Blondes Have More Fun
Chapter Eleven
Genre: Drama
Starring: Shane/Lindsay
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Shane, Lindsay, Rory, Lorelai, Dean, Logan, Marty, Jess, Paris and all other recognizable "Gilmore Girls" characters belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and the WB. There is no profit from the copyrighted characters or infringement intended.
Hello everyone, welcome to the New Year's Eve edition of "Blondes Have More Fun." While the characters are getting ready for the party, please take a moment to read-up on what's going through their heads before they join the celebration. Dean's sister, Clara, is a little too young to go to the Log Cabin Pub, but her thoughts have been included for fun. To read a great story about Clara when she's older, please read "Revelling & Reckoning," a fantastic Cless story written by none other than the wonderfully talented Miguel51 and it was posted very recently (12/15/10).
SHANE
Shane was patiently sitting on the couch waiting for Lindsay to get out of the bathroom. Shane was nervous. Tonight was to be her first real date with Dean. Even though they had known each other for years, and had a few mild make out sessions since his release from the hospital. Shane admitted to herself that she really liked him and not because he was the best looking guy she ever went out with. Dean was a kind giving man. The incident with Rory was so out of character for him. She knew that he sincerely regretted it.
Shane was wondering what they would talk about. She knew that she was rarely at a loss for words, what would happen if she froze up and just looked at him like a love sick teenager. It was a shame he could not dance on account of him still being on crutches. Shane also wondered what would happen if Rory made a play for him. Dean had fallen for her charms twice before. The thought of him walking away with Rory and leaving her standing there frightened her, in fact it terrified her. On a logical level she knew he would not do that, but what if?
LINDSAY
Lindsay had finished in the bathroom. She decided to relax and wait before she got dressed for the evening. Lindsay took a beer from the fridge and kicked back on the couch. Tonight was her first really big date with Marty. She was worried that because she stopped him from going further during their last make out session, he might be mad at her. Marty had no idea how hard it was for her to stop him, but she was dammed if her first time with him was going to be in a back seat.
The more she was around Marty the more she liked him. He was kind and attentive. They never had a problem with conversation; Lindsay wondered why Rory had called him boring. Marty was anything but. Lindsay wondered if she called him that because he was not rich and loud mouthed blowhard like Logan and his friends. Lindsay found it interesting that Logan's so called best friend, Finn, tried to throw him under the bus. She knew that Shane would never do that to her.
Lindsay's thoughts went back to Marty. Actually she admitted to herself she half hoped he reserved a motel room for the night. She was aching with anticipation of his hands on her body.
DEAN
Shane was a girl he had always liked. He liked her sense of humor, and the offbeat remarks she made about people and the town. When he heard through the grapevine that she had given Taylor the finger, Dean laughed every time he thought of it. Shane had a way of being a tomboy and feminine at the same time.
Dean admitted to himself that he was falling in love with her, and not because the way she looked in a tight pair of jeans. He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. Shane had a way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.
His thoughts turned to Lindsay, his ex wife. Till the day he died he would never forgive himself for what he did to her. She was a one in a million catch. Too bad he was too stupid to realize it. Dean could not believe his incredible luck. Shane came into his life another one in a million catch. The fact that Lindsay forgave him staggered his mind. He wondered if he was big enough to do what she did, but he did admit, she had one hell of a slap.
Dean did not know why but he was nervous as hell. They saw each other every chance they had and they did have a couple of delightful make out sessions, one of them which Clara had walked in and made a few catty remarks. What would he do if Shane found him boring? He felt like a tenth grader going on his first date.
MARTY
Marty was so nervous he was almost sick to his stomach. He felt so bad that he tried to go a bit further with Lindsay in the car. He wondered if she still liked him, he wondered if she forgave him. He wondered if she would even kiss him tonight. He wondered how an unassuming guy like him had managed to get a girl who would look at home on the cover of Vogue. Marty had a mixture of emotions when he was out with her. He did not know if he would ever get used to the stares he got whenever they were together, one part of him liked it, because he knew the other guys were jealous of him, the other part of him was afraid that one of those guys would take her away from him.
Marty was trying to figure out how to act on the date, when he remembered something his mother told him, just be yourself. He thought about Dean, how could one guy be so lucky? He had Rory, he had Lindsay and now he had Shane - talk about hitting the trifecta! Marty did admit to himself that he liked Dean. He found him to be an honest, hard working down to earth guy. He also liked Shane, he found her to be charming and saucy.
Marty looked into the mirror for last minute adjustments, He chuckled when he realized his image was staring back at him. Then the "let's be honest" moment came over him. He was in love with Lindsay. He vowed to himself if he was lucky enough to be kissing her again, he would keep his hands to himself. He would not attempt to touch her till they were married if that ever happened.
CLARA
Clara liked it that her brother and Shane were dating. She liked them together. She also liked Lindsay and was happy that she forgave her brother. Clara did not understand quite what happened, but she knew it was bad and Deans fault Clara was also sort of pissed, Everyone was going out but her. She swore the next time she heard "you're too young" she would scream. Clara wished that Bobby Adams would call her. He was a year older than her and her best buddy. They played baseball together on the same pony league team. They also played hockey together. They just liked hanging out with each other. Clara wondered what it was like to be kissed. It seemed like her brother and Shane did it all the time, so it must be a pretty enjoyable thing. Clara made up her mind, like it or not, Bobby Adams was going to get kissed - and real soon.
