A.N: So I had an idea for Chrystal. Honestly I wanted her to seem like she was tame like Rory because she's trying to start fresh with her mom, I feel like there needs to be a trigger that causes her to go back to her old ways, she's not as tame as she's acted so far and so I'm going to introduce said trigger in either this chapter or the next, probably this one because I'm going to follow the story line of the brace bridge dinner. Hope you're enjoying the story though and I would love even more reviews!

Polyvore link: chapter/set?id=204891850

Chapter 5: Snow, Fights and Food

"How do you like that mouth?" Mom asked us as we stood in the town square building our snowman for the contest. Rory and I shared a look as we took in the face of our snowman.

"Um, it's not very mouth like" I commented slowly.

"Oh, I think it works" Mom scoffed back.

"It's tilted to the side!" Rory argued.

"Yeah, no, it was intentional. It gives her a unique expression" Mom explained pointing to the snowman- snow woman's, face.

"Like she had a stroke?" I snorted before flicking the mouth off of our creation.

Mom gasped and glared at me, "Fine, I'll just use the Mrs. Potato Head lips"

"No, forget it, put stroke-mouth back on. It's not like we're gonna win this anyway" Rory sighed

Mom and I looked at Rory in surprise, "Whoa, bad attitude" I mumbled.

"Guys, face it. That is the single most incredible snowman I have ever seen" She said pointing behind us to this beautifully sculpted scrooge snowman that some guy was working on.

"I'm sorry, that snowman is way over the top, way too showy. It's screaming 'I'm incredible, I'm special, look at me" Mom ranted.

"Kind of the point of a snowman-building contest right?" I asked with a smirk.

Mom shot me a look "Enough out of you quippy, Hmm, I hate this man with every fiber of my being" She finished glaring back at the masterpiece and the man creating it.

I followed her scowl and shrugged, "He looks nice"

"He's a ringer!" Mom accused.

"How do you figure?" Rory asked in confusion.

"Someone recruited him, promised him a handsome sum; financed his theatrical snowman accoutrements, so he could snatch victory away from a deserving local in order to bag the contest prize for himself" Mom explained insistently.

"Seems a little elaborate considering that the prize is a set of new US quarters" Rory replied.

I rolled my eyes, "This is where I take my leave, this rant is just like the one you did when we were debating whether or not gummy worms were better than gummy fish, the shape does not change the flavor mom and that guy is not hired to steal the prize" I finished.

Mom shot me an incredulous look, "My heart is breaking! How can you tell your mother, the vibrant women who birthed you, these awful things?"

I raised an eyebrow and looked over at Rory, "I'm getting coffee, I'll bring some back for you because mom is losing it"

"Okay, ooh, ooh bring me a donut too" Rory added.

"Ooh me also, with extra chocolate and extra donut!" Mom shouted after me.

I shook my head and walked over to Luke's, the place was packed so I had to maneuver my way to the counter, Jess was pouring coffee for an elderly couple when I walked in, I stood at the counter and we made eye contact. He gave me a small smile and I smiled back.

Since the book fair, Jess and I had gotten along comfortably. Almost too comfortably. We always sat together at lunch and debated music and whatever else we could argue about, or we chatted extensively about whatever it was we were reading.

Luke came out of the kitchen and walked over to me an awkward smile in place, "Hey Chrystal what can I do for you?"

I smiled, "um can I get three coffees to go and two donuts" I asked politely.

"Sure thing" He responded walking over to the coffee pot.

As I waited, Jess walked up to me a smirk in place as he leaned against the counter.

"So have you been reading the book I got you?" He asked.

I smirked back at him, "Of course I have, and it's great"

"Yeah It's a good book of poems" He responded.

I shot him a curious look, "I never pegged you as the poetry type" I commented.

"I'm not" He said pointedly.

"Well so far, it's been Howl, Dickinson…"

"I'm not the poetry 'type'" He said, using finger quotes to emphasize his distaste for the word.

"If you say so…"I teased.

