A/N: Ay, yi, yi! Okay. Surely this one can in no way, shape or form be construed as a cliffhanger… For those of you who were wondering, yes, this is going AU. Just the talking about their relationship, which we know they never did, the seeing each other, which we know they never did, and some canoodling, which we wished they did, and I'll bet they did too…. But I don't think it's gonna get too far off course. I just have to see where it takes me. Thanks for sticking with me!
A Very Real Need
As Luke pulled out into traffic, he asked, "Where to?"
Lorelai shrugged and said, "Back to the motel, I guess."
Luke nodded and they drove in silence for the few minutes it took to get back to the Sunset Motel. When Luke parked, he turned the truck off and drummed his fingers nervously on the steering wheel, his jaw working as he tried to figure out what to say. Finally, he turned to her and asked, "You want me to come in?"
Lorelai smiled and said, "Well yeah. How else are we going to another round?" she added with a laugh. Luke nodded and got out of the truck while Lorelai waited patiently for him to come around and open her door. When he offered his hand to help her down, she smiled and asked, "See how quickly I got used to that? I'm very adaptable." Luke smiled but said nothing as she held onto his hand as they walked toward room twelve.
When she released it to dig her key out of her purse Luke asked, "Do you want to be with me?"
"What?" Lorelai asked, looking up in surprise.
Luke looked away for a second and then said, "Well, you've never really said. Do you?" he asked again.
Lorelai pulled the key out of her purse and let it drop, the strap catching on her arm. "I drove up here," she said as if that said it all.
"I know you did," Luke said with a nod of acknowledgement.
"Well, yeah. I thought that was what this was all about," she said frowning up at him.
"I'm just checking," Luke said with a shrug. "There's been a lot of talk about things that I've said or didn't say, and I just realized that you haven't said anything at all. Which is unusual for you," he added with a chuckle.
"Yes, I want to be with you," Lorelai said simply.
Luke smiled and said, "Okay good. So, you want to be with me, and I want to be with you," he stated firmly.
"Yes," Lorelai confirmed as she slid her key into the door.
"So, there shouldn't be anything left to fight about, right?" he asked as he looked down at her meaningfully.
"Uh, I guess not," Lorelai said slowly. She looked over her shoulder at him and asked, "Does that mean you're not coming in?"
"Oh no, I'm coming in," he said quickly and firmly.
A smile of relief lit her face as she said, "Good. Well. Come in," she said as she pushed the door open and walked into the room.
Luke stepped into the room and glanced around, his hands buried in the pockets of his jeans. He frowned at the door and then the window and said, "You know, you really shouldn't stay in places with outside entrances. Or, on the first floor for that matter," he pointed out.
"I wasn't feeling particularly picky at the time," Lorelai said with a grin.
"Or particularly safety conscious," Luke muttered under his breath as he closed the door and locked the deadbolt.
Lorelai raised her eyebrows and asked, "You proving a point by locking me in?"
Luke rolled his eyes and said, "You, of all people, should know that you should always lock your deadbolt in a hotel."
Lorelai nodded and said, "Yes, you are correct. Thank you for thinking of my safety and well being," she said primly as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"You're welcome," Luke mumbled as he walked over to the small table and chairs on the opposite side of the bed and sat down.
Lorelai turned and watched him settle into the chair. She cocked her head and asked, "Is this making you uncomfortable?"
Luke opened his mouth to say no, but instead it came out, "I little, I guess."
Lorelai grinned, her eyes lighting devilishly. "Are you afraid to be all alone in a room with nothing but me and a nice big bed?" she teased as she stretched out on her side and propped her head up on her hand.
"Stop," he said rolling his eyes.
She smiled and ran her hand over the bedspread as she said, "Why don't you come and sit over here?"
"Lorelai," he said in a low warning voice.
"Are you afraid I'll seduce you?" she teased.
Luke pressed his lips together and rubbed his palms on his jeans before he pushed himself up and said, "I should go."
"Wait no," Lorelai said as she rolled off of the bed to head him off as he made for the door. She grabbed his arm, stood between him and the door and said quickly, "Don't go, please, I was just playing."
Luke winced at her words and said in a raw voice, "It's not a game."
"I know it's not," Lorelai insisted as she held tight to his arm.
