Disclaimer: I do not own the Gilmore Girls. If I did I would be a lot richer and Tristan wouldnever have left.
A/N: So some confusion due to me being a total spaz. It was supposed to be one chapter, but I decided to split it, but forgot to reread the author's note on the first part which quite emphatically stated that it was a long one-parter. Seeing as it is neither I hope you forgive my stupidity.
Chapter Two: Hers
"The life president of Dshiboutie…"
Sigh
"The life president of Dshiboutie has full presidential and…"
"Huh. The life president has full executive and…"
"The life president of Dshiboutie has full executive and judiciary…"
"Why is this so hard?"
Rory slammed her economics book closed in a matter more reminiscent of her mother than herself and stared out of the window onto the rain-lit square. Studying for her last exam in the finals this semester was becoming more of a chore than she had ever thought. The economic situation in Dshiboutie held no interest for her whatsoever. Forcing herself to focus, Rory reopened the book in her lap and attempted to study.
"The life president of Dshiboutie has full executive and judiciary power, making it difficult for companies to establish themselves in this country without paying a hefty bribe up front. God, this is crap. Why do I need to learn this anyway? It's not like it's a tragedy if I don't get top marks in one subject."
Rory froze, coffee cup slipping from her limp hand to smash on the floor. Dumbly she stared down at the remnants of her favourite learning-cup.
In a monotone voice she repeated herself. "It's not like it matters if I get a less than stellar mark in this subject anyway."
The next came out in a strangled scream: "PARIS!"
"What! You had better have a good reason if you disturb me in the middle of studying for my finals." Paris Gellar stormed into the room, her beautiful face frozen in an expression of disgust. She was stopped in her tracks by the sight greeting her in Rory's room.
Rory's textbook had fallen to the floor next to the shards of her mercifully empty coffee cup. Rory herself lay curled up in her armchair, eyes firmly closed, hands clamped over her ears. All she needed now was an extra hand to cover her mouth and she could have been an amalgamation of the evil Chinese monkeys.
"What's the matter Gilmore. The economic situation of Dshiboutie getting the better of you?"
Rory turned tragic eyes in her direction. "I'm sick."
Paris sighed. "Why do you think you are sick?"
Rory's eyes flashed. "I'm not thinking anything. I know it. I was sitting here trying to learn about the oh so unimportant country of Dshiboutie, except for those who live there of course. Very important for them, obviously and the president would not want his country to be unimportant because he only has the one country to be president of."
"You're babbling."
"Right. Anyway, I was trying to drum this stupid stuff in my head when I thought," the next came out in a whisper so low Paris did not catch it.
"Pardon?"
"I said, I thought that it wouldn't't matter if I didn't get a fantastic grade in this one subject." Now it was Paris' turn to freeze as the full horror of Rory's situation penetrated her mind.
"You're sick."
"THANK YOU. That's what I've been saying for the last five minutes. What am I going to do?"
"Phone Lorelai." Paris stated in the firm belief that Rory's mother was able to fix anything. "Right now. Come on. Bip bip bip."
Rory glared at her as she dug out her mobile. "You watch way too much TV. I mean yes Alec is hot, but you actually think Normal is a great character. I despair of your taste sometimes."
"Hey, I'll have you know that Normal's character espouses all that is best in capitalism. We should all see him as an example."
"Whatever rocks your boat, Paris." Turning her back on her roommate, Rory called the rock in her life.
The phone was answered on the tenth ring by an extremely groggy voice. "Yah?"
"Mom?"
"Who else would it be. Fruit of my loins you had better have a really good reason for waking me up at the insane hour of insane-o-clock."
"I'm very sick Mom."
"No you're not. Cause you are talking to me on the phone right now. Not nice to make fun of your mom when she is sleepy and has had no coffee in her body for the last four months."
"Yes, I am. I was studying when I had the thought that the grade tomorrow didn't matter."
"That's nice, sweetie, Mommy is going back to - YOU WHAT?"
"I thought the grade tomorrow didn't matter."
"You're right something's wrong. Give me forty minutes. I'm coming over."
"Thanks Mom, and drive carefully, don't want little Rory to be woken up."
