Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Don't sue. Thanks.



A/N: Thank you all who reviewed, I am in love with reviews now. Anywayz, Dean gets what is coming to him. Read on.....



{Recap}



Jess: "I know something is wrong with you Rory. I know you well and your eyes don't lie. I haven't been able to get the fact that you are hurting out of my head for a few weeks now. I'm not saying you have to tell me right now, I'm just asking that you don't deny it. Something is going on with you that nobody knows about, not your mom, not Lane, and not me. And I can see that it is killing you inside." He took a deep breath and continued. "So, I guess, I just wanted you to know I am here and I am ready to help. So, please, talk to me." Rory was staring down at her hands and her eyes were clouded with tears. Her voice wavered as she spoke.

Rory: "If I tell you....you have to promise not to freak." He gently nodded his head and placed his hand on top of her's.

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Rory fidgeted with her hands and avoided eye contact with Jess. She hesitated before speaking again.



Rory: "I can't tell you now, I gotta go meet my mom, thanks for the coffee." She quickly got up and turned to walk away.



Jess: "Rory." She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, with regret filling her eyes. "Anytime, ever, you know where to find me and I'm here for you."



Rory: "Thanks." and she turned around and left, with Jess staring at her longingly.



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{outside Doose's}



Lorelai stood outside the market with her arms wrapped tightly around her body for warmth. Dean walked out carrying empty boxes and noticed Lorelai was still there.



Dean: "Do you want some help home with those boxes? I'm off now." he asked her, offering to take a couple from her. Lorelai did one last scan to look for Rory before she decided.



Lorelai: "Yeah, I guess Rory thought she was meeting me at home. Help would be great Dean. Thanks." He took the bags from her and they started walking towards her house. Lorelai asked Dean about school and his family until silence fell between them due to lack of topics. Lorelai contemplated asking Dean about Rory and her behavior. "Dean, have you noticed Rory acting sorta different lately, quieter or anything like that?" Dean gave Lorelai a false look of concern.



Dean: "Yes, I've noticed it too. I didn't know if anyone else had so I didn't say anything. She won't talk to me. It's almost like she is pushing me away. I'm worried about her Lorelai." He couldn't believe he pulled it off, he was a better liar than he thought.



Lorelai: "Yah, we are too," Dean wondered who the "we" was and when he figured it was probably Jess he was even angrier. "Maybe you should talk to her Dean." Dean let out a quiet sigh.



Dean: "You're right, I'll do that tonight. Hopefully we'll find out what's wrong. I hate to see her like this." He was beaming inside. He had pulled it off. No one suspected Dean was the cause of Rory's pain.



{Back at the Gilmore's House}



Lorelai: "Rory? Are you home?"



Rory: "In here Thelma! Hurry, you're coffee's get... Dean. Hey what are you doing here?" Rory asked as Dean walked in behind her mom.



Dean: "Oh, I was helping your mom with the bags." He walked over and put his arms around her and gave her an unrequited kiss. "Ror, we need to talk real quick, lets go for a walk. We'll be right back Lorelai."



Lorelai: "Okay I'll set up the food and get out the blankets. Dean are you staying for movies?"



Dean: "Yah sure that would be great. Come on Rory." He grabbed her hand as they headed outside. The second the door closed his face went from a pleasant grin to an evil scowl. Rory knew he was mad but she tried to lighten the situation anyways.



Rory: "What's up Dean?" He started walking away.



Dean: "Come on, we're going for a walk." Rory noticed they were headed towards the bridge. The streets were quiet, except a few stores that were still open. Dean stopped walking once he reached the bridge.



Rory: "What are we doing here?"



Dean: "Oh come on Rory, you're used to being here, apparently this is where you like to go and "talk" with your dumb "friend" Jess." He said mockingly. Rory sighed, annoyed.



Rory: "Dean don't be like that. What is this about so we can get it over with and get back home?"



Dean: "You know perfectly well what this is about Rory!" He kept walking closer and closer to her and she backed up each time. "Everyone is complaining about your whining and how your attitude has changed. I warned you not to let anyone know about our fighting!" He had backed her into a tree and she just stood still, trying her hardest to stop her lip from trembling. Dean grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her roughly as he spoke. His voice was a low raspy whisper. "Now you need to suck it up and put on a "happy face" form now on Rory. I don't want anyone else asking me about your attitude problems. Understand? These fights are between ME and YOU!"



Jess: "Not anymore they aren't. Let go of her Dean."



Dean: "Like hell I will, you aren't wanted here Mariano, leave." Jess took a few steps towards Dean, not wanting to anger him so he wouldn't hurt Rory. When Dean noticed he wasn't leaving he lost him temper. Letting go of Rory and turning to Jess he shouted, "Leave!" Dean heard Rory start to walk out of his reach and he turned around and tried to grab her. Taking hold of her arm he shoved her down onto the leaves. She just laid still and watched what was going to happen next.



Jess: "Let's not start trouble in this perfect little town Dean, besides I'm not about to waste my time or energy on you. Just go and leave Rory alone from now on. You're screwed either way. Ya see, if I've learned anything living in this boring little town its that everyone knows everything. What's everyone gonna think when they hear the small town princess was getting roughed up by the town's "perfect gentleman?" And to make matters worse, she was saved by the town bad-boy? Well, Miss Patty will just eat this up. You really weren't thinking about all this were you?" Jess was now inches away from Dean, sarcastically mocking him, as Dean just stood the glaring into his eyes. "And as if that isn't bad enough, you ruined a perfect thing with a perfect girl." His voice was a low, steady rumble. "You gotta be the biggest idiot I know." At first Dean didn't know what to say, seeing as how he was screwed now that everyone would find out. Then his anger got the best of him.



Dean: "Rory? She is anything BUT perfect. She is whiny little brat who has to get her way. I was getting sick of her anyway. You can have her Jess, I hope you have fun with the little slut." At this, Jess lost it. He grabbed Dean by the collar and punched him in the face several times. Rory was already in tears by what Dean had said and now her fear made her cry even more. Jess threw Dean into the tree and he landed on the ground. Jess kicked him in the ribs a few times before he crouched down and got really close to his now swollen face.



Jess: "It doesn't feel to good does it bag boy?" He then turned to face a sobbing Rory. "Rory, are you okay? I can't believe him, why didn't you tell anyone. How lo..." Seeing the look on her face he decided that now wasn't the time for questions. He rushed over to her side and wiped her tears away. Helping her to her feet he said "Come on, I'll get you home."



A/N: Alright folks, there you have it. BUT Dean isn't completely out of the picture yet. Much more to come, AND much much more Literati goodness. Review Please!!!!