Part 13

New Horizons **********************************************

I've been watching you and all you do

For quite some time

Knowing all the ins and outs of you

I should've known what was on your mind

All the world is spinning round and round

Inside my head tonight

And I will fall into the darkness

And I fear I will never see the light...

Cuz you won't let me in

All that I wanted from you

Was something you'd never do

So let me in, oh please tonight

Don't let this end tonight

I'll fall...

Through the light the darkness seems to be

So very strong

How does one alone against the world

Find the strength to carry on?

What happened to the way we used to love?

It seemed as though life had just begun

But now that love has come and gone to fade away

Like the setting sun

Cuz you won't let me in...

***************************************************

11:07 Am and 12 seconds. 13 seconds. 14. 15. 16.

Rory stared at the clock in her room, contemplating whether or not she had time to do what she wanted to.

Graduation started in 3 hours. She had to get there about half an hour early at least, so her mother was going to pick her up and take her to Chilton at about 12:45. That gave her about an hour and a half. She was already ready; she had on the new dress she and her mother had picked out for her graduation, and her hair was fixed, and her makeup on. Her mother was at the Inn, so she would never know if Rory left.

Staring at herself in the mirror, she made up her mind. She had to do it now, or she'd never work up the nerve to do it again.

She threw off her fancy, uncomfortable shoes and slipped into her regular old converse sneakers, not really caring that they looked ridiculous with her blue dress. She grabbed her house keys, a wrapped package, and ran out the door, never once letting herself stop to think for a second.

She ran all the way to Stars Hollow High... which of course wasn't really that far, but it seemed like an eternity in her mind. Finally she found herself standing in front of the front doors. And it was then that she realized she'd reached a dead end. What did she do now? Go wandering the halls, peering through doors and looking in every classroom to find him?

Just as she was about to turn back and head home, she caught a whiff of cigarette smoke. Turning to see where its origin was, she saw it wafting from behind the school. Her heart pounding, she walked around towards the back. As she'd expected, he was there; smoking a cigarette and kicking aimlessly at the gravel. He didn't even notice her until she spoke.

"Cutting class?"

He looked up at her, startled, not sure how to respond. Why was she there? She was supposed to graduate in a couple hours; she must have something better to do than stand around and talk to him.

"Trust me, no one in that class is missing me." He directed his eyes back at the ground. He knew he wasn't supposed to be treating her like he used to; he was angry with her. But he knew that if he looked at her-really looked in her eyes-he wouldn't be able to keep up his trademark tough guy attitude. She said nothing, unsure of how she was supposed to begin. After a few moments, he broke the silence, still not looking at her. "What are you doing here?"

She sighed. "I was bored."

"And you wanted me to entertain you?"

She took a few awkward steps toward him. "I just... I talked to Lane yesterday."

Jess nodded. "Really? So did I."

"She told me what happened to your jaw-I mean, she told me that Luke hit you."

"Does this town have nothing better to talk about?" he dropped his cigarette in the dirt and stomped on it.

"I felt horrible," she admitted. "I've felt pretty horrible ever since... well since-"

"Since you dumped me?"

She flinched a little at the harsh tone in his voice, but nodded slightly.

"I guess I just came here to... well to say that I'm an idiot." She sighed. "A huge idiot. A colossal jerk. I can't even believe that I really let everyone believe that it was you who hurt me, when you've never done anything but just be the perfect boyfriend; I mean, you were so supportive of every crazy decision I ever made, you put up with my insane mood swings, and you-"

"Save the speech," he said. "I was there, I remember."

She paused. "I'm sorry. I know that doesn't help much, I just... I wanted you to know that I feel so sorry, I haven't been able to think straight for days. And I don't expect you to forgive me just because I apologized. What I did-it doesn't even deserve forgiveness, and I wouldn't blame you if you decided never to speak to me again for the rest of my life... although, I really hope that won't be your decision." She took another step toward him. "But I also know that an apology isn't enough to merit forgiveness; you know, actions speak louder than words and all... so I-um... here." She handed him the wrapped package. He rolled his eyes.

"What's this?"

She smiled meekly. "The complete works of Shakespeare. It's not a big deal, I just got it about a month ago, and I was going to give it to you after you graduated. But I figured, hey, what the hell. Why not give it to you now?"

He nodded and glanced at her quickly. "Thanks, I guess."

