Author's Note:Okay! So Rory is back from her Washington trip. But without a word to each other during the summer will things pick up with Jess or will he have moved on?

Disclaimer:I don't own GG or the dialogue that comes directly from the show.

FYI:Some bigger changes will happen in the next few chapters. This chapter is different in smaller ways.

They had agreed the moment Lorelai had picked her up at the airport to ignore the obvious personal problems they both were having. They hadn't talked about Christopher since her mother told her the simple fact that he had left and she'd spent the entire night before leaving trying to convince her mother she wasn't running from Jess.

Luckily Stars Hallow always had ways of distracting them. Rory had barely been home long enough to change before her mother was dragging her into the square to see the festival. She hadn't even taken a moment to really taken in the antics of her fellow townspeople.

"Okay," her mother said, " so, do we do cheese stick, hot dog, cotton candy, or do we mix it up a little – start with the cotton candy and end with the cheese stick?"

Lorelai turned to see her daughter oblivious to anything she had been saying. Rory was looking around the town as if she had never seen it before. Not quite like an outside, who took in all the sights, but more of a general glance. As if she was looking for something specific.

"Who are you looking for?"

Rory turned her head quickly back to her mother. She wasn't trying to be obvious. Lorelai had already teased her about the nice dress she had worn just to walk around town. Searching the streets of Stars Hallow was not something she needed her mother to pick up on.

It had been months, months away and still she hadn't seen Jess. It wasn't like she expected him to greet her at the airport, after all they hadn't even talked during the summer but she still thought he would try to see her when she got back.

They hadn't really discussed anything but it seemed like they had a decent ending. A kiss was some type of promise, wasn't it? Maybe just in her mind. In her sad pathetic mind that could spend the entire summer writing letters to a boy but couldn't bring her to send them.

"No one, I'm just taking in all the madness, that's all."

Lorelai didn't seem convinced but accepted the answer anyway. She knew her daughter had her stubborn streak. Attempting to pull information out of her would be useless. Her only hope would be that Rory may offer the information herself willingly. But the young girl seemed unwilling to truly communicate with her mother.

"Ah." Lorelai gave a feeble sigh.

Rory just nodded. It wasn't even a confident nod. She just wasn't ready to have any of the conversations she needed to be having. There was still so much hidden from her mother. She could hardly tell her that she and Jess had kissed. Rory could only imagine the uproar Lorelai would go into.

When Kirk approached her mother with a question Rory took it as an opportunity to look around. She still couldn't find him. Sure there was the chance he was inside, he could be working, and God knows he would want to be as far away from the madness of Stars Hallow as possible but Rory still thought she could find him.

The summer apart hadn't been anything she expected it to be. She thought the time would clear her head of Jess, give her a second to figure out what everything meant to her. But it was as if he plagued her mind every moment she had been away.

She knew she had liked Jess for a long time. She wouldn't have been secretly spending time with him if she hadn't. But when he left for New York something had changed. She didn't trust the hidden friendship they had. Sure they had stolen kisses but it had hardly been a relationship. He had made a grand gesture by coming back and kissing her.

It was a gesture she hadn't been sure how to reciprocate. The summer away had proven to just be a time of thinking about Jess. And in that time she realized she did want to be with him. She realized she wanted nothing more than to reciprocate the desire he had presented her with at Sookie's wedding.

"Hey." Her mother's voice rang through her thoughts.

"What?" Rory asked turning back and trying to seem interested.

"Do you sometimes think this town is weird or is it just me?"

Rory couldn't even justify the question with a response. The town was insane, but Rory knew her mother loved it that way. If things were normal the Gilmore Girls wouldn't appreciate it as much as they did.

Even if Rory had wanted to answer she didn't have time to. Before she could open her mouth Taylor was walking towards them. And if living in Stars Hallow had taught her anything, no one could get a word in if Taylor was on his way.

"Hey Taylor, is this where the mosh pit starts?"

Rory didn't laugh at her mother's joke. But the faintest smile could be seen playing across her lips.

"Well, hello Lorelai, Rory. So what do you think of the band? Pretty big city, don't you think?"

Rory nodded acknowledging Taylor before going back to her search of the town. She still felt sure that Jess had to be around somewhere. She had been back for almost two hours and he hadn't tried to call. Unless he was working he had to be wandering the town looking for her.

