Title: It Was Always You

Author: Angeleyez

Summary: Future Fic: Rory left for college on bad terms with Jess.  Now six years later Rory is happy and successful working as an advice columnist at a newspaper in New York City.  Her best friend's sister just got engaged and Rory can't believe who the groom to be is. 

Rating: PG: 13

Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah.  You want the long version?  See chapter one.  Here's the reader's digest version: Me poor.  Don't own Gilmore Girls.  Don't sue.

Woohoo!  Over one hundred reviews! I…so…happy.  Hee.  You all rock!  Thank you all so much!  I hope you guys like this chapter.  It is one of my shorter ones but I have a sneaking suspicion that all of you will like it anyway.  *grin*

"I just can't believe the wedding is in two weeks!"  Chris gushed.

Rory sighed.  She usually enjoyed spending her lunch hour with Chris.  But for the entire meal, Chris had talked about nothing except her sister's upcoming wedding.  Rory was ready to shoot herself if she didn't get away from her soon.

"Yeah, wow.  It's almost here."  Rory forced a smile.  "Well, I gotta get back to work.  See ya later."  Rory headed off to her office. 

"Bye, doll," Chris said before walking off to her own.

Rory entered her office.  She shared it with the other two writers of Dear Hallie, Holly and Lily.  Both of them were rarely ever in there so Rory was usually left alone to work.

Sitting down at her desk, Rory saw a folded piece of paper taped to her computer.  The paper said:

Rory-

            Check this out!  We got a guy letter.  I actually feel kinda sorry for this one.

                                                                                                -Holly

A guy letter? Rory thought.  Could be interesting.  She took the piece of paper off of her computer and unfolded it.  She began to read.

Dear Hallie,

            To tell you the truth, I have never really read this column before, only glanced at it.  I have also never had to write in for advice either.  I never really was big on the whole advice thing.  It's just that I can't talk about this with any of the people I know or they would flip.  I'm getting married soon.  Very soon.  But there's someone else…I think.  A girl I used to know from high school just entered my life again and now I don't know what to do.  I used to be in love with this girl.  I think I still am.  I always thought that this girl was the one, if there is such a thing.  We have never been boyfriend and girlfriend and I don't even know if we would work out.  I don't know what to do.  I still have feelings for her and every time I see her they get stronger.  And I think she may still have feelings for me.  I'm such a jackass to even be considering someone else.  But how can I marry one girl while I'm thinking of another?

-Dodger the Jackass, NYC

Dodger?  Oh my god. 

Jess. 

This had to be Jess.  Sure there were millions of guys in New York City, but how often did these guys write in?  Especially with this kind of problem?  And with the nickname Dodger? 

It could be him.  It could definitely be him.  He had no idea that she worked as one of the advice columnists.  He didn't know she would be reading this.

Rory was having trouble catching her breath.  If this was Jess, then he still had feelings for her.  He may even love her.  This was what Rory wanted.  Now what should she do?

She needed to talk to him but she didn't know his address or phone number.  Rory sighed.  For now, she was going to have to finish work but then after…  She would figure something out.


Rory had been walking around the city for about an hour.  Work was done and she needed time to think.  If Jess still cared for her, what did that exactly mean?  He was engaged.  Rory sighed for the millionth time that day.  What now?

She was about twelve blocks in the opposite direction of her apartment but she continued to walk.  She saw a bookstore across the street.  That was exactly what she needed.  Some time to just look around at books.  This would clear her head and maybe she could figure something out.

She crossed the street.  Walking in, she saw dozens of bookcases full of books.  It was heaven. 

She began walking up and down the aisles wondering where to begin.  She ran her fingers over the old bindings of the books and smiled. 

What a perfect place. 

When she reached the sixth aisle, she stopped.  She looked through the book case to the next aisle. 

It couldn't be.

But it was.

Jess was in the next row over looking at a book. 

She said his name before she could stop herself.  He looked up and around before seeing her between the shelves. 

"Rory," he said.

"Hi."

"Hi." 

Then an awkward silence.

"Well, I was just on my way out," Jess said.

"Oh.  Bye, then."

"Yeah, bye."  Jess then put down his book and walked to the exit.

It took Rory a second to come to her senses.  He was leaving and she needed to talk to him.  She ran to the door and walked out of the building.  "Wait, Jess!"

He turned, "Yeah?"

Okay, now what was she supposed to say?  "Where are you going?"

"Home."  He then turned around and began walking away.

Rory fell in step beside him.  "Oh.  You live far from here?"

"Nope."  He paused.  "Are you following me home?" 

"I'm walking you home.  There's a difference." 

"Yeah, one means you're a stalker and the other one doesn't."

"I'm not a stalker."

"That's what all the stalkers say."

"I'm feeling a change of subject," Rory said.

"Okay, pick one." 

Here goes nothing.  "The New York Post."

"What?"

"Do you ever read the New York Post?"

"Sometimes.  Chris made me and Angela subscribe." 

"Oh.  They have got some interesting articles in there."

"Yup they do."  At this point they had reached Jess's apartment building.  Wow, he really did live close.  They headed inside and over to the elevator.  Jess pressed the button.

"Have you ever read the advice column, Dear Hallie?"

Jess shifted uncomfortably.  "Can't say I have."

"Oh.  Well it's a great column.  You know it's written by three women?  And they will give advice about anything yet most of the letters they get are about love."  The doors opened and they got on.

"Really?"  Jess asked as he pushed the button for his floor.  The doors closed.

"And it's funny how almost only girls write in.  What, do you guys know everything?"

"Everything except what you're getting at."

Rory turned to look at him.  "But once in a while a guy will write in."

Jess turned toward her.  "So?"

"So it's always interesting to…"  Rory had been inching forward as she spoke and then she was kissing him.  Electricity ran up and down her body.  The feelings she felt…

Perfect.

It took a couple of seconds for Jess to respond.  He reached for Rory and began to deepen the kiss.  Then he pulled away as if suddenly realizing what he was doing.

"Rory, what the hell?"

"I, I'm sorry.  I just wanted to see if…  I thought…"

"No!  You can't do this.  I'm engaged."

The elevator came to a halt.  The doors opened and Jess walked off.  Rory didn't follow him.

  "I'm sorry," Rory called out but he continued away from her.  "Dodger!"  Jess froze.  "I just wanted to tell you, I don't think you're such a jackass."

Jess then slowly turned around.  He was just in time to catch a glimpse of Rory before the elevator doors closed. 

For a few minutes he just stood there staring at where she had just been.  He had only one thought in his head:

She had read the letter.

A/N:  Yes, short I know.  I hope you all liked it and it was believable and stuff.  Hooray for me and the quick update.  I have one more week of school before I have a week off for February vacation!  Woohoo!  Review, review and tell me what you think.  I hope the whole letter thing wasn't too hard to believe.