Hello Mr. President

Chapter Nine

Disclaimer: Not mine

"Here are your vocabulary words for this week!" Mr. Jenkins said clearly, showing off the board. Josh sat in the first row now, scribbling all the words down. He was left handed, so his paper was always full of smudges since he had to use pens. Josh tried to make it more legible though, by lifting his hand, but it was hard to remember in the heat of the moment.

Mr. Jenkins cleared his throat, Josh looking enthusiastically. Since he had met Aurelia, he had been focusing more on honing his Latin skills. For two reasons. One, he'd be able to understand her, and somehow it was like a fun game. Decoding every word she said to English and then writing back his response.

She was a nicer teacher then Mr. Jenkins, laughing lightly whenever Josh might've messed up instead of a cold, "Try again, Mr. DuGrey,"

Josh looked up, avoiding Sophia's look. Since they'd been found by his father, Josh had avoided the poor girl. She was cute, and just his type, but he had found Aurelia and his father wouldn't be so pleased to discover Sophia still hanging around. Josh's shoulder twitched in anticipation for him to raise his hand.

He never raised it though, not in this class. Josh didn't like the idea of missing an answer and hearing that cold 'try again, Mr. DuGrey' instead of Aurelia's lilting laugh.

"Now, someone tell me how to ask if I want some wine, expecting the answer yes," Jenkins said, sitting on his desk.

Despite his cold voice, he was a fair teacher and had been teaching Latin for the past ten years. A few kids raised their hands tentively and he looked at Sophia, who was sitting next to Josh, not paying attention.

"Miss Stairman," He said,

She turned her head so quickly and giggled nervously, twirling her hair before opening her mouth,

"Ubi est vinum?" She asked, hopeful. Jenkins saw Josh shake his head slightly, his eyes glittering with amusement. Josh knew the answer, but why hadn't he raised his hand?

"That's not even close," He said crisply, "Study your words a little more closely, Miss Stairman. Mr. DuGrey, care to give us a guess?" He asked, smiling, wondering if his hunch was accurate.

Josh looked straight at him, alarmed, and after hesitating, "Nonne tibi vinum vult?" He said, enunciating perfectly.

Mr. Jenkins looked at him, surprised, "Correct, Mr. DuGrey,"

Josh nodded and looked back down, finishing up writing the volcab. words. He didn't seem surprised that his answer was right. Jenkins decided at that point that Josh DuGrey was too advanced for this class, despite having never taken Latin before and being two months behind.

A shame that other students weren't as diligent as young Mr. DuGrey.

The teacher glanced up at the clock, "Alright, class is over. Mr. DuGrey, stay behind,"

Everyone shuffled out and Josh looked at him, a little confused. He pulled up his Redding uniform sleeves, a little nervous. The teacher shut the door and looked at him,

"You've never taken Latin before?"

"No sir," Josh said honestly, "I did Spanish at my last school, and I was supposed to do Spanish here, but Dad thought I'd do better at a different language, because my grades weren't too great in Spanish,"

"Your father was right," Mr. Jenkins said, "You have the highest grade in this class-a 94 percent"

"Whoa," Josh laughed, "Wow,"

"I'd like to know how you connected so well to this language," Mr. Jenkins added, "I've never seen any students at a high school level take to it this quickly,"

"Well," Josh laughed, embarrassed, "I like this language. There's something fun in like," He shook his head, "Like in decoding the words and figuring out the English version. It's like a puzzle or something,"

"A puzzle," Jenkins chuckled, "I've never heard it described like that," He smiled again and Josh was a little put off,

"I'd like to have you join my Latin II class. They should be more up to your speed,"

"Are you serious?" Josh asked, amazed

"Here," Mr. Jenkins handed him a Latin dictionary and a few new workbooks, "You'll need to catch up a little, but it's nothing you can't handle,"

"Thank you," Josh said, after stuttering a little. The bell rang and Mr. Jenkins sighed,

"I'll write you a note. Who's your next teacher?"

"Mrs. Rivers," He said

"I'll definitely write you a note," Mr. Jenkins said, chuckling,

"She's quite a stickler, Mr. DuGrey,"

He handed the yellow note to Josh and Josh walked away, dazed, for lack of a better word. The three agents trailing the fair-haired boy followed, muttering explanations back to their correspondents who would in turn, inform his father of the news in less then fifteen minutes.

Jenkins shook his head. Joshua DuGrey would prove to be one of his more interesting students.

