Shipmates

Pairing: Rory/Paris

Thank you to all of my reviewers! I love reading all your comments; it makes this whole endeavor worthwhile...

Author note: Okay, so did anyone else forget about Dean? Show of hands? I got so wrapped up in the story that I forgot he was still around. It was only after re-watching the beginning of season three that I caught on. Good thing too, cause I definitely would have had some reviewer asking about him. I considered just editing the summary to say that there is no Dean in this existence, but I think this is more fun!

Chapter 5: The Problem

How could she have forgotten about Dean? Her boyfriend. 'I mean sure, I kissed Jess before I left, but I haven't thought of either one of them since I left Stars Hollow.' Rory thought suddenly feeling sick.

Rory disentangled herself from Paris' tight grasp, causing the other girl to shift slightly, and Rory held her breath until she settled back into peaceful slumber.

Despite the late hour, Rory still decided to take a walk on the deck. She exited their room silently, making her way to main deck, where she headed to the railing. The calm waves lapped at the hull, quiet and peacefully.

'I have a boyfriend, and I've been making out with one of my best friends. Dean deserves better than this. I have to tell him how I feel.' She thought inwardly. "But how do I feel?" She mused aloud.

"About what?" A voice asked, from right beside her. Rory had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn't notice Paris come up beside her. She put her arm around Rory's waist, gently pulling her closer. "What's wrong, Rory?"

Rory leaned her head on Paris' shoulder, unable to stop the tears from springing to her eyes. Paris didn't say anything, just used her free hand to stroke her silken hair. When Rory composed herself slightly, she began to speak. Quickly.

"I just realized that I'm still dating Dean. Technically, anyway. And I kissed Jess at Sookie's wedding. And now, I feel like I'm cheating on both of them, even though I was never really seeing Jess, and I haven't really been that interested in Dean for a while now, and I just want them to not be in the picture, and that everyone would be okay with us being together. And maybe we could just never get off of this ship, and just be together...and I just said just WAY too many times, and now I feel kind of stupid, and I should probably stop talking, but now I don't want to, because then you'll tell me how stupid I sounded, and never want to ever see me again, and I really like being with you and kissing you and-"

Paris interrupted her with a long, lingering kiss. When they broke apart, Paris smiled at her.

"I really like kissing you too."

Rory hugged her, and giggled insanely, tears forgotten.

Paris pulled back slightly after a while, looking into Rory's cool blue eyes. "If you're really worried about Dean and Jess, why don't you call them?"

"By phone definitely isn't the best way to break up with someone, especially if that person is hundreds of miles away."

"Well, didn't Dean go visit his grandmother this summer? In North Carolina? Near the port we're landing at, oh say, tomorrow?" Paris asked.

Rory looked at her, clearly surprised. "You are really smart."

"Well I am going to Harvard."

Rory smiled at her.

"Let's go back to our room and get some sleep. You'll call Dean tomorrow, and everything will be fine."

Rory turned back to the ocean. "Let's just stay out here for a while." She leaned back against the blonde, letting the cool wind caress her face.

A few hours later, the two walked back into their room, hand in hand. They settled back into bed, Rory much more at ease, though slightly worried about the hard day to come.

------

Rory had just gotten out of the shower as the Enigma pulled into port.

Paris was seated at her desk, working on some research for the project, when Rory came out of the bathroom.

"Okay, so you'll meet me at 2:00? Right?" Rory asked, glancing at Paris.

"Right at the docks. Got it." Paris assured her.

Rory sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. After a few minutes, Paris came and sat beside her.

"Are you going to be okay with this? Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. That will just make it harder, and I need to be the one to tell Dean. But thanks." she said looking at Paris' anxious face. "It means a lot that you would do that for me."

"Anything." Paris said quickly. "I'd do anything for you."

Rory smiled, clearly overcome with emotion, and unable to speak.

"Well, I'd better get going. See you in a little bit." She leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on Paris' cheek, before heading out the door, with one last lingering look back towards the bed where the other girl still sat.

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Out on the main deck, Rory joined the long line of students waiting to head off the ship. By some stroke of bad luck, Mary was right behind her.

"Hey Rory. Where ya headed?" She asked.

"Meeting someone."

"Who? Anybody good?"

