Sorry, this has taken FOREVER! Real life sometimes kicks your butt and you just don't get to write. I'm also looking for a proper real life job, and it's damn hard. What happened to Rory? - It doesn't happen in real life. Graduate and a week later get offered a kick ass job? Nope. For every job I apply for there are 70 other graduates applying for the same position. Epic Economy Fail.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I know I always say this, but seriously, you guys rule. :)
And I don't own them, I just play with them. Enjoy!
Chapter Nine -Secrets
Rory rolled over in bed, reaching out for Jess, but when she discovered his side empty, she slowly opened her eyes. Sitting up, she saw him, opening a drawer, naked apart from a pale blue towel hanging about his waist.
Smiling to herself, she pushed herself up to rest against the headboard, letting out a small gasp when Jess dropped his towel.
"Enjoying the view."
She could hear the smirk before he turned around. "You jerk. You knew I was awake?"
"Suspected." He shrugged. "So," He raised one eyebrow at her. "How is the view?"
Rory's cheeks flushed a pale pink. "You're impossible."
Jess crossed the room and sat down beside her, giving her a quick kiss. "You love it." He growled, attaching his lips to the base of her throat.
Rory tangled her hands into his hair. "Where were you going?" She asked before letting out a soft moan of pleasure as Jess kissed a sensitive spot below her ear that he'd discovered a month ago after the dinner with his parents.
"Breakfast." He replied, lying down and pulling her on top of him. "But maybe we can just stay here?"
"I can't." Rory shook her head. "I have to go shopping."
Jess reversed their positions so Rory was pinned beneath his body. He lowered his hips to hers and ran his tongue along her collarbone. "You want to give up this, to go shopping?" He smirked as she ran her hands through his hair.
"I have to go. Birthday presents for the twins. This is the only day I can go. And I can't disappoint them."
Jess rolled off her and onto his side, propping his head up under his hand. "The twins birthday?"
"Yeah, they're having a blowout party next Saturday."
"They're five, how blowout can it be?"
"You have met my mom, right?" Rory laughed. "And at Thanksgiving dinner, they requested your presence at the party. If you want."
"Sure." Jess nodded, placing his hand across Rory's stomach. "Guess this means I have to come shopping with you. But, I still think we have time..." He raised one eyebrow suggestively at her.
"You are impossible." Rory laughed. "Or improbable."
"Think you're right with impossible."
"No, I have a theory." Rory gave him a small smile, tracing a star across his chest with her finger.
"Go on, let's hear it."
Rory let out a breath and glanced up at him. "You never caught me."
"What?"
"At the coffee shop." Rory explained, "I fainted, but you didn't catch me. I fell and banged my head and now I'm in a coma."
"A coma?" Jess smirked.
"Yes. This is all a dream. Rory's World."
"So, I'm a figment of your imagination?" Jess smirked.
Rory shook her head. "No. I think that you're real. Maybe you're some guy on the subway I always see."
Jess twirled a piece of her hair around his finger. "I don't take the subway."
"Fine. Maybe you're an author and I'm your editor and because of professionalism we can't do anything."
"I'd say fuck professionalism." Jess smirked before kissing her. "Any more possibilities?"
"That you really were just a guy who graduated two years ahead of me in Chilton. And I'm so obsessed that I created a dream world in which I get to be your girlfriend."
"That makes sense. I can understand why you would be obsessed." He grinned. "But I can guarantee this isn't a dream."
"How?"
Jess leaned over and placed a soft kiss below her ear. "No girl in a coma could have screamed the way you did last night." He whispered.
"Jess!" Rory pulled away, blushing. "You are impossible."
"Yes, but think how dull life would be without me." Jess smirked. "Now, about that thing I proposed earlier?"
"Breakfast? Yes, please. I'm starved!" Rory laughed as Jess kissed down her neck.
"Food can wait." Jess mumbled into her neck, smirking against her skin as she ran her hands into his hair.
