A/N: Here's chapter 9! Long wait I know. I suck. Thanks to all my lovely reviewers and the best beta in all the land kckgirl!

DISCLAIMER: been here done this.

Chapter 9 Thanks for the pancakes

Rory stared down sadly at the pro-con list that sat drawn out in front of her. She felt almost guilty for making them, yet there they sat. Scrolled in her perfect print across the top read two names. Dean and Jess. The lists themselves weren't the only thing making Rory feel guilty; the clear winner was what made her feel that way. Dean, all logic pointed towards him. He was everything a girl would want; loving, caring, respectful. Sadly, the fact Jess made her want to lose control canceled out most of Dean's pros and made for one guilty Rory. She felt like she was not only betraying her boyfriend of almost two years but her precious list as well. Could she really turn her back on her trusty decision making process after all their years together? Dropping her head to her desk in a harsh manner, she shoved the list into her desk. Rising slowly she made her way toward bed.

"Maybe when I wake up I'll find I was just trapped in some wacky Broadway nightmare."

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"Rory! Wake up! I slept badly and I need coffee!"

"Ugh. Willow? That you?" Rory grunted and rolled over.

"Sorry to disappoint, Tara, but it's just me, your Mom." Lorelai smirked.

"Oh, ok. If you want coffee go make some and then bring me a cup."

"But I want Luke's coffee! Get dressed." Lorelai smiled brightly and pulled Rory out of bed.

"No." Rory protested sleepily and tried to pull her sheets closer. Lorelai quickly yanked them away and pulled Rory out of bed.

"Uppy time!" Lorelai announced cheerfully and pulled clothes out of the closet for Rory.

"Evil woman."

"Heavenly child." Lorelai smiled and left the room for Rory to get dressed. Fifteen minutes later Rory emerged from her room and dropped down at the kitchen table.

"Ok! Hit up the bathroom and were off to Luke's." Lorelai beamed.

"No." Rory sighed, 'there is no way I'm going anywhere where Mr. Pick and I can have a run in!'

"What?" Lorelai asked, shocked.

"I don't want to go to Luke's."

"Why? We love Luke's!"

"I'm just not in the mood." Rory lied.

"Not in the mood?" Lorelai responded, bewildered, "Not in the mood for the happy coffee?"

"There's happy coffee here."

"Yes, but there're no happy pancakes here!" Lorelai stressed.

"I'll make pancakes." Rory offered.

"And poison me? Your provider?"

"I just don't want to go to Luke's, ok?" Rory growled, starting to get annoyed.

"Did something happen?"

"What? No!" Rory blurted.

"So, you're not avoiding any smokers that constantly read and overuse the word 'huh'?" Lorelai pressed.

"No. Why would I be avoiding Jess?" Rory responded defensively.

"Rory, I'm not blind. I know something has been going on with you and Jess."

"You're wrong!" Rory roared at her mother's accusation.

"Rory, I'm not mad." Lorelai sighed, "I'm just concerned. I know that's why you don't want to go to Luke's and why you're fighting with Dean."

"Jess has nothing to do with me not wanting to go to Luke's, and Dean and I are fighting because of a misunderstanding!"

"Fine. If Jess isn't why you don't want to go to Luke's, what is the reason?" Lorelai argued, "Suddenly formulated a distaste for the flannelly clad?"

"You're just mad I didn't tell you why Dean and I are fighting."

"I'm mad that you're keeping things from me! You don't tell me anything anymore Rory."

"That's not true!" Rory lied, "You just think that because you want more to be going on than there is!" She knew she was lying but there was no way she could tell Lorelai when she could barely tell herself.

"Say what you want Rory. I know you're not telling me something." Lorelai growled. " Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go eat breakfast."

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"What do you want?" Jess grunted at the old lady he was waiting on.

"May I see a menu? Please," the women asked politely, even though she was taken aback by his rudeness.

"Will you be able to see to read it? Or will I need to read it to you?" he sneered at her.

"My word! I've never been treated...I demand to speak to your manager right this minute!"

"Fine." Jess sing-songed, "Uncle Luke! This old bat wants to complain about my mistreatment of her."

"Ah geez!" Luke sighed, "I'm sorry Ma'am."

"This boy has been nothing but rude to me since the moment he walked up to the table," the lady informed.

"Damn it! Jess." Luke swore, "Ah, sorry Ma'am."

"Oh, she had it coming." Jess glared.

"You've got to be kidding me. Are you seriously trying to justify insulting the elderly?" Luke grumbled, after giving the lady a free lunch and pulling Jess aside.

"Well she hit me with her cane and things just got out of hand."

"What the hell has gotten into you?" Luke glared.

"Well they say there's too much caffeine in my blood stream and a lack of real spice in my life."

"What are you talking about?" Luke demanded, completely lost.

