Disclaimer: Where are we, exactly? I think that indicates a bit of the truth. Like the…I DON'T OWN THIS I NEVER WILL statement.

AN: Just a thought while watching Here Comes the Son. In a way it relates to my other stories, it doesn't adversely change them or disagree, but it is not a companion. It's just…in context with the rest of it.

The Muse or When Thought Goes Full Circle

Dante's Inferno. For some reason he was staring at the sign, wondering how he'd not seen this coming.

It seemed like he was stuck in this rut, one he couldn't seem to get out of, one that no one could pull him through. And really, it was ironic the way it had turned out, Jimmy working in a hotdog stand and all. Owning the hotdog stand.

All the men in his life did this. He did this. Apparently, he was destined to own his own food place.

Huh.

Dante's Inferno. He had to admit it caught your eye. No matter who you were, you would recognize it, be it because you'd read the book, or heard or seen it in context. Whatever. But GOD, why did it have to sell food? Hadn't he had enough with father figures running food places? Was this some cosmic sign from god?

Did he even believe in God?

"Hey Jess, this is your calling! Own a diner! Own a hotdog stand! Live a normal life and never commit to the woman you love!"

God was pretty cynical. And disgusting. And…okay, so maybe this wasn't god. Maybe it was some other cosmic being he might or might not believe in. Who else was out there? Buddha? Allah?

Zeus?

Jesus, he was getting a headache. But there it was right there. He hadn't realized it until he thought on the words a second time. The woman he loves?

Oh no.

No no no no no.

Damn it.

This was bad. This was very very bad. This was bad in monumental proportions bad. This was…very bad.

He loved Rory. He loved her, and god damn it, he'd probably never be able to tell her. He was doing what he always did…skipping out.

He had a funny feeling this skipping out would be exactly like the last one. He'd deny the fact that he wanted to see Rory, to hear her, feel her, speak to her, and that would last about a week. Then there would be awkward phone calls where they'd talk for a few minutes. "How are you." "Good. You?" "Good." "The weather?" "Oh, come on." "Okay, so…book?" "Phantom." "Depressing." "Yeah… I miss you." "Yeah?" "Yeah." "Well, this is long distance. I gotta go." "Oh. Yeah. Long distance. Bye". "Bye."

Then for some reason he would be inclined to go back to where she would be. Stars Hollow. As much as he pretended to hate the place, it was the only real home he'd ever known.

A diner.

Oh Jesus. And the thought process goes full circle.

He wondered, idly, how Rory and Lorelai dealt with their million-tracked minds day by day without exploding.

A shadow loomed over him, and he tried, in vain, to ignore it, the darkness casting unwanted shadow on his book, making it more than obvious he hadn't been reading.

Jimmy.

Who owned a hot dog stand.

Jess looked out towards the beach. Pacific. He turned his gaze to the Sierra Nevada's looming in the distance.

Luke.

Who owned a diner.

The Appalatians.Smoggy New haven. 22.8 miles.Atlantic.

And him, in the middle. What did that mean? A bookstore selling food in Colorado?

The thought appealed to him the moment it came to him. Somewhere new. A complete change, a mix of both places. Hot in summer, cool in winter, but more spontaneous, less predictable. He could do anything there. Majestic mountains and secluded cabins. Bookstores in Denver and neither subway nor train.

Colorado.

Well, wherever it was, he wasn't going there just yet.

Hot dog stand. Diner.

Pacific. Atlantic.

Runs away. Stays put.

Jess.

The middle.