Disclaimer: If I owned the Gilmore Girls, I wouldn't be so worried about getting a job after college.

Summary: The highlights of last chapter include Chloe talking to her brother and Rory finally announcing her new status of single.

Author's Notes: Ok, I realize that last chapter was a bit boring. And short. That's why I reworked my outline and set this chapter to be two days instead of one. Chapter twelve will take some time as it will be the whole weekend. And then chapter 13 will be the last chapter. Now, I know what pairing seems to be more popular but I have yet to decide. Unfortunately, the one that seems most logical is also the least favorite. But the ultimate decision is mine so you'll just have to wait until chapter 13. I'm starting college on the 24th of September so you'll also have to wait to see how much I can get done before then.



Chilton

Another lunch dawned with four teens huddled at their pre-claimed table. Occasionally a student would pass by, but none of the four seemed to notice.

"So, when are you going to get the supplies from Tristan's?" Rory directed her question at Chloe, who was writing all the plans in her notebook.

"Tomorrow, right after school when we also get his stuff for the rest of the weekend." Chloe looked up as she finished her last note.

"It's almost L-Day." Tristan joked.

"I didn't know we were going to be storming beaches." Jess took a bite from his sandwich before hiding it again from the librarian.

Chloe rolled her eyes as she copied Jess in eating her lunch. Tristan chuckled while finishing homework due in his next class.

"Anyway, are you going to do a trial run of the setup then?" Rory glanced at the notebook.

"Probably. When are you going to time the walk to the diner?" Chloe passed the notes to Rory before going over her own homework.

"Tomorrow evening. We got out of Friday night dinners again so we're eating at Luke's and Jess is just coming with us afterwards." Rory nodded her approval of the notes.

"Only one more day of school." Tristan stole Chloe's homework to check.

They all became silent as they realized how close they were to executing their plan. Luckily, the bell rang so they gathered their books and went to class.


Connelly Residence

Tristan sighed in relief as he sat down on the couch. Shortly after, Jess plunked down on the other end. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

"You try doing homework in that chair or the ground." Jess indicated the plush recliner he usually occupied.

Tristan laughed. "Point taken."

Chloe smirked but only put her bag on the aforementioned chair. "Hey, Rory, can I talk to you in my room? I have something I've been meaning to show you."

Rory glanced at the boys, put her bag down, and followed. She sat on the bed while Chloe had already claimed the desk chair.

"As far as the guys will know, I'm showing you a book and photo album." Chloe indicated the two items on the bed. "But I really just want to talk about the current situation."

Rory sighed. "I was hoping we would. So, should I take it that you like both?" Her fears were confirmed with a nod. "Same here."

Chloe laughed. "Of course, it just had to be. I mean, I'd worry if everything was just perfect from the get go."

Rory nodded. "Oh, before I forget to ask, what did you say to Jess that first day he was at Chilton?"

Chloe looked confused before she remembered that day. "Haha. That. I just told him to meet up with us in the library at lunch. I only whispered it to see your reaction."

Rory laughed. "I would have never guessed. And on this clarifying question line, why did you hang back at the mall?"

Chloe shrugged. "I figured you needed to be the center of attention. I mean, you were here first. Plus, I wanted to see if they would fight for your attention." She smirked.

Rory shook her head. "That would have been encouraging. But don't feel like I get first dibs or anything. I don't think the guys would appreciate us just deciding who they like."

Chloe burst out laughing. "Oh, sorry. I'm not laughing at you." She apologized as she held in her laughter. "That's just what Jason always says and what we talked about last night."

"Ah. So, what do we plan to do?" Rory idly flipped through the photo album.

"We test the waters and try to see what the guys are thinking and want. "Chloe slowly spun around on her chair.

"Well, we need to make sure we don't appear to have a preference so we'll just treat them the same and equal." Rory stopped on a page with the same group in every shot.

"My old group of friends. Luckily, I wasn't involved in that love triangle. We should pick a day to confront them if we can't figure it out before then."

"Ok. How about some time next week?" Rory closed the album and stretched.

"Alright. Hey, do you think they'll react if I casually sit between them on the couch?" Chloe stood up and walked to the door.

