AN: Thank you for the reviews. Yeah, I think the lesson we can all learn from this chapter is that I am addicted to many things, one of which is chocolate. And I want more chocolate. God, I wish I lived in the land of... Ok. Never mind. Read on.

"So, I'm sorry that Rory couldn't make it tonight," Lorelai said again as she sat on the couch, holding her martini glass.

"That's quite alright." Emily replied. "I hope she's feeling ok?"

"Oh, yeah, just a little cold. She'll be fine."

"I'm glad." Richard added, sitting back in his chair.

"Actually, it may be a good thing she couldn't be here." Emily continued. "I wanted to run an idea by you."

"Okay… should I be worried? Is this like the time you wanted to have her move in?"

"Of course you shouldn't be. No, this is about her schooling."

"Right, yeah. She's doing really good, hasn't skipped class in ages."

"That's not what I was talking about. I don't see why that boy should be at Chilton when-"

"That boy? Mom, Jess has a name. Remember, Jess? And he's at that school because he earned his place there."

"It's all but Rory's right to go to Chilton." Emily insisted.

"Her right..?"

"Both of her parents are former students, Lorelai," Richard explained. "And she's much too smart for public school surely you're aware of this."

"Yeah, Dad, I know she's smart, I know all that, but it's not that simple. You know as well as I do, there are limited spaces at Chilton, and it's expensive and-"

"We're prepared to cover the cost if it means that Rory were to get the education she deserves."

"All we ask is that the two of you continue to attend our weekly dinners." Emily added. "And as for the space issue, I have it on good authority that one of the students will be leaving soon. Off to perform is some ridiculous Broadway show."

"No." Lorelai shook her head, put her glass down. "No, I don't-"

"Think about this for a moment, please, Lorelai." Her father implored. "This is for Rory. There are many things that she's missed out on over the years things we missed out on providing for her, give us the chance to present her with this opportunity."

"Excuse me, Mrs. Gilmore?" a woman asked, stepping into the doorway.

"Yes Melinda?" Emily turned to the maid.

"Dinner is ready."

"Thank you, we'll be right there."

"Yes, ma'am," she turned and left the room and Lorelai scratched her head.

"I don't know what… This is a very generous offer, but I just…"

"Think it over, discuss it with Rory. Just don't say no right away."

"We'll have dinner." Emily decided. "Then you can go, check on Rory and get back to us when you've made a decision, alright?"

"Ok. Thanks I guess. We'll think it about it."

"That's all we ask." The three of them stood up and headed for the dining room, Lorelai thinking hard about her parents offer.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Luke asked Rory as he entered the apartment and headed for the stove. "Ready for soup?" he checked, ladling some into a bowl.

"Uh yeah, maybe. Can you do me a favor first?"

"Sure."

"Just grab that pillow over there," she pointed to the chair across the room and Luke picked up the pillow sitting on top of a few blankets, he held it out to her but Rory shook her head. "I was hoping you could use that to suffocate me, real quick. Please Luke? I'm already dying here."

"You'll be fine, geez. Anyone would think you'd never had the flu before."

"I don't think I have! Not like this anyway. I feel awful."

"That should teach you to stay indoors at night, instead of cavorting around town at all hours in the snow with Jess."

"I doubt I'll live long enough to even see him again." Rory grumbled as Luke returned to get the soup.

"Oh stop it. Come on, sit up, eat; you'll feel better soon."

"How do you know that?"

"Saw a fortune teller yesterday, she told me you'll be around for a long time, driving me mad."

"Maybe you should have checked her credentials more thoroughly, because I don't think I'll make it through the night." Rory replied before a sneezing attack took over her body. Luke laughed quietly as he set the bowl and a spoon down on the coffee table in front of Rory. "Could you at least try to look a little saddened at my funeral?" she asked, sitting up and pulling a blanket around her shoulders as she leaned towards the food.

"I'll do my best. Eat up I'll come check on you again in a bit, ok?"

"Leaving me here to die all alone, that's lovely. Thank you." Rory called out as Luke left the apartment. Abandoning her dinner, Rory reached for the book she'd been studying all day and began to flip through it again. Being off school with the flu the last few days had allowed her the opportunity to refresh her memory on road rules. "I'm passing that test." She vowed, getting comfy again.

"I did it! I got it!" Rory cried out almost skipping through the inn, three days later, her cold pretty much gone save a few sniffles. "I am now a licensed driver." She added as she reached the desk where her mom stood grinning.

"You are?"

"Yep! See," she flashed the plastic, causing Lorelai and Luke to laugh.

"Wow, look at that, it looks so real."

"It is real," Rory insisted looking at it again. "Don't make fun."

"This is great honey, I'm so proud of you. Why don't you go on into the kitchen, I think Sookie has something for you."

"What does she have?"

"Just go on, have a look. I think Jess is in there too," Rory narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Oh, stop being so paranoid! Didn't you hear me? I said your boyfriend was in there. Go! Show him you're pretty picture." After a moment's consideration, Rory turned and headed for the kitchen. Luke and Lorelai laughed again as she disappeared. "Thanks so much for taking her in there today Luke, I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Caesar's fine taking care of the diner for a while. I should get back soon, though."

