Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.

Notes: I am sooooo sorry for the delay updating. Things got really crazy in my life for a while, but things are going better now and updates should be more frequent. :) Thanks for your patience. I also like to thank each and every one of you who reviewed, favorited and followed! It means so much to me!

Rory sprang through the door to Luke's at 10:25, her smile bright and expectant.

Jess was noticeably dressed down today- jeans, tshirt and his favorite leather jacket. He and Luke were chatting as Jess made some more coffee; neither had noticed Rory yet.

Quietly, Rory walked up behind Jess and tapped one shoulder before moving the other direction, failing to stifle a giggle.

Jess turned around and saw a blur of brown hair. "Rory?"

"Boo!" she said, dying of laughter.

Jess grinned and pulled her into a hug. "Good morning to you too."

Snuggling into his arms, Rory sighed happily. "It's good now."

Jess kissed her cheek. "Go sit, I'll bring you coffee."

"Such a gentleman." Rory pranced away to a table, Lorelai following her as she came through the door, waving a hello to the guys.

"She ran off and left me."

Jess grabbed a second coffee cup and filled them both up. "Luke's busy, so I'll be taking your orders."

Rory tilted her head. "You pulling a shift? That's something I never thought I'd see."

"You know I can cook."

"Well yeah."

Luke called Jess back to the kitchen right as Jess was about to respond. "Back in a sec."

Rory nodded and looked at Lorelai. "If he didn't already own a multinational corporation, I'd be worried he was gonna put me out of a job!"

Lorelai laughed. "Yeah well be grateful kiddo."

Jess came back a few minutes later, "Okay, what'll it be?" He took his notepad out.

"I'll have the pancakes, with a side of bacon," Lorelai said.

"Two chocolate muffins and are you not eating with us?" Rory asked, concerned.

Jess flashed her a smile. "I'll be eating with you, I've been working since he opened at 5am."

"Been busy then?" Lorelai asked.

"Yea, plus we got in the week's shipment."

"Yikes," Rory said quietly. Shipments meant some juggling when the place was busy.

Jess went back to the kitchen to bring their food out. His and Rory's was easily gotten, Lorelai's was mid-cooking.

"Thanks babe," Rory said when he sat her muffins down.

Jess took a seat by Rory.

"And where's mine?" Lorelai asked.

"Luke is still cooking yours, said he'd bring it out in a few minutes."

Lorelai hmpfed good naturedly. "I swear he does it on purpose."

"I do not." Luke set Lorelai's plate down a few moments later.

"Uh huh. Suuuure you don't," she said, grabbing a piece of bacon and taking a bite.

"By the way, be ready at 7, I'm taking you to dinner." with that Luke headed back in the kitchen.

Lorelai choked a bit. "Wait WHAT?!" She tossed her bacon strip down on her plate and got up to chase after him. "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?"

"Well that went well," Rory said as she took a sip of her coffee.

"You're welcome." Jess grinned and took a sip of his coffee.

"I appreciate you convincing him," Rory said, breaking open a muffin as they listened to the sounds of yelling, followed by clattering dishes, more yelling, and then a suspicious silence. "Want a bite?"

"Yes."

Rory broke off a bit of muffin and held it out towards him. "Open."

Jess opened his mouth.

Rory popped the bit of muffin into his mouth. As she withdrew her hand, Lorelai drifted back out into the dining room, looking slightly dazed. "He's taking me to dinner," she murmured. "I have nothing to wear..."

"He likes that blue dress you wore to some Dragonfly dinner thing," Jess piped up after he swallowed the bit of muffin Rory gave him.

Lorelai nodded, still on a high. "Rory, we'll have to...do my hair." She took a bite of bacon. "And, and find the shoes..."

"We will Mom," Rory said gently, fighting to hold back laughter.

"Oh, and before I forget, Rory's gonna be in the new issue of GQ with me." Jess finished his toast.

"What was that?" Lorelai asked dreamily.

"Rory's gonna be in the new issue of GQ with me, hits stands tomorrow." Jess stood and grabbed Rory's hand, wanting to make their escape.

Lorelai blinked and seemed to come back to herself. "She's gonna be in GQ with you? When did this happen?"

Jess looked towards Rory. "After we had dinner."

Lorelai looked to Rory.

"It sort of got sprung on us. The lady doing the interview was...well Jess said she was trying to hit on me, but I really don't know."

Lorelai looked back to Jess. "Was she hitting on her?"

"I wouldn't say hitting on her, but she was definitely attracted to Rory."

Rory shook her head. "I still say no, but whatever. She wanted a shot or two of us together for the spread. Which, by the way, you," she said, poking Jess in the ribs, "never told me what it was officially for."

"GQ's 30 Under 30 Business Edition. I uh...made #1. So I got a four page spread and the cover."

Rory looked rather smug and Lorelai's jaw hit the floor. "Of course you did," Rory said proudly.

Lorelai shook her head. "Number one on a GQ 30 Under 30 list and my daughter happens to be dating you, and is in your photo spread, no biggie." She was slightly breathless and sounded anxious.

Jess looked a bit shy but tried to play it off. "I wasn't expecting it either, but I got a call while I was in San Francisco."

"San Francisco? Were you there on business?" Lorelai asked, cradling her coffee in her hands.

"Yea, I had meetings scattered out. Just finished up in Hartford yesterday. I had meetings in Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Hartford. This week I have a meeting in London with the Euro 5 and in Dubai directly following."

Rory glanced at him while Lorelai nodded appreciatively. "So what does that mean for you and Rory?" Lorelai asked quietly, her tone carefully neutral.

"It shouldn't have much of an effect. I just took over the company; right now I'm securing contracts and meetings with clients. That should be wrapped up by this week, then I'll be working solely out of New York and occasionally Hartford."

"So you wouldn't normally be the one going to these meetings? Your job as head of the company is much more stationary?" Lorelai clarified.

Jess nodded. "I'd only have to travel a few times a year for meetings once everything is wrapped up. If they happened to fall during a break or holiday Rory, you, and Luke would be more than welcome to come along. I fly privately."

Lorelai's eyebrows flew up. "Privately as in private jet privately? Wow. You've got serious money kid."

"Yea...private jet. But I didn't have much access to any of this 'til recently. Jimmy was a selfish bastard. I grew up in dingy apartments in less-than-stellar neighborhoods. My high school was an absolute shithole."

Rory grabbed Jess' hand and gave it a squeeze.

Lorelai cradled her coffee cup in her hands. "Huh. I never would have guessed."

"This is where I used to live." Jess took out his phone and pulled up a picture of the sorry excuse of an apartment building he used to live in.

Lorelai looked at the picture and shuddered. "I'm glad you're out of there, kid. But where do you live now?"

"One MiMa Tower in the Midtown/Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan." Jess pulled up another picture.

Lorelai choked on her coffee a bit as her eyes bugged out of her head. "Good lord."

Rory piped up. "He has the penthouse level."

Jess shot Rory a look of faux betrayal.

