DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Tess. But you already knew that didn't you?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm going to apologize every time I update for not updating earlier aren't I? Sorry. Please don't lose interest in the story though, I'm working on it, I want it to be an interesting read. I'm hoping the updating process will speed up, just bear with me a little ok? =D People's thoughts are in bold. And if you like it (or hate it), review, would ya?

EXTRA A/N *ADDED WEDNESDAY THE 16TH*: Ugh, sorry for re-doing this chapter. Some things about it just really irked me…I just needed to redo some stuff. I apologize if you thought it was another chapter…hopefully it'll be coming soon. The chapter may not seem too different to you guys, but it makes me feel better, lol. Reviews would be nice =D

CHAPTER 6: SORRY, WE'RE CLOSED

Jess sat on the edge of the wall and took a drag of his cigarette. He had been a mess. Tess evoked so many feelings in him. She drove him crazy, and made him happy at the same time. He know knew the reason he didn't keep in touch with her when he moved to Stars Hollow…the minute he talked to her, he would've wanted to move back home. She knew him so well, more than anyone on the planet. Well, maybe not everyone. Rory seemed to know him right off the bat. It scared him a little. He had a good thing going with Rory…until Tess appeared. He was a very confused boy. Plain and simple.

Pull yourself together Mariano. There is no reason to feel this way. Just chill.

"Don't touch me creep!"

Jess stubbed out his cigarette immediately and cocked his ear so he could better hear where the female voice was coming from. He figured it was coming from the alleyway next to the club. He quickly got up to investigate.

"Come on baby, don't pretend like you don't want me" said a deep male voice.

"No, I don't! Let me go!"

Jess turned the corner, and his jaw dropped immediately. The guy Tess was dancing with had her pinned against the wall and was trying to kiss her. He felt to blood rush from his head, and clenched his fists. Tess turned around at the sound of his footsteps.

"Jess!" she yelled, relief in her voice.

Jess eyed the guy. "Let her go."

The guy sneered. "What did you say, you little punk?"

Jess spoke very slowly this time. "Let. Her. Go."

The guy stood up at his full height. "Or maybe I'll keep your stupid girlfriend and beat your ass as well." He said, releasing his grip on Tess.

"Jess, lets just go" she pleaded.

He ignored her. "Oh yeah? And how do you plan to do that you dumb oaf?"

Tess slapped Jess on the arm. "Stop trying to be a hero. Look at him! He's the size of a bulldozer! Jess just shut up and lets go." She was ignored once again.

The guy shook his head. "Do you really feel the need to beaten up tonight?"

Tess looked at both of them helplessly. She didn't want a fight. It had happened so many times before…she knew the repercussions. Jess would get busted, or even worse, hurt. Luke would be mad, think she brought it on…just bad things all around. She could think of only one thing that would get Jess to shut up. She grabbed his face and gave him a big, deep kiss on the lips. It was only supposed to be for a split second, but it went on…and on…until they were both dizzy from the lack of oxygen. They didn't want to let go though; they were lost in each other's arms, once again. Memories of how it used to be flooded into their brains.

Long after the stranger walked of shaking his head, they both broke the kiss, gasping for air.

"Oh boy. Ooooooohhhhhh boy." Tess said, clamping her hand on her mouth. She began walking away from Jess as quickly as possible.

"Wait up!' Jess said, jogging after her. 'What…what was that?"

Tess shrugged nonochantly. "It was to get you to shut up. It worked, didn't it?"

"That was more than to just 'get me to shut up' Tess. You know it." Jess said, exasperation rising in his voice.

Tess picked up the pace. "No, it wasn't."

"Aren't we going to discuss this?"

Tess threw her arms up in the air. "You can discuss it your self, because the way I see it, there is NOTHING to discuss!"

"Fine, I will!" Jess began talking to himself as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Hey, my best friend in the whole world just shoved her tongue down my throat-"

"Hey, you kissed me back!" Tess exclaimed, coming to a halt.

Jess looked around him. "I'm sorry, was anyone talking to you?"

"Jess! Can you just drop it?"

Meanwhile…

Tristans heart raced, and he felt the blood rush to his head. The same thing happened to Rory, but for a totally different reason.

Tristan broke the kiss and looked into Rory's eyes.

"Rory I-"

"I think I'm going to throw up," she said, her face turning green in the process.

