Bright Lights by Mochamint19

"She got out of town, on a railway New York bound, took all except my name, another alien on Broadway. There are somethings in this world you just can't change." Based off the song "Bright Lights" Matchbox 20. Rory is off to New York to find someone that should help her understand why she can't change her fate.

Isn't it funny, Ironic even Rory Gilmore thought to herself as she stepped off the greyhound bus and was swallowed in by this big new world. How one simple yet satisfying action can change you forever or even change you into someone you never thought you could be. It had been two months since she had seen him, the love of her life, with a suitcase in each hand and a tattered letter, an address scribbled in blotchy black writing on a envelope. She headed towards a fate the waited intently for her.

Chapter 3

"Rory's pregnant," a familiar voice said.

It was Dean Forester, Rory's first boyfriend and the former love of her life. Earlier in time people would have sworn they would be together forever. At an earlier point they could have sworn he truly loved her too, but that was in the past. Luke and Lorelai were obviously startled by the recent news Dean had discovered and just stared bewilderedly at Dean. The silence finally got to Lorelai and she spoke,

" Yes Dean, she is." She almost regretted telling him, it wasn't her information to tell, but the truth never hurt. Lorelai knew that the situation was too much just to leave it to chance. Dean stood there unsure of anything intelligent to say. Although he had dated Rory less than two years ago, he still was her friend.

"When?" he said, the single word having so much meaning.

Luke excused himself and let the two continue their delicate conversation.

"She found out in June, she's due in January." Lorelai said glancing around, thankful that the only person in the diner was Kirk, and he was too busy talking to himself.

"So where is Rory now?" He questioned simply, "Is he she hiding from the town?"

"No, the town doesn't know yet, and don't you dare tell them Dean" Lorelai said sternly. "She's not here, she went to New York."

Dean shook his head expecting that much.

Rory awoke to a ringing phone she assumed it was her mother, but was delightfully surprised to here an oh so familiar perky Korean voice.

"Hi Lane, what is going on, why is there yelling?" Rory spoke with a yawn.

"Oh my mom and Aunt Lee are discussing politics again." Lane said.

"Now is this real politics or matters regarding you." Rory questioned with a slight giggle.

"Stuff about me, but anyway I would like to ask you two important questions."

"Shoot"

"Well first I have to know how it went with James Dean?" Lane said sounding concerned.

" It went quite well actually, I mean I can't say he wasn't surprised, but he seems to be coming to terms with it."

"Oh, ok, the second thing is if you are truly my #1 fan?" Lane said excitedly

The shrill screams of two delighted girls could probably be heard miles away.

"No way Lane!"

"Dave told me last night!" Lane shrieked.

"Really, that is so cool, YOUR GOING ON TOUR!"

"Wait what is your mom thinking?" Rory said now with more concern in her voice.

" I told her about the band, she told me to quit or move out so I guess I'll figure it out after the tour." Lane said sounding worried.

"I know, I know," Lane said "We set the date for Jan 26th, so will you?"

"Will I what?" Rory said forgetting the question asked.

"Will you be there?" Lane said excited again.

"Of course Lane, I wouldn't miss it."

"Well I better go, the debate is getting a little heated and aunt Lee is suggesting that my mother send me to a nun school." Lane said rushed "bye."

"I better go get some dinner too, I miss you, bye."

So the girls hung up and Rory looked at the clock, it was 6:30pm, and she decided to take a shower. She washed her hair and then washed all the stress off her body. While washing her body her hand rested slightly against her stomach. To the naked eye no one could tell she was pregnant, but to Rory she could sense someone there and a small bump. When she got out of the shower she put on a pair of light blue sweatpants and a fuzzy long sleeved shirt that matched. She grabbed a bucket hat and her sunglasses and left. She felt like a celebrity hiding from the paparazzi. She was walking when she realized that only had $3.00 left. Rory usually planned every detail of her life, but since this was a last minute thing she hadn't really thought about money issues. So she continued to count the random dollar and change she had in her coin purse in her jacket and found a small hamburger stand. Looking at the menu she decided on a cheeseburger and a small decaf coffee. Rory started to pay when, a voice behind her said.

"You can put the lady's meal on my tab, ok Jonnie."

It was Jess of course and he ordered his meal.

"I can't seem to get rid of you can I." Rory said smirking.

"I suppose not." Jess responded trying to be witty. "Now tell me, my dear girlfriend, why the heck are you walking around New York City at night, alone, it really isn't safe you know that right?"

"I've got my pepper spray." Rory answered rhetorically.

"Yes, but by the time you get that out of your purse someone has already picked you up and is running away with you. Abducted and you wouldn't even know what hit ya, then where would I be? Sad and very bored."

