Chapter One: The Auction
"Bidders, who wants to bid on these lovely ladies for a free picnic and of course, their delightful company," Taylor, the town mayor, called out.
"First up, is the lovely Miss Patti, she runs the local dance hall, come on guys. The bidding starts at $5," Taylor yelled.
Eventually, Kirk, the postman, won Miss Patti for a winning bid of $40.
"Next up is Babette, once again $5 is the starter, anyone $5, ah there's a hand, $10 anyone?" Taylor was on a roll again.
"Isn't he silly?" Lorelai remarked to her daughter, looking at Taylor.
"He's Taylor, what'd you expect," Rory said. Lorelai agreed and they silently watched the auction, of course Maury won Babette after outbidding the persistent town troubadour for a bid of $50.
"Our next little lady is Miss Lane Kim, a young Stars Hollow High School student and a cheerleader, let the bidding begin," Taylor introduced.
Lane was finally bought for a price of $30. She ran down off the stage and into the crowd to find her mystery date.
"Next up, our very own Independence Inn manager, Lorelai Gilmore," Taylor yelled.
"Jeez Taylor, could you be any louder," Lorelai remarked.
"Let the bidding begin," Taylor yelled, really getting into the spirit. "Tell us what's in your basket?"
"Some pop tarts and Slim Jims," Lorelai yelled enthusiastically to the crowd.
"$10," a man yelled.
"$20," another man yelled.
Lorelai groaned when she recognized them as two never-happened blind dates that Miss Patti had set her up on. She looked around and her gaze zeroed in on Luke, who was coming out of his diner to see what all the fuss was.
"Luke," she yelled, waving her hands madly, trying to attract his attention.
"Lorelai, what is it?" Luke yelled back.
She jumped off the stage and ran over to him. "You have to bid on me and win, cause there's two other guys bidding and no one else, and I prefer you to them," she asked.
"Do you?" Luke asked.
"Yes," she looked him in the eyes.
"How much will it cost me?" he asked, grimacing at the thought of the cost.
"The bidding is only at $20, so you shouldn't end up bankrupt," she reassured him.
"Lorelai, can we please back on with the bidding, there are other ladies after you," Taylor yelled.
"Coming," Lorelai yelled. "So you'll do this for me?" she asked, waiting with baited breath for his answer.
"Of course, I'd do anything for you," Luke answered.
"Thank you so much," she hugged him fiercely.
Luke returned the hug somewhat awkwardly, then she was out of his arms and running back to the stage.
"Let the bidding resume," Taylor yelled out.
"$30," a guy yelled.
"$50," the other guy yelled.
Luke took a deep breath, and yelled "$75."
"$75, going once, going twice, sold to Luke Danes," Taylor shouted gleefully.
Lorelai flew off the stage and into Luke's arms. "Thank you," she said in his ear. Luke's arms encircled her. He relished the feel of her in his arms.
"Next up, Miss Sookie St. James, the renowned chef at the Independence Inn," Taylor introduced.
Sookie walked out and smiled at the crowd, she saw Jackson eyeing her, like a piece of candy, he was about to buy. Her eyes moved over the crowd and stopped on Luke and Lorelai, their arms were around each other and they looked happy.
"$5," Taylor called out.
Eventually Jackson won with a bid of $50, and Sookie flew into his arms happily.
"Last up is a special little lady, Miss Rory Gilmore," Taylor said.
Rory walked out from behind the red curtain, her eyes flew over the crowd, she smiled at Dean, then her eyes flew open in shock when she her mom and Luke looking oh so cozy together.
"Let the bidding begin, $5 anyone?" Taylor asked the crowd.
"Oh, Rory's up," Luke said, turning Lorelai around so she could see her daughter. He tentatively put his arms around her waist, and Lorelai clasped them, holding them there. She leaned back into his embrace.
"$10," Dean shouted, his eyes filled with joy at the thought of having another date with Rory, his girlfriend.
$100," a voice from the back yelled, the crowd fell silent.
The crowd parted to reveal Jess, standing there in a rebellious stance, daring anyone to say something. He smiled at Rory, her gaze zeroed in on him. She blushed a pale pink, and cast her eyes down.
"Any other bids?" Taylor asked, his tone slightly choked.
