Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I should point out now that I still don't own Gilmore Girls.

Chapter 8
"Eavesdropping and The Crap Shack"

Rory hung her sweater on the back of the chair and settled in at the breakfast table that morning aware that her grandparents were looking to her for answers. What was her plan? Would she take the job as a law clerk? What did she want to pursue as a profession, if not journalism? She wished that she had answers to their questions, affirmations for their inquisitive eyes. The truth was she didn't have answers for them or, for that matter, herself. The last week had been such as mess that she wasn't sure where to begin. She almost wished she'd said no to their invitation for breakfast, but she felt she owed them much more than an appearance at a meal.

"Rory," Richard began as breakfast was served. "Have you given any thought to the job at the law office?"

"Yes," Rory said a little unsteadily. For some reason this moment felt heavy, possibly because it carried all the hopes and dreams she once had. "I've decided I'd like to try it."

Emily's face lit up instantly and she placed her coffee cup down onto its saucer. "That's wonderful," she said overly excited. It was as if Rory's answer affirmed that Richard had made the right choice in siding with Rory over Lorelai. "I think you'll enjoy it there. You might even find you like law."

"Yeah," Rory nodded not committing to anything. After thinking it through she realized that the job would only be for a few months. Since she really had no thoughts as to what she wanted to do with her life it couldn't hurt to check out all the possibilities.

"Excellent," Richard affirmed. "No matter what career path you choose, I'm sure the experience will be invaluable to you."

"I'm sure," Rory nodded in agreement as she ate her omelet.

Emily noticed that Rory looked a little down. She figured it had more to do with Lorelai than with the job at the law firm. Emily wished that she had been able to hear what Lorelai said to Rory out on the patio the previous evening, but she was too preoccupied with Luke to eavesdrop properly.

"Did Logan stay very long last night?" Emily asked not really sure she wanted to know the answer.

Rory swallowed hard and tried to keep the crimson from rising in her cheeks. Logan had wanted to stay the night her, but she forced him out at around two in the morning. The thought of her grandparents seeing his car in the driveway in the morning and knowing he'd spent the night was too much for Rory to think about. They still thought of her as their angel. It was odd enough having sex with Logan in the pool house knowing her grandparents were less than 100 yards away. He grudgingly left the pool house, jacket in hand, and promised to call her the next day.

"No," Rory lied clearing her throat.

"I thought I heard a car around two," Richard said to no one in particular as he looked up from the paper.

"Yeah, he left around then," Rory said biting her lower lip. "We were watching a movie."

"Anything interesting?" Emily asked.

"No," Rory fumbled for a title. Of all the films she'd watched in her life she couldn't seem to find the title of one.

"Well what was it? Why would you watch a movie you didn't like?" Emily countered unaware of the pressure she placed on Rory.

"Oh, I didn't mean it wasn't a good movie," Rory struggled. "It was one I'd seen before."

"What was it?" Emily asked intrigued.

"Um, it's called Spinal Tap," Rory said finally pulling a title from her brain. Why she choose Spinal Tap she didn't know and she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to explain it.

"Spinal Tap?" Emily replied aghast. "What a horrible title."

"It's not one of those documentaries on plastic surgery is it? It seems every time I turn on the television I see some surgeon cutting open a spleen," Richard chimed in.

"Richard, please," Emily piped up. "Some of us are eating."

"No, actually Spinal Tap is about a rock band," Rory said. "It's pretty funny actually."

"Oh it sounds it," Emily replied sarcastically. "And Logan likes movies like that?"

"Yeah, he does," Rory said quickly. But she suddenly realized that she wasn't sure if Logan liked it or not. She wasn't even sure if Logan liked movies. They'd never watched one together.

"Well that's nice I suppose," Emily replied.

Rory was just about finished with her breakfast, but Richard and Emily were still at the table. It was almost as if they were waiting for her to leave.

"Well, I'm going to go," Rory said hesitantly standing.

"Alright," Emily smiled without getting up.

"I'll make the arrangements with the law firm today," Richard said. "I'd assume they'd want you to start on Monday."

"Okay," Rory nodded. "I'm probably going to hang out at Logan's tonight." She was unsure of how much information they needed. They weren't her parents and she was twenty years old, but she felt as if she owed them at least a sketchy account of where she'd spending her time.

"That sounds nice," Emily said. "Have fun."

"Okay. Well let me know about the job. I guess I'll see you both later."

"Have a good day Rory," Richard said.

"Thanks. You too," Rory said as she walked into the kitchen. She had an unsettling feeling in her stomach. It was as if her grandparents were conspiring and they needed her gone to do it. Little did she know she wasn't too far off the track.

"Well," Richard said folding up his paper. "Now that we've gotten Rory on the right track I suppose we should discuss last night."

"I suppose we should," Emily agreed folding her hands on the table.

"I agree with Luke," Richard said plainly. Emily scanned his face to see if she could read his eyes. She found nothing but serious resolve on his face.