Luke looked down at her for a moment, seeing the plea in her eyes. He bent his head to kiss her, brushing his lips across hers gently, as if testing the waters. When she responded by releasing his arm and sliding her hands up to his shoulders, he pressed a hand to the small of her back and pulled her closer. Lorelai sighed softly and parted her lips beneath his, molding her soft curves to the hard muscles of his chest as she melted into the kiss. With a groan, Luke pushed his fingers into her hair and tilted her head back as he touched his tongue tentatively to her lips. Lorelai's tongue met his and stroked it encouragingly as Luke pressed her hard against the door, desperate to get closer to her. He tore his mouth from hers and started to rain kisses over her face and jaw, nipping and sucking at her soft skin frantically. "Oh Luke," she whispered as she clung to his shoulders.
Luke stepped back quickly, his chest heaving and said, "I have to go."
"No!" Lorelai said urgently, grabbing his shirt in her hands.
"I can't stay here," he said desperately.
"Yes, you can," she said nodding her head enthusiastically.
"No, I can't," Luke answered, shaking his just as emphatically.
"You can't kiss me like that and then leave!" Lorelai shouted.
"I can't kiss you like that and stay!" Luke shot back.
Lorelai looked at him steadily and asked, "Why? Why can't you stay?"
"Lorelai," he groaned helplessly.
"I want you here. I came here to be with you. I mean, not be with you be with you, like in the biblical sense," she said quickly. "Although that's looking better and better all of the time," she said under her breath. "I want to just be with you," she said gesturing between the two of them. "And I'm here and you're here and I don't want you to go," she said softly.
Luke pulled his hand over his face and drew in a calming breath. "No more posing on the bed and stay at least arms length away from me," he said finally.
"Are you afraid that I have cooties?" she asked lightly as she released her hold on his shirt and smoothed it over his chest with her fingertips. Luke took her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her fingers tenderly before turning her hand over and placing his parted lips to her palm, looking up at her through his lashes. "Oh God, I want that," she whispered, lost in a trance.
"Now you know why I shouldn't stay," Luke said in that low sexy voice that made her crazy.
"If you ask me, that's damn good argument for staying," Lorelai said with a laugh. "Hey Luke, maybe if we, uh, you know, we wouldn't fight so much," she said in a hopeful tone.
Luke laughed, shaking his head at her logic and saying, "Now there's a persuasive argument for you."
"It's possible," Lorelai said with a shrug. She fingered a button on his shirt and said, "Could just be tension and frustration, you know," she said with a knowing nod.
"Oh, I know," Luke said as he once again removed her hand from his chest.
"Sorry, seems I can't stop touching you," Lorelai apologized quickly. "Bad hand," she chastised it before clasping both hands firmly behind her, unaware that her innocent pose thrust her breasts against her already tight t-shirt. Luke, however, was hyper aware as he drew a shuddering breath, trying to force his eyes back up to her face. When his eyes met hers she whispered, "Uh oh."
"Uh oh, is right," Luke said as he took a step closer to her, forcing her to take a step back. "Stand still, Lorelai," he said softly.
"Luke?" she asked as she took another step back.
"I told you to stay an arms length away," he reminded her.
"Oh, you meant right then? I thought you meant when you," she babbled, gesturing to the chair.
"I meant right then," Luke said with a nod.
"I'm not so sure what to do now," Lorelai said breathlessly as he kept advancing on her and she kept stepping back.
Luke smiled with a gleam in his eye as he said, "Sit," and gave her a gentle push down onto the bed. "Behave," he said as he skirted the end of the bed and walked back to his chair.
"Tease!" Lorelai said indignantly.
"Gentleman," he corrected as he flopped into the chair.
"I'm so glad I came here," she said with a broad smile.
"Me too," he said returning her smile.
She turned and sat cross legged on the bed, holding onto her knees. "So, I guess we should finish our discussion," she said with a grimace.
"Without the fighting," he added.
"I'm sorry I flipped out on you," she said softly.
"I'm sorry I wouldn't take your calls," he answered.
"Sookie thinks I'm nuts," Lorelai said with a grin.
"Sookie's right," he replied.
"My mother called. She put Rory on the phone," Lorelai told him, flinching a little as she said the words.
"And that didn't go well?" he asked perceptively.
Lorelai shook her head and said, "Pretty cold, very short, very forced."
"That sucks," he said gently. "When was that?" he asked.
