The Sound of White
PG-13
This is my first try and something very serious in a work of fiction. But I hope you enjoy. I happen to adore this story and I hope you do too.
I own Haven Brooks. Beautiful Haven Brooks. And that is all

Like a freeze-dried rose, you will never be
What you were, what you were to me-a memory,
But if I listen to the dark,
You'll embrace me like a star,
Envelope me, envelope me ...

She was nervous, her hands fumbling with her sock hat as she stared at the wooden door in front of her. She didn't know when he moved out of Truncheon, but the address she was given led her here. It was a nice building, almost too nice for Jess Mariano to be living there.

Her hand had a mind of it's own, racking against the wood in front of her. She heard the knock echo and she winced, wishing she wouldn't have done it. There was silence, except a soft sliding sound getting closer to her.

She heard a few clicks, she assumed was locks, and then the door opened. He had morning stubble and his hair was a mess. His brown eyes looked completely exhausted. "Rory," he said, completely shocked. "Are you okay?"

Rory smiled and pushed her hair behind her ears. "Of course I am, but ... are you?" She gave him a once-over. His grey t-shirt tight agains his chest and his wind pants black and hanging at his feet.

He nodded meekly, giving her a small smile. "Yeah. I'm fine, just tired." His finger rested on each side of the bridge of his nose, pressing into the corners of his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I... wanted to see you," Rory said, shrugging slightly. "Is this a bad time?"

"No," Jess said, quickly, "no. It's just ... my girlfriend. She's resting. I'm trying to be quiet."

"I can come another time," she mumbled, shrugging. Girlfriend. She never even thought he'd have a girlfriend.

"No," he smiled, reaching out and grabbing her arm, softly pulling her in. "We'll just be kind of quiet and ... stay in the kitchen. You came all this way."

"I know," Rory said, laughing quietly. "I haven't talked to you since mom's wedding. You said you'd keep in touch."

Jess smiled at her, softly, almost sympathetically. "I got really busy in the last six months," he said, sighing. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Rory said with a smile. "So girlfriend, huh? Recent?"

"Three years," Jess said, shrugging. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys about her, she couldn't make it to the wedding."

"What's her name?" Rory asked, softly, careful not to make a loud noise.

"Haven," Jess said, smiling up at Rory. He nodded over at the kitchen counter to a picture of her. "That's her."

Rory looked over and couldn't help but smile. She was very pretty. Very light blonde hair, almost white, with pale skin, and big green eyes. She looked so happy, her arms wrapped around Jess' neck. He wasn't looking at the camera.

She didn't have that slutty look, but had a very natural and beautiful look about her. Rory took a deep breath, feeling a pang in her chest. "She's gorgeous."

"Thank you," Jess smiled, looking at the picture. She could see it, even if he didn't want her to. A slight sadness in his eyes.

"Jess?" A soft voice called from the other room. "We have company?"

Rory could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke and couldn't help but smile herself.

"Yeah, Haven," Jess called back to her, not turning to look behind him. "Don't get up!"

"I want to see the company," she called back, her voice not as loud as Jess'. Rory could hear a sigh come from the other room and gave Jess a confused look.

"We'll come in there!" Jess called back to her and nodded to Rory. "Come on." He walked to the swinging door and pushed it open, leading her into the living room.

Rory took a deep breath, seeing the beautiful girl laying down on the big couch, blankets piled on her frail body. Her hair not as full as it was in the picture and her eyes dark. She glanced at Jess who walked over to Haven and kissed her head.

"Good nap?" He asked her.

"Yes," Haven said, slightly annoyed. She looked up at him and then to Rory. "Don't be rude. Introduce me."

Jess smiled down at her and then up at Rory. "Haven, this is Rory Gilmore. Rory, Haven Brooks."

Rory smiled at her, feeling a knot in her throat. "Nice to meet you, Haven."

"You too," Haven smiled. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Really?" Rory asked with a smile. "I'm flattered ... or was it bad?"

Haven laughed, shaking her head. "It was good. You're how I imagined you. Jess is very good with descriptions."

"He is a writer," Rory said, smiling at Jess.

Jess rolled his eyes, sitting down on the chair beside her.

"He's so modest," Haven said, teasingly. She put her hand on his and squeezed it with as much strength as she could muster and that wasn't much.

"We aren't here to talk about me. She's meeting you," Jess said, after a sigh. He looked up at Rory with a grin.

It was Haven's turn to roll her eyes. "Like that's a cheerful subject," she looked at Rory and gave a gentle smile. "I'm sorry you had to meet me like this." And just as she said it, her nose started bleeding. Both nostrils. It broke Rory's heart, but Jess was unphased.

He grabbed a handful of tissue and slowly pressed it to her nose, kissing her temple. "Can you hold it on your own?"

It pained her to do it, but Haven shook her head no. She was completely useless and weak and that killed her.

Rory watched the scene in front of her with wet eyes. He was so caring and gentle with her. She looked away, not wanting to make Haven feel awkward.

"Rory," she heard, from a gentle voice.

She turned her head and met Haven's eyes. Haven smiled at her. "Will you stay for dinner?"

"Are you sure?" Rory asked, glancing over at Jess. Jess just shrugged, smiling a little at her.

"Why not?" He asked, rubbing Haven's hand as he wiped her nose. "I'm cooking."

She paused, thinking about it before she nodded. She couldn't turn Haven down. It was almost like turning down a child. "Absolutely. I don't really have plans."

Haven smiled at her and looked up at Jess, her eyes shutting slowly. Jess smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest. I'll wake you when the food is done."

"I don't want to fall asleep on company," Haven said, weakly.

Jess held her face, looking into her eyes. "You need to rest, Haven. I'll wake you up."

She sighed and nodded, closing her eyes. "Make sure he doen't burn down the kitchen, please, Ms. Gilmore."

Rory laughed and nodded. "No problem." She stood up and waited on Jess to guide her back to the kitchen. He stood, lightly dropping Haven's hand, and followed Rory back into his kitchen.

To Rory, he looked so helpless.

So broken.

But to Haven, he looked like Superman.

Review? More soon.