Disclaimer: Still broke therefore no, I do not own them.

Pairing: Jess/Rory Literatific

Rating: K++ (is that even a rating? lol)

A/N: Ok I promised this would be up about 2 weeks ago - I apologise for the delay. Not much to say about this chapter except as usual it picks up from Chapter 8 to the letter. I just have one note to make about one of the scenes. The scene involving Lorelai and Emily is supposed to be a "meanwhile" type scene - you'll know it when you see it. I know you are all intelligent enough to pick that up but I just figured I'd mention it. Oh and also Luke & Lorelai come up once in this story. I'm not watching GG anymore but I've heard the bad news about their separation (insert expletives here) Anyway, for my story, L&L are still together. hmmm other than that. I don't have anything to say. Enjoy! Thanks also for all your great reviews!

Common Sense - Chapter 9

Emily spun around to find Jess standing a few feet away. "You again." She said with a scowl. "What is he doing here Rory? I thought I told you you're not to see him."

"You can't tell me who I'm allowed to see, Grandma." Rory answered sharply.

"It's.. not her fault. She didn't know I was coming." Jess interrupted taking a couple steps forward.

"Jess, don't be a hero." Lorelai said under her breath.

Emily clenched her jaw as she turned her attention to Jess. "And why exactly did you come?"

"I just… wanted to see Rory." Jess responded dryly.

"Seriously, Jess, just play dead and cover your face." Lorelai piped in again.

"See her for what?"

"Stop! He doesn't have to explain anything to you." Rory spoke suddenly. "I don't have to explain anything to you." She had had enough of this

"Rory, Rory…" Lorelai tried to settle her.

"I'm sorry, she thinks she can talk to people like they're nothing."

"Rory!" Emily's eyes were piercing.

"I'm gonna go." Jess leaned down to grab his bag that was lying beside the couch. He figured his presence was only making things worse for Rory.

"Good idea." Emily hissed.

He shot a brief glance at Rory then headed for the door.

"This isn't over." Rory barked at Emily before following Jess outside.

Emily turned her eyes back to Lorelai who had been trying to stay out of it.

"So," Lorelai looked at her mother innocently. "Is that a new outfit?"

XX

"Jess, wait…" Rory called.

Jess turned around, pulling his bag down over his shoulder as he reached the driveway.

"I'm sorry about…that." Rory said catching up to him.

"That is one crazy lady." Jess deadpanned.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why she always has to do that."

"Doesn't matter." Jess shrugged, shifting his eyes. He was used to it.

Rory looked down at her hands momentarily. "So…" She swallowed. "Are you… going back to Philadelphia?"

Jess exchanged a heavy look with Rory. "Nah, I thought I'd stick around for a couple days…Piss off a few more people. "

It was the answer she needed. Rory let out a small giggle. "I would pay good money to see the look on Taylor's face."

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get another chance."

Rory smiled gently as she and Jess stood in front of each other. He held her eyes for a long moment. "Come here." Jess wrapped his fingers around her neck, bringing her closer and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll see you later." He added, drawing her eyes up.

Rory gave a short nod as he pulled back. Jess always had a way of making her feel better when she needed it the most. Like he truly saw her for her. She knew she could be herself with him; no expectations, nothing to prove to anyone. With Logan, she'd always felt more like a sidekick than a girlfriend but when she was with Jess she really felt like she was really with him. And through it all, that was something she cherished.

Jess climbed into his car and started the engine as Rory stood watching. He really didn't care what people thought of him or whether Emily had 'Judge Judy' on speed dial. Rory was all that mattered; what she thought, what she felt. It was the only thing he knew for certain. He pressed his lips together and traded one last look with Rory before driving away.

XX

"She's out there with him." Emily said as she peeked through the blinds.

"Happy to hear she didn't evaporate into thin air. Did you ever see that episode of "The Twilight Zone" where Sean Patrick Flannery shoots the scientists and they disappear.. and then he thinks that Dr. Chandler is a figment of his imagination too so he shoots him in the end?" Lorelai rambled fluently until she found the look of irritation on her mother's face. "It was a really good episode." She mumbled in an afterthought.

