Authors Note: Thanks Riska and Lore2 for your reviews. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 36: Come Home

I'm going over to the pool-house. Since it was his present it's only good manners to visit him after I'm back. I'm glad to have a reason to go to him. He sees me coming and opens the door – he's on his way to work I guess.

"Emily – you're back. How was New York?"

"Great. I'm here to tell you that I'm back and to thank you again – it was a wonderful present."

"So it was safe to send the three of you away together?" he jokes – if he only knew.

"Well Lorelai and I had a little fight, but afterwards it was great. And the musical was the best of course."

For a moment I'm thinking about whether or not I should tell him about Rory, but he's interrupting my thoughts.

"I'm sorry Emily but I have a meeting in 30 minutes – can we possibly talk later?"

"Oh yes, of course – we have to go through our schedule for the next weeks anyway. Can you come over this afternoon?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll be there. Oh and Richard – we had fun." I say while giving him a certain look.

"Good – I was sure you'd find things you like."

We're going outside together. He to his car to get to his meeting and I back to the house. Perhaps it's best not to tell him about Rory – he would only be concerned and what can he do anyway. I don't know what I can do about this either.

Richard and I are sitting opposite each other at the dining table. He had always been the one taking care of the cars, so I have to tell him about the mail I got a few days ago.

"The lease on my Mercedes is up next month."

"Do you want to buy it?"

"I finally have the seat setting where I like it."

And that says something – they've changed it numerous times. Well it's not my fault that they can't do it right the first time.

"I'll make the arrangements tomorrow." he says chuckling.

"Thank you, Richard."

"Now, uh, we need to schedule work on the water heater. Um, I was wondering if Friday morning would work for you?"

"Let me look." I say while looking at my planner.

"They estimate the work to be about an hour, which means they'll be done in June."

"Oh, no, I have a hair appointment Friday morning."

"For what?"

What kind of question is this?

"What do you mean for what?"

"Your hair looks perfect to me."

"Oh, now." I say smiling.

Really. But I can't deny that I'm flattered.

"Well, I can arrange for Robert to let the workman in and supervise it if that works for you."

"Well, that would be fine. Thank you, Richard."

"You're welcome, Emily. Ah what's next on the agenda?"

"The Modern Museum Gala is coming up." I say while looking at the paper in front of me.

"Oh, yes. Martin Forman is being honoured this year."

"And Sugar Farthington is organizing it."

"Well, if Sugar's organizing it, then of course you should go."

How generous – or are you only looking for a way to get out of it?

"Well, if Martin's being honoured, then you should go."

"Sugar is one of your closest friends."

"Martin is one of your most trusted colleagues."

"Well, then, perhaps we should both attend." he says after a short break.

Did he really just say that we should both attend? It's the first time that he's suggesting this. That has to mean something.

"That does seem to be the sensible thing to do."

"All right. Then we'll both attend."

"Fine." I say smiling.

My feeling was right – we're on a good way. First dinner together – now attending the same function – not because of the people, but because we both want to go. That's good.

"Uh, so, have we discussed the water heater?" he asks.

"Yes, we have."

Of course we did that – I wonder what you're thinking about right now Richard Gilmore.

"Ah. More water?" he asks while looking at my empty glass.

I nod. I can't believe that he noticed that. What a change – a month ago he wouldn't offer me the butter and now he's really standing up to re-fill my glass. Something has changed – I'm sure of it.

"Thank you Richard."

I'm telling him about New York – not about the fight, and he isn't asking about it, and not about Rory either. Just the good parts. We have a nice talk. If only we could talk about the real important things. For a moment I consider starting that talk – I'm more and more thinking about it – but then I back off. I guess because I'm too afraid to destroy what we've gotten so far. To destroy the ability to talk to each other without fighting, even when it's only about light subjects.

I'm on my way to go to the car. The Modern Museum Gala is today. The house is smelling like a fish-market – I don't know what the maid did, but I'm glad to escape it. I can only hope she got rid of it when I'm coming home.

