A/N: Okay, all I have to say is you guys are so frickin' amazing! In eight days, you guys give me 41 reviews for one chapter! I love you guys!

I must tell you, this chapter is so full of fluffer-nutter peanut butter that it almost makes me sick. Seriously, if I wasn't such a Lit fluff fan, I really might have stopped halfway through the chapter. Let me know what you think. Please.

**Disclaimer: I own a Discman, a shelf full of books, and this laptop. I don't own anything related to this show. And even if you do sue me, all you're getting is the Discman and the books because there's no way in hell you're getting my laptop.**

A Whole New World

by Angel Monroe

Chapter 9: Apologies

"Rory," Jess said pulling away from her a moment, cupping her face in his hands. "Rory, tell me what happened. Did he hurt you? Did he . . . touch you before I got here?"

Rory just shook her head, not meeting his eyes.

"So why were you out here so late by yourself?" he asked her, his voice more worried than scolding. "And how did you end up here?"

"I fell asleep at Jay's," she choked out. "I forgot my pager at home and Jay's phone was broken, so I couldn't call for a ride. I knew John and Grace would be worried so I just hurried out by myself without thinking. I took a wrong turn somewhere and got kinda lost. And then that guy . . ." She was crying so hard that she couldn't keep talking.

"It's okay," he said pulling her head to his chest again. "You're safe now. I've got you." After a moment, he whispered, "I have to message John and let him know I found you."

She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself as he pulled away from her. "Don't go too far, okay?" she sniffled.

"I'll just be right here," he said walking a few feet away. He took her pager from his pocket and typed in his message.

I found her. he typed simply.

After a few seconds, a reply came, the neon green light of the tiny screen sending an eerie shadow over his face.

Was she at Jay's? John asked.

I found her on my way there.

What do you mean you 'found' her?

Jess took a deep breath. Don't freak out. She's okay. he typed.

What would I be freaking out about? What happened?

She was mugged. Jess replied.

There was a long pause. Did he hurt her? John asked finally.

Not bad. She's pretty shaken, but she'll be okay.

Where are you?

An alley off Jackson.

You can get her home alright?

Yeah, I'll get her there.

See you in a minute.

Typing in a goodbye, he went back to Rory. Bending down, he spoke to her softly, "Come on, we have to get you home before your aunt calls the police."

"He took my wallet," she said suddenly. "He took my money and driver's license and social security card and . . ."

"Don't worry," he told her. "We'll fix it. You can get all that replaced."

She nodded her head, more to herself than to him. "Okay," she said, her voice small and quiet.

"Come on," he said again. He put his arm around her, pulling her up with him as he stood. He looked at her, and she looked so young, so small. She looked as if she might fall and break if he let go of her waist. "We're not far from your place. You ready to go?"

"Yeah," she replied shakily. She was no longer crying, but he could feel her trembling as he ushered her out into the light, never taking his arm away from her waist as she leaned against him for support.

They walked in silence for a while, neither knowing what to say. As they ambled down the streets of New York, no one looked twice at the couple leaning against each other as he led her towards her apartment.

"How did you find me?" she asked finally, her voice sad and serious.

"When John and I found out that you were out by yourself," he explained, "we went looking for you. I was on my way to Jay's to see if you were there, but I heard someone cry out from the alley. I didn't know it was you; I just figured that I should check it out."

"Oh," she said quietly. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he said. "I'm just glad I got to you when I did."

"So am I," she said distantly. "If you hadn't come along . . ." she paused thinking, ". . . if you hadn't stopped him, he would have . . ."

"Don't even think about it," he told her pulling her a little closer. "Don't let your mind go there. It didn't happen, and there's no reason to think about all the 'what ifs.'"

They fell into another comfortable silence, one filled with quiet contemplation. Rory was wondering how her mother would react to news of her precious daughter being mugged. It probably wouldn't be good. At the same time, Jess was struggling to find something comforting to say, something to bridge the silence.