---

Rory tapped the wheel of her Toyota several times, waiting for Riley and Cy in the parking lot of their elementary school. In the days that passed, she had thought of nothing little past Logan's offer to move her to D.C.

In the distance, she spotted two boys, one with hair that was growing back in spots-unfortunately-and the other with perfect locks of blond hair that didn't look uneven. Riley pointed to the car and both boys ran up, holding their backpacks and chattering excitedly. Rory smiled. Riley and Cy were like caffeinated drinks in human form. Listening to them was like regenerating and then collapsing from exhaustion after a few hours.

"Mom, you wouldn't believe it!" Riley climbed into his mother's Toyota, eyes glittering. Cy followed him, plunking himself down. His soft brown eyes were shining too, and his lip appeared a little swollen, as if someone had been heavily making out with the eleven year old or more likely, he had gotten into a nasty fight.

"Cy, your lip," Rory said, amazed. She wondered briefly where the band-aids were. However, she knew that Finn had taken the first aid kit the other day when he, Jamey, and three of Jamey's friends went figure skating.

"Oh," Cy reached up to touch it, "I was trying to do a soccer move and got a face plant instead, but I did accomplish the forward dribble and cross reverse that Uncle Finn's been teaching me!"

"Huh," Rory frowned, but that did make more sense, then fighting or a liplock.

Cy was always the peacemaker and his reaction towards the female species was one of disgust. Colin had been a late bloomer too, according to Logan, but Cillian already had a little girlfriend named Anna. Rory reckoned then, that Cillian took after his mother in that respect and his father in everything else. Callum had yet to be determined, being only six years old.

"Mom, focus," Riley pushed his worn green backpack into the back seat,

"Focusing," Rory smiled, "You two ready for kickboxing lessons?"

"Totally," Cy made a few fake punches, "I think I can take Tucker this time. I've been practicing,"

Rory shook her head slightly. Cy's life was soccer, but he and Riley had discovered the art of kickboxing last year when Lorelai had dragged the two of them and Tucker to her first class.

Lorelai had given up on the exercises, but the boys had liked the classes and Rory found herself shipping Riley and Cy down to Stars Hollow twice a week for classes with Tucker at Miss Patty's dance studio. She didn't mind too much, because she could hang out with Lorelai for two hours before getting the boys back upstate for soccer practice or whatever.

"Anyway, a bunch of us boys are playing kickball," Riley interjected, "It's with this real big ball, that was nice and bouncy. Cy was pitching and Tommy was up for the count. I was fielding second, when Cy rolls the ball and Matt tries to steal third. Tommy pops up the ball, and I caught it, easy as pie, before Matt could get to the base and threw it to the first baseman who struck out Dan," Rye smiled brightly, "Just like that, with the bases barely loaded, we got three outs in one play!"

"It was awesome, Aunt Rory," Cy agreed, smiling, "Riley was the hero of recesstime until Chris B started to choke on a piece of apple and Mr. Mahon did the Heimlich Manouver on him. That was awesome too, and even cooler is that they're doing an assembly instead of class tomorrow to show everyone safety tips and I hope I get picked as a volunteer to be a pretend burn victim again,"

He held his arms up, grinning, "Stop. Drop. Roll,"

"Oh Cy," Rory smiled. Cy was just so memorable sometime.

"That was just...awesome, the whole day," Riley grinned, "I don't think this day could get any better!"

"Huh," Rory said, thinking about the move. That'd certainly put a damper on Rye's day, and Cy's as well. The two boys were close friends and Rory didn't feel right pulling them apart. However, this move was for a good thing. And she did need to explain this to Riley, the earlier the better.

Everyone else already knew, her mother, Dean, Miss Patty, Luke, Tucker, Steph, Colin, and Finn. She was letting Finn take care of explaining it to Jamey, which would be pretty simple as long as she was bribed. Riley though, he was ten years old and his life was Manhattan. Washington D.C was something completely new and different.

"Riley, I hate to spoil your mood," Rory said seriously, "I wasn't going to tell you like this, but the folks in Stars Hollow already know and I'm not keen on you two finding out from Tucker, or worse, Miss Patter."

"What?" Riley asked, confused. He looked at Cy, who shrugged.

