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Rory calls Jess one lulling Friday. The cellphone reception is rusty in Truncheon and Jess walks around the storage room, navigating a route through the boxes.

"Hi."

"Hey."

Rory's voice is fading in and out and Jess asks, "Can you hear me?"

"Sort of."

"How about here?"

Jess steps closer to a window and Rory's voice is clear as she says, "Perfect."

"Great."

Jess pauses, looking out of the window through a cobweb. It seems ironic that he and Rory can talk now yet both are silent.

"So..."

"So..."

"What's up?" Jess asks, cutting to the chase, and Rory says hesitantly, "Not much. I just thought I'd say hi, see how you were."

"I'm fine."

"Me too."

"Great."

"Good."

It's as if they're both seventeen again. Jess laughs at that thought and hears Rory giggle too, as though she's thinking the same.

"How are you?" she asks, sounding less scripted. "I'm sorry if it's weird to call -"

"It's not weird."

"Good," Rory says, sounding relieved. "So how's it going?"

"Fine," Jess says, sinking down on a box serving as a chair. "Only I think there's more dust in this room than actual air."

"That bad?"

"There's more cobweb than glass in the window and no room to swing a cat. Though why you'd want to swing a cat is beyond me."

"Wouldn't put it past Mom. She freaked out when these cats showed up at the house after a guy broke up with her once."

"Huh."

"Yeah, it was a whole bit. I found out the expression actually refers to some old kind of whip, but it's funnier picturing an actual cat being swung around by its tail."

"You've got a mean streak, Ms Gilmore."

"Not in reality," Rory protests and Jess grins, amused at how shocked she sounds. "And I'd never tell Babette that."

"Relax, your secret's safe with me."

"Besides, I guess the chances of you bumping into her are pretty slim," Rory jokes and, as Jess falls silent, asks, "Jess, you still there?"

"I'm actually seeing Luke this weekend," Jess admits. "I'm driving to Stars Hollow tomorrow."

"Really?" Rory asks. She sounds surprised and Jess closes his eyes for a moment.

"I didn't know if you'd want to catch up...anyway, I'm helping him fix the television."

"The television?" Rory echoes, amused, and Jess grins.

"It's in his bedroom - I think he got it for Lorelai and anyway, it's kind of scrambled. I'm pretty sure Luke could do it alone but he says he wants me to help."

"I think he wants to hang out with you," Rory says simply and Jess nods, feeling a little bashful.

"Maybe. He won't admit it though."

"That's Luke. He's an old softie underneath."

"He is at that." Jess wonders if Lorelai ever found out about the book Luke lent him or, God, if Lorelai knows he read it too. That's more embarrassing than Rory knowing. His thoughts are broken by the awkward silence and Jess says, "I didn't know if you were busy, or if you wanted to do something."

"I get it."

"I thought it might be weird," Jess says honestly, letting go of the excuse. "I wasn't sure if you'd want to know I was in town."

"Of course I'd want to know. And it'd be cool to grab some coffee or something, if you want?"

"Definitely," Jess says without thinking. He doesn't have to think about it. "But meeting in Stars Hollow...people are going to talk and I'm pretty sure your mom has a shovel with my name on."

"That was a while ago," Rory says but she sounds unconvinced. "We don't have to meet there - you can come see me in New Haven, if you want. Or we could meet in Hartford? There's better places there."

"Hartford it is."

"Cool," Rory says happily. "What time do you want to get there?"

"How about seven? We could grab something to eat."

"It's a plan."

"I'm assuming your mom won't kill me before I see you," Jess says, half-joking. "It's not a while ago to her."

"Luke won't let her kill you."

"I'm not so sure. You Gilmores are dangerous."

"That's right - you don't want to cross us. We're masters at holding a grudge."

Jess knows that too well, though he thinks Rory is better at holding hurt. She can let go of anger but Jess has seen how she holds more onto sadness, lingering in it. Rory's light voice has paused, and, wondering if she's pondering the subject, Jess quickly asks, "So what are you doing? Besides updating your enemy list - I'm assuming you've still got that withering stare."

"It's lethal," Rory laughs. "And Paris is the one with the list, not me."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, she keeps talking about laminating it but then she can't add to it."

"I'm sure. But I bet you've got one too."

"I left it at Mom's house," Rory teases. "That's what I'm doing today - driving home to collect it."

"Really?"

"Well, that and studying."

"Ah."

"And talking to Grandma about the next DAR function I have to attend."

