CHAPTER 10

Rory was almost there. She rubbed her tired eyes as she replayed the day's events in her head. Her recent destructive behavior surprised her in so many levels. 'What have I become?' is all she could ask herself for now. She pretended to be concerned about what Dean was about to do with his relationship with Lindsey. In reality, she was just thinking of ways to get back at Tristin. She didn't even really hear about Dean's plans. He kept on talking about how he would be with her again sooner than later. She was just apathetic. If Dean divorced his wife, everyone would know she was "the reason". She didn't work this hard to get out of Stars Hollow to be labeled as the town's Scarlet Letter.

"Hmm, you look like you were miles away there," Dean muttered as he stroked Rory's arm.

She smiled back at him. "Just thinking."

"I hope good thoughts about us," Dean added.

She hesitated. "Dean... I think we really need to talk about this."

"What's there to talk about? Sex?" he asked. "Are you really with that guy?"

"What guy?" Rory feigned ignorance.

"The guy who calls you 'Mary'. The accountant," he clarified, sitting upright beside her.

"Tristin," she verified.

"What were you doing with him last night?" he inquired. "I thought you hated him?"

Rory was taken aback with what he said. Little by little, she remembered why she drifted from him. At first, his concern seems genuine. As time passed on, he became obsessive.

"He was in a party with me and he drove me to the hospital to see grandpa," she explained.

"What, you forgot you can drive when he's around?" he sarcastically questioned her.

"Not that it's any of your business but he drove me home because I took a train to New York. He took me back," Rory said, getting agitated all over again. 'God, why are men so dense?' she asked herself.

"I don't want you hanging around him again," he stated.

"Dean, you can't say that," she countered. "If I see him again, which I plan not to do any time soon, it would be of my own volition. Not yours."

"I can't believe you're telling me this," Dean said, swinging his long legs on the side of the bed and shaking them into his jeans.

"What do you expect, Dean? We've done something that is quite scandalous and people are talking about it. I know I haven't been in town long enough to get the tongues wagging," Rory pointed out.

"Things would've been rectified sooner if you took my phone calls or came home so we could talk," he responded, putting his T-shirt back on. "I love you, Rory. That's why I'm doing this."

"Are you?" she queried. "Are you really in love with me or are you just bored with Lindsey and using me as a way out?"

"Why are you trying to pick a fight with me? I thought you wanted us together," he asked, his hurt reflecting in his eyes.

Rory fished for her underwear from the floor and put it back on from under the sheets. "I do... But not this way!"

"Then what other methods do you suggest? Time travel hasn't been perfected yet, you know," he responded.

"Dean, you were happy with her. What changed?" Rory asked.

"You... us. We happened. Lindsey was just concerned about appearances and hanging out. It didn't help that you pointed out some facts she wasn't willing to face when she overheard you. You were right. We were very young when we got married and now I know for sure that I want you," he confessed.

'But are you the one I want?' Rory asked herself silently. She donned her clothing, trying to avoid eye contact with Dean. She stared at the documents sitting on her vanity table. She picked it up and ran her fingers on the word 'divorce proceedings'. It felt cold. It felt final. She felt that Dean was doing things for the wrong reasons. She and Dean broke up twice because things didn't feel right. Who is she to guarantee that this time it would be different?

"What are you going to tell Lindsey?" Rory questioned Dean.

"That we're through," Dean explained. "I'll move back with my parents. She goes back to hers. The townhouse will be sold," he itemized quickly.

"You've given this a lot of thought, huh?" Rory asked.

"Rory, since I saw you, spoke to you since I quit school, you were the only one that pushed me to try out for something more than what's offered to me. No one was challenging me and I was grateful for you for that," he said.

"But is that enough of a reason? I can tell you what you want to hear but that doesn't guarantee that our relationship would be different from the other times we were a couple," Rory said.

Dean sighed. "You're trying to talk me out of this, huh?" he asked.

Rory just looked at him with sorrowful eyes.

"Fine. I won't turn in the papers yet but decide soon what you want to happen between us. I am only willing to go through this if you're willing to take the ride with me," Dean whispered to her as he snatched his polo shirt hung on the backrest of the chair Rory sat on.

He walked out of her room hurriedly. She knew they were not going to be speaking for a while from the sound of the back door slamming.

That's when she decided to take a trip back to New York. At least Graham won't judge her like the rest of the clowns she dealt with this whole day.

"Rory! I'm glad you're here," Graham greeted her at the door. Rory handed her keys to the help waiting beside Graham. The man smiled back at Rory and drove her car to the garage. "You're a surprise that's worth staying up for," Graham said. "Come in!"

Rory gingerly moved through the doors as Graham ushered her in. "I hope I wasn't imposing. It is quite late."

"Ten isn't too late. Remember, we've been up later than that just a few days ago," he chuckled. He closed the door behind her. He faced her again and gave her a quick hug.

"That's true," she giggled as she returned his hug. She loved how easily she felt at home with him. If only she could fall in love with someone as comfortable as him.

"You want your old room back?" he asked.

Rory flashed him a smile. "Yes, that would be nice."

Graham took the bag from her hand and had her follow him. They played catch up with the comings and goings of Graham's parents. They have left earlier that day for Philadelphia. From there, they were headed to Napa Valley for some vacation. Graham, not a big fan of the vineyard, toughed it out and stayed behind. He asked about her grandparents and how Richard was doing. Rory told him that he didn't need any surgery since all stressors pointed out that he just needed to be less sedentary in his daily routine.

"So, grandpa probably would be hitting the golf course more often. I suggested to try flying to Monterey just to have a change of scenery," Rory ended.

"That's a nice place. I love Monterey. Carmel is no slouch of a place, either," Graham pointed out.

"I wouldn't know. I haven't been there before," Rory shrugged.

Graham laughed. "You suggested to your grandfather that he needs to see Monterey and you've never been there yourself. How'd you know you weren't sending him to a dump?"

"Google, baby. Google," she said.

"Agh, you're hilarious," Graham said back. "But, I know you're not here on a social call. What gives?" he asked.

"Care to join me for a pot of coffee?" she asked.