Christopher and Lorelai walked back to Lorelai's house. "Don't you have to go to work or something?" asked Lorelai.
"I called in sick. Under the circumstances I think they'll understand," he replied.
"Well some people around here do work, I need to do a few errands and then head over to the Dragonfly."
"Hey, I'd love to see the place, can I tag along?" asked Christopher.
"Well...." Lorelai hesitated.
"I'll give you a ride on my bike," Christopher bribed.
Lorelai giggled and ran over to the bike. "Ooh, goody!" she said as she hopped on.
First stop was Taylor's candy shop to pick up chocolates to place on the pillows at the Inn. Luke watched from inside the diner as Christopher helped Lorelai off the bike, held her by the waist as they laughed together.
DRAGONFLY
Lorelai and Christopher strode into the Dragonfly. "So here it is, you are in the Inn, you are in, you are on the ins. My dream, my life's work, all it needs is a few chocolates...."
Just then they heard a crash from the kitchen.
"...and a new set of dinnerware." Lorelai ran into the kitchen to find Sookie sprawled out on the floor surrounded by chopped bok choy and broken dishes.
"Oh Lorelai!!" Sookie exclaimed as they entered. "I was reaching for the salt and I accidentally knocked over the hot pepper which didn't have the lid on and it all fell into the hollandaise sauce and I think some went into the chocolate sauce too, and I lunged to catch it and I tripped on a box on the floor and knocked over all this bok choy..." Sookie looked lost. "Hey, what happened to you? You look like hell."
Lorelai helped Sookie up. "I thought we'd do an early Halloween celebration for the grand opening," she said sarcastically. "How's the new staff working out?"
"Oh my God, Lorelai, they're even better than the first batch!"
"Well then, Sookie, I suggest you put them to work so that our guests don't run screaming at the first taste of your Eggs Benedict."
"Problem?" asked Christopher when Lorelai returned to the lobby.
"Hollandaise sauce on fire, chocolate sauce on fire, bok choy all over the floor...nah, pretty much business as usual. Though we don't have a usual business yet, so maybe I should just say business like last time." "Lor, the place looks fantastic," said Christopher admiringly.
"And at the expense of two small fortunes, one sane mind, and more Q-tips than I could count, we'll be ready for business in a few days!" Lorelai replied, then caught sight of Michel up the stairs. "Michel, did you check on the arrangements with the linen service?" She darted up the stairs after him.
GILMORE RESIDENCE, 4PM
Lorelai and Christopher pulled up to Lorelai's house on the motorcycle and strode inside. "Hey, mind if I go grab a shower?" Christopher asked.
"No, please, go wash thyself," replied Lorelai. Christopher headed upstairs to the bathroom as Lorelai listened to her phone messages.
"Lorelai, this is your mother, I'm working on the travel arrangements for Rory and me and I just wanted to run the itinerary by her, do you think she'd be interested in Norway? Or should we stick with the standards – France, Italy, Spain. Anyway please have her call me as soon as she gets in."
Lorelai was aghast. "Rory's going to Europe? She didn't even tell me," she mumbled to herself.
The second message started playing. "Hey Lorelai, it's Luke. Sorry but I can't make dinner tonight, Cesar got sick so I have to work. Feel free to stop by if you're not busy, or else I'll catch you tomorrow. Bye."
The doorbell rang, and Lorelai went to answer it.
"Someone call about a broken washing machine?" asked Kirk.
"Hey Kirk," said Lorelai as she let him in. "Yeah, our clothes all look like something out of Flashdance."
"They're not supposed to look like that?" asked Kirk.
"No, Kirk."
"Because if you ask me, I've always preferred looser clothes on women. Leaves more to the imagination," said Kirk.
"Just fix the washer, please, Kirk."
Kirk went into the laundry room to look at the washer.
Christopher came downstairs, freshly washed and dressed. "Hey Lor, I heard that Valley Girl is playing in Hartford, remember when it was first out and we went to see it?"
