A/N: So many characters, relationships, and plotlines in this story - I think I've created a monster! Oh, well, I've been refining the plan and I think I know where we're going, peops. Thanks for all the supportive and positive reviews - they really help! :)

(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)

Chapter 19

"Why are you making a big deal out of this?"

"Maybe because it is a big deal. Lorelai, I'm your fiancé. Your parents only know about that because you used the announcement as a way to get the heat off Rory one night at dinner, and now they know, they finally invite me to dinner, and you say no without even asking me!"

"I was saving you! You know how I feel about those Friday Night Dinners, why would I subject someone I love to that torture?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because we're supposed to be getting married? That's going to make your family, my family, and as much as I'll agree that the prospect of being related to that particular part of your family does not thrill me, the point is I'm still supposed to get to talk to them once in a while!"

"You're being ridiculous!"

"I'm being ridiculous?!"

The door slammed above and almost every staff member and patron of Luke's diner winced at the sound. The fight had started only a few moments ago but hadn't taken long to get into full swing. It would be bad enough if this was the first such incident, but it wasn't.

"Six o'clock this morning. Six o'clock!" Babette told Miss Patty in nothing like a quiet voice. "Usually the girls aren't even up at that time, but this morning, yelling and screaming. I swear, if it wasn't Luke and Lorelai, I'd've called the cops!"

"Well, darling, it sounds positively vicious. What on earth set them off?"

"I wasn't getting too many words, just a lot of slamming and yelling, but this part at least has something to do with the parents, I reckon."

"The Gilmores are a little highbrow," said Miss Patty knowingly. "Wonderful as our Luke is, he's certainly not a blue-blood."

"I'm just glad the kids aren't here to see this." Babette sighed. "You know Rory would hate to see her mother and Luke so upset with each other."

"You know I think even Jess and that sister of his would be hurt by such a drama. They seemed to have become as much a part of that family as anyone. Did you see them over the holidays? They made such a darling family portrait."

"Well, it's a good thing that they got back to being busy at Yale before all this happened. They didn't ought to be seeing or hearing any of this."

The conversation was cut short when suddenly there was a thunder of footsteps on the stairs and then Lorelai appeared from behind the curtain. Silence reigned in the diner as all faces turned to look at her.

"What?" she asked, her face red from anger, no doubt, but possibly also from a few tears nobody was supposed to know about.

"Morning, doll," Babette greeted her as cheerily as she could. "You doin' okay?"

"Just peachy," said Lorelai acidly before storming out of the door with a clang.

"Oh, dear." Miss Patty sighed. "I don't think that particular fight is over yet."

"Well, it oughta be soon," said her friend. "Those two are meant to be together and we all waited long enough for it to happen. If they fall at the last hurdle, what chance does anybody else stand of making a relationship work?"

"Beats me, honey," said Miss Patty putting her chin in her hand. "I'm sure I never figured it out."


Rory heaved a sigh as she stepped out of the lecture hall.

"Wow. That must've been one riveting class."

The smile was back on her face in a second as she looked across and saw Jess leaning on the wall, wearing that smirk that she had come to love so much.

"Professor Walsh has one of those voices. It's not his fault but five minutes in I'm just fighting the sandman," she explained as she walked to meet her boyfriend. "Hi."

"Hi," he replied, kissing her soundly. "I came to take you to lunch. Figured in the last two weeks we've pretty much seen nothing but this campus, so maybe we could drive into New Haven, find a diner or something?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Rory agreed, smiling happily. "Fresh air and good food might actually wake me up after that lecture," she said, trying to stifle another yawn.

Jess put his arm around her shoulders as they walked out. Rory explained she was going to have to go back to her dorm before they headed out so she could drop off her books and pick up a jacket.

"Well, you won't be picking up Paris, I know that much," Jess told her. "She was knocking on Doyle's door when I left the building."

"She is spending a lot of time there lately," Rory noted. "So long as she's happy we're happy for her, right?"

"Right," Jess agreed.

"Speaking of friends and their new romances, Lane called last night. We were on the phone for hours, which probably also isn't helping my sleepy state," she explained. "She's really stuck on Zach, but I'm not sure he's noticed yet."

"Huh. That guy wouldn't notice something if you beat him over the head with it."

"Jess, that's mean!"

"I'm sorry, but Zach is not exactly the smartest guy I ever met."

"Granted, but he's nice, and Lane really likes him."

"Then for her sake, I hope he wakes up and notices her," said Jess honestly. "She deserves something good to happen to her."

