Letting Go

by louloucn

Clark and Rory (a GG and SV crossover) When Clark runs away from Smallville, he finds himself in Stars Hollow as Lorelai and Rory return from Europe. Other ships include Lex and Lana and Lorelai and Dean.

9. All I want to feel tonight

Title: Letting Go

Feedback: Yes please.

Summary: (a Smallville/Gilmore Girls crossover) When Clark runs away from Smallville, where does he go? In a weird twist of fate, he finds himself in Stars Hollow, where Lorelai and Rory have just returned from Europe. What starts out as a coincidence slowly becomes a summer that they will never forget.

Rating: PG-13/R

Pairings: Clark/Rory, with Lex/Lana and Lorelai/Dean

Spoilers: Everything up to end of season 2 of Smallville and end of season 3 of Gilmore Girls. For those of you who are unfamiliar with either show, here's the breakdown: Clark runs away from Smallville after his alien father calls out to him and everything in his life had turned to a disaster. Despite his love for Lana, he still leaves without any explanation (along with his red kryptonite ring which turns him into bad Clark), breaking her heart. Lex, on the other hand, just got married but his wife supposedly tries to kill him and the season ends as his plane is crashing into the ocean. In Stars Hollow, Rory has just graduated and is about to go on the trip to Europe with Lorelai but she isn't as happy as she should be because Jess inexplicably left her to go to LA, while Dean, her other ex-boyfriend has just announced his engagement to Lindsay.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Gilmore Girls or Smallville.

****

PART VIII - All I want to feel tonight

"You two are unusually quiet tonight." Emily remarked as she looked on at Lorelai and Rory. "What is going on with you two?"

Rory look over at Lorelai with a panicked look as Lorelai stared back. Don't blow it, she thought to herself. If she could reach her leg under the table, she would kick her. She just couldn't believe that she had raised a daughter who didn't know the meaning of subtle. They had done this before. Bigger bites, that is what she said. But here she was, practically shoving her food down her throat, making her mother become more suspicious of them by the minute.

"Nothing, nothing." Lorelai replied quickly. "The dinner's great mom."

"Yeah, this lasagna is really really good grandma." Rory added.

"I can see that." Emily observed as she looked onto her plate. "You've practically cleaned off your plate. Rose, our new cook, must be doing wonders. You must have another piece."

"No thank you grandma." Rory replied as she tried to smile.

"Oh nonsense." Emily replied as she stood up. "That can't be enough for you. I know how much you and your mother can consume in a meal. I'll just go and bring out the casserole."

"Now tell me again why you decided fired the last maid?" Lorelai asked as she looked on. This would usually the time where Emily would holler towards the kitchen to beckon another meek and scared girl with her orders.

"She was very incompetent." Emily rationalized. "And she kept staring at me. I am certain that there was something severely wrong with her. But it's alright, I can go and fetch the lasagna. It will only take a minute."

As she left the room, Lorelai sunk down into her chair and stretched her foot far enough to nudge Rory in the shin.

"Ow! What was that for?" Rory demanded.

"Subtle much?" Lorelai whispered as she settled back into her chair. "You were shoveling lasagna like there is no tomorrow and now she's gone to get us seconds!"

"I'm sorry! I just panicked." Rory admitted.

"I told you. Bigger bites." Lorelai explained. "Now how are we ever going get out of here?"

"Okay, I know that I'm going to see Clark tonight." Rory observed. "But what are you in such a hurry to leave? Do you have a date that I don't know about?"

"No." Lorelai said with a shrug, trying not to reveal anything else. "I just don't want to be left here with my mother. Why do you get to skip out early and not me? You have to take mommy with you."

"Calm down." Rory whispered. "She'll hear us."

Emily suddenly came out towards the dining room, holding the lasagna dish with an oven mitt. "Hear what?"

"Nothing mom. Just a little girl talk." Lorelai said with smile.

"Really?" Emily said as she sat back down into her chair. "Can't I join in? Your father is away on business again and it's always so nice to have you two all to myself especially since you both have been gone for two months." Ever since Rory's graduation, she hadn't liked the way how things were settled between her and Lorelai. She never would have admitted it to herself but she had missed the way that they were together. They were by no means perfect but at least they felt more like a mother and a daughter than they have in a long time. Unfortunately, ever since Richard had given her that money and they had gotten into that wretched fight, their relationship had taken two steps back. But now, seeing her here with Rory when she had no obligation to show up, it made her feel that maybe things could go back to the way they were.

"It wasn't much mom." Lorelai explained, trying to come up with a legitimate backstory. "We were just talking about..."

"...the carnival." Rory finished her mother's thought. "You remember grandma? I told you about the carnival that Stars Hollow was having."

"Oh yes." Emily said, remembering their conversation earlier in the week. "It was last night wasn't it? Did you have fun?"

Rory nodded as she looked at her grandmother and remembering it all. His eyes. His smile. Laughing. Giggling. Strong arms. Sweaty palms. It was perfect. "It was great." Rory said with a smile.

"How about you Lorelai? How was your night?" Emily asked as she turned towards her daughter.

Lorelai bit her lip as she thought back, not knowing what to say. What could she say? His eyes. His lips. Lips kissing the nape of her neck, among other things. Hands. Hands going through her hair, his hair. Sighs. Sweat. Or she could say: "I made out with Dean in backseat of his car. How was yours?"

Instead she smiled politely. "It was fine mom. So what did you do last night."

"Oh I just had a meeting with the DAR." Emily replied as she remembered something. "Which reminds me of the most peculiar news. It was all that everyone could talk about."

"What grandma?" Rory asked.

"Do you know that house on Chestnut? The Luthor residence?" Emily said.

"What?" Rory asked, confused.

"It's that house that a few blocks away. You know with those amazing rose bushes." Lorelai clarified. "That great big house on the hill with the fountain."

"Oh yeah. We always drive by that street on our way here." Rory said as she remembered.

"So what about it mom?" Lorelai said as she took another bite of lasagna.

"Well for about 15 years now, ever since Lillian Luthor passed away, the house has remained unoccupied." Emily explained.

"Really? I didn't know." Lorelai said in surprise. "I always thought that another family had moved in. The rose bushes and the landscape look the same to me. Someone must be taking care of them."

"The Luthors have kept it up ever since her death with gardeners and other people coming in and out to take care of the estate but no one has lived in it," Emily replied. "Until now."

"So who has moved in?" Rory asked.

"No one knows." Emily said with great enthusiasm. "That is the mystery. All anyone knows is that a young man moved in this week. And now everyone is dying to know who he is. My guess is that it's just another one of Lionel Luthor's illegitimate children that he is hiding away."

"Count on Emily Gilmore to be in the know how about the latest society gossip." Lorelai declared as she rolled her eyes.

"There has always been plenty of rumours that Lex Luthor might not be the only heir to the Luthor fortune." Emily replied plainly. "Especially after he was declared dead."

