Finally, a second chapter. I borrowed some dialogue from various episodes, as you will probably notice. I hope you enjoy it. Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Gilmore Girls.

Chapter: 2

Rory rolled over with a groan to stare at her alarm clock. Four thirty three in the morning. She sighed and sat up a little, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands. She was ushered out of bed by Rylan's wailing in the corner and she grumbled tiredly as she slipped her robe over her shoulders.

"Okay, okay, okay, here we go." She said gently in a soothing tone as she lifted Rylan out of his crib. She let out a small 'oomph' as she placed him against her shoulder. "Little man, you are getting so heavy." She turned to grab a pacifier out of his diaper bag and shifted so she could cradle him in her arms. "Got your binky." She popped it into his mouth and his wailing turned into a quiet whimpering before ceasing altogether. She sighed in relief as she walked into the kitchen.

His car seat was still placed on the kitchen table so she softly laid him in it before walking over to the fridge. She pulled out a baby bottle and placed it in the microwave before sitting down with a sigh. She reached out and played with one of his footsie-clad feet and smiled tiredly.

"Up again?" Rory glanced up to see Lorelai yawning widely as she pulled her bathrobe closer.

"Third time tonight." Rory grumbled with a sigh.

"Hmm, that is the usual way of things." Lorelai mumbled as she took a seat at the table. "If you want, I can take this one and you can get some rest." She propped her face against her hand and looked at Rory with drooping eyelids.

"No, I've got it. I'm probably up for good now anyway." Rory stood as the microwave beeped. "You should go back to bed, don't you have to be at the inn today?"

"Not until noon." Lorelai said through a yawn.

"Well, that's," She glanced behind her at the clock, "less than six hours from now. Go sleep."

"Nuh uh, if you're up, I'm up. This is solidarity, this is support." She attempted to say jokingly, as she smacked her hand on the table, but it came out in muffled exhaustion.

"Okay, if you say so." She shook the baby bottle and tested the temperature on her arm. Once she was sure it was cool enough, she gently pulled Rylan from his seat. Holding him, she removed his pacifier and quickly replaced it with his bottle before he could start crying. "There." She grinned tiredly.

She looked to her left and sighed as she watched Lorelai's head droop lower and lower before finally resting on the table. A moment later she was snoring.

Rory stood and walked to the couch, retrieving a blanket, which she carefully placed over her mother's shoulders. "Sleep good." She said quietly as she walked into her room, shutting the door softly.

Four hours later

"Why, why, why Rory?" Lorelai whimpered as she pushed open the door to her daughter's room. "That's the second time you've let me sleep on that god awful table, and each time this is the result." She pointed to her stiff neck and rubbed it tenderly, all the while wincing.

"Good morning." Rory stated cheerfully as she bustled around her room, picking up her's and Rylan's dirty clothes and throwing them into the hamper.

"You're chipper." Lorelai narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I had coffee." Rory walked over to her bed, painstakingly perfecting the edges of her comforter.

"Impossible. I would have smelled it." She crossed her arms.

"I went over to Babette's. Did you know Cocoa's about to have babies?" She grinned as she thought about their neighbor's love for cats.

"Ah! You dirty little sneak." Lorelai gaped. "Did Rylan get coffee too? He would, filthy back stabber." She walked over to his crib and peered inside. "And after all those dirty diapers I changed. I thought this relationship meant more to you." She lifted him up and rested him against her chest.

"Yes, it was his idea, actually." Rory said in a completely serious tone, pursing her lips. "I've basically just given up on formula. I replaced all his bottles with baby coffee mugs."

"Good thinking." Lorelai rocked Rylan gently. "I mean, really, you're just progressing the inevitable."

"Don't I know it." She nodded her head. "But seriously, Babette called while you were sleeping and asked if I'd liked to come over and 'chat'." She used air quotes. "I suspect it was all his doing." She grinned at Rylan.

"Hmm, we're old news." Lorelai said, referring to Rory and herself. "He's the hot new topic. Plus, hello, he's gorgeous." She faked a snobby accent.

"Those other babies don't have a chance."

"You little heart breaker." Lorelai cooed as she kissed his face.

