Disclaimer: I don't own the Gilmore Girls, only the plot (pathetic thing that it is) and the Connelly's.

Summary: In the last chapter, plans were solidified and put into action.

Author's Note: Wow, I'm actually writing. Amazing. I'm only doing this because I'm tired of quitting things I start. So even though it appears no one is reading this (since I've gotten no new reviews), I'm still doing this. Why? To prove to myself that I can do it. Well, italics mean thinking, even though I haven't done much of that lately. Whelps, hope you enjoy.


Connelly Residence

Two vehicles pulled up to the house and stopped. From one emerged Rory and Jess while Chloe helped Tristan out of the other. Once Chloe had unlocked the front door, the four teens made their way to the living room.

Tristan sighed as he sat down. "We made it through another day…"

"…of torture." Chloe finished.

Rory grinned as she got out her homework. "Only two more days to go."

Jess fell onto a chair. "I don't think I can make it."

Chloe threw a pillow at his head. "Don't be so dramatic." He just smirked as he threw the offending decoration back at his assaulter.

Before another pillow fight could result, Marissa came running in. She pushed Chloe over and took the spot at the end of the couch.

Chloe raised her eyebrow. "Are you joining us?"

Marissa grinned. "Of course."

Tristan shook his head as he placed the pillow he stole from Chloe behind his back. "Just don't fight." He looked pointedly at the two sisters.

Chloe mock saluted him while Marissa nodded with a serious look on her face. Jess smirked at Rory as she stifled a laugh.

The group worked for about an hour with only the occasionally sarcastic remark when someone asked for help. Around 4:30, Marissa went to the kitchen to, as everyone else assumed, make coffee. Jess raised an eyebrow when she only returned with the phone.

Marissa stood in the entry way as the phone called the number she selected. After two rings, a male voice answered. "Hello?"

"Hey big bro!" Marissa responded. She giggled at the confused looks on the faces of the teens in front of her.

"Hey littlest sis. How is it out there?" Jason was surprised that Marissa, not Chloe, had taken the initiative to call him.

"All is good. Exciting, really."

"How so?"

"Oh, I only get to watch first hand as real life teenage drama unfolds. It's like one of those cheesy TV shows!" Marissa took a step back as Chloe glared at her and moved like she meant to get up.

What in the world is she trying to pull? Chloe shot daggers at her sister.

This doesn't look good. The other teens all thought similar thoughts at the sight of the two sisters.

"What's going on with Chloe? She hasn't mentioned anything to me." Why hasn't she said anything if it's so obvious that Marissa sees it. Jason was quite puzzled.

"Of course she hasn't said anything. Especially not now, what with all of them in the living room right now…" Marissa was cut off as Chloe jumped up and ran after her sister. Marissa ran into Chloe's room and sat on the bed. "Here, you can talk to her." Marissa laughed as she handed the phone off and went back to her work.

Tristan cleared his throat as the youngest Connelly entered the living room. "What was that about?"

She just grinned mischievously and shrugged before returning to her homework. Tristan shrugged, looking at Jess to see him roll his eyes. Rory was looking towards Chloe's room concerned, but turned back to her work. I wonder what they're talking about.

Chloe closed her door and sat down before putting the phone to her ear. "Jason?"

"Hey, I'm surprised there wasn't some long chase like usual." He chuckled.

"Yeah, she just handed the phone to me." What is she up to?

"So, care to fill me in? My curiosity has been piqued."

Chloe grinned. "I'd be worried if it wasn't. Well, I told you about Tristan, right?"

"Yeah, military guy who needs your help and spends every afternoon at the house."

"Yeah, him. I…ah…like him." Chloe blushed as Jason laughed.

"I was wondering if that'd happen. And I'm sure Marissa has done her job in teasing you guys. But if only it was that easy. There's more, isn't there? Another guy? Another girl?"

"Both. Jess and Rory. It's one big love square. Only more like a crush square." Chloe sighed and blew some hair out of her eyes.

"And knowing your luck, feelings are reciprocated all around, only you don't know for sure. Didn't you tell me that Rory has a boyfriend?"

"Recent break up. From what she told me, he used to accuse her of liking Tristan and then Jess when he arrived. He sounded too protective and jealous to me. But now he's out of the picture. Which means Rory is free to like whomever she wishes." Chloe fell back onto her bed.

"What a spot to be in. And you don't know for sure who the guys like?"

"Nope. Rory and Tristan have a history and I have an inkling he still likes her. She's not like the other girls, which is why he's glad I'm his friend because I'm also not like those snobs. Ugh, I was so stupid!" Chloe growled in frustration.

"What'd you do?" Jason tried not to sound exasperated.

"I accused him of being the very thing he hates, a rich snob." Chloe proceeded to tell her brother everything that happened that night at Tristan's.

"Well, I'd say he likes you, as more than a friend. I've gotten that feeling from when Marissa talked to me the other night. She told me about that day with the hose." Jason chuckled.

