Pairing: Literati
Rating: PGDisclaimer: 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: A big thanks to all of my reviewers! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Reviews are always greatly appreciated! They truly make my day! = )
jesslover, Autumn, dodgerluv, anonymousthinker, jewls13, Oregano, tigress33, and miss.pebbles
Lorelai and Rory are sitting inside the Jeep, which is parked in front of the elder Gilmore's house.
Lorelai: Are you sure you're feeling up to it?
Rory: Yes, I'm sure.
Lorelai: Positive?
Rory: Positive.
Lorelai: Because we don't have to go.
Rory: It's fine.
Lorelai: We could call them, and say that we mysteriously became ill during the car ride.
Rory: Hmm. Sounds enticing.
Lorelai: During the 30-minute duration of our car ride, I developed a rare allergy.
Rory: To what?
Lorelai: It's so rare that it hasn't been named…?
Rory: I'm sure they'll believe that.
Lorelai: Honey, I know this whole thing with Dean must be weird. You were going out with him for a huge chunk of time.
Rory: It's not weird. It's…refreshing, actually.
Lorelai: Refreshing?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: Because of Jess, right?
Rory: Well…yes.
Lorelai: Great. Now whenever I think of Jess, I'm going to think Scope.
Rory: We should go inside.
Lorelai: You're probably right.
*
Emily: And how is that quaint little inn of yours, Lorelai?
Lorelai: As quaint as ever.
Emily: Wonderful. Isn't that wonderful, Richard?
Richard: Wonderful.
Lorelai: Someone, please, buy a thesaurus.
The new maid enters the dining room. She proceeds to serve the salad.Emily: Thank you, Francisca.
Emily is apparently in a very good mood, and is wearing a large smile on her face.
Lorelai: What's up, Mom?
Emily: I beg your pardon?
Lorelai: The reason behind your smile?
Emily: I do not need a reason, Lorelai.
Lorelai: Uh, yeah. You do.
Emily: Nonsense.
Lorelai: Mom…
Richard: Just tell her, Emily.
Lorelai: Ha! I knew something was up.
Emily: Well, if you must know…
Lorelai: I do.
Emily: You do remember Claire Williams, right?
Lorelai: Claire Williams, Claire Williams…nope, not ringing a bell.
Emily: You remember her! You used to play dolls with her, while her mother and I had tea.
Lorelai: If you say so.
Emily: Do you remember her brother?
Lorelai: Oh man. Sudden flashbacks are haunting me.
Emily: Jacob was always a handsome young man.
Lorelai: Are we talking about the same guy?
Emily: The Williams will be joining us for dinner next week.
Lorelai: What?
Emily: The Williams will be joining us for dinner next week.
Lorelai: I heard you the first time! Why?
Emily: You know that the Williams are close friends of ours.
Lorelai: I knew it!
Emily: Knew what?
Lorelai: This is your lame attempt at matchmaking, isn't it?
Emily: Call it what you please.
Lorelai: Mom…
Emily: Your presence is mandatory.
*
Lorelai and Rory are sitting at the kitchen table, eating Rice Krispies.Lorelai: What are your plans for today?
Rory: Just the usual – reading, eating at Luke's…
Lorelai: But with Jess?
Rory: Most definitely.
Lorelai: Okay.
Rory: You're taking this better than I would have thought.
Lorelai: All my current anger is reserved for Mom.
Rory: I'm lucky.
Lorelai: Yes, you are.
*
Lorelai enters the Inn's kitchen. Sookie is sitting at a table, crying softly.
Lorelai: Sookie! What's the matter?
Sookie: Everything.
Lorelai: Care to elaborate?
Sookie: It's Jackson. We've been in a fight for the past two days. We're giving each other the silent treatment.
Lorelai: Aw.
Sookie: We aren't talking at all. It's so weird. I baked apple tarts the other day, and couldn't even praise his selection of Golden Reds.
Lorelai: What are you two fighting about?
Sookie: That's the worst thing.
Lorelai: What?
Sookie: I can't remember.
Lorelai gives a small smile.
Lorelai: Do you think you should talk to him?
Sookie: I guess.
Lorelai: Just remember. This kind of stuff is normal.
Sookie: I guess.
Sookie smiles sadly.
Lorelai: There's my little optimist!
*
Rory and Jess are walking back from the Stars Hollow bookstore. As they pass stores, they notice other residents of the city looking at them.
Jess: This is weird.
Rory: This is Stars Hollow – the epitome of weird.
