The Conversation

Rory reached over and shook his proffered hand. His grip was firm but gentle. "So Pacey; what would you like to talk about?"

Pacey smiled. Now you got me. I didn't really have a topic in mind when I walked over here."

Rory arched an eyebrow. "Are you going to try and pick me up?"

Very seldom was Pacey at a loss for words but his was one of those times. She was a girl who went straight to the point. "No, I just figured we'd talk a bit."

Rory was enjoying this. She had him on the run. "I don't understand Pacey; you came over to talk, but you have nothing to talk about, you don't want to pick me up. So why did you come over? Rory picked up her martini took a sip and looked over the rim of the glass at Pacey.

Being immediately backed into a corner was the last thing he expected when he walked over to introduce himself. He wondered if she was ever on a debate team. Desperately he searched for a topic. "Where in New England are you from?"

Rory sat her glass down before replying. "Connecticut." Then fell silent.

The last thing he expected was an answer with no following question. "I am from Massachusetts. I lived in a small town on Cape Cod aptly named Capeside. So where in Connecticut are you from?"

Rory fiddled with her slender stemmed martini glass; sighed and turned to Pacey. "Stars Hollow." And fell silent again.

Her one word answers were disconcerting. One or two more queries and he would give it up and return to his seat and sulk. Before he could answer the bartender set a coaster and his drink in front of him and walked away. His eyes followed her. Then he turned back to Rory. "I have been there. The town is known for its various festivals and antiques."

Without turning to look at Pacey Rory answered "I know." Inwardly the writer wondered how long she could do this till he walked away. She wasn't even sure why she was playing this game.

Pacey closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he spoke. "Why did you invite me to sit if you planned on showing total disinterest in speaking to me?"

Rory turned to the frustrated man and smiled. "I'm sorry; please don't be mad at me. It was a silly little game I was playing. May I buy you a drink in way of an apology?" Rory looked over at Jane who was sitting dejectedly on a stool behind the bar. "Two please and put the drinks on my tab."

Being toyed with was not his idea of polite conversation, but no sense in making an issue of it. "That's not necessary Rory."

Picking up her glass she turned to Pacey. "Yes it is. I was rude to you. So, what brings you to Sydney?"

Smiling Pacey replied. "This is more like it. I am delivering a sailing yacht from Oslo to Miami."

"That sounds like a very interesting job. And you stopped in Sydney because you needed fuel?" Rory kept her eyes on him awaiting his reply. He did look like a man of the sea.

"No. The weather was getting nasty and my job is to deliver these boats in one piece, plus I did not feel like getting beat up for several days."

Rory nodded in agreement. "That makes sense to me. So how did you get your start in the yacht delivery business?"

The conversation was interrupted by the bartender bringing the drinks Rory ordered. Pacey nodded in satisfaction when he realized that Jane did not forget his request for a beer. Before answering, Pacey waited till Jane finished and left. "I always enjoyed the sea. Once as a teen, I and a friend of mine sailed to Key West and back .The next summer I took a job on a sailing yacht out of Miami. Then I was sidetracked with various jobs; none of which really ended well. I sort of wanted to get out of town; so I made some calls and went back to work on boats."

Rory's reporter instinct kicked in. She was a travel writer and he was a traveler, also a potential source of information. "So Pacey, you have been all over the world?"

"I wish most of my work is on the east coast of North America with the occasional European trip." Pacey paused. She was now paying attention to him. Her impossibly blue eyes were fixed on him. "Rory what brings you to Sydney?"

Rory blinked a couple of times before she answered. I am a travel writer for the New York Times and my editor thought I could get an interesting story here."

Pacey laughed. "An interesting story in Sydney during the late fall, does he hate you?"

It was Rory's turn to laugh. No, there is some sort of festival going on. I have an appointment with the Chamber of Commerce in the morning. I believe they are going to arrange some scenic drives for me over the next few days."

Pacey's interest piqued. "So this is not an in and out trip for you. How long do you think you may be staying?"

Rory picked up on Pacey's interest. "Five days, how about you?"

"My stay is in God's hands." Then Pacey looked up at the ceiling.

Hiding a smile Rory replied. "I didn't know that you were under the direct direction of God."

Looking as righteously as he possibly could. "Yes I am. I'm here till the winds abate from the Northeast and the low pressure cell moves out."

Rory started giggling and decided to be a bit flirtatious. "Maybe God will keep you here as long as I am here.

Rory's reply took Pacey by surprise. A smile started spreading across Pacey's face. She was playing with him again. "You can never tell. We may have to look back on this meeting as a divine intervention."

Rory liked his smile. It seemed genuine and unaffected; plus he was also playing the flirting game. "Would you like to join me for dinner? The menu seems fairly good."

The dinner invitation took Pacey by surprise. He took a second good look at her. Rory was a very beautiful woman who looked at least ten years younger than her age. Eventually he was going to sneak in a question that would cause her to reveal her age so he could see if his instincts were still working. Then the thought crossed his mind; why was a beautiful woman like her single? The thought that maybe she liked girls crossed his mind. That thought lasted about two seconds. No this was a woman who enjoyed being around men. "Thank you I'd like that very much. Do you have a table in mind?"

