It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Lorelai sat in Luke's, watching him work. Things had been getting worse between them and she was afraid the end of their relationship may be near. Luke had been spending more time at his apartment, working long hours, it almost seemed like he was avoiding her. The next day was Thanksgiving and it would be the first one that she would spend without Rory and it was all his fault. With each passing day her hatred for Logan grew. She had reached out to her parents about Thanksgiving and they had asked her if she was ready to accept who Rory was, who she was becoming, that she was with Logan, but her hesitance was answer enough and she was told that she wouldn't be expected for the holiday. Sookie knew about the fight but didn't know all of the details so she had been trying to be supportive and trying to keep Lorelai's mind of Rory they had planned a big Thanksgiving at the Inn. Lorelai still had no idea what she was going to do to get Rory back, but she was determined to find something. She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear the bell announce a new arrival in the diner, she didn't notice the murmurs, she heard nothing until she heard Luke's voice…
Luke had been walking around the diner, cleaning tables, taking orders, delivering food, doing anything he could to avoid looking at Lorelai. Things with them were tense, he couldn't remember the last civil conversation they had. When everything had come to light regarding the true reasons for the disagreement with Rory, he could no longer support her, Rory was allowed to grow, to find herself and Lorelai needed to understand that. And while he didn't originally like Logan, how could he like any guy he found undressing her in a country club dressing room, he had seen the pictures of the couple, and he had talked to Lane. It was obvious that Logan cared for Rory, he supported her through all of this, helped her step into society and according to Lane he helped her find herself, become more confident in who she was. He knew that things with Lorelai were not getting better, he knew they were over, but how do you give up something that you have wanted for so long? He was lost in thought, so it took a moment for him to look at the door when the bell rang, and another moment for it to register who had walked into the diner. "Jess?" he questioned.
"Hey Uncle Luke," Jess stated as he looked at the man. "Been a while."
"Yeah, it has," Luke managed to get out. "What are you doing here?"
"You don't sound like your happy to see me," he replied.
"I'm just shocked to see you back here," Luke answered as he studied the boy.
"Well, I had something I wanted to show you," Jess replied as he looked around the diner, his eyes landing on Lorelai.
"Oh, okay, give me a minute," he muttered as he walked toward to the back to let Caesar know he was taking a break.
"Hey Lorelai," Jess greeted as he walked over to the woman. "Been a while."
"Yeah, it has," she replied as she studied him for a long moment.
"Is Rory coming back for Thanksgiving?" he questioned with a nervous edge to his voice. "I have something I want to show her as well." He almost missed the bitter look in her eyes, but he caught it and it made him wonder what it was about.
"No, she won't," she bit out. "She will probably be in Hartford."
Jess didn't know what to say, he was hoping that Rory was going to be here. "Well, do you know how I can get ahold of her?"
Before Lorelai could answer Luke walked over toward them, immediately noticed the tension at the table and let out a sigh. "Let's go upstairs and you can tell me what you came to talk about," he stated and walked toward the back and Jess was forced to follow him. When they made it to the apartment Luke turned to face his nephew. "Why are you really here Jess?" he questioned, hoping he wasn't here for Rory.
"I wanted to show you this," he stated as he pulled something out of his bag and handed it to the man. "I wrote a book and well… you supported me, and I wanted you to have one of the first copies."
"Wow, this is amazing!" Luke replied as he studied the cover. "I knew you could do it!"
"Well," he replied as he ran his hands through his hair and shifted uncomfortably. "You and Rory were the only two that ever believed in me. I wanted to come back and give you copies… I was sort-of expecting Rory to be here since Thanksgiving is tomorrow but Lorelai…" he trailed off and focused on his uncle, "she made it sound like Rory wouldn't be here."
Luke sighed; he knew he was here because of Rory. "Lorelai doesn't agree with some of Rory's choices, and they haven't spoken since the summer," he reluctantly told him.
"Wow," Jess replied in shock. "What could have come between them? They were like the poster people for mother and daughter."
