Crowne Plaza on Central, Philadelphia, PA
April 18, 2008
1130 hours

Rory was awoken by a soft knock on her door, squinting momentarily, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the beams of sunlight that were cutting through her curtains. The knock sounded again as she pulled her robe on and secured the sash to cover the shorts and camisole she'd slept in before heading to the door.

"Who's there?" She called.

"Room service," Came the response.

"I didn't order room service," She replied, wiping the last bits of sleep from her eyes.

"Candygram," The visitor responded.

Rory couldn't help but smiled as she recognized the old bit. "You're that darn landshark, aren't you?"

"Alright you caught me," the voice acquiesced, "Open the door, Rory."

"No," she laughed, "You just want to eat me."

"Dirty," The voice had taken on a warm and sensual note as it rumbled through the door, causing Rory to blush momentarily at her unintentional innuendo, "C'mon Rory, open the door, don't make me stand out here like an idiot."

"I don't know," Rory teased, "What's in it for me?"

"I have coffee and…"

"SOLD!" She cut him off, throwing the door open and leaping into the arms of her new boyfriend. "Thank you! I love you."

Jess simply smirked at Rory who was blushing and stammering that she was talking to the coffee. After watching her squirm for a moment more under his gaze, he let her off the hook, "I know," He assured her, "May I come in?"

"Oh," Rory flushed, realizing they were still in the hall, "Right, sure, come on in." She opened the door wider to allow him in as she turned on the lights and took a seat on the bed.

Jess followed, handing her a to-go cup before kissing her and taking a seat on a nearby chair.

"You're so far away," Rory pouted, taking a sip from her coffee.

"Where do you suggest I sit?" He challenged, a puckish grin on his face.

"Well," Rory gave him a shy look before her eyes darted to the unused side of the bed. "Um…"

"I don't know," He smirked, "Can I trust you to behave yourself?"

Rory just rolled her eyes and laughed "Get your well-toned ass over here."

"I knew you were checking me out last night," He teased as he settled on the bed with a soft kiss on Rory's lips. "Did you like what you saw?"

"I had no complaints," She quipped.

"So, what are you up to today?" Jess probed, leaning against the headboard as Rory curled up against him.

"Packing up to move on," Rory sighed, "We're taking off around five to cover a few whistle stops."

Jess checked his watch, "Which gives us about four hours. Why don't you go get dressed and packed and I'll take you to lunch before you go?"

"Okay," Rory agreed, rolling off the bed. She grabbed some clothes and tossed the remote to Jess, "Make yourself comfortable; I'll be out in a little bit."

Jess kicked back as he heard the shower turn on and flipped through the channels searching for something to distract his mind from the tempting images that were attempting to invade his mind. By the time Rory was showered and dressed, Jess had settled on a channel. Rory opened the door to hear "Almost Famous" playing on the TV as she pulled up her hair and applied eyeliner, mascara, and a bit of gloss to her lips.

"Not this again," she mock-complained as she quickly packed the rest of her belongings in her suitcase.

"You know you love it," He teased, his eyes alternating between the screen and following Rory's efficient movements around the room.

"And you know the deal." Rory smirked before rolling her bag to rest next to the door.

"Do you want them to have to burn down the hotel?" He challenged, "This place is pretty nice."

"It is nice," She agreed, pulling her garment bag from the closet and laying it over her suitcase, "But unless you can tear yourself away from that, I will be forced to order from the closest Indian place that delivers."

"Fine," Jess grumbled good naturedly as he turned off the TV. "Not like I can't finish it at home. You ready to go?"

"Yep," Rory nodded, slinging the strap of her laptop tote over her shoulder followed closely by that of her purse. "Are we driving?"

"Yeah, the place I have in mind is a little far to walk."

"Do you mind if we put my bags in your trunk while we go?" She asked, "I think it would be easier to check out now, that way I can just load up when we get back."

"Sure," Jess shrugged, opening the door, "After you milady."

"Thank you, kind sir." Rory grinned at him as she exited, pulling her bag behind her. As soon as the door closed behind them, Jess took the bags out of her hands and followed her down to the reception area.

Within 15 minutes Rory was checked out and Jess was loading her luggage in the trunk. He had gotten her roller board situated and held out his hand for the next bag to load. Rory handed over the garment bag whose zipper had fallen a bit, revealing the shimmering blue of her evening gown to Jess' eyes. "Is this the dress?" He asked.

