Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls; do not sue.
"Rory! Shut that alarm clock off," Lorelai cried as she headed into her daughter's room, "Are you trying to wake the dead?"
"That could hardly wake the dead mother," Rory said pointedly while walking into her room fully dressed in her Chilton uniform.
"What you're already up and still the alarm clock is going off? Why?" Lorelai said looking dazed and confused.
"Because mom it's my first day of senior year, and you said you'd drive me." Rory stated.
"Was I high?" Lorelai questioned.
"On caffeine? Probably," Rory said, "Don't you worry your pretty gigantic head off, and I've already made the coffee."
"Aww come on don't pull the head thing on me before I've had coffee. I'm not ready to make my cutesy and witty comebacks. That is so unfair…Private school girls are mean." Lorelai said tearfully.
"I made you coffee Mom, so scoot! We only have an hour and a half before I have to be there." Rory said as she pushed Lorelai into the kitchen.
"Oh you're bossy, that's the fruit of my loins I know and love."
"Hurry up!"
At Chilton
"Does it still look scary?" a now fully caffeinated Lorelai asked.
"I think it shrinks every year. Well Paris and I are getting on well so things will, with Great-Grandma's willing, go smoothly." Rory said.
"Great-Grandma willing?" Lorelai said, "Oh because she's God! That's right."
"Love you mom," Rory said getting out of the car.
"Love you too hon. I'll meet you at Luke's after school." Lorelai shouted as she drove away.
Rory stood in front of the large wooden doors of Chilton just staring. She couldn't believe that this was the last first day she'd ever have here. It did look smaller; it almost even (dare she admit it) looked like a second home to her. Taking a deep breath she pulled one of the doors opened and walked inside.
She found her new locker just fine. It was the opening of it that was the problem.
"Not again," Rory cried, "Why do I always get the locker with the vendetta against its owner. I swear it was the kid who had it before me not me! Please work."
Rory hit her locker with her forehead.
"Well that was smart Gilmore," a familiar voice said sharply.
"I wasn't cut out for physical exertion on an appliance," Rory stated.
"My aren't we little miss quippy today."
"Paris none of this banter right now. I need a janitor," Rory said scanning the halls.
"I believe that the correct term is now custodian Mary," drawled a lazy male voice.
Rory physically froze. Paris quickly turned and saw the one and only Tristan DuGrey standing in the hall.
"What are you doing here?" Paris asked.
"Aww Paris I'm hurt didn't you miss me?" Tristan said feigning hurt.
"Way to avoid the question, did you take a class in the science of answering questions like politicians while you were away?" Paris retorted.
"I got time off for good behavior." Tristan said. Paris rolled her eyes while Rory snorted.
"And what did that un-lady like noise mean Mary?"
"The words good and behavior were used together in a sentence referring to you." Rory said, "And the name is still Rory not Mary."
"Nope sorry you're still my Mary," Tristan said.
"Not yours and certainly not Mary…well at least not he one you're referring too," Rory stated calmly, "Paris I have to go. I'll meet you in the publishing room after school okay?"
Paris nodded, and inwardly smiled happy that Rory had finally acknowledged what had happened between her and Jess. Tristan just stood there, mouth slightly hanging open, eyes wide. Had he just heard correctly? Mary, his Mary, wasn't a Mary anymore? Impossible. He felt this strange feeling of anger surge towards whoever took his Mary away. Yet she still glowed with innocence, how could that be?
After school in the Publishing Room
"Rory," Paris said cautiously, "How are you feeling?"
"About what?" Rory asked puzzled.
"About this morning, when you finally admitted it happened."
"Oh that," Rory said quietly, "I can't believe I said that in front of him no less. It just slipped out."
Paris got up from her seat and hugged her friend, "It'll be okay. Have you talked to Jess since?"
"We are still together Paris. It's not like he left me right after he got into my pants. He loves me," Rory said defensively, "And I love him."
"I know that and you know that, but have you told him?" Paris asked.
"Shit," Rory said picking up her books and running out of the door, "Paris I'll call you later with details."
Rory skidded out into the deserted hallway. Running at full speed – for a Gilmore anyway – to try and catch her bus. Just as she reached the bus stop, she saw the bus turn out of the school's drive.
"Double shit!" Rory screamed.
"Did I just hear Mary use profane language? Tisk-tisk young lady. Do I have to call your mother?" Tristan said, popping out of nowhere.
"Where did you come from?" Rory snapped.
"The big building behind you. It's called a school. Wow and I thought you were the smart one."
"If you want to be helpful you could give me a ride, other wise keep the comments to yourself." Rory said.
"Feisty! I think I like the new you Mary," Tristan drawled.
"Same old me just a new perspective on life," Rory said.
"I'll give you a ride. You'd kind of look pathetic just standing there all alone."
"I can't believe I'm about to say this but, Tristan…thank you," Rory said quickly.
