'I'm, dreaming, of a white, christmas, just like the ones, I used, to, know,'

Finn snorted in disgust.

"Dimples, puhLEASE stop it with the dreadful Christmas music!" Rory scoffed.

"It's not bad, it's a classic!"

"It, sounds, like, he's, walking, up, stairs, while, he's, singing."

Rory lowered the volume, still mouthing along the words defiantly. Finn stole a cookie.

"Hey! Those are for the kids at the soup kitchen. It's part of the whole community service thing. Besides, it shows good will." Finn rolled his eyes.

"It would show equally as much good will if I sent them a bajillion dollars. Can't I just donate?"

"Not if you want to get into Harvard, buddy, now stir!"

Tristan came barelling through the door with an armful of grocery bags.

"I got the sprinkles, the chocolate, the marshmallows, the cinnamin, the nutmeg, the jello, the m&ms, the raisins, the oatmeal, and the sugar. Exactly what kind of cookies are these, anyway?"

Rory's eyes sparkled. "Special ones. Trust me."

-

It was great living with Tristan. Well, so far. It had only been a couple days, but Rory couldn't have enjoyed them more. Spending too much time with Dean had been suffovcating, but with Tristan it was perfect. Never a dull moment passed, and she loved sharing old secrets with him.

Sharing a house with him did, however, raise certain questions. What were the sleeping arrangements being the hardest one. Lorelai tried to put him on the couch, but as soon as she'd left he snuck into Rory's room.

"Hey, you," he whispered at her doorway, waiting for an invitation.

"Hey," she replied, and beckoned for him to come in. He closed the door befind her. She sat on her bed and he joined her, snaking his arms around her waist and pulling her close for an all consuming kiss. After the tingling faded from her toes, Rory pulled away a little.

"Tris..."

"I'm not," he answered her silent question. "I'll wait for you," he murmered, his lips brushing against hers again. It was no secret that he was more experienced than her, and it had been a matter of some worry for her. His words, however, cleared her mind. She smiled into another kiss, and opened her mouth to his.

No, none of that. You silly readers. He really is going to have to wait. Sheesh.
They fell asleep spooning, and when Lorelai went to wisely check on them, she decided to let them sleep. She would talk to Rory in the morning. Better yet, she would talk to Bibleboy.

-

"Dimples this is horrendous! Blimey it's bloody aweful!" Finn said in distaste as he served another man the 'meat surprise' at the soup kitchen that night. Rory nodded and pulled on her hairnet.

"That's it, I can't do this." he threw down his ladle and opened his phone. "Hello, I'd like an order of 19 cheese pizzas. Soup kitchen at--yes, great." he smiled at Rory.

"I'll leave the cash at the desk. Can we leave now, please?"

-

"Wake up, sleeping beauty." Lorelai said to Tristan. Rory had left almost an hour ago, but hadn't woken him. He awoke with a start, and when he saw Lorelai he even had the grace to look guilty.

"I understand that it must be nice, living in the same house with your girlfriend. I also understand that your parents were somewhat less than perceptive. But if you do anything to hurt my daughter, I will find you and hurt you. You'll find I'm much craftier than your folks, and I have the support of an entire town behind me."

Tristan blanched. "Lorelai, I would never hurt Rory. Ever. It--" he searched for a way to explain. "Ever." he finished lamely. Lorelai gave him her patented IKnowWhatYouDidLastSummerAndIKnowWhatYouDidLastNightAndIWillLetOutTheAirInYourTiresIfYouPullThatCrapWithMe glare for another second, and then nodded.

"Let's go get coffee, I'm starved. Ooh, do you think Luke would make me special Birthday pancakes? Would you tell him it's your birthday so he will? Can we take your car?"

-

Friday night dinner, December 24th. Emily Gilmore was in an especially good mood. Her Christmas party plans were perfectly in place for tomorrow night, and Lorelai and Rory had showed up for dinner on time. They all congregated in the lounge for drinks, and chatted idley about frivolous things.

This only lasted a very short twenty minutes.

"Mom, we're not coming to your party tomorrow. Sookie has this thing, and--"

"Absolutely unacceptable! I put a lot into this event, and I will not have you spoil it by embarrassing me!"

"Mom, I made a promise. We're not going. End of Story."

"Well fine then, just abandon me! Next I know you'll be gone altogether like that korrible little DuGrey boy..."

"What?" Rory cut in, breaking her silence. Emily glanced over at her, temporarily distracted from her rampage.

"The DuGrey boy. His parents send him to a perfectly respectable school while they attend ther business, and how does he thank them? He runs away."

"Mom," Rory said in a panicked octave.

"Mom, how did you know this?" Lorelay asked tersely.

"His father is asking right and left, and has even spoken about hiring a private eye. Terribly embarrassing, though, I do hope they find him before he must resort to that."

"Thanks for dinner mom, it was great." Lorelai said. Both Rory and she bolted to the door, and were putting on their coats when Emily caught up to them.

"We haven't had dinner yet! What's wrong with you two tonight?"

"Goodnight, grandma!" Rory said, kissing her on the cheek before the pair disappeared.

Richard came out of his study, ready fo drinks.

"Where did the girls go?" he asked, and Emily threw up her hands and went to the kitchen to yell at someone.

Oh my golly jee, was that plot furtherment? I think it was!

Not much Finn, I know, but there has to be a balance somewhere, yes? I promise he'll come back. Tell me you love it, tell me you hate it, but really, tell me you love it.

Those one's are nice.

I usually crave critisism, but you know what? I'm rather stressed this week and so if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. You can be mean next chapter.

Asta!