Helloooo to all you wonderful FF readers! :) So, I woke up at 2am. Couldn't sleep. I took it as a sign that I need to finally wrap up these two (that's right... TWO) chapters and post already! I am soooo excited to be posting, especially because Chapter 17 (named after a favorite William Fitzsimmons song of mine) was written before most of this fic was posted, sometime before Chapter 9 (holy smokes! that was like more than 2 years ago)! I have been EAGERLY awaiting the day I get to finally share it with you and FINALLY *high fives computer screen [don't leave me hanging]* we are FINALLY there! :D

Thank you, THANK YOU, thank you for reading, favoriting, PM-ing and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this fic as much as I enjoy writing it! Special thanks to browneyez44, lostanddelirious (oh, we're just getting started :P), dominomino (imu2 :D), hollymarie4 (aww, don't cry!), MM, harley quinn davidson, zane (hope all is better with you!), babykennedy (thanks for keeping me on my toes with the pm!), sparkles04 (thanks for the support!), willowon3 (give my best to concealedattraction! hugs to you both!), lalalalee, mjoncearedhead, water queen 21, casalang, chic chica, musicsouth91, firestarter, crazybeautifulme and disguisemanifesto! UBER thanks to the one and only beta, River ;) I guess "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was quite the inspirational song LOLOLOL jk :P

Alrighty... I'm off to work! Enjoy! :D 7.24.12

Disclaimer: I do not own South of Nowhere or its characters. Lyrics in Chapter 17 belong to William Fitzsimmons' song "Beautiful Girl."

"Unlike Freud, Carl Jung believed spirituality was essential to one's well-being." Steinhaus said as he pushed the frame of his glasses up before gripping the sides of the podium. He didn't quite particularly feel like waddling across the stage this Wednesday morning. "From his research with different religious traditions, whether it was Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism or Gnosticism, he concluded that the sole purpose of one's existence was to discover and fulfill one's deep, innate potential."

I yawned into my sleeve, my other hand gently resting on Liz's leg. She hasn't particularly been herself since she broke down this past weekend and finally told me what had been weighing down on her shoulders. I looked over to her, her dark bangs covering the view of her face. She was leaning on the opposite armrest, jotting down some free verse poetry to get her emotions out.

Lately, she hasn't been the type to talk out her problems. In fact, I don't think she'd been the type to talk out her problems… ever. She was always afraid of vulnerability. Of appearing weak. Of crying. And I guess, ever since the weekend, she'd been a little more on the reserved side. Outwardly, Liz was the same. She smiled at the right moments, laughed at my corny jokes, and kissed me and said her I love you's before we'd part. But there really was no fooling me. She was keeping a lot in. She was trying to keep it all to herself.

As the class was coming to an end, everyone began packing their things. I noticed Kwan walking down the lecture hall steps towards the front of the room, carrying a box of paperwork. Steinhaus took notice and bellowed, "Please come forward and collect your papers. Kwan will sort them in piles alphabetically."

I was still packing my belongings when Liz stood to straighten her blouse. "I'll grab our papers," she said as she flung her bag over her shoulder.

Once my stuff was packed and Liz fought the crowd to get our papers, I stood and carefully draped my bag over my shoulder. I watched her climb the steps to where I was standing, her eyes intently looking at her paper.

"Why are you looking at your paper, sweetie?" I asked lightheartedly. "You already know you got an A."

She lifted her eyes to meet my glances. "This is yours." Liz held it up to me.

My eyes went bulging. "What? No way!" I snatched the paper out of her hands, grinning at the big fat A printed on it. I couldn't believe it! The only A I expected to see was in my last name! This is in-freakin'-sane! "No waaaaaaaay!" I turned to the last page and noticed Kwan's comments: MUCH better job!

"Congrats, babe!" Liz swung her arms around me. "I told you Ashley would be able to help you!"

"Ashley!" I couldn't help her name from escaping my lips. "I have to show this to Ashley!"

Liz smiled as she intertwined our fingers and began to walk me out of the hall. I'm sure we appeared to be quite the pair – a mature college student and her seemingly unruly, sugar-induced, childlike girlfriend. But I didn't care!

"Where's your paper?" I nudged my composed girlfriend. She held it up unceremoniously, showing me the A that we'd both expected. "Yay! We're twinsies!" I did a weird happy dance. Well… not a full on happy dance. It was more like a happy wiggle. "Can I have your paper?"

