"It's very peaceful, out here."

"Yup."

"I think I would like to live out here."

"On the beach?"

"Yeah, but only when there's no one around."

He shrugged. "Buy a tent. You can wander during the day and then camp out here in the middle of the night."

"I don't want to carry a tent everywhere."

"Another brilliant plan shot to hell by your lack of upper body strength."

"Hey." Rory poked his side. "I have upper body strength. I could knock you into next week and kick your butt again on Thursday."

He just laughed and shook his head. Rory pulled her legs closer to her and wrapped her arms around her knees. She watched him lay in the sand, thinking. She wondered what he was thinking about. Perhaps her? Kissing her? She was most definitely thinking about kissing him. And food. She would kill for Luke's. Rory made a mental note to call Luke and her mom the next day- she hadn't called them for a few days (except for a short call the other day to Luke per Jess's round-about request- she knew Jess didn't want to openly express any emotion towards Luke, but he kept asking how he was doing with the divorce and all so she thought to just call him and put Jess's mind at ease).

"Hey."

"Hm."

"I'm hungry."

"This is different from the other twenty-three hours of the day how?"

"I need Sandeeps."

He rolled on his side and finally looked at her. "What is it with you and your Indian food?"

"It's good." She flicked some sand at him, which he swatted away casually.

"I don't know where we're going to find Indian food at one in the morning."

"We could call Sandeeps. They deliver."

"To California?"

"Mm hmm." She laid down and curled up against him.

"Tired?"

"Mm hmm." He ran his hand through her hair and watched her eyelids droop.

"We should get back."

"Hmm."

"Before you fall asleep."

"Mm."

"Cause I don't know if I can carry you all the way back to the house."

"Mm."

"You're not going to fall asleep, are you?"

No response. He turned his head and touched his lips to hers. She murmured incoherently.

"Love you, Rory."

Her breath was even.

"I think we should get married."

Her eyes stayed closed.

"And then you can have a torrid affair with the pool boy, and I'll be devastated and drink myself into oblivion after writing a novel that doesn't become popular until, oh, say sixty years after my death."

She curled up a little closer to him.

"Blink twice if you're asleep."

She snuggled into the crook of his neck.

"Damn." He stood up, stretched, then leaned down and picked her up in his arms.

"You're lucky you're light, or I would leave you here for the sandpipers." He muttered before kissing the shell of her ear.

Then, after readjusting her in his arms, he began trudging back to the house. Rory wrapped her arms around his neck a little more securely and smiled.

- - - - - - - - - -

Lorelai strolled into the diner that morning sporting her favorite heels. And she was looking damn fine in them, if she said so herself.

…And she did say so. So there.

Now. She was not just wearing these nifty quasi-new purple pumps because she spent a load of money on them and wanted to show them off. Oh no. She was wearing them in hopes that a certain diner owner might see her and think, hmm. What a devilishly attractive lady. She deserves a free cup of coffee.

Or something along those lines. All she knew was that she woke up wanting to look nice at the diner that day. Not for Luke or anything.

Cause she wasn't attracted to him or anything.

And the reason her heart was beating rather irregularly when she saw his flannel-covered self emerge from the kitchen wasn't because she liked him or something. It was because she'd had three Mars bars and half a cheeseburger for breakfast before driving over.

"Hi." She smiled and sat down at the counter and waited for him to acknowledge her. He did so with a nod and (cue heart- flutter flutter) a slight smile.

"Lorelai."

"I'll be needing some coffee today."

"Just to shake things up a bit?" He asked dryly.

"You know me so well." She gushed. "Now, coffee. And perhaps…hmm. What do you have as far as pastry selections?"

"One chocolate donut with sprinkles, comin' right up."

She deflated. "Am I so predictable?"

"Yes."

He placed the donut and coffee in front of her and proceeded to wipe off the counter.

"Hey." He looked up. "Come over tonight. There's no Rory and I'm bored." He didn't say anything for a second and Lorelai suddenly saw ABORT! ABORT! flashing in front of her eyes in big red letters.

"Cause we could, uh, rent…movies. I mean, who could more fully appreciate all the flannel in such 90's cult classics as Mallrats other than yourself?" Oh man. There they were again- ABORT! ABORT!