"Crap. Come on, I'll take you outside" he wrapped her arm around him, steadied her on her feet, and took her outside, in the hope of finding someone…anyone. He spotted Tess from her loud dress, and breathed a sigh of relief. He approached the pair cautiously, for they were both arguing loudly. Very loudly.

"Uh…guys?" Tristan asked timidly.

"What?!" they both yelled, finally turning around.

He indicated Rory. "We have a problem."

Tess ran up to Rory immediately. "Oh sweetie, what happened?" she asked, leading Rory to a nearby bench.

"The punch was spiked. She had one to many." Tristan responded for her.

Realization dawned upon Jess at that point. "Shit." He muttered.

"What?" Tristan asked him.

"Uh…nothing." Jess said nervously and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'll go find Andrew and Lane."

They all nodded in agreement, and Tess started speaking to Rory quietly.

"Are you ok hun?"

Rory nodded slowly.

"Do you have to throw up?"

She shook her head this time.

"Ok then, sit tight, we'll be home soon." Tess put her arms around Rory and stroked her face. "You'll be fine sweetheart. You'll be fine."

Earlier, at Doose's Market

Taylor was standing at the front of the store, looking at his watch impatiently, waiting for the exact moment to lock the door, when he saw Lorelai walking towards him. He glared at her; she glared at him, like a cowboy face-off. Lorelai sped up, and her hand had just made it to the door when the Sorry, we're closed signed flipped in her face.

"Taylor! Come on! I just want some coffee!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry young lady, but this store closes at eight. It's eight, see?" he said, pointing to his watch through the glass door.

"My watch says two to eight!" she tried.

Taylor stared at her for a second, and snapped the curtains closed in her face. Lorelai groaned loudly.

"But I need coffee!" she sighed furiously and looked around for a source of caffeine. She spotted Luke's right off the bat.

"A-ha!"

She walked to the diner door and banged on it loudly.

"Luke! Luke, are you in there?"

Luke heard Lorelai's cries from his apartment. He sped down the stairs, completely forgetting the fact that he was wearing only a singlet and pyjama pants. He swung the door open breathlessly.

"What?! Lorelai, what's wrong? Is everything ok?"

Lorelai just stood there gaping. "You…you have a tattoo" she said, stroking her fingers over Luke's bicep, where the tattoo was evident.

"Lorelai! You almost broke the door down to tell me that?" he yelled, trying to cover himself up.

She shook her head and snapped out of her daze. "Uh, no. I need some coffee."

"You need…coffee?" Luke repeated incredulously.

Lorelai nodded seriously. "I haven't had a coffee since this morning! Do you understand what this means? Unless I get some caffeine in my system now, the world will stop turning on its axis! Metallica will release a song called "The shape of my heart"! The sun will eclipse forever! The trees will turn pink…hey, that would be pretty!" she grabbed Luke from the front of his flimsy singlet and looked him straight in the eye. "Do you understand Luke? Do you?!"

Luke brushed her off and sighed. "Come on in, I have some in the back." He walked away muttering to himself. "Coffee, the crazy lady wants coffee. She's insane…"

Luke reappeared with a can of coffee a few minutes later. Lorelai's face lit up as she snatched the can from Luke's hand.

"Thank you so much Luke! I love you!" Lorelai wrinkled her nose as she realised what she just said. "I mean…I love you for bringing the coffee…coffee…so what are you planning on doing tonight?" she said, changing the subject as soon as possible.

Luke smiled uneasily. 'Uh, nothing really. Watching some TV…enjoying the quiet before Jess and Tess get back."

Lorelai nodded. "I know what you mean. You think Rory speaks a lot when she's with me? You should hear her and Lane. It's like a bird sanctuary…squawk, squawk, squawk."

Luke smiled. Lorelai smiled. They stood there smiling. Lorelai was the first to break the silence.

"So…I should probably go."

'You know, you could always just stay here for a while. Just watch TV and stuff. You know, two friends, hanging out." He said nervously.

"You know what? That's a good idea."

"It is?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah. I don't have Rory around to annoy, so I might as well annoy you!" she said brightly.

Luke rolled his eyes. "Well thanks for caring."

"Always. " she said sincerely.

Luke grinned for what seemed like the first time in ages.

"Come on up" he said, gesturing the stairs.

"Thanks. So, what exactly does the tattoo say?"

"Well…"