"Oh, after I made a fool of myself with you, but before I stopped answering the phone," she answered.
"What did you do?" he asked.
"I went and got in a hot bath and then crawled into bed and passed out. Did you really send Kirk over?" she asked.
Luke shook his head and said, "I couldn't figure out how to get someone to check on you without raising a lot of questions that I didn't have the answers to. I knew you were pretty worked up about something. I figured that if I couldn't get a hold of you by morning, then I would call out the troops," he told her.
"Hell, the body could have been cold by then," she teased.
"Don't joke. I was worried sick," he said sternly.
"I know. I'm sorry I worried you," she apologized again.
Luke nodded and said, "You forget, we agreed to be friends no matter what. I'm always going to worry about you." He looked around the room uncomfortably and said, "So, when we fight, as we undoubtedly will, please just let me know you're alive, but pissed off."
"I can do that," Lorelai said with a nod. "Same goes for you," she said pointing a finger at him.
"You weren't afraid that I was hurt or something," Luke pointed out.
"True, I knew you were just mad," Lorelai said with a laugh. "I also know that you being mad can last for a really long time, and I didn't want another summer of Garfield notes and apologies falling on deaf ears," she said pointedly.
Luke smiled and said, "Yep. We both have bad tempers, short fuses, stubborn streaks a mile wide and an uncanny ability to hold a grudge. I think were gonna make a great team," he said with a broad smile and a voice dripping with sarcasm.
Lorelai beamed at him delightedly and said, "Get over here."
Luke shook his head slowly and said, "No way."
"Would you just sit over here?" she asked impatiently. "It's weird, talking with you all of the way over there," she whined.
"So sit in that chair," Luke said as he pointed to the second guest chair.
"I want to hold hands and talk sweet," she said with a pout. Luke grinned and sent her a challenging look as he placed his hand on the table palm up. "Mule," she muttered as she crawled across the bed toward him.
Luke smiled and said, "At least you didn't call me an ass." She stood up, lifted his hand from the table and laced her fingers through his, pressing her palm to his as she looked down at him. He stared up at her, for a moment unable to hide the longing in his eyes, before he smiled placidly and asked, "Happy now?"
"Almost," she answered as she took a step closer to his splayed knees.
"Lorelai," he said warningly.
"Shut up," she whispered as she nudged his knee closer to the other and straddled his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck tightly.
Luke's hands flew to her upper arms, grasping them tightly as if he were about to physically lift her from his lap. Lorelai leaned forward and whispered, "Just want to kiss you."
As he felt her breath wash over his lips he sighed and answered, "Famous last words."
Lorelai let her lips press against his lightly, feeling his soft skin under hers as she nipped at them teasingly. She loved the way he smelled like soap, sweat and the outdoors. She loved the way his stubble scraped across her skin, making her feel all girly and delicate. She loved the way he tasted, warm and sweet with just a hint of the need she knew was bubbling up inside of them both. "God, you kiss well," she whispered as she angled her head for better access to his lips.
Luke's hands skimmed up over her shoulders and down to her back. He spread his fingers, spanning her narrow frame with his hands as his thumbs rubbed gently over her ribs. "I think this is all you," he said breathlessly as she bent to kiss along his jaw to his ear. She nipped at his earlobe and then pulled it into her mouth and sucked gently on the tender flesh. "You're killing me," he whispered.
"I want you," she whispered back.
Luke grasped her head with both hands and pulled lips back to his, kissing her passionately, his tongue sweeping into her mouth and dueling with hers. Without thinking, he slid his hands down to cup her bottom and lifted as he stood and stepped to the bed, tumbling to the mattress with Lorelai pinned beneath him. Their already heated kisses caught fire as Luke pressed into her, his arousal apparent against her hip. He slid down to kiss her neck, nipping and sucking at her skin recklessly as Lorelai grappled with the tail of his flannel, trying to get her hands up under it. Luke's hand slid up her ribs, grazing the side of her breast teasingly as she hooked her leg over his and arched up into him. Her hands slid into the waistband of his jeans, yanking on the soft cotton of his t-shirt to free it so that she could get to his skin. "Out dammit," she panted softly. "What? Do you have this damn thing pinned in there?" she asked impatiently.
"No," Luke said as he lifted his head. "It's attached to my chastity belt," he said dryly. He kissed her again and said, "Lorelai, we can't do this."