"Ah, but something good already did. Maybe, anyway," said Rory as they reached her dorm room door. "The other thing she was telling about last night was a potential gig for the band - at CBGBs!"

"You're kidding me?" said Jess, eyes wide at the very idea.

"Nope, Gil set it up, but the clincher is that it's at like one in the morning, there's no way Lane is going to be able to go. Mrs Kim would find out and I'm pretty sure that's a crime for which there is not enough punishment."

"Geez, even I wouldn't cross Mrs Kim," Jess admitted, waiting by the door as Rory ducked into her room a minute.

The last thing he needed was Janet scowling at him or Tanna deciding she wanted to make nice again. Jess really didn't have the patience. So much for trying to hook up the younger of the two with Marty, both Rory and Jess found it was just too much hassle and probably they were both best left to their own devices unless they actually asked for dating help.

"Were you planning to go home this weekend?" asked Rory as she emerged, pulling on her jacket.

"Probably, why?"

"Well, I wasn't sure whether to or not, but it's been a couple of weeks and I don't like to leave mom alone too long."

"She has Luke," Jess considered.

"I know, and I have you, but that's not the same thing."

Jess gave that some thought and then shrugged his shoulders. The girls needed each other, he supposed, not just their boyfriends. He actually wouldn't mind the chance to spend a little time with Luke, truth be told. Paris was great, but she was still female. Guys needed male company sometimes, and even if Jess had nothing specific to talk to Luke about, he figured his uncle might appreciate having him around for a day or two, if only to help out in the diner.

"You want me to drive you over Friday night?" he offered. "I could drop you at your grandparents, head back to Stars Hollow. Your mom can bring you home after, right?"

"Sure," Rory agreed. "Of course, if I asked my grandma, you could probably-"

"No," said Jess quickly. "Come on, Ror, I thought you loved me enough to keep me away from your grandparents as much as possible."

"You know I love you," she agreed, leaning into him, "but you do realise that if we're going to be together, at some point, you will have to spend some time with my family again. Besides, Grandpa likes you."

"And Grandma hates me," he reminded her. "Maybe, someday, if they invite me, I'll come to dinner, but not this week, okay?"

"Okay," she agreed, kissing his cheek. "Now, if you love me, feed me."

"Yes, ma'am," he told her, kissing her back with a smile.


Lane had thought the ringing of the church bells every hour on the hour was loud. It was, and pretty annoying after a while too, but it paled in comparison to the yelling she heard coming from the Gilmore girls' house when she reached the back door.

"You still don't get it!"

"What I don't get, Luke, is why you suddenly have this crazy need to spend time with my parents. I mean, what's the draw? My mom's snobby attitude or my dad's indifference?"

"They're not that bad. They were good enough for you when you needed to put Rory through school!"

"Oh, that is low!"

They continued arguing back and forth, and Lane winced at the sound. She heard rumours in town about the couple fighting, but she had assumed Luke and Lorelai would've figured it out by now. They usually did. It seemed things had gotten pretty bad this time around. Maybe now wasn't the best time to ask for help in covering with Mama Kim so she could sneak out to CBGB's for a concert.

Turning to go, she covered her ears when the bells began to ring again. Even this far from the church, they were practically deafening. Lorelai must've heard them inside the house because Lane was sure she heard her yell about them too as she beat a hasty retreat.

"Those damn bells! What is wrong with them?"

"They're ringing, Lorelai," Luke reminded her loudly, mostly to be heard over the sound. "It's what they're supposed to do. Not that I expect you to understand that. Lately, you don't seem to want to do anything you're supposed to."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Luke. Am I not sticking to my wifely duties? Newsflash, buddy, we're not married yet!"

"And at this rate we never will be! You seem to be doing everything to avoid the arrangements lately. I thought it was about the inn, and God knows I tried to lend a hand where I could, not that you really wanna let me, but I tried. Now, I don't know. Is it a money thing?"

Lorelai's eyes went wide at that question, but the fact she gave no immediate answer told Luke all he needed to know.

"It is. This has something to do with those bills I found, doesn't it? Are you struggling?"

"You don't know anything," said Lorelai crossly, pushing past him towards the door.

"Lorelai!" he called after her, but she didn't stop, just grabbed her jacket and headed out. "Lorelai!" Luke tried again, giving chase, only to find the door closed in his face.

By the time he opened it again and rushed down the porch steps, Lorelai was in her Jeep and driving away. Luke practically growled in frustration, mostly because of the fight, partly because those damn bells were still ringing! Storming over to his car, he got in, slamming the door shut. He really was completely sick of this day.

To Be Continued...