I could say that I don't care
But the truth is I'd follow you anywhere
I've been waiting such a long, long time
Don't you dare change your mind

Don't wander 'round looking for someone to replace me
Don't wander 'round wasting the rest of your life
Don't wander 'round waiting from someone else to save you
And don't you dare make the same mistake twice

Don't You Dare//Alexz Johnson


He knew she was there as soon as she came within sight of the bridge. He didn't have to turn around to know that she would be standing there, clasping her hands in front of her, staring at him with those large blue eyes. He left her to stand there for a few minutes, left her to wonder whether or not she should finally come forward. After a few minutes he called out to her.

"Rory, I know you're there," he said it so softly that she almost didn't hear him.

He could hear her tentatively stepping forward, the snow crunching softly beneath her shoes. He still refused to look at her, instead became fascinated with his hands that lay in his lap.

"You'll catch a cold, sitting out here like this," she whispered, almost afraid to talk louder than that.

"Did you read it?" He asked her, ignoring her statement.

"Yes."

Jess just nodded, staring out into the night.

"You can trust me, Jess," she said, kneeling down beside him, ignoring the cold of the snow on her legs.

"I know, Rory. Maybe that's what has me so scared," he sighed, a sadness in his voice that she couldn't understand.

"I know what you're thinking about, Jess. Please don't," she pleaded with him.

"Maybe it would be for the best."

"It wouldn't."

"Rory, I'm not the misunderstood hero in one of your books that suddenly has an epiphany and turns into this stable guy. I am what I am and I'm not sure I can change that. And you deserve stable, Ror," his tone was defeated, as if he had accepted his place in life a long time ago and now only had to convince her.

"What if I don't want stable? What if I only want you?" She said in a small, childish voice filled with unshed tears.

He finally turned to look at her, stormy brown drowning within innocent blue. His shoulders slumped forward as he reached out and brushed a strand of coffee-colored hair out of her eyes. He wanted, so badly, to reach out and take her small hand in his, but instead his hand dropped down back into his lap.

The silence that followed was deafening.


"Luke?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think we should go look for them?" Lorelai rung her hands together, a look of pure worry on her beautiful face. Luke sighed, reaching out and squeezing her shoulder gently.

"I don't know. This might be one of those things only they can work out," he said it gently, knowing Lorelai wanted only to wrap Rory tight in her arms and let no one come near enough to hurt her baby girl.

"I know he's your nephew, Luke, but I've never been in the Jess fan club. I can't help, but hate him for what he's done to my daughter."

"I know Lorelai. But, maybe, there are things about him you don't know. The kid hasn't exactly had an easy life and I think he's more messed up than either of us thought," Luke said as he filled Lorelai's coffee without even a grumble.

"I don't want her hurt again," Lorelai whispered.

"I don't want either of them hurt again, Lorelai," Luke sighed, for the first time feeling his age.

Lorelai stared out the window of the diner wondering if Rory was okay.


Author's Note: I know it's short, but I won't be able to update until next week and I wanted to give ya'll a little something before that. Most likely I'll only be able to update on the weekends, since I'm so busy with work and school during the week. Reviews are love!

-Rachael