Rory knocked on the basement door several times.

"Jess, I know you're down there. Please open the door." She called. Finally, she opened the door and let herself in.

"You know.." Jess began as he met her half way up the stairs. "When someone doesn't open the door, it usually means they don't want to be bothered."

"I got grounded…" Rory spat.

"Grounded?" Just asked suddenly interested. "What evil thing did you do that would make your mom ground you? Break one of your barbies?"

"It wasn't evil. It wasn't anything." Rory ranted. "A friend from Chilton brought me home in his car, and mom and Luke both pulled a mommy dearest."

Jess walked back down the stairs and Rory followed.

"So, you found a new boyfriend just like that, huh?" Jess asked. "Not surprised, really."

"Tristan isn't my boyfriend. He just gave me a ride home."

"So, you're telling me, that some guy who you've known for what, 4 days? Drove forty-five minutes here and back, out of the kindness of his heart?"

"I don't know why Tristan offered…" Rory defended.

"Okay, well, here's a better question. Why did you take him up on his offer?" Jess' eyes narrowed.

"Because, the bus ride is long and boring and lonesome and it sounded like a good idea at that time. But obviously, and as everyone has pointed out, it wasn't a good a idea."

"Look, what's going on with us, huh? Are we a couple or not?"

"Jess…"

"No, I want to know. We've been acting like a couple for months, but it doesn't mean anything to you does it?"

"What happened to just taking things slow and see where we end up?" Rory asked.

"That all kind of went out the window when you hopped in the car with another guy." Jess replied. "Let me guess… this time it can't be grades or personality… so what could it be? Ah… Money." Jess began. "A car." He continued. "Tell me, does he bare a resemblance to Brad Pitt? Cause if you say yes, then I'm out right now.'

"Shut up!" Rory sneered.

"Then again, you're no Jennifer Aniston."

"Stop it! You're acting just like you used to."

"And so are you!" Jess replied. "I can't believe I thought I was getting through to you." Jess walked over to his desk and pulled out a stack of papers.

"Why is this my fault? What have I done?" Rory's voice became higher.

"Just say it." Jess turned his head back to the girl. "You love me. You want to be with me. But it can never happen… and that makes it all the better for you. All the excitement would go away if it were condoned by Luke and Lorelai or the entire town for that matter. No, you like it just like this… I'm here whenever you want me, but as soon as some guy with a cheesy smile and blue eyes comes along you're gone. Well, you know what, Rory. This time…. I'm the one who's leaving." He shoved the papers under Rory's face.

"What is this?" Rory asked as she noticed a government seal. She grabbed the papers. "Jess, you can't be serious… The navy?"

"I am serious." Jess replied smugly.

"Whatever…. You wouldn't make it a day in the navy. They yell at you, you know. They give you orders… and you Mr. James Dean, don't do well with taking orders."

"I'll deal." Jess replied as he grabbed the papers out of her hands. "I figure if you can take off to Chilton and live your new life, then hell, I might as well give it a shot too. I'd fair no better anywhere else."

"So, what… you're just gonna quit high school? Give up on college?"

"I never cared about high school, and I never wanted to go to college. That was all your idea." Jess jerked a duffel bag out from under his bed.

"Are you packing?" Rory asked, unable to believe her eyes.

Jess didn't answer.

"Let me guess, you're running off in the middle of the night to join the navy?" Rory replied sarcastically. "Wow, have I ever told you that your mindset amazes me?"

"I'm leaving in the morning…" Jess replied.

"How long have you been planning this?"

"A couple of weeks…" Jess grabbed some shirts from his drawer.

"Luke or mom haven't said anything…"

"Why would they. They don't know."

"Oh, my God…"

"If you haven't figured it out by now, I don't go around spreading my personal business. I can take care of myself and I don't need anyone butting in. I've met with a recruiter twice this week, I've been to the doctor and had a physical… all I have to do is take the first bus out of Stars Hollow tomorrow for Maryland."

"Maryland?"

"Boot camp is there… I'll be there for a few weeks before they I actually become a soldier." Jess continued packing.

Rory slowly sat down on the bed. "You are serious…."

"As a heart attack." Jess nonchalantly replied reaching around the girl to grab his toothbrush and comb.

"I don't understand… how can they just take you without Luke's permission."

"Permission?" Jess nearly laughed. "Luke is my uncle, Rory. He's not my dad. I haven't seen my dad in fourteen years, no phone calls, emails, or birthday cards… my mom is dead… and I am officially emancipated."

Rory wasn't sure what emancipated meant, but if it was anything similar to history it meant something along the lines of Jess was free or independent.

"Jess, you can't just leave…" Rory's voice was tender and sincere. "I know things are rough, but… this isn't the answer."

Jess ignored the girl's soft voice and warm words. He had already made up his mind that even if she begged him to stay, he'd still say no. He was tired. He had been a slave for too long. Anything, even taking orders and being treated like dirt for six weeks, was better than facing Rory every day.

A quick sniffle escaped from Rory's small body. Jess looked up to see the girl raise from the bed and rush off up the stairs. He sighed heavily, and zipped up his bag. He knew he'd never get any sleep tonight, but perhaps he could sleep some on the bus tomorrow.