Camping Trip – Chapter Two

Disclaimer: I do not own the Gilmore Girls.

Rory followed Finn's lead and entered the cabin eager to see the inside. She stopped in the living room and examined the room carefully. She was in absolute awe. The living room was almost twice the size of her living room in Stars Hollow, and at the corner was a huge brick stone fireplace.

"Make yourself at home doll," Finn whispered in her right ear before making his way past her and into the kitchen.

Rory shivered involuntarily and sat on one of the couches. She reached into her purse for her cell phone... she took one last look around the spacious living room before she dialled the beloved number.

"Well hello, darling daughter of mine."

"Hey mom."

"Guess what!"

"You finally caved and said yes to Kirk?"

"How did you know? Unfortunately, I was too late. Damn Lulu."

"I guess you'll just have to settle for Luke," Rory remarked,she was now sprawled on the couch comfortably.

"Well, I don't really have a choice. Anyway, what's up with you?"

"You'll never guess where I am."

"Umm... Montana?"

"Montana?"

"Was I right?"

"No. Guess again."

"You said I couldn't guess where you are so just tell me. I'm dying from the sheer anticipation."

"Okay mom, brace yourself."

Lorelai shrieked excitedly, "This is going to be good! I can feel it."

"Have you braced yourself?"

"Yes, yes and yes."

"I'm camping."

"You're what?"

"Camping."

"Camping?"

"Yes... well not really camping. We're staying in this beautiful cabin but we're surrounded with all kinds of trees and stuff."

"But why?"

"Why the trees or why the cabin?"

"Both."

"The cabin because I went with a bunch of rich socialites. The trees... well because these rich socialites wanted to be adventurous."

"Well it certainly is adventurous," Lorelai snorted. "I hope they brought coffee."

"They'd be stupid not to," Rory replied.

"Because... well because too much fresh air is hazardous to a Gilmore girl. The only cure is caffeine and lots of it."

"Thanks for the warning."

"Have I told you about my camping experience?"

"You have a camping experience?" Rory question incredulously. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"There was never a right moment was there? When have we been camping?"

"Valid point... continue."

"Well I don't want to go into detail or else I'm going to have nightmares tonight. To make a very long and traumatizing story short, I had mosquito bites the size of pennies, no coffee for two days and bags under my eyes from lack of sleep because I swear I saw a bear lurking outside."

Rory laughed, "When was this?"

"When I was fourteen, my first and last summer at Lake Kinokee," Lorelai shuddered at the memories flooding her mind.

Rory could hear arguing from the kitchen and took it as a sign to get off the phone. "Listen mom, I have to go... I'll call you soon."

"You better! I want details... and I mean, every single itty bitty detail."

"I promise."

"Bye kiddo."

"Bye mom, love you."

"Right back at'cha."

-

Rory put her cell phone back into her purse. She sighed, resting her head against the feather throw pillow one last time before getting to her feet. She followed the escalating quarrel and reached the equally impressive kitchen. From the entrance, she could see Colin and Stephanie arguing from opposite sides of the kitchen island. Logan stood behind them, he was leaning against the kitchen counter and his face wore a smirk, while his eyebrow rose higher and higher from sheer amusement. Finn was the closest to her; he was a couple of feet away beside the refrigerator.

"What's going on?" she asked him, standing beside him.

Finn grinned at her, "Colin's pissed at Steph."

"For...?"

Finn shushed her and pointed to the bickering two.

"You expect us to eat this?" Colin exclaimed, pointing to the plastic bags.

"Why not?" Stephanie countered, her face pink from frustration.

"This is... this is crap!"

"Oh get your ego-infested head out of your ass for one second Colin! There's nothing wrong with the food I bought."

"There's nothing wrong with the food... it's just all crap."

"Yes well, tough. Eat it or starve Worthington," Stephanie remarked, folding her arms across her chest.

Colin took one look at the plastic bags and scrunched his nose in utter revulsion. "I'd like to see you eat it first Steph."

"Well of course I'll eat it," the blonde yelled, "I bought it didn't I?"

"We gave you one simple task and you couldn't even do that!" Colin yelled back, throwing his hands up in the air for effect.

"Have fun starving," Stephanie replied, casually emptying the contents of the plastic bag, "And for the record, you have no reason to be so mad at me. I did my best under the circumstances."

"Your best? And what circumstances?" Colin snorted; he grabbed two cans from inside the plastic bags.

Rory held her laughter in as she noticed that in one hand, Colin held a can of chickpeas and in the other was a can of pork and beans.

Stephanie stopped unpacking the groceries and glared menacingly at Colin. She threw a bag of regular salted chips at his head. "If you hadn't taken away my credit cards then we wouldn't be arguing about this!"

Colin caught the bag of chips and threw them aside. "So you're trying to get back at me?" he exclaimed loudly, "You want your credit cards?" he questioned.

To Stephanie's horror, Colin started to undo his belt. After his belt was undone, he then proceeded to unbutton his pants and unzip the zipper. He pushed his pants down and was now standing in only his Ralph Lauren boxers. Colin's hands fiddled with the hem of his boxers.

"Come and get your credit cards Steph-y. Just reach in."

Rory's eyes widened in shock while she struggled to support a hyperventilating Finn. Finn was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his face.

Logan was the first to recover from his shock and first to control his laughter. "Okay you two, quit it alright? Colin give Stephanie back her credit cards and put on your pants. Stephanie, put down that can of mushrooms and step away from the kitchen knives. Finn, get a hold of yourself and help me out here!"

