Title: Someday We'll Know (inspired by the New Radicals song of the same name)

Chapter: 3

Author: Kate, a.k.a. katem-23

Feedback: As always, it's thoroughly appreciated.

Rating: PG-13/R.hehehe. =)

Disclaimer: No, shockingly enough I do not own Gilmore Girls, or any of the characters on the show. It's just my take on what could, (and I say "could" not "will" or "I want") happen. Oh I also don't own the New Radicals song "someday We'll Know, and no I'm not smart enough to have come up with any of the brilliant quotes I use, although they'll probably get credited within the story so no worries about that. Oh, and I don't own the song "Goodbye to you" by Michelle Branch (who is the lit-song queen by the way).

Spoilers: Um, to be safe I'm saying everything up until the end of Season 2. After that it's all made up.

Author's Notes: Aww, thank you guys so much for all of your nice reviews! You have no idea how touched I was reading some of them. I've never been described as a 'brilliant' writer before, I just do my best and I'm glad you guys like it. Oh, and one last thing. This chapter, it hasn't been edited yet, so if it sucks or there's lots of mistakes you have my apologies. =)

Summary: Okay, so for this chapter we are changing paces a little bit. No longer are we reflecting, uh-uh. This is flashback chapter. So it's going to be written like a transcript, only instead of being all from one episode it's just going to be random important scenes from Rory and Jess' history. I skip all of season 2, so you're just going to imagine that this is picking it up at season 3 okay?

~*~*~*~

[Late SUMMER, afternoon.]

[Open on The Door to LUKE and JESS' apartment. A hand reached out and knocks on the door. Someone calls out from inside and the camera switches and focuses on RORY who is entering the apartment, looking skeptical. She looks around the apartment for a moment before spotting JESS in a room on a bed holding a book. JESS looks up and sees her, then looks back down at his book.]

JESS: Hey

[RORY enters the room]

RORY: Hey.

JESS: .How's it goin'?

RORY: Good.you?

JESS: Good.

RORY: I..um, I.

JESS: How was your trip?

RORY: It was good

JESS: That's good.

RORY: So this is your room huh? It's all done?

JESS: That's what it looks like.

RORY: Look Jess, about the .

[JESS looks up intently, closing his book with a look of sarcasm on his face]

JESS: kiss?

RORY: Um, yeah.

JESS: Let me guess.It meant nothing? You love Dean? We're just 'friends'? Which one are you going to use Rory?

RORY: Actually, I was going with, "It was a complete accident and I'm sorry" but those were all very good guesses.

JESS: Well thanks I'll remember that.

RORY: [after a moment]Did I surprise you?

JESS: To say the least.

RORY: Oh. I'm sorry.

JESS: Not all surprises are bad.

RORY: What does that mean?

JESS: What do you think it means?

RORY: God Jess, does everything have to be so complicated with you?

JESS: What do you mean?

RORY: I mean your whole 'I say what sounds mysterious, not what I mean' attitude, it really is a pain in my ass. Why don't you ever say what you mean? Or what you feel?

JESS: Wow. Did you just hear what you said?

RORY: What's that supposed to mean?

JESS: It means, maybe you should take your own advice.

RORY: I do say what I feel

JESS: uh-huh [JESS picks up his book]

RORY: I do!

JESS: Then why are you standing there telling me that kissing me was an accident?

RORY: Because it was!

JESS: No offence Rory, but have you ever heard the phrase 'Actions speak louder than words?'

RORY: Yes, but.

JESS: Why are you here?

RORY: Because we're friends and I haven't seen you in six weeks and.

JESS: And you could have waited three more hours for when my shift starts.

RORY: Just because I'm-

JESS: -Rory, try looking at it from my perspective. We become friends, I move away, you follow me, I move back, and you kiss me. The you go away on a trip and within three hours of being home you're already sneaking up here to see me. Ten bucks no one knows you're here.

