They had decided to meet up at the apartment . From there they would depart...each at different times. It was decided that if they parked Luke's truck close enough to the back door they could get the fake Rory in without been seen. After 'Rory' was safely in Lorelai and Luke would go down a side street. Twenty minutes later would see the department of Anne and Luke Jr. Half and hour later Jess, Dean and Rory would leave for the Gilmore mansion. By then Adam should be following the fake Rory. Luke and Lorelai had decided to head for an airport. Hopefully they would loose Adam in the traffic. From that point on they would head to Lorelai's parents. This, of course, was something Lorelai didn't want to do...yet she knew the sake of Rory's life was at hands...which was something she couldn't risk.

Rory opened the car door. Buckling up her seat belt she looked back at the mansion. She wanted to stay longer but she knew time was everything. When she looked towards the front of the car she met Jess' eyes.

"Are you ready? Or should we wait for you to wave good bye to Mr. DuGrey?"

"I like the sarcasm Jess. It really suits you," she knew that the drive would be tough...but she didn't think the complications would start this soon. They hadn't even officially started the trip. She was so appreciative of what Dean and Jess were doing for her...yet she hated them for making her life more difficult. Everything seemed like a blur. One minute she was on the gazebo with a really sweet guy...the next she was running from a killer. It made no sense. Her life was flashing before her and she had no control over it.

"Let's go already...geez what are you waiting for?" Jess sneered at Dean.

"Don't get me involved in your arguments.. I haven't said a word."

"You on. Let's just go back, we have no time to waste." Rory hated getting in the middle of this but she was, no matter what, part of the situation.

"We have no time to waste? Oh yah sorry...I forgot. Our little princess here has to have her life saved or else. If you wouldn have taken Deans

dumb advice we wouldn't be here."

"Jess...Don't do this."

"Why not? You need me to protect you?" Jess knew he was being dumb and that Rory didn't deserve any of this. He was sick of Rory making stupid decisions. She ran to Jess away from Dean years before...now she was running straight back to a past...to a guy who she had hated. Whether she had contact with Tristan besides what Jess knew was an unanswered question. Tristan was a dumb guy and Rory knew that. He acted all cool with his nice home and lawyers life..but did he really care about her? Was he here helping her ? No. He was off solving cases...when one of his life changing cases was right before his eyes. Sometimes Rory could be confusing. He didn't understand how her mind functioned. Why would she go back to him? Then again..he had been the one who ran away. Maybe Rory was thinking the same thing about him.

Dean started up the car. He wanted to say something..but he didn't know what to say. If he sided with Jess he would upset Rory. If he sided with Rory then Jess would make some crude remark about his attitude. Either way he lost. He didn't like what Rory seemed to be doing and he had a feeling Jess felt the same way. Rory was just running back to trouble. Tristan hadn't done anything but cause her pain. Why would she want more complications in her life. Dean knew Rory would do what she wanted but he wished he could advise her otherwise. He was married and he loved his wife deeply...but he also wanted to watch out for Rory. She was a special person and deserved someone that would treat her right. Finding that person was the only problem.

Rory kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to stir up the situation. She knew that Jess and Dean wanted the best for her and that Jess was just being stupid because he hated Tristan...but something didn't feel right. She knew the lifestyle Tristan had and she was aware of the consequences of running to her past...yet wasn't that what she was doing now? Getting Dean and Jess to help her. They were her past. The only thing that changed the situation was ---

"What if I get out? What will you do then?" Jess interrupted her thoughts.

"Jess cut it out," this time it was Dean. He was already way past sick of the arguing .

"If you got out then this situation would be ten times worse. You know that Anne and Luke would be worried about you. So would I."

The car braked as they approached a red light.

"I'm out of here."

Jess opened his door and exited the car.

"Jess, come back."

It was too late, he was running in the opposite direction.

"Great," Dean sighed.

The rest of the ride was silent. Now they had two problems. A killer on the loose and a missing person. They only hoped he was back at the apartment. Otherwise this trip may be longer than expected...a lot longer.

He hadn't actually planned on getting out of the car. He wanted to help Rory but he had to prove a point. Of course now she would be mad at him and her life was even closer to being in danger. He knew Dean couldn't handle anyone...even if it was his own cousin. He knew the place better than Rory and Dean together. There were side streets all over the place. He stopped running for a minute to catch his breath. He walked down a side street which led directly to his apartment. He would be there before they were he hoped they wouldn't go looking for him. That would be a huge waste of time. He neared the building and saw Luke's truck and Anne's car. Dean was pulling up right behind them. He walked closer and noticed the looks he was receiving from the two other vehicles.

"I decided to run back," he quickly explained to his curious wife and his uncle.

They decided not to ask questions. Whatever occurred had obviously worked itself out. Everyone piled into the apartment. It was time to make a life size doll look like Rory Gilmore. No one had any experience in this department. The guys went off to a separate room to plan out specific details why the girls tried to transform the toy into a human being. They found an old costume wig which they figured would be all they needed. Only the head of the doll would be seen through the car window. They put an old dress of Anne's over the body and added a purse. It surprisingly did look half human. Hopefully it would do the trick.

Half an hour later Luke's truck was pulled up to the back door. 'Rory' was placed in carefully. The tinting in Luke's truck hadn't been the greatest. It was decided to take Jess' car. This way 'Rory' could sit in the back seat instead of up front. Luke, Dean and Anne were equipped with a cell phone. Everyone had highlighted maps of each route. Anne and Luke Jr. left first in her car. In the end it was determined that they should go to a grocery store, run in and buy something to make it look natural. Luke and Lorelai were still going to the airport. They left 10 minutes after Anne departed. Twenty minutes later Dean drove off with Rory and Jess. It had been discussed that if anything were to happen the first call would be to the cops.

As the car was leaving Rory glanced behind at the apartment. She hoped that she would live to see the next day. Now it was just a matter of time.