Author's Note: Hello all of you lovely people who might be reading this. I would just like to say that I am always thankful for all of the reviews and views that I get on this or any of my other stories. Your reviews make me smile. You guys are awesome. I love hearing your feedback so feel free to keep em coming. Now, to the reason that you're all here.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except seasons one through seven of Gilmore Girls on DVD and unfortunately I'm not affiliated with Milo Ventimiglia in anyway. I do hope to meet him one day though.
Dean made his way to the apartment that Zoey had given him the address to. It looked like a good building and neighborhood. The stairs were a little cumbersome, but that was mostly because he was a little tired from the journey. He easily found the apartment with the right number and rang the doorbell. Dean could hear what sounded like a muffled Zoey. He heard someone making their way to the door. Zoey had told him that she had a roommate, maybe he could meet her today.
Dean smiled as the door opened until he realized that it wasn't his cousin at the door. It was a guy. Worse, it was a guy that Dean had hated some time ago, his anger rekindling. "Jess." He said sharply. "What are you doing here?" He asked pointedly. Jess was already deeply frowning. "I live here. What do want? Oh wait, let me guess.. You're related to Zoey." Dean never brought out the best of Jess and vice versa. Dean simply nodded at Jess and crossed his arms in front of his chest, towering over Jess. "Wow, you really haven't changed much, have you.." He really hadn't missed Dean trying to tower over him and intimidate him, not that it worked before either. Before things got any further, Zoey walked into the living room in soffee's and a tee-shirt that was tied to the side which showed off her flat stomach. "You do not want to go in there.." She chuckled before realizing how tense of a situation she was walking into. "..What's going on?" She asked, looking between the two guys frowning at each other.
"Zo, you didn't tell me you would be living with him. ..And why is he half naked?" Dean said, still outside of the doorway. Zoey looked to Dean confused. "What are you talking about? Jess is a cool guy, and I'm going to assume that he slept like that.." That was when it clicked for her. This was the Jess that 'stole' that Rory girl from him. She had only heard bits and pieces over the years about the infamous Stars Hollow girl, but she honestly couldn't believe that he was still mad about the Rory situation. For all they knew, Rory was happily married somewhere with a kid or two. "Jess, could you maybe give me some time with my cousin?" She asked politely and in the sweetest voice possible.
Jess looked back and nodded. "I have things to do anyways.." With that, Jess stepped back and started walking towards his bedroom. He paused by Zoey and said, "Let me know when he's gone." Zoey nodded, saying that she would as she watched him walk to his room and close the door. A few seconds later, she heard the door slam shut and her attention was back on her cousin. "Wanna sit?" She offered, sitting on the loveseat as Dean walked over and sat next to her.
There was a silence over the apartment for a few seconds. Zoey just assumed that it was because Dean was gathering his thoughts. She looked into his eyes and decided to break the silence. "Dean, there's no way I could have known that this was that Jess. It's all just an honest mistake... That being said, I'm not going to move out of here. This is the best apartment that I've seen and it's reasonable in price. Jess doesn't seem like a bad guy either. We have yet to talk in length about things and get to know each other, but we will. And, as you know, I'm a pretty good judge of character." She finished up as Dean sat and listened.
"...I just don't think that it's a good idea that you live here. You don't know him like I do.. And does your boyfriend know that you're living with a guy?" Dean questioned as he leaned back slightly. Zoey's eyebrows rose. " ..I appreciate that you're trying to look after me, but with all due respect, I am grown up. I've graduated college and I'm trying to find my way in the world. ...I don't know him like you do? Dean. As far as I know, you haven't seen Jess in years. News flash, people change. I doubt that he's the same guy that he was in high school."
"I know that people change, Zo. You aren't the shy and socially awkward teenager you used to be.. I just still have this feeling about him. I don't think that he'll be a good influence on you. I just don't want to see you get hurt and it be because of him. I refuse to let that happen." Dean paused just in time to see Zoey's face lower into the palms of her hands.
"I'm still socially awkward, I'm just not as painful to watch. I've been working on it. I think that I've come a long way since high school..." Dean looked like he wanted to interject something but she wouldn't let him. "I'm still working on becoming my best self. That is something that I will always strive for. And, even though I don't know Jess that well, I think that's something he works on." She paused to take a breath before getting up from the loveseat. "May I speak now?"
