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Rory pulled out onto the interstate. She joined the stragglers of other cars and eased onto the highway, free of traffic so early in the day. Rory drove and drove, steering automatically and gliding through the lanes. She put on the radio but barely heard the music. Tinny choruses sang out as Rory crossed New Jersey and her mind was caught on one note.

Rory was approaching Pennsylvania when another sound joined the medley. It took Rory a moment to realise that it was her cellphone, not the radio, and she pulled off the highway and onto a smaller stretch of road. It was bare, punctuated only by a small store, and Rory parked and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey!" Lorelai cried. "I've been waiting and waiting for you to call and I can't wait any longer! How did it go? I'm dying here!"

"Well," Rory said slowly, "I got the job."

There was a pause and then an ear-splitting shriek.

"What? You got the job? Honey, that's amazing, that's incredible! You're on your way back, right? We are going to celebrate all night. I'm so proud of you."

Rory bit her lip.

"I'm not on my way back yet."

"You're not?" Lorelai asked, confused. "But you will be soon, right? Are you taking some time to enjoy New York? I told you you should."

"I'll be back tonight," Rory said, "but not until later. I'm going to Philadelphia. I'm going to see Jess."

There was a stunned pause and then,

"What? You're going to see Jess?"

"I didn't plan it," Rory explained. "I was just really freaked out last night and I called Jess and he gave me some advice about the interview. He asked me to call him after the interview and I wanted to see him, and he said I could. So I am."

"You're going all the way to Philadelphia?" Lorelai echoed. "Just to tell him how it went?"

"Mom –"

"I didn't think you wanted to see Jess," Lorelai said. "I thought things were weird between you two."

"They are, kind of, but I want to see him."

"Okay."

Lorelai's voice was quiet. Rory waited and then said,

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, I'm not mad," Lorelai sighed. "I'm just surprised that you didn't call me."

Rory clenched her fingers in guilt.

"I'm sorry. I was going to, I swear, but then I called Jess and...I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Lorelai said, her voice sounding forcibly calm. "Are you sure you're coming home tonight?"

"We have to go to Grandma and Grandpa's."

"I can tell them something came up."

"Don't do that. I'll be back, I promise. I'll meet you there."

"Alright."

Rory listened, trying to glean her mother's tone. It was too vague and Rory said,

"Mom, I really am sorry I didn't call. I'll totally get it if you're mad at me."

"What? I'm not mad, I promise," Lorelai said, her voice firm. "I'm a little confused but I'm not mad."

"Sure?"

"I'm proud of you," Lorelai said. "I really, really am."

Rory smiled, relaxing her fingers.

"Thanks, Mom."

"Listen, you'd better get back on the road if you want to make it back in time for dinner," Lorelai said. "Drive safe."

"I will."

"And bring me back a Philadelphia cheese steak."

"I'll try," Rory laughed. "Bye, Mom."

"Bye, hon."

Rory turned the phone off and looked out at the street. A little old lady had emerged in front of the store, setting out food and drink on a table in front of her. Rory watched as she stared out at the empty street, hands on her hips and a tired look in her eyes. Rory drove up and bought an apple pie, making her wrinkled face fill with a smile, before turning back onto the highway and seamlessly joining the streams of cars. The radio came back on and this time Rory listened to the music, smiling and singing along in a happy, tuneless way.

Rory arrived in Philadelphia a little after one. She parked her car near where she had all those years ago, feeling a twinge of regret. She turned off the ignition and opened the door, picking up the pie. Rory headed over to the Truncheon, excitement increasing as the sign grew nearer, and she was surprised her hand didn't shake as she pushed open the door.

Jess was standing in the corner of the room. There were a few people milling about in the middle, talking in hushed voices, but they were invisible to Rory as Jess hurried over, a smile lighting his whole face.

"You made it."

"I made it," Rory agreed. His face was mirror-like, she smiled too, and laughed as Jess pointed and said,

"You brought a gift?"

"Pie," Rory said, showing him. "This little old lady was selling some."

"Apple pie to celebrate," Jess remarked. "How very American."

Rory blushed as he grinned, took it from her and put it on a table next to them. He turned and Rory suddenly felt shy as he looked at her and their eyes met. He was wearing a shirt and jacket and Rory felt a little overdressed in her blue blouse and black pants.

"Congratulations," Jess said, breaking the silence. "I knew you could do it."

"You did?" Rory asked. "You knew I could get the job?"

"I didn't know you definitely would," Jess clarified. "But I knew you could do it."

Rory looked at him and the awkwardness evaporated, along with the sense of wrong clothes.

"Thanks," she said softly. Jess nodded and a for a moment they smiled at each other. They stood silently and it was only when the small crowd of people laughed and departed that Rory jumped and Jess said quickly,

"How about a tour of the place?"

"Sure," Rory said, though she had seen it before. Jess led her all around the room, showing the new art pieces that hadn't been there when the Truncheon opened, and all the new books. Rory stood back and sighed.

"This place is amazing."

"I think it's cool," Jess agreed and Rory chuckled.

