Pairing: Dean/Rory
Note: In this story: Jess doesn't exist. Ah, how nice that sounds. Almost as nice as the sound of his character getting run over by a bus. This part is told from Dean's perspective/POV.
Levels Of Confusion
The next day, near the mid-afternoon, I lay in this bed of mine trying not to think of all the things that could possibly be going through my mind. Just as I was reaching a state of blank thought, my Dad entered the room. I sat up and watched my Dad pace around the room silently.
"I'm guessing you heard what went on downstairs," he said, finally looking directly at me.
"Yeah," I replied, not really sure of how to act.
"You're old enough to understand this, right?" he asked hopefully.
"I am. But at the same time, I don't understand why it's all happening. I havn't seen anything wrong between the two of you."
"Well, that just goes to show that we were good at hiding it," he said, as if to lighten the mood, then added, "we talked to Clara."
"And?"
"Your mother's still in there with her."
"So...what's the living situation now?" I asked, doubtfully.
"I'm moving out," he said casually. Like it was something he wanted and opted to do. No arguments. Nothing.
"Why?"
"I have more people I can stay with back in Chicago. Clara already sided to stay here."
Dean was silent. Of course Clara would want to stay here. She has more friends here than she ever did in Chicago. And her and Mom are like bookends.
"Now, you have a decision to make," my father suggested slowly, "You can stay here...or you can come back home with me."
That was the bombshell. The actual news of them splitting up wasn't such a case anymore, since I had all night to ponder over it. Now the situation is put on me. I have to make a choice.
"I don't want to live with mom," I said after a moment, "After the way she just treated you..."
"Listen," he interrupted, "you can't hate your mother for her choice."
I tried to protest, "But.."
"No," he interrupted me again, "I hate to admit it, but...she's right. We have been having problems for a while now. It's just about time we face it. So...just don't make such a quick decision to move back to Chicago with me before you completely think it through."
"But I want to. You know that I get along better with you than I do with Mom."
That was the truth. Ever since I was young, I always had three times the amount of decent conversations with my Father than anybody in my family, especially my Mother.
"I know that's true. But maybe this is a chance for you to, I don't know, get closer with her..and your sister. And you can always visit me in Chicago."
"You sound as if you want to leave."
"Believe me, I don't want to leave."
"I still want to go back to Chicago. It would be better to see all of my friends again."
"But what about the friends you made here? What about that girlfriend of yours?"
I stopped talking and thought about that. I had been thinking of what i'd be gaining if I moved back to Chicago, but had forgotten what I would be losing what's here in Stars Hollow. My friends...and Rory. Besides family, I don't have anybody who loves me like Rory does.
"I guess I have to think about it then," I said, hitting realizations.
"Yeah, you do."
"What's the timeframe that I have to think about it?"
"Until Friday. I'm gone Saturday."
"But today's Tuesday. That only gives you three days to pack."
"The longer I stay, the more awkward it becomes. You know how it is."
"Yeah." No
He left without another word and left me to contemplate my decision. My decision. Why is it all of a sudden my decision to make? This was supposed to be about my parents but now I have much more on my shoulders than I can bare to handle. I was about to make a list of pros and cons of moving or staying when the ringing of the phone next to my desk interrupted my train of thought. I picked it up without even realizing it until the voice on the other end spoke up.
"Dean?"
"Who is this?" I asked, not completely processing the voice.
The voice on the other line suppressed a half hearted laugh.
"Who is this? How many other girls have been calling you lately?" Rory asked jokingly.
"Sorry, my mind's...somewhere else."
"Well, it must be," she said sadly, "You forgot to meet me at Luke's. I was waiting for fifteen minutes before I decided that you must have fallen down a well. What happened?"
Great i'm already dissappointing her.
"Fifteen minutes? Sorry. It's just--things have been happening around here."
I can't tell her. Not yet, anyway.
"Not exactly fifteen minutes. Four cups of coffee and a muffin is basically the equivelant of 15 to 20 minutes."
"I'm so sorry. Forgive me?" I ask sincerely.
"Yes, I forgive you. It's not that big of a deal, I was just worried. I don't think you've ever just not showed up before. What's been happening over there that's keeping you so preoccupied?"
"Just...stuff. Nothing for you to worry about." I said, calmly.
"Alright, if you're sure," she spoke, skeptically.
"I'll call you later tonight, okay?" I said, wanting to disconnect the conversation.
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too."
As the line broke, I went back to my thoughts. Now they were being invaded of thoughts that involved Rory. She's probably just as confused as I am. But more suspicious, than bewildered at what's going on. Talking to her just makes it more difficult for me to make this decision.