Okay, thank you so much for reviewing: GiveMeYourLove, miss.pebbles, airforcebrat529, layzeeamy, Gilmore, geetarchick, Forsaken Doll, Diana, Jade, silver blood.

I'll be away for a few days… I wanna find lots and lots of reviews when I come back. Please? Or I won't write until I finish my exams… (okay that was an empty threat but it'd really make me feel good if you review)

Chapter 11: Prelude

Lorelai was so freaking out. As soon as she got home, she called Rory.

"Babe?"

"Uh, Lorelai?" said Jess.

"Okay, you're not babe. Do you know where she is?"

"Who, Babe? Lorelai, in case you didn't know, Babe is a pig," smirked Jess.

Lorelai could scream. "No, my daughter."

"My girlfriend?"

"Jess, this is a national emergency."

He chuckled slightly, and called for Rory, who ran towards the phone.

"Mum? What's wrong?"

"You should really train Jess to be a good boy."

"He's just the way I want him to be."

Lorelai sighed. "Okay. You will never guess what happened."

"Umm… the Martians landed in Stars Hollow and are holding you captive."

"No, but I wish they'd hurry up."

"Umm… Miss Patty announced she's going to have a sex change."

"Eew and no."

"Luke asked you out."

A long pause.

A very long pause.

"How did you know?"

Rory screamed in response. "Oh my god. Are you serious? Oh wow. That's so cool. You did say yes, right? I mean, you guys have been flirting with each other for so long it makes me sick."

"We have not been flirting and yes I said yes."

Rory laughed. "Mum, your flirting is so blatant it embarrasses me that you don't even realise you're flirting."

"Oh. He asked me after one of our coffee arguments."

"What better thing is there than coffee love?"

Lorelai's brow furrowed. "Okay, honey. You've gone all kooky."

Rory gasped. "You mean I've become like you? Oh no – call the FBI! There are two Lorelai's around, this is bad for national security."

Lorelai grinned proudly. "I have thought you well, young Jedi."

"Yes you have, Obi Wan Kenobi."

"What am I going to wear?"

"Mum, you forget. We're talking about Luke, right? He's going to think you look beautiful even if you wear a garbage bag."

And the conversation between mother and child goes on…

~***~

Jezzabelle Mariano glanced at the papers and saw her brother's face. Double take, immediately. She bought the paper and read it.

This is the man I know and love. (picture of Jess writing and smiling)

Most of you are probably chastising yourself on how you could ever like the works of a guy that seemed so messed up. That's okay, I understand that because you don't know him as well as I do. Appearances can be deceiving, as can the past. The greatest president of the 1930s associates with crooked politicians, consults with astrologers, has had two mistresses, chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day. Who is he? Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Jess grew up on the streets of New York City, his neighbours being drug addicts and prostitutes. Anybody who got socialised in this environment had to grow up fast. He practically brought himself up as his unreliable mother often stayed out till the wee hours of the morning and slept in.

He learned how to streetfight at the tender age of nine, when others of the same age read fairytales and played cops and robbers. It was… is an invaluable skill that saved his life countless of times. He has been stabbed, shot, and say many of his friends die of overdoses. Not something you bring up in casual conversations, eh?

He found sanctuary in the vast world of the classics, even writing down little notes in the margins to break down the complex lines into simpler ones. He moved to Stars Hollow, aged 16 because his mum just couldn't handle him anymore. That was where he met me. I hated him at first, because he was impolite and had an unappealing 'get away from me' stance. However, I soon came to realise that this was a mechanism to distance himself from humankind, who had done him great injustice by giving him a doped mother and a runaway father. After I had become close to him, I felt myself falling for him and I knew that he had feelings for me that overshadowed the 'friends' boundary. I couldn't be with him as I had a boyfriend then – so he left.

He had incredible critical analysis skill for someone who didn't even attend school regularly. Although he did pass his English and Literature exams with flying colours. His teachers couldn't believe it; they thought he had obtained the answers from somewhere else, so they made up a small little test and gave it to him. He aced that test too, so he graduated from high school with honours. He never did attend university, although his mailbox was flooded with brochures from Ivy League schools, and offers for scholarships.

He wrote to fill up his spare time, and he was the most surprised of all when his debut novel, "About a Girl" topped the international best-sellers list for seven whole months. By the time his second book was released, he was a millionaire. A poor boy who made good. His mother passed away, and at the age of 20, he was guardian of his 12-year-old sister. He welcomed this new 'chore' because he adored her.

I met him again, when we were both aged 23, and suffice to say I fell in love with him all over again. How can I fall in love with someone who fathered a kid but ran away from him? Well – that's because he isn't the father of that kid. Who is then? His then best friend…

After she had finished the article, she bounded it up and went to her brother's upstate apartment. She knocked on the door.

Rory heard the knock and stood up to open the door. She glanced at the girl in surprise. "Hi."

