DISCLAIMER: I own neither the show nor the characters of the Gilmore Girls.
Just the messed up way in which I am portraying them.
After Luke had left for school Monday morning, Jess sat with a notebook and a pen as he manned the café. Mondays were especially slow days, and Jess didn't have any help until the midafternoon. He had two days to get his first sample review done and to Rory. Seeing as he had to man the register and food, he pulled up a chair to the counter and worked on his review. He had been writing rather furiously for an hour uninterrupted when the bell over the door rang. He didn't bother to look up, as the ringing barely registered in his conscious mind. As a matter of fact, it wasn't until five minutes later until he heard a familiar cough that he looked up and noticed Rory slumped in a chair.
"Geez, make a noise."
"Sorry."
"You want some coffee?"
"I guess so."
"Um, Rory?"
"Yeah?" she looked up at him at last. Worry lines creased his forehead and he put his notebook down as he came out from around the counter to approach her.
"Are you okay?"
"Sure, why do you ask?"
He wanted to laugh out loud at her question, but he instead knelt down in front of her and started ticking off the oddities on his hand for her.
"One, you're about an hour later than you ever show up in a morning. Two, you came in here and were silent for five straight minutes. Three, and possibly most concerning to me, is that you seem to be indifferent to coffee," he continued to look at her as she wrung her hands, staring at them as if they were fascinating. "You aren't pregnant, are you?"
"God, Jess, no!"
"Well, what else would make you say no to coffee?"
"I didn't say no to coffee when I was pregnant."
"That explains so much."
"We're going to be having a visitor."
"Is that code for some sort of feminine hygiene problem?"
"Christopher."
"Christopher?"
"Lorelai's dad."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"So, this is a bad thing?"
Rory laughed coldly. "This is a never before happened thing. This is a never in the world would I have thought would happen thing. This is a him imposing on my life in the biggest way and my mother flaunting it in my face thing."
Jess winced as Rory got more and more worked up. He put a hand on her knee, which calmed her a little. If nothing else, it shocked her into a false quieted moment. She looked at his hand and shook her head.
"I shouldn't have told him he could stay, I was so—surprised. No, aghast, that's a better word. That's the perfect word, aghast," she rambled.
"So, call me crazy, but when he shows up, why don't you just give him the number of the Inn?"
"Well, I guess, I mean, ... it's just that I've already told him it was okay. I don't want him to know this freaks me out."
"Who would possibly think this was freaking you out?" he scoffed.
"Stop it."
"Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I'm taking the day off, personal day, whatever."
"Why, Ms. Gilmore, what kind of example are you setting for your prospective employees?"
"How is the sample coming?"
"It's coming. I'll have it by Wednesday, as promised. Where do you want to go, by the way?"
"Huh?"
"The business dinner, to talk about the sample review?"
"Oh, oh, right, right."
"I mean, I can understand if you need to blow it off, with all the stuff you've got going on."
"No, no, no. Definitely not. Work comes first."
He nodded, standing up again.
"Besides, I mean, it'll be nice to get out of the insanity with a friend," she added.
He smiled and walked behind the counter. He poured a to-go cup of coffee and handed it to her.
"Here's some coffee, now get out. I need to work on my review."
She smiled and took a sip before leaving Jess to work in peace. She wandered about the town, remembering exactly why she had settled her so long ago with Lorelai. The comfort, the safety, the beauty of it. The smell of the leaves in fall. The first snowfall of the year. The way everyone looked out for one another, whether it drove people crazy or not. She reveled in her security, taking her time on her way to the Inn to see Sookie and see if there was any room in the Inn this week.
At Chilton Preparatory Academy, Lorelai wasn't feeling quite herself. She was going from class to class, not really stopping to chat with friends between classes, and actually ducking into bathrooms to avoid people. She made it through lunch and was almost to her next to last class when two arms pulled her backwards and turned her so her back was up against the lockers.
