James Hunter: We never got Jamie's full name.
Chapter 7: Something About the Way You Look Tonight
[Dean]
Dean sat in the second pew behind some blonde woman. Must be Paris's mother, Dean thought. Rory went early to the Inn so they wouldn't meet up until after the ceremony. He felt a little odd. Aside from Rory, Lorelai, Michel, and Paris (sort of), he didn't know anyone there. He was lucky he was sitting in between Lorelai and Michel (he wasn't so lucky that Michel was on his right side).
Pachabelle's Cannon started and the bridesmaids started coming down the isle. He didn't know the first three, but he recognized the last two. One was blonde and one was brunette. Dean knew them, but he remembered them from the Chilton dance he went to with Rory eight years ago. The blonde one was hitting on him. He knew their names started with an M and an L. What were their names? Marissa and LeAnn? Madrigal and Lisa?
Rory came down the isle next. She wore her chin length hair in a bun. She was wearing a long off-the-shoulder lavender dress with a slight flair. The other bridesmaids were wearing the same dress, but they didn't look good as she did. In fact, the blonde made the dress kind of trashy. The neckline of the dress was really low. Rory seemed to stand out from the other bridesmaids.
Paris came down the isle hidden by a huge veil. She reached the alter and grabbed hands with Jamie. Dean gave a short little wave to Rory. She couldn't wave back so she just smiled at him.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Forester," Lorelai whispered.
"My mind's not in the gutter," Dean whispered back.
"You keep staring at Rory," Lorelai whispered.
"Who isn't staring at Rory?" Dean asked.
"Everyone but you and me," Lorelai said.
"Lorelai," Michel interjected. "Whenever someone looks at your daughter their minds may go many places, but their minds will never go in the gutter."
"Thanks, Michel," Lorelai said, sarcastically.
"Now, when other men catch a glimpse of your ass-"Michel began.
"You've been staring at my ass?"
"No, I have not been staring at your ass. I've watched half the men that come in the Inn stare at your ass."
"And you haven't?"
"No."
"So, you don't like my ass."
"No, I don't."
"Well, my ass likes you."
"How joyous for it."
"Its feelings are hurt."
"Your buttocks do not have feelings."
"This conversation is taking an ugly turn," Dean interjected.
"Sorry," Lorelai said. "Dean, I don't mind that you stare at my daughter, but I don't want you thinking anything dirty about her."
"I'm not," Dean protested.
When Lorelai found out about him and Rory four years ago, she yelled at him and then gave him the cold shoulder for weeks. He confronted her at the Inn and told her about the conversation he had with Rory. After apologizing and groveling, she forgave him and gave him a job as the Inn's handyman, but it was obvious that when it came to Rory, she still didn't trust him.
After the ceremony, he met up with Rory outside the Inn.
"You look nice," Dean said.
"You do, too," Rory said. "You look like Matt Le Blanc in that suit."
"Hey, how you doin'?" Dean said, imitating Matt Le Blanc.
"Rory!" Paris ran up to Rory and gave her a hug. "I'm Mrs. James Hunter!"
"I know!" Rory said, trying to match Paris's level of enthusiasm. "Congratulations!"
Paris's attention suddenly went to Dean.
"Is this your date?" Paris asked.
"It's not a date per se," Rory answered. "He's my male escort."
"Dean is your 'male escort?'" Paris asked. "Are you guys back together?"
"No!" Rory and Dean said in unison.
"Okay," Paris said. "Don't get so defensive."
Jamie came up to Paris and said hi to Rory and Dean and led her away. After she left, the blonde and the brunette bridesmaids approached.
"Hi, Rory," the brunette said.
"Hi, Madeline," Rory said to the brunette and then to the blonde: "Hi, Louise."
"Hey," Louise said, eyeballing Dean. "So, this is your date?"
"Not technically a date," Dean answered.
"He's my male escort," Rory said.
"Ooh, fancy," Madeline said.
"My prediction was right," Louise whispered to Madeline.
"What prediction?" Dean asked.
"Inside joke," Rory said. "You won't get it."
Two men came up to Madeline and Louise and held out their arms.
"Would you two like to dance?" one of the guys asked Louise.
"I guess so," Louise said, smiling flirtatiously. "I'll see you guys later."
"Bye," Madeline said, her and her date following them.
"They haven't changed a bit," Dean said.
"I know," Rory said.
They walked under the white tent where drinks were being served and there was a jazz band playing. Dean and Rory talked and Lorelai joined them for a while.
"So, where's Luke?" Dean asked.
"He's working," Lorelai said. "He said he'd come and help with the next wedding we have here, which will probably be like in three weeks or next month or next week."
At that moment Paris came running up to Rory and Lorelai.
"My worst fear is coming true," Paris said. "The DJ Madeline and Louise hired and he's here and there's dancers. Male and female. And they won't leave!"
"Relax," Rory said. "We'll take care of this."
Rory and Lorelai walked over to a black van in the parking lot and Dean followed. This was going to be interesting.
"Hi," Rory said to the DJ. "May we help you?"
"We're here for Paris Geller's wedding," the DJ said.
"I'm sorry, sir," Lorelai said. "We don't need a DJ. We already hired a band."
"I got a call from Madeline and Louise saying that it was vital that we be here," the DJ said.
"Well, Madeline and Louise made that call without the bride's consent," Rory said. "We have a band, so you have to leave the premises."
"We're still getting paid, right?" the DJ asked. "It was a long drive.
"Ten dollars," Lorelai said.
"Ten dollars?" the DJ repeated.
"It's ten or nothing," Lorelai said.
"I'll take the money," the DJ said, holding out his hand.
Lorelai handed the DJ a ten-dollar bill and the DJ drove away.
"Okay," Lorelai said. "You kids get back to the wedding."
Rory and Dean walked back to the wedding to find Paris yelling at Madeline and Louise.
