Chapter ten
Fight Test
"Up!" the female voice of someone screeched. "Up. Get your butt up. Out of bed, now." This was so completely out of the blue that Lucas thought for a moment he was dreaming, so he decided it didn't matter whether or not he opened his eyes. So he kept his eyes shut because if it was a dream no one would get mad at him if he didn't open them.
"Lucas freaking Ugine Scott get your butt up out of bed, now!" the female screeched again. Lucas shot up in bed instantly. What the hell? Was that his Mom? Blinking, Lucas let his eyes adjust to the light, and when his vision came into focus, he was surprised to meet the face of a very angry Rory Gilmore.
Her cheeks were flooshed and she stood at the foot of his bed, dressed in jeans and a tank top, and he noted that there was a little bit of sweat on her forehead and her neck. What on earth was she doing here? It was...he checked his clock. It was eleven o' clock at night. Wasn't she suppossed to be with Haley, Lane, and Lorelai at a concert?
"Rory?" Lucas croaked. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the concert thing with your Mom and Haley and Lane?"
"I went to the concert thing," said Rory, irked.
"How was it?" Lucas said sitting up in bed.
"It was good," said Rory, still sounding irked, "until a little birdie landed on my shoulder and told me some very interesting news?"
"And what did this little birdie tell you?"
"Well, this little birdie first sang A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down and then, it chirped to me that something very interesting had occured between a certain friend and a certain ex-boyfriend of mine," Rory answered.
Lucas sighed. I won't kill Jess, he told himself, I won't kill Jess. I won't kill Jess. I'll just take my anger out on Dean. I won't kill Jess. I won't kill Jess.
"What did this birdie say had occurred between the friend and the ex-boyfriend?" said Lucas.
"Well," said Rory, "it seems that my ex-boyfriend and my friend made a deal about something involving basketball and myself."
"Two very good combinations," joked Lucas.
Rory gave him a look. "C'mon Luke," said Rory, "don't joke about this. What are you and Dean planning on doing?"
"Um, we became friends and are planning on starting a basketball team and using you as a cheerleader," Lucas lied joking.
"Oh, very funny Mr. Ramonoe," said Rory, sarcasm in her voice, "now please tell me, what are you planning on doing with Dean that involves myself and basketball?"
Lucas sighed. "Do I really have to tell you Rory?" he asked.
"Only if you like living," she answered.
"Well, that makes it so that there's no loophole," said Lucas.
"Nope," said Rory, "there's no loophole. Now come on, tell me."
"Look," said Lucas, "its no big deal. Dean just wants a basketball game to 'settle' things. If he wins, then I 'back off'----which I won't do, by the way. Then if I win, he 'backs off' which hopefully he will do. If its a tie, we both 'back off' but I know I won't be backing off. You're my friend, and it doesn't matter what Dean thinks to me."
Rory bit her lip. "You know," said Rory, "you don't have to play the basketball game. I mean, who cares about Dean? He's just being an idiot---I mean, he was an idiot before, but now he has just reached a new level of idioticness."
"I know I don't," said Lucas, "he most likely won't even remember it, knowing how much of a small brain he has. But you know, if it does happen, the basketball game, I want to. Not just because I like basketball, but also for you. Sounds completely cheesy, but I want to play for you. He's been such a jerk to you and if I can't beat him up, then you know, at least I can beat him at basketball."
Rory laughed. "You're a terd," she said, "I can't believe you went behind my back and set this up. I should have at least been there. At least I could have thrown some witty comeback in his face."
"Well," said Lucas smirking, "if it makes you feel better, I did punch him and give him a bloody nose."
Rory's eyes widdened. "You did not!" she exclaimed.
"Oh but I did," said Lucas.
"That rocks Luke," said Rory.
"Thank you," said Lucas, "I try."
"Hey," said Rory, "mind if I stay over here tonight?"
"Not at all," said Lucas, "crawl on in."
Rory smiled and did just that, crawling into his bed and then he pulled the sheets up over her. However, after a few moments, Rory realized for the first time that Lucas was shirtless as she went to go use his chest as her pillow again and found that there was no material seperating her from the skin, there was just skin.
Sitting up instantly, she said, "Um, Luke."