"Okay, can we stop referring to my son and girls in any way, shape or form?" Rory furrowed her brow.

"Ah, don't worry. I'd say you've got another, hmm, fourteen years before that happens." She handed Rylan to Rory.

"Let's hope so."

At Luke's

"Luke, baby needs a table!" Lorelai shouted as she walked into the packed diner, bell jingling familiarly.

"Pipe down would ya? I'm on the phone." He covered the mouthpiece with a scowl. Glancing over his shoulder he said, "Jess, go clear a table for them."

Jess sighed in annoyance. "Right away Uncle Luke." He smirked at Luke's glare, placing his book on the counter and grabbing a rag.

Walking around the counter, he glanced up to see Rory pushing Rylan in a stroller. She grinned at him and he quirked his mouth in greeting. He nodded his head to a particular table and mumbled, "Over here."

"Thanks Jess." Lorelai smiled brightly as she sat down.

He nodded his head as he wiped down the table, picking up some scattered utensils.

"So, did you have fun last night?" She asked politely, grinning hopefully.

"Tons." He deadpanned sarcastically, a bored look on his face.

"Well, that's good. I'm glad." Her grin dropped.

When he was finished cleaning, he pulled a small notepad from his back pocket, poising his pen to write. "Ready to order?"

"Um, yes, I would like pancakes with a side of bacon and lots coffee. Seeing as some people," she glared at Rory, "can't wait for others."

"I promise, next time Babette calls me at seven in the morning I will wake you up from your peaceful slumber so you can discuss the joys of baby vomit with us." Rory rolled her eyes. "Oh, and to have some coffee."

"I would appreciate that, thank you." Lorelai said with a silly grin.

"Your welcome." She smiled back.

Jess, having watched the entire exchange, stood awkwardly by, annoyance starting to creep into his features. "For you?" He asked Rory.

"Oh, just eggs and coffee." She glanced up at him.

"It'll be out in a minute." He finished scribbling and turned to walk to the kitchen.

Lorelai followed him with her eyes. "Well, he's certainly a joy, isn't he?" She grumbled.

"Mom." Rory scolded, adjusting Rylan's bib.

"Oh, I'm sorry, were you not just at this table?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Fine, I'll admit, he is a little…" She searched for the right word.

"Depressing?" Lorelai offered.

"Distant." Rory countered firmly. "But, come on, how would you act if your Mom just shipped you off to some tiny town you've never heard of to live with some relative you've barely ever met?"

"I'll give you that." She grumbled. "Still, there's just something about him that's so…off-putting."

"Just give him a chance, maybe you'll warm up to him." Rory said reassuringly.

"Yes, because that chip on his shoulder is just so charming." She rolled her eyes. At Rory's less-than-pleased look she relented. "Okay, I'll try to be understanding. Cool Mom." She nodded her head mockingly.

"The coolest." Rory grinned.

"I'd give Shirley MacLaine a run for her money."

After they were finished eating Lorelai began to gather her stuff. "Okay babe, I've gotta get going. I'm on my cell, call if you need anything."

"Okay, I will. I'll get the check." She kissed her mother on the cheek before pushing Rylan to the counter.

"Hey." She said to Jess, who was leaned at the counter reading a book.

"Hi. Ready to pay?" He put the book on the counter and walked to the register.

"Yes." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty.

"Thirteen seventy five." He took the bill from her hand. He handed her the change. "See ya later."

"Okay." She turned halfway before looking back. "Jess…?" She said hesitantly.

"Yeah?" He turned back.

"Did you…really have fun last night?" She looked at Rylan's stroller.

"It had its moments." He followed her eyes.

"Thank you." At his confused look she elaborated. "For being so calm about my…situation. I still get nervous sometimes."

"Why?" He raised his eyebrows.

"I don't know, I just feel like people are judging me. Assuming things."

"Having a kid shouldn't define who you are." He shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

"Well, it is…" She laughed uncomfortably.

"Aspects of it." He conceded.

"Yeah." She agreed. She looked at Rylan and grinned sadly. He was so beautiful. "I should probably get going."

"Doing anything in particular?" He leaned his elbows against the counter.