"Hey!" she admonished the blonde that had pulled her off her track.
"Long time no see."
"Tristan, I'm going to be late for class."
"It's right there and you have five more minutes."
"Well, I need to get a good seat."
"What, so you can barely pay attention and chew on the end of your pen all period?"
"You know--," she started, but he cut her off.
"Did I do something to piss you off? 'Cause last time I saw you, I thought we were getting closer."
"We were--,"
"Then I don't understand. Enlighten me as to what is going on with you!"
"God, Tristan, not everything is about you!" she huffed, as she turned and stomped off to her class. He sank against the lockers, banging his head against them softly. He pulled back after a moment, and turned to go to his class as well.
As Lorelai stepped off the bus, she immediately saw her mother sitting on the bench at the bus stop. She was reading a rather thick book, as per her usual, and had two coffee cups next to her. She looked up and saw Lorelai and waved her over.
"Hey, thanks."
"Well, I thought we could both use some extra caffeine."
"Definitely."
"So, how was your day?"
Lorelai shrugged. "It sort of sucked."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Tristan sort of cornered me and was a jerk about how quiet I was, I just didn't feel like talking to anyone and he took it as some sort of personal affront."
"I'm sure things will calm down. I know this is going to be weird for you, but if you need to talk about anything at all, I'm around, feeling just as weird. I promise," Rory smiled at her daughter.
"Thanks. Can we go home, I'd like Dad to see me in something that doesn't scream Catholic school girl."
"Let's go. We have another hour 'til he said he would be at the house, so barring a true fashion emergency, we should be set."
"How was work?" Lorelai asked as they made their way towards the house.
"I uh, didn't go in. I took a personal day."
"So, you're freaking out too, huh?"
"Yeah, you might say that."
They got quiet as they walked towards the house. Lorelai ran into her room to change and Rory picked out a Bangles CD and turned the volume up loud. She danced around the house, trying to release the over abundance of energy she had in her. Lorelai came out and giggled at her mother.
"What about dinner?" she shouted over the music.
"Whatever you want!"
"Really?"
"Yep!"
"I'll order from Al's."
"Sounds good!"
When Chris pulled up outside the house, he saw the mailbox read 'Gilmore'. He knew he had the right house; he was even right on time. He was slightly nervous until he saw Rory bopping around in the front room. That was definitely her, the same old Rory. He smiled and walked up to the front door and rang the bell.
"I'll get it, it must be the food!" Lorelai's voice cried out over what was definitely the chorus to 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. She pulled open the door and stood a little in surprise.
"Dad!"
"Hey, kiddo."
She hugged her father, excited to see him. She stepped back and allowed him to come in, as Rory hurriedly turned down the music and stepped up to the entryway.
"Chris," Rory nodded.
"Hey, Ror, you look amazing."
"Thanks. Um, I hope you're hungry, Lorelai ordered a ton of food that should be here any moment."
"Food sounds great. Is there somewhere I can put my stuff?"
"Actually, I need to talk to you about that. I think it might be easier, if you stay at the Inn, it's close by, and I can get you a cheap rate. My best friend works there, as the chef. The food's incredible."
"Oh, well, if you think that's best."
"You'll be more comfortable. And I never did learn to cook, so if you hope to eat good food, I'd go there."
"Right."
Lorelai looked at her parents as they talked, and twirled a random piece of hair around her finger. She coughed and stepped up so both her parents could see her.
"So, Dad how was the trip from California?"
"It was amazing. You guys should do a cross country road trip sometime."
"That would be cool. We're doing a backpacking trip to Europe when I graduate from high school!" Lorelai informed him.
"Really?" he raised an eyebrow at Rory. "You're going backpacking? Roughing it?"
"I can rough it!"
"Right. Take lots of pictures of that," he laughed to Lorelai.
