Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.

A/N Hey peoples! Thanx to those of who reviewed. So I'm looking for a 'beta' if anyone is interested email me at to let me know. Please tell me what you want to happen after the ball. I could really use some ideas. I hope that I can keep this story going, I will probably skip alot of stuff and completely redo season 3. Like I've said before, I don't trust my judgment most of the time so I like when you guys tell me what you think. I have gotten a couple of stupid, pointless flames so if you don't like my story don't read it. If you hate something tell me what it is, don't tell me to stop doing something I like to do because you don't think it's any good. I'm sorry about lack of updates but school is almost over, (five days ugh!) so I'll be able to update more frequently if I have the inspiration. Sorry for ranting, again. So on with the story.

Rory was walking to her locker to get a book she forgot before her bus came, when she saw Tristan pressed up against a girl in front of her locker, again. She shook her head and smiled slightly as she thought of herself and Jess in that position. She knew she wasn't ready for sex yet, but with Jess, anything's possible. When she was with Dean she never felt the need to be closer to him or press her body up against his. She never felt the passion she shares with Jess between her and Dean. It was just simple, sweet and chaste kisses in public and some makingout in private. It's not that Dean was unattractive, but it seemed like he lacked the experience to make her feel and want more.

She had, at one time felt curious and wanted to experiment. They loved each other, she was sure of that. And had been going out together for a little over a year, so why not right?

FLASHBACK

Rory and Dean had the house to themselves for the night. Lorelai had to stay at the inn to fix a huge mix-up before the wedding that would be taking place the following day. So Rory decided to invite Dean over and see where the night would take them.

They were makingout on the couch in the living room and Rory tried to get his shirt off. He noticed and pushed her away. She looked down suddenly embarrassed. It was clear he didn't want her. And that had to hurt. Most guys would have kept going, not stopping to think. But Dean wasn't most guys. He was a sweet and caring boyfriend albeit overprotective, possessive and dumb as a door nail.

"Rory, what did you think would happen tonight?'Cause I know I'm not ready for that yet and I don't think you are either, I mean..." Rory just tuned him out trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. She just put herself out there for him to take and he pushes her away. She probably should have talked to him but she wanted to feel something like passion, lust, love.

That's when she realized what she wanted she could never get from Dean. She told him she wasn't feeling well and just wanted to go to bed and that they could talk tomorrow. They made up when Rory said she was just caught up in the moment and he let it slide telling her to talk to him first next time and she agreed. All this happened, but a week later Rory broke it off with Dean.

END OF FLASHBACK

She walked over to her locker where Tristan had yet to let go of the girl. "Tristan, let the girl catch a breath and move a couple lockers down. I need a book." Tristan broke the kiss and a very pissed Summer pushed past him and left.

"So Mary, tell me again how you got roped into becoming a 'lady of society'."

"Two words: Emily Gilmore. Come to think of it you never told me how you got roped into going."

"My parents are threatening to take away my car privileges if I make a disgrace of the family name by not attending and escorting someone to the debutante ball. Some family member of the DAR members has been in or is being in one. More my mom than dear old pop. And without a ride, how can I take girls out. It rains on my fun. Plus, now I have blackmail against you, I hear the fan dance is the event of the year." He said with a smirk.

Rory opened her locker, turned to him moving close enough he could feel her hot breath on his neck, and said "You wouldn't do that to me now would you Tris?" She pulled away before he could react and took her book out of her locker. "If you did, then I'd just have to sick Jess on you, and I really don't want to do that."

"Ah, Mary, you are such a tease. And, will I ever meet this new boyfriend of yours?"

Before she could answer a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and she heard Jess whisper "hey" in her ear. She rested her arms over his and put her head next to his. "Tristan, this is Jess, my boyfriend. Jess, this is my friend Tristan."

"So you're the reason Mary won't go out with me. As long as you keep her happy. Hurt her, I'll hunt you down and then proceed to kill you." Tristan smirked at how unfazed Jess seemed to be. He seemed like he'd heard this before.

"Not a chance. I'd already be dead; there are about a thousand people ahead of you for that. So what's this I hear about not being the only tortured soul going to this ball?"

