| Title: Starting Anew Author: Heather Chapter 11: Dreamers of Dreams "Good morning, Mom," Rory said, cheerfully, as she exited her room, making her way to the coffee. "Well, morning, Sunshine. Someone woke up on the right side of the bed, I see." "It's going to be a great day." "Okay, who are you and where is my daughter?" "Hey, I'm trying out being optimistic in the morning." "Why would you want to try that?" "Some people just insist on bringing those around them down." "Yeah, I hate those people. You want to make your day even better?" Lorelai asked with a big smile. "Absolutely." "Do the words mission statement mean anything to you?" Rory's smile fell right off her face. She sat at the table in a slump, resting her head on her hand. "Why did you say those words?" "Dictator Paris called. She said tell her mission statement, here and today." "That's exactly what she said?" "No, but she scares me and I kept losing track of what she was saying." "It's her WPM." "She's coming here today?" Lorelai asked, shuddering at the thought of Paris coming for a visit. "Apparently. Although I did tell her I had things to do today." "What things are you doing?" "It was anything not having to do with her." "No Jess at all then?" "I told you, he has to study. Did you know he was going to summer school?" "Had no idea. I wonder why Luke didn't tell me." "Jess told me last night and it was really hard for him. I don't think he wanted anyone to know. It's why Sarah's here." "So is she leaving after he's done?" Rory shrugged and said, "I like her. He's different with her here. More comfortable." "Yeah, we had ourselves a chat while we were waiting for the two of you to finish whatever the two of you were doing..." "You're fishing." "How dare you accuse me of something like that!" Lorelai gasped in shock. "So, I won't tell you what we were doing on the couch." "Yes, you most certainly will." Lorelai paused. "It better not be juicy." "We were reading." "You're the whore of Babylon!" "Oh, yeah. Me, Jess and Oliver Twist. Hot stuff." "I like the stories without any whips and chains them." Rory rolled her eyes. "I guess I should call Paris and threaten her." "Bodily harm? That could be interesting." "No, I was thinking more along the lines of, come here today and you lose a vice president." "And if that doesn't work?" "Then it's let's get ready to rumble time." *********************** "Gellar residence." "Is Paris home?" Rory heard the phone click and she waited for the voice that made her wake up from nightmares to come on the line. "This is Paris." "This is Rory." "I'm on my way." "No, you're not. I told you-" "Look, I know what you told me and frankly, I don't care. We need to work on this." "And today is the only day we can?" "Today is the day I want to work on it." "And today is the day I don't. Tomorrow is another one of those days, as well." "I think you have misunderstood me. We are working on this today. There is no argument here. When you made the choice to be my running mate, you made the choice to listen to me." "You're even more delusional than I thought." "Step in line, Rory. Today we are perfecting this statement. You will just have to cancel your plans of participating in the town quilting bee contest." "Oh, really? That's too bad because I was working on an interpretation of you. Unsurprisingly, it looks remarkably like the Devil." "Any minute I'll laugh. I don't want your excuses, your catty comments or your negative attitude. We are doing this today. End of discussion." "No, Paris, I still have things to discuss in this discussion." "Nothing I want to hear." "Probably not, but perk up those ears. If you come here today, I won't be here." "I can find you." "This town may be small but you won't. If I hear that you came here today, you will quickly be hearing me resign from my position which means that Madeline or Louise will be your second in command. Now, think, Paris. Is that really what you want?" "You can't threaten me, Rory." "I'm not threatening, Paris. I'm telling you. The clock is ticking. And it's saying Madeline-Louise-Madeline-Louise-Mad-" "Okay! I get it! You will rue the day you did this to me." "Are you kidding? Rue the day? Paris, who says 'rue the day'? We can work on Saturday. That is my final offer or it's Tweedle Dee and Dum." "Fine, Saturday. You better not change your mind." "I promise I won't. Do you actually miss me this much, Paris? I never would have thought." "Please, don't flatter yourself, Gilmore. I want to see you again about as much as I want to go to the local JC, which is why we are working on this Saturday." "Okay, Gellar, will do." "And, Rory? No boys. We need to concentrate, so keep your harem at bay." With that Paris hung up the phone. Rory shook her head