Rory stuck her tongue out at Christopher and moved to get the door as someone knocked at it. Grabbing her purse, she opened the door to see yet again, not the food, but a man. Well, a boy. Tristan, the one reason for her daughter going on the pill. She wanted to growl and have a true Ally McBeal moment, but instead she just looked at him expectantly.
"Hi, Ms., I mean, Rory. Is Lorelai home?"
"Yeah, she is. Hang on."
Rory leaned back to see that Lorelai had in fact heard Tristan at the door. She moved to show Chris around the house, despite his efforts to find out what was going on. She won, pulling him up the stairs by his ear. Lorelai moved in front of Tristan, who was still standing in the entryway.
"Hi."
"Hey."
"I wasn't sure you wanted to see me, after today and all."
"I just, wanted to be alone."
"Okay."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, I get that. People need alone time, it's fine. I just wished you had come to me and told me that first."
"I've just got a lot going on here."
"Okay, I get it. I'll go. But if you feel like talking, I'm here, okay?"
Lorelai let out a long sigh and looked up at him. "It's just, my dad is here. He's never been here, and I'm trying to sort out how I feel about it. It had nothing to do with you, or what we did on Saturday, I promise."
"Good. Just, promise to call me if you want to talk, or just anything."
"I promise."
He nodded and leaned down to kiss her cheek. She smiled at him and he backed up and turned to open the door.
"Tristan?" she called to him, causing him to turn back slightly.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"Anytime. I'll see you in school."
"Yeah."
She stood there, staring through the door as he let himself out. She knew this boy was definitely growing on her, and it was sweet of him to come out and check on her. Meanwhile, her parents were upstairs, her mom trying to shush her father.
"Who is that?"
"It's her boyfriend."
"She has a boyfriend? Since when?"
"A couple of weeks now."
"So, nothing serious."
"Well, I wouldn't say that."
"How serious can it be? Two weeks?"
"It's got a potential to be serious."
"Is there something I should know?"
"She's going on the pill."
"What?"
"Chris, she's sixteen. Better safe than sorry."
"This can't be happening."
"Well, miraculously, babies grow up to be teenagers. It happens and it's happening here. Get a grip," she informed him.
"I just, I still think of her as being five. When her little hand fit inside mine."
"I repeat, she's sixteen. And she's fine. The guy seems okay. I haven't spent a lot of quality time with him yet, but she's crazy about him. She doesn't get crazy about guys a lot."
"Well, thank God for small wonders."
Rory looked at Chris, who was now smiling after having moments before looked like he was about to have a stroke.
"It's nice that you're here. Why are you here?"
"To see Lorelai. My parents are in town too. And, I just, missed you."
"Chris," Rory said softly.
"You don't miss me?"
"We just can't go there. I'm glad you want to see Lorelai. But that's got to be your only reason, okay?"
Chris nodded, though he didn't look completely pleased with Rory's request. They made their way downstairs when they heard Lorelai yell that the food was there. They joined her to eat, and afterwards the girls walked Chris over to the Inn. Lorelai hugged him again and told him how good it was to see him. Rory promised to meet him for lunch, and they left for home. They were quiet for a moment, and Rory looked over to see a dreamy expression on her daughter's face.
"What happened with Tristan?"
"Oh, he just wanted to make sure I was okay, and to clear up the misunderstanding we had."
"That's nice of him."
"Yeah."
"So, your dad pumped me for information."
"Oh God, what did you tell him?"
"Nothing much. Just that he was the boyfriend, to which your dad cried over the fact that you were out of diapers and speaking in full sentences!"
"Geez, parents are strange."
"Hey, I'm your parent too."
"Sorry, you're cool."
"I know. He's happy to see you."
"Is that the only reason he's here?"
"Yeah, hon, it is."
"Is that how you want it to be?"
"Lorelai, I really don't want you to read into this stuff that isn't there."
"I know it hasn't ever worked out for you guys in the past, but you never know right?"
Rory sighed and leaned her head on Lorelai's shoulder. "Yeah, I guess you never know."