RORY: You owe me ten bucks. I asked Luke where I could find you.

JESS: how about I lend you one of my books that you don't own and we call it even?

RORY: Fine.

JESS: do you understand where I'm coming from?

RORY: Do you understand how confused I am?

JESS: I think I might.

RORY: Well, then you tell me what you would say. Jess I kissed you. I have a boyfriend and I kissed you. Do you have any idea what Dean is going to say when he finds out?

JESS: So don't tell him

RORY: What?

JESS: I 'didn't say a word' so it's not like anyone knows. Just don't tell him,

RORY: That would be lying.

JESS: Nope. It would be withholding information. There's a difference.

RORY: I can't just.

JESS: You can just. Wait to tell him at least. Figure things out. If you need me, I'll be around.

RORY: Thanks [She turns to leave]

JESS: And Rory, [She turns back] Try not to take too long ok?

RORY: [she smiled faintly] Okay

~*~*~*~ [SUMMER; Afternoon] [Open in Jess with his back to the door in the diner. RORY is sitting at one of the tables talking with her mom. RORY gets up and walks over to the counter, JESS turns around and surprised by her being there spills coffee on the counter]

RORY: That was smooth.

JESS: [nodding head and pursing lips] Sure was.

RORY: Do you want some help?

JESS: Sure, [he hands her a cloth and they start wiping up the coffee]

RORY: So, what are you doing today?

JESS: Don't know yet. Maybe I'll jack a bank a few towns over, or I'll go totally crazy and do something preposterous like.read by the lake - which you know, always looks suspicious.

RORY: Oh of course. [she laughs and he smiles at her. Their eyes lock momentarily and as they aren't paying attention their hands collide. At the touch RORY jumps, and breaks the gaze. After a minute's pause, she leans in and cautiously whispers] So, this lake.do you have directions?

JESS: [grabs a napkin and writes the words 'picnic basket', then slides the napkin towards

RORY who pretends to use it to wipe up coffee. She reads it and traces the letter "OK" into the remaining spilled coffee.

~*~*~*~

[FALL. NIGHT, 9 or 10 pm.] [RORY is walking into the diner, alone this time, JESS is putting chairs on one of the tables.]

JESS: Hey, what's up?

RORY: Not much. I was bored.

JESS: And I'm your official solution to boredom?

RORY: Well, it was either you or talk to Lane on the phone about how her mom wont let her leave the house before ten a.m.

JESS: So you chose me over Lane?

RORY: Well.uh, no, not exactly.

JESS: Hmm. You do realize that you have a boyfriend.

RORY: Yes, but he is working tonight.

JESS: Well, I'm sure his work is much more exciting than mine. He's got all that shelving, and bagging and .what exactly does he do?

RORY: I don't really know. I've never really just sat there and watched him work before.

JESS: But you're here watching me work

RORY: Technically yes.

JESS: Wow. I feel privileged.

RORY: Yes, well, you should. [she sits down on a chair and pulls up her legs]

[JESS raises his eyebrows and lets out a small laugh. Then he leans down and whispers in her ear]

JESS: I've been meaning to ask you.

RORY: Yes?

JESS: Have you read 'Blindness' yet? [camera fade out]

~*~*~*~

[FALL. DEAN is sweeping the street in front of Doosie's market. JESS is about to walk into the store when DEAN stands in front of him. Unbeknown to either boy, RORY is watching the confrontation, from about 100 yards away]

JESS: Can I help you?

DEAN: What's with you and my girlfriend?

JESS: Dude, I have no clue what you are talking about. If you mean 'why am I friends with Rory?' then I can answer that. But you seriously need to chill in the freak-out department, and start trusting her. She's a good girl, don't worry. We haven't jumped into bed together just yet.

DEAN: Why do you always have to be such a jerk?

JESS: Why can't you stop riding my ass. Just leave me alone. You don't need to be involved in my life.

DEAN: Well, when you hit on my girlfriend you really give me no choice.