She sighed. "Also, I wanted to let you know that I'm gonna tell everybody what really happened. It was completely unfair of me to let everyone think it was your fault, and-again, I'm a jerk for doing it. And I know it's a little late, now that Luke's already hit you and everything, but... hey better late than never, right? Plus, now you'll have a much better chance of living out the year, because my mother won't have any legitimate reason to kill you anymore." She chuckled nervously. He still didn't respond.

"You feel better about yourself now?" he asked.

She sighed. He was not about to forgive her anytime soon. "No," she said. "Not by a long shot. But this isn't about me feeling better about myself. This is about me trying to fix what I did. I'm just trying to make things right for you again. It's not about me, this is all about you." she sighed. "And I'm gonna do whatever I have to in the future to make it up to you. You just name it." She paused. "Ok, well I would stay and grovel some more, but I kind of have to go graduate from high school now, so... bye." She turned on her heel and started walking back to her house, as quickly as she could, dreading what she would have to tell Lorelai as soon as she got home.

********************************************************************
"Rory!!!" Lorelai called, closing the door behind her. "My little almost- graduate!!?? I'm home early!!"

"Kitchen!!!" she heard Rory call. She headed in, but stopped short, seeing her daughter wearing an apron over her new dress.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"I baked," Rory said.

"You baked?" She asked, skeptically. She wandered to the counter and picked up a cookie, examining the bottoms, expecting burns, but finding none. "All right, who are you and what have you done with my daughter?"

Rory sighed. "It's me, mom."

"I don't believe you, so you'll have to prove it's really you in there and not the spirit of someone crazy like Martha Stewart. Quick, who's president?"

Rory sighed. "Mom, Martha Stewart may be a little wacky upstairs, but I'm pretty sure she'd know who the president is."

"You have a point. But she wouldn't know... who shot Andy Warhol at the Factory?"

Rory rolled her eyes. "Valerie Solanis."

"Why?"

"Because she wanted to shoot somebody else, but he wasn't home, so she shot Andy instead." Rory sighed. "That's easy."

"Fine. Answer me THIS; What's my favorite ever musical movie?"

"Yellow Submarine," Rory said. "Can you please stop? We're kind of on a schedule here."

Lorelai chuckled. "Honey, WHY did you make chocolate chip cookies? And why NOW?"

"Because you always have better reactions to things when there's a good amount of sugar in your system," Rory said meekly.

Lorelai sat down slowly, her eyes suspicious. "Uh oh. I don't have a great feeling about this."

Rory sighed. "I have something to tell you mom... but you're not gonna like it, so first, have a cookie."

Lorelai took the cookie and bit into it. "Wow that's really good... you put extra sugar in this didn't you?"

Rory smiled. "And extra chocolate chips."

"I trained you well."

Rory sighed. "Ok... so I have to say this now..."

"Well considering the bombshells you dropped last week, I'd say unless you killed somebody, or ruined a pair of my shoes, it can't be worse than it already has been."

Rory took a deep breath. "I sort of... lied to you. Again."

"Oh boy," Lorelai said, preparing herself for the worst. "See, that's not a good habit to get into."

Rory nodded. "I know... but I didn't completely lie. I just sort of... let you believe something that wasn't true." Rory looked at the ground. Her mother's eyes made her nervous. "Well see... it's like this. Jess didn't actually break up with me."

"He didn't?" Lorelai asked, her eyes widening.

"Well, not so much as I broke up with him," Rory added uneasily.

Lorelai was silent. After a few moments, she reached for another cookie.

"Say something," Rory asked. "The silence makes me nervous."

"Oh boy," Lorelai repeated, taking a bite.

"Oh boy you're mad at me? Or more like an 'Oh boy, too bad I can't kill Jess anymore'?"

"More like an 'Oh boy, I don't even know what to think anymore.'" She paused. "That kind of an 'Oh Boy'."

"Are you mad at me?"

"Well... I wouldn't say mad." Lorelai paused. "I don't understand you, but I'm not really mad."

Rory sighed. "Ok. I can deal with that."

"Why?" Lorelai asked. "I thought you were happy with Jess?"

"I was," Rory responded. "Mostly..."

"So why didn't you tell me what really happened in the first place?"

"I just didn't know how to explain it," Rory said. "But now, seeing the way everyone's treating him... I know I can't just let everyone believe it was his fault. It's not fair to him."

"Damn straight it's not," Lorelai agreed. "Who've you told so far?"

"Just you," Rory said. "Well... Lane's known all along. But you were the first one on my list. I'm gonna tell Luke after graduation."