"Yeah." He finally managed to spit out. Oh thank GOD.

"Yeah, movies…would be good." He hurried on. "I could bring food, if you want."

"I like food."

"I know that you do."

"Great. So, um...tonight. Seven?"

"Thirty. I'll close the diner a little early but I'll probably need to shower off the hamburger smell and that perfume Miss Patty wears."

"Hah, yeah. She still buys it in a tub. I think it comes with a free soap-on-a-rope."

Luke in the shower? Oh my. Memo to self- call Rory. Discuss strangely romantic feelings towards flannel man. Demand fashion advice for tonight's…get-together. Remind her not to sleep with Jess.

"Lorelai?"

"Huh?"

"You okay? You seemed a little…"

"Oh, me? Me, I'm great. But, uh, inn stuff. Lots of inn stuff that I have to do…things with horses and linens. You know. Same ol', same ol'." Sliding off her stool she motioned to her coffee. "To go cup, please."

He pulled one out and poured the coffee from the mug into it, popping on the top. Lorelai pulled out her purse.

"How much? I've recently come into money- I found Rory's old piggy bank. I swear, that kid has more money in quarters in that creepy plastic pig than I have in my bank account."

"It's on me." Luke waved away her money.

I wish you were on ME.

Lorelai's brain skittered to a halt.

Did I just think that?

"You're so nice." She took the cup and turned to go. "Oh, wait." Luke gave her his attention again. "Has Jess called here in the last few days? Cause I haven't talked to Rory…"

"Oh, she called here...two days ago, I guess."

"Oh." Lorelai's smiled suddenly seemed a little sad.

"You okay?" He asked, concerned. He knew that hadn't been as close recently, had mentioned such to Jess…agh. Stupid teenagers and their stupid destructive relationships.

"Yeah, I probably…I haven't checked my messages in a while, she probably...left me one. I'll check before I go to the inn."

"Good plan."

"I do come up with some great ones. Okay, so um, seven thirty?"

"Seven thirty."

"Bring lots of food."

"Yep." He watched her walk to the door, and then thought of something.

"Lorelai!"

"Yeah?"

"No chick flicks." He rolled his eyes at her delighted expression. "Please."

"Aw, Lucas. You thought you weren't going to have to watch Clueless." She shook her head. "You sad, sad little man." She brightened. "Bring pie!"

And before he could inquire whether she wanted apple or chocolate cream, she was gone.

He'd bring both.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Christ. I hate checkers."

"That's just cause you suck."

"Not my fault you're like an overgrown four year old. I bet you know all the rules to Candy land."

"Well, duh."

Jess looked at her from across the checkerboard. She was wearing old shorts and a sweatshirt (one of his, he noticed with amusement) and her hair was messy. She looked very pretty.

"Hey."

"Hey, we're the Monkees."

He rolled his eyes.

"Let's go for a walk."

She looked up from her task of unwrapping a lollipop that Lily had given her before taking off to her closet. "It's raining."

"I know."

"That's why we're doing the whole board game deal. Jimmy said he has Parcheesi in the closet, if you find that more appealing."

Jess shook his head. "No, c'mon. It'll be fun." He stood up and glanced out the window. "You like the rain, right?"

"Well, yeah, but Lily-"

"-is in the hall closet, completely amused with 'Salem's Lot."

Rory looked skeptical. "You gave a ten year old that book?"

"She likes King. C'mon." He bounced a little on his heels and Rory fought the urge to laugh.

"Yeah, okay." She stood up and tucked her hair behind her ears. "I'll be right back."

"Where you going?"

She disappeared into her temporary room. "I'm getting my rain boots."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You brought rain boots?"

She reemerged, tugging on bright yellow boots that went up to her knees.

"You've never been on a trip with my grandmother."

"Good thing."

"You guys probably would have gotten along if it weren't for the whole black eye deal."