"No idea. But if I act upset and jealous, we can see what they do with that hint." Rory followed Chloe out the door.

"This is going to be fun." Both girls smiled at Chloe's comment before entering the living room.

Chloe pulled her binder out from her backpack as Rory sat on the ground next to the coffee table. The boys looked confused as Chloe placed her binder on the table close to the couch. They glanced at each other as Chloe went behind the couch and jumped over, landing between the two.

Tristan opened his mouth to say something but shut it. Chloe immediately went to work while Rory glared slightly before becoming absorbed in her work. Jess looked at Tristan but he only shrugged.

Ok, something is up with these two. Did Rory look jealous? They are acting almost like they're fighting over Jess and me. Oh, stop being so conceited DuGrey. Rory probably just wanted a break from the floor. Tristan shrugged it off and worked on his homework.

Well, that's a new look from Rory. I doubt it's from wanting the couch. Oh well, as long as they don't get us involved in their little fight, they can work it out themselves. Jess took one last glace at each girl before resuming his work.

The house was relatively quiet as the teens worked. Ten minutes had gone by when a small girl came bounding down the stairs. Marissa took one look at the teens in the living room and laughed. She went into the kitchen and returned with a cup of water. As she took in the scene again, she shook her head and grinned. When the boys gave her confused looks, she winked and went back up the stairs. Chloe had only briefly glanced up and was trying to hide a smile while Rory was focusing on her work to keep her angry façade in place.

Tristan turned to Chloe. "What is wrong with your sister this time?"

Chloe shrugged. "Maybe she's finally realized what I've known for some time and that is that you two guys look funny." She grinned at her paper as she didn't look up at all.

As Tristan rolled his eyes, Jess snorted. "Fine, don't tell us. See if we care." Jess flicked Chloe with his pen.

"Glad you don't care, because even if there was something to tell, I wouldn't. So ha. Now, work." Chloe flicked Jess and then did the same to Tristan.

Rory rolled her eyes and held in her laughter. Soon, the boys followed Chloe's example and once again silence reigned in the house.

Rory stretched and stood up as the time neared 5pm. "I'll be going now. I don't want mom waiting for me." Rory started to pack and Jess put his stuff in his binder.

"I guess I should go as well. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Jess was out the door right after everyone had barely said good-bye.

Chloe followed Rory to the door. "I'll inform my sister of the recent decisions so that she'll understand what we're doing."

Rory nodded. "Think Jess left so quickly because of us?"

"No idea. Maybe you should ask him. Or I can. We'll worry about that later. Well, see you tomorrow." Chloe closed the door after Rory waved good-bye and turned around the hedge.

Chloe put away her binder and backpack in her room before falling onto the couch. "No more work. Break time. Want some coffee?" She was already standing up and in the kitchen by the time she finished asking.

Tristan got up slowly and followed her into the kitchen. "Ok, what is up with you and Rory?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "We are girls. You aren't supposed to understand us all the time. Consider this one of the times we are going to be mysterious and confusing. It had to come sooner or later." She pulled out the coffee beans and started to brew them.

Tristan sat down at the kitchen table and hit Chloe in the leg with one of his crutches. "Nope. Not a good answer."

"Sorry, that's all you get. And what makes you think there is something up with us to begin with?" Chloe grabbed the crutches and put them on the other side of the room.

Tristan sighed. "I give up. But what about your sister, do you know what that was about?"

"What, didn't like my answer the first time?" Chloe laughed. "Seriously, your guess is as good as mine. She's the little sister. She isn't supposed to make sense to the big sister. It's in the sibling handbook."

Tristan chuckled. "Well, then can I have my crutches back? I'd like to wait in the living room, if you don't mind."

"Oh, but I do. You'll get them back when the coffee is done." Chloe went into her room and partially shut the door.

"That's not nice. Fine, but if I fall and hurt myself, it's your own fault." Tristan stood up and started to hobble toward the crutches.

"You really need to stop depending on them so much." Chloe came out, grabbed the crutches, and went into the living room.

Tristan growled. "Oh, now you're going to get it." Tristan entered the living room to find his crutches half way up the stairs, on the platform, but out of his reach. "You have to be kidding."

"Call this mobility therapy. You'll get them back after dinner and when you leave." Chloe lounged on the couch, leaving no room for Tristan.