"I TOLD YOU A MILLION TIMES THAT I DIDN'T WANT A DJ!" Paris was shouting. "DID YOU LISTEN TO ME? NO! YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME! YOU HAVE RUINED MY WEDDING-"
"What's going on?" Rory cut in.
"These idiots ruined my wedding," Paris said.
"Paris, relax," Rory said. "The DJ is gone and the wedding is saved."
"Thank you," Paris said.
"Sorry, Paris," Madeline said, walking away.
"Party pooper," Louise said.
Paris shook her head disgustedly and then disappeared into the sea of guests who were congratulating her.
"How bad would it have been if the DJ didn't leave?" Dean asked.
"She would pull a 'Jimmy Tudesky' and murder Madeline and Louise," Rory said.
"Wow."
"Yeah."
A few hours later after eating dinner, the sun had set. Rory and Dean were the only ones sitting at a table. Everyone else was dancing. Dean was really enjoying himself. He was pretty sure Rory was enjoying herself, too. Being with Rory made him really comfortable. He always had fun with Rory. She made things fun. Now they were swapping funny stories.
"So, I was working late last week," Dean said. "And I found Michel watching American Idol. He was talking back at Simon Cowell. Simon got into this whole dispute with Randy Jackson over a contestant and Michel was fighting with them. He was on Randy's side and he was chucking food at the TV."
"Oh, my god!" Rory said, laughing. "Oh, I got a good story! Mom, Luke, and I were having 'Movie Night' and mom decided to rent Funny Girl. Well, we were sitting in front of the TV and when Fanny's husband was arrested, Luke chucked the popcorn at the TV and said, 'she shouldn't have married that moron!' And Luke never shows emotion."
Dean and Rory collapsed in laughter when Lorelai walked by.
"Are you guys drunk?" she asked.
"No," Dean said. "Rory was just telling me about when Luke got worked up over Funny Girl."
"Oh, that," Lorelai said. "We're still making fun of him about it. Oh, well. Carry on."
Lorelai walked away.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," said the lead singer of the band. "Will everyone clear the floor for the bride a groom."
The band started playing "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles and everyone watched as Paris and Jamie shared their first dance as husband and wife.
"They look really happy," Rory said.
"Yeah," Dean said.
There were a few minutes of silence.
"This is my favorite song," Rory said.
"I know," Dean said. "You used to listen to it a lot."
"It's Paris's, too," Rory said. "She picked up the CD after the concert we saw and always listened to it."
"Now, the bride and groom invite you all to join them," the lead singer said.
Rory turned to Dean. "Do you want to dance?" she asked.
"I told you not to get used to that," Dean said.
"Fine," Rory said, slumping in her seat.
"I'm kidding," Dean said. "Let's go."
Rory led Dean out on the dance floor with the other couples. Dean held her right hand and wrapped his left arm around her waste. Rory's hand rested on his shoulder as they both swayed to the music.
Everything seemed perfect right at this moment. Dean couldn't have been more content. The music looked beautiful and so was Rory. There was no denying it. She did look really beautiful, but then again, she alway was..........Whoa, Dean thought. I didn't just fall for her again, did I?
Rory suddenly started laughing out of nowhere.
"What?" Dean asked.
"I'm sorry," Rory said, through laughter. "I just got the mental image of Michel pelting food at the TV and arguing with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson."
Dean shook his head and laughed. Not at the mental image of Michel, but at the fact that Rory thought it was that funny when she didn't even see it.
"I'm sorry," Rory said, calming down. "I'll stop."
He didn't want her to. Rory looked pretty when she smiled. There I go again, Dean thought. What the hell is wrong with me?
[Rory]
The wedding was drawing to a close. Rory and Dean sat in the lobby, while a crowd of women crowded the stairway, waiting for Jamie and Paris to come down for their honeymoon and for Paris to throw the bouquet.
"Are you even going to try to go for it?" Dean asked.
"No," Rory said. "If I do catch it, Madeline and Louise will probably rip it out of my hands. I told Paris I would be in the crowd when she throws the bouquet, though. She wants to say good-bye to me in case she doesn't keep in touch, but she will."
Paris and Jamie came downstairs and Rory walked over to the crowd of chattering women. Paris turned around and threw the bouquet. On impulse, Rory reached to catch it and she actually caught it.
"Who wants it?" Rory asked.
"You take it," said a woman. "You're the next one to be married."
Paris and Jamie came down the steps and Paris grabbed Rory and gave her a hug that nearly sucked the air out of Rory.
"Thank you so much for everything," Paris said.
"No problem," Rory said.
"I'll call you when I get back," Paris said.
"Please, do."
Paris released Rory and joined Jamie to leave the Inn. Everyone followed, throwing rice. Rory ran to find Dean. She found him still on the couch getting showered in rice.
"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" Rory shouted, grabbing Dean's hand and pulling him back outside to the tent where Lorelai, lying down on a table, was supervising the waiters cleaning up.
"You have rice in your hair," Rory said.
Dean tried to wipe the rice out of his hair, but he had trouble. Rory giggled.
"Here," Rory said. "Let me."
Rory ran her hand back and fourth on his head really fast causing fountains of rice to come out of his hair.
"Okay," Dean said, picking up his head. "My hair is in disarray."
"You're hair's fine," Rory said.
Rory slowly brought her hand down, but just enough to get a good feel of his hair. It was really soft. God, what conditioner does he use in that hair? Rory thought. Dean pointed behind Rory and she finally took notice of her mother lying down on the table.
"Mom," Rory said.
Lorelai made no response. She was asleep.
"Mom!" Rory said, shaking her.
"Get away, Michel!" Lorelai said, almost too quickly and sitting up.
"No, it's me," Rory said. "How long have you been asleep for?"
"Since everyone went in," Lorelai said.
"So, you've been asleep for ten minutes," Rory said.
"I guess so," Rory said.
"I'm sorry," Lorelai said. "It's just I barely got any sleep last night. I was nervous that something would go wrong today-"
"You didn't come here and make last minute changes at midnight, did you?" Rory interrupted.