in annoyance but smiled slightly despite herself. "So, is she coming today?" Lorelai asked, walking into the living room. "No, Saturday." "Hallelujah! It is going to be a good day." "See? I told you." *********************** "Today we're having the left side of the menu?" "Rory, don't you think Luke gets funnier every day?" Lorelai asked. "Oh, yeah, the wry wit brings tears to my eyes." "How about the two of you go over to the Hungry Diner and eat?" "Oh, no! We did that while you were, and I use air quotes, fishing. Not doing it again. Give me coffee now or rue the day you deprived me of it." Rory looked at her mother, a frown on her face. "It's a fun word. Should be used more in everyday conversations, don't you think?" "You have many problems," Rory said, shaking her head. "That's what makes me me." "Oh, brother. You're not quitting anytime soon, are you?" Rory asked. "I still have lots more to say. I need to find some more great words like rue." "You want me to call Paris back and tell her to come?" "I'll shut up." Rory lifted her arms, silently cheering victory. Luke brought over two coffees and muffins. The girls smiled at him in appreciation. As he turned to leave, he heard Rory ask, "Luke, is Jess upstairs?" "He's at Sarah's studying." "Great. Would it be okay if I go up there? I left something and I really need to get it." "Sure, go right ahead. Door's open but good luck trying to find anything if it's in Jess's room." "Woah, woah, woah. What could you have possibly left in Jess's room?" Lorelai asked Rory, half joking, half serious. "I don't know if it's in his room, Mom. I, personally, have never been in his room, okay?" "Okay, heart attack over. Be gone." Rory left the table, hurrying up the stairs. She could hear her mother and Luke bantering with Luke saying, "I said if, Lorelai. Will you let it go...". She opened the door and headed straight for Jess's part of the renovated office. She looked through boxes, under clothes, behind his books and CDs. She finally found what she was looking for under his bed. She grabbed it and went flying back down the stairs, a look of accomplishment on her face. "That's what you were looking for?" Lorelai asked. "Luke, could we get two coffees to go, please?" To Lorelai, she said, "I'm going to work with you." "It's not bring your daughter to work day..." "No, it's not. I'm secretly in love with Michel. We're meeting by the brook at nine." "That dirty little Frenchman. I knew it!" Rory held up what she found and said, "This is why." "Ooohhh, okay, I get it. Let's go." ******************** "Hey, Michel," Lorelai said as she entered the Inn. Rory followed behind her and gave Michel a small smile. "Why is she here?" Michel whined. "Excuse me? This is my daughter, Michel. She can do anything she wants, go anywhere she wants and torment you as much as she wants." "Oh, wonderful. My day has become complete. Witty wordplay and Satan's spawn," Michel spit out, walking past Rory, giving her a somewhat nasty look. "Is he still mad about the CD drop for Lane?" "We are talking about Michel, so it is entirely possible." "That was over six months ago. He'll get over it eventually. Right?" "Uh, probably not even on his death bed, babe. I have some things to check on. Sookie's probably already well into making her third desert for lunch." Rory went into the kitchen, taking in the delicious smells of Sookie's cooking. Her stomach growled and she remembered that she hadn't eaten her muffin. She walked over to the cookie sheets and pans, looking at all the different croissants, scones, and muffins. She lifted her hand to take one but decided against it. "Honey, if you want something, by all means take it! But you need to hug me first." "Not a problem, Sook." "Oh, I missed you," Sookie said as she hugged Rory, swaying them from side to side. "I missed you, too. How's Jackson?" "Well," Sookie started, looking at the baked goods and handing the best looking ones to Rory. "There's a small problem with his zucchini. So you know what that means." "Singing?" "No, he's dancing around the garden in some strange 'grow vegetables grow' dance." "Sounds very...interesting," Rory said with a smile. "It's almost as funny as the picture pajamas," Sookie giggled her infectious giggle at the thought of her husband's wrestling picture pajamas. "What brings you here? With school coming up, I figured you would be busy reading everything for the year ahead, which I completely understand. Not a day goes by when I am not going over each menu, planning everything out. Of course, I change it the day I go to cook it, but preparation is very important." "I've been telling Mom that for years," Rory concurred. "Your mother is allergic to prepared." "Don't I know it. The reason why I'm here