DISCLAIMER: I own neither the show nor the characters of the Gilmore Girls.
Just the messed up way in which I am portraying them.
AN: Blushes with happiness, pride and awe: Just checked out the Proud and Prejudiced Fanfic awards, and saw that this little fic got nominated in two categories! Don't know who did it, but I'm very honored, probably undeserving, but over the moon! So thanks to the wonderful person who made my day/week/month! If you've never checked out that site, I highly recommend it; tons of awesome fics get nominated. Anyhow, I'm done ranting, but not done blushing. On with the next chapter.
They sat around the living room, passing Chinese food cartons in bouts of awkward conversation that interrupted even more drawn out awkward silences. Jess and Rory sat on the couch next to Lorelai. Tristan sat on the footstool next to Lorelai and Luke sat in a chair, pulled up on the other side of the coffee table. They'd already discussed various town events, the test that Lorelai and Tristan were studying for and were now back to silence.
Tristan stood, excusing himself to refresh his drink. Lorelai downed the rest of her soda and quickly followed him. She found him resting his lean frame against the closed refrigerator. Smiling, she walked up next to him.
"You know, it works better if you open the door first."
"I should just go."
"What? No, you're here to study."
"Well, obviously we're not getting any studying done with the entire menu from Emperial Gardens in your living room and local business owners over for a chat."
"I didn't know Mom invited Jess over—and Luke comes with Jess," she explained.
"It's fine, it's just probably not the time."
"No, we're done eating. I'll just excuse us to study in my room."
"Somehow I don't think that'll fly."
"Just, grab your book bag and go to my room, I'll take care of it."
"What ever the lady wants," he said, moving to the entryway.
"Hey, guys, since we're done with food, Tristan and I are going to hit the books, okay?"
Rory looked up, still chewing a mouthful of garlic chicken. She swallowed quickly and opened her mouth to protest.
"Isn't your test Friday?"
"Yeah."
"So, you need to study now?"
"Mom, he came all the way out here. We'll just be in my room."
Rory looked to Jess, who gave an unopinionated look, then turned his attention to the fried rice. She sighed and nodded.
"Fine, just remember it's a school night. He needs to be out of here by 9," she reminded.
"That's fine. See you guys," she said to Luke and Jess.
Jess and Luke nodded as she turned and headed back to join Tristan in her room. Rory frowned and looked back at Jess, who shrugged. Luke looked from one to the other, and put his steamed vegetable carton, something no one else had requested to try, down on the coffee table.
"So, uh, can I get out of here?"
"You don't want to stay?" Rory asked. Jess let out a stifled laugh.
"Being on a date with my uncle? Yeah, seriously, can I get out of here?"
"Go. Don't do anything stupid," Jess advised, waving him on. He left in a matter of seconds, as per usual when in the vicinity of Jess and Rory.
Rory looked towards the closing door and sank back against Jess.
"Does he not like me?"
Jess smiled and put his arm around Rory. "I think it's more of a dislike of seeing his uncle on a date. Don't take it personally."
"He flees every time I'm around," she pointed out.
"That's because we're always doing this," he said, kissing her neck. She smiled, moving into him before realizing where they were. And who else was there. She pulled back a little, and he sighed.
"Jess, it's like seven o'clock on a Monday. Lorelai is in her bedroom right now, studying."
"Point?"
"We can't just make out here," she chastised.
"We're adults, we can do whatever we want. They're the ones that shouldn't be locked in a bedroom," he pointed out.
"I hate you," she stuck out her tongue.
"No, you don't," he smiled, moving back to capture her lips with his. She enjoyed the kiss, letting herself be swept away in the still new sensations. She couldn't believe the feelings this man, her friend of all these years, invoked in her. She forgot everything in her life and just focused on the feel of his soft lips moving demandingly against her own.
"So, you seem pretty prepared for this test," Tristan added as he answered her last quiz question.
"It's all this studying. It makes me confident," she assured him.
"I'm starting to think you had ulterior motives for asking me to study."
"I don't have ulterior motives."
"Really?" he asked, leaning across the papers and books that separated them on the bed.
