I Think You Broke Him – Chapter 3 – A Simple Solution

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Not mine, just amusing myself. I promise to put them back when I'm done.

A/N: Okay, from the looks of this story, my brain is filled with nothing more than fluff. It's like cotton candy and marshmallow cream up there. Which is really sweet, but rots your teeth and can give you a stomach ache. So proceed at risk to your digestive and dental health. Mainly a transitional chapter. Also, it's romance, people. Less plot, more situational dialogue. But, I'm getting there.

The next morning when the initial warm fuzzies of knowing she was loved, and the post-coital glow that was brought on by the passion that was powered by the aforementioned knowing, had worn off, she realized something.

Last night she'd told Finn, her boyfriend (she smiled at the thought), that she would spend the summer break with him in Australia. At the time she had accepted the offer, she had completely forgotten about her other plans for the summer. The Gilmore-Danes' wedding was scheduled for mid-June. She was the maid of honor. She groaned in disbelief. How could she have forgotten?

Finn answered her groan with a "Mumph?" of his own.

"Coffee first," she said as she pushed herself out of bed, "then I need to talk to you about something."

In turn, he rolled out of bed and headed for the shower. She knew that, as strong as her addiction to caffeine was, he couldn't wake up properly without a blistering hot shower. She stretched up to kiss his cheek and then headed out to the kitchen area to make coffee.

As she got the pot ready, she reflected on the fact that it hadn't taken her long to feel comfortable here. It certainly helped that Finn had a private room. No awkward moments with the roommate. But aside from that, Finn's place was…homey. He had prints and photographs of different Australian landscapes and landmarks all over his walls. There were photographs of his family; snapshots mixed with more formal, professional portraits. When she first saw his place, she assumed he had all these things around him since he was so far from home. After all, every other guy she knew kept the décor to a minimum.

The more she'd gotten to know him, she'd realized it was more than his effort to ward of homesickness. It turned out he was truly fond of his homeland and loved his family very much. She also suspected he was afraid that one of his sisters would show up at any moment and want to see all the family displayed prominently.

She also saw that Finn's outward personality was his way of dealing with Connecticut. The antics were his way of off-setting the New England stuffiness that surrounded him. In terms of social standing he was right up there with the Gilmores, Haydens, and, yes, even the Huntzbergers; however, the pretension was somewhat lacking. While his family was as "old money" as they come, it was also Australian. Even the most pretentious of Australians couldn't compete with the ladies of the DAR. It was physically impossible. Really, who would want to put a stick up their arse? His words, not hers. Though her mother readily agreed with him.

So, as he liked to put it, he played the "drunk exotic". People forgave his antics and it kept him from having to be taken seriously. It also kept him away from the matchmaking mamas of the Hartford and New Haven society set. It was definitely more fun that way. It allowed him to go to fabulous parties (he considered any party with fairly decent food and plenty of alcohol fabulous), and still fly under the radar.

Rory was quite satisfied with his explanation despite knowing about, and having been witness to, his promiscuous past. She rolled her eyes at the direction her thoughts had taken. She knew now that he was serious about her and was even thankful for all of his, erm, flings. They had definitely honed his skills.

Moving away from the distracting direction her thoughts were moving, she couldn't help but think that even the drama that Finn played out – only opening up to her while keeping most others in the dark with his smokescreen antics – was typical Finn. She truly liked both versions.

Their public and private personalities were reversed and it worked out perfectly. He brought her out of her shell when they were at parties, and she amused him with her quiet, odd ways when they spent time alone together. A night of videos with her taught him that he had severely underestimated just how wicked she could be.

Any interaction of a playful nature usually culminated with the two of them getting so caught up in one anther that they would lose track of time. They'd spend entire afternoons tasting, touching, and pleasuring each other just to see if there was anything new to learn. She'd surprised even herself with her aggressiveness. Considering their beginning, she really shouldn't have been. Beyond the physical passion, they were having fun. They enjoyed each other.

She jiggled the coffee pot and tapped at the filter basket to make sure it wasn't going to rebel against her and spew grounds and hot coffee all over her again. She'd tried to risk it once by taking an early cup, and it had fought back. Finn had responded to her shouts thinking something was on fire. She blamed him, saying appliances that were given names early on didn't have those sorts of problems.

