Dirty Little Secret
Chapter 9 - Dance Inside
When they had reached Yale, Finn got out of Rory's car rather clumsily, looking around as he did so. Rory watched him, tilting her head.
"Do you know that your shirt is still ripped?", she said matter-of-factly.
"No, love, really?" His eyes widened – as did his grin. "And I thought that Santa's little helpers or how they are called in those darn hospitals would fix that for me. Ah, now I am disappointed!"
Rory smirked at him, locked her car and went over to him. He held out his hand with his palm up for her to grab. She bit her lip and watched him, before grabbing his hand, still unable to believe that this was really happening. She had tamed the non-stop-dating-non-commitment-playboy-guy Finn? She definitely had to get used to that. They walked towards the dorm buildings hand in hand.
"So are you planning to change or do you want to show your war injuries to the whole school?", Rory asked, grinning up at him.
"Oh I don't need a ripped shirt to show off my war injuries, love", he replied, pointing at his nose.
"Oh I forgot that", she said.
"How can you forget that? It's in the middle of my face! Do you even look at me?", he mocked, putting his free hand on his chest. "I am hurt that my own girlfriend won't look at me!"
She threw him a smile, before she grew thoughtful again. "Isn't it weird for you?"
"What do you mean, love?"
"This boyfriend-girlfriend thing."
"Is it supposed to be weird?"
"I don't know. I mean, you said so yourself, you are not the commitment guy, but then you're calling yourself my boyfriend. I am just confused and –"
"And you want to make sure that I really mean it?"
She nodded, watching him as they walked.
"Well, love, all I can say is that I never met someone like you, someone worth to call my girlfriend."
"I am flattered", she grinned.
"You better be. I still have to deal with certain things", he muttered, searching his cell in his trousers. He pulled it out and dialled a number, pressing the cell to his ear.
Rory watched him until she felt her own cell vibrate in her purse. She raised an eyebrow and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Roger", Finn said.
"Um, hi Felicity", she replied, chuckling.
"Hold on", he said and covered the phone, before leaning down to Rory. "I have to take this call, love", he said, his voice as serious as possible.
She nodded, trying to hide a laugh.
"Alright, I'm back. So, listen, Roger, I have to ask you a favour", Finn said into his phone, his hand squeezing Rory's a little.
"Sure. Shoot", Rory replied into her phone.
"I have to go to my dorm before we can have lunch. And I need you to help me."
"Um, how?"
"Stay with me", he just said, before turning to Rory, raising their entwined hands and kissed the back of her hand.
Rory looked at him before she noticed that they have reached his dorm building. She nodded again.
"I'll be with you", she replied into her phone, watching how Finn let go of her hand and walked apparently very uneasy into the building.
"You're still with me, love?", she heard his voice in her cell when he was out of sight.
"Still here", she replied.
"Alright, listen. We'll meet in front of the dining hall. Just go ahead. This won't take long. I hope."
"I'll do that. What do you need my help for now?", she asked, walking past his dorm building towards hers.
"Just stay with me."
"Are you afraid of entering your dorm?"
"I am about to shit my pants, love", he said and she could just picture him smirk.
"Don't panic, he already beat you up, he won't do it again!", she tried to calm him nevertheless, just passing by a coffee stand. She then reconsidered and got in line to buy a coffee.
"I'd love to believe you", she heard him say. "So I'm at the door now", he whispered.
"Well, open it", she whispered back, ignoring the stares around her.
"I can't!", he whispered again.
"You can, just put the key into the hole and turn it around, a little push to the door and ta-da, it's open. Very easy, Fi- Felicity!"
She heard how he did as she has said. Then there was silence. She listened closely, before it was her turn to order, she covered the phone and ordered a big coffee. She paid the salesman and left the line, picking up her phone again. There was still silence.
"Um, Finn?", she whispered, looking around. "Finn", she repeated, hissing his name.
"Yes, love?"
"Damn it, can you say something? I thought he had eaten you in one piece or had ripped your tongue out or anything!"
"Now you have an imagination", he chuckled.
"Well, where are you?"
"I'm in my room, trying to undress with my phone on my ear wouldn't work, so I put you aside."
"Oh! And I've already been neglected!", she mocked, trying to sound disappointed, while walking and sipping on her coffee.
After she had put down her coffee, she suddenly heard him gasp.
"Finn?", she hissed. "You okay?"
