Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own them and I can't even think of a creative way to say that right now! Bad brain, bad!
A/N:Okay, sorry for the shortness of this chappie, the next one, is the last one, and it's pretty long. Thanks to all my reviewers! You guys rock and I love you all!!!:D
Stew Pid: Wow! That is the longest review I've gotten on this entire story! Quite possibly ANY of my stories! Thank you so much!! And to explain about how the beginning didn't really show when the pov shifted, you're right! This was my first fan fic, not the first one I posted, but the first one I wrote before I ever posted anything, and I wasn't very good at it! So, I didn't pay as much attention to that then. I do that now though, because you're right, it can get pretty annoying! But no, it wasn't stupid:) it was a good thing to point out! And I used the *'s because my computer sucks, and the first time, I DID use the different fonts and italics, but when they showed up on this site they weren't there. Everything was exactly the same! It did the same thing in my first 2 chapters of I'm With You, I had the things in italics, but they didn't show up! But yeah, I don't do that anymore, so once you get through the painful first few chapters it gets better! Yay for caps and asterisks! :)
**
Wednesday morning I got up and got ready. I hate avoiding Jess, so, I decided to take Mom's advice and go to Luke's and try to forget the whole thing ever happened.
*She may be here, but she's still running away, but this time I'm not going to stand by and watch her slip away from me. This time I'm going to chase her.*
We sat at a table and Jess came over, "Coffee?"
"Yes, please," I said.
"Lots," Mom said.
"Okay," he poured our cups, "Good to see you here." he said to me.
"Of course I'm here," he replied, "I'm always here, I'm here more than I'm at home." I said, then decided to stop rambling.
"Okay, good," Jess said and went back to the counter.
"See, I make myself look stupid when I'm nervous," I whispered.
"Sweetie, you can only hide for so long,"
"I know, I'm much better at running." I said.
"Hopeless," she said.
I sat there as we drank our coffee and I made as little conversation as possible. And as little eye contact as possible. Then, Jess brought over what I thought was our bill, because it was on the order paper.
Mom did too, she picked it up and read it, "Oh, you're going to have to get this one," she said.
"What are you talking about?" I took the "bill" and read it. It said simply, "I'm not going to watch you run away this time." I smiled.
"He's getting smarter," Mom said.
I smiled and shook my head.
*
At Chilton Tristin, of course came to my locker, "Hello,"
"You," I said.
"Friendly. How's Stars Hollow?"
"Still intact since you haven't been around." I said.
"Jess is the tornado," he reminded me.
"I don't know exactly what you're trying to do, but you can stop, because it's not working." I told him.
"I think it is." he said, "Seen Jess lately? Give him my best, will ya?"
I slammed my locker door shut, "You're not scaring him off."
"No, but I'm scaring you off," he stated. And what really bothered me was that he was right.
"You're right, but he's not letting me run away," I walked away.
*
At lunch Madeline and Louise sat with Paris and me.
"Hey, Rory," Madeline greeted.
"So, what's the latest?" Louise asked.
"What have you heard?" I asked.
"Jess caused you and Prince Charming to break up. Tristin and Jess hate each other, Tristin and Jess are both trying to win you over. Really anything from Jess fighting to Dean, to you and Jess were having an affair, to you're dating Jess AND Tristin. So, as you can see there's quite a variety." Louise said.
"Wow, these people have wonderful imaginations. The latest is Tristin is unsuccessfully trying to alienate Jess." I said.
"How's Jess doing?"
"Peachy keen, can we be done talking about me?"
"Sorry, can't. You and Trisitin are the biggest scandal in all of Chilton."
"I am not, and there is no Tristin." I objected.
"Yes, there is, and yeah, you are," Louise said.
"Well, make up rumors about other people," I said.
"Sorry, you topped Paris, now everyone's curious about you."
"They were talking about inviting you to sit with The Puffs again, that's how popular you're getting." Louise said.
"I don't want to, and I don't want to be popular."
