All I Want

Spilling The Tea

Dean knew that one of the things Rory hated most was his temper, so he was doing his best to keep it in check, but the questions he had were eating at him and Jess Mariano the new guy in town, and Luke's nephew was doing nothing to help. Twice he'd made himself at home at their table making it clear that he and Rory were friends... yet another part of Rory's life that Dean knew nothing about.

"So you and that guy Jess are friends?" Dean asked deciding to start out with the softball questions instead of the hard hitting ones he really wanted to ask.

Rory took a sip of her coffee before answering.  She sensed she was in for an inquisition of sorts and wanted to make sure she said the right things.  "No... I mean not really. We've talked a couple of times that's all." 

"Well, he seems to think you are best buds and that he knows all your secrets," Dean replied.

"It's cause I do," Jess answered coming up behind an unsuspecting Dean. " More Coffee... or maybe a croissant? You look like a croissant kind of guy." 

"No. I'm good. In fact, we are both doing just great, so maybe you could help some other people instead of hovering over Rory," Dean said annoyed and not at all in a polite manner. 

"I could actually use a little more coffee," Rory said somewhat meekly.

"See... the lady needs her java," Jess replied smugly.

"Here you go Rory," Jess said as he made a show of pouring her more coffee to the point he ended up spilling it over the rim of the cup."

"Terrific... I don't suppose you have any napkins to clean it up," Dean stated more than asked.

"Got my handy dandy washing rag right here sir," Jess said in his best country bumpkin drawl. " Let me clean her right up for ya... better to spill the coffee than the "tea" don't you think Rory?

Jess was baiting Rory and she was just about to shin kick him under the table for it as he slowly and methodically used his rag to wipe up the spilled coffee.  

"What's he talking about Rory, seems pretty clear now that you do have some secrets that he's dying to spill."

All Rory could think at that moment was 'what did Jess know'...  obviously having eavesdropped on her and Lane the other day he knew about Tristan.

"Rory?" Dean tried again in an attempt to break her silence on the issue.

"Reel it in dude. I'm just messing with you," Jess said finally letting Rory off the hook. I've talked to her maybe twice, three times if you're counting today and all were to get her order.

"What the hell dude?" Was all Dean could muster confused by the little show Jess had just put on.

"Better keep an eye on this one, Rory, he's got a bit of a jealous streak in him," Jess stated part kidding and part not.

"Yeah, well you are all a**hole," Dean retorted.

"Ooooh good comeback my man, not sure how I'll recover from that," Jess said laughing as he picked up his rag and walked away leaving a steaming Dean.

"Promise me you will stay away from that jerk," Dean said as soon as he was sure Jess was out of earshot.

"I can't actually make that promise," Rory replied.

"Why not? Dean asked. Rory could see that Dean's temper was clearly beginning to rise.  "Because I promised Luke I would get to know him and make him feel welcome.