Lorelai's eyes squinched shut and she pressed a hand to her forehead. "That's where you'll be if you ever go visit him in New York?" Lorelai asked quietly. "And there aren't even neighbors to keep you two decent."

"I have a guest room." Jess offered.

Lorelai sighed. "I'm just gonna pretend I don't know anything anymore."

Rory took that as their cue to leave and led Jess out of the diner.

Rory and Jess had decided to go to the bridge for the afternoon, more to distance themselves from the frantic energy that was Luke and Lorelai than anything else. "I almost regret setting them up," Rory mused. "I mean, it's about time but the accompanying freak out is not...not good."

"I think they'll get over it though. First dates can be pretty nerve-wracking. Plus they've clearly been dancing around each other for ages."

"You have no idea." None too gently, Rory plopped down onto the edge of the bridge. "I've got something to ask you."

Jess took a seat beside her and angled to look at her. "Yea?"

"So I know that, while you're not here, and I'm not in New York, Luke's supposed to protect me. And I know you trust him. But shouldn't I learn to protect myself? Just a bit?"

Jess was quiet a few moments before he responded. "You're right. I really should teach you some things."

"I don't even know how to throw a punch," Rory said. She grabbed his hand. "And if I'm really gonna stick with you, and if we're really gonna be on even footing, I should at least know that."

"First, you need to learn how to make a proper fist." Jess took her hand and showed her how.

Rory nodded and paid close attention. While she hated to admit it, her safety could at some point depend on it.

"Okay, now, bring your arm back like this." Jess guided her movements. "And then try and put all your force in it when you bring it back forward."

Rory did as he instructed. Her punch wasn't very strong but it was direct.

"Good for a first try, now, I want you to punch me. Don't even think about protesting. I need to know you can actually do some damage."

Rory swallowed hard. Nodding, she drew back her fist and went to hit him, hesitating at the last second so that she barely tapped his arm.

Jess frowned. "Rory. I'm wearing a leather jacket, it won't be that bad."

"I know, I just...I don't want to be yet another person on the list of people who've hit you, whether you asked me to or not," she said quietly.

Jess wordlessly pulled her into a hug.

Rory took in a deep breath, catching the scent of his soap, which smelled light and clean, and what she assumed was his aftershave or cologne, which smelled woodsy and warm, sort of like the brandy her grandfather liked to drink after dinner.

"It's okay, promise. I just need to be sure should you ever need to that you can defend yourself." Jess kissed the top of her head.

Reluctantly, Rory nodded and pulled away. Pulling her fist back once more, she let loose, putting everything she had into the hit. "Ouch," she muttered as she pulled back. Her knuckles stung from smacking against leather.

Jess moved back a bit from the force and he moved a hand out to steady himself. "That was really good Rory." He took her hand and kissed each finger. "Better?"

She blushed and nodded. "Yeah." Straightening up, she asked, "So?"

"You get to pick what we do next, zip ties or knife skills."

"Which one's less physical contact?"

"Probably the zip tie, that's more of a demonstration and then I'll have you try what I showed you."

Rory nodded and said, "Then let's go with that."

Jess took out a zip tie and handed it to her he then moved his arms in front of himself, wrists pressed together. "Okay, I want you to put it around my wrists, take note of how I have my hands."

"Okay." Rory did as he asked, noting how he held his hands. "I don't even wanna know why you have a zip tie," she muttered as she checked the thing.

Jess rolled his eyes. "To teach you how to break out of them. I figured I'd have to teach you at some point how to defend and protect yourself. And plus Luke had me pick some up earlier, something about a broken shelf, so I swiped a few. Anyway, watch." Jess lifted his wrists up and tugged the zip tie as tight as it would go with his teeth. Making sure the locking mechanism was between his wrists, he then lifted his arms up over his head and brought them down as hard as he could towards his stomach, arms flaring outward. The zip tie snapped off and he was free.

Rory blinked rapidly. "Oh wow. And you want me to do that?"

Jess nodded. "It's not as difficult as it looks. By tightening the tie and then lifting your arms up and bringing them down, it puts stress on the tie at its weakest point, the locking mechanism, causing it to snap."

"Basic physics," Rory said casually. "Do we have something - wait never mind. You've got a switchblade." Her brow furrowed a bit. "Alright let's give it a go." She held her arms out.

Jess put the tie around her wrists.

With a little bit of focus, Rory repositioned the lock between her wrists. "And here we go," she muttered.

"You can do it."

She looked at him. "Only one way to find out." With a look of concentration on her face, she pulled the tie as tight as it could go and raised her arms upwards.

With the same force she'd put behind her punch, Rory brought her arms down and out, splitting the tie. "Yes!"

"Rory, that was great! I knew you could do it."

She smiled happily. "I'm just glad I can actually do it haha."

"There are two other methods I'm going to show you." Jess showed her how to slip out of them if her fists were pressed horizontal in the zip tie as well as how to use a knife or care to break the bar in the locking mechanism.

Rory managed to successfully complete both of the other methods, although breaking the bar of the locking mechanism presented a slight hitch. Having proven her ability to get out of a zip tie, Rory poked Jess' arm. "Alright so I beat your zip ties."

"That you did. Now, I'm gonna show you how to use this. We won't finish this lesson today, but I can at least show you a few things." Jess took out his knife.

Rory made a face. "Joy."

"Actually... we'll use this to start." Jess picked up a stick and put the knife back. "Alright, I want you to come at me, like you plan on stabbing me, and I'm going to block and disarm you."

Rory took the stick and laughed. "Oookay."

"Hey, safety first Gilmore."

"Yeah yeah Mariano, I know." Somewhat clumsily, Rory came at him.

Jess side stepped her and then caught her wrist, stopping her as quickly as she started.

Rory froze. "Woah," she breathed.

Jess smirked and released her. "Try again."

A determined set to her mouth, Rory backed up a step or two and tried again.

Jess used Rory's momentum against her and gently pinned her arm behind her. "And you'd drop the knife."

"Dammit," she muttered. "What am I doing wrong?"

"Rory, relax. Everyone makes these mistakes at first, it's something you have to learn and practice." Jess kissed her cheek.

"I know," she sighed, leaning into the kiss a bit. "But I want to feel like I can take care of myself. I don't want to be a damsel in distress, I wanna help you run things, hold my own!"

"And you will." Jess slid his arms around her. "Also, that reminds me. Nora Venturi is the wife of my Right Hand, George Venturi. She's offered to take you under her wing, so to speak. She wasn't born into the life either and could teach you a few things."

Rory considered. "I'd like that. It would be nice to see where I'm headed..." She trailed off. "That is where we're headed, right?" she asked quietly

Jess' heart sped up, not expecting that. "I..well, yes, if that's what you want."

Rory plopped down in the grass and flung herself backwards, looking upwards at the sky and trees. "I want to say yes but at the same time, 16 almost 17 seems really young..." Her voice was quiet, her tone contemplative. "Sorry if that freaked you out, it just sort of...popped out?"

