Okay, so basically I've been getting really Lit-heavy on Tumblr (again) and took a prompt about rewriting the ending of 4x12. You know, Jess in his car shivering to death, Rory's there a bit. This is what I came up with. Cheers to Tumblr user theresnobackstage who may or may not be on , this was so much fun.

This Love

Unable to sleep with the wind howling, Rory Gilmore suddenly realised how cold she was. The snow had stopped, which had caused the temperature to drop dramatically in the last few hours. Glancing at her bedside clock she noticed it was barely ten, and that meant the weather was only bound to get worse as the night wore on. Under her plethora of blankets and fluffy pyjamas, she still felt the biting chill of the especially freezing winter night. It made her wonder, if she was uncomfortable from the drop in mercury, how it felt for…

She was trying not to think about him, honestly. When she'd told her mother that she was over him, his stupid haircut and impractical leather jacket, she tried to mean it. Unfortunately for all involved, she was infallibly human. Flashes of him curled up in his car, the rusted piece of crap barely any better than sitting out in the snow, had been haunting her for the last hour. Much like his face, the imperfect smirk that reminded her of hours spent glued together in the diner's apartment, had been following her around since her return from Europe. It was easy to say she wouldn't pine, and almost possible when being distracted by the wonders of a new country. Unfortunately for her sanity it seemed she hadn't been as successful from erasing Jess Mariano from her life as she'd hoped.

He deserved her hatred, she knew he would agree to that. Her absolute dismissal for all-time, the loathing of Lorelai Gilmore, these were definitely things he had coming to him. Death by frostbite was taking it a bit too far. Surely Luke knew he was out there, did he not care? Was Jess just too stubborn to accept help? She knew that stubborn streak, knew it to rival her own. Her pigheadedness was causing this ten o'clock freak out, because she couldn't shake the fact that something had to be done about the situation. It was too weird, something she didn't want to be dealing with. But she knew if she just sat here the image of the car would float around her head all night, nullifying any attempts at a good night's rest. Chalking it up as a lost cause, she grabbed her winter gear and walked towards the centre of town.

About halfway she realised her car was parked outside her mother's house, with its heater and tank full of gas. She supposed starting it would've attracted the attention of Lorelai, something she definitely didn't want in this scenario. Still, it was hard to agree to that logic when her face felt like the inside of a freezer and her legs weren't faring much better. She'd pulled a blanket around her warmest coat, but she knew that was only good for one half of this two-way journey. He'd need it more than her, no matter what he decided to do. In one hand she held a bag that currently carried two thermoses. One had coffee (obviously) but the other contained a fancy tea neither she or her mother remembered buying. It wasn't until she was pouring it into the container that she remembered buying it for him, because he couldn't stand the taste of coffee unless it was her lips. His words, not hers.

The car came in sight then, a blight on the idyllic surrounds of a Stars Hollow winter. It had started to snow again, meaning the next day would be powdery and beautiful, not the slush of the morning after. It also brought the fortune of cloud cover, which would offer a slightly warmer walk home. Approaching the beat up clunker what she found was worse than she imagined.

He looked so tiny in the backseat of his broken car, curled up into a ball. She could tell he was shivering, but it wasn't obvious if he was sleeping or not. Pity and sadness was overtaken by blind rage at this point. How dare he get himself into this situation, force her to feel sorry for him? It was with that anger that she pulled open his door with little remorse, the wind sweeping into the enclosed space. It caused him to jump up immediately, ready to tell off whoever had the audacity to invade his personal space. Upon seeing her however he fell short. Blue eyes met brown for an eternity, before she grew tired of the staring and threw the blanket at him. Confused, he stared at the fluffy pink bedspread, trying very hard to ignore the fact that it smelled like her. Neither of them knew what to say in this situation. Rory could feel every snowflake sticking to her scarf.

"You're going to die out here." She said finally.

"Guess this town is getting a late Christmas present then." His voice was deep and gravelly, and Rory wasn't sure if was due to disuse or the weather he found himself in.

"Stars Hollow hasn't suffered a death from hypothermia in over two hundred years. It's a point of pride, there's a story about it in the town charter. I know you hate this place and everyone in it, but surely even you can appreciate a record like that."

"Not everyone," she heard him mutter.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Don't be cryptic when I'm saving your life. Now are you coming or what?"

"What?"

"I'm getting snowed on, so either you follow me or make me deal with Taylor crying over your corpse tomorrow," she was trying to sound so cavalier, but the idea of him denying her help was a very realistic concern. With a sigh she turned to walk away.

"Rory?" She hadn't heard him say her name for eight whole months.