Luke shrugged not wanting to tell Jess, it wasn't his place but at the same time he knew that Jess assumed that Rory was still the same girl he had left, she was nowhere near the same anymore. He was torn on what he should tell his nephew, finally he sighed and walked over toward a table where a few newspapers were placed. Looking at them he picked one up and walked back to Jess. "Here," he stated as he handed him the paper.
Jess looked down and his breath caught, there she was looking stunning in the black and white photo in the paper. He scanned the article about Rory being announced the Hayden and Gilmore heiress, her accepting her place in Hartford society as well as in London. Then he saw it, a picture of Rory and some guy, they were dancing and looking into each other's eyes, the caption read Rory Gilmore-Hayden and longtime boyfriend Logan Huntzberger share a dance and the Hayden gala. When Jess looked up Luke had his hands in his pockets and looked uncomfortable. "So, she is dating someone?" he asked, a rich snobby someone from the looks of it.
"Yeah," Luke sighed. "They have been friends since the beginning of last year and I guess serious for over six months."
"So, he is the reason that Lorelai and Rory are fighting?" Jess questioned slightly giddy at the thought that Lorelai disliked someone more than him. If that was the case, then Lorelai would definitely help him.
Luke just shook his head at Jess's tone. "She is not the same girl you remember," he stated. "Things have changed a lot since you last saw her Jess. Her life has changed, did you not see the part where she is an heiress?"
"She couldn't have changed that much," Jess countered.
"Jess, she is happy, she likes the life she has," Luke sighed. "She has responsibilities that you could never begin to understand."
"She can't be that happy if she and Lorelai aren't talking," Jess stated. "I remember how close they were, that bond doesn't change."
"Jess…" Luke sighed.
"Look I just want to give her a copy of my book," Jess stated. "I just want her to know that I did something. You have to know where she is."
"No idea," Luke stated. "Just that she still goes to Yale."
"Okay," Jess replied a smile forming on his face. "Can I stay here?"
"You can have the couch," Luke sighed. "I got to get back downstairs."
Jess watched as Luke left and then walked over to the other newspapers and looked down at the photos of Rory and that guy, he looked like a rich ass, the type of guy they used to make fun off. No matter what Luke said, there was no way that Rory was happy in this life, not the Rory he knew. She had to just be caught up in the glamour and the money, but when she saw him, she would remember that she loved him and would dump that rich prick. With a smile on his face, he knew he needed to talk to Lorelai to figure out where Rory was.
After the dinner from hell, Mitchum had arranged for Logan and Rory to meet him, Elias, Honor and Josh for dinner at an upscale steakhouse in Hartford on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for an early celebration to allow for Rory and Logan to go to the Gilmore's for the actual day. The pre-Thanksgiving celebration was in a way Mitchum taking sides, the entire family except for Shira was seen enjoying a meal together. Shira had still insisted that they do Thanksgiving at the house, sure that Logan would be there but Mitchum knew that there was no way that Rory would agree to attend or that her family would allow it, so Logan would also not be there. This was a game of societal warfare and Shira was bound to fail going up against the likes of Emily and Francine. Mitchum, Richard and Edward had arranged for them to meet for lunch at the club one day, then a meeting for drinks one evening, and with that Mitchum was back in business. But socially… he was warned that there would be no invitations for any events if Shira was in attendance, there were also rumors that attendance at the annual Huntzberger holiday party would be scarce from the society set, while Shira didn't want to believe it but Mitchum knew better.
Thanksgiving arrived and Logan and Rory headed to Hartford to celebrate with the Gilmore's and Hayden's. Logan loved watching her with her little sister Gigi, he hadn't seen them together often but watching them made his heart clench. There was something about the sight of Rory with the blonde haired, blue eyed child that made him think about what their future could be like. It didn't seem like he was the only one thinking like this since Emily and Francine both got misty eyed at the scene as well. The meal was different from other holidays in this house, this was a celebration and there was laughter. It was a celebration unlike others Logan had attended and from the look on Rory's face it was unlike others that she had attended in this house as well. The couple made it back to New Haven and both fell into an exhausted heap on the bed, both to tired for anything other than cuddling with each other.
