A Cry For Help

Pairing: Rory/Paris slash fic

Disclaimer: This is my story, but not my characters…

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Chapter 3 – The morning after…

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The sun shined brightly through the light colored curtains, as Rory awoke from blissful slumber. She shifted out of Paris' grasp, careful not to wake the girl. She gathered up her Chilton uniform, and headed straight for the shower.

The warm water soothed her back, at the same time angering her unhealed cuts. Finally, away from her mother, the doctors, and even Paris, she allowed the tears to come, sobbing uncontrollably. She sank to the cool tiled floor of the shower.

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Paris awoke just after Rory stepped out of the room. Debating whether to go look for the girl, she heard the shower run. Realizing it must be Rory, she snuggled back into the warm sheets. She took a glance at the alarm clock on the nightstand noting that it was only just after five in the morning. She closed her eyes, just for a second, and she was asleep again.

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Long after the hot water was gone, Rory was still curled into a tight ball on the shower floor, the cold water assaulting her body.

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Paris bolts awake, the sudden feeling of something not being right spurring her out of her peaceful slumber. Taking a look at the clock, it reads 6:17, and the water is still running. Her heart caught in her throat as she rushed through the kitchen and up the stairs. At the bathroom door, she paused momentarily, knocking loudly. She listened closely, and heard the sound of Rory's anguish. She opened the door, shutting it behind her as she went in the small bathroom.

She took in the sight of the dark haired girl, quickly turning off the water. Paris grabbed a towel off the rack, laying it gently over Rory's soaked body. She slowly stepped into the stall, nearly slipping on the water slicked surface. At this, Rory looked up.

Paris nearly burst into tears herself at the devastated look in the other girl's eyes. She knelt down next to her, gently lifting Rory off the hard floor, and into her caring arms.

Paris was now sitting in the shower, crossed legged, with Rory on her lap. The shivering girl was still wrapped in the towel, her head nestled in the crook of Paris' head. Paris' arms were around her, gently caressing her rapidly drying skin. The water drenched floor and long since soaked her pj bottoms, but Paris hardly noticed.

"Paris?" Rory asked quietly.

"What is it, Rory?" Paris responded gently, not stopping the soothing motion of her hands.

"If we don't get up, we're going to be late for school."

"We're not going to school today."

"But we have to. I mean, we have a meeting today, a-and the Franklin, a-and--"

"I think the others can handle it for us today. That's why we have other people on our staff. If you're really worried, we can call them later."

"But what about class? What if we miss something important?" Rory asked anxiously.

"We will pick up the notes from someone who was there." Then she smiled. "Only not Louise and Madeline, cause I really don't need their weekend date's numbers in the margins."

Rory let out a small giggle, tinged with a low sob. "Me neither."

"Why don't we get you back to bed for now, then when we have hot water again, I'll run you a nice relaxing bath. How does that sound?"

"Mmm." Rory mumbled.

"Good. Now let's get you dried off, okay?" The blonde stood, helping the still damp girl to her feet.

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With Rory settled back into bed, Paris took a minute to make two phone calls.

The first went to the Gellar mansion. Although she doubted that her mother had noticed her absence, nanny must be out her mind with worry. When the Portuguese woman answered the phone on the first ring, Paris' thoughts were confirmed. In simple Portuguese, she told the woman what had happened, and promised to convey her deep sorrow at the news to Rory.

The second phone call was to Chilton. She spoke to the receptionist, informing her that Rory and herself would not be attending that day.

Her phone calls made, she started to head back into Rory's bedroom, when Lorelei stopped her.

"Paris?"

"Yes?"

"How is Rory?"

"She's okay. I just convinced her that she didn't need to go to school."

Lorelei nodded sadly. "That's my girl. She never misses school. I should probably call Chilton, so it's not an unexcused absence."

Paris stopped her. "I already did that."

"Oh," Lorelei said uncertainly. "Well,"

Paris noticed her discomfort. "Sorry, I didn't mean to take over your motherly duties. I just thought I'd do that so you wouldn't have to."

"No it's okay Paris. I just…"

"What?"

"I guess I just wish it was me taking care of Rory," she whispered, ashamed of her words.

Paris didn't know what to say to that.

But Lorelei continued anyway. "I know you guys are close, I mean come on, I'm her mother. I can tell when she's completely in love; I just wish that she wanted me to comfort her through this."

"I do you want you to be here for me." Rory said, coming out of her room. "I'm sorry if I shut you out. I just can't deal with this all right now." She started crying, her hands covering her bright blue eyes.

Paris wanted to rush straight to her side, but she knew that Lorelei wanted and needed to take this one. As mother and daughter embraced, Paris just stood back and watched with envy. Not of Lorelei, for Rory's affection, but for what the two had together.

When they broke apart, both were crying. Lorelei muttered something about making coffee, and crossed the kitchen. Paris pulled out one of the chairs, and took a seat at the small table. Rory wiped her eyes gently before smiling softly at the blonde. Paris mouthed 'you okay?' to her, and Rory crossed the kitchen to sit on her lap. Paris rubbed her shoulders, then wrapped her arms around the other girls small waist.

Rory closed her eyes, a smile coming to her face as she leaned back into Paris. She let out a small sigh, finally relaxing completely.

Lorelei watched the interaction between the two from the corner of her eye. Paris was whispering something in Rory's ear, but Lorelei found that she was no longer jealous or upset. She poured three cups of the hot liquid, and carefully carried them to the table.

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Eventually, Paris managed to get Rory away from the constant flow of coffee, and back to her room.

"You realize you're never going to rest now, with all that coffee floating around in your system."

"Hey this is me we're talking about. Coffee has the exact opposite effect on Gilmores. It puts us right to sleep."

"Well prove it true and get some sleep, okay? We have to get you rested so you can be back trading barbs with your mother again."

Rory smirked at her. "You just miss my constant competition, and can't wait to get back to Chilton."

"Yeah that too." She gently pushed her towards the bed. "Now go to bed." Rory complied, but left the comforter turned down, a quiet invitation to the other girl. Paris didn't disappoint as she slid in next to her. Rory grinned at her, placing a small kiss on her smooth cheek. "Thank you." She whispered as she nuzzled up to Paris.

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Authors note: Aww, isn't that sweet? Anyway, I'd love it if you lovely people who have taken your time to read my fic will take a few more precious seconds to review it…