Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.
A/N: I'd like to thank all of my reviewers again, I really love your comments. This chapter is dedicated to the sweet GilmoreAtHeart19 aka Deanna. Thank you so much hun, you rock!
Chapter four: It only took us a decade.
« And I stood there, like an idiot, watching her make out with our 55 years old printer for five long and tormenting minutes, while his hands were plastered on her butt. » Rory said laughing and Jess chuckled lightly. They were seating at the counter, facing each other. It was way past closing time, the diner was deserted and Luke had gone home an hour ago. Jess had a half finished cup of herbal tea in front of him and Rory just started drinking her fourth mug of coffee. After their encounter at the bridge, they had gone to eat dinner at Luke's and since then they were catching up on each of their lives. Her hair were hanging loosely around her shoulder; she had freed them from the tight ponytail when her step father left. Her bangs were falling in front of her eyes, making it really hard for him to watch the display of emotions in her heartbreakingly beautiful eyes. He wondered if she was doing it on purpose. Maybe it was her way of torturing her ex-boyfriends. His eyes often wandered to her hair and he found himself fighting the desire to reach up and push them aside. The first three buttons of his white shirt were now open and he had rolled his sleeves up. The word 'tease' often came to her mind when she let her eyes travel over his tanned and very inviting skin. His hair, who where shorter than the last time she had seen him and so, more tamable, were now again an adorable mess. It gave him a cooler aspect, reminding her of the boy he used to be. In fact, expensive clothes put aside, they both looked like they were giving a representation of the old couple they were a long time ago. A lifetime ago. He was gentler and he participated to the conversation a lot more. She was no longer the blushing virgin, princess of Stars hollow but a more self assured woman, feeling good in her own skin. They grew up to be two confident and self respected adults, more compatible than they ever were.
« Some friend you got. » he commented with an easy smile and she nodded.
« That's Ariel Tracy for you. The poor guy hides and tries to avoid her as much as possible now. She usually deals with his partner while he deals with me. » she said with an amused shake of her head.
« That didn't keep him from enjoying it. » he remarked with a sly smirk.
« What can I say? He's a man. » she said narrowing her eyes playfully at him. He laughed and kept for himself the colorful remark he had in mind.
« Natural instinct. » he simply said.
« Pig. » she said trying not to laugh.
« Charming pig. » he corrected her with a smirk and she rolled her eyes.
« Poor Roger. He was livid when I told him the story. » she said with a sympathetic smile.
« Roger? » he asked.
« Oh, Roger Lafferty, a friend of ours. » she said and he nodded. « He owns a coffee house down our street. He's our New York Luke. » she said with a warm smile.
« And if I followed you, he's more of her Luke. » he said titling his head to the side. Rory's smile turned into a grin and she nodded. « How long have they been together? » he asked and he saw her surprised expression. « It's ok. None of my business. » he said waving it off before taking a sip of his tea.
« Oh no, it's ok, really. It's just… um I'm not quite used to you asking these kind of questions. » she explained and he understood.
« I can go back to just listening to you talk. » he teased and she smiled a little flustered.
« Nah, it's ok. It was kind of annoying. » she said wrinkling her nose and he chuckled. « And to answer your question, they're not together. » she said. « Yet. » she added as an afterthought.
« So they really are Luke and Lorelai. » he said and she nodded with an amused smile. « So what is the problem? » he asked.
« I've been watching them for years now and I think I came up with a diagnosis. » she said and leaned in to whisper the rest. « They're both suffering of a complex case of stupidity. » she said and he chuckled lightly, letting his all his senses enjoy the proximity. She leaned back and laughed with him.
« Well, then it's fixable. » he said with an one shoulder shrug.
« It would be if they didn't both suffer from a previous disease, this one, much harder to heal. » she said her tone a little more serious. He looked at her expectantly, urging her to continue. « They're both broken hearted. » she said in a whisper and he nodded.
« We all caught the virus once in our lives, it'll get better eventually. » he said as if he was trying to reassure her but the weight of his words was not underestimated by neither of them. « Plus it took Luke and Lorelai almost two decades to get where they are now. Your friends still have plenty of time ahead of themselves. » he added a little more lightly.
