Just before you read - some things to clear up so you dont get lost :) Jess knew about Brodie, Toryn their engagement, etc. Everything that happened in the show did take place in the story, only why would I go back to write it? ha ha. Anyway, Jess hasn't seen Rory since Brodie was one, now she is five. They have talked on occasion, but they never spent family holidays together only spoke on the phone every now and then and emailed.

Title: Broken Mirror

Characters: Rory Gilmore, Lorelai Gilmore, Luke Danes, Dean Forrester, Jess Mariano, and several other appearances by the regular television show cast. Then there's the characters I made up.

Rating: T - It may switch up. I'll change the rating if it does, and mention it.

Summary: Rory Gilmore, twenty-seven year old mother found herself in a horrible position: no job and with a kid. She had absolutely no money, and nowhere to go. Other than Stars Hollow, that is. All the stress is taking a big toll on Rory, and often makes her ill.

With the help of her coffee-addicted, free spirit mother, Lorelai, and her fiance Luke Danes, Rory is able to pick up the pieces and finally provide a safe enviornment to let her daughter grow up. The financial issues are also in the clear.

When things finally start to look up, her life takes a spiral toll to places she didn't even expect!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or the cast. I own a few select characters, but if you're new to the GG world, go to IMDb and look up who the real characters are and then you'll know which I made up and which I'm using =). The events taken place in this story are fictional and does not/has not happened in the 'reality' of the television program, Gilmore Girls, or the lives of the characters they portray.

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Jess spoke so fast, I did the exact same thing. I knew either I'd talk super slow, or really fast. Which was worse? When I finally caught my breath, and the initial shock of seeing Jess Mariano only feet from me, and only inches beside my daughter, I gained enough control to talk casual, normal sentences.

"What are you doing here?" Maybe I wasn't quite so ready for a conversation, like I thought I was.

He grinned his typical crooked Jess smile, and replied with a sarcastic 'Nice to see you too' tone. His face seem to harden a little. "No, really. It is nice seeing you, Rory."

For a moment, I got lost in those deep, brown eyes of his. He always had charm, and his eyes always pulled me in. I hadn't noticed the crowds of Stars Hollow residents still outside; some watching without missing a single blink of the eye, others who could care less. That is, until my mini me was nudging at my hand, trying to pull me down to her height.

"Momma, who's dat?" Brodie asked, pointing up at Jess, while squinting her eyes.

I smiled at her, and looked at Jess. "He's an.. Old friend of mine." and his grin came back to my words. I could have stood there, smiling like the big doofus I'm sure I looked like, possibly forever.

"Uh, Rory? I think Lor may have wanted you to meet her at Mrs. Kim's." He took his baseball cap off and rubbed the top of his head slowly. "You know your mom - she's got a thing, that has to do with this other thing, and if she doesn't solve this thing, the thing will only get worse and made into a much bigger thing."

Confused, I eyed him and nodded. "Okay, Luke. See you at home?"

He nodded and gave us a wave. I waved back, and gave one last smirk at Jess, while I allowed Brodie to pull me away.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"So you just smiled at Jess like a big idiot, huh?" Mom laughed at me, full of hysteria.

"It's not funny. I don't know what happened. All I know is, he looks amazing. His voice is still the same, too. Everything about him is the same." I sighed. "Yet so different. I'm so different."

"So is he." Mom countered. "Remember when he was a jerk? Unreliable? Left you? Couldn't even have the nerve to call you - his girlfriend? Now he seems to have changed in the exact opposite direction."

"Ooh, mom liking Jess now? I best go tell Luke." I smiled, slowly skipping to the front door.

"Oh no you will not" She ran up to my side, "best tell Luke." She finished sarcastically.

I laughed and left her to look at some tables while Mrs. Kim served another customer. "Brodie, my mini me?"

"Momma, why do you always give me nicknames?"

