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Rory woke in the same position some hours later, wincing at the crick in her neck. Her phone beeped, making her jump and she let out an exclamation of pain as she opened the text, rubbing her neck with her spare hand.

Gilmore, lunch tomorrow at Harrison's. 1 PM. Paris

Rory rolled her eyes at the abruptness of the message, but rattled off a quick confirmation with equally few words. No sooner had she sent it when another message sounded, this one from her mother, and then one from Lane. These were considerably longer and chirpier but Rory wrote in brief before finally turning off her phone, exhausted. She rolled onto her side and dropped into a deep slough of sleep.

Rory opened her eyes the next day, limbs stiff and with a dry taste in her mouth. She sat up groggily, stretching, and then remembered the events of the day before. Rory swallowed the little saliva in her mouth and then remembered she'd agreed to see Paris for lunch. Torn between frustration and feeling glad she had something to do, Rory went into the kitchen to make some coffee. She was sipping a glass of water as it brewed when her eyes rested on the digital clock, and Rory almost choked. It was twelve thirty and she put the glass down so hard water slopped over the sides, but Rory ignored it. It took exactly thirty minutes to get to that side of town and if there was one thing Paris Geller loathed, it was lack of punctuality. Rory ran into her bedroom, hastily throwing on a pair of jeans and a shirt and picking up her purse. There was no time to shower but she felt mildly less gross in clean clothes and, as the coffee caught her eye, Rory poured some into a cup and drank it in one gulp. She hurtled down the stairs and out of the building, leapt onto the subway and arrived panting just over half an hour later to see Paris looking very unimpressed.

"You're late."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"We said one."

"It's only five after," Rory said, seeing the clock above her friend's head, surprised it was only that, but Paris scoffed,

"That's five after, not one. Look Rory, I know you grew up in that Mystic Pizza town where a clock doesn't exist, but this is New York and you know me, you know how I feel about being late!"

"Paris –"

"How do you think Yale would have felt if you'd shown up late to all your classes and said it's only five after? Or Principal Charleston, if you were late to Chilton every day? Though we both know about that," Paris said, grinning in spite of herself. "Remember the Shakespeare test you bombed because of a deer?"

"Paris, I'm sorry!" Rory exclaimed, her cheeks red. "I've never been late to see you before, have I?"

Paris stopped to consider this and then said firmly,

"Not the point, Rory. I'm surprised you haven't made up some story about getting hit by a gazelle."

"It wasn't a story," Rory said hotly. "There were antler prints on the car for a month. And I don't have an excuse. I was just late."

"I texted you five times and you didn't reply."

"Right," Rory remembered. "I turned off my cellphone."

"What? Why?"

"I was tired," Rory shrugged. "People kept messaging me."

Paris looked at her oddly and to Rory's relief a waitress came to take their order. Rory ordered pasta and a coffee, Paris coffee and chicken and, after she had been brought her drink, Rory said defensively,

"I meant to turn it back on this morning and I forgot. I'm sorry."

"You never turn your cellphone off," Paris said suspiciously. "What were you doing this morning, anyway? Were you trying out an Amish lifestyle?"

"Paris."

"You're never late," Paris said. "The only times you've ever been late were the deer thing, when I told you the wrong time for the Franklin meeting –"

"Thank you for that, by the way."

"And when you screwed up Yale, which was more dropping out, but same difference," Paris finished. "And the only time I've been late was when Harvard screwed me over and I didn't think Chilton was worth being ready for."

"What's your point?"

"My point is, something happened last night or this morning," Paris said. "Because you're never late unless something screws up."

Rory stared at her and Paris added,

"I'm thinking last night, seeing as you turned your cell off."

Rory looked at her and then said weakly,

"Have you been marathoning CSI? I think you need a change in career."

"Don't change the subject, Gilmore."

Rory opened her mouth, hesitated, and then finally said,

"Jess came over."

Paris stared for a moment and then a satisfied expression crossed her face.

"So," she said, "I was half right."

