Luke and Jess in the hallway after meeting T.J. in 4.13, Nag Hammadi is Where They Found the Gnostic Gospels. Jess's rant is taken from the show, with expletives removed. I own nothing. ONESHOT!

"You know what your problem is?" Jess demanded vehemently.

"What is my huge problem, Jess?" Luke tried to keep his temper, but couldn't. "What is it? Enlighten me."

"You're going to help people whether they want it or not. You have to fix everything. You have to fix everyone. You think it makes you a good guy, but really, it just makes you a pain in the neck. You make it so that when people fail you, you get to feel like the martyr and they get to feel like not only did they mess up, but they also disappointed you. You interfere and you make everything worse. No one is asking for your help. No one wants your help. Focus on your own life and leave everyone else alone." Jess finished his rant, and waited for Luke to react. He expected a similar speech to come flying out of Luke's mouth, reminding Jess of what Luke had gone through for him, but no speech came.

Luke simply stood in the hall, silent. Shocked. Stunned that his nephew thought that of him. "Do you really think that about me?" he asked Jess quietly.

"Yeah, I do." Jess confirmed, with false bravado. Truthfully, he had never seen Luke so shaken.

"Well, in that case, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for trying to help. You obviously made it on your own with no help from me, and you will continue to do so, I suspect." Luke told Jess, as he choked back emotion that he would rather Jess not see. He failed, and his true feelings leaked into his features.

"Luke...." Jess touched the older man's shoulder. "I'm...." he was at a loss for words. He had never seen Luke seem so small.

"Don't, Jess." Luke shrugged the young man's hand away. "Don't. You said what you wanted to."

"I'm sorry." Jess said, almost inaudibly. "I had no right."

"Then why did you say that?"

"I've been faking the tough kid routine for years." Jess shrugged. "It seemed easier." he said honestly. "I...You know I don't feel that way, Luke. You did so much for me, and I never thanked you."

"It's not a big deal."

"It's a huge deal to me, Luke. You saved my life, and I'm grateful." Jess took a step toward Luke and embraced the man awkwardly. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." Luke smiled and patted his nephew on the back.