Well I'm glad that so many of you have returned to read my story, and that some new people have found it too. I wasn't sure there would be anyone still interested after all this time.
Here is the next chapter, we are getting close to the Rory/Jess stuff now so you'll just have to be a little patient.
Enjoy!
PGx
Chapter 11
---- Truncheon Too ----
"Seriously! You are going to throw away a great girl like Kat for this. For her. She left you Jess. Broke your heart." Matt shouted exasperated as he threw himself onto the couch in Jess's office.
"I don't know what you've been drinking but I have no clue what you are talking about." Jess said starting up his laptop.
"Rory." Matt said plainly.
Jess's hand stumbled at the sound of her name. "What? You're being ridiculous. It's nothing to do with Rory."
"Don't give me that bullshit Jess! One minute you're getting ready to propose and then Rory turns up and you start on about how do you tell Kat you don't love her." Matt was beginning to lose his patience with his best friend. "Do you really want me to believe there isn't a connection between the two?"
"That's not it and you know it! I do love Kat, I think, I just… wait a minute how do you even know that Rory was here?" Jess asked.
"I… um she, well she came in to collect something that she left here at the opening."
"What? When? Why didn't you tell me she was here?" Jess stood up from his chair, grabbed his cell and his keys and was just about to walk round the desk when Matt started speaking again.
"She left in a hurry and she didn't seem interested in hanging around to see to see you." Matt said and Jess sat back down. "I'm sorry that was harsh."
"Don't worry about it." Jess sighed, she had made it clear she didn't want to speak to him last night.
"So the reason I'm here is that I need to come over and collect some of Kat's things. She's with Jana at the apartment and wants to take as much back with us as she can."
"Oh, do you think that she'll talk to me before she leaves?" There are a few things we should sort out before she goes."
"I guess, want me to call them and see where they're at?" Matt said while pulling out his cell. Jess nodded.
As Matt chatted on the phone, Jess scanned the webpage on his screen absentmindedly, it was The New York Times website. He was looking at her staff profile, looking for a sign but there was nothing and he was suddenly snapped back to reality when Matt hung up from his call.
"Excellent, they are just heading to Java Hut so I said we'd meet them there, Kat said she'd like to see you before she goes."
Jess made up his mind and closed the laptop, picked up his keys and he and Matt headed out of the office.
---- The Park ----
Rory finally stopped and looked around, she had made it to the park without even realising where she was going. She headed to a near by bench, sat down and placed her head in her hands. Why was she acting this way, why after all this time did he still make her feel like a stupid little school girl? Of course he'd moved on, so had she what did she expect? Why did it even matter? She didn't have feelings for Jess anymore, did she?
She sat up and pulled out her cell, flicked trough her contacts and hovered over the call button when she reached Mum. After a few seconds she sighed and dropped the cell back into her bag. There was no way she could call her mum, she could already hear the disappointment that would colour her voice as soon as Rory mentioned Jess.
"Remember the last time Rory, people don't change. You were young and you were confusing a school girl crush with something more that's all. I mean he's no Logan…"
But that was exactly it, he isn't Logan. Rory stood up, she knew at once that this had been the real reason she had said no even though she hadn't known it at the time. There had been something about the way Jess used to make her feel that had been missing with Logan. She needed that. She had to speak to him, why else would he show up in her life, especially now? She headed back towards the street, it was finally time to face him.
---- Java Hut ----
Jess and Matt walked into the warm little shop and made their way to the back where they spotted the girls.
Jana waved, stood up and hugged Kat. "Matt and I are going to head back to the apartment to give you guys some space, give me a call if you need anything." She turned to Jess and mouthed "Be nice." Jess nodded once and sat in her vacated seat.
"Hi." Kat kept her eyes on her cup as she spoke, too shy to look up.
"Hi."
"Look…" They both started at the same time.
"Please let me go first." Jess pleaded. "I think I managed to freak myself out and I put a lot of extra pressure on myself, with the opening of T2 and the book launch and well… It all became too much and I'm sorry that I took it out on you. I didn't mean to treat you that way, I panicked."
"You panicked? Please, was the idea of us being together, me moving all this way, leaving my family for you really that horrifying?" Kat's anger was building.
"No, you don't understand. I was so happy when you agreed to come with me, you would not believe how happy. Things just got a bit too much, it was all moving too quickly."
"Do you love me?" Kat looked at Jess, the tears welling in her eyes.
"Y'know I do."
"Enough that you want me to stay?"
"I… I don't know. I did, but now, I'm not sure." He couldn't look at her anymore, he couldn't look at the hurt in her eyes.
"What changed Jess?"
"Everything."
Kat stood up, picked up her bag "Ok. I guess that is decided then. Take care of yourself babes."
He thought about her, her eyes, how much he had hurt her and knew he couldn't do the same to Kat. "Wait, stay with me." Jess said as he stood, they faced each other across the table.
"Why?"
"I love you."
"How do I know you are serious?"
Jess placed a small box on the table, "Is this serious enough for you?"
Kat froze, she looked from the box to Jess and back. "Jess what is this?"
"Now you see why I've been a little crazy." He nudged the little box closer to her.