« I guess you're right. » she said.
« As always. » he said sighing with self esteem.
« Egomaniac. » she said with a roll of her eyes.
« Helpless romantic. » he retorted.
« That's not even an insult. » she huffed.
« From my point of view, it is. » he said with a smirk and she swatted him.
« Men. » she sighed.
« Women. » he replied with an exaggerated roll of his chocolate eyes. They shared a genuine smile and turned to their drinks.
For the first time of the evening, silence fell upon them. They were still smiling, unable to get rid of the content and comfortable feeling that was floating around them.
« So, I've been talking, mostly rambling about work and my exciting New York life but I have yet to discover why you moved back to the city. » she said after a little while.
« Do I need a particular reason? » he asked with a frown trying to avoid her question but she was not fooled. She gave him a steady look. « You wouldn't believe me. » he said after a short hesitation.
« I've learned that anything is possible. » she replied with a dainty smile.
« True, but this is really crazy. » he said shaking his head slightly and she gave him another look.
« I'm a Gilmore, I'm crazy. I love craziness. Life is never crazy enough. » she said grinning, trying to encourage him and he could not help but smile a little.
« Well, this is not 'fun-barely-understandable-yet-enjoyable-Gilmore' crazy. This is more like 'where-is-the-camera-because-that's-gotta-be-a-super-cosmic-joke' kind of crazy. It's insane, trust me. » he said taking another sip of his tea. He winced a little at the cooler taste of the beverage. He put it aside and crossed his arms in front of him on the counter. He was stalling, they both knew it but she really enjoyed being here with him, talking, laughing, feeling.
« Spill. » she demanded and he sighed knowing that it was a lost battle from the beginning.
« I will, soon, be teaching contemporary English literature to sophomore college students. » he said resignedly as if he had yet to digest the information. Jess Mariano, teaching, that was the biggest prank God had ever made. However, her reaction was worth all the internal debate he was going throw for the last couple of months. Rory's eyes widened, shinning with excitement and amusement. Her mouth formed an 'O' making her look like a cute gold fish. After a little while, her lips broke into a huge grin.
« Where? » she asked her voice higher. For an instant, he found himself back six years ago, in her grandparents mansion, when he had shown her The Subsect for the first time . She had that glowing and growing excited smile and high pitched voice, accompanied by a hint of pride in his voice that made his heart pound louder and more quickly. Pride. For him. It was almost all he needed. Almost.
« N.Y.U. » he said, his eyes darting around the empty diner at the thoughts crossing his mind.
« Oh my god! How did you do? » she saw a flash of hurt in his eyes and cursed herself. « No, no, no, that's not what I meant. That came out totally wrong. Of course you're capable of such a thing. I know you have what it takes. I'm sorry I really didn't mean… » she was rambling nervously and guilt was more than apparent in her voice. He smiled amused and put a hand on her shoulder. That stopped her dead on her tracks and she looked up to meet his eyes apologetically.
« Deep breaths. » he teased and she smiled slightly. He let go of her shoulder and she found herself missing the warmth of his hand.
« When Ariel interviewed you last year you told her you were taking classes and you mentioned it on several of your e mails but you never said it was serious. You said it was just some classes in a community college. » she explained and he smiled guiltily.
« Yeah, well I kinda lied a little. » he said.
« I see. Why? »
« Well, needless to say that I have a tormented and heavy past when it comes to academic education. It's still a sour subject, I guess. » he explained and she accepted it.
« So where did you go? What Happened? What did you do? I wanna know everything. » she said bouncing a little in her chair and it amused him to no end.
« You went to Yale, worked for the New York Times for a year, opened your own literary magazine and you wanna know about me going to CCP? » he asked baffled.
« You bet I am. When we dated the only thing that made you go to school was threat and even that did not always work. Now you're telling me you went to College and got a degree voluntarily. Do you really expect me to not to ask about it?» she said.
« Point taken. » he said. « So, what do you wanna know? » he asked.
« Everything. » she repeated eagerly and he chuckled looking at her intently.
