A/N: As promised - next chapter for you. As I am new to writing fan fiction I'd like to add, that I of course do not own anything, it's ASP's world, we're just living in it ;) I hope someone is reading this story and if that's the case - I'd love to get some reviews, please, please, please! Good or bad, bring on whatever you have! Enjoy!
Jess was waiting for the situation to develop. He knew a little about Rory's history with that guy, the internship, the disappointment that lead to her dropping out of Yale for some time and "the rich prick period" as he referred in his mind to Rory's relationship with Logan Huntzberger. But he also knew that Mitchum Huntzberger was a big-shot in the news business and he wasn't sixteen years old anymore to act on his first emotion. Which in this case was slight disgust.
- Mr. Huntzberger, what a surprise, we didn't expect you this weekend. – Rory said without missing a beat. - Gary told me that the meeting will be on Monday – or did I got the dates wrong?
Mitchum stopped in front of them and took a quick glance at the newsroom.
- Why, Ms. Gilmore, I'm usually trying to keep my visits unexpected – that way I can see how my people really work. For example today I'm learning that the last issue of our paper is best read up-side down – with that he winked at her ironically and pointed to the nearby cubicle, where some panicked reporter was hiding behind a magazine. Which at the moment was in deed turned up-side down. - Something new to learn about this business every day. – He added.
Rory smiled at him politely and shook her head for her colleagues antics.
- But going back to your question - Mitchum continued – you were informed correctly. The monthly meeting is in fact on Monday, I hope you and your team will be well prepared. – From the tone of his voice you could feel that he didn't hope for anything, not really. Hearing this you just knew, you have to be prepared or else…
- They are working on it as we speak, sir. I was just showing around our colleague – Jess Mariano is our new columnist. Jess this is the owner of the paper and our boss' boss – Mr. Mitchum Huntzberger.
Wonderful, Jess thought, the rich duchebag owns that circus. But why is he even surprised – guy owns dozens of papers in whole world, as it appears the best ones.
- Mr. Mariano - Mitchum nodded a little absentmindedly - I hope that your work will contribute greatly to this paper and that you will get the opportunity to thrive. But again – I'm sure that Rory here will take good care of both.
With that he walk past them not waiting for Jess to response. Jess wasn't sure if the concern and hope that was just expressed were honest or sarcastic. With this guy you apparently could never tell.
The rest of the day passed in a bit of a blur for Jess. When he was leaving the office his brain was full of new information – security codes, timeline of the paper, the chain-of-command in the business and all other things every rookie must be acquainted with.
In the next few weeks he learned that he is in fact quite good at being a journalist. He found his rhythm, his column was a success – people were responding to it with a lot of e-mails, so huge part of his time each day was spend on responding to them when he wasn't looking for new subject to write about. His latest column was a different story altogether. In a classic meaning it was again a good one - welcomed very well by the readers and his fellow coworkers, however it had put him on a bit of a cold path with Rory and he was cracking his head on why that was since. The column was about his first experience in Stars Hollow, when years ago he first arrived to town, but he tried really hard to stay objective. He didn't write about the evil stares he received when people saw him, he didn't write about him feeling like an unwelcomed outsider – which was true, but not worth writing about. Instead he focused on the town colorful patrons, creative carnivals and odd but very cute traditions like the town meetings and historic reenactments. To be sure that he would not accidentally hurt Rory's feeling, which he anticipated might be the case when it comes to his point of view about Stars Hollow, he even sent it to Luke before submitting it. Of course he didn't expect Luke himself to read it, he knew him too well to be that naïve, but he asked him to have Lane read it. It came back to him with thumbs up, so he was sure his sometimes sour feelings towards Stars Hollow wasn't the reason of Rory's cold behavior. Maybe it was the fact, that he wrote about all those things that she used to love so much doing there with… Yeah, maybe. But he was hoping it's not. Jess haven't really visit Stars Hollow in a long time. Well, he didn't visit Stars Hollow since everything happened. His mother and T.J. had moved out of town, they were now living in Atlanta, where they owned a little shop with hand-made jewelry Liz was still making, so he didn't have any business in that quirky town and Luke… Well Luke was for a really long time insufferable. Of course he had big, huge even, things going on and it was understandable and one might say that Jess should have been there for him. But it just wasn't their thing. They have a strong bond but it was very manly one – in every stereotypical meaning possible. They didn't share feelings, they didn't confide in one another but when it was important, they knew they can depend on each other. If Luke would want him to come or needed his help in anything he most certainly would reach out and just said it. Until then they talk sporadically on the phone and it was enough. When he didn't crack the case of Rory's attitude with any hard evidence, he decided to wait it out. He was hoping though, that they will hush it out before the upcoming press gala. He was obligated to go, like any other employee and he really didn't want to spend the whole evening with people he worked with. He liked them, just not enough yet.
