(After about three minutes, Steve knocked on the door)
"You ready, Rory?"-Steve
"Yep."-Rory
(he quietly walked back into the room, turned down the lights a little bit more, and made sure she was covered up properly.)
(With his hands on either side of her spine he said) "Take a deep breath in"-Steve
(which she did) "And let it out"-Steve (she obeyed)
"And one more, deep breath in"-Steve (which she once again did) "And let it out."-Steve
(he then got started on massaging her back, but for the first time in about a month he started the conversation while she was laying face down on the table)
"So, what did you think of the photo shoot?"-Steve
"I think it went pretty well. I'm looking forward to seeing the after treatments photos, more I guess. I do truly appreciate that you did it."-Rory
"Anytime. Hey if you want me to take the after shots as well just let me know."-Steve
(they were quite for a few more moments then he said) "Rory, I know that we just talked about it but I just want to ask anyway, have we ever done trigger pointing on you before?"-Steve
(she turns so she can look him in the face while they are talking) "I know we've talked about it but we've never done it before."-Rory
"Would you like to try it?"-Steve
"Sure, why not? What harm could it do?"-Rory
"Alright, let's do it!"-Steve
(they were then both quite for about another half an hour, both lost in utterly separate trains of thought. After finishing with her legs he said to her) "Alright, Rory we are going to have you scoot down all the way on the table, then flip over whichever way is more comfortable for you to do."-Steve
(she did as was told then looked at his face for a few moments before looking at the ceiling and saying) "You look deep in thought about something."-Rory
"Nothing really important. Just really into the massage that's all."-Steve
"Steve, come on what's going on in that brain of your's."-Rory
"Have you signed the no compete clause yet?"-Steve
(she not only visibly tensed up, but physically as well, so much so that while he was massaging her hand down through her arm he had to tell her to relax)
"Of course I signed it. I love the location that I work at, you know that, I have no desire to leave anytime soon. Maybe later on next year but not just yet"-Rory
"I figured as much."-Steve
(she just looks up at him then all of the sudden sits up and shocks him, for it was a move that she had never done before on his table)
"What the hell are you doing?'-Steve
"You aren't signing it are you? You're leaving"-Rory
(he doesn't answer her right away which makes Rory assume the worst and she starts to tear up. Steve can't help but feel guilty. This was supposed to be a memorable day for her and Finn. Not one that brought her more stress and pain. He gently massages her shoulders which helps her calm down considerably but she still wants as well as needs an answer which he knows he will have to confess at some point.)
"Rory, I've thought about not signing it. I have better options out there, even more so with the photography job. However, I have talked to the spa lead about it and they are willing to give me an hourly wage on certain days instead of just commission, which does help in all honesty. But you already know the circumstances in which why I would leave other wise than the pay grade. In all honesty though I don't know what to do at this point."-Steve
"Steve, please just don't go, not yet. Please wait until Finn comes back from in patient treatment, by that time I will done with mine as well and I won't need the massages as often as I do now. Please just think about this. Combine the hourly wage with whatever services you do in a day, with the photo projects you get on the side, it could greatly change things in your favor. You can make it work, I know you can"-Rory
(he smiles at her urgency to keep him there for it shows how deep their friendship truly is) "I will give it more time, I promise you that. Now why don't we focus on getting you truly relaxed instead of having you walk out of here just as tense and knotted as when you walked in shall we?"-Steve
"Let's."-Rory
(he went back to work on her chest muscles, then her neck as well as the shoulders. With about twenty minutes left he decided to trigger point the places that she had asked him to before they got started. While he was working on her they continued to talk about things ranging from her treatment, to the days that they didn't work together, a little more about the no compete clause, and a few other things as well. Rory left the massage room feeling better than she had not just emotionally but physically than she had in weeks. After grabbing a drink of water for himself for he had offered her one but she politely declined Steve met up with Rory at the front desk.)
"You don't need to take care of paying, Rory. Finn has already taken care of that. Let me just block myself out for the rest of my shift then I shall join the three of you in the pool if that's alright?"-Steve
"Of course it is. I'll see you shortly. Thanks again for doing that massage by the way I feel like butter."-Rory
"You are most welcome, Rory."-Steve
(they went to the separate locker rooms to get changed into their swim suits. After about four minutes the two of them joined their friends in the therapy pool. Rory swam out to her boyfriend and gently kissed him on the lips)
"You are amazing, have I told you that lately. Not only do I get spoiled with a photo shoot, but roses, and a massage by my favorite therapist. What's next you bought me a house?"-Rory
(they all are laughing at this point)
"No house purchases just yet my darling. However, how would you feel about doing a trip to Six Flags after this swim?"-Finn
(he had changed his mind on the location of the proposal to their second favorite place)
(she just looks at him with love and affection) "Hell yes we haven't been there in such a long time baby. I would enjoy nothing more than to go there with you."-Rory
"Then that is what we shall do."-Finn
(the four of them continued to swim and have some much needed fun for about another hour. When they were all done Logan and Steve went back to the photo studio to set up the album for the proposal photos that Steve would be taking at the park. Finn and Rory headed back the house to change into warmer clothes pack a small cooler etc then headed out to Six Flags around nine o clock in the morning on September 23rd, 2012.)