December 15, 2010
Rory was headed home to visit her mom and Luke after not seeing them for almost two years. After landing the job as assistant editor of Blender magazine Rory hardly found time to even talk to her mother on the phone or anyone else for that matter.
Earlier that day Rory arrived at her job as usual and was told an hour into her shift that she was being replaced by someone who also had experience in the music industry. The boss informed Rory that she would have two weeks to get her affairs in order.
This can't be happening, I've dedicated my life for the past two years to nothing but this magazine, she thought to herself as she packed her belongings. Rory left the building almost immediately knowing she wouldn't return at all.
Rory walked into the apartment she had for the past two years in New York. As she started packing her things, it didn't take her too long. All she could think about was going home to her mother for the holidays.Less than three hours later she was on her way to Stars Hallow.
As she sat behind the wheel a feeling of calm came over her just knowing that she would be in her childhood town in a matter of hours. The best part of it all was no one was expecting her, it would be a complete surprise.
After hours of driving she reached a familar area, as she passed by Chilton, she smiled knowing she had half an hour to go. Driving into Stars Hollow took her breath away, it had been so long since she saw the town decorated for Christmas.
Pulling into the driveway she noticed three cars. One of them was unfamiliar to her.
Knowing her mother wasn't expecting her she snuck into the house trying to be as quiet as possible. After she was in the door she noticed all of the construction going on in the house.
Seeing no sign of her mother or Luke she started toward the kitchen. As she got closer she could hear someone. Assuming it would be her mother, she ran around the corner and screamed "MOM". Surprise it wasn't Loralie.
"Oh my god. I'm so sorry Dean. I thought you were going to be my mom."
"What are you doing here?" They both said in unison.
Dean looked down at the paintbrush in his hand that he was using to paint the keychain cabinets before Rory scared the hell out of him. "I'm painting the cabinets"
"Oh yeah well obviously before I came in and tried to scare you to death. I'm really sorry about that."
"It's okay. I'll live. So what are you doing here?"
"I came to visit my mom? Is she here?"
"No she's not." Dean started to laugh a little. "Rory did you call her before you came?"
"No. It was supposed to be a surprise."
"Well Luke and your mom went to Europe for Christmas and New Year's. They just lefttwo days ago. We're not expecting them back until January 5."
"What? This is unbelievable."
"Yeah. It was Luke's christmas gift to your mom but so is this, the remodeling, she won't know about this though until they get back. It's supposed to be a surprise."
Dean stood with his hands in his pockets, not sure what to say to Rory. It had been almost six years since her saw her last.
"I can't believe this is happening. I need my mom."
"Is everything alright Rory?"
"Yeah, I'll be OK."
"Well at least I'll have the house to myself for a while. Can you help me bring in some of my stuff from the car?"
Dean gave her an awkward look.
"Rory, you won't be able to stay in this house after the next few days. Every room is being painted and new flooring is going down as well. Tom's crew is going to be in and out from morning to night. They are on a tight schedule to finish before Luke and Loralie get back."
"Even my room, they're painting my room?" Rory said as she turned to open the door to what used to be her room.
Rory was speechless after opening the door. Dean came to stand behind her as she looked in on what looked to be a baby nursury.
"What's this?" Rory asked sounding nervous.
Dean looked at her..."You don't know?
Loralie is 2 1/2 months pregnant."
"I can't believe I didn't know. How could I?" her voice trailed off. It was at that moment she realized she hadn't spoken to her mom in 3 months.
"I'm a horrible person. I can't believe I went this long without talking to my mom or anyone in my life. Not only am I a horrible daughter, I don't even have the job to show for it anymore, I was fired. Everything is so messed up."
She started to cry and dropped to the floor.
Dean found himself comforting Rory. Telling her everything was going to be ok and holding her in his arms giving her a shoulder to cry on. It had been over six years since he had been in this situation. She came looking for her mother but found him instead. That was the night he knew his marriage to Lindsay was over. It felt like everything was happening all over again.
He picked her up off the floor and carried her to the couch. He sat beside her.
"I'm so sorry Dean. This is so not your problem, I'm always doing this to you."
"It's fine, Rory. What are shoulder's for?"
A small smile came to her face. "Thanks Dean."
"So do you want to talk about it? You know, what happened with your job?"