JESS: I don't hit on your girlfriend. I think you just need to back the hell off.

DEAN: Fine whatever. Just get out of my sight.

JESS: Gladly. [walks into the market]

[RORY walks up to DEAN as JESS is leaving. This time as RORY and DEAN talk, JESS watches from inside.]

RORY: What was that?

DEAN: [looks up and sees RORY] Rory. Hey, I didn't know you were.

RORY: What was that?

DEAN: What?

RORY: You and Jess, or have you forgotten already?

DEAN: We were talking.

RORY: You were being an ass.

DEAN: Why are you defending him to me?

RORY: Because we're friends, and you were being an ass.

DEAN: Well, it's good to know where I sit on your priorities list.

RORY: Don't do that.

DEAN: Do what?

RORY: Turn it around and pin it on me. This wasn't my fault.

DEAN: No. You're right, This wasn't your fault. But you leading me on, you ignoring me to spend time with Jess, or anyone else for that matter. You're just.we're not.

RORY: Not what?

DEAN: [Calming down] We're not together anymore Rory. We're not. We haven't been for a long time. We've drifted too far apart. And I don't think that .I don't think that we should see each other anymore.

RORY: [closes her eyes for a split second. Then looks up at Dean, and almost sees him in a whole new light.] I think that you're right.

DEAN: You do?

RORY: Yes.

DEAN: [slightly surprised] So.it's over?

RORY: It's over.

[DEAN shakes his head and then starts sweeping again. RORY turns and walks towards her house. JESS who has been watching the whole time watches her until she's out of sight and then walks away.]

~*~*~*~

[That night] [RORY is lying in bed reading. Her window is open and there's wind blowing the curtains. Suddenly JESS climbs through the window and is lying on the floor. At first RORY practically jumps out of bed, but after seeing it's him she calms down - a little.]

RORY: Jess?

JESS: Hey.

RORY: What are you doing here?

JESS: You know, I was in the neighbourhood, thought I'd drop in and say hi to my favourite dumpee.

RORY: you heard?

JESS: I saw

RORY: Oh.

JESS: look, if it had anything to do with me.I'm really sorry ok? I never meant to actually get in between you two, it's just that.

RORY: I know.

JESS: Yeah.so.what you reading?

RORY: [looks relieved at the change of topic] Well, I was reading War & Peace, but I guess I'm not anymore.

JESS: Oh, don't stop on account of me. I'll just sit.

RORY: And do what?

JESS: [grabs a book off her dresser, then a pillow off her chair, then lies down on the floor and starts to read.] This

[RORY laughs and continues reading.] [After a while JESS glances up and sees that RORY has stopped reading and is staring into space.]

JESS: What are you thinking about?

RORY: Dean.

JESS: Oh.[he goes back to his reading]

RORY: I'll miss him.

JESS: I'm sure you will. I mean, after all, you did love the guy. [he looks up at her again]

RORY: Yeah. But by the end he was more like a brother to me.all the passion was gone.

JESS: Passion usually doesn't die.

RORY: I'm not completely sure we ever had it. [her eyes well up with tears, and JESS drops his book and pulls himself closer to her bedside, he grabs her hand and kisses it]

JESS: It's okay. Don't worry about it.

RORY: I remember I got the tingles.you know, I loved him.I really did. It just.fell apart.

JESS: It's okay, it'll all be okay. [She leans back and turns off the light. JESS lies back too, but holds onto her hand.]

~*~*~*~

[morning] [RORY is still asleep. The door to her room opens and LORELAI bursts in]

LORELAI: Rory?!

RORY: Mom? MOM!

LORELAI: What? [RORY is looking around the room for JESS but he's nowhere in sight. The pillow is back on the chair and the book is back on the dresser.]

RORY: Uh, nothing.nevermind.

LORELAI: Are you okay? I mean, you just broke up with your first boyfriend.again. [LORELAI looks puzzled momentarily] Uh, I , yeah. Do you need to talk?