"Why?" She laughed as we made it outside into the warm morning sunlight.

"So I can frame it and add it to my Liz shrine." I responded with a straight face.

"Because that's not obsessed." She gave me this googly-eyed face. I giggled as she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly. "Wanna do lunch today?" Liz mumbled into my shoulder.

"Sure!" We let out of our embrace. "Meet me outside of Kerkhoff?"

"I'll be there." She gave me a quick peck on the lips. "Love you."

"Love you, too."

I kept glancing at my paper, taking in the fresh air of what was left of the dissipating morning fog and basking in this lovely California sun. It was like… total victory! Like in Star Wars when the Rebel fleet totally annihilated the Death Star, you know? But the second time around… with the cute little Ewoks.

By the time I got into Kerkhoff, the lecture hall was mostly full. No Ashley in sight, but I managed to find myself a seat and save the one next to me for her. I hadn't seen her since we got back from Portland. When I woke up for class on Monday, both Jton and Ashley were gone. And according to Madison, they crashed for a few hours before they left around 4 in the morning.

I want to think that a hangover was what caused her to miss class on Monday, but part of me thinks that she is avoiding me because she figured it out – that I was the kryptonite. So, in that case, I couldn't blame her. But, then again, she stuck around after we got back. She could've left, but she didn't. She knew what she was getting herself into, right? And even if she's becoming human, why is it that I still can't read her mind? Was this what Tullia meant when she said that there'd be much to figure out?

Ugh… I don't know. Regardless, I wanted to show her this awesome A she helped me earn.

"Excuse me," this tall, dark, skinny guy whispered over to me. "Is that seat taken?" We were already twenty minutes into lecture and I figured Ashley wasn't going to show.

I lifted my backpack out of the seat, "No, go ahead."

Weihmeier was going on and on about Daniel Dennett's free will and decision-making model as it contradicts libertarian views. I was hardly paying attention, just jotting a few words here and there… like "and" and "the." Too many thoughts were running through my mind. Serious thoughts. Including A's on papers, emotional girlfriends, not-so-invincible brunettes… and whether the Rebel Alliance could've won against the Empire if they didn't have the Ewoks around. Leilani randomly popped up in my head, too. I wonder if the bitch slept with Ashley by now. Ugh! Did I mention that I don't like her?

Half way into Weihmeier's lecture, I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket:

10:11am – Corinne: hey spencer! can u do me a huge favor and cover my shift 2day? i know this is last minute, but mark can't. please? i'll totally owe u 1.

I sighed. Ugh, I really didn't feel like working today… or on any of my days off for that matter. But, Corinne's been really cool lately. She showed up to my surprise birthday party. It wouldn't hurt to help her out I guess. And I could always use the extra money.

As I walked through the front of the café, I nearly went into shock realizing how awkward the rest of my day was going to be. It just occurred to me that Aiden was working this shift. I tried not to make a face, but I couldn't help it. He doesn't particularly enjoy my company.

He looked up from where he was standing behind the counter and he was equally as excited to see me. "Great." Aiden rolled his eyes.

I took a deep breath and proceeded to take my place behind the counter as barista, unrolling my apron and tying it around me.

"Wherever she goes, disaster is bound to follow."

"Well, hello to you, too." I scoffed. "Believe me when I say it was not my idea covering Corinne's shift."

"What?" Aiden furrowed his eyebrows as he turned to wash down a used blender. "Mark wasn't available?"

"Nope. So, you're stuck with me today." I singsonged with a dainty grin on my face.

"Fine." He responded curtly. "I'll keep to myself, you do your thing, stay out of my head, and we'll get along just fine." Aiden grinned back, but I know by his thoughts, he was so overtly bitter.

"You know, I'm gonna miss that black eye on you." I retorted sarcastically. "You wore it so well."

"What's your deal, Spence?" He snarled.

"What's yours?" I snapped at him, trying my best to whisper my argument as I proceeded to brew a new batch of Pike Place coffee. "I didn't ask for your attitude. If you have a problem with Madison, you take it up with her. But, I didn't do anything to you."

"You're related to the problem!" "You take her side." He grumbled.

"Okay," I turned to him sharply, keeping my volume to a minimum, "let's get a few things straight – I dislike you and Glen equally. You are both douchebags. Secondly… of course I'm going to take Madison's side! She's been more of a friend to me, which is more to say than you!"

