Disclaimer: I own only the character(s) I have created and the plot. The rest belongs to Amy S.P.

A/N Thankyou to those of you who reviewed. Oh, would like to especially thank Slowthinwaitwha because her review made me laugh and made me want to start this chapter right away. I'm glad that you liked the last chapter. I'm sorry if you thought that I would have Dean kiss Rory and have Jess misunderstand and leave because that is so overdone. And if Dean did kiss Rory, she'd slap him again and Jess would beat the crap out of him. I didn't want that to happen because I want Jess to seem more mature and understanding because that's how I like to picture him. And if Apolla-J is reading this, please update your story! She had that happen, but in that story it fits better. You should read it, it's really good. It's called People Change. This first part is going to be from Dean's POV because this is the last time he will have a major part in this fiction. Rory and Jess's realtionship will be focused on more and I will try to do more Luke and Lorelai's for you JavaJunkie fans. Enough with my rambling, on with the story!

As I walked away from the bleachers it finally hit me. Rory was truly not in love with me anymore and was happy with Jess. I still don't understand what she sees in him, but I guess it's time for me to back off now. If he makes her happy then I guess I should find someone that I can make happy. I just wish none of this had happened. Why do I have such a big mouth? Why couldn't I just be a man and accept that we won't be together. My heart literally stopped when I heard her say she loves him. This was the same girl who couldn't tell me she loved me without going through a horrible breakup.

Maybe our relationship wasn't as great as it seemed. It really wasn't. She's right, neither of us could be happy at the same time for the most part. I hate reading while she could spend the entire day curled up with a book and coffee. She hates Lord of the Rings no matter how many times we've seen it together. I think I knew most of this before but was blinded by the illusion that we were perfect togeth just like the town said, when in reality, we aren't that compatible. Whoa, that was deep. Where did that come from? Okay, scaring myself a little.

And Jess is sorta like her. He reads books just like her. But that might be the only thing they talk about, right? I know that's wrong. I thought back to the day when Brian told me I should back off. Man, I should have listened to him. Then we could have avoided all of this. I'd probably be better off not knowing she loves him.

But with time, I'll find someone who will make me happy and vice versa. Rory has and that's great for her. When I do find someone, I hope we'll both be able to look back at this and realise that most of the mistakes made were made because I was blinded by love and jealousy of something she had that I wanted. And I hope that one day she'll be able to forgive me. Only time will tell.

Maybe I should lay off the books for awhile, scaring myself again...

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Lane was sitting by the phone. She still had an hour until Mrs. Kim came home but she couldn't for the life of her to pick it up. She was going to break up with Henry today, she wanted what Rory had and she knew she couldn't have that if she stayed with him. So there she was, sitting there willing herself to reach out, pick up the reciever, dial some numbers and speak. So far she had picked up the reciever and dialedthe first four numbers three times. 'Okay Kim, get ti together. It's just a break up. Your going to go through this again at, hopefully, different points in your life. Just pick the phone up, dial and talk.' She reached out, dialed the number she knew by heart and waited for someone to pick up the phone, luckily Henry answered. "Hello?" She heard him say. She was about to just hang up but then decided against it. She had to do this now.

"Hi." She said a bit timidly.

"Lane. Hey, how are you?" He said too cherily for her taste. He was making this really hard.

"Good, I'm good. Henry?"

"Yeah Lane?"

"When we're together, do you feel a spark?"

"What do you mean?" He had a feeling he knew where this was going.

"When we kiss, does your blood freeze? Do you get butterflies when you see me? Does your blood rush and your heart race when we hold hands or just brush against each other? Do you feel anything?" Lane asked hoping that he would say no.

"Honestly?"

"Yeah, honestly."

"No. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy your company though." He added quickly.

"Henry, I don't think we're working out. I mean, like you said, I like hanging with you. But we're two very differnet people. There's no chemistry. You're a great guy but, not the guy for me. I'm sorry and I hope you don't hate me."