RORY: [smiles] No thank-you. I'm fine.

LORELAI: You're sure?

RORY: Positive.

LORELAI: so we can get coffee?

RORY: Yep

LORELAI: From Luke's?

RORY: Of course.

LORELAI: .So I hear Jess was at the scene of the break-up yesterday.

RORY: That he was.

LORELAI: Was he by any chance, the cause of the break up?

RORY: Nope

LORELAI: You're being very vague.

RORY: You're being very nosey.

LORELAI: Well is it my fault that I care enough about my daughter to want to know what's going on in her life. Sorry if I don't want you running around with the diner punk. Next thing you know he'll be sleeping with you.

RORY: [eyes widen slightly, but she shakes it off on a good guess] Stop it. Jess and I are just friends okay? That's the end of this discussion.

LORELAI: Fine.

RORY: Now can we please go get some coffee?

LORELAI: [grumbling] Yeah, I guess.

~*~*~*~ [NOVEMBER, snow covers the ground lightly, mid-afternoon] [RORY is sitting in the diner, which is near-empty, and JESS is serving some tourist coffee. As he walks away RORY watches as she inspects his butt. She giggles and then motions for him to come over.]

JESS: [motions towards her with his head] Hey

RORY: Hey. What ya doing?

JESS: Not much.you want to do something?

RORY: [shrugs] Sure. Where?

JESS: We could read upstairs.I've got music too.

RORY: talk about bribery. You know me too well.

JESS: [lifts his eyebrows and smirks] Don't I just?

[The two go upstairs. But before RORY ascends the stairs she quickly does a sweep of the room to make sure no one sees. After making it upstairs the two quickly settle in JESS' room. He walks over to his CD player and puts on his Hives CD. RORY grabs a book off the shelf and lies down on his bed. JESS looks at the girl who has just made herself comfortable on his bed, and after grabbing a book settles for the floor beside the bed.]

[After reading for over an hour RORY looks at her watch, and her eyes grow wide]

JESS: You okay?

RORY: Yeah.it's just.

JESS: What?

RORY: The dinner rush will be downstairs now.I can't get out.

JESS: Hmm.I have my ways.[he grins devilishly]

RORY: What's that supposed to mean?

JESS: Follow me.

RORY: [follows JESS out of the room, but stops at the door] Jess?

JESS: Yeah?

RORY: I had fun.

JESS: You don't usually?

RORY: No, I mean, we just sat there and listened to music and read, and it didn't matter if we talked because we were just.comfortable. It was really nice.

JESS: You , [he tilts his head sideways] are welcome. Come on, let's get out of here.

~*~*~*~

[WINTER. Night.] [ RORY is walking down the main street of Stars Hollow by herself. She sits in the gazebo, pulls out a book and starts reading. Moments later she gets hit with a snowball. She looks up laughing, and searches the night for the culprit. She climbs over the railing and hides behind a bush. She's laughing to herself when she gets hit in the back with another snowball. Before she has time to turn around JESS has already grabbed her from behind. His warm breath sends obvious chills down her back, and she looks momentarily consumed.]

JESS: [whispers] the trick is to never let the enemy catch sight of you.[his voice fades as his lips inch closer towards hers]

RORY: [whispers, while leaning in] My mother always told me.the best offence is a good defense. [at the last second before their lips touch she turns around and takes off, running into the street. After staring after her for a moment JESS takes off after her. Once on the street he discovers that she is now out of sight. He stops to catch his breath and gets hit by a snowball. He lets out a laugh and looks around. RORY steps out from behind a snow bank. He spots her and walks towards her.]

JESS: You got me back

RORY: [smiling widely] I most certainly did. [JESS moves towards her, an evil smirk playing on his lips and a devilish look in his eyes. RORY begins to get intrigued and a little bit worried so she begins to back up.] What are you- [JESS pounces on her, causing her to fall backwards into the snow bank.] Not fair! Now I'm covered in snow! You had an unfair advantage there buddy.

