A/N: Hello dear reader! This is the sequel to a oneshot I wrote, 'You and Me and Our Significant Others'. You do not have to read it to understand this, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. This is my first multi chapter Gilmore Girls story and I hope it works out.!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls.
You and Me, Juliet and Dodger
'If the wedding isn't for another week, why are you leaving today?"
I turn around and fix Matthew with a hard stare. I must have answered this same question at least six hundred times to him.
"You should seriously get your head checked- like I'm about to call the doctor." I say irritably. Matthew just shakes his head and gives me the finger. What a charming young man. "I'm the freaking best man. My uncle needs me to help him out at the diner 'because he is so busy with the preparations."
"Whatever Jess," Matthew caves, just like I knew he would. "But you had better get some work down on that manuscript- or we'll all be screwed."
"I know, I know- the deadline is coming up." I admit grudgingly. He's referring to the book I'm in the process of drafting- the book that is supposed to be ready for publishing by Christmas. Hell, it's barely a week past Halloween but tensions are high in our place when it comes to deadlines- one slip and we'll be broke again.
"Maybe the wedding we'll be good for you." Matthew ponders. "Getting away for a while could help cure your writer's block." He suggests.
"Maybe," I agree tonelessly, bending down to tie up the laces to my coveted, beat up converse. "I'll be back in a bit." I say, and giving him a half smile, I hoist my duffel over my shoulder and exit the room.
"You're bringing Marley, right?" Matthew yells back at me from the room. "Because that girl will flip if you don't take her with you- and no one wants to see that girl flip."
"Yes I'm bringing her- goodbye!" I say in exhaustion, picking up my car keys and whistling as I head for the door. At once, a large, tan shape emerges from the kitchen and follows me out. I head over to the car and open the door.
"Go on Marley." I coo, and the dog leaps into the passenger's seat.
I guess I should probably explain about Marley- she's not my girlfriend if that's what you were thinking. She's the stray dog that followed me home from the bookstore one night. Me and the boys took her in and she has been part of our group ever since. She seems to like me the most- I don't know if its because I'm the one who found her or because Matthew just freaks her out. But in any case, if I leave her alone at the house, she gets very angry and bites whoever happens to cross her path (usually its Matthew.)
I fumble in the back seat for a decent CD to listen to and select one of my favorite Metallica albums. Soon, the music is blasting from my stereo and I'm flying on my way to the Entrance to Hell- or as its more commonly known as- Stars Hollow.
I'm not showing up a week early for my Uncle's wedding because he needs help with preparations- he knows enough not to ask me for something like that. The real reason I'm going is a lot more personal and a lot more pathetic.
I'm going to try and win back Rory Gilmore.
Yes, that means that I am still yet to get over her. And yes, I still do love her. And now that she has ditched Mr. Blondie, more commonly known as Logan, the only thing standing in my way is…. Well, basically everything.
Our past history does nothing to help me in my plight. I broke her heart, then she broke mine, then she strung me along- it was a long, angst ridden story that I would really rather avoid reliving.
The town of Stars Hollow was not in my favor either. Every single resident there had a reason to hate me, and if they didn't, they made one up. All I had to do was set one foot on their turf for the townies to start whispering and for the members of my old high school class to start clenching their knuckles.
But the number one thing that was standing in my way was the fact that she was absolutely, on hundred percent out of my league.
Rory's grandparents were part of the rich upper-class, whist I was in Philly playing starving artist. She was a Yale graduate with a bright future. I was a high school drop out who took some night school classes and attended community college.
She was way out of my league.
But I was not giving up without a fight.
The Metallica CD had long since ended, and so had the Clash CD I'd replaced it with. I'd also stopped at Burger King for lunch and was well on my way to Stars Hollow. I was also getting more and more motivated to turn around and head somewhere totally off the beaten path- even further off than Stars Hollow that is.
Forest after forest, exit after exit, I grew steadily closer to Stars Hollow. When I saw the turn for Hartford I felt myself get extremely panicky and wanted to stick my head out the window like Marley.
The Our Lady Peace CD I was listening clicked off and I was trying to find something to listen to for the rest of the journey. I could go for something loud and obnoxious, like some early Bon Jovi, or something classic and catchy, like the Rolling Stones. I ended out pumping in an old Tom Petty disc and trying not to think about Rory for the remainder of the ride.
Half way into the CD, I come out of my thoughts and realize that I have entered the town straight out of a Stephen King novel, Oh dear…
When I pull over next to Luke's I'm thankful for my new car. The old shit I had would be instantly recognized as mine and within minutes the whole down would know of my arrival. Thanks to the new wheels, I would be able to keep my identity anonymous, if only for a little while.
I stay in the car and close my eyes, trying to regroup and find my bearings.
Rory had no reason to hate me.
Rory's probably dreading your arrival.
Things could be different this time.
Fat chance- you'll screw things up again.
I was no longer an idiotic eighteen year old.
You still ain't that bright at twenty three.
I could do this.
You so can't do this.
I'm pathetic.
You're pathetic.