"Gretchen, I can still smell the fish from here!" I call after her while leaving the house.

On my way to the car I'm running into Richard. Maybe we can drive there together.

"Well, funny running into you here. You look very nice." I say to him, while putting on my gloves.

And he does - somehow I expect him to say the same to me, but he doesn't.

"Thank you." is everything he answers.

"Do you have the directions? I have an extra copy if you need it." I say trying to bring up the topic of driving there.

"I'm fine. Thank you." he says in a formal way.

Weird – so I guess we'll drive there separated. If that's what he wants, but somehow he's weird.

"All right. I guess I'll see you there."

"Seems inevitable, doesn't it?" he says before he's going to his car.

What's wrong? There I was thinking that we're on a good way, and then he's so – I don't even know how to describe it – distant? Did I do something, or does he just have a bad day? I honestly don't know what got into him. Weird. I'm gettinginto my Mercedes and start driving to the Gala.

When I'm arriving at the valet parking stall I still haven't figured out, what happened all of a sudden. A few days ago I was even thinking about starting the conversation and now it seems that we've gone 100 steps backwards. But I shouldn't think of that now – maybe it has nothing to do with me. I want to enjoy the evening. But it's still weird. Ah the valet is coming.

"Excuse me, I need a ticket!" I call after him, but he's already gone to some car that isn't mine – great.

"Emily!" someone calls my name and for a second I'm shocked to see that it's Simon.

"Simon! Well, this is a pleasant surprise!" I say and I congratulate myself – I don't even sound a little shocked.

I wonder what he wants – part of me was relieved that he didn't call again – especially since I had the feeling Richard and I were making some progress, but now – concentrate on him Emily!

"Are you waiting for someone?" he asks me.

Ah he wants to check out his chances – smart but I'm smarter than to answer this.

"Yes, a mysterious man with an exotic accent and a red coat to give me a ticket for my car." I say conspiratorial.

"Ah. Well, I wish you a great deal of luck."

"So, who are you here with?" I ask him, wondering if he'll change the topic, too.

"My daughter and her husband. They're right over there. I'd love for you to meet them. Diana, come here for a second!" he says while waving at her.

He hasn't even finished that sentence when a car comes up behind me and hits into my Mercedes. Can't they pay attention!

"What on earth?" I say while getting out of my car.

I can't believe what I'm seeing. Richard is coming out of his car – he's the one who rear-ended my car. What's wrong with him?

"Emily." he states.

"Richard! Have you lost your mind?" I say upset.

"I misjudged the distance." he explains – as if that would explain anything.

"You misjudged the distance! You hit my car!" I exclaim.

"I was distracted."

Distracted!

"Emily, are you okay?" Simon asks me.

I'm just about to answer him, when Richard is cutting me off – I can't believe it.

"I'm her husband, Simon. I'll ask her if she's okay. - Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I say looking angrily at him.

"She's fine, Simon. Are you happy? Now, go away."

"Emily, maybe you should see a doctor." Simon suggests.

"No, I –" I start to say, but again Richard's cutting me off.

"We will determine whether she needs to see a doctor. This is a family matter." he says and when I'm not imagining things I can feel his hand on my back.

I swear if we were at home, I would make him a scene – who does he think he is? But I can't do that with everyone looking, so I'm biting my tongue. And family matter – what's that supposed to mean?

"I'll call you tomorrow and see how you are." Simon says and I smile at him.

I don't get the possibility to say something to him though – because Richard is continuing his rant.

"She'll be fine, Simon. She doesn't need your call." he says and now he walks threateningly in Simon's direction. "Do you hear me, Simon? Don't call."

What's up with him – is he, no, but he's behaving like – he's jealous. He's jealous of Simon. But he can't know about the date, can he? I would know that by now. Simon leaves.

"Were you bitten by some sort of rabid animal?" I ask Richard, but he's only grabbing my arm to pull me after him.

"Let's go."

I'm not fighting it – partly because I don't want a public scene and partly because the realization that he's jealous is still overwhelming me.

"You! You! I'm taking her home. I'll come back for this car." he says to the valet.

