A/N: Yeah! I'm finally getting somewhere with the funky writer's block. It took one very annoying song and I was off, and for that I had to incorporate said song into this. Anyway, I hope you like it, and I'll update whenever I can. I'm getting to writing my thesis so don't expect too many speedy updates. I have chapter two more or less ready to go, but after that it will just be updates whenever I have the time and inspiration. Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I, the author of this story, do not own any of the characters from Gilmore Girls. That honor belongs to the wonderful Amy Sherman-Palladino. I won't even pretend to own YouTube. I am not making any money on this (in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I'm losing money over it…).

1. Wrongs and rights

He wanted a place to call their own. Sure, it was fun to have Rory live with him and the guys whenever she was home, but Jess still had the feeling that it wasn't their place. They couldn't be themselves all the time, because there was always someone knocking down doors, proclaiming something or other, and always when he wanted to be alone with Rory. The final blow came when Matt and Chris found an annoying tune on YouTube, some insipid song called "The Hamsterdance". It had been fine the first time, even the second and the third. After that it was just straight out torture to hear it. It got even worse when Matt and Chris couldn't go a day, even an hour without humming that stupid tune. Rory just laughed at him, occasionally teasing him by humming along, but she didn't protest when Jess laid down the ultimatum of either moving in together in an apartment of their own, or assasinating Matt and Chris.

They found a good apartment just blocks away from Truncheon, with a coffeeshop on the corner that Rory had approved of. ("Hey, do you really want to risk me not getting coffee?"). The first few months, though, Rory didn't live there much. She was out on the campaign trail until the end of November. She had wanted to quit or at least be reassigned to Philly after the election, but both her boss and Jess convinced her to stay on for a while longer.

"Come on," Jess had said. "You didn't live out of a suitcase and gang up with me again just to drop out when the fun begins."

She had actually believed him. What could be worse than endless bustrips, drafty hotelrooms and hours upon hours of debates, speeches and interviews? Answer: Doing follow ups. She zoomed back and forth to places she had already been, stayed in the same drafty rooms and interviewed people who either said they knew this would happen or that it would all go to hell in a handbasket. It was tiresome, and she ended up counting down the days to when she could return to Philadelphia, to Jess (so she could kick his butt for convincing her to go through this torture), to some form of normality and, hopefully, to a new job. She had talked to her boss, and he was more than willing to write her a good recommendation. She had already sent applications and resumés to a number of papers serving Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia City Paper among others. She hadn't heard anything yet, and she was starting to worry that she would be unemployed once she got back.

When the big day came for her to return, Rory was feeling jittery. She couldn't sit still, and she was restless, feeling that the bus she was on was going so slow it had to be illegal. She had called ahead and told Jess to come pick her up, and she had sensed something in his voice.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" she had asked.

"Nope." he had answered.

"Monosyllabic as ever, I see."

"Someone's cranky. I'll bring you coffee."

"You're changing the subject."

"There is no subject."

"Jess."

"Rory."

"Talk to me."

"Talking." he quipped.

"Is it me?" Rory asked nervously.

Silence.

"It's me, isn't it?"

"We'll talk later. I'll bring you coffee. See you soon."

"He didn't even say 'I love you'…" Rory thought gloomily as she put away her cell.

When she got off the bus she was ready for a full-on confrontation with Jess. In the ten minutes that had gone by she had managed to convince herself that Jess was upset with her, and that they would fight, and she even got as far as thinking how she would tell her mom and grandparents in case things turned bad. Lorelai had gotten used to the idea of Rory dating Jess ("…again!"), and Luke had been quite quick on the uptake, too. Her grandparents… Well, they were Richard and Emily, so she knew what to expect. Emily had looked like she had smelled something foul when Rory told them she was back together with Jess over a weekend when she had time off, and her and Jess had headed home to Stars Hollow. Richard was slightly happier to hear this, sounding very impressed with Jess, once he got it out of him that he had written a book. Richard had even requested a copy. To be honest, Rory thought her grandfather seemed surprised at Jess being so… perfect. She suspected Emily had told Richard about the screwed-up dinner when Jess showed up with a black eye. And Emily being Emily, she probably exaggerated a bit.

She felt a bit disoriented at first, Philadelphia still felt new to her, but as soon as she saw Jess, sitting on a bench with two coffees and a book in his hand, she smiled, putting aside whatever worrying thoughts she had. He had coffee, and a book, it couldn't be that bad, she reasoned. She rushed toward him, dropping her bags as they joined in a wild hug, folllowed by kisses that didn't really go where they were supposed to. Jess was smiling, a broad, sly smile, and he felt like he was finally getting back to being himself. He hugged her tighter, clutching the book he held harder.

"So, what have you done?" Rory asked. "Or what have I done? Both could work, and I want to be sure."

"Coffee, definitely." Jess answered, handing her a cup.

"Don't change subject, mister!"

