--- "That's strange..." Kirk muttered, pulling on the door. Lorelai was standing on the curb, arms crossed, looking slightly (but only slightly) put out. Kirk pulled the door handle. Then pushed. Then pulled. Repeat.

"I don't think that anyone's in there, Kirk" Lorelai said.

"That's impossible!" Kirk replied, without taking his eyes from the window. "Al's is open seven days a week, except for every third Thursday of every month!"

"Well, maybe something happened to Al...?" Lorelai suggested, and pulled her coat closer to her shoulders. While she wasn't denying her slight attraction to Kirk, she didn't want the whole town to see the two on a Saturday night, standing outside of Al's Pancake World.

"No, that's impossible!" Kirk declared for the second time that evening. He pressed his face into the glass. Lorelai glanced at her watch. 7:59. "Hey!"

"Uh, yes Kirk?"

"I think I saw some movement in the back!" Kirk knocked on the window "Hello? Hello.? Is anyone in there?"

Lorelai waited patiently for a few moments. "I don't think anyone's in there Kirk." He sighed and turned away from the window.

"I'm sorry Lorelai. I-" he sniffed, "...I just...I wanted it to be per-"

"I know. But it still can be. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty hungry!" Lorelai said brightly, trying to lighten the mood. "Do you want to order a pizza or something?"

"I would love to Lorelai."

"Great!" she replied, with somewhat false enthusiasm. "My house or yours?"

"I don't think you're ready to meet my Mother" Kirk stated matter-of- factly.

"Alright, my house it is! So, what do you like on your pizza?" she asked, trying to make conversation.

"Fresh tomatoes."

"Ooh, there's this really good pepperoni one with-"

"Only fresh tomatoes" Kirk said stiffly.

"Uh...alright. We could get that cheesy crust kind, that'd probably be-"

"Lorelai, there's something I should tell you..." Kirk interrupted. "I'm allergic to cheese."

"Oh, that's okay. We could-"

"And mushrooms."

"So-"

"Most green vegetables too."

"That's-"

"And tomato sauce."

"But you wanted fresh-"

"It's the way it's made. My stomach can't stand it. I get these weird contractions, and all of a sudden I have to go the bathroom and-"

"Okay, how about we nix the pizza idea then?" Lorelai suggested quickly. Even though she hadn't heard the story yet, she didn't fancy loosing her appetite. For the next three weeks. As it was, Kirk's stomach contractions were making her feel a little queasy. "Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

"I have an idea!" Kirk said after a moment of silent pondering. "Luke's Diner."

Lorelai faltered. "Wh-what?"

"Luke's! And he'll probably give us a corner table and perhaps a candle..." as Kirk chatted on happily, Lorelai's heart sank. It was one thing going on a date with Kirk, but going on a date with Kirk at Luke's Diner was sure to be a horrific experience. Half-heartedly she grunted whenever Kirk paused, and wished she hadn't let Rory talk her into the sundress. This was going to be a long night.

Actually, it wasn't. It was eight minutes past eight.

---