"It's stupid. I'm just being a baby, they replaced me with someone who was more qualified for the job than I was. I should have known it was coming. I'm just so mad that I missed so much. I feel like I've been locked in an office for the past two years. And now it was all for nothing."
"Hey. You'll get another job offer. It wasn't all for nothing, at least now you have a good reference."
"I wouldn't bet on it, the way I left. I didn't even tell anyone. Just walked out."
"You'll figure it out Rory. Maybe it's for the best, you don't sound like you were very happy there at all."
"Yeah. I think I'm just going to stay in Star's Hollow for a while. Be with family and friends. You know?"
"Sounds like a perfect plan. But what are you going to do until Loralie gets back?"
"I don't know. Are you sure I won't be able to stay here?"
"You could die in your sleep from inhaling all of the fumes and dust. That would be bad."
"Yeah. I'm upset right now, but dying still doesn't appeal to me."
"So I'm almost done for the night. You want to rent a movie or two and have a movie night?"
"Yeah, that sounds great Dean."
"Alright just let me get things put away in here, and I'll be ready to go."
She followed Dean into the kitchen.
"So. Where are we going to have this movie night?"
"Oh well I guess we could go to my house. If that's ok with you Rory."
"Yeah thats fine. Only I don't know where you live."
"Oh well you could follow me there or I could just give you directions."
"Well I was kind of hoping to take a shower here before I go."
"Uh Rory. The water isn't hooked up right now. They are also redoing the bathrooms."
"Oh. Well of course they are."
"Hey. Why don't I give you my address and you can go ahead to my place and get a shower and relax. And I will finish up here and go get the movies and the junk food."
"Thanks Dean."
Rory got the address and headed out to her car. As she drove to the house she thought to herself, I never would have thought I would be driving to Dean's house tonight.
She pulled in the driveway of the house. It was nice and inviting. Much like all of the houses in Star's Hollow. However she didn't remember this house or many of the others she had passed by on her way to Dean's.
It took her forever to find the clothes that she needed from the boxes in her car, as fast as she packed everything she was surprised to find anything at all. Heading into the house she heard someone call her name from the next yard but she didn't see who it was until they were almost face to face.
"RORY. What are doing here?" Lane asked.
"LANE. Its so good to see you. It's a long story. I've had a really bad day. I came home to see my mom."
"But your mom and Luke went to Europe. I'm running the diner while he's gone."
"Yeah I know. Dean told me. I was trying to surprise her but I was the one who was surprised instead. And the house is a mess, I can't even sleep there."
"Yeah. Luke said he was remodeling.
So you're staying with Dean?"
"Oh well. Um I don't think so. To be honest I don't know what I'm going to do."
"You know this is Dean's house right?"
"Oh yeah. I mean I'm here now but I don't know if I'm staying here."
"Uh huh. Not sure yet." Lane said teasing Rory.
"Oh well if things don't work out as you have planned and you need a place to crash...me and Zac are two houses down."
"Geez Lane. I just came back to town about an hour ago for the first time in two years. Nothing is going on between us. "
"OK whatever you say, Rory."
"So you and Zac are still together?"
"Yeah we got married almost a year ago."
"Oh Lane, that's so great I'm so happy for you."
"I sent you an invitation to the wedding. I got the address from your mom."
"Lane, I'm so sorry. I honestly didn't open any mail except the one that went to my office. Hey, if I don't see you tonight I will see you tomorrow at Luke's. I definently can't wait for the coffee. I'm going to try to take a shower before Dean gets home."
"Bye Lane"
"See ya later Rory."
She stepped inside after unlocking the door with the key Dean had given her. The house was really nice, she suddenly felt proud of Dean. He always worked so hard and he had something to show for it.
The bathroom downstairs didn't have a shower in it. So she went upstairs and found the master bath. She should have used the one in the hallway that was seperate from Dean's room but she noticed that his bathroom had a jacuzzi tub and couldn't resist it. She undressed in his room and put on her robe as she put away her dirty clothes and laid out what she would wear after her bath.
As she turned around to head to the bathroom she noticed a picture on Dean's dresser. It was of them when they were nineteen, they were holding one another looking into the others eyes. Rory couldn't believe Dean kept a picture of them on his dresser. She snapped out of her daze of staring at the picture and headed to the tub.
Dean walked into the house with two bags full of junkfood. Dropping the bags off in the kitchen and the movies on the entertainment center in the living room. "Rory? You still here?" He started up the stairs. Assuming Rory was still in the bathroom he walked into his room.