"What? Come again?" Tristan mocked.
"Shut up Tristan and drive." Rory stated.
"Oh! And you're domineering too, I like it!" Tristan said, causing Rory to roll her eyes.
Stars Hollow – Luke's
"Thanks Tristan…wow that's twice in one day." Rory said with shock.
"You want to make it up to me Mary?" Tristan asked suggestively wagging his eyebrows.
"I see military school hasn't changed you that much. Which may or may not be a good thing."
"How's that?"
"Tristan as long as you have that smirk you're golden," Rory said, "Can I ask you something?" she added quietly.
"Shoot Mary,"
"Can we be friends this year, none of that being jerks to each other crap? I just can't handle any more friendships ending badly," Rory whispered.
"I'd like that Rory," Tristan said. At the sound of her name Rory smiled.
"Thanks Tristan…for everything," Rory said stepping out of the car.
"Anytime Mary," he said. She rolled her eyes but smiled. With that Tristan drove away and Rory walked into Luke's.
"Mini-me! Who was that walking Greek statue in the fancy-schmancy car you were talking too?" Lorelai immediately asked her daughter when she got through the door.
"That was Tristan. He's back from military school," Rory said, "Hey Luke is Jess upstairs?"
"Yeah I think so. But then again he may be out somewhere doing hell knows what, and apparently my hat is on too tight because I don't know where the hell my nephew goes or does for that matter!" Luke semi-yelled.
"Did he and Jess have another lover's quarrel?" Rory asked her mother.
"Yeah. Jess told him about you two." Lorelai said softly.
"He did?" Rory deadpanned.
"Yup."
"How far away could you hear the yelling?"
"Kirk said he heard it when he was delivering the Marcoski's mail."
"Are they the crazy people with the flamingo fetish?"
"Yeah. They dressed them up too, in little school uniforms. I'm totally going to name them all and put them into cliques." Lorelai said excitedly.
"I'll leave you too your task. I'll see you at home." Rory said.
"Ah yes go. Leave your poor mother for a bad boy.That's such a John Hughes andMolly Ringwaldmovie plot."
Luke & Jess' Apartment
Rory knocked softly. A tired Jess dragged himself off the couch and opened the door.
"Hi," Rory said brightly.
"Is your school that fun?" Jess said in his usual monotone.
"I have to tell you something," Rory said a little more subdued, "I…uh…I…love you."
Jess stared blankly at her. He had heard correctly right? I mean this wasn't just a dream that he'd wake up from.
"What?" he said dumbfounded.
"I said I love you." Rory repeated. Now Rory was starting to worry; he just continued to stare at some spot on her face. Was she getting a zit? Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all, Rory thought to herself.
"Rory I…care very much for you." Jess said lamely.
"You care very much for me?" now Rory was the one who was dumbfounded.
"There is no way to say this that it isn't going to hurt. I'm leaving." Jess said.
"You're what? No this can't be happening." Rory cried.
"Rory I'm sorry. My father wrote me a letter," Jess dug a piece of folder paper out of his back pocket, "I want you to read it…you have to understand."
With her eyes starting to tear up, Rory sat down on the couch and unfolded the letter. It read:
Dear Jess,
How do I begin? I know this is awkward for you it is for me too. I'm writing to you because I've been stalling for eighteen years. I really screwed up when you were born. I should have been there for you; I should have seen your first steps and all of those other firsts that those crappy Hallmark movies always mention. I was stupid and young. I am a selfish man, I didn't always believe but I know it now. I was selfish for leaving you, but I need to ask you something. My doctor has informed me that because of all of my years of drinking and smoking, my liver is killing me. I know this is completely out of left field but please do a selfish man a favor and come and see me. I would love to know my son, the one who Ilet down so many years ago. I know that what I did was unforgivable and that I don't deserve it. Please come, I'm begging and on my knees.
Love,
Jimmy
Rory read and reread the short letter three times, before she dared look up. As she looked at Jess she saw the boy she loved, but somewhere inside was a person who she didn't know. And that person needed to see his father. Rory knew that if he left he'd be gone for a long time, probably forever.
"Jess, I understand. I may not like it, but I get it. You must go." Rory said sadly.
"Hey," Jess said softly cupping her cheek, "We'll always have the Hollow."
"That was the worst rip off of Bogart ever." Rory chuckled, leaning into his hand.
"Rory I'm not going to say 'I love you' because then I won't leave. I care very much for you, I really do. I need you to believe that." Jess said.
"I do believe you Jess," Rory said wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Good. Now can you convince Luke to not hate me?"
"Is that why he nearly took my head off when I asked where you were?"
"Yup."
"He doesn't hate you Jess, he loves you like his own son. He's just sad that you're going." Rory said.
"Lets not talk about love right now, okay?" Jess asked softly.
"Alright." Rory said, and she squeezed him tighter as he squeezed back.