Massive Author's Notes:
1. For all of the Dean fans reading this, I'm so sorry. I thought I could
portray Dean well, but I don't think I'm doing a very good job, mostly
because my own biases come into play, and I just can't stand him. My
Opinion: He's wishy-washy, whipped, and piney as all get-out, and I just
don't like him. I apologize.
2. I do not like, nor do I dislike Chris. But he is a pivotal part of Rory and Lorelei's lives, whether they like it or not. I haven't decided whether he'll be sticking around or not, and I'm trying to portray him in character. If I fail, again, I apologize.
3. I am NOT trying to portray Lorelei as a whore. She has guy issues. She's always had them on the show, and I'm trying to work with that. She and Chris have always been, and probably will always be connected. Though, in this, they probably won't wind up together. I don't know who she's going to wind up with. Maybe no one. Haven't decided yet. She winds up with who she winds up with.
4. I've been smacked with a wet fish. Chris's baby's name is Georgia. Scratch Cordelia. Let's pretend I wrote Georgia ;)
5. Minor spoilers from last night's ep. Lane's got her apartment.
Again, I'd like to thank everyone for the AWESOME feedback. It really helps me write, knowing people are reading. Thank you.
Okay. Phew! Onto actually story.
Rory knocked on the apartment door and waited. It opened and Lane stared Blearily. "Rory?"
*****
"Wow."
Rory nodded. "All of the sudden, I hear Mom come out of her room, and Dad come up the stairs and..."
"Wow."
"The smacking noise was horrifying."
"Did they try and get you not to leave?" Lane asked, leaning forward on the bed.
Rory sighed. "They were already in my mom's room by the time I left."
"Well, you can crash here as long as you want," Lane told her. "I'm sure the guys won't mind."
"Thanks," Rory replied.
"So, besides your parents doing horrifying things, how are you?"
Rory nodded. "Good. Weirded, but good."
"How's Jess?" Lane asked leeringly.
"Jess is..." she smiled at her best friend.
Lane laughed. "Spill!"
*****
"Hi, Mom."
"Where are you?!" Lorelei cried, almost dropping her cup of coffee as she stood in their kitchen.
"Lane's."
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
"You were a little busy, Mom."
Lorelei sighed and sat down at the table. "That loud, huh?"
"Sonic boom loud," Rory joked. "Grandma could hear you in Hartford. Jess's dad called from California, asking what all the racket was."
"Thanks."
"Where's Dad?"
"He took Georgia out for a walk," Lorelei sighed miserably. "I'm an idiot."
"What happened last night?" Rory asked. "I mean... what was that?"
"Me, being an idiot. Meet me at Luke's?"
*****
Rory and Lane walked in, just as Jess was pouring some coffee for a customer. Rory walked over to him and kissed his cheek as she snapped the coffee pot out of his hands.
Lane shrugged and followed her best friend over to the counter to sit down.
Jess looked down at his empty hands. "Huh."
"Jess, can I please get French toast?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, sure," Jess told her. He took the rest of his customer's order and then walked over to stand behind the counter.
"Hey!" Rory said smiling. "You're less limpy!"
Jess smirked a little. "Yeah. Getting better. So, French toast for milady. Lane?"
"Doughnut."
"Sprinkles?"
"Always."
Jess got to walk just as Lorelei walked in.
Luke zoomed around with a pot of coffee. "Lorelei!" He held up the pot, and she bolted to the counter and sat down next to Rory.
Luke passed the by Jess and handed him off the coffee pot, and he filled a mug for Lorelei.
"Ah," she sighed. "Y'know what's scary? I'm almost starting to tolerate you."
"The horror," Rory quipped. "You gonna let him call you 'Mom'?"
"Never."
"Ouch," Jess said his voice monotone. "I'm so hurt."
"You will be if you don't fill my mug," Rory snickered.
"Since when have you become so violent?" Lane asked.
"Since a couple of days ago," Jess replied. "She kicked me in the shin."
Lorelei gasped, as if she didn't already know. "You kicked an already crippled person? For shame!"
"He left me no choice," Rory pleaded. "He was being difficult, with his grumpy mac and cheese."
"That mac and cheese was damned good, by the way," Lorelei said. "Where'd you learn to cook like that?"
Jess shrugged. "Who else would cook for me?"
"Oh! I will!" Rory piped up.
"She really is abusive," Lane marveled. "I'd watch out. You could be dead by morning."
