AN: Let me just start by saying I hate the Internet. The fact that you only get a certain amount of time alloted to you each month? Stupid. I've been at this for over half an hour, trying to submit this document, and now I'll have to contend with saving it and posting it and I bet it won't even alert anyone, because, well, that just seems to be the way things are going for me at the moment. But you know what? That's ok, because this chapter sucks. It's crap, I'll admit it. I was just trying to get something out, but everytime I tried to write it came out in moron, I'm pretty sure this is the best I can do though. I apologise for that. Would it make anyone feel better to know that there are three documents on my computer headed for the recycle bin in about two minutes? Nah, didn't think so. Anyways, merry-late-whatever-you-celebrate and happy-almost-new-year.

"So, tell me, what's you're next plan of attack?" Jess asked as Rory handed him a hot chocolate and joined him on the couch in his uncle's apartment. They'd been at dinner at his house but left as soon as the plates were cleared. Luke was still there, talking to Liz while TJ was at work; his first night as the new security guard at Stars Hollow bank.

"What am I attacking?" Rory asked, making herself more comfortable beside him.

"Your mom and Luke,"

"Oh, I'm just going to let that run its course. No more interference from me."

"Were you visited by three ghosts last night, showing you the error of your ways?"

"No, I just decided that it was none of my business."

"Why?"

"Well, if you must know, Mom asked me. Until she knows how things are going to go with Luke she doesn't want me involved."

"And you just accepted this?"

"I fought her a little, but the wisdom of her ways eventually became clear to me."

"Well I'm glad."

"I thought you might be. And now, to kill the happy mood I just put you in… My grandmother asked about you last night,"

"She did?"

"Yeah, she wants you to come to dinner. Mom was in the bathroom, and Grandpa's out of town, so there was no one there to help me fend her off. I guess she's decided that since we made it through Christmas and Valentine's as a couple, that's long enough to signify that we are in a relationship, and she deserves a meeting. I guess, maybe this is her way of making up for lost time? Scaring people away from me, so I have no excuses not to spend time with her," Rory added.

"What if I refuse?"

"I don't think you can. Not really. I'm pretty sure she would find a way to get you there, no matter what you say to get out of it. I've gotten the impression that when Emily Gilmore wants something, she gets it."

"So when will I be there?"

"Well, that's up to you. I mean, you could be busy for the next eight Friday's then you could be out of town, visiting your dad for a while, or, ooh yeah, maybe we could just break-up. How's that sound?" Rory asked excitedly.

"Is that a serious suggestion?"

"Not a real break-up." She explained, waving away his concern. "I just mean, if I were to tell her we had broken up she wouldn't want to meet you. She may want to have you disposed of, but she wouldn't need to meet you for that, because I'm sure she has people to carry out those icky tasks. So, maybe if I provide her with a blurry photo, where you're in it, but kind of out of focus so you have to look really close to see what you look like, she can send her hit men out looking and we'll be free."

"Or we could just take the easier route and I could come to dinner and meet her."

"Why do you have to keep doing that?" Rory asked, nudging him.

"Doing what?"

"Saying reasonable things, being brave and offering to meet my scary grandparents?"

"I already told you, I'm just a little more grounded than you, so the things I say make more sense than the things you say. And besides, I sort of already met them, kind of, at your party."

"Oh yeah, you did, didn't you?" Rory smiled and swirled her cup for a moment, watching the liquid spin. "Maybe if I remind her of that she'll back off."

"You really think that'll work?"

"It's worth a shot."

"The next time you speak to her just let her know that I'll be there whenever she wants, ok?"

"Ugh. Fine, just go and be perfectly accommodating, that's super. But you should know that as soon as I tell her, you will be obligated to show; as if you've signed a blood oath."

"Sounds nice and binding," Jess smirked.

"Alright, now I'm hoping I can direct the conversation back to that earlier point, where you were so happy with my choice to stop-"

"Meddling? Interfering?"

"Being involved in other people's decision making," Rory corrected before continuing. "As I was saying, I'd like to remind you of how thankful you were that I'd come to this conclusion, and would like to see if we can't do something about that gratitude."

"What exactly did you have in mind?" Jess asked as Rory grinned and took his mug, putting it on the coffee table with hers.

"Well, we'll just have to think of something, won't we?" she replied, moving back towards him and cupping his face in her hands as she leaned in and kissed him.

"How could you wait this long to tell me you and Lorelai were dating again?" Liz demanded, slamming a bottle of beer onto the table in front of Luke out on the back porch.

"We're not! If you were listening to what I'd just said, you would know it was a set up."

"Right, right, Rory set it up, because she's so concerned with the state of your love life. Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"Since it's the truth, yeah, I kinda do."

"But she- why? Why would she care?"

"How the hell should I know? She's just been… she planted mistletoe, she made this date. It wouldn't surprise me too much if she were to drug the two of us in some twisted attempt to get-"

"Ok, what's happening here?" Liz interrupted and Luke looked at her confused. "You're talking like Rory's this devil child, and I'm coming to her defense? When did that happen?"

"Maybe you hit your head, I dunno."

"I'm perfectly fine, thank you very much. So tell me what happened on this non-date of yours."

"It wasn't a-"

"Wasn't a date!" Liz cried out, over the top of hm. "I know, check the transcript, I said 'non-date' so go on, what happened? You got there, realized you'd been duped and then…"

"We had dinner."

"Oh my goodness, give me a moment please, to process this wealth of information."

