Author's Note: If you're reading this, it means I could finally log back into FF.net. Sorry updating took so long. I am not sure if anyone else could log in, but I couldn't. I don't have much to say but before you read this, go back and read Chapter 21 again, because I changed some of it. Not much else to say. Hope you enjoy this.

On with the story . . .

Chapter 22: Plans

The next day, Luke came over to help Lorelai move Lane's stuff into the spare bedroom. She showed him what needed to be done and helped him put Lane's bed together. Then, she spent the afternoon lying on the bed, watching him drag all of the other furniture in.

"If you're not going to help, would you mind at least not staring at me while I do this?" Luke asked, glowering at her. Lorelai feigned insult.

"I'm not staring at you, Captain Conceited" she said haughtily. "I am planning out where all of Lane's stuff should go." Luke shot her a dark look. She rolled her eyes and looked up at the ceiling. She was lying upside down, on the bare mattress with her feet up on the headboard.

Luke rose from where he was kneeled across the room and walked slowly toward her. She heard his footsteps and watched him, silently. His eyes were dark and there was something in them she couldn't read. Anger, maybe? No, she had seen him angry. This was something she had never seen before. It was some sort of fire, that she was sure of. It felt like ages to her, before he reached where she was. He bent over her even more slowly, and placed his hands on either side of her body. His left was wedged between her arm and her side. His wrist, barely brushing her right breast. His right hand was down next to her left hip, his fingertips touching the bare skin above her jeans. His indescribable scent found her nostrils and she felt her skin warm. He lowered his face to just inches from hers, all the while his eyes locked on hers. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, and the skin there tingled. She was afraid to move, in case it was a dream. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and husky.

"Plan this" he said. She felt his hand move away from her waist. Before she even had the time to look confused, he dropped a large garbage bag full of Lane's clothes onto Lorelai's stomach. He stood up and casually walked back over to where he had been putting a desk together. Lorelai lay on the bed for a few seconds before sitting up, begging her pulse to return to normal. She was glad Luke's back was to her as she opened the bag. Her hands were very visibly shaking as she began to sort through the clothes.

Luke was glad that Lorelai was oblivious much of the time, or else she would've noticed how flushed his cheeks were right now. He hadn't planned it when he walked over there. He had planned to hand her the bag and growl about her not helping. When he got over there and looked down at her something took over him. She was just laying there, looking up at him. Her dark curls were splayed out around her head, framing her face. If she had spoken, he probably would've woken from his trance, but she was silent. She didn't even move. Only her eyes followed him. After he got back across the room, he wondered why she hadn't moved. Why she had only looked at him that way. Her eyes seemed just deep and whirling as his had felt. Even now, across the room, his skin tingled from the brief contact.

Both worked silently for the greater part of an hour. The silence was finally broken when Lorelai left the room and returned with a camera. She snapped a picture of the room with Luke kneeling in the dead center.

"What was that for?" She knew he hated getting his picture taken.

"It's for Mrs. Kim. I'm going to send her pictures and let her know what's going on with Lane" she said as she made Lane's bed.

"They still on the outs?"

"I made Lane call her, but I think they spoke less than you and Jess used to. I just think I would want to know, if I were her." Luke didn't reply, but just watched Lorelai for a second. As childlike as Lorelai liked to act, she amazed Luke with her ability to know when to not. He could see why Rory turned out so great. Lorelai didn't mind people thinking that Rory was just great from the start, but Luke could tell that a great portion had come from Lorelai.

"So I guess the diner is running pretty smoothly, now that you have your favorite waitress back?" Lorelai said, still fluffing the pillows.

"I'm sorry about that, you know" Luke said.

"It's fine. I was only kidding. She needs the job more than I do anyway." Luke peered at her, scrutinizing her face. He wasn't so sure that Lorelai didn't need money more than Lane. He'd been running his own business for years and he had no idea how she was affording the renovations on the inn. Lorelai had turned around but she could still feel his eyes studying her.

"How's the inn coming?" he asked.

"It's good." He waited for her to continue but she didn't. That was when he knew it wasn't 'good.'

"You haven't been there much lately" he observed.

"Some of the work has been held up, so there was nothing going on to be there for" she said, avoiding his eyes.

"Why aren't they working?"

"Apparently sexual favors aren't enough these days."

"What?"

"I can't pay them right now." Her voice broke slightly and she turned away.

"Can I help?" he asked softly, walking over to her.

"No it's fine really. Just a minor setback. I'll figure something out real soon." She wiped her eyes quickly and turned around. Luke put a strong hand on her shoulder.

"Please let me help. I have the money."

"No, Luke. I can't. Sookie and I have to do this on our own." He could see in her eyes that she really meant it. She would never accept the money.

"Can I at least talk to the guys for you? Maybe I can work something out with them."

"I doubt you can think of anything I haven't already tried, but go ahead." She looked up at him and both smiled slightly.

"Ok, good. I think you can handle it from here." He gestured around the room. "I've got to run some errands. I'll see you later?"

"Of course." They smiled again and he headed for the door.

"Hey Lorelai?"

"Yeah?"

"You were kidding about the sexual favors, right?" Lorelai chuckled.

"What do you think?" He thought for a moment.

"I think so. I mean they would've at least lowered the price a little." Lorelai's mouth dropped open and Luke laughed at the sight. "Bye Lorelai."