Chapter Two
Disclaimer: Still Don't Own
Rory still felt ecstatic the next morning. It was her own natural high. She'd dreamt of Jess after their dinner and she was looking forward to another day with him. She kept trying to tell herself that Jess may pull another disappearing act but something in her heart kept whispering, 'He's really here.'
When Rory and Paris were just about to leave for breakfast and class, Paris decided to say something. "Rory, Jess was here yesterday. I'm not sure if he found you. He annoyed me into telling him where you usually get coffee. I tried to wait up for you to get home but I do have a life outside of yours."
After spending the better part of five years as Paris' best friend Rory understood this was Paris' way of asking what happened while still pretending to be uninterested.
"Jess found me, Paris. We went to dinner and talked. He's even meeting me here for lunch."
While, they both walked out and headed to the nearest coffee cart, they both needed a jolt to get started in the morning and the dining hall had horrible coffee, Paris began processing what Rory had just told her. She couldn't say Jess was the worst of Rory's past boyfriends but she was still unsure of the Kerouac lover's history. On the other hand, if Jess was here then maybe Rory would stop pining over the walking trust fund, Logan. Of them those options, Jess was most certainly the lesser of two evils. Huntzburger always gave Paris a really bad feeling.
"So what's going on there?" Paris asked after they ordered their coffee and began walking to where they ate breakfast together.
"I don't know. It's so surreal. Jess seems different but not at the same time. I waited for him for months, then when he did show up it was a complete disaster…" Rory began thinking of the horrible times after Jess' last "visits". They were more like ambushes in Rory's opinion.
Paris' voice snapped her out of that train of thought. "Yea, I remember. He really did pull a number on you. A few times actually. I'm not sure I want to watch you go through all that again."
"But he really did seem different. He was more calm, more present, I guess. He even said he just wanted me in his life. He said he wasn't rushing this time." Rory felt the need to defend Jess. She didn't know where it came from but the feeling was there and it was powerful. The way all instincts are.
"I'll give you that. And I do prefer him to your last adultery committing boyfriend. What does this mean for you and Logan?"
"Me and Logan?"
"Yea, you and Huntzburger. You guys have been doing that weird casual dating thing but now…" Paris let the obvious question dangle in the space between them.
Rory busied herself by selecting her combo of cereals, trying to think quickly. How would this effect her status with Logan? Would Jess even be here long enough to be considered a factor? With so many questions running through her mind Rory almost missed Paris' next comment.
"Personally, I don't see what you even like about Logan. He skates by on his last name and trust fund. Sure, he's good looking but the list of his good qualities stops there."
Rory silently took a seat at an empty table. She just didn't know what to think. She and Logan had a 'casual' agreement. She had seen the evidence of him taking it to heart, with her own eyes. But she and Jess had never been casual. They went form semi-friendly to serious in two days or less.
Rory decided to change topics with Paris, just so she could continue to think without a running commentary.
"So Paris, how are things with you and Doyle?"
That was all t took for Paris to totally change gears. Leaving Rory to her own thought. All that was necessary was the occasional nod or 'hmmm'.
Jess woke up in time to help Luke open the diner. Luke hadn't asked him to but Jess knew it was something his uncle would appreciate.
"Wow. You're up early." Luke said stunned when he saw Jess taking chairs off the tables.
"I've got a meeting in a few hours, anyway. I figured I'd help out until I have to leave."
Luke didn't know what to say. He was in total and complete shock.
When Jess noticed Luke still staring, he asked, "Unless you don't want me to?"
"No, no. Help all you want. Just allow me a moment to digest this."
"Yea, Yea. Keep talking like that and I'll stop helping. Got it?"
Having Luke's incredulous gaze following his every move would be a great annoyance to Jess.
"Fine. You set up the tables and I'll warm up the stoves."
After several moments of the two men working in amicable silence, Luke tried to start a conversation.
"What kind of meeting?"
"I'll tell you about it later." Jess said evasively.
