AN: Alrighty, so I don't really feel like I acheived quite what I wanted with this chapter. Again. Which could be my internal Mitchum Huntzberger whispering in my ear that I just don't have 'it' (sorry, I was watching I'm A Kayak, yesterday, stupid Mitchum "same page" my foot...) Or it could just be that I'm delusional and maybe these conversations are how they're supposed to be. I'm a little more inclined to hope for the second option, because that means that I don't have to come up with a new passion, and also, I'm not as crazy as everyone thinks, what with the little evil man in my ear. Anyway, I will stop yammering now, let you get on with the reading, thank you for the reviews.

Rory and Jess were at Jess' house, both absently watching the TV, until Rory grew bored and leaned in a little closer to Jess, placing a hand on his chest. "Jess..?"

"No."

"Please?"

"I said no." he told her firmly. "Don't ask me again."

"But it's been weeks. It won't be as bad as you're thinking; I promise I'll be gentle."

He tore his eyes away from the TV to look down at her pleading face. She'd been like this almost every day for the last two weeks and his resistance was beginning to falter. But only a little. "I'm just not ready yet, can you accept that?"

"Fine!" she sat back in a huff and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Thank you."

"I just don't understand what the big deal is!" she continued, "I won't be critical. I swear, all I want to do is read it; then I can tell you how amazing it is."

"Well, I don't want that either."

"Look, you wouldn't have sat down and written all of that stuff if you didn't want someone to read it someday, right?"

"Right. Someone, someday."

"So why not today? Who better than me? I like to read, so I'm sure I won't be bored and-"

"You hate Hemingway, and you've read The Fountainhead four times."

"Three and a half, I couldn't get through it the first time, 'cause I didn't understand a word. But what does that have to do with anything? You don't write like Hemingway, do you? If you do, I should remind you, the man blew his brains out, so he probably isn't the best candidate to model your life after. And also, I remember reading somewhere that he wrestled a man to the ground for giving him a bad review, so, really, I'm going to have to insist you find a new idol."

"What for? You just said that you would tell me how amazing my writing is, so we shouldn't have a problem."

"Does that mean you'll let me read it?" Rory asked hopefully.

"No."

"Ugh! Come on!"

"No, I told you, that book is private, so can we please just forget about it?"

Rory sighed as she studied Jess. He hadn't gotten quite as worked up since the night that she first found out about the book, and she knew him to be a fairly even-tempered person, so it was obviously important to him to be able to keep this to himself. "Alright, fine. I'll let it go again. For now, but don't think I will actually forget about it for real, ok?"

"I wouldn't dream of it." Jess replied, leaning over to give her a kiss while she tried to snatch the remote off him and changed the channel.

"… appreciate it, but really, Carrie, I don't think that was necessary." Liz came down the stairs, the phone up to her ear. She clicked her fingers a few times and the two teens separated to look at her. "Much better." She then turned her attention back to the conversation she was having; Carrie had just told her about the little chat she and Jill had had with Lorelai. "No, Carrie, I'm sure that you did, but Luke's a big boy. He can take care of himself. He doesn't need you fighting his battles for him in the street."

"Are you telling me, that if you had the chance to confront that tramp, you would just look the other way? You wouldn't want to give her a piece of your mind?" the other woman continued as Liz drifted around the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee and then moving out to the back porch. She snickered at Carrie's calling Lorelai a tramp. She'd thought the same thing herself once or twice, but only because, while she was so mad at her, she'd tried to come up with all the meanest words she knew.

"Of course I would want to say something to her. He's my brother after all, but I couldn't. She's one of Sookie's best friends-"

"So are you. And you never abandoned her, like some people."

"-her daughter is dating my son, and living with Luke. If I were to actually say something then… It just wouldn't be a good idea."

"You're too nice to people Liz, I've always thought that."

"Well, thank you, I'll take that as a compliment. But I'm not letting you out of this conversation that easily. I wanted to make sure you'll be able to make the dress fitting with me tomorrow. Four o'clock?"

"Sure, I'll tell Jenny to go to a friend's place after school."

"You could bring her with you," Liz suggested, knowing that her friend would decline this offer right off the bat.

"Nah, she'll just get in the way. Or spend the whole time hiding under a chair. Its fine; if she can't find a friend to spend time with I'll just have Sarah collect her." Carrie explained, and Liz shook her head.

She'd known Carrie since high school, and she hadn't changed at all since then. All that had changed was that she (reluctantly, it seemed) got married, and had three kids, all of whom seemed to be a little less than normal. Jenny, the youngest, had recently begun hiding under furniture, a lot. Ryan, was the middle child, and somehow, pretty close to being the sanest in the bunch, probably because he took after his father more so than his mom, and Sarah, in her freshman year of high school, had made it clear to anyone who listened that she was going to get married as soon as possible and be just like her mother when she got older.

Liz had a feeling that none of the children were aware of how little Carrie wanted to be in their family, but she knew that she'd never leave; for all her complaining, deep down, she did really love them. Deep, deep down.

"Alright, well, that's great. I can't wait for you to see this dress. It's about a zillion years old with flowing sleeves. I look like Vanessa Redgrave in Camelot. Seriously, I've never loved myself in a piece of clothing, more than I do in this dress."