Dean looked at Rory, his eyes full of shock. Rory looked at him and smiled piteously. Then her gaze flew to Jess, and her eyes filled with interest.
"Sold to the rebel in the back," Taylor called out. "The auction is officially, will those bidders please come pay their prices and claim their dates."
After everyone had paid, Taylor made an announcement, "We made a grand total of $355, thanks to all the ladies and those of you who came out here today."
Everyone dispersed, Rory made her way over to Jess, when Dean stepped in front of her. "We have to talk," he said.
"Jess, I'll just be a second," Rory called.
"You can't go with him," Dean said.
"Why not?" Rory asked.
"Because he's dangerous and I don't trust him," Dean said.
"And I'm supposed to do what you tell me," Rory asked.
"Well no, but as your boyfriend, I'm telling you not to go with him," Dean told her.
"You may be my boyfriend, but you have no right to tell me what to do, so get out of my way, I have a date to go on," Rory said viciously.
Lorelai stepped in front of her, "You can't go out with him."
"Give me one good reason why?" Rory asked.
Jess who was standing near by, turned to leave, he stopped when he heard what Rory said.
"There is nothing that you can say about Jess that will dissuade me from going out with him," Rory said, she turned and ran over to Jess. She grabbed his hand and they walked away.
"What was that all about?" Luke asked.
"Rory being rebellious, I never thought I'd see the day," Lorelai said.
"Let's go to the diner, we'll talk about it there, and you know that Jess and Rory are both responsible kids, if they need us, they know where and how to reach us," Luke said, leading her away to the diner.
Jess had placed a blindfold over her eyes and walked her to their picnic destination. "Where are we?" she asked, loving the mystery of this, Dean had never done this for her.
He took off the blindfold, and she saw they were at the Lake. "What are we doing here?"
"This is my surprise for you, we're here to eat," he said.
They sat on the dock and ate the lunch that had been in her basket. They talked quietly of the interests they shared. Jess liked most of the same books as her, although he preferred action movies and thrillers to her preference of light comedies. He liked trying strange foods like her.
After they eaten their fill, Rory found that shared a lot of common interests.
Jess started taking off his clothes, Rory just sat there in shock, watching, as he was unveiled like a young Michangelo. "What are you doing?" she asked dumbly.
"I'm going swimming, you want to join me?" he asked rakishly.
"No, I'll just stay here and..," she trailed off.
"And what? Watch me," he teased her.
Rory blushed a bright pink and looked down. Next thing she heard was a loud splash, she looked up and saw a pile of his clothes sitting on the dock. She didn't see his boxers, so at least she knew he was wearing those.
Jess's smiling face looked up at her from the water below. "It's very hot in here, why don't you join me," he said.
"Jess it's only March, and that water is always freezing, it doesn't really warm up until July," Rory said. "How long are you going to be in there?" she asked looking at her watch.
"Ever dependable Rory, so I guess the little show of rebellion, I witnessed earlier was just an illusion," Jess mocked.
"Rebellious, what are you talking about?" Rory looked shocked.
"When you told your mother and your boyfriend, that you didn't care what they thought, and that nothing would change the way you feel about me," Jess told her.
"I was just stating a fact, no one can tell me what to do, I'm capable of making my own decisions," Rory said.
"Okay, if you want to leave, go ahead, I thought I saw something in you, but I guess I was wrong," Jess turned around and started swimming for the other side.
"Wait, what'd you mean you thought you saw something in me," Rory yelled.
"It's nothing, just go home to your boyfriend," Jess yelled, he struck out with his arms and kept on swimming.
Rory looked around, should she go find out what he meant or go back and find Dean? She looked out on the lake and saw Jess, he was in the middle of the lake, and he didn't look like he was coming back. Why bother waiting for him, he obviously didn't care if she left. She packed up her things, and left the basket since he'd bought it. She made her way back to the path in the woods and walked back to town.
Jess turned around in the water, watching her leave, he shook his head in frustration, and she moved something in him that was new and oddly weird. It made him want to impress her. He struck back out for the dock and pulled himself up on the dock. He hadn't planned on swimming, it had just become necessary after being in her company for so long.
Rory walked back into town, out of the woods, she walked over to her house. Up the stairs, through the door of her house, and into her sanctuary. Her mother wasn't home, she was probably over at Luke's having their little "date" if only her mom would see that Luke liked her and that she probably liked him in return.
