Author's Note: Thanks again for all of your kind words. They all mean a lot to me. And thanks to xphilehb for being an amazing beta!

Luke looked up from the receipts he was going through when the bell above the door jingled. He smiled as Lorelai came in and took a seat right in front of him. "Coffee?" he asked, grabbing the pot.

She nodded in agreement, watching intently as the hot liquid was poured into her mug. She blew on it to cool it a bit before taking a sip. "Mmm..." she sighed.

"Where's Rory this morning?"

"She left for school," Lorelai answered, placing her mug on the counter. "She goes to school in Hartford at Chilton," she continued after seeing his confused expression. "The bus leaves pretty early." She ran her fingers along the top of her mug. "I suppose that I could have let Christopher get her a car, but I never really liked that idea."

"Christopher?" he inquired.

"My ex-husband. Rory's father. I can just hear my mother now. 'You should have let him buy Rory a car. He is her father. You should let us buy her a car. How could you let her ride the bus from that horrible little town? Only murderers and hoodlums ride the bus.' She drives me insane!" Lorelai groaned.

"That sounds a little extreme."

"Well, you don't know my mother. She makes Hitler look like an upstanding citizen," she stated. "And I just give her one disappointment after another. She hates that I left Chris and brought Rory here."

"This town isn't so bad," he offered.

"It is in the eyes of Emily Gilmore, Miss High-Class Elitist. She'd probably have a heart attack if she saw my new house." Lorelai thought for a moment. "Hmm... maybe I should invite her over. Nah, she would just rip apart every little thing that I have going. I don't want to deal with that at the moment. Or even deal with her at all." She noticed that Luke was beginning to look a little uncomfortable. She felt embarrassed for going on like this. "Sorry. My mother is not the best subject for me."

"It's okay."

"We haven't spoken to each other since I told her that things were over between Chris and I, so I should actually feel a bit relieved. For the first time in my life, I don't have Emily breathing down my back. And for the first time since I was sixteen, I don't have a husband either. I'm finally free."

"You got married at sixteen?" Luke asked, surprise evident in his voice.

She nodded. "Crazy, huh? I did it for Rory. Our parents thought it was for the best, and for some unknown reason, I believed them. It must have been all those wacky pregnancy hormones. Sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like if I hadn't gotten married..." she trailed off. "I'll shut up now. I didn't mean to talk your ear off. I haven't said much of anything to anyone since this all started, and I guess that I just got a little carried away."

"It's okay," he told her. "I don't mind." He patted her hand. "I'm always here," he said softly before walking away to serve other customers.

When then diner emptied out from the breakfast rush, Lorelai started up a new conversation with Luke. "Hey, Luke?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you happen to know anyone who is hiring?"

He paused and thought for a moment. "Not that I know of."

"Oh. Okay," she said, sounding disappointed.

"You should talk to Miss Patty though," he informed her. "She usually knows everything that's going on in town so she might know someone who is looking. You can probably find her at her dance studio." Luke pointed across the town square in the direction of the studio.

Lorelai looked over her shoulder to see where Luke was pointing. "Got it. Thanks, Luke!" She got down from her stool. "I'll see you later." She gave him a huge smile. "I am off to get a job."

"Good luck," he offered, as he watched her leave the diner. He was a bit surprised to realize just how much he meant it. She had such a look of determination on her face, and she held herself with confidence. Lorelai was quite the character. With that kind of attitude, Luke doubted she'd have any trouble finding a job. Yet, he wished he could help her in some way. He wanted to see her be able to provide for herself and for Rory.

After answering what seemed like a million of Miss Patty's questions – she really was very nosy – and fending off questions about Luke – Miss Patty thought it was strange that he was the one who sent her, Lorelai managed to learn that the Independence Inn might be hiring. After getting directions, she thanked Miss Patty and made her way across town to the Inn.

Lorelai straightened out her blouse and skirt before walking up to the reception desk. She had the same air of confidence that she had when she left Luke's. "Hello," she greeted the man behind the desk. "I'd like to speak to a manager."

The man didn't even bother to look up at her. "I am busy," he dismissed her in a strong French accent.

She didn't give up. "I heard that you might have some positions available. Is there someone that I could speak to?"

"Speak to someone who cares, which I don't," he answered nonchalantly.

"Michel!" Lorelai heard a woman's voice come from behind her. "We've had this conversation before."

Michel simply shrugged.

Lorelai turned to face the woman. "Hi. I'm Lorelai Gilmore. I just moved to Stars Hollow, and I heard from Miss Patty that you may be looking for some help."

The woman gave her a friendly smile. "Why don't we go to my office and talk?"

Lorelai smiled gratefully and followed her into her office.

"Now, Lorelai, what can I do for you? You're looking for some work, right? What kind of hotel experience do you have?"

Lorelai's face fell a bit. "None, actually," she admitted. "But I am a hard worker and a fast learner. I'll do anything you want me to do."

"Well, what kind of previous work experience do you have?"