He glared at the offending female. "I'll sue if I get hurt."

"Bring it on, rich boy." Chloe sat up and turned on the TV.

Tristan sat down and watched the program. After a few minutes, Chloe got up and got the coffee from the kitchen. Marissa came down and sat between the two teens on the couch with her own coffee.

Tristan turned to face the younger Connelly. "What was with the laughing and winking earlier?"

Marissa smirked. "If you can't guess, then you don't get to know."

"You're as bad as your sister." Tristan glared at both girls.

Chloe grinned at him. "She learned from best." Marissa nodded her agreement.

Tristan shook his head and they all returned to watching the TV. They barely acknowledged the arrival of the adults and the making of dinner. Soon, delicious food aromas filled the air and caused Marissa's stomach to growl.

Chloe chuckled. "Seems someone is hungry. I have to agree with the sentiment of your stomach. Let's go see if it's done." Both girls jumped up and walked into the kitchen.

Tristan stood up as well and followed behind more carefully. He arrived to see that the table was set and food was being set out. "And were you going to tell me that dinner was done?"

Chloe shrugged. "I knew you'd come anyway to look, regardless of the state of dinner."

Everyone sat down and weekend plans were discussed. After dessert of ice cream, Tristan packed up his backpack and waited for his ride home. Marissa sat next to him on the couch while Chloe helped clean up.

"You guys are so oblivious. It's funny. And amusing." Marissa never turned from the screen.

Tristan was about to comment when the door bell rang. He stood up and found Chloe standing in front of him with his crutches. "Finally. See you tomorrow."

Chloe walked Tristan to the door with Marissa right behind. "Same time, same torture." Chloe grinned.

Once the door was shut, Marissa spoke. "Ok, something changed and I'd like to know what."

Chloe laughed. "Rory and I had a talk. So we both like both guys so there's a problem. Our decision was the treat both boys the same and feel the waters so to speak. I had the idea of sitting between them on the couch and Rory said she'd act jealous to see how they react." She walked back to her room with a shadow following behind.

Marissa sat on the bed. "Fun. Can I help?"

"Sure. Just watch them. You remember what Jason taught you, right? About reading body language?" Chloe checked her phones call log.

"Yup. Alright, I have a math test tomorrow. Blech. Good night." Marissa stood up and went out the door.

"Good night. Good luck." Chloe sat back on her bed and stared at the ceiling.


Stars Hollow Streets

Rory caught up with Jess as he neared the diner. "Hey, Jess!"

Jess slowed down and waiting for Rory to catch up. "Hey. Sorry for the quick run. There's something I wanted to do before the weekend and tonight's my last chance. Plus I have to pack."

"Oh. Alright. See you tomorrow." Rory watched as Jess smiled and entered the diner. She then continued on her way home. She had barely finished her last bit of homework when her mom came home.

"I'm home wonderful daughter of mine." Lorelai shouted into her home. "Would said daughter like to help the wonderful mommy find dinner?"

Rory came out of her room smiling. "And what would that pertain?"

Lorelai shrugged. "Heating up leftovers." She laughed as she pulled off her shoes and started upstairs.

Once she came down and most of the food was heated, Rory pulled at the plates and they sat down for dinner.

"I talked to Chloe today." Rory said between bites.

"Oh. And how did that go?" Lorelai raised her eyebrows.

"What I expected. It's a full on love-like-square-thing. She likes both, I like both, we can't be sure who the guys like. So we decided to test the waters by being neutral. But today, she sat between them on the couch while I sat on the floor acting jealous. They were very confused."

Lorelai laughed. "Oh, my little girl is having fun playing with boys' hearts."

Rory rolled her eyes. "Maybe you can be of help this weekend."

Lorelai looked confused. "How could I help?"

Rory sighed. "Jess. He's coming over. Remember?"

"Oh, now I remember. Sure, it sounds like fun. Can I mess with his head as well?" Lorelai smiled like a kid in a candy store.

"Well, since I doubt I can stop you, go right on ahead." Rory took another bite while Lorelai contemplated her plan.

"Only one day left. And tomorrow is going to be a good day already in that we have no dinner with my parents." Lorelai grinned.


