Disclaimer: ASP owns it. So, when I wow you with my brilliance, bow down to the proper master, the inventor of it all… I am merely a tyro to her.

A/N: At first I was going to write this chapter and the next as one large chapter, but I felt that the last two were a bit crammed together. And also, this way I can get you beautiful people a new chapter faster! Yeah! Right? Another thing—I cut down the Luke and Lorelai thoughts, as some suggested—so hopefully that will make for an easier read. Personally, I liked them, but I can see how that opinion would be a little biased. And you are the ones reading, so I thought I'd comply with your requests! Enjoy!

And thank you everyone who reviewed! You all seriously made my day--well days since I got many of them on different days. It means a lot, especially since this is my first fic and all, I definitely need the encouraging support!

Susi: I'm so glad you got a chance to read it! I know how you haven't been reading many fics lately... and it means a lot to me that you raed mine! Haha, finally I wrote it... took me a while!

ProFfeSseR: Its so awesome getting a review from you--I've been reading It Doesn't Make Any Sense since you've started writing it... your writing is amazing, and I truly appreciate the comments you left.

that70slover: I'm glad you like it! A Love Discovered is fabulous, you need to continue that!

Erica Bing: "It'll me sane until the actual finale, heh." --Too true! That's actually why I wrote it! I don't know how the hell I'm going to get through the summer... maybe if I get a good amount of positive review-age on this fic I'll continue writing more. I already know exactly how I'm planning on writing the two ending questions (because of course you know what they are!) and I've already started thinking of the post-proposal talk. So maybe I'll write a little epilogue. Not quite sure though... I'm glad you love the story!

jeepgirl259: Ok can I just say how effing thrilled I am that you reviewed this? I'm obsesesd with your writing, you are amazing! So its just a big wow that you are so loving my work! Surreal... "I'm SUCH a spoiler whore" --Haha, I'm glad my same whorishness is spread throughout our little LL-obsessed community.

mrschandlerbing: "Where do you get your spoilers? I too am a spoiler whore." --More whores? Yeah! I get them from... god, everywhere! the GG spoiler thread at fanforum... the Kristin and Ausiello weekly spoiler columns... Lol, no self control I tell you! I'm glad you like the story, and don't worry it will all be up by Sunday! Cuz what's the point in a spoiler fic if its not all posted before the ep actually airs?

Emmzy-Lou: Ahh, another spoiler fic queen! Loved Life, Love & Waltzing... fabulous fic. Here's another update for you! I'm happy you like this little story of mine.

Snowlight24: I'm so freakin' glad you love it! I love your enthusiasm about this, its putting a huge freakin' smile on my face!

Masamor99: I'm loving the persistance you have! Here's the damn update for you! Hehe, I hope it satisfies your needs for 12 hours before I post another--yes, another. I'm very speedy Gonzales--chapter, the final one!

Ogue: Thank you! "It feels as though you have their voices down." --I love you for that! I was a little unsure about how IC I was/am... everyone I asked said I was right in tune with it all, but then some said that it was a little TOO in tune, as in too much inside thought... but you totally relieved me of this insecurity... thank you!

SP'sGirl: I'm glad you liked the ILYs! Yeah, I thought it was a good way of having them say it as well. As partial I am to the fluffy ILYs, since I was actually basing it on spoilers, I wanted it to be as in character or in ASPs mindset as possible. Hopefully I did a good job with that. And I really hope they do say ILYs that way for the first time, then of course talk about it and elaborate. It just seems very Luke and Lorelai to have it mid-rant. Am I right or am I right, huh!

And thank you to all the others!

I'll have the next and FINAL chapter up by tomorrow. Now read, and be happy!



Ch. 3: Almost Home

Lorelai drove into a deserted Stars Hollow shortly after 10PM. Her eyes itched with dryness. She had stopped crying completely only about 15 minutes outside of town, only because she focused all her energy on getting to Luke and entering his comforting embrace.

The town was dark: the stores were darkened, the sky was covered over with clouds… she had even spotted two street lamps that were not illuminating the town. Other than the small holes between the clouds that allowed the moonlight through, the only light protruding from the town came from the diner. Of course, he's always there to show me the way. Lorelai chuckled sarcastically at her corniness.

She slowed down as she pulled into to "her" parking spot across the street from Luke's. She watched him intently as he refilled the coffee machine, putting just enough in for one pot full… her pot. Lorelai smiled at his thoughtfulness. Yup… always taking care of me. She was just about to turn away and walk in when Luke seemed to trip over something—something she did not know of since it was hidden behind the counter—which caused him to spill most of the pot of water on his flannel. Once again this made her giggle, Your daughter is dropping out of Yale! Why are you laughing? She looked over at him again, as he refilled the pot before putting it under the machine, and then removing his flannel… Lorelai could see him mouthing explicit words as he did so, exposing his olive green tee shirt that did an exceptional job of outlining his built form… Ahh, yes… that's what's making you happy, Lorelai thought to herself briefly, but soon chastised herself silently for being happy at a time like this.