"Will do. See you in a bit."
"She's coming over."
"I gathered that, Gilmore. Now go back to learning, I am quizzing you in ten minutes. Maybe that will help."
Ten minutes later it was apparent that even the threat of Paris coming down on her like a ton of bricks in a quiz that could best be described as diabolically simple, was not enough to get Rory in gear.
"What's the capital of Dshiboutie?"
"Um, Islamabad?"
"No. What form of government does D. have?"
"Representative democracy."
"Hardly. You're not even trying. What is the best way for a foreign investor to get his money into the country?"
"He asks nicely? Honestly Paris I have no idea, this stuff is just not sticking in my head. And honestly I don't care."
"You have to care. I can't let you not care. If you stop caring then you stop learning and then your grades will fall and you will leave Yale and I will be left here alone with Doyle. You can't do that to me. I wont let you."
"Gee Paris, I'm glad to see my plight affects you so much." Rory mumbled. This was shaping to be a long night.
After interminable minutes of more Paris grilling which yielded nothing but the fact that Rory had even forgotten the stuff she had known the previous day, Lorelai finally made her appearance at Yale, bundled up in a thick coat over her pyjamas. There was a huge bag in her arms and a flask of coffee stuck in one pocket.
"Mini-Me! Sweetheart, what is the problem?"
Before Rory could answer, Paris cut in: "It's horrible, she's turning into the amazing not-elephant. Has an attention span like Dory." She noticed their looks and muttered: "What? I watch films."
When neither of the others answered, Paris huffed and stormed back to her room.
"So, what's the problem, Rory. What's with the learning problems? You're never usually like this."
"I don't know. It's just all so blah! Who cares about the inner workings of Dshiboutie."
"Dshi-whattie?"
"See! Who cares?"
"You usually, sweetie. What's really the matter?" Lorelai was truly concerned now. Her little study bunny was not behaving as usual.
"I don't know. It's just so hard to care and I don't know why. I love studying, why is this so hard, why can I not care about Dshiboutie. I hate that country."
Lorelai sighed. "Maybe it's not Dshi-thingy's fault. Maybe you just don't feel like learning."
"No, no, no. That is just not acceptable. I love learning, learning is my life."
"Aha!"
"Aha, what?"
"Well, at first just aha in general, but bear with your old mother okay. Maybe you're just tired of learning so much. You've always been learning girl. Tate has nothing on you. Someday you just had to crack. We'll figure out the problem and I will fake a tragedy tomorrow and you can postpone the test."
"Okay."
"Okay? Sweetie, now I'm really worried. You just let me commit heresy without a blink."
Rory's lip trembled and she sank into her mother's welcoming arms, taking her with her onto the sofa. A long moment later, Rory finally detached from her Mom.
"Okay again?" Lorelai asked.
"That and little Rory kept kicking me."
Lorelai fondly patted her stomach. "Takes after me. If it had more of Luke, baby would be tucked in nice and tight and sleeping away. All good. I think it would sleep better if I had some coffee, but Luke forbade me."
Rory smiled a watery smile. "It's not much longer. I can't wait. Luke just let you go?"
"Well, he wasn't happy about me driving so late at night, but you're his girl. Wanted to come himself, but somebody has to open the diner tomorrow and I promised not to drive back until then. But he sends his coffee, a hug which I already gave you and lots of goody food."
"Food? Luke food?" Paris popped her head back in. "Can I have some?"
Rory smirked. "Why? Dshiboutie not doing it for you?"
Lorelai patted her head and said: "Of course you can have some, Paris. I had Luke pack a little extra."
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A long while later, the food having been demolished and Paris having returned to her studies, Lorelai and Rory were curled up on the sofa, softly chatting.
"I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Well, sweetie, maybe that's the problem. You have had countless years of never being bored learning maybe it's time you had a break. Everybody has phases like this. This is yours."
"Maybe she's in love." Paris commented from the door.
"What's with you, Paris? You never let anything get in the way of learning. And yet here you are, popping in and out asking questions." Rory was curious and hopeful, maybe if Paris didn't feel like learning either she could blame it on the water.
