A/N: Ok, the next chapter, one more chapter, a short story, but I think it'll work out. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: own nothing.

Luke opened that package that had been in the mail. His address was written in Jess' handwriting and Luke could only guess what his nephew had sent him. He smiled when he saw that what was inside was a book, written by Jess. It was his second book and Luke was proud of him. He was proud that his wayward nephew was really doing something with his life. Noticing a piece of paper stuck in the flap of the book he took it out and read it.

Luke,

I did it, they published a second book of mine, which officially tells me they are high when they read my stuff. Anyways, if you get a call from Rory soon, don't be freaked out, I'll tell you what I told her and then tell you what's really going on.

I may have said something about 'this life' being over, don't worry I'm not killing myself, though thinking about it now, she may think I am, but I'm not. What's goin' on is I'm changing, gonna stop doing major writing for awhile and leave the publishing house. I applied to Ohio State University and got in. I know you're wondering, why Ohio State? There's an answer. Ohio is an obscure state, no one will think to look for me here, New York I grew up there, too many memories, Connecticut's a definite no and you know why. Philadelphia's out because, well, I'm already here. I just need a new place. A fresh start, a new life. So that's the meaning of 'this life's over', the old life is over and I'm starting new. I'm studying to be a teacher, weird I know, but who knows, I might be good at it and don't worry, I'll keep up my writing.

Here's my new number, please don't give it to Rory, I have to let her go and that means cutting off all connection. I've already told her good bye. Don't tell her where I am; just tell her I'm all right.

Thanks for everything Luke.

Jess

PS-My number: (614) 555-7954

Luke had to read it over a couple times because he couldn't believe it. Jess was going to college and becoming a teacher. It was just too hard to believe. He was about to read it a third time, just to make sure he wasn't imagining thins when the phone rang.

"Luke's Diner." He said answering it.

"Luke, it's Rory." He heard a quiver in her voice.

"Rory, what's wrong?" he asked full of concern.

"I just got a letter from Jess, I think, I think he might be considering killing himself if he hasn't already." She told him. He could tell she was about to cry. As the letter was still in his hand he looked over it and realized Jess had been right.

"Rory, I'm sure Jess is fine, he wouldn't do something like that." He told her. From the tone of Jess's letter it seemed he probably didn't even want Rory to know that he'd sent Luke a letter as well, which meant all Luke could do was assure Rory that Jess was fine, with no fine details about how fine he was.

"But his letter."

"What about it?" he knew what though.

"He said that 'this life was over'. If he didn't mean suicide, what else could he have meant." By this point he could tell she was close to hysterics.

"Rory, listen to me, Jess is safe. Maybe he meant he was starting over; don't forget Jess says things in weird ways." Luke said, trying to help her out without giving too much information.

"Are you sure about that? It just, the way he had the letter Luke, it was a goodbye and then he said that 'this life was over'. It didn't sound right, I'm worried, worried that he's going to do something harmful to himself." She said in tears. Luke took a deep breath before speaking, he hating lying to Rory, he really did.

"Rory, I just spoke to Jess, he sounded fine." He told her. She was silent for a minute before speaking again.

"Luke, any chance I could get his number?" she asked. Yet again he had to lie, but only partially.

"I don't think so. He told me he was disconnecting his phone; it was getting to expensive and too complicated. I'm sorry, Rory." He told her, honestly sorry.

"I'm still worried about him, Luke, scared for him really." She told him. Luke had no idea what to tell her, because he couldn't break his nephew's confidence, but he didn't want to hurt Rory. Taking one last deep breath he spoke into the phone.

"Rory, I really have to go. Call your mom." He said before hanging up. He picked the phone up again though and dialed the number written on the sheet of paper. He needed to speak to Jess.

To Be Continued...