I Can't Stay Away

"I've been up here all night," I yelled to Nathan. "Thinking about this… thinking about my destiny."

"What are you doing?" Nathan asked confused.

"It's my turn to be somebody now, Nathan," I called from the top of a building.

"Come on," Nathan pleaded. "Quit screwing around."

I didn't answer him. I looked up, took a deep breath and prepared myself. I raised my arms out wide. I closed my eyes and stepped off the edge… I'm falling. Nathan looked up… I kept falling. Then suddenly Nathan is at my side, struggling to hold onto me.

"Great," Nathan said through gritted teeth as he tried to hold onto me.

We twist around and start to spiral out of control, the weight is pulling us down. Nathan tried to hold me up, but he's struggling. I looked at Nathan astonished.

"You're flying, Nathan," I said in disbelief. "You're flying. How did you…"

"I don't know," Nathan answered mystified.

Nathan tried to hold me up, but I slipped… and fell.

"No," Nathan said as I fall. "No," he yelled reaching out towards me.

Thud.

"Ow," I said as I looked around. I'm in the apartment above the diner, it was only a dream. I looked over at Luke, he was still sleeping and he looked so peaceful.

I need to meet the bread guy at five and order some more meat, I'm running low. If Jess would just help out in the diner, just for an hour it would really help me out… Jess helping me, I must be dreaming. -Luke

I picked myself up and sat on the edge of my bed. I could hear people's thoughts again, that was one thing.

No! Damn potatoes… there's too many potatoes. I told Jess not to stack them there, but does he even listen to a word I say? No! –Luke

So not only could I hear thoughts, but I could hear dreams, well dreams were thoughts… I guess. And then there was Luke dreaming about the diner, typical, he spends his whole day in the diner and now it seems as though he dreams about it too. Maybe I'd help him out a little more, just so he could dream of fluffy white bunnies or rainbows… something not diner related.

I got dressed quickly and headed over to Rory's house. I was going to tell her about my new found ability… Well, that was what I was going to tell her, but I couldn't pass up the chance to hear Rory's dreams now could I? I don't know how long it's going to last this time, I can't waste a minute of it.

I arrived at her window and opened up it up. I was glad she left it unlocked. I climbed in gracefully and sat down on the chair opposite her bed. I concentrated hard.

Can I get a cherry Danish, ooh and some coffee, 'No' Come on Luke, please, -Lorelai

Okay, maybe I was concentrating too hard. Was it a coincidence that Lorelai was also dreaming of the diner, probably not, I just hope Rory wasn't dreaming of the diner too, that would just be weird.

"Rory you have to choose… me or Jess." … "Right now?" … "Yes, Right now." -Rory

I was waiting for her to say my name, but nothing came. I knew the conversation well, it was a pivotal moment in our relationship, but she never said my name. I wish I could see her dreams… I didn't know what was going on. I concentrated harder, trying to see into the dream. And there it was, a quick flash, it lasted less than a second, but it was enough. Dean was holding the side of his face and Rory was cradling her hand. She hit him… Man, I wish I could've seen that.

So Rory dreamed of punching Dean, that was definitely a good thing. I heard no more from Rory, she was probably hurting Dean in different ways, I smiled at that. I loved the way Rory's expression grew excited and then pained, it was like I could tell what she was dreaming just from her facial expressions and it was great.

Oh, I dropped the mustard. 'Here I'll get it.' No, it's alright Luke I've got it. -Lorelai

There it was once again, a quick flash, Lorelai bending over seductively in front of Luke. That's just what I needed to see. Not.

Oh, I dropped the mustard. 'Here I'll get it.' No, it's alright Luke I've got it. -Lorelai

Oh no, I didn't need to see this again. I closed my eyes and tried to block Lorelai out, just Lorelai, I didn't want to lose this ability again.

Think of Rory, okay not helping.

Oh, I dropped the mustard. 'Here I'll get it.' No, it's alright Luke I've got it. -Lorelai

Think of that Petrelli guy… that Parkman guy… nothing.

Oh, I dropped the mustard. 'Here I'll get it.' No, it's alright Luke I've got it. -Lorelai

Think of physically blocking Lorelai's thoughts… locking her mind shut with a key and then throwing it away.

Oh, I dropped the must… -Lorelai

Thank god for that. I listened hard, but I couldn't hear her. I think that key should stay lost from now on, it's not like I haven't been traumatized enough already.

