Thanx a lot y'all: Jade, hasapi, rache, chelly, twinkletoes, artemis moonshine, dodgerluv, klm111a, Megz, aimeee, AmyDC, shadowcat, roxXy, Seehoo, UniquelyMe, jess lover, starbelly, Mysticgrl, Princess Amorina Weasley, swim6516 and 5 nameless reviewers. =) You guys did make my day!

PS. Rory hasn't heard about his books because… she just hasn't. I dunno what to say!!! Anyone give me ideas as to why she hadn't heard about his books? I'd really appreciate it if u did so.

I wrote this chapter in a hurry so forgive me if it doesn't make too much sense! It's long though, that should earn me a few brownie points. Right? *smiles

BTW, HAPPY NEW YEAR. WISH Y'ALL THE BEST OF LUCK FOR THE ONCOMING YEAR!

Chapter 3

"Oops, that's right. We've walked into the wrong apartment," said Jess cheekily. He watched Rory's expressions just to see them change to disappointment.

"Oh." Was I kidding myself? If this was his, how could he afford to own this place?

Jess laughed. "Even though I've got the keys to this place, you still question whether I live here?"

Rory slugged him. "Jess, stop kidding me."

She pouted to show that she wasn't pleased with him. Okay, so he does own this place, which clearly screams out big bucks. He takes me shopping. Which is definitely not the move for the poor. What the hell does he do for a living?

Jess's eyes were drawn to her lips. She is so adorable when she pouts. And those lips…

He was shaken out of his dream-like state when Rory rushed over to the other side of the room.

"You have got to be kidding me," said Rory. She turned around to face him. "Is this yours?" She pointed at the gigantic, fluffy teddy bear sitting down at the corner of the room. It was huge; at least Rory's size, if not bigger.

Jess groaned. Of all the things she sees, it has to be that! He remembered that it was the first thing he had gotten once he received his first paycheque. He had meant to send it to Rory Gilmore, to show her how much he appreciated her being there for him. To show her how much he liked her. To show her what she means to him.

Except he didn't have the nerves to. He didn't think she'd appreciate getting a huge soft toy from the town's former rebel.

Jess shrugged. "It's in my apartment isn't it?"

Rory glared at him, and said warningly, "Jess."

"Yes Rory, it's mine."

Rory frowned, feeling disappointed. He would never buy this for himself. He must have bought it for a girl. Guys do that for girls they like. Which means that he has a girlfriend.

"Oh," said Rory. She hugged it, feeling the softness of the fur.

Jess saw how affectionate Rory was towards it, and smiled secretly. I should have found a way to give that to her.

"I bought it for someone a long time ago. But I figured out that she wouldn't want it, so I just kept it."

Rory was surprised. His girlfriend must be an idiot. How could any girl resist something like this? "You have a girlfriend."

Jess was astonished at the way Rory phrased that. Instead of being a question, it was rather like a statement. And she actually sounded disappointed. Jess smacked himself mentally. Stop imagining things, Mariano. You just want her to sound disappointed.

Jess smirked at her, his confidence regained again. Mariano, you might be the luckiest guy in the world. This girl sounds like she likes you. "No. You got anyone in mind?" His eyes sparkled mischievously.

His comment brought about another round of blushes. Rory felt that her cheeks were going to be stained a lovely shade of pink forever. "Huh."

Jess laughed at her mocking the way he sometimes began and ended conversations. "You can have it if you want. It just collects dust in my living room."

Rory grinned. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. I only say things that I'm sure of." Most of the time anyway. I would never tell Rory Gilmore that I love her. Even I'm not that stupid.

Rory squealed, and jumped up and down, carrying the huge toy with her. She then walked towards Jess, involving him in the three-way hug.

"OoOoH. Thank youuu!" shouted Rory, and in her excitement, planted a kiss on Jess's lips. This feels nice.

~***~

Once she realised what she was doing, she stumbled back, feeling downright embarrassed. She looked at the floor.

"Uh, sorry about that," Rory muttered softly.

If she had looked up, she would have seen a goofy smile that was rarely seen on Jess's face.

"That's alright. It's just nerves," said Jess. You have a long way to go, Mariano, if you're going to make that girl realise that she loves you. And that you love her.

He held out a hand to her. "Why don't you change your clothes, then we'll have lunch and we can go to the New York Tribune's office."

Rory took his hand, and he pulled her up. He pushed her towards the direction of the guestroom, where he had already placed the shopping bags.

Rory took a shower. She needed that badly to wake herself up. What did I think I was doing, kissing Jess? That was inexcusable. Sure, he doesn't have a girlfriend, but that doesn't mean that you can just go around kissing anyone you wish. Now look what you've done. Stupid, stupid move. You've ruined all the friendship comfortness. Jess probably thinks that you like him. Wait, I do like him don't I?

She slapped herself mentally, trying to push away the thoughts from her as far as possible. It didn't work. It's just nerves, my ass. You knew you wanted to kiss him. You want him. Period.

