Special disclaimer: I wish to point out that in no way is anything portrayed in this part, or any future parts, to be taken as the true views or lifestyles of any member of the Bangles.
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"Hey Lane, you got a moment," Dawn called out as she crossed the street with Rory, avoiding the men on ladders removing the Christmas decorations.
Lane stopped and smiled at her two friends, "Sure," she called back waiting for them to catch up with her.
"So your mum finally let you out. Man she's harsh," commented Dawn. "The longest I've ever been grounded was a week and that involved major breakage when I got into a fight with Buffy."
"I envy you two in so many ways, I have no life," pouted Lane.
"Ah sorry to get you down," sighed Dawn.
"That's okay," Lane smiled sadly. "So what do you want?"
"I think you should tell her," said Dawn looking at Rory.
"Me!" exclaimed Rory. "This was totally your idea, you tell her."
"But you've known her longer than I have," Dawn pointed out.
"Tell me what?" asked Lane looking between her friends.
Rory sighed, "Okay, but if you think this is totally bad, just remember it's all Dawn's idea."
"Thanks," pouted Dawn.
"Well it is," smirked Rory. She looked back to Lane, "There's this boy that goes to Chilton with us. His name's Henry Cho, he's Korean, a Christian and we both think you would be totally great together."
Lane stopped walking again and frowned at Rory, "You wanna set me up on a blind date? Have you two been talking to my mother?"
"No," said Dawn smiling. "And we're not exactly setting you up on a blind date. What we thought was, that if Rory or I were to ask him down here sometime, to hmmm say help us with some homework and you happened to be in the area, you could get to know him."
"I could do that," mused Lane. "But why would two of the top students at Chilton need help with their homework? Especially as one of them is the Ward of one of the teachers and the other lives next door to that same teacher."
"Yeah well we still need to work that out," admitted Rory. "We just wanted to sound you out first. So you'd be up for it, if we can get him here?"
"I suppose," sighed Lane. "But I wanna see a picture first."
"Great," said Dawn happily.
"Why's this so important to you?" asked Lane curiously.
"You're my friend and I want all my friends happy. I know your mum is never going to allow you to be happy unless she chooses your husband for you, and I'm not saying Henry is that husband but he's really nice and I think you'll like him. Then we could get his mum or something to call your mum. Did we mention that he is planning to be a doctor," babbled Dawn.
Lane laughed, "Okay, but photo first," she said. "Look I hafta get home. I still have a five o'clock curfew."
"Okay, see you tomorrow with the picture," called out Dawn as Lane began running towards her house.
"Well that was the easy part," said Rory. "So how are we going to get Henry to come to one of our homes?"
"I have no idea," sighed Dawn. "The help with homework idea would be good only Lane's right, he won't buy it!"
"Well we could always tell him the truth," Rory mused as the two headed towards Luke's.
--------------
"As I mentioned yesterday, we will be holding a debate next week," explained Ms Caldecott. "Your subject, 'Did Charles the First receive a fair trial?' The pros will represent the Parliament, who deemed they had sovereignty and the cons will represent the Monarch and try to prove that the charge against him was not legal. What is fascinating Mr DuGray?" she suddenly asked looking at Tristan.
"Uh, nothing Ms Caldecott," said Tristan.
"Nothing Mr DuGray?" asked Ms Caldecott arching her eyebrow.
"My notes," said Tristan quickly, "My notes are fascinating, Ms Caldecott."
"Yes they are fascinating, Mr DuGray," said Ms Caldecott. "As I was saying, the pro and con teams will each have two minutes and thirty seconds for introductions, six minutes to debate, three minutes for conclusions and five minutes for questions from the audience. The winner shall be decided by a hand count from the rest of the class. Does that sound like fun, Mr DuGray?" she asked watching him again looking at Rory.
"What?" asked Tristan having missed everything she had said.
"The debate. Does it sound like fun?" asked Ms Caldecott a little annoyed.
"Yes, it does."
"It does, doesn't it Mr DuGray?" smiled Ms Caldecott.
"Oh, it absolutely does Ms Caldecott," nodded Tristan.
"More fun than staring at Miss Gilmore's ear?" asked Ms Caldecott.
"Yes Ms Caldecott," said Tristan as most of the class turned to look at him and Rory pulled part of her hair around to hide her ear.
Madeline exchanged a look with Dawn as she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, I think so too," said Ms Caldecott. "Okay, any questions?" she asked waiting a moment. "Good. I'll assign your teams," she began walking around the room pointing, "You, you, you, you, con. You, you, you, you, pro. You, you, you, you, con. You, you, you..."
Paris whispered to Madeline, "Who did she point to?"