"What? When did that happen?" Lorelai asked, in shock. This is what happens when you don't bother to read the news or watch it. It was probably big news but she hadn't noticed anything about it during their trip to Europe or when they got home.

"Well from what I've heard, on the night when they were flying for their honeymoon, the plane crashed. Everyone on the plane were declared dead until they found Lex on a deserted island. Supposedly, his wife poisoned him and jumped out of the plane, leaving Lex there as the plane crashed. Luckily they found Lex and saved him."

"Wow." Rory replied, overwhelmed by the tale. "That is a crazy story. Makes me feel kind of glad that I'm not married. I can't believe there are people in this world who would do something like that. Attempted murder."

"I know honey." Lorelai said with a sigh. "Crazy rich people. So what about the mystery guy? Has anyone talked to him yet?"

"Well no one ever has a chance. He is hardly ever there." Emily explained. "From what people have seen, he comes and goes at inexplicable hours. It's very hard to tell if he's ever home or not."

"And he's only been living here for a week?" Lorelai said. "I had no idea how creepy people were around here. I'm glad that I don't live here anymore."

"Very funny Lorelai." Emily replied as she went back to eating her dinner.

As Lorelai looked over at Rory, she could see her getting worried that they might not get out of here in time. She went through her mind for something that she could use for an excuse, but nothing could come to mind.

"You're waiting to see when dinner is finished right?" Emily finally asked, baffling Lorelai and Rory.

"No!" Lorelai scoffed. "We were just..."

"You didn't think that I hadn't noticed the way the both of you were trying to hurry dinner." Emily said. "Just because I don't say anything doesn't mean I don't know."

"Rory's the one who has a date, not me!" Lorelai declared as she pointed at her daughter, ratting her daughter out.

"Hey!" Rory cried out, feeling betrayed.

"And you don't want to go as much as she does?" Emily said knowingly.

"Well that's beside the point." Lorelai said. "She's the one with the date. Punish her!"

Emily turned to face Rory.

"Rory, when does your date start?" Emily asked.

"At 8. And it's not really a date. I just promised a friend that we'd hang out." Rory explained.

"Well as you know, you promised that you'd have dinner here once a week in exchange for your tuition at Yale. Therefore, as long as you finish dessert, you may go." Emily answered.

"Mom..." Lorelai asked innocently. "Can I..."

"Yes, you can leave too." Emily replied with a sight as she looked back at Rory. "Now finish your dinner or you'll be late."

Rory smiled as she proceeded to chew quickly.

****

Lana sat quietly as she watched Lex walk from the closet and back, laying out various clothing onto the bed. Sometimes she would carefully fold the clothes that he had already decided on and then neatly put them in the travel luggage nearby.

"What do you think of this shirt?" Lex asked as he put the blue shirt up against him so that Lana could give an honest opinion.

She looked at it and smiled. It was one of her favourite shirts. "I like it."

"Good." Lex declared as he pulled it off of its hanger and laid it on the bed with the pile of clothing that was building there.

"How long will you be gone?" Lana asked finally.

"I'm not sure." Lex said hesitantly. "I'll probably stay as long as Clark wants me to be there."

He looked over at her and could see the sad expression on her face. "I won't be gone long."

"I guess when you told me last night that you'd be visiting Clark sometime, I didn't realize that you'd go tonight." Lana said as she laid her hands in her lap, not looking up to meet his gaze.

"It will be okay Lana." Lex replied softly. "I've asked Chloe if she'd like to come over tonight and stay with you while I'm gone. If you want to, of course."

"That would be nice." Lana smiled slightly, as she picked up one of his pants to refold them.

Lex smiled back as he threw a plastic ziplock bag containing his toiletries.

"It's because of last night." Lana said finally. "I shouldn't have..."

"There's isn't anything be sorry for." Lex replied with a sigh as he began to throw the rest of the items into the suitcase. "Nothing happened."

"Something must have happened or else you wouldn't be going." Lana declared.

"Lana..." Lex exclaimed as he sat down beside her. "I'm just going to see how he's doing. To see if he's okay." he looked over at her as she still refused to look at him in the eye. "Look at me Lana."

Lana slowly turned towards him, revealing her tearstained face.

"Don't cry." Lex whispered as he wiped away some of her tears with his thumb. "There's nothing to cry about. If anything, it's my fault. I was trying to make you happy and now you're crying."

"I just don't want to ruin things between us." Lana exclaimed. "Everything was going so well and then last night when that happened...I...I just don't want to lose you."

"Who says anything about losing?" Lex said as he took her hand. "You're not losing me. Not ever. But what almost happened shouldn't have happened. I shouldn't have let it happen. I just feel like I was taking advantage of you considering..."

"You didn't do anything wrong." Lana protested.

"Well, I promise it won't happen again." Lex said as he squeezed her hand.

"Okay." Lana replied, not knowing what to make of it.

"Are you going to be okay while I'm gone?" Lex asked as one of his maids came in to take his luggage to the car. "You can call my cell anytime you want. If you ever need anything."

"I'll be fine." Lana said with a sigh as she wiped her face with her free hand. "Just make sure that Clark is okay. Tell him...tell him I said hi..." she paused trying to find the words. "Tell him to come home soon."

"I will." Lex said, as he smiled bravely for her. Lex let out a heavy sigh as he took one more look at her and stood up to his feet. As he began to walk away from her, Lana still kept holding onto his hand. He shook his head and sighed again as he slowly pulled away, as each finger broke apart from her grasp.

He looked back at her and smiled. Lana, in turn, tried to smile bravely for him as he turned and walked away, leaving her alone in silence.

****

"Oh God! That was a long night." Lorelai said with the a sigh as she turned the corner towards their house.

"I know! I didn't think she was going to let us leave." Rory said in agreement but then her mood started to lighten as she saw Clark in the distance, sitting on the steps of her porch.

"I guess I know now what to get you for your birthday." Lorelai exclaimed as she saw Clark as well. "But I don't think I can find a big enough box for him."

Rory just smiled knowingly as Lorelai stopped the car. Rory quickly opened the passenger door of the car as she tried to rush towards the house.

"I'm sorry Clark. Were you waiting long?" Rory asked he came closer to him and hugged him.

"Not really. "Clark replied he shook his head and hugged back, breathing her in.

"I really didn't think that dinner was going to take that long." Rory explained as she pulled back. "It's just that my grandma insisted that we finish dinner."

"And you can't say no to Emily Gilmore." Lorelai explained further as she approached them and patted Rory's head. "At least Rory can't say no to her."

"It's fine, really." Clark replied as he smiled. "At least you have grandparents that you are close to. I don't even really see my grandparents. It's mostly just me and my parents. I don't know, it just seems nice that you go see them every week. You're lucky."

"I know." Rory answered as she thought about it. Yes, her grandparents could be a little strange and drive Lorelai crazy but she adored them." Anyways, I'll just go change really quickly before we go, okay?"

