"Do I have to go?" Jess put down his book on the coffee table. "I hate that town, the people, everything about the town!" He whined like a little kid.
"And they all hate you too," Rory said sweetly. She sat down next to him. "This is our last chance to get away, next week we'll both start work."
"We could stay here."
"Yeah, or we could go to Stars Hollow." Rory paused, "you don't have to go, but I would really appreciate if you do." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"You can't play the guilt card on me," he groaned. Rory looked up in bewilderment.
"If I don't go, you'll make a big deal out of it. So really, I don't have a choice."
"Ohh! I love you!" Rory squealed.
"They will all look at me," he grumbled.
"You can look back."
"They will talk, and talk, and talk."
"Good thing you aren't mute."
"God, I hate that town." he groaned. "When do we leave?"
"The day after tomorrow."
"When do we get back?"
"Sunday."
"What?! Six days?! You owe me!"
"The last time you said that was when Gigi was over here, and remember, she loved you." Jess was silent. "The bookstore, you and me the whole day!" He eyed her. "I don't know what else to offer."
"Hemmingway." He mumbled, the corners of his lips curling up.
"What?"
"You'll have to read one his books. And I mean really read, you can't just skim." Rory was the one to groan.
"Fine," she rolled her eyes. She leaned her head against the opposite arm rest. "Jess?" he met her gaze, "I hate you."
"Aww," he played along, "I hate you too!"
"What is that?" Rory yelled as she turned down the volume in the car.
"Hey, I agreed to go so I get to pick the music." Jess turned the volume back up.
"Are they singing or screaming!" Jess ignored the question. He pulled out of the parking lot. Rory pulled a book out of her purse and started to read. When they pulled into the highway, Jess took the CD out.
"Finally come to your senses?" Rory asked smugly.
"Nah, I only put that in to annoy you," Rory scowled. "When I was on the subway, this guy gave it to me. Said it was their new band's CD.
"That reminds me of Lane and Zach."
"Yeah I guess. So, how's the book?" He grinned.
"The Old Man and the Sea, oh how I hate thee." Rory looked at the page number and put it back in her purse. "Instead of that music giving me a headache, this book did." She stuck out her tongue.
"Oh no," Jess looked out of the side mirror.
"What?" Rory looked behind her.
"Can you see that?" Jess looked out the rearview mirror.
"Jess, what's going on?!" Rory pulled her legs to her chest.
"I can already see the town gawking at me."
"Jess! I can't believe you! You scared me! Here we are in the middle of nowhere, imagine what could happen if the car broke down!" Jess continued to laugh.
"That was for making fun of Hemmingway," he paused. "Oh Rory, oh Rory, cannot you not see? Hemmingway's the best, you just like to disagree."
"So you're a poet now?" She continued to pout.
"Hey, anything is possible." He continued to laugh.
"I'm encouraging the town to 'gawk' at you now!"
"Are you actually mad?" Jess looked at her, the laughter gone.
"No," Rory admitted, grinning at him. "But now we're even!"
"Whatever you say."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing."
"But—"
"Rory, calm down. I didn't mean anything by it." Jess put his hand over hers. "You okay?" She nodded. They drove in silence, "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"Why are you so tense?"
"I don't know…I guess I am nervous."
Jess snorted, "Why? You have known these people for years."
"I guess I don't like to be the talk of the town either."
"And here I thought you liked a hundred people to know your daily schedule." He joked.
"Yeah, well I hide it better that some people."
"I wonder who."
"Ugh, look." Jess motioned to the car window. "They're already coming out. True to his word, the residents of Stars Hollow emerged. Miss Patty and Babette who were busy talking waved at them. "Jeez," he muttered. "Alright where should I go? Diner or house?"
"House."
"Thank God for that," he veered to the left. Jess parked the car, "what no party?" Rory and Jess got out, he opened the trunk.
"Ohh, it may a surprise party." Jess abruptly closed the trunk. "Jess, please try to be nice." He paused.
"I'll try my best."
"Do you mean it?"
"Possibly." Rory stepped towards him and took a bag from his hand; she pulled him down and kissed him.
"Jess, are you going to be nice?"