"Mhm", he replied, sounding far away.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing", he said, his voice muffled.
"Tell me!"
"I – I touched my nose", she heard him whine.
She tilted her head, smiling sympathetically into the phone. "Aww, poor, poor Felicity!", she said in her sweetest voice. "Will you recover or shall I come over and nurse you?"
"I'll keep that in mind for later, love", he said, his voice still sounding rather muffled, yet she knew that he was grinning.
"So, you're dressed yet?"
"No, darling, I decided to accompany you to lunch naked."
"Mhm, that would be a nice sight", she mocked. "I bet we'll get the best table for that. Anyhow, are you still in your dorm? Nothing happened?"
"Nothing happened. Colin was snoring in his room and no sight whatsoever of Logan."
"Nice", she just said and turned around a corner. "So where are you?"
"Right here", she heard him say, before a hand grabbed her and pulled her into the nearest doorframe.
She found herself pressed against Finn who was hiding in the doorframe, wearing a new shirt and a wide grin on his lips. "Hey, love", he whispered and leant in to kiss her. He then turned his head a little and spoke into his phone again. "Sorry, I have to hang up now", he said.
"Alright, I'll see you soon", Rory replied and they both lowered their phones. "Hi", she then said to Finn and kissed him again.
He pulled his arms around her and deepened the kiss, playing with her hair.
"You know, we don't have to hide anymore", she whispered against his cheek when his lips moved to her neck.
"I know", he whispered back. "But where's the fun in that?"
"Wait!", she interrupted him by putting her hands on his shoulders and pushing him away gently. "So you won't make out with me in public?"
He watched her, licking his lips.
"Well, are you? I mean, come on, we don't have to hide anymore. Logan knows, Paris knows, my mother knows, they all know it eventually. It's out, Finn. You are not my dirty little secret anymore", she said, tilting her head. "You are more than that now…", she added in a low voice.
He threw her a smile and straightened up, before pushing past her, grabbing her hand. He then dragged her out of the doorframe on the middle of the corridor, with people passing by, throwing them confused looks. He pulled her towards him, his arms around her waist. She looked around a little taken aback.
"'This public enough for you, love?"
She bit her lip and raised an eyebrow. "What have I done", she laughed, her free hand on his chest.
"You met me" he said, before he bent down to kiss her rather passionately. He even twirled her around and made her lean away from him as if they were waltzing through the corridor. Rory began to ignore the staring crowds and just looked at Finn. Their eyes met and soon after, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along the corridor, with Rory almost spilling the coffee she was still holding.
"Finn, not so fast", she laughed, when he suddenly stopped and she ran into him, almost knocking him over. She looked around him and what she saw made her frown.
"Well, well, look, the new couple, heavily enjoying themselves", Logan said, his arms crossed over his chest.
Rory walked around Finn and glared at him. As she looked past Logan she saw a girl hiding behind him. "Oh look, you already found yourself another one. Looks like we're even", she said through clenched teeth, eyeing Logan.
"Stay out of this, Ace", he said – causing her jaw to drop.
Did he remember their talk from this morning? It seemed as if nothing happened. What was wrong with him? Rory opened her mouth - to be interrupted by Logan.
"So, Finn", Logan addressed him, while Rory looked up to Finn who seemed to try his best to remain calm. "How are you?"
Rory opened her mouth again. "Are you serious?", she blurted out, staring at Logan.
"Ace, this man has his own mouth."
"Do not ever call me Ace again, okay? I've had enough of you! You are such an ass!" With that she let go of Finn's hand and stormed away to the dining hall, feeling rather guilty about leaving Finn behind.
Several moments later, Finn dropped opposite her on a chair in the dining hall.
"I am so sorry", she said the moment he looked at her.
"It's fine, love", he said, stretching his arms. "We talked."
"And?"
"It's fine."
"So?"
"It's –"
"Don't say it's fine. Tell me what he said."
"It's fine", he grinned.
"Alright, he had turned you into a robot knowing only one sentence – or a parrot, shall I call you Polly from now on?"
Finn leant over the table and kissed Rory on the cheek.
"He has to deal with this situation, but he's fine with it now. You made your choice", he said, leaning back in his chair, with his arms crossed behind his head.
"Wow", she said, raising an eyebrow. "So now we have his blessing, huh?"
"You know I'm glad about that, so I don't have to be afraid of being murdered in my sleep anymore!"
"But you told me that would be a nice way to die", Rory grinned.
