(A/N) Dudes, I think this is one of the fastest updates since I started the story. I was rereading it from the beginning and I found out what you guys were saying about Rory's thought being totally childish. I'd fix it but I feel it would disturb the story. Tell me if you think I should or if you think I should let it be. Just so you know, I didn't write as well as I do now then… Yeah, yeah, I'm full of myself but that should be good. If you were reading my other story (ies) you could figure it out in no time by the way the chapters get better as you read along. So if you haven't read them yet, do it. Tell me if you think I should rewrite the first chapter but still along the same lines.

Finally, I only have two chapters left for this story.

Sorry if I disappointed you with the last chapter.

Chapter Five

Rory jumped out of her car when she reached her destination. She had been crying since she'd left Logan's apartment and she sought comfort from the only person she'd always wallowed with.

Rory hadn't planned for her and her mother's reunion to be out of this kind of need. She wanted their reunion to be out of the 'I miss you and I'm so sorry' need.

Knocking loudly on the door, Rory let out a soft sob as she saw her mother and darted forward, letting her be enveloped in Lorelai's arms.

"Oh, sweetie," she cooed, shutting the door behind the two and leading Rory to the living room couch.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to be cold and unforgiving and mean," Rory cried, burying her head in her mother's shoulder. "I should've listened to you about how Logan was a jerk and that I deserved more than him. And then I stole a boat with him, practically lived with him, drank, ate and partied with him and all the while I did all that, I hurt you. And after two years, Jess comes back and shows me this book." Rory wipes away her eyes and sits up, her eyes taking on a sad but amazed look. "This book, he wrote it, while I did nothing. I didn't learn, read, or write. I organized functions and was inducted into the god forsaken D.A.R. and was then bombarded by the triple-team work of the grandparents and a reverend about not having sex. And all I could come back with was, 'Have you seen the 40-Year Old Virgin?' and I can't believe my life has stooped so low as to use a horrible movie as a reference—"

"—Rory, breathe," Lorelai interrupted, amused. "I see you haven't forgotten one of the most important Gilmore women trademark. Now, what is it about Jess?" Rory stared at her mother blankly then her eyes widened.

"Oh my God! Jess! I had a date to have lunch with him! But then that was sidetracked with my attempt to end my relationship with Logan by jumping into bed with him because he said he loved me! I'm vulnerable, Mom! If anyone can tell me he loves me, I'd have sex with him. It happened with Dean and now with Logan!" Rory ran a hand through her hair. "I don't even know if I cheated on Logan with Jess or on Jess with Logan. Curse the web I weave!" she added overdramatically.

"Honey, calm down. Now, what is this about Jess and cheating on him? Are you two dating? What happened?" Rory sniffled and tucked her legs underneath her.

"This is going to be a long story."

…………………

"So, let me get this straight," Lorelai said as she came back into the living room with a new bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos. "You and Jess are together and Logan's vamoosh?" Rory nodded, avidly snatching the Cheetos from her mother. "And you sort of stood him up, you know." Rory nodded guiltily.

"I should find him," she said softly.

"Yeah."

"But after you let me steal this bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos. I can't believe I've never tasted these in the amount of years it's been around," Rory said, her mouth stuffed.

"Feel free." Lorelai smiled and pulled her daughter into a hug once she stood up. "I'm glad you're home, kid," she said happily.

"Me too… Can we go to Luke's first? I need a massive amount of coffee." Lorelai pulled back and held her daughter at arm's length.

"Sweets, I think you're trying to avoid the Jess sitch." Rory frowned.

"You think?"

"Yeah," Lorelai said while nodding. Rory sighed.

"That's Jess' forte. I'm not evasive. I've changed too much," she whispered.

"You never got over Jess, did you?" She shrugged and inhaled deeply.

"Guess not. I think I made myself believe I did so I wouldn't have to think about him and hurt all the time, you know? I mean, I really had loved him," she whispered. "He just…made it hard." Lorelai nodded and wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulders.

"Let us go to Luke's."