RORY
Rory was thinking, for the first time in years she did not have a boyfriend. What Logan did to her hurt. She couldn't get over the fact that someone she loved, and who she thought loved her, had betrayed her. It ate at her that she must be lacking something, why else would he stray? She wondered if he strayed because she was lacking in bed, or that he found her boring and uninteresting. Rory wondered what she lacked that made him wander. Rory thought of Lindsay, what did she have that she could take Logan away from her? When Rory had gone to school with Lindsay at Stars Hollow High, she had known, even then, how amazing beautiful Lindsay was, but had always considered her to be a typical Stars Hollow townie. Rory just pompously assumed a girl like Lindsay had a very dull future in store for her life compared to the marvelous life she was certain she was going to lead because she'd had the good fortune to be born a Gilmore.
She wondered why Dean married her and thought back to the second time her and Dean went out. He was with Lindsay, but he was still her Dean. She wondered if Lindsay felt anything when she found out Dean was having sex with her. Even her mother told her that she was screwing up when she started her affair with Dean.
A thought went through Rory's mind - maybe her actions hurt other people. For the first time she started to realize that maybe even she wasn't all that extraordinary, that she was like other people. If she was extraordinary Logan would have not cheated on her. She was lacking in some area, but she could not figure out what it was.
JESS
He was thinking about his wife, and was looking forward to going with her to the New Years Eve party at the Log Cabin Pub. His wife, every time he thought of his wife he was amazed. He did not see Paris coming, Jess remembered back to that crazy town event that he really got to know her. Paris had an understanding of stories that amazed him; it was if she could see right into the author's mind. She read his book and told him exactly what he was thinking when he wrote it. It was eerie. Conversations with her could go on for hours. Her mind was clear and logical. Like him, she had a shitty family life. Even though her family was insanely wealthy, she had basically been abandoned by her parents as a child to be brought up by the housekeepers and her nanny.
Jess was amazed when she showed up at his shop in Philadelphia. He was even more amazed that they slept together the first night. She told him that it was right. He found out that she did not go to medical school because she wanted to go to Philadelphia to see him. He could not be nasty and wise crack with her. She came back at him faster than he could think. Both of them had a hard time being in relationships with other people, but they both knew they were right for each other from the first minute she arrived at his doorstep. From that moment on, they were inseparable and, for some strange reason, when they were together, they got along well with other people. For the first time in his life, Jess knew what it was like to be in love. What he thought had been love with Rory, paled into comparison to the true love he felt in his heart for Paris. Paris knew how to make him become a better person because she understood him so much better than Rory ever did. If anything happened to her, he did not think he could go on.
PARIS
One day she woke up and realized she was in love with Jess Mariano. She didn't worry about it though, because she knew that Rory's sole objective in her life was to be with Logan and that Jess no longer mattered to her anymore, so she packed her bags and went to Philadelphia to be with him. From the minute she walked into the shop and they spoke, she knew she was not leaving Philadelphia. She saw through Jess's sarcastic crap and his antagonizing ways. He basically was frightened and insecure and hurting like she was, but together they didn't fear anything or let anybody bother them. It was like they were not complete without the other one.
Paris was a bit afraid when she got pregnant. She knew Jess loved her, but he had never shown any interest in children. She wondered if he would leave her. Paris thought back to when she told him. It was early in the morning and they were the only ones in the store. When she was finished telling him she was pregnant and she was sorry, he stopped her, kissed her, and asked her to marry him.
Paris was trying to make herself look sexy or as sexy as she could. Paris wanted to look good for Jess. She and Jess had come into town over the holidays to spend some time with Jess' mother, Liz and to visit with Luke and were staying at a hotel in the next town over. Liz' mom had suggested they might want to go the Log Cabin for New Year's Eve since she used to go there and party when she single. Paris was really looking forward to the party at the Log Cabin Pub because she knew it was probably one of her last few chances to have fun before the baby was born.
DECEMBER 31ST, 4:45 P.M. NORWICH
Shane and Lindsay had finished getting ready - or as ready as they could. They had their outfits picked for the night and were going to change at Shane's house. Lindsay was going to be picked up by Marty at the house and Shane had to go get Dean, as he could not drive yet. They looked at each other and laughed, "Lindsay, you look as nervous as I feel. Let's go down and wish Lenny a happy new year before he closes."
"Good idea, Shane, and I think I am going to have a shot of something."
Pete's was quiet when they walked in. Ida and Lenny were watching TV. "Hey, Lenny, come on you have paying customers."
Lenny looked over at Shane, "You know you have a voice that could wake the dead. Now what do you girls want?"
Lindsay and Shane sat at their favorite corner of the bar and ordered a couple of Baileys on the rocks.
When they received their drinks, the girls hoisted them and toasted Lenny and Ida a happy new year.
"You know if you girls wanted to work tonight you would make a fortune in tips."
Ida interrupted, "Lenny, these two young ladies have dates and I think working is the last thing on their minds. When was the last time you saw both of them wearing their hair down and notice them wearing a bit of makeup, not that they really need it."
"Well thank you, Ida, and Lindsay thanks you also when she comes back from la la land."
Ida smiled, "No problem, the main reason I am here is to keep Lenny on the straight and narrow. You girls want another one?"
"No Ida, we need to get going. What are you going to do tonight?"
"Shane, believe it or not my husband and me are going over to Lenny's house . We do it every year."
"How much do we owe you Lenny?"
