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Chapter 10: Are We Talking in the Streets of Philadelphia?
"Why is she this zonked out?" Jess Mariano steals a look at the slumbering pre-teen cradled in Jason's arms while traveling towards Luke's diner.
"Jet lag can do that to you" Kyka replies, suppressing a yawn. "I'd sleep too, if I had someone to carry me." She stretches her arms over her head, tilting her neck to look at the sky, her skin catching the last droplets of rain hanging in the air surrounding them, her eyes taking on the shimmery feeling brought on by stormy days and too many clouds overhead.
"Huh" Jess does a double take. "What? Wait... What? When did you guys get here?" What is Jason pulling? He turns to walk backwards, stare fixed on Jason , questioning, demanding and expectingan explanation.
"Our plane landed at JFK at 10 AM."Jason shifts Rhiannon from her perch on his left hip to the front of his body, so her weight is now spreading evenly between his arms and his torso. He sighs and waits for what is to come. As long as Jess isn't retreating intoa shell,the older boythinks that any reaction would be good, not taking into consideration the fact that he could possibly get more than he needs to bargain for.
"What the fuck?" the words are out ofJess' mouth before he can check them, his mind out of practice on the no-swearing-in-front-of-Rhiannon policy that had been common practice until a few years back. When our problems revolved around combining baby-sitting and partying without getting her killed. Before we didn't have to deal with fixing unrepairable broken things, and search for unretrievable lost objects...
"Shhh... child on the premises" Kyka mock glares at him. The Half-Pint is out like a light. The look in Jess' eyes is one she has seen often enough to know its meanings and implications. She has even witnessed it taking over her own irises, like a demon possessing the unprepared soul it wants to torture.
"What in the hell are you doing here?" Jess tone is low and dangerous. It speaks of years of untold hurt,of repressed sensations, of walls and weapons. "Seriously. You leave. I undestand that." It hurt, but you were justified in your actions. Whomever could, took flight. I did too, in a different way.
"You don't come back for three years. I can understand that too." I got myself sent here. When I went back, I basically hopped onthe first bus back.'Cause here, it's escape, and here, there is Rory, and Luke, and second chances I managed to blow. There? Nothing left.
"I only hear from you through your e-mails,"And it took you months to write the first one. "And from Jor I don't even get that. That's harder to understand, but I do anyways." 'Cause I used to know him so well I could almost predict what his reactions were going to be. I expected him to be like that.
"Only one I've seen recently is the kid, and that's only because she isn't old enough to tell the other side of the family she never wants to see this country again..." Because none of you want to step foot in NYC. Hell, I don't want to step foot in NYC as long as I live... And then you show up here like this? You barely step off your plane and you come to Hicksville CT?
Jess stops in the middle of the street, ignoring the weird stares he's receiving from the townies.In about ten minutes, the gossip chain will have worked its sick, nosy magic, and everybody will havea different story for Jess's tirade and the three strangers whose company he's keeping. Jason stops as well, and looks straight at him over the top of Rhiannon's head. She shifts a little in her sleep, sensing motion slowing to a full stop, but still does not wake.
"Listen. You give me a place, any place I can lay this kid down to sleep, and I'll tell you whatever it is that will ease your delusional mind. Deal?" Jason throws this bait for Jess to chew on. He waits patiently as his old friend reasons it out with himself. I knew this was gonna happen. Thing is, I hoped it could have waited for a while. In his mind, last night isn't accounted for, hence he doesn't know that Jess' defenses aren't as strong as they could be.
"Deal." Jess accepts reluctantly."We're going back to my uncle's. And... hand her over." I want to hold her. He needs to familiarize anew with the feel of her in his arms, the solid weight of her small body resting totally on him. It feels like all the responsibilities he let himself give up on, during a rainy afternoon, after having said seven goodbyes too many. Two of which he could never take back. Not fair. It wasn't fair then, and it's not fair now...
Kyka takes Jason's hand in hers and gives it a light squeeze. He meets her eyes and smiles a troubled smile. She let their gazes meld for a while, before going back to look at the street in front of them.
Don't let go.
I'm right here.
Luke's head shoots up as the ringing bell above the door interrupts his work; he sees his nephew, proceeds to motion a nod in his general direction... and does a double take. Jess is standing there with a sleeping child in his arms, and a smile hovering on his lips, dark circles lining his eyes. Behind him, the couple that asked about his nephew earlier stands holding hands, smiling at him in recognition, eyes tired and worn-out air. Jess directs himself to the appartment, motioning for the newcomers to follow him to up the stairs. Luke watches them go, shakes his head, and proceeds to go on up as well.
"Caesar? Cover for me!" He bellows. What the hell is going on here?
