Shipmates
Chapter 9 – A dance and a disclosure…
Pairing: Rory/Paris (yes femslash folks… don't like? Don't read!)
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The ballroom was decorated in brilliant white, blue and silvers, and as Rory and Paris walked in, they were astounded at the beauty surrounding them. A small crowd had already gathered, and they spotted Jenna standing uncomfortably next to Mike and Steve, each of who had a tall blonde on his arm. As they got close, they could see the boys give each other a high five. Paris rolled her eyes, but did not remove her hand from Rory's.
"Hi girls!" Jenna said, sounding grateful that they had shown up. Mike and Steve were leering appreciatively at Rory's low cut violet dress, and Paris couldn't contain her frustration any longer.
"If you continue to stare at my girlfriend's chest, you might find that a part of the male anatomy which I'm sure you enjoy immensely just happens to become detached from your person." She glared at them, her hand tightening around Rory's.
They glanced uneasily at each other, before making hasty goodbyes and heading in the opposite direction.
"Girlfriend?" Rory whispered in Paris' ear. Paris blushed scarlet.
"Well, I mean… I kind of thought… but no… and… you wouldn't want to… with me…" Rory cut her off by pressing a quick kiss to her cheek.
"Of course I would want to." Paris looked up at the slightly taller girl, and the pair embraced, Paris' eyes filling with happy tears, which she quickly wiped away. Rory saw it. "Why don't we make this a quick night out sweetie?" Paris nodded, the happiness she felt evident in her radiant smile. Rory found herself unable to look away, until the pair was interrupted.
"Well, isn't this just the cutest thing?" Mary's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Almost makes a girl want to get in on this. Any chance of that happening?" She winked at them, and then moved closer, standing next to Jenna, whom the pair had nearly forgotten.
Rory pulled away from Paris, but made sure to intertwine their fingers, and stepped slightly ahead of Paris, staring the other girl down.
"Mary, find someone new to harass. We're busy."
"But you three are the only good looking girls here, and I'm very particular." Her green eyes widened, and she ran her gaze down Paris' long strapless pink gown. "Nice dress Paris." Her gaze lingered on the slit near Paris' hip.
"Alright now. I'm done playing around with you. Find somewhere else to be, or I'll help you out with that."
"Well Paris. I thought you said she wasn't butch."
"Only when I have to be. Leave my girlfriend alone, or we will have a problem to take outside." Rory's hand balled into a fist, and Jenna's eyes widened. But it wasn't Rory's aggressiveness that caused it. Her eyes were focused behind the warring girls, to a figure rapidly approaching.
"Ah girls," called the oblivious voice of Headmaster Charleston. "I see you have already met Mary." Everyone turned around to look at the new arrival, and Paris stiffened as she realized that she and Rory still held fast to each other. Rory felt it, but did not let go, instead drawing Paris closer, and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Charleston continued on, oblivious.
"Mary is going to be attending Chilton in the fall. We are very excited to have her with us, and I'm sure you two will go out of your way to make her feel welcome." He turned and started to walk away, then came right back. "Also, I have been having trouble trying to find a student to receive a scholarship to Chilton in the fall. Since you ladies are my top students, I'd like it very much if you noticed any deserving scholar who would like to attend our school to let me know."
Rory spoke up. "Actually sir, this scholar right here would be perfect for that honor." She motioned to Jenna. Charleston looked over to her with a smile.
"Ah yes. Tell me, how would you like to attend Chilton in the fall?"
Jenna looked dumbfounded. "I'd… I'd like that very much sir."
"Alright then. There is just the matter of filling out some paperwork. Why don't you come with me for a minute, and we can get it started?"
Jenna nodded mutely, eyes wide. She followed behind Charleston as he made his way to the front of the ballroom.
"So ladies," Mary said. "Are you excited that I'll be coming to Chilton? Will you be going out of your way to help me?" She laughed at her double meaning. Rory just looked at her coldly. Paris, for once, was silent. As the music began to play slow and softly, Rory looked at Paris.
"Can I have this dance?" she asked simply smiling at Paris.
Paris blushed, but nodded and held out her hand to Rory, who look it and led her girlfriend out to the dance floor. As they stepped close to each other, Paris snaked her arms around Rory's neck, and Rory's hands went to Paris' waist.
