Back to the Present

Rory Gilmore has a led a charmed life these past few years. She had graduated from Yale after a brief detour, got a job on the Obama campaign, then eventually one in Hartford after not wanting to continue in D.C. After she had cleared her mind for a few months, she accepted Logan's proposal, causing much celebration on the part of high society. Lorelai was skeptical, but gradually accepted the situation as much as she could, despite still having some concerns.

The wedding was planned and in two months, Rory would become Mrs. Huntzberger. Logan was almost always on business, so their time together had decreased immensely. She was surprised when she didn't miss him as terribly as she had expected to. After a while, she didn't miss him at all, if she were to be honest. But she wasn't honest. The once moral girl bent on telling the truth had turned into a phony. She'd admit it to no one. It all started with little white lies, but they all started adding up. She didn't know how it happened, it just did. She would admit this to no one.

Rory sat at her desk in the apartment she shared with Logan, typing an article for the next issue of the paper. She bit her lip and decided to take a break. She scrolled through her emails, one in particular catching her eye. She clicked on it with slight trepidation, unsure of what to expect. Her eyes widened in shock and she felt as though the air left her.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of

Allison Marie Duncan and Jess Mariano

on the 15th of August, 2011

at Sacred Heart Church

Rory read it over and over and over again, her eyes not believing it. She had sent an invitation Jess out of courtesy, as they were cousins now. She blinked repeatedly, wondering if this were some sick joke. He'd be getting married three months after her. She bit her lip out of nervous habit, telling herself that she had no reason to feel this way. They had parted on amicable terms at Luke and Lorelai's wedding two years prior. There was nothing to be upset about. It's not like she had any romantic feelings for him left. She cringed at her thoughts, wondering what would have happened had she run away with him all those years ago. It felt like yesterday, when he showed up at Yale...

She stood and took her bag from the couch and threw on a light jacket. She pulled out her car keys from her bag and rushed to the car. Before she knew it, she was en route to Stars Hollow. She fished her phone from her purse and dialed Lorelai's number.

"Hello, Happy Time Temp Agency," Lorelai chirped.

"Hi mom," Rory greeted distractedly.

"Hey kid, what's up?" Lorelai asked, shuffling papers at her desk.

"I'm coming home for a few days, is that okay?" she asked.

"Sure. Did you and Logan get into an argument?" the older woman asked carefully.

"No, no. We're good. I just needed to get away for a bit," Rory assured.

"O...kay, your room is still yours," Lorelai said.

"Okay, see you later, mom. Bye," Rory hung up the phone. She diverted her eyes from the road for a split second to put her phone away only to hear a sickening crash and then everything went black.

Rory had her eyes squeezed shut. She slowly opened them, looking around a white room in confusion. She was seated on a white couch with grey pillows. There was a large bay window. Outside, a blue ocean was visible.

"Hi," a blonde girl with a broad grin greeted, popping out of nowhere.

"Uh, hi. Who are you and where am I? Oh my God, am I dead?" Rory asked, beginning to panic. She stood and began pacing about the room.

"You're not dead," the girl said nonchalantly, "and I'm not the Doctor," she grinned wryly at her joke.

"Then what am I?" Rory asked, scared.

"You were in a car accident. I was driving the other car," she smirked.

"What?"

"I'm working for the Big Guy," she pointed to the ceiling, "and you have messed up your life."

"That's ridiculous, I'm perfectly happy with my life!" Rory crossed her arms across her chest.

"You're so happy that you're heartbroken over an ex's impending marriage?" she raised a brow.

"I'm not heartbroken," Rory argued.

"Look, you already helped to dissolve one marriage, do you really want to break up another?" the blonde asked.

Rory stood gaping like a fish, mouth opening and closing, but no words.

"Exactly," she said, examining her fingers, "by the way, I'm Lene."

"Why?" Rory managed to blurt out.

Lene sighed, "Ever wonder what life is like for Jess now? What it would've been like if you had run off with him?"

"No," Rory denied.

Lene rolled her eyes. She picked up a remote from the couch and a TV set popped up. She clicked a button and Rory watched in wonder as Jess' face materialized onto it.

Jess looked intently at the computer screen, fingers typing away. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, pushing himself away. His eyes trailed over to his fiancee, Allison, as she was reading a packet.

"Jess, this is amazing," she said, pride evident in her voice.

He sat next to her on the deep blue couch, brushing a strand of her red curls aside.

"You think so?" he asked.

"I know so," she replied with a grin. She placed the manuscript down on the coffee table and sat back contently. Her green eyes searched Jess' brown.

"We're getting married," he whispered with a genuine smile.

Allison grinned, taking his hand. She rested her head on his shoulder, allowing Jess to stroke her long hair.

"I love you, Allison," Jess whispered, feeling content for the first time in a long time.

"I love you, Jess," Allison grinned, kissing him briefly.

"Stop!" Rory closed her eyes.

Lene smirked and turned off the TV. She knew it.

"Feel like your heart got torn into a million shreds?"

"No," damn, she was indignant, "why are you showing me this?"

"To show you what you've done with your stupidity. We're giving you another chance. When Jess comes to you at Yale, go with him. Maybe then you can be in Allison's place."

"I can't just steal her away from him," Rory's eyes widened.

Lene snorted, "Hasn't stopped you before, has it?"

Rory glared. Her expression softened as she thought things through. If she went with Jess, she wouldn't sleep with Dean. Him and Lindsey would still be together. She wouldn't be a home wrecker. She would be happy, maybe.

"So, ready to go?" Lene asked, flipping the remote control idly.

"Wait, what?"

"We're sending you to a life with Jess. What your life would be like now," Lene explained as if she were speaking to a little child.

"I'm ready," Rory nodded, feeling queasy.

"Hold on to your hat, proverbially speaking of course!" Lene chuckled at her own joke, sending Rory into a vortex.

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