Disclaimer: I don't own the series Gilmore Girls or the original characters. All I own is my imagination and the plot.

A/N: It's definitely been a while since I've updated this story, but I've been busy and to be honest, I'm not as motivated as I used to be on writing Literati's. Yes, Jess is still an intriguing character, but I don't feel as passionate about writing him as I did before. My interest is lacking, though don't underestimate me; I will finish this story, just at a pace that I feel comfortable with. Please read the A/N at the bottom en enjoy :) I apologize for the mistakes 'cause this chapter has yet to be beta-ed.

Fooling Around

-x-x-x-

Lately, I've been distracted...

I think it's because I keep playing hide and seek with my feelings. It's a tiring game; just when I come across one of them, another one disappears only to appear again later on, confusing me just when I think that I've finally found some peace of mind.

I am messing with my own mind, but I find that it's the only way for me to stay the way I am, wrapped up in a protective bubble for people to look at, and I, well, I choose the ones that can take a step closer. I always choose the ones that have honest eyes - eyes that I can let myself drown in and allow me to really see the person across from me.

Dean has those honest eyes. They make me smile, yet he hasn't managed to come close enough to truly see me while I know all about him... He has good and bad sides like everyone else, though he has more good than bad ones. I do, too. Most people do or pretend that they do and hide the bad sides; having bad sides means that you're different from most other people; it makes you stand out and standing out in such a crowd is hardly ever a good thing.

I find it amazing because it takes indifference.

It takes an individual to stand out.

Jess has more bad than good sides.

He and I clash, though maybe that is what makes him so...interesting. He doesn't care about how close he is allowed to get and his eyes aren't honest. He would rip through the delicate walls of my bubble without thinking twice and he would see right through me.

I don't like people watching me; they only do it to see when I'll slip and mess up. Maybe he does it, too, but he doesn't show it.

I want his mask.

-x-x-x-

Rory closed her journal just as the bus came to a stop. She slid it into her book bag, letting it slip safely between her school-books before zipping up her bag and getting up. She slung it over her shoulder as she got off the bus, heading directly for the diner. Once she reached the door, she paused, hesitating as she looked through the window. Leah sat at the counter. It didn't surprise her; every one of Jess's girlfriends eventually ended up hanging at the diner, though this time it was different. She knew because of how Jess treated Leah. He was more gentle with her than he normally was with his girlfriends and it scared her; for once, Jess seemed serious about a girl.

She wasn't used to another girl taking her place.

Leah even drank coffee.

Rory entered the diner. As she walked over to the counter, one of her hands went to straighten her skirt. She felt uncomfortable in her uniform and even somewhat silly. She should have changed before coming here; she stood out in the crowd. She was out of place. Her eyes took in Leah's appearance. She had the same dark hair as Jess and wore the same t-shirts as him - t-shirts that Rory couldn't pull off; she didn't have an edge to her.

She sat down at the counter, making sure that there was an empty stool between her and Leah. She caught a glimpse of the small butterfly piercing that glimmered just below the hem of her shirt and looked away. She liked stars better.

Luke appeared from the kitchen, grabbing a coffeepot and mug before coming to a halt in front of Rory. He saw Leah from the corner of his eye, but said nothing; he had already greeted her when she had come in earlier.

''Hey, Luke,'' Rory greeted with a warm smile.

Luke nodded while pouring her coffee. ''How was school?''

Rory shrugged and took the mug from him. ''Normal.''

''Good.''

''Yeah, it is... Hey, has my mom been by yet?''

Luke shook his head. ''I haven't seen her since this morning.''

''Okay, thanks.'' She brought the cup to her lips as Luke went back to work. When she put her mug back down on the counter, Leah shifted in her seat and turned to look at her. ''Hey, I didn't see you there.''

Rory shrugged. ''I'm used to it.''

A smile temporarily sealed Leah's lips as she looked back down at her hands, briefly scanning her chipped nail polish before continuing, ''So, how did the studying go?''

''I'm sorry, the studying?''

Leah looked at Rory again. ''Yeah, you know, last night?'' Her eyes returned to her nails. ''Jess told me that he helped you with an assignment.''

''Oh,'' was all Rory managed to say. Jess had told her.

''Did he offer?'' Leah asked.

''No, I asked.''

Leah nodded, her voice calm as she spoke, ''Don't do it again, okay?''

Rory looked up at Leah. She opened her mouth to say something, but was unable to find any words. Instead, she chose to drank her coffee in silence. When she heard the curtains rustle, she cast her eyes down quickly. She knew it was him just from the way the fabric had rustled. While he leaned over the counter and kissed Leah, she reached for some change. She placed it on the counter without making a noise while getting up, planning on sneaking out unnoticed, though he saw her. He always did.

''Leaving?'' Jess asked, pocketing his hands and focusing his eyes on Rory.

His attention made her nervous.

Leah looked at her nails once more, pretending not to pay any attention, though she caught every word and look that was exchanged between the two.

''Yeah,'' Rory uttered. ''I have homework.'' She picked up her book bag. ''I'll see you later.''

