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"So are you going in?" asked Dawn standing next to Rory, both having just gotten home from school.

Rory looked up at the front of the store. "Yes, I'm going in," she nodded.

"Well you do know, that you actually need to, you know, move to do that," smirked Dawn after standing with Rory for another twenty seconds.

"This I know," Rory sighed glancing at her friend who rolled her eyes. "Okay here I go," she said opening the door to the market.

Dawn smiled and positioned herself so she could discreetly observe much of the inside of Doose's without Taylor lecturing her on her blocking the door to his store.

Dean walked over to Rory, who was pretending to be interested in cornstarch. "You know, you can get two for three bucks."

"Oh really? Excellent deal," said Rory in what she hoped was a coy tone.

"You just had a desperate need for some cornstarch?" asked Dean.

"Yes. I have very important thickening needs, thank you. Nice apron," said Rory looking him up and down for a moment, hoping it did not look like she was checking him out, which she was.

"Nice uniform," countered Dean.

"Well, you know, I sewed the buttons on with silver thread so that sets me apart from the crowd," said Rory lamely, mentally kicking herself. "I guess I should get home."

"Wait a sec. You want a pop or something?" asked Dean hesitantly.

"A pop?" smiled Rory.

"Give me a break. In Chicago they call it pop."

"Well in Connecticut we call it free soda," smiled Rory. "And yes, thank you."

Rory followed Dean over to the soda. He grabbed two cans and hid them behind his back. "Alright, guess which is in each hand and you get the soda."

"Ok, the whole concept of a free soda is that it's free, you don't have to work for it," she pointed out.

"Sorry you gotta sing for your supper," smiled Dean.

"Or your soda."

"Guess," said Dean.

"Ok, in this hand you have..." As Rory reached for the soda behind his back, Dean leaned down and kissed her. When he pulled back, Rory looked stunned. "Thank you," she said running out of the store and down the street, ignoring Dawn's cries from behind, in shock, she saw Lane in front of Kim's antiques.

"Lane? Lane?" she called out.

Lane turned to see Rory, and Dawn looking like she was attempting to catch up with her fellow Chiltonite. "What's wrong?" asked Lane.

Rory came to a stop in front of her friend, "I got kissed! And I shoplifted," she said holding up the box of cornstarch.

"Are you serious? Who kissed you?" asked Lane her eyes going wide.

"Dean," smirked Dawn before Rory could.

"The new kid?" exclaimed Lane.

"Yes," said Rory.

"You got the new kid? Oh my God!" said Lane happily.

"It happened so fast. I was just standing there..."

"Where?" asked Lane.

"Doose's Market," said Dawn trying very hard not to laugh at her friends.

"He kissed you in the market?" said Lane.

"On aisle three," said Rory.

"By the pest spray?" said Lane.

Dawn could not help it, she started laughing at the double entendre, that by the looks the other two girls were giving her, they did not get! She held her hand up, "Sorry."

Rory turned back to Lane, "Yes."

"Oh, that's a good aisle," said Lane enthusiastically.

"What defines a good aisle?" smiled Dawn.

"An aisle where you get kissed by the new kid is a good aisle," said Lane.

"Oh my God. I can't breathe," Rory said holding her chest.

"Okay, sit down," said Lane anxiously.

Rory shook her head, "No I can't sit down. I'm too... Oh my God, He kissed me."

Mrs Kim came out onto the porch having heard the girls. "Who kissed you?" she asked sternly.

"The Lord, Mama," said Lane quickly.

"Oh, Okay then," said Mrs Kim sceptically before going back inside.

Making sure her mother had really gone, Lane turned back to her friends, "So? Tell me everything."

"So I go into the store..."

"After oohing and aahing for five minutes," put in Dawn.

"...and he offers me a soda," said Rory trying to ignore her friend's ribbing. "And then he puts two behind his back and he asks me to pick one and then he kissed me."

"I'm so jealous! That's it, I've got to get some dumb, ugly friends," exclaimed Lane.

"Lane you're not ugly," said Dawn firmly. "There's someone out there for you."

"That's what I'm frightened of. And my mother already knows who it is," said Lane in exasperation.

"I have to go tell my mum," Rory said suddenly.

"Call me later," said Lane heading for the door.

"Ok," said Rory as she and Dawn headed for the gate.

Rory stopped so suddenly that Dawn bumped into her. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I can't," exclaimed Rory.

"You can't leave?" asked Lane. "It's sing your favourite hymn night at the Kim house. Make a run for it."

"My mum doesn't know about Dean."

"So tell her," said Dawn.

Rory shook her head, "The last time the subject of boys came up it got very ugly."

"Oh yeah! Well that was different. She thought you were gonna quit school over a guy," said Lane.

"Yes, over Dean," pointed out Rory.

