Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls.

A/N: Another chapter! I just want to thank every single one of you who read the first two chapters and left a kind review. Thank you for hanging in there and for enjoying this.

I'd also like to say that it's kind of hard for me to write Chris and Matthew, since I have no idea what they're like and I just kind of went with it. I know they're not great characters and don't have surprising personalities. They're just kind of there, but I felt like they had to be included. Hope you guys don't mind.

Also, I'm not really aware of what Truncheon actually is and does exactly, so I kind of took my own direction with it. In this story starting Truncheon was Jess' idea, since I don't think anything else was ever explained on the show. If I'm wrong, then please just go with it. Thanks!

Now on with the story!

-x-x-x-x-

Chapter 3:

It wasn't long before Jess returned, holding two hot, steaming cups of coffee. He found Rory sitting behind the one computer in the entire office. She was typing rapidly. It was a good sight. He liked to see her work.

"What are you doing?" He asked as he approached the desk and handed her the coffee.

"Thanks." She said as she took the cup. "Nothing, really. Just thought I'd help you guys out."

Jess frowned as he looked at the computer screen. He sat down on the desk and read the first few lines of what Rory had typed. "You didn't…" He started.

"You'll hate it." She agreed. "Chris and Matthew will love it though. It was about time the magazine wrote about one of the most talented, upcoming writers in the country."

"I can't publish an article about myself in my own magazine." He objected.

"It's not just your magazine. And besides, what kind of magazine about art and culture would not write about Jess Mariano? He's brilliant."

"And he'll kick your cute little behind for this." He threatened.

"We can use this to replace the interview with Richard the Poet in case he doesn't call back today to tell you he changed his mind." Rory told him proudly. "It'll be done in about half an hour."

Jess shook his head in disbelief. He took a sip from his coffee. He did not expect this. "Are you writing nice things?" He then asked her, his curiosity winning it over his dislike of the whole thing.

"I'm just giving my honest, objective opinion." Rory promised.

"Objective?"

"Yes."

"I'm your ex-boyfriend who left and broke your heart. How's that objective?" Jess frowned.

"Please." She told him as she looked up. "I'm so over that."

"I hope so. If there's one bad word in that article, I just won't print it."

"How's that for objective?" Rory teased him. "It's time that you learn to deal with the truth. Also, you should be pleased that the great journalist, Rory Gilmore, editor of the Yale Daily News is willing to write for your magazine at all. She could've just felt too good for it."

"Man, someone needs to put you with your two feet back on the ground."

"Too late. I'm too far gone."

Jess smirked as he went back to drinking his coffee.

"Fine." He gave in. "I'll leave Ms. Yale Editor alone to work her magic."

"She appreciates that."

He leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Rory smiled, trying to hide her blushing.

"Thank you." He told her.

Rory just nodded.

-x-x-x-x-

About two hours later, Rory walked downstairs to find Chris, Matthew and Jess jumping around like three 8-year-olds. It made her laugh. She had just taken a shower after finishing the article for the magazine. She was still wearing her own jeans, but her top and jacket had been replaced by one of Jess' T-shirts. It reached to her knees, so she had used her belt to create some sort of form into the shapeless shirt. Her hair was still wet, but she had put it up in a bun.

Jess noticed her first and came running up to her. He pulled her from the last step and took her in his arms. He twirled her around as if she was light as a feather (of course, she kind of was). She didn't think she'd ever seen him this excited.

"What's going on?" She asked, laughing when he finally put her down. "Did you win the lottery?"

"Better." Chris announced as he handed her the newspaper. He pointed to a small article in the left corner of a page.

"It's about last night." Matt said, enthusiastically.

The three of them went quiet for just a few minutes to give Rory the opportunity to read the small article.

"…Truncheon Books is the initiative of three young and talented artists. Jess Mariano, the critically acclaimed published author came up with the idea two years ago and asked writer friend Chris Delaney and up and coming painter Matthew Jenkins to join him to fulfill his dream of many years. Talented artists finally get the opportunity to be seen and heard. A remarkable initiative that was celebrated last night in the small, but cozy office of Truncheon. Fine arts by still unknown artists were up for display and discussion and unheard poetry could be enjoyed from every corner of the room. Despite the obvious lack of funding, these three guys managed to put together Philadelphia's greatest talents in just one room. Truncheon is a promising, young publishing office whose owners might not be all that experienced just yet, but they do have an amazing eye for great talent. Truncheon is a publishing office with a heart and I predict a grand future."

Rory looked up and found the three guys looking at her expectantly.

"This is amazing, guys." She managed to say.

"Really?" Matt asked. "We thought so too. But you're an objective party."

"That's up for debate." Jess murmured and Rory hit him playfully on the arm.

"No, this is really good. The writer names all three of you and even spelled your names right. Right?"

The three nodded in unison.

"This is great publicity. I'd prepare for a storm load of new artists coming in here to show off their work."

The three guys looked at each other, before smirking and joining each other in a group hug. Rory watched in amazement. She didn't think she'd ever seen Jess participate in a group hug and quite frankly, she never thought I'd be something she'd get to see. But here it was. She loved it though. It showed how passionate he was about all this. She had no idea he had the idea of Truncheon in his head for so long. She didn't even know it was his original initiative to begin with. It was remarkable to see how much Jess had changed over the years. She was so proud of him and everything he had accomplished.

"Very manly, you guys." She chuckled. "A group hug."

"You're just jealous you didn't get to be in it." Chris said as the three guys ended the group hug.

"She should be in it though." Jess said as he handed Chris a few sheets of paper and looked at Rory who just smiled at him.

Chris looked up in amazement.

