Wide open future.

Chapter 1

Rory stretched with one eye open. Glancing at the clock as she got up thinking how quiet it was which was very unusual at this time of the morning. Grabbing her mug she poured a large cup of coffee and grabbed a pop tart. She should take advantage of the quiet and get in the shower, but it had been days since she sat outside with her coffee to read. Starting chapter three of Jess's new book she got comfortable in her spot under the avocado tree. Pen in hand for any notes she had for her author she starts editing. Before long Rory was lost in the world Jess painted never noticing when her coffee was refilled for her.

"Senoria, Someone wishes to say good morning" Rory looks up to see Rosie walking out with a blanket and 6-month-old Rylie. Rory brightens as she looks at Rylie's smiling face. "Oh, Rosie I'm so sorry I didn't hear her." Rory explained, looking down and shaking the baby monitor 'Is this thing not working?' Chuckling "This little angel hasn't made a peep; she was sitting there just smiling at her stuffed puppy. We thought we'd eat while you were working. Isn't that right sugar? " Rosie asked her as she handed her to her mother. "And before you say anything we were having a good time, she is no bother."

"Well I guess nana told me huh sweet pea?" Rory was rewarded with the all too familiar smirk.

"Rory! Rory! Leigh Hayden! Wake Up! We're here. "

"Shi… Joe can you not be so loud?" Rory grumbled, as she was hit with the wave of pain and regret she always felt as soon as she woke and reality crashed in on her squashing the warm and wonderful dreams that have become nightly occurrences now. Or daily. Joey rolls her eyes as she until she notices Rory pale.

"Another dream?" she asked sympathetically. Rory just nodded as she starts grabbing her gear. Putting an understanding hand on her shoulder "Well Austin is supposed to have a killer bar scene so I'll go get us checked in. Then we'll have a night out. And NO arguments, I'll have Dave Drag your skinny ass out if I must!"

Joey was from North Carolina and she and Rory had been assigned different roommates at the beginning of the tour but Alice, Rory's original roommate made Paris look like a picture of mental health. She also very quickly started dating Sara who had been in with Joey, so Joey and Rory lucked out… Joey and Rory became very close very fast having both been thru serious life changes since graduating.

They had a lot of similarities. They are as close as she and Paris were, closer in all honesty Joey is so easy to talk to with real insight. With everything finally in her bag still feeling nauseous, Rory heads off the bus towards the hotel and has fresh coffee.

"Where are we going? I hear they have a Pangaea here, we could go there." Said Dave as he finished putting eyeliner on while sharing a mirror with Rory. Rory gave him a side-way glance thinking as she always did at moments like this that he reminded her of Finn. She missed Finn more than any of her and Logan's other friends, his vibrancy, and the way it was impossible not to have a good time when he was around. 'Shake out of it she tells herself.

"Look was going to experience this town keep looking Joe I want to hit local places not the Austin branch of New York chains. Hum, maybe we should try a country bar too while we're here and get pictures my mom would love that!"

"Well, it looks like we want to hit Congress Ave and end on 6th Street since our hotel is on 6th. We can take a cab to the Broken Spoke first the website says people like George Strait and Willie Nelson performed her in their early days. Sound good enough for Lorelai?" Joey called from the other room.

"Are you kidding if we get pictures she'll love it! Call the desk and have them call us a cab, I'm ready." Walking through the hotel bar towards the lobby she hears a familiar laugh. 'Of all the gin joints in all the world and you walk into mine.' Rory spins with a smile and hesitates for less than a second before launching herself at the tall man. 'Love I'd love to tell you to look stunning as usual but there's barely anything left you so thin. We must feed you straight away. And get you some sun!' he says hugging her tight, thinking she feels so frail. Is she sick?

"Finn, shut up and just keep hugging me. Oh, I've missed you." Rory couldn't help holding as tight as she could as she squeezed her eyes shut fighting so hard not to cry as she breathed him in. She couldn't help it. After a few minutes she pulled back wiping her eyes she asked the question he knew was coming "How is he?"

"Love, he's okay. He is doing well in San Francisco. He's great at his job." Finn replied trying not to say too much it looked like she might not be able to handle it.

"You're hiding something Finn. But I just want to enjoy having you here. What are you doing? Do you have plans tonight? It's our only night in town and you're spending it with us and I won't take no for an answer. I want you Finn" Rory said with a smirk.

"Well, Love I always knew you secretly wanted me. Everything else was just a smokescreen!" Finn laughed, "Let me let them know to reschedule my plans with a certain blonde. And I'll have my driver meet us out front. You know Frank Love he'll be out front waiting. Just give me five minutes?"

"We have a cab coming. We'll have the desk cancel it. Do you have Frank working for you? How did that happen he's been with Lo- well for years?" Shaking her head she still couldn't say his name. "Well, Uhm, he got fired. I didn't think it was fair so I hired him. I'll be back."

Turning back to where Finn was walking into an office Rory yelled "Finn, A Blonde?" He just laughed and kept walking "things change Gilmore things change!"

"Yes, they do." She said with the first real smile she had worn in a very long time. She headed back to her friends. They were just far enough that they could watch and listen without being obvious. "So is that him, the guy?" Dave asks raising an eyebrow.

"NO," the girls say in unison. Laughing they head for the door "So change in plans"

Rory starts to say... "Oh, we heard it's all good"

"Frank! You look wonderful!" Rory exclaimed.

"Miss Rory! I am so glad to see you again if I may say miss you look happy"

"I am Frank. So once again you're taking care of me! We want to go to this place called Broken Spoke and get lots of pictures for mom! Do you know where it is? I want to try line dancing!"

"I know where it is Miss Rory. How is your mother? She is well I trust?"

"Yes, she's just the same. Running the inn and enjoying being married. Oh did you know she got married? Remember when you helped me move the TV upstairs? Well, she and Luke finally got back together. No more staying in bed watching TV. Oh Joey and Dave this is Frank. He is the best in a crisis. Frank this is Joey and Dave."

"It's a pleasure," Frank responded while getting out of the front of the car to open the door for Finn. Finn dropped into the car and stared at the long shapely legs crossed in front of him. Hit with a flash of that old longing he shook his head and ran his finger up the boot from the toe to where it stopped just below her knee.

"Fabulous boots Love, any chance of seeing you in just them?" finally looking up to gauge her reaction. She just winked at him and asked, "You ready to go country, Finn?" He leans over, looks her straight in the eyes, and whispers "In ominous peratus." giving Rory the chills.