She groaned, and changed into a new set of clothes. That was when she realised that she didn't know what to wear. She needed to appear businesslike without looking like she had a stick shoved up her ass. Plus, she did not want people to think that her previous job was as a stripper. This situation calls for help. She stuck her head out of the door.

"Jess," yelled Rory. "Help!"

Jess was in the middle of cooking something when he heard Rory call him for help. He closed the oven and ran towards the guestroom, thinking that Rory needed something urgent.

Once he opened the door, he stared at the sight before him in bewilderment. "Rory, what the hell have you done?"

The room looked like it had been ransacked. There were clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories all over the place. Somehow a scarf had landed on the fan. He didn't even want to know how it got there.

"Nothing. I need something to wear."

"Rory where are you?"

"I'm in the toilet."

"Huh."

"Jess, I need clothes that scream out intelligent, businesslike, funny, good humour, and everything good in this world!"

"Huh."

Rory frowned. "Don't give me that. You're a guy. You should know what makes a woman look good."

Jess smirked to himself. "Everything looks good on you."

Rory rolled her eyes. "This is not the time, or place for compliments that you know you don't mean."

"I meant it," said Jess quietly.

Rory fell quiet at that. She didn't know what to say. So she brushed it off. He meant it, my ass. "Whatever. So, help please."

Jess sighed. "Fine."

He looked over the array of clothes on the bed, and picked out a suit, with a short skirt (but not too short because then Rory would appear slutty), a jacket, and a chemise that would bring out the colour of her eyes. He picked them up and threw them inside the toilet door without looking at Rory. He didn't want to see Rory naked. That would turn out to be the most uncomfortablest situation he could ever be in! Plus, they weren't ready for it. It would totally spoil the remains of friendship that they managed to pull together.

He then found a pair of high heeled shoes (but not too high because then Rory would walk funny), and a nice handbag that was not too big (that screamed out married mother) or too small so that nothing would fit in there.

Rory stepped out of the toilet.

"Look at me." Jess looked at her and smiled.

"Nice." He pointed to the shoes, and bag. Rory got into the shoes, and she took the bag. She then striked a pose for him. He looked her over, making Rory feel very uncomfortable. "Except, we need to do something with your hair."

Rory sighed. "I'll probably mess that up."

Jess looked at her for a second, and then gave in. "Fine, sit on the dresser seat and I'll do it for you."

Rory glanced at Jess like he was crazy. "Jess, you don't do hair."

Jess nodded and smirked at her. "That's right. So don't ever tell anybody that I did your hair."

Rory gave up, and sat on the dresser chair. He can't possibly mess my hair up totally.

A few minutes, a lot of hairgel, and use of the hairdryer was all it took to transform Rory's hair from a nightmare to a dream.

Rory looked at her reflection in the mirror, and then up into Jess's eyes.

"Wow," were all the words she could muster. "Where did you learn to do this?"

Jess shrugged self-depreciatingly. "There are a lot of things you learn when you have to do your sister's hair every morning because your mum is too drunk to do so."

Rory was sorry she brought that up. He has a younger sister? He did her hair up every day? Wow, he sounds like the brother I never had.

"Sorry about that," she mumbled.

Jess smiled. "It's ok. Maybe you'll meet my sister one-day. I'm sure you too would get along well together."

Rory smiled back at him. "I'd love to meet her."

Jess sniffed at the air. "Oh no, my lasagne." He then proceeded to run out of the door, and into the kitchen in order to save his precious lasagne, which made Rory laugh.

They had lunch, which tasted delicious, although it was a little bit burnt.

~***~

Jess looked at his watch. "We'd better hurry to the New York Tribune office before it closes."

Rory nodded, and grabbed her bag. They made their way into the car park. Jess stood in front of a BMW.

"This is your car?" asked Rory in amazement.

Jess nodded, and opened the door for her. Rory smiled to herself.

Jess, the once rebel of Stars Hollow, has turned into a gentleman. Who ever would have thought?

"Do you know the way to the office?" asked Rory.

Jess nodded once again. "I've been there a few times."

Rory was puzzled. "For what?"

"Uh, to get copies of their new paper." Jess Mariano, stop lying. Why can't you just tell her that you've made a life for yourself? Why can't you just tell her that you write books that have topped the Bestseller's list? Why can't you just tell her that people are dying to interview you? He didn't know the answer to any of those questions, but he did not that he was a coward.

Rory looked at him accusingly, knowing that something was amiss, but she couldn't say anything.

~***~

They arrived at the large office building, and walked in. Rory felt butterflies in her stomach.

"What if they say it's a mistake hiring me?" asked Rory nervously.

Jess gripped her hand to comfort her. "They won't say that. Your credentials are brilliant. You've graduated top of your class in Harvard, which isn't an easy feat."

Rory bit her lip. "Are you sure?"

Jess rolled his eyes. "Of course I'm sure."

Jess waited in the waiting room, putting on shades and a hat. He really did not want anyone to recognise him. Rory was in the room, having a talk with the manager.

"I'm Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, although people normally call me Rory," blabbered Rory.

The managed looked at her and smiled. "We've been waiting for you, Rory."

To be continued…

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