Title: The Perfect Drunken Mistake
Summary: PostPartings. Consider The Long Morrow' never happened. Luke and Lorelai, broken up. Yes, she slept with Christopher and everybody knows. They're both hurting. Then, somehow, they ended up, in the last place they'd ever think of, and made the perfect drunken mistake. Javajunkie and Literati.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Yes, a late post Partings fic, but I just really wanted to get this out before the new episode comes on tonight.
CHAPTER 1: The Beginning
Jess had heard about it. He still couldn't believe it. Honestly, and not meaning to sound cliché here, but he had thought that they were meant to be together. God where the hell did that come from? He must have been spending way too much time with Trish and sappy girls club that always comes in their bookstore and read Romance novels. Though they weren't that bad, despite their being hopelessly romantic, they were pretty cool. But hearing about what happened between his uncle and Lorelai, he got disappointed. Sad. Upset. Then mad.
It was five days after the fact when Jess had found out. Rory had called him. He could even tell before picking up the phone that it was her. Not because of caller ID, because he didn't have one, but because the ring was always different. Now he knew how luke felt every time Lorelai would enter the diner, or call him. There have been a few times before, after he had gone to see her this year, that he and Rory had talked on the phone. Mainly about books, his uncle, her mother.
When Jess had picked up the phone, the first thing he sensed was the Rory was crying. He could hear her sniffling and shaky breath.
"I just needed someone to talk to." she choked out, sobbing a bit.
"Rory what happened?" his voice filled with concern and worry.
"Mom and Luke." she said quietly, the tears still present.
Then he became alarmed. "What about them? Are they hurt? Were they in an accident?"
"No." she paused. Drawing in a shaky breath before saying, "They broke up." then she sobbed again.
Jess shut his eyes, and took a moment of silence. Then drew in a deep breath. But he stayed quiet. He listened to Rory, quietly sobbing on the other line. "Rory," he said quietly after a while, "are you ok?" Rory said nothing, just kept on sobbing. "What happened?" he finally asked.
Rory sobbed harder as she explained to him the situation. Her voice cracked saying Christopher's name. She hated him. She hated him for ever coming back to their lives. For intruding. For existing. She wasn't the only one. Lorelai hated him, Luke hated him, Emily and Richard, the whole town hated him, heck, even Gigi hated him, even if she had no idea of the matter. And Jess hated him too. But no one hated him more than Rory.
Jess tried very hard not to throw the phone on the wall. He had to be there for his uncle. And for Rory. He may have been a jerk back then, but he owe so much of his life to his uncle. After everything he's done for him, he deserves to be happy with Lorelai. Jess knows how much his uncle loves her. And finally they were getting married. But most importantly, this was important to Rory.
He knew what he had to do. He had to be there. For him. And for her…if she'll allow him. It's up to her. But most importantly, he has to be there for his uncle. So, the day after he got the call, he made his way to Stars Hollow.
Thursday- Stars Hollow
From the untrained eye, everything seemed to be just normal. The sun was shining, birds were chirping. The town still looked like a fairy tale. But to someone who knew better, like Jess, you could see the dark cloud, hanging over every citizens head.
Jess rolled his eyes at how idiotic the town was being. Though, as much as he'd hate to admit, a cloud was also hanging on top of his head as well. god this town was rubbing off on him. And he could swear, he heard Rory and Lorelai's giggles and saying dirty at the same time. He smirked.
"Hey uncle Luke." Jess greeted once he entered the diner. And immediately the place went silent and their eyes on him. But Jess only focused on his uncle. He saw his tired, baggy eyes. filled with pain and sadness. He felt sorry for him.
Luke didn't say anything. He just went back to counting his receipts. As did the people in the diner, they went back to eating and their murmuring. Jess went up t the counter and sat down. Lane did the liberty by pouring him coffee.
"Thanks." Jess said quietly. "Congratulations by the way."
Lane smiled slightly then walked away. Even with her newlywed high, she's still in a sad state after what had happened between the two beloved couple, and Jess can sense that.
"So…" Jess started, looking up at his uncle. "How're you doing?"
Luke grunted in response.
"Right." he nodded.
