"BLT, no B, Tuna on rye, veggie burger and fries all round." Rory recited as she handed an order slip to Luke.
"Mmhmm." She stood waiting for him to say more, but he'd already turned away, concentrating on his work, so she turned on her heel and moved back to the counter where Jess was pouring over a text book.
"Is he still freezing you out?" she asked, refilling his coffee. "Because he's doing it to me, and I'll tell you, upstairs has been very frosty the last few days."
"He's just disappointed in-"
"But there's nothing to be disappointed about!" Rory objected picking up the drink he was yet to notice and taking a sip. "We fell asleep, it's not like we were doing anything sinful."
"No, I know. But-"
"He expected more from us. Yeah, yeah, I was there, I heard the speech."
When Rory had woken up on Wednesday morning, after realizing she wasn't in her room, the first thing she had noticed was Luke glaring at her.
"Did you enjoy the slumber party?" she asked, sitting up and trying not to disturb Jess.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Luke boomed; Jess sat up with a jolt. "Huh? Either one of you, I'd love to hear what was going through your mind."
"Obviously we thought we should accidently fall asleep to infuriate you, so you'd come over here and yell at us first thing in the morning." Rory quipped as Jess sat tiredly rubbing his eyes.
"Is this all a big joke to you? We have rules for a reason; they're for your own good, not our amusement. I expected that you'd maybe try staying out a little late, test the boundaries or whatever. But this is just-"
"Can we hit the pause button on the lecture, please?" Rory had requested, heading for the kitchen. "I need coffee if you're going to insist on the banshee volume."
"You need to go. Now, your mom's waiting." Luke said shortly, ignoring Rory's objections and leading her back to the door.
They hadn't had a proper conversation since, but at least things with her mom had moved on from that. They'd talked about the sleep over, Lorelai expressed her concerns, and Rory assured her that everything was fine. Then Lorelai had even offered to share what she and Luke had spoken about earlier. To her utter disbelief, Rory had declined. As it turned out all she needed was to know the option was there.
"It'll blow over in a few days," Jess was saying now. "I'm sure. Don't worry." Rory opened her mouth to respond, but Luke rang the bell in the kitchen and called out,
"Order up!" before she had a chance. She smiled sardonically and stalked off to deliver the food.
"I really don't know what you expect me to do," Liz replied as Jess followed her through Doose's. Despite her brother owning a diner, and one of her best friends' being an amazing chef she occasionally felt the need to be domestic, which meant grocery shopping and attempting to cook something. Luckily, Jess was usually able to salvage the meal if she screwed it up. If not, they simply went out, or ordered in. "I happen to agree with Luke."
"Yeah, I know you do. But, at least you're talking to us. He, on the other hand does nothing but bark orders. Couldn't you talk to him, explain that nothing happened?"
"I don't know that nothing happened, because I wasn't-"
"The simple fact that I'm me should prove to you that nothing happened. And also, I've already told you that, come on Mom."
"Well, you've told Luke this, yes?"
"We tried. But every time either one of us brings it up he shuts us down and goes off to do something. I don't know how much longer Rory can deal with him being like that."
"Ok. Fine!" Liz yielded. "I'll try, but I'm not making any promises, ok?"
"Thank you! Have I told you lately that you're the greatest mother in the history of all time?"
"No. But you might want to do that a little more often, if you want me to forget about-"
"I love you, you rock. No mom has ever been as cool as you. And also, you look twenty-five."
Liz rolled her eyes, "Now you're just making fun."
"No, I'm being completely serious. You-"
"Get this stuff to the register, alright? I'll be there in a minute." Jess nodded and continued pushing the cart through the last aisle before reaching the register.
"Oh man." He groaned when he realized what his two options were. Either Taylor's niece, Bonnie who couldn't be slower or care less about her job. Or Dean.
Forget about it. Rory had said. Insignificant bug on the windscreen of life. And the best way to forget about him would probably be to pretend he's not here. Jess thought. Just pretend I can't see him there, he doesn't exist. He decided, lining up at Bonnie's check-out.
"Um, Bonnie, sweetie, that's a pear," Miss Patty told the girl, who looked down at the thing on her scales. "It's not an apple."
"Hmm." Bonnie looked at it for a little longer before tipping her head back and calling out, "I'm gonna need a void here." She then proceeded to inspect her nails while waiting for assistance.
"Jess, what are we doing standing here in the longest queue known to man, with the slowest check-out operator, when there is an open register, right there?" Liz asked as she came back and dropped something into the trolley. "Look, no customers."
