Second Chances – Part 4 [That smirk]

Disclaimer: I own nothing, you hear me?

--

"I got the weirdest phone call yesterday," Rory interrupted their comfortable silence, biting into her muffin in the process.

"Yeah?" he asked, drinking his coffee quickly "Who was it?"

Rory shrugged "I have no clue. Nobody answered."

Jess Mariano laughed loudly, putting his coffee mug down onto the table "And?"

"It was strange."

"Strange? I get phone calls like those every damn month."

Rory rolled her eyes, eating the remains of her muffin "I don't… people who call me actually have the decency to answer back."

Jess sat back against his chair, smirking knowingly "It was just a phone call Rory, no big deal."

Rory sighed, "You're right," she muttered, taking a sip of her cappuccino. She glanced at Jess secretively. What he didn't know was that the mysterious caller had called her again that morning.

--

- Earlier that morning -

"I'm late, I'm so late," Rory talked to herself, running around her apartment searching for her black heels. Blow drying her dark hair, she dressed in tight fitting jeans and a navy blue sweater before crawling underneath her bed looking for her matching black purse.

Rory's head shot up in surprise, hearing the shrill noise that was the telephone. Cursing loudly, she rubbed her throbbing head continuously, rushing for the phone.

Rory picked up the cordless phone, knowing who was on the other line. "Jess, I'll be right there… in say five minutes."

"…"

"Hello?" Rory repeated.

"…"

"Jess, stop playing," Rory replied through gritted teeth. She knew, deep inside, that the caller was not Jess. "Fine…" she said, throwing the phone onto her un-made bed.

--

"Hey," Jess coughed "Has anyone called you?"

Rory laughed, "To answer your question Jess, yes. Numerous people call me on a daily basis."

"Never mind," Jess answered incoherently "I'll take that as a no."

"Come on Jess, I was only kidding," Rory grinned slyly.

"I have to tell you something first."

"Alright, what is it?"

"Promise you won't freak out?" Jess asked.

Rory nodded, tearing her napkin to strips in anticipation.

"Remember a couple of months ago, when I met the Farley brothers?"

Rory threw him a disgusted look "Those nasty, greasy, perverted, revolting…"



"Yeah, them."

"What about them?"

"I'm a little bit in trouble with the law," Jess finally said, looking at her closely for her reaction.

"How serious?" Rory asked, her eyes wide.

"I'm being accused of killing somebody," he whispered, looking around the busy coffee shop.

"Along with the Farley's?"

Jess nodded slowly.

"Rory, say something."

Tearing her gaze from the floor, she met his eyes; her hands were shaking, from both anger and nervousness. "Thank you for telling me."

"I didn't want to tell you at first but…"

"What made you change your mind?" Rory didn't care that she interrupted.

"My lawyers told me it would be easier to just tell you since… you are my alibi."

"What do you want me to do?" Rory questioned, twirling the ends of her ponytail.

"My lawyers… they want to talk to you… interview you…"

"Alright."

"Yeah?"

"Yes," Rory answered, her voice stern and steady.

"Well here's the number… just ask for Tristan DuGray."

--

Rory swallowed the lump in her throat, breathing in heavily. She fumbled with her purse, twisting the leather tightly. Crossing her legs, she sat anxiously, dread in the pit of her stomach. You're doing this for Jess - remember that. Running her hand through her long mass of hair, she uncomfortably shifted her position on the leather chair.

The door creaked open, Rory turned around, turning ghostly white. She let out a loud sigh of relief, smiling thinly at the elder woman.

"Hello," she replied, walking toward her, water in hand. She handed the cup to Rory, who drank gratefully.

"Sorry about the wait, Mr. DuGray's not known for his tardiness."

"It's quite alright," Rory whispered, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Well, it shouldn't be long now," the woman replied, smiling brightly "If you need anything…"

Rory nodded absentmindedly.

Getting to her feet, Rory walked around the spacious office that overlooked the heart of New York City. Her eyes found a platinum silver picture frame, looking around; she picked up the frame tentatively. Her blue eyes met a smiling blonde woman, subconsciously; she felt a pang of jealousy surge through her. The golden haired women smiled brightly, her hair pulled back into a perfect bun. Her eyes were bright, and her arms grasped around Tristan's waist.

"Uh Hum."

Rory jumped, emitting a shocked yelp. Her insides froze, just as the frame that was once enclosed around her fingers dropped to the floor with a thundering crash. Shattered pieces of glass surrounded her surprised body; she closed her eyes before turning around cautiously.  She met eyes with a familiar pair of dark blue.

"Hello."

Rory cursed silently.

Damn smirk…

Hello, how are you all?

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- RockerFreak