"Rory I'm sorry. I thought you would be in the guest bathroom."
"It's OK. I have a robe on. Another two seconds though and you might have got an eye full mister."
"Oh really. Well then next time I will try to wait at least two more seconds in that case." Dean said jokingly.
Rory turned a few shades of red and gave Dean a big smile.
"Take your time. I'll be downstairs ordering the pizza."
"Thanks. Hey Dean?"
"Yeah."
"What movies did you get?"
"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Charlie & the Chocalate Factory. I figured we could compare and contrast."
"Great idea."
Rory headed downstairs to find Dean. She found him lying on the couch almost asleep. He must be tired. She thought. His eyes opened and looked toward her as soon as she entered the room.
"Hey. Feel better now?"
"Yeah. I love the jacuzzi tub. When you move you must take it with you."
"OK. Well I'll keep that in mind but I don't plan on moving." He said sitting up. "I built everything just the way I wanted it. If anything I might add on in the future."
"You built this house?"
"The majority of it yeah. As well as all of the other houses in this neighborhood. I went into business with Tom about 2 years ago."
"Dean that is amazing. You did a really great job. This house is beautiful."
"Thanks Rory.
Well you want to start the movie or wait for the pizza?"
"I guess we could go ahead and start watching."
"Oh I almost forgot. I bought junk food, it's in the kitchen. Be right back."
Dean came back into the room with bowls of candy and popcorn.
"Alright the pizza will be here shortly and then we are all set."
Rory looked over at Dean as he sat beside her on the couch. She couldn't help but smile at him.
"What? Is there something on my face?" he asked.
"No. It's just that...well I'm glad that I have you to hang out with. This is nice. Being with someone who knows me."
"Well I'm happy to see you again too Rory."
Their heads slowly started to move towards one another and just before their lips met, the doorbell rang. They quickly seperated and Dean got up to answer the door.
Dean pulled open the door to reveal the pizza guy. That's $25.15 he said. Dean handed him the money and quickly returned to the living room.
"The pizza is here."
"Great now we can start the movie."
"Alright which is first the new or the old?"
"Let's go with the old one first. That way my visions of Johnny Depp will be fresh in my head before I go to sleep."
Dean gave her an awkward look. "You have seen how creepy Johnny Depp looks in this movie haven't you?"
She smiled and said, "it just makes since to watch them in the order they were made."
The movie started and the pizza was almost gone twenty minutes later.
"Maybe I should have ordered two pizzas. I almost forgot how much you eat."
"Oh thats ok we still have the candy and popcorn."
Dean laughed at Rory.
About an hour later the movie ended. Dean stood up from the couch and stretched out a bit.
"You ready for the next one?" he asked rory.
"Yeah but can I use your phone really quick first? I need to call Lane and tell her I will be crashing at her place for tonight."
"Um yeah that's fine. Or you could just stay here? I mean it's getting late and you're here already."
"Alright, I'll stay here if you don't mind."
"No of course I don't mind...if you stay here. I'll sleep on the couch, you can have my bed."
"Don't you have a guest bedroom upstairs?"
"Yeah, but I haven't actually furnished it yet. It's more like a storage room for now."
"Well I could sleep on the couch Dean. You shouldn't have to give up your bed."
"No Rory I insist, you've had a tough day. You need a good night's sleep."
"Thank you. So you ready for the next movie?"
"Yeah. I'll put it in."
Dean sat back down on the couch next to Rory. Rory slid closer to him, snuggling to his side. She laid her hand on his stomach. Just the thought of her touching him sent chills through his body. He put his arm around her neck and pulled her closer. They sat that way through the entire movie.
"That was really good, Rory said as the credits began to roll."
"Yeah. I think I like the new one better. Dean said as they broke apart from one another."
"Yeah it was good but I sort of have an attachment to the original."
"Well I guess we should get some sleep. I have to be at your mom's house early tomorrow morning. Oh and since you got the bed you have to put up with me for about twenty more minutes. I have to take a shower."
"Oh of course. That's fine."
They both headed up the stairs to Dean's bedroom.
"Well just in case you're fast asleep when I'm done, Goodnight Rory."
"Goodnight Dean."
Dean went into the bathroom and closed the door.
Rory realized at that moment that she hadn't brought anything in the house to sleep in. She knocked on the bathroom door.
