Rory dialled the number and waited as it went to answer machine. Damn it.

'Hey. It's me. Rory. Look, I know it's kinda late but I really need you. I er…call me.' She stifled a sob.

Within a minute her cell phone rang. It was Logan.

'You okay Ace?'

'No.' she replied, the sound of his voice almost sending her over the edge. 'I'm the opposite of okay.'

'I'm coming over.'

'No. No, I'll be fine. It's late. You should sleep. I just wanted to hear your voice. It's been a crappy day that's all. I'll be okay.'

'You sure? You say the word and I'm there.'

'I'm sure.' She said as if trying to convince herself more than him.

Hanging up, she curled up in her bed, hugging her pillow tight to her chest. She hated herself for what she had done to Andrew. She had really hurt him, but she couldn't have married him. There had been no other way, but she still hated herself.

She woke late the next morning, following a deep but unrestful sleep. Moving through to the kitchen she was relieved to find that her mom and Luke had already left. Pouring herself a coffee she slumped on the sofa. Her cell phone beeped. It was Olivia.

'Hi Olivia' she began the first of many awkward conversations of the day, telling all her friends not to bother making the trip to Stars Hollow as there was to be no wedding. All had been supportive, with the exception of Paris, but that was to be expected. She had met the news with an outraged reply of 'You really are clinically insane Gilmore.' But had vowed to be in Stars Hollow within twenty four hours. 'I have to be there for a friend in need.'

'Hey kid how are things?' Lorelai returned home from work with Luke's coffee and apple tarts.

'Ok. Paris is on her way.'

'I'll ask you again later.' Lorelai passed her an apple tart, which she devoured hungrily, having not eaten all day. The pastry unleashed her hunger, so she made her way to the fridge to find something edible. She sniffed a few cartons of leftover Chinese food.

'Ugh! How long has this been in here?' she handed it to her Lorelai who sniffed it.

'Ugh. Last Tuesday? Or Monday? Maybe with a splash of sauce or relish?'

Rory pulled a face.

'You up to Luke's or shall I order a pizza?' Lorelai threw the offending carton away. Rory considered her options for a moment. Hiding away here did sound like an attractive option, but she would have to face the world eventually. No time like the present.

'I'll just grab my jacket.'

'Okay. You might want to run a brush through your hair.' Lorelai suggested. 'And a little lip gloss?'

Rory had neglected her appearance today. She had only just managed to change from her pyjamas.

As they strolled through the town towards Luke's, Rory became aware of everyone's hushed tones and stares.

'Do you think they know?'

Lorelai pondered this for a moment. 'How could they hon? Aside from us, only Luke, Andrew and Logan know and I doubt any of those will be shouting their mouths off.'

Passing by Doose's she was met with sympathetic glances.

'They know.' Concluded Rory 'I don't know how but they know.' The townsfolk must have some special intuition about this kind of thing. Either that or Taylor Doose had Big Brother style screens holed away.

Seeking refuge at a corner table in Luke's, Loreali ordered at the counter to keep attention away from her daughter.

'How are you holding up doll?' Babette asked with pitying eyes.

'I'm fine thanks Babette.' Rory wished the ground would open up and swallow her.

'Morey saw him leaving last night. All his bags packed. Such a crying shame. Only days before the wedding.'

That explained how everyone knew. At least they didn't know the extent or the full details of the break up. Yet.

Miss Patty joined the conversation.

'Plenty more fish in the sea Rory. It will all work out fine. You'll see.'

'Thanks Miss Patty.' Rory now regretted her decision to leave the house. She should have remained there for at least another year or so. Just when she thought she couldn't take any more pity, Lorelai came to the rescue.

'Move along ladies there's nothing to see.'

A little disgruntled, Miss Patty and Babette returned to their table.

'You okay?'

'I can't stand the pity. I don't deserve their pity. I'm the one in the wrong here. I have no right to be pitied. People should be pitying Andrew not me.'

'Way to overuse the word 'pity' kid.' Lorelai tried to diffuse the tension with humour.

Rory forced a smile.

'Good afternoon ladies, can I interest you in a beautiful Stars Hollow calendar?' it was Kirk with Kirk Jnr sitting snuggly in his baby carrier, fastened to Kirk Snr's front.

He passed them a sample calendar to look at.

'Beautiful pictures Kirk.' Rory was glad of the interruption to her problems.

'Thanks. I took them myself.'

'But Kirk, it's June. The year is half over.' Lorelai flicked through the calendar.

'Yes, which is why it's twenty percent off. Now, it can be yours for the small price of $3.'

'Surely it should be fifty percent off.' Rory attempted to reason with him, but then realised that it was Kirk after all and any attempt was bound to be futile.

'Yes, but if I took fifty percent off, I'd practically be giving them away. Plus it is for charity, so people generally don't mind paying that little bit extra.'

Lorelai looked at him. 'There's no charity is their Kirk?'

'No, you got me.' He admitted. 'Babies aren't cheap though.' He signalled to Kirk Jnr who was contentedly sleeping.

'He's a cutie.' Rory cooed at the baby. 'I hear you were the hero of the hour.' She was intrigued and happy at anything, which kept conversation at a safe distance from her own troubles.

'I forgot. You're new in town.'

'I'm not new in town Kirk, I just – oh never mind.'

'Yes. I delivered this little one. I tell you, those videos they show you have nothing on the real thing. I typically have a stomach made of iron. Runs in the family you see, but the sight of all that blood, and the screaming.'

'You threw up.'

'No.' he sounded insulted at the suggestion. 'I passed out as the ambulance arrived.'

Rory resisted the urge to smile.

'It's perfectly common.' He continued.

'I'm sure.' Rory fished in her purse for $3. 'Here Kirk, I'll buy a calendar. I get homesick for this place sometimes.' They exchanged money.

Kirk looked at Lorelai expectantly.

'Hey if I want to see a stunning Stars Hollow vista, I just step outside my door.' Defeated, Kirk moved onto his next target.