Long mocha hair flowed down her back, shining obsequiously in the dim lights as she walked through the house. She eyed the phone, lying on the kitchen table and knew she had to phone her mom and then Dean. Her mouth suddenly had a sour taste in it. Silently, she yearned, wishing she was still at the lake with Jess. Shaking her head, if she'd stayed, who knows what would've happened?
The phone rang, she picked it up, "Hello."
"Rory, home from your date already?" her mother asked.
"It wasn't a date, and yes I'm home, because Jess decided to go elsewhere," Rory said.
"What'd you mean, go elsewhere, did he desert you?" Lorelai asked, anger marking her tone.
"No, he wanted to go swimming and I didn't," Rory said quietly over the line.
"Just a minute, sweetie," Lorelair said, covering the phone. She turned to Luke, who was pouring her coffee. "Did you know your nephew went skinny dipping, and Rory almost joined him," Lorelai told Luke.
"What?" Luke roared.
On the other end of the line, Rory heard the roar, "What's going on over there?" she asked.
"I told Luke about your little swimming thing," Lorelai said. She could hear Luke muttering something about swimming with the fish.
"What exactly did you tell Luke?" Rory asked.
"That Jess went skinny dipping, and he wanted you to join him," Lorelai said.
"That is not what happened. Jess went swimming, he was wearing his boxers. Now will you please tell Luke to calm down. I don't want him to hurt Jess," Rory said.
"Sure," Lorelai said, she covered the phone. "Luke, honey would you calm down, there's been a change on that skinny dipping thing." Before she could explain it to him. Jess walked in the door.
"Jess, get over here," Luke yelled.
Lorelai uncovered the phone, "Rory, I gotta go, I have to play referee between Jess and Luke. It's going to get ugly."
"Mom wait," Rory yelled into the phone, the line was dead. Rory ran out the door and off to the diner.
"What's up, Uncle Luke," Jess asked.
"What business do you have, trying to tempt a poor innocent girl into skinny dipping," Luke roared. All the heads in the diner swiveled, and all conversation ceased.
"What are you talking about?" Jess asked.
"Don't play dumb with me. What exactly did you try to do to Rory," Luke yelled, his face turning red from the anger.
"I didn't do anything," Jess denied.
Luke looked at him hard for a second then shook his head, and stormed into the back of the diner, with Lorelai hot on his heels.
Rory ran into the diner, "Jess, what happened?" she asked.
"Everyone thinks I tried to seduce you. I thought you were different, once again I was wrong. I'm outta here, I'm taking the first bus back to Chicago. I hate living here," he said to her, storming out the door, shoving past Dean.
"Jess wait," she was stopped by Dean coming in the door.
"Hey Rory," Dean said, he bent to kiss her on the lips, she turned away. "Not right now," she said, pushing past him on the way out the door.
"Jessssss," she yelled running out the door. She looked up at the alkaline sky and shivered as raindrops hit her skin. She ran down the street.
After Lorelai told him the truth about what happened, Luke shook his head. "I'm so stupid, just when we were starting to get along, I go and screw it up."
"You're not stupid, just sometimes you act without thinking, everyone does it," Lorelai comforted him.
"Do you act impulsively?" Luke asked.
"Honey, you know I do," she touched his arm and looked him in the eye, and was shocked to see desire flaring there. It was like a bonfire, that was flying over her skin, like a storm surrounding her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and brought his head down. Simultaneously, Luke wrapped his arms around her waist, hauling her against him, so she could feel the effect she had on him. When their mouths were a breath away, the door flew open, startling them apart.
Dean looked at them, he was in too much shock to see what was going on. "You guys have to come quickly."
"What is it?" Lorelai asked, she looked reluctant to leave Luke alone after what had almost happened.
"It's Rory, she's gone after Jess," Dean said. "I know she thinks everyone is her friend, but isn't this taking it a bit far."
"Well Dean, something happened on their picnic, and we've blown it out of proportion, and Jess was accused of something he didn't do, so when he stormed out of here. Rory went after him, because she feels guilty," Lorelai explained.
"What happened on their picnic?" Dean asked anxiously.
"Jess went swimming and wanted Rory to join him, I misconstrued that as skinny dipping and when I told Luke, he yelled at Jess, before I could rectify my mistake," she said.