"I thought you couldn't care less about being cool?"

"Touché, Courtney," Jess teased. "I didn't start it to impress the other kids."

"But it is very impressive," Rory said, stepping forward and staring around. "It's incredible. I feel so inspired, walking around – I want to rush back and make something."

"You can write all about it in the arts paper," Jess said. "Now they've had the sense to hire you."

Rory grinned, her cheeks pink, and Jess said warmly,

"I'm really proud of you, Rory. You deserve it."

"I think I can do a good job there."

"I know you can do a good job there," Jess said firmly. "There's no dispute."

"Thanks for talking, last night," Rory said. "Giving me some advice. I really needed it."

"Natural to be nervous."

"It was more than that," Rory said. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Jess smiled, his eyes shy, and he said,

"Just returning the favour."

Rory looked back and then she was putting her arms around him, placing her mouth on his. Jess took her in his arms, kissing her back and Rory drank him in, closing her eyes. She was a little sorry when they stopped, almost content to have stayed that way all afternoon, kissing in front of the abstract painting. They stepped away, Jess's breath still warm on Rory's lips.

"How much time do you have?" Jess asked, his voice a little breathless.

"A few hours."

"Let's make the most of them. Want to get some coffee?"

"Don't you have to work?"

"I took the afternoon off."

"Oh, Jess, you shouldn't have," Rory said, pleased and guilty all at once. "I didn't want to mess up your day."

"You have not messed up my day," Jess said firmly. "Matthew's taken over my shift and I'll take his tomorrow."

Rory nodded, smiling and Jess grinned.

"Shall we?"

"Let's shall!"

Jess took Rory to a small coffee shop down a side street, away from the main roads. It was cosy and comforting with art on the walls, pictures which were more, Rory reflected, to Richard's taste than those in the Truncheon. Jess ordered two coffees and danishes and they sat in a corner, their only fellow customer an old man intent on the newspaper.

"So how was it?" Jess asked, once their drinks and food had arrived. "Scary as you imagined?"

"No," Rory said truthfully, breaking part of her pastry away. "It was a little at first, when I got there and had to talk about myself, but once that was over with it was okay. They didn't seem as scary anymore. It was like what you said – they're just people."

"People can be freaky."

"They weren't, not once I got talking. They seemed nice. Even the room wasn't that bad. They're like characters, right?"

"Right," Jess agreed. Rory put the pastry in her mouth and as she chewed Jess said,

"You know, you got the job on your own merit, Rory. Your own talents."

"I did," Rory agreed, "but you stopped me from freaking out. It wouldn't have gone so well if I had."

"But you didn't," Jess said. "You got the job!"

"I know. I still can't quite believe it."

"When do you start?"

"A couple of weeks. They're sending me some stuff about it."

"You'll believe it then," Jess remarked. "You're going to take that paper to a whole new level."

"I don't know," Rory grinned. "I still have to find my desk."

"And when you do it'll be immaculate. I remember your desk in Stars Hollow."

Rory laughed out loud and Jess did too, his coffee spilling. The old man looked round in annoyance and he folded his paper and left.

"I feel bad," Rory said, giggling guiltily. "We wrecked his reading."

"I'm sure he'll recover," Jess said, still grinning. "I see him most weeks."

"You come here a lot?"

"Almost every day."

Rory nodded and they fell silent. Rory absently rubbed her finger on the rim of the cup, feeling the small chip in the china still warm from the coffee. It was beginning to rain outside.

"You look happier," Jess said cautiously, "than you were last year."

Rory took her hand away from the cup and said slowly,

"I am happier. I feel better about everything."

Jess nodded and Rory continued,

"I don't feel great all the time. I don't think I can just say that I'm happy now and everything's better. I don't go to see Doctor Moran anymore but I still have her number and I'll probably want to see her again, or someone like her. I probably always will."

Rory stopped, not intending to have said so much, and Jess said,

"I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"Everyone has stuff," Jess said. "We all have to deal with it, it doesn't disappear. You're dealing and that's what's important."

Rory smiled and Jess groaned awkwardly.

"Did I sound like a Lifetime movie?"

"Totally," Rory teased. "But in a good way."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," Rory said, serious this time. "It makes sense. Thanks, Jess."

The corners of his mouth turned into a crooked smile.

"You're welcome."

He reached and took her hand across the table. A warmth spread through Rory's heart and chest and she smiled as Jess ran his fingers around hers. They moved only when the door opened and someone came in, letting in a howl of wind and a rattle of rain. Jess retrieved his hand and said,

"Looks bad out there."

"Yeah."

"I was going to say we could check out the Liberty Bell," Jess said. "I think the weather's wrecked that."

"I hear you can't touch it anymore," Rory said. "Where's the fun in that?"

They grinned at each other and Jess said,

"How about we go back to mine?"

"Sounds great."

They got up and hurried back to the Truncheon, rain beating their faces. Jess led the way up the stairs to the set of rooms and Rory took off her jacket, hanging it on the hooks by the door.

"Do you live here by yourself?"

