A/N: Okay. Another.

Spoilers: A Messenger, Nothing More

Rudy Can't Fail #2

Jess cracked up. "Breaking up the team?!"

Luke groaned. "Just shut up."

Jess snickered more.

"Did I tell you about Hay Bail Bill?"

"Repeatedly," Jess muttered as he roamed around the small, dingy apartment.

"So I'm back in Stars Hollow," Luke informed him.

"Congratulations," Jess replied. "Damn... where in hell are my shoes?"

"I don't know," Luke smirked. "You lost your shoes?"

"No," Jess snapped. "I did not lose my shoes... they've gotta be here somewhere."

"Who can tell in the crap hole?" Luke quipped.

"Cut it out," Jess growled. "It's all I can afford."

Luke sighed. "Y'know... if you wanted to come for a visit..."

"Maybe in a few months," Jess replied. "Found 'em! I just got this new job... I gotta settle in."

"New job?" Luke asked interestedly. "You didn't tell me that..."

"You were living in the plague era," Jess replied. He plopped down onto his mattress and started putting on his shoes. "It's retail. A book store. Pays more than the messenger gig, though."

"That's great!" Luke cried. "We should celebrate sometime."

"Maybe this weekend or something," Jess muttered. He looked around and grabbed up his jacket.

"Yeah, that'd be great," Luke nodded. "So... uh... can I tell you something personal?"

"You can. Don't expect me to react well."

"I almost kissed Lorelai."

Jess blinked and stopped. "I thought you already kissed Lorelai."

"I did, but I almost did again when I got back from Maine," Luke explained. "I got her this necklace."

"You got her jewelry?" Jess scoffed. "You haven't even been on a date yet!"

"I just... I don't know," Luke tried to explain. "Liz was really excited about us dating."

"Liz was excited when they finally came out with easy-use dental floss," Jess smirked. "She's easily excitable."

"She huzzah'd when I told her about Lorelai and I," Luke mumbled.

Jess smirked. "She huzzah'd?"

"Yeah," Luke sighed. "So, Rory came back from Europe this week."

"That's nice," Jess replied tersely.

"And uh... Dean and Lindsay separated," Luke muttered .

Jess stopped. "...Huh."

"What?"

"Rory comes back... Bagboy separates from wifey..." Jess said thoughtfully. He shook his head. "Whatever."

"You wanna talk?"

"Stupid questions get stupid answers, Uncle Luke." He got up and threw his jacket on, while trying to keep the phone to his ear.

"Listen, I gotta get going," Luke told him. "Call me about grabbing a bite to eat this weekend. I'll find time to visit."

"Sounds good," Jess nodded. "Bye." He shut the phone off and shoved it in his pocket, and then walked out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.