AN: How was that for a speedy update? Thanks everyone for the reviews, I really like to hear your thoughts on the story, and if you are liking it. But don't give me too much credit for the idea, there are other stories like this, or at least I've read one like it but it was set when they were dating in Stars Hollow. Anyway, hope you like this next chapter.
Disclaimer: Don't own...
Chapter 3
Jess glanced at Rory and the steady rise and fall of her chest. He was sure that she was asleep now, and ever so slowly, trying to make as little movement as possible, he began to sit up. She still had a hold of his shirt, though, so he rested his hand on hers until her grip loosened, and then stood up and placed her hand gently on the bed beside her. She stirred slightly, and murmured something in-coherent, and Jess brushed his hand against her flushed cheek.
She settled, and he sighed, withdrawing his hand. He couldn't avoid it any longer.
He left the room quickly before Rory had a chance to wake, and made for the phone downstairs. He was thankful as he passed, that Matt and Chris were asleep. Despite their best intentions, he did not think he could handle any more of their comments.
He grabbed the phone and looked at the clock. 6 am. Yep, he was done for, a goner. But he didn't know if Rory was going to wake up soon so now was the only time.
He dialled the familiar numbers he had memorized long ago and brought receiver to his ear. The rings went on for a while until there was an answer.
"Hello?" there was a grunt on the other end. Jess was a little startled, not the voice he had expected.
"Luke?"
There was a pause and then, "Who is this?"
Jess smirked a little, "Having fun at your little sleepover?"
"Jess? What- is everything okay?"
Jess took a deep breath, "Is Lorelai there? I need to talk to her."
"You... need to speak with Lorelai?" Luke asked, surprised.
"Right."
"Uh... okay? Hang on."
There was another long pause as he heard the rustling of bed sheets.
'It's Jess.' He heard in the muffled background.
'Huh?'
'Jess.'
'Who?'
Luke sighed, 'Jess, my nephew, Jess.'
'Okay... And?'
'And he wants to talk to you.'
There was a long pause and Jess could hear the rustling of bed sheets again as he presumed she sat up. 'Did he hit his head?'
'Just take the phone, Lorelai.'
"Jess," she simply stated when she took the phone. Well, he wasn't expecting a warm greeting or anything.
"Lorelai, uh, sorry for calling so early... it's Rory."
As soon as her name left his lips, the entire mood of the conversation changed in a heartbeat.
"It's Rory, what do you mean it's Rory? She's alright isn't she?" Lorelai's voice was shaky.
Jess was quick to answer, not wanting to worry her, "She's okay-"
"Well of course she's okay, why wouldn't she be okay?"
'Lorelai? What's going on?'
"She's here in Philadelphia," Jess continued, bracing himself a little, "She's sick, but she's okay. I think it's just a fever, but she's asleep-"
"I'll be right there," she stated without hesitation.
"You don't have to-"
"I'll be right there," she said, a little more forcefully this time. And then there was a click, and the sound of the dial tone ringing in his ear before he could utter another word.
Jess sighed, rubbing a hand down his face and resting the phone back on the counter. Now Lorelai was coming here, too? The last twenty-four hours really did have a 'Jess Mariano; this is your life' vibe going on.
Jess sat on the edge of his bed with a fresh washer and began pressing it gently to her cheeks and then rested it on her forehead. Rory mumbled softly into the touch and then her eyes opened.
"Hi," she smiled softly.
"Hi," he answered, smiling back down at her "how are you feeling?"
Rory's brow furrowed as she thought, and then she finally answered, "Bad."
Jess chuckled slightly, god she was cute.
He brushed a stray piece of hair that was sticking to her cheek. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"I..."
"What is it?"
"... need to use the bathroom," she said, looking anywhere but at him. "I don't think I can get up though," her cheeks began to flush even more, if it was possible.
"Oh..." Jess replied, a little thrown, "Here, I'll help you."
He took the washer from her forehead and then gently placed one of his hands on her arm and wrapped the other around her back, pulling her into a sitting position. The room span and she felt another sudden wave of nausea. Jess sat there with her a moment before moving again, letting her adjust to the new position.
"Ready?" he asked gently. She nodded slightly, and he brought her slowly and gently to her feet. She swayed a little and grabbed at Jess' shoulders for support.
"Okay, this is good," he said, trying to encourage her, and he began to slowly pull her to the door adjoining his room and the bathroom.
"Jess..." she mumbled weakly, and then she stopped mid-step, flinging her hand to her mouth as another wave of nausea ran through her. This time it wasn't going away. She pushed away from him and with all the strength she had, managed to make it to the bathroom without passing out.
Jess ran after her, kneeling on the floor next to her as he held her hair back for her. Afterwards she began to feel lightheaded, and leant into his chest for support.
Jess brushed her hair back, "Just sit here for a minute, okay? I'll be right back."
She nodded slowly as he pushed her gently back into an upright position.
He left her and got a fresh glass of cool water and an aspirin. He re-entered his bathroom to find her sprawled out on the tiles. He sat down in front of her, placing the glass on the ground.
"That can't be comfortable," he stated after a while.
Rory turned her head, placing her other cheek to the cool tiles. "Cold floor... good," she mumbled.
"I got you some aspirin," he told her. He began to pull her up, her eyes still closed.
"I can't take it," she said shakily.
"It'll make you feel better, I promise."
She opened her eyes, gazing into his. "Don't make me drink the water," she pleaded.
"What? Why?"
"I'll die." She said it like she believed it was absolutely true.
Jess laughed, a little uneasy, "What? Rory, what are you talking about?"
"Don't make me drink the water," she repeated, a few tears slipping down her cheek, and his heart melted. He knew she was delusional and that he should probably make her drink something, but he couldn't when she was looking at him like that with those beautiful blue eyes.
"Okay," he nodded.
The tears were still falling from her eyes. He touched her cheek gently. "Shh," he soothed, pulling them both gently to the floor, letting her lay against his chest.
Jess was probably in the most uncomfortable position of his entire existence, but he didn't care. He just brushed his hand through her hair until her sniffles stopped and her breathing steadied.
AN: Poor delusional Rory. But isn't Jess the sweetest?