"That sounds great sweetie, but I've gotta run. I'll see you tomorrow at four, though, 'k?"

"Alright, thanks!" Liz hung up and sat back sipping her coffee.

I'm getting married! She thought, excitedly. It wasn't as if this was the first time she'd thought about marriage, but when she had been thinking seriously about it last time, she'd had about thirty seconds to entertain the idea before her boyfriend freaked out and disappeared on her. Jimmy later apologized for his initial reaction to her news, and came back into her life before disappearing a few more times. She knew he meant well, coming back now and then to help her prepare for the baby, and then when Jess was born he was around a little more. But it was the going away bit she had a problem with.

How was she supposed to trust him, if he couldn't stand still for five minutes?

While Jess had been growing up, she'd dated a little, but none of the guys had really made her think of a future, so she had just been having a little fun while it lasted. They usually freaked out and ran for the hills once she told them she had a kid. But that was to be expected. She knew that when she found the right guy, the idea of her having a child wouldn't be a problem, so she had waited.

And then she met TJ.

He'd wanted to meet Jess a few months after they started spending time together, but Liz had made that mistake about seven years earlier and she wasn't ready to do it again. Luke and Jess had both made their opinions of her boyfriend very clear and the relationship had soured quickly. This time though, they both seemed to see how happy she was, and kept their mouths shut, even though she could tell they didn't exactly love the guy.

"They'll come around." She told herself.

As much as she hated to admit it, she had a feeling that the presence of the Gilmores would help with that, as it seemed the girls had powers over both her son and brother. "Best case scenario; they'll convince them to give TJ a chance and both disappear," she muttered to herself, knowing full well there was no chance of that happening. Jess was far too attached to Rory to just allow her to go, and Lorelai was putting down roots again it seemed.

Not like this hasn't happened before though, she thought to herself, half hoping that she would be proven wrong. There was no one who wanted to see the back of these women more than Liz. But having to see Luke and Jess mourn their absence was the bit she wasn't looking forward to; as little as she liked them, she loved those men and did not relish the idea of their broken hearts.

"And that right there is the reason we cannot hang out here." Rory announced as Liz moved into the kitchen. She leaned forward and picked up the Coke Jess had brought out earlier.

"What, Mom? She's fine. You just have to work out the best way to ignore her."

"I don't want to do that! And I don't want you to do that either. She's your mother! I just think it would be better for me not to spend too much time here."

"Well, there's either here, with my mom, the diner with Luke, or your mom's apartment. Unless you want to risk going out there, dealing with Taylor. Not a whole lot of fun options."

"No, I guess, you're right. Well we can work that out later. So, it's in two weeks huh?" Rory asked, switching topics and Jess nodded. "They really didn't waste anytime," she remarked. "And this Renaissance Fair theme, that's for real?"

"Yep." He picked up the remote and started flipping through the channels again, not paying much attention to the TV screen, though.

"But she's only been doing that for… Well, less time than I've been here. How did she get so into it?"

"I don't know, but she has and she and TJ want to do it up just like one of those fruity things with court jesters and wreaths and the weirdness that should fit in perfectly in this town."

"They're definitely doing it here then?"

"Town square,"

"Wow. How are you doing with that?"

"Um ok, I guess. I want her to be happy, even if I'm not exactly doing cartwheels; she deserves it after all she's done for me."

"I would like to see you do cartwheels, any chance we can arrange that?"

"I really don't think so."

"Fine, no cartwheels. Yet. But I bet I can convince you,"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. We've had this conversation before, remember? I have magical powers."

"And do those magical powers help at all when it comes to finding a dress to wear to a crazy wedding?"

"You want me to go?" Rory asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Of course. You're my girlfriend and if I have to be there, I'll need someone to help me keep my laughing in check. Plus, you live with Luke, and he'll be there, and Mom likes you well enough."

"With a sell like that, who could possibly refuse?" Rory joked and Jess opened his mouth to reply but she cut him off. "I'm kidding, I'd love to come. Thank you."

"No problem," Rory smiled at him for a moment, and then put her can of drink on the coffee table again, before leaning in to kiss him.

"What was that for?" Jess asked, watching her eyes sparkle.

"Nothing," Rory shrugged, "just felt like it,"

"Well, don't let me get in the way of your future impulses."

"I won't." she grinned and he shifted a piece of hair that had fallen across her face.

"What about you? Your mom lives three blocks away now. Is that weird?"

"Yes. And no..." Rory replied, and Jess tilted his head, waiting for elaboration. "Well, since I've been away from her all this time, having her so close by is a little different, but then again, she's my mom and it feels… kind of right that she be here."

"So, since she's here, do you think she'll come to the wedding too?"

"Are you kidding? Did you not just hear your mom on the phone? She's made it very clear that she's not exactly Lorelai's biggest fan. Or mine, for that matter, but considering my lack of years, she seems to have decided not to hold me accountable for everything. Mom wouldn't dare show up there. I know that she has done a few stupid things in her time, but pissing off a woman on her wedding day is not one of them, and I really don't think it will be making it on the list any time soon. Plus, I think that, even if she refuses to admit it, she wants to make things right with Luke, and that really won't help her. At all."

