Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the orginial characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.
A/N: Hey :-) This is the last chapter of this story and I have to say that I'm pretty happy with it...this chapter and the fact that it's the last one because I couldn't wait to start a new story. Anyway, more on that later so be sure to read the A/N at the bottom. Until then, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter which Alexia so kindly looked through for me. :-)
50/50
Rory sat down on the bed, exhausted from the speed packing she had done, although she knew that there was another reason to her exhaustion - a reason that been draining her energy ever since she had become aware of it. With every doubt, she got a little more tired and after every argument, she felt like she had to catch her breath. Most of the feuds she had brought on herself by being unfaithful to him, maybe not always in her actions, but often in her thoughts and dreams, though she couldn't control the latter. She inwardly cringed when she realized that she had tried to hide behind one of her excuses again when there was no reason to anymore; she had told him the truth and though it took her too long, she finally felt some sort of relief settle itself within her, like she could finally breathe easy again.
She glanced over at the suitcase and duffel bag that stood at her feet, waiting to be taken home, something that sounded weird to her because this was the place she had considered home for these past months. Rory shook her head as she thought about how she had become one of those women she always saw on talk shows, talking about how they had cheated on their husband or boyfriend in front of the entire world. She had never pictured herself following in their footsteps, but she liked to believe that her betrayal hadn't been as severe and more classy. She had never gone behind Joey's back to sleep with Jess. Another stab of pain riffled through her, causing her relief to shift uncomfortably at the thought that just crossed her mind.
Rory tried to refrain herself from thoughts like that by thoroughly scanning the room with her eyes, taking in the changes now that all of her stuff had been safely packed. The bookcases no longer held a collection of her favorite books, they now only held his collection of medical books. It gave her an eerie feeling to see the bookcases like this, so empty, albeit she had kept most of her books in Stars Hollow. After she looked over the desk and nightstand, she finished off by staring at her pillow on her side of the bed. A few years ago, she would have gone into a fit of giggles if she had said something like that, but now it left her with a lingering sadness because of how real it was.
At the sound of three knocks, Rory turned her head away from the pillow and looked up at Joey as he stood awkwardly at the entrance of what used to be their bedroom. Just by the way he knocked before he entered made her feel out of place in this apartment.
''Hey,'' she lamely offered, knowing that it wouldn't make him feel any more comfortable.
Joey nodded and stepped into the room almost hesitantly. ''Are you all done packing?'' He offered her a small smile, trying to make the situation seem lighter than it really was, but Rory knew that his daily dose of cheerfulness now was forced. However, she didn't say anything and just nodded before lowering her eyes down to her hands which she had unconsciously clasped together in her lap. While her eyes flew down to her lap, her thoughts flew back to the pillow and the bed she was sitting on. It used to be their bed, but now it no longer was. She wasn't even sure if it was going to be his now or if he was going to get rid of it and buy a new one so he could start over with a clean slate and forget about her completely. At these sentiments she got up from the bed quickly, stung by how much these expectations hurt.
Joey watched her get up, anticipating what she must have thought because he had been pondering about the same things. Frankly, he wasn't quite sure of what to do with himself after she had left the apartment; he was used to having her around.
''You don't have to do this.'' He cleared his throat as Rory's eyes shot to his, electrifying him with the misery they reflected. He forced himself to take a step towards her and continue. ''You could stay and we could try the friends thing for a while, see how that turns out.''
Rory's eyes darkened even more with sorrow and regret as she listened to his offer. ''I don't think that would work, Joey.''
''Can't we make it work?'' he asked with a brave smile, though Rory could see the sadness clearly as it seeped through his features. Without thinking about what she was doing she walked over to him and pulled him into one last hug, one Joey welcomed by slipping his own arms around her waist and holding onto her tightly.
''Jess is lucky to have all of your affection,'' he whispered.
''He didn't have it all... I did fall in love with you, Joey, I did love you...and I'm sorry for everything I did.'' When Rory felt his grip tighten even more, she smiled. ''And he won't have all my affection, you know.''
''I'll miss you,'' Joey admitted, though he didn't give her the chance to say anything back because he broke the moment by letting go of her and creating some space between them.
''I'll give you a ride to the bus station, unless you'll take me up on my offer to let me drive you to Stars Hollow myself.''
Rory shook her head. ''No, you've done more than enough.''
''Well, then let me be a gentleman and help you with these bags,'' Joey said, though he didn't reach for the bags; instead, he waited for her to say something, not wanting to let go of her so soon.
''Thank you,'' she answered sweetly.
Joey nodded and reached for her bags, unaware of Rory's gaze on him as he did this. She watched him get her bags with a regretful smile because she knew fully well what she was leaving behind, but she also knew what lay ahead.
-x-x-x-
Rory was glad to see that her mom was waiting for her in Stars Hollow. The first thing Lorelai did when she saw her daughter come out of the bus was walk up to her and pull her into a comforting hug. She had known that Rory's marriage had been rocky and a big part of her wanted to blame Jess for that, but she also knew that Rory was often to blame for her own mistakes and not Jess. Over the years, Lorelai had seen what Jess had done to her daughter and he had done nothing but make her happy.
''Are you okay?'' Lorelai asked as she let go of Rory, her features expressing her concern.
