Title: Soundproof
Author: Bent137
Disclaimer: I own very little, ergo I do not own the show Gilmore Girls, Luke's diner, the band Jonny Was, or Michelle Branch's "You Get Me"
Spoilers: Um, May contain scenes and characters and references not seen in Season One.
Authors Note: Sequel to Single Again, I recommend reading it first. Literati, possibly other ships thrown in for Lorelai and Lane. Titles come from a song, "Soundproof" by Jonny Was...

Chapter Six:
But Still...

By the time the bus reached Stars Hollow the dark cloud that had threatened to burst over the bus had finally followed through. Rory stepped off of the bus and ran towards Luke's, attempting to dodge the bullet sized raindrops. However, it was futile, by the time she arrived at the diner she was sopping wet.

She walked to a nearby booth and sat down. She had gotten out some papers from her bag when Jess appeared at her side with a cup of coffee and a mop. Rory watched him clean the water off of the floor and when he was finished he approached her, taking in the sullen expression on her face. Something was off, and it wasn't the rain. Rory was the type who could see the sunshine in the pouring rain, and boy was it pouring.

Jess slipped in the booth across from her and regarded her silently a second, "Something wrong?"

"Nothing major, just lots of homework and Paris being a pain."

Jess nodded, "What's that?" He motioned to her papers.

"Some work sheets i have to do on the proper names of fungi for Biology."

"Fun."

"Always."

"So can I get you something warm to eat?"

"Yeah, fries."

Jess nodded and got up. Suddenly Rory sneezed. "Gee, you okay?" he asked reaching for her.

"Fine," Rory said as his hand came down on her blazer.

"Fine?" he echoed, "Rory! You're soaked." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up. Come on, let's get you dry!" He began leading her upstairs, "You shouldn't have fries, if you're going to get sick you need a vegetable."

"Potato's ARE a vegetable," Rory cut in.

Jess ignored her, "Or maybe a fruit! Something Citrus, yeah, like an orange."

"Cheese is," Rory floundered, "orange, and it's dairy. So, uh, make them cheese fries."

Jess tsked, "Rory you don't need to be getting sick! Have healthy food, or I'll tickle you." He led her to his room and gathered some clothes.

"How do you know I'm ticklish?" she asked indignantly.

"Everyone is," he pulled her into the bathroom and gave her a towel, "Let's get you dry, here we go." Instead of leaving he grabbed another towel and began rubbing her hair vigorously.

Rory stared at him as though he were an alien, "Jess, if you don't leave me alone this instant I will beat you."

Jess seemed to snap out of it. He took two steps back and blinked then dropped the towel. "I'll, uh," he stammered, "I'll be downstairs if you need anything." He turned and left the bathroom shutting the door behind him before Rory could say a word.

Rory sighed and began peeling off the layers of clothes. She toweled herself off and picked through the clothes Jess had given her. She put on a pair of blue boxers with happy faces and giggled a little. It felt weird. She pulled up a pair of army pants and pulled those on, they were a little to big. She reached over and picked up a plain black shirt and the pants fell down. Sighing she pulled the shirt over her head then lifted the pants and went to Jess' bedroom. She stood in the door a second and then spotted what she was looking for hanging over his desk chair. She looped the brown belt around her waist and through the loops in the pants and pulled it tight. She went back to the bathroom and took the rest of his clothes back to his room. Then grabbed her wet clothes and went downstairs.

When she entered the diner Luke was at the counter, he looked up when he saw her. "You okay now?"

"Yeah fine," she grinned lightly, "Can I get a bag for these, and a cup of coffee to go?"

"Sure," Luke said.

Rory went to her table and put her work back in her bag then Luke came up beside her he handed her the bag and she stuffed her clothes in it, "Thanks Luke. Can you tell Jess I forgot that I had to go help my mom at the inn, and I'll talk to him later, and thanks for the clothes?"

"Uh sure," Luke said, "Wait a sec!" He went behind the counter and pulled out an umbrella and handed it to her. "No use getting soaked again."

"Thanks," Rory said as she pulled on her backpack and took the coffee and the umbrella. She walked out the front door and put the umbrella up and began walking towards home.

Jess came out of the back room, "Where's Rory going?"

"She had to go help her mom she said," Luke replied as he made another pot of coffee, "She said she would talk to you later and thanks for the clothes."

Jess nodded and watched Rory walk away, but it didn't seem like she was heading for the inn.