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Ch. 4: The Deer Hunters

She couldn't believe it. She kept staring at the paper but she couldn't comprehend it. A D. She had gotten a D. Rory Gilmore had gotten a D. She didn't understand it. She had never gotten a D in her life. Hell, she had never gotten a B in her life.

She felt like such a failure. She was supposed to be smart. But here she was, with a D.

Rory felt her spirits lift when the Inn came into sight. She struggled with the multiple bags on her shoulders, focusing on seeing her mom.

She finally made it to the kitchen and saw her mother.

She dropped the bags and asked, "Chocolate."

She pushed her failure out of mind so her mother wouldn't question her and summoned up enough enthusiasm, "Who's naked?"

"A food critic."

"How's his butt?"

As Lorelai read the article, and Sookie grew both excited and upset, Rory tried to listen, but she was stuck in her own mind. She couldn't stop thinking about the D. She just wanted to rip all of her hair out. Her thoughts then shifted to the test. If she studied really hard, she would get an A. Then the paper wouldn't matter at all. Rory felt a little better. She would just have to spend the week studying and everything would be okay.

RH-RH-RH-RH-RH

Lorelai breathed a sigh of relief as she exited Chiton. She had just finished a Parent-Teacher conference that could only be described as hell on earth. The one bright spot had been Rory's teacher, Max Medina. Lorelai smiled thinking about him. He was cute, had dark hair and was funny. And he really seemed to care about Rory.

Rory

That made Lorelai's smile disappear. Rory had gotten a D. Rory had gotten a D and not told her. She didn't understand. Why had Rory not told her about the paper? Did she think that Lorelai would be mad?

Lorelai got into her car and started the drive home, intent on talking to Rory. And helping her with whatever she needed.

RH-RH-RH-RH-RH

Rory sat in the diner, trying to do her homework. But after the sixth time erasing what she had wrote and her pencil breaking, she threw the writing utensil and put her head in her hands, feeling tears well up in her eyes.

"Here." Suddenly a plate of pie came into her line of vision and she smiled lightly. She looked up and asked, "What's this?"

Jess sat down across from her, "You look like you need pie."

Rory's eyebrows raised, "I do?"

Jess nodded, "Violent pencil-tossing usually signals a need for pie."

"Well now I know." Rory looked down at the book, ignoring the pie sitting next to her. Jess got the feeling that something was amiss.

"What's wrong?"

Rory looked up, "Nothing."

At Jess's look she sighed, "I have this big test on Friday and I need to study."

"You have to study so much that you'll ignore pie?"

"Jess."

"Well, you need to eat the pie."

"Or what?"

"I'll eat it." Jess reached forward and grabbed the plate.

"Jess!" Rory reached forward and grabbed the plate back and took a bite.

"Was that so hard?" Jess smirked and stood up as Lorelai walked through the door.

"Hello Bookworm."

RH-RH-RH-RH-RH

Rory, Jess and Lorelai sat in the Gilmores' living room, helping Rory study for her test the next morning.

Lorelai, laying across the couch asked, "The Comedy of Errors written?"

Rory, pacing across the room and eating a bag of candy, "1590."

Jess, sitting on the floor, asked, "Published?"

"1698."

"Close, 1623."

Rory stared at her friend, "How's that close?"

Lorelai answered, "You got the 16 part right."

"I was off by 75 years."

"Richard III?" Jess asked, trying to keep Rory on track.

"1591."

"Nope."

"93?"

"Nope"

"96?"

"Nope."

"See, that's getting annoying."

Rory sat down, her eyes were getting heavy, but she had to stay awake. She had to keep studying.

RH-RH-RH-RH-RH

It was 2 AM and Lorelai had gone to bed about an hour ago. Rory and Jess were still up, studying.

Jess rubbed his eyes and looked over at Rory. Even at two in the morning she looked beautiful. Jess got that knot in his stomach again and had to clear his throat.

When Rory didn't look up, Jess moved closer to her and said, "Rory-"

"Ugh," Rory groaned as she opened another book. "I'm gonna fail."

Jess sighed and pushed his thoughts aside. "No you're not."

"Yes I am."

Jess moved and grabbed Rory's book, taking it away from her, earning a glare. "Rory, you know Shakespeare inside and out. You are going to ace that test and all of those snobs will bow down and worship you."