Madeline whispered back, "Well I think she..." looking at Louise and Rory before glancing at Dawn sadly.
Paris stood up, "Excuse me, Ms Caldecott," she said.
"Miss Gellar?" said Ms Caldecott.
"I wasn't sure who you pointed to just now," explained Paris.
"Oh, uh, let's see," said Ms Caldecott. "You, Miss Lynn, Miss Grant and Miss Gilmore."
"Are you sure?" asked Paris.
"Yes I am, but thank you for asking," answered Ms Caldecott as Paris sat down again sullenly.
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As Dawn exited the classroom, where she had had a quick discussion with her own three teammates, which included Erica and Henry. She spotted her friends standing around just looking at each other. "Hey guys, what's up?"
Madeline looked sadly at her friend, "Sorry we're not on the same team."
"Yeah, no biggie. One of us was bound to be missed when there are four person teams," sighed Dawn.
"So I guess we should make a plan," prompted Rory.
"To do what?" asked Madeline absently still wishing she were on the same team as Dawn.
"To work out our debate Madeline," snapped Paris.
"Oh yeah, right," replied Madeline.
"We need a place to work," pointed out Louise.
"My house is out," announced Paris.
"Why?" asked Louise.
"Because it is," Paris snapped back.
"You need a reason," insisted Louise.
"My mother is having the entire place redone. She wants all evidence of my father out of there. So unless you want to sit on no furniture, while watching three Harvey Fierstein impersonators rip up the carpet and paint everything a ridiculous shade of white and call it, 'Angel's kiss' then we're going to have to find somebody else's house to go to," explained Paris angrily.
"My brother has the measles," piped up Madeline.
"My mum's having an affair," stated Louise.
"Well I guess we can go to my house. I mean, we're having a town rummage sale so it's kind of a mess, but it's there," offered Rory.
"Your house is kind of far," said Louise.
"It's thirty minutes away by bus," countered Rory.
"Bus! I don't do 'bus'," stated Louise.
"I'll drive," sighed Paris.
"Okay, so then tomorrow," confirmed Rory.
"Tomorrow," replied Madeline absently as she started heading for her next class with Dawn.
"Fine," they heard Louise and Paris say behind them.
"So Matthew has measles?" smiled Dawn.
"Yeah," Madeline smiled back, "He caught it from Francis, who also gave it to Francie," she giggled.
"Oh, poor Francie," said Dawn before joining her friend in giggling.
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Dawn caught up with Rory as she headed to the cafeteria for lunch, "Hey Rory," she greeted the other girl as she fell into step with her. "So I was thinking with Henry being on my team for the debate. I could suggest that we meet at my house, ooh say after lunch on Sunday and if you just happened to call around with Lane..." she left it hanging as she smirked at her friend.
Rory grinned at her, "We could introduce her to Henry."
"Right, I've already suggested it to them."
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Madeline and Louise stood near Willow's car with Dawn and Rory, as they waited for the redhead, who was attending a meeting with the Headmaster.
"So do you think we'll beat Hartford High next week?" asked Dawn.
"Easy," said Madeline. "Three and eleven. They're going to three and twelve. We've already beat them at the away game, we'll crush them here."
"Yeah as long as we go in with our focus," Louise said. "I'm more concerned with Hillside the week after. They'll want revenge, we're the only one's that have beaten them this season. I know we'll try but we got lucky last time. But I would really love to stick it to them on their own ground as Charleston said after the home game."
"Did Charleston really say stick it to them?" asked Rory with amusement, being the only one of the four not at the after game tea.
"Oh yeah, he even surprised Willow," smiled Dawn. "What's wrong?" she asked as the smile on Louise's face turned to a look of anger.
Louise pointed to a car just outside the gates of the school. "Some pervert is taking pictures of us," she said heading towards the man who they all saw putting down a camera with zoom lens.
Madeline and Rory looked worried as Dawn joined Louise in heading for the man in the dark coloured car. "Maybe you shouldn't go near him," said Rory. "He might try to grab you or something."
Touched by her friend's concern, Dawn nevertheless followed Louise towards the man who now appeared to be in the process of starting his car.
"Hey," shouted Louise, as she and Dawn got closer, drawing the attention of other students still hanging around. "You like taking pictures of schoolgirls do you, you perv," she picked up a stone and threw it at him as he pulled away, his tyres screeching, making good his escape.
As Dawn joined her friend at the roadside, she quickly pulled out her pen and wrote the license plate on the back of her hand, "Okay I got it, let's go tell a teacher," she said.
Louise nodded and followed Dawn back through the gates.
