Title: Finding Family (Part 8) Author: Sirius Rating: PG Spoilers: None Pairing: R/J Summary: Rory and Jess find that they are supposed to be together. Jess gets a visit from someone in New York, which leads to a very complicated week.

[OPEN to Rory and Jess at the bridge in Stars Hollow. Rory has her head on Jess' shoulder and he is reading Oliver Twist to her. He pauses to look at her for a minute before continuing on. After a few more minutes, Jess finishes a chapter and Rory takes the book away from him. Jess leans back on his elbows and Rory stares out into the water.]

Jess: So, what are you doing today?

Rory: I don't really know, how bout you?

Jess: Carly wanted to hang out at the music store for a while, you can come too if you want.

Rory: Thanks, but I have some homework that I need to get done. You should spend some time with her.

Jess: Yeah. She never told me her whole story. Something is still bothering her.

Rory: Do you want me to try and talk to her?

Jess: In most cases, yes I would love you to. But now, I don't think so. I have a feeling that whatever it is, it's not good, and she might not want you to know.

Rory: (Trying to be understanding.) Okay. (Smiles.) Are you still holding up all right?

Jess: Yeah, pretty much. The apartment is a disaster though. I really needed to get out this morning, thanks for bringing me here.

Rory: No problem, this is our spot right?

Jess: Yup. I wouldn't even bring Carly here. She laughed at me. Apparently I'm not living up to the "rebellious brother" image she used to have. I've gone softy or something.

Rory: (She smiles in a satisfied way.) I have that affect on people. (Both of them simultaneously lay back on the bridge and look up at the clouds. After a moment of silence, Jess brings up a sensitive subject but continues to stare upward.)

Jess: What's going to happen with us?

Rory: (Startled by his question.) What do you mean?

Jess: When you go away to college, what's going to happen?

Rory: I, I'm not sure. I don't want things to change from how they are right now.

Jess: Me either. Things are perfect. (He smiles but it slowly fades. You can tell he's thinking of the future.)

Rory: Jess, I don't want to leave you.

Jess: Well, I don't want you to go, but this is your dream. Harvard has always been your dream.

Rory: Yeah, (pauses and continues with her voice full of sorrow) my dream. (Rory sighs and stares back up at the sky.) What if my dream's changed?

Jess: Don't change your dream on my account.

Rory: It's not on your account, but you contribute to my decision. I can go somewhere else for college. Yale is closer and my grandfather has connections.

Jess: Rory . . .

Rory: I'm serious Jess. I can go to Yale, still get a good education, and still follow my dream. I can do all of that and this way, I can do it with you.

Jess: Are you sure?

Rory: Positive. Let's change the subject though.

Jess: Okay, are you doing anything next Saturday?

Rory: (Thinks.) Um, I'm not sure. Why?

Jess: Well, uh, you see, there's this, this thing, at the high school, and I was kinda wondering if you'd like to go with me.

Rory: (Smiling.) What kind of thing?

Jess: Must you put me through this? You already know, just answer.

Rory: I have no idea what you're talking about. What kind of thing is going on at the high school next Saturday that you were kinda wondering if I would go with you to?

Jess: It's homecoming okay? Do you want to go or not?

Rory: (Smirks at him.) I'd love to, pick me up at seven. (She kisses him on the cheek and hops up from her spot on the bridge before walking back to her house.)

(Jess sits up and watches her go. He smiles to himself and laughs at his own insecurity. He knew she would say yes, but he was still nervous. Now, he just had to learn to dance . . .)

[OPEN TO THE APARTMENT ABOVE THE DINER]

(Carly and Jess are in the apartment. Jess is reading a book and Carly is looking in the refrigerator for something edible.)

Carly: So did you ask her?

Jess: Yes.

Carly: . . . and?

Jess: I have a date. (He grins at his sister and goes back to reading)

Carly: Oh cool! So are you gonna wear a tux and everything?

Jess: Um, I guess?

Carly: You have to! It adds to the experience.

Jess: Right, like you'd know.

Carly: I happen to know a lot about dances!

Jess: Like you've ever been to one.

Carly: Hey, I read too.

Jess: Oh right, like they've got so much info on how guys dress to dances in those sci-fi books you read.

Carly: I'm gonna ignore that. Do you know how to dance?

Jess: That was totally random, and yes, I do know how to dance.

Carly: Really? I've never seen you.

Jess: Yeah, well, I like to keep my inner groove, well, inner.

Carly: Come on Jess. I wanna see you dance.

Jess: Um, no.

