A/N: To my girl from the WB boards pixiechick12, welcome back. To the rest of my faithful readers, thank you for taking an interest in my story. Here is part two of the six parter I was talking about. Enjoy!

Chapter 38: Mothers, Fathers, Daughters and Boyfriends

It was a typical Friday night for the Danes family. Luke, Lorelai and Audrey Danes sat quietly at the dining room table of Lorelai's mother's home. Rory and her family were on their cruise. Marty's new coaster had premired and he and his family were taking a much needed vacation. The last call that Lorelai had recieved from Rory put them somewhere near the coast of Hawaii. Laura and Matty were having a ball.

Audrey picked at her dinner. She was still getting used to Chilton. Ryan Turner, however made the transtion better. Ryan walked her to her classes, introduced her to his friends. She was audtioning for Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew and they seemed to be going well.

"How was school today Audrey?" Emily asked.

Audrey set down her fork. "I had a Shakespeare test yesterday. I think I did rather well but Mr, Medina hasn't graded them yet, but I'll know for sure on Monday."

"Medina? Lorelai isn't that-"

"Yes Mom. It's the same person," Lorelai said quickly cutting off Emily.

Emily turns her attention back to Audrey who has gone back to picking at what resembles chicken.

"When do your audtions start for the play?" Emily asked.

"On Monday. At least that's the first read. Tuesday Mr. Langford will split us up inot scene groups. We'll continue that on Wednesday, callbacks are on Thursday and the cast list goes up on Friday," Audrey explained.

"Anything else going on next week?" she asked, smirking at Lorelai.

"What was that look, Mom?" Lorelai asked.

"There was no look. You're paranoid Lorelai. I simply asked a question."

"Oh no! There was a look! That was the patened 'I've-got-something-on-Lorelai' look," Lorelai said. She nudges Luke. "You saw it."

"Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil," Luke answers sipping on his beer. He stares down at his plate.

"Well Grandma, my acting class will be having our fall showcase in November," Audrey said.

"I knew that one! So did Luke," Lorelai exclaims.

"Leave me out of this please," Luke said, gruffly.

Emily picks up her wine glass and takes a sip. "What are your teachers planning for Parents' Day?"

"The Chilton newsletter came out today!"

Emily smiles knowing that Lorelai has not read it and is not planning on attending Parents' Day.

"Mom we've been over this. I read the newsletter. Luke reads it. Hell, Rory reads it! Sorry Audi."

"Lorelai, excuse me for being concerned for my granddaughter's education. I have so little in my life now."

"Mom, Luke and I are going to Parents' Day," Lorelai explained. "When is it?"

"Wednesday," Audrey said quietly.

Later that night standing outside in the extremely early snow of the season. Lorelai leaned against the door. She moved her look from Luke to Audrey. "How many times do I have to tell you guys to warn me when the Chilton newsletter comes out? That way I can arrive at dinner with some ammo."

"But it's so much fun to watch you squirm, honey," Luke teased. "Let me have my fun."

"I'm going to let Kirk decorate the diner!"

"You wouldn't!"

"I would!"

She picks up a handful of snow and hurls it at Luke. It hits him square in the chest. He retaliates and throws a few at her. Then he runs at her pushing her into the snow. He picks up a small handful and rubs it in her face.

"Ahh! I give!" Lorelai cries. "I give!"

She picks up a handful and shoves it down his shirt. They roll around in the snow, acting like a pair of children even thought they have reached their golden years. They stop and Luke is on top of Lorelai. He leans down and kisses her softly.

"Gosh you guys are weird," Audrey says in the typical teenager voice.

Luke and Lorelai pull Audrey down into the snow with them and the three of them stare up at the sky.

Audrey stands at her locker putting her English and math notebooks away. Ryan walks by, taps her on the shoulder and pops up on the other side of her. Audrey and Ryan spenta lot of time together. Ryan had introduced Audrey to his friends and his friends' girlfriends. She and Hannah Scott-Cancel were becoming better friends. Hannah was Ryan's best friend James Tyler's girlfriend. Hannah was audtioning for the play also.

"Morning," Ryan said. He leans in to kiss her but Audrey holds up her fingers stopping him.

"Ryan, I told you. I'm not ready for that yet," Audrey said. "I want to take this slow."

"Ok," he said. "So are your parents coming to Parents' Day?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Audrey asked.

"Well from what you've said about your parents, it doesn't really sound like their thing."

"If my parents don't come to Parents' Day they'd have to face the wrath of Emily."

"Do I want to know?" Ryan asked.

"Not really."

Audrey shuts her locker door and puts her bag on her shoulder. Ryan takes her free hand and they walk towards the courtyard. They pass a few of Ryan's friends and they wave.