As they entered the apartment building, Jess started to feel a little uneasy. What if he brought Rory home and then things went back to the way they had been. What if she just kept avoiding him? What if . . .

His thoughts were interrupted by Grace's voice.

"Rory?" Grace called from the end of the hall as he pulled open the elevator door. "Rory, are you alright?"

"I'm okay, Aunt Grace," she said as she and Jess walked slowly towards the apartment.

"What happened?" Grace asked. "Your face is all scratched up."

"Let's go inside," Jess suggested and all three filed into the apartment.

Jess led Rory to the couch and they both sat, his arm still slung protectively around her. Grace kneeled in front of Rory and looked her over meticulously.

"She was mugged," Jess answered her question finally. "The guy didn't hurt her too badly and all he got was her wallet—"

"And my watch," Rory cut in holding her hand up, her wrist a little red and swollen, already bruising from the forceful encounter. "He took my watch too."

"Don't worry honey," Grace said smoothing her niece's hair maternally, "that stuff's replaceable. You're not."

"Jess saved me," Rory said quietly. "He saved my life."

Jess turned his head away somewhat shyly, not wanting the recognition. "All I did was threaten to call the cops," he said. "It was nothing heroic."

"Well, thank you nonetheless," Grace said putting a hand on his knee. "I have no idea what I'd do if anything happened to this little girl." She smiled warmly at both of them, and Rory couldn't help but smile back. Her aunt could always do that.

"Are they back yet?" they heard John's voice as he opened the front door.

When he saw Rory, John went to her and pulled her off the couch into a tight, protective hug. "Are you okay?" he asked her, holding her chin as he looked at her face.

"I'll be fine," she replied still smiling a little. "Just a little rattled." When he still didn't let go of her, almost as if he didn't believe her, she laughed. "I'm fine," she told him again, smiling at his protective nature. "You can let go of me now."

"You are never leaving this apartment again," he told her giving her one last squeeze. "You scared the hell out of me."

"I know," she said apologetically. "I fell asleep at Jay's and didn't wake up until it was already dark. Then I realized that I forgot my pager and . . ."

"That doesn't matter now," John told her. "We're just glad that you're safe."

She looked at the three of them, all huddled around her like she was going to break into a million pieces any minute. Suddenly, she was very worn-out.

"Hey guys," she said tiredly, "with all this excitement, I'm completely beat. I think I'm just going to take a shower and go to bed."

"Okay," they all said as she headed out of the room.

As she was about to disappear into the bathroom, she turned back. "Jess?" she called to him quietly.

"Yeah?" His eyes were a little sad, a little worried as he looked up at her.

"Can we talk tomorrow?" she asked, her voice drained but her eyes bright and hopeful.

"Yeah," he replied, a hint of relief. "I'll come by tomorrow morning."

"Okay," she smiled tiredly and went to wash off the filth of the day.

Rory woke to the sound of a knock on her bedroom door. Still half wrapped in her dream, she sat up in bed. "Who is it?" she called groggily.

"It's me," John called.

"Come in," she said blinking a few times to clear her head.

"Hey," John said poking her head in, "how ya doin'?"

"That depends," she answered. "What time is it?"

"About nine," he replied. "I know better than to wake you up earlier."

"Smart man," she said pulling back the covers. "What's up?"

"It's my day off," he replied, "and I was wondering if you wanted to do something."

Rory smiled softly. "You don't have to baby-sit me," she told him.

"I know," he said smiling guiltily. "I was just wondering."

"I think I'm just going to hang around the house for today," she sighed. "I really don't feel like going out." She paused. "Besides, Jess is supposed to stop by."

"Oh yeah," he said nodding. He seemed to weigh his next words, sitting down in her desk chair. "So," he said a little awkwardly, "what's been going on with you two?"

"What do you mean?" she asked looking down at her hands, completely unaware that she wasn't the only one playing dumb.

"You know what I mean," he pushed gently. "You guys were inseparable for a week, drinking coffee together and spending hours reading together in the park and at Jay's, and then all of a sudden, you avoid him like decaf."