"I asked you to study. We're studying."
"I'm tired of studying," he whispered, moving his lips against hers. She responded to the kiss, encouraging him on. He moved the papers off the bed in one swift motion and scooted closer to her.
"Really?"
"Mmhmm," he murmured, leaning further over her so she was forced back against her pillows.
"Mhhmmm," she returned, letting him cover her, as he got comfortable.
"So, can I stay over tonight?" Jess murmured in her ear as he lay over her on the couch.
"I, uh, oh, keep doing that," she urged him on as he found a particularly sensitive area on her neck and sucked it into his teeth.
"You didn't answer me," he teased her, pulling away from the spot.
"I want to say yes," she said, moving closer to him, as if to remind him of what he was doing.
"Then say yes. You told her, didn't you?"
"Well I didn't ask if she was okay with this," she sighed, giving up the hinting. His attention was definitely elsewhere at this point.
"Rory, is there some reason you won't talk to her about this?"
"No. No! It's just, everything's been so crazy, and there just hasn't been time."
He looked at her as if he were trying to ascertain the truth from her last statement.
"Honest!"
"Prove it."
"What?"
"Prove it," he stated again.
"How?"
"Let me stay over."
"Jess, we have rules."
"Rory, at some point you have to decide that someone is worth amending the rules for."
She was quiet for a moment, looking down at the floor before looking back up into his eyes. His warm, chocolate eyes. She'd never seen in them what she now saw. Hope mixed with fear. There was fear in there. He was afraid she didn't really want this, and that was the last thing from the truth.
"Stay."
One word, and it made his heart soar. Should she have this kind over power over him yet? A thought that flitted in as quickly as it flitted right back out.
"Do you have a spare toothbrush?" he smiled.
She smiled back and brought her lips back to his to seal the deal.
Lorelai looked over at the clock on her nightstand and groaned inwardly.
"You should get going," she regretfully pointed out.
"Do I have to?"
"Tris, it's almost nine, and Mom's pretty strict with boys being in the house at night," she informed him.
"Fine, I'll go. But first, I just want you to promise me one thing."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "What?"
"Promise me you won't freak out again and not talk to me. I don't know exactly what happened before, but, I ... I really like you, Lor. I want you to be honest with me."
"I want that too. I ... promise not to shut you out."
He smiled. "Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow."
Lorelai walked Tristan to the door, waiting and watching as he slipped his leather jacket on and threw his book bag over his shoulder. She smiled as he kissed her cheek and then he was gone. She turned to see her mother and Jess, now seated upright but flushed, on the couch.
"Well, I guess I'll go to bed," she announced, giving her mother a pointed look.
"Uh, I'll be right back," she whispered to Jess, and stood to join Lorelai.
Rory followed Lorelai, now looking a little confused, into her bedroom. She gestured for Lorelai to sit, but she stood, so she could pace. She told herself that she shouldn't be nervous about this; she was the mother after all. Talking to Lorelai about this was a courtesy, not a requirement. In most households, anyhow. Unfortunately, this wasn't just any household.
"Mom? You're freaking me out."
"Sorry. This isn't a big deal, I just wanted to tell you—Jess and I are more serious than you might realize. I wanted to tell you sooner, but what with everything that's been going on with you and Tristan—which we will get to later--," she rambled.
"Oh God. You're pregnant?" Lorelai blurted out.
"No. NO! God, it's just, Jess is going to be sleeping over. Sometimes. Tonight," she added.
"Jess is sleeping over? Like on the couch?"
"No, not on the couch. He has a couch of his own."
"Doesn't he have a bed of his own?" Lorelai countered.
"Lorelai," she warned.
"So, you two, you're...?"
"Sleeping together."
"Oh."
"Are you, okay with this?"
"Does it matter?"
"What? Of course. I mean, I care what you think, if you're comfortable."
"You love him?"
"I might."
Lorelai looked at her mother. She never brought men home, never to spend the night and she wouldn't take the time to hash all this out if they weren't serious about each other.
"So, some nights you'll be there?"