Jess nodded. He'd never told her what really happened. He always felt bad about that. It was nothing compared to leaving her in the dust to travel across the country, but still…it always made him guilty. She was right to think he'd been fighting with Dean, hell, even Luke thought that was what happened. It was logical, right? Jess plus black eye equals the kicking of Dean's ass. But he'd been so mad, so offended, that she would assume that about him that he messed up the whole dinner. But she believed him when he told her it was a football. She always believed him.

"You ready?" He came back to reality to see Rory standing by the door, leaning against the frame, her long legs crossed just so, arms folded casually. He felt something in his chest; he wasn't even sure what it was. Love? He knew he loved her.

Fear.

He didn't want to lose her again. But with him, it was a very real possibility. And that scared the hell out of him.

"Yeah." He pulled his jacket from the coat hanger and walked to her. "I'm ready."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Lily had gotten through half of her book, and was now going through the fridge in search of sustenance. Hopefully an oatmeal cream pie. Rory had taken her to the grocery store the other day so they could stock up on what she considered the four food groups: chocolate, cheesy things, beefaroni, and all things artery-clogging. Lily had just spotted a pudding cup when the phone rang. Picking up, she prepared to answer as her mom had told her a few years ago ("Hello, this is Lily.") but changed her mind and answered like she had heard Jess answer his cell phone.

"What the hell do you want?"

There was silence on the other end for a second.

"…Jess? Did you get a sex change?"

Backtracking, she said, "Hello, this is Lily."

"Oh! Oh, hi hon. This is Lorelai, Rory's mom?"

"Oh hi." Lily twirled the phone cord around her finger, digging her toe into the ground.

"Is Rory there?"

She looked into the living room, and saw only an abandoned checkerboard.

"Nope. I think they left."

"Her and Jess?"

"Yeah. I can give her a message, if you want."

"Okay, well um, just tell her to call me when she gets back. And could you please tell her it's important?"

"Okie dokie."

"Thanks, Lily."

"You're welcome."

Hanging up the phone, Lily looked back at the living room. She wondered where they had gone, and why they hadn't taken her with them.

"Probably doing stupid teenager things." She muttered and headed back to her closet.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

And they were doing teenager things. More specifically, making out against a building that sold straw hats and bobble heads.

"Jess-" Rory managed to get out before he covered her mouth with his again. She felt his hands running all over here, impatiently moving her sweatshirt out of the way for the briefest of seconds so his fingers could graze her stomach, pulling her tightly against him until she wasn't sure where she ended and he began.

"Jess-" this time he just moved his mouth to her neck and latched on, leaving her very much speechless. She just tilted her head so he could have better access, in the back of her mind fearing a purple mark but not really caring at the moment.

"Rory." He murmured, capturing her lips with his again. His hands moved under the sweatshirt, running up her torso, dangerously close to her breast. She tensed.

"Jess, we should head back."

"Why?" He whispered against her lips. Yeah. Like he was going to head back to play checkers and ward off the swarm of dogs.

"We've been gone for a while, and-" she gave in for a minute, kissing him back. He was such a good kisser, after all.

Finally, when they both needed air, she put a hand against his chest and pushed him back just a little. "Plus, I promised I'd call my mom."

He sighed. "Okay." Taking her hand in his, he stepped back to observe her and chuckled.

"What?" She asked, feeling all of a sudden very self-conscious.

"You have rain boots."

Blushing, she grinned. "Yellow rain boots."

"Alright, c'mon. Have to go call Lorelai. Tell her every detail of every second of every day." He said only half kidding, pulling her along with him. She laughed.

"Not every second. I certainly won't be telling her about this."

He smirked and they continued walking until someone behind them hollered, "Jess!" causing them to stop and turn around. Rory pushed wet hair out of her eyes and saw a girl coming towards them.

"Jess!" She repeated once she was a little closer. Rory examined her. She was her height with shoulder-length blonde hair, complemented by her perfectly tanned skin.

My God. It's Venice Beach Shane.

"Hey, Sadie." Jess smiled. He hadn't seen her in a while.

"Oh, Mr. Mariano. Is that all you have to say to me?" She grinned as he let Rory's hand go to wrap his arms around her. Rory stiffened.

"Ergh, I missed you so much! What are you doing back in this shithole?" She pulled back from the hug to look him up and down.

