Nighttime. Ms. Patty's studio. Town Meeting.

"This town meeting will come to order," Ms. Patty began.

"No one is listening to me," Taylor said.

"Taylor, calm down," Ms. Patty suggested.

"I can't calm down. I'm being persecuted," Taylor insisted.

"I promised that we'd hear you," Ms. Patty said.

"We've been hearing you for twenty minutes," Andrew said standing up.

"Excuse me, but some of us have businesses to run that don't involve peddling drug paraphernalia to kids," Taylor said.

"It was a lava lamp, Taylor," Andrew stated.

"There is no use for a lava lamp unless you're on drugs," insisted Taylor.

"For crying out loud," Andrew said as he sat.

"Now, we've already agreed to look into your accusation but to just…" Ms. Patty continued.

Lorelai entered and brought food over to the girls who were sitting behind Andrew. "What I'd miss?" she asked the girls.

"Taylor Doose wants the no-parking zone in front of his store removed," Rory informed.

"He says his customers are being unfairly ticketed," Harley added.

"No, he just wants to park there all day," Lorelai stated.

"Genius," Rory said.

The mayor got up to talk at the podium. "I have been mayor of this fine town for a long time. I tend to think all of you as my children," at this Lorelai nudged her Rory who nudged Harley. The three of them were trying not to laugh. "Unfortunately, sometimes children have to be disciplined. Now, I'm gonna say something, and I'm only gonna say it once. We have leash laws, people."

"Daddy's getting angry," Lorelai said.

"Rover will not leash himself," the mayor continued.

"Good point," Rory said.

"I would like to now move on to something of even greater importance. As you all know, this coming Friday is the anniversary of the legendary Battle of Stars Hollow."

Everyone clapped. "Where's Luke?" Lorelai questioned.

"There," Harley pointed out.

"Patty will be circulating a sign-up sheet for those of you who would like to participate in the reenactment of the aforesaid battle."

The Gilmore girls were watching Luke. "He's turning red," Harley pointed out.

"All right," the mayor put on his glasses to read. "It was a frigid November night some 224 years ago…"

"He's shifting in his seat," Lorelai whispered.

"Stars Hollow Militia stood in wait for the redcoats," the mayor continued.

"He's adjusting the cap," Rory said excitedly.

"Tired and hungry, 12 proud men took their positions in the town square," the mayor said.

"He's fighting the urge," Lorelai added her commentary.

"and imminent death in their valiant efforts—" the mayor was cut off by Luke.

"Ooh, for God's sake, do we have to go through this every damn year?" Luke asked exasperated.

"Yes!" both Lorelai and Harley cheered.

"And the urge wins by a long shot," Rory commented.

"I thought we were here to discuss town issues," Luke said.

"This is a town issue," Taylor stated.

"Excuse me, who's talking?" the mayor asked taking his glasses off.

"It's me, Harry. Luke. You've known me since I was five years old."

"Oh, yes, Luke. Sit down," the mayor, Harry, demanded.

The Gilmore girls were silently laughing. "Now, as I was saying: "12 heroic men assembled with guns drawn, ready to meet their maker—" the mayor was once again cut off.

"What are you talking about? Twelve guys stood in a row all night," Luke pointed out.

"Waiting for the redcoats—" the mayor continued.

"Who never showed!" exclaimed Luke.

"Now just a—" Harry was loosing his temper.

"Twelve guys stood in a row waiting for an enemy that never showed," Luke told the town. "They got stood up. They should've been wearing prom dresses."

The girls couldn't hold in their laughter this time. "I've had just about enough of this," Taylor said standing.

"Sit down, Taylor!" Luke demanded

"Menace," Taylor said.

"Suck up," Luke insulted back.

"Five bucks, says someone ends up in a headlock," Lorelai said to her daughters.

"You're on," they both said.

"Have any of you considered the fact that you're glorifying a war we fought so we could keep land that we stole?" Luke asked.

"If you don't like it here in America why don't you go stand in line for toilet paper in the USSR?" Harry asked.

"There is no more USSR, Harry," Luke pointed out.

"A sense of community is so important, isn't it?" Lorelai asked her daughters.

"It's what made our country great," Harley said back.

The next day. Independence Inn.

Harley was in a good mood, as she could sense the snow coming just like her mother. Rory, Harley, and Lane walked through the front door to the inn. "I just can't believe it. I mean, I sat next to him in practice for months an then one day I look over, and it's Rich," Lane said while Rory rifled through her backpack. "Rich Bloomenfeld."

