A/N: Hey ya'll! I'm so sorry this has taken so long and I know it's shorter than usual, but Mel and I are working on the next chapter. Speaking of which, we have set up a poll because we can't continue without your help!! (Oh God, I sound like a commerical) Anyway, please enjoy, vote, and review!
Thanks ya'll! Bop On-
Bri
It had been three months since I moved into a four-room apartment three streets away from Luke's. It still felt a little empty, but I was quickly getting used to that. Lucas and I had started dating off and on, due to our busy schedules we didn't get to see as much of each other as we would have hoped. I was going to an online college while he went to the community college, so schoolwork kept us both pretty busy. Jess and I still weren't talking, though he'd grudgingly helped me move, mainly because Lorelai had begged Rory to help. Luke and Lorelai were still going strong, Luke had even confessed he'd thought about marriage, but nothing had happened so far, as far as I knew.
A knock on the door shook me out of my thoughts. Answering it quickly I was surprised to see Lucas standing there. "Ready to go?" He asked.
"Go where?" I asked dumbly.
"Open mike night in Hartford, remember?" He teased.
"Oh my God." My hand covered my mouth. "I can't believe I forgot!"
"So, I guess you're not ready." He couldn't resist teasing me a little bit more.
"Three seconds." I promised letting him in and then dashing to my bedroom to grab my purse and pull my hair up.
"I'm really sorry I forgot." I told him as we drove to the restaurant.
"I know you've been busy, it's really okay." He reassured me, glancing at me as I fiddled with my purse strap. "Are you alright?" He asked looking genuinely concerned.
"Yeah, I just didn't sleep well last night." We linked hands as we arrived.
"As long as that is all that it is." He said searching my face for the truth.
"Definitely!" I replied forcing a smile. Faking happiness had become like second nature and I was becoming the queen of fake outs.
"Break a leg." He told me teasingly when it was my turn.
I smirked toward him as I walked up on stage, my nerves calming as I heard the familiar music begin to play. I had selected 'Before He Cheats' by Carrie Underwood and my all-time favorite 'Men and Mascara' by Julie Roberts. The audience clapped long and hard after I was done, making me smile happily as I got off the stage and was met with a hug and a kiss from Lucas.
"I know I haven't cheated but you still made me feel guilty," Lucas told me laughing. "Why were you glaring at me during those songs?" He asked seriously.
"I needed someone to make eye contact with and I didn't want you to think that I was checking out someone else." I said with a laugh.
Lucas opened his mouth to retort and was cut off by a man in a white cowboy hat and a killer smile. "Excuse me, but are you Danielle Mariano?"
I eyed him as I replied, "Depends on who wants to know."
A hearty chuckle filled the air as he held out his hand and replied. "My name is Kenny Kelly, and I work with Big Machine Records. I was wondering if I could talk to you about possibly coming in and playing for some people that may want to give you a recording contract." He finished with a 100-watt smile.
I was shocked speechless as my mind raced with responses all at once; my mouth however wasn't getting the message to tell him that. "I- um, wow." 'Smart comeback Dani.' My brain told me. "That sounds amazing." I forced out, telling myself firmly not to stutter.
"Good." He handed me a business card. "Call me and we'll set something up."
"Of course." I shook his hand and he left. As soon as he was out of earshot, I turned to Lucas and hugged him tightly, shrieking quietly.
"The eardrums, D." Lucas teased.
"Do I look like I care?" I retorted sarcastically as my face beamed with happiness.
"Right now nothing could make you care or make you upset." He said shaking his head slightly.
"Nope!" I chirped happily as I picked up my guitar and headed for the door. Even though I was super happy and excited with my good news I couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was around the corner.
Lucas dropped me off at home and I changed into some comfy shorts and a cami before digging into a carton of Ben and Jerry's and plopping down on the couch with the remote in my hand. I had the feeling that something wasn't right once again as the hairs stood up on the back of my neck and I heard a noise outside of my window. Slowly I stood up placing the ice cream carton on the coffee table and walked over to the window. As I peered out I saw nothing except a small kitten that looked lost. I reached down to scoop up the timid kitten that was white with large grey spots littering its small frame. I smiled as it cuddled into my warmth and purred happily. "Hey cutie." I cooed, sitting on the couch with him, scratching underneath his chin. He meowed in response and I giggled. After a while he fell asleep, still purring. I curled in bed, shaking off the nervous feeling of being watched, with the excuse that I wasn't used to my new pet.
I awoke the next morning to a knock on the door. "I hate you." I groaned, glancing at the clock, which told me it was 8:15. I answered the door to find no one there. I glanced up and down the street, searching for a trace of a person, finding nothing. I frowned, but then waved it off, telling myself they had the wrong house and realized it. I sighed, shutting the door and going in to get ready for the new day. I had decided to keep the kitten, whom I had named Tigger.