« Ok, then to make a long story short, after your visit to Philadelphia six years ago I felt the need to get something real. I still don't know how to explain it, I think I don't comprehend the idea myself. I felt like College was something I needed to do. The year before I had obtained my GED and the fact that I was a 'published author' helped. » he said finger quoting the last part and added a roll of his eyes. « Last summer I got my master in contemporary literature. »
« Of course. » she interjected and they smiled at each other.
« Anyway, my thesis was published and last September I was in New York for a press conference for my last book and I went to visit N.Y.U. Apparently, my work is very appreciated by the students there. I still don't know how it happened but a few weeks later I was contacted by the Dean asking me if I was interested in teaching. And here I am now. Waiting for the 2nd semester to begin. »
« Wow. » she said smiling warmly. « But how come you're not starting next year? » she asked confused.
« Oh, one of their teachers is sick, a depression of some sort so they asked if I could start earlier. » he explained. « I wish I didn't have to start so soon, I don't think I'm ready yet. » he could not believe he was saying all of this out loud.
« Bull! » she said refilling her now empty mug, not even looking at him and he rose his eyebrows in surprise.
« You, published 5 books in the last 7 years while going to College. You got a diploma, and not a little insignificant one, no you got a master in English Literature! And if I recall correctly you worked at Truncheon for 4 years. Teaching will be a piece of cake compared to what you've accomplished. You'll manage a bunch of sophomores. » she said matter of factly. They fell silent again while he mulled her words over in his head. She sounded so confident, so sure, while he still thought the last 7 years of his life were a dream. From the outside, he looked like the most self secured person in the world and he liked it that way, but inside he still was not sure how he had manage to do all the things she just listed. It seemed so foreign and crazy even to his own ears. He had lived them. He had made them happen but he had not realized the impact it had on his little life just yet. « This is amazing. » she said softly, breaking his chain of thoughts. She was smiling and her crystal blue eyes were showing the most genuine happiness he had seen toward him in years. He smiled and nodded slightly. That was when he knew he was going to be alright. « You've come a long way since your 'wherever, whatever' years. » she added with a smirk, bumping his knees with hers. He laughed and shrugged his shoulders. Her bright expression was suddenly replaced by a more worried one. « You're not going to stop writing, are you? »
« Even if I wanted to, I don't think I would be able to. It's just a couple of classes anyway, a few hours a week. If I wanted to write, I'll find the time. »
« Are you currently writing? »
« Wouldn't you like to know. » he said smirking.
« Yes I would. » she said with a nod and he looked away, choosing to ignore the pout that slowly taking place on her lovely face. Lovely, a word he would not be heard using, ever. « Oh, come on. » she pressed.
« You want some more pie? » he asked already getting up.
« You have to give me something. » she said crossing her arms against her chest.
« We still have apple pie. » he said biting the inside of his cheek to avoid smiling at the expression she was giving him.
« A hint. » she was almost pleading now.
« Apple pie it is. » he said heading to the kitchen.
« Spoil sport. » she grumbled from behind him and he smiled. He came back a few minutes later with two small plates of apple pie with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on top. She was still frowning, but her expression quickly changed when she saw what he was bringing. He put the plates in front of her and sat down next to her, feeling more amusement than he had in years.
« You know I'll find out anyway. It's my job. » she said her chin up high. « After all I have contact with your publisher, we're actually in really good terms. And your agent loves me, she actually invited me to her next birthday party » she added.
« I know. » he said taking a bite of his pie.
« So why don't you just tell me? » she asked annoyed.
« Now, Gilmore, where's the fun in that? » he asked with mirth and she huffed.
« You're enjoying this way too much. » she said and he winked at her. She tried not to smile, she really put some effort in the task but it was hard to resist the famous Mariano smirk. She finally decided that she could smile but hid it by taking a not a so subtle sip of her coffee. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her give in, not intentionally anyway.
They ate in silence and after a while he wondered if he had not upset her. She was eating her piece of pie, giving him the silence treatment, not once looking back at him. He was about to give up and tell her what he was working on but she beat him and spoke first.
« You hated high school. » she said evenly.
« You're still good at those. » he commented.
« What? » she asked confused.
