Truncheon Apartment
July 17, 2008
0830 hours

"I don't understand why we have to drive in today when the wedding isn't until Saturday night." Jess complained as he continued to pack, although at a slower pace than his girlfriend.

"We've been over this, Jess," Rory huffed good naturedly, "A, the drive is nearly two hours under the best circumstance and I don't want to get stuck in traffic and arrive late. Two, Marty invited you and Matty to his bachelor party tonight and I've likewise been invited to Lucy's. Three, we're leaving early because I don't want to be rushed tonight getting ready for the party; and D, I'm your girlfriend and you love me so you'll do whatever I ask you to. Not to mention, I'll make it worth your while." Rory finished flirtatiously.

"Dirty," Jess husky voice responded dutifully as he tossed his shaving kit into the suit case they were sharing. He'd noticed over the past couple weeks that she'd been slowly becoming more open and flirtatious with him. He was enjoying it, but he also hoped that it was leading somewhere. He didn't want to push her faster than she was comfortable with which, at times, left him more than a little uncomfortable. "What am I supposed to bring with me for the weekend, I know socks and boxers won't go too far."

"No, but I'd enjoy it," She winked, a smile playing on her lips, "Don't worry about it, I packed you something for the wedding, all you gotta do is pack is something for tonight and tomorrow, what you wear for the shop should be fine."

Jess nodded as he gathered what he needed for the next couple days. Just as he was tossing the last of his clothes in the bag, he heard a knock on his door. "Hey Matt," He called over his shoulder, "I'm just about done here."

"Sounds good; we taking my car or yours?" Matt leaned against the door frame.

"Do you mind taking both?" Jess asked, "I'd kinda like my car so I can take Rory out for dinner or something tomorrow."

"Yeah, no problem," Matt nodded, standing awkwardly until Jess turned back to him.

"Something else?"

"She's doing better, isn't she?" Matt asked.

"Yeah," Jess nodded, a hint of relief and sadness in his voice, "I don't think she's had a nightmare since the trial ended; I think confronting Logan about what happened was the last step she needed to finally start putting it behind her."

"She'll be leaving again soon," Matt pointed out.

"In a few weeks, well that's the plan anyway. The campaign is going to take a few days here again and she'll be leaving with them when they leave." Jess nodded, "I know she has to go, it's her job, but I'm used to having her around now."

"You're not the only one," Matt chuckled, "I like having her helping out in the shop. Did you know she has the next four issues of the 'zine ready to go to the printers? I don't know how she does it. That girl of yours has a gift."

"If she ever needs a break or tires of the roving reporter thing, she'd make a great editor." Jess agreed with pride.

"Jess!" Rory drew out his name like Lorelai begging Luke for attention, "Are you done packing I need Danes strength coffee, STAT!"

"You're a Danes," Jess reminded her, "Make if yourself; besides, I'm a Mariano."

"Yeah, but you're a Danes by blood," Rory countered, "So you have the magic coffee-making touch. Besides I need to finish packing."

"So much work!" Jess griped playfully.

"Yeah, but I'm worth it." Rory grinned at kissed him.

"I guess," He smirked before heading toward the kitchen, "Go get packed, I'll make this to go."

"On it," Rory called back, packing the last of her things.

"Take something sexy, he's taking you out," Matt advised with a wink before going to load his bags in the car.

"Thanks for the heads up," Rory nodded, going to the closet and grabbing a sundress she knew would turn Jess' head. She'd already packed a knock out dress for the wedding that coordinated with what she'd packed for Jess. Within a few minutes, she was done and calling for Jess to take their bags down to the car.

"As you wish," He smirked, collecting the bags.

"Farm Boy, where's my coffee?" She teased.

"On the counter," He called over his shoulder.

While Jess loaded up the car and confirmed direction with Matt, Rory grabbed their travel mugs. By the time she headed down, both men were ready to go.

Gettysburg Hotel – Jess and Rory's room
July 17, 2008
2000 hours

Jess was buttoning the last button of his shirt when Rory came out of the bathroom wearing a boat neck little black dress that ended just above her knees. Around her neck she wore his grandmother's pearls, a gift she'd received from his uncle when she graduated college. She gave him a shy smile before sitting on the bed and putting her pumps on.

"Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?" He asked, offering his hand to let her stand, the black pumps boosting her to nearly his height.

"Not today, but a girl can never hear it too much." She kissed him softly.

"Mmmm," He liked her strawberry gloss from his lip, "You look absolutely gorgeous Miss Danes."

"You're looking pretty good yourself, Mister Mariano," She smiled up at him as she toyed with the buttons on his shirt, her eyes sparking mischievously as she started to undo the buttons.

Her actions were paused by a knock on the door, "That's probably our rides." She quirked a small smile.

"Huh," Jess never looked away from her, "I guess I'll be seeing you later tonight."

"I'll be the one in the bed," She gave him a quick peck before opening the door.

"I'll be the one holding you in the morning." He promised, following her out.

Gettysburg Hotel
July 18, 2008
1835 hours

Jess was pacing the lobby, waiting for Rory to come down. He didn't know why he was so nervous. True, it was their first official date, but they had been living together for three months. Not to mention they had known each other for 10 years.