Jess scowled and I let out a small laugh, Luke walked over with my order and I grabbed the stuff, I handed Luke some bills and looked back to Jess, "See you at school, Mr. 'Not the poetry type" I mused before walking back to the town square where my mom and sister were watching the man power buffer his snowman master piece while our snow woman's head had fallen off.

"Coffee?" I asked, they nodded sadly.

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The school day was pretty uneventful, mom had texted me to tell me her big event at the Inn was turning into a town event and to meet her at the diner so she could tell me the plan. I had stood out front hoping to run into Jess on his way home but I didn't see him around anywhere.

With a sigh I start walking towards the diner, I stop when I see Jess fighting Chuck Presby on the front lawn. Chuck had just socked Jess in the face and my heart stopped, I dropped my back pack and started running towards the group of people that surrounded them. Jess had just punched Chuck back and I pushed past the people just standing there and screamed a loud "Stop!"

Jess paused when he saw me and Chuck saw this as an opening and tackled him to the ground delivering another punch to Jess' face. In a split decision I ran up and kicked Chuck in the side as hard as I could, he fell to the side and I kicked him once more in the stomach.

He laid there groaning, "You stupid bitch" He growled up at me.

I glared down at him, "Fuck you" I spat, kicking him once more.

Jess grabbed onto my arm and pulled me away from Chuck and the crowds of people, I looked at him in concern and touched the bruise forming on his cheek lightly.

"Are you okay?" I asked quickly.

He nodded and gave me a smirk, "I really thought you were a goody two shoes just like your sister. Then I heard the word 'fuck' come out of your mouth and I watched you kick a guy several times, I can die satisfied Gilmore"

I rolled my eyes and smacked his arm; He looked at me in mock hurt.

"Stop hitting people" He teased.

I rolled my eyes and smiled at him brightly Jess gave me a genuine smile back and opened his mouth to say something before Dean came running up interrupting us.

"Chrystal are you okay? What the hell were you thinking getting in the middle of the fight like that you could have been hurt" Dean scolded me.

I looked up at him in exasperation, "Dean leave me the hell alone!" I finally snapped.

Dean looked down at me in confusion and shock, "W-what?" He stuttered.

"You heard me!" I hissed.

I glanced at Jess to see a huge smirk on his face and a look of pride as I yelled at Dean, I shook off the feeling of butterflies and looked back at Dean who was glaring at Jess.

"I'm not your girlfriend, in fact your girlfriend is my sister and she's right across the street at the diner, stop harassing me. I don't know what you think is going to happen but I'm starting to think you have some weird twin fantasy you want to play out, well newsflash, I'm. Not. Interested. So run along Deano before I kick you like I kicked Presby over there" I ranted angrily.

Jess snorted and tried to cover the grin that was on his face, Dean glared at the both of us, "Whatever" he muttered before stocking away in the opposite direction.

"Priceless" Jess mused.

"Oh shush you, I gotta go, try not to get into any more fights I don't want to have to save you again" I chuckled.

Jess lost the smile and scowled, "You did not save me I had it handled" he muttered.

I shook my head and smiled, "Whatever you say Jessie" I mocked.

His scowl deepened, "Oh jeez, don't call me that" he scoffed.

I laughed again and walked away from him to meet my mom and sister at the diner.

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"Hey, did Bootsy RSVP?" Mom called to Rory from the couch as she looked down at the room arrangements, I sat next to her reading the Emily Dickinson book of poems.

"Yeah, he's coming" Rory replied as she walked in with three drinks in hand. She set them on the table and sat next me.

"Thanks. Is he bringing anybody?"

"He's coming solo" Rory responded taking a sip of her beverage.

"Okay. I'm gonna put him in room 16 with Luke" Mom decided.

I looked up from my book, "You can't do that"

Mom groaned, "Come on, let me have my fun."

"Luke's coming with Jess" I said simply.

Mom shrugged at me and grabbed her drink, "Well, I'll put Jess in with Miss Patty"

Rory snorted, "There will be no Jess left in the morning"

Mom huffed and wrote something on the room listing, "You both stink"

I stood up and set my book down before picking up a pile of Holiday cards.

"Are these last year's cards or this year's?" I asked curiously.

"This year's, of course" Mom scoffed.

