Hello Friends!

Oh dear, how long has it been?

A very long while yes I know, and I apologize for the delay. This story was meant to be a summer project, until I found out that I had to take summer sessions at school and also work full time while I was at it. Suffice it to say, not the best writing conditions even though I promised a full-fledged story for you all to read. But believe me when I say, I have been so eager to write this story, not only for you all, but for me as well. I knew this project was going to take time, but now that I know I have time, I will do my best to update with a more regimented schedule. So bear with me, I still have a bit of stuff on my plate, but I am working towards trying to get a chapter a month out to you, and hopefully when the dust settles I can bump that up to two chapters a month. And I will also work on getting your questions answered if you do have any!

So without further ado, here is chapter two, and I really hope you like it, because some of my favorite OG's (original characters) get a little more of the limelight this time around!

Disclaimer: Again, I do not own Gilmore Girls, I'm just a devoted fan who is eager to continue the story even after years of being off the air.

Chapter Two:

Arthur's POV:

It's one of those evenings I guess. The odd lulls that occur every once in a while.

There's nothing else to do in the diner except clean the counter for the millionth time on my shift, while I wait for closing time to inevitably come my way. I look out the window and watch as the sun sheds its light through the now naked trees, hoping that it will set quickly so the shift can end faster.
But of course, there is a small upside to tonight's shift, and she just so happens to be sitting at the end of the bar, reading one of the thickest books I've ever seen in my life.
Tonight her hair is down, and her bangs are constantly aggravating her because they are blocking her ability to read whatever that dreadful looking book is. To the side of her book is a notebook that she is hastily scribbling in, making it seem as if she'll miss massive amounts of information if she doesn't read and write at the same time. At this point, the spot on the counter I've been cleaning is severely polished, but for some reason I keep cleaning and staring at the beautiful girl at the end of my bar. Surely there are unfinished accounts to organize or ketchup bottles to be refilled, but none of that is nearly entertaining than watching Francine Remington have a subtle yet visible panic attack over her homework.

After a few minutes of tense silence on Francie's part, she finally gives up and viciously throws the pen on her notebook and slams the heinous book closed. "It's hopeless," she mumbles as she rubs her exhausted, yet beautiful green eyes.

I smile over at her sympathetically, and feel it's time to intervene with a piece of apple pie.

"What seems to be the trouble sweetheart," I ask as I slide over a slice of pie towards her and quickly top it off with a hefty amount of whipped cream.

Francie looks at the pie and begins to pick at it in sad defeat. "It would seem that I am illiterate when it comes to the works of Shakespeare, which means I am not going to pass the one class I need to do well in in order to even be considered for a graduate program. And the fact that I'm a woman doesn't help matters either, because of course Francine Remington can't continue her education alongside the male population because her destiny is to birth pretty red-haired children with a Yalie. At least that's what my future is going to look like all because I can't seem to understand an old English fart's plays!"

Francie's rant ends with her stuffing her face with a generous forkful of pie, and I wait for her to swallow before I respond.

"Frannie, you know those things aren't true right? You are one of the smartest people I know. Not one of the smartest women, but one of the smartest people. And you can do this, you just have to believe you can, and accept a bit of help when it's offered."

Francie 'hurrumphs' and continues massacring the pie. "And who would waste their time trying to help 'The Smith College Failure Soon to Be Dropout'?"

I smile at her as I offer her some extra napkins and a glass of milk. "I would."

Francie laughs lightly and re-opens her book. "Arthur, I can't make you do that. You have to run this diner and what about your own school work? I can't have you sacrificing your time when it could be spent doing more important things."

I reach for the book, close it, and spin it around so it's facing me. "This is important. 'The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Book One.'"

I look up at her and see her grimace at the title and lunge for another forkful of pie.

"Ambitious are we?"

Francie slumps in her stool and leans her head on her hand. "I told you, it's for class."

"Why didn't you say you were having trouble with Shakespeare? You know I went on a Shakespearean binge for the majority of this year."

Francie grimaces as she reaches for the book that I have taken hostage. "I didn't want to be a bother Art. Emily also suggested I ask you, but I know how busy you are."

I take the book away from her a second time and open it to the dog eared section that Francie has marked, and find that she has started with Much Ado About Nothing.

