AN: This was supposed to go up almost a week ago. Sorry, guys. I've been attacked by relatives and in between that, writing my latest one-shot and possibly working on a new Lit story, I kind of spaced out on this chapter. Anyway, I hope you like it and thank you all so much for the lovely reviews.
Aftermaths
Saturday morning, Rory and Jess were sitting on the living room couch, drinking coffee and watching the news, enjoying their time together. They heard the phone ring and Rory tried to get up but Jess stopped her.
"Don't answer that."
"Jess…" She kissed him, smiling.
"Hey, last time you picked up the house phone it was Emily. You sure you want to risk it again?"
"It's probably just Lane or someone. One minute."
"Fine, but if you get roped into another dinner, I'm not going with you." He smirked and kissed her.
"I know. Now stop distracting me and let me get that." She replied quickly, getting up and picking up the phone. "Hello!"
"Hello, Rory." The voice at the other end of the phone greeted her.
She made a face, looking back at Jess who was still on the couch, watching her. "Hey, grandma." Shaking his head and trying not to smirk, he just mouthed "Told you so" to her.
"How are you?"
"Fine." She snapped. "Is there a reason for this call because if you just called to chat then sorry, I'm not in the mood."
"There's no need for that tone."
"I'm sorry, but where you there last night? Do you remember what happened?"
"I remember very well what happened last night. That's the reason I called you."
"Feel like picking up where we left off? Because I'm not in the mood for that either."
"I called to apologize. I was completely out of line last night. Both you and Jess are always welcomed in our house." Emily replied from the other end of the phone, her voice cold and unemotional.
"Huh. Thanks grandma. I have to go now." Rory answered, trying not to get angry and then promptly put the phone down, pushing the button. She walked back to the couch and sat next to Jess.
"I cannot believe that woman!"
"What happened?" He just asked sympathetically, kissing her shoulder.
"She apologized."
"And that made you angry?"
"You should have heard her tone. It was possibly the least heartfelt apology in the history of mankind. I know her too well, I can tell the difference between the moments when she's honest and the "I have to do this" moments. She used to use that tone every day when she dropped by the DAR. She just did it so she could throw the ball back on my side and now, if I refuse her invitations, I will be the ungrateful granddaughter."
"I'm sorry, Ror." He pulled her closer to him, kissing her temple.
"Thanks. I'm fine. Or will be anyway."
"If you want me to do anything…"
She just ran her fingers through his hair, smiling. "You've done too much." She kissed him softly. "And really, out of the two of us, I should be apologizing. She was a witch to you last night. The things she said to you…"
"It's ok. She doesn't have to like me. And I never actually expected anything to come out of dinner last night."
"So…you only went with me because I wanted you to?" She asked him, finally realizing it.
"Pretty much."
Instead of answering, she just kissed him, squeezing his hand. "I take back what I said last night. You're not almost perfect, you are perfect."
Smirking, he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I am?"
"Yep." She kissed him again. "Really, really perfect."
He chuckled and pulled her in for a hug, kissing the top of her head. "You're not that bad either." She rested her head on his shoulder, looking at the TV, not really watching what was going on.
"I'm just curious what exactly made her call…"
"I don't know, Rory. You sure she didn't mean it?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm sure."
The night before, at the Gilmore mansion.
Richard walked into the living room, pouring himself another glass of Scotch and looked at his wife, who was sitting on the couch, drinking as well. She looked at him, still furious.
"I can't believe you're on his side! He is not the right man for her!"
"He might not be but that's not for you to decide. Now I'm going to say something and I'll just say it once: 7 years ago, you came to me and told me I had to call Rory and apologize for being rude to Dean. Tomorrow, you have to do the same thing. You're going to lose her otherwise. She likes that boy and the fact that you don't is not going to make her stop dating him. So call her if you don't want this to end badly."
"Richard!"
"That's all I had to say. Think about it. I'm going to bed."
"So, what are we going to do today?" Jess asked her.
"Hm…I was thinking stay inside, get dinner and spend our last full day together doing absolutely nothing. I might go get us a movie if I get too bored of you."
