"Rory, can I talk to you a minute?" Jess asked as he joined her on the bridge where she was reading.
"Sure." Rory marked her place in her book.
"I have to go back to New York."
"Okay." Rory said.
"I need to hand in my resignation and pick up my stuff."
"Jess, are you certain you want to move back here?" Rory inquired.
"I'm not going to let you handle this crazy town by yourself and I told you I'm not going to be a deadbeat like Jimmy."
"I guess I'll see you in a few days. Have a good trip."
"I have a cell phone; it's usually hardly ever on so I don't have to pay to charge it. But here's the number. Call if you need anything."
"Jess, I'll be fine." Rory insisted.
"Okay. I should go my bus leaves in an hour."
"Hey Jess." Rory called when he was about to step of the bridge.
"Yes?"
"Do you want to borrow my car?" Rory offered.
"Thanks, but you can never park in New York and given what happened last time I drove your car."
"Jess that was an accident." Rory reminded him.
"I'll just catch the bus and have my stuff shipped."
"Okay."
"Actually before I go there's one other thing."
"You want to borrow a book for the bus ride?" Rory guessed.
"I already did that." Jess said. "No, Liz."
"What about your mom?" Rory inquired.
"I think she should find out before the whole town." Jess replied.
"I still need to tell Dad too. We'll take care of it when you get back."
"I'll see you in a few days."
GG
"Rory?" Lorelai called out when she got home from work. She heard a gentle sob from Rory's room. "Rory?"
Rory rolled over and looked at her and swiped the tears from her cheeks.
"Mom."
"Bunny commercial again?" Lorelai guessed. Rory shook her head. "It's okay." Lorelai wrapped her arms around her. "Shush, it's okay." Lorelai repeated as she rocked her.
"I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry about?"
"Jess left." Rory sobbed.
"He told me he was coming back, he just had to resign and pack up his stuff." Lorelai rubbed her back.
"I know."
"Then why are you so upset?" Lorelai inquired.
"What if he doesn't come back?"
"If he doesn't come back I'll go to New York and kick his butt all the way back here." Lorelai offered.
"I love him."
"I know you do babe." Lorelai continued to hold her. "I know you do. Everything is going to be okay."
"I'm sorry for crying over you." Rory said when she finally stopped crying.
"It's okay sweets. Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine. Hormones."
"It's okay." Lorelai pushed Rory's hair back behind her ear. "Do you know how Jess feels?"
"He told me loved a few days ago." Rory replied.
"What did you say?" Lorelai inquired.
"That my life is complicated enough with being pregnant and school, so that it would be best if we just stayed friends."
"That's sensible." Lorelai said.
"Sensible." Rory repeated.
"How about we look for answers in the bottom of an ice-cream carton?" Lorelai suggested.
"Sounds good."
TBC