Disclaimer: I own nothing but a few textbooks and a pack of gum!

Author's Note: Finally, it lets me upload! I just realized that I wasn't able to accept anonymous reviews, but I figured it out and it's all taken care of! So if you want, review your little heart out! Thanks a bunch.

.

.

.

.

.

.

There he was, standing in the small frame of her back door, his intense gaze locked onto hers. His movement was ceased and Lorelai found herself drinking him in; his rugged appearance, his stance, his serious expression. Everything about the man that she had grown to adore appealed to her at that very moment.

Lorelai shook her head, jarring herself from her daze, her breath catching in her throat. "Um, what are you doing here?" She bent down to pick up the kernels that went flying when she dropped the bowl. "It's sort of late, you know, and Rory and I were just about to start our movie fest." Her motions were now more aggressive as she threw the pieces into the bowl, only to have them reflect back out.

As if on cue, Rory entered the kitchen after hearing all the commotion. "Mom, what. . ." Rory stopped speaking when she saw Luke standing there, wringing his hands looking apologetic, and somewhat helpless. "Luke, um, hey," Rory stammered, tugging on his flannel sleeve in an effort to get him fully inside the kitchen. "Listen, I'm really sorry about what I said earlier today. I was so out of line, and I want to apologize. I've been really stressed with finals coming up, and I've been working like crazy on this history project. I know it's no excuse, but I promise I will never freak out at you like I did ever again. And I also promise from now on to pay for all the coffee I buy."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Luke said quietly, nudging her with his elbow. "Anyway, it's okay. I probably deserved most of it anyway," Luke's glance was still averted to the floor where Lorelai was madly collecting the remains of the popcorn. "Ah, do you think you could. . ." Luke motioned between Lorelai and himself, stumbling over his words.

Rory took the hint and smiled gratefully. "Yeah, sure," she whispered. "Mom, I forgot that I promised Lane I'd help her study for a test so I'm just going to spend the night there. Sorry about movie night, we'll do it tomorrow, okay?"

Lorelai stood up and set the bowl down on the table, brushing off the knee's of her pajamas. "Sure sweets, be careful and call me tomorrow morning so I know that Mrs. Kim didn't force you to spend the night in the closet saying your prayers."

Rory nodded affirmatively and gave her a kiss on the cheek, and after throwing a few of her belongings into an overnight bag, she hurried out the door. "Night mom, 'Night Luke."

Luke stood uncomfortably now in the middle of the kitchen while Lorelai leaned her weight on the counter, absently picking imaginary lint off of her sweater. "So, uh, what did you want?"

"I want to talk, Lorelai."

"Well, you know I'm really busy and I'm not really in a chatty mood right now." Lorelai started shuffling a few papers that were on the counter, moving them off to the side in attempt to avoid any eye contact with him.

"That's a first," Luke remarked, trying to lighten the mood. He made his way to her and turned her around, letting his hands linger on her arms.

Lorelai remained quiet, suddenly finding the kitchen tiles very interesting. "I'm pretty tired, so. . ."

Luke sighed. 'This isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Just tell her about Nicole.' "So, I talked to Nicole last night."

Lorelai scoffed as she traced the square tile with the tip of her toe. "That's nice. Are you two planning on buying a cat together?"

"Why would we buy a cat together?" Luke asked, finally dropping his hands to his sides.

"I don't know, that's what I hear all the engaged couples are doing these days."

Luke rolled his eyes. "No, we're not buying a cat together. Actually, that's what I came here to talk to you about."

"Buying a cat?"

"Would you forget about the damn cat?" Luke shoved his hands in the pockets of his vest and sighed.

Lorelai felt her mouth tugging into a small smile. "But I like cats. I'd name mine Hershey, you know, after the chocolate company. . ."

"Of course."

". . .and he'd be brown."

"You're getting a little of topic here, Lorelai." Luke sucked in a deep breath, wondering why he didn't tell her what he was thinking as soon as he walked in the door.

"What exactly is the topic here, Luke?" She mocked.

"The fact that I broke up with Nicole because for some damn reason, I can't seem to get you off my mind!"

Lorelai chewed on her bottom lip. "Oh."

"Oh? That's all you have to say?"

"I guess so." Lorelai smiled slightly.

"Well what are you thinking?" Luke stepped a little closer, moving his hand up to brush the stray dark hairs away from her face and gently tucking them behind her ear, their faces dangerously close.

"I'm wondering why you're standing here in my kitchen and touching my face. . . instead of kissing me." Lorelai smiled lightly, running her hand over the contours of his face.

Upon feeling her breath on lips and her hand on his face, Luke couldn't hold back any longer; his hands tangled in her hair and he pulled her lips to his in a long, delicate kiss. He pulled back and after seeing her look of reassurance, he placed his hand behind her neck and brought his lips down to meet hers again. This kiss was full of urgency and hunger. Lorelai's mind was reeling as she felt his large hands pull her body closer to his, his tongue gently teasing hers. She moaned, her stomach fluttering as she eagerly returned the kiss, knocking the hat off his head and running her hands through his hair.

Luke pulled back, both of them breathless. "That was . . ."

". . . wow." Lorelai finished for him.

"Yeah. . . wow."

"Luke, you just kissed me."

"I know." He smiled, his eyes roaming her face for any sign of regret. Seeing none, he dipped his head and resumed feeding the fire that had ignited.

* * * * *

Rory and Lane sat on the hardwood floor of Lane's bedroom, going through her large collection of CD's. "ACDC?" Lane asked.

"Nah." They resumed searching. "Pearl Jam?" Rory offered.

Lane shook her head. "Ummm. . . Bjork?"

Rory shrugged. "You can never go wrong with Bjork." Lane agreed and popped the CD into her CD player, keeping the volume low. "So, tell me more about this date that you have this Saturday," Lane said, letting out a squeal. "I want to hear every detail as soon as you come home. . .I mean, the closest I've come to having a date with Dave is when I sometimes catch his glance when he's playing the guitar and I forget what I'm drumming. . ." Lane's eyes began to glaze over as she thought about her latest band rehearsal.

Rory waved her hand in front of her friends face. "Lane. . . Earth to Laaane." Lane smiled sheepishly. "Right! Your date."

Rory smiled slightly. "Well, I'm not really sure what were doing or even where were going. It will probably be something casual though. I don't know if it's going to work out, I mean. . . we are so different, Lane. I'm really scared because we have this great friendship going. I don't want to ruin it."

Lane put her arm lightly around her shoulder. "It doesn't hurt to try. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out, and you can go back to being friends. Besides Rory, if you give up the chance to go out with him again, I will be forced to kick you. . . repeatedly. The guy is a God. He's Adonis."

Rory sighed but a smile soon broke out on her face. "He is, isn't he?"

Lane laughed. "Besides, this will help you to get over Dean. I know you're break up was really hard, but Tristan is the perfect way for you to see what else is out there. You know, broaden your male horizons."

"Can we please not talk about Dean? I'm not ready, just yet."

Lane nodded, her eyes understanding. She wiggled her eyebrows mischievously and changed the subject. "So. . . are you going to kiss him?"