Disclaimer: Not mine.
A/N: Thanks again to everyone that reviewed. And in response to the note left by 'meeeee!!' I'm sorry that Chapter 15 didn't cut it for you. I want to go on record saying that, this is NOT going to be an L/L fic, because, not only is it hard for me to write, but this is a Rory and Jess story. I did, however, include Lorelai's dream in the last chapter because it's important that all the readers are aware of the mutual attraction there is between Lorelai and Luke. It's important to what I have planned for later. And rest assured, I DO have a plot. I also want to thank you for continuing to read even though you didn't like my last chapter.
Anyways, as I step off of my soapbox… here begins chapter 16. I will say that this is not a major chapter. Nothing too eventful happens, and this is mostly a filler chapter. Please review!
Chapter 16
Dean, The Party, and Telling the Doorman
"Party time Ror!" Lorelai yelled, jumping up and down on a sleeping Rory's bed.
Rory groaned, "Coffee first?"
"Of course! Hurry and get up!"
Rory obliged, and moments later she and Lorelai entered Luke's Diner. Luke and Jess were no where to be found.
Lorelai looked around confused. She pouted, "Who's going to get us coffee?"
"I dunno."
Then, a young man appeared behind the counter. "What can I get you?"
"Dean??" Rory asked surprised. Is it really him?
"Rory. Hi. Coffee?"
It is him…"Uh, yeah."
"Me too." Lorelai piped up.
Dean quickly poured them each a cup.
"So you're back?" Rory asked, trying to gather her thoughts.
Dean nodded, "College wasn't for me."
"So Luke offered you a job here?" Lorelai jumped in.
"Well, no. My mother asked him to give me the job. Needed something to occupy my time."
Lorelai nodded slowly. Rory set down her mug and leaped off of her stool. "Be right back." She told Lorelai before running to the stairs and ascending them.
"She's getting married?" Dean asked of Lorelai when Rory was out of earshot.
"Yeah… You major in mind reading or something?"
"What? No, I saw her ring."
"Oh that. Yeah, it's a little hard to miss huh?"
"You could say that."
They fell into an uncomfortable silence and Lorelai stared into her coffee cup, "So…"
"It's Jess isn't it?" Dean suddenly blurted out.
Not bothering to knock, Rory ran into Luke's apartment to find him sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper. She heard water running elsewhere, meaning Jess was in the shower.
"Rory! Hi." Luke greeted, startled by her entrance, "Something wrong?"
"You hired DEAN?!"
"Oh… Uh, well yeah."
"Why?"
"Because he needed the job, and I needed the help." Luke tried to justify, "I didn't mean to upset you Rory, I'm sorry if I did, I just-"
Rory's gaze fell to her shoes, "It's okay. I'm sorry I ran in here like that."
"Don't worry about it. You want to sit?"
Rory shrugged and took a seat in the chair next to Luke as the water in the next room stopped.
"Don't worry about it."
"What?"
"If he still loves you."
Rory raised her eyebrows.
"You're happy with Jess right?"
"Of course I am!"
"Then if Dean becomes a problem, I'll kill him. Deal?"
Rory smiled, "Thanks Luke."
Jess came into the room, running his fingers through his damp hair.
"Hey Luke, I… Rory! Hey!" he kissed Rory hello, "What's up?"
"Not much. You ready for this shin-dig today?"
Jess sighed heavily, "Sure."
Rory laughed quietly, "Let's go eat first hm?"
Jess agreed and took her hand as she stood up.
"Come on Luke."
Luke looked at Rory, "Why? Caesar's down there. He can make your breakfasts."
"Mom's down there alone with Dean, the rest of Star's Hollow, and half a pot of coffee."
"Dean only made one pot?"
"I guess he's not quite ready to surpass the master."
Luke rolled his eyes and followed Rory and Jess downstairs.
"Yeah, it is Jess." Lorelai affirmed.
"Oh."
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't you dare go mess things up for her. She's really happy with Jess."
"I won't mess anything up."
"Good."
"Yeah."
"More coffee narcolepsy boy."
"There isn't more."
"What?" Lorelai gasped, panicking.
"We're out."
"How is that possible? I only had one cup!"
"There was only one pot to begin with."
"One pot?!" Lorelai heard footsteps coming from the stairs. She quickly turned her head to see who it was.
