Chapter 13- Plans

"So when are you moving into the dorm?" Jess asked.

"Oh, in a few weeks, I think. I just keep thinking that the summer has gone so fast."

"Yeah, you gonna need help or something?"

"Maybe I will. Why are you volunteering yourself?" Rory replied.

"Maybe I am." Jess made a face that was slightly surprised. "Do you think I am?"

"I'm just not sure if you're strong enough to lift most of my stuff." She added jokingly. He looked hurt.

"Me? Why I am the man in tights himself." He got up from his chair at the table, and scooped her up in his arms, plopping her down on the bed and landing next to her.

"Jess!" She laughed as she tried to protest. He began kissing her neck and lips. "I'm gonna miss you when I go away."

"I'll miss you too, but it is only 22.8 miles, remember?" He added between pecks.

"You're the one that told me that, Jess."

"I know." He continued.

"Jess, this is lovely, but I promised my mom that I'd meet her." Rory tried to get him to stop.

"Aww, it was just getting good."

"I know. I'll be back though." She kissed him.

"Have a good lunch."

"I will. Thanks." She grabbed her coat and went down the stairs to Luke's where her mom was waiting.

"You ready to go, babe?" Lorelai asked noticing her daughter.

"Yep, let's go."

"Bye Luke." She waved.

"See you Lorelai." Luke continued serving customers. He hollered up the stairs at his nephew. "Jess, get down here!"

Jess was already half way down the stairs.

"Yeah, what do ya need, Luke?"

"Will you help me with some of these customers?"

"Yeah, I guess. Coffee or what?"

"Please." He replied.

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Lorelai and Rory sat at a table in Al's waiting for their meals to arrive.

"Seems like forever since we've been here, huh?" Rory noted.

"I guess going to Europe and being wrapped up in our lives kind of took us out of the scene, huh?"

"Yeah, let's not let that happen again."

"Dually noted."

Soon Kirk arrived with their food.

"Now did either of you want any condiments with those? We have ketchup, mustard, horseradish, mayo, honey, barbeque sauce, A1, shrimp sauce, soy--- " Kirk couldn't finish, because he was interrupted.

"Kirk!" Lorelai shouted. "Most of those things would taste horrible on a hamburger. Thank you, but all we need is the ketchup and mustard."

"Fine, I had 31 more that I could have listed for you." He put the ketchup and mustard bottles on the table. "If you need anything else, I'd be happy to help you." He added.

"That'll be all, Kirk. Thanks." Rory replied. He walked away slightly disappointed. "So how are things going with The Dragonfly?"

"Well, we've got most of the outside work done. The roof is redone, and we're painting it up. The floors are getting done sometime soon, I think early September. We might be open as early as November."

"That sounds really good. How's Sookie?" "She's fine. Can't believe she is gonna have a baby. I'm so happy for Jackson and her."

"I know. It'll only be a few months now. Does she get to take the baby to work?"

"Oh, of course she does. What do you think I am some kind of crazy woman? I will need my chef."

"Of course, but don't you think that she'll want to be with her baby?"

"Yes, but I can watch the baby when Sookie cooks, and then she can spend the rest of the time with her child."

"True. You are a woman of plans."

"I am. I do try." Lorelai ate her last fry. "Well, honey. I have to go and see how those guys are doing on the painting. I'll see you later."

"Okay, I've got to go see Lane anyway. Bye."

Rory left some money for the bill and left Al's. She ran into Mrs. Kim on the way out.

"Rory!" Mrs. Kim exclaimed.

"Mrs. Kim, how are you?" She asked.

"I am good, and Lane is good."

"Good." Rory smiled. "Do you maybe know where I could find Lane, right now?"

"Yes. Lane is home, in her room last time I knew. Why?"

"I just want to talk to her."

"Okay, you can walk with me then."

"So has Lane decided on a college yet?"

"A very small, private college in Hartford with good Christian people, you most likely never heard of it."

