A/N: It's so strange to be inspired to write fanfic again, but A Year In The Life has my mind buzzing with all the literati possibilities. Hope you all enjoy this. Title is from the song of the same name by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.

MAPS FOR THE GETAWAY

One

Half the guests at Luke and Lorelai's wedding reception were sipping champagne; the rest were drinking coffee with their dessert. Rory would've killed for either beverage. She sat at a table by herself, enjoying the momentary quiet. Her mother was dancing slowly with her new husband, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face. When she looked at them, Rory knew that she would be OK. Her mother's life hadn't taken the path she'd planned either, and it had turned out just fine. Just because Rory had been derailed didn't mean that this was the end. She could still have a happy ending, someday. It wouldn't be with Logan. Hell, maybe it wouldn't be with anyone. Whatever it would be, it was a long way down the road. There was so much to think of before that. There was a book to write, and a tiny baby growing inside of her. She would move forward and forge her own way, just like her mother did when she was only a teenager. But she was so much luckier than her mom had been when she got pregnant.

She couldn't imagine what it had been like for Lorelai as a teenager, to feel so alone. Rory knew that her mother would help her and support her no matter what, and Lorelai's reaction hadn't disappointed. She had hugged Rory tightly and promised her that she would stand beside her no matter what. She had made her typical nervous quips and sarcastic comments, and she was clearly scared. She knew how hard it was to be pregnant and alone. But Lorelai promised her daughter that no matter what disagreements they might have (and both knew there would be many), Rory would always be able to count on her. Rory knew this, of course, but she had never needed to hear it more than in that moment. Lorelai had only asked one thing of her daughter:

"Have fun at the wedding. Please."

Rory was trying to honor that promise, even though her head was spinning with a million thoughts and scenarios. She needed to decide if she was staying in Stars Hollow, if she'd stay with her mom or move into her own place, how to tell Logan. Ugh, the mere thought of that was terrifying and made her want to cry at the same time. It had been so hard for her to let go of him and what he represented for her, and now she had to let him back into her life on some level. She already knew that she wouldn't marry him, but she also knew that he wouldn't ask. His solution would be to throw money at her and the baby. Would she accept it? That was another question she would need to answer sooner rather than later.

"Maid of honor." A voice said in greeting, and Rory looked at Jess as he slid into the seat next to her. He was holding a plate with a generous slice of cake in one hand and a tumbler of whiskey in the other.

Rory's lips involuntarily curled upward at the sight of him: sexy, disheveled, and clearly slightly uncomfortable in his suit. "Best man."

"So I know it's been a whirlwind, but I can't figure out how Rory Gilmore hasn't had a slice of cake yet." Jess slid the cake over to her.

"Thanks." Rory said with a teasing smile. "Surprisingly thoughtful of you."

"That hurts." He teased back with a pout, bringing a hand to his chest.

"No it doesn't." She responded, taking a small bite of the cake. She was sure it was delicious, but she didn't even really taste it.

"Nah, not really. I've been called way worse, by both you and your mother." Jess smirked and took a sip of his drink.

"All well-deserved, mind you. Well, mostly." Rory corrected herself, remembering how viciously harsh her mother had been to Jess when they'd first met, well before he'd done anything to warrant her hostility. His mere existence had been excuse enough for Lorelai. It was funny because now they got along great. Hell, these days Lorelai spent way more time with Jess than Rory did.

"I can admit that." Jess agreed. "But you've got to admit, I cleaned up ok."

Rory took another bite of cake and smiled at him. "I think it's just a nice suit."

Jess did that playful pout again and Rory just shook her head. He had cleaned up more than OK. He ran a small, successful book press, his second novel had a 'New York Times Bestseller' sticker on the cover, and he looked amazing. He had always been good looking, but as an adult he'd developed a confidence that made him downright sexy. The fact that he had clearly been working out didn't hurt either. Rory had noticed all this when she'd last seen him four years ago, she noticed it over the summer when he came to see her, and she was certainly noticing it now, even though she had absolutely no business doing so.

"In all seriousness," Jess began, and the teasing had gone out of his eyes. "How are you doing?"

Rory choked on her cake and started to cough so hard that Jess had to pat her back to help it subside. Her eyes watered and she couldn't tell if it was from the coughing or if tears were forming. Jess was looking at her quietly, waiting for an answer.

"Truth?" Rory asked, wiping her eyes.

"Always."

"I'm going through some stuff. A lot of stuff. And I am working my way towards being ok." Rory said honestly. She wondered what he would say if she told him the full truth- that she had been Logan's mistress for longer than she cared to admit and that she was pregnant with his child. She hadn't been afraid to tell Lorelai, she wouldn't be afraid to tell Luke once they returned from their honeymoon, hell, she wasn't even really afraid to tell her grandmother, but Jess...she was terrified to see the look on his face when he found out. He would be disappointed, and she wasn't ready to disappoint him.

"Is it the job thing?" Jess asked. "Because I'm pretty sure you could get Taylor to pay you for the Gazette gig, if that's where your heart is. Besides, once your book is done you'll be beating off offers with a stick."

"You have a lot of faith in me." Rory said appreciatively.

Jess brushed that off with a crooked smile and said, "I'm just hoping you'll consider Truncheon when the time comes. My motives are completely selfish."

"Oh well that makes sense." Rory sarcastically agreed.

"Hey you two!" Babette exclaimed as she danced by with Morey. "This is a wedding not a funeral! Jess Mariano, you'd better dance with that girl before I tell Ms. Patty you're over here looking for a partner!"

Rory and Jess shared a charged, awkward look before Jess stood up. He offered his hand and said, "You're not really going to make me dance with Ms. Patty, are you?"

Rory didn't hesitate to slide her hand into Jess's, even though her heart was jumping in her chest. They walked to the dance floor and Jess put his hands around Rory's waist, pressing his palms flat against her lower back. She tentatively wrapped her arms around his neck, the tips of her fingers toying with the ends of his hair.

"You need a haircut." Rory murmured absentmindedly.

"Yeah? I kind of like it." Jess said with a shrug.

"I kind of do too." Rory agreed as they swayed in time with the music. "This is nice."

"I don't hate it." Jess agreed, pulling her a little closer. They stayed like that until the song ended. Rory looked up into his hazel eyes, which were much softer and sweeter than she remembered.

"Wanna get out of here?" Jess asked after a long moment.

Rory knew with every fiber of her being that she should say no.

"Ok."