"Your know you shouldn't underestimate a Gilmore. I'm a pretty quick shot, I was taught by none other than thee Lorelai Gilmore."

"Oh really?" he said picking her up by the waist and starting to jog.

"Ok, I see your point, but why would you be stalking me?" She said romantically.

"Now I believe that I can't get rid of you, am I'm sure you're not stalking me?" He said smiling. "Come eat with me."

"But don't you have to work?" she said to say something, she really didn't want him to leave.

"It's Saturday, please, plus I would really like to talk."

"Ok, I suppose."

They sat on a park bench eating when Jess finally spoke.

"I love you Rory, you know that right, I mean you should know that."

"But you can't handle this, you don't know what to do." She said suddenly.

He kissed her sweetly silencing her. "No, I was just going to tell you that in 3 months I'll be able to come back to Stars Hallow, and that until then I'll try to visit Stars Hallow every weekend."

"Don't try to be noble Jess, I know you too well, where is the punk that used to terrorize the town. You like to be free to, live your life without reason or care."

"But all that's changed Rory."

"I know everything has changed Jess, but that doesn't mean your life has to change. You don't have to act all proper. Do you remember my father? I want you to be there 100, do you even think you could do that. I don't want to ever have to live with that feeling again. That hopeful feeling that things will be fine and dandy. And daddy will show up when he says. I don't want my baby to feel that way either. I don't want to watch my child to grow up wishing for things that are never going to happen. I don't think you know if you can do this Jess, if you really wanted to. "

" I love you Rory, why do you think I've been working so hard here. I knew if I kept screwing up I would lose you."

"I love you to Jess, but right now I love my baby more. It will be painful, but if I have to let you go I will."

"I really should go back to my hotel, my mother is probably trying to call and is worried about me, oh and by the way Lane's band is going on tour in January."

Rory starts to walk away, but suddenly Jess starts to speak.

"All my life I've been bounced from home to home, step-father to step-father, and even been put into a foster home. I have never met my real father and I have resented many people for it. I was going nowhere Rory, and I was getting there pretty fast, but then I came to Stars Hallow and started living with Luke. And hated it and swore that he could never give me what I needed."

Rory's eyes started to well up with tears because she knows how hard her decision will be to make. She turned slowly, embarrassed at letting him see her truly cry.

" But then, gosh" Jess continued, "then, I met you and I remember all I wanted to do was impress you. Share the joy you have for life. Luke was a good role model for me, he became a father figure. After all I had been through it was refreshing to know that someone cared enough for me to help. It was an amazing feeling to finally have someone believe in me. At that moment I told myself that it didn't matter if I ever met my father, I would never be like him. I'm sorry I didn't take you to your prom."

"I don't think you realize how hard this is going to be Jess." Rory began showing every bit of pain in her tears. "I'm giving you the easy way out Jess, but I need you to know you can never come back into my life if you leave."

"So you don't want me to be with you?" he asked with hurt in his voice.

"Damn it Jess of course I want you to be with me, but I don't want you to sacrifice your life for me." She said the tears now flowing.

Jess took her into his arms. It was a long time since he had embraced her, she felt pale and scared. Of course two months away from Rory was a long time for him.

He spoke softly kissing her soft and slight. "As far as I know, you are my life."

With that he kissed her again so lightly that is seemed as if an angel had kissed him. When they broke from their loving embrace he took his thumbs and wiped the remaining tears trailing down her face.

"Come on I'll take you to your hotel to get your things, I don't know if you truly want to be alone tonight."

It was ten thirty by the time they got back to his apartment and they had an important conversation on the way. Jess brought her to a beautiful bedroom. Despite the desk and the shelves scattered around with books, it was nice and there was a small full size bed.

"Good night," he said looking into the crystal of her blue eyes. Kissing her profoundly he whispered in her ear, " sleep tight." She almost didn't want to stop the embrace, but he stopped, shut the door and she got into the bed. As Rory drifted off to sleep she wondered what had happened to Jess, he was responsible and self-determined for once and he seemed to have a better outlook on life. With that she fell into a sleep she hadn't had in a long while. She felt safe, happy even for the first time in two months. Maybe it she was in a dream, maybe that was the reason Jess was different. Jess told her he would call Lane and give her the new number of where Rory was now staying. It was five-thirty in the morning when suddenly the phone started to ring, it was Lane again.

"Hello" Rory said groggily.

"Sorry" Lane responded apologetically. "I forgot about the time difference, but I have some bad news."

"Please don't tell me you're backing out of the tour!" Rory said worried.

"No, it's a little worse, Dean knows about your pregnancy!"