"Where is my chemistry book? I had it at your house yesterday, didn't I?" Rory asked.

"Rory, focus, please," Lane said.

"I'm sorry. I just can't find my book," Rory said

"Hey, babes," Lorelai greeted. "Sergeant Pepper," she added to Lane, seeing her band costume.

"Mom, do you know where my—" Rory started to ask.

"Big, scary chemistry book is? Behind the desk," Lorelai informed.

"Oh, thank God," Rory said as she went to get her book. When she came back to the girls she asked Lorelai, "So, is Sookie in the kitchen?"

"And there she'll stay," Lorelai replied.

"Okay. So, where were we?" Rory asked.

"I just met my soul mate," Lane reminded.

"Right. Rich Bloomenfeld," Rory remembered. "Does he still wear the Star Trek shirt?"

Lane rolled her eyes and they headed into the kitchen. "Hey, Sookie," the twins greeted.

"Hey, kitty-cats," Sookie greeted happily. "Cinnamon buns are over there."

"Sweet," Harley said as she went over to grab one.

"Do you have any Rocky Road cookies you made yesterday?" Rory asked.

"And some of the snickerdoodles we made," Harley added.

"I can scrounge some up. Lane, you need a bag?" Rory asked.

"No, thank you," Lane said politely.

"Are you staring?" Sookie asked one of her chiefs.

"I'm staring," he confirmed.

"Thank you."

Lane turned to Rory and the newly returned Harley, who was eating her bun. "So, anyhow, Rich has this amazing hair."

"Really?" Rory asked.

"Oh, my God. It's so perfect. It's thick, but it's not too thick, and it's got really good natural wave," Lane informed them. "So he probably uses way less product than most guys."

"Always a plus," Harley told her.

"Hey, what time is it?" Rory asked changing the subject.

"I don't know," Lane answered.

"I have to get to the bus stop. Dean's meeting me there," Rory informed.

"But, I'm trying to talk to you about this," Lane said desperately.

"I know. We'll talk on the way," Rory said.

"Here you go," Sookie said handing each girl her bag.

"Thank you, Sookie," the twins said.

"Hey, sweets. I have a locksmith coming to the house today, like five-ish, and it could take long. So could you guys tell Grandma and Grandpa I'll be late and that I'm having Satan's baby? You pick the order," Lorelai greeted.

"I'll relay the time message but I'm leaving the rest to you," Rory said.

"Don't worry I got your back mom. I'll tell grandma about our new sibling.

"What is this?" Lorelai said grabbing the bags. "You guys hate Rocky Road cookies and Snickerdoodles."

"We do not," the twins said.

"Oh I'm sorry. That must be my other twins, Shmory and Barley."

"We're leaving now," Rory stated.

"Wait a minute. I know who like Rock Road cookies and Snickerdoodles."

"Who?" Sookie asked.

"They're for Dean and Tristan," Lorelai stated.

"They're bringing baked goods to a boy. Wow, serious," Sookie joked.

"Here, Dean, these cookies are for you, because you're keen," Lorelai said with a funny voice."

"Stop," Rory muttered embarrassed, whereas Harley just shrugged it off.

"They're in love!" Sookie said.

They started doing a weird song and dance so they left.

Outside. town Square. Bus stop.

"I just can't believe it. I've known him since the sixth grade, but suddenly he's different. He's not gangly anymore. You remember how gangly he was?" Lane told them talking about Rich.

Rory was looking through her book. "He was really gangly. That is if I'm remembering the right guy," Harley said with a frown trying to picture him.

"I'm sorry. What?" Rory asked.

"You're not listening to me," Lane pointed out.

"I am. I'm sorry. I just couldn't find my bookmark. Okay, go ahead," Rory said.

"Okay, here are the problems facing the whole Bloomenfeld-Kim situation," Lane started.

"One: hyphenation would be a pain," Rory stated.

"Two: he's my band partner. Romance would be completely awkward. Three: he's never even looked at me like I'm a girl or something resembling one," Lane listed as they sat on the bus stop bench. "Four: there's no way I could convince my parents he was Korean. But I can't help it. I'm obsessed. Did I tell you about his hair?"

"That it was really nice and curly, yes," Harley answered.

"It's on his head, right?" Rory asked.

Dean poked his head between Rory and Lane. "Nice hat," he greeted her.

Dean sat on Rory's other side. "Here," he said handing her a book.