"Oh yes we can," she answered as she freed his shirt and slipped her hands under it to find his warm skin.
Luke looked down at her and lifted both hands to frame her head tenderly. "We can't," he whispered again.
"We're you not kidding about the chastity belt?" she asked blankly.
Luke smiled and said, "Yes, I was kidding. But I am serious. We shouldn't," he said softly.
"Why?" she asked. "Don't you want to?"
Luke started to laugh and said, "Just a little," as he pressed against her again.
"Then why are you stopping?" she wheedled.
He smiled sadly and said, "Because this isn't real."
"This is not a dream," she told him firmly. "Do you need me to pinch you?" she asked.
"No thank you," he said with a grin. "And, the thing I wanted say at the IHOP?" he reminded her.
"Yeah?" she asked with a frown.
Luke kissed her again, molding his lips to hers and letting it draw out slow and leisurely as he massaged her tongue with hers. He smiled down at her and said, "You could get a rise out of a dead man."
Lorelai blinked and said, "That wasn't even that dirty."
"It wasn't appropriate," he replied. "Come here," he said as he rolled them onto their sides.
He looked at her through those long dark lashes and said, "This isn't who we are. Wrestling around in some strange hotel room in a town where neither of us belongs."
"I could be who we are if you'd let it," Lorelai argued. "I can't believe I have to talk you into sleeping with me," she said in frustration.
"You don't have to talk me into it at all. If you can look me in the eye and tell me that this is how you really want it to be, then fine, I'm your guy. But Lorelai, you were the one talking about the stupid bubble. You were the one who freaked out because us talking on the phone wasn't real enough for you. Is this?" he asked.
"I don't want you to leave here tonight," she said softly.
"You don't have to sleep with me to get me to stay," Luke said calmly. "I want to stay," he told her. "If you're agreeable, I don't plan on letting you out of my sight until you drive away tomorrow night," he said in a low raspy voice. "But if I stay, what's gonna happen?" he asked her.
"Nothing has to happen that doesn't feel right," she said quickly.
"Then we're agreed?" he asked. "You aren't going to jump me anymore?" he teased gently.
"I didn't promise that," Lorelai said quickly.
Luke rolled over onto his back and said, "Oh my God, the work."
Lorelai grinned and said, "But I'm worth it, don't you think?"
"I think so," Luke said as he lifted his hand to trace her cheek with the back of his knuckles. He blinked and said, "I don't have anything though. No toothbrush, no clothes," he said waving his hand.
"We can go get them," Lorelai said with a nod.
"We can," Luke said with a sigh. "Or, we could go down to that Wal-Mart down the street and I can pick some stuff up," he suggested. "That way, I don't have to go back to the freakgrounds until tomorrow," he said with a smirk.
Lorelai cocked her head and asked, "Are you using me for my mattress and shower?"
"Definitely," Luke said as he heaved himself into a sitting position. "Come on, let's shop," he said patting the bed.
"Whoo hoo! My two favorite words," Lorelai said as she wriggled off of her side of the bed.
XXXX
By the time they got back to the room, it was almost eleven. Lorelai glanced at the clock and asked, "What time do you have to get up?"
"Oh, this place is like a vacation for me. I pick up Liz and T.J. at eight, the faire doesn't open until ten each morning," he said with a laugh.
"So where are they staying?" Lorelai asked.
Luke nodded to the door and said, "A couple of blocks down. There's one of those business hotels that has kitchenettes and a weekly rate."
"So in theory, we don't have to roll out of here until five 'til eight?" Lorelai asked.
"Why? Are you already trying to figure out how to milk it?" he asked with a laugh.
"You know it, buddy," Lorelai said as she pulled a box of Mallomars from one of the bags and tore into it.
"I see you got your appetite back," Luke said dryly. "You just ate dinner not two hours ago," he pointed out.
"Dessert," Lorelai said through stuffed cheeks as she pointed a half of a Mallomar at him.
"You ate pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries and syrup, like that wasn't sweet enough?" Luke said with a snort.
"You like me sweet. I like you sour," Lorelai said with a giggle.
"I am not sour," Luke said with a frown.
"You are now," she shot back.
Luke sighed and pointed to the bathroom. "Do you want to go first or do you want me to?" he asked.
"How long do you take?" she asked.