"Everyone wants to be popular," Louise said, "Most of the pathetic souls just can't cut it. But you have."
"I've done nothing, absolutely nothing." I said.
"You became involved with Tristin. So, of course the spotlight's going to land on you. Tristin's the most popular guy in school. Yet some people are saying that you've turned him down for another a guy. Like Jess." Louise explained.
"Tristin's why everyone's so interested in my life?"
"Right," Madeline confirmed cheerily.
*
Later that day Mom came home, "Offspring!"
"Livingroom," I called back.
"You're going to love me,"
"For what reason?" I asked.
"Besides all the obvious ones?" she asked.
"Right,"
"I brought you coffee," she said.
"You're right, thank you," I said, taking the cup.
"What's bothering you?" she asked, as she sat down next to me.
"Anything from Jess is why Dean and I broke up, through Tristin and Jess are why I'm popular, to I'm dating both Tristin AND Jess, all the way to Jess and I had a secret affair when I was with Dean." I rattled off rumors.
"Wow. Chilton gossip? Hey, I just wanted to- oh, well, I'm going to make you feel worse," she warned.
"Grab a shovel and keep on digging." I told her.
"I heard you were dating Jess but Dean and Tristin caused problems between you two, resulting in its demise."
Oh no," I groaned, "Stars Hollow strikes again."
"You know, this is going to sound dumb, but a lot of girls would SO love to be you."
"Then they need to be commited," I said.
"No really, in addition to having like, the world's best mom," she said mock-haughtily, "You also have your choice of Jess or Tristin, all you'd have to do is let them know and you'd have an instant boyfriend."
"Instant boyfriend? This is going to sound dumb because of the whole Jess and Tristin yo-yo game they seem to be playing, but you're wrong. Tristin is just flirty by nature, which is why I mentioned Shane and he asked what she looked like."
"Fine, then forget Tristin and go get Jess, he BROKE UP with Bimbo McDitz FOR you! And admit it, you hate avoiding him."
"This may sound stupid," I warned again.
"As has everything else we've said today." she nodded, "Duly noted,"
"I told you I know Tristin's not really that serious, it's just a fun game I guess. And I know Jess argues with Tristin and Dean...-"
"You are not under the seriously wrong impression that Jess isn't serious, are you?" she interrupted.
"It's not that I think he's just playing a game. It's just, well, I don't know what it is. I guess I'm just slightly concerned we are NEVER going to go the 'just friends' or flirting line."
"Well, sweets, it's kind of hard for him to cross that line with you not talking to him," she pointed out.
"I know, but it's just that I've been avoiding him, and he knows I've been avoiding him and now I don't know how to go back," I told her.
"Then don't go back. Go forward," she suggested.
I thought for a minute, "I know what I need to do,"
"What's that?"
"Instead of explaining it to you, I should be telling him."
"Uh, telling him which part?"
"I have to go. Now, before I lose my nerve,"
"Oh, okay, well....go get him."
*
I walked as fast as I could to Luke's, I walked in, sat down, and smiled. "Hi," I said to Jess.
"Are you talking to me? Without being coerced?" he only half teased.
"Yes. I'm sorry I've been avoiding you," I said.
"Forgiven,"
"I haven't wanted to avoid you."
"I know," he nodded.
"Tristin really messed things up," I said.
"I noticed that,"
"I'm sorry,"
"So you said," he smirked.
"Well, I am," I smiled. "And yes, I do think you're very cute."
"Aww, now you're going to make me blush," he teased.
"Okay, as long as you handle it better than I did,"
"I think it could be arranged," he said. "So, were there any plusses in this situation?" he asked.
"Yeah," I smiled, "Tristin doesn't like you."
"Well now, that just sucks. Wonder why?" he joked.
"Because he feels threatened, and with damn good reason." I smiled.
He raised his eyebrows, "Now Miss Gilmore, are you flirting with me?"
"Yes, I am," I said.