"How are audtions going?" Ryan asks.

"Andie's done everything except hiring hitmen to come and take me out," Audrey sighed, leaning into Ryan.

"What is she doing?" Ryan asked.

"Just being a pain. She tries to trip me, says the wrong lines to confuse me."

"Talk to Mr. Langford about it. Tell him what Andie's doing and if that doesn't work go to Ms. Geller," Ryan suggested.

"I want to aviod going to Aunt Paris unless I have no other choice," Audrey said, sadly.

"Aunt Paris? Ms. Geller is your aunt?" Ryan questioned.

"She's my sister Rory's best friend. I grew up calling her Aunt Paris. Please don't say anything. I don't want it getting around that I have a connection to Ms. Geller."

"Mums the word. Do you need a ride home today?" he asked.

"You know I can't. It's against the rules."

"You must really respect your parents to go through all this," Ryan sighed.

"You don't understand the situation," Audrey said, nonchalantly.

"I would if you would just tell me, Audrey!" he exclaimed.

Audrey was taken aback. Ryan had never risen his voice to her. She let go of his hand and stared at him. A shocked look came over her face.

"Ryan, my paretns are old. I don't want to cause them too much stress, ok. Please don't be mad." (Ok that sounds familiar)

Ryan looked down at Audrey. He didn't mean to yell. Audrey was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He grasped her hand and brought it up to his lips, kissing it softly.

"I understand, baby. I'll call you tonight to see how audtions went. Bye Audrey."

Ryan turned and walked towards the parking lot. He turned back and waved. Audrey sighed and walked towards the theatre. Along the way she was cut off by Andie, Julia and Tarah.

"Excuse me please," Audrey said quietly.

"You don't stand a chance," Andie snapped. "This isn't Stars Hollow. This is my year."

"I said excuse me," Audrey said again, brushing past.

"Drop out of the play!" Andie yelled to her back. "Drop out and I'll call it off."

Audrey whips around. "Are you threatnening me?"

"Andie is this really necessary? Audrey has done nothing to you," Tarah said, sticking up for Audrey. "You're just scared."

"Oh shut up, Tarah," Julia snapped. "No one cares."

"Don't talk to her like that! Excuse me."

Audreywalks into the theatre. Tarah is on her heels.

"Audrey wait!" she calls. "Hold on a second!"

Audrey stopped and turned around to face Tarah. Tarah was a short girl with short blonde hair. Her eyes were a soft brown. Audrey's patinece has worn thin.

"What?" she yelled. "Are you supposed to play the victim and gain my sympathies? Are you supposed to pretend to be my friend but all the while reporting my every move to Andie?"

"No Audrey. I'm not like that! I want to be your friend!" Tarah exclaimed. Audrey throws open the door to the theatre. "Audrey wait!"

"No! Tarah, you can tell Andie that she can't scare me. I am not going to be bullied!"

Audrey leaves Tarah stunned. This outburst was so unlike her. In the short time that Tarah Leahy-Worth had know Audrey she had never heard her raise her voice over a polite volume. Tarah was determined to become Audrey's friend.

Audrey finds a quiet corner in the theatre to collect her thoughts. There were very few times in her life that she had yelled at someone like that. There was once when she was seven, she yelled at and kicked another kid on her Little League team because he said that girls can't play baseball. Word had spread around school that Andie had ambushed Audrey. Ryan was sitting at a red light when his cell rang.

"Turner, get your ass back here to school," Hannnah said.

"Why? What happened?"

"Andie ambushed Audrey outside the theatre and said some things. I think it would do her some good if you came back and waited with her," Hannah said. "You never know with Andie."

"I'm coming."

Audtions ran as smoothly as they could. Audrey and Andie seemed to avoid each other remarkably well. Audrey gathers her things up and leave the theatre. Walking out into the hallway she sees Ryan waiting.

"Are you all right?" he asks, pulling her into a hug. "I heard about the ambush."

Audrey laid her head against Ryan's side. She sighs. They walk towards the parking lot. "What did I ever do to Andie? I mean, I was nice, polite when I met her and Julia. I've never been anything other than myself to anyone. Why do they hate me?"

"She's Andie. She'll do what she wants. She doesn't have a reason," he said, kissing the top of her head. "Do you want me to stay with you? Wait until your dad gets here?"

"That'd be nice. Thank you," Audrey said smiling.

They sat down on the bench and began taling. They discussed their homework and Ryan even helped her with a math problem she was having difficulites with. Audrey saw the familiar green truck pull into the Chilton lot. Luke smiles warmly, a fake warmly, but warmly. He pulls in front of Ryan and Audrey. Ryan stands and opens the door for Audrey.

