A/N: Hey guys..I want to thank ya'll for reading my story. Now it's angst and sad, but please trust me. After you read this chapter, keep one thing in mind: I am not ASP. I love Jess. Please just trust me. Big thanks go to Leigh and Stephanie, who are the most amazing editors a girl could ever ask for. you guys are great! i live off reviews so pleasee, leave me a note with your thoughts. Not if you're going to flame me though, lol.
Something Pretty.
Chapter One: The Hardest Thing
"I was a dumb punk kid with nothing to lose....."x x x
He stared at it.
It was simple. All he had to do was pick up the receiver, take a deep breath, dial, and talk.
But why did it seem so difficult now?
Because he's like a father to you.
He stared at the phone in a daze, the same one he had been in since he found out just two days ago.
He stared at it for another minute before picking it up.
He took a deep breath and dialed. The phone rang twice before a voice was heard on the other end.
"Hey Luke. It's Jess. I need to talk to you..."x x x
He stopped his car when he reached the sign. The outer limits of Stars Hollow. He had made it a tradition that the last few times he came; he would just stop at the Welcome sign and stare.
Welcome to Stars Hollow. Population 9,973.
He sighed as he looked at it. Just a year ago, this town had one more resident. Him. But the population number might never benefit from him again. Not now.
After looking at the sign for another moment, he sifted his car into drive and slowly made his way into the town.
The only place that's ever felt like home.
He drove past Ms. Patty's, Al's Pancake World, and Dooses' until he finally slowed his car down and parked in front of Luke's.
He turned off his car and then checked his watch.
'Nine,' he thought, knowing that most of the businesses were either shutting down or closed for the night.
As much as he hated to admit it, he liked Stars Hollow at night. It was peaceful and before he left, he spent much of his night outside, just reading or sitting at the bridge.
He looked out the window of his car and saw that there were only a few people still in Luke's. No sign of the Gilmores. Thank god, that was a confrontation he didn't need.
He took a deep breath before getting out of his car and going into the dinner.
At the sound of the bell jingling on the door, Luke looked up and smiled when he saw Jess.
"Hey, you're here," Luke said, as Jess slowly made his way over to the counter.
The two men embraced in a quick hug. "Go on up," Luke said. "I just have to close up and then I'll join you."
"Okay," Jess replied, "Do you need any help?"
Luke shook his head. "No it's fine. I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Okay," Jess nodded and walked up the stairs.
x x x
Jess sat down at the table in the kitchen of the apartment and breathed in slowly.
You can do this Jess. Just tell him the truth.
Just then, Jess heard Luke's footsteps on the stairs and realized it was time.
Luke opened the door to the apartment. "All closed up. Place hasn't changed much, huh?"
Jess looked around. And smirked. "Everything looks the same. EXCEPT your bed looks like it hasn't been slept in for weeks."
Luke blushed and said, "Well you see, um, Lorelai and I...."
Jess smirked again. "Ah, Lorelai. I get it now."
"We're..." Luke stammered, "Ah hell, Why are you here, anyways? It must be important."
You have no idea.
Jess swallowed hard and looked down at his hands, "I um...."
"Jess?" Luke asked, concerned, sitting down at the table across from him. "What's going on?"
This will probably be the hardest thing he's ever had to say.
"Luke," he said quietly, "I have cancer."