"Ok, fine, but she doesn't have to know it was him," said Lane.

"She'll know," said Rory worriedly.

"How?" frowned Dawn.

"She's Lorelai, she'll know," said Rory as if that was all the explanation necessary. "What do I do?"

"Well maybe she'll be more open to the concept now that you're in school and doing so well and everything," said Lane gently.

"Maybe," mused Rory.

"Try it," encouraged Lane.

"Ok. We gotta go," said Rory leading Dawn out the gate.

"Hey, was it great?" called out Lane.

"It was perfect," smiled Rory. "Wow," sighed Lane.

"Yeah," said Rory.

* * * * *

Dawn looked out the window anxiously waiting for Giles. "So what's he like?" asked Rory coming up next to her friend.

"Giles...? Well he's Giles," said Dawn.

"Ah bit more please," smiled Rory.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "He's great, in a stuffy British way! He was and still is our group's mentor, especially to my sister, when she was alive, and I'm pretty sure he was sweet on my mum? Anyway, he knows tons of facts about most things except... computers; I almost had a heart attack last week when I heard he had used a computer to buy some rare books in Hartford," she laughed. "He's the one who encouraged me to learn so many languages. So what happened with your mum? Did you tell her about the kiss?"

"Didn't have too," sighed Rory. "Mrs Kim told her when she went to collect a rocker she'd bought. I'm beginning to think that maybe she has Lane or the entire house bugged?"

"I'm beginning to get the impression that anything is possible here. So how did she take it?"

"She's weirded by it, she says she's not but she is," said Rory.

"She'll come around. I haven't known you or her very long but she'll deal... after her and Luke have interrogated him, along with Miss Patty, Taylor, Sookie, Jackson, Andrew, Babette, Morey, Fran, Gypsy... oh and that weird blue haired cat woman on Peach," said Dawn starting to laugh loudly.

"Okay I get it. And no way there will be any interrogating of Dean," said Rory firmly.

"And you really believe that don't you?" giggled Dawn.

"Of course... Oh god they will won't they," said Rory her eyes going wide.

"Probably not. Well except maybe Luke and Lorelai... and probably Miss Patty," said Dawn smiling at her friend. "At least it won't be as bad as the things my family and friends did to my date for my junior prom?"

"Ooh I smell a story, so tell," said Rory to keep her mind off her own situation.

"Well I'd been ready for like two hours waiting for him, he was my other major crush after Xander. Well mum invites him in to meet everyone, Buffy, my sister, was just sitting on the couch with a battleaxe across her lap, Xander was walking around the room holding a baseball bat and Faith was leaning against the wall cleaning her nails with a dagger. All they did was look at him, they didn't say anything, but the scariest was mum, she just smiled sweetly at him, telling him how she just knew he was a good young man who would look after me and wouldn't do anything that could possibly get him or me hurt, she emphasized him by glancing at everyone holding weapons."

Rory's face warred between shock and amusement, "So what did you do?"

"I was livid at them; I grabbed his hand and dragged him out the door. I didn't speak to any of them for two days, mum tried bribing me with all my favourite foods, bought me this top I had wanted for ages, Xander hung around most of the time, trying to make me laugh, he eventually broke me, I can never resist him for very long!"

Rory laughed as she saw a man pull up and stop at the end of the drive.

"He's here," Dawn called out to Willow and Tara, who were fixing dinner in the kitchen, as she headed to the door.

Rory followed Dawn out onto the porch, smiling as she watched her friend hug the man. "Hi Giles. So how are you? How are things in Sunnyhell? Did you have a good flight? What were the books you bought?"

Giles smiled at the teenager, "Good lord Dawn you are spending to much time around Willow." Dawn made a face, making Giles chuckle, "Let's go inside and I'll answer all your questions."

Dawn smiled, "Okay. Will and Tara are inside making dinner," she said leading the Englishman up the steps and onto the porch.

Giles smiled at the other girl standing watching them, "Aren't you going to introduce your friend, Dawn?"

"Of course Giles," said Dawn. "This is my friend Rory Gilmore, she lives next door and also goes to Chilton, Rory this is Rupert Giles."

"Pleased to meet you Mr Giles," said Rory holding out her hand.

"The pleasure is all mine," he said shaking her hand. "And please call me Giles, all my friends do."

"Alright, Giles," said Rory as he gestured for her and Dawn to proceed him into the house.

Willow and Tara came out of the kitchen wiping their hands.

"Giles," said Willow happily, as she hugged him. "How was the flight? Did you have any trouble finding us?"

"The flight was fine, and telling me about the rooster statue helped me find you," smiled Giles looking at Tara, "Tara," he said holding his arms wide for a hug, which she happily gave.

