Oliver and I sat at the bar as we listened to the background house music.

"This is so much better than wine." I half laughed as I drunk my vodka and juice.

Oliver laughed as he drank his scotch. "Yeah, my mother is the wine drinker."

"Hopefully Cody behaves for your parents."

"I think he will be asleep as soon as he gets on the bed." Oliver smiled as he ordered another drink.

"It was very nice of you to fly us all up here."

Oliver shrugged. "I just want him to have a good day."

"He did. But why do you give in to him so much?"

Oliver stared at me like I had spouted another head. "Have you seen what you do?"

My eyes went wide. "I get paid to keep the kid happy." I teased him. "You're the one with the rules."

"None of my rules seem to be in effect though."

I grinned. I know. "Which rules are we breaking?"

"Sneaking out in the snow?"

I grinned wider. "I've never seen snow until now." I shrugged my shoulders. "So sue me. Cody didn't get sick from it."

"No. You did." Came his flat and serious tone.

I sighed. I got murdered by it. "Worth it." I mumbled to myself as I sipped out of the straw, my smile still in place.

The bar attendant gave a Oliver a fresh drink and asked if I would like another drink.

"Actually, give me something, tropical looking. Surprise me." I turned back to Oliver.

"You've never seen snow before?"

I shook my head. "Not till I came here, no, to work for you." I'm not at home. I'm a good state away from home. "I haven't been back in Queensland in years."

"So you're originally from Queensland?" Oliver asked casually.

"I was."

"Here you go ma'am." Oi! I don't look that old. I took the drink off him and gave him money for it.

I sipped it. Yum! "What's this?" I asked the man.

"Sex on the beach."

Oliver spun to us as he coughed back his drink. "Excuse me?"

I ignored him. "Thank you."

"What did he ask you?"

I frowned at him then laughed.

"Did he ask you for sex?"

I couldn't help it, I laughed harder. Tears were forming as I tried to stop.

"That is not funny! That's a serious question! You don't know if he is clean!"

Oh he was killing me! It took several minutes for me to calm down. "That's the name of my drink!" I laughed again.

Oliver frowned at me and looked at my drink. I heard a groan from him as he spun back to the pianist.

"Loosen up! It's a cocktail." I teased him. I sipped some more of it as I played with a coaster.

"Thanks for agreeing to come with us." Oliver said to me without looking.

"Yeah, well you and I both know Cody wouldn't let me stay behind." I do admit, I had a fun day with them all, even when I spent most of the time chasing Cody or being dragged by him.

Oliver scoffed. "He won't allow you far from him."

We sat there enjoying the atmosphere as we talked. I avoided anything that involved any hint of commitment. I didn't want to discuss Percy. But that also meant I couldn't inquire about Cordie.

I sucked back five more Sex on the Beaches before I called it a night.

"Where would Cody be?" I asked Oliver as I stood up.

"He will be in the same room as my parents." He smiled as I fidgeted in my shoes.

"What room?"

"They are in our room."

I arced an eyebrow. "Our room?"

"Yes, I booked a one bedroom for my parents and a two bedroom for us three."

I giggled. "Why not a three bedroom?"

I started walking with Oliver to the exit of the bar.

"Because I was assuming Cody was sleeping with you in one bed."

Oh, right. I do share my bed with him. "The only male I'll be sharing a bed with for a while." I mumbled as I swayed.

"Take those bloody shoes off!" Oliver nagged at me as he knelt down in front of me. I lifted one foot then the other as Oliver slipped them off and held them in one hand.

I still swayed a bit as we walked, leaning on any furniture I came across for support. "Then where are we sleeping if our hotel room is taken?"

"We'll be swapping rooms, obviously. My parents will be fast asleep."

I felt an arm around my waist as Oliver pulled me towards him. "You're going to fall."

"Why would your parents be asleep already?" I asked as we got to the elevator.

"Because it's one in the morning."

"Oh."

Oliver laughed as he pushed the door button for the elevator.

"Surely not!" I looked at him in bewilderment.

"How strong were those drinks?"

"Sex on the beach..." I slurred each word out slowly then giggled. I placed my weight on the side that Oliver was holding, repeating myself.

