It took barely an instant for him to respond. His hands wrapped around her, clinging her to him. Her arms wrapped around him too as her hands went straight to his hair. They stood there kissing in the doorway for what seemed like minutes.

Rory broke apart first, panting. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "Don't be."

"Maybe I shouldn't have come here," she shook her head too.

His hands loosened on her as he began to think of her regret. "Why did you?"

"I just finished your book and then I found the letter..." She trailed off and he was almost reminded of her speech in Philadelphia after he kissed her.

Jess' ears picked up the last part seconds late. "You found the letter?"

Rory nodded. "I found it when I went to put the pages back in the envelope. They wouldn't go in right, like something was stopping them."

He smiled at the frustrated look on her face as she remembered. His hands tightened on her waist again. "And?"

"I love you, too," she smiled softly. "Always have, always will."

Jess kissed her this time and lifted her inside his apartment. He kicked the door shut behind them and she smiled against his lips. He carried her to the couch and was about to take her further in when she smiled against his lips, causing him to smile, too.

The bedroom door wasn't closed as efficiently as the front door. Neither felt any need to either. He laid Rory down on the bed, their mouths never separating. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her hands moved to his shirt to pull him closer.

He pulled away first, almost worried to mention what he was thinking. "What are we doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" She asked teasingly.

Jess smiled at her. That was something he would usually say. "No, I know that. But what are we doing?"

"We're making up for not seeing each other in over a month," she replied, her legs wrapped around him still.

"Right," he agreed and kissed her again. "I missed you."

"Aww, not used to going that long?" She teased.

"Shut up," he smirked. "You know what I mean."

"I know," Rory smiled. "I missed you too."

Their lips crashed together once again and Jess leaned down closer. His weight rested on his elbows as he hovered above Rory. She wiggled to reach the pillow better and he moved himself to catch up.

They stayed like that for more minutes almost as if they were horny teenagers who finally got the place to themselves. Neither cared and neither stopped. Rory removed her lips from Jess' and started kissing down his neck which caused a groan to sound from his throat.

She smiled against his skin but said nothing. Jess decided it was turn to take over, flipping them so he was on top. She gasped in surprise before she went back to work on his neck. His hands gripped her bottom as he let her do what she wanted.

Rory grinned in triumph as she started kissing his collarbone through his shirt. She sat up straight, straddling him, and commanded, "Off."

"Yes, ma'am," Jess sat up himself and pulled the T-shirt over his head.

Rory nodded. "Much better."

Instead of heading for any of the newly exposed skin, Rory's mouth attacked Jess' again. He kissed her back feverishly, his hands moving higher and placed palm flat on her back.

His position stayed upright as he pulled her flush to him, bare chest to sweater. This time, his mouth moved to her neck and he grinned at his chance. Rory's eyes fluttered as she enjoyed the feel of his lips, sometimes tongue, on her.

His hands moved to the her front, to the hem of her sweater. Jess tugged on it and repeated her demand. "Off."

Rory let out a small laugh as she pulled the fabric over her head. Underneath, she still had a tank top on but Jess didn't care. He loved peeling off each layer. As soon as her sweater was on the floor, his mouth was attached to hers again.

...

Rory took all the pages back together and grabbed the envelope. When the papers wouldn't go back in, she peered inside the yellow pages. Something was stopping the printed pages from going back in and she wanted to know why.

A folded piece of white lined paper sat at the very bottom of the envelope. She reached her hand in to take it out and saw Jess' handwriting scrawled on it. This made her even more curious. Was this a note? Like something to say 'call me when you finish this'?

Hesitantly, she unfolded the paper with shaky hands. Rory couldn't put into words why she was so nervous to read whatever it was he wrote. She just finished his novel for God's sake. She told herself to stop being a baby and started to read it.

Rory -

Right now you're probably wondering what the hell this is. You're probably not wondering about the pages I sent you as compared to wondering about this particular page though. So I'll tell you right away what it is. Its my thoughts, my apologies. Its what I need to say to you but never could.

Eleven years ago, when I came to your dorm, Luke had just given me a self-help book. It was about repairing relationships and being able to earn forgiveness. I guess it's what got him to finally admit his feelings for your mom. I know for me, it was what made me think I can finally deserve yours.

I panicked that night when I saw Dean there. I know its not an excise for asking you to run away with me. It's not even an excuse for anything I said or did to you that night. I went there in hopes of talking to you, to try to make things right. But I knew I screwed up and you were right to say no. I wasn't someone you could count on. At least not yet.

But I do still believe what I said to you. I did know we were supposed to be together since the moment I first saw you. I don't know what it was but the second I peered into your room, I knew my life was changed. I just hope you think it too because if you don't, I don't know if I could handle that.