"I understand. I could never hate you Lane and I hope you find a guy who can make you feel all those things."

"Same to you Henry. But a girl, not a guy. Unless you decide to swing that- I just hope you find someone who can make you happy. Bye, Henry." Lane felt that went well but could still feel the tears gathering in her eyes.

"Bye, Lane." And then she heard the dial tone. She put the phone down and walked up the stairs to throw herself on her bed and cry silently for the death of her first real relationship with a guy she liked.

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Rory was reading on the bridge when she heard footsteps. She knew it was Jess, she could just feel it. But she didn't say anything. When he sat down next to her she gave him a sfot kiss and leaned her head on his shoulder and continued to read. Jess pulled the book out of his pocket and began to read as well. She didn't feel like talking and he was someone who respected the need for space sometimes. Sometimes you just need to be alone to process something or sort your problems out.

They sat like that for awhile. Not saying anything to each other and not needing to at the same time. When it became too dark to read they put their books away and got up making their way to the Gilmore house. They had they day off from Luke's so they didn't have to help with the dinner rush. When they got to the doorstep they stopped and looked at each other. Rory decided it was time to break the silence. "Thankyou." She could have meant it for walking her home, reading with her and respecting her space or being there for her when she had finished talking to Dean.

"Any time." He told her and meaning it. He'd do anything for this girl. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips to which she responded eagerly. She wrapped her arms around him bringing him closer while his hands found their way to her hair. When they pulled away, he said something she didn't know if she'd ever hear from him. "I love you." It was soft and and almost inaudible, but she heard it.

She smiled and looked up at him. "I love you, too." They kissed again but it was passionate or rough. It was a sweet, soft, gentle and loving kiss. Something they didn't share often but when they did, time seemed to stop just for those moments and nothing could go wrong. They pulled away and Rory had a tear in her eye, but only because she was so happy that he had said it to her. All doubts of how much her cared for went out the window the moment he spoke those three words to her.

They just stood there, arms around each other, both smiling openly and looking into each other's eyes. "You know, I was so sure that you didn't love me." Rory started. "But I have absolutly no idea why. You know what I think? We're perfect for each other no matter what anyone else says. The only thing I need, Jess, is you."

"I've never said that to anyone. I might have said it to Lizzie, but I don't remember ever doing so. And I've never had a girlfriend who I've said that to. You're the only girl I've ever loved. I'll ever love." Jess whispered to her as if someone else might hear. "But I'm not good enough for you, Rory. You deserve the world, and I can't give you that. All I can give you is love, but that's not enough." He took his arms from around her and would have walked away but she kissed him hard before he could. When they pulled away he he looked at her with a questioning face.

She looked him in the eye. "You are good enough for me Jess. I don't want some socialite from my grandparents world who could give me anything but real love. I deserve true love Jess, and that is something you can give me. I don't care what anyone else thinks because you complete me and if I lost you, I don't know what I would do. I have the world, Jess. You are my world. You get along with my friends and my mom. You help make my life more enjoyable. If you walk away from me, then I don't believe that you truly love me." This time it was his turn to kiss her. He backed her up against the door but she pulled away. He looked at her questioning her silently. "Babbette is next door." She told him and he nodded. She opened the door and went to check messages. He followed her in and closed the door as he heard the machine say that there was one message.

"Hey babe. I'm not going to be home until late, Michel screwed up an order for the wedding tomorrow so now I have to fix it since he's at home sick today. There's some money for Luke's or pizza or whatever you feel like. Don't wait up for me, we can have breakfast tomorrow. Love ya sweets. Bye." Jess looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"So what do you feel like doing?" He walked towards her putting his arms on either side of her effectively pinning her against the counter.

"I could think of a few things..." She trailed off with a smile on her face.

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"No matter how many times I watch this, it never gets old." Rory said to a bored looking Jess. They had watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. "Don't you think?"

