The All American Reject

By stella maynard

Author's Note: Just a little warning. This chapter will be a bit OOC, since I originally wrote this for a different story and adjusted it for Gilmore Girls. Plus, I make some of the characters reflect my opinions of them. Sorry about that. I will try to remain more in character next chapter. There are a couple of points where I clearly stray from certain aspects of the characters. If this really bothers anyone, let me know (in a review!) and I will attempt to fix it. This chapter does not take place in any specific point in the show, but it has elements of several episodes. See if you can figure out which ones!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. It's sad. Really. That includes the "soundtrack" to this chapter.

Chapter 2: My Girl's Ex-Boyfriend

The bells above the door chimed as Taylor swept in to the diner, dressed in his usual sweater. "People, people, let me remind you that tickets for our annual Fall Formal Festival, taking place next Saturday, are being sold everyday this week and next week from 3:00 until 5:30, but today only you will get a special five percent discount. That means the dance is next Saturday, not tomorrow," Taylor emphasized, gesticulating with his hands. "Remember, as citizens of Stars Hollow, you are all expected to be there. And in your formal wear."

"How can we forget, Taylor?" demanded Luke, coming out from behind the diner's counter. "You put posters up in every store window and on all the light posts. The town is covered in all those stupid fliers."

Taylor drew himself up. "Well, Lucas, I seem to remember a certain someone being absent from the festivities last year. You obviously forgot," he stated huffily.

"No, I just refused to go, like I'm going to do again this year. Now leave," he ordered, holding the door open for Taylor.

The customers in the diner began to talk about the upcoming dance, or sports, or the latest episode of Project Runway. Rory grinned at Jess as Taylor ignored Luke's commands and continued on his speech. Jess, however, was looking determinedly straight out the window. "Jess. Oh, Jess," she said in singsong. "Are we gonna buy our tickets today?"

Silence.

"You know, you don't have to be embarrassed. I thought it was really sweet," she assured him with a small smile and a twinkle in her eye.

More silence, accompanied by some red creeping up towards his cheeks.

"Not every guy would sing a song to ask his girlfriend to a stupid town dance, especially one he doesn't really wanna go to. I loved being serenaded from my bedroom window. It was so…cliché. And you really weren't bad. Harry's dog always howls at that time of night," she added, trying – and failing – to fight back her grin.

"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we be a couple of the few people in this town who aren't actually talking about the dance right now? Yeah, won't that be fun?" Jess questioned desperately. His face was now completely red.

Rory laughed. "All right. Let's play Rapid Fire." Rapid Fire was a game they had played when they were still only starting to get to know one another. One person would pick a topic and the second person would come up with a question that the first person would have to answer instantly, without thinking. The first player would then come up with another question that the second would answer, and so on. The fast pace of the game, especially when the players live in a little New England town where the art of speaking slowly is not one most people have taken the time to master, does make for some interesting reveals. Rory in particular possessed some material she could use to blackmail her boyfriend.

"Again? Do I have to?" Jess groaned.

"But then again, maybe you should get that guitar tuned. When you hit those high notes -"

He put a hand on her mouth. "Okay, fine. Let's play."

"Only if you want," she said, smiling innocently when he removed his hand. "Category will be…movies."

Jess smiled slightly in relief. At least this was a normal topic. Once, Rory had picked to question him about vegetables. That had been a short game, although there hade been quite a few interesting questions. And answers, too, especially on Rory's part.

Jess began. "Okay. Uh, favorite?"

"Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm Captain Jack Sparrow, savvy?" Rory answered in her best, and very bad, Johnny Depp impression. "Favorite Tom hanks film?"

"Either Saving Private Ryan or Cast Away. Favorite cliché?"

"Come on, Jess! You ought to know this one. A Walk to Remember. It's impossible not to love the whole 'bad boy meets good girl who turns bad boy into best boy' idea. That's some good stuff," Rory sighed. Then after a moment she added, "Maybe not the part of the good girl going to greet God, though. Anyway, guilty pleasure? Do mine eyes spy a blush brushing your cheeks?"

It was true. Jess Mariano, currently wearing a black tee-shirt with the words "Kiss My" followed by a picture of a donkey, once again had a couple of rather pink cheeks. "Thenibk," he mumbled.

"What was that?" she queried, grinning evilly. "Oh I should have asked that question sooner."

He cleared his throat. "I said The Notebook," he muttered quietly.

