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Rory walked into the kitchen. "Kirk, my mom will be...Kirk? Where are you?" called Rory anxiously. She walked around, looking under the table and peeked into her bedroom before she saw him sitting in the living room, reading a magazine.

"Kirk?"

"Is your mother...?" he asked hopefully.

"Not right yet. She'll be out in a minute. So, what are you reading?" asked Rory, sitting next to Kirk on the couch.

Kirk cleared his throat. "Jane. I found it on the coffee table. It has a good layout."

"Yes, of all the young lady magazines, I do think that Jane has the best layout," Rory replied, trying to keep a straight face.

"I used to work for a magazine," he said, a touch of pride in his voice.

"Really? That's cool. Which one?" asked Rory, trying to pry 'Jane' out of Kirk's hands without him noticing.

"Well..."Kirk coughed, and looked a bit embarrassed. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"Also a good magazine."

"What?"

"Seventeen, it also has a good layout- oh, you're seventeen. I understand. I'll tell you in a year."

"A year?"

"You'll be eighteen next year," Kirk stated, and comprehension dawned on the younger Gilmore girl. "Is your mother ready yet?" he asked, not noticing Rory's acutely embarrassed look.

"Should I go check?" asked Rory, who jumped up and practically ran up the stairs before he could reply. "Mom? Where are you?" called Rory, once inside her mother's bedroom. "Mom?"

"Under here!" whispered Lorelai, who appeared to be buried under a large pile of clothing.

"Mom? Come out!" Rory said, digging through the clothes.

"Is he gone yet?"

"Is who gone yet?"

"You know who. Bat boy downstairs."

"Huh. Um, yeah, he just left."

Lorelai bolted upright. "He's gone?"

"Do you want him to be gone?" Rory asked as she unburied her mother, dropping all the clothes on the already covered floor.

"No, I guess not. I mean, I said yes to him for a reason. He's sweet, and sorta cute if you're into the whole 'I'm-a-hitch-hiker-with-a-long-rope-in- my-backpack-useful-for-climbing-mountains -and-strangling-people-to-death' look. I can't believe he left...I'm an awful person. Plain awful. Oh Rory, I wish he hadn't left..."

"Well, at least you learned something. Now get dressed."

"Why? I have nothing to get dressed for!" Lorelai said, tearing up.

Rory rolled her eyes. "Good thing he's still downstairs."

"Ah! You liar!" Lorelai proclaimed, jumping up.

"Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?" challenged Rory, smiling at Lorelai's reaction.

"I'm...I'm going to make you go downstairs and keep Kirk company."

"You wouldn't!" Rory gasped. Surveying the floor, she added "I don't think you have one single thing still hanging in your closet."

"Don't exaggerate my dear. I'm sure there are plenty of things still in there."

"Let's just see, shall we?" asked Rory, as she waded over. "One."

"What?" Lorelai said disbelieving and waded up to the closet to look over Rory's shoulder.

"One. One outfit left. And I think you should wear it."

"Process of elimination?" asked Lorelai as she pulled out a pastel sundress.

"No, not at all. I think it's perfect!" Rory said earnestly.

"Rory, no offence, but I think all of the Kirk fumes have gone to your head."

"Kirk fumes?"

"That's what I said, didn't I?" she responded irritably, looking at the discarded clothes.

"Kirk doesn't have a fume!" said Rory as she took the dress off the hanger and handed it to Lorelai. "He has a slight odor, but no fumes that I could detect."

"Hey, don't-"

"Mom, do you know what time it is?"

"Do I want to know?" asked Lorelai, who shimmied into the dress quickly.

"Seven-twelve."

"Making me..."

"Nearly an hour late. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't keep your table."

"Who? Who won't keep our table?"

"I don't know. Maybe you'll have to find out for yourself."

"That's no fun! Rory! Tell me!"

"Mom. The man of your possible dreams is pacing downstairs. Don't forget, you have to have him home by nine thirty. I'd make your time last while you can."

In reply, Lorelai hit Rory with a pillow. She sighed. "Okay, I'm done."

"Good. Now get!"

"Go on," Lorelai coached, pushing her eldest towards the door.

"What?"

"You have to announce me!"

Rory raised her eyebrows. "I'm not going to announce you."

"Rory, you have to announce me. It's the law." Rory looked at her doubtfully. "Yes, it is. Provisional government. Section-"

"Okay, okay, I'm going." Rory opened the door (with a bit of difficulty) and stood at the top of the stairs. Clearing her throat, Kirk looked up nervously. "May I present to you...Ms. Gilmore."

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