"Yeah Ror?" he said. "You okay? You're acting weird."
"Shirt," she said.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked.
"Shirt," she repeated, "you're not wearing a shirt."
"Thank you for noticing?" Lucas said, not quite getting the point that Rory was trying to make by noticing that he didn't have his shirt on.
"I'm sleeping in your bed and you have your shirt off," said Rory, "its odd."
"Rory," said Lucas, "c'mon. It's not that big of deal. I mean, we're just friends. It's not like anythings going to happen. So I'm shirtless, no big deal."
Rory couldn't help but stare at his chest. Who could blame her? It was just kind of out there for all the world to see. God, the boy was built. Really, really built. No, Rory, she told herself, he's your friend. He is Lucas. Friend. You can not be attracted to your friend.
"You've seen Dawsons Creek," said Rory, "you know what happened to Joey and Dawson."
"Yes," said Lucas, "and they slept in the same bed for years, and that was when he had a shirt on."
"And you have your shirt off," said Rory, "that's going to make things awkward."
"Ror," said Lucas, "I swear on my life that I will not let any secret desires that I have for you suddenly come out while we're sleeping, alright? You will still be my Jamie Sullivan in the morning."
"What is it with blonde guys giving me nicknames associated with innocence?" Rory said more so to herself.
"What?" Lucas asked.
"Nothing, that was a rehtorical question," said Rory.
Lucas just shook his head. Then, remembering that she had said his middle name earlier, he asked, "Hey. How'd you get my middle name?"
Rory smirked, his shirtlessness forgotten. "Haley," she said, "best friends can be particularly usefull."
"Evil," said Lucas, "should I be looking for a knife in the heart next?"
"Nah," said Rory, "a diamond. They're a girls best friend."
"Aren't you suppossed to be quoting Anne Frank and not Marilyn Manroe?" he asked.
"Well I only read The Diary of Anne Frank once, so, I'm excused," she said.
"So are we going to sleep anytime soon?"
"Only if you get to be my human pillow again," said Rory.
"Not worried about the no shirt thing anymore?"
"Call me Jamie in the morning and I will be fine," she answered.
Lucas smiled and then wrapped his arms around her and the two of them closed their eyes. But before they went to sleep, Rory said, "Night Dawson."
Lucas chuckled inwardly to himself and said, "Night Joey."
Rory snuck out of Lucas's house the next morning and went up the stairs of the porch to her house. She sniffed her jacket and smiled a little as it smelled like Lucas. Rory couldn't describe it but there was something about his smell. It was good, it was purely Lucas. Opening the door to her house, Rory walked inside and then went to the kitchen to find Lorelai sitting there, looking incredibly perky, and smiling.
"You're happy," said Rory.
"Yes, I am," said Lorelai, "you want to know why I'm happy?"
"Um, because you finally met Brad Pitt?" Rory guessed.
"Nope, try again."
"Tom Cruise?"
"Nope."
"I give up," said Rory, "tell me."
Then Lorelai rummaged through her jean pocket and took out a picture of a sleeping (and shirtless) Lucas with his arms around Rory. Rory got a horrified look on her face. "How did you get this?" She demanded.
"I came to see what was taking you so long last night at The Scott Boys residents, and low and behold, this is what I found when I entered the room of the youngest Scott," Lorelai informed her.
"Who let you take the picture?"
"Keith," said Lorelai, "after we laughed ourselves silly forever."
"Oh my god," said Rory, "I can't believe you got a picture of me sleeping with Lucas. Well not that kind of sleeping, but just, sleeping, sleeping, with eyes shut and him snoring and..."
"Do you want to keep on digging the hole? Because at the rate you're going, you are going to be in China by the afternoon," said Lorelai.
"I'm going to go get ready for school," said Rory in an effort to change the subject.
"Don't think I'm going to forget this."
"I can hope."
"Won't do you much good."
"I'll still hope," Rory called from within her room and she changed into her Chilton uniform and then put her hair into something resembling a pony tail and then went back out to the kitchen where Lorelai still was, "Okay. I'm ready. Let's go to Luke's."
"You were just there," Lorelai said, teasing.
Rory gave her Mother a look that cleary said "behave". "Not that Luke," said Rory, "Luke. Not Lucas. Luke."