After Luke had left for school Monday morning, Jess sat with a notebook and a pen as he manned the café. Mondays were especially slow days, and Jess didn't have any help until the midafternoon. He had two days to get his first sample review done and to Rory. Seeing as he had to man the register and food, he pulled up a chair to the counter and worked on his review. He had been writing rather furiously for an hour uninterrupted when the bell over the door rang. He didn't bother to look up, as the ringing barely registered in his conscious mind. As a matter of fact, it wasn't until five minutes later until he heard a familiar cough that he looked up and noticed Rory slumped in a chair.
"Geez, make a noise."
"Sorry."
"You want some coffee?"
"I guess so."
"Um, Rory?"
"Yeah?" she looked up at him at last. Worry lines creased his forehead and he put his notebook down as he came out from around the counter to approach her.
"Are you okay?"
"Sure, why do you ask?"
He wanted to laugh out loud at her question, but he instead knelt down in front of her and started ticking off the oddities on his hand for her.
"One, you're about an hour later than you ever show up in a morning. Two, you came in here and were silent for five straight minutes. Three, and possibly most concerning to me, is that you seem to be indifferent to coffee," he continued to look at her as she wrung her hands, staring at them as if they were fascinating. "You aren't pregnant, are you?"
"God, Jess, no!"
"Well, what else would make you say no to coffee?"
"I didn't say no to coffee when I was pregnant."
"That explains so much."
"We're going to be having a visitor."
"Is that code for some sort of feminine hygiene problem?"
"Christopher."
"Christopher?"
"Lorelai's dad."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"So, this is a bad thing?"
Rory laughed coldly. "This is a never before happened thing. This is a never in the world would I have thought would happen thing. This is a him imposing on my life in the biggest way and my mother flaunting it in my face thing."
Jess winced as Rory got more and more worked up. He put a hand on her knee, which calmed her a little. If nothing else, it shocked her into a false quieted moment. She looked at his hand and shook her head.
"I shouldn't have told him he could stay, I was so—surprised. No, aghast, that's a better word. That's the perfect word, aghast," she rambled.
"So, call me crazy, but when he shows up, why don't you just give him the number of the Inn?"
"Well, I guess, I mean, ... it's just that I've already told him it was okay. I don't want him to know this freaks me out."
"Who would possibly think this was freaking you out?" he scoffed.
"Stop it."
"Shouldn't you be at work?"
"I'm taking the day off, personal day, whatever."
"Why, Ms. Gilmore, what kind of example are you setting for your prospective employees?"
"How is the sample coming?"
"It's coming. I'll have it by Wednesday, as promised. Where do you want to go, by the way?"
"Huh?"
"The business dinner, to talk about the sample review?"
"Oh, oh, right, right."
"I mean, I can understand if you need to blow it off, with all the stuff you've got going on."
"No, no, no. Definitely not. Work comes first."
He nodded, standing up again.
"Besides, I mean, it'll be nice to get out of the insanity with a friend," she added.
He smiled and walked behind the counter. He poured a to-go cup of coffee and handed it to her.
"Here's some coffee, now get out. I need to work on my review."
She smiled and took a sip before leaving Jess to work in peace. She wandered about the town, remembering exactly why she had settled her so long ago with Lorelai. The comfort, the safety, the beauty of it. The smell of the leaves in fall. The first snowfall of the year. The way everyone looked out for one another, whether it drove people crazy or not. She reveled in her security, taking her time on her way to the Inn to see Sookie and see if there was any room in the Inn this week.
At Chilton Preparatory Academy, Lorelai wasn't feeling quite herself. She was going from class to class, not really stopping to chat with friends between classes, and actually ducking into bathrooms to avoid people. She made it through lunch and was almost to her next to last class when two arms pulled her backwards and turned her so her back was up against the lockers.
"Hey!" she admonished the blonde that had pulled her off her track.
