*Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.

*A/N: Hey!!! :-) I know, you can hardly believe your eyes, right ? But I this is definitely not a mirage or something like that, this is an actual update! :-) And it's pretty long too! :-) What's the occassion you might ask ? Well, the fact that I'm done with tests for a couple of weeks seemed like a pretty good occassion to me. So, if you're still reading this, enjoy! :-)

*~*~*:-)*~*~*Bye, smile :-)

Rory made her way over to the court, with one hand casually stuffed in her back pocket while she was cradling her basketball with the other. She had found that dribbling through town on a Saturday afternoon wasn't something that Taylor appreciated. Though she had seen Jess dribbling his old basketball in front of Taylor's Market, with an all-knowing smirk, when she passed it a couple of minutes ago.

Rory smiled as she took her first couple of steps on to the court. Sometimes she would pretend that there were bleachers all around her, filled with people cheering her on, like she was some famous basketball player. She knew she would never become one, she was too short. But there were always her dreams. When Rory made her way on to the court even further, she was surprised to see that someone else had already beaten her to her favorite spot on the court. Of course there wasn't a rule written anywhere that said that no one else beside her was allowed on this court, especially since this was the only basketball court in Stars Hollow, but she would like to think that they had to earn their spot on this court. But those thoughts were erased as soon as she was close enough to see who it was.

''Dean ?''

Dean immediately stopped dribbling and turned around to look at Rory, who was standing right behind him.

''Rory.'' A smile found its way onto his face. ''What are you doing here ?''

Rory stopped herself from giving him one of her 'are you kidding' looks and held up her ball instead. Dean followed her gesture and his smile turned into a boyish grin.

''You play basketball,'' he stated.

Rory nodded. ''And you do too, apparently.''

''Yeah, there isn't a lot to do here.''

''Wait until you've lived here practically all your life.''

Dean smiled once more. ''So, how good are you ?''

Rory shrugged. ''I'm okay, I guess.''

''You wanna show me ?''

''I rather not.''

''Why not ?''

''I might bruise your ego,'' Rory answered playfully.

''I think I can handle it.''

''Fine,'' Rory said. ''But remember that I didn't wanna do this and that I had no bruising of the ego intentions.''

Dean nodded and took a couple of steps back, so Rory had the room she needed. She dribbled the ball a few times, before firmly gripping the ball and lifting it above her head. Then she bend her knees and brought her arms down with her. When she found her aiming point, she straightened her legs and threw the ball in the direction of the basket. She smiled when it went in after slightly touching the basket.

''So, how's your ego ?'' Rory asked, as she glanced at Dean over her shoulder.

''A little sore.''

Rory went to get her ball with a barely visible hint of satisfaction on her face. After she got her ball, she headed back over to Dean.

''Where did you learn to shoot like that ?''

''Years of practice,'' Rory answered.

''Good, cause if you were a born natural then I would really have something to worry about.''

Rory modestly smiled, as her eyes lowered themselves down to the court. Her attitude was hidden underneath her self-consciousness and shyness. She wondered silently why this never seemed to happen with Jess. Maybe because his compliments always seemed so casual and subtle. While Dean's, on the other hand, were so obvious. She was used to getting compliments about her skills and sharpness on the court, but for some reason the attention she was getting right now felt different.

When she looked up at Dean again, she realized how close they were standing to each other. Their upper bodies were only inches apart and she could feel his breath against her face every time he exhaled. She wondered why they were still not saying a word, but at the same time she didn't wanna break their closeness. Unfortunately for her, someone else did.

''Hey,'' Jess said, who had spotted Rory and Dean's position out of the corner of his eyes. ''Hope I'm not getting in between.''

Rory automatically took a few steps back, until she and Dean had a safe distance between them. She found Jess' eyes with her own and saw a hint of something there, that she couldn't quite name.

''Jess, no, we were just playing some basketball.''

''Really ?'' Jess asked, raising one of his eyebrows. ''I never knew you could play one on one with two balls.''

Rory's cheeks turned a faint red, as she returned her eyes to the court. It was safer than letting her eyes wander around the court, not knowing which person she was going to bump in to next.

''So, Dean, I didn't know you played,'' Jess said, as he approached Dean and Rory.

