A/N: Hey all, here is another chapter! And here again, I want to thank Francois for his big help. You're the best! Like you probably already noticed, I changed all the text from first to third person. I hope it's okay with everyone.

Chapter 5 – The beginning of something and the end of the other…

The next morning, when Rory woke up, Jess was already in the shower. She decided to take this free time alone to read Dean's last  letter. She hadn't read it yet. Dean was still writing twice a week and Rory had only replied once. One letter. She had talked to Jess on the phone almost every night but there was only one written letter to her boyfriend. Boyfriend. Suddenly, this word wasn't the right one to describe Dean anymore. Rory didn't feel the butterflies in her stomach anymore. Their kisses were normal, not magic anymore. Not like the one she had shared with Jess at Sookie's wedding. How would she tell this to Dean? Would he understand? He had to… For his own sake.

So, Rory took Dean's letter and read it. It was filled with love, but also with jealousy and anxiety.

Dear Rory,

                 You can't imagine how much I miss you. As days go by, I mark an X on the calendar. I hope everything is fine for you. How is Washington? Have you met the President yet? How about Paris? Here in Stars Hollow, things are quiet. It seems like the whole town misses you. Even Jess asked about you. He didn't know you were gone. I thought you two were… friends? Then, why didn't you tell him you were leaving? Anyway, I don't care if you aren't his friend anymore. I don't like this guy. I have to admit you something… I don't want anyone else to tell you… Promise me you won't be mad. I… Actually, I've got in a fight with Jess. It's nothing though. Don't worry. He started it anyway. So, I hope you're having a great time and please, let me know how you're doing. You didn't write much.. but I guess it's because you don't have time. Don't forget that I love you, Rory.

Love, Dean

Rory put the letter down. It only made her more confused than she first was. She didn't want to hurt Dean, but like Paris had told her, she would hurt him even if she wasn't planning on doing so. That, was life. Suddenly, she remembered one sentence of Dean's letter.

Actually, I've got in a fight with Jess.

A fight? Jess hadn't mention it to Rory. She would have to question him as soon as possible. She wanted to know what it was about.

When Rory heard the shower stop, she quickly put her letter back into her bag. Then, the bathroom door quietly opened. Rory guessed that Jess hadn't notice yet that she was awake.

Rory looked at him but quickly turned her eyes when she saw that Jess was only wearing his boxers. She cleared her throat and Jess gave her a surprised look. Rory was speechless. She had never seen a guy only wearing boxers. She could say that Jess' body was admirable. She blushed at the thought and Jess smirked.

"I'll be right back", he said and walked back to the bathroom with his black cargo pants in his hands.

A couple of minutes later, he opened the door again, but this time, he was fully clothed. His hair was messy and it was sexy. Rory's face was still a little red.

"You want some coffee?" Jess asked her.

She nodded.

"You're not very talkative this morning", he stated as he pushed on the coffeemaker.

"Well, I'm not used to see you half-naked", Rory admitted.

Jess' habitual smirk appeared once again.

"So, that's what it's about? I didn't know I had such an effect on you", he said sarcastically.

"Well, you do now", Rory said without thinking. Or with too much thinking 'cause it was supposed to stay a thought.

Jess raised an eyebrow. He sure wasn't expecting this reply.

"I'm starving", Rory said, trying to act normally.

"You wouldn't be a Gilmore if you wasn't starving", Jess said.

He handed Rory a cup of coffee.

"Thank you", she said and took a sip of the brown hot liquid. "It's not Luke's but… I guess I have no choice."

"Guess so", Jess agreed. "I'm gonna call the reception and get something to eat. What would you like?" he asked her.

Rory thought for a second.

"Strawberry pancakes and French toast. Oh, and more coffee please."

About an hour later, they were ready to hit the road. They were outside when Rory exclaimed:

"It only cost 94$ instead of 150$!"

"Yep."

"How did you manage this?", Rory asked him, still not believing it.

"I have my own tricks," Jess said as he opened the car door.

"I know that," Rory replied as she remembered Jess' card tricks when they were supposed to study.

She knew he wasn't talking about this kind of tricks but she laughed anyway.

"What?" Jess asked.

Rory laughed again and Jess his a smile. She was even more beautiful whenever she was laughing. They both climbed in the car and Jess started the engine.

"You ready?" he asked.

Rory smiled and nodded. Jess drove on the Pennsylvania Avenue and made his way to the interstate 95. They would have to drive a couple of hours there. Rory finished reading 'Oliver Twist' to Jess, but after a moment, she couldn't stop moving.

"Rory, are you okay?" Jess asked.

"I need coffee."

"Can't that wait?", Jess asked, even if he knew the answer.

"No."

