AN: This should have been up hours ago, but my sister and her boyfriend invitied me to go see a movie with them and their friends. Since they lives in Cairns, I barely see them and I'd already mentioned I had the day off, I thought it would be a good idea to go, so sorry about that. But anyway, here it is. Also, I've probably stuffed up a little with the ultrasound stuff, but I'm hoping I can be forgiven.

"I'll tell him, yeah. That's really great Sookie, bye." Rory hung up the phone just as Luke came into the apartment. "That was Sookie she said to remind you that she's going for an ultrasound tomorrow, so expect baby pictures later, ok?"

"Oh, right. That'll be fun. Staring at a grey blob trying to identify her offspring while not offending her when I can't see a thing, joy,"

"You have to be nice to her. She's your best friend, and she's pregnant and hormonal. And how do you know that all you'll be able to see is a grey blob?"

"Because I have already dealt with two pregnant women in my life; I've been to doctor's appointments, stared at the screens in the ultrasounds and seen nothing. I know the drill, smile and tell her how pretty it is."

"How lovely. Were you this grouchy the first time you saw me? Or your nephew?"

"Pretty much yeah,"

"Good to know little Davey or Colgate is getting the same love and attention as the kids that came before him or her."

"Well I'm nothing if not accommodating." Luke replied, moving across the room.

"Uh, hey, there was a message for you, from Mom, something about dinner. Are you guys going somewhere?"

"No. Actually, I asked her if she'd like to come over here."

"You did?" Rory asked with an eyebrow raise.

"Yes. And don't start doing some sort of happy dance, thinking you're evil plotting has finally come to fruition, it's just two friends, sharing a meal. And you, of course, unless you have plans tonight already."

"Nope. No plans, but I can make some, if you'd prefer the privacy."

"Just go to your room, find something to occupy your time until she gets here, ok? I'll let you know when dinner's ready."

"Really, I don't mind making myself scarce if-"

"Get outta here!" Rory nodded and grabbed the phone before walking into her room and closing the door.

Liz glanced at the caller ID as the phone rang. Once upon a time she would have answered without a second thought – unless of course she and Luke were in an argument over something. But now, Luke wasn't the only person that called from that number and she was never sure if it would be him, or Rory.

But things with Rory were good, at least for the moment, so Liz quickly pressed the talk button before the call went to voicemail. "Hello?"

"Hi, it's Rory. I was wondering if Jess was home?"

"Well, if he's not next to you then I'd assume he is." The older woman joked. "Hang on a second and I'll check." She walked through to the kitchen and glanced in Jess' room where she found him at his desk, studying. "Found him," she said into the phone before tapping her son on the shoulder. "Rory,"

"Oh, thanks." Jess took the phone and stood up as his mother left the room. He closed the door quietly behind her. "Hey."

"You'll never guess who's coming for dinner tonight." Rory told him, not able to stop the grin on her face.

"The sultan of Brunei?"

"Not quite,"

"Mick Jagger?"

"You think Luke would let that guy in? No. Think a little closer to home."

"Ahh... Ryan Adams?"

"You're not very good at this game, are you? It's Mom. Luke invited her over!"

"He did?"

"Yes! He just came in and I told him that she'd left a message about dinner I asked if they were going somewhere and he said she was coming here. Of course this was after we discussed Sookie's ultrasound and the fact the he's always been a glowing ball of sunshine at the prospect of babies, you, me and the newest edition to Stars Hollow's population. He just can't seem to get enough,"

"Yeah, I've often gotten that impression when he tries to get me to get rid of the breast-feeding mother's every weekend." Jess replied sarcastically.

"You're lucky I came along, because in case you haven't noticed, that job has now fallen on my shoulders." Rory reminded him. "Not that I'm all that good at it."

"Well at least I don't have to try any more, so thank you for that. Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"Nice try. I say we make Luke deal with them this week. It is his diner after all."

"If you want to incur that wrath, I'm behind you. And by that, I mean I will be hiding behind you until his head explodes at the massive levels of discomfort he's experiencing."

"That's very sweet of you, thank you."

"You're welcome."

"So you're mom was actually nice to me earlier. She even made a joke."

"She's a nice person." Jess replied. "Although, not always that funny. Are you sure you didn't just misunderstand her?"

"No I didn't, it was an attempt at one anyway. I dunno, but it was nice. Which I'm assuming means that she's still not on the short list of people that know about..."

