Thanks for the feedback! Happy New Year!

The next day Rory went to Lane's. Lane had stayed in Stars Hollow with Zach and the twins and was pregnant again. The baby was due in January and Lane was already more than sick of the wait.

"I wish there was a fast forward button," her friend complained. "Pregnancy's the worst."

"At least you know what to expect," Rory had comforted weakly. "You're prepared this time."

Lane had let out a snort.

"That makes it worse," she had said. "And I swear this one is giving me twice as much morning sickness, which is a real cosmic joke as it's not even twins this time. Wake me up when it's time to give birth!"

Rory had a sneaking suspicion the pregnancy wasn't planned but didn't like to ask. She made her way up Lane's path and, as she neared the house, the sound of drum beats assaulted her ears. Rory knocked on the door three times and eventually went around to the window where she waved to her friend, startling Lane so that she almost fell off the stool. Rory waited and it was a guilty smile that she said,

"Sorry."

"That could have been ugly," Lane said, slowly moving aside so Rory could get past. "I totally forgot you were coming over."

"Now that makes me feel special."

Lane laughed and hugged Rory, her growing stomach between them.

"I'm sorry," she said, leading her into the living room. "The twins are at Mama's and this is the only time I get to practise – probably the only kind of time I'll get before the baby comes."

"That's okay Lane. How's it been?"

"Tiring," Lane grimaced. "But I'm good. Do you want a coffee or something?"

"Hey, sit down and let me make it."

"I've been sitting down for an hour. Let me before I'm so big I can't get up."

Rory laughed and nodded. Lane went into the kitchen and, as Rory turned to the couch, saw that the twins had been at work and had littered it with toys, books and several musical instruments. Rory lifted everything up, unsure where to place the pile and smiled as she saw Lane's spare drumsticks amongst the toys. It seemed the twins were taking after their mother already.

"Oh no," Lane groaned, coming back into the living room. "The boys took the sticks again?"

"And the cymbals," Rory said, lifting them up. Lane rolled her eyes, taking them in her free hand.

"Great."

Lane gave Rory a tired smile and sat down on the space Rory had cleared. Rory put the rest of the mess on the floor and sat beside Lane, who looked at her sheepishly.

"Hey. Sorry to offload the minute you come through the door."

"I'm your best friend, it's my job."

"Thanks," Lane said. "And my job is to ask how you are. How's it going?"

"It's okay. It's good being home. New York can get way too busy."

"I bet it's quieter though," Lane joked, looking nervously at the front door as though the twins were bursting through it. "

"It's good. Busy."

"It sounds exciting," Lane said wistfully. "Did you write that article you told me about? Did you use the list of bands I gave you?"

"Not yet. They pushed it back a week."

"That's too bad. I guess it gives you more time to prepare it."

"Yeah, I guess."

Rory smiled and Lane asked,

"Have you done anything cool? Living in New York looks immensely cool."

"I keep telling you, it's a lie perpetuated by the movies."

"It has to be a little bit cool."

"It is, but I've been working so much I haven't had time to go out and do anything that exciting."

"I'm sure anything is more exciting than Taylor's new leash law campaign."

Lane rolled her eyes and Rory chuckled.

"I don't know," she said, kicking away a toy which had tangled around her foot. "I go out for drinks with the people on the team sometimes. I caught up with Jess the other day."

"What?"

Rory looked at Lane whose mouth had fallen open.

"And you leave this until last," she scolded. "After making a big deal about nothing exciting ever happening in New York and then you tell me you saw Jess! Rory!"

"Lane!"

"Come on, Rory! Why wasn't that the first thing you said?"

"I didn't want you to make a big deal," Rory said, glancing away. "It's Jess."

"A big deal?"

"Yes, like the one you are making!"

"Sorry!" Lane said in exasperation. "But it's Jess!"

"I know!"

"It's Jess! You haven't seen him since you had that fight and you barely told me what happened there and now you just casually met up with him the other day? Rory!"