"Because your too adorable not to have a thousand names. Normally parents only call their kids by their first name and a special little nickname. I call you a bunch of little things." I tickled her sides and lifted her up. "A lot of those names your grandma used to call me", I whispered into her ear, giving a small kiss to her temple.

She wrapped her little arms around my neck, and buried her face in the collar of my jacket.

I loved the little moments like these. Times like this, I felt like no other mother could beat me in the world. I may not have a lot of money or the greatest parenting skills, but I know my daughter loves me and that's such an incredible feeling. Sure, she's only five and couldn't survive without me, it still makes me feel warm and special inside.

I decided I should help mom pick out her tables and whatever else she decided she 'needed'.

Mom looked over at my slow appearing figure coming towards her and pointed at four tables. I chose the second one out of the bunch. It was smooth and a dark brown wood, it felt cold and looked pretty vintage. Can tables look vintage? This one sure does.

She prefered the third one, and I shook my head in disgust. Simple way to solve things for my mother is to get both. When we disagreed on a food, movie, cd or anything, we'd buy both to make eachother happy.

And this situation was just like all of the others.

She told Mrs. Kim the tables she wanted to purchase, then picked out a few sets of wooden chairs to match with both tables.

"We're going tohave to buy cushions for the seats." Mom told me.

"Yes, wood against the back and underneath your ass isn't all the comfortable." I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Okay miss smarty, I hate eating for thirty minutes with a numb tush."

I felt the need to choke on air with her often, bubbly remarks, but I left the giggles locked inside.

While mom signed a few papers, I decided I'd strike up a conversation. "So.. Mrs. Kim," I breathed. "business doing well?"

"Very well." she smiled. "Thank you, Rory."

I nodded and she made her way past me and over to mom's completed documents. "Nice doing busy with ya" Mom smiled.

"Yes, yes Lorelai. You too. I will phone you for your delivery if we run into any problems. We shouldn't but lately, some of the deliverers have been slacking off."

"Thanks Mrs. Kim!" Mom waved. After she shut the door, she whispered that she was surprised Mrs. Kim offered free delivery for the purchases. Normally that's completely unheard of. "Maybe she was getting a little..Happy, lately too. Like she reunited with her Jess?"

"Stop teasing me!" I covered my face with my free hand and laughed.

The ride up was comfortably silent. Mom probably remained quiet for the sake of Brodie, who had been fast asleep in the backseat. Every now and then we made eye contact and smiled to eachother. Life didn't feel so hard anymore. I wish I could forever remain like this - somewhat carefree and along the lines of happy.

But I knew soon I'd have to find a job and work my way all the way to the top, again. Would I ever be able to climb that high again? Will I be kicked down everytime I take a bigger leap in my life?

Shacking my head, I decided not to ruin my good day. I'll always have tomorrow to depress myself, I suppose.

"Luke's here!" Mom squealed.

"Okay. Mom, A. Luke lives here. B. How in the world do you know? He could be at the diner."

She crossed her eyes and looked at me like I was a moron. "Hun, trust me. I bet you forty dollars Luke is in there."

I smiled a little. "Betting with a woman who can predict snow before it's even broadcasted on the weather channel? I think I'll pass."

Unbuckling Brodie's carseat, I made sure to be as gentle as possible to not wake her. I succeeded. Making our way to the front door, I saw Jess sitting on the couch, through the window. Only he wasn't alone, and unless Luke somehow got younger and multiplied, it wasn't Luke either. "Mom, who are they?" I whispered before she unlocked the door.

"Beats me. Probably Jess' friends."

I nodded, and slowly stepped inside. Since all of my belongings were either on or next to the couch, naturally that's where I'd go first. Turning left, towards the livingroom, all of the guys screamed loudly at the TV. Football game. Of course, I rolled my eyes.

At the same moment, Jess looked over and saw me, holding the very sleeping Brodie. "Guys, shut up now. Her daughter's sleeping."

They huffed, but softened their looks when Jess hardened his. This glanced at me, smiled and even waved. I smiled back, and Jess knew I was thanking him.