"Y'know what I was thinking?" Rory said suddenly.
"Dean needs to stop glaring at me through the window?" Jess asked.
Rory, Lane and Lorelei all turned to see Dean glaring. Rory turned back and looked down at her food. "That's not what I was thinking," she said quietly.
Jess sighed and leaned forward on his elbows. He kissed the top of her head. "Sorry. What were you thinking?"
She shook her head. "I'll tell you later."
He sighed. "Yeah."
"What is with Dean?" Lane asked. "When did he get all stalkery?"
Luke sighed. "He's been stalkery. Why am I the only one who notices things in this town?"
Lorelei's text message went off, and she read it. "Ugh. I gotta get to the inn." She got up. "Bye, kids." She kissed Rory's forehead, hugged Lane lightly, and reached over the counter to mess with Jess's hair. He couldn't quite dodge her hand, and gave her an annoyed glower.
"Bye, Luke!" Lorelei called, rushing to the door. She bumped right into Chris. "Oh."
"Hi," Chris said softly, as he wheeled Georgia's stroller in.
"Hi," Lorelei replied.
"Hi," Chris repeated.
"Hi."
"Salutations," Rory chimed in.
"Hi, Sweetie," Chris replied.
"Bye," Lorelei said.
"Bye," Chris replied.
"Au revoir."
"Shut up, Jess," Lorelei said as she left.
"Huh."
Chris sighed and took Lorelei's spot next to Rory. He slammed his head down on the counter.
"Hey," Jess complained. "I just cleaned that."
"No," Luke snapped. "I just cleaned that. You were staring at Rory."
"Still."
"That stare better have been above the neck," Chris warned.
Rory turned red. "Dad!"
He still didn't lift his head. "Sorry."
"Want coffee... Dad?" Jess asked.
"Rory?"
"Yes, Dad?"
"Tell your boyfriend that if he ever calls me that again, he'll be very, very sorry. And that I would love some coffee."
Rory shrugged at Jess, and he poured Chris some coffee.
"Oh. Me, too, please?" Rory asked.
"Nope," Jess shook his head.
Rory looked outraged.
"Two reasons."
"Which are?"
Jess held up an index finger. "One: you're gonna be so hyper you're bounce around like a pong ball."
"And two?" Rory asked.
"You're gonna be running for the bathroom all day."
"Am not," Rory replied. "More coffee, or your shin gets it."
Jess looked a little disturbed.
"I'd give it to her," Chris said. "Gilmores are lethal when you withhold their coffee."
Jess sighed and poured his girlfriend another cup.
*****
They walked through the park. Chris let Rory wheel Georgia's stroller.
"So," Chris sighed.
Rory nodded. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you using Mom?"
He gave her a startled look.
"Every time you come here, you turn her inside out," Rory went on. "And you leave again."
"Rory..."
"If you're using her... if she's your rebound from Sherry, it's not good," Rory told him. "You've been out of touch for months. Ever since Georgia was born."
"Is that what this is about?" Chris asked. "You're being jealous of Georgia?"
She stopped and turned to him. All she really wanted was a few phone calls, like she used to get. "You don't find it at all wrong that after Georgia was born you cut me out?"
"I didn't."
Rory nodded. "Okay. So where have you been?"
"It's been tough, Rory," Chris told her. He knew she was right, mostly. He'd lost touch.
"So? Maybe and Mom and I could have helped you when this first started. We could have baby-sat or... something! But you just show up after months of being out of touch, sleep with Mom and expect her to drop everything for you?"
Her words really stung him, and he looked straight ahead of them at the trees. "I almost did for her."
"Almost," Rory pointed out, her voice pleading. "You keep saying things, and making us promises that you can't or won't keep."
"I want us to be a family, Rory."
"You've said that before," she replied. "Don't ay it again until you mean it."
He could only watch her as she walked off.
*****
She felt conflicted as she walked down the street toward her house. She loved her father very much, but she didn't want her mother to be hurt by him again. She didn't want to be hurt by him again, either.
What if they got back together? Would it be right? Could they really work? Rory really doubted it. And it was sad. Damned sad. She never really said much, but she'd wanted her parents together in the past. She sniffed a little at this. It was a hopeless, childish dream, and it had to die. A tear slipped from her eyes and she sighed.
"Rory?"
She whirled around, and saw Dean. She sniffed. "Hi. What's up?"
"Are you alright?" he asked, taking a step closer to her.
