Previously in "I am the Tower Around Which You Orbited: Makes me want to give myself a beating..."

She pulled her head up to meet mine, but we lay there, not kissing, foreheads touching. "Jess, I wanted to tell you something."

"What?"

"I'm ready when you are."

Chapter Two: Saturday Morning Telecast

I couldn't help but stare at Rory. I already knew through nonverbal signs that she was ready for the dreaded "s-word" but to hear her say it was something different.

"But not right now."

"I kinda figured."

"I just wanted to let you know."

"Okay," I whispered. "Thanks." I looked up at the clock. "How long have you been up here?"

"Ten minutes, maybe."

Right on schedule, Luke came bursting through the door, making up some random excuse to be inside. "Hey, Jess, have you…" He looked over at us as I pulled myself up off of Rory. "Sorry to barge in on whatever you were doing, but have you seen my Swiss Army knife?"

Rory laughed behind me as she sat up. "Hi Luke."

"Rory," he said, nodding his head in hello. "Lorelai's looking to leave. You might want to go down and keep her from bouncing through the window."

"Hey, Jess, whatever happened to that coffee I had when I came up here?"

"Good question."

Luke stood by the door holding her coffee which had been on the ground. "This it?"

"Why thank you Luke. Bye, Jess. Think about what I said."

"I will." She pecked me lightly on the mouth and, taking her floor-coffee from Luke, ran out the door.

"What was that all about?" Luke questioned, irritated. I walked past him to retrieve my book from the table. I sat down in a chair and placed my feet on the table one at a time, trying to remember where I was. "Jess?"

"What, Luke? Rory was up here. You saw her leave. You saw her come up here, too."

"Yes, but you two weren't all over each other… I mean, you were over her, but not in the sense that… you know what, nevermind."

"I wasn't planning on it."

"Jess… what was that last thing she said to you? 'Think about what I said' or something..."

"It was a boyfriend/girlfriend issue. None of your business. Although I don't even know if you remember what its like to have a girlfriend."

"I have Nicole."

"Yes, you have Nicole. Lovely lass, she is. Now, have you talked to her as of recent?"

"Jess."

"I'm busy, Luke. Go back downstairs." Luke sighed heavily, and stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving me alone in the apartment. If I was quick, I could catch a glimpse of the Gilmore girls leaving down the street before I went back to my book.

I hurried to the window just as Rory and Lorelai left. I breathed deeply, wishing I could hold Rory now more than ever before. She was ready, and willing, to sleep with me. That kind of thought can give you a happy mood for weeks, even if it never happens.

I put my hand up to the glass just as Rory turned her head to look back at the apartment above the diner where I was standing. She smiled lightly before Lorelai dragged her away from my sight.

"Two star crossed lovers…" I said aloud to no one in particular.

Just as I was about to turn away, I saw a familiar shape walking towards the diner. My day just got better. I hated Dean, and here he was, as always, coming to the diner, despite his known feelings towards me.

I hated that he and Rory were friends, but sometimes, you can't do much about it. Except for maybe torment him every waking hour.

I have some serious feelings for Rory and she hates it when Dean and I fight, but it can't be helped. As I made my way to the door, I thought about how much Rory would want me killed, considering what was happening already between us and I decided it would be best just to sit and read Vonnegut. Why? Because a) I can and b) I didn't want to upset Rory now. I didn't want to scare her away.

But what if I eventually do?

THE END of chapter two