Trembling slightly she reached down and picked it up. She opened the box and inside there was a beautiful white gold ring with a central emerald bordered by 2 smaller side diamonds. "Oh Jess…" she whispered.
"Y'know I didn't really plan on doing it quite like this." Jess stood nervously with his hands in his jean pockets, his foot fidgeting with a discarded napkin under the table.
She took the ring out of the box and held it out to him. Jess took it, hands shaking and said "Katerina Young, will you marry me?"
She squealed "Yes!" and flung herself round the table and into his arms. They both stumbled and Jess fell back into his chair with Kat in his lap. They laughed and he kissed her softly on the forehead.
"Give me your hand, I really should put this on you." He placed it gently on to her ring finger and leaned in for the kiss when the customers of the shop suddenly broke into cheers of celebration and congratulations.
---- Truncheon Too ----
Rory stood nervously outside the shop looking at the door with a huge feeling of déjà vu. "It's now or never Gilmore." She said to herself as a passer by gave her a funny look. She walked towards the door, pulled it open and stepped inside.
"Rory, back again I see. You can't seem to keep you away from here. What can I do for you this time? Did you forget something else last night? Kris asked enthusiastically.
"Oh no, I actually came by to see Jess. Is he around?" Rory was scanning the store as she asked hoping to find Jess before she lost her nerve.
"Um no, he and Matt headed out a while ago. I don't think he'll be back before closing. Can I help, do you need to check something for your review?" He asked hopefully.
"No, it's ok it was just a social call really. I think I'll just have a proper look round and maybe pop back another time to see him."
"Oh, ok. Well you know where I am if you need any help."
"Thanks." Rory said and turned down the first isle of books and started to browse.
---- Matt & Jana's Apartment ----
Kat and Jana squealed and jumped on the spot as Kat showed off her ring. Jess was still standing in the open doorway with his hands shoved deep in his pockets as Matt stared at him quizzically. Jess simply shrugged his shoulders and made his way to the lounge.
"So I guess this means you're staying." Jana said to Kat as they settled on the couch opposite Jess and Matt.
"Yeah I guess so. We have to celebrate before you guys leave. You've both been amazing, it's thanks to you guys that we got this far." Kat held out her hand admiring the ring in the sunlight as she spoke.
"Totally, I'm sure there are a couple of crates of Champagne left from the launch. We could do it at T2 while most of the Philly team are still here!"
"That's a brilliant idea, we should call them now and make arrangements." Kat and Jana headed for the kitchen cells in hand chatting excitedly.
As soon as the girls where out of earshot Matt turned on Jess. "Dude what the fuck? I thought you had made your decision. You better not be messing her around."
"You done?"
"No not really, Jess she was crushed last night you didn't see it. If you are not serious you cannot let this go on any further."
"I am serious, I couldn't let her go, I couldn't break her heart." Jess said as he ran his hand through his hair. "She's a great girl."
"But is she THE girl? What about last night?"
"What about it? I was drunk and nervous as hell that's all."
"Yeah and if you keep telling yourself that, you might start to believe it." Matt stood up and made his way towards the door, opened it and turned back to Jess "You better sort this, it's not fair on her."
The door slammed and Jana came bouncing back into the lounge. "Where'd Matt go?" she asked.
"I'm not sure he said he had to sort something. Listen can you tell Kat I had to leave and I'll see you guys back at T2, I've just got a few calls to make."
"Oh ok, we'll see you guys soon. Party starts at 9.00pm, don't be late." Jana hugged Jess and he left the apartment.
---- Truncheon Too ----
Rory had gotten lost in a book from the hidden treasures section and didn't hear Kris as he approached. "Hey!" he said and she jumped from her seat in the reading corner.
"Oh you scared me. Hi, again."
"Listen, we are turning things into a bit of a party here tonight, for Jess. You should stick around I bet he'd be glad to see you."
"Sure that sounds great, is there anything I can do to help?" She closed the book and stood up from the arm chair she was curled up on.
"You really don't mind? Well ok, we need some snacks picked up from the Italian place around the corner, they're already ordered but it might take a while to get it all ready though."
"I don't mind, I'm just happy to be able to help." Rory popped the book back on the shelf and headed for the door, this was it, she was finally going to get to speak to Jess. She could use this time to think about what she wanted to say.
Jess got back to T2 before the others and went straight to his office passing the purple t-shirts who were busy setting up for his impromptu engagement party. He shuddered with that thought. Once inside he turned on the laptop, picked up the desk phone and dialled.
"Hello Luke's can I help you?" a gruff voice answered, but Jess wasn't ready for that conversation and hung up.
He leaned back in his chair with his feet up on the desk. His cell rang and he took it out his pocket. Matt was calling, he looked at the number flashing on the screen for a few more seconds before finally hitting the answer button.
"Hey, where are you?" Jess asked.
"I'm at your apartment looking for you, where are you?"
"I'm at T2, party starts at 9 or haven't you heard?"
"So you are really going to go through with this? This is really what you want and you're not going to change your mind?"
"Look, I love her ok there is nothing to worry about."
"And Rory?"
"What about her? She's made it clear she's not interested, she's with some older guy these days anyway. She's moved on and now so have I."