"Jess tried to get her to go swimming," Dean repeated, his face a mask of undeniable ager. "I'm going to hunt this guy down and…." He was cut off by Luke.
"You will do no such thing," Luke said. "He's my nephew and no one threatens my family."
Lorelai looked at him, "That's right, no one is going to hunt down Jess, but we have to find him and rory."
"There's a storm blowing in, we'd better start looking, where would Jess go?" Lorelai asked Luke.
"The bus station, the highway, anywhere to get away from Stars Hollow," Luke answered.
"I'll take the bus station," Dean volunteered, leaving the room.
"I guess that leaves us with the highway, shall we?" Luke said.
"Yes, let's go," Lorelai said, linking her hand through his, they walked out the door and out to his truck.
Rain was pounding down like a banshee rattling its imprisoning chains, the wind whipped through the trees like a jealous lover. Rory huddled down in her coat, struggling to keep the warmth going through her body, she was drenched. Something had drawn her to the woods, she felt like Jess was here. She walked out onto the dock, where'd they had their picnic, and sat down. She felt miserable. "Jess," she called. No answer. She lay down, just for a second she promised herself. Her eyes closed.
Jess stormed through the woods, beating his hands against his legs. He couldn't help it, what right did his uncle have to accuse him of that. He'd been joking when he said to go swimming, he knew Rory would never actually have gone swimming with him. He walked down the path that led to the dock, where he and Rory had had their picnic earlier. He stopped, when he saw a huddled form lying there, not moving. He started running, when he go this weird feeling in the pit of his stomach.
He ran over to the silent form, it was Rory. What was she doing out here in this weather? He knelt to touch her, she stirred, and mumbled his name, like she was dreaming. Jess caressed her cheek gently, then shook himself. He had to find cover for them now, this storm was blowing in and it didn't look like something that was about to stop just for him. He knelt to pick up Rory, gently he carried her back under the canopy of the trees, and racked his head, where could he take her. Then it came to him, one day when he'd been exploring, he'd come across a cave well hidden, that looked like it hadn't been found in years. It wasn't far from where he was, he cradled Rory in his arms and started for the cave.
"Bidders, who wants to bid on these lovely ladies for a free picnic and of course, their delightful company," Taylor, the town mayor, called out.
"First up, is the lovely Miss Patti, she runs the local dance hall, come on guys. The bidding starts at $5," Taylor yelled.
Eventually, Kirk, the postman, won Miss Patti for a winning bid of $40.
"Next up is Babette, once again $5 is the starter, anyone $5, ah there's a hand, $10 anyone?" Taylor was on a roll again.
"Isn't he silly?" Lorelai remarked to her daughter, looking at Taylor.
"He's Taylor, what'd you expect," Rory said. Lorelai agreed and they silently watched the auction, of course Maury won Babette after outbidding the persistent town troubadour for a bid of $50.
"Our next little lady is Miss Lane Kim, a young Stars Hollow High School student and a cheerleader, let the bidding begin," Taylor introduced.
Lane was finally bought for a price of $30. She ran down off the stage and into the crowd to find her mystery date.
"Next up, our very own Independence Inn manager, Lorelai Gilmore," Taylor yelled.
"Jeez Taylor, could you be any louder," Lorelai remarked.
"Let the bidding begin," Taylor yelled, really getting into the spirit. "Tell us what's in your basket?"
"Some pop tarts and Slim Jims," Lorelai yelled enthusiastically to the crowd.
"$10," a man yelled.
"$20," another man yelled.
Lorelai groaned when she recognized them as two never-happened blind dates that Miss Patti had set her up on. She looked around and her gaze zeroed in on Luke, who was coming out of his diner to see what all the fuss was.
"Luke," she yelled, waving her hands madly, trying to attract his attention.
"Lorelai, what is it?" Luke yelled back.
She jumped off the stage and ran over to him. "You have to bid on me and win, cause there's two other guys bidding and no one else, and I prefer you to them," she asked.
"Do you?" Luke asked.
"Yes," she looked him in the eyes.
"How much will it cost me?" he asked, grimacing at the thought of the cost.
"The bidding is only at $20, so you shouldn't end up bankrupt," she reassured him.
"Lorelai, can we please back on with the bidding, there are other ladies after you," Taylor yelled.
