Pairing: Literati
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I am, in NO WAY, affiliated with Gilmore Girls, Amy Sherman-Palladino, the WB, or any of the other big names. I am just a big fan of the Gilmore Girls, Milo Ventimiglia, and Chad Michael Murray. :)
Spoilers: Possible spoilers from Season 3.
Distribution: Please e-mail me first at rgilmore03@hotmail.com -Thank you very much.
Author's Note: This chapter went through many, many revisions. I'm still a little indecisive about this chapter. I had a hard time writing Dean's character, but I really wanted to incorporate him in the story. He is still an important character, even though this is a Literati. Lorelai isn't in this chapter, because she's working at the Inn. Because of that, there's no witty Lorelai dialogue, which I love to write.
You don't know how much your reviews mean to me! They truly make my day. :)
Rory exits the diner, and walks towards Doose's Market. She enters the store, and looks around for Dean.
Dean: Looking for me?
Rory: Hey.
They kiss very briefly, because Taylor is at a cash register nearby.
Dean: How are you doing?
Rory: Ah, I could be better. Babette was up at the crack of dawn, singing an old show tune from West Side Story on her front porch.
Dean: Ouch.
Rory: I can still hear her attempts at singing.
Dean: You've been blessed with eccentric neighbors.
Rory: That I have. Are you working all day?
Dean: Almost.
Rory: Oh. Taylor really needs to hire more employees.
Dean: Agreed.
Taylor is ringing up a customer, and glaring at Dean.Rory: I should let you get back to work. I'll see you later.
Dean: Bye.
Rory exits Doose's Market, and walks towards Lane's house. She hesitantly knocks on the Kim's front door, not knowing if Lane's mother is home. Lane answers the door, with a huge smile on her face.
Rory: You look surprisingly happy.
Lane: Oh, I am.
Rory: Care to fill me in?
Lane: I just saw a picture of Michael Park. The future Dr. Park. And the cutest future surgeon I have ever seen.
Rory: Really?
Lane: And I've seen many future surgeons.
Lane and Rory walk upstairs to Lane's bedroom. Lane picks up a photograph off her desk, and sighs dreamily.
Rory: He is cute.
Lane: Now multiply that by a thousand.
Rory: Someone's looking forward to dinner tonight.
Lane: I am totally looking forward to it.
Rory: You're going to have a great time.
Lane notices that Rory looks slightly upset, and frowns.
Lane: Is everything all right?
Rory: Yes.
Lane: Did you know that you're a really bad liar?
Rory: Is it that obvious?
Lane: Yes. You have that I-just-lost-my-David-Bowie-CD face on.
Rory: Nothing's wrong.
Lane: I'm not giving up that easily, and you know it.
Rory: I just feel awful.
Lane: Why?
Rory: I don't think I'm being fair to Dean. I feel like a terrible girlfriend. And this whole thing with Jess…There's so much hostility between us now.
Lane: He still likes you, you know.
Rory: Jess?
Lane: Yeah.
Rory: No. He's always making out with Shane.
Lane: He's just trying to make you jealous.
Rory: What?
Lane: And it's obviously working.
Rory: Gosh, what is with me? I shouldn't even be thinking of Jess. I already have a boyfriend.
Lane: You just need to make a decision. Unfortunately, I am not the best person to ask advice in this situation. It's hard enough for me to have a boyfriend, let alone another friend with potential.
Rory: Trust me, it's not exactly a great place to be.
*
Rory walks over to the bridge, and sits down. She stares into the horizon for a minute, and then sighs dejectedly. She looks at her leather bracelet thoughtfully.
Jess: Thinking about anything in particular?
Rory turns around, surprised.
Rory: What are you doing here?
Jess: Needed a change of scenery.
Rory: Have you ever been to Idaho?
Jess: Can't say I have…I've had Idaho potatoes though, does that count?
Rory: You should go.
Jess: Huh.
Rory: I'm surprised to see you without her.
Jess: Excuse me?
Rory: It just seems like you two are inseperable.
Jess: Really.
Rory: Yes.
Jess: Does it bother you?
Rory: What?
Jess: Does it bother you? Because it sounds like it does. And it's just strange that you, having a boyfriend and all, would even care.
Rory: It doesn't bother me.
Jess: Your eyes are looking a little green from where I'm standing.
Rory: I'm not jealous!
Jess: I didn't say you were.
Rory: That's what you were insinuating.
Jess: Your words, not mine.
Rory: There's nothing to be jealous of.
Jess: I heard you the first time.
Rory gazes into the horizon. She leans back on her hands, and looks up at Jess.
Rory: It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Jess nods in agreement.
Jess: I know.
Rory: Do you think things will ever be the same?
Jess: Hopefully. Rory smiles. The moment is abruptly broken when Rory's pager starts to beep. Rory bites her lip, and removes her pager from her coat pocket. She looks at Jess somewhat guiltily.Rory: It's Dean.
Jess nods his head. He stares into the horizon, not saying a word. He closes his eyes, not wanting Rory to see the pain hidden inside.
***
End of Part TwoThanks to all of my wonderful reviewers! Oregano, LavenderAngel, Sirius, kiki, Purplemartian33, jewls13, Crazy-Iris, The Grynne, melzie, DeeAnne, otownroxx, M, and my anonymous reviewer. Thank you SO much for all of your feedback!