On informing the first teacher they found, who happened to be Ms Ames, she took them to the office and called the police. However wrong the overall situation was, with the sort of clout most of the parents of a school like Chilton had, it was less than five minutes before a police car was pulling up to take the statements and give the number plate out over the radio.
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Rory opened her friends' front door, "Hello... Dawn, you here?" she called out.
"In my room," she heard Dawn call back.
Running up the stairs, she found Dawn going through her closet. "Hey," she said.
"Hi," smiled Dawn as she pulled several items from the closet and dumped them on her bed. "Just sorting out some old clothes for the rummage sale. So how's it going at your house? I thought Paris was supposed to be driving Madeline and Louise down here?"
"She is, they should be here in an hour or so," said Rory sitting on the bed and watching her friend for a moment. "Are you doing anything later?"
"No," replied Dawn absently as she pulled out a pair of red leather pants that were obviously too short for her, before putting them back.
"What's with the leather pants?" asked Rory curiously.
Dawn turned her eyes a little glassy, "They belonged to Buffy."
"Oh," said Rory quietly. "You know Lane was coming to see the Bangles tonight? So anyway, her mum knows and said she can't come. So I was wondering do you want to come tonight."
Dawn smiled, "Sure, I'd like that."
"Great," said Rory getting up. "I better get back, I'm supposed to be helping sort out all the stuff before Paris arrives, see you later," she said happily.
--------------
Lorelai looked out the window to see Paris, Madeline and Louise getting out of a car. "Rory, I think your friends are here. She must be one great babysitter to earn enough money for that car," she laughed.
"Let's just get this over with," replied Rory sighing a little. Her seemingly slowly growing friendship with Paris had taken a sudden nosedive after the debacle that was Parents day.
"Take heart my dear. Suffer today, party tonight," cheerfully said Lorelai as she walked over to the door, "Hi," she greeted the three girls standing on the front porch.
"Hi," chorused Louise and Madeline.
"Come on in," invited Lorelai standing aside.
"Everybody this is my mum," said Rory.
"Lorelai," added Lorelai.
"This is Louise, Madeline and Paris," Rory introduced them.
"Ah, very good girl-group names. Okay, so, um sorry about the house of horrors here. Some crazy lady volunteered to lead this charity thing and we're trying to get her some help, so make yourselves comfortable. Rory, just yell when you guys want pizza," directed Lorelai.
"Okay," nodded Rory.
"Okay," smiled Lorelai going upstairs.
"So do you guys want to work in here or in the kitchen?" asked Rory.
"Whatever!" sighed Paris.
"Okay," said Rory leading the other three further into the living room and sitting down on a bag of clothes.
"Okay, so here's how it should go. Madeline will do the introductions, I'll handle the debate, Rory will do the conclusion and Louise will take questions," commanded Paris kneeling and taking charge.
"Why do you automatically get to handle the debate?" asked Rory.
"Because I'm the most experienced at it," pointed out Paris.
"Trust me; you want her to handle the debate. She never gives up," said Madeline.
"Le pit bull," added Louise.
"Okay," conceded Rory.
"So what is all this stuff?" asked Louise going through some of the bags of clothes.
"Uh, it's for a big town rummage sale," explained Rory.
"Like a charity thing?" asked Madeline looking in one of the bags herself.
"Yeah. There's this old bridge that's completely falling apart and the town's trying to save it," explained Rory.
"Oh cool hat," commented Louise pulling out a top hat.
"Put that down. It's used," barked Paris sharply.
"Vintage dear," said Louise.
"Filthy darling," countered Paris with a tight smile.
Louise frowned and put it back.
"There's this great store under my therapist office, who has the best vintage clothes. I found an original Pucci top for practically nothing," said Madeline.
"Oh Pucci is very big right now," enthused Louise.
"Is this a Pucci?" asked Madeline holding up a shirt.
"No, that's a Patty," said Rory.
"A Patty?" asked Louise confused.
Rory nodded, "Miss Patty. She's a dance teacher here. These are some of her old costumes."
"Oh here Paris. Tristan might like this," smirked Louise holding up a pink sequined dress.
"Can we just work please?" snapped Paris starting to get annoyed.
"Ugh. I would love to have a boyfriend that looked like Tristan," Louise sighed.
"Your boyfriend's no slouch either," added Madeline looking at Rory.
"No he's not," agreed Rory.
"Oh yes," smirked Louise. "Six foot two... and feisty. So how's that going? Are you two still 'Joanie loves Chachi'?"
"God, I hope not," smiled Rory.
"Dawn told me you're still together," said Madeline.
"Yeah, we're still together."
"How long has it been?" asked Louise.
"I don't know," answered Rory shyly.
"You do too," said Madeline smiling.