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the other ones?"
"I'm sure," said Rory, "he'll be at Luke's anyway."
Lorelai snickered. "What?" Rory asked.
"Nothing," said Lorelai and then the two headed to Luke's (diner). Once at the diner, the two spotted Keith and Lucas sitting at a table in the corner and were waved over by t
he Scott boys to come and join them so they did just that.
"Hey Joey," Lucas greeted Rory.
"Hey Dawson," she said, smiling at the memory from last night.
Keith being a little confused, said, "Okay, I'm missing something here. Did you two get name changes without consulting the grownups first or something?"
"No," said Rory, "we just nicknamed each other last night."
"It was Rory's idea," said Lucas.
"And how exactly did this come up?" Keith asked.
Rory and Lucas both looked uncomfortable for a moment. Then Lucas spoke up and answered by simply saying, "It's a long story."
"Involving dirty slumber parties," Lorelai inputted, causing Rory and Lucas to both give her a look. Keith just shook his head, and inwardly laughed. There was an awkward silence in the air. Finally after what seemed forever, Jess came over to take their order.
"Hey," he said, "what can I get you?"
"Hey Jess," Lucas greeted.
"Hey Luke," Jess returned the greeting.
Lorelai looked between the two with an odd look on her face. "Okay," said Lorelai, "when did you two become Joey and Chandler?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "When did saying hi consitute as being Joey and Chandler?"
"When it was said between two people who have never met a day in their lives," said Lorelai.
"Um, Jess, you want to take those orders now?" Rory butted in attempting to deter the conversation.
"How do you know we've never met Lorelai? I mean, it's a small, small town," said Jess, "I could have met him any day of the week. He hangs out by the basketball court at school, I could have met him then."
"You don't play basketball," said Lorelai.
"Well, I started taking it up," said Jess sarcastically, "its a new hobby of mine."
"Food, please," Lucas interupted.
Lorelai ignored him and kept her focus on Jess. "When did you two meet Jess?" said Lorelai.
"Fine, you really want to know Lorelai? We met yesterday. I was walking home, saw him in a jam at the basketball court, helped him out," said Jess.
"Really?" said Lorelai. "Is that all you did? Because I don't think that's all that you did. I mean, we went home early from a concert to find out what you did."
"Well, I'm sorry I ruined your night with The Spice Girls," Jess said with sarcasm.
"Lorelai, really, all he did was help me out of a jam," said Lucas, "that was it."
"You don't have to defend him you know," said Lorelai, "he's a jerk, I know he is. If he did something to be a jerk, then you can just tell me here and now."
"Mom!" exclaimed Rory, horrified that she would even say something like that.
"What?" Lorelai asked.
"Outside, now," said Rory and she dragged a protesting Lorelai out the door of Luke's Diner.
"What was that about?" Rory demanded.
"I was trying to find out what he did to Lucas that had you so freaked out last night that we had to go home," said Lorelai.
Rory gave her Mother an irritated look. "Mom," said Rory, "Jess did nothing. He did nothing but help Lucas out of a tight spot."
"I don't believe it," said Lorelai, "you were mad last night after you ran into him and that can only lead me to believe that he did something to Lucas."
"He did nothing to Lucas," said Rory.
"Then who did? Because I have never seen you so pissed."
Rory hesitated before answering. She really didn't want to tell her Mother about the basketball game that Dean and Lucas had set up and the near fight that the two had gotten into. Because if she did, now that her Mom was on a roll, she would go directly over to Doose's and yell at Dean for being an ass. Not that she minded the idea of her Mom yelling at Dean, but still, that would just be a little bit embaressing and Rory had no desire what so ever to be embarressed.
"Dean," she finally answered, "Dean was the one who messed with Lucas."
"Unfreakingbelievable," said Lorelai, "what did he do?"
"He came over to the basketball court yesterday when Lucas and Nathan were playing and then he harrassed them, and Jess came over to stop a fight from happening, and he stopped Dean from hitting Lucas," said Rory.
"Ugh," said Lorelai, "I can't believe I thought he was a good first boyfriend for you."
"Not your fault," said Rory, "we all have bad judgement."