is kind of spur of the moment, not giving you any time to prepare, but I have a favor to ask of you." "Anything, hon. You name it, I'll do it and if it's cooking, then nothing to worry about because I am always prepared for cooking," Sookie said with a wink. "Great because this is a huge favor and I don't want to put you out." "Don't be silly! Now I'm all giddy with anticipation. What's going on?" Rory showed Sookie what she took from Jess's room. "Oh...I see," Sookie said with a great smile. "This will be so much fun!" ******************** Rory walked up the stairs to the second floor of Sarah's apartment building, keeping her eye out for Jess. He always had a way of sneaking up on her and she was determined to keep this a surprise. She slowly walked down the hall, grateful that Sarah was only the third door in, which would prove helpful in a quick, easy get-a-way. She arrived at Sarah's door, took a couple of deep breaths, knocked quickly and ran like hell, grinning like Cheshire cat. ******************** Sarah was sitting at her computer, working and Jess was studying Hamlet, which he had already read ten times over. They both heard the quick knocking on the door and when no other knocking came they looked at each other with looks of confusion on their faces. "Small town jokes?" Sarah asked. "Hell if I know." Jess went back to his book, re-reading his notes for what felt like the thousandth time. Sarah opened the door and smiled. "Uh, Jess, it's for you," she said as she walked back to her desk. "Who is it?" "Go see." Jess walked over to the door and he heard Sarah say, "Look down" and so he did. A large smile erupted on his face and he bent down to pick it up. He could smell the food inside and his stomach grumbled with hunger. He kicked the door shut with his foot, as he lifted the top of the basket he had paid ninety dollars for in order to spend the afternoon with Rory so many months ago. He put the basket on the table and pulled out garlic bread, ravioli, salad, soup, vegetables & dip and finally a small cheesecake covered in strawberries. "Holy moly!" Sarah exclaimed. "Does Rory cook? Because if that food tastes as good as it smells, you must marry her." "No, Rory doesn't cook." "Luke's?" "This from Luke's? I don't think so..." Jess saw an envelope at the bottom of the basket. He opened it and pulled the note out. Jess - It is impossible to concentrate on an empty stomach. Eat and enjoy (it's okay, I didn't make any of it). Remember that there is nothing that isn't possible. To quote the inspiring Willy Wonka, "We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams." Yours, Rory Jess didn't try and hide his smile as he sometimes did. "Unbelievable," he said, quietly. He reread the note again, put it back in the envelope and laid it on his notepad. He turned to Sarah, motioning for her to come and get something to eat. She grabbed the only two plates and only two forks she had and they dug into the delicious food. "This is heaven," Sarah sighed as she stuffed more ravioli into her mouth. When she saw that Jess wasn't eating she asked him why. "I can't believe she did this. I mean this is..." "The girl is smitten." "Yeah?" "Look at all this. I'd say that was a big yeah. You have a look. What's the look for?" "It's just...nevermind. It's nothing." "C'mon, lay your insecurities out on me. I know you have them. Everyone has them. I know you're not the talk and grow kind of guy but I'm about to eat everything on the table if you don't. And she went to all this trouble...how are you going to feel after she asks you if you enjoyed it?" "You never quit. It's like a continual line of questions. Maybe I don't want to talk about it. Ever think of that?" "Sure, I have. I'm not a cretin. But on the flipside, I don't care. I am your faithful sounding board. It's what I do." "Maybe I don't want you to be right now." "Or maybe you do but you've gotten so used to not telling anyone anything that you think you can't." "Will you please Dr. Phil someone else?" "Apparently, you thought you were asking another Sarah to come visit because this Sarah is all about the talking. So talk." "No." "Do it or else." "Or else what?" "I don't know yet but I'll think of something really good and evil and make you regret that or else." "Why did you keep watching me after she fired you?" Jess asked, putting a forkful of salad in his mouth and giving Sarah a look that said, "Happy? I'm eating." "And coming in from left field is..." "I want to know. I remember that fight you had with her like it was yesterday. And you still came back despite all those things she said to you. So why'd you do it?" "Because when I was fifteen, I fell in love with a five year old. Sappy and corny, yes, but it's nothing but the