Lux et Veritas

by knowhere

Literati. Rory, a college freshman, meets a confident adult Jess for the first time. What happens when the circumstances are changed? AU

12. Protect

Lux et Veritas

Chapter 12: Protect

Author: Knowhere

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: The idea, concept, and other miscellaneous belong to me.

AN: Not much to report this time around. C12: Protect follows closely, but not immediately, where we left off in C11: Freedom.

Big thanks to Hallon. For your ear, your feedback, and your presence. Thanks.

Summary: Very AU. A more relaxed college freshman Rory meets a more confident adult Jess for the first time. Different backgrounds, attitudes, and behaviors for the both of them. Literati.

---

"So what have you been up to Jess?"

Shaking my head gently, "Not much, just the usual."

"Really?" He looks at me mischievously and I get a feeling in my gut that something's about to happen. "Are you sure?"

I narrow my eyes. "Well, I did get new shoes last week, but yeah, I'm sure." I roll my eyes at the end of my sarcastic remark.

He ducks down under the table to glance at my shoes and reply with similar sarcasm, "Lovely." He looks over at me. "But I was talking about something else that you were toting around that was new."

I put down my bottle of beer. "Alright Mike, what the hell are you talking about?"

He leans in over the table and glances to his right to see if the other people at our table are listening. "Something new like a pretty little brunette?"

I shrug. "Dunno what you're talking about." I glance away.

"Oh no? So you don't mind if I call her then?"

I look over but resist staring. He's trying to make me admit something and I won't fall into his trap. I've known him long enough to know how he operates. "Call who?"

He grins. "Well I don't know her name but I do know she always gets coffee at a cart outside the English department. And she's always there when I go for breakfast."

"Oh?" I raise my eyebrow.

He gets frustrated and reaches over to slap my shoulder. "Come on Jess and fess up."

I chuckle. "To what?"

"You're impossible. Why can't you just admit that you have a girlfriend?"

"Jess? Girlfriend?" Beth leans over Mike and scoffs. "Maybe when hell freezes over."

Mike slips his arm around her shoulders. "Put on a sweater Baby, 'cause I think it has."

She pushes off his arm playfully. "Mike, stop hitting on me, and I think it's still plenty warm so no way does Jess have a girlfriend."

"Why don't you ask him for yourself?" He's talking now like I'm not sitting right next to them. "Or are you still a little hung up on him?"

"Shut up." She turns to me. "You don't have a girlfriend, do you Jess?"

I open my mouth but my phone rings to my rescue. "Mariano."

"Hey, it's me." Her voice floats softly to my ear and I lean away from the table to hear her better.

"Hello, Me."

She giggles. "I'm really bored right now."

"Thought you were having a movie night with Lorelai?"

"Was." She sighs. "There was an emergency at the inn; a water pipe broke or something and Luke went with her to help." She sighs. "What are you doing? Watching T.V with Adso?"

"Um, actually I'm out with some friends." I motion to them that I'll be a couple more minutes and I get up from the table to walk outside for privacy.

"Oh." She sounds really surprised. "You have friends?"

I snicker without heat. Her question was just so honestly curious.

"I mean," embarrassed she backpedals, "I've just never really seen you with other people."

"Some people from the department and some I knew in my undergrad days." I lean against the railing around the front entrance of the bar for support. "We're just getting some drinks."

"Are you driving?"

She makes me smile at her concern. "No, I walked. It's really close from the apartment. Plus, I've only had a beer."

"Oh, okay." I can imagine her wondering what to say. "Well, I'll let you get back to your friends."

I shift my weight and decide to sit down on the bench right outside of the double doors. "No, it's okay. I haven't talked to you in days. What's going on with you?"

I hear rustling and the sound of her shifting the phone to the other ear. "Well, not much. Just hanging out with Mom a lot. Shopping for Christmas and other holiday stuff. You?"

"Same. Only not hanging out with my mother and not really doing a lot of shopping."

Giggling, "So not the same at all."

"No, but it sounded like a good response."

She pauses to drop my nonsense and picks up with the conversation again. "So are you coming for Christmas, Jess?"

I nod. "Unless something pops up unexpectedly, yeah, I plan to drive on down Christmas afternoon. Is that okay?"

"Christmas afternoon?"

"I always have Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and presents with them in the morning, but I'll leave as soon as I can."

"Okay, we'll wait for you then."

"No, don't wait. Just do what you guys normally do and I'll show up when I can."

"Okay, that sounds good." She's pausing for a while. "I miss you."

I look up at the blackened sky. "Yeah, me too." My voice drops an octave.

A moment passes and she perks up again playfully. "What are you wearing?"

I choke out my laughter. "What?"

"I just thought it'd be fun to ask." She giggles.

"Jeans, t-shirt, and jacket." I whisper huskily trying to make something sound sexy that really isn't. "You?"

"Pajamas."

I lean into my phone to listen closer. "Oh?"

"Yeah."

"Are we talking pajamas like the ones that you wore when you were staying over at my place or like flannel and a bath robe?"

I hear more rustling. "I wasn't wearing anything when I slept over at your place."

"Exactly."

She giggles loudly. "Just boxers and a shirt."

I lean back on the bench and cross my stretched out legs at the ankles. "Tell me about them."

"It's a black tank top and boxers with black and white stripes."

"I have a pair just like that."