JESS: Huh, crappy deal?

RORY: I'd say so [suddenly a flicker of devilry passes across her face, and she grabs JESS' ankles, pulling him into the snow bank with her. They are both laughing so hard they don't realize the closeness of their positions. JESS stops laughing and grazes her cheek with his hand, removing a near- invisible snowflake. His hand breezes over her hair and he pushes her back, so that she is lying back on the snow bank. He leans forward and gently kisses her. RORY wraps her arms around his neck and camera fades out on them kissing]

~*~*~*~

[It's really early, the sun has yet to fully rise, and it is still WINTER.] [JESS and RORY are sitting on the bridge wrapped in a blanket reading different books. JESS is turning the page of his book but RORY stops him]

RORY: What are you doing?

JESS: turning the page, what does it look like?

RORY: But I was reading that.

JESS: You have your own book

RORY: I know, but yours seemed more interesting.

JESS: Right. Because you haven't read all of Salinger's books fifty times.

RORY: Oh whatever. Maybe I'm just not in the mood for 'Atlas Shrugged' right now ok?

JESS: Are you feeling okay? Rory not being in the mood for Ayn Rand.hmm.must be some sort of a miracle.

RORY: Jess.[a pained expression crosses her face]

JESS: [suddenly realizing that something is wrong] What? What's wrong?

RORY: Do you ever.do you ever think about us?

JESS: What do you mean? Do you mean an "us" in a "we're friends" kind of way, or an "us" as in very good friends who happen to share the joy of making out together.or do you mean the big "us".

RORY: I mean.do you want us to become .the big "us".

JESS: [Pretending to be unmoved by the question] I don't really like to think about it. What do you think?

RORY: I don't know.I mean, I think about it.but I'm not sure that I could.be with you.

JESS: [masks the pain that is searing through his heart after hearing that] Okay.

RORY: That's okay?

JESS: [swallows] Of course.

RORY: You don't want an explanation?

JESS: I think I already know it do I not?

RORY: Probably, it's just-

JESS: - it's just you don't want to stand up to people, because you, like so many others in the world care way too much about what others think of you.

RORY: I-

JESS: -I honestly thought that you would be different, but I guess I was just expecting way more.

RORY: Jess!

JESS: What?!

RORY: [She kisses him] Shut up. I meant, I'm not sure I'm ready to tell people that.we're.more then.

JESS: Friends?

RORY: Yeah.

JESS: Okay, whatever. I'll see you later.

[JESS gets up and leaves. RORY sits on the bridge looking after him thoughtfully]

~*~*~*~

[It's later that same day, only now it's night.]

[RORY is in bed, but when she hears the familiar tapping on her window she goes to it and opens it reluctantly. She looks directly at JESS]

RORY: I thought you were mad at me.

[JESS climbs in the window, and putting his hands behind her head kisses her passionately. After a few moments they break apart and he nods.]

JESS: Yeah, well, I got over it.

RORY; [stunned] Um...that's uh, good.

JESS: So what are we reading tonight?

~*~*~*~

[It's early morning. LUKE is asleep in the diner, JESS tries to sneak in but is unsuccessful, as he rouses LUKE]

LUKE: It was thoughtful of you to call.

JESS: Yeah.well.

LUKE: Look, I'm sick and tired of you staying out all night ok? I never know where you are - you could be dead for all I know - and it just isn't happening anymore.where were you?

JESS: It doesn't matter

LUKE: Honestly, where were you?

JESS: Look, it's nice of you to care but it really doesn't concern you. [he starts to leave]

LUKE: Does it concern Rory? [at the drop of her name JESS turns around]

JESS: Excuse me?

LUKE: Were you with Rory?

JESS: Why does that matter?

LUKE: [getting aggressive] answer the question Jess

JESS: Maybe I was.but why does it matter?