"It's . . . um . . . complicated," she replied uncomfortably. "But I think . . . I mean, I hope . . . it'll be better after we talk."

"I hope so too," he said. There was a long pause before he spoke again. "You like him, don't you?" he asked her.

She looked up at him, her eyes widening a little as she chewed gently on her bottom lip. "Yes," she said finally, as if the thought scared her a little.

"I know," he said smiling a little.

"But that doesn't matter now," she said sadly.

"Why?"

"Because I ran," she answered vaguely.

"What do you mean you ran?" he asked. "When, where, and why?"

"He kissed me," she admitted finally. "He kissed me, and I was happy, and then I thought about how miserable my mom must be and I ran."

"Oops," he said quietly.

"And now he's coming here and I have no idea what I'm going to say," she said, her anxiety making her babble. "I mean, if I kissed a guy and he ran, I would probably die of embarrassment or anger or depression. I would completely understand if he hates me right now. And then he goes and saves my life and I feel so horrible and . . ."

"Rory?" John cut in.

"Yeah?" she said snapping out of her rant.

"Breathe," he instructed.

Rory took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and tried to stop her hands from shaking. After a moment, she opened them again, a little calmer. "Thanks," she sighed.

"No problem," he said smiling. "Well anyway," he said after a moment, "Mom's at work and I think I'm gonna to hook up with Steve. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye," she replied half-smiling.

He began to leave when he turned back. "Rory?" She looked up again. "He'll understand," he told her.

"I hope so," she said quietly.

"He will," he assured her.

"Thanks." And with that, he left the room, closing the door behind himself.

With a deep sigh, Rory laid back on her bed, wondering when her life had gotten so complicated. It was never like this before. Thinking of this, she stood up out of bed and headed into the bathroom to get ready for the day.

After dressing and primping a little, she went back into her room to read. She didn't know what else to do. Her nerves were on end about talking to Jess, and all she wanted to do was lose herself in a book. Skimming over the volumes on her bookshelf, her eyes fell upon a large hardcover near the bottom. Smiling to herself, she read the title aloud.

"The Complete Brother Grimm Fairy Tales," she said taking it from its spot.

The copy was fairly new looking, its pages still crisp and clean. Flipping through the collection, she smiled, remembering when she was young and she'd made her mother read her stories before bed. She had always loved literature, even when she hadn't been able to read it. She missed her life back then, when things were clear and simple. When her biggest worry was learning addition and subtraction, which she had never had trouble with anyway.

Sitting down on her bed, she opened to one of her favorite tales: 'The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.' It wasn't Disney, but it was beautiful nonetheless. It made her think that maybe there was a chance at happiness in such a strange and screwed up world.

"Knock, knock," she heard a familiar voice at her bedroom door. She looked up to see Jess leaning against her doorframe. "Hey," he greeted her, his expression unreadable.

"Hey," she smiled a little, putting her book down next to her. "I didn't hear you come in."

"I knocked on the door but nobody answered," he replied. "I figured a guy tapping on your window the morning after you were mugged might be a bad idea, so I found the spare key your aunt always stashes in the door hanger, and . . ."

"It's okay," she said. "I was just a little surprised. That's all."

"Okay," he said nodding, and they fell into a thick silence, neither knowing how to start the conversation.

He looked at her, her cheek swollen a little where her attacker had cut her and where her face had scraped the brick of the building. With the cream-colored short-sleeved shirt she was wearing, he could see a dark bruise forming where the man had held her arm. And with all that, she was still beautiful.

"You want to sit down?" she asked finally, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I don't bite."

"You learn something new every day," he replied casually, stepping further into the room. He sat down next to her, both of them turned towards each other, as she tried to think of what to say next. "So . . ." he said uncomfortably, unable to think of anything else. He hated that he didn't feel like he could talk to her anymore. This was exactly what he hadn't wanted.

"So . . ." she said back, looking anywhere but at him. Finally, unable to stand the silence, she spoke, "Look, Jess, I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asked, more than a little surprised. 'Why is she apologizing when I kissed her?'