Rory burst out laughing. A couple of people sitting nearby looked around in surprise. She just gave them a smile and turned back to her boyfriend, who was glowering. "Oh, we're just a couple of Nicholas Sparks lovers, aren't we? That movie would be my answer to so many questions," she noted still laughing quietly. "It's your turn to ask, right?"

"Yes. Favorite Olsen twins movie?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Winning London," stated Rory proudly. "First movie you cried in?"

"Bambi. Cut it out," Jess ordered sternly when she began to 'awww.' "I was six. Favorite Disney movie?"

"You're making me pick just one? Are you crazy? There's so many. I'll give you three. I guess it'd be between Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, and, of course, Cinderella. I love a man who can dance. Huh. That was mean, making me choose. Let's see. Favorite fantasy film? Wow, did you hear that alliteration?"

"Yeah, great job, Ror," Jess said sarcastically. "I guess The 10th Kingdom. Is that fantasy or fairy tale?" he questioned as she stood up, preparing to meet her mother at the inn.

"I don't know. It's a great movie though. We will, we will shear you," Rory sang walking out of the diner, Jess following her out the door. "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

He looked back at his obviously stressed uncle and shrugged, putting his arm around her shoulder. Rory laughed. "You know, most of your answers don't really fit your image. I can see the Tom Hanks movies that you chose, but Bambi? And I can't really see you, the former New Yorker, in your black leather jacket, smoking, waiting with your friends on a line outside the movie theater to buy a ticket to see The Notebook."

"Hey, I went alone. And I like plenty of things that fit my image," he said, feeling a sudden need to defend his loner, somewhat troublesome reputation. "You were just asking all the wrong questions."

"Au contraire, Jess," commented Rory turning to him as they came to a stop outside the inn. "I definitely asked all the right ones."

She blew him a kiss as she headed inside. "I'll meet you back at the diner in an hour. We are buying those tickets today!" she called back over her shoulder.

"You're both going? You and you?" Dana Wyndal asked with a raise of one of her perfectly waxed eyebrows as her green eyes fell on Jess.

"Actually, no. Just her. I've only been standing her for the past 25 minutes because I have a fetish for lines," Jess retorted sarcastically.

Rory lightly nudged him in the ribs. "Yes, Dana, we're both going."

"You do understand that it's a formal dance, right? Meaning you have to wear a suit. And a black tie," Dana continued, her eyes still on Jess but now reading his shirt.

He glared.

"Yes, Dana, we know. Is there anything else we have to do?" questioned Rory.

"Yeah. It's $40 for two tickets and then you've gotta sign your names," she explained, turning her attention to Rory for the first time with a slight smile. The two had been friends when they were younger, but had drifted apart since then. Jess threw down the money in Dana's general direction and then picked up the pen after Rory finished signing.

"All right, let's go," he said, grabbing his girlfriend's hand and pulling her down from the town's gazebo to eat the sandwiches he had brought from Luke's. Rory used her free hand to send a little wave back to Dana.

Jess and Rory headed to a different part of the town square to enjoy the still mild weather. Within a few short weeks, it would most likely be too chilly to sit outside in the fresh air.

Sitting down under the shade of a large tree, Rory said, "You know that I can pay for my own ticket, right?"

"Right now you're still my new girlfriend. I have to buy you everything. But, don't worry, in a few weeks, you can pay for yourself again. Hell, maybe you'll even buy for me, too," said Jess with a slight laugh, joining her on the ground.

Rory chuckled. "Good. I look forward to it."

"So," said Jess, taking a big bit out of his sandwich. "Whafareeduntweekin?"

Rory stared, not moving. "That was disgusting. What did you just say?"

Big swallow. "Sorry. I asked you what we're doing this weekend."

"Nothing," she sighed. "I have to visit my dad in Boston."

Rory's parents had never been together since she was born. She lived with her mother in Stars Hollow, while she visited her father from time to time in Boston, a few hours away. He had never played a really large role in her life, aside from the occasional phone call or visit. But a couple years ago, he had expressed a wish to be there for her more. Things sometimes felt forced, but the relationship was improving, as the father and daughter could now at least talk to one another over the table with ease. They were becoming closer, though not nearly as close as the two Lorelais.

"Oh, ok. Explain to me how she became Stars Hollow's student body president again?"

