A/N- I'm a little worried about this chapter. I wrote a character I hadn't attempted before and I think it's what she would say, and how she'd say it, but I'm not sure if it reads that way!

Disclaimer- Gilmore Girls and the characters associated with the show are not mine.

Chapter Eleven- Dovetailed

It was almost dark. Kat had been out twice, and the girls were completing their bedtime rituals. Shane stayed on the porch swing, knees drawn up to her chest. She stared off into the distance. When he asked if she cared for him at all, her mind had gone blank. Now she sat out here with only one thought in her head. How could she have messed everything up so horribly?

"Mom? Can I run to the store? We don't have Veronica's toothpaste and she won't use mine or Bianca's," Kat said. Glancing up, Shane looked down the street at Doose's. There was a clear shot, quite a few people in the square still, and the way was well lit with Taylor's twinkle lights.

"Sure sweetie, there and back, the money is in my purse."

"Okay," Kat said. She was worried about her mom. She knew whatever her mom and Dean had talked about wasn't good. Running down the block to the store, Kat ran full tilt into the scariest woman in Stars Hollow.

"Watch where you are going," Mrs. Kim said. "It isn't proper to run around town square in the dark. Your mother should have taught you this. Who is your mother?" Mrs. Kim asked, holding onto Kat's shoulders.

"Shane Farnsworth, ma'am. My name is Kat."

"Cat, like the feline? Why would your mother name you after an animal. No matter, can't change it now, what's done is done. Why are you running?"

"I need to buy toothpaste," Kat said, not taking the time to explain her name. She wanted to get out of the conversation as quick as possible. She didn't want to worry her mom.

"Dental hygiene is important. You may go," Mrs. Kim said, watching the little girl walk into the market. A couple of minutes later, Kat came out with her paper bag. "Let me see," Mrs. Kim added, taking the bag from Kat. "Good choice. This product works well, cleans and refreshes. Time to go."

"You're coming with me? Am I in trouble?" Kat asked chewing on her bottom lip.

"No trouble, lots of strangers in town tonight. There's a bus broken down. I'll take you home." Approaching the house, Mrs. Kim understood why Kat was acting so nervous. "You go inside, get ready for bed. Remember to always brush for at least two minutes," she said, sending the little girl into the house, and standing on the sidewalk.

"Mrs. Kim, Kat wasn't any trouble was she?" Shane asked, forcing herself to focus.

"No, no trouble at all. Why are you sitting out here? Are you sick?"

"No, I'm fine," Shane replied.

"You do not look fine. You look anything but fine. Is something wrong with one of your girls?" Mrs. Kim replied.

"Nothing, I'm fine, the girls are fine."

"Nonsense. You have the same face as Lane when she's upset. Now tell me," Mrs. Kim demanded. Shane watched Mrs. Kim carefully, wondering why the hell all these people were involving themselves in her life. Sighing, she knew the answer. This was Stars Hollow. They always involved themselves, and the cancer had made the town's protective instincts even stronger. She got the feeling Mrs. Kim wasn't moving until she talked, and on the plus side, she was thinking entire thoughts now. She wasn't stuck on-

"I screwed up. I couldn't answer him and he left," Shane said.

"Who, who left?"

"Dean."

"What did he ask you?" Mrs. Kim moved her way up the steps on the porch to sit down next to Shane. Normally, she liked to have these talks at her kitchen table with one cup of her secret stash. "Do not swing this chair, I do not like chairs which move. Chairs should be stable. Like husbands."

"He asked me if I was only looking for a father for the girls. If I cared for him," Shane replied, looking down at her hands.

"A father is important. Dean would make a good father. I see nothing wrong. Do you have feelings for this man?"

"I don't know. I try to avoid feelings."

"That is the smart thing for a woman in your position to do. Especially when there are children involved," Mrs. Kim added.

"Yes. He. I."

"Do not stutter. Do you see yourself with this man? When there are no children in the house? Do you trust him? When you are in his presence, how does he make you feel. These are all questions you must ask yourself. Try praying. The Lord is there to guide you. Sitting here causing your child worry is helping no-one. You will know what you must do," Mrs. Kim said, standing, nodding at Shane and then leaving her to her thoughts. Shane resumed staring ahead. Mrs. Kim was right, she shouldn't worry her children. She needed to approach this logically. Take the kids out of the equation, because Dean walking away made her crash. She needed to know why. Standing, she moved into the house, checking on her girls, tucking them in and confirming plans for tomorrow's trip to the park. After kissing them goodnight, she moved into the living room, turned on the T.V. for background noise and thought about Mrs. Kim's questions.

Could she see herself with Dean? At first glance, he didn't seem like her type, but he was. He was forthright. Sexy as hell, built, and although he was the all-American boy, there was a hint of danger. He favored leather coats and motorcycles. Even as a teen, you knew he could take care of himself. So yeah, she could see herself with him. Plus he was the whole package. A bit of spice on top of all his great character traits. The same traits which would make him a great dad. She could see herself growing old with him. They liked the same T.V. shows, and movies. Similar tastes in music. He read more than she did, but she had her secret stash of romance novels hidden in a drawer upstairs. All in all, they were pretty compatible. And the butterflies she got whenever he was close, told her there was some physical chemistry too. Hell, the man radiated heat under his Boy Scout appearance.

Did she trust him? Trickier. Did she trust anybody? Really? No. Not really. Everyone let you down, everyone lied. She didn't think he'd cheat though. Despite what happened with Rory. He shouldn't have married Lindsey in the first place, he was too young. And she'd trust him with her girls. To keep her girl's hearts safe. Standing, Shane went upstairs to the attic, and curled up on the window seat. The work he'd done in her house showcased Dean's personality. He had to have been floored when Jess showed up at his door. They hadn't really spoken since high school, and back then, they were like dogs fighting over a bone. Mrs. Patty said when Jess mentioned his plan to Luke in the diner, they thought Dean would slam the door in Jess's face. After punching him. Instead, Dean stepped up to help. He went above and beyond his original plans, creating a beautiful home. She missed him.

Whoa.

She missed him. It hurt when he pretty much accused her of not caring. It hurt when he walked away. She was already hurt and she wasn't even involved with him. Standing, she walked the length of the room and back. Absently running her hands down the material Lorelai had draped. How had this happened? What if she didn't see him again after he finished Veronica's room? Sinking to the floor, tears ran down her cheeks, running her eyeliner and mascara. The idea of it hurt, burned, but didn't it mean it would be worth it? If she felt so much right now, in this moment? Without ever having kissed him? Springing to her feet, she ran down the steps and grabbed her phone.

"Mom? Can you come sit with the girls? I need to take care of something."