Whewh! Now my life can finally go back to normal. No more big birthdays for nine years! Or, 4, because, I guess, 25 is an important one. Maybe, I dunno. I'm just glad that it's all over, so much food, and drinlk, and my parents are insane. But I love them so much for everything they did for us. Anyays, I'll stop talking about myself, thanks for the reviews, I love them, very much.

Tristan stuck his arm through the door, waving a white handkerchief as Rory sat at the counter with her mom. "Quick, get the shot gun," she instructed, causing Lorelai to look up, alarmed.

"When did Luke get a-" but then she saw the boy waiting for permission to come in. It was after lunch on Saturday and the place had slowed down a bit, giving the Gilmores time to sit and do a little more talking. "Oh, I'm on it." She replied getting up and going into the store room to find some more coffee as Rory crossed the room and pulled the door open wider.

"So, what's the plan for today? Gonna feel up my mom, see if you can get Luke to kill you? Coz, I'm pretty sure there are simpler ways to get yourself dead. Find a grizzly bear to maul you, drive your car into the ocean, or just jump from a really tall building. That way, no one is implicated in your death and we all get what we've been wishing for; a Tristan-free world." She grinned at him as he slowly came inside.

"Do you know how long it would take to get to the ocean?" Tristan asked, "And where would I even find a grizzly bear in Connecticut?"

"Tristan, what do you want?" Rory was annoyed with him. He may have been a really good friend of Jess' but, really that meant nothing to her, he was just an irritation.

"Now, you see, that's starting to make me regret coming here. I was all set to be nice and apologize, but if you're going to be like that-"

"Oh no you don't, sit." Rory pushed him to a chair. "Grovel, plead with me. Beg for my forgiveness."

"This is something I've gotta see," Lorelai announced sitting down again as the coffee maker came to life, preparing a fresh pot, she faced the table Tristan sat at, waiting for the fun to begin.

"I was just trying to help you guys and speed up the process, coz lets face it; you were taking way too long on your own. But I did not mean for anyone to get that upset."

"Did you think about, oh, I dunno, opening your mouth and- bad choice of words." Rory stopped herself, and thought about how best to phrase what she would say next. "I meant, talking. Did you try talking? Because that works too,"

"Apparently not when it comes to Jess. Or you for that matter; I talked, a lot, tried many a time to convince him to go for it, but he wouldn't listen and you totally brushed me off. So, as you witnessed while I bled on the porch, I had to make him do something. And aren't we all happy that I did?"

"Well, I'm actually a little disappointed that I couldn't be there to see it," Lorelai piped in. "But other than that, yes. Happy."

"See? Even your mom agrees with what I did, so it had to be good, right?"

"My mother is delusional." Rory replied easily and Lorelai scoffed. "Fine, yes. Stupid move, but good out come. You really are an idiot, you know that?"

"So I've been told. Is all forgiven now? Can we go back to being best buds?"

"We were never even friends. I disliked you from the minute I met you."

"That's not a very nice thing to say to the amazing match-maker, Rory." Lorelai reproved her.

"Yeah, well, he's not all that amazing. Just lucky."

"On that note, I think I might go. We'll see what we can do about getting Luke to kill me next time, ok, Lorelai?"

"What is he talking about?" Lorelai asked as Tristan slipped through the door. "Why is Luke killing him?"

"Because he's stupid and annoying?" Rory shrugged.

"Really, am I missing something here?"

"Was that Tristan?" Jess asked, coming inside, and taking off his jacket.

"Yeah, he came offering penance. I told him to go jump."

"Rory, tell me! What was he talking about?" Lorelai demanded as Jess looked at the two of them curiously.

"Nothing mom, forget it. Hi," Rory added, turning to her boyfriend. Boyfriend, hmm, that's a new one. Nice though. She thought to herself, leaning towards Jess to give him a kiss.

"Hey."

"Jess, do you know what he was talking about?"

"I wasn't even here," he reminded her.