"I think, that this was not what Ihad in mind." Jess told her with a somewhat evil look. The things he wanted to do, well let's just say they'd make both Rory and Luke blush 25 shades of red...

"Really? I thought that this was what you meant." She said innocently. If she wasn't truly innocent she may have never pulled it off. 'He's cute when he's mad...' She thought to herself.

"You. Are. An. Evil. Evil. Woman." Jess told her with a smirk. He loved her no matter what and that wouldn't ever change. He wasn't sure what made him fall for her or when it he actually fell in love with her. The suspected moment was their first kiss in the candy isle of Doose's market, that was when he couldn't stop thinking about her, wanting to touch her, hold her, kiss her. And that was all he wanted. Sometimes he thought about applying to Chilton just so he would be with her more. Other times he thought about applying to Chilton to make something of himself. But he didn't have the money and he couldn't ask Luke. But maybe he could get a scholarship. Good thing he'd raised his grades and was nearing the top of his class.

He was only doing better because two reasons, one, he no way in hell wanted to end up like his mom or dad. He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he did. And two, even if Rory said he was good enough for her, he knew he wasn't so he wanted to make something of himself and prove everyone who ever doubted him wrong, that he was good enough for her.

"But you love me anyway." Rory said teasingly. She loved being able to say 'I love you' without worrying about whether or not he'll say it back. And it was a great feeling to finally have it out in the open. She realized that when she said it to Jess it didn't take as much effort as it did to say it to Dean for the first time. She didn't feel pressured to say it and that felt good. She loved that he didn't pressure her into anything, that he could compromise with her, that they could do almost anything together. Even if at times he was rude, sarcastic, arrogant and a smart ass, she still loved him. All of him. It just made the times where he was sweet, polite, less sarcastic and intellectual even more special.

"Yeah, yeah." He said before leaning forward and catching her lips with his. She moved closer to him, her hands running through his hair. He wrapped his arms around he waist pulling her closer so she was sitting in his lap. One hand cupped the side of her face and the other was on the small of her back holding her against him. He was drowning in her. No girl had ever done that to him before. He wanted, needed more but didn't want to push her and scare her away. Not after he told her that simple yet special fraze just hours ago. He couldn't lose her.

She knew that they needed to stop but she couldn't get herself to say 'no'. She was feeling things Dean was never able to make her feel. Passion, lust, want. If they didn't stop now... let's just say she wasn't ready just yet. She took her hands from his hair and Jess automatically pulled away knowing what was going to happen. He was actually glad she stopped him. "Not yet, okay." She said quietly.

He took her hands in his and made her look at him. "Don't ever be scared to say no to me. You have to set the boundaries because God knows what I'll do if you don't." He saw her blush and smiled. "I better go, Luke'll pissed, I missed curfew." He told her while looking at the clock and getting up. It was little after 11, he was supposed to be back at 10.

He brushed his lips against hers. "I meant what I said, and that'll never change." He whispered in her ear before letting himself out and making his way back to the diner.

"He really does love me." Rory said aloud to herself. She was feeling so happy. But then she remebered something. Or rather someone. Lane had told her she was going to break up with Henry that night. She quickly got up slipping her shoes on and grabbing her jacket and keys making her way out the door and over to the Kim residence. She knew that Lane might be asleep but she wanted to see if she was alright. Before she climbed up the tree she texted Lorelai letting her know where she was if she came home early since she forgot to leavea note. She expertly climbed the tree and tapped softly on Lane's window. Luckily she was awake and opened the window.

She had puffy red eyes and her face was tear stained. Rory entered quietly and pulled Lane into a warm embrace letting her cry softly as Jess had done for her so many times before. "How did he take it?" Rory asked softly when Lane had calmed down and stopped crying. Lane pulled her into her closet so they could talk without waking her parents.

"Surprisingly well. It was mutual so I don't feel guilty but..." Lane trailed off.

