A/N: Warning…Heavy drama headed your way!
Chapter 4
*****
"Rory!" cried Jess as he hurried down the corridor. Rory enters the ladies restroom and without giving it a second thought Jess boldly follows her in.
"Rory," Jess said softly as he looked at Rory's tear stained face.
Rory lifts up her eyes and looks directly at Jess. Her body trembling and her hand clenched into a fist, she said in a low cold voice, "Get out of here."
Jess stood frozen, unsure on what to do next. He opens his mouth but the words refuse to form. The deafening silence engulfs them both paralyzing them in this moment of time. Jess continues to stand there with his shoulders rigid with his hands in his pocket. As much as he would like to obey her wishes, he just can't seem to tear his eyes away from her.
"GET OUT OF HERE!" yelled Rory with anger stinging at every word. All these years of bottled anger seem to explode inside of her. She lunges at Jess and starts to pound her fist into his chest. Wanting to hurt him, wanting to push him away. "I hate you, I hate you…" sobbed Rory.
Jess does not stop her; he doesn't even try to block her. Instead, he tries to pull her into his arms. Rory resists but after a few minutes of struggling, her guard has fallen and she clings to Jess as she sobs on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around her tightly and with the other arm he places his hand on her hair and softly strokes it. He places his cheek on her head and closes his eyes. A single tear glides down his face.
I love you Jess, you have no idea how much I love you, Rory thought. She missed this contact, she missed just being held. Sure she missed the kisses and the conversations, but just being held was the best part of all. She craved his touch, his smell, and his body. She loved the comfort and the security that she felt when his arms wrapped around her like this. Pulling back ever so slightly, she looks up and stares intently at Jess's face.
"I'm engaged," Rory whispers. Her eyes search his face for some sign; anger, sadness, happiness, anything? Instead his face remained expressionless. His tight hold on her slightly loosens and the tear that escaped from him has vanished.
Jess's heart plummets to the ground. His soul cringes at the thought of someone else holding Rory, loving Rory, and worst of all, being with Rory for the rest of her life. He wonders if it's the towering giant who was always lurking in the shadows when they were together, or was it someone new? Someone worthy enough to rule Rory's heart?
"I'm getting married Jess. I'm marrying Dean. Don't you hate me? Don't just stand there, say something!" demanded Rory.
Keeping his eyes blank and his voice steady, Jess says, "Congratulations."
"Damn you Jess! Don't you have a heart? Don't you feel the pain that I caused you or maybe it's happiness? Maybe all this time, the feeling that I have been harboring is not the same feeling that you are feeling." Rory pries herself away from his arms. Suddenly the soothing comfort of being held has turns his touches into fierce electricity.
"You're right, I don't have a heart. I left mine with yours. Rory, I miss you so much it hurts. I know I have no right to say, and this is the worst timing in the world, but I've waited seven years to say this to you again, Rory I lov-…"
"Don't! Please don't finish that sentence." Rory begged with her eyes shut closed and her arms wrapped around herself.
"You're not a bit curious why I left? I set you free Rory; I was not good enough for you. Why didn't you understand that?! You deserve someone better, you deserve Dean."
"But I wanted you." Rory said under her breath. She walks towards Jess and brushes passed him as she made her exit through the door.
***********The next morning***********
"David, here is my resignation," Rory said in a calm professional voice.
"Who are you and what have you done with my Rory?" joked David.
"I'll have my things taken out of my office by tomorrow at the latest." Rory said seriously.
"What the hell is the matter with you?!" suddenly realizing that it wasn't a joke and that Rory was dead serious. He looks at her with a baffled expression and could not think of a single thing that could possible upset her so much that she would quite.
"My past finally caught up with me. Please David, don't make this difficult."
"Rory, I can't take this resignation. You have to take it to our new editor- in-chief. Look, he's coming our way," David said and waving to Jess, "Jess, could we have a moment with you?"
"What's this?!" Jess asked with astonishment in his voice, "Rory may I have a word with you in private?" He leads Rory into an empty conference room and closes the door behind him.
"Jess, this is not going to work." Rory said quickly before he had a chance to face her.
