Title: Taking Care Of Me

Author: Katie

Story Summary: What you didn't see in "Teach Me Tonight"

Spoilers: Up to and including "Teach Me Tonight"

Pairing: Rory and Jess

Authors Note: This is my very first fanfiction so PLEASE send me

Feedback…Good or bad!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Gilmore Girls…I wish I did though.

Chapter: thirty-two, Sleeping Well

It had been about a week since Rory had last seen Jess. Loreali came home and had many trips to Luke's by herself. It was around 8:00pm and Rory hadn't left the house for anything except school since the fight. She had even called the grandparents and said she was sick. That's where her mom was, left to fend for herself at her parent's house. Rory sighed softly and stood up from the couch she had been wallowing on for the past few hours. She had to get out of the house, at least for a little while. All she had been doing was thinking about Jess. She loved him, she knew she loved him. She needed him to know that now. She didn't know how to prove it to him, or how to show him that she wasn't going to repeat her previous mistakes.

Rory sighed softly as she walked out of the front door. She smiled to herself as the cool evening air hit her arms. She walked past the diner where she could see Luke inside. By now everyone in town knew some variation of what happened. She walked past Doosey's where Dean gave her an 'I told you so' look. Rory lowered her head and speed up her walk.

Rory found herself at the bridge. As she walked closer to the center of the bridge she could see Jess sitting there, his legs dangling off the side of the bridge. Rory thought about turning around and running back home but he had all ready turned and looked at her.

Rory nodded slightly and took a deep breath before walking toward him and sitting down a couple of feet away from him. "I didn't know you'd be here" She said quietly.

"I can leave" Jess answered and went to stand up.

"No, I don't want you to" Rory said softly. "Look, I just, I need to say something, 'kay?" Rory said and looked over at him.

Jess nodded in response, "Say it" Jess said looking at Rory.

"I love you. I'm sorry. I know that doesn't make up for anything and that it doesn't make everything right but I'm so so so sorry" Rory said and slowly looked over at Jess. "I never meant to hurt you and I never thought that it would be so easy to make me think the way I was. I don't think I actually thought that you were just using me, I think I just wanted the reassurance of hearing you say it." Rory didn't know how else to explain it as she pulled her hair back and tucked it behind her ears. She fidgeted nervously as Jess seemed to take everything in.

"Rory, I need you to know that I'm not who I used to be and I need you to trust me." Jess said as he watched her carefully.

"I know, and I do trust you, I always trusted you. I don't know how to make this better but I promise you that I love you and that I trust you and that I really want a chance to make this right." Rory rambled.

Jess smiled slightly. He knew that Rory was sincere but he didn't know if she actually knew what she was promising. Only one way to find out he thought to himself as he looked up at Rory who was looking intensely at him.

Jess reached over and pulled Rory toward him. He smiled as he heard her giggle with surprise. Jess crashed his lips into Rory's as they kissed for what seemed like the first time in forever. As they finally pulled apart out of the need for air Rory looked up at Jess wondering how she ever could have doubted him. "I missed you" Rory whispered as they lay back against the cool wood of the bridge. She nestled into his arms and felt his lips brush against her forehead.

"Yeah…" Jess whispered, "I missed you" Jess answered and leaned down and kissed her again.

As they pulled apart she looked up at him, "Come on, its cold, lets go to my house. Watch movies or something."

"Yeah, good idea" Jess said rising to his feet and lending his hand to help Rory up. "Especially since I'm just using you and all" Jess teased.

Rory pushed Jess lightly, "Shut up" She smiled and pulled him back to her.

Jess smiled and put his arm around Rory's waist who in turn put her arm around him. Jess smiled slightly and kissed the top of Rory's head. "I love you" He whispered so softly Rory almost didn't hear him.

"I love you" Rory answered.

As they reached Rory's house they went in and to her room. They settled down on her bed and put Willy Wonka in the VCR. Rory smiled and she and Jess slipped under the covers and she laid down in his arms.

It wasn't long before the two were asleep.

Loreali walked in to her house and smiled as she heard Willy Wonka from her daughter's room. Loreali smiled softly to herself as she walked into Rory's room to see her and Jess. Loreali turned off the TV then turned and walked over to the bed. She pulled the blankets closer around Rory and Jess.

Rory shifted slightly as a response. Jess's eyes slowly opened and he panicked slightly when he saw Loreali. "I'm sorry…" he started but was cut off by Loreali.

"Shhhhh…I know, its fine. I'm glad to see you again. Sleep well" She smiled. She was so happy Rory and Jess had sorted everything out. She hated seeing Rory like she was, all sad and mopey, and Loreali did not want to go through another Roryless dinner with her parents. Loreali walked to the door and stopped for a moment looking back at her daughter and Jess. Loreali smiled and pulled the door shut before going upstairs to change.