To really make an apology to you, I have to go further back. I know we talked about some of this stuff when you came to California but I've never been that good with saying words. I was always much better at writing them. Maybe its why I became a writer. Its probably why I'm writing this now instead of just telling you.

When Jimmy came to see me in Stars Hollow, it was like an out. I didn't want an out from you or Luke even but I think I needed one. You really did deserve better, Rory. Maybe you think not, maybe you still say you wanted me and should have gotten the chance to decide. But the me I was then didn't deserve you. Going away led me to rock bottom. I'm pretty sure I needed to hit that before coming back.

I really did want to get to know my father though. I wanted to find out why he left and how could he do that to his child. I don't necessarily think it was a mistake to leave but it was wrong how I did it. I should have talked to you. You'd actually have understood better than anyone considering your father. I will always regret that.

When I saw you on the bus the morning I left, instead of just mentioning I couldn't get prom tickets, I should have told you why. I should have told you I went on line for them and they sent me to the principal's office where he informed me I wasn't graduating.

Strike that as another thing I was embarrassed about. I didn't even tell Luke until we were in the middle of a fight. I was just so disappointed in myself because you always thought I'd be something and there I was, not graduating. And for what? Riding a forklift at Wal-Mart? It wasn't worth it.

I don't think words can ever explain how sorry I am about everything that happened from the second I found out I wasn't graduating to the second I left your dorm room.

I should have made contact the months I was gone. I kept calling and hanging up, you knew this. I didn't know what to say. What could I say? Then you told me goodbye and that you were letting me go. After that, I made my own goodbye to you.

When I came back to town for my car, I shouldn't have run away from you. I still didn't deserve you and I knew talking to you would kill me. I'd hoped you moved on and it wouldn't hurt you as much. I hoped it was only me that still cared.

I think I followed you that night because I knew I was leaving. My car was fixed and it was, at the time, the last time I'd ever see you. I thought it was my last chance. Because even if you never wanted to see me again, if I never saw you again. You needed to know you weren't just another girl to me. You had to know I loved you.

Just like I still do love you. Always have, always will.

I was actually surprised that when I came to your grandparent's home that you seemed happy to see me. Maybe it had nothing to do with me. Maybe it was just nice to see a familiar face in the middle of the stuff happening with your mom. I don't know. But whatever it was, I'm glad for it.

Those two nights, I felt like we were us again. Not the us we were when we were together. Though that us still talked about books and movies and anything, really, anything but what we should have. But it felt like the us we were when we met. When I was falling in love with you and you were with Dean so I couldn't do anything about it.

Then Logan came and I saw the whole thing again. I felt seventeen again. In love with a girl I couldn't have while this other guy somehow got to be with her. It killed me inside to be that guy again.

I'm glad you went back to school and your mom. I think its the first time I helped push someone toward something. Its nice to know I did something good for you for once.

I'm not gonna get into Philadelphia. I'll probably end up making you feel guilty and I think we both know I treated you worse than that. Just know that even after that night, even when you told me you loved Logan no matter what, I still loved you.

I'm gonna skip ahead to recently because this is getting long and this is more than I've ever been able to explain. I'm not sure why I've been such a dick lately. I could make excuses or lie my way through it. I could even say I guess I still don't deserve you but even I know that won't work.

I'll start simple. The part that set me off the most was when you told me about Dean. Not because I'm judging you, god knows I've made some pretty bad decisions myself. But its just that guy himself. I don't think no matter how much I grow up or change, I can't think rationally when it comes to him.

There's his snide comments he made when we were together. About getting you back or saying you had a leash on me that he didn't have to hold back that he had when you were with him. There's the night at your grandmother's where you thought my black eye was from Dean. You remember your words after I said what if he sucker punched me? "Dean wouldn't do that."

And yet he did. Right after that disaster at the party. As much as I'd like to say he did the right thing hitting me after seeing you cry, I can't. Because I was still this fucked up kid and it closed me off when I wanted to talk to you after you left. I know its my fault, too. But he didn't help very much.

I became a jerk to try to hide how I felt. That doesn't excuse it, either and believe me, I'm not trying to. But you do need to know about it. I'm sorry for everything I said. Most of all, about Shane. I was baiting you and I knew it. I shouldn't have and I'm sorry about that.

Maybe I still don't deserve you. Who knows? You could say you do but for some reason, I got lucky. I got you to love me and I don't think you'll make a rational decision when it comes to me.

I guess I should be honored really. You love me too much to let me go completely. I understand it too since its the same thing I felt for twelve years.

Before I ramble on longer (Lorelai would be so proud, wouldn't she?), I'm gonna wrap it up. This could never be enough and I'm not trying to make it be. But I've screwed up a lot in my life. A lot of it has been with you. This is why I wrote this. Not just the letter but the novel.