"Well, now I want to live a few years longer."
"I wonder why that is", she said, smiling, watching him getting up from his chair, walking around to kneel beside her.
"So, love, I see you had lunch. How about I take you out now? Chinese food?"
"You are unbelievable" she smirked and kissed him. "But I'm afraid I have a class after lunch. How about dinner?"
"Dinner it is."
"Oh, wait. Is today Friday?"
"Yes, love. You are so getting a watch and a calendar for your birthday!"
She smirked, before rummaging through her purse. "Damn! I have to go to Friday night dinner with my grandparents tonight!"
"Can't you cancel it?"
"No, they would just let me go if I'm deadly sick."
"I could come with you", he just said, but she already pushed away her chair and got up, almost knocking him over. He stood up as well and watched her, before she finally paused for a second to stare at him.
"What?"
"I could come with you."
"Where to?"
"To your grandparents, so we still can have dinner together."
"What?", she asked again, glaring at him.
He just sighed.
"Don't get me wrong, wow, this is really sweet, Finn, but no, you wouldn't want to have dinner with my grandparents."
"Why not?"
"They are awful and every time I bring a boy over, they just attack him. I –"
"Rory, I know your grandparents because they know my parents and I was at your grandparents' house before, remember?"
She remembered and she could clearly recall the green tie he had been wearing that night. "You don't want to do this."
"I want to be with you, love", he whispered, smirking.
She looked up at him and couldn't help but smile. Shaking her head slightly, she grabbed his hand and led him out of the dining hall, heading to her dorm. Once they reached it, she unlocked the door and gently made him sit down on the couch.
"Stay right here", she told him after she had bent down to kiss him.
He watched her with a puzzled look on his face as she vanished into her room.
"So he really said he wanted to go?", Lorelai's voice rang in Rory's ear.
She was sitting on her bed, her legs crossed, her cell on her ear.
"Yes and he sounded so sincere!"
"Well, then why aren't you taking him to Eva and –"
"Stop calling them that", Rory smirked. "And I don't know… what if they attack him or anything? And beside, it's still so fresh, we're only dating for a week."
"How serious are you about him?"
Rory considered that question. It didn't take her long to choose the right answer. "Very."
"Then off to Hellville!", Lorelai laughed. "If it's not going to work you can blame him for wanting to see your grandparents. Ooh, or you blame them; that would be more fun!"
"I'll think about it", Rory said, standing up from bed, walking to her door. "Thanks, mom."
"Anytime, honey."
Rory opened the door and watched Finn sitting on the couch, playing with some of Paris's handiworks. Chuckling she said goodbye to her mother and walked over to him, pulling her arms around his neck from behind the couch.
"I wouldn't touch that", she whispered into his ear. "Paris will kill you."
"But you know that I like to play with fire, love", he replied, turning his head.
"And that's why we're going to Hellville tonight", she said.
"Hellville?"
"My mother's name for my grandparents house."
"I see", he grinned. "So we're going, huh?"
"Yes", she said and leant against the back of the couch, her hands running over his chest.
"You're sure?"
"As long as you are."
"I am."
"Then I am too."
"Lovely", he said and turned his head a little more to kiss her.
"Now I have to go to my class."
"When shall I pick you up?"
"Around 6 would be perfect", she smiled against his cheek.
"Around 6 it is", he said.
"You are going to be a great boyfriend, you know that?"
"Thank you for the feedback, love", he grinned and kissed her again.
Around six p.m., Rory sat on her bed, slipping into her shoes, when she heard a chain of knocking sounds on her door. She got up and opened the door to see Finn leaning against the doorframe, his knuckles still in the air.
"Oh, love, you disturbed me playing We Will Rock You on your door."
She grinned. "I'm sorry! I'll never again stand between you and your talent", she chuckled, grabbing his hand, pulling him inside.
"I can only see one way you're repaying me, love", he said, before he pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her hungrily.
"Finn!", she laughed as he gnawed on her earlobe.
He let go of her and grinned. "So, ready to go to Hellville?", he asked.
"Sort of", she replied, before her gaze fell onto his clothes. "Wow! Will you look at that?", she gasped and examined his tuxedo. "Ooh and I love the tie!", she added, stroking over the red fabric.
"Thank you", he said, watching her over. "And I can say, you look adorable tonight as well", he added, placing his hands on her hips, making her move left and right, watching the skirt of her dark-red dress flow to the movements.