Rory nodded, biting her lip in the process. ''Yeah.''
''Are you sure, sweets?'' Lorelai pressed as she scanned Rory's face, trying to see if she had been crying, ''because ending a marriage isn't easy, especially since it was your first one.''
''I'm fine,'' Rory answered while she grabbed her suitcase, her mom taking her duffel bag without saying anything. ''Joey was really understanding about it and he even said that I could call him whenever I needed anything.''
''Makes it harder, doesn't it?''
''Yeah.''
Lorelai threw an arm around Rory's shoulders as they headed towards town. ''It will get easier with time, but until then, you'll have Luke's.''
Rory smiled. ''I could use some coffee.''
-x-x-x-
To Rory's relief, none of the customers looked up to stare at her when they entered the diner.
''Do they know?'' she asked, gesturing towards a few of the tables.
Lorelai shook her head. ''Of course not. I don't tell, remember?''
Rory nodded, although she knew that Luke knew as soon as she sat down at the counter; he almost instantly placed a cup of coffee and a slice of coffee cake in front of her, his way of comforting her. Rory shot her mom a look, but gratefully reached for her coffee.
''How are you doing, kiddo?'' Luke asked, trying to seem casual by wiping off a plate at the same time.
''I'm okay, Luke.''
He nodded. ''Just know that the coffee is on the house today...just for you,'' he quickly added when he saw Lorelai flashing him a grin.
''Thanks, Luke.''
''Any time. Just tell me if you want anything else.''
''Actually,'' Rory started, ''I was wondering if I could talk to Jess?''
Luke looked over at Lorelai before answering, wanting to have the elder Gilmore's approval before saying anything. ''Sure. I think he's upstairs, you can go up if you want.''
Rory mumbled a thank you before slipping off her stool and up the stairs, not feeling nervous at all when she knocked on the door of the apartment. She wanted to see his face; she needed someone that was easy to talk to and would just listen to her. When he opened the door, no words were exchanged; she just held up her hand, showing him that she was no longer wearing Joey's ring, though she could still see clearly where it used to be.
''Come in,'' Jess finally said, not saying anything else until he had closed the door behind them. He turned around to look at her, noticing how she looked fine on the surface, but appearances could often deceive. ''Are you okay?''
If anyone else would have asked her that question again, she would have gotten annoyed and maybe even slightly angry, but because it was Jess, she didn't care. She nodded at first before changing her mind and shaking her head. Finally, she let out a sigh and shrugged, sitting down on his bed while she did this. ''I don't know.''
Jess nodded in comprehension as he crossed the room and sat down next to her. ''Do you want to talk about it?''
Rory glanced at him, surprised at his question; he wasn't the kind of person that would normally ask it. Without giving him an answer, she brought her eyes down to her hands, spending the following minute in silence as she looked for a ring that was no longer there.
''I feel sad...and relieved,'' she eventually confessed, ''because I no longer have to feel guilty.'' Then without a warning, her voice broke, giving into the sadness she had tried to bottle up. ''He isn't sending over the divorce papers immediately; he said that he would wait a few weeks to give me some time to get used to the idea.''
Tears slowly started to trickle down her cheeks as she continued. ''Even after everything I put him through, he's still nice to me and I don't deserve that. I mean, I know I hurt him and he should have yelled at me and told me that he hated me, but he didn't...''
Rory let out a shaky breath as she brought both hands to her face to wipe away some of the tears, ''Instead he was nice and told me how amazing I was and...and how he still wanted to be friends.'' It was then that she broke down completely and no longer tried to hold back her tears. She buried her face in her hands as her body softly shook with every sob that escaped her lips.
Jess didn't look at her because he already knew in how much pain she really was. He placed his hand on her back and started to rub it in a comforting way. ''Maybe you did the wrong thing by leaving him?''
Rory shook her head. ''I don't love him anymore,'' she mumbled through her hands and tears, making it difficult for Jess to understand her, though he did, ''but I did.''
As her cries became even louder, Jess stopped rubbing her back and opted for wrapping his arm around her waist instead, pulling her into an awkward hug - awkward because of how jealous he had been of Joey and of because he understood what she was going through.
''I know,'' he answered, ''and I'll be here...if you need me.''
Neither Jess nor Rory said anything, but just held onto the silence because they both already knew the answer. He had always been there for her and still was. He had never been able to shut her out of his life; he couldn't and that was sometimes a curse to the both of them, but at the same time, they wouldn't have things any other way. They knew that they needed each other to become as happy as they ever had been and ever would be because in a sense, they were destined for each other.
REVIEW! Please? :-) Like I said in my first A/N, this is the last chapter of this story. Love it, hate it, it's all up to you. To me it's somewhat of a relief because I can now put up a new Lit story, if you guys are interested. It's different from this one and more sweet and all that crap. :-)
Anyway, thanks for all of you who have reviewed and please review one last time. :-) Okay, now if you are interested and/or have the time please check out my new one parter Broken Record (Lit), the new update for Torn (for all you Lit's who have a nack for Trory's, too), the update for Alienated (Roswell fic) and my original short story at fictionpress called Never Never Land which I am very excited about. :-) Y'all don't have too, but if you do...thanks :-)