As the weeks went by, applications for various schools continued to arrive and Rory couldn't help but feel like an imposter as she watched Jess fill them out with ease. He's been preparing for this his whole life, she reminded herself, of course he knows what he's doing.

It didn't really help her feel any better about her inadequacy when it came to explaining to these top-notch schools why they desperately needed her there though.

Luke's suggestion that they write about one of their authors had been helpful. At least, she thought it was, and had begun to write some drivel about the effect that Tolstoy and Twain still had on the youth of America, even though they had died over eighty years ago. Then, as she'd read over the beginnings of it, she'd realised what rubbish it was, how silly it all sounded and threw it away, not really wanting to imagine the admissions officer showing it around to all the people he could get a hold of, to laugh about it with.

When the Connecticut state application arrived she seemed to be inspired, (possibly due to the fact that there wasn't so much pressure associated with this school as there was with Yale or Columbia) And the finished product that was her essay seemed so perfect she decided it would be ok to send a variation of it to each of the other schools.

The college counsellor raved about it. She loved the idea of Rory highlighting her desire to overcome her life in New York and carve out a place for herself among those who had simply been handed most of what they had. And she was adamant that all of Rory's hard work would pay off and she would get exactly what she'd been hoping for.

"Your hand is going to fall off if you don't stop doing that." Jess waned, placing a piece of pie next to Rory's cold forgotten coffee.

"You've probably had your essay written since middle school, but I haven't and I need to get this done if I'm going to have any chances for next year." Rory responded, flipping the page and continuing to write furiously as she made a few more changes to one of her last essays.

"That's fair enough, but can you take a break? Have some pie-"

"No time for a break. Didn't ask for pie,"

"A micro-break! Just one bite, I'll get you a fresh coffee and then I promise I'll stop bugging you."

"Fine. Two minutes."

"Thank you!"

Rory dropped her pen and reached for the fork as Jess brought over another cup and filled it with coffee. Rory took a sip and instantly brightened.

"Oh thank you for not taking 'no' for an answer." Rory told him, leaning across the table to kiss him. "I really needed that."

"I know these things. It's all a part of my super powers." Jess explained.

"Oh yeah, well can you tell me which, if any college I'm going to be accepted into so I don't have to kill myself agonizing over all these applications and that whole waiting thing?"

"Sorry. My powers don't extend that far. Well, not too clearly any way, but I do see good things if that's at all helpful."

"A little. I think I'll be going now though, try to finish this off somewhere a little quieter."

"But you didn't finish your pie!"

"I never promised to finish it, only to take a bite."

"You said two minutes." Jess reminded her.

"Yeah, well, I guess once I finish this I should practice learning how to tell time." Rory replied, slipping out the door as Kirk came in.

"Have I done something to offend her?" he asked, stopping just inside the door. "Perhaps she doesn't like my new cologne."

"Yeah, I'm sure that must be it Kirk." Jess nodded, picking up Rory's discarded food and taking it to the kitchen.

Liz opened the door to Rory while settling Doula and smiled at the girl, indicating for her to come in while her daughter's eyes drifted shut. "One sec," she whispered, heading into the living room to where a bassinet stood. After putting Doula down she checked the baby monitor was working correctly and signalled that Rory go with her to the kitchen.

"Sorry." Rory whispered as Liz sagged into a chair. "I guess I forgot about nap time. I thought I was supposed to be meeting Jess here. I'm meant to be making up for being so focused on everything but him lately."

"No. Don't worry about it you know you're welcome here anytime."

"Oh, well,"

"I mean, you should. Well when I say anytime I mean-"

"I know what you mean. I think."

"Good. Jess just ran out to get some milk but he shouldn't be too much longer." Liz explained. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Well I've got a real hankering for a tall glass of ice cold milk." Rory replied, grinning.

"How does coffee sound?"

"Like heaven."

"Good. Jess made it just before he left. Must have known you'd beat him back." Liz added, handing a cup to Rory. "How is it?" she asked, watching her drink.

"It's really good."

"I knew it! It smells really good."

"Well, you should have some."

"No. I can't, not just yet."

"Is there a particular time of day, or...?"

"I'm not drinking any coffee at the moment. With Doula."

"You... Oh! Right, yeah, ok. Got it."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, no, makes sense, it's just not something I think of. Ever, so it didn't click. It's fine though."

"I don't know how much longer I can handle this. That smell is torture when I know I can't drink any of it." Liz said, more to herself. "Anyway, let's stop discussing this; I wanted to ask you something."

"Ok, shoot."

"How are your applications coming along?"

"Oh, they're... well, they're coming along."

"That bad, huh?"

"I don't know. I mean, essays I can write. When I'm being graded and it's just a small percent it doesn't seem like such a big deal. But with this... It really doesn't help to see all the other kids who've had their dorm rooms picked out and decorated, breezing through and not even breaking a sweat."

"He does seem very calm, doesn't he?"

"Who?"

"Jess."

"Oh, I didn't mean," Liz gave her a look and Rory shook her head. "How does he do it? I mean, I remember plenty of times that he's been worried about stuff – things with us, or you, but this comes along and he acts as if its a job application for Walmart or something."

"I think he gets it from my dad. Although I have no idea why it's selective, allowing him to freak out over some things and to freak us out over others."

"It's just so frustrating! But I know it's good too. Someone needs to keep a level head and with Tristan hoping he'll get in anywhere other than Princeton to get away from his family, and me hoping I'll get in anywhere at all so as not to let my entire family down, him having the knowledge that Harvard will be his has to be a good thing, right?"

