Disclaimer: Don't own. If a line sounds familiar, probably because it's from the original.

Author's Note: Thanks to all who are reading and reviewing. Means a lot. I am trying to stick to a decent uploading schedule, but I recently started a new job so still figuring it out around that. Hope you like this one.

Chapter 14

Rory woke up the next morning, on the upstairs bathroom floor in her mother's house, with a pounding headache and a dry mouth. She could only vaguely remember the events that led her to the present state.

Slowly, Rory peeled herself off of the linoleum and tried to keep the dizziness at bay. With as much energy as she could muster, she made her way downstairs: specifically, to the kitchen where she heard her mom holler "Good morning, Vietnam!"

Rory saw the takeout bags and instantly exclaimed, "Thank God. Hangover food."

"That's my little college girl," Lorelai remarked.

"Tito's was open this early?" Rory asked.

"Well, it was for me," Lorelai bragged.

"The power you have over fast-food owners is astonishing."

Paris taking a bite of a soft taco, said, "God, I think I'm gonna throw up. No, I'm good."

"By the way, thanks for leaving me on the bathroom floor all night," Rory said to her mother, sarcastically.

"Uh, hey, I tried to get you up. You actually used your foot to stop me."

"I did?"

"Yes. It was very House of Flying Daggers, but with vomiting."

"Sorry. I don't remember that, the foot part. The vomiting part, however -"

"Stop saying the word 'vomiting'," interjected Paris. "Unless you want a Mr. Creosote situation on your hands here."

Rory just turned and headed back into the living room. People are annoying this morning. Man, I have a headache.

Lorelai followed her with a bulky bag of food. Rory stopped in the hallway, unable to remember why she was heading out of the kitchen.

"What are you looking for?" Lorelai looked at her daughter's confused expression and asked.

"My book bag."

"I believe it's in your room."

"Room?" repeated Rory.

"That way." Pointed Lorelai.

"Right."

Luckily her mom guided her to couch, as the room was beginning to spin for her, again.

"Hey. I got you a beef burrito," taunted Lorelai with the food bag. "I thought it might be too hard-core for the amateurs in the kitchen, but I figured you'd appreciate it."

"Thanks."

"So, how are you feeling?"

"I've been better."

"Yeah, you take aspirin?"

"Aspirin?"

"White pill, big 'A' on it."

"Right, yep."

"Oh, here, before I forget, this fell out of your pocket light night," Lorelai turned to reach for something, "while you were pulling an Exorcist."

"Paris gave it to me to hold so she wouldn't call Doyle."

"She was the talk of the town this morning. Attacked the pretzel cart. Police backup had to be called for the first time ever."

"She was quite a mess."

"So, apparently, it was a theme."

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Believe me."

"You, of all people, should know the dangers of the Founder's Day punch. Did you learn nothing from Mommy's Coyote Ugly bar dance at last year's 'Salute to the Quakers' festival?"

"Oh, now, you can't blame that all on the punch."

"Well, don't get me wrong. I'm always up for a little mother-daughter bonding. But seriously when did facials go out of style?"

"I'm sorry."

"I just don't like seeing you like that."

"That makes two of us," agreed Rory.

"So, what was all that stuff you were babbling on about last night?"

"What stuff?"

"About Marty, I presume? I thought things were going so well with the two of you."

Rory tried to deflect, "I'm gonna get some coffee."

"Rory?"

"I know. Kitchen., that way."

Rory got up to get some coffee, hoping it would resolve her headache, her heartache and the growing sense of confusion resurfaced.

Tires could be heard pulling up into the Gilmores' driveway. A car door was heard open and shut and footsteps were heard approaching the front door. A knock was heard. Lorelai got up from the couch to answer and saw a very nervous-looking Marty waiting on the other side of the door.

"Oh, good, I am at the right address," said Marty relieved as he saw Lorelai. "Is Rory here?"

"She is. But, she's had a rough night." Lorelai looked at the boy unsurely, before deciding. "Wait here, I'll go get her."

