Will stirred his coffee, mixing his cream and sugar in thoroughly. Anna sat across from him, coffee in front of her as well, but it seemed to be more of a hand warmer than a drink in her mind. Her hands were wrapped snugly around the mug, and she made no move to add sugar or creamer—and he knew for a fact that black coffee was not an acquired taste of hers. She hadn't said much since they left the police station. He blew on his coffee, out of habit, before bringing it to his lips.

"So, you hungry?"

"No, not really."

"Do you have to be anywhere today?"

"No. Why?"

"Just wondering. I cleared my schedule, so if you want, we can hang out here for a while, in case you get hungry."

"We should probably get back home at some point. Mom will be worried."

"Right, but we could always put a call in."

She nodded. She looked into her coffee cup for a moment, as if she were considering drinking it. He looked out the window, prepared to sit here in silence if that is what she needed.

"Will?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. I mean, I don't just want to say thank you, it doesn't seem like that's enough. You've been. . . there. The whole time. Even when I didn't know I'd need you, you were there for me. So, thanks."

He blinked, in truth a little surprised by her show of gratitude.

"You're welcome."

She nodded and smiled. "I mean it. I might not have done so well without you. I know you probably don't think I've been holding it together all that well, but," she emphasized.

"No, I think you're amazing."

Had he said that out loud? He couldn't ask her, either way. Though he was guessing by the look on her face he in fact had. Should he clarify? Yep, he was going to have to. She looked like he just told her he was a dinosaur.

"I mean, I admire you for handling all of this so well."

Did she look deflated now? He's complimenting her, that's not wrong. Is it? He really wondered now.

"Most people probably would be hiding from the world, not talking about it, you know. Not dealing. Or at least, not like you have."

She still hadn't said anything. She looked rather somber, not like someone receiving compliments. He wanted to crawl under the table. He was afraid he was going to start sweating soon.

"Ann? Am I offending you here?"

"No, no. No."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm just fine."

He nodded, not believing her and let out a breath. Maybe he should just tell her all of what he was thinking. Or he could start with what Davey had been going on to him about. If she didn't feel the same way, they could have a good laugh. Then he could punch Davey when he got home. He was okay with that. But then, if she felt something for him, wouldn't she just say so?

"Are you okay?" she now asked him.

"I, uh, yeah."

"You're sure?"

She widened her eyes. He had no idea how she did that, but it was having an effect on him. All he could focus on was her eyes, and how expectant she looked. He felt suddenly that he could tell her and it would be okay. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling, but should he find the words, he needed to tell her. His stomach was bothering him. He felt like an army of cats was inside of him, trying to claw their way out.

"I'll be right back."

He stood up, leaving her sitting wide-eyed and confused. He moved to the bathroom and whipped out his cell phone. Luckily the small bathroom was empty, not that it would have stopped him. He dialed and waited, impatiently tapping his foot.

"Santa's Giftshop, Head Elf speaking."

"Mom. I need seriousness."

"Will? Where are you? Do you have your Christmas shopping done?"

"Mom. Please, not now."

"Sor-ry. What's up? Where are you?"

"I'm in Willimantic," he offered up.

"Isn't that where ECSU is?"

"Yeah."

"You're there with Anna?"

"She had the line up today."

"Ah. How is she?"

"That's sort of why I called. I need your advice. But not as my mom. As a girl."

"Really?"

"Mom. Please, I beg you."

"Go ahead. You have my full attention."

"I've been feeling recently, I mean, I've been spending a lot of time with Anna, and recently I've been feeling. . . different."

"Uh, honey, please tell me you haven't been spouting on like this at her."

"No! God, I ran to the bathroom before it started pouring out. You have to help me figure out what to say. I'm going to be babbling like a moron. I need to get this out, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say."

He heard giggling on the other end, and he rolled his eyes.

"Mom!"

"Sorry, I'm just getting the visual of you, running to the bathroom with these words threatening to vomit out of your mouth, and now you hiding in the bathroom calling your mommy," she giggled.

"So, you're not going to be any help?"

"What do you want?"

"I'm not sure."

"Well, you better be sure before you say anything, kid."

"I know."

"Do you want to date her?"

"I think so. But she's just got so much to deal with," he sighed.

"Forget that. Well, don't forget it, but it's up to her to decide what she can handle, right?"

"Right. Okay. I'm going back out there."

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

He hung up and took at deep breath. Maybe she wouldn't say anything about his abrupt departure. He'd only been gone two minutes. He slid back into his seat and gave her a smile.

"Will, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. I just, I want to tell you something. And I want you to let me get it all out, okay?"

She nodded, unable to keep her eyes off of him. He looked a bit crazed, and very nervous. He was usually very together, but lately he'd been awkward and jittery. She just figured he wasn't comfortable dealing with the whole rape situation, not to mention his problems with Bree. Not that he'd mentioned Bree since Thanksgiving, but she figured it had to be weighing on him.

"Alright, just bear with me, because the word thing isn't my friend lately, but basically, the gist of it all is, that recently, I've been wondering what it would be like if we were more than friends. And I have no idea what you're thinking, and if I'm completely out of line, then tell me and we can forget about it and attempt to pretend that I never said anything."

He looked at her. She'd never taken her gaze off of him, but now her mouth was slightly open, as if she couldn't quite keep it closed. She blinked once, but said nothing yet.

"I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry, I," he began, after almost a full minute of her still gaping at him wordlessly.

"No, Will, stop. Just, give me a second, to wrap my mind around all of this."

He did as she said, and waited. She still said nothing, just blinked a few more times.

"So, what, you're asking me out?"

Duh. That's probably what he should have done. "Uh, yeah. Yes. I am. I'm asking you out."

