I know I sound like a broken record but thank you so much for your lovely reviews! I really do appreciate them and they really motivate me to continue so thanks! :)

Chapter 11

"Long time, no see..." Rachel smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Luke asked.

She laughed at his abruptness. "It's nice to see you too." Rachel smiled.

"Rachel..." Luke said.

"I came to see you, Luke. And that kid of yours. Where is she? It's been a while." Rachel said.

"2 and a half years." Luke said bluntly.

"I know but I'm here now. Haven't you missed me?" Rachel asked.

Luke sighed. "Come on, we can talk inside." He said.

Rachel followed him up to the apartment. She looked round. "Where is Rory?" She asked.

"At a sleepover." Luke said.

"A sleepover?" Rachel said confused. "She must only be 7 right?"

"She's with her mom."

"Wait, what?" Rachel said. "Her mom?"

"Yeah." Luke said as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Luke, you let the woman who abandoned her kid to come back in her life? What if she abandons her again?" Rachel exclaimed.

"She won't." Luke said.

"What if she does?" Rachel pressed.

"She won't." Luke repeated.

"How do you know?"

"I know."

"You really are still for of monosyllables, aren't you?" She said. "Seriously Luke, that woman put Rory up for adoption and now she wants back in. She's not pretty decisive."

"She didn't." Luke said. "It was her parents who did that. Lorelai knew nothing about it. She's been searching for Rory for 7 years."

"Oh." Rachel said.

"Sit down. I'll tell you everything. It's a long story." Luke sighed.

They sat down at the table and Luke started telling her Lorelai's story. Rachel actually started feeling sorry for her and felt bad for judging her.

"Wow." Rachel managed to say after Luke had finished. "So how's Rory doing?" She asked genuinely interested.

Luke couldn't help but smile, thinking about his daughter. "She's great. Doing really well at school, still reading lots. She's happy." He said.

"Good, I'm glad." Rachel smiled. "So..uh..can I stay here?" She asked.

Luke hesitated but didn't have a chance to answer as the door opened and Katherine came in. She stopped when she saw Rachel. "Rachel.." She said coolly.

"Hi Katherine." Rachel smiled.

"What's going on?" Katherine asked giving Luke a pointed look.

"Rachel was waiting for me when I got back from Lorelai's." Luke said.

"Ok..." Katherine said, hoping Luke was getting back with the woman who broke his heart. "How long are you staying this time?" She asked.

"Mom!" Luke said.

"What? It's a valid question." Katherine said.

"It's ok, Luke." Rachel said. "I've really missed you though. Being in different countries alone and after having lots of time to think, I just really want us to work things out. I missed you." She looked at Luke. "Can I stay?"

Luke felt his mom staring at me. "Uh...well...uh...you can stay on the couch tonight and we'll see." He said.

Katherine shook her head. "You're a fool." She said. "I'm going to go stay at Mia's. I don't want to be here when Lorelai comes tomorrow." She said before grabbing some stuff and leaving.

"What was that about?" Rachel asked Luke.

"No idea." Luke grunted although he knew exactly what it was about. He was dreading Lorelai coming and seeing Rachel in the morning but he couldn't exactly kick Rachel out on the streets when she had nowhere to go. "I'm going to call it a day. I'm tired." He said.

"Luke.." Rachel said softly, going up to him and placing her hand on his arm. "Are we ok?" She asked.

Luke felt uncomfortable being this close to her. He backed up a bit. "Yeah." He grunted. "Blankets and pillows are in the closet." He said, before heading to his bed.

The next morning, Luke was making breakfast while Rachel was laughing and had her arms around his waist, wearing one of his flannel shirts. He heard laughing coming up the stairs and suddenly the door then opened and Lorelai and Rory came bursting in.

"I bring you back one cultured daughter." Lorelai grinned. She then noticed Rachel. "Oh...sorry...I didn't know you had company." She said her smile fading, taking in her appearance.

"Hi I'm Rachel!" Rachel smiled.

Wait? THE Rachel? Lorelai thought.

"Rachel?" Rory asked staring at the woman.

Rachel smiled at Rory. "Hey Rory, you remembered me! It's great to see you again!"

Rory offered her a small smile and then went over to give her a hug.

"I'll leave you to it." Lorelai said quietly. She had heard snippets about Rachel. How she was Luke's high school sweetheart. How everyone thought they were going to get married. God how had she been that stupid? She must have been imagining it. This is the woman that everyone said Luke was in love with and now she's suddenly back. How could anyone compete with that? God am I really saying I want to compete against her? God I'm so stupid! Of course Luke doesn't like me!

"Lorelai..." Luke said. "Everything ok?"

"It's fine. Thanks for letting Rory stay over. I'll see you around." She forced a smile. She was about to leave when she felt two small arms go round her. She turned round and smiled as she saw Rory hugging her. "Bye hon. I'll see you soon. I've got to go to work."

"Bye mommy. I had fun." Rory smiled.

