Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls or any of those Characters - Amy Sherman-Palladino does. I do own most of the plot, if it was used on a different fanfic, I am not aware of this
A/N: Ok, I know it's a bit unorthodox to write 2 chapters in one day, but I realized that the first chapter was kind of short and I have ideas storming out of my mind. I might have long intervals between updates because school during the week takes up my life, but I'll try the best I can. I hope you like my writing and stuff. Well please review so I know what you want.
Jess drove up into Stars Hallow in a broken-in Black Nissan Pathfinder with 5 bumper stickers on the back. They had band names on them and there was one that said "NYU." Yes, Jess did go to college. That way he could be taken seriously now. That was another reason that he stayed in touch with Luke. Needed help with tuition and did not want to ask his mommy.
Thoughts were running through his head which seemed to be on a race with his beating/stolen heart. Wow I what was I thinking coming back here was the main thought, but the only one that toped that was I'm gonna see Rory soon. You could tell whenever he thought that because a huge smirk was smacked on his face every time he thought of her. He knew he wouldn't see her right away because it was 6 AM on a Saturday. He thought ahead and decided it would be easier for him, first get settled then deal with that. He pulled up next to Luke, grabbed his bags, took a deep breath, and marched into Luke's with a 'ring' of the bell.
Luke looked up, trotted to Jess and embraced him into a hug.
"Wow, uncle Luke you have changed, being all touchy feely"
"I really have, what has the married life done to me, ok i'm going back to be Luke again"
"The we will need an awkward handshake followed by an awkward silence then one of us will grunt and then you will ask if I want anything or if I just want to unpack, ill then go upstairs to unpack and settle in"
"Can we skip that now cause I'm kinda busy, here are your keys"
"Now that was very you Uncle Luke"
"What did I say about calling me that?"
"Yes Uncle Luke"
Luke just glared at him.
"Ok I'm done now" His smirk died down
Jess marched upstairs to a familiar place. It was empty, still equipped with a couch, TV, kitchen stuff including a table and chairs, a bed, and a need for some sprucing. Jess already guessed that it would be kind of bare so he broke out the bag his Music Store friends gave him when he dropped by to say goodbye. They knew he would need some posters. He hung them in one spot of the Apartment and then took some of his old ones and found a couple other places. Jess has matured, and instead of his original idea from as a 17-year-old flash back and dumping his stuff all over his bed, he found the dresser and unpacked, like a good boy. This allowed him to think what he would say to her. He hoped that it wasn't to late, though he had a feeling it was.
Back to Rory's:
Rory woke up woke up with a smile on her face. She knew something remarkable would happen today, but just not what. She tried to pat on Jake's side of the bed, but felt nothing but sheets. She got up and walked down.
"How did you watch me sleep for before you got up to make me a wonderful breakfast?" She asked him.
"Only about 2 hours"
"Very funny. So did you actually make me a wonderful breakfast?"
"Yes, and it is waiting to be given to you at Luke's" He said sarcastically.
"Awesome"
After they got ready to go, they walked hand in hand to Luke's. The town thought of them as the Prince and Princess of Stars Hollow, and they enjoyed being royalty. Everyone thought they were the cutest couple ever, always smiling and never fighting. Rory loved it, but always felt incomplete and never really found out where that piece of her heart was.
Jess was already helping Luke out with the Diner, and went in the back to get something when Rory walked in. Luke was dreading this moment.
"Hey Luke" Rory and Jake said
"Uhh, hey guys, what do you guys want?" he said trying to act normal "What's that Cesar, you need something from the back, ok Ill get it." He said very fakely
"Ok, I don't know about you, but I did not hear Cesar say anything" Rory said
"He is hearing voices again," Jake said.
"Jess, do you wanna go upstairs and take a break for a little bit, I can handle everything for now." Luke tried to say, but Jess saw right passed him.
"No, its ok, I really cannot wait to see Rory again."
"Ok, I didn't tell you something"
"Why don't you just come right out to it" Jess said sarcastically because he was kind of making fun of Luke's forwardness.
"Uhh, yea, now is really not the time to joke" Luke said uncomfortably.
"Ok, serious tone, uncomfortable ways, this cannot be good for me" Jess said looking a bit disappointed, knowing he wouldn't want to hear what Luke was about to say and knowing it was about Rory. "Nothing happened to her, she's ok right? Luke, tell me she is perfectly alive" Jess started to panic.
"Oh, Jess, don't worry, she's fine and perfectly healthy, and well, and happy"
"What is it Luke?"
