Getting checked in at the hotel.

"Wake up," Spoke an ethereal voice.

"Five more minutes," came Mary's slurred reply.

"Ha! This isn't the first day of school. We're checking in at the hotel." A familiar voice countered as a hand firmly gripped Mary by the shoulder and began to shake her gently.

"Ok, Ok!" Mary grumpily protested as she languidly reached to grasp the offending hand. Mary used the vexing hand to pull herself from the car. Unfortunately, once she had fully extracted herself from the vehicle her legs, still rubbery from just waking, gave out underneath her. Luckily John had a tenacious hold on her. Instead of face-planting Mary found herself pulled face to face with the well-built lad. Her body pressed tightly against his. Mary now fully awake, looked up and stared into John's deep blue eyes. Those beautiful, caring eyes. She thought as John continued to hold her. Mary left unsatisfied by previous events decided on a mischievous course of action.

"My hero," Mary jokingly said. She stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss John. John met her lips and turned what was supposed to have been a flippant peck into a passionate kiss. A jolt of electricity surged through Mary. John was a good kisser and Mary resolved to enjoy herself. Then, she felt John's lips begin to part. Mary panicked. The realization that she would have to admit that this was exactly what she wanted was too much for Mary. She pushed away before she could succumb to the desires that were building up within her.

Mary dropped her gaze to the ground her face reddening. "Where's Sue?" She asked trying to pretend the last few seconds had not happened.

"In line to get us checked in," John said as he handed his car keys to the valet. He then placed his hand on the small of Mary's back. "She'll meet us at the elevator once she has the room keys."

Mary walked beside John never attempting to remove his hand. Instead, she leaned her head against his chest as she took in all the activity of the busy hotel lobby. She was amazed by what she saw. "Oh wow! There are already people dressed up. I didn't think I would see anyone cosplaying today. Doesn't the con not start until tomorrow?"

"It doesn't," John replied. "Lately, some people have started arriving two even three days early. They just can't resist being in costume while the rest of us check in. I almost think they're trying to rub their perceived superiority in our face."

Mary snuggle her head against John's chest as she waited with him at the bank of elevators for Susan to arrive. She continued to watch the cosplayers mill about the lobby. Mary was so mesmerized by the site of all the many great costumes that she didn't realize her arms had started hugging John around his waist.

"You two certainly got cozy while I was checking in," Susan stated from behind Mary and John. Her tone was as icy as the winds that howl through the Frostfangs.

Susan's words lifted the fog from Mary's eyes making her very aware of how much she and John were entangled. She let go of John and, much like a child would who had just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar, stood up straight.

"John was just telling me about how people get here early, so they can cosplay while the main crowd arrives," Mary sputtered as she tried to explain away the embarrassing situation.

"Ah ha. And how did you two being wrapped around one another help John point out that they are a bunch of rich assholes who like to show off." Susan spat out as she mashed the elevator call button.

"Come now Sue you're making too much of this. Mary is still tired. I had the hardest time waking her after you left to check in." John explained. "Besides she wouldn't be the first girl at Tomorrow Con to use my head as a pillow while people watching."

Susan slightly blushed at the last part of John's explanation. "I suppose I am overreacting." Then she took a deep breath to compose herself. "Here are your keys. We're in room 707."

Mary was taken aback when the trio finally entered their room. It's so small. She thought. And there are only two beds. "Um, guys. Is this the right room? It seems kinda small."

"Now you're worried about privacy? Susan mockingly questioned. "You didn't seem very concerned about it down in the lobby."

Mary despairingly plopped down in a chair in the corner. "I'm serious Susan. There are only two beds and one room."

"It'll be ok Mary," Susan said. "You can share a bed with me, and John is almost as much your brother as he is mine. Besides we won't be spending much time in here so it would just have been a waste of money to have booked a suite."

"Now then," John stated. "We best be off to get our con badges."