"Not really. I don't have a car, so I'll probably just walk around town. Read or something." She stroked Rylan's hair. "Maybe go down to the dock. He seems to like it there."

"Give me a minute, I'll cut out." He leaned back.

"Oh, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble." She bit her lip in concern.

He smirked, holding back a grin. "I'll be back." He disappeared through the curtain.

Rory shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Rylan every few seconds. He was awake, staring out into space, curious about his surroundings. He wiggled a little in his blanket and she reached down to caress his stomach.

"Don't wait up." Jess called over his shoulder as he bounded down the stairs.

Rory could hear a muffled 'Jess!' called after him, but he ignored it. "He sounds mad."

"Among other things." He smirked. "Lets go." He grabbed his book off the counter and quickly walked to the door.

"Are you sure you should-" She started but he was already ushering her out.

"Don't worry, he'll get over it." He held the door open and gestured for her to exit.

"Okay." She said skeptically. She pushed the stroller through and glanced back as he walked behind her. "You really shouldn't do that."

"Do what?" He folded his arms behind him, tapping the book in his hand against his back pocket.

"Just leave like that." She rolled her eyes.

"Why?" He kept his expression even.

"Because, Luke's a great person. I don't like to see him upset." She gave him a pointed look.

"He's fine." He glanced toward the sky.

"He was yelling at you the entire time." She said in a 'duh' tone.

"Actually, I think that's his normal volume." He smirked.

"You practically pushed me out the door."

"What can I say, I just love this clean, wholesome, Connecticut air." He grumbled.

"How is our air wholesome?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You ever been to New York?" He glanced at her.

"Yes, I have." She stated haughtily.

"Trust me, this air is wholesome."

She grumbled in acceptance. "I still don't like seeing Luke upset."

"Does it really bother you that much?" He grinned.

"Yes, it does. He's done a lot for my mom and a lot for me, and you don't seem to care at all about his feelings." She glared at him.

"I took a break, it's not the end of the world Rory."

"You've only been here a week and you're already fighting. It's unbelievable." She shook her head.

"It's a gift." His tone was emotionless.

"Sounds more like a curse." She glanced at him.

He let out a humorless laugh. "Sometimes." He said quietly.

She frowned at his somber reply. She sighed as they continued to walk in silence. Finding a bench in the square, they sat. "So…" She started, hoping he would pick a topic.

"So." He replied curtly, smirking.

"New York." She stated.

"Uh huh." He nodded his head.

"Tell me about it." She lifted Rylan out of his stroller and cradled him. His eyes opened lazily. She smiled at him. "Hey Rylie." She pulled a bottle out and opened it, placing it in his mouth. He ate happily.

Jess glanced at the baby before answering. "It's big."

"So I've heard." She looked at him and couldn't help but grin.

"Crowded." He smirked back.

"Well that is its reputation." She nodded. "You gonna tell me the people are rude, also?"

"Most of 'em." He admitted. "You just gotta adapt to it."

"Be thick-skinned, huh?"

"Yes, that is me." He placed his book on the bench.

"Think I could make it there?" She pulled the bottle out of Rylan's mouth and patted him on the back, making sure he burped.

"Not a chance." He grinned.

"I'll have you know that I attended a Bangles concert in Manhattan." She lifted her chin.

"When was that, twenty years ago?"

"It was a reunion and they were great." She stated defiantly.

"Yeah, they're okay." He relented.

"The city's amazing. It was just so…big." She said passionately.

He looked at her carefully. "As I've stated."

"No, not big as in size. I mean, it was big, but it was big in the sense of…otherworldly. Like you could do anything there. Be something, if you tired hard enough. Big like…full of opportunity." She looked at Rylan.

His voice was quiet. "I don't think it's that simple."

"What do you mean?" She looked at him.

"Thousands of people move to New York because they think they can become something…very few actually do. It's just not the way the world works."

"That's a very cynical outlook." She stated truthfully.

"It's a realistic outlook." He countered.

"It's still depressing. You sound like you're spouting a passage from 'Valley of the Dolls'."

"Maybe Susann had it right." He pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.