Lenny looked up, "Shane go away and take your friend with you."
"Happy New Year!" Lindsay yelled as she and Shane walked out into the cold, starless night.
"Shane, I hate how early the sun sets this time of year. It is only 5:30 and it is dark as hell. Well, we should have a good ride to Stars Hollow." Lindsay started the truck, turned the heater to high and hoped the engine would warm up soon.. Lindsay looked at the heat gauge and saw it was rising and turned on the blower. The truck would be toasty in a few minutes. The girls were both lost in their own thoughts as the truck cruised outside the town limits of Norwich. There was nothing to see outside and the only light was the glow of the green tinted dashboard lights.
"Shane, what do you think is going to happen tonight?"
"Lindsay, I have no idea. I just hope everything is calm and we all have a good time. I think all will be good."
Shane, do you think Gilmore will show up?"
"Probably, Lindsay, but just ignore her."
"I keep thinking she will go after Marty and I will lose him."
"Look, that guy is so smitten with you, I don't think he realizes there are any other girls anymore."
"I don't know, Shane," Lindsay's voice dropped to a whisper. "We were making out and he wanted to go further and I stopped him." Lindsay's voice got louder, "He may think I am a prude and no fun and he may go look for another girl."
Shane laughed, "How long have you been thinking that and how did you come up with that scenario? Lindsay, don't worry about it. That boy would live like a monk to be with you."
"Shane, I don't want a monk I want..." and Lindsay's voice trailed off.
Shane looked at Lindsay intently. "You know, girlfriend, I think you want to get lucky."
Lindsay turned scarlet, "No, no, Shane, nothing like that."
Shane laughed again, "Whatever you say, Linds."
Lindsay's cell phone rang. She reached into her jacket pocket and handed it to Shane.
"Lindsay's phone," she answered.
"Oh hi, Shane, where is Lindsay?"
"Driving."
"Look, Shane, I have an idea. Why don't I pick up Dean and the four of us can leave from your house and it will save you from having to drive over there."
"Thanks, Marty, that would be wonderful, I really appreciate it."
"Okay, good, tell Lindsay I said 'hi.'"
"Bye, Marty and thanks!"
"Shane, what did he want? He is not canceling is he?
"No Lindsay, he thought I was you and he just told me how he wanted to ravish your body."
"Shane!" Lindsay yelled, "He would never say that. Please don't tease me."
"Lindsay, calm down. All he said was that he would pick up Dean to save me the trip over there, and then the four of us could leave from my house together."
Lindsay looked over at Shane five minutes later and saw that she was asleep. That girl is like a cat she thought to herself. She can sleep anywhere, at any time. Lindsay pulled into the driveway and shook Shane, "We're here, rise and shine!"
Shane stretched, "Okay, I'm up, I wonder if my mother has anything to snack on?"
They entered the house to be warmly greeted by Allison. "All right, girls, have a seat in the kitchen, I want to talk to both of you."
"Oh goody, Lindsay, you get to share in the lecture with me this year."
"What lecture?"
"You'll see."
Allison gathered them in the kitchen and sat them at the kitchen table with her at the head of the table. When they sat down, Lindsay, for some reason, noticed the cuckoo clock on the wall. In all the time she spent there, she had never heard it go off once.
"Girls, I know that you two have dates tonight and I want to let you know if everyone drinks too much tonight and you all need a ride home, call me and I will come get you. Oh… and Lindsay, I know Marty is going to stay over in the guest room downstairs tonight so he doesn't have to make the long drive back to New Haven with all the drunks out on the road and Shane, Dean is welcome to flop here tonight, too, but both of them have to stay downstairs. If either one of them thinks they can get away with any funny business with you girls because Shane's father's away, they're gonna find out real quick what kind of trouble they'll be in if I have to call your uncle Dave over here to deal with them. Other than that, I really don't have too much to say, except…go change. I know you're not going in those jeans and - have a wonderful time at the party tonight."
Lindsay and Shane grabbed the hangers that had their change of clothes and went upstairs. Lindsay opted for the simple black dress. Her long blonde hair cascading over the dark material made it a pleasing contrast. Lindsay looked at the cross she always wore and thought about taking it off, but decided at the last moment not to. It was given to her on her thirteenth birthday by her parents. Even though she was on the outs with them, she liked to carry a little bit of them with her. She also put on two small diamond ear rings. They'd be given to her by Dean on the last Valentine's Day they spent together and she wondered if he'd remember them if he'd saw he with them on, but she decided screw it, she liked them and she was going to wear them.
Shane was wearing a crushed velvet dress with mixed blues in it that ended just above the knee, a saucy black beret and a waist length black leather jacket, high boots, with a couple of long necklaces and decided to put her hair in pigtails and wear bright red lipstick.
Lindsay looked over at her and shook her head; only Shane could pull that outfit off. It reflected her zany personality and she looked gorgeous in it at the same time. Lindsay laughed a bit to herself and told Shane, "That outfit will knock Dean back on his heels." She then turned to Shane and did a little spin and asked about herself, "Do you think Marty'll like this outfit?"
"Lindsay, stop worrying, you could show up in an outfit from the dollar store and he'd still think you were sexy. That's just a given. Now me, that's another story, are you sure Dean will like me in this outfit or were you just saying that to be nice?" Shane asked nervously.
"Shane, Dean has never seen you in a dress before and when he sees you in that, his world will be rocked, trust me."
