Author's Note: Please read/review. I don't own Gilmore Girls or this fun song...

The Reason by Hoobastank...

I'm not a perfect person

There's many things I wish I didn't do

But I continue learning

I never meant to do those things to you

And so I have to say before I go

That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

and the reason is you...

"Get the hell outta here Taylor!" Luke bellowed the following morning. He was in no mood to deal with Taylor and his grandiose plans for the town of Stars Hollow.

"Luke, be reasonable," Taylor tried to argue with him, clearly not comprehending Luke's mood.

"Taylor," Luke said tersely, "I have told you three times this morning that I refuse to put vases full of pansies on each table in here. This town flower thing is stupid and I'm not gonna be a part of it," he finished gruffly as he walked an order to another table.

"Fine, then I'll have a vegetarian omelet and while I wait we'll discuss why you're wrong," Taylor persisted.

"No," Luke said simply walking behind the counter.

"No? You can't say 'no' Luke," Taylor said preparing to take a seat.

"Don't sit down Taylor. I am refusing to serve you," Luke said coming out from behind the counter. He walked toward Taylor and put a hand on his shoulder escorting him to the door. "It is my prerogative as the owner of this establishment to refuse service and guess what? I'm refusing you," Luke said satisfied.

Taylor stood aghast for a moment and then opened the door. "Fine," he conceded for the moment. "But this is not over Luke," he added angrily making a hasty exit.

"Like hell is isn't," Luke shouted back before going back into the kitchen.

Taylor was walking away from the diner when he ran into Miss Patty who was on her way in. "I wouldn't go in there Patty," Taylor grumbled. "He is in a foul mood today."

"What happened?" Patty asked concerned.

"I simply asked Luke to help celebrate the adoption of the town flower by placing vases with pansies on each table," Taylor informed her. "It's not an unreasonable request. He is the only business in town to not proudly display the pansy. But there's no reasoning with him!" Taylor said exasperated.

"Where are you going now?" Patty asked.

"He threw me out so now I'm getting reinforcements," Taylor said exasperated as she charged down the street.

Miss Patty looked on and shook her head. Luke and Taylor would always be enemies. Taylor with his grand ideas was the antithesis of the unreceptive Luke. She chuckled to herself as she walked into the diner. Lorelai was absently doodling on a piece of Dragonfly Inn stationery when Taylor blew through the front door.

"Lorelai," he said briskly, "you need to talk some sense into that man. He is unreasonable."

Lorelai straightened up and placed her pen in front of her. "Who Taylor?" she asked confused.

"He won't listen," Taylor continued to rant. "He's moody and stubborn. He won't cooperate with anyone."

"And we're talking about?" Lorelai ventured again.

"Luke! I'm talking about your boyfriend Luke!" he said simply as if she should have known all along.

Lorelai swallowed hard. This wasn't the first time Taylor had come to her to talk some "sense" into Luke. He had always known that Lorelai's opinion carried weight with Luke. Now that they were together this would probably be the first of many requests to talk some sense into Luke. Little did Taylor know that if Lorelai could talk some sense into him she would have done it last night. Lorelai was still upset about their fight. She thought about Luke's point of view overnight and realized that he was probably just worried about her. He wasn't trying to control her at all. He just wanted a simple phone call.

"Taylor, calm down," Lorelai said. "I really don't have any influence over what Luke does."

"Oh please," Taylor sighed. "Lorelai that man will do anything you ask him too. I'm simply requesting that he include the diner in our celebration of the town flower. The festival is next week," Taylor tired to reason.

"Okay, well Taylor now probably isn't the best time for me to discuss flowers with Luke okay?" Lorelai said trying nicely to dismiss him.

"Lorelai," Taylor said firmly slapping both hands on the desk. "It is your duty as a citizen of Stars Hollow to make him listen to reason! I don't ask for much. I would simply like to see him place pansies on each table in the diner."

"Pansies?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes pansies, the town flower! Were you even awake at the last town meeting? We took a vote," Taylor replied irritably.