"Yes Jess?" She hadn't spoken his in that time either. He didn't reply, but caught up to her with an easy pace. He still looked close to freezing, but at least the shivering had stopped. She wished he'd wrap the blanket around himself instead of carrying it, but she couldn't ask for miracles. Wordlessly she handed him the black thermos, the one with the tea she would never consider drinking. A flicker of a smile flashed on his face, and Rory soon did similarly with her coffee. The warmth in their hands was worth smiling about.

"I don't drink-" he started.

"It's tea." If he needed confirmation that she'd wandered to town specifically to see him, this was it. They trudged along in silence, Rory noticing with happiness that Jess had draped the blanket around his shoulders. Soon enough they stood outside the Gilmore residence, both incredibly cold and covered in snow. Snow that would become water once inside, which wouldn't be good for either of them. Jess hesitated at the front door, feeling completely helpless and out of place. This wasn't what he deserved, his ex-girlfriend showing up out of nowhere and offering her home to him.

"Look, I better go," he said awkwardly, watching her open the door and step inside.

"Like hell you're going anywhere." Tired of this game, she grabbed him by the arm and pulled until they reached the kitchen. It was definitely warmer in here, though with their wet clothes it was still far too cold. She wondered if she had any clothes that would fit him. Leaving him alone for a moment she stepped into her room and pulled out her Yale sweatshirt (that she'd been wearing before changing back into her snow clothes) and a pair of old Harvard sweatpants she'd bought on the roadtrip to Boston. They were both baggy on her, so that would have to do. Throwing them on the kitchen table, she pulled a few towels out of the linen cupboard and handed one to him.

"I can't-"

"You need to," she was quiet but firm, and eventually he found himself nodding. Excusing herself to her bedroom to change, she resisted the urge to collapse into a heap and stay there. Nothing had been more exhausting than this last hour. Changing into new pyjamas quickly, she stepped back out to the sight of him pulling on the sweatshirt. He was painfully thin, she hadn't noticed under all the layers. A pang of misery coursed through her, as she wondered for the millionth time in the last eight months about where he'd gone and what he was doing. Fairly certain she'd have no answers that night, she took a new course of action. There was leftover Chinese in the fridge, having gotten Al's after a less than satisfying Friday Night Dinner. Piling two plates high she handed one to him.

"This is mostly vegetables," he remarked after a few moments of eating in silence. She didn't need to know this was his first meal that day, though he suspected she was feeding him for a reason. To his surprise this comment made her laugh.

"You say that like you're surprised. We eat the meat and throw the vegetables out after a few days, after promising to eat them." It wasn't long before he'd practically licked the plate clean. Rory had yet to touch anything on hers, choosing instead to watch the boy in front of her.

"How very infantile of you," she knew he was teasing, but it rubbed her the wrong way.

"Better than running away for the better part of a year," she attempted to keep her voice casual, and noticed him physically flinch. They couldn't just sit here eating Chinese food like the last year never happened. Steeling herself for a fight, Rory continued, "You know, I have actually thought about this moment. A lot. What would Jess say to me I ever saw him again? I mean, he just took off, no note, no call, nothing, how could he explain that? And then a year goes by. No word, nothing, so he couldn't possibly have a good excuse for that, right? I have imagined hundreds of different scenarios with a hundred different great last parting lines, and I have to tell you that I am actually very curious to see which way this is going to go. What do you have to say to me?"

"You cut your hair." That made her falter. Subconsciously she fingered a few strands.

"I- uh… yeah," she stammered. The urge to ask if he liked it was overwhelming, but she wasn't giving in.

"I got my GED."

"That's great, Jess. But you still haven't answered any of my questions."

"Guess the change of subject tactic isn't working, huh?"

"I'd try the apology route if I were you."

"I never meant to hurt you."

"I know."

"There was just… everything was getting fucked up, you know? Flunking school, Luke kicking me out, Jimmy showing up." His head was in his hands, as if it was physically paining him to tell this story.

"Your dad?"

"So I'm told. Three months with him and no answers, he's still just Jimmy."

"You could've talked to me about this, about any of it."

"Because that wouldn't have been humiliating at all. Telling my Yale-bound, perfect girlfriend about my screwed up family and how badly I messed up school. You deserved better, you always did."

"God, you really are delusional, you know that? I didn't meet my dad face-to-face until I was seven, and after that I was lucky to see him once a year. He didn't even come to Stars Hollow until I was sixteen! Then I was stupid, I got my hopes up about him being around more. And you know what? I haven't seen him in over a year. He had his second mistake kid, got married and now I'm lucky if I hear from him once a week. So don't sit there and call me perfect when you have no idea what you're talking about." She was so angry at him, so angry and miserable that there were tears welling up long before she finished her little speech. Brushing them away heatedly she stared across the table, daring him to contradict her.

"We could start a club." His wry smile caused her to let out an involuntary laugh.

"Daddy Issues Anonymous? I'll be treasurer."