"Take a look around, think about it for a second." he told her, not bothering to look at where she was indicating.
"Think about- Oh. Dean, right. We don't like him, do we?"
"You can do what you want, like the kid or suggest to Taylor that we draw and quarter him in the town square. I don't care. But I don't like him, and that's not going to change."
"But I don't understand, he was dating Lindsay, and you didn't like that, but he's always seemed like a very nice-"
"Con artist,"
"I was going to say boy. But, ok. Tell me, why is he a very nice con artist?"
"He just… he's two-faced. To all the adults, he's a great guy. But those of us in his age bracket see a different side of him, and it's not nice."
"Did he do some-"
"I've got to get some things from the stationary store before school tomorrow. Would you mind if I met you at the car?"
"Oh ok. Sure." Jess moved passed the other people in the line, calling over his shoulder,
"That's an apple Bon." She sighed and continued to chew her gum as she stared down at an orange.
"Did you miss me?" A voice asked from behind Jess in what could only be described as an attempt at sultry. He laughed as he shut his locker door and turned around, trapped by Tristan's arms positioned on either side of his body.
"You have no idea how much."
"Oh, good. So, the four am phone calls, weren't over doing it?" Tristan asked as they began to make their way down the hall.
"Four am phone calls? I don't think I got any of those, are you sure you had the right number?"
Tristan pretended to think about it for a second, mouthing something to himself. "Your number doesn't end in a three, does it?"
"Nope."
"Damn! Must have been somebody else then,"
"I'm sure Kirk appreciated it. Or, was extremely confused,"
"Kirk, eh? The town weirdo?"
"One of a few, actually,"
"Well, well, I think I'll have to look into this a little further. Do you think he'd want to get coffee with me sometime?"
"Only if it's one fourth caffeinated,"
"What?"
"Kirk has very particular needs."
"That's the end of that then. I'm not all that good with specifics. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted."
"We really need to stop talking about this right now, I think." Jess decided. "You're freaking me out. How was your Christmas?"
"There was French snow, eggnog, which I still hate, by the way. A lavish tree adorned in all the latest decorations, many presents my parents had nothing to do with picking out, and as always, the uncomfortable dinner where the three of us sat at the table, not speaking. What about you?"
"Plain American snow, no eggnog, because none of us like it. Regular sized tree, covered in decorations I've made over the years; ugly peg-reindeer and an assortment of other odd looking things. Presents were minimal as usual but my dad was here, so that was pretty great. And out dinner was made even more fun when Sookie- or, rather, Lorelai announced that Sookie was pregnant."
"Lorelai announced it?" Tristan asked, confused.
"Yes, apparently she was the first to work it out. Mom figured it out at almost the same time and they started screaming, which confused everyone, Sookie caught on, joined in, and then the three of them let us in on the fun." Jess explained as they walked into their first class and took their seats.
"That does sound a tad confusing. That's cool though, Sookie's having a baby."
"Yes, she's very excited, but Jackson's sort of turned into this weird number-crunching freak ever since new years. He's worked out how much the baby's going to cost them, and so he's begun to make many lists and changes and it's all a little weird over there right now."
"Hmm, I'm sure he'll-"
"Welcome back class. I trust you all had a good vacation, but that's over now. We're in AP algebra, so open your books to page forty-two and we'll get started." The teacher announced, walking in and putting his things on his desk. Without further comment, he turned and picked up a piece of chalk, writing a complicated equation on the board.
Tristan caught Jess' attention and rolled his eyes. It was so unfair to start the new semester with math, Jess agreed. As much as he loved school, math was not his favorite and it just didn't seem right that they had to start off their first day with it.
Nonetheless, Jess opened his book and took notes as things were explained and he settled back into his seat thinking of how nice it was to be back.
"I'm going to go now," Rory told Luke as she came out from behind the kitchen to meet him at the counter on Thursday morning, "to school. And then I think I'll just go straight to Mom's from there."
Luke didn't respond verbally, just gave a short nod.
"And since our teachers are insane, and sadistic," Rory continued, "we've already been saddled with a pretty big assignment. So, I'll probably have to spend tomorrow afternoon working on that, which means I won't be able to come in."
Still, Luke said nothing.
"Not to work any way. I'll probably need to come by for something to eat on a study break. But other that that, I doubt you'll see me until Saturday."