She sniffed again and nodded. "Fine."
"No, you're not," Dean replied, obviously worried. He hated seeing her cry. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Dean," she repeated. "I gotta go."
"Was it Jess?"
She stopped and stared. Something in her snapped. She really couldn't handle this after the conversation she'd had with her father. "That's what you think about these days."
He looked confused.
"Instead of concentrating on the girl you married, and the job you have, you concentrate on Jess and I?"
"If he hurt you-"
"He didn't!" She cried. "Not everything is about Jess! Or what I do with Jess! Or how my relationship with Jess works! Or why I'm with Jess! And if you can't see that, then I pity you." For the second time that day, she stormed off. This time, in tears.
Right past the diner.
*****
Jess saw her run past the diner.
"Luke! Breaking!"
He rushed out the door and did his best to catch up with her. "Rory!"
She whirled around, still in tears.
He grimaced and walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her.
She just cried. It hadn't been a very good day.
*****
Lorelei was still trying to raise Rory on her cell phone hours later. Chris sat at the kitchen table, looking guilty. She hung up; once again, getting the same recorded "The number you have dialed is out of service at this time. Please try again later."
"Still nothing" Chris asked.
Lorelei sighed. "What was your first clue?"
"I'm still sorry."
"Yeah," Lorelei nodded. "What did you say to her?"
"That I wanted us to be a family."
"Chris..."
"Why is that so wrong?!"
Lorelei crossed her arms. "Because you've said that before, and the minute you found something better, you split."
Chris glared. "Sherry was pregnant. I was trying to do the right thing."
"I know, Chris," Lorelei sighed. "And it was the right thing. But it hurt Rory really badly, and you can't just expect her to jump into your arms yelling 'daddy!' when you come back."
Chris nodded.
"Rory is strong," Lorelei went on. "And Rory is smart and mature. But she's not indestructible. You're one of the few people who can reduce her to a puddle of messy."
Chris sighed and put his hands through his hair. "What about us?"
Lorelei shook her head. "I really don't know. I'm attached right now."
"Ah. Who's my competition?"
"Jason Stiles."
Chris laughed. Lorelei glared.
"He sounds like someone one of our fathers would work with."
"He is."
Chris was in shock. "You're dating one of Richard's partners?" He laughed.
Lorelei glared, picked up the phone again, and called Rory's cell phone. Hoping that wherever she had gone off to, she was alright.
2. I do not like, nor do I dislike Chris. But he is a pivotal part of Rory and Lorelei's lives, whether they like it or not. I haven't decided whether he'll be sticking around or not, and I'm trying to portray him in character. If I fail, again, I apologize.
3. I am NOT trying to portray Lorelei as a whore. She has guy issues. She's always had them on the show, and I'm trying to work with that. She and Chris have always been, and probably will always be connected. Though, in this, they probably won't wind up together. I don't know who she's going to wind up with. Maybe no one. Haven't decided yet. She winds up with who she winds up with.
4. I've been smacked with a wet fish. Chris's baby's name is Georgia. Scratch Cordelia. Let's pretend I wrote Georgia ;)
5. Minor spoilers from last night's ep. Lane's got her apartment.
Again, I'd like to thank everyone for the AWESOME feedback. It really helps me write, knowing people are reading. Thank you.
Okay. Phew! Onto actually story.
Rory knocked on the apartment door and waited. It opened and Lane stared Blearily. "Rory?"
*****
"Wow."
Rory nodded. "All of the sudden, I hear Mom come out of her room, and Dad come up the stairs and..."
"Wow."
"The smacking noise was horrifying."
"Did they try and get you not to leave?" Lane asked, leaning forward on the bed.
Rory sighed. "They were already in my mom's room by the time I left."
"Well, you can crash here as long as you want," Lane told her. "I'm sure the guys won't mind."
"Thanks," Rory replied.
"So, besides your parents doing horrifying things, how are you?"
Rory nodded. "Good. Weirded, but good."
"How's Jess?" Lane asked leeringly.
"Jess is..." she smiled at her best friend.
Lane laughed. "Spill!"
*****
"Hi, Mom."
"Where are you?!" Lorelei cried, almost dropping her cup of coffee as she stood in their kitchen.
"Lane's."
"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
"You were a little busy, Mom."
Lorelei sighed and sat down at the table. "That loud, huh?"
"Sonic boom loud," Rory joked. "Grandma could hear you in Hartford. Jess's dad called from California, asking what all the racket was."