Lorelai walked into the kitchen where Rory was leaning against the counter, inhaling the freshly brewed liquid.

"Rory. You have a guest," said Lorelai. Rory looked at her mom confused. "At the front door."

Although her legs felt like lead, Rory slowly made her way to the front of the house. She glanced out the window and saw a van that seemed familiar but not immediately identifiable. She opened the door to find Marty on the front step.

"Marty? What are you doing here?" Rory exclaimed, with the little energy she had.

"Glenn gave me the address and lent me his van."

"Okay. But, that doesn't answer the question."

"I went by your residence, I left a message on your voicemail. Have you get itl?"

"Umm, yeah."

"Oh darn, well I realized how it sounded and I assure you that's not what I meant. Saying 'we need to talk' with nothing further would drive me crazy. Then you weren't there, I panicked."

"Yeah, I came home to Stars Hollow."

"I connected the dots. I lost sleep so I woke Glenn in the wee hours of the morning to convince him to give me his keys and cough up your address here. I recalled him saying he picked you up here once, so here I am."

"Okay, but if you didn't want me to freak out over the 'we need to talk' bit, what did you mean?"

"It means, I meant I love you, too."

Rory's eyes went wide. "What?"

"The other night, as you fell asleep, you said 'I love you.' And, the next morning, I wasn't sure if you meant it or even remembered, so I avoided you because I didn't know what to say, but it was stupid of me. Because I realized that I love you, too."

"Are you serious? You drove all the way from New Haven to Stars Hollow to tell me you love me? All because I said it in my sleep?" Rory said dumbfoundedly as she pieced together what Marty was saying to her on her porch.

"Well... Yes. Well, I needed you to know how I feel," affirmed Marty slowly. "I didn't want to you think..."

Spontaneously, Rory jumped into Marty's arms and started pecking him with eager kisses. "I don't. Oh, Marty."

"As romantic as this moment is, haven't you been sick lately? Are you okay?"

Rory instantaneously blushed several shades of red as she withdrew. She squinted at Marty. "Umm, sorry, I got very drunk last night with Paris and my friend from here, Lane."

"Oh."

"Yeah, both going through stuff. Commiserating party with some strong punch."

"Oh, no! Were you 'miserating' as well? " Marty asked as he dipped his head, to meet her eye.

"I can't believe that you are here! In Stars Hollow!" Rory commented, avoiding the question. "How long can you stay?"

"I traded my shift tonight, so I only have to get back by my next class on Monday night."

"Oh, really? After a shower or two, I want to show you around and show you my favourite spots. But, first, you should probably come inside. We're having tacos."

"For breakfast?"

"Mom swears it's the best hangover food on the East Coast."

Rory, who found Marty's arm, squeezed him as if to make sure he was really there, before pulling him inside.

Kirk, Paris, and Lorelai looked up when the couple entered the kitchen.

"Aw, well if it isn't Lover Boy coming presumably calling." stated Paris, as Marty subtly blushed at being called 'Lover Boy.'

"Paris. A pleasure to see you, alive."

"Marty, this is Kirk, and, you know Mom," said Rory, ignoring Paris' tone.

"Hi, and Nice to see you again, Ms. Gilmore."

"Ah, the infamous boyfriend..." Kirk said, still holding his head.

"Marty, how many times have I said, just call me Lorelai?"

Marty opened his mouth to object, but Lorelai handed him a cup of coffee.

"No buts. There's plenty of food. Given your state versus these two's, you may actually be able to eat."

Marty accepted the cup and took a quick sip.

"Don't fill up, save some room for the sights," said Rory as she leaned over Marty to whisper it in his ear.

Marty looked at her quizzically.

"Hey, hon, don't you think you should take a shower after your fountain show last night."

"Mom!" Rory exclaimed, but then added, "But yeah, I'll be right back."

Rory went off to go back to the bathroom that she slept in last night, still smiling to herself at Marty's unexpected arrival.

ooo

By the time Rory rejoined the company, Kirk had departed, Paris was packing her car and getting ready to leave, and Lorelai and Marty were on the couch deep in conversation, debating about which was the best version of A Star is Born.