"Bored, huh?" He smirked, kissing her neck.
"Well…" She smiled, pushing him back and crushing her mouth to his.
Later that day, Rory wrapped her arms around Jess from behind, kissing his shoulder while he focused on chopping some things for dinner.
"You really didn't have to do this. We could have just gotten take away."
"I like cooking. And seriously, I am getting very tired of Al's Chinese."
"Tonight is Thai night."
"Even worse." He made a face. "Once was more than enough."
"When was the last time you had Al's Thai food?"
"High school."
"His cooking skills have seriously improved in the last 6 years."
"I don't want to try it. Plus, I've already started making this. Are you protesting because you want take away or because you're getting tired of my cooking?"
"I like your cooking." She kissed his shoulder again. "Especially when you cook just for me."
"Then why are we having this conversation?"
"I don't know. Guess I got tired of not doing anything."
"So go get us a movie. Dinner will take a while."
"But what will you do without me?"
"Live." He smirked, putting the knife down and turning around.
"What if you cut your hand again?"
"I'll sit here helplessly waiting for your return."
"Promise?" Rory grinned, kissing him.
"Cross my heart." He nodded solemnly and kissed her back. "Now go and get a movie. Nothing too cheesy."
"In the mood for anything?"
"Not really."
"Ok. I'll do my best." She kissed him one last time then let go, heading for the front door. Before she opened it, she heard his phone ring in the living room and picked it up, walking to the kitchen and handing it to him. "It's ringing."
"It's Liz." He mumbled, taking the phone and pushing the off button.
"She's still calling?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry, Jess." She hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek.
"Hey, at least she hasn't given up after one try this time." He chuckled humorlessly, pulling her closer to him.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Not really. Go get that movie and don't let her spoil our night."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"Ok." She nodded again, kissing him. "I'll be right back."
A while later, Rory walked out of the video store, holding a bag with a couple of DVDs in her hand when she spotted a blond woman heading towards her. Quickly looking behind her and deciding that there was no point in hiding, she just wrapped her arms around herself and waited for the woman to get near her.
"Is he ok?" The other woman asked quickly, trying to catch her breath.
"Yes, Liz, he's fine."
"Why isn't he answering his phone?"
"None of my business. Jess gets to do whatever he wants and if he doesn't want to talk to you, that's his choice."
"He's at your house, isn't he? Miss Patty said that's where he is. I was heading over that way because I really need to talk to him about the other night."
"No, you don't." Rory shook her head, trying to keep her calm. "You've done enough damage. You need to leave him alone and wait to see if or when he decides to talk to you."
"Rory, he's my son. This is not for you to decide."
"Trust me, I know it's not because if it was my choice, you'd never be allowed anywhere near him again." She hissed, anger boiling inside her. "Go home. I'll pass along your message and if he wants to talk to you, he knows where to find you." She finished her sentence and turned around, heading back towards the house, leaving Liz just standing there, watching her as she walked away.
When she reached the house, she dropped the bag in the small hallway, then walked in the kitchen.
"Hey. What did you get?" Jess asked, looking at her.
"Can you stop that for a second?" She pointed to the pans. "I have to talk to you."
"Give me a minute." He turned off the stove quickly, pushing the pans aside then turned around to look at her. "What's wrong?"
She motioned for him to sit down, then pulled a chair closer to his and sat down as well. "I ran into Liz."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "And?"
Rory quickly recounted the argument, then looked at him. When he didn't say anything, she just took his hand and intertwined her fingers through his. "I'm sorry, Jess. I'm not trying to fight your battles for you and you can tell me I was completely out of line but I just…I don't want to see you like you were on Tuesday again. Couldn't stand seeing you like that again."
"It's ok." He lifted their hands and placed a small kiss on her palm.
"Really?"
"Really." He smiled weakly, looking at her. "The only reason I'm angry right now is because you're caught in the middle of this. Well, that and at her, but that's not the point right now. You shouldn't have to be dragged in my mess."
"I want to be." She caressed his cheek slowly. "I'll keep reminding you of this as many times as you want: I care about you, so much, and I want to be the one that's between you two. I know you can do this by yourself but I'm asking you to let me do it for you."