"It's nice to see you Giles, I have the water on for your tea," said Tara pulling back from the hug. "Come into the living room, I'm sure you're tired after your long flight and drive down here, you should have allowed one of us to pick you up."

They all moved to the living room where they all took seats, "Thank you for putting me up for the night, but if it is an inconvenience, I can probably get a room at the local inn, I understand it is very good," said Giles.

"It's the best," said Dawn, "Rory's mum Lorelai runs it."

"We have room Giles, it's not the sort of room you'd want to stay in for months as it's quite small, but for a day or two it should be okay," said Willow.

"If you're sure?"

"Of course we're sure Giles," said Tara.

"So how're things back in Sunnydale?" asked Dawn.

Giles glanced quickly at Rory before turning to his friends. "Things are about the same, I ah acquired quite a large collection of Aztec artwork from a friend who is head curator of a museum in Mexico City. Apparently, they just unearthed a huge quantity at a dig outside the city and they needed to sell some to finance the new building that will be required to house it."

"Shouldn't he have offered it to other museums?" asked Rory shocked that someone would offer antiquities to a private Gallery.

"Oh he did, they took some, but the collection is so large it could have filled two British museums and there were many very similar pieces, so I don't feel too guilty about using my connections to get first choice," smiled Giles.

"So is it true Xander asked Anya to marry him?" asked Dawn.

"Yes, he ah apparently asked her the day Buffy died... They didn't feel comfortable saying anything before now because of obvious reasons." Giles smiled then, "Anya has asked me to give her away."

"Well of course she would, she hasn't got any family she could ask," smiled Willow.

"So Giles," smirked Dawn mischief in her eyes, "You have been using a computer! We all figure the end of the world is just around the corner."

"Yes well..." said Giles blushing slightly, "I found that your mother kept most of the Gallery's inventory and financial details on the Gallery computer so as your trustee I really had no choice. But that was how I came across the estate sale where I bought the books, apparently your mother was, I believe the word is linked? To many other Galleries around the country and they send letters..."

"E-mails," corrected Willow.

Giles smiled at the redhead. "E-mails regarding items that various other Galleries may be interested in. Of course the books would have not interested your mother, I just bought them for ah... my own collection," he said throwing a meaningful glance at the three Scoobies.

"Oh what are the titles? I love books," piped in Rory.

"Oh you just made a friend for life," smirked Dawn. "Giles is the ultimate bookworm."

"Yes well quite," said Giles at the giggling teenager. "Well I have not had a chance to fully catalogue them, most are on North American folklore and at least one on alchemy by Sir Isaac Newton."

"I didn't know Sir Isaac Newton was into alchemy?" said Dawn.

"Oh yes, until he became known for his three laws he was very much involved with alchemy," said Giles.

"Ah excuse me for a moment I want to get something from home that I'd like to show you Giles," said Rory getting up.

"Of course," said Giles smiling up at her.

"Rory do you want to stay for dinner," asked Tara as the teenager headed for the door.

"Thanks, but I have plans," said Rory.

"So Giles, any major problems back in Sunnydale?" asked Willow as the door closed.

"Well, Faith almost turned herself in for a murder she thought she was responsible for. It turned out the victim's former boyfriend had committed the murder, he is currently wanted for questioning, unfortunately the evidence we have can't be used against him."

"That's good about Faith," said Tara getting glances from the others. "I mean, if she was willing to take responsibility for a crime she thought she had committed, it shows that we were right in getting the Council to get her out of prison."

Giles nodded, "Yes and I must say, I found myself feeling very proud of her." He looked up as the door opened and Rory returned carrying a book, "Good lord," he exclaimed recognising it.

Rory smiled at him, "I was wondering if you would sign it for me?" she said offering him The Power of Myth book. "I had the video, but my mum's has it locked in the inn's safe for over three years now and won't let me have it back."

"But I'm not the author," pointed out Giles.

"No, but you did write the forward and contributed to more than one section," said Rory. "Please."

Giles smiled up at the teenager as he took the book and pulling out a fountain pen he wrote inside the cover before handing it back.

Dawn jumped up to see what Giles had written; she read it aloud for Willow and Tara, "From one scholar to another. Learn all you can, be all you can. Rupert Giles."

* * * * *

"So do you always take food and drink to town meetings?" asked Tara as she and Willow joined Lorelai as they made their way to the two newcomers' first town meeting.

"Oh yeah," smirked Lorelai. "It's better than TV most of the time."

"This town meeting will come to order," cried Miss Patty.

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

Rory and Dawn smirked at each other from the back where they sat waiting for the adults to arrive. "This is fun," said Dawn.

"Told you," said Rory.

"Oh, Taylor, calm down," sighed Miss Patty.

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

"I promise that we hear you," said Miss Patty gently.

"We've been hearing you for 20 minutes," said Andrew.

