A/N: I have to say I was a little disappointed I didn't get more reviews from my last chapter. However, I know people are still reading, so I will try to be happy with that. Most of this was written last weekend while I was on a roll, so I decided to go ahead and post. The next chapter will hold the big stunt (no, no scaffolds will be in this story. That scene in GG is just too good to try to recreate.). I think everyone will appreciate what I have planned for that. In any case, please review, even if it's just a smiley face. It makes my day when I see numbers changing.
Chapter 10 – Another Saturday Night and I Ain't Got Nobody
Saturday morning Rory woke up with her limbs entwined with Finn's and her head resting on his chest. As quietly as possible she disentangles herself, hoping she won't wake Finn up. Fortunately, he sleeps like the dead, usually well into the afternoon.
She quickly makes her way to the bathroom, taking care of business then brushing her teeth. She'd taken a show last night after getting back from the banquet even though it'd been after two in the morning. With her morning routine done, Rory heads out to the main area of the suite in search of coffee.
As she heads to the kitchenette, she jumps when she sees Colin sittings the dining room table reading the paper.
"Morning, Rory," Colin says without looking up from the paper. "There's coffee and pastry if you want some."
"Wow, you do know my name," Rory says with a grin as she pours herself a large cup of coffee. She grabs a danish and napkin before moving to join Colin at the table. "Is Stephanie up yet?"
"Do you know the woman at all?" He asks with a laugh. "She's much like Finn, the later she can sleep in the better for all of us, trust me."
"Ah, so not a morning person then," Rory replies as she takes a bite of the pastry.
"The only time she gets up before noon is if she's going shopping," Colin says. "If she's up before noon it will be a miracle."
"Okay, then," Rory says, finishing the pastry and wiping her face with the napkin. "What's on the agenda for the day?"
"I think the girls are all relaxing by the pool, hoping to get a little color," Colin says, folding the paper and offering it to his companion. "The guys are trying to get together a water volleyball game. I think. Depends on if everyone gets up at a decent time."
"What time is the shindig for this evening," Rory asks, flipping through the sections of the paper and pulling out the front section along with the arts and leisure and comics.
"We're on our own for dinner, then the dance starts at eight. Did Steph show you the costumes for tonight?" Colin asks as he takes a sip of his coffee. He moves off to the kitchenette to get a refill, bringing the pot with him to refill Rory's cup too.
"No, she hasn't. Thanks for the refill," Rory says as she takes a healthy sip. "Everyone's been pretty closed-lipped over this weekend events. Finn didn't tell me about the twenty questions game from last night until a few hours beforehand."
"That sounds like Finn," Colin says with a laugh. "He loves to surprise people with awkward situations."
"Too true," Rory says. "So, what is tonight's festivities?"
"Don't you dare," Stephanie says as she makes her way to the kitchenette. "It's a surprise, though I think you'll love it."
"As long as it's not embarrassing," Rory replies. "What are we doing beforehand?"
"Taking it easy as we lounge by the pool and watching the boys play in the pool."
"Awesome," Rory says. "I can knock out another book for this week."
"Awe, come on, Gilmore," Steph begins as she takes a seat next to Colin. "Live a little, save the studying for the plane ride home."
"I'll consider it, but I have two more books to read before Thursday, so I may have to read a little just so I complete everything."
"What kind of evil classes are you taking there, Ror?" Robert asks as he moves to join everyone at the table, his own cup of coffee and pastry in his hands.
"I've got two lit courses, a philosophy course, a journalism course, and a poly-sci course," Rory says, moving to the kitchenette to start another pot of coffee and grabbing another danish.
"What, no game theory this year?"
"Last semester was torture enough," Rory says with a laugh, watching the coffee brew. "Have I thanked you enough for getting me through that class. With an A to boot."
"The Dewer's Reserve 18-year scotch was perfect," Robert says, watching Rory nibble on her pastry as she retakes her seat at the table.
"Well, Grandpa said it was a great scotch even though it wasn't the most expensive."