"Yeah mom," he picked up a fake enthusiasm, "I'll be sure to play nice with the other kids." They walked toward the door, "Then we'll all go to the park, I'll slide down the slide and—"
Rory turned around, "you are annoying," Jess smirked. "Remember. Behave."
"Got it." Rory looked in her purse.
"Oh, I can't believe it! I forgot my keys," she searched through her bag.
"Rory."
"Shh! No, these are the apartment set…" she mumbled to herself.
"Rory."
"Wait! Here they are!" She jangled the keys and looked up. "What was it Jess?"
"The door was open." He twisted the door knob and stepped through it. "This door is always open."
"Not all the time." She said defensibly
"Your right, only twenty hours out of the day."
"Mom! Luke! Is anyone home?!" Rory called out.
"Jeez, Rory. Are they even expecting us?" Jess walked to Rory's room to put the bags away. He walked out, "hey, there's a note." She walked into the kitchen. Rory grabbed the note from his grasp.
"It says: 'Hey Rory, and Jesse—"
"Don't get any ideas with that."
"I will take the rest of the week of from the Dragonfly, but I needed to sort out some things with Sookie. I should be back by two' what time is it?"
Jess looked at his wrist, "two-thirty."
"'It will be movie night every night so get ready! Oh yeah, I didn't tell anyone that you were coming except for Lane. But I think Kirk is spying on us again—"
"Kirk used to spy on you?" Jess said incredulity.
"He said he wanted to join the FBI. He stopped when he was spying on Babette and Maury. Maury heard this sound one night and he brought out his gun, and almost shot Kirk."
"I'm sorry Maury missed." He looked around, "so, what do you wanna do? Considering your mom's precedents with punctuality we have awhile."
"Um, Luke's?"
"The whole town is probably congregated outside the door."
"Then we should greet them," Rory grabbed Jess's arm and pulled him out of the house. "C'mon, I wanna go see Lane."
"Rory!"
"Lane!" Rory let go of Jess and round down the street to Lane.
"Your mom said you'd be here so I was just coming to see you!" Lane and Rory hugged, Jess walked up behind them.
"Yeah, I was just about to see you!"
"How long are you gonna stay here?"
"Rest of the week," they walked into the main part of Stars Hollow.
"You know what we should do? We should have a sleep over like we'd always do!"
"Ohh, that would so much fun!"
"How are you?"
"Good. How are Zach, Steve, and Kwan?"
"Fine, Mama Kim loves the boys."
"What is her name?" Jess interrupted.
"Who's name?" Lane asked.
"Your mother. I've only heard people call her Mrs. Kim, and you always call her Mama Kim." Jess walked faster so they were in a straight line.
"Uh…I don't know. Lane?" Lane stopped.
"I have no idea. I am an adult, and don't even know my mother's name."
"Just from seeing your mom, I don't blame you for not knowing." Lane stayed in the same place. "Come on, I was just wondering. Curiosity killed the cat; I'm dead. Can we start walking now?"
"You've done it now; Lane is in one of her trances. Right now, she is thinking of all the possible times her mother has said her name, or someone called her by name." Rory's arms crossed her chest.
"What? Is this a show? On T.V and in books, people space out, but that happens in life?"
"Welcome to Stars Hollow."
"When will this end?"
"Jess, Rory, I have a change of plans." Lane led the way.
"Where are we going?" Jess again quickened his pace to stay with the.
"We are going to see my mother." They stopped in front of the antique store, "stay here."
"Mama," Lane called out.
"In the kitchen," the simple direction sounded like a demand in the kitchen Mama Kim was stirring something in a pot.
"Mama, I have to ask you something."
"What is it?" She turned around to face Lane.
"Mama, what is your first name?"
"Children should not know their parent's name." Mama Kim returned to the pot.
"Thank you, Mama. That's all I wanted to ask." Lane bowed her head before leaving.
"Well, what is it?" Rory ran up to Lane.
"She said I should never know."
"C'mon, we'll go to Luke's to get your mind off that." Lane nodded, Jess lagged behind as the girls began talking yet again. The door made its usual jingle as they walked through. Much to Jess's relief, there were no more than a dozen people at the diner. Luke looked up from behind the counter and smiled. Rory hurried over to him.