They heard Allison yelling up the stairs to come on down, saying something about two good looking boys who were impatient and were going to leave soon.
The girls came down the stairs and there were no boys. Lindsay looked at Shane and panicked, "Where did they go?"
"Don't worry, my normally sane mother goes a tad nuts this time of year, they are in the living room."
Dean and Marty were seated on the couch and Allison was making conversation with them while she served them coffee. "Nice of you ladies to make it, please be seated".
Once Allison had them all seated, she played the role of hostess for about twenty minutes, gently admonishing them again about drinking and driving. When she mentioned to Dean he was also welcome to stay over, she noticed his smile and quickly made it clear he'd be staying down downstairs in the guest room and that Shane's room was off limits. She told them all to have a good time, and then excused herself.
Shane stood up, "Please excuse my mother's temporary insanity."...Marty interrupted "Actually, I think it is sweet and it shows that she cares. Also, it gave her time to take measure of who her daughter was going out with."
"You think, Marty? She has known Dean for years."
"True Shane," Dean added, "but she does not know Marty. Your mom was also looking out for Lindsay, that is why Marty was asked most of the questions."
Shane thought to herself, Mom is slicker than I thought, but then again, her mom never ceased to amaze her.
The four of them got into Marty's car for the short ride over to the Log Cabin Pub.
Upon entering, they realized that they were early. Shane noticed Rose at the bar. "Come on, let's say hi to Rose."
"Well, well, I see the gang is all here. I finally get to see you all under one roof." Rose handed Shane a reserved sign and told her to put it on a table she pointed out. "Now you can hang at the bar till it gets busy and have a table to go to."
"Thank you, Rose, and we will take four beers."
"Coming right up, Shane."
When the beers arrived, Shane held up her beer, "Let's have a toast…Here's to our first double date and may there be many more!" she declared and they all clinked their bottles in agreement.
The Log Cabin Pub was a fairly good sized establishment, they liked to keep the lights down, but not to the point you could not see. The tavern had a dining area that opened up to all for New Year's Eve. There were also a couple of pool tables and a bracket shaped bar with the kitchen and coolers behind the bar. The owners, knowing that food is good for drinkers, put out a hearty buffet which you could have for 10 dollars. They also had extra bartenders and waitresses for the expected crowd.
It was sort of quiet between the four of them. Shane's mind was racing, trying to figure out a way to get everyone talking. They all knew each other so it should not be a problem. "Dean," Shane asked, "were your parents surprised that Marty picked you up instead of me?"
"Sort of, I think they were looking forward to seeing you, I know Clara was."
"Shit," Shane said to herself. Now she wished she had declined Marty's kind gesture. "So Dean, did they think you had switched teams?"
Dean looked at her like she had lost her mind and then started laughing, "Where in the world do you come up with that stuff?"
The music had started and they decided to move over to the table and Lindsay asked Marty to dance. It was a nice slow song. Lindsay was puzzled, Marty was holding her like he was dancing with his mother or sister, he also made sure his hand did not touch her skin anywhere but her hands.
"Shane, I can't dance, if you want, you can dance with other people. I won't be offended."
"Dean, I am here with you, and I am staying with you. We will have plenty of time to dance later. Anyway, I could just sit in your lap and we could make out all evening."
"Shane, I just might take you up on that."
Dean spotted a Jess and a pregnant Paris looking for a place to sit. "Shane, we have room. Ask them to sit here."
Shane walked over to Jess and Paris, "Hey, there are a couple of seats where we are, why don't you join us?
Jess started to say 'no thanks,' but Paris interrupted him, "Thank you, very much, I would appreciate it."
Instead of the trademark Jess scowl usually gave, he just smiled and said, "Okay, honey."
Shane thought she was in an alternative universe. This was when Jess usually had something shitty to say.
When Lindsay and Marty returned from their dance, Shane decided to make the introductions. She knew that there were a few interlocking relationships, "Okay Jess, you know my date, Dean, and the other couple is Marty and Lindsay. Paris, you know Dean and Marty. And Marty's date is Lindsay."
Paris was graciously speaking to Dean and Marty, saying, "Good seeing you again" and to Lindsay," nice meeting you," while Jess kind of held back.
Dean looked at him, and stuck out his hand, "Get over yourself, Jess." Paris turned and gave Jess a quick stare to reinforce Dean's comment.
"Yeah okay, Dean nice seeing you," he replied and finally shook his hand.
"Look, Jess, any reason we had in the past to dislike each other is gone."
Jess nodded. "You're right, and thanks for the invite."
Marty reached over and shook Jess' hand, "Glad to meet you, you must be a hell of a man to marry Paris."
While everyone was chatting at the table, Paris took stock of the people sitting there. It had become obvious to her that everyone at the table had a line back to Rory Gilmore. It took her a while to figure out that Lindsay was Dean's ex-wife. She knew that Dean had a wife when Rory went out with him the second time. She did not expect her to be sitting at a table with the both of them, and they seemingly were getting along. Paris also wondered if Rory was going to show up tonight. She was also fairly certain Rory did not know about her and Jess. As far as Rory knew, she went off to Harvard for medical school.
Dean and Jess found out that they had a lot in common besides Rory, they both liked cars and baseball, Jess found it amazing that Dean built Rory that car from scraps in a junk yard. The man was truly talented, but just to keep arguments alive between the two of them, Jess let Dean know he thought his team, The New York Yankees were hot and that the team Dean liked, the Boston Red Sox, was shit.