"How'd you like it?" she asked him.

"I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you," he answered.

"Ah ha, you liked it. You liked Jane Austen. I knew you would. Guys, Dean likes Jane Austen," Rory said.

"Who would've thought?" Lane asked.

"We have ears sister dearest," Harley told her.

"I told him he would but he was all "Forget Jane Austen. Read Hunter Thompson."

"You do have to read Hunter Thompson," Dean insisted.

"Not as much as you needed to read Jane Austen."

"Hey, what's that?" Dean asked grabbing the cookies.

"Just some cookies," Rory answered shyly.

"Rocky Road."

"Yeah."

"Wow, she brings me cookies. How can I repay her?" Dean asked.

"How about a little Charlotte Bronte?"

"How about something else?" he leaned in and kissed her.

"That's good, too."

Lane said suddenly, "Okay, I gotta go. I'm gonna be late for homeroom. And I have that perfect-attendance certificate in my sights."

"See you later," Rory said.

"Yeah, see you," Lane said sadly back.

"Bye, good luck!" Harley shouted after her.

At Chilton.

Tristan was standing at her locker when she got to school. "Hey," she greeted him with a kiss. "Got some cookies for you to try. New recipe," she said as she handed him the bag of snickerdoodles.

Tristan smiled and took a cookie. He bit into it and moaned. "Delicious."

Harley laughed as he stuffed the cookie in his mouth. "Walk me to class?" she asked.

He nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked her to her history class. He kissed her goodbye before heading to his own class.

Gilmore mansion. After school.

"Hey, grandma," the girls called entering the sitting room.

"Girls, it's your mother," Emily said handing them the phone.

They held the phone between them so they could both hear. "Hey," they said.

"Hi. Things bad out there?" Lorelai asked.

"It's crazy," Rory informed.

"There's snow coming down everywhere and let me just say saddle shoes are not the best all-weather footwear," Harley stated.

"Oh, you fell."

"Twice," Harley confirmed. "Would have been more if Tris hadn't grabbed me a couple times."

"Yikes. I'm sorry."

"So, are you coming over tonight?" Rory asked.

"No, I'm pretty much stuck in the Hollow tonight."

"Bummer. Well we can take our snow walk tomorrow night?" Harley suggested.

"Absolutely," Lorelai confirmed. "All right, tell grandma you guys arrived there not members of the Junior League. I'd like you two to leave there the same way."

"Call if you get lonely," Rory said.

"I will. Bye."

Later that night.

Rory and Harley sat at the dining room table in their school uniforms doing their homework.

"Are you sure?" Emily asked the person on the other end of the phone. "Fine. All right. Yes, goodbye. Well, I don't know what I'm gonna do now." Emily hung up the phone.

"Well, what's the problem, Emily?" Richard asked.

"The problem is that apparently Florence cannot get here because of the storm."

"Florence?"

"Our cook."

"We'll just have to go out, then," Richard stated.

"Please, Richard, pay attention. We can't go out. it's miserable out there."

"Well, we'll figure something out then."

"What? What will we figure out?" Emily asked.

"I don't know, but—"

"I hate the damn snow," Emily interrupted.

"Emily, calm down."

"This is a serious problem. These Friday dinners are the only proper food these children eat all week."

"Girls, are you in any way malnourished or in need of some international relief organization to recruit a celebrity to raise money on your account?" Richard called.

"We're good," they said.

"They're good, Emily."

"Your sense of humor rears its ugly head at the oddest of times, Richard."

"Emily, I'm not the mastermind behind some great scheme to spoil your dinner plans and I don't care to be treated as such."

"So you're fine with having no dinner tonight, is that it?"

Rory and Harley came into the room with them. "I certainly am not."

"How about we check the fridge? I'm sure there's something in there Harley can whip up. She's quite the good cook," Rory suggested.

"Whip up?" Emily asked.

"Yeah, come on," Harley said walking towards the kitchen. "It'll be fun, I promise.

"Well come on, Mr. We'll-figure-it-out."

They followed their granddaughters into the kitchen. Rory opened the fridge and immediately Harley started looking at what was in there. "Nothing," Richard stated.

"Not a blessed thing," Emily said.

"Hey, there's frozen pizza," Rory pointed out.

"How did that get there?" Emily wondered.

"Maybe you bought it and forgot," Harley suggested.

"I've never bought frozen pizza. It must belong to Anna."

"The maid," guessed Richard.

"Yes."

"Got one!"