"Hey Dean?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think I could borrow a shirt to sleep in? I forgot to bring something from my car."
"Sure. Top left drawer."
She went over to the dresser and opened the drawer. She found a plain white shirt and pulled it over her head. It was huge on her. About three sizes too big.
Oh well at least I will be comfortable. She thought to herself.
As she laid down in the bed she looked over to the picture Dean had on his dresser. She began to wondor if she had made a mistake with Dean. All this time Dean had always thought that he wasn't good enough for her, that he couldn't give her what she needed to be happy. But now she was a failure and she had no one in her life, not even her mother.
"Maybe I would have been happier with him. She said talking to herself."
"What was that Rory?" Dean asked coming out of the bathroom.
"Oh nothing just thinking out loud. I didn't realize you were there."
Rory couldn't help but watch Dean as he walked out of the bathroom wearing only a pair of pajama pants. His abs were so defined now. And he was tan.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow Rory. Goodnight."
"Dean wait."
He turned to face Rory.
"There's no reason you should sleep on the couch. This is a king size bed and we are both adults."
"Rory I don't know if...
"Come on Dean. I promise to keep my hands to myself.
Rory opened the covers to invite Dean into the bed."
"Well I guess if you are alright with it."
Dean slid into bed next to Rory. Rory turned on her side facing Dean.
"What were you going to say earlier?" she asked.
"When?"
"When I told you to sleep here, you said I don't know if...What were you going to say"?
"Just that I don't know if I will be able to keep my hands to myself. He said with a serious face and then began to laugh unable to hold it in any longer."
"I can't believe you're making fun of me Dean Forester."
"Well I can't help it. See I'm getting the impression that you still like me and that maybe you want to kiss me."
"What makes you think that."
"Well, the way you stared at me when I walked out of the bathroom and of course the fact that you want to sleep with me."
"Well I'm getting the impression that you are still in love with me." She said pointing at the picture of them on his dresser.
Dean's face became serious all of a sudden. "It's not easy to fall out of love with you Rory. And I never have, I've been in love with you since the first time I told you. I will always love you Rory."
Rory began to speak but he put his finger to her lips to stop her. "I don't expect you to respond to that right now. I know how I feel, I'm just not sure about you. But before you say anything I want you to know for sure what you want."
Dean had never been so appealing to her as he was right now lying beside her in bed. And after all these years he still loved her.
Sliding closer to him she wrapped her arms around his body and kissed him. Everything was so perfect in that moment, she never wanted to let go. The kiss became more passionate by the second. When his hands touched her body she felt goosebumps form all over her.
Dean pulled away from their embrace.
"Rory, I don't want to do this until you know for sure what you want. I mean you've had a bad day and the last thing I want is for you to wake up tomorrow having regrets."
"Dean it's not like...
"Rory stop. I don't want you to say anything tonight. Just think about it."
He leaned over her and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight Rory."
"Goodnight Dean."
Dean was fast asleep in a matter of minutes. Rory was unable to fall asleep. Everything Dean said was echoing in her head. What he said did make sense though. After everything she put him through in the past, I understand why he has doubts. I'm just surprised he is even willing to give me another chance.
Things are going to be different this time, she thought to herself. Deep down I know he has always been the one for me. The timing was just always off for us. We found each other and fell in love so young, at that age I assumed it was too good to be true. And then his marriage. This time there was nothing standing in their way. Here is where I want to be, in Stars Hollow...in his arms.
She moved closer to him. Laying her head down on his chest, holding on to him tight. I'm never letting go of you again. Tears started to form in her eyes.
Dean's eyes opened. Looking down he saw Rory lying on his chest. At first he thought he was having a dream until the previous night's events came rushing back in his head. Turning his head to face the clock, it was 3:30 AM. Rory felt him move and looked up at him.
"Dean I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't. I guess I was having a bad dream. Rory have you went to sleep yet?"
"No. I've just been thinking about everything."
"Rory look at me. Have you been crying? What's Wrong?"
She pulled herself away from him and looked into his eyes.
"I love you Dean."
As he stared into her eyes when she said those words he couldn't believe what was happening. Never had Rory looked at him the way she was right now.
"I'm still asleep aren't I? I'm dreaming right now."
"No Dean. I know what I want. I want you."
"I want you too Rory."
He Pulled her closer to him and kissed her on the lips. Moving down to her neck and then back to her lips.