The days after Thanksgiving were filled with friends escaping their own family's after the holidays. Rory and Steph braved the shoppers on Friday and got a head start on Christmas shopping while Logan, Colin and Finn hung out and played video games. After the girls returned, they all met Rosemary and Juliet for dinner then they all headed to a club for a night of celebrating. Saturday Rory convinced Logan to go shopping with her for some Christmas decorations and a tree for her apartment. He loved watching her get so excited about getting these things and they invited the group over for take-out Chinese food and they decorated the tree and watched Christmas movies until early Sunday morning. For all of them this was something new, decorating a tree, a house, was something that done by staff, hired decorators, but doing this as a group was something enjoyable and fun. Sunday Rory woke up to a playful Logan and they enjoyed a lazy morning in bed together. When they finally got out of bed, they ventured out for a late lunch at a Thai place Rory enjoyed, then they walked around New Haven as they picked up some presents for their family and friends. Logan loved shopping with her, the thought that she put in trying to pick the perfect gift for everyone. He watched as she looked at things and took note for things that he wanted to get her for their first Christmas together. They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't notice the man that followed them as they walked around town.
By the time they made it back to the apartment they decided they just wanted to watch movies and relax before classes started again, and with it the start of getting ready for exams. Rory noticed that she had a couple of missed calls and texts from Lane telling her to call back immediately.
"Hey what's up?" Rory asked as soon as her friend answered the phone.
"Um, well," Lane stammered not sure how to tell Rory the news.
"What's wrong?" Rory questioned, instantly worried.
"Jess is back," Lane rushed out. "He came back into town on Wednesday and showed up at the diner. He and Luke talked, and Luke told him about you and the heiress thing and Logan, but you know Jess… he told Luke that he wanted to show you the book he wrote. And then people saw Jess and Lorelai talking…"
"Lane breathe," Rory interjected as she tried to process what Lane was telling her. "Jess came back to Stars Hollow, he wrote a book and wanted to give it to me, Luke told him about everything that had changed with me, he and Lorelai were talking. Did I miss anything?"
"No," Lane sighed. "I think that's it."
"Okay," Rory replied and shrugged even though Lane couldn't see it. "I already told him over a year ago that we were done. I can't imagine that he would think that anything changed."
"Luke seems to think that Jess thinks everything will be different since he wrote the book," Lane told her. "He was telling me about it when I got to work today, you changed your number, and he doesn't have the new one so he told me so I could tell you."
Logan came and sat by Rory and looked at her questioningly, he heard the name Jess and immediately remembered the story, the guy who told her he loved her and left. "Well Luke was right about one thing; things are a lot more different now than they were the last time around. Don't worry Lane. But thank you for telling me."
"You're welcome," Lane told her. "I just don't want him to try and mess anything up."
She looked over and smiled at Logan. "I won't let him mess anything up," she replied. "I'll let you know if he shows up." When she hung up the phone, she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.
"Everything okay Ace?" he questioned as he moved slightly to look at her.
"Do you remember me telling you about Jess?" she asked as she opened her eyes.
"The guy who left you without a word and then showed back up to ask you to run away with him?" Logan questioned a feeling of apprehension settling in his stomach.
"That's the one," she replied. "I guess he showed up Stars Hollow, he wrote a book and wanted to show me... He was seen talking to Lorelai and Lane thinks he wants me back and is going to try and track me down."
"Umm, so..." Logan replied hesitantly. "Do you want that?"
She looked at him incredulously and scoffed. "I wouldn't run away with him before and him writing a book isn't going to change that. And like I told Lane there is a huge difference between the last time I saw him and now."
"There is? And what it that?" he asked with a smirk and pulled her towards him, and she immediately straddled him.
"Oh yeah," she smirked and gently rocked her hips into him. "A huge difference," her words were laced with innuendo and it caused a smile to bloom on his face. "I was unsure and confused the last time I saw him, and I said no. This time I know exactly who I am," she paused to place a kiss on his lips. "I know exactly what I want," pausing she moved her hands to the edge of his shirt and started pulling it up and then placed a kiss on his collar bone. "I know exactly who I want," she stopped as she sucked on his neck for a moment and he thrust slightly up causing her to let out a small giggle and she looked back up at him. "But the biggest difference is that I have someone who I love, who I need, and you are the only one that I want."
