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(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 3

Rory woke up feeling as warm and comfortable as she ever had in her life. For a split second she thought she was at home in Stars Hollow, in her very own room. As her eyes opened, memories came flooding back like a tidal wide. Instead of that wave knocking her off her feet and drowning her, it rushed over her, all warm and comforting. She was in New York, she had just had the best night of her life, and her pillow was no pillow at all, it was Jess.

There was a smile on her lips as she curled in closer and kissed his chest. They had spent the night making love and then sleeping in each others arms. This was how Rory wanted to spend every night from now on, every day too. As far as she could tell, this was the very best place in the world, just because she was here with the man she loved.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," he said, moving to kiss her hair.

"Morning," she replied, tipping her head back to look up at him.

Their lips met in a sweet kiss that lit a flame of passion all over again and went on longer than either meant for it to. When they parted, Rory found she still couldn't stop smiling as she stared up at Jess. He was so beautiful, she always thought so, but never more so than now. He was all she ever truly wanted in a guy, and it seemed wrong to think how much time it had taken for her to admit it, how long they had spent wasting their time apart from each other.

"You okay?" he checked then, seeing her smile begin to fade into a frown.

Whether he was asking purely about her mood shift or checking she wasn't in any pain or whatever after their night's activities, Rory couldn't be sure. Either way, she loved that he asked.

"Yes, I'm okay," she promised. "Better than okay."

"Oh, yeah?" he checked, trying not to smirk.

Women rarely liked guys who were too cocky about anything, especially their sexual prowess. Besides, he doubted Rory's happiness was all about what they'd done last night. Sex was only half of this, maybe not even that much. The biggest deal was her confession, telling him she loved him. It was all Jess ever wanted to hear and though he had a feeling he was turning into a girl just thinking it, last night had been pretty much perfect, almost as perfect as waking up like this with Rory in his arms.

"This is how it's supposed to be," she said then, laying her head back on his chest and revelling at the feeling of his arms around her. "You and me... it's how it was always supposed to happen."

She was mumbling by the end of her sentence, a tinge of sadness to her voice and Jess could guess why. This wasn't her first time, it certainly wasn't Jess' either, but with girls it was different, he knew that. Rory let Dean into her bed in some misguided attempt at rekindling the past. She gave away something that was precious to a woman, to a man so unworthy that Jess could hardly stand it. Last night he had hoped to wipe out that memory for Rory. Maybe he hadn't done it as completely as he thought, since it was likely nothing ever really could.

Rory wished she hadn't said anything now. The last person she wanted to think about in this moment was Dean Forester. The truth was, the comparison wasn't fair anyway. What she had shared with him was a childish make believe moment, an awkward fumble that she longed to forget. What happened here in this bed with Jess was real and passionate and beautiful. It was love, pure and simple.

"I think I could stay here forever," she said after a while. "Is forever good for you?" she asked, tipping her head back again to meet Jess' eyes.

He smiled that rare smile that she had missed so much and leaned down to kiss her lips.

"Forever works," he assured her, not even caring how dumb and fairytale the concept was.

Right now, he wanted to believe it could be this good and this simple for as long as they lived. Just for a little while, it was a nice dream to share.

She'd been sat at the counter for a half an hour, and Luke hadn't seen her even touch her coffee yet. This just wasn't normal, not at all. The day she found the note saying Rory was gone and not saying where, Lorelai went a little crazy. She was always crazy, but before it had been the cute, endearing kind, if such a thing existed. Now it was just scary how lost she seemed without her daughter.

They'd looked everywhere, called everyone. Rory hadn't talked to her grandparents, not since she insisted Emily bring her home early from their Europe trip. Christopher had no clue what was happening. Lane was oblivious too. Lorelai had tried everyone from Rory's school-mate Paris to her ex-boyfriend Dean. Nobody knew anything, simply not a thing.

Luke felt bad for being put out that his almost-dating situation with Lorelai had fallen flat because of Rory running away. They had been okay, they had been close to something, and then this happened and it threw everybody for a loop, most especially Lorelai. There was no room in her head for anything but the inn and Rory, and not necessarily in that order. She had to care about the business she and Sookie were just now getting off the ground, but that was all. It was work, or looking for Rory, wishing she'd call, worrying about what had happened to her. Luke hated that he couldn't help more. The police were no help, since Rory was legally an adult. She had left a note to say she was leaving, so there was no danger or crime as far as the cops were concerned. They didn't understand. A whole week had passed now, and no leads whatsoever. It was as if Rory just evaporated or something.

"Hey," said Luke, approaching Lorelai with caution. "You, er..." he began as she looked up at him with teary eyes. "I'm sorry, I was gonna ask something stupid like 'Are you okay?' and obviously you're not, I know that, I... I'm sorry," he rambled some, reaching a hand to adjust his hat even though it required no adjustment.