She glanced back towards the diner wondering if she'd be able to see him through the big windows from so far away. She knew how she was acting was silly, maybe even childish. She wanted to apologize for running away, apologize for never sending any of the letters she had written. But most of all she wanted to start things up properly. She and Jess had never really been together, just secret hang outs and stolen kisses. She wanted them to have a chance, a real chance.

Her eyes grazed the town square again, only this time the sight caused her heart to drop to her feet. Jess was there alright, but certainly not looking for her… unless he thought some blonde bimbo had swallowed her. Tongues and hands moved far too much for Rory's comfort. She had played out an entire fantasy while she was away that summer. She had assumed he was doing the same.

It was like she had forgotten to breath. All thoughts had left her and the only thing she could see was Jess, hands cupping the blonde's butt and tongue practically choking her.

"What?" Lorelai asked turning her head to look in the same direction as Rory, "Oh, well, looks like he's got his 'what I did this summer' essay all researched and ready to go. Guess you dodged a bullet there, huh?"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know. I mean you obviously liked him, but you see he doesn't really care."

"See what? What am I seeing?"

Lorelai paused, looking over her daughter and silently assessing the situation. Rory was stiff and doing her best to avoid the thoughtful stare of her mother's eye. How was she supposed to explain to her daughter that Jess with his tongue down the girl's throat had been common over the last few weeks?

"You're upset."

"Why would I be upset? Jess can do whatever he wants, certainly doesn't need my permission."

"Wow, you're really upset." Lorelai said surprised by how irked her daughter was.

"Can we just drop it?"

"Kid…"

"I just don't want to talk about it."

Rory turned away from her mother trying not to look at the couple that had managed to push themselves even closer to the tree if it was possible. She didn't understand –had she made the kiss up? It was just like after the Dean break-up, she was sure Jess had kissed her but would he really have a blonde against a tree if he had? Or maybe her mother was right and he just didn't care.

"Honey, what is wrong?"

"Oh God!"

"What is it?"

"It's that!"

Rory threw her arm up gesturing to the tree. Jess had flipped the girl around so her back was pressed against the tree instead of his. His hands were travelling across her body as if he didn't care that everyone in town could see.

"Jess?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes!"

"Why?"

"No reason."

"You're upset with Jess for no reason?"

"Just leave it."

"Rory, come on. I know you had this crush –"

Rory cut her off quickly. Half of her problems with Jess had come from her not being honest with her mother. Even if Jess didn't care she still did. Lorelai was her best friend, the feeling that being honest could've saved her some heartache ate away at her slowly.

"Mom, you don't know anything about it..."

"Hey now, no matter how pissed off you are don't you take it out on me. If I don't know something it's cause you didn't tell me."

"It's just, it wasn't a crush."

"What Rory? What was it?"

"We've kissed a little bit. That's all."

"You kissed?"

"Yes."

Rory was trying to walk away but Lorelai was doing a good job of keeping up with her pace. Rory had never been able to get away from her mom if Lorelai really wanted answers from her.

"You kissed a little bit… Like you really kissed or you kissed often?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Okay, then. Well who kissed who?"

"What does that matter?"

"Because it matters. Did he kiss you, did you kiss each other, did you trip and your faces accidentally – ."

"I kissed him, the last time. Sometimes he kissed me. I don't know, it doesn't matter."

"Rory, what are you doing?"

"What's with the fourth degree?"

Lorelai stayed quiet for a moment. They continued walking across the square, stopping only when Rory couldn't get passed the crowd of people standing around the street.

"Dean." Lorelai said aloud.

"What about Dean, you know things with him ended." Rory asked confused where her mother was coming from.

"Is Jess the reason why? Were you going around kissing Jess so you and Dean broke up?"

"That's not …"

"I can't believe it. All that time I was thinking, 'She's with Dean.' But you were chasing after Jess."

"That's not fair, or true. I didn't do anything with Jess until Dean had broken things off!"

"Well, obviously you made a good choice there." Lorelai said glancing back at the young couple.

"I don't need you making comments like that."

"Look, kid, you have do something. If you want Jess– go get him, there he is. If you think that's the great love of your life, then great. . .grab a liver treat and a squeaky toy and run to him. Don't worry about that girl because I'm sure he will have moved onto somebody else in about an hour. But do something. Dean was nice, he was kind and loyal and a good boyfriend, I'm not gonna pretend to understand why you broke things with him off–"

"He broke up with me!"

"And how long did it take before you were lip locked with Jess?"

