Authors Note: Hello…thanks for the reviews, guys!!! Yet again, it has given the 'inspiration' to write a new chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do I even have to write it anymore?

Chapter Nine: The Plot Thickens…

I bit my lip. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Shane? Okay, so, I guess they had a history (um, yeah, being permanently attached to someone's face really counts as history) but, Shane? If he was going to cheat on me it could've been with someone other than Shane, like Nicole Kidman, someone with class.

"Rory?" I realized I had been staring into space, and instantly became alert.

"Yeah?" I said, looking at Jess, nervously.

Jess took a breath and looked at me. Boy, he kind of looks mad. As if. Come on, he kissed Shane…BY CHOICE!

Or maybe it wasn't by choice…maybe he was manipulated. It could happen. Come to think of it, I was manipulated, probably. Tristan came into the diner when he knew I would be in there, and then he made me feel sorry for him, and THEN he kissed me. He manipulated me. Me! I am going to get him…

"Rory?" Man, I'm doing that staring into space thing again, well, at least I have a plan, drum roll ladies and gentleman, here comes the plan –

"Rory?"

"Yes!" I screamed. Jess looked sort of annoyed, who could blame him he just KISSED Shane, or maybe it's something else.

"What were you thinking about?" He asked. Um, me…being manipulated, hello?

"Um…" M – A – N – I – P – U – L – A – T – O – R.

"Tristan, right? I knew it!" At that point, Jess punched a table. He literally jabbed a table with his fist.

"Well…" I began, "how do I know you weren't thinking about Shane?"

"I was trying to get your attention." Jess explained, his fist still throbbing.

"And in between me daydreaming you were thinking about Shane!" I exclaimed.

"Daydreaming! Right, daydreaming about what, Rory?" He asked.

At that moment, I thought it would be a good time to kiss him. Don't ask me why. Sometimes I can't control what goes on in my mind.

So, there we are making out. Luke could walk downstairs any moment. Come to think of it, where is Luke? He could be being manipulated! Oh right, yes, kissing Jess.

Or Taylor could walk in. He freaked put about snow cones, watch him call the National Guard in after he sees this.

Mom could walk in, and – and she could see what's going on and…well, I really can't control what's going on in my mother's brain either.

But I hope Tristan or Shane walks in. Then they could see the manipulators are no more.

Wait, are they even together, any more? Were they even together in the first place? Was it a plan? Did Tristan say, "Huh, huh, Mary, huh, huh, me go get some"? Did Shane say, "Oh, he has a boyfriend, that makes him available"?

Uhn, still kissing Jess.

Maybe they had a plan. An actual plan. You know, where you sit down, and actually think. Maybe that's taking things to the extreme, Shane thinking.

My brain still whirred with possibilities as Jess broke the kiss and looked at me. I remembered what we were talking about, and smiled weakly.

"Um, you?"

A/N: Hello! Hope you liked it! I've decided if you give me three reviews, I'll give you the next chapter, here's a preview:

- Rory and Jess find out the truth about the kisses.

- Lorelai goes over the edge.

- Jess finds out about the bet.

Okay, review, review, review!!!