A/N: Thanks for all the lovely reviews, peops. I don't know why this story is quite so popular, but I'm happy about it. I should also point out that I don't entirely know where I'm going with the story either. It's a little bit just 'go for it and see what happens' so bear with me, okay? :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 5

"So, you really are doing better?"

"Sweets, I really am," Lorelai promised, though it was tough for Rory to genuinely believe her.

After all, this was a big deal. Sure, her mom had gone through break-ups before, but not with Luke. He was going to take some serious getting over and there was just no way that after a few short days she was as chipper as she appeared to be. That didn't mean that Rory intended to make too big of a deal about it. Especially not in the dining hall at Yale with a whole bunch of people milling around.

Honestly, if her mom was capable of even faking being fine right now, Rory took it as a good sign. Fake fine was an important stepping stone to actual fine, a state that she hoped Lorelai would achieve in time.

Of course, she kind of hoped that fine was reached by some magical resolution between her mom and Luke rather than Lorelai being forced to overcome the pain and sadness, then learn to be single again. Maybe it was a pointless wish, but Rory couldn't help holding onto it.

"So," said her mom then. "How're things with you? You know, dating-wise? How's Logan?"

"Oh, well, he's away for a few days right now," Rory explained, eyes primarily on her food. "I actually haven't seen him since I returned his limo the other day."

"Huh, okay." Lorelai shrugged. "And what about TV carrying guy? What was his name? Jack?"

"Jess," Rory corrected, with a smile that just seemed to come on naturally at the mention of her newest friend. "I guess he's okay. I haven't seen him since that day either."

"Did he go away with Logan?"

"No. At least, I don't think so. I just haven't seen him. I told you, he doesn't go here, and it's not like I have his number or any reason to be going over to Logan's house or anything, so... I just haven't seen him," Rory repeated, shrugging his shoulders.

"You don't have his number?" Lorelai double-checked.

"Nope. Why would I?"

"Um, because he was cute, and he likes to help damsels with their moms in distress, and from what you told me, you guys got along really well," said Lorelai, counting the points off on her fingers with several flicks of her, thankfully empty, fork.

Rory opened her mouth to respond to that but found all her words had gone away. She couldn't actually deny that all her mom said was perfectly true. Jess was very cute and he had been very helpful that day. It was also no lie to say the two of them had got along very well and had so much in common.

Honestly, Rory was a little surprised herself that she hadn't exchanged numbers with Jess, because that would've been okay. Friends exchanged numbers all the time. Of course, the look on Lorelai's face proved that she wasn't thinking of Jess and Rory pairing up in a purely platonic sense.

"I'm seeing Logan," she told her pointedly.

"Sure, sure," Lorelai agreed. "I was just thinking that... well, it's so new with you guys. I just wasn't sure how serious it was, that's all."

There was another comment that Rory really didn't know how to answer, or she did, but she wasn't quite prepared to give the completely honest response that she should. Were she and Logan serious? Yes and no. Rory felt like she could be serious about him, but she knew very well that Logan Huntzberger just wasn't that guy.

She had told him she could do casual and that was exactly what they were doing. With that being said, she supposed she could see other people, if she wanted to. Of course, Jess would doubtless be an unpopular choice, given that he was Logan's old friend and lived in his house.

"Any other news to share?" her mom asked then.

Rory sighed with relief at the easy out, only to belatedly realise that the other thing she really had to share with Lorelai today pertained to a phone call she had recently received from Christopher.

Today was just getting better and better!

Jess had hoped to get out of Yale before too many people started moving around the place, making navigation next to impossible. Unfortunately, he overslept pretty spectacularly and now the place was crawling with students, leaving Jess feeling all kinds of overwhelmed and entirely lost.

Consulting the nearest 'You are here' map, he finally figured out the quickest way off campus and was about to go when his eyes caught on a familiar figure in the crowd.

"Rory," he said to himself.

His feet seemed somehow stuck to the ground as he watched her hovering by a building in the completely the opposite direction from the one he needed to head in.

It would be stupid to go over and talk to her, Jess knew that. It was completely futile to go hitting on one of Logan's girls. Even if he did stand a chance with her, Jess knew he would be a real asshole for trying, especially when Logan was gone for a few days. Talk about when the cat was away. Jess did not want to be that guy.

Of course, that didn't mean he couldn't talk to Rory at all. He could do friendly, sometimes, given the right kind of inspiration. The truth was, he found Rory Gilmore all kinds of inspiring. Not to mention interesting and way too attractive for his own good.

Turning back towards the exit, Jess managed to put one foot in front of the other, before suddenly hearing his name called. Since it was a female voice, it had to be her. As if he could mistake her for anyone else anyway.

"Jess?" she tried again, suddenly much closer, her hand on his arm, turning him back to face her. "It is you." Rory grinned at him. "I thought so, but then I wasn't sure because, hey, you're not a Yalee, and with Logan being away, I just couldn't understand why you would be here. Not that you can't be here, obviously. I mean, you must have other friends on campus, right?"