Rory knocked on Jess' door at ten to seven on Tuesday evening. She knew she was a little early, but she had planned this date to perfection and was more than a little excited about it.
The door opened to reveal a tall man with light brown hair in a grey suit. "Hi." He smiled down at Rory.
"Hey. You must be Nate."
"Yeah." He nodded. "And you are..."
"Rory?" Bee called out from behind her boyfriend, joining him at the door. "Come in."
"Hey." Rory waved as Nate retreated back into the apartment. "I'm just here to pick up Jess, is he ready?"
"He's not here." Bee bit down on her lip. "Come in." She ushered Rory into the apartment. "You had a date?" She asked as she shut the door.
"Yeah."
"It must have slipped his mind. He had an emergency. Gabe, one of our regular writers for the 'zine called. He's a recovering addict and his sponsor was killed in an armed robbery. He was afraid he was gonna start using again so Jess left to help. Get him to a meeting. Find someone who could talk to him. Like I said, it must have-"
"Slipped his mind." Rory finished Bee's sentence. "Yeah. That's intense."
"Kinda, yeah. Gabe trusts Jess, which is big. He doesn't really trust anyone."
"Right. I should go." Rory took a step backwards towards the door. "Tell Jess to call me when he gets in?"
"You should stay." Bee offered. "He shouldn't be much longer."
"No, I wouldn't want to intrude." Rory waved her off.
"No, Nate's just leaving." Bee smiled as Nate came out of her room, briefcase in hand. "He has a business dinner."
"I'll call you tomorrow." Nate kissed Bee on the cheek. "It was nice meeting you Rory."
"You too." Rory smiled as he grabbed his coat and opened the apartment door.
"Bye." Bee waved before turning back to Rory. "So? Wanna help me eat a pile of leftovers?"
"Sure." Rory laughed, following the redhead into the kitchen.
"This is amazing chicken!" Rory told Bee as she speared another piece with her fork.
"Well you can tell Jess you like it when he gets back."
Rory stopped chewing and blinked at her girl beside her. "Jess made this?"
"Yeah."
"Seriously?"
"Uh huh." Bee nodded. "You didn't know he could cook?"
"No. I mean I knew he made amazing pancakes, but I didn't know he could make anything else."
"His pancakes are good." Bee agreed. "But Jess is very handy in the kitchen." Bee stood up and cleared the empty plates, stacking them in the dishwashers before returning to the couch.
"Huh." Rory smiled. "I guess I lucked out. 'Cause I suck in the kitchen. My speciality is ordering takeout."
"Mine too. But I do make an excellent pot roast."
"I love pot roast."
"Who doesn't?" Bee laughed. "More wine?" She asked, holding up the bottle.
"Please." Rory reached over and picked up her glass. After taking a sip, she set her glass back down and glanced over at Bee. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Bee replied turning away from the TV, where '(500) Days of Summer' was playing and faced Rory.
Rory tucked her hair behind her ear and exhaled. "It's about you and Jess."
"Okay."
"And you don't have to answer. You can tell me to mind my own business, but it's just been on my mind."
"Okay, shoot."
"When you were dating, did you ever, am, you know, did you ever have... well, I mean-"
"Did we ever have sex?" Bee smirked.
"Yeah." Rory sighed.
"Yeah, we did." Bee shrugged, taking a sip of wine. "Why, does it bother you?"
Rory shook her head, "No. I just, I guess I just wanted to know."
"Why not just ask Jess?"
"And look like a psycho jealous girlfriend? No thanks, that's kinda pathetic."
"And asking me?" Bee grinned.
"Also pathetic." Rory laughed. "But a level of pathetic I can handle."
"Okay. Fair enough." Bee started to laugh as well. "But why did you need to know?"
"I dunno. I just...well you had said it was a fake relationship, and so I didn't know."
"I say it was fake now." Bee smiled. "But it was real then. Jess was my boyfriend. I mean, he wasn't my first and I wasn't his, but I loved him. I think that was the problem. I didn't realise I wasn't in love with him. That's why we broke up. And stayed so close as friends."
