A/N:  Hey everyone.  I'm really happy to hear that you seem to be enjoying the story.  And I know what you all want – you want to know about Dean and the little tidbit of information he has, well, all I can say is Don't Worry Baby

DON'T WORRY BABY

CHAPTER 6 – So how bout them swans?

Over the course of the next week, Rory completed her all of her exams and reassured Paris that she would still be joining her at Yale in September.  (A/N – I have them going to Yale because Paris didn't get into Harvard like on the show, and Rory decided to go there because that way she could be home.)  She also spent a lot of her time convincing Jess that everything would be fine at dinner at her grandparents.

"Jess, I've been going there every Friday for a couple of years, and I've managed to survive thus far…"  Rory was saying.  She and Lorelai were at the diner, as usual.

"But see Rory, there's a difference.  They actually like you."  Jess responded.

"Oooh, he's got a point there babe."  Lorelai said, enjoying the banter.

"Mother, you're not helping…"

"Sorry.  Butting out now.  Oh LUUUUUKEEEEEYYY!!!"  She called, getting out of her chair and walking to the other side of the diner.

"Why did I agree to this?"  Jess asked for the umpteenth time.

"Because I'm pretty?"  Rory teased with her usual answer.

"Nah.  Must be because of some other reason."  Rory swatted Jess.

"Hmmm.  Let me think." Rory said.  "Oh.  It could be because if you go, we get to see Virginia and Oliver tonight."  Rory said, referring to the hotel reservation.

"So what time are we going?"

***

'Breathe Jess.  Just breathe.'  He was telling himself as Lorelai knocked on Emily and Richard's door.

"Don't worry Jess.  Just be yourself and they'll love you."  Rory said as though she could read his thoughts.

"Don't go getting all mushy and lovey dovey on me tonight, k guys?"  Lorelai was saying.

"Hi Lorelai, Rory, and I take it you're Mr. Mariano."  Eliane said, answering the door as Lorelai whispered to Rory "Same maid 3 weeks in a row.  Must be some kind of Emily Gilmore record."

"Come inside please."  Eliane said loudly enough for Emily to hear in the living room, then whispering so only the trio before her could hear "I don't want you to have to think of something better than the 'pretty door' for a reason to be outside,"  causing Rory and Lorelai to giggle and Jess to look confused.

"Oh good you're here."  Emily said, coming into the hallway.  "Rory, Lorelai."  She said greeting them cheerfully.  "Jess."  She added, a hint of detest audible in her voice.

"Hi grandma."

"Heya mom.  What's shakin?"

"Hello Mrs. Gilmore."

"Well then, please come into the living room."  Emily said, leading her guests.  "Would you all like something to drink?"

"Pepsi please."  Rory said.  Jess asked for the same.  It was handed to them

"Lorelai."

"Oh just water."

"What?  No wine?"  Emily asked, surprised.  "You're not pregnant, are you?"  Jess nearly spit out his Pepsi from surprise as Emily looked at him curiously.  Rory tried to hide her laughter.

"No mom, I'm not pregnant.  I just want water tonight."

"How come?"

"Ummm, because I've suddenly become an alcoholic, and if I have one drink it'll lead to another, and another, and another, and another, and…"

"Alright, alright."  Emily said, cutting her off.  "Water it is."  She went to get some water.

"Hey mom, how come no wine?"  Rory asked.

"Because I wanna be good and sober to see Jess squirm tonight."  Lorelai laughed, Rory joining in.  Jess looked afraid.

"She's just teasing you.  You'll be great."  Rory said, reassuring him while giving Lorelai a look to make her stop.

"Hello Rory, Lorelai."  Richard said, entering the room with Emily.  He turned to Jess.  "And you must be the infamous Jess."

"Yeah, I guess I am."

"Well, I've heard so much about you.  Rory tells me you like to read.  What have you read lately?"  Richard asked, starting up a conversation between the two men.

The three women just sat and listened to the conversation for a few minutes.

Emily leaned in and whispered to Rory "Well, he certainly is a very intelligent young man."

Rory smiled in response.  "Yeah he is."

Eliane came in and announced that it was time for dinner.

The conversation on books resumed at the dinner table.  When they had finally completed their conversation (actually, when Emily told them to be quiet and include everyone else because Lorelai was giving her chicken and corn voices) Emily decided to ask some questions.

"So Jess.  Rory tells me that you dance."

"Well not anymore unless I have to at special occasions, but I can dance."

"You don't strike me as the kind of boy who dances."

"I took lessons as a child."

"Oh?  Why is that?"

"My mom put me in the classes because it was something to do and it was cheaper than hockey."

"Makes sense."  Richard said

"I guess, but I don't really like to broadcast it."

"Well, at the next function that Rory will be attending, I expect you'll dance with her?" Emily said, smiling.

Jess looked at a smiling Rory.  It appeared that he was growing on Emily.

"Of course.  But I do owe Lorelai a dance or two."

"What?  You mean?  I… I get to dance with Mr. Astaire?"  Lorelai asked.

"Lorelai, don't embarrass the boy and don't look so shocked.  Why wouldn't he dance with you?"

"Yeah Lorelai.  I mean you are the mother of my girlfriend.  It's my duty to dance with you."  Jess smirked.

"But… you…we… I… YAY!"  Lorelai giggled.

"So Jess."  Richard started.  "Tell me.  What are your thoughts on swans?"

***

Later that evening, Lorelai was at the diner alone, filling Luke in on the details of the dinner.

"You mean to tell me that your parents.  Richard and Emily Gilmore.  They actually like Jess."  Luke was shocked.

"Yeah.  Mom had Eliane put on some music so that Jess could waltz with her tonight."

"What?  This is Jess right?  Jess Mariano?  James Deanish guy who happens to be my nephew who is known as a rebel?"  Luke asked

"Yeah."

"Waltz?"

"Jess can dance.  Really well.  He even waltzed with me."

"Man, I'm gonna rag on that kid so badly."

"YAY!  I have company now."

Meanwhile, Dean was walking outside and saw Lorelai and Luke talking in the diner.  He waked inside.

"Did they mention swans?"

"Yeah.  I've never seen that kid squirm so much."  Lorelai and Luke were both laughing.

"Hey Lorelai."  Dean said. 

"Oh, hey Dean."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important."

"Oh not at all."  She replied, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes.  "We're just talking about my dinner with the folks."

"You had fun?  At a Gilmore dinner?"  Dean asked, astonished.

"Hell yeah.  Jess was great entertainment"

"Oh."  Dean was disappointed.  "He went too?"

"Yeah.  My father loves him, and my mom thinks he's pretty great too."

"Oh."  His disappointment increasing.  "So where's Rory?"  He asked.

"Oh, ummm, after dinner, she and Jess went off for some 'alone time.'"

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know where?"

"Not really.  All I know is that they were giggling and mentioning the names Virginia and Oliver.  I think they might be some people Jess may know."

"I don't think Jess knows any Virginia or Oliver."  Luke said.

"Oh."  Lorelai said.  "Must just be some people from school that Rory hasn't mentioned before."

"Ummm, Lorelai?"  Dean said, looking down.

"Yeah?"

"Ummm, I know who Virginia and Oliver are."

"Really?  Who?"  Lorelai asked, interested.

"Ummm, could we maybe talk somewhere private?  There's something I think you should know…"