*Rory's apartment 5am.

Paris is sitting silently in the kitchen reading the paper, Rory was got little sleep tip toes in and heads towards the coffee. Jess is lying motionless on the couch fast asleep.

"Hey." Rory addresses Paris.

"Morning. So what time does Rip Van Winkle need to get up?" Paris says wryly.

"Um, 6."

"So, what happened?"

"I don't know what you're referring to and lower your voice." Rory says pointing in Jess' direction.

"I'm referring to the fact that mister MIA suddenly shows up at your doorstep at 9pm...And you spend half the night gallivanting around the living room, giggling your head off."

Rory stares hard at Paris. "Stop it. Don't do this, Paris,"

"Why not. You obviously feel something for him otherwise you wouldn't have left the party so early on Friday."

Jess' eyes open suddenly becoming aware of his surroundings, he doesn't move and listens intently as the two girls converse.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know Rory, you tell me. I mean how many of those stupid "get togethers" have you dragged me to this year?"

"What, you like Sean, I just thought I'd help you spend some time with him."

"That's a lie. You have a thing for Tristan…or did until prince charming showed up."

"I'd hardly call Jess, prince charming…and so what, is it a crime to be attracted to someone who—

"Sleeps around?" Rory and Paris turn suddenly becoming aware of Jess' presence."

"Shut up, you don't even know him Jess." Rory says aggravated

"I think I got to know him pretty well last night…at least I saw enough of him to know him pretty well…In my experience the only people who answer their door completely nude, are the ones who pride themselves on having casual sex?"

Rory grits her teeth managing to say, "Enough."

Jess' face softens when he looks into Rory's eyes, "I'm sorry, I just never expected you to be the kind of person who depend a guy like that."

"Yea, well I never expected that you'd become a guy like THAT."

Jess, shakes out his hair n confusion, "W-what?"

"Forget it. Rory walks made a beeline for the door, grabbing her jacket and promptly heading out slamming the door behind her.

Jess stares at the door for the moment while Paris eyes him maliciously, "Well?"

"What?" Jess says agitated.

"You really are a jerk if you don't go after her." Paris points towards the door.

"Right." Jess opens the door and leaves.

*Harvard Courtyard

Rory's thoughts

Why did I get so upset? He's right about Tristan…as hard as he tries he's never going to change…but who is he to talk, he strung me along, goes off and gets engaged and then is on my doorstep looking for a place to stay. Who does that? What happened to his fiancée…who kicked him out of HIS apartment?

*Rory's thoughts are interrupted as she sees Tristan bidding farewell, to thin brunette wearing overalls.

Tristan suddenly turns his attention to Rory, "Mary, what a nice surprise, I'm just about finished here, how about coffee?"

Rory stares Tristan down. "I mean the real coffee, not the philosophical kind." Rory continues to walk as Tristan trails behind him. "Come on, what is going to hurt?"

"Plenty…and I just can't handle that right now. Good-bye Tristan. She continues to walk without glancing backwards.

"It's that Jed guy isn't it?"

Rory stops. "Why does everyone think they know what my problem is. You people have no idea."

"Ah, but you're wrong, you see precious Rory Gilmore never gets angry, never gets sad, she's always a happy, peppy little squirrel...suddenly James Dean comes to town and your tail goes all flat."

Rory turns towards Tristan not noticing the tears in her eyes. "I'm not a squirrel"

Tristan is stunned by Rory's unconcealed emotion—something Rory very rarely shared with the world. "He really hurt you didn't he?" Rory begins to shake slightly, the memories of the past year coming back to her. She simply nods. Tristan grabs Rory, and pulls her gently into a hug. "I'm sorry I didn't know. Now come on, pretty girls don't cry, it's not in their nature…let's going get you some coffee." The two head in the direction of the campus coffee house.

*They emerge an hour and 5 cups of coffee later, Rory slightly calmer then before.

"Thanks Tristan."

"Any time."

Jess turns the corner as the two embrace, Jess stops just in time to see Tristan move closer and kiss Rory. Jess shakes his fist in anger and then silently walks away. If he had waited a moment longer, he would have understood that the kiss was not that of love, but one of friendship between two people who finally understood where they fit in each others lives.

*Rory's Apartment

Rory returns home to find a note on the door

Rory,

Went to lunch with Sean. Be back at 5.

Paris.

As Rory opens the door her foot kicks something across the room. Rory goes to pick it up realizing that it's a book…Jess' copy of Oliver Twist. A scrap of paper is attached to the cover. It reads:

Oliver,

I finally figured out where you fit in this story, you're the Oliver of my life. The innocent one, delicate but destined for greatness…you spend your time with low lives like, me…the artful Dodger. I don't understand why, and I don't think I ever will…you're a mystery. I'm sorry that I offended you, I really didn't mean to…I guess I was just being myself, a jerk. I guess I was stupid to come back, what was I expecting? It's not like I was ever any good to you, Tristan now, I'm sure he does a lot for you. He's your saviour and I'm just a hoodlum I guess. Well I hope you live a happily life Rory Gilmore. I have decided it is best if I stay out of it, so I'm leaving, for good. Don't worry I'll find a corner somewhere that I can make my own. Make the best of the world we live in. I love you always.

Forever in your debts,

Dodger.

Rory takes the paper, in her hand and throws it on the couch, she heads to the phone and dials a number.

"Hello, Sean?"

"I'm sorry Rory, he hasn't called me. I'll let you know if I hear from him."

"Ok. Thank you. Good-bye." Rory hangs up the phone and crumples to the floor, sobbing loudly,