(Finn ended up in a pair of black suit pants with a dark silver top, he applied a sparing amount of gel to his hair, shaved, splashed a hint of cologne and went back downstairs to wait for Rory to put the finishing touches on getting ready. She finally decided on a knee length one shoulder sapphire blue cocktail dress with a hint of make up and a splash of body spray, after pulling on some heels she double checked her attire and then left the room. He grabbed her purse for her and they quickly left the house. After about a ten minute drive he pulled into the parking lot of her favorite restaurant Morton's The Steakhouse. She was once again in a state of shock)
"Baby, you are just full of surprises tonight aren't you?"-Rory
"Anything for you, honey. Let's go in shall we?"-Finn
(they enter, and are seated at the best table in the place. The couple had just gotten done with ordering their drinks, him just a cup of coffee with cream, while she ordered pumpkin hot chocolate with whip cream on top)
"So, there is one more slightly serious thing I wished to discuss with you before we indulge on this meal."-Finn
"Go for it."-Rory
"It's about Steve."-Finn
(she knew that this would be talked about at some point it needed to be but at the same time it didn't make it any easier, she visibly tensed at the mention of his name)
"What about him?"-Rory
"You are aware that he is head over heels in love with you right?"-Finn
"Finn, he never stopped loving me, never stopped caring but that doesn't mean he is still IN love with me, and can you blame him?"-Rory (she smirks slightly at him)
(he returns the facial expression, but quickly turns the conversation back to the topic at hand before getting distracted)
"No of course not, however it has been years since the two of you were together. You would think that his feelings would have at least diminished."-Finn
"I do see your logic I do, but I can't change how he feels about me, sweety. He and I endured a multitude of events together. Much like you and I have. Finn, I have a history just like you do. Steve and I tried walking away from each other just like you and I did however the outcome wasn't pretty. It's not a need to be one another's live it is a desire. I respect his opinion and value the strict FRIENDSHIP that he and I have now. But you and I both know that NOTHING more will ever come from that. Have you ever thought that he loves me like a sister much like Logan does?"-Rory
"I have thought of that, and now that I am giving it more thought his emotions do fit that profile more then him actually being in love with you, however, but have you discussed it with him? Honestly discussed it with him recently?"-Finn
(she looks down at her hot chocolate, then looks back up at him) "I actually planned on discussing it with him once our dinner was over. "-Rory
(he just looks at her with slight disbelief in his eyes, not that he was hurt that she was going over there, but more so that she had waited to tell him)
"He means well he really does baby. Steve has only been supportive these past few months. He is the epitome of the word professional in each session that we have together. The therapist did say that it better for me to be surrounded by people that I am comfortable with, which I have tried to achieve but sometimes it is easier said than done you know?"-Rory
(he takes her hand) "I know that, and I do trust him with you and you with him. I just don't want him to keep holding onto hope when it will only lead to more heart break later on down the road."-Finn
"You make excellent sense baby, but for now can we just enjoy this evening."-Rory
"Whatever you wish my love."-Finn
(the two of them got refills of their hot beverages, and dined for the next few hours and finally made it back home around 9:30. He kissed her gently because he planned to take a bath then head to bed. Finn knew that she was in for a long talk with Steve and wouldn't be home until late. Rory quickly changed into a pair of yoga pants, a tank top, with a grey sweater on top. She grabbed her car keys as well as her phone and headed to Steve's house. After knocking on the door, for was greeted with a very happy looking close friend, who gladly let her in)
"Is it time to have the conversation that we have both been dreading?"-Steve
"Yes, but only if you promise to be upfront with me for a change."-Rory
"Of course, hun."-Steve
"Are you still in love with me, Steve?'-Rory
(he looks at her in shock) "Are you really asking that?"-Steve
"Yes, I am."-Rory
"Who?"-Steve
"Finn."-Rory
(he stands up and starts pacing, which is a typical nervous habit for him) "Of course, he has always been able to see right through me. Rory, of course I still love you, a part of me will always care about your well being, but am I still IN love with you no."-Steve
(she sighs in relief) "Well, that does take a lot of pressure off of this topic then and greatly changes the outcome as well. I care about you as well, but I am rather hopelessly madly in love with Finn."-Rory
"I know that and honestly it is a good thing. We only would have worked if."-Steve
"If. There's that word again, but that is not a possibility so let's not worry about it for another second shall we? I did tell Finn that the love you have for me is the same kind that Logan does which he seemed to be a lot more comfortable with."-Rory
"That makes sense in a way. However, if you got to ask me that personal of a question may I ask you one thing in return though"-Steve
(she feels her chest tighten) "Go ahead."-Rory
"Have you told him the full extent of what happened that night? I mean he does know the major details and the other situations that you and I lived through together with losing jobs, loved one's, moving, the parents constant bickering among other things. Which is probably why he is so understanding of you and I still being in one another's lives, but does he know everything that you truly lost that fateful evening?"-Steve