LUKE: I don't want you screwing her up Jess, I've told you to stay away from her! I don't want you to hurt her!

JESS: I don't need this [starts to leave again]

LUKE: [grabs a hold of JESS' shirt] I'm not kidding about this one, you screw her up - you're in trouble.

JESS: [shakes LUKE off, and turns to face him] Why would I hurt her Luke? That's the last thing I would ever do. You want to know why? Because I love her, okay? I. Love. Her. [JESS gets a shocked expression after saying what he just said, and most of all because he opened up to LUKE of all people]

LUKE: [completely floored] You do?

JESS: [after a moments pause] Yeah.I guess I do [smiles]

LUKE: Well.okay then. Welcome to the club.

JESS: [smiles knowingly] Look.Luke, I'm sorry.

LUKE: [looks skeptical] for what?

JESS: for being a pain in the ass. It's not easy being me, but you didn't deserve.

LUKE: It's okay

JESS: Yeah?

LUKE: Yeah.so.[looks at JESS] you want to hold hands and skip now?

~*~*~*~

[SPRING. Afternoon. Diner.]

[LORELAI and RORY are drinking coffee and talking at one of the tables. JESS brings more coffee over to them and eyes RORY carefully, oblivious to her mother's eyes]

LORELAI: So.Jess, heard from any colleges yet?

JESS: Well.unfortunately both MIT and Harvard accepted me, so now I'm just waiting for my full scholarship from Yale to come in the mail before I make a final decision.

LORELAI: Oh. So you didn't apply then?

JESS: [looks away momentarily, then at RORY] actually.I did.

LORELAI/RORY: [shocked] You did?

RORY: Where?

JESS: Pepperdine, USC, and .what's with that look?

RORY: Nothing, it's just those are west-coast schools.

JESS: Really? I had no idea, hmm, maybe next time I'll pull out an atlas before I apply to college.oh well.

RORY: Why do you want to go out west?

JESS: Change of pace.I've never lived out there before.I also applied to NYU and Columbia, although I doubt I'll get into either. Oh and this university in Canada or something.but I'm not sure I'd want to go there - too cold. Plus, I hear they actually eat beaver tails. Weirdoes.

LORELAI: .right. You do know that we live in Stars Hollow right?

JESS: [laughs] I guess you're right.

[RORY is smiling coyly at JESS and he half-smiles back at her. LORELAI watched and makes a mental note of it]

~*~*~*~

[It's later the same day] [LORELAI and RORY are walking into the house]

LORELAI: ok...so spill

RORY: Spill? There's nothing to spill about.

LORELAI: you.jess.the flirty eyes. Oh yes, I saw it all.

RORY: there was nothing to see!

LORELAI: Oh there most definitely was. Lots to see there. A whole lot.it was like the Harry Potter of diner waiting. Uh-huh all that information from that big book shoved into a short expanse of time that didn't do the book justice and was way too long to even consider watching in the theatre. Because then you get the backache from keeping your feet on the chair in front of you, 'cause it's not like anyone could possibly sit straight for three hours, I mean that's just crazy and.[RORY catches her gaze]. you and jess right.

RORY: you been waiting to get that out or something? Besides the first Harry Potter book wasn't that long. Highly enjoyable, yet highly overrated. It's the classics that kids should really care about.

LORELAI: Yes, well, not everyone is prepared to read 'Wuthering Heights' at the age of eight.

RORY: What can I say? I was mature for my age!

LORELAI: that's true.stop distracting my thinking pattern! You know how easy it is.you need to stop.

RORY: Sorry.so are we going to rent a movie tonight?

LORELAI: Stop it. So, you and Jess.what's going on?

RORY: Nothing.it's just me and then Jess. No me and Jess. It's not an "us"

LORELAI: Not an "us"?

RORY: Nope, there is no "us"

LORELAI: Well, that's a relief, 'cause I'd hate to have to put you on the pill.we don't want any more mischievous diner boys running around this town do we?