"What d'you mean?"
"We're family. No matter what happens, or what he does, I'll always love Jess, because I love who he is."
"And who is he?" Rory smiled.
"A total cynic. Sarcastic as hell but with heart of gold. Oh and world's best smile. God I'm glad that smile's back."
"Back?" Rory's eyebrows knitted in question.
"Yeah. It'd had been a long time since I'd seen the 'Jess Smile'." Bee nodded. "You know, before you."
"Oh." Rory replied quietly.
"Do me a favour? Don't break his heart? I don't think he'd survive it this time. Not after you."
"This time?" Rory questioned.
"That you'll have to ask Jess about. I've spilt too many secrets tonight already." Bee smiled as the door opened.
"Hey, I'm ba-Rory?" Jess spotted his girlfriend on the couch. "Oh God, we had a date."
"It's fine. Bee explained the situation. And kept me company." Rory smiled as he crossed the room and kissed her cheek.
"How's Gabe?" Bee asked.
"Fine. I got him calm and to a meeting. He's with the guy who led the meeting, Rob. He's gonna stay with him."
"Good." Bee stood up and lifted her glass. "Well, I'm gonna head to bed."
"Are you sure?" Rory looked up at her. "It's only nine thirty. We could finish the movie."
"It's fine. Make up for your lost date. I'm gonna read my book anyway."
"What chapter are you up to?" Jess smirked.
"Chapter seven."
"Still in part one?"
"Yes!" Bee sighed.
Jess grinned. "I think you're a little behind."
"I'll get there. Don't worry about that. Just have the money ready."
"What's going on?" Rory asked.
"Well, see I've seen 'Gone with the Wind' about a million times. But I've never made it through the book." Bee explained
"Why?"
"About chapter five I get a urge to watch the movie. And after watching the movie, I never feel the need to go back to the book. So Jess has bet me fifty bucks I can't finish the book by my thirtieth birthday."
"When's that?"
"August 8th." Bee grinned.
"That's nine months away." Rory laughed.
"I know. And I'm gonna do it."
"What if you get the urge to watch the movie?" Rory smirked.
"Gave away my copy. No temptation. I'm gonna buy a new one with my winnings." Bee smiled. "Goodnight." She waved as she headed towards her room. "Oh and Rory? I had fun. We should hang out again."
"Absolutely." Rory smiled. "Night."
Jess sat down in the seat Bee had vacated and Rory scooted over to him, lifting his arm and resting her head on his chest. "You guys have fun?" He asked, resting his arm around her waist.
"Yeah." Rory nodded. "She's cool."
"Glad you approve." Jess tightened his hold on her slightly. "Sorry missed our date."
"Don't worry about it. It wasn't a big deal."
"You were pretty excited about it. What were doing?"
"Ice skating." She blushed slightly. "I've never been. And on Tuesdays in December, this little theatre plays Christmas movies. It's stupid."
"What was the movie?"
"'White Christmas'."
"Too happy. And Bing Crosby kinda freaks me out."
"Christmas is supposed to be happy." Rory laughed. "And Bing Crosby? Really?"
"Shut up." Jess mumbled, tightening his hold on her. "What's next weeks movie?"
"'It's a Wonderful Life'."
"Deal."
"Really?" Rory sat up and looked at him. "Even the skating?"
"Sure." Jess nodded, his eyes closed.
"Okay, you're exhausted. Bed." Rory stood and helped him to his feet. She turned the TV off on her way past and lead him to his room. Jess fell on top of the bed, letting out a long sigh.
Rory pulled off his low tops. "You gotta get undressed, hon." She smiled as unbuttoned his top shirt.
"Okay." He stood up pulling his shirt over his head and then unzipped his jeans, stepping out of them and leaving on the floor.
"Brush your teeth." Rory smiled as he rolled his eyes walking past her.