His prayers were answered when Rory asked the next day if they would have lunch together. At noon they were riding the elevator down and suddenly everything felt like the old times.
- You have got to be kidding me! – she exclaimed, when he told her that he didn't find Marvel movies worth watching.
- What? Do I had to have a teenage crush on Scarlet Johansson, like everybody else did?
- It's not about Scarlett Johansson, it's…
- Don't tell me that at age 30 you have on your wall a poster of Robert Downey Jr. – said Jess with mock horror in his voice.
- I don't have a poster… - again he didn't let her finish.
- You have a real-life size figurine of him?! – his eyes wide with shock.
- Oh stop it! All I'm saying is that it maybe seem designed to be for children but it's a massive part of pop-culture. You can't judge it until you watch it! That's the rule.
Jess started franticly looking at his phone at the time she finished.
- What are you doing, we have an important conversation here – she jabbed his side with her elbow and looked at the screen.
- I'm sorry, I must've missed the memo that the 28th amendment was added to US Constitution. I was just looking "the constitutional obligation to watch all movies with guys in tights".
They bantered some more before they reached the nearby diner. She ordered black coffee, a burger with a side of fries and coffee. The waitress looked at her like she had two heads, but wrote it down. 'Some things never changed' thought Jess. He was satisfied with grilled cheese sandwich and a soda.
- So, the gala, tell me about it – he said when their food arrived.
- Yeah, I know it's not your kind of entertainment but it's the biggest event in the industry. If you want to be recognized with your work, you have to be there. I mean it, Jess.
- Keep your pants on, Gilmore, I'll be there, I just need a little briefing beforehand. You know, so I don't make a complete fool of myself.
- Like a briefing would help with that – she said with mock concern in her voice.
- Don't be a smartass and start talking – his mouth was half full of hot, melted cheese.
- It's officially called Black and Gold Annual Charity Press Gala, but life is short and you have to talk fast, so everyone calls it Black Gala.
- Because it's a dark day for every poor sucker in the newsroom, when you have to squeeze yourself in a suit and smile all night?
- You want the story or not? – Jess lifted his palms in surrender. - It was started 'bout 10 years ago back when the Huntzberger Publishing Group was having an little image setback. They wanted to raise some many for the underprivileged kids to gain more sympathy from readers. And it worked. So it became an annual thing and grew bigger and bigger every year. Now the committee is choosing an charity linked to press and literature and every year they're raising funds for it. For most of us, the small people, it's basically a boring opportunity to network with great food and open bar, but for the big names it's a must have of the season, so you can meet there with every important person in a news industry.
- Did you? Ever?
- Did I ever what?
- Met there someone important you were dying for years to meet?
- As a matter of fact I did. – Rory said witch pure satisfaction. She was finally going to shake him a little. She knew him and knew that his blasé attitude was just a pose, but it was really nice to prove him wrong, even if he didn't truly meant his snarky comments.
- Do tell. – As Rory expected he was starting to show some interest.
- Seymour Hersh for one. Christiane Amanpour. Adam Johnson. Last year I met Viet Than Nguyen, I even talked to him. – she sat back in her chair and watched Jess' face when she listed the Pulitzer winning names.
- Huh, really? – he was impressed. He really was and he wasn't going to deny that. Maybe going to this wouldn't be that bad after all.
When they arrived back in the office there was a bouquet of sunflowers on her desk. They were wrapped in black paper with golden stars and there was a note attached to it. Jess shot a discreet look on her face when they approached. She didn't look surprised but she also grabbed the note with the speed of light, like she was curious to know what it said.
Jess was lost in thoughts for a second – was she seeing anyone? He actually didn't know, they didn't talk about those stuff. Of course it didn't matter, he told himself, because he wasn't interested. That was in the past and they were just friends now. Right?
- Earth to Jess! – she snapped her fingers in front of his face.
- Oh, yeah, right. Sorry. Did you said something?
- I was asking if you are bringing someone to the gala. Because if you are, you have to confirm it with Janet at HR. – so the flowers were probably from someone she was inviting to the gala, he thought.
- Sure, I'll think of that. But I will probably be solo, wouldn't want to waste a perfectly good date at a work thing, you know? – he pondered a thought for a second. – You're bringing a date?
- Nah. I mean yes, but not a date. A friend, from Yale. – if she was using "we are just friends" line it didn't show. Her face was pure and honest.
- Someone I know? – please, say "no", he thought, because everyone he new from her Yale time was in his opinion insufferable.
- Don't think so, no. But I'm sure you'll like him.
We will see about that, thought Jess. And the bitterness of his own thoughts unpleasantly surprised him.