Chapter Twenty Seven

'What are you thinking?' Lorelai asked glancing across at her daughter.

'Of being 17 again and starting over. Getting things right this time.' Rory said looking down at her cup of coffee.

'What would you do different?' Lorelai asked pulling the fridge open. Noticing there was nothing inside and going back to the table.

'For starters I wouldn't have strung Dean along. I liked Jess from the moment I first met him. I wouldn't have wasted time playing games. Goodness knows if we hadn't had the accident back then I may not have broken up with Dean.' Rory said shaking her head. 'I was upset about Jess and that made me see clearly for the first time that I loved him. I just wish I could have seen it earlier.' She added.

'Do you think my parents would have acted differently if you two had been together longer?' Lorelai asked. Not believing it herself.

'No. I would have had more time with him though. Or things might have been different. I may have been with him when he got the note. I may have never took him to meet them. I, oh I don't know I just wish I hadn't lost so much time.' Rory said standing up.

'Going somewhere?' Lorelai asked as she watched Rory grab her bag.

'Hmm. Jess is leaving tonight so I just want to go find him. Hang out for a while.' Rory replied distractedly. Leaving the house she walked straight to the bride. There he was. Sat with his book. The familiar sight brought a tear to her eyes. Quickly she wiped them away and went to sit with him.

'Your timing is perfect,' Jess said setting his book down 'I just finished reading the book.'

'I always have been good at turning up on time.' Rory said.

'So you start back at Yale tomorrow?' Jess asked her. Already knowing the answer but unable to think of anything else to say.

'Yeah. I'm kind of nervous though. It's been a while.' Rory said looking into the water.

'You'll be brilliant. So you moving into dorms?' He questioned.

'Moving in with Paris. She rented a place near campus.' Rory answered looking over at him. 'Jess?'

'I live in Philly..' Jess replied knowing where she was headed.

'I know, but don't you think maybe it could work?' Rory asked desperately.

'I don't know. It's been so long Rory. It's so far apart. You will be busy with your studies and when your not you'd have to split time between here and Philly. I have the publishing house and writing my new book. I won't get that much free time. It's over 3 hours drive.' Jess said.

'I know…so maybe it wouldn't work.' Rory admitted. 'We would end up fighting. It's probably better that we stay friends.'

'Yeah…' Jess agreed struggling to get the words out. 'So I should probably hit the road if I'm going to make it back before dark.'

'OK. Well drive safe.' Rory said getting up to leave.

'Please don't just say drive safe.' Jess said standing in front of her.

'I don't know what else to say.' Rory said trying not to cry.

Jess leaned forward and kissed Rory softly. He was the first to pull away.

'What was that?' Rory asked looking up at him through tear filled eyes.

'That was goodbye.' Jess replied walking off.

A/N- OK so the next part of the FIC will be the last part! I do however have plans for more Gilmore fiction in the weeks to come. I hope you all liked this part and will enjoy reading the final instalment.