Chilton

Friday's lunch started like any other, with the four teens sitting around their usual table. After about five minutes, Tristan asked for a favor.

"Chloe, Rory, could you go find a book for me? I'm going to need it soon but I also need to finish this worksheet." Tristan put on his best puppy dog face.

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Sure. But you owe us." She stood up and Rory copied her action. "So, which book is this you so desperately need?"

"That one for French. I forgot the name." Tristan barely paused in his writing.

"Oh, yeah. I'll borrow it from you then." Chloe turned to the language section and Rory followed behind.

Chloe stopped behind the first bookshelf and tried to look back at the table. "Ok, something is going on, I'm sure of it."

Rory nodded. "But they'd be suspicious if we took longer than necessary to get the book. Do you want to go get it and I'll stay and watch?"

Chloe shook her head. "Nah. We'll just bug them about it later. I mean, we talked privately before without them watching so they should be allowed the same."

The girls headed back to the correct shelf while Tristan watched the make sure they were out of hearing range.

"I'd like to get revenge against Chloe and will need your help. Care to join the fun?" Tristan grinned.

"Revenge for what and how?" Jess raised an eyebrow.

"She pushed back my chair at dinner with my mom and thusly made me fall on the ground." Tristan glared as Jess chuckled. "Yeah, I know, the oldest trick in the book. So I'd like to hide her chair and see what she does."

Jess nodded. "You move it and I'll make sure they don't come back while you're gone."

Tristan stood up and grabbed the chair that Chloe usually occupied. It only took a minute for him to take it an empty table near the opposite side of the library. Once he sat down, Jess asked a question.

"Do you have any idea what is wrong with those two today? Chloe hasn't been her usually insane self and Rory seems mad at us." Jess sat back in the chair and stretched his legs.

"I get what you're saying but I have no clue. Chloe told me last night that girls are supposed to be mysterious some times and to count this as one of their few times." Tristan shrugged. "If I didn't know better, Rory is acting jealous. But it has to be my imagination."

Jess pondered the suggestion. "Well, if she is acting as such, so is Chloe. She glared at me today when I asked Rory for help in English."

Tristan nodded. "She's been acting quite distant all day. Same with Rory. They don't respond to our usual comments."

Jess shook his head. "Well, contemplating it won't help. They're girls and you just can't understand them."

Tristan laughed. "Very true."

It was at that moment that the girls came back with the requested book. Once Chloe saw her chair gone, she put the book on the ground and stood in front of Tristan with hands on hip.

"Oh, you did not." Chloe went to try and strangle Tristan but Jess was already up and restraining her arms. She rolled her eyes, went slack, and pulled back her arms. "Geez, you have no sense of humor to think I'd actually attack him."

Rory had left and returned with the chair that had been hidden. "Here you go. They moved it to the empty table."

Chloe sat down in her chair and smiled at Rory. "Thank you. At least I have one friend here still." She glared at the boys.

"Revenge should have been expected. You did move my chair at dinner that one night." Tristan crossed his arms and looked serious.

"So now you're even so no more moving chairs. Anyway, what did you guys talk about while we were gone?" Rory pulled her binder to her but didn't start working.

Tristan and Jess looked at each other and then back at the girls. Chloe was ignoring the boys, focusing all her attention on her homework. Rory looked expectant.

"The revenge, mainly. Nothing of consequence." Tristan shrugged. Jess nodded and Rory looked skeptical.

"Tristan just told me about what Chloe did and I stood watch to make sure you didn't come back before he did." Jess pulled his chair back to the table so he could work again.

"And you had just enough time before we got back to share a little joke which caused Mr. Revenge to laugh. Yeah, uh huh. We so believe you." Chloe rolled her eyes but didn't look up from her work.

Tristan looked over at Chloe. "You are being surprisingly sarcastic after a day full of nonchalance."

Chloe shrugged. "Just keeping you on your toes." She continued to work and Rory joined her in ignoring the boys.

Jess shook his head. Tristan sighed and went back to work. The rest of lunch passed by in silence until they finally had to go to class.