"You've paled, my dear. Must tan tomorrow, when it's sunny."

"You're so sure it won't be raining tomorrow?"

"It never rains here."

He looked up at the sky, letting raindrops hit his face. "It's raining now."

"You're hallucinating. Hey, who's your friend?"

Jess turned to Rory. "Oh, Sadie, Rory. Rory, Sadie."

Sadie waved a little. "Sadie Hawkins. My parents had a sense of humor." Tilting her head to the side, she added, "And a drinking problem. I think my mom was doing jello shots about ten minutes before she had me. Better than getting a name generally reserved for the opposite sex, huh Jessie?" She nudged him with her elbow and he glared.

"Shut up."

"Charming fellow." She turned her attention back to Rory. "Don't tell me you're dating this asshole."

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yes."

Sadie grinned at Jess. "Oh, you ladies man you."

"I reiterate- shut up."

"You love me, don't deny it." Sadie pulled a rubber band from her jean shorts pocket and pulled her hair into a wet ponytail. "Hey, Katie and Bender are at Hamptons, if you wanna go say hi."

"Maybe later."

"No. Now." She reached out and tugged on his hand. "C'mon. You can introduce Rory to them. Plus, Bender's going to Ohio tomorrow."

Jess looked puzzled. "Why the hell's he going to Ohio?"

Sadie rolled her eyes. "True love or some shit. His girlfriend, Betty Sue or Bobby Joe or whatever, is back in Ohio and is all," She jutted her hip to the side and mockingly clasped her hands together between her breasts, " 'Come back, Bender! Be with me, Bender! Screw your friends over and come live in the barn with the cows and farming implements, Bender!'" She sighed, obviously annoyed, and crossed her arms. "He's leaving at three in the morning tomorrow."

"Jesus."

"I know, right?" Sadie shook her head sadly. Rory felt a little sick. Was that how she sounded?

"Come back, Jess! Be with me, Jess! Screw Lily and Jimmy over and come live in a diner, Jess!"

Jess looked to Rory. "You wanna go?

She looked up. "Huh? Oh, well I need to call-"

"Lorelai, right. I forgot." He looked torn, and Rory was suddenly very determined to not be Jess's Betty Sue/Bobby Joe/whatever.

"Hey, you go. I don't mind."

He was skeptical. "Yeah?"

"Yeah, really. Go." He still didn't move. "Seriously, look." She made a little "poof!" gesture with her hands. "No more leash. Go frolic."

He grinned a little uncertainly. "Okay." He cupped her cheek with one hand and kissed her lightly. "I'll be back in a bit. Tell Lily no more King or she'll have nightmares."

"Will do." She smiled, but it disappeared when he turned away and Sadie looped her arm through his.

"Don't worry, Rory darling, I'll bring him back in one piece. Two pieces at the most." Jess turned once and waved at Rory. She waved back.

She stood alone in the rain for a little while before sighing and turning back. She wanted to go home.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lorelai was on the couch, legs tucked under her, hugging a pillow to her nervously and watching the phone.

Ring, damn you!

It rang. Lorelai almost fell off the couch.

"Oh, that is so cool. Telekinesis. Watch out, Carrie." Quickly scooping it up, she pushed a button and pressed it to her ear.

"What's your favorite scary movie?"

"It really doesn't work if you ask that, Mom."

"Details, babe." She examined her toes. She needed a pedicure.

"How's everything? How's Jess?"

"Jess is Jess."

Lorelai frowned. "You guys having a fight?"

"No, I just…" she heard Rory sigh. "We were walking around and this girl comes up to him and they're obviously friends and she's just…ugh, she's gorgeous. Like, a million times prettier than Shane."

"Aw, honey, Shane wasn't that pretty-"

"Yes, but not-that-pretty times a million equals Barbie."

"So what happened?"

"Well, and this was weird to me, apparently he has other friends-"

"Whoa, wait. Jess has friends?"

"I know. And so they went to see them."

"You let him go off alone with Barbie?"

"Sadie. And I wanted to call you cause I haven't talked to you in forever."

Lorelai beamed.

"You sacrificed diner boy for me. Aren't you the sweetest."

