A/N—Jess' Pen name comes from the book Catcher in the Rye—Rory made reference in a past epi about Jess being like Holden Caulfield—the main character so that's why he chose it.

6 months later—Time has passed quickly in Connecticut. Rory still lives in the apartment with Paris, although Paris is hardly ever there. She spends most of the time at Sean's as the two have been officially dating for 5 months. Lane is still dating Ryan, who was finally introduced to Mrs. Kim a month ago. Although she is still very upset that he is neither a doctor nor Korean, she is warming up to him. Rory has started substitute teaching at a high school nearby. Matt has become a very close friend of Rory's and has basically taken the place of Paris in her absence. Jess has been given a weekly column in the Connecticut Times, under the pen name Jess Holden. His book is being published, although it still being edited.

Matt's apartment

Lane, Ryan and Rory are seated around the couch as Matt searches through the newspaper for the movie listings.

"So what do you guys want to see?"

"Let's see something suspenseful." Ryan answers.

"No, Let's see the new Harry Potter." Rory answers with hope.

"I will not sit through that." Lane replies dryly.

"Alright then…X Men 3 it is." Matt says matter-of-factly.

*Movie theatre

Lane and Ryan have gone to get snacks while Rory and Matt hold the seats.

"I can't believe you brought the newspaper to the movies." Matt chimed in.

"Well, I figured we'd be sitting here for a while, besides I didn't get to finish this interesting article…besides I left my movie book at my place."

"What's the article about?"

"The rain."

"What?"

Rory turns towards Matt in excitement ready to discuss her newest obsession. "Well, there's this great column in the Times called Random Thoughts. There's a new column every Tuesday morning. I started reading it a few months ago when I saw what the authors name was—

"What's her name?"

"His name, well his last name is Holden, like Holden Caulfield, anyway he writes amazing insightful pieces…and this one's about the rain and how represents so many different things."

"Sounds real interesting" Matt replies rolling his eyes. Rory swats him with the paper as Lane and Ryan return and the movie starts.

*Next Day Downtown Office building

"So, what do you think?"

"I think, the new pages are good, the only thing I'd work on is this last chapter…it needs a proper ending."

"I know, I know…I just blocked, I get to a certain part, and I just can't write anymore. What am I going to Selah? My deadlines in two weeks."

"It'll be fine, take the weekend rest, don't work just go see a movie, veg out and Monday you'll come in nice and ready to finish it."

"Yea. Ok. I'll see you Monday Sel."

"Oh, Jess?"

"Yea?"

"Your article kicked this week, I loved the part about rain being the angst a teenager creates for them self."

"I'm glad you liked it."

*Jess leaves the building, as he heads out it starts to rain, rather than call a cab, he embraces the rain and walks towards home. He stops, noticing the green park bench across the street; he crosses over and sits down upon the now soaked bench. A week ago he had spent an hour here observing the passersby as the attempted to avoid the rain. He'd gone home that night and written his latest column. As he sits there, his attention turns to the small coffee shop directly across the street. He squints his eyes towards the door, as the petite body of Rory Gilmore exited. His heart beats fast and he gets up suddenly hoping not to be seen.

*As Rory leaves the shop, she starts to walk and then stops; She feels his eyes upon her. She knows that Jess is near by. She turns just as he walks away. She watches as the back of his head disappears into the crowd. She takes out her cell and dials Matt.

"Hello?"

"Hi. Put coffee on, I'm coming over.

*10 minutes later Rory arrives at Matt's drenched.

"My God, what happened? Did the car break down? You could have called I would've come get you."

"I-I walked actually. I was in the bookstore, and then I went to get coffee, and by the time I'd gotten out of there it was pouring."

"Oh, Well, do you want to change, it probably wouldn't look to good going to work with pneumonia "

"Yea. That'd be great."

Matt points Rory towards the bedroom, and hands her a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Matt pours coffee as Rory gets changed. When she reappears moments later, they take their coffee over to the couch.

"So?"

"So." Rory repeats.

"What happened?"

"I saw him, again."

"Get serious."

"I am."

"Where was he this time? In the club, at the bookstore, I know in conservatory with the candle stick right?"

"Funny. I swear I really saw him. He was walking down the street."

"You have got to let this go."

"Matt it wouldn't have—

"Worked out anyway. I know. I'm over that now. Rory stares hard at Matt. He laughs slightly "Honestly, I am. We're friends, best friends and that's it, besides I'm with Jenna now."

"I know, but you're still being very big brotherly"

"Yea, well. You've given so much up for this guy, the guy who left, and never came back. It's been six months; you have to move on. You have a lot to offer, and you can't let the guilt that this guy has left you with hold you back."

"I know, you're right." Rory says dejectedly.

"Hey cheer up, your good friend Matt Man himself, has just the thing to make your day."

"Oh yea?"

"Yep, there's that big gala Saturday, for the retiring editor of the paper, you know the one where all the employees of the local papers are going to be...including Mr. Holden himself."

"Yea..." Rory replies trying to hide her excitement.

"Well, I talked to Jenna this morning, her cousin's baby showers been moved up to Saturday so she can't go, and I refuse to go dateless."

"You mean...I'm going to get to meet…

"The only man you've shown any interest in since April."

Rory gets up and hugs her friend.

"I have to go call Lane, we've got to go shopping."

"Alright, have fun I'll call you later ok." Matt calls to Rory as she hurries out the door.

*Saturday night 7:30

Matt and Rory have just taken their seats at the Gala, Rory feels slightly out of place despite the fact that she appropriately dressed in a dark blue fitted evening gown with high heeled sandals.

"Hey, did I mention that you look great tonight?"

"About a thousand times."

"Oh. Well you do. Feel like a drink?"

"I'll pass."

"Ok, I'll be back." Matt heads towards the bar. He returns moments later excitedly motioning towards Rory. "Come on?"

"What?"

"He's here."

"You mean…

"You r future husband, that's right. Tim introduced me. Did you know that Holden was a pen name?"

"Really?"

"Yea." Matt takes Rory's hand leading towards the bar. As they reach it, Rory notices a medium height man standing with his back to them.

That must be him. She says to her self, as Matt taps him on the shoulder. The man turns around revealing his face. Rory's eyes grow big as she clutches Matt's arm.

"Jess Marino, this is Rory Gilmore." Matt noticing the silence turns towards Rory, he has no idea that this is Rory knows this man. She'd never mentioned Jess' last name before, he had always been referred to as Jess, and nothing more.

"I-I have to go." And with those words Rory turns and walks away, Matt following behind. When they are out of eat shot Matt speaks.

"What was that? It's not that big of a deal. He's just a writer, not a celebrity, there's no reason to be afraid of him Ror—

"Matt, that was Jess. Holden is jess. I can't believe it."

"Oh my God. I'm sorry." He grabs hold of Rory as she begins to cry. Lost in the encirclement, they don't hear the footsteps behind them.

"Rory, can I please talk to you?" The gruff voice was unmistakably Jess'. Rory looks up, letting go of Matt.

"I don't know."