"I think I just had a stroke," Emily said in disbelief.

"Emily," Richard started to protest.

"No, a stroke would be the only possible explanation to how I heard you say that you agree with that scruffy, plaid man."

"Emily, he has a point," Richard said.

"No, I don't accept that," Emily replied insolently.

"Emily, whether we like it or not Lorelai is dating Luke. Seriously, I might add. That was made abundantly clear last night. We can't change her mind no matter how strongly we might not approve. Didn't you hear what Luke told us last night?"

"I've chosen to forget it," Emily said glancing away.

"You're making a mistake," Richard insisted.

"Since when did you become Luke's head cheerleader?" Emily asked him seriously.

"I'm in no way his cheerleader Emily," Richard sighed. "But once again, you're not thinking ahead. There is every indication that Luke is going to be part of our family, whether we like it or not."

Rory was half-way across the yard when she realized she'd forgotten her sweater on the back of her chair. It wasn't cold out, but the late May air was crisp at night and Rory had intended to wear it later. She sighed and turned around. She headed back toward the house to retrieve her sweater, half-expecting the maid to bring it to her before she got inside the house. Emily didn't like anything out of place, least of all a sweater draped over a chair.

Rory entered the kitchen silently and immediately heard loud tones coming from the dining room. She wasn't sure if she should enter the room during what seemed like a heated conversation so she waited quietly by the door to ascertain the situation.

"Think of how Trix treated you Emily," Rory heard Richard say. "She was very hard on you and you resented her for it until the day she died."

"What are you saying Richard?" Emily countered, her tone dripping with hostility. "Are you saying I've become your mother?"

"No," Richard replied trying to backtrack. "I'm saying that Trix had very strong opinions about things, specifically my marriage to you. The two of you fought like cats and dogs because of it."

"Of course we did," Emily replied quickly. "Your mother begged you not to marry me on the day of our wedding!" The words slipped out and she instantly regretted them. She'd never told Richard that she'd found the letter his mother wrote him.

"How did you?" Richard said stuttered.

"I'm sorry," Emily cut him off. "I found the letter when I was cleaning out your mother's house. I never meant for you to know that I knew."

Rory wondered if she should leave. She felt a little guilty listening in on their conversation. But on the other hand she wondered why they talking about a subject long forgotten.

"My mother only wanted the best for me," Richard explained. "I wish you'd never have seen that letter."

"Well I did," Emily replied. "I suppose she thought I wasn't the best for you then?"

"Emily please don't turn this into more than it is," Richard said.

"I don't think I am Richard," Emily said. "Your mother always hated me and I always thought it was because she preferred Pennilyn to me. Finding that letter only validated my suspicion."

"Trix may have preferred Pennilyn to you," Richard said. "But I didn't. I love you Emily. I chose you regardless of what my mother wanted."

"I'm sure she was less than thrilled with you," Emily responded.

"I'm sure she was, but I didn't care then and I don't care now," Richard said softly. "I loved you the moment I saw you Emily."

Emily's face softened and she was once again touched by Richard's confession. She was about to speak, but Richard cut her off before she could get a word out. "This is why I don't think Lorelai will care what we say or do to keep her from marrying Luke. She loves him, that much obvious."

Rory's ears perked up at the last sentence and she was suddenly very puzzled. Her grandparents seemed to believe that Lorelai and Luke were on the verge of marriage. Why didn't Rory know about this? Surely her mother wouldn't consider getting married without at least talking to her about it. In her shock Rory missed part of the conversation and picked it up mid-sentence.

"Luke told as much at dinner last night," Richard finished.

"He's divorced," Emily said.

"And Lorelai had a child when she was sixteen," Richard countered. "Neither of them are perfect specimens for the American family."

"And you're okay with this?" Emily replied seemingly calm.

"No, of course not, but we have to work with what we're given."

"The thought of Lorelai marrying him…" Emily trailed off. "And to think, he made it sound as if it were her idea. At least Rory is making a sensible choice in Logan."

"Logan certainly comes from a good family," Richard agreed.

Rory had heard enough. She turned quickly on her heel and exited the kitchen into the backyard. The cool morning air felt good on her face, which she felt must be red and flushed. Her chest felt surprisingly tight and she thought for a moment to she might start to cry. Lorelai was her mother, yes, but more than that, she was her best friend. Lorelai was always there for her and vice versa. Rory never imagined that she would make a life-changing decision like marriage without her.

Rory remembered when her mother was engaged to Max. He was staying the night at their house for the first time and Lorelai came downstairs to sleep with Rory, the gravity of the situation too much for her. But now, Luke had slept at their house, on more than one occasion. Rory had called early in the morning and heard him there many times. Lorelai never once called her panicked over the thought of Luke being there when she woke. Rory knew that her mother was happy with Luke, her behavior when they briefly broke up was proof. Rory had never seen her mother so lonely, so depressed and so broken. But for some reason she never thought of them getting married. Furthermore, she never thought Lorelai would consider it without talking to her about it first.

