Full Circle
AN: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing this story so far, it really means a lot to me! And thanks to the two people who reviewed the last chapter: smile1 and Emily Carol! Merci Beaucoup! In response to a few questions, I know that Rory's reasoning is hard to understand, but this is AU. She's led the same strange, demented life forever, and her personality is bound to be a little bit different. I know it doesn't make sense in canon, but, like I say, it's AU. This chapter is where everything becomes interesting, so please continue reviewing, and let me know what you think!
**
Chapter 8- Different at Night
And so Jess waited in the living room, and within a few minutes Rory came out, lugging a carry bag on her shoulder. She looked at him, impatient to leave, but he just stood there, not moving a muscle. "Okay, Rory, here's the deal. It's late, it's dark out. We are going to be staying with a friend of mine, we'll sleep there tonight, and then I've got some things to do there in the morning. We need to be careful, it's dangerous to be out this late. You need to stick with me, don't get separated."
Rory's eyes are focused on the carpet and she just nods her head. As they walk towards the window, Jess notices that she isn't looking forward, but instead taking one last look around the apartment. "Are you sure you want to do this? You can always stay here, and nothing would change."
She shakes her head and continues out the window onto the fire escape. They make their way quietly down the ladder, Jess in front to make sure that Rory wouldn't fall. Their bags are heavy, and it's difficult to carry them down, but they manage well enough. At the end of the ladder, there is a six foot drop to street level. Jess lets his own bag fall, then takes Rory's and drops that one as well. Then Jess drops stealthily, landing like a cat, and Rory knows that this isn't the first time he's done this. Rory hangs from the last rung, scared that she would hurt herself if she let go. He reaches up, grabs hold of her hips, and encourages her to let go. When she does, she is pleasantly surprised at how strong Jess is as he lowers her slowly to the ground.
So, now they are on the sidewalk, they pick up their bags, and Jess leads the way through the shadows. They make a right, two lefts, and then they cut through an alley Rory hadn't even known was there. She is officially lost, but she knows that Jess has a good sense of direction, so she follows close on his heels. It is late, and her eyelids are drooping, but the cool summer night breeze keeps her lucid enough to continue walking.
One more block, and suddenly he is leading her down a steep flight of stairs into the dark. Of course, having grown up in New York, she had taken public transportation, and was even quite adept at it. As they paid their fares and walked through the subway turnstiles, however, she was shocked to see how different it was at night. They stood on the platform and waited for their train- which one, Rory was unsure. She looked around her and observed the different people. There is a homeless man sleeping on a bench, and a group of young 'kids' hovering in a circle. She shivers unconsciously, and bounces on the balls of her feet as she hears a train arrive.
But, no, this isn't their train, since Jess doesn't move when the doors open and then close again. Rory feels the urge to whistle some tune that's been stuck in her head, but decides against it. Jess glances at his watch, and then drops his arm to his side again. She doesn't ask what train they're waiting for, or when it's coming, but just remains silent at his side. Two more trains come and go, but still it is not their turn.
She begins entertaining herself by kicking her bag on the floor next to her, until Jess gives her a warning nudge and a harsh "Rory!" whispered in her ear. 'Right, no drawing attention', she told herself. So she went silent again, and soon enough a train pulled into the station and Jess took her hand and led her into a car in the middle. She noted that it was train V, and given the direction it was going (east), it meant they were going into Brooklyn. With a quick eye he scanned the seats, and noticing only a few people towards the back, grabbed the two least conspicuous seats near the front. He let Rory go in first, and then he took the outside seat. The whole time the train was in motion, he was constantly looking over his shoulder and keeping an eye on the doors when they stopped at each station.
Rory couldn't help it when her eyes finally fell closed, and she dozed off. The fast rhythm of the train was just too monotonous, and she had been so comfortable sleeping in her bed at home- no, not 'home', but Jim and Angie's apartment- that she couldn't get used to the fact that she was now awake. A few minutes later, as best she could tell, Jess was pulling on her arm to get her to stand up. Apparently they had arrived at their station. This was a bigger one than they had started off in, and Jess kept hold of her arm as he led her across the platform. He stopped in front of a sign, and looked around him. When he was satisfied that he knew exactly where he was going, he started walking again, Rory right behind him. Up a short flight of stairs, down onto another platform, all the way to the end. And then they waited some more. Rory was not at all familiar with where they were now, so she just stuck close to Jess. Hell, wasn't that what he had told her to do?
