It was Christmas Eve, and The Gilmore's burst into Luke's wearing Santa hats to scare Luke.

"Merry Christmas!" Lorelai exclaimed to the diner as they took a seat at the counter.

"What on Earth are you wearing?" Asked Luke in a sour tone.

"Um, it's a Santa hat. You have been living under a rock too long my friend," she answered, swishing the tail of the hat back and forth for emphasis. Rory laughed and removed her hat.

"Here Luke, you can wear mine," she teased. He declined, and poured them each a cup of coffee.

"What're you getting?"

"Um…I don't know, Rory? what do you think?" Luke huffed.

"I don't know, but I want something with some Christmas spirit!" Luke just looked at them both.

"If you want something with spirit, go to Al's Pancake World, okay?" He walked away from them and Lorelai could here him take orders from the next table.

"Do you think Luke needs a little more holiday cheer?" asked Lorelai.

"No, I think he needs more regular cheer." Lorelai laughed at her answer. Rory heard the bells above the diner jingle, and she turned nervously to see who had entered. She hadn't seen much of Jess since the gathering at her house a week ago. When she did see him, he would simply nod in her direction, and continue whatever he was doing. She didn't even see him go to the bridge anymore.

She let out a sigh when she noticed it was just Ms. Patty. Lorelai noticed.

"Hoping that lover boy will come waltzing through the door?" Rory gave her a look.

"Mom, please. We are not dating, I mean we're barely friends," she let that last part slip out.

"Aw but you said that everything was fixed?"

"Well it's not like just because we're civil I'm going to jump his bones!" Why couldn't her mother see the lack of chemistry between them?

"Ok, ok I got it. So any plans today while I'm at work?"

"Yeah, I'm probably going to hang out at the bookstore for a few hours. Are we still going to the grandparents tonight for dinner?" Lorelai made a gagging motion.

"Yes, and we have to go tomorrow. I don't understand why our presence is needed both days, I mean tomorrow would be plenty for me."

"You're only saying that because you like the apple tarts."

"Duh." Rory laughed at her mother's maturity.

After they ate, Rory left to go to the bookstore, and Lorelai drove off to work. As she walked towards the store, lane came up to her.

"Rory!" Rory smiled. She hadn't talked to her best friend in a while.

"Hey Lane."

"So what's this I here about a new neighbor?" Ah, immediately the subject goes to Jess. Rory frowned.

"Oh, I don't know much. I'll fill you in on the details later I'm actually heading towards Andrew's now." Lane smiled.

"Of course, the heavenly bookstore," she teased. "Well I'm meeting Brian and Zach at the music store to look for some new equipment. We'll hangout later and I want details!" Rory laughed as she watched Lane walk in the direction of the Music store. She reached Andrew's, and was pleased to find it warm and toasty inside. No one was in front of the register so she assumed that Andrew was in the back. She headed towards her favorite section, and selected a handful of books. She read for an hour, and then she wondered around the other shelves until she stumbled upon someone sprawled out in the corner with a Hemmingway book in his hand. He didn't notice her until she let out a surprised gasp. Neither of them spoke for a while.

"Come here often?" she growled, almost angry that he was here. Why? Why did he have to be everywhere she loved to be?

"Only when I need books, or I want to be alone," he put emphasis on the world alone. She shuffled around on her feet.

"You have terrible taste in books," she said after a minute. He looked up at her.

"Are you kidding? You don't like Hemmingway?" she wrinkled her nose.

"He puts me to sleep, he's too bitter…messed up…figures you would like him," she said harshly. He shook his head. Was she really doing this?

"Do you ever just have civil conversations with people? Or do you just attack them until they hate you with every fiber of their being?" He stood up and found himself dangerously close to her. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Civil conversations are for people you find enjoyable to be around! You are just around…always. I get that this is a public place but God I just wish you weren't here!" she tried to keep the volume down, but she couldn't help it. She felt tears brimming at the corners of her eyes, something was wrong and she knew it. He backed away from her and nodded.

"Ah I know what's going on." She gave him a confused look. "You like me. You finally found something that makes me irresistible to you, and you don't want that to happen. If you fall for me, you no longer have the upper hand, and that scares the shit out of you," he whispered, dangerously close once more. Rory gave him a disgusted look.

"I wouldn't get cocky just yet if I were you. Just because you like to read doesn't mean I find you irresistible-"

"Maybe so, but it still makes you like me more than you want to. You should be more like me; I still haven't found something that makes you appealing." His words stung and he knew it. She brushed past him roughly and slammed the door on the way out. He ran a hand through his hair and slumped back to the floor. He couldn't seem to get focused again.

Rory practically ran home. She didn't want anyone to see her crying in the street. Truth was, his last comment had hurt her, and for some reason she felt like she deserved it. Why did she have to be such an ass to him? Was he right? Did she want to make him hate her so she wouldn't like him? She made it to the house and went into the kitchen where her mother was sitting on the phone. She went into her room and decided to take a nap. That was until she heard a loud shout from the adjacent room. She rushed out into the kitchen. Her mother had gone crazy.

