A call for help

Summary: Rory calls Jess after Mitchum crushed her dreams. Can he make a difference? Does Rory still need to steal that yacht? Literati, hints of Rogan.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls, ASP does. If only I'd own Gilmore Girls… There would be NO HIATUS! You can see why I don't own it…sigh…

AN: Here's another chapter… I'm really sorry for the wait… I have been way too busy with school… And, we got a new computer, but I only recently found my files back… YEAH, GO ME!…

Thanks for all the pretty reviews… I wanna marry them… smile

The Desert Fox: I love your reviews… They're nice, long and original…

And oh yeah, even though I hate Dean with a passion, I'm trying the challenge to make him nice in this fic… And that's tough, so bear with me…

Last time on A call for help: (Ooooh… Soap opera style)

There, outside, in front of her door, stood Jess, holding his cell phone in his hand, smiling.

Chapter three: "Catching up"

Rory couldn't believe that it was real, that this was really happening. She couldn't believe that Jess was the person standing in front of the door. She still thought she was having hallucinations of some kind. It couldn't be Jess, she thought. She had been talking to him on the phone, how could he also be at her house? It was confusing.

"Remember to breathe Rory," Jess said, because Rory wasn't saying anything. "You told me the same thing Rory. Breathe, come on Rory, breathe."

His trademark smirk was on his face again, when he looked at her, on the search for words to say to him. Rory was mad at him for not telling her, but she was also happy with the surprise.

"You tricked me," Rory suddenly said. "You should have told me you were on your way here, Jess. I would have prepared something; I would have gotten you something to eat."

She was a bit mad at him, but he didn't flinch. He just smiled at her, making her secretly swoon. Now she could finally see his smile again, she thought, fully realizing she sounded corny, but almost forgetting about Logan.

"That's what you think about," Jess teased. "Your hot ex-boyfriend returns and you think about food? Nice to see how your priorities are still the same."

And it was still same old Jess. He had been sounding a bit emotional on the phone, surprising Rory, but now he was back to teasing, funny Jess. And she liked it.

"Sure," Rory said. "I am a Gilmore girl Jess. Food always comes first. Even before you."

They were back to the usual teasing again. But they were standing outside, on the porch, and it was getting a bit colder. Rory wanted to get inside. She was sure Jess wouldn't mind getting inside with her. They had a lot to do. Dirty, she secretly thought. They were just going to talk, right? Because she had Logan. She shouldn't forget about him.

"Thank you so much for that compliment," Jess said.

"It's a pleasure," Rory continued. "Shall we get in now? Babette would have a field day if she saw you out here. The whole town would be here in ten minutes."

That would be pretty bad, Rory thought. The town didn't really like Jess, and it was mutual. Especially with Taylor. But then again, that ran in the family. Luke and Taylor weren't exactly all buddy-buddy either. On the contrary.

"You're underestimating Babette's and Patty's powers," Jess said. "Five minutes tops."

Rory thought about it again, and then started to think Jess could be right. Babette would call Patty, and Patty would just yell it around at the town square, making every single person in the town hear it. Yes, five minutes tops.

"Do you want to find out for real," Rory asked sweetly. "Because I could arrange that for you. It just so happens that Babette is trying to open her curtains right now."

Before Rory could say 'Gotcha', Jess was already inside. Well, he sure wasn't keen about being seen by anyone, Rory thought. Maybe there was something up with him being here. Maybe it had a special reason; maybe there was something wrong with Luke. Rory sure hoped that wasn't it. But Luke was just about the only reason Jess would come back for. Beside her.

"So Rory," Jess said. "Do you want to talk? Or is there another reason you are practically inviting me in here, when you're probably all alone."

Jess was wiggling his eyebrows, making Rory think of Tristan, who used to do that all the time. But when Jess did it, it was really cute. Rory gave him a push anyway.

"I wanted you to read me some Hemingway," Rory said. "I could really use some sleep."

The shocked look that was in Jess' eyes when she mentioned Hemingway, immediately changed into a smirk. They were back to their usual debate now. Hemingway versus Sylvia Plath, or anything Rory preferred at the moment.

"Very funny," Jess said. "But since I am such a nice boy, and brought you this bag of food from Luke's, whom he actually asked me to deliver, you are going to be nice to me now."

Food from Luke's? That was always good, Rory thought and smiled.

"Fine, I'll be nice," Rory said. "Now gimme, gimme, gimme!"

Jess just smiled, and gave it to her. He probably knew not to keep a Gilmore girl from her food and/or coffee. He probably learned it from Luke.

"You want to watch a movie, Rory," Jess suddenly asked.

"Sure," Rory responded. "But we'd have to go to Doose's first. You know, for some junk food. You can't watch a movie without it. That would be just weird."

This statement was followed by a smile from Jess, and Rory smiled back at him. She just agreed to a movie night with Jess. Was that a smart move? She was with Logan, and now Jess returned she was really getting confused. And this movie night would probably just make it worse. Nope, Rory wasn't sure this was a good idea.

"Do I have to go with you," Jess asked, fake begging her not to go.

"Yes, you do," Rory answered. "You love arguing with Dean so much, I thought I would help you out. And, you get two for the price of one. Taylor will probably be there too."

He wouldn't like that, Rory thought. But then again, he would have the chance to mercilessly tease Dean, a thing which Jess always loved to do. Rory knew this was going to cause some trouble, but she didn't care. It sounded rude, but it was true. Rory was finally over Dean, and she was really through with him. If only he would get that memo someday, she thought. Maybe seeing her with Jess would help him to get a clue.

