Chapter 8: To Run or Not To Run...

Rory sat in her room at "The Dragonfly" and contemplated her mother's words. She knew her mom cared for her and was deeply concerned about her and that was the reason for her warnings about running from man to man. And yet, Rory knew that she did love Jess. She had just been so hurt by his constant unavailability from her life. She thought that maybe this is what had thrown her into the arms of another man, yet Dean was also unavailable, just for other reasons. She didn't want to think about that right now though.

Meanwhile, Lorelai had just left Rory's room and walked next door to Luke's room. She had to tell him that his nephew was back. He needed to know.

Lorelai walked into the room she had just shared with Luke and smiled. It was so nice to know she could always count on Luke. She wondered what he would do when he found out Jess was back. She knew he was constantly concerned about him, though he never did admit to this.

Lorelai: "Luke? There's something I need to tell you before you go downstairs."

Luke (a wide smile on his face as she entered the room): "What is it?"

Lorelai: "It's Jess. He's ...."

Luke interrupted her.

Luke: "Oh my god!" he gasped

Lorelai: "No! He's just downstairs! Rory called him last night and he is here now. Do you know anything about why he might be here?"

Luke remembered conversations with Jess that reminded him so much of himself. Jess never could admit to how much he loved Rory. But Luke could always see it on his face. He just wasn't sure how much of this to tell Lorelai. Ever since Jess crashed Rory's car years ago, Lorelai had not given him so much credit.

Luke: "Well, he never told me as much, but I think he really does care for Rory. I know the look he always had on his face when she was with Dean. I can't say for sure, but I think he might have run away before because he was afraid of what he felt."

Lorelai: "Of course. This would be happening. He just better not hurt her again."

Luke: "You know, you might want to try giving him some credit here. He's really trying to get himself back together again. He got his GED with a perfect score. And, now he's been taking night classes at NYU. You probably didn't know that."

Lorelai was surprised. She really didn't think that Jess would really amount to anything. Maybe Luke was right. After all, Jess did drive all night just to comfort her distraught daughter. Maybe she might as well leave well enough alone and let go of the fact that she really can't do anything about this right now.

Lorelai: "Okay, I really need to go and help Michel at the front desk. Rory is in her room right now and it seemed to me that when I left she really just needed some time to think things through before seeing Jess again. Would you let him know that?"

Luke (sensing Lorelai's strength in trying to let this situation go but still wanting to help): "I'll go talk to him," He simply stated.

Meanwhile, downstairs at the inn, Jess was getting restless and increasingly frustrated. Why wouldn't Lorelai just give him a chance? He did just drive the remainder of the night to be with Rory so that she doesn't have to go through this alone.

Jess looked up at that moment and saw his uncle walking toward him with Lorelai not far behind. Lorelai just smiled and changed direction as she went to help Michel with something at the front desk as Luke walked over to him.

Luke: "Trying to be the hero, eh?" he gruffly said.

Jess (realizing Luke knew what was going on): "Well, I learned the hero technique from you. I thought I might find something to fix for her." He sarcastically replied.

Luke was well familiar with Jess' sarcasm and didn't let that get in the way of the conversation ahead of him. He knew it was a long shot though. Jess was known for doing as he pleased, whether anyone liked it or not.

Luke: "Jess...she's really upset. It's just not the time to start anything here..."

Jess interrupted.

Jess: "Hold on there for just one minute. She called on me last night, utterly confused and upset. I am not trying to start anything. I am here for one reason. To make sure she is okay and sees that I really do care and would do anything to protect her. I owe at least that to her."

And, remember, she called me ...he thought. That must mean something.

Luke (seeing the pained expression of concern on his nephew's face): "She's in room 6. And... don't tell Lorelai where you got this information." Luke muttered under his breath. He then walked into the dining area as some of the other guests were already gathering for breakfast.

Jess smiled to himself as he edged his way toward the stairs to find Rory.

Rory looked startled to see Jess at the door, about to knock. She had just decided to go downstairs and tell him that this wasn't right. She couldn't talk to him, not right now. But seeing him now was somehow different. That uncomfortable feeling she felt when he had grabbed hold of her had was gone as she saw something different in his eyes. Something softer. He looked genuinely concerned.

Rory: "Jess...." Rory started to gather the strength to tell him to go away.

Jess (interrupting): "Before you start, let me say something. I know I haven't been available or dependable in the past. But there are some things you need to know. I am in school now. I took the GED and I was able to get into NYU to take night classes. Next semester I can go full time. I am sorry I drove all the way out here. I know you are independent and smart and you will get through this just fine. But I couldn't sleep last night. After you called, I tried so hard to sleep. I was going to drive out here this morning. But you wouldn't leave my mind. I just hopped in my car in the middle of the night. I kept wondering why you called me for help after rejecting me at your dorm. I love you, Rory, and I came back to see if you really feel the same for me. We have to stop leaving each other like this."

Rory (astounded at this speech): "Come in," opening the door wider so he could enter.

Luke was sitting at a table with Babette and Patty as Lorelai walked into the room. He gazed at her as she strolled over to where he was sitting.

Lorelai: "Hey, everything taken care of?"

Luke: "Oh, yeah sure, are you going to eat or what?"

Lorelai: "I have to work, remember? An owner's job is never done. Can I grab a moment to talk to you around noon though? We could have lunch in town."

Luke: "Sure," he replied hesitantly. He loved the idea of lunch with Lorelai and yet he wondered if she knew he had given his okay for Jess to find Rory when Lorelai was so set against it right now.

Rory watched as Jess took a seat on the un-made bed that she had slept in just last night and wondered what she would do next. So many crazy mixed-up emotions had entered her head that she wasn't sure what she really wanted or how to trust her feelings. But, she did know that she did love this guy that sat just a foot or so away from her. And, yet, at the same time she was afraid to get any closer to him right now. She wanted to be with Jess more than anything, she had put her feelings for him on hold to avoid the pain every time he ran away. Her emotions were put on hold so much that she coldly rejected him at her dorm room, in order to protect her feelings from getting hurt again. What if she had gone away with him though? Could she go away with him now and forget everything that happened at this place? Her mom's words about running from man to man rang in her ear. She did her best to silence them. For the moment, she just wanted to feel better.

Jess: "Can you just sit down a moment so we can talk?" Jess, beckoned her over to the bed to sit.

Rory nervously walked over and sat down as far as she could from him. Nothing could happen right now... Not when she felt such crazy emotions within.

To Be Continued....