"Keeping us on side would probably be a good idea, though, right?"

"Come to think of it, yeah, maybe we could let her know that we're here to help and if she wants that, she'll have to make it worth our while, and let us hang out at her place, whenever we want."

"But I thought you just said you didn't want to hang out there, or here, or-"

"Mom has to go to work at some point, right? And our schedule's won't always match up, which means that sometimes, she'll be out of the apartment when we're not busy, so we could spend some time alone there, if we so desired. I mean, she already has a room for me and everything. I'm actually thinking we could make things a little difficult until she submits to our list of demands."

"We have a list now?"

"Oh, yes," Rory replied, grinning, proudly. "I just thought of it. She'll have to keep the fridge fully stocked with drinks and a variety of snack foods should be available. I'll probably have to get my own key. And we'll need to know her roster so that we can plan our time accordingly."

"You think really well on your feet," Jess praised.

"Thank you. It helps that I'm not actually on my feet though, I think."

"I'm sure it does. Isn't it a little presumptuous that she rent a two bedroom apartment?" Jess asked, realizing what Rory had said earlier.

"Thank you! Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking."

"Although, maybe not."

"What? You're either on Team Rory, or Team Lorelai. Pick a side!"

"Team Rory. I'm definitely on your side, it's just… she didn't turn up here and demand that you get your stuff out of Luke's did she?"

"Well, no. She's not a complete moron."

"So maybe this is her way of opening a door without busting through it, do you see what I mean?"

"No, I really don't."

"You're being given the option. You can either stay where you are, move into Lorelai's, or, as a compromise I'm sure she would love, you could maybe spend one or two nights a week with her."

"When did you get so insightful?"

"I've always been this way. Just, a couple days a month it's more evident than usual."

"Ahh…" Rory nodded and looked over at Jess again. He looked more relaxed now than he had been earlier."Ok but I'm sorry, I just have to ask you this one more time. Are you sure I can't read it? Because all I want is to know what you're thinking."

"All you had to do was ask," he replied, and she grinned, again, letting herself get excited, but instead of getting up to retrieve the note book, Jess cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

"Apparently we're both horrible liars," Rory looked up as Jess came and sat beside her at the bridge later that night. "Window?"

"Used the door,"

"That's an interesting approach."

"I thought so. What were you saying about lying to me?"

"Just that I have a feeling we both held back a little this afternoon, otherwise we'd both be safely tucked away in our beds right now."

"Right. Ok, what are you hiding?"

"I want to show you. I really do, because I know you won't criticize, that's not like you. I just…" He paused for a moment, trying to think of the best way to explain. "I can't because, well, it's sort of about you."

"You want to show… Oh. Wow!"

"I mean it isn't like I've written an ode to you or anything. There are just parts that you're mentioned in and I don't want you to take one look at it and decide I'm a crazy stalker-freak."

"Are you kidding? I've dealt with crazy stalker-freak before; you most definitely do not fit the bill."

"That's reassuring,"

"Now I really know how strongly you feel about this I promise to stop pushing." Rory replied sincerely.

"It's not going to make you want to read it even more?"

"Well, no." she smiled at him. "It will, but I'll be less vocal about it, at least I'll try to be."

"Thank you."

"I should be getting back though. We've got another fun-filled evening with the grandparents tomorrow," Rory explained, making a move to stand up. Jess grabbed her hand, keeping her next to him.

"Wait a second. What about what you weren't telling me?"

"Oh, it was… Don't worry, it's nothing."

"Rory, come on. I just spilled my big secret; you can't do that to me."

"I met my father." She finally replied. "And I don't mean for half a second in the diner. I mean, I found out where he was staying and I went to see him. He was so pathetic and I actually… No, I didn't feel sorry for him. I felt nothing, because he was no one. I just don't want to be faced with that again, I don't ever want to look at another person who should have an impact on my life and have a big black hole. I don't want to cause someone to feel that either, you know? My life, it should mean something. I don't want to be nobody, and I'm afraid that if I let my mom back in she'll have some adverse affect on me and everything I've worked for will be gone."

"That's not going to happen."

"How can you be so sure of that?"

"Because she is obviously trying really hard, and I can promise you, I'll never see a black hole when I look at you."

"You can't-"

"I'm not saying things won't change. We're sixteen, chances are our lives will take us in different directions whether we like it or not. But yours won't lead nowhere; I'm sure of that."

"I'm glad you have it all figured out."

"Yeah, well. this is one of my super brain power days, remember?" Rory nodded threading her fingers through Jess' "So much for nothing."

"What?"

"You said it was nothing. You didn't have anything you needed to share."

"Well I'm a compulsive liar."

"That explains a lot."

Like I said, not entirely sure that was right, but hopefully it was at least satisfactory. I'm thinking now we have the big talk out of the way, we might possibly be able to go back to reminiscing about Jess' childhood, possibly bring in a little bit about Rory's. And of course, get Liz and TJ all married off and everything. That's the plan, but as I'm sure we all know, my plans rarely, if ever pan out the way that I want. Please review!