"Taylor I must have dozed off because there is no way we could have voted for the pansy to be the town flower," Lorelai said suppressing a smile. "We're seriously having a Pansy Festival?"

"Of course we're having a Pansy Festival," Taylor snippily replied.

"So if I remember correctly we had the choice of tulips and pansies and you're telling me that more people would rather be involved in a Pansy Festival than a Tulip Festival?" she laughed.

"What is so funny Lorelai?" Taylor finally asked.

"Nothing," she tried to stifle a giggle. "Although now I have a feeling Stars Hollow will be the safe haven for every kid who ever got beat up in high school," she laughed.

Taylor just looked at her and realized she wasn't going to help him. He was counting on her allegiance against Luke, but clearly that wouldn't happen any time soon.

"You two are just perfect for each other," he grumbled as he stormed out the front door nearly knocking Sookie over.

"Hi Taylor," Sookie called happily.

"How you're friends with her is beyond me!" was Taylor's curt reply as he continued to walk to his car. Sookie turned and gave Lorelai a raised eyebrow as she walked to the kitchen. Lorelai walked over to Sookie, grabbed a grocery bag and followed her.

"What was that about?" Sookie asked.

"I wouldn't help him brainwash Luke into liking pansies," Lorelai said simply as they entered the kitchen and starting unpacking the bags.

"Oh, speaking of Luke, I'm glad he finally found you yesterday. He was very worried when I talked to him last night. But, I think you better get over to the diner. He is in a mood today!" Sookie said unpacking.

"You were at Luke's this morning?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah, I grabbed a muffin on the way in and he was not happy. You might need to get over there and cheer him up," Sookie said playfully nudging Lorelai with her elbow.

"I don't think so sweetie. I'm pretty sure I'm the reason Hurricane Luke has blown into town," Lorelai said glumly putting milk into the refrigerator.

"What happened?" Sookie asked.

Her question prompted Lorelai to dive into the detailed story of the previous night. She told Sookie about her fight with Rory over Luke, Jason's misguided attempt to get back together, her conversation with Emily, her fight with Richard and finally her disagreement with Luke.

"Wow," was all Sookie could say after her lengthy story.

"Tell me about it," Lorelai agreed.

"Okay, so let's deal with Luke first," Sookie said. "He was really worried about you when he called me honey. I know you're Miss Independent, but if you had plans maybe you could have called him?" Sookie questioned, scared that Lorelai would not react well to Sookie defending Luke.

"We didn't have plans though," Lorelai whined. "Well we did, but no definite time was discussed."

Sookie just looked at Lorelai. "But you told him you didn't think it was important to call him," Sookie tried to reason. "Now I realize he read too much into it, but Luke took your lack of calling as you not thinking he was important. Luke is probably feeling a little scared because you're everything to him. Maybe he thinks you don't feel the same way."

"I love him Sookie. I've told him I love him," Lorelai replied.

"Yeah, but sweetie, it's scary when you think you're more into a guy than he is into you," Sookie stated.

Lorelai listened to what Sookie had just said and she realized it made perfect sense. Luke was feeling insecure about their relationship and her actions made him think that she didn't think he was important. Lorelai felt horrible that Luke didn't think she was as invested in their relationship as he was. Little did he know that she was just as scared and just as invested as he was. Lorelai had always been fiercely independent and it was going to take a little work for her to able to give up some of that freedom and control and think about Luke's feelings.

"You're right," Lorelai sighed scratching her forehead. "I was really sarcastic," she said guiltily.

"You're always sarcastic," Sookie replied.

"No, but I mean I probably made it worse because I was condescending, I mocked him and ugh, why does this have to be so hard?" Lorelai whined again.

"Aw honey, you and Luke are both passionate, stubborn people of course it'll be hard, but it'll be worth it," Sookie told her.

"Thanks a lot Sookie," Lorelai said with a furrowed brow.

"Oh shoot," Sookie said. "That wasn't what I meant. I mean I meant it but not how it sounded. I mean," Sookie sighed attempting to articulate her true thoughts. "Take me and Jackson for example. You saw how we always fought with each other before we went out. We only fought because we were both so passionate about our work."

