Orange Crush #3

Rory sighed as they reached the front door of the Gilmore manor. She turned to the group behind her.

Dan was wearing his black sweater with a white dress shirt underneath, a pair of black slacks, and a brand new pair of orange Chuck Tailors, all topped off with his blue winter coat.

Jess looked equally nice in his brown dress shirt and black slacks, covered by his usual leather jacket. Since he had recently gotten his hair cut, he was able to spike it up the way he'd done back in high school.

"Did you have to?" Luke asked, straightening out his tie.

"What?" Jess blinked.

"The hair," the older man muttered.

Jess merely smirked.

"Oh! Emily will just love you," Lorelai remarked. "Black eye, crazy hair…"

Jess sighed and put a couple of fingers to his still-discolored eye. "I'll be the belle of the ball," he joked.

"Like Cinderella?" Dan asked.

Lorelai nodded with a snicker. "Like Cinderella."

"Sing and I'll scream," Luke warned.

Dan giggled, until the door opened. Then he whisked behind Jess's legs.

Emily stared. "I heard voices."

"You want to seek some professional help for that," Lorelai said.

"Hi, Grandma."

Emily smiled. "Hello, Rory." She looked behind her granddaughter and frowned a little. "Hello, Luke; Jess…where's your son?"

"Behind me," Jess replied. "He's shy." He reached around and took Dan's hand, leading him to stand in front of him.

"Hello, there," Emily said with a fake smile and a chilly voice.

Rory knelt down to the boy. "Dan, this is my grandma."

Dan looked up at Emily and then whispered in Rory's ear.

Rory whispered back and then got to her feet.

"What did he say?" Emily asked.

Rory snickered as she walked into the house. "Nothing."

Dan followed her and looked up at Emily. "Hi."

"Hello," Emily replied suspiciously.

Dan opened his mouth to say something else, but turned to Jess instead and motioned for him to come closer.

Jess leaned down and Dan whispered in his ear. "He wants to know what he should call you."

Emily looked slightly perplexed. "Mrs. Gilmore is fine, I suppose."

Dan nodded and walked the rest of the way into the house.

Jess shrugged and followed, with Luke right behind him.

Lorelai smiled. "Hi, Mom."

"That is a very strange little boy."

"Aw, Mom. He's cute," Lorelai replied.

Emily narrowed her eyes as she watched Jess pick Dan up and carry him into the parlor. "I see Jess hasn't changed…with that black eye and his wild hair. I wonder if he'll be kind enough to grace us with his presence for the entire evening this time."

Lorelai rolled her eyes.

Jess sighed as he set Dan down on the couch next to Rory and looked around the parlor of the Gilmore household. Nothing had really changed…then again; it had been over ten years since he'd actually been there.

Dan looked around in wonder. It was like something out of a book. So many breakables, and the couch was soft! Their couch at home was better, but this one was really cushy.

Richard walked in at the point, a polite smile on his face. "Hello, all."

"Hi, Grandpa," Rory smiled. She got up and gave the old man a hug. "It's so good to see you."

"You as well," Richard nodded. He turned to Jess, who had gotten up along with Luke. "You must be Jess."

Jess nodded and held out a hand. "Hi."

Richard took the offered hand and gave it a shake. "It's good to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

Jess nodded. "I don't doubt that."

Richard gave a nod back, and then shook Luke's hand. "Hello, Luke."

"Hi, Richard."

Richard gave a polite grin and cleared his throat, glancing back at Dan.

Jess looked back as well, and gave a nod for Dan to come over.

The little boy got off of the couch and walked over slowly. He stopped when he reached Jess's side.

"Hello, Dan," Richard nodded. "I'm Rory's grandfather, Richard."

"Hi," Dan replied quietly.

"He's kinda shy," Jess explained.

"Ah," Richard nodded. "Well, it's very nice to meet you."

Dan nodded and looked around. "Your house is big."