"I –"

"It's Jess!"

"I know, I was there!"

"But this is big, Rory! God, you two were addicted to each other! I swear –"

Lane caught herself and Rory asked dangerously,

"You swear what?"

"Nothing, forget it."

"Lane, tell me."

Her friend sighed. She paused for a moment before saying,

"I swear you could get back together with him."

"Lane."

"Hear me out, Rory. I know what you're going to say. I know you went out with him years ago, when you were just kids, but you always seem to come back to each other. He asked you to run away with him."

"That's –"

"I know, it was crazy, it was dumb, but he came back. And he came to see you after God, how many years? To tell you he wrote a book? And then went all the way to Philadelphia to his open house and then you went to him when you were fighting with Paul and now you're friends with him again..." Lane's voice trailed off in thought. "Rory, it's not so crazy to think something could happen, is it?"

Rory shrugged, looking at her hands and Lane asked,

"What did happen, anyway? When you went to his place last year?"

"I told you, nothing."

"Something must have. You clam up whenever I mention it."

"Lane, I've already been through this with Paris. Nothing happened. There's nothing exciting to tell."

"I know something did. You're so secretive about it. Have you even told Lorelai?"

"Lane, I don't want to talk about it!" Rory said, snapping her head up. Her voice was almost a yell and Lane looked hurt as she said,

"Sorry."

"No," Rory said, hating the look she'd put on her friend's face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you Lane, I'm sorry. I was being a jerk."

"You're not a jerk," Lane said quietly. "It's just – I'm your best friend Rory, or I'm supposed to be."

"You know you are."

"Okay, so don't best friends talk about stuff like this? It's what we're here for. I miss you Rory. You live all the way out in New York City and I know it's not that far, but it may as well be California for me. I never left Stars Hollow, I've never lived anywhere else and I can't just drive to see you."

"Lane –"

"Rory, I'm not mad at you. You know I'm happy for you, I just miss being able to talk like we did."

"I miss that too."

"So then talk," Lane said. "Even if it's mundane, I'm starved for entertainment here."

Rory laughed and Lane added apologetically,

"But not if it's private. If you don't want to talk about Jess it's not my business. Even if I am bored."

Rory smiled and said,

"Lane, I promise nothing happened and if it did I'd be the first to tell you."

"Well, I don't think Jess would."

"That's not what I meant. I mean, I promise I'd tell you. I don't want to talk about it because we yelled and it was horrible."

"So was it horrible seeing him last week?"

"No," Rory said thoughtfully. "It was fun. It was kind of nice."

"It wasn't weird?"

"It was, but not in a bad way," Rory said. "We just got coffee and talked."

"You didn't talk about the fight?"

"Not this time."

"Do you think you'll see him again?"

"Yeah," Rory said self-consciously. "I think I will."

She grinned as Lane smiled in excitement, making her laugh out loud and as they giggled Rory felt eighteen again. They drank their coffee, exchanging news about Zach and the twins and Luke and Lorelai and finally Rory said,

"I've got to go. I promised I'd meet Mom for lunch."

As she spoke the front door flew open and two very small boys shot through it, screaming with delight to see their godmother.

"Aunt Rory! Aunt Rory!"

"Save yourself!" Lane laughed. Rory ignored her, took the twins in her arms and it was only when Mrs Kim came in with a care package, condemning Rory with her eyes, that Rory reluctantly got up and got her purse.

"I'll call soon," Rory promised. "Bye guys. Goodbye, Mrs Kim."

"Goodbye," Mrs Kim said coldly. "Lane! These muffins are only good for twelve more hours. We shall make tea."

"Bye," Lane said, carefully walking her friend to the door and, in a lower voice, "Wish me luck."

Rory grinned and waved. She checked her cellphone for messages and her eyes widened as she saw she was seriously late. Rory ran the remainder of the way to Luke's and fell, panting, onto a chair two minutes before her mother arrived. A glance behind the counter showed Luke wasn't even there to supply coffee, only Caeser, who was talking to Miss Patty.

