Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, except for Dilanie. The story idea is mine.

A/N: Thanks to all the people that have been reviewing my story. I'm glad you like it. Please keep it up! It's greatly appreciated. Thanks for sticking with me too. I've been a little busy. I apologize for not updating right away.

Chapter 4: Good 'Ol Home Sweet Home

Rory was sitting in her apartment just thinking about how different it would be with Dilanie there. She was actually looking forward to her moving in. To Rory, getting a roommate would make the whole New York experience more real. It was two days before Dilanie was supposed to move in, and a week since she, herself had moved to New York. She wasn't homesick, but she was thinking about paying her Stars Hollow Homies a visit, without warning. So she packed a bag for an overnight visit and headed down to the parking garage.

Some things really never changed. As her and her mother established on their spur-of-the-moment trip to Hardvard, whenever they left, they always expected things to be different. As Rory drove past the "Welcome to Stars Hollow" sign, that very thought entered her mind. She decided to stop at Luke's first, knowing that at least half of the people she'd want to see would be there.

She decided to slip in unnoticed and demand a cup of coffee like some annoying old customer. She knew that would get Luke's attention, even if she didn't change her voice much, it would still make him cranky. It was always fun when Luke was cranky. She also knew that the second she announced the need for a cup of coffee, Lorelai would immediately recognize her voice, and come running, completely ecstatic. Rory knew these people so well. She also knew that her best friend Lane would most likely be found running behind her mom when she heard her demand. "Hey, I need a cup of the strongest coffee you've got, and pronto!" She stood there for what felt like less than a second before her mother was attatched to her like a siamese twin and her friend was jumping up and down for answers, almost as if she had been on a pogo stick.

"Oh my god, Rory, what are you doing here!" Lane was completely excited to see her best friend. Life without Rory there all the time, wasn't in the least bit similar to when she was right around the corner.

"Well, I don't have class again until Monday and Dilanie doesn't move in 'til Saturday, so I figured why not pay a visit to my good friends in the Hollow!"

"I'm so glad you came, you actually picked a great day, Taylor and Luke are having it out about advertising for the Soda Shoppe outside the diner. Of couse, Luke doesn't want Taylor advertising in front of his diner. It's actually quite entertaining." Lorelai was really happy to see her daughter, even though she'd only been gone a week.

"I missed the small town bickering... where is Luke anyway, I need some coffee."

"Oh, he's outside arguing with Taylor, but I'll take care of it." Lorelai ran around to the back of the counter, and started talking to Rory in a manly voice, or at least as manly as possible for Lorelai. "What can I get you," she said doing her best to immitate Luke.

"I'll have a cup of coffee please," Rory stated, clearly ammused while trying to suppress her laughter.

"Uhh, do you know what that does to you?"

"Takes ten years off my life, while making me crazy and more like my mother?"

"Exactly!"

"God, I tell you, Taylor is ridiculous. I don't know how any of you can tolerate him as much as you do... What are you doing behind the counter?" Luke stopped mid-rant in complete confusion.

"Serving my daughter some coffee since you were taking forever outside fighting with Taylor." Lorelai happily informed Luke of her daughters arrival.

"Rory's here! Rory! Hi! Sorry about the wait."

"Oh, it's ok Luke. Mom makes it seem worse than it is." Rory smiled as her mom glared at her. "Anyone want to go for a patented walk of Stars Hollow with me? As crazy as this place is, it's not hard to miss it."

"I'll go, Luke can I have the rest of the day off to hang out with my best friend?" Lane and Rory turn towards Luke with big pouts replacing their smiles.

"Yeah, why not, go ahead."

"So, how's New York?" Rory could tell Lane was waiting for details.

"It's amazing, you'll have to come for the weekend sometime!"

"Oh, definately! So, your mom was telling me you found a roommate..."

"Yeah, Dilanie, she's nice. Actually, she's moving in this weekend. I'm actually kind of excited, I mean having an apartment in New York is going to be ten times better with a roommate."

"Yeah, I'm glad you like it there."

"It's great, so give me some gossip!"

"Well, apparently, Kirk and Lulu..." Lane's voice fades as they walk into Doose's.

Rory was enjoying her day back at home. She had spent time catching up with Lane and now her and her mom were about to have a movie night.

"Ok, so we've got redvines, cookie dough, marshmallows, cheetos, an--"

"Tons more that's going to make us sick before the movie ends..." Rory smiled when she saw the look on her mother's face.

"So, how long do you think you're going to stay?"

"Well, actually I was thinking about leaving tomorrow morning, I have to clean up around the apartment before Dilanie comes." Rory was waiting for her mother to shout out in protest, but she remained quiet.

"Ok"

"Yeah, leaving tomorrow morning."

"Yup," Lorelai sat staring at the TV screen completely wrapped up in the movie.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was half expecting you to pounce at me and beg me to stay longer."

"Oh, well I have to work tomorrow, so I was kind of hoping you wouldn't be stuck here without me."

Rory looked at her mother with a smile that mirrored hers.

The movie had ended and Lorelai was asleep on the couch. Rory sat there awake, just thinking. She remembered all the crazy movie nights her and her mother always had. She remembered every crazy thing that happened in that crazy town. Rory was excited to be trying something new. After Dean, and Jess, and Dean again, and Marty, something new was what she needed. She finally decided to go to bed because she knew she needed to go back the next day.

"Rory, wake up, my love.. I figured we could head to Lukes for coffee before you head back to school."

"Already ten steps ahead of you mommy dearest." Rory walked into the kitchen with identical cups of coffee in her hand. "I woke up early, got my stuff together, and ran to Luke's."

"You take such good care of me."

"Alright, well I should probably get going."

"Alright, bye hun! Call this weekend!"

"Will do. Love you mom!" Rory got in her car and waved goodbye as she drove off back to New York.