Potential Good Company

Dean wasn't interested in more than a one night stand with Rory, much to her devastation. Deciding not to let it destroy her, she goes back to Yale and lets loose a little by spending a night with a random guy, Colin. Things get complicated, though, when she meets his friend Logan and they fall into an awkward threesome.

PS: Takes place in season five.

PS2: Plenty of sexual situations.

PS3: Bad language (I think Paris would have a dirty mouth for one).

PS4: I came to the conclusion I don't care for Dean, so some bashing ahead.

PS5: This does eventually feature a threesome. Don't like it, don't agree with it, don't read it.

Notes:

"Words" – regular conversation

'Words' – quotes and such, thoughts too

Chapter 0038: Everything Works Out in the End

Rory hadn't spoken to Colin since the day before, not that she wanted to, though he sure tried. He sent a few texts and even left a couple of voicemails, but she was too hurt and angry at him to read or hear them. She even asked Paris not to let him in, and the blonde raised twin curious eyebrows but asked nothing. After so many years of acquaintance and friendship, she'd come to know Rory's 'fuck off' face pretty well and knew it was not the time to push for information. Just as well, because the brunette was not in the mood.

She saw Finn and Logan around campus and they looked put out by the way she ignored them and plainly wasn't in the mood to even look them in the face, but she couldn't bring herself to care at the moment. She'd apologize later if necessary.

Sure, she had known she wasn't exactly Colin's girlfriend, but she thought she was as good as, the way they laid in bed and didn't have sex, the way he fought Dean over her, how he seemingly instinctively sought her support with his injuries, the way he smiled at her sometimes, and the way they held hands the day before as he listened to her talk about her dad. He'd been so sweet when he insisted on a shopping trip and then he just–

It was irrational to be angry at him for flirting with another girl (a really, really attractive one at that, one that made Rory feel like a little girl with little to offer a man), but damnit, she was mad! She was mad that she was mad at him! She was mad at herself for it, and she just–!

Not to be outdone, her father had come around again, and after a night stewing over Colin, she was too tired to fight him, and they ended up in her living room, sitting side by side. Christopher was clearly surprised by her subdued reception, but took advantage of it.

"My father's sick" – he said, after babbling about how bad he felt that he was such a crappy dad. Rory turned to him in shock – "He's– It's bad. He's been sick a while, and the doctors don't know if... If he's–"

Rory had never seen her dad break down, he'd never been around enough for her to see his most vulnerable side, but this was it. He was breaking down and he'd come to her, he had a problem and he'd remembered her anger and he'd come to her, not Lorelai, his lifetime friend. It made Rory twist in shame and guilt as he started sobbing and she reached out to hold him.

She felt little compassion for Straub Hayden, the awful man who'd been so harsh to her, about her, the one time they met, but when faced with Christopher's clear devastation, she couldn't remain cold. She remembered how she'd felt when Richard had his heart attack, and her heart reached out to her dad. She doubted he had many friends to begin with, Sheri was long gone, and his mom, Francine, had not seemed the most supportive. He was as good as alone with his grief, other than little Gigi, who couldn't be supportive of him. Rory was who he had, and– And he would have her.

Christopher cried for several minutes, his sobs painful and deep, but eventually he stopped. His face was flushed and swollen, and Rory felt absolute pity for him. She knew enough to know that he had a terrible relationship with Straub, but his tears were real. Despite everything, he loved the hard man, and he clearly saw a reflection of their relationship in the way he was so detached from Rory's life.

Rory had to confess to herself that the last thing she wanted was to lose Christopher while they still had such a distant relationship. She did not want that kind of regret to tear into her like it obviously did her dad, so she held him, she rubbed his back even after he stopped crying, and she poured all the love she had for him into her eyes when he deemed it safe to look her way.

"I'm so sorry, dad" – was all she managed. He tried for a smile but it didn't come out right.

"It's okay, kiddo. These things happen" – and God, how wrong was it was he sounded comforting?

"Dad. What can I do?"

"Nothing" – he said simply, a mask falling in place, surprising Rory with his abruptness.

"Dad. Please, how can I help?" – he shrugged.

"There's nothing anyone can do, kiddo, but thank you" – his voice was warmer, but there was a frostiness underneath that startled Rory.

She meant to say something, but then stopped herself. What did she know about losing someone she loved but couldn't relate to? She certainly loved her family and got along with them (more or less), she didn't have the cold relationship her dad and his had had all their lives, from what she understood. In the end, she didn't know what it was like to love someone she hated.