"I will not let you quite your job on account of me. Don't be irrational. We don't even have to interact with each other. You can send your stories via email. And what are the chances of us bumping into each other? It's so unlikely since your office is a floor level below mine. As for the meetings, those don't last too long." Jess rambled.
"We can't just avoid each other, there would be too much tension." Rory explained.
"Do you love being a reporter?" Jess inquired.
"Yes." Rory said tentatively.
"Fine, I'll resign."
"Now you're the one being irrational. You can't quite, you were hired yesterday, but I see where you are headed with this. Let's work on some sort of compromise. I'll give this situation a try, just on a temporary basis."
"So are you willing to push our history aside for a while?"
"I've put our history aside for seven years, believe me I can manage."
Offering his hand, "Well Ms. Gilmore, I hope we can carry on and work with a professional manner."
Taking his hand, "Let's give it a try Mr. Mariano."
"As you wish Ms. Gilmore."
Jess opens the door and Rory steps outside. Jess closes the door behind him and takes a moment to look at her. Rory offers him a small smile before heading back to her office. Jess heads to the elevators—opposite of Rory's office.
***********Bella Restorante**********
Tristan checked his watched for the third time since he arrived at the restaurant. He was starting to get a little fidgety. What if she stood him up? Maybe this is a mistake.
When Tristan saw her, his face lit up with a big smile. He continued to stare at her as she made her way towards him. He couldn't help feel jealous as he saw other men check out his beautiful princess. Okay so Rory isn't his princess….yet.
"Tristan!" Rory said as she approached his table. It feels so good to get away from the office. Being with Tristan made her forget Dean; made her forget about work; and best of all, made her forget about Jess.
"Hello Rory, I was begin to think that I was being stood up," said Tristan with a big grin on his face.
"Like that would bother you. All you have to do is smile at that cute blonde at the next table and you would have a replacement for me." Rory said as she sat down on her seat facing Tristan.
"I did not even notice her." Tristan said earnestly.
"And if I actually believed you, that would have been the nicest thing you said to me."
"I'm hurt Mary," joked Tristan as he grabbed his heart in mock pain. "You have no faith in Tristan Dugrey."
"Sir, may I take your order?" interrupted the waiter. They gave their order and resumed their conversation.
"You look lovely Rory." Tristan said with complete sincerity in his voice. He stared at the blushing Rory and wondered how the beautiful girl he once knew and loved could become more beautiful and enchanting as time passed by.
"Tristan, why did you have to say that? Now you've pushed the panic button."
"That's not the only button I'd like to press." Tristan said with a wink. Clearly the honest gentleman-like Tristan has gone back into hibernation.
"You don't believe in borders or lines do you? You were a very messy kid." joked Rory.
"What can I say, crossing the line once in a while creates a more interesting life. Tell me Rory, has your life been interesting without me in your life?" questioned Tristan with a smug smile on his face. He knew he should not be treading water from the past but the past has a way of rearing its ugly head sooner or later; might as well get done with it.
"Tristan, where have you been all my life?! I've been miserable without you," Rory said with heavy sarcasm in her voice.
"Now that I'm in your life, I'm here to stay." Tristan said switching over to the 'Good Tristan' once more. Rory, now that you have grab on to the bait, I'm going to let you squirm for a while. "I have to run Rory, I have a meeting at three but I forgot my papers in my apartment so I have to make a detour. I'm sorry I have to leave so early."
"You haven't finished eating?" Rory exclaimed. Or our conversation! I still don't know what have you been up to for the last 7 years! You can't leave now!
"Let's finish this Wednesday; lunch, same time, same place." Tristan said in a rush as he gathered his stuff and got up from seat.
"I believe I'm free." Rory said casually trying hard not to sound too excited.
"I'll see you then Mary." Tristan said with a grin. His plan worked, he was going on a second lunch date with Rory! So what if their first date was really short, its not the quantity of time that matters. All he knew is that Rory Gilmore was part of his life once again.
A/N: Next chapter is the hot and steamy part!!! (Evil grin) Tristan, Jess, or Dean? (DEAN?!…ha ha…yea right, never in my Rory/Jess/Tristan world!)
If you hated to drama earlier in the chapter, I promise nothing that dramatic in the future. If you liked it, lets negotiate.