……………………

Rory stood outside the diner, arms wrapped around her body as she shielded herself from the cold, waiting for her mother to finish alluding to Luke. She stared across the street at the gazebo where she saw Miss Patty and Babette conversing quietly. Her eyes widened in fear of being discovered prematurely and she turned around, her back to the road.

However, it wasn't long before she heard the quiet chatter get closer. Her cover was blown. Sighing, she turned around only to be pulled into a hug by both town gossips.

"Oh, Rory!" Babette gushed. "We all missed you!"

"I'm guessing you and Lorelai have gone over that rift?" Miss Patty inquired, pulling away along with Babette. Rory nodded, smiling.

"Look at you! You hair grew out! And you have bangs! You look adorable," Babette noticed.

"And she has way more ass to look at now," Miss Patty said under her breath to Babette. Rory rolled her eyes.

………………………

"Luke!" Lorelai called as she entered the diner.

"What?" he asked, coming over to her, a coffee pot in hand

"I have very, extremely colossal news!" she exclaimed ecstatically.

"Okay," Luke said, walking away from Lorelai and over to Kirk.

"Aren't you excited?"

"If you'd hurry up and tell me, I might be. You never know," he informed as he refilled Kirk's coffee.

"Well, I need a drum." Luke sighed and turned to face his fiancé.

"For what?"

"For a drum roll. Duh."

"I have no drums," he stated, walking over to a tourist table.

"Kirk, drum roll, please." Kirk smiled and grabbed his utensils, banging them against his table.

"And…" Lorelai turned around and opened the door, sticking her head out. She sighed. "Sorry ladies. I need my daughter."

"Oh, all right. We'll see you around, Rory," Miss Patty informed as Rory turned around, rosy cheeked. Lorelai smiled and grabbed her hand, pulling her into the diner.

"Rory!" Kirk exclaimed. Luke turned around smiling and walked over to the Gilmore Girls.

"You're here. The both of you. Together."

"Full sentences, honey," Lorelai joked.

"This is great!" he cried out. "Coffee is on the house!" Rory smiled as Luke pulled her into a one-armed hug.

"Hi Luke!" she said happily as she and Lorelai sat at a nearby table.

"You can have anything you want, on me." Rory giggled.

"Luke, we never pay."

"Coffee. Coming right up."

"He seems a little dodgy," Rory whispered when he walked away to turn the coffee maker on.

"He does?" Rory nodded.

"Oh well. We get coffee without begging." Lorelai smiled mischievously.

"Ah, I've missed you, oh, daughter of mine."

"Same here, mother of mine."

………………………

"Oh my God!" Rory cried after eating a cheeseburger and chili cheese fries along with three cups of coffee.

"What?" Lorelai asked through a mouthful of liquid caffeine.

"Why do I keep forgetting this? He's supposed to be important, am I wrong?"

"If you'd tell momma what and whom you're talking about, I could tell you."

"Mom, I can't keep forgetting about Jess! Why didn't you tell me? I could've used this wasted hour—"

"—This wasn't a wasted hour."

"—to find Jess! Why am I so forgetful?" Rory continued, ignoring her mother. She banged her head against the table. "I'm a horrible person! I shouldn't deserve to live! I already blew him off once! And that was five hours or so ago! I said I'd go find him and then we came here because I asked because I wanted to avoid the confrontation! Now there will be a worse confrontation! I am such an idiot!"

"Honey, you have to breathe. Your voice was getting high-pitched from lack of air." Rory closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Okay. There are two things you are not in this world. Actually four. Maybe five, but that's okay. One, you aren't a horrible person. Two, you aren't an idiot. Three, you aren't a horrible coffee addict. Four, you aren't a horrible ranter. And five, you aren't a horrible writer."

"But—"

"—Who cares what Mitchum Huntzberger thinks? Not I. So, just go find Jess and you both will be okay." Rory nodded, now smiling at her mother's antics.

"Right. I'll see you at home then."

"Okay." Rory stood and walked over to her mother, leaving a kiss on her cheek, before leaving the diner.

…………………

"Jess?" Rory called as she frantically knocked on the door to room number ten. When she got no answer after another minute and a half of calling and knocking, she sighed angrily and pulled her phone out of her pocket. Checking the time, she saw it was seven twenty-five. She groaned quietly and tapped her foot nervously against the floor.