"Coming," Lorelai yelled. "So you'll do this for me?" she asked, waiting with baited breath for his answer.
"Of course, I'd do anything for you," Luke answered.
"Thank you so much," she hugged him fiercely.
Luke returned the hug somewhat awkwardly, then she was out of his arms and running back to the stage.
"Let the bidding resume," Taylor yelled out.
"$30," a guy yelled.
"$50," the other guy yelled.
Luke took a deep breath, and yelled "$75."
"$75, going once, going twice, sold to Luke Danes," Taylor shouted gleefully.
Lorelai flew off the stage and into Luke's arms. "Thank you," she said in his ear. Luke's arms encircled her. He relished the feel of her in his arms.
"Next up, Miss Sookie St. James, the renowned chef at the Independence Inn," Taylor introduced.
Sookie walked out and smiled at the crowd, she saw Jackson eyeing her, like a piece of candy, he was about to buy. Her eyes moved over the crowd and stopped on Luke and Lorelai, their arms were around each other and they looked happy.
"$5," Taylor called out.
Eventually Jackson won with a bid of $50, and Sookie flew into his arms happily.
"Last up is a special little lady, Miss Rory Gilmore," Taylor said.
Rory walked out from behind the red curtain, her eyes flew over the crowd, she smiled at Dean, then her eyes flew open in shock when she her mom and Luke looking oh so cozy together.
"Let the bidding begin, $5 anyone?" Taylor asked the crowd.
"Oh, Rory's up," Luke said, turning Lorelai around so she could see her daughter. He tentatively put his arms around her waist, and Lorelai clasped them, holding them there. She leaned back into his embrace.
"$10," Dean shouted, his eyes filled with joy at the thought of having another date with Rory, his girlfriend.
$100," a voice from the back yelled, the crowd fell silent.
The crowd parted to reveal Jess, standing there in a rebellious stance, daring anyone to say something. He smiled at Rory, her gaze zeroed in on him. She blushed a pale pink, and cast her eyes down.
"Any other bids?" Taylor asked, his tone slightly choked.
Dean looked at Rory, his eyes full of shock. Rory looked at him and smiled piteously. Then her gaze flew to Jess, and her eyes filled with interest.
"Sold to the rebel in the back," Taylor called out. "The auction is officially, will those bidders please come pay their prices and claim their dates."
After everyone had paid, Taylor made an announcement, "We made a grand total of $355, thanks to all the ladies and those of you who came out here today."
Everyone dispersed, Rory made her way over to Jess, when Dean stepped in front of her. "We have to talk," he said.
"Jess, I'll just be a second," Rory called.
"You can't go with him," Dean said.
"Why not?" Rory asked.
"Because he's dangerous and I don't trust him," Dean said.
"And I'm supposed to do what you tell me," Rory asked.
"Well no, but as your boyfriend, I'm telling you not to go with him," Dean told her.
"You may be my boyfriend, but you have no right to tell me what to do, so get out of my way, I have a date to go on," Rory said viciously.
Lorelai stepped in front of her, "You can't go out with him."
"Give me one good reason why?" Rory asked.
Jess who was standing near by, turned to leave, he stopped when he heard what Rory said.
"There is nothing that you can say about Jess that will dissuade me from going out with him," Rory said, she turned and ran over to Jess. She grabbed his hand and they walked away.
"What was that all about?" Luke asked.
"Rory being rebellious, I never thought I'd see the day," Lorelai said.
"Let's go to the diner, we'll talk about it there, and you know that Jess and Rory are both responsible kids, if they need us, they know where and how to reach us," Luke said, leading her away to the diner.
Jess had placed a blindfold over her eyes and walked her to their picnic destination. "Where are we?" she asked, loving the mystery of this, Dean had never done this for her.
He took off the blindfold, and she saw they were at the Lake. "What are we doing here?"
"This is my surprise for you, we're here to eat," he said.
They sat on the dock and ate the lunch that had been in her basket. They talked quietly of the interests they shared. Jess liked most of the same books as her, although he preferred action movies and thrillers to her preference of light comedies. He liked trying strange foods like her.
After they eaten their fill, Rory found that shared a lot of common interests.
Jess started taking off his clothes, Rory just sat there in shock, watching, as he was unveiled like a young Michangelo. "What are you doing?" she asked dumbly.
