January 5th

It may have been a short school week with the New Year, but if the relief Luke felt to see Friday was any indication of the week they had had then the extra day of holidays hadn't made much of a difference. The diner had been abnormally busy the past few days, and it didn't help that Luke's meat supplier had messed up his order, causing Luke to have to pay twice as much to buy extra hamburger at the grocery store just to keep up with the demands. Amidst the chaos, Taylor had been in his ear, pestering him endlessly about rash cream and new soap that Luke was all too busy to even try to understand before he threw the man out. The kids were still being suspiciously quiet and keeping to themselves. Luke had tried to talk with Rory about what was going on, but she had only shrugged and insisted that everything was fine. However, the tension between the two kids was becoming increasingly obvious to the parents.

"Jess, I want good reports from school today, okay?" Luke reminded as Jess was getting ready to leave.

The last few days had not only been hard on Luke and his little family but apparently the school as well. Luke had received notes home two days in a row about his nephew's rude behaviour and poor listening skills and Luke didn't know what to make of it all. His nephew had been improving so much over the last few months and now it felt like they were heading back to square one all over again.

"Can I go to the park with the guys after school?" Jess asked, ignoring his uncle's words.

"We'll see how today goes first," was Luke's response, trying to be firm with the boy in hopes that he would shape up.

With the first note home, Luke had not been pleased, but he had chalked it up to a bad day and had decided that an early bedtime would be a sufficient consequence. By the second day, with the same reports from the school, Jess was denied his TV privileges even though his favourite TV show was on and he was instead forced to do dishes downstairs. Luke was trying out different methods of punishing his nephew in hopes of not having to ground the boy for weeks on end, but he was soon running out of other options. Luke hoped that today things would be better.

Jess rolled his eyes, "You're just mad because I'm hanging out with the guys instead of Rory, and it's making you and your girlfriend sad." He knew he was pushing his luck and being rude, but he was so tired of the adults breathing down his neck this week. He finally had more friends and his uncle seemed to be trying to ruin things every chance he got.

"Jess stop. We've already had this discussion and you know that's not true. I would like to know what is going on with the two of you, but you don't want to tell me so I am going to stop asking. The reason I am saying maybe is because you have had a rough week and I am not going to reward you with time with your friends until I see how your behaviour is today," Luke explained, "Be good, listen to your teacher, be respectful, and you will be allowed to go out."

Jess crossed his arms across his chest and sighed. He really wasn't trying to get in trouble this week. He had actually been trying to pay attention and do his work. He couldn't help it that every time the teacher's back was turned one of the guys would make a face that would cause Jess to laugh, or they would throw something at him that he would just have to throw back. He also couldn't help that when the teacher yelled at him for goofing off his brain just naturally came up with smart remarks that the teacher didn't deem as funny as his brain did. Now that he had friends in his class who weren't boring like Rory, and didn't sit at their desks looking straight ahead the whole time, class was kind of fun. Unfortunately, that meant that his nights were turning out to be not so much fun. Today though, he was planning on being good. He didn't want Luke to be mad at him anymore and he really didn't want to have any more privileges taken away.

"Hey Jess, wait up," Blake caught up with the boy as he was heading back to the diner after school, Blake's arm wrapped tightly around the shoulder of Becky, a girl from their class.

"Yeah?" Jess questioned. The day had gone smoothly and Jess was hoping that whatever it was the boy wanted wouldn't be something that would make Luke mad. He really didn't want another night of punishments.

"Becky and I were just talking about how great it would be to have donuts for breakfast tomorrow morning," Blake informed, "The other guys thought it would be awesome too."

"And?" Jess pressed.

"And," the boy drawled out, "We thought since your uncle runs the diner, it would be no problem for you to bring some for us."

Jess rolled his eyes, "Blake, there's no way my uncle is just going to let me take a dozen donuts, even if I told him they weren't for me. He's a health nut."

"Well then why don't you just put those skills that you demonstrated the other day to good use again?" Blake suggested, wiggling his fingers in the air.

"You want me to steal from my uncle?" Jess asked in disbelief.