A beat passes before she answers and I thought I almost lost connection. "Yes, I know. I saw them in your dresser the other day."

"Coincidence."

"No, I borrowed yours." She whispers.

I groan loud enough for her to hear. "You're killing me."

She laughs suddenly sounding much less sexy and more like a girl.

"What are you doing right now?"

"I'm talking to you." I can picture her rolling her eyes. "And wrapping your Christmas present."

So that's the rustling I keep on hearing. "Present?"

"Of course."

"Is it big?"

She plays along. "I dunno. You'll just have to wait and find out."

I smile knowing she can't see. "Huh."

Seeing Mike's head poke out of the door to the bar, I turn. "Hey man, are you coming back inside? Brad is buying drinks for everyone."

Nodding, "Yeah, I'll just be a minute."

"Who are you talking to anyways?" He doesn't go back inside but doesn't step out any further.
"None of your business." I cover the mouthpiece of the phone with my palm.

He comes closer. "It's her, isn't it?"

"Get back inside."

Coming right up to my face, he grabs the phone out of my hands and wards me off with his free arm. "Hello, who's this?" He smiles but his eyes are having a hard time focusing and I know he's drunk. "Rory, hi I'm Mike. Jess's friend from junior year." He looks over in my direction as I give up trying to take the phone. "Yeah, he's still here," I see him nodding, "Yup. You know, it's a shame you're not here with us. There are plenty of girls here wanting to get their chance with your boyfriend here. One in particular." And with that I shove him not so gently and grab the phone out of his hands as he laughs to no one in particular.

Steering him back through the door, I push him. "Go away."

Finally alone again, I walk over to the railing. "I'm sorry about that."

"Hm, it's alright." She pauses. "So, who was that?"

"Mike. I met him in my European Literature class years ago. He's a bit of an ass when he's drunk. He's a smart guy though he wastes his time trying to pick up girls." I expect to hear her giggle but I'm met with silence instead. "Rory?"

"Yeah, still here."

Still with no elaboration on her part I ask, "You okay?"

"Yup."

"Liar."

"No, nothing's wrong." I hear her shifting her weight. "Anyways, I'll just let you get back to your friends, and I need to finish up here. So, I'll just talk to you later."

Not buying it for a second, "What's going on?" I shift the phone to the other ear.

"Nothing. Stop asking."

Getting upset, I raise my voice just a bit. "Cut the bullshit Rory."

Not missing a beat she speaks up right as I leave off. "Just who are you with that would like a chance with you? With one in particular?"

I roll my eyes. "That?"

"Yes, that."

Sighing, "She's just a girl I met back in the class that I had with Mike. It's nothing."

"Nothing?" Her short questions worry me.

"Yes that's right. Nothing."

"Nothing like an ex-girlfriend?"

Going back to sit on the bench, this certainly was not how I pictured the end of the conversation with the early playful talk about what we were wearing. "No Rory, not an ex-girlfriend."

"So you've never went out with her?" She clarifies.

"We went on a couple dates, but it never went anywhere."

"Okay." But I know for a fact that it's not okay. "So is it just the three of you?"

"No."

"So do you see her often?"

Getting to the point, I'm tired of circumventing the issue. "Rory, what's going on here? You know I've had other girlfriends, as I think I can safely assume you've had other boyfriends."

"I've never heard you use my name so many times in a conversation." She pauses. "You must be upset with me."

Shaking my head, "No, I'm not upset. I just don't understand why you're upset."

Raising her voice just a hint, "I'm not upset."

"Okay then, you seem awfully upset for someone having a regular conversation."

Huffing, "It's not that." I hear more rustling. "And I'm not so naïve to think that you haven't had other girlfriends."

"I didn't say you were naïve. I just don't understand why this is an issue. And Beth isn't an ex-girlfriend. She's just an old friend that I went out on a couple of dates with."

"I heard you." If we were face to face, I think that would have come out like a shout. "It just reminds me that you have other girls interested in you that are older and understand what you're going through and can relate much more than I do." And it finally comes out.

"That's what you're worried about? The fact that they're older?" I lower my voice.

She doesn't answer me for almost a minute. "When you say it like that you make me sound stupid."

Very gently, "That's because it's a bit silly. I would like to think that after all this time you would know how I feel about you."

"Do I?" She's pouting and it makes me flare up.

"Yes Rory." I run my hand through my hair. "And I don't like that you're questioning me or my intentions."

"I just don't want to end up like one of your other girlfriends." She's become irrational in the course of this conversation.

And by now I'm not trying to hide my anger or frustration with her. "Goddamn it Rory. You're not just another girl. You're the first one I've ever fallen in love with." With that exclamation, I fall silent.

And so does she.

I look down at my shoes and scuff the toe against the cement.

She whispers. "I'm sorry Jess."

"Me too." I sigh.

"I'm sorry I ruined your night."

Truthfully, "No you didn't. It just wasn't the best."

"Are we," She pauses. "Are we okay?"

"We can still fight and be okay in the end, right?" I tuck my jacket around my body tighter. Sitting outside in this freezing cold has made my bones ache.

"Yes."

"Then yeah, we're okay."

The conversation stops for a while and I enjoy the silence.

"You don't use my name very often do you?" She breaks into the stillness.

Remembering what she had said earlier, "Um, I guess not."

"Unless you're angry with me."

