A/N: I didn't want to name it after a Britney song, but it fit! It's not a song fic though.

Spoilers: None really, but if any... up to the end of season 3.

** Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Gilmore Girls. If I were that all powerful then Jess would be staying put! So, in summation... Please don't sue me!**

August 2003


"You're not taking Colonel Clucker?" Pouted Lorelai, holding the stuffed toy up beside her head.

"Mom, I'm going to Yale, not a slumber party. Somehow, I doubt that Colonel Clucker is Yale material." Rory laughed, putting some more clothes in her suitcase.

"Shhh. I can't believe you'd insult his intelligence in his presence!" Said Lorelai, covering Colonel Clucker's 'ears'.

Jess stepped up onto the Gilmore's porch and sighed. He looked down at the note in his hand and felt ashamed of himself all over again. Every letter he'd written in that note had made him feel that way.

But he didn't know how else to do it. It didn't matter how he said it, it was going to be one of the most painful experiences of his life.

He thought he could at least spare Rory the torment of seeing that.

Jess slipped the note under the front door. Looked at the house and walked away.

Lorelai laughed as she and Rory made their way through the kitchen.

"Good times, good times." She smiled.

"I don't think Taylor would agree." Giggled Rory.

"Well of course not." Smirked Lorelai, as she opened the microwave and took out the popcorn. "They were his melons."

Rory laughed and nodded.

"At least Kirk replaced them." She sighed, grabbing the rest of the junk food from the table.

"Yeah, with Jackson's Melon-Strawberry hybrid!" Laughed Lorelai. "Not quite the same."

"I still don't even want to think about the mating ritual involved there." Said Rory.

"Ugh! Dirty!" Grinned Lorelai as they headed to the living room. "What time is Jess getting here?" She called over her shoulder.

"I don't know." Frowned Rory, looking over at the door and seeing the piece of paper laying in the entrance way. "Did you drop something?"

"Yes, lots of very suggestive hints about coffee flavored frosting." Smiled Lorelai playfully. "Luke didn't pick up on any of them."

"Good!" Cringed Rory, placing her share of the junk food on the table before going over to pick up the piece of paper. "I don't know that me leaving you alone in the house is such a good idea."

"Awww, but I'm a big kid now!" Smiled Lorelai as Rory sat on the edge of the couch and unfolded the note.

Rory recognized Jess's hand writing straight away and smiled. But her smile gradually faded as she read. Tears slowly came to hear eyes and she fought them off for as long as she could, but the more she read the more it sunk in, and eventually she gave in and let a single tear roll down her cheek.

"Rory… what is it?" Asked Lorelai, watching her daughter with a concerned gaze.

"He's gone." Rory cried softly, looking straight ahead. Her expression was distant and pensive. She felt numb.

Lorelai reached out and took the note from Rory and read it briefly. Her mouth slowly fell open.

"Oh… babe. I'm so sorry." She said as she sat beside Rory and hugged her tightly.

Rory didn't say anything. She let Lorelai hold her as she cried quietly.

He was gone.