Disclaimer: I only own the story that I'm applying to the characters that I don't own from the TV show that I also don't own.

When we woke up this morning, Lily went home and I waited on the boardwalk for Jimmy to come to work. When he did come walking up to me, I felt like I did the first day I was here. The man in front of me was once again a stranger to me. I decided to prevent a scene by assuring him that I knew I had to leave.

"I'll be gone before you get home today," I said simply. He nodded. After a moment of silence he spoke.

"I'm sorry." He said sincerely.

"I know." I looked away. I had heard it all before.

"So where are you going to go?" His question was filled with guilt instead of concern.

"Don't know." I honestly didn't.

"Well, I know Liz's parents are gone, but mine aren't. I could give you their address and maybe you could stay there until you figure it out."

"Maybe I will." I felt a little relieved that at least I still had options. Pulling out a pen and paper, he began to write their name and address for me. His actions through this entire encounter were somewhat timid, so I figured it was safe to bring up Lily.

"You know, I can just leave, but you have to do something for Lily."

Jimmy looked up at me confused. "What do you mean?"

"Look, the situation here isn't all that different from what I grew up with. I mean you guys have more money so it is a little easier, but trust me, I've been in her position. I used to be that little kid hiding in a corner, trying to lose myself in a book in order to forget that my mom was in the bedroom shooting up. Don't let her end up like me, save her before it's too late. Do something before she loses all her innocence and replaces it with sarcasm and hate. You have to let her know that there is more to life than this."

"Jess, I'm you're father, but not hers, it's not my place." That was his response to allowing a young girl's life to be ruined. It absolutely floored me.

"First of all, you're more of a father to her than you are to me. A father is someone who's there for you. He helps you out no matter what. You provide for her. You're there for her parent-teacher conferences at school, even if you attend them stoned. So yes, you are her father, and it is your place. As far as I'm concerned, if I were to name who my father's been, I'd say Luke." It was harsh, but at the same time it was true, and we both knew it. "She could come with me to your parents," I added.

"Stay one more night. Leave in the morning. I'll talk to Sasha and see what I can do for Lily." I nodded and turned to head for the bookstore, but he called me again. "One more thing, if you are going to my parents you should know that they don't exactly know about you."

I turned around confused. "Don't know about me as in 'they don't know I'm living here' or as in 'they don't know I exist?'" He looked uncomfortable.

"Jess.it would have broken their hearts." I studied him for a moment before responding. He appeared broken. There was just no other word for him. I could suddenly see how he and my mother had fit so well. I would rather die then end up like either one.

"I'll be by tonight to pack."

I'm trying to wait until at least eleven to go back there. Maybe they'll all be sleeping and I can just pack quietly and get a decent sleep tonight. My grandparents live in Hartford. That's so close to. no. I can't even think about Stars Hollow. I can't think about how living with them would be just a car ride away from her. This is my last chance. These are my last connections. If they'll let me stay, I have to get my act together. I think I'll try to redo twelfth grade, then maybe even apply to a college, if I can save enough money. I have to try. ***

Rory's reading is interrupted by her mother's voice. "Rory? Are you okay? You left in kind of a hurry?" Lorelai peeked her head into Rory's room. Rory turns over toward the door and looks at her mother with a tear stained face.

"Oh, sweetie are you okay?" She walked over and sat on the edge of Rory's bed. Rory burst into tears.

"Mom I just don't get it," she cried.

"Don't get what Rory, what are you reading?"

"Why doesn't anybody want him?" She looked at Lorelai with such helplessness, as though Lorelai should have a genuine answer.

"Want who?"

"Jess. Mom. the package. they're going to publish his journal. He wanted me to be the first to read it, but it's so terrible. His dad was such a jerk and." She couldn't finish the sentence, the tears were coming out too hard now.

Lorelai was surprised. Jess? An author? Impressive. "Rory, I'm sure whatever happened was bad, but you see him here, he made it through. He's a tough kid."

Rory sniffed. "It's just not fair."