"Why? You look really nice." Clark said admiringly as he looked her over. Dressed in a white flowered dress and a light blue cardigan over top, he thought she never looked as beautiful as she did now. Even her hair, adorned with silver barrettes, seemed to shine in the night sky.

"Really?" Rory asked. "But I feel so overdressed compared to you." she looked him over. He looked so nice dressed in blue jeans, a light blue t-shirt and a leather jacket but it made her feel weird not wearing something as casual as he was.

"Don't worry about it." Clark said as he shrugged off her comment. "I never really dress up anyways. I just think you look really pretty."

Rory smiled bashfully at his compliment as Lorelai looked on, trying not to roll her eyes. "Okay, I'm going to go into the house now. You guys have fun okay?" She kissed Rory on the cheek as she walked over to Clark and pat him on the shoulder. "Bye Clark."

"Bye Lorelai." Clark replied as he smiled.

Rory looked on as she could see Lorelai mouth something behind his back. "NO MOTORCYCLES!" Rory frowned as she tried to get her to walk into the house. Finally, Lorelai winked and left the two of them alone.

"So where are we going?" Rory asked as she looked on.

"I kinda want it to be a surprise." Clark replied. "I mean it's not really a big deal but it just sounds more mysterious that way."

"Okay." Rory nodded as they walked towards the driveway.

"Here." Clark exclaimed as he presented her with a helmet.

"Thanks." Rory replied as she took it from him.

It had been a long time since she'd been on the back of a motorcycle. Rory couldn't help but loook apprehensive as Clark sat onto the motorcycle, waiting for her to join him. Finally, with all the courage that she could muster, she jumped onto the seat behind him and put on the helmet.

Clark smiled as he looked back at her while she settled in, with her arms around his waist. "Just hold on tight." He asked.

Rory nodded as she gripped on tighter.

"Just relax." Clark said soothingly. "Do you trust me?"

"I do trust you." Rory replied as she rested her head onto his back.

"Then everything is going to be okay." Clark answered as he started the engine and they left like dust in the wind, without a single care in the world. They were free.

****

Lorelai took a big sigh of relief as she closed the door. Even though things were getting somewhat better between her and her parents, she couldn't help but still think that the best part of the week was the moment she entered her house after a dinner at the Gilmores. Maybe it was a reflex action that went back to when she was still a teenager and she was in misery underneath their roof or something. As she leaned against the door, just being in silence, even without Rory by her side, there was a sense of content. Or maybe utter glee. She oftens confuses them both. Nonetheless, dinner was done with and she had the house all to herself and almost nothing could top that.

Before she could even drop her keys onto the table, arms came from behind her and pulled her back. For a split second, she felt panic but she could sense the fingers that explored her waist and knew that touch. She slapped his arms as his head nestled close to hers. "Dean, Rory could have seen you!"

"No she wouldn't." Dean insisted as he whispered in her ear and he pulled her even closer to him.

"How do you know?" Lorelai asked she turned her head slightly. "I mean, imagine your red face if you had grabbed the wrong Gilmore. I'm just warning you pal."

"No, I grabbed the right one." Dean said with a chuckle. "Anyways, I saw you through the windows and I saw Rory go off with Clark so I was pretty safe."

"I don't even want to ask how you even got into the house." Lorelai said as she shook her head.

"Well I've got skills you've never seen." Dean replied as he hugged her tightly as he motioned her towards the darkened living room. "I don't just change water bottles and fix cars, you know."

"Really?" Lorelai said as she turned around to face him. "It doesn't quite fit your boy next door image, does it?"

"I'm full of surprises." Dean said with a devilish smile. "Just you wait. I'm going to prove to you how much of a bad boy I can be." With one swift motion, he held unto her as he motioned her to fall back onto the couch.

Lorelai laughed as she heard his words. Dean. Bad boy? It was almost like an oxymoron. "Bad boy? Okay, I might have thought that when I first met you. You know, the beautiful boy with the motorcycle who came storming into town but I don't know Dean. I think I'm going to need proof." she smiled suggestively as she ran her fingers through his brown locks as his face was inches from her face.

"You need proof?" Dean said as he laid on top of her, facing the challenge. "How about this?" He bent his head down as he kissed her deeply, his tongue slowly darting out to reach her.

She kissed with the same amount of fervor but she wanted more. She needed more. "Umm..." she sighed with delight. "I don't know..."

He kissed her again, delving deeper as his tongue now massaged against hers. She could feel her heart beat so fast as he held her face in his hands, stroking her hair as he managed to have her out of breath.

She relented. "Okay, maybe you have a bit of the bad boy in you." Lorelai said with a sweet sigh. "But don't lose all the boy next door qualities. It's part of your charm. It's kinda sexy, I think."

"Sexy huh?" Dean replied as he put some of her hair behind her ears. "I can live with that." He looked her over as he looked at her pretty light yellow spaghetti strapped top with pink flowers and a matching skirt. He fingered the lacing that trimmed the v-necked neckline that almost went down to her breasts. Her hair was in an updo, almost like a bun but some of the hairs were out of place as he smoothed them away. "You look beautiful, you know that?"

Lorelai smiled as she looked at his white polo shirt and khaki pants. It was so preppy but it looked adorable on him. "You don't look half bad yourself." She lightly stroked his back as one of her legs wrapped around his. "Why do you have to look so adorable?"

"Part of my charm, I guess." he shugged with a smile as he lightly traced his index finger around her bare, smooth shoulders towards the hollow of her neck. He liked feeling her shiver against his touch and loved it even more that now she had her hand up his shirt, touching his bare skin as well. He felt goosebumps. She felt goosebumps. And they both loved every single slow second of it. "Hey, how come you were so late? I felt like I waiting forever for you."

"Two words. Emily Gilmore. She practically dragged on dinner on purpose." Lorelai explained as she remembered. "She almost wasn't going to let me go."

"Why not?" Dean asked he watched her.

"Well I couldn't exactly tell her that I was rushing home to be with you could I?" Lorelai said as he touched his chin. "Rory had her date with Clark as an excuse and I had nothing."

"Well your mom can be intense. " Dean agreed, remembering the dreadful first impression he had with her when he took Rory to her dance. " But I think she warmed up to me in the end."

"Hey, don't puff yourself up about that." Lorelai said with a scoff. "I don't think that you'd be in good graces if she found out the types of things you did with her daughter."

"What types of things?" Dean asked slyly as his hand began to explore under her shirt, touching her flat tummy.

"If you play your cards right, you'll find that out won't you?" Lorelai replied with a knowing smile. It was fun having the upper hand. She had known where this evening would go the moment he laid his hands on her in the hall but she wasn't giving her game away. Better off leaving him in suspense, waiting for more.

