A/N: Ok.. someone asked me if this is going to be a 'slash'. I have no clue what it means. (Not ashamed to admit it since some Lit writers don't know what Literati is). But it sounds bad. Like a horror movie or something. lol. So no. I don't think this fic is 'slash'. And... I'm not telling if it's R/J or R/D. You'll find out soon.

** Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Gilmore Girls. If I were that all powerful then Jess would be staying put! So, in summation... Please don't sue me!**

Luke looked up from serving a customer as Rory walked into the diner. He frowned at her sad expression and watched her take a seat at the counter.

"Hey." He said, trying to hide the concern he was feeling.

"Hey Luke." She sighed. "Can I get a burger, with cheese."

"Yeah… what kind of cheese?" He asked.

"Uh… Cheddar."

"Coming right up." He nodded.

"And American." She added.

Luke stopped in his tracks and turned.

"Cheddar and American?"

"Yes."

"You know… the cheddar and beef will block an entire artery with out the help of the American cheese?" He said, raising an eyebrow at her.

She looked at him and gave a small shrug.

"Cheddar and American cheese it is." He sighed, shaking his head and walking into the kitchen.

Rory drew small circles on the counter top with her finger.

"Why so blue?"

She allowed a small smile to creep onto her lips.

"Nothing terminal." She said, looking up at Jess.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"You know, they say Sharon Osbourne will live?" He offered.

She glared at him playfully.

"It's not that."

"I'm intrigued. Tell me."

"It's nothing, like I said." She shrugged. "Just some girl at school."

"Ah, cat fight?" He smiled.

"Go away." She said, trying not to laugh.

"Ok. I'll go." He walked out from behind the counter and headed for the door. "Are we still on for tonight?" He asked.

"Yeah. You're getting the movie?"

"Well, it is my turn." He smiled.

"Ok, see you then."

"Ok." He nodded, opening the door.

He stopped and watched as she went back to pouting.

"Rory?"

"Yeah?" She asked, turning on her stool to look at him.

"He's not the Messiah."

Rory smiled widely.

"He's a very naughty boy!" She giggled.

Jess winked at her and left. She followed him with her eyes until she couldn't see him any more.

"Oh, good. You look happier." Luke said, placing a coffee on the counter next to her.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Jess made me laugh."

"Jess?" Luke frowned. "Since when did he become a comedian to anyone other than himself?"

"Oh… it was a private joke."

"Ah… that would explain why I never find him funny." Luke sighed, rolling his eyes.

*****


"You're late, Mariano." Dean shouted breathlessly.

"You're into extra time anyway, Forester." Jess called back from the bleachers, not looking up from his book.

"You read too much."

"How else do you think I come up with all my intellectually stimulating conversation?"

Dean shook his head and ran back to the soccer game he was playing in. Jess glanced up and rolled his eyes at Dean. Jess wasn't a 'team player', so he found the idea of 'team sports' amusing.

He continued to read until the game was over and then he sat and waited for Dean to finish giving and receiving pat's on the back from his fellow players.

"Oh my gosh!" Jess said dramatically, standing up when Dean started walking over to him.

"Not again…" Sighed Dean.

"Give me a D!" Jess cheered, waving his arms around as if he had pom-poms in them.

"Every week." Dean shook his head.

"Give me an E!"

"If you don't cut it out I'll give you a black eye." Dean said, unable to stop him self from smiling a little.

"Sorry man, I just can't help myself."

"I know. You're a moron. It comes naturally." Dean smiled at his own joke. "What are you reading anyway?" He frowned.

"Oh, Rory gave it to me." He said, looking at the cover.

"Man, I gotta' start reading more." Sighed Dean enviously.

"Well if you do, don't let her recommend books." Jess joked.

"I'm serious. You two have that whole book thing going on."

"Yes, It's called reading."

"Ha ha! I just… don't have anything like that with her."

"I'm sure you'll find something." Said Jess, trying to be supportive.

Dean grabbed the book Jess was holding and read the cover.

"'A Users Guide To The Brain'?" Dean Chuckled. "She knows you well then?"

Jess snatched the book back and hit Dean with it.

"It's not like the 'English For Dummies' books you read." He shot back.

Dean wasn't paying attention. He'd spotted Rory crossing the street a few blocks ahead, and was just standing and staring.

Jess looked from Dean to Rory and back again.

"Ok, this is the only time I'll ever say this in my whole life, but… Dude!"

"What?" Asked Dean, not taking his eyes off of Rory.

"They're going to make thrillers about you! 'The Guy Who Loved To Much'." He said, shaking his head.

"Come on, you're telling me she's not attractive?" Dean asked.

"I'm telling you you're one step away from stalker material." He smiled slightly.

"Jess…"

"I'm saying this as a friend. Get over it."

"I can't stop thinking about her. I'm crazy about her." Sighed Dean. "The way she walks, the way she looks, her smile, her eyes, her hair…"

"Oh, Rory, how do I love you? Let me count the ways…" Jess mocked.

"You're seriously unbalanced." Dean muttered and carried on walking.

Jess laughed to himself and caught up to Dean.

"I've got the perfect way to take your mind off of her."

"How?" Dean asked skeptically.

"It's a detailed plan. I'll tell you tonight. Meet me at the diner."

"Ok, but…" Started Dean.

"I gotta' go. 7:30pm. No later." He called as he walked away.

Dean frowned and watched Jess leave.

*****


Dean stopped at the edge of the Gilmore's front lawn.

"Ok… Jess, I know you have serious mental problems…"

"Just shut up and keep walking."

"I fail to see how coming to Rory's house is going to get Rory off of my mind." He sighed, following Jess to the front porch.

"Because, maybe if you two get together, you'll stop pining for her all the live long day!" Jess sighed. "You'll pin her, she'll tell Mary Sue and Mary Ann, you'll skip through the fields of flowers, get married and do the whole 'Honey, I'm Home' thing."

"You set us up?" Dean frowned.

"Yep." Jess nodded and knocked on the door.

"And Rory knows?" Dean asked.

Rory opened the door and smiled at Jess. Her expression changed to surprise when she saw Dean.

"Nope." Jess smiled.

"Hey…" Rory said uncertainly.

"I brought a buddy." Jess teased. "He's swell."

"Ok. Hey Dean." Laughed Rory, inviting them both in.

"Hey Rory. I'm not intruding am I?"

"No, not at all. The more the merrier." She smiled at him. "Did you get the movie?" She asked Jess.

"Yeah… here." Jess handed her the tape.

"'With Honors'?"

"Sometimes slow, sometimes cheesy, often enlightening." He nodded. "Two thumbs up."

"Great." She said, taking it and heading into the living room.

"I'll leave part way through the movie." Jess said quietly to Dean. "Don't wimp out this time."

Dean smiled gratefully at Jess as they followed Rory over to the couch.