RORY: Mom?

LORELAI: Right. Well, I'm glad you aren't dating. But he has changed.

RORY: What do you mean?

LORELAI: I mean, you changed him.

RORY: How?

LORELAI: He apologized to Luke

RORY: When? For What?

LORELAI: I'm not sure.I think it was, and I quote "For being a pain in the ass"

RORY: Wow.

LORELAI: It was all you.

RORY: .[smiles].no, he did it on his own.he'll just never know it.

LORELAI: You care about him

RORY: Yes, I do.

LORELAI: A lot.

RORY: [ hesitant ] yeah.

LORELAI: Hun, you can tell me.what is it?

RORY: I don't really know.he makes me.I feel different around him. Special. He makes me feel, indescribable - I've never felt like this before. Not with Dean.or any one. Ever. I just.

[LORELAI knits her eyebrows and gives her daughter a reassuring smile, telling her to continue]

RORY: . I think I'm in love with him.

~*~*~*~

[SUMMER. Night. The bridge]

[RORY is walking onto the bridge where JESS is standing.]

RORY: Have you ever noticed that this bridge is like 'our spot'

JESS: Sure have. [ he pulls her into his arms]

RORY: So.I hear you had a talk with Luke a few weeks ago.

JESS: Yeah.I told him a few things.

RORY: I heard.

JESS: [looking worried] What exactly did you hear?

RORY: that you apologized for being a pain in the ass.

JESS: [relieved] oh, that's it?

RORY: Yeah.why? Did you tell him something else? Ooh, is it juicy?

JESS: [starting to smile] A little

RORY: What was it

JESS: [leans in and kisses her, then his smile drops.] I told him that I'm in love with you.

[RORY looks shocked, then scared. Tears well up in her eyes and she turns around and runs off the bridge, leaving JESS standing on the bridge looking up at the sky questioningly.]

~*~*~*~

[It's the same night.about two hours later.] [JESS is climbing in through the window. RORY barely casts a glance at him]

JESS: so I take it you're still mad at me? Or is that even it?

RORY: [says nothing]

JESS: I'm sorry okay? [she doesn't move. He sit on her bed.] Look, I'm really sorry ok? For the last time. Would you just stop being so damn stubborn. [she looks up at him]

RORY: why would you say that?

JESS: I don't know.it just slipped out I guess.

RORY: did you mean it?

JESS: have I ever lied to you?

RORY: No. it's just.

JESS: you're scared?

RORY: Yes.

JESS: And why's that?

RORY: because I'm scared of what I'm going to do

JESS: [looks confused] When?

RORY: now. [she leans in and kisses him. He responds by kissing her back. She brings him back so that he's lying on top of her on the bed]

JESS: You do realize this is a fairly compromising position? [ he's laughing but she is giving him a serious look, which causes him to stop] What?

RORY: I love you too.

JESS: [studies her face for a moment and quickly grasps her lips with his own. He pauses momentarily] Did you mean it?

RORY: Don't I look trustworthy?

JESS: [he smirks] Maybe [She kisses him again. This time she runs her hands down his body and feels for the edge of his shirt. After finding it, she pulls it over his head, causing JESS to stop and think for a moment] Woah. What are you doing?

RORY: I love you.

JESS: you mentioned that.

RORY: I'm ready.

JESS: What?! For what?

RORY: Shut up, just because my mom isn't home doesn't mean you can yell.do you want Babette to know you were here?

JESS: No

RORY: Then shut up. [ she kisses him again, this time flipping him over so that he was lying with his back to the bed.]

JESS: Are you sure?

RORY: [lifts her shirt over her head] I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life.

JESS: [looks into her eyes searching for a hint of doubt] Are you sure- sure?

RORY: [leans in and kisses him softly, then pulls away and returns his stare] Yes.

