"I don't deserve this Rory." His words echoed through her head as she walked out the door. She knew he was right. He didn't deserve it, but part of her felt good that she finally hurt him. She felt the lump in her throat about to burst as she reached her car. Getting inside she turned on her CD player. The Shins played loudly as she sobbed to herself.

'I can't believe this.' Jess thought to himself as he locked up the shop. 'I didn't want us to turn out like this. I shouldn't have assumed she was here to be with me.' He glared at the door for a second before running a hand through his hair. 'Scotch night it is.' He thought as he walked towards the bar. As he turned the corner he heard the faint sound of music. Looking around he found it was coming from Rory's car. He sighed and walked towards it to find her huddled over the steering wheel crying.

"Great." He mumbled before tapping on the glass.

Rory looked up in shock to find those dangerous brown eyes staring her down. She wiped her eyes and turned the music down. Taking a deep breath she rolled down the window. The staring match was almost too much for her to bear. She could feel the lump in her throat coming back, and she wasn't sure she could control it this time.

"You okay?" he questioned with a concerned tone in his voice, a tone that only added to the pain Rory was already feeling.

She quickly nodded and wiped a lone tear from her cheek. He looked around and searched for words to speak to kill the silence.

"You said you parked right out front."

"Yeah." She answered confused.

"This is around the corner and away from the building." He informed her.

"If I told you other wise you would have wanted to walk me out."

"True." He faintly smiled and leaned in the window.

Looking her in the eyes he began to smile bigger. This was disturbing to Rory, what was there to smile about?.

"Why are you smiling?" she defensively asked.

"Can I get in?" he asked before heading to the other side of the car.

"I guess so," she mumbled as he let himself in.

"What are you doing?" he asked tilting his head as he spoke.

She looked into his welcoming eyes and melted. He wasn't going to let her leave, not until she explained her actions. Not until she explained how she was feeling, and why she was crying. She turned the ignition off as she leaned the seat back. Looking over she realized he did the same. She hated when he did things in unison with her. It only made her feel more connected.

"What do you mean?" she tearfully whispered.

"Rory, I am sorry I assumed you were here as more than just a friend. I am not sorry for kissing you." He smiled looking at the ceiling, "I don't think you are sorry either."

"I am sorry," she exclaimed raising her head and looking at him, "I didn't mean to hurt you. I should have never taken advantage of your emotions. It isn't fair to you, I know that."

They both leaned back and stared at the ceiling of the car. The faint sound of Rory sobbing filled Jess's head and he knew he was right. She wasn't sorry, not for the reason she should be sorry.

"Do you feel bad for possibly messing up what you have with Logan?"

"Excuse me?" she belted out, "He ruined things between us."

"Right. I get that. I guess I am just wondering, did you even think about how much it could hurt him?" he looked at her with a soft look on his face a look she had never seen, "Cause it seems to me the only thing you are sorry about is, that you hurt me."

She covered her face with her hands realizing how true it was. She never thought about how wrong it was to cheat on Logan, only how wrong it was to use Jess. Why would she not be concerned about Logan, she loved him, right?

"Get out." she whispered through her hands.

"Rory, I think you have lots to sort out. Don't just fall in love with someone out of convenience, or habit." He softly spoke as he exited the car.

As he shut the door Rory tried hard to gather her self. Turning the car she watched as Jess disappeared around the corner and began to cry again. Why did he have to be so right? She heard a muffled noise and realized it was her phone, looking down to see it was her mother she answered.

"Hey." She sadly answered.

"What is wrong?" her mother asked softly.

"Lots." She faintly laughed, "Why what's up?"

"I needed you to pick up a few things for Lane's party."

"Sure."

"Okay. We need tiaras, about eight of them." her mother listed off everything they needed but Rory was lost in her thoughts. "Hello?"

"Sorry. I will call you in the morning to get the list. Okay?" she said in a dazed voice.

"Where are you?" she asked concerned with her daughter.

"Philadelphia."

"Isn't that where…" Lorelai asked only to get cut off by Rory.

"Yes. Jess." She smiled, "He is doing so good."

"Luke mentioned that."

"I saw Luke, met April." Rory mentioned.

"That's nice," Lorelai smiled faintly, "Does Jess have to do with the dazed voice and the Lots wrong?"

"Not really." Rory answered, "It is just me. I got to go."

"Okay kiddo." Lorelai said as Rory hung up the phone.

Staring at her phone Rory dialed Logan. She sighed as she reached his voicemail. It was not what she needed. She wanted to talk to him. Waiting to leave a message she leaned her head against the window.

