Lorelai woke up to the sound of banging, she rolled over looking at her alarm clock. It was 5am. Groaning she pulled herself up off the bed and made her way downstairs. As she walked into the kitchen she was suddenly wide awake.

'You didn't even wait a day!' Dean yelled knocking a chair over. That explained the banging Lorelai thought to herself. 'Not even a day before you got together with him.'

'Dean. I've said I'm sorry. Please just go.' Rory replied vaguely aware that her mother had come down the stairs. Dean took hold of another chair and threw it, almost hitting Rory.

'I think you'd better leave.' Lorelai said angrily.

'NO! I want to know why Rory! Why wasn't I good enough? What did I do to drive you away?' Dean fumed. Rory shook her head. Tears forming in her eyes.

'It just wasn't right between us. Then Jess showed up and it was like I found the missing piece. I never meant to hurt you.' Rory said backing away a little.

'I thought you loved me!' Dean yelled angrily. Taking a step towards her.

'I thought I did too. Dean please leave.' Rory begged him. He didn't listen. Lorelai ran into the lounge and grabbed the phone. She quickly dialled Luke's number. Begging him to come over.

'Rory! I love you. Why can't you see that? Why do you have to be with him?' Dean asked.

'Because I'm in love with Jess!' Rory yelled back. Dean grabbed hold of her shoulders and threw her across the room.

'NO!' He yelled. 'You can't love him. You've only just met him.'

'But I do.' Rory cried. She was lying on the floor. She clutched her head where it had hit the counter. She felt the blood.

'He's no good for you Rory.' Dean yelled. As she tried to get to her feet, he pushed her back down.

'Get out of my house Dean!' Lorelai yelled coming back into the kitchen. Dean pushed her aside, although not as violently as he had pushed Rory.

'Dean you're hurting me.' Rory sobbed.

'Well you hurt me! I'm just getting even.' Dean yelled kicking her in the side. At this moment Luke and Jess came through the back door. Luke immediately started dragging Dean outside. Whilst Jess punched him once then went to Rory's side. Cradling her in his arms.

'Are you alright?' Jess asked softly. She cried into his shoulder.

'I'm…fine.' Rory sobbed clinging to him.

'I'm so sorry. I should have been here. I should have protected you.' Jess said rocking her gently.

'It's not your fault Jess.' Lorelai said coming back in from watching Luke get rid of Dean.

'We should get you checked out at the hospital.' Luke said coming back inside.

'No. Please I don't want to go.' Rory begged them.

'Ok. Let mommy have a look. I'll decide if we need to go to the hospital or not.' Lorelai said coming over to her. Jess lifted her up onto one of the chairs. Then backed away letting Lorelai look her over.

'So..?' Rory asked once her mother had finished.

'I'll put a dressing on the cut on your head. The rest is just brusing.' Lorelai said getting the first aid kit and putting a dressing on.

'Thanks mom.' Rory smiled shakily.

'Right. I don't think school is a good idea today. Uh I can cancel going into work.' Lorelai said.

'No. don't mum. You have that delivery today.' Rory said not wanting to cause a fuss.

'Luke?' Jess questioned.

'Yeah ok. You can take the day off school.' Luke answered the unasked question. Jess smiled gratefully and went over to Rory.

'I'll stay with you today.' Jess said putting his arm sround her shoulder.

'Are you sure?' Lorelai asked. Looking relieved that Rory wouldn't be left on her own.

'Yeah.' Jess nodded.

'Can we hang out at the diner?' Rory asked him. 'I don't really want to be here.'

'Of course we can.' Jess smiled helping her up and putting his arm around her.

'That'll be good because then I can keep an eye on you as well.' Luke said. Lorelai smiled at him. Her knight in shining armour. Or at least knight in plaid shirt and backwards baseball cap. She'd take that above shining armour any day. She thought to herself. Then stopped. Why was she thinking that? Luke was just a friend.

'You're the best.' Lorelai smiled broadly. 'Ok me and Rory will go get dressed then we'll head to the diner.'

'Yeah ok.' Luke said smiling at Lorelai. She really was beautiful.

***

'What happened to you doll face?' Babette asked as they arrived at the diner. Jess' arm around Rory protectively.

'Uh. Dean.' Rory said sitting at a table.

'Your boyfriend did this to you?' Miss Patty said looking stunned and also a little bit eager. After all she's heard the gossip before east side Tilly.

'Ex-Boyfriend.' Rory confirmed. 'I'm with Jess now.' She added smiling at him. Babette and Miss Patty looked like they won the lottery.

'Really!' Babette exclaimed. They both nodded. 'Well I'm happy for you. Really I am.'

'Thanks Babette.' Rory smiled. Then froze as she saw Dean outside. Everyone looked where she was looking.

'He has some nerve!' Miss Patty said angrily. As Lane came running into the diner. She spotted Rory and fell into a seat at their table.