When Jess returned, Rory was folding his jeans. "Hey, I'm gonna head." She placed the jeans over the back of his chair. "Sleep well." She reached up and placed a kiss to his cheek.
"Rory." His hand caught her by the waist, stopping her in her tracks. "Stay."
"Jess, you need to sleep."
"I know." He nodded. "Just stay, please?"
Rory knew there was something he wasn't telling her, but she nodded her head slightly. "Sure."
"Thank you." He whispered, bending his head to kiss her.
"Can I borrow a shirt to sleep in?" She smiled. "And a loan of your toothbrush?"
Jess crossed his room and pulled open a drawer in his dresser, lifting out a black t-shirt. He then opened the top drawer and pulled out a brown bag.
"Here." He handed both items to Rory.
"What's this?" Rory quirked an eyebrow, glancing into the bag. "A toothbrush?" She laughed, lifting out a bright yellow toothbrush. "It has glitter on it."
"Thought it was more romantic than roses." Jess shrugged.
"Thank you." Rory kissed his cheek. "I won't be long." When Rory came back, still smiling about her new toothbrush, Jess was already lying in bed, his arm covering his eyes. Rory turned the light out and crawled in beside him. "This a gross shirt." She whispered.
She could make out his smirk in the dim light from the street. "Great band though."
"Oh yeah." She smiled. "Jess? How long have you known that guy Gabe?"
"Four years."
"How long has he been clean?"
Jess sighed and rolled onto his side to face her. "Three years. I knew him from coming into the store. I gave him a job, helped him get clean. He's talented. Really fucking talented. He's writing a manuscript. I don't want him to... shit." He breathed.
"Hey, it's okay, he called you. He's not using." Rory kissed him. "You really should sleep."
Jess nodded and rolled onto his back again, pulling Rory with him, his arm around her shoulder. She lay her head on his chest, listening to the beating of his heart. It broke hers to think of what he was going through. She thought back to how Bee alluded to how his heart had been broke before. But she knew this wasn't the time to dredge up old exs. Instead she kissed his chest and tightened her hold on his torso. "You're amazing, Jess Mariano." She whispered, before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep herself.
"We're leaving tonight." Rory cradled her phone between her cheek and shoulder, typing the end of an email at the same time.
"Are you typing?" She could hear Jess smirking. "Can't even warrant your full attention."
"Well, I have to confirm my Monday morning meeting before I leave." She hit send and then leaning back in her chair, took the phone in her hand. "But, as I was saying, Katie, April and I are leaving for the Hollow tonight. The party's at one, so if you there about noon that would be perfect."
"Or, I could just go with you guys tonight."
"We're going tonight so we can help set up tomorrow morning." Rory smiled.
"And who hangs a birthday banner better than me?" Jess laughed.
"No one comes to mind. But I couldn't ask you to do that."
"You didn't ask. I offered. Besides car-pooling is better for the environment, right? So I'll be at yours at...?"
Rory sighed in defeat. "We're leaving at six."
"I'll be there. Later Rory."
"Yeah, bye Jess." Rory shook her head as she replaced the receiver. Biting down on her lip, she considered again that it was all a dream when her phone rang, jolting her out of her own mind.
"Hello?"
"Gilmore!" The voice of her boss barked down the line. "You were supposed to be in my office ten minutes ago!"
"Right, yes. On my way." Rory hung up and picked up a stack of papers. This was definitely not a dream.
"Bringing a man to a birthday party for five year olds..." Lorelai smirked as the four got out of the car, "isn't that a little desperate sweets?" She laughed as she pulled Rory into a hug.
"Not when said five year olds pull me aside at Thanksgiving and request the presence of said man at said party." Rory grinned.
"Oh. Well then, good job. Hey Jess." Lorelai smiled at him before hugging April and Katie at the same time. "Coffee all round?"
"Tea for me." Jess called out as he lifted the last bag from the trunk of the car.
