Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Seriously, I'm completely bowled over and so flattered by the response this story has got.
I own very little. Bee, she's mine. As is Katie. And cough*Adam*cough. Though he only appears briefly. Enjoy!
Chapter six - Reunion
Jess quietly opened the door to the apartment and throwing his keys on the table glanced at the clock. Seven ten. Seven ten? And already so much, too much had happened. Rory had stared at her cracked TV for five minutes and he had hovered awkwardly, not knowing how to comfort someone at the end of a relationship when you wanted the relationship to end.
In the end Rory had simply asked him leave, telling him she would call to talk. But her voice was emotionless and he didn't quite know how to process the whole thing.
Bee would still be sleeping, but he needed to talk to someone, so he quickly went to her room and toeing off his shoes got under her duvet cover still fully dressed.
Feeling his weight shift her bed, Bee rolled over to face him, her eyes still closed. "What?"
"Can we talk?"
"Time?" She mumbled into her pillow, her eyes still closed.
Jess sighed. "Just after seven."
Bee groaned and slowly opened one eye to look at Jess. "You're dressed?" She opened the other eye and rubbed her nose. "That's what you were wearing..." She suddenly sat up, hitting Jess' arm with the back of her hand. "Are you just getting home?" She grinned. "What happened?"
"We fell asleep watching the movie."
"Oh." Bee pouted.
"And, then Adam found us this morning."
"The boyfriend?"
"Yeah." Jess sighed. "They had a fight, and broke up."
"Really?" Bee face broke into a wide grin. "This is great, this is what you wanted. Why are you here, in my bed and not in hers?"
"She just broke up with her boyfriend."
"Yeah." Bee nodded. "They broke up."
"Just broke up. The emphasis is on just. It happened twenty minutes ago."
"So what now?"
Jess shrugged, glancing at Bee. "I figured that's where you could help."
"Oh. Right." Bee nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Well, you could invite her to your high school reunion this weekend. Get her out of the city, she could go see her family, they're still in Connecticut, right? You'd be doing something nice to cheer her up, and she'll get to see you in a suit. And believe me, no girl can resist you in a suit."
"Thank you, I think." Jess scratched his chin. "But you're supposed to go to this reunion with me."
"I know, but I really don't wanna go." Bee gave him a small smile.
"You were the one who forced me to go in the first place!"
Bee shrugged. "I'm an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Deal with it. And ask Rory."
"Really?"
"Really, really." Bee smiled.
"I'm gonna make breakfast. What do you want?" Jess placed his hand on top of Bee's knee.
"Nothing." Bee shook her head, lying back down. "What day is it Jess?"
"It's Wed-Oh God, it's your day off."
"Bingo." Bee laughed. "I'm going back to sleep."
"I'm sorry, you should have kicked me or something. Told me to piss off until later."
"Why would I do that? You needed to talk. And you don't get days off from being a best friend." Bee said and then screwed her face up in disgust. "That was really cheesy, right?"
"Yeah." Jess laughed. "But, it's early, you're forgiven." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "See you later."
"Later. And call her!"
"Rory!" April banged on her sister's front door that afternoon. Rory opened the door a few minutes later, wearing grey Yale sweats, her damp hair held out of her face by a black headband and a half eaten tub of chocolate ice cream in her hands.
"What happened?" April demanded, brushing past Rory into the apartment. "We were supposed to go to lunch, but I got to your office and Magzilla tells me that you didn't arrive in, that you haven't been answering you cell, and then you ignore my calls. What the hell?"
Rory sighed and dropped her spoon into the ice cream tub. "Adam broke up with me." She told April, walking back into her room.
"What?" April exclaimed, following Rory into her.
"He broke up with me. I am single."Rory sighed, flopping onto her bed. "A single lady." She lifted her left hand, twisting it.
"Well, what happened Beyonce?" April sat down on the bed.
"I don't wanna talk about it." Rory lifted her remote and hit play, unfreezing Cary Grant.
"So, you're gonna sit here and cry over 'An Affair to Remember'?"
"And 'Love Story'." Rory nodded.
"Get up."
"No. I'm wallowing. This is what you do."
"Fine." April rolled her eyes. "Move over." April kicked her shoes off and lay beside Rory. "But we watching a comedy after this." She warned Rory, taking her spoon and eating some ice cream.
When the door knocked an hour and a half later, Rory nudged April with her elbow. "That's the pizza. Go get it."
"Why me? You ordered the thing."
"I'm wallowing. Get it."
"I'm not paying for it." April grumbled as she pushed herself off the bed.
"There's money on the dresser. I love you!" Rory smiled, turning her attention back to Paul Rudd in 'Clueless'.
April opened the door, counting out the notes she had lifted. "How much do I owe..." She trailed off as she look up. "Adam. What are you doing here?"