"It doesn't make it hurt any less." Rory finished. This was how she was when she broke up with Dean. Just because she didn't love him anymore didn't mean it hurt less. She was losing her first boyfriend and love. Something that was a constant her life for a year and a half. In a way, she was losing her security blanket.

And Lane was losing her first boyfriend. The first guy she liked and got premission to date from her parents. Break ups just suck. "Yeah. I just wish we had worked out ya know? I mean I really liked him at first. What happened?" Lane asked Rory. Even if she'd only two boyfriends she still knew more about them than she did.

"There's always going to be an attraction that will start the relationship. That's the first stage. And after that stage you have to figure out whether or not you want to stay together because you want to, not because you have to. And you both chose to go seperate ways." Rory explained. She had thought about relationships alot while she was single. Mostly annalyzing her's and Dean's.

"Is that what happened between you and Dean?"

"Not really. We were happy together for a while but then we grew apart. Our different interests made it hard to tdo things together and he always felt neglected if I didn't spend time with him. It was a smothering relationship that had lost it's spark and was going nowhere. I couldn't stay in a relationship like that so I broke up with him." ROry explained simply. That was the conclusion she had come to a few months ago. "I know that break ups suck, and you'll never forget Henry, but it'll get better. You'll find a guy who can make you happy. But for now, it's okay to wallow. Even if it seems stupid."

"Thanks Ror. Good thing I still have those break up CD's I burned you." She let out a small laugh, but then yawned. "I guess I'm gonna go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, 'kay." Rory nodded and gave her friend a hug.

"I'll let Jess know that I may be unreachable after diner hours because for the next few weeks until you feel better, I'm yours." Rory told her. "G'night Lane."

"Night Rory." Rory got up and climbed back out the window and down the tree while Lane curled up on her bed soon falling into a slightly restless sleep.

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Jess was on a natural high. He couldn't stop smiling for the life of him. Nor could he fall asleep. He had tried reading but it just reminded him of Rory. She would not leave his thoughts. Everything came back to her. Books, music, Stars Hollow. He decided to go online and see if there was anything to do. Maybe some of his old friends were online. There was one friend who he hadn't lost touch with, Casey.

They had known each other since they were ten. He was the one to teach Jess how to play basketball. The one who took him to his first rave too. They had their first cigarettes together. Jess had took them Liz and decided to try them with Casey. Alot of trouble Jess got into had happened with Casey. Sometime with other 'friends', but where ever Jess was, you could find Casey. He was the only one who didn't bail on him if the cops showed.

They had been through alot together and were like brothers. They had never said 'I love you' to each other seeing as how they were guys, but they knew the other cared.

He was online. Jess hadn't talked to him for few weeks so they had some catching up to do.

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: wuts up casey?

xxCManxx: hey jess! hows nowheresville, usa?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: its cool. ive actually been going to skewl...

xxCManxx: you, jess, schools a waste of time, mariano are going to school? its gotta be a chik...

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: no, id really be going without someone makin me.

xxCManxx: how come you didnt tell me bout her man? i thought we was buds...

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: haven't talked w/u lately...

xxCManxx: how long u been cin her?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: about 3 months

xxCManxx: i see the jess-man lives! workin fast even at nowheresville. name?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: rory and dont ask about how she is in bed

xxCManxx: why not? haven't u been getting any?

xxCManxx: i'll take that as a no, dis girls different. if you aint getting any, shes gotta be the opposite of ur usual. lemme guess, innocent town princess. am i right?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: shes def. diff. this one reads, and im not talking bout cosmo or the babysitter's club. the classics man. good taste in music and movies 2. man, i'm in love.

xxCManxx: the jess-man in love! i gotta meet dis chik... see wuts so special to make you change... is she hott?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: yeah man...

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: so any new chiks for u?

xxCManxx: nah, im lookin for sometin diff. you know some innocent chik dat's the female version of me...

