Disclaimer: I don't own anything. The 'Black Balloon' part of the title is in reference to the song 'Black Balloon' by the Goo Goo Dolls which I recommend you all listen to while reading this chapter, since it is what I was listening to when I wrote it. Just a thought.

'Welcome To Stars Hollow'.

That was what the sign read, that was what it had always read. Every time she had returned form Yale for the last four years it had been the same, unchanged. This year however was different. Her final year at Yale, this was the last time she would return in a September from University to see that sign unchanged. Some things had to change.

She passed Dean's house and she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. Giving him her virginity was something she still regretted. She thought she's loved him, but it became clear later that he didn't feel the same way, making her doubt her own feelings. Their relationship had been short lived. Soon after, he's moved away from Stars Hollow and Rory hadn't heard from him since. The only closure Rory had was never wondering 'what if'. Everything with Dean had been. Remembering this lifted her spirits a bit as she pulled into her driveway.

"Mom! Mom?" Rory called, letting herself in. The light on the message machine blinked frantically.

Beeeeep. "Hey Ror, it's mommy. I'm at Luke's, something came up, I'll be home later 'k. Pizza's in the fridge, love ya, bye." Beeeeep.

Rory smiled to herself as she heard the message. She couldn't have been more thrilled that her mom and Luke had finally realized what everyone else had known all along. Part of the reason she had come home for the weekend was because of them. The week before she'd been woken up at three in the morning by the ring of her cell phone. Her mother's voice had answered her when she picked up.

"I have a big shiny ROCK on my hand right now!" her mother giggled into the phone.

"Mom what are you talking about?" Rory mumbled.

" I'M ENGAGED!!"

And that was how it had been. She could only assume that was the reason Lorelai was at Luke's: wedding plans. She was glad it was Luke though. The others had never felt quite right when her mother told her, but this one fit. Rory could feel it. Picking up her bag, she dragged it to her room. She switched on the light, and that was when she saw him.

"Hi Rory."

"…Jess."

"What are you doing here?" it was a stupid question, she knew, but she had to hear it from him.

"Came to see you."

God, he looked exactly the same, she thought. He stood in front of her window in his jeans and red t-shirt. Same tousled dark hair, same brilliant eyes and smile. But that wasn't all that was the same.

"It's been three years."

"I know."

"That's it?" she couldn't believe he's come back after three years to tell her that. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"I should have never asked you to come with me. It was selfish and I was messed up. I didn't know what I was doing. I needed some stability, I though you were the answer."

He's moved closer to her, but after that last statement, she moved back away from him.

"So that's what I was to you? Stability?!"

His eyes went wide and he took back the distance she'd just made.

"No! God no Rory! You know how I felt about you! I told you I loved you the night that I…" he couldn't finish it, so she did.

"That night that you left. If you loved me so much, why did you leave me on that sidewalk that night and then not speak to me for three months, only to show up at my dorm and ask me to run away with you!" Now she was mad.

"No, you know what! I don't even care! Why are you here?! Do you know how long it took me to try and forget you and move on?! I can't do this, not again!!"

"Rory wait!!" he was frantically calling after her as she flew out the front door. She didn't know where she was going, but she needed out, away from him. He called after her, but she never looked back.

Luke was sitting with Lorelai on the steps of the porch when Rory arrived home.

"He called us," the concern was written all over her mother's face, but Rory would have none of it.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"He didn't want us to. He said he needed to do this alone."

"How long?"

"Ro-" she cut her mother off instantly.

"How long!"

"About three weeks." Rory felt deceived. Luke suddenly piped up.

"We tried to convince him to call you, but he said he wanted to do it in person."

"Well what about what I wanted!"

"He's really sorry, he didn't think you'd get this upset." Rory felt her stomach churning; she couldn't believe this.

"He didn't think I'd be upset?" her voice was quivering.

"He disappears for three years and suddenly shows up in my bedroom. How could I not be!!!" she could feel the hot tears streaming down her face.

Lorelai got up and pulled Rory into her arms.

"I know sweetie, I know. But he just didn't know how else to do it." She stepped back a bit and held Rory's face in her hands, looking her straight in the eye.

"He's changed Ror. Just hear him out ok…please." She kissed Rory's forehead and let her go.

"We're gonna go for a walk okay…just try and listen to him Rory." And with that, she and Luke disappeared around the corner. Her mother's new defence of Jess did little to comfort her.

She stared at the house, it now seeming like her worst enemy. Slowly, she went and let herself inside. The door slammed shut behind her, announcing her arrival. She made the long journey down the hall to stand in the doorway of the kitchen. He sat at the table and stood up when she appeared in the room. His eyes were all red and puffy, he'd clearly also been crying. He jammed his hands into his pockets and drew a slow, shaky breath. Finally, he looked her in the eyes. She could see the fear and pleading reflected in them. He carried more with him than she could ever possibly begin to understand.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. She looked at him for a long moment, biting her lip.

"I know."

They made slow steps towards each other. It was as if everything she'd built up since he left suddenly came crashing down as she let out a stifled sob. He pulled her to him; his arms went around her, holding on for dear life. He was sobbing too, she could hear him; she could feel his body shaking against her.

Rory knew everything wasn't going to be fixed right away, but it was a start. They were going to be different; things were going to change.

Author's Note:

Well, this is my first Gilmore Girls Fanfic. My favourite season of Gilmore Girls was the one when Rory and Jess were together, hence why I want to write about them together. Anyhow, I have lots of ideas for this story. Please review and give feedback, good or bad, so I know whether to continue or not! Thanks! I will continue if I get at least eight reviews telling me to do so, so REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!