"Sorry," said Lorelai.
"Apology accepted," said Rory.
Lorelai, a smile creeping up on her face, then said, "So tell me that Lucas at least got to punch Dean."
Rory smirked. "Made him get a nose bleed and all," she said.
"That's our Dawson," said Lorelai.
"Hey," said Rory, "my nickname for him."
"Well, what do you want me to call him then?"
"I dunno," said Rory, "Jock Boy?"
"Huh," said Lorelai, "that works."
"So," said Rory, "you want to go somewhere else for breakfast after the scene in there?"
"Yeah," said Lorelai, "we'd better."
Later that day at school, Rory and Lucas sat together at a table for lunch. "So," said Rory, "how long is the Naley going to stay here?"
"The what?"
"It's my nickname for Peyton and Haley," said Rory.
"Ah," said Lucas, "they're going to stay for the basketball game and then they're going home after that."
"Aw," said Rory, "Haley and I were becoming attached to the hip."
"Well, you've still got Lane and I attached," said Lucas.
"That's something," said Rory.
"So," said Lucas, "how was dinner with the grandparents last friday?"
"Eh," said Rory, "the usual. Mom said something to make Grandma mad and she sat in silence the whole night picking at her food and left muttering something about running her over with a car."
"Dude," said Lucas, "you have to record those things for me."
"Ah," said Rory, "not something you'd want to go to though."
"Nah," said Lucas, "your Mom has made your Grandmother sound scarier then the guy from that movie Saw."
"She's not that bad," said Rory.
"I still think I'll pass," said Lucas.
"So," said Rory, changing the subject, "whens the basketball game?"
"Wensday," said Lucas.
Rory raised an eyebrow. "Really?" she said. "Odd day."
"Odd guy," said Lucas, "he said that was the only time that he could get out of his shift at Doose's."
"When did you guys decide this?"
"He left a message on my cell phone that I got this morning," said Lucas.
"How'd he get your cell phone number?" Rory asked.
"I'm still drawing a blank there," he said, "but you know, its a small town."
"That it is," agreed Rory.
Just then, Paris Gellar came up to their table, looking slightly paranoid. "He's here," she said.
Rory and Lucas both gave her an odd look. "Whose here?" they both asked at the same time.
"Jamie," said Paris.
Rory's eyes widdened. "No way," said Rory, "first date Jamie?"
"Yes, my first date Jamie," said Paris.
"Could someone please fill me in here?" said Lucas.
"I'll fill you in later," Rory assured him.
"Okay," said Lucas.
"So," said Rory, "aren't you going to talk to him?"
"He didn't call me," said Paris, "it's been weeks since that date in D.C. and he never once called me. Why should I go and talk to him?"
"Because he came here to see you for starters," said Rory.
"I don't know," said Paris, "what do I do? What do I say to him?"
"Hi, how are you?" Rory offered.
"Cute," said Paris sarcastically.
Rory laughed. "Look, Paris, the guy obviously came to see you, so why don't you just go and talk to him? Start with a nice hi, and then you'll go from there."
"Yeah, that might work," said Paris and Rory just rolled her eyes, and then Paris, smiling, said, "Thanks Rory. Bye Rory. Bye Lucas."
"Bye Paris," said Lucas as she left. Then, once she was out of earshot, he said, "Okay, that girls weird."
"But we love her for it," said Rory.
"So," said Lucas, "whose Jamie?"
Rory smiled and began feeling him in, "Jamie is this college guy who goes to Princeton and we met him while we were in D.C. and him and Paris were debate partners for this thing and..."
Wensday came quickly and the night of the basketball game arrived. "Hey, should I be wearing orange for this thing?" Lorelai asked as they were getting ready for it. "Or does Lucas have some sort of team colors he wants us to wear?"
"I don't know," said Rory, "but the team colors from his old school are black and blue."
"Huh, the colors of a bruise," said Lorelai, "very fitting for a basketball team."
"Indeed," said Rory.
"Rory?" the voice of Lane called as she entered.
"In my Mom's room," Rory called.
There was the sound of footsteps as she came up the stairs and Lane entered, looking festive with a 'Girls basketball' shirt on. "Nice," Rory complimented her on her attire.
