Disclaimer: Same as before - You get the drift!

Now, on with the story -

A rather intoxicated group of Stars Hollow's finest inhabitants enthusiastically greeted Rory and Lorelai upon returning home from the graduation ceremony. The "townies" had gathered on the lawn in front of the Gilmore household.

"Point me towards the punch!" Lorelai exclaimed, eager to participate in the festivities.

"Right over there sugar." Babette stammered to her feet to aid Lorelai in her quest.

Lorelai helped herself to some punch, which just so happened to be placed on the table directly in front of Sookie.

"It was sush a bootiful seremony hon." Sookie slurred her words in a drunken stupor. Lorelai was amused at the sight of her rosy-cheeked friend.

"Don't mind her Lorelai, she's had a few too many," stated Jackson who was sitting opposite Sookie.

"I gathered as much." Lorelai replied jokingly. "This was so sweet of you all to throw a party for 'our little graduate.' Speaking of which, where is Rory?"

"I just saw her a second ago dear," proclaimed Miss Patty. She too was unmistakably inebriated.

"I better go check on her myself… you know…just to be sure," Lorelai stated with slight concern as her maternal instincts kicked in.

Meanwhile.

Luke had dropped by the after-party in hopes to speak with Lorelai. Instead, a pleasantly surprised Rory greeted him.

"Luke! What are you doing here?!"

"Oh…I uh...I just uh came to see what all the commotion was about." He was noticeably uncomfortable.

"I think the town is using my graduating as a convenient excuse to 'celebrate' if you know what I mean." Rory attempted to lighten the mood.

Luke laughed, and indeed the tension began to release. "This town will use any excuse to put their drinking hats on. And by the way, your graduating is certainly worthy of a celebration!"

"Thanks Luke!" Rory smiled sincerely. "I'll go tell mom you're here."

"Wait, just a sec..." Before Luke could finish Rory had disappeared out of sight.

Rory approached her mother as she was settling nicely into the hooch. Lorelai was not one to let things such as alcohol go to waste. "Mom!" Rory shouted out of breath. "Someone's here to see you."

"You shot who in the what now?! " Lorelai answered in a state of confusion.

"Luke! Luke is here to see you. I can't believe he actually came. That is so un-Luke."

"What do you mean he's here to see me? It's your party, heh heh." Lorelai laughed nervously as she felt all eyes on her. Whenever the subject of Luke came up, the Stars Hollow gang seemed extremely attentive and curious to say the least. "Why don't you tell him to come join the party hon?"

"I think he'd prefer if you did. You know how uncomfortable he gets in these situations, in any situation."

"Oh, alright then. Sookie be a dear and save my seat. I got me a prime drinking seat! Be back in a sec." And with that, Lorelai stumbled forward, regained her balance and proceeded in Luke's direction.

To be continued R/R - I love feedback - thanks to those who already reviewed, I really appreciate it!