« Blurting random thoughts. » he answered smirking.
« Not going to change anytime soon. »
« Hope not. » he said and she felt herself smile at his blunt comment. She quickly looked away and he turned back to his pie.
« You hated everything that was even remotely related to school. » he knew where she was going but he waited for her to ask what she really had in mind. « And fully aware of that fact, you're still going to be teaching people not so younger than us. People who a year ago were still considered teenagers. » she said emphasizing her point. Her tone was not judgmental or reproachful, simply curious.
« I know. »
« I'm not trying to tease you, I'm just trying to understand. »
« Well, first of all, I'm not teaching in high school. »
« Thank God for small favors. » she teased and he nodded with a smirk of his own.
« College wasn't half bad. Met some cool people who were really interested in what they were doing. It was a change from my formal experiences. » he explained.
« I bet. » she said knowingly.
« Granted, most people were there just to get a diploma and move on with their lives but that didn't mean they were hating what they were doing… » he paused when he saw her looking at him intently, smiling a little. She did not know what made him look so grown up. After all, he was still wearing jeans and black sneakers. He still had that boyish look and that cool attitude that were defining him in so many levels but something had changed. Perhaps it was the deeper tone of his voice and the clam he was showing or the easiness he did not use to have when he was speaking about his life and what he had accomplished. There also was that humility and almost shyness about his work that she found incredibly attractive and endearing. He was a man, with his flaws and past but a man nonetheless. An adult who have learned to let go of the past and appreciate what good life could bring. He was the person she predicted he would become. After he had left her nine years ago, there was time were she truly doubted he would do anything good. Resentment and broken heart were not good partners. She was definitely glad he achieved his goals, even though he probably never acknowledge he had them to begin with. « What? » he asked feeling self conscious under her deep gaze.
« Nothing, just enjoying the irony. » she said with a delicate smile and went back to her pie. He looked unsure for a moment but smiled back anyway. He did not realize how much he missed talking to her until now. He thought about her from time to time but forgetting about her had been the most difficult thing he ever had to do so his mended heart refused to let him miss her. It has always been easy and pleasant to just seat there with her, listen to her talk. « Do you realize that we just had a real conversation. I mean I didn't have to threaten you to participate. »
« I would deny it if I was asked about it. » he said his trademark smirk back in place.
« Well, it only took us a decade. » she deadpanned.
« We're good. » he said and she laughed.
« We are. » she agreed and he smiled.
She finished her last bite of ice cream with a content sigh and pushed the plate aside. She took a quick glance at her watch and her eyes widened comically.
« Shoot! It's 11, Ariel is alone at home, she going to kill me. » she said hurriedly, getting to her feet. He watched her put her coat and scarf on and was not surprised when he felt a tinge of disappointment at the thought of ending their time together. She always had that effect on him. He was man enough to admit that he hated watching her leave; probably as much as she hated watching him do the same. « Sorry to cut this short. » she said and he was pleased to see that she really was sorry.
« I'll walk you home. » he offered, standing up as well.
« Oh, you don't have to. In case you haven't noticed yet, this is Stars Hollow. I'd have more chance of bumping on Johnny Deep in Peach Street than being hurt on my short way home. » she said laughing a little.
« You didn't know? Rumor as it that the town hoodlum is back and preparing is future wrongdoings. Stars Hollow streets are no longer safe, Miss Gilmore. » he said leaning closer to whisper and she smiled.
« I heard but I have no fear; I know the guy. I can tell you, he's harmless. Plus the gossips also report that he's changed. » she said in a lower tone, her eyes dancing over his handsome features.
« He hasn't changed that much, he's just gained some perspectives. From what he told me, he still has that leather jacket. » he said using the same tone she used.
« Really, that's awful, I hated that jacket. » and she really did, it was the one he wore the day he left. The day he came back before leaving again. Bitter and sad memories were related to that Jacket.
« He doesn't wear it that much anymore, he just keeps it for memories sake. » he dismissed but that jacket was a symbol of a painful past for him as well. « Let's go. » he said putting his hand one her elbow and leading her to the door. He grabbed his trench coat on the way and a few seconds later they were walking toward the very much decorated and illuminated streets of the town.
