A/N: My new Literati fic takes place after Season 4 episode 12 - A Family Matter. But I changed few things. Jess came back in Stars Hollow after year of absence. He and Rory met again in the night when he spent in his car before his uncle diner. In my fic Lorelai is single and Rory just started her first year in the college. What would happen if they actually had a chance to fix things between them? What choices Rory would make if Jess was a factor in her life? What if Jess hadn't ran? Read and you'll see.
As a special note I would add – my first language is not English. Please excuse my grammar here and there. Review if you like and please – enjoy the story. I really hope my Literati muse came back. I missed writing for these two.
Yours,
ArinnaVal
Chapter 4 It's too late
Jess stared at her hand on his arm. Then he looked at her face and could've seen the anger in her beautiful blue eyes. Rory was furious and he had never seen her like this. If he had to be honest, he had expected a reaction. However, not like this. It was too much even for her. He released his arm with a jerk move and glared at her. Her anger provoked his and he frowned. But he stayed there, waiting. Her breathing was erratic. Her lips were parted and he couldn't help but look there. Then he wanted to kiss her. His old feelings were back with full force. And when he had told her he loved her, he was honest. It happened for the first time in his life. Jess just had poured his heart to her, but he had not forgotten what he almost did to her, the last time they were together.
"Why?" Rory whispered, but Jess thought she was about to scream. He hadn't surprised of the control she had over her emotions. She always had it.
"Why what?" He blinked.
"Why you left me? Why?"
"I wasn't good for you." He mumbled. "I needed time."
"Screw you!" She suddenly rushed to him. "Screw you and your words!"
"Rory?" Jess looked at her with surprise.
"Why did you come back?" Her small fists hit his chest, but he just stood there. "Why did you have to come back, Jess? Why?"
"Rory stop!" Jess tried to catch her wrists, but somehow he couldn't do that.
"You ruined everything!" She kept punching his chest and now she was crying. "I thought you were out of my life! I was about to forget you!"
"Rory!" He finally caught her fists, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "I just wanted you to know that." He hissed. "I wanted you to know that I love you, ok? That's it and I'm gonna leave you alone now. You're going to have your chance to forget me, ok? I'm going and I won't come back. I promise."
"Too late, you idiot!" She tried to pull back, but somehow he could not let her go. His grasp on her wrists only tightened. "Jess!"
"Why's too late?"
"Jess, let me go now!"
"Why is too late, Rory?"
"Figure it out yourself you smart ass!" She snapped and tried to release herself. No such luck. "Jess!"
"No, I want you to say it! Just say it one fucking time, alright? Be honest to yourself, just once!"
"I hate you!" Rory scoffed and her eyes stared at him with anger. "I hate you so bad you have no idea how much!
"No."
"Yes."
"No, you don't!" Jess hissed and pulled her into his chest. He grabbed her face and kissed her furiously.
Rory tried to pull back, but he held her tight. She tried repeatedly until she just gave up. Her hands fisted his jacket and she responded to his kiss. Her whole body shook when she leaned on him fully. He dragged her in the near alley and pressed her to the wall. His lips never left hers. She didn't try to stop him now. Her hands released his jacket and wrapped around his neck, burying into his hair. Her lips were soft against his rough ones.
"Jess…" She whispered leaning her forehead on his when he finally set her free. "Jess, please don't do this."
"What?" His arms slipped around her waist, pulling her close.
"Don't say you love me and then leave like it's nothing." Rory placed a hand on his face, but he pulled back. "Jess…"
"I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I didn't mean… I only wanted… I have to go."
"Jess!"
"I'm sorry, Rory!" He took few steps back towards his car and turned around ready to go.
"You should've done that earlier today, Jess!" Lorelai's voice surprised him and he froze. She was standing on his way to the car.
"Mom?" Rory took few steps closer to him. Jess could hear her coming closer. "What-?"
"I was about to call 911 for you, Rory." Lorelai was furious. Her voice was calm, but Rory knew her well. She hated Jess and now Rory could bet, she hated him even more.
"Jess and I had a little chat." Rory took a step closer to Jess.
"That kind of talk including tongues?" Lorelai furrowed her brows. "In each other mouths?"
"You spied on us?" Jess snapped and his hands clenched in fists. "You have no right, Lorelai!"
"She is my daughter!"
"She's not a baby!"
"She's here!" Rory tried to interrupt them.
"Get out of here! Now! Or I should call the Police?"
"Mom!" Rory almost moaned and stood between them."He's..."
"...leaving!"
"No!" Rory frowned.
"No?" Jess and Lorelai said in one voice, both surprised.
Rory took a deep breath surprised of herself as well. She couldn't believe what she just said. Why the Hell she would want Jess here? She wanted him gone for so long. She had even convinced herself that he meant nothing to her, couldn't hurt her. However, now she was ready to stand up in his defense and in front of her mother. That was the disturbing part.
"I think he can leave if he wants to, but not because you told him to." She looked at her mother. Her eyes slightly narrowed. "He's not a criminal."
"We can argue about that." Lorelai murmured.
"I'm sorry, since when we moved in to Salem?" Rory frowned.
"Rory!"
"Mom!"
"Rory!"
"Mom, why don't you think for a minute?" She frowned. "Maybe he..."
"..just left." Lorelai finished her daughter's sentence. Jess had used the moment to get into his car and drove away. Rory watched his car hid behind the corner with heavy heart. "I'm sorry, honey." Lorelai placed a hand over her shoulder, squeezing it lightly.
"No, you don't." Rory just shook her head. "You never did."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You didn't like him, never did." Rory stepped away from her mother. "Don't pretend you're sorry now."
"I'm sorry he hurt you, Ror." Lorelai frowned. "You know I never wanted that for you."
"I... loved him."
"Rory..."
"I want to be alone." Rory shook her head again and turn her back to Lorelai. "We'll see home."
"Sweets..."
"Bye, mom!" She didn't turn around, walking away from her mother. She had to be alone, to think over things. She had to rebuild herself again. The wall she had around her heart was broken with just one kiss. Rory needed it back. She headed for the only place, she would find peace.
The bridge was the place everything started. Now she had to end it back there. Alone. Like always.
She just stood there, staring at the dark water. Her heart was broken, still bleeding but she had to learn to live again. Rory took a deep breath and turned to leave.
"Rory!" A well-known voice, coming from the shadows made her stop.
