Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for the update. Exams are evil. Anyway, here it is, enjoy!

Surprises on a Tuesday Evening

            "Independence Inn, this is Lorelai speaking."

            Luke smiled as he heard Lorelai's voice on the other end of the phone. It had been three days since their "date type activity" and things had been just fine, better than fine, they'd been something close to perfect. "It's Luke."

            "Oh hey Luke!" Lorelai cried into the phone, a grin appeared on her face. She didn't notice Sookie and Michel standing off to the side watching her. "Can I help you?" she teased.

            He laughed. "I have a question for you actually, tonight's the town meeting, correct?"

            "I don't know, you're supposed to the punctual one."

            "That was rhetorical, and not my question."

            "Oh, next time say rhetorical before you ask a question, okay?"

            "I'll keep that in mind."

            "Anyway, question, continue."

            "So since tonight is the town meeting, I thinking you and Rory could come over together, have a sort of early dinner, and go to the meeting with me."

            "Why would Rory come?" Lorelai asked.

            "Mostly to make Jess leave us alone," Luke replied calmly.

            "I heard that!" Jess yelled from across the diner.

            Luke ignored him. "Anyway, want to?"

            "Let me check my schedule," Lorelai said seriously, and opened up one of the inn's reservation books and began loudly turning the pages.

            "You know I know that you're just flipping from some book on the desk."

            "Am not!" Lorelai pouted, slamming the book closed. "Anyway, I can go if there is ice cream afterwards."

            "There is ice cream afterwards," Luke sighed, caving before she convinced him into anything else.

            "Yay!" Lorelai cried, jumping up and down once. "Okay, we're in."

            "Really? Great," Luke cried, his voice filled with excitement. "I'll see you tonight."

            "Absolutely, tonight," Lorelai nodded and hung up the phone. She turned to leave the desk and found Michel and Sookie staring at her. "Hi?" she offered, very confused.

            "The burger man need more rooms?" Michel asked.

            "No," Lorelai sighed, trying to brush past him.

            "Why was Luke calling?" Sookie asked suspiciously.

            "He had a question," Lorelai sighed, pushing the door open to the kitchen. She ran towards the coffee maker. "Geez, are we out again?"

            Sookie sighed. "Why are you avoiding the subject?"

            Lorelai spun around. "What subject? He had a question, he called me, I answered it, big deal."

            "Luke had a question about ice cream?" Sookie said, eyeing her carefully.

            Lorelai's eyes darted around the kitchen before she spoke. "Yes."

            "Luke?"

            "You're the one who was listening in," Lorelai replied, her voice had a hint of anger in it.

            "Sweetie, we weren't exactly listening in," Sookie began, but was interrupted.

            "Oh, I was, fully," Michel nodded.

            Sookie sighed. "We, I, I just think it's a little strange that Luke called you…about ice cream."

            "Why is that so strange?" Lorelai demanded. "We're friends."

            "Yeah, I know that," Sookie nodded. "But I'm starting to-"

            "Just friends," Lorelai blurted.

            "Are you sure?"

            "What do you mean, am I sure?"

            "This is getting boring," Michel announced.

            "Go watch the desk then," Lorelai snapped.

            Michel turned to Sookie. "Call me if it gets interesting."

            "I will do that," Sookie nodded, waiting until he left before speaking. "Honey, I know that you and Luke are friends. Good friends. I'm just wondering, if maybe, you're finally noticing he likes you."

            Lorelai sighed, realizing she wasn't going to win this one. She grabbed Sookie's hand, pulling her into the back of the kitchen. "You have to promise you are not going to tell anyone this."

            "Tell anyone what?"

            "Promise!"

            "I promise."

            "No one, no one, especially no one in town."

            "Lorelai," Sookie laughed. "I promise. Now, what's this all about?"

            Lorelai rolled her eyes, and almost feeling like a child she said: "I like Luke. No, I more than like Luke. I love Luke. And, um, last Saturday, we went on a date."

            "What!" Sookie cried, her eyes widening. "That's great!"

            Lorelai nodded, slightly blushing. "Yeah, it really is."

            "How come you didn't tell me?"

            "Because," Lorelai paused, looking up. "Because I didn't want it to get around town, and have anyone know. I didn't want things to change to much. I'm so sorry. I should have told you."