Dean shrugged. ''Now you know.''

Jess nodded. ''I play too. And since we both play, I was thinking we could have a little friendly competition ?''

''Jess,'' Rory warned.

''Sure,'' Dean answered.

Jess' lips formed themselves into a crooked smirk, as he observed Dean, taking in his length. Rory sighed and walked over to Jess. Rory took Jess' ball and gave him a look before walking off to the side of the court. Dean threw his ball towards Jess, who easily caught it and threw it back.

''You start,'' Jess said.

*~*~*

After about thirty minutes the game had come to an expected end. Jess had won from Dean with twelve points and he wasn't even trying to contain his satisfaction.

''Nice game,'' Jess said, with a smirk lingering upon his lips. ''We should play once more.''

''Actually I should be heading home,'' Dean said, as he picked up his basketball. ''It was nice meeting you, Jess..........''

''Same here, and don't worry about losing. It was just one game, besides, not everyone is born to be a basketball star.''

''Guess not. Bye Rory.''

''Bye Dean,'' Rory said, as she watched him leave the court.

As soon as Dean was out of sight, she turned around and glared at Jess. ''Why did you do that ?''

Jess shrugged. ''It's a small town and I was bored.''

Rory glanced at him once more, before turning around and leaving.

Jess got a little angry at his reaction this afternoon, but he couldn't resist the temptation to show Dean his place. Ever since he saw Dean, he knew that he would never stand a chance against him on the court. He knew only enough basketball to beat other guys just like him and impress the girls, who had never seen a basketball game before. Jess, on the other hand, had been playing basketball ever since he had been old enough to skip school. He knew how to play, and more importantly, he knew that he could beat guys like Dean with his eyes closed.

Jess pondered if he was starting to like Rory a little too much ? Wasn't he turning in to one of those guys who wanted to impress girls on the court ? Of course, Rory hadn't been impressed when he had beaten Dean, but he had still gotten satisfaction out of the fact that she had been watching them. Out of the fact that she had watched Dean lose.

Jess knew that his little showdown had been the reaction of his uncontrollable jealousy, when he had seen Rory standing so close to Dean. He knew what had been going through Dean's mind right at that moment, cause when he was alone with Rory, the same thoughts, feelings, ran through his mind. He enjoyed their closeness during a basketball game. He would always purposely linger in her body heat a little longer than necessary.

Jess groaned and tightened his grip on his ball, until his fingers hurt. He lifted the ball above his head and shot. This time he missed the basket completely.

*~*~*

When Lorelai got home that late afternoon, she found Rory sitting on the couch with her arms crossed, staring at the lived coffee table in front of her.

''Let me guess, girl sitting on couch, staring at table, being mad,'' Lorelai said, as she threw both her purse and keys on the dresser.

''Wrong.''

''Really ?''

''It's girl sitting on couch, staring at table, being confused,'' Rory said.

''Could have fooled me.''

Lorelai walked over to the couch and sat down next to her daughter. ''So, what's the cause of this confusion ?''

''The basketball court,'' Rory answered.

''Oh, right, the basketball court.''

An anticipating silence fell between them for a couple of seconds.

''You've gotta give me more than that,'' Lorelai said.

Rory sighed. ''Dean and I were playing basketball and then out of nowhere Jess shows up and challenges Dean to a one on one game.''

''Who won ?''

''Jess, of course. I mean Dean's a good ballplayer, but Jess is........''

''......jealous,'' Lorelai interrupted.

Rory stopped staring at the coffee table and looked at her mom. ''What ?''

''Okay, pay attention, Jess is jealous of you and Dean.''

''There is no me and Dean,'' Rory protested. ''We were just playing ball.''

''Like you and Jess have just been playing ball.''

Rory rolled her eyes.

''Isn't basketball a touchy feely kinda sport ?'' Lorelai asked.

Rory groaned and hid her face in one of the small pillows.

''What exactly have you been doing with those boys ?''

Rory looked up at her mom and made a face. ''Mom.......''

''What ? I mean, come on let's play some one on one ? That doesn't sound even remotely dirty to you ?''

Rory threw the small pillow aside and got up.

''Where are you going ?''

''Dean's,'' Rory answered.

''Why ?''

''To apologize for Jess' behavior.''

