Rory looked out the window and saw Dave.  Dave saw her and signaled with his hands to open the downstairs door.  Rory whispered, "Let me grab my robe." 

He nodded and went to wait by the kitchen door.  After throwing on her robe, Rory made her way down to open the door.  Dave came in and explained that he was sorry for bothering her so late but that he was seriously troubled about something.  They went to sit in the living room. 

"Rory," Dave began, "I really like Lane, and I know she likes me too.  But I think we're at a stage where we need to be more public and out in the open about our relationship, and besides, I think Mrs. Kim is on to us always meeting by 'coincidence'. 

"I know what you mean."   Rory stated recalling how all those 'coincidences' with Tristan could have been part of his plan.

"I wish I could just show Mrs. Kim that I'm perfect for Lane, and Lane is perfect for me.  And finally have Mrs. Kim accept us and maybe even bless our relationship." Dave sighed half jokingly and half seriously.  He fought back tears as he mentally pictured Lane and their relationship.

His forced back tears did not go unnoticed by Rory.  And she asked him if he'd like to go to the bathroom or if he'd like some tissues.  He chose to go to the bathroom, so Rory got up and directed him there. 

Before going, Dave got up and took off his jacket.

While Dave was inside the bathroom, Rory got dressed in sweat pants and a Harvard sweatshirt.  She carefully went back to the living room and sat down.  As she walked over to the couch, her bare foot kicked something and that something skidded across the room.  Rory bent down after the object had stopped, and saw that it was a small blue felt box.  She opened it, and inside, she found a diamond ring on a white gold band. 

"That's a big part of my situation with Lane," Dave said behind her causing her to spin around quickly.

"Is it an engagement ring?" Rory asked unsurely.

"Yes."  Dave said echoing.

"Dave, you realize we're all only in high school still right?" 

"Of course, but I want to give it to her. I'm definitely not asking her to officially marry me tomorrow or anytime that soon."  Dave answered.  "It'll just be a little something for her to always remember how much I love her, and the future that we have dreamed about."

"Oh, that's sweet how you feel so strongly for Lane."  Rory said letting her romantic side kick in and take over.  She thought over her Tristan situation and wished that things had happened differently with her and Tristan. 

Dave and she sat back down, and again, Dave poured out his soul of love out.  Rory barely was even listening; she was lost in her own mind about Tristan.  She would smile and nod here and there as Dave talked, but her mind was drifting back to that dream she had of Tristan. 

The clock chimed 4:00 AM and Dave got up and hugged Rory.  The embrace was what really brought Rory out of her zone and realize that Dave was leaving. 

"Thanks Rory for helping me decide and for listening to me."  Dave said.  "I didn't have anyone to turn to because all the guys in the band still don't know about Lane and me."

"I'm just glad I helped."  Rory smiled.  "Good luck."  Rory said opening the door.

"I know I'll need that luck when we break the news to Mrs. Kim," Dave said stepping off the steps and onto the driveway.

Rory shut the door and ran into her room.  She dashed into bed and let her dream about Tristan come back to her.