AN: Ha! Four days, how's that? Much better than last time, eh? Anyways, in about a month or so, when I get around to rereading this chapter, as usually happens with these sorts of things, I'm probably going to spend a lot of time scratching my head, trying to work out what the hell is going on. Here's hoping the same doesn't happen to you. Also, please, please, please pay attention to the title. Part one, part two will be more focused on the young couple of the story.

Luke narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the activity outside the diner. It wasn't normal; they were up to something, he just knew it. As if they could hear his thoughts, the couple outside looked up at him and waved cheerily. Shaking his head, Luke turned away and even with his back to them, he could tell that Taylor and Miss Patty had returned to their planning.

That stupid Valentine's hoopla or whatever it was called was coming up again, three days to go. He'd almost let himself think that they'd forgotten about it this year, but of course, Taylor being Taylor couldn't let a holiday pass without making the entire town look completely ridiculous. Sometimes it wasn't even a real holiday, this one, for instance was just one of those stupid fake things created by greeting card companies to make more money and pinpoint the people who weren't 'in love'. But that didn't matter to Taylor. If he wanted to have a festival he would, even if it was just to celebrate something to do with the cable company. "Crazy cardigan wearing…"

"You're muttering to yourself again." Rory told him, sidling up beside him and looking out the window at what he was trying to ignore. "I told you you'd have to watch that or the men with the butterfly nets are going to come get you, and there's nothing I'll be able to do to stop them from taking you away."

"I bet you're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Enjoying what?"

"That insanity out there, with the fat babies and the hearts and all that girly lovey-dovey crap,"

"First of all, they're not fat babies; they're cherubs. Second of all; love is not just 'girly lovey-dovey crap.' And lastly, I am, yes. Seriously, I don't think there is any other place on this earth that could possibly be more entertaining. Stars Hollow is like Disneyland and about five Broadway shows rolled into one, with a sitcom or two thrown in for good measure, I mean, have you looked around at what goes on here? This place is gold!"

"Yeah, actually I have, coz, see, I've been here for every one of these things. And I mean every one of them. Taylor started this particular tradition the year I turned twenty-two, thankfully I was able to get my hands on some booze to drown out his incessant announcements about the powers of love and whatever other crap he's been spouting on about. Since then I've come up with other ways to ignore him, although not quite as effective they still do the trick."

"Well, I must say, as much fun as it is to hear you praise alcoholism, I think I'm going to go on my break now, go outside and enjoy the snow and the happy people. I'll be back later."

"Rory I didn't mean-"

"Hey what's the- Rory?" Lorelai came in and turned in a circle, watching her daughter walk outside before turning back to Luke, a puzzled look on her face. "Is that something that I did?"

You could say that, Luke thought before shaking his head. "No, it was… I'll talk to her later, apologize. I was just being an idiot. I guess I forgot for a second that I was talking to a sixteen-year old."

"What, you thought she was out visiting from the old folks' home?"

"Did you want something?" he spared one last look at the lunacy outside before heading over to the counter. Lorelai followed, unwinding her scarf.

"Just a cup of coffee, but I guess if this is a bad time I could always take my business elsewhere."

"Sorry, no. Just… here," Luke filled a cup and handed it over; Lorelai looked down into the dark liquid for a moment before looking back at Luke.

"What's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"With you. And Rory and me and all of this. From what I can tell, you guys usually get along really well, but that didn't look good. And, as accustomed as I've grown to your snappishness, I thought that we were getting on too. Care to share what I've missed here?"

"Not really."

"Luke,"

"What? What do you want me to say? I'm just in a mood, alright. That happens from time to time, call it male PMS, whatever you want. I don't care. I just don't really feel like having a deep and meaningful conversation right now. If it's alright with you, I'm going to get back to work."

"Fine, ok. Work," Lorelai muttered, throwing some money on the counter before walking out, leaving her coffee untouched.

When Rory came upstairs that night, Luke put a plate of food on the table and she trudged over and sat down, poking at it absentmindedly.

"Listen, I'm sorry about this morning, ok? I shouldn't have been talking like that, I just… Valentine's Day is pretty much my least favorite time of year and Taylor has a way of making every little annoyance a whole lot worse. But I still… I should have just kept my mouth shut."

"You still think it's all just girly crap, and they're nothing but fat babies?"

"Well, yeah. It's mostly the other things I said that I didn't mean."

"So, you didn't really drink yourself into a stupor because Mom broke your heart and you couldn't handle all the happiness?"