"I'm going swimming, you want to join me?" he asked rakishly.
"No, I'll just stay here and..," she trailed off.
"And what? Watch me," he teased her.
Rory blushed a bright pink and looked down. Next thing she heard was a loud splash, she looked up and saw a pile of his clothes sitting on the dock. She didn't see his boxers, so at least she knew he was wearing those.
Jess's smiling face looked up at her from the water below. "It's very hot in here, why don't you join me," he said.
"Jess it's only March, and that water is always freezing, it doesn't really warm up until July," Rory said. "How long are you going to be in there?" she asked looking at her watch.
"Ever dependable Rory, so I guess the little show of rebellion, I witnessed earlier was just an illusion," Jess mocked.
"Rebellious, what are you talking about?" Rory looked shocked.
"When you told your mother and your boyfriend, that you didn't care what they thought, and that nothing would change the way you feel about me," Jess told her.
"I was just stating a fact, no one can tell me what to do, I'm capable of making my own decisions," Rory said.
"Okay, if you want to leave, go ahead, I thought I saw something in you, but I guess I was wrong," Jess turned around and started swimming for the other side.
"Wait, what'd you mean you thought you saw something in me," Rory yelled.
"It's nothing, just go home to your boyfriend," Jess yelled, he struck out with his arms and kept on swimming.
Rory looked around, should she go find out what he meant or go back and find Dean? She looked out on the lake and saw Jess, he was in the middle of the lake, and he didn't look like he was coming back. Why bother waiting for him, he obviously didn't care if she left. She packed up her things, and left the basket since he'd bought it. She made her way back to the path in the woods and walked back to town.
Jess turned around in the water, watching her leave, he shook his head in frustration, and she moved something in him that was new and oddly weird. It made him want to impress her. He struck back out for the dock and pulled himself up on the dock. He hadn't planned on swimming, it had just become necessary after being in her company for so long.
Rory walked back into town, out of the woods, she walked over to her house. Up the stairs, through the door of her house, and into her sanctuary. Her mother wasn't home, she was probably over at Luke's having their little "date" if only her mom would see that Luke liked her and that she probably liked him in return.
Long mocha hair flowed down her back, shining obsequiously in the dim lights as she walked through the house. She eyed the phone, lying on the kitchen table and knew she had to phone her mom and then Dean. Her mouth suddenly had a sour taste in it. Silently, she yearned, wishing she was still at the lake with Jess. Shaking her head, if she'd stayed, who knows what would've happened?
The phone rang, she picked it up, "Hello."
"Rory, home from your date already?" her mother asked.
"It wasn't a date, and yes I'm home, because Jess decided to go elsewhere," Rory said.
"What'd you mean, go elsewhere, did he desert you?" Lorelai asked, anger marking her tone.
"No, he wanted to go swimming and I didn't," Rory said quietly over the line.
"Just a minute, sweetie," Lorelair said, covering the phone. She turned to Luke, who was pouring her coffee. "Did you know your nephew went skinny dipping, and Rory almost joined him," Lorelai told Luke.
"What?" Luke roared.
On the other end of the line, Rory heard the roar, "What's going on over there?" she asked.
"I told Luke about your little swimming thing," Lorelai said. She could hear Luke muttering something about swimming with the fish.
"What exactly did you tell Luke?" Rory asked.
"That Jess went skinny dipping, and he wanted you to join him," Lorelai said.
"That is not what happened. Jess went swimming, he was wearing his boxers. Now will you please tell Luke to calm down. I don't want him to hurt Jess," Rory said.
"Sure," Lorelai said, she covered the phone. "Luke, honey would you calm down, there's been a change on that skinny dipping thing." Before she could explain it to him. Jess walked in the door.
"Jess, get over here," Luke yelled.
Lorelai uncovered the phone, "Rory, I gotta go, I have to play referee between Jess and Luke. It's going to get ugly."
"Mom wait," Rory yelled into the phone, the line was dead. Rory ran out the door and off to the diner.
"What's up, Uncle Luke," Jess asked.
"What business do you have, trying to tempt a poor innocent girl into skinny dipping," Luke roared. All the heads in the diner swiveled, and all conversation ceased.
"What are you talking about?" Jess asked.