They got on another train, this time going north. The trip was much shorter, and when they got off, Rory was pleased to discover that there would be no more transfers. Instead, Jess led her up the stairs, out through more turnstiles, and up yet one more flight of stairs. The subway had been warm, and Rory was shocked by the cool air on the street. She hugged her arms to herself as she struggled with her bag and with the quick pace of Jess' steps. She had been to Brooklyn a few times, but this was not like any of the places she had visited. The streets and sidewalks were covered in litter, every inch of wall space was filled with graffiti. The streets weren't lit at this time of night, and Rory couldn't help but get an ominous feeling about the situation as a whole.
It seemed that Jess was walking quicker, and Rory was getting more and more tired by the second. No words had been spoken between them since the start of their trip other than the warning he had given her in the subway. Instead, he encouraged her to keep walking by gentle squeezes on her arm and reassuring half-smiles when she looked his way. They cut across the street, and into what Rory discovered, was a park. It was completely dark, but she could vaguely make out the figures of people looming off to the side. Jess put his arm around her waist, a gesture that in any other circumstance would be considered romantic or affectionate, but now was only a way to keep her close to him, an added measure of protection. This time, he really did pick up his speed.
Jess had never liked being in this neighborhood, even during the day, but now he had to admit that it scared the shit out of him. He knew they had no choice, however, and was silently thankful that they would only need to put up with this for one day. Then, he could get them both out. They rounded a corner and turned to enter a shabby run down apartment building. In the lobby, Jess gave Rory another warning.
"This guy, he's tough. Just stay quiet, let me handle him and everything will work out. We need this, so no matter what happens we can't screw it up, so I'll take care of it. I know how to deal with guys like this."
Rory nodded slowly, but didn't look him in the eye. Instead she focused on his hand as he reached up and pushed the buzzer. 2-C. They waited, no answer. She glanced at the watch on his wrist- 1:49. He let a few more seconds go by, and then pressed the button again, longer this time. Nothing. Out of frustration, he makes a quick succession of beeps of the button and stands back. This time, a few seconds later, a groggy voice comes over the speaker.
"Yo, what the fuck is going on down there?"
Jess' upper lip twists up into something that isn't quite a smirk, but isn't really a grimace either. He steps closer to the box again, to speak into it. "Donnie man, it's Jess. Let me up."
There is some unintelligible grumbling, and a few curses as Donnie obviously stumbles to find the right button, but then "BZZZZ" and they're inside. Rory looks around for the door of the elevator, but Jess just tugs her along to the stairwell at the end of the hall. The stairs are dim, as there is only one flickering light on the landing above. They take the steps slowly, tired from the walk, careful not to trip, and struggling with the weight of their bags.
A right turn out of the door brings them into a long hallway, with lots of doors running down both sides, each impossibly close together. The wallpaper is peeling, many of the floor tiles have broken, and most of the numbers marking the doors have fallen off. She could swear there were two bullet holes in the wall between two doors. Rory coughs, clearing her throat, but makes no comment. Jess doesn't need the numbers to find the right door, and he stands in front of it, bracing himself. Then, he raises his hand and bangs on the door with the side of his fist.
A moment later, the door swings open, a little quickly, and they are ushered inside.
** AN: Okay, well that's all very interesting. I don't know if I like it. Note the random changes in style and tense from previous chapters and even within this one chapter. I think my writing is going crazy. I could use some help: I know what will happen on their trip, I have a vague idea of what will happen when they get where they're going, but I have no idea where I want to send them. I know that I don't want them in SH, I was thinking major cities. They don't have a lot of money, so they'll need someplace cheap to live. I'm having trouble, and if you are familiar with a city and could email me with ideas, along with your reviews :) it would be much appreciated!