"That may be a slight exaggeration, and anyway who said it had anything to do with her?"

"Oh, please, of course it did. I'm pretty sure that every one of your issues either has to do with my mom and dad or yours. So unless one of your parents went on a psycho killing spree one February, then it's because of Lorelai."

"How about we just agree that I was a dick, and move on, huh? Eat your dinner."

Rory shook her head and picked up her fork again, continuing to poke her food and study Luke for a moment before taking a bite. These people need serious help."You know how we got those gifts from mom and dad?" Lorelai enquired the next day as she handed Rory keys to hang back up on the pegboard behind the reception desk. "With the icky marzipan and yummy yummy chocolate and the gift certificates?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, I was thinking we could go,"

"To Switzerland or the spa?"

"As much fun as Switzerland would be, I think, probably Birch Grove." She explained. "I mean, factor in the airfares, accommodation and all you can eat chocolate buffets; it would be a lot more affordable to take a mini vacation that's already been paid for."

"They have all you can eat chocolate buffets?" Rory turned and looked at her mother quizzically.

"Well, if you pay them enough, I'm sure you can eat as much as you like. What do you think? Should I make the call?"

"I guess so, when were you thinking this would be for?" Rory asked a little panicked.

"Next weekend? Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of depriving you of your Valentine. How about we leave Saturday morning? We'll go to dinner at the grandparents, come home and leave first thing in the morning."

"Yeah, ok. That sounds good."

"Great. I'll call today then, make sure they can squeeze us in. So, I was wondering…"

"How many other bonding activities have you got in mind for us?"

"No, it's not that, it's yesterday, when I got to the diner, you walked out and looked a little pissed?"

"Yes." Rory nodded and picked up the last key, replacing it on the board she then turned to where the mail had been placed a few minutes earlier and began sorting it into different departments.

"Why was that? Did something happen? Because Luke was in a bad mood as well, and he wouldn't tell me what was going on, so I just want to know…"

"It was nothing. I just… he was getting annoyed with Taylor and the town stuff going on outside and I sort of didn't help. But it's all ok now. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Um, this is all sorted, so I think I should probably get going. How about I drop these off at the kitchen and I'll see you later?" Rory asked, grabbing her back pack and the empty coffee cups that sat on the reception desk she started for the kitchen as Lorelai called out a goodbye.

Rory walked out of her room and rubbed her eyes as she pulled her hair up into a messy bun and walked towards the bathroom. "Happy Valentine's Day,"

"Ahh!" she screamed and jumped, spinning around to find Jess sitting in the couch. "What are you doing up here?" she demanded, holding a hand against her chest as her heart pounded. He stood up and walked towards her.

"Wishing you a-"

"It's only…" she grabbed his wrist and looked at his watch. "Six thirty-three. In the morning, you never come up here this early."

"Well, I wanted to be the first one to see you today,"

"But you're not supposed to see me like this!"

"I've seen in your pajamas before, remember?"

"Yes, but that was before I went to bed, and I would get up before you and be dressed most mornings. At least after we started dating, the other times it wasn't so important to me. This however, is embarrassing."

"Would it help if I were to tell you how nice you looked, and gave you a present?"

"Have you actually seen me? I look like an absolute wreck!" Rory pointed out, lifting her hands and looking down at herself. She wore an old t-shirt over her pajama bottoms and her right cheek had pillow creases on it.

"Beautiful." Jess corrected, kissing her.

"See, now, that was almost convincing. Careful, I may just believe you next time."

"Gorgeous," he added. "Good band too." He said, looking at the cover art from a Dead Kennedy's album.

"Shut up."

"I thought this was what I was supposed to do."

Rory shook her head and wrapped her arms around Jess' neck, leaning in and kissing him between each word. "Stop… talking."

"As you wish," Rory's hands travelled up Jess' neck and tangled in his hair as she continued to kiss him, while his went from her hips to rest underneath her shirt on her lower back. They stayed that way for a while, Rory kissing along Jess' jaw line for a moment before she pulled back.

"Did you say something about a present?" she asked.

"Um, yeah, I have…" He turned back towards the couch and picked up a small package. "Here,"

"Oh. No," Rory shook her head and narrowed her eyes.

"What? What 'oh no'? You just said-"

"No, don't give that to me,"

"You don't want it?" he checked.

"No."

"But you haven't even opened it yet. You don't know what it is."

"No, I know, I just-"

"You just asked me for it."

"Yeah, but don't give it to me, ok?"

"I'm confused."