"Tiggy, what are you doing?" I asked as I spotted the kitten hanging from my shirt that I had hung up yesterday when I finished laundry. I rushed over to get him as he fell to the floor and ran to my bedroom. As I ran after him I thought I saw someone looking in the window. Immediately Tigger was forgotten as I picked up the closest thing that would do some damage and walked toward the window. I chuckled slightly as I looked in my hand and saw that I had picked up Lucas's baseball bat that he had left after attempting to teach me how to bat. I flung the bat over my shoulder like he taught me and proceeded to the window. By the time I got there I saw nothing but the tree branches swaying in the wind and played it off as just my overactive imagination. I heard something crash in my bedroom and immediately took off down the hall shouting "Tigger!"
"Tigger!" I groaned, finding a broken lamp and a dizzy kitten on the floor. The figure in the window was forgotten as I placed Tigger in the bathroom and shut the door while I began cleaning the broken glass. As I went to stand I caught sight of the same reflection in the mirror on my dresser. The man was tall with a black hooded sweatshirt and was wearing a ski mask under the hood. I screamed and dropped the pieces of glass as I ran to the phone and called Luke.
"Luke's." Jess answered. Great, I thought, still trying not to panic.
"Let me talk to Luke." I tried not to let my voice shake.
"No, what do you want?" Jess snapped. He had been even more angry with me since I moved out on my own and i really didn't want him rubbing my nose in the fact I needed help now.
"Just let me talk to Luke!" I yelled before I noticed a shadow run across the wall behind me and I screamed.
"Are you okay?" Jess sounded concerned now, but there was no way I was going to tell him anything.
"Just a spider." I said, my voice quivering.
"Whatever." Jess sounded bored now and I knew he was doing this to make me mad. I heard the sound of keys jingling in the background as he said, "Bye, I'll have Luke call later." and then nothing but the dial tone. I screamed at the phone and continued cleaning up glass, now very unnerved.
I finished cleaning up the glass and decided it was time for a shower. Laying out my clothes I let Tigger out of the bathroom and started the shower letting the water warm up as I undressed. I stepped into the shower and immediately felt the hot water ease the tension from my muscles as I started washing my hair and singing some of my favorite songs.: I heard another thump and jumped, but then told myself it was just Tigger and nothing to worry about.
That was until the toilet flushed and I felt the scalding water hit my skin. I screamed as I pulled the curtain back and saw Jess standing in the bathroom wearing a smirk for about a second before cursing. "Dammit Dani, I don't ever want to see you naked. That is so wrong!" He said as he turned quickly and shielded his eyes.
"Then don't come in my bathroom!" I yelled at him, grabbing a towel.
"What else was I suppose to do when you call sounding frantic and screaming in the phone?" He yelled.
"I told you! I saw a spider!" I snapped as I pushed him out the door and shutting it in his face.
"Spider my ass! You aren't even scared of spiders, and you sounded petrified!" He challenged.
"So I saw something! Big deal!" I screamed through the door, yanking on clothes.
"What?" He asked and I began to pace the small bedroom. "Shit, what the hell?" Jess yelled as I yanked open the door seeing him jump when Tigger rubbed himself against his shin.
I laughed hysterically. "That's my kitten you idiot!" I welcomed the change of subject.
"When did you get a cat?" He asked as he scrunched up his face, picking Tigger up with one hand under his little belly.
"Give me him before you hurt him." I snatched Tigger from him, petting him gently.
I laughed as Jess watched us with a bored expression. "Don't think you are getting off the hook so easily." he said in a bored tone never taking his eyes off the small kitten.
"I'm not a fish." I retorted.
"What scared you Dani?" He asked looking at me without so much as blinking. "Regardless of what you think I do love you and care about you." His voice was filled with pain and I felt guilty.
"Nothing." I avoided his gaze, turning my attention to Tigger.
"Bull!" He said still staring at me.
"Nothing scared me!" I insisted.
"Again, bull!" He said leaning forward still staring. "I've known you all your life and you are trying to tell me nothing scared you when it was your scared voice?"
"I do not have a 'scared voice'!" I protested.
"Dani." Jess scolded and I felt the desire to make things right with him again.
"Okay, fine, whatever, so I have a scared voice, big deal!" I placed Tigger on the bed and continued to pace.
"Now what caused the scream?" Jess prodded.
"Nothing." I said quietly.
"Dammit Dani talk to me!" Jess said standing and running a hand through his hair as he paced.
"I am talking to you!" I yelled.
"Not really." He whispered sadly.
"What are you talking about?" I asked softly.
"You speak, but you don't actually want to talk to me anymore. We use to share everything, but you are so distant I feel like I'm loosing you. Scratch that, I have lost you!" Jess's voice wavered.
"I got an offer for a record deal in Nashville." I said quietly.
Jess's face lit up as he reached out and pulled me into a hug. "That's great Kris!"
Suddenly I was wishing I never pushed everyone away, especially Jess. Then I remembered my plan. "But you can't tell anyone about that." I snapped, my tone harsher than I intended.
"Why?" He asked, holding me at arms length.
"Because-" I struggled for an excuse. "Because I'm not sure if I'm going to take it."
