Rory finally opened the door to her room and walked out. Lorelai was sitting peacefully on the couch reviewing her murder notes. She didn't realize Rory had walked into the room.

"You've got a lot of notes." Rory spoke, startling Lorelai.

"Yeah." Lorelai replied.

"They all say Dean did it?" Rory asked in almost a bashful tone.

Lorelai shook her head. "I know this has to be so hard for you."

Rory looked down at the ground. "Why would Dean want to kill Taylor?"

"They were having some problems over work. Taylor found out Dean had been stealing soda and cutting his shifts early."

"That's no reason to kill." Rory interrupted.

"You're right. It isn't." Lorelai remarked.

Rory grabbed her jacket laying on the chair. "I'm going to go for a walk."

"Rory, I don't think you should be out by yourself."

"Fine, I'll ask Lane to come with me."

"If you're still upset about this, then let's talk. Please, don't leave angry."

"I just need some time to think." Rory replied as she walked out the door.

(Sidewalk)

"Your mom and Luke think that Dean killed Taylor?" Lane asked shocked. "Wow."

"I know." Rory answered.

"Do you believe them?"

"I don't know."

"This is way out there." Lane concluded.

"I know."

"Will I become rich and famous?" Lane asked off topic.

"What?" Rory asked, breaking her daze.

"Sorry." Lane smiled a little. "Just trying to follow the pattern."

"No, I'm sorry. I'm just not thinking straight."

"Hey, I understand that." Lane replied. "I don't think my mind would be too clear either.

Suddenly, Dean popped around the corner. "Rory." he greeted happily. "Hey." he smiled.

Rory's body tightened. "Hey."

Lane's eyes widened and her heart began thumping.

"I tried calling your house earlier." Dean stated. "I didn't get an answer though. I guess that's because you obviously wasn't home."

"Yeah. Obviously." Rory repeated timidly.

"I was going to ask you if you'd like to come over and watch a movie tonight. I rented one of your favorites, Casablanca." Dean smiled again.

"Uh.." Rory thought quickly. "I can't. I have to help my mom tonight."

"With what?" Dean asked.

"Cleaning." Rory shot back.

"Cleaning?"

"Yeah. She's going to do major cleaning and she needs my help." Rory swallowed heavily.

"Well, I can come over and help too. Then if we get done early enough we could just watch the movie there." Dean suggested.

"No. That won't work." Rory replied.

Dean let out a half laugh. "Why not?"

"Cause we'll never get finished early. Besides I've seen that movie a hundred times."

"You watch the same movies over and over every day." Dean stated annoyed.

"Look, I just can't. I'm sorry."

"Rory, what's going on with you?" Dean lifted his arms.

"You know what." Lane interrupted. "I have to be home in like 5 minutes or Mama will be very angry."

Dean looked at her as if he had just noticed she was standing there.

"Right." Rory agreed. "Let's go."

"Rory..." Dean called. "Wait."

Rory continued to walk down the street without looking back.

"Rory!" He repeated louder. Still he received no response. He sighed, and started walking in the opposite direction.

"Wow." Lane said with her mouth gaping.

"Thanks for making an escape route." Rory replied.

"No problem. I could tell you was getting really freaked back there. Unfortunately, I think Dean caught on too."

"I don't want to believe it, Lane." Rory said heartbrokenly. "But my mom is so sure of it."

"Lorelai's usually right about things." Lane admitted. "I don't think she would tell you something like that unless she was confident."

"I know she wouldn't." Rory reluctantly confessed. "I wish none of this had ever happened."

"Well one thing is for sure." Lane began. "You can't let Dean know that you know."