"There's a few things in there," Rory replied cheekily, "Could you be more specific?"

Jess chuckled, laying the bag in the trunk and closing the hatch. "Huh," He grunted thoughtfully as he opened the passenger door and handed Rory in to the car. He skirted the hood of the vehicle and settled in the driver's seat with an impish grin. "The one I'm thinking of is really sexy, showed off all your curves without being slutty and had a dangerously high slit up one leg that took all my gentlemanly restraint to not explore." He leaned over the console and whispered huskily in her ear. Rory flushed prettily as Jess pulled away from the curb.

"I think I may know this dress," She nodded. They rode quietly for a few moments before Rory spoke again. "Exploring huh?" She asked with a smirk, hoping he would elaborate.

"Just a little spelunking." He teased.

"'Spelunking?'"

"Yeah," Jess gave her a wicked grin, "I enjoy a little bit of cave diving from time to time."

"Jessop William Mariano!" Rory gasped, playfully slapping his arm, "Dirty!"

"What?" Jess laughed, feigning innocence.

"You know what, mister." Rory gave him a mockingly-stern look before dissolving into giggles as Jess chuckled beside her. "So where are we headed?"

"You'll see," Jess smiled, returning his focus to the road. A half hour later, Jess was pulling into a small diner. "I figured you have probably been lacking for good diner food since you left home." Jess explained as he opened Rory's door, "This is the closest to Luke's quality that Philly has to offer."

"Do they have cheesesteak?" Rory asked.

"Baa," Jess bleated at her with a smirk.

"I am not a sheep!" Rory protested.

"If the fleece fits," He shrugged, holding open the door for Rory to enter. "And yes, they have them."

"Good to know," She replied smartly.

Jess spoke to the hostess briefly before they were led to a booth in a quiet corner of the small restaurant. After waiting for them to be seated on one side of the booth seats, the hostess gave them a warm smile and handed them their menus before walking away. Moments later, a red head around Rory's age approached with a cup of coffee in one hand and a glass of cola in the other. She set the drinks on the table and turned to Rory.

"So, you must be Rory," The girl smiled, "Wow, I mean, Jess told me you were pretty, but you are downright gorgeous!" She gushed.

"Um thanks?" Rory gave Jess a questioning look, causing the man to chuckle.

"Rory, this is Matt's little sister, Bridgette," he introduced the women, "Bridge, this is my friend Rory."

"Friend?" Rory teased.

"Didn't know if you were okay with the alternative." He explained.

"Depends on the alternative." Rory quipped.

Bridgette had been following the exchange with interest, "Okay, I think I'm missing some information here." She slid into the booth beside Rory and stage-whispered conspiratorially, "What are the alternatives?"

"Oh, there are a few." Rory replied in the same fashion before turning to Jess, "Let's see we have friends."

"I believe that was established already," Jess smirked, playing along with the bit.

"Right," Rory nodded, "Pen pals…"

"I always did enjoy your correspondence," Jess commented.

"Me too," Rory grinned, "Let's see, what else… Oh, there's the boyfriend/girlfriend thing."

"Don't forget cousins," Jess added quickly.

"Wait a sec," Bridgette interjected as Rory and Jess dissolved into laughter at her confused expression. "What's so funny?"

"The look on your face!" Rory crowed, "The mix of confusion, surprise, and disgust was funny."

"Although probably warranted," Jess conceded, "Given the way we sprung it on you."

"Uh, yeah," Bridgette scoffed, "So what gives? I sense there is more."

"There really isn't much," Rory shrugged, "And it's really not as scandalous as it may seem."

"About 12 years ago, her mother married my uncle," Jess explained.

"And then Dad adopted me," Rory added, "So technically we're cousins through marriage, and adoption, but not blood related."

"That makes sense, I guess," Bridgette nodded, "So are you two dating?"

"Kind of." Rory shrugged.

"How are you 'kind of' dating?" Bridgette asked.

"She's a member of the press junket that is following Senator Obama." Jess supplied, a hint of pride in his voice.

"You're a journalist?" Bridgette asked.

"That's what it says on my press pass." Rory quipped.

"That's really cool," Bridgette nodded. At that moment the hostess caught her attention, "Oops, Mom is giving me 'the look.' Are you wanting something to eat?"