"Wow, you have been away too long," Lorelai commented. "Don't you know I'm the one who's always late? Paul Anka got out all my blankets, I think he was trying to make a fort. He forgot the pillows."

Rory grimaced, unable to catch her breath. Lorelai sat down beside her and took the advantage of her daughter's silence to ask,

"So how's Lane?"

"Great," Rory said, her throat unsticking. "Tired. She wants the baby to be born."

"I know that feeling. Trust me, once Lane's had a month of sleepless nights she'll regret that statement."

"I'd keep that to myself if I were you."

Lorelai grinned. Rory dug into the purse, grabbing her water bottle and as she gulped down the cool liquid Lorelai asked,

"So did you tell Lane about Jess?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"What did she say?" Lorelai asked, ignoring her daughter's tone. Rory shrugged.

"She was surprised, I think," Rory said. "She asked if I was going to see him again."

"And?"

"And yeah, I guess."

Rory deliberately picked up her bottle to stop answering. Lorelai watched her drink and said,

"You know, Luke's not going to be too happy about you drinking water you got from a store."

"Well, I wouldn't have to if he brought us some coffee," Rory retorted. "Where is Luke, anyway?"

"Hey, I'm his girlfriend not his messenger."

"Really? I thought you'd want to know where the source of your coffee was at all times."

Lorelai laughed and as they chuckled the door swung open and Luke came in, a large bag of coffee beans in his arms.

"Aw, for me?" Lorelai asked happily. Luke rolled his eyes and said gruffly,

"They're for the customers."

"I'm your best customer!"

"Customers who tip."

"But I'm your girlfriend," Lorelai said, fluttering her eyelashes in exaggeration. "Shouldn't I get a free cup?"

"If I gave you free cups you'd drink this whole bag and die of a caffeine overdose."

"Impossible," Lorelai scoffed. "Don't you know me at all?"

"That's the problem," Luke grumbled. "If you'll excuse me, this bag needs to go in the back before I drop it and, if the past is any clue, you'll start scooping the beans off the floor."

"Hey, you do know me!" Lorelai called in delight as Luke struggled into the back. "Bring us some coffee while you're out there, would you?"

Luke shouted something about clogging arteries and Lorelai giggled, turning to Rory.

"He loves it."

"Oh, sure."

"Hey, he leaves a bag of beans at the house at least once a week. I'll be able to climb a mountain of them soon."

Rory smiled. Ever since Luke had started seeing her mother again there were traces of him everywhere in the house. He hadn't moved in yet but there were constant souvenirs he had left behind; socks, shoes and his toolbox, much to Lorelai's delight. She made a filthy joke about it every time. Rory was glad to see her so happy but it made her feel strange to go back home, a reminder that it was almost his home rather than hers. The only room untouched was her own.

"Heart attack, heart attack," Luke said, making Rory jump out of her musing. "Enjoy."

He placed the cups on the table, making the liquid jump, and as Rory lifted her coffee to sip he sighed and shook his head.

"I tried to stop this. You're as hooked as your mother."

"Hey, you say it like it's a bad thing," Lorelai commented. "Kiss?"

He pecked her on the cheek, looking shyly embarrassed, and as they smiled Lorelai's cellphone went off.

"Outside!"

"But –"

"The sign is law!"

Luke's blush faded instantly and Lorelai made a face at him as she went out, shutting the door hard before her. Luke and Rory glanced at each other, unsure of what to say.

"Hey," Luke said awkwardly. "How's it going?"

"Good," Rory said, shaking herself. "I'm good."

She got up and hugged him, already dreading his question. It came as soon as she sat back down.

"So you saw Jess?"

"Yeah," Rory said, trying to sound normal. "It was nice."

"And...it was okay?" Luke asked hesitantly. "Me giving him your number?"

