Author's Note: This is set 5 years after the 5th season's finale. This isn't actually what I think/hope will happen, it just came to me. I hope you like.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or the storyline. But don't you think it would be better if I did?
Rory Gilmore was nothing if not calm. In fact, calmness exuded from each and every pore. She was the picture of serenity; the epitome of tranquility. It was a trait that she'd cultivated after years of living with her mother-who was more of a fly by the seat of her pants variety. As she shuffled a few papers on her desk, thoughts of her mother flooded her mind. Usually she managed to keep them at bay, but as always, when her defenses were low, they came whispering back. They hadn't seen each other in 5 years, and in the beginning Lorelai had called every day. Rory stubbornly had refused to answer. Gradually the calls became more and more infrequent, and a little over a year ago, they had stopped completely.
It wasn't supposed to be like this, the rational voice in Rory's mind screamed. Lorelai and Rory's relationship had been perfect. They had been the best of friends, confidants and so much more… Rory stopped, and with a sigh, rubbed her eyes. She had two layouts to complete, and she couldn't waste her time thinking about things that could not and would not change. Her mother had been wrong. She hadn't returned to Yale, and she was fine. She was Ok. She was surviving, and that was all that mattered.
She glanced down at her hands that had taken to shaking now, under the more stressful of situations, and sighed. It really wasn't supposed to be like this, she mused fleetingly, but there was nothing she could do. She stood, stretching her muscles a little as she did so, raising her arms over her head and breathing deeply, then grabbed the papers off of her desk and walked out of the office.