"Don't scoff. Last year's set were still sitting here 'til Halloween" Rory argued for me.

Mom looked at her defensively "Hey, if that's a crack at my housekeeping skills...well then, okay" She finished with a shrug.

I flipped through the cards and made a face at one of the ones that came up, "Wow'

"What?" Mom asked.

I showed her and Rory the picture, "This is one ugly looking baby. Whose baby is this?"

"That's your second cousin's Stan's. Poor kid" Mom said shaking her head.

Rory made a face as well, "Ugh, he got Stan's everything."

Mom smiled, "That's not even the ugliest baby in the bunch."

My eyes widened, "You're kidding"

I flipped through more pictures in the pile and found another ugly baby, "Ouch!"

Mom chuckled "That's the ugliest baby in the bunch"

"I don't understand why people put pictures on cards" Rory announced.

Mom nodded in agreement, "Do they not understand we are unapologetic mockers?"

"There's an unexplained innocence in the world" I muttered.

I froze at the next Holiday card I saw in the pile

Mom noticed my sudden mood change as I stared at the card blankly. "What is it sweets?"

"Dad" I answered shortly dropping the card on the table.

"Oh" Mom said as she and Rory looked at the card.

"And the woman I'm assuming is Sherry" Rory asked.

I glared down at the happy looking couple, "The one and only, perky bitch" I muttered.

"Chrystal…"Mom said softly.

I shrugged indifferently, "It's whatever mom he made his choice"

Mom gave me a sympathetic smile as I plopped down into one of the arm chairs, letting the anger wash over me silently.

Mom looked over at Rory, "Hey, question about the room list" She said trying to change the subject.

"Yeah?" She asked.

"Room 31 - why is it empty?"

Rory nervously twisted the end of her sleeve, "Oh yeah, I wanted to run an idea by you"

"Run it"

"I thought maybe a certain depressed man and his wife could stay there"

"Woody and Soon-Yi?" Mom responded with a chuckle.

Rory cleared her throat, "Um, Grandma and Grandpa"

Mom groaned, "Ugh, you've got to be kidding"

"But this could help to cheer him up" Rory argued.

I started to tune them out as they argued back and forth about the grandparents, I opted out of Friday Night dinners seeing as how I'd only met Emily and Richard when I was a baby and once when I was 7, I didn't even see my own grandparents who I'd actually met and known for 17 years. I didn't want to sit there while they made plans for my future but a part of me knew I didn't have a choice, just like my dad didn't.

I looked back at the stupid Holiday card of him and Sherry. 'She really ruined everything' I thought bitterly as the dark mood dragged me down deeper. I needed a drink.

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That night we were at the Inn for the Brace bridge dinner, despite my foul mood I'd been stuck in I dressed nicely for my mom. I didn't really say a whole lot to mom and Rory after I'd seen the holiday card. I just wanted to be left alone.

Mom was making sure that everything was ready and Rory was greeting all the guest, I stood off to the side glaring at the ground with my arms crossed hoping no one would approach me.

But of course that was just wishful thinking, Rory and Dean approached me and I shot Dean a glare before plastering a smile on my face for Rory, "Hey what's up Ror"

"Just wanted to see how you were doing? You've been quiet tonight" Rory said in concern.

I shrugged, "it is what it is, I'll be fine" I muttered.

I hear Dean scoff and I look up and follow his gaze to see Jess walk through the door, I feel the familiar butterflies in my stomach and can't help a small smile to grace my face.

"I didn't know he was coming" Dean hissed.

Rory looked up at him confused, "Who?"

"Jess" he snipped.

"Yeah. Is that a problem?" Rory asked in slight annoyance.

Dean looked down at her in surprise, "Not really" he mumbled.

I snorted and looked at him in disbelief.

"Dean..." Rory huffed.

Dean sighed and shot me a look, "It's just that, he got into this fight with this guy at school, and Chrystal here got in the middle of it and broke it up. I tried to see if she was okay and she went off on me. Jess is a bad influence on her he just brings trouble"

I gaped up at him feeling the anger from before intensify, "Dean" I hissed.