Rory brought her hands up to cover her face for a moment, massaging her temples. "Ok, well, see… you know how this is the first time I've had a real boyfriend on Valentine's Day, right?"

"Because all the others have been blow up dolls and figments of your imagination," he quipped, moving to sit on the couch.

"Shut up, I already explained that whole past boyfriend thing to you. But my point it, that, I've never had someone to give me a gift on this particular day, and-"

"And you don't know how you're supposed to act? Easy. Just smile real big when you open it, kiss me and thank me every thirty seconds for… I'd say about two hours. After that it might get a little redundant."

"Jess, I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you here. Would you please refrain from talking?"

"Only if you promise to make me stop the way you did earlier."

"Ugh! Can you just give it to me later? Tonight, at the festival?"

Jess nodded and put the box aside. "That I can do. Couldn't you have just said that?"

"Where's the fun in that? We wouldn't have gotten to go through all this banter if I'd been rational and just said straight out 'wait til later'. Keep up Mariano I'm like one of those really big roller coasters with the loops and turns. Especially before coffee,"

"I'm beginning to notice that. So, should we rectify the situation and get you caffeinated so that we can have slightly more normal conversations?"

"Well I like the sounds of the caffeination; it's just that other part I'm having a little trouble with."

"Is caffeination even a word?"

"Hello! I said it, of course it is."

"You were responsible for hornswoggle too weren't you?"

"Yes, because I was undoubtedly around during the nineteenth century." Rory replied, shaking her head and walking towards the bathroom again.

"You could be a witch, with time traveling powers, what do I know?"

"Clearly nothing. Wait here, I'm going to change then we can caffeinate me."

"If I don't you'll probably turn me into a toad or something," Rory did her best to imitate a witch's cackle as she closed the door.

"I can't believe we were forced to go to school today," Tristan complained as he pulled over outside the diner.

"What do you mean? It's not like you would have had anything better to do." Jess pointed out, getting out of the car.

"Rub it in why don't you? You're just lucky I've chosen to be the bigger person and forgive you. And for your information, I am outraged on yours and Rory's behalf. Although, you should know that you, my friend, are on very thin ice, so watch out."

"Well, on our behalf, I'll thank you for the outrage, but with regards to the rest of your little speech, I'm pretty sure I did you a favor; you can thank me later. But, while we're on the subject, if you don't mind my asking, who else would be there to keep you company once you disposed of me?" Jess enquired, easily moving behind the counter and grabbing a pot of coffee, filling two cups and nudging one towards his friend.

"A bunch of 'yes' people, only interested in my grandfather's money. Be a nice refreshing change from all your answering back and complaining,"

"Look, I let you come here because you're so desperately lonely right now, but if you get in the way of Rory and I having a nice time tonight, I'll-"

"Cause me serious bodily harm, yeah, sure. But then what will you do? You'll be all alone at the big bad school."

"I'll make do, don't worry."

"Good, because I was so very concerned," Tristan added, picking up his coffee and taking a sip as Rory came down the stairs. "Hello Rory! You're looking lovely today," he exclaimed, and she narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously.

"What does he want?" she asked, turning to Jess.

"Somebody to love,"

"Party girl of the playboy mansion?"

"Possibly a white queen,"

"Stone cold crazy," Rory shook her head, before glancing at Tristan who looked utterly lost by the whole exchange. "Exit. Last minute adjustment for tonight." She added to Jess.

"You can't-"

"Hear you, because I am so far out the door. Don't stop me now." She grinned before racing outside.

"Queen!" Tristan called out triumphantly after her, snapping his fingers.

"Very good. I had a feeling that would take you all night to work out. You make me proud." Jess told him, clapping him on the shoulder. "And now, for an extra five hundred points, can you name for me, the other band mentioned in today's little game?"

"There was a… I should know this, shouldn't I?"

"Yes you should. Unless you want Lane to track down a shot gun. Shouldn't be too hard to get her hands on a musket in this town,"

Tristan glared at Jess for a moment, trying to work out what he was missing. "You couldn't have picked an easy one?"

"That's not how this works. It just sort of… flows, you can't really control where it goes."

"I hate you."

"I still haven't found what I'm looking for," Jess prodded and Tristan continued to glare. "Sometimes you can't make it on your own, would you like to-"

"U2! Bastard,"

"Now, now, there's no need for that kind of language," Jess chastised him, trying to stop himself from grinning.