She heard Rory sigh again.

"Rory?"

"I wanna come home."

"Well, then come home! Come home now! Hail a taxi! Steal Jimmy's car! I'll wire you money so you can buy a ticket!" Lorelai was practically jumping up and down from excitement.

"I…I think Jess should stay out here."

Lorelai plopped back down on the couch.

"What?"

- - - - - - - - - - -

"And he has this girlfriend named Rory."

Jess rolled his eyes at the "oooh!"s he was receiving from Katie and the whistles from Bender. Sadie grinned. They were all situated around a booth at Hamptons, a local café that Sadie's sister owned. Katie, a cute little blonde with emo glasses and wearing a purple bikini (which she justified by the fact that it was raining) was sitting next to Jess, leaning on his shoulder. She was a year younger than the rest of them, and had always had a little crush on Jess ever since he came into the café. But she stayed away, knowing that Sadie was head-over-heels for him. Bender was tall and had a red quasi-afro and four puka shell necklaces that he never took off.

"Is she hot?" Bender asked, taking another drink of root beer.

"Geez…"

"Very hot." Sadie piped up, laughing at Jess's embarrassment. "Oh, come on, Jessie. You know you wanna brag about her."

"You guys are from hell."

"No, that's just Sadie." Katie laughed when Sadie stuck out her tongue.

"I gotta go pee. Come on, Katie." She stood up and gestured for Katie to follow.

"We'll be back. Try not to talk about us while we're gone." Sadie said and winked before the two girls hurried off.

Bender and Jess looked at each other.

"Why do they always go in pairs?"

"I don't have a fucking clue." Bender laughed and sat back.

"So. Rory."

"Shut up."

"No, no. It's cute." Bender fluttered his eyelashes. "Oh, Jess…You're so big and strong-"

"Fuck you." Jess reached across the table and punched him in the arm.

"Ow!" He rubbed his arm and whimpered, then got serious. "So hey, I'm surprised Sadie hasn't tackled your girlfriend yet."

Jess looked up from his soda. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on, man. Sadie's been crazy bout you ever since you guys met. And, if I recall correctly-" he wiggled his eyebrows, "-you were a little crazy about her, too."

Jess scowled. "It was once. And we were drunk. I don't even remember it."

"Word on the street is that she remembers it…and maybe was even a little sad when you left."

"Of course she was sad." Jess stretched out in the seat and smirked. "Who wouldn't miss this?"

Bender grinned and then leaned a closer, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. "She cried, dude."

Jess sat back, his forehead furrowed. "No she didn't."

"Dude, I'm tellin' ya-"

"Sadie doesn't cry, Bender. She also doesn't feel like that about me so why don't you fucking drop it?"

"Fine. But don't come crying to me when Rory and Sadie get in a catfight." He blinked. "Actually, do come crying to me. I'd like to see that."

Jess sighed. "Whatever." The girls returned a second after, both giggling.

"What's so funny?" Bender asked.

"Your face." Sadie snapped, grinning madly.

"Are you coming on to me?"

"Bite me."

Bender grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his lap and began tickling her sides. "Not a bad idea." She squealed and tried to get away, but was laughing too hard.

"Jess!" She choked out between her laughter, "Save me!"

"You're in too deep now, Sadie. You might as well just sleep with him."

"Hah! Likely!"

Katie sat back down next to Jess. He leaned over to her. "Are those two ever going to go out?"

Katie, blushing because he was just so close, laughed and managed to get out, "Nah. They're both to stupid. Besides, Bender's leaving tomorrow for Ohio to live with Becky, and Sadie likes this other guy."

"Really? Who?"

She almost blurted out "you, duh" but kept it in. "Doesn't matter."

He smirked. "Fine, keep your secrets." He paused. "Tell me."

She giggled. "No."

"…Tell me."

"Come with me and get another soda." She stood up and grabbed her cup. "We'll be back."

"Take your time. Me and Sadie are going to have a quickie in the coat closet."

"You wish." Sadie scowled and shoved his shoulder, moving from his lap to sit on the table. She watched Katie and Jess walk to the counter.

"Bender."

"Yes, my love?"

