Ooops, forgot to include disclaimer in the first chapter and couldn't be stuffed trying to reupload it and fighting with the formatting again. The oversight was not a sneaky attempt to claim the characters – really, I know they're not mine; I'm not that delusional.

Thanks so much for all the reviews everyone!! You guys rock, I just hope the story lives up to expectations.

Emerise: I love French movies! But unfortunately I'm entirely dependent on subtitles, even after taking French for 5 years. Probably cos I spent most lessons flirting with the boy sitting next to me or writing notes to my then best friend.

Tye: Still haven't decided if it's a happy Lit ending, but Jess definitely makes an appearance.

Katya: Title wasn't a Nico ref, although I like that song, hopefully the story has a more upbeat sentiment!

* * * *

YOU DON'T HAVE TO ATTEND EVERY ARGUMENT YOU'RE INVITED TO

* * * *

Friday

*ring ring*

"Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai speaking."

"Hi Mom."

"Hey, Honey, what time are you getting in tonight?" Lorelai asked cheerfully.

"Slight change of plans."

"Oh no," Lorelai's shoulders slumped visibly.

"I have a group assignment due next week and we thought we'd be organized by now. But evidently we're not, so we need to meet over the weekend," Rory explained. "I'm so sorry, Mom."

"It's okay, Rory, I understand. I'm disappointed, but I understand. Your study's important. If you were ditching me to go to a wild party with a hot boy, then... I'd still understand."

"Thanks, Mom," Rory said. "And look on the bright side, Luke can have you all to himself for once this weekend."

"Luke works all weekend anyway," Lorelai wrinkled her nose. "Should have chosen a guy with a 9-5 job."

"But Luke's got flexibility," Rory pointed out.

"It's not much use if he's loath to exercise it," Lorelai complained.

"Well whatever you do, have a good weekend. I'll call you," Rory promised.

"Happy studying."

"Bye, Mom."

* * *

Rory went back to the library to collect the books she'd left there while calling Lorelai. She hadn't gotten much study done as her current assignment was on Hemmingway, which reminded her of Jess. But Rory was meeting Paris and Jessica for coffee in five minutes and the coffee shop was halfway across campus so there was no time to worry about that now.

Returning to her study cubicle, Rory discovered a bright yellow post-it note stuck to her copy of A Farewell To Arms

Hint: Professor Anderson hates footnotes with a passion so avoid them in your assignment at all costs.

P.S. I think you're beautiful.

It was another message from him. Stalker-guy, as her roommate, Jessica, had christened him, had been leaving Rory notes for the past few days mostly commenting on what she was studying. He seemed like a nice guy. Smart too.

Rory looked around but all she saw was the usual students emersed in textbooks and notes. What was she looking for anyway? A guy in a baseball cap and trench coat slinking between shelves? Shaking her head, Rory quickly gathered her things together and went to meet her friends.

She found Paris at a table in the middle of the coffee shop reading through a thick stack of lecture notes.

"Hi Paris," Rory sat down next to her.

"Hi," Paris replied, looking up briefly. "Jessica's just getting up coffee."

"How can you have that many notes after only a month of actual classes?" Rory asked worriedly. "Have I missed something?"

"I borrowed them off a guy who took the class last year, it's never too early to get a head start," Paris replied before sliding the notes into her backpack as Jessica returned with three large styrofoam cups.

"Hey Ror," Jessica said brightly. "I got us the usual. Caramel cappuccino for me," she set one cups down on the table in front of her and handed another to Rory, "Hazelnut coffee for Rory; and for Paris, a decaf soy latte, otherwise known as 'why bother?'"

Jessica watched in disgust as Paris added half a sweetener to her coffee and purposely dumped three packets of sugar in hers.

"If you're going to have coffee you might as well have the real thing," she said.

"You really want to see Paris caffed up?" Rory asked.

"Guess not," Jessica admitted. "So how'd the study go, Ror? Get any more notes from Stalker-guy?"

"Yeah, I did actually." Rory pulled the note out of her bag to show them.

"That's so creepy," Jessica said after glancing at it.

"I think it's kind of sweet," said Rory.