"I don't remember a thing, we spent the whole time throwing popcorn at the audience, heckling their stupid hairstyles, and then making out in the back of the theater," Lorelai replied.
"You up for a repeat performance?" he asked.
Lorelai hesitated. "Um, well I was sort of supposed to...Uh, well, OK," she finally agreed.
Just then Rory walked in the door.
"Rory!" Christopher gave her a hug. "I've been here all day and I've barely seen you."
Lorelai folded her arms over her chest. "Yeah, me neither. I feel like I haven't seen you for weeks. Months even. Let's catch up. Umm, let's see, the Inn will be opening in a few days. My parents are separated. What's new with you?" Lorelai demanded, tapping her foot angrily.
"What's going on?" Christopher asked.
"Mom," Rory began, "I'm going to Europe with Grandma."
"And when did you decide this?" Lorelai asked.
"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it, I just...I just...I need to get away." Rory's eyes welled up with tears as she turned and went into her bedroom.
Lorelai followed her in and sat down on her bed next to her. "I'm sorry honey, I was just surprised," she said as she stroked Rory's hair.
"No, I didn't mean for you to find out...wait, how did you find out?"
"My mom left a message wondering about your itinerant preferences."
"I'm sorry, Mom," Rory said as she hugged Lorelai.
"No problem. Go. Have fun. Do Europe the high-class way. Get your nails done on the Champs Elysees, have afternoon tea while watching a game of Polo. Make sure you stick your pinky out when you drink. Just don't let my mom control everything. Get out by yourself once in a while, OK? So when are you leaving?"
"Sunday. I wanted to be here for the opening of the Inn," Rory replied. "So what's going on with Dad?"
"Oh, he's going back to Boston tomorrow to start looking for an apartment. But hey, do you want to come to the movies with us tonight? Valley Girl is playing!"
"OK," Rory agreed as they got up and headed back out to the kitchen, drying her eyes.
Kirk came out of the laundry room. "OK, you needed a new fan belt, your electrical system was shot and it's a wonder your plumbing wasn't leaking already." He handed a bill to Lorelai.
"Fan belt? Isn't that in a car?" interjected Christopher.
"Kirk, I could have bought a whole new washer for this amount," said Lorelai as she looked at the bill.
"You don't want a new washer," said Kirk. "The new ones aren't made nearly as well as these ones were."
"Kirk, it's only 3 years old and it's broken down at least once a year since I bought it. Besides, $200 for labor? You were only in there for ½ an hour."
"It's a minimum charge," explained Kirk. "Also covers travel expenses."
"Kirk, you only live 3 blocks away."
"Yes, but I had to bring all my tools and my truck broke down so I had to carry them all over which took 3 trips and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need chiropractic care for at least 6 months."
"I'll give you half of this, no more," offered Lorelai.
"Done," said Kirk as he headed out the door. "And call me if you have any more problems with it."
After Kirk left, Lorelai, Christopher and Rory got ready to go to the movies.
"Taking my girls out on the town," Christopher mused as the three of them piled into Lorelai's Jeep.
"Um, excuse me, but I'm driving, this is my car, aren't I the one who's doing the taking?" said Lorelai. She started the car and pulled away.
They drove into town and past Luke's. From inside, Luke watched them drive by as he wiped down the tables, alone.
LUKE'S, TUESDAY, 8AM
Lorelai and Rory walked into the diner and sat down at the only free table. Their clothes were now all a similar shade of faded pink.
"I have no idea when I'm going to find the time to go shopping for a new washer," said Lorelai. "Not to mention cleaning up the water all over the basement floor."
"So that was great to see Dad," Rory said.
"Yeah, he'll be back later you know. Monday he'll be getting a hotel so he can make it to work in Boston, but I told him he could stay with us until then. Hopefully he'll find an apartment on the quick," said Lorelai. "Hey, hang on for a second," she said as she got up and walked over to Luke."