"Good plan," Lorelai agreed.

Rory sat down at the table with her mother. "I feel so stupid."

"Hey, don't feel stupid," Lorelai comforted her. "Especially not on the day that you're supposed to graduate from one of the best high schools in the country."

Rory shook her head. "He's never gonna forgive me. Not that I blame him, but I just... I feel like a monster."

"Well rest assured, cuz you obviously aren't," Lorelai said, trying to cheer her daughter up with her sense of humor. "You are far too petite, and you've got really great hair and fashion sense; plus, no offense, but you are really not good at scaring people."

Rory smiled a little. "Thanks mom."

"No problem. Now get your stuff, you gotta go graduate."

Rory stood and headed to her room. "I'll be right out."

***********************************************************

"Look look look!!!" Lorelai whispered to Lane, who was seated next to her. "They got to her row!!!"

"I know!!!" Lane gushed, squeezing Lorelai's hand. "I can see the back of her head. She looks really excited doesn't she?"

"Sure does," Lorelai agreed.

"How can you even tell?" Christopher asked, seated on the other side of Lorelai. "It's only the back of her head."

"It's a mother daughter thing. I can just tell."

Christopher chuckled and shook his head.

Lorelai leaned over and snapped to catch Kirk's attention. "Hey Kirk! Take a picture of the back of Rory's head for me, would you?"

"Well Lorelai, as a professional photographer, I should tell you that a picture of the back of her head probably would not be a good use of film, seeing as how-"

"Kirk, you're the one that insisted on being hired as my photographer," Lorelai said. "Just take the picture, and maybe I'll tip you after the ceremony."

"As you wish, Lorelai." He raised the camera to his eye and took the picture.

"Oh look!!! Only two more kids before her!" Sookie said to Jackson.

"Is she wearing good shoes Lorelai?" Emily asked. "Because I'd certainly hate for her to trip on the stairs on a day like today simply because you insisted on buying her platform shoes-"

"Mom?" Lorelai said sweetly. "I love you. But please stop it, or we'll miss it!"

Emily sighed, but couldn't help smiling. Rory was next.

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore," Headmaster Charleston said into the microphone. Lorelai, Christopher, Lane, Sookie, Jackson, Emily, Richard, and Kirk all stood to applaud as Rory walked up the stairs to the stage, received her diploma, shook Headmaster Charleston's hand, and smiled at all the people who'd come to see her.

"Wow, she looks gorgeous, doesn't she?" Lorelai said to Christopher, grinning.

"It must run in the family," Chris said, smiling at Lorelai. She smiled at him as he put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. Things may not have been patched up between them completely... but at moments like this, none of that even seemed to matter.

The moment was over all too quickly, but as Rory walked back down the stairs towards her seat, Lorelai caught her eye, and mouthed to her, "Love you!"

Rory grinned and mouthed back, "Love you, Mom."

Lorelai grinned. "OK, Chris, Lane, tell me somebody brought tissues?" She asked, rubbing her eyes. Lane pulled some out of her pocket.

"I planned ahead," she said, handing half to Lorelai, and the rest to Sookie, Emily and Kirk.

"I'm just so proud," Kirk managed to say. "I'm all choked up."

**********************************************

It's funny how

Even now

You still support me after all the things that I've done

You're so good to me

Waiting patiently

And isn't it sad that you still have to ask if I care?

I never said I was perfect

But I can take you away....

I got down on myself

Working too hard

Driving myself to death

Trying to beat out the faults in my head

What a mess I've made

Sure, we all make mistakes

But they see me so large

That they think I'm immune to the pain....

Walk on shells tonight

Can't do wrong tonight

And you can't say a word cuz I need to know

I'm praying for a miracle

But I won't hold my breath...

********************************************

"Hey Gilmore!!!" Lorelai called, the grin on her face reaching from ear to ear.

Rory turned, and ran to the crowd of people who'd come for her. She and her mother embraced each other, nearly toppling over. Seeing Lane nearby, Rory grabbed her and pulled her into the hug as well, all three of them insane with happiness, and completely giddy.

"Oh what the hell," Kirk said. "Group hug!"

He wrapped his arms around all three of them. No one else joined in... none of them were quite sure how they felt about hugging Kirk.

"You did it, babe," Lorelai said, leaning back and smiling at her daughter. "The sky's the limit now."

"Yeah," Lane agreed. "Only 4 more years of insane hard work, and then you'll be out in the world, doing more insane hard work to get a job doing even more insane hard work. Congratulations!"