"What's with the accusation? Nothing's wrong."

"You have the look, Jess."

"Oh, I have a look now?" he asked playfully.

"Yes, the 'I just faked a murder outside Doose's'-look." Rory said and looked demandingly at him.

"Good one." Jess mused.

"Jess… Is something wrong?"

"You're a lot of work, Gilmore."

"Is that it? You're already weary of me?"

"...and you jump to conclusions."

"But…" she began, but he silenced her with a kiss.

"You be silent. Breathe, drink coffee, and if you're a good little Gilmore I have a surprise for you."

"Oh, I love surprises!"

"Why am I not surprised…"

They walked back to Jess' car, a newer one that wouldn't make Gypsy hum and grunt whenever she saw it. They loaded Rory's bags in the back seat and drove to their apartment. It felt good to be home, or at least a lot closer to home. She had trouble calling Philadelphia home, she hadn't been there long enough. Home was still Stars Hollow. The gazebo, their bridge, Luke's, the Crap Shack, the townspeople, and all the shindigs. Her mom, Luke, Sookie, Lane and Zach, even Michel and Kirk… She felt sad that it had been such a long time since she had been in Stars Hollow.

"Jess?" she asked just as they parked outside the apartmentbuilding where they lived.

"No, nothing's wrong and whatever comes out next might lose you that surprise." he said irritably.

"Could we go to Stars Hollow?"

He was slightly stumped by this, regretting how irrtated he had sounded. It wasn't like Stars Hollow represented his prime years, but there was still something… "Like the fact that it's Rory's home…" he thought.

"Sure." he said, and smiled at her, giving her a light kiss on her cheek. "Come on, now."

"Which one would you like first?"

"What, there are two surprises?" she asked.

"Technically…" he began, then interrupting himself. "Yeah, there are two surprises."

"Meanie!" she said. "I'll take the one you would give me first."

"Sure you don't want to…"

"What have I said about mocking my lists?"

"Fine, don't get your pants in a twist…"

Jess unlocked the door to their apartment, letting Rory enter first. It was… a kind of home. More of a place just for her and Jess, where they could do things their way, without songs by hamsters, prying room mates or the tornado that was her mother. It was a simple two bedroom apartment, with a small kitchen and large livingroom. Their books took up the majority of one of the walls, and Jess' music and moviecollection had it's own place by the tv set. She breathed in the familiar scent of Jess, Chinese takeout and detergent, which meant Jess had actually managed to operate the washing machine without her. She turned around, hugged Jess and kissed him softly, murmuring between the kisses:

"It's good to be home…"

Jess smiled, put down his book on a small table next to the door, and deepened the kiss, and like so many times before, they ended up on the sofa, caught up in the moment, only sensing each other. She was all he had ever asked or wished for, and she had come back to him after he thought he would be out of her life for ever. He nuzzled up against the soft skin above her collarbone, slowly breathing in the scent of her, hearing her sigh softly.

"I seem to remember something about surprises." Rory whispered to him.

"Yeah, I have the same recollection." he answered. "Why are you whispering?"

She broke down in chuckles, and Jess couldn't help but smile. He got up from the sofa and disappeared into their bedroom. Rory was excited, she was here, Jess was here, nothing was wrong, and they would go to Stars Hollow. She streched out on the sofa, feeling content with herself.

When Jess came back, he gave her a letter. She felt a bit disappointed, she had expected more than a letter.

"See what's inside it." Jess urged her.

She opened the letter, not really knowing what to expect. She could see three pieces of paper inside, and she pulled out the first.

"Dear Ms. Gilmore," she read. "Your application to The Philadelphia Inquirer was received, and We would like to schedule an interview with you as soon as possible. Call Us and We will set down a time suitable for you. Sincerly… Oh my God!"

She stared at the paper. She had a job offer! Or well, she had a job interview!

"This is great!" she shouted, jumping up to hug Jess.

"There's more." he said, and nudged her.

She sat down again, pulling out another paper.

"Dear Ms. Gilmore... Would like to schedule… You're kidding me right?"

"Yeah, I just stopped by their office, nicked their stationary and faked the letter. Very me."

"You faked a murder."

"I was 17, and for the record, you thought it was fun." he commented.

"I can't believe this. Do I even want to look at the last?"

"I think you might."

She pulled out the last paper, and she only needed to read the first line to break down in whining fits of joy.

"Philadelphia City Paper wants me!"

"I know." Jess said, a smirk on his face. "It might not have dawned on you, miss Investigating Journalist, but I opened your letters before you."

"I would normally hate you for that, but I'm too excited now."

"I'll have something to look forward to." he joked.

"The other! I want the other surprise!" Rory demanded, jumping up and down like a little child.

Jess went over to the table by the door and got the book, which he handed her.

"You got me a book?" she asked, and looked at the cover.

He could see how her eyebrows arch, and her mouth form a surprised O.