"Hey," she said to him.
"Hey," he replied, avoiding her gaze.
"Everything OK last night?"
"Yeah."
"So you want to try again with the dinner invite?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah, sure," Luke said, "but I know you're busy right now with the Inn, and having a houseguest and all..."
"It's OK. Next week--"Lorelai interjected.
"And I know it's kind of a crisis for you guys..."
Lorelai looked puzzled. "But I thought..."
"I'll give you a call, OK?" Luke strode off as Taylor entered the diner. "Taylor, I told you I am not selling those tickets here, end of story."
"How about just putting a sign in the window? I'll sell them in the candy store, you can send them over to me."
"No, Taylor!" Luke growled.
Lorelai sat down abruptly next to Rory, her face downcast and puzzled. "I think I just got dumped," she said.
"What?" asked Rory.
"Luke. He just totally pulled a Julia Roberts on me. What the hell?" Lorelai watched Luke work as he carefully avoided looking at her, until finally he came over to take their order.
"Your usual?" he asked, looking down at his notepad.
"Actually I'll just have a bagel," Rory said. "And some orange juice."
Luke looked at Lorelai impatiently. "Uh, yeah, sure, the usual will be, uh fine," she stammered.
Luke strode back into the kitchen, and moments later a huge CRASH was heard emanating from the rear. Lorelai and Rory looked at each other.
"Well, hurry up! Go see what's going on back there!" Lorelai whispered to Rory.
"If you're so curious, you go," Rory retorted.
"But...but...I can't do it, not now, not with this weirdness between us," whispered Lorelai.
Rory sighed, got up and went over to the counter. "Everything OK back there, Luke?" she asked, peering into the kitchen.
She caught Luke shaking his fist in pain. He hid it quickly behind his back, and grunted a "fine!" back to Rory, then disappeared back into the stockroom.
SATURDAY, 7PM, GILMORE RESIDENCE
Christopher knocked on the door, pizzas in hand.
"You'd better be bringing food with you!" shouted Lorelai from inside. Christopher opened the door and entered.
Rory ran over to him to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Hi Dad, how'd the apartment hunting go?"
"I found a place!" he replied. "It's available in 2 weeks, it's got tons of space and it's around the corner from my old place so I can see Gigi every day."
"Sounds great, Chris. So did you see Sherry?"
"Yeah, briefly. She's being very civil about this, very professional."
"I can see that about her," said Rory.
"So you need any help moving?" asked Lorelai.
"Well, yes, as a matter of fact. Know where I could find some?"
"No idea. 888-MAN-HUNK, maybe?" Lorelai went into the kitchen to get some plates for the pizza, leaving Christopher and Rory in the living room chatting. She paused, thoughtful, went over to the phone, picked it up and started to dial, but quickly changed her mind and hung up. Just then the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Lorelai, this is your mother. Did you get a chance to ask Rory about where she wants to visit while we're in Europe?"
"Oh sorry Mom, no. Christopher is here and things have been a little crazy between him and the Inn."
"Christopher is there?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Why is Christopher there?"
"Sherry kicked him out, Mom. He needed a place to stay."
"I see."
"You see? What do you see, Mom?"
"Nothing. It's just that he gets himself kicked out of his ridiculous marriage to that woman, and the first person he runs to is you."
"Don't read anything into this, Mom. Have you told Dad that you're going to Europe?"
"Yes, I have."
"What did he say?"
"Lorelai, I'm a grown woman, I can go to Europe if I want to and I don't need your father's permission."
"I was just wondering how he took the news."
"He took it just fine. I need to go, Lorelai."
"I'll have Rory call you back after we're done eating, Mom. Bye." Lorelai hung up the phone and went back into the living room with the plates.
"Movie time!" she announced.
10PM, still Gilmore residence
"How is it possible that we've watched this movie at least 100 times and it never gets old?" Lorelai asked Rory.
