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"So how did your and Lane's double date go last night?" asked Dawn as she walked into school with Rory.

"Not well really, it turns out they have absolutely nothing in common plus her mum freaked out when she found out Lane was out with a boy. On top of that mum's annoyed that I let Lane tell Mrs Kim that she was at our house," said Rory sullenly.

"I would have thought your mum would have been cool about that?"

"Yeah well she won't lie to another mother. She said it's breaking the mum code. Plus I also lied to her as well, well I sort of did, 'cause I didn't say anything when Lane told mum we were just meeting Dean," said Rory.

"Oh, but you're still gonna be allowed to come to my sleepover right?"

"Yeah, I've already grounded myself without TV or reading any books not related to my school work until Friday. Mum thinks I'm being too hard on myself but I did something wrong and now I need to be punished."

"Rory, I just gotta say that you are the strangest girl I have ever known," laughed Dawn. She stopped her friend for a moment as something occurred to her on seeing one of their classmate's, "Hey what about introducing Lane to Henry?"

Rory frowned as if considering it, "I don't know? Okay he's Korean and a Christian...? Okay we'll have a talk with her, when she's allowed out again."

* * * * *

"So you're not allowed beyond the sign," clarified Dawn pointing to the Kim's antiques sign as she stood with Rory, they had spotted their friend as they left the market. "Unless it's to go to school or church, and Rory and I aren't allowed closer to you than the fence?"

"That's right," said Lane standing as close to the edge of the sign as possible.

"Okay, I can sort of see why you are being punished, and even why Rory's not allowed anywhere near you," frowned Dawn, "But why am I not allowed near you?"

Lane looked at the ground blushing before looking back at the girl that had become as close to her as Rory. "My mum thinks that you're a bad influence on Rory and me, that you must have influenced me to lie about going on a date."

"What!" exclaimed Dawn. "But I didn't even know you and Rory had lied to your mother."

"I know and I'm sorry, I did try explaining that to her," said Lane sadly.

"It's okay; it's not your fault. Your mother seems to have some strange blind spots when it comes to you. I get the feeling that she's frightened that you'll end up pregnant if you go anywhere near a boy," sighed Dawn shaking her head.

"She's never really liked me being friends with Rory because of Lorelai not being married to her dad," explained Lane.

"That's true," confirmed Rory. "And you're probably right about Mrs Kim worrying that Lane will get pregnant," she said looking at Dawn before turning to her other friend. "This is all my fault, if I hadn't talked Dean into getting Todd to go out with you, none of this would have happened."

"Hey it was me that pushed you into asking him, and me that lied to your mum," insisted Lane. "Look I need to get in and do my homework. I'll see you later, bye Rory, bye Dawn," she said climbing the steps of her home and disappeared through the door.

Dawn turned away with Rory, "Do you think we should have mentioned Henry?"

Rory shook her head, "No, we should wait until Lane can get out of her house, then we'll need to talk to Henry, see if he is up for it. If he is, we could get him to my house for Lane to meet, then if they hit it off we can go from there."

* * * * *

"So I wrote the hotel number by the phone," said Willow. "And Lorelai is next door, so if there are any problems she'll be around to sort it out."

Dawn sighed, "Willow, we're six, sixteen year old girls, we'll be fine, it's not as if Stars Hollow is Sunnydale."

"It's the six, sixteen year old part that has me ah... apprehensive. If anything happened and Tara and I weren't here..."

"Nothing will happen," said Dawn attempting to alleviate the redhead's worry. "It's not as if we're going to be inviting any boys..."

"Boys? Who said anything about boys?"

Dawn rolled her eyes at the Witch before continuing. "...and we've put all the spell books in your study, which you already know, no student from school can enter unless you or Tara are here and one of you tells them they can, after all the spell was partly my suggestion to stop me from being tempted to look at test papers and stuff."

"Yes, but you said boys?" squeaked Willow a little panicked, "Why would you say no boys were being invited if it hadn't occurred to you to invite them?" suddenly thinking that maybe the girls, two of whom had rather colourful reputations where boys were concerned, had plans to turn the sleepover into an orgy.

Having never been to a proper sleepover when she was growing up, her mother had taken one look at Xander's drunken father and refused to allow Willow to stay there and after Xander had stolen her Barbie, she had shied away from having him at her house. By the time she had gotten over the irrational fear that he just wanted to steal her dolls, her mother had said she was to old to have boys to sleepovers. After Buffy had come to Sunnydale, the couple of times she had stayed at the Summers home, it had been more about researching a way to get rid of the latest evil to hit town, or that one time Angelus had killed her fish!

So having no real memories to draw on, she had done what any person of the computer age would do in similar situations; she had gone on the internet. She had been amazed at the amount of hits; everything from stores you could buy items for sleepovers to help sites for parents, some with alarming horror stories. Even though these had all the hallmarks of right wing Conservative Christian groups that even looked on in horror at mostly harmless games such as spin the bottle. Some of it still got to her.

Dawn sighed again, "Willow do you trust me?"

"Of course, it's just..."

"Well I can tell you emphatically, that I have no intention of having any boys here at the sleepover. It's strictly girls only," stated Dawn. On seeing Tara coming down the stairs with the suitcase, she looked pleadingly at her other guardian, "Please get her out of here, she's starting to drive me nuts. And please tell her I am not having boys over."

Tara smiled in understanding at Dawn's frustration, having kept her promise to her Ward not to reveal the teenager's secret even to her lover, she grabbed the redhead's arm. "Everything will be fine sweetie; Dawnie promised us it will be only girls tonight. Now why don't you put the case in the car and I'll join you in a minute," she said firmly.

"Okay," said Willow quietly before hugging Dawn, "I'll miss you; call if you have any problems. Remember we're only a phone call away."

Dawn rolled her eyes at the blonde, whose face held an amused look, as she returned the redhead's hug, "I'll remember. Love you, have a great time and I'll see you tomorrow night," she released Willow and watched her pick up the suitcase and head for the car.

Waiting until Willow had gone, Tara hugged Dawn warmly, releasing her and absently tucking some stray hair behind the teenager's ear she smiled at her. "Have a great time sweetie but try not to be too disappointed if you still haven't worked out your friend's feelings towards you okay?"

"Okay Tara... And please try and keep Willow from turning back every mile or so, I love you both but she's still one of our teachers and having her here would definitely be of the bad."

"I know Dawnie, that's why I suggested she and I get away for the weekend." Tara kissed Dawn on the cheek before heading out the door. "Bye Dawnie. See you tomorrow night."

Dawn followed the blonde out and stood on the porch watching as Willow backed the car out and waved as they drove off down the street.

Dawn looked to her right as she heard a door open to see Rory carrying a small overnight bag trailed by her mother Lorelai.

"But why?" asked Lorelai in a whiney type of voice.

"'Cause you weren't invited and anyway it was you who said I should try socialising with other girls from school besides Dawn," said Rory.

"Yeah, but I didn't say not to include mummy."

"Mum," sighed Rory. "This will be the first sleepover I've been invited to since starting Chilton. Do you really want it said that I had to have my mummy with me whenever I went anywhere?"

"Of course not honey, but can't mummy come with you just this once, I'll spring for pizza."

"No," said Rory emphatically. "Now shoo, go do adult things," she giggled as she joined Dawn at her door.

"You're forgetting I gave birth to you, you owe me," said Lorelai in a serious tone of voice, which may have worked had she not been smirking at the time.

"Well I'm officially cutting the cord," stated Rory smirking back.

Lorelai smiled at her daughter, "Have a great time and don't let Paris get to you too much. If you have any problems just shout, I'll be in all night, Sookie's coming over so we're having our own girls night in. And have fun," she said heading back to her house.

Dawn turned to Rory a look of relief on her face, "I'm glad that's over, I was about ready to scream at Willow just now, she was driving me nuts, then when your mum started, I thought for sure she was going to end up camped out in the living room. Don't get me wrong, I really like your mum, but I just wanted some time away from school with some friends my own age without adults hanging around."