"Good. Me too." Lorelai smiled. She glanced at Luke before leaving. She left the apartment and was about to go down the stairs when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Lorelai, Rachel just turned up yesterday evening. It was a surprise." Luke said.

"Luke, why are you telling me this? You don't need to explain yourself to me. You can do what you like." Lorelai said. "Look I have to go to work." She said turning round and rushing down the stairs.

Luke sighed as he watched her, knowing he had messed up. He'd seen the look in Lorelai's eyes. It was disappointment and then a bit of sadness. He should have directed Rachel to the inn to stay there and then tell Lorelai that morning. He felt awful that he may have upset Lorelai. "Damn it.." He muttered.

Mia noticed how quiet Lorelai was that afternoon and wondered if it was because of a certain someone's ex returning. She had heard rumblings that Rachel came back yesterday evening. Hello magazine was more than happy to share along with a rant from Katherine who stayed with her the night before. She felt sorry for Lorelai. She knew she liked Luke and she was pretty sure Luke liked Lorelai too. She went over to her. "Lorelai, how about I get someone to cover this evening's shift and we both go to the festival tonight in the square?" Mia suggested wanting to cheer her up.

"I don't know..." Lorelai said, not really wanting to bump into Luke and Rachel.

"It'll be fun. There will be music and a bonfire and food." Mia smiled. "It can be the first one you share with Rory." She said.

Lorelai did smile at that. She had always loved the festivals held in Stars Hollow and she had wished she could go with her daughter one day. She sighed. "Yeah ok." She said.

"Good." Mia smiled. "Be ready for 7 and we'll walk over together." She said.

Lorelai nodded.

Meanwhile, over at the diner, Luke was working at the diner to keep himself busy and away from Rachel, who was upstairs in the apartment fiddling with her camera equipment. Rory had gone to school. Rachel looked up as the door opened hoping it would be Luke who she noticed had been avoiding her all day. She couldn't even get close to him. But it wasn't Luke. It was Katherine. She sighed. She wasn't really in mood for an argument. "Hi.." Rachel said.

"Hi." Katherine said.

Rachel watched as Katherine did her own thing, obviously avoiding talking to her as well. Rachel sighed. "I never meant to hurt Luke." She said quietly.

Katherine turned round when she heard her speak.

"I just want to try again. I know I messed up before but I really care about Luke. I want to make this work." Rachel said.

Katherine sighed and went to sit next to Rachel at the table. "Look, Rachel, I have nothing against you. You're a really nice person but you didn't see Luke when you left last time. He was heartbroken." She said.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly, ashamed.

"It took him a while to get over it." Katherine said. "Then he met Lorelai...She made him smile again." He said quietly.

Rachel looked up. She sighed. "He likes her, doesn't he?"

"He's too stubborn to admit it but yeah he does." Katherine said gently. "It's been 2 and a half years since you left Rachel."

"I know." Rachel said quietly. "I just thought..."

"That he'd wait for you like he'd done in the past?"

Rachel nodded. "Stupid really. Of course he's going to move on." She said.

"You have to let him." Katherine said gently. "He's never going to admit it when you're around."

Rachel looked up at Katherine. "I never meant to hurt him."

"I know." Katherine said.

"There's this assignment starting soon. I'd said no to it before because I thought I could work things out with Luke but maybe I'll give them a call." Rachel said sadly.

"Thank you." Katherine gave her a small smile. "I didn't mean to be so blunt with you but I wanted to be honest. I've seen Luke and Lorelai together these last couple of months. I've seen how they are. They could be great together. They're just too stubborn to admit it."

Rachel nodded. "No I'm glad you've been straight with me. Like you said, Luke would have never admitted it. He's too nice."

Katherine smiled. "Yeah he would. He wouldn't want to hurt your feelings."

"God he really is a great guy." Rachel said.

"I really am sorry." Katherine said.

Rachel gave her a small smile. "It's fine. I'll be gone by this evening."

Katherine placed her hand over Rachel's. "I'm going to go and help Luke. Do me a favour though?" Katherine said.

"What?" Rachel asked.

"Tell him you're leaving to him this time. Say goodbye." She said.

Rachel nodded. She watched as Katherine was about to leave. "Katherine.."

"Yeah?" Katherine turned around.

"I'm really sorry about William." Rachel said sincerely. "He was a great man. I'm sorry I couldn't make the funeral."

"Thank you." Katherine said sincerely and then left.

That evening, Luke and Rory were coming downstairs from the apartment to go to the festival when Rachel came in. "Oh hey.." Luke said.

"Hey..." Rachel said quietly going behind the counter and taking her bags from behind there.

Luke saw them. "You're leaving.." He said.

"I have to." Rachel said quietly.

Luke spotted Mia and Lorelai arrive in the square. "Rory, why don't you go ahead sweetheart? I can see your mom and Mia already there."

Rory nodded and after giving Rachel a small wave, ran across to the square. Luke watched her until she reached Lorelai and then turned back his attention to Rachel. "So what, you didn't even last a day this time.." He said.

"Luke, I have to..." She said.

"Why?" Luke asked. "I know I haven't exactly been around today but I was working..."