Rory looked at me, "Why would you do that?" She asked.

I scoffed, "Rory, seriously your boyfriend needs to mind his own fucking business!" I snapped.

"I'm trying to help you, that jerk could get you in a lot of trouble" Dean chimed in.

"Shut up! I get into trouble on my own. You don't even know him so stop trying to tell me what's best. The both of you" I stated coldly before flashing a look of hurt at my sister and storming away from the couple.

This was not my night I thought as I sat down in one of the chairs away from the groups of people in the lobby.

"Hey everybody, will you gather round? Everyone, everyone! First of all, I want to welcome you to the first annual and probably never ever to be held again because Sookie's on the verge of a nervous breakdown Brace bridge Dinner" My mom announced to the lobby.

"I'm fine, everything's fine" Sookie called.

"I also want to thank Mother Nature for snowing in the Trelling Paper Company in Chicago so I can throw this great party for all my friends instead. It's a very special night. And so, since I don't get to eat unbelievably strange food with my friend's every day, I have arranged a little surprise. Outside, as we speak, is a line of horse drawn sleighs and everybody gets a ride. So, uh, line up and keep it orderly. There are two per sleigh and no cutting in front of each other - that goes for everyone. Except me, cause I'll be damned if I'm gonna miss a ride in a horse drawn sleigh. Come on" Mom continued before showing us outside to the horses.

I was the last to get on a sleigh and I was glad because it meant that I got to be alone, which seemed to be the safest option for me. I pulled the soft blanket over my lap.

The driver looked back at me, "You alone miss?"

"I'm alone" I called back

The sleigh started moving and I took a deep breath just enjoying the snow around me that is until Jess jumps into the seat next to me. I let out a small shriek and he smirks I scowled at him and scooted in my seat.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

Jess just continued smirking and pulled some of my blanket over his lap. "Well, I heard it was two to a sleigh - no more, no less. You were breaking the rules"

I scoffed, "I'm a rule breaker, or are you just figuring that out, you could've hurt yourself" I muttered.

"I live on the edge. I can jump out if you want" Jess teased.

I crossed my arms, "Doesn't matter to me" I stated.

Jess shot me a look, "Are you mad at me or something?"

I shook my head but didn't answer; instead I opted for staring at my lap as the sleigh moved through town.

Jess scooted closer to me, "I can't read your mind Chrystal" He mumbled.

"I got into a fight with Rory and her boyfriend. Over the fight you were in earlier with Chuck. On top of that I saw this stupid Christmas card of my dad and his terrible girlfriend and it just ruined my day" I explained shortly.

"You and your dad were close?" Jess asked.

I nodded, "When Rory and I were born, my mom wanted to keep the both of us. But my dad insisted that he could take care of one of us and so they set us in the middle of the room and let us decide. I crawled to dad and Rory crawled to mom. My dad and I were best friends, sure I'm the wild child, I used to party and date a lot and I was always getting into trouble but my dad just laughed it off with me and that's how it was. Then his new girlfriend comes along and ruins it all" I ranted angrily, clenching my knuckles.

"I'm sorry" Jess said softly.

I looked over at him, "I sound like a spoiled brat I know. I had an awesome dad who let me do whatever I want. I know it's not that bad it could have been worse" I said lamely, feeling embarrassed.

Jess shrugged, "He abandoned you. I get why you feel the way you do"

I nodded awkwardly and looked at him slyly, "So, why are you still here?"

"What do you mean?" Jess asked looking back at me.

I rolled my eyes, "I mean, school's out and you don't like it here, so why don't you just go home?"

"My mom didn't want me to"

"I don't believe that" I countered.

"That's your right, I guess" Jess shrugged.

"Did Luke say she didn't want you to?" I asked.

Jess chuckled bitterly, "Luke told me it was his idea that I should stay. It wasn't his idea. That's good"

"What?" I asked looking around the town square now.

Jess pointed towards the gazebo, "Your snowman. Snowwoman, actually"

I looked at him impressed, "You know which one is ours?"

Jess nodded, "It definitely has the most personality. Kind of looks like Bjork"

I grinned widely, "That's what we were going for" I said excitedly.