"Well, friends don't let random people hit their friends."

"What do you want me to say, Aid?" I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm not saying you deserved it, but that was a pretty low blow bringing Sasha Miller around like that." I began to clean out the coffee grinder. "If you wanted to hurt Madison, congratulations… mission accomplished."

"She hurt me too!" He blurted louder than was necessary. One of the customers sitting at a nearby table glanced at us curiously.

"She made out with Glen," I shrugged. "…And what exactly was it that you did with Sasha?" Aiden blushed as his thoughts revealed his guilt. "Exaaactly!"

"Alright, alright, alright." Aiden turned the faucet off and turned to face me. "I slept with Sasha. But that doesn't mean I have feelings for her. She happened to be in town." He presented his argument. "It was just… convenient. Convenient rebound sex." He shrugged nonchalantly

I scoffed. "Ugh! Couldn't even keep it in your pants for a week, huh?"

"Oh, shut up!" He furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm sure she hooked up with Glen the second we broke up."

"No, 'cause Madison has a lot more sense in her pinky finger than you have in your entire douchebag of a brain." I sneered. "And she has better taste than that, might I add."

"So, what are you saying?" I noticed the bitterness in his tone, laced with a hint of disappointment. "That she's moved on?"

"Yes," my voice lowered to match his. "She is moving on… and I think for once, she realized she doesn't need a guy to cling onto for her to be happy." I turned to grab snacks out of the inventory.

Aiden didn't respond, but he had that idiotic, guilty look on his face. He was dumbfounded at the realization that Madison could move on… without him.

I walked around the counter and began restocking cold food items below the bar. Aiden had this defeated look on his face as he forced himself to continue washing down used equipment.

"I miss her. I just wanted for her to be happy, and if she kept going to Glen, it made me feel like I was inadequate… like I don't have whatever it was that he was giving her. It terrified me that she'd eventually outgrow me—outgrow us—and that she wouldn't need me anymore, when she is all I've ever needed and wanted."

I wasn't sure if he meant for me to hear that or not. I walked around the counter, looking at him with slight pity. "She doesn't know that, you know?"

Aiden was surprised to see me standing next to him. "Know what?"

"What you're thinking. How you really feel."

"So, what?" He slumped. "I can't just… call her after all this and just… tell her."

"Figure it out," I shrugged. "Oh and, by the way, you owe me a new bathroom door."

"Sorry about that. I—wait! It was just the doorknob, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, well… we had to break the door down when I got locked inside."

"Sorry," he answered sheepishly. "I really fucked up this time."

I shook my head. "It wouldn't be you if you didn't fuck up every now and then, now would it?"

Aiden laughed.

"Now, there's the Aid I know." I smirked.

"The guilty one?"

"Naw. The smiling one."

Suddenly, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket.

Liz calling…

"One sec." I turned to walk out the back door. "Hey sweetie," I answered the call.

"Hey, babe. I'm at Kerkhoff. Where are you?"

"Oh, shit! I forgot to tell you that I've been called in to cover the afternoon shift at the café for Corinne. I'm so sorry!"

"Oh… alright. It's okay then."

"You're mad, aren't you?"

"I'm not mad." Her voice went up in pitch.

"Sweetie, I know when you're mad… and I know when you lie about being mad, too." I smirked.

Liz laughed sheepishly. "It's nothing."

"I'll make it up to you. What are you doing for dinner?"

"I have to study tonight. Gotta lot of homework."

"Oh, o-okay. Well… maybe if you have a quick study break, I can bring you some coffee."

"Yeah, maybe." Liz paused. "Well, I'm gonna go see if maybe Anthony wants to grab a quick bite."

"Alright, sweetie. I love you, take care."

"Love you, too," she mumbled.

Call ended.

The rest of my shift with Aiden was relatively silent. We kept it professional. Sure he'd have moments between caramel macchiatos where I'd find him deep in thought… mostly about tits and ass, in true Aiden fashion. Still, there was a bit of mopiness about his demeanor. Something tells me he was pretty regretful for hooking up with Sasha… much less, bringing her around Madison. He's made his bed; now, he's got to sleep in it.

I had texted Liz towards the end of my shift to see if she wanted me to bring coffee or a late night snack (the edible kind, you dirty heads), but she didn't respond. I tried calling, but got her voicemail. I wouldn't be surprised if she was still upset with me for flaking on lunch, but I was determined to make it up to her.