Jess. -Rory

"Yes," I answered instinctively, but she didn't stir. I'll have to watch out for that, make sure I didn't answer peoples thoughts, they might catch on.

Jess, I love you. -Rory

Wait, what? Had Rory just said, well dreamed what I thought she had? She loved me, I leaned forward in anticipation.

Jess, I love you but… -Rory

But what? What was she going to say?

She stirred awake and sat up. "Jess?" she asked tiredly as her eyes focused on me.

"Yeah," I replied. "I'm here." I got up slowly and sat down on the edge of her bed.

"What are you doing here?" Rory asked.

"Nothing," I said. "Just go back to sleep."

I desperately wanted her to finish her last thought, she loved me but what? What didn't she like? What am I doing wrong?

"Why?" Rory asked again.

"I couldn't sleep," I replied. "But you can, so go to sleep."

"What are you going to do?" Rory asked. "You're not going to sit there and watch me are you?"

"Why not?" I said. "You're cute when you sleep." And the fact that I can hear your dreams has nothing to do with it.

Cute? Unlikely. Why would he want to watch me sleep, he could be out doing something better like annoying Taylor or Dean… Yeah go annoy Dean that would be so good. -Rory

"You really want me to leave?" I asked Rory waiting to gage her thoughts.

No, but it's not about what I want. I couldn't just ask you to stay… Ask you to spend the night with me… I couldn't, you might say no. -Rory

"You have to sleep," Rory said. "You must be tired."

"Nah," I said. "If I sleep I dream, and if I dream I usually end up on the floor for some strange reason."

"You had another dream?" Rory asked excitedly.

Was Nathan Petrelli in it again? Did you fly? –Rory

"Yeah," I said. "It was about Nathan Petrelli. I stepped off a building and he flew up and caught me."

"He flew?" Rory asked curiously. "So maybe when you met him in New York you somehow absorbed his power."

No, that just sounds crazy. -Rory

"It's possible," I replied dismissing Rory's crazy comment/thought. "Umm, there's something I want to tell you." I decided to tell Rory I could read minds. Even though I was having so much fun, I had no right to read her mind without her knowledge.

"What?" Rory asked concerned.

Is something wrong? Why is he here? Did I miss something? Did I do something wrong? –Rory

"No, you didn't do anything wrong," I said answering Rory's last thought. I figured it would be easier to show her, then to just tell her.

"What?" Rory asked.

Did he just read my mind? No, that's impossible. -Rory

"Yes," I answered quickly before she could come up with any more explanations.

"How?" Rory asked me. "When?"

"Yesterday," I explained. "That guy who came into the diner… Parkman."

"The headache?" Rory questioned.

"I think our thoughts were interfering with each other's," I tried to explain. I didn't know exactly what happened. "There was static. Then when I accidentally answered one of your thoughts he mentioned mind reading and then asked if I was one of them."

"He knew about mind reading?" Rory said. "What did he mean when he said that you were one of them… is there others with abilities?"

"I don't know," I replied. "Well, we've got Nathan Petrelli and his connection to my flight, and now we have Parkman, what was his first name?"

"Matt," Rory said.

"Yeah," I agreed. "So there's Matt Parkman who can read minds, well supposedly. So now that's two people who seem connected to me and who possibly possess certain abilities."

"Wait?" Rory asked in realization. "So you can hear my thoughts, what number am I thinking of?"

One million, four hundred and twenty seven thousand, three hundred and nineteen. -Rory

"One million, four hundred and twenty seven thousand, three hundred and nineteen," I said as I let out a sigh. "What, you couldn't have gone with eight?"

"I had to make sure," Rory said. "So you can hear everything, no matter what?"

"Yeah," I said. "But I managed to block out your mother out somehow. I don't like her mind… it's a very dirty place."

"What?" Rory asked confused.

"You know how your mother and Luke are supposed to be together, soul mates and whatnot?" I asked Rory and she nodded her head. "Well, I think your mother knows it… her thoughts tend to steer towards him at all times and her dreams too."

"Dreams?" Rory asked confused. "You can hear dreams as well?"

"Yeah," I replied thinking back to Rory punching Dean. "Nice right hook by the way."

"What?" Rory asked confused. "Ah, Dean," she said in realization.