Shaking away my thoughts, I turn off the car and listen as Tom Petty's voice is choked out. Taking a last, deep breath, I reach into the back seat for my duffel and open the door. Marley follows me silently.
When I open the door, the bell dings, and that ding seems to be like me screaming at the top of my lungs 'Look who's back!". The diner grows silent for a moment. Patty and Babette just raise their eyebrows at me and glance at each other, while Taylor looks thoroughly dispirited. Luke looks confused for a moment before he sets down the coffee pot he's holding and goes to greet me.
"Good to see you Jess." He says, shaking my hand and staring incredulously at Marley. "Who's your friend?"
"A dog," I say simply.
"The four legs and the tail kind of gave that away." Luke replies dryly. "When did you get a dog?"
I shrug. "A while ago," I state matter-of-factly.
"Why'd you bring it here?" he asks, a disgruntled expression on his face.
"She tends to bite people when I'm not around." I say with a small grin.
"Oh, great," Luke says sighing dramatically. "Go put your stuff upstairs. Then I could use your help down here."
"Sure thing, Uncle Luke," I say, putting emphasis on the 'uncle' cause I know it will annoy him.
A vein pulses in his forehead but he says nothing and I disappear behind the curtain with a smirk on my face.
The apartment is empty now that Luke has moved back in with Lorelai. I dump my stuff on my old bed and then troop back down the stairs, Marley following at my heels.
I'll never forget the ropes to working in the diner, not like its that difficult. Twenty minutes after my arrival I'm taking orders and making coffee like the good old days, while Marley watches me from where she is curled up in the corner.
I'm beginning to get over being back in town when the bell rings again and none other than Lorelai herself walks in. I feel myself panic and hastily try and disappear into the kitchen, but Luke cuts me off.
'Hey Lorelai." He greets. "I'll have Jess get you coffee."
That stupid, stupid man! One day I'm going to hit him over the head with his own spatula.
"Oh Jess, you're back." She says simply, and I can see the surprise on her face and sense the old prickle of dislike she always harbors for me.
"Yup," I say tersely, going back to my classic one word answers.
"You still aren't speaking in full sentences." She observes.
"I let one slip every once and a while." I state stiffly.
"Tell Lorelai about your dog." Luke yells to me from the kitchen.
"You got a dog?" Lorelai questions me.
"Yeah, she's over there." I reply, pointing to the corner where my mutt is resting.
"Awh, she's cute!' Lorelai says with a small laugh. "What's her name?"
"Marley."
"As in the word the rhymes with gnarly?" she says in confusion.
"As in Bob," I explain.
"Oh, of course." She says in understanding. "You live with a bunch of artists, now. I guess you probably have a cat named Dylan."
I don't know what to say to that.
"You know… like Bob Dylan." She continues slowly.
"Huh, I'll have to consider it should we ever get a cat." I say nervously.
"I guess you're not really a cat person." She goes on, a large, fake smile plastered on her lips. She lets out another faint chuckle. Then I turn and get her some coffee.
"Thanks." She says gratefully, taking a sip. I'm not sure whether or not I should stay, or walk away, Being with your ex-girlfriend's mother is always difficult, especially when you happened to break that girl's heart, and even more when you are still in love with said daughter.
"Listen, Jess," Lorelai begins, sensing my discomfort. "You and I have quite the history together."
"I suppose we do." I reply dumbly.
"And not all of it is good." She goes on.
"Yeah…" I reply quietly.
'But,' she continues with a smile. "Rory told me that you are the one who motivated her to move out of her grandparents' and go back to Yale."
"So that… scores me brownie points?" I ask slowly.
"That's scores you more than brownie points my friend." She says with another grin. 'It scores you a badge- a big, pretty, shiny badge with glitter and sequins and fancy letters."
"Okay…" I say, never fully being able to comprehend what goes on inside the head of a Gilmore. "So you don't hate my guts anymore?" I blurt, unsure if I'm pushing my luck in asking.
Lorelai shifts in her seat. "Lets see how this wedding turns out and then I'll answer that."
I nod in understanding. "Okay."
"Jess, orders up!" I hear Luke call from the kitchen. I give Lorelai a final nod before disappearing into the kitchen, my head in overdrive.
My return to Stars Hollow was very uncomfortable.
And I had a feeling weird reunions were far from over.
0
Its later, and I'm trying to get some work done on my manuscript. Marley is curled up at my feet and a beer is in my hand. One of my Metallica CD's is playing from the stereo- I always listen to music when I write- it sort of inspires me.
But nothing has been able to inspire me for a long time. This stupid novel has been half finished for months because I hate what I write and get rid of it. I really need to figure out what I want to do soon- that deadline is getting closer and closer.
I pause in my contemplating to glance at the clock. 9:27 gleams back at me in red numbers. I yawn and ponder leaving the manuscript for tomorrow night, which is what I have been saying to myself for the last several months.
Deciding that a walk around the square may inspire me, I abandon the manuscript on the desk and head for the stairs. Marley could use a walk. She trails down after me and I nod to Luke, who's serving the last stray costumers of the night.
"I'll help you close up when I come back." I inform him. He nods in understanding and I open the door, hearing that annoying bell ring again.
