Disclaimer: I own Carey, Elle, and Anna. MINE! MINE! MINE!

A/N: this is a literati, but will feature Tristin.

'Break! God, I feel so over-worked! I can't wait to see my little girl at 2:30. I hope she's having a good day.'

"Rory." Anna called, interrupting Rory from her thoughts.

"Yea?" she said, looking up from her computer.

"Lunch?"

"Yea, gimme a sec. I'll meet you outside."

"Okay."

Anna is a co- worker of Rory's. They've been great friends ever sine Rory started working at the New York Times. Anna is just like Lorelai, always up for something new. Rory wrapped a few things up in her spacious office and walked out the door to meet Anna.

They walked to a café and seated themselves at a table outside. Rory sat down as she quietly eyed the menu. All she could think about was her little girl, Michelle. Elle for short (pronounced El- Lee). Rory's thoughts ran back to the day Elle came into her life.

It was mid- December when a friend of Rory's from Yale, Carey was her name, was having a baby. There were one too many complications with Carey's pregnancy; most of which could not be fixed. The biological father of Elle didn't want anything to do with her or her mother and stayed out of their affairs. Carey was on her last breath while she was giving birth to Elle. She turned to Rory and said,

"If I don't. make it. please take care of my baby." Rory nodded, she'd do almost anything for Carey. Carey had been there when Rory had a breakdown back in college. She was still upset about Jess and Carey was there to comfort her. Michelle came out into the breathing world. Obviously, Carey didn't make it. Rory took Michelle into her home and treated her like she was her own child.

People back in Stars Hollow like Ms. Parry and Babbette didn't think she'd be able to take care of a baby, but she did it and she smiles fondly every time at that memory.

"So," Anna said, breaking the silence created when Rory traveled back in time. "How is Elle? Wasn't today her first day of school in the first grade?"

"Yea. I hope she's enjoying school. she seemed so sad this morning."

"Why?" Anna asked, genuinely concerned.

"She saw a little girl holding her father's hand as he led her into the school."

"Oh."

"Yea. I just don't know what to. She needs a father, but I can't give her that."

"It's okay, everything will fall into place eventually. I know it!"

Rory nodded as they ordered lunch. They soon finished and they got up to pay the bill.

"Hey Ann, I'm gonna go stop at the bookstore, I'm gonna pick up some books for Elle."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later then."

"Kay', bye."

The 2 separated as Rory walked into the bookstore. She walked into the kid's section and found a cute book she knew Elle would enjoy. It was an excuse book. A whole book dedicated for excuses. After picking out a few more books for Elle, Rory waltzed over to the literary section. It was in her second nature to sit right smack down in the middle of the isle with a stack for herself and a stack for Elle right next to her. A man so rude had completely leaned forward over Rory, pushing her down, just to grab a book. He didn't even say excuse me.

Not even glancing up from her book to see the man that was oh- so rude, she said very bluntly, "Do you know what mannerism is?"

"Why yes, yes I do." the man gruffly said. Rory froze. It isn't him, it isn't him, it isn't him! Her breathing grew heavy as her shoulders sagged.

She whispered, "Sorry." to the man.

"Excuse me?" he responded.

"This isn't happening to me!" Rory shouted. The man stood there taken aback, her voice was quite familiar to him and he slowly pulled away. He wanted to at least get a side- ways view of this 'mystery woman', even though he had an idea of who exactly she was.

"I- I." she stumbled on her words as she pulled herself up. "I'm sorry. I- ya.. Gotta go." and she quickly ran out of the store leaving the books behind.

He watched as she ran like there was no tomorrow, which there may as well not be, since he probably knew who the maniac woman was that yelled at him back there. He picked up the two stacks of books, placing one on the other and read the top book, Franny and Zoey. "Huh." he said, placing a trademark smirk on display for all to see. He paid for the books and walked outside. He stopped at a phone booth to call good ol' Luke. He and Luke have kept in touch, since last year. It wasn't that long ago that Jess ran out of the hellhole called Stars Hollow. Jess was now 23 years old and missing the one thing he let go when he couldn't commit to their relationship. He lost her when he lost himself. He couldn't keep up, so he left. The most he missed about her was her smile. The way she had the ability to make almost anyone happy simply by smiling; that was a gift. He didn't even have the decency to say goodbye, it's like he just wanted to get it all over with. The hardest thing was letting her go, and now the hardest things would be getting her back. He feels like he's starting over again.

He called Luke and Luke gave him her address. Jess had to find her; he had to connect the pieces he left behind. He knew he loved her, loves her. He still does.

It was 2:30 and like Rory promised, she waited patiently outside the school for little Elle to come running out and into her arms. The doors busted open as she saw, amongst the crowd, Elle with a smile as long as the Nile, spread across her face. She waved goodbye to a few kids as they ran to their parents' arms. Elle found Rory and ran to her. Rory opened her arms and everything suddenly fell into slow motion, Rory didn't know why, but she just saw things in a new light after the incident at the bookstore. Rory wondered if she'd see him again.

Rory smiled as she led Elle to their car. Elle started to spill details of the events of her day. Apparently she had large amounts of fun. Rory was happy Elle was enjoying school, even if it was just the first day.

They drove all the way home and at their front door was her stack of books. She smiled sadly and picked them up. Rory walked into the living room and placed the books on the table. She walked over to her patio and opened the sliding door. She inhaled the toxic New York air; it's essence and grace lifting her spirits to unrevealed dimensions. She gazed lowly at the people bustling through the crowds as she said to herself, 'Come back to me.' The wind ran through her shoulder length hair and whispered little nothings in her ear. She stood there, refreshing her mind of the times when she was loved by the bad boy she still longs for.

Heaven bent to take my hand

And lead me through the fire

Be the long awaited answer

To a long and painful fight

Truth be told I've tried my best

But somewhere along the way

I got caught up in all there was to offer

And the cost was so much more than I could bear

Though I've tried, I've fallen...

I have sunk so low

I have messed up

Better I should know

So don't come round here

And tell me I told you so...

We all begin with good intent

Love was raw and young

We believed that we could change ourselves

The past could be undone

But we carry on our backs the burden

Time always reveals

The lonely light of morning

The wound that would not heal

It's the bitter taste of losing everything

That I have held so dear.

I've fallen...

I have sunk so low

I have messed up

Better I should know

So don't come round here

And tell me I told you so...

Heaven bent to take my hand

Nowhere left to turn

I'm lost to those I thought were friends

To everyone I know

Oh they turned their heads embarrassed

Pretend that they don't see

But it's one missed step

You'll slip before you know it

And there doesn't seem a way to be redeemed

Though I've tried, I've fallen...

I have sunk so low

I have messed up

Better I should know

So don't come round here

And tell me I told you so...

[2X]

Sara McLachlan: Fallen

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