A/N: 2 important things:

1) The next few chapters may seem like the opposite of a Lit, but I'm only causing drama, you'll see.

2) In a couple of chapters, this story is going to head in a tiny bit of a JavaJunkie direction. I know I should've put that in the description, but I had no idea when I started. I'm very VERY sorry to anyone who doesn't like L/L. It's only a little thing and it won't become a major part of the story. It was important for the R/J storyline. You'll see. Sorry again, but for now…

Lorelai's hands were starting to numb from the cold. She'd been standing on the porch for a half hour now. It wasn't like Rory to be late for anything. Finally, though, a cab pulled into the driveway, picking up dirt-filled dust clouds as it drove.

After Rory retrieved a suitcase and a tote bag from the trunk and paid the driver, the cab sped off. The dust clouds cleared seconds later, giving Lorelai a perfect view of her perfect daughter. She ran to greet her, something she hasn't been able to do in quote a while. They wrapped their arms around each other. Lorelai was crying tears of joy; Rory was just crying.

"I missed you, kid. I missed you so much."

"I love you!" Those words were natural to say to Jess, too, but which did she love more? It sure wasn't the one who'd made her choose in the first place.

When the hug finally subsided, both Lorelais smiled. For Lorelai, it was the force of happiness that her daughter was back in her life, but for Rory it was the feeling of trying to juggle being ecstatic with being distraught.

"What now?" Lorelai asked, giddy.

"Quadruple feature weekend?"

"I'll go to Doose's."

"And I'll get the movies!"

"Pick something good!"

"You taught me everything I know, Mom."

"Yet you'll still come back with some Lifetime movie."

"No!"

"Just because it has someone famous who hasn't had work in over four years."

"I wouldn't do that…besides, they don't make any of the good ones on DVD yet."

Rory turned and started walking in the direction of the Stars Hollow Video Store.

"Freak!" Lorelai called after her.

"Hey, Taylor." Lorelai looked toward the man sitting in the mechanical wheelchair and wearing furry socks and jelly sandals.

"Coming to the town meeting tonight?"

"I'll even drag Luke along."

"No, no. Don't do that. Please."

"Why not?"

"Have a nice day…a nice, nice day."

"Taylor, what?"

But he'd already headed to the prepared food aisle.

Rory opened the door to the video store. She missed this place these past few months. She missed everything in Stars Hollow - the crazy people, the weird stores, the insane historic aspects.

"Kirk, hi!" she said when she saw the infamous Kirk Gleason sitting at the counter with an Instyle Magazine; she wasn't the least bit surprised.

"Hey there, Rory."

She rolled her eyes, smiling. Kirk was a freak.

She thought about her mother's and her taste in movies and the classics she'd grown up with before walking to the Comedy section to pick up Duck Soup. Immediately, though, she would regret her decision.

There against the wall in the back of the giant Marx Brothers mural was Jess. He was sitting on the floor with a book at hand.

When Rory saw him, she slowly backed away. Jess however, beat her to it.

"I'm leaving", he murmured.

Déjà Vu.

A/N: Short, I know. Chapter 10's going to be up later tonight, though, I promise.

Next up: Emily comes to Stars Hollow.