"No, I'm just revising stuff I know already. Plus this is way more interesting. The great Gilmore fallen from the echelons of academia into the foothills of slackerism."
"Nicely put study-freak."
Lorelai had missed the exchange, due to something catching her attention. "Why do you think she's in love, Paris?"
"Well, you know how usually people stop eating when they are in love. Well, Rory loves learning way more than food, so it would make sense for her to stop learning when she is in love."
"In some weird, psychotic way that actually makes sense, you know."
"MOM. I'm not in love. If I was, I would know wouldn't I?"
Lorelai and Paris shared the 'look'.
"Don't do that. You're doing the exclude Rory look because she is so clueless. I hate it when you do that."
"But it's true, sweetheart. You are clueless. Case in point Dean mark one."
"And Tristan." Paris piped in. "He was totally into you and you were so totally oblivious it wasn't even funny."
"And then there was Jess."
"And Marty."
"Naked guy?" Lorelai asked.
"Yup, that's the one. He really really likes our Rory. And she's convinced they are just friends."
"We are. Just friends."
"Sweetie, have I taught you nothing. Men are never just friends. They always want into your pants."
"You're quoting Harry and Sally. That is not an argument."
"I can't believe you just said that with a straight face. Billy Crystal said it, ergo it is true and an argument." Lorelai smirked triumphantly at her daughter, sure that they were on the right track.
"So have you met anybody new lately?" Paris asked.
Rory frowned. "I don't know why you think this is the reason. I told you I'm sick!"
"Just humour us honey." Lorelai soothed. "We'll do this like Sherlock Holmes. Eliminate the impossibilities and whatever is left has to be the truth no matter how outlandish it sounds. Darn. I should have a pipe. Hey Paris, you can be Watson."
"Why do I have to be Watson? I am way more intelligent than you.!
"Hey! I called dibs. So there." Lorelai stuck her tongue out at Paris.
"You know considering you are going to be a mother for the second time, you're way immature." Paris stated.
"Why thank you. I converse regularly with my inner id."
Rory only rolled her eyes. "Listen can we get back to the topic. You think I'm in love. I'm going to prove that I have something like narcolepsy or something. An early case of Alzheimers maybe."
Lorelai and Paris both scrunched their noses, shared another glance and got back to their new pet project.
"So, back to the question. Have you met any new guys lately?"
"Paris, you're in the same classes I am. You would know if there were any new students. And there hasn't been anybody new. Same circle of friends as last year."
"Well, that's not exactly true, there's Logan and his friends. They're new."
Rory scoffed. "Well, yeah, but have you seen them. Vacuous and only interested in their own fun. They wouldn't know a library if it fell on their head and concussed them. I mean just take Finn."
"Yes, let's take Finn." Lorelai crowed. She'd liked the handsome Australian from the moment she had met him. Of course, that might have had something to do with the fact that he had dropped down on his knees in front of her and offered to give up all worldly pleasures and whisk her away to a little island in the Caribbean.
Paris grinned, as she echoed: "Yeah, let's take Finn."
Rory smiled: "See, told you. He's the most annoying person, EVER. Did you know that he is in six of my classes and he's never shown up once. No, going to mere tutorials and lectures is too much to ask for the mighty Finn. But whenever there's an exam he's there and he always gets good grades. It's so annoying. He's never in the library and believe me I've looked. I thought he was probably getting in some sneaky studying when no-one is looking. But no, Finn doesn't need to work, it all just comes flying into his lap. Every time we meet he always pretends he doesn't know me, and that joke's getting old fast, I can tell ya." In her agitation Rory jumped up and started to pace the room, completely missing the significant looks her mother and room mate were one again exchanging. "Why does he have to be so annoying?" She asked no-one in particular, and without waiting for even a pretend answer continued her rant. "He's always hooking up with these bimbo redheads, parades them around for a night and then dumps them the next morning. Well, when I say dump I mean refuses to call, because dumping implies some form of relationship." She took a deep breath.
Lorelai and Paris meanwhile had found a bag of crisps somewhere and were happily munching away while enjoying the floorshow.
