*Yay Chapter 4 and so soon. I had free time so here it is. Enjoy :D

Taking a train to New York wasn't an easy task especially during the holiday season. It was early the next morning and snow had already completely covered the ground outside. Finny said goodbye to his mother as she drove away after dropping them off at the train station. Gene sat down on a bench while Phineas got the tickets. She noticed many service men walk through the station. Some meeting with their family and others bringing the news of a loved one's death. The entire area was a place of mourning but also happiness and elation. Gene then thought back to her dream that she had many months before and wondered if Finny would soon be drafted into this bloody war.

"I got the tickets." Phineas said happily, breaking Gene's train of thought.

"So when exactly is the party?"
"It's tomorrow at Brinker's house but he said we could spend the night at his house as well. So we probably will leave Friday morning and get back to my house by Friday night."

"He must be amiable for letting us stay at his house. You should feel lucky for having a friend like him."

"Yeah ole' Brinker's pretty nice but sometimes he can be a pain in the ass you know."

Gene grinned at his comment and stood up as the train conductor announced for everyone to board.

Upon arriving in New York Gene marveled at the grandeur of the northern city. We have cities in the south but nothing compares to this she thought.

"Isn't it great?" Finny asked her "Yeah we don't have cities like this back in Georgia."

"Oh yeah I almost forgot that you were from down south… It's kind of hard to remember since you don't have an accent."

"Ha ha ha. just because I'm from the south doesn't mean I need an accent. Besides if that's how things work than what about you? Your from Boston but you don't even sound like it" Gene retaliated.

"Well that's true" finny stated in defeat. They both traversed through the crowded streets and Phineas finally called a taxi over.

Once they arrived at Brinker's house Gene was impressed by the magnitude of it. Beautiful gates opened allowing them to enter the main grounds. "So you finally make it. I thought you'd never get here." A pleasant voice rung out from the balcony upstairs. Finny and Gene quickly made their way up the steps to the huge mahogany front doors and a maid quickly opened them. Gene had realized that she had never met Mr. Hadley in person and didn't know what to expect. They both stepped inside and Gene saw a dark haired young man make his way down the long flight of marble stairs.

"Welcome Phineas to my humble home." He stated in a voice slightly deeper than Finny's. "It's good to see you Brinker. You look tall as ever."

"Now come on Phineas I'm only six feet tall it's not my fault that you're on the short side."

"Well I'm 5'8 ½" and I'm not complaining"

Both boys were laughing and then Brinker looked at Gene and asked "So is this the beautiful Gene Forrester that Phineas wouldn't shut up about?" Gene blushed and Finny replied "Yes she is and isn't she stunning? But she also has quite a brain she could probably be smarter than you Brinker."

Brinker chuckled and said "yeah when pigs fly."

"Brinker you don't know what you're saying."

"C'mon I was only joking any way let me show you to your rooms… unless you two would rather be in the same room."

"Now Brinker, you know that Gene and I are not that kind of couple."

They both then glanced back to Gene who was bright red and they both tried to not giggle and Gene then interrupted "Please tell me you're not putting us in the same room."

"Gene please, you know I would never lay a hand on you." Phineas said. "I guess that's why she doesn't want you with her since you don't even have the guts to do "that"." Brinker commented bluntly

"It's not that Brinker it's just that if finny and I were in the same room he would end up sleeping on the floor." Gene retaliated. Brinker chuckled and said "Don't worry you two will have your own rooms. Besides mother would never let two young lovers like the two of you sleep in the same room." He paused and then sarcastically remarked "It would be immoral behavior."

Night of the Party

The night lit up as the party moved into the night. Finny and Brinker waited at the base of the stairs waiting for Gene to finally make an appearance.
"This party is pretty swell Brink" Brinker glanced at him and replied "Thanks I did put some effort into putting this together. I mean with this war and all I felt like we needed time to enjoy the last months of being carefree."

"I guess…"

Gene then appeared at the top of the stairs. Both boys had their eyes glued upon her. She wore her hair in a loose up do and had on a midnight blue ankle length form fitted sleeveless dress. She walked down and Finny noticed that she was still wearing the locket and he smiled. "You're perfect." Gene blushed at Finny's comment and remarked "You two gentlemen look dapper as well." Both Phineas and Brinker were dressed in suits and looked like a pair of young wealthy entrepreneurs. They both escorted her to the parlor.

How many people does Brinker know? Gene questioned as she noticed how crowded the party was. Many people were dancing to music played by a live band. Gene decided to sneak away and find a place to be by herself. She managed to find a smaller room which had French doors separating it from the main parlor. Cliff Quackenbush was also attending the party and he was talking to a group of other boys and one of them noticed Gene standing in the other room. "Hey Cliff I bet u couldn't get her." One of them challenged. Quackenbush smirked and countered "How much you wanna bet?"

He strolled over to her and confidently asked "He doll face what's your name?" Gene rolled her eyes and ignored him. He grabbed onto her arm and pulled her closer "I'm speaking to you. Now it's only polite to answer." He growled. She glared at him defiantly "A brute like you doesn't need to know my name." Gene hissed. His grip tightened and replied "C'mon you don't have to be like that. Hows 'bout you give me a good time and forget about this little argument."

Gene struggled in his grip and screamed out "Let me go!" immediately people noticed the commotion and migrated towards them. Brinker and Phineas managed to get themselves to the front of the crowd and was what was going on.

"Quackenbush let her go!" brinker yelled out while trying to hold finny back. "You better let go of her if you know what's good for you Quackenbush!"

"And what would you do Phineas?" Quackenbush retorted. Brinker had never seen Finny so enraged over something before. Quackenbush continued to pull Gene closer to him and she winced as he gripped her even tighter. He then put his arm around her waist and grinned slyly. "I swear Cliff if you do anything to her you'll regret it."

"That sounds like a lot coming from someone as short as you."

"All right please just let her go and we don't have to get our hands dirty." Brinker interjected.

"He obviously doesn't love you enough if he isn't willing to fight for you." Quackenbush said to Gene who still was trying to get out of his grip.

"He loves me more than you think." Gene spat and kicked him below the belt. Quackenbush immediately let go and fell to his knees.

She strolled over to Finny and said "I'm fine." Everyone stood there in awe as the watched Quackenbush writhe in pain on the floor. Brinker chuckled quietly and commented "Well I guess we don't have to fight after all Phineas…" Gene then whispered to Finny "Lets leave it's getting a bit stuffy in hear." He smiled and replied "alright but you should get your coat before we leave."

Gene hurried up the marble staircase and grabbed her thick black fleece lined jacket and then they both snuck out of the house.

*Oh God so much typing but this one is a bit shorter than usual any way review if there are things you like or don't like and DFTBA :D