"About two months," Rory told them.
"Oh, lifers," teased Louise.
"Hey!" yelled Paris angrily.
"Jeez," gasped Madeline jumping slightly.
"We have a debate to organize here and this conversation is quickly veering towards the subject of French kissing and glitter eye shadow, trashy or trendy?" said Paris. "And I for one have no intention of being humiliated in front of the whole class because we were forced to study in the middle of a carnival and you two couldn't keep your eye on the prize. I want to win and I'm going to win."
"So how good of a kisser is Paul Bunyan anyway?" asked Louise before giggling along with Madeline and Rory.
Paris' eyes narrowed dangerously. Rory spotted the danger, "So what do we need?"
"We'll need the actual quotes, so learn them by heart," said Paris.
"What about using note cards?" asked Madeline.
"Note cards look sloppy. We will know our information," Paris told them.
"But the other teams will use note cards," pointed out Madeline.
"And the other teams will lose," stated Paris firmly.
"Bye girls, Rory, see you tonight," called out Sookie heading for the door.
"Bye Sookie," said Rory waving.
"What's tonight?" asked Louise.
"We've got tickets to see the Bangles at the Pastorella theatre," explained Rory.
"In New York?" clarified Madeline.
"Yeah," nodded Rory.
"Sounds potentially not boring," mused Louise.
"It's gonna be great actually and the seats are amazing," gushed Rory enthusiastically.
"Who are you going with?" asked Madeline.
"My mum and Sookie, and Dawn's taking our friend Lane's ticket 'cause her mum won't let her go," said Rory.
"You're kidding?" exclaimed Louise.
"What?" Rory frowned.
"You're going to a concert with your mum?" pointed out Louise.
"Yeah," nodded Rory confusion on her face.
"I cannot imagine doing anything like that with my mum," mused Madeline.
"Actually we do stuff like this all the time," Rory told them.
"Really?" said Madeline in surprise.
"Yeah."
"Wow," exclaimed Madeline.
"Hey, how old is your mum anyways?" asked Louise.
"Thirty two."
"Young," pondered Madeline.
Louise looked speculatively at Rory. "So that means she had you when she was..."
"Sixteen," snapped Paris her anger rising again. "She had Rory when she was sixteen. We've done the math, can we just 'ooh' and 'ah' about this quickly and get back to work?"
"Sixteen. I'm sixteen," murmured Louise quietly.
"So am I," said Madeline a little shocked.
"We're all sixteen okay. Everybody in this room is sixteen," pointed out Paris.
"Paris is right. We should work," agreed Rory getting a little pensive.
"Thank you," sighed Paris.
"I can't image having a baby at sixteen," Louise continued to muse.
"Well then keep your knees shut," snapped Paris.
"Very nice," sniped Louise.
"Do you think your mum is sorry she got pregnant so young?" asked Madeline rather quietly.
"Of course she is," growled Paris.
"Why thank you," sarcastically said Rory a little upset.
"I didn't mean that. I just meant that..."
"I mean, I don't think she would recommend it but I think she's happy with how things turned out," interrupted Rory.
"I am?" asked Lorelai coming down the stairs.
"Yes you are," said Rory smiling up at her mother.
"Okay, just checking," replied Lorelai returning the smile. "Hey, I'm starving, is it pizza time yet?"
"Are you guys hungry?" asked Rory looking around.
"I am," said Madeline.
"I can't eat dairy," Paris reminded Rory.
"Okay, one with cheese, one without. Cokes?" called out Lorelai heading towards the kitchen.
"Yes please," answered Rory.
"Me too," said Madeline and Louise together before giggling.
"We're never going to finish," commented Paris forlornly.
"I find your mother completely fascinating," said Louise ignoring Paris.
"Funny, so does she."
"It's almost more like having a big sister," added Louise.
"And you like her don't you?" smiled Madeline.
"She's my best friend."
"Truly, completely fascinating," said Louise.
"Rory come in here a sec," Lorelai called from the kitchen.
"I'll be right back," said Rory getting up and heading out the room.
"Hey, how's it going in there?" asked Lorelai as Rory entered the kitchen.
"Truly, completely fascinating," repeated Rory.
"Really?"
"Well, we've basically gotten no work done at all. Paris is having a meltdown, which by the way is always fun," smiled Rory.
"Sounds it."
"And, I don't know, we've just been talking, like we did at the sleepover."
"Well, I think you're actually making some friends here."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Paris has basically just moved off the plan to dump the pig's blood on me at the prom, I think!" said Rory.
"Talking, chatting, no work being done, there's friend potential going on," pointed out Lorelai.