Blake just shrugged with a sly grin, "If you can steal from Doose, your uncle will be a piece of cake, right?"

Jess was unamused, but before he could open his mouth again, Blake spoke, "Becky likes the chocolate ones." He gave Jess a thumbs up.

"Wait, why do you get to hang out with Becky anyhow? She's a girl," Jess asked suddenly.

Blake shook his head,"Jess, I'm not 'hanging out' with Becky, she's my girlfriend. Have you ever even kissed a girl before?"

Jess didn't answer and Blake nodded, "That's what I thought. There's a difference between me having a girlfriend and you going over to Gilmore's house to play 'dollies'."

"Shut up," Jess spat. He knew it was a weak comeback, but it's all he could muster with his hurt pride.

"Whatever man, so are you going to get us the donuts or not?"

"I'll get them," the boy glared, feeling the need to prove himself once more.

"Good," Blake nodded, "Meet you in the park tomorrow morning then."

He watched the couple walk out of sight and sighed. He knew if Rory were around she'd tell him he was being dumb. She would probably give him the silent treatment for even considering stealing from his uncle again. But, right now Rory wasn't talking to him anyway, and unless he wanted Rory to be his girlfriend, he couldn't talk to her either. He thought this was what he wanted, but now he wasn't so sure.

December 6th

This time Jess had thought of a plan. He had known that he couldn't just go downstairs in the morning and clear out the donuts from the containers on the counter. The workers and his uncle would notice that right away. That's why Jess had offered to help Luke with unloading the pastry delivery the night before. Luke had been a little shocked that his nephew was willing to help, but he had agreed with a small smile.

Jess had caught the happy look the man gave him at his offer and he couldn't deny the small swirl of guilt already eating away at his stomach. He had no choice now though, he didn't have Rory or Lane as friends anymore, so if he wanted to keep any friends at all he would need to do this.

He helped the man carry all the boxes into the kitchen, and once Luke went out to settle the bill, Jess quickly and quietly grabbed one of the boxes filled with donuts and stashed it upstairs under his bed.

In the morning the rest of the plan was easy. He woke up and got ready to go just before nine and knowing that Luke would be handling the busy late Saturday morning rush, the boy grabbed the donuts and casually slipped out the back exit of the diner. Blake had been right, it had been way easier than stealing from Doose's. Unfortunately, the guilt that swam in his stomach was much much bigger and by the time he got to the park, his stomach ached too much to even enjoy a victory donut with his friends.

"You are a pro Jess," Blake praised, shoving the boy from the side. Jess gave a weak smile in return.

"Yeah," Chuck agreed, "You're way better than any of us, you have to teach us your ways."

"Yeah, well..." Jess trailed off.

"So listen Jess," Blake cut in, "The video store is getting in that new GameBoy game next Thursday. Since you're such an ace shoplifter we figured you could get it for us no problem, right?"

Jess' face fell instantly, "That's like a $50 game."

"Exactly," Chuck agreed, "None of us have that kind of money."

"But..." Jess trailed off again. It was one thing to steal a few dollars worth of sugary treats, but a $50 game? The idea made Jess feel even more sick.

"Listen man, if you don't think you can do it that's fine," Blake shrugged, "I mean we thought you were cooler than that, but hey I guess some people just don't have the guts."

"Sorry guys," Jess shook his head, not caring if he sounded like a baby this time. It wasn't like any of the other guys were stepping up to do it either, "That's too much, I can't steal that."

"Ok," Blake nodded, "How about this, you either get us that game next Thursday, or we go to Taylor Doose and show him these pictures of you stealing from his store last week," he finished with an evil grin, pulling out the pictures from his coat pocket.

Jess felt his heart speed up as he looked down at the incriminating pictures, so clearly of Jess.

"You can't do that!" Jess yelled, getting angry at his so-called 'friends.'

"Oh, but we can," Blake smirked, and Jess wanted to hit him. If they hadn't been right in front of the diner he would have. Unfortunately, making a scene right outside the diner would be sure to draw Luke's attention.

"You've got a week to think about it Mariano, until then, I'll keep these nice and safe," he waved the pictures in front of Jess' face once more before the group walked away, grabbing the rest of the donuts as they went.