"Thanks", she whispered and cupped his face. "Hey, the cute band-aid is gone!"
"Well, I couldn't go to your grandparents with that thing on my nose. They would think I'm only hanging around bars, getting awfully drunk and then fighting about nothing at all!"
"But aren't you, except for the last part?", she laughed.
He tilted his head smirking. "You better not mention that in front of your grandparents!"
She stuck out her tongue to him and he pursed his lips, before he grabbed her and tickled her, until she, squealing loudly, raised her hands in surrender, begging for his mercy. He let go of her and placed his hands on the lower part of her back, locking eyes with her.
"You look beautiful", he whispered, tilting his head. "And I still can't believe this."
"Me neither", she muttered, putting her hands on his chest, feeling his heart beat behind the fabric of his tux.
"You ready to go?"
She nodded and lowered her hands, grabbing his, hooking her fingers into his.
"Oh dear", she laughed, looking down at the nail polish on his fingernails.
He just shrugged, grinning. "Don't ask, love."
"I would never dare", she replied, leaning up to kiss him. "I like this about you, my little Mystery Man."
He smirked at the nickname she gave him. "So how do I call you from now on?"
"Be creative", she suggested.
"Hmmm", he said, thinking with his forehead furrowed. "What about – no. But maybe – ah, better not. And –"
"Oh stop that, I can't stand that!", she shrieked, a grin on her face. "Don't begin saying something and don't finish. My mother does the same. I hate that!"
"And I don't want you to hate me, love", he winked. "My lovely Tequila Girl!"
"Oh no, you can't call me that", she laughed. "At least not in front of my grandparents."
"Speaking of which", he said, looking at his watch.
"Oh dear, let's go", she said, grabbing her purse and pulling Finn after her out of her dorm, her heels echoing through the halls.
Rory pulled her car onto the place in front of her grandparents' house and killed the engine, staring up at the large, dark house. Sighing, she turned to Finn. He watched her with a smile.
"Ready?", she asked.
"If you are."
She kept staring at the house.
"Are you ready?"
"I don't know."
"Let's find out", he said, opened his door and got out.
Rory didn't move, until Finn opened her door and leant nearer to kiss her on the cheek. She woke up slightly and turned her head to him.
"Come on, Mystery Man will save you from the monsters of Hellville", he said with a grin.
She replied his grin and kissed him quickly, before getting out, hooking her fingers into his as they walked towards the front door.
"They do know I'm coming, right?"
She nodded. "I called them."
"So they know I am coming."
She turned her head. "Yes, they know you are coming."
"And who am I?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"What did you tell them?"
"I said I'm bringing over a special friend."
"Special friend?", he repeated with a frown.
"I didn't want to tell them over the phone."
"I see", he said and looked at the door again. "Nice door. Do you think we'll ever see the other side?"
"We have to ring for that."
"So let's ring."
"I can't reach the bell."
"You're standing closer."
"My arm's not long enough."
"Rory?"
"Finn?"
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you so nervous about this dinner? Do you think I won't behave or tell dirty stories or get drunk and embarrass you?"
"Are you?", she asked, looking at him.
"Oh, love, now I am really hurt", he said, putting his free hand on his heart. "I would never dare to embarrass you!"
"I want to believe that."
"You know, I read somewhere, that, being in a relationship, the boyfriend and girlfriend have to trust each other."
"I so want to borrow that book", she grinned. "Alright, I am sorry that I even assumed you of embarrassing me. I know you won't, I believe you, I'm just –"
"What, love?"
"Maybe they won't approve you."
"That's what you fear?"
"Sort of."
"So what? What if they won't approve? Do we have to break up then?"
"No! No, of course not."
"So what?"
She watched him, how he looked at her, in his black tux and the red tie, and his fingers hooked into hers, with his fingernails covered by shattered nail polish. She had never before seen someone like him, he was special and he always surprised her.
"You're right, so what!", she said and leant up to kiss him.
With that she bent forwards to ring the bell.
After the maid had opened, they walked into the living room, their hands still entwined. Emily and Richard Gilmore sat each in a chair and looked up at they approached.
"Rory", Emily smiled and got up to greet her granddaughter.
"Hello, grandma, hi, grandpa", she smiled at them. "This is Finn", she said, turning her head to Finn.
"Good evening Mr and Mrs Gilmore", he said and again Rory was surprised.