"Well," Rory sighed, looking ahead, not wanting to look in the mirror, in the eyes of her blue eyed boy, "Logan gave me a very generous job, which involves a promotion and a pay raise,"

"Cool," Riley smiled, "You deserve it, Mom,"

"The catch is," Rory added quickly, "He wants me to move full time to Washington D.C. with him and do my job from the R&J building,"

"What?" Riley asked, laughing

"It actually started with Finn," Rory explained, "He's relocating to D.C for...different reasons. Finn asked Logan if he'd find a job for me down there so Jamey doesn't have to go through any ugly custody battles,"

"Are you guys moving?" Cy asked, frowning

"Yeah," Rory said softly, "I signed the papers just before I left to pick you two up,"

"What?" Riley repeated, but Rory knew that he was just saying that for effect.

"We've found a nice school for you," Rory added, "It's a private one though, so there's a dress uniform required, but it would be for you and Jamey, not to mention it's only three minutes away from the house Finn secured for the four of us. He's registering you two for enrollment starting next month,"

"We move in a month?" Riley asked

Rory slowed to a stop, now in front of Miss Patty's studio, turning to look at Riley, smiling bravely, "Yes, and I need you to be a good little soldier for me. Now Dean's going to take you out to dinner and Steph's going to pick up Cy and Tucker and take them to their respective homes, okay, kiddo?"

"Does Dad know?" Riley asked, not knowing what else to ask. He felt overwhelmed.

"Yeah," Rory smiled sadly, "Dean wasn't happy about it, but I agreed to work over the custody agreements and you'll spend two weekends of every month with him from now on,"

"Oh," Riley said softly, nodding, "I don't wanna move,"

"Well-" Rory sighed, "We all have to do things we don't want to do sometimes, buddy,"

"Why does he hafta do this?" Cy asked, confused, "Cause my dad could give you a job here if Uncle Logan doesn't want workin' here,"

"As much as I would adore being Colin's secretary, Cy," Rory smiled, "I love my job and working in Washington D.C. is only going to bring me more good things, which will bring Riles and Jamey good things,"

"But what about our soccer team?" Cy persisted, "Riley's our best forward!"

"We're moving two days after your last game, Cy," Rory said, "Logan was nice enough to make sure that you guys could finish out the season,"

"Rory!" Lorelai waved to her, smiling, wearing a pair of giant tinted sunglasses and utterly oblivious to Tucker's practice punches next to her.

"Mom!" Rory smiled, "Okay boys, file out. Tucker's here and you guys gotta get to class,"

"Fine," Riley sighed, opening the door with as much force as he could muster and slamming it shut. Cy did the same thing, minus the force, being too timid to do something so brazen. He could be quite a wuss sometimes, while Riley was a force of nature, but Cy was certainly something special.

"Hey guys!" Tucker ran toward them, "I perfected my roundhouse kick transition!"

"Oh yeah?" Cy asked, almost cockily, though he was never really cocky, only cheeky, "I did the flip with the ball last weekend and I can totally do it again, only with my feet of steel,"

"We gotta work on your trash talk, man," Tucker laughed, and the three boys went in, chattering excitedly. Rory closed her door, sighing. She rubbed her arms, as if she was suddenly cold, but there wasn't any wind and she was wearing a thin coat in eighty degree weather.

"Hey hon," Lorelai smiled, "If it isn't my long lost daughter!" She hugged Rory, who laughed

"Mom, it's only been...yeah, it's been a while," Rory admitted, smiling,

"And now you're moving in a month and I'll never ever see you again," Lorelai said, adapting a sad voice.

"I'm actually flying up with Riley when he comes to see his father, so I'll actually see you about the same amount I saw you before I moved," Rory smiled, chuckling, "Ready to tell me what duct tape, Luke's broken arm, Kirk, and Cher have in common? I've been dying to know,"

"All right," Lorelai laughed, "It was Town Meeting, so imagine our barn filled with the inhabitants of the town,"

"Imagining," Rory said dutifully, walking with Lorelai to Luke's, "Andrew and Gypsy are fighting over Andrew's car from when it ended up over the lake. Andrew says Gypsy sunk it in the lake on purpose and Gypsy says that Andrew snuck in and stole said car so he could sue her and-"

"It ends up being Kirk, who puts a brick on the gas instead of Andrew's malfunctioning brake and Kirk is thrown in the lake," Lorelai finished Rory's hypothetical tale, "Different story beginning. Pretend everyone is actually quiet. Everyone, even Taylor,"

"Why?" Rory asked

"Because a shirtless Kirk has stepped out wearing mascara, a black wig, and a pair of black tights, topped off with one of these Cher-type skirts," Lorelai said honestly, "To be exact, the skirt was gold, with Cher's image in black all over it. Very Andy Warhol-"

"Look at you, trying to use edgy words," Rory laughed, "You have to be kidding though. Kirk, well, he wouldn't, I mean, well, okay, I can believe that a little. As long as he didn't start to sing.