"Yeah," I agreed. "It turns out I can see thoughts too, well if I concentrate hard enough. Although I only get to see a short glimpse, but seeing Dean in pain was definitely worth it."

"See thoughts? How does that work?"

"Well obviously you're thinking the thoughts, which must mean you're picturing them as well," I tried to explain. "I don't know exactly, it's definitely weird."

"I'm tired," Rory said as she yawned.

"Well, go to bed then," I said jokingly to her. "We can always discuss this more in the morning if you want to."

I got off the bed and walked back over to the chair.

"Jess?" Rory asked me.

"If you're telling me to leave then you can just forget it because I'm not going anywhere," I told her.

"No, it's not that," Rory said. "Stay with me, right next to me."

"What about Lorelai?"

"Are you planning on sleeping?" Rory asked me.

"Probably not," I replied truthfully.

"Well then you can stay awake," Rory explained. "And listen out for Lorelai's thoughts, that way you'll know before she comes downstairs."

"Okay," I relented. " I'll listen out for her, but there's no way I'm going to listen to her thoughts again."

"Okay," Rory said as she stretched out her hand. "Come to bed then."

"Fine." I grabbed her hand and lay down next to her. I was glad I'd dressed in my sweats as opposed to jeans.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Rory asked.

"No," I replied as I brushed a stray strand of hair away from her face.

"Are you now?" Rory asked again.

I listen to her thoughts, she was asking me after all.

Kiss me, Jess. -Rory

I let out a small laugh and kissed her lovingly. I pulled away just as she deepened it.

"That's not fair," Rory said as she pouted.

Tease, you're a tease. -Rory

"Funny," I said. "Now go to sleep."

Why? I don't want to. -Rory

"I'll leave," I said to her as I started to get up.

"No," Rory said throwing her arm over me, holding me down.

I'll be good… promise. -Rory

"Just go to sleep," I said. "And I promise to be here when you wake up."

"What about Lorelai?" Rory asked me.

"I'll take my chances," I said. "I'm sure you'll come up with something good and then I'll read your mind and steal it."

"Okay," Rory replied. "Sleeping now."

"Dream good dreams," I told Rory. "Word filled dreams."

I'll try. -Rory

It was a fairly peaceful night after Rory fall asleep. She dreamed mainly of hurting Dean, which was entertaining. She was always trying to outdo her last line of attack, it was definitely better than watching TV. I actually fell asleep around 4:30am, no weird dreams, though I did dream of hurting Dean. I woke up at six to find Rory dreaming about me instead. It was a pleasant change, as Dean thankfully didn't appear in this dream.

She dreamed of holding me mainly, stealing kisses here and there without me knowing. There were a couple of times where I disappeared and she woke up alone. I knew she was scared that I wouldn't be here when she woke up, but I promised her and I was going to keep it. Even if Lorelai catches me and drags me out by the ear, I'd wait for Rory outside her window.

I heard the stairs creak and I knew Lorelai must be awake. I held my breath as I heard her walk around the house. I wondered how long it would take for her to check in on Rory. I wondered if I had enough time to hide. I also wondered how traumatized I would be if I actually tried to read Lorelai's mind again. I decided against it, not knowing was better somehow, it made me feel as though I still had a chance.

The door handle moved and I quickly closed my eyes. I tightened my grip around Rory, preparing for the onslaught. The door opened and I heard her gasp, no yelling yet that was good. She probably noticed I was fully clothed by now, which also worked in my favor. I waited for her to come over… I waited for her to do something. I concentrated on her, I needed to hear her thoughts. If she was going to kill me then I needed to see it coming. I found the metaphorical key I'd used to lock Lorelai's mind earlier and unlocked it quickly.

They look so adorable. Wait no, I can't be thinking that, there's a boy in Rory's bed, but he's fully dressed- Hey good Lorelai can it, Lorelai needs to do what's best for Rory. This is what's best, he is so protective of her, look how his arm is draped around her… he's protecting her. Maybe he's just doing that so you don't hurt him, keeping Rory close because he knows you'd never hurt her. Oh man, now this is why I keep things light… stupid brain. I can't deal with this, I'll just leave a post-it note, I can deal with it after I get some of Luke's coffee… Mmm Luke. -Lorelai.