"It's not about that and you know it." Rachel said. "You've moved on, Luke..." She said gently.

"What? No..." Luke said.

"Luke.." Rachel said softly. "You're too of a nice guy to admit it because you don't want to hurt my feelings but I should have guessed. It's been nearly three years. You have feelings for someone else." She said. "You working today was deliberate so you wouldn't be around me because it made you too uncomfortable..."

Luke was quiet. "I'm sorry..." He said.

Rachel shook her head. "No you don't need to apologise. You've moved on." She smiled sadly. "And Lorelai seems like a great person."

Luke looked up at her. "How..?"

"So you admit it.." Rachel gave him a small smile.

Luke blushed a little. "Yeah.." He finally admitted.

"Well then don't wait too long ok?" She said.

"To do what?" Luke asked.

"To tell her." Rachel smiled. She came forward and gave him a hug. "I will always care about you Luke. But we weren't meant to be."

Luke sighed and hugged her back. "Just so you know, I did love you." He admitted.

"And I loved you." She said.

"Take care of yourself ok?" Luke said.

Rachel smiled. "I will." She said. "Bye Luke."

"Bye." Luke said quietly and watched her leave. He let out a big breath. He looked over towards the square and smiled when she saw Lorelai and Rory messing around and laughing together. He suddenly heard music start to play. Before he knew what he was doing, he walked across to the square.

"Daddy!" Rory grinned, spotting him first.

"Hey!" Luke smiled. He glanced at Lorelai who was standing there quietly. "Hey.." He said quietly.

"Hi.." Lorelai said.

"Nice bonfire.." Luke commented awkwardly.

Lorelai had to smirk at that. "Yeah it is.."

Luke looked across at her. "Look, I'm not very good at this..." He admitted.

"At what?" Lorelai asked.

"Asking someone to dance..." He said, blushing a little.

"What?" Lorelai said surprised.

"Would you like to dance?" Luke asked awkwardly.

"I don't understand..." Lorelai said. "Rachel..."

"Is gone." Luke said.

"Wait what?" Lorelai asked surprised. "Rachel's gone?"

"She left about a few minutes ago." He said.

"Why? I thought..." Lorelai said.

"Well you know what I say when you start thinking..." Luke smirked.

Lorelai looked up at Luke. "Why did she leave?"

Luke sighed. He'd noticed that his mom had joined Mia and they had taken Rory over to look at the bonfire. He looked back at her. "Because she knew I didn't have feelings for her anymore."

"You don't?" Lorelai asked quietly.

Luke shook his head. He sighed again. Why was this so hard? "Rachel and I, we're not meant to be. We both knew it. That's why she left. She knew I had feelings for someone else."

"Oh.." Lorelai said, her heart dropping. "Who?"

"You're seriously going to make me say it?" He asked.

Lorelai was confused. "What?"

"Damn it, Lorelai! It's you! I like you ok?" He exclaimed.

Lorelai couldn't help but let out a laugh. Luke sure is good at expressing his feelings. It did make her feel all warm and fuzzy hearing him say it though even if it was more of a rant. "Wow, well that wasn't how I thought someone would tell me they liked me!"

Luke suddenly had doubts. Had he got this completely wrong? Did Lorelai not even like him? "Sorry...uh...forget it..." He said backtracking. "I didn't mean to...I just thought..." He stammered.

"Luke.." Lorelai said softly.

"What?"

"Let's have that dance." Lorelai smiled, holding out her hand.

Luke smiled and took hold of her hand and led her to the dancefloor. They slowly started to waltz to the slow song while both sought comfort from the warmth of being so close to each other. Lorelai glanced up and looked Luke in the eyes and couldn't help but smile. He smiled back. They were just caught in their own little world, they didn't even notice everyone watching them smiling.

"Oh just kiss her already!" Patty shouted out.

"Yes kiss her!" Babette exclaimed.

This brought Luke and Lorelai to reality and they noticed everyone watching them with expectant eyes. "Ah geez..." Luke groaned.

Lorelai couldn't help but laugh at the embarrassment on Luke's face. She knew he was exactly fond of being the centre of attention.

"I can't do this here...infront of everyone...infront of Rory..." Luke said quietly.

Lorelai glanced over at Rory who was just grinning at them. "I think she's giving her seal of approval." She said.

Luke glanced over at Rory and then back at Lorelai.

"Just kiss her!" Patty shouted out again.

Lorelai smirked. "I don't think they're going to let us get out of this!"

Luke looked at her. "Fine, they want a kiss. Here." He said. He slowly pulled Lorelai towards her and kissed her gently but passionately. There was a moment's silence before the whole town started cheering and clapping.

Lorelai laughed.

"Crazy town..." Luke muttered.

Lorelai grinned. "Great kiss though."

Luke finally smiled. "Yeah? Good." He said.

Lorelai smiled and leaned forward and kissed him again. "Just for the record, I like you too." She smirked.

So they finally got it together! What do you think? :) I found this chapter really hard to write so I hope you liked it! Please review and let me know what you think! Thanks! :)