"I'm sorry that I ran," she explained still not looking up, "and I'm sorry that I kept avoiding your calls and turned all reclusive. And then for going out last night when I promised you I wouldn't walk alone at night. I'm just sorry . . ."

"Hey," he said taking her hands in his, making her meet his eyes, "you didn't do anything wrong. Last night you just got caught up in a bad situation . . . and I understand why you ran from me before."

"You do?" she asked, her voice confused and surprised.

"Look," he said, his eyes a little sad, "I didn't mean to scare you. I just got caught up in everything and it happened. I mean, after what happened, you must know that I like you, but I completely understand that you don't want us to be anything more than friends, and I'm okay with that. If nothing else, I just want my friend back."

Rory smiled, the first real smile she'd had in a week. She almost giggled even, her eyes sparkling. 'He does like me,' she thought, elated. 'I can't believe he likes me.'

Before she could think herself out of it, Rory pressed her lips against his. Jess's eyes closed automatically, his sense of reason and coherent thought completely abandoning him. His entire being screamed as he felt her hand on the back of his neck, her fingers burning his skin. For a moment he couldn't move, couldn't think. He couldn't even breathe through the electricity spreading through his veins like lightning. All he could do was feel her there, her lips on his, and try not to lose himself completely.

After a second, he found his senses and began to kiss her back. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumb stroking the apple of her cheek gently, trying not to aggravate her bruise. Her skin was so soft, so warm underneath his touch, he thought it might melt away in his hands. As he kissed her, trapped in her taste, he wished everything would just stop so that he could stay there in that moment forever.

After a lifetime, she finally pulled away, her eyes a little glazed over. "Now we're even," she whispered, still catching her breath as her heart pounded in her chest.

"Oh," he said breathlessly, "good. I like being even."

She smiled at him, completely content with staring into his eyes forever. "So," she said playfully, "do you still just want your friend back, 'cause I can go get her if—"

"No," he cut in. "I like this much better." They just sat staring at each other for a minute, content with the world.

"Me too," she agreed.

"So," he said quietly, still stroking her cheek, "I'm guessing that means you're not mad at me anymore."

"I was never mad at you," she said chuckling. "I just didn't know what to say. I mean, I ran away."

"Yeah," he said smiling, "but you sure know how to apologize." She smiled her sweet smile, and he felt like he could die right then and there and be happy. "In fact," he said mischievously, "I think we need to do a little more apologizing."

"Oh really?" she said, her oceanic eyes sparkling.

"Yeah," he breathed moving closer.

"Well you know I love a good apology," she played along, tilting her head slightly to the side.

"Gotta love those apologies," he said as their lips touched again.

It was more of everything. Sweeter, softer, more alive. Everything in Rory screamed to be near him as he deepened the kiss, sending shock waves through her. If she hadn't already been sitting, she thought she probably would have collapsed from the sheer potency of the kiss. As his lips moved slowly over hers, every thought in her mind lost cohesiveness and nothing in the world mattered but right there and right then. She could feel him run his fingers through her hair, his touch soft and careful. It was as if he was trying not to break her.

Pulling back again, his breathing erratic, Jess sighed, "Please tell me I'm not dreaming."

"I hope to God you're not," Rory smiled.

"Good," he breathed leaning his forehead against hers, "because if I woke up right now, I'd be in one hell of a bad mood."

She giggled high and sweet. "So," she asked, "what now?"

"Now," he replied pulling away from her, "we get out of this apartment before I do something I'll regret. Coffee?"

"Of course," she replied.

"Let's go then," he said standing up.

He offered her his hand, pulling her up into his arms. His eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips and then back.

"One more apology can't hurt," he whispered. Their lips met for only a few brief moments before she pulled away.

"Coffee," she whispered. "I need my coffee."

"Okay," he smirked. "Let's go get you some coffee." Smiling widely, they walked out of the apartment, still refusing to let go of each other's hands.

