Kissing Ringo

Chapter 6

A/N: Thanks Chev for beta-ing and Jess for collaborating and everyone that's reading this!

It had been three days since Lane had seen Rory and Jess on the porch kissing. It had been three days since she had seen Jess. And it had been three days of listening to Rory go on and on, about how she felt something when she and Jess kissed, and how he said he didn't want her, but she could tell he did. She'd listened to Rory spout out every detail of the kiss, and hint for perspective from her best friend. And not only did Lane have to be the one to give her that perspective, she had to pretend that her heart wasn't being ripped out and that she was happy about it.

Lane had finally been able to get away from Rory's rambling and Paris's glares, after Paris had demanded that she and Rory spend the afternoon working on their articles for the paper. Lane had taken the opportunity to wander and not think about Jess or Rory or Jess and Rory. Wandering around the lake, she found a small jetty. It looked as though it had been built, used for a year and then forgotten about. Moss climbed up the poles, there were a couple of planks missing from the walkway, and rusted chains snaked their way along the length of the wharf.

For some reason, Lane found the scene oddly comforting and sat at the end of the jetty, legs dangling over the edge, feet, three of four inches above the water. It wasn't long before she heard footsteps behind her, and without looking she knew it was him. Without a word, he sat down next to Lane and lit a cigarette. Reaching to his mouth, Lane took the cigarette stubbed it out and pocketed it. Without even a look of question, Jess removed another one from the pack and proceeded to light it. Before it had even been lit, Lane pocketed that one too.

"Do you mind?" He asked, exasperated.

"Actually I do. If you want to smoke, go somewhere else and do it. In fact, if you want to sit, go somewhere else and do it." She replied, coldly.

"And if I want to stand?"

"Go away. Just whatever you want to do here, go do it somewhere else."

"I told her I was with someone else."

"But you didn't tell her who. If you won't go, I will." Lane awkwardly swung her feet up, and stood up. Far more nimbly, Jess did the same.

"We just talked."

"Yeah, you looked deep in conversation when I arrived."

"About that. What the hell were you even doing there?"

"I'm staying there, and don't turn this around on me. I wasn't the one kissing my ex."

"She kissed me. And I told her I was with someone else."

"Do you know what I've had to put up with for the last three days? Rory going on about how she was sure that you'd take her back, once you'd had time to think it through. And that this other girl couldn't be nearly as right for you as she was. And you know what? She was right. I'm Britney to your Justin. It's not going to work out." Lane told him callously.

"Okay, two things. Being the acclaimed muso you are, I can't believe you couldn't think of a more fitting couple to compare us to. And two… Why?"

"Because I live in a town of which the whole population minus one hates you. My mother would disown me. You kissed someone else. And most importantly, you broke my best friend's heart. It's a bros before hoes kind of situation." Lane listed, counting off on her fingers as she went.

"And they're all things I've dealt with before and will again, without the kissing of someone else. That wasn't my fault. The whole town hated me before." Jess recounted, careful to leave Rory's name out of his persuasion. "Other mothers have hated me before too."

"And what does that tell you?" She demanded to know. "Lorelai is the coolest mom I know. Try imagining a female, Korean Hitler, minus the Nazi part. That's my mother!"

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay. I'm not gonna beg you Lane. You sound like you've made up your mind."

"I have."

"Okay then." After several minutes of silence, Jess spoke smugly. "So you're staying?" Lane met Jess's gaze straight on. She closed the gap between them and walked him gently backwards to the end of the jetty. Then, careful to keep her feet firmly planted, she shoved him backwards into the lake. He rose to the surface laughing.

"Do you feel better now? Have you released whatever it is that's making you break up with me?"

"I can't break up with you! We were never together!" Lane yelled.

"C'mon. There must be one, or even a few words that explain what you're feeling right now!" Jess yelled back, still in the water. Lane considered for a second. "Cathartic! Goodbye Jess!" With that she turned on her heel and marched away. A few minutes later, Jess heaved himself back up onto the wharf to find Lane standing madly at the other end.

"I should've learned from Rory's mistakes and stayed well clear of you! The only thing you're good for is leaving a trail of pain and hurt wherever you go! I forgot what it was I saw in you!" Then running out of steam, Lane returned to walking away, leaving Jess with his thoughts and wet shoes.

"The only thing you're good for is leaving a trail of pain and hurt wherever you go…" The words echoed through Jess as he made his way back to his cabin. His jaw tightened. "I didn't even kiss her back!" A couple, walking their dog turned to stare. Did I really say that out loud? He continued back to his cabin.

Coming into the room, Jess was greeted by Gavin who was lying on the couch watching Passions.

"Hey!" He jumped up as he saw that his roommate was completely soaked. "You're dripping all over the freakin' place man!" Jess cocked an eyebrow.

"You can complain, when you've experienced housework firsthand." He replied rudely.

"Right. Did Lane leave for home already? I haven't seen her in a while." Jess sighed.

"In case you didn't listen to me the other night – and that's probably the case – I kissed my ex and Lane saw us. We broke up just now."

"You broke up? Or she dumped you?" Jess just glared at his roommate, coldly. Gavin shook his head. "At least I only mess with my clothes and not my chicks."

Jess rolled his eyes and headed into the bathroom.