"Hi Mr. Danes!" Ryan calls.

Luke nods in acknowledgement of the greeting. He waits until Audrey has setteled into the truck.

"Hey kid. How were audtions? Hi Ryan."

"They went. I'm so glad that they are over for today."

"Andie again?" Luke questioned.

"It's getting harder to ignore her Daddy," Audrey said softly.

"You know you could always go to-"

"Aunt Paris. I know. I want to avoid going to her unless I have no other options."

"We have to get going. See you later Ryan," Luke said.

"Bye, Mr. Danes," Ryan said. Whispering to Audrey, "It'll get better. I'll call you later."

He kissed her hand and shut the door. Audrey shakes her head and smiles. Even though the hell that Andie was putting her through, she had the support of Ryan to help at the end of the day. Luke sees Audrey looking back at Rayn as they drive away. He fidgets with the radio. He sighs and looks over at her.

"You really like this boy don't you?" he said, not as a question but as confirmation.

"Yeah, Daddy. I do," Audrey answered.

Taking a deep breath, Luke begins to list his rules. "On school nights you will be home by ten. On weekends you will be home by twelve. You will maintain your grades, keep up with your activites."

"Are you saying that Ryan and I can date? By ourselves?"

With a heavy heart Luke answers, "Yes. You may."

Audrey giggled and carefully hugged her father.

"You're welcome Audrey."

"Thank you so much Daddy! I love you."

Wednesday morning Luke and Lorelai walked through the halls of Chilton. Audrey points out where all her classes are on their way to her locker. Audrey passed a few of Ryan's friends and waved. Once they got to her locker she had already passed Anide, Julia and Tarah.

"You're right they seem just lovely," Lorelai whispered to Audrey.

"Ryan!" Audrey exclaimed as he arrived at his locker.

"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Danes," Ryan said, cheerfully. "My parents are around here somewhere. They would love to meet you."

"Maybe we could all have lunch together," Lorelai said.

Lorelai looked around the school as if she didn't really want to be there. She was distracted.

"Hey Mom? Are you all right?" Audrey asked. "You look distracted."

"Yeah, I've noticed it too," Luke agreed. "You've been out of it all morning. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine you two. Just bad Parents Day flashbacks," Lorelai said, taking Luke's hand.

"It'll be fine," Luke said, kissing her on the cheek.

2001 (If you haven't seen this episode it's the actual argument but at a consilidated level. For the full effect watch 1-11. A few lines are added to others to make it sound better.)

Rory's English class had just let out. She and Max were the only ones left. She had been clingling tightly to the book all of the class it was now her chance.

"I wanted to give this back to you," she said holding outthe book.

"Keep it," Max replied.

"Look, um, Rory's out there waiting for me so..." Lorelai tried to give him back the book.

"Wa-wait a minute...Oh my God! I cannot believe what an idiot I am," Max wondered aloud. "You're breaking up with me aren't you?"

"I don't know," Lorelai answered.

Max sat down at a desk and looks up at Lorelai. "Not only are you breaking up with me, you're doing it really badly."

"Am I being graded?" Loelai said aggravated.

"No, I'm a little disappointed. I would've expected a better dumping from you," Max retorted.

"Nobody's dumping anyone," Lorelai said softly.

"Really then what is this?"

"Look it is what I've been trying to tell you all along. This is a family. Rory and I, you walked into a family, but you weren't listening and now she's getting attached and I'm afraid she's gonna get hurt," Lorelai said sitting at the next desk.

"So your soultion to all this is not to return any of my calls?" Max said, standing up and going to his desk. "I don't understand this. I thought we went through this. W-we decided she could handle it."

"Well maybe she can and maybe she can't. I'm not ready to find out," she argued.

"I'm not going to let you off that easily."

"Well there's nothing you can do about it."

"This is so not you," Max said, trying to fix the situation.

"Well you don't know everything about me," she snapped.

"I guess not, because I would've thought that blaming this all on Rory and giving me these lame apologies was weak, pathetic and beneath you," Max replied. "You've missed me."

"Stop it. Just take your damn book."

"I know it. You're missing me right now, aren't you. Answer me."

"Look class is over-"

Cutting her off, "Well we're back in session."

"Well I didn't raise my hand so don't call on me. I came here to give you this book back, so please take it."

Lorelai blinked returningto the present. She remembers the fight with Rory onthe stairs. She knew that it wasnt going to happen this time. Audrey leads her parents into her math class. Luke and Lorelaitook a seat in the back of the room with other parents. Tristan comes in with the bell.

