A/N: I'm really sorry it took so long to update. But I was really busy, but now my four day spring break has come, and I will work and work, plus I am way motivated after Tuesday's episode, expect a new fanfic from me to spring up. I really worked hard on this, it was hard getting the dialogue to be character like. I hope it's good. As always reviews are the best! Thanks for reading! Happy Easter and Passover!

"So," Mr. Harrison finished up, "You're on your own for the rest of the night. Tomorrow we'll begin lesson plans and more of an orientation. In the mean time, I have a list of the pairings for the class you will be teaching and I strongly suggest you introduce yourselves at the least. That person will be your Siamese twin for the next two weeks! We'll see you at nine tomorrow morning!"

Rory tried to peel her eyes away from him and get up. But it was harder said than done. When she finally got up, she hung around talking to some people. Finally she was one of the last few left. There was Cassandra, and Adam, and…him.

She moseyed over to the pairing list, not quite ready to confront him. Rory was actually excited to see who her partner would be. There were so many amazing writers here; anyone would be amazing. Scanning the list her eyes dropped down to the last pair:

Rory Gilmore------Jess Mariano

"Well, they sure know who works the best together."

Rory spun around quickly and was faced with the smile she had longed to see.

"Yeah, I guess they do," Rory replied, her face scorching red.

"Should we maybe…talk," Jess asked her, cautiously. His whole body was a wreck, though he tried not to let her see. His palms were sweating, but his mouth as dry as the desert. His stomach must be filled with nectar because he was now home to a swarm of butterflies that would not leave. "We could get a drink, or something?"

All of a sudden she couldn't stand him. She wanted to slap him and puke at the same time! How could he be so calm and act like they were old friends who split up on amicable terms? She finally spit out what she wanted to say.

"We probably shouldn't be in public when I talk to you."

Jess' worst fears were confirmed. She hated him; he could tell it was real-every-fiber-of-her-being kind of hate. But why should she be mad? He was the one who had been miserable, and thinking about her. How could he be mad at her though? She was so perfect.

"I've got a…" Before he could finish, Rory had charged up the stairs, possibly to her room. Was Jess supposed to follow? He decided to.

She opened the door to her room, and he followed her in. Her head was spinning, what was she supposed to say first?

"Where did you go?" she asked, she'd been longing to hear this answer for awhile.

"What do you mean? Oh, after that," Jess said, reminiscing.

"Yeah. After that, after I…"

"I had to get out of there! I was strangled by everyone! It was time for me to grow up and start a life for myself! I couldn't stay there waiting to see if you could ever feel the same way about me, that I did about you," Jess answered her.

"You didn't even stick around to her what I would have said!"

"What would you have said Rory? What would've made it all better?"

"It's not what I would've said, it's what I did say!"

Jess took a breath. What had she said? Did she… did she…

"And then when I finally think I'm over you, I get this package in the mail. It's a book with a beautiful dedication. And all of a sudden my life just goes downhill. I break up with my boyfriend, thinking this means something, that maybe you'll come back, and nothing! I move away and start a life for myself, but still I can't get over you. And do you want to know why I'm here? My boss thinks I'm going crazy because I can't get over you!"

Jess looked at her in shock. She was crying, he never meant to make her cry. "Ror… I'm sorry, just listen to me, because I swear there's another side to the story. I left that night because I was scared. You make me feel a way I'd never felt before, and when I told you that I loved you, I was scared that you would crush me. I thought it would be best just not knowing."

"You didn't want to know that I said I loved you?"

Jess choked, it was true. "I didn't know Rory, or believe me, I would've stayed. I sent you the book because I couldn't stop thinking about you and I thought that now the ball would be in your court. But I was wrong, and I'm sorry. Seeing you face-to-face, I know I was wrong. I'm sorry Rory, I really am."

She looked at him. This bad boy that she knew so well. She could tell he wasn't lying, he was even sincere. It was a side of Jess she hardly ever saw.

Jess stared at her while she was taking everything in. Suddenly, she threw her arms around him.

Rory couldn't believe what she was doing. She was risking everything by throwing her arms around him and whispering what she did. "I still love you, Jess."

"I've always loved you, Rory."

They stood there in silence, connected again, finally. It was what they both had been waiting for. It was what they both needed.

They finally pulled apart. "Do you want to go out tonight, for dinner, maybe?" Jess asked her.

Rory stared into his beady eyes. "Not tonight, give me a little time. Tomorrow, maybe?" She started to walk out, when Jess pulled her back.

"I read your articles everyday," he told her, holding the person he'd been wanting to for such a long time.

"I loved the Subsect," Rory told him. He went in for the kiss, and there was a longing and passion Rory hadn't felt since, well, since him.

"I have to go," she said, pulling away.

"It'll be good working with you partner," Jess said, watching her go. But he knew she wasn't him; she would come back.