Lorelai decided that she was ready for a Luke hug right now, desperately needing his arms and warmth engulfing her drained body. With a deep breath, Lorelai opened the car door, swung her legs around, and hopped out. Despite their unresolved discussion about houses and babies and whatever the hell else it was… He said he loved me… I told him I loved him… She recognized the fact that, since she had said those words, since the words were said to her, it seemed that a giant weight had been lifted off her shoulders… her heart seemed lighter. As she walked quickly though the nippy air to the illuminated coffee filled, hunky diner man infested establishment, she couldn't help but cringe at the fact that they had finally admitted these feelings in the middle of… whatever it was they were in the middle of earlier.

But Lorelai did not want to discuss that whole ordeal now. If anything she could only speak about the Rory debacle, if even that… or rather if Luke could coax it out of her. She needed him to console her, she needed his guidance, she needed some light shed upon the sudden turn of events.

Lorelai placed her hand on the cool metal doorknob and paused briefly outside the door, still watching Luke's back as he fussed with the coffee machine. One final deep breath, It's fine now, you can go in, you know he will be as wonderful as he always is, Lorelai. Just breath. And for God's sake…! Do not revert to that bitchy and beratey Lorelai Gilmore you were to Luke earlier… let him talk to you. It will help, you know it. He always is able to calm you down, and if he's not the one doing it, then his coffee sure as hell will. She wanted to cry again, but no tears could work their way into her dry, dry, dry eyes. She felt betrayed… betrayed and blamed. This thought made her feel small and disempowered, and Lorelai Gilmore did not like feeling either one of those sad and pathetic adjectives.

You love him… you can trust him. And with that hope, she turned the doorknob.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

The jingle of the bell above the door caused Luke to quickly turn around and face Lorelai. Since he gotten off the phone with her nearly 45 minutes ago, his heartbeat would not slow down. He knew there was something wrong, and it made him nervous thinking about Lorelai driving down the darkened highway, while her mind was dealing with the jumble of emotions that resulted from the unknown problem.

Lorelai stood still, facing him after closing the door, a look of complete defeat washed over her face. Her shoulders sagged, her pout was full, but unintentional, and her arms fell at her sides as her fingers pinched and pulled the silky material of her dress nervously. This is definitely not good… Luke thought, and without letting another second go by, he immediately took three giant steps across the diner and surrounded her slender frame with his protective arms.

"Hey," she whispered into his neck. Her voice wasn't shaky but not in any way confident. It was steady but doubtful.

"Hi," Luke responded just as quietly and gave her a gentle squeeze. As he felt her squeeze him back and readjust her arms tighter around him, he placed a hand on the back of her head and pressed his lips to her temple. Luke felt Lorelai's body suddenly relax at this, and she breathed warmly against his skin.

Wordlessly they stood in the empty dinner for what seemed like hours, Luke soothing Lorelai's upper back with one hand and playing with individual ringlets of her hair with the other. Lorelai, on the other hand, left her arms gripping his cotton shirt around his midsection, and her head on his chest, tucked under his chin.

Another relieving exhale, "How do you do this to me?" she asked, still whispering.

"Do what?"

She leaned back slightly in his arms and gazed up at him, "Get me to stop and breath when everything seems to be crashing down in my life…" she said with a tired chuckle.

At least I know I've done something to help her tonight… Luke thought and replied knowingly with a smile, "Oh…" he said before placing another tender kiss on her temple, attempting again to soothe the inevitable headache from the infamous Friday night dinner, "…that."

"Yes, that," she said smiling up at him. Her surprisingly happy demeanor suddenly turned contrite, "I'm sorry Luke... Earlier today--I'm so sorry. I never should have--"

But Luke quieted her by cupping one side of her head while brushing her cheek soothingly with his thumb. He then said earnestly, "Lorelai… we don't have to talk about that now. We're good—we're better than good… so don't worry about it, we'll have plenty of time for it later." He paused briefly before continuing, "Whatever happened tonight at dinner... you can tell me about it. I mean, if you need to. I'm here. Just... you don't need to worry about us, okay?"

Lorelai was in awe of his extreme sincerity. If I wasn't already so completely infatuated and head over Manolos in love with this man… She sighed audibly at this thought. There is no way I could love any one person more than I do at this moment…

"How about some coffee," Lorelai's eyes widened at this and for the first time that night, her gorgeously shocking, trademark smile appeared. Nope, I was wrong... it is definitely possible for me to fall more in love with one Luke Danes.

Lorelai's obvious cheer-uppance only lead Luke to further his offerings out of sheer happiness, "And maybe some boysenberry pie?"

And if that smile could possibly get any brighter, it did at that moment. She nodded slightly before closing her eyes and sighing, then resting her head on his chest for a second… Wow, this flannel-less deal of his—I like—this shirt is so thin its almost like my favorite Shirtless!Luke is the middle of the diner. She inhaled his scent deeply before she looked up into his eyes again, "You're too good to me, Luke, really."

She said it with such emotion, it almost made Luke drop the question he'd been wanting to ask ever since she'd avoided responding to it the first time on the phone earlier. But he suppressed the urge, knowing full well she needed her coffee and pie to console the little bit of Lorelai he could not. You could do anything and everything, but there will always be room for a little coffee and pie consolation. Luke would remind himself of this frequently, and did so before giving her a last squeeze and pulling out the closest chair for her to sit down in, before walking behind the counter to get what he promised.


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