Luke looked up from the counter as the door slammed open ringing the bell more violently than usual. One look at Rory's flushed face and he knew what must've happened. He smiled knowing that this was going to be the start of something good for his nephew.

"Go on up," he pulled aside the curtain to let Rory through, watching as she ran up the stairs to the apartment door. He closed the curtain and went back to wiping tables and refilling empty mugs. Yes, this was going to be a good thing.

Rory was out of breath as she knocked on the door. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to smooth it down but failing miserably. She held the palms of her hands over her cheeks trying to soothe the red blush she knew would be there. She almost lost her nerve and was about to turn and head back down the stairs when the door finally opened.

"Hey," Jess said, a smile lighting his whole face as he took in her dishevelled appearance, settling last on her eyes that seemed to be shining even more brightly than they usually did.

"The edges..." Rory started to speak but Jess had already pulled her into his arms and cut off her words with his lips.

"I guess that kinda makes up for keeping me waiting," he teased her as they broke apart a few minutes later to reoxygenate.

"Only kinda?" she asked him, suddenly feeling shy with him. This was it now, this was their turn. She shivered with nervous anticipation and he wrapped his arms tightly around her again, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Hey, is everything okay?" Jess had noticed the slight change in her. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No Jess, you did everything right. I'm so sorry I kept you waiting so long. Not just today but all these months. I just need to slow down a little bit though okay? Catch my breath."

"Okay," he released his grip on her taking her by the hand instead and leading her to the kitchen table. "Would you like a soda or something?"

"Yeah, sure, thanks," Rory agreed although what she really wanted was to be standing back in the doorway kissing this beautiful boy again.

Jess handed her a drink and sat down beside her at the table. He really wanted to be kissing her right now but was wary of the fact that she'd only just broken up with her boyfriend a few hours ago and he didn't want to push her. It was his turn now and he didn't want to screw it up.

"So how's your morning been?" Rory asked, breaking the silence.

"The usual, got up early, helped Luke out downstairs, annoyed a few customers then took an extra long break."

"I'm sorry I..."

"Hey, we're here together now, that's what matters right?"

Rory nodded in agreement as Jess leaned across the table to kiss her again. Rising from his seat he pulled her up to stand with him, brushing her hair away from her face and looking into her eyes for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, he deepened the kiss and walked her across the room to his side of the apartment. He sunk into his blue armchair, pulling her onto his lap, allowing his hands to roam across her back and down the length of her legs.

Rory pulled away to catch her breath and smiled at the dazed look on Jess's face, happy to know she was affecting him as much as he was her. The chair wasn't the most comfortable place but she knew he would've chosen it so she wouldn't feel pressured. After last night in her room and then this, now, she sure had a lot to think about when she went to sleep tonight but that was hours away and right now she didn't want to stop the feelings Jess was evoking in her. Feeling bold Rory untangled herself from Jess and stood up.

Jess looked at her quizzically but took her hand when she offered it and allowed her to walk him over to his bed. He let his body relax and sink down onto the mattress as she gently pushed him there. He scooted back to get comfortable against his pillows then waited for Rory to join him. He could almost see the conversation she was having inside her head as her features changed from confident to uncertain then, with a shake of her head and a small, shy smile, she kicked off her shoes and settled herself alongside him, snuggling into his chest.

Rory wasn't entirely sure what she was doing she just knew she wanted to feel close to Jess and this right now was feeling pretty close to perfect. She tilted her head back and wriggled up the bed slightly to reach his mouth again, gasping in surprise as he bent down to meet her in the middle. She couldn't help the smile that tugged her lips away from his momentarily and she could feel his lips mirroring hers.

Jess carefully rolled Rory onto her back and slid down beside her, propping himself up on one elbow as he stroked her face with his other hand. He leant down to kiss her again, this time with a fierce intensity reminiscent of the night before in Rory's bedroom, on Rory's bed. The difference being there wasn't anything, or anyone, in their way now. He ran his hand across the base of her back, just above her jeans, enjoying the feel of the soft warm skin there. Rory pulled him closer to her, running her fingers through his hair as he slipped his hand further up her back then around to touch her bare abdomen. He was kissing her neck now and was laying half on top of her when he felt her stiffen beneath him.

"Rory? Are you okay?" he rolled back onto his side to give her some space.

"I...this...you..." she couldn't seem to find the right words.

"We can stop anytime you want," he assured her.

"I'm just not quite ready yet...for that." she admitted.

Jess bit his lip to contain the grin that was threatening to appear when he saw her gesturing to his crotch and the evidence of what that she was referring to.

"Come here," he invited her into his arms. "I will never make you do anything you're not ready for. I won't lie and say I'm not thinking about it, but I won't ever force you Rory. I could never hurt you that way. I love you."

Two sets of eyes opened wide one set in alarm the other in surprise. Jess jumped up from the bed and paced the room shaking his head at his slip up.

"I'm so sorry Rory, I didn't mean to say that." Jess hung his head embarrassed and ashamed, unable to meet her eyes.

"But did you mean it?" she came to stand in front of him, taking his hands in hers, forcing him to look at her.

"Classic parapraxis?" Jess tried to shrug the moment off but Rory threw her arms around his neck and kissed him reassuringly.

"Thank you Jess," Rory whispered in his ear. She would repeat his words one day but not today.

"You won't tell anyone will you?" Jess asked, still feeling awkward.

"And ruin your bad boy image?" Rory teased, trying to lighten the mood again.

"Wouldn't want to do that now would you? Trading in the bag boy for the bad boy will make a compelling addition to your memoirs, we don't want to mess with that." Jess began to relax again.

"I did mean it though," he admitted.

"I know," she replied, smiling.

They stood there next to the bed holding each other, Rory's head resting comfortably on Jess's shoulder, his cheek cushioned by her hair, each with their own thoughts running through their minds. This was a step into the unknown for both of them. Whatever else happened between the two of them, at least they knew this part worked.

A/N and that's the end of this little story. Thankyou to everyone who has read this and especially to those who took the time to review. As for what happens next, I'll leave that up to you :) I've just started another new fic "It Started With A Text" if you'd like to check it out -Literati as always :)