"Don't apologize Rory, it's fine, just surprised me. I mean, I'd love to think that eventually the answer would be yes. But not for a few years at least." Jess laid down beside her, breathing a bit easier now.

"Guess we'll see huh?" She turned her head to look at him. "I've got a lot of faith in us."

"I do too." Jess smiled a bit. He then thought of something that made him laugh. "Lorelai would kill me, maybe you too."

"If we decided right now that we were going to get married?" Rory asked. Laughter bubbled forth. "Oh she would. There would be another "ruining your future" lecture while she did it too."

Jess nodded in agreement.

Rory laughed a second or two longer before taking a breath and calming down. "I would like to talk to Nora," she said seriously. "I'm going to need all the help I can get keeping you in line."

Jess looked affronted. "I'm always in line!"

"Uhhhhh huh. Sure you are. You forgot to tell me that you're a legal adult, that you graduated early and therefore do not need algebra tutoring," she glared, "and you're a very bad influence. You need me to keep you on the straight and narrow."

Jess grinned sheepishly. "I really am bad at algebra through?"

Rory grinned and rolled her eyes. "Well until you're in a math class, preferably a college one so I have school bragging rights, I don't think I can help you."

"I don't think I'm going to go to college..."

"Jess," Rory said quietly. "At least give it a try? I know you don't need it but still."

Jess sighed. "I'll think about it."

Rory grabbed his hand. "Thank you. Personally I think you'd really like it but I'll try not to push." Drawing his hand towards her face, she stared at his fingers as she played with his hand gently. "Besides, can't have me outshining you can you?"

Jess smiled fondly. "I wouldn't mind."

"Awh, your bullcrap is so sweet," Rory said cheerfully. "You'd mind."

Jess stuck his tongue out at her.

Rory did the same and giggled. "So. I was thinking that while Mom and Luke are out tonight, we could order a pizza, maybe rent a movie?"

"Sounds good to me."

Rory grinned. "Good. And we have to actually watch the movie because Mom will ask what we thought."

"We will...mostly."

Rory blushed and swatted at him with her free hand. "Jess I'm serious," she said with a giggle.

Jess smirked. "Mhm. We'll see." Jess took her hand and led them back towards town.

As they were walking back towards Luke's, where they would part to go help Luke and Lorelai get ready for their date, they were stopped by Lane calling out. "Jess! Rory!"

Rory and Jess stopped and let Lane catch up to them.

Lane looked at Rory. "So I heard that your mom and Luke are finally going on a date. Is it true?"

"Yea. I told Luke to get his head out of his ass and ask her out."

Lane nodded appreciatively. "Nice. So you guys gonna help 'em get ready?"

"Of course, Mom is already freaking out."

"Speaking of, I'm gonna head back to the diner, you two should catch up." Jess gave Rory a kiss before he headed off.

Rory grinned and grabbed Lane's hand. "Let's go help my mom."

Lane laughed and followed. "So how did dinner go last night? Everyone said Jess came and spirited you away."

"Lane, oh my god. He took me to ON20 in Hartford, and he bought me this gorgeous yellow evening gown!"

Lane smiled. "And he got you the right hair and makeup stuff right?"

"He did, and thank you!"

"It's what best friends are for," Lane replied matter-of-factly. "So how was ON20?"

"The food was delicious and it was so pretty! We had dinner with a journalist from GQ though."

Lane's eyes widened. "What did GQ want?"

Rory grinned. "Jess landed #1 on GQ's 30 Under 30 Business Edition. So he has a 4 page spread plus the cover photo."

Lane let out a breath. "Woah. That's...woah."

"And I'm in the spread too!" Rory blurted out in excitement.

Lane stopped dead in her tracks. "What?"

"Yea, the Journalist took some pictures of us together and one solo shot of me! It's on stands tomorrow."

Lane squealed and grabbed Rory into a hug. "Oh wow that's amazing!" she squealed. Calming down a bit, she asked, "So after that marvelous bit of news, tell me what happened after dinner."

Rory blushed a bit. "We went back to his hotel room."

"By that blush, I'm gonna guess it wasn't just to talk and hang out."

Rory leaned over and lowered her voice. "We had sex." Her blush darkened but she was also smiling.

Lane blinked rapidly. "Sex?"

"Mhmhm. And it was absolutely amazing, Lane. Oh my god. I could not have imagined it being better!"

"Better than all the movies make it out to be?"

"So much better. And Lane. He stripped for me."

"Oh my God," Lane said quietly. "He's a keeper."

"Mom found out though...cause uh...I got a bit liberal marking him…" Rory looked sheepish.

"You gave him hickies?" Lane asked incredulously. "Oh my...Rory."

Rory giggled. "Why do you think he has his collar turned up?"

"Oh my God," Lane groaned. "I swear."

"You should have seen Mom's face. She looked murderous and shell-shocked all at once."

"Oh I'd be willing to pay money to see that! Rory are you sure you aren't moving too fast? I mean it's been what, a month? Two? And you guys have already gone all the way?"

Rory frowned. "Not you too! I already had this talk with Mom. We love each other and we did it because of that. It was wonderful and the right time."

"Okay okay," Lane said, holding up her hands in surrender. "That's good and I'm happy for you. I'm just doing my job as your best friend to make sure, okay?"

Rory relaxed and nodded.

The two resumed walking, heading towards Rory's house to help Lorelai get ready. Lane sighed and then grinned. "I still can't believe he stripped for you… Anyway, what's your mom gonna wear tonight?"

"You remember that blue dress she wore to the dinner party at the Dragonfly?"

Lane nodded. "I do indeed."

"That. We need to decide on jewelry and shoes still though...and hair and makeup."

"Oi," Lane said. "We got work to do."

Lorelai was panicking. Ten after seven and she was looking for something, anything, to get her out of this date. "Are you sure you're okay?" she asked Rory.

"Mom. Relax! Everything will be fine! And you look so pretty!"

Lorelai snorted. "This is probably going to be the biggest disaster since Chernobyl," she muttered. "What if we don't like each other as much as we think we do? What if we run out of conversation topics? What if we-"

"MOM!" Rory yelled. "Stop freaking out! It'll be awesome. Now shoo! He's here."

The doorbell rang just then, proving Rory's point. With a grin, Lane slipped out the back as Rory moved to open the front door.

"Hey Luke." Rory smiled.

"Hey, kid. Your mom ready?"

Before Rory could answer, Lorelai moved into the front hall, somewhat shy. "Hi," she said shakily.

Rory took that as her cue to leave them be.

"Ready to go?" Luke asked. "Oh wait. Here," he said, offering Lorelai a bouquet of carnations.

"Oh!" Lorelai, surprised, took the bouquet and smiled. "These are wonderful, Luke. Thank you." She set them in a vase near the door.

Luke smiled. "You look great by the way." He was a bit shy and it was cute.

Lorelai blushed pink. "Thanks." She cleared her throat. "So...shall we?"

Luke nodded and led her to his truck. He even opened the door for her.

