Disclaimer: I own Jake, Nikki, Maggie, and the Rehabilitation Center. Nothing else, so please don't sue.

Summary: Even in a dark world of crazy parties, alcohol, and waking up in unknown places … there's someone at the end waiting to help you back to reality. Literati. AU.

A/N: Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter. I'm glad people are enjoying the story so far.

Also, one more thing before I start the next chapter. This is for Literati and naley forever: "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, and sorry!" You'll see why in this chapter. Enjoy!

Jess was sitting in front of Jason with his head resting in his hands. This wasn't going how he wanted it to. Rory was sitting to the right of Jason and to the left of Jess. She was sighing every few minutes to indicate that she didn't like the outcome of this either.

"Jess, as much as Nikki and I hate to admit it … you were dad's favorite. I know he'd say that all his kids were his pride and joy, but you were the one that dad never let down. When you left, he tried to make mom understand that you were just going through a phase and you'd be home soon. After he got cancer … you still didn't come home! He died, Jess … he died! And you weren't even there on his last days." Jason shook his head, "I always envied you. The respect dad held for you. The proud look in his eyes when someone would mention the book you wrote. I wanted that. You had it and you took advantage of it."

"And if I could go back I would change it, Jason!" Jess added, getting angry that he had to throw this all in his face.

Jason sighed, "That doesn't help."

"I was messed up, Jason. You know that. I was angry at the world and didn't care about anything. I was young," Jess said, looking down at his hands.

"I know. I know, but after that you still shut us out. When we tried helping you get over this drinking. You just ignored us and had your own fun. The family missed you."

Jess wet his lips and looked up at his brother, "I couldn't be around you. You had all of these memories of dad in his last weeks or few years in his life and I didn't. I wasn't around. All the memories I had of dad were up until I was seventeen and totally left him out of my life."

Jason nodded, he finally understood Jess. He was finally getting to know the reason for his actions. Still, he didn't agree with them, but he understood, "I get it."

With a surprised look on his face, Jess stared at him, "You do?"

"I'm still not happy with the decisions you made, but you're trying now. So if you want me to forgive you … I do." Jason smiled a little.

"Good, because I kind of missed my big brother," Jess said, smirking.

Rory smiled and got up to let them have some time to catch up. She walked around the room and went outside to get some fresh air. She took out her phone and called her mom.

"Hello?" Lorelai answered, sounding distracted.

"Aren't you supposed to say 'Hello, Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai speaking,'?" Rory asked, laughing a little.

"Hey hon. How are you?" Lorelai smiled and put down whatever work she was doing.

Rory sat on the railing, "I'm good, just hadn't talk to you in two days. I wanted to say hey."

"Well, hey." Lorelai laughed, "You're still coming down for Christmas, right?"

"Marked on my calendar," Rory replied, pulling her jacket closer to her body.

"Good, because this year is your little brother's first Christmas," Lorelai grinned and thought of her baby.

"I know. I'm excited. Well, mom, I better go the job is calling." Rory smiles, "Love you."

"You too, kid. See you soon." Lorelai hung up the phone.

Rory turned around and bumped into Jason, again, "We need to stop running into each other like this." She laughed.

"Sorry, that time it was my fault for sneaking up on you." Jason smiled and looked around the place.

"So you and Jess settled your differences?" Rory asked, hoping it turned out good when she left the room.

"Yeah, I think we'll be okay," Jason replied. "Thanks for your help."

"No problem." Rory smiled at him.

"I know this might be weird, but would you like to go get some coffee?" Jason asked, glancing at her quickly before looking back at the ground.

Rory smiled, "Sure. I have an off hour tomorrow at twelve. How about we get some lunch?"

"That'll be great; you have my number so just call," Jason said.

"I will. It was nice meeting you Jason." She grinned and shoved her hands in her jacket pockets.

"You too, Ms. Gilmore," Jason retorted with a smile on his face. Rory opened her mouth to object, but he beat her to it, "Or Rory?"

"That's better," She said, laughing a little.

He nodded to her and walked away. Rory watched him walk away and then looked forward. Jess was leaning against the doorway with an angry look on his face. He shook his head and walked away from her and to his room.

Rory furrowed her brow, confused at what had just happened.

Jess sat up in his bed when he got to his room. He ate chocolate bar after chocolate bar, trying to find a different addiction. He closed his eyes tight and imagined the bitter taste of liquor in his mouth instead of the sweet chocolate. Jess opened his eyes and put down the chocolate. His head started throbbing a bit.

He leaned back in his bed and closed his eyes again, softly this time. He held his head and massaged it a little, trying to soothe the pain that was pounding through his veins.

Thinking about his brother and Rory just made the pain worse. The two people he had come to trust went behind his back and planned a date. Of course, they both have no clue how he felt about Rory, but he thought it was obvious.

Jess sighed when he felt the familiar feeling in the pit of his stomach. He got out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Rory walked into the café the next day and sat in front of Jason, "Hey, sorry I'm a little late. Your brother didn't come to counseling this morning. I went to his room and he wasn't there." She shrugged and smiled a little.

"It's okay." He grinned. The waitress came over and they ordered their drinks.

About an hour later their food was finished and they were talking about different things. From movies to political views. She was a little disappointed when he said that reading wasn't a favorite hobby of his. He did it for work not for pleasure.

Rory looked at her watch, "Oh shoot. I better get back to work. Thank you for buying me lunch, this was nice." She smiled.

"Maybe we could do it again?" Jason asked.

"Uh, well, I don't know. How about I call sometime?" Rory smiled and grabbed her coat.

"Sure." Jason nodded and stood up, "See you around."

"You too," Rory said, slipping on her coat. She walked out the door and got into her car.

When she got back to work, she went straight to her office. Rory looked up and saw Jess standing at her door.

"Hey, you missed your appointment this morning." Rory walked over to him and unlocked her office.

"Yeah, sorry. So did you have fun with my brother?" He asked, with a little bitterness in his voice.

"Yeah." She grinned and walked into her office, Jess following behind her.

"Well that's just swell," Jess remarked, sarcastically.

"What's wrong with you?" Rory turned to him.

"How could you go on a date with my brother?" Jess asked, getting aggravated at the situation.

"I'm sorry; I didn't see anything wrong with it. I need to get out and have a little fun. Your brother is nice." Rory sat down in her desk chair, "What is wrong with that?"

Jess shook his head, "Nothing, forget it."

"Jess-" Rory started, but Jess cut her off.

"I said nothing, drop it." Jess said, walking out of the office, and, for the second time since he's been here, slamming the door.

Rory sighed and laid her head on her desk.

A/N: So I liked writing this chapter, I just didn't know about the outcome. Review, people, please! I like reviews. Reviews equal happiness. Happiness equals faster updates.

And again to Literati and naley forever: Sorry!!! lol