All the worry went out of his head when she appeared at the top of the stairs, clearly wanting to make an entrance. He had seen her dressed up the night before, but it didn't take away from the vision he beheld. She wore a soft purple halter top dress with a sweetheart neckline that hugged her body to the waist, accenting all her natural features. Around her waist, she wore a thin grey belt, the skirt fluttered delicately as she descended. On her feet, she wore a pair of strappy white sandals; Jess smirked as his gaze slowly traveled up her body, taking in everything from the dress to her shoes, to the locket she wore around her neck and the way stray curls escaped from where her hair was swept up in delicate loops atop her head.

"Wow," Jess breathed as she approached, "You look beautiful. Is this why you kicked me out of the room?" She nodded, "So worth it."

"You don't look half bad yourself," She complemented, taking in his dark red oxford and black slacks before noticing what he held in his hand, "Is that for me?"

"Yeah I know it's not original, but…" He handled the single red tulip to her.

"I don't care," She smelled the flower before pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"Shall we go?" He offered his arm.

"Let's shall," Rory looped her arm through his and allowed him to escort her out the door and into his waiting car.

Rory didn't know what she was expecting, but it certainly wasn't the posh Italian restaurant that they pulled up to. While she was not unfamiliar with the nicer things in life, thanks to the influence of her grandparents, she was still surprised that Jess chose the fine establishment. Not that she thought he was taking her to the Sizzler, but this was something else. She gave him a small smile as Jess handed his key off to the valet and offered his arm to her once more.

She chuckled quietly when Jess waved the maître d off and pulled out her seat for her, sliding the seat slowly forward as she took her seat. She smiled warmly as he placed their orders, insisting that she would not be disappointed in the selection. Her eyes lit up when he toasted them with a quiet "Salute" as he tapped his wine glass against hers, watching in enjoyment as she savored the rich and slightly sweet flavor.

"Jess," She sighed, "This is all too much."

"Nothing is too much for my girl," He assured her, taking her hand and gently running his thumb over her knuckles, "Especially since we don't have much longer before you have to go again."

"I know," She smiled sadly, "I wish I didn't have to go. I'd much rather stay with you."

"Me too," He nodded, "But this is a once in a lifetime chance, who knows if you'll be given this opportunity again in another four or eight years. This is what you've worked for all these years, while it may not be a foxhole in Bagdad or an assassination in Yemen, you are there witnessing history and allowing others to witness it through you. This is important work you are doing."

"I know, but I like working at the bookstore too." She shrugged.

"I like working with you, but this won't be forever. When the campaign ends, win, lose, or draw, maybe we can settle somewhere in Philly or wherever, someplace that's just ours, away from the prying eyes of roommates, family, and town gossips."

"Jess…"

"I'm not saying tomorrow, but someday." He assured, knowing that she was nowhere near being ready to take that step yet.

"Someday sounds nice," She agreed, thinking that it wouldn't be so bad seeing him every day but knowing that if that were to happen it probably wouldn't be for a long while.

The spoke about everything and nothing as was their way, broaching subject from politics to books to the antics of her younger siblings. Soon their dinner was finished and dessert was consumed as soft music drifted over them. She was surprised when Jess silently stood and offered his hand, looking meaningfully between her and the small dance floor. "You just want an excuse to feel me up in public," She teased.

"Damn, you caught me." He chuckled as she took his hand. He guided her to the floor and pulled her into his arms.

"Where did you learn to be such a gentleman?" She smiled up at him.

"Are you insinuating that I'm not?" He challenged.

"No, I'm saying that you're not."

"Rory Danes, you cut me to the quick." He mocked, leaning back at her smiling face, glad to see the sparkle back in her eyes again, "You forget I had an excellent role model in Luke, he taught me all this smooth stuff before your cotillion, if you recall. Not to mention that part of officer training still includes lessons in deportment, some traditions never die, and that one has still stuck from when officers were primarily made up of the upper crust. Besides, it helps me seduce the ladies."

"What ladies?"

"Lady," He amended, "One lady, and I think it may just be working."

"Pretty confident in that assessment, aren't we Captain?"

"Well, don't you agree?"

"Yes, I would say so." She smiled up at him, "But I love you for more than your gentlemanly ways."

"Is that your way of saying you just want me for my body?" He teased.

"In a manner of speaking," She teased before looking up at him, a thoughtfully but serious look on her face, "I think I may be ready soon."

"Ready?" Jess asked, looking at her expression as she grinned at the affect her words and meaning had on him. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Maybe not tonight, but soon," Rory spoke softly, laying her head on his shoulder, "I want you to be my first, in a manner of speaking."

"You're putting a lot of pressure on me," Jess said, semi-jokingly as he stroked his hand soothingly up and down her back.

"I don't mean to, and I know it won't be easy." Rory sighed, "I just want it to be good again, I trust you. I…"

"I know," Jess assured her, accepting her unspoken words of affection. "I know," He repeated, pressing a soft kiss on her temple, "There's no rush, I've waited this long, I can wait a bit longer. It'll happen when it happens, when it's right, until then I'm content with us just as we are."

"You're amazing, have I ever told you that?"

"No but a guy can never tire of hearing it." He teased, echoing her words from earlier.

"You're amazing."

"You are so incredibly beautiful." He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. I hope I do well by her, she deserves so much better than me.

I can't believe he loves me so much, I only hope I can do his devotion justice, he deserves better than some broken woman. But damn it if I don't love him just as much. She thought, laying her head back on his shoulder to enjoy the rest of their dance. What seemed like mere moments later, although they both knew it was probably longer, they headed back to the hotel, both not only looking forward to the wedding of Rory's friends who had over the last few months become Jess' friends too, but to their own future, together, apart, or somewhere in between.