The overworked little coffeemaker gave one last gurgling sigh and Rory withdrew the decanter and poured herself a generous mug full. She placed the pot back on the warmer and moved to sit in her favorite oversized chair by the window.

It had a pretty view of a seldom used courtyard, and she watched a nest of baby birds get fed by their mama. She and Finn had been taking note of their progress since she spotted their nest. It was as close to having a pet as she'd ever gotten and it worked out even better. No feeding, watering, or paper changing; and she still got to enjoy watching them.

She eyed the stack of books atop the end table next to the chair and picked up Paradiso. She lost herself in the words and failed to notice Finn's exit from his room. He managed to grab a cup of coffee for himself and crept over in front of her, unnoticed. He stood there, completely motionless, waiting for her to notice him.

It was a game of theirs. He liked to time how long it takes her to become aware of his presence. It varied depending on several factors. The book, how long she'd been reading, and how patient he was feeling. It started as a joke. The first few times he approached her and she didn't immediately register his presence, he took a slight offense. The more it happened, though, he realized it gave him a chance to observe her in what he considered her natural state. She was completely unguarded when absorbed in a book.

She finally took notice of him and rolled her eyes, "How long this time?" she asked with an amused purse of her lips.

"Ten minutes," he offered.

"Liar," she grinned as she smacked him with her now closed book.

"So what's this that you need to, er, discuss?" he asked, meeting her eyes at the last.

"All right, well, last night when I agreed to spend the summer with you in Australia, I completely forgot about my mom's wedding. I feel so stupid. I mean, I'm in the wedding. It's written on every calendar I own. I hadn't told you yet, because they just finalized the date last week. I feel awful. Just, so, guilty," she paused in her rambling explanation as she searched for words to describe just how wretched she felt. Torn between wanting to be there with her mom and also wanting to spend the whole summer with Finn.

"Guilty?" he asked.

"Well, yeah. On one hand, I want to spend the whole summer with you. Even if that means missing my mom's wedding. I'm a horrible daughter that should be disowned. But on the other hand I can't miss my mom's wedding. It's Mom and Luke!"

"I'm not really seeing the problem here, love."

"Australia? Other side of the world? I mean, I still want to go. We just won't be together the whole time. Maybe I could come down after the wedding? Or, you could just wait with me and then we could…" she stood up to pace as she continued her rant.

"Nope, no good. I'm want to be back home for my birthday."

"Oh," she said deflated.

Folding her hands into his own, he pulled her into his lap and caught her attention.

"Rory? I want you to be in Australia for my birthday with my family, and then we'll fly back for your mom's wedding. Then, if we want to finish out the summer in Australia, we can. It's really up to us. I just really wanted to be home for my birthday, and I wanted you there with me. Besides, it might be better to ease you into my family."

"I thought you all got along pretty well?"

"Oh, we do."

"You don't think they'll like me?" she asked as her throat went dry at the thought. She remembered Logan's family's disapproval. At the time she'd been indignant, but it hadn't mattered, really. It had been their cue to back off from each other; worked out for the best all around. The idea that Finn's family wouldn't like her made her stomach flip, though.

"No!" he hurriedly reassured her. "No, quite the opposite. They will probably smother you with their enthusiasm and affection. And then praise you for putting up with me. And then question your sanity for dating me. By the time we're ready to come back here for Lorelai's wedding, they'll be trying to fix you up with one of their friends or friend's sons, because they'll have decided you're too good for me. Love, they will absolutely adore you."

He was pouting by the end of his pity-party speech. She laughed and kissed the bottom lip that was sticking out. He relaxed back into the chair with her in his arms, considering his mission accomplished. She was calm and happy once again. And kissing him. Always a good thing. Then she stopped and pulled back.

"So, when do we leave?"

"Flight leaves tomorrow evening at six."

"Finn!" she sat up and smacked him on his chest.

"What?"

"That gives me less than twenty-four hours to pack. Oh my God! I have to call Mom! I have to make a list…"

'Here we go again,' he thought to himself. He considered some of the tactics and talents at his disposal that he could use to calm her down, but decided against them. There'd be time for that later.