Dialing, her hand shook anxiously and she pressed her phone to her ear.

"Hey, you've reached Jess Mariano. Leave a message if you want me to get back to you. If not, don't."

Rory sighed but waited until she heard the beep to speak.

"Hey. It's Rory. Um, look. I know I blew you off but you need to let me explain. I didn't mean for this to happen if it's any consolation. But, it obviously isn't. I'm at the Inn now and, apparently, you are out. So I guess I'll just keep looking for you… Unless you want to relieve me of using so much gasoline. You know, high gas prices and all. Just, um, call me back. Please."

………………

"Hey Luke," Rory sighed as she sat the counter an hour and twenty-five minutes later.

"Hey. Coffee?" Luke asked, turning to face her.

"Please. I'm exhausted." He pulled a cup out from under the counter and turned to pour her coffee.

"Why?"

"Well," she started as he set the mug in front of her and she took a sip. "I have looked all over Stars Hollow. The bookstore, music shop, record store, Al's Weston's, Doose's, Bootsy's newsstand, I even went so far as to go to the corner outside town where I know they sell drugs to find him, but still have no luck."

"Wow," Luke sighed, eyeing Rory amusedly.

"What?"

"You just spent fifteen seconds talking vaguely about some person and how you can't find him. You're looking for someone in Stars Hollow?"

"Luke, what guy would I look for in Stars Hollow at nine o' clock?" Rory hinted.

"Dean?" Rory glared and shook her head. "Kirk?"

"Are you kidding me?" she asked incredulously. "Luke, c'mon. Think!" His eyes widened.

"Do not tell me you're looking for T.J. There is no way I can deal with his carpentry skills again." She groaned and let out a sigh.

"Jess, Luke. I'm looking for your nephew, Jess Mariano." Luke nodded.

"I should've known." Rory rolled her eyes.

"Have you seen him, by any chance?" Luke shook his head.

"I haven't seen him since he came in here for breakfast and helped me out for three hours."

"Did he tell you where he was going?" Luke looked up to the ceiling in contemplation.

"He said he was going to read. That's all." Rory's eyes widened and she banged her forehead with the heel of her hand.

"Of course! I'm such an idiot!" She stood and grabbed the purse she'd set on the empty stool beside her. "Thanks for the coffee, Luke!" she called as she fled the diner.

……………………

"There you are," Rory said as she walked onto the bridge five minutes later. Jess sat staring at the water, his legs dangling over the edge of the bridge. Three books lay next to him in a pile. "I've been looking all over for you. Who can believe six months out of Yale and two years of not seeing you can make me forget your favorite place in Stars Hollow?" He didn't acknowledge her as she sat two inches away from him. "I'm guessing your didn't get my desperate messages, huh?" Still no answer. She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself as a wind blew, tousling her hair.

"Jess, I'm really sorry. I need you to know the delay was a spur of the moment thing. It was unplanned and spontaneous and so unlike me. But of course, according to some people, I stopped being myself a long time ago," she added quietly.

His silence was deafening and frustrating. It was uncalled for but definitely justified. However, her acquiescence to his sound state was surprising. She felt he should ignore her, especially after she'd stood him up and cheated on him. She hadn't meant for it to happen but one thing led to the other and…

No. She wasn't going to use that as an excuse. It was a clichéd phrase.

Rory wasn't going to press him. For now.

"Look, if you'd let me explain we could figure this out," she said after ten silent minutes.

"I haven't stopped you," Jess muttered, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and forefinger.

"You haven't. But you didn't say anything to me either."

"It's called ignoring until you decided to 'fess up."

"Can we go to the Inn?" Jess sighed but remained in his spot, hushed. "I'll take that as a no." She let out a breath and closed her eyes. "I… I slept with Logan when I broke up with him," she whispered, tears coming to her eyes.

"Of course. Who doesn't have sex after breaking up with his or her boyfriend of girlfriend?" he interrogated sarcastically.

