A/N: Hey guys, I'm sorry it's been so long since I've updated. I realize that it's been over a year, but many events that happened in my personal life held me back from being able to write this story. About a month after I began writing this story, my sister, my only sibling, was diagnosed with cancer. This was a huge blow to me and normally, this would only help me write. But since I was writing a story about one of my favorite TV characters having cancer, it just hit too close to home. My sister passed away in January 2006 and my life has not been the same since. But I always planned to continue my story, not matter what, because at least with this outcome, I can control it. I don't know how long it will be in between updates, this took me months to right, because I want to capture the emotions just right since I now have a better understanding. Thank you all for your understanding. On a final note, I would like to dedicate this chapter and the whole story to the memory of my sister, Megan. I miss you more than anyone could ever know.

Something Pretty.

Chapter Three: "Don't stop…believing."

"And I know ugliness…"

x x x

He crept quietly into the apartment late that night, trying to be discreet and not wake up Luke. He made it all the way to his side of the apartment before a light clicked on.
"Jess, is that you?" Luke asked.
"Who else would be sneaking into your apartment in the middle of the night?" Jess replied sarcastically.
"Jess…" Luke sighed, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine" Jess mumbled.
"Jess, come on," Luke said, "Lorelai told me what the doctors said. Talk to me."
"I'm just…" Jess ran a hand thru his long hair, "I'm...angry. I'm angry that the doctors didn't catch this and got my hopes up."
"Jess," Luke said firmly, "They didn't get your hopes up. You are going to beat this. You hear me? We are going to talk to your doctor again tomorrow to find out the best possible treatment, and we are starting it as soon as possible."
"Okay" Jess said.
"Now get some sleep," Luke said, "You need all of your strength. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Luke," Jess said and the light flicked off.

x x x

Lorelai sighed as she stared down at her cell phone; she knew she had to attempt to do this. It was the right thing.
She looked down at the number of the hotel her mother had left with her, and began dialing the number.
After a few minutes, she was connected with Rory's room.
"Hello?" her daughter's voice came thru the phone.
She paused for a minute and then said "Hey Rory, its Mom"
"Oh, hi." Rory replied.
"So, Rome?" Lorelai asked.
"Yup" Rory replied.
"Weather good?" Lorelai asked
"Hot in the day, cooler at night."
"Uh-huh, that's kind of what we're having here." Lorelai replied
"Huh. Coinky-dink." Rory said.
"Yeah. So..." Lorelai began.
" So..." Rory said and then there was a long pause.
"Um, I guess I'll be seeing you in a couple of days then." Lorelai said
"Yep." Rory replied.
"Great, then. Be safe, and watch out for those Italian men, especially the ones named Randy." Lorelai said
"I will. Bye." Rory replied.
"Wait Rory. I have something I need to tell you." Lorelai said quickly.
"I have to go Mom, Grandma has some tour she wants us to go on. Bye"
"Bye." Lorelai said to the dial tone.
Lorelai sighed as she looked down at her phone.
"Oh well," she thought and walked away into the kitchen of the Dragonfly.

x x x

"So Mr. Mariano, what we are trying to tell you that you are actually in Stage Three of the cancer. This means it has spread to lymph nodes around the kidney. Now, I want you to realize that yes, the cancer is more progressed that we originally thought, but that doesn't mean that we can't fight this," Jess's doctor, Dr. Reynolds said.

"Lymph nodes?" Luke asked, "What exactly are those?"
"That's a good question," Dr. Reynolds replied, "Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body. They produce and store infection-fighting cells."
"Okay, so the ones near my kidney have been affected," Jess said as he stared at his hands and sighed, "What kind of treatment would you recommend?"
"One of the options for you is surgery, we would go in and remove the kidney. However, if you don't want to go that route, there is always chemotherapy and radiation, which are very good options too." Dr. Reynolds said.
"Doctor, what would you recommend?" Luke asked.
"I think that we should start with the chemotherapy and radiation," Dr. Reynolds said, "And if we don't see any results from them after some time, we could decide whether or not we want to keep trying or do the surgery."
"Jess?" Luke said, "What do you think?"
Luke looked over at his nephew, sitting in a chair, looking rake-thin and pale, and he felt a sudden urge to just protect him. Protect him from everything that was going to happen.
After a minute of silence, Jess said softly, "The chemo and radiation."
"Okay," Luke said, "Are you sure?"
Jess , who had been staring down at his hands for most of the meeting, slowly looked up and looked his uncle in the eyes, "I don't want surgery."
"Okay," Luke sighed, "When can we start the chemo and radiation?"
"Well," Dr. Reynolds said, "We want to start them as soon as possible, I would say the beginning of next week. Now, there are some side effects to the chemotherapy and radiation that I want to warn you of. These side effects include everything from fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, to hair loss. I just want you to be fully prepared."
"Okay," Luke said as he stood up and shook the doctor's hand, "Thank you doctor."
Jess stood up and thanked the doctor as well. The pair left the doctor's office after making an appointment to begin treatment the next week.

x x x

The drive home was quiet, as the two sat in a comfortable silence.
Luke had been struggling with what he should say to his nephew the entire car ride. Sighing he pulled up to the diner and said quietly,
"Jess? Are you okay?"
Jess, who had been staring quietly out of the truck's window, looked down at his hands.

I don't know if I can do this.

He looked up at his uncle, who was looking at him with worry and concern. He looked over his uncle's shoulder, and saw Lorelai, sitting in the diner, looking at the truck anxiously, with concern etched on her face.

I have to do this, for myself. But not only for myself. But for him. Do this for Luke, Jess.

"Yeah, Uncle Luke," Jess said as he looked at his uncle again, "I'm going to be okay."

End Chapter.