A/N: Thanks for the reviews!!! They've been helpful and encouraging. Big thanks to sarahl, lunatic lauren, popie, muisje, smile1, luke rules (yes, yes he does), and TeXaS vBaLl 13. Special thanks to Lipton Lee and punkcatwitissues, because you are 2 of my favorite fanfiction writers and I feel very honored that you reviewed my story! Yay!

Also, if anyone is interested in being my beta reader, email me at poetess108@aol.com. I would be happy to return the favor to anyone who needs a beta reader.

Disclaimers: Don't own nothin.

Chapter 2 : Now you don't seem so proud.

Luke stood behind the counter compulsively wiping the same spot with a damp rag. It was still early, and the diner was fairly empty except for Kirk, who was always there regardless of the hour. Luke's mind was racing—he still had no idea what to do about Jess or what to tell Lorelai and Rory if they came in. The best thing would be to tell them…but then again, maybe he should just let Jess approach Rory on his own? He sighed in frustration and checked the coffee. This was going to be a long day.

Just then, the bell on the door jingled, and Luke looked up to see Lorelai walk in.

"Hey," he said. "Coffee?"

"Don't mind if I do." Lorelai sat at the counter. "And a donut too—with sprinkles."

"Where's Rory?" Luke put the mug of coffee and the donut in front of Lorelai and resumed his compulsive counter wiping.

"She's still asleep. I thought I would come in and bring breakfast back to her. I'm meeting Jason in a bit,  so I was already up and in need of coffee. Are you ok, Luke? You seem nervous."

"Nervous, no, no, not nervous."

"Come on Luke, tell me what's wrong before you scrub the finish off the counter."

Luke, realizing what he'd been doing, picked up the rag and laughed apologetically. "Ok, well…you have to promise not to tell Rory."

"Umm ok, what's the big secret?  Did they finally send Taylor to an institution? Are you getting hair plugs?"

"No, no. It's…umm…Jess. He's back."

Lorelai almost choked on her donut. "What? When? Details, man, I need details!"

"He got in last night at about three. Said something about how he was sorry and needed to tell Rory something? It didn't make a lot of sense to me, but the kid's sick as a dog and looks like he hasn't slept or eaten in a week. He hitchhiked most of the way here. I  haven't really talked to him yet, but he seems like he really wants to talk to Rory, so if you would just keep this quiet and let him approach her…I think that's what he wants."

"What about what Rory wants? What she wanted? Are you just going to let him waltz back into your life like nothing's changed, like these last six months never happened? You know how hard it was for her to get over him, and then you just let him come right back—like, like a freaking prodigal son!" Lorelai took a deep breath and steadied herself.

"Luke how can you just let him back in our lives like this?"

 "I don't know, I probaly should just send him packing, but something's different about him. I don't know what happened to him in California, but he's definitely changed—he seemed, desperate, almost. Like he was actually sorry…and…I don't know. But he can't go anwhere for awhile, so I guess that's just the way it is. Anyway, here's Coffee and some donuts for Rory. I should probably get back to work."

Lorelai stood to leave. "Luke, I'm sorry about what I said, I just—"

"You just don't want to see Rory hurt again. I know."