Rory chuckled. "Thanks for the optimism, Lane."

"My pleasure."

Rory spotted her father, carrying her baby sister, Gigi.

"Hey you made it!" She said, hugging him, and gently playing with Gigi's tiny hand.

"Are you kidding?" he said. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. And neither would Gigi."

"I'm so sorry Sherry's sick," Rory said.

"Yeah well so was she," Chris replied. "She sent me on a crazy shopping spree to get gifts to make up for it."

"Oh no," Lorelai said. "Did she make you buy lots of green clothing?"

"What?" Chris asked confused.

"Oh didn't you know?" Lorelai said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Green's the new pink."

Chris shook his head. "She gave me a list, but I took the liberty of purchasing some things that I knew you'd like better."

"Such as?" Rory asked curiously.

"Hey, it's a surprise," he said slyly. "But let me tell you, there is a surprising amount of Clash memorabilia out there that's going to look real good showcased in your room."

Rory's eyes widened. "You didn't!!!"

"My lips are sealed." He laughed. "The presents are in the trunk of my car, I'll give them to you when we get back to Stars Hollow."

Rory kissed his cheek. "You're the best!"

"No, no, I definitely come in 2nd, at best," he said, eyeing Lorelai meaningfully.

Rory sighed. "All right. I've got to take this thing off," she said, unbuttoning her gown.

"Wait just a minute," Richard said. "Let's just get a picture of the Gilmore clan and their newest graduate first." He smiled at her, with obvious pride in her eyes.

"Of course, Grandpa," Rory said. She, Lorelai, Emily and Richard all stood together.

"All right everybody," Kirk said. "Smile."

***************************************

"I'll meet you at the car soon, Mom," Rory called, as she headed back to the crowd of students and their families and friends. Spotting Paris, she made her way through the crowd towards her.

"Hey Paris," she said, smiling.

"Rory," Paris said, keeping her cool. "Congratulations."

"You too," Rory said. "Your valedictorian speech was great."

"Really? You didn't think the Hitler quote was too unsettling? You know, what with it being Hitler and all?"

Rory smiled. "I think most people understood that it was the quote that was important, not who said it."

Paris nodded, satisfied. "Well good." She paused. "So are you going back to your little town for a graduation hoedown or something?"

"Basically," Rory said. "There won't be any barnyard animals or hay involved, but since Miss Patty and Babette and Kirk are coming, you can't rule out the possibility of square dancing." Paris snickered. "What about you?" Rory asked. "You doing anything special or celebratory?"

Paris smiled. "Yeah. Brian and I are going out to dinner with our families."

"That's great," Rory said. "I hope you have fun."

"Thank you. You too." Paris paused, awkwardly, before asking bluntly, "Rory are we friends?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Rory asked, slightly taken aback.

"Are we friends?" Paris repeated. "Ever since that fight we had over Francie, we haven't exactly been buddy-buddy all the time, but after some consideration, I realized that we do spend a considerable amount of time together, and most of it has been pleasant lately."

"That's true," Rory said. "So yeah. I guess it would be safe to consider our relationship a friendly one. As long as you don't try to stab me in a fencing match again anytime soon."

"I don't plan on it."

"Good to know."

Paris sighed. "So what now? We just part our separate ways and plan to see each other at our ten year reunion?"

Rory laughed. "No, we should keep in touch. Princeton isn't that far away from Yale. Besides, both our families will be here. You're bound to come back to Connecticut eventually, right?"

"Well I suppose that's true," Paris said. "All right. So it's a plan. We'll keep in touch."

"Yeah sure. Email me your phone number or something."

"All right. So that's settled. Good." She offered Rory her hand to shake. Rory chuckled. "What's funny?" Paris asked.

"You're kidding me right?" Rory asked. "Call me crazy, Paris, but most friends don't shake hands. At least not ones who aren't holding political offices."

"So what are you suggesting we do? Hug?"

"It wouldn't be altogether unheard of for friends to do that," Rory said.

Paris thought for a moment. "Ok. It sounds reasonable." She lifted her arms awkwardly, but Rory laughed and took the responsibility of initiating the hug.

"Well," Paris said after they pulled away. "That wasn't so bad."

"Nope," Rory agreed.

"You know, Louise is having a post graduation party at her house in a couple weeks," Paris said. "Brian and I are thinking about going. You could bring Jess if you wanted to."