Rather than kick them out, I decided to have Brodie sleep upstairs, where hopefully the loud noises wouldn't bother her.

She looked like she may have a few more hours left to her nap, so I just left her be, but made sure to check up on here every ten minutes or so.

"Game over?" I asked Jess, sitting on the floor.

"Almost." He got up and pointed to his spot on the couch. I eyed him. "You take it. I can take the floor."

"No, no. Thank you but I'm fine."

He sat back down, and finished watching the game while I surfed the net on mom's laptop. I searched for jobs, but gave up only minutes later. I decided to check my e-mails. Silly of me, but I felt the need to do it anyway.

Huh, what do you know - three new ones. One from Lane, and two from... I sighed. Dean.

I decided to start with Dean's.

Email one:

Hey Rory.

I really had fun the other night. I hope we can do it again sometime! It felt...right, being with you.

I just hope it doesn't end weird again.

Dean.

I laughed silently. What makes him think there would ever be another 'again'?

Email two:

Hi again.

Listen, I know I already e-mailed you but I'm not sure how to act around you.

I get the feeling you feel the same way I do, only just as you turn hot, you fall back to freezing cold. Do you care about me? Love me?

I wanted to kiss you so badly that night but I didn't want to scare you off. Did you want to kiss me - touch me as much as I wanted to with you?

XO

I shivered. Was it from pure disgust or his constant never giving up?

Sure, I was attracted to him at first glance but I didn't want to be with him. I don't. I can only hope he gets the point.

Onto brighter times with my dear old friend, Lane.

Rory! Oh My Sweet Pompus!

I can't tell you how much I've missed seeing your ugly face! :p

You desperately need to email me back. I'll be home in like, under a week! The kids miss you, we miss you.

Everything with us has been great, I hope to talk to you soon.

Love you!!

Lane

I smiled and popped her a little note back. I'm looking forward to seeing Lane and her kids. I miss them so much!

By the time I had read my emails and replied to Lane, the guys' game had ended and they were all parting. Except for Jess, that is. They said goodbye to me, after they all said that it was nice meeting me and apologizing for their loudness before. Normally I would have blown them off but they seemed like really sweet guys, and sincerely seemed sorry and not just because they knew Jess would kick their asses if one of them bothered me.

I looked up at Jess, and decided to make small talk. "Staying here?" Oh yeah. I really need to brush up on my speaking skills.

"I can stay at the diner, I know there's not a whole lot of room here. It's just there's even less room in the diner so the plan was to stay here for just tonight." He looked deeply into my eyes, possibly trying to read my mind. "It's okay, right?"

I wanted to laugh. I remember when he barely spoke a word, now it seems you can't just him up. "It's completely okay. I was just wondering, that's all."

It got quiet, and also a tad bit weird, so he asked me if I wanted to sit down. "So... Brodie got bigger since I saw her last."

I laughed a little. "Yeah, that's generally what happens in the first few years of a child's life." I replied sarcastically. "Jess, it's been four years."

"I know. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you through the years." He placed his hand over mine. Without thinking, I locked our fingers together.

"It wasn't your place to be there. I was a complete idiot for not coming home sooner. Don't blame yourself for anything I did, or anything that happened."

He leaned into me, and rested his forehead against mine. With his free hand, he tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back.

"She looks exactly like you" he mused. "Has she got a coffee addiction yet?"

I giggled. "I'm working on it, don't you worry."

He smiled and leaned back into me. This time, he kissed my forehead gently, then rested his forehead back against mine.

"What are you doing?" I asked suddenly.

He began to move away quickly, but not unlocking our fingers.

I pulled his face back to mine slowly, and smiled. "I meant here, in Stars Hollow. Not here, this." I pointed my finger from me to him.

"I have a little time off from work. I've tried to visit Luke as often as I can per his request."

"Oh yeah, like you so don't want to be here."

He never bothered to reply, only stare. Not in a mocking way, but in a gentle, caring way. He occasionally rubbed his forehead against mine, and rubbed our noses together.

