Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: What will happen when the town of Stars Hollow has a Forties Fling and a mysterious blind man shows up asking for Rory Gilmore, the fiancée of Dean Forester?

The high school gymnasium had been dressed to the nines for the Forties Fling. The requirement for attendance was being dressed like it was the forties. Rory Gilmore and her fiancé Dean Forester entered the gymnasium. She was dressed as a WAC and he as a captain in the Army. “Wow,” Dean said, “the gym looks amazing!” he complemented Rory, for it was her handiwork.

“Thanks! You’re so sweet!” she said half-jokingly. They smiled and kissed lightly.

“Augh—no PDA, please!” Loralei said from behind them, entering the gym on Luke’s arm. Loralei had decided to come anyway, though she wouldn’t be dancing. She was heavy with twins, and Luke was the typical doting father-to-be. He and Loralei had married one year before, after Rory had graduated college.

Dean had blown into town one month later, and he and Rory had started a relationship just as friends, but two months ago, Dean had proposed. Rory had accepted immediately.

“When will this thing start?” Loralei pouted as Luke settled her into a comfortable seat with blankets on the bleachers. Taylor came to the front of the small stage and picked up a microphone. “Let’s get this started! We’ll lead off with an Ella Fitzgerald classic, “Isn’t It Romantic?” Enjoy!” he declared.

Dean and Rory began to dance to the slow song, Rory mouthing the lyrics.

Isn't it romantic?
Music in the night, a dream that can be heard.
Isn't it romantic?
Moving shadows write the oldest magic word.

Rory and Dean swayed softly in time with the music. Their eyes were locked on each other, totally oblivious to the people around them. Though they were dancing near the edge of the dance floor, they didn’t notice when a young man in uniform came in the door with a white and red stick tapping the ground in front of him. He wore dark sunglasses to shield himself from the eyes that saw him that he couldn’t see.

I hear the breezes playing in the trees above
While all the world is saying you were meant for love.
Isn't it romantic
Merely to be young on such a night as this?
Isn't it romantic?
Every note that's sung is like a lover's kiss.
Sweet symbols in the moonlight,
Do you mean that I will fall in love perchance?
Isn't it romance?

As the band launched into a beautiful instrumental bridge, the young man tapped his way to the bleachers and found a seat next to Loralei. She scooted over so he would have more space. He felt her presence and turned toward her. “Do you know a Rory Gilmore?” he asked, loud enough to be heard over the music.

“Yeah, I do. She’s my daughter—who’s asking?” Loralei nodded, although she knew he couldn’t see the motion. “Just an old friend.” he said cryptically. Loralei tried to piece together which of Rory’s friends had been in the Army, but couldn’t put it together.

“Well, she’s right over there, with Dean, her fiancé.” Loralei realized he wouldn’t be able to navigate the crowded dance floor very well. “Do you want me to get her when this song is over?” she asked, not seeing the “that figures” look on his face. He nodded.

Sweet symbols in the moonlight,
Do you mean that I will fall in love perchance?
Isn't it romantic?
Isn't it romance?