"Guess not." I chuckle and repeat my statement. "I just assume that you know I'm talking to you when we're having a conversation."

She laughs. "But you don't call me using my name or anything else often either."

"I call you Gilmore once in a while."

"Is that your thing? Not using people's names?"

I smile. "After that incident where you made fun of me for calling you 'Baby' I just thought it'd be better not to use any name besides your real name."

Offhandedly she replies, "If you were using my real name you'd have to call me Lorelai. And I didn't mean to make fun of you that time. It just sounded weird coming out of you."

"Does it still sound weird now?"

"I don't know. Do it again."

I smile and bring the phone closer to my mouth to whisper, "Baby."

She chokes out loud laughter. "Try something else."

"No," embarrassed, I'm glad we're talking on the phone, "No."

"Oh I didn't mean to laugh. Come on, try something else."

"No."

"Alright. But one of these days." She leaves it hanging like a promise I don't want her to keep.

"I have to get going." I look at my watch.

"Okay, goodnight Baby."

I laugh. "Goodnight."

---

I see her sitting on the front steps of her porch waiting. Shifting down I park my car in her driveway and reach over to the passenger side for my bag. She pops up from her position and runs across the small yard and I can barely get out of the car before she launches herself into my arms. I laugh softly into her ear and I feel her burrowing her face into the crook of my neck. "You're here."

Keeping my arms wrapped around her, I set her feet back onto the ground. "It would appear so."

"Happy Christmas."

"You mean Merry Christmas?"

She reaches up and kisses me softly. All lips. "I mean Happy Christmas. I'm happy and it's Christmas, so Happy Christmas."

Shifting the bag on my shoulder, I stroke my hands up and down her arms and she snuggles into me for the moment. "Happy Christmas then."

"Did you have a good time with your parents?"

"Yeah, it was nice. Same; nothing really special but it was nice. You?"

"Fun. Woke up today at five and Luke made us pancakes in the shapes of blobs that Mom insisted looked like Santa." She laughs.

I nudge her head to the side and I kiss her neck. "Get all your presents open?" Deep down I know she's still a kid, and I vaguely realize that it hasn't been long since she was legally considered a child.

"Yup. Sweaters, books, little knickknacks."

"But you seem to have missed one." I unzip my bag quietly from the side.

"What?" She lowers her eyes to watch me.

I pull out the small box. "This one." I remove one arm from around her waist and straighten out the wrapping. "Sorry it's a bit smashed."

"It's pretty. Nice wrapping paper." She runs her fingers across the comic section of the newspaper that I had used as a makeshift gift-wrap.

"You gonna admire the paper all day or open it up?" I tease.

"I'm gonna open it." She picks at the tape and I watch her pull the paper apart gently. "Oh, Jess." She opens her mouth and closes it again only to open it back up like a fish.

I slip my bag down from my shoulder to set it gently on the grass. "You like it?"

"You idiot." Her hand comes up to slap my shoulder. "You shouldn't have."

"What?" I duck down to catch her eyes. "Shouldn't have gotten you a present for Christmas?"

She playfully bumps her body into mine. "No, you shouldn't have gotten me pearls. They're too expensive."

"They could be fake. And then they wouldn't be expensive."

"Oh." She's making her fish face again and this time it's combined with confusion dancing across her brows.

I smile. "They could be, but they're not."

"I can't accept them." But she doesn't let go of them.

"Sure you can." I take them from her hands and her eyes follow me. Motioning for her to turn around I drape them delicately around her neck from behind. "There. Now they're yours."

She fingers them with a hesitant touch. "Thank you. I love them."

Leaning down to kiss her, "You're welcome." I bring my hands up to her face to cradle cold cheeks and I kiss her, lingering on her lower lip. Pulling back suddenly but resting my forehead against hers, "I've missed you."

"Even with that horrible phone call the other day?" I imagine that statement just popped out of her mouth and her face betrays her emotions as I can very well assume that she regrets bringing that up in the midst of our happy moment. "Sorry."

"No, it's okay." I assure her with a hug. "And yes, I've missed you like crazy even with that phone call."

"I guess I was pretty irrational, huh?"

I had a feeling that this particular subject was not quite put to rest yet. "Yes, but I also think it's natural to feel what you felt in a similar situation. I don't think I'd feel comfortable being away from you knowing that you were having drinks with one of your ex-boyfriends. Like that floppy haired kid from the market."

She looks up from our hug. "I never told you he was an ex."

"You never explicitly told me, but I have eyes you know. He looked like he was ready to challenge me to a duel when we ran into him that day."

She laughs. "He was my first real boyfriend. We dated for a while but it didn't work out. Obviously."

Feeling cold, "You can tell me the whole story another time." Picking up my bag once more I gesture with my head. "Let's go inside. I think I'm ready to face your mom and my uncle."

"Okay."

---

"Dinner was really good, thanks Luke." I watch him circle the couch and settle next to Lorelai at the end.

"It was nothing."

"Told you Luke's food was the best." She pokes me in the side.

