Thank you: seehoo, sarah, twinkletoes, Diana, me, and justagggirl a little note for you. I appreciate the fact that you're concerned about my wellbeing. But, I assure you, I'm fine and dealing with things the way I know how to. It's just that my parents are going through this huge messy divorce and sometimes, I wish… what if? Melancholy… maybe I do need it for a while… after all they do say that the things that don't break you will make you stronger. Let's hope that I get stronger.

Chapter 9: Together

Jess was awoken the next morning by the rays of light that escaped his curtains. Squinting didn't make it go away, so he sat up and rubbed his eyes. A deep sigh. Sleep had come, though not easily. This time, his dreams had been different. He had dreamt about the most influential person in his life. She is beautiful, was beautiful in his dreams with her long streaming hair and infectious laugh. Her name is Rory Gilmore.

~***~

Rory woke up with a smile for the first time in days. She could feel it in her bones, in the blood that flowed through her veins. She turned her face to the side. And saw Jess. He was holding her hand in both of his. He looked up, straight into her eyes and gave a hesitant smile. None of them spoke, just enjoying the moment. The moment…

Finally, he spoke. "I'm sorry."

Her eyes grew wide, and moist. She had never heard him say that. Two words, so powerful… they gave the given power if they wanted it. She smiled tearfully at him. "So am I."

Silence.

So far, that was all they had needed to say. They had both treaded on their respective paths alone, and found that they liked it better when they walked together. Together, they were invincible, unbroken, and untouchable. They both liked it better that way.

"I love you."

She wasn't sure who had said it, because her heart was soaring, soaring into the skies. Those three words were magical. She felt that she would do anything, well…mostly anything just to hear those words. He does love you…

He kissed her hand. You're the one for me because my hand fit yours this way…

And they thought that everything was all right, that everything was perfect once again.

They were wrong.

~***~

Later that morning, after they had breakfast, Jess was reading the papers, with Rory sitting comfortably within the V of his legs. Everything was serene, too serene…

Jess froze.

It couldn't be true.

No one could be that cruel.

He was wrong on both accounts. It was true, and someone was that cruel…

Without a word, he motioned to Rory to read something. She took the papers from his hand and started reading the sleazy tabloid.

What you really want to know about Dodger M.

Who is he, you ask? Why do his stories contain a periphery of despondency, just the right amount, to draw you in?

His name is Jess Mariano. He is my ex-boyfriend.

And he was once the person that everyone loved to hate. He drank, almost drove over an old lady, snorted cocaine, almost drove over an old lady, smoked, and almost killed himself. And yet, through all of this, I stood by his side, watched over him, made sure that he didn't do anything that couldn't be corrected.

Do you know that he went into rehab twice and juvenile halls thrice? Probably not. It's not the sort of thing you bring up in casual conversations.

He left me. You would think, that after all I had done for him, he would care for me. I was pregnant at the time, approximately 4 months or so. I was only 17, too young to know better, and too old to go crying to my parents. I couldn't believe it, how could he do this to me? Why would he do this to me? And most of all, I wanted to know, where did he go?

So, imagine my surprise, when one day, I saw him serving food at a diner in a small town. I didn't go up to him, didn't scream at him, because I still loved him. Even after four years of pain, I still loved him. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was having his child...

Rory couldn't read anymore. She didn't want to know what the third mistake was, what the fourth mistake was, what the fifth mistake was if there was one. So this is what Jess was talking about… exposing his past will kiss his career goodbye. Of course. As a journalist, you know that nobody likes a leaver. They always take the side of the jilted lover. She wanted to cry, but couldn't. Do you believe her, this bimbo, who stands for everything you hate?

Jess saw the emotions flicker across her face. He wanted to tell her that some of it wasn't true… but would she believe him?

Rory opened her mouth, and her voice choked when she spoke. "Did you really… are you a father?"

He shook his head. "The baby isn't mine. It is…" he paused. "My best friend's."

Rory gawked. "Are you telling me what I think you're telling me?"

Jess sighed. "She doesn't know that I know. He told me they slept together, that it was a mistake… and after that I didn't sleep with her, couldn't look at her… so I left."

Rory couldn't speak. Do you believe him? Do you trust him? Do you, do you… What if it's true? Where does that put you? Will you be able to look at him straight in the eyes and say, "I know everything there is to know about you and I still love you."

"Rory, I love you. I know you're probably wondering if you had placed your faith in the right person, but for what it's worth, I love you with all my heart and soul." For what it's worth, I'd die for you…

Rory took a deep breath. Face it, Rory. Your destiny lies with this man. Your destiny is this man. She gave him a quivery smile. "I believe you."

Jess sighed with immense relief. He gave her a quick, possessive kiss on the lips. She was really his…

She shook free, and looked deep into his eyes. "Can I…"

Jess laughed. He knew what she wanted before she even said it. "Yes." Jess Mariano, this will be the first and last interview.

"I got some writing to do, actually no… I got some ass kicking to do…" Nobody gets to put down my man apart from me. He is the kindest, nicest, bravest person I know. And I'll make sure the whole world knows that.

To be continued…

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