"It's no big deal."

"Because I didn't know it was okay," Luke said uncomfortably. "I didn't want – I didn't mean to make things hard."

"Luke, it was fine."

"I know you guys have – well, you know. I didn't...I'm sorry if I did the wrong thing."

"Luke, I promise it was okay," Rory said earnestly, making herself look up. "It was fine and you didn't do anything wrong, I swear. I liked seeing him."

Luke smiled a little and opened his mouth to ask something. He closed it again and, as Rory frowned, he said in a rush,

"How is he?"

"He's fine," Rory said gently. "Jess is doing great."

"Well, good," Luke said, sounding relieved. "Not that – I know he can take care of himself but he doesn't call that much."

Rory wondered what they talked about when they did. She wondered if they ever mentioned her, and what Jess had said and an unwilling blush covered her cheeks.

"Rory, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Rory said quickly. "It's nothing."

"I'm sorry if –"

"Luke, it's okay," Rory said, urging the redness of her cheeks to fade. "I'm just warm, that's all."

"It's all that coffee," Luke joked. His eyes were still disbelieving but he asked unsurely,

"Rory, when you – if you – if you talk to Jess again would you tell him that..."

His voice trailed away and Rory smiled.

"I'll give him your love."

"Don't say it like that," Luke said, sounding embarrassed. "Just tell him I say hello."

"I will. I promise."

"Only if you see him," Luke repeated. "Tell him that."

Rory nodded and Lorelai emerged, breathless.

"Sorry," she said. "Soufflé disaster at the inn but I think Sookie has it under control. She's running interference with maple pancakes. What did I miss?"

Luke and Rory looked at each other for the briefest moment and Luke said quickly,

"Just catching up with Rory. How's work going? I forgot to ask about that."

He pulled up a chair and Rory launched into a description of the paper, relieved that her mother had come in when she had. Luke sat with them until they clamoured for cheeseburgers and then their talk turned to Sookie and seeing her for dinner that night. Jess was not brought up again and Sookie's house was so busy with Davy, Martha and little Ellen that no one asked, and Rory was relieved not to volunteer the information. On Sunday afternoon she packed her bag and sadly kissed her mother goodbye.

"Drive safe," Lorelai said, hugging her. "No stopping for Hells Angels on the way."

Rory burst out laughing.

"Isn't that something you would do?"

"It's my plan for the next trip," Lorelai teased. "Along with a tattoo. Goodbye, sweets."

"Bye, Mom. Love you."

Rory kissed her one last time, patted Paul Anka who had come out to see and stepped into her car. As Rory drove away, her mother diminishing in the distance, she bit her lip. The feeling of turmoil was familiar in the twist in her stomach and Rory drove steadily, turning on the radio. She was glad and sad all at once: sorry to be driving away from her home and best friend and relieved to going back to her own apartment and New York. The roads were clear and aside for a stop for a coffee break Rory was home within three hours. She showered, changing into looser clothes, and as she turned on the percolator her phone buzzed with a text. It was Jess.

Rory read the message. He asked how she was, how home had been, and Rory called him back, pleasantly surprised he had remembered. Jess answered almost instantly.

"Hey, Rory."

"Hi, Jess," Rory said, curling her legs up on the couch. "I just got your message. Home was great."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I just got back."

There was a pause and Jess asked,

"Would you like some dinner?"

"Dinner?" Rory echoed stupidly and, then, giving herself a shake, "I haven't eaten."

"So you would?"

"Okay. Thanks."

There was a pause and Jess said,

"How about if we meet by the subway? Where I saw you before?"

"Sure," Rory said, her mouth suddenly dry. "I'll be there in half an hour."

"Great. Bye."

Rory went into the bedroom, trying to swallow the arid taste in her mouth. She brushed her hair, applied some makeup and hesitated before grabbing her purse. She got the train into the city, the heat curling around her arms, and Jess was already waiting at the top of the steps. Rory smiled.