"Thank you," said Lane.
"So," said Rory, "how'd you convince your Mom to let you go?"
"I lied and said I was going to an extra mandatory band practice," said Lane.
"I do believe Tree Hill is rubbing off of you," said Rory.
"Well, I wish it had rubbed off a lot sooner," said Lane.
Rory laughed. "Okay," said Lorelai, "I'm ready. Let's head out troops."
The three girls made their way to the Stars Hollow out door basketball court. There was a large group of people. Some of them were supporting Dean, those who knew Rory and Lorelai though and were from their neighborhood were supporting Lucas. Several carts were there selling an array of food and t-shirts and things and it looked more like a carnival then a basketball game.
"Wow," said Lane, "and I thought we went all out for the winter carnival."
"Yeah," said Rory.
"Well, that's Stars Hollow for you," said Lorelai, "we know how to turn anything into an excuse to hold a big event where junk food is served and souviners."
"Mmhm," said Rory.
"Hey, I see Nathan and Haley over there," Lane pointed out the married teens and the girls walked over to where they were.
"Hey, you made it!" Haley said. "Great!"
"Do I look like a girl who would miss a chance to see my best friend kick my ex-boyfriends ass?" said Rory.
"Nope," said Haley, and then, "Hey Lane, hey Lorelai."
"Hey," both girls greeted.
"Lucas went to go get his basketball from his truck since Dean didn't have one," said Nathan, "and he wanted you to go see him Rory. He's over in the school parking lot."
"Oh, okay," said Rory, "see you guys in a few."
"Ah, there's Sookie and Jackson," said Lorelai, "I'm going to go over there with my fellow peers, the adults. I'll see you guys later."
"Later," the teens said and then when Lorelai and Rory left Lane, Haley, and Nathan were left to talk amongst themselves.
"Hey Lane," said Haley, "do you know if Rory likes Lucas?"
"I dunno," said Lane, adjusting her coat, "she hasn't mentioned it to me and I'm usually the first person after Lorelai that she tells and she hasn't told Lorelai anything."
Then, Lane asked, "Why did Lucas say that he did?"
"No, Lucas didn't say that he did," said Nathan, giving Haley a look, "Haley is just determinded to play matchmaker between the two."
"Oh, stop, you make it sound like its a bad thing," said Haley, "I just think that they would make a really cute couple and all they need is an extra push to reach the step of becoming a couple."
"Haley, not everyone has to be in a relationship," said Nathan, "and Rory and Lucas don't want to be in a relationship right now."
Lane thought about it for a moment. "She is right," said Lane, "they would make a cute couple."
"See, she agrees with me," said Haley, "so you want to help me get them together?"
"Sure, just tell me what needs to be done," said Lane.
Nathan just shook his head ats the two girls started making plans for what they had dubbed operation True Love.
Meanwhile, in the parking lot, Rory found Lucas standing by his red truck. "Hey there Dawson," she said, smiling.
"Hey there Joey," said Lucas.
They sat there in silence and then Rory said, "What's up Luke? It seems like you've got something on your mind."
After a moment, Lucas said, "I don't have to do this if you don't want me too."
Then, Rory, confused, asked, "Do what?"
"The basketball game," he said.
"We already talked about this," said Rory.
"Yeah," said Lucas, "but yesterday at the diner with your mom..."
Rory just smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry about that Luke," she said, "that was nothing. That was just something else. It had nothing to do with you."
"Are you sure?" said Lucas.
"I'm sure," she said, "c'mon, grab your ball and lets go so you can kick Dean's butt."
Lucas smiled. "Alright," he said, and grabbed his basketball and the two of them walked back to where the basketball game was. Dean was there when he arrived, and waiting. When he noticed the two of them walk in, with Lucas having his arm around Rory, and Rory smiling, Dean shot them a nasty glare. Lucas just smiled and waved at him.
Then Rory went back off to where Nathan, Haley and Lane were and Lucas walked onto the court to where Dean stood in the middle, waiting. Lucas handed the ball to Taylor who was going to be the referree.
Rory watched all this as she stood with Nathan, Lane, and Haley. "God, I hope they don't kill each other," said Rory.
"Same here," the others echoed in agreement.