"Yeah I get that, and you should know mum by now, she just wanted to give me an out if I wanted it," smiled Rory. "So when are the others supposed to get here?"

"Well Erica's dad has an early business meeting in New York tomorrow, so he's supposed to drop her off here about six and Paris said she would bring Madeline and Louise with her, she said she'd be here about five thirty," said Dawn. "What did you say to her to make her change her mind, when I asked her, she turned me down flat?"

Rory smirked at her friend, "You have to know how Paris' mind works. Everything is geared to getting her into Harvard. I merely pointed out that although she had all the extracurricular sorted; they might frown on the fact that she was missing out on more social activities."

Dawn smiled, "Oh that's why she was suddenly so enthusiastic, I have to hand it to you, when you want to manipulate her, you're very Machiavellian."

"Knowledge is power," said Rory sagely before breaking out in giggles.

"Let's go in and get things set up," suggested Dawn.

They put the various snacks into bowls and put them with the dips Dawn and Tara had made on the coffee table in front of the couch. They put the six sleeping bags in one corner for later, two they had borrowed from Luke and one Lorelai had supplied, much to the confusion of her daughter as neither of the Gilmores had ever gone camping?

"You remembered to get some herbal tea for Paris, right?" asked Rory. "Apparently coffee makes her hyper."

"Yeah, Tara likes to have the occasional herbal tea herself," said Dawn before a mischievous look came to her eyes, "But wouldn't it be funny to see a hyper Paris?"

Rory's eyes took on a distant look as if she was seriously considering it. "No," she said sternly shaking her head, "No making Paris drink coffee."

Dawn pouted, "Spoil my fun."

Rory spotted Paris' car pull into the driveway, "They're here," she smiled as she and Dawn went to greet their friends.

Dawn opened the front door as the three girls were climbing out of the car, "Hi," she cried out waving.

"Hi," said Louise.

"Hi," echoed Madeline smiling at Dawn.

"So did you guys find it okay?" asked Rory as the three retrieved their bags from the boot and joined her and Dawn on the porch.

"There's no sign on this street," replied Paris sullenly.

"I know, that's why I told you to turn right at the big rooster statue," said Dawn.

"I thought you were kidding," exclaimed Paris.

"Oh no, we never kid about Monty," Rory affirmed solemnly.

"Monty?" asked Louise confused.

"Monty the rooster, Monty," clarified Dawn.

"Oh," said Louise.

"Right let's get inside and we'll show you where everything is," said Dawn leading them into her house. "Here we have the living room," she gestured to her left, "Through there is the kitchen/dining room," she pointed to the right. "The bathroom is at the top of the stairs opposite my bedroom. The only two rooms we're not allowed in are Willow and Tara's bedroom at the end of the upstairs hallway and Willow's office off the kitchen. And that's it," smiled Dawn.

"Willow's office would be where she keeps all her school papers, right?" asked Louise.

"Yes," said Dawn. "And no we can't get at them as the door is securely locked."

"Don't you know where the key is?" asked Louise.

"Willow has it. And we are not trying to break in, it's against the Honour Code," said Dawn firmly.

"Dawn's right, if we were to somehow get the papers and thereby cheat, you are missing the point of learning anything," said Paris.

"I've never understood that?" frowned Louise.

"Well maybe that's why your highest grade since we started high school is a C," retorted Paris.

"Still..."

"Leave it Louise," said Rory. "Don't you think Willow would figure it out if you suddenly got an A, it wouldn't take a genius to work out how you came by it, which would get not only you but Dawn in trouble as well?"

"I guess, it's just so tempting," sighed Louise.

"So did you all remember your riding gear?" asked Dawn changing the subject.

"Yes," sighed Paris. "I still don't understand what horse riding has to do with sleepovers? I found nothing about riding on the internet connected to them?"

"Paris. Madeline and I just thought it would be fun to go riding tomorrow morning, you know because it will be fun," said Dawn.

"You went on the net to find out about sleepovers?" smirked Rory.

"Yes, you have a problem with that Gilmore?" asked Paris her eyes narrowing.

"No I just find it sad that you had to do that, that's all," replied Rory.

"So what else did you find out about sleepovers?" asked Dawn smirking at her other friends as she took a seat on the couch with Madeline and Rory.

"Well," said Paris, she took a notepad out of her bag before taking one of the easy chairs, not seeing the looks her friends were exchanging. "As there are only girls, some of the games some sites mentioned don't really apply... such as spin the bottle..."

Louise sat in the other chair her face breaking into a broad grin, "Rory could phone the boy she brought to the dance, he could invite some of his friends. Forget spin the bottle we could just draw their names out of a hat to see who gets who!"

She was a little surprised when only Rory looked as if she was considering it.

"No, I promised Willow that we wouldn't have boys over," said Dawn shaking her head. "This is a small town, someone would see and they'd tell Willow, she'd never trust me again, not only would she not allow me to have anymore sleepovers, I'm almost certain she would not let me go to any you or anyone else in this room invited me too."

"Dawn's right," agreed Madeline.

"As much as I would like to invite Dean, mum's next door, if she saw him or any other boy over here she'd be in here... not because she doesn't trust Dawn or me, but because she doesn't know any of you, and she would most definitely tell Willow and Tara," added Rory.

"Bummer," pouted Louise.

"So what else did you learn?" Dawn asked Paris.

"Well, there is supposed to be talk about boys... well I guess we've covered that? We are supposed to discuss music and bands we like, watch movies, pig out on junk food and apparently obtain alcohol to drink..."

"Got that last one covered," smiled Louise pulling a bottle of wine from her backpack. "Erica's bringing some as well."

"I've only ever had wine at my grandparents last Christmas, and last year mum let me sneak a sip of her Founders Day punch," said Rory.

"Mum would occasionally let Buffy and me have some watered down wine," said Dawn.

Louise reached over and snatched the pad from Paris. "Hey," cried the other blonde.

"You don't need a list of things we have to do. It's just about hanging out with each other and having fun," said Louise dropping the pad in the bin. "So did we all bring a DVD film to watch?"

Rory smirked as she dug out her choice. She had never seen it but as soon as she saw the cover, she just had to pick it to tease Dawn. She giggled as her friend saw the cover and groaned.

"Harriet the Spy, that's rather babyish?" said Paris showing her pick, When Harry meet Sally.

"Look at the cover," laughed Rory as Dawn attempted to grab it.

Louise's face broke into a wide grin as she looked from the cover to Dawn and back again. Paris just arched her eyebrow.

Madeline looked confused as Dawn continued trying to get the box away from Rory who passed it to Louise, who held it up for Madeline to see, she looked at her quickly reddening friend, "Something you want to tell us Dawn?"

"No," said Dawn covering her face with her hands. "Everyone always says I look like the actress who played Harriet, I've never seen it myself, I look nothing like her?"

Paris took the box from Louise and studied it for a moment, "There is a slight resemblance but as this person is only about ten here, it would be interesting to see if Dawn and she still look alike," she mused handing it back to Rory.

"So what one did you choose Dawn?" Madeline asked her blushing friend.

"Well I decided on Thelma and Louise," answered Dawn. "You?"

Madeline smirked as she showed hers.

"Herbie! I should have known," groaned Louise.

"What! It's funny," pouted Madeline.

"Yeah, sure," sighed Louise.

"Leave her alone Louise, it's Madeline's choice," said Dawn jumping to her friend's defence. "So what did you pick?"

"I went with a classic," smiled Louise holding up Casablanca.

"Ooh that's one of mum's all time favourites," said Rory.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. "That must be Erica," said Dawn getting up. She smiled at the tall blonde standing on her porch, "Hey Erica, come on in, the others are already here," she stood aside to allow Erica to enter. As she stepped in, Dawn indicated everything, "Living room, kitchen through there and the bathroom's at the top of the stairs," she lead the blonde into the room with the others.

"Hey guys," said Erica putting her bag with the four others. "So what we doing?"