Rory watched from the stairs for a few minutes as the two made their cases for each version. The fact that her mom and her boyfriend were getting passionately defensive over their favoured movie version was warming Rory's heart. It felt right that they got along, unlike Lorelai and Jess, or Lorelai and married Dean, or Lorelai and Logan. Lorelai and Marty seemed to have things in common that they could discuss even with Rory present.

"Rory, tell your boyfriend that he is crazy for thinking that Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson had more chemistry than Judy Garland and James Mason," Lorelai exclaimed in frustration, bringing Rory into their altercation,

Marty shot her a small, devilish smile.

"I'm not getting into that one, years of binge-watching movies could not make me pick a side." Rory refused to get in the middle. "Marty, let's go."

Once out of the house, Rory asked, "So, do I smell better?"

"Definitely," Marty answered quickly as he leaned in to place as a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Are you feeling better?"

"You mean, am I still extremely hung over?"

"Well, yes."

"I should be fine as long as I remain mostly vertical. Honestly, I should have known better," Rory chastised herself, "After the rough time my mom went through after last year's performance of 'Can't Stop the Moonlight', I should be glad I wasn't climbing on any bars."

Rory slipped her hand into Marty's and put her head onto his shoulder.

"Where to first?" Marty asked as they started making their way in the direction of the town's gazebo.

"Rory! Who's that curly-haired stud with you?" a distant, familiar voice asked.

The couple turned to see Miss Patty calling from her studio. "Hi, Miss Patty. This is my boyfriend, Marty." Rory returned. To Marty, she explained, "That's Patty, she's the owner of Miss Patty's School of Ballet. Everyone in town takes classes there. She teaches all types of dances from ballet, tap, jazz, cheer and ballroom. Miss Patty, however, is also the town's information spreader, so don't be surprised if everyone knows your name within the hour."

"Huh. So, which did you take?" Marty inquired.

"What?" said Rory in response.

"You just said everyone went there. Which one were you?" Marty grinned.

"Little bit of everything. I was six, I was stubborn, and I sucked. Patty had to practically beg mom to stop sending me there. "

"There are stories there, I can sense it." Marty countered but did not push further.

"Let's go to Luke's. I need coffee." Rory said simply.

"I thought we had some back at the house."

"It's not Luke's," Rory stated as she pulled him towards the diner.

The bell chimed, as Luke looked up from wiping the counter.

"Rory! You're looking better, are you feeling better? Where's your mom?" Luke greeted as side-eyed the guy behind her. Marty looked back, trying to figure out the look.

"Yeah, she's home. Probably napping, I kept her up most of the night, I think. She's pretty wiped."

Luke did not say anything, but he looked at Rory for further explanation. When Rory did not, Luke glanced questioningly in Marty's direction. Rory caught this look and supplied, "Oh, right. Marty, this is Luke. He's dating my mom and the keeper of the best coffee in Connecticut. Luke, this is Marty, my boyfriend."

Marty extended a hand, which Luke clearly wasn't used to, but reluctantly took it and shook it. Marty seemed equally apprehensive and was not sure what to say next. Luckily, Rory piped up as she glanced around.

"Lane around?"

"She's not scheduled till later."

"Ah, cool. Can we get two coffees and some muffins to go?"

"How's about I throw in an assortment?"

"Ah, thanks Luke, you're the best."

Luke went to the back, and Marty was pulling his wallet out to pay, however, Rory was quicker and already had a twenty-dollar bill out.

"Nope, my town, my treat."

"Okay. So where to next?"

"I want to check in on Lane. She hit the sauce hard and I gotta know if she's surviving."

"She's your best friend, right?"

"Yeah, the very same. She's the one in the band."

"Okay, let's go. Love to meet her." said Marty enthusiastically.

Marty and Rory took their coffees and muffin bag and headed towards Lane's apartment.

"Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the same girl that stayed with you and Paris at your dorm last year?"

"Oh, yeah the very same. She's always loved music but was unfortunately born into a household where she couldn't play the devil's music, and she started playing with the band as a drummer and now Zach, Brian, Gil and she are Hep Alien."