"Have fun,"
Rory rolled her eyes, before quickly glancing around. Lane stood outside on the sidewalk, waiting. "Whatever." Quickly filling two to-go cups, Rory lifted her bag and walked out the door.
"Hey." The Korean greeted her brightly, gratefully taking the Styrofoam cup.
"Hi."
"Things still aren't going well, huh?" she asked, looking Rory over as they walked.
"He doesn't say anything! Oh, no, I'm sorry. He does say things, just now he said 'have fun' as if, going to school, mom's and my grandparents is like spending a week at Disneyland. Last night he said 'fine' when I suggested I'd do the dishes, but beyond that, it's been nothing but eight straight days of grunts."
"Well, Luke is a grunter. It's sort of what he's known for aside from the flannel and the baseball cap. Which, by the way, did you notice that it's a different to the one he used to wear?"
"No, why would I notice that?"
"Well, maybe you wouldn't, but I've been seeing the same hat on his head for years, and then right after Christmas it changed. Now there's a blue one."
"And you think that's important?"
"Maybe not. I don't know."
"How do you know that things suck in there, when all I said was 'hi'?" Rory asked, switching back to their earlier subject.
"Well, because I'm a genius, and I am fast becoming an expert in 'Rory Gilmore 101' that's how." Lane answered confidently.
"You think so, huh?"
"I know so."
"Oh really. Alright, well, tell me something, she who knows all. When did I get this scar?" Rory enquired, slipping her arm out of her jacket and showing Lane her elbow.
"You were twelve…" Lane began before pausing to think. "And you were running from the cops in a mall. To throw them off, you smashed one of those little red fire alarm boxes to set off the sprinklers and you cut yourself. How'd I do?"
"Hmm, that actually sounds pretty good. Maybe I should have told him that, instead."
"Told who?"
"Jess. That night that caused all these problems, I was telling him a whole lot of stuff about me. Your story sounds better than mine." Rory explained as they walked through the front door of Stars Hollow High.
"But that's not what happened?"
"No, but wouldn't you just love to see his face if I told him I was running from the cops at twelve?"
"Was I close, at all?" Lane asked, disappointed.
"Sorry, no. Ice skating, seven. All innocent, no law enforcement involved whatsoever."
"Well that sucks." The other girl grumbled as Rory removed a few books and then opened her locker to try and push her bag inside.
"Gee, thanks."
"Not that there were no police involved, just that… you know, I'm not an expert."
"Give yourself a little time." Rory told her still shoving her backpack. She had all of her books for the next two days as well as clothes for dinner at her grandparents and things to wear around her mom's. "Nobody here is a Rory expert, but that's probably only because I haven't allowed it yet. I like you though, so you're probably in with a chance."
"Really?"
"Sure, why not?" Rory finally got her back pack all the way inside her locker and shut the door before spinning the combination and picking up her books.
"You forgot to get a pen." Lane pointed out and the triumphant smile wavered slightly.
"I was planning on borrowing one from you anyway; all of mine are out of ink." Rory fibbed, starting to walk away.
"Right, of course you were."
"Luke we need to talk," Lorelai informed him, walking into the diner purposefully the next day after the lunch rush had departed.
"Actually, we were in the middle of something." Liz told her, turning around.
"Yeah, well, this is important, so if you wouldn't mind-"
"You're being an idiot!"
"Excuse me?"
"Not you," Liz explained, before pointing to her brother, "you. They're just kids and they did nothing wrong."
"Nothing serious, anyway." Lorelai added, joining into Liz's argument, glad she wasn't alone in her thinking. "You were there most of the night too so I highly doubt they would have tried anything."
"Plus, you know you can trust them. I know you do, so stop being so insane and just let them know that it's alright, you forgive them, ok?"
Luke looked from one woman to the other and shook his head. "Is it my turn now?" the other two looked at one another before turning back to him and nodding.
"Sure,"
"Go ahead."
"Ok, first of all, you couldn't have been more against the idea of those two dating," he pointed out, addressing his sister. "Remember that? You thought Rory was nothing but trouble, so what's with the complete tune change?"
"She's not as bad as I thought."
"Uh huh, whatever."
"Second of all?" Lorelai asked, and Luke looked at her confused. "Your first argument was directed at Liz, so I'm assuming there's a 'second of all' with my name written all over it."
"You were the one who needed help, keeping your daughter in line. So, that's all I'm trying to do. I thought it was in her best interest that she not be spending all night out with her boyfriend. And before you interrupt and tell me that she wasn't actually out, and that her boyfriend is my nephew, I know, alright? I know that. And, ok, so maybe I do trust them, for the most part anyway. Maybe I shouldn't have come down so hard on them, but I know that you both remember what it was like to be their age, so you can't tell me that I didn't have a point there."