"Alfred Hitchcock is multi-faceted, Mom. There's always something new to discover."
"No, I really think it's Cary Grant's ass."
"That too," Rory agreed as she stood up to stretch. "Did you know his real name was Archie Leech?"
"Ewww, ewww! I will never look at that ass in the same way again!" said Lorelai.
"Well I think I'm going to go start packing. Grandma already gave me a list the length of the Koran and I think she's just getting started." Rory headed off to her room, leaving Lorelai and Christopher alone in the living room.
"Up for a walk?" offered Christopher.
"Make that a ride on your bike and you're on," replied Lorelai.
They rode out of Stars Hollow on an old back road that was unlit and virtually abandoned at that hour. They came upon a bridge over a river, stopped, got off and admired the scene in the moonlight.
"God, I haven't been here in ages. I don't think I've ever been here at night. Wow," mused Lorelai. "Hey Chris?"
"Yes Lorelai."
"Don't you have any friends up in Boston?"
"Yes."
"Why aren't you staying with them instead of driving 3 hours to stay here?"
"None of them have any room for me, especially for 3 weeks time. Remember, I'm staying in a hotel this week. Besides I wanted to see you," Christopher walked over to stand facing Lorelai. "But since we're being blunt, what's the deal with Luke?"
"What?" asked Lorelai, looking uncomfortable.
"Luke. The diner guy. He was at your house when I showed up the other night, remember? Yet you have been very careful to leave him out of every story, anecdote, or gossip about the town."
"There is no deal with Luke," said Lorelai. "I thought we were going to...but... But I am happy to see you."
Lorelai turned to face him.
"Good," he said as he took her in his arms and kissed her.
"Wow," said Christopher.
"Hey, I remember that," said Lorelai.
"I've missed you so much," said Christopher. "I hated how things ended with us before."
"Was no picnic for me either."
"So how does this feel? You ready to have another go?"
"Oh Chris, I don't know. Let's just take it a step at a time, OK?"
"OK," he said as he kissed her again.
"I called in sick. Under the circumstances I think they'll understand," he replied.
"Well some people around here do work, I need to do a few errands and then head over to the Dragonfly."
"Hey, I'd love to see the place, can I tag along?" asked Christopher.
"Well...." Lorelai hesitated.
"I'll give you a ride on my bike," Christopher bribed.
Lorelai giggled and ran over to the bike. "Ooh, goody!" she said as she hopped on.
First stop was Taylor's candy shop to pick up chocolates to place on the pillows at the Inn. Luke watched from inside the diner as Christopher helped Lorelai off the bike, held her by the waist as they laughed together.
DRAGONFLY
Lorelai and Christopher strode into the Dragonfly. "So here it is, you are in the Inn, you are in, you are on the ins. My dream, my life's work, all it needs is a few chocolates...."
Just then they heard a crash from the kitchen.
"...and a new set of dinnerware." Lorelai ran into the kitchen to find Sookie sprawled out on the floor surrounded by chopped bok choy and broken dishes.
"Oh Lorelai!!" Sookie exclaimed as they entered. "I was reaching for the salt and I accidentally knocked over the hot pepper which didn't have the lid on and it all fell into the hollandaise sauce and I think some went into the chocolate sauce too, and I lunged to catch it and I tripped on a box on the floor and knocked over all this bok choy..." Sookie looked lost. "Hey, what happened to you? You look like hell."
Lorelai helped Sookie up. "I thought we'd do an early Halloween celebration for the grand opening," she said sarcastically. "How's the new staff working out?"
"Oh my God, Lorelai, they're even better than the first batch!"
"Well then, Sookie, I suggest you put them to work so that our guests don't run screaming at the first taste of your Eggs Benedict."
"Problem?" asked Christopher when Lorelai returned to the lobby.
"Hollandaise sauce on fire, chocolate sauce on fire, bok choy all over the floor...nah, pretty much business as usual. Though we don't have a usual business yet, so maybe I should just say business like last time." "Lor, the place looks fantastic," said Christopher admiringly.