"Hi," said Louise, "We were just showing each other the movies we each chose. So did you manage to get any wine?"

Erica smirked, "Yeah, but I could only manage one," she said pulling it out of her bag along with a DVD, "And I chose, Cruel Intentions."

"Right," said Dawn, "So I figured pizza first then later we could maybe get Chinese. So any preference on toppings?"

"I can't have dairy," pointed out Paris, "But I like mushrooms and pepperoni."

"Right so one without cheese with extra mushrooms and pepperoni. I assume you'll have your usual Rory?" asked Dawn.

"Yeah, and cheesy bread," said Rory.

"I'll have anything as long as it hasn't got onion or garlic," said Louise.

"Same here," said Madeline.

"Erica?" prompted Dawn.

"Extra mushroom, extra cheese."

"Okay I'm on it," said Dawn going to the phone.

* * * * *

Dawn paid for the pizzas and placed them on the coffee table. Grabbing hers, she sat on the floor next to Madeline's legs, her back resting against the couch. "So what film are we watching first? Any preferences?" she asked looking around.

"I wanna see Harriet," said Erica smirking down at her friend.

"Yeah. Let's see if Dawn really does look like the lead," added Louise.

"It's Dawn's house and her sleepover, she should choose," said Madeline quickly seeing Dawn blushing.

Dawn looked up at her friend, a little smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "That's okay, I don't mind. I said for everyone to pick a movie," she assured her. Taking the disc, she clicked open the machine and placed the DVD in, sat back and pressed play. Her eyes narrowed suddenly looking at Rory, "You owe me big-time for this."

"Okay," nodded Rory. "So what do I have to do?" she sighed.

Dawn's eyes twinkled with mirth, "Come riding tomorrow."

"But I was traumatised the last time mum and I went riding," said Rory.

"Oh, what happened?" asked Paris taking a bit of her pizza.

"The horse died under me and the owner dragged it away by its back legs," explained Rory.

"That's sad," said Madeline.

Dawn nodded in agreement, "Yeah it's sad but it doesn't mean it will happen to you again. Look I'll let you ride Chocolate, he's very gentle and I know he won't die under you."

Rory sighed looking at the other girls, "Okay. But if he dies it'll be your fault," she said opening her pizza box.

"I can live with that," smirked Dawn settling down to watch the movie.

* * * * *

"Well there is definitely more than a passing resemblance?" mused Paris as Dawn removed the DVD from the machine.

"Yeah," agreed Louise. "You sure you aren't a twin?"

"No," Dawn blushed. "I ah... checked some sites on the net; she's a couple of years older than me."

"Why did you check," asked Madeline.

"It was around the time my mum was divorcing the sperm donor..."

"Sperm donor," frowned Erica before it dawned on her, "Oh your dad, right."

"Yeah well I thought he might have cheated on my mum. But there was no connection, he was with Mum and Buffy in LA for two months before and five months after her mother would have conceived her."

"Not to rain on your fire Dawn," said Louise gently. "But my dad has had three affairs that I know about and mum doesn't. He would pretend he was going to the office but hop on a plane, screw his mistress of the moment and still be back home at his regular time."

"How do you know about them?" asked Erica curiously.

"My nanny would take me to visit dad at his office in the holidays sometimes, she was a big gossip and would spend her time talking to the secretaries, she'd always forget I was there," Louise laughed.

"I didn't think about that when I first checked, I was only ten, even if I was really good with computers for my age," admitted Dawn. "But after moving to Sunnydale and meeting Willow, I talked her into secretly checking it all out for me. It was all correct. So it's just one of those strange coincidences."

"Well they do say everyone has a twin somewhere," said Rory.

"So which movie are we watching next?" asked Paris.

"Herbie," said Madeline a little excitedly.

"Oh please," sighed Louise. "Let's have something else first. Herbie's the sort of film I need to build up to."

"Don't be mean Louise, Madeline wants to watch Herbie, so Herbieit is," defended Dawn taking the disc and placing it in the machine.

"Thanks Dawnie," Madeline whispered to Dawn as she slid off the couch and sat next to her friend as the sound of the film hid her voice.

"Anytime Maddie," Dawn whispered back as she grabbed a bowl of popcorn off the table and offered some to the other girl.

* * * * *

As the credits began to roll at the end of Herbie, Dawn glanced to her side, only to see Madeline with a very happy look on her face. Sensing her friend's scrutiny, Madeline turned her smiling face, "What!"

"Nothing," said Dawn smiling back, "I've just never seen anyone so happy about a film before," she explained.

"Herbie has always been an escape for me. When I was younger, before Matthew was born, mum and dad went through a bad period; they always seemed to be shouting at each other. I'd play my Herbiemovies over and over to get away from having to hear them shouting," Madeline explained a little sadly.

"Buffy and I did a similar thing back in LA, but we'd play music, very loud," said Dawn before standing up. "Right, well I'm gonna change into some pyjamas before the next movie."

"Yeah, me too," said Erica grabbing her bag and pulling out her sleepwear.

"Me three," smiled Madeline also grabbing her bag.

As Erica and Madeline began to remove their clothes, Rory blushed a little as she went to pick-up her own things, "You're changing here?"

Louise smirked as she joined her two teammates, "Why, it's not as if we haven't seen each other naked before. You're not embarrassed are you," a little twinkle in her eyes.

"Of course not," snorted Rory pulling one of her oversized Harvard T-shirts out of her bag, but despite her best efforts the blush deepened. "It's just that since I was a year old the only person that has seen me naked is mum," she confessed.

"Well if you want, you can change in the bathroom," said Dawn in an understanding tone.

"No it's okay," Rory reassured her friend, "It's not as if I'm undressing in front of a boy."

"Okay," laughed Dawn heading for the stairs, "Well as much as I'd like to stand here and join you all in stripping, my pyjamas are in my room and you might all get the wrong idea about me!" 'As much as I'd like to see you strip Maddie.' She glanced at her friend, only to see a little sadness on Madeline's face. "Right well see you in a minute," she said heading up the stairs.

On her return, Dawn found all her friends were sitting waiting for her. "So, how about opening one of the bottles of wine?" she suggested.

"Great idea," said Louise her face breaking into a big smile.

"One thing though," added Dawn as she led the blonde into the kitchen. "We'll hafta use ordinary glasses, if Tara finds any of the wine glasses moved she'll guess about the wine."

"Who cares what glasses we use," smirked Louise, "So where's the corkscrew?"

Dawn handed it to her. "Oh and put the cork and stuff on the side so we can remember to get rid of it tomorrow," she said pulling the glasses out of the cupboard.

The two returned to the living room, Dawn with a small tray of glasses and Louise with the wine. Offering the glasses to her friends Dawn then took a seat next to Madeline and Rory in front of the couch and held out her glass with the others so Louise could fill it.

"Hmm nice," smiled Dawn sipping her glass of wine. "Okay so how about Cruel Intentions next?" she asked. There was a round of agreed nods and yeahs so she placed the film in the machine, taking another sip of wine as the movie started.

Dawn was thankful that the room was now rather dark as the scene between Kathryn and Cecile in the park played out, she found herself gulping down the half glass of wine she had left forgotten on the table when the film had started. 'Damn that's hot. I wonder what it would be like to kiss Maddie?' she turned her head slightly so she could see the other girl out of the corner of her eye, Madeline had an intense look on her face, her eyes never moving from the screen even when she reached out for another handful of popcorn.

Dawn nearly choked on her popcorn as Sebastian went down on Cecile. "Are you okay Dawn?" asked Madeline patting her hard on the back.

Dawn nodded, her face red as much from the thought of doing to Madeline what Sebastian was doing to Cecile as it was from the effect of the popcorn. "Yeah, thanks." She looked at Erica who was smirking at her, "You sure we're legally allowed to watch this movie?" she asked.

"Yeah," replied Erica still smirking. "Not embarrassed are you?"