Rory sounds annoyed but before Jess asks why it is she has to go, she asks, "So the room is really bad, huh?"

"What?"

"With all the cobwebs?"

"Yes," Jess says, running a finger along the grimy sill. "You don't want to know."

"It can't be worse than where we lived."

"Trust me," Jess says and then inwardly winces at the choice of words. Rory sounds cheerful all the same as she tells him she does, says goodbye and that she'll see him on Saturday. Jess hangs up, lets out a sigh and sits upstairs a little longer. No doubt seeing Rory will come out when he goes to talk to Chris and Matthew and Jess waits a few more minutes, not wanting to pretend he's not that happy.

It doesn't take Jess and Luke long to fix the television set in the bedroom. They step back, sweating from lifting it, and Jess remarks, "Remind me again why you're doing this?"

"I thought you liked television," Luke says defensively. "You certainly hogged it enough when you lived here."

"Yeah, and you also insisted having a set in a bedroom was the height of idiocy."

"Look, it's no big deal," Luke says, sounding uncomfortable. "I go to bed early and Lorelai wanted to watch a few shows and hey, sometimes I do too, and it's worked out for a year now and I don't see the huge issue with -"

"Luke, relax," Jess says, putting a hand on his uncle's shoulder. "I'm just giving you a hard time."

"I got that," Luke says hastily and rolls his eyes as Jess says, "I guess reading that love book helped, huh?"

"It's good to know some things about you won't change," Luke comments. "And I wouldn't be so fast to make jokes - I seem to remember you taking a little advice from it."

"Maybe," Jess says and they both laugh. "At least it worked out for one of us."

"Hey," Luke says gently. "You told Rory how you felt, didn't you?"

"I did," Jess says, going to the fridge and grabbing him and Luke a beer. "Just screwed up the next part."

"You tried," Luke says. "You and Rory were so young back then, Jess."

"It wasn't that long ago."

"Yeah, but you've grown a lot since then."

Jess smiles, unsure what to do with that. Luke sounds sincere, patting his nephew on the arm and then coughs, focusing on drinking his beer. Jess opens his, glad to have something to do and quickly shrugs as Luke asks what his plans for the rest of the day are. He almost tells Luke about seeing Rory, but Jess suspects he'll have a lot of questions and is certain he'll tell Lorelai. Jess isn't thrilled at that idea and guesses Rory wouldn't be either. Taking a long drink of beer, Jess gives Luke an edited version of the rest of the weekend. His uncle nods, offering to fix Jess something before he leaves but Jess shakes his head, trying not to feel guilty.

"I should head back. It's good to see you though."

"You too," Luke says. "And thanks for fixing the television."

"No problem."

"Lorelai'll be happy."

"You going to tell her I helped?" Jess asks shrewdly and Luke coughs.

"I might leave that part out."

"I think that's wise."

"It's too bad you two can't try and work things out."

"What, and skip around afterwards?"

"Holding hands, of course," Luke chuckles. "But I mean it...I think you guys could be friends, or at least civil."

"Maybe," Jess says, unconvinced. Lorelai definitely has grudges down. "See you, Luke."

"See you."

Jess still feels bad as drives off. He silently argues that Luke isn't telling Lorelai about him being there either, but it doesn't work. Still, his anticipation over seeing Rory helps and Jess grins as his phone lights up with a text, confirming where to meet.

Rory is waiting on the corner, looking a little nervous but breaking into a smile as he pulls up.

"Hi!"

"Hey."

They smile cautiously at each other, Jess resisting the impulse to hug her, and instead asks, "So where to?"

"There's a bunch of places down this street," Rory suggests, indicating with a nod. "We could walk down and pick a place? Or drive around, if you want?"

"Walking's fine. Let's find somewhere."

They fall into step, awkwardness depleting as Jess tells Rory about fixing the television. She's laughing as they reach a bar and stops, saying, "This place is okay - nothing too exciting but they make good burgers."

Anything is fine by Jess. They go in, place an order and as Jess asks how Rory's week has been her shoulders droop.

"It's been okay. I went to that party I told you about, the one Grandma picked the dress out for."

"You sound really enthusiastic about that."

"It sucked," Rory says honestly. "And I have to go to another one."

"Why do you have to?" Jess asks and is frustrated as Rory says, "I said I'd go."

"Yeah, but why? It's not your scene."

"I thought..." Rory's voice trails off and she says, "I was helping Grandma with them, and Logan goes to stuff like that. It was fun."

"It doesn't sound fun."

"I'm not finding it as fun as I did," Rory admits, eating a fry from the basket. "I don't know why."