A favorite.

"I can help you with this," I say sternly.

"You don't have to Art..."

"Will you please stop being so humble and be a little selfish for once? I wantto help. And you're just going to have to accept that because I am not taking 'No' for an answer."

Francie gives me one of those quizzical stares that usually scares me because I could swear she was trying to analyze my soul when she stared that intently at me. It's when her nose begins to un-wrinkle when I know she has accepted the fact that I will not budge on this.

"Fine," She responds and shows me the area she is having trouble with. "I was doing fine for the first few lines in Act One, Scene One until I got to this part when Benedick is speaking to Don Pedro and Claudio about women, and I just can't seem to grasp what he means."

I read over the lines and remember reading these a few months ago at the beginning of summer. I smile at the pages because I remember finding this particular passage a funny yet sincere testament to Benedick's character throughout the play.

"Well I understand why you would be frustrated. This is quite a difficult passage, but I'll show you how we can de-construct it. We will do it line by line."

"But won't that take forever?"

I shake my head. "Not necessarily. If you are open to meticulous reading, then you're halfway done with your task. Allow yourself to be open to the text. That's the only way you'll be able to fully understand it. And soon you'll find that meticulousness will pay off in the grades that you receive. Trust me Frannie, it will be worth it."

Francie looks up from the book and gives me a big toothy grin. "What would I do without you Art?"

I look away from her perfect mouth and begin underlining the most difficult parts of the passage so we can tackle them one by one.

I did sincerely want to try and help Francie, but in doing so, I found that I put myself in some mighty fine trouble that entailed helping the beautiful red-head who was-it's safe to say-completely out of my league.

O~O~O~O

Emily's POV:

The beginning of September was without a doubt one of the coldest times in Northampton. I couldn't quite grasp how one made it through this weather alive, and yet here I was, walking the path to Albright House, hoping and praying that the girls in Albright had the decency to start the furnace. Albright House was one of my favorite places at Smith College. As much as I loved my house, the girls in Albright were more fun and fashionable then all the girls living on campus. It's probably why Cat fit in so well with them.

I could hear the click of my heels adopt a faster rhythm as I seemed to unconsciously pick up the pace towards the quaint light blue house with the cute porch swing out front. When I reached the door, I knocked on the white door and waited impatiently for someone to answer.

Through the door I could hear someone's heels coming down the wooden stairs and begin to unlock the door. The first thing I saw of the person was hair.

Bright blonde hair that continued for ages. The next thing I noticed was the bright white smile lined with bright red lips and her long lanky arms reaching for me in order to grip me in a gut-wrenching hug.

Catherine always gave hugs that could kill.

"Sweet Em! How are you?!"

Cat swung me back and forth in her arms and I found myself slowly losing the ability to breathe. "Cat, honey, I'm fine, but I won't be if you don't let me go."

Cat squealed loudly into my ear and did not let me go. "Sweet Em, I've missed you so much! But there is so much to tell! Come with me dear!" Cat let me go and replaced her grip on my hand as she pulled me up the stairs and into her room that was cluttered with clothes. She pat an empty patch on her bed while she sat on her coats that were scattered all over the place.

"So Em, how was your summer? Was it just fabulous? I heard you snatched yourself a beau, but that's just hearsay from the Constance twins and lord knows you can never trust those girls, so I couldn't be quite sure, and of course I would be most upset if you didn't tell me if you had a beau, considering I am one of your closest friends on this planet Earth and the twins are just...not."

I smiled at Cat and her fabulous ability to talk through run on sentences without taking a breath and take off the hat that I've been wearing. "No, no signs of any beau's in the near future. And I quite like it that way."

Cat rolled her eyes at me and proceeded to re-apply her red lipstick, which had become quite a bad habit of hers in the last few months. I was worried her lips would fall off if she continued this way.

"Sweet Em, you are one of the prettiest, sweetest dears I know. Why is it that you haven't gotten yourself someone who will treat you right?"

"I could ask you the same question."

Cat shrugged and set her lipstick in her skirt pocket. "Oh no one is worrying about my prospects here. But you Em, I know you. You act like a strict goody-goody, but deep down you want a boy who can make you blush and make your heart flutter. It really is quite sensational. I could write a romance novel out of it. Leave it to me Sweet Em, I will find you someone."