Okay grabbing the key and locking her mind, quickly, before I hear too much. I can't hear her anymore. I keep as still as I can as she sticks the post-it on my forehead, not daring to move. Although Lorelai seemed cool with the matter, her mind was a little deranged. I thought that only people in movies or TV shows had the devil and angel in their head persuading them what to do, but apparently Lorelai had both and ironically they were both called Lorelai. I heard her leave and I sat up in bed.

I reached for my forehead and pulled off the note. It read: Jess I understand… You're in trouble… Meet me at the diner. The first two sentences had been crossed out. It seemed as though she didn't know what to do with me yet, so the only thing that wasn't scribbled out was- Meet me at the diner. I guess she'll talk to Luke first. He'd be worrying where I was anyway, I didn't exactly leave a note.

"What's going on?" Rory asked me confused as she opened her eyes.

"Nothing," I replied. "Lorelai just wants us to meet her at the diner."

"What?" Rory asked confused. "When?"

"Don't know," I replied as I showed her the note. "It doesn't say."

"Weren't you listening out for her?" Rory asked me annoyed.

"I was," I said. "I figured I'd take my chances."

"And how's that working out for you?" Rory asked me annoyed.

"Well I'm still alive," I said jokingly and Rory hit me on the shoulder. "She said we looked adorable."

"Really?" Rory questioned. "She actually said that?"

"Well she thought it," I replied. "Which means it's true because you don't need to lie in your mind, well a sane person wouldn't."

"Very insightful," Rory said sarcastically. "So did I say anything incriminating last night?"

"Well…" I replied as I thought about it. There was the fact that she said she loved me. "Nothing I didn't already expect," I settled on, I wanted Rory to be able to tell me that she loved me in her own time.

"What am I thinking now?" Rory asked excitedly.

Mmm coffee, oooh and pancakes, -Rory

I sighed.

"I'm guessing you want to go to the diner?" I asked Rory and she nodded excitedly as she got out of bed. "You know what I've learned the most so far from reading people's minds?" I asked Rory as she decided what to wear.

"No," Rory replied curiously. "Is it that no one says what they are thinking?"

"Well there's that too," I said. "But aside from that, it's that everyone's thoughts seem to relate back to Luke's diner. Luke's, Lorelai's, yours… mine."

"Well you do live and work at the diner," Rory replied holding up two shirts.

"The blue one," I said to Rory. "It'll bring out your eyes."

"Hey," Rory replied. "That's what I was thinking."

"I know," I smiled. "Hearing, red, blue, red, blue, does start to get a little annoying."

"Sorry," Rory replied. "Oh you know whose thoughts would be good to hear?" Rory asked me excitedly as she pulled off her shirt and replaced it with the blue one.

I searched her thoughts for any hint of embarrassment, she did just change in front of me, granted her back was to me, but still. I didn't find any though, Rory was so excited by my new ability she didn't even care.

"Who?" I asked Rory. Even though I could read her mind, I knew she really wanted to tell me, so I wasn't going to steal her thunder.

"Kirk," she said excitedly. "Maybe now we can finally understand why he does half the stuff he does."

"Sure," I said as I closed my eyes. Rory had grabbed some jeans and I knew that sooner or later this memory would click in her mind and she'd probably regret it, so I took the higher ground and closed my eyes. "I'm pretty sure Kirk's mind would be worse than Lorelai's," I explained, my eyes still closed. "Maybe I should just steer clear from him all together?"

"No," Rory said as she jumped on top of me. I opened my eyes. "We have this once in a lifetime chance and we're not going to waste it. Won't you do it for me?" Rory asked as she pouted.

"Fine," I relented. "But if his mind is worse than Lorelai's, which it probably is, then this is the only time I'm doing it."

"Thanks," Rory said as she kissed me. "Let's go, I bet he's at the diner."

I groaned as Rory grabbed my hand and pulled me off her bed.

It was a silent, quick walk to the diner. I spent the majority of my time trying to prepare myself for whatever Kirk was going to be thinking. I had no idea what Rory was thinking, I tuned her out. It seemed as though this ability was easier to control then my flying ability. It must be something to do with the mind, flying was more physical than reading thoughts. Also, I had a reason to hear people's thoughts, whereas I didn't exactly have a reason to fly.

"We're here," Rory said excitedly as we stopped out the front of the diner. "What's he thinking?"

I tried to concentrate.

