Jess

Silence is what Jess fell into. Not sleep.

The stillness enveloped Jess like a warm embrace, a cocoon of serenity, but slumber would not claim him. No, how could he possibly sleep with Rory snuggled against him, her presence eliciting a thrill in his chest that sent his heart galloping like a wild stallion.

The bus jolted and juddered along the cracked streets, its unsteady pace echoed the steadfast thudding of his heartbeat. A melodic surge coursed through his veins, as if his blood was belting out a celebratory tune, the crescendo of each beat ringing in his ears.

It was like his blood was singing.

Jess cast a gaze down at Rory, a smile stretching across his face.

Her breathing had evened out some time after they left the station, and she had been dozing in the crook of his arm ever since. Every now and then, she would stir, but Jess would simply pull her a little closer.

It was a promise in the silence. A silent vow in the stillness that no matter what lay ahead, no matter what met them at the end of the road, he would be there. Always.

The bus pulled into the Hartford Terminal, and Jess's heart sank at the thought of having to wake her. He wished or another hour's delay, to bask in this blissful peace a little longer. But, it was time to face the music.

And the beat of his pounding heart only quickened.

Fuck, he had to calm down. They needed to figure some shit out, yeah, but he could still be cool. He promised her that everything was gonna be okay, and he meant it. And this was the first step.

So, Jess brushed his lips against her cheek, his breath warm against her skin as he whispered in her ear, "Hey love, wake up. We're here."

The term of endearment flowed from his lips as effortlessly as a river. Jess was unsure where it came from. But, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

"Oh," Rory murmured, stretching as she rose to a sitting position, her hand rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Jess gathered their belongings and helped her off the bus, their feet landing on the same spot where she had boarded just hours ago.

The bus hissed as the engine breaks released the pressure and they made their way over to the local metro stop.

"Is there still time to make it?" Jess asked. Rory shook her head, a defeated sigh escaping her lips.

"No, it's done by now," she replied, taking a seat on the bench inside the bus shelter. And, even though the connection bus to Stars Hollow was due to arrive shortly, Jess sat next to her in silence, offering her a shoulder to rest on.

Her head leaned against him effortlessly, and he enveloped her in a protective embrace, his hand soothingly rubbing up and down her back.

"How will you get home?" she asked with concern. Jess chewed on his lip, the wheels turning in his mind. Maybe Rory didn't want him to come back to Stars Hollow. Maybe she was regretting this and having second thoughts. Maybe, she wanted Dean.

Because after all, there still was Dean, looming over them in the background like the giant he was. That was the problem here. Jess was willing to be whatever Rory wanted, and he did plan on coming back, especially after a kiss as wild as the one they shared. It only solidified his plan to return.

But, if it meant screwing things up for her with Dean. If she really wanted to be with Dean, Jess would rather tuck tail and go back to New York.

"I'll find a way," he mumbled, but his words caused Rory to sit up and turn to him, her eyes searching his face. His arm dropped from her shoulders as she protectively crossed her arms across her midriff. Her casted arm rested on her lap, her other cross across her to grip her forearm, right on the plaster, as if bracing herself for any potential heartache that may come.

The loss of her heat was not something he particularly enjoyed, but Jess couldn't help being a bit retreated. As the seconds ticked by them and they inched closer to that fucking bus's arrival, he couldn't help but feel second fiddle.

"Jess," she whispered his name, a soft, pained sound that echoed in the quiet of the bus stop.

And he couldn't take it. The uncertainty was too much.

As Jess gazed into Rory's eyes, his heart ached with a mixture of hope and fear. He needed to know where he stood with her, needed to know if he was in the way or if he was exactly where she wanted him to be. The thought of her still being with Dean was like a knife twisting in his gut, but he couldn't help but ask the question that had been gnawing at him since they got off the bus.

"You still with Dean?" He blurted out.

Fuck, and she was still in his jacket. A painful reminder of how she could be draped in him. His. Not entangled in the arms of the jolly green giant.

He watched as Rory dropped her gaze, the silence between them stretching like a tightrope strung between their hearts. She nodded softly as she gazed out at the darkened street before wiping a tear from her face.

But, Jess needed to see her eyes. He needed to see the truth of it reflected in the caverns of blue. So, he reached out and gently lifted her chin, his fingers soft as feathers, urging her to look at him.

His eyes, sweet as honey, met hers, which were warm and inviting like calm waters. And Jess saw everything he needed to know reflected in Rory's gaze. He saw the pain, the fear, the love, and the uncertainty swirling within her. But more than anything, he saw the truth, shining like a beacon in the darkness.

And Jess softened. He knew that whatever the future may hold, he would stand by her side in some way. Always.

"Do you want to be?" Jess asked, his voice a soft caress that carried the weight of the world. He could see the gears turning in Rory's mind, the hesitation and fear that held her back from speaking the truth.

But she didn't pull away, a sign that she understood what he was asking.

"Rory," he pressed, his tone urging her to open up and say what was on her mind. Pushing for something Jess knew Rory was too scared to say out loud.

With gentle movements, he shifted his hand from her chin down to her arm, where she gripped the cast around her wrist. He slowly pulled her fingers from the plaster and entwined them with his, bringing their hands up and pressing a soft kiss to the knuckles.