I've been slowly writing it ever since you can back into my life this summer. I guess the whole book is like a love letter to you. Its for you, to you, because of you. I hope you like it. And I hope I see you soon.

- Jess

Rory was almost crying at the end of the letter. She grabbed her purse and called Leslie then checked with the airport. She had to see Jess immediately.

...

The door shut behind Jess as he walked back into his bedroom. Rory smiled as he brought two cups of coffee towards her. She tucked her legs underneath her and sat up straight.

"You look like you're about to receive a gift," he laughed as he handed her the cup.

Rory stuck out her tongue and eager ily took a sip. "I am receiving a gift."

"Coffee is not a gift," Jess pointed out. "Not even if you buy it for someone in a supermarket."

"All coffee is always a gift," she corrected.

Jess shook his head and drank some of his own. "You're crazy."

"But you love me," she smiled.

"Which must make me crazy too, then," he remarked.

"Crazy in love," Rory laughed at her own comment.

Jess rolled his eyes dramatically which only made her keep laughing. He tried to take her coffee from her when she wouldn't stop. "I think you don't need anymore of this then."

Rory gripped the cup in her hands tightly. "Take my coffee now and we're over."

Jess raised his eyebrow on return, a challenge. "Really?"

"Really," she nodded then pointed between the two of them. "No more of this, mister."

"Huh," he remarked. "Guess I need my shirt back then."

His hands went to the bottom of the shirt she wore, the same T-shirt he'd been wearing when she came to the door. "Nuh-uh."

"If this is over," he pretended to be serious. "I should have my shirt back."

"Nope," she shook her head childishly. "I'm keeping this shirt."

"So we're dividing up clothing now?" He was so close to laughter.

"Just this," she hugged her arms to herself. "Its comfy."

"Then I want something," Jess hoped off the bed and searched the room through the strewn articles of clothing. "Got it."

Rory gasped as she saw that he held her bra. "No. Nonnegotiable."

"Why?" He teased. "You need it?"

"You're such a jerk," she held her lips tightly together so she wouldn't laugh.

Jess laughed at the look on her face and his hand was free again. He climbed back on the bed and took his cup back. "Fine. You can keep the shirt."

"Thank you," she replied triumphantly. She watched Jess for a second before speaking again. "I missed this."

"What?" He put his drink down. "Sex?"

Rory hit him on the arm. "This. Us."

He smiled softly at her. "Me, too."

"Did you mean it?" She whispered. He nodded, understanding what she meant even without the words. "All of it?"

"Every word," he answered.

Rory leaned in and kissed him. Her hands still held her coffee cup and Jess noticed this. His hands came to hers and took the cup out of her hand just to put it on the table.

Her hands rested on his thighs, driving him crazy. He decided two can play that game and placed his own hands on hers. That drove her even more crazy since she only had the T-shirt on.

"I'm not so thirsty anymore," Rory murmured against Jess' lips.

"Funny," he said. "Neither am I."

They both shifted their positions and Jess crawled on top of her. Rory laid down with her hand on the pillow, lips still attached to his. His hands roamed all over her and she let out a whimper that gave him a shit-eating grin.

He had the strong feeling he wasn't going to get much sleep tonight. And for once in his life, he didn't mind being awake all night.

...

Sometime in the middle of the night, Jess snapped awake. He shot right up and looked down beside him in the bed, seeing Rory fast asleep. The blanket had slid slightly down on her, barely covering her breasts. The night was cold so he pulled it up over her and pulled on the first pair of pants he could find.

He walked into the kitchen and filled a cup up with water. Quickly, he drank it down and winced. It felt like ages since he drank anything. The lights were all off and he could barely see where he walked. He had a feeling he should turn a light on but he didn't want to in case Rory saw.

Moving slowly, he made his way to his laptop. The light buzzed it to life as he opened up the document that was his novel. He wasn't sure how long he had sat there, reading and rereading, making sure it was okay.

The footsteps sounded behind him and he didn't turn. "I couldn't sleep."

"Why didn't you wake me?" Rory asked as she made her way to him.

He shrugged and he felt her arms come around him as she stood behind him now. "Wanted you to sleep."

"I wouldn't mind," she kissed his hair. "Tell me. Why can't you sleep?"

"I'm thinking about the book," he replied. "I wanted to see what you see."

She smiled. "I'm not sure you're capable of seeing what I see."

Jess laughed and kissed her hand that was over his heart. "Maybe not. But I just wanted to see how good it is."

"Its more than good," she confirmed. "I think its your best work."

"Nah," he shook his head. "You're just saying that because of what I said about it in the letter."

"No, I'm not," she said seriously as she took her hands off him and turned his chair around. "I'm saying it because it was amazing."

"Really?" He said in a low voice.

Rory sat herself down onto Jess' lap and wrapped one arm around his neck and the other placed her hand on his cheek. "Really."