"Hey, Luke!"
"Hey, Rory," he poured her a cup of coffee.
"Where is—" she began to ask.
"Lorelei got a call from the Dragonfly." He tapped the 'No Cell Phones' poster. "Hey, Jess."
"Luke." He nodded in reply.
"Lane," Luke said to Luke.
"Luke." Jess smirked, he turned to Lane.
"Lane," she caught on.
"Jess."
"Alright, stop it already!" Barked Luke.
"Offspring!" Lorelei closed her phone and ran to Rory.
"Mom!" they embraced, Jess rolled his eyes. Lorelei and Rory sat next to each other at the bar.
"Hi Jess," Lorelei waved.
"Lorelei."
"Don't start that again," Luke warned s he gave a mug to Lorelei.
"Don't start what?"
"Nothing." Jess stated.
"Rory, I'll see you later." Lane hugged Rory again.
"I'll tell you about the sleep over."
"Ohh, a sleep over! That sounds fun!" Lorelei exclaimed. "So you wanna eat?" She turned to Rory.
"Of course."
"Jesse," Jess glared at here, "are you hungry?'
"No, I'll just read." He felt to back pockets, his faced dropped. "Shit, it must have fallen out." He groaned and wavered before sitting next to Rory.
"So, what have you guys been up to?"
"Nothing much, Dad came over a few days ago to get Gigi."
"Ohh how was that? Was it a boxing ring?"
"Nope, he just came, said thanks and gave us a check."
"Lucky! How much?" Lorelei inched closer to Rory.
"I am not telling you."
"Fine, I'll just annoy it out of you."
"You know that never works! You get bored and forget it." Rory said.
"Uncle Luke," Jess smirked.
"What is it Jesse?" He smiled back.
"Don't you ever call me that again." Jess said angrily.
"Whatever you say, Jessica." Luke walked to the kitchen.
"Shut it." Jess rubbed the bridge of his nose. No book, no privacy. I hate this place, he closed his eyes. The door's bells clinked together, but he paid no attention to it.
"Hey Sugar!" A raspy voiced shouted. "I heard you'd be in town." Babette smiled at Rory. "Hey there Jess!" Jess looked turned to her and raised his hand in acknowledgement. "Lorelei, I'm havin' trouble with my computer; do you think you could help me?"
"Oh, sorry. At the Inn, Michelle is the computer expert. I don't even have a computer."
Babette turned to Rory. "Rory? Your part of the technology generation."
Rory's smile faltered, "Sorry, Babette. I don't even know how to control my laptop. Usually though, Jess can fix it." Jess felt the heads turn to him. He slowly lifted his head.
"What about it Jess?"
"Uh, I usually just guess around. I'm not sure if I could fix anything that's too big."
"Alright then, I'm sure someone around here can help me." She turned to walk out of the door.
Rory looked at Jess and whispered to him, "The town will be nicer to you if you go. Who knows? Maybe, deep down, you're a computer geek."
"So by going, I could find my destiny?" Jess rolled his eyes.
"Seriously though, Taylor might stop following you if you try to help."
Jess groaned, "Why do you always have to make sense?"
"Yale might have done something to help." She smiled at him. He turned to the door.
"Hey," Babette turned around, "I might be able to fix your computer." Her face brightened.
"Come over tomorrow at anytime! Thanks Jess!" She left the diner.
"Aww, Jesse did something nice! Someone should write that down." Lorelei then pulled out a pen and started to write on a napkin. Jess laid his head down on the counter.
"What's your problem?" Luke returned with two plates. When Jess didn't answer, Luke turned to Lorelei and Rory. They just giggled at him. I hate this town," was the only thought rotating in Jess's mind.
Rory was lying on top of Jess on the couch, both of them reading. Lorelei was in the kitchen; Luke opened the kitchen door which closed with a loud bang.
"I've gotta fix that," he mumbled.
"Sure you do," Lorelei said as she poured candy into a big green bowl.
"It'll be easy for a burglar to come in here."