"Did I ever thank you for last night?" Dean said he kissed her neck towards the top of her breasts. He lift his head up as his face drew near hers so that she could not mistake his words. "I can't believe you said yes." he whispered. "You were driving me so crazy last night, chasing you around. You playing hard to get as usual. But at the end of the night, it was worth waiting for."

"I can't believe I said yes either." Lorelai sighed as she stroked the back of his neck. I definitely didn't think that 48 hours ago that I would have ended up making out with you on this couch, not to mention the backseat of your car." Even though they hadn't slept together last night, the memory of his intense kisses were still in the back of her head. If she could concentrate right now, she could still feel his lips against her from last night.

"I wanted you so badly." Dean admitted. "I want you real bad now. You wouldn't believe how much."

"I have a good idea of how much." Lorelai said as she looked at his short locks. Although he had grown out his hair for the last couple years, she really loved his hair shorter. "I can kinda feel it if you know what I'm saying." She winked, pointing at the bulge against her body. Dean immediately became flustered, not expecting that. "Down boy."

"Sorry." Dean exclaimed, trying to calm himself. "I just can't help but feel excited when I'm around you."

"It's alright." Lorelai said with a giggle. "It's still early. We don't have to rush things." she began to prop herself up with her arms. "I know. Just think unsexy thoughts."

Dean looked at her, not convinced. "Kinda hard don't you think? I mean with you looking like that and us being here like this."

Lorelai smiled at his compliment. "You just can't help yourself can you? Well who could blame you." She laughed. "You just need to pace yourself. Patience is a virtue, my friend."

"I'll try, but I'm not promising anything." Dean said as he helped her sink back into the couch.

"Fair enough." Lorelai replied as she lifted her head up to kiss him softly.

****

"I can't believe it." Rory said with a sigh as she removed her helmet. The house that she had always seen from a distance. The one with the beautiful rose bushes. Her and her mother couldn't plant anything if they tried. Even keeping a plant alive in their house was barely possible. So when she saw other people's plants in their front yard, she slightly envied them. That wasn't the only thing. This was the first time she had ever seen purple roses. Beautiful lavender roses, overflowing everwhere, with immaculate grass and a pretty little fountain in the middle of the courtyard.

"Yeah, I've never seen a house like this in my life." Clark replied as he stood beside her, and helped her off the motorcycle.

"It's not that." she said as she walked slowly towards the mansion. "My grandmother was talking all through dinner about a person moving into the Luthor estate and I didn't realize it was you."

"Oh? Really?" Clark replied. "How does she know?"

"She lives nearby and anything that happens here, the whole neighbourhood knows. They are very current." Rory said as she looked at the flowers. "I should have known. I mean when you kept mentioning Lex, it never clicked in my mind that you were talking about Lex Luthor. That you're best friends with Lex Luthor, one of the most richest men in the world."

"Kinda weird isn't it?" Clark said. "For most people, they really don't understand how we could be friends, nevertheless best friends. I guess what most people see in him is his father's legacy. They don't really see the real Lex Luthor."

"I've never really been curious about the Luthors." Rory replied. "I just know what my grandfather tells me about them. That Lionel Luthor is a ruthless businessman who is known for hostile takeovers of companies. Other than that, I don't really know anything."

"Well Lex moved to Smallville two years ago when his father wanted him to oversee the Luthorcorp plant in town. He's had a hard life and had to prove himself to a lot of people, including my father, that he is not anything like Lionel. I don't know, maybe it's because I've never had any siblings but he's like an older brother to me. We just look out for each other."

"I understand that." Rory replied as she looked at him. "I never had any siblings either until my half-sister Georgia was born this last year and that doesn't really count because I don't get to see her much. However my mom and I are sometimes more like sisters than mother and daughter, especially at my grandmother's house."

"Maybe I'll get to meet your grandmother someday." Clark said as he opened the door. "Do you think she'll like me?"

"I'd like to think so." Rory replied with a smile. "My grandparents can be weird and overbearing sometimes but they really do mean well."

"That's cool." Clark exclaimed as he sat down on the couch in the living room.

"So when was the last time you saw Lex?" Rory asked.

"The day before Lex got married actually." Clark explained. "I still regret not being at his wedding. You should have seen Lex. I've never seen him more happy than when he was when he was with Helen."

"Really?" Rory replied as her eyes looked down. Did he know about Lex? Did he know what happened?

"What?" Clark asked, looking at the expression on her face.

"Nothing." Rory replied. "I was kinda wondering who he ended up marrying. Is she an actress, model or something?"

"A doctor." Clark explained. "She's really nice. I'm glad Lex found her, that they found each other. Kind of makes me have hope again, you know? For true love."

"True love, huh?" Rory said with a smile. "Do you really believe in it?"

"I want to believe in it." Clark said with a sigh. "Sometimes when I'm alone in my loft in the barn, looking up at the stars, it just seems possible you know? For the longest time I really thought what me and Lana had was true love but look how that turned out. But even with all of that, I just can't stop myself from holding onto that idea you know? What about you?"

"I think about it sometimes." Rory replied. "I kinda hope for it too."

"Some people think if you just wait for it, it will come." Clark said. "But how long to you wait? Does everybody find it? I see what my parents have and they are so lucky to have each other. I know a lot people aren't as lucky as them. I always wonder if I'd ever be as lucky as my parents are."

"I know what you mean." Rory replied. "I think of my parents and how perfect they are for each other but they can never seem to get it together. Maybe they're the unlucky ones or maybe they weren't meant to be. I don't know. I'm just glad that they're happy, even if they're apart."

"Your mother always seems happy." Clark observed. "I've seen anybody who has as much energy as she does."

"I know. Most people think that." Rory said with a laugh. "She always manages to have fun in everything she does. It's great. Sometimes it feels as if she can go overboard but we always laugh. She is definitely the best mom ever."

"That's the way I feel about my mom." Clark says. "I mean she's not as energetic and crazy like your mom but she's so comforting and knows exactly what to say. I miss her."

"You should give her a call." Rory suggested. "I called my mom everyday when I went to Washington D.C. last summer. I know it sounds childish but it really helped. It was probably the first time we've ever been apart."

"It doesn't sound childish. It sounds nice." Clark said with a sigh. "Maybe I will."

"Just call them. I know they miss you as much as you miss them." Rory said as she took his hand. "Now come on. You have to take me on a tour of this house. It's beautiful."

She pulled him up as he smiled.

"Okay." Clark said. "But I don't really know much about this house either. I usually just sleep on the couch."

"Well let's just look around. Come on." Rory said as she pulled him towards the stairs.

****

"You almost kissed Lex?" Chloe repeated, as she sat cross-legged on the bed. She just looked at Lana, shaking her head, not knowing what to say.

"I don't know. Yes. No. Maybe?" Lana replied as she rubbed her forehead, trying to replay what had happened in her head like she had done a million times that day. "We were just joking around, and then he was leaning his head against mine. I could feel him breathing and we were just so still. I closed my eyes and I just thought he was going to kiss me. Maybe it was just my imagination. I don't know. I just know that the next moment he moved away from me and he didn't say a thing."