"I'm sure it'll be useful in the long run." Liz agreed. "But I really don't think any of you have anything to worry about."

"If only every high school senior had your optimism." Rory mused as the front door opened and closed. Liz sat up a little straighter, watching the baby monitor, as if daring any sound to come out of it. But nothing happened other than Jess coming in and setting a bag on the counter.

"What did I do wrong?" he asked, looking between the two warily. "My mother and my girlfriend having a hushed discussion has to mean I'm in the doghouse with someone, right?"

"It's wonderful how early they pick these things up." Liz remarked. "But as long as there are cookies in there and your sister is still asleep in there," she pointed to the next room. "Then you're still my perfect boy." Jess grinned and pulled out a bag of mallomars, tossing them over to her. "Angel child! I shall retire to the living room leave the two of you to talk."

"So there is something wrong?" Jess asked, sitting in the seat his mother had vacated.

"Actually no, I think I'm good now." Rory replied.

"You are?"

"Well, almost."

"Should I be doing something to make that almost a definitely?"

"You already are."

"Well that's good, I'm glad I could be so helpful."

Rory smiled and kissed him. "I have to go now though."

"I thought we were going to hang out."

"Raincheck? Tonight, I promise you'll have my full attention."

"I'd better."

"You will, I swear. I just have to do something, but I'll make it up to you. Can you thank your mom for me?"

"Ok, sure... What did she do?"

"Performed a miracle." She shrugged before going out the door.

"Done!" Tristan cried out as he came through the door of the diner. "I'm done."

"Shh!" Rory stared at him from behind the counter. "What are you yelling about?"

"I'm finished, sent my last application off just now and I really think this is going to be the one."

"So, clown college?"

"You're mean when you're anxious."

"Shut up. I am not." Rory snapped.

"I stand corrected. Luke! My good man, would you be so kind as to fetch me a cup of coffee."

"Why can't Rory get it?"

"I'm a little worried she would spit in it, despite our deep, meaningful friendship."

"Yeah, I get that. Here." He quickly poured a cup and handed it over before walking away.

"So we should celebrate this." Tristan declared and Rory rolled her eyes. "I'm serious, don't look at me like that. This is good. Very good, in fact and it should be acknowledged."

"You may be ready to kick back and party, but what about the rest of us?"

"Your applications are done, Jess's are done. He's going to Harvard, we all know that. And you'll probably go with him as will I – god willing – so now all we really need to do is to wait for conformation. Well, actually, you need to take a break, also and relax for five seconds, because you're getting very high-strung with all this Ivy League crap."

"What did you have in mind?"

"You're in?"

"I'm curious. Tell me how you plan to relax me."

"Movie night!"

"Are you serious?"

"Totally, they're awesome. But we'll have to do it at your place coz otherwise we'll wake the baby or have to deal with my... parent's maid. Neither of those things are really too pleasant, I'm sure. So, what do you say?"

"I'm not the one whose permission you need to get. Remember the other Lorelai?"

"She thinks it's a great idea. Apparently everyone's noticed your lack of a shiny, happy disposition lately."

"I cannot believe you went to my mother about this. You know I could kick your ass for that, right?"

"Anywhere but the face!" Tristan cried out, shielding himself. "Oh, and definitely not below the belt."

"Take away all my fun." Rory grumbled.

"I'm not so sure I want to know what you're talking about." Jess commented, coming out from behind the curtain.

"Your silly friend is planning a way to monopolise my Saturday night. Reason with him would you?"

"What'd you do?"

"Booked a private jet to Tahoe, no big deal,"

"Sounds good to me."

"I knew I could count on you. And when we get back, we'll crash at Lorelai's for a few movies."

"Can't wait."

"Excellent! Well, I'm off to make some more arrangements, I'll see you two kids later." He added before draining his coffee and heading out the door.

"Have you deduced what planet he came from yet? Coz I think it's about time we sent him back."

"Aww, but you said I could keep him."

"Changed my mind,"

"Well I guess I'll just have to hide him then so you can't catapult him out into space."

"Now you're ruining my fun. What is with today? Next thing you know Luke will take the salt shakers away and Mom will force me to watch Roman Holiday or Casablanca." Rory added sarcastically.

"Yeah, that would really suck." Jess agreed.

Lorelai stood back looking over the coffee table – covered in various sugary and salty snacks – and smiled. "Ok, well, now you kids look like you're all set for self-induced sugar comas, so I'll be off now. Don't forget to hydrate."

"We've got soda in the fridge," Jess told her. "And I just put on a pot of coffee,"

"Oh, well, maybe I should-"

"Go!" Rory cut her off. "Go and be all... whatever with Luke. This is 'unwinding from Chilton stress' time."

"Hey, Chilton stresses me out too you know, don't I deserve unwinding time?"

"Yes."

"Good, so, I'll-"

"Over at Luke's, where you can continue to talk about the ways they used to torture you in the eighteenth century, or whenever it was you were there."

"Ugh! I cannot believe how old you just said I was. Fine. I'm going to leave now. See how much you miss me when I'm ignoring you."

"Not a whole lot more than when you're trying to act all hip and hang out as 'one of the kids' I'm sure."

"Boys, when that coffee is done don't let Rory have any. She's grounded."

"We'll have so much fun playing 'keep away' with the coffee pot." Tristan decided.

"Good. I can go then."

"Finally!" Rory cheered, grinning at her. "Bye Mommy I'll miss you!"

"That's all I ask." Lorelai told her, grabbing her purse and a handful of twizzlers before leaving.

AN: Ummm, yeah. Ok.