Zoey turned to her older cousin and nodded. "I hear you, and I'm happy that you've grown into yourself.." He paused, trying to think of how to word things. Zoey interjected impatiently. "You have but face... but..?" Dean's mouth tightened into a line. "..But. In you finding yourself you've done some not great things.. 'Public indecency while intoxicated' comes to mind.." Zoey's eyebrows rose. "Look at who's talking. At least I was never married and slept with an ex.." A frown instantly became evident on his face. "Zo, I wasn't attacking you. Stop with the verbal jabs.." Zoey conceded and stepped back. "I was just trying to remind you, and tell you to be careful.." Then the room went silent, Zoey honestly didn't know how to reply. A few moments passed before Dean spoke again.
"You never answered my question.." Dean began, his voice a little softer than before. Zoey, who had been looking out the window, turned to face her older cousin. "And which question was that?" Her arms were crossed as she stood and glanced at Dean. "Does your boyfriend know that you're living with a guy?" The question came out innocent enough. Zoey's face softened as her hands went to her sides. "He knows that I'm living with Jess.. but he doesn't know that Jess is a girl." Dean sighed at her response. "I see.. Don't you think that you should tell him?"
"Why? It's not like he cares about me anymore.." She blurted out before she could catch herself. She took a sharp intake of breath as her eyes widened and her hands came up to cover her mouth. "Zo, what do you mean he doesn't care? Did he tell you that? Do I need to kick his ass?" Zoey just stood silent, she hadn't meant for her thought to come out. Dean rose from the couch and embraced his cousin. "Whenever you're ready.. no rush."
Jess hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but Zoey could get pretty loud when she was angry. 'Public indecency? Zoey didn't strike him as the kind of person who would do that.. Dean cheated on his wife? Her boyfriend doesn't know about me... Zoey's relationship seems to be on the rocks..' Jess started to feel for Zoey. He had been in his fair share of relationships that didn't hack it. It hurts if you happen to develop feelings for the person. He guessed that it hurt either way. A breakup was a breakup. Jess got up from his chair by the door to go to his closet. He had to get ready to go to work. If he wasn't careful, he would be late. Matt and Chris were pretty great bosses, but Chris was a stickler for promptness. He quickly changed into a button up shirt and dark jeans. Jess slipped on a newer pair of converse shoes and started to walk out of his room before hearing Zoey's broken voice. "I c-can't do this anymore.. with him.." He stopped cold for a minute before realizing what time it was.
Zoey faintly heard a door in the hallway click open, so she looked back. She wiped her eyes as she realized that it was Jess' door. Jess appeared a second or two later, closing the door behind him. "I'm off to work. Zoey, you have a key. I'll be back later. Text me if you need anything. I'm ten minutes away." He paused and looked back at Dean and Zoey. Zoey had a weak smile on her face, her cheeks were wet, and Dean looked as protective as ever. "Dean. Fun as always. Let's do it again sometime." And with that he was out the door.
Dean turned his attention back to Zoey once the door closed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just blurt that out like that.." She apologised, hugging Dean tight. "No, don't worry about it. It's fine. I'm just happy that I could be here for you." He responded, returning the embrace. Zoey nodded and broke away first. "We should probably go get my stuff before it gets too late.. I trust you brought the trailer?" She looked up at him. "Yeah. I did. Are you going to be okay?" Zoey nodded once more. "Yeah, I'll be okay. I just have to call Robert later.. Now, If you would excuse me. I need to change into something a bit more appropriate for the public." She excused herself to her room where she already had some clothes unpacked. She quickly changed into jean shorts and untied her shirt. She already had her shoes on as she grabbed her phone and her keys. Zoey pressed the home button on accident and saw a message on her phone.
You know where to find me if you wanna talk. -JM
A meek smile resurfaced on Zoey's face as she walked into the living room. She put her phone in her pocket and walked to the front door. "You got everything?" Dean asked. "Yeah, I'm ready when you are." She smiled and lead Dean out the door, shutting and locking it behind her.
So, what did you guys think? I hope that you enjoyed this week's chapter. Don't forget to review! It would be greatly appreciated. Until Next week! I hope that you all are having an awesome day/night!