After closing, Aiden wiped down the tables and stacked the chairs over as I washed the blenders and mixers. I made a grande Americano and packed a banana nut muffin to go. Liz loves banana nut.

While Aiden brought the mops out, he got a text message. He briefly checked it and put it away. From his thoughts, I knew it was from Donny. Something about not being able to hang out because of an issue at work.

I opened my mouth to ask him how Donny was, but I stopped myself. Asking about Donny would lead to a discussion about the very reason why Donny no longer worked here. I need to avoid that landmine at all costs.

Aiden looked at me expectantly, but I shoved a chocolate covered espresso bean in my mouth and nonchalantly diverted my glances. High five to me for discretion!

He handed me one of the mops and I began sweeping the front of the café, locking the door on my way. Aiden mopped down the area behind the counter as he whistled to the song softly blaring on the speakers: In the Mood by the Glenn Miller Orchestra. I did my best twist-and-shout moves across the café, eliciting a smile and chuckle from Aiden.

"You need help with anything else, Aid?" I asked as I put the mop back in the closet.

"Nope. Everything looks good." He wiped his hands on a wash cloth.

"Alright. You good to lock up then? I'm gonna head out." I threw my thumb in the direction over my shoulder.

"Yeah." He affirmed.

"Great!" I went to grab my things out of the cubby, along with the goodies I packed for my girlfriend. I couldn't wait to go see her. "Have a good night, Aiden!"

"Oh, Spence?" He called out to me as I rushed out.

I peeked my head through the back door. "Yeah?"

"Happy belated birthday," he smiled genuinely.

"Thanks, Aiden!"

"It wasn't so bad working with you today," he mumbled.

"Well, I'm glad I'm not so appalling," I laughed. "You weren't so bad yourself."

We had this awkward, silent conversation. Despite the harsh news, I could tell he wanted to thank me for what I had said about my roommate. Whether that was encouraging or disconcerting was beyond me. But I think it's safe to say that it was a reality check for him… and he needed it.

Aiden opened his mouth to say something, but he hesitated.

"I'm… gonna head out now before the coffee gets cold." I smiled sincerely. "You take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yeah." His eyes were very honest. "You too."

As I walked to my car, I tried calling Liz again. Still no answer. I started to get worried. This wasn't like her to ignore me for this long. If this was what arguing felt like, then I'd gladly apologize to end the silent treatment. Hmm… I wonder if make-up sex really is as mind-blowing as they say it is. Now, there's a late night snack I wouldn't mind sharing.

I swung by her apartment, which was a short 10-minute drive away. But there was no answer… and it was clear she wasn't home yet. I decided to go home from there. It was getting really late. Nearly midnight. I called Anthony, but he mentioned he hadn't seen her since they met for lunch. He was nice enough to try to get a hold of her for me, too.

When I got to my place, I put the now lukewarm coffee and muffin on the dining table and began texting Liz to call me.

"Where the hell were you?" Madison strutted down the hallway towards me.

"Hey, Mad." I disinterestedly responded, not bothering to look up. "I had to cover Corinne's shift today. What's up with you?" I sent the text and looked up to see my roommate, dressed to impress in her favorite Rock & Republic jeans and her hair nicely straightened with her bangs in a pompadour. She puckered her lips in all her Latina swag, knowing fully well that she was oozing with confidence and this unparalleled hotness that I had never seen before. "What the… Who the hell—"

"I know, right?" She grinned.

"Mad, what's the occasion? I know they call it Hump Day, but you don't have to take it so literally, ya know?" I was baffled… and attracted to her… for like 2 seconds though! She's still my roommate… my straight roommate… who had sex with my brother! Eww! Okay, not so attractive anymore.

"Ha-ha." She threw a cardinal zip-up over her white cami. "Jton and I are going cosmic bowling. They're playing 90's music tonight!"

I raised a brow. "So, like… are you two dating now?"

Madison scoffed. "We're just hanging out."

"Which constitutes going to first base… and then some?"

"Oh, shut up!" She slapped my arm as I chuckled. Her eyes panned down to the snacks I brought home. "Are these for me?"

"No way. They're for my girlfriend."

"Which one? Liz or Ashley?"

"Liz, you ass." I retorted indifferently.

There was a quick knock at the door when Madison waltzed her way over to open it.

