Okay, if y'all actually do read the reviews I get then I have a lot of explaining to do (no thanx to my cuz Amanda).

I've been going out with Daniel since I broke my arm. But, I dunno. It's kinda like I don't want to tell because I'm afraid it won't last and then ppl will be like I told you so, never to go out with your best friend.' If it doesn't last, I'll lose my best friend, which will hurt like hell.

Thank you for the reviews but there's something wrong with my connection and I can't see the reviews page so I'll have to name y'all later. * kissez and hugz!

Anyway, *clears throat *. Let's carry on.

Chapter 10: Do you trust me enough to tell me your dreams?

The first thing she did was to call the office.

Ring (bling, bling)

"Hello?" answered Jack, her co-editor.

"Hey," said Rory, feeling unusually chirpy.

"Umm Rory?"

"Yeah, yeah. Hi Jack! I just wanted to tell you that I've changed my mind. I want to do the Jess Mariano story."

Jack laughed. "Why? Someone already did."

"But that's not the real Jess Mariano," scoffed Rory.

Jack was confused. "Huh?"

"Look, she didn't even interview him. She was writing about his past. I'll write about his present and his future. Besides, I have a lot of hidden weapons up my sleeve that will kick her from her reverie. Not only have I got his permission to do this interview, but I also want to do this. And, that is really all I need to know that I'll do a fabulous job on this," said Rory.

Jack was totally speechless.

"Trust me," concluded Rory.

Jack semi-smiled. This was the up and raging girl he had hired. "Okay."

~***~

Rory sat on the couch facing Jess with a clipboard and paper in her arm and the recorder reader to record. She crossed her legs, laughing at Jess's awkward features.

"Jeez, Jess. It's just me. Y'know, Rory" she uttered, trying to calm him down.

Jess rolled his eyes. "Uh-huh. Whatever." He paused, and then said hurriedly. "Just to clarify, this is the first, last, and only interview I'll ever give."

Rory shrugged. "I'm privileged." She grinned at him, showing off her pearly whites. "Besides, you love me and if I ask you for another one, I'm sure I'll get it."

Jess shook his head, and muttered under his breath, This is what happens when you let someone hold your heart in their hands.'

Rory only grinned wider. She had heard that. "Okay, let's start."

She pressed the record button.

"Rory Gilmore, interviewer."

Jess sighed. "Jess Mariano, interviewee."

"Okay, Jess. Do you have any plans of adding to your already impressive collection of books?"

Jess was silent for a while, contemplating what he should say. "Lately, I've been writing a follow up to one of my books. It's called The Real Story' and it's the sequel to About a Girl.' In this book, I'll reveal who the girl is."

Rory's smile wavered. She had not expected this. "Okay. So, who is this enticing girl?"

Jess raised his eyebrow. "That would be telling."

Rory chuckled. "Good trick. I'm sure that would get the number of books sold rising." She paused. "So, Jess what is your opinion on the article by Candie Cane?" [his ex]

Jess shrugged nonchalantly. "It's nothing much really. I mean, she just reveals her side of the story and the papers pay her some money. Nice business, although they really should have checked her credibility."

"Hmm. What is your side of the story then?"

"An eye for an eye, eh?"

Rory cleared her throat. "Umm if you say so."

"Actually, Rory. I don't do that sort of stuff." He jiggled his foot, showing her how impatient he was. "I'm not the father of Candie's baby."

Rory faked a gasp. "What?"

"I'm not the father of Candie's baby."

"Well I heard that, I just wanted you to explain it."

Jess sighed. Here it goes. "Well"

~***~

Rory strode up to the front desk, and shoved her article at Jack for him to read. He looked over it, letting out an occasional chuckle. Finally, he put it down.

"It's interesting."

Rory nodded. She already knew that.

"It's personal."

Rory nodded. Her opening sentence had been, This is the man I know and love.'

"It's wonderful," smiled Jack. "You could have gotten millions of pounds for this if you sold it to one of those tabloids good thing you're on a regular payroll."

Rory laughed.

Jack smiled at her. "Actually, I've been wanting to talk to you about that." He motioned to the chair in front of him. "Sit down."

Rory pulled the chair back, and sat down carefully on the chair not wanting to wrinkle her skirt.

Jack continued. "My dear girl. You're up for a raise."

Rory screamed. "Are you serious?" She jumped up and down, suddenly not caring if there was a wrinkle in her skirt. "Wow."

Jack nodded. "A dollar per word. Fixed position as Co-editor. Probably will amount to" he calculated some figures in his head. "$750000 annually. Damn that's good" he gave her a wikked smile. "for a rookie."

Rory stuck out her tongue at him, and ran out the door to relate the good news to Jess.

~***~

Meanwhile, back in Stars Hollow, Lorelai was sitting on the stool in Luke's, [predictably] begging him for her second... or third or tenth coffee of the day. Also predictably, he said no.

"But Luke, it's the nectar of the gods."

Luke looked at her plaintively. "You're not a god."

Lorelai mocked him. "Well, I sure hope not. I'm a god-dess."

Luke rolled his eyeballs. "Whatever."

"So, do I get the coffee?"

"What do you think I am, a pushover?"

Lorelai grinned, saying nothing. He had a feeling that he didn't particularly want to know the answer.

"On second thoughts, don't answer that."

"Luke, pretty please. I'll have Rory's share of the coffee."

"Traitorous, aren't you?"

"What she doesn't know doesn't hurt," bantered Lorelai.

Luke grumbled, but handed her a cup of the infamous coffee.

She warmed her hands on it and sighed as if in heaven. She breathed in its special aroma, feeling her senses tingle. He watched mesmerized, as Lorelai did her thing, and he realised that he loved her thing'. He loved her. Period.

"Lorelai" said Luke.

Lorelai glanced up from sipping her coffee. "Yeah?"

"Do you want to go out with me sometime?"

He almost groaned out loud. Did he actually say that? Judging from the look on her face, she must have. She almost spit her coffee out. Almost. But she was silent for an awful long while. It seemed like an eternity for Luke. He could feel everything slow down, and he could even hear his seemingly loud and erratic heartbeat. KaDOOM, kaDOOM, kaDOOM. He almost spun away and up the stairs to lock himself in the safe capacity of his bedroom, when he heard the tiny, "Okay."

He smiled at her; the slow smile that she loved. He was so relieved. He walked into the kitchen to get her order of a burger and fries. Yet he wandered if he had just up and gone the most meaningful relationship in his life. What happened if it didn't work? What would he do without Lorelai? What COULD he do without Lorelai?

To be continued

Yes I know, I know. It screams out filler chapter, doesn't it? Oh well.

REVIEW ANYWAY!!!!

and maybe an inspiration will strike me. I'm (trying!!!) to write the kick-ass article on Jess but for some reason it's all wrong. The tone is all wrong! The format is all wrong! Everything is all wrong! YEAAAAAARCH.