"I need to see Rory."
April crossed her arms across her chest. "She doesn't want to talk."
"April. It's fine."
April turned to find Rory at her bedroom door, leaning against the frame.
"You sure?"
"Yeah." Rory nodded as Adam walked into the apartment, closing the door behind him. "Just give us a minute." Rory asked April, indicating with her head for the younger girl to back into the bedroom.
"Fine. But if you need me-"
"I'll yell." Rory finished, squeezing April's arm as she walked past and then shut the door behind her.
"What do you want Adam?"
"We need to talk."
"I thought you made yourself pretty clear this morning." Rory rubbed her arm before sitting down on the couch.
"I was stupid and irrational this morning. I was tired and I didn't let you explain." Adam sat down beside her.
"Adam..."
"No, let me finish. It was obvious that nothing happened. I just...can we just forget it ever happened?" Adam asked, giving her a small smile and taking her hand in his.
"No." Rory pulled her hand away. "You were right Adam. I mean, yes nothing happened between Jess and I, but we haven't been right for a while. You shouldn't have to compete for my attention."
"Rory. You're still upset. But we can get through this. I love you."
"I know, but I don't think I love you. I care for you, deeply. But it's not fair to string you along. You were right to break up with me. You did what I was too frightened to do."
"This is about him isn't it?"
"No." Rory sighed. "I don't know. I don't know much about anything right now. But I do know that I can't be your girlfriend anymore."
"So this is goodbye?"
"I guess." Rory nodded.
"And you're sure this is what you want?"
"Positive. It's for the best."
"Okay then." Adam stood up and walked towards the door. "Well, goodbye Rory." He opened the door and quietly closed it behind him.
"Bye Adam." Rory said as the door shut.
"He broke up with you because of Jess?"
Rory turned to find April staring at her, her arms crossed and her weight resting on one hip. "Kinda." Rory sighed.
"What happened? And none of this 'I don't wanna talk' crap." April joined her on the couch, folding her legs under her.
"Jess came over to watch a movie last night," Rory indicated to her broken TV, "and because of-"
"Amazing Race Gate, you had to watch in your room?" April finished.
"Yeah." Rory nodded. "And we fell asleep. Adam came by at six thirty before work and found us like that."
"Wowzer. But, he came here to make up. Why have you been wallowing all day if you're okay with the break up?"
"Because I don't know what to do." She admitted.
"About Jess?"
Rory nodded. "I like him."
"Understandable."
"And Adam said that Jess was into me, but-"
"He is." April cut in. Rory raised her eyebrow in disagreement. "Rory, come on! He got you a signed Rand for your birthday."
"Yeah but-"
"But nothing. He could have made a fortune selling that. But he gave it to you. And he looks at you and..."
"He looks at me?"
"At your birthday, when he thought no one was paying attention, he'd give you these...glances. Trust me. He likes you."
"Really?"
"Yes!" April exclaimed as the door knocked. "I swear Rory, you may be book smart, but you are not boy smart." April laughed as she crossed the room to anwser the door. "Make yourself useful Ror, and grab steak sauce for the pizza."
"Fine." Rory stood up as April opened the door.
"Jess." Rory whirled around when she heard her sister's voice.
"Hey." Jess waved once.
"Come in." April invited and then turned to face Rory. "I know!" April threw her hands up before Rory could speak. "I'll be in your room if you need me."
"Hey." Jess said again, as he closed the front door, and then hovered nervously at the entrance.
"Hi. You wanna sit?" Rory offered taking her own seat again.
"Thanks." He sat down beside her. "I'm just on my way home. Wanted to check you were okay after, well you know."
"Yeah. I'm fine."
"He's a jerk. You know, nothing happened. He's an idiot."
"Well, he actually just came by. Apologising for this morning. Saying he over reacted."
"Oh." Jess' face dropped.
"I told him I didn't want to get back together. It's for the best."
Jess grinned. "Really?"
"Yeah. Things have been...off for a while."
"Okay." Jess nodded. "I, um, I wanted to ask a favour of you. It's my high school reunion this weekend, and Bee forced me to RSVP, and she was gonna go with me. But, ah, something's came up and she can't go so I was wondering if maybe..."
"You want me to go?" Rory asked.
"Yeah, I mean, I thought you might like to get out of the city? And the reunion is Saturday, so we could maybe take Sunday, and go visit your mom. And the twins. If you want."
"Really?"
"Yeah. After the way Beth talked up Stars Hollow I can't wait to see it. I especially wanna meet Taylor. So what'd you say?"
"Yeah," Rory laughed. "I think getting outta town and going home is exactly what I need."
"Great. I'll pick you up about one thirty on Saturday?"