"Where was I?"
"Dumping implying a relationship." Paris supplied helpfully. This was way more enjoyable than learning, not that she would ever admit it.
"Right, right. I mean how stupid does he think those girls are. And how pathetic do you have to be to just put up with that. He's obviously intelligent, otherwise he would have been shucked out ages ago, so why can't he find some nice girl and have a real relationship. Somebody nice and intelligent."
"Somebody like you?" Lorelai piped in.
"Yes! I mean NO! Not me, no way. We would kill each other within a week. He's always teasing me and making me blush and then goes off to find some random female who doesn't tax his brain cells too much. God forbid that he actually have to think in a relationship."
"I thought you said he didn't have any relationships." It was Paris' turn to put her oar in.
"He doesn't. Different female every night or as near as never mind."
Lorelai swallowed her lastcrisp and decided it was time for some home truths. "Honey, it sounds like you're jealous."
Her daughter went brickred. "I'm not jealous!" Taking in the disbelieving faces in front of her, she continued: "Really, I'm not jealous, he can do whatever he wants. Yup, He's his own man. Nope, not jealous at all."
"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much." Paris quipped.
"Hey! No protesting. I'm all non-protesty girl."
"I think you like him." Lorelai said, only to immediately shush her girl when she opened her mouth to speak. "Nope, listen me out. Finn is funny, charming and witty. He knows almost as many films as we do. He looks great and let me tell you if I wasn't happily married and just about the size of a beached whale I would have totally remotely considered the island idea. The two of you have so much chemistry. Anybody can see it."
Rory opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"She's right, Rory. We all know that you don't have the best track record when it comes to realising you're in love or in like if you prefer, but fact is that something is keeping you from learning. So we figure out what it is, you go and fix it and then I am not alone here next year, because we both know that that is not an option." Paris leaned back with crossed arms, convinced she had made her point.
"Okay, so there may be some chemistry. But that is bad. He's such an irritating little - …" Words failed her.
"Cutie-pie?" Lorelai.
"Aussie hunk?" Paris surprisingly.
"He is not a hunk!"
"Oh, please. He's totally a hunk. Tell me you haven't imagined what he would look like in a pair of those skin-tight miniscule speedos." Paris scoffed, then screeched with delight, when she took in Rory's flushed and dazed expression.
"Hah! I knew it. You totally have thought of him in speedos." Rory blushed an even deeper shade of red.
"Daughter! You haven't!" Lorelai smirked. "So you have finally developed your naked stare. Good on you."
Rory groaned, dropped her body into a chair and her face into her hands. "What am I going to do? So I have feelings for ladies-man Finn. It's all going to end in tears. I'm going to have my heart stomped on and will end up a bitter old woman who is eaten alive by her one thousand cats."
Lorelai took pity on her. "Sweetie, I wish I could make it all go away for you. Let you live in a world without heartache, but this is the way it is. Decide what you want and go for it. Yes, you may get your heart broken, but you will never know what the possibilities might have been. Finn is a good man. Trust him. I'm sure he won't let you down."
Rory sighed, braced herself and stood up. "I'm going for a walk. I have to think." Picking up her jacket and keys, Rory left the dorm.
Paris and Lorelai looked at each other and shrugged.
"I'm going back to learning, Lorelai. Thanks for the food."
"No problem. Don't stay up too late. Ooops, I mean later than now. Big test tomorrow. I'll tidy up and then lie down in Rory's room."
"Right. Night, Lorelai."
"Night, Paris."
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A/N2: So, both Rory and Finn have gone walkabout. heehee. Oh, the possibilities. I am debating where they bump into each other, because we all know that they will. Library is her turf and the pubs are his so I was thinking somewhere neutral neither of them would normally go. I mean they are trying to avoid each other, are they not?
A/N3: Now I have forgotten what PDLD means, Darn. i think it is something along the lines of punch drunk lovers.
A/N4: As much as I would like to bask in the feeling that I write so well even though I am German,I have to confess I'm not really. my Mom's from Scotland, so I kinda grew up bilingual and studied over there. But thanks anyway for the compliment, made me feel all fuzzy.