Chloe groaned. "This is too complicated."

"You need to talk to Rory. You don't want to try something without knowing where she stands. It might confuse the guys even more. Trust me on this one. Plus, two sets of eyes are better than one in trying to discern what the guys are thinking." Jason paused.

"And I clearly remember you telling me to take the preferences of the guy's into consideration. Sometimes things work out for the best if left alone."

Jason smirked. "You remember well, grasshopper. Yeah, talk to her, watch the guys, and let it happen. Guys don't like feeling pushed and rushed from all sides. No need to scare off the first set of guys that like you. It's been too long."

"I'd hit you if I could."

"I've been warned. And hey, you still got time before you feel rushed to make settling down decisions. Just have fun for now. You're still young."

"Easy for you to say. You should remember how stressful being my age is."

Jason only chuckled. "Too true. Well, if I remember correctly, Marissa said the aforementioned teens in your square are sitting in the living room, probably wondering what we talked about. Might want to show them you didn't die in here."

"Ha ha. Not. Talk to you later he who likes to advise me into stalking people."

"Later my little cinnamon freak." As soon as Jason ended his sentence, he heard the click of the other line. She hung up on me.

Chloe grinned as she stood up and walked back to the living room. She sent a glare in Marissa's direction before sitting down in her spot.

"Get any good advice?"

"Marissa." Tristan's voice held a warning not to push.

"Yeah, he told me about that box you have in your closet and…" Chloe paused at the horrified look on Marissa's face. "Exactly. Now go do your work in your room before I got up there and get that box."

Marissa quickly gathered her things and rushed up to her room so as to move her box.

"Would you really have gotten the box, whatever it is?" Jess inquired.

"Nah. And that isn't what we talked about. I've known about her box for years." Chloe continued working her math, not bothering to look up.

"Should we ask what you did talk about?" Rory glanced up the stairs.

"Nothing to be worried about. And don't mind my sister. My brother and I set a bad example, as well as his friends." Hopefully, they won't pry. I'll talk to Rory later.

A slightly uncomfortable silence descended on the group that was only broken by the adults of the house coming home. Rory and Jess excused themselves and headed home. Marissa giggled from the stairs and only left because her father sent her a warning glance.

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The Gilmore Residence

Once Rory had taken Jess home, she drove herself to her own abode. She shut herself in her room to do homework until she heard the front door open.

"Honey, I'm home!" Lorelei shouted into the house.

"And I'm almost done with my homework."

Lorelei peaked into her daughter's room. "Perfect timing, huh? Luke's?"

Rory rolled her eyes and got her coat. Once Lorelei had changed into jeans, the two headed into town. Rory held a small stopwatch in her coat pocket and secretly timed their journey.


The Diner

As soon as Jess entered the small eatery, he headed up the stairs and to his room. For three hours with only a stop for food, he worked on making his room perfect.

"I've seen him motivated before, but this is weird." Luke mumbled to himself as he served a customer.

It was just when Jess was getting food that the two Gilmore women entered the diner. To avoid having Rory see him all sweaty, he hurried up to his room, hoping he wasn't noticed.

Lorelei raised an eyebrow as Luke came over. "You must be some slave driver. That kid looked ready to fall over."

Luke glared. "No, he didn't. And that's all his doing. I haven't had to say once that he should work on his room. That'll probably be the only time I see him tonight. So, what'll it be?"

Rory ordered and sat staring at the stairs. Her reverie was broken when Lorelei asked, "Do anything exciting today?"

Rory shook her head. "Just school and then went to Chloe's for a bit. Though from the way Marissa was teasing before Chloe talked to her brother, I have a feeling they talked about our situation."

"Hmm, well maybe now she'll talk to you. I'd think that would be the best first step." Lorelei took a sip of her coffee.

"Yeah, probably." Rory just sat there, thinking, until the food came. Lorelei talked about her day and once they were done, they left.

Rory looked up at the apartment above the diner and wondered why Jess hadn't even said hello.

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The Connelly Residence

The remaining time before dinner was spent in silence. It was only the smells of food that broke the two teens away from their work.

"So, what advice did Jason give? Are you going to put any into action now?" Marissa grinned from her spot on the opposite side of the table from her sister.

Tristan and Chloe both glared while Mrs. Connelly shook her head. "Leave Chloe alone. It's dinner time." They were silent after that.

Once Tristan had left and Chloe was in her room, Mr. Connelly approached Marissa. "She talked to Jason today?"

Marissa grinned. "Yeah, I forced it on her. She's in this love square deal and I figured she needs some outside help again."

Mr. Connelly just nodded. "Well, I hope it all turns out alright."


­Author's Notes

Yeah, that was just a filler chapter. Nothing exciting. I'll try to write on the plane so there'll be another chapter in mid-August. Well, that's all. I have packing to do.