He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers lightly. Rory smiled and leaned her forehead to his. "This is nice."

"Yeah, it is," she whispered and kissed him again. "Jess?"

"Hmm?" He murmured.

"The other day when my mom called me," she said as her fingers played with his hair. "She mentioned you saying something to Luke about Thanksgiving."

"Right," he followed.

"Would that be something you still want to do?" She wondered.

"Yeah," he shrugged to pretend it wasn't a big deal. "I was actually going to surprise you there and hope you didn't hate it."

"I'd never hate it," she smiled and he smiled back.

Jess kissed her quickly. "I guess this ruins the surprise, huh?"

"Not at all," Rory shook her head. "Now we get to go together."

"That does sound like a bonus," he agreed.

"Jess?" She asked, her thoughts thinking of the letter again since he mentioned it. "Are we gonna talk about it?"

"Later," he kissed her. "Right now, I think we should go back to sleep."

She snuggled closer to him. "I'm good right here."

Jess laughed but rubbed her back anyway. "You may be but I'm not."

"Fine," she pouted. "But you're carrying me to the bedroom."

He stood up from the chair, Rory in his arms and a shriek out of her mouth. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

...

The vibrating sound buzzed loudly and Jess almost jumped. Quickly, he shoved his hand in his pocket and checked the caller's name. He sighed, seeing who it is, and answered.

"Hello, Jen," he said.

"I am so so sorry," she ranted. "I had no idea you didn't know I was working here."

He shook his head. "Its not your fault."

"Don't blame Rory," she said. "I think she was weirded out by the whole thing."

"The whole thing?" He asked. "You mean my girlfriend and my ex working side by side?"

"Come on, you know her," Jen replied. "You think she purposely hides things from you?"

"No," Jess answered without hesitation. "But to say this is a surprise is an understatement."

He heard her sigh on the other end. "Did you let her explain?"

"Of course I did," he replied.

"And then why did you leave?" She asked.

"Because we fought," Jess rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Because I said some things."

"You didn't," she said.

"I did," he nodded.

"You dumbass," Jen laughed. "You're such a dumbass."

"Whoa," he said. "Why is that so funny?"

"Because you've loved this girl for god knows how many years," she explained as soon as her laughter calmed enough. "And you're picking fights over nothing instead of being happy."

"It wasn't nothing," he defended. "I had the right to know you two knew each other."

"Okay, fine," she sighed. "Not over nothing. But over little things then."

"And?" He said. Jen wasn't telling him anything he didn't know already.

"And you need to wise up," she scolded. "Don't lose her over something small."

He thought for a moment, silence daring to speak volumes. "I'm trying not to."

...

Jess rolled over in his bed and reached out. His hands touched air and his eyes opened as he looked at the space beside him. Jess sat up and saw a light coming from the kitchen. "Rory?"

"Yeah?" She called out.

"Where'd you go?" He asked as he climbed out of bed.

He appeared in front of him once he walked out of his bedroom, a smile brightly on her face. "Making coffee."

"What time is it?" He wondered.

"Seven something," she shrugged. "I've been up for maybe ten minutes."

"A gilmore is wide awake at 7 am," he commented and she nodded. "Is this a sign of the apocalypse?"

"I've been up earlier than this," she laughed. "Chilton?"

"Oh, when you were obligated," he nodded with a smirk.

"I still was up," she crossed her arms.

Jess slid onto a chair and sat down. "Uh-huh."

"Be nice or you won't get any coffee," she dared.

That just made him laugh. "I'm sorry. Are you confusing me for you?"

She put out her lower lip and pouted. "Please be nice?"

"Fine," he sighed and pretended to be annoyed. "Put that thing away."

Rory beamed and rushed over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you."

"You know," he raised his eyebrows at her. A contest. "I could be persuaded further into this nice thing."

She nodded as she considered. "I'm listening."

"What do you say we go back in there and work out the details?" He put his own arm around her now.

Rory made a thinking face. "I don't know. I'm not that kind of girl."

"What kind of girl is that?" He asked in a husky voice. "Freshly fucked?"

Her face turned every shade of red. "Jess!"

"What?" He chuckled. "Is that not accurate?"

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "You know the answer to that."

"Damn right I do," he smirked.

"You're such a pig," she laughed.

"You love me."

"Maybe."

"Come on," he said. "Admit it."

Rory started to play with his hair behind his head. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he told her and kissed her lightly.

"Jess?" She asked quietly, all joking gone. "We're okay, right?"

"Yeah," he whispered too. "We're okay."

She gave him a smile and leaned in for another kiss. It was slow and sweet and in Rory's eyes, perfect. "There's one more thing."

"What's that?" He asked curiously.

"If we're going back in there," she pointed to the bedroom. "I need my morning coffee."

Jess laughed and shook his head. "Gilmores."