"No. Having that conversation with Lane was difficult enough, I'm not sure I'd survive telling Mom."

"You actually think it would be that bad?"

"I don't think she would be really angry, I mean, my not coming to her beforehand would probably upset her, but, just... I don't think I can actually have that talk again anytime soon."

"Well, if it helps, I'm not in any rush for you to tell her, or Luke or anyone else at all, really. Just do whatever you think is best."

"Thanks."

"So, I'm sorry, but can we get back to the awesomeness that is-"

"Sookie getting to see her kid for the first time? I know, it's great, isn't it?"

"No! Well, yes, but not that. Luke and Mom are doing my job for me. They're making plans to get together and oh so slowly mending they're relationship."

"Not that you care, because you gave up on intervening over a month ago, right?"

"Right, yeah, of course. Doesn't mean a thing to me,"

"You're grinning like an idiot and struggling with a great need to get up and dance right now, aren't you?" Jess checked, trying not to laugh out loud.

"Course not. I'm perfectly composed." Rory lied, biting her lip.

"Uh huh, well I think we should probably cut this conversation short so you can get some of your excitement out before your mom shows up and thinks there's something wrong with you."

"Well that's no fun," Rory grumbled.

"You get to dance around," Jess pointed out.

"Huh, I'm gonna have to talk to you later," Rory replied, "Something very important just came up." Jess laughed as she hung up and then he put the phone down again, returning his focus to his textbook.

Rory threw her book down and jumped off the couch when there was a knock at the door. She glanced back at the kitchen but Luke hadn't bothered to look up from the stove.

"Hey Mom," she greeted brightly, throwing the door wide.

"Uh, hi, Sweets," Lorelai replied, a little taken aback. "Caesar let me in on his way out, I hope that's ok." She added for Luke's benefit as she came inside and allowed Rory to take her coat

"Yeah, of course, that's fine. Rory, can you get your mom something to drink?" Luke requested, continuing to check the food.

"I'm on it." She replied before racing out the door.

"I guess that means you're getting coffee," he observed as the door slammed shut behind her.

"Oh darn, and I already had a cup today."

"A cup? Right, like you stopped after just one."

"Well, I thought it would be safer to be vague. You have a few scarily sharp knives in here."

"Good point, good idea too."

"I thought so. Have you heard from Sookie?" There's a viewing of Baby Bellville tomorrow."

"Yes, Rory spoke to her earlier. As soon as you leave I'll start practising my happy and excited face, which will go on for hours until I get it right."

"You're not-"

"Oh, no, I am. Very happy for Sookie and Jackson, it's just the pictures,"

"Oh, right. I forgot about that. Don't worry; I can point it out for you, save you the embarrassment."

"I would appreciate that, thank you."

"Here we go," Rory called out, coming back in, "Coffee for you and me," she explained, handing her mom a cup before putting the tray she was carrying down, "And Luke, I brought you tea."

"Thanks," he responded taking the cup.

"Uh, Rory, I don't think you're supposed to take things from the diner," Lorelai informed her, indicating the familiar tray.

"Oh please, this guy is the king of pilfering from down there. You should see the cutlery drawer."

"It's my diner, my silverware, I can 'pilfer' as much as I like." Luke told the two of them. Rory just shook her head at his remark. "Yeah, yeah, whatever, you're thinking I need help or something? You're insane. Now just sit down and eat, would you?"

"It's this sort of attitude that keeps bringing the customers back," Rory mentioned, taking a seat. Lorelai shook her head, trying to stop herself from laughing before Luke noticed and sat down as well.

A while later after they'd finished eating Rory sat on the floor while her mom stretched out on the couch and Luke took up his arm chair. Talk over dinner had returned to Sookie and the baby, which then in turn led to her sitting wrapped in a blanket, fascinated as the two adults took turns telling the story of hers and Jess' first birthday party.

"Liz and I both wanted to have a party on your actual birthdays," Lorelai explained. "But none of us had a lot of money back then, and I knew that my parents would help out, with yours at least, but they wouldn't want anything to do with Jess' party and that was important to me too. So instead, we decided to compromise and have it right in the middle between the two. Sookie did all the cooking and we managed to actually throw together a pretty nice party,"

"That picture of the two of you was taken about five seconds before Jess took a nose-dive into his cake." Luke added, Rory knew he meant the one in her room. "We looked away for just the tiniest bit and then he had frosting all over his nose and his lip. It was a mess."