In fact, perhaps only her mom would understand Christopher. Sure, Rory didn't think she ever hated Emily or Richard, but it was the closest Rory could think to relate to her dad's situation. He came to his daughter because he didn't want to damage the shaky relationship they had, but truthfully, he needed someone who would understand. He needed Lorelai, he needed his dear old friend, but he wouldn't ask it of her, of Rory.

Rory was deeply touched by how, even in such a tense moment, her dad could show compassion towards her and Lorelai.

"I'm calling mom" – she announced softly. He stared at her with almost scared eyes.

"No, don't" – his voice broke, and she realized he was scared of this. That she would think he came to her as a manipulation, that he wanted Lorelai all along and was using Rory for it, but she knew in her heart it wasn't true. She could see the hardness of his eyes. He did not want to involve Lorelai.

"Dad. I can't– I don't know your– I don't know Straub, I've never known him, but mom does" – she reached for his hand and squeezed – "She'll understand, and Luke will understand" – he flinched at the other man's name, but shook himself out of it.

"No. Your mother has her life and I have mine. There's no need to involve her in this" – he said harshly and Rory felt ashamed again. Had she sounded this hard when she went to tell him to back off of Lorelai?

"She's your oldest friend" – she insisted – "She would want to be there for you, and Luke's lost both his parents, he'll understand" – he might rage about it, but he would, Rory knew he would. He had such a warm heart, he wouldn't be so cruel as to deny a man his best friend in a time of need.

"I can't" – Christopher said, a sob breaking his voice – "I've screwed up so much, I can't ask this of Lor, or you, I can't" – he shook as he started crying again – "I'm such a terrible father, and I'm a terrible friend! I've never been there for Lor! Not when she needed me the most! I abandoned you two!" – he wiped his face suddenly and tried to get up but Rory stopped him – "No, kiddo. I have to go, I shouldn't have come"

"Stop this right now!" – Rory snapped at him, making him stare at her in shock – "You're going through something, and you came to me, so I am going to do something about this, whether you like it or not, so help me, dad" – she said all too seriously.

She'd get Paris to help her tie him up if needs be, and the blonde would gladly do it, she was sure.

"Rory, please"

"No. Now, today is Friday, so I'm going down to Hartford anyway, and you're staying there too, I assume" – he nodded, looking down – "Okay then. I am going to call mom now, let her know we're on our way and that you need her, and I'll go to dinner and I expect you to not have run away or picked a fight with anyone" – she pinned him with a look that would make Emily Gilmore damn proud of her. He finally sighed and gave a vague shrug, and she smiled briefly before walking out her dorm.

Lorelai picked up with her usual polite professional voice, but it soon warmed up when she heard her kid's voice.

"Hi, hun! All ready for another night at the Gilmores?"

"Just about. Er, mom?"

"Yeap?"

"Did you... Have you talked to dad lately?" – the woman remained quiet for a moment.

"No, babe, I haven't" – she said softly.

"He, hum, he's here"

"At Yale? Why? What for?"

"He's in bad shape, mom. His– I mean, his father is sick. From what dad said, it's not looking good" – Lorelai gasped, and Rory could feel her distress.

"Oh no. Poor Chris. And he came to you? Oh, baby"

"He came here, but I can't help him, mom. He needs someone who'll understand what he's going through"

"Okay?"

"Do you think... I mean, would you mind?"

"Mind what?" – they both stayed quiet for a moment – "Oh! Would I mind helping him?"

"Yes. I think what he really needs right now is a friend, and I'm his daughter, I'm not his friend"

"Yeah, I get that" – the woman sighed deeply – "God, this sucks so bad"

"Big time. So, hum, do you think Luke will be too angry about it?"

"He might"

"Do you mind if I call him to explain? I think he'll understand if I explain, and then you can tell him anything you want"

"Oh, honey. I don't... I don't know. I mean, Luke's kind of weird about Christopher, you know that"

"I know, but I also know that Luke wouldn't resent you wanting to be there for an old friend who really, really needs a shoulder to cry on" – Lorelai made a noise.

"Chris is crying?" – she asked, her voice breaking a little.

"He did a little" – a lot – "He's in my dorm right now"

"Wait, where are you?"

"Just outside the door. I didn't want to risk going into my room and have him sneak out"

"That bad huh?"

"He didn't want me to involve you, but I insisted. So, can you... Will you help him?"

"Of course I will. And Chris is my oldest friend in the world, and if he needs me" – Rory could tell her mother was shrugging – "then Luke will have to deal with it. I'm not abandoning him, no matter what history we have"

"Thank you, mom, seriously"

"No need, babe. Now, are you two driving down soon?"

"Yeah, as soon as I call Luke. Should I leave him at the inn?"