"I share it with Chris," Jess told her. "He's not here today."

Rory nodded, looking around as Jess put on a pot of coffee. The apartment was small but inviting, filled with books and CDs, pictures and posters hanging on the walls. Rory was still admiring it when Jess said something, making her start.

"What?"

"I said, do you want to borrow a shirt?" Jess asked. "You're soaked."

"So're you."

"Makes two of us," Jess said. "Hold on."

He opened another door and disappeared behind it. Rory took a few steps forward and could see his room through the crack. It was painted blue with a wooden bookcase and Rory hastily moved back into the kitchen as Jess emerged with a clean shirt. He had already changed his.

"Here," he said, holding it out. "You can change in the bathroom, if you want."

Rory took it wordlessly and Jess looked at her carefully.

"What is it?" he asked. "The bathroom's not gross, I promise, not unless Chris has done something I don't know about."

"I'm glad I'm here," Rory said eventually. Jess's face relaxed into a smile.

"I'm glad you're here too."

Rory took a step towards him and he caught her in his arms. The T-shirt dropped to the floor as they began to kiss, pressing their bodies close. Rory tasted the rain on his lips and, as they stopped for breath, she said,

"Jess, I love you."

His eyes lit up, making her smile, and he said,

"I love you, too."

Rory's eyes settled on his and she wanted to say something else, tell him she loved him again, but it was Jess who repeated,

"I love you, Rory. I love you."

He put his hand on her back and Rory started kissing him again. He kissed her back, more passionately this time, and they stumbled into his bedroom, the coffee forgotten. They kissed and kissed and Jess removed her blouse, ripping buttons in his impatience. Rory slid off his own, dry shirt and stepped out of her pants, tripping with him onto the bed. Jess tugged off his own and then started kissing Rory again, reaching behind her and unclasping her bra. She pulled it off and Jess kissed her chest, cupping her breasts and Rory pushed down his boxers, taking his penis in her hands. She ran her fingers over it, kissing it, as he slipped his own fingers inside her. Rory gasped as he rubbed her clitoris, relinquishing him, and then, nodding at him, she lay back and Jess slid inside her. She closed her eyes as he moved inside her, kissing her neck, and Rory held him tightly, wrapping her legs around him. They moved and moved, she kissed him back, and then she came. Rory closed her eyes with contentment and then Jess came a few moments later, sinking down on her chest. Rory held him close, wishing she could save the moment in time. Instead, she kissed his cheek and said,

"I love you."

Jess moved out of her and lay on his side, reaching out to touch her cheek.

"I know. I know you do."

Rory smiled and held his other hand. For a moment she and Jess simply gazed at each other but then he sat up, still with her hand in his. Rory sat up with him and something caught the corner of her eye. She looked to her side to see a digital clock, the numbers just changed, and gasped unhappily.

"What?"

"I have to go," Rory said, almost laughing at the unfairness of it. "I can't believe it, but I have to go."

"Stay, if you want to."

"I wish I could," Rory said ruefully, "but I can't. I have to go to dinner, I have to see Mom. I can't stay. You have to work tomorrow."

"Yeah," Jess conceded. "I don't think I can switch another shift."

They looked at each other resignedly. Rory put back on her underwear, got out of bed and picked up the blouse. Half the buttons had come off.

"I don't suppose you have a sewing kit?"

"Rory, you can't wear that back," Jess laughed. "It's wet through, you'll get sick."

"I don't have time to go home and pick something else out!"

Jess got out of bed too, rummaging through his drawers and emerging with a clean shirt.

"Wear this."

"It's too casual for my grandmother."

"Tell her you spilled coffee. She'll believe that."

"True," Rory agreed, taking it. "Thanks, Jess."

"Anytime. Do you want a shower?"

Rory did. He started to dress too and then gave Rory a towel, showing her where the bathroom was. Rory washed, dried and slid on the shirt. The pants were still wet but there wasn't much she could do about that and, as she went back into the bedroom, Rory noticed the picture of Doula. It rested on Jess's bookshelf now and Rory resisted the urge to go and look at it. Jess had put on a fresh pair of pants and smiled shyly.

"All set?"

"All set."

Jess led the way back down the stairs and Rory followed, a little embarrassed. None of the customers seemed to notice them, however, and they walked freely to the door. The apple pie had disappeared.

"We made someone's day," Jess grinned. "Dumb place to leave it."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You park okay?"

"Right round the corner."

Rory paused and Jess looked at her.

"It's not so long," he said gently.

"I know. It's just – I wish Philadelphia was closer to Connecticut."

"New York's pretty close," Jess said, making her smile. "Drive safe, Rory."

"I will."

Rory opened the door and then turned, giving him one last kiss. Jess took her face in his hands, kissing her heavily, and watched as Rory finally pulled away and walked onto the street. She looked behind her and he was still there, and though Jess had not said it, she heard the words as she got into the car and drove. Rory drove and drove in a daze and it was only when she reached Hartford, pulling into her grandparents' drive, that Rory remembered her mother's cheese steak.