"Jess—"

"—Sure, it's usually a one-night stand with a complete stranger but in this case it was with your ex-boyfriend you'd recently dumped. A little too recently for my taste. I get it, Rory. You don't want to be with me. Just go away and leave me alone." Rory sniffled and turned her body to sit Indian-style, facing him.

"Jess, it wasn't supposed to happen. It just did. Logan and I are over. And I do want to be with you. I'm really very sorry," she cried. "It's not like it's going to happen again." Jess nodded imperceptibly and turned his head to face her. His face was expressionless, void of emotion.

"Why'd you sleep with him?" The question caught Rory off guard and she dug in her head for an answer.

"Because he… he said he loved me," she murmured. Jess nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line as her eyes began to shed their tears in anticipation of what was to come.

"Great. So you'll sleep with anyone who tells you they love you? Nice." Jess rolled his eyes and turned back to the lake.

"No, Jess. It's not like that. Don't take it the wrong way," she pleaded tearfully.

"How am I supposed to take it?" he snapped. Rory took in a sharp breath and felt as if she'd been slapped.

"I don't… I'm not sure," she mumbled, unfolding her legs and throwing them over the edge once again.

"Did it mean anything to you?" Jess whispered after a moment's silence.

"It would've. A while ago, anyway. Not so much anymore," Rory replied softly.

"But it still meant something." He sighed heavily and dragged a hand through his hair.

"No, it didn't. It meant nothing to me. You, however, do. I can't afford to lose you now, Jess. Not when I'm finally beginning to get my life back together."

"You made up with your mom?" he asked gently. She nodded. "How is this going to work? You're practically two hundred miles away." Rory smiled to herself.

"I know. But I was thinking."

"Which is never a good sign." He smirked as she smacked his arm, glaring, and they faced each other, both folding their legs underneath them.

"Anyway, I was thinking I could, maybe, stay with you until Christmas. You know, work out the kinks in our relationship while in Philadelphia then come back here 'til New Year's." Jess sighed.

"What about school?" Rory bit her lip.

"Well, if we work out, I can transfer. Apply to the University of Pennsylvania."

"Rory, no," he said quickly, shaking his head, his face serious.

"Why not?" she whined.

"I don't want you to give up Yale to be with me."

"But—"

"—This is Yale and the University of Pennsylvania we're talking about. Yale is better. We can make this work another way." Rory sighed and her shoulders slumped.

"What if I want this? What if I want to dump Yale for you?" Jess sighed and pulled Rory to him, settling her in his lap as he turned to dangle his legs over the water.

"I don't want you to resent me," he whispered in his ear, sending shivers down her spine. He placed his lips on her neck and kissed her sweetly. Rory smiled and took his arms from around her waist and placed hers on top of his.

"I wouldn't resent you. Ever. I never have," she said just as quietly. He smiled and kissed her neck again. Rory smiled and let out a content sigh.

"That's good to know."

……………………

"So, it's okay with you that I stay with you until Christmas?" Rory asked as she pulled up to the Dragonfly two hours later.

"Yeah. But I don't want to exactly come here for Christmas and New Year's."

"You'll be okay." Jess rolled his eyes and leaned over to kiss her lightly.

"You want me to come over to your house tomorrow and help you move out of your grandparents'?" Rory nodded vigorously.

"Yes, please. And bring your car."

"What time?"

"Early. But after ten thirty because Grandma will still be there." He nodded.

"We'll talk about the college thing later," he warned. She pouted.

"Fine. Leave your phone on. I'm going to call to fill you in on what Mom said about this."

"Okay." He leaned over again and captured her lips for a longer kiss. Rory moaned as he nipped at her bottom lip and she pushed him away.

"Expect me to call around one." He sighed and gathered his books from the floor.

"What is it with you and late hours?" She shrugged and smiled as he got out of the car.

"I'll call you later."

"I have books and manuscripts. I'll be awake."

"Ah, behold the ever busy man. When will he have time for the small people?"

"At one in the morning. See you tomorrow." Rory smiled as he closed the door and she drove away.

……………………

"Rory, is that you?" Lorelai called from the living room when she heard a few things plop onto the floor.

"Yeah! Can you help me?" Rory answered as she picked two bags off the floor.