"Yeah, I did," Lorelai said.
"Mom!"
"I'm sorry! Paris just reminded me of my mother because she wanted everything perfect. She reminds me of a younger version of my mother. Except Paris thinks I'm cool, unlike my mother."
"Okay, you are very repetative which is a huge sign of exaustion. Luke is coming over to drive you."
"I can drive."
"No. You fell asleep on the table and you find it hard to sleep on hard surfaces, so if you can sleep on a table, you are really exhausted."
"Oh, come on."
"If I let you drive, you're going to fall asleep over the wheel and you're going to pull an ER and get into a car accident."
Lorelai, too tired to protest, laid back down on the table.
"Dean, could you do me a favor and call Luke?" Rory asked. "Tell him to walk over because we brought the car."
"How are you going to get home if I take the car?" Lorelai asked.
"I can walk," Rory said. "Our house isn't that far away from the Inn."
"I'll call him," Dean said, going inside.
"Thank you," Rory called after him.
"I have to stay and clean up," Lorelai said.
"You're going home," Rory said. "I'll stay here and clean up."
Lorelai smiled and touched Rory's cheek. "You are so ready to have a kid," Lorelai said.
"There are many people who would debate you on that," Rory said, plopping down in a chair. "Hint: me."
Lorelai gave a weak chuckle. "Oh, shoot!" Lorelai said, sitting up.
"What?" Rory asked.
"I have to check on the honeymoon suite," Lorelai said, referring to the bungalow they turned into they made into a honeymoon suite.
"Why?" Rory asked.
"Because, Michel said some things were stolen from there."
"What things?"
"The robes and the CDs that we keep there," Lorelai said.
"I'll check."
"But-"
"I'll check."
"Fine. Do you have the key?"
"Yeah. I keep it on a chain around my neck."
"You're kidding."
Rory lifted up a silver chain with a key at the end out of her dress.
"I usually keep it at the desk," Rory said. "But, I didn't want to take any chances tonight."
"You need to get another job," Lorelai said, in a monotone voice. "So, how was your night?"
"It was really fun," Rory said.
"You and Dean having a good time?" Lorelai asked.
"I don't know about Dean, but I definitely am," Rory said.
"Honey, be careful around him."
"Mom!" It was so obvious that Lorelai still didn't trust him. She liked him. Rory knew that, but she still didn't trust Dean.
"I'm just saying," Lorelai said.
"It was four years ago," Rory said. "And I don't think there's any sexual tension between us."
"Okay," Lorelai said. "But, if you guys end up in the honeymoon suite-"
"Mom, I beg you not to finish that sentence!" Rory interrupted her. "Nothing's going to happen."
Rory thanked God everyday that before Lorelai could say anything else, Dean came back outside.
"Luke will be here in fifteen minutes," he said.
"Thanks," Rory said.
Ten minutes passed and after a lot of talking (mostly by Rory and Dean) Lorelai had passed out on the table once again.
"She has never been this out of it," Rory said.
"So much for 90% water and 10% caffeine," Dean said, quoting what Rory said to him about Lorelai seven years ago.
"I guess the 10% wore out," Rory said.
She stared at the sleeping form of her mother. Lorelai Gilmore was never this exhausted. Not even during the Stars Hollow Dance Marathon. She obviously didn't get any sleep at all this week. Rory suddenly felt Dean staring at her. When she looked at him, she found out that she was right.
"What?" Rory asked.
"Nothing," Dean responded.
"You're staring at me," Rory said.
"No, I'm not," Dean said.
"You're doing it now."
"That's because I'm talking to you."
"Oh."
Rory turned back to her mother and then turned to face Dean to see if he was still staring at her. She was right.
"You're staring at me," Rory said.
"Fine," Dean said. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you staring at me?"
"I don't know. I just......" Dean trailed off. "You look nice," he stated.
"You established that at the beginning of the evening," Rory said.
"I know," Dean said. "But, you're nice to look at."
That made Rory blush. "Thanks," Rory said. "You're nice to look at, too."
She wasn't just returning the compliment. He really was nice to look at. It wasn't just the suit. He had his hair done nicely and well.......he had a really nice face. Rory took one quick look at her mother and then looked back at Dean who was just a few centimeters away from her face. Rory leaned in and closed her eyes-
"Forgive me for interrupting such a tender moment," Michel's voice brought Rory back to the present. "But, Luke is here to take sleeping beauty home."
"Thanks Michel," Rory said. "Could you tell him to come out here?"
"So you could finish what I interrupted?" Michel asked.
"Interrupted?" Rory repeated. "Michel, we weren't-"
"Honestly, I don't care," Michel interrupted her. "I'm really tired and I want to go home. So, if I go into this meaningless discussion about if you two were about to kiss or playing suck and blow, I will never go home."
"Tell Luke to come out here and then you can go home," Rory said.
Michel turned on his heel and walked back into the Inn.
"When I was helping with construction at the Inn four years ago," Dean said. "Michel and I were moving this bookcase and he says to your mom, 'you're getting a bill from my manicurist.' And as a joke I say, 'yeah, mine, too.' And he turns to me and says, 'don't be snobby.'"
"So let me get this straight," Rory said. "He complains about moving a bookcase, you make a joke, and then he has the nerve to tell you not to be snobby?"
"Yeah," Dean said. "It wouldn't be Michel if he didn't."
"Michel's middle name should be 'hypocrite,'" Rory said.
Luke came out then and carried Lorelai home. Afterwards, Rory and Dean helped the staff clean up. Rory heard rumbling in the sky.
"I think I heard thunder," Dean said.
"It'll pass," Rory said, rolling the last table into the shed where they kept the tables.
She started to take down the tent, when it started to rain. Rory wouldn't let the rain stop her from the things she had to do before she went home.
"Rory, leave it," Dean said.
"No," Rory said. "I have to take it down or it'll get full of water and mud."