"Welcome parents. There are a stack of notes in the back of what we're goingto be learning. Feel free to take one soyou can followalong with the lecture," he said.

Luke picks up a sheet of paper. He stifles a laugh. "This looks like something she created on the computer when she was three," he said.

Lorelai laughs loudly. Tristan glares back and Lorelai looks sheepish. "Sorry."

They watch Audrey as she write furiously in her notebook as Tristan talked. They smile proudly.

"She looks so serious," Lorelai whispered to Luke. "Reminds me of Rory."

"We did good," Luke said. "She never ceases to amaze me."

"Me too," Lorelai agreed.

Class let out and the three of them walked into the hall. "So where to next?" Lorelai asked.

"English with Mr. Medina."

They walked across the hall to Mr. Medina's room. Lorelai couldn;t believe that it hadn't changed a bit in 23 years. The teacher had changed but the room had not. Audrey takes her seat in the second row and pulls out her notebook and her book. Andie and her croonies come in and sit behind Audrey, silently mocking her. It took all the energy that both Luke and Lorelai had to not come over and knock the shit out of the girls. Max was making the rounds with the other parents and came up to Luke and Lorelai.

"Good morning. I'm Max Medina," he said, introducing himself to the Danes'. "You are?"

"Luke Danes and my wife Lorelai. We're Audrey's parents," Luke said.

"Audrey is a wonderful girl," Max said. "Lorelai, it's good to see you again."

"I can't believe that you're still teaching here. I had figured you would have gone back to Stanford," Lorelai said politely.

"What can I say. I like it here. It's been what 20 years? How have you been?"

"It's been 24 years Max. I got married, had Audrey and became a grandmother," Lorelai said happily.

"Well enjoy the class."

Max moves on to another set of parents. Seeing Lorelai so happy in the arms of another man was too much for him to deal with. Lorelai leans into Luke, kissing him softly.

"Hey? Have I told you that I love you today?" she asked.

"Not yet anyway," he replied.

"Well I do. I love you."

Max heard that and has a pained look come over his face. He shook it off and went about his business. He stood at the front of his desk and began to speak. "Good morning students and parents. Today we'll be covering 18th century American poets. Please open your textbooks to page 322, 'Paul Revere's Ride'. Audrey would you start?"

"'Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere..."

Later on that day Luke, Lorelai, Audrey and Ryan joined Ryan's mother Natalie for lunch in the cafeteria.

"This must be the enchanting Audrey that has stolen my son's heart," Mrs. Turner said.

"Mother, stop it," Ryan said. "You're embarrassing her."

Mrs. Turner turned to Lorelai and Luke. "I'm Natalie Turner."

"Lorelai Danes. This is my husband Luke. We just adore your son."

"Hey Mom? Where's Dad?" Ryan asked.

"Dealing with Japan. James is an international lawyer."

The five of them sat down at one of the cafeteria tables. Audrey unpacks her lunch of crumbled salmon over romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes with a sweet tomato basil vinegrette.

"Audrey, honey what are you eating?" Lorelai and Ryan asked.

"One of Aunt Sookie's new salads. Would you like a bite?" Audrey replied.

"No. Thank you anyway, kid," Lorelai replied.

"You should try it, Lorelai. It'll be good for you," Luke replied.

"Lorelai, that is sucha pretty name. I've heard it before," Mrs. Turner said.

"I own the Independence and Dragonfly Inns in Stars Hollow. You may have pciked it up there, or you may have read or heard of My Town by Lorelai Danes-Hanson. It was written by my daughter."

"I had lunch at the Dragonfly once. It is such a lovely place."

"Thank you. I'm very proud of both of my places."

"And what do you do Luke?"

"Daddy has the best place in town. He runs Luke's Diner."

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if I can locate James," Mrs. Turner said, leaving the table.

After she was gone Audrey leaned down to whisper in Ryan's ear. "I like her."

"Mom seems to like you also," Ryan whispered back. "I want to thank you sir for allowing Audrey and I to date."

"It's no problem. Just don't make me regret it."

"I won't sir."

Friday morning came and Audrey was nervous. The cast list has been posted but she has yet to go to the theatre to see what role she had recieved. She had started for the theatre seven times but turned back every single times. With her pageants it was easy. You stood in line with the others praying to hear your name called. But with a list, it takes more energy to make yourself look at it. She ran into Hannah who seemed pleased with the list. She finally ran into Ryan who went with her to the list. They passed Andie who looked rather pissed and Audrey took that as a good sign. Scanning the list Audrey searched for her name. Next to Bianca was...

"Audrey Danes!" Audrey cried happily. She throws her arms around Ryan. "I have to call Daddy!"

