Disclaimer: Own them? I can't even afford the computer I'm writing it on.

Pairing: Jess&Rory

Spoilers? YES! Please be warned. This story involves everything we have found out through to episode 9 anyway. Please don't read it if you don't like to know what's coming. (not that we know a lot but still)

A/N: I'll keep this short. Just to let you know some things. Thoughts will be put in italics. Scene breaks are indicated with two astericks"". And I've had to make up some stuff surrounding the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) lol. I tired to keep it as general as I could since I know nothing about the DAR but don't be surprised if I embelish something here and there lol. Oh and also I tried to do some research about what other socialevents or causespeople like Emily (ie rich people) would be involved in and found one called "O.W.L.S" I only made one reference to it but if you were wondering what it means (Order of Women Legislators) Also, there are two women in this chapter that I made up. You'll know them when you see them lol They are not part of the spoilers just some people I needed to help my story along. Other than that I try to stay close to GG's reality. P.S. I'm not sure how many chapters this will be but at least4 anyway.

Common Sense:

Chapter 1

Rory pulled her car into the driveway and turned off the engine. Her hand still held the keys as she glanced at her Grandparents house and then the pool house. A quick sigh escaped her lips. It seemed so weird living here now. She was living the life that Lorelai had run desperately away from. Rory looked down and pulled the keys from the ignition, placing them in her purse.

Getting out of her car, she headed for the main house.Rory had hoped to find her Grandmother to see if her attendance at the next DAR meeting was mandatory. It wasn't until she made it to the front hall that she realized she heard other voices. Formal voices. Voices of people she had wished she hadn't had to have seen at that particular moment. Rory stepped towards the open archway and saw Emily talking with Suzanne and Louise. The former whom Rory recognized as the president of the Connecticut branch of the DAR from weekly meetings held on Tuesdays. Only this was Thursday.

"Rory!" Emily called as she stood up and waved a hand, gesturing for Rory to join the conversation.

Rory had a slight headache and was not in the mood for what she had to be right then but she sucked back her discontent and entered the room smiling. "Hello, it's Suzanne right?" Rory held out her hand to Suzanne first.

"Well yes, hello Miss Gilmore." Suzanne shook Rory's hand properly and took her seat again.

"Hello Rory," Louise held her hand out and then took her seat accordingly.

"Your Grandmother and I were just talking about you." Suzanne said smartly.

"Oh." Rory spoke in almost a question, folding her hands sweetly in front of her.

"Yes, Suzanne was just commenting on what a wonderful job you did at theparty last week." Emily could not help but grin from cheek to cheek as she also took her seat.

"Oh, thank you. It was fun to organize." Rory tried to smile with keen interest.

"Well I have to say Miss Gilmore, you did an exceptional job. In fact, Emily and I were just discussing a possible position for you a little higher up. You'd become a member of course."

"Isn't that wonderful Rory?" Emily chimed in.

"Oh… wow…" Rory didn't know what to say. Planning a charitable event by accident and helping out in the office temporarily was one thing, being ensconced entirely and seeing her life planned out before her eyes was a definite… other.

"You could live here of course and we could drive in together every other day. Wouldn't that be marvelous?" Emily was beaming.

"Uhm. It's a generous offer." Rory felt ill.

Suzanne glanced down at her watch just missing Rory's look of depression. "Oh darn. Louise, we are late for our O.W.L.S. Luncheon." Suzanne then turned toEmily "I'm afraid we must go. Thank you very much Emily for lunch. It was delicious. I will be in touch." Suzanne hooked her purse over her arm and stood up. "And I will be in touch with you Rory." She smiled at Rory who tried to hide the panic that was rising in her throat.

"I'll see you out." Emily stood and walked with Suzanne towards the door.

Rory took the opportunity to sneak out the back door. She had to get out of there. Fast. Rory made it to the pool house and quickly entered, closing the door behind her. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

Two knocks came shortly after and Rory slowly moved away.

"Yes?" Rory spoke politely and moved further into the room, taking her coat off.

"Rory?" Emily opened the door excitedly.

Rory didn't turn around for a moment and threw her coat on the couch.

"Hi Grandma." She spoke quietly as she turned to face Emily.

"I wondered where you'd gotten off to. Isn't that news just wonderful? I can't believe it. You would be an official member of the DAR. My granddaughter. Oh, aren't you excited?"

"Well, it's …"

"Oh I can see it all now. We can have lunch together and plan the Christmas fundraiser and.."

"Grandma," Rory cut in. She wanted so much to just scream but subdued the urge.

"What is it, Rory?" Emily was still smiling.

"Sorry… I.. um…do you think it's a good idea?"

"Is what a good idea?" Emily asked, honestly not understanding the question.

Rory looked at the expression on her Grandmother's face. She couldn't bring this up right now. Not only did she not feel up to having a massive argument but also Emily was so happy. Rory was going to have to plan this conversation. In fact, a script might be in order.

"Nevermind." She finally said.

Just then Rory's cell phone chirped from her purse. She had never been so happy to have had a cell phone in her life.

"Look at you, a little busy bee. I'll let you get that. See you at dinner!" Emily turned towards the door to leave.

Rory glanced down at the LCD. It was Logan. Thank God. She flipped the phone open and took a step away, lowering her voice slightly, just in case.

"Hey,"

"Hey. How's it goin'?"

"How long do you have?"

"Oo. Doesn't' sound good." Logan's voice crackled as the reception on the phone began to break.

"Where are you?"

"A long way from Kansas, Toto."

"But I thought you were meeting me at 8?"

"Oh.. yeah.. sorry Rory but it looks like I'm not gonna be able to make it after all."

Rory took another step.

"..what...why? Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… the guys needed me to do this thing and I told them I would and it doesn't look like I'll be back 'til later now…sorry bout that, Ace."

"What thing?"

"Ah... it's ..nothing. Rain check?"

"Logan,"

"I gotta go but I'll call you tonight k?"

Rory had a look of distress on her face. "…Okay."

Logan picked up on her tone of voice. "Hey…" He paused. "I'll see ya soon, k Ace?"

"Sure." Rory couldn't do anything but comply.

"…Bye."

"Bye."

Rory snapped her phone closed and held it for a second before throwing it on the couch.

Rory glanced at the clock. 7.02pm. Logan still hadn't called and she was getting restless. She placed the palm of her hand on her forehead, knowing that Emily would be calling her for dinner soon. No doubt they would be having sparkling dinner conversation revolving around the DAR. Rory sighed. How was she going to get out of this one?

A knock came at the door. Here we go. She thought to herself as a feeling of deep depression washed over her. Still, she couldn't be mean to Emily. She was going to have to tell her as nicely as she could that the DAR is not for her. Rory made her way to the door ready with explanations on her tongue.

She pulled it open and suddenly couldn't breathe.

Jess.