Finn cleared his throat and hastily wiped the tears from his eyes. He walked to where Stephanie stood and grabbed a can of pork and beans. He examined it carefully before setting it aside. "I'm sorry doll, you know you're my second favourite girl but..." he looked at Stephanie regretfully, "I want filet mignon and a baked potato."

"Then you can starve too," Stephanie said, "How about you Rory?"

Rory smiled uncomfortably, "Um... I have no problems with the... uh... food."

Stephanie beamed.

"That's three to one."

"But only you and Finn don't like my food."

"Correction, me, Finn and Logan."

"Logan has yet to pick a side," Stephanie argued.

"Whatever we pick, Logan picks," Colin dismissed Stephanie's comment.

Colin then turned to Logan; an expectant smile graced his features. "Hand over the keys Huntzberger."

Logan's eyes widened, his hands held the keys to his new Cadillac even tighter. "Why?"

"We're going food shopping, nitwit."

Logan shook his head, "No, I'm not letting you drive my brand new car Worthington."

"Why the hell not?"

"Remember what happened last time when I let you drive my Porsche?"

Colin rolled his eyes, "It was one tiny dent."

"My poor baby was wrecked. Wrecked!"

"Don't be such a prude Huntz. Give me your keys, I'm starving," Colin held out his hand.

"No, I'll drive," Logan announced.

"I'm coming!" Stephanie grabbed her purse.

"Well then I have no choice but to go now, Steph might buy more crap."

Logan ignored the two as another argument ensued. He glanced at Rory expectantly. "You coming Ace?"

"I don't think so," Rory laughed, "I might get a headache from their constant bickering," she pointed to Colin and Stephanie.

"Morgan?" Logan turned to Finn next.

"I think I'll pass mate," he replied, "Somebody has to stay here to keep reporter girl from hitting the books."

-

Rory and Finn watched the three disappear into the trees toward the parking lot from the porch before making there way back inside. Rory could not hide the apprehension from her face... she had never spent time alone with Finn before. Finn seemed to notice and inwardly smirked.

"Nervous?"

Rory jumped as his hot breath tickled the back of her neck. "Why would I be nervous?" she asked him.

"You tell me," he grinned teasingly before taking her hand in his.

"Where are you taking me?" Rory asked, allowing herself to be pulled away by the Australian.

"You'll see," Finn chuckled at her nervous face. "Relax doll, it's nothing bad."

With another roll of her blue eyes, she found herself following Finn, actually anxious to see what he had under his sleeve. They made their way past the kitchen and the two now stood in front of the sliding door, leading to the backyard. Rory looked at him questioningly. He only grinned wider and motioned outside. Rory's head turned from the tall Australian to the large backyard. She stifled a giggle as her eyes landed on what Finn signalled to.

"Colin helped me set it up before his hissy fit," he said, sliding the door open. "Ladies first."

Rory laughed as she stepped outside, the humid weather hitting her full force. She allowed him to take her hand as he led her to the middle of the yard.

"How long did it take you guys to actually set this up?"

Finn smiled sheepishly, "That's not important, what is important is that we got it up," he crouched down and unzipped the large blue tent.

He held the flap open, looking at the gorgeous brunette keenly. "Well... after you love."

Rory shook her head, smiling at Finn before stepping into the tent. She laughed loudly at the sight that greeted her. In the centre of the tent was food, lots and lots of food. From large bags of potato chips, mallomars, smores and even a fruit tray. There were also cans of soda, and numerous bottles of alcohol. Surrounding the circle of food were pillows varying in sizes. And in each corner of the tent was one dimly lit kerosene lamp.

"Impressive," Rory nodded approvingly, she sat down on the tent floor. She leaned against the nest of pillows behind her.

"Steph wasn't the only one to go to the store today. Only difference was that I had my best friends with me, American Express and Master Card."

Rory chuckled, "You know what would make this moment perfect?" she eyed him hopefully, her sapphire eyes twinkling.

"Say no more love," he rushed to the centre of the tent to the circle of the food.

Rory closed her eyes as she waited for Finn. What comfortable pillows...

The heavenly scent of the elixir of life caused her eyes to open quickly. Finn sat in front of her; his grin lopsided as he held in one hand a bottle of beer and in the other, a thermos of what Rory guessed was coffee.

She took the thermos eagerly. "Thank you," she whispered, before drowning herself into the steaming hot liquid. "You know, this is very thoughtful of you Finn."

Finn shrugged, leaning against the pillows beside her. "What can I say? I'm just a very thoughtful person."

"So, who's your favourite girl?"

Finn choked on his Heineken. "Pardon me?"

"You said Stephanie was your second favourite girl... who's your first?" Rory inquired innocently, her eyes meeting his.

Finn took several moments before recovering from her question. He took another long gulp of his drink and met her eyes again, only this time, he was much more confident. "You'll know soon, love."

Rory nodded, satisfied with his answer. She looked around the tent before opening her mouth to talk. "So, what do you want to do? We have a pretty long wait, knowing Steph and Colin they're probably arguing about which store to go to."

Finn set his beer aside. "Let's just talk."

"Talk?" Rory had now finished the coffee, "I like to talk."

Finn chuckled and nodded, "That's one thing we have in common."

--

AN: Ta-da! A fairly decent sized chapter for you wonderful people. Thank you to the lovely people who reviewed this story… you guys just absolutely rock! Please continue to do so…

Oh, and for the people wondering about the status of Logan and Rory... all will be explained in the next chapter! Thank you guys again!