"A Rush and a Push and the Land is Ours, Uncle Luke!" Jess smirked.

"What Land. A push? What?"

"Are we done here? I've got to get back to work or my boss is gonna get real cranky."

"No we are not done here! Why are you sulking..." Luke stopped talking suddenly as an angry man charged into the diner. He'd only ever met the man once but he knew him on sight.

"So, I guess we are done then." Jess noted, dryly, "Who's the guy?"

"Christopher Hayden." Luke sighed, locking eyes with the fuming man.

"As in Rory's dad?" Jess put together. 'well at least it's not Rory, couldn't deal with watching her fawn over Bag Boy today. She just needs to wake up and realize how stupid she's being. If she'll ever. I should just forget all about her.'

"The one and only." Chris's voice pulled Jess out of his thoughts.

"Huh." Jess nodded, "Hey look, I'm gonna go sit over there." He quickly made his way to an empty table close by so he could listen.

"Hello, Christopher."

"Luke."

"What brings you to Stars Hollow?"

"What brings me to Stars Hollow? What brings me to Stars Hollow?" Chris repeated, anger evident in his voice.

"That was the question." Luke replied sarcastically.

"I've taught you well, my young apprentice." Jess laughed acrossed the room, but stopped quickly as both men turned and glared. "Or, I can watch now, mock later."

"As I was saying," Chris began, " I'm here because some small town hick claimed I was a bad father."

"If the shoe fits..."

"Rory is my kid! I may not be the best father but I'm there when it's most important!"

"Oh really? I thought you were there when it was most convenient." Luke glared.

"You know what, Diner Boy. It wasn't bad enough that you insulted my parenting skills; I want to know where you get off calling Lorelai yours." Chris yelled, "Lorelai is mine."

"Buy me at the store Chris?" Lorelai announced her entrance, "Was I half off or did you splurge and pay full price?"

"Lorelai." The guys declared in unison.

"Hello. Morning Luke, honey. Chris." She sighed, sitting down at the counter, "Do you think you could get me some pancakes?"

"Of course, dear." Luke smirked, and went to make her pancakes.

"What are you doing here, Christopher?" Lorelai demanded, the second Luke walked away.

"There's something I have to tell you."

"I don't want to hear it, Chris."

"It's important, Lorelai."

"It won't change anything."

"Don't say that." Chris pleaded.

"Chris, you're engaged to a woman pregnant with your child! What could you possibly say to make it all better?" Lorelai questioned.

"I love you." Chris blurted. Lorelai stared at him for a minute and said nothing.

"Here you go, Lorelai." Luke announced, delivering her pancakes. He immediately knew something had just happened. Chris was sending him the death glare and Lorelai was making her way around the counter. "Are you ok Lor-" Luke was abruptly cut off by Lorelai smashing her lips to his. Shock didn't even describe the way he felt as she kissed him. He quickly got over whatever it was that he was feeling and kissed her back. Lorelai was taken aback by the intensity of the kiss and began to give in to it. Sadly, all good things come to an end and she slowly realized who she was kissing and why. She slowly withdrew from Luke and turned to face the gawking Christopher.

"I'm with Luke now. You're too late." Chris didn't respond, just quickly turned and high tailed it out of there. Luke and Lorelai slowly turned away from the departing Chris as applause broke out in the corner.

"Brilliant show! I laughed! I cried! I almost got physically ill after your little make out session!" Jess roared from his corner.

"Get back to work!" Luke growled, pointing at a young blonde girl who had just entered and sat down. She immediately began checking out Jess. Luke slowly turned back towards Lorelai as Jess just smirked and made his way towards the blonde.

"So...um..." Luke stumbled

"Thanks for the ...um...pancakes." Lorelai smiled awkwardly and walked out of the diner.

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Rory downed her fourth cup of coffee and slammed her cup on the table. 'It's time to grow a backbone Gilmore!' she thought bitterly and ran to find her coat. Around her second cup, she made up her mind and by the time she was done with number four, she knew what she had to do. Rory walked determinedly down the streets of Stars Hollow, clutching her blessed pro-con lists in her hands. As she turned the corner to face her destination she stopped and stared at the scene in front of her. Jess stood leaning far too close to a slutty blonde girl. The girl was touching his arm and obviously chatting him up. Rory watched as the girl wrote down her number and slipped it into Jess's back pocket seductively. Jess just smirked. Rory suddenly felt very stupid. Turning from the diner with tears in her eyes, Rory began ripping up the beloved list. She tossed the shredded list into the trash can, along with her hopes of ever being "Jesse's Girl.

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A/N: I know you hate me even more now but hey, at least Luke and Lorelai snogged! Don't worry my friends, all will end well but angst will be all about for a few chappies. Again, sorry for the long wait! Thanks for reading! REVIEW, REVIEW, I LOVE REVIEWS! REVIEW!