NOTE: I really wish these Gilmore Girls people belong to me but, sadly, they don't. I will have the power one day, though.
A/N: Well, here it is. The sequel to Play Ball. Some of you might not know of that story so you'll just have to go read it and enjoy. Now on with this oh, so lovely sequel.
CHAPTER 6
The sky turned from sunset orange to dark, the bright, silver moon shining down from above. As Rory and Jess continued to walk the leaves of fall sprinkled around, sort of mystically.
"The town looks so beautiful," Rory smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.
"I guess," Jess admitted, swinging the bag from the book store around his wrist. "Kind of creepy, though. Small town, Halloween; can you say Michael Myers?"
"Way to spoil the moment," Rory pouted at him.
"I try," Jess said as the two of them took a season on a bench, which was covered with leaves.
They stayed silent for a while, enjoying the scenery, until Rory decided to speak. "Jess?"
"Hmm?"
"Why?" the pretty girl next to him whispered.
"Why what?" Jess asked, starring straight ahead.
"Why did you leave the way you did?"
"Rory—" Jess started.
"I want a real reason, Jess," Rory suddenly snapped, cutting him off. "Was it because you didn't graduate? Or the prom? Or Dean?" Jess just sighed. "I mean, you did this before. You just left, no goodbye, nothing. Was I not pretty enough or something? Or was it because I wouldn't put out for you like Shane?"
"Rory!" Jess barked, stopping her. "No, it wasn't any of that."
"Well, it had to be—"
"No! I didn't leave because of graduation, prom, or any of that crap with Dean. I left for Jess, OK? It didn't have anything to do with Rory."
Rory slowly stood, a mix of anger and hurt on her face. "Yeah, well, same old Jess, right? Every time you make a decision... I have nothing to do with it." She turned and started to walk off.
"Rory!" Jess called after her, quickly following. "Rory, wait." He caught up with her. "Don't do this."
"Do what?" Rory stopped walking to face him. "Jess, we're not together anymore. There is nothing for me to do or not do."
"Rory, I thought we were gonna talk," Jess tried to reason.
"Talk?" Rory scoffed. "What for? Every time I think you've changed you're still the biggest jerk in the world. Why should now be any different?"
"I've changed," Jess insisted.
"That's enough to laugh," Rory said, her voice half humored and half sad.
"Fine. You know what? Don't believe me." Jess sounded firm yet hurt. "I don't care anymore." He turned to leave the opposite way.
"I want to believe you," Rory called after him, making Jess turn back. "I'm just..." she sighed. "Scared to."
"I wouldn't hurt you," Jess assured her seriously. "I wouldn't try, anyway." He slowly approached her. "Rory... I don't know what's going to happen. But I'd maybe like to make the best out of this visit. I get it if you don't."
Rory replied softly, "I want to. But, like I said..."
"You're scared," Jess supplied, his voice equally soft.
Rory glanced down. "I don't want to be. Really."
"Come on," Jess guided. Rory agreed and the two of them began to walk again.
Rosa, clad in her red pajamas, sat in front of the television screen in Luke's apartment, drinking a milkshake he had made her as a sort of reward for finishing all of the carrot sticks. Luke sat at the table, once in a while glancing at her.
"I like carrot burgers," Rosa said, giving him a smile.
"Yeah, whatever," Luke muttered, a little upset that the child had outsmarted him the way she had. A knock came at the door suddenly. "I'm coming," Luke called, getting up. He opened the door, expecting to see the guy he had left on duty down in the diner. "Lorelai?"
"Hey," the brunette woman smiled on the other side of the door.
"What's wrong?" Luke asked.
"Nothing. You know, I was just wondering why you left Caesar in charge downstairs."
"Uh... he works for me?"
"Yeah, but, him being down there just isn't right. He doesn't add the secret sweet coffee stuff like you do," Lorelai said.
"The what?" Luke looked confused, as he always did in the presence of the woman.
"The sweet, yummy coffee stuff that you always use that no other diner owner, or owner in the whole history of owners, diners or otherwise, know about." Lorelai pouted deeply. "I need the secret sweet coffee stuff, Luke." Luke sighed deeply as Lorelai finally looked pass Luke and saw the child. "Oh. Isn't that...?"
"Rosa," Luke said, trying to get the brown haired girl's attention.
Rosa glanced up from the television and her milkshake. "Who's that?" she asked, getting a glimpse of Lorelai.
"Hi," Lorelai decided to introduce herself, producing a big, bright tooth Gilmore like grin. "You must be Rosa. I'm Lorelai, Rory's mom."
"Oh." Rosa gave her a quick once over as Luke stepped aside. "You're pretty, too."
"Thanks, sweetie," Lorelai continued to smile as she walked into the apartment.
"Do you like carrot burgers?" Rosa asked.
"Carrot burgers?" Lorelai repeated, confused.
"Uh huh. Uncle Luke made me eat it. It was really good, though."
Lorelai turned a smirk towards Luke as she addressed the child. "Oh, really? Uncle Luke made you a carrot burger. That's so sweet."
"OK, first off, I didn't make her eat it. I just told her to eat the carrot sticks," Luke explained defensively. He turned to Rosa. "And let's get one thing straight, kid. It's Luke, just Luke. In fact, you have to call me Mr. Luke. Got it?"
Lorelai turned back to Rosa, a little eager over what she would say.
Rosa smiled brightly. "OK, Uncle Luke," she said then picked up her milkshake and started sipping it again.
Lorelai giggled lightly and went over to her friend. "Gee, Luke, you're so forceful."
"That kid is definitely Jess's," Luke mumbled.
"She's adorable," Lorelai squealed, images of a young Rory going through her mind.
"Uncle Luke?" Luke sighed annoyed before looking at Rosa. "You play baseball?"
Luke looked at her funny. "What?"
"The big, blue baseball cap?" Lorelai reminded him.
Luke rolled his eyes upward to get a look at the cap he had on his head. "Yeah, well, I—"
"What position do you play?" Rosa questioned. "I'm a batter sometimes." She looked at Lorelai before Luke could answer. "Do you play baseball, too?"
"Oh, no," Lorelai quickly shook her head then knelt down to the girl. "Gilmores, sports, running period, not a good mixture. But it's good that you like it."
"It's OK," Rosa shrugged, hugging her milkshake with her hand, turning back to the TV. "Damn games are a waste of time, anyway."
Luke and Lorelai exchanged a surprised look.
Luke started, "What did you just—?"
"They're a waste of time," Rosa continued, mostly to herself than to the two adults. "I can't do them right. I'm just a dumb ass."
Lorelai stared horrified at Rosa, not really knowing what to make of it. Luke was in the same predicament. What was wrong with her? Rosa did not even seem to be talking to them, more like quoting someone else.
"Go to bed," Luke finally said.
Rosa glanced up at him, going back to reality. "Hmm?"
"Just... go to bed," Luke nudged her.
Rosa stared at her cot for a minute then stood up and crawled into it, under the extra blanket Luke had given her. Lorelai offered her a smile, her heart quickly going out for Rosa.
A/N: If anything with Rosa confuses you let me know. I'll explain things later in the story or something. Well, please review!