Charli drove on the way home. She blasted music and danced and tried to ignore the fact that Jess was staring wordlessly out the window. he'd been crabby and silent all morning, not even responding to Lorelai's teasing and Kirk's quirkiness.

"What's wrong, baby?"she asked finally, turning down her ACDC.

"Nothing."he scoffed and leaned his head back against the seat. He shut his eyes."I'm tired."

She sighed and turned her attention back to the road.

They finally reached New York. She stopped the car in front of his apartment and turned to him. He wasn't paying much attention. He leaned over and kissed her and then opened the door and went inside. She sat, waiting for a break in traffic when suddenly he returned. She rolled down the window.

"What?"

"I'm sorry."he leaned in and kissed her again. A real kiss, not a peck like before.

Charli grinned."Thanks, Baby. Gotta go, break in traffic. Love you!"she pulled the car out and Jess went back upstairs.

Rory woke from her uncomfortable sleep. She had ended up crawling under a tree. She hated nature. She had been up late thinking about what Jess said.

Her life really was screwed up. She needed to grow up and learn to do things differently. First, though, she needed a shower.

She headed over to Lorelai's house. She found the car already gone so she got the key out of the turtle and went inside.

She showered and stole a pair of jeans and a tee shirt from Lorelai's closet. They were way too big but Rory used a belt and didn't care about the shirt.

She brushed her hair and let it dry as she walked to the Dragonfly.

She used a backroad to get there so no one saw her. She finally arrived. She paused as she stared at the great looking Inn. Then she walked up and went inside.

"But Lorelai!"Michel whined.

"Michel, just do it!"

"But that woman, she is a pain!"

"I don't care Michel. It's your job. Just do it!"Lorelai exclaimed.

"Is that you offspring?"Michel asked in his annoying accent.

"My what?"

"Your child, your offspring, your daughter, her!"Michel pointed.

"Michel, what are you talking about?"Lorelai turned around and saw rory standing there staring at her. Lorelai froze.

"Ha, I win!"Michel smirked and walked away.

"Rory?"Lorelai started walking slowly towards her.

"Mom, I just want to say that I am so sorry for being such a brat. I messed up. My life sucks right now. I have this crappy apartment and like a zillion jobs that pay nothing and I have no money and no food and I just miss you. I want to go back to school. I mean first I ahve to make peace with grandma and grandpa but maybe they'd let me go back. I want to be me again, mom. I hate this person, this girl. She's living my life but she isn't me. I'm so so sorry mom."

"Oh babe!"Lorelai threw her arms around Rory in a bone-crushing hug."I love you sweets."

"I love you too mom."Rory whispered in Lorelai's ear as she hugged her back.

"Wow, are you thin."Lorelai pulled away."Are those my clothes?"

"I didn't think you'd mind."Rory shrugged slightly.

"I don't. Anyways, plan of action. We're going to get you some Sookie food and some Luke coffee and then we're going to call Grandma and ask if we could meet with her. You ask her about school. Then we call the school and ask them if you can re-enroll. It would have to be for next September but you could do it. And then we move your things down here and you live with me."Lorelai said."Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect."Rory grinned."I'm so sorry."
"Aw honey, I forgive you. Now come on."Lorelai pulled her into the kitchen where Sookie greeted her happily with hugs and lunch.