Grabbing her finger playfully, "I never said I didn't believe you." Almost leaning in for a kiss, the moment breaks up as I hear Lorelai clear her throat. Out of the corner of my eye I see her watching me like a hawk and I tense up for a moment as Rory scoots closer to me on the floor in front of the couch to snuggle into my side as we watch A Christmas Story. But as she brings her left arm up and around the front of my stomach and leaves it hanging with fingertips barely touching the carpet I relax, not feeling Lorelai reprimand me. But I'm not immune to the stares that are being directed from both her mother and my uncle at the back on my head, burning a hole into me. Bringing my arm around Rory's shoulders, I tug her closer and she rests her head on my chest. "Thank you for today." I whisper softly into her hair and I wonder if she heard me at all.

Feeling her squeeze my side I know she did. "Pass the popcorn."

"Oh we're out." Lorelai exclaims from behind us. "I'll go make more." She grabs the bowl from the coffee table and practically bounces off into the kitchen.

"Lorelai, let me do it," Luke gets up as well. "You're going to burn it." Following her into the kitchen I watch the two of them disappear out of sight but not out of earshot as Luke keeps lecturing Lorelai on how she needs to follow the directions on the box instead of just shoving the bag into the microwave.

"Hey," She's pulling on my t-shirt.

"Yeah?"

Standing up, she extends her hand to help me. "Come with me."

Taking her hand, I look over in the general direction of the kitchen. "Now?"

"No next year," she rolls her eyes, "Of course now." Exasperated she pulls me forward with more force than necessary and I pitch forward into her body, almost knocking her over. She laughs.

"Where are we going?" We're crossing the length of the living room, approaching the foyer.

"My bedroom."

"Oh? Already?" I chuckle.

Glancing over her shoulder, "Dirty." She raises her eyebrow at me very suggestively. And just as soon as she gave me the look, she drops it. "And no, not for that."

Passing Lorelai and Luke in the kitchen we attract attention as Rory strings me along behind her. "Where are you going Sweetie?"

"I'm going to give Jess his Christmas present." Rory turns to address her mom. "We'll be right back. Have the popcorn and candy ready."

"Okie dokie." Lorelai turns back to raiding the panty with Luke behind her trying to sneak in some carrot sticks.

"Lorelai, come on." Luke shifts to dodge her. "I like them. I'll eat them; they're not for you so you can at least let me get a plate for my food."

"No, you'll infect the goodies with your healthiness."

Rory steps behind me and pushes the door closed and smiles. "You ready?"

Scrunching my face in confusion, "Do I need to prepare myself?"

Getting on her knees to retrieve the present from under the bed, "Here you go."

"Thanks." I sit down next to her on the bed and pick at the bow. "It's heavy."

"Yeah." She has a grin on her face and it's not one that I've seen before. "You gonna open it?" She echoes my earlier tease.

Tearing the paper, I open a flimsy cardboard box to reveal a black…rock? "Huh?"

She giggles loudly and hugs me from the side. "It's a lump of coal."

I roll my eyes and glance down at her. "Coal, huh?"

"You should have seen your face. Priceless."

Getting close to her face I speak, "That's not very nice."

Reaching under the bed again, "This is the real thing."

"Oh, so I haven't been a bad boy this year?"

"I guess not." She shrugs one dainty shoulder.

I open the box to find a black leather watch.

"Do you like it?" Her mischievous grin is gone and she's full of insecurities now.

Dropping a kiss on her lips, "Yes I like it." I take it out to fasten it to my wrist. "Thank you."

Her hands come around to lift my hand up in the air. "I just thought you would like a new watch. I mean, yours is getting all scuffed up and everything, I thought it's time for a replacement." She looks up at me. "I know it's not really an original idea or anything, but maybe you can use it?"

"Yeah, I can use it." I reply softly. "Thanks."

She speaks just as softly. "You're welcome."

"Rory!" We hear her mother shout from the kitchen.

"Coming!" She throws away the wrapping paper for me. "Ready?"

Fiddling with the watch, "Yeah; do you think it's been going okay so far?"

Cocking her head to the side, "Well you've managed to get through dinner without alienating my mother and Luke hasn't had reason to kill you, so yes, that's a job well done."

I chuckle, but look down at my lap. "I'm serious."

"And since when do you care what other people think about you?" She's right. When did I?

But then again…"It's a different point when it's my girlfriend's mother." I turn to her. "Don't you want your mom to like me?"

She comes back over to sit but instead of joining me on the bed, she straddles my lap in seriousness. "Of course. And she does. But I didn't think you two would become best friends, so stop aiming for that."

My hands go to her thighs to secure her. "I wasn't. It's just hard to tell with your mom."

"You remind her a lot about herself. That's part of the problem."

"Problem?" My hands reach up to her waist.

Smiling softly as if talking to a spooked horse, "Didn't you ever think that it was odd how young my mom is for having a daughter who's eighteen?"

Momentarily put off, I lean my forehead against her tummy with a silent thud, "Ugh, don't remind me how young you are." Looking up, "And no, I don't think I've given it much thought."

She smiles at my discomfort. "Just because we don't say it out loud doesn't mean that I'm not eighteen. I thought you got over that fact?"

"I did. It's just a harsh reminder when I'm about to turn twenty-four in less than two months and my girlfriend can't even legally go into a bar for a drink." I gesture with a free hand. "Not for another three years."

"You know, six years apart really isn't that big of a deal." She kisses me. "It only seems like that now because I haven't hit my twenties yet. But in the big scheme of life, that's barely a blip."

I flop back on the bed, bringing her to land on top. "I know." I run my hand through her loose hair. "Now we just have to wait until you turn twenty."