"Maybe. Louise and Madeline at least have been friendlier whenever Paris hasn't been around. And we got along great at Dawn's sleepover, other than the little spat over the horses."
Lorelai handed Rory a plate, "There, pop-tart appetizers to tide you over till the pizza comes."
"Thanks," said Rory turning to leave.
"Hey, I have kind of a crazy idea."
"Those are never comforting words coming from you," said Rory a little worried.
"Just consider this okay?"
"Okay," edged Rory.
"Now, we have four tickets to the show tonight."
"Yes we do," nodded Rory.
"What if I give them to you? You take them."
"What are you talking about?" asked Rory frowning.
"Well, it just seems like you guys have kind of a bonding thing going on in there, it might be fun."
"But what about you?"
"No. No you and I have already bonded. In fact, if we bond any further, we will be permanently fused together," re-assured Lorelai.
"You've been talking about this concert since you heard about it."
"I can still go."
"How?" asked Rory.
"Sookie and I can buy cheap seats when we get there."
"These tickets are ninth row aisle, dream seats," pointed out Rory.
"Look, you don't have to do this. But I just think you have three years of Chilton ahead of you and it might be nice to have some friendly type people to talk to there besides Dawn. And I don't know, you guys seem to be getting along, it might be good. And I totally don't mind, I just want to see the show, I don't care from what seat."
"Are you sure?"
"Completely sure," firmly replied Lorelai.
"Because I..."
"Oh ladies!" Lorelai sing-songed taking the plate and heading into the living room. "Hey what are you guys doing tonight?" she asked.
"Why?" asked Madeline.
"Well we have these really great tickets to see the Bangles at the Pastorella theatre and Rory thought you might like to come along," explained Lorelai.
"Are you serious?" asked Madeline excitedly.
"No way," said Louise smiling.
"Yeah, I mean if you guys want to," said Rory thinking it might actually work.
"I would love to go," nodded Madeline.
"Count me in," added Louise.
Rory looked at Paris, "Paris, what about you?"
"I can't," said Paris.
"Yes you can," stated Louise firmly.
"No, I can't."
"Because you're busy doing what?" asked Louise.
"I have homework."
Madeline looked at Rory, "She'll be there."
"Good," smiled Rory.
"Great," agreed Lorelai.
"What about Dawn?" asked Madeline.
"Oh... I forgot, I offered her Lane's ticket," exclaimed Rory slightly panicked.
"I'm sure she'll understand," said Lorelai.
"Understand what?" asked Dawn coming through the door carrying a large black bag.
Rory turned to look at her friend with the classic, caught in headlights look. "Ah... ah..."
Paris suddenly brightened as she saw a way out of going to the concert. "Rory just invited Madeline, Louise and myself to the Bangles concert but I don't mind you going in my stead."
Rory glanced angrily at Paris before turning back to Dawn. "Ah... yeah. Ah... it was mum's idea, I didn't get around to ah... telling her that I invited you when Lane had to drop out."
"That's okay," smiled Dawn dumping the bag she carried on the floor and looking over at Paris. "So you'd like to go but as there are only four tickets you're willing to let me go in your place?"
"Oh yes, I'd go in a heartbeat but you go," said Paris with more than a little relief.
"So not a problem," smirked Dawn pulling out her phone, going down the list of numbers she highlighted one and pressed the dial button. She smiled mysteriously at the others while she waited to get a connection. "Hey Oz, it's me again ... Ah yeah about that. Any chance you could swing three tickets? ... No, Willow won't be there, so not a good idea. No, three girls from school. ... Ninth row ... You can. Great, and there won't be any problem with the other thing I asked you earlier? ... Great see you tonight, bye."
Dawn looked at the others standing or sitting around the living room giving her curious looks as she closed her phone. "Oz is gonna be outside the theatre tonight with three more tickets for us. And seven backstage passes to go with them."
"Oz?" Lorelai frowned.
"Daniel Osbourne, he's Bass guitar in Dingoes ate my Baby, they're opening for the Bangles in New York because they signed a record deal last month and the record company is hoping for exposure on the east coast," explained Dawn.
Lorelai hugged Dawn, "I love this girl, I'm gonna get Willow and Tara to swap you for Rory," she laughed pulling away and looking at her daughter, "Sorry kiddo I have a new daughter now you'll be moving next door."
"Funny mum," smirked Rory before turning to Paris, "Looks like you'll be able to come after all."
"I guess," replied the blonde a little sullen.
"So how do you know this Oz?" asked Rory.
"He and Willow used to date," explained Dawn.
"But Ms Rosenberg's gay," exclaimed Paris.
