A/N- Wow! Overwhelmed and grateful for the response that I received after my little attack of nerves. Thank you all so much, it means a lot to me that you all took the time to review. This Author's Note will be short but there are a couple things I'd like to address.

This is the last non-action-y chapter for a while. Next chapter, especially, is going to be very eventful. I understand why people were getting frustrated with the passiveness of the story for a bit here. However, it was necessary, and I did not change the story's structure to make it go any faster. Something unique about this fic is that it isn't going to idealize characters or situations. You can't expect it to all happen immediately and work out and be like an hour-20 rom com. But a lot of the buildup that has was necessary is now done and I think you will all be very excited by the next chapter.

Keep reading and reviewing! I saw a ton of new readers reviewing yesterday and that was so exciting for me. Please, keep telling new people, and I'm really looking forward to hearing new opinions about this story and getting more feedback. Read, review, recommend. I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of its characters or concepts, though I do take a tiny bit of credit for More Mature Jess (however, I agree with whoever said the characterization seems in line with where ASP was going).

Enjoy! I have some extra time today so maybe if this gets enough of a response I'll consider posting the next chapter tonight too. Just an idea...


Chapter 23

The next day, when Lorelai and Luke arrived, Jess was actually prepared to have them. The room was all set up, he had the dinner place planned, and work was basically covered. He knew that it would be best if things went smoothly, especially considering Lorelai's anticipated stress level (which, of course, would also have a direct bearing on Luke's stress level).

At about 6 PM they pulled up and parked in front of Truncheon, the pearl-colored Jeep sticking out like a sore thumb around all of the black cars filling the street Jess walked outside and grimaced.

"See you brought your car this time," he looked at Lorelai disapprovingly, who grinned.

"Well she just got so lonely at home last time! Isn't that right…"

"Alright, we get it. You can stop talking to your car now," Luke grumbled, "So are you gonna help me bring this junk in or what?"

Jess walked down and quickly grabbed two of the bags from his uncle.

"Geez, how long are you guys staying? I know I said you're always welcome but I was kind of hoping you weren't planning on us being roomies."

"Don't be a smartass," Luke snapped, "Let's just get these upstairs."

"Alright, already, no need to get testy," Jess smirked, trying to quell the tension clearly evident in his uncle's mood. "Lorelai, why don't you go get some coffee while we do this? There's a great place at the corner and if you ask nicely they might even make it for you without water or air."

"No need to tell me twice," Lorelai replied, grabbing her bag and heading down the street, "Oh, um…want anything?"

"Sure," Jess said, not having the mental energy to act awkwardly, "Medium black coffee if you have the hands."

"Tea," Luke grunted, pushing his way through the door, "Chamomille."

"Alright," Lorelai said, looking uneasily at her fiancée and his nephew, "I'll be back to you two cheery men in a bit."

"Take your time," Luke sighed under his breath, and Jess shook his head gently, holding the door open and letting his uncle into Truncheon.

"So, Uncle Luke, maybe it's just that genius quality I get from reading all those fancy books, but something tells me your day isn't resembling a spa retreat," Jess said, as they finished putting all the bags in the room, "Need a sounding board?"

"I need less sounds and more bored," Luke replied, as characteristically oblivious as ever. Jess looked at him pointedly.

"Oh! You meant…aghhh," Luke plopped down on the bed, "I'm sorry. It's been a rough week."

"Lorelai?"

"Rory."

"You've heard from her?" Jess said incredulously, "Why wouldn't you tell Lorelai?"

"No, I haven't heard from her, you dumbass," Luke responded in annoyance, "That's the problem! No one has!"

"Look, calm down," Jess lowered his voice, "I wouldn't worry too much about it. When Rory's ready she'll talk."

"Easy for you to say," Luke accused, "You weren't there for the big falling-out."

"That bad, huh?"

"Worse," Luke affirmed, getting up and straightening things out around the apartment, "Everyone knew it was awful but no one really saw how bad it was for Lorelai. I mean, we were engaged and she couldn't be happy, really happy, for a single day. She thought she was a bad mother."

"Just because Rory dropped out?" Jess asked, confused, "That has nothing to do with Lorelai. She must have been as confused as everyone."

"How many people dropped you on your head as a baby?" Luke answered in frustration, "There was no confusion! Never any confusion. We all knew exactly why she did what she did. She knew, I knew, you knew."

"Knew what?!" Jess thundered, finally unable to keep his voice level anymore, "I have no goddamned idea what you're talking about."

"Wait, she really never told you?" Luke's voice became quiet, "You? Of all people?"

"We hadn't talked in years! Our most recent contact had been an ill-fated attempt to bring about some crazy runaway Fast Car scenario that she promptly rejected. What would possess her to tell me anything?!"

"You know the answer to that," Luke said solemnly. Jess ignored him.

"Regardless of what you think, she didn't. So if you want my help you might as well let me in on what happened."

"Fine," Luke relented. Jess sat down next to him.

"You remember that blonde jackass she dated?"

"Yes. Obsessed with length. Go on."

"His father is the Rockefeller of the newspaper world. She got an internship at one of his papers and he told her she didn't have it."

Jess sat silently, processing.

"She and the blonde kid stole a boat right after. Rory dropped out of Yale, and then they made up somehow."

"Somehow."

"But you're caught up. It was months of no Rory, then a Rory I barely recognized, then the triumphant return, but those weeks were some of the worst I've ever seen of Lorelai."

"Wow," Jess exhaled.

"So, based on that information, do you have any freaking idea what she could be doing?"

"A few. But all of them necessitate you and Lorelai giving her space."

"It can't happen again, Jess. Lorelai can't do it. I can't do it. We can't do it. And right now, things are really…"

"They seem it."

"Just…if you…" Luke started hesitantly.

"I will."

"Will what?" Lorelai grinned, bouncing into the room with coffee.

"Why hello, energizer bunny," Jess smirked, taking his, "Thanks for the caffeine. I'm guessing you started yours on the way here?"

"Better. I had a travel coffee and a Truncheon coffee. That place has really good coffee," Lorelai rambled, "You know, I bet Rory would…" Her voice tapered off, her smile faltering. Jess sighed deeply.

"Lorelai, when is she supposed to come home?"

"Tomorrow," Lorelai answered slowly, "But I'm sure it'll all be…"

"It is, I'm sure. Don't worry about it," Jess reassured quietly, "If you don't hear from her by then, I'll try my luck. Happy?"

"Better," Lorelai offered a weak smile. It morphed into a grin. "It could become an actual happy if I get to hear your attempted explanation for the expansive sci-fi section I saw downstairs."

"Well I had to give Uncle Luke something to read, didn't I?" Jess smirked, earning a light smack on the arm from his uncle.

"You should sell the T-shirts. Then it'd be perfect," Lorelai laughed wildly.

"You'd really date a guy in a Star Trek t-shirt?" Jess asked doubtfully, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

"No, but I'd accompany him to Comi-Con to find my replacement."

"Seems fair."

"I like to think so."

"And on that note, I need some air," Luke rolled his eyes, and the troublemakers followed him, taking turns mocking his questionable hobbies.