Rory was stunned silent by her mother's accusations. Sure she and Lorelai had argued or disagreed before but she hadn't seen her mom so vindictive about things before. Rory couldn't help but think it was some residual issues over Christopher being taken out on Rory's mistakes.

"That isn't fair. You don't say things like this to me, this isn't how we are. You sound like grandma."

"Well, I can't imagine you waited long since the boy really knows how to move through girls."

"Not fair! You don't even know-"

"Yes, fair, the fairest, the Snow White of fair."

"I don't wanna talk to you about this anymore. You don't even know Jess, you have judged him from the second you met him. I know you liked Dean but he dumped me –he didn't trust me and he dumped me. What happened after that shouldn't matter!"

"Okay, fine you want to make a big mistake fine. Run after the boy who just had another girl pressed against a tree in front of the entire town. I'm just saying you had a good thing and even if Dean is the one who broke up with you this thing with Jess is the reason. Jess is the reason you lost a good thing!"

"Will you just stop already!"

Lorelai locked eyes with her daughter and neither would back down. Rory had been hurt by Dean but all her mother could see was that Dean had loved her and ended things. All Lorelai could focus on was her dislike of Jess. There was a small cough after a few moments. Lorelai broke first to glance over at Dean who was walking up towards the pair. She shot Rory a look as if saying 'this is a sign.'

"Rory." Dean said, he was distant but still civil. "Hey."

"Hi." Rory said trying her best not to break down.

"Hi Dean." Lorelai forced a smile.

"Mom, can we… Can you give us a few minutes?"

"Yeah, I'm off to dinner with the parents. They'll want you to be there after a while. See ya Dean."

"See you later." Rory called after her mom thankful to have gotten her away from Dean.

"So, did I interrupt something?"

"Yes, thank you. We were fighting about our break up."

"That was months ago."

He looked back at Lorelai who was quickly making her way out of the square. Dean didn't understand the rift that had come between the Gilmore girls. Rory was keeping secrets and sneaking around without telling her mother anything. It didn't make sense to him that they'd be arguing over a break up that happened months before.

"I know but I didn't get around to telling her for ages and I don't think she ever really adjusted to the idea. We started arguing about something else and somehow it led into this big fight about me hurting you."

"Rory-"

"I did. You were really nice to me. I should have realized that. I had been telling the truth though, there hadn't been anything between Jess and I but I get it now –what you saw between us. Because I did like him, but I promise you I didn't realize and nothing happened because I really cared about you while we were together. I just –I hate you thinking I didn't care about you enough."

Silence. It wasn't as unfriendly as Rory would have imagined. In fact it seemed like Dean was just taking in what she had said. They stood there and Rory just waited to see what would happen next. She had ruined her relationship with Dean and there was no going back but it was possible that they could have a friendship again. It all depended on what happened next.

"I missed you." He said simply.

"I missed you, too."

She meant it. Not as much as she wanted to but at the moment she missed how he was able to make everything else disappear. She missed how simple and easy things had been with him. Jess could lock tongues with the blonde bimbo all he wanted, because Rory could just as easily find someone to spend her time with.

"Want to hang out? I can skive off dinner."

He looked pained, like hanging out with her would hurt him. But he gave her a small smile despite the sadness behind his eyes.

"Just as friends?"

"Just friends." she said her voice small.

"That might be nice."

And things finally seemed normal again.

It was hours later when Rory finally walked up to the porch of her house and made her way inside. Her mother's car was already parked outside and she knew she might have caused problems by skipping the dinner. But Rory had needed to be away -she'd needed to spend time with someone else, not that spending time with Dean wasn't awkward because it had been -but it was better than fighting with her mother.

"Hey, you're home. Do I want to know what made you miss dinner?" Lorelai asked.

"Nothing important. Sorry, I shouldn't have abandoned you." Rory sighed making her way into the house.

Rory made her way into the living room where her mother was sitting on the couch. She joined her –sitting farther away than she normally would have. Spending the evening with Dean had been nice but she didn't want to think about how difficult things must have been for her mother since she missed.

"Adolf and Eva understood, only because it's you. If I tried to skip they'd have my head. Listen, I'm sorry about this afternoon."

"Me too." She said ignoring the Hitler comment.

Rory could feel herself sink into the couch as she became more comfortable. Anytime she and her mother made up after an argument it was like a weight was lifted off of her.

"What I said wasn't called for. You were right I wasn't being fair." Lorelai said.

"No, it was absolutely right." Rory confirmed.

"I just felt bad that I upset you. I know you wouldn't have cheated on Dean with Jess I shouldn't have insinuated it."

