Lorelai frowned, glancing at Luke out of the corner of her eye. He hovered over the counter, close enough to the coffee pot to prevent her from grabbing it. "Luke," she whined, raising her voice.

Luke glanced at her, rolled his eyes, and shook his head. "No."

"But, Luke," she raised her voice an octave higher. "Coffee. Coffee is my life! My soul! The one thing that keeps me alive!"

"Good."

"Huh?"

Luke nodded. "Well, if coffee keeps you alive, and I don't give you any, you'll have to bring your whining elsewhere."

"Luke…" Lorelai stuck out her bottom lip slightly, making it shake slightly, as if she were on the verge of tears. "I've had an awful day and now you're denying me coffee?" She glared at him.

Luke laughed. "No."

Jess stood on Lorelai's front porch, his fist braced inches away from the door, paused in mid-knock. He frowned. Would Rory murder him when she opened the door? He sighed. He couldn't be afraid of her. He knocked quickly, before he got a chance to change his mind.

A minute later, the door creaked open and a girl peered out at him. Not Rory. "Hello," she said quietly, her blue eyes narrowed slightly.

"Uh, is Rory here?"

The girl opened the door a little wider, but her arm was across the opening, keeping him from entering. He knew she had to be from a big city to be this cautious. "You're Jess."

"That's right." He tried to keep his tone simple, but when he got nervous, he became sarcastic. And something about this girl made him nervous.

"Wow, Vanna, do I win a prize?" the girl shot back, her voice equally sarcastic.

Jess rolled his eyes. "You have my name. What's yours?"

The girl was quiet for a minute. "Callie. Not Callista, Callie."

"Well, Callie, can I come in?"

"No."

"What?" Jess was surprised.

Callie nodded. "That's right. I'm not letting you in. Because I still don't know what you did to my friend that made her so nervous to be near you. But it couldn't have been good. Lane wouldn't even give me a hint."

"So?" Jess asked, although it wasn't really necessary. He knew what was coming.

"I'm not letting you in until you tell me what happened."

Rory closed her eyes and listened as the familiar lyrics washed over her. Should I stay or should I go now? If I stay there will be trouble. How many times had these lyrics outlined Jess's choices? Countless. And now she was in the same position. If she stayed, there'd be trouble. But if she went…there'd still be trouble.

And Rory knew in her heart of hearts that she had to face him. She had spent too long, almost a year, obsessing over the situation. She sighed. Jess hadn't left after their first kiss, and there were so many reasons for him to. So she wouldn't leave yet. Because even if she didn't want to admit it, she still liked him, in some way or form. Maybe not love, maybe not any romantic way, but they had been friends long before that kiss had changed everything. Long before… She shook her head, knowing if she let her thought continue in this pattern she'd soon lose all the control she had.

"Uh, you want me to tell you what happened with Rory?" Jess asked slowly, stalling for time. He had promised Luke he'd have Lorelai's sink fixed by the end of the day, so it wasn't like he could just leave.

"Yeah. That's what I said. And last time I checked, it wasn't a very confusing question. Let me rephrase so your simple mind will understand- what…did…you…do…to…Rory?"

Jess gulped. "Uh…"

"C'mon, Jess. Stop wasting my time. Believe it or not, I do have better things to do than sit here talking to you."

"You're standing."

"Same difference. And don't try to change the subject…well?"

Jess sighed. "You know, I don't have to answer to you. I'm outta here. Tell Lorelai you wouldn't let me in to fix the sink." He turned on his heal to leave.

"Wait! Jess!"

Jess turned around at Rory's voice, his heart lifting unintentionally. Rory had breezed past Callie and she stood on the porch he had just vacated. Her thick hair was down, blowing in the wind, and Jess thought she looked like a model. 'Yeah, and I'm not biased,' he thought sarcastically.

"I have a few more questions for my paper. Do you mind?"

Jess shook his head. "Uh, no."

"Okay…so I need to know about this girl. Azura?"

"Oh, yeah. Um, what do you need to know?" Jess wished he hadn't told Rory about Azura, because it pained him to see how unaffected she was.