"No it just took me by surprise that's all," said Dawn a little lamely.

By the time of the scene where Cecile was describing what had happened with Sebastian to Kathryn, Dawn had recovered enough that she only found herself blushing, glancing around at her friends she noticed that only Louise and Erica were not doing the same.

"D-do yo-you think h-having a..." Rory had to swallow, "A orgasm feels-s like that?" she asked barely above a whisper.

Dawn swallowed herself as she looked at Rory on the couch, her feet curled under her. "I-I guess... I mean it probably is as good a description as any."

"Y-yeah," nodded Rory.

* * * * *

"Do you think people actually believe private schools are really like that?" asked Dawn.

"Yeah, but only because most people never went to one," said Louise. "Although Annette did kind of remind me of Rory," she laughed.

Dawn laughed along with the others as Rory threw a cushion at the blonde. "Well if Rory is Annette, then Tristan would have to be Sebastian 'cause of the whole obsession thing. I'm sorry Paris," she said gently seeing the jealousy rising in the small blonde, "I know you like him and everything but you know as well as everyone else in this room that he wants her."

"I know," said Paris barely above a whisper.

"I am sorry Paris," said Rory. "We all know what you do for him, and how he treats you... He'd be so lucky to date you."

"Yeah well not likely to happen," muttered Paris sullenly.

"Okay stop," said Dawn firmly. "We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves. Louise why don't you open the other bottle of wine."

"Okay," agreed Louise rising and heading for the kitchen.

After Louise had returned and most of them had accepted a glass of wine, Dawn looked around her friends smirking a little, "So did any of you practice kissing with another girl?"

"Of course," said Louise off hand, "I've kissed both Madeline and Erica."

"Rory, you're blushing," smiled Dawn. "Why are you blushing?"

Rory blushed even more as every eye in the room turned to her. "Lane and I practised kissing once when we were ten."

Dawn could not help giggling, "Does Lorelai know... Whoa Mrs Kim would freak if she found out."

"No she doesn't, and if she does find out I'll never talk to you again," said Rory her eyes narrowing, before she laughed, "You have no idea how freaked Mrs Kim would be, a couple of years ago when her mum thought Lane was using perfume she sent her to bible camp for the summer."

"How about you Dawn?" asked Madeline.

Dawn shook her head, "No. So was it different kissing a girl to a boy?"

"Other than girls lips seem softer than boys. No difference at all," said Madeline quietly.

* * * * *

"Well I don't agree with that statement," said Dawn shaking her head as she removed the disc of When Harry met Sally from the machine. "Men and women can totally be friends without sex getting in the way."

"Of course they can't, one or the other will always want to have sex with the other," argued Paris.

"Well if that were true the same would apply to gays and lesbians," pointed out Dawn. "It would mean that both Willow and Tara are lusting after every female they know. And I for one don't think that's true."

"Yes it would. But not all the women they know are gay," pointed out Paris. "And I said one or the other would feel it for my argument to stand, not both. If two lesbian couples know each other, sexual desire would interfere with any friendship."

"Not if both couples were truly in love with each other, your sexual desire would not be a factor in the friendship," said Dawn. 'If only she knew how I feel about Maddie, then she'd understand what I'm saying?'

"And what about siblings," added Madeline. "Unless they are really sick, there can be friendship between brothers and sisters."

"Yeah, what about brothers and sisters?" nodded Dawn, smiling her thanks to Madeline.

"Ah but brothers and sisters have grown up together, subconsciously they probably don't even consider the other a sexual creature," replied Paris.

"Well you just countered your own statement Paris," smiled Rory. "If a non-related man and a non-related woman grew up together then they could also have a friendship where sex was not an issue?"

"I did didn't I, I must be more tired than I thought," Paris smirked.

Dawn glanced at the clock, surprised to see that it was already two thirty in the morning. "I think we should call it a night. Maybe we can watch my movie choice after we get back from our ride?"

"Yeah," said Erica yawning as she stood up.

"Shit!" exclaimed Dawn as she bumped the table as she rose knocking over a half glass of red wine. She quickly retrieved the now empty glass.

"Quick put some white wine on it, it'll help get rid of it," said Erica handing her a glass of white wine.

"Don't be stupid," snapped Paris, "We need to put salt on it, the crystals will soak up the wine. It's basic chemistry," she looked at Dawn seeing the panic in her eyes, "Get the salt Dawn."

Dawn nodded as she ran into the kitchen, grabbing the container of salt she returned and sprinkled generous quantities over the area, watching as the white crystals began to turn pink. She looked over at Paris, "Thanks, my mind went completely blank back there." She returned to the kitchen to get the dustpan and brush and find some cleaning products to try to remove all the evidence.

When the salt had been removed, they could all see the telltale pink stain still visible. After vigorously cleaning the area, although it was less still remained visible.

"Leave it for now Dawn, we'll try again in the morning," suggested Rory gently.

Dawn stared at the stain, 'A glamour might cover it?' she mused, 'I'll hafta do it when every one's out of the way.' "Yeah, you're right we can't do any more tonight. Let's get the couch out of the way and get some sleep."

"Right," agreed Louise as she moved with Erica and Madeline to push the couch back and Rory and Paris grabbed the sleeping bags while Dawn disposed of the cleaning items.

As Madeline lay down in between Dawn and Louise, she stared at the ceiling, "What will your guardians do if they see the wine stain?" she asked glancing at Dawn.

"I don't know?" sighed Dawn. "Freak I guess!"

"Don't dwell on it," said Louise. "Let's wait and see if we can get rid of it in the morning before worrying about what might be?"

"Yeah," agreed Dawn. She turned on her side facing Madeline who now mirrored her.

"Do you believe in fate?" Madeline asked. "I mean Harry and Sally hadn't met in like five years then they run into each other at the airport. Not only that but Sally was dating Harry's old college roommate and they're on the same flight together?"

Dawn was quiet for a moment, "Although we are talking about a movie. I believe everything happens for a reason, that if something is meant to be, however hard we fight against it, it will happen how it was meant too... So yes I believe in fate."

Madeline smiled at the other girl's answer. "So do I."

"Do you two think you could hold off on the philosophical discussion until the morning," snapped Paris, "Some of us want to sleep."

"Sorry," said Madeline quietly before mouthing, 'Night Dawnie'.

Dawn smiling as she mouthed back, 'Night Maddie'.

* * * * *

Dawn looked around a little nervously. The other five girls were busy, Rory making an early morning run to Luke's to get everyone coffee, Paris was in the shower, and the other three were sorting out breakfast for everyone. Dawn placed her hand over the area, palm down, and spoke a quick spell, smiling to herself as she watched the pink stain vanish before her eyes.

Rising, she collected up the cleaning products and returned them to the kitchen. "The stains gone," she said happily.

"That's great," said Erica as she turned the bacon on the hot plate.

"Yeah," agreed Madeline smiling over at Dawn as she removed the toast from the toaster. "Dawn's guardians could show their displeasure to all of us."

"Well no chance of that if they don't know about the stain," smirked Louise as she placed the plates on the table.

Just as they finished placing the food on the table Rory returned with six cups of Luke's best and Paris entered from the hall.

"You sure about this Paris?" asked Rory as she placed a cup in front of the blonde. "I thought you said coffee made you hyper?"

"That's mostly at night after I've been at school all day," explained Paris taking a sip.

"I ran into mum on the way out of Luke's, she said she'd have the stable hands get the horses ready for ten," said Rory. "So did you manage to get the stain out, Dawn?"

"Yeah," sighed Dawn.

"Well you're safe now, so nothing to worry about," said Louise.

"Oh not just me but you five as well, Willow is also one of our teachers," Dawn pointed out.

"I didn't think of that," mused Louise. "So what do you think she would do?"

"I don't know? But one thing is for sure, it would have been creative," said Dawn.

* * * * *

"Hey so what are we doing after the horse riding?" asked Rory as they walked towards the stables.

