Scattered Thorns

(They have left so many painful memories behind them. Will it all catch up to them in the future?)

This is my sequel to Paper Cuts. If you have not yet read Paper Cuts, I highly recommend that you do, because this fic takes place directly after! I wrote this because most of my reviewers wanted to see what else my little mind could conjure up, and see what happened at the end of Paper Cuts, because it was a drop off. Originally I intended the readers to end it however they seemed fit, but ya'll wanted to see this, and I have no problem with it. So, please tell me what you think; should I continue the sequel, or not?

Disclaimer: I am no way affiliated with Gilmore Girls. It belongs to the WB and Amy Sherman-Palladino. I am no way affiliated with Rory or Jess, Milo Ventimiglia, or Alexis Bledel. This is only a fanfic no copyright infringement is intended.

The cobblestone path was cold under his shoes. A brisk wind blew past, as a car made it's way down the road. The streetlights were shining down on him, examining him. Watching his every move. Interpreting his every step. He knew better than to do this. It was stupid, completely idiotic, but nonetheless, he continued walking.

It had been three days since she called him with her foolish suggestion. He figured she must have found the book. The one where left his note card in. He had stayed up for days writing on the note card. He had never used the words 'good-bye' in his life, and he wasn't about to start now. Instead, he wrote her a letter. It wasn't even a letter. It was more of a jumble of notes, jotting down his thoughts about the situation.

He was naïve in the fact that he even put the letter in the book in hopes that she would find it. But come about it, she did. She found it. And him, stupid and idiotic as he is, put his number on it. He knew that he couldn't stand to hear her voice. He knew that he would crumble, break, and come running back to her, to only, in turn break her heart again after it was well on its way in being mended.

He wanted her to find the note, just so she would know how he really felt. How sorry he was. But he also hated that she found it. She was his weak spot. And all these years, he thought he didn't have one. Who would know that the only thing, or person, that could bring Jess Mariano down was a small-town all around goody-goody.

She was perfect. She still is, he thought. Perfect for him, the perfect girl, the perfect role model to base you life off of. She was smart, witty, and could carry a descent conversation flawlessly. And she was all his.

But he screwed that up. All the junk he put in the letter about finding himself, all crap. Yes, he did need to get away and figure out what he had to do in his life, but that didn't mean take the first bus to California, and mooch off of your father who has never even seen you yet alone open up his house to you.

But Jimmy did. He opened up his house to Jess for a couple months, and he stayed. He stayed, and he left her. He left her, and that whole town. Yes, he never liked that town, but occasionally he would catch himself calling it 'home'.

It was homey. Something about that town was always welcoming and warm. Jess hated that. The fact of being wanted somewhere. In his whole life, he was never exactly wanted. His mother couldn't have cared less if he grew up well, or got a good education. Liz didn't know the first things about parenting. He guessed that's why he ran away from Rory; because she made him feel wanted for once in his life.

He continued down the path, keeping his eyes on the road in front of him. Occasionally glancing up, and looking around, making sure that no one was to see him. If it got wind that he was here before he was ready to tell her, it would be bad, very, very bad.

He pulled his leather jacket around him tighter. It was cold, and it was getting late. He turned the corner, and slowed his pace. He stopped in front of Luke's. He glanced inside, making sure that no one was to see him, and continued walking. He walked past Gypsy's, and made his way to her house. It looked quiet. The lights were off, and everything was still. He hoped that she was home, and not getting ready for Yale just yet.

He made his was through the brush that surrounded her house. He couldn't believe that he was climbing through bushes and trees to talk to a girl. It wasn't just any girl. He thought to himself. It was the only girl for him, the only one that would be there for him through anything. He hoped she would be there for him now.

He thought about that for a moment. Why should she be there for him now? He ran away. He left her crushed. He ruined anything that they might have had. He ruined their future. Why should she have to help him?

This though was starting to discourage him. He continued moving through the trees, trying to be silent in hopes that he would not wake Lorelai. Branches smacked at his face, and ripped at his jeans, but he continued on. He got to her window; the lone window that they had stood next to when they first met. It was wooden, and the wood had frail paint that was being chipped away.

He brought his hands to the glass, and gently tapped the window.

He got no answer.

He peered in, but the room was dark, and he could see no one.

He tapped it again; the cold glass was cool against his fingers. This time, a little light came on in the room, and he saw her. Her eyes were heavy, and full of sleep. He concentrated on her face as her eyes became wide, and focused.

Her eyes turned from lazy to wide-awake. Her expression was shocked, and he just stood there. The thought had crossed his mind to just run, take the first bus to New York, but that thought was quickly shoved out of his mind when she climbed out of her bed, and made her way to the window.

The wood floor was cool against her feet as she glided to where he stood. She was in total shock. Why had he come back? What did he want now? These were all thoughts that were running through Rory's head. She came to the window, and unlocked it. She pushed it, so it slipped up with relative ease.

"What are you doing here?" She asked him. Her look was pensive, and she tried her hardest to act kind.

"I deserved that." Jess stated, looking away. He didn't think he could take her face right now. After all, he didn't even deserve to be in her presence after what he did to her, yet alone talk to her.

Rory sighed, she knew better than to do this. She put her hands on the windowsill, leaning towards him slightly. Her eyes were full of hurt, and fear of being damage again.

"Do you-want to come in?" She asked. Her voice was low, and she paused in between her words. She knew what was to come, and she was dreading it. She just couldn't turn away from him now. He looked so pitiful just standing there. She had to let him in.

Jess nodded, and Rory stepped away from the window, allowing him to enter.

So, what do you think of the first chapter of the sequel to Paper Cuts? The next chapter will be full of angst, as Rory and Jess both get their feeling out.

Tell me what you think. Should I continue the sequel?

-missed the train