"Sometimes it's not the price that matters," Robert says as he watches Finn walk from his room into the kitchenette.
"Bite your tongue, man," Finn says groggily as he pours a cup of coffee and takes three pastries.
"Hungry much?" Rory asks as Finn slips into the chair beside her.
"I figured one was for you, Kitten," Finn says as he places a cherry danish onto the napkin in front of Rory.
"Ah, he feeds me too," Rory says, laying her head on Finn's shoulder briefly. "What would I do without you?"
"May we never find out," Finn says, flipping Rory's hair off her shoulder and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
The two were so wrapped up in each other they didn't notice the looks everyone was exchanging.
"So, did Logan stay here last night?" Colin asks, coughing to hide a chuckle at his friend's expense.
"I'm here, so that would be a no," Robert replies. "I'm sure he stayed with Stacy."
"Rachael," Stephanie corrects. "He's with Rachael this weekend."
"For the moment," Colin adds. "I heard them arguing before leaving the banquet last night. I wouldn't be surprised if that flamed out before the end of the weekend."
Rory bites her tongue, so she doesn't say something about the girl Logan was spending time with. She still hadn't forgiven the blonde for asking about her favorite sexual position. "Steph, can you help me pick out a swimsuit," she says trying to change the subject.
"What about that yellow one?"
"You mean the one you snuck into the bag when I wasn't looking?" Rory complains. "The one that's more string than material? I don't think so."
"You gotta loosen up, RG," Steph shoots back without guilt. "That suit was perfect for you."
"Not gonna happen," Rory argues back. "I barely feel comfortable in the 50's style suit, and that has a halter top and full briefs. I think I'll just go with that," Rory decides. She puts the half-eaten pastry on Finn's empty napkin before getting up from the table. She pours one last cup of coffee before heading off toward her bedroom. "Give me fifteen minutes to get changed?" She directed it toward Stephanie, however, it was Finn she looked at. So far, they'd managed to not have any awkward moments the few times they've shared sleeping space and she wanted to keep it that way.
"Take your time, Kitten," Finn says with a laugh. "I need at least one more cup of coffee before I can even think about moving."
As soon as the door closed, Finn's friends are on him.
"When're you going to tell her, mate?" Colin asks.
"You are so in love with her," Stephanie says at the same time.
"Dude, you're so whipped," Robert adds in.
"What the hell are you nattering on about?" Finn questions as he moves into the kitchenette to refill his coffee cup.
"It's so obvious you have a thing for Rory, Finn," Stephanie says. "You should just tell her."
"Yeah, put her, and us, out of our collective miseries," Robert says with a grin as his friend sits back down at the table.
"You're cracked, all of you," Finn says, pointing his finger at each of his friends in turn.
"We've all been cracked for years," Logan says from the door. He heard Finn's final statement and couldn't help adding in his two cents.
"Are you a part of the nonsense too?" Finn asks his friend as Logan makes his way to the kitchenette then the table.
"What's the topic of discussion?" Logan asks as he takes a sip of his coffee. "I mean, probably, but I should at least know what I'm agreeing to," he adds as he takes a bite of his pastry.
"This idea that I should reveal my undying love for Rory," Finn says.
"Oh, that nugget?" Logan looks at his friends with a mischievous smile. "I personally think you should wait until your birthday."
"You bet on this didn't you?" Finn asks, though he already knows the answer.
"Would we do that?" Colin asks.
"You'd bet on what time you need to take a wiz," Finn shoots back, getting up from the table to put his mug in the sink. "Shame on your families," Finn adds as he makes his way to his bedroom door. He hears the table erupt in laughter and just flips them the bird, never turning back toward them.
Finn opens the door and let it slam a little harder than he intended. He hears Rory squeak and turns in her direction, "Shit, sorry, Kitten," he says, turning back around to face the door. "I forgot you were changing. The guys got in my head a little and I needed to not be there with them," he rambles.
"No worries, Finnster," Rory says. "I'm fully clothed. I was just putting my wrap around my hips. You won't see anything."