''Bye, Rory,'' Leah said while throwing a quick glance in her direction.

Rory briefly met Leah's eyes and was able to come up with a smile. ''Yeah, see ya.'' She turned around and headed for the door, not having any reason to stay any longer. Once she reached the door, she couldn't help but glance back. Upon seeing Leah behind the counter, pulling Jess in the direction of the stairs, she lowered her eyes. She could only imagine what went on between them when no one was around to see. She sank her teeth into her lower lip, biting down until it hurt. When she lifted her gaze back up, Jess was there to catch it. He threw her a careful smile, unsure of where his boundaries lay. She didn't return the smile, nor did she stick around long enough for him to search her eyes for the reason. She left; it was the right thing to do.

On her way home she passed Doose's and glanced in out of habit. Dean saw her and smiled, lifting his hand to wave. This time, she did return the smile, though she didn't go in. She kept walking.

x-x-x-

That evening, when dusk had already fallen over the small town, Rory found her way over to the lake, sitting down at its edge while most people had retreated to the sanctuary of their homes by now. The shades enveloped her and hid her in their darkness. A hushed stillness made her feel at peace, though the thoughts in her head kept roaming, not giving her a second to catch her breath; she would have her peace later, when she would close her eyes and stumble into her dreams still hazy with the day's events, though even those slipped away eventually.

Somewhere leaves rustles and near, the woorden boards of the bridge creaked. The noise wasn't brought on by the wind as it eerily made its presence know every now and then, pulling at her hair just to get her attention, though when she would turn her head, the wind had already pulled back. By now, Rory knew all of it's tricks and no longer looked up when she heard a sound she couldn't place, though this time it was a sound she knew all too well. She recognized the way he walked, placing his feet wherever, not caring about the silence he disturbed. She cared, though he didn't always pay attention to it, nor was she as careful around him as she used to be. He didn't come around here a lot, not anymore.

He sat down next to her without saying anything, expecting her to take the first step and she would, eventually. They sat side by side, close enough to touch, though both were careful enough not to. They couldn't afford to touch; she had a boyfriend and he had a girlfriend. Her relationship was old while his was young, something that didn't matter, but they still kept in the back of their minds. Things weren't the same, they hadn't been the same for a long time, but now, it felt as if they had even a longer distance to bridge.

Suddenly, a smile smoothed out on her face. ''Remember when we jumped into the lake?''

His brow wrinkled as he searched for the memory, not having to look as far as he had expected. He nodded. ''We dared each other.''

''All we had on was our underwear,'' she reminded him.

''And the water was cold,'' he added, completing the image for her.

Rory wistfully smiled at the memory while the wrinkles in Jess's brow deepened. He looked at her, catching the intent way she had her eyes fixed on the lake. A faint smile appeared on his face while the ridges in his forehead smoothed themselves out. ''We could do it again,'' he said.

Her head turned and her eyes locked on his face. ''I'm not jumping in the lake in my underwear.''

''Why not?''

She shrugged while looking back over at the lake. ''We're older now.''

The silence returned, though it wavered quickly.

''I dare you to,'' he said.

His eyes were shining as she found them once more. Finally, she nodded, giving in. ''Fine, but if I'm jumping then you're jumping.''

He agreed.

They stood up to remove their clothing, keeping their eyes on the lake as they stripped down to their underwear. When they turned to look at each other, he remained indifferent while she became shy and self-conscious underneath his dark gaze. ''You first,'' he said, knowing that it scared her to be the one who had to make the first move.

She shook her head. ''Last time we jumped together.''

''As you wish,'' he said and held out his hand. She took it, slipping her fingers delicately in between his.

They moved to the edge of the bridge, glancing down at the dark pool of water before looking at each other once more.

''If you let go,'' she started, though he cut her off. ''I won't,'' he assured.

She looked back at the water. ''On three.''

''One,'' he started.

''Two,'' she followed.

''Three,'' they both said, tightening their grip on each other as they jumped.

Even when they disappeared underwater, they didn't let go. Jess was the first to find the surface and pulled Rory up with him. Once they caught their breath, they turned to look at each other, fingers still entwined. Both shivered.

''The water's cold,'' she whispered, watching as he moved closer, seeking out her body heat and for a few reckless seconds, she let him. She was caught up in the moment and lost in his eyes, though she took a step back before she allowed him to get too close. ''I have to get home.''

He let her hand slip from his and nodded, watching as she backed away from him. He said nothing as she got out of the water and started to dress herself, her back turned to him. Fully dressed, she met his eyes once more, leaving without giving him a reason once more.

REVIEW! Please :) I doubt that there are still people out there who are reading this story 'cause the Literati action on this site has been slowly decreasing, something that I understand since there are a lot of other pairing out there to explore. I'm doing it, too, but yet I hope, no matter how much I enjoy writing fanfiction, that I am not posting this for myself. I'll also be updating my Trory Torn and my Rogan, (that's what they call them, right?) Caught so if you have the interest and time to spare, please check 'em out. Thank you :)