Chapter Seven

Sookie now had a thousand questions for her friend. None of which she could ask as long as Luke was around. So she started to fill Lorelai in on what she had missed the last couple of hours.

"Well, while you were stuck in the stable, you two missed all the excitement."

"Guess you'll have to fill us in. Nothing too bad I hope?" Lorelai asked with trepidation.

"Just typical Stars Hollow stuff, Babette and Miss Patty refuse to get out of their bathrobes. They're making some of the men very uncomfortable, with the gapping and the Janet Jackson moments."

Lorelai looked amused but Luke understood completely.

"Taylor packed his bags and when back to town."

"Oh, no, that can't be good."

"It's Ok, really. He needed to check on the store, with the rain and all. First to check for leaks, and then to push anything that people might need for storm clean up. Always thinking about the buck, that guy. He said he'd fax us his comments...all thirty pages."

Lorelai looked at Luke and rolled her eyes.

"And Tom...well, he was worried about the heavy rain and the new roof. He was checking the bedrooms when he heard weird noises coming from Kirk and Lulu's room. When he knocked at the door, Kirk rudely told him to go away. Tom walked away and then he heard this big crashing noise. Seems Kirk and Lulu, those two tiny people, somehow broke the bed! Tom ran in, and well, the scene he described...I hope I never have to witness."

Luke and Lorelai looked at each other and started to laugh, remembering their own little Kirk scene. Now, Sookie really felt out of the loop.

"While Tom was telling us his story, Dean walked in. So Tom made him go up and deal with it."

Again a look passed between Luke and Lorelai.

"Since you are accounted for now, I think I'll go upstairs and see what Jackson is up to. He said something about taking a nap. It's no fun 'napping' alone, and it is our anniversary and all. Davey's safe with his grandparents and I have a couple hours until dinner."

"Yes, go Sookie, go. I'll take care of things. Anything else I should know?"

"One more thing, Dean brought Lindsay along. She's been sitting by the fireplace like she's got a stick up her butt. I don't know what her problem is."

"First year of marriage, can't be easy." Lorelai replied automatically.

"I don't think that's it. Dean's been running around here in a pretty good mood. I mean, we all got our chuckle from Kirk and Lulu. But Dean, well, I haven't seen him this carefree since...well, since he first met Rory."

Luke started to stand up but Lorelai gently pushed him back down. Sookie caught that movement. Lorelai noticed that Sookie had caught it. And slowly, something began to dawn on Sookie. She headed toward the door, gently shaking her head, and then she turned back.

"I almost forgot. Luke, Lane just called. She said not to worry about the diner. During the storm, they got slammed with travelers getting off the highway, but she and Rory took care of it. She said they had fun working together and now everything is back to normal.

"Thanks Sookie." Luke thought about what Sookie had said. Lindsay came with Dean so what ever had happened when he saw the cars, at least it wasn't just Dean and Rory. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad but he wasn't going to worry about it right now. And Rory and Lane were at his diner, having a good time. Hopefully it was good for Rory to be busy right now, and with a good friend.

"Well, I'll see you in a while. Lorelai, there are some fresh cookies on the counter over there."

"Yep, I already had some. Those have to be our Dragonfly Inn specialty."

"I knew you'd like them. Luke shared some of his, huh? When he found you in the stable?"

"Yep, Luke shared. He's a good 'sharer' this one." Lorelai smiled at him.

"Yeah, well, I think I go up and 'share' a little something with Jackson."

Sookie left the kitchen, muttering something about tiny people breaking beds, and they weren't the only ones....

Lorelai looked at Luke. "Poor Jackson, think he knows what he's in for?"

Luke grinned back. "Sounds like fun to me.....the breaking bed thing."

Lorelai laughed, "Can you imagine seeing Kirk and Lulu like that? Eww."

"I was kind of imagining seeing us like that. That's one competition I'd like to enter."

"LUKE!!"

"Sorry, it just sort of popped out. Hey, I'm a guy you know....not made of steel."

"I kind of noticed that. You certainly have turned into a softy lately, although you'll always be my Superman."

"Thanks. Flattery will get you everywhere."

"You're welcome, and I know." She smiled, pretending not to get his meaning.

She glanced around quickly and quickly planted a big, wet one on him. He returned the gesture, just as Dean walked in. Lorelai felt Luke's body tense.

"Hey, what..."

Then she heard Dean say "Sorry" as he turned and left.

Luke started to get up and go after him. But again Lorelai stopped him.

"Lorelai."

"No Luke. It's not your battle."

"But Rory..."

"Rory is a big girl. Let her fight this one on her own. If she needs our help, she will let us know."

Luke sat on the chair and his determined angry looked turned into an interesting smile.

"Uh, what's that about?"

"What?"

"That smile?"

Luke laughed, "You said our help"

"Yeah, I did, didn't I? Think that means anything?"

"Yep, I think it means that we just might be a couple now."

"A couple of what...forget I said that...a couple. Sounds good."

Luke looked at her. "Sounds right, and about time I might add."

"Well, I have to get to work. See 'ya around."

"Ahh, so cold."

Lorelai gave him a quick kiss, "Not so cold."

They both laughed as Lorelai headed out of the kitchen into the parlor.

Lorelai stayed busy all afternoon asking questions, answering questions, and just enjoying everything about the day. When she caught sight of Luke, she'd smile or wink or bump into something. Luke laughed, enjoying every second of flirty Lorelai. Flirty just for him and it was nice.

Sometimes thoughts of Rory crept in, but Rory had called and she seemed as well as could be expected. She'd had sex...with a married man...a married Dean. The thought lay so heavy on Lorelai's heart. But they'd have to deal with it later. Right now, Rory was with a friend, and Lorelai had to tend to her new business. And she needed some more thinking time.