"I've never had an actual job." She thought quickly. "However, I do have plenty of experience in planning dinners, fundraisers, and other events." The woman suddenly looked interested so Lorelai continued. "I have spent close to fourteen years planning DAR events, dinner parties, and well, you name it, and I have probably planned it. I had to carry these things out flawlessly to get my mother's approval, and believe me, she is a perfectionist." And a royal pain in the ass, she felt like adding. "I've also developed some connections through the years in order to get the best things possible for these events so I could definitely offer your clients the best."

"You have perfect timing, dear," the older woman stated. "Our old event coordinator just left us, and I've been stuck with planning the parties and dinners. It's driving me insane. I could really use someone like you if you're as good as you say."

Lorelai nodded.

"I'm going to take a chance with you. I don't know why, but you seem very determined. As the event coordinator, you'll be in charge of meeting with our clients and setting up everything for their event. You can work with our chef Sookie to plan out menus, and she'll be able to help you set up tastings. You also might have a little deskwork and reception work, but it's nothing that you shouldn't be able to handle. How does that sound?"

"It sounds wonderful. Thank you!"

She held out her hand. "I'm Mia, by the way, the owner of this inn."

Lorelai shook her hand, a huge smile on her face. "It's great to meet you, Mia."

"So you just moved here?" Lorelai nodded. "Well, how about you take the rest of this week to get yourself settled, and I will see you Monday morning at eight? I'll show you around, and then get you started with some of our events."

"Sounds good, Mia. Thanks again. I won't disappoint you."

Mia smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Luke!" Lorelai cried as she burst through the diner door.

"Keep it down," he grunted.

"Why?" she asked. "There's no one else here."

"Well, I'm here." He took in her excited expression. "Any luck?"

She took a seat at the counter. "You are looking at the new event coordinator for the Independence Inn."

"Congratulations." Luke smiled.

"I am a working woman now!" she exclaimed. "That didn't come out right." She held up a mug. "Coffee to celebrate?"

He poured her a cup. "Fine, but this stuff will kill you one day." He watched as she drank a huge gulp, and decided that now was as good a time as any to propose his idea. Ever since Lorelai had left this morning, he'd been formulating a plan. "I was thinking..."

She looked up at him. "Thinking what?"

"I was thinking that if you needed some extra money... I mean since you're just starting out... Well, I could use some help a few hours a week," he managed to choke out. "You know, here at the diner. It's not very difficult, you'll just have to take some orders and carry out some food."

"Are you offering me a job?"

"I guess that I am. So what do you think?" he asked nervously.

"Well, I don't start at the Inn until Monday, and I could use the money..." Lorelai thought for a moment. "Are you sure that you want me working here? I won't annoy you too much?"

"I might be kicking myself for this later, but I'm sure."

She hopped off her stool and bounded around the counter. "What do you want me to do?"

"There's no one here right now," he said, motioning to all the empty tables.

She grabbed the coffeepot. "Right. Pour Lorelai more coffee," she said as she poured herself another cup. "Hey, Luke? Does working here mean that I get free coffee from now on?"

"If I say no, will you listen?" She shook her head 'no'. "Then, I guess it does, but it's your funeral."

She sipped her coffee. "It'll be a very merry funeral." She tilted her head in thought. "Do I get a pretty apron to wear?"

"No."

"What if I bring my own pretty apron? Can I wear it then?"

"No."

"Ooh! I'm going to make myself a flannel apron so I can match you!"

"Lorelai," he warned. "Do I need to fire you before you even start?"

"I'll be good," she promised. She watched as a young Korean girl came in and took a seat. Luke was about to walk over when she stopped him. "Let me. I need the practice," she said gleefully.

The girl didn't even bother to wait for Lorelai to speak first. "I'd like a burger and fries. And can you make it fast?"

Lorelai jotted her order down. "Anything to drink?"

"No time," the girl replied.

Lorelai walked back behind the counter to give Luke the order, but he was already in the kitchen. "What are you doing?"

"Making her order."

"But I haven't given it to you yet."

"I could hear her tell you, and Lane usually always orders the same thing when she's in a rush."

Lorelai pouted. "I wrote her order down and everything."

"You got your practice then."

He finished Lane's meal and handed it to Lorelai. She took it over to the young girl who immediately plowed right in.

"Slow down," Lorelai cautioned. "I know that I eat fast, but right now, you'd be leaving me in the dust."

The girl shook her head. "No time. I have to be home for dinner."

"Dinner?"

"My mom just got in a huge order of tofu." She looked at her watch. "I gotta run." She threw some money on the table and ran out the door with the remainder of her hamburger in her hand.

Lorelai grabbed the empty plate. "Tofu. Yuck. That poor girl." She walked back to Luke. "So how'd I do?"

"You managed to carry a single plate. Should I be patting you on the back?"

"Haha, Mr. Sour Pants." She gave him a brilliant smile which he immediately returned. "You're going to like me working here."

"God, help me."

To be continued. I love reviews!