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Chapter Two: Catching up on lost time

"Hi, Jess," Rory mumbled.

She looked up to look him over; to see how much he'd changed. He hadn't changed that much. His defenses still hadn't changed much, either. Most of all, he still looked like the same Jess that she remembered. She just didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. Rory loved the shade of brown his eyes were; they could express the feelings he felt or they could set up walls that were impenetrable.

They stared at each other, getting lost in the other's eyes.

The person with brown eyes smirked, resulting in Rory stumbling back, and staring at the ground as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

"Fancy seeing you here. What are you doing in the big city, anyway?" said Jess.

Rory grinned at him.. "I got a job at the New York Tribune."

"Are you serious?" asked Jess.

Rory smiled shyly. "Of course I'm serious." Since when have I become shy around Jess? We used to talk about everything under the sun. And now, look at me. You'd think I had a crush on him by the way I'm acting. Rory's eyes went wide. Oh no, please not Jess

"Uh, Rory? Something wrong?" asked Jess, noticing the look of terror that flashed across her face.

Rory shook her head, trying to clear them of the previous thoughts. Rory, snap out of it! This is Jess we're talking about. Potential best friend, not potential boy friend. "No, nothing wrong."

"Right. So where are you staying?"

Rory gasped. Oh my god, where am I staying? She sat back down on the bench and hugged her knees tightly. Jess sat down next to her, but leaving quite a distance between them. It had been a long time since they've talked, and he didn't want to make anything awkward. It was a long time before she answered.

"I'm not sure," mumbled Rory quietly.

Jess was puzzled. "Huh."

Rory turned to face him. "The flight I was on lost my luggage, which contained all the information I need about my new apartment, my keys to this fabulous said apartment, most of my money, and all of my clothes. I'll have to call mum and ask me to wire me the spare key. Thank god I can ask people where the New York Tribune's office is."

Jess grimaced. "What a day"

"A horrible day"

Jess acknowledged that, and then stood up. "Come on, I'll take you shopping."

Rory sighed. "Jess, don't pull my leg. I know you hate going shopping."

Jess shrugged. "You've lost your luggage. I'll buy you some clothes to tide you over."

Rory squinted up at the now-standing Jess. "Jess? News flash. Rory Gilmore does not have much money."

"Stop referring to yourself in the third person, Ror. It does nothing for you. I did say I'll buy you new clothes, didn't I?" Jess smiled inside. Rory Gilmore, eh? She's not married... greeeat!

"Are you for real?" Wow, he's changed. He would never offer to take me clothes shopping before, I'd have had to drag him all the way there.

Jess nodded. "For real. Come on."

He held out his hand for her to take, and then he led her to the shop that he liked best.

~***~

Rory felt like she couldn't breathe. They had just walked into the largest clothes department store she had ever seen in her life. And it was gorgeous. "Jess, this is so huge," whispered Rory.

Jess took a look at the small town girl and grinned. This is probably the largest store she's seen in her life. "Why are you whispering?"

"I don't want to disturb the beauty of this place," whispered Rory again.

Jess laughed. "Believe me, this place is just a customer trap."

Rory hit him in the arm. "Don't mock this heaven. How can you afford this?"

Jess shrugged self-depreciatingly. "I just do. The prices are okay."

Rory nodded, and went about to browse around the place, with Jess following her around like a puppy-dog. She took a top that she liked, and tried to search for the price tag. She couldn't find one.

"Jess? there are no price tags!" said Rory, stricken. She did not want Jess to buy her something that costs a lot of money.

Jess smiled at her. "I know, isn't that just great? You can just wander for ages without worrying about the price of the pieces you're going to get!"

Rory rolled her eyes. "Right. But then you're going to drop dead when you discover how much you have to pay."

Jess stopped, and looked into her eyes. "Rory, I don't want you to worry about any prices. This is my treat. Now, go look for something you like."

Rory's mouth fell open. Okay, I take back what I'd thought earlier. Jess HAS changed so much.

Jess gave Rory a wry smile, and shooed her away. Rory gave a wicked grin. This is perfect. Not worry about prices, my ass. He'll worry about what this shopping trip cost him. I don't think he's ever seen a Gilmore shop without any limits. Besides, he owes me for leaving without a goodbye...

Jess saw the grin on her face and groaned mentally. I hope I know what I'm getting myself into.

~***~

About two hours and a half later, and a few cups of coffee, Rory had finally finish shopping. She ended up with a pile of clothes. All designer brands. She gave Jess an angelic smile.

"I'm done. This is it," said Rory. She'd never done so much shopping in her life. She didn't think she'd ever felt so happy.

Jess looked at the pile of clothes and smiled back at Rory. "Guess I'll pay for it then." He carted away the pile of clothes to the payment counter. He looked at Rory, who was besides him.

"Hey Rory, why don't you go and try to find a cab? We'll have lunch at my place, and then we'll go find the New York Tribune office." I don't want her to see how much this costs. She will freak out, and probably try to return them all to the shelf.

Rory looked at him suspiciously, but then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. I just stick out my thumb right?"

Jess stared at her. "Huh. Right."

As she walked away, the sales girl smiled at Jess. "Oh my god, you're Jess Mariano. I love your books. My name is Amanda Blackbird, and I think I'm your greatest fan."

Jess looked at her dazedly. "Huh."

"Can I have your autograph please?" pleaded the girl.

Jess nodded, and gave the girl his autograph. She squealed. "Your girlfriend is so pretty, and you guys make a cute couple. I'm so jeolous of her."

Jess smiled at her. She thinks Rory is my girlfriend? Wow. We look like a cute couple? Amazing.

Amanda finished checking up the clothes. It all cost $1200. Rory is going to flip if she ever sees the receipt. Jess handed her his credit card without breaking a sweat, and walked out the store carrying the bags. Rory had already hailed a taxi, she was waiting inside it for Jess. He clambered in awkwardly next to her, and gave the taxi his home address.

~***~

Jess put the bags down, and took his key out of his pocket. He opened the door and walked in, carrying the bags with him. Rory walked in after him. There wasn't much light so she couldn't see much of anything. Jess switched on the lights.

"This is it. My humble abode," said Jess.

Rory stared in amazement at the place. It looked like the apartment she had always dreamed of. With really comfortable looking sofas, pieces of art, and the most up-to-date hifi system she had ever seen, it was wonderful. However, there were also parts of Jess that could be seen. One wall was filled with books up to the ceiling. There was a ladder next to this rack so that you could reach to the top shelf. Rory was already in love with this place.

She looked at Jess in awe. "Are you sure we walked into the right apartment?"

To be continued...

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