Tristan's Residence

Chloe slowly pulled in the driveway and parked the car. She got out and waiting for Tristan by the door. Neither spoke as the door was opened for them and they nodded in greetings to Jeffrey. The trip to Tristan's room, where his bag and the box of items for the plan were, was silent. Tristan grabbed his bag while Chloe got the box. Jeffrey had the door open for them so they went straight out to the car. Jeffrey waved good-bye and they reciprocated the motion once they had put away what they carried.

Tristan sighed as they continued on their way to Stars Hollow. "Are you going to give me the silent treatment all weekend?"

Chloe laughed. "No, I was just waiting for you to say something. I'm surprised you waited this long."

Tristan shook his head. "You are an odd one."

Chloe grinned. "I try." She turned on the radio at a stop light and let Tristan change the channel. The rest of the ride consisted of the radio with the two occupants humming along with the fast melodies.

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Connelly Residence

Marissa was waiting at the door as the car pulled up to the house. In her hand was a small stop watch. She watched as the two teens tried to carry all the bags when Tristan could only handle one. Marissa laughed and took Tristan's overnight bag from the ground. "Here, before you kill yourself."

Chloe laughed and followed her sister into the house. She balanced the box on her knee as she shut the door behind Tristan. She set the box on the kitchen table and put her backpack in her room. Marissa and Tristan put their bags on the couch and moved to the kitchen.

"Ok, it's time for the practice run. Marissa, ready to time us?" Chloe put the box on the floor and faced her sister.

"Yup. Just tell me when to start." Marissa nodded and put her finger on the start button.

Tristan moved next to Chloe and nodded. "Now."

Marissa pressed the button and the two teens went to work taking things out of the box. In ten minutes, they had the table cloth on the table with the two settings done. Chloe put the candles in the holders as Tristan brought out the string lights from Chloe's room.

"Stop." Tristan said to Marissa and she pressed the stop button. He held up the lights to Chloe. "How long would you expect this part to take?"

Chloe thought for a moment. "I'd say ten minutes just to be sure. So we need twenty minutes for set up and then five to get to that spot on the main street that Rory told us to stake out."

"Alright. Now all we have to do is have Rory time the walk to the diner and we can decide our timing." Tristan started to put the things away back in the box.

Marissa took the string lights into Chloe's room while the teens put away the table settings. Chloe sat down on her bed and Marissa joined her. Tristan took occupancy of the chair.

"I'm bored. Do we have to do homework now?" Chloe lay back on her mattress.

Tristan laughed. "Unless you want to do it over the weekend, I'd suggest we finish most of it now."

Chloe glared at the ceiling. "Fine. Sorry Marissa, but we high school students must slave away now. Pity us."

Marissa laughed and went out the door. "I think I can do that."

Tristan listened as the padding on the stairs got quieter and soon was no more. "Well, the sooner we start, the sooner we get done." He held out his hand and helped Chloe get up from the bed.

"And you didn't even fall over. See, you don't need those crutches all the time." Chloe grinned and led the way into the living room. They worked diligently until Chloe's parents came home. They had the idea of eating at the diner so the whole family and Tristan walked into town.


Gilmore Residence

Rory had finished part of her homework when she heard her mother come in the front door. She closed her book and slipped a stop watch into her coat pocket. She put her coat over her arm and went to the entry way.

Lorelai was about to go up the stairs when she heard Rory's door open. "Hey, just let change into something more comfortable for walking and then we can go." Rory sat on the couch as she waited for her mom.

Lorelai bounded down the stairs and waited by the door as Rory joined her. "Come on. We can't waste one moment of this precious Friday. Now, off to the diner that would cause our deaths if it should ever close." Lorelai linked arms with Rory once the door was shut and locked.

Rory laughed and walked besides her mom. With her free hand, she reached into her pocket and pressed the start button.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­


Luke's Diner

Rory pressed the stop button as her mom let go of her arm and opened the door to the diner. She was surprised to see that the Connelly family and Tristan were already there with three empty seats.

Lorelai laughed. "Seems we were expected. I wonder who the third seat is for." Luke approached the table as the two Gilmore girls sat down. He poured coffee for them both and pulled out his order pad. Before he could ask for their orders, Jess came down and sat in the last empty seat.

"The usual, Uncle Luke." Jess sat back in his chair.