"That's a unique band name."

"Yeah, so after she stayed with me, she got back only to get kicked out by her mother. So, Lane got an apartment with Zach and Brian and works at Luke's while getting the band off the ground. It's all very rock 'n' roll." Rory said as she turned to knock on a white door. She also called out, "Lane?"

From inside, there was a low strumming that ceased, followed by movements. Seconds later, a blond long-haired guy answered the door, holding a banjo. "Rory?"

"Hey Zach, is Lane here?"

"Yeah, she's in her room, come on in." Zach motioned as he extended the invite. "She had a rough night."

"Lane, you alive?" Rory called out towards the only one of two doors inside that was shut.

"Uh, barely." croaked Lane, as the short, dishevelled, Korean girl with thick-framed glasses opened the door. "How are you so vertical?"

"Oh, yeah you know coffee and Marty."

"You're Marty? Oh, I remember you from my brief stay at Yale."

"Yes, this is Marty. Status upgraded and more valued since then." beamed Rory.

"Hey man, nice to meet ya. Say, do you play any instruments?" Zach inquired from behind them, who was still holding his banjo.

"Umm…not really," said Marty as he thought of a couple of bands. "But I do listen to a ton of music. I'm currently revisiting the Clash right now."

Lane got Rory's attention back, and motioned toward her room. "I'm never drinking again! I feel horrendous, and my head is pounding so hard!"

"Yes, not my finest moment either." Rory agreed as the girls entered Lane's room. "What happened to you after you left the table?"

"I confronted Sophie at the music store, and there he was fiddling with other guys and a banjo. Apparently, he was worried that by banjo lovin', he'd lose his rock cred."

"So, you two are good?"

"Yeah. All good. Still, a girl and a guy living together which means I'm still living in sin, according to my mother, but good." confirmed Lane, summarizing. "Your issues are resolved too, I'd imagine, assuming they pertained to tall and curly over there."

"Yes. He showed up out of nowhere this morning to the house with a van." Rory grinned.

"Ooh, a guy and a van. Intriguing, go on…"

"Yeah, and he told me that he loves me."

"What? There was the guy, the van and a declaration of love? You've been holding out!"

"Apparently I said it first."

"Wait, you did? My, my, it was just forever ago when you split with a guy because he was madly in love with you."

"Shhh." Rory turned to look at the door, quickly. "Yeah, well. Can't take the credit. I don't remember actually saying it."

"But you did?"

"I was asleep."

"I'm so happy for you. You do seem in love."

"You know what? I am."

"So, you're showing off the town, what's up next?"

"Well, you know, there's not much. Once around the gazebo and the lake and you are back in the center of town." Rory said, thinking. "Maybe we'll do the Twickham Stars Hollow Museum tour, sober."

"Probably best to get your money's worth."

"All right, I guess we should keep moving, otherwise I might have to sit down or eat more tacos," Rory said, as the girls rejointed the guys: Marty and Zach were already comfortably playing a video game.

"Better get him out of here, otherwise Zach will think he's made a new friend."

Rory walked over to Marty. "Ready to keep moving?"

"Oh, sure." He said agreeing. Then Marty turned to Zach, "Thanks for the album recommendations, I'll definitely check them out." Marty turned to Lane. "Nice to see you again."

Once they left Lane's apartment, Rory linked arms with Marty. "So glad you're here. And not just 'cause I need something to lean against."

"Anytime. Where next?"

"Well here in the Hollow, what you see is what you get."

"It's quaint. I like it. So far, great coffee, interesting people, and if they have a decent bookstore, I'm sold."

"Yes, we have one of those. How do you think I built up my collection?" Rory smiled.

As they approached the bookstore with the sign outside that read, "Black-White-Read Bookstore Movie Night", Marty turned to Rory with a questioning expression.

"Oh, our bookstore doubles as the town cinema," Rory said.

"And the small-town charm just keeps coming," Marty said as he moved to hold the door open for her. "And it's far more than fascinating."