four: liz and tj and renaissance themes

Jess was trying his hardest to avoid TJ as he got ready with him and Luke. Luke was messing with shoe polish getting more frustrated by the minute. Jess sighed standing up next to Luke.

"What is wrong with this shoe polish?" Luke asked, frustration obvious.

"Pontius Pilate was alive when you bought it?" Jess offered sarcastically.

"Shoe polish goes bad?" Luke asks warily examining his shoe.

"It's all chunky." Jess observed with slight disgust.

"Aah, it messed up my shoes."

"Just wipe them off, they'll be fine."

TJ came out of the bathroom in nothing but his tights and Jess inwardly shuddered, more than mildly disgusted.

"Don't you have a full length mirror?" TJ asked, not noticing the awkwardness in the room.

"Don't need one." Luke avoided his gaze.

Jess tuned out the rest of their conversation, until the conversation was directed towards him again.

TJ said to Jess, "he's very nervous."

"I'm not nervous." Luke insisted.

"Maybe it's time you put a shirt on." Jess countered to TJ.

"Why, am I getting you hot?"

Jess ignored his comment, "I need the bathroom."

"Just hold on." Luke sighed.

"I am lovin' these tights. They're fantastic. They lend support everywhere you need it, but they breathe.

Both Luke and Jess ignored TJ, Jess focused on Luke, who was trying to choose a tie.

"This one."

Luke nodded, "Thanks."

TJ called to Luke, "Hey, Luke, I had to borrow your deodorant. I hope that's okay."

Luke winced, "Ohh."

"Allow me." Jess took it and tossed it into the trash.

xxxxx

Jess sighed as he stared at the book in front of him, the one his uncle had given him — thrown at him — out of the blue. A stupid self help book about love. Why did Luke have it? Why did Luke give it him? It was all ridiculous but Jess couldn't stop himself from reading it.

And it was getting to his head.

All he could think about was that night, that stupid night where he let himself be vulnerable. Where he opened his heart and ran. He couldn't think of anything besides what she could have said.

If he stayed, what would she have said? What would have happened?

Was she seeing anyone?

Jess wanted to know but he didn't want anyone to know that he wanted to know. He didn't want to seem pathetic.

So instead, he sulked. He sulked and read the self help book hidden in a magazine.

xxxxx

Jess had to admit, the wedding was beautiful. His mother looked genuinely happy— and although the entire ceremony was absolutely ridiculous, he somewhat enjoyed it. Not like he'd tell anyone that though.

After the ceremony and after the reception (which was awkward on so many levels) Jess had an idea stuck in his head and.he just couldn't get it out.

He wanted to see Rory, consequences be damned.

Luke walked in then, when Jess was pulling on his jacket ready to leave. Leave and do something he might regret.

"Oh, hey. You leaving?" Luke asked, noticing Jess was packed.

Jess shrugged, "Just hanging around, see if I'd catch you."

"Good, I'm glad you did. You can stay a couple more days, if you want." Luke offered, looking at Jess with an unidentifiable emotion. "There's no rush."

"Gotta get back to work." Jess said, in an almost apology.

"Right, right." Luke nodded. "Did you say "goodbye" to your mom?"

"Yeah, we're good. I gave her a cellphone number that's pretty permanent." Jess told him. Noticing Luke's expression he said, "Just got it. Left it for you on the fridge."

"Good."

"I want to pay you back..." Jess stared, "all the money"

"You don't have to." Luke insisted. Because Jess was family, that's just what you do for family.

Jess shook his head. "I want to. And I appreciate it...everything -- the money, living here."

"Well, it's good to hear, but I kind of knew that." Luke gave Jess a small smile.

"Yeah, but," Jess smirked, "in a relationship -- any relationship -- it's important to let the other person know you appreciate them so you don't create barriers that delay any hope for reciprocation." Jess quoted the infamous self help book.

Luke had a knowing glint in his eye, "I think I read that somewhere."

"Yeah?"

"You're hoping for reciprocation?" Jess nodded shyly. "You got it. I'm here, Jess. I'm always here."

"Thanks." Jess went to shake Luke's hand and was pulled into a hug. A lengthy hug but Jess wasn't complaining, it was comforting. "The tie work out?"

"The tie was perfect." Luke patted Jess' shoulder. Jess smiled, nodding in acknowledgment, before quickly slipping out the door.

xxxxx

author's note:

please review! I enjoy reading them!