"It's okay, mom."

"So all is forgiven?" Lorelai asked quietly as if she thought things wouldn't be okay.

"Yeah, all's forgiven. How was dinner?"

"How was whatever you were doing?"

Rory couldn't help but smile a little. Obviously however dinner had gone was fairly terrible. She could fight and drag it out of her mom but if she'd learned anything during her relationship with her mother it was that dragging things out of each other could cause more damage than ignoring issues.

"Actually I hung out with Dean for a while."

"Interesting, how are things there?"

"Friendly and a little awkward. But with Jess out of the picture, I don't know maybe we can be actual friends again."

"Dinner was bad." Lorelai admitted.

"Sorry I skipped out."

"It's fine. I knew it would be. You being there may have only made it worse. I had to go to Luke's to cheer up after."

"You made up! How'd you make up?" Rory asked, excited that her mother would finally be able to go in the diner again.

"Well, I'm Mimi now."

"Oh, sure because that's the most logical way to make up with Luke. Sometimes it's so clear where my crazy comes from."

Rory didn't even need to ask what her mother had meant by it. In the back of her mind she wondered if it was a Gilmore trait to just understand the crazy things people in the family said. The moment the words had come from her mother's lips she understood that Lorelai just used a fake name as if it had really made things better.

"So you talked to Dean."

"Not fair, we already talked about me but yes, I talked to Dean."

"So what's going on?" she asked curiously.

"I don't know. I haven't dated a lot and I think Jess got me all confused. You were absolutely right –I had something great and I treated it like dirt. So maybe Dean and I can be friends again, maybe we'll even get back together. I just know that I spent the summer freaking out and trying to get Jess out of my head assuming he was just as strung out. Turns out he would prefer to mate with a dumb blonde in front of the whole town. Maybe I made the wrong choice."

"Oh Rory, I don't want you getting back together with Dean because of me. Maybe just stay single for a while, but being friends is good. Dean could come back to movie nights!"

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

A comfortable silence fell over them for a few moments.

"Plus someone really needs to change the water."

"Jess wouldn't, that's for sure."

Rory scoffed. She had hated knowing that Jess would never be the guy that could just get along with her family easily. He'd always butt heads with her mother and Rory didn't even want to think about him meeting her grandparents.

She wanted to get him out of her head completely but he didn't seem to approve of that. No matter what she was doing Jess managed to sneak his way back into her thoughts. She wanted to let him go so he could just make out with bimbos but clearly she couldn't just get over it.

"Sorry I brought him up at all." Lorelai joked lightly.

"It's fine, mom."

"I really don't wanna upset you or push you in certain directions. Just live your life however you want to and I'll be proud."

"Mom."

"I'm not my mother, I know you'll make mistakes but I won't hold them against you."

Rory felt a pang of guilt. She had been the one to compare her mother to Emily. That had been harsh.

"Mom."

"But maybe don't get pregnant –I'd still love you but just don't."

"Oh my gosh, mom." Rory said her cheeks growing red.

"Whether you keep after Jess, or go back to Dean, or find some new guy the pregnant thing still applies."

"I'll keep that in mind." Rory sighed.

"Do you feel okay?"

"I feel fine."

"If you decide to date Jess despite the blonde bimbo that's fine, I will understand. Get vaccinated though." Lorelai couldn't keep the small quip in.

"That's nice, but really I'm okay."

"Well if you're good want to calm your grandmother down?"

"I'm not that good."

"She's a terror." Lorelai stated.

"She'll calm down eventually. Are you okay –I mean what happened at dinner that could be so bad?"

"Oh I told Emily about the new baby. She's furious that I'll let that stop me from going after your father. I didn't even screw it up this time but she always finds a way to make it my fault."

"I know it's hard –we both thought it was for real this time."

"I'm more mad that he got your hopes up. After all these years I'm used to him disappointing me."

"I'm use to him disappearing, mom. We'll both be good."

"Think the kid'll look like me?"

"It'd be dumb not to."

"Hand me my purse, will you? I'm hungry."

Rory just sighed knowing that her mother would have biscuits or some food in her purse. She'd stopped by Luke's there was no way she came home empty handed. They sat on the couch staring off at the small TV screen never even bothering to turn it on.

A.N. So did you notice the differences? Can you see how changes are starting to affect things?

UP NEXT:Rory talks with her mom after skipping Friday Night Dinner and runs into Jess while on a food run.