A/N: Here's a disclaimer. I took some liberties with the behind-the-scenes stuff. Also you may decide that I've painted too emotional a picture of Jess here. I admit, I think I may have skirted a line. But on the other hand, he's kind of a hothead. He has emotional reactions and outbursts all the time. I think it's fair to say there is a lot of sensitivity hiding beneath the surface. Anyway, I hope it reads true to the readers! Let me know if it doesn't.

3.14a Book-Teasing

Since Valentine's day would—of course!—fall on Friday,
The Gilmores would have to head out on the highway
To drive into Hartford, instead of their aim
To each gussy-up and spend time with her flame.

As soon as she noticed, broke Rory the news
In one long lament which did boyfriend amuse.
The next day, she swore, she'd save to atone
For having to leave him, this Friday, alone.

To postpone their date, she repented profusely,
But Jess only shrugged and accepted it loosely.
He wasn't perturbed, not even an inkling.
It took off the pressure, was his line of thinking.

Now Saturday morning, Jess woke from his slumber,
As curtains, the sunlight, did never encumber.
With half the day off, he felt in a glory.
He lazily stretched, then got ready for Rory.

He took extra pains in styling his hair.
His closet dismantled, he found what to wear.
For efforts in dressing, he felt like a fool.
He rolled his own eyes, as he failed to be cool.

Before setting out to meet with his date
At Pine and Blueberry where she would await,
He checked himself over—did hairdo refine—
Until he befitted a good Valentine.

And then he remembered the gift never bought!
Suspected he though, such a duty, he'd ought.
But never, 'til now, had it crossed Jess's mind
And now was too late for a good gift to find!

Of Valentine's Day, he'd never thought much.
This year was the first that he'd solemnized such.
So how was it now that poor Jess be expected
To do all the things that he usually neglected?

He could stop at Doose's to pick up some candy.
(The fact that she loved it could be rather handy!)
But, glance at his watch, showed him slight was that chance.
He'd have to now hurry for sake of romance.

A quick stop at Doose's—and four minutes—later
Found Jess in the role of a great innovator,
Since Jess—as a good and prepared boyfriend does—
At least had a gift, unwrapped though it was.

He paid and he left, his book-bag the place
To stash the new gift as he picked up his pace
Along winding Blueberry, over to Pine,
Deciding for wrapping he hadn't the time.

But nothing he did would show him remiss
And Rory just smiled and led with a kiss.
He meant then to give her the candy, as is,
But quickly she led him, her arm slipped through his.

"Come on!" Rory cried, "They've opened already!"
Her focus on getting the best books was steady.
The two carried onwards to set hearts aflame
At annual book sale, as had been their aim.

They opened the door to reveal its surprise:
The bounty laid out for them widened their eyes.
One look at the room promised hours well spent.
He smirked as she swooned for the room's musty scent.

The tables were lined up with row upon row
Of boxes containing grand gifts to bestow.
Potential was piled up with great amplitude!
They set out together, their targets pursued.

Their paths would diverge as they each delved in deeper,
Converging, at times, upon finding a keeper.
A couple of hours did wend they, and wander.
No minute of this did these booklovers squander.

The girl held a book that, for years, she had sought.
His eyes, 'cross the room, she then eagerly caught.
She lifted the book 'til his fervour she got!
Enjoyed she the moment, their smiles megawatt.

A bin full of novels was where they collided.
Together, they flipped through the treasures provided.
They grabbed for a diamond—the one and the same!
At length, each attempted to stake the first claim.

Would neither give up, for love or for money,
Elaborate arguments patently funny.
Agreement between them did finally sprout:
A plan for book-lending the only way out.

Disaster averted, the two carried on.
In opposite ways, the good couple was drawn.
(They'd cover more ground if they kept a wide berth,
Maintaining, as well, a less-quarrelsome mirth.)

They wound their way 'round in the bargain bin sprawl.
'Til both of them pulled in a pretty good haul,
Each using their skills to jewels unearth,
While gauging their savings for signs of a dearth.

Then, under a table, she dug in a box,
Her eagle-eyes shrewd, much more than a hawk's.
"Ha ha!" she exclaimed as she pulled out a treat
Then, "Ow!" as her head and the table did meet.

At sounds from his girlfriend, good Jess came around
And laughed at the sight that he suddenly found.
She crouched on the floor while rubbing her head.
She showed off the treasure but pouted instead.