(she goes to his kitchen and starts making some hot apple cider) "How do you tell your boyfriend that not only did you get raped while he was off supposedly getting treatment but you ended up being pregnant as well by your rapist? That's not something that you just easily drop into a conversation, Steven."-Rory
(he grimaced for he knew that she was rather upset if Rory was calling him by his full name, he gets up from the couch and joins her at the sink) "I can not even begin to imagine where you are coming from by put into a situation like that, but covering it up will only prolong the sadness."-Steve
"I've tried to tell him, believe me I have attempted to bring it up when we are talking but it's hard enough reliving that pain, but adding a miscarriage on top of everything else. How about, we call him over and let him know together?"-Rory
"I think it is a good suggestion but at the same time you take a risk of greatly disappointing him because I had that knowledge beforehand. But, I think that at this point in time that it is one worth taking. I'll call him, you go finish the drinks."-Steve
(she went back to preparing the beverages, and he went to his room to make the call. Finn picked up on the second ring)
"Everything alright, man? Is Rory okay?"-Finn
"She is fine at the moment but there is something that the two of you need to discuss before this evening is over. Could you join us?"-Steve
"I'll be over in about ten. Bye"-Finn
"Bye."-Steve
(he hangs up then goes back to the kitchen)
"He's on his way."-Steve
"Sounds good."-Rory
(he noticed the slight waver in her voice and the shakes in her hands. The tears were already starting and Finn wasn't even here yet. He did all that he could think of and wrapped her up in hug. At first she was alright but after a few moments she started struggling against him which is something that he wasn't used to. Rory had always been comfortable with him but not this time not in this moment)
"Rory it's me, it's Steve. I'm not going to hurt you"-Steve
"Stay away from me, please just please don't hurt me anymore. LEAVE ME ALONE."-Rory
"It's me, it's your friend, Steve. Look at me, Rory."-Steve
(at the moment that Rory started yelling at him Finn had just walked up to the door and over heard the commotion. He opened the door with the spare key he had, and raced inside to see his girlfriend cowering in the corner of their friend's kitchen. Finn could tell by the look in her eyes that she was in another flashback, however what had triggered it is what he was having trouble comprehending. He tried to walk up to her but that only seemed to make it worse so he suggested the only thing he could think of)
"Try again, Steve."-Finn
"Are you sure? I've never seen her in this bad of a state before."-Steve
"Well, we have to try something we sure as hell can't stand here and not help her."-Finn
"Alright."-Steve
(he slowly walks up to her, gets down on his knees, and starts to speak quietly and comfortingly to his best friend)
"Rory, do you remember the first day that we met one another? The other massage therapists introduced themselves to you then had to clean up their rooms. I stayed behind and helped you out with a few things because you were new."-Steve
"Man, what are you doing?"-Finn
"This is what I do when she is upset during a session. Just trust me and let me continue okay."-Steve
(sighs in frustration but trust that his friend knows what he is going) "Go ahead."-Finn
(he goes back to talking to her) "Anyway, then remember the first massage I did for you? It was the second week that we worked together an you left a note asking if you could schedule an appointment with me for which I said go ahead. I remember the look on your face when you came in few days later, you looked a little tense and your body was even more. However, after a little while you did finally manage to relax and we started talking like we had been friends for a life time."-Steve
(while he was telling the story he noticed that Rory had relaxed a little bit and her eyes were more focused than before so he kept going)
"I remember that I started to look forward to your name being on my books every Tuesday, it became almost like a therapy session for me as well. The way your face would light up even when tragic things were happening in your life you managed to smile and be positive. It would break my heart to see you in pain emotionally or physically so I would go out of my way to make sure you were smiling whenever possible."-Steve
(by the end of that story she had finally come out of her flashback but was still trembling rather badly. Finn walked up to her. Finally seeing and fully comprehending that her boyfriend was there, she slowly got up, and walked silently to him however she couldn't bring herself to hug Finn)
"I understand. I do, why don't I grab the drinks for you baby, then Steve and I will help you to the couch."-Finn
(knowing that she couldn't trust herself to speak just yet, she nodded. As she walked to the other room the two men stayed behind for a few moments)
"What the hell was that?"-Finn
"I have no idea she started crying because of. Well she will tell you that shortly why but all I did was hug her and she fell apart. I don't know what caused it, don't know the trigger. She has always felt safe in my presence much as she does in your's. That is a discussion for a different time. We have a girl we need to take care of. Let's go."-Steve
(the two men re entered the living room, set down the mugs of cider on the table and joined Rory on the couch who had her knees pulled to her chest. She knew that the time had arrived to fill Finn in on the true ramifications of that night. Rory took several deep breaths to steady herself for the story that was about to retell, the nightmare that she was trying so hard to walk away from. It was now or never to truly start the healing process for all involved. And for once instead of running from her fear she decided to tackle it head on.)