Authors note: I thought this needed an update. I'll make the next one longer, promise.

'You're not serious,' Lane said, as she stared at Rory incredulously. Rory shrugged her shoulders sheepishly as she downed the last of her vodka and tonic.

'It's just a temporary solution,' she muttered as she stared down at her empty glass, knowing the full extent of judgement her friend was currently sending her way.

Lane slammed her fist on the table. 'Rory! This is not okay. He's your boss.'

Rory raised her eyebrows and side eyed her friend. 'Lane, what exactly do you think is going to happen?'

'You know damn well what I think is going to happen.'

Lanes passionate outburst caused a few of the customers seated at the bar to send them confused, yet mildly interested looks. Rory kicked her friends stool in embarrassment, as the curious people around them slowly turned their attention back to their drinks.

Her friend ignored her plea to shut up, as Lane sighed in exaggeration. 'I mean, do you want something to happen?'

'What? No, of course not,' Rory replied, feeling slightly insulted.

'Does he know that?' Lane pushed.

Rory paused as she considered this momentarily. 'I think so.'

Lane snorted as she shook her head, twirling her drink. Rory could feel the disapproval radiating from her friend as she shifted in her seat, wishing they had suddenly had this conversation somewhere a little more private.

The rain continued to pour down outside, as people ran into the bar, seeking shelter from the sudden storm that had hit the city. Rory wasn't big into omens, but she couldn't help feeling like the gods were angry with her decision.

She wasn't even surprised when she heard the sudden rumble of thunder in the distance.

'You know, as much as I love a good scolding, I would much prefer to talk about you. What's been happening?'

Lane was visiting New York, something she did quite frequently now that her best friend was based there. This visit however, seemed a little bit different. Lane wasn't her usual upbeat self and Rory was starting to worry that something may have gone down in Stars Hollow.

Lane shook her head. 'Just the usual stuff. Mom's been on my back again about Stan.'

Stanley Cooper, resident bad boy that had recently set his eyes on Lane. Rory had to admit, she was loving this new side of Lane that came with being the love interest of someone so disreputable.

Rory really couldn't compare Stanley to Jess; Jess had the bad boy persona down to a tee, but while Jess was the typical rebel without a cause, Stan was a rebel with a cause. He was big into music and poetry, wore jeans and leather jackets and was very opinionated.

Stan was a tortured artist. Perfect for Lane.

'So, you decided to pay it forward?' Rory joked.

Lane rolled her eyes at the remark. 'Trust me, you're getting off easy compared to the stuff I am being put through.'

'So, how is Stan the man?'

A small smile appeared on Lanes face as she rested her arms on the table in front of her. 'He's perfect, Rory. There's no other way to put it – I seriously think I've found my soulmate.'

Lanes smile was contagious. 'You seem really happy.'

'I am…. I just wish people weren't so against the two of us being together.'

'Stan's hot,' Rory added, with a wink. 'You would be a fool to listen to them.'

'I know, right. I don't know what he saw in me,' Lane muttered and let out a small yelp when Rory smacked her arm. 'Ow, was that really necessary.'

Rory nodded and motioned for the bartender to refill her drink.

She was only on her second drink, but she was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. She had always been a light weight.

'You know, I ran into Dean a week ago,' Lane said slowly, as if the mere mention of Dean would send Rory into a downward spiral. 'He asked about you.'

Rory took a large gulp of her drink. 'He did?'

'Yeah,' Lane muttered in a low voice, as if someone who knew Dean might be in earshot. 'I think he's still hung up on you.'

Rory found that hard to believe since the last time she saw Dean, they'd had a pretty big fight. She was almost certain that he hated her guts at this point. Plus, from what she gathered on social media he was seeing someone else.

A young, pretty blonde.

Rory wasn't jealous at all. Or so she told herself.

'I doubt it,' she said, more to herself than her friend.

Lane leaned in towards her. 'No, seriously. You should have seen him; he looked a total wreck.'

'Yeah, well, that ship has sailed long ago.' And it had. She had been through too much with Dean at this point. Trying to start something up again would be like beating a dead horse.

'Do you think that he might have heard about you and Tristan?'

It wouldn't surprise her. The town gossip was strong in Stars Hollow.

Rory shrugged. 'Maybe, but I don't really want to think about it.'

'Touchy subject, got it.'

As soon as Lane said that, the front door which had been left ajar, suddenly blew open causing people to frantically capture items that threatened to fly off their table.

The lights flickered in the bar briefly, causing Rory and Lane to send each other worried glances.

'This storm is really picking up,' Rory stated, feeling the chilly air seep through her bones as she shivered and pulled her jacket around herself protectively. It was odd for it to be so cold this time of year.

'Yeah, we should probably get going before this whole place loses power. I'm not keen on stumbling around in the dark,' Lane replied quickly, slipping her hand into her pocket to pull out change for the bill.

Maybe it was the fates playing tricks on her that night, or perhaps it was just mere bad luck, but as Rory felt around in her bag, she realised with a sinking feeling that her phone was missing.

'Damn!' she swore, as she aggressively searched her handbag for the purple hardcase. 'I can't believe this! No!'

'What? What's wrong?' Lane asked, appearing concerned.

'I think I left my phone in the office.'

Lane peered into Rory's handbag and frowned. 'Can you pick it up tomorrow?'

Tomorrow being Saturday just made this even better.

Rory sighed and made a noise of distress. 'No, I really need to have it on me. I'm expecting a call early tomorrow morning. Damn this.'

'Okay, so, we'll just make a detour and pick it up on the way back to your place.'

Rory shrugged in defeat. A trip back to the office, just what she wanted. The only person who would still be there would be Tristan, the workaholic and apparent overachiever.

And she wasn't exactly keen to catch him alone, not after their last conversation.

'Alright, let's go.'