"That's quite the long term plan you've got for us, Mister."

Sharply turning my head in her direction, "Oh? Too long?"

Thinking she would take the conversation into serious territory, I'm a little relieved to hear her. "Nope. Perfect. I like long term."

Dryly, "That would be new for me."

"Don't say that." She frowns.

I meet sad eyes. Telling her gently, "It's the truth."

"People can change."

Seriously, "Yes, that's also true." I pat her lower back for emphasis. "How old did you say your mom was when she had you?"

Her eyes light with the reminder of our previous conversation. "Oh right." She stops supporting her weight on her arms and snuggles into me. "Sixteen."

"Ah, I get it." No wonder there's fear about her being young.

"Yeah."

"Rory!" We hear Lorelai's muffled shout once more.

---

Coming out of the room we're met by Luke sitting at the kitchen table with Lorelai bouncing around. Bounding over to us, she hooks elbows with Rory and takes her along. "Come Offspring, it's movie time."

Shaking my head with a bemused smile I start to follow, but I feel a hand grasping the inside of my forearm.

"Sit." Turning to see Luke, I obey.

"Okay." Across the table from my uncle, I twiddle my thumbs. "What's up Uncle Luke?"

I watch him scratch the back of his head nervously. "Um, I know that we don't really know each other very well. I mean, me being your uncle and everything."

What the hell is this guy getting at? "That's alright. There's not much to really know."

"Yeah." He's avoiding making eye contact. "It's just that I might not know you, but I do know Rory."

Ahh. So that's where this is leading. "Huh."

"Yeah." He's getting more momentum into this awkward conversation. "I've known her since she was a kid. She's practically still is."

Yikes; not another age conversation. I'm exhausted just with my inner turmoil.

"But what she chooses to do with her life now is her own choice. She's mature enough to make those choices."

"Yes she is."

He finally meets my eyes. "But whether or not you're the right guy to be that choice is another thing." Looking away, "And this makes the situation really weird because you're my nephew and she's practically my daughter."

"Yes, I think you've gotten all of our proper relations correct." Sarcastic defense.

"Jess, what the hell is a guy like you doing with Rory?"

Not liking how this conversation has turned, irritation flares up. "What do you mean, a guy like me?"

"You don't come from her part of the world."

"And what part would that be?" I raise my voice just a hint. "North America? 'Cause I'm pretty sure we're on the same continent."

Running a hand through his hair, "Don't play dumb."

"Just pretend for a second that I really am this dumb and make it clear for me."

"Rory's at Yale because of scholarships and loans."

"And just because I can afford to pay my tuition without a mountain of loans suddenly makes me unsuitable for her?" Reassuring Rory that our financial differences don't matter is one thing, but being attacked and having those differences thrown at me as doubts to my intentions is a totally different subject.

"It's not just that." He gestures and points at me. "I was around when you were a baby. I changed your diapers. And I know very well just how old you are Jess. And how old Rory is."

Not this again. "Congratulations. You can do math."

Sighing, he's deflated. "She's young Jess. She should be focusing on school and experiencing life in college."

Seeing him soften up just a tiny bit relaxes me to give him a straight answer. "Yes I know there's a difference in our age, but it's really not that much." Now it's my turn to use that line. If I use it enough can I get myself to buy into it? "And she is focusing on school. I won't get in the way of that." I lean away from the table. "She is experiencing college life. She will; with or without me."

"Just don't hurt her. She doesn't need it."

"Jess?" Rory appears in the doorway. "You coming? The movie's starting."

Getting up the chair makes a noise as it scuffs the floor. "Yeah, I'm coming." I turn back politely. "Luke, are we done?" It's hard trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice, but I suppose I owe this guy some respect if he's going to take my relationship with Rory as seriously as I tried to convince him I do.

"Yeah." Gruffly, he stands as well and walks in front of us, joining Lorelai on the couch once more.

I start to follow, but Rory grabs my hand. "What was that all about?"

"Just a little nephew to uncle talk."

Disbelief shades her face. "Yeah, right." A smile plays on her lips.

"I was told not to hurt you."

"Ugh." She comes in and I envelope her into a hug.
I hold her tighter. "I was wondering how long it would take someone to talk to me, but I was expecting it from your mom instead."

"Luke's pretty protective of me." Her hands wander bravely into the back pockets of my jeans, but it's done only as a sign of comfort.

"Yeah, no shit."

She laughs changing the subject. "Do you like Home Alone?"

"The movie or the situation? 'Cause I could do with getting you home alone right now." My mood lightens with the playful exchange.

"The movie, you dope." She leads me back into the living room.

---

I'm well aware that Luke is watching us, or actually watching me, with renewed eyes and concentration. I bite my lower lip in amusement as I can imagine him tensing up as Rory lowers her head on my shoulder next to me on the large chair that we're sharing.

"Ow, you have a bony shoulder." She whispers to not interrupt the movie.

Chuckling, "Come here." I whisper just as softly. I shift my weight next to her to accommodate her comfort. I wrap my arm around her upper body and rest her head on my sternum instead.

"You're not driving back home tonight, are you?"

I look down. "I was planning to."

"Oh." She glances over her shoulder at her mom and back again to linger on my face. "I thought you would stay here."

"Here? In this house?"

"Why not? You've done it before."