"At least we'll hear them," she answered brightly. The doorbell rang, and Lorelei brought the bowl into the living room. Rory jumped up and answered the door.
"Hey Lane!"
"Ready to party?" Lane held up a stack of CD's.
"Yep! The strippers are coming any minute now." Lorelei piped in. Jess stayed on the couch, Luke walked in wiping his hands on his jeans.
"Wait," Lane looked confused, "are the guys staying?"
"Ohh, no, they were just leaving." Lorelei pushed Luke towards the door.
"Jess," Rory dragged out.
"Alright," he slowly closed his book and got up from the couch. He exaggerated a stretch as he raised his arms over his head; he twisted his torso and put his arms back down. He leisurely walked to the end of the couch and grabbed a black messenger bag. He gradually put that over his neck.
"Ready now?" Lorelei asked impatiently.
"Well, I think I left something back in Rory's room. Want me to get that?" Lorelei stuck her tongue at him. Jess smirked and kissed Rory before he walked out the still open door. "Happy now?"
"Very, now both of you leave!" Lane and Rory sat down on the couch. Luke kissed Lorelei and joined Jess outside. Lorelei closed the door and Luke and Jess began walking to the diner.
"Nice bag," Luke snickered, "What do you put in there?"
"Well, Uncle Luke, New York City is a big place. I know you wouldn't understand how big when you lived here your whole life, but it's humongous. And you can't just hold and carry your laptop all over it. Plus this way, it's less likely to get stolen."
"Why do you carry your computer in New York?"
"To write."
"Ahh… so why do you have it with you now? Not gonna write in your computer diary are you?"
"Shut up, a) I left my laptop at home, b) I do not own a diary, electronic or paper c) I come prepared." They crossed the street to the diner's door.
"Look's like their the only ones partying tonight." Luke commented; they were the only ones in the town square. Jess snorted. Luke unlocked the door and let Jess walk in before locking it back up. They walked the stairs to the apartment, Jess flicked on the lights.
"Hasn't changed much." He walked over to the second bed and put his messenger bag down.
"Kinda like old times," Luke pondered.
"Yeah, for nostalgic remembrance I could start blaring music."
"Thank God, you took all those CD's." Luke said chuckling a little.
Jess shook his head and held up his bag, "I've come prepared." As Luke got ready to bed, Jess started to red his book again. Luke kept tossing and turning in bed.
"What's the matter?" Jess asked smirking.
"Nothing," Luke asked gruffly.
"Can't go to sleep since Lorelei isn't there to cuddle with you?" taunted Jess.
"Shut the hell up," he answered, glaring at him.
"Don't be sad Uncle Lukey; you wanna be the big spoon or the small spoon?"
'That's it, now I see why I used to the hate you." Luke reached to turn out the light.
"That's fine, I was done reading anyway." Jess waited until he heard the familiar patter of Luke breathing. He read down to search his bag until he found a small flashlight. He clicked it on and commenced reading. The alarm clock beeped to announce the hour; it had just turned one a.m. Jess rolled off the bed, still dress and grabbed his boots. He snuck out of the door and crept down the stairs. Jess grabbed the bells so they would ring and set them down gently on a nearby table, he unlocked the door and shut it behind him. The cool summer night breeze met him; the streets were the same as when he had walked to Luke's. He kneeled down to put on his shoes.
Jess strolled to Rory's old home; when he got there most of the lights were still on. Jess looked through one of the windows to find Lorelei and Lane passed out on the couch. Rory was curled up in a ball reading; her eyes were slightly drooping. He knocked on the glass with his knuckles. Rory's eyes opened in both fear and shock, but returned to normal when she spotted Jess. She tiptoed from the chair and walked to meet Jess at the window.
"Come with me," he mouthed. She gave him a quizzical look. He sighed and pointed to Rory then himself and pointed down the street. Rory mouthed 'oh' and went out of the window's view; she came back and held up her shoes. She opened the window and slipped out.
"Why didn't you just use the door?" He asked as he slipped his arm round her waist.
"It made it more fun" she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Where are we going?"
"Nowhere, just walking." They walked in silence, "Why were you still up?"
"Why were you still up?"