"Well, excuse me, Andrew, but some of us have businesses to run that don't involve peddling drug paraphernalia to kids," snapped Taylor.

"It's lava lamps Taylor," pointed out Andrew.

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

"Oh, for crying out loud," shouted Andrew.

"Now we've already agreed to look into your accusations, let's just move on," said Miss Patty calmly.

Just then, Lorelai slipped in next to Rory and Willow and Tara sat next to Dawn.

"What'd we miss?" whispered Lorelai.

"Taylor wants the no-parking zone in front of his store removed," Rory whispered back. "He says his customers are being unfairly ticketed."

"No, it's just because he wants to park there all day," said Lorelai.

"Genius," Rory smirked.

"And he thinks that because the electronics store's started selling lava lamps, Mick must be selling drugs as well," added Dawn. "Rory and I figured we'd check it out later, you know to get our stash," she giggled.

"I have been Mayor of this fine town for a long time," said Harry. "I tend to think of all of you as my children. Unfortunately, sometimes children have to be disciplined. Now I'm going to say something and I'm only gonna say it once...we have leash laws, people."

"Daddy's getting angry," Lorelai smirked.

"Rover will not leash himself," said Harry.

"Hmm, good point," conceded Rory.

"Hmm," murmured Lorelai.

"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," said Harry at which most people applauded.

Lorelai whispered, "Where's Luke?"

"Up there," whispered Rory pointing several rows nearer the front.

"Penny will be circulating a sign up sheet for those of you who would like to participate in the re-enactment of fore-said battle," continued Harry.

"He's turning red," said Rory.

"Oh, oh," said Lorelai her eyes brightening.

"What's going on?" asked Dawn.

Rory smirked at her friend, "Just watch, this is going to be fun."

"All right. It was a frigid November night, some 224 years ago..." Harry began the story.

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

"The brave Stars Hollow militia stood in wait for the Red Coats."

"He's adjusting the cap," whispered Rory.

"Ooh!" smirked Lorelai.

"Tired and hungry, twelve proud men took their positions in the town's square, braving the elements..."

"He's fighting the urge, he's fighting the urge," said Lorelai.

"...and imminent death in their valiant efforts..."

"Oh, for God's Sake, do we have to go through this every damn year!" cried Luke.

"Yes!" smiled Lorelai.

"And the urge wins by a long shot!" announced Rory.

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

"This is a town issue," countered Taylor.

"Excuse me, who's talking?" asked Harry.

"It's me, Harry, Luke. You've known me since I was 5 years old," said Luke.

"Oh, Luke, yes. Sit down," ordered Harry. "Now as I was saying, twelve heroic men assembled with guns drawn ready to meet their maker."

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

"Waiting for the Red Coats."

"Who never showed!" pointed out Luke.

"Now just a minute," said Harry.

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

Dawn, Willow and Tara joined the Gilmores in laughing.

"I've had just about enough of this," declared Taylor.

"Sit down, Taylor," said Luke angrily.

"Menace," snapped Taylor.

"Suck up," countered Luke.

"Five bucks says somebody ends up in a headlock," said Lorelai.

"You're on!" said Rory.

"You're right Lorelai, this is fun," Willow said laughing.

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

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

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

"A sense of community is so important, isn't it?" said Lorelai solemnly.

"It's what made our country great," agreed Rory.

* * * * *

Dawn carried the mug of hot soup into the bedroom and handed it to Tara, "I made it just how you like it," she told the blonde.

"Thanks sweetie," said Tara wiping her runny nose in a tissue.

"No problem," said Dawn smiling, "Is there anything else you need?"

"No I'm fine. I have my coursework, some books if I don't feel up to doing it and I have the phone if I need any help."

"I had a word with Lorelai and Miss Patty, and they both said you could phone them if you need anything," said Willow coming back from the bathroom. She leaned down and kissed her girlfriend on the forehead. "I'm sorry I can't stay and look after you but with Lara's pregnancy, Charleston wants me to take the senior class to the seminar at Harvard."

"That's alright," said Tara smiling up at Willow and Dawn. "Have a nice day and I'll see you both later."

"Right, bye baby," said Willow grabbing her things and heading for the door. "Dawn did you remember your sports clothes?"

"Yeah," said Dawn as she followed Willow. "Bye Tara, see you later."

* * * * *

Dawn lined up in the gym with the others. "Okay girls let's get started. We are already a week behind because of the accident last Thursday," said Ms MacAfee as she entered. The previous Thursday's try-outs and planned practice were cancelled when one of the senior girl's broke her and she had to spend the afternoon at the hospital with her.

"Alright into pairs, Overhead Passing 10/20/30," said Ms MacAfee.