"Yeah?" Jess smirked.

I nodded, "But everyone thinks the one on the end is gonna be the winner"

Jess raised his eyebrows at me, "Really? It's so overdone"

"I agree"

"You should win" he stated.

I smiled, "No argument"

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It was time for the dinner and we were all sat at the table while mom stood at the head of it with a camera, everyone was in an animated conversation, including Jess and I as we sat next to Luke.

"Quiet please, everybody. Before the, uh, button popping and the bloating can commence, say cheese" Mom called.

Jess swung his arms around my shoulders and we smiled for the camera "Cheese!"

Mom took the picture and Jess let his arm linger around my shoulders for a little bit longer before moving it and setting it on the table. Our hands brushed and I felt my heart speed up at the contact, I glanced at him and he smiled.

"Uh, now, ladies and gentlemen, Damen und Herren, um, the moment you've been waiting for, I give you the Brace bridge Dinner!" Mom called out.

"Whoa, whoa, hold it. We just need a quick minute, please" Sookie announced.

Mom looked at the group flustered, "Which will be starting in one quick minute" she said quickly before running to Sookie.

"You ever think about that? You can't have a quick minute because it's always sixty seconds" Bootsy said across from me.

I snorted as Luke shot him a look and said "Shut up"

Jess leaned in close to me, "I feel like this is going to be interesting" He whispered in my ear.

I felt chills run down my spine as I nodded in agreement.

Rune walked into the dining room, dressed up in olden day garb, "Welcome Lords and Ladies. I call upon these sprightly horns to commence our proceedings"

Some horns play and cut Rune off he looks at the horn player in annoyance, "Hey Chuck Mangione, you wanna back up a step?"

"And we're off." I mutter to Jess who smirks back at me.

"And now, fair people, I present my Lord and Master, the honorable Squire Brace bridge" Rune called.

Jackson enters the room dressed as the Squire and I let out a sharp laugh and cover my mouth hoping no one but the people near me heard me. Jess muffled his own laugh and Luke shot us a warning look but also looked like he was trying to hold back his own amusement.

Jackson sat down at the head of the table, "Lo! Now has come our joyfullest feast. Let every man be jolly"

"We should've eaten before we came" Jess muttered to Luke.

Luke shot him a look "Shh! …And yeah" he muttered back.

"Humble servant, bring us the first course to dine with pleasure. Mm, methinks it be a butternut squash soup" Jackson continued.

"Ah, methinks you're right Squire Brace bridge, thus and verily" Rune responded.

"And verily thus"

I leaned over to Jess again, this time my hand touched his arm, "They're the Old England Abbot and Costello" I joked.

Jess chuckled softly and nodded in agreement, I moved my hand from his arm and felt tingly, not good at all I thought nervously.

"'Tis perfection, but extremely hot" Jackson announced as soup was walked in to be placed in front of us.

"My Lord, do you need aid? Wouldst thou have thee ice thy tongue?" Rune asked.

"Ah nay, Rune, nay. To the guests thou shall serve the soup!" Jackson called.

The soup placed in front of us was interesting, I didn't want to know what it was so I just dug in and didn't ask questions, such is the Gilmore way but Jess and Luke stared at it like it was from another planet

"What's the white stuff?" Jess asked.

Luke stared closer at the soup, "I think it's cheese - or cream"

"And the green stuff?" Jess pointed.

Luke stared at it before dipping his spoon in, "I think it's…best picked off" He answered.

Jess looked over at me and groaned in distaste, "How are you eating this stuff?"

I shrugged, "I'm a Gilmore we don't question food usually"

"Well…is it any good?" Jess asked curiously.

I nodded, "Yeah it's not bad, just don't ask Sookie what's in it. That's my motto"

Jess shook his head but tried the soup anyway, I smiled at the face he made and continued to eat my soup.

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Later that night Rory, mom and I were in one of the Inn rooms getting ready for bed, mom and Rory were discussing the grandparents and I was sitting on the edge of the bed lost in thoughts of Jess and what I was going to do about the newfound feelings I had.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Rory's shriek, "Mom!"

