(The second chapter. More fluff. Reviews are always welcome.)

Chapter 2: Luke's Diner

Luke's Diner was empty. The only light spilled from the staircase that led up to Luke's apartment above. Lorelai stood on the stoop of the door, her face and hands against the glass, looking miserable. Rory stood on the street, staring up at a window that was still bright. She glanced at her watch and then went to her mother and pulled her shoulder back, peeling her from the door.

"It's not too late, he should still be up. Just… yell at him."

"Have you suddenly become incapable of raising your voice?" Lorelai asked bitterly, fixing Rory with a flat stare. She needed coffee.

"No, I just thought he would respond more… eagerly to you. I'm not dating him, after all. Of course, I've always felt a strange pull between us. Maybe he does like me more, in which case I should be the one calling him. Good point, Mom. I'm sure we'll be happy together."

"You're funny. I wonder where you got that from? Not from me, obviously. I can't be that annoying." Lorelai squeezed Rory's arm affectionately and moved from the stoop to the sidewalk, positioning herself directly below the lighted window. She cupped her hands around her mouth and began yelling. "Luke! Help! Luuuuukkeeee! We need your help NOW!"

The window flew open almost immediately, and a man appeared, nearly falling over the ledge. His head snapped about frantically until he saw Lorelai and Rory. The two girls could see him relax and, at the same time, his muscles tighten in irritation once he noticed that they were in no danger. Lorelai waved at him.

"We need coffee and food!" She called, her voice airy.

"We're closed." Luke called back gruffly. He slammed the window closed with that. Lorelai and Rory watched the spot he had been with identical looks of shock. A few moments later the window was shut off and there was no movement inside. Silence settled over the Gilmore's for a long minute before Lorelai turned to Rory.

"He went to bed." Her eyes reflected the piercing incredulousness she was struggling with, "He shut the window."

"And turned off the light." Rory pouted.

"Does he not like us anymore?"

"I don't know. Did you do something to him?"

"Me? Maybe you scared him with your sick attraction to him."

"I never said I was attracted to him, just that there was a strange pull between us. It wasn't enough for anyone to get offended over, except the over-protective girlfriend."

"This over-protective girlfriend wants food. I can't believe he's going to make us go all the way home."

"We did wake him up." Rory said, finally taking a mildly-serious tone. Lorelai folded her arms over her chest and puffed her cheeks like an indignant child. Rory smiled, trying to coax her mom out of the mood. "Come on, we have Chinese food at home." Lorelai shook her head, stomping her foot and turning her adamant gaze to the diner. Her face instantly changed as she saw the door swing open, light spilling onto the street from the curtained diner windows.

"You two coming in, or what?" Luke asked, maintaining the gruff voice he had greeted them with. He stood in the doorway dressed in what he considered pajamas, sweat pants and an older flannel shirt. He looked angry, but held the door open for them and waved them inside. Lorelai ran to him and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him as tightly as she could.

"You're the best guy in the whole world. Now I don't have to go buy food at another diner and bring it here to tell all your customers how much better it is than yours." She kissed him on the cheek and he scoffed. She released him and entered the diner, almost skipping, and Rory followed suit, smiling and waving a 'thank you' to Luke as she passed. He nodded in her direction, looked around the empty street, and then shut the door. The sign he kept attached to the door showed the street that he was still closed, despite the two customers he now had sitting at the bar.

Luke rounded the bar and poured them a cup of hot coffee. He had learned to keep a pot ready at all times, and this was an even more important lesson now that he was with Lorelai. She was a coffee fiend and, though he discouraged it, Luke tried to keep her addiction satisfied. Lorelai and Rory took long gulps from the oversized cups and Luke watched in dismay. The two were identical. They took breaths at the same time, drank at the same pace, and put their cups on to the counter in sync. Both noticed him watching them and both responded with an amusingly quizzical expression. He laughed and waved a dismissive hand.

"What brings you two here on a Friday night? Shouldn't you be spending time with Emily and Richard?"

"Well, Richard is traveling and won't be back for two weeks, and Emily is… well… Emily." Lorelai said with a shrug, watching the thick black liquid swirl as she gently turned her cup in her hands. Luke wasn't oblivious to the air of injury in Lorelai's body language. "My Mother pretty much kicked us out tonight. Without dinner, which was the worst thing of all."

Luke glanced at Rory, who was frowning slightly. He felt suddenly uncomfortable, knowing he was obligated to ask her what happened but unwilling to offend her by bringing up a bad experience casually. He picked his words carefully and delivered them warmly.