"Don't play dumb with me. What exactly did you try to do to Rory," Luke yelled, his face turning red from the anger.
"I didn't do anything," Jess denied.
Luke looked at him hard for a second then shook his head, and stormed into the back of the diner, with Lorelai hot on his heels.
Rory ran into the diner, "Jess, what happened?" she asked.
"Everyone thinks I tried to seduce you. I thought you were different, once again I was wrong. I'm outta here, I'm taking the first bus back to Chicago. I hate living here," he said to her, storming out the door, shoving past Dean.
"Jess wait," she was stopped by Dean coming in the door.
"Hey Rory," Dean said, he bent to kiss her on the lips, she turned away. "Not right now," she said, pushing past him on the way out the door.
"Jessssss," she yelled running out the door. She looked up at the alkaline sky and shivered as raindrops hit her skin. She ran down the street.
After Lorelai told him the truth about what happened, Luke shook his head. "I'm so stupid, just when we were starting to get along, I go and screw it up."
"You're not stupid, just sometimes you act without thinking, everyone does it," Lorelai comforted him.
"Do you act impulsively?" Luke asked.
"Honey, you know I do," she touched his arm and looked him in the eye, and was shocked to see desire flaring there. It was like a bonfire, that was flying over her skin, like a storm surrounding her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and brought his head down. Simultaneously, Luke wrapped his arms around her waist, hauling her against him, so she could feel the effect she had on him. When their mouths were a breath away, the door flew open, startling them apart.
Dean looked at them, he was in too much shock to see what was going on. "You guys have to come quickly."
"What is it?" Lorelai asked, she looked reluctant to leave Luke alone after what had almost happened.
"It's Rory, she's gone after Jess," Dean said. "I know she thinks everyone is her friend, but isn't this taking it a bit far."
"Well Dean, something happened on their picnic, and we've blown it out of proportion, and Jess was accused of something he didn't do, so when he stormed out of here. Rory went after him, because she feels guilty," Lorelai explained.
"What happened on their picnic?" Dean asked anxiously.
"Jess went swimming and wanted Rory to join him, I misconstrued that as skinny dipping and when I told Luke, he yelled at Jess, before I could rectify my mistake," she said.
"Jess tried to get her to go swimming," Dean repeated, his face a mask of undeniable ager. "I'm going to hunt this guy down and…." He was cut off by Luke.
"You will do no such thing," Luke said. "He's my nephew and no one threatens my family."
Lorelai looked at him, "That's right, no one is going to hunt down Jess, but we have to find him and rory."
"There's a storm blowing in, we'd better start looking, where would Jess go?" Lorelai asked Luke.
"The bus station, the highway, anywhere to get away from Stars Hollow," Luke answered.
"I'll take the bus station," Dean volunteered, leaving the room.
"I guess that leaves us with the highway, shall we?" Luke said.
"Yes, let's go," Lorelai said, linking her hand through his, they walked out the door and out to his truck.
Rain was pounding down like a banshee rattling its imprisoning chains, the wind whipped through the trees like a jealous lover. Rory huddled down in her coat, struggling to keep the warmth going through her body, she was drenched. Something had drawn her to the woods, she felt like Jess was here. She walked out onto the dock, where'd they had their picnic, and sat down. She felt miserable. "Jess," she called. No answer. She lay down, just for a second she promised herself. Her eyes closed.
Jess stormed through the woods, beating his hands against his legs. He couldn't help it, what right did his uncle have to accuse him of that. He'd been joking when he said to go swimming, he knew Rory would never actually have gone swimming with him. He walked down the path that led to the dock, where he and Rory had had their picnic earlier. He stopped, when he saw a huddled form lying there, not moving. He started running, when he go this weird feeling in the pit of his stomach.
He ran over to the silent form, it was Rory. What was she doing out here in this weather? He knelt to touch her, she stirred, and mumbled his name, like she was dreaming. Jess caressed her cheek gently, then shook himself. He had to find cover for them now, this storm was blowing in and it didn't look like something that was about to stop just for him. He knelt to pick up Rory, gently he carried her back under the canopy of the trees, and racked his head, where could he take her. Then it came to him, one day when he'd been exploring, he'd come across a cave well hidden, that looked like it hadn't been found in years. It wasn't far from where he was, he cradled Rory in his arms and started for the cave.