I stood up and walked over to what Rory was looking at and the ugly baby picture stared up at me.

"What honey?" Mom asked innocently.

"You put the picture of the ugly baby in my bed?" Rory accused holding up the offending photo.

Lorelai shook her head quickly, "I didn't, I swear. That ugly baby is stalking us. Run away!"

"Poor baby, it's not his fault." I said looking at the photo.

"I think it's a she" Mom pointed out.

Rory and I frowned, "Poor baby, you picked the wrong parents. Hey, have you heard from Dad recently?" Rory asked.

Mom shot me a look to see how I would react, I kept my face blank "Uh, What dad - your dad?" she stuttered

Rory shot her a look, "Yeah, our dad"

Mom looked at her with a frown, "Why?"

Rory shrugged, "Because he's my dad, and he usually checks in this time of year and he hasn't checked in yet. I mean, I know he's probably busy with Sherry and the new apartment and I know we said we were icing him out but still...what?"

Mom sighed and looked at us guilty, "There may have been a call"

"There may have been? You don't remember?" I snapped.

Mom winced, "Well things have been so hectic, you know, with the Brace Bridge Dinner, and um, building a snowwoman, and planning the ugly baby gag, that took time"

"Mom?" Rory sighed.

Mom threw her hands up, "Yes, he called! He called, he called, he called and invited you and Chrystal, and it's not too late to go. He called and invited you guys, so there you go. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, so there"

"He invited me over?" I asked coldly.

"Yes, are you deaf?" mom griped.

"No, I'm just trying to remember when I was asked to be on one of those prank shows" I ground out.

"You aren't; the gist is he invited you, okay? He said that he missed you Chrystal and I'm sorry kid but I've been talking to him since you've been here. He wanted to know how you've been doing and if you've been staying out of trouble. He was worried you wouldn't adjust" Mom relented.

I could feel my body shaking as fury ran through me, "Why didn't he invite me himself" I hissed.

"Because he didn't think you would talk to him and he was pretending to be considerate by running it by me first now that I'm taking care of you"

"Was he maybe not pretending to be considerate, and actually being considerate?" Rory questioned.

I shook my head, "I can't listen to this right now, I'm going for a walk" I growled.

I stomped out of the room and slammed the door shut behind me, I was still in my dress and heels but I didn't care right now I walked outside the Inn.

I didn't expect to run into Jess who also happened to be leaving the Inn, He stopped walking when he saw me. I walked towards him and stood in front of him.

"What are you doing out so late?" He asked.

I shook my head, "I don't really want to talk about it right now" I murmured.

"I'm going to go destroy the snowman competition, want to watch?" Jess asked.

I smirked, "sure" I replied, giving into my reckless streak.

We walked towards the town square and stood by the fancy snowman, "Chrystal Gilmore, reckless once again. Maybe I am a bad influence" He teased.

"You don't know everything about me" I shot back.

"I have some ideas" He replied.

"Oh, really? And what would those ideas be?"

Jess glanced down at his feet and then back up at me but didn't say anything.

"C'mon, Jess. I'm curious. What else do you think you know about me?"

Jess smirked, "A gentleman never reveals a lady's secrets" Jess retorted with a mocking tone of chivalry.

"Actually, a gentleman doesn't claim to know a lady's secret to begin with, especially when he doesn't" I responded bitingly, feeling the irritation of tonight's events resurface, I didn't understand why he wanted me to tell him so bad.

"Are we gunna do this or not" I asked gesturing to the fancy snow man.

"Sure" Jess replied nonchalantly, ignoring my tone. "Go ahead"

I frowned, "What, what do you mean?"

"I mean" Jess drawled, "Go ahead and destroy the competition"

I crossed my arms, "Are you just going to stand there and watch?"

"I thought it might be a good show"

I glared at him, "Wh-" I began to protest but he quickly interrupted me, using the most innocent, small- town, 'Gee whiz' voice he could muster.

"Now, Chrystal, I would Never do something like that. It would be wrong. Somebody worked long and hard to create this here masterpiece" He explained, resting one hand on the snow sculptures hunched shoulder. "I'd never think of destroying it and you know, actually, I'm surprised you would" Jess shook his head disapprovingly and clicked his tongue like one would to a misbehaving child.

