*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.

*A/N: Hey!!! This is the *LAST* chapter, but it doesn't have to be the end. I have a sequel for this story, even though I normally don't write sequels. It might take a little while for me to put up the first chapter, but I just wanted to know what you guys think. Sequel or not ? THANKS for the reviews!!! Especially to the people who have been reading this story ever since the first chapter. After this I'm going to try to finish 'You're being watched' and work on the sequel for this story.

*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)

When Rory opened her eyes the next morning, she noticed the soft fabric of the covers against her skin. She didn't remember pulling them up last night. The last thing she remembered were Jess' dark eyes, that fitted his complex persona perfectly, looking at her with understanding and pain. And even though there was only a glimmer of the last one, it had been there and it made her heart ache just thinking about it. But it would fade, just like her love for Jess would.......... Who was she fooling ? It wouldn't fade. She would be able to run and hide from it, but it would never fade. A reassuring yet frightening thought occurred to her............ No matter how fast she would run and how many good hiding spots she would find, at one point it would catch up with her. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but eventually........it would. It would be right there in her face in the future, ready to weaken her knees and make her fall again. Knowing that it would catch up with her sooner or later made her feel unsure, but knowing that it was true, made her feel scared.

She wanted to reach for the covers with her right hand, so she could pull them up even higher, but she couldn't. Her hand wouldn't move. Immediately her eyes flew to her right hand. She found that her small hand was hidden in Jess' hand. His fingers, imperfectly shaped with memories that he had already forgotten, were softly gripping her hand. She brought her gaze up to Jess' face and smiled as memories of last night entered her brain one by one. The first ones weren't the memories she wanted or would remember, but the last one she would. It would be with her forever. It was the way he looked when he agreed to be friends with her. In some strange and twisted way, they were starting over. Rory smiled again and wanted to pull her hand free, but Jess' grip just got tighter. As if he didn't want to let go.

Suddenly his eyes opened. They shifted from their entwined hands to Rory's face, lingering at her smile. He graced her with a smile of his own and gently squeezed her hand before he let go. Even though he was just letting go of her hand and she was still next to him, it seemed as if he was letting go of her. It was the first time he wanted to cry. She deserved to be cried over after all.

R: ''Hey.''

J: ''Hey.''

Jess sat up straight and almost immediately he felt a sharp pain in his neck. He reached for it with his hands, knowing that it was just soar. Sleeping in this position hadn't been that comfortable.

R: ''Are you okay ?''

Jess quickly glanced at her, catching the worried expression on her face. He nodded.

J: ''Yeah, it's just soar. But I'm sure it would feel much better after a massage.''

A sly smirk appeared on his face. Rory rolled her eyes and started to look for some clean clothes.

R: ''You need to shave.''

Jess' hand went to his face as she said this.

J: ''You know, most girls go for facial hair.''

Rory shook her head, but smiled anyway. She was glad that things were okay between them and that they could still tease each other without getting too personal. Rory got up and started to head for the shower. When she reached the door of Lily's bathroom, she turned around and met Jess' eyes.

R: ''I'm leaving today.''

She silently slipped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

Jess looked at the closed door as he repeated those three words in his head. He knew that she wouldn't stay here forever. She had a home to get back to, just he had a home here. He got up and ran his hand over his face again. Maybe he should shave.........

*~*~*

When Rory and Jess entered the kitchen, Sasha was sitting at the table, reading a magazine. A cup of steaming coffee was standing next to the magazine. Rory took in the smell of it, as the last fragments of her sleep disappeared.

R: ''Morning Sasha.''

Rory went over to the coffeepot and poured some coffee into one of the cups. This one was decorated with yellow sunflowers. Rory took a sip and sat down across from Sasha.

S: ''Hey sunshines. Did you two sleep well ?''

A silence fell over the kitchen, blocking out every noise from outside. Sasha noticed and looked up. She gave them each a curious look, trying not to be too suspicious. She had seen them together in Lily's room. Rory and Jess locked eyes, trying to communicate without talking. Silently arguing who would be the one to do the talking. Finally Jess sighed and gave in.

J: ''It wasn't what it looked like.''

R: ''Yeah, we ended up talking and staying up really late and finally we fell asleep.''

Sasha took a sip from her coffee before she answered them.

S: ''I believe you.''

She smiled and took another sip from her coffee. Jess shook his head as he leaned against the counter and took a bite from his apple. Normally he wasn't really into the healthy crap, but he got used to it. Besides an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Jess shook his head. He couldn't believe how lame that sounded.

R: ''Sasha, I have to tell you something.''

S: ''Shoot.''

Rory lowered her eyes and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

R: ''I'm leaving today.''