The lounge was virtually empty and she did not see a waitress on duty which meant that Jane was doubling as a waitress. "Why don't we eat at the bar?"

"You mean no romantic candle on the table?"

"You're good Pacey. No. No romantic candle on the table. In fact I don't see any candles. I could light a napkin afire on a plate if you want."

"You're mocking me now." Pacey took a long pull off his beer and set it down.

"No I am teasing you. There is a difference." Rory looked toward Jane and called her over. "Could you give us two menus please?"

Quickly Jane returned with the menus. "Are you guys ready for another drink?"

Pacey took the menus and handed one to Rory. "Yes I'd like another beer." He glanced at Rory who nodded. "And I'll take another martini."

"What are you going to get Pacey?"

"Well as soon as I can read the menu; I'll let you know." Pacey quickly glanced at Rory to see if he had ruffled her feelings. He hadn't.

"Slow reader Pacey?"

"I'll take fish and chips." Pacey hadn't really had a chance to read the menu, but he remembered that fish and chips were really very good in this part of the world."

"Good I'll do the same." And Rory folded her menu and placed it on the bar.

"Rory are you going to tell me that you had read that entire menu when you asked me the question?"

"Of course, I did."

"No way, tell me what is on it.

Rory smiled and looked off into the distance as if she was recalling the menu. "On the seafood side; baked Haddock smothered which a white wine based sauce. Baked potato and choice of two vegetables $17.95, baked Halibut with the same choices 15.95. Two one pound Lobsters with corn and a potato 12.95…

"Ok ok you made your point."

"But." Rory said with a serious expression. You didn't let me get into the fried fish options and deserts." Rory was trying to suppress outright laughter. What Pacey did not realize was that there was a chalk board with the menu over his shoulder by the entrance. For the time being she would let him think she had miraculous powers in reading.

Jane was beckoned over and they placed their order. "Pacey where did you say you were from again?"

"I'm from Capeside, why?"

"I know someone from Capeside. I wonder if you would know her."

"It's a small town; so most likely yes. What's her name?"

"A girl I met at a party a few years ago and I run into every now and then. Our social circles overlap. She is an editor for Simon and Schuster. You know one of those people you run into and ask how they are, and the conversation is about over, unless you talk about the weather. Oh yes and I have been in a group lunch with her a couple of times.

Pacey interrupted. "So what's her name?

"Josephine Potter. Do you know her?"

Pacey was startled. Here he was in some remote city in North America and the one person he gets into a conversation with knows his ex-girlfriend. Softly he replied." Yes I know her."

Rory thought a moment before she spoke. From Pacey's reply she wondered if she had hit a sore nerve. "Do you know her well?"

"I guess as well as anyone could know someone. We grew up together, we dated and then we broke up."

Again Rory's instincts were alerted. There was a lot more to that simple summary. She noticed that Pacey was looking down as if lost in thought. She sensed that his mood had changed from vibrant to subdued. Rory rested her hand on Pacey's arm. "I hope I didn't bring up a bad memory."

"No it's fine I was actually thinking about something else." Pacey changed the subject. You know that Capeside and Stars Hollow are only one hundred miles apart?"

Rory was a little startled at the change of subject. 'I guess I never thought about it. I have heard of Capeside, but have never visited, maybe someday. Do you ever go back and visit?"

"No there is really nothing there for me any longer." Pacey took a long drink from his beer. "So do you visit Stars Hollow often?"

Rory smiled." I'm very close with my mother, so I visit as often as I can." I still have my old room.

Pacey felt a pang of sadness. His relationship with his family was strained at best. He hadn't seen or spoke to any of them in over ten years. "Do you have any brothers and sisters?"

"Yes, I have a half-sister. She is quite a bit younger than me. I really don't have much to do with her. She is from a relationship my father had."

"Oh, so your father and mother split up?"

Fair enough question Rory decided. She did not mind talking about herself. "I was going to say it's sort of complicated, but it's not. My mother and father never married. He was in and out of my life when I was younger. I guess it depended on his financial status or whatever he was involved in. My mother has a friend and sometimes boyfriend who I guess is more or less a father figure to me."

The conversation was interrupted by Jane bringing over the placemats and silverware. Pacey waited till she departed. "So you had a happy childhood?"

Rory smiled and thought back to, growing up, in Stars Hollow. "Yes I did. A bit unconventional, but yes I was happy. How about you? How was growing up in Capeside?"

It had its good and bad moments. I am the youngest of five; three sisters and one brother. They barely knew I was alive half the time, but also I had what you could say were some good friends."

Rory hesitated before speaking. "Was Josephine Potter one of your good friends?"

Pacey leaned back in his stool and closed his eyes and thought about his answer. "I'd say yes."

Without thinking Rory replied. "So she was your high school girlfriend?"

"Yes, for part of my high school career she was my girlfriend. So Rory did you have any big romances back in Stars Hollow?"

Rory smiled. "I don't know if you would call them big romances but I did date three boys while I lived there."

"So how about after you left Stars Hollow; any big romances?"

