Title: The Green-Eyed Monster Bites Back
Disclaimer: If I owned the show, let's just say Michael York would not be involved. He's creepy enough without the lechery plot line.
_____________________________
Lorelai is standing at the Independence Inn's lobby. Sipping from a large cup, she relates the previous night's events to Sookie, listening attentively, and Michel, buffing his nails. The lobby is empty but for an elderly woman in an armchair. Business is winding down as the Inn nears closing.
Lorelai: And then, he had the nerve to tell me that I've hurt Luke more than he ever could. It was a good thing Rory walked in, because I was starting to channel Michelle Yeoh.
Sookie: (wincing) In heels? That would not have been good.
Lorelai: I know. He made some insulting movie references when we were walking out, just loud enough for Rory to realize something was going on and now she won't leave me alone until she finds out what it is.
Sookie: You mean you haven't told Rory?
Lorelai: Of course not. What do I say? Oh, and by the way honey, your boyfriend is doing his absolute best to make your mommy hate him.
An unusually loud entrance causes all four present to look up. Rory is standing in the doorway, glaring.
Lorelai: Ooh, I can almost see the flames shooting out of your ears. Who was it today? Louise? Paris?
Rory: You.
Lorelai sets down her cup in order to approach her daughter. The guest in the armchair picks up a copy of Good Housekeeping, but her eyes never actually focus on the page.
Lorelai: What did that little creep tell you?
Rory barely hears her mother's question. She holds her wrist out in front of Lorelai's face.
Rory: Remember this?
Lorelai: Hey, isn't that the bracelet you've been looking for?
Rory: It's been missing for over a year.
Sookie: Where did you find it?
Rory takes the mug without taking her eyes from Lorelai.
Rory: Max.
Lorelai: What?
Rory: I had to talk to Mr. Medina about creative writing this afternoon, and he ended the meeting by giving me the bracelet. He told me to give it back to my mother. Fat chance. If I do that, who knows whose bedroom it will end up in this time?
Even Michel perks up at this.
Lorelai: Rory!
Rory: How many of my things have you left at Alex's by now?
Lorelai: (looking at the woman in the armchair who has given up all pretense of trying to read a magazine) This really isn't a great time or place for a blame fest. Could we finish this when I get home?
Rory: That's it? No, "Sorry that I stole your bracelet, Rory, and left it at my ex-fiancé's house so that you could be involved in yet another embarrassing situation with your teacher?"
Lorelai: Ok, you've officially finished the Independence Inn portion of your rant. Home, now, or be pleasant.
Rory: Fine.
Lorelai: Good.
Rory: See you later.
Lorelai: Right.
Rory exits the Inn. Lorelai stands watching the door for a moment, then reaches for her cup.
Lorelai: (looking down, disgusted) Now my coffee's cold.
***
Lorelai sighs and walks up the front steps. She is not looking forward to another round with Rory, but it has to be done. She has to know what's really bothering her daughter. It can't all be about the bracelet. Rory didn't wear it that much anyway and she hadn't been that upset when she discovered it was missing. Lorelai opens the front door.
Lorelai: (calling out) Rory, I'm home. We can argue some more now.
No one answers. Lorelai calls out again.
Lorelai: Rory, I'm home. Where are you?
She walks into the kitchen. All is quiet and the door to Rory's room is closed. Lorelai knocks. No one answers. She opens the door to an empty room. Rory's backpack is here, but she is not. Puzzled, she walks back into the kitchen and sees the note: "Luke's."
Lorelai: (to the empty kitchen) Picking a public place so I can't make a scene. Nice touch.
________________________
Rory is sitting at the counter sipping coffee and talking to Jess. A blond at one of the window tables gestures, and Jess walks over to take the order. He hands it to Luke and walks back to Rory, who has been watching him with a considering expression.
Jess: Am I just that fascinating?
Rory: Did you and my mom fight last night?
Jess: I say hello and it's a fight. Why?
Rory: No, I mean other than the usual, "If you lay hands on my daughter, you die," routine.
Jess is quiet. He turns to grab the coffeepot and refill Rory's cup.
Rory: I knew it! Refills without asking? Sneaky, but not sneaky enough.
Jess: You sound like your mother.
Rory: She called you a little creep earlier. Was she warning you off?
Jess: Astoundingly, it had nothing to do with you.
Rory stands, unyielding, still except for one ascending eyebrow.
Rory: Really? Then what was it about?
Jess glances to his right where the window into the kitchen serves as anything but a sound barrier.
Jess: I don't want to get into it right now.
Rory: But you will tell me later.
Jess: (glancing over again) Right, later.
Rory: Good.
The door opens and Lorelai walks in.
Lorelai: There you are.
Rory: Here I am.
Lorelai: Are we going to sit down and eat? I'm starving.
Rory: You're always starving.
Lorelai: I know, but this time I may just implode if I don't get my cheeseburger soon.