« Oh, I almost forgot. Before she fell asleep, Mom told me to take a look at your latest acquisition. » Rory said with a light smile and Jess rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. « She had that mirth sparkle in her eyes when she suggested it and judging by the irritated look you're giving me, I can safely assume it's mock worthy. »
« It's not. » he mumbled.
« I'm sure it is. Now, tell me what she was talking about, or better yet, show me! » she ordered grinning.
« Technically, it's not even mine so it really isn't worth the waste of time. »
« Jess. » she urged.
« Ariel is going to kill you, you said it yourself. » she stopped walking and crossed her arm across her chest. To Jess discomfort, they were now standing in front of the car he arrived in town with. He sighed, cursing himself for letting her win again.
« Do you know that my sister is living with me? » he asked causing her to look at him curiously.
« Doula is living in New York with you? » she asked frowning cutely and his annoyance left him just like that.
« Yes I took away Doula from both her parents to take her to live with the most busy person in New York. » he said his voice dripping with sarcasm. She glared at him and he smirked. « Not Doula, Lilly, my other step sister. » he added, his voice softer.
« Oh. » was all she could manage to say. She was quieter suddenly. « Um… I didn't even know you had another sibling. » she said after a little while. The fact that she did not know about this huge part of his life saddened her and made her realize how much time they had spent away from each other.
« We're not blood related, she's Sasha's daughter from a previous union. » he explained.
« Who's Sasha? » she asked almost timidly and he had to smile because for a second there, she was seventeen years old Rory again, his Rory.
« My dad's wife. » he answered and she nodded. « So anyway, Lilly's been living with me for the last couple of month and this, » he said pointing to the car, « is hers. This is what Lorelai called my 'latest acquisition' » he finished. Rory's eyes widened childishly while she slowly got closer to the Beetle. She stayed mute for a couple of minutes, amusement shinning in her eyes and her moves. She looked up at him giggling and he rolled his eyes.
« Too many jokes. Can't chose one. Must mock you. » she said shaking her head a little to try to regain some control.
« I told you, there's no use in mocking me, it's not mine. »
« How old is she? »
« The car? I don't know. I'd say a year. » he said smirking.
« You still think you're funny. »
« I have my moments. »
« How old is Lilly? » she asked again.
« She's 19. » he said starting to walk again, shoving his cold hand in his pockets.
« Your 19 years old sister could afford this car? » she asked skeptically, catching up with him. He averted his eyes.
« It was a birthday gift. » he said, still looking straight ahead.
« From who? » she asked smiling, already knowing the answer. He did not answer and she took his silence for a confirmation. « So you did buy it, it's a little yours. » she teased.
« Shut up. » he said not really angry and she laughed.
« You're driving it, aren't you? Keeping it from her for 12 whole days. You must like it. »
« She's in California with Sasha and Jimmy and since I don't have a car, she very nicely offered to lend me hers. » he explained.
« Why would you have another car, you already love the one you have. » she said wiggling her eyebrows at him.
« You're not funny either, you know that. »
« You're the funny one, driving your little sister's car. »
« Jeez! » he growled.
« Admit that you love this car and I promise I'll let you off the hook. » she said smiling.
« My lips are sealed. »
« I won't even mock you. »
« Yeah, right! I bet the first thing you're going to do when you get home is wake up Lorelai and start making plans about how you're going to use this piece of information against me. »
« I wouldn't wake my eight months and a half pregnant mom up for that! » she objected.
« Fine, you'll wait until tomorrow morning. »
« You were looking for it! What's gotten into you, coming to Stars Hollow, the Gilmores town, with a car like that? »
« I like to live on the edge. » he said and she smiled at the memory that his words brought back.
They walked for a few minutes in silence while she wondered if she could ask what she has on her mind. He secretly smiled at her, knowing what she was thinking about.
« She's a great kid. » he said softly, a tender tone in his words and she smiled recognizing it. He talked like that about Doula as well. « She loves everything that is even remotely related to Literature or any writing for that matter. She reads more than I do, it's freaky. » he said smiling.
