Author's Note: The title for this chapter is from the Barenaked Ladies song, titled, obviously, "Call and Answer."

Disclaimer: Still holds, unfortunately.



1 Part Ten: Call and Answer

Jess let his eyes roam over the enormous building in front of him. It was laden with medieval architectural influences, and Jess felt a little spooked by the ominous-looking gargoyles that loomed menacingly above him. There was some soft of bell tower, and he idly wondered whether there was a hunchback in there. Once he was done observing the building, Jess surveyed the parking lot. It was packed with hundreds of fancy cars: BMW's, Mercedes, Rolls, Bentleys…Vaguely, Jess pondered how much money was in this parking lot.

A shrill bell sounded, and within moments, the pavement of the courtyard was inundated with blue blazers and gray sweaters. Kids were striding in packs, talking conspiratorially with one another, ducking their heads and contorting to see others. There was a large gathering of girls off to one side that looked particularly heinous. A few guys walked past Jess with snide looks, and Jess heard the murmurs that followed him. As usual, it didn't ruffle him.

She came out ten minutes later with another girl. This girl had dirty blonde hair that hung nearly to her waist and her body language was aggressive. Rory's head was bent toward the girl, an interested look on her face. The two stopped a second later, and Rory faced the girl. It was an interesting picture: Rory was a good deal taller than the blonde girl, but the blonde seemed much more intimidating. The stance was what alerted Jess to who she was: Paris. A few words were exchanged between them, and the blonde turned. Rory, eyes concentrated on the cement, walked unseeing toward Jess. The blonde yelled something, and Rory turned and nodded, then resumed her oblivious walk.

Without looking up, Rory started for the bus. Jess jogged until he was next to her, and then loped alongside her with his hands in his pockets. Sensing someone next to her, Rory's head shot up. "Jess!" she exclaimed happily. She hugged him and pecked him on the cheek. "What are you doing here?"

"Thought I'd take a few classes." At Rory's chiding, dubious look, Jess said, "I came to pick you up."

"Why?"

He shrugged his trademark shrug. "You looked kind of down this morning when you came in for coffee." With a jerk of the head, he and Rory started walking to Luke's pickup.

"I had a feeling this day was going to be awful."

"Was it?"

"My feeling this morning was deceptively mild."

"Ah." Rory climbed in the passenger's side and waited while Jess walked around the truck and seated himself. "What happened?"

"You remember that guy I told you about? Tristan?"

"Yeah."

"He's back."

"And?"

"And, he and I have to do this project together, with Paris."

"She hated the Beat Movement."

"The very same."

"I saw you walk out with her." Jess looked over his shoulder and pulled out.

"Yeah, talking about our project."

"Well, it can't be all that bad."

"See, you can say that because you have enough distance from the situation to be realistic. I, on the other hand, am stuck being in a group with the two people most directly responsible for making my life at Chilton a nightmare."

"When do you want me to conveniently interrupt you?"

"Seven."

Jess grinned to himself as he assessed the prospects for a lane change in the side mirror. "I'll be sure to bring some coffee."

"Have I told you that you're deserving of worship lately?"

"No."

"Well, you are."

"Good to know." Jess thought for a minute as he drove. Rory was in a morose silence, leaning tiredly against the door. "What do I get in return?"

"What do you want?"

Jess lifted an eyebrow. Blushing, Rory returned to the window. "Okay, okay. How about a movie night?"

"That can be arranged."

"Then it's settled. Silence of the Lambs this Saturday."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Keeping his eyes on the road, Jess felt for her hand. He found it in her lap, and he squeezed it reassuringly. Rory sighed and slid across the bench seat. With another soft noise, she rested her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"I know." Rory groaned. "I wish I didn't have to go back."

"You won't after this year."

"If I hadn't lost the ability to see the future, that would be a comforting statement."

"Don't worry about those freaks."

"I'm not."

"Sure."

The rest of the ride was spent in silence. It was a relaxed silence, unlike the tension-filled ones Rory was used to with Dean. Jess just drove and let her think, mull things over in her mind while holding her hand. Stars Hollow came faster than Rory would have liked it to, but she reluctantly lifted her head off of Jess' safe shoulder and released his hand to get out. Through the window of Luke's, Rory saw something that made her stop and cock her head. Coming up behind her, Jess asked, "What?"

"Nothing," Rory said, shaking herself out of her trance. "Come on. I need coffee. Why are you just standing there?"

