Chapter Six

"Coffee?" Rory asked brightly as she ushered Jess into her kitchen. Jess cocked an eyebrow at Rory and dipped his head to say yes. Busying herself with the task of making the drink, Rory kept her back to Jess for a few minutes. Finally, she knew she couldn't put it off any longer and turned to face him. She slid a cup of coffee in front of a chair at the table, then seated herself opposite. Jess took the hint and sat down.

"So…"

"So."

"What's going on, Rory?"

"I told you, I'm pregnant. Did you need me to take out an ad in the Gazette?"

"Who's the father?"

Rory felt a surge of pain in her chest at the thought of Logan. "Jess, do we have to talk about this?"

"Who is it, Rory?"

"Fine. It's Logan's. Happy now?"

Jess looked stunned. "How did this happen?"

"You want me to draw you a picture?"

"You know what I meant."

Rory stared at the steam rising from her coffee, unsure of what to say. Jess leaned forward slightly and spoke softly. "I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"Bickering with you. You need a friend and I'm being a jerk."

Rory managed a small grin. "We always did bicker well, you and me."

"Where is the almighty Logan anyhow? Does he know yet?"

Rory took a deep breath. "He knows. He just doesn't care."

Jess sucked air in through his teeth in obvious anger. "Are you ok?"

"Not really. I'm in the same boat as before. I have no real job, no place to live, and now I'm pregnant so I can't even drink my problems away! I'm gonna be a single mother. I've turned into my mother."

Jess smiled. "There are worse people to be than Lorelai Gilmore."

"True. I wish she was here right now. I feel lost without her."

Running his hand through his hair, Jess frowned. "Whatcha gonna do?"

"I don't know. This wasn't my path Jess. I don't know where it all went wrong… I can't do this alone."

"Rory, come on. You are the strongest person I know. You had the best role model. You can do this. And besides, you're not alone." Jess assured her. "You have Lorelai, Luke. This whole town. Emily. Logan will come running eventually. And you've always got me."

They shared a long moment before Rory spoke again. "You hate kids."

Jess shrugged. "I won't hate your kid."

Rory smiled in spite of herself. "Do you think Luke will freak out?"

"Oh, totally."

Saddened at the thought of her new step-father being upset over the news, Rory sighed heavily. "Oh."

"Not in the way you're thinking. He's gonna be so happy for you Rory. Just make sure the kid calls him something old and stuffy, like Grandpa. Nothing cool like Pops, ok?"

"Does that mean you get to be cool uncle Jess?" Rory joked with him.

Jess pulled a face. "Uncle Jess?"

"Yeah." Rory felt a small weight lift from her as Jess buoyed her up. "Hey, Jess?"

Sipping his coffee slowly, Jess looked up. "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"What for?"

"For this. Making me feel better. You always manage to make me see sense, you know?"

"Well, then, you're welcome."

"Hey, do you wanna stay and watch a movie with me? Mom's back tomorrow and I really don't want to be alone right now."

With a simple nod of acceptance, Jess stood up. A sudden knock at the door startled them both. Jess looked towards the front door.

"Want me to get it?"

"Oh, yeah. Thanks Jess. What would I do without you?"

"Let's hope you never find out." Jess' voice was faint as he disappeared into the hallway to get the door. Rory began tidying away the coffee cups, but stopped as she heard Jess raise his voice.

"You!"

"Jess, who is it?" Rory began to make her way to the door when she got no response from Jess. She almost dropped the mug she was still holding when she saw the scene unfolding on her doorstep. Jess was locked in some form of weird staring contest with the newcomer. Standing on her doorstep, arms folded defiantly across his chest, was Logan Huntzberger.