Chapter 4
*****
"Rory!" cried Jess as he hurried down the corridor. Rory enters the ladies restroom and without giving it a second thought Jess boldly follows her in.
"Rory," Jess said softly as he looked at Rory's tear stained face.
Rory lifts up her eyes and looks directly at Jess. Her body trembling and her hand clenched into a fist, she said in a low cold voice, "Get out of here."
Jess stood frozen, unsure on what to do next. He opens his mouth but the words refuse to form. The deafening silence engulfs them both paralyzing them in this moment of time. Jess continues to stand there with his shoulders rigid with his hands in his pocket. As much as he would like to obey her wishes, he just can't seem to tear his eyes away from her.
"GET OUT OF HERE!" yelled Rory with anger stinging at every word. All these years of bottled anger seem to explode inside of her. She lunges at Jess and starts to pound her fist into his chest. Wanting to hurt him, wanting to push him away. "I hate you, I hate you…" sobbed Rory.
Jess does not stop her; he doesn't even try to block her. Instead, he tries to pull her into his arms. Rory resists but after a few minutes of struggling, her guard has fallen and she clings to Jess as she sobs on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around her tightly and with the other arm he places his hand on her hair and softly strokes it. He places his cheek on her head and closes his eyes. A single tear glides down his face.
I love you Jess, you have no idea how much I love you, Rory thought. She missed this contact, she missed just being held. Sure she missed the kisses and the conversations, but just being held was the best part of all. She craved his touch, his smell, and his body. She loved the comfort and the security that she felt when his arms wrapped around her like this. Pulling back ever so slightly, she looks up and stares intently at Jess's face.
"I'm engaged," Rory whispers. Her eyes search his face for some sign; anger, sadness, happiness, anything? Instead his face remained expressionless. His tight hold on her slightly loosens and the tear that escaped from him has vanished.
Jess's heart plummets to the ground. His soul cringes at the thought of someone else holding Rory, loving Rory, and worst of all, being with Rory for the rest of her life. He wonders if it's the towering giant who was always lurking in the shadows when they were together, or was it someone new? Someone worthy enough to rule Rory's heart?
"I'm getting married Jess. I'm marrying Dean. Don't you hate me? Don't just stand there, say something!" demanded Rory.
Keeping his eyes blank and his voice steady, Jess says, "Congratulations."
"Damn you Jess! Don't you have a heart? Don't you feel the pain that I caused you or maybe it's happiness? Maybe all this time, the feeling that I have been harboring is not the same feeling that you are feeling." Rory pries herself away from his arms. Suddenly the soothing comfort of being held has turns his touches into fierce electricity.
"You're right, I don't have a heart. I left mine with yours. Rory, I miss you so much it hurts. I know I have no right to say, and this is the worst timing in the world, but I've waited seven years to say this to you again, Rory I lov-…"
"Don't! Please don't finish that sentence." Rory begged with her eyes shut closed and her arms wrapped around herself.
"You're not a bit curious why I left? I set you free Rory; I was not good enough for you. Why didn't you understand that?! You deserve someone better, you deserve Dean."
"But I wanted you." Rory said under her breath. She walks towards Jess and brushes passed him as she made her exit through the door.
***********The next morning***********
"David, here is my resignation," Rory said in a calm professional voice.
"Who are you and what have you done with my Rory?" joked David.
"I'll have my things taken out of my office by tomorrow at the latest." Rory said seriously.
"What the hell is the matter with you?!" suddenly realizing that it wasn't a joke and that Rory was dead serious. He looks at her with a baffled expression and could not think of a single thing that could possible upset her so much that she would quite.
"My past finally caught up with me. Please David, don't make this difficult."
"Rory, I can't take this resignation. You have to take it to our new editor- in-chief. Look, he's coming our way," David said and waving to Jess, "Jess, could we have a moment with you?"
"What's this?!" Jess asked with astonishment in his voice, "Rory may I have a word with you in private?" He leads Rory into an empty conference room and closes the door behind him.
"Jess, this is not going to work." Rory said quickly before he had a chance to face her.