Lorelai sniffed hard and tried for a smile that didn't really happen.

"No, I'm sorry," she told him, grabbing a napkin and blowing her nose. "I just... All I can think about is where she might be and why. What she's doing and why hasn't she called?" she shook her head sadly. "It's all so out-of-character. I mean this is Rory, our Rory," she explained pointlessly, since of course Luke already knew that.

"Seems to me the out-of-character had started before she left town," he said in the lowest of low voices so even the very few patrons of the diner right now would never hear. "I mean, sleeping with Dean? After everything... and I mean, he's married!"

"I know," Lorelai nodded sadly. "I don't get it, I don't get any of it! I mean, it would've been crazy enough if she left with him, or if she stayed in Europe for the rest of her life. It would've been crazy, but I maybe could've wrapped my head around it," she sighed. "But this? Just running out, no clue where? I mean who the hell is there left in her life that we didn't call?"

Luke opened his mouth and then closed it again sharply. He had one idea, even though it would probably seem not just abhorrent but completely nutty to Lorelai. His own nephew, Jess, had been Rory's boyfriend too, somewhere between Dean and now. They had a connection, there was no denying it, and it wasn't so long ago Jess had confessed to Luke that he had told Rory he loved her. She probably didn't feel the same, if she had she would've left with Jess or begged him to stay, and she sure wouldn't have slept with Dean right after. It made no sense, but they had tried everyone else.

"I, er... I have an address, and a number that might still be in service," he said awkwardly. "For Jess."

"No," Lorelai shook her head definitely. "No, Rory would never go to him, not after everything. She wouldn't even know where to go if she wanted to, and she wouldn't. Ever!"

Luke didn't take offence. He knew how much Jess had hurt Rory in the past, and he was as mad about that as anyone. At the same time, he knew his nephew's issues caused by Liz and Jimmy and all, they were the reasons he was a bad boyfriend. It wasn't really his fault he turned out emotionally awkward. Luke was hardly the greatest role model for that himself.

"Actually," he said slowly, hardly daring to meet Lorelai's suddenly harsh gaze. "Rory would know where to find Jess if she wanted to," he admitted. "Jess asked me to give her his details, just in case..."

He shrugged, leaving the sentence hanging there. Luke wasn't being deliberately cryptic. He had repeated exactly what Jess said when he made Luke promise to pass on the address and number. Just in case. In case of what, he couldn't possibly guess in the circumstances, but he did as he was asked, figuring it could never do any real harm.

Lorelai looked thoughtful for a long moment, because that's how she was feeling. Would Rory run to Jess? She couldn't imagine it, but then she couldn't ever imagine a day when her daughter would run from her without any real explanation. Times they were a-changing of late, and for the most part, not in ways that Lorelai much cared for. Some things never changed. Rory had proven she still loved Dean when she slept with him, proved she didn't want Jess when she let him leave town without protest. That was how Lorelai saw things, perhaps because it was the most convenient way for her to do so.

"Doesn't matter," she said definitely then. "She wouldn't go to him, and I don't want you calling and telling him what's happening, Luke. I really don't."

"Okay," Luke nodded easily. "I promise, I won't call Jess. At least, not about Rory," he said, with a definite sweep of his hand.

Lorelai was probably right, Rory wouldn't run to Jess anyhow. Of all the people in the world, she would never.

It was late in the afternoon. Rory and Jess hadn't really gotten out of bed yet, not officially. He hopped out to grab the phone and order take out he couldn't really afford, and they'd both made separate mad dashes to the bathroom wearing as little as they could manage without embarrassing themselves in the hallway. It was never long before they were back in bed curled up together, enjoying the fact it was a sunny Sunday in New York, and that they were so completely happy and in love.

Rory knew what she said before about staying here in this moment forever was impractical and childish, but it was a nice dream for as long as it could last. It had taken so long for her to realise that Jess was the only guy she ever truly wanted. Now she did know, now they were here, making love and lazing the day away in comfortable silence for the most part. There was no other place she could ever imaging wanting to be.

Jess was reading aloud to her right now, and Rory was dozing on his chest, one hand playing with the edges of the comforter that didn't quite cover their bodies. She had been listening intently to start off with, but now her mind was wandering. She recalled days spent in her room, or the diner apartment, even out on the bridge, when they would read together, or silently in each others company. It took her thoughts back to Stars Hollow all too easily, and that made her happy and sad all at the same time.

