h-hmm. I would like to thank everyone who's replied as I've completely forgotten to do so until now. I love you all. I dint mean to take so long to get this up but then I didn't think id be starting two new ones this week. Gee I must be bored huh? I got the first chap of I'm Rory welcome to Dante's up and I'm working out the final details of another new one either tonight or tomorrow depending on when I actually decide to sleep. By the end of the weekend I should have another up for Marys back. Sigh. I have no life. Anyhoo love you all tanks lovelil

Week long day spa.

4. Cold pancakes just aren't the same

Rory smiled as she walked into the diner and saw Jess standing bored behind the counter – seemingly slightly more interested as soon as she walked through the door. He waited until she had chosen where to sit and walked over to her spot at a window booth.

Setting the cup down on the table and filling it up he raised an eyebrow "little lady sitting in a booth by herself?"

"Well I was going to sit at the counter but then I got upset over the lack of leg kickingupedness"

He raised an eyebrow again and as an answer she wiggled her feet around a bit showing that they were on the seat opposite her he nodded slightly so she continued "and then I felt evil for taking for seats for my lonesome self and then thought what the hey – it's a Sunday – breakfast rush is over and there's like no one here so I don't feel as bad."

"So I take it lunch will be had at the counter so you feel less bad?"

"actually ill be sitting here again – however I wont feel bad because I plan on finishing my history essay – so this whole space will be filled with books."

He nodded slightly and then poured her another cup of coffee slipping in next to her for a second "ok – you still want to have tea tonight?"

"Yeah – if you're still ok with it."

"Like I said – wouldn't want to leave you all alone unnecessarily now would we? So here's the question – do you want to spend the whole day in this booth or was there somewhere else you wanted to go – maybe outside of Stars Hollow?"

She gasped "outside of Stars Hollow? Why sir – are you suggesting there's a world beyond the welcome sign?"

He smiled slightly – he actually smiled – at which Rory's smile grew – "why there sure is little missy – thousands upon thousands of people – all holding hands and signing pretty songs about peace."

"Oh my well I must say that does sound just loverly."

Jess chuckled "well now – I think it's my duty to Ivy League to take you out tonight then."

"Oh? And how do you figure?"

"Well the up and coming Christine Amapour can't continue living thinking as and overseas correspondent she'll be telling people what's happening on the other side of the brace bridge."

He sighed and slung an arm over the back of the seat "I don't think you'd get to far Ror – patty and Babette already own all rights to that news update. No no it just won't do – ill take you somewhere out of stars hollow – someplace special."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"So what time should I be ready?"

"Well I'm thinking – you'll be here at what? 1? To study and eat?"

She nodded

"How much study you got to do?"

"Under two hours."

"Ok so how bout I pick you up from your place at 5? That should give you enough time to get ready or whatever and it means I really can get you out of this town."

"Sounds good to me."

He nodded and pulled a pad out of his back pocket. "Now – what would you like for breakfast?"

"Blueberry pancakes. Lots of hash browns and a double of bacon."

"When is not bacon a double for you?" he asked standing back up and refilling her mug once again.

She simply smiled up at him and watched him place her order before looking out the window.

As soon as she did she regretted it. Sinking a little deeper into her seat she watched dean walk across to the diner obviously having just come on break. She took a few deep breaths as he got closer with a determined look on his face.

She noticed out of the corner of her eye that as soon as the bells rung signaling the nearing of her death both diner boys kept an eye on him as they went about business …well as like went about business and Jess just leant against the back counter and watched them. She sunk a little deeper into the seat as dean sat opposite her meaning she had to drop her legs.

And she really was comfortable before that. Shed been evil enough to take a four seater all to herself so that her legs could be in that seat not him.

"Rory we need to talk."

Of course the needed to talk. They'd needed to talk so many times that she was sick of talking. She sighed mentally agreeing with herself that this would be the last time shed agree when he decided they had to talk.

She gritted her teeth into what probably looked like a semi smile "ok I'm listening?"

"Were good Ror. We. Us it is a good thing. Why do we have to get rid of it over him? I know you think I'm exaggerating but the guy obviously has a ting for you and his taking advantage. Especially now that he thinks we've broken up. We can rebuild Ror. I love you – we love each other – the whole town knows were good for ach other. Were made to be a couple Ror. And I know you may see Jess as an acquaintance but he sees you as something so much stronger than that and if I said that didn't bother me I'd be lying but doesn't that make me a good boyfriend? Not wanting to share you with every other guy that looks your way? Trying to protect you from all those that will hurt you? Come-on Ror – what do you say? I'll take you out when I'm done tonight – I hear the cinema is playing all the lord of the rings I can pick you up at 6?"

She smiled "are you done?" she asked smiling up at Luke who had just put her plates down "oh hey Luke – coffee?"

"I know Jess gave you more than one – you can wait at least until the pot I'm holding in my hands been replaced." With that he walked away – he may have wanted to keep an eye on the two but there was no way he was going that close to it.