"Hi."

"Hey," Jess said. He was wearing jeans and a short sleeved shirt and the warmth had made little waves in his hair. "Hungry?"

"Starved."

"How about pizza?"

"Perfect."

Jess led Rory down three streets before stopping in front of a stall, away from the crowds enjoying the evening.

"One with everything on it, please."

"Same here," Rory said quickly. "Thanks."

Once they had paid they walked to a small park, sitting on a bench. As they ate Rory was reminded of that day so long ago where she had found Jess reading in Washington Square Park. She wondered who was sitting on their bench now.

"Is it any good?"

"Huh?"

Rory jumped and then blushed at own thinking of it being their bench. Jess looked at her quizzically.

"The pizza, is it any good?"

"It's delicious."

"You're very quiet."

"Just thinking."

Jess nodded and they finished their slices in silence.

"So how was home?" he asked eventually. Rory shrugged.

"Fine. I saw Mom and Grandma and Grandpa and Sookie and Lane."

"You said she has kids?"

"Twins and she's pregnant again."

Jess whistled through his teeth and Rory said,

"I'm exhausted just thinking about it – exhausted just spending a few hours with them. Lane deserves a medal."

"When's the baby due?"

"January."

Jess nodded and Rory said carefully,

"I saw Luke."

"Yeah?"

Jess's voice was casual but he sounded like his uncle as he asked,

"How is he? Is he okay? I mean, not that he wouldn't be – how's he doing?"

"Fine," Rory said. "Busy telling Mom off about drinking too much coffee."

"Sounds about right," Jess grinned. They both laughed but his smile faded and Rory added,

"He asked after you. He says hello."

Jess nodded and Rory couldn't help saying,

"I think he misses you."

"I call when I can," Jess said, brushing the crumbs from his hands. "I don't want to disturb him."

"It's Luke, Jess! He'd want you to."

Jess shrugged but he nodded, his mouth in a taut line.

"He's glad you're doing well," Rory said shyly. "I told him."

Jess nodded again, looking a little more relaxed.

"Thanks."

"Well, he knew you were."

Jess smiled and Rory smiled too. As she looked at him her mind wandered to her previous thoughts, if he had ever asked Luke about her, and the unwelcome heat warmed her cheeks again. Rory looked away but not quick enough for Jess to ask,

"What?"

"Nothing, I'm hot."

"Rory," Jess said, unfooled. "What's going on?"

"I just wondered," Rory said, looking up. "What you and Luke talk about?"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing," Rory said, wishing she'd kept her mouth shut. "Forget it."

"Did I ever talk about you?" Jess asked sharply. "Is that it?"

"I said forget it."

"I never told Luke about last year," Jess said. "If that's what you mean."

"I knew that!"

"How?"

"I could tell."

"Great powers of deduction," Jess said sarcastically. "Just so we're clear, why didn't you tell him? I'm guessing you didn't, after you told him how I was."

"It's none of his business."

"Nor your mom's, I'm guessing."

"Jess, I don't want to talk about it," Rory said, clenching her nails. "It was a mistake."

"Which part was the mistake?" Jess asked. "Seeing me or going back to Paul?"

"Don't you bring him up," Rory said, standing up. "He has nothing to do with it!"

"Are you ashamed that you came to see me? Like before?"

"It's not that!" Rory said, heart beating. "Jess, I could never be ashamed about you."

"So why haven't you said anything?" Jess asked, standing up as well. "And what did happen with Paul?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Rory said with finality. "It's none of Mom or Luke's business and I don't want to talk about Paul. Thank you for the pizza."

"Rory –"

"I have to go," Rory said, bending to get her purse. "I have work in the morning."

"The same job," Jess called as she walked away. "How did that work out?"

Rory ignored him but his words were still in her mind the next day as she got up, went to work and sat at the same desk she'd worked at for a year. Rory started her computer and resigned herself to the day.