Title: Soundproof
Author: Bent137
Disclaimer: I own very little, ergo I do not own the show Gilmore Girls, Jeep or Back To The Future.
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 Fourteen:
Today, I Don't Know Why
"Mom are you almost ready?" Rory called up the stairs.
"What do you mean almost ready?" Lorelai called back, "We don't have to leave for at least another hour."
"Well I thought it'd be nice to be on time for once since it is Grandpa's birthday," Rory explained. "Plus we still have to go to the diner and pick up Jess and coffee."
"Coffee?" Lorelai poked her head around the corner.
"Yes, coffee." Rory glanced at her watch, "If you're down here in 5 minutes we might be able to sit and have a cup at Luke's before we go."
"I'll be right down" Lorelai spun and hurried away.
Five minutes later, on the dot, Lorelai came stampeding down the stairs. She was wearing a nice lavender dress that came to just below her knees. It was sleeveless, with thin spaghetti-like straps. Dark purple piping separated the top part of the dress from the bottom part of the dress just under her chest. However, fashion is not the point here, the point is she was wearing a nice lavender dress that came to just below her knees as she came stampeding down the stairs. From this one can also deduct that she was wearing the same nice lavender dress that came to just below her knees when she misjudged a step, lost her balance and began to fall backwards. She flailed her arms wildly trying to regain her balance but only succeeded in over correcting and tumbling lung first into a chair. Thereby knocking the wind out of her with a "Oomph."
There was a snicker to her left and she looked to the side to see Rory clad in a matching green dress. At least it could be matching except that Rory's had short sleeves as opposed to straps, and hers fell just above her knee. Rory's hand fluttered to her mouth as she attempted to stifle a giggle.
Lorelai pulled herself up and glared at her daughter. She straightened her dress, "That was not funny."
"Yes it was."
"Devil child."
"Let's go, Oh Graceful One," Rory said before turning and walking out the door. Lorelai sighed and followed her. The took the Jeep to Luke's and parked nearby. They walked side by side up to the door and entered the diner.
Luke looked up from is spot behind the counter, "You're early."
"We thought we'd have a cup of coffee before we left," Rory said.
"Okay," Luke said. He turned and grabbed two mugs from behind him and set them in front of the Gilmores.
Lorelai looked from the mug to Rory, whom looked back, and back at the mug, "Okay? That's it?"
"Yeah" Luke said with a shrug. He began pouring their coffee. Lorelai and Rory continued to look at him strangely, "I guess I'm just tired."
"Uh huh," Lorelai said bringing the mug to her lips and taking a long sip.
The storage room door swung open and Jess emerged. He was looking down, wiping his hands on a rag, "Luke I'm going to go get ready." He looked up and noticed the Gilmores. "Am I running late?" He asked as he set the rag under the counter.
"No, we're just running early," Rory said with a grin. "Go get ready."
"Okay, I'll be right back." Jess pushed the curtain aside and dashed up the stairs. Luke excused himself to the kitchen.
Only moments after Luke had entered the kitchen Lorelai jumped up. Rory looked up at her startled, "What in the world are you doing?"
Lorelai reached for the hood that was covering a plate of muffins and bagels, "Bagel hockey."
Rory got up and began moving things around on the counter. She grabbed two nearby spoons and slid on toward the other end. "Ready?" she asked her mom.
Lorelai moved a napkin dispenser off the counter and took the spoon Rory had slid down the counter, "Ready." She set a bagel on the counter and used her spoon to aim it towards Rory. She flicked the spoon and sent the bagel flying down the counter. Rory used quick reflexes to return the serve and send it back to Lorelai. Lorelai twisted to get the right angle for the shot but ended up hitting the bagel too wide, and smack into Luke's chest as he was coming out the kitchen door. Both Lorelai and Rory's jaws dropped, and their hands moved up to cover them. Luke looked down at the bagel, which had dropped on the floor, in disdain. Lorelai giggled, "I'm so sorry Luke. I didn't mean it." Luke looked at her then at the bagel. He bent over to pick it up. Lorelai and Rory glanced at each other then turned their attention back to Luke. Luke looked at the bagel, then at Lorelai. He then did something no one would have bet on.
Luke pulled his arm back and let the bagel fly at Lorelai. "What in the world are you doing?" Rachel asked from the stairway. Three pairs of eyes turned to here, the owner of one made a slight noise as a bagel hit her head.
"Just giving Lorelai back her bagel," Luke answered. Rory giggled and Lorelai glared at Luke, then at Rory.
"Okay," Rachel said slowly. "Did you know your nephew has a date?"
"Really?" Luke asked.
"Yeah," Rachel replied, "I saw him getting ready and asked what he was doing. He said he was getting ready to go out. I assume he meant on a date, or maybe a hook-up is what they call it now."
"Booty call," Lorelai interjected.
"Huh?" Luke, Rachel and Rory chorused.
"They call it a booty call. Hook-up is so 80's," Lorelai explained.
Rachel shook her head lightly, as if clearing it out, and turned back to Luke, "I asked him where and with who and he wouldn't answer, he said it was none of my business."
Luke opened his mouth to say something, but Lorelai cut him off, "Don't worry your pretty little head about it. I'm sure it's harmless, and probably none of your business either, but harmless none the less."
Luke glared at Lorelai, but once again before he could say anything he was interrupted. This time by Jess coming down the stairs. "I'm heading out," he said to Luke. Lorelai, Rory and Luke stood, stunned at the change in Jess. He was actually wearing dress pants and a nice shirt. He reached around the counter and pulled out a gift. "Hello," he said looking at Luke, "Anybody home? McFly?"
"Where are you going?" Rachel asked.
Jess looked at her with a raised eyebrow and opened his mouth. "Go," Luke said interrupting him, "Have a good time."
This seemed to snap everyone out of their daze. Lorelai snorted, "Good time? HA!" She turned and looked at Jess, "If you find out how, let me know."
Jess nodded, "Bye Luke."
"Bye Luke," Lorelai said before heading cheerfully out the door.
Jess joined Rory and smiled at her shyly, "Hey."
"Hey," she smiled back, "looking sharp."
"Thanks."
"Bye Luke," Rory said as she took Jess's hand and they walked out of the diner together.
"Huh," Luke semi-grunted.
"So, Jess and Rory," Rachel commented, "and you all knew all along and played with my head."
"Yep, pretty much," Luke said.
Rachel sighed and went back upstairs.