SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS
Rory Forester: New reviewer. Yay. Yep, you got it right the first time. Brand-new fic. Thanks. Glad you think so. I'm glad I've done the series justice. Here's the next chap. I will.
Midnight893: Yep. Glad you like.
Mimfoxlove: Yep. Perhaps.
Windyfontaine: Yeah. Well, I thought about usin' somethin' like that, and then this chap came out. Hope you enjoy.
Arwennicole: Yep. You're right. Just keep readin' and find out. Thanks.
Spuffyshipper: Yeah. Let me finish finals and my currents fics, and then I'll consider the "Dean Forester really Sam Winchester' plot. Here's an update. Hope it's soon enough.
Maggymoo21: Where've I seen you before? Well, keep readin' and see what happens. Hope this is soon enough.
Armaan4Jassi: Yep. Thanks. Hope this is soon enough.
DISCLAIMER
GG belongs to the WB, which will soon be the CW. I only own the plot. I'm not sure how far away the Gilmore and Foresters live from one another, so I'm taking liberties here.
After his shift, Dean removed his apron and headed out.
"Hey, Dean!" Taylor called.
"Taylor, I have to get home," Dean groaned.
"I just need your help with one little thing. It will only take a minute," Taylor promised.
"No! Taylor! I don't have time!" Dean shouted.
"Dean---" Taylor began.
"No! Taylor, I...don't...have...time!" Dean interrupted. Without waiting for a response, the boy left the store. From his diner, Luke noticed Dean's agitated stride.
"Hey, Dean! Why don't you come in for a sec?" he offered.
"Oh, I---I can't. Dad wants me home right after work," Dean replied.
"Come on. You've been on your feet for hours. Sit down, have a bagel, coffee. Anything you want," Luke offered. Dean hesitated. Oh, that offer was so tempting! But what about Clara? Yeah, Dad had most likely picked her up by now, but Dean liked to be home as soon as possible so that she wouldn't have to spend so much time with him.
"Luke, I---I can't. I---I have to---" Dean stammered.
"Dean, are you sure you can't help me with this?" Taylor called.
"Taylor, he's been workin' for the last few hours, I don't think he wants any overtime," Luke pointed out. "What he really wants is something to eat and drink...on the house," he continued. Taylor and Dean turned and stared in shock silence. It was to this scene that Lorelai walked up to. The woman stared.
"O...kay. Did...I just miss something here?" she asked after a minute.
"Luke just offered me anything I wanted to eat or drink for free," Dean answered.
"Holy bizzarro world, Batman," Lorelai said sarcastically. Then, "Are you feeling okay, Luke? Do you want to lie down?"
"You're a funny woman," Luke deadpanned.
"And a babe," Lorelai grinned. Dean made an embarrassed mutter.
"Do I want to know?" Luke asked.
"No! No, you don't," Dean interjected. "Uh, Luke, that was a generous offer, but I really have to go," he continued. Without waiting for a response, he took off.
"Huh. Wonder what's eatin' him," Lorelai said in confusion.
"Me too. He was late for work," Taylor stated.
"Dean was late for work?" Lorelai repeated in shock. I can't believe it, she thought to herself.
"Yeah," Taylor confirmed.
"Wha---that makes no sense. He's...Dean," Lorelai proclaimed.
"And that means he can't ever be late?" Luke questioned.
"No! Dean can't be late! He's Mr. Punctuality. To be late would be to take away from his Dean-ness," Lorelai responded.
"Would you like some coffee?" Luke offered.
"Yes, please. I've just totally confused myself," Lorelai answered.
"Come on," Luke said, putting his hand on Lorelai's back and leading the woman into his shop. Back at the Forester household, Dean panted and swallowed noisily. He shakily rose to his feet.
"I'll ask again: why were you late?" his father demanded.
"Dad...you're drunk," Dean stated. "Just calm down. Okay?" he suggested.
"Don't tell me what to do!" the man roared, backhanding his son. Dean touched his cheek and stared in shock. What the---he's never struck me in the face before, the boy thought to himself.
"Dean?" a voice questioned. Dean looked out to the hall to see Clara.
"Clara, go to your room," he said.
"Dean, what's going on?" Clara asked.
"Clara, I said 'Go to your room'," Dean snapped.
"Yeah. You better listen to your brother," Andrew sneered, turning to the girl.
"Don't you touch her," Dean warned. His father ignored him and continued towards the girl. "Don't you---don't you touch her!" Dean lunged at their father, but was only shoved back. Andrew reared back a leg and kicked the boy in the ribs. Dean grunted in pain. Then, he stumbled to his feet and headed for his sister. He grabbed the girl and then headed for the door. Mr. Forester started for his children, but stumbled over his own two feet. Dean used the lull to dash out the door and down the street. At the Gilmore Residence, Rory was doing homework, and Lorelai was looking over some paperwork for the inn while they sat at the kitchen table. Just then, they heard frantic knocking.
"Who could that be?" Lorelai wondered.
"I don't know," Rory answered. "I'll go check it out," she continued, standing up. Then, she walked towards the living room.
"Wait for me. I'm curious too," Lorelai stated, rushing after her daughter. Rory opened the door.
"Dean, what are---oh, my gosh," she said when she saw her boyfriend's face.
"Oh, Dean," her mother sympathized. Dean opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This didn't come out how I originally planned, but I'm pretty pleased with the result.
