After the Kiss

Author's note: no, I couldn't think of a better title. But cut me some slack, it's only my second GG fanfic!

The story, as you've probably figured out from the title, takes place after Rory & Jess' first kiss.

Rating: PG. Maybe PG13.

Comments: shir-o@internet-zahav.net

Rory's P.O.V:

Ok. It's gonna be just fine. I should just catch my breath, put on a smile on my... oh no! My lips! The lipstick, it's, it's... smeared! Oh no! My mom will notice, then the whole town would notice, then Dean would notice and then break up with me, and then everybody will think I'm a slut and disobey me!

"Hey, Rory?" my mom whispers.

"What?!" I ask alarmed.

"Relax, honey. You're putting your stressful face on and this is not a very good time." She whispers through her teeth, smiling to the guests.

"Right, right..." I whisper back on put on a fake smile.

I should just relax. This'll be over in a few minutes.

~*Rory/Jess*~

"Honey, you're not driving with me to the reception?" mom asked after the ceremony.

"No, I want to change first. I'm gonna run real quick to the house." I answer.

"M'kay. Are you sure you're alright? You haven't been yourself today. You've been sort of extra-stressed if that's possible. Maybe you need coffee. Maybe you should go to Luke's!" she suggests.

"Mom," I smile, "do you want me to go to Luke's to see if he's still mad at you?"

"Of course not! You just seem a little stressed, and you just know caffeine is the answer to tension!" she answers, obviously lying.

"I'm fine, really. But maybe I'd want coffee tomorrow morning." I promise her and she smiles, "save me some cake, I'll be right over." I say and give her a kiss on the cheek.

~*Rory/Jess*~

I step rapidly to the porch when I see him sitting there. My breath catches in my throat and I move slower. He lifts his head and looks at me in a sealed expression. I sigh inwardly, knowing the reason for that is because I'm actually happy he's here.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him, getting closer to him.

He shrugs in respond. Great. Jess goes back to his routes and does it on a terrible time.

"Jess..." I start, sitting next to him and he interrupts me.

"I just wanted to see you. Is that so strange?" he asks.

"Well, no, but..." I respond and he interrupts me again.

"I don't know, it didn't seem weird when you came to New York just cuz you wanted to see me." He comments.

"Hey, I said it wasn't weird. Relax." I say.

"You first." He replies.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask.

"Do you always run away after you kiss someone?" He responds.

"No!" I answer and then go silent, "well, actually yeah... look, I'm sorry about the... greeting, ok?" I ask embarrassed, not looking at him.

"Hey, it was a hell of a lot better than the greeting I got when I came back to New York and a junkie tried to mug me." He answers shrugging.

"Oh my god, are you ok?!" I ask alarmed and he looks at me surprised.

"I'm fine." He replies smiling weakly.

"Look, I'm sorry." I say again.

"Why?" he asks.

"Because of the..." I start but he interrupts me.

"No. Why'd you kiss me?" he asks.

There's a long silence.

"I don't know." I start, "maybe because you left town just because you thought you hurt me. And that was the most adorable thing someone's ever done for me." I confess.

"Yeah, but Rory... you send a fruit basket. Not kiss someone when you're already spoken for." He responds.

"I know. I made a mistake." I nod.

"Do you really think that?" he asks and I look at him, "it's just a thought... but when someone makes you end up in a hospital, you usually hate him for the rest of your life. You kissed me instead. So was it really a mistake?" he asks.

"I think you should go." I answer after awhile.

"Why? Cuz you have no answer?" he asks.

"Go, Jess." I repeat.

He looks at me for awhile, then rises and leaves.

I continue to sit at the stairs for a few seconds, trying to realize what just happened. Then I remember the reception, and get up to get dressed.

~*Rory/Jess*~