Special Delivery

Summary: An old promise is fulfilled. Literati, sort of, set in season 3.


The diner was filled to the limit.

It seemed like every person in Stars Hollow, and some of the nearby towns, had decided that four in the afternoon this Wednesday in February was the perfect time to go and eat at Luke's diner.

Luke himself was running around, trying to get some sort of organization out of the chaos, but it was no use. People kept shouting their orders, changing their minds and walking around like it was some kind of museum.

He was seriously contemplating starting to throw people out.

And in the midst of it Jess was standing behind the counter, or more correctly leaning both of his arms on it, holding a book in one hand and resting his chin in the other. He seemed totally oblivious to the chaos around him, completely focused on the words in front of him.

In other words it was just a normal afternoon in Luke's diner.

"Hello everyone, can I have you attention please?" Kirk's voice suddenly urged over the clamor. And amazingly enough people quieted down.

"Thank you all," Kirk said sincerely, doing a little nod at the people around him. "I have a delivery here," he continued, holding up a cardboard box the size of a brick, "and it's addressed to a Jess Mariano."

At his name Jess snapped his head up, wondering why the hell Kirk was talking about him. He hadn't exactly paid attention to the man up until now.

"What are you doing here Kirk?" Luke's voice suddenly rang through the diner. It was clear he was not amused.

"As I said," Kirk began, trying not to look fazed by Luke's expression, or his tone, "I have a delivery here for a Jess Mariano. And now I'm here searching for said person." At the last words he was considerably more fidgety than when he started.

"Kirk," Luke snapped agitated, "you know who Jess is. He's been living here for more than a year."

Jess was still standing silently at the counter, looking on and finding the scene in front of him highly amusing. Not that he thought it was a hard thing to find something amusing in this town, considering its inhabitants, but still.

"I'm trying to do this the right way, Luke," Kirk said, trying to sound like he knew what he was doing. "There's a protocol for these sorts of things. And I intend to honor that."

"You know what," Luke barked, "Jess is standing by the counter." He pointed in the general direction and gave his nephew a glare. "As usual doing nothing. Why don't you go over there, give him the package and then get the hell out of my diner!"

Kirk eyed the man in front of him for a few moments, but ultimately decided to do as he said. He was slightly afraid of Luke and today he was being even more cranky than usual. He fiddled a little with the package in his hands and walked up to the counter, stopping right in front of Jess, who eyed him suspiciously.

"I've got a package for a Jess Mariano here," Kirk announced once again, holding up the package, glancing back at Luke nervously. "I've heard that would be you, young man. Is that correct?"

Jess only raised an eyebrow at the man in front of him, wondering if he had finally cracked completely. And stayed silent.

"For the love of God!" Luke exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Kirk, give him the damned package! And Jess, for God's sake, do not add to this insanity!"

Jess smirked a little at his uncle and mock saluted him before turning to Kirk, deciding that it probably wasn't worth it to irritate Luke any more. He gave Kirk a little nod, "Yes, that would be me," he said slowly.

"Very good," Kirk breathed out, very aware of Luke's presence behind his back when he handed over a clipboard and a pen to Jess. "If you would please sign here."

Jess eyed the paper in front of him questioningly, noticing it looked very homemade. And that the handwriting at the top looked very familiar. "Who is this from, Kirk?" he asked suspiciously, ignoring the pen in front of him.

"I am not at liberty to tell you that," Kirk said, trying to sound certain of himself while eyeing the young man in front of him warily.

Jess raised an eyebrow, causing Kirk's expression to turn even more guarded. He started to fidget some more, casting glances over his shoulder at the door, wishing himself out of the diner.

The diner was completely silent by now, every pair of eyes turned to the two people at the counter, and most of them at the same time keeping a cautious eye at the grouchy owner. Jess thought the situation extremely entertaining.

"For the…!" Luke began, but closed his mouth and stalked over to the counter and grabbed the pen from Kirk. "Damnit Jess, just sign the paper!" he bit out, slamming the pen down on the counter.

"Fine," Jess said with a smirk and picked up the pen, signing the clipboard quickly, to the very visible relief of Kirk, who almost threw the package down on the counter and ran towards the door. "Hope she paid you well," Jess yelled after him, almost letting a small chuckle slip out.

"Thank God!" Luke exclaimed, turning to his nephew. "We will talk about this later, you hear me."

"Can't wait," Jess deadpanned, grabbing the package and his book and walked out from behind the counter. "I'm going out," he told Luke calmly before walking out the door, leaving a stunned diner behind.

"Hey, come back here!" Luke yelled through the still open door, but Jess just turned around and waved before continuing across the town square. "Damn that kid!" Luke swore before slamming the door shut.

On the other side of the square Jess stopped, sat down on a bench and tore the package open. He almost missed the small piece of paper that flew out, but caught it before it hit the ground and smiled when he read it.

Only took me a year, but here it is. Bring a movie and there might be more than one.

(PS. Do not dare bring Bambi or Dumbo!)

- Forever grateful

And at the bottom of the now open package was a lone egg roll.