Rory and Jess shared a look before Rory turned back to her new friend and placed her order; Jess just chuckled and said he would have his usual. Bridgette jotted down their orders and bustled away. "Well that was fun," He chuckled.

"I agree." Rory nodded. "Although it wouldn't work too well in the Hollow."

"I vote we don't tell anyone in that social experiment of a town." Jess chuckled, "We should just show up together, see how fast we can make Taylor's heat explode."

"Or how fast 'Hello! Magazine' can spread the news." Rory giggled, "Do you think we should clue Mom and Dad in?"

"Up to you." Jess shrugged, "I know you and Lorelai are freakishly close."

"True," Rory agreed, "But I'm not too keen on hearing the 'kissing cousins' jokes any time soon. Would you be terribly offended if we just kept this between us for now, and not use names for a while if asked?"

"No," Jess shook his head, "Considering our situation, we won't actually have a chance at a 'normal' relationship until at least November, if not January."

Rory contemplated his words for a few moments before speaking again, "I have a proposal."

"Why, Miss Danes," Jess gasped, clutching pretend pearls, "This is all so sudden!"

"Oh, hush you," Rory rolled her eyes at his antics.

"Alright," Jess chuckled, "What do you have in mind?"

"We do the long distance thing, kind of what we were doing before. Writing back and forth and such, but adding in phone calls and visits when we can manage them. Then in November, or January if the senator wins, we reevaluate where we want this to go and if and how we are going to tell the family and the town about the me-and-you thing."

"I accept your proposal." Jess nodded, "But you should be aware my Philly tour will end in October; as will my commission. I don't know what I'll be doing after that."

Bridgette came up to the table as Jess was speaking, balancing three plates in her arms. "Oh Rory," She chided jokingly, "Please don't tell me you stole his thunder."

"It wasn't that kind of proposal, Bridge." Jess shook his head, "I think you picked up a spare." He nodded toward the extra plate.

"Nope, Mom's letting me take my lunch now." She smiled at them as she passed out the plates. "Turkey club and a side salad for Captain Healthy, bacon cheeseburger with onion rings for Madam Journalist, and a Philly cheesesteak and fries for me!" Rory and Jess snickered at her order, "What?"

"Nothing," Rory shook her head, "Inside joke."

"So what did I miss?" Bridgette prompted, sliding in across from Rory and Jess.

"Relationship negotiations," Jess shrugged.

"Like what?"

"If and when to tell the folks in our hometown about us." Rory explained.

"Why is it their business?" Bridgette asked, taking a bite of her sandwich.

"It's not," Jess shook his head, "But everyone is in each other's back pocket there; I'm still surprised that Luke was able to keep his stuff under wraps as long as he did."

"True, but Dad never really did anything to make Patty or Babette question his actions," Rory shrugged, "Except for when he got shot, but even then he had a valid reason for his actions and his gun."

"Hey, code couple," Bridgette cut in, "Details, please."

"I don't know if we can," Jess commented before turning back to Rory, "Isn't it still classified?"

"I think it's okay now so long as we don't go into specifics." Rory shrugged, "The simple version is that my dad used to be undercover with the Marshals service. About a year before my folks got married, there was an armed robbery in the town grocery store that involved a hostage. Dad was the closest law enforcement official; he challenged the suspect and wound up shooting him without injuring the woman he was holding at gunpoint."

"He's a sharp-shot," Jess interjected.

"But he also got shot in the process." Rory continued, "That night in the hospital, he told my mom about his undercover work. He retired from the Marshals the summer before my sophomore year of high school."

"Your dad seems to have an interesting life." Bridgette commented.

"He doesn't think so," Rory shrugged, "But Mom tries to remedy that every day."

"Sometimes multiple times a day." Jess quipped.

"Dirty," Rory giggled.

"You are so your mother's child." Jess shook his head in mock disappointment.

"Proud of it, Babe!" Rory grinned. "Hey what time is it?"

"About a quarter until three." Jess reported after glancing at his watch, "Do you feel up to a walk before we head back?"

Rory simply nodded a shy smile on her face.

Returning his girlfriend's grin, he turned to his friend, "Bridge, check please?"

"No, it's on the house," She shook her head, "Friends and Family Discount."

