(A/N: The long awaited chapter 7. And yes, I will update TNAOSH soon. Please Read and Review.)

Dedication: I dedicate this chapter to PiratelfDair, without whom I wouldn't have been able to write this chapter at all. Thanks.

"Okay," said Lorelai quietly, "the moment of truth: Should I ask David out on a date?" And she carefully shook her Magic 8-Ball.

Ask again later.

"What?" asked Lorelai incredulously, "I haven't asked you a question since the great pink stripe/green stripe hair conundrum of '98! I left you alone, I let you rest, I let you chill. And now when I need you I get, 'Ask again later?' I saved you from garage sales and charity drives for 'Ask again later?' I don't think so, buddy!"

Concentrate and ask again.

"I WAS concentrating!" yelled Lorelai, "I was totally NOT wondering what kind of liquid this is in you. I mean, is it water? Is it oil? Is it ink? Is it – okay, right, good point. Concentrate . . . and shake!"

Better not tell you now.

"I swear to God, you're in league with my mother," grumbled Lorelai, putting it away and getting back to her paperwork. Suddenly, the phone rang.

"Hello, Independence Inn," said Lorelai.

Lorelai, hello, said Emily's cheerful voice.

"Whoa, speak of the devil," said Lorelai to herself.

I just wanted to call and see what you were wearing to the benefit at the University.

"I'm not wearing anything to the benefit at the University."

It is not clothing-optional, Lorelai!

"Well, is it Lorelai-optional? Because I have no idea what you're talking about."

You most certainly do! The charity benefit your father and I are hosting at Hartford University, on the 11th!

"Sorry, no. Are you sure you told me about it?"

Of course I'm sure! Remember, your father was telling you about the cure for radiation poisoning, ISO-36? For heaven's sake, it was in the society pages!

"The society pages? Are you serious?"

Well, it doesn't matter, Lorelai. You will be there.

"Mom, I don't know if I can – "

Lorelai, you WILL be there, and you WILL be escorted by a man who is AT LEAST semi-decent!

The phone hung up with a loud click. Lorelai set the receiver down, muttered several things she would never say in front of Rory, and picked up her papers to take them to the filing room. But just as she crossed the lobby, her heel got caught on the rug. Just before she fell, a pair of strong arms caught her.

"Are you alright?" asked David, her savior.

"Oh my god, thank you! That rug's been gunning for me all morning," said Lorelai, picking up the papers she'd dropped.

"Well, you know what they say about Persian carpets," said David, bending down to help her.

"Actually, David, I'm glad I bumped into you," said Lorelai, twirling her hair nervously, "I didn't mean to do it literally, but still. Um, I was wondering if you were free to come to dinner with me? My parents are throwing this thing, and while I can't vouch for the company, the food should be good."

David smiled wistfully and said, "Lorelai, normally I'd be delighted to go out with you. But I'm having some new equipment brought to the lab and could take weeks to set it up. I'm truly sorry."

"Oh, well, that's okay," said Lorelai, trying to hide her disappointment, "Maybe some other time. The guest of honor is a drug, so who knows where the evening will end? I'd hate for you to end up in the drunk tank with me, my parents, and ISO-36."

David stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and said, "YOUR parents are throwing the benefit where they'll display the cure for radiation cancer?"

"Yeah," said Lorelai, "There aren't exactly that many Gilmores in the world. Well, there are a lot of people like them, but not many are actually named Gilmore. I guess Happy Gilmore counts, but he's just a character in a movie so really – "

"I'd love to go," said David, breaking into Lorelai's babbling.

"Really?" she said, hopeful.

"I've been working too hard, lately," said David, "I could use some time off. And frankly, I can't imagine a better person to enjoy it with."

Lorelai blushed and said, "Okay. I'll pick you up at eight on the 11th."

"It's a date," said David. Lorelai watched as he walked away, her insides doing a happy little jig.

Later that Night

Ding-Dong

Dean got up from the couch, turned down the radio, and went to the door.

"Rory, hey," he said, letting his girlfriend in.

"Sorry I'm late," said Rory, leaving her shoes by the door.

"It's fine," said Dean, wrapping his arms around her from behind, "Anticipation makes the appetite grow stronger."

Oh, God, thought Rory as Dean began to slowly kiss her neck, That feels so good. But she quickly remembered what she had to say.

"Dean," she said, almost stuttering, "stop it for a second. We have to talk."

Dean stopped. Rory turned to face him and said, "Dean, I did something today that I'm not proud of. I just want you to remember that you love me, and hold onto that thought for a minute."

"Rory, what happened?" said Dean, concern rising in his voice.

She took a deep breath and said, "I let Jess kiss me, today."

"HE KISSED YOU?!" shouted Dean, sounding more outraged than angry.

"We were sort of having a moment," said Rory, her eyes falling.

"I'LL KILL HIM!" Dean roared, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

"Dean, no!" said Rory, grabbing his arm, "Please, don't stoop to his level."

"He kissed you," said Dean to himself, fuming. Nonetheless, he put down his jacket and went back into the living room.

"I am so sorry," said Rory, cupping his face to look at her, "You were right about Jess the whole time. He's a complete ass who thinks that just because he's more well-read than you that he's smarter and a better person."

"I understand, Rory," said Dean, "I know how smart he is, and how he knows about all those books you like, and that stuff that I just can't get into. It's not your fault you find him attractive."

The look of pain on Dean's face was more than Rory could bare, so she marched over to his bookcase and, after a little digging to get through all of the Louis L'Amour novels, laid several books on coffee table in front of them.

"Look at these Dean," she said tenderly, "Essential Writings of Thomas Paine, The Plays of Molière, American Gods by Neil Gaiman, all of them! I'd hardly call you a literary slouch."

"I didn't even get interested in books like that until we started dating," said Dean.

"But you like them, right?" asked Rory.

Dean nodded.

Rory walked over and hugged him tightly and said, "Dean, I love you. And I swear, I won't ever let Jess come between us."

"I know," he said, "And I'll try to be more secure in the future."

"What do you mean?"

"I love you too, Rory," said Dean, "I never really loved any girl before I met you. Remember the night we finalized the whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing?"

Rory smiled and nodded. How could she forget?

"Ever since then," said Dean, "I've felt . . . better. It's like there was a hole in my soul that you filled when I realized that you loved me back. Every guy that I saw after that moment was a potential threat, and it really scared me when you started being friends with him."

Rory sat down next to Dean on the couch.

"I'm sorry I made you afraid of losing me," said Rory, placing head and hand on his chest, "I love you, Dean Samuel Forrester."

"I love you too, Lorelai Leigh Gilmore," replied Dean.

"You're my ace-in-the-hole now, honey," she said, "and I'm your lady luck."

"You know I hate Faith Hill," said Dean, smiling at the song quote. They then sat back to watch movies, holding each other softly.

(A/N: I hate that I have to bring such happy fluffiness to a halt, but in the great tradition of "The Incredible Hulk," all must eventually go straight to Hell. Please Review, and don't be afraid to really Critique.)

TO BE CONTINUED.