"And at the expense of two small fortunes, one sane mind, and more Q-tips than I could count, we'll be ready for business in a few days!" Lorelai replied, then caught sight of Michel up the stairs. "Michel, did you check on the arrangements with the linen service?" She darted up the stairs after him.
GILMORE RESIDENCE, 4PM
Lorelai and Christopher pulled up to Lorelai's house on the motorcycle and strode inside. "Hey, mind if I go grab a shower?" Christopher asked.
"No, please, go wash thyself," replied Lorelai. Christopher headed upstairs to the bathroom as Lorelai listened to her phone messages.
"Lorelai, this is your mother, I'm working on the travel arrangements for Rory and me and I just wanted to run the itinerary by her, do you think she'd be interested in Norway? Or should we stick with the standards – France, Italy, Spain. Anyway please have her call me as soon as she gets in."
Lorelai was aghast. "Rory's going to Europe? She didn't even tell me," she mumbled to herself.
The second message started playing. "Hey Lorelai, it's Luke. Sorry but I can't make dinner tonight, Cesar got sick so I have to work. Feel free to stop by if you're not busy, or else I'll catch you tomorrow. Bye."
The doorbell rang, and Lorelai went to answer it.
"Someone call about a broken washing machine?" asked Kirk.
"Hey Kirk," said Lorelai as she let him in. "Yeah, our clothes all look like something out of Flashdance."
"They're not supposed to look like that?" asked Kirk.
"No, Kirk."
"Because if you ask me, I've always preferred looser clothes on women. Leaves more to the imagination," said Kirk.
"Just fix the washer, please, Kirk."
Kirk went into the laundry room to look at the washer.
Christopher came downstairs, freshly washed and dressed. "Hey Lor, I heard that Valley Girl is playing in Hartford, remember when it was first out and we went to see it?"
"I don't remember a thing, we spent the whole time throwing popcorn at the audience, heckling their stupid hairstyles, and then making out in the back of the theater," Lorelai replied.
"You up for a repeat performance?" he asked.
Lorelai hesitated. "Um, well I was sort of supposed to...Uh, well, OK," she finally agreed.
Just then Rory walked in the door.
"Rory!" Christopher gave her a hug. "I've been here all day and I've barely seen you."
Lorelai folded her arms over her chest. "Yeah, me neither. I feel like I haven't seen you for weeks. Months even. Let's catch up. Umm, let's see, the Inn will be opening in a few days. My parents are separated. What's new with you?" Lorelai demanded, tapping her foot angrily.
"What's going on?" Christopher asked.
"Mom," Rory began, "I'm going to Europe with Grandma."
"And when did you decide this?" Lorelai asked.
"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it, I just...I just...I need to get away." Rory's eyes welled up with tears as she turned and went into her bedroom.
Lorelai followed her in and sat down on her bed next to her. "I'm sorry honey, I was just surprised," she said as she stroked Rory's hair.
"No, I didn't mean for you to find out...wait, how did you find out?"
"My mom left a message wondering about your itinerant preferences."
"I'm sorry, Mom," Rory said as she hugged Lorelai.
"No problem. Go. Have fun. Do Europe the high-class way. Get your nails done on the Champs Elysees, have afternoon tea while watching a game of Polo. Make sure you stick your pinky out when you drink. Just don't let my mom control everything. Get out by yourself once in a while, OK? So when are you leaving?"
"Sunday. I wanted to be here for the opening of the Inn," Rory replied. "So what's going on with Dad?"
"Oh, he's going back to Boston tomorrow to start looking for an apartment. But hey, do you want to come to the movies with us tonight? Valley Girl is playing!"
"OK," Rory agreed as they got up and headed back out to the kitchen, drying her eyes.
