A/N: So this is a chapter that takes place between episodes. I feel like it might be a bit clunky, but I suppose you folks will be the ones to determine that for sure. Let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own the Gilmore Girls. I wish I did. But I don't.


When I woke up the next morning, part of me wasn't surprise to roll over and find that I was now in bed alone. I rolled back over onto my back and stared for a few moments at the ceiling. Jess stayed last night. The two of us squished ourselves into my too small bed, and huddled together under the duvet. Passing words between us into the wee hours of the morning, but eventually falling asleep. We told each other about our lives since the last time we saw each other—never discussing the actual night. I told him about school and the strange living situation I'd obviously found myself in the past year. He told me about the books he's been distracting himself with, and which ones he still wants to read. I even told him about the strange friendship that has begun sprouting once again between myself and Dean; he cringed.

I tried not to worry about the fact that he wasn't still here in bed. I made an effort to ignore the residual feelings of distrust, and gave him the benefit of the doubt. I reached out for my cellphone that was usually on my nightstand and groaned when my fingers me the cold, empty wood. Then I remembered that I'd left the phone in the common room after ordering Chinese food the night before.

Kicking the heavy blankets off my body, I made my way out of the bedroom. The cold wooden floors made me regret the move almost right away; or at least regret my lack of socks.

Just as I reached my phone on top of the box labeled 'winter clothes', the front door opened. Jess' hands were full with a tray of coffee and a brown paper bag of what I prayed was food, all from my favourite café that was just off campus.

"What's all this?" I asked him as I went to grab the tray of drinks. He must not have seen me, or expected me to be there when he re-entered the room, because he gave a little jump of surprise.

"I was hoping you wouldn't be up until after I got back," he replied, obviously knowing what my reaction was going to be to waking up and seeing that he was no longer with me in bed. "I went to get us some breakfast."

"Its fine, Jess." I promised, setting the tray on a box and taking out my coffee. "I kind of figured that's where you were. We aren't exactly able to keep food in here for very long. Nothing too good anyway."

"Rory—"

"No, I swear! Trust, right?"

"I would understand if you were still concerned that I was running away from you again. I've given you more than enough reasons to be upset and not trust me at this point. I don't expect all of those feelings to go away overnight, Ror."

"Jess," I put my chilly hand on his cheek and kissed the side of his mouth. "I will admit that I was a bit of residual concern over where you were. But—"

"See!"

"But I just reminded myself that everything is different this time around. We are different now." I assured him the best that I could, sensing that my words may not be getting through. "Learning to trust you—and you me—is going to be a process; a long one. But I'm willing to put in the effort to get us to that place."

"Rory, you don't have to—"

"I'm not going to allow you to let me pretend that I was a great girlfriend," I interrupted. "We were both at fault with how everything went, Jess. There was a reason you felt like you couldn't talk to me about stuff."

"That's not—" he was going to try to argue again, but rethought it and just leaned his forehead against mine, and sighed. I knew he wanted to change the subject when he kissed my nose and pulled away. "I got us some bagels and a few muffins. I wasn't sure that you would be in the mood for, so I got a bit of a variety."

"You know me far too well."

I gave him a small peck on the lips and snatched the brown paper bag from his grip. The window seat was the only place in the room that would be somewhat comfortable enough to sit on—that wasn't simply the floor—so we both headed that way. It took a bit of maneuvering for us both to sit in a position that wouldn't hurt our backs later, but we eventually ended up with our backs against the walls, facing each other. Jess' legs were on either side of my body, still wearing the sweat pants I'd loaned him last night, and the white t-shirt (with a coffee stain) he had on yesterday. I grabbed a bagel and hand the bag back over so he could get food as well.

"When are you planning to go back to New York?" I asked him after a few minutes of us silently eating our breakfasts and sipping coffee.

"I'm planning to head out later tonight. It is a little soon, but I know you have to be back in Stars Hollow for the weekend." Neither of us addressed the elephant in the room. He was only leaving so early, because he didn't want to interact with my mom and Luke already when they came to pick my stuff up with the truck. "I'll pack everything in my car tomorrow, tie up a few loose ends, and hopefully be home by mid-Friday at the latest."

"You just don't want be here when I tell my mom about us being together again," I teased. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to paint you in only the best of lights."

"I don't mind being there when you tell Lorelai. I just want to get all of this stuff in New York done as quickly and as soon as possible."

I rolled my eyes at him and nodded my head sarcastically. He shook his, and took a long drink. We sat in a comfortable silence again, even when we were done eating. Unfortunately, that silence was interrupted by the sound of my cellphone ringing loudly.

"Hey, kid!" Mom said as soon as I hit 'talk'. I didn't even get the chance to say 'hello' first. "How is packing going?"

"You know I've been pretty much done packing for a few days," I looked across at Jess and saw a mischievous glint in his eye. "What do you want?"

"Can't I just call me beautiful daughter, who I love ever so much?"

"You can, but I know you have another reason for calling."

"Well, you know how the inn run through is happening this weekend and we aren't prepared whatsoever? I was thinking…"

Jess shifted around on the cramped window seat so that his leg dangled off the side of the seat, and his face was now only a couple of centimetres from mine; our noses almost touching. I could feel his breath on my face as he tittered silently at whatever he had in mind to do next. When he leaned in to kiss me, I was luckily one step ahead of him, and managed to put my hand over his face to stop his movements. He raised his eyebrows at the challenge and backed away slightly only to dive back in towards my neck, and plant a kiss over my pulse. I snickered at the ticklish feeling and regretted it as soon as the sound left my mouth.

"What was that?" Mom asked me immediately, interrupting the constant flow of speech she had going before.

"Nothing, nothing," I tried to assure her as Jess continued his assault on my neck. "So, you were saying about the cabbage?"

"Do you have a boy there?" she gasped.

"Why do you always jump to that conclusion? I was just look at something funny on my computer—continue."

Finally—thankfully—she continued telling be her story. I was hardly listening in the first place, too distracted, and that didn't change. Jess moved down from my neck to my shoulder, leaving a trail of hot, wet kisses, and probably lustful bruises while he went. I tried to bat him away with my free hand, but was easily stopped by his hands grabbing mine. When he hit a particularly sensitive spot, my eyes rolled back in my head, blush coloured my cheeks, and I wasn't able to stop the immediate moan as it left my throat.

"Okay, you totally have a guy there!"

"There's no guy!" Jess paused his movements and started laughing quietly against my shoulder. "I just...um…"

"Uh huh, okay. Whatever you say, hun!" I have to get going anyway. Michel is being incredibly impatient. I'll see you tomorrow, and then you'll get the chance to tell me all about your new boyfriend."

"No, mom! I—"

The phone clicked, she was gone, and Jess was still laughing.


Questions? Comments? Suggestions?