"Touché."
"I couldn't get to sleep."
"Neither could Luke." He laughed.
"Ohh, that's where the horse carriage trail was," Rory pointed, "do you remember that?"
"Yeah, yeah, I remember. I also remember destroying a certain snowman."
"Excellent, you pass the test."
'Testing are we?" Jess paused, "okay, do you know what happened over there?" He walked them to the gazebo. Rory looked in bewilderment.
"Reception?"
"Yes, but not the answer I was looking for."
"Uh…this is where Easter egg hunt was…That's it! This was where you outbid Dean at the basket auction!"
"Very good." Jess led them in the opposite direction.
"Where are we going now?"
"Well, since we are remembering things, I have an idea." Rory nodded. They read the all-too-familiar bridge.
"So over here," Jess let go of Rory and walked to a spot near a tree, "I was tragically beaked." Rory stifled a laugh as she nodded.
"Yes, you have never been the same."
"Traumatized," he agreed. He moved farther down the bridge to the side edge. "This is where Luke pushed me in." Rory ran down to a spot, feet away from Jess.
"And this is where we had our picnic." Jess nodded.
"My favorite spot." He moved in closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, he leaned his head down lower. Rory grabbed his hair as the kiss grew more passionate. "The tour isn't over," he murmured. Jess and Rory roamed the town mindlessly, as they circled back to the town square, Jess stopped and looked up to the dazzling stars.
"You know, this town isn't that bad."
"And look," Rory clinging tighter to him, "no one is watching."
Jess rolled uncomfortably, he gave up on trying to go back to sleep, the noise downstairs was unbearable. He sat up on his bed and bent down for his jeans. He stumbled around the floor trying to find a shirt.
"Finally up?" Luke walked past Jess and handed a customer his plate.
"What time is it?" He groggily asked, Jess rubbed his eyes.
"Almost ten." Jess bent down to properly tie his boots.
"Well, not all of us get up at five and brag about it."
"Hey, I let Caesar open up today. I got up t seven"
"Did the girls get up here yet?"
"No."
"Then I win." Jess resolved as he sat at the end of the bar. He sought out the people who were making all the noise. It was a group of middle-schoolers who were at the table in the front.
"Want anything?" Jess turned back around
"Nah."
"Wanna help out then?"
"No, thank you."
"Come on," Luke urged, Luke eyed the group. "Don't make me deal with 'em any longer." He pleaded.
"Well Uncle Lukey, it looks like you won't have too." Jess smirked at Luke as the group members began to file out the door. A blonde haired girl stayed and walked to the cash register. She paid Luke, when she looked at Jess the girl began to giggle; she then turned around the left. Jess rolled his eyes and when the girl passed them in the window, flicked her off. Luke smacked the back Jess's head.
"Where are you going?" Luke asked when Jess got up.
"Nowhere." As with the stereotypical small town, the morning was bustling. Kirk and Miss Patty were arguing, Jess neared Rory's home and found the door open. Lane was still strewn across the couch, but both Rory and Lorelei were absent. Noises were coming from the kitchen, he followed them. As he passed, he saw Rory asleep in her bed; in the kitchen he saw Lorelei pouring coffee beans in a strainer. He stepped closer, he pulled a chair out, and as he did a small screeching sound erupted. Lorelei jumped as she heard the sound and the coffee beans spilled across the floor.
"Ohh!" She sighed as she saw it was only Jess, "how did you get in here?" She put her hand over her heart.
"The, uh, door was open. You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. My heart is still pounding though." Jess got up and started to collect the beans that were closest to him.
"So, why you the only one awake?"
"I heard my stupid alarm clock beeping upstairs. When I shut the thing up, I was too awake to go back to sleep."
"Huh." He nodded and poured the handful of coffee beans in his hand and threw them away.
"Hey," Lane walked up behind them. "My back hurts. What happened?" She looked down to the mess on the floor.
"Nothing."
"Where's Rory?" Lane looked round confused, "she's usually the first one up."
"Well, she is passed out in her bed." Lane nodded. "Go ahead and wake her up, it'll be revenge for all the Saturday's that she woke me up and six."