"You're what?"

We're heading to his car.

"You were just in a car accident, Emily. You can't go to a party after having been in an accident. Let's go." he explains and he's nearly pushing me into the car.

"What are you doing?"

But he doesn't listen to me – instead he's going over to the driver's side. I wonder what he's up to.

"Maybe we should take you to the hospital." he says while getting into the car

"I think it's a toss-up who needs the trip to the hospital more."

"When you pull up to a valet stand, you get out of the car. You don't dawdle."

"I was waiting for someone to take my car!" I say still upset.

"Well, you wait outside the car! Everybody knows that." he says either upset.

"It is not my fault that you rear-ended my car." I exclaim.

"I know you dated him."

What is he -

"What?"

"Simon McLane! I know you dated Simon McLane!" he says very upset.

Oh no – when did he find out?

"Richard, I was just in an accident. Now is hardly the time to discuss this."

When he can use the accident as an excuse to pull me with him, I can use it as well – I can't talk about that now.

"Fine. - I found out about it in a business meeting, which was hardly the time to find out about it, but fine." he says in an accusing tone.

Damn - in a business meeting. That's terrible. I guess he deserves an explanation.

"It was dinner."

"Dinner. Of course. Dinner." he says sarcastically.

"Nothing happened." I explain.

"Of course nothing happened."

He doesn't believe me. How can he – I've never lied to him.

"Stop it, Richard. I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true." I say hurt and I can feel a tear glistening in my eye.

"Well, I told you that nothing happened between me and Pennilyn Lott. That all we did was have lunch. And I wouldn't have said that if that weren't true!" he says angry.

Right – I never told him that I believed that he had said the truth.

"Well, then, there's nothing more to be said about these things." I state.

"I agree."

For a few seconds we're just sitting in the car. I'm looking outside the window – to avoid having to look at him.

"People are staring, Richard."

"We're going."

And we are. We're not saying anything. But he's not driving home – he's driving to the hospital.

"I'm fine Richard – I don't need a doctor."

"It won't take long – I want to be sure that you're fine."

I won't fight about this – we're silent again. Inside the hospital he's talking to the first doctor we run into.

"My wife just had an accident. Someone rear-ended her car. I want you to make sure that she's fine."

Yes someone!But I'm not saying anything. After he talked to some more staff I'm finally being examined.I'm fine – of course. I knew that before.

"Are you sure?" Richard asks them again.

"Yes, sir. Your wife is fine. You can take her home now."

"Yes, let's go Richard."

I want to get out of here. After thanking the doctor we're leaving the hospital. On our way home we're silent again. Did he intentionally hit my car? Because he saw Simon? Or did he plan it earlier – no that's crazy. But he was definitely jealous. And that's a good feeling. It means that he still cares. And the way he behaved in the hospital – to make 100 percent sure that I'm fine. I wish I would know what to say, but I don't. So we're silent. I wonder what he's thinking.

When we're home he's getting out of the car first and comes around to open my door.

"Thank you."

We're walking towards the door. He starts talking about my car. The car, as if that would be important. But his voice isn't angry or upset anymore. Instead he's calm and sounds even a little defeated.

"I'll make the arrangements to get your car to the shop tomorrow."

"Thank you." I answer calmly while taking my gloves off.

He closes the door. A light smell of fish is still in the air.

"You might want to re-think that lease, though. - Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

"I'm fine." I say for another time.

I'm playing with my gloves. I don't dare to look at him. He's going a few steps away and I'm finally looking up – all I can see is his tall figure going away from me. Why can't I say anything? Suddenly he stops.

"I don't want to go back to the pool house." he sighs.

He did it – he made the first step. Not an apology, but he finally said, that he doesn't like living there, doesn't like our current situation. Say something Emily! I know that when I'm not saying something soon it will be too late. Forever.

"Come home." I simply say.

He turns around and we're just looking at each other.

I know I'm evil to stop here – so tell me when you want to read more. And hey I usually don't have bad cliffhangers, so allow me one.