Lorelai dramatically throws herself into a chair at one of the window tables. She pats the table across from her and gestures to Rory.
Jess: (under his breath) Now that I would like to see.
Rory: (quietly, to Jess) Be nice.
Jess: (saccharine) Yes, dear.
Lorelai bangs her mug on the table.
Lorelai: Two cheeseburgers, and make it quick.
Jess: Yes, Ma'am.
Jess tops off Rory's coffee, fills Lorelai's mug, and walks off toward the kitchen.
Rory: What did you and Jess fight about last night?
Lorelai: Way to go straight for the jugular.
Rory: I meant it, what was it about?
Lorelai: Just the usual. I said hello and he…
Rory: (shaking her head) That's not true. It was something different.
Lorelai: If you know, than why are you asking me?
Rory: Jess didn't tell me the whole story yet. He didn't want to get into it in here.
Lorelai: (nodding, in spite of herself) Understandably.
Rory: What? Why, understandably? Why won't you tell me?
Lorelai glances in the direction of the kitchen. Neither uncle nor nephew has emerged. She leans over the table to speak to Rory in a, for Lorelai, hushed tone.
Lorelai: He probably didn't anyone to overhear.
Rory leans in to mimic her mother.
Rory: But we were all the way over at the counter. The only person who could possibly have heard us was…
She sits back.
Rory: Wait, you were fighting about Luke?
Luke emerges from the kitchen with two cheeseburgers
Lorelai: Mmhmm.
She sips her coffee. Luke places the plates on the table.
Luke: Two grilled heart attacks.
Rory: Two delicious, grilled heart attacks. Thank you, Luke.
Luke: You're welcome.
He starts to walk away and then turn around.
Luke: You two wouldn't happen to know why Jess is more charming than usual today, would you?
Lorelai: (considering) Maybe he's out of hair gel.
Luke crosses his arms.
Luke: I'm sure that's it.
Rory: Everyone has off days.
Luke: Yeah, but when you have off days the diner doesn't serve burnt grilled cheese.
Lorelai: Ooh, did Kirk threaten to sue again?
Luke: It wasn't him this time.
Lorelai: (pouting in disappointment) Too bad. That was almost as funny as the time you served Taylor the…
Luke: Just eat your burger.
Luke walks away and the two girls proceed to stuff themselves. After a few minutes of serious concentration, Rory comes up for air.
Rory: I'm sorry I blew up at you earlier.
Lorelai: That's ok, hon. Everyone has moments. Just try not to have them while I'm at work next time, ok?
Rory: (with a small smile) Sure.
Lorelai: (with a larger smile) Good.
They eat some more.
Lorelai: (pausing with the burger halfway to her mouth) Why did you blow up like that?
Rory: (with thought) I don't know. I was just annoyed and uncomfortable at first, but then on the bus ride home…
Lorelai: (sagely) Ah.
Rory: What?
Lorelai: You were stewing it over the entire bus ride back and by the time you got here it was a huge problem, right?
Rory: Well…
Lorelai: Bus rides will do that. Car rides too, and trains…
Rory: I get it.
Lorelai: You learn quickly, little one.
Rory: So when do I get to hear the full story?
Lorelai: (glancing at the counter, where Luke stands fiddling with the cash register) Later.
Rory sighs.
Lorelai and Rory finish their dinners and get ready to leave. Lorelai walks to the counter to pay.
Luke: I need to talk to you.
Lorelai: (searching through her purse for her wallet) What?
Luke: I'm going to be in New York next Saturday.
Lorelai: And I need to know this because…?
Luke: (shifting his weight) Jess isn't going.
Lorelai: Why… Oh. So the apartment…
Luke: …is going to be empty, yes.
Lorelai considers this for a minute, as Luke takes her money and hands her the change.
Lorelai: That's good information to have.
Luke: Caesar will be here with Jess until closing, but after that…
Lorelai: …no one. I got it.
She looks up at his quizzically.
Lorelai: Business trip?
Luke: No. Yes. Well, yes, but not mine. Nicole…
Lorelai: Oh, well, thanks for telling me.
Luke: Anytime.
Lorelai shoulders her purse and walks to the door where Rory is standing. She tries very hard not to notice the unsettling feeling in her stomach. It isn't, it can't be envy?
Rory: What did Luke have to say?
Lorelai: Oh, nothing important. Hey, aren't we running low on ice cream?
Rory: I think we are.
Lorelai slings her arm over Rory's shoulder and the two walk out, chatting merrily.
Jess walks over to stand next to Luke.
Jess: Now why aren't we more like that?
Luke: Shut up and get back to work.
___________________________________
A/N: In response to questions, I don't know how long the story will be. I'm not one of those people who set a chapter limit and stick to it. The chapters normally pop out randomly. Unlike this one. Well, let's just hope the next one is more cooperative.