"Oh," Rory said, looking at the ground. "We're actually still broken up."

"Oh," Paris said, confused. "Sorry. I guess I just assumed you worked it out, you know, since he's here and all."

Rory's heart jumped. "He what?"

"Yeah," Paris said. "He's right over there, looking at us. You didn't know he was here?"

Rory turned and saw him standing by the table of refreshments, looking incredibly uncomfortable in the fancy setting. She turned back.

"I'm sorry, Paris, I really gotta go. But, um... congratulations again, and I'll see you soon, ok?"

"Ok. Bye."

Rory turned and walked toward him, her every step feeling uneasy. Her heart was beating so rapidly, she almost thought she could hear it. Why was he there? On the optimistic side, he could have decided to forgive her. But then again... she couldn't see why he would. He still didn't exactly look happy.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, walking over to him.

"Nice to see you too," he said with a slight chuckle.

"I didn't mean to-I just-what are you doing here?"

He shrugged. "It's not like I had anything better to do today."

"But you-I mean, I don't underst-I mean..." she sighed. "I'm glad you came."

He nodded slightly, kicking a little at the grass to busy himself. "I don't really know why I came," he said under his breath. "I just... I dunno, I figured maybe-just maybe-- someday I'd forgive you, and we wouldn't be estranged anymore-I mean what the hell, we might even be friends or something. And if we were... you know, I would probably regret not coming to see you graduate, so... here I am."

Rory smiled a little. "I can't believe you came all the way out here."

He tried to play it off humbly. "It's a half an hour drive. No big deal." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little box. "Here."

"What's this?" Rory asked.

"I know you gave it back to me," he said, as she opened the box and pulled out the necklace he'd given to her on prom night. "But it's not like I have any use for it or anything. Besides, it was a gift. You should keep it."

Rory tried to hold back the tears welling in her eyes. "Thanks."

"No problem," he muttered, avoiding her eyes. "But I uh... I should tell you..." he trailed off.

"Tell me what?" Rory asked, hoping in vain that he was about to tell her she was forgiven.

He ran a hand through his hair anxiously. "I'm leaving."

Rory's heart sank. "Leaving where?"

"I'm leaving Stars Hollow," he said.

"For where?" Rory asked, her voice shaky.

"New York," he answered. "I'm gonna go see my father."

"Your father?" Rory asked, incredulous. She couldn't even grasp this onslaught of new information. "When did this happen?"

"Just in the last week or so," he said. "I didn't really wanna go at first, but... after a while I figured I might as well give it a shot, ya' know?"

Rory nodded a little, biting her lip. "Mmm hmm..." she took a deep breath. "When are you leaving?"

"Friday night after graduation," he said. He knew now how much she was hurting. She couldn't even disguise the tears running down her cheeks anymore, so he looked away. It was way too hard to see her cry.

Rory tried to dig up her last shred of strength to ask her last question; the question to which she most dreaded the answer.

"You think you'll ever come back?"

Jess sighed. "Don't know."

Rory nodded, the tears coming uncontrollably now. Not thinking, she stepped toward him and hugged him. He didn't understand at first, but after a moment, he sighed, and placed a comforting hand on her back, unsure of what else to say.

She stepped back, avoiding his eyes. "I have to go," she said. "Good luck in New York." She turned on her heel and started walking away.

"Rory," he called after her, hoping there was something he could say to make her feel even just a little better.

"Thanks for coming, Bye," she said, not even turning back. She ran into the building to find a bathroom where she could dry her tears before returning to her mother's car.

Jess wanted to follow her, but he knew he shouldn't. It was easier for both of them this way. With a sigh, he turned and headed back to the parking lot.

***************************************************

They say time will

Make all this go away

But it's time that has taken my tomorrows

And turned them into yesterdays

And once again you my friend

Are nowhere to be found

And it's so hard to do

And so easy to stay

But sometimes

Sometimes you just have to walk away...

*******************************************************

The party was fantastic. Despite her heartbreaking thoughts about the conversation she'd had with Jess earlier in the day, she managed to put her sadness on hold for a while and enjoy the time spent with her family and friends. Almost the whole town showed up to celebrate on their front lawn. Dave offered to be the DJ, and Rory of course obliged and let him, knowing him to have as good taste in music as Lane did. Kirk of course took an incessant amount of pictures, and Miss Patty danced the whole night with Babette. Sookie made an insane amount of delicious food, and Lorelai of course went crazy with decorations. There was a huge pile of graduation gifts for Rory on the porch, which she planned to open after the party. It was picture perfect. But Rory still dragged Lane inside to her room to talk.