AN: Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing this story so far, it really means a lot to me! And thanks to the two people who reviewed the last chapter: smile1 and Emily Carol! Merci Beaucoup! In response to a few questions, I know that Rory's reasoning is hard to understand, but this is AU. She's led the same strange, demented life forever, and her personality is bound to be a little bit different. I know it doesn't make sense in canon, but, like I say, it's AU. This chapter is where everything becomes interesting, so please continue reviewing, and let me know what you think!
**
Chapter 8- Different at Night
And so Jess waited in the living room, and within a few minutes Rory came out, lugging a carry bag on her shoulder. She looked at him, impatient to leave, but he just stood there, not moving a muscle. "Okay, Rory, here's the deal. It's late, it's dark out. We are going to be staying with a friend of mine, we'll sleep there tonight, and then I've got some things to do there in the morning. We need to be careful, it's dangerous to be out this late. You need to stick with me, don't get separated."
Rory's eyes are focused on the carpet and she just nods her head. As they walk towards the window, Jess notices that she isn't looking forward, but instead taking one last look around the apartment. "Are you sure you want to do this? You can always stay here, and nothing would change."
She shakes her head and continues out the window onto the fire escape. They make their way quietly down the ladder, Jess in front to make sure that Rory wouldn't fall. Their bags are heavy, and it's difficult to carry them down, but they manage well enough. At the end of the ladder, there is a six foot drop to street level. Jess lets his own bag fall, then takes Rory's and drops that one as well. Then Jess drops stealthily, landing like a cat, and Rory knows that this isn't the first time he's done this. Rory hangs from the last rung, scared that she would hurt herself if she let go. He reaches up, grabs hold of her hips, and encourages her to let go. When she does, she is pleasantly surprised at how strong Jess is as he lowers her slowly to the ground.
So, now they are on the sidewalk, they pick up their bags, and Jess leads the way through the shadows. They make a right, two lefts, and then they cut through an alley Rory hadn't even known was there. She is officially lost, but she knows that Jess has a good sense of direction, so she follows close on his heels. It is late, and her eyelids are drooping, but the cool summer night breeze keeps her lucid enough to continue walking.
One more block, and suddenly he is leading her down a steep flight of stairs into the dark. Of course, having grown up in New York, she had taken public transportation, and was even quite adept at it. As they paid their fares and walked through the subway turnstiles, however, she was shocked to see how different it was at night. They stood on the platform and waited for their train- which one, Rory was unsure. She looked around her and observed the different people. There is a homeless man sleeping on a bench, and a group of young 'kids' hovering in a circle. She shivers unconsciously, and bounces on the balls of her feet as she hears a train arrive.
But, no, this isn't their train, since Jess doesn't move when the doors open and then close again. Rory feels the urge to whistle some tune that's been stuck in her head, but decides against it. Jess glances at his watch, and then drops his arm to his side again. She doesn't ask what train they're waiting for, or when it's coming, but just remains silent at his side. Two more trains come and go, but still it is not their turn.
She begins entertaining herself by kicking her bag on the floor next to her, until Jess gives her a warning nudge and a harsh "Rory!" whispered in her ear. 'Right, no drawing attention', she told herself. So she went silent again, and soon enough a train pulled into the station and Jess took her hand and led her into a car in the middle. She noted that it was train V, and given the direction it was going (east), it meant they were going into Brooklyn. With a quick eye he scanned the seats, and noticing only a few people towards the back, grabbed the two least conspicuous seats near the front. He let Rory go in first, and then he took the outside seat. The whole time the train was in motion, he was constantly looking over his shoulder and keeping an eye on the doors when they stopped at each station.
Rory couldn't help it when her eyes finally fell closed, and she dozed off. The fast rhythm of the train was just too monotonous, and she had been so comfortable sleeping in her bed at home- no, not 'home', but Jim and Angie's apartment- that she couldn't get used to the fact that she was now awake. A few minutes later, as best she could tell, Jess was pulling on her arm to get her to stand up. Apparently they had arrived at their station. This was a bigger one than they had started off in, and Jess kept hold of her arm as he led her across the platform. He stopped in front of a sign, and looked around him. When he was satisfied that he knew exactly where he was going, he started walking again, Rory right behind him. Up a short flight of stairs, down onto another platform, all the way to the end. And then they waited some more. Rory was not at all familiar with where they were now, so she just stuck close to Jess. Hell, wasn't that what he had told her to do?