"Did you get a picture of that?" Rory demanded, grinning at the mental image.

"Uh, yeah, Liz should have one in a box somewhere."

"Oh, I hope so."

"That was an evil, 'I hope so,'" Lorelai pointed out, a small wicked grin of her own appearing.

"It was not." Rory replied, trying to look innocent.

"Anyway," Luke continued, trying to reign their attention back in. "If memory serves, there's a picture of you in that same box, looking pretty similar. You took one look at him and decided that it just looked too fun, so before we could even think about grabbing either one of you or the cakes, you'd done the exact same thing."

"No! That's not true is it?"

"'fraid so,"

"Oh that is so unfair. First I chase him around with my stupid baby crush and then copy his idiot cake face-plant? This sucks!

"Well you'll be happy to know that there aren't a lot of people who remember those things, so you should be saved from some embarrassment there."

"That's something, I guess." Rory replied, nodding before starting to stand up. "Thank you for that wonderful story, but I think I'm going to call it a night now,"

"It's still early," her mom pointed out, looking over at the clock.

"Yeah, well, you know. I should go over my notes a little just in case they spring a pop quiz on us in the morning."

"Oh, ok. Do you want us to test you?"

"Nah, that's alright. I work better on my own."

"That's why you're always huddled behind a book with Jess?" Luke checked. "Because you work best alone?"

Rory just shrugged, "Don't stay up too late, it's a school night," she reminded them before leaving the room.

She had decided she should go to bed early again, much like the night at her mother's with the lasagne. But this time she wasn't hoping to end some sort of bizarre dream. Instead she just thought it best to give the two adults some privacy. They finally seemed to be getting comfortable in each other's company and Rory had a feeling if they were given just a little space now and then maybe one day they might discover some lingering feelings from their past.

Rory didn't want to get in the way of that or push them in any directions. She was done freaking out over them and although she would have liked them to hurry up a little was happy enough to just wait for them to work everything out.

"She's subtle," Lorelai commented as Rory's door closed.

"Yes, very. Although, this could probably be considered one of her nicer schemes, it's not as bad compared to a few of the other plans she's come up with,"

"No, I guess you're right. Yeah, this is a little better. And at least we haven't been 'accidently' locked in the store room."

"Not so loud, you might give her ideas." Luke shushed her, jokingly looking over at the closed door. "At least we're talking." He added.

"Talking is good. I'm glad we're talking now. Makes things a lot easier,"

"It does at that."

"So... How's that go again?" Lorelai laughed a little at the silence between them.

"You want some tea?" Luke enquired, getting up and moving to the kitchen.

"Sure, thanks." He nodded and rinsed out their cups as the water boiled and returned shortly handing a cup over to Lorelai. "Thank you."

After another hour or so and another cup of tea, Lorelai finally stood up off the couch and followed by Luke headed towards the door. "Thanks for a great night,"

"Yeah, sure. I mean, it was... thank you as well."

"You're welcome?" she shrugged and reached for the doorknob. "Ok, well, I can see my self out."

"Sure, ok. There's a key above-"

"The door, I remember where it is. Have you even changed the locks at all?"

"Uh, yeah, once. About four years ago maybe."

"That's good, I guess. Not that it really matters, but... Ok. Well, I'll be sure to lock up and I'll see you later."

"Sure will."

"Thanks again," Lorelai added before going through the door and moving towards the stairs. Luke stood in the door way, waiting until she was downstairs and out the door before he returned inside. After quickly gathering up the cups and putting them in the sink he headed towards his room.

"Do not show any of those pictures before I am in position!" Lorelai demanded, barrelling through the diner door and racing over to the group gathered around Sookie and Jackson.

"Lorelai what are you doing here?" the pregnant woman asked, looking up at her friend as she made her way across the room.

"Lied to Michel to get out of work," She explained. "I had to be here for this, whether he deems it important or not." Luke stepped to the side allowing Lorelai to wedge in beside him. She smiled at him briefly before Sookie reached for the envelope once more.

"Are we ready now?" the expectant mother asked her friends. Everyone nodded and made noises to the affirmative. "Ok, here goes." She removed the first scan and placed it on the table. "Here it is, our baby!" she announced. Liz quickly snatched up the picture, Babette and Miss Patty crowded around her to look at it as Lorelai grabbed the other one, so that only she and Luke could see.

