Hey folks! I am back, sort of. For those of you wanting to see the next version of Stars Hollow Trivia, take heart, I am still writing it. I still have a wedding in two weeks so I am still pretty busy with real life but I got yet another idea for a story that I can actually sneak in and write at work. I can't write the second version because I don't want to be busted for writing smut. What can I say? I have a sick devotion to a steady paycheck.

Hope you like it. As always, feel free to review. This one will be about six chapters.

Setting: Post Finale

A New Phase

"Coffee, coffee, coffee," Lorelai chanted as she walked into the diner. "Hey," she said smiling as Luke looked up. "Hey Babette," she waved to Babette sitting at a corner table.

"What are you doing here?" Luke questioned as he smiled back at her.

"Gee, I'm happy to see you too," Lorelai quipped as she sat down at the counter.

"No, it's just that it's Friday night. Aren't you usually on your way to your parent's for dinner?" Luke asked as he poured her a cup of coffee.

"Yep, you are my last stop before I once again run the gauntlet," Lorelai replied, then sighed. "First one without Rory," Lorelai grimaced. Rory had just left on Monday but already it seemed like she had been gone a year.

"Sounds like fun," His tone indicated it was anything but.

"A thin slice of heaven," Lorelai agreed mockingly. She shook her head. "I have no idea what I was thinking," she mused. "One minute my mother was talking about tennis courts and spas, the next I was telling her we would talk over Friday night dinner." Lorelai sipped her coffee thoughtfully. "Actually," she admitted reluctantly, "I guess I have grown accustomed to having them back in my life and seeing them on a regular basis."

Luke nodded secretly glad Lorelai was forging a bond with her parents without Rory. He knew Lorelai well enough that even though her relationship with both Richard and Emily had had its ups and downs over the years, she still had an underlying need not only to have them in her life, but to earn their respect and approval.

"I had to stop for one last quickie up before I go so here I am." She held up her hand to stop him. "Yep, I know—dirty!"

Luke laughed. It had been less than one week after Rory's party, less than one week since their blistering kiss and subsequent reunion. Even though they still had some painful moments, they still managed to slip into an old comfortable routine, like now.

Lorelai grinned back at him, happy that somehow they had been able to revert to that first stage of their romantic relationship. They had already had their first date; a very low-key affair and they did not tell a soul that they were seeing each other again. They had quiet dinner, talking calmly about what went wrong, what they wanted and how much they meant to each other.

They both were all too aware of the mistakes they had made and were carefully starting over again. Lorelai had once again become a morning fixture in the diner. Luke had already dropped by to repair the molding around her back door.

"Ah, the one saving grace—Rory will be calling after dinner," Lorelai said excitedly. "As long as she is not occupied with work, she said she will try to call every Friday night. I think she is doing it just to keep me going to my parents' house for dinner."

"I'm sure your parents will appreciate that. Rory can help you guys bond," Luke replied.

"I'm sure I'll appreciate it. Rory can run interference," Lorelai shot back. She realized she couldn't put off leaving any longer as much as she wanted to. Regretfully she set the empty cup down, pouting that there was no more coffee. "I'm sad," she said.

Luke handed her a large to-go cup.

"I'm happy again," she perked up.

Luke rolled his eyes. "You are so fickle," he joked. "Any cup of coffee gains your loyalty."

"Ah you're wrong," she said, her eyes sparkling, flirting up a storm. "My loyalty is only to your coffee." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Luke ducked his head trying to hide his elation but suddenly Lorelai leaned over the counter. "Hey," she said softly.

As Luke looked up she quickly leaned further and kissed him gently, surprising him. After that initial kiss, they hadn't kissed since then, deciding to wait. They had never had any problems with the physical side of their relationship but the both knew they needed to resolve other issues before starting down that path again.

They both smiled as she drew back.