He smirked, "Good," he replied, leaning on his elbows.
I stood up and walked to the end of the counter, with him following.
"What's a person gotta do to get some coffee around here?" I asked teasingly.
He raised an eyebrow, "what are you WILLING to do?" he teased.
"Come see," I teased back.
He walked over till he was just a few inches away. "Close enough?" he asked, smirking.
"Nope," I backed up against a wall, hooked my fingers through his belt loops and pulled him about as close as physically possible. "That is," I said, kissing him.
We broke the kiss, "Wow," he said, "Now that's what you call a kiss,"
I smiled, "Oh, is it?"
"Yep," he leaned in and kissed me again.
*
"So, I guess it went well," Mom said smiling.
We broke the kiss again, and he backed up, "I have no complaints."
"None here either." I agreed.
"I didn't know you were quite so asserive," he said.
"I have my moments," I informed him.
"Good to know," he said.
"So, I guess he crossed the friendship line, huh?" she asked.
"I pulled him across," I nodded.
"Okay. Well, I need coffee,"
"Yes, and I'd say you earned some coffee," Jess teased me.
I just smiled and followed Mom to the counter.
Later we were walking home, "So, you sure know how to make amends. I left like two minutes after you, so I'd say you cut right to the chase."
"Things moved along quite nicely." I said smiling. It's about time.
*
A/N: Okay, so, super short chapter, but this chapter and the next chapter had been written as one chapter, but it was just too big, so I split them up. I already have a hang-up about chapter 10, but remember, I wrote this months ago.
Anyhoo, PLEASE REVIEW!! Yes, I know I sound like a broken record, but how will you remember if I don't remind you? :D
Thank you! You guys are soo awesome, just to let you know.
Oh, and I know I said in The Dance that this story would be finished in the end of July, I DID intend for that to happen, but I was having problems at home, so, it didn't happen; however, it will be finished by the end of this month, and I know you guys probably don't even believe me anymore, but I'm serious. Okay, thank you for being patient, thank you for reviewing (hint), and I hope you liked it!
A/N:Okay, sorry for the shortness of this chappie, the next one, is the last one, and it's pretty long. Thanks to all my reviewers! You guys rock and I love you all!!!:D
Stew Pid: Wow! That is the longest review I've gotten on this entire story! Quite possibly ANY of my stories! Thank you so much!! And to explain about how the beginning didn't really show when the pov shifted, you're right! This was my first fan fic, not the first one I posted, but the first one I wrote before I ever posted anything, and I wasn't very good at it! So, I didn't pay as much attention to that then. I do that now though, because you're right, it can get pretty annoying! But no, it wasn't stupid:) it was a good thing to point out! And I used the *'s because my computer sucks, and the first time, I DID use the different fonts and italics, but when they showed up on this site they weren't there. Everything was exactly the same! It did the same thing in my first 2 chapters of I'm With You, I had the things in italics, but they didn't show up! But yeah, I don't do that anymore, so once you get through the painful first few chapters it gets better! Yay for caps and asterisks! :)
**
Wednesday morning I got up and got ready. I hate avoiding Jess, so, I decided to take Mom's advice and go to Luke's and try to forget the whole thing ever happened.
*She may be here, but she's still running away, but this time I'm not going to stand by and watch her slip away from me. This time I'm going to chase her.*
We sat at a table and Jess came over, "Coffee?"
"Yes, please," I said.
"Lots," Mom said.
"Okay," he poured our cups, "Good to see you here." he said to me.
"Of course I'm here," he replied, "I'm always here, I'm here more than I'm at home." I said, then decided to stop rambling.
"Okay, good," Jess said and went back to the counter.
"See, I make myself look stupid when I'm nervous," I whispered.
"Sweetie, you can only hide for so long,"
"I know, I'm much better at running." I said.
"Hopeless," she said.
I sat there as we drank our coffee and I made as little conversation as possible. And as little eye contact as possible. Then, Jess brought over what I thought was our bill, because it was on the order paper.
