Author's Note: This isn't exactly a sequel, but more of a follow up to a very short story I did called "Yes, I Know." This summer, in my boredom, I have been kind of writing stories focused on different characters but following a sequence. This is kind of 'What happens before Rory leaves for DC.'

Disclaimer: Do I look like Amy S-P to you? I do not own "Gilmore Girls" and am in no way associated with the show. Yet. Anyway, this is not making me any money, so don't sue because you won't get much anyway.

Lorelai balanced the two cups of coffee in her arm as she unlocked the front door, holding her purse by the strap in her mouth. She opened her mouth and let it fall on the floor once she was inside.

"Rory!" she called, as she set the coffees down and took off her coat.

"Up here!"

Lorelai went upstairs and saw Rory, in her pajamas, standing in front of the bathroom sink brushing her teeth. "I got you some coffee."

"Ya'm ghood," Rory answered as she put the brush back in her mouth.

"Well, it's downstairs." Lorelai went to her room and quickly changed into her own pajamas before going down again. Rory was digging through her backpack at the kitchen table.

"Have you seen my Plato?" she asked as Lorelai retrieved the coffee and walked in with it.

"Nope. So, we need to talk."

Rory looked up nervously. "About what?"

Lorelai raised her eyebrows. "Your dad."

"Oh," Rory breathed, not thinking to hide her relief.

"What did you think I wanted to talk about?"

"Nothing." Rory began searching through her bag again.

"Nothing, huh?"

"Yes."

"That wasn't a nothing face. You had that 'There's something I don't want to tell you' look on your face."

"It was not," Rory said, then looked up. "What about Dad?"

"Nothing," Lorelai mocked.

"Mom."

"Okay, sit down." They both did and Lorelai set one of the coffees in front of Rory. "You know how much your dad and I love you."

"I know."

"And we will always love you, no matter what."

Rory squinted. "Did you two have a fight?"

"Not exactly."

"But the plan. The whole- family thing- it's not going to happen, is it?" Lorelai didn't have to answer, Rory could already tell. "Why not?"

Lorelai took a breath. "Your dad got a call from Sherry. She's pregnant."

"What?"

"Your dad said that he doesn't want to miss this. He missed it with you and-"

"I get it," Rory answered quickly as she studied the wood pattern of their table.

"Are you okay?"

Rory nodded, then looked up. "Are you?"

"Don't worry about me, kid." Lorelai leaned forward, kissing Rory's forehead, and rubbing the back of her neck gently. She pulled back to look Rory in the eyes. "So what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh. I just thought you were going to ask me to stay in Stars Hollow during the summer."

"Well, don't you have to go to Washington?"

"Kind of."

"And that's what you thought I wanted to talk about?"

"Yep."

"Not that Jess is back in town?"

Rory frowned quickly. "You talked to Luke."

"I talked to Jess."

The frown escalated. "You did?"

"Did Luke tell you he was coming back?"

"No."

Lorelai was confused. "Well, then how-"

"Jess came to see me. Before the wedding."

"At the inn?" Lorelai clarified. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"We were kind of walking down the aisle. And I didn't want to ruin everything. I knew you'd be mad."

"I'm not mad. I have no right to be mad over who lives here or not, that isn't my choice. But, I do reserve the right to be upset if my daughter decides to keep the fact that some boy- who she recently ran off to New York to visit- shows up again and she doesn't tell me."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking clearly."

"Another stoke?" Lorelai said, smiling sadly, but Rory kept frowning. "Is something else wrong?"

"I have a philosophy test tomorrow, I should get some rest." Rory stood up and walked into her bedroom, leaving Lorelai alone in the kitchen with two coffees.

The next morning, the girls were walking towards town for breakfast.

"I'm so excited," Lorelai said, bouncing a little as she walked. "Wanna know why?"

"Because you're bipolar?" Rory answered flatly.

"No," Lorelai said, brushing off her daughter's sour attitude. "Because it is Danish day. And you know what that means?"

"Danishes?"

"It means that all is right with the world. A Danish and coffee, and Luke merrily providing me with both."

"Are you sure you want a Danish?"

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "What is wrong with you? You've been acting so weird. Did something happen with Jess?"

"No, I'm just still shocked that you two actually talked and that you left him in one piece."

"I must be getting soft in my old age." Lorelai held the door to Luke's open for Rory, who sat in the corner table by the window. "Two coffees and two cherry Danishes please, Luke!" she called, but he was taking someone else's order. She turned to Rory, who was nervously studying her hands. "What is up with you?"

"I'm just worried about when Dean-"

"Finds out Jess is back and goes caveman on him?"

"Exactly."

"Maybe you should go tell Dean now. Or maybe it won't be as big a deal as you think it will be. He didn't freak out too much when you told him about the car."

"No, but Jess was gone then. And now-" Rory closed her mouth as she saw Jess come from the kitchen carrying some plates. He noticed her right away.

"Hey," he said casually.

"Hi," Rory whispered, trying not to make eye contact.

"Hey, Jess. Luke must be ignoring me again," Lorelai said brightly. "Coffee and Danishes?"

"Sure. One sec." He walked towards another table to serve the food before getting the coffeepot and filling up their mugs.

"So, back to Stars Hollow High, I guess," Lorelai chatted as he got their Danishes.

"I guess."

"Well, once you get done with your homework tonight, why don't you head over to get to those gutters?"

"Maybe." He walked away.

"Another enthralling conversation. At least he got our food," Lorelai said as she took a drink, then slowly lowered her cup. "Uh-oh."

Rory looked up and saw Dean walking towards Luke's. She stood quickly, grabbing her backpack and running out.

"Rory, hey, what's wrong?" he asked as she stopped him from going inside.

"I need to talk to you." She started pushing him down the sidewalk.

"Can't we talk over coffee?" he asked.

"No, that would not be good."

He chuckled. "When have you and coffee ever not been good?"

Rory finally stopped and they sat down on a bench together. "I've decided to go to Washington this summer."

Dean frowned. "Oh. So, you're going for sure?"

"Yes. It's actually only part of the summer. And it's a really good opportunity for me. I mean, Harvard-"

"Yes, Rory, I know about Harvard."

She sighed. "Don't be mean."

"Sorry. But, it's just, am I always going to come second to Harvard? What about when you leave next year?"

"That's a long ways off. This is only for six weeks. I'll write all the time. And I'm not leaving for a while." Rory took a breath. "There's something else."

"Now what?" Dean snarked.

"Jess moved back."

"That's not funny, Rory."

"It's not a joke."

Dean looked her in the eye. "Why? Did you ask him to come back?"

"No, of course not. He just…came back." She could see how angry he was. "Just don't say anything to him. Don't do anything. It's not worth it."

"Yes, it is, Rory. You're worth it."

"Then for me. Don't say anything, for me."

He sighed, then turned back to her. "Okay. For you." He leaned in to kiss her, but when he did, he felt her tense up and pull back quickly. Dean opened his mouth to say something.

"I'll miss my bus," she whispered quietly, then ran away.