If Jess hadn't felt sick before, he sure did now. He was so stupid to think that the boys were his friends. Now he didn't have any friends and he had no clue what to do. He held back the tears that were begging to fall as he headed back to the apartment. What was he going to do?

It was later in the evening now and under Jess' protests, Luke had dragged him over to the Gilmore's for supper and a movie night. The boys hadn't been seeing the girls all that much since the Christmas break and Luke was beginning to feel the toll it was taking on his still new relationship.

"Alright kiddos, who's picking the movie?" Lorelai tried to stay smiling even though the supper had been a quiet affair with Luke and Lorelai attempting to get the two younger ones engaged in a longer conversation than just yes or no answers.

Rory shrugged and Jess looked away. Luke sighed giving Lorelai a sad look. He just wished he could figure out what was going on.

"Well how about me and Luke clean up the dishes and you two can head into the living room and get something set up on the TV? How does that sound?" Lorelai suggested with feigned enthusiasm.

"That sounds fantastic Lorelai," Luke played along, "I would definitely take you up on that offer if it meant I didn't have to do dishes."

"I'll help mom with the dishes Luke, you can go with Jess and pick a movie," Rory attempted.

"No kid," Lorelai shook her head, "I'm sorry but that wasn't an option. Off you go you two, we'll be there soon."

Both kids looked like they were in physical pain as they dragged their feet out of the kitchen and into the living room. When they were out of sight the couple looked at each other in defeat.

"I don't know what else we can do," Luke sighed, "That was the most painful dinner I've ever had to sit through."

"Worse than my parents'?" Lorelai smirked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Nearly," Luke massaged his temples.

"Maybe we should just let them have some space?" Lorelai brainstormed, "Maybe forcing them on each other is just making it worse?"

"I wouldn't say they've been forced on each other," Luke made a face, "You guys haven't been to the diner all week, and with the way Jess has behaved this week we've been staying in as well."

"I know. I miss you," Lorelai whined like a child, hugging her boyfriend's side tightly.

"I guess we'll just have to wait it out," Luke surmised, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "And when this is all over I'm taking you on a real date."

Lorelai smiled up at the man, but her face quickly fell when a loud thud followed by yelling was heard coming from the living room.

The two looked at each other with dread before starting towards the commotion.

Rory lead the way into the living room, already feeling awkward having to spend time alone with Jess.

"What do you want to watch?" She asked breaking the silence.

"I don't care," Jess answered in a monotone voice, looking bored.

"I don't understand why you hate me so much," Rory rolled her eyes at the boy as she squatted down in front of the collection of movies, "I never did anything to you."

"Just pick a movie," Jess sighed. He had way too much on his mind right now and he wasn't feeling like getting into it with Rory too. He really just wanted to go home and forget the whole stupid day had happened.

"And now you hang around with that awful group of boys who only ever get you in trouble," Rory continued, "You know they don't actually like you, right?"

"Rory shut up," Jess growled, growing frustrated. He hated the fact that she was always right.

Rory gave him a hurt look in response, "You're not even the same person anymore," she accused, approaching the couch, "I want the old Jess back."

"I am the old Jess," he snapped, "Just leave me alone."

"No! You won't talk to me at school, or the diner, why can't you just see that you're being a jerk!?"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Just get a life!" Jess finally exploded, shoving Rory to the ground.

Rory looked back in shock, but it only took her a second before she was up and shoving Jess back. Before they knew it, the two were rolling around on the floor in a full-on wrestling match. A couple seconds later the kids were being pulled off each other by their respective parent.

"What is going on in here!?" Luke barked, giving Jess' arm a shake.

"She wouldn't shut up!"

"He was being a jerk!"

The adults looked at each other, both knowing that it was unfortunately time for the evening to end.

"Rory go to your room," Lorelai ordered in a somewhat calm voice.

"But-"

"Now please," her mom cut her off in a no-nonsense tone. The little girl gave a dramatic whine before stomping her way to her room. She wasn't used to being in trouble and she wasn't used to fighting with Jess either.