"He didn't say anything?" Chloe asked.

"I mean he was all casual, like nothing really happened but I could tell that he was feeling uncomfortable. Everything changed. The room just felt cold all of a sudden. I felt cold. And then, the next day he told me he was going to see Clark. Out of nowhere."

"So you think that he just decided to go see Clark because he's avoiding you?" Chloe asked, looking worried.

"Things just got weird you know? I mean we were really getting along, living together. I just felt really close to him. We talked and it was really nice being with him. I never really knew how much of a comfort he has been for me until he left. Ever since Clark ran away, I was just feeling so empty inside, like something was missing but Lex just filled the void, you know?" Lana explained with a sigh.

"I knew that you guys had gotten close but I didn't realize." Chloe said, surprised.

"I don't know what I feel." Lana replied as she fell back unto the bed. "You and I are close. You're like a sister to me, but with Lex. There are some times when I feel closer to him than I've ever been with anyone. Even Clark."

"Clark." Chloe said with a sigh. "The boy who has always been between us. Are you still in love with him?"

"I don't think I was ever really in love with him. Not really. I wanted to be in love with him. So much so because I wanted him to stay." Lana replied. "Are you still in love with him?"

"I think there will always be a part of me that loves him." Chloe explained. "He was my first love. I was in love with him for so long, I never really knew any other way. The sad part was that the way I felt about him was the way that he feels about you. But I'm okay. I'm not IN LOVE with him anymore. The moment he left, I knew that if he couldn't even make it work with you then there was no way it could work between us."

"What is it about love?" Lana asked as she looked at Chloe. "Why does it have to be so complicated?"

"I don't know." Chloe said with a sigh. "The whole thing is just confusing to me. But what about you and Lex? I have to say, I never really thought of you guys as a couple. He was always so much older compared to us. Mature. I mean a few months ago, he was getting married. For the second time! And both of his wives turned out to be evil."

"I know. I never thought of Lex that way. He was always my boss. Maybe a friend. That's it." Lana said. "We're not even a couple. I don't think we'll ever be. I'm just being crazy. Thinking too much about it. Me and Lex? It's crazy."

"I don't think it's crazy." Chloe clarified as she paused. "Well maybe but that's because I always thought that you'd end up with someone like Clark or Whitney. The perfect couple. Lex just seems like he's coming out of left field. But that's just me. Tell me. Before all of this happened, were you happy?"

"I was." Lana admitted. "Every second I'm with him, I'm happy. He doesn't make me miserable. And he's so honest with me. He never hides away and keeps secrets. I was always trying so hard to figure out what Clark was about but with Lex, it feels so easy. And even if it's hard, it's still less hard because I know that he's with me. He makes feel safe and just taken care of. Kinda stupid sounding right? It sounded so much better in my head."

"No, it's not stupid." Chloe insisted as she laid down next to her. "It kinda explains a lot. Maybe everything."

"It does?" Lana said questionably as she looked at Chloe. "Explain it to me because it doesn't make any sense to me. None of it does."

"It sounds to me like you're in love with Lex." Chloe said simply. "And take it from me. I'm always looking for the truth."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Lana said with a sigh as she rested her head against Chloe's shoulder as she comforted her.

****

"What are you doing?" Dean said as he furrowed his brow.

"Playing a game." Lorelai replied seductively as she sat behind Dean. "Now hold still."

"Fine but I still think you're nuts." Dean said with a sigh as he waited as she tied a scarf around his eyes, blinding him temporarily.

"And that's why you're crazy about me right?" Lorelai said with a giggle as she helped him to stand.

"I guess." Dean admitted, trying not to smile. "Now tell me what is the point of this?"

"I told you. It's a game." Lorelai said as she stood in front as she his hands grabbed for her. "Come on Dean, not yet."

"What can I say? I can't help myself." Dean said as he pulled her closer to him.

"Hey, take it easy. The game hasn't even started yet." Lorelai said with a laugh, as Dean tried to search for her neck.

"So how do we play?" Dean said suggestively.

"It's kind of like a cat and mouse game." Lorelai replied.

"So I'm the cat chasing down the mouse?" Dean asked.

"I'm the cat." Lorelai said.

"But I'm supposed to find you right?"

"Right."

"So how does it make you the cat? The mouse doesn't chase the cat."

"The cat is smarter and I'm definitely smarter than you." Lorelai declared. "Anyways, I hate mice."

"How are you smarter than me? And don't say it's because you're older than me. That doesn't count." Dean protested.

"Well I wouldn't let you blindfold me so who's the fool now?"

"Good point." Dean said simply.

"Okay. Count to 10 and try to find me." Lorelai said with a smile as she kissed him softly on the mouth. She pulled away ever so slowly as he started to count.

"10, 9, 8, 7..." Dean began.

Lorelai just stood back, watching helpless Dean, his arms flailing about, trying to find her in the empty air.

"6, 5, 4..."

She slowly walked around the sofa as he tried to keep quiet, listening to her noises.

"3, 2, 1." Dean ended, looking about and wondering where she could be.

She threw a pillow gently towards his direction, hitting his head. "Come and catch me."

"Ow." He said. "Hey! That was a cheap shot."

"Well it's my game so it's my rules." Lorelai insisted as she stood in front of him. Close enough for him to hear but not enough for him to touch her.

"Am I getting any warmer?" He asked as he knocked over the coffee table and then into the corner of the sofa.

"Warm, but not warm enough." she teased as got close but then moved swiftly away before he could trap her. "Come on. You know you're not going to catch me."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one running around like this." Dean exclaimed as he continued to grab through the air.

"Are you saying that you want to give up?" Lorelai hollered from the kitchen as Dean followed behind, holding unto the walls to guide him.

"Say I get you. Do I get a prize?" Dean asked as he circled around the table, holding unto the edge. "Or are you my prize?"

"Dirty." Lorelai replied as she skipped ahead of him.

"Dirty? You're the one with the dirty mind." Dean clarified as he followed her back into the living room. "Come on now. You've got to give me a fighting chance here."

"Okay." Lorelai relented as she gently caressed his face and leaned in close. "I'll give you a clue: Upstairs." Before he could grab unto her, she ran up the stairs with a laugh.

Dean stumbled as he managed to crawl up each step. Lorelai laughed as she watched this long, tall creature, trying to pull himself up the stairs and guiding himself around using the wall.

He was trying to get a handle of this game. He used her voice, the way she laughed to guide him to her. But now he was using his nose. He could smell her scent, which lingered faintly in the air. He loved the way she smelled. He couldn't quite describe what perfume it was but she smelt of sweet soap. Just the feeling of being clean. Now he heard noises in the distance. She was walking in and out of a room. From what he could remember, there were only three rooms upstairs: the bathroom, the linen closet and her bedroom. The bathroom was always at the end of the hall while the linen closet was between it and the bedroom. Therefore, the first room must be her bedroom.