"What? Why not?" Jess asked frowning
"Because Nashville's a long way away and I'm not sure if I'm ready for an album yet." I lied.
"Cop out!" Jess said pointing a finger at me.
"What?" I asked feeling defensive
"You are trying to stay here for what reason? Lucas?" Jess said and I felt my temper stir.
"There's nothing wrong with Lucas!" I snapped.
"I never said there was a thing wrong with Lucas! I was wondering if you were afraid to leave for Nashville because it means Lucas will still be here?" He finished and I felt a sting from his words.
"So what if I want to stay with my boyfriend? There's nothing wrong with that!" I tried not to yell.
"Do you really want to pass this opportunity by when Lucas can be there for you even if you do move? Kris, I know you have wanted this forever and I don't want you to have regrets. I also don't want to see you go, but I would be selfish if I told you to stay!" Jess finished pulling me into a hug and I felt my walls crumble slightly.
"But I'll be so far away." I murmured, trying not to cry.
"You get visitation right?" he joked and I couldn't help but giggle.
"Nope. They cut me off from all things alien." I teased. I gasped as he began tickling my sides. "Not fair!" I yelled as I took a breath. I screamed as I struggled to get away from him and tripped over the bed and fell on the floor.
As I landed I felt something sharp ram into my hand. "Ouch!" Jess looked at my hand and immediately pulled me up from the floor and pressed my towel over the cut. "Apparently I missed some of the lamp." I muttered as I watched Jess retreat to the bathroom to get the first aid kit.
"Klutz." Jess teased, taking my hand and picking the glass out.
"Putz." I giggled as I stuck my tongue out toward him.
"Baby." He retorted.
"Not me!" I yelled in his ear as he put peroxide on the cut.
"The eardrums!" He shot me a glare.
"Are fine, my hand not so much." I hissed as the peroxide burned.
"I'm sorry it hurts, there's glass in your hand!" He told me. "By the way, why is there broken glass in the floor?" He asked raising a eyebrow.
"Tigger." I sighed, petting the kitten beside me.
"What did the little furball do?" He asked as he bandaged my hand.
"He broke a lamp." I winced as he pressed too hard on my cut. "That hurts, be gentle!"
"Sorry!" he muttered as he continued to work on my hand. As he finished with the last piece of tape he pulled up my hand and kissed it, "All better." he joked.
"Eww!" I snatched my hand back. "It has Jess germs on it!"
Jess laughed and everything finally felt like old times, "I've missed this!" Jess said sadly.
"Me too." I sighed. 'Finally things feel like normal again, too bad I have to revert back into bitchy Dani soon.' I thought as I pulled Jess closer to me.
"What's going on? What scared you?" Jess asked softly, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.
Timidly I looked up to Jess, "I thought I saw something, but I didn't so...it was nothing." I said lowering my head while I played with my fingers.
"Liar." He whispered as I buried my head in his chest.
"Fine, I thought I saw someone." My voice trailed off before I could say anymore, Jess jumped up.
"Who?" He commanded.
"No one. I didn't see anyone!" I pulled him down beside me on the couch.
"Dani!" His voice was forceful and caused me to wince.
"I didn't see anything!" When he glared at me, my tone softened. "I promise."
"Kris?" His voice quieted as he pulled me closer. "What did you see? Who?"
"Paul, I think it was Paul." I sighed, "I'm sure my mind is playing tricks on me. But I'm probably wrong!" I added hurriedly.
"You're coming home with me." He said fiercely.
"No." I said flatly.
"Why not?" He asked snappishly.
"Because Lucas is coming over." I invented wildly.
"Sure he is." Jess said sarcastically.
Jess scowled at me as I turned away from him. He grabbed my arm, twisting my body toward him before he tossed my small frame over his shoulder and started through the square. My screams floated through the air capturing the town's attention as the bell above the diner rang and he placed me down into a vacant chair.
I sat there and pouted at him, looking furious. "And the point of that was?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Getting you out of your place since you have wigged yourself out." Jess said without looking up from totaling the receipts of the day.
"I have not wigged!" I protested, moving to the counter.
"Wigging or not you need to get out for a while." He said pointing at me.
"Let me go back home." I snapped.
Jess pushed me down by my shoulders as I tried to stand shaking his head adamantly. "No way."
"Let. Me. Go." I said firmly.
"N. O. no!" He said in the same tone.
"Yes." I retorted, dodging past him.
Jess snatched my wrist and I heard a crack as a pain shot up my arm. "Ouch!" I yelled as Jess's face fell in concern and guilt.
"Are you okay?" Jess asked.
Tears blazed down my cheeks as I cradled my arm that was twisted into a weird angle. "Nnnn...no" I said as I sucked in a ragged breath.
Jess's face was pale and filled with guilt as he hustled through the diner grabbing his keys and leading me gently to his truck yelling to Ceaser, "Ceasar, tell Luke that I took Dani to the ER and will be back as soon as they set her arm."
Ceasar's voice filled the air as we left, "Ok Jess...wait, WHAT?" His question went unanswered as Jess got me into the truck and closer to painkillers.