Good morning! Lorelai said as she and Rory waltzed into Luke's, as usual. It is a lovely morning, she continued, as they sat at the counter, Or, at least, it has the potential for being a lovely morning. She looked pointedly at Luke, who rolled his eyes and poured a cup of coffee for Lorelai and one for Rory.

Wow... you didn't even fight me that time, Lorelai said, smiling.

I've given up on you. You are a lost cause. He took out his order pad and posed his pencil over the paper.

Lorelai called out.

Make that two, Rory said. Is Jess here?

Upstairs. His shift started ten minutes ago. Think you can get him up?

Rory smiled. I can try, but no promises. She pushed her stool back and walked up the stairs to the apartment. Lorelai watched her go up, and for the first time since she had entered the diner, the sadness that she had been trying to hide came through. No one noticed but Luke, ever-observant Luke, and he called her on it.

What's wrong?

Lorelai asked, startled.

You don't look so good.

Oh... thanks Luke... Lorelai answered sarcastically.

No... I mean, you look upset. Is everything OK?

Oh yeah, everything's just hunky-dorey, Lorelai answered, looking down into her mug.

Luke paused before speaking. I don't believe you for a minute.

Lorelai heaved a sigh and then looked around. The diner was relatively empty, but she leaned in close to Luke, just in case. Did Jess tell you?

Tell me what? Luke asked, mimicking her spy-like demeanor.

About this weekend. Him and Rory...

What about it?

They... you know... they....



Lorelai nodded.

Unbelievable. This is unbelievable. That kid... he is going straight back to New York. My God! I can't believe this. Luke took off his apron and rolled it into a ball, moving to walk upstairs to where Jess and Rory were.

No, Luke. Leave them.



Leave them.

You're... you're fine with this?

I have to be.

What are you talking about? You do not have to be okay with this. You... you can forbid her to see him. I would... I know I would.

That won't solve anything, Luke. That's just what my parents did to me. I remember how that feels. I don't want that for Rory. I promised myself a long time ago that I would never do to her what they did to me. Lorelai sighed and looked back up the stairs. I just have to trust her now. I know that she loves him, and she thinks he loves her... God, even I believe it now. Even I've seen that he's changed in the past few weeks. She looked back down at her coffee mug, and then to Luke. Let them be. Just let them be for now. I'm not going to even confront her about it until we leave for Paris next month. Then we'll talk. We'll figure this whole thing out.

Jess, reporting for duty! Rory said, announcing their arrival into the diner. Jess grumbled as he walked behind the counter, but Rory caught his eye as she sat down, and a smile appeared on both faces. Luke and Lorelai caught eyes as well, but the looks on their faces were not exactly smiles.