Kirk came out of the laundry room. "OK, you needed a new fan belt, your electrical system was shot and it's a wonder your plumbing wasn't leaking already." He handed a bill to Lorelai.
"Fan belt? Isn't that in a car?" interjected Christopher.
"Kirk, I could have bought a whole new washer for this amount," said Lorelai as she looked at the bill.
"You don't want a new washer," said Kirk. "The new ones aren't made nearly as well as these ones were."
"Kirk, it's only 3 years old and it's broken down at least once a year since I bought it. Besides, $200 for labor? You were only in there for ½ an hour."
"It's a minimum charge," explained Kirk. "Also covers travel expenses."
"Kirk, you only live 3 blocks away."
"Yes, but I had to bring all my tools and my truck broke down so I had to carry them all over which took 3 trips and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need chiropractic care for at least 6 months."
"I'll give you half of this, no more," offered Lorelai.
"Done," said Kirk as he headed out the door. "And call me if you have any more problems with it."
After Kirk left, Lorelai, Christopher and Rory got ready to go to the movies.
"Taking my girls out on the town," Christopher mused as the three of them piled into Lorelai's Jeep.
"Um, excuse me, but I'm driving, this is my car, aren't I the one who's doing the taking?" said Lorelai. She started the car and pulled away.
They drove into town and past Luke's. From inside, Luke watched them drive by as he wiped down the tables, alone.
LUKE'S, TUESDAY, 8AM
Lorelai and Rory walked into the diner and sat down at the only free table. Their clothes were now all a similar shade of faded pink.
"I have no idea when I'm going to find the time to go shopping for a new washer," said Lorelai. "Not to mention cleaning up the water all over the basement floor."
"So that was great to see Dad," Rory said.
"Yeah, he'll be back later you know. Monday he'll be getting a hotel so he can make it to work in Boston, but I told him he could stay with us until then. Hopefully he'll find an apartment on the quick," said Lorelai. "Hey, hang on for a second," she said as she got up and walked over to Luke."
"Hey," she said to him.
"Hey," he replied, avoiding her gaze.
"Everything OK last night?"
"Yeah."
"So you want to try again with the dinner invite?" she asked.
"Oh, yeah, sure," Luke said, "but I know you're busy right now with the Inn, and having a houseguest and all..."
"It's OK. Next week--"Lorelai interjected.
"And I know it's kind of a crisis for you guys..."
Lorelai looked puzzled. "But I thought..."
"I'll give you a call, OK?" Luke strode off as Taylor entered the diner. "Taylor, I told you I am not selling those tickets here, end of story."
"How about just putting a sign in the window? I'll sell them in the candy store, you can send them over to me."
"No, Taylor!" Luke growled.
Lorelai sat down abruptly next to Rory, her face downcast and puzzled. "I think I just got dumped," she said.
"What?" asked Rory.
"Luke. He just totally pulled a Julia Roberts on me. What the hell?" Lorelai watched Luke work as he carefully avoided looking at her, until finally he came over to take their order.
"Your usual?" he asked, looking down at his notepad.
"Actually I'll just have a bagel," Rory said. "And some orange juice."
Luke looked at Lorelai impatiently. "Uh, yeah, sure, the usual will be, uh fine," she stammered.
Luke strode back into the kitchen, and moments later a huge CRASH was heard emanating from the rear. Lorelai and Rory looked at each other.
"Well, hurry up! Go see what's going on back there!" Lorelai whispered to Rory.
"If you're so curious, you go," Rory retorted.
"But...but...I can't do it, not now, not with this weirdness between us," whispered Lorelai.
Rory sighed, got up and went over to the counter. "Everything OK back there, Luke?" she asked, peering into the kitchen.
She caught Luke shaking his fist in pain. He hid it quickly behind his back, and grunted a "fine!" back to Rory, then disappeared back into the stockroom.
SATURDAY, 7PM, GILMORE RESIDENCE
Christopher knocked on the door, pizzas in hand.