Jess walked up to them then rubbing his hands to keep them warm and said, "The gangs all here?"
"Yep," said Rory, "didn't think you'd want to be here."
"Well, Deans going to get his butt kicked," said Jess, "I wouldn't miss that for the world."
Rory smiled and shook her head and turned her attention back to where Lucas and Dean were in the middle of the court. Taylor had the basketball and was holding it in the middle between them.
"Now I want a nice, clean, game boys," he said with a warning look at the two of them, "first person to get fifteen points wins.Shirts vs. skins."
(A/N: I know nothing about basketball so bare with me here and please, I beg of you, do not rag on me for my lack of basketball knowledge, okay?)
Rory, hearing this, asked, "What does shirts vs. skins mean?"
Nathan was about to answer, but stopped when he heard Dean say, "Don't look at me, Taylor. I'm not freezing my butt off. I'll be shirts."
Nathan shouted, "Yeah, typical from an ass wipe." The crowd chuckled at this and Dean just glared.
"Oh, shove it, Daddy's boy," The Floppy Haired Jerk shouted back at Nathan.
"Gentlemen, if you please, I would like to get this show on the road," said Taylor, sounding annoyed.
Lucas rolled his eyes and then took off his shirt. He threw it to Rory and she caught it. "Oh," said Rory, her eyes wide as she looked at Lucas's chest, "that's what Shirts vs. Skins is."
Haley poked Nathan in the side and said, "See, I told you she liked him." Nathan just shook his head.
The conversation ceased as Taylor blew his whistle and both Lucas and Dean went for the basketball and Dean managed to grab the ball and started to dribble across the court to the basketball hoop and Lucas tried to get the ball from him and managed to grab it before he reached the hoop and went to make a shot but missed and this earned an "Ahhhhhh," from the crowd.
Lucas caught the ball, and a determined Dean tried to get it in his possession again, but Dean couldn't get it because Lucas was too fast for him. Lucas went to make another shot and then managed to make it in.
"Go blonde guy!" came a shout from Kirk in the audience from where Sookie, Jackson, and Lorelai were standing. Lorelai shook her head.
"His names Lucas, Kirk," she said.
"Oh," said Kirk, and then he shouted, "Go Lucas!"
Dean decided to play dirty then in a desperate attempt to get the ball and he elbowed Lucas in the nose, hard, making him bleed and knocking him over, and he got the ball. He ignored Taylors yelling of, "Fowl! That's a fowl young man!" and then he dribbled the ball and went to make a shot and made it in the hoop much to the pleasure of the enthusiastic Dean supporters.
The crowd was getting more entergetic as the game went on. Point for Dean, Point for Lucas, Point for Dean, no points for anyone, Point for Lucas, Point for Lucas, Point for Dean, Point for Dean, near point for Dean, but no cigar. Point for Lucas, Point for Lucas, Point for Lucas, Point for Lucas. Point for Dean, and Dean again. No points for anyone.
It kept on going on like this.
The game went on for quite some time and Lucas and Dean were at a tie and it looked like no one was going to win. Back in the middle once again, Lucas and Dean were having a staring contest as they were waiting for Taylor to blow the whistle so they could go for the ball again.
"You know," said Dean to Lucas, "you might as well give up now. You can't win this Scott."
This next shot would be the last point. Both of them had fourteen now. One of them would win the game if someone made this shot.
"You know what," said Lucas, "I'm going to win this. And when I win this, this, this will be for Rory and all the shit that you tried to pull with her."
Dean just glared and then Taylor blew the whistle. Lucas got the basketball faster then you could say 'supercalafrenchalipsticexpaladocious'. Faster then an eyeblink, he was down the court, dribbling the ball, and he made his shot.
But it didn't go in; instead the ball circled around the rim of the hoop.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The crowd was holding their breath for fear that if they let it out it could cause the outcome of the game.
"C'mon," Rory breathed.
Then, almost as if the basketball had heard her, it went directly into the hoop. A loud cheer errupted from the Lucas supporters and they walked over to where Lucas was standing a look of relief on his face.
Dean sulked off of the court, and no one noticed, nor cared when he went.
Rory ran up to Lucas and he caught her in his arms, twirling her around. "You did it! You did it!" she squealed.