Louise frowned at Madeline, when instead of suggesting they pair up she turned to Dawn. Shrugging her shoulders Louise joined Erica, her regular practice partner.

The other girls soon accepted Dawn and Madeline when they showed their abilities to hold their own against anyone else on the team.

The session had just gotten to the game when the gym phone buzzed. "Take five girls," said Ms MacAfee walking over and picking it up.

Dawn, wiping her face with her towel, sat with Madeline, Louise and Erica, "So who is our first opponents?" she asked.

"Hillside, they were State champions last year, one of their player's even made all state," said Erica.

"She only made all state because Louise caught the flu," pointed out Madeline.

They watched as Ms MacAfee replaced the receiver and walked back over to the team, "Sorry girls we will have to finish now. Apparently, the storm is moving in earlier than expected. So have a quick shower and I'll post the first team tomorrow on the notice board," she said as she ushered them towards the locker room.

As she did at the previous Monday's gym class, Dawn found herself positioning herself so she could observe Madeline removing her sports clothes while slowly removing her own. On Monday, she had reasoned that by watching the other girl discreetly it might help her to get over her growing feelings for her friend, if she could discern and catalogue any flaws. Unfortunately, to Dawn, it seemed that Madeline's body was perfect. So tonight's observations were solely for her own pleasure. 'If I can't get up the nerve to ask if she feels the same about me and thereby run my hands and tongue all over her skin I can at least watch her... discreetly.'

Madeline asked her something. 'Shit! I'm so busted?' "Huh?" said Dawn a slight blush creeping across her cheeks.

"I asked you how you were getting home with Ms Rosenberg stuck in Boston until tomorrow?" said Madeline.

"Oh sorry I was miles away." 'Too close?' she let out a breath. "Ah well I'm planning on driving our car, though I've never driven in bad weather before," said Dawn as she joined her friend heading for the showers.

"Oh okay... Do you like horses? I mean to ride?" asked Madeline suddenly.

"Yeah, my dad would take my sister and me riding most weekends when we lived in LA. Why?"

"Well Louise and I go riding sometimes but she can't make it next weekend and I was wondering if you wanted to come? Assuming the weather isn't too bad."

"Sure, I'd love too."

"Great," smiled Madeline as she stood under the shower-head she turned back to say something when her eyes, seemingly of their own volition, were looking directly at the other girl's breasts as she ran her soapy hands over the supple flesh. Madeline swallowed as her eyes slowly trailed down Dawn's body, until they fell upon the numerous shallow scars; she paled at the thought of the pain that they would have caused. Madeline realised that Dawn had noticed her stare as the other girl's hands had stopped moving, her eyes slowly rose to meet her friend's as one of Dawn's arms moved in an attempt to cover the evidence, "What happened?" she asked quietly for some reason.

She saw Dawn swallow as various emotions crossed her face.

"I-I was kidnapped by a crazy cult woman in Sunnydale and one of her followers thought it was a good idea to cut me with a knife," explained Dawn. She frowned a little, 'Now why did I tell her that? Why didn't I go with the, Fell on broken glass, story we all agreed too?'

"Oh god! What happened?" exclaimed Madeline, "Did-did they do anything else, bad to you?"

Dawn smiled a little sadly at her friend, understanding what she was asking without actually saying it, "No, other than the knife work, he didn't try and rape me or anything." For some reason it was important to her that she made it clear to Madeline she had not suffered such things, she seemed to instinctively understand that although the other girl, in many ways, seemed worldly, she still had a kind of innocence about her that Dawn had lost after she moved to Sunnydale.

The next thing she knew Madeline was hugging her, "I'm sorry you were hurt."

Dawn swallowed as she felt the other girl's flesh against her own. Patting Madeline on the back not sure what else to do. "Why? You didn't do anything and I got over it, my doctor gives me cream to put on them, he says they will be almost invisible in a year or so."

Dawn was surprised to see tears in Madeline's eyes as they parted; she also noticed that several of the other girls were giving them curious looks!

"That's good," smiled Madeline. "It-it must have been very traumatic?"

"Yes at the time it was, part of the reason for moving away from Sunnydale was to help me get over it. So could we move on?" said Dawn not wishing to relive the trauma that was Glory and her sister's death. "So do you have your own horse or do you just hire one at a local stable?"

Madeline nodded in understanding, "Daddy bought me my first pony when I was six. Then he bought me Thunder when I was twelve, I try to get to see him two or three times a week and during the summer I go riding almost every weekend."

* * * * *

Rory was waiting for them as Dawn, Madeline and Louise exited the locker room together. "Hey, so how did you do?" she asked.

"Okay I think, we should know tomorrow morning if we're in or not," said Dawn as Rory fell into step with the others.

"You did more than good," added Louise. "If you don't get in, as Captain, I'll wanna know why, you are as good as anyone we have, and that includes me."