Rory thought of her mother, and how freaked out Lorelai must be right about now. Jess never suggested she call her or anything, though Rory was sure the thought occurred to him. As much as he tried to pretend he cared for nothing in Stars Hollow but her alone, Rory knew Jess wondered how Luke was doing. He had asked in a round about way and Rory was happy to tell him things were fine. She wasn't sure how he'd take it when she revealed his Uncle was dating her Mom now. It was just a little suprising when he had laughed and declared 'finally!'. After all, that was how Rory felt herself.

Calling her Mom ought to be a priority for Rory, she knew that now. She'd known it in some form or other since she got here, but a night in Jess' arms had only made her more sure that she needed Lorelai to now where she was. They had long talks about sex, about Rory telling her Mom before experiencing her first time. Of course, that hadn't worked out so well. This was better, this was the kind of night that Rory wanted to share with her best girl-friend who was also her mother, but she couldn't.

"Hey," Jess said softly, pushing Rory's hair back off her face. "Why do I think you haven't heard a word of this chapter?" he checked, just as smart and observant as ever.

"Because I haven't?" she admitted, looking guiltily up at him. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine," he promised. "But if there's something on your mind..."

"There's not," she lied. "There is," she admitted in a second, knowing he'd see through it anyway. "I just... I was thinking about how I left, how my Mom is probably freaking out," she told him, pulling herself up to lay beside him where it was easier to talk.

Jess abandoned the book onto the floor and turned onto his side to face her, his head propped up on his hand. She was struggling with this, he knew. The last few days, he daren't really mention Lorelai for fear of the reaction he'd get. Something more happened than just Rory and Dean making a mistake. Lorelai wouldn't have taken it well, Jess was pretty sure on that, and he had to assume the Gilmore girls had some kind of epic fight which had been a much bigger part of Rory's running out on Stars Hollow than she was originally willing to admit. Now it seemed he was going to get the truth of the matter.

"I went to Europe with Grandma to get away," she sighed, looking guilty as Rory was wont to do about a lot of things. "I thought it'd help, but it didn't. Getting away from my Mom judging me... it couldn't help, because I was judging me too," she admitted. "I knew what I did was wrong. I knew, and I couldn't stand it, because... because there was no taking it back."

She was going to cry again, Jess knew it and he couldn't stand it. His hand cupped her cheek and pulled her closer. He kissed her lips and let his fingers wander through her hair.

"Everybody makes mistakes, Ror," he reminded her what she already had to know. "My first time wasn't exactly the best of experiences either, and I know you're gonna say it's different, 'cause I'm a guy," he rolled his eyes. "But, honestly? I... I kinda wish I waited for you, y'know?"

"That's sweet," she told him, even though she knew he'd probably hate that.

Guys didn't want to be told they were sweet or cute or adorable. For them it was about being cool and manly. Still, Jess didn't argue with her compliment, he only smiled.

"Yeah, well, all I'm saying is, things don't always work out perfectly," he explained. "You and me, we know that better than anyone."

"But things can also figure themselves out in the end," she smiled. "We sure know that's true," she grinned, taking her turn at kissing him this time.

She pushed herself closer and didn't protest at all as he pulled her on top of his body, getting lost in another passionate embrace. Some things just felt too good to let common sense ruin them, and so the moment went on and on. It only broke when Jess realised he was getting wet, tears from Rory's eyes falling onto his chest.

"Hey, what's this?" he asked with a genuine frown - he had not seen that coming.

"Nothing," she sniffled, pulling back and wiping a hand across her face. "I don't know, I just... I'm so happy here with you, and the one person I want to talk to about it, I can't," she shrugged.

Jess knew they were back to Lorelai. As much as he and Rory's Mom never really got along, he knew how close the two of them were, and what their friendship meant.

"Call her," he advised. "Honestly, it's cool. I can go out if you want..."

"No," Rory said definitely, shaking her head and refusing to let him get away when he tried to leave the bed. "No, not right now," she insisted. "I can't. I just want today to be us, like it was before I let my brain start thinking again."

"Ah, yes, that stupid thinking thing that you do," he replied sarcastically, happily letting her back into his arms and hugging her tight, her head under his chin.

"It is stupid," she agreed. "Who needs to think anyway?"

"Not us, that's for sure," Jess deadpanned, kissing the top of her head. "Maybe if you get some sleep, you'll feel better," he advised.

Rory nodded against his chest, and let out a little sigh as she settled comfortably against him. Jess just lay there listening to her breathe, knowing after a while that she had indeed fallen asleep. He would do the same if he could, but it was never going to happen. As happy as he was to be here with Rory like this, it couldn't last forever. She missed her Mom already, she would miss more people and places and familiarities soon. If she wanted to head back to Stars Hollow eventually, Jess had no idea if he could stand to go with her, and yet watching her walk away now, after everything, it might just kill him. For now, he just held on tight to the woman of his dreams and hoped for a happy ending he couldn't really bring himself to believe in.

To Be Continued...