Lorelai took another huge bite out of her burger. Luke was sitting across the table from her, reviewing a map. He sighed heavily and rubbed at his temples.

"What's wrong?" Lorelai asked as she sipped on her soda.

"We're about twenty minutes from New York." Luke replied.

Lorelai gleamed. "Wow. New York. I mean I've been there a few times, with my parents, but can you imagine how much fun it would be without them?"

"Lorelai, we're only about three hours away from Hartford. If that." He sighed again. "Breaking down really put us behind. We have to get some distance between us and your parents."

"Don't worry." Lorelai smiled. "We're away from them, that's enough."

"No, it's not." Luke huffed. "Every police officer in Connecticut will be searching for us soon."

"It doesn't matter." Lorelai replied. "They can't make me go back."

Luke was becoming more and more nervous when he thought about how Emily and Richard were going to react to him running away with their daughter. But he had to face it, they'd already done the worst part, there was no going back.

"We can't stop anymore for a while." Luke said as he folded up the map. "We'll try to make it all the way through New York before we rest for the night."

Lorelai's eyes became wider. "All the way through?"

"It'll only take about 5 hours, if we only stop to use the restroom and the traffic isn't too bad. When we enter Pennsylvania, we'll rest there."

Lorelai supposed she had seen the running away scheme as a joy ride, instead of a jail break. She hadn't given much thought to her parents finding her. In fact she had blocked that entire idea from her mind.

"Are you finished?" Luke asked.

"Yeah." Lorelai confirmed. They stood and left the restaurant.

"Well, they came by here about 3 hours ago." The mechanic replied. "Real sweet young lady. Very pretty too."

Chris glared at the mechanic. "Where did they say they were going?"

"They didn't." the mechanic replied. "But, boy howdy, were they in a hurry to get there."

Richard rubbed his forehead. "What were they driving?"

"Shoot, an old beat up truck. Rust an inch thick on it. A uh, red chevy... 68 model, I do believe."

"What direction did they go?" Christopher pressed.

"West."

"Thank you." Richard replied as he turned and headed towards his car.

"Welcome." The mechanic answered as he spat a chew of tobacco onto the ground.

"You were right, Christopher." Richard smiled as he pulled out onto the main road. "Have you ever considered doing police work?"

Chris slightly laughed. "Well, no sir. I suppose when you truly care about someone, you just inherit a sixth sense, so to speak."

"You are a fine young man." Richard added.

"Thank you, Mr. Gilmore."

"Please, call me Richard."

Christopher beamed with accomplishment. "Thank you, Richard."

Luke and Lorelai had been keeping to themselves the rest of the trip. Lorelai was dozing on and off and Luke was listening to the radio. Talking wasn't necessary between them. They felt comfortable enough just sitting next to each other. Luke tried not to think of Emily and Richard. That thought alone was enough to terrify him. If he wasn't in such a blind love with Lorelai, he would have never attempted something so desperately crazy like this. He didn't regret it however, he was in this all the way. Nevertheless, he had to make sure they didn't get caught. Lorelai let her mind wonder about what it would be like when they finally made it California. She and Luke could both find a job somewhere together. Maybe they could be lifeguards at the beach. They would spend their evenings laying out in the sand gazing up at the stars. They would take moonlight strolls. Everything about California would be perfect. After they got settled, they could go back to school, and then to college. Wouldn't that be something to be proud of? Leaving home at 16 and finishing college with a degree. Lorelai wanted nothing more than to rub her success and happiness into her mother's face.

"Luke, when do you think we'll reach California?" Lorelai asked as she snuggled closer to him.

"Just a few more days." Luke answered. "I figure we'll be there by Tuesday evening. Maybe, Wednesday morning."

"I was thinking about children." Lorelai randomly stated. "How when I have a child, I'm not going to control it's every move. I'll give it freedom and room to make decisions. We'll have a wonderful bond. I'm sure."

"You really want children?" Luke asked as he continued to stare at the road.

"Well, yeah." Lorelai smiled. "A family isn't complete without children... and a dog."

Luke laughed. "You're not wanting them right away are you? I mean you're going to wait until you get older?."

Lorelai straightened herself up in the seat. "Of course." she replied. "Did you think I meant right now?"

"Oh.. I ... Well..." Luke stammered. "I wasn't sure." Lorelai raised an eyebrow. "Don't get me wrong, I want kids. I just want to finish raising myself first."

"I understand." Lorelai whispered as she sank back down into the seat and rested her head on Luke's shoulder.