Disclaimer: I still own nothing. WAHHH!

Thanks to my lovely beta, Hallon!

A/N: So glad for all the reviews! Yay! I love all you people!

Ok, so a couple of things:

1- I need a second beta. CharliLee says it would be better to have two. Not that I'm complaining or anything Hallon It's just better to get a different opinion. Who is experienced in writing and editing?

2- Shout outs! Yay! I had a lot of questions, so here they are:

Rogue Honey: I think Lorelai could've really gotten over his bad boy thing the whole time, if she'd tried. But she never realized there was actually something underneath there. Glad you like it.

sublymonal: Thanks for the review! And hint-hint there may be a kiss coming soon. Just be patient.

hedgie125: I know there is a possibility that Rory might like Dean, because she did in the first season. But of course, she subconsciously likes Jess. So she doesn't like Dean! Yay! I'm so happy you like it. Everyone loves having Jess and Lorelai get along.

efka: You shall see what happens between Rory, Jess, and Dean. Bwa ha ha. You love it? cheers

literatiforeverox: I don't appreciate people who copy.

Thanks also everyone else! I so love the reviews!

3- stephi928 says that my previous author's note was amusing. Hmmm. How should I make this amusing for you again? I dunno. I'm not in a funny mood right now. Bleh. Funny note next time.

Also, another note for here. This chapter follows "Chapter One", the really actual storyline. Every other chapter (meaning the one after this) will be a snippet of the story, from the pasts into Rory and Jess (and sometimes others). So I hope I'm not confusing you, hehe. You do want a longer story, right?

(THE REAL) Chapter Two- Better Luck Next Time

Flashback: 1990

"Jess!" The six-year-old hissed as Jess nudged her mother and her sleeping head fell onto Luke's shoulder. Rory hushed a giggle as Jess put a finger to his lips, smiling deviously. Both their guardians were asleep, tired out from the movie night and parenting. The kids turned back to the movie, trying to shush giggles at seeing Lorelai soundly resting on Luke.

"Jess?" Rory asked.

"Yeah?"

Rory turned to him. "Do you think we'll be friends forever?" She asked quietly.

He looked at her, a small smile on his face. "I hope so..."

Present Day (Season 1)

"Dead cow. Dead cow," Luke put down two cheeseburgers as dinner in front of Rory and Lorelai.

"Lovely," Lorelai sarcastically said to Luke as he walked away. Jess came down from the apartment and Lorelai called after him.

"Yoo hoo!" She said in a southern belle accent, waving a napkin in the air. "Over here coffee boy!"

Jess rolled his eyes and headed over to them. He poured them each a cup. "And you don't get Luke to pour you coffee, why?"

The elder Gilmore sighed. "Because he always berates us about it. It gets tiring, and I'm just not in the mood."

"Ah, of course," Jess said.

"Ignore her, she's caffeine deprived. Let her take a few sips and she'll be normal again," Rory rolled her eyes.

"Her, normal?" Jess teased, and Rory laughed.

"Hmph." Lorelai pouted. "Fine, we're not inviting you to movie night today." She said.

"What movies?"

"It's a surprise," Rory told him, smiling.

Jess shrugged. "I can come."

"Great!" Lorelai said, slapping money down and jumping up. The two Gilmore's took his arms.

"LUKE! WE'RE KIDNAPPING JESS AND FORCING HIM TO WATCH CHARLIE'S ANGELS!!!" Lorelai yelled into the kitchen.

"What?!" Jess said, his eyes widening.

"Have him back by 11:00!" Luke called back.

"Ok!" Rory called, smiling smugly.

"Next time you make fun of me, I WILL force you to watch something worse than Charlie's Angels," Lorelai narrowed her eyes at him as the group sat on the couch watching The Godfather.

"What can be worse?" He joked.

Lorelai jabbed her finger in front of his face, playfully glaring at him.

"Enough fighting people, I'm trying to watch the movie here," Rory said, slapping Jess's arm.

Jess glanced at the TV clock. "It's almost 11 anyways. I should be going."

"Ok." The girls said. Jess got up and waved goodbye to them. "Bye."

There was a ding of the microwave and Lorelai jumped up. "POPCORN!"

She entered the living room again, eating from a bowl. "Soooooo..."

"So..." Rory repeated, looking up at her mother.

"You have a dance coming up at your school, right?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah," Rory replied with a shrug.

"So, are you going?"

"Mom," she sighed.

"What? Come on, why not?" The elder Gilmore sighed.

"I don't like dances."

Lorelai plopped down next to her. "You've never even been to one."

"Mom, please," Rory pleaded.

"I can make you a dress..." Lorelai said in a sing-song voice.

"I don't have anyone to go with," Rory logically said.

"You can go with Jess and Lane."

"M-om!!"

"Fine, fine," Lorelai let out a playful exasperated sigh. "Don't go. What do you care.? I mean, when you're 70, and thinking back on your life-" Lorelai started out dramatically. Rory looked at her, rolling her eyes. "You'll regret the fact that you never attended your school dance. The one where you would have met the man of your dreams; who you were meant to marry, your soul mate!" Lorelai threw her hands up. "But alas, never to be," she shook her head sadly.

"Uh huh," Rory scoffed.

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "You know I'm sooo right."

Rory and Lane approached the front door of the Gilmore house when they heard a voice.

"AHA!"

The girls glanced at each other.

"What was that?" Lane asked.

"I dunno." Rory quizzically said. She opened the door and peered in. They entered the kitchen, where Luke was working under the sink, and Lorelai held a fork.

"What's going on?"

Lorelai turned to them. "I solved the mystery," she said, smiling proudly.

"No, I did." Luke said, sticking his head out as he handed her a spoon.

"What was the spoon doing in the garbage disposal?" Rory asked.

"Trying to find the fork."

Luke stood up and wiped his hands on a rag. "I'll send your bill by later," he dryly joked.

"Paul and Janice are very grateful," Lorelai let out a laugh.

"I don't wanna know," Luke threw his hands up in the air, shaking his head.

"Thanks Luke," Lorelai let out laugh.

"Yeah thanks," Rory added.

"Anytime. So, I'm going to go," he waved goodbye and left.

"Ew! Mom, there's something crawling on it!" Rory squealed. Lorelai jumped and let out a scream, throwing the silverware into the air. They landed smoothly in the sink, the fork slipping down the drain. Rory slapped her forehead.

Lorelai frowned. "Poor Paul."

Jess walked onto the bridge, causing its lone occupant to look up. "Hey," she smiled.

"Hey," he said, sitting down next to her as he pulled out a book. "What do you have?" He asked her.

"Great Expectations and I'm not giving it up," she laughed.

He chuckled and shook his head. They sat and read in silence.

"Ror?" Jess asked.

She glanced up from her book. Jess shifted, suddenly nervous. "I was thinking…" he started than paused. "Maybe-" we could go to the dance together. Come on Mariano, ask her!

Rory blinked. "Maybe what?" She asked oblivious to his fidgeting.

"Maybe we should get pizza instead of going to Al's. It's Sushi Nite." Jess said. Rory grimaced.

"Definitely." She nodded. She flashed him a smile and went back to her book.

Jess slapped his forehead and shook his head, letting out a quiet groan.

A/N: Ok, a bad place to leave it, but oh well. Again, this title is named after a Lifehouse song. When are they having a concert!? Anyways, review please, because I love 'em! It was pathetically short, I know. Sorry. Next chapter will be better! I promise! Well actually, the next chapter will be a snippet, but the one afterward will be the really real chapter.

Next Chapter: (Snippet) Flashback- I hear wedding bells! Or do I?