As I followed my Father to his study, I was reminded of just four short days ago when I had done the same. It was weird to think how my life was able to change in just four days. From Sunday to Thursday I managed to leave my whole old life and come to this one, where I am now.

"So?" I asked my Dad curiously, as I stood in front of his desk.

"You better sit down," He told me, signaling to the leather chair behind me. He had brought his scotch glass with him, and going to a small tray at the side of his room he filled it to the brim. "Your Mother called,"

"Yeah, what did she want?" I questioned calmly, still trying to figure out what this was all about.

"She received quite the menacing message." He said, as he downed his drink.

"Message?" I repeated dumbly, still confused how this included me. Dad turned around from the table; leaning back he looked at me uneasily.

"Yes, a message." I wanted to back away from his intense stare, but I knew I couldn't. "From a friend of yours,"

"Oh," I whispered, shaking my head. Please, let it be Amy or someone good.

"It was an ex-boyfriend of yours…" He told me, still looking at me from his scrutinizing eyes. "I told you'd I'd find out what happened."

"Nothing happened!" I lied, not knowing what other way to go.

"No girls football team, you were covered in bruises, your Mother is frantic because a guy calls saying he won't let you get away again… something definitely happened. I'm not stupid." He declared. I shivered, Charlie actually called. And, he said he wouldn't let me go again. This can't be happening.

"Is Mom alright?" I asked worried.

"For now… Don't ignore the subject here. You're not leaving here until you tell me the truth," He informed me.

Not knowing what to say, and not wanting to have him know the truth, I sat there silent for a minute. "…I lied about the football thingy," I confessed looking at my hands.

"No shit. There is no girl's team! Even if there was one, you wouldn't get beat up like you were."

"It's not like I gave the reason much thought!" I told him, in my own defense.

"Yeah, well, being my daughter you should give better lies!" Looking at me he gave me a stern look, "Not that you'll ever be lying to me again, understood?" I nodded in accord.

"May I go now?" I asked him, trying to sound my sweetest.

"Hold it! So, you confessed for lying, but you haven't told me the truth," He told me calmly. He was smiling, that was a good sign right? Would he be smiling after I told him?

"He is so cute!" I grinned shutting the door, as the Mariano's just left.

"Danny?" Matt questioned, as they walked together into the kitchen.

"No, although, he is cute too! I was leaning more towards Nick! What a hottie!" I exclaimed grinning.

Conner was in the room and I could see him roll his eyes. "Why don't you find someone your own age? Danny's your age and if you ask me he looks just like Nick."

"No, he doesn't you dumbass!" I laughed. "Might I remind you Nick has a shaved head and well, Danny has hair!"

"So, I meant their faces look alike!" Conner said in his own defense.

"But, Danny's taken," Matt told us, and then quickly covered his mouth. "Fuck, I wasn't suppose to tell anyone. This better not leave this room, got it?" He asked.

"You sound like a girl, bud," Conner told him. "You do have my word not to tell anyone, but you got my curiosity too. Who is this girl?"

"I'll tell you, but firstly Al? I want your oath of secrecy!"

"When did you become the gossip king?" I asked laughing. Matt just glared at me with a look of, fine I won't tell. "Alright, alright! I swear!"

"It's Maddie." He stated.

"Andy's sister?"

"DuGrey's sister?" Conner and I asked at the same time.

"Yes, now this has to remain strictly confidential!" Matt told us a second time. "All of it!"

"Are they going out?" I questioned.

"Not officially…" He replied.

"He's a lucky guy, she's was pretty hot!" Conner said, smirking. "But, when Andy finds out… I almost feel sorry for the guy, I mean nice knowing ya!"

"Why'd Andy care that much?" I questioned confused.

"Isn't it obvious? It is his little sister!" Conner responded, as if I was stupid.

"I know, but Andy has dated so many girls! And, a lot of them have probably had overprotective over brothers too! Shouldn't he understand?" I asked.

"Sure, whatever, but also having that much experience Andy knows what guys want. We don't always have good intentions, I mean we're- never mind, but that's why I'm so protective over you, because I'm a guy I know how we are," He explained to me, the whole time Matt just nodded in agreement, as if it was some known guy fact.