"I know," said Lucas.
"I told you that you could," said Rory.
Jess came up from behind and patted Lucas on the shoulder. "Good game, Luke," he said, "thanks for kicking his ass for me."
"You're welcome," said Lucas, "although it wasn't for you, it was for Rory."
Rory smiled. "You're sweet," she said.
Jess shook his head at the two. "Whatever," he said, "still. Thanks. Congratulations on the win."
"Thank you man," said Lucas, "I'll see you later."
"Yeah," said Jess, "Later."
Lorelai walked up to where the two teenagers were in the middle of the crowd. "Okay," she said, "you are my new favorite person. Seriously. After Rory, of course, and Lane, and the other Luke. But after them, you are my favorite person. Thank you so much for kicking Dean's butt."
Lucas laughed. "You're welcome," he said, "I want to go talk to Nathan and Haley so we'll see you later."
"K," said Lorelai, and then, turning to Rory, "I assume you want to go to the victory party for hero boy over there, so I will see you later."
"Okay," said Rory, "later."
"Not too late because you've got school in the morning and if you're going to have one of your sleepovers with Dawson over there, call me, okay?" said Lorelai.
Rory just shook her head. "Will do," she said.
Rory and Lucas walked over to where Haley and Nathan were. "Hey," she said to Lucas, "I've got your shirt."
"So you do," said Lucas, "can I have it?"
"Nah," said Rory, "we've become attached to one another."
"Ah, well, you can keep it then."
"No need," said Rory, "I was just joking." She rummaged through her purse and found the shirt for him and he put it on. They found Nathan and Haley there but Lane had gone home directly after the game ended because it was nearing her curfew.
"Hey there, winner," said Haley.
"Good game bro," said Nathan.
"Thanks," said Lucas.
"It was a very good game," said Rory, "I'm not a basketball fan, but after that, I think I'm converting."
"Nice to here," said Nathan, laughing, then turning to Lucas, he said, "so Nathan and Haley and I are going to stay for a few more days."
"Yeah," said Haley, "I can't leave you yet. I've become too used to having you around again."
Lucas was a little confused. "What about school?"
"Peyton's getting our stuff and sending it to us at the inn," said Nathan.
"Well, this is nice," said Rory, "what brought this about?"
"I'm going to drag Nathan antique shopping to get some stuff for the appartment," said Haley.
"Sure you are, Hales," said Nathan with a little sarcasm. But if Rory and Lucas noticed it, they didn't say a word.
Haley just smiled.
"Hey you want to come with us? We were going to go get coffee or walk around or something," offered Lucas.
"Nah, we'll celebrate with you later," said Haley, "we're both tired and are going to hit the sack."
"I thought that you wanted to cel-----" Nathan started to say something but Haley nudged him in the hip.
"Are you sure?" said Rory. "We'd love it if you'd join us."
"We're sure," said Haley, and then faking a yawn, she said, "We're completely beat."
"Okay then," said Rory, "we'll see you later."
"Yeah," said Haley, putting Nathan's arms around her, "later."
Nathan just shook his head. "Later you guys," he said.
The two walked off and as soon as they were out of ear shot, Nathan said, "What was that about?"
"Well, the more alone time they get, the better."
"Whatever, cupid." Nathan smiled and hugged her closer to them as he walked them back to their car.
Rory and Lucas watched the married couple walk off and smiled. "So," said Rory, "how much do you want to bet that they're going off to have sex?"
"Five bucks," said Lucas.
"You're on," she said, smiling.
"So," said Lucas, "coffee and pie?"
"Sounds good," she said and the two walked off together, Lucas being told "Congratulations" for what must have been at least a million times by people. As they walked the streets of Stars Hollow to where ever it was to go get food, Rory could have sworn she saw her Mom, Lorelai, and Keith walking down the street together, but she brushed it off, shaking her head at the thought.
"You okay?" Lucas asked, noticing the weird expression on her face.
"Yeah," said Rory, "I'm fine."
The two kept on walking.
"To be continued" (A/N: Specifically for LoVe23. Hoped you liked this "episode".)