"So? You might have some secret code I don't know, and she's told you already. Come on, don't hold out on me."

"Really, I have less of an idea of what's going on than you do."

"That isn't possible, because I have no clue whatsoever. Oh I hate you both!" she announced before storming off to get a cup of coffee.

"What is she doing?"

"Ok, I know you've up on your roof all morning, and it was probably a little hot up there, but, you couldn't really have sun-stroke could you? Didn't you wear a hat?"

"Yes, I wore a hat. What I meant was, why is she making her own coffee? Luke hates it when people go behind the counter. The first six months I worked here, he barked at me every time I even came near the kitchen."

"Well, maybe he's getting soft in his old age. I dunno, Mom just thinks that coz she's spent a little time working in one coffee shop, she automatically has the right to do as she pleases in all of them."

"Sounds about right. Well, we should probably-"

"What are you doing back here?" Luke asked gruffly as he came into the room.

"Making coffee, you want some?"

"No. There are people here that do that for you, you know. And you also know I don't drink that swill – it'll blacken your teeth and give you-"

"Stomach ulcers, stunt my growth, and deform my child. Yeah, I remember the rant. You said it enough times to burn it into my brain, but look how pretty she is. Proves your little theory wrong, doesn't it?" Lorelai asked, pointing to Rory. "So, what do you say?"

"Still a big fat no."

"Fine, more for me. Umm, I'm going for a walk, but I'll be back later if you want me to help out with anything. I've seriously improved my skills when it comes to using a cash register, you know."

"Have you really?"

"Yeah. It's kind of fun, especially when it makes the dinging sound."

"Well, thanks for the offer, but I think we'll be ok."

"Okey-dokey. I'll see you guys in a bit. Buy sweets."

"See you mom." Rory replied.

"Aren't you supposed to be working?" Luke asked, joining her and Jess at their table. The teens looked at him, not sure which one he was talking to.

"Who?" Jess finally asked, when he didn't continue.

"Well, you, last I checked were clearing out the rain gutters at the house. And you," he added, turning to Rory, "are supposed to be working here, serving customers."

"The customers are served."

"Well, you know what that means don't you?"

"You really suck, you know that? What if I wanted to take a break?"

"That would be fine, except that there are still things for you to do, and you haven't worked hard enough for one yet. So, salt shakers."

"Your uncle is insane." Rory commented to Jess as she pushed away from the table.

"Sure, when he's making you work, he's my uncle." He replied, following her into the store room. "When he's calling with some fake emergency to save you and your mom from Emily Gilmore themed torture, he's your best friend. And let's not forget who you first told about liking me."

"How long are you going to hold that against me?" Rory asked, pulling him closer as she backed up into the darkened room.

"Not sure yet."

"You'll let me know?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

"Good to hear." They kissed for a moment before Jess pulled back and turned his head slightly, he looked like he was trying to hear something. "What are you doing?"

"I just… I thought I heard-"

"Relax. Come on, we've got at least two minutes before Luke comes looking for us, let's not waste them." She moved to kiss him again and Jess seemed to settle into it a little more, but then he jumped back as there was a bang from outside and Luke cursed at whatever had been knocked over.

"He's-"

"Yeah, he's probably wondering what's taking so long. Ok, I've got the salt, you grab the pepper, and let's go," they each carried a box as they walked out of the room and Luke glared at them as they came out, Kirk sitting at the counter, looking more than a little scared.

Rory and Jess sat on the couch together, while Luke, downstairs went through his receipts. She'd wanted to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but since Luke didn't have a DVD player, and wouldn't allow them to be alone at the house for longer than ten minutes, they were instead flipping through infomercials and bad sit-coms.

At least they had been the last time that Luke came up, looking for his calculator.

Now, however, they were making the most of their alone time. Jess had Rory pressed into the couch, her hand on the back of his neck, and his resting lightly on her hip.

"Did you notice anything though?" she asked, pulling her head back and restarting the conversation they'd been having about three hours ago.