"I'm serious." She whined and poked his shoulder.

"Okay, what?"

She tugged on her ear, a nervous habit. "I don't like his girlfriend."

"Big freakin' surprise."

"No, I mean she's nice or whatever but why is she here? And with him? I thought the next time he came back me and him would…" She trailed off and sighed, putting her head in her hands.

"Hey." Bender grabbed her wrist lightly. "Don't be sad. And for fuck's sake don't cry."

She shoved his hand out of the way. "Wasn't planning on it, asshole."

"Look, they'll probably break up sooner or later. Then you two can get together and be nauseatingly happy. I, however, will not be here to see it as I am whipped and will be on a plane three o'clock tomorrow morning to see my darling beloved."

"Yeah." She smiled and patted his head. "You really are whipped."

He glared. "I hope Jess marries Rory."

"I hope Becky never puts out and you wind up screwing sheep."

"She doesn't live on a farm, Sadie."

"Let me have my thoughts."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Babe, just cause Lily and Jimmy-"

"They need him out here, Mom. I don't know what they would have done at the funeral if Jess wasn't there. And he helps out around the house and cooks and you know, does helpful things. Plus. When have you ever seen him hang out with anyone at Stars Hollow? Never. Something about Stars Hollow is just…bad for him, Mom."

"Rory, hon, as much as I really, really hate to say this, you love him. And he loves you. And just cause he has friends in California doesn't mean he can't make friends here. Besides, you don't even live in Stars Hollow. You live at Yale. He could...move to Hartford. That's close AND it's not Stars Hollow."

Rory sighed. "He doesn't want me here. I don't want to be here. I'm coming home."

"Rory-"

But she had already hung up. Lorelai ran a hand through her hair before cursing.

I forgot to ask her what to wear tonight!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"So how long are you going to be here?"

Jess shrugged. Sadie had offered to walk him back to Jimmy's after Katie and Bender decided they were going to go swimming ("Because, my dears, swimming in the rain is just about the best experience ever. Besides sex." Bender had announced before dragging Katie out the door with him).

"For the summer, at least. I don't know. Maybe longer. Depends on when Rory needs to get back."

She nodded, then clapped happily as they approached a puddle right outside the house.

"Puddles!" She cried before jumping into it, splashing all over Jess.

"Good thing you're not a dumbass." He snapped and observed the damage. "Now my pants are wet."

"Everything's wet. It's raining." She held her hand out, palm up, catching the drops. "Pretty."

He looked up at the angry sky. "I guess."

"You should go entertain Rory now."

Jess smirked. "It's what I'm here for."

Ignoring the sick feeling in her stomach, Sadie smiled. "See you later, then. Call?"

"I will."

"I have a bottle of tequila stashed in a pillow case. Come by, we'll have some laughs."

"Sounds good." He gave her one last hug, and she brushed her lips against his cheek before pulling away.

"Bye, buddy."

"Bye Sadie."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Hey, Lil. Where's Rory?"

Lily looked up at Jess leaning on the doorframe of the closet.

"Guest room. I think she's talking to her mom."

"Okay."

He tossed her a book, which she carefully checked out.

"The Picture of Dorian Grey. Bender got it for me at the used book place. You can keep it- I already have two copies."

"Thanks."

Closing the closet door carefully, he made his way to the back of the house.

"Ror?"

"In here."

He opened the door and stepped inside.

"Hey, I….Rory?"

"Yeah."

"What are you doing?"

"Packing."

She walked past him with a small pile of folded shirts that she placed in her suitcase.

"I can see that. But why?"

She sighed. "Cause I'm going home."

Jess didn't really know what to say to this.

"Rory, what-"

She finally turned to him and he saw by her eyes that she'd been crying. He went to touch her but she stepped back.

"I think you should stay here. In California."

His heart dropped into his stomach. "What?"

"You have friends."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything!" She sighed and sat down on the inflatable mattress. He sat down next to her and cautiously wrapped an arm around her.

"Rory?"

"You have friends. You don't have friends in Stars Hollow. And you have Lily and Jimmy here, and you just have this…life and you like it here and you hate Stars Hollow and I shouldn't keep dragging you back there." She sniffled and leaned against his shoulder.