Mom did too, she picked it up and read it, "Oh, you're going to have to get this one," she said.
"What are you talking about?" I took the "bill" and read it. It said simply, "I'm not going to watch you run away this time." I smiled.
"He's getting smarter," Mom said.
I smiled and shook my head.
*
At Chilton Tristin, of course came to my locker, "Hello,"
"You," I said.
"Friendly. How's Stars Hollow?"
"Still intact since you haven't been around." I said.
"Jess is the tornado," he reminded me.
"I don't know exactly what you're trying to do, but you can stop, because it's not working." I told him.
"I think it is." he said, "Seen Jess lately? Give him my best, will ya?"
I slammed my locker door shut, "You're not scaring him off."
"No, but I'm scaring you off," he stated. And what really bothered me was that he was right.
"You're right, but he's not letting me run away," I walked away.
*
At lunch Madeline and Louise sat with Paris and me.
"Hey, Rory," Madeline greeted.
"So, what's the latest?" Louise asked.
"What have you heard?" I asked.
"Jess caused you and Prince Charming to break up. Tristin and Jess hate each other, Tristin and Jess are both trying to win you over. Really anything from Jess fighting to Dean, to you and Jess were having an affair, to you're dating Jess AND Tristin. So, as you can see there's quite a variety." Louise said.
"Wow, these people have wonderful imaginations. The latest is Tristin is unsuccessfully trying to alienate Jess." I said.
"How's Jess doing?"
"Peachy keen, can we be done talking about me?"
"Sorry, can't. You and Trisitin are the biggest scandal in all of Chilton."
"I am not, and there is no Tristin." I objected.
"Yes, there is, and yeah, you are," Louise said.
"Well, make up rumors about other people," I said.
"Sorry, you topped Paris, now everyone's curious about you."
"They were talking about inviting you to sit with The Puffs again, that's how popular you're getting." Louise said.
"I don't want to, and I don't want to be popular."
"Everyone wants to be popular," Louise said, "Most of the pathetic souls just can't cut it. But you have."
"I've done nothing, absolutely nothing." I said.
"You became involved with Tristin. So, of course the spotlight's going to land on you. Tristin's the most popular guy in school. Yet some people are saying that you've turned him down for another a guy. Like Jess." Louise explained.
"Tristin's why everyone's so interested in my life?"
"Right," Madeline confirmed cheerily.
*
Later that day Mom came home, "Offspring!"
"Livingroom," I called back.
"You're going to love me,"
"For what reason?" I asked.
"Besides all the obvious ones?" she asked.
"Right,"
"I brought you coffee," she said.
"You're right, thank you," I said, taking the cup.
"What's bothering you?" she asked, as she sat down next to me.
"Anything from Jess is why Dean and I broke up, through Tristin and Jess are why I'm popular, to I'm dating both Tristin AND Jess, all the way to Jess and I had a secret affair when I was with Dean." I rattled off rumors.
"Wow. Chilton gossip? Hey, I just wanted to- oh, well, I'm going to make you feel worse," she warned.
"Grab a shovel and keep on digging." I told her.
"I heard you were dating Jess but Dean and Tristin caused problems between you two, resulting in its demise."
Oh no," I groaned, "Stars Hollow strikes again."
"You know, this is going to sound dumb, but a lot of girls would SO love to be you."
"Then they need to be commited," I said.
"No really, in addition to having like, the world's best mom," she said mock-haughtily, "You also have your choice of Jess or Tristin, all you'd have to do is let them know and you'd have an instant boyfriend."
"Instant boyfriend? This is going to sound dumb because of the whole Jess and Tristin yo-yo game they seem to be playing, but you're wrong. Tristin is just flirty by nature, which is why I mentioned Shane and he asked what she looked like."
"Fine, then forget Tristin and go get Jess, he BROKE UP with Bimbo McDitz FOR you! And admit it, you hate avoiding him."
"This may sound stupid," I warned again.