"Long time no see."
"Tristan, I'm going to be late for class."
"It's right there and you have five more minutes."
"Well, I need to get a good seat."
"What, so you can barely pay attention and chew on the end of your pen all period?"
"You know--," she started, but he cut her off.
"Did I do something to piss you off? 'Cause last time I saw you, I thought we were getting closer."
"We were--,"
"Then I don't understand. Enlighten me as to what is going on with you!"
"God, Tristan, not everything is about you!" she huffed, as she turned and stomped off to her class. He sank against the lockers, banging his head against them softly. He pulled back after a moment, and turned to go to his class as well.
As Lorelai stepped off the bus, she immediately saw her mother sitting on the bench at the bus stop. She was reading a rather thick book, as per her usual, and had two coffee cups next to her. She looked up and saw Lorelai and waved her over.
"Hey, thanks."
"Well, I thought we could both use some extra caffeine."
"Definitely."
"So, how was your day?"
Lorelai shrugged. "It sort of sucked."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Tristan sort of cornered me and was a jerk about how quiet I was, I just didn't feel like talking to anyone and he took it as some sort of personal affront."
"I'm sure things will calm down. I know this is going to be weird for you, but if you need to talk about anything at all, I'm around, feeling just as weird. I promise," Rory smiled at her daughter.
"Thanks. Can we go home, I'd like Dad to see me in something that doesn't scream Catholic school girl."
"Let's go. We have another hour 'til he said he would be at the house, so barring a true fashion emergency, we should be set."
"How was work?" Lorelai asked as they made their way towards the house.
"I uh, didn't go in. I took a personal day."
"So, you're freaking out too, huh?"
"Yeah, you might say that."
They got quiet as they walked towards the house. Lorelai ran into her room to change and Rory picked out a Bangles CD and turned the volume up loud. She danced around the house, trying to release the over abundance of energy she had in her. Lorelai came out and giggled at her mother.
"What about dinner?" she shouted over the music.
"Whatever you want!"
"Really?"
"Yep!"
"I'll order from Al's."
"Sounds good!"
When Chris pulled up outside the house, he saw the mailbox read 'Gilmore'. He knew he had the right house; he was even right on time. He was slightly nervous until he saw Rory bopping around in the front room. That was definitely her, the same old Rory. He smiled and walked up to the front door and rang the bell.
"I'll get it, it must be the food!" Lorelai's voice cried out over what was definitely the chorus to 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. She pulled open the door and stood a little in surprise.
"Dad!"
"Hey, kiddo."
She hugged her father, excited to see him. She stepped back and allowed him to come in, as Rory hurriedly turned down the music and stepped up to the entryway.
"Chris," Rory nodded.
"Hey, Ror, you look amazing."
"Thanks. Um, I hope you're hungry, Lorelai ordered a ton of food that should be here any moment."
"Food sounds great. Is there somewhere I can put my stuff?"
"Actually, I need to talk to you about that. I think it might be easier, if you stay at the Inn, it's close by, and I can get you a cheap rate. My best friend works there, as the chef. The food's incredible."
"Oh, well, if you think that's best."
"You'll be more comfortable. And I never did learn to cook, so if you hope to eat good food, I'd go there."
"Right."
Lorelai looked at her parents as they talked, and twirled a random piece of hair around her finger. She coughed and stepped up so both her parents could see her.
"So, Dad how was the trip from California?"
"It was amazing. You guys should do a cross country road trip sometime."
"That would be cool. We're doing a backpacking trip to Europe when I graduate from high school!" Lorelai informed him.
"Really?" he raised an eyebrow at Rory. "You're going backpacking? Roughing it?"
"I can rough it!"
"Right. Take lots of pictures of that," he laughed to Lorelai.
