Disclaimer: Hmm, has anything changed? Well, my exams are over, I'm FINALLY free, and have been catching up on tonnes of lost sleep… Huh? Disclaimer? Oh, right. Still own nothing. See, THAT hasn't changed.

Author's note: Aiyiyiyiyi… this part of the fic provided some of the greatest challenges I had writing it… (It still ain't completely done, let's hope I haven't just jinxed it) So really, truly, your comments are greatly appreciated. Marie, and all the others as well, sorry I couldn't update earlier, thanks for your comments, but I REALLY had no choice but to stay offline. And Neurotic Glory, thanks for your reviews too, Jess's return to Stars Hollow will come with time… To the rest, R&R please, greatly appreciated!

* * *

The work gave him a distraction in the day. Fully immersed in his newfound job, it plugged up all the holes in his time that could have let him start drifting back there. It didn't fill al his time, though. Meg only needed so much help, and he knew she couldn't afford to pay him the rate she had insisted on if he worked, or rather, stayed there all day. Every time he sat in the park, or walked to the music stores, or stood on the subway, he looked forward to his afternoon shift at the store. That occupied his mind too. It was all he could do to keep from driving himself over the edge.

His carefully-structured days almost imploded a little over a week later. He was shelving and reorganising again when the windchime tinkled gently. It was still early in the afternoon yet, and the rush wasn't due in, so he stayed hidden in the aisles, working. Then he heard the voice.

It was a light, cheery, sweet sound that floated along to him. Instantly, it brought him right back to her. He stopped, listening, and running through the likelihood that it was… No, it couldn't possibly be, he told himself. But curiosity got the better of him, and he quickly shoved the last book in place, venturing forth from the back of the store to investigate.

He emerged from amongst the shelves, and his heart skipped a beat. There she was, dressed in jeans and a simple T-shirt, her back to him, gazing intently at the titles on another shelf. Her long chestnut brown hair was sleek and shiny as ever, loose around her shoulders. Without even realising it, her name crept to his lips, whispered softly.

She turned around, and Jess snapped back to reality.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Her features were all wrong. Her nose was too long, the cheekbones too angular, her chin too sharp… And her eyes were green.

"No, just…" He fumbled, trying to cover his tracks. "If you need anything, I'll be right there." He forced a small smile, indicating the counter.

The girl gave him a strange look, and mirrored his smile, then turned back to the books.

Jess mentally kicked himself as he turned away from the girl. He'd really let his imagination run away with him this time; a second glance showed that the girl hardly resembled Rory, even from the back. She was too bony, too tan, and her hair looked dry as straw. Admittedly, another time, he might have tried to chat her up, but now…

He saw Meg staring at him, a smirk that she'd picked up from him now creeping upon her face. He knew she had seen everything from the counter. He tried to play it cool, forcing nonchalance on his face, as he monotonously asked, "What?"

If he'd hoped to convince Meg that nothing had taken place, he failed more miserably than he did his subjects at school. The woman did, after all, know him better than his own mother. "You see, normally, I might me tempted to merely believe that little exchange to be you chatting up yet another girl," she whispered conspiratorially, a twinkle in her searching eyes that bore into his, "but something tells me there's far more to it than that."

"I have no idea what you mean, Aunt Meg," he stated flatly, begging inwardly for her to stop.

"You see, I don't think you could possibly have got over Rory quite so soon, to be flirting with other girls already."

"I've shelved the latest stock already. Is there anything else?"

"You thought it was her."

"Aren't you expecting another shipment in already?"

"You clearly can't get her off your mind."

"They're already late, right?"

"Which once again begs the question, why did you come back?"

"You want me to wait out in front for them?"

"Stop trying to escape, Jess. Stop trying to run away," she pleaded softly, knowing his hurt.

He locked eyes with Meg for a last moment, before looking away, mumbling, "I'll wait in front for the delivery." He turned and retreated, shoulders hunched over, his mind clearly occupied with things that had nothing to do with the latest shipment.

* * *

Jess shoved his hands into his jacket pockets as he paced back and forth on the street pavement. He knew Meg was watching him, so he looked anywhere but inside the store. She'd be needing help soon, and he knew that shipment wasn't coming any time soon, but he just could not face Meg right then, not when all he could think about was her.

He sat down on the sidewalk, pulling the pack of cigarettes out of his back pocket. He lit one up, his mind wandering far from his surroundings. He smoked less now; it was only when he was troubled that he indulged in his old habit. It was one of the changes she had brought to his life.

Rory… The sweet smile and bright warmth she had given him on their first meeting, the one which always remained hidden in the depths of her eyes. It had touched something in him, stirred him deeply, and he had felt the instant connection to that strange girl, as if he'd known her all his life. Those blue eyes embraced him, had always lain in the back of his mind, and now, they haunted him.

He shut his eyes, desperately trying to stop thinking of her, to shove back the emotions he'd bottled in after witnessing what they had—he had—done to her. His hands trembled as he brought the cigarette to his lips, drawing in a shaky drag of smoke. His fingers could not stop quivering; he clenched his fists together, arms resting on his knees, as he focused on a spot on the road, willing his mind to return to reality. Any longer and he knew Meg would call him back in, and he would have to face her questions soon…

The delivery van made a timely appearance, for once showing up when it was needed. Releasing that long breath, he stubbed out the cigarette, then hoisted the first carton that was passed to him by the delivery guy. The weight was comforting as he retreated into the store, studiously avoiding the gaze of Meg as she came out to check the order and sign for the delivery. The workload was cranking up again; the rush crowd was due soon enough. Jess Mariano could escape again.

* * *

A/N: Okay, I feel absolutely terrible right now, 'cuz I know I said I'd post a longer update this time round, but I realised that the chapter really was best ended off here… if not, the chapter would just be TOO long. So so so incredibly sorry… The next update will definitely come sooner though! In the meantime, click on that lovely little button that says "GO"!!! :0)