I gave Cat a stern glare. "Cat, you and I both know your taste in men is horrendous. Why don't we stop with all the meddling and try to get your grades up for this semester?"

Cat got up from the bed and walked over to her closet and whined, "Oooh Emily must you be so stern with me? I want you to have adventure. Lord knows you need some fun. I'm still quite hurt that you rejected my offer to go to Italy with me this summer."

"That's because I knew it would end in a marvelous catastrophe."

Cat 'tisked' from her closet as she tried on hat after hat. "You exaggerate Sweet Em. You would've had the most fun with me. It just so happens that I had a small rendezvous with a lovely fisherman from the Mediterranean coast. He was quite a darling. And a fabulous kisser."

Cat laughed at her frivolity, while I tried not to chastise her too severely.

Clearly, this method was a failure. "Cat I don't want to be the concerned mother in this situation, but are you joking?"

Cat shook her head causing her perfect blonde curls to sway and bounce. "No, his name was Luigi, and at first I thought 'What a ridiculous name, Luigi,' but then he showed me his pathetic fisherman's boat and I thought, 'Well isn't this just fine? Why not a perilous boating adventure in the Mediterranean with a young man named Luigi who doesn't speak a lick of English, but is fluent in the language of love...and fish of course. You should've seen me Em! I now know the different varieties of Mediterranean fish and that one should not drive a boat whilst tipsy. I came back a changed woman. With a slightly fishy smell, which was the only downside."

As one of Cat's closest friends, I always felt that some of Cat's antics warranted great amounts of worry and chastising. And one of the main reasons for this worry was because Cat came from very old money and an equally as old family name. Cat, of course, didn't seem to care for this, but, as her friend, someone had to make sure she wasn't...catering to the needs of others in...salacious ways. "Cat please tell me you didn't..."

Cat gave me a confused look and I tried to explain. "You know, that you didn't...with the fisherman..."
Cat finally understood what I was trying to say and began to laugh hysterically. "Emily! Of course I didn't. What do you take me for dear? Luigi and I were merely kissing partners, no more. But now that you mention it..."
Cat walked over to the bed, sat next to me and looked at me as if she had top secret information she wanted to share. "Now, I'm telling you this because you are one of my best friends, and I know you won't judge too severely about what I'm going to tell you, but I went to the doctor about three weeks ago and I was able to procure what most would call a few controversial items..."

I looked at Cat with a confused look on my face.

"You know Sweet Em, The Pill."

"The...the what?"

"The Pill, you haven't heard of it? It really is quite fascinating, people have been making such a storm about it, but it really is quite clever, and since I am technically an adult, I was able to get a prescription and viola!"

When I finally realized what Cat was saying, I shot up from the bed and put my hands to my mouth to prevent the screaming and inevitable condoning. I began to walk back and forth trying to gather my thoughts, but they were all so incredibly jumbled.

"You can't mean...the birth control pill can you? Please tell me that's not what you're referring to?"

'Nope that is exactly what I am referring to! Come now Em, you must know this will revolutionize the name of 'Woman' in society as we know it for the better!" She said as she jumped from the bed while clapping her petite pale hands from excitement.

"Are you insane, it will make everything worse! How did you even get a hold of a prescription? Surely your doctor would have been adverse to such actions."

"Well he wasn't, albeit he was a bit judgmental, but he didn't put up a fight."