"Then how come you didn't care with the whole Chris thing?"

"I did care! That's why I didn't like you two together…" He told me. I could tell I was treading on sensitive territory, but I wanted to know the truth.

"I know that, but how come you dragged me to that one party, and then wasn't the least bit protective of me with what I did that evening?"

"Because, I wanted you to think of things other than him!" He shouted back. Matt was watching us both, moving his head as if he was in a tennis match.

"That makes no sense! Wouldn't you care if other guys made a move on me? Or, did you not care as long as I wasn't with Chris?"

"I do care! Shit Allie, I care!"

"Then how come you let what happened happen?" I was practically in tears now, frustration, anger, everything all coming out.

"It wasn't my idea!" Conner shouted at me, letting the truth out.

"I knew it! I knew it!" I cried, covering my face with my hands, "But, I kept telling myself it wasn't true… y'know why?"

"Why?" Conner asked me quietly.

"I trusted you!" With that I started walking out of the kitchen. I heard him call after me, but I just continued walking.

I was at my Mom's and things were stranger than normal. First off, Andy had been completely decent to me all day. Maddie must have a good influence on him. Julie was shut in her room, saying she had a lot of homework. Mom left, not saying where she was headed, just mumbling something about Stars Hollow. And, well Tristan was drinking. Something was definitely going on.

Walking out of my room, I saw Andy sitting on the stairs looking worried. Now, normally I really wouldn't care I mean we hate each other, but for some reason I actually was curious and approached him, "What's up with you?" I questioned.

"Dad told Maddie they had to talk," He replied. I was shocked that he was actually talking to me without being his usual self.

"Are they talking now?"

"Yeah," He replied, "Do you think my Mom's alright?" Now I was really shocked. He was confiding in me too?

"She must be, I mean if something was up with her, Tristan would call you in with Maddie," I told him, leaning against the banister opposite where he was sitting.

"I can't just sit here, I'm driving myself crazy," He complained. "Look, don't tell anyone about this," I nodded, trying hard not to laugh. "Maybe Julie, will want to head for ice cream or something." He grinned, standing up and heading down the hall to Julie's room. What was going on in this house? It's like the Bermuda Triangle, with all these strange things happening.

"Chris!" Andrew shouted.

"Yeah?" I questioned, walking down the hall.

"Chris get the hell over here!" He called again, so much for being civil. "What?" I asked, entering Julie's room, half curious why Julie wasn't saying anything, with all the shouting. "Where's Julie?" I questioned looking at the empty room, besides Andrew.

"Well, not here!" Andrew replied.

"Obviously-"

"Look, was she up here all night? I mean did she leave?"

"No, she came up after dinner, before you and Maddie left… and, then she never left, I mean where would she of gone?"

"I mean besides her room…"

"It's Julie, she gotta be around! Where else would she be?" After searching every room in the house and outside in the yard, that was the question we were still asking ourselves.

"… Then I called Holly. She suggested I come here earlier then planned. So, I came on Wednesday, and stayed in a motel, by the bus station… And, well you know what has happened since," I told him finishing my story. My Dad however was just quickly pouring himself another scotch and downing it.

"Did you tell anyone?" He questioned me.

"Only Holly knows, and now you," I told him quietly.

"You didn't tell the police or anything like that, I mean honey this is serious, can't you see that?"

"It's not a big deal. I mean, I amfine." I replied.

"Not a big deal? You were nearly gang raped! Not to mention the drugs and alcohol you were exposed to!"

"I'm fine! Look at me! They didn't rape me! I'm ok! And, it's not like there were any hardcore drugs it was just pot-"

"Just pot," He repeated.

"Dad, it doesn't matter!" I exclaimed standing up to leave.

"Honey, I just care about your well-being I mean, shit, I wish I could beat the assholes up that touched you!"

"It's over Dad, and I've gotten over it."

"Alright, fine we won't tell the police. Even though I want those jerks to pay for what they did to you!"

"It's ok, you just have to forgive and forget…"

"Forgive and forget? Maddie these guys abused you! I've got to get you to a doctor! I can't believe I didn't think about this right away…" Walking out of his study my Dad began mumbling something about having a number somewhere.