Thunder crashed and the rain came down harder. The drops were so hard they were almost hurting Rory. But, that didn't stop her. Dean helped Rory carry the tent and throw it in the shed when she saw lighting flash over the lake. Rory screamed and ran towards the honeymoon suite. Dean followed her.
"RORY!" Dean shouted over the noise of the rain and thunder. "GO BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE! LIGHTNING NEVER HITS THE SAME PLACE TWICE!"
"WHEN DID YOU EVER HAVE THE TIME TO WATCH SWEET HOME ALABAMA?" Rory shouted.
"LINDSAY MADE ME WATCH IT WITH HER A LOT WHEN WE WERE MARRIED!" Dean yelled. "BUT, THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
"WELL, THEY MADE THAT UP!" Rory shouted. "LIGHTNING HITS RANDOM PLACES AT RANDOM TIMES AND THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IS INDOORS!"
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
"THE HONEYMOON SUITE! I PROMISED MOM I WOULD SEE IF THE THINGS THAT SHE THOUGHT WERE STOLEN WERE ACTUALLY STOLEN!"
"YOU CAN DO THAT TOMORROW!"
"NO, I CAN'T! I'LL FORGET!"
Rory was getting drenched no matter how fast she ran. She finally reached the bungalow/honeymoon suite. She ripped the chain off her neck and unlocked the door with the key. She stood in the doorway and looked at Dean who was standing a few feet away from the door. He was just as wet as she was.
"GET OUT OF THE RAIN!" Rory called.
Dean ran into the bungalow and shut the door. Water dripped down from Rory's hair and on to the floor. She went into the bathroom and check to see if there were any robes missing. There was only one and there were supposed to be two. Rory wrote that down on a pad in the room.
"Hey," Dean said, from the other room. "I know we said we wouldn't bring it up, but I have to ask. That night........you know when we..........how was I?"
Rory froze in the bathroom. She didn't know how she felt about the fact that he asked it. Hell, she didn't know how to answer it. Yeah, she did, but she didn't know how do tell him without blushing.
"You really want to know?" Rory asked.
"Yeah," Dean said.
Rory took a deep breath. "You were really good," Rory said.
"You're not just saying that to make me feel good, are you?" Dean asked.
"No, you were pretty damn good," Rory said.
"But, I'm sure you've had better," Dean said.
"Honestly," Rory said. "Not compared to you."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome..........What about me?"
"You were pretty good, too."
"Thanks."
Rory came out of the bathroom and noticed Dean looking happy at the fact that he was she ever had, but trying really hard to hide it. Rory walked over to the TV to check the CDs. There were supposed to be four. There were only three. The Dido CD was missing. Rory marked that down on her pad.
Rory felt the sexual tension between them slowly coming back the more they talked about it. There was a small urge thundering in her veins to grab him and kiss him. If it were back, all hell would break loose.
"Did you kind of get a déjà vu back there?" Dean asked.
"What are you talking about?" Rory asked.
"You know, before Michel came out-"
"Oh, that."
"Yeah, that."
There was no denying it. They definitely almost kissed.
"Yeah," Rory said. "I did kind of get déjà vu."
"Kind of like-"Dean began.
"Yeah," Rory interrupted.
Rory was desperate to change the subject. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She wanted the sexual tension gone. She looked outside the window to see what the storm was like. It was really bad. She saw a tree fall down in the woods.
"It doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon," Rory said, sitting down on the bed and taking off her shoes.
"Yeah," Dean said.
"I'm going to stay here," Rory said, turning to Dean. "Are you?"
"Not unless you don't want me to," Dean said.
It would probably be less awkward if Dean left, but Rory couldn't let him go out in the storm.
"No, you should stay," Rory said.
He could sleep in the bed and Rory could make herself a bed on the floor with the extra blankets and pillows. The only problem was what they would wear to sleep. They were both soaking and if they stayed in their wet clothes they would get sick. They couldn't just wear nothing for more reasons than one. There was only one robe.
"Let me see if there's something for you to wear to sleep," Rory said, rummaging through the drawers. "You can't stay in that suit. You'll get sick."
Rory found nothing but extra blankets. Did it ever occur to mom to put extra pajamas in these drawers? Rory thought. She looked at Dean who was taking off his shoes. He really did look good.
"What are you doing?" Dean asked, walking up behind her.
"Looking for some sleep-wear for you," Rory said.
Rory didn't know what brought her longing for him back. She didn't know when it came back, but now it was back, but she wanted it to go away again. She wanted to get out of the room and run straight into the lake so she could avoid this, but yet she didn't want to go.
"I'm sorry I brought that up," Dean said. "I didn't want things to be awkward."
"It's okay," Rory said.
Rory saw lust in his eyes. It was the same lust she saw four years ago. The urge to kiss him was getting stronger and it was too strong to push away. Rory slowly pushed the back of Dean's head towards her and pressed his lips against hers. She kissed him with the same passion and desire she had four years ago. He was kissing her back with the same amount of passion. But, after a while he pushed her away.
"I'm sorry," Rory said, feeling stupid.
"It's okay," Dean said. "It's just.........screw this!"
Dean pulled Rory into another kiss. This time her tongue found it's way into his mouth. Rory pulled away briefly to get some air.
"Damn you, Dean Forester," she whispered, before getting back to what she started.
Rory pushed Dean's wet jacket off of him and it fell to the floor. Dean took the clip out of Rory's hair in a bun and her soaked hair came tumbling down. Rory pushed him down on the bed and took off his tie. Then she rolled over so that she was on the bed and he was on top of her. She didn't know what brought on this sudden desire for him, but it was here and she knew he had it for her, too.......
"And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight" – Elton John
To Be Continued..........
A/N: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's lame and I'm perverted, but DON'T REPORT ME! With the exception of the French-kissing, some metaphors, and the clothes shedding, I wrote nothing R-rated. Chapter 8 is coming soon and no, they're not hooking up yet. Trust me. There will be lots and lots of obstacles before I get them together again.