"Hey!" Jton called out, eyeing my roommate and thinking of all the wrong things she could do with Madison.

"Hey," Madison responded in a slightly raspy tone. My roommate did a once over, checking out the checkered Vans that perfectly framed her skinny jeans and lengthy torso. Jton shook loose her tousled bangs underneath that dark green hipster beanie she was wearing. The leather on her motorcycle jacket squeaked as she fidgeted with her hands. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Madison (very subtly, to the naked eye) bite her lower lip. But because of her turned on thoughts radiating out of her brain and within earshot, I immediately caught the gesture.

Wow! You could cut the sexual tension in here with a butter knife! Or a rather blatant and loud throat clearing. I opted for the latter.

Jton's eyes snapped to me. "Hey, Spence! Didn't see you there." Yeah, okay.

"Hey, Jton!" I rolled my eyes.

"Ready to go?" Madison inched closer. They were grinning at each other like weird idiots. It was so strange, yet so fascinating to watch.

"Yeah—" Jton's voice squealed and cracked as she progressed through her last stage of puberty. She cleared her throat. "Yeah," she repeated in a voice that more accurately identified her age.

"Hey Jton, have you talked to Ashley lately?"

"Uh," Jton squinted in contemplation, "not since Sunday. She's probably bumming it at her apartment…" Which I don't know where that is, but okay. "Or at some nearby bar, maybe hanging out with Leilani?" Great. "I don't know." Well, this was such a useful answer. "But if I talk to her, I'll let her know you're looking for her."

I nonchalantly brushed it off. "Oh, you don't have to tell her that I'm looking—"

"Of course she does!" Madison smirked. She turned to Jton. "Spencer needs to keep tabs on all her girlfriends."

"Please!" I scoffed. "Ashley is so not my type!" Okay… that's not entirely true.

"Yeah, I couldn't have said it better myself, Spence… especially with how you guys were all ogling each other on Sunday." Jton interjected. What is this? A doubles-versus-singles match? They both snickered as I mimicked them.

"Much like what this is between you two?" I pointed between the two, as that effectively killed their childish laughter. "Yeah, that's what I thought." Match point: Spencer.

"Well," Jton glanced at her non-existent watch, "look at the time!"

"Run along now, children," I shooed with a hand, "before cosmic bowling gets turned into regular bowling."

Jton began to usher my roommate out. "And don't worry, Spence. We'll be on our best behavior."

"Oh, I have not doubt." I said so matter-of-factly. "But, just in case, I know my roommate is taking birth control. So, I can rest assured you won't knock her up." I bellowed out in laughter. Seriously, my own jokes are hilarious!

"Shut the fuck up, you crazy ass!" Madison flailed her arms, partly mortified, partly angry, partly cracking up at her roommate's ridiculous sense of humor.

The door shut hard as I shook my head, still recovering from my laughing fit. I glanced at the banana nut muffin and decided to indulge in it… since my girlfriend has gone AWOL at the moment. I placed it in the microwave and decided to Facebook stalk my newsfeed.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

30 seconds later and my muffin was done reheating. I reached up to grab the handle, but froze after hearing a faint sound. Someone was knocking at the door.

Who, in their right mind, would be knocking at this hour?

I hesitantly unlocked the door and cracked it open, only to find such an unexpected visit.

Two things I immediately noticed… 1) my beyond inebriated, completely sloshed girlfriend barely able to stand on two legs, let alone one… and 2) my beyond inebriated, completely sloshed girlfriend's arm draped around my ex best friend's neck as he had one arm tightly around her waist, trying his best to keep her upright.

"Donny," I gasped.

"I'm bluuue… bah doo dee bah doo dah bah doo dee…" Liz mumbled, her head hanging low with her bangs covering her face.

"Hey," he huffed, seemingly out of breath with the effort it took to escort her from his car to my door. "She's been at the Dubliner all night. I wasn't about to let her drive home in this state."

"Thank you!" I gratefully exhaled, opening the door a little wider for him to walk her in.

Liz lethargically lifted her head and squinted at me through loose strands of hair. "Huh, Spppencer… when'dya get heeere, love of my lifffe?"

This was odd… Having Donny here, in my living room. I hadn't seen or spoken to him since he got fired. And here he was. What should I say?

"What was she doing at the Dubliner?"

Donny careful laid her down on the couch as she continued to sputter random lyrics to herself.

