Chapter Five

"Seriously, love, we need to go." The taxi driver was getting irate with Rory. She stood, one leg in the door, one still on the pavement, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of Logan. This was the third time the driver had requested that they leave. He's not coming. The realisation crashed over her, leaving an empty hole in its wake. Sighing, she finally climbed into the car. The slam of the door seemed like the final nail in the coffin. Logan didn't want to know.

The drive to the airport was a blur for Rory. She barely even knew how she made it through customs and passport control. Before she knew it, the plane was taking off. She felt her heart drop like a stone as the plane reached optimum height. Despair crashed over her in waves as she thought of the mess she had gotten herself into. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut in an attempt to hold back the ever-present tears, Rory hugged herself tightly and desperately tried to fall asleep and blot out the last twenty-four hours.

The plane jolted Rory awake as it bumped down on the runway announcing her return to Connecticut. She rubbed her eyes as she remembered where she was and why she was here. Logan. The baby. What a total disaster. Stumbling back through the airport as though she was caught in a dream, Rory only had one thought left on her mind. I need my mom.

Luckily for Rory, Lorelai Gilmore was a creature of habit and was guaranteed to be either at home, the inn or Luke's. Deciding the inn was her best bet, Rory hailed a cab and headed off in search of her mom.

It seemed to take a lifetime before the Dragonfly was finally in sight. Throwing money at the cab driver, Rory fled inside. "Mom?"

"She is not 'ere."

"Oh, hi, Michele. Where is she then?"

"'Ow would I know? She never tell me anything. Same old Lorelai. Selfish as ever."

Rory rolled her eyes at the Frenchman. "Nice talking to you, Michele."

"Whatever." Michele huffed and disappeared. Rory stood by the familiar wooden counter for a moment, wondering whether to try home or Luke's next. Knowing her mother as well as she did, Rory figured she had headed out for coffee. Luke's it is.

"Where is she?" Rory asked herself quietly when Luke's also turned out to be a Lorelai-free zone. She turned and ran from the diner blindly, wondering why her mother would really be at home in the middle of the day. Her lack of concentration meant she walked smack bang into someone. But not just anyone.

"Jess!" Rory tried to smile but failed miserably.

"Rory? What's up?"

"Nothing, I'm fine. I just… have you seen my mom?"

Jess frowned. "Rory, Lorelai and Luke left on their honeymoon yesterday. A little late, really. Who goes on honeymoon a week after the wedding? Don't tell me the mighty Rory Gilmore actually forgot something?"

"Um, I guess. I've had a lot going on."

Jess dropped his sarcastic tone immediately. "Talk to me Rory. What's going on?"

"I… Well, you're gonna find out soon enough. I'm pregnant."

Jess froze for a millisecond, then recovered himself smoothly. "Congrats, I guess. Who's the lucky guy?"

Rory hesitated, not wanting to get a lecture. "It's a long story Jess. But this baby? It's mine."

"Right. You wanna talk?"

"Not here."

Always understanding her, Jess smiled softly. "Lead the way." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, causing Rory to finally manage a smile as the two old friends headed back to her mother's house.