"Yeah, I get it. You had sex on the beach." Oliver grumbled as we went in the elevator.

"In a house, a shower, a car," I rambled on before leaning closer to Oliver and whispered, "an elevator." Then I giggled. "But not on the beach."

I heard a groan come from Oliver.

"Are you okay?" I asked looking at him.

"I'm fine." He snapped at me. I leaned off him.

"Gosh you get cranky easy. Have you had yourself checked out, mentally? In case you have any signs of bipolar? Your moods bounce all over the place like a bouncy ball."

I tried to lecture him in a serious tone, but I couldn't stop giggling. I pressed a button on the pad and the doors opened almost immediately.

I stepped out and Oliver followed me. I felt his hands on my shoulders as he steered me back to the elevator.

"What are you doing?"

"Wrong floor." I heard Oliver grumble as the doors closed before we could get in. I pushed the button again and again.

It wasn't long before another elevator opened its door.

"Ah." I stepped back in and pushed more buttons.

"Stop that. Now it's going to go down first. We want up." Oliver snapped.

"I should call you a snapping turtle."

I looked at him, as he frowned upon me. "What? Why?"

"All you do is snap." I made a popping noise. That continued for three floors down before we started moving up.

"Monty, stop it."

I sighed in boredom. "Are we there yet?"

Oliver looked at me and smiled. "No wonder Cody adores you. You're like a giant child."

I beamed at him. "Why thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

I nodded at him with a large smile. "I know."

"Come on. How many buttons did you press?"

I shrugged as I leaned against the corner of the small room. "Why are we in an elevator?"

"To go to our room." Oliver kept his eyes on the digital screen.

"Our room? Wait, we've discussed this."

Oliver turned to me, his face so close to me. "Yes, we have. Now are you going to stand there and be quiet, or are you continuing on making small talk and stupid noises?"

I pretended to zip my lips together.

"Good."

I watched his back as I pulled a face. "Cranky!"

"Monty,"

"I didn't say anything!" I whined at him.

"I'm warning you!"

I stayed quiet as I leaned forward and pushed another button before stepping back, suppressing a giggle.

"Monty!"

"I didn't say anything!"

"Stop touching!" Oliver turned his back to me again and I poked my tongue out.

"Party pooper." I whispered to myself. I blinked several times as sleep wanted to overcome me.

The elevator opened again. "This one?" I asked as I took a step forward. Oliver blocked me with his arm.

"No."

I sighed as I stepped back. "Why are you moody?"

"I'm not moody, I'm tired."

"You were tired an hour or so ago but happier. What's changed?"

Oliver ignored me so I tapped his shoulder.

Still nothing. I tapped his shoulder again then his shoulder blade. Still no reaction. "Oliver?"

"Yes Monty?" He sighed.

"Nothing. Just seeing if those ears work."

Oliver groaned as the doors opened again and Oliver blocked me. He didn't move his arm till the door closed.

I stepped in front of him, looking at his face. He still held my shoes. How gallant of him. Oliver kept his eyes on the digital screen next to me. I heard the ding of the elevator opening as I kept still. I felt dizzy and I tried to keep looking in the same spot.

The doors closed and I felt the subtle movement.

"Why is it so hard for you to talk to me?" I asked at him, stepping closer.

Oliver gently guided me to where I was standing, behind him.

I stayed there, frowning. Stepped forward and rested my head on the top of his back. Then it started.

The hiccups.

I groaned as I stood up straight. "I need some water."

"I'll get you some back in the room."

"How *hic* many more floors?"

"We would be there already if someone didn't push the buttons."

I giggled between my hiccups. "Where's your *hic*sense of fun?"

"Monty. Just stop."

"No! *hic* You need to relax *hic* more. Have *hic* some fun. You're *hic*so hot and cold." I ranted on. "I'm so *hic* over your mood swings. It's *hic* like stepping on land *hic* mines. These stupid *hic* hiccups are -" I wanted to scream in frustration, but I was pushed back in to the elevator wall, Oliver pressing against me.

I felt his lips on mine as I stared at him in surprise.

He slowly pulled away, staring at me. "How's those hiccups now? "