"You know, the basics. Like how old is she? Where's she go to school? Where's she from?"

Jess nodded. "Okay. She's twenty. From New York, like me. She's going to Columbia. And her little sister, Scarlett, lives with her. Her parents died in a car accident two years ago and she got custody of Scarlett. Scarlett's sixteen."

"Oh, wow. She sounds like quite a person. A real angel. Good for you, Jess." Rory said it lightly, jotting down notes. "Okay, so this Scarlett girl. What's she like?"

"Azura's mother got her started modeling when she was ten. She's had spreads already, like in Teen and Cosmopolitan. Anyway, she wants to be a singer or actress. She's smart and her grades are good."

"Well, does she have a membership to Overachievers Anonymous?" Rory smiled slightly.

Jess shrugged. "Do you?"

Later that day, Rory was laying across the living room floor, watching TV. Callie had gone out to do something, and Tristan was sitting on the couch. "Tris?"

"Mmm?" He didn't bother to look at her; he just stared ahead at the TV.

"What happened between you and your family?" She thought she had the right to ask the question, for all the personal questions he had asked her lately.

Tristan still didn't look at her, but Rory noticed his jaw set and his eyes cloud over. "Nothing, Rory."

Rory raised an eyebrow. "That's your version of nothing?"

"Let it go, Rory."

"Fine. But you let my Jess situation go."

He thought for a moment before answering. "Fine."

Callie walked along the dirt roads of Stars Hollow, kicking an aluminum can in front of her as she walked. "Somebody's in a bad mood."

Callie looked up, startled. "Jess." She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Jess let out a short, harsh laugh. "Me? I lived here for two years. I have more right to be here than-"

"I meant here, by the bridge. You crept up all stalker like." Callie's eyes darted around nervously, and Jess frowned.

"So I did. The bridge was kinda…my spot while I was here. You know, where I went when I wanted to be alone."

Callie nodded, clearly understanding what he meant. "Yeah, I get it. Probably too well."

Jess nodded, not pushing it. "Yeah, I didn't mean to scare you. Sorry."

Callie shrugged, turning her eyes on him. She took him in slowly, carefully, as if he was hiding something. Which he was, of course. "I don't get you, Jess."

"This is supposed to surprise me?"

Callie shrugged. "It's just…from the way Rory acts, from what she's said, I know you did something bad to her. Something awful. But since I've met you…I don't know. You haven't seemed like that kind of person."

Jess laughed, sitting down on the side of the bridge. "Should I take that as an insult or a compliment?"

Callie stood still for a moment, considering his question. "A compliment," she finally said, sitting down next to him.

Jess woke up the next morning to a sharp pain in his left side. He shifted slightly, his mind clouded. As his thoughts became his own again, he realized where he was. On the bridge. Callie was leaning against his shoulder, and by her even breathing, he knew she was asleep.

Jess frowned. He wasn't exactly comfortable, but he didn't want to wake Callie up either. He stared down at the sleeping girl, who didn't look half as innocent as Rory was awake. The girl didn't seem to have much peace.

And Jess's mind was made up. He wouldn't wake her, at least not yet. He'd suffer for a bit, if it meant Callie could rest.

It was another two hours before Callie woke up. The sun was just coming up, and the sky was pink. "Pink sky in morning, sailors take warning," she murmured.

"Huh?"

The voice startled her, and she realized that her 'pillow' was Jess. "The old rhyme. Pink sky at night, sailor's delight. Pink sky in morning, sailors-"

"Oh."

Callie frowned. "Oh my God. I fell asleep on you. You must have been so uncomfortable."

"It was fine." Jess moved his arm and winced slightly.

Callie raised an eyebrow. "Fine? I don't think so." Standing up slowly and stretching, she added, "Let me help you. I'm pretty good with my hands."

Callie braced herself for some comment like, 'I'll bet you are,' which seemed to be pretty common, but Jess just nodded. "Okay." He shifted slightly, turning his back to her.