"With what?"

"Mom!"

"Okay, I'm coming!" Lorelai appeared in the foyer a few seconds later and groaned. "There is no way I'm helping you."

"I love your pajamas. They're cute with all those little Rugrats' heads," Rory complimented.

"Ugh! Fine! But only because you like my Rugrats."

Twenty minutes later, Lorelai and Rory sat on the couch, both in pajamas. Cartons of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, chips, movie cases, Red Vines, and boxes of Cheez-Its adorned the coffee table.

"So…" Rory started, tucking her legs under her body and turning to face her mother's side with her back against one of the couch's arms.

"So?" Lorelai asked, doing the same on the opposite side of the couch.

"I talked to Jess."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, and, um, I've decided I'm going to stay with him, in Philly, until Christmas." Lorelai nodded and bit her bottom lip.

"So I guess that means you and Jess are officially together, huh?" Rory nodded.

"Is that okay with you?" Lorelai shrugged.

"Ah, well, no. But better him than Logan or a married man." Rory sighed.

"Mom, Jess has really changed. He's not the same seventeen-year old who drew chalk outlines in front of Doose's. He's the guy who wrote a book. He's the guy who got his life back together when no one was there to help him. Not even me. Although I could've been," she added softly. Lorelai raised her eyebrows.

"What do you mean you could've been?" Rory turned her head and looked at the lighted fireplace. She took in a deep breath.

"That night Grandma set me up with some guy she'd known as a baby, remember that?" Lorelai nodded. "Well, it'd turned out as a disaster and I called Dean to pick me up. Well, he brought me to Yale and Jess showed up. I told Dean to go so I could speak to Jess and he comes up with this insane offer. He asked me to come with him. Where? He didn't know he just refused for us to start over in Connecticut, let alone Stars Hollow. He'd said he'd known we were meant to be together since the day he saw me in my room two years before. He gave me an ultimatum and I refused and I hadn't seen him since."

"And you never told me?" Rory shook her head and turned to face her mother. "Okay, continue."

"So, I'll stay with Jess until Christmas Eve then we'll come here and he'll stay 'til New Year's," Rory informed.

"He's leaving after New Year's?"

"That's the plan for now." Lorelai nodded and smiled.

"So I guess that gives us a few weeks to go to Atlantic City for you twenty-first birthday celebration?" she squealed.

"Guess so," Rory said, feeling elated.

"I don't think Jess would approve of you getting numbers from twenty-one guys." Rory shook her head, chewing the inside of her cheek.

"He doesn't have to know." Lorelai gasped.

"Rory!"

"I'm kidding." Lorelai let out a sigh of relief.

"Good… What about school?" Rory bit her lip and un-tucked and re-tucked her legs. "You're fidgeting. You never fidget. Why are you fidgeting?" the elder Gilmore pressed.

"Um, well… I might transfer schools. To Philadelphia," Rory whispered. Lorelai's eyes widened and she looked surprised.

"Oh…Wow." She un-tucked her legs and sat with her body facing the coffee table, feet planted firmly on the floor.

"It's not…certain, yet. Jess told me to think about it and to not take any rash decisions without consulting you or him."

"Well, he sure has turned very considerate."

"Mom, don't be mad. I haven't decided yet." Lorelai sighed again.

"Okay. We can talk about this later, then." Rory nodded and pointed at one of the movies on the coffee table.

"Pop in Orange County." Lorelai smiled.

"Gladly. Jack Black in underwear, here we come!" Rory made a disgusted face and laughed.

"Ew, Mom." They lay back into the couch, a pint of ice cream in hand.

"I guess you and Jess really were meant to be." Rory frowned at her mother's displeasure.

"Yeah, I guess," she whispered, popping a spoon of ice cream into her mouth. "I really love him, Mom." Lorelai nodded and patted her daughter's knee affectionately.

"I know you do, Sweets. I know you do."

………………………

(A/N) That was long. For this story anyway. Should be the longest chapter yet. How'd you like? And remember to tell me if you'd like for me to rewrite the first chapter.

REVIEW!

Sorry for any mistakes.