Slap

"Hah. You suck at this game," Rory says to her opponent.

Jess half smirks-half glares at her. He could say he was letting her win, but that would most definitely be a lie. He never had very good hand-eye coordination.

"Maybe I'm just letting you win."

He's lied to her before, what does this one matter?

"Yeah right, Jess. Your hand-eye coordination is worth crap."

She knew him too well.

Slap

He scowls at her. "This is a stupid game."

"Only 'cause you don't like to lose. Big baby." She sticks out her tongue.

Jess shakes his head. He lowers his head and takes in a deep breath.

"Rory, can I ask you something?" He's going for it. He's going to find out why.

They place their hands next to them. They looked at each other for a moment.

"Yeah, sure. What's up?"

"Why didn't you go to Washington?" He's nervous. Oh, god, he felt so nervous. And why? 'It's just a question,' he reassures himself, 'it's not like she'll read anything into it.'

"Uh, I dunno. I mean, there was living with Paris in a dorm for six weeks. Dorm food, too. And, you know . . . I'd miss it here. I've been here every summer since I remember. There's the beginning of summer parade, the Fourth of July celebration, and I hear Taylor's planning a huge end of summer festival. Why? Do you think I stayed because you came back?" Rory giggles, which makes Jess scowl even more.

"Psh, no. I just . . . wait, why isn't Dean on that list?" He lifts an eyebrow.

"Dean? We actually haven't hung out much this summer. He's been in Chicago a lot, especially since his grandmother got sick. Plus, I've been hanging out with you a lot." Rory smiles shyly.

"Uh huh . . . and why is that?" He stares at her, never breaking eye contact. Rory looked down quickly and picked at a piece of wood.

"Well, since the accident . . . and the whole New York thing . . . and the wedding thing . . . don't you think we should be hanging out more?" She looks up as she questioned him.

"Not if you're just going to keep pretending like we're not something more than what everyone thinks."

"Oh . . . Jess, I just don't think we should be starting --"

"You don't think? Is this about what you think, or about Jolly Green Giant being what everyone expects? Or what your mother approves of? Rory, you're not the only person making this decision, I know it. And if I'm wrong right now, I was wrong about you all along. You're not who I thought. Don't you think about us? Don't you wish we were more?"

"I don't know, I mean . . . yes, but --"

"That's all I needed," Jess says quietly.

"I, um . . . I have to go. I said I'd be home by 8. Movie night, you know. Are we still on for tomorrow?"

Jess stands up and offers her his hand. She takes it, and she's standing in front of him. Looking at their hands still clasped, she laces her fingers with his. He looks down, surprised, but he looks up at her and smiles.

"Yeah., definitely. I'm bringing the pie and marshmallows, right?" He steps a bit closer to her.

"Mhmm. And the coffee?" She takes another step towards him.

"Sure. I guess I could spring for some ice cream, too." She looks up and bites her lip.

"Only if you get the cones." They both laugh, and their noses are centimeters apart.

"And don't think you're the Slap champ for much longer, Gilmore," he whispers in her ear.

She giggles and looks into his eyes for what seems like the hundredth time that night. She leans forward and kisses him lightly on the lips, removing her hands from his and wrapping her arms around his neck. He puts his arms around her waist and kisses her back, softer than she expected. She breaks the kiss after a moment and smiles. Scowling at him, she presses her forehead against his.

"Not a chance, Mariano. Gilmores rule the Slap."