"I love you Rory," he murmured as he pulled her towards him and kissed her passionately. When he started to pull of her shirt, she pushed him back and she stood and moved to take off his pants and boxers, so he sat on the couch completely naked in front of her.
"Don't move," she told him as she started to pull off her shirt and then pushed off her shorts, so she stood in front of him in a pair of white lace underwear and matching bra. The look in his eyes gave her a shot of confidence and she slowly moved her arm to unhook her bra, letting it fall. "Don't move," she repeated she replied with a mischievous glint in her eyes when he started to stand. Gently she caressed her breasts and let out a small moan as she rubbed her nipples and looking at him, she knew he was losing control. Slowly she pushed down her underwear and moved her hand down to gently rub herself and when she heard his growl, she looked at him and winked. Before he could move, she sank onto her knees in front of him and licked his cock and swirled her tongue along the tip a few times until she took him fully in her mouth before releasing him and moving to his balls, gently licking them before sucking them in her mouth and he let out a strangled moan, so she continued as she moved her hand up and down his shaft a few times. When his breathing got heavier, she moved and licked him again a few times before taking him back in her mouth, she moved slowly, even when his hands tangled it her hair and he tried to control the rhythm. She pulled off him and looked at him, their eyes connecting before she gave him an impish look, "patience," she told him and when he growled, she took him back into her mouth and tortured him again before standing up and positioning her legs around him and lining him up at her entrance and barley allowing him in.
"Fuck Ace," he growled, and she moved slightly to take more of him in and when he looked like he was about to lose it she sank down the rest of the way. She took him slowly and she knew that he wanted more, but she was enjoying being in control so moved off him and took him back in her mouth. She was only able to suck a few times before he roughly pulled her up and pushed her on to the couch. He didn't give her a chance to react before he thrust deeply into her and set a punishing pace. With all the teasing he was already on the edge, so he moved a hand to her clit and started massaging it and when she clenched around him, he followed her over the edge.
"Wow Ace, what got into you?" he questioned as caught his breath.
"I wanted to be in control," she answered. "I wanted to tease you and torture you."
"You did that," he answered his eyes still clouded with lust. "I was all for letting you have that control but having you lick your juices off my dick, shit Ace I almost lost it right there."
"Hmm," she sighed. "I'm going to have to remember that."
"Let's go to bed," he told her awhile, knowing he had to be crushing her.
"Mkay," she muttered.
He laughed as he moved off her and just bent down to pick her up and carry her to the room. As soon as he laid down next to her, she immediately curled into him and fell asleep. He stayed up for a bit longer just watching her sleep. He knew that Rory loved him, wanted to be with him and it still amazed him that she wanted him, chose him. The longer they were together the more he knew that she was the one, when he thought about his future, he saw was them together and after watching her with Gigi, he could now see her with their kids, and it was a future that made him smile. He knew he shouldn't be worried about Jess, that boy would never be able to understand the person that Rory had become, he would never fit into her new life, but he had something Logan didn't have, he knew her past. But Logan comforted himself knowing that he knew a Rory that had not discovered who she was yet. With that thought he let him mind turn off and he joined her in sleep.
It was the Thursday after Thanksgiving and Rory was rushing to the YDN. The week had been hectic, and she hadn't had a moment to breathe. One of the staffers had brought back the flu from their family holidays and by Wednesday almost half her staff had ended up sick. She had been running around trying to get articles together, get the paper ready for print and then there were classes, it was like all the professors had decided to pile on additional work in preparation for exams. Looking at her watch she had just enough time to get a coffee, but the line was long, so she sighed and debated on if she had time to wait.
"You know that's not an attractive look," she heard a slightly familiar voice say from behind her but before she could say anything, she made eye contact with the barista.
"Rory, your drink is ready!" Tom the coffee guy called and they both received glares from some of those in line.
"Oh, you're a god she exclaimed as she moved toward the front," and reached for her wallet.