At the coffeehouse, they still held each other, sitting on the same side of the booth. She leaned against him, his arm around her shoulder, as she drank her elixir of life.

"So," she said between sips, "what does this mean?"

"What does what mean?" he asked her, absently stroking her hair.

"Are we 'together' together now?" she asked.

"I think we are," he replied casually.

"Okay," she said just as casually. "That's good."

"Do we tell John that we're together?" Jess asked.

"Why wouldn't we?" she turned to him slightly. "He's my cousin and one of your best friends."

"I know," he replied. "I was just making sure you were okay with it. He's very protective of you."

"I know," she said, "but I think he'll be okay with this. He knows I like you; he probably knew even before I did."

"Yeah," Jess chuckled. "Same here."

"So I think he'll be cool about it," she said encouragingly, resting her head on his shoulder. "Besides, we live in an apartment. There's no backyard for him to bury your body in."

"Thanks," he said sarcastically, "that makes me feel much better."

"I thought it would," she smiled warmly.

Jess smiled, wondering how in the world he had gotten so lucky. She was really his. A girl he couldn't begin to be worthy of. And yet she was sitting there leaning against him, telling him that he was. Leaning down, he kissed the spot right behind her ear, making her shiver in his arms. Never in a million years had he ever thought he could make a girl like her tremble with a kiss. And now she was there with him, smiling at him like he was the only man in the world. It was perfect.

"Hey," he said noticing something as he pulled her hair away from her neck, "why didn't I see this bruise before?"

She had a dark bluish-green ring around the front of her neck. It looked so deep, so painful, that it was making him sick thinking of how she got it.

"Oh," she said pulling her hair loose to cover her neck, "it's not as bad as it looks. It was just last night before you found me . . ." She trailed off, not wanting to bring up the subject.

"I hate that that happened to you," he said sadly. "I should have been with you."

"I'm okay," she assured him. "See," she took his arms and wrapped them around herself, "I'm right here, safe and sound."

"I know," he sighed squeezing her gently. "And I'm so very glad you are."

"So," she said changing the subject, "what should we do today?" Then, with less excitement, "Or did you have other plans?"

"Clear schedule," he replied, "and even if it wasn't, it would be now. So, I don't know what we should do. Lady's choice."

"Well," she said taking another sip of coffee, "the only places I've really been to in the two weeks I've been in town are here, Jay's, the record store, and the park. And though I love those places dearly, could we go someplace else, someplace I haven't been before?"

"Sounds like a plan," he replied. "I know just the place."

"Where?" she asked turning toward him, intrigued.

"You'll just have to wait and see," he chuckled as her eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Not even a hint?" she pouted giving her best puppy-dog expression.

"So not fair," he said melting a little. 'Damn,' he thought, 'she looks so hot when she does that. Her eyes are so wide and blue and beautiful, and her bottom lip is stuck out like that. So cute and kissable. Must resist . . . must turn away . . . damned evil female tricks . . .'

"Okay," he said finally. "Put that away before I have to leave the premises."

"Fine," she relented resisting the urge to pout again, "but you know surprises make me crazy."

"It's only a subway ride away," he assured her. "Now the sooner you get done with your coffee, the sooner you get your surprise."

"Okay, okay," Rory said taking a few last sips before she put her cup down. "Now I'm done."

"Well then," Jess smiled, "let's get going."

Walking down the street, they kept their fingers intertwined. The constant contact was like an adrenaline rush to both of them. It was the first day of "them," a new feeling to each of them. It was like nothing either had ever experienced, and things just kept getting better and better.

Just then, they saw John and Steve walking in their direction, laughing and joking around. On instinct, Jess let go of Rory's hand, unsure of whether she wanted him to know before she had a chance to tell him. But as soon as he glanced into her eyes, all of his doubts disappeared. He saw no uncertainty or embarrassment in them. Only happiness and a gentle assurance. Without even thinking about it, he mingled his fingers with hers once again, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Whatever was to come, they would go through it together.