"Babe!" Liz shot up. "Wha's the name of that one songgg… the one about funk soul brothersss? And and and… Freddie Prinze Jr. does that weird choreographed dance to it in that one teenybopper movie with Laney Boggsss?"

"Um… Funk Soul Brother? By Fatboy Slim?" I quirked an eyebrow.

"Tha's the one!" She threw her fist up in the air and collapsed back onto our sofa pillows.

"She needs water." Donny said evenly, hands now unsurely placed in his pockets.

"Right," I turned towards the kitchen to grab a bottle from the fridge. Donny reluctantly followed. "You… couldn't cut her off from drinking so much?" I tried not to sound like I was scolding him.

"I cut her off a few hours ago, but she's… a mess." His eyes panned away from my glances. His thoughts told me she had been an emotional wreck, crying and drinking her pains away. "She had her phone out and I noticed you were calling her. So, I figured it'd be best to bring her over."

"Her grandmother's sick." I quietly mumbled, responding to his thoughts. "She hasn't been in the happiest state lately."

"Oh." Donny's eyes were downcast as he nodded in understanding. "Sorry to hear that." He used to be the person I shared everything with. So, it felt somewhat relieving to be able to share something personal with him. Oh, how I wished we could back to the way things used to be. "Well," he sighed, effectively breaking any opportunity I had to find the right words to fix this, "I should get back to work and let you tend to your girlfriend." A small smile crept on his face.

"Hey, how'd you know she's my girlfriend?" I smiled somewhat amiably.

"She called and introduced herself last week... when she invited me to your birthday party." Donny rubbed the back of his neck, knowing the reason he didn't show up was because the drama got the best of our friendship.

"Oh."

"Sorry I missed it, but… happy belated birthday, Spence." His tone showed me he was sincere, but we both knew there were things unsettled between us.

"Thanks," I smiled tightly.

"Speeeeeeencerrrrrrrrr," Liz drunkenly singsonged.

I immediately turned and made my way to her. "Here," I unscrewed the water bottle for her. "Drink some."

She lazily sat up and obediently sipped from the cold bottle.

"I'll see you later, Spence." Lies. People say 'see you later' when, really, they have no intention on holding up to such pleasantries. "Hope you feel better, Liz."

"Mmm." Liz immediately ripped the bottle from her mouth and wiped with the back of her hand. "C'mere, Donny!"

Donny stopped in his tracks. We exchanged uneasy glances before I grabbed the bottle from Liz.

"B-babe, he's gotta get back to work now."

She held up an index finger, "This'll only take… one seconddd." I furrowed my eyebrows, unsure which one of her drunken thoughts would come spilling out of her mouth. "C'mon, Donny." She pat the cushion next to her to get him to sit. He hesitantly made his way around the couch.

"I'm good here," he stood at a distance in front of her, hands still in his pockets.

"Spence," she briefly turned to me, "Donny's a great guy. I mean… he kept my gin and tonic full and dealt with my shit."

"Y-yeah?" My eyes flinched at him for a millisecond.

"Now… don't hate me, okayyy?" Uh-oh, where was this going? "But, I won't be able to go to William Fitzsimmons with you on Saturday." Liz reached out to hold my hand. She hesitated before her eyes glanced to the side. She was preparing to tell me the heart-breaking thought that was lingering in her mind. "My grandmother died today." She mumbled. "I'm leavinggg… on Friday with my mom. We're going to Lebanon."

I threw my arms around her and embraced her tightly. She sniffled a bit, fresh tears slithering their way down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry," Donny mumbled, his eyebrows knit together.

"Of course I wouldn't hate you for that, sweetie. Your family is way more important than some concert!" I ran my hands up and down her back, trying to comfort her the best I could. But, let's be honest. There was nothing I could do to make the situation better. I can only hold her for as long as she'd let me.

"Ugh," Liz jumped back, now irritated at her inability to keep composure, especially around strangers like Donny. "Enough crying." She furiously wiped at her reddened eyes, trying her best to force a smile. "You are going to that concert, though… and I am giving my ticket to Donny."

"What?" We both gasped simultaneously.

"Besides, it'd be great for Donny to go with you since he wasn't able to make the party last week." Liz knew that Donny and I used to be close, but she doesn't know the details of what happened. She figured we just grew apart from being busy at our separate jobs. "He had to work the night of your birthday, sweetie," she nodded with conviction.