"I know how you two get when you're not fed. I'm lucky you didn't tear down the door… are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm used to it by now." This wasn't the first time Lorelai had spoken to Luke about her problems with her mother, and Luke nodded in understanding. Lorelai went on with a sigh, "This time, though… I offended her. I mean, I felt justified at the time. She was belittling me- and you- and she really deserved to hear the truth…"

"But?"

"But I probably could have said it better. She looked so hurt… I know she just wants to be a part of my life, like I am with Rory." She took her daughter's hand and smiled into her blue eyes, "A big part. But she can't. She won't ever be that close to me. There's too much water under that bridge. An entire village has drowned, in fact. I… I don't know. Lorelai Gilmore is too stubborn to be loved by her own mother."

"Mom…" Rory said. Luke was glad she had spoken, because he could not find fitting words, "That's not it. You love your mom, and Grandma loves you. You both know you're living in two different worlds. What happened tonight… Grandma just wants you to be happy. She wants you to find the right guy. Maybe if Luke came to dinner next week…"

"No. I'll apologize next week. I shouldn't have snapped at her. I should have waited until we got home and taken it out on you." She smiled and looked at Luke. "We'll torture Luke the week after."

Luke smiled, sensing the conversation was taking a lighter turn and it was now safe to joke around with her. Rory was a great kid, and it amazed him to see just how soothing she was to Lorelai.

"So." He said, taking out his order pad and pen from under the counter. "What'll you have?"

"Cheeseburgers and chili fries?" Rory asked, downing the last of her coffee. Lorelai nodded.

"You heard the lady."

"Coming right up." Luke didn't bother writing the order down. He disappeared into the kitchen. Lorelai watched him go and then turned to Rory.

"I have a good kid."

"Yeah, you do. You should feel blessed." Rory shifted the stool closer and turned to face her mother directly, and Lorelai accepted that as an offer for a hug. She released Rory's shoulders when she heard her struggling for air.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, kid." She said seriously, her eyes glistening with the threat of tears. They were best friends, and both took that as granted. But there were moments where Lorelai would stare at Rory and recognize herself in both appearance and attitude, and she would fully realize that Rory wasn't just her best friend. Rory was her daughter. There was a level of love and respect that friends could never attain, no matter how long they've known each other or how close they become. It was a special level reserved for Lorelai and Rory. Right now, facing her daughter on bar stools in Luke's diner and clasping her daughters hands in her own, Lorelai felt completely submerged in that overpowering love. She never wanted to leave.

"You know I'll always be here for you." Rory said, beaming sincerely. Lorelai ran a hand through Rory's soft, dark brown hair and then kissed her on the forehead. They sat for a long time like that, Lorelai's chin resting on the top of Rory's head, their hands clasped together in Lorelai's lap. Luke hovered in the doorway that separated the diner from the kitchen, holding two plates of purely caloric food. He took in the whimsical scene and felt as if he had strayed into an absurdly perfect world. He was at peace and he was in love with that feeling. He wanted to be a part of this world, the tight bond his two closest friends shared. The ties would be different for each, but he would be irrevocably attached to both. A sharp sting of percipient pain caught him off guard, and he lurched forward to put the plates on the counter before he dropped them. The jolted from their serene trance and both fixed him with worried, wondering stares. He smiled at them wanly.

"Sorry. I, ah, I didn't want to interrupt, and I… uh, I was trying to be quiet but I… you know… tripped." He smiled and regained his composure before they noticed he had ever lost it. He sighed. "Sorry."

"It's fine." Lorelai said with renewed joviality. She took one plate and slid it to Rory, then took her own plate. She smiled up at Luke without saying anything. He shifted nervously.

"You need something else? Ketchup? More coffee? I'll get you more coffee." He turned to get the coffee pot but Lorelai reached over the counter and caught him by the arm. He stopped and half turned to face her.

"No, we're fine. Thank you for being here." She released his arm and rounded the counter to meet him, taking his hands in hers.

"Well, I do live here." He said, stepping towards her and putting his arms around her lithe body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and began to sway. Luke moved with her, dancing to no music.

"No. For being here for us. We can always count on you. You're a big part of our life, Luke. I… just… thank you." She spoke while looking into his eyes, their faces inches apart. He didn't smile at her, but she felt his hold tighten around her. She pressed her ear to his chest, resting against him and closing her eyes.

"No problem." He said. It was simple, but it was all Lorelai had to hear. It meant that he was glad to be there, whenever they needed him, and he would be there for as long as they allowed him to be. Rory watched the two, eating her cheeseburger, and smiled. They were perfect together. All that needed to happen was a surge of courage. She could see how much the each cared for the other, and she was sure they knew. There was a question in all of their minds, and Rory wondered when one would be bold enough to ask it. The two danced silently for a while, long enough for Rory to finish half of her burger and almost all of her fries, and then they split. Lorelai kept her hands entwined with his, a delicate flower in a bears paw. He ran his thumb over the back of her hand and took a deep breath. "Lorelai…"

"It's late. We should go."