Luke put his receipts down and picked up a coffee pot, then walked away to serve customers. Jess looked at his uncle as he worked. He's just in denial in all of this. Jess saw the sympathetic looks people gave him. How Luke tried to ignore it. He could also see how heart broken his uncle is. How hard it was to try and not break down in front of people. He could only imagine how hard it was for him to keep working at a place where her touches were everywhere. This was the place where they would talk, hang out, or just have those playful banters and flirting. This was the place where everything started.
Luke didn't need this now. "Man what are you doing?" he yelled at him. Luke turned back to look at him with a confused look. As did everyone else in the diner.
"What are you talking about?" he mumbled.
"I'm talking about this!" he gestured around the diner. "Look man, you shouldn't be here. Not right now. You should be out there. I know how much being here just kills you. Serving people who're just rubbing it in on you." he said the last part loudly for everyone to hear.
Luke clenched his grip on the coffee pot, then went back behind the counter. He put the coffee pot back down, then grabbed Jess by the arm and dragged him upstairs. Once in his apartment, Luke threw jess in and closed his door.
"What the hell is your problem?" he growled. "Coming in here like that, yelling at me. Telling me how to live my life?"
Jess scoffed. "Well at least it's something to do than just stay here and feeling like shit."
"Shut up." Luke said. "And what the hell are you doing here anyway? How did you find out?"
"Gee uncle Luke, I'm happy to see you too." Jess said sarcastically.
Luke rolled his eyes. "Don't call me that."
"I'm here, cause I heard about what happened and I just wanted to make sure that you weren't living in misery." then he said. "Glad I was wrong."
"Shut up." Luke grumbled, walking to the fridge and taking out two beers. "And what do you care anyway?" he asked, handing him one, then sat down on the kitchen table.
Jess, a bit surprised that his uncle even gave him a beer, sat down with him. "Believe it or not, I do care about you uncle Luke."
"Stop."
"I mean it."
"Why are you really here?"
"I told you, I'm just checking up on you." Jess said. "Making sure you haven't gone completely hopeless."
Luke rolled his eyes. "Who told you?"
He shrugged. "Doesn't matter."
"Liz?" Jess shook his head. "I don't even think she knows about it yet."
"That should be a good thing." he smirked. "We know how Liz gets when she's angry."
"Yeah."
Silence.
"Rory told me." Jess said suddenly. Luke's head shot up at his direction. "She called me yesterday and told me what happened. That's why I'm here now." Luke said nothing, he just nodded. "Look, I just really wanted to make sure that you were ok. I know, it's so like me." they both chuckled a bit. "But, man, I know how you're feeling. And I know how much it hurts being here, in this place where it just reminds you of her." Luke was a bit surprised that he's hearing this from Jess. "You should go out."
"Jess-"
"No man. Really. You should."
"I'm not going to a strip club." God, the thought made him want to gag. He only wanted one woman in his life, the one and only woman that could entice him with just a flip of her hair, and with that smile of hers, even just by her begging for coffee makes him want to rip her shirt off. But now ... she's gone.
"I'm not talking about a strip club." Jess said. "I know you wouldn't be in to that." remembering T.J's bachelor party. "I was thinking more in the line of out of town."
"What?" that was even worse.
"Come one man. Take a vacation for a couple of days or so. You need it. Get away from the town. And just, go to a place that can at least distract you from thinking about Lorelai."
"Jess." Luke sighed. "As much as I would love to go and get my mind cleared off, I can't. first, I have work-"
"Cesar can take care of it. He did before when you left for Philadelphia. And Lane just got back from her honeymoon."
Ignoring his remark. "Second, I wouldn't even know where to go. Who to go with, and I don't want to spend my money on something that'll just make me anymore miserable."
"Tell you what, I have this conference in Atlantic City with this multi-publishing company, and they want to make a deal with me on my book. I'm meeting them there this Saturday. I'm actually leaving tomorrow, and coming back Sunday. They already gave me a room and everything."
"That's great Jess." he smiled slightly. He was really proud of him. He made something with his life. But, it hurts just to smile.
"Thanks." he blushed slightly, but quickly recovered. "Anyways, I'm meeting the guys when I get there. Now, how bout you come with me?"
"What?"
"Yeah. And don't worry, we all have our own room. And it's already paid for. So is the flight. So money is no issue." he said. "And I still have some extra money left for spending, just incase you want to get a drink or gamble, whatever. What do you say?"
Luke thought about for a moment. "You really offering me this?"
"I really am." he smirked.
"Do I get my own room."
