Shipmates
Warning: This is a Gilmore Girls Slash fic. Rated T. If this in any way offends you, turn back now while you still can!
Pairing: Rory / Paris
Summary: Set between Season 2 and 3, but instead of a trip to Washington DC, Rory/Paris take a cruise with unexpected results.
Authors note: This is my first fan-fiction story. PLEASE review and tell me what you think! I can take it all, good, bad, indifferent, whatever. Also, I have not seen all the GG episodes. I've only watched what is currently out on DVD, so seasons 1-3, so if anything seems wrong, you know with Gilmore Girls plotlines, it's only my ignorance.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Gilmore Girls. If I did I would be a rich genius, but alas, it is not so.
Chapter 1 – Setting Sail
Lorelei slammed on the brakes in front of a small, white building, and Rory jumped out before the jeep came to a complete stop.
"I told you that we didn't have time for Luke's this morning!" She yelled, pulling a small duffel bag out of the back. "Did you think I was kidding! I'm going to miss the cruise!"
"Don't worry, the incompetent crew is running behind anyway," a harsh voice called out from behind her. "We're going to be stuck at this port for a while."
Rory turned to see a disgruntled Paris glaring back at her.
"See?" Lorelei said flippantly, taking a sip of her coffee. "We're here on time."
"Just because the boat is running late, doesn't mean we're on time." Rory argued.
Lorelei opened her mouth again, but whatever she was about to say was drowned out by the arrival of Headmaster Charleston.
"Miss Gilmore," he said. "you made it. I was starting to worry."
"Sorry Headmaster." Rory said respectfully.
"It's quite alright. I believe that they are ready for us on board now. Miss Gilmore, Miss Gellar, if you'll come with me please, we will be off. Lorelei, nice to see you again." He turned and started towards the building, with Paris close behind.
Rory turned back to Lorelei.
"Alright, kid. Go get on the boat. No crying," she said, wiping the corners of her eyes. She pulled Rory in for a quick hug, then pushed her towards the building. "Don't let Paris get to you. And get me one of those hats the sailors wear. And catch me a fish. And steal me an anchor." Rory took one last look back, before following Headmaster Charleston and Paris.
Despite the dilapidated exterior, the inside of the building was nicely decorated, with large, overstuffed easy chairs lining the small waiting room.
Simple artwork adorned the sky blue walls, as well as photos of the beautiful ships owned by their cruise company.
A desk on the back wall was vacant, but a nicely dressed woman motioned the three of them to a hallway off to the right. As they headed down, Rory couldn't help but notice that Paris was breathing heavily, and her hands were shaking. She almost laughed out loud. Self assured, always right Paris was nervous.
'I almost feel bad for her,' Rory thought to herself. Paris looked up, and caught her staring.
"What?" Paris snapped.
"You just looked..."Rory trailed off. "Never mind."
"What?"
"You just look nervous. I didn't know this trip was so important to you."
Paris looked away.
"What is it Paris?" Rory pressed.
She muttered something under her breath.
"What?"
"I don't like boats. I hate sailing, and I'm afraid of water." She rolled her eyes. "Now you know my secret. This is really freaking me out."
"Then why did you agree to this trip, Paris?" Rory asked in disbelief
"It looks good on a Harvard application. For that, I'll face all my fears."
Rory laughed loudly. "You sound like an overzealous Alexander the Great. Conquer your fears, and you will conquer Harvard!"
Paris glared at Rory with murderous intent, and Rory could not help but notice Paris' intense expression. 'She's really beautiful', Rory thought to herself as they neared the end of the long hallway. It opened out to a dock behind the building, where a sleek cruise ship was moored.
It was completely white with its name displayed proudly on the side: The Enigma. Rory could make out four decks on which she could see people milling around. Probably the other students, she mused.
A tall blonde crewmen sauntered up to them. "My name's Trent. If you'll follow me, I will show you to your quarters." He turned and walked briskly to a ramp, and they had to practically run to keep up with him. Headmaster Charleston followed behind the crewman, but Paris hesitated at the end of the narrow ramp, gripping the handrail tightly.
Rory stepped up behind her, and gently lifted Paris' hands. "Harvard application. Harvard Application." she said, pushing her gently up the ramp.
Paris could feel Rory's gentle breath on her neck, like a warm caress that soothed her. She went up without argument, with Rory's calm insistence urging her on.
When they reached the top, Trent called over to a crewmember standing by. "This is the last of them. Let's head out."
He led them to the second level. "Sir, your room." Headmaster Charleston entered the room, and left Paris and Rory with Trent. "You guys are on the third level." He led them up another flight of stairs, and to a room a few doors down the hall. "Enjoy." He said, leaving them at the door.
"Wow, they certainly spared no expense with the help." Paris said sarcastically. She pushed open the door.
Rory's first thought was that they had walked into a room in a mansion. It was not anything like she had envisioned. Two beautifully carved desks were against the far wall, with large windows affording a lovely view of the harbor. A tall bureau, matching the desks, sat along the left hand wall, with a large closet next to it. Across the room, a door, leading to what Rory hoped was their own bathroom. A short nightstand sat next to the King sized bed on the right wall. A frantic Paris interrupted Rory's examination of the room.