The girl looked at Rory with equal surprise. "Hey. I'm Jezzabelle although you can call me Belle."

Rory looked thoughtful for a while. "I'm Rory. Are you looking for Jess?"

Belle nodded. "Yeah."

"He's not here. He went to the publishers, I think he's just finished his book."

Belle smiled. "Can I wait here until he comes back?"

Rory shrugged. "That's okay with me."

Belle sat on the sofa. "You're Rory, huh?"

Rory nodded.

"I've heard a lot about you."

"Really?" asked Rory, feeling flattered.

Belle grinned. "When he came back from Stars Hollow, it was Rory this and Rory that."

Rory laughed, embarrassed. "Oh."

"Nice article," commented Belle.

Rory smiled. "I thought so too."

"You do know that you're the girl in 'About a Girl', right?" asked Belle.

Rory glanced at her and nodded.

Belle smiled. "So you really are obsessed with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?"

Rory laughed. "My mother hooked me into it."

Belle's smile faltered. "Your mother sounds really nice in the book. My mother would have gotten me hooked on heroine."

Rory was so sorry for her, but knew that it was out of line to say sorry. "You should meet her, I'm sure you'd get along well."

"Yeah. I like coffee as well."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"So, what do you need Jess for?"

Belle shuffled through her schoolbag. "I need him to help with my English literature. I have no idea how to do my essay on 'To Kill a Mockingbird."

Rory's face brightened up. "I can help you if you want."

Belle groaned. "You sound so eager."

"It's a wonderful book."

Jess got back from the place, and could feel the jewellery in his pocket practically burning a hole through his thigh. He had thought about it for a long, long time, and decided to finally go for it today. He took the first book that the publishers had made and took that with him as well to show Rory. As soon as he got into the house, he heard laughter, which meant that Rory was not alone.

He then saw Belle. "Hey you!" he shouted.

Belle's head turned around and saw him. She grinned and bounded over the sofa to catch him in a huge bear hug.

"What was that for?" asked Jess in surprise.

"You finally fell in love with someone I like."

Rory glanced at the exchange between brother and sister, and saw how close they were. She smiled.

"Okay," said Jess, bursting out in laughter.

"Listen, Jess. There's a Parent Teacher's Conference on Thursday, and I want you to come."

Jess nodded. "I'll be there."

"And, I'm going shopping with some friends tomorrow, so…"

Jess chucked, took out some bills and shoved them in her pocket. "I knew you had an ulterior motive."

Belle shrugged. "You know me too well. I gotta blaze now."

She gave him another shrug, went to Rory and gave her a shrug as well, then ran out the door.

They stared at her wake, then both burst out laughing.

"I like her," confessed Rory.

Jess smiled. "I knew you would. How about dinner at La Bistros, 7.00?"

Rory nodded her consent. "Okay."

"Black tie."

Rory rolled her eyes. "Between the both of us, I think you would have more trouble with that." She pointed at his attire, which was basically cargos and a shirt.

Jess chuckled.

Rory took a long relaxing bath and got dressed in her chosen dress. It was a long dress in a deep navy blue which brought out the colour of her eyes. Two slits ran up the sides of the skirt all the way to her thigh, and the material felt like a second skin. It hugged her curves, making her feel more feminine. A quick glance in the mirror told her she looked wonderful. She put her hair up with two chopsticks, and sprayed it with some hairspray so that it'll stay in place. She grabbed a matching handbag, and then went out the door.

Jess looked up and saw Rory all dressed up.

He smiled. "You look beautiful."

Jess was dressed in a black tux, which made him looked handsomely dangerous. An American James Bond, thought Rory.

They sat down in their reserved table, and ordered their food. Comfortable silence overtook them. The romantic atmosphere was perfect for what Jess was about to do. Jess jiggled the small piece of jewellery in his pocket. He handed Rory his new book. It wasn't out in the shops yet, though, and Rory was about to be the first person other than he and his publishing company who'd read it.

Rory took the book, and opened it. Her eyes fell on the dedicated page.

It read:

"This book is dedicated to Rory, who has been my reason for living lately.

Will you marry me?"

She gasped, and looked down. Jess was on the floor, one knee on the ground. Her eyes glanced around the restaurant and saw that everyone was looking at them. She blushed.

Jess took out the ring, and repeated his question. "Rory, will you marry me?"

Rory was speechless for a second, but she quickly snapped out of her musing.

"Yes," she said with a beam.

Jess slipped the ring onto her finger and flashed her a dazzling smile. He kissed her, deeply and possessively, once and for all claiming her as his for all of eternity. They only saw each other, as the whole room erupted into catcalls and cheers.

To be continued…

One last chapter ought to finish it off good, aight? How about 'THE WEDDING!' Oh, what should I do about Luke and Lorelai? Should I end that with a marriage as well? Or not? OPINIONS PLEASE, PEOPLE!

Does anyone feel that the chapter is rushed? Yes, no, maybe?

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