Lindsay decided to take Marty out to the dance floor. Again, he handled her like a china doll. Lindsay was thinking to herself, Maybe I don't look hot to him anymore. She couldn't understand why Marty wouldn't be attracted to her tonight. She had purposely chosen a backless dress to seduce him, hoping to feel the stroke of his sensuous hands against her bare flesh while they danced. Disappointed at the way he was acting, Lindsay pulled him in tighter and kissed him. She felt him stiffen in her arms, there was a problem and she was going to find out what it was. Lindsay took Marty by the hand and led him off to a quiet area of the tavern. "Marty, what is your problem?"
"Lindsay, I don't have a problem. I am trying to be a gentleman because I respect you."
Lindsay looked at him puzzled, "Marty, you have never been anything but a gentleman with me, so what gives?"
Marty felt like a trapped rat, "I just don't want to offend you, honey."
Lindsay was really confused. "Marty, what is offensive about putting your hand on my back or kissing me?"
Marty stammered, "You know the last time we were kissing you stopped me, I did not think you wanted to do anything like that. I thought you did not want to be touched."
Marty, there is a time and a place for that. I don't think that feeling me up in a cold car is the time or place, but trust me, I want you to touch me, when the time is right," Lindsay looked around to make sure that no was watching them and and took Marty's hand and placed it on her breast and then put her arms around his neck and pulled him close into her, and kissed him. After a minute, she broke the kiss and whispered sexily, "Marty, this was not the right place, but I hope you get the idea."
They returned to the table and Shane looked up, "Where did you and Marty wander off to?"
"Oh… I just saw a girl I knew from school and said 'hi.'"
Then Shane looked at Marty, Well that was a lie, she thought to herself and laughed. Marty looked like he was flying over the moon.
Shane turned to Dean, "Hey, boyfriend, would it hurt if I sat in your lap?"
Dean grinned, "Only one way to find out."
Shane scooted up on his lap and put her arms around his neck, "Now, I can kiss you whenever I want."
"Go for it girlfriend."
Dean, who knew Paris and Jess fairly well, was amazed at how attentive Jess was to Paris and how sweet Paris was to everyone at the table. The Paris he knew would have had the girls in tears by now and the guys checking their nuts to see if they were still there. In a million years he figured he would never see this. Then Shane started kissing him and he lost his thoughts of Paris and Jess altogether.
Lindsay walked up to the bar to get some napkins and beers, "Hey Rose, the place is really starting to jump."
"Yes it is. I am surprised there are no fireworks at your table. What are you guys going to do if Rory comes in and decides to go after one of your guys?"
"Rose, I don't think any of the guys are interested in her, plus I think Shane said something about kicking her ass."
Rose laughed. "I don't think I would like to tangle with Shane. She is a little spitfire."
Lindsay turned and there was Al and Craig standing behind her. "Hey guys, how are you? I'd invite you over to the table, but we're full. I would like you guys to save me a dance for later."
Al smiled, "I'd love to, but we are with dates," and he introduced Lindsay to Karen and Claire.
"Nice meeting you Karen and Claire" and Lindsay walked back to the table.
"Al," Claire asked with a bit of jealousy in her voice, "since when did you start hanging out with girls who belong on magazine covers?"
"Since she and her friend cleaned mine and Craig's clock at pool. They are nice girls, so please don't start. It is what it is, friends only…"
Even though they were dateless, Rory was glad Lorelai suggested they go out to the Log Cabin on New Year's instead of staying at home. If you lived in Stars Hollow and weren't invited to a party, the Log Cabin was always the next best choice to staying home on New Year's. After all, how thrilling could it be to watch yet another installment of "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve," while waiting for that stupid ball to drop over Times Square at the stroke of midnight on TV? When she was little, Rory and her mother used to watch it every year just to make fun of Dick Clark, but all their jokester material had gotten stale and now with Dick Clark being practically at death's door, it was starting to feel too mean for even them to be mocking him.
Lorelai and Rory walked through the front door and saw that the festivities were in full swing. They looked around for a table and realized that they were all occupied. "Come on, Mom, let's sit at the bar. There are two seats by the waitress station." Lorelai and Rory grabbed the stools and decided, that since it was New Year's Eve, they would order fancy and decided on two apple martini's.
Rose brought the drinks over and asked, "Cash or credit?"
Lorelai said "credit" and Rose nodded her head and walked off. "Mom, what is Luke doing tonight? I sort of figured you would go out with him."
"Rory, I asked, but he told me he had other plans and did not elaborate, which is typical Luke."
"Mom, he is probably in his man-cave, drinking beer and watching back to back episodes of 'My Favorite Bait and Tackle Shop' on the Fishing Channel Network."
Lorelai laughed, "Maybe so, but he has been acting a little distant lately, so I guess he could be mad at me for whatever reason…So, Rory, don't you miss Logan at least a little bit?"
Rory leaned forward so she did not have to speak loudly over the ever increasing noise of the tavern. "I can't believe you would even ask me that question, Mom," Rory replied bitterly. "Especially after he cheated on me with, of all people - Lindsay Lister. I can't see anything about her that she has that is better than what I had to offer him. Even Dean figured out that she was no substitute for a girl like me. I can't believe a guy like Logan, who's ten times more sophisticated than Dean is, would have fallen for an ordinary girl like her. I mean, I know she's kind of pretty, but other than that, what's so special about her?"
Lorelai was about to answer her, but a couple she knew stopped by and started chatting with her.