Suddenly she jumped into the hall as Dean's hands went flailing about, trying to grab ahold of her. A leg, an arm. Anything. Lorelai ran into the bedroom with Dean falling behind. She instinctively jumped onto the bed as he trailed, hitting the bed with a thump. Suddenly, Lorelai ran towards him, in a panic, wondering if something had happened. "Are you okay?" Instead he grabbed ahold, laughing along the way.

"You cheated." Lorelai protested. "I really thought you were hurt."

"But I won, didn't I?" Dean said with a laugh. "Anyways, I kinda think you wanted me to win."

"Maybe." Lorelai said suggestively as she pulled him up, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I did promise you a prize."

"You did, didn't you?" Dean said as he propped himself up with his arms on the bed as Lorelai stood up. "So what do I get? And can I just take this off now?"

"Wait." Lorelai said as she fiddled around. "Just a second."

"What are you doing Lorelai?" Dean asked as he could hear noises of her throwing stuff around, looking for something he suppose.

"Nothing." Lorelai answered. "Just think of it as a little something to set the right mood. So to speak."

"What are talking about here?" Dean asked, now intrigued and interested.

"Wait for it."

Suddenly he could hear music playing in the background, as he could clearly hear Melissa Etheridge singing I'm the only one.

"You can take it off now."

Dean pulled it off in one swift motion as he stared in awe of what was in front of him. There Lorelai was standing in front of him, dancing to the beat of the song. He was about to stand up when Lorelai gently pushed him back, shaking her head, telling him not to move. All he could do was sit and watch.

Please, baby can't you see my mind's a burnin' hell
I got razors a rippin' and tearin' and strippin'
My heart apart as well

Tonight you told me that you ache for something new
And some other woman is lookin' like something
That might be good for you

She tossed her head around to the music, as she smiled seductively towards him. He watched intently as she pulled the pins from her and the elastic that held it together as her hair cascaded down her shoulder. Lorelai ran her hands through her, winking at him.

Go on and hold her till the screaming is gone
Go on believe her when she tells you
Nothing's wrong

But I'm the only one who'll walk across
The fire for you
I'm the only one who'll drown in my
Desire for you

It's only fear that makes you run
The demons that you're hiding from
When all your promises are gone
I'm the only one

She swayed her hips to the music as she ran her hands from her hips, up her waist, touching her breasts, her neck until she she stretched up high. She moved her hips more playfully as she reached for the zipper on the side of her top, pulling it apart. Suddenly she pulling the flowered top over her head, as it slipped off gently, revealing a sheer nude coloured bra. Dean bit his lip, delightfully wondering how sheer it could be. Before a thought could transpire through his head, she threw her top onto his head.

Please, baby, can't you see, I'm trying to explain
I've been here before, and I'm locking the door
And I'm not going back again
Her eyes and arms and skin won't make it go away
You'll wake up tomorrow, and wrestle the sorrow
That holds you down today

She suddenly came closer to him, still sauntering her as she moved suggestively towards him. Lorelai then decided to sit on top of him, straddling him as he sat straight up, with her skirt on. She held unto his shoulders as she licked her lips seductively, her head moving, her foot keeping the beat of the song. She moved in as she kissed deeply, knowing well how much he wanted her, wrapping his hands around her bare back.

But I'm the only one who'll walk across
The fire for you
I'm the only one who'll drown in my
Desire for you

She moved her hands towards her hips as she pulled down the zipper on the side of her skirt. Then, she moved her hands back up to pull at his shirt. Dean was kissing her neck as she sighed in the moment, pulling his shirt up slowly. She could feel him clumsily reaching for the hooks of her bra, but she didn't say a word.

It's only fear that makes you run
The demons that you're hiding from
When all your promises are gone
I'm the only one

She reached for his lips again, sinking back into his kisses when she pulled back suddenly. She looked at him intensively as Dean held his arms up and she pulled the shirt off his head. Looking at his sweet innocent face looking back at her, she smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. He smiled back, touching her hollow of her neck. If he could freeze this moment, he would. In his mind, she had never looked so beautiful.

Lorelai put her arms around his neck pulling him close as they both were dying for another kiss. They both fell back onto the bed as their kisses became more intense. They both hunger but nothing could satisfy except for this. She pulled fiercefully at the waistband of his pants as pulled down her skirt. They could barely gasp for air as they both tried desperately to shake off the pants and skirt that constrained them. All that was left was him in his boxers and her in her matching panties and bra.

Suddenly he pounced as he rolled them over. He was now on top, while Lorelai laid underneath. Their breathing became heavily and quick as Dean looked down on her. Even though she was much older than him, the twinkle in her and the shape of her smile disguised the difference between them. All he could see was this woman. This gorgeous woman smiling back at him, who caressed his skin, held him tight and made you groan in all the right places. She was dear perfection to him now and he must have her.

She looked up at him and intensity of his eyes. He didn't look afraid. More like unsure. Without a word she caressed his cheek and then played with the hairs that fell in front of his eyes.

"You're the first." he whispered softly to her. He wasn't sure why he had to say it but it just came out. He wanted to cringe because he had wanted her to think that this wasn't all new to him. But it was. He didn't know why he had waited. With Rory, he knew she wasn't ready. With Lindsay, it was him that wasn't ready. But now, everything was aligned and right. He knew this was right. He could tell from the way his heart leapt when he saw her. This was right. "I just wanted you to know just in case I'm..."

"Shh." Lorelai whispered back, putting her finger to his lips. Inside, she was surprised that she was his first. Part of her was scared. Her first time was a long time ago while his is right now. The importance of this situation now loomed over her head. She didn't want him to feel less than he should be. She didn't want him to feel awkward, even though she felt it too. Instead, she kissed him softly on his cheek, close to his ear. As she pulled back, she whispered: "It's okay."

He bent her head forward as she kissed his forehead gently and held his head in her hands. He looked so vulnerable looking down at her. "Dean, you know this is going to change everything."

"I know." he whispered back as he bent his head nearer to her face, almost touching her lips. "I can't wait." He dived in, letting everything go.

****

"That's the big Dipper." Clark exclaimed as he pointed up towards the sky. "And that's Cassiopeia." He and Rory were both lying on the grass, their heads touching as Clark laid in one direction and Rory in another.

"How come you know so much about stars?" Rory asked as he smiled at him.

"Well when I'm alone in the loft at the barn, you have this great view of all the stars." Clark explained. "It's even more clear at home. It also helps to have a telescope."

"That's really cool." Rory replied, thinking of him up all alone in a barn. "Do you ever feel lonely up there, all alone?"