"I wouldn't go that far," said Dawn blushing a little.

"Dawn, you were great," insisted Madeline.

"Okay," said Dawn beaming at her friend before looking down at the floor as she realised how accepting Madeline's complement and not Louise's may have seemed.

They reached their lockers just then and Dawn and Rory sorted through the books they needed for homework. Dawn grabbed some folders and turned to Madeline, offering them to her, "Thanks for the loan of your notes," she said.

"That's okay, any time you want help," said Madeline with a big smile. "See you tomorrow," she said as she walked off with Louise.

Dawn watched as Madeline walked away, a faraway look on her face, with a sigh she turned back to Rory as the other girl closed her locker. "So I was thinking that with this storm it might be better if we left the car here and went home by bus. I'm not exactly experienced in driving in this sort of weather."

"Okay it will probably take longer but will be safer, if they haven't cancelled the services that is. Let's go by the office and ask if we can use the phone to check!" said Rory.

"I hope they haven't 'cause otherwise we will have to chance the car," said Dawn following her friend towards the office.

Having found that all bus services were suspended for at least twenty-four hours. Rory suggested that they ask her grandparents if they would put them up for the night, it having the advantage that it was within walking distance of the school so they would not have to risk the car.

Dawn had just finished telling Tara of her and Rory's plans when the phone went dead. So with no other alternative they began making their way to the Gilmore house.

* * * * *

Lorelai walked into the lobby of the inn, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have flakes. Flakes have been sighted. Flakage, if you will, has begun." She walked up to the front desk, "Michel, it's the first snowfall of the season. It's very lucky. Make a wish."

"Get away from me," snapped Michel.

"Oh, you're not supposed to say it out loud," smiled Lorelai.

Michel pointedly ignored her and picked up the ringing phone. "Independence Inn, Michel speaking."

"The world changes when it snows. It gets quiet. Everything softens," Lorelai said with a far away look.

Michel held the phone out to Lorelai, "It's your neighbour."

Lorelai took the phone, "Tara, is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine here, but I just received a phone call from Dawn," said Tara. "Apparently Willow is unable to get back from Harvard and with the black ice she and Rory were nervous about driving back on their own. So at Rory's suggestion they are going to your parents to see if they can stay the night. I don't know if Rory will be able to phone you from there, the phone went dead just after Dawn called from school."

"Oh, okay," said Lorelai a little worried. "You don't have to worry; they will be fine with my parents. I'll be heading out to Luke's soon; did you want me to bring you anything?"

"No I'm fine, thanks," said Tara. "Bye Lorelai."

* * * * *

Dawn stood shivering next to Rory as her friend rang her grandparents' doorbell. "Are you sure your grandparents won't mind me staying the night? I'm sure I could find a hotel room," she said.

"I'm sure. They have four other bedrooms besides theirs, mum's and mine," said Rory, just as her grandmother opened the door.

"Rory," said Emily smiling. "What a pleasant surprise. Come in," she stepped aside.

"Hi grandma," said Rory as the two teenagers stepped inside, "You remember Dawn, right?"

"Of course. So nice to see you again Dawn," said Emily.

"Grandma," began Rory hesitantly. "With the storm coming early, I was wondering if we could stay here tonight. We had planned on getting the bus back home but they cancelled the service."

"Of course you'll stay here, but I thought that Dawn's guardians gave you a lift to and from school?" said Emily.

"They do, but Willow had to take the senior class to a seminar at Harvard and can't get back until at least tomorrow, and Tara is in bed with a heavy cold, so we're stuck. We were going to leave the car here and as I said, catch the bus as we were a little apprehensive about driving on our own back to Stars Hollow in the storm," explained Rory.

"That's understandable, now come in by the fire while I tell Connie that I'll have company for dinner."

"Oh where's grandpa?" asked Rory as she and Dawn removed their coats.

"He had to fly to Chicago for a couple of days," said Emily hanging the two teenagers coats up. "Have you phoned your mother yet?"

"No not yet, the phones went dead at school after Dawn called Tara. If I can't get through I'm sure she'll let mum know what is happening," Rory explained as she and Dawn followed her grandmother into the living room, both teenagers hurrying to stand next to the roaring fire in an attempt to get warm.

Emily left them for a minute to talk with the maid. On returning she saw that both teenagers were still next to the fire, "I thought you both could use a hot drink, so Connie is making you both some hot chocolate." She took a seat and smiled up at the two girls, "So how was school?"

"Good, it was good," nodded Rory. "I aced my Trig test and Dawn will probably get on the Volleyball team."

"Good for you, both of you," Emily smiled. "I was on the Hockey team when I was your age."

"Really," said Rory in surprise as she and Dawn both took a seat opposite her grandmother.

