A/N: Hey, before you read the story, I **REALLY** need a beta reader to help me correcting my grammar and spelling, so if anyone is interested please e-mail at gabrielle_rs@yahoo.com. Thanks!!!

"I'm learning

To live without you

Since you don't love me anymore

...

When you've stopped loving me

I've learned how to forgive

And ask forgiveness"

29 by Legião Urbana

Chap 07 - Josh and Jen - Part I

As soon as Jen and Josh's house was visible Rory could see Josh working on the garden in front of their big house. She parked next to the house and got out of the car shutting it with a slam. Josh looked up and Rory said, "Let me guess. He's already gone?"

Josh smiled, "As always, you're right."

He left the garden to hug his old friend, "Oh, I missed you, ya know? Can't you call me once in a while just to say that you're fine?"

"I'm sorry, I've been really busy. So, where's Jen? How's she?"

"Architects! They can't stop working but she's doing fine. Lots of stress, always with pressure and living in the edge. One of this days she'll have a heart attack or something."

"Yeah, that's Jen. And how are you?"

"I'm great. I get some good money being a lawyer and I just love it. I don't do I for money, you know? If I had to have another job I would still be a lawyer just as a hobby. Just like Jess would be a writer. The difference between me and Jess is that I have more things in my life, I'm not a workaholic."

She laughed, "It's pretty funny you two being twins and so close...still you are so different."

"True. The only thing we have in common is our undying love for Matt Damon."

Rory laughed at Jack. He was gay and had no problem with that or saying it to whoever wanted to know. Thought in college he didn't really like to talk about it and was more discreet about the subject to avoid gossips, he soon found out there would always be gossips, and the best way to deal with it was simply ignoring it. "So, you haven't find 'your guy' yet?" she asked.

"No. He's still out there, dating some idiot and having the worst time in his life. But don't worry, he'll find me." He said convicted.

"Sure he will."

"Yeah. But I'm guessing you didn't drive all the way here just to know we are?"

He knew why she was there and there was no reason to deny it. "So, how long has he been gone?"

"Not much. He left this morning."

"So I still have a chance to catch him?" she asked hopeful.

"Nun-huh. Jen would kill me if I'd let you come here and leave without seeing her."

"Jack, I *need* to go. Maybe you don't understand how important this is but I have to find him."

"Rory he's not ready to meet you yet", he said seriously.

"But Jack-" she whined frustrated before accepting that Jack was probably right and give in, "So, can I stay here for the night?"

He hugged her, trying to comfort her. "Of course darling, of course."

Dinner was already and Rory was setting the table, both waiting for Jen get home.

"Does she always get home this late?" Rory asked.

"I told you, she became a workaholic. And please, you ask like you weren't just like her."

Thinking back she had to admit he was right. But it scared her to become so obsessed with work, and to have no time out with friends and family. Even Mark suffered form her negligence. 'Oh God, Mark!' she thought to herself. She had completely forgotten about Mark. She ran to the room in which she was staying and called Mark, feeling like it was her obligation.

"Hello?"

"Hey, honey", she tried to sound sweet.

"Rory? God, I haven't heard from you for days! Where were you? Or better yet, where are you?"

"I'm in a friends' house. I couldn't catch Jess yet so I'm staying here tonight."

"God Rory, do you even realize what you're doing? You've been after this guy for almost a week! A guy that you haven't seen in years! And in the mean time you call your actual boyfriend just twice?"

"I know and I'm sorry, believe me. But I've been with all this old friends and old memories...it's been a little too much."

"I believe you. And that's why I think it's time you come home."

"I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? You've tried to find him. But if he doesn't want to be found there's nothing you can do. Now, you have to come back home", he half-ordered.

"I won't. I'm sorry", she apologized but was firm in her decision.

"No, I'm the one who's sorry. I'm tired of this Rory. You can't take a weekend off to spend time with me but you take undetermined vocations to go after a guy you don't see or speak in years?! And doesn't even want to be found by you?!"

"He doesn't know what he wants."

"Okay, now you're going to defend him? You know what, I think this relationship isn't working the way it should."

"Perhaps", she agreed. "What do you want to do about it?"

"What can we do? I think we can only state what is obvious for quite some time now, say it's over."

"I didn't want this to happen."

"Neither did I. But that's the way it went."

"I'm sorry."

"Me too. Goodbye Rory."

"Goodbye Mark."

Could things get any worse? No Jess, no Mark, no crazy deadlines to a difficult article so she could run from her problems. She went back to the kitchen where Jack was putting the sauce in the pasta.

"All done. And Jen will be home any second now", Jack said excitedly.

"My boyfriend just broke up with me by the phone", Rory said much less excited.

"Boyfriend?" A shocked Jen asked, her keys still in her hands, the door opened.

"Jen! I've missed you so much!" Rory went to her friend and hugged her.

"Yeah, me too. But what is this about your boyfriend, I mean, ex-boyfriend, I mean...I don't know what I mean!"

"Okay, Jack just cooked a fabulous pasta. So, while we have dinner I'll tell you everything about... everything. Let's go, I'm starving." Rory lead the way to the dining room leaving behind her two friends looking at each other, silently asking one another if they knew anything about it. After a moment they both followed Rory to the table.

A/N: Thank you for your reviews, especially to smile1. She's an amazing writer and it's a honror to know that she is reading my fics. This chap is dedicated to those who reviewed my last chap (smile1, X-identaty, otownroxx, punkcatwittssues, Gythien Elven Babe and KennyChesney-2004). And thank you for those who take the time to read this fic. It means the world to me. And please, review!