I do not own Gilmore Girls. If I did, I couldn't even describe to you the changes I might make. Including giving Milo a long term contract:)

Thanks for the reviews! There were so many more than I expected!

"Mary!"

Rory Gilmore knew he was speaking to her but she was unsure whether she should turn around. She was standing in the hall of Chilton. She was just about to see the last of Holden and Leah's teachers, their English teacher and she was already exhausted.

Leah never had a problem at school. It was Holden; he never applied himself. But Rory was confident that he would do well in English. Or at least she was praying. She didn't really feel like turning around and facing the Headmaster of Chilton. She had no idea how he had gotten the job; he didn't even graduate from Chilton. But Rory knew she had to face him so she turned around and placed a fake smile on her face.

"Hello Tristan," she said politely.

"No need to be cordial Mary," Tristan said grinning.

"It's Rory," Rory sighed for the umpteenth time.

"How are Holden and Leah doing?" he ignored her.

"They're doing fine," Rory said.

"Adjusting better than last year?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah, Holden's learned to control his anger more. I'm so sorry he was in so my fights last year," Rory apologized.

"As long as he's stopped, do you think he gets that from his father? Cause I'm sure he doesn't get that from you," he said. Rory knew Tristan would ask about their father. He was oddly fascinated by the fact that she was single. His wife Veronica died in a car accident a few years ago, so Rory couldn't help feel bad for him, but sometimes the questions got on her last nerves. Especially on exhausting nights like this.

"Yeah, I guess," she answered nonchalantly. She changed the subject quickly. "How is Natalie?"

"She's doing well. I guess she's more like her mother. She isn't a troublemaker like I was," he said smiling. They stood in silence for a minute, unable to think of something else to talk about. Luckily, another familiar voice interrupted them. Actually, it was many familiar voices.

"Rory, darling, how are you!" a man with an Australian accent said. Rory turned around and saw the man who called her. He had dark hair and he had his arm around a blonde woman. Rory also saw another couple, a man with brown hair and a petite black haired woman.

"Never been better Finn," Rory said smiling. "How are you?"

"Excellent! Louise and I are spiffing!" Finn exalted. The blonde next to him giggled. "Yes, Louise and I are fantastic!"

"Rory, how long has it been since we've seen you?" the brunette man asked.

"I don't know Colin," Rory admitted.

"I think it was our 20 year Chilton Reunion," the woman next to Colin chimed in.

"I think you right Madeline dear," Finn said.

"I still cannot believe we all knew Rory," Louise said.

"I know!" said Madeline.

"I still can't believe you're married to Colin," Rory said to Madeline. "And you're married to Finn!" she added to Louise.

"Why? You can't believe this bachelor could settle down!" Finn said. Everyone laughed.

"We really have to catch up! How are your kids?" Rory asked.

"Oh well Tiffany's great she's a sophomore here at Chilton and Tom's in 5th grade at the elementary school," Madeline said.

"And Ian's also a sophomore," Louise said.

"How are your children Rory?" Colin asked.

"Oh, Holden and Leah are great. Their juniors," Rory said. She had enjoyed seeing the couples, but she really had to see this English teacher. "I'm sorry I have to go. I need to see another teacher."

"That's fine, we have lots more to see as well," Madeline said.

"Wait! We must have dinner or something. You have our phone number, Rory?" Finn asked.

"Yep," she replied.

"Well then we're good. See you later Rory!" Colin said. They walked away and Rory sighed. She walked right up to the door and stared at the doorknob. She finally took a deep breath and turned the knob. (A/N The italics are Rory's thoughts. Just to let you know  )

"Sorry I'm late," she said as she turned her back to the classroom and close the door.

"No problem Rory," the familiar voice behind her said. She spun around in disbelief. Is he really here? To her shock, he was.

"Jess," she said quietly, her voice full of doubt. "What are you-? How did you-?" Rory started and then stopped. Her mind was racing. He isn't making a big deal. Why isn't he making a big deal? Why is he here? Is he their teacher?

"Sit down," he said, pointing to the chair in front of his desk. Slowly, Rory made her way over to the chair.

"Are you Leah and Holden's teacher?" she questioned uncertainly.

"Yep," he said. He's still a man of little words.

"I thought you were writing,"

"I'm putting writing on a break. I always wanted to try teaching so I thought, why not," he shrugged.

"I read your book," she said.

"Did you like it?"

"Well, let's say it's a lot more truth than fiction," Rory said. Then Jess stared at her. She could tell by the twinkle in his eyes that he was highly amused.

"Did anyone from Stars Hollow read it?" he asked.

"Not really, just Holden, Leah, and I. You know Stars Hollow, they're not really the big city, bestselling author kind of people. Besides, you're still a hooligan," Rory smiled. At least conversation is not awkward. It wasn't at Luke and mom's wedding.

Jess laughed. Rory couldn't remember a time she had seen him chuckle like that. He really is different, she thought sadly. And I didn't believe it.

"I'm still the hooligan?" Jess asked, still chuckling.

"You're always the hooligan," Rory said.

"And you're the princess," Jess added. Rory pretended to get offended and Jess laughed again. Actually, they were both laughing.

"So, maybe we should probably get to the reason why we're here," Jess said. Rory nodded. This is it. He's going to figure it out.

"How are Leah and Holden doing?" Rory asked.

"Great actually, I mean Leah always participates in class and her papers are wonderful to read. And Holden, well he doesn't participate as much but his papers are excellent. He could probably be a writer someday," Jess said meaningfully.

A writer, like father like son, Rory thought. "That's great," she said aloud. "Anything else?"

"We'll see what happens as the rest of the year goes, but for now, so far so good," he answered.

"Wonderful," Rory said. She noticed Jess was looking at her hand with a peculiar expression on his face.

"You don't have a ring," Jess said softly, sadly.

"I'm not married to Logan if that's what you mean," Rory said.

"Huh," he said. They sat in the classroom in silence.

"Do you remember Luke and Lorelai's wedding?" Jess said, finally breaking the silence.

"Of course," Rory said.

"Remember when we had to take pictures," he said smiling.

"Yes! That crazy photographer that Grandma hired, he insisted everything was dramatic," Rory rolled her eyes.

"Remember when he made us take about 20 pictures together?" Jess said fondly.

"I closed my eyes for nearly all of them," Rory said smiling.

"Except one," Jess reminded her. Then he pulled out a picture. It was both of them laughing, looking at the camera their arms around each other.

"Mom was mocking the photographer," Rory remembered.

"And we couldn't stop laughing," Jess added.

"We had such a great time," Rory said.

"Yeah," Jess said.

"I still can't believe you took dancing lessons!" Rory exclaimed.

"Well I didn't step on your feet," Jess said.

"My heels were killing me, it was like being stepped on over and over," Rory said laughing. "But I will admit you were pretty good."

"Well if the dancing queen says I'm good, then I must be," he said.

"Hey, I thought I was the princess," Rory said.

"You're the Princess of Stars Hollow and the Queen of Dancing. You're both," Jess insisted.

"Speaking of dancing, did you know we're having another Dance Marathon?"

"Still raising money for our bridge?"

"Always."

"You got a partner?"

"Nope," Rory shook her head.

"Well then, if I may, I'd like to ask, Do you want to be my partner?" he asked.

"You want to dance in the dance marathon? I thought you only danced on the inside," Rory teased.

"Well if it's for my bridge, I'll hold off on the inner dancing," he smiled. "When is it?"

"Next Saturday," Rory said. "I'll meet you at the bridge?" She got up and grabbed her purse.

"Of course," he said.

"Goodnight Dodger," she said as she exited the classroom.

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