"Mom, what the hell?" Rory was in no mood to sugar coat her anger.

"We got out of Christmas eve dinner tonight!" Rory laughed despite her frustration. "Apparently they got invited to a snazzy Christmas Ball so we can have tonight to ourselves!"

"So what do you want to do?" Rory saw her mother's face turn into an evil grin. She knew what she was thinking and tried to stop it. "Mom no-"

"We'll invited Liz and Jess, Babette and Morey over for a party! Ooh! We can invite everyone we know!" Rory felt a little better about this arrangement.

"That sounds great mom." Her mother smiled from ear to ear.

"Perfect! I'll go spread the word! Would you mind going next door to tell Liz?" Lorelai asked with her best puppy dog eyes. Rory's stomach twisted.

"Sure, I guess."

"Great! Now get your butt over there! Tell them we'll start the party at six sharp!"

She dashed through the door and out to her Jeep before Rory could even open the back door. She prayed that Jess was still out, and that all she had to do was talk to Liz.

She timidly knocked on the door, and felt relieved when Liz opened the door.

"Rory! So nice to see you, come in!" Liz stepped aside and led Rory to the living room where she sat nervously on the couch. "Can I get you a drink?"

"Oh no, I'm fine. I've actually come to invite you to something."

"Ah, another one of your mother's fabulous get-togethers," said Liz cheerfully.

"Yes but this will be a big party, we're inviting a lot of people. Tonight at six we're having a Christmas Eve party so you and Jess are welcome to come, if you'd like." Liz smiled.

"Well we wouldn't miss it for the world!" As if on cue, Jess entered through the front door. "Oh Jess come into the living room before you scoot upstairs!" He looked pretty upset, but when he saw Rory, his face hardened. Rory gave a weak smile.

"I think I'll just go upstairs…"

"Oh don't be silly! Rory has some wonderful news!"

"I'm sure it's just dandy, but really I…"

"Jess! Sit!" he obeyed and sat as far away from her on the couch as possible.

"Now, Rory has just invited us to their Christmas party tonight! Isn't that great?" Rory shifted in her seat slightly.

"Oh yea, can't wait." His eyes met hers briefly, and he was reminded of their stupid plan. "I'm sure it will be fun." He smirked and then excused him self. Rory sighed, and told Liz that she would see them at six. After Rory left, Liz went upstairs into Jess's room.

"Jess, I don't know what is going on with you but you need to be nicer to her! She has done nothing but nice things for us-" Jess scoffed.

"Right, I'm sure she's done wonderful things for you."

"Jess, I mean it. Tonight I want you to be pleasant, and nice to Rory. I just don't understand I mean to me you should be lucky to have such a gorgeous girl hanging out with you." Jess rolled his eyes.

"Fine, I'll be nice to her, now please just drop it?" He asked nicely. Liz pinched his cheek and laughed when he scowled. She left him in his room and he let out a loud sigh.

"Okay, chips and dip?"

"Check."

"Pies?"

"Check!"

Sookie and Lorelai were in the kitchen making sure everything was in order. Jackson was working on his vegetable platter and Luke had brought them all dinner.

"Luke where is the coffee?" Luke looked baffled.

"Lorelai you have a full put right there," he said logically.

"Um yea but if you brought some I wouldn't have to make another pot!"

"Oh please you're still going to make three so what the hell does it matter?" Lorelai smiled.

"You're right, thanks for dinner!" he shook his head and went to the stove to help cook. Meanwhile, Rory was in her room.

She had already decided on wearing her Short black dress and a pair of heels. She felt quite dazzling in her mother's diamond earrings and matching necklace. She promised herself that this evening was about enjoyment. She twirled around making her brown locks shake. She walked out to help everyone in the kitchen.

"Ooh someone is looking hot! Trying to impress anyone?" Lorelai teased. She was wearing a dress like Rory's but instead of black, it was a rich red.

"Nah, I just want to have fun," she replied.

"My favorite hobby!" Shouted Sookie from somewhere near the stove. Rory laughed. This was always her favorite time of year.

"Sookie did you leave the Carrots in the trunk?!" Yelled Jackson.

"Oops! Sorry hun, I'll get them." Sookie was about to get up when Rory walked towards the door

"Sookie you stay here, I can get them," she offered.

"Thanks Rory, they should be right in the back seat."

Rory went out to the car and grabbed the box of carrots. When she turned around, she saw a light on next door, and saw Jess pacing in nothing but his dark Jeans. He looked like he had just gotten out of the shower, and she couldn't help but notice how hot he was. She blushed as she realized she had been staring for several minutes. Suddenly, he disappeared from her view and she headed back inside ready to start the party.