"Why?" He asked her simply and she sighed, pulling her chair closer to his and cupped his face in her hand.
"Because I can't change any of the things that happened. I don't have a magic wand that will just erase all that and give you a happy childhood instead and this…this is the only thing I can do. This way, if you ever decide that you want to have any sort of relationship with her, this won't be between you two as well. She can hate me all she wants, I don't care. And, while you may think this is silly, but I want to protect you from all that. You mean too much to me not to at least try to do that in the only way that I can."
"Come here." He asked her, pulling her closer to him until she was straddling him and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. She buried her face in his hair, her arms circling his neck.
"Thank you." Jess whispered softly and she pulled back a little so she could look at him and kissed his forehead.
"What for?"
"For saying all that."
"I mean it."
"I know."
"But you're still going to keep me out of this, aren't you?" She tried to smile as she asked her question.
"My plan is to keep both of us out of this. She'll stop calling eventually. We're both leaving tomorrow. It's not like she's in our lives that much."
"There you go, being all rational again." She tried to lighten the mood, placing a butterfly kiss on his lips.
"How dare I?" He asked, his normal smirk back.
"How many more times do I have to tell you to stop it? You'd think I mention it enough."
"I'm doing my best."
"Ok." She kissed him again. "I guess that's good enough." She smiled and stood up, taking his hand. She pulled him up and hugged him tightly. "Just...remember what I said earlier, ok? In case you change your mind or something happens."
"I will." Jess answered, kissing her.
She pointed to the pans on the stove. "Any chance that's still good to eat?"
"It will probably be all burned on one side. Kind of what happens when you interrupt the cooking process."
"I guess it's Thai night then." She giggled excitedly. "Just remember the first rule of Al's take away night: what does not kill you, makes you stronger."
"Or stranger."
"Oh, no, this is definitely stronger. Kind of like mom's attempts at cooking." Rory made a face and he smiled, placing a soft kiss on her lips.
"If this is all part of your plan to give both of food poisoning so we don't have to go back to our lives tomorrow, it's a bad idea. I'm grumpy when I'm sick. You wouldn't like me."
"What makes you think I like you now?" She stuck out her tongue and he backed her up against the counter, putting his hands on both sides of her.
"Don't you?"
"Not really." She shook her head, smiling.
"Really?" He trailed kisses across her jaw, stopping just before he reached her lips and looked at her.
"Yep."
"Huh…ok then." He pulled back, smirking. "I guess I'll just leave you alone then."
Rory quickly moved, taking his hand and pulling him back next to her. "Don't you dare." She kissed him, running her hands through his hair.
"I thought you didn't like me." He smirked when she pulled back.
"I still don't. But I need someone around to make sure I get to the hospital on time if the food is bad. And, you know, I did rent Almost famous and I really don't want to watch it by myself."
"Voluntarily? Did something fall on your head while you were walking to the DVD store?"
"I was thinking you deserved a treat for making dinner. Seeing how that's not happening, though, I could just pick something from mom's collection…" She trailed off, smiling.
"What if I promise I'll make you breakfast tomorrow?"
"Nope. You were making me breakfast anyway."
"I was?"
"Yeah. It's part of our deal."
"What if we watch it because it's the last movie I get to see before I die of food poisoning?"
"Fair enough." She kissed him quickly, taking his hand and walking to the living room, with Jess next to her.
Later that night, Rory woke up to an empty bed. Quickly throwing his t-shirt on, she walked out and into the kitchen, finding him sitting at the table, writing something in a notebook. She leaned over, wrapping her arms around his back.
"Why are you here?"
"Just writing." He closed the notebook quickly.
"Still working on the book?"
"Something like that."
"You're being mysterious." She smiled, kissing his cheek.
"Only slightly." Jess smirked, looking at her.
"Come back to bed." She asked him, kissing his cheek again.
"Give me five minutes."
"Fine. But if you're not back in five, I get to read whatever it is you're writing."
"Fair enough." He agreed and she ruffled his hair, going back in the bedroom.