"Thanks."
"Where's Dad?"
"He took Georgia out for a walk," Lorelei sighed miserably. "I'm an idiot."
"What happened last night?" Rory asked. "I mean... what was that?"
"Me, being an idiot. Meet me at Luke's?"
*****
Rory and Lane walked in, just as Jess was pouring some coffee for a customer. Rory walked over to him and kissed his cheek as she snapped the coffee pot out of his hands.
Lane shrugged and followed her best friend over to the counter to sit down.
Jess looked down at his empty hands. "Huh."
"Jess, can I please get French toast?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, sure," Jess told her. He took the rest of his customer's order and then walked over to stand behind the counter.
"Hey!" Rory said smiling. "You're less limpy!"
Jess smirked a little. "Yeah. Getting better. So, French toast for milady. Lane?"
"Doughnut."
"Sprinkles?"
"Always."
Jess got to walk just as Lorelei walked in.
Luke zoomed around with a pot of coffee. "Lorelei!" He held up the pot, and she bolted to the counter and sat down next to Rory.
Luke passed the by Jess and handed him off the coffee pot, and he filled a mug for Lorelei.
"Ah," she sighed. "Y'know what's scary? I'm almost starting to tolerate you."
"The horror," Rory quipped. "You gonna let him call you 'Mom'?"
"Never."
"Ouch," Jess said his voice monotone. "I'm so hurt."
"You will be if you don't fill my mug," Rory snickered.
"Since when have you become so violent?" Lane asked.
"Since a couple of days ago," Jess replied. "She kicked me in the shin."
Lorelei gasped, as if she didn't already know. "You kicked an already crippled person? For shame!"
"He left me no choice," Rory pleaded. "He was being difficult, with his grumpy mac and cheese."
"That mac and cheese was damned good, by the way," Lorelei said. "Where'd you learn to cook like that?"
Jess shrugged. "Who else would cook for me?"
"Oh! I will!" Rory piped up.
"She really is abusive," Lane marveled. "I'd watch out. You could be dead by morning."
"Y'know what I was thinking?" Rory said suddenly.
"Dean needs to stop glaring at me through the window?" Jess asked.
Rory, Lane and Lorelei all turned to see Dean glaring. Rory turned back and looked down at her food. "That's not what I was thinking," she said quietly.
Jess sighed and leaned forward on his elbows. He kissed the top of her head. "Sorry. What were you thinking?"
She shook her head. "I'll tell you later."
He sighed. "Yeah."
"What is with Dean?" Lane asked. "When did he get all stalkery?"
Luke sighed. "He's been stalkery. Why am I the only one who notices things in this town?"
Lorelei's text message went off, and she read it. "Ugh. I gotta get to the inn." She got up. "Bye, kids." She kissed Rory's forehead, hugged Lane lightly, and reached over the counter to mess with Jess's hair. He couldn't quite dodge her hand, and gave her an annoyed glower.
"Bye, Luke!" Lorelei called, rushing to the door. She bumped right into Chris. "Oh."
"Hi," Chris said softly, as he wheeled Georgia's stroller in.
"Hi," Lorelei replied.
"Hi," Chris repeated.
"Hi."
"Salutations," Rory chimed in.
"Hi, Sweetie," Chris replied.
"Bye," Lorelei said.
"Bye," Chris replied.
"Au revoir."
"Shut up, Jess," Lorelei said as she left.
"Huh."
Chris sighed and took Lorelei's spot next to Rory. He slammed his head down on the counter.
"Hey," Jess complained. "I just cleaned that."
"No," Luke snapped. "I just cleaned that. You were staring at Rory."
"Still."
"That stare better have been above the neck," Chris warned.
Rory turned red. "Dad!"
He still didn't lift his head. "Sorry."
"Want coffee... Dad?" Jess asked.
"Rory?"
"Yes, Dad?"
"Tell your boyfriend that if he ever calls me that again, he'll be very, very sorry. And that I would love some coffee."
Rory shrugged at Jess, and he poured Chris some coffee.
"Oh. Me, too, please?" Rory asked.
"Nope," Jess shook his head.
Rory looked outraged.
"Two reasons."
"Which are?"
Jess held up an index finger. "One: you're gonna be so hyper you're bounce around like a pong ball."
"And two?" Rory asked.
"You're gonna be running for the bathroom all day."
"Am not," Rory replied. "More coffee, or your shin gets it."
