"Oh no!" Annie says dramatically, still a little too loud for Maureen.

"I do not swing that way," Annie steps back, her hands to her heart. "No matter how hard you beat me!"

The women laugh harder just as her new "victim" spins and heads towards the bar to get the next round.

Throughout the next hour or so, the coworkers leave Maureen alone about Chris. They have found another within the group to make fun of. It’s nice of them to not make fun of her even when one or two of them would catch Maureen glancing over at Chris.

"Your turn," Jenny says to Maureen.

Realizing why Jenny had said that, Maureen turns to the group. "Okay, who wants a refill?"

No one really wants something. "Looks like you're getting off easy." Jenny says.

Maureen smiles and then nods. Only one refill request. She stands and turns toward the bar. It strikes her then as to how much time must have passed. The bar is crowded, far more crowded than she had realized. Maureen glances over at the table Chris where and his friends were sitting. Maureen wonders if they have left since she had last looked over.

A feeling of disappointment fills her as she finds the chair Chris was sitting at empty. She looks over at the others at the table and a spark of hope comes to life as Rudy and the rest of them are still there. Perhaps he has gone out for some fresh air or has gone to the rest room.

Shrugging, Maureen heads towards the bar.

After what Maureen believes to be too much shoveling, pushing and dodging, she finally reaches the bar. She nods towards the bartender and glances around. Maureen sighs to herself. It is Friday night and she should have known better than to come out with the girls. Crowds are not much fun. They are less fun when she has to fight her way through them. It will probably be worse when she has to carry the drinks back to the table.

However, it is Friday. Maureen should be having fun. She does not really want another drink, but figures that since she is supposed to be having fun, why not? The bartender takes her order when he comes over. It is then that Maureen realizes she may be a little buzzed. Not to mention that it feels a little too warm in the bar. Maybe it’s the crowd and the crush of bodies. She shrugs to herself as the bartender comes back a few minutes later with the drinks. Maureen pays, also giving the appropriate tip.

Taking a glass in each hand, she lifts them. Maureen realizes she has put a little too much 'spin' in her turn away from the bar. She tries to stand still and hopefully balance herself. However, Maureen's brain and logical center tells her that it is not happening. Her body almost mocks her as her legs start to give out underneath her.

A gentle hand touches her outstretched left hand while another, almost too