truth. After meeting your mother, I had only one goal and that was to see you do something, anything to get away from her some day." "Well, it worked." "No, not in the flood your high school because it's a funny thing do way, Jess. And after all that, I was just as unreliable as anyone else in your life." "Sar, you're mom was sick, you had to leave. I never blamed you for anything." "But I do, Jess. I do. But, hey, if you want to look at the positive side to it all, you moved here, you met Rory, you're trying so hard to pull yourself together..." "All those years, you never got paid, you never had to put up with my continually growing angst and yet-" "I did. I have a soft spot for you, kid. It's that simple. Besides, money schmoney. Who needs it?" "Everyone." "Yeah, well, I was seventeen by the time your mother not so gently put me out of a job...what the hell did I know?" "Luke told her you were here." "Well, I'm sure Liz did a cartwheel over that one. That woman is-" Sarah stopped herself. It was one thing to say things about your own family but it was a completely other thing to say things about someone else's. She didn't want to go down that road with Jess. She didn't want to alienate him because she had her own issues with Liz. "I was wondering if Rory had ever done this for Dean. Happy?" Jess conceded. "You are not afraid of the random tangents, are you? And who cares if she has? She's doing it for you now. That's the important thing. When you let junk like past relationships get into your head, it turns otherwise fantastic things sour." "Speaking from personal experience?" "Yeah, well, I'm not the swiftest person when it comes to relationships. I have far too many issues with the whole lot of you." "That's some good, positive thinking." "Shut up and eat. You have to keep studying. While you're at it, you should work on those segues because they really suck. Just horrible," Sarah added, shaking her head in mock shame. "What if I ruin her?" Jess asked, barely audible. Sarah's heart split in two when she heard the question. She coughed to clear the lump in her throat and put her hand on top of Jess's. "Not possible, honey. I think the more positive questions is, what if she changes you?" "She already has." ************************ "Hello?" Rory asked as she answered the phone. "So the strangest thing happened to me today." Rory smiled at the sound of Jess's voice. She felt the butterflies in her stomach act up as they always did whenever he spoke, stood next to her, touched her. Who was she trying to fool? She got them anytime anyone said his name, he didn't even need to be in the room. "Oh, what was that?" Rory asked, innocently. "Thank you. I think Sarah's still eating cheesecake," Jess said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you liked it. There's nothing like Sookie food." "Not even Luke's?" "Completely different food," Rory pointed out. "That's for sure. So you ready to bring out the pom-poms?" "Yeah, but I was sort of in the middle of something. Could I call you back in five minutes?" "Sure..." "Are you at home or at Sarah's?" "Home," Jess replied with a slight smile. Stars Hollow home. It was the first time he had used that word and it felt right. "Alright five minutes." Rory hung up, leaving Jess listening to a dial tone. Rory ran out of her room and stopped at the couch. Lorelai looked at her and said, "Go. I'm getting sick of seeing you so happy. Get out!" She threw a couple of almonds at Rory and laughed as Rory ran out the door. *************************** Jess opened the door to the apartment and saw what he expected to see, Rory. He looked at his watch and said, "You've come at a bad time. I'm waiting for a phone call." "Oh, really?" "Yeah, she said five minutes but it's been ten. She's usually very punctual." "Well, maybe she ran into, oh, I don't know, Taylor, and he tried to talk her into speaking to the town for the Labor Day Parade." Jess grabbed her arm and dragged her in, meeting her lips as she crossed the threshold. He let go of her arm and put one hand on her waist, the other on the small of her back, drawing her closer to him. Rory put both her hands on the sides of his face, lightly touching him which gave him goose bumps everywhere. "Ra-ra-ra," Rory said when they stopped kissing. "Best pep talk I've ever gotten," Jess said with a sly grin. "So it went well today?" "Yeah, I think I'm good." "Good, I'm sure it will be fine." Rory paused wondering how to broach the dinner tomorrow night. "Uh, not to add even more pressure to tomorrow but..." "What?" "You're coming to dinner at my grandparents tomorrow night." "Is that a command?" "Yes." "I like this demanding side of Rory Gilmore." "I mean, if you want to, you can come." "You just ruined every