No one was paying attention to them, but Lorelai quietly outlined where the baby was for Luke, he nodded as he studied the picture and Lorelai could see that he'd found the foetus, while Patty and Babette screeched about how adorable it was.

"Are you going to find out what sex it is?" Babette asked, once they'd all calmed down a little.

"I don't think-"

"You really should," Liz advised. "It'll help so much with planning and decision making in the next few months."

"What are you talking about? You were adamant you didn't want to know, all through your pregnancy with Jess." Sookie argued.

"And that's why I'm telling you, if you find out then you'll have a much easier time."

"I want to know, but-"

"Oh I can't wait until you tell us, Doll! Not that we'd love one less than the other,"

"Jackson would prefer to not know," Sookie explained, smiling at her husband. "So for now we'll stick with that. It's too early to tell anyway so I'll make my decision when they can actually tell me, I suppose."

"Oh this is just so exciting!" Patty exclaimed, looking adoringly at the picture again, Sookie and Jackson just stared at the scan in front of them that Lorelai had put back down when Luke moved off to see to a customer.

"If this is going to be weird, I can just go," Rory decided as she came through the front door of Jess' house a few nights later.

"They already know you're here, they heard the door bell." Jess reminded her.

"Yeah, well, you could say it was... a girl scout, selling cookies."

"Would you just relax?"

"It was really nice of you to invite me Jess, but really, I don't think-"

"I didn't invite you."

"What?"

"I didn't invite you to dinner." He repeated, leading her further inside.

"But you-"

"Yes, I extended the invitation, but it didn't actually come from me. It was Mom's idea."

"Why would she do that?"

"I'm betting it has something to do with the fact that almost everyone in town seems to like you, and you and you're mom are clearly not going anywhere anytime soon. Plus, you making her son so happy can't hurt either."

"Ah, well, I hadn't thought of all that."

"See how useful it is to have a rational thinker around?"

"You're right, rational thinking is helpful from time to time."

"Jess? Honey, is that Rory?" Liz called out, poking her head out of the kitchen.

"Yeah Mom, we're just going to hang out in my room for a bit till the food comes, ok?" he replied as they made their way towards her.

"Ok, sure, hi Rory."

"Liz," Rory smiled a little awkwardly as Jess took her hand and they headed for his room.

"We're eating on the porch, so TJ 's just setting up a couple of heaters out there, just so we don't freeze. I'll let you know when we're ready to eat, alright."

"Sure thing Mom."

"I should have asked, you like Chinese don't you?" Liz checked before Jess could get the door shut.

"Love it," Rory replied.

"Good. I can't believe I forgot to check. But that's good."

"Ok, well, we'll just be in here," Jess told her before closing the door.

"Should you keep that open?" Rory asked glancing over at the door as Jess came closer to her.

"Not unless you want my mother to watch, which is really not my idea of a good time."

"No, I just mean, we're probably not supposed to be in here, with the door shut. Remember Luke's decree?"

"Those rules are for his apartment. And he's relaxed them a little anyway."

"So you're telling me your mother has no rules with regards to girls in your bedroom?"

"Nope. Not that I'm aware of."

"Well, in that case..." Rory reached out and took his hand, examining it for a moment before kissing his palm. They kissed as they moved towards his bed, but then Rory pulled back, glancing at the door once more.

"What's wrong?" Jess asked, sitting up against the wall.

"It's just that... she's right out there."

"Uh huh."

"And we're having dinner with her and TJ and-"

"You realise you've done that before right?"

"Yeah, I have, I know. But not, since..."

"Right, yeah. Ok, I can see how that might be a little difficult... Just don't think about it."

"Don't think about it? That's the best you can do? Really?"

"Well, yeah."

"How am I supposed to not think about it, when clearly that's what you're thinking of right now?"

"I was no-"

"I've seen that look before. You can't fool me."

"Ok, fine, maybe I was thinking about it, but like you said, my mother is right outside the door, so it's not like I was really thinking it."

"We need to get out of here." Rory decided, standing up off the bed. "We need to leave this room right now and go... watch a Woody Allen movie or something."

"You're brilliant. That's sure to cure my brain of these thoughts for at least the next six months."

"Splendid! Let's go." Rory grabbed Jess' hand and pulled him back out of the room just as the doorbell rang announcing the arrival of the food.

AN: Apparently my new plan, at least today, is to focus on the JavaJunkie, while throwing in a Lit scene every now and then and having other characters stop by for a visit on occasion. Let's see if this one sticks.