"LUCAS! NARCOLEPSY BOY HERE ONLY MADE ONE POT OF COFFEE AND I ONLY GOT ONE CUP AND I REALLY NEED MORE BUT THERE ISN'T ANY! PLEASE LUKE YOU HAVE TO HELP! HURRY! MAKE MORE!!"
Luke, who had gone behind the counter to make more coffee as soon as Lorelai had started her tirade, produced a cherry danish.
"Ooh, yummy!"
"To tide you over until coffee's ready." Luke explained.
"Mmmmm."
Moments later, after an explanation of the importance of having enough coffee on hand to a very unaware Dean, Rory, Jess, and Lorelai were seated at a table eating breakfast. The Gilmores with their very own pot of coffee within reach.
Lorelai ate the last bite of her breakfast and stood up, "I gotta go. I promised Sookie I'd help her get stuff ready for the party. I'll see you guys later?"
"Yeah, bye Mom." Rory answered as Lorelai left the diner.
"So." Jess began.
"So indeed."
"Are you okay? With this Dean working here thing?"
Rory smiled at his concern, "Yeah, it's fine."
"You sure?"
Rory nodded, "In a few days we'll be back in Boston anyways. What does it matter?"
Jess smiled at her and, noticing she was finished eating, said, "You want to go upstairs and read? Until we have to go to the party anyway?"
"Sure." Rory replied, and hand in hand they went up the steps.
Several hours later, Rory and Jess sat on their makeshift thrones in the exact center of Star's Hollow. Rory happily chatted with Lorelai and Sookie, while Jess, obviously bored, stared into space.
"Having fun yet?" Luke asked, appearing as if out of no where.
Jess rolled his eyes, "How long till it's over?"
Luke looked over to Rory, who was still having a good time, "Never know."
Jess sighed, "Engagement parties suck."
"Bachelor parties are better."
Jess, surprised at Luke's comment, raised his eyebrows and smirked, "Really now, Uncle Luke?"
"Aw shut up."
"Are you going to throw me a bachelor party?"
Luke's eyes suddenly filled with disgust, "Forget it!"
Just then, Sookie (who had arranged the whole party) picked up a megaphone to thank everyone for coming, and announce that the party was over.
"Finally!" Jess murmured, jumping to his feet.
As the party-goers began to head to their respective homes, Rory joined Jess and he slipped his arm around her waist.
"Want to go for a walk?"
Rory simply nodded and they went to the bridge.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For making you endure a social gathering."
"I thought you had fun."
"I did. I just thought you'd rather be somewhere else."
Jess shrugged, "I was with you."
Rory smiled at his brightly, "Why Mr. Mariano! That sounded like something straight out of a movie you'd refuse to watch in fear of losing your masculinity!"
Jess rolled his eyes and pulled Rory into a deep kiss.
A few days later, Jess and Rory sat in Jess's car as they made their way back to Boston. They had stopped at a stoplight just a few miles from their apartment when Rory gasped.
"What is it?"
"We should tell my dad."
"Oh, yeah, of course. You want to go now?"
Rory shook her head, "I'm tired. Tomorrow maybe?"
"Sure." Jess replied and continued the drive home.
They arrived and got out of the car. James the security man greeted them at the door.
"Mr. Mariano, Miss Gilmore! Welcome home. I trust you had a nice holiday with family?"
Rory giggled. He was always a little over-friendly. "Yeah, it was great."
"Ror, why don't you go on upstairs? I'll get the rest of the stuff from the car." Jess suggested seeing how tired she really was.
She nodded in reply and kissed Jess, "I'll see you in a bit." She said, taking the key from his outstretched hand and heading upstairs.
Jess started to pick up their bags when he heard James loudly clear his throat.
"Yeah?"
"Are you and Miss Gilmore…. Uhh…"
Jess smirked, "Engaged? Yeah."
"Well congratulations."
"Thanks."
Jess then went into the lobby and got into an empty elevator. He pressed the button and set the suitcases down, leaning against the wall, smiling to himself.
I still can't get over it. He thought, Engaged.
He heard the elevator sound- signaling he'd arrived on his floor, and happily he went to his apartment to find his fiancée sleeping soundly on the couch. He carefully picked her up and carried her to her room. Laying her down on the bad, and pulling the covers up over her, he kissed her forehead gently and went to his own room.
A/N: I don't really like how this turned out, because of the fact that it's just a filler. But don't worry; the next chapter will be much better. Rory goes to see Christopher, Emily visits unexpectedly, and the wedding plans begin!