"I really wanted to be there, but there was this couple who wanted a guided tour of the town, and Michel was the only person I could find who knew the place well enough and wasn't busy. So I had my hands full trying to convince him and then-"

"Really, I didn't mind. She actually, she was so excited and when they said she'd passed, she did this little dance, when she thought no one was looking, but I saw."

"Oh! I'm so bummed I missed that, I bet it was adorable."

"Anyway, I should be going."

"Ok. Thank you." Lorelai added again.

"I'll see you later." Luke walked away and Lorelai headed towards the kitchen.

"This is insane! I still can't believe you made it for me." Rory continued to gush as her mom came in.

"I just wanted you to have something to celebrate with."

"Thank you Sookie," Rory hugged the chef before turning around. "Mom, have you seen this thing?" she asked as Sookie picked up a knife and started cutting up the cake she'd made in the shape of a sports car.

"Yeah, see? I told you there was a good reason to come in here, didn't I?" Rory quickly reached around Sookie and picked up a small piece, popping it into her mouth.

"Oh my God, Sookie!" Sookie smiled, handing plates out while Rory looked around. "Where's Luke?"

"He had to be getting back to work, but he was really happy for you, Kid."

"This is so great." Jess grinned at Rory, handing her license back. "Nice picture."

"I know, right? We're going to have so much fun, driving around. Just us, no adult supervision necessary because I have the golden ticket,"

"Not so fast missy. You're not heading off on any road trips just yet."

"But-"

"No buts. You can drive, but only when you have permission from the owner of the vehicle and you've finished your homework. Understood?"

"Yes," Rory grumbled.

"Good. Now can I borrow you for a second?"

"Uh, sure. What's up?"

"Well, I wanted to run something by you, just quickly."

"Yeah?" Rory put her cake down and followed her mother back out to the lobby.

"Well, when I was all alone at dinner the other night, Mom and Dad hit me with this idea that may seem a little crazy to you, but I think you should probably think about it."

"Ok..."

"Well, Mom wanted to know why you were at public school while 'that boy' had the spot that was apparently supposed to be yours."

"That b-"

"Her words, not mine. They think you should be at Chilton. So, I'm wondering how you would feel about that?"

"Well it… it's a great school, but… the workload is enormous and they're really strict on the rules. Not to mention I'm sure it's not cheap."

"From what I remember, you're right they are and it's not. But I'm sure you could handle it, I mean, if you kept working hard like you are, you'll be fine. But my parents also came up with a way around the money issue. They said they'd be willing to cover the cost and all we're required to do is continue going to Friday night dinners. Now, I don't exactly want to be in debt to my parents when I also owe Luke money for all he's done for us, but he said he's not in any rush to get that money back. So I was thinking I could take what I've saved for him, put that towards Chilton and have my parents fill the gap. I'll just start over saving money for Luke. Only if you want to go that way though,"

Rory thought for a moment, chewing her lip as she considered. "No." she decided. "No, I'm fine where I am. I wouldn't want to screw up the curve there anyway. I know that's a big concern for the Ivy-bound,"

"Don't think about that. Forget everything; money, snobby kids, Jess, all of it. Just think about what you could do with a diploma from that place."

"Open a diner, start a small jewelry business, owe money to-"

"You." Lorelai explained. "What you could do. Forget everyone and everything and think it over, ok? Please?"

"Alright, I will."

"Great. You can go back now to the boy and the cake,"

"Thank you." Rory turned on her heel and returned to the kitchen while Lorelai went back to work.

"I can't believe you would abandon us." Lindsay complained as she sat with Rory and Jess at Weston's. "I mean, Jess already got up and left, and we got you as a sort of replacement, I guess. But now you're leaving too? Unacceptable!"

"Nothing's decided." Rory repeated, glancing at Jess as he rolled his eyes. "I'm just telling you what my mom told me. Besides, do you really think that Chilton would admit me? Test scores aside, I highly doubt I'm the kind of student they'd be looking for."

"Six months ago you weren't the kind of student they'd look for. But, have you seen you lately? You're more dedicated to your work than me or even Lane who has Mrs. Kim to force her to study and apply herself."

"She's got a point, Ror. You have been working pretty hard recently." Jess added.

"So, what does that mean? Now I have one vote for Chilton and one against, but for me?"

"No. We are not voting on this." Jess told her. "You said Lorelai wants you to decide, based solely on you, right?"

"Right,"

"So that's what you're going to do. All we're doing here is discussing your options while we wait for our twelve layer German chocolate cake."

"I still can't believe we ordered that. Jess, we've been trying for years to eat that thing, and we've never made it through all twelve layers."

"That's true, but the last time we got to six, and I'm thinking with Rory here this time we've got an even better chance."

"That is my lovely boyfriend's way of saying that I am basically a human garbage disposal and can eat anything at all." Rory said sarcastically, and Jess began to backtrack.

"No, I was just, I mean, you have superior eating powers, surpassing even mine, and I just think we should give this cake another shot." He explained as a waitress came by and placed a plate on the table along with three forks.