"Might be for the best, I think. The house might be a little... You know"

"I know. And I'll explain the situation to grandma and grandpa, I'm sure they'll understand"

"You know, kid, for once I think you're right about them" – Lorelai said sincerely.

"So I hope. Okay, bye, I'll see you soon"

"Bye, babe"

Rory took a deep breath as she made herself comfortable against the wall, and called Luke's.

"Luke's" – the diner owner answered curtly as usual.

"Hi Luke"

"Rory? Hey. Your mom's not here" – he said promptly.

"No, I know, I just talked to her"

"Oh. Oh, okay. So, hum, how are you?" – he asked hesitantly. She couldn't help but smile.

"I'm okay. Hum, listen, I actually need to run something past you"

"Okay?"

"It's about my dad"

"... Oh. Okay, shoot"

"Today– Well, just now, he came to my dorm and he told me his dad's pretty sick. I don't think the doctors gave him good odds"

"Oh wow, that's terrible" – and Luke, bless him, sounded truly mournful.

"Yeah, he's pretty broken up about it, as you can image"

"Yeah" – he said softly.

"So, hum, I realized that what he needs is a friend whose shoulder to cry on, and that's why I talked to mom and why I'm calling you" – he sighed.

"Okay"

"I asked mom to kind of take him in, be there for him, and I didn't want you to feel weird about it or anything. I'm the one who proposed this, mom went along with it 'cause, you know, she'd never leave a friend hanging, and dad– He honestly didn't want to go to mom, he was kind of angry at me for even suggesting it, but I'm forcing him to come with me to Stars Hollow"

"I see"

"Are you angry? I don't want you to be angry about this, but he's going through something really bad, and I can't possibly help him, but I think mom can"

"No, I get it" – he sighed again – "I would never want your mom to regret not being there for him, even if, well, you know"

"I know"

"It's her decision. If she wants to be there for him, it's not my place to say anything about it. I–" – he cleared his throat and spoke quieter – "I know this time can be really hard on anyone, so it's good that he has someone who knows and gets him like your mom does"

"Yes he is. Thank you, Luke, for understanding"

"Don't mention it"

"Thank you anyway"

"... You're welcome, kid. So, hum, do you know where he's gonna stay?"

"At the inn, I already cleared it with mom"

"Alright. Wait, what about, ah, dinner with your grandparents?"

"I'm going alone this one time, they'll understand"

"Right. Well, looks like you thought of everything"

"I hope so. Well, anyway, I should go. I'm just gonna get my things and we'll drive down there"

"Alright. If you need anything, at all, let me know"

"I will. Thank you again, Luke"

"You're welcome. Now go" – she laughed softly.

"I'm going. Bye"

Rory took a couple of deep breaths before going back into her dorm. Sure enough, her dad was where she left him, and she winced at how red his eyes looked, how red his face was. He was even shaking a little, his breathing uneven.

"Hey dad?" – he looked at her and tried for a smile but missed it.

"Hey, kiddo"

"I already talked to mom, and she said you can stay at the inn if you want"

"Oh. Okay"

"Wanna go right now?"

"Yeah, sure"

"I'll just be one minute, I need to get my things" – she rushed to her room, leaving the door wide open, and quickly grabbed whatever she might need for the weekend, just to be safe – "All set. You ready to go?" – he shrugged morosely.

"I'll just call your– My mom and ask her to look after Gigi for the night" – he mumbled, and followed her out the dorm.

They walked side by side, and Christopher's call lasted under a minute as he spoke quietly to Francine Hayden. Rory couldn't imagine the woman gladly taking care of a child, but then, what did she know about her? Or Straub?

"Reporter Girl!" – Finn called out, and the girl groaned a little. Her dad looked startled by the appearance of a slightly drunk Australian beside him and his kid.

"Hi, Finn. I'm sorry, but I can't talk right now" – the Aussie's eyes flickered to Christopher for a moment.

"Busy?"

"Just about. I'm going back to Hartford, actually"

"Are you? Oh well. Good trip, then. Will we see you this weekend?" – oh, 'we', is it?

"Maybe, I'm not sure yet. C'mon, dad" – she pulled the older man with her.

If Christopher had been better, he would've certainly made some commented about the exuberant young man who'd approached his daughter, so Rory knew he wasn't in his right mindset because he said absolutely nothing. His quietness was a little disconcerting, kind of like Lorelai being quiet. Neither of her parents was that silent unless something was brewing inside them.

"Will you follow me?" – Rory asked softly. Christopher nodded and came to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"You're the best daughter a guy could possibly ask for, kiddo, you're amazing" – he said against her hair, and her heart broke a little for him. She'd been told she was great so many times by so many people she loved and that loved her, but had he heard it from anyone, ever? Especially his dad? God, it made her want to weep so badly, but she had to be strong for him. This wasn't about her.