"Paid for," he laughed. "Logan said you would be frantically rushing this way about now and gave me a large tip to have your drinks ready for you."
"Another reason why I love him," Rory swooned as she grabbed the drinks. "Thanks Tom!" she exclaimed as she quickly rushed off towards the paper.
As soon as she walked in, she was swarmed by a few of the staffers as everyone was trying to get the paper together to go out in a few hours. She was absorbed in editing and layout, referring arguments between a few staffers. With so many out it was a ghost town, but everyone that was there was pulling double.
Jess watched as Rory rushed towards the coffee cart. He had been on this campus since Saturday and had been unable to talk to her. She looked good, amazing even, and it made him think about how much he wanted her back. On Saturday he had seen her shopping with a blonde girl that probably had more money than sense, and then again when she went out to dinner with a group of friends that all screamed money. She was laughing and talking with them, she seemed happy, but he refused to believe that she was really happy to be in that world, surrounded by those people. Sunday came but again she wasn't alone, she was with that blonde prick Lorelai had told him about. They walked around New Haven and he kept pawing at her, wanting to make sure everyone knew that Rory was his property. He had hoped to have a chance to talk to her on campus during the week, but it seemed she was always with him, her new rich friends or that crazy girl he remembered from Chilton and the times that she was alone she was rushing from one place to the next. But as he watched her stand impatiently in line for coffee so, he walked up behind her, watching her a moment as she looked at her watch and let out a frustrated sigh, so he said the first thing that came to his mind, "you know that's not an attractive look." He expected her to turn around, recognizing his voice but she didn't even flinch, she must not have heard him, so he started to say something else when the damn coffee guy called her and said something about her boyfriend already ordering her coffee for her. She thanked the guy and hurried off without ever turning back around. He started following her when he saw him, the blonde prick talking to some rich looking blonde female so he moved slightly behind a pillar trying to hear what was being said but could only pick-up bits and pieces, something about this weekend, hotel room, Rory wouldn't suspect anything… hmm that was interesting Jess thought. Lorelai was right the prick was cheating on Rory… she deserved better than that, she deserved better than this rich douche bag and when Rory found out the truth, she would come running back to him. The girl threw her arms around Logan and he laughed and hugged her back before the two of them walked off. A smirk crossed Jess's face as he studied the pair, the prick just made it so much easier for him. With that thought her walked off towards the newsroom assuming that was Rory would be.
When he arrived, her watched from a window and saw her deeply focused on some papers in front of her. The people around her were scurrying around, handing her things and walking off. Studying her he fleetingly wondered about what Lorelai had told him about Rory giving up journalism, because here she was in the middle of things. But he saw the last paper, she was the editor now so maybe she really had given up her dreams for the boy, what happened to her talk about being an overseas correspondent? Seeing his chance, we walked into the newsroom and walked straight to her desk, earning a few curious glances from those there.
"It's been a while," he stated and waited for her to look up at him, but she seemed so engrossed on what she was looking at that he cleared his throat and finally she looked up. He expected her to immediately jump up, hug him, something but she just focused on him for a second and a look he couldn't place crossed her features.
"Jess," she replied as she studied him. "What brings you to Yale?"
"There's something I wanted to tell you," he told her with a smirk. "Actually, show you really." She looked at him and slightly raised her eyebrows waiting for him to continue. "Um, can we get out of here? Go somewhere to talk?" he asked.
"I can't," Rory replied as she glanced around the room. "We have to finalize the paper, get it to the printers."
"Well maybe dinner?" he pressed. "I'm sure someone can cover for you."
She shook her head no, "I'm the editor Jess," she replied in a slightly irritated tone. "It is my responsibility to get this out."
"How about after?" he asked his tone slightly desperate. His and Lorelai's plan wouldn't work if he couldn't get Rory alone.
"I'm here late and I already have plans," she replied. "How about lunch tomorrow?" she offered just wanting him to leave. "There is a pub right off campus, Rich Man's Shoe, at 12?"
"I guess that works," he begrudgingly replied. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He barley got the words out and Rory was looking back down focused on the papers in front of her once again. As he walked out of the room, he saw the blonde prick and a few of his friends walking towards him, pizza boxes in hand.
