A/N: Just to tell you, right now I'm virtually groaning and covering my face with my head. This is such a filler and I'm super sorry if it's horrible. Also, I might get in maybe one or two more chapters before Sunday, but after that I'm gonna be gone for a month, and will have no access to a computer from where I'm staying. Which means, you know, that I would really, really like a lot of reviews for when I get back. I swear I'll give a prize to whoever can make me smile the most.
Disclaimer: Okay, so have you ever tried to bit your own ear off? Well, as soon as you do that, get back to me.
Rory slid herself through the crack in the door, quietly pushing it shut behind her. She did not need Cam-the-asshole jumping out at her, and she didn't want to interrupt whatever phone call Jess was making, either.
She slipped on one of Jess's sweatshirts over what she had on, which was currently her jeans from yesterday and a t-shirt. Whatever. It wasn't like she needed to rock the fashion world, or anything. She was a freakin' journalist, for God's sake.
"Jess?" she called, once he had hung up the phone.
"Hey," he said quietly, his voice a low, gravelly tone. He leaned down and kissed her softly, running his hands over her arms in a surprisingly delicate gesture.
"Um," she said, shocked by the sweet way he was acting. Yeah, he had always been careful and kind with his actions, but he usually wasn't so…gentleman-y. "Um," she repeated. Plus, it didn't help that she was nervous. She couldn't help it. She knew what she wanted to tell—or ask—him, and it was kind of big.
"Yeah?" he said, twirling her hair between his fingers.
"Uh…" she said, biting her lip. "I know it's weird, and this is new and all, and, I mean, we only just—like, just just, got back together and everything, but I was thinking, and, I mean, you don't have to agree or anything, but it feels just so…" she trailed off, "natural, here, with us. You know? And it's stupid, but I thought maybe I could just…stay here." She took a deep breath, sucking in the air like life-support—which it kind of was. "You know. Like move in. And it would be totally fine if you think it's, I don't know…too much, too soon, or whatever, but I wanted to ask, 'cause it just seems right." Jess remained silent, his lip twitching in a half-smile. She blushed, embarred. "'Sokay if you don't want me too. Really. I mean, we're just starting, and—"
He cut her off with a kiss, cupping her face between his hand, his chocolate eyes shining warmly.
"Babe, we never ended."
She smiled, pulling him into another kiss. "I'm gonna go to my apartment to call the movers. I like your place better."
He shut his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers. "Okay."
She sighed contently. "I don't want to go."
"You don't have to."
"Um, a: your not helping, and b: I can't live in your sweatpants and t-shirts."
"So?" he shrugged. "Who needs clothes?"
She hit him playfully on the arm, before giving him a small kiss and walking towards the door. Then she realized something.
"Hold on," she said, her blue eyes glinting with mischief. "Did you just call me babe?"
He visibly tightened for a second, before ducking his head and looking away. "I can't recall."
"Oh, my God, you totally did. You called me babe. You old softie!"
"Jeez," he said under his breath. "What do you wanna eat tonight?"
She threw her head back laughing. "Are you serious?"
"Thai food sound okay?" he asked, looking through the cupboards for something.
"Aw, embarrassed, Jessie?
"'Cause I'm really in the mood for Thai."
"Are you doing that thing where you change the subject and ignore me until I get so annoyed I just give up whatever I was teasing you about?"
"Shit, I can't find the menu. Whatever, just tell me what you want."
"I'm not gonna let this go. I'm my mother's daughter, remember?"
"Or I could order for you. I mean, it's not like your picky or anything."
She sighed. "You know what I like. I'll be back later."
He smiled, kissing the top of her head. "See you, sweetheart," he whispered in her ear.
She smirked before walking out of the apartment, closing the door behind her. On the way down the hallway, she bumped into a woman who looked about her age. She was pretty, with dark, almost-black hair and soft green eyes. She dropped the book she had been carrying when Rory ran into her.
"Oh, sorry," the woman said, picking up her things.
"No, my fault," Rory gushed. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
The woman sighed, then squinted. "Do I know you?" she asked. "You look familiar."
"I don't think so," Rory said. She was almost positive they had never met before.
The woman ran a hand through her hair in an absent-minded kind of way. "Oh well. Familiar faces, I guess." She shrugged, heading in the opposite direction. "Bye."
Rory watched the woman walk away and was almost going to turn around and forget about her before she realized where she was headed. Jess's apartment. Her breath hitched. Uh-oh.
