"I have one question," Toby said from the back-seat. "Why does she get to sit in front?
"Because I called it?" Lorelai asked.
"Yeees, and because someone, we shall not mention any names, just glare at him, had to have an extra slice of pie that led to him being late.
"Can I at least have my balls?
"Nope. We're going to get to Boston, peacefully at that.
"Who're we visiting in Boston?" Lorelai asked.
"A friend of Toby's.
"Toby has friends?
"Looks like it. How long does it take to drive to Boston?
"A couple of hours.
"Can I ask another question?" Toby asked.
"Sure.
"Why is she here in the first place? I mean, you're chasing some wild American dream that probably died in the 50s, I'm going up to see Leo about something, but her daughter goes to Yale. That's the other way.
"I just like road-trips," Lorelai said cheerfully. "Besides, I need some coffee time away from Luke, he tries to withhold the goods. I was planning on visiting a Starbucks, but then you came, and hey, they do have Starbucks in Boston too, right?
"Oh, okay. The need for coffee I get.
"Good, then maybe the sniping at each other like preschoolers can cease so that I can drive in peace and quiet to Boston?
"You sound like Leo.
"No, he sounds like a mom from one of those television shows. The next thing he's going to say is that he'll throw us out, if we don't shut up.
"Good guess, unfortunately he needs to go to Boston, ASAP, according to an old cranky man who yelled into his cell phone when I answered," Xander said. "So no dumping you along the way.
"Toby, good to see you." Leo McGarry had chosen, or rather his health and daughter had chosen for him, to retire from politics after the President's death. Mallory had been offered a teaching position in Boston, and Leo had followed her there.
"Yeah, good to see you too." Toby hugged Leo, and Xander and Lorelai were flabbergasted. Toby had other emotions than rage? And he hugged people?
"This is Alexander Harris, who volunteered to drive me around, since he had no other plans.
"Welcome to Boston, Mr Harris," Leo said. "I'm sure you're a far braver man than anyone I know, to volunteer for a suicide mission.
"I do that from time to time," Xander said. "And, it's Xander.
"That woman is Lorelai Gilmore.
"Hi," Lorelai grabbed Leo's hand. "Do you have coffee somewhere?
"Lorelai is addicted," Toby said dryly. "Should you happen to not have caffeine in the house, she'd probably require directions to the nearest Starbucks.
"I'll have to ask Mal about the coffee. It was nice to meet you, both of you.
"I noticed that he didn't say it was nice to meet you again," Xander said as soon as Leo had left the room.
"People seldom feel that way about me.
"Who is Mal?" Lorelai asked.
THE END OF THIS STORY