When I lived here, I always thought about stealing that bell. Sure, it alerts Luke when costumers come in, but after hours its just plain annoying. In the early hours of the morning, when I'm dead asleep, it wakes me up. In the late hours of the night, long after Luke has locked up, I hear it- my imagination has always had a strong hold on me. I used to have dreams of people chasing after me with bells, and of all my CD's playing the sounds of bells ringing. Even after all the years, it can still annoy the heck out of me; when Matthew in the boys suggested putting a bell on our door, I refused so passionately that several of them looked terrified and thought I had a strange phobia against bells. Perhaps I do….
So now I'm just strolling down the street, letting my feet carry me to my old haunts that I used to journey to as a teenager. I reach the bridge- my bridge- and sit down. My feet are just hanging above the water- if I was any bit taller, they'd be soaked. So if Dean was trying to sit here, he'd probably be submerged up to his knees. I smirk at the thought.
Dean and I haven't seen each other since the night I asked Rory to run away with me, also known as the night Rory Gilmore broke my heart. And its also known as the night Rory Gilmore got her revenge.
Marley gives a low bark. She's staring incredulously at the water, and I know that in the daylight she would probably swim. I whistle for her and set off back for the diner, deciding in my head to force myself to write a decent chapter before I go to bed.
I'm nearly back home, and passing the gazebo, when I run into Taylor. He looks at me and crosses himself. It looks like I've become an omen of the devil to this town.
"Young man," he addresses me, and I know that I'm in for one of his rants. "There is a leash law here in Stars Hollow that states that no animal may be allowed in the streets without a leash." He gives my dog a dirty look.
"Huh." I say, because I know my careless, one word, mono-tone answer will irk him.
It does.
"I also notice that your animal is not wearing the proper identification. The Stars Hollow Pet Control and Regulation Committee requires all dogs and cats to were identification tags stating that they have been given the proper shots. I see no form of identification on your animal." He goes on.
"Well isn't that a pity." I say sarcastically.
He looks angry now. "Lack of the proper identification and a leash can amount to a pretty serious fine, young man."
"You're going to fine me?" I say in disbelief. Taylor isn't getting a buck out of me.
Marley must not like Taylor either for she begins to growl menacingly at him.
"Please restrain you animal." He pleads.
"Oh, I can't do that now." I say. "She only stops growling after she's given chase."
'Given chase?" Taylor repeats in confusion, before I yell "Go on!". Then Marley bares her teeth and takes on towards him. He yells and sprints for his store, grabbing a broom and raising it threateningly. I whistle for her and she growls and him one last time before following me.
"You keep that beast away!" I hear Taylor yell, and I merely smirk back at him before entering the diner.
"Where've you've been?" Luke asks, cleaning out the coffee pot. I trudge behind the counter for a rag and begin wiping down tables.
"Terrorizing Taylor," I say smugly.
"One of us has to do it." Luke says in appreciation. "And since I'm busy with the wedding, I'll hand to torch down to you."
"I'm honored." I say sarcastically, moving on to another table. We continue the usual routine in silence, and it seems more and more like I'm seventeen again and still living upstairs. I clear my throat ominously. "So… what's on the agenda for tomorrow?" I say casually.
"Tomorrow," Luke repeats. "Lorelai has this big event going on at the Inn- some sort of inspection or something. Rory's coming in at about noon-"(my insides churn slightly at this), "And then we're going to dinner at the Gilmore's."
"Good luck with that." I say with a smirk, imagining Luke having to suffer through a dinner with Richard and Emily. "I'm sure you'll have a delightful time."
"You can be the judge of that." Luke says, and to my horror I see a grin on his face. Luke only grins like that when he torments me. "You're coming."
"NO!" I shout loudly. "There is no possible way in the universe that I'm coming to that dinner- No I mean it!" I continue louder still, for Luke is laughing from behind the counter. "Those people will KILL me! Stab me with a steak knife, or poison my drink- I will not get out alive!"
"I've never seen you fear for your life before. It's extremely entertaining." Luke says with another laugh.
I glare at him with such intensity that the smile vanishes quickly from his face.
"Jess," he begins, and I feel a lecture coming on. "The Gilmore's haven't seen you in years. I'm sure they have forgotten-"
"They haven't forgotten anything!" I snap. "The second we walk in there I'm going to be a sitting duck!"
"Better than a swan, we all know how that turned out." Luke retorts.
"You're not funny." I hiss at him, finishing the table I'm on and hurling the rag at him. Then I storm up the stairs and immediately wish I didn't, because its only ten thirty and I've got nothing to do.
I flip half heartedly through one of my books, but I can't get into it. The TV gets turned on but after twenty minutes of channel surfing I shut it off again. Recognizing defeat, I decide to call it a night and try to get some sleep- and try not to think about the sure to be disastrous dinner tomorrow night.
I have another seven or eight pages typed, but I thought it was getting way too long. I'll post those next few pages as a second chapter soon. Please review because I would love to hear any feedback you may have. Rory comes in the next chapter, so stick with me until then!