Rory still wondered to herself, What does Lindsay have that I don't? All her self doubts came back to her: Was Lindsay smarter than her? Were her conversations more witty? Was she sexier? Did she kiss better? What made Logan chase after her? That question would haunt her for a long time. The doubts about herself was eating away at her.
"Rory," hearing her mother call her name brought her back to reality. "Rory, she does not have anything you don't have. You're a Yale graduate and she is just a first year junior college student. She teased and tempted Logan. No telling what sleazy things she did to lure him."
"It was revenge mom. Just pure and simple revenge and hate towards me."
"Rory, I guess she does carry a grudge, but Dean never loved her the way he loved you. I don't see why she should be so mad."
Rose overheard the conversation and almost stepped in to defend Lindsay. Then she thought to herself, Some people just don't get it. She shook her head and also wondered how two very intelligent, talented people could be so clueless as to other people's feelings.
Rory spotted Jess walking toward the bar. "Mom, there is Jess. I wonder what he is doing here, I am going to say hello to him," Rory announced, then stood up and intercepted him. "Jess, how are you? What are you doing here? I'd like to talk to you."
Before Jess could answer, she felt a tapping on her shoulder. Rory turned and saw a pregnant Paris Geller. "Paris, what are you doing here?"
"Enjoying bringing in the New Year with my husband, and friends."
Rory hugged Paris, "Congratulations, I guess that explains the baby bump. Who did you marry, Paris?"
Paris simply said, "Jess Mariano."
Rory felt like she had been hit with a sledgehammer. She reeled a bit and all the background noise faded away. "No, not Jess Mariano, the guy I used to date?"
Paris watched Rory turn even whiter than she was. Paris wondered if she was going to fall over. "Yes, Rory the one and the same."
Rory stuttered "How, Why?
"How?" Paris echoed. "With a Rabbi. Why? Because we love each other."
Paris took Rory by the hand, then turned to Jess, "I'll be back in a few, honey," and kissed him.
Paris led Rory to the same quiet nook that Lindsay and Marty went to earlier. Paris found two chairs against the wall. "Let's sit, Rory, I want to talk to you."
Rory was a bit irritated and a bit curious. "What about, Paris? That you got Jess and I didn't?"
"Not at all, Rory, I need you to listen to me. I am actually your friend, even though we did not start out that way, but a friend I am. Because I am a friend, I am going to tell you something. You need to listen to me."
Rory nodded her head in assent.
"Rory, look at that table over there," and Paris pointed to her table by the bar. "Who do you see sitting there?"
Rory looked, "Well, Dean, Shane, Marty, Lindsay, and Jess. Why do you ask?"
Paris stared intently at Rory, "You really don't get it, do you?"
Rory was getting annoyed, "Get what, Paris?"
"Rory, let me tell you something. You are not a bad person. You can be kind and generous, and a good friend, but you have one very glaring fault."
"Paris, this is stupid, I don't see where this is going or see you telling me how you and Jess got together."
"Rory, you never, ever take into account the consequences of your actions. You are oblivious to the havoc you cause in peoples' lives. You're so self centered, you think the world revolves around you. For example, take Lindsay, when you decided to take Dean back, did you ever consider what you did to that girl? Did you ever consider the pain you caused her? No, you just wanted Dean so you took him. And I say shame on Dean for going along. Now let's take Dean. Twice you started relationships with other boys and forgot to tell him about it. You did not have the common decency to tell him that you were moving on, no, you let him swing and wonder what he did wrong to cause you to be cold to him. Dean figured it out twice and broke up with you. So the whole town goes 'oh poor Rory, Dean broke up with her,' not knowing you were throwing another boy in his face."
"Paris, this is crap. I am not going to listen to this anymore."
Paris stood up and pointed a finger at Rory,"You are not moving till I am done. SIT."
"Now Rory, let's take Marty. You strung him along for years. You never came out and told him 'Marty, I just want to be your friend.' You told him after he forced the issue, but for years you let him spin in the wind, a nice backup for wonder boy Logan. Now let's take Shane, Jess was her boyfriend, and Jess is not totally innocent in this either. You were rude to her, and did not respect the fact that her and Jess were a couple at the time, and you needed to back off. No, you could not do that. You just totally disrespected her and went after Jess anyway. Yes, Jess was interested in you, but the fact remains you crapped on her. Let's take Jess now. I know Jess can be difficult, I married him, but basically you just flip flopped your relationship. Now Jess was the boyfriend and Dean was the guy on the side. And even after you dumped Dean to get Jess, you drove him away from you because you made him feel like he had to live up to some sort of impossible ideal to be worthy of being your boyfriend."
"Rory, you're the same age as those people. They have been your classmates, boyfriends, and friends. You would think you would be welcome to join that table...Don't even think about it. I don't know about Lindsay, but I do know about Shane. If she feels you're going after Dean she will most likely knock you on your ass. Rory, other people have feelings, they are not just props in the main event you call your life."
Paris stood up, "Think about what I have said, Rory, I am going to rejoin my husband."
Rory sat there for a few minutes, then before she could get up, the Band played Wicked Game by Chris Isaak. She listened to the words and wondered...
The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you.
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you.
No, I don't want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I don't want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you (This world is only gonna break your heart)
What a wicked game to play, to make me feel this way.
What a wicked thing to do, to let me dream of you.
What a wicked thing to say, you never felt this way.
What a wicked thing to do, to make me dream of you and,
I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you.