Chapter 7: Something About the Way You Look Tonight
[Dean]
Dean sat in the second pew behind some blonde woman. Must be Paris's mother, Dean thought. Rory went early to the Inn so they wouldn't meet up until after the ceremony. He felt a little odd. Aside from Rory, Lorelai, Michel, and Paris (sort of), he didn't know anyone there. He was lucky he was sitting in between Lorelai and Michel (he wasn't so lucky that Michel was on his right side).
Pachabelle's Cannon started and the bridesmaids started coming down the isle. He didn't know the first three, but he recognized the last two. One was blonde and one was brunette. Dean knew them, but he remembered them from the Chilton dance he went to with Rory eight years ago. The blonde one was hitting on him. He knew their names started with an M and an L. What were their names? Marissa and LeAnn? Madrigal and Lisa?
Rory came down the isle next. She wore her chin length hair in a bun. She was wearing a long off-the-shoulder lavender dress with a slight flair. The other bridesmaids were wearing the same dress, but they didn't look good as she did. In fact, the blonde made the dress kind of trashy. The neckline of the dress was really low. Rory seemed to stand out from the other bridesmaids.
Paris came down the isle hidden by a huge veil. She reached the alter and grabbed hands with Jamie. Dean gave a short little wave to Rory. She couldn't wave back so she just smiled at him.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Forester," Lorelai whispered.
"My mind's not in the gutter," Dean whispered back.
"You keep staring at Rory," Lorelai whispered.
"Who isn't staring at Rory?" Dean asked.
"Everyone but you and me," Lorelai said.
"Lorelai," Michel interjected. "Whenever someone looks at your daughter their minds may go many places, but their minds will never go in the gutter."
"Thanks, Michel," Lorelai said, sarcastically.
"Now, when other men catch a glimpse of your ass-"Michel began.
"You've been staring at my ass?"
"No, I have not been staring at your ass. I've watched half the men that come in the Inn stare at your ass."
"And you haven't?"
"No."
"So, you don't like my ass."
"No, I don't."
"Well, my ass likes you."
"How joyous for it."
"Its feelings are hurt."
"Your buttocks do not have feelings."
"This conversation is taking an ugly turn," Dean interjected.
"Sorry," Lorelai said. "Dean, I don't mind that you stare at my daughter, but I don't want you thinking anything dirty about her."
"I'm not," Dean protested.
When Lorelai found out about him and Rory four years ago, she yelled at him and then gave him the cold shoulder for weeks. He confronted her at the Inn and told her about the conversation he had with Rory. After apologizing and groveling, she forgave him and gave him a job as the Inn's handyman, but it was obvious that when it came to Rory, she still didn't trust him.
After the ceremony, he met up with Rory outside the Inn.
"You look nice," Dean said.
"You do, too," Rory said. "You look like Matt Le Blanc in that suit."
"Hey, how you doin'?" Dean said, imitating Matt Le Blanc.
"Rory!" Paris ran up to Rory and gave her a hug. "I'm Mrs. James Hunter!"
"I know!" Rory said, trying to match Paris's level of enthusiasm. "Congratulations!"
Paris's attention suddenly went to Dean.
"Is this your date?" Paris asked.
"It's not a date per se," Rory answered. "He's my male escort."
"Dean is your 'male escort?'" Paris asked. "Are you guys back together?"
"No!" Rory and Dean said in unison.
"Okay," Paris said. "Don't get so defensive."
Jamie came up to Paris and said hi to Rory and Dean and led her away. After she left, the blonde and the brunette bridesmaids approached.
"Hi, Rory," the brunette said.
"Hi, Madeline," Rory said to the brunette and then to the blonde: "Hi, Louise."
"Hey," Louise said, eyeballing Dean. "So, this is your date?"
"Not technically a date," Dean answered.
"He's my male escort," Rory said.
"Ooh, fancy," Madeline said.
"My prediction was right," Louise whispered to Madeline.
"What prediction?" Dean asked.
"Inside joke," Rory said. "You won't get it."
Two men came up to Madeline and Louise and held out their arms.
"Would you two like to dance?" one of the guys asked Louise.
"I guess so," Louise said, smiling flirtatiously. "I'll see you guys later."
"Bye," Madeline said, her and her date following them.
"They haven't changed a bit," Dean said.
"I know," Rory said.
They walked under the white tent where drinks were being served and there was a jazz band playing. Dean and Rory talked and Lorelai joined them for a while.
"So, where's Luke?" Dean asked.
"He's working," Lorelai said. "He said he'd come and help with the next wedding we have here, which will probably be like in three weeks or next month or next week."
At that moment Paris came running up to Rory and Lorelai.
"My worst fear is coming true," Paris said. "The DJ Madeline and Louise hired and he's here and there's dancers. Male and female. And they won't leave!"
"Relax," Rory said. "We'll take care of this."
Rory and Lorelai walked over to a black van in the parking lot and Dean followed. This was going to be interesting.
"Hi," Rory said to the DJ. "May we help you?"
"We're here for Paris Geller's wedding," the DJ said.
"I'm sorry, sir," Lorelai said. "We don't need a DJ. We already hired a band."
"I got a call from Madeline and Louise saying that it was vital that we be here," the DJ said.
"Well, Madeline and Louise made that call without the bride's consent," Rory said. "We have a band, so you have to leave the premises."
"We're still getting paid, right?" the DJ asked. "It was a long drive.
"Ten dollars," Lorelai said.
"Ten dollars?" the DJ repeated.
"It's ten or nothing," Lorelai said.
"I'll take the money," the DJ said, holding out his hand.
Lorelai handed the DJ a ten-dollar bill and the DJ drove away.
"Okay," Lorelai said. "You kids get back to the wedding."
Rory and Dean walked back to the wedding to find Paris yelling at Madeline and Louise.