"Ace, we come bearing food," he heard that dick state and he turned around ready to watch Rory ignore him but instead he saw her drop the papers and throw her arms around him the minute he put the boxes down.
"Thank you," she told him, a big smile crossing her face, and then she kissed him. Jess had to walk away; he wasn't prepared to see that. Tomorrow he would have his chance, he would see her then.
Rory didn't give Jess a second thought after he left the newsroom. There was so much to get done, get finished and after Logan, Colin and Finn stopped by with pizza for her staff she focused on what needed to be accomplished. Logan was by her side as they put the paper to bed and the staff were amazed as the couple worked together. It wasn't until they were back in the apartment that they were able to sit down and talk. As they were cuddled on the couch together with drinks Rory finally had the opportunity to tell him about Jess's unexpected visit.
"So, before you and the boys got to the paper Jess came by," she told him with a sigh. "He asked me to go to dinner, but I told him I would meet him at Rich Man's shoe tomorrow at noon."
"He did?" Logan questioned as he adjusted slightly to look at her. "What did he say?"
"Just that he had something that he wanted to show me," she told him. "Then he tried to convince me to go to dinner and when I told him no," she let out a frustrated huff. "I knew he wouldn't leave so I told him I would meet him for lunch. Do you want to come with me?"
He raised an eyebrow, "are you sure?"
"Why not?" she replied with a shrug. "Whatever we talk about I'll tell you later. And if you are there with me it makes it obvious that I am unavailable."
"What time do you think you will be done?" he questioned. "We have to be on the road by 1 to make it to the gala in the city," he told her. There was also the matter of the surprise that he had planned for her before the event.
"Why so early?" she asked, and he could see the exhaustion on her face.
"I may have something planned," he answered with a smirk.
"Of course, you do," she giggled and then let out a small yawn.
He laughed at he and went to stand before picking her up bridal style. "Let's get you to bed," he murmured as he kissed her head. "And if you want me to go with you tomorrow I will."
"Mmkay," she mumbled.
The next day Logan and Rory sat in the pub waiting for Jess to show up. Logan couldn't stay long since he needed to get things together so they could leave for the city, but Rory asked him to be there at least at the beginning of the meeting.
Jess walked into the pub a few minutes before 12, thinking that he would get there early to meet Rory. What he wasn't expecting to walk in and see her cuddled up next to that blonde prick. They were laughing at something and he leaned over and placed a kiss on her temple, and she looked up at him with a soft smile on her lips. Trying to control his irritation he walked over to the couple and cleared his throat, and both looked up at him. "Hey Rory," he stated as she looked up at him.
"Jess," she replied and took Logan's hand. "I'm glad you could make it." When she didn't get up to greet him, he slid in the booth across from him. "I would like you to meet my boyfriend, Logan. Logan this is an old friend from Stars Hollow, Jess.
Logan extended his hand, but Jess glared at him, "her ex-boyfriend," he stated with a smirk.
"Ex being the key word," Rory firmly stated and squeezed Logan's hand. "You said you had something you wanted to give me?" she questioned trying to change the subject.
"Uh well," Jess stammered as he looked at Rory. "There is just a lot we need to catch up on."
"Oh," she stated with a slightly raised brow. "Like your conversation with my mother?" She smirked at his shocked expression and she couldn't contain the small laugh that escaped her lips. "Stars Hollow is a small town. You should know that you can't sneeze in that town without everyone knowing." She paused when a waiter walked over to the table with new drinks for Logan and Rory and took Jess's order and when he walked off Rory continued. "You said you had something for me?"
"Oh yeah," he said as he looked back up and her and grabbed something from the bag her was carrying and then handing it to her.
"The Subsect by Jess Mariano," Rory read and then looked up at him. "You wrote a book," she said with a small smile.
"A short novel," Jess replied with an arrogant smirk. "Nothing big, author distributed."
"That's amazing Jess," she told him.
"Hard to believe, I know," he stated. "I wouldn't have been able to do it if it hadn't been for you," he told her as he went to grab her hand on the table which she quickly pulled away.