"You're amazing too, dad" – she whispered back, hugging him with all the strength she had in her. He chuckled bitterly in her ear.

"Thanks for saying that" – he said, a little grimace across his handsome face.

"You are, dad"

"Yeah" – he shrugged.

They made plans to meet at a nearby street, as Christopher had parked outside the campus. Rory half feared he might ditch her, but he dutifully appeared a couple of minutes later.

The drive was entirely quiet, Rory didn't even turn the radio on as she usually did. Her thoughts were loud enough that no music was necessary for background noise, that's for sure.

She's never been close to death. Richard's heart attack was the closest she ever got to it, not to mention the people from Stars Hollow who passed away. She'd never felt death touching her or someone she loved and leaning close, as it seemed was the case with Straub. She wondered what he had, if there really was nothing she could do. Maybe a blood drive, if needs be, a donor drive. Whatever she could do to appease the guilt clawing inside her, though her telling Christopher off Lorelai had nothing to do with Straub, but still.

Stars Hollow seemed colder than usual, and the inn felt. It felt like a little Paradise. She parked a little carelessly, as she was about to leave, and exited to meet her father, who thankfully had followed her. He looked a little better, his coloring more normal, though his eyes were still a little reddened.

"C'mon. You've never been here, have you?" – she asked, already knowing the answer. God, he was her mom's oldest friend and he hadn't even seen her triumph.

"No, I haven't. It's really beautiful" – he said in a wistful tone. Had her mom shared her dream of opening the Dragonfly with him?

"Well, let's go in. You remember Michel? Don't mind him, he's still... Michel" – she joked, trying to lighten the mood. Christopher grinned a little, so she counted that as a win.

Sure enough, Michel was at the front desk, but Lorelai rushed down the stairs wearing a concerned expression.

"Chris" – she said when she approached them, and a moment later, Rory witnessed the connection her parents had, and likely would always have, as they embraced and something seemed to melt away from Christopher's shoulders, something that she knew would never have happened with her. It was good to see that she'd made a great decision in forcing the issue and getting them together.

Her dad was gonna be okay.

"Hey, babe" – Lorelai said softly after the couple parted, and gave her child a big hug.

"Hey"

"So, Sookie made these amazing muffins, you have got to try them" – she turned to Christopher with a gentle smile – "Do you want to rest a little or get something to eat? It's just about time for late afternoon tea, or early bird dinner, Sookie will make you anything you want. Honest to God, anything at all" – the man grinned fondly and shook his head.

"I think I'm gonna drop my bags in my room and nap a little" – he rubbed his eyes tiredly – "I haven't slept very well the past few days" – mother and daughter traded quick looks.

"Sure thing!" – Lorelai said with fake enthusiasm – "Do you want some help with your bags?"

"Nah, it's just this. Good thing I had it my car" – he sighed – "I was kind of frantic coming down to Hartford, I ended up packing like three bags, there are probably some of Gigi's toys in here" – he patted his duffel bag absently.

"How is she?"

"She's good, yeah. She's with... She's with my mom tonight" – he shifted in place.

"Well! Let's get you settled in, yeah? And then when you come down you can eat something, you will not regret it"

"Thanks, Lor. For everything" – Christopher and Lorelai traded a look that spoke a thousand, a million words and feelings and hopes and apologies and gratitude and love, and it made Rory want to cry – "And thank you, kiddo" – he said, reaching out easily and grabbing his kid in a loose hug. He kissed her forehead tenderly – "You're great, seriously"

"It's all in the genes" – the girl quipped, giving him a teasing smile that he returned with a special fondness all for her.

"All in the genes" – he repeated, giving her another kiss.

"I should go, though" – she announced – "Can't be late for dinner"

"Are you sure you're gonna be okay all by yourself?" – Lorelai questioned lightly.

"I'll be fine. Bye, mom, bye daddy" – she said in a small voice, giving the startled man a tight but brief hug before she skipped away.

The drive down to Hartford was much better, and she even sang to the radio, happy that things were still bad but with a ray of hope in the horizon. Her dad was going to be okay, one way or another.

She thought about her current situation with Colin, and how upset she was at him, but it seemed to petty, so tiny compared to the whole Hayden thing that she considered calling him, texting at least, but decided against it. It felt real when it happened, and she figured it was about time their non–relationship came to a head, but she'd have plenty of time to consider it. Later. She had a dinner to get to.

This is definitely one of my favorite chapters of all. Intense but with sweet moments, and Christopher is not a homewrecker asshole. =D

For reference, next week, we see them Haydens. ;)