Jess eats a few fries as well before asking, "Why did you find them fun? Before, I mean?"

Rory's answer is halted by their burgers being brought over. She stares at her plate and says, "I was lonely, Jess. I thought I needed something different."

Jess looks at her, unsure what to say. Rory gives him a sad smile and quickly looks down, starting her food. Jess eat his slowly, curiosity growing, and when Rory sits back in her chair she says, "I thought I wanted to move on."

"You did?"

"I did," Rory says carefully. "I don't know."

"Because it was so horrible, us living together?"

Jess genuinely wants to know. Rory shakes her head, her curls covering her face.

"No, Jess. It wasn't horrible, it wasn't that...I just wanted something different."

Jess looks at her. Rory seems on the edge of something, her eyes full, but before Jess can ask they both jump as Logan strolls in, somewhat unsteadily. Jess notices a beer bottle which Logan dumps on a table before heading to theirs, not apologising for almost walking into a waitress.

"What are you doing here?" Rory exclaims, too shocked not to be blunt. "I thought you were with the guys outside town."

"Made a pitstop on the way home," Logan tells her. "Finn wanted a pint and said he saw you and some dude come in here just a little while before I met him. Had to see for myself."

"There's nothing to see," Rory says, but she looks away. Jess bites his lip, unsure what to do. Rory's only ever been good at lying to herself, no one else.

"It's no big deal," Jess says, jumping in. "I was seeing my uncle and he lives near here...me and Rory are just hanging out."

"That so?"

"Yes," Jess says staunchly. Logan gives him a long look but plasters on a grin, leaning down to give Rory a kiss. Jess manages not to roll his eyes but it takes effort. As he leans back up Logan exclaims, "Looks like a grand night being had by all! Mind if I join?"

Slipping into the chair beside Rory, he orders a round of drinks, despite Jess saying he's fine and says, "One for luck. Oh and hey, your dinner's on me so don't let the cost stop you."

Jess can't believe this guy's serious. Is Rory getting this? Raising his eyebrows, he retorts, "I'll pay for my own."

"Good man."

There's an awkward silence until Logan leans forward. "I don't think I got to know you well enough the other night. So...what what do you do, Jess?"

"This and that."

"Describe the this, describe the that!"

"He writes," Rory cuts in and, wide-eyed, Logan exclaims, "You write? Impressive. What do you write?"

Any doubt that this guy is an asshole is taken care of now. Jess puts his drink down and says shortly, "Nothing important." Like this guy is worth any kind of conversation, but Rory says indignantly, "He wrote a book."

"Oh, you penned the great American novel, Jess?"

"Wasn't quite that ambitious," Jess says sarcastically and Logan grins.

"So, what are we talking here? Short novel? Kafka length or longer? Dos Passos, Tolstoy? Or longer? Robert Musil? Proust? I'm not throwing you with these names, am I?"

Jess can't stop himself, and honestly doesn't want to as he remarks, "You seem very obsessed with length."

Logan's eyes narrow and Jess smirks, having clearly struck a nerve.

"I'm just trying to get a picture in my head, that's all," Logan declares, trying to seem unperturbed.

"It's a short novel," Rory answers again and, as Logan asks if it's any good, she shifts and says, "I haven't read it yet."

Jess stares at her - why is she lying like that? What the hell? She looks uncomfortable, glancing from him to Logan.

"Yet?" Logan asks gleefully. "Well, at least you'll have one reader. That's something."

"Yeah." Jess glances across his glass at Rory, unable to believe she's dating this jerk. She seems unwilling to meet his eyes, her expression shifting from discomfort to annoyance as Logan announces, "You know, I should just write down all my random thoughts and stuff that happens to me and conversations I have and just add a bunch of he said, she saids, and get it published. You got a copy on you?"

"No." Logan's insecurity would be laughable if Rory wasn't dating him. Jess can't begin to fathom it.

"You should send me a copy," Logan says and Jess is done - done with being polite for Rory's sake, done with making conversation and done with the whole night.

"Sure. And where do I send it? The blonde dick at Yale?"

Rory sounds upset as she says, "Jess!" but Jess gets up, too pissed to even look at her. He ignores Logan who makes some crack about keeping it friendly, telling him to get out of his way. Jess should have left as soon as Logan showed up. As he makes his way out, Jess hears Rory run up behind him, calling, "Jess, wait."

Jess stops and Rory takes a deep breath. "Jess, I'm sorry."

"We shouldn't have done this," Jess says bitterly. Who were they kidding?