"Ror, just because I don't like Stars Hollow…that's no reason to just leave. I mean, we don't even have to go back to Stars Hollow. We can move to New York or something." He rubbed her shoulder comfortingly.

"I don't want to move to New York, Jess. I like Stars Hollow. I like my mom and I like Yale and I like my life except that you're not there! But I can't give up my whole life for you and you…" She sighed. "You can't give up your whole life for me."

"Rory-"

"Tell Jimmy thanks for me. " She stood abruptly and picked up her suitcase. He grabbed her elbow.

"Rory, stop this. I'm serious."

"No, Jess. I'm serious. You're not going to miserable cause of me. Stars Hollow shouldn't be your Ohio!"

"…What?"

She looked like she was going to cry again. "I love you, Jess. I love you too much to force you into some life that you hate. I don't want you to wake up one day and be angry at me for making you stay there."

"Rory-"

"If you come back, I'll be there. But you should stay here for a while. The summer, at least. For Lily. And Jimmy."

"So we're breaking up because I have friends here?" He was confused (unsurprisingly).

"We're not even…breaking up. We're just…"

"What, like a break?"

"Not even a break. I just…I don't know. It doesn't need a label."

He sighed. "Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind and regain your sanity?"

Rory looked at her hands, then him. "No." He walked to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'll drive you to the airport then."

"You don't have to, I called a taxi-"

"I am driving you to the goddamn airport, Rory. You wanna be crazy? Fine. But I'm driving you."

"Okay." They didn't move for a little while, just stood there in the empty room, Rory wanting to cry and Jess wanting to shoot himself. He didn't know what he'd done wrong.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Call me when you get home."

She nodded. "I will."

"I'll be back in Stars Hollow at the end of the summer."

"If Lily-"

"Lily and Jimmy got along fine without me for a long time, Rory. I'll be back after the summer."

"Okay."

"Hey." He put a finger under her chin and raised her face to his, kissing her nose. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Then why do this? We can go back to Jimmy's right now if you-"

"No, Jess. You…need this. And if you still want me at the end of the summer-"

"I will."

"-then I'll be waiting."

He sighed and stood back. "Have a good flight."

"I stole one of your books to occupy myself."

"Which one?"

"Grapes of Wrath."

"Good one."

"Yeah."

Over the intercom, they heard them call her flight.

"That's you."

"Yes it is."

He ducked down to kiss her fully on the lips.

"Love you."

"Love you more."

"Not even possible." He smiled sadly.

"Call."

"I will."

And then she was gone.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was morning when Lorelai heard a knock on the door. Grunting, she fell off the couch.

"Ow, son of a-" She noticed Luke in a very uncomfortable position on the other end of the couch, a Twizzler clutched in his hand.

"I can't believe he liked Clueless." She muttered before attempting to stand. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" She called to the door before flinging it open. Her eyes widened.

"Rory?"

Rory stood on the porch, looking very worn out. She smiled a little.

"Did you and Luke have a date?"

Lorelai was still a little surprised. "How'd you know?"

Rory shrugged. "Daughter's intuition."

Lorelai nodded and stepped back, letting Rory walk in.

"Plus, " Rory added as she swept past her, "your shirt's on inside out."

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Jess?"

Sadie opened her window wider, letting Jess climb in.

"What are you doing here?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "Thought I'd take you up on that tequila offer."

(A/N): What happened with Luke and Lorelai?? Is anything going to happen with Jess and Sadie?? WILL JESS RETURN TO STARS HOLLOW? All these questions (and more) to be answered in the next chapter. Wow. I got this update up fast…I'm actually a little shocked. Okay, so this chapter went completely different from my original plan (I promised more Luke…there wasn't enough. so sad.) But um, yes. Thanks to all you lovies for your reviews (I live off them. Seriously.) So do review and tell me what you think (what about Jess's friends? Hate them? Love them? Think Sadie's gonna make a move?). I probably won't be updating for a while cause I'm going to Florida next week (Hoo-RAH) so this can keep you guys happy until the next chapter. Hm…that's all, I believe. Review please!