"What?" Jess replied, not having a clue what she was talking about.

"With Luke. And Mom, did you notice anything weird?"

"I… have no idea. I wasn't really thinking about them too much just now." He moved to kiss her again, but she shifted away.

"It's just… The last time Mom was here, things were really uncomfortable. With everyone, but now, it seems as if they're getting along. Really well, and I just don't get it."

"They talked, didn't they? Sorted things out?"

"That's what I was told, but could they have really sorted it all out in a day?"

"Maybe they're just that good."

"Please. Have you met your uncle? He's about as good at communicating as… I don't know someone who can't communicate. And Mom-"

"Talks incessantly. Much like someone else I know."

"I'm sorry. I'm just trying… you were right, ok? I do care, and as much as I'd like to not, right this very second, I do, and it makes it really hard to concentrate."

"Ok, that's fine." Jess shifted so that he was sitting back on the couch, space between them. "Luke's probably about to-"

"Hey, sorry, guys. Don't mind me; I just came to get another pen. Mine ran out of ink." Luke announced as he came through the door. "What are you watching?" he started going through a drawer.

"Something stupid," Rory answered distracted.

"Oh, well. Enjoy." He replied before walking out again.

"Like clockwork." Jess commented as his uncle's footsteps faded down the stairs.

"He's just looking out for you; it's sweet." Rory replied, reaching over and stroking his cheek.

"You know, I think, maybe, he's looking out for you too."

"No. He's just… You're his nephew, and no offence, but your mom kind of gives off a bit of a scary impression. He just wants-"

"The both of us to be safe," Jess finished and Rory smiled.

"Ok, but I'm sorry, I have to ask again; have you noticed anything weird. At all, no matter how tiny, I wanna know."

"No, I'm really sorry, but I think you're alone in this. They seem perfectly normal to me."

"Ugh! Maybe you're right. Maybe I am just over-reacting. Stupid Christopher's screwed up my head completely. Ass."

"Christopher?"

"Yeah, he's the guy that fathered me. Remember there was that day Luke dragged a man outside and yelled at him?"

"That was your dad," Jess nodded, thinking back.

"Yeah."

"Ok, but why would that screw up your head? I mean, I know that would have been a lot, but you've had time now to deal with it and talk to your mom about it. Hasn't that helped?" Rory didn't answer for a moment, and Jess shook his head. "That was totally insensitive. Sorry."

"No, it's fine. She has helped. A little. He's just… It was just a lot, you know?" Rory replied. She wanted to tell him about the confrontation at Christopher's motel but something was stopping her.

"Well, if I can help at all, just let me know."

"I think you can actually." She told him, before moving over to his end of the couch and capturing his lips once more.

Rory sat at the dinner table in her grandparent's impossibly beautiful house, once again looking around the room in wonder. Emily, it seemed was a fan of redecoration – several rooms had been done over in the time that she'd been coming for dinner.

It was still an adjustment, coming here, but Rory decided she liked it, at least a little bit, even if she wasn't ready to admit that to anyone yet. Each week she got a glimpse into the life that her mom had had, before she had existed. Sometimes it looked good, other times, not so much.

This week was one of the not so great dinners. Her mom was there, and that meant that (even though, they too had apparently talked and resolved a few issues) things were more uncomfortable than when it was just the three of them. Which Rory found a little odd; her grandmother did nothing to hide her dislike for Luke each time he was in the house, but then when her own daughter was around she seemed even unhappier.

Rory looked to her grandfather, hoping he would be able to start up a new conversation, and end the uneasy silence that had fallen over the room a few minutes before.

But instead, it was Emily who spoke next.

"I think that Rory should move in here, with us." She announced, three sets of eyes flew in her direction. Rory dropped her fork, causing a loud clatter to bounce around the room.

"What?" Lorelai demanded.

"I'm sorry, Emily, but, shouldn't we have discussed this first?" Richard asked, his gaze darting to the silent girl gaping at her grandmother.