"I thought you said your business was all legal!"
Jess knew no matter what he said it would seem like he was trying to hide something bad. He took a deep breath, answered as calmly and truthfully as he could. Without giving too much way.
"It is. I just don't want to talk about it until I have something concrete to report. No subterfuge involved. Just a little secrecy for the time being."
Jess didn't want to tell Luke that the one other, the main reason, he was keeping quiet was be the first person he wanted to tell was Rory.
Telling Luke that piece of information would be opening himself up to a long lecture about letting her go. That was something that was not an option as far as Jess was concerned.
"You swear, Jess? If what you're doing lands you in jail, I'm not bailing you out."
It may have been years since Luke had been his main 'father figure' but Jess knew Luke's distrust was semi-founded. Jess also knew that the 'I'm not bailing you out of jail' or some variation of it was just Luke's way of showing he cared. Plus, Jess knew if he ever did need to be bailed out, Luke would be there.
"It's not illegal. I gave up my goal to be a guest of the state's correctional system a long time ago." Jess joked.
Any reply Luke may have has was cut off when the bell above the diner's door rang. Both men looked up to see a nervous Kirk walking towards a seat at the counter.
"Coffee's not ready yet, Kirk." Luke said gruffly, walking into the kitchen.
"That's fine. I have to stay here anyway. Taylor's orders." Kirk told Luke.
Jess couldn't help himself. 'Taylor's orders'? This had to be bad in a horribly funny way. "Why?"
Kirk jumped. This was one of the few times Jess had openly acknowledged Kirk's presence without annoyance lacing his voice. So it wasn't too crazy for Kirk to be slightly intimidated.
"Why, what?" Kirk's voice broke. He'd never fully lost his fear of Jess. After Jess left town, it took months for Kirk to enter the diner without shaking.
"Why did Taylor order you to stay here?" Jess asked with sarcastic patience.
"He…Well…The town… Taylor…" Kirk couldn't make himself speak in full sentences with Jess staring at him. At this rate, Kirk might get to the point sometime next week.
"Taylor, what, Kirk?" Luke jumped in. Just mentioning Taylor had a tendency to make Luke's blood pressure spike. When you threw Kirk in the mix, Luke had been known to go nuclear.
In a rush Kirk blurted, "Taylor told me to follow Jess around until he left again. He wants me to keep a log of what Jess does and who talks to him."
Jess couldn't stop the full blown laugh from escaping his chest. Hearing this was more than enough payment for helping out in the diner.
"KIRK!" Luke yelled.
"Taylor ordered you to keep a log… because?" Jess asked still chuckling.
"He said to tell who you talked to so he could ticket them for breaking town code SHO/L 357 A subsection C."
"Talking to me is against some town code?" Jess was expecting something like this. He just didn't know how far Taylor would take it.
"Kirk! Get out! Then you can go tell Taylor that I said for every ticket he issues, I'll raise his rent a hundred dollars.!"
"But Taylor said I wasn't allowed to let Jess out of my sight while he's within town limits." Kirk protested, wide eyed.
"Out, Kirk!" Luke came around the counter to heave Kirk off of his stool and push him out the door. "Remember, one hundred dollars for every ticket." Luke yelled to a stunned Kirk standing on the side walk.
This was the scene Lane walked into. She wasn't shocked to see Luke and Kirk having a stand off, it was a weekly occurrence. She just shook her head and walked around Luke still glaring at Kirk. It wasn't until she saw Jess that she stopped and stared.
Evidently, Lane hadn't heard the latest town gossip. Otherwise, she would have marched in with a planned tongue-lashing worthy of Mama Kim. "What the hell are you doing here?"
'And we're off,' Jess thought. As small as Lane was, her wrath was not something he wanted directed at him.
"What no 'welcome back' or 'how have you been'? Really, Lane, that's not very small town, America, you know?"
"Why would I welcome you, when the only thoughts I have with you in them include violence, tears and several varying forms of torture?"
