undress me?" I whisper.

"Yes." He quirks an eyebrow at me as I blush furiously. "You gacked all over yourself, so I hand-washed your shirt and jeans and they are hanging to dry outside. I put my shirt on you before unhooking the bra clasp. It looked really uncomfortable to sleep in."

"I'm so sorry."

His mouth lifts slightly in a wry smile. "Nah, I get it. Fairly certain Danny is going to be a bit pissed because I clam jammed her." Clam-jammed? Oh...

"How did you know I was there?"

"I didn't; I was going to the bar to party myself when I saw what looked like some bro trying to take advantage of you. Bro code says to stop it from happening."

"I wish you could have stopped me from drunk-dialing a friend last night."

"That explains why you called me Carmilla. She must be a lucky girl. Anyways, there's a women's shower on the other end of the floor. I can walk you there if you want." I shook my head as he handed me a towel and PJ pants.

"Thanks, Brody."

By the time I got out of the shower and was back at his dorm room, I could hear raised voices arguing.

"How do I know you didn't take advantage of her?! When she called me she sounded way too out of it to remember much of anything!"

"Chill, Karnstein! I've got a code I live by; and I was too busy keeping Psycho Society from making like Malfoy so she could Slytherin last night!"

I cleared my throat as I witnessed Carmilla Karnstein and Brody Kirsch facing each other off. Even though the Zeta was taller, Carmilla seemed to exude some sort of 'don't mess with me' vibe that made the air thicker. It could have been because Kirsch was in plaid shorts and his Zeta shirt and Carmilla was every bit of the corporate tycoon in her pinstriped suit with slacks that looked like they were painted on around her hips.

"Carmilla! You didn't have to track me down with whatever... James Bond spying stuff you're developing for the highest bidder," I snap at her. She stares at me, surprised, and if I'm not mistaken, a little wounded.

"Firstly, the technology to track cell phones is readily available over the Internet. Secondly, my company does not invest or manufacture any kind of surveillance devices, and thirdly, Betty told me that you were... basket-making with Kirsch here!" she says acidly.

"Basket making?!" I glance up at Carmilla, she's glaring at me, her dark eyes blazing, aggrieved. I try to bite my lip, but I fail to repress my laughter.

"Amorous Congress, then." Was she for real?!

"Which medieval chronicle did you escape from?" I giggle. "You sound like some courtly knight."

Her mood visibly shifts. Her eyes soften and his expression warms, and I see a trace of a smile on her beautifully chiseled lips.

"Kirsch was the courtly knight, it seems. I'm the dark knight." Her smile is sardonic, and she shakes her head. "Did you even eat last night?" Her tone is accusatory. I shake my head. What major transgression have I committed now? Her jaw clenches, but her face remains impassive.

"You need to eat. That's why you became so ill. Honestly Laura, it's drinking rule number one." She runs a hand through her hair, and I know it's because she's exasperated. Brody nods in agreement.

"Are you going to continue to scold me?" I ask.

"Is that what I'm doing?" She retorted.

"I think so."

Kirsch realized that an argument was about to happen and he wanted to nip that. "Ladies, nobody was really hurt, so-"

Carmilla's eyes narrowed at me. "-You're lucky I'm just scolding you." Huh?

"What do you mean?" Her nostrils flared as a hint of accent slipped out.

"I swan, if you were mine, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week after the stunt you pulled yesterday. You didn't eat, you got drunk, you put yourself at risk." She closes her eyes, dread etched on her lovely face, and she shudders slightly. When she opens her eyes, she glares at me. "I hate to think what could have happened to you."

I scowl back at her. Swan? What is her problem? What's it to - If I was hers - well I'm not. Though maybe, part of me would like to be. The thought pierces through the irritation I feel at her high-handed words.

"I would have been fine. I was with Betty."

Kirsch snorted at that. "And Psycho Society?" he snaps at me.

Hmm... Danny. I'll need to face her at some point.

"Danny... just got out of line." I shrug.

"Well the next time she gets out of line, maybe someone should teach her some manners."

"Yeah, you're quite the disciplinarian," I hiss at her.

She chuckled darkly. "Oh, Laura, you have no idea." Her eyes narrow, and then she grins wickedly. It's disarming. One minute, I'm confused and angry, the next I'm gazing at her gorgeous smile.

Wow... I am entranced, and it's because her smile is so rare. I quite forget what she's talking about.

Brody interjects again. "Ladies, I'm going to have a shower. A really cold one. So uh, lock up behind you, I'll have my key on me."

Carmilla looks him over as if analyzing him. "You're graduating, right?"

He sighed. "Yeah, I'm moving out this weekend and doing the big job search from the 'rents home."

She jots down a note and hands him one of her cards. "I like that you have a code. If you want a job, call Andrea. I could use someone like you."

He gaped at the number. "That's the offer?" She nodded.

"You'll get professional training, too."

"Um, thanks, Ms. Karnstein." He took his towel and left us alone in his dorm room.

I let out the breath that I've been holding. Why is she so damned attractive? I can't the the words 'If you were mine' out of my head. I want to be hers. I have never felt this way about anyone.

I feel like squirming with a needy, achy... discomfort. I don't understand this reaction. She's the only person who has ever made my blood race inside my body. Yet, she's so difficult, complicated, and confusing. One minute she rebuffs me, the next she sends me a twelve-thousand-dollar book, then she tracks me down like a stalker.

Yet she cares enough to come and check on me after Betty let her think some random guy took me home. Carmilla looked around and gathered my top and jeans from the night before. They were still damp, unfortunately.

"Looks like I'm doing a walk of shame." I said, resigned.

Carmilla shrugged. "I'll drive you home, cupcake." I smiled my thanks to her, and I could have sworn she smiled back.