Rory got on top of him. It was at that time he realized all she was wearing were black panties and his white t-shirt. They continued to kiss, and his hands started to wondor, she could feel him trying to pull up on the hem of the shirt. Pulling away from his face she sat straight up and pulled the t-shirt over her head. She stayed that way for a minute watching his eyes on her body and at the same time could feel how ready he was beneath her.
"I've missed you so much Rory."
Leaning back down towards his face she whispered in his ear "I want you, I want all of you."
Dean suddenly stopped. "Rory I don't have condoms."
He could see the disappointment in her face.
"Oh, alright. We can do this later. Right?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I obviously wasn't planning on this happening tonight when I woke up this morning."
"It's OK Dean. How could you have known?"
"Well it would have been nice if you would have gave me a call on the way here and said..oh yeah I'm going to jump your bones tonight." Dean said smiling at Rory.
Rory smiled.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I was just kidding."
"No, it's OK. We should wait anyway. It will be more fun that way. It's just I haven't even been kissed in the last three years. Not since Logan before graduation."
"So you did date him."
"Yeah for about two years."
"I haven't been with anyone since you."
"Dean. It's been six years."
"Yeah well I've kept busy and hey its been three for you. Besides I've always known that you were the one. I've just been waiting for you to realize it on your own."
"Dean this day started out to be the worst day of my life and because of you it ended being the best day of my life. You make me so happy."
"I love you Rory."
"I love your jacuzzi" she said trying to make him laugh.
"Very funny. Speaking of the bathroom I need to take a cold shower so I can still get a few hours sleep."
"Oh. Can I come too?"
"I think that would defeat the purpose of the cold shower Rory."
"I guess."
"I'll be back"
"Say it like the terminator."
"No Rory."
"Darn."
Dean went into the bathroom and came out just a few minutes later.
"I kept your spot warm."
"Oh thanks but you realize your spot is going to be cold now."
"That's OK I plan on sleeping on your side anyway."
Dean got into bed and pulled Rory close to him. Within minutes they were both asleep.
The alarm went off at 6:00 AM. He quickly reached for the off button before it could disturb Rory. Thinking he managed to do so he sat up on the bed placing his feet on the floor. Before he could stand up Rory pulled him back on the bed.
"Don't go. Stay with me."
"Tom wouldn't like that very much."
"So call in sick."
"Rory, it doesn't work like that anymore when you are part owner."
She pouted her lips up at him.
He smiled back at her. "I could probably make it a half day though."
Dean got off the bed and walked over to the dresser.
"OK, you want to meet me at Luke's around noon?"
"It's a date."
"How exciting. Our first date in six years at Luke's."
"OK nevermind it's not a date, just lunch." He said pulling his shirt over his head. "But just so you know. I don't put out until at least the second date."
"Oh well in that case it is a date, and later when we go to dinner that will be another date. That's two dates. And that means..."
"Alright, I get it." He said kissing her goodbye. "Go back to sleep. Get some rest, you'll need it for later."
"Oh dirty."
Dean walked toward the door of the bedroom.
"Dean. I love you. Have a good day at work."
"I love you too. See ya at Luke's."
Rory fell back asleep until almost 11:00. When she finally got out of bed, she noticed she had nothing to wear for the day. Having nothing but her robe she put it on and went outside to her car. Just as she opened the trunk she heard voices behind her coming from across the street. Turning around to see who it was, she noticed Lindsey arguing with a man she didn't recognize. The man got into his car and drove away. Lindsey stood in the driveway with her arms folded staring at him as he drove away. Just then Lindsey looked across the street at Rory and gave her an evil glare. Rory turned around hoping to avoid any interaction with her. It worked. Lindsey turned and went back into the house just as she shut the trunk.
Rory quickly got dressed hoping to make it to Luke's before Dean so she could talk to Lane for a while. Rory arrived at Luke's at 11:45 but Dean was already sitting at a table when she walked in.
"Hey. You're early." Dean said.
"So are you."
"Yeah but that is normal for me. You on the other hand are never early."
"Well I was going to talk to Lane for a few minutes before you got here."
"Well I'm glad you did come early cause I have to head back to your mom's house in about half an hour."
"Dean I thought it was going to be a half day?"
"Sorry one of the guys didn't show up today and we are behind. But hey now you can catch up with Lane."
"Hey guys. Ready to order?" Lane asked walking up to their table.