"Well yeah, but when she was in high school she dated Oz. She said she started thinking about the gay thing when she ah... met a girl that hit on her in school, but until she broke up with Oz at UC Sunnydale and met Tara it stayed buried," explained Dawn. She glanced at Madeline for the briefest of moments, a little sadness coming to her eyes.
Madeline frowned as Dawn looked back to Rory. Had Dawn been trying to tell her something! It had been so fleeting that she was not even sure she did not imagine it!
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As Dawn approached the theatre with the others, it was easy to pick out Oz from the crowd. His short red spiky hair not withstanding, there seemed to be an air of calm surrounding him. She could not help smiling as she saw him sniff the air turning to look straight at her.
Dawn hurried her pace and reaching him, she hugged him warmly, "Hi Oz, so how you been?"
"Good. You?"
"I'm great, these are my friends from school, Madeline, Louise, Paris and Rory, Rory's mum Lorelai and her friend Sookie. Guys this is Oz," said Dawn as the others joined them.
"Hi," greeted Oz.
"Hey," smiled Lorelai. "So thanks for getting us the extra tickets... You did get them, right?"
"No problem," answered Oz. "But I could only swing one in the ninth row, the other two are in row fifty, sorry," he held out the three tickets with the seven backstage passes.
"That's okay, the girls can have the ninth row seats, Sookie and I will take the others," said Lorelai. "So what do I owe you?"
"Nothing. We get some tickets for friends and family for each concert, none of our band knows anyone on the east coast, except for Willow and Dawn," explained Oz, Lorelai saw the pain in his eyes at the mention of Willow. "So, I have to go and get ready, see you all later."
Dawn waited until she was sure the Werewolf could not hear before turning to Lorelai. "He never got over Willow picking Tara over him when he wanted to get back together with her," she explained quietly.
"Right," said Lorelai handing over the four tickets to the others as Dawn gave her the two row fifty tickets. "Ah! With these tickets you are about to enter sacred space, you will be treading on hallowed ground. You will be walking like an Egyptian."
"Mum," cried Rory.
"Take'em. Oh you're going to have a great time," smiled Lorelai. "The Bangles are the best! They were my favourite band in high school. I almost named you Susanna. The day I found out you had no musical talent at all was the saddest day of my life."
"I'm sorry," Rory pouted dramatically.
"Well you say that now. Here, okay, these are probably located..." rambled Lorelai looking around, spotting an usher she led everyone over to him. "Hi!"
"Hi," replied the usher.
"Can you tell me where these seats are?" asked Lorelai showing him hers and Sookie's while Rory held out hers.
"Uh, those are all in here," he indicated the curtain he stood next too.
"Oh good. Girls...okay, here's the deal. Take the tickets, go to your seats, have the night of a lifetime, Bangle it up. The second the concert is over, Sookie and I will meet you all in the lobby so we can all go backstage together."
"Okay," nodded Rory.
"Good. Now go," shooed Lorelai ushering the five girls in ahead of her.
"Thank you," said Rory smiling at her mother.
"You're welcome," Lorelai smiled back.
--------------
"Which aisle is it?" asked Paris walking next to Rory as they followed the others.
"We're almost there," declared Louise.
Madeline smiled at Dawn who walked by her side, "I've never sat this close to a stage before. In fact, I've never even really been to a concert before so I could be sitting at the back and say the same thing."
"Me too. Buffy took me to see the Dingo's once back in Sunnydale, but Oz is a friend, so you can't really count that," answered Dawn.
"In here," Louise indicated.
"Oh good," exclaimed Madeline as she followed the blonde and took the seat next to her friend with Dawn on the other side.
"Wow, these are amazing seats," said Rory looking around as she sat next to Dawn.
"Yes they are," smirked Louise as she checked out the cute guys in the row behind them.
"What's Louise looking at?" Rory whispered to Paris.
"One guess," sighed Paris.
Rory looked behind them at the two guys sitting behind Louise and Madeline.
"Check it out, we've got fans," one of the guys said grinning at Rory.
"Was I right?" asked Paris as Rory turned back.
"You were right."
"And before it's dark, they'll have every picnic basket that's in Jelly Stone park," groused Paris.
"They?" queried Rory.
"Madeline and Louise of course," said Paris not even bothering to look around.
"But Madeline doesn't seem interested," Rory whispered.
Paris frowned looking this time, "That's weird? They always stick together around boys," she said observing Madeline talking quietly to Dawn and completely ignoring Louise and the two boys/men the blonde was flirting with.
"You know, I don't think I've seen Madeline with a boy for a few weeks now!" mused Rory quietly so as not to be overheard by her other friends.
Paris' look became speculative as she looked past Rory. "I don't think I've seen her with any boys since just after Dawn started at Chilton!" she whispered back.