I drop a kiss on the crown on her head. "That was by accident."

"Well," she's biting her lower lip, "I'm not ready to say goodbye."

"It's not goodbye, it's more of a 'see you later' kinda thing."

Turning around she ignores my last statement. "Mom, can you find a room for Jess at the inn?"

Lorelai grabs the remote to pause the movie. "Honey, it's Christmas. There aren't any vacant rooms at the inn. We're booked solid for the weekend."

"Oh." She looks bitterly disappointed. "But it's late and it's a long drive for Jess to go back to New Haven."

I move forward to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Rory, it's okay. It's not that late. I'll be fine."

"No," She shakes her head and I notice that Lorelai is surprised at how worked up her daughter is getting. "It snowed last night and the roads get slick easily. And, and…"

"Rory, take a breath." Lorelai stands up next to her. "Jess can sleep on the couch, Sweetie." She pats Rory on the back like a child. "No harm done."

Suddenly embarrassed, Rory avoids eye contact with everyone. "Okay, thanks."

Amused, "Okay. Why don't you help Jess get the extra sheets and stuff?"

"Sure." Rory doesn't even look back at me to make sure that I'm following.

I sneak a glance at Luke who has a tortured look of disbelief. As I climb up the stairs I hear Lorelai's muffled words, "Lukey, she's an adult now. And so is he."

Scoffing, "Yeah, I'm well aware of how much of an adult my nephew is."

Disappearing around the corner, "If I'm okay with my daughter and her boyfriend then you should be too. I had a long talk with Rory last night and I'm starting to understand. I don't like it, but I'm starting to be okay with it."

"Let's see. We have pink bunny sheets, or green monkeys." Rory smiles broadly at me from the dresser tucked aside in the hallway. "Take the bunnies. They're my favorite."

Grinning, "Yeah right."

She raises her eyebrows. "They were once on my bed."

"Well in that case, I don't mind sleeping with the bunnies."

Pulling the sheets out of the armoire, Luke and Lorelai passes us on the top of the stairs. "Goodnight you two." Lorelai gives a pointed look to Rory. "Don't stay up too late."

"Okay Mom."

Surprisingly enough the situation isn't as uncomfortable as I predicted. Lorelai is keeping a tight reign on her feelings about me. Their bedroom door shuts behind them.

"Jessie?"

Smiling, I don't comment on her choice of name addressed to me. Touching her shoulder as we descend back downstairs, "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Her arms flail about as she makes her way down the stairs as if she doesn't know how to walk. It's like watching a deer take its first steps and I smile. "I just don't know what came over me. I didn't think my mom would actually agree to let you stay here."

Reaching the couch, I grab the other end of the sheet to help her spread it out. "Me neither."

"Um, we need to find you a pillow. Oh, I know." She dashes back into her room and I watch from the couch. "Here you go. It's an extra one of mine. That's okay, right?"

"Yeah."

"Here, I think this blanket is warm enough. We have the heat on too, so you shouldn't be cold."

"Thank you."

"'Night." Standing at the end of the couch she looks expectantly.

I drag out our kiss. This whole day has been peppered with chaste, quick, and sometimes stolen kisses and now there is time to finally submerge myself into the kiss. "See you in the morning?"

"Of course."

I climb in under the sheets but she doesn't turn to leave. Bending over me, she tucks me in and I'm doing my best to bite back any sarcasm. She kisses me on the lips as she stands up. "Love you."

I just nod in response.

---

"Good morning." In a singsong voice bright eyes look at me from her crouched position on the floor next to the sofa.

Blearily leaning up on the elbow near the edge, "What time is it?"

"Almost nine."

Worming her way next to me, I make room for her by leaning up on the arm of the couch. "What are you doing up?"

"I already had breakfast with Mom. She went with Luke to the diner for coffee."

My eyes drift shut. "Uh hum."

"Hey, don't fall asleep."

Head dropping on her shoulder, "Tired."

"Want some coffee?" She offers me her cup.

"No, I wanna sleep."

She stands up. "Come on Baby, let's go for a walk."

"Now?" I throw off the covers. "Where are we going?"

"Just out for a walk. Here." She hands me my sweatshirt. "It's cold outside."

Rubbing my eyes after pulling the hoodie over my head, I check her out. "You warm enough?"

"You going to keep me warm if I get cold?"

Hugging her, I rest my chin on the top of her head. "Let me brush my teeth before we go."

"Bathroom's right over there." She follows me to the door of the bathroom. "Do you need help?" She has a broad smile on her face.

Gently sarcastic, "I think I'm okay, thanks." I run my hand across my face, feeling the stubble that has appeared since I last shaved yesterday morning.

Leaning on the doorjamb, "I like the way you look when you're clean shaven." Then realizing what she's implied, "But you look good this way too."

Using her toothbrush I dab on some toothpaste. "I'll keep that in mind." I don't add the fact that I know it makes me look younger.

She watches me with her pinkie finger in the edge of her mouth.

I catch her stare in her reflection of the mirror. "You look happy."

She moves her finger out of her mouth. "I am."

Tossing her toothbrush back into the holder, "You ready?"
"Just waiting for you."

Not moving, I lean my right palm on the sink edge. "Did you say we were alone in the house?"

"Yeah." Her tongue darts out to wet her lips.