Audrey dug her phone out of her bookbag. Punching in the diner's number she waited for someone to answer.

"Luke's," Jess answered.

"Jess is Daddy there?" she asked excitedly.

"Just a second. Luke! Phone!"

Jess passed the phone to Luke. "This is Luke."

"Daddy! I got Bianca!"

"Oh my God! Audrey that's great!" Luke exclaimed. "Audrey got the lead!"

People in the diner applauded. "I am so proud of you Audrey," Luke said.

"We have a cast meeting today after school, so I'll meet you at Grandma's for dinner," Audrey said excitedly. "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Audrey," Luke repiled, hanging up the phone.

"What was that all about?" Jess asked.

"Audrey got Bianca in the play," Luke said as he wiped off the counter. "She didn't say what Andie got so there could be backlash."

Later that day Audrey and Ryan were walking towards the cafeteria. As they walked past kids were chuckling and pointing at Audrey. They were all holding fliers. Andie and Julia knock into them looking smug. A flier falls to the floor. Ryan snatches it up before Audrey has a chance to see it. He looks at it and the rage grows in his eyes.

On the flier Andie had found one of Audrey's head shots for the Miss Connecticut pageant and altered it to make it look like she was nude.Across the top she had writen: Jiminy Crickets! I think I forgot my clothes! Oh sugar foot! Along the bottom she had written: Not so innocent...Just ask Ryan!

"Audrey, baby, I am so sorry," he said softly.

"Ryan what is it?" ashe asked, trying to peek at the flier. "Oh my goodness gracious! Who would do something like this?"

"I'll give you three guesses but you'll only need one," Ryan said, his voice seething with anger. "Baby, this is not against you. Please know that. This is an attack on you to get to me. I'll take care of it."

"It has everything to do with me! She told me! She told me she was going to, to do something if I didn't drop out of the play!" Audrey cried. She pushed past Ryan and ran out of the cafeteria.

"Audrey wait! Audrey!" Ryan called after her.

Andie walks up to Ryan all smug. "So is it true, Turner?"

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Ryan yelled. "What the hell did Audrey ever do to you?"

"I told her that if she didn't drop out of the play something was going to happen. I guess she didn't listen to me. It's her oen fault," Andie said, in a vain attempt to justify her actions.

"This has absolutely nothing to do with Audrey, Andrea! You're still pissed that I moved on! Leave Audrey alone!"

Ryan storms out of the cafeteria and begains to look for Audrey. Everywhere he looks, someone has a flier. He snatches as many as hecan as he looks for her. He checks the back stairsleading to the second floor. He finally realizes whereAudrey would be hiding. The theatre. He looks in and doesn't see her anywhere.

"Audrey?" he calls softly. "Baby, you in here?"

"Catwalk," he hears Audrey say.

"Direct me up there," he answered.

"Don't bother. I'm coming down."

A few minutes later, Ryan was holding a dishevled and very weepy Audrey in his arms. They sat on the edge of the stage. She removed her glasses and laid her head on his shoulder. She hated to cry, even though she did it so easily. This was the last straw. She hated the way that Andie Michaelson was making her feel. She hated coming to school. The whispers, the pointing was too much. But she wasn't a quitter. Her father taught her early that you don't get to first by quitting at home.

"Why would she do this?" Audrey cried. "I'm nice, polite. I know I'm not like most teens, but that's what makes me special. Why does Andie hate me?"

"Andie has been the queen bee at this school for far too long. I will make this go away. Baby I promise," he said holding her close.

"No. I will. I'm going to Aunt Paris," she said standing up. "I want to see you tonight. Pick me up at my grandmother's around 8:30."

"I'll be there," he agreed, pushing her lightly towards the door. "Go kick some ass. Sorry, go kick some butts."

Here I am once again / I'm torn into peices / Can't deny it / Can't pretend / Just thought you were the one / But you won't get to see the tears I cry / Behind these sapphire eyes

Audrey sat inside Paris's office as she argued with Mr. Langford.

"Andrea Michaelson is to be removed from your play, Brad," Paris said in her scary voice. "I don't care if she is the second best person in the play. She is being suspended for two weeks and is to be removed from the play."

A/N: There is still a little more to this story but it's taking me longer than I thought to finish it so here you go. Things are about to get shook up in the Danes household. I have the hard copies of parts three and four finished it'll just take time to transcribe them from the handwritten versions to the typed. Anyway I hope you guys enjoyed this installment. Just so you know I do realize that the flier prank is the same kind of thing that happened to Jamie Sullivan in A Walk to Remember. Night ladies and gents (just in case!)