A/N:: I know a lot of you think it's weird how I made Shea and Rory's 'relationship', but you also have to realize that I made Shea more attached to Rory than I made her attached to him. He hasn't been w/ someone in forever, and she just wanted Jess. Yup, that's pretty much how it is. Does that clear it up any?? Also, this is the last chapter. I'm in chapter 2 of my new story, Help Me Remember, but I don't wanna post it now b/c, well, you guys are impatient [lol] and I'm having trouble with Chapter 2. I really like Chapter 1, though [I think], so…if you wanted to read that, you could e-mail me. But remember, I'm not adding it HERE until have written more chapters and stuff. Anyway, sorry this chapter suxx, but please review.

Chapter 17

Rory opened the door to Luke's diner, walking over to the counter and taking a seat on one of the stools.

"What can I get you?"

Rory glanced up at Caesar, who stood there waiting expectantly for her order, with a pen and a notepad in hand.

"Actually, I was looking for my mom and Luke. Have you seen them?"

"They're still out there somewhere. But it's probably about time for—"

"Coffee!"

"—a coffee beak," Caesar finished with a grin as Lorelai burst into the diner. Luke followed on her heels.

"Oh Rory, what are you doing here?" Lorelai asked, walking over. "Where's Shea and Lane and Dave and Jess?"

"Shea's at the inn, Lane and Dave are probably off 'having fun' on the Ferris Wheel, and Jess is—oh! Waiting for me!" She jumped up.

"Slow down. Why's Shea at the inn?"

"I'll tell you later, I have to go meet Jess. I just came to tell you I'm not with Shea anymore. Bye!" Rory stood up, practically bouncing from the diner and leaving a dumbfounded Lorelai staring after her.

"Rory! That's not enough information!" Lorelai whined. She frowned at Luke. "Why does she always do that" she demanded.

"I don't know, she's your daughter," he responded with a shrug.

"She did this when she and Dean broke up, too. What would possess her to say something like that and just leave?"

"I don't know," Luke repeated.

"See, with Dean..."

Lorelai went into story-mode as she thought about Rory's first boyfriend.

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"Luke, please. I need a cup of coffee today."

"Like you don't every other day?" he asked, holding the pot of coffee away from her.

"I really need it today," she replied. "Don't make me come back there."

Luke grunted, moving to pour her a cup of coffee. He stopped, however, as the door to the diner flew open. Everyone glanced up in surprise at Rory, who stood there out of breath. Her eyes fell on Lorelai and she grinned, walking over. Sitting on the stool next to her mother, she lightly hit her palms on the table.

"Coffee—please," she panted.

"Rory, what is the matter with you?" Lorelai laughed. "You're practically glowing. It looks like you're so happy you could burst. And that's not a very pleasant image, my friend. What happened?"

"Well—thanks Luke." Rory paused to take a sip of her coffee. "Dean and I were just talking, and we decided it's not working. So we broke up." She took another sip of her coffee. "Hey, I'm going to go get my stuff together. I have to leave for Cambridge tomorrow morning again."

"But—what?" Lorelai looked so confused, Luke couldn't help but laugh.

Rory gave her mother a kiss on the cheek, and then she left the diner.

Lorelai blinked, turning to Luke. "Did I miss something?"

He shrugged. "She's happy, she broke up with Dean, she's leaving tomorrow morning. That's what I heard."

"Me too..." Lorelai said slowly. "And she thinks she can get away with that?"

"So go after her," Luke told her.

"I plan on it."

"You waiting for coffee?"

"To go, hurry, please!"

Luke shook his head, grabbing a to-go cup and splashing coffee into it. "This stuff's gonna kill you one of these days."

"Health talk later, details now!"

"Nice shot almost-sentences you have there."

Lorelai grabbed the cup of coffee from him as he put a lid on it. "Nice friendly service you have there," she shot back, grinning to show that she was joking. "Bye!"

Luke stared after her as she left the diner, following the path Rory had taken just moments before.

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"Maybe that's her way of dealing with a breakup," Luke suggested once Lorelai had finished her story.

"But—well, yeah, maybe. But she went out with Dean for a few years; she's only been with Shea for a few weeks."

Luke shrugged. "Don't ask me to explain your daughter, I'm just here to serve coffee."

"Oh, don't give me that. She's practically yours, too," Lorelai exclaimed. She blushed. "Um, I meant that since we used to see you every day for years, you—"

"I know, Lorelai."

"Oh. Good."

They exchanged smiles, and Lorelai stood up. "Let's go back out there," she said quietly, leading the way and letting Luke follow.

Dave glanced over his shoulder and Rory waved at him, trying to get him to stop. He walked Lane in a circle, and the two of them met Rory halfway.

"Finally!" Rory exclaimed. "I've been chasing you guys for almost ten minutes!"