"Can you hear silence fall?, Jess Mariano... You finished and printed your book while I was gone?"

"I did, and there's more."

"I don't think I can take much more of you 'mores'" she joked.

"Check the dedication."

She opened the book, flipping quickly to the dedicationpage.

To the girl who gave me two of the most brutal wake-up calls known to man. (If you meet her, give her coffee and hope for the best.) Once again, I couldn't have done this without you, and you know I will be your Dodger for as long as you want to.

She gave a loud, piercing scream, and seconds later she was in his arms, calling out "thank you!" and "I love you!" until they became silent kisses.

"Are you happy?" Jess asked her, when they broke off the kiss.

"As happy as I could ever get, Jess."

"Good." he smiled. "So, when do you want to go to the SH?"

"The SH? My, my, aren't we urban?"

"I've been bored."

"You don't think I have?" she said accusingly. "I've been hopscotching around the country doing stuff so boring and repetitive I'd rather watch Kate Hudson's suicide scene in Almost Famous for the rest of my life, and you convinced me! I should hate you!"

"But you're too happy, and thank God for that. Another thing I have to look forward to. Twice struck by the wrath of Rory Gilmore, won't I be quite a macho man if I survive that."

"You have strange pleasures." she laughed.

"Not all of them…" he murmured, kissing her again.

"We get side-tracked too easily." Rory mock complained when they resurfaced for air.

"Where were we?"

"The SH. And… could we go today already?"

"Can't. I have the evening shift at Truncheon. How about I make a preliminary promise of early tomorrow, and I'll try to get Chris on my side, it's way easier to battle Matt if it's two against one."

"You're a regular Sun Tzu."

"And you love me for it."

"You bring me coffee, books, and job interviews. How could I not?"

"Speaking of job… I gotta go, duty calls."

"Sure, go ahead." Rory answered, giving him one last kiss before Jess took his jacket and moved to leave. "Don't publish any books while you're there!"

Jess smirked.

"You're really gonna hold that against me, aren't you?"

"I'm a Gilmore, why should I not?"

While Jess was gone, Rory took to unpacking her stuff, and she was amazed at how much she had actually brought with her. She found at least five books, two of which she had no memory of packing, there were unopened gum packs, magazines, old newspapers and at the bottom of her suitcase she found clothes she hadn't even used.

"The things I learn from my mother…" she muttered as she put the unused clothes back into her wardrobe.

It felt good unpacking, putting her books in her very own section of her and Jess' bookwall. They had to have sections, because Rory couldn't come to terms with her O. Henry sitting next to Jess' Hemingway. He had found the whole debate ridiculous, saying that he had no problem with his Rabelais sitting next to her Rand, but she wouldn't give in. She brought up the time where Dean wouldn't answer the peperoni, and hearing Dean's name was enough for Jess to relent, and they split the wall up in one Jess-section and one Rory-section.

After unpacking, she sat down in the sofa, pulled a blanket over herself and dived into Jess' new book. She stopped to look at the dedication one more time, smiling at his remark about giving her coffee. Her mom would like that, and Rory made a mental note to get Lorelai a copy for Christmas. She began reading, noticing that Jess had applied a completely different style to his story. It was still a sequel to The Subsect, but it was like turning the whole thing around. She paused for a while after having read the first three chapters, searching for a pen. She had reluctantly taken to adopting Jess' art of margin writing, but writing in the margin of his book felt more… justified, than scribbling something in a Jane Austen. Rory returned to the sofa, pulling out the book again, skimming through the chapters she had already read, making notes, underlining words or expressions she liked. She loved his new book, and the more she read, the more proud she became. Her Jess had done this.

She was still reading when Jess quitely opened the door. Still, Rory heard him, and she put down the book, and came over to greet him with a kiss.

"You're late." she remarked.

"Yeah, I know. We had a bit of a situation, Matt trying to get his Cedar Bar Redux again, it sparked a debate that I involuntarily was drawn into. Lucky thing is, Chris sided with me, so we have an entire week to spend in Stars Hollow."

"Really?"

He could see she was happy, and seeing her happy made him happy. "I'm such a sap…" he thought amusingly to himself. She had an influence over him, but he gladly stayed under it.

"Yup," he answered. "You'll have plenty of time to catch up with your mom and Lane, and you can go crazy over the job interviews and Luke can fuss over your eating habits. It'll be like we never left."

"We?"

"Well, I left. And you left. Meaning we. Do I really have to get into this any deeper?"

"I love you, Jess."

"Love you, too, Rory. So, get packing, we leave ridiculously early tomorrow."

"I take back my previous statement." Rory teased.

"Yeah? What can I do to persuade you to set your alarm for 'ridiculously early'?" Jess asked suggestively.

"I have a couple of ideas…" she responded in the same tone, and started backing towards their bedroom.

She didn't need to say anything more. He set the alarm on his phone, and then followed her into the bedroom.