A/N: I hope you guys like this chapter! I know it's short again, but it felt more cohesive and a little more normal to me than the others I've done recently so I didn't want to jinx it. Please read and review, I want to know what you guys are thinking, even if it's rough at first. I'd really just like to know if anyone still has interest in this story. I'll probably continue it regardless, but that would be encouraging. I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of its characters or concepts, but I have been listening to a ton of interviews with ASP over the past few days and have tons and tons of crazy wild fun ideas that I hope I can bring to fruition.


Chapter 119

"Jess, we have to go to Stars Hollow this weekend."

"Define 'have to'."

"Jess!"

"Rory, you know I'm usually fine going back," Jess sighed, "But there's way too much going on right now. If I don't find a replacement for Sanders soon, Matt will have my head on a platter. And Chris is still in such a foul mood that he'll probably volunteer to do the decapitating himself."

"But it's been snowing for weeks! Unless you want Lorelai to decapitate both of us and turn our heads into bowls for Founder's Day punch, we have to figure something out." Rory crossed her arms. Jess sighed.

"Fine. But only because that stuff could bore a hole through my skull in less than an hour," he submitted, "Though that's not nearly as fun as your usual method of persuasion."

"Believe me, I agree," Rory nodded as she flopped down on the bed, "But I'm exhausted. You aren't the only one with difficult coworkers."

"Alex again?"

"Isn't it always?" She rolled her eyes. "I swear, if I wanted some guy to try to tell me how to live my life or that I'm not doing it right, I would've just kept around Master and Commander."

"The movie?"

"Long story."

"Look, I know it's rough right now," Jess said, coming over and putting his arms around her, "But it's still relatively new. You only started there a month ago."

"That still doesn't give him license to patronize me. I'm his superior! It's like living in an episode of Boston Legal, except Alan Shore has no charisma."

"And you aren't old."

"Besides the point!"

"Rory, you can't let him get to you," Jess lowered his voice, "That's just giving him what he wants. To pull you down to his level."

"Well, it's working," Rory fumed, "I deserve to be treated with respect! I'm his boss, technically. And more importantly, I'm a better writer. And his editor! He shouldn't be attempting to undermine me like this."

"Regardless, he is. And you have to be able to stand up to his assault, unless you can find a decent reason to fire him."

"Insubordination?"

"It doesn't sound like he's directly challenging you, he sounds like he's more just being a dick in insidious ways you can't really prove. Given that, do you really want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he's getting to you?"

"I don't know, firing him sounds pretty satisfying to me," Rory replied. She sighed. "Fine, no. But it still sucks."

"Yes, it does," Jess responded, leaning over and kissing her cheek, "And you'll just have to continue being better than that, which I know you can do. I'll even get you a voodoo doll if that'll make you feel better."

"I really don't know if that's such a good idea with the strength of my will right now," Rory muttered darkly. Jess raised his eyebrows in amusement.

"Fair point. So how soon is really necessary with the Stars Hollow thing?"

"It really should be this weekend."

"There's no way."

"Where there's a will…"

"There's also very little will. Why can't your mom come here?"

"Luke has a delivery this weekend."

"Okay, but unless they've gone and glued themselves together again…"

"You'd be okay inviting just Mom?"

"Seems like the most practical solution," Jess shrugged, "And I assume she'll end up glued to you all weekend anyway."

"True. Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No, but if she's not gluing herself to you you can bet I will be. Maybe if she's around I can force myself to actually get somewhere with the replacement issue."

"Deprivation." "Yes." "Not a very Gilmorean concept." "But classic Mariano."

"True," Rory conceded, "Alright, I'll ask her." She smiled, getting up to get her phone. Then she paused, leaning down to give Jess a deep kiss. "And I'll thank you properly after I talk to her."

"I thought you were exhausted?"

"Miraculous recovery."

"You just snuck another cup of coffee when I wasn't looking, didn't you?"

"You complaining?" Rory raised her eyebrows. Jess smirked.

"What's good for the goose…"