            "No, no, it's okay," Sookie nodded, practically dancing. "I'm really happy for you guys."

            "Thanks."

            "You seem really happy," Sookie added. "Wow. So, are things serious?"

            "I think we're going to take it slow," Lorelai nodded.

            "Slow? You've known each other for 10 years."

            "Okay, so maybe not all that slow," Lorelai said, grinning.

            Sookie giggled. "I can't believe this. I was starting to think that you guys would never get together."

            "Geez, was it that obvious?"

            "Oh, honey, it really was," Sookie nodded. "I should have known, Luke looked much happier when I was in there this morning. Happier than when he found out you and Max weren't getting married."

            "Sookie-" Lorelai warned.

            "He gave the whole place free coffee! That's happy."

            "He did not!"

            "It was the only time that I've seen him give out free coffee," Sookie continued. "Except, to you of course."

            "I'm going back to work," Lorelai sighed, leaving the kitchen. Sookie rolled her eyes and headed towards the stove.

* * *

            Rory checked her watch as she walked into the diner. She knew that she was a little early for dinner with her mother, but she liked hanging out in the diner more than she used to. It just had a warmer feel to it. She liked watching the people in town, and she loved watching her mother and Luke. It was the happiest she had seen either of them.

            She slid into one of the seats at the counter, then she smiled realizing Jess was behind it. "Hey."

            He looked up at her. "Oh, hey."

            "May I ask why you are sitting on the floor, reading?"

            He shrugged. "I think I realized today I'm not really good at that whole 'customer service' thing," he explained.

            "I see," Rory nodded.

            "You're early."
            "I know. I didn't have much to do back at home. Got my homework done, nothing on TV."

            "You lead the exciting life."

            "I do, I'm planning on going home and sleeping after the meeting."

            "Whoa, now, don't get ahead of yourself," Jess cried.

            She laughed. "You know you could get up off the floor and sit next to me."

            "Do you want me to?"

            Rory looked down at him, feeling her cheeks get hot. "Um, I-"

            "I didn't mean it like that," Jess added. "I was just thinking of how unsanitary this floor is? People do walk on it all day…"

            "Right. And there's the whole comfort factor. You might, enjoy the chair much more."

            "That too," Jess agreed. "I think I will, sit there, in that mighty comfortable chair."

            "Go ahead, I wouldn't want you to sit on that unsanitary floor," Rory said.

            Jess stood up, and moved around the counter to where she was sitting. "Much better than the floor."

            "Hey Rory," Luke called, walking in from the upstairs.

            Rory was thankful for the distraction. "Hi Luke."

            "Is Lorelai here yet?" he asked.

            "Geez, aren't you just a little excited Uncle Luke?" Jess teased.

            Rory giggled. "No, she's not here yet." Then after a quick second, she followed up with: "I'm sure she'll come in any second."

            At that point, the bells on the door went off. But it wasn't who Luke wanted to see at that moment.

            "Luke, I have a matter to discuss with you," Taylor called, walking towards him.

            "I didn't do it," Jess blurted.

            Taylor ignored him and continued. "It has come to my attention, via a towns person, you closed early on Saturday."

            "I did," Luke nodded. "And…?"

            "What didn't you do?" Rory asked turning to look at Jess directly.

            "Luke, as a local business person you have to stay open according to the hours on your door."

            "Taylor, I own this place, I can close it whenever I want to."

            "What if someone was hungry, and they wanted to eat a burger, but you were closed?"

            "They would go to another place," Luke said. "Can we speed this up, I'm closing early."

            "Again?" Taylor yelled.

            "Yeah, I want to eat before the town meeting," Luke nodded. "Plus, I think I have to feed Jess."

            "Nice of you to think of me."

            "What didn't you do?"

            "Luke, you can not close this place whenever you want to," Taylor yelled. "It's not fair to the town."
            "Taylor, I own this place. I can close it whenever I want to," Luke sighed. "Besides, it's not as there is anyone in here right now," Luke said, indicating to the empty diner. "They're all eating, and getting ready for the meeting."

            Taylor groaned. "Don't think I won't bring this up at the meeting."

            "Good luck with that," Luke said, as Taylor began to back away.

            "And I'm going to look through the town rule book right now!" he cried, running out of the diner.

            Lorelai slipped in past him, frowning. "What was that?"