"What's to discuss? She is our granddaughter, and I think it would be much more appropriate for her to be living here, than in some silly little apartment with a man who has no connection-"

"Mom, you know his connection to our family." Lorelai interrupted. "It's not like I just picked a random name out of the phone book before handing over my kid."

"Well, all the more reason. It is not fitting to leave your teenaged daughter in the care of an ex boyfriend. Really, Lorelai, I know that you've been making a few mistakes when it comes to parenting, but that has to be a particularly large oversight. Wouldn't you say so, Richard?"

"No, actually. I think Luke has done a remarkable job, considering the circumstances."

"What do you mean it's not fitting to leave Rory in Luke's care? What's wrong with Luke?"

"I wouldn't expect you to know. You couldn't see it back when you were dating; it's not all that surprising that you're still blinded."

"Blinded to what? What are you talking about?"

"The man was never suitable for you – not as a boyfriend, or a stepfather for Rory. As a friend, I suppose it was alright, but then you went and took things beyond that. And now you have your only child living with him. After what you did, I wouldn't be all that surprised if he were holding some sort of grudge; biding his time in order to hurt you in some way that affects Rory."

"That is crazy! Do you hear yourself? What you're saying makes no sense at all."

"Well, your mother does have a point, Lorelai."

"What?" she turned to her father, outraged, amazed. He had always been nice to Luke, at least, nicer than her mother. This was a shocking thing to hear from him, especially considering his last comment.

"Luke may very well be planning-"

"Ok, I'm sorry, but I have to interrupt here." Rory cut in. She'd been watching the three argue, going from one to the other like a ping pong ball, but it was getting ridiculous. "I know you're all busy trying to decide what would be best for me, without factoring in the idea of me having some thoughts on the subject. But I have to agree with Mom. You're insane if you truly believe that Luke has some sinister plans. He's done nothing but try to help; he got me back into school, which, you know, I actually enjoy again. He gave me a job and a place to live when he had no obligation to do so. I like the way things are at the moment. For once I can actually imagine what it's like to be a normal kid, with friends and a boyfriend, and happiness and-"

"You have a boyfriend?" Emily asked, latching on to the last thing she'd allowed Rory to say.

"I didn't say that."

"But do you? It sounded as if that's what you were heading towards."

"Well, I, I didn't mean to… can we just go back to discussing my living arrangements please?"

"I don't see why we can't talk about this."

"If Rory says she doesn't want to talk about it, she doesn't want to talk about it, ok? So can we get back to your sudden desire to change everything? Where did that idea even come from?"

"I just don't think it's fair!" Emily replied, sounding a lot like a child who clearly wasn't getting her way. "We missed out on almost her entire life, and now all we get is weekly dinners. There should be more than that though. So, I want her to live here."

"Emily, I really don't think-"

"You don't want her here, is that what you're saying?"

"Of course it's not! Rory is lovely. I just happen to agree with Lorelai. There's no need to disrupt the girl."

"I don't want to stay here, alright!" Rory yelled and it was her turn to have all eyes on her. "I like how things are, I like where I am. If you want more contact, we can discuss that. But I've moved enough and I don't want to do it again until it's absolutely necessary. Can we just forget about this and talk about something else please?" No one spoke. Emily crossed her arms and scowled. "Grandpa, how was work today?"

"Oh," he replied after a moment, recovering from his shock at her outburst. "Well…"

Lorelai shook her head in disbelief. The Rory she knew had always been able to hold her own, but she'd never been faced with people like this before. Amazingly though, she could stand up for herself and get her point across, even to them.

She's so much better.' Lorelai thought, smiling.

Thank you for reading, now pwitty pwease leave a weview. Yeah, right, I'm 21, sure, whatever you reckon.

Also, I know that the song is supposed to be "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, but, well, as you saw, that didn't exactly fit in, since it was Friday. Not that it was a really big fight or anything, but, eh, I need more sleep