Rory blinked. "Wow, that came out of nowhere. Dana? Well, first off, she's gorgeous." Although she wasn't his type, Jess had to admit that Dana was pretty. With her naturally tan skin, black hair, and green eyes, she had the exotic look down to an art. She drove many guys insane because she refused to stay with anyone for more than two weeks, three at most. "So she has most of the boys' votes. Plus, she can be really nice, so she'll get some votes from the girls. She doesn't intimidate people to get them to vote for her, like Paris."

"Right," Jess nodded, taking another bite from his sandwich.

"I'm going shopping with my mom on Friday to get a dress for the dance. Do you have your suit?"

"Yep," he mumbled swallowing. "Don't you worry."

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?

Jess rang the doorbell to Rory's house. Lady Marmalade answered him, being one of the many quirks of the Gilmore girls. Rory had explained once to him that they had bought a doorbell that could play songs. Her mom had programmed Lady Marmalade as a joke, but had not been able to change it after. They decided they liked it that way anyway.

Lorelai opened the door. "Hi, Jess. Come on in," she said, stepping aside. "Rory's still getting ready."

Jess entered the living room and was just about to sit down when Rory entered the room. She was wearing a dark blue strapless dress that nearly reached the floor. She had curled her long hair so that it fell softly over her shoulders. She smiled at Jess.

"You look beautiful," he said, walking over to her.

"Thanks. You look pretty dashing yourself," she said, eyes twinkling as she looked him up and down. He wore his dark hair messy, as usual, but had on a pair of pants, a jacket, and a tie, all black, with a white shirt. However, beneath his crisp pants was a pair of bright red, tattered Converse sneakers.

"Thanks very much," he smiled, leaning down to kiss her. Click! Turning, Rory and Jess saw a grinning Lorelai with a camera.

"Hi, there!" she exclaimed. "Now I need the traditional photos by the mantelpiece. First, Rory. Then, just you, Jess. Don't look at me like that. I'm a mother, you're taking out my daughter, I get to boss you around." He glowered. "Then, the two of you together. And finally, one by the door as you leave. Maybe one when you drive away. We'll have to see." She grinned happily.

After getting all the shots she said she would, plus quite a few more, Lorelai walked out onto the porch, camera still in hand, ready to wave the couple off. Jess and Rory walked down the steps together until he hurried ahead of his car to open the side door for her. She stopped walking when she saw what he was doing.

"I can open the door myself," she protested with a smile.

"Rory, don't argue! He won't offer forever. Take advantage of him now," Lorelai called from the porch.

Jess grinned. "For once, I agree with your mother. I told you already, soon you're gonna be opening the door for me."

"All right," she said with another smile. She stepped towards her boyfriend, who opened the door for her. Click!

"Last one, I swear!"

Smirking, Jess closed the door once Rory was safely in and walked over to his side, raising a hand to wave to Lorelai. He turned on the ignition.

"Ready?" he asked, turning to face Rory.

"Ready."

He put the car in drive and pulled out of the driveway. Back on the porch, Lorelai raised her camera to take one last picture.

When they arrived at the school gym where the dance was being held, they found that the dance floor was already full of people moving to the music. Babette and Morrie had their own space, free of other dancers, since they were dancing so…energetically. Rory and Jess walked to a table in the corner of the room where there were still some empty seats. There were some purses and jackets on the other seats, but the other occupants were not present. Rory and Jess put down their things and went to get a drink.

Putting her empty cup in the trash, Rory said, "Let's dance." Ignoring his protests, she pulled Jess onto the dance floor just as a slow song started up. Smiling up at him, she put her arms around his neck as he put his hands on her waist. She leaned up to give him a gentle kiss, but, when he started to deepen it, she did not stop him. She moved her lips against his as they swayed softly to the music. He pulled her body closer to him and moved his hands up and down her back. As the music played, she ran her hands through his messy hair. The two felt perfectly in sync and safe together. She felt safe and he was content. Pulling away from him, Rory blushed and looked down at her feet. Jess used his finger to gently lift her head so that she had to look him in the eye. He smiled at her and leaned down slightly to place a kiss on her forehead.

"Why don't we go back to the table? We can dance again later. I bet they'll be serving dinner soon," Jess suggested. She nodded. "I'm going to hold you to that dance, you know," he whispered as he grabbed her hand to lead her back to their stuff. However, when he approached the table, he stopped dead.

Rory walked straight into his back. "Jess, what are you - ?" She caught sight of the table. "Oh. Dean."