Lorelai nods, grinning, "Oh yeah, babe. Kirk was very Cher from Sonny and Cher,"

"Oh my," Rory laughed

"In Kirk's defense, he was told that even movie stars wear makeup and Scottish men wear skirts, so as he has an 'unusually high pitchy voice'-Kirk's words, not mine-he thought it'd be better to emulate Cher, rather then Sonny," Lorelai explained

"What'd Taylor do?" Rory asked

"Nothing," Lorelai laughed, "He just stood there, stunned as Kirk signaled Miss Patty to begin the music. As soon as he opened his mouth, glass broke, I swear."

She laughed, "Taylor tried to stop him, but he was too slippery. However, Luke walks up like a superhero to save us from the Evil Voices, and grabs a piece of Kirk's skirt. Kirk chose that fateful moment to twirl, and Luke lost his balance, slamming against the piano and breaking his arm in three places as Kirk's torn skirt showed us that he had actually duct taped a few male parts down, so they wouldn't 'jostle', as he put it,"

"Eww," Rory made a face

"Kirk made that Sanjaya guy look like Josh Groban, I swear," Lorelai smiled, and they both collapsed into giggles, walking away.

---

Tristin sighed, not sure what to make of this. He rubbed his eyes several times.

"You have recorded my son's private phone calls? Without their or my own consent?" He looked at the CIA agents, frowning

The agent had the decency to look properly abashed, "Protocol sir. We usually tape over all their records, but in the case of Joshua, he's speaking to a woman in Brazil named Aurelia Maria Carlos, the fourteen year old daughter of Alberto Carlos, the Brazilian billionaire who owns cacao fields all over the world, mainly in Africa and South America,"

"Okay," Tristin said

"Alberto Carlos has lived in the United States for the last six years since the Brazilian revolt in Rydell's presidency. Aurelia is his daughter from the first marriage, and he has a second wife and three children here. As for Aurelia, she lives at a boarding school, which Joshua has called every night at eight o'clock to nine o'clock, talking in Latin to each other,"

"Latin?" Tristin asked

"We thought it best to decode their messages, so we brought in professionals," The agent explained, "Nothing alarming, and the family passed the background check with nary a parking ticket."

"Latin?" Tristin asked, "So that's why Josh's grades are improving so drastically!" He chuckled, "Agent Markwell, I'd like you to inform the three boys that you are listening to what they say on the phone,"

"We informed them at orientation, sir," He said

"I'd like you to repeat that information, then," Tristin added, "And include the bit about the Latin professional if you really feel it's necessary to the survival of the American people," Tristin smiled, eyes twinkling.

"Yes sir," The agent said sheepishly

---

"Mommy?" Jamey asked, looking smaller and more docile then she was at six years and three foot nine. Her mousy brown hair was in a ponytail and she wore pink pajamas with frills and lace at each collar.

"Jamey?" Rory smiled, looking at her little girl under the covers. She walked over to tuck in little Jamey.

"Riley says we're moving because you're in love," She said, "And Daddy too,"

"Um," Rory sighed, thinking about Tristin, "Riley shouldn't have told you that, sweetheart,"

"So it's not true?" Jamey asked, perplexed, "I don't mind moving, Mommy, if you an' Daddy are in love,"

"Finn's definitely in something," Rory smiled, chuckling, "I think Finn's love is more of an immense like. Like how Uncle Logan likes a girl and not anymore in a week,"

Finn hadn't been able to stop talking about the toweled girl since they'd come home. No wonder Riley had picked up on why Finn was so keen to uproot them to D.C.

"So Daddy's not in love?" Jamey asked

"He could be," Rory hastened to say, "Jamey, I don't think Finn's in love, but I do think that he could be in love, over time,"

"Oh," Jamey said, "And you, Mommy?"

"Well," Rory laughed, thinking again of Tristin. Wonderful, charming, sweet Tristin, "I have feelings for him. However, when I married Dean, I thought I was in love and-"

"He cheated on you," Jamey finished simply

"Something like that," Rory held Jamey's hand, "I suppose I need to trust him a little more before I really decide if I love him or not, babe,"

"So, we're moving to Washington?" Jamey asked, "But not for love?"

"We're moving to Washington D.C, because Uncle Logan wanted me to work there as a press correspondent with Tristin," She explained, "Finn's coming along, because he needs to open a few buildings in the area. It's not for love. If it was, I'd move somewhere like Paris with the guy I loved,"

"Oh," Jamey said, "If you get married, I'm the flower girl, right Mommy?"

