A/N- I uploaded last night my time, but I think that was supposed to be for today, so sorry about that. Since I'm unclear I decided to just say screw it and post another chapter, so here you go. Hope you enjoy!
Please keep reading, reviewing (reviews are like coffee for my soul) and telling people to check it out. As always I don't own Gilmore Girls or any of its characters or concepts, but I do own this kind of cool thing called an imagination that lets me wreak havoc with their lives.
Chapter 35
"So tell me about this plan of yours," Rory grinned, picking up a cheese fry. Jess looked up at her and smirked.
"Plan? What plan? I have no idea what you're talking about," he said innocently as he swirled his own in extra cheese. Rory laughed.
"Jess, I can tell when you're thinking about something and it's been on your face since I woke up," Rory smiled at him before shoveling down four more fries.
"Fair enough," Jess responded, "I have thoughts. If you don't like them, they can be adjusted. But just…ideas."
"With the general purpose of…"
"Giving you time, space, and a bit of distraction."
"Sounds ideal. Proceed."
"Well," he leaned forward, "I was thinking that maybe, if you wanted, you could help out around Truncheon while you stay here. You know, earn your keep."
"Probably the most honorable way to do so," Rory smirked, making Jess choke on his fry, "But seriously, that sounds great."
"Yeah, we could definitely use the help, you enjoy having things to make lists about, and I can't say I mind having you around during the day," Jess continued, noticing the slight flush in Rory's cheeks as he did, "Nothing major, just stacking books, making calls, ordering inventory, organizing things, that kind of stuff. With the major caveat that you cannot swipe any of the books." He looked at her meaningfully.
"What? I'd never," she replied, looking at him innocently. He smirked.
"You've broken the law before for much less than books," he teased, and she laughed.
"Yeah, like you have a clean reputation. Steal any caution tape lately?"
"I actually owned that already," Jess admitted, grinning, "Brought it with me from New York."
"Can I get you anything else?" asked the waitress as she appeared behind Rory. She nodded enthusiastically.
"More of these, please," Rory gestured to the cheese fries, "And a bacon cheeseburger for me. Jess?"
"Cheese fries," he nodded.
"Just the one or…" she looked at Jess inquisitively. He bit back a smile.
"Definitely two, and we'll let you know if we need more after that," he answered, and Rory grinned.
"You know me so well," she cooed as she took a sip of her coffee.
"I know what I know and I know what I don't," Jess smirked, "And you're on the first, albeit infinitely shorter list."
"Well I'm glad to have made the cut," she said, "Though you aren't quite the mystery you were to me when we met."
"Was I ever, really?" he said lightly, and laughed. After a pause she laughed too.
"Nope," she answered, "I guess we just had each other pinned from day one."
Jess stared at Rory and her cheeks began to burn. "Wow, that was not what…"
"You meant. Fortunate accident," Jess smirked again, "It's okay, Rory, we're all adults here."
"I know," she replied defensively, "It's just…around you…"
"You never had any trouble with that kind of thinking around me before." Jess wiggled his eyebrows and Rory burst out laughing.
"Wow, it's really natural to take you seriously when you do that," she teased, "That's a turn on."
"Then add it to your list," Jess mocked, and Rory blushed furiously, launching a cheese fry at him.
"I do not have a list!"
"Oh my god, you do!" he exclaimed loudly. Rory glared. "Wow, that may be the best thing I've heard in my whole life."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. But if you continue talking about it I'm going to start reciting Dagny until you stop."
"You know, most days, given the possible incentive, I'd take that risk," Jess lowered his voice, meeting Rory's eyes, which burned brightly, "But today I'll let it slide."
Rory looked away quickly. "Cheese fries!" she diverted, as the waitress reapproached. Jess laughed.
"Basket's only been empty for ten seconds but I doubt that one'll make more than fifteen minutes."
"Are you helping?" she inquired.
"Ten."
They returned to Truncheon after lunch, joking around about bands. Jess loved how easy it was to get back into a rhythm with her. The fact that it was comfortable, that they didn't need any sort of transition to fall back into the easy way of being around each other that they always enjoyed. Of course, things were different since the time had passed, but really they weren't.
He was more than happy to give Rory the space and time she needed to figure out what was going on and what she wanted from her life. He'd kind of guessed from the beginning that it was about some general dissatisfaction, some fear of disappointing people by changing her mind, doing something unexpected, or just even considering the possibility. Taking this step, it must've been monumental for her. He was proud. He'd called Luke last night to let him know she was okay and that she was looking toward doing better, and that he couldn't give him any more information until she okayed it. He'd asked to pass the phone to Lorelai and Jess had declined, deciding it better that she hear from Luke, especially while Rory was around. Jess hadn't shared any details, like the fact that she was staying with him and not at work (he'd heard the phone call with her boss that morning, and it wasn't pretty, even though she wasn't fired) but he knew that they were both happy and trusted Rory to figure it out, and trusted Jess to handle things the best he could. Which meant something, something really incredible, to Jess especially. The fact that both Luke and Lorelai, who saw Rory as their kid, trusted his discretion on this said things to him that Jess had never expected to hear in his lifetime.
Perhaps the next week, or month, or year, or whatever it would be would change things. Old drama could revive, awkwardness over the romantic past rear its ugly head, any number of things could pop up. But even if it did he wouldn't change his choices, the ones he'd made since she'd shown up at Truncheon, the ones he was making now. It felt right, and it was right, and he'd meant what he said to Luke. He had to do this. And it wasn't to avenge some long-lost love or write a fairy tale but because he simply had to, and he'd known it since the first day he met her. No matter what happened, even when he didn't know if anything would, he had to be there for her. There was no choice, there was no if or when. He knew. And she'd do the same for him, in a heartbeat. He never doubted it. She had done it for him. She'd believed in him when no one, save for Luke, had. She wasn't the first, but she was a very close second, and the most attractive by far.
Matt and Chris would deal, Lorelai and Luke would deal when they found out, and things would fall into place, even if it was rocky or cracked or uneven. Because that's the way of life. The chips fall. And no matter how it turned out, Jess knew he was doing the right thing and by the end, at the very least, they'd have had a damn good story.