Richard gave a small smile. "Well, I suppose it is."

Emily walked in with Lorelai and smiled at the group. "It's so nice that all of you could make it."

Rory smiled, taking Jess's hand. "Thanks, Grandma."

"Can I get everyone a drink?" Richard asked.

"Beer, please," Luke said.

"Martini," Lorelai said.

"Scotch, please," Jess said.

"Wine, please," Rory said.

"Orange soda!" Dan exclaimed.

Richard gave the boy an odd look, and Jess pulled out a bottle of soda.

Emily blinked.

"Don't ask," Jess muttered, as he opened the bottle and handing it to his son.

Dan smiled and took the bottle, slugging some soda down.

"Slow please," Jess said automatically.

Dan slowed down.

Richard cleared his throat and passed around drinks. "So, Lorelai, how was your week?"

"Good, Dad," Lorelai smiled, accepting her martini. "Michele was being a pain, as usual, and Sookie broke a finger, but everything's okay."

"Sookie broke a finger?" Emily asked, a little urgent. "Is she alright?"

"Oh, yeah, she's fine," Lorelai smiled. "This is the woman who once lit her hair on fire. Broken finger is nothing."

Richard sighed. "Rory? How is work?"

She nodded. "It's good. I think next week I'm gonna bring Dan with me. He seemed interested when I was explaining what I do."

"Rory writes stuff," Dan nodded slowly.

Emily and Richard shared a worried glance.

"That's…very nice," Richard nodded politely. "Luke, how is the diner?"

"Fine," Luke nodded, clearing his throat. "Everything's fine…the same."

"Well…Good," Richard replied.

"Jess, what do you do, these days?" Emily asked.

"I'm a book reviewer for the New York Times," Jess replied.

"A reviewer doesn't make very much," Richard commented.

"Dad," Lorelai admonished.

"Well, it's the truth," Richard replied. "How do you afford to support two people?" he asked curiously.

"I review concerts sometimes, too," Jess said slowly. "We scrimp…use coupons…sell drugs…"

"They get by, Grandpa," Rory said quickly.

"Sometimes I sell myself," Jess went on.

Luke smacked him upside the head.

Dan giggled and drank his soda.

"Does your ex-wife send child support?" Richard asked.

"Uh…we weren't married, and no, she doesn't," Jess replied coolly. "We decided it would be better if she wasn't in Dan's life at all."

"How can that better?" Emily asked.

"She broke my leg!" Dan said excitedly. "Wanna see the scars?"

Lorelai put an arm around Dan. "Mom, Dad, please, stop. Can't we just have a nice, pleasant dinner."

"I'm just curious as to how Jess manages to get by," Emily said innocently. "He has no high school or college diploma-"

"I took night classes," Jess cut in.

"He has a low-paying job-"

"It's not that bad."

"And another black eye-"

"That was my fault," Dan said guiltily.

Rory listened with shock in her eyes.

"And he's dating Rory again," Emily finished. "I think we should know, that, if things get more serious, he'll be able to support our granddaughter, as well as his own son, and he isn't just using Rory for her money."

"Excuse me?" Rory and Jess chorused.

"It's a valid concern," Richard said. "Rory's funds aren't exactly lacking."

"Neither are mine," Jess snapped.

"Oh, please," Emily muttered.

Dan blinked. "Dad wouldn't do that. We have money. He bought my sweater, and my pants, and my shoes, and my shirt, and my underwear!"

Richard cleared his throat. "Well, that's all well and good, son, but-"

"But nothing," Rory snapped.

"Dinner is ready," the maid said from the doorway of the parlor.

Rory nodded and got to her feet. "I am going into the dining room. If we sit down to dinner, and anyone brings up this topic again, we…" she motioned towards herself, Jess and Dan, "are leaving. Is that clear?"

Richard nodded slowly, and Emily gave a bitter expression.

"Good," Rory snapped. She whirled around and made her way into the other room.