S: ''When ?''

Rory looked up and locked eyes with Jess.

J: ''After dinner.''

Rory nodded, glad that he said it. Cause she would have gladly stayed here a couple of more days, just to spend some more time with Lily........and Jess. But she knew that it was time to leave, she got her closure and there was no reason to stick around any longer.

R: ''Yeah, after dinner.''

*~*~*

After Rory had finished her breakfast, Jess offered to take her to the bookstore one last time. Rory agreed and she had a huge smile plastered on her face as they walked over there. She could spend all her free time in that bookstore, even though it was small compared to the one they had in Stars Hollow. She liked the fact that it's main focus was on fairy-tales. Sure, she preferred literature above mythical creatures, but just seeing the rows and rows of fairy-tales made her change her mind. It was as if they were calling her. Rory wondered if Jess had read any fairy-tales ? Did his mom read them to him when he would go to bed ? She looked up from her book and shifted her gaze to Jess, who was practically lying on the pillows.

R: ''Jess.''

J: ''Yes Cinderella ?''

Rory saw the amusement in his eyes and smiled.

R: ''Can I ask you a question ?''

J: ''No, I don't know where your glass slippers are. Anything else ?''

Rory rolled her eyes.

R: ''You know fairy-tales, right ?''

J: ''Huh ?''

R: ''I mean you know the stories of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty............''

J: ''Rory, where are you going with this ?''

R: ''Just answer the question.''

Jess sighed.

J: ''Yes I know them. I mean Sleeping Beauty and Snow White were hot.''

He grinned.

R: ''Thanks for sharing your opinion with me. Do you like fairy-tales ?''

J: ''Not really. Too cheesy and happy for my taste. I mean every story ends with and they live happily ever after.''

R: ''So ?''

J: ''So, that isn't reality. Sure they live happily ever after until the prince cheats on the princess and they get a divorce.''

R: ''I don't like your fairy-tales.''

J: ''Too realistic for you ?''

R: ''To close to the truth for me.''

Jess looked at her with a confused look in his eyes.

R: ''It reminds me of my mom and dad. You know, my dad leaving us when I was little and my mom raising me without the help of others. We barely had any money for food and clothes.''

J: ''The no clothes part sound okay.''

Rory shot him an annoyed look.

J: ''I was just kidding. You had a harder childhood that I thought.''

R: ''Gee thanks.''

J: ''You know what I mean. You don't look like the kind of person who had a hard time growing up.''

R: ''I know. It's hard to believe too since my grandparents are, loaded I believe you would say. Besides things weren't that bad. My mom wouldn't have been working in the Inn now if it wasn't for what happened. And we probably wouldn't have ended up in Stars Hollow.''

J: ''You like Stars Hollow, don't you ?''

Rory shrugged.

R: ''It kinda grows on you.''

J: ''Yeah, it does.''

R: ''Jess, did your mom ever read fairy-tales to you ? When you went to sleep or anything ?''

Jess snorted.

J: ''Yeah right. She was too busy getting drunk, high or laid.''

R: ''There must have been times when you loved her, right ?''

Jess nodded, digging up almost ancient memories from the back of his mind.

J: ''There were a few times when everything would be okay.''

R: ''Good.''

Jess nodded and met her eyes.

J: ''We have a couple of more hours, do you wanna check out the other stores ?''

R: ''After I've finished this book.''

J: ''How about I buy you the book and then we leave ?''

R: ''You don't have to buy me the book Jess.''

J: ''I know, but I want to. Besides this way you'll have something to read on the trip home.''

R: ''If you insist.''

J: ''You are such a fighter.''

Rory stuck her tongue out as Jess grabbed the 'Forgotten Fairy-Tales' and headed for the counter.

After they left the bookstore, Jess showed her the rest of Venice Beach. He even went with her when she went to buy souvenirs for her mom, Luke and Lane. When Rory finally found the 'perfect' cap for Luke, they headed back. While they were walking, Rory glanced at Jess, studying his face.

R: ''You shaved.''

Jess smiled and didn't say anything as he reached for her hand.

*~*~*

While Rory was packing her stuff, Lily suddenly came jumping into the room.

Lily: ''Hey Rory. Do you like puppies ? I do, but according to my dad we can't get have another puppy, cause we already have a lot of dogs. Even though I explained to him that a puppy isn't the same as a dog. Anyway Priscilla, my best friend, just got a new puppy and she's so sweet. Her name's.................... You're packing ?''

R: ''Yeah.''

Lily stopped jumping and walked over to Rory.

Lily: ''You're leaving ?''

Rory nodded as she tried to squeeze the souvenirs into her bag.

R: ''After dinner.''

