"Pardon?" Tristan tried to look preoccupied at picking out a video so that she wouldn't notice that his face had turned red.

"Oh please! You think I don't notice when somebody's crushing on my best friend?"

"Well . . .I . . .I mean . . ."

"Relax, Pepe. I'm not going to tell her," she said pulling Fried Green Tomatoes from the shelf and turning it over to read the blurb. "So when are you going to tell her?"

"I'm not."

"Why?"

"Because I'm quite content being friends with her," Tristan explained.

"Oh, I get it." Lane came to a conclusion. "You're scared."

"Pardon?"

"You're scared," she repeated. "You're afraid that if you get together you'll become a couple.  And the fate of all couples is to either get married or amicably or non-amicably split.  And seeing that Rory cannot commit to even say, I love you, to Dean, I don't think she'd be one to jump into the marriage option.  You're afraid you're going to lose her so you'd rather remain friends than take the risk. Am I right?"

"Smart ass."

"And as a smart ass, I'm advising you with all my genius intelligence to muster up some courage and tell her how you feel.  Remember, it is better to have love and lost, than never to have loved in the first place."

She took two videos from the shelf.

"Here, pick one. Return to Oz or Grease 2?"

"I've never heard of either of them."

"Here are the pros and cons of each.  Return to Oz is one of Rory's all-time favourites, so you'l get major kudos for picking that one.  Also, she's afraid of the Wheelers so she'll more than likely take refuge in your sweater at regular intervals during the viewing.  Instant intimacy.  Cons however, are that if she watches this film she'll have a restless night with dreams of Wheelers, in which case the ramifications will become apparent at Chilton tomorrow when you especially will suffer in her wrath."

"And Grease 2?"

"The sappiest movie ever. Pros. At the end of the movie Rory will feel all lovey-dovey and your chances of winning her over, should you chose that time to reveal your feelings, should be very high."

"And cons?"

"If Lorelai's home, she'll watch it with you and sing along to all the songs, killing any romantic atmosphere that would otherwise be there."

"Lorelai's with Sookie."

"Grease 2 it is," she concluded, returning the reject to the shelf.

Rory came in as they approached the counter.

"And the choice for this evening's pleasure is?"

"Grease 2," Tristan said, holding up the video.

"Excellent choice. I approve," Rory said.

Meanwhile in the jeep on the way back from Hartford

"I'm really happy with today's purchases," Sookie stated.

"And why wouldn't you be? Potholders in the shape of pigs for five bucks? You had a great day," Lorelai duly noted.

"And I'm going to have a terrific night. Jackson's coming over," Sookie said, shyly.

"Oooo! A Jackson night."

"How about you? What are you doing tonight?" she asked her best friend.

Lorelai shrugged.

"I dunno. Taxes?"

"Sweetie, it's been ages since you had a date," Sookie said gently.

"No need to point out the obvious. Emily already has that job down pat."

"There's no one special whom you might to spend the evening with?" Sookie wheedled. "A certain burger boy?"

Lorelai swerved the car into the next lane and back.

"Whoops! Sorry," Lorelai apologised. "Must be a reflex. Every time Luke is mentioned my instincts kick in and I attempt to off myself."

"Lorelai," Sookie said in a stern voice.

"Wow, Sookie. Great Emily impersonation. I mean it."

"Why don't you ask him out? I know you like him. And I'm pretty sure he likes you."

Lorelai opened her mouth ready to refuse the claims. Then she reconsidered. A rare occurrence.

"Do you really think Luke might feel the same?"

"Hello? The guy lives to annoy you. Of course he likes you. Ask him out. Now! For tonight."

"Luke has to work tonight. He works every night. It's a sign. He's not made for dating," Lorelai said.

"Stop making excuses. I'll watch the diner tonight," Sookie offered.

"Luke would rather die than let you loose behind his sacred counter."

"So if he accepts, it proves how much he likes you," Sookie deduced. "What have you got to lose?"

"My dignity. And coffee. Great coffee, I might add.  Besides you've got your night planned with Jackson, remember?"

"Jackson can help out. He wants to see you two together more than I do. In fact I'm pretty sure he's got money riding on it."

Twenty minutes later at Luke's

"Hey Luke," Lorelai said taking a seat and awkwardly trying to act casual.

"No."

"What?"

"No," he repeated. "I know what you're going to ask and the answer is no."

"Oh." Lorelai's heart sank to her feet, through her shoes, slid across the floor, out the door and down the storm drain.  She got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Luke asked.

"Home."

"You're giving up on your coffee that fast?  I figured you had at least ten minutes in you."

Suddenly realisation dawned on Lorelai.

"Oh, of course. You were talking about coffee. You were saying no to coffee."  She let out a silent sigh of relief.

"What else would I be talking about?  What else would you be talking about? Honestly Lorelai, haven't you worked out the pattern to our conversations yet? Coffee is always first on the agenda, no matter what.  And from there the conversation digresses into further insanity as we argue the topic of the day. Ring a bell?"

"Er, speaking of today's topic . . ." Lorelai started.

"Wait a second." He walked over to the coffee pot and poured her a cup.  He set it down in front of her. "It doesn't work unless you have the coffee in front of you. Please continue."

"Would you like to go on a date?" she said quickly.  Then thinking she might have to clarify, "With me?"

Luke stood up straight and started to smooth down the cap on his head.

"I . . .er . . .I mean . . .I'd have to close down the diner for the night ."

*He's not refusing. He's actually considering!  He's even thinking of closing down the diner for me! I'm not even wearing my flippy skirt*

"That's not necessary," Lorelai said. "Sookie and Jackson offered to take care of the diner for tonight."

*She must really want this date.  She must really want me!  Holy cow! I knew that extra pot of coffee I left her last night would score me brownie points. I'm not even wearing my blue plaid*

"In that case, I would be honoured to accompany you for whatever psychosis you have planned for tonight."

"You would?" A huge grin spread across her face.  She checked herself.

*Play it cool Lorelai. Say something witty and flirty. And don't forget the hair flip thing*

"So," Lorelai flipped her hair. "Those muffins look mighty sexy today."

*Remember to think before you speak. Before, idiot!*

Luke smiled and handed her the largest double chocolate, choc-chip muffin he had in his possession.

AN: That's it for today. My hands are cramping up. Please review.  I also like emails. Hint, hint!