"You did the impossible!" He told Rory as he handed the sheets of paper to Matt. "I've tried to get him to publish ANYTHING about himself for months. I never succeeded!"

Matt's eyes grew big as she skimmed through the article.

"This is brilliant." He announced as he looked up at Rory. "I demand that we redo the group hug and Rory Gilmore is in the centre. She very well might be my new hero."

"Have you finally let go of Mariah Carey, then?" Chris teased him.

"Cannon now, I believe." Rory joined in. "And as much as I appreciate the offer, there's no need to redo the group hug. It was fun writing it."

"This is really awesome, Rory." Chris assured her. "Thank you."

"No problem." She assured the two.

She looked at Jess and she knew he was proud of her. Something about his look. It made her feel special. It had been a long time since anyone had given her that look. She sighed as she smiled at him.

-x-x-x-x-

A little while later the twosome was walking down the busy streets of Philly. Jess needed some groceries and made the courageous decision to leave Chris and Matt behind in the office all by themselves with a full bottle of Vodka.

"So…" Rory started. "is drinking all those two do?"

"No." Jess defended them. "Only when something goes horribly wrong and they're stressed out or when something exciting happens….so…yeah, it's all they do."

Rory laughed.

"They're great though." Jess spoke up. "Both incredibly talented and just as passionate about Truncheon as I am, which I didn't think was possible. You wouldn't say, but they work hard. I owe them a lot."

"I'm so proud of you, Jess." Rory suddenly said, looking up at Jess.

"So you told me last night." Jess nodded.

"Yeah, but the more time I spend here, the prouder I become."

Jess wasn't sure what to say for a second. He looked down at the girl walking next to him. "I owe it all to you." He then admitted. "and Luke."

"How's that?"

"Come on, Rory. You put me on the right path. I didn't want to end up as failure like everybody thought I would. You were the only one who ever believed in me. It really motivated me to do something that would maybe make you proud. It's why I sent you the flyer. I wanted to show you what I did because of you."

"You did it all by yourself, Jess."

"I'm just saying…I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."

"Well…" Rory started, not sure how to say it. "right back at ya."

Jess frowned.

"Sorry?"

"You're one of the biggest reasons I'm back at Yale, back with my mom, back on the right track."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. When you came and said everything you did, I just realized how right you were. I needed that. I needed to hear how it just wasn't me. It was the start of fixing everything."

"Almost everything." Jess corrected her.

She looked up and smiled.

"Almost everything." She nodded.

She found herself reaching for his hand. He took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb slowly up and down her hand. She had no idea what she was doing, but she felt like it just had to be done.

-x-x-x-x-

"Didn't you have classes today?" Jess asked as he took another bit of his slice of pizza.

Rory reached for her third slice (Jess was still eating his first.), but Jess wasn't surprised. He knew her. They were sitting on the floor of Jess' bedroom above Truncheon. Books were scattered all around them. It was heaven for Rory Gilmore. Pizza and about a million books. Also, the company wasn't all that bad.

"Two." Rory admitted.

"Just back at Yale and already skipping classes." Jess teased her, shaking his head.

"Priorities, Mr. Mariano." She told him sternly as she took a bite.

"So I go before Yale?"

"Your magazine needed to be saved." She told him.

"Oh, right." He nodded, reaching for his second slice. "Of course."

They ate in silence as Rory flipped the page of one of the books in front of her.

"Watch it!" Jess spoke up. "Don't put your greasy fingers on my books!"

"Oh, please." She told him as she looked up at him. "This is coming from the guy who scribbles his thoughts in the margins of all of these books. You don't care about grease stains."

"I do." He assured her. "There's a big difference between important notes in the margins or a greasy finger stain."

"Fine." Rory told him as she leaned over and tried to flip the page with her elbow. It wasn't really working, but she kept trying anyway.

"How long are you planning on staying, Ror?" Jess suddenly asked her.

It had kind of turned into their thing. Meaningless, fun conversations would always be turned into serious, less fun ones by either one of them. This time it was his turn. Rory stopped what she was doing and looked up at him.

"Don't get me wrong." He continued. "I love having you here, but…"

"I'm hiding here." She confessed. "Is that bad?"

Jess shook his head.

"No, it's not."

"Not from Logan, because he's out of town, but…from the rest of the world. From my everyday life in which everything is in some way connected to him. I feel good here."

"Everyday life is gonna come calling someday though." Jess said carefully.

"Someday soon." She nodded. "Lane's wedding is coming up, the paper needs me, I can't skip classes forever, Logan will come back in a few days…"

"Lane's getting married?"

Rory nodded.

"Yeah." She smiled. "She's so excited about it."

"Good for her." Jess nodded. "To whom?"

"Zack."

"Really? From the band?"

"Yup."

"Did they ever come up with a name?"

"Wow, Jess. You really need to be updated on the town. The band is called Hep Alien. They still exist, finished their tour a couple of months ago."

"Tour?"

"All through the State. They played in all the major Christian churches."

"Let me guess. Mama Kim?"

Rory nodded.

"It's too bad you missed them. They're pretty good. Hey, you should let them play here at Truncheon. They don't need much space and you guys aren't doing much with music yet, are you? They'd be a great band to start with."

"That's not a bad idea, actually."

They ate their pizza in silence for just a minute.

"What else is new in town?" Jess asked and Rory smiled.

She was glad they left the heavy topic and were back to meaningless and fun conversations.

"Did I tell you about the time Taylor put a window in the wall that combines his Soda Shoppe with Luke's?"

"Oh, this is going to be good." Jess said as he reached for another slice of pizza.

-x-x-x-x-x-