Callie's hands worked their way over Jess's shoulders, at the base of his neck. She smiled as his head rolled back, lolling in small circles. After a few minutes, she whispered, "That better?"

"Mmm." Jess turned to her. "I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Callie started to laugh and Jess frowned. "What?"

"You did not just say that," Callie said between giggles.

"Yeah, I did," Jess said, starting to laugh himself.

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Luke, I'm asking for one teeny weensy cup of coffee. Java. Drink of the Gods. Pleeeaaaaase."

Luke rolled his eyes, ignoring her. When he heard the familiar jangle of the bells that symbolized the door opening, he turned towards the source. Jess and Rory's friend had just walked in. "Jess, you were supposed to cover the nine shift. Where were you?"

Jess shrugged. "Bridge."

"The wooden bridge? Not some gambling card game bridge?"

"Uh-huh." Jess walked over to behind the counter. Grabbing the coffee pot from Luke, he filled Lorelai's cup. "I can't deal with her whining." Lorelai smiled giddily, taking a gulp of her coffee. Jess rolled his eyes, turning to Callie. "You want anything?"

Callie nodded, looking over the pastries. "Um…a jelly doughnut, please."

Jess handed her the doughnut and a cup of coffee. "You're a friend of Rory's. You must like coffee," Jess said simply.

Jess realized Luke was staring at him and he realized he didn't usually pay this much attention to a customer. Jess turned away.

"Ooh. I got an idea! How about we all go back to my house and tell freaky ghost stories and Luke can bring Mr. Coffee." Lorelai sounded gleeful at her suggestion.

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Coffee?"

Rory nodded. "Yeah. Mr. Coffee's Luke's coffee machine. It's the best."

Tristan rolled his eyes, glancing at Callie. She smiled, glanced at Jess, and he smiled too. Odd. "Uh, I guess that would be cool." Tristan glanced outside. There was a torrential downpour, and just then, there was a loud clap of thunder. "Callie and I will go bring my car around."

Rory frowned. "Did you leave the roof down?"

Tristan grimaced. "Yeah, I think so."

"Okay, T. Now the real reason you chose me to come with you, and not Rory." Callie raised her eyebrows.

Tristan laughed. "Nothing gets by you, Callie. Befriending the enemy, are we?" He stared at her intently.

Callie bit her lip. "Uh, I don't know. No, I'm not. I'm just being civil to him, you know?"

Tristan nodded, not believing her. "Okay, Callie. Just be careful. Remember, Rory's one of your best friends. And if Rory finds out you're hanging out with Jess…" Tristan trailed off, shaking his head.

Callie didn't respond. Instead she just kept walking toward the car.

Lane had joined the others at Lorelai's house soon after the diner crowd had arrived, and she watched Jess in disgust. At least he had the brains to sit on the opposite side of the room as Lane, because Lane was sure that if she had the chance, she'd kill him. So much for pacifism.

Jess and Rory sat on the opposite sides of the room uncomfortably, glancing at the floor, the walls, anything but each other. Lane could kill him. She really could. For him to come in here and make Rory uncomfortable in her own home.

Tristan cleared his throat and Lane realized she must have been sending Jess death stares. She blushed, looking away quickly. She stood up and walked out to the kitchen to get some water.

As she filled her glass, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Jumping, she turned around to find Tristan standing there. "Oh, hi. You scared me."

"Sorry. You probably scared Jess though with those looks you were giving him." Tristan smirked. "Are you sure he didn't do anything to you?"

Lane grimaced. "No. And definitely not in the way you were thinking. He hurt my best friend, so I guess he hurt me."

"What did he do to Rory?"

"Tristan…" Lane's voice held a warning.

"Sorry. I know, you think Rory should tell me. But she won't. Plus, I want to hear your version." He flashed her his killer grin.

Lane winced. "Does that really work?"

"What?"

"Seducing your way into answers?"

A self-confident smirk appeared on Tristan's face. "You find me seductive?"

Lane sighed. "Gee, Tristan, does your mind only work one way?"

He smiled a player smile at her. "Only when there's a beautiful girl there."