Rory's eyes never left Paris', and for once in her life, Paris was completely happy. A small alarm bell went off in her head about the magnitude of what they were doing, but she pushed it to the back of her mind, and pulled Rory even closer to her, laying her head on Rory's shoulder. Rory stroked Paris' back, sighing with contentment from having this girl in her arms.
Rory knew that she was in love with Paris, but held back from saying anything. She just started dating Paris, and didn't want to do anything that could scare her off. For now the two of them just danced, both lost in the warmth of the other, not caring if the whole world was watching and waiting to kill them afterwards, because at this moment, each was exactly where she belonged.
The dance ended much too soon, and gave way into a more lively number. A group of boys were dancing in the middle, and a small crowd had gathered to cheer them on. Paris and Rory opted to sit this one out, and headed out to the deck to enjoy the clear night. As Paris reached the railing, she felt Rory's arms around her, pulling her close, and smiled.
"Oh ladies," a voice from behind made them turn around apprehensively. Seeing who it was, Paris stiffened. Headmaster Charleston walked over to them casually.
"I wanted to come out and congratulate you two. I had no idea you were dating, but your friends Mary and Jenna told me otherwise, as did the dance."
"So you didn't come out here to tell us to leave Chilton, or that we were evil misguided girls?" Paris asked.
"Oh please." He threw up his ands and laughed. "Just because I'm older than you two does not mean I do not approve of same sex coupling. Here are my two best students, valediction and salutatorian of Chilton dating, and I'm supposed to be upset? This is the best thing that could have happened. I know that you both understand just how important school work is, and will not interrupt the other's work. And best of all, neither of you will get pregnant and leave school. This is the best thing that could have happened." He shook their hands, and headed back inside.
Paris watched him numbly for a few seconds. "Did he just support us?" She looked at Rory. "Did he just insinuate that we might get pregnant and drop out?"
"Yeah, I think he may have." Rory seemed as confused as Paris. "But that's good right? Well, besides the pregnant thing. I mean, at least we know that we have one ally."
"Yeah, it is." Paris smiled, and pulled Rory in for a kiss. "Can we go back to our room now?" She pouted, looking up at Rory.
"How could I say no to that face?" She kissed the tip of Paris' nose quickly. "But let's go say goodnight to Jenna first."
They walked hand in hand back to the ballroom, looking for Jenna. They finally spotted her, on the dance floor. When she saw them, she motioned them over, coercing them into dancing for a few minutes.
However, at the look of desire in Paris' eyes, Rory quickly said goodbye to Jenna, and led Paris out of the ballroom and down the long corridor to their room. Rory fumbled with the lock, but only because of the blonde behind her, lightly kissing her neck. As she finally got it open, she pulled Paris in behind her, slammed the door, and pressed Paris up against it, kissing her deeply. Paris reached down to the doorknob, and quickly locked it.
"No Mary this time. Or any other time to come, I hope," she whispered, kissing Rory again. Rory moaned in agreement, running her hands along Paris' back. Paris kept kissing her, and started to push them slightly towards the bed, as her legs were not cooperating with her brains request to remain upright. Rory's lips had that effect on her, apparently.
Rory, however, got the hint, and pulled Paris to the bed, both of them flopping onto it unceremoniously, yet never halting their kissing. Rory rolled onto her back, pulling Paris on top of her, and gently kissed her neck. Paris moaned, her hands buried in Rory's hair, and arched her back. From this position, Rory had a perfect sight line into Paris' ample cleavage, and could not resist turning them, so she was on top. She gently ran her tongue down to the start of Paris' breast, loving the way Paris' tasted.
Paris moaned deeply, pulling Rory back up to kiss her deeply. She ran her slightly shaking hands down Rory's back, silently cursing the dresses they wore. Rory noticed at the same time that their garb was more of a hindrance than a help. She looked down at Paris, their eyes filled with want.
"Paris," Rory whispered. Paris looked up at her. "Help me get this dress off?" Paris' eyes darkened as she ran her hands to the zipper at the back of Rory's dress.
"You sure?" Paris asked her, not yet drawing down the zipper.
"Yeah I am. I mean, I'm not ready for… you know…" she trailed off, suddenly shy. "But I want to see you… and let you see me." She blushed, clearly embarrassed by her admission.
Paris smiled, and kissed her gently, wanting to make her feel less self conscious. Suddenly unable to wait any longer, she pulled down the zipper, kissing her girlfriend deeply.
