Rory put on the familiar skirt and sweater, admiring herself in the mirror. She didn't think she looked different, but perhaps the pain she had dealt with was noticeable. Her mother was still asleep and she knocked on the door, "Mom? I'm off to Luke's and then school." Lorelei nodded and muttered something. Rory checked herself in the mirror one last time and walked off to Luke's.
Jess was waiting for her. Everyday before today he had hand delivered her coffee, but today she was going back to Hell. He hadn't seen her in her uniform in a long while, she looked beautiful. She opened the door, and he welcomed her with a good luck kiss. He gave her her coffee, and they talked while she drank it. "Let me walk you to the bus stop," he asked. She agreed. They held hands and for a while pretended nothing had happened. They sat on the bench for awhile, and finally she hugged him and they kissed and she got on the bus. She didn't know what to think about on the bus ride. A woman sat in the seat across from hers and started devouring a newspaper. Rory noticed the second-page headline, "Rapist's killer will face the big courts" She considered that. Dean going to court to face it. Rory had avoided giving a testimony at the grand jury, but she would have to testify at trial. She pulled out "Jane Eyre" and started reading, the drive seemed longer today.
Rory saw the massive building and the non-welcoming students. She could have choked. She avoided their eye. Paris was watching her, wanting to be comforting but not knowing how to. Her and Rory had never been friends. Finally she approached her, "Gilmore, nice to have you back. We'll need to meet sometime to get you started on some stories for the Franklin." Rory smiled at her, "Sure, Paris." Paris's face turned kinder, "I'm guessing your gonna need help on the make up work?" Rory smiled, "Please?" Paris smiled too.. "Sure"
Rory acted like nothing happened and people fell for it. Chilton was famous for it's pretending She didn't interact with very many people, just did the work, found out what she had missed and pledged to catch up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rory walked into the diner after school. Jess hugged her. She opened up her books and started working and Jess brought her a large mug of coffee. "You're an angel, a god, Jess, the God of Coffee." Jess smiled, "I'm a god, that makes you the goddess," Rory smirked, "yep. Gosh I have so much work to do." Jess said, "Is that my cue to leave?" "Unless you want it to be you're cue to help me figure out my Math?" Jess left to get back to work.
She worked for most of the evening, and then Jess and her went out. They went walking, fingers laced, throughout the town. Somehow they ended up at the same park bench where Brent had been killed. Rory hugged him and said, "Thanks Jess." He looked at her, "what for?" She smiled, "for saving me. Dean thought he did it, but you did. You're my hero Jess. I love you."