Jess looked a little disturbed.
"I'd give it to her," Chris said. "Gilmores are lethal when you withhold their coffee."
Jess sighed and poured his girlfriend another cup.
*****
They walked through the park. Chris let Rory wheel Georgia's stroller.
"So," Chris sighed.
Rory nodded. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you using Mom?"
He gave her a startled look.
"Every time you come here, you turn her inside out," Rory went on. "And you leave again."
"Rory..."
"If you're using her... if she's your rebound from Sherry, it's not good," Rory told him. "You've been out of touch for months. Ever since Georgia was born."
"Is that what this is about?" Chris asked. "You're being jealous of Georgia?"
She stopped and turned to him. All she really wanted was a few phone calls, like she used to get. "You don't find it at all wrong that after Georgia was born you cut me out?"
"I didn't."
Rory nodded. "Okay. So where have you been?"
"It's been tough, Rory," Chris told her. He knew she was right, mostly. He'd lost touch.
"So? Maybe and Mom and I could have helped you when this first started. We could have baby-sat or... something! But you just show up after months of being out of touch, sleep with Mom and expect her to drop everything for you?"
Her words really stung him, and he looked straight ahead of them at the trees. "I almost did for her."
"Almost," Rory pointed out, her voice pleading. "You keep saying things, and making us promises that you can't or won't keep."
"I want us to be a family, Rory."
"You've said that before," she replied. "Don't ay it again until you mean it."
He could only watch her as she walked off.
*****
She felt conflicted as she walked down the street toward her house. She loved her father very much, but she didn't want her mother to be hurt by him again. She didn't want to be hurt by him again, either.
What if they got back together? Would it be right? Could they really work? Rory really doubted it. And it was sad. Damned sad. She never really said much, but she'd wanted her parents together in the past. She sniffed a little at this. It was a hopeless, childish dream, and it had to die. A tear slipped from her eyes and she sighed.
"Rory?"
She whirled around, and saw Dean. She sniffed. "Hi. What's up?"
"Are you alright?" he asked, taking a step closer to her.
She sniffed again and nodded. "Fine."
"No, you're not," Dean replied, obviously worried. He hated seeing her cry. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Dean," she repeated. "I gotta go."
"Was it Jess?"
She stopped and stared. Something in her snapped. She really couldn't handle this after the conversation she'd had with her father. "That's what you think about these days."
He looked confused.
"Instead of concentrating on the girl you married, and the job you have, you concentrate on Jess and I?"
"If he hurt you-"
"He didn't!" She cried. "Not everything is about Jess! Or what I do with Jess! Or how my relationship with Jess works! Or why I'm with Jess! And if you can't see that, then I pity you." For the second time that day, she stormed off. This time, in tears.
Right past the diner.
*****
Jess saw her run past the diner.
"Luke! Breaking!"
He rushed out the door and did his best to catch up with her. "Rory!"
She whirled around, still in tears.
He grimaced and walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her.
She just cried. It hadn't been a very good day.
*****
Lorelei was still trying to raise Rory on her cell phone hours later. Chris sat at the kitchen table, looking guilty. She hung up; once again, getting the same recorded "The number you have dialed is out of service at this time. Please try again later."
"Still nothing" Chris asked.
Lorelei sighed. "What was your first clue?"
"I'm still sorry."
"Yeah," Lorelei nodded. "What did you say to her?"
"That I wanted us to be a family."
"Chris..."
"Why is that so wrong?!"
Lorelei crossed her arms. "Because you've said that before, and the minute you found something better, you split."
Chris glared. "Sherry was pregnant. I was trying to do the right thing."
"I know, Chris," Lorelei sighed. "And it was the right thing. But it hurt Rory really badly, and you can't just expect her to jump into your arms yelling 'daddy!' when you come back."
Chris nodded.
"Rory is strong," Lorelei went on. "And Rory is smart and mature. But she's not indestructible. You're one of the few people who can reduce her to a puddle of messy."
Chris sighed and put his hands through his hair. "What about us?"
Lorelei shook her head. "I really don't know. I'm attached right now."
"Ah. Who's my competition?"
"Jason Stiles."
Chris laughed. Lorelei glared.
"He sounds like someone one of our fathers would work with."
"He is."
Chris was in shock. "You're dating one of Richard's partners?" He laughed.
Lorelei glared, picked up the phone again, and called Rory's cell phone. Hoping that wherever she had gone off to, she was alright.