Slight reference to spoilers! (R/J) of course:)

Disclaimer: I have no connection what so ever to Gilmore Girls or its creators. My only connection to the WB is that I watch it on weekly basis. Feedback and reviews are lovely and well appreciated. Thank you so much for reading assuming you did :)

*Lyrics are copyrighted with RCA records on behalf of Eve6*

RECAP:

"You're going on this trip because you've turned over a new leaf and want to live life with no regrets."

Jess nodded but remained silent in response to her comment.

"Are you convinced yet?" She asked hopefully even though she knew he wasn't.


"Well..."

"OK, you woke up one day and realized that in order to become a full all around person you need to stick your feet in the Pacific Ocean. And then only then will you be able to experience self-actualization." Rory continued as she rested her head down on his shoulder.

"Thank you for the insight Maslow. Are you going to charge me by the hour to analyze my life or could we work out a payment plan?"

Rory poked his stomach with her finger and replied "I'll have you know Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs happens to be highly respected by professionals everywhere."

"Respected or not I think it's bogus."


"Ahh fair enough. Jess you know what you're doing more than I do. Maybe you don't need an exact answer tonight and you'll figure it out once you get there." She concluded.

~ Here's to the Night~

Chapter Four: "Here's to the nights we felt alive, Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry, Here's to goodbye tomorrow's gonna come too soon"

Jess sat back on Rory's bed and watched her talk on the telephone as she paced slightly back and forth. He watched her go back and forth, studying every move she made. There was something about Rory that baffled him. She was able to make changing a garbage bag look like an art form. He knew no one else saw what he did. They wouldn't because they weren't in love with her like he was. His trance came back to reality as he heard her near the end of her conversation.

"Sure, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow night when you get home....don't worry about me. I'll be just fine. Now get off the phone with me and enjoy the rest of your time with Alex. Love you too. Bye." Rory said and then hung up the telephone. She felt his eyes burning into her and glanced to meet them.

"Bad case of paranoia from the parental unit?"

Rory cocked her head and chuckled as she walked toward her bed to sit down.

"Parental unit? I had no idea that phrase was included in your extensive but often limited vocabulary." She replied.

Jess shrugged his shoulders and offered her a blank stare.

"She didn't call to break anything up between us. She just wanted to make sure I was ok and you know, check in. That's all." Rory said and then set the cordless telephone on top of her bed.

"Consider the facts Ror, two hormonally charged teenagers in an empty house for the night. You and I both know your mom wasn't just 'checking in'." He corrected her with a devious grin.

She sighed and brushed her long hair out of her face in slight frustration. Truth of the matter, she wasn't completely convinced herself that her mom was just checking in on her. She was well aware of the fact her mom was constantly afraid her daughter would end up just like her. What Rory couldn't understand was what was so bad about being like her mom?

"Whatever, I told her Luke was still around so...."

"Is Luke here?" Jess asked quietly.

"No, but he knows you're here."

"So.."

"So I don't know. Can we not talk about this anymore?" Rory asked as she looked down at her lap again.

Jess brushed the stray piece of hair which had fallen into her eyes away and answered "OK."

Rory crawled over to Jess on the bed and rested her head on his chest. She felt completely content once his arm wrapped around her body. Jess kissed the top of her head and let his eyes close for just a moment.

"It's getting late and I've gotta get up early tomorrow. I should probably get going." Jess declared.

Rory tighten her arm around his stomach and sighed.

"Can't you stay a little longer?"

He turned his head to glance at her alarm clock and took in the numbers.

"I guess until one but Lorelai is going to find out about it. Babette surely saw what time we made it back here and will note my departure time." He said trying to reason with her. The last thing he wanted was for her to get into trouble with her mom on his account. Sure, she was a high school graduate now and on her way to Yale but she still had rules to follow. Rory had already endured enough obstacles since he had entered her life however long ago that was.

Rory propped herself up on her elbow and looked directly in his eyes. She leaned forward and placed her lips on his softly. Her mouth lingered near his, toying with going in for a second kiss.

"Stay the night Jess." She whispered softly without taking her eyes off of his.

"I don't think I should." He said.

"Why not? Stay and then we can leave for the airport tomorrow together. We'll have to stop and get Luke but still. It makes sense to me." Rory stated calmly hoping to persuade a now resistant Jess.

Jess shook his head slightly and replied "Ror, I want to believe me but I really don't think it's a good idea."

He studied her eyes and prayed she would accept his answer. His ability to refuse her invitation was growing weaker after each second of gazing into her loving eyes.

"If you want to then stay. Since when have you considered what's good or bad when making a decision anyway. That's my role in this relationship and you know it." She said.

Jess cracked a smile and quickly asked "Are you a little upset about our recent role reversal? How does Rory the town rebel sound?"

Rory poked his side forcing him to squirm a bit underneath her. She giggled as he responded and then next thing she knew she was flat on her back with Jess above her. He looked deep into her eyes but said nothing. Rory replied with silence as well. Many of their best conversations occurred that very way.

"Just make sure you set the alarm." Jess said finally giving into her.

Rory smiled and pulled his face closer to hers.

"Thank you." She whispered and then pressed her lips against his lovingly.