"Oh my god!" Babette shrieked from a corner table. "I knew it! Somethin' happened during that party and finally it's out! I gotta go tell Patty!" She hurried out of the diner.

"Oops," Lorelai shrugged sheepishly.

Luke feigned exasperation but he really wasn't mad. It was bound to get out sooner or later. "Go. I'll deal with them here."

"My hero," she cooed softly.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Stop by on your way home if you want."

"You got a deal,"

"Oh I am so excited that Rory will be calling us tonight," Emily gushed as they dined. "It won't be the same as having her here but at least we'll get to hear about her job."

"I have no doubt that she is already wowing them with her talents," Richard predicted. "This is just the beginning of a long, storied career."

Lorelai smiled at her parents. The evening was going rather well for once. As long as they stuck to the one thing they all had in common, it was smooth sailing. They were all extremely proud of Rory and her accomplishments. These dinners might not be so bad, Lorelai thought.

"Lorelai," Emily said, "please tell Sookie I have been remiss but I will be sending her thank-you note. She did such an amazing job organizing Rory's surprise bon voyage party and on such short notice too. We had a wonderful time."

"Well, you can send Sookie a thank-you note for inviting you and doing the baking but if you really want to thank the person responsible, that thank-you note needs to be addressed to Luke." Lorelai smiled remembering that night. The lengths he had gone to throw that party not only stunned and delighted her but made her feel giddy just thinking about him.

"Luke?" Emily repeated, shocked. The room went completely silent.

Lorelai swore she could feel the temperature of the air change.

"You're telling me Luke organized that party at a moment's notice?" Emily questioned her.

"That is exactly what I am telling you," Lorelai confirmed.

"I can't believe that he would do that," Emily said.

"He did quite a good job," Richard chimed in. "He planned it well and even with the inclement weather, everyone had a good time."

"We did. Thanks, Dad," Lorelai said in relief. At least her father seemed to be on her side.

"Why did he do it?" Emily cut in and Lorelai's relief was short-lived.

"Mom," Lorelai explained patiently, "you saw how the town loves Rory. Luke loves her like a daughter. He wanted to show her that."

"And?" Emily stared at her daughter.

"And?"

"Lorelai, I am not stupid. I know you very well," Emily declared assessing her daughter critically. "You've gotten back together with him haven't you," she stated.

Lorelai's mouth dropped open in surprise but no words came out. She realized by not replying she had given away her relationship and for the second time that night.

"Lorelai do you really expect me to allow you to throw yourself at this man again?"

"Mom, we care about each other," Lorelai explained desperately. "It's taken a long time but we are back together now. Can't you be happy for me?"

Emily snorted.

"You accepted him the last time we were together," Lorelai said accusingly. "Why are you so against him now?"

"Because I saw how much he hurt you," Emily replied in a quiet voice. "I saw you in tears when we were looking at the house we were going to buy for the two of you. I cannot and will not allow him to do that to you again."

"We're working past that Mom," Lorelai explained. "Don't forget, I hurt him pretty badly too when I broke it off with him and married Christopher."

"Hmmm," Emily narrowed her eyes speculatively. Even though Lorelai had never given her a solid reason for the failure of her marriage, she had a feeling it had something to do with Luke. She was concerned. She did not want to see Lorelai hurt or commit herself to that diner owner. She was sure nothing good would come of it.

"Let's not discuss this now," Richard interjected. "Rory is going to be calling soon and I rather hear how about her new job than listen to you fight about Luke."

Emily seemed to let the subject drop for now. She settled back in her chair and focused on her dessert. Yes, she would let the subject drop for now, but it was by no means over.

Lorelai stared at her mother, trying to tamp down the feeling of trepidation. She knew exactly how her mother operated. Lorelai knew she was in a delicate position, finally establishing a connection with her parents and finally forging ahead with her relationship with Luke. She hoped that she could somehow keep them both. She studied her mother as she meticulously ate her dessert.

No, this wouldn't be pretty.

tbc