"Well we got nothing planned back in Hartford, but we still have Dawn's movie to watch," said Louise as mischief crossed her face. "But we could always have a little three on three Volleyball game."

"Yeah," smirked Dawn, "We could have a blondes versus brunettes match up, Madeline and I take Rory, you and Erica take Paris."

"I don't think so," said Rory firmly. "There is no way I'm going to humiliate myself with you four," she said looking at the four volleyball players, "And I'm sure Paris feels the same way, right Paris?"

"Right," nodded Paris. "We prefer brains to brawn. Now if you want to pair up for a game of Scrabble or Boggle we're your girls."

Dawn smirked at her fellow teammates, "I think we should contact the Franklin straight away, Rory and Paris agreeing on something, the school needs to know so they don't think the rain of fire is the first sign of the apocalypse," she giggled.

"Very funny Summers," snapped Paris as she turned away as the stable hands began leading the horses out.

Madeline and Dawn immediately picked up their pace as they saw Thunder and Chocolate. "Hey Chocolate, it's nice to see you again. Do you want what I got in my pocket?" Dawn said as she rubbed his nose and dug the sugar cubes out of her pocket. "This is my friend Rory, she's going to ride you today, so I want you to look after her alright," she said as her friend slowly approached the large horse.

"Huh hi Chocolate, ah... how are you today?" asked an obviously nervous Rory.

"Gilmore, it's a horse, it has no idea what you are talking about!" snorted Paris as she moved to take possession of a grey mare, she allowed the stable hand to help her up onto its back.

"I'll have you know that Chocolate is very intelligent," said Dawn. "Aren't you boy," the horse snorted and moved his head up and down, "See."

"Whatever you say Dawn," said Paris in an amused tone.

Dawn ignored Paris and placed a hand on Rory's shoulder, "You'll be fine, promise," she said gently to the still nervous girl.

"Yeah I know," Rory let out a deep breath, "Okay let's do this," she said going to the side and quickly climbing into the saddle.

After seeing Rory safely onto Chocolate's back, she went to the last horse, a large chestnut gelding. Quickly mounting she turned to her friends, "We'll take it easy 'cause of Rory," she said as Madeline urged Thunder next to her and they led the way out onto the bridle path. Paris came next with Rory who was desperately trying to relax, while Louise and Erica brought up the rear.

"Try and relax Rory," said Paris. "Your horse can sense it."

"I thought you were the one that said horses weren't intelligent?" retorted Rory.

"No I didn't. What I said was he didn't know what you were saying," explained Paris as she relaxed on the back of her own mount.

"Right," said Rory as she tried to emulate the blonde's relaxed stance.

Madeline looked around at the frost-covered landscape, "I've always loved riding when it's frosty. It's so quiet, like the rest of the world is asleep waiting for spring. You know what I mean?" she said smiling over at Dawn.

"Oh yeah, although coming from South Cal, frost and snow are still new to me. And the cold," Dawn shivered even though she, like the others, had wrapped up against the weather. "I don't know that I'll ever get use to it. It seems so peaceful though. So are you and your family doing anything over Christmas?"

"No, just the usual," said Madeline, "Mum and dad invite all my family over at Christmas. How about you?"

"Well we were hoping that all our friends from Sunnydale could come here, but Xander just started his own construction company and was a little surprised to win the contract to build the new high school, so he can't make it. Spike has something big going on with his family in LA and can't get here either but at least Giles promised to visit for a long weekend," Dawn explained a little sadly.

"Oh I'm sorry your friends can't make it, but hey why don't you come to our party Christmas Eve?"

"I wouldn't want to impose," said Dawn.

"You won't be, I usually have Louise come over but she's planning on spending time with her dad this year. You should totally come, please," Madeline cajoled.

Dawn smiled a little shyly, "Okay, I'll need to run it by Willow and Tara but yes I'd love to come."

"Hey you two," came Paris's voice from behind them. "I think Rory is ready for us to pick up the pace a little."

Dawn realised that she had completely forgotten that anyone else was with her and Madeline. She looked back at Rory trying to gauge Rory's confidence, "Okay just a little then," she said turning back and moving her horse into a trot. She found herself exchanging a smile with Madeline as she heard Rory squeak as the pace increased but did seem to be coping.

Suddenly Madeline looked at Dawn, who returned the look, their face broke into wide grins, "We'll wait for you on the other side of the meadow," she said as she and Madeline spurred their horses into a gallop their laughter filling the air.

Rory squeaked again as Chocolate made to follow. Paris quickly reached over to grab his rein and pulled firmly, "Idiots," she exclaimed as she looked after their two quickly vanishing friends. "I thought Dawn would have had more sense than to do that with other horses around," she said as she released Chocolate's reins. "Are you okay," she asked looking at Rory.

Rory swallowed as she nodded, "Yeah, thanks for that," smiling weakly at Paris. "I can't believe they'd do something like that?"

"Dawn no, I thought she was more responsible than that," said Paris indignantly. "But Madeline's always been like that, she's crazy about horses and riding, that's why I stopped going with her a few years ago."

"Well I guess Dawn's the same," mused Louise as she and Erica joined them as they started crossing the meadow at a more sedate pace.

The two brunettes relaxed on the back of their horses watching their four friends approaching, "Does Paris look angry to you?" asked Dawn glancing at Madeline.

"Yeah," mused Madeline. "I wonder what's up."

"What's up," cried Paris, her voice rising. "If I hadn't grabbed Rory's damned horse's reins he would have followed you two idiots."

"Oh god," said Madeline going pale. "I didn't think I'm so sorry Rory are you okay?"

"I'm fine now," Rory reassured them. "But I think I'd like to go back now."

"Alright," said Dawn. "I guess we should. I'm sorry we frightened you, it's... well it's just something... I can't really find the words to describe the feeling when we ride as fast as we can get our horses to go."

"That's okay," Rory tried to reassure them. "Maybe when I've had more experience I'll understand."

"That's highly doubtful Rory. You would have to be a little insane to understand Madeline and horses," snorted Paris.

"Or Dawn and horses I guess," laughed Louise.

Dawn looked at Madeline, "Did Paris and Louise just insult us?"

Madeline giggled as they all headed back towards the Inn stables. "Yes. But only because they don't understand."

* * * * *

"Thanks for inviting me Dawn, I had a great time," said Madeline standing with Rory and Dawn.

"I'm glad. We should totally do this again... but without the wine spillage," said Dawn. "You sure you'll be okay getting rid of the evidence?"

"Yeah, we'll dump everything in the trash at the first rest stop," Madeline reassured her as she hurried to join the other three waiting in Paris' car. "See you Monday," she waved as she climbed in the back, Paris moving almost before the brunette could fully close the door.

Rory turned to her friend, "I had a good time as well... Except the almost being on the back of a runaway horse," she smirked.

"I really am sorry about that Rory. Madeline and I just didn't think, there's just something freeing about sitting on horseback, your hair flying behind you. It is so awesome," said Dawn.

"It's okay, really. You both just got caught in the moment," Rory reassured her before a glint came to her eyes. "But of course this also means you owe me now. I don't know when but one day I'll ask for something in return."

"Ooh how very Godfathery of you," smirked Dawn.

Rory's eye twinkled, "Yes it is, isn't it."

"So I owe you?"

"Yes you do."

"And some day you'll come to collect?"

"Yes I will," said Rory seriously before laughing. "So do you want any help tidying up?"

"No I'll just give the living room a quick once over and vacuum before Will and Tara get back," Dawn said heading for the door. "See you tomorrow, night Rory."

"Night," said Rory as she headed to her house.

* * * * *

Willow had gone to her office almost as soon as she and Tara had gotten back an hour later, she would have interrogated Dawn about the sleepover but Tara had spoken quite firmly to the redhead and so her questions had been restricted to the more mellow, 'Did she and the others enjoy themselves,' 'Was there any breakages?'