Jess: You'd think they'd have something better to do…
Rory: Other than stare quizzically at innocent pedestrians?
Jess: Exactly…and I just realized how stupid I was. I mean, after all, this is Stars Hollow.
Rory: The epitome of weird.
Jess: We covered that.
Jess gives Rory a small smile. They stop walking, and face each other. Rory is nervously shuffling her feet. Jess notices this, and smirks.
Rory: So…
Jess: So…
Rory: This is weird.
Jess grins.
Jess: Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached an armistice.
Jess takes a step closer to Rory, and smiles slowly. They are about to kiss, when all of a sudden…
Rory: Babette!
Rory and Jess realize that they have been standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Babette is standing there, a large smile on her face.
Babette: Rory, sugar! How are you?
Rory: I'm doing good. How about you?
Babette: Ah…just one of those days, you know?
Babette turns to Jess.
Babette: Lovely day outside, isn't it?
Jess: Sure is.
Babette: What were you kids planning on doing today?
Rory: Ah…just taking a walk, reading books, the usual.
Babette: That's it?
Rory is growing redder by the minute.
Rory: Of course.
Babette: Well, I better be going. Don't have too much fun now!
Babette walks away.
*
Lorelai is standing at the Independence Inn front desk, reading the mail. Kirk enters the Inn, and approaches the front desk.
Kirk: Lorelai.
Lorelai: Kirk! Hi! This is a surprise.
Kirk: I would have called prior to my visit, but Mother was tying up the phone line…
Lorelai: It's okay, Kirk.
Kirk frowns.
Kirk: Like she does everyday.
Kirk looks down for a minute sadly, then looks up again.
Kirk: Anyway, that wasn't the reason I stopped by.
Lorelai: Okay.
Kirk: I know things have been awkward between us these past couple weeks.
Lorelai hides a smile, and tries not to laugh.
Kirk: I hope you won't consider recent events when I ask you my question.
Lorelai: I promise.
Kirk: Good. I was wondering if you had any employment opportunities available at the Inn. I'm not exactly thrilled to be working at the coffee shop. The management underestimates me…at least I know that I won't have that problem here.
Lorelai: You're hired.
Kirk: Really?
Lorelai: Really. I know we have about 5 positions to fill, so the choice is yours. I just have to get the file and paperwork. I can get back to you tomorrow on which positions are open.
Kirk: What about my interview?
Lorelai: Ah, those are just formalities. I know you, Kirk.
Kirk: Thank you, Lorelai. You won't regret this.
*
Rory and Jess are sitting down at a table at Luke's, eating lunch.
Rory: You're so lucky.
Jess: I know.
Rory: You do?
Jess: Because I have you.
Rory smiles, and blushes. She stares at her food for a moment.
Rory: I was going to say something else.
Jess: It's true, though.
Rory smiles. There are quiet for a moment, before Jess breaks the silence.
Jess: I'm all ears.
Rory: You're so lucky that you live here. You can eat Luke's food all the time.
Jess: You do that too.
Rory: Still…
They eat their food in silence. Rory looks at Jess thoughtfully, and smiles.
Rory: Jess…
Jess: Yeah?
Rory: Did you mean that?
Jess: Of course.
Rory smiles, and continues eating her food.
*
Lorelai is standing at the front desk, leafing through the employment files. Michel is finishing up a phone call.
Michel: I cannot believe you hired that man.
Lorelai: Believe it.
Michel: He must be thrilled.
Lorelai: I would be too, if I just got a job.
Michel: He must be thrilled to be within such close proximities as you.
Lorelai: Stop…
Michel: Oh, but I can't. I am having too much fun.
Lorelai: Stop…
Michel: He must be telling all of his friends as we speak.
Lorelai: Do you run through red lights too?
Michel: If you are the car next to me, yes.
Lorelai: The guy needed a job, Michel.
Michel: If you say so.
*
Rory and Jess are upstairs, in Luke's apartment. They are sitting down on the couch, talking.
Jess: You've been kind of quiet today…is something wrong?
Rory: No. I was just thinking.
Jess: Anything you'd like to share?
Rory: I was thinking about us.
Jess: I like the sound of that.
Rory: Me too.
Jess: Anything specific?
Rory: I just hope that we'll still be as close as we were before.
Jess: We're going out now, Rory. If anything, we'll be even closer.
Rory: You're right.
Jess: Are you worried about something?
Rory: No, no. I'm fine.
Rory and Jess smile at each other, one more uncertain than the other.
***
End of Part Four