Disclaimer: Don't own it. I'm not ASP, I like Jess. Also, the part about not walking by herself at night was inspired by A Whole New World by Angel Monroe.

AN: Thanks for all the reviews! Whoever guessed about the title, yeah, that's what I was going for. More to come on how it relates to Jess..I'm still working on Rory's past. Um...forgive me if Rory's a lot OOC right now, remember, circumstance changes people.

When boys mean I'm protected...

Jess and Rory left the apartment building, a cold burst of air hitting them as they stepped onto the sidewalk. Immediately, Rory's hair started blowing in tangles in the wind, and her cheeks bore a slight tint of red. Jess instinctively tightened his arm around her back, drawing her closer. She pressed back into him automatically, turning her face so it was almost buried in his shoulder. They stopped and stood on the sidewalk for a second, getting used to the wind.

"So...left or right?" Rory looked up, a bit confused for a few seconds before what he was asking dawned on her.

"Oh...oh! You don't have to walk me, I'm fine, I've done it a million times," she assured him.

"I'm sure you have, but it would make me feel better if...I just want to make sure you get there okay." She stared at him, and felt the tight grip around her. He seemed adamant about this. Besides, he came off as an okay guy...much better than others, at least.

The room was a swirl of neon colored lights. Green, yellow, orange, red. She blinked, trying to make them go away, but instead lost her balance and stumbled back into something hard, like wood.

Her head hurt. A lot. Too much alcohol. Alcohol bad.

She pushed through the crowd, swimming in a sea of skin, too many limbs packed too tightly. She stumbled again, falling forward into the chest of a burly blonde man with an indistinguishable voice.

The man said something to her, but she couldn't make out the words. Too many words, they just made her head hurt worse.

He held her by the elbows, and led her outside. Cold, dark, still noisy. She couldn't see, couldn't adjust.

He felt him side step, heard the noises slightly fade.

He pulled at her waistband, all the while slamming her into something hard, brick. He kissed her hard, bitter. His tongue pushed, fighting it's way into her mouth. Not knowing what else to do, she obediently reciprocated.

He was pulling at her, pushing her. She could hear him moan. It almost sounded like a cackle, and she shivered slightly under his grasp.

She snapped back into reality. That was just a bad night. A very bad night. The first of several bad nights.

Jess seemed different, genuinely intent on getting her home safely. And he hadn't even tried to slip his hand under her shirt yet, or even kiss her, besides the ones she had initiated back at the party.

Jess was still staring at her, looking a bit worried. Of course he was, she was just standing there, zoned out.

She managed a slight smile.

"Okay, in that case, right." She turned as she spoke, and his grasp loosened. She moved slightly in front of him, interlacing his hand with her own so she could lead the way.

They moved down several blocks in a comfortable silence. They stood not too far away, but not too close. They were, after all, strangers (there's that word again, out of place, and – dare they think it? – unwelcome).

"You know, you really shouldn't walk by yourself at night. You never know who's in the allies. Could be dangerous." Rory whipped her head around to face him, surprised at the sudden comment. She gave him a questioning stare, and he shrugged. "You said you've walked by yourself 'millions of times'. I was just thinking that might not be the best idea."

"I've lived here my entire life. I think I can handle a few blocks at night," Rory remarked, slightly perturbed.

"Oh, I'm sure you could. Just thinking out loud."

"Well, maybe you should keep it down," she retorted. "You don't even know me."

"No, I don't," he agreed.

"Right, you don't." She let go of his hand, pulling her arms around herself, as if to block out the wind. Jess stopped for a second as she moved on, watching her from behind, before jogging slightly to catch up. Once next to her, he pulled off his leather jacket and slipped it around her. She glanced at him, and after a second, shrugged into it.

"First name Lorelai, known as Rory, last name legally Gilmore, but seeing as I know nobody of that name, we'll say I don't have one. 17 years old. Likes to read, drink, and avoid her foster family at all costs. Has moved ten times." Jess looked at her oddly, wondering what she was doing. Rory just shrugged. "You didn't know me. Now you do."

"Is that really all there is to know about you?"

"Yep."

"I doubt it."