            "That was Taylor," Luke nodded.

            "It was more small town drama," Jess explained.

            "Ah," Lorelai said, needing no further explanation. "Are we going to eat soon?"

            "Just waiting for you," Rory said. "Luke you need help?"

            "Naw, I got it," Luke called.

            "They should hold the real world here," Jess blurted.

            Lorelai laughed. "That'd be great. '7 strangers locked alone in small town, see what happens when people stop being polite and start being real.'"

            "They get a citation from officer Taylor," Jess grunted.

            "What didn't you do?" Rory demanded.

            "I said, I didn't do anything," Jess grinned. "Do I lack credibility or something?"

            "No comment," Luke said, handing them glasses for drinks.

            Rory took her glass, letting the conversation around her continue. She smiled, realizing why she loved her time in the diner so much.

* * *

            Luke checked his watch. "We should get going."

            "Are we late?"

            "We will be in 6 minutes."

            "Well then we've got time," Lorelai grinned.

            "I'll go get my coat," Jess said, starting to head up the steps.

            Rory took that as a cue to leave her mother and Luke alone. "I'm gonna go rifle through his CD's. Maybe steal one," she cried, closely behind.

            Lorelai laughed. "Those two crazy kids…"

            "Total rebels," Luke nodded, standing up.  "Have to lock up."

            "Ooh, I wanna!" Lorelai yelled.

            "It's really not that exciting."

            "I'd bet it is," Lorelai nodded. "Please, please."

            Luke rolled his eyes and handed her a key. "Go close the cash register."

            "How much is in it?" she asked, smirking.

            "I'll know if you steal some," he warned as she headed behind the counter.

            "You sure you don't want to make a donation to the Lorelai Gilmore, um…cash fund?" she asked. "Hey, which way do you turn the key?"

            "Left."

            "Okay…which way is left."

            He sighed and walked over towards her. "Don't you have house keys?"

            "I think…ask Rory," Lorelai nodded. "Oh! I see it!" she yelled as he was behind her.

            He rolled his eyes and she handed him the key. "You want me to clap now?"

            "No," Lorelai snapped looking up at him. "I want a whole audience to give standing ovation, just for me," she announced. She moved closer to him. "A whole crowd."

            "For locking the register?"

            "Oh, I need a reason?" Lorelai teased.

            "I guess not," Luke said, smiling warmly at her.

            He leaned in gently, putting his hand on her cheek. She tilted her head up, kissing him gently.

* * *

            "Should we clap now?" Jess whispered from the top of the stairs.

            "No!" Rory hissed as quietly as she could. "Uh-oh, the blind are open. Do you think anyone saw them?"

            "Probably," Jess said.

            "Uh-oh," Rory repeated.

            "On the plus side," Jess began, as Luke and Lorelai continued to kiss, "Luke won't have to hear about closing the diner early at the meeting."

            Rory put her hand over her mouth to stop laughing.

            "Okay, *now* can we clap?"

            "Umm, no," Rory said, shaking her head. "Oh my gosh! What time did you say it was?" Rory yelled, loudly, and obviously.

            "I said that it was one minute to 8, the meeting is going to start!" Jess yelled, catching on.

            Luke and Lorelai pulled apart gently.

            "Well, then I guess we should-"

            "We get it!" Luke yelled. "You can come down now."

            Lorelai sighed and looked at Luke, the two couldn't help but smile.

            Rory and Jess trailed down the stairs. Rory spoke after a second. "Let's go then."

            Jess opened the door, leading them outside the diner. Rory, Lorelai, and Luke followed quickly. Luke turned and locked the door before heading off.

            Lorelai slipped her arm around his as they walked.

            "This," Jess whispered, into Rory's ear, "is going to be interesting."

            "And entertaining," Rory added.

* * *

            By the time the clock struck 8, the town meeting was a riot. No one was standing on the stage, waiting to begin the meeting. People were running around, gossip flying every direction. And nothing at all was in order.

            This came as an amusement to Jess, and a shock to Luke, Lorelai, and, Rory as they entered the mess.

            "Well, this is new," Lorelai nodded, taking a seat in the far back.

            "I know, we're on time," Rory nodded, taking the seat to her mother's left. Jess sat next to Rory, and Luke sat down on the other side of Lorelai.

            "What is going on here?" Luke sighed, sounding very clueless.