"Not really any of your business."

They stepped on to the dock, and Rory saw Dean hurrying over. Mary noticed her attention shifting, and followed her sight line.

"He's cute. Friend of yours?"

"Rory!" he said, wrapping his arms around her small waist. He moved to kiss her, but Rory pulled back and out of his arms.

"Do I get an introduction?" Mary said, intrigued.

"Uh, Dean, Mary. Mary, Dean."

"How do you guys know each other?" Mary asked innocently.

Dean looked at Rory, slightly confused. "Uh, I'm her boyfriend"

Mary looked as if Christmas and her birthday and every other major fun holiday were thrown together. "Boyfriend, huh? Isn't that funny. Well, have a good time. Hey, Rory? Where's Paris?"

"In our room."

"Maybe I'll drop in and see her while you two are out. See you later, hot stuff." she winked and laughed as she headed back on the ship.

Dean looked at Rory strangely. "Did she just call you..."

"Let's go for a walk, Dean."

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They got some coffee at a small cafe on the corner. Dean pointed out an empty bench, and the pair sat down.

"Okay, Rory. Something is going on. What is it?"

"Don't be mad."

"This isn't going to be good. Who is he?"

"There's no he. Well, there was...but that wasn't anything."

"What wasn't anything?"

"I kind of kissed Jess, or he kind of kissed me. It was all so sudden, and not really very good, at all. But anyway, that's not the important matter."

"So you kissed Jess, but that's not why I should be mad?"

"Yes."

"So, Jess aside, why should I be mad?"

Rory looked away.

"Rory?" Dean asked gently.

"I'm falling in love with someone."

"I thought you said there was no guy?"

Rory hid her face with her hands. "There isn't."

Dean took a second to process the new information. "Uh...a girl?" He looked dumbfounded. "Is she the redhead, who called you hot earlier?"

"NO! She's just some annoying girl who enjoys hitting on me and Paris. It's all kind of disturbing."

"Funny, that's the word I was looking for."

"Dean, I just felt like I had to be completely honest with you."

Dean looked away for a moment before turning back to her. "You're right. I wouldn't want it any other way. By the way, who is she? I mean, do I know her?"

"Yeah, a little..."

"It's Paris, isn't it?"

"Yep."

"Well, I'm surprised, you know about the girl thing, but not as much about Paris. She kind of seems your type. You know, smart and pretty."

"Okay, now I'm starting to think you might like her too." she winked to let him know she was kidding.

A brief period of silence followed, which Dean broke.

"So, does she know?"

"Yes she does."

"How does she feel about it?"

"She feels the same."

"I'm happy for you two."

They looked away again. A few seconds later, Rory tried again.

"How's your summer going?"

At this, Dean launched into a long winded account of all the happenings in his life. Soon the two were laughing like old times again, and Rory was glad. She didn't want to lose Dean as a friend, no matter what happened.

All too soon, it seemed that 2:00 was upon them.

"Uh, Dean, I kind of have to meet Paris soon, do you mind if we cut this short? I promise I'll call and we'll get together again when the ship docks here on the way home, okay?"

"Sounds good. Let's get going, you don't want to be late for your date."

"Thanks for being so cool about this, Dean." Rory said, as they started back towards the docks.

------

A few minutes after Rory had left, Paris was interrupted by a knock on the door.

As she opened it, Mary pushed it open further, and walked in.

"Nice room."

"Get out Mary." Paris said, still standing next to the door.

"Aww, but Rory said that you were here, all alone while she went out with her boyfriend. Don't you want some company? A comforting embrace, perhaps?"

"Or leprosy to pass on to an annoying redhead?" Paris smirked.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be nice."

"No you're trying to start trouble. I already know that Rory is with Dean. She told me."

"Did she also mention the oral exam she was receiving?"

An unexpected rage bubbled, although Paris was trying hard not to be jealous.

"What?"

Mary smiled, knowing she'd said the right thing. "Oh yeah, it was almost too graphic for young eyes."

Paris looked at her skeptically. "Tell me more," she said, closing the door.

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Well, guess I managed another one, after all. Hopefully I'll find some time to write some more, because I hate to leave everyone at a cliffhanger of sorts...

Next chapter: A Call From Lorelei...