As much as I wanted to be angry with him for making this such a big deal, I knew that as much as I tried to deny it, it was a big deal. And, he's was only doing it out of love. Shit, I'd be the same if someone I loved went through the same thing I did.

"Where the hell are you boys going?" My Dad questioned Chris and Andy who were silently heading out of the house.

Looking at me Andy asked, "What did Dad want to talk about?"

"That doesn't matter." Dad told Andy, "Where were you boys headed at 10:30, on a school night?" I know Dad wanted to ask them as well, why they were together.

"We were heading out for food. We're both hungry," Chris told him.

"Not buying it," Dad replied, looking suspiciously at the two boys. "Where's Jules?" He questioned. Both boys stood there not saying anything. "Julianna!" Dad called upstairs.

"Sleeping?" I suggested when we got no answer.

"You all stay here. If you move, then don't plan on having a social life for a very long time!" He threatened, racing upstairs.

"What did Dad want to talk to you about?" Andy asked me again when Dad was out of sight.

"Uh, just, umm-" I muttered, only to be saved by Dad, shouting to us as he stomped down the stairs.

"Where is she?" He demanded, looking extremely angry. I shrugged, but Dad continued to glare at the two boys.

"Dad we don't know anything, we're telling the truth. We were actually going to go find her. And, bring her home, to save her from this shit!" Andy told Dad.

"So, one daughter gets almost ganged raped hanging out with druggies, and the other sneaks out?" He asked incredulously.

"Ganged raped!" Andy repeated.

"Where the hell do we look for her?" Dad asked, looking at how dark it was outside.

"Wait a second, who got ganged raped?" Andy asked.

"Maddie?" Chris questioned looking astonished at me.

"We're not talking about this now!" Dad shouted, obviously not feeling comfortable, "Now where the hell would your sister be?" The moment Dad said, that we heard a thump upstairs. Dad immediately started sprinting upstairs, with all of us at his heels.

"Julianna DuGrey!" He barked, finding Julie sitting nursing her ankle on the floor by her window. "Where the hell were you?"

"Here," She replied, looking up at us as if we were nuts. Hoping we'd ignore the fact that she had a coat on.

"Bullshit, I'm not stupid!" Dad shouted at her. It must have been all these things piled into the same day that made Dad this angry. I mean I would not like to be in Julie's place now.

"Fine, I went out," She told us, standing up, wincing when she put her weight on her ankle.

"And, you used your window?" Chris laughed.

"Where were you?" Dad asked, in the sternest voice I'd ever heard come from him.

"Ricky's," She confessed, looking shamefully at the ground. I gasped, Ricky Mariano! Wait until Holly heard this.

"How'd you get there?" Andy asked curiously.

"A friend drove me…" She replied, again looking at her hands.

"What? Who?" Dad shouted. "Why didn't you ask to go? - Dad could I please go to Ricky's? And, could you give me a ride? – Is it that hard?" He questioned

"No, but-"

"But you weren't thinking! Where is your Mother when we need her!" Dad asked, looking around at all of us.

Walking down to my kitchen, I was surprised to see my Dad still home. Most mornings he leaves before any of us have even gotten up. But, then considering that we were home before him last night.

"Morning," He smiled at me, still sitting in his pajamas at the table.

"Dad,what are you doing home?" Nick asked coming into the kitchen with Danny trailing behind him. Both boys were still in the pajamas. Danny had his hair sticking up in different directions, a great poster for bed head.

"No class, this morning," He replied, still looking at the paper.

"Why not?" I asked him curiously, pouring myself some cereal.

"Not today, it's some frosh activity thing going on, y'know some weird university freshman initiation thing, so…"

"Don't they do that before school begins?" I questioned, bringing my bowl of cereal to the table and setting myself down across from him.

"Yeah, I don't know, it's weird…" He told me, while looking at the newspaper.

"Y'know what's weird Jess," I told him, purposely trying to get his attention, but saying his first name. "That we were home before you last night. I didn't realize you had class as late as 10:30…"

Looking up from his paper he looked at me, "It's Dad to you, Nancy Drew,"

"Well?" I questioned.

