Last Chapter: He cursed to himself as he put the mugs in the back and placed the pancakes in a baggie, hoping to give them to her when he 'dropped' by later.
Default: I don't own Gilmore Girls, or the names that the brilliant Amy Sherman created.
With their elbows locked together, Rory and Lorelai walked together as they headed towards home. The snow was softly descending upon them and the tapping of shoes echoed on the frozen pavement.
"Why are we going home?" Rory asked, slightly tripping in her sluggish state. Lorelai gripped her daughter's elbow tighter and tried to think of an excuse that wouldn't make it seem like a big thing.
"It has to do with Luke, doesn't it?" She asked again. Although she was tired beyond belief, Rory was still on the ball. "I'll tell you later when you're more awake," Lorelai said, happy that she thought of something.
They stepped off the curb and Rory stumbled harder than before. "Ouch," She said, bending down to rub her ankle. "Oh honey, you are never staying up that late again," Lorelai said sweetly, helping her daughter to stand again.
As Rory slowly limped, with the help of her mom, Lorelai heard Rory's name being called behind them. She stopped and glanced back, smiling happily at this change of events. Rory turned around too and immediately perked up a smidge. "Dean," She called joyfully.
"Is something wrong with Rory?" Dean asked as he caught up with two of his favorite girls. Rory leaped away from her mother and latched on to her boyfriend. He pulled her to him and immediately felt better knowing she was in his arms.
Lorelai watched for only a second at the tender scene in front of her, with a hint of jealousy, before answering the question that Rory obviously wasn't going to anytime soon. "Rory was up really late last night Dean, and right now she just tripped and twisted her ankle," She said filling him in.
"Well, I don't have anything going on right now if you need my help?" He asked, knowing that they would say yes anyway. He swooped Rory up off her feet and followed behind Lorelai to their house.
They talked for most of the way there, before Rory's cell phone went off. She awkwardly moved around in Dean's arms to reach into her back pocket. She flipped open her phone and winced at the immense yelling on the other end.
"Rory!" A voice yelled.
"Hello Paris," Rory greeted painfully.
"Where are you?" She asked furiously.
"I'm at home, why?" Rory answered her, "Hey, how did you get this number?" She added as an after thought.
"I asked around. You were supposed to met Madeline, Louis and Me (I'm not sure how to spell their names) for a discussion group on our project," She said sounding angrier by the second.
"That's tomorrow," Rory reminded her.
"Yes, and the pre-group gathering is today," Paris informed her. Rory winced by the loudness of her voice and pulled the cell phone away from her a bit.
"You're insane. Today is Saturday, and I'm staying home. I'll come over tomorrow," Rory said with edge. Paris was silent for a minute, but it quickly went away. "Rory, you're going to fail and Harvard doesn't - -" She was silenced when Rory flipped her phone shut and turned it off.
She sighed and leaned her head against Dean's chest. "Paris just won't give up will she?" He asked gently. "Not until Germany is hers," Lorelai said with a smile.
"She wanted to have a 'pre-group' meeting today," Rory informed them with a grimace. "She is insane," Lorelai agreed. Dean stayed quiet and shifted Rory around in his arms.
"Next time there's a project with you and Paris you make all these stupid group meeting first and then see how she likes it," Lorelai said happy with her idea. Rory laughed before joining her mother in their plot to bring down Paris. "Yeah, I'll wake her up at 4 in the morning if I have to," She greedily added to the plan.
"Wow, I learn everyday not to cross you two," Dead laughed. Rory smirked at him and Lorelai laughed maliciously.
They arrived at their house and Dean walked in the door after Lorelai, gently placing Rory down on the couch. He left momentarily and went into her room. Lorelai walked out of the kitchen holding an ice pack and a bag of chips.
"I guess while your paralyzed we should watch those movies I rented," She suggested walking over to the television to grab a pile of videos. Dean reappeared from her room holding three books. He sat down next to Rory and one by one handed her the books.
"You said you were in the middle of reading this one," He said handing her the red one. "This is the one you told me was your favorite and were considering to read again," Dean handed her the blue one with the gold lettering. He grabbed the last book that was green with scratched sides. "I really liked this one so I thought you might want to read it again."
Rory smiled and accepted the books, kissing Dean softly, as her mother pretended not to look. He stood up and kissed her cheek before wishing Rory good health and wishing Lorelai a nice day.
He walked out the front door, bumping into someone as he walked out. "Sorry," He said politely, continuing to walk away. Lorelai curiously walked over to the door to see whom he had bumped into. Rory strained her neck, but failed as to see who was at the door.
"Luke," Lorelai said shocked. He took a gentle step inside and held out the pancakes and a c.d. "You left before eating your these and you also left that song in my stereo," He gestured to the table, where he was hoping to place the items. Lorelai nodded and pulled off a stack of mail to make room.
They stood there, awkwardly trying to avoid each other's eyes as the sound of television channels constantly changing was heard in the background. "Mom, who is it" Rory asked from the other room. "It's Luke," Lorelai called back. "He came to give us our pancakes."
"I also came to ask you something," Luke said stepping close to Lorelai. She stood there, frozen.