"She is married"
That was a bullet to the heart for Jess. His face stiffened along with every muscle in his body. "A break would be very nice right about now, just keep her down there ok" he said softly.
Jess walked up to his apartment, closed the door, and slid down to the floor. Jess come on man, there are such things as divorces. People do that all the time. What are you thinking, Luke said she was happy. I just want her to be happy, yea Happy with me. Damn you mind Thoughts were racing through Jess's mind. He took a deep breath and took on what he had to do sooner or later.
Jess cautiously walked down the stairs and took a deep breath as he turned the corner. He saw her and had to find a way to breath again. She was still as beautiful as ever, jealousy ran over him like a shower as he held her hand, held her, kissed her. Jess sighed realizing that he cannot be the one to break up this cute marriage. He still wanted to talk to her. He put on his grin and walked in after taking a few more breaths.
Rory looked up and jumped up, finding her breath as well "J-j-jess"
Her voice, she spoke, her voice still had the hint of love in it Jess thought. All he could do was grin and say "Hey" He walked over to her and gave her a hug, like old friends would do. Her smell!
Jake looked like the most confused person in the world.
"Oh, Jake this is my ex" she started to say but quickly corrected herself "an old, very close friend, Jess"
Very close, old friend. That is how she sees me. No, she said ex, I don't know, I couldn't do this. What am I doing here? Why didn't Luke tell me she was married? Luke is dead. Jess's head was spinning he didn't know what to do except this. He stretched out his hand to let Jake shake it "Hello."
"Jess is Luke's nephew" Rory added, not trying to stop staring at Jess. He looks different, older, but still has his boyish features. That hair, wow how I have missed that hair. And those lips…what the hell are you thinking Rory, you are married. Snap out of it. What is he doing here?
"So I guess you are wondering what I'm doing here." Jess said, just like he was reading Rory's mind. Rory and Jake stared blankly and Luke tried to over hear because he was curious as well with what Jess would say. "Well, I needed inspiration for my new book and Stars Hollow is the place" Nice cover-up. Luke smirked and walked away, chuckling as he left earshot.
The bell on the door rang as Lorelei walked in. "hey, is it my favorite cou…..Jess?"
"Hello, Lorelei." Jess said.
"Now I get it Luke," She screamed to Luke.
"Its like a family reunion" Jess said sarcastically kicking himself because he was trying to be mature about all this.
"Now that's the Jess I remember," Luke said as he passed Jess to give coffee to some customers.
Lorelei saw the coffee and in an amazing nana-second, she was behind Luke with a coffee cup in her hand.
"Ok now that is just freaky," Luke said. "How bout you have some tea or something because those supernatural powers are not supposed to happen when you drink coffee"
"Luke" Lorelei said.
Luke didn't budge.
"Luuuuke" Lorelei whined.
"NO"
"LUKE" she screamed.
"Not budging, look Lorelei, I'm just trying to look after you and want you to live longer."
"Luke" she said finally fluttering her eyelashes and seductively.
Luke blushed "Ok, just to make you stop, and only one" He gave in.
"Now isn't that cute" Jess said.
"Shut up or I'll tell everyone something that you wouldn't want them to know" Luke was secretive about it, but made Jess understand exactly what he was talking about.
"I-mean- uh- I just miss watching you guys falling in love for each other" Jess tried.
"Not getting better, so just shut up," Luke said coldly.
"Ok I got to get to work" Jake said, kissed Rory, which made Jess flinch, and left.
"uhh, I'm gonna take a break now Luke and get settled in" Jess said and went upstairs, not wanting to because he knew if he stayed he would be able to hang with Rory all day.
"Ok, what is he doing here" Lorelei said.
"Supposedly finding influence for his newest book" Rory said.
"he made me promised that I wouldn't tell anyone that he was coming." Luke said knowing the Gilmore girls would be mad.
Rory got her laptop out of her bag and set it on the counter.
"What do you think your doing" Luke asked.
"Writing my article that is due tonight for the paper" Rory said like he should know.
"Why don't you go home and do it" Luke interrogated her, as this discussion was a regular morning activity in the diner.
"Don't you know by now" Lorelei asked and then said "She doesn't want to go home and be alone because she will miss her husband and blah blah blah, add more mushy stuff and you blush when she adds that I don't like to do it either for the same reason and you blush and say ok and you both go on with writing your article (pointing to Rory) and serving your customers (pointing to Luke)."
"Am I really that predictable?" Luke asked.
"yes" Lorelei said.