"I was in Stars Hollow seeing Luke," He told us, going back again to his paper. Both Danny and Nick laughed, not believing him. "What?" He questioned looking at them annoyed.

"Nothing," Nick replied in a sing song voice.

"Dad?" Ricky asked entering the kitchen, looking exhausted. "Fuck, What are you doing here?"

Dad gave Ricky a stern look. Ricky had a bad mouth. Almost every other word that came out was fuck. After so many lectures Dad pretty much gave up on saying anything. "I think I've raised the nosiest children!" He exclaimed getting up from the table and putting his dishes in the sink. Stopping before leaving the room he looked at us, "Your Mother called,"

"What did she want?" I questioned, with a touch of hostility in my voice.

"Holly, don't… do not be angry with her." He told me, coming back into the room.

"But, she didn't even stay to tell us! She left knowing you'd have to tell us about the divorce alone! And, then she avoided us even more, by not coming home any time before we moved! On top of all of that she planned for us to go to Chilton, behind our backs!" I shouted, not really meaning to come off as angry as I had. The majority of my anger was just in defense of my Father.

"Hol," He said, as he wrapped me in a hug. "You have to tell her how you feel." Stepping back from me, he looked at us all, "I'm going to tell you something, that I wish someone had told me when I was your age. Family is the most important thing. It doesn't matter if they're annoying as hell or assholes, but family is always there for you-"

"Mom wasn't," I retorted quickly.

"It was moment of weakness, she was confused… There is noting more important in the world to her than you guys. My Mother and I didn't have the best relationship, and looking back I really wish I had changed that,"

"Dad, I uh, I mean it's not like-" I tried to explain, "It's just through this whole divorce thing, my loyalties are lying with you."

Dad grinned, "Not quite what I was going for with that speech."

"Mine too," Danny stated, nodding.

"Ditto," Nick smiled. We all looked over at Ricky who was slumped in one of the bar stools.

"Shit, of course, me too." He told us grinning.

"Kids, y'know, I don't want there to be anything between your Mother and I." Dad told us, looking mostly at Nick, Danny, and I.

"Ok," Nick said, and the rest of all nodded in agreement.

"So, Jess, that leaves us with one question, where were you last night?" I asked, raising my eyebrows curiously.

"Dad." He corrected, before replying, "Personal stuff," Smirking, he walked to the stairs. "Oh, you kids wouldn't want to be late for school!" Looking at my watch it was 7:25, we had to be at school for 8:00, and it was about a half hour drive.

"Fuck, I have to get dressed!" I cursed running out of the room.

"Language," Dad berated casually starting up the stairs.

"Dibs on the shower!" Danny called, running past me.

"No way!" Nick declared, coming up behind the two of us. I laughed, as we all raced to the bathroom.

"Where's Dad?" Julie questioned coming into the dining room.

"In bed," I replied, lazily sipping my orange juice.

"Nursing his hangover," Maddie joked, from across the table. I looked across at her worriedly. I still hadn't found out what Dad wanted to talk to her about.

"Morning," Chris said, walking in and taking a seat next to Maddie.

"How do we know if we are punished?" Julie asked, moving her eggs around on her plate. "I mean Dad just left last night, without saying anything!"

"We Tonto? Sorry, but if that's not the royal we, I don't know who you're referring too," I told her, taking a bite of my toast.

"What even possessed you to sneak out?" Chris asked. Both Maddie and I leaned in curiously. "I mean why didn't you just ask? And, even if you weren't going to ask, how come you didn't use the door?"

"I don't know," She stated frustrated. "And, y'think Dad would let me go to a boy's house on a weeknight?"

"Not to mention alone," Maddie added.

"Alone?" Chris and I exclaimed together.

"I meant traveling alone, not that she was going to be alone with him…" Maddie said, obviously trying to cover up what she had said.

"Don't worry, Maddie, it would have come out sooner or later." Julie shrugged.

"You went to a boy's house where you were alone?" I questioned.

"It's not like I knew we'd be alone, Mr. Mariano was suppose to come home from work, but never did!" She exclaimed.