"He's just in a bad way lately," Rory says uncertainly but Jess cuts her off with "He's a jerk."

Rory nods, weakly saying, "He was. In there, definitely. I'm so sorry."

"I read that guy the second I saw him. I should have begged off."

"Well, I didn't want you to."

"He better not come out here."

"Please, Jess. He's tired, he's been drinking...this isn't him, I swear."

Jess doesn't have time for excuses, for pretending anything's okay, and exclaims,

"What the hell is going on?"

"I told you," Rory says uneasily. "He's tired, and his family's bugging him right now..."

"No, no," Jess says impatiently. "I mean with you. What's going on with you?"

"What do you mean?"

Jess knows she knows what he's talking about and in frustration says, "You know what I mean. I know you better than anyone. This isn't you."

Rory stares at him, stunned, and weakly says, "I don't know."

"What are you doing?" Jess demands. "You went back to Yale but you're in the DAR, hanging out with your grandmother and letting her pick your clothes? This is what you went back to Yale for? Planning tea parties?"

"It's complicated!" Rory argues and Jess shakes his head, knowing that's bullshit.

"It's not! It's not complicated!"

"You don't know," Rory argues, but she sounds unsure, and Jess tells her, "This isn't you. This, you going out with this jerk, with the Porsche. We made fun of guys like this."

"You caught him on a bad night."

"This isn't about him!" Jess exclaims, desperate to get through to her. "Okay, screw him. What's going on with you? This isn't you, Rory. You know it isn't. What's going on?"

Rory doesn't answer. She looks at him, silent, and Jess gazes back, wanting her words. Why is she pretending? Finally, a little defensively, Rory admits, "I don't know."

Jess's eyes soften as Rory repeats, sadly, "I don't know." She wraps her arms around herself, glancing away. She looks lost. Jess sighs, not sure what to say now that Rory's acknowledged it. Damn, seeing her like this was a mistake. He's missed her though, and lightly touches her arm.

"Hey, maybe we shouldn't meet up like this. There's a lot going on."

Rory gives him the smallest of nods and Jess says softly, "Hey, maybe we'll catch up at a better time."

"I've missed you," Rory says quietly and Jess nods.

"I've missed you too, Rory." Damn, like he hasn't missed her nearly every day since they broke up. But he's not going to act like her moving on with this jerk is a great new start for her. Maybe Rory's starting to figure that out, but Jess doesn't know if he should even hope that. All he knows is that she can do better than this.

He smiles at her as he leaves. He can't walk away without that. Rory gives him a small smile back, looking lonely, and Jess's heart aches as he turns back towards his car. He's halfway up the sidewalk when a stench of beer catches up with him and Logan is there. Perfect.

"Screw you," he slurs and Jess says impatiently, "Thought I told you to get out of my way."

"Should be me saying that," Logan snaps and then, as if he's just thought of it, says, "Stay away from me, from her. Rory lived with you in some dump - so what? You think because you were the first guy to screw her, to be with her, you know her better than I do? She's with me."

"Yeah, well that's her mistake."

"Fuck you! Go back to writing books, like that's so amazing. Anyone can write a book. And you know what? You might act like you know Rory better, but you're just some fuckup from her past. You'll never be better than I am. I can give her whatever she wants, and she's moved on from you. I can buy her anything. She's as good as me now."

"Oh yeah?"

"Exactly."

"She might be as good as you are," Jess says, stopping to look at Logan. "But she's better than you are too, she's going to do more. And she knows it. Rory's going to figure that out."

Logan's face curls into a snarl and, moving to hit Jess, he stumbles and falls on the sidewalk, groaning. Jess watches as he gets unsteadily to his feet, considering knocking him back, but the guy's not worth it. Instead, he walks back to his car, Logan's drunken cries echoing behind him, "She's with me! Me!"

It would almost be amusing if it wasn't pathetic, but Jess feels heavy as he drives away. He thinks back to the dump, as Logan put it, that he and Rory lived in. They shared their lives together, they had a whole summer. The city was theirs. Not that long but it stands out in Jess's memory, a strong moment of time. He knew her - he knows her. This isn't Rory. He wanted her to go back to school but it's almost as if she hasn't. Her sad eyes are clear in Jess's mind, her understanding of losing the way. Rory will find it, Jess is sure, but she has to be the one to see where she wants to go, who to be. He hopes his words helped her, as hers did for him, all that time ago. Rory has to see that she's more than this. Doesn't she know she can do anything? She's Rory.