A/N: Reviews, reviews please! :)

Rory could feel people staring at her. Some of them discreetly, some of them not so much. She knew that she had to make a move soon or this situation will became a talk of the evening and it was the last thing she wanted.

- Logan, nice to see you. You look good. – She said with a polite smile on her face.

Logan was watching her closely. She looked stunning in her long dress, the sparkle in her eyes was bright.

- Rory, beautiful as ever. – He saw the stares too. People usually loved a good drama, but high society people were breathing it like air. So he decided not to give them what they obviously wanted. He took her by the hand and twirled her around. – Stunning really. How have you been?

- Good, really good. I just got promoted to chief editor's assistant few months ago.

- I know, dad told me, he is very pleased with the work you're doing.

- Really, can I get that in writing? – Rory's laugh flew through the ballroom.

Apparently they wasn't as interesting as people first assumed, because everybody was getting back to their initial conversations, when suddenly Logan's female companion said:

- Oh please, can we cut short this sweet talk, Logan you're not alone here!

Rory turned to face her and her eyes lit up. Surprising everybody she took the girl in a tight hug.

- Stephanie, it's been too long! I haven't see you in ages!

- Right there with you, hon! I've missed you!

The girls linked arms and headed for the bar to catch up almost the same time as Finn approached Logan. They shook hands and exchanged a bear hug.

Jess was watching the situation from the distance. 'Show is over, people' he thought to himself. At first, when he spotted Logan, he wanted to go to Rory, save her somehow. But then he realized that she is not that shy, bookish little girl anymore. She is a grown woman, a professional adult and she can handle situations on her own. As she did. Besides – the Logan story was ages ago.

The rest of the gala went by smoothly – they talked, laughed, even danced a little when the official part ended and the music became less Mozart-like. When they were saying good bye's he spotted Logan again, but he was far enough to hear only scratches of conversation. By the time he got there, Rory and Finn were alone, getting ready to leave. Jess wanted to ask her if she was okay, but he figured there will be time for that later, at work.

The next day they went to lunch together again. He wasn't sure if he should bring this up, but he did anyway.

- So… Last night I had a little chat with some girls from the Times….

- Really? I thought that they only talk to each other.

- Well, at first they was… but I heard them saying some things about you and… Well, never mind. I shouldn't brought it up.

- Oh come on, now you have to tell me.

- It was nothing, really.

- Like hell it was. If it would be nothing, you would tell me already. – She was stubborn and he knew he couldn't win this argument. And he did brought this up, so…

- They were talking about you sleepingwitchMitchumHuntzberger - he blurred it as fast as he could. It was more like same murmur at the and of the sentence but she caught it anyway.

- Oh! Gross!

- Yeah, I know, I … - He started, but never got a chance to finish.

- How people can be that gross? I can't believe it! If you accomplished anything there always be someone, who will assume that you got that for free. Not even for free, for selling herself. And for women to be that way to another woman. God, didn't they ever heard of feminism?! What, if I am good at my job it has to be because I slept with someone? I can't be good at my work on my own, it has to be because of someone else and…

- No, Rory, come on, they were just jealous and… - He tried to stop her but there was no way, she was in full rant-mode now.

-… if I were a man and I would got a promotion everybody would be high-fiveing me and saying how cool of a dude I am, someone would buy me a beer. Not that I like beers very much, I'm much of a martini person. But anyway, If I was a man, no one would assume that…

- Rory stop! – Jess almost yelled.

Surprisingly she stopped. She looked at him, her face flushed from her previous rant, her eyes sparkling with emotions.

- Sorry, I just hate it. It happened before but it doesn't make it easier in time. To be accused of something like that. And with Mitchum of all people. Ugh!

- I know. I just wanted to say, that I put an end to it. I told them that they were bitches. And that you knew Mitchum through your grandparents but I'm not sure if you wanted them to know that. So maybe I made things even worst now. – It crossed his mind as he spoke, that she might be mad at him about his big mouth. After all it could raised more gossips, that she knows the ultimate boss through family connection. Nepotism and all.

- No, no, thanks. You were my knight in shining armor. And I am not making it a secret that my grandparents know the Huntzbergers. So it's all good. We're good.

They had to be heading back to the office soon, so there was no time to bring up the Logan thing. Jess decided it maybe was for the best. It was enough heart to heart for one day and they ended the conversation on a good note, there was no reason to ruin it.

- So, the Thanksgiving is coming… - He opted for some easy conversation. – Are you heading to Stars Hollow?

- No. – The spark in her eyes faded a little and her mouth tightened into a thin line.

- Oh, yeah, I'm staying in the city too. – he was trying to keep her talking, but he failed.- Maybe for Christmas, I should try and visit Luke. Liz and T.J. will probably be there too…

But Rory didn't say anything. She was staring absentmindedly through the window. 'Yeah, that went well', thought Jess. Apparently ending their lunch on a good note just went out of that window.

Thanksgiving went by and Christmas was few days ahead and Jess found himself at the Christmas party at the office. The official part was short, Gary thanked everyone for their hard work this year, expressed hope for the next one and shortly after said his goodbye's, leaving his stuff to loose up a little. When the party started, they spiked a little the eggnog and as they soon found out, Jerry from politics was able to sneak few bottles of whisky, so the festivities escalated very quickly. They were playing "Never have I ever" for few rounds, danced a little. Even Patty had let go of her agenda to find a company for the night and had a good time with everybody. Close to 8 p.m. the office started to depopulate. Rory and Jess were almost the last one to stay – they were sitting on the floor, talking about old times.

- Do you remember the disastrous dinner at my grandparents? You never told me what really happened that day. – Rory was sprawled on the floor with her head propped on her hands.

- You mean the blackeye?

- Yeah. I know you didn't fight with Dean, he told me. So?

- I'll tell you but you have to promise me – no laughing.

- I promise. – She stuck out her pinky to him.

- I got hit by a swan. – Rory's eyes went wide. She was trying very hard not to smile while he continued. – I went to the lake, to our spot. And there was that hideous creature, just standing in my way. And it attacked me. Just like that, no warning. I finally told Luke about it and we came back later for revenge. We took the boat and were looking for this swan, but it must've go into hiding 'cause we never find it.

By the time he finished the story she was laughing so hard, she was almost crying. And it was a beautiful laugh. Maybe it was this laugh of hers, maybe it was the time-travel they just did together. Or maybe it was the alcohol that he had consumed but suddenly Jess felt the need to kiss her. An undeniable, burning need to kiss those beautiful lips of hers. So he leaned in and brushed his lips on to hers. She tasted like strawberry with the hint of coffee. She tasted good. But unfortunately for Jess, before he even realized what was happening, the kiss was broken and she was pulling back, as fast as she could.

- Jess I can't. We can't do that.

- Oh sorry. – He felt sort of like an idiot. – I get that, you don't feel that way. I just thought…

- I'm married. – He was just staring at her, frozen. – To Logan. Five years this past august.