Lane laughed. "Oh God. That's the best you can do. I'm thinking Rory's high school opinion of you was right."

Tristan shrugged. "Maybe…but seriously, Lane, you do know you're beautiful, right?"

Lane smiled shyly. "Tristan, don't do this."

"Do what?"

"Compliment me. Lie. Act like this. It's like your trying to get something out of me." Lane paused. "Oh, wait! I already know you are!" Her voice was sarcastic, hurt.

Tristan sighed. "Lane. I'm not lying to you. You are beautiful. And trying to get something out of you? Yeah, I want to know what happened between Rory and Jess but I want to be your friend more."

Lane rolled her eyes. "Gee, Tristan. I should feel so lucky that you want to be my friend. Every girl wants an egotistical friend."

Tristan laughed, shaking his head. "So, you still haven't answered my question."

"Huh?"

"Do you find me seductive?"

"Ooh. I know this. Ooh, ooh, ooh! You're a mime!" Lorelai let out an excited giggle, standing up.

Luke frowned. "How the hell did you get to be so good in Charades?"

Lorelai shrugged. "It's a gift, I guess. Now sit down. My turn." Lorelai took Luke's spot in the center of the living room.

"Ooh. A movie!" Rory took in her mother's actions carefully. "Oh. Um…what's it called. Um…"

"When Harry Met Sally," Jess said, gazing at her.

Rory blushed, remembering a time she and Jess had watched the movie. "Oh, uh, yeah. That's it."

Lorelai frowned. "Err. I should have made it harder. Fine, Jess, you're up."

"What?" Jess frowned. "I don't want to- no, let Rory go."

"No, rules are rules, Mariano. Get up."

Callie was laying on the living room couch later that night when Jess entered the room. Turning over to look at him, she grimaced. "What time is it?"

"Two in the morning. Go back to sleep."

Callie rubbed her eyes, sitting up. "No. What's up?"

Jess glanced at her. "Nothing. I was just gonna go for a walk."

Callie frowned, glancing outside. The thunder was weaker, but the rain was still coming down. "In this weather?"

Jess nodded. "It's not that bad."

"Fine. I'll come with you."

Jess stared at her. "What?"

"I said I'm coming. That way if you get struck by lightning you won't lay there all night and go unnoticed."

Jess laughed. "That's likely. In this town, if someone noticed me, they wouldn't help me anyway."

Callie frowned. "I doubt that, Jess. You might not be the most popular person in the town, but I don't think people would let you die."

"Name one person that wouldn't," Jess challenged, opening the door and stepping outside.

Callie followed him outside and the two started walking. "Rory."

"Maybe a while ago. But now, she'd be the one telling people to leave me there. She'd be the lightning."

"Ah, metaphors. You know, they're supposed to be the path to a poets heart. So Rory's made it to your heart, huh?"

Jess stopped walking suddenly, rubbing his temples. "Rory and I were over before we began. There's nothing there."

Callie nodded, not believing him for a second.

"Tris."

Tristan frowned, glancing across the dark room. Squirming out of his sleeping bag, he tiptoed over to Rory. Strange. Callie wasn't in her bag. "What?" he asked, sitting down on the side of her bed.

"Why does everything have to be so confusing?"

Tristan glanced at Rory's alarm clock. It was four in the morning and she had gotten him up to mope? Great. "It's life, Rory. It will end soon enough."

"The confusion or life?"

Tristan shrugged. "I don't know. Are you seriously depressed?"

Rory laughed, punching him lightly. "How do you do that?"

"What?"

"Turn a serious question into a joke. Make me feel better."

Tristan shrugged, pulling her into his arms. "I don't know. I just like to make sure you're happy."

Rory nodded, snuggling against him. "I am. For now. But the second I see Jess again…" She trailed off and tightened her grasp around Tristan's chest.

Tristan gave her a comforting squeeze. "Rory, it's not that big of a deal. Jess doesn't seem like he'll try to hurt you or anything."

Rory sighed, a tear slipping down her cheek. "It just hurts, Tris. We used to be so close."

"Can I do anything for you?"

"Just hold me."