Rating: PG-13, I don't know, I'm just guessing.

Disclaimer: Wait... haven't I told u already?

Summary: What if Jess couldn't go to California, what if there was something holding him back... but now in CHAPTER 12 he is, and Rory's coming with.

Author's Note: I abandoned the story, but I'm bored, so I guess now its not abandoned any more. Maybe if a get enough reviews (cough cough) I'll actually continue writing and take less than 4 months to update. Kapish? Also, all the time's are approximations, don't kill me 4 not knowing how long a bus ride from CT to MO is.

Dedication: Poodernite, I didn't even keep in mind how Jess might be feeling. That is so important, thank you so much for reminding me. I hope you like this. Also, miarae, ur review was very nice, lots of good stuff.

Chapter 12:Miss Dorothy Gilmore

At 8:02, a large white bus pulled up at the Star's Hollow stop. Rory sat up and elbowed Jess in the rib. "Look, look, Jess it's here, look!"

"Yes, Rory, I can see that," he replied, trying to be enthusiastic.

They climbed up the steps of the bus and walked down the aisle, trying to find some nice seats. Rory thought the bus resembled a plane a little bit, with large carpeted seats with tray tables included. They chose a pair of seats towards the middle, in order to be far enough from the driver, but also plenty far away from the on-board bathroom. They shoved their bags under the seats in front of them and sat back. Rory sat next to the window and immediately pressed her nose up to the window. Jess smirked at her childish behavior.

"Ror, we haven't even moved yet."

"I know, but it looks so different from inside here."

"It does?"

"Well... sure. I mean, its seems so distant from inside here. Like just another stop. I feel so disconnected."

"But, you do realize that you were just standing outside there, right?"

Rory looked up at him in disbelief. How couldn't he see that? She felt like Dorothy Gale trying to explain why she wants to go over the rainbow to Aunt Em. "Never mind," she breathed. The bus started up again and they were off. Jess took out a book that had had its cover torn off. He nudged Rory and tried to hand it to her. She looked at him and then back out the window.

"Are you okay?"

"Okay? Yeah, I'm okay."

"You don't seem okay"

"I'm fine Jess!"

"Well... you don't seem fine"

"It's just that, I mean, I am so incredibly excited about this. I mean a week away, just us. This is really cool. It just seems like you're not excited. Or, well at least not as much as I am. I mean, aren't you at all?"

Jess sighed and took Rory's hands in his. "Rory, you've got to understand. I'm excited that we're going to be together, but that's not the reason we're going in the first place, remember? The reason we're even going is my dad. It's not exactly something to be happy about, don't you think?"

Rory's eyes glazed over. Jess was being so mature, so calm about this, and there she was being completely not supportive and conceited. She felt awful. She had totally disregarded his feelings. "Jess, I am so sorry."

"No, it's okay, Ror."

"No, it's not, I feel terrible."

"Don't, I understand."

Rory leaned against him and whispered, "I'm sorry."

All Jess said was, "Okay."

Rory pulled out the tall silver thermos and opened it. They took turns taking sips of coffee, Rory's were always longer than Jess's. Then they just sat. In utter stillness. Just enjoying each other's company.

Rory closed the thermos and tucked it into Jess's bag. Then cuddled into Jess a little more, finding warmth in the overly air-conditioned bus. Soon, the two had drifted to sleep.

"All getting off is St. Louis, Missouri, this your last call!" the driver's voice bellowed.

"Jess, that's us, get up!"

"What?" he replied kind of fuzzily.

"We gotta go, now!"

"Oh." He responded rather nonchalantly. He grabbed his back, as Rory did as well, and they exited the bus.

"So... this is Missouri" Rory said, looking around.

"Welcome to the Midwest" Jess said grabbing Rory's arm.

"Should we try to find a place to stay?" Rory suggested, as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms.

"Sounds like a good plan to me."

"Ok."

They walked around a ways until Jess spotted a "Comfort Inn" motel. "Well, it's no Hilton, but it looks alright at least for one night, and it doesn't look like it will cost us much of our budget."

"Look's perfect."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, let's go check it out."

"Ok."

The two walked into the pastel colored lobby. Jess looked around. There was a floral print on the walls that made the place look happier than it really was. The lady at the front desk had her dirty blond hair in a tight French twist and square framed glasses on the tip of her nose. She looked to be about Lorelai's age. She looked up from her computer at them, adjusting her glasses back to aid her large hazel eyes. "Hi, I'm Donna, welcome to the Comfort Inn," she said, extending a hand out to Jess. Jess took it and shook it gently. It was very cold, but her smile made her appear warm and friendly.

"I'm Jess."

"So, Jess, what may I help you with?"

"How much is a room for one night?" he asked, not specifying whether the room should have too beds or one.

"Well, that depends if you'd like one with one or two beds."

"Damn it," Jess thought to himself, she did ask. He remembered back to the night of Kyle's party. He didn't want another scene like that. However, he did like the thought of being close to Rory, and if it was a lot cheaper it did make a lot more sense.

"Well what's the difference?" he asked.

"Let's see, hmm, two beds is $120 and one is $90."

Jess looked at Rory for help. "Tw..."

"One." Rory interrupted.

Jess looked at her, very confused.

"What? We'll save $30. More money for coffee."

"I guess one than." Jess told Donna, still a little confused.

"One it is," she smiled, "Here is your room key and if you have any questions feel free to use the front desk call button on your in room telephone."

"Thank you." Rory and Jess said in unison as they turned to head to their room.

Rory and Jess walked out the door and found room 14 in a row of identical turquoise doors. "This is it," Jess said as Rory grabbed the key and shoved it in the hole. She opened it to a beige colored room with a queen-sized bed covered in a forest green down comforter and a cabinet complete with a TV.

"It's perfect!" Rory squealed as she hopped onto the bed, "It's just wonderful."

"Yeah, it's really nice."

"And the bathroom... it has a tub!" she said poking her head out of the bathroom, which she had ran inside.

"I know."

"It's great!"

"I'm glad you're happy."

"I have an idea!"

"What's that?"

"Lets go to the vending machine and pig out on candy and chips for dinner... and we can eat on the giant bed!" she squealed as she rolled around on it.

"Are you high?" Jess asked with a smirk.

"No, I'm just excited," she answered, a little hurt.

"I know that, I'm just kidding."

"Ok. Us. Vending machine. Now!"

"Ok, ok," Jess panted and she pulled him out the door.

With arms full of Doritos, ruffles, pop tarts, snickers, Reese's, starbursts, M&Ms, skittles and a few other things, the two headed back into the room and sprawled out on the bed with their booty. They ate and talked and laughed until they ended up on their backs gasping for air. They shared excerpts from books and debated them. They just did normal Rory and Jess stuff. She liked the idea that they had "stuff". It was comforting.

"I'm tired," Rory sighed.

"Same."

"I'm gonna get changed," she said as she grabbed her bag and headed into the bathroom. Jess of course was a little disappointed by the move, but he got up and started cleaning off the bed. He stripped down to his T-shirt and boxers and got in bed. Now, all he had to do was wait for her to come out of the bathroom...

I know I know, cliffhanger! Oh well. You'll just have to review and convince me to continue now won't u. muahahahahaha I'm evil. O well. Hope u liked it. Place r/r. I will love u 4ever if u do.