Rory stuck her tongue out at Christopher and moved to get the door as someone knocked at it. Grabbing her purse, she opened the door to see yet again, not the food, but a man. Well, a boy. Tristan, the one reason for her daughter going on the pill. She wanted to growl and have a true Ally McBeal moment, but instead she just looked at him expectantly.
"Hi, Ms., I mean, Rory. Is Lorelai home?"
"Yeah, she is. Hang on."
Rory leaned back to see that Lorelai had in fact heard Tristan at the door. She moved to show Chris around the house, despite his efforts to find out what was going on. She won, pulling him up the stairs by his ear. Lorelai moved in front of Tristan, who was still standing in the entryway.
"Hi."
"Hey."
"I wasn't sure you wanted to see me, after today and all."
"I just, wanted to be alone."
"Okay."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I mean, I get that. People need alone time, it's fine. I just wished you had come to me and told me that first."
"I've just got a lot going on here."
"Okay, I get it. I'll go. But if you feel like talking, I'm here, okay?"
Lorelai let out a long sigh and looked up at him. "It's just, my dad is here. He's never been here, and I'm trying to sort out how I feel about it. It had nothing to do with you, or what we did on Saturday, I promise."
"Good. Just, promise to call me if you want to talk, or just anything."
"I promise."
He nodded and leaned down to kiss her cheek. She smiled at him and he backed up and turned to open the door.
"Tristan?" she called to him, causing him to turn back slightly.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"Anytime. I'll see you in school."
"Yeah."
She stood there, staring through the door as he let himself out. She knew this boy was definitely growing on her, and it was sweet of him to come out and check on her. Meanwhile, her parents were upstairs, her mom trying to shush her father.
"Who is that?"
"It's her boyfriend."
"She has a boyfriend? Since when?"
"A couple of weeks now."
"So, nothing serious."
"Well, I wouldn't say that."
"How serious can it be? Two weeks?"
"It's got a potential to be serious."
"Is there something I should know?"
"She's going on the pill."
"What?"
"Chris, she's sixteen. Better safe than sorry."
"This can't be happening."
"Well, miraculously, babies grow up to be teenagers. It happens and it's happening here. Get a grip," she informed him.
"I just, I still think of her as being five. When her little hand fit inside mine."
"I repeat, she's sixteen. And she's fine. The guy seems okay. I haven't spent a lot of quality time with him yet, but she's crazy about him. She doesn't get crazy about guys a lot."
"Well, thank God for small wonders."
Rory looked at Chris, who was now smiling after having moments before looked like he was about to have a stroke.
"It's nice that you're here. Why are you here?"
"To see Lorelai. My parents are in town too. And, I just, missed you."
"Chris," Rory said softly.
"You don't miss me?"
"We just can't go there. I'm glad you want to see Lorelai. But that's got to be your only reason, okay?"
Chris nodded, though he didn't look completely pleased with Rory's request. They made their way downstairs when they heard Lorelai yell that the food was there. They joined her to eat, and afterwards the girls walked Chris over to the Inn. Lorelai hugged him again and told him how good it was to see him. Rory promised to meet him for lunch, and they left for home. They were quiet for a moment, and Rory looked over to see a dreamy expression on her daughter's face.
"What happened with Tristan?"
"Oh, he just wanted to make sure I was okay, and to clear up the misunderstanding we had."
"That's nice of him."
"Yeah."
"So, your dad pumped me for information."
"Oh God, what did you tell him?"
"Nothing much. Just that he was the boyfriend, to which your dad cried over the fact that you were out of diapers and speaking in full sentences!"
"Geez, parents are strange."
"Hey, I'm your parent too."
"Sorry, you're cool."
"I know. He's happy to see you."
"Is that the only reason he's here?"
"Yeah, hon, it is."
"Is that how you want it to be?"
"Lorelai, I really don't want you to read into this stuff that isn't there."
"I know it hasn't ever worked out for you guys in the past, but you never know right?"
Rory sighed and leaned her head on Lorelai's shoulder. "Yeah, I guess you never know."