The world was on fire and no one could save me but you.
It's strange what desire will make foolish people do.
I never dreamed that I'd love somebody like you.
And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you,
No, I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I want to fall in love (This world is only gonna break your heart)
With you (This world is only gonna break your heart)
No, I... (This world is only gonna break your heart)
(This world is only gonna break your heart)
Nobody loves no one.
Lorelai was starting to wonder where her daughter had gone off to. She stood up and started walking and looking around. She spotted Rory sitting in a nook by herself. Before she could go over, Rory stood up and walked over toward her, "Come on, Mom, let's go back and sit. I need a drink."
"So, Rory, where did you wander off to?"
"No place special, Mom. I just had a conversation with Paris."
"Is she here? Why would she be here? I thought she was going to medical school in Boston."
Rory played with her swizzle stick. "Mom, she is married to Jess Mariano and is having his child."
"Rory, you're kidding me, I wonder why Luke did not tell me about that?"
"Oh, Mom, it gets better, Lindsay is at the table with Marty and Dean is also sitting at that table with Shane."
"You're kidding, Rory they must hate each other. Lindsay should hate Dean and Jess should hate Dean and Dean should hate Jess and Shane should hate Jess."
"Yeah, I know," Rory said glumly, "but instead, they all hate me."
"Rory," Lorelai said shocked, "don't say that. Why in the world would they hate you?"
"According to Paris, I've done all of them wrong."
"Don't believe that, she is just jealous."
"Jealous of what, Mom? She is the one sitting there with a husband, having a good time with all of them."
Lorelai laughed, "So. You're sitting here with me having a good time. When I see, Luke, I will have to ask him why he did not tell me about Jess and Paris."
Rory was glumly looking at their table when a blonde girl with a man in an army uniform walked over to it. She watched curiously as Paris stood up and hugged the couple. Paris said something that caused the couple to look over in her direction. The man just shrugged his shoulders. She saw that the table next to theirs was empty, and they pulled the two tables together. That is when she noticed the couple was Tristan Dugray and Louise Grant, from Chilton. At least Paris could not say she did anything to the two of them. She briefly wondered if she should walk over to say 'hi,' and decided that would be pretty awkward. Rory was pretty sure that Paris would have told them she was here, and if they were interested, they would come on over.
Lorelai said to Rory, "Let's have another drink."
"I don't think so, Mom, if you don't mind I would just as soon go home."
"Why? It's not even midnight yet."
Rory pointed over to their table, "I'm sorry, they just bring me down."
"Come on Rory, ignore them," Lorelai paused and then said, "you know, I just noticed something…all the girls are blondes."
Rory looked back to the table, and noticed Shane, Lindsay, Paris, Louise were all blonde and all of them were sitting at the table with men who were in her life at one time. Why am I sitting here alone with my mother? she asked herself.
Lorelai casually added, "Maybe blondes do have more fun!" and laughed.
Rory looked at her like she lost her mind and then noticed another couple was joining the group. It was Luke with Nicole Leahy, his wife, ex wife, or something in between. Rory tugged on her mother's sleeve and pointed, "Yeah, Mom, maybe blondes do have more fun. Should we go out and by some rinse tomorrow?" she said sarcastically.
Lorelai's mouth dropped open when she spotted Luke with Nicole and she said only half-joking, "Omigosh, Rory, it's like we're trapped in a horror movie and we're being attacked by the Invasion of the Blonde Boyfriend Snatchers. No wonder Luke's been distant to me lately," she commented incredulously, wondering when, or why,he'd started seeing Nicole again. She reached for her cell phone, she was going to call Luke and find out what gives.
"Mom, who are you calling?"
"Luke, I want to know what is going on."
Rory put her hand on her mother's arm, "Don't, he is with her because he wants to be. Let's just go."
Paris made an announcement, "Listen up guys. I want everyone to have a good time and since I can't have anything to drink, for obvious reasons, I volunteer to be everyone's designated driver tonight. Jess and I have a Suburban and we can fit all of you in it for the drive home. So just plan on leaving your cars here tonight and we'll bring you back in the morning to pick it up."
The five couples had a fantastic time. The conversation flowed freely, while everyone took turns dancing with each other, except for Dean, who finally convinced Shane to go dance, he did not mind. He did notice that she was very protective of him.
At midnight, they thought the roof came off the place with all the yelling and clapping. They were all going around the table kissing each other. Jess was walking around the table and looked in Dean's direction and muttered "not happening." Dean laughed, thinking to himself, Maybe the old sourpuss does have a sense of humor.
At two o'clock they called for the bill. The girls all got together and started figuring out who had what so they could divide the bill up. Dean just shook his head and asked, "What is the total?" Lindsay looked up from the bill to answer, "With the food and everything, it comes out to two hundred and eighty dollars." Dean divided two hundred eighty by five and came up with fifty six dollars.
"Okay, Luke and Tristan, you were late arrivals, you ante up thirty five a piece and Jess, Marty and I will ante up seventy a piece. The tip should be about sixty dollars, so guys throw in fifteen more. That should cover it. All the guys nodded their assent. It made total sense to them.
"But, honey," Paris said to Jess, "someone may be paying too much."
"Dear," he replied, as he leaned down and kissed her, "I don't give a rat's ass. It is not important. We will be here all night if we do it your way."