"Jess never came home?" Maddie asked.

"I know, Ricky was worried, where could he have been?" Julie questioned.

"…He does have an Uncle in Stars Hollow, Uncle Luke… Perhaps he was there? Maddie suggested.

"Luke? Stars Hollow?" Chris asked peculiarly.

"Yeah, he owns like a diner. I went to see him on the weekend." She told us.

"What are you getting at Chris?" I questioned frustrated.

"Mom's mom, my grandma, married a guy from Stars Hollow, named Luke. And, he owns a diner. That can't be too common…"

"Does that mean I'm some how related to Ricky?" Julie looked about sick.

"Well, it's just Ricky's great uncle is our step grandfather… That can't be that bad," Chris reassured her.

"Enough, about this! Who really cares? What I want to know is what you were up to at Ricky's house alone?" I asked.

"None of your business!" Julie looked at me horrified.

Sighing, I looked at her, "What's up with you Julie? You used to be so-"

"Good?" She smirked. "Does it really matter? When you were my age… well, who knows what you were doing with girls. And, I go out one night to see Ricky. Who let me tell you is probably the most caring guy there is-"

"I can vouch for that," Maddie added, nodding.

"Yeah, so one night, not even a whole night! For some hours, I'm out with the world's nicest guy, who would never dare make me do something I objected too, and then I get this crap!"

"Julie, it's just, it happened so suddenly," Chris told her. "We're just used to you being our quiet little sister," I still didn't say anything.

"Andy," Maddie said looking at me, "Rick is like the most considerate kid ever! He'd never lay a finger on her-"

"But, you can never be too sure," Looking up we all saw Dad, leaning against the doorframe. He had been listening all along; just none of us had noticed him. "I came down to discuss last night, but it seems you guys have already begun…"

"Morning Dad," Julie looked up at him clearly embarrassed.

"Are you all done with breakfast?" Mrs. Macgregor asked coming into the room. "Mr. DuGrey would you like me to get you something?" She questioned, looking to Dad.

"No thanks," Dad smiled politely. She nodded gathering our plates.

"You children better hurry it's a quarter to eight," She told us, before heading out of the room. All of us stood up abruptly, all muttering about having to go get our stuff, and not being late for school.

"I'm not going to keep you from school, but you're all grounded this weekend!" Dad declared, standing up.

"What did I do?" I asked along with Chris.

"Yeah, and me?" Maddie exclaimed.

"Look, go to school, come home and we'll talk about this…"

"Shit, shit, shit!" I cursed, throwing my alarm clock across the room. The stupid thing hadn't gone off at seven, and now shit it was a little past eight. Getting up, I ran a hand through my hair. I headed down the hall to wake up both Conner and Allie who had obviously slept in as well.

"Conner!" I shouted to my brother's sleeping form. Nothing! Walking over I grabbed his blankets and shook him.

"What?" He mumbled sleepily.

"It's past eight, get up!" I told him, walking to the door. "Allie!" I called down the hall. "Allie, wake up!" I yelled, opening her door.

"Go to hell…" She murmured, rolling over onto her other side.

"It's past eight; we're missing school as we speak…" I sat down on the end of bed, knowing to approach with caution, especially after last night.

"Fantastic, but I'm not going," She replied, looking at me from her pillow.

"Well you're not stay home…" I said in return.

"Why do you think I didn't wake up earlier? I'm not going!" She shouted, putting her pillow over her head.

"Okay…" I sighed, leaving her room. "Conner, Allie's not coming to school today." I said, standing in his doorway. I know, I know not fair, but I know Conner can get the job done.

That sure got him out of bed, "What?"

"You heard me, I'm going to go have a quick shower… We better leave soon. We already missed the majority of homeroom…"

I left to go have my shower, just as I heard Conner storm into Allie's room.

Seven minutes later, record time I was downstairs in my uniform ready to go. Allie came out of the kitchen with a banana in her hand, all ready as well.

"What'd he say?" I questioned, wondering how he made her come so easily.

"It's not important," Conner said coming down the stairs.

"Asshole," Allie muttered, before walking outside to the car.