"I will not let you quite your job on account of me. Don't be irrational. We don't even have to interact with each other. You can send your stories via email. And what are the chances of us bumping into each other? It's so unlikely since your office is a floor level below mine. As for the meetings, those don't last too long." Jess rambled.
"We can't just avoid each other, there would be too much tension." Rory explained.
"Do you love being a reporter?" Jess inquired.
"Yes." Rory said tentatively.
"Fine, I'll resign."
"Now you're the one being irrational. You can't quite, you were hired yesterday, but I see where you are headed with this. Let's work on some sort of compromise. I'll give this situation a try, just on a temporary basis."
"So are you willing to push our history aside for a while?"
"I've put our history aside for seven years, believe me I can manage."
Offering his hand, "Well Ms. Gilmore, I hope we can carry on and work with a professional manner."
Taking his hand, "Let's give it a try Mr. Mariano."
"As you wish Ms. Gilmore."
Jess opens the door and Rory steps outside. Jess closes the door behind him and takes a moment to look at her. Rory offers him a small smile before heading back to her office. Jess heads to the elevators—opposite of Rory's office.
***********Bella Restorante**********
Tristan checked his watched for the third time since he arrived at the restaurant. He was starting to get a little fidgety. What if she stood him up? Maybe this is a mistake.
When Tristan saw her, his face lit up with a big smile. He continued to stare at her as she made her way towards him. He couldn't help feel jealous as he saw other men check out his beautiful princess. Okay so Rory isn't his princess….yet.
"Tristan!" Rory said as she approached his table. It feels so good to get away from the office. Being with Tristan made her forget Dean; made her forget about work; and best of all, made her forget about Jess.
"Hello Rory, I was begin to think that I was being stood up," said Tristan with a big grin on his face.
"Like that would bother you. All you have to do is smile at that cute blonde at the next table and you would have a replacement for me." Rory said as she sat down on her seat facing Tristan.
"I did not even notice her." Tristan said earnestly.
"And if I actually believed you, that would have been the nicest thing you said to me."
"I'm hurt Mary," joked Tristan as he grabbed his heart in mock pain. "You have no faith in Tristan Dugrey."
"Sir, may I take your order?" interrupted the waiter. They gave their order and resumed their conversation.
"You look lovely Rory." Tristan said with complete sincerity in his voice. He stared at the blushing Rory and wondered how the beautiful girl he once knew and loved could become more beautiful and enchanting as time passed by.
"Tristan, why did you have to say that? Now you've pushed the panic button."
"That's not the only button I'd like to press." Tristan said with a wink. Clearly the honest gentleman-like Tristan has gone back into hibernation.
"You don't believe in borders or lines do you? You were a very messy kid." joked Rory.
"What can I say, crossing the line once in a while creates a more interesting life. Tell me Rory, has your life been interesting without me in your life?" questioned Tristan with a smug smile on his face. He knew he should not be treading water from the past but the past has a way of rearing its ugly head sooner or later; might as well get done with it.
"Tristan, where have you been all my life?! I've been miserable without you," Rory said with heavy sarcasm in her voice.
"Now that I'm in your life, I'm here to stay." Tristan said switching over to the 'Good Tristan' once more. Rory, now that you have grab on to the bait, I'm going to let you squirm for a while. "I have to run Rory, I have a meeting at three but I forgot my papers in my apartment so I have to make a detour. I'm sorry I have to leave so early."
"You haven't finished eating?" Rory exclaimed. Or our conversation! I still don't know what have you been up to for the last 7 years! You can't leave now!
"Let's finish this Wednesday; lunch, same time, same place." Tristan said in a rush as he gathered his stuff and got up from seat.
"I believe I'm free." Rory said casually trying hard not to sound too excited.
"I'll see you then Mary." Tristan said with a grin. His plan worked, he was going on a second lunch date with Rory! So what if their first date was really short, its not the quantity of time that matters. All he knew is that Rory Gilmore was part of his life once again.
A/N: Next chapter is the hot and steamy part!!! (Evil grin) Tristan, Jess, or Dean? (DEAN?!…ha ha…yea right, never in my Rory/Jess/Tristan world!)
If you hated to drama earlier in the chapter, I promise nothing that dramatic in the future. If you liked it, lets negotiate.
