TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – A Gilmore Girls Fanfic. What if Lane hadn't told Zach she couldn't have sex till she was married when he made her that dinner? Would it have happened? What would the consequences have been? Lane/Zach two-parter. Please read and review, it makes my day.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lane, Zach or anything to do with GG. It is all the work of the great ASP, not, unfortunately, me. My stories are just made for my own amusement. Although, to give ASP credit, I have borrowed dialogue from episode 5.16, So...Good Talk?

Part One

Lane and Rory sat in Andrew's bookstore, discussing Luke's current bad mood. Since the break-up with Lorelai he'd been burning the food, yelling at the customers and even throwing some of them out of the door. Lane was annoyed as she needed the tip money.

Rory asked her if she wanted to go over to Al's to get lunch.

"Can't. If Luke's left alone too long he might burn the place down."

Rory shook her hair. "Well, how about tonight? You wanna do something?"

Lane grinned. "I would love to, but Zach is cooking me dinner," she said. Every time she thought about him, a smile came to her face. She couldn't believe how much he'd changed in the last few months, turning from 'dating hot chicks' guy to 'cooking dinner for his steady girlfriend' guy. He was so sweet, as perfect a boyfriend as a girl could ask for. Lane hoped he felt as strongly about her as she did about him.

Rory's exclamation broke into her thoughts. "Really? Oh, that's so sweet!"

"It is, isn't it?"

Rory smiled. "It's so nice that you have Zach."

Lane thought about Luke and his singleness. What would she be like if Zach were to break up with her? "I know," she said. "It's like having a perfect haircut every single day."

"My God, that is beautiful," said Rory, happy for her friend. Lane and Zach had really found each other.

Lane nodded. "I'll call you later."

"Thanks for the concept of lunch," said Rory.

Lane got up to go. "Anytime." She left the bookstore and her best friend and made her way back to the diner. Hopefully Luke would've managed to keep a couple of customers for her to serve.

Later...

Lane and Zach sat on their living room floor, a small table in between them. Zach, true to his word, had cooked dinner for Lane and it had been delicious. And so romantic, thought Lane. Who would've known, that under this macho, matter-of-fact skin could lurk such a kind guy? She couldn't believe how cute he was being.

Zach lifted the Pepsi bottle up and made to pour it for her. "More bubbly, my dear?" he asked.

Lane smiled. "Please."

"I opened the bottle this afternoon so it's just the way you like it, naaice and flat."

Lane grinned. "You're very sweet. This whole thing was so sweet, Zach, cooking me dinner?"

Zach shrugged. "It was fun."

"And the sauce was amazing."

"My own creation. Ragu, with garlic salt, Kayan pepper and a dash of masabi." Zach looked proud with himself.

Lane nodded. "It made my ears pop."

Zach gave a knowing look. "One of the benefits."

Lane couldn't stop complimenting him. "The spaghetti was just right, too."

"I threw some up against the wall to tell if it was done. Made a shape like Peter Gabriel's big bloated head. It's over there if you wanna see it."

Lane got up hurriedly. "Yeah, cool."

Zach stopped her by grabbing her arm. "But not now, 'kay? Later."

He pulled Lane down beside him and smiled at her. Lane nodded. "Sure."

Zach kissed her hand. "You're the best, you know?" He trailed kisses up her arm. "The coolest, the cutest-"

Lane grinned. "Aw, thanks. Back atcha."

Zach moved towards her. "I liked you the day I met you. I even remember what you were wearing."

Lane sighed in embarrassment. "Oh God, I probably looked like a pig. I need more clothes."

Zach looked her in the eyes. "I want this to be right, you know?"

Lane didn't realise what he meant. "Yeah, absolutely."

"The music's good for you?"

"Sure."

Zach kissed Lane and she responded happily. When they broke apart she smiled at him romantically. "That was nice."

"Yeah, it was."

They kissed again and Lane let it deepen before pulling away. "We should probably clear the plates, right?"

Zach woke up a bit then. "What?"

Lane had her sensible head on. "Just to get them soaking."

Zach panicked. His moment was getting ruined. "No!... Later," he said.

Lane stared at him and he expanded. "After."

She smiled sweetly. He was so romantic. "Okay," she said in agreement. Then another thought struck her. "After what?"

Zach didn't say what he meant out loud. "Just... after."

Lane nodded. "Right." She leant in and they started kissing. "After," she murmured. Zach echoed it. "After."

Zach let his tongue slide into her mouth and Lane stroked his chest through his shirt, totally immersed in the kissing. After a few moments they stood up, still attached and began to move towards Lane's bedroom.

"Lane?" asked Zach, breathing heavily in between kisses.

"What?" asked Lane, desperate to feel his mouth on hers again.

"I love you." He kissed her harder and she moaned in response. "I love you too," she whispered.

Before Lane knew it they were in her bedroom, sitting on her bed. As Zach started to undo her cardigan buttons she suddenly realised where the signs were pointing. He'd cooked her dinner – he never cooked. Hell, he'd even lit candles. And she'd noticed what looked like a trail of rose petals lining the doorway to the bedroom. He wanted to have sex with her.

"Oh my God, you wanna have sex!" she said.

Zach nodded. "Yeah."

Lane knew they should stop but she couldn't. She had to have Zach on her mouth, on her, right then. So she let him carry on.

Zach's shirt was off and Lane's cardigan hung loosely off her shoulders. She could feel his soft, warm hands on her tummy and she murmured to him. It felt so nice.

"Yoo hoo! I'm home!" came Brian's voice as he let himself into the flat.

Lane and Zach emerged, startled. "Shoot!" said Lane. Zach stared at her then realised that Lane's door was open and Brian was about to find them like that. He hastily jumped up and took his shirt behind the door, quickly fastened the buttons then stepped out to take care of Brian.

Lane was in shock. What had happened there? She had nearly slept with Zach. How could it have happened? Who was she kidding. She couldn't sleep with him. They weren't even engaged, let alone married, and it was an unspoken Korean rule that all girls must be married virgins. That was a close shave.

She heard Zach and Brian's raised voices outside her door.

"What are you talking about, Dude, you said you wouldn't be back until tomorrow. I thought you were staying at your parents' house tonight."

"Well, I changed my mind. Why, am I not allowed to come into my own house?"

"You ruined it..."

Lane felt close to tears. In one night she had destroyed everything she had with Zach. Why did she let him get that far? She'd known it was wrong.

There was a knock at the door and Zach came in slowly.

"Sorry about that, Lane. Brian's gone now. Shall we pick up where we left off?" He stroked her hair then kissed her hard.

Lane pushed him off. "Are you serious? No, Zach, no! God, I- you knew I can't have sex with you and you still had to try it on! God, I just – I just can't deal with you right now. I can't." She ran out of the house, sobbing and headed in the direction of her mother's. It looked like she'd be back there again, probably for the rest of her life. It wasn't like she'd be able to live with Zach again.

As she pushed open the door she breathed in the smell of Tofu and wood polish that she was so used to. Her mother heard something and came out into the front of the shop.

Lane snapped when she saw her. "I hate you and your stupid Korea!" she yelled and ran up into her room. Her mother shrugged and went back to the kitchen.

Lane lay down on her bed and cried herself to sleep. And during that night she had a dream about marrying Zach and then him divorcing her because she wouldn't sleep with him on their honeymoon. I t was going to be hard to adjust to a Zach-less life.

-END OF PART ONE-