"Relax, I'm here for business. But kudos on the 'varying methods of torture'. Maybe you could fill me in on the details later?"
Jess knew the only reason for Lane's feelings towards him was due to his past treatment of Rory. The two girls had been connected at the hip since they could walk, from what he'd been told. So he figured the only way he could help thaw the Arctic freeze Lane was sending him was to fix his relationship with Rory. That and maybe some time.
"Sure, details with demonstrations." Lane retorted. This guy was… she didn't even know. She'd watched everything he'd done to Rory. Sure, the bad boy aspect was almost charming but that didn't make up for him hurting her best friend. Therefore, Jess was persona non grata as far as Lane was concerned.
"Business, huh? What, your theft ring decided to start a new outpost?"
"Because Stars Hollow just screams easy pickings, right?"
"Fine, I'll bite. What kind of business?" Lane had to ask. Jess would never voluntarily step foot in this town without a damn good reason.
"Ah and ruin the surprise? I think not."
Jess tried to ignore the death glare and start setting up the counter. Both he and Lane chose not to comment on Luke storming into past them, into the kitchen muttering about murdering Taylor.
After a long silence Lane came to stand directly in front of Jess to look into his eyes. "I swear, on every bible my mother owns, if you hurt her I will hunt you down like the mangy, dog you are and make you pay. Dearly. Are we clear?"
Jess had an idea of how much damage he'd caused but seeing how upset Lane was, just by his presence, made him wonder just how bad the reality actually was. He made a promise to himself. He would never earn this king of anger again. He would find a way to earn Lane, Lorelai, the Gilmores, hell even Paris' trust back. They were all a part of Rory's life. He remembered how Luke once told him Rory came as a package deal with all these people.
The usual morning customers began to file in, giving Lane and Jess something else to focus on rather than each other. Lane talked to the people, Jess carried plates to and from the kitchen and refilled coffee.
Time flew by. Jess glanced at the clock and realized that he needed to get on his way. He rushed upstairs to grab his bag, checking it for all the paperwork and plans he would need.
Before leaving Jess poked his head in the storeroom where Luke was, "Hey, Luke. I'm out."
Luke looked up from the shelf he was attempting to organize. "You comin' back?"
"Yea. Should be back late tonight. Key still hidden on the frame or should I bust out my rusty lock picking skills?"
"Jess!" Luke hated to think about the old days when lock picking skills hadn't been rusty.
Jess just smiled. He may have done some growing but it never took the fun out of needling his uncle.
Luke sighed when he saw that Jess had just been making a joke, "Key's where its always been."
"Wish me luck!" Jess started walking out of the store room. When he was almost out the diner's door he heard Luke yell.
"Luck with what?"
Jess smiled and gave Lane a small wave, "Later."
Logan stood outside Rory's classroom waiting, anxiously, for her to get done. He'd called her the night before, hoping she'd be done with her plans early enough for them to get a drink together.
It was odd but he had actually kept checking his phone all night. Much to Collin and Finn's annoyance. But Rory hadn't called. So he retorted to trying to catch her in between classes. That way he was guaranteed an instantaneous response.
As people began filing out, Logan smiled. His smile faltered when Rory passed by him without a glance.
"Hey! Ace!!" He lightly reached out and grabbed Rory's arm to turn her to face him.
"Logan, hey." Rory smiled at him. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed him. She was to easy to sneak up on the past few days.
"Where have you been, Ace? I called you last night." Logan knew he was sounding a little needy but he felt like Rory was slipping away and it was strangely painful.
"Oh, yea, I got your message but I got in really late." Rory knew Logan would have been awake when she got in but she just hadn't felt like calling him. He had been , no doubt, out drinking and Rory just wasn't up to dealing with drunk Logan and his band of merry followers.
"Late, huh?" Must have had a lot to talk about with your friend to keep you out late on a night before your early class." Logan laughed. He knew Rory was a stickler about that. It was actually one of the things he truly admired about her. She was very responsible, upstanding. Basically she was everything he wasn't but his father wanted him to be.