"You didn't eat…" He tightened his grip on her hands, hesitant to let her leave. Only Lorelai had the ability to make him feel this wonderful, and he didn't want to let the feeling go.

"Doggy-bag it for me? I promise, I'll eat. Rory has an early morning tomorrow. Something with Paris."

"Paris?"

"Oh, you remember Paris. The last time she was here she insulted you and asked you where you kept the drugs and other illegal things?" Rory said, rising from the stool with a laugh. A look of disgust crossed Luke's face and he nodded.

"Oh, yeah. I remember her." He answered, "Okay, I guess you should go. She's the kind of girl liable to keep a grudge if you're late, right? Make you're life hard?"

"You have no idea." Rory didn't seem too perturbed by this admission. Paris considered Rory her best friend, despite how genuinely horrible Paris was to her, and she couldn't help but think of Paris as a close friend. Somehow, her terrible attitude and brash antics were endearing.

Lorelai and Luke took a couple more minutes of cuddling before he finally released her. She kissed him on the cheek and he brushed her face with the back of his hand tenderly. She moved around the counter after a beat and he pulled out a Styrofoam box for her burger and fries. He handed her the box and its contents and she leaned over the counter to give him a proper kiss on the lips. Rory was waiting for her at the door. When Lorelai turned her back to Luke and made for the exit, Luke motioned for Rory to wait. She nodded slightly, held the door open for Lorelai, and then went to Luke at the counter. The door shut behind her and Lorelai turned to find Rory had not followed her. The door was locked from the inside, so Lorelai didn't even make an attempt to try and get back in. Instead she went to her Jeep, put the food on the passenger side chair and waited for Rory.

"I need to ask you something, Rory." Rory stood awkwardly in front of the counter, and Luke watched her with a serious expression on his face. She wondered what could be going through his head, and then remembered the conversation she had had with her mother earlier.

"Wait, I was just kidding about that 'strange pull' thing, I promise. I know you and mom--"

"What? No, no, no. I need to ask you about your mother." He took off his old blue baseball cap and ran a hand through his brown, flat hair. He seemed oddly anxious. "Look, what is she doing tomorrow? I mean, her schedule?"

"Same as always, I guess. She's working at the Inn." She couldn't stop her mouth from curling at the corners. "Why?"

"No reason. Look… do you think it would be possible for you to… I don't know… keep her out of the diner tomorrow?"

"Luke, do you know how crazy you sound right now?"

"I know, I know. But it's just for one day and, if I could, I'd tell you why but please: just trust me. If you can't, that's okay, but it would really help me."

"Okay, okay. I'll try. But I don't know if I'll be able to. I don't think my mom is physically capable of getting through the day without a cup of your coffee." She waved and went to the door, pausing after opening it a little and feeling the cool night air wash over her face. "What are you planning for her?"

"You'll find out later. I know how you and Lorelai tell each other everything. You'll have to understand that I have to be careful about what I let you know."

"Because I'll tell her." She said. It was a statement, not a question. She couldn't deny that she told her mother almost everything, and got the same in return. Luke stood over her and held the door open. She thanked him and flitted down from the stoop and over to the Jeep, which was waiting with its engine purring. As Rory was getting in the car, Lorelai came out. She left the door open and ran over to Luke, catching him just before he closed the door. He looked at her in surprise and she kissed him fully and deeply. When she broke away from him he saw he eyes glistening with something beyond gratitude or respect or friendship.

"I love you, Luke Danes." She said and then ran back to the car. Luke watched her go, stunned silent. He wanted to reply, willed himself to, but could not get his mouth to acquiesce. The engine of the Jeep turned and the car pulled away from the curb and into the street. The stoplight in front of his diner was green, for once, and soon the car vanished into the night. Luke smiled as his heart swelled in his chest. He went back into the diner and then up to his apartment, forgetting about the unwashed coffee cups and dinner plates, and the light he left on. He moved across the room to his bed and flopped down onto it. He looked up at the ceiling, then around the room, and then at the window. He smiled. Maybe becoming a part of their world wasn't going to be as difficult as he thought.

Lorelai eased that car into the driveway of their Stars Hollow home and cut the engine. She leaned back in the seat and tilted her head in Rory's direction. Rory was sitting with Lorelai's boxed food in her lap, smiling as if she had just heard a great joke.

"He asked you to keep me out of the diner?" Lorelai said slowly, trying to keep a straight face, but having little success. "All day?"

"Yes. He said he'd tell me why, but I'd end up telling you so he couldn't." She didn't hide the edge in her words.