Still blushing like mad, Lorelai climbed in and buckled her seatbelt as Luke shut the door and ran around to get in. Jess stepped up onto the porch next to Rory and together, they waved goodbye. "Twenty bucks says they don't come back here tonight," Rory said mischievously.

Jess grinned. "You're on."

Still grinning, Rory led Jess into the house. "So the pizza's on the way and I picked up a movie."

"Sounds great." Jess led her into the living room and made himself comfortable on the couch.

The next morning, Rory woke from her spot on the couch to the sound of a truck in the driveway. "Jess," she mumbled, shaking his shoulder.

"Mhm?" He was mostly still asleep.

"There's a truck out front," Rory said. "Not normal."

As Jess opened his eyes the door to said truck opened and closed again. Lorelai was finally home.

Her keys rattled in the door and Rory sat up, rubbing at her eyes. "Oh man. I gotta go," she yawned. "I have to get ready for school."

"Kiss first."

"Breath stinks," Rory muttered, dropping a kiss on his cheek. "Real kiss after I feel less nasty."

"Fine, meet you at Luke's." Jess stood and stretched and headed to the door.

Lorelai finally managed to get the front door open. "Morning," she said quietly, obvious cheer in her voice.

"Morning." Jess half mumbled, still sleepy and continued out the front door.

"Rory, I hope you're getting ready to go!" Lorelai called as she moved towards the stairs.

"Almost! Give me 10 minutes!"

"Can we make it more like five? We need to get a move on!"

"I'm trying!" Rory whined and hustled a bit faster.

Lorelai changed as quickly as she could, noting with serious annoyance the destroyed state of her hair. Grabbing a banana clip, she threw it up. "Oh, fuck it," she muttered.

Five minutes later, Rory was ready. "MOM!"

"Coming!" Lorelai called as she hustled down the stairs, purse in hand. She'd managed to fix her makeup and cover the hickey on her neck but she still felt like the world knew. "Let's go."

Rory looked at Lorelai and then grinned. "You did dirty things, didn't you?"

Lorelai grabbed her arm and ushered her out the door. "What I did is none of your business."

Rory stuck her tongue out. "Jess owes me money."

"How much, you little demon child?" Lorelai asked as they made their way towards Luke's for breakfast. "And what exactly did you bet on?"

"20 bucks that you wouldn't come home last night."

Lorelai groaned. "I knew that was a bad idea. But the man is more convincing than your father even."

"Dirty!"

"What about you? Did you break any promises last night since I didn't return?"

"No, we just watched movies and kissed some, then we fell asleep on the couch during High Fidelity."

"And when you say kissing you mean a real makeout right? Please tell me you broke in the couch."

Rory giggled. "Of course."

"Good. I'm proud of that in a weird way that a mother shouldn't be, but whatever."

They were a few feet away from the newsstand when Rory realized why there were so many people. "Ah crap. The GQ issue is out today…"

Lorelai looked between the crowd at the newsstand and Rory. "Well let's go get a copy then."

The eyes turned from the magazine to Rory when they were closer. Rory blushed. "My my, Rory, the pictures of you look stunning! And that boyfriend of yours. Mhm." Miss Patty grinned.

Rory blushed harder and Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Alright folks, nothing to see here. Move along. Bootsy, two copies of GQ please."

Bootsy handed them over.

"Thank you," Lorelai said with a smile. Turning, she handed one to Rory. "Here you are, little one. Let's hope there's nothing innocence ruining," she said jokingly.

Rory looked at the cover photo of Jess and was a bit thrown. "Damn." It slipped out before she could stop it.

The crowd went dead silent and everyone, even those that had been ignoring her previously, turned to look at her. "What did you just say?" Lorelai asked.

Rory's cheeks went rosey. "Sorry! I just… look!" Rory held up the cover. Jess looked gorgeous.

Lorelai's eyes widened. "Curse word forgiven. Wow."

Rory tugged Lorelai towards the diner. "I can't even imagine what the rest look like!"

"Guess we'll find out," Lorelai said as they walked in. "Where is Jess anyway?"

"Said he'd meet us at Luke's, probably changing or something up in the apartment." The first thing noticed was that everyone had a copy of the magazine. Rory took a seat at her and Lorelai's favorite table and opened her magazine.

Lorelai waved Luke over and gave him a smile as he placed her coffee in front of her. "Good morning," she murmured.

Right at that moment Rory turned to the first spread which had a dripping wet Jess half in a pool facing another picture of him up against the Thunderbird, jeans dangerously low and shirt undone. "Holy fuck Jess…" Rory blurted out.

Again, the crowd seemed to freeze, Taylor choked on his coffee. "Way to ruin the moment Rory," Lorelai muttered angrily. Jess, who had walked in just as she said it, chuckled.

"What did I do now?"

"Look at this!" Rory turned the magazine around. "Sh-I mean hell, ah crap." Rory just clamped a hand over her mouth, blushing more now.

Lorelai gasped when she saw the pictures. "I suddenly understand why my daughter was so eager to jump in bed with you," she murmured without thinking. Realizing what she'd said, she clapped a hand over her mouth.

"MOM!" Rory looked scandalized and Jess' jaw had dropped.

Luke chuckled. "Way to go, big mouth."

Taylor was amidst a coughing fit and Babette was trying not to laugh.

"I am sooo sorry!" Lorelai said ashamedly "I honestly do not know where that came from. Would it help if I admitted to sleeping with Luke on the first date?" She clapped her hand back over her mouth.

A chorus of "LORELAI!" and "I KNEW IT!" resounded.

Lorelai looked up at Luke. "Maaaayyyybe I should take my coffee to go today? So that I don't die of mortification before we go out tonight?"

Luke walked off to get that to go cup. Rory turned the page in the magazine to see more drop dead sexy pictures of Jess. On the last page were the ones of her and him and the solo shot of her. "Oooh…"

Lorelai looked over her shoulder. "Oh you look so gorgeous. And that dress? Perfect."

Rory beamed. "I love that dress." Jess came over with two cups of coffee and a chocolate muffin for Rory.

"Thanks babe," Rory said innocently. Grabbing her muffin and her coffee, Rory got up and grabbed Jess' hand. "Walk me to the bus stop?"

"Of course." Jess led the way.

As they waited, Rory snuggled into Jess side, relishing his warmth in the chill of the spring morning. "Well that was an adventure," she muttered.

"Up until Lorelai's overshare it was pretty funny."

"Yeah I'm not sure where her filter is this morning. Possibly still on your uncle's bedroom floor."

Jess made a face. "Really? Was that necessary?"

Rory shrugged. "It made me feel better. Comments on our sex lives aside, I'm glad Mom didn't freak over the photos. Which made it to press pretty quickly. Normally it takes more like a week and half I heard."

"They had a deadline to make, someone didn't show so Cally had to handle the last few interviews from what I heard."

Rory nodded and sipped her coffee. "Makes sense. I just wish she'd put our photo together sooner, because now people are gonna be all over your pics only to get to the end and realize you have me."

"They can drool all they want." Jess kissed her sweetly.

