3.07c Showing Team Colours

Now midnight was past and few did remain
And all legs were aching and all feet felt pain.
And all of the minds had grown wearisome
As long-lack of sleep fed delirium.

Her mother had asked her to tell her a joke
But laughed ere the punchline and that's when it broke:
The heel of the shoe, of good Lorelai,
Did sixty years' service, at once, stultify.

Her pass card in hand, she meant to make haste
To get help from Luke with no time to waste.
The card would permit her daughter, alone,
To hold up The Fort. But Rory did moan,

"There's no way I'll manage to go on upright!"
At Lorelai's plea, added Rory "Night-night."
And Lorelai lifted the ragdoll's slight frame
But, when she let go, did she droop down the same.

So ere would her daughter, down to the floor, drop,
Did Lorelai see that she'd need a good prop.
For answer, she scanned. It was readily seen.
She called out and summoned dependable Dean.

Did Lorelai urge, "The team, Dean! It needs you!"
She gave him the arms that the boy held the deeds to.
"What team?" did he query, so tired right then.
"Just pick a team, Dean, and I'll be back in ten!"

So Elder and Dean did places thus swap
And, onto Dean's chest, did Rory's head flop
While mumb'ling, for this, that she was so sorry.
But Dean didn't mind. He liked holding Rory.

Though Rory had Dean, it seemed she was greedy.
Shane wasn't in love and, of Jess, wasn't needy
But he was her guy and quite a catch too.
And it wasn't fair that the other'd have two.

But though, with her eyes, did Shane, to him, grovel,
Jess barely looked up from his damn dog-eared novel.
And when the rare break, from it, the boy took,
Indeed did Shane notice, to Rory, he'd look.

(He witnessed how Rory was clinging to Dean—
The most hurtful thing that he'd ever seen—
And he was so tired. He'd sat there all day
And couldn't remember his reasons to stay.)

Shane lay on the bleachers, just slightly depressed.
I'm far from his mind, she silently guessed.
She couldn't leave Jess, since he'd stay with Rory
And those two, alone, might craft a new story.

"I'm bored!" did Shane whine. She hoped to restore
Attentions from Jess that she'd had before.
Since from this location did Shane dare not leave,
At least Jess could offer a little reprieve.

But Jess rolled his eyes. Attentions he'd give,
With vessel of lips a lot like a sieve
And substance, thereby, falling into abyss.
He leaned in to dust her mouth with a kiss.

And while they were kissing he listened and bristled
As Rory's high-pitchedness t'wards his ear whistled.
His kiss lost its life at words Rory tossed.
And Shane had the feeling she'd already lost.

And, though Rory's words were meant to diss Shane,
The girl began yelling at Jess once again.
Ere long were they shouting in yet one more match,
Words chosen to carry out mortal dispatch.

And then did Dean something that no one expected
As, from his blue thread, her twine he ejected!
From grasp of Lachesis it slipped right away
And Dean's braid with Rory was left in a fray.

He yelled at the girl in Dolby Surround.
His grievance he aired to all those around:
Her failings to love him, her loving of Jess,
Involvement of Shane in their four-way love-mess...

He'd tried to persist, in denial was mired
But now he was certain and he was so tired.
In final frustration did Dean simply shout,
"I've tried for a while but, Rory, I'm out!"

Objections from Rory, he couldn't abide
(The lies in her words, she just couldn't hide)
So since he was done, in exit, he strode
While, shockwaves he'd left, the other three rode.

And all that were there, remained all-agape
As meaning of words did slowly take shape.
And Rory did shield her eyes from the sight
Of Jess and Shane staring at Rory outright.

Their judgement she couldn't slough off of her now.
With such lack of strength, she wouldn't know how!
Besides, she was scared she might realize
That pity was lurking behind Jess's eyes.

So Rory must run, and run off she would.
She'd make her lead feet move as fast as she could
Which wasn't that easy. Yet, harder to stay.
So, as a true zombie, the girl walked away.

So instantly Jess did drop his campaign
To irritate Rory and cause her more pain.
He suddenly wanted to make things alright
And, into his arms, to pull her so tight.

Now Shane turned to Jess and knew she would find
The play on his features by thoughts on his mind.
To turn of events, was Shane resolute.
She knew that, in this, her feelings were moot.

The yellow that Shane had lately received
Brought thoughts so complete and rightly conceived.
She already knew she'd be saying goodbye.
She already knew that he wasn't her guy.

As sure as the sun will rise and will set,
Shane found on his face the colour of fret.
Shane straightened her shoulders and found her strong voice
And offered to Jess a bittersweet choice.

"I told you before, I didn't love you
And, for the most part, that's basically true.
I won't turn you down, if you wanna stay
But if you love her then there's nothing to say."

So silent Jess sat, with fear in his eyes!
The depths of his heart uncloaked their disguise.
Shane stood from the bench and grabbed Jess's wrist.
She pulled him upright. He didn't resist.

"So then you should go and see what she'll say
And then you'll come find me, for news to relay."
Then Jess backed away, eyes issuing, "Sorry."
So Shane shrugged a shoulder. He went to find Rory.