"Catherine this is serious! Mother and I have had long conversations about this and how detrimental it is to a woman's reputation especially if that woman just so happens to be unmarried! What if people find out, and your name in our society is tarnished forever! Do you want that? People will point at you and say, 'There goes Catherine Pierce the...the easy one...'" I spoke that last part in a whisper for fear that the world and God could overhear this conversation.
Cat only laughed at my worry and walked over to where I was standing. "It is just like you to worry so unnecessarily. Darling, my parents are hardly ever in my life, the only thing reminding me of their existence is their pretty money deposited in my account once every month. So I've learned quite quickly how to take care of myself. Despite my flippant demeanor and sometimes frivolous ways, I know how to be responsible about this, even though some would say I am not capable of such actions. It is completely safe, and the only people that know about this are my doctor and you. Now, I know I have the confidentiality of my doctor, and I know that you will keep this safe even from Francie. What people don't know, people don't see and therefore cannot judge. So believe me, I will be okay."
I could feel how my eyebrows had furrowed high up on my forehead, but looking at Cat and how sincere she was being made me relax...but only slightly.
Cat gave me a hopeful smile, and if she was any other person I would slap that smile right off her face.
But she was Cat. My bosom friend who knew all my secrets, and it was only fair that I kept this one, no matter how much I disagreed with it.
I raised my index finger as if I was about to conduct an orchestra with it and said, "You have to swear to me you will be careful. And just because I am saying this doesn't make it okay to me, just know that. But if you decide to act on this...you must promise me you will be safe and careful, and that you will come to me if something happens."
Cat's smile widened as she pulled me in for another gut wrenching hug. "Thank you Sweet Em. For being such a worry wart, but I will be careful if that makes you feel better."

I hold Cat close and sigh. "I know there is nothing I can do to change your mind, so the only thing I can do is worry. But you're right, you have all the capabilities of being a responsible adult, and I trust you."

Cat let me go and began to jump up and down almost as if she needed to use the lavatory. "Now let's not waste time on silly conversations and go to Celia's. I am dying for Howard's famous Double Decker!"

Cat put on a grey overcoat that was on the bed and one of the hats she was trying on before she dropped such tremendous news on my conscience. She then grabbed my hand and I had no other choice but to follow her out the door and to the diner.

Francine's POV:
Once I procured Arthur's help, things began to fall right into place. It was like Arthur could speak two languages and was then able to translate all my unknowns into a language I could finally understand. I couldn't help but wonder if Arthur had other-worldly powers and he was an angel sent from Shakespearean Heaven. We were now taking a break from deciphering Much Ado About Nothing and I felt like I finally had the hang of it. I had made it through three acts, which was a great feat, considering Arthur had to leave me to my own devices from time to time to serve customers throughout his shift.
It was now getting dark outside, which meant Arthur was back at my end of the bar, trying to create a case for Benedick and his surly attitude towards love.
"But he is such a horrid character Arthur! I don't know how you can stand him," I said as I took a sip of the coffee Arthur poured for me a few minutes ago.
"He is nothorrid, he's just...careful is all."
"Oh please! The man is so surly and pessimistic about love, it's a miracle he even ends up with Beatrice, which, by the way, I still don't believe. You must be lying about the ending."
"I am an honest man Francie. You wanted to know the ending and I told you. Beatrice and Benedick end up getting married and there really is nothing you can do about it." I could hear laughter in Arthur's voice, and felt the overwhelming need to throw my pen at him.
"Liar! How could such a vivacious and strong headed woman end up with such a silly and may I say irritating fellow? I won't believe it until I read it."
Arthur smiled at me as he leaned against the counter. As he did so, I noticed the way his button down shirt hugged his arms and how there was visible muscle underneath his sleeves.
"All I'm saying Fran, is that there is a lot of justification for the way Benedick acts in the play."
Arthur's voice took me out of my daydreaming, and I looked down at my notebook in embarrassment while I gathered my thoughts. "I...I quite disagree with you on that front."
Arthur began to laugh at me, which I had come to loathe because it made me feel foolish.
"Don't mock me you goon!"
Arthur raised his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, it's just that your nose always wrinkles when you get angry over people disagreeing with you is all." He reached his hand out and smoothed his knuckle down my nose and I couldn't help but find his playful antics rather unsettling.
"See, all smooth, which means you can't be too cross about our differences in opinion," he said quietly as he leaned his elbows more on the counter, thus bringing his face a tad bit closer than was proper to my face.
I swallowed involuntarily and tried to gain control over the part of my brain that was responsible for speech. "Well then, do tell, how do you justify Benedick's actions?"
"It's simple really," Arthur replied in a quiet tone as he stared at me. "He is one of the only truly real characters in the play."
"How so?"
Arthur shrugged, pushed off the counter and grabbed a rag to clean it for the billionth time that night. "He's skeptical of everything, especially relationships. Look at the way he treats love and compare it with the way Claudio treats it. Claudio is a very 'in the moment' character when he sees Hero. He doesn't care to form a bond with her or even see if they have anything in common. Benedick on the other hand...he's more skeptical of love. He'd rather not love at all then risk his heart if said love just so happens to be a ruse or a failure, and I respect that I guess."

