Title:

Pic Fest – Part Eight

Author:

Tina, Michelle, Syn

Rating:

R – contains adult language and sexual situations

Characters:

All Crowe characters

Disclaimer:

The following story has been written with no intention of claiming ownership or solicitation, nor does the author claim the movie character(s) as his/her own. The moviecharacter(s) have been borrowed solely out of a love of the particular movie and is not intendedfor any other purpose but amusement and entertainment.

Part Eight

Reconciliation

Contains adult language and sexual situations

Only a few patrons were left besides the employees, now beginning to clean up.Lachlan and East were still flattering several excited lurkers, who had only recently discoveredthe Crowe's' Nest. Jeff Mitchell and his waiter friend, Rick - who was off-duty that evening -waved good-bye to Tina as they left. Alex Ross was still trying to hang in there, but the brunetteacross from him was making little hand gestures. Obviously, she was ready to 'retire' becauseAlex was slowly getting the hint.Yes, Michelle's fall had put a damper on things, but this was all Bud and Colin's fault, Tinafumed to herself.Damn fools! Damn men! Sometimes they were so useless.

Okay, mustn't generalize or man bash. Not fair. Some of them are great

. She watched as Johnhurried downstairs, toiletry kit in hand, and now wearing an off-white sweater over his faded jeans. Smiling, she realized it would complement her own pullover sweater and just at the kneesskirt. John stopped to talk to Lachlan for a moment.

Yeah, some of them are positively wonderful...like you, John Biebe. I just wish--

She shook her head."Tina." Liz walked up behind the counter, placing a small picnic basket on top of it."Hey Liz.""Think I'm going to ring the last call bell, and this will be it.""I don't blame you. I don't think I've ever seen it like this.""Well, it's gotten insane around here before, but with all these contrasting personalities, what doyou expect? But Bud and Colin..." She threw her hands up. "Okay, that's enough. I'm preachingto the choir now. Here's what I whipped up for you and John. Hope this will be okay.""I'm sure it will be.""You're just a couple of regular insomniacs, aren't you?"

"More like night owls. We can sleep when we need to at night, but staying up late, I've beendoing this forever.""Well when you're not around, John doesn't sleep much anyway."Tina tried not to look too stunned. First, Max's comments, now Liz's? "He doesn't?""Nope. He's just - I don't know - quieter than usual. He really misses you I think. No, I

know

hedoes. Okay, I've talked enough. Let me show you what I've got."Tina nodded, but half of her mind was on Liz and Maximus' words."Let's see...he told me to find what I could...I did. Mild and medium wings; some potato salad -actually scrounged up some low fat kind; uh...got you a few rolls; ah, had them make you up amini veggie tray with sour cream dip...Fresh fruit.""Sounds great, Liz, especially considering how late it is.""Well consider it late dinner or early breakfast. John will be hungry anyway, no matter what youcall it." Tina laughed. "Oh, I hooked your wine glasses and utensils inside the lid, andthere's...paper plates and napkins in there too.""You've thought of everything."Liz shrugged. "I supplied the food and drink. It's up to

you

to supply the atmosphere, Tina...HeyJohn. It's all set."John walked up, easing a hand to his companion's back. "Thanks Liz. You ready, darlin'?""More than ready." Tina moved off the stool while the sheriff grabbed the basket. "Night Liz.""Yeah, good night Liz."As they departed, they took one final glance toward the corner where Colin sat, face in his hands.Thankfully, he didn't have a bottle in front of him.. The last call bell sounded just as Tina andJohn walked out the door. It was amazing how the crisp night air could awaken the senses. TheTavern itself had started to feel near claustrophobic, although neither suffered from that malady, but the night's events had left everyone stifled. The two were standing at the spot where the pathforked to the parking lot on the left, or off to the right and the hotel. Tina took a deep breath,letting a slight breeze stir her hair.