"You know, I think I changed my mind. I'm going to go home, get into my pj's and eat a carton of ice cream, while watching Sleepless in Seattle and bawling like a baby. You have a nice time with your girlfriend."

"Hey. Come back for a hug, man!" Jess called out and Tristan paused, before whirling around and throwing his arms around Jess.

"Let's never fight again."

"I didn't mean a word of it."

"Must you cause me so much irritation?" Luke asked, coming out of the kitchen to see the two of them in a tight embrace. "If it's not you and your girlfriend, it's the boyfriend. How am I supposed to keep up with you and your craziness?"

"You were young once Uncle Luke, I'm sure you remember how much of a wild time it was." Jess explained, letting go of his friend and trying not to look around the room at the people he was sure were staring.

"Can you just get these plates out for me?" Luke asked. "Rory said she had to run off some place, and Caesar took the whole day off for something, I wasn't really listening, so I'm alone back here."

"Sure, I can do that." Tristan returned to his seat at the counter as Jess took the food and delivered them to the customers while Luke returned to the kitchen, shaking his head at his nephew's antics.

Lorelai walked into the dining room of the Independence inn and looked around. Looks like I'm the first one here, she thought, moving further inside. "Um, hi, I'm meeting someone. The reservation is under Gilmore." She said to the girl at the podium, she glanced down at the reservation book and smiled.

"Of course, right this way." Lorelai nodded and followed her to a table set for two, and she sat down.

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Um, just some water thanks."

"Certainly." She nodded and moved away. Lorelai sat back in her chair and looked around at all the happy smiling couples. There was some feeding each other in that sweet-yet-nauseating way, others were just looking adoringly across the table. She shook her head and picked up the menu, deciding it was better to have a distraction from all the love until she was no longer alone.

"... I think there's been a mistake. Did you check the book properly?" Lorelai looked up to see the same girl who had seated her standing nearby, Luke beside her.

"Yes, of course. Gilmore and Danes, to be seated at the same table, it's written very clearly."

"But this isn't supposed to be-"

"I'm sorry if there's been some sort of mix up, but the reservation states that the two of you are to have this table at eight o'clock. As you can see, we're fully booked, so I can't offer you another. But if you'd like, I can call the manager- no... um, the head chef? She's not here, but she left instruction that if there were any problems we give her a call. Maybe she can help?"

"Yes, I want to-"

"No. That's ok. You don't need to call anyone." Lorelai interrupted. Luke and... Sara turned to look at her. "Luke, just sit down."

"But this-"

"Sit." She ordered and he shut his mouth and did as she asked. Satisfied that the situation had been defused, Sara handed Luke his napkin and moved off to see to another customer. "That daughter of mine really must have a death wish, huh?" Lorelai muttered once they were alone.

"And you're right back to ordering me around. Gee whiz, these are some fun times."

"I should have known something was up when she said she wanted to have dinner with me. I mean, she's sixteen, and she's got that boyfriend she's totally crazy about. Plus, up until recently she hated my guts. But no, idiot me, actually believed her. Where's a dunce's hat when you need one?"

"I'm just going to go." Luke decided, scrunching up his napkin and dropping it onto the table. "I should get back to the diner and-"

"How'd she get you here?" Lorelai interrupted and he paused in his movements, stilled in his chair.

"Said there was a message on the machine from Sookie that she accidently deleted. She wanted me to try out a few new recipes. I can't believe I fell for that."

"Sookie trying out something new on Valentine's?"

"No, that one's just about plausible, especially with the pregnancy. But that she wanted me there to try it? Even if that were true, it should have raised a red flag or two."

"How come?"

"The last time she said that to me was the night she brought up you and Rory."

"Ahh, well, it looks like we're going to have to take turns with that hat if anyone ever finds it for us."

"Looks like."

"So, um, what's happening now? Are you going to make up an excuse and rush back to the diner? Or, could we maybe try to take the training wheels off this friendship thing and have a meal?"

"I guess I can stay for a bit. One course at least."

"Great."

"So, what looks good?"

"Um, well, to be honest, I wasn't really paying much attention to the menu I was sort of hiding behind it, just waiting for Rory to get here."

"Let's have a look then, shall we?" Luke suggested, handing Lorelai the menu she had discarded earlier before picking up his own.

So, like I said, this was just part one. I wanted to give you that so I don't get in trouble for taking so long again. Although, the next bit may take awhile, because as I read through that, I realised how incredibly deranged I truly am, so I'm about to go check myself into the closest psych ward. But I'll do my best to get you Rory and Jess' Valentine's night as soon as possible.