"So, I'm going to need you to drop some stuff off for me."
Luke was on his way up to the apartment, and Jess followed.
"What kind of stuff?"
"Just…" Luke started, "Normal stuff."
"What kind of normal stuff?" Jess asked. He didn't like Luke's avoidance of the matter of subject. He knew that was never a good sign.
"Tables, chairs, tablecloths…"
"What do you need tables and chairs for?" Jess frowned, "It's an Inn, it has furniture."
"It's Stars Hollow, Jess." Luke glanced at his nephew, "There are never enough tables and chairs."
Jess sighed. "How am I going to carry this over to the Dragonfly?"
"Take my truck." Luke offered.
"Why can't you take your truck?" Jess asked. He really didn't feel like doing anyone favors at the moment, especially when he was doing this for Lorelai Gilmore.
"I can't," Luke opened the door to the apartment, "Caesar has a knee problem, he asked not to be left alone in here for too long."
Jess raised a mocking eyebrow. "So you're working for Caesar now?"
"Jess," Luke closed his eyes and sighed, "Just do this for me, will you?" He turned to face Jess, his back to the door. "I'm really not asking for much."
Jess sighed. He might not care for his uncle's wife-to-be, but he did care about his uncle.
"Fine."
"Fine?" Luke asked for confirmation.
"Fine." Jess repeated.
Luke paused. "You'll do it?"
"I'll do it."
"Okay." Luke nodded, reaching into his pocket. He took out his car keys and threw them to Jess. "There are a few spare tables in the storage room. Start there." He said, then went back into the diner.
Jess stared after him and sighed.
-
A truck was parked several meters from the Dragonfly. On the lawn besides it, boxes were piled on top of boxes.
"Wow." Said Rory, sitting on the lawn, holding a plate. "It's so white."
Lorelai was checking each and every plate, putting them back inside the boxes when she was done.
"It better be," She raised her eyebrows, "We sure paid enough for it to be."
Rory gently places the plate back in its box. "It's good that you have an Inn. At least you have something to do with those dishes after the wedding's over."
"Yeah. The Inn's getting a wedding present from the newlyweds."
Rory chuckled.
"I like the silverware." Rory looked up and smiled.
"I'm glad," Lorelai picked up a box, "Because you're helping me bring it inside."
Rory frowned. "You're got to be kidding me."
"Lorelai Gilmore never kids."
Rory sighed.
"Come on." Lorelai thumped her palm on the box. Rory stood up and unwillingly bent to lift the box.
"Faster!" Lorelai called, her eyes sparkling.
"Fine," Rory glared at her mother, "But I'm not to blame if the box happens to open and spill."
"Sure you will be!" Lorelai grinned and gestured to the entrance of the Inn. "Come on!"
Lorelai walked in, and Rory followed, swaying as she walked. "Where to?" She asked.
"Dining room!" her voice was heard, and Rory walked in the door. Her arms and back began to ache. Her facial expression turned sour.
"Just so I don't forget, I want you to know that I hate you." She said loudly, and her mom peeked out from the kitchen.
"Aw, thank you!" She placed a hand on her chest, "Can you please say this when you toast at the wedding? Thanks." She disappeared, and Rory sighed yet again.
Finally arriving to the dining room, she placed the box on the ground, making a thud noise, and took a deep breath as she stretched her aching arms. Looking to her sides, her eyes caught an image, but she turned her head back.
And then she realized what she saw.
She turned her head back and caught the image staring back at her.
Him.
Her eyes widened and her mouth opened to speak, but nothing came out.
He stared back at her with a blank expression. He was no longer hurt. He looked in her eyes and saw nothing. He only saw her looking at him, definitely not happy, and he wasn't surprised. He lowered his head and shook it, his eyes trying to escape from the memories she brought back.
She looked down as well, trying to take this all in. It's been two years since she'd last seen this guy, two years after she rejected him and he, like always, walked away and out of her life. When she looked back up, he was already gone.