[JESS pulls RORY down on top of him. Camera fades out]

~*~*~*~

[It's morning. The sun is rising. JESS opens his eyes and looks down at RORY's sleeping figure]

JESS: shit.

[He climbs out of bed (off-screen) and pulls on his jeans from the night before, quickly grabs the rest of his stuff and heads towards the window. He casts a regretful glance back at RORY before jumping out the window]

[As his figure disappears out the window RORY opens her eyes and looks around the room, then she starts to cry uncontrollably]

~*~*~*~

[same morning]

[RORY walks into the diner. It's empty, because it hasn't actually opened yet. JESS is wiping down a table. LUKE walks out of the back, but after seeing the look on RORY's face he goes upstairs.]

RORY: Why did you leave this morning?

JESS: I always leave.

RORY: Yeah.but this wasn't 'always'. This was different.

JESS: Did you want your mom to walk in on us together?

RORY: I could care less right about now. I wanted to talk to you.

JESS: Well, you can talk now.

RORY: Why are you being like this?

JESS: Because, I don't want you to be mad at me

[RORY's face softens and she walks towards him. She puts her hand on his shoulder and he turns his head away from her]

RORY: How could I possibly be mad at you?

JESS: I should have, I don't know.we shouldn't have.

[RORY looks taken aback]

RORY: You think it was a mistake?

JESS: No. But you probably do.

RORY: Jess.how can you seriously think that? [tears begin to well up in her eyes]

[JESS looks like he's fighting the urge to wrap his arms around her. He looks like he's on the verge of tears, and a pained look crosses his face, he keeps his head turned away from her.]

JESS: I'll see you at grad okay?

[RORY shakes her head]

RORY: You can't get rid of me that easily just because you think-

JESS: -Stop

RORY: No, just because you are scared of what happened doesn't mean-

JESS: -Stop

RORY: But.

JESS: Don't say anything okay?

RORY: Don't say anything? That's what you want?

JESS: No. But it's for the best.

RORY: Fine. Whatever. Be like that. I'll see you tonight.

[JESS lowers his eyes slightly as RORY turns away looking upset and heads for the door. He looks up]

JESS: Hey Rory

[She turns to face him with her one hand on the doorknob, she opens the door]

RORY: Yes?

JESS: Someday, You'll Know.

[Music starts to play, it's Michelle Branch's "Goodbye to You"]

[RORY lulls the words over in her mind for a minute before nodding and leaving the diner silently.]

Cut to. [.JESS shoving clothes, CDs, and books into an over-sized duffel bag. He zips it up and pauses for a moment, on the verge of tears he shakes his head and walks away]

[RORY getting ready. She's dressed up and putting up her hair. She pauses and looks at a picture of JESS on her dresser]

[JESS putting his stuff in the back of LUKE's truck, and then walking back inside the diner, then upstairs to the apartment, where LUKE is waiting. LUKE and JESS hug and while embracing JESS looks over LUKE's shoulder and focuses on a picture of RORY]

[RORY walking down the main street of Stars Hollow. She sees LANE (who is wearing a cap and gown) and walks up to her giving her a hug]

[JESS standing on the bridge. Close in on his face, he's closing his eyes and he shakes his head. A single tear rolls down his face and he walks away, in the opposite direction of SHH]

[RORY looking around the crowd for a JESS' face, not spotting it she looks pained and walks over to LORELAI, and sits down]

[JESS is in the truck and is driving. He sees a 'Now leaving Stars Hollow' sign and accelerates]

[the graduation ceremony begins, and realizing that JESS isn't showing up RORY gets up and runs in the direction of the diner]

[LUKE is putting chairs up on a table when RORY runs up and knocks wildly on the locked door. She searches his face and realizing what has happened she collapses on the steps outside the diner, and begins to cry]

[JESS on the open road driving]

[RORY is sitting on the steps crying, LUKE comes out and sits beside her, wrapping one arms around her shoulder.]

[fade out with music.]