"Yea, I haven't seen him in a while and it's been years since we actually talked in depth. So there were a fair amount of topic to discuss."
"Then it's good you guys caught up. So what do you say to dinner with me tonight?"
"Can't tonight. I've got a ton of stuff to do. Sorry, I've got to get to my next class. I'll call you later, ok?" Rory had to get away. As much as she thought she liked Logan she still didn't know where she stood with him. She just needed some time. She needed to figure things out.
"Sure, Ace." Logan said quietly. Mind still going through the information that Rory's old friend was a 'him'/ Logan knew he didn't have an exclusive claim on Rory but he still felt a pang of jealousy. He knew he wasn't ready to give up so that just meant he'd have to try harder to get Rory's attention.
The latest town news had finally reached Lorelai's ears. Jess was back. She was never really sure what to expect form him. But his pattern over the past year pointed to, bad. The only thing she could see coming from this visit was a new painful story for her daughter to tell. With that thought in mind Lorelai stormed into the diner. "Luke!"
"Hey, Lorelai." Luke came out of the kitchen to greet her with a kiss. "Coffee?"
"Better make it to go. I'm not sure you'll want me to stick around after I say what I came to say." Lorelai didn't want to start with Luke so soon after fixing things but concern for her daughter came first. No matter what, Rory's happiness came first.
"What?' Luke asked confused while handing her a large cup of very strong coffee. "Why wouldn't I want you here? I always want you here."
Lorelai took a long sip of her before starting. "Is Jess back?"
Luke began to look uncomfortable before saying, "Yea. He's not here right now, though."
"Fine. I'll deal with him later. How long will he be here?"
"I don't know. As long as he wants." Luke wouldn't turn Jess out. Not again. As long as Jess needed him Luke would be there.
"What is he doing here, Luke?" Lorelai was getting irritated. Luke always got protective of Jess. As much as she respected that, it wasn't easy to like in this situation. It involved Rory. To Lorelai whenever Jess was n town it was somehow connected to Rory.
"He said he was here on business. He's got his life together. He's doing good."
"What kind of business could he possibly have here?" Lorelai asked exasperated.
"He didn't say." Luke knew this was going to turn ugly but Lorelai was getting close to his boiling point.
"Fine. Luke, you be sure that he stays away from Rory. He's done all the damage he can do there. He needs to leave my daughter alone. You hear me?"
That's what did it. Luke loved Rory like she was his own but he wasn't going to let anyone yell at about Jess without getting an earful back. "Rory's an adult now, Lorelai. If she doesn't want Jess around her she'll say so herself. Just because you come in here and make commands does not mean the world stops turning to suit your wishes!"
Lorelai felt a major moment of déjà vu. She and Luke fighting over Jess. The boy was nothing but trouble. With nothing left to say Lorelai got up and stormed out.
Luke wanted to go after her and make things right be he knew they were to upset to talk like civilized adults. So he decided to give them both a little time to cool down.
Rory watched the clock n her last class more than she did the professor. She couldn't believe how the time had slowed to a crawl since this lecture started. She knew it was just her mind playing with her simply because she was excited to see Jess. She was excited to talk to Jess.
Finally the lecture ended and Rory headed towards the coffee cart. She was a little scared that Jess wouldn't show up. Before she turned the last corner Rory stopped, took a deep breath and whispered to herself, "He'll be there. And in not, it doesn't matter. It's no big deal."
Then she turned and saw him. Contentedly sitting on a bench with two coffees by his side, deeply engrossed in a book.
Rory took this rare opportunity to study Jess unnoticed. His hair was gelled into a messy controlled look. He was wearing a dark grey men's jacked over a simple black t-shirt. He looked heart breakingly beautiful to Rory.
As if Jess felt her eyes on him he looked up, straight into Rory's eyes. He smiled and stood holding her coffee out to her.