"I TOLD YOU A MILLION TIMES THAT I DIDN'T WANT A DJ!" Paris was shouting. "DID YOU LISTEN TO ME? NO! YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME! YOU HAVE RUINED MY WEDDING-"
"What's going on?" Rory cut in.
"These idiots ruined my wedding," Paris said.
"Paris, relax," Rory said. "The DJ is gone and the wedding is saved."
"Thank you," Paris said.
"Sorry, Paris," Madeline said, walking away.
"Party pooper," Louise said.
Paris shook her head disgustedly and then disappeared into the sea of guests who were congratulating her.
"How bad would it have been if the DJ didn't leave?" Dean asked.
"She would pull a 'Jimmy Tudesky' and murder Madeline and Louise," Rory said.
"Wow."
"Yeah."
A few hours later after eating dinner, the sun had set. Rory and Dean were the only ones sitting at a table. Everyone else was dancing. Dean was really enjoying himself. He was pretty sure Rory was enjoying herself, too. Being with Rory made him really comfortable. He always had fun with Rory. She made things fun. Now they were swapping funny stories.
"So, I was working late last week," Dean said. "And I found Michel watching American Idol. He was talking back at Simon Cowell. Simon got into this whole dispute with Randy Jackson over a contestant and Michel was fighting with them. He was on Randy's side and he was chucking food at the TV."
"Oh, my god!" Rory said, laughing. "Oh, I got a good story! Mom, Luke, and I were having 'Movie Night' and mom decided to rent Funny Girl. Well, we were sitting in front of the TV and when Fanny's husband was arrested, Luke chucked the popcorn at the TV and said, 'she shouldn't have married that moron!' And Luke never shows emotion."
Dean and Rory collapsed in laughter when Lorelai walked by.
"Are you guys drunk?" she asked.
"No," Dean said. "Rory was just telling me about when Luke got worked up over Funny Girl."
"Oh, that," Lorelai said. "We're still making fun of him about it. Oh, well. Carry on."
Lorelai walked away.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," said the lead singer of the band. "Will everyone clear the floor for the bride a groom."
The band started playing "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles and everyone watched as Paris and Jamie shared their first dance as husband and wife.
"They look really happy," Rory said.
"Yeah," Dean said.
There were a few minutes of silence.
"This is my favorite song," Rory said.
"I know," Dean said. "You used to listen to it a lot."
"It's Paris's, too," Rory said. "She picked up the CD after the concert we saw and always listened to it."
"Now, the bride and groom invite you all to join them," the lead singer said.
Rory turned to Dean. "Do you want to dance?" she asked.
"I told you not to get used to that," Dean said.
"Fine," Rory said, slumping in her seat.
"I'm kidding," Dean said. "Let's go."
Rory led Dean out on the dance floor with the other couples. Dean held her right hand and wrapped his left arm around her waste. Rory's hand rested on his shoulder as they both swayed to the music.
Everything seemed perfect right at this moment. Dean couldn't have been more content. The music looked beautiful and so was Rory. There was no denying it. She did look really beautiful, but then again, she alway was..........Whoa, Dean thought. I didn't just fall for her again, did I?
Rory suddenly started laughing out of nowhere.
"What?" Dean asked.
"I'm sorry," Rory said, through laughter. "I just got the mental image of Michel pelting food at the TV and arguing with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson."
Dean shook his head and laughed. Not at the mental image of Michel, but at the fact that Rory thought it was that funny when she didn't even see it.
"I'm sorry," Rory said, calming down. "I'll stop."
He didn't want her to. Rory looked pretty when she smiled. There I go again, Dean thought. What the hell is wrong with me?
[Rory]
The wedding was drawing to a close. Rory and Dean sat in the lobby, while a crowd of women crowded the stairway, waiting for Jamie and Paris to come down for their honeymoon and for Paris to throw the bouquet.
"Are you even going to try to go for it?" Dean asked.
"No," Rory said. "If I do catch it, Madeline and Louise will probably rip it out of my hands. I told Paris I would be in the crowd when she throws the bouquet, though. She wants to say good-bye to me in case she doesn't keep in touch, but she will."
Paris and Jamie came downstairs and Rory walked over to the crowd of chattering women. Paris turned around and threw the bouquet. On impulse, Rory reached to catch it and she actually caught it.
"Who wants it?" Rory asked.
"You take it," said a woman. "You're the next one to be married."
Paris and Jamie came down the steps and Paris grabbed Rory and gave her a hug that nearly sucked the air out of Rory.
"Thank you so much for everything," Paris said.
"No problem," Rory said.
"I'll call you when I get back," Paris said.
"Please, do."
Paris released Rory and joined Jamie to leave the Inn. Everyone followed, throwing rice. Rory ran to find Dean. She found him still on the couch getting showered in rice.
"LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!" Rory shouted, grabbing Dean's hand and pulling him back outside to the tent where Lorelai, lying down on a table, was supervising the waiters cleaning up.
"You have rice in your hair," Rory said.
Dean tried to wipe the rice out of his hair, but he had trouble. Rory giggled.
"Here," Rory said. "Let me."
Rory ran her hand back and fourth on his head really fast causing fountains of rice to come out of his hair.
"Okay," Dean said, picking up his head. "My hair is in disarray."
"You're hair's fine," Rory said.
Rory slowly brought her hand down, but just enough to get a good feel of his hair. It was really soft. God, what conditioner does he use in that hair? Rory thought. Dean pointed behind Rory and she finally took notice of her mother lying down on the table.
"Mom," Rory said.
Lorelai made no response. She was asleep.
"Mom!" Rory said, shaking her.
"Get away, Michel!" Lorelai said, almost too quickly and sitting up.
"No, it's me," Rory said. "How long have you been asleep for?"
"Since everyone went in," Lorelai said.
"So, you've been asleep for ten minutes," Rory said.
"I guess so," Rory said.
"I'm sorry," Lorelai said. "It's just I barely got any sleep last night. I was nervous that something would go wrong today-"
"You didn't come here and make last minute changes at midnight, did you?" Rory interrupted.
