This story starts about a week after the final episode. It's M rated just 'cause you never know where a story will go!

Note - Edited with the help of Liz Schlesinger

Teaser – The Pickup

Friday – June 1st 2007
6:05 pm

Luke pulled up in his truck, ready to pick up Lorelai for dinner but not any dinner. Over the past week they had spent most evenings together, getting to know each other all over again. It was new and different from before, in a way they had not dated previously, but it was familiar in a good way. He had spent each night with her, in her bed but they had not yet slept together. They both needed time and wanted to do this right, as it might be the last chance they had.

Luke entered the house, he was given a new key just the night before and was hesitant to take it at first but with a little persuasion did so in the end. Now using it for the first time felt right and like he had been doing it for years.

LUKE "Lorelai" He called as he entered.

LORELAI "Up here" Came the reply from her bedroom.

Luke took off his jacket and hung it up before going up stairs. As he entered the bedroom he was greeted with a hug and kiss. They hugged for a few seconds before Luke noticed the mess.

LUKE "What happened here"

LORELAI "Well I was packing and couldn't decide what to take".

Luke looked amused and was happy they were taking this trip together to see his daughter.

LUKE "You do know we're taking the Jeep and not my truck" With a dry tone by a smile on his face.

LORELAI "Yes, I just need the right amount and combination of clothes"

LUKE "How much stuff did you take to Europe with Rory? What ever that was should be more than enough"

LORELAI "But we didn't need to worry about looking good and I tell you mister by the end of the trip a lot of deodorant was being used. I don't want to do that again"

LUKE "Okay but remember this is just a 3 week trip, one down, one there and one back"

LORELAI "Alright" Looking at Luke's watch. "Damn we gotta get going, give me a minute to change"

Luke gave her a look like it was gonna take longer, meaning they would be late for their first Friday night dinner as a couple again.

Chapter 1 – Friday Night Dinner

6:42 pm

They stood there for what seemed like hours, but in reality was just 30 seconds. Neither knew how this would go as neither had the guts to tell Emily and Richard that Luke would be coming, let-alone that he was back in Lorelai's life as more than a friend and coffee supplier.

LUKE "You know we can just get back in the Jeep and hit the road tonight, buy any clothes we need on the road, I have my new MasterCard with me."

LORELAI "When did you get a credit card!"

LUKE "I just thought it was time"

LORELAI "Well look at you, cell phone, credit card, when's the iPod coming?"

LUKE "I thought we'd pick one up on our way to April's,.. as a gift", he said with a smile.

LORELAI "Okay time to get this over" She stepped forward and rang the bell.

The door opened and a new maid greeted them. She took their coats and showed them to the living room where Emily appeared to be on the phone with Richard.

EMILY "Okay we'll start dinner without you and see you in a couple of hours"

She hung up she turned around shocked to see Luke and Lorelai sitting on the couch, drinks in hand. Luke sat where she would normally see Rory. Silenced for a moment she finally spoke with a little grin.

EMILY "Well hello Luke"

LORELAI "Okay before you start, Luke and I have been seeing each other and I don't care what you think but we're giving this our best shot"

LUKE "Third time is lucky" He kissed Lorelai on the cheek.

EMILY "Well of course you are together, I really wish you would stop thinking I'm a fool. I saw the two of you the night of the party. We were just about to drive off. I mean Lorelai in the middle of the street, if you were trying to keep this quiet that's not the way with half of your town only a few yards away"

Luke and Lorelai looked on in amusement while Emily spoke her piece.

LORELAI "Well mom no more secrets, so how much do you want to know? We have talked, before and after getting back together, we've made-out and even slept together…"

LUKE "No we haven't" Luke protested, turning to Emily "We haven't"

EMILY "What!"

Seeing Luke's discomfort Lorelai said, "Okay we've slept in the same bed, but no sex, Luke's been a gentleman. We agreed to do it right and take some time. I really don't know how Luke has been able to control himself."

EMILY "Okay that's enough, really Lorelai I don't know if your brain and mouth are connected sometimes."

The maid came in to announce dinner. They moved to the dinning room, Emily and Lorelai took their usual seats, Luke in Rory's. They started dinner with polite small talk about the party for Rory and other events in Stars Hollow over the last week.

LORELAI "So mom, I'm sorry to say we won't be able to come to Friday night dinner for the next few weeks"

EMILY "Two weeks, is that all you could take?"

LORELAI "What? No, um me and Luke…"

EMILY "Don't tell me your going to elope! Really Lorelai didn't France teach you anything."

LORELAI "No we're not eloping, we haven't even talked about marriage yet." She smiled at Luke who returned the smile.

EMILY "Well then why won't you be here next week?"

LORELAI "Luke and I are taking a trip to visit April, in New Mexico."

EMILY "Oh, okay. Well that's good." She turned to Luke "It's good you've letting Lorelai see April"

Lorelai was about to speak when Luke cut her off.

LUKE "I know I messed up last year, I should have let Lorelai in, I realize that now. It was one of the first things we talked about a few months back."

Lorelai was happy and didn't say a thing, but moved her leg to touch Luke's, which surprised him for a second. Her foot brushed his lower leg before coming to rest back on the floor, making Luke blush.

EMILY "So how long will you be gone and can you please give me your fight information"

LORELAI "We won't be flying, we're taking the Jeep"

EMILY "But it's so far, much further than our trip to North Carolina."

LUKE "North Carolina?"

LORELAI "Mia's wedding"

LUKE "Oh right, I'm really sorry I missed that now, but you were there so…" Luke stopped talking because it was still painful to bring up some memories of the time lost between them.

EMILY "Didn't the Jeep break down not long ago."

LORELAI "Yes but Luke fixed it."

EMILY "He did."

LORELAI "We he arranged the new engine and got Gypsy to do the work."

EMILY "Well as long as it's safe, and with Luke there I'll feel better about it. So when do you leave?"

LORELAI "Sunday, we have a bit of packing tomorrow and then we're off bright and early, 10:00?"

LUKE "7:00"

LORELAI "Well then mister you'll have to drag me out off bed, dress me and carry me to the car.

LUKE "You'll be there or you won't be getting any of my coffee for 3 weeks"

EMILY "3 weeks?"

LORELAI "Yes one week down, one there and one back. We'll take our time and just enjoy the open road."

LUKE "Maybe a roll-a-coaster or two" He smiled at Lorelai.

EMILY "Well as long as you're safe, just can you stay to say goodbye to your father tonight, he should be home soon"

The rest of the dinner went quickly as they talk and for the first time, in a long time Lorelai really enjoyed a diner with her mother without having Rory or Richard to provide a distraction. Richard came as they finished up so they stayed a while longer just talking like a real family. It was close to midnight before they arrived home. Lorelai lay in Luke's arms again and they fell asleep very happy that things were going so well this time.

TBC…