Luke glared at his nephew. "Right. And you, Lorelai?" He looked bored at Lorelai.

"Oh, the usual. For both of us." Lorelai looked at Rory and got a nod.

Luke wrote their orders on his pad. "No dinner at your parents' tonight?"

"Nope. And what better place to spend our one Friday evening free than at our favorite diner?" Lorelai grinned.

"Yeah. Right. It'll be a few moments." Luke smirked and went back into the kitchen.

Rory looked around the two tables. "This is like Monday all over again."

Mr. Connelly laughed. "It does seem to be following a pattern."

Mrs. Connelly talked to Lorelai about the inn while Mr. Connelly asked the teens about Chilton. Once he was certain they were doing well, it joined his wife's conversation.

Marissa turned to Rory who was sitting across from Chloe and diagonal from Marissa. "So, how long was the walk?"

Rory pulled out her stop watch and checked the time. "Um, about twenty minutes."

"That's how long we figure it will take us to set up the table and the lights. So if you give us a ten minute head start, we'll have time to get to our spot before she does." No one had to ask which 'she' Tristan was referring to.

"Sounds good to me." Jess didn't have a chance to reply more because Luke came at that time with the food. They all ate quietly with only a few questions from Lorelai and Mrs. Connelly about their school work.

Once they were done, Mr. Connelly and Lorelai went up to pay the bills. Mrs. Connelly and Marissa started on home while the teens stood outside.

"Tomorrow is the day. We should probably do some work in the morning so we can meet up after lunch." Rory pulled her coat around her as the wind blew cold air at them.

"Sounds like a plan. Well, we'll see you guys tomorrow." Chloe waved as she started down the street. Tristan nodded and followed behind.

Lorelai came out and said good-bye to Mr. Connelly. She then hooked arms with Rory and Jess. "Ok, kiddies, what now?" She pulled them along the street in the direction of the Gilmore house.

Rory chuckled. "I was thinking a movie."

"Our favorite?" Lorelai grinned at her daughter.

Rory looked over at Jess who looked like he wanted to run. "Haha. Sure. Jess is supposed to get the true Gilmore experience."

Lorelai laughed at Jess's expression of slight fear. "Oh yes, you should fear for your life." Her laughter mingled with Rory's as it drifted into the chilly night air.


Connelly Residence

Chloe and Tristan sat down on the opposite ends of the couch while Marissa searched for a movie to watch. Once she put the DVD into the player, she sat down between the teens and focused on the screen.

Mr. Connelly chuckled to himself as he watched Chloe glare at her younger sister. Mrs. Connelly noticed as well and smiled. She followed her husband up the stairs and grinned at Marissa before disappearing upstairs.

The theme to Star Wars filled the living room and the two teens laughed. "We need to expand our movie repertoire."

"We don't actually perform them so it's not really a repertoire." Tristan pointed out.

"Technicalities. You know what I mean. Don't make me think, we're watching a movie." Chloe pulled the pull out from under her and hit Tristan on the head.

He glared at her but refused to retaliate. He focused on the movie as the sounds of the TV were the only one heard in the room.

­


Gilmore Residence

Rory put a microwave popcorn bag into the microwave as Lorelai put the movie into the player. Jess sat on the couch and waited for Rory to join them in the living room. Lorelai grabbed the remote and sat in a chair facing the TV.

Once the sound of popping ended, Rory put the popcorn into three bowls and went into the living room. All occupants got a bowl and watched as the previews played on the screen. Rory sat on the other end of the couch but turned to face Jess as she put her legs on the seat. She pulled a blanket over herself and gave one to Jess. He copied her actions so that he was facing her with his feet on the couch.

Lorelai looked at the two on the couch and smiled. Rory looked quizzically at her mother but the movie started at that point. Lorelai grinned even wider but motioned for Rory to watch the TV. Rory shook her head and focused on the screen as Willy Wonka began. Jess laughed and Rory grinned.


Author's Notes

Oh wow, 12 pages. Haha. So yeah, another filler type chapter. The next one will be super exciting. And as such, don't expect it out soon. I've decided the couples and it's the most obvious ones. I promise to finish this before years end but since I start college soon, I won't be able to dedicate large blocks of time to this project. Sorry.