"What were we thinking eating the cake Sookie made?" Rory wondered. "I know it was two days ago, but this should have been planned better."

"We'll do our best." Jess decided, "Someone has to make it through all the layers eventually, and I'm sure we can be those someone's." they each picked up a fork and began to eat.

"Ok, so, not to cramp your 'couple style' but I was wondering if you guys wanted to see a movie tomorrow?" Lindsay suggested, sitting back a few minutes later and glaring at the cake. She was sure it was mocking her. "With me and Tristan." She added as Rory and Jess both gave in and threw down their forks

Layer ten had beaten them.

"I… I'm not really sure I want to tag along for your date, Linds. Tristan's a great guy and all, don't get me wrong, but-"

"It's not a date."

"It's not?"

"No. It's a movie. For the two of you, it would be a date, with us tagging along, but we're not dating."

"You're not dating," Jess repeated. "But, at the festiv-"

"Oh, please! That's what you're basing this inane theory on? No, the festival was just fun. Remember fun?"

Jess rolled his eyes again as he remembered Rory asking the same question at the festival. "Yes, I remember fun. Geez."

"You can't blame us for wanting to make sure." Rory informed him. "Luke is your uncle, so we just had to check."

"I'm sixteen. The concept of fun is not completely lost on me, alright?"

"Good to hear. So, movie?"

"Think we can get Tristan to pay?"

"If we're real nice, I'm sure we can convince him to part with four bucks, yeah."

"And popcorn. Don't forget the popcorn."

"Rory don't worry, if Tristan doesn't buy you popcorn, I promise I will." Jess told her and she turned to Lindsay, smiling.

"Isn't he the sweetest?"

"Cavity inducing, I'm sure." The blonde replied as Rory picked up her fork and poked at the cake one last time.

"Ok, so I've been keeping track," Lorelai informed Luke as she came to stand beside him at the cash register the next day. He paused in his counting for a moment but then continued as she launched into her speech. "And in the few short months that I've been here, I have been attacked on four separate occasions by someone defending you. Four! Your sister, her crazy friend, Sookie, even Rory. And I understand, ok? I do. They care about you and hate me every now and then, or in Carrie's case, constantly, and it makes sense, it does. But I need for you to talk to me. Stop sending- Ok, I know you're not sending them, but still, sometimes it feels that way. You need to talk to me. You. And I heard what Liz said, and it makes sense, but we need to get passed it, ok? I'm sorry that I-"

"Stop."

"I'm trying to-"

"Stop talking."

"But I-"

"Lorelai! Please, do as I ask and just stop talking for a moment. Can you do that?"

"Well, it hasn't happened so far, but I guess I can always give it a shot." She muttered before biting her lip and looking at him. "How am I doing so far?"

"You were doing just fine until you asked how you were doing."

"Sorry. Want me to try it again?"

"Never mind. What brought this on? Why the sudden need to attack me in retaliation to the attacks on you?"

"I just… I was jut thinking about it all and I felt like coming down here and…"

"Biting a few heads off?"

"No. Not exactly. Just, I wanted to thank you again for every-"

"You don't need to do that."

"I know. But I wanted to. And it may not have been the best way to start the conversation, since I sort of have to ask you for a favor, maybe, or prepare you for the fact that I will soon be asking for-"

"I said not to worry about the money until you were all sorted in everything. If you need to take some more time, get Rory into Chilton, do whatever it is you need to do, that's fine. We already had that talk, remember?"

"She told you?"

"Well, yeah. She's trying to decide what she wants and I guess to her that means finding out what everyone else wants first."

"I told her to decide for herself and leave everyone else's opinion out of it."

"I guess that's a little hard for her at the moment. She's just getting people's perspectives, doesn't mean she won't ultimately decide for herself."

"Maybe you're right. So we're good then?"

"We're fine."

"I mean, I'll go away, stop asking you annoying questions and you'll start to wonder why I was so irritating, because not having me around is just-"

"We're fine, Lorelai. You can hold off on the money for as long as you need and I'm fine with that. As for what Liz said to you?"

"Oh, she didn't tell you that we talked?"

"No. What did she say?"

"Well… it was nothing. Really, just women stuff. But I heard her, and I'm going to try and do what she asked, I just need… some time."

"Ok. Whatever that means,"

"It means that… soon, you'll know what it means soon, ok?"

"Alright. You want something to eat?"

"Well, that depends. Will you make me pancakes for lunch?"

"You paying for 'em?"

"Doesn't the fact that my daughter lives and works here somehow get me a dis… I mean, yes, of course. I'm paying for them, of course, don't be so silly."

"Ok then. Chocolate chip?"

"Sounds perfect. Oh, but could you also add some whipped cream."

"That's just more candy. Do you want to be sick?"

"No."

"Good. I'll leave off the cream."

"No, put the cream on, please. I want it." Luke shook his head and started to walk away. "Oh, and see if you have any jelly beans!" Lorelai called out as he continued to shake his head, entering the kitchen.

I have a problem, I know. I am now going to search the cupboards for anything chocolatey to silence these cravings. Wsh me luck.