Rory fumbled her heavy eyelids open, feeling queasy.
"Morning, sunshine," Jess greeted. Rory moaned, unable to form words. "Nice nap?"
She still didn't answer. Finally, as she realized with dread that they were aboard a plane, she spoke. "Where are we going?"
Jess hesitated. "France."
"Why? Why? Where's Lisa?" Rory jumped.
Jess pointed to the two seats ahead of them. "She's up there, with Jackson. We're going to France because A, that's where headquarters is, and B, it's a nice place to have a home."
"A home?"
"With me."
She scowled. "No! I want to go back to Stars Hollow, with Mom, and Luke, and...Dean."
Jess frowned angrily. "Too bad. You're staying with me. Anyway, that jerk broke up with you, if I do recall."
Rory felt the sheer feeling of claustrophobia creeping in on her. "Were you watching me?"
"What do you think?"
She felt the bile rise in her throat and anxiously fumbled with the clasp on her seatbelt. "I have to use the restroom, Jess."
Jess sighed and stood to let her past. "Just hurry up."
Rory pushed past him and walked quickly to the lavatory. Once inside, she locked the door and hastily emptied the contents of her stomach. Slowly she dragged herself back up on her feet and rinsed out her mouth.
She'd no idea why Jess wanted her, especially now. She looked a wreck, her ponytail was halfway out, and frizzing around the clip. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot from crying, her skin flushed. Rory put some soap on her hands to wash them.
And suddenly got an idea.
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"So how about those cocktails, Leese?" Jackson persisted. Lisa gave him a demeaning look. "I'll even guess your drink. I'm feeling...Seabreeze."
"Wrong," she snapped. "I don't drink any more."
"At all?" he raised his eyebrows. "Wow. Congratulations."
"Yeah, well, I got thinking that if I hadn't drank so much before the red-eye, I would have had a clearer mind. And been able to kill you."
He snorted. "You wouldn't be able to kill me."
"You're strong, Jack, but you're stupid," she grinned triumphantly but it vanished quickly as his hand gripped her arm tightly on the armrest, the nails digging into her skin.
"Ow, Jackson," she winced and tried to pull away, but he held steadfast. "Jackson, you're hurting me."
"Don't undermine me, Leese," he snarled, releasing her with a jerk. She flew back against the window.
"Asshole," she muttered under her breath.
Jackson smiled coldly and turned back to look at Jess. When he saw Rory's empty seat, he unbuckled and turned to speak to Jess.
"Where is she?" he growled.
"She-she just went to the bathroom," Jess replied nervously, confusion lining his face. "Why-"
But Jackson was already storming down the aisle towards the restroom.