"Okay, that sounds fair." Rory replied very glad that they were at The Kim's front gate. "I'll just go up and talk to Lane. I'll only be a few minutes."

"Good, see that you are." Mrs. Kim replied. Rory walked up the steps to Lane's room. She knocked.

"Who is it?" Lane answered.

"It's Rory." Lane rushed to the door.

"Oh, hey Rory! What's going on?"

"Nothing, I just heard about the bible college thing from your mom."

"Yeah, I don't know. It was a guilt thing at first, but I guess I'm okay with it."

"It sounds pretty good."

"Yes, it is. Dave is gonna go to Hartford University, so that will be convenient. Plus, you know what the best part is?"

"What?"

"Boys and girls are allowed to be in the same general vicinity, at the same time."

"So you and Dave can hang. That's so good."

"Yeah it is." Lane smiled.

"You know what I was thinking?" Rory asked.

"What?"

"You know how you talked about doing a double date with Dave, Jess, and I?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I thought maybe we should do that before we all go off our separate ways."

"Sure, that sounds good. Maybe in the end of August?"

"Yeah, that'd be fine. I was actually surprised when Mrs. Kim said you were here and not out with Dave."

"Well, I can't spend all my time with him." She joked.

"Right." Rory smiled as she stated that matter-of-factly.

"So how is Jess? I haven't heard much gossip around town about him since you brought him back."

"No, there hasn't been much. There was that incident with Dean. You know, I don't even think they are fighting over me anymore."

"You don't?"

"No. He's got Lindsay. I think they just enjoy challenging each other."

"Men are like dogs." Lane replied.

"Loveable, protective, and slobbery?"

"No, stubborn and ready to fight."

"What dogs have you ever spent time with?"

"I think one of my relatives had a dog. It was a pit-bull." Rory pulled a frightened facial expression.

"Those things are vicious."

"Yeah, that's why I said "had"."

"What happened?"

"If I remember correctly, it bit his toe. Nearly, completely."

"Ouch! That is a picture I did not need."

"Sorry." Lane apologized.

"It's okay. Well, talk to Dave about our little date thing, okay? I told Mrs. Kim that I'd only be a few minutes."

"Okay, I will. See ya later, Rory."

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"How's it comin', Rocko?" Lorelai asked the painter.

"My name is not Rocko, its Jim."

"I know, but I like Rocko so much more." He went back to painting and ignored Lorelai.

"You can ignore me all you want; it doesn't make me go away." Lorelai retorted.

"If it did, most people would never see you." A man's voice came from behind her. "Max?!" Lorelai exclaimed as she twirled around.

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Rory pushed open the diner door.

"Hey." He kissed her.

"Hey. How was your day?" She asked.

"Fine" He poured her a cup of coffee in a sturdy Styrofoam cup. "Here. Let's go."

She took the cup and wondered where they were going. She just followed him, his arm wrapped around her. They ended up in the grass on, excluded from the rest of the town.

*You'll laugh if only you knew

The number of times today

I've wanted to kiss you

I've wanted to hold you*

She noticed the sunset that was on the horizon.

"It's so pretty."

"I had a long day. I just needed to be with you, someone who wasn't grumping at me for more coffee."

"I didn't need to, you provided it already." She replied holding up her cup.

*Closer to my heart

Closer than you can imagine

I felt this from the start

But what can I do,

What can I say?*

"It's nice just sitting here. Reminds me of the lunch we had on the bridge." She added.

"I wasn't sure if I'd get you after that."

"You always had me." She smiled. "I told you I'd come back, didn't I?" He kissed her, they talked about their days, Rory sipped her coffee and they watched the sunset together.

*At the end of the day

It's all up to you

At the end of the day

It's all up to you*

A/N: Lyrics are Xymox "At the End of the Day." I'm sorry this wasn't hugely progressive, but I have partially broken out of my writer's block. I have some more ideas. I'm also sort of sorry for Jess and Rory being so cute, but I felt it needed to end cute. Lol! Love ya'll for reading. See you soon! Feel free to email me!