What are we, Rory? he asked, suddenly.

she asked.

What are we?

Well... we're friends, right? Rory asked, not quite sure where Sebastian was going with this.

Sebastian frowned a moment, then stood, walked over to Rory and kissed her. Rory recoiled at first, in shock, but then she sat still, accepting the kiss, passively. He pulled away, a slight smile on his face.

Rory gave a slow, slight nod, not to say yes, not to say no, just to move her head. She swallowed.

I really, really like you. I... I would have said something earlier, but you were so hung up on that Jesse guy-

she whispered.

Yeah, him. So I just wanted to wait. But now, you're over him, so we can be together? Sebastian smiled hopefully.

Rory had never noticed how much of a little boy Sebastian was. He had that cocked head, that innocent smile, nothing was really wrong with him. He didn't do anything wrong. He never blew up at her for no reason, and if she got mad at him, he ended up apologizing. It was nice, for a change. It was safe. And though she had never seen Sebastian in that way, she thought she could. In fact, she was already beginning to, in those five seconds.

Rory smiled, and nodded again, this time with feeling behind it.

Yeah, I... I think that would be good.

Sebastian smiled again and leaned in to kiss her again. This time, she responded. When they pulled away, she was smiling. His kisses were just like him. Sweet, slow, and yet.... she licked her lips... almost apologetic?

They smiled at each other, but neither one seemed to know what to do with themselves. Rory tried to think back, tried to remember how awkward relationships had been for her in the past, when they were just starting out, but it had been such a long time since she had started a new relationship. And now that she thought about it, when she had started going out with Jess, they had never had that awkward period. All of the awkwardness and teasing had happened when she was still safely in Dean's arms.

You want to... go for a walk? she suggested to break the awkward silence.

Yeah, sure. We could maybe check out Andrew's bookstore? See if the stuff we ordered last weekend came in? he asked.

Sure. Let's go.

They walked out the door, and Sebastian reached for Rory's hand. They walked down the street like that, and Rory caught a glance from Miss Patty. Uh-oh. Major damage control alert. She didn't mind if people found out about them, just so long as Rory herself got to tell Lorelai. She didn't want her to find out from someone else.

Rory called as Miss Patty bustled off towards Babette's.

Yes sweetheart? She stopped, and Rory dropped Sebastian's hand to go talk to her. Look, Patty. It's true, OK? she said in a quiet voice, Just please don't talk to anyone until I get to talk to my mom. Patty saw the pleading in Rory's eyes.

Look, you're still the first to know, and I won't tell anyone else. You still get to tell everyone, I promise. Starting tonight. At eight. Rory knew that her mother was getting home from work at six and that she was meeting her at Luke's for dinner, so she figured that was enough time.

Of course, love. We'll keep it quiet. Patty winked at Sebastian, who hadn't heard any of the conversation. He blushed, and Rory hugged Patty.

Thanks Patty.

What was that? Sebastian asked as he reclasped her hand.

Just a little damage control.

That evening, Rory and Sebastian arrived early at Luke's. Lorelai was late, as usual, but only by five minutes, which was techically early, Lorelai claimed. Lorelai time was twenty minutes later than everyone else time, so if she said she would be there at six, it really meant six-thirty. Early. Rory smiled as Lorelai re-explained her theory to her, and Luke rolled his eyes as he had the first time he himself had heard it.

Luke poured coffee for the trio and took their orders. Hey mom? Rory said when Luke had left, Can I talk to you outside?

Sure baby. Don't eat my food Seb!

Sebastian shuddered at the nickname Lorelai had coined for him and had used constantly for about a month.

Rory and Lorelai left the diner and stood on the sidewalk. What's up babe? Lorelai tried to guess why her daugher had such a huge grin on her face.

Sebastian. He asked me out this afternoon.

And you said?

Yes! Of course.

They both screeched and hugged. When they pulled away, Lorelai stared at her daughter's happy face. She had been waiting so long for the day where she could finally be sure that Rory was over Jess. It looked like that day had come.

Let's go back inside, Lorelai said, I'm starving. Details at home?

I'll leave nothing out. She paused. Hey mom?

Yes babe?

Are you going to tease him?

Lorelai turned to go back into the diner, and Rory moved to follow. For a split second, she thought she saw someone she knew behind the counter getting the coffee pot. She blinked and he was gone. Trick of the light, she reasoned. She walked back into the diner. Back to Sebastian. Back to her boyfriend.