            "I have no idea," Lorelai cried, just as clueless.

            Rory looked straight ahead, trying not to laugh. Jess looked at his shoes.

            "Taylor!" Luke yelled, spotting him somewhere towards the front of the crowd.

            Taylor looked up and darted up on stage to the podium. "Everyone! Attention!" he yelled. The crowd quieted down, very little, and a few people sat down.

            "What happened?" Lorelai sighed.

            Taylor banged his gavel down, and everyone turned to look up at him. "I would now like to start the town meeting and discuss the first order of business." No one moved. "Luke!"

            "Oh geez," Luke sighed.

            "Is it true?" Taylor asked, out of nowhere.

            "What do you mean, 'is it true'?" Luke snapped, oblivious.

            "Did it really happen?"

            Luke sighed. "You're the one who came running into my diner complaining about it. Did you find the town handbook, by the way?"

            "There's nothing in the handbook on this!" Taylor yelled. "Should there be?"

            "I don't know," Luke shrugged. "I've never read it."

            "Taylor," Miss Patty said, walking over toward where he was standing. "Why don't you let me handle this?"

            "Oh geez," Luke repeated.

            "Be my guest," Taylor nodded, moving back.

            "Is it true?" Patty yelled.

            "Yes, well, that should get it done," Taylor sighed.

            "I didn't think it was that big of a deal," Luke cried.

            "Not a big deal!" Patty cried. "How could it not be?"

            "I think there's something in the air tonight," Lorelai whispered into his ear.

            "You think?" Luke asked.

            "Lorelai, dear, is it true?" Patty asked.

            "Is what true?" Lorelai frowned. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

            "They're talking about how I closed the diner early on Saturday," Luke said, looking at her.

            "We should have brought a video camera in," Rory whispered.

            "Luke, what are you talking about?" Taylor demanded.

            "Me?" Luke yelled. "You people are insane. I close the diner early and we waist five minutes talking about it."

            "Oh, not that! That's not what we're talking about."

            "I'm officially confused," Lorelai sighed.

            "I'm officially amused," Jess added.

            "We are talking about what just happened in the diner," Miss Patty explained.

            "You mean how I closed it again?" Luke asked.

            "Did you kiss or not?" Babette shouted, standing up.

            "Oh God," Luke mumbled.

            "You are so kidding me," Lorelai groaned.

            "Well?" Taylor demanded.

            "This is what you people were talking about?" Luke asked.

            "It is none of your business!" Lorelai blurted.

            "I think it is," Kirk said. "I have 20 dollars riding on it."

            "I have 15," Miss Patty added.

            "This is crazy," Lorelai sighed.

            "There was betting?" Jess hollered.

            "We've got to start coming early," Rory nodded.

            "Well?" Taylor repeated. The entire meeting turned to face them.

            "I say run," Lorelai whispered standing up.

            "No way, this is just getting exciting," Jess said, looking at them. "Wait, don't say anything, I want to put 5 bucks on this."
            "Jess!"

            "Five for me too!" Rory added.

            "Rory!"

            "Fine!" Luke snapped standing up.

            Lorelai jumped up next to them. "Now, just remember this is no one's business. And you'll be sorry you asked." She elbowed Luke and exchanged glances with him.

            "We kissed," he sighed.

            "Told you," Kirk hissed to someone in the crowd.

            "Now, are you happy?" Lorelai demanded, wanting to sit down.

            "Yes," Patty nodded, smiling.

            "Extremely," Babette added. "I was starting to think that it was never gonna happen."

            "Oh, not this again," Lorelai sighed.

            "Oh, you don't think we never noticed?" Patty asked.

            "There was nothing to-" Lorelai paused, thinking for a moment. "It was never that obvious."

            "Yes it was," Rory and Jess said together.

            "Quiet," Lorelai ordered.

            "It wasn't that obvious!" Luke said, as the townies continued to stare.

            "Yes it was," everyone recited in unison.

            "I give up," Lorelai groaned, sitting down.

            "Good plan," Luke agreed, sitting down next to her.

            "Okay, now who has my 20 dollars?" Kirk demanded.

            "I had 30!" Babette called.

            "Oh geez," Lorelai and Luke sighed together.

            "Hey Uncle Luke," Jess cried, facing him. "You were right, town meetings really can be interesting!"