A/N- Internet problems again yesterday. God, how I cannot stand this internet situation. And apparently here it can take up to two weeks to get my internet installed. So this should be a fun ride...though I'm going to try to be better prepared and have it done by a reasonable time every day so I can go to Starbucks and post. Anyway, here's your next chapter. Please read and review. I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of its characters or concepts but I do own a particular red lipstick that makes me feel almost as pretty as Lorelai Gilmore (the older, as gorgeous as Rory is I always had more of a physical girl crush on Lorelai).


Chapter 89

"Rory, I got the Mac and Cheese, but I couldn't find the…what the hell happened in here?"

"What do you mean?" Rory asked innocently, continuing to add color-designated lines to the posterboard.

"I mean, I left for a few hours and suddenly I see…eight posterboards," he counted, "All with intimidating titles having to do with your perceived chances of attaining a particular position, and you're attacking those already terrifying creations with what is clearly a system of color coordination and sectioning. And there are more check boxes than I can possibly count."

"Jess, this is my career," Rory said, still focusing on the ruler in front of her, "Attention to detail could make or break my shot here, and I'm already actual years behind. I may be good at playing catch-up but this is a whole new league. Even with expert advice my chances…"

"Are better than you think they are but worse than he thinks they are," Paris finished bluntly, walking back into the room, "Hi, Jess. Did you bring…"

"Mac and Cheese is on the counter. I couldn't find any carob chips," Jess cut her off, "And no, I did not check the list of eight health food stores you referred me to. Only the first three."

"Good thing you're not in charge of this search," Paris mumbled, heading towards the kitchen.

"You're welcome!" Jess called sarcastically. He sighed.

"That girl is crazy."

"But she's Paris."

"That's what I just said."

"Funny."

"Can you stop for a minute? I want to ask you something."

"Okay…"

"It's kind of serious."

"Let's go in the other room then," Rory eyed Paris, "Hey, I have to take care of something."

"If you aren't back in ten minutes I'll take scissors the posterboards," Paris replied, her voice a monotone. Rory's face turned in disbelief and then hardened.

"If you do that, I'll tell Doyle you had Mac and Cheese."

"Hey, that's just my relationship. This is your career, Gilmore. Get your priorities in order."

Jess held back a laugh as he followed Rory into the guest room.

"So? What is it?" Rory asked, sitting down on the bed. He sighed deeply.

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about something that I noticed on the way here," he admitted, "The way you reacted when I asked if we were coming here to see…him. Are you guys not on…"

"We don't speak," Rory answered, "You know he married Mom. And they got divorced. He wasn't good to her, or for her. He wasn't bad or anything, but she deserved much better. And so after that breakup and another shitty thing he did, I just got sick of it. For a while we were speaking sporadically, but over time I've just stopped. Mom stopped a long time ago, and I don't need him. I never really have. And if I did, I didn't have him anyway. Plus, now I have Luke. And actually I've always had Luke. So I really don't…he's not a part of it. No."

"Hey, it's not like I can say anything about it," Jess reassured her, sitting down next to her and putting his hand over hers, "Liz and I aren't exactly poker buddies. I just…I wanted to make sure you didn't want to stop and see him while we're here. And tell him."

"I don't," Rory answered, "And it's nothing to do with you. I'm just…done. I'm sick of it. I have been for a while. Just assume that no matter the situation, he's not in the picture. Okay?"

"Whatever you want," Jess responded, kissing her gently. Pulling away, he smiled. "It's your call. And if you ever change your mind, just tell me."

"I will," Rory agreed before pulling him back toward her. Afterward she grinned. "I really gotta get back or Paris is going to…"

"Be crazy?"

"In a motivational way."

"Doesn't make it any better. Only crazy people rationalize insanity."

"Well I guess it makes sense that I'm friends with her now," Rory shrugged, getting up and heading out of the room, "You coming?"

"I think I'm going to go back to the health food stores before Paris kills me in my sleep with a glue gun."

"She's moved onto knitting needles."

"That's a whole new level of terror."