Rory grinned into the kiss and said, "I know. I just hate to break their hearts that much." The bus pulled in. "Well that's me. You heading back today?"

"I am, call me when you get home?"

"Will do!" she called as she boarded the bus. As they pulled away, Rory waved and smiled happily. God she was happy.

Jess smiled to himself and headed to his car. He'd already said bye to Luke.

Lorelai, who was just walking out of the diner, smiled and waved at Jess. "You headed out?"

"Yea, I gotta head to work."

"Well, drive safe. Will we see you next weekend?"

"I will, and yes, should be back either Friday night or Saturday morning."

Lorelai nodded. "Good. And perhaps we can make a trip into New York?"

Jess brightened at that. "If you wanted to do that instead, that'd also work for me."

"Then maybe we'll do that. I'll let you and Rory work out the plans, yeah?"

"Sounds good." Jess couldn't be happier. He'd love to have Rory in New York again.

Lorelai smiled. "Alright. Now get outta here. Go...do whatever it is you do."

Jess laughed and got in his car. The engine roared to life and he pulled out.

Rory stepped off the bus and walked into the courtyard area at Chilton, inwardly groaning as she noticed all the copies of GQ.

Paris, who was tuning out Madeline and Louise' squealing over the photos, not just of Mariano but of several others on the list, noticed as Rory stepped into the courtyard. "Luckiest girl on the planet," she muttered.

Rory tried to ignore the attention as she made her way into the building. "Oh. My. God. She's on the last page with him!" Madeleine squealed.

"Whatever she's doing, I want to know," Louise said enviously.

Madeleine grinned. "I think it's pretty obvious what she's doing."

"That Mary? Please."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Aria told me she saw them heading into the Hilton the other night."

Louise shook her head. "She's too much of a goody goody. I'll bet he tried and didn't get very far at all."

"Mhm. One way to tell, if she has any hickies, no doubt she'd be hiding them under her collar."

Louise nodded. "Oh definitely."

Before they could talk about it anymore though, the bell rang calling them to homeroom and they rushed off. As the teachers moved through the announcements, Rory started to drift off, remembering curling up on the couch with Jess the night before.

"And don't forget, ladies and gentlemen, that our annual Spring Fling is coming up in a few weeks."

That perked Rory up. She took out her phone and shot off a text to Jess. [Oh yea, you're gonna be my date to the Spring Fling. -R]

She had to wait a few seconds for a reply.

[Oh really now? You've decided for me? -J]

Rory grinned as she read his reply. [Mhmhm. I'm sure I could convince you somehow. ;) -R]

[Well then. I guess I'll be going. -J]

Rory's cheeks went a bit rosey but she smirked and typed off a reply. [You shall indeed. -R]

Jess chuckled as he read that. [Love you, Booktease. Also, Lorelai suggested you guys coming to NYC next weekend instead of me coming to you. -J]

[AHHHH. Yes. 3 -R]

[Haha figured that would be your response. She's put the plans on us so we'll work that out this evening, yes? -J]

[Yes. :) I gotta go now, Love you, drive safe Dodger. -R]

[Will do. Love you too, Booktease. -J]

Rory grinned and stashed her phone back in her pocket just in time for the bell releasing them from homeroom.

"Look at that grin," Louise said. "That girl knows something."

"$50 says she was talking to her boyfriend."

"Stop invading her privacy," Tristan said quietly as he joined them. "She's got enough on her plate without worrying about you two always breathing down her neck."

They were both surprised by Tristan's interjection. "I...uh...right. You're right." Madeleine managed to reply.

Tristan nodded and walked off, head bowed slightly. "Well that was interesting," Louise muttered. "Someone's carrying a torch for Gilmore…"

Madeleine nodded. "He always has though."

Rory walked through the front door after school that afternoon, glad she had the day off from Luke's. "Mom?" There was no answer so Rory pulled her phone out and shot a text to Jess. [Home. Finally. -R]

Seconds later her phone was ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hey." Jess had just got home from work a little bit ago and was currently curled up on his bed with a book.

"Jess!" Rory said excitedly. "Oh am I glad to hear your voice."

"Missed you too. Good day?"

"Well, I spent it under inspection because of course everyone knew about GQ by fourth period. But I aced my chem exam so it's all good I guess. How was work? And when do you leave for Europe?"

"Around midnight tonight, not entirely looking forward to it. Hopefully I can get some sleep on the plane."

"Well you're taking a private jet so I'd be willing to bet that you will."

Jess shrugged. "We'll see."

Rory laughed. "So New York next weekend…" she trailed off, unsure.

"Mhmhm. We could do literally whatever you want."

Rory thought for a second. "Will Mom be able to park in the parking garage if we drive?"

"Yea, I'll arrange it."

"Okay. I'd love to say we'll drive in on Friday night but we have dinner with my grandparents...So maybe Saturday morning?"

"That works for me." Jess couldn't wait.

"Good." Rory's smile was audible down the line. "So you never did tell me how work went today."

"It went good, got to leave a bit early. My friend Derek is actually going to be coming down for a bit when I get back from Europe."

"Oh yeah? Where from?"

"Toronto, Canada."

"Oh wow," Rory said. "So how do you two know each other? Will he still be around when I get there?"

"The family business, his father is my Right Hand now."

"Ohh…" Rory said quietly. "And the second question?"

"I actually have no idea, I'll have to check with him."

"Alright. Will he be staying at yours or hotel?"

"Mine. But if he's still there when you arrive, he'll move to a hotel."

"Well I'd hate to put him in a bind," Rory said gently.

"He'd do the same to me if I was staying at his and Casey was coming over."

Rory laughed. "Okay okay. And Casey? Is that his girlfriend?"

"Yea, I tease him constantly because Casey is his stepsister. George, his father married Nora, Casey's mom and yea."

Rory laughed. "Before or after Derek and Casey started dating?"

"Before."

"Did they know each other before hand or?"

"Nope."

"Wow. How do their parents deal with that I wonder?"

"They were a bit wigged at first but I mean, they aren't actually related so…"

"True. And what about the whole teenagers tend to be all over each other element of things?"

Jess grinned. "What about it?"

Rory blushed. "Well, are George and Nora really strict about...you know...sex?"

"Not so much, Derek moved out so as long as it's not under their roof…"

"Wow, that's...that's pretty lenient."

Jess shrugged. "Jimmy didn't give a fuck either way as long as I wasn't sleeping with guys. One of his many flaws was his homophobia."

Rory shuddered. "And have you ever wanted to? Sleep with a guy, that is."

Jess was quiet for a few moments. "I did once, just to see...it wasn't bad but wasn't for me either."

"Huh. I honestly did not expect that," Rory said lightly.

"Most people never do."

Rory chuckled. "You're a bin of surprises."

Jess laughed. "I suppose I am."

Rory smiled. "Anything you want to ask me in exchange for that deep dark secret?"

Jess thought for a moment. "I'm not sure I should? I don't want to upset you…"

"It's only fair. I mean, I really probably shouldn't have asked you that, but curiosity got the better of me."