As she reached for the straps to Rory's dress, Rory stopped her. "You too hun." She smiled as she sat up, pulling Paris with her, and ran her hands down Paris' back, pulling down the zipper as she went,
Both girls looked at each other, both nervous at the situation.
Paris licked her lips, slight fear coursing through her body. No one had ever seen her like this, and suddenly she was overtaken by the magnitude of the situation.
Rory saw the look in Paris' eyes, and pulled away slightly.
Paris looked down, not meeting Rory's eyes. "I never… not with anyone… ever…"
"Me neither, Paris." Rory said, lifting her chin. "I never wanted to, not with anyone before you."
Paris looked at her and smiled. She let go of her dress, and without straps to hold it, it slid down. Rory's eyes widened, as she took in the sight of Paris' naked torso. She reached for Paris, and pulled them together, but Paris pulled away.
"Nope, not letting you off that easy Gilmore. Your turn."
Rory blushed, but slid the dress down from her shoulders anyway.
"Much better." Paris said, pulling her close. They kissed, then Rory stood up and pulled Paris with her.
"I'd rather avoid wrinkling these dresses," she said, and pulled Paris' off the rest of the way. Paris murmured her agreement, and helped Rory out of hers. When they both stood there, clad only in panties, Rory pushed Paris back on the bed, and kissed her deeply. As Rory trailed kisses down her neck, Paris was suddenly confused.
"Wait, the dresses are still on the floor."
"Yep." She murmured against the blonde's neck.
"Well what about not wrinkling them?"
"I lied."
"Oh ok then." There were no more words.
They kept kissing, caressing each other's skin softly.
Paris backed off first, realizing that with every touch, she was nearing the edge of Rory's panties. Paris wanted nothing more than to just pull them off, but knew that neither one of them were ready for that yet. She slowly pulled away from Rory's wandering touch, and smiled at her, words not needed.
They held each other, knowing this was their last night to do so.
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Rory and Paris disembarked, each looking back at The Enigma. Paris realized that she had been so unwilling to get on the ship in the first place and now she didn't want to get off it. Rory didn't know how she would go from cuddling with Paris every night, back to being over a half an hour away from her. They sighed and linked arms, knowing without saying why each one of them was slightly sad.
"Rory!" she turned at the sound of her name, and saw her mother walking towards her. The last time Rory had talked to her had been when she told Lorelei about the two of them. Judging by her mother's appearance, she could tell there had been a fair bit of shopping done.
Her shirt bore an emblem of two women holding hands, with the words 'Support Gay Marriage' written underneath. She had rainbow ribbons in her hair, and held a small rainbow flag in the hand that wasn't gripping a cup of Luke's coffee.
"Sweetie! You're back!" She held open her arms, and Rory let go of Paris to hug her mother quickly. "Now drink Luke's coffee." Rory took the cup from her mother with amusement, and glanced pointedly at her shirt.
"What? I wanted to be a supportive parent. Plus, it gave me an excuse to shop. You should see all the fun things I bought for your room. Liberace is jealous." Paris giggled slightly, as Rory rolled her eyes.
"Mom, you don't have to jump on the gay pride float, although I do appreciate the sentiment. I promise I'm not about to go get a crew cut and worship Melissa Ethridge."
"Well why would you when you can tie your pretty, long hair back with ribbons like these, and the bands of the eighties are SO much better."
Rory rolled her eyes again, and re-linked her hand with Paris'. Lorelei looked at the two of them, and smiled. They made such a cute couple. "I hate to say this kiddo, but we have Friday night dinner to get to." Rory sighed, and looked over at Paris. Paris nodded, and pulled Rory close.
They embraced, and long moments passed, as Lorelei watched in amusement.
"You let go first, because I can't do it." Rory said.
"No you let go first."
"No you."
"You."
Lorelei rolled her eyes. This was going to be a LONG summer.
(A/N – That's it – the end and such… BUT – I do promise a sequel, and with any luck, I will have the time to get it out while I'm on break from school… Also, I will finish Cry for Help as well, so I hope to see all you lovely readers there as well… Thanks for reading and reviewing – you guys make this whole thing worthwhile! And yes, I'm aware there was MUCH cheese in this chapter, what with the Mary/Jenna coming to Chilton, but its my story and I enjoy cheesy plots.)