Paris, for once, agreed with Jessica. "Your face will end up on one of those posters on telegraph poles – MISSING: attractive freshman, last seen late one night in the library."

Rory dismissed the warning. "I don't think he's dangerous."

"How do you even know it's a guy?" Paris asked.

"Yeah," Jessica chimed in. "You could have a female stalker."

"It's a guy," said Rory.

"Well there has to be something wrong with him. Why doesn't he just talk to you like a normal person?" Jessica asked.

"Maybe he's shy," Rory suggested.

Paris gave Rory a pitying look and stood up. "I have to go meet my new roommate," she announced.

Jessica snickered. "See you later."

"Bye, Paris," Rory added.

Paris had been through three roommates already, the latest one lasting less than 48 hours. Jessica was taking bets amongst everyone else in their dorm on how long the next one would last.

"Wanna bet?" she asked Rory, "Only two bucks to enter."

"I'll pass," Rory said.

"Whatever. So you're here for the weekend, right? Does this mean I can finally take you out?"

Jessica had the attitude of work hard during the week, play hard over the weekend. Rory had always pleaded out of doing anything with her on the weekends because she went home.

"What time's your study group meet tomorrow?" Jessica asked.

"Not until 2," Rory admitted reluctantly.

"We're going out tonight," Jessica declared.

"But-" Rory began to protest but Jessica was already on to her next idea.

"Do you have any classes this afternoon?" she asked Rory.

"No." Rory had arranged her classes to have Friday afternoon off so she could usually head home early. "But I thought I might go back to the library," she continued.

Jessica shook her head. "We're going shopping."

"Jessica..."

"No arguments, chica, it's party time." Jessica grabbed a couple of lids for their coffees and hustled Rory out of the coffee shop.

* * * *

That night Lorelai went to Luke's diner straight after work.

"No Rory tonight?" Luke asked, pouring her a cup of coffee as she took a seat at the counter.

"Alas, the trolls have her locked in an ivy-covered tower," Lorelai said dramatically.

"She had to stay at school at study?" Luke interpreted.

Lorelai nodded sadly. "The sacrifices we make for higher education."

"So it's just you and me?"

"Yep," Lorelai perked up, "wanna take me away for a dirty weekend?" she asked hopefully.

"You want a dirty weekend you can always help me degrease the deep fryer," Luke suggested.

Lorelai scowled at the thought.

"Or I could get Caesar to watch the diner on Sunday while I take you an a date," Luke continued.

"A real date?" Lorelai's eyes lit up. "Like one that doesn't involve me sitting at this counter talking to you while you work? Like one where I can spent two hours getting ready and you'll come pick me up, minus the flannel and baseball cap?"

"Something like that."

Lorelai gave him a big smile, "can I kiss you?"

"Later," he promised.

"Fine. For now you can bring me a burger with a big side of onion rings."

"You just lost your kiss," Luke told her.

"I'll eat the lettuce last to get the taste out of my mouth," Lorelai suggested.

"Okay," Luke agreed and sent her order out back before delivering a couple of meals.

"So I spoke to Lexa today," Lorelai began when Luke returned behind the counter.

"You RSVP'd to the wedding?" he asked.

"Uh, sort of. That's okay, right?"

"I didn't realise we'd talked about going."

"Well we didn't exactly," Lorelai admitted cautiously, "I just thought-"

"You assumed," Luke corrected.

"Okay, maybe I assumed. But there's plenty of notice to organise Caesar and the other new guy you hired to take care of the diner," Lorelai pointed out.

"It's still taking a weekend off from the diner," Luke grumbled.

"Week," Lorelai said meekly.

"Week?" Luke repeated loudly.

"Lexa invited us to stay for the week leading up to the wedding," Lorelai explained. "Apparently there's a whole bunch of stuff happening in the lead up."

"A week long wedding?" Luke asked incredulously.

"I'm sorry, Luke, you don't have to go for the whole week. But I'm actually looking forward to it," said Lorelai.

"So that means I have to be?" Luke demanded.

"No, it doesn't. Sorry, I should have checked with you first, but it's not a big deal, I can call Lexa back, whatever."

"It's not that I don't want to go, I would have liked to be involved in the decision."

"I'm sorry Luke," Lorelai stressed loudly, "I was just really excited."