"Guess that makes me president," feeling good about their current situation, Jess decided to take a risk. Reaching across the table he placed his hand over hers, pleasantly surprised when she didn't jerk it away, "You don't deserve to be treated like that. Not by him… or anyone else." It was fairly obvious that by 'anyone else' he meant himself.

"Neither do you," she decided firmly after a few moments silence, before surprising Jess by lacing their fingers together. He rubbed the palm of her hand with his thumb, as he had many times throughout their relationship. Rory wondered absently if they could sit there and make the last eight months disappear. The dull ache she'd been dealing with for that time suddenly felt unbearable, and the electricity she could feel between their joined hands was especially hard to ignore. Reluctantly she pulled away, grabbing their plates (she hadn't touched her food) and moving towards the sink.

It all happened very quickly after that. The few steps from the table to the counter was all she needed to make a decision, especially once she turned back to face him. He was staring at her intensely, all the feelings of longing and regret she felt in her heart plain to see. Before she lost her nerve she rushed towards him and kissed him, her hands tangled in his hair as he gripped at her waist, instantly reciprocating. Fixing the angle by straddling him on the chair, she pulled him as close as humanly possible, her lips hungry and passionate on his. The overwhelming need to consume as much of this moment as she could, his hands anchored her as they ran across her thighs, her lower back, lifting the material of her sweatshirt. Soon his ministrations stilled and he gently pushed her back a little, his hands going to push hair from her face. Her eyes were closed reverently, a light pink tinge on her cheeks.

"Look at me," he growled lightly, making her eyes snap open, "I love you." That was the signal she was waiting for, and she kissed him more roughly than he'd ever thought her capable of. That gave way to a new form of torture as she left sloppy, open mouthed kisses along his jawline and neck. When she stopped to suck on his pulse point he gave an involuntary (and fairly loud) moan, causing her to cup a hand over his mouth.

"Shh," she whispered with a cheeky grin. Suddenly he remembered the other occupant of this house, who could very easily walk in at any moment in search of a midnight snack. Rory seemed to have the same thought as she removed herself from his lap. Her warmth was sorely missed, but all was forgotten when she pulled him by the hand into her bedroom.

The cold outside was long forgotten as they lay tangled up in the sheets of Rory's bed. Their hearts were racing, their bodies flecked with sweat as both of them tried to rationalise the earth-shattering event that had just occurred. The most important thing was that neither of them could keep their hands off each other, determined to tangle their hands in each other's hair and kiss every inch of skin not covered with blankets. It was as close to a perfect moment as Rory could imagine.

"We should've tried that earlier," Rory whispered, and Jess let out a genuine laugh.

"I'm not disagreeing with that." He smiled lazily as she pressed a kiss to his chest, nuzzling a little. She starting shaking and for a second Jess was worried it was with tears, but a quick glance down saw her giggling uncontrollably.

"Oh god… this is… I was so mad at you! I was ready to be mad at you forever but then we did this!" She couldn't stop laughing, and it filled Jess' heart with warmth. With a grin of his own he traced his fingers down her sides, stopping at her hips to tickle the soft skin. Her laughter grew louder as she fidgeted away from his attacking hands, letting out a shriek of mirth that Jess had the quick sense to muffle with his hand. Almost instantly he replaced it with his mouth, feeling chapped lips and teeth as she continued to giggle. Feeling playful, he decided to leave a trail of kisses all over her face. Rory responded by licking his cheek.

"Wow, that was mature," he muttered as he pretended to wipe spit off his face.

"I think I've had enough maturity for one night," she quipped, before her face fell, "Can I ask you a favour?"

"Anything that doesn't involve moving." His answer made her laugh a little bitterly.

"That's exactly what I'm asking. I know you can't stay forever, just… don't leave me tonight."

"Considering my only option is the backseat of a frozen car, I can safely say I'm not going anywhere tonight."

"And you'll say goodbye before you go?" That was all she wanted. No promises of a future, proclamations of feelings (though, she reminded herself, he'd already done that). Just a sign, that this night had meant at least something to him. That he had changed, even if it was only by a fraction.

"Promise." He made so few promises, and had rarely said the word out loud. After all this time Rory knew his word was still good, as hard as it was to come by. That was all she needed.

"I've got another stipulation of your sleeping here tonight. You're staying for breakfast." If she could do nothing else for the dark circles under his eyes and worryingly smaller physique, a good night's rest and a plate of food would have to do. Silently she thanked her mother for buying bread. That's when another concern entered her mind, and it appeared Jess had just wondered the same thing.

"Rory, what about your mom?" If he wasn't number one on Lorelai Gilmore's hit list, it was only because she thought he was out of their lives for good.

"I'll deal with her. Right now I want sleep," Attempting to leave the bed to find their clothes, she was stopped by a pair of masculine hands, "I plan to sleep with clothes on and suggest you do the same. That way if my mom comes in during the night you can run outside without the risk of freezing any parts you might enjoy."