"Oh…" Rory stared at it hesitantly, glancing at Rylan.

Jess looked at her and noticed her gaze. "Sorry." He stood up from the bench. He walked a few feet away to lean against the gazebo.

She watched as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a slow drag. She scrunched her nose as the wind carried a faint trail of the smoke in her direction. When the wind had died down she looked back over at him.

He was very different from anyone she'd met before. Sort of a combination of her mother's view and her own. Perhaps Lorelai was right, he was somewhat off-putting. There was just something in his demeanor and attitude that made you…squirm. But he seemed fascinating. Very aware of his surroundings. He obviously had formed some pretty solid opinions about life.

She smiled. She found herself enjoying his company, quite a bit, in fact. He seemed witty enough, able to keep up with her slightly offbeat humor. And he'd obviously lied about his reading habits; he understood her references perfectly.

And, she sheepishly admitted to herself, he was nice to look at.

As he finished smoking, he flicked the cigarette on the concrete, crushing it with the toe of his shoe. Walking back towards the bench, he blew the last of the smoke through his nose.

"You lied to me." She settled against the back of the bench, leaning Rylan against her chest.

"When?" He licked his lips.

"I thought you didn't read much." She nodded toward his book.

"Well, what is much?" He asked, quirking his mouth.

"Why didn't you just tell me?" She grinned. "Maybe I would have been impressed."

"Well, in that case…" He rolled his eyes. "What about now?"

"Hmm, depends on your taste." She rubbed Rylan's back in small circles.

He held up a slightly battered copy of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.

"Oscar Wilde. It's a good start." She grinned.

"Here." He tried to hand it to her.

"I have a copy." She shook her head.

"I know." He smirked conspiratorially.

She narrowed her eyes and took the book. Seeing her name scrawled on the first page, her eyes widened. "This is mine."

"So it would seem."

"You stole my book."

"Nope, borrowed it." He stated with nonchalance.

"And you wrote it in!" She cried indignantly.

"Well, I just wanted to put some notes in the margins for you." He mumbled quietly.

She was silent for a moment as her eyes hungrily skimmed the pages, taking in his thoughts. "Jess these are…really in-depth."

He nodded but kept silent.

"Have you read this before?" She glanced up at him.

"Few times." He shrugged.

"They're great." She stated in disbelief. "I never thought I would tell anyone thank you for writing in my book."

"You're welcome." He chuckled shortly.

There was a soft smile on her lips as she continued to glance through the pages. Suddenly she sniffed and made a sour face. "Oh, shoot."

"What's wrong?" He looked at her.

"Rylan, I need to change his diaper." She looked at him apologetically.

Jess made a face before standing up. "I should go."

"It'll only take a second." She held back a laugh at his disgruntled look.

"I'm not really good with this kinda-" He trailed off, waving his hand toward Rylan.

"I wouldn't expect you to be." She grinned.

He nodded and cleared his throat. "I'll wait over here." He took a seat in the gazebo.

She shook her head. She put out his blanket and gently placed him on the bench. She pulled out a new diaper and quickly replaced his old one, wrapping it into a ball and tossing it in a nearby trashcan. "Feel better?" She tickled his stomach and he made happy gurgling sounds. Bundling him back up, she placed him in the stroller and walked toward the gazebo.

"Done." She said as she walked toward the stairs, looking up at Jess.

"Fast." He nodded and walked down the steps.

"I can change a diaper in a minute flat." She stated jokingly.

"You can put that on your resume." He smirked.

"Do you mind if we run to the store? I'm almost out of formula." She pushed the stroller towards Doose's.

"Whatever." He stated noncommittally. "Do you work?" He asked curiously.

"No, not even before I had Rylan. My main goal has always been school, but now it's Rylan and school. So I don't really have time for a job." She thought about her answer and how it seemed somewhat…lacking. "I mean, I think jobs are great," she glanced at him hesitantly, hoping he wasn't offended by her response, "it's just that, I've always wanted to go to Harvard and I need really good grades to get there. And my grandparents are…they help out a lot." She finished lamely.

Jess was quiet, thinking about her response.

"I'm sorry." She stated quickly, fearing his reaction. "I didn't mean to make it sound like jobs aren't important, or beneath me or something."