"Sounds out." Rory nodded as her door knocked for a third time. "And that is finally my pizza." Rory crossed and opened the door, paying the delivery guy and taking the large pizza from him. "You wanna stay?" She asked Jess. "We ordered enough for ten."
"No, but thank you. I owe Bee dinner. I kinda woke her up when I got in this morning."
"Slam the door?"
"Something like that." Jess smiled heading to the front door. "See you Saturday Rory."
"Yeah. See you Jess." Rory waved as opened her bedroom door.
"What's happening on Saturday?" April asked for her spot on the bed.
"Were you listening?" Rory dropped the pizza box on the bed and pointed at her sister.
"No." April shook her head. "Eavesdropping is a Gilmore trait. Besides, have you ever noticed how low Jess' voice is? Seriously, mumbler! Next time he's here, and I'm relegated to the bedroom, get him to enunciate his words. Have him do some vocal warm ups. You know, 'the lips, the teeth, the tip of the tongue'. That sort of thing."
"Yeah, 'cause that's normal." Rory rolled her eyes, lifting a slice of pizza.
"Shut up and tell me what's happening on Saturday."
"I'm going to his high school reunion with him. And since he went to Chilton, we're calling into The Hollow on Sunday."
"Jealous!" April pouted. "Kiss the twins for me. And the reunion could be fun, right?"
"Yeah, I mean, even if it sucks, at least I get to hang out with him."
"Exactly. And he'll probably wear a suit. I'm betting he looks really good in a suit."
"Thank you for that perspective." Rory laughed.
"Any time big sis." April shrugged on shoulder and took a bite of pizza.
"Why am I doing this again?" Rory sat down on her bed beside Katie on Saturday morning.
"'Cause a really cute guy that you like asked you too." Katie grinned.
"Can you stop with the gloating."
"Nuh uh. I'm never right, but on this? I called it the second he returned that pink umbrella! Besides, you like him. And he likes you. What's the big deal about going on a date?"
"It's not a date. It's a function."
"Don't sat function. You sound like your grandmother. And if it's not a date, then it's a predate. See how well you get on in a date like situation before actually labelling anything."
Rory frowned. "Is that real?"
"Dunno." Katie shrugged. "But it should be. Then I could have avoided the diaster that was Ryan."
"Yeah, he was odd after my birthday. The singing outside the building caused problems."
"I know. That's it. From now on, I'm pre-dating everyone."
"Good plan." Rory laid her head on her friend shoulder, looking up at her dress for the evening. "You definately convinced about the dress?"
"Yes. You're gonna knock him dead."
"Well, I don't want him dead." Rory smiled. "He'd be absolutely no use to me then."
"Where are we?" Rory asked as Jess pulled into a driveway of a house similar to her grandparents.
"My parents house." Jess told her as he cut the engine. "They're in London, so I thought we'd crash here for the night instead of getting a hotel room."
"Oh. Okay. Yeah that makes sense." Rory smiled as she opened the car door and stepped out, lifting the garment bag with her dress out of the back seat of Jess' car.
"Okay, so follow me." Jess gave her an awkward smile and opened the front door and then led Rory up stairs. "Here." He pushed open a door. "Guest room. Bathroom's through there." He indicated the en suite with his elbow as he sat her overnight bag on the bed. "My room's across the hall. Yell if you need anything." Jess told her as he walked back to the door.
"What time are we leaving?"
"Six fifteen."
"I'll see you then." Rory smiled as Jess closed the door. He quickly crossed to his own room and flopped down onto the bed, running his hands through his hair. He was an idiot. The whole car journey had been awkward and filled with uneasy silences, like neither knew how to act, now that they could act on...well on whatever this was.
Rory slid a hair pin into place, tucking back a stray curl. An hour and forty five minutes wasn't the longest time in the world to get ready, but she'd done it before in a uch shorter time frame. She picked up her earrings as Jess knocked on the door.
"Come in." She called out and she put one earring in.
"Wow."
She turned to see Jess standing at the door, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. "You don't look so bad yourself." Rory smiled, walking towards him, putting on her other earring as she went. "You scrub up well Mariano." She straightened his tie.
"Thank you. And you do look amazing."
"This old thing?" Rory glanced down at her knee length navy dress, "It's nothing."
"Okay. You ready to head?"
"Yeah." Rory nodded, picking up her purse. "Lead the way."
Rory hovered at the side of the room. Jess had gone to get them a drink and from her spot she was free to get a good look at him, without his own gaze making her self aware and nervous. He really did scrub up well, she noted as he sipped his own glass of whiskey talking to his old class mates. His black suit was well cut and fitted him perfectly, and his white shirt was offset by a dark blue tie. She smiled at the fact that they matched when a voice drew her out of her thoughts.