"Yeah, I did," Lorelai said.
"Mom!"
"I'm sorry! Paris just reminded me of my mother because she wanted everything perfect. She reminds me of a younger version of my mother. Except Paris thinks I'm cool, unlike my mother."
"Okay, you are very repetative which is a huge sign of exaustion. Luke is coming over to drive you."
"I can drive."
"No. You fell asleep on the table and you find it hard to sleep on hard surfaces, so if you can sleep on a table, you are really exhausted."
"Oh, come on."
"If I let you drive, you're going to fall asleep over the wheel and you're going to pull an ER and get into a car accident."
Lorelai, too tired to protest, laid back down on the table.
"Dean, could you do me a favor and call Luke?" Rory asked. "Tell him to walk over because we brought the car."
"How are you going to get home if I take the car?" Lorelai asked.
"I can walk," Rory said. "Our house isn't that far away from the Inn."
"I'll call him," Dean said, going inside.
"Thank you," Rory called after him.
"I have to stay and clean up," Lorelai said.
"You're going home," Rory said. "I'll stay here and clean up."
Lorelai smiled and touched Rory's cheek. "You are so ready to have a kid," Lorelai said.
"There are many people who would debate you on that," Rory said, plopping down in a chair. "Hint: me."
Lorelai gave a weak chuckle. "Oh, shoot!" Lorelai said, sitting up.
"What?" Rory asked.
"I have to check on the honeymoon suite," Lorelai said, referring to the bungalow they turned into they made into a honeymoon suite.
"Why?" Rory asked.
"Because, Michel said some things were stolen from there."
"What things?"
"The robes and the CDs that we keep there," Lorelai said.
"I'll check."
"But-"
"I'll check."
"Fine. Do you have the key?"
"Yeah. I keep it on a chain around my neck."
"You're kidding."
Rory lifted up a silver chain with a key at the end out of her dress.
"I usually keep it at the desk," Rory said. "But, I didn't want to take any chances tonight."
"You need to get another job," Lorelai said, in a monotone voice. "So, how was your night?"
"It was really fun," Rory said.
"You and Dean having a good time?" Lorelai asked.
"I don't know about Dean, but I definitely am," Rory said.
"Honey, be careful around him."
"Mom!" It was so obvious that Lorelai still didn't trust him. She liked him. Rory knew that, but she still didn't trust Dean.
"I'm just saying," Lorelai said.
"It was four years ago," Rory said. "And I don't think there's any sexual tension between us."
"Okay," Lorelai said. "But, if you guys end up in the honeymoon suite-"
"Mom, I beg you not to finish that sentence!" Rory interrupted her. "Nothing's going to happen."
Rory thanked God everyday that before Lorelai could say anything else, Dean came back outside.
"Luke will be here in fifteen minutes," he said.
"Thanks," Rory said.
Ten minutes passed and after a lot of talking (mostly by Rory and Dean) Lorelai had passed out on the table once again.
"She has never been this out of it," Rory said.
"So much for 90% water and 10% caffeine," Dean said, quoting what Rory said to him about Lorelai seven years ago.
"I guess the 10% wore out," Rory said.
She stared at the sleeping form of her mother. Lorelai Gilmore was never this exhausted. Not even during the Stars Hollow Dance Marathon. She obviously didn't get any sleep at all this week. Rory suddenly felt Dean staring at her. When she looked at him, she found out that she was right.
"What?" Rory asked.
"Nothing," Dean responded.
"You're staring at me," Rory said.
"No, I'm not," Dean said.
"You're doing it now."
"That's because I'm talking to you."
"Oh."
Rory turned back to her mother and then turned to face Dean to see if he was still staring at her. She was right.
"You're staring at me," Rory said.
"Fine," Dean said. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you staring at me?"
"I don't know. I just......" Dean trailed off. "You look nice," he stated.
"You established that at the beginning of the evening," Rory said.
"I know," Dean said. "But, you're nice to look at."
That made Rory blush. "Thanks," Rory said. "You're nice to look at, too."
She wasn't just returning the compliment. He really was nice to look at. It wasn't just the suit. He had his hair done nicely and well.......he had a really nice face. Rory took one quick look at her mother and then looked back at Dean who was just a few centimeters away from her face. Rory leaned in and closed her eyes-
"Forgive me for interrupting such a tender moment," Michel's voice brought Rory back to the present. "But, Luke is here to take sleeping beauty home."
"Thanks Michel," Rory said. "Could you tell him to come out here?"
"So you could finish what I interrupted?" Michel asked.
"Interrupted?" Rory repeated. "Michel, we weren't-"
"Honestly, I don't care," Michel interrupted her. "I'm really tired and I want to go home. So, if I go into this meaningless discussion about if you two were about to kiss or playing suck and blow, I will never go home."
"Tell Luke to come out here and then you can go home," Rory said.
Michel turned on his heel and walked back into the Inn.
"When I was helping with construction at the Inn four years ago," Dean said. "Michel and I were moving this bookcase and he says to your mom, 'you're getting a bill from my manicurist.' And as a joke I say, 'yeah, mine, too.' And he turns to me and says, 'don't be snobby.'"
"So let me get this straight," Rory said. "He complains about moving a bookcase, you make a joke, and then he has the nerve to tell you not to be snobby?"
"Yeah," Dean said. "It wouldn't be Michel if he didn't."
"Michel's middle name should be 'hypocrite,'" Rory said.
Luke came out then and carried Lorelai home. Afterwards, Rory and Dean helped the staff clean up. Rory heard rumbling in the sky.
"I think I heard thunder," Dean said.
"It'll pass," Rory said, rolling the last table into the shed where they kept the tables.
She started to take down the tent, when it started to rain. Rory wouldn't let the rain stop her from the things she had to do before she went home.
"Rory, leave it," Dean said.
"No," Rory said. "I have to take it down or it'll get full of water and mud."