My eyes follow her movements. "Huh." Grabbing her, I lift her up and over my shoulder. I stumble a bit at the weight but keep a firm grip on her thigh so I won't drop her.

"Jess!"

Ignoring her protests and only listening to her laughter, I move around the corner to get to her bedroom. I kick the door closed with my foot and collapse on top of her on the bed. Smirking, I check to see if she's okay. "Alright?"

Not answering she hooks her ankles on the back of my calves and runs her hands under my sweatshirt. "Off."

I help her by reaching behind me to pull the sweatshirt over my head. And I do the same with the t-shirt. Her hands are grabbing first at my discarded shirt to toss it off the bed and then to the top button of my jeans, and lastly to the zipper. I laugh, "Hey, Grabby."

With hazy eyes she looks at me and I loose my playful expression. Thrusting her hips up to mine forcefully, I react by tangling my hands into her covers.

"Jess…" My name comes out in a blur.

Sheets are balled up in my fists and I feel her anticipation and understand her hurried efforts. It's been a long time since we've had the opportunity to be together and the relative newness of our physical relationship still grips me. Hard. I'm certainly ready for whatever she wants and I squeeze my eyes tightly to focus on my control. Slick warmth invades my senses and I let go of the reigns as I pull her sweater off of her as well. I don't wait to pull her tank top over her, I just tug on the strap to expose her shoulder and her breast and I clench seeing as how she isn't wearing a bra. Latching on to her left breast I feel her feet frantically pushing down my jeans and they pool at my ankles. With a seeking hand, she strokes me through the cotton of my boxers and I move in a rocking motion into her hand.

My jeans tangle up my feet making me loose my footing and I fall into her body. "Sorry." Rolling to my side, and bringing her on top I kick off my pants and hear the metal of the belt buckle thud quietly against her carpeted floor. Now that I'm free of most of my clothing, except for my boxers, I grab her face with both hands to pull her into a kiss. She's not being gentle in the embrace and her mouth works as if she wants to eat me alive. Feeling that she's not resting her full weight against me, I curl my right foot against the back of her bended knee and tug her down. She still has on her sweatpants and my right hand leaves her face to push them over her hips. Her left arm is still propped up straight on the bed and she wraps it under my head to support me and to draw me closer. Yanking her sweats over her hips, I rest my hand to help her set the rhythm of her movements. She's moving way too fast and I need to slow her down.

Detaching from her lips I edge down to the apex of her neck and shoulders. "Rory…" My voice cracks.

She doesn't slow down.

"Rory."

Still no response.

I use my one hand to grab her hips and dig in fingers into her skin as I deliberately bite down on her shoulder. Freezing, she looks up at me. Her eyes are dilated and they look enormous in the winter morning light that's filtering through slats of her blinds. "What?" She asks with dry lips.

"Here." I move her entire body over to rest on the right spot and she understands immediately. She's sending sparks through my body and I throw my head back offering an expanse of tight throat muscles for her. She's kissing and tracing a particular taunt muscle with her tongue and my hands travel down her lower back to her bottom to pull at her underwear.

"Jess…" She comes back up to kiss me. This time it's not just all lips. There's tongue and it's driving me insane.

"Yes." Thinking it's the ringing in my head of approaching the edge, I shake my head to get rid of the disturbance. She's thrusting hard into my hips again and I temporarily stop my efforts of trying to get her out of her underwear. The ringing picks up again and I realize it's not in my head. It's the doorbell. "Rory?"

She rocks into me in response.

I use my hands to stop her. "Rory, there's someone at your door."

"What?" The ringing comes again. "Oh!" She quickly climbs off of me to peek through the blinds. "Oh my god, it's my dad."

"Shit." I reach for my pants and look around for my shirt.

"Here." She tosses my t-shirt to me and I just throw it over my head. I go over to help her by pulling her hair out of her messed up ponytail and smooth it out for her as she sticks her arm through her tank top to adjust it, hiding the fact that I had moments before just pulled it down to reach her breast. "Okay, calm down." I don't know which one of us she's talking to. She slows down as she approaches the threshold and I'm half a step behind her. "Dad!"

I see him using crutches to help him walk and he pauses to greet Rory. "Hey Kiddo." He leans in to hug her and I shift my weight knowing that I'm coming into his line of vision. "And who is this?"

"Dad, this is Jess." She slips a comforting arm around my waist but I see her father's eyes narrow at her simple gesture. "Jess, this is my dad."

"Nice to meet you." I offer my hand out for him to shake but he just stares at me.

"You're wearing your shirt inside out."

Not missing a beat I deadpan, "That's the new fashion."

Rory blushes hard next to me. "Um Dad, you're looking really well. How are you feeling?"

"Does your mother know that you have a boy in the house?" He ignores her questions.

She's lost her blush and has become indignant. Rory's not one to be brushed off. "Yes, Mom knows and I'm old enough to make my own decisions."

I cringe inwardly at the mention of age. Please don't let him catch on to that subconscious slip on her part.

"I don't think Lorelai would be happy knowing what you guys are up to."

"And what would that be?" She has her hands on her hips.

"I'm not stupid Rory. I know what guys his age wants; trust me, I was that age once."

I step up. "Sir…" Being polite is a side effect of me trying to calm people down.
"Just what are you implying that he wants from me?" This time it's me being ignored and Rory continues her rant. "And Jess is my boyfriend, not just some random guy off the street."