"Luke and I don't work together," Lorelai stated.

"I know that, but you're both passionate people. Maybe this seems hard for you because Luke is a lot like you, but he's also very different."

"I guess so," Lorelai said. "So you got any thoughts about Rory going all Rosemary's baby on me about Luke?" Lorelai changed the subject.

"I don't know," Sookie said contemplating the question by cocking her head to one side. "I do think your mother might have a point about her being threatened by your relationship with Luke," Sookie offered.

"Ugh, I really think we have all been sucked into an alternate reality. My mom is giving me child-rearing advice and now I have to offer my apologies to Luke for being so defensive," Lorelai sighed.

"It'll all work out sweetie, you'll see," Sookie said giving her friend a supportive pat on the shoulder.

"Thanks Sookie," Lorelai said putting her arm around Sookie.

Lorelai hadn't tasted crow that often, mostly because she hated it. But now it looked like she was going to have to take a large forkful and go talk to Luke.

Lorelai walked into the diner just after the dinner rush. There were a few scant people spread throughout the diner, but it was mostly quiet. Lorelai had successfully avoided the diner all day, but when push came to shove she knew she needed to go talk to Luke to rectify their current situation. She was already on the outs with Rory and her father and she didn't like Luke being lumped in the group of people she was having issues with.

She pushed through the door and saw Luke concentrating on some papers in front of him. She nonchalantly walked up to the counter and sat on the stool in front of him. She had a large brown grocery bag that she placed on the counter next to her. Luke looked up.

"So, I thought you might need this," Lorelai said pushing the bag towards him.

"What is this?" he asked as he started to dig the out the contents of the bag. Lorelai quickly took her hands and crumpled the top of the bag preventing him from removing the content.

"No, don't take it out," she whispered fiercely stealing a glance to the window between Luke's and Taylor's businesses.

"Well then what am I supposed to do with it?" he asked.

"Just look inside the bag," she said.

Luke unfolded the top of the bag and peered inside. He looked at Lorelai quizzically.

"Industrial strength weed killer?" he questioned quietly.

Lorelai smiled and nodded. "I heard you're on a one man mission to prevent Taylor from turning Stars Hollow over to the pansies," she said with a gleam in her eye. "I figured this might help you. If the pansies outside Taylor's don't grow very well I have a feeling you he won't be so big on this town flower thing."

"You're an evil genius sometimes Bonnie," he said without smiling and placed the bag on by his feet behind the counter.

"Why thank you Clyde," she replied proudly. "I figured after breaking church bells, killing pansies might only add a year or two to our stay in purgatory," she said lowering her voice.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Luke replied awkwardly.

"So," Lorelai said.

"So," Luke responded.

"Luke, I don't want to fight with you," Lorelai said. "I hate fighting with you."

"I hate fighting with you too," Luke agreed.

"So let's not do it anymore," Lorelai suggested.

"Is this fight over?" Luke asked.

"Not yet, but I thought my peace offering was a good start," Lorelai admitted. After a moment of silence she added, "Luke I'm sorry I worried you yesterday, but you read way too much into it. I do think you're important. I think our relationship is important. I just wasn't thinking about things in terms of our relationship. You know I'm independent and I got defensive when it seemed like you wanted to keep tabs on me."

"I wasn't trying to keep tabs on you," Luke protested.

"I know that now," Lorelai said. "I was quick to judge."

"I'm sorry too," Luke said lowly. "I overreacted, but I was worried about you," he replied sincerely.

Lorelai reached her hand over the counter and squeezed Luke's hand. "I know, but you don't have to worry about me because I'm not planning on driving into a ditch anytime soon," she smiled. "I'm not going anywhere," she reiterated seriously. She was trying to make him understand that she was with him, good or bad, for the long haul.

"Good," he let a small grin escape his lips. "You hungry?"

"When am I not?" she responded.

"What do you want?" he asked her.