Jess lays Rhiannon on his bed, drawing a blanket over her. He brushes a tendril from her face, then turns around and exits the darkned room. He's in the process of quietly shutting his bedroom door behind him when Luke comes through the door, his face a study in confusion.
"Jess? Explain." And I'm not in the mood for monosyllabic, smartass you.
"Huh" Jess rolls his eyes. Here we go.
"That's Jason, a friend from NYC and that's Erika, his girlfriend." Let's start with simple. Introductions are simple.
"Nice to meet you." They shake hands, Jess could laugh.
"And the kid? She isn't... yours... right?" Please tell me we don't have to deal with that kind of problem right now.
"She's nine, Luke, there is no way in the hell that she could be mine!" Jesus, Luke. I'm not that screwed up. His voice sounds angered, frustrated, and shocked, just to list a few of its undertones. Luke nods.
"Ok..." He then turns suspiciously to the young couple sitting on his couch. "She's yours, then?" And if she is, what are you doing here? Planning to leave her and disappear? With Jess, of all people?
"We're twenty-one" replies a bewildered Kyka, subbing in for a speechless Jason "She's definately not ours." If Luke didn't look serious, Jess thinks his friend and his girlfriend could fall over laughing. Hell, I could laugh too... this situation is insane, for lack of a better term. Then, deciding this third degree has gone long enough, Jess decides to take the proverbial bull by the horns.
"She's... she's Jordan's niece" says Jess, shrugging his uncle's questions off and turning his attention to the couple. Time for a subect change. "You guys want something to drink?"
Luke looks from one to other.
"Water" Kyka plays oblivious to Luke's questioning glare
"Wait, I still have..." Luke starts.
"A coke" Jason ignores his half sentence.
"I need to know..." Luke commences.
"All right" Jess pretends not to hear anything.
"Jesus Christ, stop that!" The trio just looks at him.
"Not now Luke!" Jess' tone is harsher than intended. Morpheus' antics from the previous night, coupled with the emotional rollercoaster he's been riding since talking to Rory on the bridge are taking their toll on him. Just leave me alone. Can't you do that?
Luke just looks at him, and Jess shakes his head in defeat. Obviously, not.
"Fine." He turns to the couple, handing them a bottle of water and a soda can. "Can you guys..." he gestures towards the door.
"Sure. We'll keep ourselves amused... Rhiannon has our phone numbers, she'll give them to you when she wakes up. Call if you need us." Jason helps Kyka off the couch, linking fingers with her.
"Ok" Jess exchanges a brief, loaded glance with his old friend. You and I will talk later.
The couple leaves, hand in hand, ready to venture into Star's Hollow. God help all parties involved.
"Who are those people?" asks Luke.
"I told you, a friend and his girlfriend."Let's conveniently forget that I haven't seen him for three years.
"What are they doing here? How long are they staying? What are they doing with a kid that isn't even theirs?" What if they're in some sort of trouble? What if they're involved with something illegal? What if Jess is involved, or they manage to get him involved, and...
"Rhiannon is a friend's niece, and she'll be visiting family soon." Since that's what happens every summer, I'm betting it won't be different this time around."They're here, presumably, on vacation and came to see me, 'cause, you know, that's what friends who haven't met in a while do. I don't know how long they're staying. And I don't care." No, I do care. I want to know how long they're staying, what's going on with them... I shouldn't care, but I do. Jess crosses his arms, sits on the couch, pulls book out of back pocket.
Luke shakes his head. That's Jess code for 'subject closed'
"What happened with Rory?" How do you like this one?
Jess sighs.
Flashback
"What was going on up here?" This could turn out to be a disaster. Why did I think it would be a good idea for Rory to date my nephew?
"Nothing." You interrupted us. Jess can't remember being more frustrated or angry in his existence. I was about to kiss Rory. Rory fucking Gilmore, Luke...
"Nothing? I walk in here and the two of you are like shrapnel." Shrapnel? Where do I come up with this imagery? That's it. I'm not even going to serve coffee anymore. The fumes are getting to my brain.
"Your timing is perfect, by the way. Next time I'll hang a sock on the door." I might just do that. I have the feeling Rory and I won't have a lot of privacy from now on... Rory and I. Together. That sounds... His mind is having trouble wrapping itself around said subject.
"Hey, there will be no hanging of socks on the door in my house, do you hear me?" Socks? He wants to hang socks on the door? They won't even have a door. I'm taking it out this evening.
"Relax, I was kidding." Or not... Rory and I. Me and Rory. We are together. There is a we... with her... His mind is working at full speed, trying to understand that this time, with Rory, is for real. Not a dream.
"Oh, really? Hanging socks on doors – that's your idea of funny." Because I happen to think it rather disturbing. Oh God. Him and Rory up here doing who knows what... Oh shit. That's one mental image I really do not need.