"You'd better be bringing food with you!" shouted Lorelai from inside. Christopher opened the door and entered.
Rory ran over to him to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Hi Dad, how'd the apartment hunting go?"
"I found a place!" he replied. "It's available in 2 weeks, it's got tons of space and it's around the corner from my old place so I can see Gigi every day."
"Sounds great, Chris. So did you see Sherry?"
"Yeah, briefly. She's being very civil about this, very professional."
"I can see that about her," said Rory.
"So you need any help moving?" asked Lorelai.
"Well, yes, as a matter of fact. Know where I could find some?"
"No idea. 888-MAN-HUNK, maybe?" Lorelai went into the kitchen to get some plates for the pizza, leaving Christopher and Rory in the living room chatting. She paused, thoughtful, went over to the phone, picked it up and started to dial, but quickly changed her mind and hung up. Just then the phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Lorelai, this is your mother. Did you get a chance to ask Rory about where she wants to visit while we're in Europe?"
"Oh sorry Mom, no. Christopher is here and things have been a little crazy between him and the Inn."
"Christopher is there?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Why is Christopher there?"
"Sherry kicked him out, Mom. He needed a place to stay."
"I see."
"You see? What do you see, Mom?"
"Nothing. It's just that he gets himself kicked out of his ridiculous marriage to that woman, and the first person he runs to is you."
"Don't read anything into this, Mom. Have you told Dad that you're going to Europe?"
"Yes, I have."
"What did he say?"
"Lorelai, I'm a grown woman, I can go to Europe if I want to and I don't need your father's permission."
"I was just wondering how he took the news."
"He took it just fine. I need to go, Lorelai."
"I'll have Rory call you back after we're done eating, Mom. Bye." Lorelai hung up the phone and went back into the living room with the plates.
"Movie time!" she announced.
10PM, still Gilmore residence
"How is it possible that we've watched this movie at least 100 times and it never gets old?" Lorelai asked Rory.
"Alfred Hitchcock is multi-faceted, Mom. There's always something new to discover."
"No, I really think it's Cary Grant's ass."
"That too," Rory agreed as she stood up to stretch. "Did you know his real name was Archie Leech?"
"Ewww, ewww! I will never look at that ass in the same way again!" said Lorelai.
"Well I think I'm going to go start packing. Grandma already gave me a list the length of the Koran and I think she's just getting started." Rory headed off to her room, leaving Lorelai and Christopher alone in the living room.
"Up for a walk?" offered Christopher.
"Make that a ride on your bike and you're on," replied Lorelai.
They rode out of Stars Hollow on an old back road that was unlit and virtually abandoned at that hour. They came upon a bridge over a river, stopped, got off and admired the scene in the moonlight.
"God, I haven't been here in ages. I don't think I've ever been here at night. Wow," mused Lorelai. "Hey Chris?"
"Yes Lorelai."
"Don't you have any friends up in Boston?"
"Yes."
"Why aren't you staying with them instead of driving 3 hours to stay here?"
"None of them have any room for me, especially for 3 weeks time. Remember, I'm staying in a hotel this week. Besides I wanted to see you," Christopher walked over to stand facing Lorelai. "But since we're being blunt, what's the deal with Luke?"
"What?" asked Lorelai, looking uncomfortable.
"Luke. The diner guy. He was at your house when I showed up the other night, remember? Yet you have been very careful to leave him out of every story, anecdote, or gossip about the town."
"There is no deal with Luke," said Lorelai. "I thought we were going to...but... But I am happy to see you."
Lorelai turned to face him.
"Good," he said as he took her in his arms and kissed her.
"Wow," said Christopher.
"Hey, I remember that," said Lorelai.
"I've missed you so much," said Christopher. "I hated how things ended with us before."
"Was no picnic for me either."
"So how does this feel? You ready to have another go?"
"Oh Chris, I don't know. Let's just take it a step at a time, OK?"
"OK," he said as he kissed her again.