« That's impossible. »
« She does. She rarely even watch TV. Once she stated a book or anything that's in a writing form for that matter, there's nothing and no one in his world who would get her away from it. Not even the tons of jackass who are after her. » he said with an edge to his voice. « I thought I still had time before becoming the guy answering the door to those wise asses. » he said sighing and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to refrain from laughing.
« You just sounded like Luke. » she said.
« I know, freaky, right. She's too smart for that. » he added almost angrily.
« She's 19. You've dated long before that. » she said with a pointed look.
« Yeah, well, she's better than me. »
« Wanting to date does not make her worse or better than anybody, it makes her human. You're the wise ass. » she said with a small smile. « I'm sure there are not so many of them. » she tried to assure, seeing his frustration. It was absolutely unsettling to see him care for anybody else that much, especially a member of his family. He was never the family type.
« There are enough. In addition of being so damn smart she's also very pretty. » he said, again with that soft and tender voice.
« I bet she is. » even though she was late, they were walking slowly, enjoying the last moments together. « So why is she living with you? » she asked as casually as she could.
« She's going to N.Y.U. »
« Let me guess, English major. » he nodded. « It must run in the family. » she said with a warm smile.
« I guess it does. She used to live on campus but when I told her I was moving back to New York she told me to look for a two bedrooms apartment. I didn't even have a say in the matter. »
« She must love you very much. » and he felt himself getting very uncomfortable at her words. Silence fell upon them again before she realized something. She turned to him, grinning.
« What? » he asked frowning.
« You'll be teaching your sister. » she exclaimed.
« Huh, I never thought of it. » he said using sarcasm again.
« I so need to meet her. » she said with a smirk and he smiled.
« She'd love that, she loves Literati. I'm not even allowed to read it before she does. I'm sure she'd love to meet you guys. »
« That would be nice. » she said smiling warmly. « You guys should come visit the office one of these days. » she offered and he nodded, smiling.
« We will. »
They were finally in front of Rory's old home. Unbeknownst to them, Ariel, Lane and Lorelai were watching them from the living room window. They climbed the stairs that lead to the front door and they paused, facing each other with small smiles on their faces.
« So, I guess I'll see you tomorrow. » she said playing with her keys.
« Breakfast. » he said nodding.
« No… I mean, sure, we'll be eating breakfast at Luke's but I'll see you after that, for Christmas eve. » he frowned in confusion. « Luke didn't tell you? » he shook his head. « We're having a big family/friends dinner tomorrow at the diner. » she explained.
« I guess, I should have known. » he said making a face.
« Yeah, like you should have known better than coming in Stars Hollow with that car. » she said smirking.
« That's it, I'm not coming. » he said with a glare.
« Oh come on, you should come. It's gonna be great. My mum even convinced my grandparents to come. »
« is that supposed to make me come? » he said cocking one of his eyebrows.
« Grandpa is a fan of yours. When the Mariano issue came out last year, he was the first one to read it. » she said with a smile.
« The Mariano issue? » he asked with a smirk.
« Ariel. » she explained and he nodded.
« Well, in that case, how could I refuse. » she smiled and he walked down the porch. He turned around and threw her a lopsided grin. « I'll see you tomorrow, Gilmore. » he said walking backward but stopped when he saw her approach him. Without any further notice, she put her thin arms around his neck and hold him close to her. It took him a few seconds to register the information and relax but he eventually did and enveloped his strong arms around her. He's had his share of hugs for the day, but this one was one he would not complain about. Behind the window, Ariel squealed, while Lane and Lorelai exchanged a look.
Jess and Rory hold onto each other for a while, enjoying the feeling of being close again. Inwardly he breathed in her air and the sent of her strawberry shampoo invaded her hair, while his hot breath tickled the skin of her neck.
« I had fun tonight. Thanks Jess. » she whispered in his ears and he held her a little tighter.
« Me too. » he said his voice deep.
They let go of each other, both smiling warmly and he watched her get inside the house.
A/N: I hope you liked it! A literati chapters! I personally think it's not bad, I love these two. They're just great. Please, let me know what you thought, review :D
Sorry for the quotation marks again, i'll try to fix it soon.
