Stories and Second Chances

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own the Gilmore Girls. And, to be completely honest, I don't have the energy to write like they do on the show. I wish I did... At any rate, please don't sue me! I'm poor...

Rating: PG

Summary: Takes place after "Accidents and I Love Yous." (This story was formerly known as "Baby," but I realized that the title made no sense. So I changed it. Luke and Lorelai's relationship develops, and grows more serious. The Inn opens, etc. I only have the first chapter written right now, so I don't really know quite where I'm going with the story yet. There probably won't be an update for awhile, since I'm going out of town for a week starting Saturday (yay!). But hang in there for a couple of weeks, and I should have a new chapter up.

Chapter 1: The Rainforests of Mexico

Luke had barely seen Lorelai since that night a week ago, when they had finally admitted their feelings for each other. She had, of course, stopped in at the diner, demanding coffee. After all, she couldn't live without it. And they had smiled. Flirted. Just like normal. Just like they had almost every day since they had met. But it was so different now. Because now, the flirting was real. And the smiles had taken on a whole new meaning.

Their newfound relationship was still tentative—even a little awkward at times. They weren't quite sure how to act around each other. But this was something that Luke was sure could be remedied, once they started spending more time together.

If they ever got the chance to spend more time together.

Every morning at the diner, Lorelai would go into excruciating detail about her to-do list for the day. And every night—usually after ten, when the rest of the town was deserted, she would come back to the diner, looking haggard and exhausted, and rehash the day's events. She would complain about how much it cost to order flowers for the tables in the dining room, or she would describe the tiny dragonfly chocolates that had finally arrived for the pillows in the guest rooms, or she would reenact Sookie's latest accident in the kitchen. And then she would sigh deeply, telling him how tired she was.

And every night for the past week, Luke would frown and nod sympathetically, trying to be supportive, when all he wanted to do was spend time with her. It was selfish, sure. And he felt bad about it.

But they hadn't even gone on a date yet.

And it was killing him.

He had gone for years. Years without saying a thing about how he felt. And now that he had, and he knew that she felt the same way, he wanted nothing more than to see her. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. For the rest of his life. He wanted to hug her. Kiss her. Give her flowers, chocolate, presents. All those things he swore he'd never do, he wanted to do for her.

But he had waited for years, and it wouldn't kill him to wait a little while longer. He just had to keep reminding himself that that this was Lorelai's dream. This was what she had worked for since she came to Stars Hollow years ago.

Her own Inn.

And her dream was finally becoming a reality.

He was so proud of her.

Luke sighed, scrubbing the counter. It was just a little past eight at night, and the diner was silent and deserted. Luke was barely paying attention to what was going on around him, his mind occupied with thoughts of Lorelai. He had been acting like this for the past week, but he figured that the townspeople would blame his spaciness on his recent head injury, and he didn't see any point in correcting them. His car accident had been the talk of the town for days, after he had shown up at the diner sporting a large cut on his forehead, and several unsightly bruises on his forearms. But his distractedness had nothing to do with his car accident, and everything to do with his heart.

The bell above the diner door jingled, and he looked up, a smile spreading across his face.

Lorelai walked up to the counter, throwing herself down on a stool, and lowering her head onto her arms.

"Luuuuuuuuuke," she whined. "This has been the worst day ever."

"What happened?" He asked, concerned.

"The coffee machine broke." Lorelai moaned unhappily.

Luke chuckled.

"It's not funny," she said, raising her head from her arms. "I haven't had caffeine since I came in here this morning."

Luke smiled. "Maybe you're in withdrawal. You should go with it. Quit cold turkey."

Lorelai scowled at him. "You're mean."

"No," Luke smiled. "I'm healthy."

"Please?" Lorelai asked.

"No. Caffeine is bad for you."

"But the physical pain brought on by caffeine withdrawal is bad for me too!" Lorelai said, glaring at him.

"Hmmm." Luke responded, unphased by her attempt at sympathy. He turned away, busying himself with a pile of receipts.

Lorelai pouted. "Pretty please?"

Luke ignored her.

"Luke... come on. I don't have nearly enough energy to come up with creative excuses tonight. Just give me coffee."

"Nope."

Lorelai paused, narrowing her eyes. "You're evil."

Luke remained silent.

Finally, she shrugged. "Fine. Have it your way," she said, offended. "I was going to suggest we have a movie night tonight. You know. Just you and me. Alone. In the dark." Lorelai paused, letting her words sink in. "But if I can't have any coffee, I guess I'll be too tired..."

Luke paused, turning back to her.

"...and who knows how long it could be before I have another night free, with the Inn opening next week. And we're booked solid for two weeks after the opening..." Lorelai continued. "But if this whole caffeine thing is so important to you..." Lorelai sighed dramatically, again lowering her head onto her arms.

"I'll meet you at nine," Luke said, holding back a smile at the obvious attempt to get her way. And it had worked, just like it always did.

Lorelai raised her head up, her eyes coming to rest on a steaming cup of coffee, which Luke had silently placed in front of her while her face was buried in her arms.

She grinned broadly, pleased that she had gotten her way again.

Luke noticed her smile, and decided that it would be better not to admit that he had already poured the coffee for her, before she had arrived at the diner. He got a kick out of toying with her sometimes.

Lorelai pulled the cup towards her, her eyes slipping shut as she took a long sip. Luke watched her, amused.

"Mmmm...I love you..." she murmured softly.

"I love you too," Luke replied. Lorelai looked up at him.

"Oh..." she paused, pretending to be embarrassed. "I was talking to the coffee."

Luke frowned at her, not quite sure whether she was kidding or not.

"But I love you, too..." she said sweetly, flashing him a huge grin.

"Thanks," Luke replied, rolling his eyes. He tried to keep a frown on his face as Lorelai batted her eyelashes at him over the rim of her coffee cup, but it was impossible, and he couldn't hold back a brief smile.

"God, that was good," she said, setting her empty cup down on the counter in front of her.

"You're not getting any more." Luke said, anticipating her request.

"But—"

"Did you know," Luke cut her off, "that forty percent of the rainforests in Mexico have been cut down and transformed into coffee-growing fields, all to supply people like you with a caffeine high that lasts about an hour?" Lorelai rolled her eyes, and reached out for her empty cup. "You are single- handedly destroying the rainforest," Luke finished, pulling the cup away from her.

Lorelai stared at him, blinking slowly. After several seconds of silence, she smirked at him. "You're cute."

Luke frowned. He opened his mouth to respond, but Lorelai cut him off.

"Meet me in half an hour. I'll bring the movie and the junk food. You just bring yourself." Without another word, she turned and headed to the door. "Oh! I almost forgot," she said, turning back to him. "Don't forget the coffee!"

Luke raised his hand to protest, but she was gone before he could say a word. He let his hand fall to his side, and chuckled, tossing his towel on the counter in resignation. His first date with Lorelai. With a final glance around the diner, Luke switched off the lights, and locked the door behind him. He had some last-minute errands to run.

TBC...

A/N: Well, I hope you guys liked the chapter. Next will be the big first date. Hang in there until my next update. It might be awhile, but it's coming! Reviews are always appreciated!! I now have to start my minute-by- minute countdown to the season finale tonight!!