A/N: I'm sooooo sorry it took so long! this chapter is a little short, but I just had to get them together. I was having trouble finding the right hook, I still don't think it's the best, but things will get easier now, I hope! I'll work on the next chapter this weekend, I hope. Read and Review, reviews always help! Thanks for all who already have! You guys keep me going!

Copyright: Not mine, don't sue.

He was walking her up to her apartment. It was their seventh date. Jess had gotten over feeling guilty about these girls along time ago. It was true, he usually didn't like them. Well, not didn't like them, but he knew things wouldn't go anywhere. But what was there to feel guilty about? He was nice to them, they got food and movies out of it. But what did Jess get?

There was something different about Carrie though. She was no Rory, that was for sure. But she had this blinding smile and a bubbly personality that made everything seem happy. Jess almost felt like maybe he cared for her.

They reached apartment 18. Carrie reached into her purse and pulled her key out. She opened the door inviting Jess in. As Jess was being led to the couch with her lips, his mind was on something completely different.

What would this conference thing be like tomorrow? He had to arrive three days early for an orientation. Would there be anyone there he knew or like? God, he had so much packing to do that night. Would it really work? Could this class actually help his writing?

"Jess? Jess!"

He was pulled back into reality.

"God," Carrie began. "I can't even believed I tried to ignore it!"

"What are you talking about?" Jess asked.

"You! You're always somewhere else! Whenever we start to connect, you're off somewhere else! I finally find a guy I like and his attention span is too short to pay attention to me!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jess was getting more confused, and hurt by the minute.

"So what was that then? On the couch, I couldn't get your attention, it's like you were in another world. Is there someone else?"

"God, no, " Jess fumed.

"I can't do this anymore."

"What do you mean, Carrie?"

"I mean, I can't understand or trust you, what am I going to feel like with you gone for two weeks?"

"I can't believe you're doing this! The moment I start to fall and care for you, you break it off. Well, that's just great. Have a nice life." Jess walked to the door and slammed it behind him. What was wrong with him? He finally found something that made him somewhat happy, and he messed it up! Was he ever going to find love again?

It was after 11 and Rory was up packing. The TV was turned to TVLand, and the volume was turned up practically all the way.

She stood in front of her closet. Usually she was very good at packing, but tonight something was bugging her.

For the past years everyone told her to get over him, start over. They told her this like they thought she wanted to live in the past and be miserable, depressed and lonely. Didn't anybody understand how much Rory wanted to be happy?

She turned her attention back to the clothes. Finding the combination of adult and professional, but fun and young was an exhausting task. After packing her laptop away and zipping up her suitcases, Rory crashed on the couch and fell asleep to an old episode of "Bewitched."

It was seven thirty when Rory woke up. She had just enough time to grab a bite and pack her car. She was due to arrive at the hotel around 11 to settle in and then meet downstairs for a lunch and introduction. Rory glanced at the clock in her car as she put the keys in the ignition. Cursing under her breath, Rory braced herself. She would have to break at least four different laws to get there on time.

Jess headed down the stairs to the conference room. Checking his watch, he entered the two big doors, right on time and took his seat around a huge circular table.

He stared at his plate while everyone was small talking. Jess was never one for small talk. About five minutes later the director cleared his throat.

"Well, I see were missing one person, but that's quite alright, she's coming from far away and should be here soon. Now then let's get started with introductions."

Rory slammed the door to her car and dashed into the hotel. A concierge pointed towards the conference door, where Rory caught her breath and entered, only to have it be taken away again.

She entered the conference room. "I'm so sorry Mr. Harrison, traffic and running late. Really, I am."

"That's fine, I know you were coming from awhile away, and we're honored to have you here. Please slide into a seat."

Rory slid into a chair and took a big sip of water.

"Now we were just doing introductions, and I believe we stopped a Mr. Mariano."

Rory choked on her water.

"Ms. Gilmore are you okay?" Mr. Harrison asked, concerned.

Jess turned his head and stared at the face he'd been dreaming of.

Rory pulled herself together enough to respond quietly, "Yes, I'm fine."

"All right. Jess Mariano is an author and publisher. His well known debut novel, was praised, 'modeled of off Catcher of the Rye, Mariano's novel in sure to be a star.'"

Jess wasn't listening and neither was Rory. They didn't want to stare at each other, but they had to. Rory had always wondered about the dedication, did he really mean it? But as their eyes were locked, Rory needed to know if he still loved her.

Why had she never called? He asked himself. She knew he loved her. What did this mean, what would happen?

The only conclusion he could come to was that these weeks would be nothing like he imagined.