Hi, everybody! Thank you all so much for the fantastic reviews. Because of your generosity and dedication as readers, I have decided to stay true to my word and update this story a little more frequently. So, without further ado, I present you the latest instalment of Bounty. Enjoy!

P.S. Filo, you are one cool beta.

April 3, 2004 Continued…

It was late in the workday. Lorelai and Sookie had talked the entire morning and most of the afternoon about one person in particular. Lorelai felt as though she had gone to confession; her conscience was comforted and her spirit was rejuvenated. But before they had exhausted all topics on the subject of Luke, Lorelai felt that it was important that she share one last detail with her friend and counsellor.

"So, I invited him to go horseback riding with me. Bad idea, right?"

"Just now?" Sookie asked, dumbfounded.

Lorelai chuckled. "No, like a couple weeks ago."

"Oh. Well…are you riding the same horse?"

"Uh, no."

Sookie nodded thoughtfully. "I think it's okay then."

"Okay. Are there any other rules that I should know about?" Lorelai asked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Are there any other rendezvous that I should know about?" Sookie responded just as cheekily.

Lorelai narrowed her eyes in annoyance. "You win this round," she conceded.

Sookie smiled. "Listen, Lorelai," she began. "I don't want you to think you can't see him, or that you shouldn't see him. I just think that you need to be careful, that's all."

"So, no sandwich boards with a blown-up picture of Luke's…face on them?" Lorelai smartly refrained from sharing the original body part she was considering.

Sookie grinned. "You got it."

"Aw, Sook, you're no fun," she pretend pouted.

"Tough love, baby. Tough love."

The two women laughed.

March 21, 2004 Continued…

"Jason, what are you doing here?" Lorelai asked, exasperated.

"I'm taking a tour," he stated as though it was obvious. "This is a charmingkitchen," he added dramatically as he sidled past Luke.

"That's great, you can tell me all about it later," Lorelai said, grabbing Jason by the sleeve and ushering him back through the door he came in.

"What are you doing?" Jason asked, almost chuckling.

"I'm trying to get you to leave," Lorelai said through gritted teeth as she struggled to push him forward.

"He gets to stay," Jason childishly remarked, eyeing Luke.

"Oh, please," Luke muttered under his breath.

"Jason," Lorelai pleaded. "Luke and I were having a conversation. Just give us a minute, okay?"

Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out his chequebook. "How much of a donation do I have to make to have a conversation with you?"

Lorelai shook her head. Luke wasn't so kind. "I don't believe this! Where do you get off, buddy?" he barked, moving within hitting range of Jason.

Lorelai immediately inserted herself as a barrier between the two testosterone-toting males.

She turned to face Luke and gave him an apologetic look. "Luke," she started.

He sighed, knowing exactly what she was asking before the words left her mouth. "I'll be outside."

"Thank you," she said softly, watching Luke as he exited through the back door.

She turned to Jason and her expression shifted. "What the hell was that?" she demanded, moving to the centre of the kitchen.

Jason followed her lead. "I'm sorry," he said. "I crossed the line."

"Yeah, big time," she agreed. "So you don't like Luke, I get that. But using me as a means to get to him, and disrespecting me in the process…that isn't fair. That isn't you. Or maybe it is you. And if that's the case, then I don't want anything to do with you."

"Lorelai, please, let me make it up to you. You know I would never intentionally hurt you. I just got carried away. I blame my low blood sugar."

Lorelai glanced at her watch. "It's almost noon," she said knowingly.

"Yeah. I hate to leave like this. Can we talk later?"

She leaned against the counter tiredly. Drumming her fingers against the marble, she sighed. "We'll talk later."

He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "Thanks for the tour," he said with a wink.

She rolled her eyes, unsure of whether to chuckle, or strangle him, or do both simultaneously. "Go. Golf. Do your thing," she urged, pushing him out the door for the second time.

"You know, you're really sexy when you're mad," Jason told her as she finally forced him through the exit.

"Jason," Lorelai cautioned.

"Sorry, I'm going. We'll talk later." He leaned in and tried to kiss her. Lorelai stepped back, glaring at him.

"Ah, my punishment," Jason remarked. "You can punish me some more later." He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

With one last push, Jason was on the porch and halfway down the stairs. He shot a wounded glance toward Lorelai, followed by a pathetic wave.

"Bye," she dragged out the word, closing the door for emphasis. Leaning her back against the solid oak, she closed her eyes and allowed her body to sink to the floor. Jason, she realized, was a lot of work. Lots and lots of work. But there was something about him that she found fascinating. Plus, he made her laugh. Despite all his infuriating qualities, he had the humour thing going for him. And he was certainly intelligent, and successful, and pretty decent in bed. All in all, not a bad catch. But he wasn't someone she saw herself marrying. Not even for the sake of sending Emily into a permanent coma. A smile slowly spread across her face at the thought of an unconscious Emily. That's when Luke appeared.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

Lorelai jerked at the sound of his voice. She opened her eyes to see him standing over her, his arm extended. She smiled, gesturing for him to join her instead.

