Out of the corner of his eyes, Jess saw Luke. He sighed, and folded his arms. He knew that his 'uncle' would come after him - Luke always did have a bad time controlling his anger, but he was such a softie at heart. But that didn't mean Jess was ready to forgive him.

He could forgive him for many things (of course, usually because Luke was entitled to the things he was saying, like, "Have these dirty socks been here since Monday?" and, "Those donuts were for the customers!") but not saying that he didn't deserve Rory.

How dare he? Rory was like the one shining thing in his life - God knows he regretted so many other things. He rubbed his head thoughtfully. Although the rumours were always fabricated into something way more exciting.

At any rate, Jess was not in the mood for any more arguments, and so when Luke walked up to him, he vacantly observed the puff of warm air emitting from Luke's mouth, like a burst of fire through the icy night, "Look, Jess," Luke said gruffly, "I'm sorry. I know - I know I over-reacted."

Jess almost retorted, "Damn right you did!" but then he caught himself. Rory certainly wouldn't approve. He smiled inwardly - he loved how Rory could be so goody-two-shoes, yet underneath it all she was a rebel like any other kid. (Little did he know about her torn thoughts of the quartet of boys ruling her life)

Instead Jess turned and faced Luke. With all the self-control he could muster, he murmered almost imperceptively, "That's alright. I'm going to bed now," and then he pushed past Luke and walked back to the diner, rubbing his shoulders.

"Boy, it's cold."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Mu-um!" Rory bounded down the stairs excitedly.

"Ready?" Lorelai looked over her shoulders, bag slung over the 'new' jacket that was 'to-die-for' at the vintage store in Stars Hollow.

"Sure am!" Rory said. It had been a long time since they'd spent the day together. And now they were looking forward for a stroll to the mall, something they'd rarely done since the beginning of the year. Lorelai was always busy with the inn, and Rory...well...Rory had schoolwork...and...things to worry about. She blushed as she the thought crossed her mind that she'd been spending the past 2 weeks dwelling on boys rather than her oh-so-important studies.

As they entered the car, Lorelai started chatting amiably, yesterday and their sour encounter about Jess all forgotten.

"So I was saying to Sookie, we don't need fancy imported icing sugar - but she insists on it! The silly thing! Oh well, as long as her cookies taste the way they do, I'd order icing-sugar from Timbuktu! Hey, that rhymed! Rory, pass me that box of Sookie's cookies in the back-seat...thanks honey..."

She grabbed a cookie from the makeshift box.

"Mmm..." Lorelai's expression changed into one of pure indulgence, "Strawberry and pineapple tarts...oh, excuse the drooling!" She laughed as she drived on and eventually parked outside the mall.

Rory and Lorelai emerged from the car, cookie crumbs littering their shirts and around their mouth. They laughed as they hooked arms. Rory had never felt so close to Lorelai in such a long time. She realised how much she'd missed the good old simple days.

They arrived home that night tired, Lorelai's wallet almost empty, "But we still have enough for a quick coffee at Luke's!" she winked.

Rory rolled her eyes, laughing - Lorelai always had time for Luke's coffee, it was an integrated part of her. The word 'Lorelai' was synonymous with 'Luke's coffee'.

"Just a minute, Mum, let me go keep these first." As she packed all the clothes they'd bought that day, Rory's eyes fell on the music box stashed under the bed. She'd had no idea what to do with it, and so it would have to stay there until she could have the house to herself and listen to it again. She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, wondering who the mystery boy was.

And then she hoisted her self up resignedly, "Let's go, Mum!" Putting on a cheerful face, she bounded down the verandah, Lorelai in tow, looking forward to a frothy cappuccino.