Luke led her to the truck and opened the door for her. Lorelai stumbled a little as she got up, catching herself against the side of the truck. Luke would have laughed, but he bumped into the hood not two seconds later, so he really didn't have a leg to stand on.

When he got into the driver's seat and started the engine, Lorleai immediately started peppering him with questions.

"So, where're we going?"

"You'll see," he replied.

"C'moooon, give me a clue! You didn't even give me any hints about what to wear, so I have absolutely NO IDEA whether I'm over or underdressed!" Lorelai whined, bouncing up and down impatiently.

"Trust me— you're perfect."

She blushed and stopped bouncing on the seat. "Oh, thank you."

As Luke pulled out of the driveway, he tried not to stress over her abrupt silence. Had he come on too strong? Was it going to be awkward between them now?

Lorelai wrung her hands and gave a nervous laugh, breaking the silence. "God, I don't know why I'm so nervous!"

Luke smiled and was about to confirm his nerves as well, when she continued.

"I mean, maybe it's from hunger, that'd make sense, right? Hunger drives people to act weird, I mean, just look at basically any Dracula movie ever! Perfectly nice guy, a little on the kinky side, but good to maidens of pure heart or whatever the slogan was. But then WOAH, he'd be hungry and suddenly BAM BLAM MURDER VICTIM BLOOD EVERYWHERE."

Luke held back his laughter at her mini-rant. "Yeah, but I think that may have less to do with hunger and more to do with the whole.. drinking blood to survive."

She crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. "Same concept."

"Also, you're always hungry, so I think the Gilmores are an exception," Luke said with a smile.

"Usually not THIS much!" Lorelai squawked, "I haven't eaten in HOURS AND HOURS, LUKE! Not since Breakfast this morning! I MIGHT DIE!"

Luke snorted. "I hardly think you'll—," he stopped, and looked at her quizzically. "Did you say you haven't eaten since breakfast?"

She shrugged and looked away, embarrassed. "I was too nervous to eat."

Luke smiled and felt a twinge of some unnamed feeling in his chest. Lorelai hadn't eaten all day because of him. She was just as nervous about this as he was. Comforting, in a way.

He pulled onto the highway and let his mind drift a bit. He was on a date. With Lorelai. He had finally asked her out, and she had said yes. This was the beginning of their relationship. Wow.

"Heeey, Luke," he heard from beside him. "D'ya mind if I just ramble for a bit?"

"And that's different from what you normally do, how…?" He tried to joke. Something about Lorelai's change in tone was off-putting, though Luke did his best to ignore it.

She was quiet for a second, until Luke looked at her and nodded slightly, giving her the go-ahead.

"Okay, well, I know this is only our first date, but.. god, it feels like so much more than that. You probably don't feel the same, and that's okay, but I've wanted this for a really long time, Luke. Wanted you."

Luke's throat was closing up. He was suddenly reminded of the drive over to the hospital, almost two weeks ago. Except this time, Lorelai was fully conscious and in good health. He kept his eyes on the road, but all of his focus was on Lorelai.

"Luke, I know it's early, but.. this thing we're doing here? Me and you? I want it to work. I really.. I do."

Lorelai's voice wavered, and Luke looked over at her, worried she might cry again. But she sat up tall in her seat, head held high. She looked regal, almost queenly, as she continued to pour her heart out to him.

"I know I don't have the best track record in relationships, but.. well, I'm trying to be better, to do better. And I'm hoping that, um, this time will be different. Because there's you."

Her voice turned soft, and Luke could almost hear the smile in her words as he focused on the road ahead of him.

"You're one of my favorite people in the world, Luke. You never hesitate to help me with.. whatever. You're always there for me. And I just wanted you to know, I appreciate it. I appreciate everything. And if I'm being totally honest here…"

She took in a shaky breath.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

Luke's heart stopped. Was this a dream? It had to be a dream. Because Lorelai Gilmore had just said she loved him, and the only place that could happen was in his wildest dreams. He couldn't think. He was paralyzed.

"Luke? Luke, did you hear what I said?" Lorelai asked with concern in her voice. She rested a hand on his shoulder and the touch caused Luke to spring back to life and swerve just as a semi passed them on the road.

"JESUS CHRIST," she yelped as Luke gained control of the wheel. The semi blared its horn at them as it passed, which they kind of deserved.

"ACH SORRY SORRY SORRY," Luke gasped. He didn't know what the symptoms for a stroke were, but he was pretty sure he just had one.

Lorelai was laughing hysterically next to him. "I think," she said through the subsiding giggles, "I think this is going to be an interesting date."

Luke almost smiled at her, but he didn't look up from the road. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel, holding it firmly in place.

"I'm going to have to agree with you there," he said after a while. They sat in (mostly) silence for a few minutes, interrupted only by Lorelai's occasional smothered laugh.

"And Lorelai?"

"Yeah?" She said, reining in her grin.

"I feel the same way. Probably more than you do, actually."

Her smile returned in full force and she poked him playfully. "Oh yeah?" She teased, "wanna bet?"

Luke allowed himself a glance at her, and smiled. "I'm all in."