None of them slept that night. They all stayed up watching movies and talking...Well talking to Rory. Example Rory and Jess would talk. Example 2 Rory and Luke would talk. There was no example 3.

The longer they stayed awake, the longer it was until Chris came.

The sooner they fell asleep, the sooner morning would come. The sooner morning came, the sooner Chris came. The sooner Chris came...well, you get the picture. It all came down to Rory leaving.

Originally Rory was going to take the bus home but Chris had called her to tell her he had big news. He told her it would be easier to pick her up in Hartford. When Rory told him she was in Stars Hollow he got a little quiet but didn't make a deal of it.

Jess helped Rory pack her stuff up when he noticed she was packing most of her books and a few pairs of clothes in to her backpack. When he questioned her about it all she said was,

"In case me and Chris don't go home right away or I spill or something." It seemed like good Rory logic so Jess let it slide.

They hauled Rorys bags down and sat them at the door. Rory helped with the diner while Jess walked randomly around with a coffee pot in his hand. He didn't pour it or offer anybody any, he just made himself look busy carrying the pot. When people tried to get his attention he would look straight at them and walk past or turn the other way.

Luke kept an eye on the clock while Rory avoided looking at it at all.

Since she had taken Jess to see the house she had been thinking about the past alot. About her mom, and how they got to where they were. She thought about where they had lived and how happy she had been. She wasn't ready to lose that feeling yet. And she shouldn't have to, she was only 15, almost 16.

Was it to much to ask for a little comfort in her life?

She watched Jess walk around with the coffee pot and laughed. She didn't know what she would have done without him. When he was around...she wasn't alone and lost. They took care of each other. How could they do that if she was in New York? Well, at least it was close enough to visit on break and long weekends, she guessed.

She turned to serve a young couple by the window when she saw Chris pulled up. Quickly she checked the clock. Of course, for the first time he wasn't late, he was early. Why today? Why not on her first day of school in a strange city?

"Chris here?" Jess asked and all Rory could do is nod. Chris came into the diner with a big smile on his face.

"Hey there, girly." He swooped her up into a hug.

"Hi dad."

"So, this is the diner, huh?"

"Well, you've been here before."

"But that was a long time ago."

"I still remembered it. And I was ten the last time I saw it." Luke came around the counter and shook Chris' hand.

"Luke."

"Chris."

"I figured." There was an awkward silence. "Why don't you guys sit down?"

"We better be going..."

"Come on dad, it's just lunch."

"Sure, why not, we got some time to spare I guess." They sat at the counter and Jess sat down on the other side of Rory.

"SO dad, tell us your news." Rory spoke after they placed thier orders into Luke (a/n dirty I know, lame, but I just couldn't fit in a good wacking joke. At least, not yet.).

"I hope you are going to be as excited about this as I am." Chris smiled. "I got a new job, a better job."

"Uhhh, thats great dad."

"It's in California." (a/n I could not resist, trust me I tried). The three got quiet and looked anywhere but at each other. Rory stared at Chris, eyes wide.

"CALIFORNIA?"

"Rory calm down. It's a good job."

"I'm sure it is but...thats really far away dad."

"We'll adjust." Rory stood up.

"I don't want to adjust."

"New Yorks no good for you Rory."

"How the hell would you know?" She spoke rudely. Luke looked on in shock. Who was this Rory? Jess was in shock but for another reason. California? What he couldn't find a job any farther away? At least when she was in New York there was the possibility of visiting.

"Rory..."

"No! What could have gave you the slightest idea California would make me happy? God dad do you know me at all?" She left the diner in a huff, Jess two steps behind her.

Luke slammed Chris' meal down infront of him.

"What now you have something to say?" Luke went to say no but then thought better of it.

"You're a lousy father."

"Excuse me?" Chris was indignate. Who was this man to tell him he was a lousy father? He was trying to make things better.

"You're just going to take her away from her life and, and ..." Luke never finished because Chris stood up.

"Lousy father or not, I am her father, not you. So excuse me while I go find my kid."

"Pfft."

"What was that?"

"Oh,that was just me scoffing you. I'd make a better father than you."

"You don't know anything about me or Rory, so butt out."

"I know more than you think I do."

"Whats that supposed to mean?"

"Hey Chris, whens Rorys birthday?" Chris got flustered as he tried to remember.

"You know what? I don't have to take this from you!" Chris took off to find Rory.