Rory glanced over at the two brunettes, "That's weird!"
"Yeah," nodded Paris.
--------------
Although Paris would have never admitted it, she did enjoy the concert and was more than glad that Dawn had manoeuvred her into coming.
The five teenagers were currently waiting for Lorelai and Sookie in the lobby, suddenly there was a flash of t-shirts being thrown at them, "Catch," smiled Lorelai.
Dawn looked at the front of the t-shirt she held, it had a picture of the Bangles, "Thanks Lorelai, but you shouldn't have."
"Oh come on Dawn, you got us extra tickets and backstage passes," smiled Lorelai. "A t-shirt doesn't even come close to paying you back."
"Yeah Dawn, thanks," agreed Rory.
"Okay, you may worship at my feet later," giggled Dawn. "But don't you think we should be heading backstage about now."
"Right let's go..." Lorelai spotted the same usher from earlier, leading everyone over she got his attention, "Excuse me, can you tell me how we get backstage," she asked showing him the passes.
He pointed to a door the other side of the lobby with two large bodyguard/bouncer type men outside. "Show them your passes and they'll let you backstage," he explained.
"Great, thanks," said Lorelai. "Come on girls," directing them through the lobby.
They entered a large lounge to see several dozen people standing or sitting around talking and drinking. Rory looked at her mother, as Lorelai looked on her idols, only to see her at a loss for words for the first time she could remember.
"Hey. So what did you all think of the show," asked Oz walking up to them. He raised an eyebrow when Lorelai did not reply. Turning to see what she was looking at, a little smile came to his face, "Do you want me to introduce you to them?" he asked.
Lorelai nodded mutely.
"I think that's a yes," spoke up Rory. "Sorry about that."
"That's okay," answered Oz leading them all over to where a couple of the Bangles sat talking to various people. "Hey Susie Baby," he said looking down at Susanna, "A friend of mine would like to be introduced to you. Apparently she's been a fan since she was at school."
"Wow Ozzie that's got to be the longest speech I've heard from you ever," laughed Susanna.
Oz raised his eyebrow but did not comment. "This is Lorelai, her daughter Rory, Sookie, Dawn, Paris, Madeline and Louise. They came from Hartford and Stars Hollow to see you."
"You got one helluva memory there Ozzie," smirked Michael.
"Oz has the sort of mind that makes him good at remembering facts and figure but still he forgot to take his finals in his senior year of high school and had to repeat," laughed Dawn.
"You've known him quite a while then?" enquired Susanna.
"Yeah he used to date one of my guardians back in high school." The two women looked at him curiously. "No, she's the same age as Oz. She became my guardian when my mum and sister died last year," explained Dawn when she realised what they had been thinking.
"Oh and there I thought we had something to tease Ozzie with," smiled Michael. She looked at Lorelai who had yet to say anything and looked like she was in awe at the sight of her idols. "Is she okay?"
Rory giggled at her mother, "Yeah, she's just star struck that's all. This is giving me so much material to tease her with."
Michael laughed, "I'm sure. So do you all go to school together?"
"Yes, we all attend Chilton Academy in Hartford," answered Dawn.
"Oh I went to private school when I was your age," explained Michael.
"And continually remind us how privileged your childhood was," teased Susanna laughing good naturally.
"Says the girl whose father went to Harvard and mother to Yale," countered Michael.
"Oh wow, it must have been fun in your home during the annual Yale-Harvard game," laughed Dawn.
Susanna rolled her eyes, "You have no idea," she sighed.
"So why don't you all help yourselves to some drinks, maybe your mother will be a little more relaxed later," suggested Michael.
"Yeah thanks," smiled Rory. "It is so great to meet you. Maybe later we could all have our picture taken together?"
"Of course," nodded Susanna.
Dawn helped Rory guide her mother to the drinks table, the others trailing behind them. She looked at the barman, "You got anything you can recommend for someone in shock?" she asked with a giggle.
The barman smiled at Lorelai before turning to Dawn, "Yeah, hold on a moment." He disappeared into another room with a cocktail shaker he had placed ice cubes in. A minute later, he was back shaking the container vigorously. Taking a tall glass, he poured the mixture into it and offered it to Lorelai.
"It's purple," queried Rory guiding her mother's hand out to take the drink.
"Trust me. My grandmother swore by it. Said it could rouse the dead," he smiled.
Dawn smirked at him before moving her hand to help Rory guide the glass to Lorelai's mouth and tip it gently up.
All the girls watched with baited breath as the older woman swallowed some of the mixture. Her eyes went wide and started to water at the same time she began coughing.
