A/N: A second post.

Jess could tell the moment they entered the diner that it hadn't gone well.

"I'm out." He stated grabbed a backpack he had stashed behind the counter and walked around and grabbed Rory's hand. "Come on."

Rory followed him without complaint.

"Have her in bed at a reasonable hour." Lorelai called after them. "Where are they going?" She asked Luke.

"He's probably going to try and cheer her up." Luke guessed. "Hi." He gave her a kiss.

"I told my parents about us."

"Good." Luke said. "I take it the other didn't go well."

"It was never going to go well. Mom ran upstairs and Dad blamed me. It was practically a rerun of twenty years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"Pie might help. We left half way through dinner."

"Okay."

GG

"Where are we going?" Rory asked.

"You'll see."

"The bridge." Rory finally figured it out.

"Good guess."

"So what's in your bag?" Rory inquired once they had sat down. Jess opened it and handed her a blanket. "What's this for?"

"So you don't get cold."

"Okay. What else do you have in there?"

"Orange juice, an apple, junk food Luke wouldn't approve of, a torch."

"Interesting." She paused. "You didn't ask how it went."

"I know it went, I could tell by the look on your face. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"Why don't you wrap up warm and lie down. You can use my leg as a pillow."

"Okay." Rory agreed.

Jess grabbed a book out of the bag.

"Once upon a time…" He read.

"Once upon a time?" Rory questioned.

"I figure you'd prefer a story that had a happy ending. What better than a fairy tale?"

"You're incredibly sweet."

"Don't tell anyone you'll ruin my reputation."

"Jess where are we?"

"On a bridge in Stars Hollow. Or are you talking more where we are in the galaxy."

"I'm talking about us specifically. Where are we?"

"Ror, I told you I'm not going anywhere, we can take this as slow as you want."

"Thank you."

"Can I get back to the story?" He asked.

"One thing first." Rory said.

"What's that?"

"Can I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course. We'll kick Luke out, I'm sure your mom won't mind."

"Thanks Jess."

"Once upon a time…"

GG

"You look happier." Lorelai said when Rory and Jess returned to the diner Luke was in the process of closing up. Lorelai was sat at the counter nursing a mug of coffee she'd talked Luke into letting her have.

"She got her shoe back and they lived happily ever after."

"What?" Lorelai questioned.

"Don't ask." Jess suggested.

"Okay." Lorelai said.

"Mom, I'm going to stay here tonight."

"Luke you're coming home with me." Lorelai told him.

"If you could come up with some kind of schedule so I know where I'm sleeping it would be helpful." Luke pointed out.

"Just presume you're sleeping with me babe unless I tell you otherwise."

"And I'm going upstairs." Jess said.

TBC