Rory looked surprised, she hadn't thought about that. "Well, probably not. But maybe."
Lorelai nodded. "Well, I guess I'll see you in the morning."
"He won't be here—he goes to work really early. Way before Gilmore rising time."
"It's fine. It's a little weird, but ... fine."
Rory gave her a little smile, as she had stopped pacing when Lorelai asked about her staying over at Jess'. She sat down next to her daughter and put her arm around her.
"So, Tristan was over."
"Goodnight, Mom."
"You're seeing him again?"
"No. Maybe. I don't know."
"Well, you know, you don't have to tie yourself down to one guy. You're sixteen, not 26."
"What are you saying?"
"You can date Tristan, keep it casual, and date other people too."
"Like who?"
"Like, whoever you want," she kept it vague, and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight."
"Yeah, night."
Lorelai watched her mother go, thinking about her advice. She wasn't sure about dating Tristan, but she was still intrigued. The chemistry was definitely there, but that wasn't all there was to a relationship. Maybe dating other guys would make her sure one way or the other. She pulled the covers up over her, setting her alarm for the next morning.
Rory came slowly out to the living room, where Jess was cleaning up the food. She smiled, liking how natural it was for him to be here. He was over a lot, helping fix small things around the house. He always had a reason to come over; it was never just to hang out. Although he usually ended up staying for a meal or to just talk. Rory was always reluctant to see him go, and now the butterflies in her stomach reminded her of why. She watched him move the chair back over to the corner, his muscles tightening through his shirt. She leaned into the archway into the front room, taking in the sight.
He turned and noticed her leering at him. She smiled broader as he caught her.
"I feel suddenly like a piece of meat," he joked.
"You should. So, ready for bed?"
"Before we do that, there's something you should know."
"What's that?" even if he wasn't looking at her, he'd be able to hear her smile in her voice.
"I'm a cover hog," he admitted, hanging his head for effect.
She nodded, walking up to him and putting her cheek against his. "You snore, too," she whispered before taking off quickly up the stairs. He was on her heels in less than a second, chasing her up the stairs as she giggled.
AN: Blushes with happiness, pride and awe: Just checked out the Proud and Prejudiced Fanfic awards, and saw that this little fic got nominated in two categories! Don't know who did it, but I'm very honored, probably undeserving, but over the moon! So thanks to the wonderful person who made my day/week/month! If you've never checked out that site, I highly recommend it; tons of awesome fics get nominated. Anyhow, I'm done ranting, but not done blushing. On with the next chapter.
They sat around the living room, passing Chinese food cartons in bouts of awkward conversation that interrupted even more drawn out awkward silences. Jess and Rory sat on the couch next to Lorelai. Tristan sat on the footstool next to Lorelai and Luke sat in a chair, pulled up on the other side of the coffee table. They'd already discussed various town events, the test that Lorelai and Tristan were studying for and were now back to silence.
Tristan stood, excusing himself to refresh his drink. Lorelai downed the rest of her soda and quickly followed him. She found him resting his lean frame against the closed refrigerator. Smiling, she walked up next to him.
"You know, it works better if you open the door first."
"I should just go."
"What? No, you're here to study."
"Well, obviously we're not getting any studying done with the entire menu from Emperial Gardens in your living room and local business owners over for a chat."
"I didn't know Mom invited Jess over—and Luke comes with Jess," she explained.
"It's fine, it's just probably not the time."
"No, we're done eating. I'll just excuse us to study in my room."
"Somehow I don't think that'll fly."
"Just, grab your book bag and go to my room, I'll take care of it."
"What ever the lady wants," he said, moving to the entryway.
"Hey, guys, since we're done with food, Tristan and I are going to hit the books, okay?"
Rory looked up, still chewing a mouthful of garlic chicken. She swallowed quickly and opened her mouth to protest.
"Isn't your test Friday?"
"Yeah."
"So, you need to study now?"
"Mom, he came all the way out here. We'll just be in my room."
Rory looked to Jess, who gave an unopinionated look, then turned his attention to the fried rice. She sighed and nodded.