"It won't be that bad." Rory defended. But she knew it would be, if not worse.

"Yes it will." Both Jess and Tristan answered. They looked at each other trying to figure the other one out. Tristan was cool with Jess. A much better match for Rory than Dean. He had too much fun messing with Dean since he had the intellect of a door nail. Jess could tell Tristan had something for Rory but knew he had nothing to worry about. She had already turned him down.

"Do you know bagboy?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah, hate him. You?"

"I don't' know how she put up with him for a year." He shook his head in mock disgrace.

"Me neither. How did you put up with him for year?" Jess turned to Rory. She really didn't know. She couldn't really talk about anything that meant anything to her and they never did anything but kiss if they had nothing to talk about. And that lost its point after a while.

"I don't really know... I don't really know how it lasted as long as it did." She said more to herself than to Jess and Tristan. She really didn't know why she stayed him as long as she did. Maybe it was because he was safe and she didn't want to lose her security blanket. Maybe it was because she was expected to stay with her 'perfect' boyfriend, because he fit in her 'perfect world and they were the 'perfect' couple...

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Rory was doing her homework on the counter at Luke's. She took a sip of the lukewarm coffee and sighed. She finally finished her article for the Franklin. Now that she had that done all that was left was to take orders, give orders to customers, refill drinks and drink a pot of coffee.

It's not that working at Luke's was bad, just the customers were. When it was dead, she would sit in Jess' lap they would read together. That was probably her favorite part of the day. Plus, Luke had started paying her. He didn't feel right having her working there and not be paid, so he paid her and she got to keep the tips she made which was alot because of her sweet personality. Yeah, she had plenty of money for books, school supplies. Just not enough for a pair of Jimmy Choo's.

She got up and grabbed the coffee pot making the rounds. She hadn't noticed that Jess was taking the order of Dean and his friends from the basketball team. But when she did, she went closer to see if she should pull Jess away or kiss him. "What. Do. You. Want?" Jess said seemingly agitated.

"Burgers, rings and a better attitude. It's not like you're not getting laid." Dean said with a smirk knowing he'd get a rise out of him and pretty sure he was wrong. Jess looked like he was going to make sure he couldn't reproduce but Rory pulled him away and kissed him passionately. Two reasons she did so, one: she hadn't kissed him for two hours because he was too much of a distraction and she needed to finish her article, and two: she knew it would piss Dean off if he thought he was right about Jess getting laid.

When they pulled apart she smiled at him and he smirked at her. "I'll take their order. Go take table 3's order, 'kay?" He just nodded and kissed her again, then went to take the order. Rory walked back to Dean's table. "What'll it be?" She asked not even looking at Dean.

"Burgers and rings." One of Dean's friends said. It was Brian. She knew him from when she was at SHH and had seen him at some of the games she went to. As she was walking away to give Cesar the order Brian asked her if he could talk to her outside. She hesitated but nodded. They went outside and she stood there expectantly. After a few moments of awkward silence he finally spoke. "Why are you going out with Jess? I mean I see the chemistry, but that can't be it."

She had no hesitation answering him. If he knew, maybe he would tell Dean and he'd leave them alone. "We have things in common. But just enough difference where we can argue intellectually about things. We both read the same books, we listen to the same music, and we watch the same movies. There's never a boring moment and we can just sit and read together. There's not always a need for words and it's great." Brian nodded understandingly. "If that's it, I need to get back to work." He nodded again and they went inside. She gave the order to Cesar and went to take another order.

It wasn't that busy so after taking a few more orders and ringing up some customers there wasn't much to do. Jess was sitting behind the counter, a book in front of his face as to ward off any customers. Rory sat in his lap and rested her head on his shoulder, kissing his neck lightly and started to read. The book was Oliver Twist so it didn't matter that he was almost halfway through it.

Dean watched with envy. He just didn't get it. He knew Rory well enough to know she wasn't shallow, but he had no idea what she saw in Jess. He turned to Brian who was finishing his rings. "What did you ask her?"

"I asked her why she was goin' out wit' Jess." He said simply.

"And...?"

"She said they got stuff in common, she can read with him just like she is now and they don't always need words. Something like that."