"Yeah," Donny blurted, "and I have to work this Saturday, too."

"Naw uh! You mentioned at the bar that you have Saturday off." Liz grabbed the water bottle from my grasp. "I may be drunk, but I have a good memory," she smiled to herself.

"But—" I interjected.

"No 'buts,' guys! Tha's final! And I will be royally pissed if I find out you two bailed out on a William Fitzsimmons concert!" Liz said in all this grandeur, though she doesn't listen to William Fitzsimmons. Yet, she knew what it meant to me for her to get me those tickets. "'Tis the earnest wish of a girl who just lost her grandmother." She sat back and drank more water.

Donny pinched the bridge of his nose as I conceded to silent sighs. Well, how could we say 'no' to that?

"Uh…"

"Alright," I interrupted Donny's loss for words. "We'll go." I nodded at her, my eyes still on Donny. His thoughts were wrapped up on how awkward it would be between us.

"Yeah," Donny grumbled.

"Excellenttt." Liz exhaled as she fell into my lap headfirst. She wrapped her arms around herself with an amused smile.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go now. Gotta get back to work." He threw his thumb over his shoulder at the door.

"Alright."

"See ya later." He rushed out.

I sighed heavily. How was I going to get out of this? The last thing I'd want to do is go to a concert with Donny against his will… especially when there was some bad juju between us.

Liz lifted herself up and quickly placed her lips on mine in this sloppy, wet kiss. "I missed you," she said behind hooded eyes.

I brushed her hair out of her face and took in her worn demeanor. Although she wasn't one to talk about her emotions, her eyes definitely spoke for themselves… and her thoughts attested to her broken heart.

"I missed you, too." I tried not to wear a look of pity.

Liz immediately attacked my lips, wrapping her arms around me. I wasn't prepared to bear her weight… so we ended up toppling onto the floor with me on top of her.

"Mm… ah," I winced a bit with my arm trapped underneath us as she let out a bellowing laugh into my mouth. I struggled to push myself up. She held her hands up as I stood over her. There was this seductive smirk laced on her face, and even though she was in such an inebriated state, she looked mind-blowingly sexy. I know this isn't the time to entertain such thoughts, but her vulnerability is so stunning that I can't help but gravitate towards her.

"What'cha thinkin' bout, love?" She bit her lip as I started to wonder whether my mind-reading powers were rubbing off on her.

"Nothing," I reached down and lifted her to her feet. She immediately brushed my hair out of her face as she dove for my lips. I tasted hints of gin and lime as her nails dragged against my exposed hips. My hands ran over her shoulders and effectively discarded her jacket.

Prohibition never stood a chance against exhibition. I grunted, giving into my desires. She moaned, giving into an escape from the pain now that the alcohol was losing its power. I didn't know how else to be there for her, but if sex was what she wanted, I would have to oblige, right?

"How..." she mumbled between kisses, "was your day?" With my eyes shut, I knew we were making our way towards my bedroom.

"I brought you a muffin." I kissed her in such haste as she raised my black shirt over my head. I felt a bit chilly, but she wrapped her arms around me and brought warmth to every part of my body.

"Mmm… I only like your muffin." She kissed up and down my neck as I raised her green top off of her. Liz spun us around, causing the door to shut simultaneously as we drowned in the darkness of my room. We stumbled over our own feet, falling into each other until we collided onto the bed, her lips still smothering mine. Her thigh between my legs was only spurring me on. "I need to get these jeans off." She exhaled as she stopped to fiddle with them.

"Let me." I rolled on top of her, sitting up as I unbuttoned her jeans. I inched my way down her stomach, leaving a trail of kisses as I slowly pulled her pants down. She lifted her head to watch my every move.

"You are so… sexyyy…" she mumbled as her head fell back. I yanked her jeans off in one swift motion and tossed them somewhere in the abyss of my bedroom floor.

I kissed up her stomach, gently laying myself on top of her. "And you are so…"

"Zzzzzzzzzz…"

…You have got to be kidding me!

Never have I been left in the dust with such blue balls before!

"Babe," I whispered, gently shaking her.

Liz mumbled incoherently before smacking her lips together and rolling onto her side. She curled into a ball before her snoring commenced.

I sighed before I repositioned myself behind her and draped a blanket over us. I gently kissed her temple and enveloped myself around her, doing my best to be whatever it was that she needed.