This one is a bit short and a longtime coming, but I struggled a bit with where to start this chapter. In any case, I hope you like it.

Chapter Fifteen

Rory felt stupid. She knew that the minute she walked out of the diner, Luke would call Jess. She had tried her best to hide her disappointment, but she never did have much of a poker face.

By the time she reached the car, she had been unable to control her emotions. Not so much because he had left. She knew that he was leaving, but she hadn't expected him to leave so soon. Not only that, if everything had went as she planned, she wouldn't be driving back to New York alone.

She had considered calling him at least a dozen times. She had even considered changing course altogether and heading back to Pennsylvania. Instead, she drove back to her tiny apartment, with plans to start sifting through the rubble that was her life in New York.

She had been home for a little over an hour when her text alert rang out.

Call me when you get home?

She took a deep breath and dialed his number, hoping that she could control her emotions. He answered on the first ring. "That was fast."

"Traffic was light." She explained. "Are you home?"

"Yeah, sorry about the way that I left. I guess I've always had a problem saying goodbye to you." His voice hitched in his throat. "I'm sorry if I upset you."

"It's okay. I'm okay. Everything is fine. I just really wanted to see you this morning, that's all."

"So, we're really okay? If we're not, I think Luke might kill me."

"We're better than okay. I made my decision, Jess. I know what I want." She wasn't quite sure how to read the silence on the other end of the phone. "Did I lose you?"

"No," he answered quietly. "I'm still here."

"Well then, you must not have heard me, Jess. I've made my decision."

"That was quick. You sure you don't want more time to think things over?" He asked, skeptically. "I hope your decision wasn't formed based on how I left things this morning."

"I'm through over-thinking things, at least for today, and I made my decision last night. The way you left had nothing to do with it."

"Glad to hear it. So, don't keep me waiting. What did you decide?" He asked nervously.

"I wish that you were here. I hate to do this over the phone."

"You're only 97.3 miles away. I could be there in a couple hours."

"No, I just need to say this. I haven't been myself lately. I know that you've noticed it, but you've been too kind to say anything. I love you for that. I'm really not this wishy washy person that you've seen the past couple days. I'm not usually this weak."

"I never thought you were." Jess answered, defensively, unsure of where she was going. "Go on."

"You helped me get my life back on track once before, and that's one of the reasons that I came to see you. I hoped that being with you would help me to see things a little clearer. I didn't expect any of this. I guess I didn't know what to expect when I showed up at your door, but just seeing you, everything came rushing back."

"So, what are you saying, Rory?" Jess interrupted, impatiently.

"I'm saying that I love you, Jess. I guess I always have. I don't really know why it took me so long to recognize it."

"How much longer do you need to be in New York?"

"4-5 days..." She answered, glancing around at the boxes, books and papers that surrounded her in every direction. "Maybe more."

"Text me your address. I'll be there in 2 hours."

Note: I can't believe it took me this long to finally get this chapter written. It's been a good two weeks. (Maybe not, but it feels like it). In any case, my first thank you has to go to Milo Ventimiglia for signing on to the revival! I hope that all of the Jess/Rory fics got a little boost from that announcement.

My heartfelt appreciation goes out to those who have recently reviewed and/or followed my story. The last few reviews have really helped to shape this chapter, which I've been having a little bit of a problem finishing. So thank you to SolemnlySwearToManageMischief, MusicalCatharsis, AriesZombieReBornBalor, and jordana60. I really appreciate your insight! I promise to try to focus on finishing this one up. I've already started planning my next fic. :)