"As has everything else we've said today." she nodded, "Duly noted,"
"I told you I know Tristin's not really that serious, it's just a fun game I guess. And I know Jess argues with Tristin and Dean...-"
"You are not under the seriously wrong impression that Jess isn't serious, are you?" she interrupted.
"It's not that I think he's just playing a game. It's just, well, I don't know what it is. I guess I'm just slightly concerned we are NEVER going to go the 'just friends' or flirting line."
"Well, sweets, it's kind of hard for him to cross that line with you not talking to him," she pointed out.
"I know, but it's just that I've been avoiding him, and he knows I've been avoiding him and now I don't know how to go back," I told her.
"Then don't go back. Go forward," she suggested.
I thought for a minute, "I know what I need to do,"
"What's that?"
"Instead of explaining it to you, I should be telling him."
"Uh, telling him which part?"
"I have to go. Now, before I lose my nerve,"
"Oh, okay, well....go get him."
*
I walked as fast as I could to Luke's, I walked in, sat down, and smiled. "Hi," I said to Jess.
"Are you talking to me? Without being coerced?" he only half teased.
"Yes. I'm sorry I've been avoiding you," I said.
"Forgiven,"
"I haven't wanted to avoid you."
"I know," he nodded.
"Tristin really messed things up," I said.
"I noticed that,"
"I'm sorry,"
"So you said," he smirked.
"Well, I am," I smiled. "And yes, I do think you're very cute."
"Aww, now you're going to make me blush," he teased.
"Okay, as long as you handle it better than I did,"
"I think it could be arranged," he said. "So, were there any plusses in this situation?" he asked.
"Yeah," I smiled, "Tristin doesn't like you."
"Well now, that just sucks. Wonder why?" he joked.
"Because he feels threatened, and with damn good reason." I smiled.
He raised his eyebrows, "Now Miss Gilmore, are you flirting with me?"
"Yes, I am," I said.
He smirked, "Good," he replied, leaning on his elbows.
I stood up and walked to the end of the counter, with him following.
"What's a person gotta do to get some coffee around here?" I asked teasingly.
He raised an eyebrow, "what are you WILLING to do?" he teased.
"Come see," I teased back.
He walked over till he was just a few inches away. "Close enough?" he asked, smirking.
"Nope," I backed up against a wall, hooked my fingers through his belt loops and pulled him about as close as physically possible. "That is," I said, kissing him.
We broke the kiss, "Wow," he said, "Now that's what you call a kiss,"
I smiled, "Oh, is it?"
"Yep," he leaned in and kissed me again.
*
"So, I guess it went well," Mom said smiling.
We broke the kiss again, and he backed up, "I have no complaints."
"None here either." I agreed.
"I didn't know you were quite so asserive," he said.
"I have my moments," I informed him.
"Good to know," he said.
"So, I guess he crossed the friendship line, huh?" she asked.
"I pulled him across," I nodded.
"Okay. Well, I need coffee,"
"Yes, and I'd say you earned some coffee," Jess teased me.
I just smiled and followed Mom to the counter.
Later we were walking home, "So, you sure know how to make amends. I left like two minutes after you, so I'd say you cut right to the chase."
"Things moved along quite nicely." I said smiling. It's about time.
*
A/N: Okay, so, super short chapter, but this chapter and the next chapter had been written as one chapter, but it was just too big, so I split them up. I already have a hang-up about chapter 10, but remember, I wrote this months ago.
Anyhoo, PLEASE REVIEW!! Yes, I know I sound like a broken record, but how will you remember if I don't remind you? :D
Thank you! You guys are soo awesome, just to let you know.
Oh, and I know I said in The Dance that this story would be finished in the end of July, I DID intend for that to happen, but I was having problems at home, so, it didn't happen; however, it will be finished by the end of this month, and I know you guys probably don't even believe me anymore, but I'm serious. Okay, thank you for being patient, thank you for reviewing (hint), and I hope you liked it!