Disclaimer: I don't own anything, so nobody can sue me!

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long to update...I hope this chapter is any good!

Chapter 6:

"Jess. Jess Mariano," Dean repeated numbly. His expression was unreadable; he'd concealed it behind a mask.

Rory shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She had half expected this kind of reaction; after all, Dean was not the violent, aggressive type. Rory had spent seconds, minutes, hours, days, agonising over a stupid dance that she wasn't even sure she wanted to attend. The worse part was that she couldn't even complete the small, miniscule task of picking a partner. Of course, Dean was her boyfriend.

Her first boyfriend, to be more specific. But did she really expect that her first boyfriend would be her last? That she now did not have the entitlement to date other guys? Was she honestly ready for that kind of commitment? And did going to a dance with a boy other than your boyfriend classify as a date? After all, they'd only really eat the food given and stand around talking to their peers.

Dances were risky; sometimes they turned out to be more disastrous than a kid in a candy store.

Rarely did a boy make the first move and ask their partner to dance. Of course, she had a steady boyfriend to go with (one that she loved)...so why was she even contemplating going with Jess?

"Um, yeah. He asked me to—to go with him," Rory mumbled incoherently, her eyes wandering around the room in search of a thing she could look at to avoid looking at Dean. Her eyes finally settled on a painting of fruit. Rory's eyes were firmly planted on that painting; determined not to maintain eye contact with Dean.

To Rory's surprise (and horror), Dean began to laugh. He laughed so hard he almost knocked over his coffee.

"Are you okay?" Rory asked, shocked. She realized that her heart had started to beat again.

"It's just—it's just—" Dean spluttered.

"You looked so scared I thought you were going to pass out. Truthfully, I'm fine with it. We're almost going to college - maybe we should consider not going steady..." Dean said hesitantly, also avoiding meeting Rory's eye.

Rory's head swiveled to look at him directly. "What?" She cried out, her eyes wide with shock.

Dean shrugged. "Maybe we shouldn't be going steady," He clarified.

Rory was literally speechless. "I—uh—that—see—well," She stammered, growing more and more flustered.

"Are you sure?" Rory asked at last.

"Yeah, if that's what you want," Dean quickly peeked at his watch. "Damn. I'm going to be late. My break's almost over. Listen, I'll see you later, okay? We'll talk!" He got up, hurriedly handed money to the waitress and walked out before Rory could say a thing.

Gilmore Residence

"Let me get this straight. Dean said it was okay?" Lorelai questioned, sounding incredulous.

"Yes. He said maybe we shouldn't go steady," Rory stated, appearing firm but feeling lost.

"Did you notice his body language?" Lorelai pressed. She had been reading a few books aimed for women on men and what their body language translated to. In Rory's opinion, it was a bunch of garbage - although she couldn't help taking a few peeks when Lorelai went out.

"I enlighten you the acceptable amount of information without divulging too much of my thoughts, and suddenly I'm facing the Spanish Inquisition," Rory said, looking pointedly at her mother.

Lorelai shook her head, bemused. "Well, it's not everyday that Dean releases you from his iron steel grip! You're free! This is like you're getting a divorce," Lorelai paused, "without actually being married,"

Rory stared at her mother, stunned. "We—we're not that much of a couple!" She protested.

"Yeah, sure. And I'm not that much reliant on coffee!" Lorelai retorted.

"So, it's Saturday night. You, me and Marlon Brando," She continued, waving a copy of The Godfather II in front of Rory's face.

"Go ahead. I'll be at Luke's," Rory said, slowly putting on her jacket. She did not know what she was going to do about the Jess/Dean issue; but she did know she did not want to stay and watch The Godfather II.

"Could you please get coffee while you're there?" Lorelai called after her, as the door slammed shut.

Author's Note: Should this fanfic be a Jess/Rory or a Rory/Dean? My friends and I have repeatedly discussed this question. The next chapter will be the last so please let me know what you think. Thanks to lilyLOVESweb( ) and smile1 for reviewing!!!!!!!!