Jess was hiding. He was in his room above the diner, Lainey in his lap. He was reading her Hemmingway, since she wasn't old enough to read and understand it herself. She didn't seem to understand it any better with Jess's explanations, but he was just killing time anyway, trying not to face the people of Stars' Hollow until it was absolutely necessary. He and Luke had come to an understanding over a long conversation that morning, and Luke helped him make a decision.

Jess was staying in Stars Hollow for a while. He wasn't sure how long he could stand to, but he felt it was the right place for Lainey. He couldn't exactly explain why, but it was a gut feeling he had. He figured it had something to do with the barely lingering feelings he had for a certain blue-eyed brunette.

Barely lingering. Right. Lainey was staring up at him expectantly so he continued reading.

"'Then I saw him coming from behind under water. You could see his fins out wide like purple wings and the purple stripes across the brown. He came on like a submarine and his top fin came out and you could see it slice the water. Then he came right behind the-'"

A feminine voice interrupted him.

"Tainting another young mind with your literary fancies?"

Jess looked up, surprised at the sudden intrusion and the voice behind it. Lainey climbed out of his lap and went to hug Rory's legs, as Jess set the book down on his bed.

"You saved me."

Rory laughed at the little girl's comment, though slightly startled at her presence, and Jess smiled sheepishly, uncomfortable. Lainey, too perceptive for her age, seemed to notice the awkwardness and decided to escape before she could be dragged back into To Have and Have Not.

"I need food. Can I Jessie?"

Jess nodded.

Lainey ran out the door, her blonde hair flying, and closed it behind her. Suddenly, Rory felt like she was suffocating. She hadn't expected to be alone with Jess in this close proximity; at least not within the first five minutes of their conversation.

"So, Jessie," She started teasingly, "That's your… daughter?"

Jess shook his head.

"No. She's just… I'm just taking care of her right now."

Rory knew that was all she'd get out of him without deeper questioning. She wasn't quite ready for that conversation, so she opted for a less adult topic.

"So I see you're still quite into Hemmingway. Read anything worth keeping your eyes open for lately?"

Jess smirked, glad to see Rory was going to avoid the real reason she was here. Rory smiled, glad to see Jess's smirk once more.

"Actually I read a book recently called In Watermelon Sugar, by Richard Brautigan. Have you read it?"

Rory laughed, her eyes twinkling with the lust of a true book-lover.

"Ah, 'In watermelon sugar the deeds were done and done again as my life is done in watermelon sugar.' Excellent choice, I read it a few years back. But where did you find it? It's kind of obscure."

Jess shrugged.

"I own a bookstore. When the owner died he left it to me, and he had quite a collection of older books, some more obscure titles, a few Harlequin romances, that sort of thing. He was a good guy."

Rory looked at him, her head tilted to the side. Age had agreed well with Jess, she couldn't argue that. His eyes, glowing wistfully at the moment, were older and wiser, but gentler. She wondered if that had anything to do with the small blonde that had recently vacated the apartment.

"You can sit down, you know. I don't bite."

Rory, who up until this moment had been leaning against the door frame, blushed slightly.

"Sure you do," She replied as she took a seat next to him on the bed. "But only when you're in the right mood."

Jess laughed; a strange light in his eyes.

"Ah, with age comes boldness, eh Gilmore?"

Rory just shrugged and laughed. Their laughter faded quickly and left a silence resonating awkwardly through the air. Rory sighed softly and turned to Jess.

"I don't know exactly what the story behind Lainey is…"

She trailed off, giving herself a moment to think. She placed a shaky hand on his cheek gently, and smiled with tears in her eyes.

"But I've never been more proud of you. You make a great father."

Jess let his eyes fall closed, and when he opened them again he was alone; the door slightly open and his cheek feeling cold.

"Huh."

His voice was loud in the empty room.

A/N: Hey! Review!!! I'm trying to work on this story, and my other story Reciprocation at the same time, and I'm actually getting more done than usual! So reviews are greatly appreciated and I will love you forever and ever! Okay thanks. The quotes in this chapter are from the books mentioned. I don't own them.