Paris started all of them in motion to her SUV, not an easy task considering their various states of intoxication and desire to make out all over the place. She finally got them all in the vehicle and announced, "Okay, this is how we are going to do this. Luke and Nicole, we'll take you home first. Marty, Dean, and Lindsay, since you're all spending the night at Shane's, we'll drop you off next, and that leaves Tristan and Louise, who are staying at the same hotel we are, out of town, so they'll go with us. Tomorrow, I will pick up everyone and take them to their cars."
Luke spoke up, "Look, be at the diner no later than ten thirty. Breakfast is on me and if someone brought some vodka for Bloody Marys, I'd have no objection."
After Paris stopped at Shane's house and let everyone out, Allison heard a commotion on her front door step and went to investigate. She opened the door to see the two couples hanging onto each other. Allison wisely knew if she left them wandering around the house on their own, they might not all make it to the right rooms.
She greeted everyone with a loud and cheerful "Happy New Year!" and then led the two boys to a spare bedroom on the first floor. She had already made up the regular bed and the air mattress that was on the floor. It was up to Marty and Dean to decide which one of them got the bed and who got the mattress. She handed them extra pillows and blankets and some mini bottled waters, in case they got thirsty during the night. Satisfied the boys were taken care of, she headed to the kitchen to round up the girls and get them settled in their rooms for the night.
When she walked into the kitchen, she saw Lindsay staring at the cuckoo clock again. She wondered what Lindsay's fascination with this old clock was when Lindsay turned to her and asked, "Why doesn't the clock go cuckoo if it's a cuckoo clock?" Allison started to explain and then just sighed because she was just too tired to go into any long explanations. "Lindsay, I'll tell you in the morning, hon'. You two need to go to bed now and get some rest," she advised. She then led the two girls upstairs.
The next morning, they were all gathered at Luke's in various stages of hangovers.
"Don't worry guys. As soon as you get one of Shane's special Bloody Marys down, you will feel like new people."
"Please hurry up, Shane, and stop talking," Lindsay said and put her head down on her arms.
"Yeah, with that drink and Uncle Luke's greasy bacon you all will be fine," Jess added mischievously.
Luke stuck his head around the corner from the kitchen, "Shut up, Jess I heard that.
Lorelai and Rory were driving out of town to have New Year's Day brunch with the senior Gilmores when Rory looked in the direction of the diner and said, "Look Mom, Luke's is open."
"No way!" Lorelai said excitedly, suddenly craving Luke's coffee. "He is never open on New Year's Day."
"So then, what are all those people doing in there?"
Lorelai jammed on the brakes and made a U-turn and pulled up to the diner and looked in. "The sign says 'Closed,' Rory."
Lorelai hopped out of the jeep and walked to the door and turned the handle. It was locked. She banged on the glass till she got someone to notice her. Jess walked to the door and opened it.
"Hi, Lorelai, what can I do for you?"
"How come you're open? I did not think you were open on New Year's Day?"
"We're not, Lorelai, it is a private party. I'll tell Luke you stopped by, he is very busy right now. Happy New Year, Lorelai" Jess said, then closed the door in her face.
Lorelai walked back to the jeep, and looked back over at the window. "Rory, I feel like we are on the outside looking in."
"Mom, it's because we are. Let's go to Grandma's, this is depressing."
Later on in the diner, all were stuffed and feeling a lot better.
Jess turned to his wife and said, "Honey, another round of those Bloody Marys and you will be driving them all home again."
"Well, you can certainly afford to have another Bloody Mary, Jess, since I'm driving, but I'm not running a permanent taxi service for the other folks. Some of them live within walking distance from this diner and I'm sure the others can find rides. By the way, while we're on the subject…when I have our child you are going to owe me. I fully intend to get together with these ladies and have a night out and you'll be our chauffeur when I'm ready."
Lindsay whispered in Shane's ear, "Can I talk to you in private for a minute?"
"Sure, Linds, let's sit at the counter."
"Shane, I am going to ask you a big favor. Next Saturday, I am not going to go to Stars Hollow with you, but I'll give you the truck."
"How come, is something wrong?"
"Shane, I want to have Marty over for dinner." Lindsay rushed on before Shane could say anything, "I love him so much, he is the one. I know it, he loves me also. I just want to be alone with him, pleaaaase."
Shane thought for a minute, "Okay, Linds, will you wash dishes for the next week?"
"Yes."
"Will you take out the garbage for the next week?"
"Yes."
"Will you cook for the next week?"
"Yes."
Shane looked up at Lindsay's earnest face, "You are such a goof, of course you can have him over. You really believed that I would make you do all that?"
"Yes."
Shane stood on her toes and hugged Lindsay, "Linds, you are such a sweet girl. Marty is going to be a lucky man."
"Dean is too, Shane. You are so right for him. Do you think your mom would know something is up if I paid her a visit and you stayed behind in Norwich?"
Shane laughed, "Let's get him whole again; I don't want to break him."
They rejoined the group and Marty asked, "Where did you two go off to?"
"Girl talk, Marty," Shane answered and added quickly "nothing to do with you."
They made Luke sit and everyone chipped in cleaning up the diner, and had one more Bloody Mary. They all agreed that it was the best New Year's Eve they ever had, and they would not wait till next year before they got together again.
Shane, Lindsay, and Louise each had a note in their coat pockets from Nicole informing them that she was going to throw a baby shower for Paris in Philadelphia. They were all invited and she would make the transportation arrangements for everybody and let them know before the shower in mid-January.
TO BE CONTINUED…