Chapter 1

Chapter 1

She can't live with this, it's too much. Seriously, Dean? He's married, he's married and he can't be with her. Rory knows it. He's not going to leave Lindsay for her! She's his wife, no matter what he said to her it doesn't change how he feels about Lindsay. Even if Dean did leave her, it would be Rory's fault and she couldn't bear that, especially after seeing Lindsay at the butcher's earlier that afternoon. Lindsay was trying so hard. God, how could she have been so stupid? Her mom was right, she always is. Great, her mom, she had to pick a fight with her! Now she's in a ridiculous fight with one person she really needs to talk to! Why did she have to choose now to fight with Lorelai?

What is she going to do? She can't stay here in Stars Hollow. She has to give Dean and Lindsay time to fix their marriage and quite frankly, she won't be able to do that unless she's far away from Dean. What a great start to the summer! She's having sex with a married man and fighting with her mother. Nothing could top that right? She thinks over her options; she could just wait until school starts again but that would still leave her in Stars Hollow for two months. She's definitely not going to stay with her Grandparents, so that idea is out. When she begins to feel she has exhausted all her options, she remembers one last thing, perhaps the most insane idea of them all. Jess had asked her to come away with him. It may be a little late, but she might still be able to take him up on his offer.

As she approaches Luke's she thinks about the choice she's making. No, this is no time for thinking! She's made up her mind and she wants it to stay made up. She needs to get Jess' cell number from Luke. He must have it. Jess wouldn't leave without giving it to him, not if he's changed. Luke will understand and when Lorelai is worried about her daughter, Luke will be able to assure her that Rory is in safe hands. She doesn't want to upset her mother but she can't be around her right now. She needs a fresh start and friend to confide in, maybe she'll find one in Jess.

She enters the diner and takes a seat on one of the stools at the counter. Almost immediately, Luke emerges from the kitchen and with plates in hand, heads toward one of the tables. As he returns he spots Rory. "What can I get you?" he asks.

"Actually, I'm not here for food."

"Okay…" Luke says sounding slightly confused.

"I wanted to ask you if I could have Jess' number."

"Sure, I haven't got it memorized but it's upstairs. I'll be back in a minute."

"Thanks Luke."

"No problem," he replies.

Climbing up the steps to the apartment, Luke wonders what Rory wants with Jess' number. Had Jess said anything to her? Had the books he lent him really helped? They may have been stupid but it seemed like Jess had really changed. Maybe, just maybe, there is hope for him after all.

Entering the apartment he turns towards the fridge. There, underneath a Hello Kitty magnet (Jess must have found it in one of his drawers, Lorelai had given it to him five years ago) was Jess' contact information. He grabs a notebook and copies it out onto another piece of paper. Heading back down the dark staircase he considers asking Rory what she wants with Jess, but decides against it. It isn't really his place to be asking her about her personal business. He'd be there for her anyway and he'd kick Jess' ass if hurt her.

"There you go. Contact info for one Jess Mariano."

"Thanks Luke, really, it's nice of you to get this for me," she says as he hands her the paper. He smiles at her and she gets up to leave.

"And Rory?"

"Yeah Luke?"

"If you ever need anything you just have to ask," Luke puts in his last two cents. "I'm always here."

"Thanks, I'll remember that." A genuine smile crosses her face as she walks down the steps and into the bustling streets of Stars Hollow.