Chapter 3:
Welcome To. . .
Disclaimer - I do not own anything!!
Summary - R/J eventually - read and find out!
********
(Previously)
Rory wondered where they were going in Connecticut. Certainly they wouldn't
send her to her home town. She would expect Mr. Williams to know where she was
from.
The driver was right, 30 minutes later he rolled down the window. "Here we
are. Welcome to. . . ."
********
(Chapter 3)
"Welcome to Stars Hollow, Rory and Sam. It's a lovely town I hear. I'm
sure you'll love your stay."
They drove through the streets. The driver had the window down so they watched
where they were going. Memories were flooding back to Rory. Everything was the
way she left it. She caught a glimpse of Taylor walking through town. There was
Luke's Diner, and the town gazebo. It was unbelievable. Of all the places, how
was she brought here? Not that she didn't like it, but it would be hard to
write an article on a place you lived for 18 years, but then again, wouldn't
that make it easier?
When they pulled up in front of the apartment, Rory knew exactly where they
were. 14 Peach Street, a road she'd walked down many times.
"Well, Rory," asked Sam as they unloaded their bags. "What do
you think?"
Rory quickly grabbed her bags and started to head into the building for fear
that someone might see her and she didn't need that quite yet. "I like it.
It seems friendly and welcoming. It'll be fun living here." Rory used the
key Mr. Williams gave her this morning and opened the front door. They were
apartment 2B.
When they reached the room, Rory realized it was very spacious. One of the
better apartments in Stars Hollow, she guessed. There were 2 bedrooms, a large
living room and a roomy kitchen and of course, a bathroom and closet.
"I'm exhausted," Rory said as she plopped down on the couch after
they brought all their bags up. "I think I'm going to rest for a
while"
"Oh come on Rory, let's go explore. See what this place is all
about." Sam said.
I already know everything about this place, Rory thought.
"You go ahead, I'm going to sleep. I'll walk around later."
"But you slept in the car. It won't be that bad."
"I need coffee or I won't be able to function. I saw a diner on the way
in. How about you go get some coffee and when you get back I'll consider going?
Sound good?"
"Where is this place?"
"I don't know it can't be far." Rory lied.
"Alright, I'll go get coffee but when I get back you better be ready to
go."
"Okay, okay." Rory said as Sam was leaving. "Oh! Make sure it's
a large!"
As soon as Sam left, Rory got herself comfortable on the couch and fell asleep.
********
Sam took a step out into the nice fresh air of Stars Hollow. It was quite
different from city life of course. It wasn't something he could quickly adjust
to since he'd lived in down town NYC all his life but over time, but small town
life could definitely grow on him.
He took brisk steps down the street. It was that time of year when the foliage
on the trees was the best. This was quite the New England town for fall
foliage, he thought. At the end of Peach Street, Sam turned right and saw the
sign for "Williams Hardware" even though it didn't even remotely look
like a tool shop, he headed in that direction hoping to find the diner Rory was
talking about.
Rory was right, that was a diner but he guessed that the sign had never been
changed. As he walked in, the bell above his head jingled and heads turned to stare
at this newcomer. So this is what small towns are like, he thought. He went to
the counter and took a seat waiting to be served.
A dear old friend of the Gilmore's, Miss Patty, didn't waste any time getting
to meet this man.
"Why, hello young man," Miss Patty said as she took a seat next to
Sam. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Miss Patty. I teach dance here in
Stars Hollow. You must be new; I've never seen you before."
"Hi, I'm Sam." He stuck out his hand and shook Miss Patty's. "I
just moved here today. My fiancée and are looking for a place but for now we
are settled in at an apartment on Peach Street."
"Oh, Peach Street is a fine place to be. I guarantee that you'll love this
town. I've been living here my whole life and have never felt motivated to
move. Well, I must be getting back to the studio. Feel free to stop by any time
if you have any questions, dear."
"Thank you, Miss Patty. It was nice to meet you." They shook hands
again and Miss Patty left.
"Excuse me sir, can I get you anything." Sam jumped when he heard
this and turned to face the counter.
"Oh, yes, sorry, could I have 2 large coffees to go. I'll also have two of
those Danishes please." He was still in a daze from meeting Miss Patty.
He'd barely been here 2 hours and people already were talking to him.
The man behind the counter came back with Sam's order. "Here you go. Sorry
to ask, but are you new here, I don't believe I've seen you around?"
"Thanks. Yeah, I just moved here with my fiancée. My name's Sam."
"It's nice to meet you Sam. I'm Jim."
"How much will it be?" Sam asked as he pulled out his wallet.
"New customer - on the house. We hope to see you again Sam."
"Nice meeting you. And thanks."
Sam headed out the door and back to the house.
********
Rory was still asleep on the couch when Sam got back. He felt bad if he woke
her up so he picked up a magazine and read.
Two hours later Rory finally arose after Sam had to take drastic measures but
putting the coffee cup under her nose.
"Mmm, coffee," Rory mumbled as she slowly sat up.
"You're crazy Rory."
"I know. Where's the coffee?"
"It's right here. I wouldn't be surprised if it were still cold
considering its been sitting here for 2 hours."