"Huh." Lorelai looked him over. "Wow. That one sentence lost you like fifty attraction points. But, hey, Luke will approve." She shrugged, picking up April's case, and then throwing her arm around her shoulders led her inside. "So, how's Columbia? Still fabulous?"
Katie took her own bag from Jess and followed April and Lorelai inside, while Rory locked up her car. "So fifty attraction points?" Jess smirked, leaning against the rear door.
"Yeah, pretty much." Rory nodded, moving to stand in front of him. "But, you made about forty five of them back when you actually made me coffee. That was amazing coffee for someone who doesn't touch the stuff. You have magical powers over the coffee beans?"
"No." He chuckled. "I just have Bee's overpriced coffee maker."
"Oh." Rory pouted, and Jess leaned in to kiss her.
"So, I'm still down five points, huh?" He whispered, kissing below her ear. "Anyway I could make those up?"
"You already have. And then some. I think you've about eighty surplus points."
"Eighty?" Jess nodded. "How'd I get those?"
"Well the view last Saturday was worth about thirty points." Rory laughed, kissing him again. "We should head inside before Luke sends out a search party."
"Ah, The Dad." Jess raised his eyebrows in concern.
"He's a marshmallow." Rory shrugged. "Just slightly overprotective."
"Great." Jess deadpanned following her up the porch steps.
"Coffee and tea." Lorelai pointed to the two mugs sitting on the kitchen counter.
"Thanks." Rory smiled at her mom as she handed Jess his tea. "Jess this is Luke. Luke, Jess."
"Hey, good to meet you." Jess extended his hand to the older man.
"You too." Luke replied, shaking his hand. "I've heard a lot about from my family." Luke smirked shooting a look at Lorelai and April.
Lorelai raised her hands in defence. "What? It was all good!"
"Yeah." April grinned. "We swear, nothing bad."
"Mom!" Rory turned to Lorelai and opened her mouth again to continue, but lost her train of thought when she felt Jess' hand at her back.
"It's fine." Jess told her. "Kind of flattering." He grinned at April.
"See?" Lorelai stuck her tongue out at her daughter.
Rory rolled her eyes. "Very mature."
"Behave Lorelai." Luke warned before kissing the top of her head. "I was just waiting to say hi, but I'm turning in. I'm opening the diner in the morning."
"Night Dad." April kissed his cheek, while Rory, Jess and Katie said "Night." at the same time.
"I'll be up soon hon." Lorelai squeezed his arm on his way out.
"What time does he have to be up at?" Jess asked.
"Quarter to five." Lorelai sighed. "Makes me sad thinking about it."
"Yeah." Jess agreed. "Listen, you mind if I go take a shower? I didn't get a chance after work."
"Go ahead. You know where the bathroom is okay?" Lorelai asked.
"Yeah." He nodded, picking up his and Rory's bag.
"Well, there should be clean towels in there."
"Thanks." Jess smiled before turning to Rory. "I'll see you later."
"Yeah." She breathed out leaning up to kiss him. He stood up straight and flashed a smile at the three others in the room.
"Night ladies. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night." They chorused back in unison, making Rory roll her eyes.
"So tell me," Lorelai slipped her arm through her daughter's and led her to the living room, "how is he in bed?"
"Mom!"
"Hey."
Jess glanced up from his book to find Rory in the doorway to her room. "Hi. You gonna prop up that door all night?"
"No." She laughed, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. "My mom told me something and I'm only telling you as a heads up, but it might not even matter. I just-"
"Rory!" Jess cut her off, taking her hand. "You're rambling."
"I do that." She sighed, sitting down beside him. "My ex is in town."
"Adam?"
"No. Dean." Rory clarified. "We dated in high school, and freshman year of college. But he broke up with me and it was horrible. He said it was because he didn't fit into my new life. Katie thinks that's bull and he was jealous I was going to an Ivy League. I dunno what it was, but I do know that any time I've met him since, he's been bitter and mean, particularly to any boyfriend who's been with me. Though now he's freshly divorced and according to mom, Hurricane Dean is not pretty."