"You never mention your father…" Jess said rather quietly.

"Oh," Rory said gently. She shrugged. "He and my mom aren't on the best of terms, and he's just not really around. Everyone wanted them to get married when Mom got pregnant at sixteen and she didn't want to and Dad's been sort of in and out since then. Hasn't really grown up and got himself together yet. I love him, a lot, and it's great to see him, but he's just not really there as much as Mom or even my grandparents are."

"Sorry." Jess felt a bit bad about having asked.

"Nothing to be sorry for," Rory said lightly. "It is what it is. I love him, and I know he loves me, I just don't see him much and usually what he thinks doesn't factor into stuff."

"Ah, okay."

"Yeah...I'm sure he'll call if he sees the GQ spread but I wouldn't count on it otherwise."

Jess nodded. "Probability that he will hate me?"

Rory considered. "Based on the photos? Maybe seventy percent. Interview? Twenty. Combined? Maybe a good eighty five?"

"Ah. To be expected."

"Basically. But then again, everyone's dad hates their kid's significant other, right?"

"True."

"I mean, I'm pretty sure Jimmy wouldn't have liked me had we met."

Jess tensed. "Jimmy was a dickbag."

"...He knew about me didn't he?"

"Briefly…"

"Well, he got what was coming to him."

Jess smiled a bit at that. "Yea, he did."

"So now that we've shared our deep dark secret for the week, what shall we discuss?" Rory asked brightly, changing the subject.

"How about how much The Fountainhead sucks."

"Hmm...nope. Considering it is my favorite book, that you offered to read."

Jess grumbled. "I'm a third of the way through and it's killing me."

Rory laughed. "Well since I'm talking to you and you sound just fine, I'm gonna go with that's an exaggeration and tell you to grow up."

"Of course I sound fine now I'm not currently reading it."

"Jess," Rory said, amused. "You'll survive. If I could survive Hemingway, you can survive this."

"Fine." Jess huffed. "Only cause I love you."

"I know," Rory said sweetly. "And I've got you wrapped around my little finger." She was clearly joking but it was still so obviously true she had to giggle.

Jess rolled his eyes but smiled.

"So what're you up to? Got everything ready for you to go tonight?"

"I was reading before our call, pretty much plan on doing that till I have to leave and yea, I have everything packed."

"Good. And you're sure you have everything?" Rory was very much determined to take care of him.

"Positive. I checked twice."

She nodded, despite knowing he couldn't see her. "Good. What were you reading?"

"I Slept with Joey Ramone by Mickey Leigh."

"That sounds….interesting?"

"You'd like it."

"Maybe I'll borrow it, then. Since you are reading The Fountainhead for me."

"I'll be sure to leave some good notes in the margins for you then."

Rory grinned. "I'd like that. I still haven't looked at your notes in Howl yet, though."

"Rory, you've had that for ages now! That's your homework, before you come to New York."

"And if I don't?" she asked playfully.

"Might just have to punish you," Jess teased.

"Maybe I'd rather have the punishment." There was laughter evident in her tone.

Jess smirked. "Huh. Well then, it's up to you."

Rory laughed. "Any idea what the punishment would be? So I can make a fully informed decision," she said cooly.

"I think there's a conversation we need to have before this goes any further."

"And that would be? This is new territory for me."

"Honestly for me too. Most of my experience is from quick fucks, nothing kinky really at all…only read about that side of things."

Rory felt herself blush. "This is already nerve wracking," she said quietly. "Not in a bad way necessarily, just something new and difficult."

Jess paused for a moment. "I vote you do some research, I further mine and we talk about this Saturday."

"I like that plan," Rory said, relief clear in her voice.

Jess grinned when he said his next piece. "I also vote we have sex a few more times before we get into the other stuff."

Rory's breath hitched and she felt her cheeks heat up, knowing they must be bright red. "You are so lucky my mom is not home," she said, slightly breathless. "And if I cursed, I would have some choice words for you right now."

Jess laughed a bit before catching his breath to speak again. When he did, he made sure it had a rough edge to it. "Just for the record, my bedroom is soundproof…"

"You little shit," Rory hissed. She muttered something about needing those damn pills already before clearing her throat and saying, in as serious a voice as she could muster, "Well then maybe I'll just sleep on the couch."

"I'll be sure to wear only a pair of boxers and get up for many a glass of water then."

"And I'll just sleep with my back to the kitchen and hallway. And I'll wear my old fashioned button down pajamas."

"Then I'll just zig zag my way back to my room, after all it'll be dark, I could get lost." Jess then grinned.

Rory laughed. "Oh yeah sure. I know you navigate that place in the dark plenty well. And that's a pretty big assumption you're making there, thinking you're guaranteed the chance to undress me."

"I'd be content to watch you undress yourself too."

Rory made a quiet noise of distress. Trying to not sound like that made her incredibly hot, she said, "Again, assuming something you shouldn't, Mariano."

"Of course, I'd also be more than happy to put on a show for you if that was more your thing."

Rory groaned. "Jess….you make it really hard to be a good girl."

"Where's the fun in that? And if you get lonely between now and Saturday, you can always turn to page 32 in GQ."

"What?" Rory was taken aback. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

"Depends, what do you think I'm suggesting." The smirk was evident in his voice.

Rory went to give a smart retort and the words stuck in her throat. Clearing her throat, she tried again. Since her wit was obviously failing her, she flat out said, "It sounds like you're suggesting I masturbate to those way-too-hot pictures of you that I would rather not have allowed the world to see."

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting. Also, thank you for the compliments, much appreciated."

Her breath was gone. "Jess…"

"Rory." Jess' voice was bordering on husky. "I can tell you I was definitely thinking of you during that photo shoot."

She gasped. "Oh my God."

"ROOOOOOOORY, MOMMY IS HOME!"

"Oh crap," Rory muttered. "I gotta go. JUST A SECOND MOM!"

"Alright, and...Sweet dreams, Rory." Jess hung up before she could respond.

Lorelai came into the kitchen and poked her head into Rory's room, taking note of the obvious flush in her cheeks and the phone in her slightly shaky hand. "Jess?"

Rory nodded, blush darkening against her wishes.

"I'm not gonna ask. Instead, I am going to ask how your day was."

"It was pretty good, everyone and their uncle had a copy of GQ."

Lorelai nodded. "Everyone at the Inn had it too. But besides that?"

"The Spring Fling is coming up, Jess is going to go with me. And we talked about New York."

"Ahhh the Spring Fling. I'm assuming you need a dress? And what was the final decision on plans?"

"I do. Maybe we could go looking for one this weekend? And we'll drive in Saturday morning, Jess will have a space for us in the garage and we'll stay with him."

"Sure, as long as Jess doesn't mind us taking the time to do that. And sounds good. He has guest rooms right?"

"Yep, his place is huge from the pictures I've seen."

Lorelai nodded and turned to head back into the kitchen. "You have work?"

"Not today, Luke has a shipment coming in so he closed early."

"And is he coming with us?"

