Author's note: This takes place after Help Wanted. Jess has left Stars Hollow after the whole incident with Rory's wrist and Rory did not go to see him in New York.

So… enjoy?

Chapter 1

"Rory Gilmore, Paris Gellar, Brad Houston, and Jake Lagini, please report to the Headmaster's Office immediately."

A pause.

"Rory Gilmore, Paris Gellar, Brad Houston, and Jake Lagini, please report to the Headmaster's Office immediately."

Rory stiffened as she heard her name being called out on the intercom during Physics. The first thought that came into her head was that she was in trouble, but then for what? It's not like she was the type to play a prank or do something that would remotely cause harm to anyone else. She put her hand up.

"Yes, Miss Gilmore?"

Rory blushed as the attention of the class turned to her. "Umm… Mrs. Green, I have to go to the Headmaster's Office."

The teacher nodded, and Rory breathed a sigh of relief as the class's sporadic attention turned back to Mrs. Green. She then packed up her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and walked out of the class to the waiting room for the Headmaster's Office, which was already being occupied by Paris, Brad and Jake.

The secretary, also known as Miss Browning, buzzed the Headmaster's office and kindly informed him that all the students were here. He said that she was to invite them in to his office in two minutes.

Paris turned to Rory. "Oh my god, do you know why we're here? None of these morons-" she pointed towards the vague direction of Brad and Jake "know anything at all, but I'm not surprised because, like I said before, they're morons."

Rory shrugged and said dryly, "It's nice to see you too, Paris."

Paris looked at Rory as if she had grown another head, but before she could reply, the secretary called them into the Headmaster's office.

The four of them went quietly into the office in a straight line, almost entirely convinced that they had done something wrong and was going to be punished for it. They stood in front of Headmaster Charleston's desk, each doing that little thing which betrayed how nervous they actually were. Rory was biting the inside of her bottom lip, Paris was twirling a strand of hair around her index finger, Brad was raising his eyebrows up and down every few seconds and Jake was playing with his crutches.

"Please take a seat," said the Headmaster, motioning casually towards the four chairs that were displayed in front of his desk.

The four students nervously sat down.

"Now, before you begin getting the wrong idea, let me begin by saying that you are not here because you have gotten into trouble," --- an audible sigh collected around the room, and the Headmaster grinned before he continued --- "rather the opposite actually. The four of you have been handpicked to participate in an assignment that I think would be very beneficial for you and your future."

He made a steeple with his fingers. "This assignment is to take place in a juvenile center - the one situated just outside Hartford - and you will become volunteers, helping the boys and girls in there to recuperate and slowly heal from their problem. They have all been placed there for varying reasons - from stealing to drug abuse. They stay there for a time period of a year, and after that they are required to visit once every three months until the person in charge, Mr. Bell, gives them a signed release document."

He paused to make sure that they digested the information. "You will have to sacrifice your Saturday mornings for 10 weeks until the end of the semester, I'm afraid, but it would be worth it. This is, however, not something that everyone would like to do so I understand if you would prefer not to partake in the assignment. For those of you who will, it would be an enriching experience, and you will also gather extra credits in the process."

Jake cleared his throat rather uncomfortably. "Umm, Headmaster, I can't make in on Saturday because I have physiotherapy then."

The Headmaster's gaze turned to Jake. "Ahh, Mr. Lagini. I guess you can go back to class then. Have a nice day."

Jake got out of his chair and with the help of his crutches, walked out of the room. The Headmaster pinned his sharp eyes on the remaining trio.

"I'm assuming that the three of you can make it then."

The three of them nodded, the movement looking extremely robot-like.

"Good, see Miss Browning for further details and a form that your parents will have to sign. I expect that form to be handed back by tomorrow." With a majestic nod of his head and a goodbye, the three left the room in a daze.

Lorelai snorted into her cup of coffee. "I cannot believe that you were bulldozed into that affair by the Head."

Rory nodded sorrowfully. "It's true, mum. I couldn't get a word in edgewise, and he was looking at me with eyes like lasers and it was like 'off with my head' if I couldn't make it."

Lorelai laughed out loud, drawing curious stares from the tables around them. "Oh well, at least you'll have Paris with you."

Rory groaned piteously. "Are you trying to cheer me up or make me go into another state of depression."

"Well, of course I'm trying to… umm… cheer you up!"

Rory glared at her mum suspiciously.

"Really!" exclaimed Lorelai.

Luke came over and handed them their dinner, and that was the end of that conversation.

The next Saturday

* Ring Ring * Ring Ring *

Rory swung her hand haphazardly, trying to hit her alarm clock's snooze button, but failed miserably. She rubbed her bleary eyes, sat up in bed, and looked at the pink flamingo clock that was placed on her bedside table. She hit the snooze button, and looked at the clock. It read 7.00 am. Too early, really, to be awake on a Saturday morning. She was about to go snuggle back under the covers of her bed, when she sprang out of it and ran around the house like a headless chicken. Her aim was to get Lorelai. She found her mother in the kitchen, looking inside the cupboards for something that didn't look as if it had passed its expire date by 2 years.

"Mom!"

Lorelai turned around and gawked at her teenage daughter who currently resembled the Loch Ness monster.

"Rory?!"

"How am I getting to that juvy center?" asked Rory, her eyes wide and her hair practically standing on end.

Lorelai rolled her eyes, and breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't anything more serious. "Oh, you can take the jeep. Hurry, clean yourself up, and let's go to Luke's."

Rory did her clean-up routine faster than normal, although she didn't break the house record of 10 seconds that was held by Lorelai. Then, she burst out of her room, grabbed Lorelai and they drove to Luke's.

Luke came over. "What're you gonna have?"

"Coffee and muffin times two," chirped Lorelai.

"And hurry, please," added Rory. She glanced at her watch and almost yelped. "I have to be at the juvy hall at 8."

Luke glanced at Rory distortedly. "Why the heck are you going there? Did you get into trouble?"

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Luke, you forgot who you were talking to for a minute there. This is Rory, R-O-R-Y. She's doing it for extra credit."

Understanding dawned on Luke. He muttered a 'good luck' to Rory and went off to the counter to pick up some coffee and two muffins. He brought their order to the mother and daughter pair and watched in disbelief as Rory sped out of the diner, carrying the coffee mug and a muffin.

"She just ran out with my coffee mug," said Luke in incredulity.

Lorelai laughed. "Don't worry, she'll bring it back."

"Yeah, but she's turning out to be even more like you. As a matter of fact, I still remember the time you did that. Hey! You still haven't returned it…"

"That wasn't me."

"Oh yes it was."

"I'm going now."

"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late," muttered Rory under her breath as she stepped out of the Jeep. She had found the building with no trouble at all; she just followed Paris' very precise instructions. They were supposed to meet at the person-in-charge's office at precisely 8o'clock. In the parking lot, she had seen Paris's car as well as Brad's. Apparently they had gotten her before she did. "Paris is going to kill me."

She ran towards the building, but almost as soon as she walked into the building, a moving wall bludgeoned her and she fell onto the ground.

She shut her eyes, feeling pain spangle all over her body.

She heard an, "Oh man."

She opened one eye and stared straight into the brown eyes of Star Hollows' very own ex-juvenile delinquent.

"Hey Rory," said Jess quietly.

To be continued…

PS. It's my first fic, so I'd appreciate your feedback. I'd appreciate any feedback actually… heheh… what gives you the idea that I'm desperate for reviews? * angelic smile *

Loadsa luv,

Maia Shazwan aka Shaz