"What kind of things do they have in common?" He knew the stuff she liked and he could make it seem like they had things in common. 'Maybe she'd dump Jess and go back to me.' Dean thought to himself.

"Music, movies, books, shit like that. If you're gonna try to get her back, I wouldn't it I were you. She's happy with him and she'll just hate you if you keep trying to ruin what they got goin'."

"You don't know her like I know her so keep your mouth shut." Dean said bitterly.

"Whatever man. When she hates you even more don't say I didn't warn you."

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Lorelai and Chris walked into the diner as Dean and his friends were leaving. They sat at the counter Where Rory and Jess were still reading. "Luke'll cut your pay if you don't serve the customers and give me coffee." Lorelai said hoping to get their attention.

"He'll dock our pay if we give you coffee, not if we keep you away from it." Jess said simply and turned the page after making sure Rory was done.

Lorelai gasped. "RRRRRROOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY! Your boyfriend is being mean to me! He won't give me any coffee!" Lorelai complained.

Rory kissed Jess' cheek. "Good boy." She praised just as Luke came in. He had gone into Hartford to get something. "LLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYY! I need coffee and your employees, diner boy and diner girl, won't give me any!" Chris just watched this completely entertained. Lorelai usually didn't have to beg for coffee from Rory so he never witnessed this first hand. Rory had told him about it on the phone.

"Good. They've finally decided to help me save your life."

"Save her life?" Chris asked confused.

"You've seen all the crap she eats and all the coffee she drinks. She'll be dead by forty and if not she is a medical miracle." Luke said with disgust.

"At least I'll die happy." Lorelai said taking this chance to pour herself some coffee.

"And the way Rory eats... Lorelai is a bad influence but I'm trying to save her." Luke said truly seeming to care.

"Aww, thanks Luke but as mom put it, at least I'll die happy." Rory said as she got off Jess and went to take an order.

"I'm still working on her. It's too late for Lorelai." He turned to Jess. "I'm not paying you to read. Get to work!"

"Geeze! Not this mean to Rory." Jess muttered under his breath as he got up cleaned off a table.

Chris could tell Luke had a thing for Lorelai. Try as he might to hide it, it's blatantly obvious to everyone except Lorelai who is completely oblivious to it. But who could blame him, Lorelai's a piece of work. When Lorelai told him that he didn't know her as an adult, she was right. He wasn't there when she came here. He wasn't there when she, along with Rory, grew up. He needed to do that on his own and he did that in California. But Luke was there. If not the whole time, half the time he was there either for a coffee fix or to fix their house. Chris would always love Lorelai as she would him. But it was time that they both moved on. If they couldn't work it out before, then it simply wasn't meant to be. He needed to let Lorelai know it was okay to move on, that she shouldn't ruin every relationship she had because of the hope that they could get it together and finally be on the same page when in reality it wouldn't happen and she would end up unhappy and alone.

"Hey Rory?"

"Yeah dad?"

"When can you schedule some quality time with me?"

"Gee, I don't know. I mean I do have work, school, time with Jess, Lane and mom. Then there's Friday night dinner to go to... Oh! There's an opening in an hour when my shift ends." She smiled sweetly. "Does that work for you?"

"It's a date." Chris said smiling back at her.

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Chris and Rory were walking through the town with ice cream an hour later. "So dad, what do you think of Jess?" She asked a bit nervously.

"I like him. If you don't mind me saying, alot more than that Dean character your mom totally loved. He seems more your type. And the whole scene we walked in on earned him extra points. I figured either you'd be working or eating each other's faces." He smiled as she got a goofy smile on her face. "How long you been together?"

"About a week and a half."

"Really? You seem like you've known each other for ages. And how long were with Dean? A year and a half?" He noticed her smile falter a bit whenever Dean was brought up.

"Yeah." She said a bit distantly.

He was going into father mode now. "Okay, what did Dean do?"

"Nothing." She said a bit hastily.

"He had to have done something. You become distant and your smile fades whenever he's brought up. So what is it?" She hesitated. "I'm your dad, you can tell me. If you slept with him that's the only case I don't wana know." He smiled as she blushed and shook her head.

"He said something that really hurt, something I can't forgive him for."

"What?"