Carly: Do you want to embarrass yourself in front of the girl you love?

Jess: Who told you I loved her?

Carly: GOD! It's so obvious.

Jess: How do you figure?

Carly: I'm your sister, I just know.

Jess: Right, okay. (He turns his attention back to his book again)

Carly: If you're going to be that way, fine. Embarrass yourself. I'm out. (Picks up her jacket and puts in on over her baggy blue jeans and Good Charlotte T-shirt before opening the door)

Jess: Hey Carly, wait.

Carly: Huh?

Jess: You never told me what was wrong.

Carly: (Carly's face turns distant and her voice sounds hollow) Oh, um, I'm still not really ready to, if that's okay. I'm waiting to hear from a friend.

Jess: Are you okay?

Carly: What? Me? Yeah, I'm fine.

Jess: What about Dustin?

Carly: What about him?

Jess: Is he okay?

Carly: He's fine! God, just leave me alone!

Jess: (Taken by surprise, Carly doesn't usually yell at him, they've always gotten along) Yeah, sure. Sorry.

Carly: Bye. (Slams the door and thumps down the stairs. A minute later Jess hears the door of the diner jingle. He moves to the window and sees her run across the street and disappear behind a building.)

[OPEN TO THE STREETS OF STARS HOLLOW]

(Rory and Jess are walking, strolling really, hand-in-hand down the streets of Stars Hollow, enjoying the starry night.)

Rory: She got real mad?

Jess: Yeah, I don't know why either. I brought up Dustin and she freaked.

Rory: By the way, who is Dustin?

Jess: Oh, sorry, forgot to fill you in on that. Dustin was my best friend back in New York. He and Carly went out for like three years. I'm pretty sure she loved him. It was really hard for her to move here and leave him behind. She hasn't called him.

Rory: When was the last time you've talked to him?

Jess: I don't call him much, but I send him letters pretty regularly. I don't get many answers though.

Rory: Could something have happened to him? A reason for her to be upset?

Jess: Maybe, she won't talk about it. She said she was waiting for a call from a friend before she would talk.

Rory: Hmm, well if she needs to talk, she can talk to me.

Jess: Yeah, she knows. Thanks. (They walk in silence for a little bit longer) What time do you need to be home?

Rory: My mom is working till ten tonight so I still have another hour.

Jess: You wanna go to the bookstore?

Rory: I'd love to. (She smiles up at him and they continue down the street toward their destination.)

[OPEN TO THE BOOKSTORE]

(Rory in sunk into a puffy armchair, consumed into a book and Jess is browsing the aisles.)

Jess: (Walks over to her and slumps down into the armchair next to her) Hey, whatcha reading?

Rory: Um, The Consequences We Meet, ever read it?

Jess: Nope, tell me how it is.

Rory: Sure, what'd you get?

Jess: Dissolved.

Rory: Oh! Isn't that by Daniel Thomas?

Jess: Yeah.

Rory: I've read that, it's incredible.

Jess: Good.

Carly: (Off somewhere in the store) Jess! Jess where are you?

Manager: Miss, you're going to have to keep it down if you want to stay in the store.

Carly: Jess! Come on Jess!

Manager: Miss, I must insist you lower your voice.

Carly: I need to find my brother! Jess!

Jess: (Looks up at the sound of his voice and traces it to the front of the store. Rory follows him at his heels) Carly?

Carly: Jess! I have to talk to you.

Jess: Carly, calm down, what's going on.

Carly: You have to come with me. It's Dustin.

Jess: What happened?

Carly: I'll explain on the way, you have to come with me right now.

Jess: Where are we going?

Carly: New York.

(Carly ran out of the bookstore and to Jess' car that's parked outside the diner. Jess desperately follows her and turns to Rory)

Jess: I have to go.

Rory: I'll come too.

Jess: You don't have to.

Rory: I know, I want to.

Jess: Okay, go get in the car with Carly, I'll be right back.

(Jess runs across the street, into the diner, and up to the counter where Luke is giving the check to a customer.)

Jess: (Panting) Carly, Rory, and I are going to New York. Something really important came up. We'll be back tomorrow night sometime. Tell Lorelai that Rory is with us. (Jess runs out the door)

Luke: Wha. . . wait . . . Dammit Jess! . . . come back!

(Jess' car is turning a corner by the time Luke gets out of the diner.)

(A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for reading! I haven't updated any of my stories in a long time, but I'm working on it. The next chapter of this might be up really soon, but maybe not. Depends on how I much homework I have in the next little bit. Please review! Thanks again! ~Amanda)