"What?"

"There was screwing."

Rory had been sipping her coffee and spluttered.

"Paris!"

"Hey, I'm just stating the obvious."

"Well, you're wrong. We did not have sex."

"I know something happened," Paris said, picking up her own cup. "More than conversation."

Rory bit her lip.

"Okay," she said eventually. "We kissed."

"I knew it."

"It was just a little," Rory protested. "It was hardly the scene from Eternity."

"I'm still assuming it was the French kind."

The waitress brought their food over, saving Rory from replying. She stabbed her fork into the pasta but taking a large bite only led Paris to say,

"You said I'm wrong but I'm practically right, and I will be soon."

Rory swallowed with effort and asked,

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What comes after kissing?"

"Are you twelve?"

"No, I'm honest." Paris cut into her own meal of chicken and said, "You're both still crazy about each other. Why don't you quit beating around the bush?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're still hot for each other," Paris said bluntly. "And I don't see why you need to put off the inevitable."

"It's complicated."

"How? You're both single, aren't you? All that drama at school was years ago. You don't need to put on a Bambi face."

"I do not have Bambi face!" Rory snapped. Paris smirked and Rory sighed.

"Like you're to talk about holding grudges," she said. "Anyway, it's not that I'm mad at him. It's just complicated."

"How is it complicated?"

"It just is," Rory said feebly and Paris narrowed her eyes.

"And you tell me I'm acting like I'm twelve. What's complicated about telling him you still like him? He obviously still likes you. You were making out, for God's sake."

Rory concentrated on her pasta and Paris added,

"I said you'd end up kissing him. I was right. I'm willing to bet you wind up in bed with him."

"Would you stop?"

"Rory, what is the big deal?" Paris exclaimed, letting her fork drop. "Is this about that thing at Yale? You know, how he asked you to go away with him?"

"It's not that!"

"Is it Paul?" Paris asked, switching track. "Is it because something happened when you stayed over?"

"I told you we didn't do anything."

"Then what?" Paris pressed, ignoring Rory's discomfort. "Why don't you want to try again with him?"

"Because I don't!"

Paris shook her head and Rory said,

"Look, it's not just some guy. It's Jess. I'm only getting used to seeing him again, I don't want things to get all messed up."

"So kissing him was what, an accident?"

"It was a stupid thing to do."

"You know what a stupid thing to do is?" Paris asked. "It's refusing to try with a guy you actually like."

Rory looked away and Paris said,

"Remember before, when I told you Jess liked you? That time I stayed at your house and Jess came for dinner and then Dean came? And when I asked you if you liked Jess and you said you had a boyfriend?"

"Yes, so?"

"So you haven't changed much."

Rory felt her cheeks burn and angrily she said,

"I remember that too. I remember everything got screwed up."

"You're making it more complicated than it is."

"Luckily, it's my life," Rory snapped. "You don't have to worry about it being complicated."

Paris looked surprised and a little hurt. Rory was ashamed, but as she opened her mouth to take it back Paris said,

"Fine. Make yourself miserable. It's nothing new."

They glared across the table at each other. Rory bit back all the things she wanted to say: Jess coming to see her when she was with Logan, kissing him in Philadelphia, fighting when she went to him that night, how the idea of being with him again made her feel dizzy, like when you missed a step in the stairs, but she closed her mouth firmly. Finally she said,

"Paris, it's not any old boyfriend. It's Jess."

"I know," Paris said. "That's what I'm saying."

They looked at each other for a little longer and then Paris abruptly stood up.

"I have to go see my professor," she said shortly and Rory, still frowning, said,

"Isn't it Sunday?"

"I know, he's at home. I have to go and ask him something before he makes plans."

Rory nodded and watched Paris drop some money on the table, knowing not to suggest her friend not ruin the poor man's weekend.

"That covers my half," Paris said. "See you, Rory."

"Bye, Paris."

Rory got out her own wallet and, pausing at the door, Paris said,

"I get that it's harder than with some other guy, but you should try. I think he's worth it."