"What? 2 hours?" Rory cried.
"Yeah, you've been asleep. I didn't want to wake you up."
"You're too kind."
"So I went to that diner that you mentioned."
"Oh yeah, how is it?"
"It's really nice. I met someone named Miss Patty. She's quite the
character."
Rory laughed when he mentioned Miss Patty. She couldn't help it. She knew that
Miss Patty would be the first to talk to him. Undoubtedly.
"What's so funny?" Asked Sam.
"I don't know. Sorry, as you were saying?"
"Right, so I met Miss Patty, and then the guy who worked at the diner. His
name is Jim."
"Jim?" Rory said but she quickly remembered that Luke was in Europe.
"Yeah do you know him?" Sam joked.
"No."
"So anyways, that's pretty much it but it seems really nice. Well, we
should unpack."
Rory took the coffee from Sam and heated it up in the microwave. She
desperately wanted to go walk around town but she didn't want people to see her
and know she was doing an undercover report on the town. That would be too
weird. So for now, she'd avoid it as much as possible.
When the coffee was done, Rory took the room that Sam didn't take and began
unpacking. She'd never been into one of these apartments but she wasn't
surprised at how nice they were.
"Are you done yet Rory?" Sam asked as he poked his head into her room
an hour later.
"Just about. What did you have in mind?"
"Well it's almost 5. Maybe we should go get some food and stuff. I wonder
if there is a store around here."
"There is." Rory slipped. "I mean, there has to be one."
Rory quickly grabbed for the phone book and began flipping through the yellow
pages. "Here's one. It's called Doose's. They might have some stuff."
"Alright, sounds good. Wanna go there?"
"You go; I'll stay here and make the beds."
"What's with you Rory? Do you have small-town-phobia or something?"
Sam laughed.
"Well do you want to sleep under covers or not tonight?" Rory snapped
back.
"Fine, fine. I'll go get some food and you'll make the beds. What do you
want?"
"Anything's fine with me. If you see a movie store around, maybe you could
pick one up?"
"Alright, any preferences?"
"Something funny."
"Ok, I'll be back with food and something funny. You sure you don't want
to come?"
"I'm fine. You go."
Sam left once and again and left Rory by herself. She knew she couldn't do this
for much longer. Sam was already on to her and the last thing she could do was
tell him that she used to live here. Oh well, she would work things out.
********
When Sam got back he was practically being taken over by the grocery bags.
"Here, let me take some from you," Rory offered. They took the bags
to the kitchen and Sam began to cook. "Did you get a movie?" Rory
asked.
"Yeah I did. I got Tommy Boy. I didn't really know what you liked."
"Tommy Boy is great. A classic."
"I guess you could call it that."
"So what's for dinner?"
"Fajitas. How's that?"
"Sounds good. Do you need any help?"
"Yeah sure, do you wanna grate the cheese?"
"Uh, you don't think I can cook. I'm shocked."
"Rory, I know you can't cook. I've heard the disastrous stories. I would
never trust you near a flame."
"No fair."
"Do you want to be living on the streets because if you did cook that
would be a definite possibility."
"Fine, I'll grate the cheese, and wash the lettuce. Those don't seem too
hazardous."
"One day I promise I'll teach you to cook. And then maybe if you're good
I'll let you go near the stove."
"You're making me sound like I'm 12."
Sam laughed and started to cook the chicken.
"DONE!" Rory shouted.
Sam jumped at the sound and dropped some chicken on the floor. "Whoa Rory.
A little excited, are we?"
"Sorry, I'm done."
"Yeah, I heard." Sam said as he picked the food off the floor.
"Why don't you make yourself useful and set the table."
"I can do that." Rory began searching all the drawers for the
silverware. "You know, this is pretty cool, moving in somewhere and already
have everything be supplied for you. It makes things a lot easier."
"It sure does. Did you find the silver ware yet?"
"No, its hiding from me." Sam stepped to the left. "It's right
here."
Rory opened the drawer. "HA! I found you!"
********
Three hours later, dinner was done, the movie was watched the dishes were
cleaned.
"Whew, it's been a long day. I think I'm gonna hit the sack." Sam
said.
"Alright, I think I'm gonna go for a walk. I need to get some fresh
air."
"Oh so now you want to go out."
"Sorry, I wasn't in the mood earlier. I'm just sick of being trapped in
here. I'll be back soon."
"Alright, I'll probably be asleep so here's the key."
"Thanks." Rory put on her coat and headed out.
The air was cool and refreshing. Rory took in a deep breath and headed down the
sidewalk. She aimlessly wandered around and visited her house. She wanted to go
in but she was afraid that someone might see a light on so she didn't. It was
close to eleven o'clock so nobody was really around
On the way home, she detoured towards the bridge so she could think. As she
approached, she heard some rustling in the bushes by the bridge so she stopped
and stood silently to see what was going on. Suddenly, someone came out of a
path and sat on the bridge and began to read.
Rory, being as curious as she was, walked closer to see who it was. Apparently
the person was watching her too.
"Rory, is that you?" Said the person on bridge.