"It's Tuesday." Jess pointed out.
"Eh, same thing." Lorelei fished the left coffee beans from under the cabinets. Lane grinned and walked to Rory's room, moments later a loud shriek went off.
"Lane!" Lorelei started to laugh, Jess cracked a smile.
"Why, did you make her wake me up?" Rory asked walking into the kitchen.
"Remember those days when you woke me up to fulfill one of your lists? Pay back time!" Rory crossed her arms and looked at Jess. "Why are you here?"
"Why, do you want me to leave?" Jess feigned leaving through the door.
"Wait, no, I was just wondering." Rory flustered.
Jess smirked, "I know."
"You're all evil."
Jess and Rory were seated in one of the town square's benches. Rory closed her book and lifted Jess's left arm.
"What are—?"
"You should get going."
"But, Rory, where should I go?" Jess feigned innocence as he asked her.
"Jess, don't be like that! You said you would look at Babette's computer. For all you know, it could take five minutes."
"Yeah, but I'm really into this book. I don't want to leave it."
"What are you reading?" Rory snatched the book before Jess could put it out of reach. "Henry James?" she looked at him, "you hate James! Why are you reading him?"
"Well, you know…since you're reading Hemmingway and all... I thought I'd give James another go." Jess fidgeted uncomfortably.
"And, what's the verdict?"
"That Daisy Miller is still a slut and should die at the end. I just can't get over her, she's called sociable then, but now, she would be a slut." Rory patted Jess's knee and got up.
"And with that, you should go."
"But I don't know where to go." He whined.
"Then I'll take you there."
"But, if you gonna walk me there," he smirked t her, "then why don't you just come in."
"Because I suck at computers." Rory pulled his hand until he stood up. "It's after three, let's go." Jess didn't budge. "Please?' She begged him, he stepped forward.
"All in the magic words." Rory sighed.
"You are so immature."
"And yet, I am here with you in this hick town."
Jess stood before the door. "Just ring it." He stood still; Rory sighed and pushed the doorbell.
"And this is the time we run away."
"Another time." Rory held on to his arm.
The door opened, and Babbette stood smiling. "Oh hello Rory, Jess. You stayin' Rory?"
"Oh, nope. I'm gonna spend some time with Mom today." Rory answered brightly.
"Okay suga'." Babbette led Rory back out the door; she turned to Jess. "The computa is this way." Jess looked at the desk's seat, there was a ginger cat sleeping in it. "Oh, that's just Tinker, he loves the computa." She lifted the cat and laid it on her shoulder. Jess sat down and opened the computer.
"So, how ya doin'?" She stroked the cat's back.
"Fine."
"That's good. So how ya likin' Stars Hollow? Everyone knows it ain't your favorite place."
"It's okay." He kept his eyes on the computer.
"Ohh, ya so quiet. That's okay though, ya just shy. Ya more talkative with Rory. Ya have been since ya first talked to her." Jess paused, he hadn't expected that.
"I never noticed." He answered in the same monotone voice, covering his surprise.
"Well, I'm gonna let ya do your thing. Just tell me if ya need anything." Within twenty minutes, Jess found the problem; there was a downloaded program that was interfering with the main hard drive. He got up from the desk, he didn't hear any noises. He walked out of the room and looked around the hallway.
"Hello?" He called out, he walked towards the door, and he nearly fell down because of a cat that ran in front of him. "Hello?" The door was left open and he looked out, Babbette was busy gardening. He walked up to her, "uh- I fixed the computer." He shifted his weight to each foot.
"Oh ya did?" Babbette turned around smiling, "that's great. What was the matter?"
"There was a program downloaded from some web site that was messing it up, "he rubbed the back of his neck.
"I know I shouldn't click those pop up ads."
"Okay, I'm gonna go now, "he started to move in Lorelei's house direction.
"Wait first; you want me to pay ya now?" Babbette took off her gloves.
"Oh, uh, that isn't necessary." He paused, awkwardly.
"Ya sure?"
"Yeah, positive." He continued to walk to the house. Jess ran the last few yards to the front door.
"So how was it?" Rory called from the couch, as he walked through the door.
"Awful."