Harley took the pizza out. "What are you doing?" Emily asked.

"I'm gonna make it," she stated.

"Oh, Harley you're not serious," Emily said.

"That hardly looks like dinner," Richard said.

"I agree. Harley, that's food you eat at a carnival or in a Turkish prison."

"I promise you'll love it," Harley said.

"But—"

"Listen, just leave it up to me," interrupted Harley. "You guys go back into the living room, and I'll call you when it's ready. Grandma?"

"Yes?"

"What are the odds you'd know where a cookie sheet would be?" Harley asked.

"I'd say very slim," Richard answered.

"Never mind. I'll find it," Harley waved them away.

"Very slim? Thank you for that," Emily said to Richard.

The girls explored their mom's room while waiting for the pizza to finish. They found an old photo album with pictures of their parents together. Rory's pager went off and she called home. Lane was there and they talked on the phone while Harley inspected her mother's dollhouse.

Their grandma came into the room. "There you are."

"I think the phones are down," Rory stated.

"It's probably just this horrible storm. You must come downstairs immediately."

"What's wrong?" Harley asked.

"The stove is buzzing," Emily stated.

"It's just the timer, grandma," Harley said rolling her eyes.

"I know it's the timer. I don't know where it's located or how to turn it off."

"But I really need to call Lane back," Rory said.

"There's nothing you can do. The phones will eventually come back. Now please girls come downstairs and help me stop the buzzing."

"Emily, for heaven's sake, get down here," Richard called.

"Okay, let's go," Rory said.

Dining room.

Emily and Richard stared at the pizza. "You want to eat it before it gets cold," Rory pointed out. "How is it?"

"Not cold," Emily stated.

"It's quite tasty," Richard stated. "Emily, we should have this more often."

"What?"

"Perhaps instead of that horrible salmon that keeps showing up," Richard added.

"That salmon is a fine delicacy," Emily informed.

"Po-tay-to, po-tah-to."

"Try it again, grandma. It's probably cooler now," Harley insisted.

"No, thank you. I'm fine."

"You know what? It's really good if you add some extra Parmesan to it," Harley said getting up to put the cheese on for her. "This is mom's special trick. Frozen pizza is a staple at our house. Mom's become a major doctoring genius. She'll put anything on it."

"One time Sookie came and brought us some foie gras and mom stuck it on a pizza," Rory shared.

"How was it?" Emily asked.

"Pretty good once we took the foie gras off," Harley laughed. "Okay that's good."

"Try it, please," Rory persisted. "If you want to get really crazy, you can pick it up," she said when she saw Emily was going to cut it with a knife and fork.

"Well, all right." Emily said. "Here goes nothing." She took a bite, "That's wonderful!"

"See?" Harley asked.

"Harley, pass me that cheese," Emily said as she went over to Richard. "Trust me. It makes all the difference."

"I'll be right back," Rory said as she left the table.

When she came back she was carrying the photo album. "We found this in mom's room."

"What's that?" Emily asked.

"Pictures," Rory answered.

"Oh, my goodness, I haven't seen that in years," Emily said.

"Oh, my gosh," Richard said.

They started flipping through the album. "Oh, look at this."

It was a baby photo. "That's one fluffy white dress," Harley commented.

"There were 12 petticoats underneath it. We got it in London, remember, Richard?"

"She looks like a little princess," Rory stated.

"Yes, I believe about two minutes after that picture was taken her highness dumped a glass of grape juice over it," Emily laughed.

"Look, Emily, it's Hopey," Richard pointed.

"Hopey?" Harley asked.

"My younger sister," Emily said.

"Have we ever seen her? I don't remember her," Rory wondered.

"She lives in Paris. Our great expatriate," Richard said.

"Oh, my. Hopey, look at you. I haven't seen her in such a long time," Emily said.

"Maybe we should take a trip this year," Richard suggested.

"That would be nice," Emily stated.

"Maybe the girls could go with us," he added.

"We'll start packing tomorrow," Rory said. "Oh, is that you guys?" Rory asked pointing to a wedding photo.

"Yes, it is," Richard confirmed.

"That is our wedding picture," Emily stated.

"That's an amazing dress," Harley said.

"It should've been. My mother had three seamstresses working round the clock making it."

"You still have it?" Harley asked.

"It's upstairs packed away somewhere. I'll save it for you if you like," she said with a smile.

"Oh Emily. They're too young to be thinking about such things like that," Richard stated.