"We were both uncomfortable," Luke continued, rolling his eyes. "Me a little more so than her, I think but she wanted to try anyway. So we ate and we got some wine, which helped a little. We talked some. I planned on leaving early, but we ended up staying for dessert and then-"

"Did you sleep with her? Oh, Luke, tell me you- I'm not sure what I want you to tell me. I don't exactly know how I'd feel about either answer."

"No! Of course I didn't." Luke glared at his sister and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh good, that's good. I think that's what I wanted to hear."

"I just walked her home. And then she kissed me."

"Ok, let me get this straight." Liz began, putting her hands flat on the table. "The two of you are friends and then you date for almost two years. You have no contact for nearly a decade and a half, and then in the space of less than sixty days have kissed twice? Have I left anything out?"

"No, I'm pretty sure you covered everything." Luke grumbled.

"Alright, so, she kissed you. What did you do after?"

"What do you mean, what did I do? I went home."

"Why?"

"Because I had to. I just had to go because… because,"

"Because you're afraid to let her get close to you again, because no matter what she says, you don't trust that she won't hurt you this time around,"

"I want to be ok with her being here. I wish I could just be happy about it, like you and Sookie but I can't."

"That's going to take time, but you'll get there, I'm sure." Luke nodded, picking up his drink again as Liz watched him, thoughtfully for a moment. "So, would you like me to take your mind off your miserable relationships and tell you about my first Valentine's as somebody's Mrs.?"

"Yes, please. Tell me all about it."

"Ok, well, it was great. TJ was so sweet; he got me flowers, and chocolates. Of course, I couldn't eat the chocolates because they had nuts in them, and having your throat close up due to a nut allergy, not so sexy. But, he also made a reservation at a beautiful restaurant. Which we actually missed, because he forgot to tell me until it was too late. But it was sweet, because he wanted to surprise me. Anyway we ended up just having frozen pizza and lemonade on the living room floor before doing a quick lap of the festival. I'm surprised I didn't see the kids there. But now at least I know why the diner was closed, what with you being otherwise engaged."

"Yeah, well… That sounds great I think I'm going to go. Take a walk,"

"Avoid the issue a little longer?" Liz checked, getting up and following him through the house.

"Good night Liz. Thanks for dinner." Luke called out as he stepped off the porch.

"See ya bro,"

"How likely do you think it is that we can convince Luke to leave us unsupervised up here more often?" Rory asked between kisses, Jess laughed.

"I really don't think that's going to happen too often in this universe, but you can go ahead and try if you want."

"I think I will," she replied just before the door opened and Luke came in, removing his coat. "Speak of the devil and he doth appear…" she muttered sitting up and straightening her top.

"Time to be getting home, kid," Luke informed Jess, crossing the room.

"Yeah, I was about to go." he replied, gathering his jacket. "See you tomorrow?"

"Bright and early," Luke stood for a second, as if waiting for Jess to leave, or Rory to head for her room, but neither of them did and after a moment he shook his head. "Ok, well, I'll be in my room, lock up when you're done." He turned and left and Rory raised an eyebrow.

"What was that?" Jess asked.

"He didn't yell, he didn't give orders, he… seemed almost… ok with us being here alone?"

"This is a very interesting turn of events; maybe that universe isn't too far away after all."

"Go. Go now before he comes back and we anger the beast."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you tomorrow before school." Jess informed Rory, pulling her in for a kiss. "Night,"

"Mm, chocolate and kisses; the stuff dreams are made of. G'night." Rory walked with him to the door before watching him go down the stairs and hearing the diner door being locked. Then she turned and headed to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

"Do you usually go around kissing people's brothers or is it just mine you find particularly alluring?" Liz asked, leaning against the reception desk at the inn. Lorelai gasped and looked up from the reservations book.

"Who told—what are you talking about?" Lorelai stammered as Liz laughed.

"Luke came over last night and we had a nice little chat. You're daughter sure is a piece of work, isn't she?"

"She was just trying- I had nothing to do with anything of that. She did it all by herself."

"She made you kiss him too, I suppose."

"Well, no. That was half a bottle of red wine, plus me and the whole Valentine's thing, with the romance all around us. I… but it doesn't… I mean I don't agree with what she did and I told her as much,"

"You're still glad she did it, aren't you?" Liz checked as a man walked over and caught Lorelai's attention.

"Excuse me, my wife and I-""

"Lorelai?"

"Liz, just… hang on a sec, ok? Yes, sir. How can I help you?" Lorelai asked, turning to the man, smiling cordially.

"We'd like to check in please."

"Of course, what name did you say you made the booking under?" Liz impatiently tapped her foot as she waited then Lorelai turned back to her. "You were saying?"

"He's not going to say the words, but he's scared. Scared of you and the way that you make him feel, and because of that, he's pretty much paralyzed when it comes to you, I think. So I don't want to sound like I'm in control of this situation, cause God knows I'm not but, I am asking you- asking, not telling – that you please try and get him to talk to you again before any more time gets wasted or hearts broken."

"Sookie already did this part."

"What are you talking about?"

"The concerned face and the 'please fix it' speech. She beat you to it over a month ago, and I did try. But I don't think any amount of talking is going to fix this. I can promise you that I will not be breaking any hearts if that helps at all, though."

"No you can't." Liz mumbled as she walked away.

What'd I tell ya? Crap. Anyway I'm going to try very hard to do better next time, although, I'm thinking that's going to involve a meet-the-grandparents-FND, and I'll probably just end up redoing one of the... many other dinners I've already done. I don't want to, so I'm going to try to avoid it. I hope I am not hated for boring you.