Rory sighed and looked back as Dean as picked up a piece of bacon "ok Dean I've listened to what you've had to say – and here's the thing – even if Jess weren't around – there still wouldn't be a us. We started breaking down ages ago – its just you didn't see it and chose to ignore it." Dean went to cut in

"No – you've said all you've had to. It's my turn and then I'm going to eat breakfast and you're going to go back to work and were going to leave it alone. Because it is over Dean. And Jess is not taking advantage of me –"

"Rory just because you can't see it –"

"Dean like I said – my turn. And you being so possessive doesn't make you a good boyfriend Dean – it makes you a good father – and surprisingly after all this time I'm not looking for one from you. I have Luke and that's good enough for me – just because I don't have my own father around doesn't mean I want one in my boyfriend. And you know what? I know Jess sees me as more than an aquatince. And that's because were friends. And really that's the problem. You always assumed he was seeing me just to annoy you – ever think he was seeing me because he likes to spend time with me...as a friend. And you just happened to get in the way of that. And we never had a strong foundation so really – even if I wanted to I wouldn't suggest we rebuild. But it doesn't matter because I don't want to anyway. Therefore, if you'll excuse me I'd like to eat more than one piece of bacon for breakfast. With that she glanced up catching Jess' eye and picked up her mug raising an eyebrow. Dean sighed as she picked up one of her hash browns with no intentions of paying anymore attention to him "Ror – I don't think you understand. Jess never wanted to send time with you as a friend – what's going to happen now that you're not dating someone?"

Jess gritted his teeth walking the last step towards them and filling up Rory's cup she ignored him as he walked back so as to not kill him in public and Rory looked at Dean with one of the angriest looks he'd ever seen

"Well Dean. Considering were not dating I don think its any of your business anymore if something happens between Jess and I. plus you seem to be under the impression that it wouldn't matter to Jess' high moral standards if I were with you or not. Now I really suggest you leave."

"But Rory I –"

She exhaled sharply "like I said Dean I really suggest you leave. Now. And I would also like to make it clear that I do not plan on having this discussion with you again so don't bring it up, don't bother, don't try."

He sighed defeated looked as though he was about to say something but then stood up anyway storming out of the diner. Rory took a few deep breaths and finished her coffee slamming her head against the table several times.

Jess came back over with the coffee pot "you know – that action may not be great for your Harvard slash Yale resume."

She smiled weakly up at him "thanks Jess."

"Hey. I'm saving my own ass – think of the mayhem in this town if you didn't get into Ivy League. I'm not in the mood for riots and Taylor to get all high horse about something else at a crap town meeting that Luke feels are somehow necessary for me to attend."

"You busy?"

He shook his head "Lukes just got me doing coffee – and seen as all gossipers ran out of here after Dean there's really only you and that couple over there still asking for coffee…ok so mainly you."

He nodded toward the table of mothers "I'm guessing there all breast feeding or pregnant cause none of them want anything but water or juice" he indicated to the next group "that guys still on his first cup of tea cause his to busy ignoring there three kids and reading the paper – the mum hasn't eaten or drunk anything since they got here and they came fully equipped with sippy cups for all there brats the only other people here are those little its cool to be emo preteens who are drinking coke an Kirk who I'm ignoring."

"So my asking you to sit with me would not get in the way of anything?"

"I'd only have to move when I ran out of coffee or that couple wanted another cup so nope I'm good" He said slipping in beside her once again. "So...thanks for that."

"fawh wghat?" she asked finally beginning to eat her breakfast properly despite the fact it wasn't as warm as she would have liked it.

"I was in the diner during the whole dean thing Ror. I know it was a you thing but really – while you were defending yourself you kind of defended me too."

She swallowed "well I wasn't about to let him say that stuff Dodger."

"Even if parts were true?"

"Just because you were around doesn't mean you would have done anything I didn't want you to Jess. I know that no matter what other people think. You're good to me. You're not around just to sleep with me for the fun of it before going back to New York and leaving me in the dust or anything."

He paused and nodded "I did like the fact I annoyed the hell out of him though."

She laughed quietly "considering the relationship the two of you had it doesn't really shock me that you liked the idea of annoying him. But what? Now that I'm not dating Dean you're not taking me out tonight?"

He chuckled "well that depends – can we at least drive past his place so i can show you off before we go for our drive?"

"Exactly where are you taking me?"

"You'll see."

"You know I have to be home for school tomorrow right?"

"You'll be home before 8 in the morning I promise."

A few minutes later Luke broke there conversation "Jess – I need you to look after the place for a minute I need to make a few calls."

Jess sighed and looked at Rory "that means I can't sit here for your entertainment and coffee purposes anymore. I actually have to do things."

Rory smiled "that's cool. My plan is to finish up go to the book store for a bit and then go home. Maybe ring mum before coming back to eat again. Cold pancakes just don't seem to fill me as much as hot ones do."

Jess chuckled and stood up "see you soon then."

"Oh hey question."

He turned back

"Where are we going?"

"I told you I'm not telling."

"But I need to know what to wear?"

"Whatever you want. Not to dressy but…nice maybe"

"Nice?"

"Yeah. …just wear what you want to wear. So long as its not sweats or you're deb ball gown it won't matter too much."

Rory nodded and went back to eating.

What do ya'll think? Thanks for reading please review. Lovelil.