Author's note: I'm back!!! Another chapter's here for you to enjoy.

Another thank to all who take time to review. I never expected to be so pleased by your reactions.

Disclaimer: Still own nothing but Kat.

For a moment, it almost seemed like a bad teenage movie when Rory and Jess entered the dance hall, hands entwined, smiles on their faces. You could almost hear the disappointed sighs of the girls and their speculations about the identity of the girl at Jess Mariano's arm.

Kat just smiled when she caught Jess's eye. He winked at her and his mouth silently formed the words 'thank you'. It was all Kat needed to know; the first phase of her plan had worked out. Now all she had to do was watch and enjoy the jealousy in the room before she convinced her friend to return to the east coast, to his home, where his girl lived.

The dance was quite enjoyable. With his girl in his arms, Jess almost became a romantic. He held her tightly, her perfume making him lightheaded. Rory had her head on his shoulder, slowly swaying to the music without really hearing it. Her mind was reeling by now. She loved being in his arms again, loved the way he held her, the way he smelled. She knew they had a lot to talk about. Especially about the subject of him moving back. Back to where he belonged. Luckily she had Kat by her side, who promised to bug Jess about it as well, but the question that kept lingering in her mind was 'does he even want to'? as great as being here with him was, Rory needed more from him, some kind of reassurance.

"Penny for your thoughts."

His voice was tender, with the slightest hint of concern.

"You sure you wanna spend so much on me? I'm flattered."

She grinned.

"Hey, I'm just a poor young student, it's all I can afford."

"So that means you're willing to spend your whole fortune for my thoughts?"

Now Jess grinned too. "If I had a fortune, it would be yours if only I could read your beautiful mind."

"How do you know if my mind is beautiful?"

"You're beautiful."

"Thank you very much, but one doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the other."

"Now you're avoiding the subject."

Jess took her hand and dragged her over to one of the benches surrounding the dance hall. He looked serious.

"Rory, what were you thinking?"

"How happy I am being here with you."

"I'm happy too, but that's not all, is it?"

Sigh…"No. it's not. I just…I know we agreed not to talk about it yet, but…Jess…I need you back. And not just for now. I need…"

"You need reassurance. You need to know I won't run out on you again."

Rory looked at him intently. The last thing she wanted to do was push Jess, knowing very well it usually backfired. But strangely enough he didn't look like he wanted to run away from her or her questioning. Instead he sat down and patted the space next to him. When she sat, he took her hand in his.

"Rory, I won't. I don't want to run anymore. I fought hard for what I have now and I made myself believe I did it for me. But in fact I did it for you. Even though I realized you would probably never know, I wanted you to be proud of me, wanted to become more of an equal. Someone whom you can share your dream with instead of someone standing in your way."

"You were never in my way."

"I believed I was, though. I'm so very glad you came to see me when you did."

"I am proud of you, Jess. You've come a long way. And I still care a lot about you."

"I care too. You know that." He kissed her soft lips.

"So…what are we gonna do?" Again, she knew she was pushing thing, but she couldn't help herself really.

"Rory…"

"You don't have to decide today, okay. Let's just dance some more and enjoy this evening and then we'll see."

Jess now grinned. He didn't need time to decide. In fact, he had already decided he needed to go back the minute he had recognized Rory when he entered her hotel room. Even if it hadn't been her, even if his eyes had been playing tricks on him, he would have come to the same conclusion. He had proven his point by going to college, he missed her and there was nothing holding him back here. Not Jimmy anyway. So it was time to go home.

"We'll go back to the dance in a minute. First of all I need to know how long you'll be here for."

"Just a few more days I guess, why?"

"It'll take some time to get my things together, you know, transfer college and stuff…"

He let his words sink in and smiled a true smile when he saw the understanding dawn on her face.

"Jess, does that mean you…"

"…and I are taking the same plane back to home, where we belong."

Rory shrieked and almost knocked him down by her embrace. Jess just smiled and took his girl in his arms.

That night, after taking a slightly tipsy Kat back to her dorm room, they stumbled into Rory's hotel room, firmly attached at the lips. Now that the decision was made, they had spent their entire evening slowly swaying in each others arms, regardless what music was playing at the moment. It had been so heartbreakingly cute that Kat had renewed her vows to the punchbowl, for a moment hating her own part in bringing them back together.

Their evening wasn't over yet, though. Frankly, it was stupid. When you considered how many times she had planned it, fantasized about it, seriously considered it, fearing it but also looking forward to it, now that they both knew it was about to happen, all thoughts went straight out of the window, together with all doubts.

Jess was pleasantly surprised by her forwardness. He had hoped to spend the night with her, but hadn't suggested it because he didn't want to rush her into anything. But instead of her gently pushing him out, she pulled him with her on the bed. When he opened his mouth to ask her if she was sure, she put one finger over his lips to hush him, a gentle, subtle gesture that said all he needed to know.

She was more confident than he had thought she would be. Which wasn't the only error in his judgment. She was also more beautiful, more…everything. It was the closest to heaven Jess Mariano would ever get and he had never been more glad it was Rory that shared this experience with him.

Now they just rested, listening to their breaths calming down, neither one of them willing or able to disentangle themselves from the sheets and each other.

Jess absentmindedly played with a strand of Rory's hair. He slightly bent over her way to ask her if she was okay, but changed his mind when he saw the look on her face. He didn't have to ask. So instead he kissed her ever so softly and smiled when she hungrily replied.

"I love you."

It was just a soft whisper and the words were out before he could think about it. But he didn't regret them. He couldn't. For a moment Rory's face stayed blank while letting the true meaning grasp her. Then she smiled the most beautiful joyful smile Jess ever saw, tears glistening in her bright blue eyes.

"I love you."

Her answer came strong and confident as she pulled him closer. Their kiss was somehow different, it was like a promise. When they broke apart, Rory put her head on his chest and promptly fell in a deep sleep. Jess gathered the blankets around them in a protective cocoon before closing his own eyes for the best sleep he'd had in months.

The next morning was interrupted first by room-service (compliments of Kat) and later by a slightly groggy Kat herself. Without regard for the rather indecent state of her friends she barged in, dressed up like a maid, just to hear details. Details, please!

She got more than she bargained for. Even though Kat had known Jess would most likely get back with Rory (which had been her goal after all), she was slightly taken aback when he announced he would be moving back to the east coast with her even before the Christmas holidays.

Kat was honest enough to admit, at least to herself, that she hadn't lost all of her crush on Jess yet. So to lose him to Rory was one thing, to never see him again was a totally different story. Yet, she took it like her father had taught her. She hugged both Jess and Rory to congratulate them and left the room so they could get dressed more decently.

Outside, Kat heaved a sigh and got moving. This chapter was closed. She refused to cry. Katerina Mendosa never cried.

Author's note: That's it! More to come if you review! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?????????