Rory Gilmore's life had never been very difficult. Some would call her life perfect, even idyllic in a way. While a smile played on her lips as she dreamt of Jess Mariano, Dean Forrester felt only numb. It was especially cold for December, but as he sat alone on empty park bench, he felt nothing. His mind raced in a thousand directions, unable to accept that Rory, his Rory had been with him. They hadn't even had the decency to hide their relationship, but flaunted it in the town square for the whole world to see. It didn't matter that it was nearly midnight, anyone looking out their windows would have seen them, and Dean would have been the laughingstock of the town. How long had this been going on? He felt ill, and as his fists clenched, he would have dearly loved to knock one of them into the rat's face. At once Dean remembered the conversation they had had before Dean had left for his grandmother's.
"Jess." Jess looked up from behind the counter, and grimaced as Dean walked into Luke's. Sighing, he gestured towards the sign that boasted, Hours: 6-11. "I still have 5 minutes." Had been Dean's reply, and Jess had shrugged again, trying not to pay him any attention. "What, no sarcastic remark? No bagboy comment? I can take it. Rory's not around." Jess rolled his eyes, but still hadn't spoken a word. He slid a menu over to where Dean sat at the counter, and went back to counting the money from the register.
"I have to warn you," He responded, his tone clipped. "Caesar's gone for the night. And I don't have a chef like bone in my body. So if you're gonna stay, you can go for the muffin option, or the coffee option. And my coffee pouring skills are pretty lacking." After a moment, Dean scoffed, and Jess looked up from the register again. "Can I help you, sir?" He asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He looked at the clock over the door and was about to point Dean out when he stood, and leaned over the counter, far too close for Jess' liking.
"Listen, Jess. You have no chance with Rory. No matter how much you hang around her like a little lapdog, while she wraps you around her little finger, she'll never be with you. She loves me. And she'll always love me. And there's nothing you can do…"
Dean remembered the triumph he'd felt that night. The look on Jess' face had been priceless; the fleeting look of pain in his eyes the answer to all of Dean's questions. Subconsciously he realized, he had known ever since the moment he'd first seen them together, had known his anger and protective jealousy had not been in vain. And now, Rory, his sweet Rory was with him. A lump formed in Dean's throat, and he felt the bile rise. Rory was the only girl he had ever loved, and despite all of his over protective paranoia, he never would have expected her to act with such abandon. Jess, he would have suspected. Jess was unscrupulous. Jess had no morals… but Rory? Rory wouldn't hurt a fly. Unbidden, the image of their passionate kiss flashed before his eyes, and Rory's breathless proclamation rang in his ears; her invitation back to her house. To her bed. Unable to stop himself, Dean retched over the side of the bench as he lay there breathless, he didn't know what to do. He couldn't continue with Rory, but he couldn't imagine a life without her. He wanted to scream and yell, throw things and be irrational, and at the same time, wanted to wrap her in his arms, and never let go. Most of all, he wanted Jess to go away, so Rory's indiscretion could be swept under the rug and she could stay by his side. Breathing haggardly a plan began to form in his mind, and for the first time in hours, a smile played about his lips.
Author's Note: I told you! Not so much RoryJess fun. And all the while I was writing this, I missed it. But this sadness needed to be written so that the story can have a happy. guilt free ending. And that's what we all want, isn't it children?