Like the fucking sap he was.

His eyes bore into hers, filled with a desperate need to know the truth. To hear if she wanted to be with him or if he should let her go. He felt like he was on the brink of a precipice, teetering on the edge of something that could make or break him.

And he needed to know what to do. Jess needed Rory to tell him what to do. To quote The Clash, "should he stay or should he go?"

Rory

"No." Rory breathed out suddenly, the word spilling out of her lips like a river breaking its banks. It slipped out before she could think, but it was true. It was her heart speaking before her mind, and that spoke a symphony of emotions and feelings to Rory. And clearly Jess heard it too because, though his eyes widened in surprise, he struggled to hide his smile.

She blinked, her eyes becoming firmer with determination, and nodded a few times to make sure there was no mistaking the clarity of her conviction. "I don't want to be."

That must have been enough for Jess.

"C'mere," he leaned in, cupping her cheeks again, and pressed his lips to hers once more. This time, it was Jess who took control, and Rory surrendered to the kiss, relishing to it completely. It was gentle. And passionate. And just everything.

With each passing moment, the kiss deepened and became more intense, until Rory was left breathless and clinging to Jess for support.

"Beat it." He mumbled against her lips, his arms still wrapped around her waist, before pulling apart from her.

The bus was just down the street and nearing the stop.

"Jess," she sighed in bliss, her eyes conveying the words that hung between them: when will I see you again?

He brushed his thumb over her cheek, just barely touching the corner of her lip, before he stepped back, his hand slipping from her cheek. And Rory's heart felt as though it had been sliced in two. Every fiber of her being yearned to reach out, to pull him back, to feel his arms wrap around her once more, but she held herself in check.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he said, his voice steady and reassuring, before adding, "I promise."

Rory looked into his eyes and saw the truth of his words reflected back at her. It held so much more meaning than just a simple touch of his hand. It was a reminder that their time was not limited, and was but just one mere moment of a series of many moments in their journey together.

His voice was firm and his gaze unwavering, conveying the unwavering devotion Jess held for her. Rory felt a wave of comfort wash over her.

"I'll see you then?" She asked anyway, needing to hear it out loud.

"I'll see you," he replied, his voice ringing with conviction.

The local bus pulled up to the stop, its doors opening wide to welcome her aboard. With a nod, she turned and stepped onto the bus bound for Stars Hollow. She couldn't turn around, not this time, for Rory feared she would run off the bus again.

So, she forced herself to take a seat at the back, feeling like she was leaving a part of her soul behind as the bus pulled away from the stop. After a moment, her gaze lingered out the back window, fixated on the sight of Jess standing on the sidewalk, getting smaller and smaller with each passing moment. The distance between them felt like a chasm, growing wider by the second.

He, a tiny figure in the distance, was watching her drive away. It was only when the bus turned right, that the little speck of him started walking back towards the main coach terminal. And a few tears escaped, falling down her cheeks, when Jess disappeared from view completely.

Turning around, she faced the front and popped up the jacket's lapels, seeking solace in the comforting scent of him in the denim. With each second, Rory felt the weight of their separation, yet she knew deep in her heart that their love would keep them together until they could be reunited once again.

And though, she missed him already, Rory knew Jess would keep his promise. She closed her eyes, imagining the feel of his arms around her and the sound of his voice, promising her that they would be together again soon.

And a mantra repeated in her mind over and over: I'll see you, I promise.

Rory just hoped Jess meant soon.

Jess

As Jess watched the shrinking silhouette of the bus, a smile spread across his face.

Shit, he thought. He couldn't believe it. Rory had chosen him. She chose him. The thought still left him stunned, but she did. She chose him.

He was frozen in spot until the bus finally turned the corner, rocketing him into action. Jess walked over to the payphone, the neon light above casting a harsh glow on his face, highlighting the edges of his determination. He had to make this call. He needed to reach out to the only person he trusted, his uncle Luke.

So, he dialled the number and waited for Luke to answer.

The phone rang once, twice, and then Luke's gruff voice filled the speaker and Jess hesitated, not wanting to burden his uncle. And maybe he was asking for a lot, but Jess made a promise to Rory. And he was going to keep it come hell or high water or Lorelai Gilmore.

"Luke, I need a ride," Jess began, his voice barely above a whisper. He cleared his throat and gathered his courage, forcing the words out, "I just want to come back. Come home."

Jess couldn't stammer out any more detail than that. But he didn't need to. That's what he loved about his uncle. Direct. Concise. Few words as possible. There was a pause on the other end, and Jess held his breath, waiting for Luke's response. But then to his surprise, Luke simply replied, "I'll be outside Liz's in the morning."

And with that, the line went dead.

Jess hung up the receiver and leaned against the glass booth, letting the silence of the moment wash over him like a wave of relief. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, realizing that once again, Luke was there for him. No questions asked.

I'm gonna owe him big in the end, Jess thought, but knew his uncle would never ask for anything in return. Still, one day, Jess would pay him back for this.

With a deep breath, Jess pushed himself away from the glass pane and headed into the main terminal to catch the late-night express back to New York.