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: w/e man, make fun all ya want, but im happy, aint nuttin can change dat right now.

xxCManxx: u fell hard man, ill bet you got a big smile on ur lips right now huh? just tell me whether or not you thot bout beddin her...

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: i havent changed dat much

xxCManxx: thot so. but other den herr, u gots to be goin outa ur mind there right? thers prolly not much to do ther

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: well i would be if my uncle wasnt makin me work for him, wit skewl work that i am actully doin, chillin w/ rory, work and readin i got stuff to do. but other than that, yeah. but i love tormenting her ex...

xxCManxx: jealous?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: hes pathetic, calls her a slut for goin w/me then tries to win her back by 'readin', it was pathetic...

xxCManxx: dis chik must be somethin... im comin down there and meetin her, maybe asist u w/ the tormentin of the ex?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: u can come, ill ask my ucle if u could stay here a couple days, if not u gotta stay a motel or sometin... and no tormenting bagboy

xxCManxx: ud do that to ur bro? dats cold man, dats cold... whos bagboy and y not?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: the ex and because rory just got him off our backs. and its all up 2 luke.

xxCManxx: i c, and a little taunting would make him bug u 2 love birds again?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: he has the IQ of a floorboard, he gets pissed easy and throws things outa proportion so id say yeah

xxCManxx: but that makes it all the more fun

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: i no, and believe me, we got him good at least twice

xxCManxx: how so? man, nuttin 2 do tonight, and thers nuttin on tv, i need details

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: he thot he could piss me off by sayin i was sleepin w/ rory wen he nos she aint no slut, and it did, but before i could say anything else, rory kisses me right there just like if i was gettin some. god, u shoulda seen his face after that, priceless.

xxCManxx: wait, jus cuz u cant bug doesn't mean i cant right?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: i have no control over u...

xxCManxx: xactly, ill be there sometime next week k man?

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: datll give me enough time to get luke to say yes. i g2g, he's wakin up now, ttyl

xxCManxx: bye!

NeWyOrKeR4lIfE: Has signed off

Jess felt a bit better now that his best friend knew about Rory and obviously approved. School was fine, he was in love and his best friend seemed to approve, yup. life was good.

"What are you doing up? Did you just get home? 'Cause I swear to God if-" Luke had woken up from the beeping the computer was making that Jess hadn't even bothered to turn off.

"Chill Luke. I was talking to my friend, I got home about three hours ago and we only watched a movie. Geeze, have a little more faith will ya?"

"Sorry, it's just a little late, or should I say early? Anyway, go to sleep, you've got school tomorrow. Night." Luke was about to go back to bed but Jess's voice stopped him from doing so.

"Can my friend stay here a few days next week?" Luke didn't think that he'd actually ask premission. Rory was definitely rubbing off on him. That put a smile on his face. Until he thought of a different meaning...

"He in trouble? Or he just coming to see you?" Luke asked without turining around.

"You can't believe someone other than Rory would come to see little ol' me? I'm shocked." Jess said teasingly.

"I didn't mean it that way and fine. He can stay on the new couch you and Rory have broken in. Night. And this time I intend to get to my bed." Luke said shaking his head slightly and walking back to bed. The kid was cleaning himslef up. He may still be rude and sarcastic but he's not as bad as before, Luke could actually stand him now. He did good, he did good.

A/N I know, a bit short but I felt that was a good place to stop. Sorry it took so long to update again. I had this whole thing about the history between Casey and Jess and it was really good. It was done all in inspiration, but then I realized that half of it didn't go with the story. And yes, I know, they said 'I love you' and Jess probably wouldn't have told one of his old friends but I wanted him to share that with Casey, after all, they are like brothers... The 'nowheresville, usa' thing is unoriginal, but I couldn't think of anything better. Also, writer's block really sucks. I'm not sure when Lane decides to be drummer, so let's say that she is. Sorry to those of you who liked Henry, but I am a Bandmate or Lane/Dave so there will be some of that. I'm still looking for a beta if anyone is interested, email me at review!