"Lorelai, aren't you the least bit concerned that your daughter is dating the next… Gene Simmons?" Emily dug the name up.

Lorelai let out a snort-laugh as she stood befuddled at her mother's apparent knowledge of 70's rock. "Gene Simmons… really? Listen to a lot of 'KISS' do ya, mom?"

"You know what I mean." Emily snuffed out the fun that Lorelai was about to make of her and turned her eyes back out the window briefly.

"She's a big girl, mom."

"She's still your daughter, Lorelai. Speaking of which, I'm assuming you two have kissed and made up?" Emily let the blinds go and stepped toward Lorelai.

"Well we left the kiss out but yes."

"I'm happy for you." Emily spoke plainly, interlocking her fingers in front of her. Lorelai perceived a slight bit of envy in her mother's voice but could never call attention to it.

"So, how long has this been going on?" Emily asked referring to Jess&Rory.

"I don't know." Lorelai snuck a look up, not wanting to admit that Rory hadn't confided in her about Jess. "But she made her decision. And okay, I admit I'm not exactly doing cartwheels over it …not that I would anyway… I mean, I tried once but I fell mid…you know…wheel…and sprained my ankle…Try explaining that to your doctor."

"He's dangerous, Lorelai." Emily cut in.

"I didn't see a machete."

"For heaven's sake, you know what I mean."

"Oh right… Gene Simmons." Lorelai mocked, smiling inwardly at herself. . "Look, mom, I trust her judgment………and…" Lorelai took a long pause before sighing. She was debating whether or not to let her mom in on her thoughts.

"And?" Emily pried.

"And ………… it may just be a thing."

"What's a 'thing'?"

"…I just mean you never know how long it's going to last, that's all." Lorelai sniffed and shifted her weight uncomfortably.

Emily's expression turned into a beam of confidence as she peered at her daughter.

Lorelai was regretting this already.

"Well Lorelai, I'm happy to hear you've not lost all sense of reason. So what's your plan of action?" Emily said grinning from ear to ear.

"Plan of action." Lorelai repeated her mother's choice of words. "Huh. Well, we could 'Storm the Barricades'; 'Rustle up the horsemen'; 'Weigh the anchor'; 'Charge the gates'…" The opportunity was much too tempting to let pass by.

Emily glanced impatiently at her daughter. "Are you through?"

"Wait….." She looked up as if trying to think of more to add. "… yes." Lorelai said before returning to reality. "I don't have a plan of action, mom, and I'm not going to form a plan of action. I'm just going to wait and see what happens. Rory's been here before; Jess isn't exactly the most constant of people… Rory knows that."

Just then Rory entered the pool house to find Lorelai and Emily not far from where she left them.

"Rory, we need to talk." Emily crossed her arms as Rory walked by.

"No." Rory snapped, spinning around. "I'm tired of this. You spend all your time looking down your nose at people but the truth is no one would even talk to you if you didn't have money."

"Rory," Lorelai spoke up. As much as she'd believed the same thing at one time, she knew somewhere inside her mother had feelings.

Emily was a little taken back by Rory's words. "The last time I checked you were still living under my roof, young lady."

"Not anymore." Rory retorted. "I'm going to pack." She added bitterly as she headed for the bedroom.

Emily turned her eyes back to Lorelai who had a look of concern on her face.

What if this wasn't just a thing? What if she had underestimated Rory's feelings for Jess? Lorelai wanted Rory to be happy but this was… Jess.

She glanced at Emily fleetingly. She hated it when her mother was right.

XX

A day later, Jess walked around Luke's diner placing chairs upside down on tables.

"Hey,"

Jess turned his head at the sound of the voice to find Rory coming through the door wearing jeans and a sweater. Her hair was down, framing her face, reminding him of the first time he saw her. "Hey," He said as he finished putting a chair up.

"Where's Luke?" Rory shifted her eyes.

"With your mom?" Jess shrugged. "I told him I'd close up for old times sake."

"Oh. That's very... Peach Pit of you." Rory teased.

