Jess slipped back into Luke's and back into bed. Luke didn't even wake up. Jess had his music on like always, and had arranged pillows to look like he was in the bed. Hopefully between hanging out with Rory and Luke seeing him sleep he would have an alibi. He only slept for half an hour before he had to be up. Trying very hard to appear awake, Jess went and took a shower. He noticed in the shower that there were still small smears of dried blood on him, that had seeped through his clothes and onto his skin.
He very carefully finished washing them off, and got ready for school. He wondered when the body would be found, and if he would ever be caught. He had tried to be careful. At this point Jess wanted nothing more but to forget it ever happened. He hated Tristan enough not to really feel guilty, just worried over his own future.
He helped Luke at the diner as he did every morning, satisfied that he didn't really look or act differently. Finally Rory and Lorelai came in. Lorelai took a seat at the table and Rory came over to the counter to say hi.
Jess leaned over the counter to give her a quick kiss. His heart was racing and he wondered if somehow she would be able to tell what he had done. But she didn't seem to think that anything was different as she ordered her food and when back to sit with her mom.
He then headed off to school, hoping to make it through the day awake. It was Friday, so he would have the weekend to catch up on sleep.
When Rory got home he asked "Did that punk give you any more trouble today?" even though he knew that Tristan wouldn't bother anyone ever again. Rory smiled at him. "No, I didn't see him all day. Hopefully it stays that way."
Lorelai was still at the inn, and Rory didn't have to work on her homework for the weekend yet, so they headed back to her house.
Jess tried to put Tristan out of his mind as he kissed her, pulled her down on the couch and wrapped his arms around her. She kissed him back, and before they knew it their tops were off and they were in a lusty embrace, pushing against each other as if it was a battle, not love. Rory gave Jess a meaningful look, but Jess pulled away. He didn't want their first time to be marred by memories of Tristan. He wanted it to be fueled by love, not blood.
He didn't want to hurt her feelings though, or make it seem like he didn't want to have sex with her, so he told her he didn't have a condom, but would definitely be prepared in the future. Rory looked disappointed but understanding.
Finally Jess excused himself, wanting to be able to get some sleep. Rory started her homework and then went to Friday Night Dinner when her mom got home.
It was later that night that the body was found. The police swarmed the scene, careful not to destroy any evidence. The news would be all over Hartford the next day, but it didn't touch Stars Hollow yet. So far, there were no leads, they would have to examine the body.