(A/N: I realize that, since this takes place in season 2 of GG, Lorelai should be engaged to Max Medina. However, because I feel so compelled to have her date David (look at the show: for a scientist, he's a real ladies' man), let's just assume that Lorelai and Max didn't kiss at Chilton and instead decided to part on amicable terms. Also, I've decided to make Logan old enough to actually be working for his father and doing the various things here that even he wouldn't be doing at 16. Please Read & Review.)

LaGuardia Airport, New York City, New York

"Jack?" said Logan, gently shaking McGee's shoulder, "Jack? We're here."

The sleeping McGee slowly opened his sunken eyes and said, "Where are we, again?"

"LaGuardia," said Logan, "It's our last connection to Hartford."

They got off the plane quickly and headed for the next terminal. The flight was fairly short, and they were in Connecticut within hours. Jack tried to keep up with Logan as they ran to the baggage claim to get their luggage, but he found himself constantly distracted by a strange sensation in his brain.

It's gotta be the Hulk, thought McGee, leaning heavily on his cane, I haven't felt this in years. McGee was so distracted that he barely noticed when he walked straight into a woman.

"I'm terribly sorry," he said, helping her to her feet, "I hope you're not hurt – "

"You're lucky I'm not," said the woman with a voice that sounded like nails on a chalkboard, "I suppose that wherever you're from, everyone just walks around without a care in the world, paying no mind to whomever might be in front of them!"

"Alright, look, lady," snapped McGee, but before he could finish that sentence, Logan came running up.

"I'm sorry about my grandfather," said Logan, quietly, "The dementia makes him a little cranky."

"Well," said the woman with a sigh, "I suppose that there's no harm done. Young man, do I know you from somewhere?"

It suddenly clicked in his mind that he was speaking to Emily Gilmore! He'd met her when her husband had done some legal work for his father. He figured that this probably wasn't the best situation to be caught in, so he lied.

"No, ma'am," he said with a shake of his head, "I don't think so."

Emily just shrugged and continued toward the exit.

"Why'd you lie to that woman, Huntzberger?" asked Jack when they got to their rented car a few minutes later, "I'd know a spark of recognition anyway, and you've met her before."

"Her name is Emily Gilmore," said Logan, "Her husband worked with my dad at some point, and we met at one of my mom's DAR functions."

"I hate those high-society types," said McGee, "I mean, who does she think she is, the Queen of Sheba? For two cents, I'd tell her to – "

"Easy, Jack," said Logan, "I don't want to have to take you to the hospital when we've been in the state for only about five minutes."

McGee grumbled something along the lines of "Wake me when we get to Hartford" and closed his eyes, falling asleep soon after.

Stars Hollow High, Stars Hollow, Connecticut

Just ten more minutes, thought Dean. Normally, Shop, his last class of the day, was his favorite, but today was really tiring, and all he wanted to do was go home and sleep.

"Look alive, Forrester!" shouted the teacher, Mr. Leonard, from across the room. Dean shook his head and went back to focusing on the dartboard he was making. When it was finished, the teacher came over to inspect it.

"Hmm . . . You cut the wood a little crooked here, here, and here," he said, pointing out the areas, "Nice job, but you'll have to do better if you wanna be a finish carpenter, Forrester."

"Yes, sir," said Dean.

Leonard grunted and said to the class, "Listen up! I'm tired of dealin' with you, so just leave early." The class cheered, put away their safety gear, and dashed out the door.

When Dean got outside, he was surprised to see Rory waiting for him.

"Rory!" he said, walking up to her, "Aren't you supposed to still be at Chilton?"

"It was a half-day," she replied, "so I thought I'd come by and surprise you."

"I hate surprises, Rory," said Dean, smiling rakishly.

"I'm so sorry," said Rory, pursing her lips into a sexy pout that made Dean go weak in the knees.

Without further ado, they sat down under a nearby tree and began to make out. After about five minutes, they came up for air.

"Where did you learn to do that?" asked a slightly panting Rory, feeling unseasonably warm.

"What?" asked Dean, confused.

"That thing where you inhaled when our lips were just about to touch. It literally took my breath away."

Dean shrugged and said, "Just a happy accident, I guess."

They sat there for a while until Dean said, "My parents are goin' out tonight, and Clara's sleeping over at a friend's. You wanna, maybe, come over and hang out?"

Rory kissed him again and said, "Will there be more of this?"

"There will be more of this," said Dean, a little too excitedly.

"Then I'll be there," said Rory.

She checked her watch and said, "I have to go now, Dean. I promised Jess I'd help him study."

Dean nodded and said, "I have to get to work. See you tonight."

"Okay, baby," she said, kissing him on the check.

Rory walked into Luke's a half-hour later, surprised to find that a radio was on and was playing music for the whole diner.

"What's this?" she asked Jess, who was standing behind the counter.

"Bob Seger's Night Moves," said Jess, "but the worst is about to come."

Rory was about to ask what he was talking about, but she was cut off by the sound of someone singing along to the radio, and not very well at that.

"Workin' on our Night Moves," sang Luke to him as he brought a couple their food, "Tryin' to make some front-page drive-in news . . ."

Jess gestured with his head that they should go upstairs, and Rory followed eagerly.

"That was, bar none, the scariest thing I've ever seen," said Rory when Jess shut the door.

"I think I preferred it when he was yelling at me," said Jess.

"Anyway, we have to get to work," said Rory, clearing off a table for their books.

Jess sat down next to her and said, "You finish Sexus yet?"

"Yeah," she said, taking it out of her bag, "At first, I was a little weirded out, 'cause I've never read anything that . . . licentious."

"I felt that way when I first read it," said Jess.

"It wasn't just that, though," said Rory more quietly, "I liked it. The way it made me feel so . . ."

"Hot?" guessed Jess, moving closer to her.

Rory nodded and said, "I've never been turned on by a book before." A second later, Jess' lips captured Rory's in a searing kiss. They moved to the couch when suddenly Rory jumped up.

"We can't do this!" she yelled, and quickly ran over to the table to gather her things.

"Why not?" said Jess, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"I have a BOYFRIEND," she said, more to herself than to Jess, and shoved his hands away. But Jess stood in front of the door to keep her from leaving.

"Dean doesn't deserve you," snapped Jess, "He's a moron. He doesn't know a damn thing about fine art, or literature, or anything but physical labor! He doesn't understand you like I do!"

"You don't!" said Rory, tears forming in the corners of her eyes, "You don't know me AT ALL, and you don't know Dean! How dare you judge him?! Dean is kind, understanding, and sweet. He loves me in spite of all our difference, he never tries to change me, he's never pressured me to have sex, AND he had the courage to stand up to my grandfather and offer to shake his hand."

Rory's speech had gotten so intense that Jess actually backed away from her.

"But you, Jess?" said Rory, "You're just a thug. A well-read, intelligent thug. And I don't ever want to talk to you again."

And she stormed out and never looked back.

(A/N: Real action IS coming, I swear. But in the meantime, I really would like it if you guys would not just say how much you enjoy the story. I really do want criticism, because I can't get better if all you do is praise me. So feel free to tell me how I can improve. Please Review.)

TO BE CONTINUED.