"Wow." Jess glanced at her. "So, he lay into Hunztberger?" He smirked, "And Adam?"
"He never Adam." Rory smiled. "But yes, Logan got an earful. As did poor Daniel."
"Daniel?"
"The guy I went out with after Logan, but before Adam. We dated for a year and a half, but just naturally grew apart. All very civilised. He's married and their expecting. A girl, they're calling Rebecca. I met them every so often for lunch."
"You ever date anyone for less than a year?" Jess asked.
Rory shook her head. "No. I don't really date. I have relationships. What about you? I know you dated Ali Watson in high school. And Bee. But anyone else that last longer than two months?"
"Yeah. Two others. Jennifer Howard in sophomore and junior year in college. She was a year older and I knew going into it that she was leaving for Seattle when she graduated, so it was a practically pain free breakup. I sometimes meet her for dinner if she's in the city."
"Okay. Who's the other one?" Rory bit down on her lower lip, knowing that this had to be the heartbreak Bee had mentioned on Tuesday.
"Emma Turner." Jess told her, he voice devoid of any emotion. "We were together for two and half years. We lived together. I was gonna propose."
"Wow." Rory breathed out, her eyes wide. "What happened?"
"Found out she'd been cheating on me. For a year."
"Oh my god! When was this?"
"About four years ago. Bee's been setting up on dates ever since. Nothing ever happened because I compared every girl to Emma and no one measured up. No one was Emma."
"Even after she cheated?"
"She was still that Goddess like creature in my head." Jess shrugged.
"What about me?" Rory asked. "Did I get compared?"
"Yes." Jess answered truthfully.
"So how come I'm still around?"
"You're not Emma." Jess said simply.
"I don't understand."
"Compared to each other, she doesn't measure up to you." Jess told her, reaching to cup her face. "I don't know if you know this, but I think you're fucking fantastic Rory Gilmore."
Rory felt her face and neck blush red. "Thank you." She whispered. "For telling me that. About you're past I mean."
"Anytime." Jess kissed her softly. "I mean, honesty is important in a relationship, right?"
"Yeah." Rory nodded. "No secrets." She kissed him, before lying down, pulling him down beside her. "We should sleep. A big day of banner hanging awaits us." She smiled before closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his chest.
"You're hanging that banner wrong!" Luke shouted across the dance studio the next morning.
"You can't hang a banner wrong. You just hang it!" Jess shouted back, pinning a banner up.
"It's crooked!"
"You're cracked!"
"Wow, a true meeting of the minds!" Rory laughed, watching the scene.
"The start of a beautiful friendship." Lorelai replied. "And you're still happy kid?"
"Yeah." Rory smiled softly as she watched Luke re-hang Jess banner. "Happier even."
"Happier?"
"We had a talk last night. The ex's talk."
"The ex's talk? Is there such a thing?" Lorelai grinned.
Rory shook her head laughing. "I dunno. But it was good to talk. Be honest, you know?"
"That is the best policy. And I'm glad. You're happy, I'm happy. You think the twins will like this?"
"I think the twins will love this!" Rory laughed, looking around as Sookie put the finishing touches to the five tier cake, Miss Patti supervised Kirk bring in the gifts and Jess and Luke arguing over banner placement.
"I guess we'll find out." Lorelai smiled. "Coffee? They really don't need us here."
"Sure." Rory agreed, pulling her scarf around her neck. Jess caught her eye and raised his eyebrow in question.
"Tea?" She mouthed, forming the letter with her fingers. He smirked and then nodded in reply, before turning back to Luke and gesturing at the banner.
"Now it's crooked."
I was going to include the party in this chapter, but it was getting super long and I have a million ideas for the party (because I was always intrigued by Lorelai's party planning skills) so that all gonna be in the next chapter. Including an appearance from everyone's favourite Korean! :)
Review and let me know what you think!