"Hi." He said quietly when she was closer to him.
"Hi." Rory said with a smile. Feeling happiness flood her system. After a few seconds she asked, "Have you been waiting long?"
"Not too long. You ready?"
"Yep. I just have to drop my books off then I'm all yours."
"I like the sound of that. Lead the way." Jess grabbed Rory's free hand as they started walking to her room.
They reached her door in a few minutes. Rory looked over at Jess and asked, "Do you want to come in for a for a second?"
"Casa de Rory. Yea, Ill come in." Then he watched Rory lean over to press her ear to the door.
"Rory, what the hell-?"
"Shh!" Rory listened intently trying to hear if Paris and Doyle were home. D they were it only seemed fair to give Jess a warning.
"Ok, I think it's clear." Then she opened the door and stepped in.
Jess looked around the common room while Rory dropped her books in her bedroom. He saw pictures in a large frame, of Rory and Lorelai in front of different European sites. The Tower of London. Big Ben. The Eiffel Tower. Leaning Tower of Pizza, among several others. That was where Rory found him when she walked out of her room.
"Those are from our trip to Europe after my graduation." Rory explained.
"I see that. Have fun?"
Jess watched Rory's eyes light up while she told him all about it. Stalking Bono, her mom touching the Pope and all the different hostels. He just stood there listening with a smile. He loved watching Rory talk about something she was interested in or passionate about.
When Rory seemed to run out of steam Jess just stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. "I've really missed you, Gilmore." He said quietly into her hair.
Rory returned the hug, taking a deep breath. She'd missed him too. She felt like she was finally home standing in his arms.
They both pulled back slightly to look into each others eyes. Everything seemed to still and quiet. Like they were the only ones in the world. Nothing beyond the two of them mattered. Jess leaned closer to Rory slowly. Just as their lips were about to touch, Paris came charging in.
"I don't care, Doyle. You said what you said. You can't just take it back."
Rory and Jess took a quick step away from each other. Jess sighing and Rory turning an interesting shade of red.
Paris saw them and said to Jess, "Oh you actually showed up when you said you would. Color me shocked."
"Good to see you too, Paris." Jess smiled, before looking at the slightly confused man standing behind her.
Rory jumped in with the introductions knowing Paris wouldn't. "Jess, this is Doyle, he's the editor of the Yale Daily News and Paris'…" Rory trailed off trying to think of a correct term and failing.
"He still hasn't decided what his exact role in my life is." Paris interrupted, sounding very irritated. Jess could see that this conversation had happened more than once.
"Huh, Smart man." He joked, knowing it would drive Paris a little crazy.
Rory jumped back in to avoid the possible blood shed. "Doyle, this is my… This is Jess."
Jess look to Rory and smiled. 'Her, what?' he wondered. So Jess stored that little slip up away for later use.
"It's nice to meet you, Jess." Doyle said trying to be polite.
"Well look at the time. We should get going. Right, Jess?" Rory wanted nothing more than to be out of this potentially horrible situation.
Jess whole heartedly agreed, so he followed Rory to the door. Once he closed it behind him, Paris' voice could be heard again.
"She's really mellowed with time, huh?" Jess asked, remembering his first meeting/debate with Paris when he'd moved to Stars Hollow.
"Terrance, crafts and college, actually helped a great deal as well." Rory smile and took Jess' hand again. It felt natural to hold his hand. It just felt right.
"Terrance? Crafts?"
"Long story. So where are we going?" Rory said changing the stomach. As fun as it was to talk about Paris she wanted to talk about something else/
Jess smiled at her and said mysteriously, "It's a surprise."
A/N: I know that Jess didn't find out about Logan yet. But that will be happening next chapter in a fun way.
Also, I have a random thought. I was watching an episode in season 2 yesterday with my friend last night. The one where Lorelai gets an ice cream maker with no return address on it. And I had a weird thought. Could that have been the gift the Emily got her and refused to tell her what it was? What do you guys think?