"I truly am sorry," Finn says as he turns around. He moves toward his dresser, pulling out a pair of board shorts. "Give me a moment and then we can head toward the pool."
"Sure," Rory says. "I'll just go get a last cup of coffee."
"Sounds good," Finn says as he moves toward the bathroom. "I'll be out in a moment."
Rory makes her way back to the kitchenette, filling her mug once more. When she sits at the table she looks at each person with a hard look before speaking, "I don't know what you did to Finn, what you talked about, or whatever, but lay off him."
She sees Logan begin to talk, but she just holds up her hand, "No, I don't want to hear it. I don't need to know. What's important is that Finn isn't upset, got it?"
Logan begins to speak again but stops when he sees Finn walking out of his bedroom.
"Ready to go, Kitten?" Finn asks Rory, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Sure," Rory says, giving those at the table the stink eye for a moment. "Let me go get my bag and we can go find a place to cop a squat by the pool."
Rory moves to the bedroom, coming back a moment later with a big beach type bag.
"Oh, nice bag, RG," Stephanie proclaims.
"You were with me when I bought it," Rory reminds the blonde.
"You must have slipped that one in. I don't remember it," Stephanie responds.
Rory simply gives her a shrug before taking Finn's hand and moving toward the door. "See you all out there shortly."
Finn and Rory make their way to the top deck to get to the pool. The silence was comfortable, and the duo were swinging their Hans back and forth again. When they reach the correct deck, Finn leads Rory to a set of chaise lounges close to the deep end of the pool.
"Let's grab these here," Finn says while pointing to the half dozen lounges. "I'll go get some towels to reserve them." Finn moves off, heading back to the wall. He grabs a stack of towels before going back to where Rory was sitting. "Here you go," Finn says before handing Rory a towel.
"Thank you, kind sir," Rory says as she unfurls the overly large towel, clipping it at the top of the chaise with the clips attached. "Could you help me get some sunscreen on my back? I can reach most of it, but there's a strip in the middle I can't get."
"Sure, scoot up," Finn says as he swings his leg over the chaise and settles in behind Rory. "Are we going for a light kiss from the sun, or full blockage?"
"I go from Casper to Lobster in the blink of an eye, so as much as I would like to have a nice glow, we better go for full blockage," Rory says with a sigh. Everyone always complimented her on the peaches and cream completion she has, but she thought it would be nice to have at least a. Light tan.
"You know, you could try going to a tanning salon and slowly build up a tan if you wanted to," Finn says. After putting a liberal amount of sun block on his hands, he rubbed them together to warm the lotion up slightly.
As he began rubbing the lotion into her skin, he had to stifle a moan. Her skin was the softest he's ever had the pleasure of touching. In an effort to not embarrass himself, he began reciting stats equations.
"What was that?" Rory asks, only hearing vague mumbling behind her. She relishes the feel of Finn's hands on her shoulders and back. She distracts herself a bit by scanning the area for anyone they knew.
"Oh, uh, nothing, Kitten," Finn replies with a note of embarrassment in his voice. "Just going over some equations for class next week. There," he says after a moment, "that should cover you until Stephanie gets out here."
As if saying her name conjures her, Stephanie appears beside the chaise. "Well, don't the two of you look comfy," she says with a giggle. Watching Finn and Rory dance around each other provides an endless amount of humor for everyone in their group.
"Just making sure Kitten here doesn't burn her delicate skin," Finn says as he reluctantly rises from the chaise. "And now, I must go help the boys with beating the alumni," he adds as he takes off running toward the pool. With a big jump Finn cannonballs into the deep end of the pool, splashing not only Logan, Colin, and Robert, but getting Stephanie, Rory, Rosemary, and Juliet in the process.
"He is such a child," Rosemary grumbles as she clips her towel to the chaise she claimed.
"Yeah, but we wouldn't have him, or the rest for that matter, any other way," Juliet says as she watches the stooges, Seth, and someone she didn't recognize set up in the deep end of the pool to play volleyball.
"That's the truth," Rory says as she reaches into her bag to get out her book for her Irish Literature course.
