Rory and Jess entered the house. She took off her coat and walked into the livingroom.

J: "You want me to stay with you?"

R: "No! I mean, no. I'm gonna go to bed. I'll call you in a few hours,okay?"

J: "Are you sure? I don't mind staying with you"

R: "That's really sweet, but I'm no fun to be around right now"

J: "Okay"

He walked towards her and gave her a kiss. Then he left the house. She waited until she heard his car drive away. Then she walked to the phone. She took the piece of paper out of her pocket and picked up the phone. Slowly she dialed the number.

M: "Hello?"

R: "Mike? It's Rory"

M: "Rory. What a nice surprise. Where did you get my number?"

R: "That's not important. Where are you?"

M: "On my way to Jess"

R: "Could you please stop by my house first?"

M: "Sure. Why?"

R: "Maybe it's nothing, but I just want to ask you something"

M: "Okay"

R: "You know where I live, right?"

M: "Yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes"

R: "Thanks"

She hung up and sat down on the couch. She had to know what Jess was hiding from her. Mike knew more about it, so she had to talk to him. The doorbell rang. She got up and answered the door.

R: "Hey. Come in"

Mike entered the house and walked into the livingroom.

M: "Nice house"

R: "Thanks"

They sat down on the couch.

M: "Shouldn't you be at school?"

R: "Yeah, but that's a long story"

M: "So, what do you wanna ask?"

R: "I'm having the feeling Jess is hiding something from me and I know you know more about it"

Suddenly Mike seemed a little uncomfortable.

M: "I have no idea where you're talking about."

R: "I think you do"

M: "Even if I do I can't tell you"

R: "So there is something?"

M: "I can't tell you anything. If you really suspect something ask Jess not me"

R: "Come on, Mike"

M: "I'm sorry"

Mike got up.

M: "Was there anything else?"

R: "No, not really"

M: "Well, then I'm gonna go now"

R: "Okay, please....."

M: "I won't tell Jess about this"

R: "Thank you. I'm so sorry for bothering you with this"

M: "That's okay and I wish I could help you, but you really have to ask Jess"

R: "I will. Soon"

She walked him to the door.

R: "This is really something big, isn't it?"

M: "Yes. No. It's just a little difficult for him. "

She smiled at him.

R: "Thanks anyway"

M: "You're welcome"

He left the house. Rory saw him walking in the direction of the diner. She closed the door and sighed. She walked into the kitchen and sat down. So Jess was really hiding something from her. She thought she knew him so well and now it turned out she didn't. What could it be? What could be so painful for him? Why couldn't he trust her? She was afraid to ask him about it. Afraid of what the answer might be. She got up and grabbed her coat. She needed some fresh air. She left the house and started to walk towards the bridge. When she got there, she saw Jess sitting there. She wanted to turn around and walk away. After all she told him she was gonna go to bed, but he had already heard her footsteps and looked up.

J: "I thought you didn't feel so well"

R: "I don't. I just thought some fresh air would make me feel better"

J: "And?"

R: "Too early to say. At least it doens't make me feel worse"

J: "Well, that's something"

R: "I guess"

She walked towards him and sat down next to him.

R: "So, how are you?"

J: "Fine. Just like half an hour ago when we saw each other"

R: "A lot can happen in 30 minutes"

J: "I guess"

R: "You remember when I asked you about your girlfriends back in New York?"

J: "Sure. You really want to talk about that again?"

R: "Not really, but I think it has something to do with the thing you're hiding from me"

J: "I'm not hiding anything from you"

R: "Don't lie to me, Jess"

Jess sighed and stared at the water for a few seconds. Then he continued.

J: "Listen, there may be something I'm not telling you and that's not because I don't want you to know about it, but because I just can't talk about it. I just can't. Not yet."

R: "Then when are you gonna tell me?"

J: "When I'm ready"

R: "And it has something to do with those girls in New York?"

J: "One girl, but not in the way you think"

R: "I don't know what to think"

J: "Please, understand this."

R: "I'm trying, but how can I when I know you're hiding something from me, but you don't want to tell me?"

J: "I'm asking you to give me some time"

R: "I'm not sure I can"

J: "Then this conversation is over"

He got up.

J: "I want to tell you, but right now I just can't. And you can respect that or not."

Then he walked away. Rory sighed. Maybe he was right. Maybe she should give him some time, but she couldn't. She had no idea what he was hiding from her, although she made up a few theories in her mind, and she couldn't go on with him like nothing was going on. She wish she could, but she couldn't. The most important thing in a relationship for her was trust and right now she wasn't sure she could trust him.
*** I'm really sorry this is such a short chapter (again!), but this time I really can't help it, because I've been sick for the past 6 days and I felt too bad to continue the story, but I really wanted to update, so I wrote this chapter pretty much today and that's why it's not very long. The next one will be longer, promise. I know you're probably kind of curious about the whole Hannah-thing, but I promise I'll explain that very soon. Please be patient........Well, plz R&R!! Thanks!! ***