"Parts you might enjoy," he mumbled into her ear, earning him a swift kiss and lingering fingers on his chest. Still her thought process made sense and soon enough he was joining her on the hunt for their clothes.

Jess awoke groggily the next morning, his arms stiff from the cold and his eyes unfocused. He can't believe he dreamed about her again. This particular dream felt so real that he could hardly open his eyes to see whatever fleabag motel he was crashing in. He knew he was alone in the tiny bed and that confirming it with his sight would ruin any vestiges of a rather spectacularly dirty fantasy. For the life of him he couldn't remember which city he was in, but he supposed that was the fun in being a fucking drifter.

Before he could wake any of his other senses properly he felt a weight on the bed, and something lifting the blankets he was huddled under. A small hand ran its way up his bicep, pausing at the shoulder to trace a pattern he didn't understand. The distinctly intimate gesture caused him jump to alertness, his eyes wide and focused on the woman in front of him. She looked tired and beautiful and he wanted to hold her too tightly and never let go. It hadn't been a dream, Rory Gilmore was in bed next to him right now and he'd never felt so secure in his entire life.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" She frowned.

"Nah." Glancing at her alarm clock, he saw it was almost seven. Rory noticed the time too and groaned, her face planting itself onto his chest. Pulling her closer, their bodies entwining together, he began to play with her hair.

"I just got back from talking to mom. Apparently it was a forty minute conversation, but it felt like it lasted for hours."

"What's the verdict?"

"She smiled at the end, I think that was good?" She seemed unsure, and busied herself with tracing letters onto his chest. He felt the best kind of chill at her touch. "You're staying for breakfast, but she reserves the right to call you any silly name she can think of. And you need to talk to Luke."

"That was one of her stipulations?"

"No, it's one of mine. You know he was just trying to do the right thing with the car, you know?"

"Rory." He said warningly, not wanting to get into a fight.

"He was completely wrong, I'm totally on your side for this, so shut up," she grinned at his shocked face, "But he really cares about you."

"I'll try."

"I wasn't expecting it to be that easy."

"Rory, right now I'd be willing to do almost anything for you." The brutal honesty of his words made her falter. Never had he been so candid with her, and it felt incredible. She wasn't sure what had changed in him, but she liked it.

"You won't stay though. I understand, work and all that."

"You're not staying either. Yale beckons."

"Huh, I guess we're not so different then."

He didn't leave after breakfast, nor did he attempt to make a run for it before lunch at Luke's. In fact he spent the rest of the weekend in Stars Hollow, barely leaving Rory's side. The necessary conversation between uncle and nephew had occurred with very little shouting, the two coming to an agreement after an hour of sarcasm and apologies. Luke had warned him that if he left the younger Gilmore again without a valid reason, such as death or a very long coma, he wouldn't be responsible for his actions.

Soon enough it was Sunday evening, and with it the spell of their reunion was broken. Jess' car was fixed and he had work the first thing the next morning, while Rory was going back to Yale. The two had put off talking about where this left them, choosing to use their valuable time in a much more physical way. Now it was time for them to leave and they were standing a foot apart, staring at the ground.

"One of us is going to have to say something," Rory ventured.

"I have next weekend off work too," Jess offered, looking up to see Rory grinning.

"How'd you like a tour of Yale?"

"That depends, is your dorm co-ed?"

"It is, and I have it on good authority that Paris will be at the professor's," Rory crinkled her nose as she said it, and Jess remembered a conversation from yesterday about Paris Geller and her mystery man.

"Gross."

"Hey Jess?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't go back to New York," sensing his protests, she cut him off, "I mean obviously you have to go back. You've got jobs, and clothes and stuff. But I don't think you should stay there. It's too expensive. There's plenty of big cities that won't force you to work three jobs and starve yourself."

"Rory-" He wasn't sure what to say to that. New York was his home? That felt less true every time he went back. He was happy there? That hadn't been a reality since he was ten.

"Just think about it," Her gaze was steely, and he nodded, "and call me."

Bridging the gap they'd formed, Jess pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Rory's head rested on his chest as he stroked her hair, not wanting this moment to end. Placing a kiss on her forehead he frowned as a few tears streaked down her face. Lifting her chin, he kissed her chastely. It was a kiss full of promises, of phone calls and visits as they attempted to make this thing work between them.

"I better get going," he said finally, breaking their embrace.

"I love you, Jess," it was the first time she'd said it with full confidence, not 'I think I may have loved you'. Driving along the highway on his way back to a city he couldn't afford, those words circled in his brain and he knew without a doubt he was going to prove that he was worthy of them.

Hope you guys enjoyed it! This is a one-shot for now, but I'm definitely up for making it a two-to-five shot. Jess coming to Yale, shenanigans, all that good stuff. Let me know if you want more!