Chapter 11: What is this thing called love?

Lorelai ran into the diner, breathless, and late, for her lunch with Luke. Luke was going through payment stubs at the counter.

Lorelai: "Luke! Coffee, please! You'll never believe what is happening... and don't start with your coffee will kill me routine. This is a major coffee moment!"

Luke had seen her coming. He had her coffee ready. Decaf. Though he wasn't going to tell her that. The diner had just run out of the regular stuff. She would probably be able to tell though.

Luke: "Every moment is a coffee moment with you. Here," he said, passing the mug of fresh coffee her way.

One sip told Lorelai he was on his decaf routine again.

Lorelai: "How about the good stuff, now, huh?" She said this, making a face at the de-caffeinated coffee in front of her.

Luke: "We're out. And, you're late. We had the regular stuff an hour ago."

Lorelai: "Well, dig into your secret stash then because you will be drinking it too after I tell you this."

Luke walked out from behind the counter suddenly and pulled Lorelai into a huge hug. He didn't care what the news was, he was just so grateful that she was here.

Luke: "Let's talk about it upstairs... it's slow enough now and Caesar can look after things for awhile..."

Lorelai: Luke.... coffee?"

Luke: "There's some upstairs."

Lorelai allowed him to guide her upstairs. She didn't know how to tell him...but she knew she had to.

Once in the apartment, Lorelai sank onto Luke's leather couch with fatigue. The morning had taken more out of her than she had expected. But there was still the issue at hand...

Lorelai: "Luke, we need to talk about something that just happened at the inn."

Luke (sitting down next to her): "What's up?"

Lorelai: "Uh, well, why don't we have some coffee first?" She could feel herself deliberately procrastinating on telling him that Chris was back.

Luke: "Lorelai, I know when you are avoiding telling me something. Out with it. Now."

Lorelai: "Chris is back," she blurted out.

Luke just sat back trying to let this soak in. Chris? Christopher? Rory's dad, Christopher?

What else? He thought to himself.

Lorelai: "Luke, I am not sure what to do, I mean, it's probably good that he is here now for Rory and all but ...."

They sat in a seemingly forever silence.

Lorelai couldn't take it any longer. If this was going to work with Luke, she had to tell him the truth.

Lorelai: "He kissed me," her voice got suddenly softer, maybe hoping he wouldn't hear her.

Luke: "So, what now? Are you together now? Is that what you came here to tell me? God, Lorelai, after everything that has happened...."

Lorelai pressed a finger up to his lips to quiet him. She pulled him to her level on the sofa and kissed him deeply, her tongue deep in his mouth.

Lorelai (pulling slowly out of the kiss and gazing at this incredible man before her): "Luke, it's over with Chris. It has been for so long. I just had to tell you what happened. Luke.... um.... I love you...." she said it quickly, almost in case she shouldn't say it so soon...

Luke: "Lorelai...."

Luke pulled her closer, over him now, letting his lips linger over hers for a moment before kissing her with all the passion that had been lingering inside him all morning.

Lorelai felt a surge of electricity take over her body as she felt her body so close to his. God, she knew she was in love now.

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Rory was walking toward her house after leaving Dean by the bridge. Her head hanging down she didn't notice Jess lingering up ahead. He didn't notice her at first. Recognition soon shot through every vein in his body.

Jess: "Rory!"

Rory (looking up): "Jess? Oh my god. I - I ...um...I figured you would have left by now..."

Jess just looked at her sad face and was overcome with the urge to wipe her tears away from her face and smooth back her soft, brown hair.

Jess: "Not on your life. Rory, I am sorry I came here like this. I mean, last time...I mean...I was wrong to spring that crazy proposal on you like that at your dorm. I just..I wonder...why did you call me last night?"

Rory: "I - I'm not sure. I called Dean first. But Lindsay answered. Then Mom brought be back to the inn and I told her I was calling Lane, but for some reason I called you. Jess, I don't know. I could've fallen in love with you, but you left and then you kept coming back and leaving again and ... I didn't have time to think about how I felt. I don't know if I love you anymore. I really, really don't."

Jess: "Rory...(inching a little closer to her)... I can't get you off my mind. I don't know what to do to prove otherwise to you. I do love you...." (he leaned forward so their lips were almost touching...)

Christopher was watching this exchange from the front porch of Lorelai and Rory's house. He was trying to figure out what was going on here. Lorelai didn't tell him anything that made any sense. All he could discern was that Rory might be in trouble. He couldn't hear what this guy was saying to his daughter, but he couldn't think it could be anything good. Was this guy the problem?

Christopher: "Rory!" He called out. He couldn't think of anything else to do.

Rory heard her dad calling her name just as Jess was about to kiss her. Dad? she thought. What is he doing in Stars Hollow? And, oh - no! She pushed Jess away, straightened her hair as best she could and ran toward her house while wiping the tears from her eyes. God, she felt like she was six years old again. It was always so good to see her dad again.

Rory (reaching the front porch): "Dad! What are you doing here?"

Christopher: "I should ask you the same thing." At the same time, he beckoned to the boy who had started to follow his daughter up the lawn. "Who is the guy?"he inquired of Rory.

Rory (glancing over her shoulder once): "That's Jess, Dad. You never met him, did you? He was..I mean..."

Christopher: "Just leaving, right?" Chris said this loud enough so that Jess would hear.

Jess (having made it to the porch): "With all due respect, sir, I was trying to help your daughter. My name is Jess Mariano."

Christopher (pretended to be shocked at this obvious display of fake diplomacy): "Well, well, well, you are trying to help her, are you? Pray tell, what does my daughter need help with? And, how would your mouth on hers be helping her?"

Jess (glancing at Rory for help): "I - uh - ..."

Rory (cutting in): "Dad, Jess was just leaving." (To Jess): "Weren't you? I'll talk to you later. I assume you will be at Luke's?"

Jess: "Oh, yeah ... that's where I'll be. I'll call you later. (He glanced at Christopher as he said this last part.)

Jess turned to walk away as Christopher guided his daughter into her house in order to try to find out just what was going on around here.