Sitting at the corner table was Rory's former boyfriend. Dean Forrester leaned back in his chair and smirked at the couple as they took their seats as far away from him as the tiny table would allow. With his flat brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and six-four frame, Dean was one of the most sought after boys in school. He had dated Rory for about a year until he broke up with her, but not until he had cheated on her. When she confronted him, he simply said he had wanted to see 'what else was out there.' Rory started dating Jess soon after. He later tried to win her back, apologizing and following her everywhere. When nothing he did worked, he moved on, but never truly gave up on her. Every so often, he would send her flowers or ask her out to dinner. She always refused, of course, but, being the angel she was, could never tell him 'no' firmly enough so that he would surrender. They maintained a version of friendship.

"Rory," Dean said, leaning forward on his elbows a bit. His breath smelled of alcohol. "You look gorgeous."

"Thanks," she replied stiffly, recoiling from the scent.

"You're going to save me a dance later," he commanded with a slightly suggestive raise of his eyebrow.

Rory scoffed. "Excuse me? Did you honestly just tell me what to do? I'm not your girlfriend anymore. You dumped me. I am not going to dance with you."

The girl beside Dean, Jess recognized her as Lindsay from his math class, chuckled slightly at the look on her boyfriend's face. Unfortunately, that only seemed to outrage him.

"You always used to do what I said. So happy that someone wanted to be with you. Never used to argue. Too bad you weren't like this earlier. You might have been interesting enough for me to stick around," Dean snarled.

As tears welled up in her eyes, Rory muttered a quick excuse, her voice wavering, before she dashed out of the room. Jess watched from his seat as she ran from the room before he did anything. As soon as the doors closed behind her, he reached over to grab Dean by his collar and shoved him against the wall. Although Dean had quite a few inches of height on him, Jess's anger made it easy for him to pin the other boy so that he was unable to escape.

Aware that everybody was watching them, Jess muttered quietly, "If you ever talk to her that way again, I will kill you. Hell, if you even think about talking to her like that again, I'll kill you. Hurt her in any way and I'll castrate you. Get it? See you later, Dean." With one final shove that knocked his captive's head to the wall, Jess let him go and stalked towards the doors after his girlfriend.

He found her a few blocks away, leaning against the grocery store's closed door, sobbing. He walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. She continued to cry into his chest. "He never used to be like this. He didn't drink. Well, n-not mu-much. He was so nice to me all the time. Always br-brought me to special pl-places," she wailed. Jess never said anything. He just held her close to him, comforting, safe.

When she finally stopped crying, he looked down at her. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot. Mascara was running down her cheeks. He asked, "Do you want to dance?"

Startled, Rory looked up. "What?"

"I told you I was going to hold you to that dance. So, do you want to dance?" he repeated.

"S-sure. Where?"

Silently, Jess took her hand in his and, their fingers interlaced, pulled her into the empty street. He started to sway on the spot, still holding her hand.

"We need music," she pointed out, her voice returning to normal.

"Don't worry," he said. He pulled her to him again for the second time that night. He began to lead her in a simple dance, humming a tune. Rory smiled into his shoulder, catching on to what her boyfriend was doing.

She leaned back slightly so she could look him straight in the eye. She gazed into his eyes, seemingly looking for something. A small smile flittered across her lips. "You're a terrible singer," she commented in a very fake southern drawl.

He nodded solemnly. "I know," he acknowledged, pulling her back to him, continuously swaying on the spot, humming softly.

Rory snuggled in as close as she could to him. In his arms, she felt something she had never truly felt before. She forgot her troubles from the evening's drama and the world disappeared. For the first time, she felt completely content and satisfied. She thought she could stay in his arms forever.

Music: My Girl's Ex-Boyfriend by Relient K, I'll Be by Edwin McCain, First Date by Blink-182, Truly Madly Deeply by Savage Garden, Here In Your Arms by Hellogoodbye

Thanks to: Curley-Q, hollowgirl22, Megzzz05, jessroryfan24, RBDFAN, wallaceout, and Dreams-of-Oompa-Loompas

Author's Note: So that was Chapter 2. I hope you enjoyed it and please review. I'd love some feedback and suggestions. I'm going to be following the story from mainly Jess's point of view so at times it will be different from the show. Thanks for all the support and I'll see you as soon as possible (school's a bit hectic). And a note on the music: Well, obviously I don't own any of the songs and they are not in any particular order. Also, I might repeat songs in future chapters. Or simply add songs in past chapters later, but probably not. (And no judging my music taste! Just kidding, feel free to judge all you want. I think these songs fit the mood, if not the content, well) Review!