He shook his head. "Sorry, the company's only paying for three rooms for the three of us. We're gonna have to share the room. Though the room does have a couch that pulls out into a bed."
Luke thought about it again. "You're sleeping on the couch."
Jess smiled. "We'll see."
Friday Morning- Lorelai's Bedroom
"Mom wake up." said a chipper Rory as she jumped on her mother's bed.
"Mmmmhmmm" Lorelai groaned but didn't wake up.
"Mom!" Rory shook her shoulders. "Mom, come one, wake up!" she shook her more forcefully, which did the trick.
"What?" she grumbled, her eyes squinting, only to meet Rory's shining, though filled with hurt and agony, eyes. "Rory, my life, why are you being cruel to your dear mother and waking her up when she obviously doesn't want to?"
"Cause," she said with a smile. "We're gonna be late."
"Late for what?" she asked groggily. "I took the day off remember? You specifically told me to take the day off, so we can spend some quality mother/daughter time."
"I know. And we're starting now." she said, with much enthusiasm as she can muster. She got off from her mother's bed, and pulled the covers back to indicate to Lorelai to get up.
"Now?" Rory nodded. "But it's," she looked at the clock. "Seven o'clock in the morning." she grumbled, laying back down on the bed.
"I know." she said, forcing her mother back up again. "But we need to start early if we're gonna get to our flight on time."
Lorelai groaned. Then, "Wait, flight? What flight?"
Rory smiled at her mischievously. "We, my dear mother, are going to Las Vegas."
Lorelai's eyes grew wide, and her mouth fell on the floor. "What?" and she immediately sprang up. "Las Vegas? As in in Nevada? That LAs Vegas? The City of I Do's?" Rory nodded. "How?…when?…I-"
"I bought two plane tickets for Las Vegas yesterday. Our flights today at noon. So we better get a move on missy!"
"Wait a minute, what are you talking about? We're going to Vegas?"
"Yes. We're going to Vegas!" Rory exclaimed.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
"I mean why are we going to Vegas? What's the occasion?"
"The occasion is," Rory started, "it's a wonderful time to have a vacation out of Connecticut. And this way, you can get your mind off," avoiding her mother's gaze when saying, "Luke."
"Aw, honey-"
"And before you say anything else," Rory interrupted. "I already talked to Sookie about this, and she thinks it's a great idea. She said she and Michel can take care of everything while we're gone. And Babette already said she'd watch Paul Anka for us. And, we wont be even be gone that long. We leave today, and come back Sunday. What do you say?"
Lorelai sighed. "Rory, I don't know."
"Mom, please." Rory pleaded. "Remember when you and Luke broke up the first time? And you were so heartbroken, that you even spent the weekend at my dorm? Well, I don't have school anymore, so there's nowhere you can go and hide out to get away from the town and the ribbons. So, that's why I booked us a flight to Vegas and got us a room in Ceasar's Palace."
"Rory, I appreciate this, but, I don't know."
"Mom, please. This way you can get away and clear your mind. Away from the town, away from the people, away from…him." Rory said quietly.
Lorelai thought about it. It does sound tempting. And she does need to get away from the town and from…him. For a while. And she can't go hide out with Rory, cause school's out. And it really hurts to at such close proximity to him. That every corner she turns, she sees him, remembers him, feels him. She misses him. But they can't be together anymore. She hurt him, more badly than he hurt her.
"Ok." Rory cheerfully got off her mother's bed and told her mother she had already packed for her last night when she fell asleep, so all they need to do is get ready.
Rory felt like this is as close she can get for her mother to forget about Luke. Lorelai wont completely forget about him. She knows that. Everything will still be there, like a stab in her heart. But at least she can take her away for a while, and let her remember what it was like out there, instead of just locking herself in her house and the inn.
After her talk with Jess on Wednesday, Rory had felt a bit better. She just needed to get everything off her chest. She couldn't talk to her mom about it. Cause her mother was already hurt by what had happened. She couldn't talk to Luke either. Paris is out of the question, she and Doyle went to Cape Cod the minute school ended. Logan already left for London, and she doesn't even know if they're still together. And Lane was still at her honeymoon at the time. So she called Jess.
She had talked to Jess before. Usually to tell him about the book and about her mom and his uncle. But, she just laid it all out for him. Told him what had happened and how she had felt about it. She really hated Christopher for what he did. He caused nothing but pain in their hearts.