"You know me, 90210 or bust."

Rory giggled at Jess' response.

"So,"

"So," Rory repeated.

They stood soundless for a moment.

"You all moved out of your Grandma's?"

"Yep, all moved out." Rory replied shyly. Her fingers were like pins and needles. She'd spent the better part of the past 24 hours going over in her head what had happened between them. It wasn't exactly something she'd planned for. Jess coming back had caught her off guard to say the least but somehow, after everything that had happened with Mitchum, Rory felt grounded again. And she knew that Jess had a lot to do with that. He'd become a part of her, and nobody could ever take that away.

"You wouldn't believe the number of books I have." She said taking a couple of steps.

"Actually, I think I would." Jess slipped in.

"It took 3 car loads. Mom had to get her tire blown up." Rory chuckled at the thought. "Leonard Riggio would be jealous."

"I think he would." Jess replied. He still hadn't gotten used to the idea that they were back together but Rory was here. Here to see him.

And it felt good.

Jess watched Rory surveying the diner as she stepped gingerly around a table. Without making a sound he walked over to her, but went unnoticed by Rory.

"So, did you manage to ruffle any feather's today?" She said, turning around to find Jess much closer than she expected.

"Does Big Bird count?" Jess countered, loosely folding his arms around her.

"Not unless Snuffleupagus was around." Rory quipped.

Jess smirked and drew Rory in, kissing her smoothly on the lips. She leaned into him as he ran his hand across her back, deepening the contact. Rory could feel the intensity rising as his hands slid down to hug her hips and suddenly remembered where they were.

"Wait, Jess…" Rory pulled back slightly. "Don't you think we're a little conspicuous here?" Rory said glancing out the diner window.

"Yeah, I'm sure the owl and squirrel are appalled."

"Jess," Rory cocked her head.

"You do know you're in Stars Hollow…Population, 20?" Jess raised his eyebrows. "And we make up 2 of those 20." He added sarcastically.

"Well that leaves 18 people unaccounted for then." Rory played along for a minute. "Seriously, what if Luke comes back?"

"We hide in the back until we realize we're 21."

"Jess," Rory said again.

Jess checked her eyes once more. "Okay." He finally said taking her by the hand and leading her toward the stairs.

XX

Jess opened the door to the apartment and held it for Rory. The pale moonlight filtered through the blinds as she made her way inside. "Everything looks the same." She mused, turning halfway back toward Jess.

"Yeah, I had some frightening flashbacks last night." He recalled, taking a few steps forward.

"I see no color. Martha Stewart would recommend color." Rory joked.

"Yeah, well, Luke isn't exactly a 'knit-the-placemats' kinda guy."

They had their small talk down to a fine art.

Rory turned her head and stuck her hands in her jean pockets. "Last time I was here…" She stopped herself remembering when they were last together.

At that, Jess and Rory linked eyes and he slowly made his way to where she was standing. The room went silent as he reached out to take her hand and a distinct sense of déjà vu passed over him. One final baby step brought him inches away. "This better?" He asked, referring to the privacy of the apartment. "Yeah." Rory replied with a quick smile. Dipping his head he closed his eyes and brought his lips to hers, moving his hands to hold her waist. Rory lifted her palms to his chest then up to his neck, finally resting them at the back of his head. She couldn't believe how time had handled things. It'd been 4 years but what was between them before was here once again. It was something she couldn't explain but at that moment she realized… she didn't want to.

Finding the small of her back, Jess pulled her closer, closing the gap that remained between them. Moments passed as they stayed locked in the embrace. Rory could feel the blood pumping progressively through her veins and had hardly noticed that they had made their way across the room to the couch. Jess traced kisses along her jaw line and down her neck as they sank to the cushion in tandem. Rory maneuvered backward allowing Jess to lower his body on top of her. He kissed her again passionately as her head touched the pillow but all of a sudden broke contact and pulled back. Propping himself up by his hands, he gazed down into her clear eyes. Rory peered back, unflinching.

"What's wrong?" She asked unknowingly.

".…….marry me."

To Be Continued…(am I evil or what?)