"Oh. Okay."

"Okay? As in, yes?"

She smiled, she couldn't help it. He looked truly surprised that she would accept such an offer. Sort of like her surprise at his confession.

"Maybe this weekend?" she offered.

He nodded and smiled. It was just Will smiling at her, but now she blushed, and it felt different somehow. It wasn't just Will smiling at her. It was Will. Smiling at her.

"Um, I'm kinda tired now, though. Can we head back home?"

"Oh, yeah. Of course. Let's go."

It was a partial truth. Both were sort of tired, in post adrenaline rush kind of a way. But now, with the confirmation of shared feelings, the chance of either of them resting was nil. The entire ride back to Stars Hollow was filled with nervous laughter, the switching of radio stations, and stolen looks at each other.

&&&&

"I'm sticky."

Tristan looked over at his wife, in all her naked glory, laying on the tarp that was still spread out over her mother's bed. She kept taking her pointer finger and touching her stomach, a slight adhesive effect happening each time. His mind was still reeling with the fact that they'd had sex on his mother-in-law's bed. In his teenage years, this might have been the ultimate stunt—hell, even during his college years. He wasn't exactly ashamed of himself now, either. Besides, he was blameless. What man could turn down a sexy woman covered in whipped cream? That would have just been wrong. Impossible, certainly.

"Need another tongue lashing?" he raised an eyebrow as he rolled up on his side, actually near exhausted from the afternoon's activities.

"I was thinking of something else, actually," she smiled.

"Well, you have my attention, especially after your last idea."

"Come on," she said, taking his hand, leaving the sticky tarp in their wake, treading in bare feet down the short hall into the bathroom.

"We're in the bathroom."

"Yep. Start the bathwater."

"And you're going to do what?"

"Bubble bath," she said, holding up Lorelai's best bottle of bubble bath.

"I really like how you think, have I told you that recently?"

"Just, start the water," she smiled, nudging his butt with the bottle.

"Yes, ma'am."

&&&&

Luke came back to the diner, almost an hour later, on the nose. He wasn't surprised that the diner was just as empty as it was when he left. The dinner rush shouldn't start for another hour, as most people were just getting off of work or finishing shopping. What did surprise him, however, was the transformation in his nephew. He was actively talking, and if wasn't mistaken, Jess was smiling. He eyed the situation suspiciously, not quite sure who this woman seated at the counter was, the one seemingly responsible for Jess' good mood, or where she came from. He walked around the counter and stood next to Jess.

"You must be Luke!"

He looked at the woman, and heard his nephew snicker.

"Ah, yeah. I'm Luke. And you are?"

"I'm Gwen. And I love your diner."

"Well. Great," he said, turning to Jess. "Can I have a minute of your time?"

"Now?"

"Yeah. Now. Excuse us."

Jess followed Luke into the storeroom. Luke shut the door and turned to Jess.

"What is that all about?"

"What is what about?"

"Gwen?"

"That's what you call a customer."

"You two seemed friendly."

"So?"

"So, you're married."

"Geez," Jess rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious here, what if Erin came back and saw you talking to some woman like that?"

"You can't be serious."

"I am serious. Have you just given up altogether?"

"Luke, stop it."

"I'm trying to make you see," Luke began, but Jess cut him off.

"So, my 'wife' is allowed to run off to California with another man, leaving me and her own kids in the lurch, and I'm supposed to just pretend everything's fine? I'm supposed to go through the rest of my life pretending other women don't exist? Tell me how that's fair, Luke."

Luke was quiet for a moment. "But, Jess, come on."

"No, I'm not having his conversation. I've done nothing wrong. Nothing. And that is the end of this discussion. Excuse me."

Jess pushed past his uncle and went back out into the diner. Gwen was pulling out her wallet to pay her bill. Jess held up his hand, waving off her attempt.

"On the house."

"Oh, I couldn't."

"First time customer, no charge. Not my rule," he said with a smile.

"Okay. But I'm leaving a big tip."

"Well, now, that I can't stop. So, where do you need directions to?"

"Hartford."

"Can I ask where you were coming from?"

"New York."

He gave her a questioning look, and tilted his head.

"I know! You want to know why I got off the interstate, right?"

He nodded.

"I saw a sign for Hayden's Nut House. I'm a sucker for those roasted, sugar covered pecan things," she made a face, showing she knew she was pitiful. "Anyway, I didn't find the stupid stand, and I got so turned around. I saw the diner and just figured I could get quick directions."

"Nice."

Jess took a pen, and scribbled down the directions for her out to the main route to Hartford. He passed it to her and she read over it quickly.

"Can you read my writing?"

"Yeah. Just one thing, though," she said, taking another napkin and scribbling something on it. Jess heard the bell ring over the door, and glanced up to see Lorelai come in the door, loaded down with shopping bags.

"What is this?"

"My phone number. Just, in case," she smiled, grabbing her purse and the directions napkin. "It was nice to meet you, Jess," she added, waving with the hand that held the napkin.

"You too," he said, watching her walk out, right past Jules, who was standing in front of Ambrose. Lorelai had evidently taken them and Jake out shopping today, and they'd just witnessed him getting a phone number.

He watched, helplessly, as Jules put her bags down on the ground, turned and hurried back out the door. Jake, who'd been the last in the line to get in the door, dropped his as well, running after her.

"Shit," Jess muttered, under his breath, running around the counter to go after the most obviously upset of his two children.

AN: Alright. I'm getting long-winded, no? These chapters keep getting longer, no matter what I do. But I realized I was on Chapter 29, and Will and Anna were starting to border on Luke and Lorelai in their inability to see the other's feelings. . . And this is fanfiction. So, hope you all liked this installment. More ASAP.