"I told you we were being followed," Dave said to Lane.

"Oops." Lane grinned at Rory. "I thought he was being paranoid. Anyway, what's up? How did it go?"

"And where's Jess?" Dave added.

"Nothing, fine, and I thought he was with you?" Rory returned.

"He left a little while ago. We figured he was coming after you..." Lane trailed off.

"Oh."

"Maybe he went to talk to his friend. How did that go, anyway?" Dave asked curiously.

"It went fine, but—what should I do, wait for him?"

"I think you should."

"Okay, good. It's settled," Rory said. "I'm waiting."

Lane linked an arm through Rory's and one through Dave's, and led the way to the next ride.

* * * * *

She glanced up as someone knocked on the door again. He groaned, switching off the TV.

"Not again..."

He thought that maybe if he was really quiet, the person would go away. So he froze, but a few seconds later the person knocked again. Annoyed, he went over and opened the door.

"Oh. Jess, hi."

"Hey man, can I come in?"

Shea moved aside, and Jess walked into the room. Shea closed the door behind him, and they migrated over to the living room. They sat down on opposing chairs, and neither said anything for another minute.

Jess cleared his throat. "I guess I'll start. You know, I didn't mean to—" He grimaced at his pathetic tone and tried again. "I didn't set out to—"

"I know," Shea assured him, cutting him off.

"Okay. Because, you know me. You know I wouldn't—"

"Yeah, it's cool."

"We're cool?" Jess pressed.

"Yeah. Hey, it happens," Shea replied.

"Unintentionally," Jess added.

"Unintentionally," Shea repeated. "But I'm just wondering...I was talking to Rory, and she said you guys almost went out before, but that's all she would say. You want to elaborate? I'm just curious."

"There's not much more to the story," Jess stated. "We almost went out, but we didn't. She left for Harvard, still with Bagboy."

"Bagboy?" Shea asked, confused.

"Yeah. That's, um, Rory's old boyfriend's nickname, sort of."

"Okay. So you and Rory had a thing for each other, but she had a boyfriend?" Shea asked. "Just trying to follow," he declared, when Jess just stared at him.

"Yeah, I guess."

"So she's the girl?"

"Well she is a girl..."

"No. I mean the girl. The one you've been obsessed over since high school and talk about, or find a way to bring into the conversation, nonstop? That girl?"

"To put it bluntly, yes," Jess responded, his tone becoming guarded.

"You know she feels the exact same way for you, right?" Shea paused. "Well, I'm guessing you do, since you and her just played tonsil hockey," he joked.

"Oh geez. That is so middle school," Jess laughed.

"So what's your next move?"

"Who said I had one?" Jess countered, raising an eyebrow.

Shea stood up and caught eyes with his friend. "You always have a move," he pointed out lightly.

"Actually...she asked me to meet her later. I'm probably late, but I just wanted to make sure we were cool first."

"Are you saying I come before her?" Shea batted his eyes at Jess.

"Now I didn't go that far," Jess exclaimed with a grin. "But you're my best friend, and some girl can't change that."

"Even Rory, huh?" Jess shook his head. "Aw..." Shea bent down and pinched Jess's cheek, "Are you going soft on me now?"

Jess cleared his throat. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, pushing Shea's hand away." I'm just trying to get out of here so I can go meet Rory."

Shea nodded toward the door. "Go on. I'll see you at work in the morning."

Jess smiled at him gratefully as he stood up. He lightly hit Shea's arm. "Thanks, Taylor." He headed to the door. "Later." And then he was gone.

Rory crossed her arms over her chest, shivering involuntarily. She glanced around at everyone having fun around her. Lane and Dave has already left, apologetic. They had offered to stay, or at least take Rory home, but she told them to go without her. She wanted to wait for Jess.

She sat down on a nearby bench, placing her hands on her knees. A minute later she felt something drop on her head, so she looked up. Another drop hit her on the cheek. Rain. Great.

Suddenly a hand appeared in front of her, and she slowly raised her eyes, taking the hand.

"Jess," she breathed, gazing into his eyes and letting him pull her up to where she was standing in front of him.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late. I had to take care of something."

Rory blinked as another drop fell on her head. It barely fazed her, however. She leaned into Jess, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively.

"You're shaking," he told her.

"I'm cold," she whispered, burying her face into his neck. She inhaled, breathing in the familiar scent of his cologne.

He ran a hand over her hair, smoothing it down some. She lifted her head, slowly, meeting his gaze once again. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss, just as the rain picked up. Now it was drizzling, but soon it started to pour.

Jess and Rory started to dance, their hips swaying slowly from side to side. Everyone ran around, hurrying to get out of the rain. They splashed up puddles around Rory and Jess, but they didn't seem to notice. They just kept dancing.

-The End