"Depending on the sock design, could be hilarious." You barge in here, you ruin our perfect moment... and you keep on harping on this. God. Leave it be. Leave me alone. I want to bask in the freaking afterglow of what could have happened hadn't it been for you.
"Okay, that's it, sit down." You want difficult? I'll make it difficult. You just watch me, Jess Mariano.
"Why?" I am not going to have a conversation on sex with you. I don't want to talk about sex with you. I don't want to discuss Rory with you, all of things.
"It's time to lay down a few ground rules, sit. All right, first off, when she is up here, that door stays open." There. Let's see you try something.
"Excuse me?" Oh God. This is worse than what I thought. We're past the point of dementia, here.
End of Flashback
"Sex. Tons of sex. Cargo boats full of sex. Half the city was up half the night 'cause of the freaking loud noises we wereproducing while making love in her room. With her mother upstairs" Sarcasm subtly lines that stament. Luke seems ready to throttle his nephew, then resorts to growling in his general direction.
"Just... watch it, Jess. Don't pull anything stupid. Not with her." She isn't meant to be hurt.
"I won't..." Jess replies softly. Then, without thinking,casts his book aside, drops his face in his hands, and mumbles something.
"Ok. What? Wait... What?" Did you just... My nephew? Saying something like that? I must be allucinating. I'm hearing things. That's it. No more coffee serving.
"I love her" says Jess a little more coherently.
"She knows?"
Jess just nods.
Huh. Did I just tell Luke... oh God... too much excitement... Not good... not good at all...
Luke is about to walk out the door, then remembers something and turns around.
"You need to decide..." On school and the future.
"I know. I just..." Need time to think about it.
"Ok. Just... tell me when..." You make up your mind about it. "Your shift starts in an hour."
Jess nods, and gets up to check on Rhiannon. His eyes wander over to her sleeping form, curled up on one side. He makes his way towards the bed and sits gently, trying not to wake her. He runs his hand tenderly through her messy raven curls, and strokes his index finger on her cheek, his thumb on her chin. A soft expression comes to play over his features, while memories chase in his mind's eye: taking turns with Jason and Jordan to check on her, making sure she was asleep, using candy to explain homework, cooking dinner and reading to her. He feels a dull ache in his chest, a longing for what was there before pain and hurt and sadness.
Can do nothing about it. His cynism sounds hollow and tastes bitter. He gets up, leaving Rhiannon to her dreams and him to sort his thoughts out. He selects a book from his library, sticks it in his back pocket, and scribbles a note to leave on the nightstand , forthelittle one to find when she wakes up.
"Hey Pure Maidena
Don't be scared. You are in my room, in my apartment in Star's Hollow. You'll find me downstairs, just take a left out the door and you'll be fine.
Jess."
He makes his way downstairs, and starts his shift an hour early, knowing it will distract him from the thoughts troubling his mind.
In the Meantime...
Deciding she needs to take a break from the confusion Jess managed to bestow upon her, Rory walks towards the bridge with The Sun Also Rises, complete with Jess' infamous marginalia, in tow. She might as well give it another try, seeing Chilton has its seniors only studying for finals, and she, being Rory Gilmore, is way ahead of her game. She travels the familiar path through the trees, but finds herself stopping short the moment voices and laughter fill her ears. Ignoring vulgar wisdom, which deems curiosity guilty of pet slaughtering, and good upbringing, which imperiously forbids proper young ladies from eavesdropping, she hides by the nearest willow, following the play unfolding in front of her eyes.
Suspended over water, taking up her usual spot, stands a man and sits a woman. The latter is holding a guitar in her arms, propped up on her crossed legs, which dangle over wood, towards the river. The former is standing, moving, hinting at dance steps while his voice twines and tangles with his companion's. Rory can hear their conversation.
"I haven't heard from anybody yet..."
"It's" he pretends to think very hard about this "because they don't have our cell phone numbers yet..."
The girl laughs, the wind messing her blonde hair.
"Will you be checking e-mails later, or do I have to?"
"I'll do it, so we can decide when to schedule voice chats and stuff with everyone. Man, is this going to be complicated." He shakes his head while saying so.
"Beats paying the phone bill. So we're set." The girl pauses, and looks over the water, then back up at her boyfriend, meeting his eyes. "I like it here. It's peaceful."
"I like it too." Jason bends to give Kyka a light kiss on the lips. "But Jess is right. If you're not used to it, it can grate on your nerves."
"I'm glad we came. Milan was starting to grate on mine."
Kyka begins to strum scales on her guitar while keeping her eyes trained on Jason, and he rolls his eyes.
"Save those for when Rhiannon needs to do music theory."
"Will do." She quits torturing the strings and fills the ensuing silence with a question. "So that was Jess?" She weaves words with notes, and a nod of her man's head adds to this tangle.