Emily laughed warmly, "Yes Rory, I was not always so old."

"Oh," blushed Rory. "So were you any good?"

"Well modesty prevents me from answering that but I did get picked for the Hamden young ladies when they played against Hartford," said Emily.

"Oh wow, mum never told me any of that."

"I'm not surprised, your mother never had any interest in sports of any kind," said Emily a little sadly.

Dawn looked around the opulent room, her eyes falling on a particular mask hung on the wall, "That's an interesting mask Mrs Gilmore, it's Nigerian isn't it? A copy of the Ovu Moboni mask, if I am not mistaken." 'Please be a copy, please be a copy,' Dawn prayed.

Emily glanced at the mask and then back to Dawn, "Why yes it is, how did you know?"

"Oh, I own a Gallery in Sunnydale, it's held in trust for me until I turn twenty one. My mum had the original mask a few years ago but it was destroyed during some gang trouble," explained Dawn. "If you like, I'll get Giles, who runs it for me, to send you the latest catalogue."

"Thank you, that would be lovely, I have always loved native art," said Emily as Connie the maid brought in a tray of drinks.

* * * * *

Dawn enjoyed the dinner immensely, getting up a good rapport with Emily, telling her about her love for languages as well as her former life in LA, and her early life in Sunnydale, while avoiding anything supernatural in nature. Dawn was surprised how easy she felt with the older woman, telling her and Rory about her feelings in regard to her mother and sister's deaths, as well as her father's rejection.

Emily also seemed to enjoy the company of the two teenagers, telling them of her school years with Willow's late aunt. The two girls were unaware that Emily too was happy to have them there to talk over some of the things she had been feeling since encountering Willow at Rory's party, although she realised she could not broach the main reason for those same emotions with her granddaughter or her friend; it did wonders for her general well-being.

After dinner, Emily left the two teenagers to do their homework.

As Emily left Dawn looked over to Rory, "I think your grandmother is so cool."

"Sometimes," smiled Rory. "But when she and Lorelai are together they usually end up fighting, not always big fights, but fights all the same. It's easy to tell they love each other very much but seem too frightened of the others reaction if they were to show it. Grandpa and I have had to referee them at Friday dinners on more than one occasion."

"Maybe it's because your mother is more like your grandmother than she is willing to admit," said Dawn.

"True," smiled Rory. "But if you value your life I wouldn't say that to my mum."

"Right," smirked Dawn, turning back to her homework.

A couple of hours later Emily returned. "I just got off the phone with the telephone company, apparently all of southern Connecticut is cut off, they have engineers out trying to fix it, so we'll try getting hold of your mother a little later."

"Okay grandma," said Rory looking up from the report she was writing.

"Dawn, I had Connie turn down your bed and put out one of Lorelai's nightgowns," said Emily.

Rory looked up again, "You still have some of mum's things?"

Emily smiled a little sadly at her granddaughter, "I kept everything just how she left it." She took a seat and looked at the two curious teenagers, "I know it was silly, to think she would come back with you after she ran away. But if either of you ever have a child that leaves you, you'll understand."

Dawn nodded sadly, "I do know what you mean. Three years ago my sister, Buffy, ran away after having a terrible argument with our mother. We were always fighting with each other but I missed her so much, I would wait until I was sure mum was asleep before sneaking into Buffy's room and fall asleep in her bed. In the morning mum would just wake me, she wouldn't comment but I could see she understood."

Emily looked a little sadly at Dawn, "You miss them very much don't you?" Dawn nodded mutely not trusting her voice. "Right. Well if you need anything I'll be in the living room," she said rising and headed for the door.

By the time their homework was finished the telephone company phoned to tell Emily that it was now unlikely that the phone lines would not be reconnected until the morning, so after having another hot chocolate they headed up to bed.

* * * * *

Dawn was woken the following morning by the gentle knocking on the bedroom door. "Come in," she said sitting up and looking at the door.

Rory opened the door and walked in, a somewhat sad look on her face, "I just got off the phone with school. Because almost half the teachers are unable to get in this morning, as well as many of the students they are giving us a snow day. Still can't get hold of mum though."

Dawn smiled at her friend, "You like school way, way too much," she giggled as Rory stood in the doorway already dressed in her uniform.

"I like to learn," Rory pouted. "And don't tell me you don't 'cause I know different."

"Okay," laughed Dawn getting out of bed. "So what's the plan for today?"

"Well the roads are still a little treacherous but grandma has offered to get Lance, that's her chauffeur slash odd job man, to drive us home. Unless you wanna hang here in the hopes Willow can make it back today?"

"No I don't think so, I'd like to make sure Tara's okay," said Dawn.

"Okay. Well I'll let grandma know, I'll see you at breakfast," said Rory heading out the door as Dawn headed for the bathroom.