"Yes. I'll have the usual."
"I'll take the same thing. That way she won't steal my food."
"Alright coming right up." Lane said.
Just then the bell above the door rang and a man walked in. Rory noticed it was the same guy that was arguing with Lindsey earlier. Dean looked up at him with a concerned look on his face.
"Excuse me Rory. I need to talk to him. I'll be right back." Dean said.
Dean walked up to the guy and motioned for him to come outside. Once they were outside Rory couldn't help but wondor what they were talking about. Dean looked to be upset with the guy but as they continued to talk his facial expression changed. It was almost as if he felt sorry for him. Dean patted on his shoulder and walked back into the diner.
"Sorry about that Rory." That's the guy who didn't show up today. I wanted to find out what was going on."
"Is everything alright?"
"He'll be OK, he's having some problems at home with his wife. I feel kind of bad for him."
"Well that's understandable, if anyone can relate to him it's you."
Dean looked confused.
"Why do you say that?"
"Well he is married to your ex-wife. Right?"
"No his wife's name is Samantha. Why did you think he was married to Lindsey?"
"So which one of them lives across the street from you?"
"Lindsey does. Rory what's up? There's no way you made that assumption without having something to back it up."
"I saw them walk out of her house together this morning. They were arguing loudly and he got in his car and left. I just assumed that they were together. Do you think they are having an affair?"
"Who's having an affair?" Lane asked setting their food in front of them.
"No one." Dean replied. "Hey Lane could we get some more coffee please?"
"Sure. Be right back."
"Rory let's just pretend we know nothing about this. I'm not sure what's going on but I already know way more then I want to."
"That's fine with me, but just so you know Lindsey did see me."
"Here's your coffee guys. I was hoping maybe you two would like to come over to mine and Zac's house for dinner tonight.
Rory looked at Dean.
"That sounds great Lane. Thanks for inviting us." Dean said.
"Great. Is Seven good for you?"
"Yeah we will see you then Lane."
Lane walked away from the table.
"Dean we don't have to go to Lane's if you don't want to. I mean if you had other plans for us tonight."
"I think we will have a good time going to Lane's house. Besides I know you want to."
"Well yeah, but only if it counts as a second date."
"Oh I forgot to tell you." He said standing from the table and putting his coat on.
"What's that?"
"That second date rule doesn't apply when you're already in love with the person."
"Hey you tricked me."
"Yeah I did. Well I got to head back. See you tonight." He bent down and kissed her goodbye.
As soon as he was out the door Lane was sitting at the table with Rory.
"I want to know everything Rory."
"Well...me and Dean are back together."
"You don't waste anytime. I had this feeling you wouldn't be coming to my house last night."
"Lane it's not like that, we haven't had sex yet."
"You spent all night in Dean's house and you're telling me you didn't have sex with him."
"Well actually I spent all night in his bed next to him. And yes that is what I'm telling you. Nothing happened."
"Rory. I'm telling Miss Patty."
"Well. it's not like I didn't want it to happen. We just weren't prepared."
"I'm so glad you're back together. Can I be your maid of honor or a bridesmaid?"
"I'm in love with him Lane. If he asked me to marry him tonight, I would say yes. And yes you can be a bridesmaid but my mom is the maid of honor."
"Wait a minute Rory. Does this mean you're staying in Stars Hollow?"
"Yeah. I'm here for good. This is the only place I'm happy."
"Yes. I have my best friend back."
Rory and Lane gave each other a hug.
"Well Ceaser is in charge for the rest of the day, you want to head over to your mom's house and see what they are doing with the place?"
"Sure let's go."
They walked into the house and Rory noticed all of the changes they had already made from just last night.
"Wow. They really are working hard on this."
"Hey Rory. Where have you been hiding?" Tom asked.
"New York."
"Well welcome back. But you have to leave."
"What?"
"You took out my best man. Dean is moving three times slower than normal. What did you do to him?"
"Nothing yet. But don't even plan on seeing him here tomorrow." Rory said looking up at Dean as he came around the corner.
"Rory what are you doing here?"
"Lane and I came to visit and to see how things were going."
"Well Tom is under the impression that you are a bad influence on my abilites to work. So he is probably going to kick you out."
"He can't kick me out. This is my house."
Tom walked away from the group.
Dean started to say something but was interrupted by Rory.