"Well, I probably need to shower," he said as he looked down at the clothes he had been wearing all day.
"I'll go first," Lorelai said as she tossed the Mallomar box onto the nightstand and got up to pull out her travel bag.
When she had closed herself in the bathroom, Luke sat down on the edge of the bad and turned on the TV, staring at it blankly as his mind reeled with the highs and lows of the last two days. When she emerged a few minutes later, he got up quickly and snagged the handful of bags from the foot of the bed. "That was fast," he said with a nod.
Lorelai shrugged and said, "Brushed my teeth, washed my face, doesn't take a long time."
Luke narrowed his eyes at her and asked, "Are you trying to trick me into thinking you're more low maintenance than you are?"
Lorelai nodded solemnly and asked, "Did it work?"
Luke smirked and said, "Back in a few," as he disappeared into the bathroom.
Lorelai changed into her pajamas, turned down the bedspread and propped herself up against the headboard, quickly turning off the news show that Luke had on. After about fifteen minutes she yelled, "Geez, what are you a girl? What's taking so long?"
"Keep your pants on," Luke growled through the door.
Lorelai looked down at her pajamas and called back, "Oh! Was I supposed to be wearing pants?"
Luke quickly opened the door and stepped into the room in his new sweats and t-shirt. "You'd better be," he warned.
Lorelai lifted the covers to peek and said, "Oops!" When she saw the torn look on his face she laughed and said, "I have pants on. Well, shorts, really," she corrected. Luke dropped the bags on the floor by the bathroom and turned out the light behind him. He walked over to the other side of the bed and slipped under the covers, carefully keeping at least a foot between them. When he settled back, Lorelai rolled over next to him and asked, "How about your pants? Do they have a Teflon lining? Did you double knot the drawstring? Are you wearing a cup for protection?"
"Do you plan on kneeing me?" he asked with raised eyebrows.
"I'm just saying," Lorelai said with a giggle. "I want you to feel safe," she said as she reached up to touch his face. She stopped when she felt the smooth skin and said, "You shaved."
Luke shrugged and said, "I was looking pretty rough."
Lorelai took in his smooth clean face by the light of the television and said, "Now you just look pretty." She wiggled up closer to him and whispered, "Kiss me, Mr. Smooth."
Luke smiled and said, "That was the plan." He lifted up to press his lips to hers as she gently caressed his smooth cheek.
"Mmm," Lorelai hummed as she scooted over so she was laying half on top of him as they kissed. Luke's hand rubbed her back through the soft cotton of her pajama top; his breath hitching at the realization that she wore nothing underneath. His fingers slipped under the hem, seeking warm smooth skin as he deepened the kiss, holding her firmly with one hand cupped behind her head. "You taste so good," Lorelai whispered as she slid her hand under his shirt, the soft dusting of hair covering his stomach. She felt his abs tense and clench at her touch, and stroked his skin in slow sensuous circles.
Luke's breathing was labored as Lorelai ducked her head to kiss his clean smooth, neck. She bit him softly, and his eyes rolled back a little as he moaned, "Lorelai."
"No, don't stop yet," she whispered coaxingly as she worked her hand higher under his shirt resting more of her weight on his chest as she angled to get at more of him.
Luke slid his hand from her neck down to join the other circling under her top, smoothing his palms over her skin. He closed his eyes as he fought the urge to flip her over and take her right then and there. When Lorelai blazed a trail of kisses back across his jaw and to his lips, he caught hers in a bruising kiss. Pouring all of his need into her, his tongue sought hers, tangling with it roughly as he opened his mouth wider to deepen the kiss. When he felt her giving back as good as she got, he groaned and slid his hands up her sides, skimming her breasts with his thumbs. Lorelai pulled back and looked down at him with blazing blue eyes. When he opened his mouth to speak, she silenced him with a kiss, throwing her leg over him and shifting to straddle his hips. Luke moaned at the contact as she ground against him and struggled to free his mouth from her sweet torment. "Oh God, Lorelai," he panted. "You have to get off of me," he whispered urgently.
"I don't want to," she said softly, letting her head fall back a little as she moved against him.
His hands slipped around to cover her breasts and Lorelai moaned aloud, arching into his touch. Luke looked up at her, completely mesmerized and whispered, "We have to stop."
"But it feels so good," she purred, opening her eyes to look down at him boldly.