I look at Arthur who is intently focused on rubbing the counter right off. "But...how will you ever know if you're capable of love if you never try?"

"It's not about the capability to love. He doesn't deny the existence of love. He does, though, deny the method in which one gets to love. He's not one to jump in head-first and then find out his actions were all for nought because he was too hasty in his actions. Just look at the defamation of Hero in the wedding scene. That's what rushed love leads to."

I can't help but find Arthur's attitude a bit saddening. "I guess I see your point..."

"But remember Fran, interpretation is everything. One could have just as much justification to believe that Benedick is just a witty idiot who doesn't know how to shut the hell up."

I began to laugh and watched as Arthur's serious demeanor returned to a playful one again.

"What's so funny in here?"

I swiveled in my stool and faced the entrance of the diner and found Catherine and Emily standing there.

"Cat! Oh my goodness how are you?"

Cat yanked me into a tremendous hug and then proceeded to sit next to me. She gave Arthur a quick scan before she looked over at me again. I always seemed to forget that Cat and Arthur didn't get along. Cat always said that he was "too common" for her blood.

Emily took off her coat and sat on the seat next to Cat and gave a quick smile to Arthur. It looked like Emily had a lot on her mind, but before I could address anything, Cat began to laugh at something.

"Oh little Arthur, please tell me you're not still pining over our pretty little red-head? It's getting rather pathetic don't you think?"
Oh dear, the match had begun early this time round. I tried to defuse the tension and gave Arthur a reassuring grin that said that I knew Cat was only being mean, and that there was no truth to her accusations. "Ignore Cat, Arthur. She's a naturally prickly person."
I watched as Arthur set the rag down demurely on the counter, and how a grin began to slowly spread on his face. Oh this wasn't good...

Arthur shrugged nonchalantly and gave Cat a playful grin with a tint of malice. "Don't worry about me Fran. I would be bitter too if my Daddy had to buy me a new nose."

Oh! Oh no!

Emily almost spewed out her water from trying to hold in her laughter, and Arthur was getting a kick out of the shocked look on Cat's face.

Suddenly, I felt someone smack me on my arm, and saw that Cat was trying-but failing-to attack me with her clutch. "That was supposed to be a secret!"

"You told Emily too, I didn't think it was a big secret!"

Arthur continued to laugh while Cat touched her nose self-consciously. "Stop! It's a fairly new procedure and sooner rather than later everyone is going to have them! Oh stop laughing you git!" Cat tried to smack Arthur with her clutch but missed, due to Art's fast reflex. The goon kept laughing as Cat tried to get around the counter to make him stop making fun of her, but it was to no avail. Arthur was in hysterics and was now trying to find sanctuary in the storage room.

"Careful there sweetheart or that thing just might fall off!"

"You are such an ass!"

I couldn't help but join in the laughter, and internally I prayed that Cat got one good smack in.

A/N: Alright GG friends! Hope you enjoyed today's chapter, and I promise promise that I am working hard to get chapter three out to you! I really do hope you all are enjoying some characters outside of the GG-verse, and I will try to incorporate as many GG characters as I can, but seeing as this took place way before any Gilmore Girls episodes, I hope you are all okay with the OGs I am introducing!

I was asked a little while back if I had anyone dream casted for the characters I have in the story thus far, and thankfully I do! So I wanted to share them with you, and I'll link them with IMDB profiles if you care to see:

Emily- young Marion Cotillard (there's a beautiful black and white photo series of her where she is the exact image of Emily Gilmore, I swear she is so beautiful): name/nm0182839/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Francine- Holland Roden: name/nm1555699/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Arthur- Sam Palladio: name/nm4112253/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Catherine- January Jones (with slightly longer blonde hair of course): name/nm0005064/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

More to come: Different oufits that the girls and fellas wear, as well as Emily's "blue dress" Richard can't resist when he finally knows he's falling for our girl!

For the next chapter, we're going to get a little bit of Richard's POV, which I am super excited to share with you! And I'll have my dream cast for him and his side of the story along with the chapter!

See you all next time!

Love,

Priscilla