"Not really friends exactly," he told her, shaking his head. "I mean, I know people, in a friend of a friend kind of way, because of Logan," he explained lamely, just wanting to kick himself for how dumb he must seem right now. "Uh, I actually came here last night, just to crash in Logan's room. Mitchum and Shira started up again. It's been pretty crazy lately."

"Logan's parents are fighting?" Rory frowned. "Oh, no, I'm sorry, don't tell me. It's really none of my business."

"None of mine either," Jess reminded her. "And it's not like I'm right in the middle of it or anything, it's just... I don't know, all the yelling and stuff, it reminds me too much of Liz and a few of her exes. I sleep better away from all of that."

Rory nodded like she understood, though frankly, Jess hoped she didn't. He wouldn't wish much of his upbringing on anyone. He sure hoped Rory had a better time with her mom than he had with his. From what she said the last time they talked, she had, which was good. He really did only want good things for her.

"So, uh, I was just leaving," he said, clearing his throat. "And I'm guessing you have class?"

"Well, in a few, yeah," Rory confirmed, glancing at her watch. "It's so great to see you though. I was just talking about you yesterday. Well, not talking about you, because that sounds bad. I mentioned you, or my mom did. She asked how you were and, of course, I didn't know because I hadn't seen you, and I don't have your number or anything. So, are you good?"

Jess took a minute to answer, not least because the rambling was a little much for a guy who wasn't quite ready for it. It was adorable, of course, but it was also a lot of words in a very small space of time.

"Are you asking me that just so you can tell your mom?" he checked eventually.

It was probably a dumb question, but it was absolutely worth the asking because it made Rory blush a pretty pink and duck her face behind her hair.

"No, of course not," she said, almost laughing at the very idea. "Seriously, Jess, are you good? Because you look good. I mean, you seem like you're good."

"You seem nervous," he countered, trying not to smirk and finding it difficult.

Honestly, it didn't exactly damage his ego any to know he was making her feel that way just by existing. He hadn't even paid her compliment yet, though she had already told him he looked good. That was nice too.

"I don't know why I would be nervous," she said then, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Me either." Jess shook his head.

Her focus shifted to all the other students moving through the quad and then she seemed to find some focus again and her gaze returned to him.

"Look, let's just start this conversation over," she insisted. "It's great to see you, Jess. I wondered if you were busy this Saturday because I thought maybe we could hang out," she said quickly, surprising him just a little, to the point where he clearly didn't react fast enough, given what she started to say next. "I mean, you don't have to or anything-"

"Sure," he cut in fast, before he had a chance to talk himself out of it, "we could hang out. I'm not busy."

Rory beamed like the sun. "Okay, great."

Next thing Jess knew she was rifling in her bag and then producing a pen and a pad. She scribbled on the paper for a bit and then tore off the sheet and handed it to him.

"That's my on-campus address," she explained, since they both knew he was already familiar with her home address. "I'm glad you're coming over. It'll be great. I have so many DVDs we can watch and we could order pizza. It'll be great," she repeated.

"So I heard," he told her, paper held tight in his hand yet. "What time should I come by?"

"Oh, well, I'm not sure yet," she said, looking almost shifty somehow, though Jess couldn't imagine why, "but if I had your number, I could call you with a time?" she suggested.

Jess turned away to hide his smirk. She was good, and maybe not quite so innocent as she first appeared. Not that Jess really thought she could be if she was seeing Logan, he really didn't go for the Shirley Temple type, but pretending she didn't know what time she would be free to squeeze his number out of him? Classy. It was a shame he had to disapponted her on that score.

"I don't have a cell right now," he admitted.

"Okay." Rory nodded, reaching to pick the piece of paper out of his hand and add some more to it.

When he got it back, Jess was only mildly surprised to find her cell number underneath her dorm address.

"Now you can call me," she said, smiling at him when his eyes returned to her face. "If you want to, from the house or whatever."

"Huh." Jess nodded, finally pocketing the paper, making sure he pushed it deep in there so he wouldn't lose it at all. "So, what time on Saturday?" he asked again.

"Um, let's go with around four?" Rory suggested.

"Sure. I'll see you then."

Rory raised her hand to wave goodbye and Jess did the same, actually backing away for a few steps just so he could see her a little longer. Damn, but he was a sad sap for this, and probably a real piece of work for arranging to hang out with a girl he met via her relationship with Logan while his friend was away. Of course, 'relationship' was probably pushing it where Huntzberger and women was concerned, but still, Jess didn't feel too good about what he was doing.

Looking back over his shoulder, he could no longer see Rory anywhere. Jess reached into his pocket for the paper with her details on it and then heaved a sigh. Screwing it into a ball, he put his hand over the trash can and intended to drop the paper in. Five seconds later, he gave up on the pretense that he was that good of a friend and put the paper back in his pocket before walking off campus... for now.

To Be Continued...