"Luke? I have no idea. Shouldn't you? You're dating him."

Lorelai sighed and started the coffee pot.

"Mom? Did something happen with you and Luke?"

"What? Oh, no...we just...we haven't really talked since this morning. I didn't have the guts to stop by the diner earlier."

"MOM! You need to go over there and talk to him! But before you do, I need you to do something for me."

"I know okay? I just...ugh. And what do you need?"

Rory blushed a pretty shade of red. "I really need to get birth control before Saturday..."

Lorelai froze. "Oh God. Um…" She thought for a second. "Oh! Let me call the doctor's office and see if they can squeeze us in, since you don't have to work."

"Thank you!" She called after Lorelai.

"Uh huh," Lorelai called back as she grabbed the phone and dialed the doctor's office. There were quiet murmurs for a minute or so and then Lorelai popped her head back through Rory's door. "Let's go!"

Rory grabbed her phone and a coat and followed Lorelai to the jeep.

As they drove into Hartford, Lorelai fidgeted anxiously. Not only was she taking her daughter for birth control of all things, but she knew she was putting off the conversation she had to have with Luke.

Rory was smiling down at her phone. [Headed to the Dr's -R]

[-attachment- -J] It was a picture of a sadface drawn in the margins of The Fountainhead.

Rory laughed. [The reading will pay off. -R]

[If you say so. -J]

[You know why I'm going to the Dr right? -R]

[Yes, Rory, I kind of put it together. I really got you hot, didn't expect you to go as soon as you hung up. -J] Jess teased.

[Making sure. And honestly I wasn't expecting to either. But this was when we could get in. Otherwise no sexy times for you. -R]

[Thank god for impromptu appointments then. -J]

[Figured you'd say that lol. -R]

[:P -J]

[:P to you too. -R]

Rory hadn't even noticed the car had stopped moving, too focused on her texting with Jess.

"Earth to planet Rory! We're here," Lorelai said. "Let's go!"

"Oh! Right." Rory blushed and stashed her phone in her pocket.

When Rory was called back, Lorelai stayed in the waiting room, fiddling with her phone. She knew she should call Luke - they needed to talk - but she was unexplainably nervous. This conversation could make or break their relationship before it even began. Deciding it was better to know, she flipped open the phone and dialed him before she could chicken out.

"Hello?"

"Luke? It's Lorelai."

"Oh! Lorelai, hey. How are you?"

"Well, I'm sitting here waiting for Rory to get out of the exam room with a prescription for birth control, so I'm sort of trying not to lose it. You?"

"Oh man…" Luke didn't even want to think of that. "I'm pretty good, busy, but good. Just got a shipment of stuff in.

"Oh well then I won't keep you but...Well we need to talk about us."

"Well, we could have dinner when you get back? I should be done putting everything away by then."

"O-okay," Lorelai said. Her hand was shaky.

"Lorelai? Try to relax." Luke said good naturedly.

"Me? Pssssht. I'm as relaxed as they come."

"Uh huh. Sure. Well, I'll put on coffee anyway. Just this once though."

"Luke, I…" Lorelai bit her lip. "Thanks. I don't know why this freaks me out so much. Once we get out of here, I'll drop Rory at home and stop by the diner."

"Sounds good, see you then." Luke hung up with a smile.

Lorelai closed her phone and released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. He'd seemed happy to hear from her so maybe everything was going to be okay…

A few minutes later, Rory skipped out from the back, a grin on her face. "Alright. All you have to do is pay and then drop this," she said, brandishing a prescription, "at the pharmacy."

Lorelai was startled. "That was fast."

Rory smiled brightly. "Mhmhm."

"Alrighty then. Let's go. I bit the bullet and called Luke. I'm supposed to meet him at the diner afterwhile for dinner."

"Yay! Have fun." Rory had almost said 'don't do anything I wouldn't do' but somehow she figured that wouldn't be funny to Lorelai.

Lorelai rolled her eyes and dragged Rory to the desk so they could pay out. "Sure."

They were on the road in mere minutes. [Mission complete. -R]

[ ;) -J]

After dropping the prescription at the pharmacy with a promise to pick it up in an hour, Lorelai dropped Rory at home before heading to Luke's.

Luke was in the middle of cooking for him and Lorelai.

As she pushed open the door, the bell jingled and she startled. As empty as the place was, the sound travelled oddly.

"Lorelai?" Luke came out from the kitchen.

"Hi," she said weakly.

Luke smiled, "Food will be ready in a few minutes." He set a cup of coffee in front of her.

With a nod, Lorelai sat down and latched onto the cup, needing something familiar in what was uncharted territory.

As he'd promised, he brought the food out a few minutes later.

Lorelai swallowed hard. "It looks great."

Luke sat down beside her. "You should say whatever is on your mind or it will be nagging at you all the way through the meal."

"Where do we stand? Like as a couple. Are we a couple? Are we dating? What are we?"

Luke responded calmly. "I was under the impression that it was a combination of dating and being a couple."

Lorelai let out a slow breath, trying to calm down. "But what does that mean? Does it mean that I can invite you to New York with me and Rory without it being weird? Are we doing the whole "going steady" thing where we don't see other people? Because those are things that I'd like but at the same time am absolutely terrified of."

"I..w-well...sure I'd like to go to New York with you." He hadn't been expecting that and took a few seconds to process it before he spoke again. "I'd like us to 'go steady' as you put it. But what exactly are you terrified of?"

Lorelai looked down into her coffee. "I'm not...great at long term relationships. And what if...what if we do this and it ends badly and then I can't face you enough to even come in here to get coffee? What if we make Rory and Jess feel awkward and it starts to drive a wedge in between them and us? What if I can't...what if I can't do this?" she asked quietly. "I'm absolutely terrified that I will wreck whatever we have without wanting or trying to."

Luke placed his hands on her shoulders. "Lorelai, take a deep breath, maybe a few of them."

Lorelai nodded and sucked in a deep breath before letting it out and drawing another.

"One, I'm not sure anyone is good with long term relationships, they're something you work at. Two, Rory and Jess will be fine, they set us up in the first place. Three, I think you've got yourself so worked up you're freaking yourself out and me a little bit to be honest. I don't think you'll mess anything up, you just need to calm down. We've done pretty great so far."

Lorelai nodded and took another deep breath. "I just...I really want this...us...to work and I'm scared that I don't know how to do that." She looked up at him. "I don't want to sabotage myself but I'm worried I will out of habit more than anything else."

Gently, Luke took the coffee cup from her hands and placed it on the counter before taking her hands in his own. "Lorelai, just take it as it comes. And if you think you're gonna sabotage yourself, just talk to me, okay? Relationships take work and are based on communication. I have to know that you understand you can come to me. I'm here for you."

Lorelai blinked rapidly. "You mean that?"

"Of course I do. Now come on, let's eat before it gets cold." Luke, much as he cared for Lorelai, could only take so much emotional talk in one go.

Lorelai laughed. "Okay, then."