When the door slammed shut Luke spoke up, "Jess go wait for me in the truck," he directed, releasing the boy's arm.

Jess didn't waste any time leaving the house. He was in trouble, again, but at this point he just wanted to go home.

When both kids were gone the couple surveyed the mess that was the living room. Luke picked up the throw cushions as he spoke. "I guess tonight was a bad idea."

Lorelai shook her head in disbelief, "What is happening to our children?"

Luke shrugged, "I don't know, but whatever it is they better snap out of it soon. I don't know how much more bratty kids I can take this week."

"Amen, brother."

"I better get out there before he hot-wires the car and drives to Vegas or something," Luke smirked, motioning to the truck.

"Well if you can't find me in the morning it's because she hid the body," Lorelai smiled tiredly.

"What a week," Luke shook his head.

"Call me tomorrow?" Lorelai questioned.

"Yeah," Luke agreed, giving her a quick kiss.

With that he left the house and both parents went to deal with their designated 'brat'.

Luke opened the door and threw his keys onto the table, "I want you to go get ready for bed."

He sounded tired, the boy noted and if Jess wasn't still on fire he probably would have felt bad for causing it. Instead, Jess wordlessly crossed the room towards the bathroom to brush his teeth. It was only seven-thirty on Saturday night, but he wasn't exactly feeling brave enough to voice that fact at the moment.

Once he was done in the bathroom he approached Luke once more and waited for direction.

Luke eyed the boy for a moment and he observed that his nephew's temper was still high, "I think you need to sit on your bed quietly for a little bit Jess, then we'll talk about this, and I want you to use this time to think because I expect real answers out of you this time bud."

Luke wasn't really feeling angry anymore. He had to admit when he first walked into the living room and saw his nephew and Rory attacking each other he felt his temper rise like mercury, but now he honestly was just confused. He wanted to know what was going on in Jess' head these past few weeks and above all he just wanted his boy back.

Jess did use the time to think. He thought a lot actually. But, most importantly he thought about the fact that there was no way he could tell Luke about anything that was going on. The guys had those pictures hanging over his head now and if Jess thought that his uncle was mad now, he couldn't even imagine the look on his face if he ever found out about what Jess had done.

About ten minutes later Luke approached his nephew's bed and sat down beside him, "Okay bud, I want to know what is going on with you."

Jess looked his uncle in the eye. He wanted to tell him everything. He wanted to get it all out, make up with Rory, and have everything go back to normal, but he just couldn't. Luke would be so mad at him.

"Rory was being a jerk, that's it," he finally settled on saying.

Luke ran his hand through his hair in exasperation, "Jess, come on. Tell me right now, why are you two fighting?"

"She doesn't like that I have new friends," Jess shrugged, "I never got mad that she was friends with Lane, there's no difference."

"Well, have you talked to her about it? Maybe let her know that even though you have new friends she's still your friend too?"

"Just forget it, okay?" Jess exhaled in frustration, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Well I do," Luke insisted, "Look Jess, whatever is going on between you two, I either need you to fix it or talk to me because what I just walked in on earlier, I never want to see that again. You don't solve your issues by attacking each other."

"Well it's a good thing that I don't plan on solving the issues then," Jess replied smartly, turning his back to his uncle.

Luke sighed, he was growing incredibly frustrated with his nephew, and the attitude he was receiving wasn't helping, this talk was going nowhere, "Fine Jess, you know what, go to bed. I don't want to hear another word out of you until morning."

"Sounds good to me," Jess muttered back and it took everything in Luke not to pick the kid up and shake him until he would give in and talk. Instead, Luke got up from the bed and sat on the couch, turning on the TV. It wouldn't do either of them any good for him to lose his patience now. He had to act like his nephew's words didn't bother him and hopefully soon the boy would break down and tell him what was wrong. Things couldn't get much worse that was for sure.

A/N- Who wants to give Jess a slap? Or maybe a hug? I can't decide! All I know is things are getting tense! Find out what happens next week on an all new episode! Haha

I hope you enjoyed and thank you for all the love on the last chapter! I really appreciate it.