"It must be big."

"It must be big." Rory nodded. She opened the door and unclicked her seatbelt with two practiced flips of her wrist and then stepped down from the seat. Lorelai followed suit, meeting Rory half way to the house. The two linked arms, both smiling.

"Well, then." Lorelai said, using her free hand to open the door, "You know what I have to do."

"Go to the diner."

"All day."

"Never leave."

"Not once. And never let him out of my sights."

"Wait." They entered the house and split company, Lorelai to the kitchen and Rory to the living room after handing her mother the box from Luke's. "I think I see a problem with your plan."

"What's that?" Lorelai called over the hum of the microwave.

"If you go to the diner and spend the day there you might scare him out of doing whatever it is he wants to do. And that would defeat the whole purpose of being there all day, which was to learn what he was doing, right?"

"Right." Lorelai came in holding the reheated food and waving her fork thoughtfully. She sat down next to Rory on the couch, offering her french-fries. "So I can't sit there all day, or he won't plan anything at all and that might ruin the whole thing. He'd be angry with me, though he'd never tell me why, and I'd have to pretend not to know. Not my favorite kind of situation." Lorelai said, remembering a huge fight with her mother and father that had occurred under similar circumstances. "Okay, so I don't stay there all day."

"Good. You give him breaks. It gives him time to put things into motion, and gives you more of a chance at catching him in the act." Rory nodded prophetically.

"Dirty!"

"Mom, be serious." She jabbed Lorelai playfully in the arm and Lorelai nodded, putting on a cracking game face. Rory continued. "Besides, you couldn't have stayed there all day. You have to be at the Inn. So you go there periodically, but not so methodical that he catches on to your rhythm, right?"

"Good! Keep him on his toes. Me likes. That's my plan, and the first stop will be in the morning. I'll give you a ride to meet Paris at Yale, and we can stop in the Diner before we go."

"You realize that to accomplish this feat we have to get up really early. Like, before the chickens." Rory looked at her mother skeptically. Lorelai was not one for rising before seven in the morning under any circumstances. Lorelai mulled this condition over in her mind for a while.

"What time do you have to meet Paris?" She asked at length.

"Eight."

"What is wrong with that child?" She groaned in exasperation. She regained herself quickly, "Okay, alright. We'll get up early. But if we're a little late Paris will just have to deal with it. What are you two doing, anyway?"

"She didn't say. She just told me to meet her at the school in the morning and she'd take it from there."

"That girl. She'll be the death of us all." Lorelai took a bite out of her burger, savored it, and then continued. "So that's the plan."

"That's the plan." Both looked satisfied.
Lorelai grinned.

"We're bad people."

"No, we're completely justified in wondering what he could be planning. From the way he was acting, he could have been talking about something bad. I was obligated to tell you, and you were likely obligated to look into it."

"Exactly." Lorelai leaned back into the sofa, food in her lap, as Rory rose. "Going to bed, Sweets?"

"Yeah. We have a busy morning of deception ahead of us. And whatever it is Paris had planned for me." She went to the hall, paused to wave goodnight, then crossed to her room and shut the door lightly behind her. Lorelai poked her burger with the fork she had brought from the kitchen with no intention of actually using, and then moved it from her lap to the table. She looked up at the ceiling as her feelings from the day settled over her in a wave. The fight with Emily had left her drained and emotional, but the trip to Luke's had a wonderful rejuvenating affect on her. Telling him she loved him had brought her to an awkward edge, teetering between terrified and elated. She hadn't waited for a reaction, but had seen a light in his eyes and a change in his stance that seemed favorable. Still, however that turned out, she felt completely vulnerable. She would see him tomorrow for the commencement of her plan, and it occurred to her that he might not be so keen on doing anything for her now. She might have scared him off.

Lorelai shook her head and got up from the old couch. She considered cleaning up the box of food that was sitting half-eaten on the table, but left it for another time. Her bed was calling her, and it was as irresistible as a Siren. She stopped by Rory's room, opening the door carefully so she didn't wake the sleeping girl, and gave her a kiss on the cheek before she made her way upstairs and to her room. She made a quick job of changing into her pajamas, sweats and a flannel shirt she had stolen from Luke's a couple days before, and got into her comfortably familiar bed. She breathed deeply, still able to smell him in the fibers of the shirt, and sighed. He would be there for her tomorrow, as he always was. Things would be fine between them. They wore, basically, identical sets of pajamas. How could it not be fine with that connecting them?

Rory, in her bed and pretending to be asleep, smiled to herself. Things were moving in the right direction. She didn't have to worry about pushing them in any way. They both knew what they had to do. They both felt the exact same way. Things were going to be very interesting from here on out. And Rory could not wait to see how things turned out.