Jess shook his head and followed Rory into the diner, where she walked in a perfectly straight line to the counter. Immediately, Jess placed a gigantic cup of steaming coffee in front of her, which she drank gratefully. "Mmm. That's it. Your picture is going on my mantle tonight."

When Jess looked up to smile at her, he caught sight of what must have made Rory halt. Dean was sitting at a table, eating with a girl that looked remarkably like… "Rory?"

"What?"

"Who's sitting with Dean over there?"

Not turning, Rory said, "Is Dean here?"

"Rory."

"Okay, okay." Still, she didn't look. "I think it's Lane."

Leaning on his forearms, Jess dipped closer to Rory in order to whisper. "Why is she in that outfit?"

"You go to Stars Hollow High. Certainly you knew that she's a cheerleader."

"Lane's a cheerleader?"

"Yeah. And it's my fault, too."

"That's rich," Jess said disparagingly. "Did you know about this?"

"Do I look like I knew about this?" Rory put her head in her hands. "I told you, the feeling this morning was not an accurate warning. It's like those crummy weather guys on the ten o'clock news."

With a final glare at Dean, Jess made a loud clatter about putting the coffeepot away. Lane looked up and met Jess' eyes with a guilty expression. He shook his head at her and touched the back of Rory's hand. "Let's go to the bookstore."

Perking up, Rory finished her coffee and slid off the stool. "That would be good."

"Good." Lane and Dean watched them leave, and Rory couldn't resist a look. Her heart splintered a little, but she held her head up. Dean's eyes met hers defiantly, and it then Rory knew: this thing with Lane was just to hurt her. Anger flashed through Rory's eyes, and she whipped her head back to Jess.

"Asshole," she fumed.

"Whoa, whoa. What?"

Rory whirled around in the middle of the sidewalk. "Dean. He's just dating Lane to get back at me."

"Gee, you think?"

"Don't be sarcastic! I can't believe he would do something like this!" Rory was gesturing widely with her hands, flinging her body accordingly. "God!"

Jess just stood there and listened raptly. He could think of nothing else to do other than that, because he had never seen her so upset. By looking closely, he could see that she was close to tears. "Come on," he said, gingerly putting his arm around her quivering shoulders. "Come on, we'll go upstairs."

Rory merely nodded, unable to speak. She let her weight rest against Jess as he all but dragged her into the diner, past Caesar's inquisitive eyes, and up the narrow staircase that led to his room. In the apartment, Jess had a decent-sized room of his own, into which he guided Rory. She collapsed on the bed. "Why would he do this?"

"He's a jerk."

"It's okay that he was a jerk to me. But Lane? Why does he have to hurt Lane?"

"I don't know. I think it's pretty much included in the jerk package."

Rory rubbed her forehead. "Sorry I flipped out."

"It's okay."

"This has been a bad day."

"Well, tomorrow can't be any worse, right?"

"Don't get me started on the many ways it could twist this day into something even more grotesque." Rory took deep breaths in the quiet, and grabbed for Jess. He sat on the bed with her and embraced her comfortingly. "What do I do? I can't let Lane get hurt."

"Talk to her."

"Will she listen?"

"Worth a try."

A clambering in the front area of the apartment startled Rory but not Jess. "Luke?" Rory asked.

"I should hope."

There was a curt knock on the door and Luke ducked his head in. "Hey, Rory." He caught sight of her face, her teary eyes. "You all right?"

"I'm fine, Luke."

Luke nodded. "As soon as you can, okay, Jess?"

"Okay." With a worried look in Rory's direction, Luke left them to their own devices, then backed up. Two teenagers…an empty apartment…Luke shook his head. Not going to happen. Not here, not now. He clattered down the stairs and went to find Caesar. Jess tugged his fingers through Rory's hair and let her cry helplessly. After a long while, she raised her head.

"I better go," she said softly.

"Go. I'll be there around seven."

"You don't have to."

"But I will."

On shaky legs, Rory started towards the door. "Good." On her way out of the diner, she waved to Luke. Dean and Lane's table was empty. Glancing at her watch, she decided that she had enough time to make a stop before she went home. Instead of taking the long way she had become accustomed to, she detoured down Peach Street. His house looked the same, with the neatly manicured lawn and fairly fresh paint. Apprehensively, Rory mounted the stairs to the front door and knocked. Dean's mother opened the door and look surprised. "Rory. Hi."