"For me?" she asked. "I don't think I had anything to do with me."
"You believed in me when no one else did," he stated and looked over at Logan. "When we were in school you believed in me, that I could accomplish something."
The table fell into an awkward silence for a moment and Logan looked over at Rory and could almost feel her uncomfortableness. "What's the book about?" he questioned as he studied Jess. He could almost see the other man's true intentions; it was clear that he wanted Rory back. Before Jess could answer Logan's, phone rang and he smiled when he saw the number, Honor, and angled it for Rory to see before he got up to answer. "If you'll excuse me," he stated as he stood and answered the phone his quick hello could be heard as he walked off.
"What are you doing with him Rory?" Jess questioned harshly as soon as Logan was out of earshot.
"With Logan?" Rory questioned as she took a sip of her drink.
"Yes, with him!" Jess exclaimed. "We used to make fun of guys like that. Those guys with more money than they know what to do with, just throwing it around."
Rory scoffed slightly and her eyes narrowed. "And I know that most of my prejudices were from Lorelai and not based upon what I really thought. Logan is perfect for me, he is kind, sweet, attentive and he loves me."
"Yeah, sure he does," he replied with a bitter tone. "That's why I saw him yesterday with some blonde talking about their plans for the weekend, how you would never know."
A brief look of surprise crossed Rory's features, but she shook her head slightly. "I am sure that whatever you think you saw, you misinterpreted or are twisting to fit your opinion," she paused and took a breath. "Why are you here Jess?"
"Lorelai told me how you were throwing everything away, changing to fit into this fake world," he stated his voice taking a somewhat pleading tone. "She is worried about you; I am worried about you. Whatever happened to the Rory that I remembered? The girl that wouldn't be caught dead with people like that, acting like you are better than everyone else."
"Jess," she sighed and briefly closed her eyes. "You remember me as a 17-year-old girl that was still unsure of the world, who didn't know what she wanted but I am not that girl anymore. I am certainly not that naïve girl that you knew that put up with your aloofness, never making plans and treating me as an afterthought."
"Rory I never," he started to reply but paused. "I never treated you like that."
She scoffed at his words before replying, "if you seriously think you treated me as anything other than an afterthought then you really are crazy. Jess you never considered my thoughts, my needs it was always about what you wanted, what you needed… just look at the fact you asked me to run away with you, give up everything I have worked for."
"And that prick is different," he bitterly replied. "You are giving up your journalistic dreams for him, giving up your family for him."
"I gave up my childish dreams to realize what I really want in life," she replied with an icy look. Reaching into her purse she grabbed a few bills out and threw them on the table before standing. "For the first time I am living my life for me, I am doing what I want, being who I want to be and if you and Lorelai can't accept it then fine; you don't need to be in my life." Without waiting for a response, she walked off, leaving him sitting their speechless.
Rory found Logan outside the pub hanging up with his sister, as soon as he saw Rory, he immediately opened her arms for her to step into. "What happened what I walked out?" he asked as he rubbed her back.
"Ugh," she groaned slightly. "He tried to say he saw you with a blonde yesterday and were cheating on me. And when that didn't work, he tried to say that I had changed, abandoned my dreams." Burying her face into his chest, she took a few steadying breaths. "Why can other people change, their dreams change, but mine can't?"
"I don't know baby," he murmured rubbing her back. "Do you regret…"
"No," she exclaimed cutting him off. "No, I will never regret us," she told him as she gently cupped his face. "I love you and I will never regret this, us. I don't regret accepting my place, stepping into my family's role."
"I love you," he sighed and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Now how about we get out of here," he told her. "Let's get this weekend started.
"Sounds good baby," she replied and kissed him again.
Jess watched as Rory and Logan stood together, she was pressed against him and there was an obvious comfort between them. Watching them was like a knife twisting in his heart, the closeness, the kisses, this was different than her with Dean, this was different than when she was with him. She leaned against the blonde and he could see the way she looked at him and that was also different. Maybe Lorelai was wrong, maybe Rory was telling the truth that she was doing what she wanted. He needed to think…