Disclaimer: from now on, this applies to all chapters. I don't own Gilmore girls or the characters in it. Only the characters I make up.

Chapter 3: Bachelor Number 3

Rory stumbled into Luke's diner the next morning with Tristan right behind her.

"Jess! This is a coffee emergency," she said, sitting down at a stool at the counter. She laid her head down on the cool countertop. Tristan took a seat next to her.

Jess appeared from the kitchen, coffee pot in hand. "God Ror, what happened to you?"

"Drunk," she mumbled, not bothering to lift her head off the counter. Jess shot a disapproving look at Tristan and poured her a cup of coffee. She cuddled the warm mug against her cheek, still not sitting up.

"Drunk?" Jess returned, directing the comment to Tristan.

"She has a hangover," Tristan corrected.

"You let her get drunk?"

"Dude, Jess, it's not my fault, I was with Summer."

"And that's your excuse? You were supposed to be with Rory, not off screwing your girlfriend."

"Hello," Rory mumbled, lifting her head slightly. "I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself!"

"I wasn't off screwing anybody!" Tristan said, ignoring Rory and struggling to keep his temper. "For your information Summer and I broke up last night."

Jess looked down at the counter and slowly drew in a breath, calming himself down. "Sorry man."

"Thanks."

"Jess, Tristan, I really appreciate your big brother protectiveness, but all this fighting isn't helping my headache. Jess, it's not Tristan's job to be my keeper. I got drunk; I was responsible. It's not like you've never done it."

Jess sighed. "I know. Just be careful okay? Getting drunk to drown your sorrows isn't the way to go Ror. Trust me, I've been down that rode too many times."

She patted his hand.

"You got DRUNK?"

Rory and Tristan turned around in their seats.

"Dean, calm down!" Rory said.

"Why would you do that Ror," he asked.

"It's your fault asshole!" Jess cried. "You did it to her!"

"No one did anything to me!" Rory cried. She looked around the diner, gratefully noticing that there was no one else in there.

"I'm not the one who took her to the party," Dean spat back.

"Hey! That doesn't change anything!" Jess yelled back.

"Jess didn't take her, I did," Tristan confessed.

"You? You know, I always liked you Tristan. You kept your playboy life and your Rory life separate. But now you're bringing her into that world? I just don't get you."

"Dean, I'm a big girl. I asked to go to the party with him. He didn't force me to go anywhere. You know what, I need to talk to you. Come on, let's go somewhere."

"Rory, don't leave with him," Jess warned.

"I'll be back in a few minutes. Can you make me some eggs?"

Dean and Rory walked out of the diner, leaving Jess and Tristan sitting there.

"I hate that guy," Jess mumbled, writing Rory's order down and giving it to Caesar.

"Tell me about it," Tristan answered. He took a sip of Rory's coffee.

"You know, ever since I moved here two years ago I've wanted to ask Rory out. But she's always been just my friend. Then Dean came along, and BOOM! She's his. I've waited for so long to have Rory. And now here's my chance, and their talking again."

"Jess, ask her," Tristan encouraged.

"But she just broke up with him two days ago. Look at her, she's a wreck."

Tristan looked out the window. They were standing together in the park. He sighed. Jess wanted to be with Rory so bad. He had always made that clear. Though they were best friends, Tristan had never told Jess how much he loved Rory. As far as Jess was concerned, Rory was his property. And Tristan couldn't just admit he loved her too. That would ruin their friendship.

"Just ask her," Tristan said again. "You've been friends since you've moved here. It's worth a shot."

"But will it ruin our friendship?"

Tristan sighed. That was the question he always asked himself. "You would be happy together."

Jess nodded. "I'll ask her when she comes back in."

Tristan smiled. He'd rather see Rory with Jess than Tristan.

*****

"I'm sorry I got upset back there," Dean said to Rory once they reached the park.

"I understand," she answered.

"I just want the best for you Ror," he continued. "I don't want you to get like them and screw it all up. You have so much going for you."

Rory smiled. "One stupid night won't change anything."

Dean looked off in the distance. "I'm sorry about the other night."

"No, Dean, I'm sorry. I should have said something."

"I put too much pressure on you too soon."

"I don't want you to think I don't like you Dean. Because I do, I really, really do. These past few months with you have been the happiest months I've had in a long time. I don't want to give that all up."

Dean looked down into her eyes; she was beginning to cry. "I don't either," he said softly.

She sniffled.

"How about we try again? But slower. No L words for a while. Not until you're ready. What would you say to that?"

Rory smiled softly. "I'd like that."

"Would it be going to fast if I kissed you?"

Rory shook her head no.

Dean leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.

*****

Jess was upstairs in the bathroom and Tristan was sitting eating pancakes. He looked out the window and saw Rory and Dean kissing.

"Ah shit," he mumbled.