Thunder crashed and the rain came down harder. The drops were so hard they were almost hurting Rory. But, that didn't stop her. Dean helped Rory carry the tent and throw it in the shed when she saw lighting flash over the lake. Rory screamed and ran towards the honeymoon suite. Dean followed her.
"RORY!" Dean shouted over the noise of the rain and thunder. "GO BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE! LIGHTNING NEVER HITS THE SAME PLACE TWICE!"
"WHEN DID YOU EVER HAVE THE TIME TO WATCH SWEET HOME ALABAMA?" Rory shouted.
"LINDSAY MADE ME WATCH IT WITH HER A LOT WHEN WE WERE MARRIED!" Dean yelled. "BUT, THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"
"WELL, THEY MADE THAT UP!" Rory shouted. "LIGHTNING HITS RANDOM PLACES AT RANDOM TIMES AND THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IS INDOORS!"
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
"THE HONEYMOON SUITE! I PROMISED MOM I WOULD SEE IF THE THINGS THAT SHE THOUGHT WERE STOLEN WERE ACTUALLY STOLEN!"
"YOU CAN DO THAT TOMORROW!"
"NO, I CAN'T! I'LL FORGET!"
Rory was getting drenched no matter how fast she ran. She finally reached the bungalow/honeymoon suite. She ripped the chain off her neck and unlocked the door with the key. She stood in the doorway and looked at Dean who was standing a few feet away from the door. He was just as wet as she was.
"GET OUT OF THE RAIN!" Rory called.
Dean ran into the bungalow and shut the door. Water dripped down from Rory's hair and on to the floor. She went into the bathroom and check to see if there were any robes missing. There was only one and there were supposed to be two. Rory wrote that down on a pad in the room.
"Hey," Dean said, from the other room. "I know we said we wouldn't bring it up, but I have to ask. That night........you know when we..........how was I?"
Rory froze in the bathroom. She didn't know how she felt about the fact that he asked it. Hell, she didn't know how to answer it. Yeah, she did, but she didn't know how do tell him without blushing.
"You really want to know?" Rory asked.
"Yeah," Dean said.
Rory took a deep breath. "You were really good," Rory said.
"You're not just saying that to make me feel good, are you?" Dean asked.
"No, you were pretty damn good," Rory said.
"But, I'm sure you've had better," Dean said.
"Honestly," Rory said. "Not compared to you."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome..........What about me?"
"You were pretty good, too."
"Thanks."
Rory came out of the bathroom and noticed Dean looking happy at the fact that he was she ever had, but trying really hard to hide it. Rory walked over to the TV to check the CDs. There were supposed to be four. There were only three. The Dido CD was missing. Rory marked that down on her pad.
Rory felt the sexual tension between them slowly coming back the more they talked about it. There was a small urge thundering in her veins to grab him and kiss him. If it were back, all hell would break loose.
"Did you kind of get a déjà vu back there?" Dean asked.
"What are you talking about?" Rory asked.
"You know, before Michel came out-"
"Oh, that."
"Yeah, that."
There was no denying it. They definitely almost kissed.
"Yeah," Rory said. "I did kind of get déjà vu."
"Kind of like-"Dean began.
"Yeah," Rory interrupted.
Rory was desperate to change the subject. She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She wanted the sexual tension gone. She looked outside the window to see what the storm was like. It was really bad. She saw a tree fall down in the woods.
"It doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon," Rory said, sitting down on the bed and taking off her shoes.
"Yeah," Dean said.
"I'm going to stay here," Rory said, turning to Dean. "Are you?"
"Not unless you don't want me to," Dean said.
It would probably be less awkward if Dean left, but Rory couldn't let him go out in the storm.
"No, you should stay," Rory said.
He could sleep in the bed and Rory could make herself a bed on the floor with the extra blankets and pillows. The only problem was what they would wear to sleep. They were both soaking and if they stayed in their wet clothes they would get sick. They couldn't just wear nothing for more reasons than one. There was only one robe.
"Let me see if there's something for you to wear to sleep," Rory said, rummaging through the drawers. "You can't stay in that suit. You'll get sick."
Rory found nothing but extra blankets. Did it ever occur to mom to put extra pajamas in these drawers? Rory thought. She looked at Dean who was taking off his shoes. He really did look good.
"What are you doing?" Dean asked, walking up behind her.
"Looking for some sleep-wear for you," Rory said.
Rory didn't know what brought her longing for him back. She didn't know when it came back, but now it was back, but she wanted it to go away again. She wanted to get out of the room and run straight into the lake so she could avoid this, but yet she didn't want to go.
"I'm sorry I brought that up," Dean said. "I didn't want things to be awkward."
"It's okay," Rory said.
Rory saw lust in his eyes. It was the same lust she saw four years ago. The urge to kiss him was getting stronger and it was too strong to push away. Rory slowly pushed the back of Dean's head towards her and pressed his lips against hers. She kissed him with the same passion and desire she had four years ago. He was kissing her back with the same amount of passion. But, after a while he pushed her away.
"I'm sorry," Rory said, feeling stupid.
"It's okay," Dean said. "It's just.........screw this!"
Dean pulled Rory into another kiss. This time her tongue found it's way into his mouth. Rory pulled away briefly to get some air.
"Damn you, Dean Forester," she whispered, before getting back to what she started.
Rory pushed Dean's wet jacket off of him and it fell to the floor. Dean took the clip out of Rory's hair in a bun and her soaked hair came tumbling down. Rory pushed him down on the bed and took off his tie. Then she rolled over so that she was on the bed and he was on top of her. She didn't know what brought on this sudden desire for him, but it was here and she knew he had it for her, too.......
"And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight" – Elton John
To Be Continued..........
A/N: Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's lame and I'm perverted, but DON'T REPORT ME! With the exception of the French-kissing, some metaphors, and the clothes shedding, I wrote nothing R-rated. Chapter 8 is coming soon and no, they're not hooking up yet. Trust me. There will be lots and lots of obstacles before I get them together again.