"You're not allowed to doubt it, you barely know me."

"Ah ha, barely. See, that implies there's more." She just glared at him, and he smirked back.

"First name Jess, last name Mariano. 17 as well. Likes reading, beer, and music. Hates his mom's endless cycle of boyfriends." She looked at him curiously. "Now you know me as much as I know you. Want to tell me more now? Come on, we'll make it a game," he smirked. Rory rolled her eyes at him.

Rory stopped, making Jess stumble a bit at the sudden halt.

"This one's mine," she said, gesturing towards a run down looking building beside them. He looked at her. She had that look again, the halfhearted look he had seen earlier at the party.

"You don't want to go in," he remarked.

"My, he's so perceptive," Rory rolled her eyes again.

"Why not?"

"I said I liked to avoid my foster family. This is me, avoiding." Jess merely nodded.

"I'll go up with you."

"You...you don't have to!" Rory said desperately, watching him walk into the building. She ran a bit to catch up with him. "You really, really don't have to."

"Which floor you on?" Rory sighed. He really was stubborn.

"Sixth." The elevator ride was slow for her, agonizing. When it finally reached her floor, she hurried out, not allowing him to follow. He jumped out anyways, to her annoyance.

"What is your problem? Are you stalking me?" Rory snapped at him, angrier than she intended.

"Calm down. I just wanted to make sure you got home alright."

"Well, I'm in my hallway. Your job is done. Thank you." Rory turned on her heels, ready to walk away, when she felt his hand on her arm.

"Humor me, okay? Besides, am I really that bad of company?" he smirked, causing her to smile a bit. Really, she didn't know why she was freaking out. Sure, she didn't like her "family". They weren't the most...presentable people. But it wasn't like she'd see this guy ever again, right? She had no interest in seeing him again, right? Right.

She led him down the hall to her door. At the moment, she heard a glass smash on the other side, followed by a string of obscenities. Rory winced automatically, ever so slightly. But it didn't go unnoticed by Jess. Gently he laid his hand on her shoulder.

"You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I'm...I'm fine, you should go." He looked at her curiously.

"Are you sure? Because earlier, at the party, you didn't seem so fine..." he trailed off. She cringed. Damn it, that stupid party, that stupid breakdown. Damn emotions, always getting in the way, complicating things.

"I'll be fine, that was just...me being weird. I'm sorry you had to see me like that, I don't normally do...that."

"It was fine. Whatever it was, you looked like you needed it."

"Yeah," she said softly. "I think I did."

Another crash was heard, this time of bone hitting furniture. More colorful language was heard, and Jess began to worry about leaving her here.

"Are you sure your okay, because I can always get you out of here," he said.

"I'll be okay. I'd have to come back eventually," she rolled her eyes. "But thanks." Jess turned to walk away, but spun back around after a few steps. She was still standing there, staring after him.

"Ever go to Washington Square Park?" She eyed him oddly. "It's...it's nice there. Quiet. I go there a lot, just to read. I think you'd like it." She smiled.

"I thought you barely knew me, yet you think I'd like it?" he smirked.

"You just seem like you could use a place to think occasionally."

"Do I?" She smirked at him, and he returned it. He turned back, walking away again. When he reached the elevator, he looked over his shoulder.

"See you later Rory."

"Yeah." She smiled, walking into her apartment.

Opening the door, she was greeted with a very drunk "brother"/co inhabitant.

"Rrrrooorrry!" Mike slurred, fumbling over several objects in his path to her. "You get laid?" She rolled her eyes at him, staying silent as she made her way to her room. "Can't fool me, bitch! You got the glowww!"

She rolled her eyes and slammed the door shut behind her. She could still hear Mike, screaming various obscenities along with her name.

She grabbed her old, beat-up CD player in hopes of drowning out the noise. The familiar opening strands of Something Corporate's I Want to Save You filled her ears.

It sounded appropriate. But who would save her? Jess's face popped into her mind.

What was she thinking? She'd known him for a night. He was just freaked out by her breakdown; he had no intent of being her "Prince Charming". He didn't seem like the type, really.

Yet, she made a mental note to take a visit to Washington Square Park the next day.