Dawn took the glass away from Lorelai and turned with mischief in her eyes, "Feel better?" she laughed lightly.
Lorelai looked at her daughter before turning to Dawn, "No. That has got to be the most vile concoction I have ever tasted," she did a full body shudder.
"Yeah, but look on the bright side, at least it worked," laughed Dawn again. She looked at her friends, "We should have had some of that at the Booster club luncheon. It would have made the whole waitressing experience so much more fun."
"Yeah but what would Willow have done to us then?" asked Rory.
"Well I would have suggested to her that we got you all to attend church services with Mrs Kim for a month and help her in the store after school," smirked Lorelai.
"You're evil," pouted Dawn.
"You better believe it," laughed Lorelai. She and Sookie picked up a glass of wine each and began heading back to where Susanna and Michael had been joined by Debbi and Vicki. "Oh and make sure these girls only have soft drinks, they sometimes have a thing for wine."
"Funny Lorelai," sassed Dawn taking two cokes and handing one to Madeline. She looked around as Rory and Paris helped themselves, noticing that Louise was not with them. "Where's Louise?" she asked.
"Over there talking to the singer from Dingoes ate my Baby," said Madeline nodding to one of the corners.
"Oh boy," exclaimed Dawn. "Devon has a bad reputation with girls. She's definitely out of her depth with him," she explained. "Come on."
Madeline followed Dawn over to their friend who by now was all but sitting on Devon's lap. "Devon, two words for you," Dawn whispered leaning towards him. "Jail bait. Louise is only sixteen like me," she smiled sweetly at him.
Devon stiffened and sat up straight moving away from the blonde that was now looking at her friends, "I swear, I didn't know Dawn," he swallowed. "Ah I think Oz needs me." With that, he got up and headed over to where Oz was speaking to a couple of the record promoters.
"What did you do that for?" asked Louise.
"Because I know what Devon's like. He goes through more girlfriends than you do boyfriends. Plus I've heard that he can be a little pushy sometimes, if you get me?" explained Dawn. "And I wouldn't want you getting hurt or for anything to spoil tonight for the rest of us."
"Yeah well, I was only being friendly," pouted Louise.
"So the one next to the little blonde is your kid?" asked Susanna as Lorelai and Sookie were invited to sit with her and the others. "You must have been pretty young when you had her?"
"Yeah sixteen years and ten months to be exact." Lorelai suddenly laughed, "Christopher, her dad, and I made love on my bedroom balcony while your song Want You was playing on my stereo."
Susanna laughed, "I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to that song again without you popping into my head."
"I also need to thank you for singing Manic Monday," Lorelai told them smirking. "Playing it was the only way Rory would settle when she was teething."
Susanna laughed, "I had to play Bat out of Hell with mine."
"Great song... Our kids seem to have great taste in music," smiled Lorelai. "I even thought of calling my daughter Susanna after you, until the Demerol kicked in, then I was so high and exhausted the only name I could think of was my own," she giggled.
"Well she has that to be thankful for," laughed Vicki as Susanna threw a peanut at her.
Dawn and Rory lead the others over just then. "So we were just wondering if we could all have our picture taken together?" asked Rory.
"Of course," nodded Susanna before raising her voice a little to a man standing talking to Oz and Devon. "Hey Jerry, got some girls here that want their picture taken."
"Oh, I thought we could just take it with mine," politely declined Dawn holding up a small digital camera.
"Don't be silly," replied Michael. "We have a professional photographer here. You may as well have him take it. He can whip-up a copy for each of you and then send them to you."
Susanna looked up as the photographer joined them, "So how do you want us to pose?" she asked him.
They ended up each having an individual picture taken with the Bangles as well as a large group shot and one with Oz and Dingoes ate my Baby, they also received signed pictures of the bands and Lorelai, Rory and Dawn had the Bangles sign their t-shirts.
As they left half an hour later even Paris had a big smile on her face, which Rory could not help thinking made her look cute!
"So girls," asked Lorelai, "Did you all enjoy yourselves?"
"Yes, it was awesome," answered Madeline. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Yeah, thanks," agreed Louise.
"Well some of it was due to Dawn here," said Lorelai wrapping her arm around the teenager. "She got us the backstage tickets, for which I will be eternally in her debt."
"I'm sure I'll think of something you can do for me, to pay me back," laughed Dawn as they headed for the taxi stand.
A/N: I apologise to anyone that goes to Hartford High, I just happened to pick your school as bad Volleyball players for this story. If Hartford high is good at the sport, good for you. Hey, you can always knock yourself out and write your own story where your school became State champions and all the players going on to play for the USA in the Olympics and win the gold as well as the Volleyball world championship.