"Fine, just remember it's a school night. He needs to be out of here by 9," she reminded.
"That's fine. See you guys," she said to Luke and Jess.
Jess and Luke nodded as she turned and headed back to join Tristan in her room. Rory frowned and looked back at Jess, who shrugged. Luke looked from one to the other, and put his steamed vegetable carton, something no one else had requested to try, down on the coffee table.
"So, uh, can I get out of here?"
"You don't want to stay?" Rory asked. Jess let out a stifled laugh.
"Being on a date with my uncle? Yeah, seriously, can I get out of here?"
"Go. Don't do anything stupid," Jess advised, waving him on. He left in a matter of seconds, as per usual when in the vicinity of Jess and Rory.
Rory looked towards the closing door and sank back against Jess.
"Does he not like me?"
Jess smiled and put his arm around Rory. "I think it's more of a dislike of seeing his uncle on a date. Don't take it personally."
"He flees every time I'm around," she pointed out.
"That's because we're always doing this," he said, kissing her neck. She smiled, moving into him before realizing where they were. And who else was there. She pulled back a little, and he sighed.
"Jess, it's like seven o'clock on a Monday. Lorelai is in her bedroom right now, studying."
"Point?"
"We can't just make out here," she chastised.
"We're adults, we can do whatever we want. They're the ones that shouldn't be locked in a bedroom," he pointed out.
"I hate you," she stuck out her tongue.
"No, you don't," he smiled, moving back to capture her lips with his. She enjoyed the kiss, letting herself be swept away in the still new sensations. She couldn't believe the feelings this man, her friend of all these years, invoked in her. She forgot everything in her life and just focused on the feel of his soft lips moving demandingly against her own.
"So, you seem pretty prepared for this test," Tristan added as he answered her last quiz question.
"It's all this studying. It makes me confident," she assured him.
"I'm starting to think you had ulterior motives for asking me to study."
"I don't have ulterior motives."
"Really?" he asked, leaning across the papers and books that separated them on the bed.
"I asked you to study. We're studying."
"I'm tired of studying," he whispered, moving his lips against hers. She responded to the kiss, encouraging him on. He moved the papers off the bed in one swift motion and scooted closer to her.
"Really?"
"Mmhmm," he murmured, leaning further over her so she was forced back against her pillows.
"Mhhmmm," she returned, letting him cover her, as he got comfortable.
"So, can I stay over tonight?" Jess murmured in her ear as he lay over her on the couch.
"I, uh, oh, keep doing that," she urged him on as he found a particularly sensitive area on her neck and sucked it into his teeth.
"You didn't answer me," he teased her, pulling away from the spot.
"I want to say yes," she said, moving closer to him, as if to remind him of what he was doing.
"Then say yes. You told her, didn't you?"
"Well I didn't ask if she was okay with this," she sighed, giving up the hinting. His attention was definitely elsewhere at this point.
"Rory, is there some reason you won't talk to her about this?"
"No. No! It's just, everything's been so crazy, and there just hasn't been time."
He looked at her as if he were trying to ascertain the truth from her last statement.
"Honest!"
"Prove it."
"What?"
"Prove it," he stated again.
"How?"
"Let me stay over."
"Jess, we have rules."
"Rory, at some point you have to decide that someone is worth amending the rules for."
She was quiet for a moment, looking down at the floor before looking back up into his eyes. His warm, chocolate eyes. She'd never seen in them what she now saw. Hope mixed with fear. There was fear in there. He was afraid she didn't really want this, and that was the last thing from the truth.
"Stay."
One word, and it made his heart soar. Should she have this kind over power over him yet? A thought that flitted in as quickly as it flitted right back out.
"Do you have a spare toothbrush?" he smiled.
She smiled back and brought her lips back to his to seal the deal.
Lorelai looked over at the clock on her nightstand and groaned inwardly.
"You should get going," she regretfully pointed out.
"Do I have to?"
"Tris, it's almost nine, and Mom's pretty strict with boys being in the house at night," she informed him.
"Fine, I'll go. But first, I just want you to promise me one thing."
