Disclaimer: I don't own any characters. Only the story idea is mine.

A/N: I apologize once again for not updating right away. I hope you like this chapter. I was trying to make it as good as possible and I'm not so sure how good it actually turned out. Thanks to all the reviewers, and stay with me. I'm hoping to be able to update more once the holidays are over and done with. Happy Holidays!

Chapter 5: The Old and the New

Rory woke up the next morning ready to start the day. She was completely excited about Dilanie moving in. All the thoughts running through Rory's head made her realize she needed to talk to her mom; let out some energy.

"Hello?" Lorelai answered in a daze from being just woken up.

"Hey mom!"

"Rory? Honey, is everything ok?"

"Yeah, mom everything's fine. What are you doing?"

"Um hon... I was sleeping, you know the thing sane people do at..." Lorelai lifted her head with all her strength to see the clock sitting next to her. "7:00 in the morning!"

"Sorry mom.. it's just that Dilanie moves in today and I don't know I just needed someone to talk to, I have so much energy!"

"Well, hon you're excite... just make some coffee, go get breakfast, keep yourself busy. It'll happen soon enough."

"Thanks mom."

"Your welcome babe, now can I go back to sleep now?"

"Of course, bye mom!"

"Bye, hon!"

Later that day, Rory had just ordered some pizza and chinese food. Dilanie was supposed to be coming any minute. Rory wanted their first night as room mates to be perfect. The buzzer sounded and Rory went to answer, hoping it would be Dilanie. She couldn't take it anymore.

"Hello?" Rory answered with a touch of anxiousness in her voice. She was soo excited to finally get to have a room mate.

"Rory? It's Dilanie... can I come up?"

"Yeah sure, hold on... I'll let you in..."

Rory and Dilanie had finally finished bringing in Dilanie's stuff. They were just finishing getting settled in and were going in the kitchen to eat the pizza and chinese Rory ordered.

"So where did you live before you came to New York?" Dilanie was excited to finally have a room mate to talk to.

"Uhh, I don't think you'll know it. It's a small little town in Conneticut, uhh.. Stars Hollow."

"Conneticut, huh..."

"Yep, my mom's the craziest person you'll ever meet, she lives on caffeine."

"Aah, caffeine addict, got it.."

"Yup, it's her oxygen... so do you have a boyfriend?"

"No... haven't really been looking though.."

"I know what you mean... you can only take so much, guys never know what they want."

"Yup, that always seems to be the problem.. so you don't have a boyfriend either im assuming?"

"Oh no, I need a break from boyfriends ... friends that are boys, now that's ok, but boyfriends... no" Rory tries to keep herself from getting emotional, knowing that since they haven't known each other long, Dilanie would have no idea what happened, so she'd have to explain. Rory didn't want to explain, not now, it's too soon. Even though it had been a whole summer since everything happened with Dean, it was still a sore subject.

"So what's going on tomorrow? Doing anything?"

"Oh, well I was going to go looking for a job, but other than that, nothing's planned...why don't we go shopping or something?"

"Yeah, sure. Sounds like a plan."

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"Hey Dilanie, I'm going to look for a job, I'll be back later..."

"Ok, see you then..."

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"Umm, hi I'm looking for a job, you wouldn't by any chance be looking for someone to hire, would you?"

"I'm sorry miss, but we're not looking for anyone..."

"Ohh, but I'll be a big help. I've read almost every book you could possibly think of... some more than once. I know them inside and out..."

"You know what, could you excuse me for a minute?"

"Of course."

"Jess tell the girl out front we're not hiring, she won't quite talking."

"Yeah, sure..."

While Rory was waiting she was looking around the store at the piles and piles of books sitting around her. She was looking at the shelves opposite the register when Jess came out to make her go. As soon as Jess came out and looked up at the girl he was supposed to make leave, he knew it was Rory.

"I'm sorry, but we're ..." As soon as Jess saw her he knew he'd never be able to just tell her to go. "Looking for someone to hire actually, so perfect timing..."

Rory turned around the second she heard his voice and stood there in shock, not knowing what to say. "Jess?"

"Umm, you can start Wednesday..."

"Uhh, are you sure, I mean he seemed like you guys didn't need anyone new here. I'm just going to go now." Rory walked out of the bookstore and headed for home.

"Wait, Rory. What are you doing here... in New York... looking for a job.."

"It doesn't matter.. I have to go, thanks for the job offer but I'm not sure this job is right for me anyway.."

"Rory, you know this job is perfect for you... don't miss out on my account..."

"Jess, I have to go." Rory turns back to continue walking towards home when Jess starts talking again.

"Rory, I'm sorry... about everything, I've ruined a lot for you and I'll always regret it... just please know I'm sorry and think about taking the job, please... look, here's my number... call when you decide."

"...I will..."

Jess turned back to head to the bookstore when he heard Rory's voice yet again.

"Jess... it's nice to see you again."

As Rory headed back home, she couldn't help but think about how wierd it was to see Jess... after all this time. She needed to go home and straighten out the thoughts that were going through her mind.