"Oh golly," Jess said sarcastically. "How lovely is that? The jolly green giant and the biggest lunatic of the town. It's going to be so much fun. Don't you think?"

Rory couldn't help but smile, when she grabbed her bag, then pushed Jess outside. It wasn't necessary to lock the door. It was Stars Hollow for Pete's sake.

On the way to Doose's, Rory and Jess talked about books. The ones they read, and the ones they wanted to read. Rory liked talking to Jess about this kind of things. Much better than with Dean, who probably wouldn't know what she was talking about.

"Rory, hi," Dean said when he noticed her.

"Hello my dearest friend Bag Boy," Jess said, earning him a mad glance from Dean, until Dean realized Jess was back, and got a rather shocked look on his face.

"Rory, what is he doing here," Dean asked, still with that shocked look.

"I don't know," Rory said. "You could ask him yourself Dean."

Really, it couldn't be that hard, Rory couldn't help but wonder. Dean was sounding rather stupid, but at least he didn't start about how Jess always hurt her, and things like that. Maybe Dean was growing up. It would be a good thing, Rory thought, secretly hoping him and Lindsey would get back together. They made a cute couple, when it lasted.

"Jess, what are you doing here," Dean asked, actually sounding nice to him for a change.

"Luke asked me to come here," Jess answered, being polite to Dean for a change.

They were finally being nice to each other, Rory thought and smiled. She hoped it wasn't a one night thing. It would mean Jess had fewer people on his enemies list.

--

When Rory and Jess entered the Gilmore house again, both carrying two big bags of junk food, Rory felt the need to tease Jess a little.

"You and Dean had a real conversation," she said. "I never thought I'd see the day. Is hell freezing over? Is the world ending? How did it happen?"

Jess shot her a mad look, making Rory smile. If looks could kill, she would be lying dead on the floor by now. But that wasn't what Jess meant by that.

"Very funny," Jess said. "How about we just start the movie?"

Rory still wasn't sure about this movie night thing, but she really wanted to go through with it. What Logan didn't knew, didn't upset him, right? And Rory really wanted to spend some time with Jess. Figure out how she felt about him.

"Which movies are we going to watch Jess," Rory asked. "You didn't let me see which ones you picked. Almost Famous again? Or what? Tell me."

This made Jess smile, probably because she was too curious for her own good. She couldn't handle surprises. It was in the genes. Her mom was just the same.

"And you got this voluntarily," Rory asked when she saw the DVD's Jess brought. "I am so proud of you. Mom is going to love this!"

--

When Lorelai entered her house, later that night, after an exciting date with Luke, she found the two teenagers asleep. They were lying on the couch, being closer to each other than both Luke and Lorelai would like. But the best thing was: Jess was smiling in his sleep. So Lorelai grabbed the camera and took a picture of them. After all, how many times would you be able to see Jess Mariano smile and be able to live through it? That's right, not that many times.

Then, the real shock kicked in with Lorelai. Where the hell did Jess come from? She didn't know he was coming back. She didn't even know Rory kept contact with him after he left her again after he asked her to run away with him.

But when she looked at Luke, who didn't seem surprised after all, Lorelai realized Luke might also have something to do with Jess coming back to Stars Hollow. Maybe there was something wrong with Luke, or Liz, or someone else from their family. She sure hoped not. Luke would tell her if there was something wrong, right?

She shrugged her shoulders and took another picture of smiling Jess, a close-up this time. Jess had to be recognizable on it, because he would get pissed off if she ever showed him this picture. Maybe she should keep it a secret.

"Mom, why are you taking pictures," a sleepy Rory suddenly asked.

"I always take pictures of special occasions," Lorelai told her daughter. "And this was certainly a special occasion, because Jess was smiling. It's a miracle!"

Luke was looking at the two of them like they were crazy, like he did a lot of times before. Then, he noticed Jess' smile, and smiled himself. Lorelai immediately took a picture of that.

"Lorelai," Luke said, sounding a bit mad.

"I didn't do anything," she pouted, batting her eyelashes at Luke, who immediately stopped looking mad. He could never handle the famous Gilmore pout.

When Lorelai kissed Luke, forgetting her daughter and her hoodlum ex-boyfriend were even in the room, she suddenly heard a noise, and stopped.

"I think I'm blind," Jess said. "Rory, please help me. I can't see!"

The now grumpy look in Luke's eyes was enough for Jess to stop his joke. It seemed like Jess and Luke had a little secret. Oh, interesting, Lorelai thought.

"Jess, I need to talk to you," Luke said. "Come on, let's go. We're catching up."

And now, Lorelai's thoughts about a secret were officially confirmed. Now, she only had to find out what the secret was. She was too curious for her own good, so she was going to find out pretty soon anyway. She smiled, and kissed Luke goodbye when he and Jess left.

When she turned to Rory, she noticed the DVD's lying on the floor, and was suddenly really proud of her daughter for handling Jess this way.

"Smart choice Rory," Lorelai said, completely agreeing with it.

"I didn't choose those," Rory all of a sudden confessed. "Jess chose them. Voluntarily."

If Lorelai was a person that fainted easily, she would have fainted right that second. It couldn't be. Jess wouldn't do that. Those movies. Voluntarily torture himself?

"Are you telling me that Jess Mariano voluntarily brought Glitter and Crossroads for a movie night with you," Lorelai asked.

"I swear on the coffee," Rory responded.

AN: Ha, how did you like that… Those movies were just a silly idea of mine… But, what is Luke up to? What are him and Jess planning? Is there something wrong? Stay tuned.

You can tell me what you think is going to happen in a REVIEW…Hint, hint…