She sighed and rolled her eyes. "What?"
"Promise me you won't freak out again and not talk to me. I don't know exactly what happened before, but, I ... I really like you, Lor. I want you to be honest with me."
"I want that too. I ... promise not to shut you out."
He smiled. "Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow."
Lorelai walked Tristan to the door, waiting and watching as he slipped his leather jacket on and threw his book bag over his shoulder. She smiled as he kissed her cheek and then he was gone. She turned to see her mother and Jess, now seated upright but flushed, on the couch.
"Well, I guess I'll go to bed," she announced, giving her mother a pointed look.
"Uh, I'll be right back," she whispered to Jess, and stood to join Lorelai.
Rory followed Lorelai, now looking a little confused, into her bedroom. She gestured for Lorelai to sit, but she stood, so she could pace. She told herself that she shouldn't be nervous about this; she was the mother after all. Talking to Lorelai about this was a courtesy, not a requirement. In most households, anyhow. Unfortunately, this wasn't just any household.
"Mom? You're freaking me out."
"Sorry. This isn't a big deal, I just wanted to tell you—Jess and I are more serious than you might realize. I wanted to tell you sooner, but what with everything that's been going on with you and Tristan—which we will get to later--," she rambled.
"Oh God. You're pregnant?" Lorelai blurted out.
"No. NO! God, it's just, Jess is going to be sleeping over. Sometimes. Tonight," she added.
"Jess is sleeping over? Like on the couch?"
"No, not on the couch. He has a couch of his own."
"Doesn't he have a bed of his own?" Lorelai countered.
"Lorelai," she warned.
"So, you two, you're...?"
"Sleeping together."
"Oh."
"Are you, okay with this?"
"Does it matter?"
"What? Of course. I mean, I care what you think, if you're comfortable."
"You love him?"
"I might."
Lorelai looked at her mother. She never brought men home, never to spend the night and she wouldn't take the time to hash all this out if they weren't serious about each other.
"So, some nights you'll be there?"
Rory looked surprised, she hadn't thought about that. "Well, probably not. But maybe."
Lorelai nodded. "Well, I guess I'll see you in the morning."
"He won't be here—he goes to work really early. Way before Gilmore rising time."
"It's fine. It's a little weird, but ... fine."
Rory gave her a little smile, as she had stopped pacing when Lorelai asked about her staying over at Jess'. She sat down next to her daughter and put her arm around her.
"So, Tristan was over."
"Goodnight, Mom."
"You're seeing him again?"
"No. Maybe. I don't know."
"Well, you know, you don't have to tie yourself down to one guy. You're sixteen, not 26."
"What are you saying?"
"You can date Tristan, keep it casual, and date other people too."
"Like who?"
"Like, whoever you want," she kept it vague, and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight."
"Yeah, night."
Lorelai watched her mother go, thinking about her advice. She wasn't sure about dating Tristan, but she was still intrigued. The chemistry was definitely there, but that wasn't all there was to a relationship. Maybe dating other guys would make her sure one way or the other. She pulled the covers up over her, setting her alarm for the next morning.
Rory came slowly out to the living room, where Jess was cleaning up the food. She smiled, liking how natural it was for him to be here. He was over a lot, helping fix small things around the house. He always had a reason to come over; it was never just to hang out. Although he usually ended up staying for a meal or to just talk. Rory was always reluctant to see him go, and now the butterflies in her stomach reminded her of why. She watched him move the chair back over to the corner, his muscles tightening through his shirt. She leaned into the archway into the front room, taking in the sight.
He turned and noticed her leering at him. She smiled broader as he caught her.
"I feel suddenly like a piece of meat," he joked.
"You should. So, ready for bed?"
"Before we do that, there's something you should know."
"What's that?" even if he wasn't looking at her, he'd be able to hear her smile in her voice.
"I'm a cover hog," he admitted, hanging his head for effect.
She nodded, walking up to him and putting her cheek against his. "You snore, too," she whispered before taking off quickly up the stairs. He was on her heels in less than a second, chasing her up the stairs as she giggled.