'Dean?' She questioned.

'Uh-huh.' Jess said clenching his fists. It took all his self-control not to go outside and hit Dean again.

'Are you alright?' Lane asked her. Rory nodded and took Jess' hand to calm him down. It work. He relaxed and smiled at her.

'I'm good. I just wish he'd stop staring in here like that.' Rory said uncomfortably.

'Luke!' Lorelai yelled into the back where Luke was preparing the food.

'Yeah.' He said poking his head out.

'Dean's out there. Staring at Rory. She's getting a little spooked. Could she go upstairs?' Lorelai asked.

'Sure. Of course. I'll bring you're food up.' Luke said. Jess and Rory headed upstairs. Lane in tow.

'You leave it to us Sugar. We'll have him gone within the hour.' Babette sais smiling reassuringly at her.

'You're not going to kill him are you?' Jess asked. 'Because although the idea isn't totally unappealing. I'd hate to see anyone wind up in jail because if him.'

Lorelai laughed at this and Rory gave him a big hug.

'Don't worry. No violence, but within the hour the whole of stars hollow will now what he did. Everyone loves Rory so they'll all rally round and run him out of town.' Miss Patty said her eyes gleaming. Lorelai and Rory laughed. Then the 2 teenagers walked up into Luke's apartment.

'So I was thinking I shoud take the day off school and hang out with the two of you. We could listen to some music and watch movies.' Lane said sitting on the sofa with them.

'Beacaue of Janet?' Jess asked.

'Who's Janet?' Rory asked.

'Girl at our school who's been giving Lane some bother.' Jess replied.

'Why didn't you say anything?' Rory turned on Lane. 'We're best friends you're meant to tell me these things.'

'It's not to bad. Jess usually looks out for me but I guess he won't be there today.' Lane said.

'No I won't. I'm staying with Rory. You're welcome to stay, although I think I should start charging. I could set up my own bodygaurd business.'

***

'Hey Luke. I just want you to know that I really appreciate all you've done.' Lorelai said as Luke was preparing the food to take to the teenagers upstairs.

'You know I care aout Rory. Anytime you need anything, you can come to me.' Luke replied. She smiled at him.

'I need coffee.' She said bouncing up and down on her stool.

'I just gave you some 2 minutes ago.' Luke rolled his eyes.

'Empty.' Lorelai pouted holding up her cup. He sighed but filled it up.

'Life saver.' Lorelai said dramatically.

'All I did was pour.' He replied. She smiled at him. He smiled back. He had a nice smile. She noticed.

'Hey Luke. Have you dated anyone since Rachel?' Lorelai asked suddenly. Luke turned to her looking shocked.

'Uh. No why?' Luke asked.

'Just…I don't know…You seem to good to be alone. I'm shocked you're still a bachelor.' Lorelai said.

'Uh-huh.' Luke said thinking she was just doing her usual. She had flirted with his many times but this was different.

'Come on there must be someone you like.' Lorelai persisted.

'Well…' Luke said then thought better of it. Lorelai's heart stopped. He liked someone.

'Tell me.' She said keeping her tone even.

'There's this woman. Nicole. I was thinking of maybe asking her out.' Luke replied. Lorelai felt like she'd been punshed in the stomac.

'Don't.' Lorelai said shocking herself.

'Don't what?' Luke said looking at her confused.

'Don't ask her out. You can't.' Lorelai suddenly couldn't let him go. The thought of him dating someone else was killing her.

'Why not?' Luke asked.

'Because I don't want you to.' Lorelai said.

'Lorelai.' Luke was getting angry. Lorelai got up and walked round the side of the counter so she was standing in front of him.

'Ask me out.' Lorelai said looking into his eyes. He was taken by surprise.

'Huh?' Luke said. Looking for a trace of a joke in her face. Trying to work out if this was another of her bits that he didn't get. But there was nothing. She was serious.

'Ask me out.' Lorelai repeated. So he did. He asked her to dinner that night.

'Pick me up at 7.' Lorelai said smiling at him. Her eyes shining brightly. She lifted her head a kissed him.

***

'AHHHH!' Lorelai screamed happily going into Luke's apartment.

'What. Mom what is it?' Rory asked looking at her mom curiously.

'I just kissed Luke!' Lorelai said. She felt lie she was floating.

'No way!' Rory jumped to her feet and ran to her mom. 'You kissed Luke?'

'Yeah and it was good. We're going to dinner tonight.' Lorelai said jumping up and down like a school girl.

'Mom! I'm so happy for you. Didn't everyone tell you that you two were perfect for each other.' Rory said hugging her mom.

'I should have listened much sooner.' Lorelai said running back down the stairs.

'What is it about the Gimore Girls. They have to fall for the Diner Boys.' Lane said teasingly.

A/N- Hope you like. Please Review.