"It's kind of lonely but also peaceful too. I just stand there and think or I look up at the stars." Clark said with a sigh. "They remind me of my parents. My birth parents. I wish that I knew who they really were and where I come from. I know pieces here and there but not much to really understand. It...it just can be really lonely not knowing any answers."

"I'm sorry. It must be so hard always wondering where you came from." Rory answered, watching his sad expression. "But at least you have your adoptive parents. They seem really supportive."

"Yeah they are." He replied softly. He can't help but think that he had disappointed them somehow. Here he was, coming from God knows where and they were kind and loving enough to call him their son. And what thanks do they get? He ruins their lives.

"Close your eyes Clark." Rory said suddenly as she put her hands over his eyes.

"Rory!" Clark said with a laugh as he put his hand over hers, feeling how delicate and small they were compared to his. "What are you doing?"

"Come on Clark. I'm serious. Close your eyes." Rory exclaimed as she kept her hands over his eyes. She slowly started to pull away to see if his eyes were really shut. "Now imagine your future. What do you see?"

"I don't know." Clark replied, his eyes still shut. Ever since Jor-El had revealed himself to him, he had been afraid of looking into future, his destiny. Can't he have a normal life or is it inevitable that he'll doom the whole world? He could feel Rory waiting for his answer but he didn't know what he could possibly say that would make her understand. He had tried to explain to Lana how much he could hurt her but she didn't see it. He didn't want to do the same to Rory. "I guess I'm kinda of afraid about my future."

"What are you scared of?" Rory asked, seeing the pained look on face.

"I'm scared of the things to come. The things that I might do. The man I'll grow up to be." Clark replied, not knowing what to say. "Do you think I'll be a good man Rory?"

"I don't have any doubt about it." Rory replied, tilting her head towards him as she gently ran her fingers through his dark locks. "You're kind hearted and thoughtful. Those things are innate in you. You can't help but be a good man. You are a good man now."

"Do you think?" Clark asked, unsure. "Sometimes I feel like there's this dark side. This dark place that I keep hidden from everyone, including you. I'm afraid of it but I can feel it calling for me. The voice calls but I try to ignore it. But it keeps getting louder and I'm scared that it might win."

"Everyone has a dark side." Rory explained. "It's a part of us but it doesn't define everything about us. You're a good person. If anything happens to your family or friends, I have a feeling you'd do anything to protect them. I mean you ran away from home thinking that you'd hurt them but you haven't." She ran her fingers through his hair as she turned her head closer to him, as she whispered on. "You have a good heart. I'm sure of it."

"I wish that I could be as sure as you are about me." Clark said with a sigh. "Rory, do you believe in destiny?"

"I don't know." Rory replied. "I don't really want to think that everything in my life is predetermined. We all have free will. On the other hand, I think some people are linked to each other and some things just happen and there is nothing you can do to stop it."

Clark laid there silent, listening to her words.

"I believe you can always change your future. It's not completely written yet. Some things are destined to happen yes but not your whole life. Your life is yours and yours alone. No one can take it away from you."

"How come you always know the right thing to say?" Clark asked with a smile as he looked at her.

"You always know the right words. Always."

"I don't know if I'm always right. Sometimes I know something's wrong but I never admit it to myself." Rory explained. "I make mistakes too Clark. I'm not perfect."

"I know you aren't. I love that you aren't perfect but your heart still remains true to yourself." Clark explained as he sat up, turning himself around. "I kind of like to think that I could be like that."

"You are." Rory exclaimed. "You just have no idea just how wonderful you are."

"So what do you see in your future Rory?" Clark asked as he laid beside her.

"I'd like to think that I become a good reporter, traveling around the world, finding the truth. Maybe a husband and kids. Watching them grow up and then growing old with someone." Rory explained as she looked towards him. "Kinda sappy, I know."

"It sounds nice. It's kind of what I want in the future too. If the future is good to me, I guess." Clark replied.

"You should have more faith in your future Clark." Rory said as she hooked her arm with his. "There's so many possibilities. You can do anything with your life. You just have to want it."

"I hope you're right." Clark exclaimed as he look unto her hopeful face. He just watched in amazement how much hope she had. It was written all over her face. She was just a normal girl with big dreams but he envied her. All he wanted was to be normal and whenever he was with her, it made him feel normal too. Like anything was possible. There was hope for him yet. Rory leaned on his shoulder as he leaned on her head. He watched her close her eyes slowly and decided to close his eyes too.

"So what do you think is my future Rory." Clark asked softly. "What do you see happening to us in five years from now?" He didn't want to think about it but eventually the summer would be over and they would be separated. He'd probably go home and she'd be going to bigger and better things in Yale. Rory would know so much more than him. She was already a lot smarter than him now. Would she even want to talk to a farm boy like him anymore? A farm boy who came from another planet and was still in high school?

"Great things. Wonderful things." Rory replied. "But let's not talk about the future yet. I just want to be with you right here. In the here and now. We can think about the future...tomorrow."

They laid under the stars, thinking of the things between them and the things to come.

****

She had been lying in bed, closing her eyes for a while. She had been drifting in and out of slumber but wasn't really asleep. Chloe was lying next to her, snoring quietly. One of the things that she had found out about Chloe when she lived with her was that she could go to sleep really quickly and almost nothing could disturb her. Children could be screaming, radios blaring with chainsaws but it wouldn't bother her. The moment she slept, she would sleep the entire night until 6 am when her internal alarm clock would ring and she would awaken.

She wished that she could sleep like that. Maybe then she would be able to sleep and nothing like this would keep her awake. This was crazy. She was overthinking things as always. Making a big deal out of something when there was nothing to think to about. He probably hadn't notice. He probably didn't think about it at all. God Lana! Stop driving yourself insane! This was idiotic. He'd probably come home in a couple of days and everything will be back to normal. Clark will come home. Lex will come home and things will be like before. At least some things.

Lana began to close her eyes as the phone rung suddenly. Lana stretched her hand to her bedside table and the phone. She grabbed the receiver and put it to her ear.

"Hello?" she exclaimed.

Nothing.

"Hello?" she repeated.

Nothing again. All she could hear was the faint sound of breathing. In most cases, she would have hung up the phone but there was something about this call. Something familiar.

"Lex?" she cried out softly.

The faint breathing paced.

"Lex?"

The silence between them was aching but he wouldn't say a word. All she need was the sound of his voice, resonating in the receiver.

"Lex..."

Suddenly the other end hung up as she heard nothing. Not a faint breath. Not a thing.

"Hello? Hello?" Lana repeated until she finally put back the phone.

Why didn't he say something? Why did he call? Was anything wrong? The questions piled up in her mind as she frowned and held unto her pillow. There was an ache in the pit of her stomach and it just felt worse now. Now all she could do was lie in the dark and try to fall asleep. Closing her eyes, she tried not to think of him. And every hour that passed, it was just getting harder and harder. Lex, where are you?