Lily didn't say another thing and kneeled down next to Rory, to help her pack. When they were done, Lily looked up at Rory.

Lily: ''Did you and Jess talk ?''

R: ''Yeah.''

Lily: ''And what was the conclusion ?''

Rory softly laughed, wondering if Lily knew how smart she was.

R: ''Jess and I broke up.''

Lily: ''Why ?''

R: ''Cause it's easier to be friends.''

Rory wondered if that was true. Was it really easier to be friends ? She shoved that thought aside, when Sasha called them for dinner.

*~*~*

Rory was surprised to see that everyone was sitting at the table in the kitchen. For once they were actually using that table. During the dinner the conversation was light, which gave Rory the time to enjoy her last dinner with Jess' family. Cause that was what they were, his family. She smiled and listened to the conversation that was going on.

Lily: ''And she's really cute. Can we have one daddy ? Please ?''

Lily pouted and looked at Jimmy. Jimmy shook his head.

Jimmy: ''We already have enough dogs Lily.''

J: ''Yeah, you can practically form your own dog army.''

Lily shot him a look and Jimmy softly laughed at Jess' comment.

Sasha: ''Come one Jimmy, we have room for one more.''

Jimmy: ''Not you too Sash.''

Rory stopped eating and just watched them banter and laugh. For a lonely second she felt like an outsider and she missed her mom. She heard Jess laugh and smiled. She knew that she was going to miss this place too.

*~*~*

After dinner, she got her bag and went into the living room to say goodbye to everyone. She walked over to Sasha and Jimmy and smiled.

R: ''Thanks again for letting me stay here.''

Sasha quickly hugged her.

S: ''It was our pleasure sunshine, right Jimmy ?''

Jimmy: ''Whatever she says.''

Sasha gave him a look and Jimmy smiled.

Jimmy: ''I was just kidding. Geez. You're welcome here any time Rory.''

R: ''Thanks.''

She turned around to say goodbye to Lily. But before she could say anything, the little girls hugged her. When she let go, Lily handed her a piece of paper.

Lily: ''My e-mail.''

Rory took it, feeling touched that Lily wanted to mail with her.

R: ''I'll mail you as soon as I get home, promise.''

She smiled at Lily.

R: ''Bye Lily.''

Lily: ''Bye.''

Rory waved at everyone and left for the bus stop with Jess. They walked in silence.

*~*~*

When they got there, the bus was just arriving. Rory stopped walking and turned around to look at Jess.

J: ''I guess this is goodbye.''

R: ''Guess so.''

She locked eyes with Jess.

J: ''Rory........did you mean it ? What you said on the phone at your graduation ?''

Rory gave him a confused look, not sure what he meant.

Jess struggled with his feeling, wondering if he should be asking her this. They did break up after all, so it wasn't really part of them anymore. Still he couldn't resist, he had to know. Even though he could never tell her how much those words meant to him.

J: ''Did you love me ?''

Rory was a little taken back by his question, she never thought he would have remembered let alone ask her. Of course he remembered, but that was probably because she had told him that she might have loved him. She shyly smiled and nodded, wiping a strand of hair away from her face.

R: ''I still do.............and I always will.''

Rory moved closer to him and hugged him. Jess placed his hands around her waist and pulled her against his chest, taking in her scent one last time. Rory wanted to cry again. This did seem like goodbye..........

R: ''I'm going to miss you.''

J: ''Same here.''

Rory knew that even though he didn't exactly say it, he was going to miss her just as much as she was going to miss him. Probably even more. They broke their hug and looked at each other, feeling a little uncomfortable. Jess took a step back and shoved his hands in his pockets. A smirk broke through on his face.

J: ''Being friends is going to be hell..........''

R: ''But we'll get through it.''

J: ''Bring it on.''

Rory smiled and Jess realized once more how beautiful she was. She was probably going to be the biggest loss in his life, but at the same time his biggest win.

R: ''See ya Jess.''

J: ''Goodbye Rory.''

Rory gave him one more look before she stepped on the bus. She got a seat at the window, so she could observe and remember Jess the way he was standing there. Hands casually placed in his pockets, black hair an organized mess, unreadable gaze and a crooked grin on his face. Rory placed her hand on against the window, and traced his face with her fingers. Jess nodded and smiled. When the bus drove off, Rory didn't look back. This scene reminded her too much of the time she went to New York to visit Jess. Only this time Jess wouldn't come back to Stars Hollow......

That night, both of them cried. Thinking that they would never see each other again. Friends or not.

*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) (Please read the A/N for *IMPORTANT* news!) And btw the sequel will be called 'Ace of Hearts', so be sure to read it when I put it up. Thanks for the reviews! :-)