As Rory made her way to the pool house she tried to steady her breathing. She found it ironic that she felt this way. She didn't consult her mother without dropping out of Yale and that was life-changing. Why should Lorelai consult her about marriage? Rory was twenty after all. She was old enough to move out, drop out of school and make her own way in life. Consciously she knew this information, but in her heart she felt utterly alone and hurt. How could she do this?

Rory made it back to the pool house and threw her hair into a ponytail. She grabbed her cell phone and keys off the counter and made her way to her car. There was only one place she could turn to get the answers she needed. She knew she would find what she was looking for in Stars Hollow.

"Luke?" Lorelai whispered groggily. She reached out and felt emptiness beside her. She slowly opened her eyes and saw that Luke's side of the bed was vacant and she glanced at the clock. She groaned outwardly and threw back the covers. As she made her way down the stairs she could smell breakfast and a smile spread across her face as she made her way into the kitchen.

"So you didn't abandon me," she said as she ran her hand across Luke's back while he made breakfast.

"No, I just thought you might want some breakfast before I left," he said.

"Haven't we been over this?" Lorelai asked remembering the talk they had about Luke cooking at the diner and not in her kitchen.

"We have," Luke said setting the plate down in front of her. "But, you slept in and you have a meeting with the horse guy this morning. I figured you wouldn't have time to come by the diner."

"Smart man," Lorelai said taking a seat and shoving a piece of bacon in her mouth.

"Remind me to tell you that you said that," Luke said.

"Will do," she said as he set a plate of fluffy pancakes down in front of her.

"So there you go," Luke said. "Okay, you're up; you're fed; now I have to get to work." He leaned down and planted a succession of kisses on her lips before he pulled away.

"Wow, déjà vu," Lorelai said vaguely recalling a faint phantom memory. Lorelai stood up and pulled on Luke's arm before he started to leave. "Wait a minute. I want to ask you something."

"Okay," Luke said turning to face her.

"Okay," she took a deep breath before beginning to calm her nerves. "Remember how we had a talk about how you were going to buy the old Twickham place?"

"Vaguely," Luke lied.

"Well, we never really talked about it seriously. You made the deal without telling me and then you backed out without telling me and now--"

"Kirk owns the Twickham House, he gloats over it daily, I got it," Luke said cutting her off to make a long story short.

"I know that we decided to slow things down after my little marriage proposal," Lorelai continued. "But if you were seriously thinking about moving in together I was thinking maybe you could just move in here?"

"Here?" Luke clarified.

"Yeah," Lorelai said. "I know it's The Crap Shack, but it could be our Crap Shack. I've been thinking about it and this house is really important to me. It's the first big thing I've owned. Rory grew up here. You've fixed practically every door, window and sink in here so it's kind of like you're already emotionally attached to it."

"Emotionally attached to a house?" Luke asked skeptically.

"I mean it's like you're already a part of the house's history," Lorelai said. "Remember when you broke the back door lock? Wasn't that fun?"

Luke scanned the kitchen and then focused his eyes on Lorelai. "You're serious about this," he said as a statement more than question.

"I really am," Lorelai said confidently, surprising herself. When she proposed to Luke she wasn't quite sure how ready she was for the next step, but now she knew that she was ready for a future with Luke.

"The Crap Shack, huh?" he said. "You make it sound so classy."

"I should have gone into marketing, I know," Lorelai smiled.

Luke thought for a moment, but the minute she posed the question he knew what his answer would be. "Okay," he said simply.

"Yes?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"Sure, why not?" Luke said with a tiny grin. "You don't think Rory will mind though do you?"

"Rory doesn't live here anymore," Lorelai said turning her back and taking her seat at the table again.

"She'll be back," Luke insisted.

"Maybe," Lorelai grudgingly agreed. "She won't mind. She likes you. It's me who might have to relocate if she comes back."

"Okay," Luke said. "I have to get to the diner, but we'll talk about this later, figure out the details."

"We will," Lorelai grinned at him. Luke looked as though he was about to speak and Lorelai cut him off, "Cotton balls, Q-Tips and Connie Chung's original face." She suddenly and unexpectedly remembered the dream she'd had about Luke in vivid detail.

"What?"

"You were going to ask if I needed anything weren't you?" she asked.

"No, I was going to ask you to tell Babette not to catcall at me when I get the paper in the morning," he said with a puzzled look.

"Oh, well I'll see what I can do, but the woman has good taste," Lorelai said.

"I'll see you later," he replied.

"Count on it," Lorelai said as she watched Luke walk out the door. She curled up in her chair and smiled contently thinking about the prospect of Luke moving into her house. With the exception of Rory and her parents, Lorelai's personal life seemed to be falling into place quite nicely.

TBC