"In so many words he called me a slut, saying that Jess and I have been sleeping together."

"It's not true is it?"

"I thought you didn't want to know."

"I said I don't want to know if you slept with Dean, I however, never said anything about Jess." She smiled at how much he was like her mom.

"No it's not true. We've been together for a week and a half. And when he said it, we were only together for 2 days. It just hurt that he would think of me as that kind if girl. I mean we were together for a year and a half, and we never did anything. He knows I'm not like that. And he doesn't even know Jess. He met him for 5 minutes. That was on our first date. The only words they exchanged were 'hey'! He didn't even make an effort to get to get him! He's just bitter that I found someone who is a better match! The only reason he said that is because..." It dawned on her. Dean may have been bitter and he knew that she wasn't like that, but she did break up with him a week after she wanted to go further. She gave him some reason, no matter how absurd, to think that. 'But he should know better. I explained to him when I broke up with him that the passion between us was and is gone. And he knows I'm not that kind of girl.' She decided that even if that had happened, he should and does know she wouldn't sleep with Jess without having more knowledge about him than his name.

Chris let her rant and get it all out of her system because if she didn't now she probably would take it out on someone else later. But now he was curious. He wanted to know why she thinks Dean said all that crap. Dean was losing some major points in his book. 'And to think Lor actually liked this guy...'

Rory realized that she was kind of ignoring her dad. "Sorry dad. I just haven't really talked about it. Thanks for letting me rant." She hugged him with her free arm, her ice cream long forgotten in her other hand. He hugged her back and they resumed walking through the town.

"So speaking of moving on, I met someone." Chris said trying to get her mind off Dean for the moment.

That caught her interest. "Really? Who?"

"Sherry Tinnsdale. She works for Loriel."

"What kind of music does she like?"

"Well, we're complete opposites, but hey, opposites attract right?"

"She likes Country, Emo or Pop. She is in love with all the chick flicks mom and I love to mock. And if she reads, it's all romance novels. Am I right?"

"Basically. Except the only things she reads are the newspaper and company documents. But that is Sherry Tinnsdale in a nut shell."

"So she's a hermit workaholic? She is nothing like you."

"Yeah but that makes all the fun. It's not like I'm hanging out with a female version of me. Didn't you ever want a relationship like that?"

"I had one. It was great at first but after a while we had nothing to talk about, we'd fight over what to do, and eventually the relationship died. What I have now is totally different. We have common interests but there also enough difference so we don't get bored. I've had two boyfriends, complete opposites. If I had to choose one to spend the rest of my life with, I would pick Jess. I understand that the window for you and mom is closed, but that doesn't in any way mean that you should expect to spend the rest of your life with Sherry. It may be fun and exciting now but that doesn't mean it'll stay that way forever." She was speaking from first hand experience.

"I'm getting relationship advice from my daughter. God, I've sunk low."

"How many serious relationships have you had since mom?" Chris stayed silent. "What made you want one now?"

"It's time your mom and I stop ruining any relationship we have thinking we might be able to make it work. I want more kids Rory. You don't know how much I regret not being there for your first word, step, day of school, crush and date. I missed out on something big. There's not a day where I wonder what would have happened if you had both a mom and a dad. I wanted to be there for you, I really did. But I was barely able to take care of myself, let alone a family. But now I'm ready. I want to be an actual father from the start, not sixteen years too late. Can you understand that?"

"Yeah, I can. But in a way, I've always had a father figure. I always wondered what it would be like if I did have a dad, and I never realized that I have something pretty close. Don't get me wrong, I love you, but as you said, you weren't there. You did miss out on something, and it's understandable that you want to be a father again now that you can handle the responsibility. But I'm glad you're here now. That's what matters now. I love you, dad."

"I love you too, kid." He hugged her again.

A/N Yes, I am a JJ fan. I like the Chris character up until this season where he's a total ass. I also hate that he left Lorelai and Rory in the second season but I have a better understanding of why he did. Sorry if this is crap, but I really wanted it up. I hate the beginning where Jess and Tristan meet and if you want me to I'll change it best I can. Please let me know what you think. Also, as said before, I wrote a short one-parter I'd love some feedback on. It's called One Door Closes, Another Opens. Review please!