8 years in the life

Chapter 13- February 2009

The comparative politics papers were done, so for two months now Rory was sent to different countries in the world wherever the news was hot. But the two weeks she just spent in Somalia were by far the most difficult. She had to cover the Somali civil war in southern Somalia. On the plane back to Boston, she couldn't sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she could see the famished children, the multiple bodies wrapped in sheets in the middle of Mogadishu streets. She even felt guilty to be able to come back to the US safely. That was the most difficult part of reporting. She had met several people from NGOs, the UN people, a guy from the European Union and got an interview with Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the Somalian President. She was sure she would be able to write a good article and knew she would be proud, but all she could think of were the Somalian civilians and the tragedy that was going on over there. Above all, her mother was worried sick and she didn't like that her loved ones had to be so anxious because of her. Whenever she had phone service, she would make a quick call to her mom. It wasn't the fun traveling that she had last summer in Europe anymore. It was the real stuff that she wished for such a long time. The job was dicey, everybody knew that, and most major media outlets couldn't afford full-time war correspondent and relied on freelancers. She was then twice lucky to be based stateside and also to be sent abroad without worrying if her work would be picked up, but it was grueling even more for the mind than physically. It reminded her that she should be grateful to Robert for making her run twice a week to improve her stamina. The Gilmore girls' motto about exercise definitely wouldn't work when you had to run from shootings. The plane finally landed and she walked absent-mindedly to the baggage claim area. Once she got her bag, she headed toward the customs then to the exit when she heard someone calling her name. She looked up and saw Robert walking toward her. She dropped her bag and hugged him tightly. God, it is so good to see a friendly face. Robert's heart pinched when he saw her, she'd lost weight, and had dark shadows under her eyes.

"How was your flight?" He asked trying to hide his emotions.

She knew she had to let go her embrace before it got too weird, but she really needed to feel a little affection in this crude world. She finally ended her grasp.

"I'm so happy to see you. The flight was long, too long. Please, Robbie, take me home" His heart clenched a little again, it was the first time that he heard her call him that. He took her bag and smiled at her.

"You look good Semple".

"You look like hell, but it's good to see you too, Gilmore. Call your mom, I promised her that you would as soon as you landed."

"That's how you knew I was coming back today?"

"Indirectly, she wanted your dad to pick you up but he was on a business trip so he asked me."

She called her mom. They walked to the car while she was talking. Robert was watching her quietly. He was so relieved that she was finally safe and sound back home. During the two weeks, she was gone, it had been difficult for him to concentrate. He was hooked to the news 24/7 as if he would be able to have a glance of her even if the Somalian conflict wasn't the main subject on the American news channels. He hated knowing that she could be in danger and that he couldn't do anything to prevent it. He knew her mother didn't like him much, but he was grateful that her anxiousness led him to pick her up. If she would be sent again in a dangerous country, he wondered if it would get easier to wait for her to come back. He wasn't supposed to be worried, he was just the roommate, but he couldn't help it. Get over it Semple, be a man, she's not even your girl.

When they arrived, she went straight to take a shower. He started the coffee for her, ordered Chinese food and opened a bottle of wine for him. He sat on the couch, put on his glasses and started checking his email on his laptop. She opened her room door and saw him focused on his computer. Her heart skipped a beat. It has to be the sleep deprivation. It dawned on her that being in this apartment, with Robert around, was now what felt like home. She went to the kitchen and saw that he had already put her mug next to the coffee machine. She poured herself her life elixir and slumped next to him.

"Thanks for the coffee."

He raised his gaze to her and nodded. "I ordered Chinese, it should be there soon."

"You're the best, are you drinking alone?" she turned her eyes to his stemmed glass.

"I didn't know what you were up to. Do you want some?"

She smiled at him. "Yes please." He stood up to reach for another glass. He handed her the glass of wine and sat back just next to her. They stayed silent for a few minutes, both enjoying feeling the warmth of each other simply sitting next to each other. He was trying to concentrate on his emails, and she was only getting pleasure from being home.

"Robert, would you mind watching a sappy movie with me tonight?"

He turned to her with raised eyebrows.

"Please, Robbie?" she asked in a slight begging tone.

"Sure, but only one, I really have to work after that. And please, not A Walk to Remember."

"Deal." She beamed at him and he suddenly felt weak. She's going to be the death of me. The intercom buzzed. Maybe I should try to consider her like a little sister?

"Okay, pick the movie and I'll get the food," he said trying to get his senses back.

He settled the food on the coffee table with the wine bottle and sat on the couch. He shook his head when he saw the opening credits for Someone Like You.

"What?" She said looking at his disapproving gaze. "You're too peaky Semple, you like Hugh Jackman, he's our second favorite Aussie"

"Don't try to pull me into this, I'm fine with the first favorite Aussie and I know it's because you like to watch Hugh Jackman's bare chest." Rory rolled her eyes.

By the middle of the movie, Rory was asleep with her head on Robert's lap. He waited a moment and when he was sure she had totally dozed off, he carefully pulled out of the couch. He went to her room, pulled her quilt aside and came back to carry her into bed. He cautiously closed the door and came back to the living room to clean up. Definitely, he should try to think of her as a sister and he would be fine. Then it struck him that he also used to worry about his sisters. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. When did his life become complicated once again? He had trouble sleeping at night. He had been doing just fine for a while, everything seemed to be in order, no more drama, just his thesis, friends, and a few ladies for the fun. He couldn't pinpoint when he got derailed from his tracks, but if he was true to himself, it slowly started after Rory moved in.

A/N: Please feel free to comment and review, it helps me improve the story.

Thanks to annonymougg16  who always find time in her busy schedule to edit this story.