Chapter 4

"Pass me another margarita, would you Babette," Lorelai slurs from the couch.

Her fellow bachelorette party guests, exhausted from the hours they just spent in Hartford, have draped themselves on the couch and chairs while their heels litter the floor.

"I think it's time to cut you off, Mom," Rory suggests.

"Oh c'mon sugar," Babette says handing Lorelai another margarita, "You only get one bachelorette party." She smiles. "And boy was that club in Hartford a hoot and a half. Good work Rory."

"Yeah good work Rory," Lorelai slurs. "But I still wanna see some Coyote Ugly."

Rory shakes her head. "Mom, I don't think I have ever seen you this wasted."

"I can still find the living room," her mother points out.

"Only because you're in it."

"She's no fun is she girls," Lorelai says with a laugh, slurping down her margarita.

"Sure she is," Gypsy suggests, "We just need to get a few more drinks in her."

"It's going to take a whole lot more than a few drinks to get me to dance on that table." Rory replies, taking the margarita that immediately finds its way into her hands via Miss Patty.

"I've -I've got an idea." Lorelai springs up from the couch, "Let's take a cab back to Hartford and get tattoos."

"How about we don't?" Rory suggests.

Lorelai pouts. "How did such a responsible kid come from me? I have a better idea let's go egg Taylor."

"Now that I can agree to," Rory gets up and heads into the kitchen. "Success," she calls back with her head in the fridge. "Thanks to Luke we have eggs. Let's go!"


"Are you going to read through this entire game, Jess?" Luke asks with irritation from his own bachelor party, a Yankees game in New York.

"Sorry baseball is just not my thing," Jess replies flipping a page.

"What kinda bachelor party is this anyway?" TJ complains. "There's no strippers."

"There's some scantily clad girls a few rows down TJ, pay them enough and maybe they'll- ow what was that for?" Jess rubs the side of his head where Luke smacked him.

"Just for being you. Would you two stop bitching and watch the game."

Jess rolls his eyes and opens his book back up.

"Hey, hand me another beer would ya." TJ asks, leaning over. Jess glares at him but hands him a beer.

"Are you crazy?" Luke mutters in his ear. "Do you want to deal with a drunk TJ?"

"Sure," Jess shrugs. "Maybe it'll shut him up. Or get him kicked out."


"I am a feminist!" Lorelai exclaims, stumbling up the walk, "I will not let the Taylor's of the world shut out my voice."

"Right Mom, in the house, oh don't miss the steps."

"Rory," Lorelai says, unsteadily grasping the porch railing, "You should get married sometime, it's -it's fun."

Rory takes her by the waist and manages to maneuver her into the house. "Okay, somebody isn't going to be able to find the living room if their life depends on it."

"You know what Rory? I think you're riiiiiiiight."


Rory cracks an eye open and winces at the bright sunlight streaming through the living room windows. Her mother lies on the couch snoring loudly, a trashcan propped beneath her in case she vomits. The house is a mess, with empty glasses and food wrappers strewn all over the place.

"Hello?" Luke's voice calls before he steps in the front door, Jess follows behind him.

"Hey," Rory says quietly, greeting them by the door. "Mom's asleep on the couch. How was your game?"

"Fascinating," Jess replies with a pointed look at Luke. "But then again, so is watching paint dry."

Luke shoots him a glare. "Hey, it was my bachelor party."

"So if it were me and I asked you come hear some slam poetry for my bachelor party, you'd sit through an evening of a bunch of people reciting their shopping lists to music?"

Luke glowers, causing Jess to smirk. "Thought so." He jerks his head towards the door. "Rory?"

Rory looks from him to Luke with surprise.

"I'll look after Lorelai," Luke finishes for her.

Rory smiles in thanks as he walks to the couch and gently eases Lorelai into his arms. She shifts slightly, buries her head into his chest and falls back into a deep sleep.

Rory matches Jess stride for stride, together they walk in silence, caught up in their own thoughts as they head towards the bridge they have made their own.

"Jess?" Rory finally says as they make the final turn towards the river. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."

"It is what it is," he repeats simply.

"It's just, when I see you, all these feelings come rushing at me at once and I never know what to do with them and I still don't know what to make of you being here and it's—"

"Rory, stop. It's fine okay. I'm sorry I drove you out last night. I couldn't not get one last shot in on the blonde dick but I promise I won't mention him again."

Rory nods in agreement. "Alright." She holds out a hand. "I call a truce. Friends?"

Jess takes her hand in his and her breath hitches at the familiar feeling. He gives it a gentle squeeze. "Friends." He says with finality. "But only if you promise to never make me go to another slam poetry reading."

Rory bumps his shoulder affectionately. "That was one time."

"Once was enough," Jess replies with a shudder.