"We're almost at Richmond, Virginia. We'll find a coffee place when we'll get there", Jess said.

He couldn't let Rory be deprived of her elixir of life.

"I'm worried. I need coffee to calm me down", Rory said.

"Coffee can't possibly calm you down. Coffee is supposed to wake you up", Jess argued.

"Nevertheless, coffee calms a Gilmore down."

"Not true."

"You want a proof?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, I'd like to hear that", Jess smirked.

"Look at my mom when she begs for her coffee. Look at my mom when Luke has given her coffee… there's a big difference", Rory said.

"Good point", Jess admitted.

"Point taken", Rory said triumphantly.

She had a big smile on her face. Then, she looked at him.

"You do realize that we argued for over ten minutes because of my elixir of life?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, what a Gilmore Girl can makes you do…", Jess muttered.

Jess couldn't resist Rory's charm. It was an innocent charm. Something she wasn't even aware she had.

Richmond was long ago passed and Rory had her coffee. Everything was alright. They were both happy. They stopped in a big city named Fayetteville. It was in North Carolina. Rory and Jess were both hungry so Jess took Rory o a great restaurant. They ate lasagna, and of course, Rory drank coffee again.

"How did you get the money?" Rory finally asked, once in the car again. "I mean, I'm sure you don't save that much working at Luke's."

"Why do you care?" Jess asked.

"I don't. I'm just curious. Can't I be curious?" Rory replied.

"Sure."

"Thanks."

"No prob."

"So?"

"What?" Jess asked, annoyed.

"How did you get it?" Rory asked again.

"Somehow, somewhere", Jess replied.

"Somehow, somewhere? I couldn't ask for a better answer."

"That's for sure", Jess said sarcastically.

Jess remained silent after that comment. He had to keep his concentration on the road. Rory looked carefully at Jess while he was driving. He seemed so serious. She wanted to feel his lips on hers again, but this time, she wouldn't run away. Then, her thoughts went to Dean. She would have to break up soon. She couldn't deal with the fact that she was still Dean's girlfriend.

Suddenly, her cell phone rang. Rory panicked, thinking it was Lorelai calling.

"Stay calm", Jess advised her. "Don't worry."

"Easy for you to say", Rory said.

She pushed the 'talk' button.

"Hello, Rory here", she said.

***"Rory, have you received my letters?", a voice asked.

"Dean!", Rory exclaimed, surprised.

Jess raised am eyebrow but kept his mouth shut. He wanted to yell at Dean to just get lost, but he couldn't. He was Rory's boyfriend after all.

"Dean, hi. Huh… yep, I've received them.. I just.. didn't have the time to write to you", Rory said.

Jess was somewhat surprised. She had never wrote Dean a letter? It wasn't like Rory. Or maybe it was…

***"I understand. So, how are you?", Dean asked.

Rory was uncomfortable.

"I'm fine", she said.

***"I hope I'm not bothering you. I mean, maybe you were busy?" Dean said.

"Yeah. I mean, no, you're not bothering me, of course not. Yeah, I was… busy", Rory said.

Jess was hurt but his eyes remained unreadable.

***"Okay", Dean said. "So, I guess I'll let you continue whatever you were doing."

"Thanks", Rory said, relieved.

You have to tell him, Rory. Tell him. He has to know.

***"I love you, Rory."

"Yeah…", Rory said.

She was about to hang up but looked at Jess. It gave her the courage to add something.

"Dean? We need to talk."

***"Sure. What do you wanna talk about?", Dean asked seriously.

Jess sighed. He couldn't stand anymore the fact that he couldn't hear what Dean was saying.

"Us", Rory simply said.

Silence.

"Dean?", Rory asked nervously.

***"I know. You love him, right?", Dean asked, hurt.

"What? Who?", Rory asked, even if she knew he was talking about Jess.

***"Jess. You love him?"

"It's not about Jess", Rory said, trying to forget that Jess was right beside her.

***"Oh please, Rory, don't do that. You know, I've tried hard to ignore this. Very hard. I can't stand it anymore. I love you, Rory, but it seems that you don't see us as an us anymore."

"Dean…"

***"No, it's okay, Rory. It's over between us."

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Dean… I'm sorry", Rory said, a little tear sliding on her cheek.

***"Well, you did. Now, go find him and be happy", Dean said, somewhat sarcastically and hung up.

Rory sighed.

"Can you stop the car please?", she asked Jess.

"Okay", he said and stopped in front of a coffee place.

"Jess, I have something to tell you", Rory said as she looked right into Jess' eyes.

So, I hope you liked it. I'll update as soon as possible. I have a lot of ideas but not half the time I wish I could use :( Anyway.

Thanks for reading!

Sarah