"Yes, the infamous Mariano at his spiteful best." Jason shakes his head. "He used to be..." different.
"He's not that spiteful... he's..." She makes a gesture with her right hand. Protecting himself.
"Oh, that's insightful, Amore" They both like it when he uses that particular term of endearment with her.
"Shut up! I'm trying to think... Here, this is what he makes me think about." She curls her fingers on her guitar and strums a few notes of Streets of Philadelphia, by Bruce Springsteen.
"I thought I reminded you of that." He wonders where, along the years, that has changed.
"That was when we started consorting. You were out of this world." When you were hurting too much to even dance.
He raises his eyebrows.
"Was I so bad? And did you just use the word consort?"
"Horrible. And yes." Her fingers curl differently around her guitar, and she rests her eyes on his again.
"Do you want to go back to NYC?" Do you want to deal with that emotional overload?
"Honestly?" this word comes after a long silence. "No." At least not yet.
Kyka nods.
"I thought so." I can read you like a music sheet. And I know this morning you would gladly have taken the next plane out of there.
"We need to..." talk about what we're going to do next.
"Dont' worry about it" There is time. We have all day. When you're ready, I'll be here. And whatever you decide, I'm standing right behind you..
Her fingers start torturing the strings, drawing a song Rory can recognize from somewhere, but can't quite place.
"I like that song" he muses, his reaction a given. He waits for her next action.
"I wonder why". Kyka casts her guitar aside and lets him help her up. They share a kiss, and Kyka presses her body close to his while one of his arms encircle her at the waist, the other rising to tangle a hand through her hair.
"Three years? You and me, three years?"
"In october. Yes."
"Can't believe it."
"Me neither"
She parts from him with one last lingering kiss.
"Will you go and check on Rhiannon?" she asks of him, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Why?"
"Cause I wanna talk to the girl hiding behind the tree over there. "She whispers to him, playfully."Don't let on we know she's here."
"Ok." He winks at herand goes off towards the diner.
Kyka resumes her previous position, sitting with her guitar in her arms.
"Rory?" she calls "You can come out now."
Rory walks out looking sheepish, confusion and curiosity written clearly across her face. By the time she reaches Kyka on the bridge, her cheeks don a graceful blush.
"How do you do that?" I thought you didn't see me.
"Long story. What were you doing here?" Her tone isn't harsh, or put off, or anything of the sorts, just curiously interested.
"I needed to clear my head. So I brought company" she hands Kyka the volume, who looks at it, and on impulse tumbs through the pages.
"We have a few books like that too..." she muses. Rory hands her the most confused expression she manages to concoct, before taking the book back.
"What do you mean?"
"Some books of Jase' and Jord's are completely covered in notes." She replies. Then, as if on a whim. "Rhiannon's birthday is in four days from now. I can't believe I met her when she was six, and I was eighteen."
"You're twenty-one? And Jason?" I thought they were our age... but then, they do seem older
"My age. He's actually ten months older than I am. I was born in October and he was born in January." Kyka looks over at the younger girl. She looks like Camille did when she first met her: pure, innocent, untainted. She likes to see innocence once in a while, probably because she herself stopped bearing its burden early on in life. She doesn't regret it. Just, sometimes, she wishes it had happened differently.
"Milan?" Rory can't help herself, the curiosity starting to get to her.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Grey eyes dance with a teasing twinkle.
"I was dropping no eaves... I overheard..." she answers sheepishly.
"Milan, Italy. Don't ask how Jess knows someone from Italy, 'cause that's not my secret to tell" She waits for Rory to nod in agreement. "My turn. Your mother looks like she could be your older sister..." And there must be an interesting story behind that. There is more to this girl than her innocence...
"She was sixteen when she had me... I'm named after her, by the way, Lorelai. She was zonked out on delivery room drugs, and felt she had to make a feminist statement."
Kyka raises her eyebrows before the two of them share a laugh.
"Go on, your question" Kyka tosses the ball on the other half of the court.
"Mmh.." Rory muses "How did you and Jason meet?"
"It's a long story..." The older girls' voice trails off, as she captures memories and holds them up to the light for inspection.
"Anything to avoid reading Hemingway. I don't care if Jess believes 'Ernest only has lovely things to say about' me. I can't stand him!"
"Your boyfriend said something like that to you?" Kyka resumes strumming the Streets of Philadelphia.
"Oh, that was before we were together... he bought a pic-nic basket and then he took me out for pizza. And managed to steal my bracelet in the meantime" She laughs at Kyka's questioning raised eyebrow."Long story"
"I'll trade you. Mine for yours."
"We could do that..."
A/N: And I'm goin' to leave you hanging. Tell your friends! Rest of the life changing information on the bio. Kisses.:) M.