"Richard!" Emily stormed into his study and slammed a copy of GQ onto his desk. "I can't believe it! That...that boy! And Lorelai is letting her! Argh!"

Richard peered at the cover through his reading glasses. "It's a nice photo," he murmured.

"Turn to page 32 and 33." Emily grit out.

Richard, wary of the way his wife's jaw was tensing, opened the magazine to the pages she'd indicated. Within seconds, his jaw managed to both tense and drop at the same time. "Good Lord."

"Exactly! Just look at that...that display! Now, turn the page."

Richard did and gasped in shock. "Who in the world let her outside in that dress?!" He looked closer. "And this pose is entirely inappropriate for a national magazine!"

"I'm well aware Richard! And wait 'til you read the interview!"

Richard squinched his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not entirely sure that would be a good idea for my health."

"Fine, it gets worse though! They had dinner at ON20 and Bitty Hendricks saw them enter the Hilton together!"

"Emily, she isn't Lorelai," Richard finally said. "It is entirely possible they just went to the Hilton to spend time together, since I'm going to assume the boy was staying there."

Emily sighed, frustrated. "Did you know he secured a contract with the Euro 5?"

"I do vaguely recall hearing something to that effect, but only just. Good on him. At least he can take care of Rory."

Emily still wasn't pleased. "He was emancipated at age 15."

Richard sighed heavily. "So he's legally an adult. Do you seriously think that will change how Lorelai or Rory feel about him? He's laid claim to her, remember, and unless she backs out, that's it. There's no keeping him away from her, not without risk of personal damage. I've done some asking around and he's a good kid. Has an upstanding reputation and a good business sense. And he is very loyal."

"Fine, then I want to meet him. We'll ask Rory at dinner Friday."

Lorelai and Rory were both desperate to be anywhere other than Emily and Richard's come Friday evening. Rory was nervous they were going to grill her about GQ; Lorelai was panicked they would somehow have heard about Luke.

"Can we just go?" Rory asked quietly.

Lorelai stuck her tongue out and rang the doorbell.

Emily answered the door. "Lorelai. Rory," she said cordially.

"Hi Grandma." Rory smiled and stepped inside.

Lorelai followed her. "Hi Mom. Something smells good."

Emily led them into the living room. "I should hope so, we hired a new cook." Richard came in to join them as well.

"What's that, the third one this year?" Lorelai asked as she and Rory sat down.

Emily made a sour expression at her before she went to make their drinks. "Lorelai, Rory." Richard greeted them, newspaper in hand.

"Hi Dad."

"Hi Grandpa. How're you?"

"Wonderful, and you?" He took a seat beside Lorelai.

"I'm great. Mom and I are going to New York tomorrow."

"Oh?" Emily piped in, trying to keep a neutral expression.

"Yes," Lorelai said. "We're going dress shopping for the Spring Fling and are going to see Jess along with his uncle Luke."

"Hmm. Well where will you be staying?" Emily sipped at her drink.

"Jess invited us to stay with him," Rory said innocently.

Emily forced down an unpleasant reaction. "Oh." She set her glass down and walked swiftly to the dining room. "Dinner is ready, come along," she stated briskly.

Lorelai and Rory shared a look before they got up and followed.

"What's eating her?" Lorelai whispered to Richard.

"Probably the GQ issue featuring our granddaughter," he replied just as briskly and followed Emily into the dining room.

Lorelai shook her head and blinked a bit before making her way into the dining room and taking a seat.

Rory was feeling the chill; dinner wasn't looking good. She followed Lorelai into the dining room and took her seat.

As they started dinner, Rory surreptitiously looked around the table. Her grandparents seemed stiff and unwelcoming. Her mother looked edgy, and somewhat ashamed. Her parents disapproval never failed to affect her, despite years of experience with it.

Rory quietly ate her meal, not quite sure what to say.

"So, Rory," Emily finally said, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin. "Your grandfather and I would very much like to meet the young man you're seeing. Especially after you appeared with him in that...charming," the word came from between gritted teeth, "GQ spread."

Rory flashed Lorelai a discreet panicked look. "O-okay," Rory stuttered out.

"We'll see which Fridays he might be free and let you know," Lorelai said firmly, stepping in for her clearly distressed child. "The boy has a company to run after all."

Richard nodded his approval. "Good."

"Now that that's dealt with, can we please please defrost the evening? I'm starting to get freezer burn," Lorelai quipped.

Emily shot her a displeased look but complied. "Fine."

Lorelai tipped her head in thanks and took a sip of her drink. God she could use some alcohol.

The rest of the dinner seemed to go by with ease; but Rory still couldn't wait to get home.

As the evening drew to a close, Lorelai and Rory seemed to pull closer and closer together until finally they were pressed together side by side as Emily showed them out.

"We'll see you next week. Have a wonderful time in the city." Rory appreciated her grandma at least trying to go through the motions.

Once they were in the car and on their way, Rory relaxed. "That was very stressful."

"What is an Obvious Statement, Alek?" Lorelai quipped. "Let's just be thankful that it's over."

Rory nodded. "Just wait til she finds out about Luke."

Lorelai groaned. "Yes because that is definitely something I want to have happen."

Rory stuck her tongue out. "I had to deal with it. You will too at some point."

As they rolled into Stars Hollow later, Lorelai grinned. "Speaking of Luke, shall we stop for coffee?"

"Yes please!"

Laughing gently, Lorelai parked the jeep on the street in front of the diner and hopped out, locking the doors before they headed inside. "Hey got time to give us coffee?"

Luke made made a face. "You and your coffee addiction." He walked over and put in a new pot.

"You love me for it," Lorelai teased as she sat down at the counter. "Plus, we just survived the most hellish dinner with my parents yet."

Luke looked sympathetic. "I take it they saw the GQ issue?"

"Saw it, bought it, read it, wanna meet him," Rory muttered darkly into her coffee.

"Good luck." He patted her head.

"Thanks," she grumbled. "But at least we get to see him tomorrow."

Luke smiled. "I hear his place is really nice."

"All the pictures look stunning," Lorelai said.

"I researched the building and it's amazing!" Rory added. "Lounges, pool, all sorts of nice amenities."

"Wow." Lorelai was impressed, Luke too.

"Yeah. So I think there'll be no shortage of things to do while we're in the city."

Rory was so excited. "Oh, I think Jess' best friend will be in town too."

Luke and Lorelai shared a look. "In town? From where?"

"Toronto, Canada."

Luke nodded appreciatively and Lorelai choked a little on her coffee. "His best friend is coming in from Toronto? Does he play hockey?"

Rory shrugged. "He might? His name is Derek Venturi."

Luke gave her a look that said she better stop there, and Lorelai seemed placated with Rory's uncertainty.

Rory focused on her coffee after that. A few minutes later she stood, "I'm going to head home.

"Have fun."

Rory trudged her way home, feeling weighed down by both her experience at dinner and her excitement for the next morning, which couldn't come fast enough.

Also, if you get bored between now and the next update, I do have a pinterest board and playlist for this fic :) both are linked on my tumblr: myfanficstuff