"Hmm, I think I'll have a hamburger and fries," she said.

"And for dessert?" Luke asked waiting for her to finish her order.

Lorelai looked at him with a sly grin and bit her lower lip. "Nothing right now," she said coyly.

"You always want dessert Lorelai, just tell me. It can't be worse than the fat and grease you're about to choke down," he pried.

"I'll think about it and tell you later," she evaded giving him a pointed look.

Luke, completely oblivious to what Lorelai was getting at, simply shrugged and went into the kitchen to make her burger. After sitting alone for awhile Lorelai got bored and decided she needed to make conversation. There was only one other person in the diner so she felt compelled to yell.

"Hey," Lorelai called, "how is the stove working?"

"Oh it's great," Luke yelled back. "Remind me to thank Sookie for calling in that favor," Luke said emerging from the kitchen with a plate full of food. He set it in front of Lorelai and added meaningfully, "And remind me later to thank you properly."

"I look forward to it," Lorelai replied with a sly grin before taking a large bit from her hamburger.

"So, you mentioned something about fighting with Rory yesterday, is everything okay now?" Luke asked making conversation.

"Not really," Lorelai admitted. She wanted to tell Luke all about her fight with Rory, but part of her wondered if he would be hurt to know that Rory wasn't a big fan of their relationship. Luke had been a prominent male figure in her life over the years and Lorelai didn't want Luke to think that Rory didn't like him. Lorelai knew it was the farthest thing from the truth, but she didn't know how to make Luke understand.

"Was this about Dean?" Luke asked. "Because I swear Lorelai if I need to go over there and—"

"Thank you He-Man," Lorelai smiled as she interrupted him. "But it wasn't about Dean. It was between Rory and me. She completely forgot about the inn opening and I it hurt my feelings. She's kind of in Avril Lavigne mode right now," Lorelai finished.

Luke just gave her a quizzical look. Lorelai took it to mean he didn't quite grasp her teen pop reference.

"Avril Lavigne. She's kind of this unhappy teen punk rock chick who likes to start fights with other pop princesses," Lorelai explained. "You really have to keep up Luke," she teased him.

"I'll be sure to go buy her CD tomorrow," Luke rolled his eyes. "So can I do anything?"

"No, but thanks for asking," she said smiling at him. "When does the boss man let you off work anyway?" she changed the subject.

"Well probably when that guy over there packs up," Luke said shooting a look at the man who was obviously an out-of-towner.

"Bummer," she said. "I really need to talk to the man in charge. He works you too hard," Lorelai flirted with him.

"I don't know if there is any changing his mind about my schedule," Luke flirted back.

"Really? Cause I know this girl who might be able to change his mind," Lorelai ventured flirtatiously.

"Hmm, that might just pique his interest," Luke replied. "Although this boss of mine does have very specific taste."

"Well I think I know just the girl for him," Lorelai said. "Why don't you send him over to my place after that guy leaves," she said cocking her head in the direction of the out-of-towner.

"I will be sure to do that," he grinned.

"Good," Lorelai said standing up. "So then my friend will see your boss in a little while?" "I would say that he will definitely be there. Probably around nine and he'll call if he'll be late," Luke teased her.

Lorelai wrinkled her nose up at him as she backed up into the door with her elbow. The impact was so forceful that the bell jingled above the door. Luke jerked forward from behind the counter to see if she was all right.

"Are you okay?" he asked coming to her aid.

Lorelai put up her hand. "I'm good. It's fine. I'll see you later. You'll recognize me because I'll be wearing a large ice pack on my arm," she tried to joke through the pain shooting up her arm.

She started to walk home and smiled to herself. She was happy that things with Luke were back to normal. Although she had a feeling tonight might be the night where things became less normal and more serious between them. She could feel it over the counter between them. It was electric. Sookie was right. They were both passionate people. Lorelai suddenly felt a little nervous. She hoped that her recent regression into a one-woman Carol Burnett Show wouldn't rear its ugly head tonight. After all, who knew what the night would bring?

TBC