Chapter 1

Family Reunions

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Amber.

Author's Note: This is going to be a Rory/Jess fic. I don't think I'll pursue Luke/Lorelai (although I truly believe they are meant for each other) because of other things I have planned.  Also, this takes place after the dance marathon- and the episode after that (don't know the name- sorry)  Well enjoy and review!

A young woman, in her early twenties, steps off of a bus with a large duffel bag slung over her shoulder. She has long, curly, very dark hair, and deep brown eyes. 

"Star's Hollow huh?" she mutters to herself, then, looking at the store in front of her, "Doose's Market?"

"Charming isn't it?" Taylor asked, suddenly at her side.

"Oh, uh yeah… the whole town seems to be that way…" the girl replied.

"Oh yes, it most certainly is. I'm Taylor." He said extending his hand, "And you are?"

"Amber." The girl said, shaking his hand.

"Well Amber I certainly hope you enjoy your stay here. Are you here for any reason in particular? Can I help you find someone?"

Amber, a little perplexed (and annoyed) by this man's excessive helpfulness thought for a moment and then decided to let him help her, "Actually yeah, I'd like to find…."  She suddenly stopped, spotting a diner across the street, "You know what? Never mind. I think I just found it."

Amber then left Taylor standing, confused, in front of Doose's as she quickly made her way to Luke's Diner.

"More coffee!" Lorelai demanded of Luke, who scowled at her.

"That stuff will kill you." He said.

"You don't want me to die a happy woman?" Lorelai questioned with mock sadness, as Luke refilled her mug and they both turned to peer out the window. 

"I still can't believe this even happened," Luke admitted, "Why do we let them carry on like that in public?" He said motioning towards Jess and Rory making out outside of the diner.

"Aw, Luke it's fine.  They're kids- it was going to happen eventually."

Luke breathed a heavy sigh and Lorelai pouted, "Poor Lukey… Losing his nephew and the daughter he never had all at once…"

"Have I not told you to quit calling me that?!" Luke said growing angrier.

Lorelai giggled and they both turned away from the window.

Amber paused outside of the diner.  She'd almost run into the two kids making out- one of which she recognized immediately, but didn't say a word.  "It's now or never." She thought, and made her was into Luke's.

Te chime above the door sounded.  No one turned but Lorelai, who saw an unfamiliar face wander aimlessly into the diner.

"Luke." Lorelai said turning back to the counter, "LUKE!"


"What?"

"There's what seems to be a very pretty homeless girl in your doorway…. Go. Bring her some coffee." Lorelai demanded simply.

Luke finally looked up to see Amber standing there.

"Luke!" the girl exclaimed, dropping her bag and racing towards him (which caused all of that morning's customers to drop their forks and watch the scene).  Luke as well, stopped and went to the girl, hugging her tightly, "Amber! Amber honey when did you get here?" he asked, as he pulled away.

"An old flame Luke?" Lorelai guessed, Luke ignored her comment.

"Just now." Amber answered. 

"You okay? Is something wrong? Is it Liz?"  Luke, now, somewhat dazed, asked.

"No, Luke, everything's fine.  I uh, saw her a few days ago.  She's the same. I'm just here to visit. If that's okay…"

"Of course it's okay!"

A confused look grew upon Lorelai's face.  She then cleared her throat and looked expectantly at Luke.  "What?" he questioned, "You're not done with that cup yet!" he said motioning towards her near full cup of coffee.

"No, Lukey. Introduce us." Lorelai demanded.

"Oh. Sorry. Lorelai, this is my niece, Amber. Amber this is Lorelai Gilmore."

"It's good to meet you." Amber said.

"Yeah you too" Lorelai responded, still puzzled, then asked, "Your niece?"

"Yeah." Luke answered somewhat shortly, and Amber turned to him, "I uh, saw Jess…"

"Yeah… You say hi?"

"Nah he seemed a little preoccupied." Amber laughed, "I'm sure I'm not the girl he's interested in seeing right now…"

Luke glanced at the clock on the wall, "Well he's got to go to school soon anyways- go ahead and say hi."

"Okay," Amber agreed and left the diner slowly.

When she was gone, Lorelai said, "Luke I'm confused."

"Jess's her kid brother."

"Ah," Lorelai realized, "You would think a certain coffee-man of mine would have mentioned that."

Luke ignored her comment.

Amber came upon the young couple still bound together outside.

"Ahem." She tried, then louder, "AHEM!"

Neither teen noticed.  Amber gave up, "Jesse Andrew Mariano!" she yelled [made up the middle name] "Could you remove your lips from that poor girl's face for just a moment?"

Rory pulled away from Jess and looked up at him, "Jesse?" she whispered.

"Don't you dare…" Jess warned as he put his arm around Rory's waist and turned to the stranger that had yelled, "What the hell do you think-"

"Boy Jess, you haven't changed much have you?" Amber said with a smirk, not unlike Jess's trademark expression.

Jess's eyes widened, "Amber?" He ran to her and hugged her, "Where have you been?"

She just smiled, "School, mostly.  You going to introduce me to your…. Uhhh…" Amber stumbled for her words, wondering how to finish her sentence in a way that would upset Jess the least.

"Oh, yeah, of course." Jess took Rory's hand and pulled her close to him, wrapping his arm around her wait again, "Amber, this is my girlfriend, Rory Gilmore."

Rory extended her hand, and Amber shook it.

"Ror, this is my sister, Amber." Jess explained, and Rory looked up at him surprised.

Just then Luke and Lorelai emerged from the diner.

"Rory your bus!" Lorelai reminded.

"Oh yeah. Uh, Amber it was nice to meet you.  I'll see you guys later!"  Rory turned to Jess, "Bye."  He kissed her.

"Ewwwww!" Lorelai wailed, then laughed and Rory smiled, "Bye Mom!" and went to catch her bus.

Luke spoke up, "Jess get Amber's bag and bring it upstairs huh?"

"Yeah." Jess gathered his sister's things and carried it inside the diner and up the stairs; Amber followed.

Luke and Lorelai stood outside. "So Jess has a sister?" Lorelai said.

"Yeah.  She's 21. Left home at like 16 and she's been on her own ever since. She's a good kid.  She and Jess were really close.  I know it was hard for him to deal with Liz and Amber leaving all at once."

"I bet. So where's she been all this time?"

"College I think."

"She did that all by herself?"

"Yeah."

"Good for her."

"Yeah. I know Liz is proud of her… she just can't say it you know?"

"Yeah…" Lorelai paused, "Listen I better get to the Inn before Michel burns it down."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later."

Lorelai got started to leave but stopped, "Hey Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad she's here. Go. Demand everyone leave and have yourself a nice little family reunion."

"Thanks Lorelai."

Lorelai smiled, and walked home to get her Jeep and go to work.  When she got there, she ran right into a man waiting by her car, "Oh, I'm sorry," She gasped, "Christopher?"

"Hey Lor."