Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls. Don't I wish…

A/N: Takes place during the end of Hammers and Veils. I use some of the dialogue in here. One-shot. Enjoy!

He knew the ketchup bottles didn't need filling. But he'd run out of other things to do. He'd cleaned all the dishes, swept and mopped the floor, and wiped down all the tables and the counter. He knew if he stopped working, he'd end up out in the square, and that is exactly where he didn't want to be. He stared at the bottles, making sure his eyes didn't wander to the window.

Knowing she was engaged was bad enough, but a party in the square? Right outside his diner, where he couldn't help but hear all the laughing and music? He felt like she was rubbing it in his face. 'You're too late. You waited too long, and I found someone else.'

But he also knew she wouldn't do that.

His gaze fixed on the ketchup, he didn't see her walk towards the door, Kirk's bullhorn in hand.

"Hey." She said.

"Hey. Why aren't you at your party?" he inquired, truly interested.

"Well that's funny, I was about to ask you the same thing."

He stiffened, not wanting to tell her the truth. "Ah, well, I just got kinda busy here."

"Oh, yes, I can see that. Boy, they keep making that ketchup slower and slower, huh?"

"It's the Heinz family's little joke." He replied, trying to lighten the mood.

"Boy, it's really pretty crazy out there."

"Oh, I can imagine."

"Lots of people all having fun, just the kind of thing you'd hate."

"Sounds awful."

"You'd be miserable.'

"Oh, yes, I would." He knew it too. Just for different reasons that she thought.

"But in spite of all that, I was kind of thinking, and you don't have to, that maybe you could pull yourself away for a second."

"Ah, well, I…" He didn't think he could take being out there, watching her with Max.

"I mean, you know, finish the ketchup tonight, but leave the worchestshire sauce for tomorrow."

"I'll see how it goes." He never could say no to her. He didn't want to disappoint her. If she wanted him out there, he would suck it up and go.

"Okay. I mean, it's just… it's a really big night for me tonight, and I don't know, it just feels like you should be there. Anyway, I'll let you get back to your ketchup." And she promptly left.

He stared after her, in shock. He was glad she wanted him there, but on the other hand being out there would be hard. He sighed, adjusted his cap, and walked slowly out the door.

He walked across the square. Spotting her dancing with Max, he waved. She grinned and waved back. He took a seat on a bench next to three of the girls dressed as brides from Ms. Patty's dance class. He continued to watch her dance, wishing it were him she was dancing with.

The song ended. She whispered something to Max and they parted. He smiled slightly when she walked toward him. She sat down on the bench next to him.

"I'm glad you came."

"So am I."

He leaned over and hugged her. She was caught off guard by this sudden display of affection, but wrapped her arms around him as well.

"I should get back." He said as they pulled apart.

"Oh. I'll see you soon, then."

"Yeah." He walked towards the diner and stopped. He turned around. "Congratulations."

"Thanks."

With that, he headed back to the diner. "I'll miss you." He added under his breath, to himself.

As he climbed the stairs to his apartment, his eyes were clouded with tears. This surprised him. He never cried, especially over women. He didn't even cry when Rachel left. He just hid it the best he could and moved on.

But Lorelai was different. She got to him the way no one else had.

And now she was gone.

After he shut the door to his apartment, he leaned against it and slid to the floor. He put his head in his hands and cried.

So… what'd ya think? Review please!