(The next day around 8:30 in the morning. Rory and Finn wake up gently holding one another.)
"Baby, aren't you going to be late for your swim?"-Finn
"I was just about to get changed and head out. I have a few other errands to run as well. So, I'll probably be gone until around 3:30. Do you want me to pick up lunch for us?"-Rory
"No, that's okay. Just make sure you are home no later than 6:00"-Finn
(she just looks at him with a slight smirk on her face) "Are you going to tell me why, or is it one of those things that you are going to keep under wraps until I get home?"-Rory
"You will know a few things by the time you get back. I promise."-Finn
"Okay, honey. I'll see you later. Have a great day."-Rory (she lightly kisses him then heads out the door)
(about an hour after she leaves, Logan heads over to pick up Finn and the two of them head out)
*In the Car*
"So which treatment center do you think you are going to sign up for?"-Logan
"I was thinking of LA Interventions and Counseling Centers. They have a one month in patient program then a continuing three month out patient one as well. Then I would also go to A.A. meetings as often as I feel I need to."-Finn
"Do you think that that will be enough of a start to prove that you are actually serious to Rory?"-Logan
"Logan, when have you ever actually seen me willingly go to sign up for this program, let alone potentially take away time from work to go to meetings to maintain my sobriety?"-Finn
"You have logic in pointing that out but still."-Logan
"No more but still's, no more excuses on my end. I want to go buy a ring for her after this. I want to search for a house with all of her favorite aspects of her job added in so she doesn't always have to leave home to enjoy them. I want to find the perfect venue, best flowers, greatest location for the reception etc for the wedding. I want us to start planning our lives together and the only way for that occur and be successful is if I get treatment, and that starts TODAY."-Finn
(he just looks at his friend before speaking) "I'm proud of you, Finn. Really I am."-Logan
(they had just arrived at the Counseling Centers, and started filling out the paperwork to get him into a sober life style. He would go into treatment on October 3rd. Which gave him a little bit over two weeks to think of a flawless way to propose to his girl of four years. He knew that Logan would help as well as Steve but he couldn't help but feel at a little uneasy at the thought of leaving her for a month. The last time that had occurred, the outcome hadn't been well for Rory by any means but that was a different story for a different time. When they got done filling everything out and getting the dates finalized they headed back to the office with their lunch with them that way they could keep a steady pace while editing the photo's. )
*Meanwhile at the Spa*
"Hey, I didn't know you were coming in today."-Steve
"How could you not know, I put myself on the schedule two weeks ago. Hell I did it in front of you"-Rory
(looks at her because she had a bit of a bite to her words) "Well, I mean I knew you were coming in I just didn't think it would be this early."-Steve
"You know me, Steve. I'm still the same girl that comes in two hours before the appointment to fit in a swim, as well a steam that way I won't be nearly as tense and tight as I normally am."-Rory
(Steve could sense that something was wrong, but knew better than to ask while they were in public so he walked her back to the room that they normally did her treatments in)
"You know the routine I'll be back in a few."-Steve(before he walks away) "Would you like the table warmer on, I remember you saying that you typically run cold."-Steve
"That would be great. Thanks"-Rory
(she got undressed and was ready on the massage table by the time he knocked on the door about three minutes later)
"So, fill me in here."-Steve
"What do you mean"-Rory
"You sounded a bit tense out there when I was asking you simple questions."-Steve
"Am I that obvious?"-Rory
"Not really, I just know you really well is all."-Steve
(she just smirks at him, but sighs and gives in because next to Finn, Steve always had a knack for helping her feel better)
"Something's going on with my man, but he won't tell him. He's doing the sneaky routine. And you know what happened the last time he did that, right?'-Rory
(with a slight hint of rage in his voice) "Of course, Logan and I were left picking up the pieces of that mess for three solid months afterwards."-Steve
"Steve, that's not fair to still be that upset about it."-Rory
"How the hell is it not fair? The "love of you life" disappears for three months, no note, no voice mail. Only one email explaining that he needs some time to go to treatment but doesn't want any help to do it. Not only does the treatment not work, it nearly destroyed the very foundation of your relationship and you ended up in the hospital while he was gone."-Steve
"Stop, just stop right there. You promised me that you and I wouldn't talk about that here, more importantly on the massage table. We both know that the only reason I am still setting up these appointments is because my therapist thinks it will help me get over what happened. I'm tense enough as it is can we please just talk about something else, any other reason for his strange behavior as of late?"-Rory
(he just sighs because he knows that if he pushes her to far, she won't come back and these sessions were almost as important to her healing process as seeing her psychologist and the swimming sessions were. So for now he pushes his worry for her to the back recesses of his mind and gently changes the topic as well as his tone of voice to something that he hopes sounds comforting. He actually knew what was going on with his best friend's boyfriend, but he had promised Finn that he would not bring it up to her at all)
"Rory, maybe's it is nothing to worry yourself over. Maybe the secrecy for once is a good thing."-Steve
"I've thought that as well to be honest. But he doesn't normally have Logan like tendencies. I am hoping that he will fill me on the outings that he had to take care of when I get home. If not I'm going to worry for the next few hours."-Rory
"You can do that when the massage is over, hun. We both know that if you don't truly relax, well as much as you can this session will be a waste of time for you, and more importantly your healing process."-Steve
(she just looks up at him, both knowing what the other is thinking.) "Steve"-Rory
(she had finally had enough of hiding her emotions about what had happened, along with her fear over her love Finn. Even though that fateful night had occurred over two months ago she was still having trouble controlling her emotions and they always seem to come ahead when Steve and her had their sessions. All he could do was gently take her hand and help her through the tears. She was still rather uncomfortable with being touched outside of it being assigned. After a few minutes her sobs finally calmed and she was able to form coherent sentences once again)
"I'm sorry, really I am. I hate that I still let the thoughts, and fear overtake me at times. I usually feel safe here I don't know what is wrong."-Rory
"Rory, both the therapist and the doctor said that was normal to feel that way even more so during the massages. Why don't we stop for today and get something to drink. Pumpkin latte or smoothie on me. How does that sound?"-Steve
(she smiles at him, and silently nods her head in agreement with his idea. She changes back into her clothes, then helps him straighten up the room, and they head to their favorite location for smoothies.)