Dawn had gone to her room to finish off her homework while Tara tidied the living room, which Dawn had finished vacuuming only moments before her guardians return. As the blonde was straightening out the rug in front of the fireplace she noticed several small spots of red, she rubbed at them, it did not appear to be blood, for one thing it was a little pale for that neither was it sauce from a pizza. Placing her palm over the area, she felt the tingle of magick. She spoke a small spell that confirmed her suspicions as it removed the glamour. Getting up she headed for Dawn's room.

After knocking and receiving a come in she opened Dawn's door and entered to find the teenager at her desk deep into her homework. Tara sat down on the side of the teenager's bed, her face an unreadable mask to her Ward. "Is something wrong Tara?" she asked.

"You tell me Dawnie?" said Tara. "I was just straightening the rug in front of the fire when I found some wine stains."

"H-how?"

"Dawn, I'm a Witch, I sensed the magick glamour you used to cover it," sighed Tara. "That type of glamour was not meant to cover such a large area, it would have failed in a couple of days. It's normally only used to cover smallish birthmarks."

"I know," said Dawn quietly looking at the floor. "But all the spell books are in Willow's office, and that glamour was all I could manage without them." She looked up at the blonde, "I'm sorry Tara, I know I let you down, a couple of the others brought some wine, I didn't know they were going to, honest I didn't," she babbled.

"Who?"

"Please don't make me tell," Dawn pleaded, "I don't want to get my friends into trouble."

Tara sighed, "Alright I won't push you for their names, but I expect you to tell them I am very disappointed in them and you. Don't expect to have anymore sleepovers here anytime soon and when you are allowed, Willow and I will be here. Dawnie don't you realise that if the authorities found out you'd been here without adult supervision and drinking they could take you away from us?"

Tears appeared in Dawn's eyes as the realisation hit home, "Oh god, no," she cried as she dived into her guardian's arms, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I don't want to be taken away from you, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Tara held the distraught teenager in her arms, gently stroking her hair. "It's not going to happen this time Dawnie, but Willow and I will expect a little more responsibility from you... After your punishment."

"P-punishment?" hiccupped Dawn, pulling out of the hug and wiping her eyes on her sleeve.

"Yes. We wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't punish you for doing something wrong, now would we?"

"I-I guess not," said Dawn sullenly.

"So what do you think your punishment should be?" asked Tara.

"Well for starters I could bring you and Will breakfast in bed tomorrow and-and do all the washing up after meals for the next week," offered Dawn.

"Well that would be nice," said Tara smiling a little. "But do you really think that would be sufficient punishment?"

"I guess not," pouted Dawn. "Maybe not watching TV or listening to my music for a couple of days."

"How about we make that a week?" prompted Tara.

Dawn's eyes went a little wide, "A-a week," Dawn sighed as she saw the resolve on the blonde's face. "Okay a week without TV or music."

"Very well Dawn, but don't you think your punishment should also include cleaning the wine stain off the rug, without magick."

"Okay," nodded Dawn.

"Dawn, if the punishment doesn't hurt, it's hardly punishment, is it?"

Dawn sighed, "I guess not... I'm sorry I disappointed you."

"Okay Dawnie," said Tara rising, "Finish what you're doing and then come down and I'll sort you out some cleaning materials," she said before leaving.

* * * * *

"So Tara found the wine stain?" asked Rory as she and Dawn walked back from Luke's.

"Yeah, I thought I'd got all the stain out," sighed Dawn. "But I must have missed some spots."

"So what's your punishment?"

"I had to take them breakfast in bed this morning. I also have to do all the washing up for the next week and no TV or music until next Saturday."

"Did she ask who brought the wine?" asked Rory.

"Yes, but I asked her not to make me tell, but I have to tell Louise and Erica that she is disappointed in them," Dawn told her. "Oh and I'm not allowed any more sleepovers, at least for sometime, I doubt I'll be allowed to go to anyone else's either," she sighed again.

"I feel really bad," said Rory. "I need to tell mum about it and come up with a suitable punishment for my part."

Dawn could not help laughing, "You are the strangest girl I've ever met, you know that don't you?"

Rory joined in her laughter, "Yes I believe you've told me that before."

* * * * *

"So you can definitely make it, to Parents day," asked Dawn as she sat eating her dinner with her guardians.

Tara looked up from her dinner smiling at the teenager, "Of course sweetie, I've arranged with my professors to collect my work from them on Thursday."

"Good, that's good," said Dawn before looking at her other guardian. "Ah I don't mean that it wouldn't be great to have you with me as well, Will. It's just that it could be a little awkward with you being one of my teachers."

Willow smiled at the teenager, "I know Dawnie, and I'd be the same if my mum or dad were one of my teachers."

* * * * *

"Miss Summers, Miss Lynn, Miss Grant, Miss Gilmore, Miss Gellar and Miss Noël remain at your desks for a moment please," said Willow not looking up as she dismissed her first class.

The six teenagers exchanged a confused look between themselves as the rest of the class filed out. Willow instructed the last student to close the door. The silence stretched on for almost a full minute before the redhead rose walked around to the front of her desk and leaned against it.

"Have we done something wrong Ms Rosenberg?" asked Erica.

"Yes Miss Noël. I am not even going to begin to tell you how annoyed I was to find out that some of you brought wine to my home on Friday. And although I will respect Dawn's request not to tell Tara or myself which of you were responsible. If you ever pull a stunt like this again, it will not be around my Ward! Do you understand me?"

"Yes Ms Rosenberg," yelped Louise jumping as Willow banged her hand down on the desk.

Willow's face softened slightly as she remembered some of the things she had done with Xander and Buffy, excluding the patrolling, back in high school. "Didn't you realise the risk you ran, if Family Services found out they could remove Dawn from my custody."

Madeline looked at Willow, something akin to pain crossing her face. "We are so sorry Ms Rosenberg, we didn't think about that. It wasn't Dawn's fault, she didn't know about the wine until we arrived."

"What are you going to do?" asked Erica knowing that if her parents found out, being very strict, she would be lucky not to still be grounded at graduation.

"Well that is for you to decide!" said Willow.

"What do you mean?" asked Paris with a frown.

"At the moment Dawn is being punished and I understand Rory is as well. That can continue, your two friends taking all the punishment, or you can all share in it and maybe reduce theirs."
"Alright, I'll take some of the punishment if it will mean less for Dawn," said Madeline quickly.

"Madeline, you don't need to do that," said Dawn looking at her friend.

"We were all there, not just you and Rory," Madeline pointed out.

Paris looked at Madeline for a moment, never having seen her friend accept any responsibility before, she looked to Louise and Erica both of whom seemed to be conflicted, she turned to their teacher, "We all will," she stated.

Willow smiled at them, "Excellent, it just so happens that the Booster club needs some waitresses for the Christmas luncheon next week and one of the local churches needs help handing out meals on Saturday and Sunday evenings. I'll forward your names as volunteers for both. You may all go on to your next class now." She smiled as she watched them all file out.

* * * * *

Mr Medina's class

"'There's a certain slant of light, winter afternoons that oppresses like the heft of cathedral tunes.'" quoted Max. "That, my friends is the first verse of a poem by Emily Dickenson. Now read some of those tonight, and as you do, consider the fact that Emily Dickenson writes convincingly about passion and about the world in spite of the fact that she lived as a virtual recluse. It'll help you appreciate her mind." The bell rang at that moment and the students began to leave.
"I could listen to talk about passion all day," said Madeline glancing at Dawn before looking fully at Louise. "Do you think Mr Medina's dating anyone?"

"Of course he is," said Louise.
"A teacher?" offered Madeline.

"Please," said Louise laughing a little.

"Why not?" asked Madeline as she left with her friends.

"Have you seen teachers?" countered Louise.

"Hey, Willow's a teacher," put in Dawn.

"Sorry," apologised Louise. "She's gay anyway so she doesn't count... although I'll give you, she is good looking."

"And he's a teacher," added Madeline.

"Male teachers are different. They can still be mysterious," insisted Louise.

"I bet his girlfriend's pretty," said Madeline, Dawn smiled knowingly at Rory.