You're in big trouble Jess. Leaving in the middle of the night with no note. -Luke

Why are they waiting outside? Is Jess scared that I'm going to attack him. Wait he's concentrating on something… I wonder what? –Lorelai

Aww, I hope Apricot's alright, she had the sniffles this morning. Maybe Morey and I should go home and check on her, just to be safe. –Babette

Is that apple in my pancakes? –Kirk

This is such a great town, maybe I'll move down here. -some random woman

"What's he saying?" Rory asked me impatiently.

"There's too many people," I replied holding my head. I was starting to get a headache. "All I got was 'is that apple in my pancakes?'."

"Interesting," Rory replied. "Oh well, we will just have to wait until he's on his own."

We walked inside the diner and sat down at Lorelai's table.

He's in trouble now, I've got him. -Luke.

"Jess," Luke said.

"I'm sorry," I apologized before he could continue. "I'll give you a hand as soon as Lorelai's finished with me."

"Okay," Luke accepted as he walked away.

Looks like the kid has finally got some sense knocked into him, good on him. If it has anything to do with spending the night at Rory's house, then he can stay there as often as he likes. Maybe it would give me a chance to go over there more often too and see Lorelai… -Luke

"So," I said to Lorelai blocking Luke out just in time. "How much trouble am I in?"

"It's yet to be decided," Lorelai answered. "Why were you in Rory's room in the first place?"

"I just needed to see her," I replied truthfully.

"And it couldn't have waited until the morning?" Lorelai said.

"No," I replied. "I had something important that I wanted to… share with her and I wanted her to be the first to know."

"And was it worth it?" Lorelai asked Rory.

"Definitely," Rory said.

"Okay," Lorelai gave in. "You're forgiven, just make sure next time you decide to spend the night let both Luke and me know beforehand."

"Of course," I said.

The conversation settled down.

I think my baby's finally found someone she loves. Look she keeps stealing glances at him from behind the paper and he looks at her and smiles, like he knows when she's going to look at him before she does- Whoa, complex thought, it's too early in the morning for this. It's funny though, how the kid sneaks out in the middle of the night to see his girlfriend and no one even cares. He's different lately… more open, I guess. It's like something was weighing on his mind, but ever since he got together with Rory it's lifted, he seems happier. –Lorelai

"Look at this," Rory said to me as she handed me the paper. "It said that someone attacked a cheerleader in Texas at Homecoming."

"What?" I asked confused as I grabbed the paper and looked at the picture of the cheerleader. She was blonde and pretty, I guess, but she wasn't my type. "Is she alright?" I asked Rory.

"Yeah," Rory replied. "Apparently her dad saved her in time. She came out without a scratch on her."

"Claire Bennet," I mused out loud. "She's lucky her dad was there."

"Yeah," Rory agreed. "There were also witnesses who saw a man from Haiti and two Japanese tourists."

"Sounds like a party," I said sarcastically. "Why wasn't I invited?"

"Probably for the best," Lorelai said. "It said that another cheerleader was killed, the top of her head was partially cut off."

"Lorelai," Luke warned. "Keep it down you're going to scare away my customers. Jess, are you finished yet because I could really use some help in the kitchen?"

Wait for it, he's going to make up some excuse and then leave me hanging. -Luke

"Sure, Luke," I replied as I stood up from the table. "Will I see you later?" I asked Rory hopefully.

"Sure," Rory replied. "But I'm going to be here for a while anyway."

I'll be watching you work, I love watching you work. Hey Jess, kiss me and kiss me good, don't worry about Lorelai. -Rory

"Okay." I leaned down and captured Rory's lips with my own, letting the kiss go on longer than it should in a public place… in front of her mother. I pulled away when Lorelai cleared her throat.

Damn kid is pushing his luck, maybe I should've punished him. Oh but look at Rory's face she so happy… damn kid. -Lorelai

"I'll try and get out of the kitchen as soon as I can," I said to Rory. "Then I can spend some time with you when Luke's not looking."

"I'll be waiting," Rory replied.

And watching. -Rory

I headed for the kitchen, but turned around to face her, she was looking at me. I smirked at her.

What? I told you I would be watching. –Rory

Damn, a smart and beautiful girl who loves me. Who loves me for me, special abilities and all. I think I'm falling for her, but maybe I already have.

"Jess," Luke called from the kitchen. "A little help."

"I'm coming," I replied as I smiled at Rory before heading into the kitchen.