A/N: So, there's chapter ten. I hope I didn't describe the basketball game too horribly. Basketball fans, if you want to throw something at me, please let it be pillows. As I said, I know NOTHING about the game. I want to thank Mar0506 for adding me to the c2 community and all forty-seven people who have added this story to their favorites list. It means a lot to me, as I've mentioned like a million times, but I still feel really special when people do that. :)
Thanks to:
Sexyheather910x
forevercynical-Yes, I agree with you. "It's Rory and I" was the best line in Ch. 9. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks I'm glad you think that I have talent.
Lori2279
OTHlover04
kylie1403: I hear ya sister. Dean sucks.
Lolitaro fan of j.r.a
beautymarked: Gah. Exams. I hope they went okay for you. And hey, no worries about not reviewing. No biggie.
mar0506: Aw, thanks Marisol. I'm happy you added it to your c2 community. I'm really glad you liked it.
gHetOnErD: Glad to be of service. ;)
beautifulbutterfly: Glad you liked the chapters. Yeah, Lucas comforting Rory is definately something he would do. Glad you agree. And I love writing Jess parts, so there will be more to come from him.
Druzilla: Yeah, I thought "Everything" was a Trory song too, and it seemed fitting for Rory and Lucas as well. I got the "Smallville" soundtrack the day before yesterday and I was listening to it when I wrote the chapter. It was weird about Adam Brody. I seriously didn't know it was him. I saw Mr and Mrs. Smith and he had a small part in it then I bought GG season three and I here his voice when Dave leaves a message for Lane about the band at the Gilmore Girls house and then at the end of the town meeting when he and Lane meet and I was all, Woah! Its The O.C. dude. I tried watching The O.C. but I couldn't. Every time, I would just crack up laughing at the characters for the stupidity. Adam is no longer on my hate list for actors though, because of the Gilmore Girls thing. He is forgiven for The O.C. To other The O.C. fans out there, know that I TRIED to get into it. I really, really did. I watched it at least ten times before I gave up on it completely.
Poetic Angelica: Aw. Glad that the voiceover to Lifehouse was smile worthy. And I hoped you liked the basketball face off.
jmarit17:Aw, don't feel too bad for Jess. He'll go to Tree Hill with them in a few chapters and get TWO love interests. So, no worries about Jess's love life. I'm glad you liked the basketball court thing. There will be more Nathan and Dean interaction to come. There was a little bit but not much in this chapter. I'm glad you liked it. Aw, the stories on your top ten? I'm pleased. Thank you, Kellie.
Lackinglime123
Sum41rocks: It amazes me that people don't know Switchfoot is a christian rock band. You think that would be a common fact. I mean, it's a little obvious. I figured that out the instantI saw them on The A Walk to Remember soundtrack. They're a good band though. I will say that they're songs are getting overplayed, and it ticks me off that everyones obsessed with them now. I've liked them for three years. There used to be a time when I'd mention them and people would go, "Who?" I miss that. Ah, my friend, you've got good taste in music. I got the Lifehouse c.d. the other day and they're on the smallville soundtrack. Nice to know someone else who knows The Rock-n-roll-soldiers too. They rock my socks and are my recent music obsession. I plan on downloading their c.d. soon.
LoVe23: lol. I'm glad you liked it. Did you notice the "To be continued" at the end of the chapter? 'Cause I put it there for you.
solodancer : Ah, yes he is nuts for going to go see Rory in one in the morning. Lucas is slightly insane in the head. He's also in love too but he doesn't know it yet. P.S I agree. Lana CAN pull a Buffy and kick ass. Especially this season. Damn, the girls kick on the season finale when she kicked Jason's Mom was good. Did you see that? I remembered that when I got your review.
katydid7186: There's two scenes of skin for ya!
TiCkLeDpInK: Well, the hero DOES always win. lol. I like friendly Jess too. He's fun to write.
Thanks you guys. For the millionth time, you all rock. If any of you have aol instant messanger or even aol and wanna talk, my aol screen name is Msbudclyde and my aim screenname is TutorgirlHaley. I.M me whenever. Just ask if its WittyHeroine from and give me your penname on here and I'll talk to you. I'm in desperate need of people to talk to as I'll be going up to Montana for the summer and my friends are like, NEVER on.
Love n' stars,
Cambria