My mouth fell open in astonishment.

"What's your defense?" Jess inquired. "Explain to me why you would have the audacity to so boldly critique this fine work of art"

I frowned, "B-but you said! This was your idea" I spat out flustered.

I stopped seething when I noticed the pleased smirk on Jess' face, "Jerk" I muttered.

"Had you going didn't I?" He laughed.

"Oh you're so gunna get it!" I exclaimed as I snatched up a handful of snow and molded it into a snowball.

I was taking aim when Jess darted behind the "ringer" snowman. On a mission and therefore not thinking clearly, I instantaneously re-aimed and hurled the ball his direction. It immediately smashed into the snow sculptures cane, breaking it in half.

"Oh shit!" I exclaimed, my hands flying to my mouth.

Jess peaked around the snow sculpture and saw what I did, then looked up at my shocked expression.

"Nice aim, Ryne Duren"

"I did not mean to do that" I defended.

"You sure?" Jess teased. "Cuz it seemed to me like you did it on purpose"

"I did not" I argued. "Do you think you can fix it?"

"Fix it?" Jess asked sarcastically. "Do I look like a snow doctor?"

Glancing down at himself and then returning his gaze to me, he continued, "I'm not wearing a white coat, and I definitely don't have a stethoscope on me. But then again, snowmen don't really need medical instruments, do they? Maybe you should just hold a flame to him and put him out of his misery. I think I have a lighter here somewhere" he finished, showing his hands in his pockets and feeling around for a lighter.

"This is not funny" I lied, trying really hard to smother the smile that was tugging on my lips, "What if it was that man's dream to win this contest?"

"Then he's pathetic" Jess declared.

"You're awful" I said not able to suppress the smile anymore.

"Me?" Jess asked, feigning insult. "I didn't turn Frosty into a gimp! Now he really is gonna be thumpety-thump-thumping around town!"

I was now laughing, but Jess kept going, "How does it feel Miss Gilmore, to know that you have viciously robbed America's beloved Christmas idol of his jolly, happy soul?"

"Isn't Santa Claus America's beloved Christmas idol?" I asked,

"Oh, sure, take away Frosty's title too! You're heartless!"

"I know. You're right" I despairingly agreed. "I am so insensitive. I'm belittling Frosty. I'm laughing at his misfortune. And what's even worse than that, I broke his cane and enjoyed it" I admitted.

"Tonight was that bad huh?" He asked.

I sighed, "My dad wants me to visit. But I'm not going to go and my mom has been keeping him updated about my life behind my back. He doesn't deserve to know how I'm doing" I huffed.

Jess nodded slowly, "Well you know" Jess started. "Since you admit that you enjoyed destroying this and according to you, Frosty here is ruined, why stop now?"

Walking towards me he handed me another snowball, "Go at it"

"You have to help" I ordered, flashing a naughty smile.

"But I don't have a cause like you do"

"You could just pretend its Chuck Presby" I suggested.

Jess briefly considered the idea and then shrugged, "Good enough for me"

With that, we both started pummeling the snowman with snowball after snowball, breaking off a piece of hat brim, a chunk or shoulder, a finger or two.

After a while I grew frustrated and I was freezing cold, having forgotten my jacket, "This isn't working. I'm freezing and if anything this almost looks better than before we started, if that's even possible, it has a rugged charm now"

"Hmm" Jess contemplated, "You're right. Well, there's only one way to solve that"

He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, I slipped my arms in the sleeves and inhaled his scent, before I knew what was happening though; he'd effortlessly picked me up in his arms, carried me over to the snow sculpture, and dropped me on top of it. In mere seconds, I was sitting on broken remains of former contest shoo-in, stunned but laughing until my side hurt.

"I can't believe you did that! Now it really is ruined!" I said between gasping breaths.

"Huh, cuz that wasn't my intention" he said sarcastically.

I managed to adopt a straight face as I stood and brushed the snow off my dress, "Hey, I could've been hurt!"

