A/N: A longer chapter this time, hope you guys like it! I'm hoping to bring in Rory's coworkers more soon, so let me know what you think of this chapter. Also, yes, this is a feminist story, but I love protective!jess so so much, I had to give him a little something to do here.
Chapter 120
"Alex! Have a minute?"
"Not really, boss," he rolled his eyes as Rory approached, "You wanted that story on your desk by three, and I only have two hours left."
"Well, you can spare a second," Rory asserted, "I need to know that you're on the right track with the Richmond piece."
"It's not like it's complicated," he shrugged, "But sure. No need to get your pan…"
"For the love of God, don't finish that sentence," she growled, "Listen, I want the story on my desk by three, and I don't want any more run-ons. It's becoming a real problem."
"Sure thing, boss," he retorted sarcastically, "Though I don't know how I'll manage it all by myself. I mean, it's hard actually writing. I'm sure you remember what is was like. Wait, is that why you decided to take this job?"
"Why don't you do a little less talking and a little more writing," Rory snarled, "You just worry about doing your job and I'll do mine."
"Ma'am yes ma'am. It always seemed to work for the fascists," he shrugged innocently, turning and walking away before Rory could respond. She seethed, walking back towards her desk. She picked up her phone and walked into the hall. It began to ring.
"…Hello?"
"I hate him."
"Rory…"
"I know you're at work, I know I'm at work, but I really, really hate him. He's a petulant little…Oh, hello Brenda! Yeah, I'll let you know about drinks this weekend. Good luck on that interview."
"Brenda must think you have an attitude problem."
"Shut up. What am I going to do? I might kill him."
"Well a statement like that would only concern me if you had means."
"I have hands, don't I?" Rory replied darkly. Jess chuckled.
"Okay, I know you're mad. But you're really cute when you're angry."
"CUTE?"
"Alright, not the time, sorry," Jess quickly corrected, trying not to grin, "How about this…I'll come by and meet you at 5:30 and we'll head out for dinner somewhere on your side of town. We haven't gone out in a while."
"Because we can never agree on a restaurant."
"Can so."
"What were you thinking?"
"Thai."
"We can never agree on a restaurant."
"Fine, Italian," he offered. Rory smiled.
"That actually sounds nice. I'll find a place nearby."
"Great," he smiled, "Now I love you, I have to go make sure that my coworkers behave themselves. You try not to commit homicide until I see you, okay? Because with Matt and Chris both deterring business in their very own special ways, I might not have the money to bail you out of jail."
"Fair enough," she assented, "Plus the body will be pretty heavy for me to move alone."
"There's the practical girl I know. Love you."
"Love you too. Thanks, Jess," she smiled, hanging up the phone. She turned around and promptly frowned.
"Ah, the mysterious Jess," Alex smirked, "Taking time off work for a personal call, boss?"
"Did you need something?" she asked, crossing her arms across her chest.
"No, ma'am. I just wanted to ask you a question about the story but if you're too busy talking to your boyfriend I completely understand. I know how hard it must be for you to tear yourself away from him."
"Alex, you are walking a very thin line right now. Either ask your question or get back to work."
"Oh, did I hurt your feelings? I'm sorry, boss. I'll be more considerate in the future. Leave you to your…work," Alex retorted before walking away, leaving Rory seething in his wake.
"Hey, I'm looking for Rory Gilmore?"
"Do you have an appointment?"
"She's expecting me," Jess smiled charmingly at the secretary, who smiled back.
"Oh, you must be Jess," she stood, holding out her hand to shake his, "I'm Annie, the administrative assistant on her section. I've heard so much about you."
"Really? It's not like her to talk about her personal life at work," Jess said, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion as he shook her hand.
"No, I heard about you from my friend who's an artist. Jackie Martinez? She showed something in Truncheon a while ago, and when Rory did mention your name it rang a bell," Annie explained, "So one day Rory and I went out to lunch and I forced her to confirm that she was, in fact, dating you. Which made so much sense."
"Thanks, I think," Jess smiled. At least someone Rory worked with was nice.
"Annie, can you make another copy of this for me? I can't figure out how to…" Alex stopped in his tracks, "Who's this?"
"Jess Mariano," he said, holding out his hand, "And you are?"
"Um…Alex," Alex answered, cautiously shaking his hand. Jess' eyes narrowed. "Ah, so you've heard about me."
"Actually no," Jess answered, furrowing his brown in confusion, "It's just that you have something on your shirt." He gestured to a stain.
"Ah, ink. Happens," Alex shrugged, "But, you really haven't heard about me?"
"Why would I have heard about you?" Jess asked, shaking his head in confusion, "The only person I know here is Rory Gilmore. And now Annie."
"I actually work under Rory," Alex admitted, "Are you sure…"
"She's never mentioned an Alex," Jess answered shortly, "But that's not surprising. She's not one to mix work and her personal life."
"Well then, it's interesting that you're here."
"I insisted on picking her up and taking her out to dinner," Jess replied, narrowing his eyes again, "She's been working so much lately. I asked her why and she said she's having some trouble with getting certain writers up to speed. I told her that's not her problem, but hey, not everyone can be as smart as her right out of the gate."
Suddenly Rory walked up.
"Jess! Hi! And…oh."
"I was just meeting your coworker here," Jess said, his eyes not leaving Alex's, "He seemed puzzled that I didn't know who he was. Guess he must be pretty special or something."
"Or something," Rory muttered, repressing her grin, "Alex, I want a final draft on my desk by nine tomorrow."
"But we only have half an hour…"
"In the workday, but you have all night. Especially since you spent the majority of the time you should've been editing reading journalism gossip blogs. You should really be careful what you're doing on the company's internet, it all goes to your superiors." Rory smirked. "Sorry, Jess, we can go now. Did you meet Annie?"
"Yeah, she's lovely. I'd love to meet more of your coworkers sometime," Jess smiled, kissing her gently on the cheek. Annie beamed.
"Well, you'll just have to come back then," Annie suggested, "Or maybe come for drinks with us after work one night. Rory always goes straight home to you but maybe if we wrangled you in…"
"That sounds great," Jess smiled, "We'll do that. It was so nice meeting you. And you take care of yourself, Alex."
Alex glowered as Rory and Jess walked out, hand in hand.
"Isn't he great?" they heard Annie gush.
"Whatever," Alex mumbled crankily.
"Thanks for that," Rory said as they exited the building, "You know you didn't have to do anything."
"Hey, I know you can take care of yourself," Jess smiled, "But I admit I can get a little protective sometimes. I'll work on it."
"Please don't. The look on his face when you said you hadn't heard of him…"
"You were there for that?"
"I may have been peeking."
"Sneaky spy."
"It's my job to supervise my employees!"
"I really don't think that's what they meant," Jess shook his head, smiling, "So Italian?"
"Yes. Enough red wine and pasta and I'll forget Alex even exists."
"Enough food and I think you'd forget I exist."
"Decent theory. Let's test it."