She couldn't believe that he would just take advantage of her mother like that. She was so mad at him. She never wanted to talk, or see him again. So, Rory called her grandparents afterwards, and told them what had happened, without Lorelai knowing. Though Lorelai didn't really care. Richard and Emily were pissed as hell as well. They also agreed to continue paying for Rory's school so she wouldn't have to be obligated by him anymore.
Lorelai was oblivious to this. Rory figured she would tell her when she was starting to heal. Jess had mention a conference in Atlantic City this weekend during their conversation, and thought about taking Luke with him to get him away from the town. Which Rory thought was a great idea. He needed to get away and take a vacation. Which led her to the idea of taking Lorelai out as well. That's why she had thought Vegas. She also would have took her mother to Atlantic City, and re-enact her delayed 21'st birthday celebration, which was a total blast. But, since Jess was taking Luke there, she instead bought a ticket to Vegas.
Hartford Airport
"So, what gate are we suppose to go to?" asked Lorelai.
"Gate B-4. Flight 360 from Hartford to Las Vegas." replied Rory.
They had just finished with baggage claim and now they are on their way up to the terminal.
"Oh look." Rory excitedly pointed at the stores. "Let's go buy something!"
"Like what?"
"Souvenir's!"
"Rory, we can buy those stuff when we get there. They're all the same, just in a different location."
"Boy, where has my mother gone to? Cause my real mother would never pass up a chance to buy stuff at the airport stores."
Lorelai sighed and rolled her eyes. "Rory."
"Fine. Fine." she grumbled. They finally arrived at B-4. Rory seated them in the front, so they can get in first. Then Rory noticed the bookstore next to the terminal.
"Mom, can I go to the book store?"
"You're gonna leave me here?"
"Well, I'd ask you to come with me but I know how much you hate to watch me look around for books. And besides, somebody have to watch our stuff."
"Ugh, fine. Be back quick." Lorelai instructed. "Our plane's gonna be here soon."
Rory hugged her mother, then ran off to the bookstore.
-
Jess walked around the aisle's of the book store. He noticed the Subsect on one of the shelves. And also noticed that there were only two left. He chuckled at how stupid people were for actually buying his book. Though he does feel happy. He took one off the shelf and went to the reading area.
Rory entered the book store. She browsed around the aisles and then spotted the Subsect by Jess Mariano. She smiled. Probably the most genuine smile she's ever had since she found out about the break-up. She also noticed that there was only one left on the shelf. She knew that it would be a success.
She couldn't resist. She took the last book and started reading. This may have been the tenth time she's read it. But it really is a great book.
Jess was seated reading the book. Still not believing he had actually written a book. And that people actually had bought it. He was starting on the fifth chapter, when his cell rang. He put the book down and went out.
Rory was already starting on the fifth chapter when someone's phone went off. She rolled her eyes at how careless people could be. Don't they know this is a bookstore, where people read in peace and quiet. Then she checked her watch, their plane was gonna arrive soon. So she went back out to her mother. Lorelai was already standing up, and waiting for her. She immediately went to her side and they checked in to the plane.
"Hey." Jess greeted his uncle hurriedly, picking up their bags. "Change of plans."
"What?" Luke said, confused.
"Come on. We gotta go."
"Where?" but Jess was already walking away. "Jess. Wait. Where are we going?" their not leaving are they? As much as he'd hate to admit it but he was kind of looking forward to this trip.
"My stupid co-mate gave me the wrong information." Jess said. "We're suppose to be in Gate B-4, to Las Vegas, not Atlantic City."
"Wait, so we're going to Vegas?"
"Yep."
"How did you get those two mixed up?"
"I didn't. my buds did. He must have been high when he told me." Jess mumbled. And Luke prayed to god that he was kidding. "My other co-worker, Trisha," also known as the responsible one int heir group. "She gave me the correct information. The plane's already here. So we have to hurry."
The two quickly made their way to Gate B-4 and checked in to the plane.
A/N: I know, Jess seem to be so OOC. But, I was having a wee bit of trouble writing him. So, hope you don't hate me for that. And, yeah, it wasn't really that good. But please, give it a chance.
REVIEWS!-yes, please, I would love to hear what you think of this story so far. Good, bad and in between. and any SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, and/or REQUESTS you would like for this story, or any of my other stories, please do tell.
♠bokayjunkie♣