"Death by snow pile? I think the only way that could happen is id you'd been under it instead of on top of it" He joked. "You're okay though right?" He asked nervously.

"Aside from frostbite? And participating in a brutal attack on poor, defenseless Frosty? Yeah, I 'm fine"

"I guess Bjork will have her day" Jess stated.

"Yes, she will" I agreed with a satisfied smile.

There was a brief silence as we both looked at each other- faces flushed from the cold, plumes of frosted air appearing with each breath we released.

Finally Jess broke eye contact and said with a grin, "Well now that that's taken care of—"

Kneeling down, he grabbed another handful of snow and started an all-out war with me. We darted back and forth among the snow people, being careful not to break my ankles or slip in these heels and avoid ruining the other contender's art. We struck blow after blow until we were both covered in snow.

After delivering a particularly on-target blow against Jess's left arm, I scurried to hide and bent down to re-arm myself. As I rose and moved to throw my new snowball, I was surprised to find him bent over just feet away from me, preparing his own weapon. Maniacally grinning in a way that would make my mother proud; I stealthily approached and was just about to drop the snowball down the back of Jess's shirt when he realized I was close. He jerked around to stop my attack; his action threw me off-balance, nearly sending me falling to the ground. At the last second however, he was able to grab my arms and prevent me from falling. We were both laughing as I planted my feet firmly on the ground and stopped to catch my breath.

Smiling, I looked up at him. Without even thinking, I said the first thing that came to mind. "You just interrupted what could have been a perfect romantic comedy moment, you know" I wanted to smack myself as soon as I said it.

Too late, Jess stopped brushing the snowball residue off his shirt and glanced up at me. He was about to comment but he stopped seeing the look on my face, instead he smirked. "Would've been a little cliché, huh?"

I smiled and started brushing the snow off of the coat he lent me. I saw my phone lying in the snow where it had fallen out of my bra during the snow fight. I moved to retrieve it, as soon as I shifted my position, my foot hit a hidden patch of ice, and I started to fall, instinctively reaching for the nearest object to hang onto. Unfortunately, I caught Jess by surprise. Instead of preventing me to fall, he landed with a thud on top of me.

The wind knocked out of both of us, all we could do was gasp for breath. As I started to focus on the situation, I found myself motionless, surprised at how close we were. Jess realized not a moment after and he scrambled to his feet, he held out his hand to me as I sat up, taking it I stood and much to my chagrin, I found myself face-to-face with him again. After a moment, Jess reached out to brush some snow from my hair. I let out a shaky breath as he did so and pulled away, coming to my senses.

Not missing a beat, he said casually, "Apparently, the romantic comedy gods don't appreciate being mocked"

"Yeah, mocking is never really good, you know, especially if you're a god" I rambled.

"Next time we better say twenty-Hail Sandra's as penance"

"Probably a good idea" I agreed, giving him a small smile.

"So…"I said, trying to fill the awkward silence that was quickly taking over.

"So"

"I bet it's really late" I said knowing I should go before my mom sends out a search party, but not wanting to leave.

"Or early, depending on how you look at it" Jess replied looking at his watch.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"3:30"

My eyes widened, "Oh my god, we've been out here for 2 hours? Shouldn't we have hypothermia or frostbite or something? I better go my mom's probably freaking"

"Okay" Jess said softly.

I smiled at him, "I'm glad Bjork will receive her rightful honor"

"It's only fair" Jess agreed.

"Okay, I should go" I repeated, stalling.

"You should go"

"Wait, what about you? Aren't you coming?"

"Well, you know Taylor. Once he finds out that someone tampered with the competition, he'll go crazy and launch a formal investigation. I'm gonna stay and cover up our tracks, get rid of the evidence"

"Spoken like a true delinquent" I teased.

"Night Chrystal"

"Night, Jess. I'll see you tomorrow"

"Yes you will"

With one last smile, I turned and headed back towards the Inn. As I walked, I decided that peaceful, solitary sleigh rides were definitely overrated.

A.N wow long chapter but totally worth it. One more step towards Jess and Chrystal. This was a cute milestone. Please Review!