"One bed?"
In her awed state, Rory had failed to notice what Paris had pointed out. One King sized bed.
Suddenly, the boat gave a great lurch. Their voyage was underway. Rory wasn't bothered, only surprised, but Paris made a quick grab for the wall. Rory rolled her eyes and helped her to the bed.
"Oh well. No big deal. It's definitely big enough for us to share."
Rory tossed her duffel bag on the bed next to Paris, and checked the door she had seen before. Sure enough, a bathroom. A beautiful one at that. An ornate bathtub graced one side of it, and all the faucets were of pristine stainless steel.
"Well, Paris," Rory said, poking her head back into the room. "I guess we know where they spent all the money they should have spent on adequate staff."
"Sure Gilmore," Paris said harshly. "Make your little jokes, sling your little barbs. I'm the one suffering here. I'm terrified at the thought of being stuck on this deathtrap for weeks."
"Paris," Rory said, coming back into the room. "It's not a deathtrap. You'll be fine."
"Famous last words," she muttered.
A few hours later, after many introductions and long winded speeches, they re-entered their room.
"...And did you see that kid, my god, he never stopped asking questions. You'd think there was going to be a test or something-" Paris stopped abruptly. "There isn't going to be a test is there?
Rory rolled her eyes. "No, Paris. No tests. After all, it is our summer vacation." She grabbed her copy of the expected schedule they would follow. They had a late breakfast and more speeches tomorrow. She sat down on the bed. "Okay, I'm bored. I want to do something."
Paris eyed her warily. "Now it's my job to entertain you too?" She took a seat at one of the desks, and rifled through the massive amount of information they had been given. "God, what do they want us to do with all this?" She threw it on the desk angrily.
"Come on." Rory pressed. "Let's explore the ship, or meet someone. Or," she said, grinning mischievously, "we could hook up with Trent. I'll bet he knows all the best hang out spots. Wild parties. You know you want to go. All the other kids are doin' it..."
"You are crazy. I wouldn't go within ten feet of Trent, and I certainly wouldn't party with him. Or party at all." She added for good measure. "And I'm almost positive you wouldn't either."
Rory pouted. "Well I still want to do something. Oh! Makeovers!" Rory suddenly looked excited.
Paris looked at her in disbelief. "You are kidding me, right?"
"No. We can go around, find other girls, paint each other's toenails, talk about boys..." Rory laughed.
Paris shook her head. "If I had wanted to do that, I would have stayed in Hartford with Madeline and Louise."
"Well, we can't just do nothing. Let's go swimming."
"You miss your mother, don't you?" Paris asked, looking at Rory.
"Is it that obvious?" Rory asked.
"Have you ever been away from her at all?"
"No. But I guess I better get used to it, with Harvard right around the corner and all."
Paris let out a sigh. "Fine. What do you want to do?"
Rory pretended to think. "Well, the possibilities are endless. We could prank call Headmaster Charleston, or go to everyone's room and introduce ourselves, or sunbathe-" Paris cut her off.
"Okay, first of all, it's dark out so we can't sunbathe. Second, we're not going to pester Headmaster Charleston. And if you want to knock on everyone's doors, feel free to do it without me."
"Well, that leaves me with one option."
"And what's that?"
"Movie night!"
Three movies and one steady stream of commentary from Rory later, Paris could barely keep her eyes open.
"Okay, Gilmore. Now I'm going to bed. And don't think any more heartfelt confessions to keep me up longer. I've grown immune to it." She said, stifling a yawn.
Rory turned to her. "Did I ever tell you about the puppy I had? He ran away, and I never found him again!" She pretended to burst into tears.
Paris narrowed her eyes. "He probably died."
Rory looked at her. "You get cranky when you're tired, don't you?"
"A little." Paris yawned again. "That's it. I'm going to bed now." she slid under the covers.
Watching her, Rory was again assaulted with the thought of Paris being beautiful. Before, she had pushed it from her mind, but now she contemplated it for a moment. Thin, blonde, a pretty face. Paris was beautiful. 'But when did I start thinking about Paris like that?' she mused.
A sudden thought ran through her mind, unbidden.
Paris, in the throes of passion, hair fanned out on a pillow, eyes closed.
Although she hadn't consciously created it, Rory knew instinctively that she was with Paris in her daydream. In a sexual way.
Rory shook her head, trying to shake the confusion. Rory Gilmore did not think about girls this way. She was completely straight, that was just the way it was.
She decided to just push it out of her mind for now. She couldn't be thinking things like this when she was going to have to share a bed with the very person she was now for some reason attracted to. She slipped into bed, facing away from Paris. Yet as she fell asleep, her unhindered mind moved right back to a certain smart blonde.
But unknown to Rory, the blonde girl next to her also dreamed...
Next chapter: Paris' Dreams...
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