"Rory, I get it." He looked at her warmly. "You don't have to justify yourself to me. School's important to you. I was just wondering how you pay for everything. Must be pretty expensive."

"It is." She blew out a relieved breath. "But, like I said, my grandparents help out a lot. They're pretty wealthy. They're the ones financing my education right now."

"You don't go to Stars Hollow High?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No, I got to a private school in Hartford. Chilton Preparatory Academy." She blushed slightly. Somehow, she didn't think a fancy private school would impress him.

"Ritzy." He half-smiled.

"Very." She laughed softly. "There are gargoyles on the façade."

"You're kidding." He chuckled.

"Dead serious." She grinned. "It's very expensive, very demanding, but it'll get me into Harvard." She shrugged.

"What about him?" He pointed his chin toward Rylan.

"What do you mean?" She looked at the stroller.

"Do they help out financially?"

"Not so much." She smiled weakly. "I mean, they would if I asked…but they're a little…angry, at the moment."

"Sucks." He frowned.

"They're good people, just very traditional. They wanted me to get married when they found out." She sighed.

"Holy shit." He scoffed.

"My sentiments exactly." She smiled sadly.

"Did they offer up the dowry?" He asked sarcastically.

"It never made it quite that far." She narrowed her eyes.

"Sorry. It's just…they do realize this is the twenty-first century right?"

"I think they're slowly coming to terms with that fact." She nodded.

"Jesus Christ, married at sixteen." He blew out a breath.

"You sound like my mother." She grinned.

"What do you mean?" He furrowed his brow.

"She had me when she was sixteen."

He was silent for a moment before he spoke quietly. "Interesting."

"I know what you're thinking." She looked at the ground. "Like mother, like daughter."

His silence only confirmed her statement. "It's okay, it's what I thought too." Her voice took on a bitter aspect. "It's what everyone thinks."

"Do you think you're like your mom?" He glanced at her.

"In some ways." She nodded. "But we're not the same."

He was quiet for a moment as he contemplated his next statement. "That bothers you." She looked at him with questioning eyes. "Being compared to her."

"It's…" she sighed in frustration. "It's not necessarily a bad thing. I just want to be my own person."

He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Rory glanced at him. "So, I heard you lived with your mom?" It was a half-question.

"You could say that." He half-smirked.

"If you don't mind me asking-" she looked at him for reassurance, "what about your dad?"

"Don't know." He shrugged. "I've never met him."

"Your mom never…?"

"Apparently he moves around a lot. That's all I've got on him." He looked to the right, his jaw tense.

"My dad's kind of restless." She stated quietly. "I don't think he knows how to…settle down."

"Do you ever seem him?" His interest was piqued.

"Every couple months, usually around holidays." She thought back. "Actually, I did see him a few months ago."

"How'd that go?"

"Not so good."

"Why not?"

"I was…pregnant." She laughed tiredly.

"Ah." He nods. "He didn't know?"

"Nope." She shook her head. "I didn't have the guts to tell him over the phone. So one day he just showed and I was…six months pregnant. Not an easy thing to explain."

"I'm guessing he didn't take it too well."

"That's an understatement." She frowned. "I haven't seen him since then. But he calls once a week…so that's good."

"Better than nothing." He agreed with a nod.

Rory looked at him sympathetically, wondering what it must be like to have no father what so ever. "I have mom and my grandparents and this town. I'm happy." She forced a smile to solidify her point.

Jess pursed his lips and Rory looked at him curiously. "What?"

"I've never heard you mention his dad." He nodded toward Rylan again.

She visibly tensed and swallowed thickly. "Well…you can meet him." At his questioning look she elaborated. "He works at Doose's."

"You guys…together?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yes, almost a year now." She answered mechanically. "His name is Dean."

The conversation fell into an awkward lull, as Rory sank into deep thought and Jess regretted every mentioning Dean.

Entering the market, Rory quickly walked to the aisle with baby formula. Jess followed and stood behind her, peering over her shoulder as she studied the selection.

"Oh my goodness!" They both looked up to see an older woman heading toward them enthusiastically. Rory didn't recognize her and figured she must be from out of town.

