Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls

Sorry that I kept changing tenses between past and present, I have a problem with that.

"Does this window open?" Jess Mariano asks. He and Rory are standing in her room. Lorelai, Luke, Sookie and Jackson are all in the living room preparing to start eating.

"Yes," Rory responded, slightly nervous because she could hear her mom calling, "But the food is ready, we should go."

"I agree one hundred percent," Jess said as he opened the window and gestured towards it, "We should go."

"I don't know," Rory hesitated, "There isn't anything to do in Stars Hallow at this time of the night."

"So what, let's go anyway," Jess was halfway through the window at this point, "I can think of a few things that we could do. Let's go." Jess repeated and offered Rory his hand.

"Alright," Rory said, glancing over her shoulder at the same time, "Just let me get my coat."

They were out of the house now, and Rory wasn't sure if this was the best idea after all and glanced back at the house. She could see Jackson, Sookie, Luke and her mom heaping food onto their plates. Jess saw Rory look and quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her along, "Let's get out of here." At the contact, Rory suddenly forgot all of her doubts and started running, this time pulling Jess along.

They ran as fast as they could until they ended up, out of breath, in the town square. Clinging to each other for support, they stood next to the gazebo to catch their breath. As soon as Rory is able she says, "I've never done anything like that before. It was exhilarating!"

"What?" Jess teased, "You've never sprinted until you were out of breath before?"

"Ha ha" Rory pretended to laugh, "So what should we do now? This was your idea and I'm bored."

Jess hesitated, "Do you want to get some food? We left before we had a chance to eat."

"Oh, so now you're concerned for my well being. Before you didn't seem to care if I ate or not."

"Well excuse me for wanting to eat with you and you alone." Jess added suddenly serious. At this comment, Rory blushed slightly, suddenly aware of what Jess had in mind for the evening. But she decides that she doesn't care. Dean doesn't thrill her the way this guy she just met a couple of hours ago does.

"Alright," Rory smiled flirtatiously, "Lead the way." Jess started walking across the street and down the sidewalk. He didn't say anything as Rory caught up with him. His plan had been to hook up with this girl and then never see her again, like all the others. But now, he was realizing just what kind of town he had come to. Rory obviously lived a very sheltered life, the girl hadn't even snuck out of her house before. Jess figured that eating would be the safest way to go; he wouldn't be as tempted to kiss her if they were alone. But just as they were walking past the movie theater that wasn't really a movie theater, Rory grabbed Jess and pulled him inside. For a fleeting moment he though she was going to kiss him. Jess's heart hammered at the thought of kissing this beautiful girl, but then he saw the worried expression on her face. "Rory, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, there was just someone I didn't want to see out there." Rory had just seen her boyfriend Dean walking across the street from them. She doesn't know why she doesn't want Dean to see her with Jess, it isn't like they are doing anything wrong. But maybe she wants to. "Look, Kirk's asleep, we can watch the movie for free."

Rory saw Jess smirking as they sat down in the back row to watch some old black and white movie, "What are you smiling about?"

"I just didn't take you for the sneak-into-the-movies-without-paying kind of girl. But then again, I didn't actually believe that you would leave the house in the first place."

"Well, there's a lot you don't know about me."

They spent the next hour watching the movie, but when Kirk started yelling in his sleep, they decide it would be best to leave. "So how about that food?" Jess asks as they walk out the door, "I saw a place that we can pick up a couple of slices of pizza when I was walking around this afternoon. Is it any good?"

"It's alright, but I think we should get a couple of pizzas, not just slices."

"Somebody likes to eat." Jess teases as they walk to the restaurant.

When they get to Al's Pizza world, a little counter-service version of Al's pancake world, the place is packed, so Jess orders the pizza and Rory goes to get a table. As she's walking she hears her name being called. Lane is standing outside waving for Rory to come outside. Rory obliges her longtime friend and abandons the search for a table.

"Lane, what's the matter?"

"I was just wondering if you would give me a slice of pizza when your mom brings it out. I'm starving! Where is your mom anyway? I don't see her in line."

"I'm not here with my mom, Lane. I'm her with Luke's nephew, Jess." Rory nervously replies, " Will you please just go and pretend that you never saw me if anyone asks? I kind of snuck out."

"You snuck out?!? I'm so proud. You're starting to act like me. But what about Dean?"

"I don't know. So far it's just been like two friends hanging out."

"But you want something to happen? Don't lie to me, I'm your best friend and I can tell when you're lying."

"Lane, I don't know. But I would like to see where this night goes."

"He is pretty hot. Alright, go make that guy fall in love with you."

"Lane!"

"Just kidding. I'm going. I'll even leave without any pizza."

"Who was that?" Jess asks Rory as she walks over to the table he found in the corner.

"Just my friend Lane"

The two ate in silence for the next fifteen minutes, mostly because Rory was starving and Jess could only stare at how much Rory was able to eat.

At one point, their legs accidentally brushed under the table and they both blushed and looked away.

Around eight o'clock, they head back outside to find something else to do. "Maybe we could go to Stars Hollow Books" Rory shyly suggested. "OK" Jess responded, confused by Rory's shyness, " There's this book I think you should read. I'll buy it for you." Pleased at Jess's response, she was afraid he would laugh at her, she smiled at him and forgot her shyness again.

Jess just found the book he plans to buy Rory, but now he can't find Rory. She had disappeared among the books soon after they had entered the shop. "Rory where are you?"

"I'm here!" She yelled back as she runs around the corner and straight into Jess and grabs onto him so that she doesn't fall. Just as she is about to apologize, Jess's lips are on hers, but just as suddenly they're gone.

"Sorry" Jess mumbles as he stumbles back from her, "I'm just going to go pay for this. I'll meet you outside."

Rory's slightly disappointed that Jess didn't keep kissing her, but pleased at the same time. He had kissed her! 'This is going to be a fun night.' Rory thought to herself.