So yes, ff.n is kinda screwed up with the whole email thing. And maybe I'm not helping anything by updating this. So I'm really really really sorry if you get a hundred million alerts in your inbox. Its not my fault. Sorry! Its happening to me too. Over the past two days I've gotten 217 emails and less then ten reviews. Go figure.

Chapter 4: One Bad Day

Jess came bounding down the stairs. "Wish me luck," he said, heading for the door.

"Jess, wait!" Tristan said. But it was too late; he was already out the door, meeting Rory half way across the street.

Tristan sighed and turned back to his pancakes, pushing the soggy mess around his plate.

*****

"Hey," Jess said.

"Hi."

"We've been friends a long time, right?"

Rory nodded.

"Ror, you are the most amazing girl I've ever known. Ever since that day I first saw you walk into the diner, I've been hooked. I've liked you ever since."

Rory's eyes grew large. "Jess, I-"

"Rory, will you go out with me?"

"Jess, I'm back together with Dean."

Jess drew a quick breath in surprise. "You're kidding me?"

She shook her head. "We just worked everything all out."

He nodded and rubbed his chin, feeling stupid. "So you're together?"

"Jess, I'm so sorry. I don't want to hurt you."

He looked down. "Either I'm a fool or I have really bad timing."

"Jess, you know I love you. You're like a brother to me. You're my best friend. I never meant to hurt you."

"No, you never meant for me to fall in love with you," he corrected her. "But it's okay. You know, I should really just get back to work. I left Tristan in there all alone and it's almost lunch."

"Jess, please. Can we talk?"

"Talk? About what? About how you love Dean? No, Ror, I'm the fool here. Just forget this ever happened."

"Jess," she called.

"I'll see you later," he said. "Are we still on for movie night?"

"I guess so, but-"

"Then I'll see you at eight." He went inside the diner, leaving her out in the street.

*****

"She's with Dean," Jess announced when he closed the door behind him. Tristan looked up from the mess he had made on his plate.

"I'm so sorry."

"How does he do it?" Jess wondered. "He breaks Rory's heart, and two minutes later he's got her back again. How the hell does he do it?"

Tristan sighed. "If it helps I'd rather see Rory with you than with Dean."

"Thanks," Jess said. "But that doesn't get me anywhere." The phone rang and Jess went to answer it. Tristan turned back to the window and found that Rory had gone. Looking in the other direction he saw her in Lane's yard, walking up the front walk. He sighed.

Jess came back in the room, his eyes wide and face pale.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"My Mom. She was in an accident."

"What?"

"I have to go to her. I have to go to New York today." He took off his apron and through it down on the counter, running up to the apartment.

"I'll call for the train schedule," Tristan called after him.

*****

Tristan got back to Rory's at eight. He had been helping Jess all day, packing, getting train information, finding out Ms. Mariano's condition. A taxi driver who had apparently fallen asleep at the wheel had hit her. She was in critical condition and in the intensive care unit. Jess' train left at seven thirty, and Tristan had driven him to the station.

"Hey, just in time," Lorelai called.

"Where have you been all day?" Rory asked. Tristan walked into the living room and found her lying in Tristan's arms on the couch. He struggled to keep his annoyance from showing. Lorelai was on the floor, and she patted the spot next to her. He took a seat.

"Is Jess coming?" she asked.

"Jess had to go."

"Where to?" Lorelai asked.

"New York."

"What?" Rory cried, sitting up. Dean's eyes narrowed.

"His mom was in a car accident, he went to her."

"Oh my God," Rory said. "Is she okay?"

"No, she's hurt pretty bad."

"How long will he be gone?"

"He bought a one way ticket," Tristan answered. He watched Rory's face grow sad.

"Oh," she said, settling back down against Dean.

"Maybe it's for the better," Dean said.

"And why is that?" Tristan replied.

"He never fit in here," Dean answered.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Tristan said, glaring at him.

"Okay, okay. Enough. I'm sorry about Jess, but I don't want any fistfights in my living room, so let's lower the testosterone level and watch some chick flicks." Lorelai turned on the movie, but no one was really watching. Everybody's thoughts were on Jess and how it would affect Rory.