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, the MTV Movie Awards, Mandy Moore, or A Walk To Remember(Actually I have it on DVD... but you know what I mean.)
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 Seven:
You Try...

Rory sighed as she walked past the Stars Hollow sign. After the incident in the bathroom she'd felt guilty so she'd bolted. They hadn't spoken since and now she was dreading it. She climbed the steps to the house and walked in. She heard the TV on in the living room so she walked in after dropping her bag in the hall. Lorelai was watching the MTV Movie Awards again. Mandy Moore was on the screen accepting an award for A Walk To Remember. "Don't you ever get sick of this, Mom?" Rory asked.

"Some parts, yes," Lorelai replied with a knowing nod, "Ewan, no."

Rory rolled her eyes and walked over to the answering machine, where the light was blinking, "Did you know we have messages?"

"Oh, yeah," Lorelai said glancing over her shoulder, "Check them out."

Rory pushed the button and Jess' voice filled the room, "Uh, hey Rory, it's Jess. Call me if you can. It's, uh, early, so I'm hoping you haven't left for school yet. So, call me, please." Lorelai took note of the pained expression on Rory's face.

The machine beeped, "Lorelai, Rory, this is Emily. I was just calling to remind you about Friday."

"Ugh," Lorelai said, "Like we'll ever forget."

The machine beeped again, "Uh, hey, it's Jess again. You haven't been in the diner lately. Not even for dinner last night. So no doubt you ordered pizza. I just hope the little green leaves were parsley and not hemlock since you seem to have died on me."

The machine beeped again then went quiet. "So, trouble in paradise?" Lorelai asked.

"What makes you say that?"

"Just that I never pegged Jess as the type to take a page from Dean's book."

Rory glared at her and Lorelai narrowed her eyes back. The phone rang but neither seemed to notice. They turned their heads when the machine picked up. "Hi, we're not in right now- ah, bashed my thumb. Leave a message," said the machine in Lorelai's voice.

"Uh, hey," Jess's voice came across, "It's me again. I went to meet you at the bus stop, but you weren't there. Are you okay? Are you avoiding me? Whatever I did, I'm sorry. I have the feeling it has to do with the incident in the bathroom. Please, Rory, please call me."

Lorelai stared at Rory, "Bathroom incident? Not at the bus stop?" Rory turned and walked to her room, grabbing her backpack on the way. Lorelai followed her.