"You have that here too, huh?" Rory asked, a smile on her lips.

"Matt was behind both," Jess shrugged.

"Hey, you got a cell phone?" Bridgette asked Rory.

"Oh, yeah," Rory pulled out her phone and handed it to Bridgette who did the same. The women made quick work of exchanging numbers and a parting hug before Jess and Rory made their exit.

"Thank you for lunch." Rory smiled as they slowly made their way through a nearby park, hand in hand. "I really enjoyed meeting Bridgette."

"I thought you would." Jess smirked, "She's a lot like you, personality-wise."

"She kind of reminds me of Lane." Rory mused, "Well except that she probably doesn't have to hoard stuff away under her floor boards.

"That we know of." Jess chuckled, "For all we know, she's a murderess and had dead bodies stockpiled under the diner."

"I'll take morbid habits for $200, Alex," She quipped, "Jeeze."

"You have been around Luke and your mom too much." Jess laughed.

"You say that as if it's a bad thing." Rory pouted.

"Not bad," Jess pointed out, "But you can hear the influence. The Jeopardy reference is all your mom, and the 'Jeeze' is Luke."

"Huh," Rory responded thoughtfully.

"…and that would be me." Jess joked.

They walked in silence for a few more minutes before Rory spoke again, "Do you really think we can do this?"

"We can do anything," Jess, squeezed her hand affectionately before brushing his thumb over her slender knuckles, "I'm not saying it will be easy, but if we both are willing to work at it, I think we could make it."

"I miss you already," She whispered, "How pathetic is that? I'm supposed to be independent; 'I am woman, hear me roar,' and all that."

"It's not pathetic," He assured her, stopping in front of her to brush a tear from her cheek before pulling her into his arms, "And even if it is, I'm here being pathetic with you. I'm supposed to be this bastion of strength and fortitude, but here I am pining for a girl who isn't even gone yet."

"Like you weren't pining for me before," She quipped, beaming up at him, trying to lighten the mood.

"True," he admitted as they began to walk back towards the diner and the car so they could return to the hotel "To be honest, I probably have been since I escorted you at your debut. Whether I wanted to admit it to myself or not."

"I know what you mean." She sighed, linking her arm through his and leaning on his shoulder. "I tried to deny my attraction to you, but between the cotillion, the Franklin article and the events that went along with it, and our correspondence, I… I think I may have fallen in love with you." She finished softly.

Jess took in her admission as he opened the door of the car. He kissed her hand before helping her into her seat, "Not the coffee?"

"Well, that too," She blushed.

"Huh," Jess nodded before leaning down and brushing a soft kiss to her lips, "I suppose it's only fair that I let you know that I love you too… with or without coffee."

He kissed her one more time before skirting his car and getting into the driver's seat. The drive back to the hotel was over much faster than either would have liked, but before they knew it, Jess was pulling into the small parking lot where the tour bus sat, waiting for the press corps to finish boarding up. As Rory collected her laptop case and purse, Jess was pulling her bags from the trunk. By the time he had the bags together, Rory had straightened out her clothes. Jess tucked her under his arm and pulled the bags behind him as he walked her to the tour bus; handing the bags directly to the porter who was helping with the last of the luggage to be loaded.

"I don't want to go," Rory murmured into his shoulder as Jess pulled her into his arms, neither caring that her tears were soaking his shirt. "It's too soon."

"I know, Rory," Jess whispered into her hair and placed a soft kiss to the top of her head while he ran his hands up and down her back, trying to soothe her. "It won't be forever; we'll write, we'll call, I'll try to meet up with you on your stops when I can, too. Hell, we can even do that video thing, what is it called? Skype?"

Rory nodded, trying to regain her composure as she raised watery eyes to meet his. She was surprised to see him getting a little misty too. "I'll email you my schedule tonight. We can try the Skype thing too."

"I love you," His voice rumbled deep in his chest as his lips met hers.

"I love you, too." She replied.

"No coffee?" He teased.

"No coffee." She confirmed, "You are so much better than coffee."

"But not as rich," Jess quipped.

"Rich is overrated," Rory shrugged, "I should know."

"You've got a bus to catch." Jess gave her one last kiss, full of promise and longing, and watched as she boarded the bus and took her seat. He stood, holding her stare and gave a small wave as the driver released the air break and the coach liner pulled away.