"Of course," Rory laughed and kissed her, "Do you want Daddy to tuck you in?"

Jamey nodded, "He promised to tell me the story about when he exploded the doghouse,"

"Huh," Rory sighed, "Will you be my good girl, Jame? That means acting nothing like that incorrigible father of yours,"

"I can do that," Jamey smiled toothily

Rory laughed, kissing her on the cheek and walking into Riley's room, where Finn and he were playing with his little makeshift basketball area, as was their custom. Riley was wearing his prerequisite striped boxers and an oversized shirt, while Finn looked all the more comical in his flannel bottoms and silk top. Kids, Finn claimed, made men start dressing sloppily. Before Jamey, he wouldn't have been caught dead mixing the two fabrics.

"Jamey's all ready for Daddy," Rory teased, catching the ball. Finn nodded, hugged Riley before giving him a loud smack on the forehead before Riley pushed him away as they always did, and left. Riley smiled and climbed into bed.

Rory shook her head, "Dean-Loren Christopher Forrester-Gilmore Junior, what am I going to do with you and your tall tales?"

"Give me a longer name?" Riley asked sarcastically. After Rory gave him her patented silent glare he sighed, "I'm sorry for telling Jamey that you were moving to Washington D.C. because you and Uncle Finn were in love,"

"Wait," Rory frowned, "With each other?"

"No," Riley frowned, "I thought Uncle Finn was macking on some naked chick he met and you had a major Jones for the President,"

"Proper English, Rhys," Rory smiled, laughing

"Uncle Finn met a woman that he saw in the buff and wants to see her again. You like the President of the United States and both of these people happen to reside in our nation's capital," Riley said, grinning just like Jamey had moments before, promising not to be like her father.

"I knew you had some of my grammar in that ten year old boy mind of yours," Rory smiled, sitting down, "That is part of it, Riley, but I don't want Jamey to know about my love life and her father's as well. How do you know all that, anyway?"

"You tell Nana, Nana tells G.G., and everyone knows G.G. can't keep a secret," Riley said, grinning, "Sorry Mom. Jamey just asked and I assumed that she knew her mother and father didn't want to be romantically unsatisfied for most of her childhood,"

"Riley," Rory said, amazed, "Did you eat a thesaurus for breakfast or something?"

"Mom, I'm a lot smarter then I let on. It's a shame that I plan to become a world renowned dirt biker instead of using my smarts to benefit society," Riley beamed,

"Well, I want you to be happy, no matter what," Rory said, "And I also want me to be happy, so wear a helmet,"

"Always," Riley laughed, and then sobered up, "Look Mom, I'll tell Jamey that my information was mixed up and we happen to be moving due to the fact that my mother and Uncle Finn want a change of location,"

"Riley," Rory frowned

"Mom, you know if you pressured Uncle Logan enough, we'd stay here, and you know that you can make Uncle Finn stay here too. Are you really telling the truth when you say that President DuGrey has nothing to do with it?"

Rory's hand shook. "I hate that you know me too well, Riles,"

"I have to," Riley smiled, "Someone's gotta take care of us, and I'll trust Uncle Finn the day that pigs are digging tunnels to China,"

"Odd phrase to end that bit," Rory said

"Pigs are flying is so overused," Riley said, grinning

"I'm going to dinner with Tristin, Saturday night," Rory said softly, "That morning, he's going to be giving a speech at Race For A Cure, which they do every year. Come with me and you can decide if he's good for your old lady, huh?"

"I will," Riley said softly, "But I fully expect a hamburger and some coffee first,"

"You're my favorite son," Rory laughed, pecking him lightly

"I'll alert the media," Riley said, yawning.

---

Aly-I listened to a few Relient K songs. They're awesome.

Everyone Else- Thank you for the countless reviews. I know I've been unable to update a few times due to traveling issues and once more, a travel issue has come up. I won't be back until August. I know, I know, I suck, but so do most of the authors on my favorite stories page.

I can assure you all of one thing though: I have no plans to ever abandon this story. I will always let you all know if there is a reason for a prolonged absence. This story's going to end someday, and it will be with Tristin and Rory together forever. I just hope you will all stick around to see its ending, like those of you who committed to Gilmore Girls and saw it to its tragic ending in 2007.

Who here hates the CW for getting rid of GG, Everwood, and Veronica Mars? Those were the best shows ever, no contest.