"I bet she's dumb," said Louise.

Dawn looked at Rory her smile turning to a frown. Rory just shook her head slightly for Dawn to let it lie.
"Why?" asked Madeline having missed Dawn and Rory's exchange.

"Dumb girls crave smart men. It's that whole Marilyn Monroe-Arthur Miller syndrome," said Louise.

"Actually I don't believe Marilyn Monroe was really dumb, I think it was just how the studio system wanted her portrayed," said Dawn. "You know to protect all their fragile male egos."

"Whoever he's dating is a loser, who doesn't care that he's a teacher in this ridiculous school making a ridiculous teacher's salary," ranted Paris. She saw Rory and Dawn looking at her, "What are you two looking at?" she huffed before walking away, anger visibly coming off her in waves.

"Guess someone read the paper today," said Louise quietly.

"I know. Paris' parent's divorce is getting very ugly!" said Madeline sadly.

"Her dad should've just paid her mum everything she wanted and this whole thing would've been over," pointed out Louise.

"That's what my father did," said Dawn.
Madeline smiled sweetly at Dawn before turning back to Louise. "Is it true Paris' mum had the entire back of her body surgically reconstructed?"

"Well it doesn't match the front now does it?" smirked Louise getting laughs from the other three.

* * * * *

The next day Dawn and Rory past Tristan talking to another boy, "You know I heard that Paris' dad's actually got a second family in Paris."

"Whoa."

"Yeah," nodded Tristan before his eyes took on a hardened look as he saw Dawn passing them.

Rory rolled her eyes at Dawn, "I swear boys are bigger gossips than girls," she said quietly.

Dawn giggled, "Oh yeah..." she began before stopping when Max called out.

"Uh, Rory?"

The two girls turned to see the teacher walking towards them. "Hey Mr Medina," said Rory.

"I enjoyed your paper on Dickenson... Um yours too Dawn," said Max as an afterthought.

"I had fun writing it," smiled Rory.

"It showed," said Max.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Um, Rory?" Max said as the two turned to leave.

"Yeah?" asked Rory turning back to the teacher.

"No, that's it. That's all I wanted to say."

"My name?"

"Yes," nodded Max, Dawn could not help smiling at him.

"Okay," said Rory a little confused.

"Actually I just wanted to see if Lore..." Max hesitated looking around for a moment. "If your mum is coming to Parents day?"

"Oh well..."

"'Cause I'm just trying to get an accurate number of parents who are coming... you know for the cookie count."

Rory and Dawn's faces broke out in grins.
"Forget it," he sighed.

"She's coming," said Rory taking pity on him.

Max smiled in relief, "I hadn't heard from her for a while about it and..."

"She'll be here," Rory reassured him.

"Tara, Will... I mean Ms Rosenberg's girlfriend is coming with her," added Dawn.

"Okay, good. Good," said Max a little absently.

"But you should put all of us down for two each," said Rory. "Right Dawn?"

Dawn nodded, "Yeah two sounds about right?"

"Two what?" asked Max confusion on his face.

"Cookies," Rory reminded him, "You should plan on two each for each of us."

"Okay, good. I will."

"Well we need to get to our next class. Bye Mr Medina," said Rory.

As the two walked off, Max was not entirely sure but he thought he heard Dawn whisper to Rory that he had it bad? He sighed.

* * * * *

Dawn stood with Tara outside Max Medina's room, having agreed to wait for Lorelai and Rory. The teenager smiled as she spied Madeline approaching with a woman, that had she been twenty years or so younger, could have passed as Madeline's twin. "Hi," she smiled at her friend.

"Hey," said Madeline smiling back. "This is my mum, Sarah. Mum this is my friend Dawn and I'm guessing Tara one of her guardians?"

Dawn nodded, "Yeah this is Tara. Please to meet you Mrs Lynn."

"A pleasure," said Sarah smiling as she shook both Dawn's and Tara's hands. "So are you going in?" she indicated the classroom.

"Not just yet, we promised to meet someone here," explained Tara.

"Okay then," said Sarah. "Maybe we can talk more later?" she smiled before following her daughter through the door.

"Is that her?" asked Tara whispering into her Ward's ear.

Dawn nodded, "Yeah... but you won't say anything, right?"

Tara placed her hand on the teenager's shoulder, "I promise... She's very pretty," she added as an afterthought.

Dawn beamed at Tara, "Yeah she is isn't she?"

"Hey, not so fast," Lorelai's voice came flouting down the corridor causing both Dawn and Tara to turn.

"The bell's gonna ring and we promised Dawn and Tara we would meet them," said Rory a look of exasperation on her face.

"Before you go one more step... tell me you like me?" said Lorelai smiling as she saw Dawn and Tara just ahead.

"You bug me," sniped Rory in irritation.

"I'll take that as a yes. And I want you to know that I will deal with my issues with Max myself," said Lorelai seriously.

"Fine," said Rory as they joined their friends. "Hey guys," greeting them.

"Hi," smiled Dawn.

"Really?" said Lorelai.

Rory nodded, "I believe you."

"So, your first Parents Day, nervous?" asked Lorelai looking at Tara.

"No, should I be?" smiled Tara.

"Well this is Chilton, they might give us a test at the end?" laughed Lorelai.

Just then they heard Paris and her mother approaching, arguing.
"You can't just leave now," said Paris, anguish in her voice.

"Paris please," sighed Sharon.

"At least come to my Lit class," pleaded Paris.

"This place is giving me a headache," snapped Sharon.

"Mum," whined Paris.

"Is your face breaking out?"

"No," said Paris in despair.

"You have not been using that cleanser have you? Now Dr Yanalari prescribed that cleanser for a reason, to cleanse."

"Just Lit class," Paris begged.

"Paris with everything I have going on right now, the last thing I need to do is face a bunch of bored people who are gossiping about me. I'll see you later at home. Use that cover stick I got you," said Sharon with finality walking away.

"I bet I'm looking pretty good to you right now," whispered Lorelai.

"Yes you are," whispered Rory watching as Paris stormed past them.

"Hmm. So what's first? Wait don't tell me," smiled Lorelai.

"English Lit with Mr Max Medina."

"Okay see I told you not to tell me," sighed Lorelai making Tara laugh at her friend.

"Sorry," smirked Rory.

"Yeah yeah, okay let's go," said Lorelai.

* * * * *

"On Monday we will start a two week of creative writing exercise, but that doesn't mean we stop reading. One of the greatest inspirations of working writers is the writing of others that they admire. Walt Whitman read Homer, Dante, Shakespeare," lectured Max. "And the novelist Edna O'Brien has been quoted as saying 'That every writer should read some Proust every day' Now, at this point, normally I would impress the parents by pulling out a copy of Proust's 'Swann's Way' and reading a particularly difficult passage but alas, you're all saved. I have misplaced my copy," he said looking towards Lorelai standing with Tara. The bell rang just then, "Oh that does it, parents thanks for coming; students... papers on Whitman are due tomorrow and those of you who are just starting tonight... I'll be able to tell."

Lorelai looked at her daughter and their friends as the two teenagers joined her and Tara. "So you go on ahead okay? I'm going to talk to Max for a second."

"Please be nice," pleaded Rory as she headed for the door with Dawn.

"Good luck Lorelai," said Tara before following after them.

* * * * *

Dawn and Tara sat with Rory, and Madeline and her mother in the cafeteria. She watched as Paris walked from table to table whispering something. She raised her eyebrow as the room got noisier and noisier.

Tristan walked by their table and made a 'kiss' sound to Rory.

Paris had a smirk on her face as she approached them. "What's going on?" Rory asked her.

"Oh, everyone's just talking about the mum that Mr Medina was seen kissing just now," replied Paris smugly.

"What?" exclaimed Rory as her eyes took on a pained look.

Dawn exchanged a worried look with Tara.

"And the weird thing is," smiled Paris, "She looks a lot like your mum."