"Is that it?"
"Yeah, I think I'm done."
"Well, ok then. It was nice talking to you I guess I'll be-"
"Actually, you know what? I just thought of something else." Luke interrupted and Liz turned back from the door. "And this one is for the two of you; don't ever come in here and ambush me like that again. I don't appreciate the tag-team."
"Fair enough," Lorelai nodded and stood up. "I'll try to remember that, but for now, I should be getting back to work."
"Yeah, I've got a few things to do too. Thanks for the talk bro," Liz added, heading for the door and holding it open for Lorelai.
Luke watched the two of them leave and shook his head before returning to the kitchen.
"So, did you have a good Christmas?" Emily asked later that night as Rory pulled on her skirt, trying to reduce the wrinkle that had sprung up on the drive. She'd been careful, as soon as she got to her mom's the day before she had taken her Friday night dinner clothes out and laid them on the bed, checking to make sure they were alright. But then as she and Lorelai had driven to Hartford, she'd noticed that there was a big fat wrinkle over her left leg. She'd been told not to worry, but she couldn't stop staring at it.
"Um, yeah, we… Rory?" Rory looked up at her mother who was looking at her, holding a martini glass. "Why don't you tell Grandma about Christmas?" she suggested.
"Oh, well, we just had dinner at Sookie's, with Jess' family and some friends. It was nice. What about you? How was… um, Switzerland?"
"It was lovely, thank you for asking." Emily replied. "We weren't sure what to get either one of you, as we haven't been in the position of buying Christmas gifts for you for so long, but we did bring a little something back with us. Richard?" she turned to her husband and he nodded, putting down his scotch.
"Right, right. Yes. I'll get the bags." He stood up and left the room for a moment before returning with a gift bag in each hand. "Here we are,"
"Thanks Dad." Lorelai grinned excitedly as she looked inside and Rory did the same. "What's this?"
"That's marzipan. It was made by cloistered nuns."
"Marzipan?" Rory repeated, sniffing a piece.
"Yes, marzipan. The best in all of Europe."
"Let's see what else is in here, shall we?" Lorelai requested, putting it aside and resuming her dig through the bag.
"Marzipan is candy." Emily pointed out. "I thought the two of you liked candy."
"Marzipan is not candy." Lorelai argued. "It is a unique substance unto itself, like Velveeta or plutonium. What's this, oh chocolate! Score."
"Those are Vunderschen chocolates. There's also a gift certificate for the Birch Grove spa. It's supposed to be a wonderful place."
"Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, this is great."
"You're very welcome Rory. Next year, hopefully we'll be able to give you a more personal gift; we just need to get to know you better."
"Next year, sure. That'll be great."
"Did you say you had dinner with Jess' family?" Richard asked, looking at his granddaughter.
"Uh, yes. I did."
"And she's a friend of yours, from school?"
"Actually, no. Jess is Luke's nephew." Rory explained. "He's also my boyfriend." she added, having a feeling that it would be best to get all of this out of the way now, rather than to stagger the information.
"Your boyfriend, well, isn't that nice?"
"He's at Chilton, on a scholarship." Lorelai added.
"Really?" Richard asked, seeming more pleased with this information than his wife.
"Yeah. He's really smart."
"Well, maybe we could meet him at some point? You could bring him along to dinner with you if you'd like."
"Oh, well… I don't know. Maybe. I guess it would depend on his schedule. He could have plans with his mom or a friend or maybe work..."
"Anytime he's free would be fine. Wouldn't it Emily?"
"I suppose so, if Rory felt he were important enough to warrant meeting."
"Maybe we'll leave it for a bit. See how things go." Rory replied hesitantly. She was exceedingly glad at the low level of interest her grandmother had. If Emily didn't push for it, she was sure it could be put off.
"That's a good idea, I think. You guys haven't been together all that long have you?"
"No. Not long." Rory looked at her mother, grateful.
"Right, and, Mom, Dad, you're still getting to know Rory yourselves, so maybe we should hold off for now, wait a while before adding someone new to the mix."
"That sounds fair enough." Richard nodded and took a sip from his glass again, just as a maid came in and announced that dinner was ready. The four of them stood up and moved to the dining room while Rory smiled at her mom, making a mental note to be extra nice to her for what she had just done.