"Oh, Richard, please. Every young girl thinks about her wedding. I know I did. I knew from the time I was 12 that I wanted lilies and orchids with a silver bow wrapped around them for my bouquet."

"You also knew that you wanted to marry Errol Flynn," Richard added.

"Really grandma had a thing for the pirate guy?" Rory questioned.

"I did not," Emily declined.

"She was mad about him. she even tried to get me to grow one of those mustaches."

"You're kidding," both girls laughed.

"Richard, stop," Emily said with a smile.

"She wanted me to swing from a chandelier."

"Oh, now you're just being silly."

"Luckily, I was on the fencing team at college or I would have married Lucinda Lester by now."

"Actually, Lucinda Lester looked a lot like Errol Flynn. I should have married her. It would have been very modern of me," they chuckled.

"Wow, mom looks really beautiful there," Rory said pointing to a picture of Lorelai in a white dress.

"Yes, she does."

"What was the occasion?" Harley asked.

"Who would like some coffee?" Richard asked changing the subject.

"That was her debutante gown for her coming-out party," Emily informed.

"Mom had a coming-out party?" Rory asked.

"No, she didn't," Richard answered.

"Oh," the girls said clueing in.

"Yes, well, things happen, don't they?" Emily asked rhetorically.

"If you'll excuse me, I have some business calls to make," Richard said as he left.

"I'll go get that coffee," Emily said leaving as well.

The next morning. Gilmore house.

Their grandparent's driver drove the twins back to Stars Hollow. The girls were just outside the door when Lorelai stepped out. "Hi," she greeted.

"Hi," both girls replied.

"What's up?" Rory added.

"Nothing. What's up with you?" Lorelai replied.

"You have something to tell us," Harley stated.

"Boy, you're so smart. Right. Okay. Here we go. I've got a boy in the house," Lorelai admitted.

"You what?" both girls asked.

"Nothing happened, I swear. He slept the whole night on the couch. And you guys know him."

"We do?" they asked in sync once again.

"And you like him. I don't know if that's relevant. I just thought that I would throw that in there."

The girls entered and found their English teacher, Mr. Medina, asleep on their couch. "It's Mr. Medina," Rory pointed out.

"I know," Lorelai replied.

"Our English teacher is asleep on our couch," Harley said.

"It was the snow. You know how I get. It's like catnip. I was walking. He was there. His car was broken. We had fiesta burgers. It was the snow. Girls, say something."

Rory walked to the kitchen and Harley followed. Lorelai shortly followed the girls.

"Talk to me," she demanded. "How do you feel?"

Harley sat at the table and listened to what was going through her sister's head.

"I don't know," Rory admitted.

"Fine," shrugged Harley.

"Take a guess: angry, frustrated, nauseous?"

"Weird. I feel weird. Has he been here all night?" Rory asked.

"Pretty much," Lorelai replied.

"Oh, my God! Did he go into the bathroom? I have stuff hanging in there!"

"Honey, you knew I was gonna date him. this isn't a total surprise."

"Yes, I knew you were gonna date. I just didn't expect for him to be here at our house in the morning."

"I know."

"I don't even remember ever there being a man in our house," Rory pointed out.

"Yeah, well, I kind of broke the rules."

"God, why is this so weird for me?" Rory asked.

"Because I should have told you first."

"No."

"Because I should have talked to you before I did this."

"No."

"Because you're afraid he smooshed the couch pillows out of shape?"

"Do you love him?" Rory asked.

"We had one date. It was a great date. World Series level. But it was just a date. Honey, I promised myself a long time ago that I was gonna keep all this stuff separate from you guys. And I want you to know that, that still stands, okay? This was a one-time thing. I'm not gonna start just bringing guys home. This is not a trend."

"You can, you know," Harley pointed out.

"What?"

"Bring guys home," she clarified. "I mean if you like someone, you should feel comfortable doing that."

"I appreciate that," Lorelai told them.

"We want you to be happy," Rory stated.

"And I love you two for that."

"Plus, I know you're not a cat person so you truly will be alone if you don't find someone," Rory pointed out.

"Okay, look, someday I will bring somebody home. But when I do, I just want to be sure it's the guy."

"Mr. Medina's not the guy?" Rory questioned.

"I don't know," Lorelai admitted. "He might be. But right now, it's just you and me. And sometimes Lane."

Lane walked out of Rory's room. "I'm gonna go wake the man up," Lorelai excused herself.

"And I've got some painting to get done. See yeah, Lane," Harley went down to her room.