''Right, meet me at Luke's after your little rendezvous.''

*~*~*

Rory rang the doorbell once more. It hadn't been that hard to find Dean's house, but now that she was here she wished that she could use the fact that she couldn't find his house as an excuse. But as soon as the door opened, she knew that it was too late to run.

''Rory.........hey.''

''Hey, is this a bad time ?''

Dean shook his head and leaned against the doorframe. ''What can I do for you ?''

''Actually nothing. I mean, there's something I can do for you. And even though that sounds a little dirty, I didn't mean anything by it............,'' Rory rambled, while a blush was coloring her cheeks.

Dean didn't say anything and just looked at her, though his eyes were shining with amusement.

''I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier.......with Jess,'' Rory said, after she took a deep breath. ''He's a little on the competitive side.''

''I noticed.''

Rory looked up at Dean. ''I'm really sorry.''

''I know, but thanks for saying it again though.''

Rory smiled. ''I better go, I'm supposed to meet my mom at Luke's.''

Dean nodded. ''Okay.''

Rory started to turn around, but was forced to stop when Dean grabbed her arm.

''You wanna hear me apologize again ?''

Dean smirked. ''Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to hang with me some time ?''

''Hang with you some time ?'' Rory asked, hiding her excitement.

''Yeah, the hanging part would be at some spot and the time would probably be during the night,'' Dean explained.

''Ah......got it.''

''So.............?''

''Sure, I would love to hang with you some time at some spot,'' Rory answered.

''Okay.'' Dean smiled. ''How about I call you later with the details ?''

''Okay...........I have to go.''

Dean let go of her arm. ''Bye Rory.''

''Night.''

*~*~*

At Luke's, Rory spotted her mom sitting at one of the tables and headed over there with a stomach full of butterflies.

''Hey,'' Rory said, as she sat down.

''Hey sweets, how did the apologizing go ?''

''Okay.''

''Good......... Finally !''

Luke shot Lorelai a look. ''You two are not my only customers, you know ?''

''I know, but we are definitely your only customers who have to wait for their coffee so long,'' Lorelai said.

''You just walked in, Lorelai. And so did she.''

''Yeah, but as soon as we walk in, it's your job to serve us coffee as fast as you can. Put on a cape if you have to.''

''Again I say, you two are not my only customers,'' Luke said.

''What do you mean ?'' Lorelai asked innocently.

''I think he means that all of these people who are not us, are his customers too and therefor deserve the same type of service,'' Rory said.

''You're lying,'' Lorelai said.

''What makes you say that ?''

''Cause I refuse to believe that all those people are just as special as us. I mean, those two over there are drinking water, and people who drink water are obviously not as special as us.''

Luke sighed. ''Two coffees and a couple of sedatives coming up.''

''Just as long as you put them in my coffee,'' Lorelai said sweetly.

Lorelai laughed and returned her attention to Rory. ''So, how did the apologizing go ?''

''You already asked that,'' Rory pointed out.

''Right, it's just the lack of coffee. My memory's one big blur.''

Rory nodded. ''Mom...........''

''Yeah ?''

''He asked me out.''

Lorelai looked at Rory for a while, before suddenly getting up.

''Where are you going ?'' Rory asked.

''The counter.''

''What's wrong with this table ?''

Lorelai shook her head. ''Nothing, but if Dean calls wouldn't it be easier if you were at home where you can actually answer the phone instead of here where you cant ?''

''Let's go,'' Rory said, as she got up and followed her mom to the counter.

*~*~*

As soon as Lorelai closed the door behind them, the phone rang. Rory immediately made a dash for the phone, but Lorelai stopped her.

''You can never seem too eager. You have to be cool.''

Rory nodded. ''And as slow as a turtle.''

Lorelai stuck out her tongue before disappearing in to the kitchen. As soon as she did, Rory ran to get the phone and dropped herself on the couch, exhausted.

''Hello ?''

''......Rory ?''

''Yeah........''

''Hey.''

''Hey, Dean,'' Rory said.

''Are you okay ?''

''Oh yeah, I just ran a marathon. They can be really tiring,'' Rory explained.

''O...kay. I have the details, if you're interested.''

''Definitely,'' Rory said, kicking herself for sounding so eager.