"I don't believe this!" she said, pacing the room. "I mean that's so like him. Just run away as soon as things get not so comfortable. Coward."

Lane tried to offer some rationality. "Rory how could you expect him not to go? You were the only real friend he ever made in Stars Hollow. Now you go and break his heart, and turn Luke, as well as everyone else against him, and you expect him to stick around?"

Rory sighed. "Ok fine. I guess you're right. He doesn't have any real reason to stay." She sat next to Lane on the bed. "But I want him to stay. I'm selfish like that. So shoot me."

"You guys are barely even speaking," Lane said. "Why should he stay?"

Rory was silent.

"Rory," Lane began, "I know you're having second thoughts. But this is not the time to be your trademark self. You don't have time to think this through and make pro and con lists and check to make sure everyone's gonna be ok with your decision. He's going to leave in two days if you don't give him a reason to stay NOW."

Rory sighed. "I know. You're right. But it's easier said than done."

***********************************************************

"I come bearing Ice," Lorelai heard him say. She turned and saw Luke walking up to her with a huge bag of ice, and a wrapped present in the other hand. She smiled timidly.

"You came," she said.

"Yeah well you know... I've known Rory most of her life," he said. "I kinda feel like... you know-"

"Family?" Lorelai offered.

"Well I was gonna say a close friend," he said.

Lorelai smiled. "Well, she thinks of you as family," she said. Luke smiled a little, trying to hide how touched he was at the thought. "Here," Lorelai said, taking the ice and placing it with the other bags. "Thanks for that."

"Oh, no problem. You can never have enough ice at a party."

Lorelai nodded. "Very true." She smiled, looking at the wrapped package. "That's really thoughtful of you."

"Oh it's nothing," he said humbly. "Just... you know, a few books I thought she might like."

"She'll love them," Lorelai assured him. "So uh... long time no see, huh?"

Luke nodded. "You haven't been to the diner."

"I was furious at the boy," she said with a chuckle. "I didn't wanna start a scene."

Luke sighed. "Rory stopped by the diner after graduation-just for a minute- "

"She told me she was going to," Lorelai said. "So I'm assuming she told you- -?"

"About the break up," Luke finished for her. "Yeah, she did. I feel like a pretty big jerk for hitting the kid."

"Hey, you know what they say. Whatever doesn't kill him will just make him stronger."

"Yeah or make him hate me," Luke said.

"He'll forgive you eventually."

"Maybe, maybe not," Luke said. "He's going back to New York, so it'll probably be sooner rather than later, if at all."

Lorelai's eyes widened. "Wow. He's really leaving?"

"Yeah, on Friday. He doesn't really have much of a reason to stay, you know, since-"

"Yeah, I know," Lorelai said. "hey, Luke I'm really sorry about the other night-"

"Oh don't mention it," he said.

"No, I feel awful. I was just... really mad, and really irrational, and I was jumping to conclusions... and I just hope things with you and I can get back to normal. You know, if you don't hate me like you did last time we fought about Jess."

Luke smiled a little. "I don't hate you. so yeah, things can just get back to normal, I guess."

Lorelai smiled, gratefully. "Good." She paused. "You gonna stay for the party?"

"Well, I wasn't really planning on-"

"Oh come on," she urged him. "It'll be fun. Miss Patty says she's gonna start a conga line soon, and you don't wanna miss that, do you?"

He chuckled a little. "I guess I can stay a while, sure."

"Great!" Lorelai said, enthusiastically. "You can put the gift on the porch with the others, and help yourself to Sookie's amazing food, make yourself at home."

Luke smiled and headed to the porch, but Lorelai's voice stopped him.

"Can we still have our movie night?"

He turned back to her. "I gotta see Jess off on Friday night-"

"I know," Lorelai said. "But we could do it some other night. Minority Report will still be around next weekend, right?"

He smiled. "Sure. We'll just reschedule."

"Great," Lorelai said. "I look forward to it."

***************************************************************

A/N: see? things are sort of looking up, right? well sort of... ok guys. Only one more chapter left to write, and it's gonna have to be a long one because I have a lot of loose ends to tie up. But I promise, even if it takes a while, I SHALL NOT DISAPPOINT MY READERS!!!! So hold on, guys, I promise it'll be worth the wait. I love you guys. Don't give up hope. I won't break my happy ending promise.