"That reminds me. Do you by chance know where my mom put all of my stuff when she made the room for the baby? I wanted to get a book."
Lane started laughing. And Dean also had a wide grin on his face.
"What's with you guys? Why was that such a funny question?"
"You're mom asked me to store all of your stuff at my place." Dean said slowly. "You know that guest bedroom I told you about that was storage. Well it's all you Rory."
"See Rory. Your mom even knew you would end up with Dean before you did. She went ahead and sent him all of your stuff." Lane commented.
"Yeah. It's been there for about 3 months so you're going to need to pay some rent." Dean said jokingly.
"Very funny. Well thanks for holding everything for me Dean."
"Anytime." He said pulling her toward him. "You know you have to go. You can't be around here. I'll try to finish up here in the next few hours and see you at home."
She pulled his face down to hers and kissed him. "Please hurry." She whispered in his ear.
Rory and Lane left the house, got into her car and headed back to Dean's place.
"Did you hear what he said?" Rory asked Lane.
"What?"
"He said: I'll see you at home."
Lane smiled. It was so great to have her friend back.
Rory and Lane parked and went into Dean's house.
"Oh my God, Rory. I just thought of something."
"What?"
"If you move in with Dean we will be neighbors."
"Well as cool as that sounds Lane, Dean and I haven't reached that point in the relationship yet. At least I don't think we have."
"All of your stuff is in his house and you no longer have a room at Loralie's. If you don't live here then you will be homeless." Lane said as they headed up the stairs.
"I would love to live here with Dean but we just got back together last night. I don't want to rush him. It's too soon to bring it up."
"That's why it has taken both of you so long to get to this point. You are both to scared to change anything or even talk about it."
"I just don't want to scare him away Lane. Everything is happening between us so fast."
Rory opened the door to the guest bedroom. As the door opened Rory's eyes widened and she felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach. They both stepped into the room. Lane looked at Rory, she didn't know what to say to her. Everything in the room was set up exactly the same as it was at her mother's house.
"Rory are you OK?"
"I just expected things would be in boxes. Not exactly how I left it."
Rory walked over to the bookshelf.
"Well at least this was easy to find." Rory said seeming to be feeling a little better about the situation.
"Yep, right where you left it. Rory I should probably head home and start getting things ready for dinner tonight."
"Alright Lane. Did you want me to come help?"
"No Rory. You are the guest besides you can't cook. I'll see you guys tonight."
"Bye Lane."
Rory put the book back on the shelf. She didn't feel like reading anymore. All she could do was wondor why Dean did this.
Two hours later Dean walked into the house. He knew where he would find Rory, in her room. He walked upstairs. As he got closer to the door, he could see Rory. She was sitting in the middle of the floor with a box in front of her.
"Hey" Dean said quietly trying not to scare her.
"Oh hey. How long have you been standing there?"
"Not to long."
"Rory. I want you to know that this wasn't my idea. When your mom asked me if I would store your stuff I didn't think that this is what she had in mind."
Rory started laughing.
"I should have known it was mom. I thought you might have went psycho for a while there."
"Yeah. Your mom is very sneaky. She actually came in here when I wasn't home and did this. I tried to protest but then she started giving me this guilt trip about putting your stuff in boxes and then she started to make the boxes talk to each other. I finally just told her to do what she wanted, she was going to anyway."
"Dean I'm so sorry. My mom gets crazier everyday."
"Yeah well that's Loralie."
"She knew, you know."
"She knew what?"
"That you were still in love with me. And that you wouldn't mind too much about doing this. Why didn't you tell me about this last night? I could have slept in my room."
"But then we wouldn't have ended up getting back together because you would have went running to Lane's house thinking I was a stalker."
"Yeah I guess I would have gotton the wrong idea at first."
Dean sat down next to Rory on the floor.
"What's all this?"
"It's my Dean box. Everything I saved and couldn't look at anymore after we broke up I put in this box."
"Well we are back together now so you don't have to hide this stuff anymore. So am I allowed to know what is in the box, or is it a secret girl thing?"
"Well I'll show you what's in my box if you show me yours!"
"How did you know that I had a box?"
"You told me. When we got back together at Chilton. You said you had a box."
"Oh yeah. Well I have already taken everything out of my box. I decided it was pointless to keep a few things in a box when everything reminded me of you anyway. I'll show you everything that I did keep in my box though."
"Alright then. But you can't make fun of me though. Some of this stuff is sort of silly.