''How would you like to go to the arcade with me tomorrow night ?''

''Tomorrow's Sunday,'' Rory pointed out.

''And this is Stars Hollow,'' Dean reminded her.

Rory smiled. ''You're new in town and already you know the Stars Hollow rule book better than me.''

''The Stars Hollow rule book ?''

''Yeah, Taylor sends one to every new citizen in Stars Hollow. Unless Kirk loses it of course.''

''Kirk ?'' Dean asked.

''Our mail man.''

''I'll remember that. So, what do you say ?''

''I say, I have nothing better to do tomorrow night,'' Rory answered.

''Glad to know you can make some time for me in your busy schedule.''

Rory laughed.

''So, I'll pick you up at 7.30 ?''

''What's wrong with 7.29 ?''

''I'll see you tomorrow, Rory.''

''Bye Dean,'' Rory said, before hanging up.

''So ?'' Lorelai asked, as she sat down next to Rory.

''We're going out tomorrow.''

''On Sunday ? What about the clothes ? We can't buy you a new outfit on a Sunday. Stores in normal towns aren't open on a Sunday.''

''Mom, I don't need new clothes,'' Rory said.

''No, I guess you're right. An arcade is date-ish, not necessarily a date date. However, we can make it a little less date-ish and a bit more date date by borrowing my clothes,'' Lorelai suggested.

''Mom, I'm not dressing up. We're just going to an arcade, nothing fancy.''

''Unless it's one of those fancy ones, you know, the ones where butlers follow you around to carry your coins.''

''Yeah, and maybe there'll be unicorns too and Martians,'' Rory said, as she got up. ''I'm going to play some basketball.''

''If you see any Martians out there, tell them that I'm the one who send them all that fan-mail.''

*~*~*

As Rory passed the court, she knew that Jess would probably be there. Lately it always seemed as if he was there. Normally she didn't mind his company, but tonight she wasn't really looking forward to running in to him. Especially not after what happened this afternoon. She knew that he challenged Dean to a game only so he could prove to himself and her that he would win. Rory had already known that Jess would win. Dean was indeed an athlete, but you could tell that he hadn't been practicing as long as they had. She had seen that by the way he was so impressed when she made the shot this afternoon.

She walked onto the bridge, knowing that Jess was at the basketball court. Since she didn't feel like joining him, she had taken her ball to the bridge instead. It wasn't her first choice, but it was definitely a good second. She sat down on the wooden boards and dangled her legs over the edge of the bridge. As she sat there, she started to spin her ball in her hands, at the same speed her thoughts were running through her head.

It wasn't entirely dark yet, so the sounds of the night hadn't crawled out of the shadows yet. That's why she could hear the footsteps clearly, as they made the boards of the bridge creak, while coming her way. Rory sighed and lowered her eyes to the ball in her hands, already knowing who it was, since no one else ever came here.

As the footsteps stopped, so did the spinning of Rory's basketball. She waited in silence as he sat down and also threw his legs over the edge of the bridge.

''What are you doing here ?'' she asked, as she turned her head sideways, so she could glance in Jess' direction.

''I got sick of waiting for you at the basketball court.''

''Should I feel honored now ?'' Rory sarcastically asked.

It was amazing how her mood could change when Jess was around. Unlike when she was around Dean, her shyness and insecurities were pushed aside by her attitude.

''You're angry,'' Jess stated.

''I just don't get why you............''

''Cause I know guys like Dean,'' Jess interrupted.

''Guys like Dean,'' Rory repeated.

''He'll only find you interesting for a while, cause he won't respect the fact that you're so smart.''

Rory met Jess' eyes briefly, before getting up. ''Luckily I don't need your approval to hang out, with guys like Dean.''

And with that she left, leaving Jess with an expressionless look in his eyes, his emotions still hidden in the shadows.

*R*E*V*I*E*W*! Please ? :-) So, gotten over the shock yet ? And you guys still follow this story ? Do you guys still follow why Jess is acting the way he is ? And yes, no Rory/Jess interaction yet (!), but give me a break, I'm trying to keep the basic plot in mind here. And the Litness will appear not in the next chapter, but in the chapter after that. You guys are still reading, right ? Thanks for everything!!! :-)