AN: Mmkay, so here is the next chapter, and I hope it's more substantial than the last one, which was really just a jumble of scenes for you to try and make sense of. We're starting with 'You Jump I Jump Jack' here.

"…so I'm sorry that I have to cancel on you at the last moment, but I really had to pick up this extra shift." Jess's voice rang from the answering machine, "But, on a cheery note, I was thinking that we could catch up for breakfast some time, I could tell you all about how much I loved My Sisters Keeper, but, I am so not an arsonist Rory! Those books are way too nerdy for me. Well, I have to go, I love you Rory." BEEP. The answering machine declared that there were no more messages and Rory opened her laptop in the hopes of finding more information on this life and death brigade article she was writing. She was so close to another dead end.

She looked vaguely out the window for a moment and noticed a yellow envelope stuck to her window and fluttering in the breeze, her name printed in black marker. She opened it and read the contents.

Dear Ace,

Be outside Branford at 3:00pm Friday.

Wear this.

LDB

Rory smiled to herself, maybe this article was going to work out. A black piece of material fell out of the envelope, 'Oh no! Oh NO!' she thought, realizing that she was going to be blindfolded.

Rory grabbed her phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Grandma, it's me Rory. I can't make it to Friday night dinner."

Rory sat in the car, feeling ridiculous with her blindfold on. She knew everyone in the car, but only vaguely, and wasn't too sure if she trusted them.

'This will be my best article ever'. She told herself, numerous times.

"So Ace, this things overnight, that a problem?" Logan asked mischievously.

"Nope, not at all… but, um, can I make one quick call?" She pulled her phone out of her pocket and hoped that it wouldn't be taken away from her.

"Sure, but you're agreeing to the conditions of no names, descriptions of people, places or photographs. Oh, and make it snappy."

"Can I just point out that I don't know where we are going, I can't see you, and, I can't send a photo over the phone." She fumbled around with the phone, unable to see anything.

"That applies for your article too Ace. Here, let me. Who you want too call?" He smiled as he saw her cheeks redden and took the phone from her hands.

"It should be in the phonebook under Jess." Her voice sounded so sweet and innocent, he couldn't help but smile at the sound of it. Though he quickly removed the smile and told himself that it meant nothing, like smiling at Bambi, it doesn't mean anything.

"Hey Jess! I know you're probably working now but I have bad news, I can't come to breakfast Saturday. I miss you, we'll work something out. Oh, and definitely similarities in My Sisters Keeper. So I'll call you when I get back, if I get back… just kidding… I hope. Love you. Bye." Logan snatched the phone out of her hands and put it in his pocket.

"So who's Jess, is she anyone I'd know?" He was taken aback when Rory laughed.

"Jess is my boyfriend. And yes, you've met him. He bartended for you, I was with him when I met you." She rolled her eyes under her blindfold. Lucky enough for Rory, the blindfold prevented her seeing the disappointed look that glimmered in his eyes for just a moment after the B word left her lips, and a moment before he recollected his thoughts.

"Well, I'll be keeping your phone, so no more loved up phone calls for you Ace." Logan smirked at her, an effect totally lost on blindfolded Rory, but what would have made her knees go weak.

"Hey! But what if I ne-" Logan cut her off.

"No reception where we're going."

"Which would be…?" She asked innocently.

"Nice try but no." He slung his arm casually around her shoulders.

"Why are we driving at such an ungodly hour?" Finn muttered to himself.

"I read your article on the Life and Death Brigade, by the way." Jess said, slumping himself on the couch next to Rory and passing her a soda, "Sounds like you couldn't have missed me too much!" He added jokingly.

"I'm not saying I didn't have fun, but I can't stand those arrogant rich boys in large doses. It was thrilling and exciting," she thought about jumping off the scaffolding, Logan's hand in hers, and the look in his eyes before they jumped and smiled to herself, "but it was all much too extravagant for a college party.

They averted their attention to the movie they were watching, Casablanca, Rory mouthing the words to some of her favourite scenes while Jess smiled at her and wrapped his arm around her. Suddenly Rory's phone started buzzing from the coffee table and she jumped up to answer it.

"Leave it Rory!" Jess whined from the couch.

"I can't, it could be important. Paris is with Doyle tonight and I promised to be available if all goes wrong." She pressed the accept button up and held the phone to her ear.

"Rory here."

"Hello Rory, how are you?"

"I'm good grandma, how are you?" She looked at over Jess who was following Rory's end of the conversation.

"Oh, fine, fine! I was just calling to say that Friday night dinner will be cancelled this week, as your grandpa and I are hosting a party for all our Yale alumni friends."

"Oh, Friday night dinner cancelled." Jess made a silent victory movement in the background.

"Yes, but I thought that you might like to come, I would just love to show you off to all my friends… and we couldn't stand to miss our weekly Rory fix! Oh, please tell me you can make it!"

"Um sure, I'm free. I can come." Jess hung his head in a dramatic defeat.

"Lovely! I'll see you at six then?"

"Six it is grandma, see you Friday."

They exchanged farewells and hung up.

"Why, why did you say yes? Are you crazy? Friday night, together! I had it all planned out, I'm thinking a concert and candles." Jess said from the couch.

"I can't say no, they already know that I have nothing planned. Besides, I figured that you could pick me up at around 8:30 and we could go see a movie or something." Rory said, walking over to the couch and snuggling back into his arms.

"I'll look at what's on."

"I'll be the one in the party dress with jeans and a t-shirt." She gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

"I dunno, I might get you mixed up with a guy in a suit… I see so little of you now! How am I to know what you look like?" He said in mock sincerity.

"You're seeing me now… besides, I'll send you a picture."

'You know, Rick, I have many a friend in Casablanca, but somehow, just because you despise me, you are the only one I trust.' Ugarte said from the TV. Rory thought of Logan and smiled, snuggling deeper into Jess's embrace.

AN: Thankyou for reading. Please tell me what you think. Tensions should be rising soon with the upcoming party…