"I promise. No teasing."
Rory opened the lid of the box and pulled out the dress her mom made for the dance.
"Remember this?" She asked.
"Of course I do. You were wearing that the first night we slept together."
"Very funny. Nothing happened that night."
"Hey I was there. I know what happened. All I said was slept. As in the same thing we did last night."
Rory reached for another item in the box.
"Now this is the dress I wore the first night we SLEPT together." She said holding up the pink dress she wore to the grand opening of the inn.
"No Rory. That's the dress you wore the first time we had sex." He said smiling. "What's that?" He asked pointing into the box.
"That is the Mark Twain Magnet Head Lindsey bought me in sixth grade."
"OK well we don't have to keep this do we? That's just a little weird."
"Not inless you have a wedding picture framed somewhere that we could put it on. Just kidding. It goes. Not a very good memory for either of us."
"Oh my gosh Dean. Look it's Colonal Clucker."
"Why is that in there?"
"Cause you picked him up that first night at my house and made fun of him."
"I didn't mean to seperate you and your chicken. I'm sorry."
"I think I was better off without him."
Reaching back into the box she pulled out the cornstarch.
"Our first kiss."
"And the first time you shoplifted." Dean commented.
Turning the box upside down the last two things in it fell onto the floor.
"The Donna Reid night pearls and the bracelet you gave me on my birthday."
"I can't believe you still have that." Dean picked it up off the floor and tied it onto her wrist.
Before Dean let go of her hand she pulled herself closer to him and kissed his lips. He began to kiss her back without any hesitation. Rory ran her hands through Dean's hair as she pulled herself onto his lap.
Dean pulled away.
"Rory as much as I hate to interupt this. We have to be at Lane's in a half an hour and I still have to get a shower."
"Time flies when you're having fun."
"It sure does." Dean kissed Rory once more. "I'll be in the shower if you need me." He said getting up and leaving the room.
Rory smiled to herself after Dean's last comment. She picked everything from the Dean box off the floor and laid it out onto her bed. Walking out of the guest bedroom and back into Dean's room she could hear the shower running. Opening her bag she picked out an outfit to wear to Lane's. She pulled off her clothes and was about to put her new shirt on but suddenly had an idea. The bathroom door was cracked open, so she snuck in quietly and pulled open the shower door.
"Rory what are doing?"
"Well you said if I needed you that you would be in the shower. And I need you." Stepping into the shower she put her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I need you to touch me Dean." She whispered in his ear as the water fell onto both of them.
Dean's hands moved from the side of her body up to her breasts. Rory let out a moan as he massaged her nipples. Her lips left his mouth and started to travel down his body. First to his neck, then his chest. As she reached his stomach she could feel his body jump a little but she kept going. Once she reached her destination she was on her knees in the shower. First she massaged him with her hand, then she started to apply kisses starting from the top and making her way to the tip. She looked up at Dean and gave him a seductive look. Then she took him into her mouth going as far as she could before he reached the back of her throat, using her hand to supplement for the rest. Dean moaned and reached for the wall of the shower to try to keep his balance. Rory was actually enjoying this, she wasn't sure if it would turn her on but it definently did. Rory was so into what she was doing she didn't even hear the doorbell ring.
"Rory. Someone's at the door."
She got up from her position on the shower floor and Dean turned off the water. Quickly wrapping a towel around his waste, he tossed one to Rory as he walked out of the bathroom to go answer the door. By the time Dean reached the door Rory was standing at the top of the stairs to see who it was.
Dean opened the door.
"I tried calling. It's 7:30, I wasn't sure if you guys were still coming." Lane said.
Once Rory heard who it was she went down the stairs.
"Lane I'm so sorry. We lost track of time." Dean said. As Rory came up behind him wearing only her towel too.
"Oh my god. I interruped you guys while you...wow this is really embarrasing."
"Lane we are so sorry. We'll be there in 15 minutes." Rory said.
Dean nodded to Rory and headed back upstairs.
"Rory I'm an idiot. Please don't hate me. I should have known."
"Lane don't be silly. I could never hate you. We'll see you in a few minutes." She said closing the door.
Rory went back upstairs and found Dean who was already dressed.
"Well that was a little awkward." Dean said.
"Yeah. Let's just hope that dinner won't be."
Rory got dressed, and she and Dean headed next door to Lane and Zac's house.