Other diner patrons were beginning to give them curious looks.

"And you didn't think about anyone else," Luke hissed in a lowered voice.

Lorelai didn't want to get into this here and now. "You know what, suddenly I'm not very hungry." She jumped up, grabbed her purse and stalked out of the diner.

Luke stared at the door for about two seconds after she walked out it, and then returned to serving customers.


* * * *

Later…

"So this is what a frat party looks like," Paris commented, unimpressed.

Jessica had convinced Paris and her new roommate Amanda to come out to the party with her and Rory.

Rory tugged uncomfortably at the top Jessica had insisted she borrow in a futile attempt to cover more skin. It was a choice between revealing less midriff and more cleavage or vice-versa. Rory opted for the more midriff option and wrapped her arms around her waist.

"This top is too small for me," she complained.

"We wear exactly the same size," Jessica said. "It's supposed to be like that. If you don't like it, you could have brought that top we saw this afternoon. It would have looked fabulous on you."

"It cost $130!" Rory protested.

"Think of it as an investment." Jessica pulled Rory's arms away from her waist. "You're a free agent now, Rory, time to show the world."

Thankfully, Jessica spotted someone she recognised and bounced off to say hi.

"So how do you think living with Paris is going to work out for you?" Rory asked Amanda.

Amanda looked over to where her new roommate was arguing with a 6'3 blonde who had a beer in each hand.

"I can't believe you said that about Professor Luis!" Paris exclaimed. "That man is an arrogant, misogynistic, crypto-fascist, pseudo-intellectual who thinks that having 'Professor' in front of his name means he knows what he's talking about."

"I would have thought you two would have a lot in common then," the blonde guy replied. "Apart from the misogynistic thing, of course."

Paris' jaw dropped but before she could reply the guy spoke up again.

"Seriously, I know Luis comes across a little strong, but his class changed my life, give it a chance. Want a beer?" the blonde offered Paris one of the cups in his hand.

"Sure," Paris took it and continued their conversation.

"I think we'll be fine," Amanda said to Rory. "Good thing I don't scare easily."

"Hey," Jessica rejoined them, "how did Paris hook up with Adonis?" she asked enviously.

"I think she insulted his favourite Professor," said Amanda.

"Huh. Haven't tried that line. Anyway, Rory, see that guy by the door? The one talking to the redhead?"

"Uh, yeah." Rory glanced at the dark-haired guy across the room.

"Well he's looked your way like five times in the past two minutes," said Jessica.

"Isn't that his girlfriend he's talking to?" Rory asked.

"For her sake, I hope not, cos he is totally checking you out," Jessica insisted.

The guy noticed Rory looking his way and smiled.

Rory blushed and quickly turned to examine the food table.

"I wouldn't eat that if I were you."

Rory looked up to find the guy from across the room now standing beside her. The first thing she noticed was his eyes. His beautiful, almond-shaped eyes. Rory looked around for Jessica and Amanda, but they had conveniently disappeared into the crowd.

"Uh, why not?" she asked.

"I'm not sure really," the guy admitted. "But I've been warned by those who know from experience."

Rory gave a nervous laugh. "Well what am I supposed to eat then?" she wondered.

The guy reached into a bowl of candy and pulled out a handful. He then threw a piece her way. Rory caught it awkwardly.

"Comes wrapped, should be safe," he said. Having got what he came for, the guy paused for a moment, during which time Rory busied herself with unwrapping the candy. The guy began to turn away.

He thinks you're not interested, Rory thought to herself. She didn't know if she was, but Rory knew that she didn't want him to leave yet.

"I'm Rory," she said quickly. Not the smoothest lines in the world, but it would have to do.

"Jack," he replied. "Nice to meet you, Rory."

They both smiled as her blue eyes made contact with his brown ones.

* * * * 

Meanwhile…

From Lorelai's porch, Luke could hear The Donnas blaring out. Although he didn't recognise the music as The Donnas, only as 'that scary girl band.'

"Hello?" he called, making his way into the kitchen. Of course the music was so loud Lorelai couldn't hear him.