She gave Rory a quick, embarrassed smile and then smartly walked out. Rory was left a blush on her face and jumped as the waitress asked if she wanted the check.

After she'd paid Rory went out and switched on her cellphone. There were Paris's aforementioned messages, a call from Jess and a text from Lorelai. Feeling guilty, Rory called her mother and Lorelai exclaimed,

"Hey, kid! I keep missing you!"

"I know. I'm here now."

"How is big city life?"

"It's not too big and it's in the city."

"Well, what have you been up to?"

"Work," Rory said shortly. "I saw Paris today."

"Oh yeah? How is she?"

"Paris," Rory said and they both giggled. "What have you been doing?"

"Not that much," Lorelai said. "The Dragonfly's been busy. I watched Sookie's kids yesterday."

"Did it go okay?"

"It was tiring but fine. They passed out in front of a movie and I was right there with them. I woke up with a beautiful makeup job. Martha found Sookie's lipstick and Davey held the mirror."

"The result?"

"Grace Kelly won't be shaking in her boots. Pennywise, on the other hand..."

They both laughed and Lorelai said,

"I've missed you this weekend. Want to come see me?"

"I have work tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow," Lorelai said with exaggeration. "It's still Sunday. Come for a couple of hours, we'll watch a bad movie."

Rory paused and Lorelai wheedled,

"Please?"

"Okay," Rory said. "I'll be there by four."

Her mother let out a squeak of delight.

"I'll get the popcorn ready!"

Two hours later Rory was pulling into her mother's driveway. She was tired but felt bad over not telling Lorelai she'd been in Stars Hollow the day before and it was better than just going back to the apartment and sitting around. She parked the car and had no sooner stepped out than Lorelai was running towards her in excitement, Paul Anka at her heels.

"Hey, kid!"

"Hey Mom!"

They hugged tightly for a moment, Paul Anka barking, before Lorelai put an arm around her daughter and led her inside.

"How was the drive?"

"There was a little traffic but it was okay. Hot, though."

"Yeah," Lorelai said, wrinkling her nose. "I saw Lane earlier and she looked miserable, poor thing. It took me back to some not fun memories. I lived in the pool the summer I was expecting you."

"Yeah? How did Grandma feel about that?"

"She was fine because it meant her DAR friends didn't see me," Lorelai said. "She told them I was swimming to lose weight."

They giggled and Lorelai added,

"Too bad you didn't just swim out."

"I've always hated water."

They went into the kitchen and Lorelai handed Rory a bottle of water. As she drank one herself Rory took the opportunity to say,

"So I went to see Grandpa yesterday," in as nonchalant a voice she could manage. Lorelai put the bottle down and stared.

"Grandpa? In Hartford?"

"Um, yeah."

"Did you tell me about it?"

"No," Rory said awkwardly. "It was kind of spur of the moment."

"Okay," Lorelai said, sounding confused. "You didn't stop by on the way back."

"I'm sorry." Rory bit her lip, knowing Lorelai was hurt.

"Well, I was babysitting anyway," Lorelai said. "No matter."

"I'm sorry," Rory said again and Lorelai replied,

"Rory, you have your own life. You don't have to see me every time you're in the area."

"I was in a kind of funk yesterday," Rory said, gripping the plastic of her bottle. "I don't think I'd have been very good company."

"How so?"

"I don't know – I just had the summer blues."

Lorelai looked at her curiously but didn't press. Instead she sighed and said brightly,

"Look, it's okay, honey. Even if you had stopped by I was busy. It's no big deal."

"I just don't want you to think I was blowing you off."

"How could I ever think that?" Lorelai hugged her and the awkward atmosphere disappeared. "Come on, we've got a cheesy movie to watch and popcorn to eat. Follow me!"

Rory followed her mother through to the living room. As she settled on the couch she saw signs of Luke; a spare pair of shoes by the door and a jacket hung in the corner.

"He's at the diner," Lorelai said, following her daughter's eyes and Rory smiled.

