part 4

Name: Meg (tenismyidea@hotmail.com)
Title: I Must Be Dreaming part 5
pairing: R/T/J don't know yet
summary: Rory tries to get over a tragic event, and Tristan offers to help by letting her stay with him and make friends at Chilton
rating: Pg/ Pg 13

Part 5
Jess's Reaction

Saturday Morning

Rory was reading in the Gilmore living room, sipping her coffee peacefully. She was happy this way, curled up on the couch.

"Loompa, can I talk to you for a second?" Lorelai asked while entering the living room.

"Sure," Rory put down her book, reluctantly. "What's up?"

"Well," Lorelai sat down on the couch, grabbing the remote. "I want to talk. Mother to Daughter, Woman to Woman. Older Lorelai to--"

"Mom! I get it."

"Okay, well, I want to discuss the topic that you've been avoiding. Dean."

"Mom, Dean's not a topic because he doesn't exist!"

"Sweetie, he did exist. And he still does, in your heart."

"How very Disney of you." Rory rolled her eyes. She really didn't want to talk about Dean right now, she was too upset.

"Rory," Lorelai said in a warning tone. "Just listen, please."

"Fine," Rory folded her arms across her chest and looked at her Mom with a stern expression.

"You get upset every time he's mentioned. And I can understand that. But you're not trying to get over it. You're doing major wallowing. Wallowing is for break-ups."

"What makes you think I'm not getting over it?"

"This," Lorelai turned on the tv and VCR and pressed play. It showed Tristan giving Rory that quick kiss under the mistletoe yesterday.

"Mom! You need to stop snooping! And what does that have to do with getting over Dean?"

"Okay, here's my theory. You are subconsciously using Tristan. From what I've heard, you don't like him. Never really have. And now, you're drowning your sorrows in him. And he's totally oblivious because he's head over heels for you. You don't realize you're doing it, because it's not something sweet Rory Gilmore would do."

"Who said I didn't like Tristan?"

"You."

"Well, I don't. But he's changed and I'm willing to try friendship."

"Friendship? You mean, with benefits?"

"Huh? Oh--" Rory understood finally. "No--that--well, mistletoe. It's a rule. You kiss under mistletoe. I'm a very law-abiding person, you know."

"Uh-huh. Yeah, my whole point is to think alot about this. Think about how you feel. About Tristan, and figure out if you really like him or are just playing with him. Also, try to get over Dean's death. It was obviously meant to happen, and I think you need to focus on what's in front of you. Before it gets away. Again."

"Tristan? It wasn't my fault he got sent away sophomore year. He was being stupid."

"Actually, hon, he talked to me about it. Apparently, when he couldn't get your attention, he decided to go to desperate measures. Then things got out of hand. Next thing he knew, Military School. He told me that when asked why he was there, he would always say 'The things a Gilmore Girl will get you to do'."

"Oh. Ohhhh-oh- whoa-- so he actually cares for me? In more than a conquest way?"

"Yes, my oh so oblivious daughter. Back to Dean--"

"Mom, can I just go on a walk? I need time alone, to think."

"Sure."

Rory walked outside and the waterworks started. She couldn't help it, she loved Dean still and it was hard to discuss him. She was walking by Doose's when she ran right into the person she was looking for. "Jess!"

Jess smiled at her, grinning. He stepped closer to her, letting his hands rest on either side of her hips. He inched his face closer to hers, then saw the tears. He pulled his face away, keeping his hands in place. "Rory? What's wrong?" He lifted one hand and wiped her tears. Gazing into her eyes, he gently pulled her into an embrace, not letting her go.

"My mom and I got into a fight," She muttered in his shoulder. It was comforting to be in his arms, like it could lull her to sleep. She put her arms around his neck. *God, I'm so lucky to have him.* Some people were starting to stare, and Rory knew wild rumors would fly, but she almost didn't care. "Jess, can we talk in your apartment? I don't want the gossip mill running wild."

"Right." He pulled away and walked next to her, trying to keep his distance.

Rory suddenly had a thought. *I AM mad at Mom for bringing up both subjects I don't like.* She stopped walking, and glanced around. Miss Patty was staring at her from across the street. Jess realized she had stopped and turned around. Before he knew it, Rory walked up to him, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him. He was surprised, to say the least, but he reacted by wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him, deepening the kiss. Her tongue invaded and Jess felt all of him want to scream. He tightened his hold on her and kissed her back with all the passion he could muster. His lips moved from her mouth to her cheek and along her neck, then back to her mouth. One hand cam to rest on her cheek then ran through her hair. He couldn't get enough of her. The way her lips moved his could send him up the wall. She broke apart, breathing heavily, and kissed his cheek, then his earlobe. Remaining there, she whispered to him, sending shivers through his spine.

"Jess, amazing kiss. Always kiss me like this, please." Her voice was soft and quiet in his ears and his eyes were still closed. He hadn't opened them, hoping the kiss wouldn't end.

"What a way to keep gossip down," he muttered. He let go of her and gazed at her as they walked along.

"Jess, you're cute." Rory said while looking at him.

Jess grinned and nodded as if in agreement. "I know. But that was extremely random."

Rory smiled and walked into his apartment after him, closing the door behind her. "Yeah, well I couldn't help it. Jess, what are we?"

"Two extremely gorgeous people."

Rory laughed. "No, I mean- are we friends, friends with benefits, boyfriend/girlfriend--what?"

"Lor, I want to be your boyfriend so badly. But it's better that we're not. At least, not now. I care for you so much, more than I can tell you because it will drive you away. Anyway, I say we're best friends, with benefits, of course."

"Okay. I was wondering because I'm moving in with Tristan."

"What? Whoa, what? Backup- are you guys dating?!"

"No! No--no and No! It was some crazy idea of my mother's and she insists I need a Chilton friend."

"How long?" Jess asked in disbelief. He thought she couldn't stand Tristan. He was shocked.

Rory took a deep breath and tried not to look at Jess's face. He looked like a deer caught in headlights. *He shouldn't be so concerned. It's not like we're dating.* "I don't know. If I want to come home, I can, but I want to spend time with Tristan. He's my friend." Rory smiled at the look of horror on Jess's face.

"Lor, well--this--um, I don't--" Jess couldn't find anything to say. He wanted to be her boyfriend, but felt like she needed more time. After all, Dean had been her only boyfriend.

"Jess, it shouldn't matter. I mean, me and you are only friends, right? Anyway, here's the phone number to Tristan's line, and his address." Rory handed Jess the paper, kissed him lightly on the lips, and left. Jess just stared after her. He couldn't believe he just let her get away like that. *I need to do something.* But he couldn't move.


part 6