Chapter 5: Night of Torture

[Dean]

Dean clutched Rory's hand as he sat in the waiting area. He was starting his radiation treatments today. Rory came along for moral support. After this, they were going to dinner. Finally, a technician called his name and he entered the treatment room, wobbling on his shaky legs. He lay down on the table. When he heard the machine start, he tensed up.

"Just lie perfectly still," the technician said. "You'll hear a buzzing sound and then I'll move the machine via remote control and you'll hear another buzzing sound. I'm going to be out of the room the whole time until it turns off."

The tech left and Dean felt his stomach fill up with butterflies. He took some deep breaths to calm himself down. The treatment was very short and he was after five minutes. When Dean walked back outside, Rory stood there holding a cup of juice.

"The technician said to get you some juice to get your blood sugar up a bit," Rory said.

Dean took the cup and kissed Rory.

"Thanks for coming," he said.

"You're welcome," she replied.

15 MINUTES LATER IN FRONT OF THE GILMORE MANSION

"You know I was thinking," Dean said, once they pulled up to the Gilmore Mansion. "Why don't I just drop you off and pick you up when you're done?"

"Dean, don't do this again," Rory said. "My grandpa does not hate you. I thought you two bonded when you brought over the car."

"Not really," Dean said. "We almost did and then Gypsy pulled the windshield wiper off."

"Dean, come on."

"Rory, I'm sorry, but the guy hates me. He hates that I work for a financial company, he hates that I was married before. He hates everything about me."

"That's not true."

"Yes, it is."

"Dean, please come in with me. Please?"

Rory gave him a puppy face. Dean chuckled. She looked so cute when she did that she made it hard to say no to him.

"Okay," he said.

He leaned forward and softly kissed her.

"Unless, you just want to stay here and make out," Dean joked.

"Come on," Rory said, chuckling while she got out of the car.

Rory and Dean walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Emily didn't answer it right away.

"Bye," Dean said, walking away.

Before he could get any further, Rory grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back just as Emily opened the door.

"Hello, Rory," Emily said, smiling. "Hello, Dean."

"Hi, Grandma," Rory said.

"Hi," Dean said.

"Your mother and hasn't arrived yet," Emily said.

"Oh, yes we have," a voice said behind them.

Rory and Dean turned around to find Luke and Lorelai standing behind them.

"You haven't been behind us the whole time have you?" Dean asked.

"No," Lorelai said. "We just got here."

"Well, unless you all want to get sick, you should come inside," Emily said.

She walked away from the door and everyone followed her into the living room. The four of them somehow, fit on the couch that Lorelai and Rory usually sat on every Friday night.

"RICHARD!" Emily yelled walking out of the living room. "OUR GUESTS ARE HERE!"

Luke turned to Dean once she was out of the room and said, "Lorelai told me about your tumor and I'm sorry."

"Thanks," Dean said. "Listen, I don't want to cause any trouble tonight so, do you think you guys to keep this to yourself?"

"Sure," Lorelai said.

"Oh, Mom," Dean said, to Lorelai. "Rory told me you were pregnant. Congratulations."

"Thanks," Lorelai said, squeezing Luke's hand.

"Boy or girl?"

"We're not sure yet," Luke replied.

Emily and Richard came into the living room and Richard went over to fix some drinks.

"What does everyone want?" he asked.

"I'll have a red wine," Luke said.

"Soda for me," Rory said.

"And me," Dean said.

"And for you, Lorelai?" Richard asked.

"I'll have water, please," Lorelai said.

"Water?" Richard asked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Lorelai said.

Richard went into the kitchen and got some water. Emily stared at her with a puzzled look on her face once he handed Lorelai the water.

"That's odd," Emily said. "Usually you would be springing for the champagne."

"I have my reasons," Lorelai said.

"Which would be.."

"The little fetus growing inside me."

Emily spit out her wine into her glass.

"Are you pregnant?" she rasped out.

"I said 'fetus,'" Lorelai said.

"That's wonderful," Emily said. "Isn't it wonderful, Richard?"

"Indeed it is," Richard said.

"Wow, that was a totally different reaction that what I expected," Lorelai whispered so that only Luke, Rory, and Dean could hear.

"What kind of reaction were you expecting, Lorelai?" Emily asked.

"Damn, she heard me," Lorelai said. "Never mind, Mom."

"So, Dean, how's work going for you?" Richard asked.

Oh, no, Dean thought. Every Friday night, Richard would ask that and Dean hoped that the news of Lorelai's pregnancy would be a distraction and he wouldn't ask that question. Before Dean could respond, the new maid came in and announced that dinner was ready.

Throughout the entire dinner, everyone was asking Lorelai about her pregnancy, Rory about her recent novels, and Luke and his business at the dinner. Richard had never risen his question about Dean and his work until desert.

"So, Dean," Richard said. "I don't believe you answered my question for before."

"Which would be..," Dean said.

"How's your job?"

"Uh....I'm on sabbatical."

"Why?"

"Personal reasons."

"Oh." Richard sounded disgusted.

"So, Lorelai," Emily said, trying to change the subject. "You're having you're baby in February? That must be nice."

"You know the reason why people have gone on sabbatical is because of drug use or psychotic problems," Richard said.

"Dad, stop," Lorelai said.

"What?" Richard said. "Obviously there's a reason why the boy is taking some time off."

"He said it was personal, grandpa," Rory said.

"Nothing is personal in the business world," Richard said. "So, Dean. Is it the old rage problem?"

Dean couldn't take this anymore. He wanted to leave and he wanted Richard to know the truth.

"No, it's not," he said, angrily. "I'm having a reoccurrence of a brain tumor I had when I was ten. Okay? Rory, I'm leaving. I'll wait for you in the car."

Dean stood up and walked out the door. Dean already heard Rory calling his name.

"Dean," Rory said, putting her hand on the car door. "I'm sorry. That was rude."

"It's okay," Dean said. "It's not your fault."

"I had no idea he would do that."

"May I cut in?" Richard tapped Rory on the shoulder.

Rory nodded and stepped aside.

"I'm sorry," Richard said. "I had no idea of what you were going through. If I had known I wouldn't have came down on you."

Dean nodded. "Thank you, sir," he said.

Richard gave him a brief hug and then gave Rory one.

"Be sure to say good-bye to your grandmother before you leave," Richard said.

Dean and Rory went back inside and said good-bye to Emily, Luke and Lorelai and went home. When they got home, Dean and Rory changed into their pajamas and snuggled. It was moments like these, where he was glad that he had her.

"Dean?" Rory asked.

"Hmm?" Dean was half asleep.

"Thanks for putting up with my grandpa," Rory said.

"No, problem," Dean said.

There was silence. Dean heard Rory sigh.

"You know I love you, right?" Dean said.

"Yeah," Rory replied.

"And you love me," Dean said.

"And I love you," Rory said, laughing.

A few minutes later, the two of them fell asleep.

To Be Continued.....

A/N: Still has yet to get better. Chapter 6 is coming soon.