Disclaimer: I own a couple of minor characters you'll see, but that's it. Jess, Rory, and the rest of the regulars are definitely not mine.

A/N: BLAME ADELE. This new story is completely because her new album is incredible and inspired a short story from me. The timeline will go from 2008-Present. Just hang with me ;) And GOOD NEWS. I am out for an entire month with nothing to do. Writing will be happening. If Adele just keeps crooning in my ear.

Chapter Rating: PG-13

I remember all of the things I thought I wanted to be
So desperate to find a way out of my world
And finally breathe
Right before my eyes I saw my heart, it came to life
This ain't easy, it's not meant to be
Every story has its scars

May 4, 2008 at 11:42 a.m.

To: jmariano
From: rorylgilmore
Subject: Dodger

Dear Hot-Shot Novelist,

Well, I was going through my phone contacts and realized I don't even have your number anymore. I would have asked Luke, but I wanted to save myself from the interrogation that would be inevitable from my mother. Anyway, so instead I looked up Truncheon House and found your e-mail instead. Obviously.

Now that I've explained my odd stalker-ish moment, I can get to my point. I work for an online magazine now, and I have been following the Obama campaign trail. We are heading to Philadelphia on Saturday, and I just wanted to see if you wanted to meet up and maybe have coffee. I want to catch up and hear all about this brand new novel you are working on. Luke slipped up and mentioned it.

Anyway, just let me know.

Rory

May 4, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.

To: rorylgilmore
From: jmariano
Subject: Re: Dodger

Rory,

Well, this was a pleasant surprise. I'd like to meet up with you. Just come by Truncheon when you're in town. I know a few places that you'd love.

Oh, and just so you don't have to go through the trouble of e-mailing me anymore: 267-555-8430

See you soon.

Jess

February 21, 2009 at 8:12 a.m.

Groggy from the late night and early morning, Rory leaned her head in her palm as she tried to keep her eyes open long enough to wait for the coffee to finish brewing. She stared hard at it, hoping it would magically fill up in seconds. The loud, fast-paced thumps came from the other side of the wall and she knew her mother was up and rushing down the stairs to her morning cup as well.

"Coffee, coffee, coffee," the older Lorelai chanted as she slid into the kitchen with a smile on her face. Her 'Hello Kitty' house slippers skid to a stop as she approached Rory and she turned to look down at the half-filled pot. "This is a disappointment."

"I know," she yawned, placing her hand over her mouth as she closed her eyes in exhaustion. "Why are you so joyful?" Rory grunted, then widened her eyes, accusingly. "You have hidden coffee in your room!"

With a raised eyebrow, Lorelai reached for a mug behind Rory's head and laughed a little. "No… I'm just super excited, because, you know … I get married today!"

"Well, of course," Rory smiled, though she was still trying desperately to not drift off to sleep. "I just figured the excitement came after the caffeine."

"Not today, sister Sue," she said, grinning from ear to ear. "It is wedding day!" She exclaimed loudly, earning a wince from Rory as she quickly slapped her hand to her forehead.

"Please, God," she groaned. "I am trying to nurse a level four hangover."

"Not my problem. You drank way too much of Patty's punch," her mother scolded, pointing a finger at her. "Learn to control your alcohol. You're a Gilmore for God's sake."

When the hot, black liquid finally reached the top, Rory gleefully pulled it off and poured it into her large mug. Lorelai followed suit and after blowing on it for a good 60 seconds, they both took a sip.

"Oh," Lorelai said, swallowing the large gulp she inhaled. "So, I never asked you, you and Jess are cool, right? I mean you saw him a couple of years ago at his open house and everything is good? You know, I'm only asking, because he's Luke's best man."

Rory slowly swallowed her liquid gold and kept the warm mug in her palms. She nodded some, glancing down into her drink as she did. "Yeah, we're fine. I think I forgot to mention that I spent a couple of days in Philadelphia last year and we hung out a good bit."

"Uh huh …" Lorelai trailed off, setting her drink down with a smile. "You have my attention." He grew up, and she knew that, but she still thought of the same Jess who broke her daughter's heart years ago. The same one who wrecked her car, stole items around town, flunked out of high school, and ran away without a word.

"It was nothing like that," Rory explained, waving her hand as if to dismiss her thoughts. "We met up and had lunch the first day I was in. The second day, he took me around town to show me a few cool bookstores and I had dinner with him and his co-workers. It was in no way a romantic reunion. He has a girlfriend!"

"Had," Lorelai stated with a tight smile, nervous that Rory would fall back into that rabbit hole. "If you're talking about Bonnie, they broke up around Christmas. I take it you two didn't keep in touch."

"Oh," Rory said, glancing away in thought. "No, we both got busy. I didn't know that."

"Well," the blue-eyed bride began, taking another sip of her coffee. "You know now." As the awkward silence hung between them, Lorelai glanced at the clock on the microwave behind Rory's head. "Oh no! We need to get to the Inn. Hair and makeup in thirty minutes."

February 21, 2009 at 6:32 p.m.

Bridesmaid dresses were usually hideous, but the champagne gold that Lorelai picked out complimented Rory's features. The silk fabric touched the ground and the subtle v-neck cut of the bodice was a sexy, but elegant touch. She stood at a table, leaning against it as she talked to Lane. Her wavy hair fell past her shoulders and her bangs were pushed to one side.

As she finished off the cocktail in her martini glass, she turned to leave the table to get a refill. She made eye contact with her mother, the new Mrs. Danes, and smiled brightly as she made her way to the open bar that her grandparents were funding for the party.

He was leaning against the counter, waiting on his drink with a fixed smirk on his face as he spotted Rory walking up to him. "That dress should be illegal."

The pink in her cheeks couldn't be controlled at his comment and she shook her head with a bashful smile. "I'm sorry, aren't you here with someone?"

"I have a date, yes, but I can still be honest," Jess replied, turning when the bartender set his drink down. "Besides, she's just a friend."

"Oh?" Rory questioned, nodding at this new information. "I heard about Bonnie. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he laughed, shaking his head. "It wasn't going anywhere." Once he downed his bourbon and coke, he turned to her and nodded to the dance floor. "Don't I owe you a dance?"

Her features softened at his question and she shrugged some, glancing around the reception as if contemplating. "It's no Stars Hollow High gymnasium, but it'll do."

Without a second thought, Jess took her hand and led her to the dance floor as the next song started. He put his left hand on her waist and held her left hand with his right. "I'm not bad at this, but I'm no Luke," he commented, nodding over to his uncle who was skillfully twirling his wife.

A laugh escaped Rory's lips as she moved close to him, stepping with him to the music. Her eyes scanned the area, never making complete eye contact with Jess. He smelled of bourbon and aftershave, and she found it incredibly intoxicating. She felt her heart rate increase the more she breathed it in and when she turned her head to look at him, she found him staring back at her.

"I hear you're seeing someone," he said, in a low voice, keeping his eyes on her.

Rory nodded to affirm that and cleared her throat so she could speak. "It's not really serious. Just been a couple of dates so far," she replied, looking away again.

"Lucky guy."

She looked up at him and smiled a little more, glancing down at their feet. "You've always been charming, you know."

"Oh, is that what it's called?"

"Arrogant, really."

"There it is," he grinned, listening as the song slowly came to an end. He broke away from her with a polite smile, and walked back with her to the bar. "Well, I should probably get back to Annie. She doesn't really know anyone."

"That's a good idea," Rory replied, "thank you for the dance."

He winked at her in reply, smiling some as he turned to walk away from her. Damn her for still having an effect on him.