"Come on, RG, are you really going to study?" Stephanie groused.
"I don't want to get behind. Besides, it's Joyce," Rory responds holding up the book for the girls to see.
"I don't understand you literature types," Rosemary says with a grin. "How is reading pleasurable. Especially if you don't get to choose the books?"
"Reading for me has always been a way to visit places," Rory says with a shrug. "It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I love it."
"So, what's going on with you and Finn?" Juliet jumps in, changing the topic of the conversation completely.
"Nothing," Rory says. "We're just really good friends. After meeting him during Spring Break, we started talking over the phone on a regular basis and got to know each other really well."
"But you find him hot, right?" Rosemary adds.
"Well, sure. I mean, he's a very sexy guy, but he's not a commitment type of guy, and I'm definitely a commitment type of girl."
"I bet he'd commit if you showed an interest," Rosemary adds with a knowing smirk.
"I doubt that," Rory says, looking down at her book. Rory thinks it's a good thing she's wearing her new sunglasses. If they could see her eyes right now, she would give herself away.
"Oh, I have no doubt," Stephanie says. "You know he hasn't been with anyone since May, right?"
"Uh, no, I didn't know that," Rory stumbles. "We don't really talk about that part of his life. At least not in detail."
"Well, mark my words," Stephanie continues as she waves a waiter over, "it's very unusual behavior, and I think it's all because of you."
"Maybe," Rory says distracted thinking about her feelings towards Finn.
The boys win the volleyball game, then join the girls for a light lunch. Well, light for Rosemary, Juliet, and Stephanie. Rory eats her normal amount, causing the girls to, once again, complain at the amount of food she could put away.
After lunch, the boys go back to the pool to horse around and burn off some energy. Rory and the girls return to their chaises to continue "relaxing." Before Finn went into the pool, he again helps Rory apply sunscreen to her back. This causes the entire group to give each other looks, trying hard not to laugh outright.
Around three o'clock Stephanie indicates it's time for the girls to go take showers and begin getting ready. "I've scheduled someone to come do our hair and makeup since the event is period and the style might not be something most of us are used to."
"Can I know, now, what this 'event' is?" Rory asks once they're back in the suite. Rosemary and Juliet went to their own suite to take showers before heading over to the suite Rory and Stephanie are in to finish getting ready. Stephanie has all the costumes in her closet.
"Oh, I guess," Stephanie relents. "Tonight, we are dressing up in 40s swing dresses and the guys are dressing up in zoot suits or as WWII officers."
"Yeah, because none of them would be just regular soldiers," Rory murmured.
"What was that?" Stephanie asks.
"Nothing. So, do I get to see the costumes now?"
After your shower. Just put on your undergarments and the robe that was in your room," Stephanie begins. "After hair and makeup, we'll put on the dresses. I think the boys plan on taking us to the steak restaurant that's beside the ballroom."
"Oh, good," Rory replies as she heads toward her room. "I'm already hungry, so I'm sure by the time dinner rolls around I'll be starving."
"I will never understand, and forever be envious of your eating habits," Stephanie complains as she moves to her own room.
"Blame my mother," Rory says before closing the door.
A half hour later all the girls gather in the main room of the suite. The guys are all in the suite Seth and the other girls are sharing watching TV to kill time before they must get ready.
Portable chairs had been set up for the two hairstylists and makeup artists to be able to work on the girls. Rory's hair, since it was short, has temporary extensions added to help create the up do here stylist decided on.
"These won't mess up my hair, will they?" She asks with a bit of concern. She wasn't used to having extensions in her hair.
"No, and they're easy to take out at the end of the night," the stylist replies. "They just clip in, so one of the girls can help you remove them. You can also keep them in. You'll just have to be careful when you take the bobby-pins out tonight."
"Oh, good. Thank you." Rory frowns before adding, "I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, so I'll probably just remove them."
"Your choice," the stylist says as she finishes spraying Rory's hair. "There, all done," she says, holding up a mirror so Rory could see the style.