"Rory? Rory Gilmore?"
She blinked and looked to her left. "Max. Hi."
"Hi." Rory's old Lit teacher and almost step father smiled at her. "What are you doing here? This isn't your class."
"I know. I'm here with Jess Mariano. We're...friends."
"Okay. So how are you? How's your mom?"
"Good. We're all good." Rory glanced about her.
"Your mom still at The Independence?"
"No. That burnt down years ago. She owns her own inn. The Dragonfly."
"Well, that's wonderful. And is she-"
"Rory, sorry I got caught making small talk. Here's your martini. Hi, Mr. Medina." Jess held his hand out to his ex-teacher.
"Please, Jess. Call me Max." The older man requested as he shook Jess' hand.
"Sure, Max. But I'm afraid I have to steal Rory away." Jess slipped his hand around Rory's waist. "There's someone I really want her to meet."
"Sure thing. Good seeing you again."
"Bless you." Rory dropped her head to Jess' shoulder when they were out of Max's earshot.
"You looked like you were drowning."
"Yeah, a little. Not who I wanted to see."
"I'm surprised. I figured you would have liked Lit."
"I did." Rory nodded. "It's just weird running into a guy your mom was engaged too."
"That was your mom?" Jess laughed. "I knew Medina was involved with a mom, but I never knew whose mom it was."
"Well, know you do. So laugh it up. Come on." Rory rolled her eyes just as her cell started ringing. "It's Luke." She frowned as she checked the caller ID. "Hello Luke. What's up?"
Jess stood back to give her space as she talked to Luke on the phone. "What? How long...I'm in Hartford, why? It's a long story. Luke what's going on? What? Where? I'm on my way." Rory hung up and tossed her phone bag into her purse. "I have to get to Hartford Memorial. My grandpa's in the hospital."
"Come on." Jess took her wrist and lead her out to the carpark and into his car.
"Luke!" Rory called out when she spotted her step-father. "How is he?"
"It was a heart attack. He's in surgery now. I'm just waiting on your mom," he said as Lorelai appeared through a set of double doors, "To give me some news."
"Rory." Lorelai pulled her daughter into a hug.
"How is he?"
"Out of surgery and it went really well. He's gonna be fine."
"Thank God. What can I do?"
"Everything's taken care of here, but the twins are with Sookie and she has three of her own..."
"I'm on it. You and Luke stay with Grandma, I'll get the twins. Call me if anything happens, give Grandma and Grandpa my love and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Sure thing sweets." Lorelai hugged her again. "What's with the dress and the stud in the suit by the door?"
"I'll explain all tomorrow." Rory smiled, squeezing Luke's arm before re-joining Jess.
"We need to get to Stars Holl- and oh God, I agreed and didn't even think about you...I can get a cab, it's fine. So don't worry about-"
"Rory!" Jess shouted. "What's happening?"
"My Grandpa had a heart attack and he's gonna be fine. He had surgery, but he'll be fine. I need to get home to get the twins."
"Okay, then." Jess unlocked his car. "You coming?"
"Still sleeping?" Rory asked as Jess joined her in the kitchen. The twins had both been sleeping when they arrived at Sookie's so Jess had carefully carried them to bed without waking them.
"Yeah. How you holding up?"
"Fine." Rory placed her empty coffee cup in the sink. "I guess I should show you where you're sleeping."
He followed her up stairs and into a bedroom just across from Will's room. "You can stay here. It's my room, I'll crash in April's."
She turned to walk out but Jess caught her hand, turning her back to face him. "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah." She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Neither of them knew how it happened. They both leaned back slightly out of the hug, both angled their heads, and then they were kissing. Rory quickly moved her hands from around his neck and slid her fingers into his hair. Jess' hands wandered, one cupping her cheek, the other sliding up her back. They edged back towards the bed, sitting down as their legs hit the edge, but when Rory moved to unbutton Jess' shirt he pulled away.
"What's wrong?" Rory asked, her lips red and swollen, her breath coming out in pants.
"Nothing's wrong," Jess ran his hand along her cheek. "But you're upset about your grandfather and I don't want this to be about that."
"It's not, Jess, trust me."
"Rory, we haven't even talked about what happened with Adam."
"We broke up." Rory shrugged. "We broke up...'cause I like you."
"I like you too. I mean, I really like you." Jess smiled, giving Rory a quick kiss, "But, when this happens, I want to have taken you out on one proper date."
"Okay." Rory gave him a small smile, then kissed him again. "Do you mind if I crash in here with you though. I don't wanna be alone."
"It's your room." Jess told her as he lay back on the bed, holding out one arm so she could lie down beside him. "Night Rory." He kissed the crown of her head and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Night Jess." She smiled and buried her head in his chest.
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