It wafted slyly into her room, it jeered its aromatic beauty in front of her, and it woke her from her sleep. Dragging herself into the kitchen, she refused to open her eyes; thus, knocking over a stack of 'In Style' and 'Vogue' magazines. Through her shut eyelids, she felt her way around the kitchen.

"Rory! Move left! -Move left!!" screeched Lorelai. "Fore God's sake child, open your eyes!"

She paused a moment then said, "Mom.? I don't know if I can."

"Yes you can! If you even think about moving to the right, you'll shake the table -maybe even tips if, what with the way you're walking with your eyes closed and knock over the cup of coffee I so kindly put out for you!" Lorelai said all in one breath.

Rory smiled and opened her eyes, giving her mother that sigh of relief she was killing for.

Soft and slowly, Jess said, "What is all the noise!":

"Just getting coffee," Rory said innocently, "You cool?" she added, hoping he'd remember what he said to her on Thanksgiving when she was buying flowers.

"Hey, I'm Frank at the Sands. remember?" Jess said and smiled.

Rory rolled her eyes as she said, "I'm going to go wake Elle now." with that she left the kitchen.

"So." Lorelai said playfully.

Jess eyed her with scrutiny. Jess saw thoughts percolating, accusations being formed, words or expressions being misconstrued!

"Jess? -you okay?" said Lorelai, bringing him out of his puddle of thoughts. "You looked completely lost -oh wait! Isn't that how you always look?"

"Mom!" said Rory walking in the kitchen with Elle in tow.

"Hey! That was leftover payback from 9 years ago!" (That would make them 17, 9 years ago)

"Still!"

"It won't work if I say he started it, will it?"

"Absolutely not!" said Rory taking her cup of coffee. "You wont get this back or at all, till' you get over this new found hatred for Jess!"

"It isn't new found. found, yes. but definitely not new."

Rory stared her down with scrupulosity. And finally she caved in, throwing her arms melodramatically in the air, she said, "Oh alright! Jess please forgive me, how can I ever regain your friendship? I am at your mercy, your every wish is my"-

"Enough!" said Rory tiredly.

"(Laughing slightly) Gotcha!" said Lorelai. As her laughter died, she said, "Yea. sorry Jess."

"Apology accepted." Jess said with an evil smirk.

"Okay, enough bonding! I need food!" said Lorelai screaming like a crazy lady.

Jess rolled his eyes and said, "So much for the sentimental moment."

Rory half smiled. Lorelai bounced out of the kitchen and into the living room. Rory's half smile turned into a full smile. She reached out for Jess's hand and he met her half way. Holding on tightly they walked out of the kitchen smiling. Lorelai had Elle hugging her neck and holding onto her, as Lorelai held her against her hip. Lorelai looked up at Jess and Rory and raised her eyebrows and turned away whispering nonsense in Elle's ear.

They all walked out the house and towards the diner. Rory looked in the direction of the bridge; last night's memory caressing her mind. Jess held tighter to Rory's hand.

"Mom, Jess and I will be at the bridge, we'll meet you at the diner," Rory called to Lorelai.

Lorelai turned to face Rory and said, "Okay. I'll see you later."

Rory nodded and Lorelai winked. Chuckling to herself, Rory led Jess to the bridge.

She stopped and turned to Jess.

"Do you wanna sit close to the exit or the middle?"

He smiled and said, "the middle's fine."

So they walked to the center of the wooden platform and seated themselves.

The January wind hustled loudly as she tucked back the loose strands of hair that had escaped.

"So, we're together now, right?" asked Jess.

"No see, that kiss last night was a definite spur of the moment, and me holding your hand now, its like a little sister holding her big brothers hand!"

"I was just checking!" said Jess, scooting closer to her.

She smiled sweetly at him and kissed his nose.

Rory swung her feet, idly, over the bridge.

"Jess? I was thinking, since you come to make breakfast and dinner for Elle and I, why don't you umm. stay. as in uh, live with us." Rory said, quietly.

He smiled at how nervous she was. Looking directly into her eyes, he responded with, "Sure, I'd love to."

"Great!" she said the redness of her face fading away.

The slow pattern of silence beat its lonely drums, as the two sat in a comfortable state of peacefulness.

"Jess?" asked Rory.

"Hmm?" He replied, turning to face her.

"I'm hungry."

Laughing, he said, "Alright lets go."

They stood and started walking to the diner when a familiar voice had dawned its annoying informality upon them.

"Rory?" said the irritating person.

Turning to face this person of her past, she saw Dean.

"Wha - what are you doing here?!" said Rory, stress sweeping over her thoughts.

"Just visiting. Wow you're the last person I expected to see here, and with him!" Dean said, disgusted.

"Well we didn't exactly expect to see you here either, Frankenstein!" said Jess, grasping his hold on Rory.

Sickened at the sight before him, Dean turned and shouted over his shoulder, "What a picturesque welcome!"

"Big word Dean! How many times did you have to look it up before actually knowing what it meant?!" shouted Jess.

"Jess!" Rory whispered; her voice filled with authority.

"Rory, he had it coming!" said Jess.

"I know, but. still."

Jess saw how the whole encounter with Dean made her uncomfortable.

Before entering the diner, Jess stopped her and said, "I'm sorry -for acting like a kid."

She half smiled and took hold of his other hand. Rory tiptoed as far as she could, to reach the dull red lips of Jess Mariano's. Smashing her lips to his own, he smiled through the kiss. Pulling her waist closer to him, he breathed into her and her into him. Slowly drawing apart, Rory breathed deeply and said,

"Apology accepted."

He smiled and they walked into the diner.