"He is just adorable." She clucked her tongue and cooed as she stood over Rylan. "How old?" She looked at Rory brightly.

"Four weeks." Rory answered automatically.

"Oh, he's beautiful." She made obnoxious 'baby' faces at him. "Well, it's no wonder with parents that look like you two." She glanced up at them.

Jess's eyes widened and Rory gaped.

"Is he your first?" She asked, oblivious to their horror.

"He's not-" Rory started but was quickly interrupted.

"Rory! Hey." Dean greeted as he walked down the aisle.

"Dean, hi." She quickly kissed him when he stopped beside her.

"Oh, I am so sorry! Me and my big mouth." The woman said apologetically as she placed a hand over her chest and laughed heartily.

"It's fine." Rory answered breathlessly, still in shock over her blunt assumption.

"Well, I should be going. Good luck to you both." She placed a hand on Rory's arm before bustling down the aisle.

"What was that all about?" Dean looked at her strangely.

"Nothing, she was just, admiring Rylan." She tried to smile convincingly.

"Oh." He nodded and then looked behind her. He looked from Jess, who was standing awkwardly with a scowl on his face, back to Rory with a questioning expression. "Um…"

"Oh! I'm sorry. Dean this is Luke's nephew, Jess. Jess, this is Dean." She pointed between them and blushed.

"Hey." Dean smiled in a friendly manner.

"Hi." Jess replied stonily, a blank expression on his face.

There was an awkward silence that followed. Rory glanced around. "Yeah, so, Jess and I were just taking a walk. I showed him a few sights." She lied to make it sound more authentic.

"Oh nice. Did you show him the giant slinky?" He grinned.

"Not yet." She smiled uneasily. Through her peripherals she saw Jess roll his eyes.

"And how's my little guy been?" He smiled and walked around to the front of the stroller, lifting Rylan out.

"Missing his Daddy." She said innocently. As usual, she thought bitterly.

Cradling him in his arms Rylan began to cry. "What's wrong? I'm holding him the right way." He tried swaying him gently but his crying persisted.

"Try holding him against your chest." Rory suggested.

Dean moved him to his shoulder but his displeasure only increased. Dean began to grow impatient and frustrated, "It's not working." He huffed.

"I guess he's just not used to you. He hasn't seen you for a few days." Rory gently took him from Dean's arms and rocked him gently. He immediately quieted.

"How can he not be used to me? I'm his dad." His expression was somber.

"He doesn't recognize you." She stated shortly.

"Great." He stated sarcastically as he clenched his jaw.

"I'm sorry that you haven't been around enough for him to know." She said pointedly with bite.

"Can we please not do this here?" He held up his hands in aggravation.

"Fine. I just came to get formula." She looked to the shelves.

"How much do you need?" He reached for his wallet.

"I've got money." She shook her head.

He sighed audibly. "Okay." He looked down in defeat.

"I guess I'll see you later." She grabbed three cans and headed for the checkout.

"Hey." Dean called her back. She turned reluctantly. He bent down and kissed her sweetly but she responded halfheartedly. "I love you." He said quietly.

"I love you too." She looked down.

"Maybe I'll stop by?" It was a cross between a statement and a question.

"Okay." Her voice was wistfully hopeful.

She walked back to the checkout aisle. Looking up, she almost jumped when she saw Jess standing beside her. She'd forgotten he was with her. "Sorry about that." She glanced behind her to where Dean was stocking shelves.

"You two seem happy." He deadpanned.

"We've just been fighting." She shrugged as if it didn't mean anything.

"Happens." He shrugged in the same manner.

Her mouth quirked as she crossed her arms, looking down at the floor.

After paying for the formula, they walked back down the street, stopping in front of the diner.

"I guess you should go." She looked through the blinds.

"Yeah." He scuffed his boot against the ground.

"Thanks for this." She smiled softly. "I had fun."

"Same here." He looked at her warmly, smirking.

"Later." She began to walk down the street.

He simply waved his hand lazily before entering the diner.

Thank you so much for reading! Please tell me what you thought in a review so I can do some editing. I love whatever you have to say.