A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers, you guys ROCK!

Chapter 8

No worries

~~~

"Wow!" was all Lorelai could manage a couple of days later.

"Mom you have to promise not to tell a soul!" Rory was begging.

"Not even Sookie?"

"Mom!"

Lorelai put her right hand on her heart and raised her left. "I, Lorelai Gilmore," she said recovering from the shock, "solemnly swear not to tell a living, breathing soul. To tell the truth, the whole truth and noth - "

"Okay Miss Melodrama." Rory interrupted her.

"You're spoiling my fun. No seriously I won't say anything okay."

Rory hugged her mom. "Thanks."

"So how come you're so for protecting her all of a sudden? And how come I only found out now?" She asked her in mock anger.

"It was really hard keeping it from you, I'm sorry."

"It's alright sweetie, I forgive you."

"As for your first question."

"Uh-huh." She waited.

"I will admit I wasn't very welcoming."

"'Cause you were jealous." Lorelai said by way of explanation.

She was given the evil eye. "Sorry, please continue."

"Like I was saying, I wasn't very welcoming. After listening to the album I realised there's more to it and I'm really curious about her past."

"Her past in general or her past with a certain member of this fine establishment we call Stars Hollow?"

"Um a bit of both I must confess."

"Which bit's bigger?"

"Mom."

"Come on Rory, which part?"

"The second one." She said quietly.

Lorelai looked at Rory knowingly.

"Stop it!"

"What?"

"Looking at me like that."

"Like what?" she asked innocently.

"You know. I know you know."

"Rory, dear child of mine. Have you lost your mind?"

Rory plonked herself on the couch, folding her arms.

"I'm sorry, teasing officially over."

"Promise?"

"Scout's honour."

Rory relaxed again.

"So only you, Lane and I besides Jess know about this?"

"Well actually Jess is gonna tell Luke."

"Makes sense. So in total five people know."

"Yup."

"Five people in Stars Hollow?"

Rory grinned at her.

"Amazing!" Lorelai was impressed.

"Quite an accomplishment isn't it?"

"Definitely. This is gonna be so hard," she saw the beginnings of a frown on Rory's face, "but it will be done. I solemnly swore remember."

"I remember."

"So if I'm not mistaken she's quite well known right?"

"Right."

"So if any of the other kids see her then chances are they'll know who she is and won't this whole cloak and dagger thing have been in vain? I mean you can't keep her locked in the inn forever."

Lorelai sat down next to Rory.

"Quite a conundrum."

"Granted she's quite safe at the inn what with most of the people working there not being on top of the latest trends in pop and rock culture."

"True." Rory agreed grinning.

"I mean can you imagine Michel rocking along to Linkin Park?"

"Um no." They both laughed at the image.

"So to Luke's?" Lorelai asked a while later.

"Yummy!"

She looked at Rory who started blushing.

"For the coffee Mom!"

"Sure."

"I mean it!"

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."

"Me thinks my mother is crazieth."

"The truth shall set you free!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jess get down here!"

"Geez Luke, will you keep your cap on. I'll be right there."

He made his way to the diner begrudgingly but his mood lightened when he looked into her blue eyes.

"Hi."

"Morning Jess." The Gilmore Girls chorused, both with their caffeine dose in front of them.

"So how's Othello?" he asked as he wiped the counter near her.

"In extreme conflict, torn between his ego and his heart."

"That sucks."

Rory laughed. "Very articulate, the Bard would so have loved that description."

They grinned at each other, both missing the look that passed between Luke and Lorelai.

He looked at Lorelai then back at Rory asking the silent question.

She nodded, smiling.

It eased his mind marginally that Lorelai knew. At least this way Rory wasn't lying to her mom. He knew how they hated keeping things from each other.

But now that both her and Luke knew as well, the probability was increased that Rory would find out sooner. Lorelai Gilmore was sharp; he had to give her her dues.

The breakfast crowd had thinned considerably when Lorelai looked at him, then at Rory and Luke.

Jess took this as a warning of some kind and waited.

"So, I've just had a stroke of genius."

"Oh boy." Luke muttered, echoing his thoughts.

"What is it mom?"

"Why don't we all have dinner together, say tomorrow night? We could invite Lane and Skye too."

"What?" Jess and Luke said simultaneously.

Luke put the coffee pot down, "Lorelai have you lost your mind? Do you not remember what happened the last time we had dinner at your house?" he said the last part looking pointedly at Jess, who shrugged.

"What do you think hon?" she asked looking at Rory.

She looked at Jess and he knew she was hoping for some indication as to how he felt but he couldn't give it to her, instead he shrugged again.

Rory glared at him and under other circumstances he might have enjoyed her discomfort somewhat.

She turned to her mom. "I think it'll be interesting."

Interesting? Interesting!

Talk about sugar coating! As far as he knew Skye and Rory hadn't seen or spoken to each other since Rory had found out who she really was.

It would be great if they got along but he honestly didn't know if he was ready for that. Luke looked at him questioningly.

"Whatever."

"Great! Loving the enthusiasm by the way." Lorelai said.

Jess chanced another look at Rory and saw the hurt on her face.

He sighed and breathed deeply,

"Look Lorelai I'm sorry. It just caught me by surprise. I uh never expected another dinner invitation to your home considering the last time," He looked at Luke. "I'll speak to Skye."

He caught Rory's smile out of the corner of his eye.

He loved her smile.

Lorelai looked quite pleased herself.

"Excellent."

"So what time should I tell her?"

"Six thirty?" she asked all three.

"Sure."

The Gilmore girls grabbed their coats and smiled.

"See you guys later."

"Later."

When they were gone Luke stayed where he was watching Jess.

"What?"

"That was a good thing you did."

"Yeah well thanks."

"Why'd you say yes?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean."

"You're always going at me for being so unsociable etc so why you're complaining now?"

"I'm not complaining."

"Aren't you? Anyway I thought you'd jump at the opportunity to spend more time with Lorelai."

"You mean like you would with Rory?"

"Touché."

"Are you okay with this whole thing Jess?"

"Who me? Of course - I've got no worries. No worries at all."

Yeah right!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: I need some suggestions on how the dinner should go so please HELP.