"Oh my, that's gorgeous," she exclaims when she sees the intricate style. "I'm glad Stephanie hired you ladies," she adds, "there's no way I could do something this complicated. Thank you."
"You're more than welcome," the stylist replies. She then turns to one of the makeup artists. "She's all yours."
Twenty minutes later everyone's makeup and hair are done and they're all ready to put on their dresses. Stephanie had laid out the dresses on her and Colin's bed before hair and makeup, so the girls just had to wait until Colin was finished with his shower.
Ten minutes later, Colin comes out of the room, shirt untucked and a jacket and tie slung over his shoulder. "All yours," he says to the girls as he continues to the room Rory and Finn are sharing.
When Rory got to the bedroom, she surveys the dresses laid out on the bed. One in particular, a blue number with a sweetheart neckline and halter top that was blue with yellow polka dots with what looked like a flowy skirt caught her attention. As she goes closer, she realizes that the skirt, which was rather full, has a panel that matched the top.
"Oh, I like this one," she says as she runs her fingers over the bodice. "It reminds me of a dress I wore once."
"Well, I'm glad you like that one, RG," Stephanie says behind her. "It's yours. Along with two crinolines."
"You're kidding right?" Rory asks with a bit of fear lacing her voice.
"Never," Stephanie says as she moves to the closet to get out the crinolines for each of the dresses. "How can you get all flippy with the skirt if you don't have the crinolines? They make the dresses bouncy."
"And why do I need a bouncy skirt?" Rory asks, though she thinks she already knows.
"For all the 40s dances," Stephanie replies. Rosemary and Juliet are slowly putting on their dresses, not bothering to argue with Stephanie.
"Uh, you know Gilmores don't exercise right?" Rory asks as she begins putting on the underskirts.
"You don't have to go all crazy," Stephanie says as she zips up her own crinolines. "This was just my contribution to the weekend. "My mother had a thing for my dance instructor for a while when I was a kid. I got a lot of free classes on every dance imaginable."
"I wish my mother would pick her paramours with such concern for my well-being," Juliet says with a grin. "Instead, she does the gardener. Nothing for me there."
"I'm not sure my mother remembers what sex is," Rosemary adds to the conversation.
"Wow, and I thought my family was strange because my mom refused to marry my dad when she got pregnant," Rory says as she pulls her dress over her head. She was glad she was small enough in the boob department to be able to go bra less. She was careful not to mess up her hair or touch her face. "Will you tie me in the back?" She asks turning her back to Stephanie so the blonde could tie the halter.
"Sure," Stephanie says. After she asks Rory to twirl around so she could see the whole look. "Wow, you're going to have Finn drooling."
"Please don't start that, again," Rory begs. She didn't want to admit it, but ever since the girls had started teasing her about Finn liking her, she'd been daydreaming what it would be like to have him as more than a friend and kissing him again.
"We're just responding to what we see," Juliet says while Rosemary zips up her dress. She then turns to return the favor for her friend.
"Yeah, it's fun to watch, but it's beginning to get pathetic," Rosemary adds. "All right, are we ready to go?"
"I think we are," Stephanie says as she gives each woman a critical once over.
The group head out to the main area of the suite, happy to notice all the guys are dressed and ready to go. As the men stand from the sofa, they all go slack jawed at the way the girls look.
"Damn, that is a hot dress," Finn finally says after getting his head to focus. "I'm going to be beating all the guys, and some of the girls, off with a stick, Kitten." He moves closer to Rory and gives her a quick peck on the cheek.
"What are we, chopped liver?" Rosemary asks with a smirk. She was standing by Seth, who was most appreciative of her dress, and couldn't help the satisfied smile that crosses her face.
"Everyone looks great," Rory says, blushing slightly at the attention Finn was giving her. He has his arm around her waist, holding on to keep her from slipping away.
"Let's get this party started," Colin says, breaking up the various silent conversations. "First, we eat, then we dance!"
"Who knew Colin was such a jitter bug?" Rory whispers to Finn as they follow everyone down the hallway.