"Hey. I think I am moving out." she sighed, "I wanted to tell you now, but you are not answering. So I guess I will just tell you later."

Hanging up the phone she sighed and leaned her head back. It was hard to figure out when her life got so confusing. Was it when Jess ran out on her? Or was it after that? She didn't know. All she did know was that Jess knew her better than anyone, which had to count for something. She replayed the kiss in her mind. It was everything a kiss should be, tender, soft, sweet. There was so much rolled up into that kiss, so much she had missed.

Jess sat in the bar listening to his friends talk. It was just background noise. There was nothing else on his mind, nothing but Rory. He smiled and nodded at the bartender as he asked if he wanted another scotch. Maybe if he drank enough he could blur her from his mind. He knew it wasn't possible. He had tried before many times.

"Who was the girl?" Matthew asked.

"What girl? Jess scoffed.

"The pretty brunette that you fluttered over to before we left."

"Oh that one." Jess rolled his eyes and took a sip of his scotch.

"You want to explain?" Matthew asked concerned.

"Do you want to but out?" Jess said finishing his glass, "I am going home. See you guys tomorrow."

He walked out of the bar and paused fumbling for his phone. He thumbed through the numbers until he found Rory's number. He started to dial then changed his mind. Closing his phone he placed it back in his pocket. There was no reason to call her. 'She is gone.' He thought to himself as he turned the corner to the shop.

"Hi." She faintly smiled as he approached her. "I am so lost."

"You make two lefts from where your car is and then I am sure you can figure it out," he sarcastically told her.

Rory stood up and grabbed his arm as he unlocked the door. As he turned to see tears in her eyes he tried hard not to give in. Those baby blues would always be his kryptonite. He knew that. He just wanted to stand his ground this once.

"You know. When I saw you earlier I thought this was going to be the best night. I finally made something of myself and the fates handed me my reward." He laughed, "Only as usual the fates let me have a taste and then slapped me for taking it."

"Jess."

"It's fine," he yelled, "Go home."

He stepped inside and she followed. He turned to see her blue eyes piercing into his soul. This was too much for him to handle. He ran his hand through his hair and started laughing. 'What now?'

"Look." She grabbed his hand and began to talk, "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It is over Rory, geez. Go home. It will be done and over with if you just leave."

"I can't." she cried.

"What you need gas money? Your car broke? You need directions? What is the deal?" he yelled at her with fire in his eyes.

She collapsed to the ground and began to cry. Rocking back and forth she held her head in her hands. He stood staring down at her till finally she began to sob louder. This tugged at his heart.

"Rory. I can't help if you don't tell me what is up." He whispered as he guided her to a chair.

"I thought I loved him." She whispered, "But look who I have become since him."

"You can't blame it all on him Rory. You got to take responsibility for your own actions." He softly caressed her cheek, "I know you. You will rise above this, with or with out him."

She wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled. Leaning in she kissed him softly and more passionate than before. As the kiss deepened Jess realized he was in the same spot he was always in, and this time he did have a lot to loose.

"Rory, I can't do this." He whispered looking into her eyes.

"Sorry."

"I have to be up early tomorrow. I really should get in bed." He informed her.

"Yeah. I should go. Long drive ahead of me." She faintly smiled.

They sat huddled together for a moment. It was the first time in a long time Rory had felt safe. She didn't want it to end. She knew if she walked out the door, it was the end of their romance. How could either one of them turn their back on this again?

"Is this really the end?" she whispered.

"I don't know. It seems like we have been here before." He shook his head, "This time I am not sure if I can hold on."

Rory moved away from the sheltered embrace of Jess and looked at him. His brown eyes looked glassy with tears. She could tell this was killing him. She was killing him. Standing up she kissed the top of his head.

"Good-bye Dodger." She smiled.

"Rory…" he started to ask her to stay then stopped, "Don't be a stranger."

Walking towards the door she felt his warmth behind her. He turned her to face him as they stepped on to the sidewalk in front of the shop. She stared into his eyes helplessly as he caressed her cheek.

"Be careful." He smiled

"I will. You have turned into an amazing man." She softly spoke to a blushing Jess, "I knew you could do it."

"Yeah. Yeah. A little faith and pixie dust. I know." he laughed.

She waved and walked away. Leaving Jess to fight his urge to chase her. Sighing he walked back into the shop and up the stairs to his loft. As he climbed into bed that night images of her danced around, images that would not soon leave him.

"Damn it Gilmore." He mumbled as he started to cry.