"What are you talking about?" asked Rory more in hope than anything else.

"Your mum... Mr Medina, mouths open. I saw them," explained Paris. "How's the coleslaw? Good?" she asked offhand before walking away.

"Rory ah... maybe you should talk to your mum... quickly," said Dawn as she spotted Lorelai entering the dining room.
"Hey, did you save me some jello?" asked Lorelai seemly unaware of the murmuring conversations and looks from the other tables.

Pain crossed Rory's face. She said nothing as she got up and rushed out the room.
A look of confusion crossed Lorelai's face as she looked at the four other occupants of the table. "What happened?" she asked.

"I think you really need to talk to Rory, Lorelai," suggested Tara.

Lorelai nodded as she chased after her daughter. She caught up with her just outside as Rory started down one of the hallways, "Rory. Hey where are you going?
Rory spun on her mother, anger in her eyes, "Were you kissing him?"

"What?" asked Lorelai momentarily confused.

"Mr Medina, just now, were you kissing him?" Rory asked angrily.

"Yes," said Lorelai quietly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" snapped Rory.

"I don't know."

"You said you were breaking up with him," Rory pointed out.

"I was," said Lorelai gently.

"I know I told you to be nice to him but this was a little extreme don't you think?"

"It wasn't supposed to happen," explained Lorelai.

"Paris saw you! It's all over the school!" Rory told her the pain coming back to her eyes.

"Oh God, oh Rory, I'm so sorry. I really am. See this is exactly why I didn't want to date him," Lorelai said placing a hand on Rory's shoulder.

"You didn't want to date him so you wouldn't come to my school and kiss him and humiliate me?" said Rory a withered look replacing the pained one.

"Yes that's exactly it," answered Lorelai lamely.

"Why would you do this?" cried Rory.

"Because I'm human, because I screwed up. I'm sorry."

"If you like him so much then why are you breaking up with him?" asked Rory.

"Look, I broke the rules when I brought him into our lives and I realize now that that was a very bad idea. I had to get not only you, but Willow and Dawn to keep it quiet."

"But why?" yelled Rory angrily.

"Why?! Because we are standing in this hallway yelling at each other that's why! Because it's affecting you, it's seeping into your life and that is the whole reason I made these rules in the first place. Is-is to protect you," said Lorelai, her own anger growing.

"You know what, maybe it was a good idea that you hid your personal life from me when I was a kid but I'm not a kid anymore," said Rory giving her mother a withered look.

"No, you're right. You're a 40 year old divorcee, my mistake."

"Ugh! I can't believe you're blaming this on me!" snapped Rory.

"I'm not blaming you!" said Lorelai gently.

"You made up these stupid rules years ago about the way the Gilmore women would run their lives and now you're sticking to them even though they're crazy!" Rory ground out in frustration.

"Oh hey my crazy stupid rules are the reason we're doing so good in our lives," snapped Lorelai. "They're the reason you grew up the way you did, the reason you're even in this school and the reason you're going to go to Harvard so don't you dismiss my rules."

"Fine! Great! Well, maybe it's time for the rules to change!" yelled Rory throwing her hands up.

"Yes, well that's for me to figure out, not you!"

"Great! Fine! Well could you figure it out before French class because I'd rather you didn't start making out with Ms Collins," said Rory moving past her mother and back into the dining room.

* * * * *

Dawn spotted Rory re-enter the cafeteria and head for an unoccupied table. "This is bad," she sighed looking at Tara. "How could Paris do this, she likes Mr Medina, we all do."

"You told me your friend Paris has been upset over her parents divorce, and everything in the papers," said Tara. "I think she just wanted to move the focus away from her family."

"Your right Tara..." Madeline hesitated a second, "I caught her crying yesterday in the girls bathroom after hearing what some of the others were saying about her dad having another family, she's always been very close to her father."

"I've known her father since Junior High, he was my first major crush," Sarah smiled at her daughter. "There is no way he would cheat on Sharon, although for the life of me I don't know why he married her in the first place. I don't blame him one bit for wanting to divorce her. The paper did get something's right; Sharon is a drunk and an adulterer." She lowered her voice and leaned forward, the others doing the same, "I know for a fact that she's had at least two affairs since marrying Joshua Gellar."

"Does he know?" asked Dawn quietly.

Sarah nodded, "Yes, but he has refused to use it against her in the divorce to try to spare his daughter's feelings."

* * * * *

Rory sat at her table, seemingly drawing a veil around her, glaring at the couple of people that had attempted to seat themselves near her. Normally Rory did not intimidate anyone, but they wisely retreated to other tables.

Paris and Louise walked up behind her. "See, I told you he wouldn't date a teacher," said Louise.

"I wish my mum would sleep with a teacher, it would make midterms a lot easier," sighed Paris.

Rory slammed her book closed and stood up, turning to face the two blondes. "Louise, would you excuse us for a minute?" she said a little steel entering her voice.

"Ooh cat fight," giggled Louise gleefully.

"Go," ordered Rory.

Louise sighed and headed towards where Dawn and Madeline were sitting.

"You're not going to kiss me are you?" smirked Paris.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Rory a hurt look on her face.

"Nothing, I'm great."

"You've just spent the last three days with all of your family's private problems printed in the newspaper for everyone to read and talk about. I saw how you walked around here! I saw how much you hated it," said Rory. "And then you turn around and pull something like this? Doesn't that seem crazy to you? Do you have any idea how many people you've hurt? Forget me and my mum, what about Mr Medina? He likes you. He encourages you. He holds up your papers and tells the class how great you are. And then you turn around and spread stories about him... Whatever, forget it. You have no idea what I'm talking about," she sighed sadly as she grabbed her stuff and started to leave.
"I do like Mr Medina," said Paris quietly.

"Well I'd take some dance lessons 'cause the way you express yourself needs a little work."

"I...probably shouldn't have told people what I saw," conceded Paris.

"No you shouldn't have."

"I'm sorry...things have been...well...not good lately."

"I know," said Rory in understanding.

"I just didn't want them talking about me anymore, that's all."

"Well, it worked," pointed out Rory.

"Yeah," said Paris looking at the floor.

"You know, i-if you want to talk..."

"Hey, we are not friends."

"Oh that I know, at least at this moment. But we got on great at the sleepover," said Rory. "Look if you ever do...want to talk about..."
"I will, if I want to," said Paris quickly.

"Okay," nodded Rory.

"But I probably won't."

"That's fine."

"But if I do..."

"I'm around," smiled Rory.

"Okay. I'm going now."

"Bye," said Rory.

"Bye," said Paris turning to leave, she turned back to the other girl. "I doubt I will."

"I'm not holding my breath," sighed Rory turning and heading in the opposite direction.

* * * * *

"So how did your day go?" asked Willow as she walked out the front of the school and led Tara and Dawn towards their car.

"My day went great, we met Sarah, Madeline's mum, she seems really nice," said Dawn, not seeing the smile Tara gave her. "It wasn't so good for Rory and Lorelai though, not after Paris saw Lorelai kissing Mr Medina."

"Yes, most of the faculty were talking about it, poor Max," sighed Willow.

"What's going to happen now?" asked Tara, she had only met the man that morning but Willow had told her a lot about him, having become firm friends with her fellow teacher.

"I'm not sure?" answered Willow as she unlocked the car. "He was heading for Charleston's office when I left my classroom to meet you two. Although it's not unheard of for teachers to date parents, it's an unwritten rule that you are discreet."

"I hope they don't fire him, he's my favourite teacher," said Dawn climbing in the back, where she received a raised eyebrow from the redhead. "You don't count, you're my friend and... family," she blushed.

Willow beamed at her Ward for a moment her eyes becoming glassy; she blinked away the tears as she turned her attention back to the road as she pulled out onto the street.

None of the car's occupants noticed a man in a suit sitting in a dark car that had been taking pictures of them since they exited the school building. He put the camera down and drove off in the opposite direction as the redhead pulled away and headed for Stars Hollow.

To be continued...