Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. But if Jess is up for sale, I would gladly mortgage my house……. J

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He exhaled slowly as he heard the distinct shrill of the feminine voice at the end of the line.

"Hello? Hello? … Jimmy, I know it's you- I have Caller ID. No one else would be calling me from California. Jimmy, I know you're there" she persisted.  It had been 15 years since they had parted. 5 since they had last spoken.

"Liz…." Another protracted sigh. "So… How are you?" he asked in such a manner as if he were asking if the question were appropriate at all, given the situation.

"Please. I know you don't give a shit Jim. It's been too long to bother with pleasantries. What is it that you want?" His ex-wife was still as abrasive and impatient as the day he met her. Her tempestuosness was what initially drew him to her. That was long ago.

Jimmy fumbled with the frayed edges of the picture. It had been creased and recreased a countless number of times, from city to city, state to state, journey to destination, it had been with him always.  In it, he saw a vision of himself 16 years earlier, eyes shining, laughing at the camera, with a young child perched atop his shoulders mirroring his expression. He couldn't have been older than 18 months at that time, his son. My son… Jimmy's eyes began to water. He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat.

"Jess. I wa-I need to see Jess."

She snorted. "Is this some sort of joke?"she asked incredulously. "The hell do you want with him?"

"Just-can you just tell me where I can reach him?" He became flustered and his cheeks grew hot as he spoke. How could  I have expected this to turn out any differently? The kid is probably going to spit in my face, if he bothers to see me at all. Nothing more than I deserve. His heart was leaping out of his chest, anxious for her reply.

A long pause.

"He's not here."

"I see."

"He's in Star's Hollow"

"Star's Hollow?" Star's Hollow? What on earth was in….. Luke. His heart sank. Liz was tough, but her older brother was going to be a nearly impenetrable fortress. 

"Yeah, well, I can't stay on the phone forever. I have things to do"

"Sure. Well… thanks. I-"

"Listen. The kid is messed up enough as it is. Don't do him any favors." With that, she hung up the phone.

Jimmy held the phone to his ear, seemingly unaware of the dialtone that had replaced the sound of Liz's voice. "I'll try", he whispered. He was staring at the picture. My son…

A/N This is my first fanfic. Let me know what you think! (Sorry so short!)  The next chapter will be much longer… Promise!