His look softens. "I'm just saying…"

"I don't care what you were just saying." She's clearly on a rampage and I try to placate her but she shrugs off my touch.

"Rory, I'm just trying to protect you."

In her state, I can tell she doesn't want to be coddled. "No. I've gotten along fine all these years without you, and I don't need you to start feeling like you need to protect little Rory because all of a sudden you want to play Daddy again."

Standing helplessly with my arms down by my side, I spy Lorelai coming around the bend. "Christopher?"

"Yeah?" He turns around.

"What's going on?"

Rory is still fuming next to me and I take the opportunity that since Chris's attention has turned I gently place my right arm around her stiff shoulders and try to relax her.

Chris speaks up. "I thought it'd be nice to drop by on the day after Christmas to see my daughter, but then my daughter greets me at the door with her boyfriend who's wearing his shirt inside out."

"Oh that's nice that you stopped by." Lorelai tactfully ignores the latter half of Chris's rant. "Let's all go inside. I've got Luke's coffee." She ushers us with the hand that isn't holding a carrier tray of java. "Come on. Inside. I'm freezing my cute little tushy off; and Chris, you really should be sitting down. Let's go." I'm the last to turn around in front of her to go back towards the kitchen and she stops me with raised eyebrows. "Maybe you wanna take this opportunity to fix your shirt?"

---

"I'm sorry about today."

"No, it's fine; I've got all my arms and legs still attached to my body. No harm done." I lean down for a kiss. "I'll call you when I get home?"

"Do you have to leave now?"

With my hands on her hips, "I've already stayed here for two days."

"No you haven't." She pouts.

"Well parts of an evening, a night, and then today."

Her arms wrap around my waist. "Stay for at least a couple more hours."

I chuckle. "I have to get Adso back from my friend who's looking after him and I have to get there before nine tonight." I bend my knees slightly and bury my face into her neck. "Come home with me." My cheeks flush after hearing my own words and I'm glad I'm not speaking to her face to face. "I mean, come back to Yale with me."

She speaks into my shoulder. "I can't. I promised Mom we'd go shopping for new shoes."

"I know," still cuddling into her. "When do you think you're coming back?"

"Excuse me." Chris appears on the front porch and captures both of our attentions from our place leaning against my car. Rory makes no move to step back away from me. "I need to speak with Jess. Alone."

Rory silently questions him with her eyes.

"I'll behave." He raises his hands in defense. She leaves us and goes back into the house. "Jess."

With my hands shoved deep in my pockets, I feel the cold of my car seeping through the layers of clothes on my back.

"So you're the guy who's dating my teenage daughter."

Inwardly I cringe at hearing the word 'teenage' but outwardly, I don't move a muscle. I still remember watching helplessly as Rory cried in my bed showing me how broken she still is by this guy who's lecturing me, the same man who's left her in the past and has hurt her. The less intimidated part of me wants to let him know just how much he's hurt his daughter.

He turns to look at me. "I was talking with Lorelai and she was explaining to me how you took to the time to take Rory down to the hospital when I was there," he shoves his hands into his pockets and rests the crutches by his side.

"I did it because Rory needed me."

He nods and comes to lean against my car besides me. "She's a tough girl."

I nod and look straight ahead. "She's a strong woman." I purposely chose to use the word 'woman' versus girl. The nagging voice in the back of my mind is asking me if I'm using it for his benefit or for mine. Is she not just a girl who's on the cusp of being a woman? "She's strong," I reiterate, "And she doesn't need protection, she's old enough to make her own mistakes."

He cocks his head in my direction. "And what would a young kid like you know about mistakes?" This conversation is turning.

I smirk without sarcasm or humor. "You're right. What would I know about mistakes? You, on the other hand would know plenty about that, wouldn't you? Regrets too, huh?" The words fly out of my mouth before I have the chance to reel them in. Too many people are doubting my intentions and the draining effect it's having on me has made my temper short, especially with Chris, the person my girlfriend was crying over just the other day.

"Just what do you mean?" He's becoming cold.

"I just mean what I said."

"You have no right to judge me." He looks away.

I look directly at his averted gaze. "And you have no right to judge my relationship with Rory when you know nothing about me."

"I know my daughter and that's enough."

"Do you know her?"

He ignores my pointed question. "Don't mess around with her. And if I ever find out you caused her any unnecessary pain, I'll flay you alive."

With a defiant chin, "I won't hurt her."

"Okay." And that I suppose, is the closest thing to an approval I'm going to get from this guy.

Movement catches my eye and I see her peeking through the bedroom shades to see how we're doing. I'm doing my best to give her a reassuring smile and whether or not she understands, she gives me a small almost unperceivable nod and ducks back into her room leaving me and her father staring into space, each in our own thoughts but without a doubt thinking very similar things. The sound of the front door shifts my attention once more and for the first time since the beginning of our relationship, I'm fairly certain I can make it work. At least for the time being.

---

AN: Tell me what you think. I would love to hear some of the following: 1) What did you like about the story? Any feedback on the plot, characters, and/or other details in the story. 2) Did something strike you as particularly funny or amusing? Or any other emotion? And 3) Just for fun, what's something you want to see in this story? Anything that's written to me will be replied to quickly. As long as the review is signed in or there's an email address attached, I can respond. Thanks!