I profusely apologize for not updating earlier; I was unavoidably detained for about 3 weeks. Hope this chapter makes up for it.

I am assuming that Lorelai and Emily's lunch date was not on Friday. So this chapter picks up the night of the lunch date. Remember; actual convo -Bold; Thoughts - Italics; Naration - (in brakets)

----------------Luke's POV--------------------

(Lorelai enters Luke's diner and sits at the counter. Luke is writing in his order pad.)

Kirk asked me to marry him.

Ok Danes just act normal. Congratulations... And don't worry I'm pretty sure he sterile.

We could always adopt.

That could work, unless he's a Woody Allen fan.

Oh gross, next topic please.

I should just ask her, its killing me not knowing. Maybe if I knew Lorelai told Rory, I wouldn't believe what Emily told me. I'll just ease into itRory was here earlier looking for you.

She was.

Yep, said she wanted to talk to you about something. She seemed distracted. Like you are now.

Oh.

Any idea what it is?

Some.

Come on, talk to me. Wanna share?

Not really.

Fine, then I'll talk. So you two haven't really talked since yesterday?

Not really.

So she doesn't know about us?

Not really. (She says uncomfortably)

OK. I guess there is some truth to what Emily said.

Luke…

It's ok. You need time. And so do I.

Luke, I promise I'm gonna….

I have to close up the back.

Oh, ok. (Lorelai said softly, but Luke had already gone to the back.)

----------------------Lorelai's POV--------------------------

(Lorelai slouches her body in guilty frustration, then runs her hand over her face and though her hair. She hears foots step on the stairs, and sees Jess emerge from behind the curtain.)

Hey.

Hi.

Where's Luke.

He's in the back closing up.

Oh. You staying?

If that conversation was any indication, I may never be staying again. I don't know yet.

Oh. Tell Luke I went out. (Jess says as he heads for the door)

OK.

(He stops and turns around. Lorelai is still seated on the stool with her back turned to him) Ok? That's it? No interrogation?

Maybe if you come back tomorrow I'll have a fat, dirty police officer, with questionable sexual preferences give you a cavity search. Tonight I'm just not in the mood.

Fine. (Jess says roughly as he turns and leaves the diner. A few seconds later he comes back in.) What are you doing to Luke?

Please I'm not in the mood to fight. What? (Jess walks up to her and Lorelai looks at him with a tired saddened look. Jess is surprised, but tries to ignore it.)

Ever since you guys hooked up he's been walking around here with this annoying grin on his face and this kay' sera sera attitude, which I gladly took advantage of by the way. And now for the pass couple of days, he's been drill major Danes, taking all his problems, which I assume are Lorelai related, out on me. So I just want to know what you're doing to him.

I'm not doing anything to him.

Yea right.

I'm not.

Look, I don't really care that you're treating him like dirt. But if you're gonna break up with him can you do it now so I can go back to my mundane life?

I do not treat him like dirt. And who said we're breaking up. I hope he doesn't want to break. But who could blame him. Jess is right I haven't been treating Luke right.

Do you love him?

What?

I get that this thing just started, but you two have known each other for years now. I think that's enough time to figure out if you love him or not.

I think I've loved him for all those years, but I'm not gonna tell you that. Well…I …umm…I…..

It's a simple yes or no question. Do you love Luke? (He asks again raising his voice a bit.)

Yes…. Yes I love him. (She unwillingly answers, also raising her voice.) Oh no, I didn't mean to tell him that. I haven't even told Luke that.

So what's the problem? (His voice still a bit harsh.)

I don't know. Yes I do, I'm a coward.

(Jess softens his voice and face as looks and speaks to Lorelai.) Well could you hurry up and figure it out and then fix it please. (Lorelai smiles at him.)

Ok so maybe he's not the greasy haired, ungrateful, annoying little punk I thought he was. I'll have to remove it from the headstone I made. I'll work on that.

Bye. (He moves to the door)

Hey Jess. (Lorelai spins on the stool so she can face him)

Yea. (He turns around)

Was he grinning all the time or was it just once in a while? (She asks with a playful smile)

I'm out.

No. wait. Come here. (Jess cautiously walks back to her) Just one more question to make sure I have this right. Was that your way of looking out for Luke and asking me what my intentions are with him? Cause this conversation was a bit too surreal to me.

No. And if you tell him I'll deny it.

Ok. But just so you know, if you did ask that question the answer would be 'nothing but honorable'.

(For the first time since they've met, Jess gives her a quarter of a smile.) Ok.

(She gives him a full smile.) Ok.

(Jess leaves. Not long after he is gone Luke come out from the back and stays behind the counter. He goes over to where Lorelai is.)

What did I tell you about playing with my bell?

Well now that's just too easy. Ohhh baby, yes, please don't stop?

Gezz. Don't play with the bell.

Fine, I'll just play with your ding dong. I didn't. Jess just left.

The bell rang three times.

Does he have bionic ears or something? That's because after he left he came back. And then he left again.

Did he say where he was going?

To knock over a liquor store so he can sustain his addiction.

Ok. (They both stayed there looking at each other.)

I love it when he looks at me like that. And I love his eyes and his half smile half grin thing he does with his mouth. I wonder if that's what Jess was talking about. Oh no Jess. He was talking… and Luke heard the bell…and now Luke's smiling…and…Um Luke… did you…

Let's go out.

What?

Let's go out. To a late movie.

Its closed.

We'll go to Hartford.

Why?

I just want to go out with you and not have to hind it. We'll go to the movie together, arms linked; I'll buy us tickets and snacks to last any normal person a week. And then once we're seated I can put my arm around you and you can snuggle into my chest.

Wow, I don't think I've been more turned on by a movie invite. I never thought of you as the public displays of affection type.

It's a dark theater.

Of course. So is there's a chance I can talk you into doing something dirty in this dark theater?

I'm not throwing popcorn at people.

He knows me so well. You're no fun.

Just let me finish closing up. (Luke moves to go close up the diner.)

Ok. I wonder if he heard what I told Jess.

----------------Jess's POV--------------

(Rory's walking towards Luke's Diner when her cell rings.)

Hello.

Hey hon.

Hi, I was just on my way to Luke's to look for you. Are you there?

Um.. no I'm not. And I'm not gonna be home for a while. I have to go to Hartford to take care of something.

What?

I'll tell you tomorrow, I promise.

Ok.

Love ya.

Dido.

(As she hangs up the phone, she sees Jess approaching.)

Hey.

Hey.

Where are you off to?

Well I was on my way to Luke's to look for my mom, but she's not there.

Oh. So you headed back home.

Actually, I think I'll go there anyway. I kinda have this craving for something sweet.

As much as I would like to be the one to help satisfy that craving, I don't think Luke and your mom would like the interruption. It's closed.

Oh… well I guess I'll just go home then.

Want some company? Say yes.

Jess, I don't think that's such a good idea. I should have seen that coming.

Afraid we'll be seen by a certain someone?

I'm not afraid; I just don't want it to be a big deal.

Boy I feel so special right now.

I didn't mean it like that.

I know. Come on, I'll walk you home.

Jess…

I promise we won't be seen, especially by you know who.

And you'll be a perfect gentleman?

If by that you mean not try to charm and kiss you? No. Until you ask me not to.

Jess…

I promise.

Ok, let's go.

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So that was chapter 7. please let me know what you think. Reviews are what keeps me writing.