"Of course."

She didn't add the strange feeling she sometimes got upon seeing Luke's things strewn around her house. She liked that he was back with her mother, that they both seemed so happy, but it made her almost sad to think her house looked more like his than hers. Rory made herself smile and Lorelai started the film.

When the credits rolled Lorelai yawned widely.

"Mom, you're tired?" Rory giggled. "It's not even five!"

"It's the heat," Lorelai groaned. "I can't handle it."

"Take a cold shower."

"No way! That shower is so unreliable it's cold half the time anyway. Let's go get icecream."

"Does your boyfriend give it to you for free?"

"If I ask nicely enough," Lorelai said, batting her eyelashes. "Come on, let's go!"

They walked slowly to Luke's, then sun piercing. Rory saw Lane with Zach and boys, but they stopped only to hug. Lane was taking the twins to the lake.

"I hope we can all cool down," she said, in a voice which suggested the opposite. "Zach's going to be the one playing with them, I'm there simply for the water."

They both laughed and said their farewells, Rory promising to catch up next time. As they approached Luke's Rory slowed and Lorelai stopped, turning to face her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just forgot to tell you that Jess came over yesterday."

"Jess came over yesterday?" Lorelai echoed, cocking her head to the side. "You forgot to mention that?"

Rory shrugged, feeling like when she was seventeen and Lorelai was nudging her about her feelings.

"Are you trying to tell something else?"

"What? No," Rory said loudly. "We just went for pizza."

Lorelai frowned and Rory bit her lip. She should tell the truth, mention the kiss, but Lorelai would want to discuss it in length and Rory was confused enough as it was. One round with Paris would do for the day.

"I remembered because we're going to see Luke," Rory said. "I'm going to say hi from Jess."

"Okay," Lorelai said slowly. "You look kind of nervous."

"I'm just hot."

Rory pushed open the door and Luke turned around to see them, putting down his cloth to hug him both.

"Larger orders of icecream, right?" he asked and, before Lorelai could say anything, he said,

"You're paying."

"Fine."

"I'm guessing you're not going to get a huge tip," Rory said and, as Luke nodded, Lorelai said,

"Hey, he gets tips of a different kind."

"Hello, gross," Rory said loudly. "I haven't even eaten yet."

They went and sat by the window and as Luke handed them their bowls he asked,

"So how are you, Rory?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Just busy."

"Yeah? It's probably good for you to get out of there at the weekends. Do you know how my nephew's doing?"

"I was just going to tell you," Rory said. "I saw him yesterday."

"How is he?"

"Fine," Rory smiled, concentrating on her icecream. "We got pizza."

"Good," Luke said, nodding. "Well, that's great."

Rory nodded and Luke added,

"Say hi from me."

"I will. He says hi too."

Luke nodded and a for a moment the only sounds were the scraping of spoons against bowls. Luke went to serve some other customers and Rory caught sight of the time.

"Mom, I should probably go after this if I want to beat traffic."

"So soon?" Lorelai made a face. "Let's go."

They walked in silence back to the house and, as Rory put her purse in the car, Lorelai said carefully,

"You know this is your house, right?"

"Mom, what do you mean?"

"I don't want you to feel that just because Luke's here it's not your place anymore," Lorelai said. "I know you don't live here now but I don't want you to feel weird about coming over."

"I know," Rory said guiltily. Lorelai put her arms around her.

"Drive safe," she said. "And don't forget it's your house too."

"I won't," Rory promised. "Bye, Mom. I'll see you on Friday."

"Bye, sweets. Love you."

The traffic was clear and, though Rory had put on a CD, her mind was unquiet with thought. She repeated her conversation with Paris, with Lorelai and Luke, and her mother's queried face stood out in her mind's eye. She should have been honest, yet Rory didn't know what to say when she so uncertain herself. She concentrated on the traffic and was just parking the car outside her street when her cellphone rang. It was Jess.

"Hey," he said. "I think we should talk."