"Hi. Is Dean here?"

"Sure is. Hold on, okay?" Dean's mother disappeared into the house and Dean returned.

"What?" he asked rudely and Rory almost reconsidered.

"What are you doing with Lane?"

"Dating her."

"Why?"

"Well, I thought I might as well see if someone in this town can be faithful."

Stung, Rory retorted, "So she's just an experiment."

"You hurt me, I hurt you. Call and answer."

2 "That's how the world works now, huh?"

Dean shrugged. "What's it to you?"

"Wh—she's my best friend!"

"You don't own her."

"You know what? I don't. Do whatever you want. I don't care." Rory stomped down the stairs muttering mild obscenities under her breath. Her anger carried her quickly through the darkening streets of Stars Hollow. It was rare that Rory's temper glowed so brightly. The temper illuminated her cheeks so that they were burning an intense scarlet. By the time Rory got home, she was calmer but still red. Upon slamming into the house, Rory found the answering machine blinking. Lorelai had left a message about the inn, and not being home until eight or so. The doorbell rang.

Paris pushed past Rory and invited herself into the living room. Tristan greeted her with a smirk and followed Paris' path. Closing her eyes and inhaling, Rory went in as well. Paris, of course, began as soon as Rory was over the threshold. Rory leaned against the back of the couch.

*

Jess rang the doorbell at ten after seven, four coffees in hand. A pattering of feet echoed through the front hall, and Rory flung the door open and smiled in relief. "Thank you."

"I said I'd be here."

"I know. I'm just a little…"

"I know." Jess ushered her inside and went to the living room to be introduced.

"Jess, this is Paris and Tristan. Paris, Tristan, this is Jess."

"Boyfriend?" Tristan inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah."

Paris' eyes moved back and forth for a second, and she kicked back into gear. "Let's keep going. We can't afford to take breaks."

"Paris," Rory beseeched, "take a break. Just ten minutes."

With pursed lips, Paris set her study materials down. "Fine. Is that coffee?"

Jess looked at the tray in his hands. "Yeah. Decaf with soy milk."

"You planned this," Paris indicted.

Rory nodded sheepishly. "You like coffee with soy milk."

Paris accepted it with a suspicious look on her face. Tristan grabbed a cup, and Jess handed the last two to Rory. "I figured you'd need two."

"You're so good at math," Rory gushed sweetly.

Tristan's eyes traveled between the two. "Got rid of Dean, huh?"

"Duh," Rory said dryly.

"What's your project?" Jess asked.

"It's a Steinbeck analysis."

"Sounds fun."

"Everything at Chilton is fun," Rory reminded him.

"I forgot." Jess smiled at her, and Rory responded to it. "Hey, you said something about needing help with that casserole your mother left for dinner."

Trying not to laugh at his subterfuge, Rory stood and answered, "Yeah. I can't figure out her whacked instructions. Come on." Jess rose and followed, nodding coolly to Paris and Tristan. When they were in the kitchen, Jess stood in front of her in the furthermost corner from the living room.

"You okay?" he asked, his usually impassive face betraying him and showing much concern.

"Yeah." Rory placed her hands on his forearms and inhaled deeply. "I'm all right." After another breath, Rory said, "I talked to Dean."

"And?"

"He was a jerk."

"Now there's a surprise."

"He said all this stuff about me not owning her and—"

"Rory, that's part of his jerkiness. Remember?"

"I know. I just…it's true. And that's what sucks." With a sigh, Rory said a little more brightly, "At least this project isn't going terribly."

"That's good. Those two look like a real fun bunch."

"Oh, they are," Rory agreed with a roll of her eyes. "Thank you for coming over."

Jess leaned in and kissed her softly, with increasing pressure. Rory moved her arms around his back and kissed back with all she had, thankful to have someone like Jess. "Mmm," he said, breaking away. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"If I don't call you first," Rory said with a hint of a smile on her swollen lips.

"Bye." Jess exited out the back door. With a little more patience than before, Rory took one of the coffees off of the counter where Jess had left them and reentered the living room. Paris and Tristan were talking quietly, and Rory leaned against the doorjamb for a moment to look at them. They looked, in that instant, like genuine friends.

"Okay."

"Did you get your…casserole…fixed?" Tristan asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

Grinning impishly, Rory replied, "We decided the instructions were impenetrable. I'll just order pizza."

