A/N: I'm sorry it's been so long. I didn't mean that to happen. Also, a warning for extreme cheese ahead. And for me getting used to writing stuff other than dialogue... Thank y'all for reading.

Chapter 4

Rory stirred gently as light fell low on her face. There was a lot less space on her single bed than she was used to and, considering she had also become used to sleeping on double hotel beds as she crossed the country, that definitely wasn't much space. She didn't mind though because even as she shifted ever so slightly, a smell that reminded her of snow and books and smirks intensified. Jess was beside her. He may have been taking up space but to Rory, it was space that had felt wrong when it was empty. Jess' t-shirt was warm, soft and thin enough that Rory could feel the plains beneath with the tip of her nose. She inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to take in this moment, so afraid that in a moment she would wake up again and, again, Jess would be gone. He didn't do that now, Rory assured herself and inched closer to the sleeping man. Now it was Jess' turn to wake, gently and by halves, reaching up to stroke her hair as he breathed: "Rory." That was also when the knocking started.

"Bored now Rory. Bring your man friend out so I can smile at him sweetly."

Rory had frozen at the knocking and her heart had skipped at a beat at the words 'man friend'. Lorelai had seen Jess. How? When? What time even was it? Rory turned to her night table, soliciting a groan from a still-drowsy Jess. It was only 8:45. But, Rory remembered, that meant Luke and Lorelai had been up for at least three hours. Sighing, Rory nudged Jess.

"'M sleep Rory."

"C'mon Jess. Mom will leave any minute than you can sleep again."

Jess turned and leant up on his elbow to look at her, his hair ruffled and his voice still thick from sleeping.

"She never liked me anyway."

Rory leant down to meet him and stare him hard in the eyes.

"Not true. She likes you now."

The knocking recommenced then and Lorelai's voice came sing-songing through the door.

"Roooorrryyyy…"

Jess let out an exasperated laugh-sigh and fell back on to Rory's pillow.

"I see zero evidence for that. She is rousing me from my happy place."

Rory couldn't help herself. A wide grin stole over her face and her mind became completely distracted. Because she too had been roused from her happy place, from lying there with Jess. She couldn't believe how everything finally seemed to be falling into place. She moved closer to Jess, so she could whisper carefully and provocatively:

"I'm your happy place?"

Jess' grin matched her own when he realised what he'd said. And that he'd said it in the light of day, with no shadows or mood lighting to hide behind.

"Kiddo, I am opening this door on the count of three so you two better not be naked."

Rory shook her head, chuckling to herself while Jess groaned some more and made an effort to sit up and look awake.

"One. Two…"

The door swung open to reveal Lorelai posing in the doorway. Rory did her best to look unimpressed but she'd been away from home so long that she hadn't realised how much she missed her mother's high-jinks.

"So not three, Mom."

Lorelai pouted and narrowed her eyes at Rory as she moved into the room with her patented over-played sass.

"Y'know me, I live life to the full." She pulled herself back to her usual standing position and turned to smile at the man in her daughter's bed. "Morning Jess."

Jess inclined his head towards her.

"Lorelai."

Lorelai caught Rory's eye and raised her eyebrows.

"Ever the chatty one huh? I would say it wouldn't expect anything less what with his uncle but Luke did have a lot to say this morning."

Rory looked alarmed and Lorelai chucked evilly in return as she spun to leave the room.

"He found out, I don't know how, but he found out about Jess' overnight stay. I did tell him you weren't teenagers but I still think he's been scarred for life."

Lorelai was in the hallway now, Rory could hear her moving around for her heels, her bag, her coat.

"I'll be at the Inn if you need me. Oh, and Luke did still leave you some pancakes. Despite the scarring."

As the door slammed, Rory could hear the dance in her mother's voice and couldn't help but smile quietly in return, knowing Lorelai would feel it. Jess was here. Her mom and Luke were here. Rory Gilmore was home.