He reluctantly obliged, coming to a rest next to her on the floor. They were quiet for a moment, just taking in the scenery from this new angle. Luke was the first to break the silence. "So, uh…did he leave?" he asked casually.

Lorelai turned to face him, still smiling. "Yeah, he left."

"Was his head still attached to his body?" Luke asked more boldly this time.

Lorelai chuckled. "Luke, he's not a bad guy."

"No, of course not," he responded sarcastically. "And I suppose you're going to tell me that that was just his delightful sense of humour shining through, right?"

Lorelai repositioned her body so that she was facing him completely, her legs crossed. "Actually, Luke, that really is his sense of humour. He's not-"

"A bad guy," Luke interrupted. "Yeah, I got it, Lorelai. But making a joke at your expense isn't my idea of humour."

Lorelai nodded in agreement. Silence resumed. Somehow the chaos from the morning had lifted and a quiet peace had returned in its place. "So, uh…you never did answer my question," she said softly.

Luke sat up a little. "What was the question?"

"You said that you and, um, Nicole were in…two very different places," Lorelai spoke carefully. "And I was just wondering, what you were planning on doing about that?"

"Oh," Luke said. "Well…I don't…I'm not really sure. I mean, I know we have a lot of issues to work out, but she just doesn't seem to get where I'm coming from. I can't just pick up and move, like it's no big deal. And frankly, I don't really want to live in Litchfield."

"Didn't you pick out the place with her?" Lorelai interjected.

"Well, yeah…but things were better then. Now, we can barely get through a conversation without it turning into a yelling match."

"Sounds like a healthy relationship," Lorelai said, in effort to lighten the mood. Luke chuckled. "Do you think…maybe you should, you know?"

"Divorce?" Luke asked.

Lorelai nodded.

Luke answered almost immediately, "I can't. I can't just quit on a marriage without giving it my best shot. I don't want to be that guy. That divorced guy. Maybe we could try counselling or something, I don't know. I just need this to work, you know?

Lorelai was feeling a mixture of disappointment and utter admiration regarding Luke's attitude toward his suffering marriage. "Yeah. Yeah, I get that."

Luke snorted. "I never imagined that I'd be married to a lawyer…and actually fighting to stay married."

She laughed. "Well, I think it's great that you're trying, Luke. I really do. But then again, some things just aren't…" she trailed off.

"What?" he pressed for her to continue.

"Meant to be."

To her relief, Luke smiled. "You may be right. We'll just have to see how this one plays out."

She smiled in return, unsure of how to interpret his words.

Luke stretched shoulders. "Well, thanks for the talk," he said, patting the outside of her leg affectionately. He rose from the floor and grabbed her hand in the process, hoisting her to her feet.

"My pleasure," Lorelai said, grinning from the unexpected boost.

"Maybe I'll hit you up the next time I need a therapy session. Save a few bucks," he teased.

"Oh, I'm much more expensive than a therapist. You'll have to supply the coffee, too."

He laughed, his hand poised on the door handle. "I'll see you later."

"Bye, Luke." She followed him onto the porch and watched as he descended the stairs. "Thanks for bringing the towel back," Lorelai called to him. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and it certainly wasn't due to exertion.

He held up his hand; his trademark 'it was no big deal' gesture.

She smiled, and slowly returned inside. Taking a deep breath, she shouted as loud as her conscience would permit her, "What is wrong with me?!" With determination, she made her way to the nearest wall, and knocked her head against it. Repeatedly.

The front door swung open just as she was lining up for her tenth consecutive slam. She froze in place.

"Uh, Lorelai?" a nervous voice called from the entryway.

Lorelai turned immediately. "Gypsy!" she shouted in relief, rushing to her friend's side.

Gypsy smiled awkwardly, a little freaked out by Lorelai's display.

"So, two days in a row, Gyps. I think you like it here." Lorelai nudged her playfully.

"Are you drunk?" Gypsy asked outright, curious in part because she wanted in on some of the action.

Lorelai chuckled. "Oh, I wish, Gyps, I wish."

"Don't call me Gyps," the mechanic stated firmly.

Lorelai cleared her throat. "So…Gypsy," she emphasized her name, "Are you here for a particular reason, or just for a visit?"

"I came by to test out the kitchen appliances. You promised me yesterday, remember?"

Suddenly a light came on in Lorelai's tender head. "Oh, right! Right, right. Well, follow me, Gypsy." Lorelai led the way, stalling at various interludes to share tidbits about the inn that she thought might interest her companion. Distraction was a beautiful thing.

Thank God for Gypsy.

TBC…

And, might I add: In Gypsy We Trust. ;)