To the readers: OMG GUYS! I'm so sorry! My computer got a really bad virus that destroyed the entire hard drive and maybe the computer. It's sent in right now and for the moment, I'm using a desktop that my mom had stored away. So, I had a very stressful week trying to fix the thing… when it couldn't be fixed by me in the first place… great, eh? Oh well… I'll make it up to you guys. Here's the next chapter and I'll try to get the next one out tonight sometime. Okay? Forgive me! Hope you enjoy. Oh, and thank you all for the reviews! They were all so pleasant to read during a stressful week! K… here you go…

DISCLAIMER: I only own Michael!

"Michael… I-"

"Inside… now."

"My mom's inside. I won't let her see us fight," Rory said confidently, but took a step back when she saw the fire in Michael's eye.

"Well lucky for us, she's not here. She left about an hour ago."

"Michael-"

"Inside Rory."

Tears formed in Rory's eyes. She knew what was coming. She knew she was in trouble, but she didn't know how to stop it. She slowly turned the knob to the front door and stepped inside. Michael stepped in a second after her and shut the door. He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, putting his hands on his face.

Rory watched him carefully. She did not know what to expect now; she had never seen him do this.

"How could you do this?"

Rory didn't know if speaking would make matters worse, so she just kept silent.

"You know, I came here to surprise you. I got out of the business trip early so I could come down here." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box.

"I was going to ask you to marry me tonight," Michael said, looking up at Rory, who was across the room.

Rory looked pained and moved closer to him. "Michael, I'm-"

"Sorry? Yeah, I know. Sorry doesn't take the image of you kissing another guy out of my head though."

Rory sat down beside him and took his hand. Michael pulled away and stood up. "I asked your mom for permission. She told me you were out with a friend right now."

"He is a friend," Rory replied.

Michael raised an eyebrow at her. "A close, personal friend I presume?"

"Michael, don't."

"How can you expect me not to Ror?"

"I was just confused. I'm tired of being hurt by you all the time, Michael. I'm tired of being a girl who I don't want to be. I don't want to be the wife that stays home and plans dinner parties. I don't want to be hit when I do something wrong. I don't deserve it Michael. I don't deserve to be hurt," Rory explained.

Michael closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, Rory saw what she had not seen for a long time- love. He moved closer to her and for the first time in a long time, she didn't flinch. She stood up and he kissed her, long and hard, to show her how much he loved her. When he broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. When he finally caught his breath, he got down on one knee. Rory took a deep breath. He held up the ring. "Lorelai Gilmore, will you marry me?"

She exhaled and smiled. "Yes."

Michael smiled and slid the ring on her finger. He stood up and kissed her again. "Let's go home."

"Right now?"

"Yeah. I don't feel comfortable staying in a town with that guy."

Rory suddenly felt sick. She hadn't thought of Jess when she said 'yes' to Michael. She was so wrapped up in the moment; in the, what seemed to be, new Michael.

"Ror?"

Rory looked up into Michael's eyes that were still bearing the love she hadn't seen in a long time from him. She gave a half smile. "Yeah, let's go. Suddenly, I don't feel too comfortable here either, but can we at least wait for my mom to get home so I can tell her the news?"

"Of course." He planted a kiss at the top of her head.

"Great. I'm going to go pack up everything."

"Okay. I'll stay here. I have a few calls to make."

Rory smiled. "Okay." She walked out of the room.

"She left?"

"Jess, don't be angry. Michael proposed last night," Lorelai said, and then paused. "She said yes."

Jess nodded his head. "Okay. Well, I gotta go." He set down the coffee pot and ran upstairs. He came downstairs seconds later with his leather jacket on and keys in hand.

"Where are you going?" Luke asked.

Jess paused with his hand on the door knob out of the diner. He turned to Lorelai and Luke. "To bring Rory back home- where she belongs."

"Jess-"

"Lorelai, I know she's not in love with him. I know it. Trust me, okay?"

Lorelai looked into Jess' eyes and saw the truth and hope in them. "Drive safe."

Jess gave her a half smile and walked out the door.

"I'M COMING! Geez- some people sleep at this time of night!"

Rory opened the door and almost fell at the sight. Jess stood there with a look of anger on his face that she wouldn't have been able to describe if her life depended on it, but after taking one look at Rory, the anger faded and worry took its place. Rory had a busted lip.

"Jess-"

"What happened?"

"Oh this?" She pointed to her lip. "I-," she paused, "ran into a wall. It was dark."

"Oh, cut the crap Rory. Did he do this to you?"

"Jess-"

"Don't 'Jess' me. I asked you a simple question."

"It's complicated."

"So he did do this to you?"

"Will you stop? I deserved it. For once, I deserved it."

"For once? He's done this to you before? Geez Rory, when did you become one to just take a beating? Where is he?" Jess slid by Rory and started walking through the apartment. "Where is the bastard?"

"He's not home." Jess stopped and looked at Rory. "He had to work late."

Suddenly Jess came to her. Rory backed away and closed her eyes tightly. She crouched down.

"Did you think I was gonna hit you?" Rory opened her eyes. "I'm not him Rory. I would never hurt you."

Rory looked at him with sad eyes. "You need to go, Jess."

"What? Why?"

"He'll kill you if he sees you here," Rory said with honesty dripping in her voice.

"I'm not afraid of him Rory."

"Go." Rory pushed him in hopes he would leave.

"Why are you staying with him?" Jess asked as he stood strong.

"He loves me Jess."

"HE DOESN'T RORY. YOU AND HIM- THAT'S NOT LOVE. PHYSICAL ABUSE IS NOT LOVE. HE DOESN'T LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU. YOU AND ME- WE'RE LOVE RORY."

Rory started to cry. "Go Jess. Please go."

Jess shook his head in disappointment. "I thought you were smarter than this, Rory. When you see just how sick you're boyfriend, or excuse me, finace, is, come find me."

He walked out of the apartment and slammed the door.

Rory dropped to her knees and cried even harder.

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