"You're sure about that?"
"Yeah man, will you just get your ass over here and help keep me sane during this party, after all that's what a best man is for isn't it?"
"Seriously?" Matt asked surprised.
"Yeah, well it'll have to be joint best man, I'll have to have Uncle Luke there too."
"I'm flattered."
"Don't be, just get here and bring beer. I think I'm off champagne after last night…"
"Sure, I'll see you soon."
Jess decided to wait in his office as long as he could. Even if he did want to marry Kat, he'd never been a fan of being centre of attention.
Outside the office Jana and Kat had arrived and were busy putting the finishing touches to the room. Jana was in event management mode and everything seemed to be falling into place. The staff had all changed out of their purple t-shirts and most of them were blowing up balloons while a couple were hanging a makeshift banner over the desk where the cash register sat. The house band Drowning Inferno were setting up again on the small stage and when it looked like everyone was there Matt took to the mic to start off the evening.
"Ladies and Gentlemen can I please have your attention. Jess, Kat can you please make your way to the front of the stage. As you know we are here to celebrate Jess and Kat's engagement and I'd just like to say a few words before we toast the happy couple. When Jess told me he was going to ask Kat to marry him I have to admit, I was shocked, not that he was going to propose, but that he actually thought she'd say yes! So I was equally shocked when he told me she had accepted. That's when I realised they must be made for each other…" a few people laughed and the door opened and closed before he continued. "Seriously, I'd like you all to raise your glasses and wish them all the happiness in the world. To Jess and Kat!" Matt said as he raised his glass.
"To Jess and Kat!" everyone repeated and there was a clatter from the back of the crowd and everyone turned to face Rory who had dropped a tray of cupcakes in shock.
"Well let's get this party started, please welcome Drowning Inferno back to the stage." Matt said trying to get everyone attention back to the party.
Kris and Jana both made there way to the door to help Rory who was flustered as she tried to clear up the cupcake mess. This was the last scene she'd expected to walk into. She glanced up again to the banner, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT JESS & KAT!
"Those cupcakes are heavier than they look." Jana joked as she kneeled down beside Rory to help her pick up the pieces.
"Oh please don't get your handy messy, I've got this." Rory protested.
"Here this should help." Kris said as he handed her a small dust pan and brush.
"Thanks, but really I can manage. It might be safer if you collect the rest of the food though, people might actually have something they can eat that way." Rory said trying to get rid of Kris.
"Sure. Be right back." He said cheerily.
She didn't need this right now, all she wanted to do was clear up and leave. This was a disaster, the last thing she had expected to walk into was his ENGAGEMENT party! She glanced up and could see Jess and Kat being swamped by well wishers, she needed to escape before he could make his way across.
"Hi I'm Jana, I don't recognise you from the Philly gang, are you one of the new employees here in New York? she asked as she eyed Rory.
"Uh no, actually Jess and I have known each other a long time, I'm Rory. I guess you could say we're old friends."
"Oh really, how well do you know each other?" Jana asked sounding very over protective.
Rory sensed enough to know she didn't want to tell Jana they had dated so settled for the other connection instead. "He lived in our town for a while when he was 17, his Uncle is actually engaged to my mum."
"You mean Luke?"
"The one and only."
"Wow, then you must be Lorelai's daughter? Well I mean of course you are you look just like her" Jana said as she relaxed her attitude.
"Yeah, that's me. You've met my mother?"
"Yeah she and Luke came up to Philly when we threw a surprise leaving party for Jess. She's quite the character!"
"Really? I didn't realise she'd been up to visit."
"Yeah it was about a month ago now, we wanted to give him a good send off. Your mum sure enjoyed herself, she was the life and soul of the party."
"That sounds just like her." Rory laughed as she too started to relax.
Once the mess was cleared Rory and Jana made their way towards the cash register desk which was now doubling up as the bar. "What can I get you to drink Rory?" Jana asked.
Rory who had been scanning the room for any signs of Jess jumped at the sound of her name. "Oh I'll just have a water please." She wasn't sure her stomach could handle much else after the rainbow shots.
"Shoot, we don't have any out here, I'll nip through the back and get one for you." Jana skipped behind the desk and through the purple door to the staff room.
"Thanks." Rory said after her before turning back to the crowd.
Not realising it was Rory Matt tapped her on the shoulder and asked "Excuse me, was that my fiancé disappearing through the back?"
Rory turned "Hi Matt, great party. How are you?"
"Thanks, it's really all down to Jana though. I'm good, you?"
"Oh I didn't realise you two were engaged, she seems really nice."
"Yeah, I'm a lucky guy." Matt said and couldn't hold back the grin that spread across his face.
As they chatted Jess was making his way towards them, fighting his way through the crowd.
"Yo Matt, this place is even crazier than last night, can you believe…" He stopped mid sentence as Matt and Rory both turned in his direction and he caught sight of her.
He stopped suddenly and stared from Matt to Rory as she gave him a small wave "Hi Jess."
---- To be continued… ----
Sorry couldn't resist the cliff hanger! I will try and get the next chapter up for you nice and quick.
R&R please.
PGx