It was a new side of Jess... And there was no doubt that I liked it. But how much did I really like him? I mean this? No, I mean.. I don't know what I mean.

What would Toryn say? Would he want me to be with another man? Would he feel I'm betraying his love for me and our family?

I am beyond confused, and now my heart is starting to ache.

How would Brodie feel? How could I explain it to her? Jess and I aren't even together, why am I thinking like such a retard?

Interupting my thoughts, Luke asked for Jess' hands for dinner. They had decided to cook together, but wouldn't tell me what it was, only that it was a Danes/Mariano specialty. I accepted the secret and patiently waited for dinner. I was very hungry, afterall.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"Is she ever going to stop doing that?" Luke asked, pointing at Brodie who had fallen asleep face first into her food.

"Of course she will." I laughed. "I'm giving her two more years, tops."

"But she'll be seven by then."

"I'm aware." I stuck my tongue out at him, while mom and Jess joined in for a laugh. "Time for me to take miss sleepy upstairs for a bath." I got up and lifted her face off of her plate and began to wipe away sauce from dinner. "Luke, Jess, lasagna was great, by the way! Some of the best I've ever had."

"Here, here." Mom piped in.

"Thanks Rory. Lorelai." they kissed lovingly. Jess turned away and put on a sour expression in my direction, and then stuck his tongue out. I smiled and slowly picked up Brodie and brought her to the tub in the bathroom.

"Dinner was good, I take it?" I asked her

"Very yummy!" she said happily.

"Good."

I washed her off quickly, making sure her hair was completely clean of extra sauce that could have gotten into her hair. It was already late so I helped dress her, brush her hair and teeth, then tucked her into bed. Mom decided she wanted Brodie to sleep in her bedroom with Luke tonight, and I agreed to the offer. Afterall, Brodie loves her grandparents and wants a sleepover with someone. Sleeping in the room of her grandparents is the closest she'll get for a while.

The dishes were washed and everyone had long went to bed after several hours of endless conversations amongst the four of us. We went on about our seperate lives, our memories and hopes for the future. It's been several hours since I've seen anyone in the house. I tried to go on the laptop, watch some TV, write.. Nothing could put me to sleep. I decided to open the curtains and look out at the sky.

As a child, I loved to lay on my bed and look out the window to watch the small, bright dots so far away from me. What was better was laying on a fairly high hill, which gave me a better view of the very large moon and the twinkling stars.

It had become tradition for me to make a wish on a star, even if it wasn't a shooting star. The wishes didn't always come true, but some did.

"Can't sleep either, huh?" Jess came over and sat down next to me. I shook my head and continued to look out the window.

Jess draped his arm around my shoulders and gently pulled me to his chest. "I've missed you, you know that right?"

I nodded slowly.

"I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable around me," he continued "I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you. You and Brodie. Even if I'm not physically next to you."

I kissed his cheek, whispering that I know.

He rested his forehead on mine like he did earlier today, and leaned in. His lips had no taste, and neither did his tongue. His hair felt softer than it did when we were teenagers, making out on Luke's couch. I knew it was because he didn't wash his hair in gel anymore, but part of me missed that.

I tried not to think about the past, or at all. The kiss deepened, and soon he had me pinned underneath him. His hands slid up my arms, which held the top of the couch for support, and laced our fingers.

Everything became more hot, less clear. Soon I was gasping for air, but didn't want to stop kissing him. For once, something in my life was nothing but pure bliss.

I felt so right to be with him, to be underneath him.

Suddenly, it didn't feel so right anymore.

I was planning on dividing this up into two chapters but I decided to make a super long one. Those of you who have followed my Twitter know I was writing this and/off for almost four hours tonight. haha.

Anyways, hope you liked the chapter and please review =)

As always, I love you guys for reading and reviewing!

By the way, no he is not raping her. I have a feeling at least one of you thought that. :p

Sorry for any typos. I tried to catch them all.