They got on another train, this time going north. The trip was much shorter, and when they got off, Rory was pleased to discover that there would be no more transfers. Instead, Jess led her up the stairs, out through more turnstiles, and up yet one more flight of stairs. The subway had been warm, and Rory was shocked by the cool air on the street. She hugged her arms to herself as she struggled with her bag and with the quick pace of Jess' steps. She had been to Brooklyn a few times, but this was not like any of the places she had visited. The streets and sidewalks were covered in litter, every inch of wall space was filled with graffiti. The streets weren't lit at this time of night, and Rory couldn't help but get an ominous feeling about the situation as a whole.
It seemed that Jess was walking quicker, and Rory was getting more and more tired by the second. No words had been spoken between them since the start of their trip other than the warning he had given her in the subway. Instead, he encouraged her to keep walking by gentle squeezes on her arm and reassuring half-smiles when she looked his way. They cut across the street, and into what Rory discovered, was a park. It was completely dark, but she could vaguely make out the figures of people looming off to the side. Jess put his arm around her waist, a gesture that in any other circumstance would be considered romantic or affectionate, but now was only a way to keep her close to him, an added measure of protection. This time, he really did pick up his speed.
Jess had never liked being in this neighborhood, even during the day, but now he had to admit that it scared the shit out of him. He knew they had no choice, however, and was silently thankful that they would only need to put up with this for one day. Then, he could get them both out. They rounded a corner and turned to enter a shabby run down apartment building. In the lobby, Jess gave Rory another warning.
"This guy, he's tough. Just stay quiet, let me handle him and everything will work out. We need this, so no matter what happens we can't screw it up, so I'll take care of it. I know how to deal with guys like this."
Rory nodded slowly, but didn't look him in the eye. Instead she focused on his hand as he reached up and pushed the buzzer. 2-C. They waited, no answer. She glanced at the watch on his wrist- 1:49. He let a few more seconds go by, and then pressed the button again, longer this time. Nothing. Out of frustration, he makes a quick succession of beeps of the button and stands back. This time, a few seconds later, a groggy voice comes over the speaker.
"Yo, what the fuck is going on down there?"
Jess' upper lip twists up into something that isn't quite a smirk, but isn't really a grimace either. He steps closer to the box again, to speak into it. "Donnie man, it's Jess. Let me up."
There is some unintelligible grumbling, and a few curses as Donnie obviously stumbles to find the right button, but then "BZZZZ" and they're inside. Rory looks around for the door of the elevator, but Jess just tugs her along to the stairwell at the end of the hall. The stairs are dim, as there is only one flickering light on the landing above. They take the steps slowly, tired from the walk, careful not to trip, and struggling with the weight of their bags.
A right turn out of the door brings them into a long hallway, with lots of doors running down both sides, each impossibly close together. The wallpaper is peeling, many of the floor tiles have broken, and most of the numbers marking the doors have fallen off. She could swear there were two bullet holes in the wall between two doors. Rory coughs, clearing her throat, but makes no comment. Jess doesn't need the numbers to find the right door, and he stands in front of it, bracing himself. Then, he raises his hand and bangs on the door with the side of his fist.
A moment later, the door swings open, a little quickly, and they are ushered inside.
** AN: Okay, well that's all very interesting. I don't know if I like it. Note the random changes in style and tense from previous chapters and even within this one chapter. I think my writing is going crazy. I could use some help: I know what will happen on their trip, I have a vague idea of what will happen when they get where they're going, but I have no idea where I want to send them. I know that I don't want them in SH, I was thinking major cities. They don't have a lot of money, so they'll need someplace cheap to live. I'm having trouble, and if you are familiar with a city and could email me with ideas, along with your reviews :) it would be much appreciated!