A.N: I'm glad the response to this new turn is positive! I'm excited about this, and I'm going to turn the tables even more in these next few chapters! Watch out ;D. Anyway, I know that it might be annoying, and I don't do it all the time either, but it would REALLY help if everyone reviewed! Even if you want to just say "you stink," I'm fine with that! Thanks and enjoy!

Our Time Now chapter 9: Here It Goes

"China? You're going to China? When you told me you were moving to Philly, I admit I was a little upset because Pennslyvania is pretty far but and I figured when I visit we could run up the Rocky steps, but China? That's like...really really really far!" Lorelai spoke into the phone. Rory frowned against the reciever and tucked her legs under her on the couch. She knew her mother wasn't going to take the news well, although she made a Rocky reference so Lorelai couldn't be that upset.

"I know it is! But it's not for that long, I leave in the beginning of August, only for a month or so! I'll be back before you know it. Besides, think about all the cool things from China I can buy you!"

"This is true, I do enjoy those paper umbrellas and Hello Kitty. O.K fine, you can go to China if you bring me back so many souveniers that I can cover the whole kitchen in Hello Kitty memorbelia." Rory laughed picturing Luke tripping over Hello Kitty waffle irons and attempting to make toast in a Hello Kitty toaster, wearing a Hello Kitty apron.

"I promise. Thanks for giving your 24 year old daughter, living on her own, permission. I appreciate that!"

"No problemo kid, anytime. Now remember what I told you about those pesky plug sockets! Did Jess use the plastic covers I gave him? You wouldn't want to accidentally stick a wet finger in one."

"Got it covered."

"Speaking of Jess, how did he take the news?"

"As well as possible I guess, we went out to celebrate. He seems happy for me but I can tell he's a little off. I told him I wouldn't go if he didn't want me to, but he said I shouldn't pass this up."

"That's good Hon, I'm sure he's not thrilled, but that boy is crazy about you. He wants you to do what's best for your career."

"I know, but I don't know if I can take a month without him! We were separated for awhile, but now that we live together it's hard to get through a few hours."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out babe. Anyway, Luke's almost done with dinner, I can smell it!"

"Thanks Mom. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I'll call you after work. Love ya Ming-Ming!"

"Ming-Ming?"

"It's your new Chinese name! If you're going to China, you need a Chinese name. Who better to give you one than your mother! I can sew it on your underwear if you want."

"No thanks, I think I can manage. Love you too. Tell Luke goodnight for me."

"Will do, same for your hoodlum author boyfriend. Bye prodigal daughter!" Lorelai hung up the phone and sighed loudly. She walked into the kitchen and stood in front of Luke, who was currently stirring a pot of what looked like sauce.

Lorelai contempulated why, of all places, Rory was sent to China...the other side of the world! Why not somewhere in the U.S...or Mexico! She could deal with Mexico, and get some sumbararos out of the deal.

"She's going to China." Luke looked up from the pot in surprise.

"Who's going to China?"

"Rory, on an assignment."

"China? For what? What can she do in China that she can't do here?"

"Write about the Olympics...wow. I just realized how cool this actually is! My daughter is going to China on business! Bragging rights for the mama!" Lorelai sat at the kitchen table placing both her hands up. Luke bent down and kissed her briefly.

"You did good. How does Jess feel about all this?"

"She told me he seems O.K with it, but you know Jess."

"All too well, but he's older now I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Yeah it'll work out. She will only be gone for a month, it's not a permanent move or anything. I'm proud of her and I'm sure Jess is too."

"What about the wedding?"

"Oh my God! I forgot about that! We'll have to push it up, I need my daughter/maid of honor there! What about Mid-July?"

"That works, but it's only a few months away Lorelai."

"I can do it. If I'm anything, I'm an amazing last minute party planner! I'll call the church and the hall tomorrow to see what they have available." She got up and kissed Luke again. "It's going to work this time, I know it."

--

Jess stared at the computer screen, not really thinking about anything in particular, but not wanting to dive into the work in front of him. His mind was not without thoughts though, mostly about Rory and her impending departure. It wasn't for a few months, but he hoped it wouldn't interfere with their relationship. Jess finally had his life where he wanted it, and he knew Rory was going to be doing what she needed to do to make it...but he didn't think it would be this soon and take such a toll on him.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Chris waved his hand in front of the face of his spaced out friend, causing him to lose his train of thought.

"A penny won't cut it, try a quarter...or a Sacagawea maybe."

"That bad huh, what's up?"

"Just the whole Rory going to China tirade. I shouldn't be worried about this right? I'm driving myself nuts for no reason."

"Right. For some reason, she loves you. I don't think something like a business trip is going to ruin that." Chris took a bite of his banana and pointed it at his friend.

"Maybe it'll be a good thing, you guys have been practically joined at the hip lately. It will...prove once again the test of time and how much you care about each other, or something like that."

"Too bad you're talking out of your ass, but thanks."

"No problem, anything for you my friend. Now get back to work."

"Nice to know someone cares. I need a break."

--

"You know what I'm really in the mood for?" Rory sat at the table consciously picking at her taco.

Jess looked up from his meal. "What?"

"An orange. I don't know why, but all day I was waiting to come home and grab an orange. Then I got home and realized we had no oranges, but I was too tired to go to the store. So, now I really want an orange." Jess raised his eyebrows.

"Sorry I came home with this instead of a basket of oranges. I didn't know you really ate fruit...only in pancakes or muffins."

"I don't usually, that's why it was noteworthy enough for me to tell you about during dinner! I thought it would be an interesting topic of conversation."

"You're craving for oranges? Oh yes, great conversation. Next, I'll tell you about the time I desperately wanted some apple juice."

"You're sarcasm isn't attractive Mr. Mariano."

"Ah, but the rest of me is." Rory let out a loud 'Ha' at his statement while finishing her taco and grabbing another. Her appetite was bigger than usual today, including her 3rd taco she was about to consume, Rory had eaten five pancakes this morning, a huge burger with an extra-large side of fries for lunch, two pudding cups and some potato chips. She finished the taco and yawned.

"I think I'm going to head to bed early tonight, I've been exhausted all day."

"So the 50 cups of coffee a day don't keep you up?"

"You know, I think I've become immune. I'm going to need something stronger."

"You might as well take caffeine pills."

"They have those?"

"I have no idea."

"If they do, find me the nearest GNC! I'm gonna go shower." Rory kissed his cheek and went off, stopping before the bedroom door.

"Hm, oranges..." She thought, attempting to remember something her mother had told her about fruit, but failing.

Rory shrugged it off. "Probably another crazy anecdote."

--