fantasy I was having." Rory rolled her eyes. "I can't believe they'd ask me to dinner." Rory didn't say anything. "You asked, didn't you?" When she still didn't respond, he said, "Well, if they didn't ask and you didn't ask...I don't believe it." "You better because she did." "Why would she do that?" "She's trying, Jess. Some time over the summer, she came to an epiphany and now she's trying to remain calm in the face of this." "Calm but not happy, right?" "She's happy that I'm happy but in the general opinion of our relationship? That is something she is still getting used to. May take her awhile." "I have all kinds of time." Rory smiled and kissed him quickly. "Did you say relationship?" "I didn't mean like relationship relationship, I meant, you know, whatever this is..." Rory stammered and Jess knew he got her. He loved how he was able to do that to her with a simple question or look. "So dinner? Should be interesting," Jess said, walking into his part of the apartment. When he didn't come out, Rory followed him. "Yeah, just don't go on about how big the house is. That doesn't go over...wow." Rory looked at the room she had been in that morning and she would never have known it was the same place. Everything was put away, everything was organized. She was speechless. "A place for everything and everything in it's place, right?" "Uh-huh," Rory said, dumbly. "When did this happen? Are you feeling okay?" "I did it when I got home. I couldn't study another word or I would lose it. And since you came in here today, I figured, why not?" "Are you suggesting that I'll be in here again?" "You are right now," Jess said, moving so close to Rory, she could feel his warm breath on her face. He kissed her cheek lightly and it was she that got the goose bumps. He slowly moved to her lips but paused as he reached her mouth. "You think you're so sneaky, don't you?" Rory mumbled against his lips. He nodded his head and scooped her up in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing. "Put me down!" "No." "Jess..." Rory said, dragging his name out. "Rory..." Jess teased, mimicking her. "Why do you want to get down?" "Because you seriously need your ass kicked." "Is there someone here that can do that?" "Don't mess with me. I'll give you my withering stare." "The gods themselves tremble at the Gilmore stare." "That's right they do, so you better put me down." Jess carried her over the bed and sat down, Rory in his lap. He moved her hair out of her face and looked into her eyes and he didn't see any fear or nervousness. He saw a sparkle in them that he didn't exactly know what it meant. "We're on the bed. Why?" Rory asked, interrupting the moment. "You didn't say where to put you down." "So the bed seemed like the best choice as opposed to over there." Rory pointed to where they had been standing. "What's the matter? Scared of what I could do to you?" "Maybe you should be scared of what I can do to you." "Sassy," Jess commented with a smile. "Okay, bed banter over." Rory went to get up but Jess put his arms around her waist, locking her in place. "Jess...this isn't...we shouldn't be here." "Here's as good a place as any." "I don't feel comfortable." "Yes, you do or you would have been up by now because you easily could. We're just sitting here." "Yeah, here on your bed, me on your lap, mere inches away from each others..." Rory leaned in and kissed him and she felt lightheaded. He kissed her deeply and a soft moan escaped from Rory. Jess ran his fingers through her hair, cupping the base of head, his fingers massaging her neck. She put her hands under his shirt and lightly stroked his skin. "Stop," Jess mumbled. "Rory, stop." She did and looked at him, completely puzzled. "This is going someplace that... We should not do this, I mean-" "Jess, you sound like me. I don't think I've ever heard you stumble over your words." "I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to hurt your feelings." "Not possible in this situation. In any event, you're right. Best to stop before-" "You do something you regret?" Jess asked, picking imaginary lint off Rory's pants, so he had a place to fix his eyes on. She put two fingers under his chin and moved his face so she could see his eyes. "Nothing concerning you is anything I'll ever regret. Ever. Got me?" "Do I?" he asked without thinking beforehand. Instantly feeling stupid, he averted his eyes again. Rory kissed him right above his eyebrow and spoke, her lips resting on his skin. "More than you know." She closed her eyes and kept her lips where they were. He could feel her breathing, could smell the light perfume on her neck and he tightened his hold on her and thought for the first time in his life that this is what home feels like. |
| Chapter 12 |