This Thing Between Us

Chapter 1 – What keeps us together.

A/N: This is just an idea I've been playing around with for a while now, let me know what you think. The next chapter of 'Crooked Smile," should be up shortly, I just have a bit of fiddling to do with the ending. Enjoy!

Jess Mariano was a successful novelist and publisher, living in Manhattan. Despite a few scrapes in his teen years, he led a very decent life; and he would be the first to admit he was blessed. All of his friends wanted to be him that was for sure. There were many reasons for this, and one example was lying naked next to him. Carole, or Caroline, well something with a 'C,' was blonde and leggy, a typical Friday night conquest for him. However, unlike most of his weekends, he had been completely free, so to save him a lot of time, she'd ended up staying the whole weekend.

She had been exceptional entertainment, really and truly talented, but he now he had to get rid of her.

"Mmm, Morning." She said, awaking, and smiling sweetly at him.

"Err, hey." He replied, awkwardly.

"So what do you want to do today?"

"Today? Today I'm-" He was cut off, when his phone on the bedside table began to vibrate. Saved by the bell. Phew! He picked up the phone to read the text, and then groaned. There was always a price, wasn't there?

"Err, today, I have to go to work." He said getting out of bed and starting to get dressed.

"I thought you were a novelist? Don't you work from home?"

"And I'm a publicist. But it's nothing to do with either of those. I also do some pieces for 'Read and Rogue," magazine, and the "Editor," is not happy with my latest one so I've got to go down there and sort it all out. But, err, you have breakfast – whatever you want, there's plenty in the fridge, and I'll, err, call you sometime. Bye!" And with that he left, as fast as he could.

He managed to get a cab and get down town to magazine's office building in less than twenty-five minutes. What was her problem now?! Did he use the wrong typeface again? Was the ink smudged? Did he somehow offend her in his article about how the music world could improve its sorry state? What ever it was, he was sure she had a list of bullet points a mile long, and a print out of his piece covered in so much read pen it looked as if it had been present at the St Valentine's' Day Massacre.

As soon as he got outside her office, on the top floor, he took a moment to observe her through the glass door. He could never understand what her problem was with him. With every other member of the staff she was friendly though firm, and she had always tried to find the good in people; well everyone except him. The sad thing was that he had known her practically his whole life; in fact he probably knew her better than anyone else alive. But for some reason he had never been able to get on her good side. Maybe he stole her juice box one day in Kindergarten or something. She, and her crazy mother, tended to hold grudges over the most infantile things. And the even sadder thing was, he'd never been able to shake her off. Not through pre-school, middle school, high school, or even college. Their mothers were best friends. Her Mom was now even married to his Uncle Luke, even though they didn't live in Stars Hollow anymore, it still made holiday dinners rather unpleasant. And now she was his boss. Well, part time, at least. Both of them moving to the city wasn't really a co-incidence, it was really the only thing that made sense for their situation, but it was just one of the never ending list of things that kept their lives entwined forever.

But whatever the reason she needed to see him for, it was time to face her wrath. He knocked briefly on her door, and then let himself in. Purely to irritate her of course.

"Oh, please, do come in!" She said, not looking up from the papers on her desk.

"I did." He answered back, sitting on the chair in front of her desk. "So, what was it that you dragged me over here so abruptly for! Did I miss a comma or a semi-colon? You're the one that wanted me to write for this magazine anyway. You came to me, remember that." She rolled her eyes, finely looking up at him.

"Oh, what's the matter? Did I interrupt your weekend of debauchery?"

"No," he replied, smirking at her. "It had pretty much drawn to a close, you actually helped me to get rid of her, so thanks for that!"

"You're a PIG! Did you know that?!"

"Well, as a matter of fact yes I did. You remind me constantly." A pause descended upon them as she just stared at him. It was as though she was trying to burn a hole through him. "Look, not that I'm not enjoying this staring contest but what did you want to see me for? What's wrong with my article this time?"

"Nothing."

"Come again?"

"There's nothing wrong with your article."

"Well, that's a first!"

"Mmmm." She murmured, in agreement.

"So, what's this all about?"

"I got a phone call just before I asked you to come over here."

"From?"

"Emma Copleur, she's-"

"I know who she is! I've met her just as much as you have." he insisted, almost insulted that she thought he remember. "What does she want?"

"To see us. Today."

"Why? What's so urgent? Is she-"

"She's fine." She answered, anticipating his question. "Emma just wants to discuss a few things with us."

"You couldn't have told me this on the phone?"

"Well, yes, I suppose I could, but that wouldn't have put you out, now, would it?" she giggled at him, and he groaned. "But while you're here you can brief Harrison on your new book, comes out next month doesn't it"

"Yep"

"What's it about again?"

"An irritated writer that kills his editor with a staple gun!"

----------------- Later that the day ----------- Emma Copleur's Office ---------------

Rory and Jess sat alone in a cream washed office, waiting for Emma to arrive. Jess couldn't help but chuckle a little to himself.

"What do you find so amusing?"

"Just thinking."

"There really is a first time for everything?"

"Can't I say one thing without you ribbing me?"

"Fine. What are you thinking?"

"This just reminds me of when we were both dragged to the Principle's office." He could see a small smile playing on her lips.

"Which time?"

"There was that time in first grade when we'd started a paint fight over that production of 'Oliver Twist.'"

"Completely your fault."

"My fault?!"

"Yes, I was clearly a better Artful Dodger than you."

"You were a GIRL!"

"So! It's called acting!"

"Whatever." He said, turning away from her. He then began to smirk again. "And what about that time in high school, when Headmaster Charleston hauled us in to his office after we were caught-"

"JESS! Would you please just shut up!"

"Okay, sorry for trying to make polite conversation. What's she dragged us down here for anyway?"

"I'm not sure. It's something she said she needed to discuss with us in person."

"That's all she said?"

"Yes. Now shut up." He just rolled his eyes.

"Hey, why does she always phone you anyway?"

"What's supposed to mean?"

"I mean why does she always phone you? I'm in this as well, she's seen me just as much as she's seen you, if not more."

"MORE? How exactly do you figure that you've been here more?!" she asked incredulously. The sodding nerve of the man.

"I've been to every meeting and every fund raiser that they advertise on those painful newsletters they send out every week."

"So, have I! And every bake sale!"

"So have I. I even brought in a homemade chocolate bunt cake." She scowled at him. "Ok, so it wasn't my home it was made in. But I gave 'Molly's bakery' a bonus so it was completely covered in sprinkles, just the way that Lori likes it."

"Yeah! And we all know what kind of bonus it was that you gave to Molly!" Jess smirked, uncontrollably.

"But why do you care about that?"

"I don't! But perhaps this answers your original question. Maybe the reason Emma always calls me is because I'm easier to get hold of. If Lori an had accident, they would have to go through half the listed female population of New York before they got hold of you!"

"Now, wait just a min-" but before he could finish he was interrupted, by the opening of the office door. Then entered a pretty young black woman, around thirty with short braided hair and glasses; closely followed by a small girl, with long dark curly hair and bright blue eyes. She smiled brightly when she saw the two of them together.

"Hi Mommy, Hi Daddy!"

"Hi sweetie!" "Hey, bumblebee!"