Rory's smile faded. She thought about her life after she graduated Yale and her refusal of Logan's proposal. Little did she realize at the time that she would go for the next twelve years without a, really serious relationship. "No Pacey. I just became so busy working and traveling I never took the time. It's amazing how the years fly by."

Pacey could sense Rory was running the events of her life over in her mind. She seemed a little sad. "Do you still think about them?"

Rory snapped back at him "Of course. I do."

"Sorry."

"No, it's okay Pacey. I didn't mean to snap at you.

Before Pacey could answer Jane arrived with two heaping plates of fish and chips and set them down. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"I'm good." And then he looked over to Rory.

"I am also. Thanks Jane. This smells wonderful. Let's table the conversation Pacey. I am starving and please pass the vinegar."

After passing the vinegar Pacey held up his bottle of beer. "Here's to a good meal."

Rory picked up her martini and touched Pacey's bottle. "Here's to a good meal."

A couple minutes later Pacey realized that whatever Rory was; she was not a dainty or picky eater. This girl liked her food and wasn't afraid to eat. He liked that in a girl. It always frustrated him when he took a girl out to dinner and she ordered some outrageously expensive meal and then just picked at it. "I guess you were hungry."

Looking up from her food Rory nodded in the affirmative. She then beckoned Jane over. "May I have a glass of water?"

"I'll be right with you."

Dinner was done and Pacey stifled a belch. He realized that he was not sitting in the small galley on the boat with his semi couth crewmen. "You know Rory? They never get fish and chips quite right in the states."

Rory wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded. You're right. Americans will throw ketchup on the chips and the fish. Once I tried fish and chips with vinegar and a little salt I was sold, Look Pacey dinner is on me, I am on an expense account."

"Fair enough you get the dinner and I'll get the drinks,"

Two young men in their early twenties entered the lounge. They looked around till they spotted Pacey and quickly walked over to him and Rory. Rory noticed them first. "Pacey it looks like you have some company."

Pacey turned and greeted his two crewmen. "How did you two guys make out? Did you get something to eat?" Pacey also noticed that they were trying not to stare at his companion.

Vic spoke first. Yeah were good. We've had some beers and found a good place to eat. Did you get some room keys for us also?"

"Vic, Ryan, this is Rory." Almost in unison both crewmen said. "Hi."

Pacey gestured for them to take a seat at the bar. "Jane, please give the guys a beer on me." Pacey then fished in his pocket and came up with two room keys, which he gave to the men.

As soon as the men sat they peppered Rory with questions, speaking over each other.

"Are you from here?"

"No I."

"Are you Canadian?"

"I'm from."

"So how do you know the captain?'

"Well I really."

"How old are you?'

Laughing Rory held up her hand. "Come on guys take a deep breath and give me a chance to speak. Okay my name is Rory Gilmore. I am a travel writer for the New York Times. I am from a small town in Connecticut named Stars Hollow and I am thirty four. Now one at a time tell me about yourselves."

Pacey silently congratulated himself on guessing her age correctly and was amused at the expressions on his two young crewmen faces when she said her age and they realized that she was about twelve or thirteen years their senior. Pacey then sat back and watched her expertly pry information from the two men. After fifteen minutes and a stare from Pacey Vic and Ryan excused themselves and went to their room.

Rory turned to Pacey. "They're nice boys. I am thinking about doing an article on them and your boat. Is there a chance you could show me the boat tomorrow?"

"You want to write about us?

"I think I could write a nice article about the boat. I may not do it right away, but when I do, I'll show you the article first."

"How are you going to do that? I have no idea where I'll be next month."

"You're like a rolling stone aren't you Pacey? Do you have an email address?"

Pacey nodded. "Yeah"

"See no problem. So will you show me the boat?"

"Sure. Just tell me when you'd like go."

"Well I want to see the boat during daylight; so I'll cut short my visit with the Chamber of Commerce and I can meet you here at one?"

"One it is Rory."

"Thanks Pacey. I'm getting ready to call it a night.

Pacey didn't want to call it a night. He really enjoyed talking to her. "I have a better idea. How about an after dinner drink; you know some wine or coffee with Kahlua."

Rory smiled at her dinner companion. "This may be the only time I will ever turn down coffee, but I have notes to transcribe and a few emails to send." Sensing Pacey's disappointment and fighting a desire to take him up on his offer Rory softly put her hand on Pacey's arm, stood then leaned over and went to kiss him on the cheek, but somehow their lips found each other. Startled Rory quickly broke the kiss and stepped back. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that."

Pacey startled by the brief kiss just looked up at her. Then he smiled." Don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow at one."

Rory smiled back. "Thanks for taking the time. I really appreciate it. I'll see you tomorrow. Rory picked up her purse and walked away without looking back. Rory was a bit frightened; that kiss had felt way too good for a casual goodbye.

Pacey watched her retreating form. God she has a nice ass he thought to himself. Then turned to find Jane smiling at him. "What are you smiling bout Jane?"

"You, by the way she forgot to pay her bill. I can charge it to her room. I thought I heard you two were going to split it or something?

I'll pay the whole bill Jane; no worries". Pacey smiled. He just realized he was looking forward to tomorrow a lot more than he thought he would.

To Be Continued….