"Well I think we got ourselves one mighty good president. That fancy school will love looking at it for two seconds before throwing it in the dumpster that holds all our hard work," Jess said later as they were finishing up.

"That's the attitude," Rory said getting things put away.

"And we even managed to talk about Adams at least half the time."

"Well we're very impressive aren't we?"

"I'll say. So, your going to Luke's?"

"Yeah, why? Are you going to put a bucket of water over the door or something?"

"Why would I do that?"

"I don't know. You tell me. Why do you hate Dean?"

"This is a topic that's already gotten old."

"Fine. Give me a sec?" Rory said, getting the phone to call Dean. Jess sat at the table and listened.

"Hey, it's me. No it's okay, let's just meet there. Really, it's okay. Bye."

As she walked in he tried to act like he hadn't been listening. "So, you coming?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Well we're both going so we might as well walk together," she said, heading for the door.

He grinned and got up to follow her.

[walking to Luke's

"So, is your mom seeing anyone?" Jess asked.

Rory gave him a disgusted look. "Why you interested?"

"Oh, no. I'm not much good at small talk."

Rory grinned. "You'll get better."

"What makes you think that?"

"Living in this town, you'll learn."

Jess rolled his eyes. "Can't wait."

"Yeah, this whole town is insane. In a good way."

"So, how long have you been with this Dean?"

"You said his name, I'm impressed."

"Throw me a bone."

"It's been 3 months. Our anniversary is next week."

"Hm."

Rory sighed. "Ever read Howl?"

"It's one of my favorites."

"To mock or to read?"

"Read."

"Me too," Rory said as they approached Luke's. "You know you can eat with us if you want."

"Nah. I have to work."

"Where you work?"

"Luke's."

Rory grinned. "You going to wear an apron and everything?"

Jess shook his head and opened the door for her, the room going silent as they entered.

"Hey," Rory said, Dean giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"Hey," he said, watching Jess as he went behind the counter.

"So, let's sit."

"Yeah, sit."

"What do you want?" Jess said, coming over to take their order.

"Ice cream," Dean said, staring Jess down.

"One bowl so you can feed each other?" Jess said, scribbling something down.

Dean glared. "Why not? After all, she is my girlfriend."

"No reason I can think of," Jess said, going to get the ice cream.

"It's taking all I can not to kick this guy's ass," Dean said once he was gone.

"Dean, no," Rory said, grabbing his arm.

He pulled it away. "Why you defending him?"

"He didn't do anything wrong!"

"He's messing with me."

Rory sighed. "Dean, please."

Jess came over and set the ice cream down. "Now don't get too crazy you kids."

"What's your problem man?" Dean said, standing up.

"Dean no!" Rory yelled, standing up.

"No problem here, everything's dandy," Jess said, stepping back.

"What you afraid of me or something?" Dean said, hovering over him.

"Dean stop," Rory said, grabbing his arm.

"Stay out of this," Dean said, shaking his arm free of her.

Tears welled up in her eyes as Dean punched Jess smack in the face and he fell to the ground.

"Oh my God," Rory said, tears streaming down her face as she went to help Jess.

"I've lost my appetite," Dean said, leaving.

"No, Dean, stop," Rory said, sitting down on the floor next to Jess.

He sat up, his left eye closed and red. "Is it my blurry vision or are you crying?"

Rory wiped away her tears. What was she, 3? "No, I'm fine."

"Because you so sound it."

"Are you okay?"

"Fine."

"Because you so look it," Rory said, a grin spreading across Jess's face. "I'll get you some ice. Where's Luke?"

"Out," Jess said as Rory stood up.

"Well your very descriptive," Rory said, going behind he counter. This was liberating. She grabbed some ice and went and stood by Jess. "You going to sit there all night or do you need a hand?" she said, reaching her hand out.

Jess reached up and grabbed her leg, on accident of course, pulling her down.

"Hey that was my leg," Rory said, laughing.

"My bad," Jess said.

"It's okay," Rory said, putting the ice up to his eye.

"I'm a big boy. I can hold it myself," Jess said, grabbing the ice pack.

"So, can you see any better?"

"Nope. Still beautifully blurry."

Rory was glad he couldn't see because she felt her face go red. "This isn't so bad."

"What isn't so bad?"

"The floor. I should try doing things on the floor more often."

"It's an evolution."

"I think so."

"So, you mentioned Howl?"

"Yeah."

"I could put some notes in the margins for you, if you'd like," Jess said, scooting closer to her.

"That'd be good," Rory said, in a daze as she leaned in herself.

"How good?"

"Good," Rory said, feeling his breath on her face they were so close.

"Very good," Jess said, grinning, their faces less than an inch apart as their lips gently touched.

Rory's whole body tingled as Jess put his hand on her cheek, when the door flew open.

She turned her head, and they flew apart, trying to act normal.

"What the hell are you doing on the floor?" Luke said.

Jess sighed.

"I have to go," Rory said, standing up and running out the open door.

"Upstairs, now," Luke said, setting some things down and going up.

Jess stood up and looked around, seeing the melted bowl of ice cream, and grinned to himself before heading upstairs.