He pulled her upright and offered his praise
At how her good grace never failed to amaze.
He didn't let on though that, even while grim,
Her beauteous features remained dear to him.

He handled the book, remembrance igniting.
This breakthrough she'd had was really exciting!
Said Rory, "I haven't seen this one for ages!"
"Me neither," he added, admiring its pages.

For fav'rite, long lost, the two reminisced.
This book, above others, a gem in their midst.
The spark in her eyes he'd never resist.
They bantered. He teased. The two of them kissed.

With Rory still rubbing the top of her head,
They figured it better to leave there instead.
With harvests more fruitful than Thanksgiving's Day,
They saw no more reason to, at the sale, stay.

Outside, the sun shone and it lit up the day.
They lugged bulging book-bags and went on their way
With smiles glowing warmly as bright as that sun
For three hours spent, sharing mutual fun.

A lunch and two sodas did hankerings quench.
Then made they as far as a local park bench
To sit in the light of the sun-dappled square,
Some kisses and patter to happily share.

And there they remained 'til their hours she reckoned,
Their time growing short as her studying beckoned.
"I've really enjoyed our Valentine's date!
I see by your watch, though, the time's getting late.

"Seems I've got a test and you've got your work."
She added a pout which caused him to smirk.
"So, I'll see you later?" She got to her feet.
He tugged her back down 'til she fell to the seat.

A kiss then he gave her, so warm and alive
For minutes together, it begged her for five.
"You don't have to go…" he silkily led.
She giggled then granted some more time instead.

"I almost forgot!" then Rory did say.
She opened the bag that she'd carried that day.
She dug to the bottom, no effortless feat,
In hopes that a mission she'd thereby complete.

Jess winced as he realized this was the juncture
Where happy balloon of their date could meet puncture.
He thought to the gift he'd had no time to wrap,
But gift that she passed him proved kindred mishap.

The gift was a book they, together, devoured.
The book, with their lauding, was certainly showered.
"Do you love it?" she asked. Replied he, "It's great."
This volume's consumption he'd, eager, await!

"The Holy Barbarians! Man, what a title!"
She added then delved into book's author's vitals:
A Venice Beach beatnik, a writer, a father.
A yarn Rory spun 'bout the son of the author.

"Aw, man, get that imagery out of my head!"
Her now-cringing boyfriend dramatically said.
With giggle, replied Rory, lickety split,
"But it's a cool book, you've gotta admit."

"It is. Thanks," his warmth and sincerity said.
But, "Oh! I'm not lending it," stopped his thoughts dead.
It wasn't a gift, he then realized.
For Valentine's Day was he demoralized.

So now that he knew that it wasn't a gift,
He loathed to acknowledge a moderate rift.
Though, granted, he'd never desired one before,
This lack of a gift made him feel uncared-for.

"Well, why," then he asked, "Did you show it to me?"
"The stuff that I'm reading I like you to see."
"That I'd want to read it, you had to have known!
You're such a book-tease," did his mocking bemoan.

"You'll get it," she said, "As soon as I'm finished."
Her righteous reaction, his mocking, diminished.
"Cruel woman," he pouted, accepting his fate.
And then they arrived at the end of their date.

But ere they would chance to go separate ways,
An off-putting question, to him, did she raise.
It seemed she'd agreed to a cruel dinner date
Where Rory's grandmother would meeting await.

He pulled out the stops, attempting to ditch it—
He even suggested, with stand-in, she switch it.
But, after his efforts, he found he was stuck,
Committed to going and cursing his luck.

He managed to wrangle her book on the deal.
A kiss tipped the scales and the contract did seal.
But Fates would deny him the chance to be blissful.
The colours they fed would make any day dismal.

A damper, he found, had been put on the day
But feelings, inside, he would never convey:
That sense their relationship met with unworthiness.
His self-esteem never was quite that impervious.

So, now that he'd learned of the lack of a gift,
His heart, to a darker place, started to drift.
For sharing their love, the day had been bred
Though doubt, and a dinner, did Jess get instead.

But Jess, merely grim, stepped onto the street,
Unlocked his car door, slipped into its seat,
While Rory, unknowing of all of his doubt,
Forgot all about him, once Patty called out.

A/N: Please review! Pretty please? Thank you.

On a side note, has anyone ever rearranged chapters of their story before? Do the reviews stay associated with the correct chapter?