"Good plan," Paris said wryly. "Now, can we get back?"

"But of course," Tristan said good-naturedly. Rory tilted her head and considered him. In the interaction she'd had with him so far, he seemed to have changed a lot from the annoyance he was last year. He was friend material, actually. In a flash of realization, it dawned on Rory that he might have been friend material before, but that Dean had blinded her to any male besides him. "What, Rory?"

"Nothing." Rory looked to her notes unseeingly. "Okay. We have a bio done. Now we need to start listing the recurring motifs in his literary works. Tristan, take The Pearl. Paris, The Grapes of Wrath. I'll do Of Mice and Men."

The three immersed themselves in study for a good thirty minutes. Rory's brow was wrinkled in thought as she carefully highlighted important passages in her book. Suddenly, the piercing ringing of the phone astounded Rory enough to make her jump. "I'll get it," she said thoughtlessly.

"Good, because I don't think your mother would be too thrilled if I answered," Tristan said with a chuckle.

With a look of mock exasperation, Rory picked up. "Hello?"

"Rory?"

"Lane? Isn't it kind of late for you to call?"

"My mother doesn't know."

Rory made a motion and went to her room. "Okay."

"So, I saw you in Luke's today."

Stiffening, Rory frowned. She had almost forgotten about that. "I saw you too," she said, lingering on the last word, accentuating the double meaning.

Lane sighed. "Are you mad?"

"I think you're making a big mistake."

"You would say that."

"What does that mean?" Rory cried, offended.

"It means, I think you're being possessive."

"Oh my God. How can you even say that?"

Lane laughed a little bitterly. "I think you want to be the shining star like you've always been and you can't handle you best friend being with your boyfriend."

"Ex-boyfriend," Rory said coldly. "And that's not the point at all, Lane. I just think that Dean is a jerk—or at least, he was to me—and that you deserve better."

"You cheated on him."

"You know what? Clearly, both of you are going to be stubborn, so do whatever you want. Get hurt, get in trouble with your mom, see if I care."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine," Rory hollered, her volume level rising with Lane's. Lane hung up, and Rory punched the button with more power than needed. Taking even, slow breaths, Rory managed to go back into the living room and remain polite. Paris and Tristan noticed a marked difference in her demeanor, though. Tristan refrained from teasing her, and by a quarter to eight, the two were leaving, setting up a time to study the next day, in the library after school.

Rory crumpled into a chair that was cleared of their papers. Shutting her eyes, Rory tried her best to construe the situation as favorable. Try though she did, she couldn't. Somehow, she and Lane had split up over a guy. To prevent tears, Rory reminded herself that she had Jess, who had managed to not only be her boyfriend, but also one of her best friends. Now, probably her best friend.

A crash gave Rory a jolt. Lorelai cruised into the room. "Sookie's going nuts," she announced.

"This is new?" Rory asked tiredly.

"Well, the wedding is not going according to plan."

"They never do," Rory told her.

Lorelai fell on the couch, crunching some paper. Cringing, she got up and examined the damage. "Sorry, babe."

"S'okay," Rory slurred.

"Anyway, Jackson apparently has some parental issues, and Sookie invited them when he didn't want them to come. So Jackson sent a letter revoking the invite, but Sookie said it was rude, and sent another letter saying that Jackson was insane and that they should come. And now she can't decide what cake to have."

"Sounds awful."

"It is. That's what I spent the last three hours doing—helping Sookie design stuff and all."

"Aha. That's why you were conspicuously absent. I knew there was something missing…"

Lorelai laughed and reached over to pat her daughter's knee. "You look exhausted."

"Maybe that's because I am."

"Well, looks aren't as deceptive as some like to think. Spill."

Shifting, Rory groaned. "It was a bad day."

"You said you had a vibe this morning."

"It was a little off."

"How?"

"The day was much, much worse than the vibe indicated."

"Like those weathermen on the ten o'clock news!"

"Exactly!" Rory crawled off the chair and into the comforting circle of her mother's arms. "Lane and Dean are dating."

"What?"

"Mmm-hmm. And I have to do a group project with Paris and Tristan."

"Aww." Lorelai rubbed her daughter's face. "Hon."

"And Lane and Dean are both being stubborn. They won't listen."

"Well, then maybe you just have to let this run its course."

"I don't want to." Rory felt a tear slip down her cheek. "It hurts," she whispered.

"I know, babe. I know."