****

She laid staring at him. He looked so peaceful, lying on his stomach, sleeping so soundly. This was the part of the night she loved the most. As much as loved as much fun and noise, silences could be beautiful to her if in the right moment. His arm was around her but she didn't want to disturb it. She didn't want to disturb him. She slowly reached out to touch the locks of his hair. Suddenly he stirred.

Lorelai bit her lip. She didn't mean to. He slowly opened his eyes with a yawn.

"Hi."

"Hi." she replied as softly. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's alright." Dean replied as he looked adoringly at her. "I'm just trying to figure out what is going in that crazy head of yours."

"I was just watching you sleep. You look so cute lying there."

"Thanks." he replied with a smile as he ran his fingers through his messy hair and then turned back to her as he looked at her naked body. He reached over and lightly moved his finger down her chest, in between her breasts. Her skin was so milky and smooth. She just took his breath away. "You're so beautiful."

She just smiled quietly looking right back at him.

"Should I go?" Dean asked softly. "Rory might be coming home soon. Is she home yet?"

"No. She's not home." Lorelai replied. "I know you should go soon but I don't really want you to."

"And I don't really want to go either." Dean answered back.

"It's not exactly practical is it?" Lorelai exclaimed.

"Probably not." Dean replied, knowing what she meant. "I should get dressed and..."

"Wait." Lorelai said as she reached out to him. "Don't go. Not yet anyways. It's still early right? You could just lie here for a bit."

"I could." Dean replied as he eased back into the bed and between the sheets. "We could just talk."

"We can." Lorelai replied with a smile.

"Did I mention to you that you have a really nice bedroom?" Dean said with a twinkle in his eye. "I mean really. I would walk past it but I've actually been in it. It's really nice from here."

"I bet." Lorelai said she looked at him. "You know it's not fair really. You've seen my bedroom but I've never seen yours. I've never really even see your house either. Maybe in passing, when Rory would point it out when we would walk past or drive past. But I've never really taken a good look at it."

"Well it's like any other home I guess." Dean explained. "Nothing really special."

"Is anyone expecting you?" Lorelai said slowly. She didn't want to ask but the curiosity was getting to her.

"Not really." Dean replied. "I mean ever since I graduated high school and I got into college, they don't really worry about me that much."

"High school. College. I feel old." Lorelai replied with a sigh. Those things happened years ago for her but it's still so new to him.

"You don't look old to me." Dean replied as he moved closer to her and lightly grazing her body his his finger. "You're the most beautiful person I've ever seen in my life."

"Liar. But I appreciate it." Lorelai replied as she looked at him, lying on his side looking down at her as he traced his finger over her breasts and tummy.

"I mean it. I do." Dean insisted as he kissed the tops of her breasts and down towards her stomach. He looked up again and turned to her. "You're every bit the fantasy as you are the real thing."

He bent down to kiss her as she kissed him back.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Lorelai asked, puzzled.

"For tonight." Dean whispered back. "You're amazing."

"We're amazing." Lorelai corrected him as she kissed him.

****

"Can you feel it?"

"What?"

"I feel raindrops."

"Are you sure Rory?"

"Yeah, it's going to rain."

Get a load of me, get a load of you

walking down the street and I hardly know you

It's just like we were meant to be.

She had warned him but he didn't listen. Just another minute. Can't we be like this for a little bit longer? One minute became two. Then five. Then ten. The rain started to fall down on them in droplets, and then started to fall down heavier. Denser. But still he didn't move. She didn't move either.

Holding hands with you when we're out at night.

Got a girlfriend you say it isn't right.

And I've got someone waiting too.

Suddenly, the rain came down like a shower, and there was nothing else to do but finally get up. The water came down quickly as it soaked through their clothing.

"Just wait." Clark said. He hadn't felt the rain fall down like this in a long time. Nothing like this. He looked up into the sky and felt the rain trickle down his face and his hair. He looked back at Rory and smiled.

Rory never said a word but could feel every part of her begin to be soaked. Everything felt wet. Usually, she would run into the house or run for shelter when she saw the rain. There was alway a part of her deep inside that sort of feared it. But holding unto Clark's hand while he squeezed back made it feel like it wasn't so bad. Everything felt slower.

What it is just the beginning,

We're already wet and we're going to go swimming.

Why can't I breathe whenever I think about you?

She look at him and suddenly everything felt clear. His smile was so wide and cute. Why hadn't she seen it? Maybe she knew about it all along but she didn't want to think about it.

Why can't I speak whenever I talk about you?

Clark looked down at her as she smiled. She was so innocent and pretty standing there. He suddenly reached out and caressed her face. Her skin was so soft and wet and his hand looked so big compared to her cheek. She put her hand against his and gazed back. His heart skipped a beat. He felt it. He knew she felt it too.

It's inevitable

It's a fact that we're going to get down to it.

Rory moved in closer, without a word and rested her head against his chest. Her arms wrapped around him naturally, as his wrapped around her. She held on tight as everything felt still. Water still poured down on them but they could scarcely move. All she could hear was the sound of the rain and the sound of his heart beat beating in a steady rhythm, beating faster and faster.

Clark smiled as stroked her hair. He slightly grazed the back of her neck as he could feel her shiver under his touch. He didn't dare speak, hoping the spell between them might be broken. What were they to each other? What had they become? Were they friends? Were they more?

High enough for you to make me wonder

Where it's going

High enough for you to pull me under

Something's growing

Out of this we can control

Baby, I'm dying...

Rory closed her eyes. Did they have to define everything? Was there any need? They were just who they were. Clark and Rory. And that was enough.

****

Lex knew his eyes were tired and worn. The night had been long. Neverending almost. He was just glad that he had finally made it here. That he finally made home. His mother's home. It had been so long since he had been here. Not since his mother's death. It always felt wrong being there without her. He had always loved it here. Maybe because this was where she took refuge when his father became too overbearing. Not that she had never stopped loving his father. She just needed time to think. To be on her own. And whenever she left for Hartford, she took him along with her. And he was always thankful. Any time away from him was a godsend. Because it meant that it was only the two of them. Him and her. That was what family meant to him. Him and his mother. No one else.

He dragged the luggage into the house, taking a sigh of relief. Maybe he could find peace here. Find answers. Answers to all the questions that kept piling up in his head. Too questions. Everything left unsaid. Hopefully seeing Clark would help. It was too long since he had seen him.

Before he even could walk up the stairs to look for him. He could see a figure on the sofa. He dropped his luggage down and peered in. Lying on long couch, Clark was lying there, sleeping soundly. And not alone. There lying next to him, her arm on his chest while his was around her. A beautiful brown-haired girl. They were clasped together, so peaceful, breathing at the same pace as the other. All that Lex could was look in wonder. Who was this girl?

TO BE CONTINUED.

Note: I don't own the rights to the lyrics of Melissa Etheridge's I'm the only one and Liz Phair's

Why can't I?