"Arugh!" Lorelai jumped in surprise when he entered the room. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" she chastised Luke before grabbing the stereo remote to turn the music down. "So what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you. Talk, make sure you weren't mad. I brought an apology coffee. What are you doing, anyway?" Luke asked, noticing the mess in her kitchen.

"I'm making you an apology cake," Lorelai said.

"You're making me a cake?"

"It's a carrot cake, very healthy."

"You're making me a cake?" Luke confirmed.

"From a packet. I'm not that ambitious."

"How is it possible to make such a mess from a packet cake?" Luke wondered.

The oven beeped.

"Yay, cake's ready. I was planning on bringing it over just after you closed up, but it took longer than I expected to figure out how to use the oven," Lorelai said. "Go take my coffee to the living room, I'll be out in a sec with your cake."

Luke complied and made himself at home on the couch.

Lorelai pulled out the cake out of the oven. It was sagging in the middle and burnt around the edges.

"Crispy," she said to herself and cut around the black bits to select the best looking piece for Luke.

"Here you go," she said proudly, setting the plate in front of him on the coffee table.

"You're not having any?" Luke asked.

Lorelai shook her head. "It's a cake. Vegetables should not be involved."

She sat cross-legged on the couch sipping her coffee and looked eagerly at Luke as he took the first bite of the cake. "How is it?" she asked.

Luke swallowed and tried to smile. "Do you want the appreciative and supportive boyfriend answer or the truth?"

"The truth," Lorelai decided, "and make it brutal."

"It tastes like crap," Luke said immediately.

"Brutal enough."

"It was a really nice thought though," he added quickly, setting the plate on the table.

Lorelai shrugged philosophically. "I have other talents."

"I know."

"Wanna see?" she crawled across the couch to rest one knee either side of his thighs.

"Really big yes," Luke said, resting his hands on her waist. "But I think we have to talk first."

Lorelai began trailing her fingers down the side of his face. "We can talk like this."

"No we can't." Luke gave her a gentle push. "You are very distracting."

"Okay," Lorelai rolled off him. "About the wedding."

"Let's go," Luke said.

"Really?" Lorelai asked hopefully.

"Yes," Luke answered, "I know you're looking forward to it."

"I'm sorry I didn't ask you," Lorelai apologised.

"I over-reacted, it was stupid." Luke shook his head.

"No, it was justified," she admitted.

"It doesn't matter now," he said. "We'll go. It'll be… fun."

"Thank you." Lorelai gave him a soft kiss. "We can do it cheaply. Take another road trip."

"No way," Luke said, "I'm still recovering from the last one. We're flying this time."

"Fine. And don't worry, I'll organise the whole thing," she promised.

"Okay."

"So we done talking now?" Lorelai asked.

"Mmm Hmm."

"Wanna stay here tonight?"

"Yep." Luke stood up.

"Wanna carry me upstairs?"

Luke crossed his arms over his chest. "You were given those legs for a purpose."

"You mean aside from scoring free drinks?"

Luke rolled his eyes.

Lorelai held out her hands and he pulled her up off the couch and placed his hands on her shoulders to point her in the direction of the staircase.

* * *

"Hey Luke?" Lorelai asked later, just ask they were drifting off to sleep.

"Yeah?" he mumbled in reply.

"Is anything wrong with you these days?" Lorelai rolled over to face him.

"No. What would be wrong with me?" Luke asked.

"You just seem, I don't know, irritable about stuff."

"Well everything's fine."

"Okay." Lorelai paused. Things seemed fine between them, but the occasional worry had been cropping up in her head for the past couple of days.

"I promise," Luke added, pulling her close, until he could feel her eyelashes flutter against his cheek when she blinked.

"If something was wrong, you'd tell me right?" Lorelai asked into his neck.

"Sure."

"I just don't want us to end up like Rory and Jess." Lorelai pulled her face back to look into his eyes.

"We're nothing like Rory and Jess," Luke assured her.

"Uh, I think genetics would say otherwise."

"Well I'm not going anywhere." Luke kissed her forehead.

Lorelai forced the uneasy feeling out of her stomach.

"Good, cos I'd get really hungry."

Luke sighed. "Go to sleep, crazy lady."

Lorelai rolled back over and Luke wrapped an arm protectively around her.

* * * *

TBC