"He's been friends with Stephanie since the cradle," Finn whispers back. "He's had all the same dance classes, but for totally different reasons."
"Oh, so his mother wasn't 'with' the dance instructor?"
"No, his mum died when he was five," Finn replies. "His dad has gone on a run of step-mummies for our little future lawyer there. They've gotten progressively younger, and more frequent as time goes on."
"Wow," Rory says. "I feel sorry for Colin. I never thought that would happen," she adds with a bit of a smile, trying to change the direction of the deep conversation.
"Oh, don't feel too sorry for him, Kitten," Finn says as they make their way into the restaurant for dinner. "He's had a lot of fun watching his friends hit on them."
"You all definitely have led a different life," Rory says, shaking her head.
"Milady," Finn says as he pulls out Rory's chair.
"Thank you, kind sir," she replies as she places her napkin in her lap.
Dinner was a riotous event with the guys regaling the ladies with stories from the failed yacht trip. Everyone was in stitches laughing so hard, despite or because of Logan's embarrassment with having run the yacht into a Coast Guard boat. The trio were lucky they didn't get tossed in jail without bail or a phone call.
After dinner, the group made their way to the ballroom. They were a little late, so most of the brigade were already dancing to the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
Rory stands in awe of the decorations. Stephanie and her group left nothing to chance. The ballroom was transformed into a USO dance, complete with an orchestra.
"Is that Brian Setzer?" Rory asks.
"Yes, it is. I'm lucky that my father knows his publicist. We got a great deal," Steph says excitedly. "Come on," she says grabbing Rory and Juliet's hands after nodding her head at Rosemary, "let's go practice some dances."
"Bubble wrap, we should be wearing bubble wrap," Rory mutters as she gets dragged off. "Finn, come rescue me in ten minutes?"
"I'll do my best, Kitten," Finn says, trying to hide his laugh. When Rory sticks her tongue out at him, he knows he's failed. "Shall we go get a drink, men?"
The guys all head to one of the five bars set up for the evening. The LDB members are known for drinking. A lot.
Roughly thirty minutes later, Rory hobbles over to Finn, stealing his drink and downing it in one go. "You didn't come save me; you jerk. I should make you sleep with Robert as punishment." Rory sits in the chair next to Finn, growling at the other men sitting with him as they break out into laughter.
"Now, Kitten," Finn begins, "that's just mean. I've told you how he steals the covers. Would you want me to die of hypothermia?"
"It would serve you right," Rory grumbles, laying her head on Finn's shoulder. "Steph didn't believe me when I told her I have no coordination or rhythm."
"I believe you now," Stephanie says as she reaches the table. "Colin, come dance with me and show these slackers how it's done."
"As you wish," Colin says with resignation. It wasn't that he couldn't do the dances. He just didn't like to. It brought back too many horrible memories of various stepmothers.
"Kitten," Finn says softly. The rest of the group are on the dance floor, yet he feels the need to whisper. "I can dance with you. Having a strong partner makes the steps easier."
"Isn't Stephanie a strong dancer? She said her mom made her take lessons forever," Finn replies, not moving her head from Finn's shoulder.
"Well, she is a strong dancer, but it's usually the guy who leads," Finn says. "See, her technique has improved just by dancing with Colin instead of you girls."
"Let me rest my feet for a bit, then I'll let you lead me out for more torture," Rory says when she sees the hopeful look on Finn's face. "However, if I step on your feet you only have yourself to blame," she adds with a laugh.
"Duly noted," Finn responds.
"Oh, and no River Dance," Rory thinks to add. "We don't want to ruin the integrity of the event, right?"
"Now you're just hurting my heart," Finn replies playfully with his hands over his heart.
"Michael Flatley isn't here, so no daring people to have a dance off," Rory admonishes. "Remember Ireland, Finn."
"Fine!" Finn sighs. "But to be fair, I would have won that dance," he adds. "Let's go show these people what we're all about," he continues, holding out his hand waiting for Rory to take it.
"It's your feet," she says as she takes Finn's hand.