Luke slipped his hands back down to her hips, holding them firmly and stopping her tortuous movements. "You have to tell me now," he said staring into her eyes. "I want you so badly," he ground out. "You have to tell me now," he whispered. "Tell me to stop, or tell me that you know that this is for real," he commanded.
Lorelai looked down and saw the raw desire in his eyes. She swallowed thickly and said, "This is for real." When Luke nodded slightly, she said, "This is for real, but I think we still should stop."
Luke watched her eyes carefully as she made her decision and pressed his lips together as he nodded. "Okay, okay," he said softly.
"It's not that I don't want you," she said quickly.
"I know," he said with a nod.
"I really do," she said sincerely. She bit her lip and said, "Luke, when we, um, make love?" she asked hesitantly.
"Yeah?" he said encouragingly.
"I don't want it to be because were just desperate to get at each other. I want it to be because we're ready. I want you to take me home and make love to me in your bed, where we belong," she said as she tried to verbalize her thoughts.
Luke smiled, understanding her perfectly and said, "I want that too."
"So I should probably," Lorelai said softly as she glanced down their bodies pressed together and began to move off of him.
"Wait," he said, pressing his hands into her hips.
"What?" she asked confused.
"Lay down," he whispered.
"Uh, here?" she asked, looking down at him stretched out beneath her.
"Right here," he said with a smile. Lorelai shifted to unfold her legs and pressed herself down on his chest, propping her weight on her elbows as she tried to read his face. "All the way," he said as he pulled at her elbows. Lorelai draped herself over him, burying her face in his neck and he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. Lorelai pressed a soft kiss to his neck, and snuggled into his embrace. Luke smiled and said, "You're here."
"I'm here," came her muffled reply.
He ran his hand down her long hair, stroking her softly as he exhaled and said, "Thank God."
Lorelai giggled and said, "Thank Sookie too."
Luke chuckled and said, "And Liz for making me listen to your messages."
Lorelai lifted her head a little to nuzzle his ear and whispered, "I'm so happy to be here. Right here."
"I'm glad," Luke said with a sigh. "Now stop try to molest me, and get on your own side of the bed," he growled as he released her from his arms.
"Wanna sleep here," Lorelai said into his neck.
Luke laughed and said, "No way, no how, no ma'am."
"But you're comfy," Lorelai pouted as he moved to shift her to the side.
"Not really at the moment," he growled as he flipped a giggling Lorelai over onto her side of the bed. They lay staring up at the ceiling for a minute before Luke found her hand and threaded his fingers through hers, resting it on his stomach. "Hey, Luke?" Lorelai asked.
"Yeah?" he answered.
"I'm really glad you're staying over," she said with a grin.
"Me too," he said as he turned to look at her with a smile.
She turned her head and said, "Hey, Luke?"
"Yes, Lorelai," he answered with exaggerated patience.
"Do we have to keep a pillow in the middle of the bed or can we cuddle up?" she asked.
Luke shook his head and said, "We can snuggle up. In a minute." He pointed lazily to the TV and said, "Turn that thing off."
Lorelai pointed the remote at it and then lay in the dark smiling. "Hey, Luke?" she called again.
"What?" he asked, trying not to laugh.
"You still want me?" she asked.
"Oh yeah," he said with a nod.
"Just checking," she answered with a pleased smile.
"Roll over," he told her, releasing her hand.
Lorelai rolled onto her side and Luke pressed himself up behind her curving around her with his arm draped over her waist protectively. "Hey, Luke?" Lorelai asked a minute later.
"Am I going to get any sleep?" he asked.
Lorelai laughed and said, "Probably not."
"What now?" he grumped with a grin in his voice.
"I like you scruffy, too," she told him.
Luke nodded and said, "Good. I hate shaving."
They lay quietly for a moment before Lorelai said, "Hey, Luke?" with a laugh.
"Yes?" he answered.
"I wouldn't mind being in a bubble with you, as long as it didn't pop," she told him.
"Good to know," Luke said as he pulled her a little closer to him. He breathed in the scent of her shampoo and decided to beat her to the punch. "Hey, Lorelai?" he called softly.
"Yeah?" she answered.
"Shut up and go to sleep," he ordered.
She smiled broadly and said, "Okay," as she burrowed into her pillow and closed her eyes.