"Hello?" Luke answered the phone abruptly, exasperated after having Kirk invade the diner with a dog that had only looked like Snuggles.
"Hey, you busy?" Jess asked.
"Not really. I just went over to the arcade to get some change, and Lorelai and Rory were here when I got back, so it looks like I won't be closing any time soon."
"You really need to start locking your door when you step out."
"I was only going to be gone for a minute, but then I ran into..." He stopped short of telling Jess about his conversation with Dean. "And you know, it's late. I figured that no one in their right mind is going to be coming in this late."
"You do remember old iron stomach and blue eyes Gilmore, right? I don't think they realize that you're not a 24 hour diner."
"Yeah, well...Hey, I got your message. Glad you made it home in one piece. The car still running?"
"Yeah, it's good. How are things there? How's everyone?" He hinted, not wanting to ask about Rory directly, especially after Luke had warned him to stay away from her.
"Oh. Lorelai and Rory? They're great. They're really good. Why?"
"No reason." He swallowed hard. "I was just wondering how she was, that's all."
"She's fine, Jess. I know I was a bit harsh with you about her, but I meant what..." A familiar voice rang out in the background, interrupting him.
"Hey Luke, we're having pie."
"Ok, just wait for me to serve it." Luke shouted back. "Listen, I really have to get out there. It was good to talk to you."
"You too. Hey, before you go, I wanted to thank you again for the money. I really appreciate it."
"I know you do. Take care of yourself, and call again soon."
"I will." Jess promised before ending the call.
(2 1/2 months later)
Jess walked down the sidewalk and knocked on the door of the coffee shop. Eva emerged from behind the counter and raced over to unlock the door.
"I just finished closing up." She said, smiling as she held the door open for him. "Come on in. Mike left a little while ago."
"You really shouldn't be here alone after closing."
"I'm not alone. You're here. Want some coffee?" She grabbed a mug and a pot of coffee from behind the counter, before following Jess to their regular corner booth.
"No thanks, and I'm pretty sure that inviting a former employee in after closing would be frowned upon."
"What Mike doesn't know won't hurt him. He doesn't hate you, you know. I wish you would just talk to him. I know that he'd hire you back, if you'd just talk to him. I miss you around here."
"I have a job. I've been delivering paperwork for a law firm. It's only part-time and it doesn't really keep me busy, not like this place did, but it pays the rent, for now. Besides I don't want to be somewhere that I'm not wanted."
"Don't you ever get tired of carrying around that chip on your shoulder?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know what I mean, Jess. This can't be all that you want from life, floating from job to job, sleeping in that moldy apartment. You're smart and charismatic when you want to be. You're a brilliant writer. You deserve so much more than this."
"You're starting to sound like someone else I know."
"Let me guess, Rory?" She asked, as Jess rolled his eyes and nodded. "Well, she was right. I want so much more for you."
"What if I don't deserve more than this? What is it with people trying to turn me into something I'm not?"
"That's not what I'm doing."
"Tell me something then, why's it so important to you? Why do you care so much?"
Eva stared at the half full coffee cup in front of her, contemplating her next words carefully. "I care about what happens to you, Jess. You don't give yourself enough credit. You have people that love and care about you." She took a deep breath and collected her thoughts before she continued. "I love you and I don't want to fight with you."
He was beginning to understand how Rory must have felt after he confessed his feelings to her a few months before. He didn't really know how to respond, so he sat there with his head down.
"You're special, Jess. I noticed it the first time I met you. I just wish you could see it too." She reached across the table and placed her hands atop his. "But don't worry, I know where I stand with you. I'm not Rory and I'd be stupid to think that I have even the slightest chance, but that doesn't change the way I feel about you."
"I'm just surprised, that's all."
"I know. I always meant to tell you, and then Liz sent you off to live with your uncle. When you came back, you didn't want to talk about anything but Rory. You had such tunnel vision. I'm not criticizing. I just hoped that one day you would notice."
"I'm sorry." Jess mumbled, not knowing what else to say.
"Don't be." She slid out of the booth and headed to the door. "I think it's time for you to go."
Jess slowly stood and walked to the door.
"Eva..." He reached down and laced his fingers with hers. He leaned in and kissed her cheek. I am sorry."
The next morning, Jess woke to the shrill ring of his cell phone.
"Yeah?" He groaned, as he flipped open the phone.
"Is that anyway to greet your mother?"
"I'm trying to sleep. What do you want, Liz?"
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm getting married. Next weekend, actually, in Stars Hollow. I know it's last minute, but I was hoping that you could be there."
"I'm sure that Luke is thrilled. Does he know?" Jess asked, ignoring her request for his attendance.
"No, we're on our way there now to tell him. So, can you make it? It would mean the world to me to have all of my men together in one place."
"Why Stars Hollow? Why not get married here?"
"Stars Hollow has the gazebo and the town square, plus it has Luke and all of my friends are there."
"I can't. If it were anywhere in the world besides Stars Hollow..."
"I understand." Liz answered, disappointed.
"I'm sorry." He grimaced, realizing that it was the second time in 24 hours that he had uttered those words. "I just started a new job. I really shouldn't be asking for time away yet."
"I understand. I love ya, kid."
"I know. I have to go. Call ya later?" He ended the call, turned off his phone, and slowly fell back asleep.
A/N: I've recently updated my first chapter to include an author's note explaining that this is indeed a Jess/Rory story. For those who have already read chapter 1, I feel inclined to ask for your patience. This really is a Jess/Rory story, which will loosely follow the timeline of season 4. The episodes with Jess in season 4 are some of my favorite episodes of the entire series. Ok, public service announcement over. Before I step down from my soapbox, I'd like to thank you for reading. :)