He let go of her hand and moved towards Richard and Emily to shake their hands. They smiled at him and then watched how Rory and Finn sat down on the couch. Finn then casually grabbed Rory's hand again, causing Rory to throw him a smile.
"So this is your special friend, Rory", her grandfather said, looking at Finn.
"Yes", she replied. "My boyfriend, grandpa."
"You are friends with Logan Huntzberger, is that right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Fine friend, you have there", Richard continued, before he got up. Rory and Finn exchanged short glances. "Do you like anything to drink?"
Rory watched Finn. "A soda for me, grandpa."
"And a scotch, please, if that's possible."
"It is. Good taste, my boy", her grandfather said, making their drinks.
Now it was Emily's turn.
"So, Finn." She pronounced his name rather carefully. "You are going to Yale as well?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I'm in my junior year."
"I would have guessed you were older", Emily said, watching him closely, while Rory squeezed his hand a little. "I thought you were at least two years older than Rory."
"Well, I am", Finn replied. "I just began college a little later."
"I see."
"So you are from Australia, am I hearing that right?"
It was Richard's turn again. He handed out their drinks and sat down again.
"Yes, sir", Finn nodded.
"Since when are you here?"
"I moved here when I was sixteen, sir. My father is a pilot in the Royal Navy."
"And your mother is in the DAR, am I right?", Emily chimed in.
"Of course, Ma'am."
The evening continued with more questioning and answering, and when the maid announced that dinner was ready, Rory shot Finn a sympathetic smile, mouthing: "I am so sorry!" He just nodded and threw her a smile. They sat down next to each other on the table, facing the empty plates in front of them. Rory used the moment that Richard and Emily settled down to lean closer to Finn.
"We leave right after dessert", she whispered. "I guess Tequila Girl has to save you today."
He grinned at her, before straightening himself again when the salad was put onto their plates. They ate more of less silently. And after a little more small talk, Rory and Finn stood by the door, ready to leave.
"Thank you for this lovely dinner, Mrs Gilmore", Finn just said, shaking her hand. "It was delicious."
"Take care, son", Richard said when Finn shook his hand.
Finn nodded, smiling. "Good night, sir."
"Good night, grandpa, grandma", Rory said and pulled Finn gently after her through the open door.
Once the door had closed behind them, Rory pulled her arms around Finn's neck.
"Oh my god! Was that awful or what?", she muttered against him.
"I expected worse things to happen, love", he replied, causing her to stare at him.
"But I'm still sorry they asked you so much", she whispered, leaning against him.
"It's alright, darling."
"I don't understand why you are so calm."
"Well, I just answered their questions. What's the big deal?"
"And apparently they liked you."
"Apparently."
"This is odd."
"Why's that?"
"Because you are not the type of guy they want to be at their granddaughter's side."
"Not?"
"No, you are –"
"Hmm?"
"Yes, I don't care what you are for them. For me", she began, locking eyes with him. "For me you are special."
"Right back at you", he muttered, before leaning in to kiss her.
They stumbled back to Rory's car, still holding and kissing each other. Rory unlocked the doors and they almost fell into the car, if Rory hadn't pushed Finn away in time.
"Not here", she mouthed and shoved him around the car to the passenger door. He got inside unwillingly, still holding her hands, kissing her passionately. She backed up after a while and closed his door before she got in on her side, starting the engine. His hand wandered over her knee to her thigh, but Rory just giggled and threw him a grin while driving off her grandparents' front yard.
"Where are we going?"
"To a better place", she replied, her eyes on the road.
"But I'm too young to die", he whined.
"You don't have to die for this", she smirked, shooting a quick glance at her.
"But where is this better place?"
"Right here", she just said, pointing at the entrance sign of Stars Hollow.
"What's Stars Hollow?"
"You are about to discover that. You survived the dinner with my grandparents' so amazingly, so you can easily cope with my mother as well."
Finn just stared at her. "Your mother?"
Rory drove onto another front yard and parked right behind a jeep. She then turned to Finn and smiled. "Welcome to my life."
A/N: Chapter 9 and yes, I'll write more, this story is not finished yet! Don't worry!
Again, I feel so overwhelmed by all these reviews, this is my first fanfiction that has so many reviews, thank you everyone so very much, I'm always dancing around when I see a new review. THANK YOU! You guys rock!
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls belong to Amy Sherman-Palladino, chapter titles to The All-American Rejects.