Rory met his eyes, "You think?"

Jess smiled, "I know."

Rory smiled, "Thanks." She stood up and walked towards the kitchen. I'm just going to go over my notes one more time."

Jess also stood but stayed by

on the couch, "Okay. I'll be here if you need anything."

"Jess, you should go home."

"I will when you go to bed."

Rory sighed, "Fine." She sat down at the kitchen table and opened her notes as Jess sat on the couch and opened his book.

A few minutes later, Rory picked up her notes and walked into the living room, about to ask a question when she saw Jess sleeping on the couch. Rory smiled. She put her notes down carefully and picked up the blanket and draped it over him. Rory couldn't help but notice that he was really cute when he slept.

Sighing, Rory dropped to the floor and laid against the couch, grabbing her notes.

A while later, Jess stirred and saw Rory against the couch, asleep. Jess moved and sat down next to her, covering them both with the blanket before drifting off again.

RH-RH-RH-RH-RH

Rory slowly opened her eyes, trying to figure out why her neck hurt. She grew more confused when instead of seeing sheets, she saw a shirt. More specifically, Jess's shirt. Rory had moved during the night to where she was now, cuddling Jess in her sleep.

Rory blushed. She had never fallen asleep with a guy before. Yes there were times when Rory had stayed with Luke and Jess, but Jess had always slept on the couch.

Rory yawned and checked her watch. Realization turned to horror as she whispered, "Oh no."

She stood abruptly, causing Jess to stir as well. "Oh no!" Rory cried as she rushed towards her room.

Jess moved and, feeling the kink, rubbed his neck. "Such a bad sleeping idea."

"I'm late!"

Standing up slowly, Jess called "What?"

"I'm late, I missed my bus!" Lorelai walked down the stairs, yawning, she saw Jess. "Jess, why aren't you home?"

Jess shrugged, "I fell asleep."

Rory rushed out, her clothes half on, "I'm going to miss the test."

That sent Jess and Lorelai into action.

As Jess helped Rory load her books, Lorelai grabbed her keys.

"Jess!"

"What?"

"Take my keys, drive Rory to school."

"What about Luke?"

"I'll call him."

"Okay." Jess grabbed the keys and he and Rory sprinted for the car. Rory threw her books in the back and climbed in as Jess turned on the engine and drove away.

As Jess drove, Rory ran her fingers through her hair, trying to make it look decent. Then she started buttoning up her shirt and then reached for the sweatpants she was wearing under her skirt.

That got Jess's attention. "What are you-"

"I have to change. Just keep your eyes on the road." Rory snapped.

Jess did as he was told. As he came to a stop sign, Rory was searching through the car.

"Where are my notes?"

"Rory, you have all of your notes."

"No I don't. I can't find some of them."

"Rory, relax."

"I can't. I'm going to be late."

"No you're not."

"Jess, just shut up and-" their car shook and Rory and Jess sat in silence as a deer walked in front of the car.

"Did we just get hit by a deer?" Rory asked.

"I think so."

Rory sat back in her seat, feeling the tears well up. When Jess saw a few cascade down her cheeks, he whispered, "Rory."

"We need to go." Rory wiped her cheeks and sniffled and looked at Jess. "Well?"

Jess nodded and started driving again.

RH-RH-RH-RH-RH

Later that day, Rory and Jess sat in the diner. Lorelai had just left to go back to work. Jess kept wanting to bring up earlier but he didn't want to upset Rory.

Finally, he figured out a plan. "I have a book for you upstairs."

Rory looked up. "You do?"

Jess nodded. "Yeah, come up with me." He turned and started walking towards the stairs with Rory following behind.

When they reached his room, Rory sat on his bed and Jess closed the door. They stayed in silence for a moment before Rory spoke, "So…the book?"

Jess crossed his arms, "What happened earlier?"

Rory shook her head. "Nothing."

"Rory."

Rory looked down at Jess's bed, too upset to look him in the face.

Jess sighed before walking over pulling Rory into a hug. He felt his shirt get wet where she was crying but he didn't say a word. He had to be here for Rory. He could ask what happened later. For now he was just going to let her cry.

So…kinda sad, but I honestly think it works. Anyway we are getting closer to the SCENE. I am so excited. Anyway, you know the drill.