* * * * *

Lorelai sat up in bed when she heard a car pull up outside. She scrabbled out quickly, looking out the window, seeing Rory and Dawn getting out of one of her parents cars. She hurriedly put on some shoes and grabbed a coat, she ran downstairs in an attempt to intercept the teenagers.

Lorelai pulled open the front door just as Rory was about to use her key. "Hi," she said somewhat out of breath.

"Hi. What's up?" asked Rory suspiciously.

"Nothing, what's up with you? Hi Dawn," said Lorelai.

"Hi," said Dawn raising her eyebrow.

"You have something to tell me?" asked Rory.

"Boy, you're so smart," Lorelai forced a laugh. "Right, okay, here we go... I've got a boy in the house."

"You what?" exclaimed Rory as Dawn's eyes went wide.

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

"We do?" said Rory and Dawn together.

"And you like him Rory... don't know about you Dawn?" said Lorelai. "I don't know if that's relevant, I just thought that I would throw that in there."

Lorelai step aside and indicated that the two teenagers should enter. She closed the door quietly and led them over to the couch.

Dawn's eyes bugged out as she saw Max asleep on the couch.

Rory was equally shocked, "It's Mr Medina."

"I know," said Lorelai stating the obvious.

"My English teacher is on my couch," said Rory still not sure how she was meant to act?

"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," said Lorelai panicking a little. "Rory, say something."

"Ah I think I should ah go," said Dawn. "You ah obviously have things to sort out. I'll see you both later... Bye," she said hurrying for the door.

"Dawn," said Lorelai as she followed her daughter towards the kitchen. "Please don't say anything to Willow or Tara... Not yet anyway!"

Dawn just nodded as she opened the door and hurried out.

Lorelai entered the kitchen looking worriedly at Rory. "Rory, talk to me. How do you feel?"

"I don't know."

"Take a guess. Angry, frustrated, nauseous?" Lorelai said beginning to panic again.

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

"Pretty much," said Lorelai quietly.

Rory's eyes went wide in panic, "Oh, my God. Did he go into the bathroom? I have stuff hanging in there!"

Lorelai felt some of her anxiety slip away since her daughter could focus on such things. "Honey, you knew I was gonna date him, right? This isn't a total surprise."

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

"I know."

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

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

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

"Because I should've told you first," offered Lorelai.

"No."

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

"No."

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

"Do you love him?" asked Rory suddenly.

"I, uh...we had one date. It was a great date, World Series level. But it was just a date," explained Lorelai. "Honey, I promised myself a long time ago that I was gonna keep all this stuff separate from you, 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," said Rory gently.

"What?" asked Lorelai confused.

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

"I appreciate that."

"I want you to be happy," said Rory.

 "And I love you for that."

"Plus, I know you're not a cat person," said Rory lightly. "So you truly will be alone if you don't find someone."

"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?" frowned Rory.

"I don't know, he might be. But right now it's just you and me."

* * * * *

Dawn opened her front door quietly only to find Tara heading for the living room with a hot drink, "Hi sweetie," said the blonde.

"Hey," said Dawn somewhat distractedly.

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah no nothing really, just something Lorelai asked me to keep secret for now."

"Oh okay. Did you want something to eat?"

"No thanks. Rory's grandmother made sure we had a large breakfast before we left, but I'll make a drink," said Dawn heading for the kitchen.

Tara sat on the couch and switched on the TV News just as they were listing the schools and colleges that were closed because of, what the anchor said was the worst storm to strike New England in two decades.

Dawn sat down next to her nursing her hot drink, "Do you think it would be okay if I arranged a sleep-over sometime?" she asked suddenly.

Tara turned a curious look on her face, "Of course sweetie, if you want... Will the girl you like be included?" she asked gently.

Dawn nodded, "Ah yeah, but nothing will happen I promise."

"I know sweetie," reassured Tara. "You still don't know how she feels do you?"

"No," said Dawn sadly. "I can't get her out of my head; it's nothing like I felt about Xander, though at the time I thought that was love. This is so much more intense, I want to be with her all the time, I hafta constantly stop myself from touching her. I'm so frightened that if I say anything she will reject me and never want to see me again. I don't know what to do?" her eyes beginning to mist up.

Tara placed her drink on the table and drew her ward into a hug. "I wish I could help! I went through a similar thing with Willow, in the end I decided that I would rather have her as a friend than risk losing her by saying anything. Ironically it wasn't until I thought I would lose her when Oz returned that things changed, and then it was Willow that declared that she loved me."

"She asked me if I wanted to go riding with her next weekend," said Dawn quietly after a few minutes.

"That's nice sweetie," said Tara kissing the top of Dawn's head. "Just be patient, I'm sure things will workout in the end."

To be continued...