Ok so it has been forever since I've updated. Ok, so one night, but still, I think that's the first day that I've ever been without updating, it's weird. Anyway, work has been a real mother, (that's why I haven't updated), but everyone there is super nice and I'm actually enjoying going in each day, although I hate having to get up at seven in the morning to get ready. Anyway, this weekend will be like last weekend, there will be frequent updates. Now I have forgotten exactly what I wrote last, but I remember bits so here goes.

Dreams, Engagements, and Gilbert:

As soon as he heard the click of the door closing he found himself irresistibly drawn to the door, he would do what he did best, separate himself from the situation, and this separation needed to be accomplished sooner rather than later. Rory's words still stung him in a way that nothing ever had. He had always acknowledged that he was not in Rory's life enough, but he had had no idea the pain he had caused her. She was genuinely hurt, whether or not it was the fact that he was never around or the fact that he had spoken harshly to Luke, he would never know. He would like to think it was only the first, but he knew that it was a mixture of the two, and now he knew that someone had come in and taken the role he had so willingly given up.

What had surprised him the most however, was the fact that he had never thought he'd been replaced, when he came to town the Gilmore Girls' always seemed to meld to together, a happy third was he, completing the family that had been incomplete for so long. It came to him as a utter surprise however when it turned out he was a third wheel of sorts, an addition to the already complete family that was Lorelai, Rory, and Luke.

Now as he sat here on the couch, replaying the argument over in his head, tears of remorsefulness seemed to overcome him and now more than ever did he want to take the role 100 as Rory's father, he was actually jealous of Luke. Rory had come to love him and look to him for guidance and he was actually jealous and thinking about it made him realize that he had no right to be. He had moved to California on his own. Lorelai had made it clear over the years that he could take any kind of role in his daughter's life that he wanted. He could have seen and/or talked to her everyday and he had chosen a phone call every Wednesday and a visit every once in a blue moon. What was it that he had expected, for Rory to never have a father figure in her life because she was too busy waiting for her father to grow up and take responsibility for a life he and half-created? He knew she wouldn't and she hadn't, it was clear by her outburst tonight.

So as he sat now, contemplating his next move the choice became obvious. As he made his way to the hallway he grabbed his duffel and headed out the door. Only once outside did it occur to him to leave a note, but after everything that happened, he knew it would go unread for a long time. It would take a while for the three, he cringed visibly, of them to get over tonight, and he would wait patiently. For when he finally was forgiven, he would then become a constant in his daughter's life, whether Lorelai wanted to be with him or not. As he strapped his duffel to his back once more he sighed and took one last look at the house. Through the light from her window he could see Rory on her bed, holding a book and listening to a Walk Man. He smiled at the sight and felt a pang of regret and thought only for a moment of counting his losses and returning to the house. That thought immediately vanished though, he knew what he had to do, and staying here was not going to accomplish anything. After starting the bike he revved the engine, hoping to make it clear to those upstairs that he was leaving and after one more fleeting glance at the house, made a U-turn and headed back towards Hartford.

Things had began to progress rather quickly upstairs and neither Luke nor Lorelai was complaining. Lorelai had managed to undress Luke from the waist up while she was left in her bra and her jeans. As her shirt dropped carelessly to the floor she snaked her hands up Luke's back and pulled him towards her, relishing in the fell of his bare skin on hers. Her hands traveled from his back to his chest where she played with his chest hair and stroked the finely toned abs of his washboard stomach. Pulling away from his kiss for only a moment she quietly breathed, "I have to start eating healthy."

"Please don't." He murmured, leaning down to place a kiss at the swell of her right breast. "You're perfect the way you are." She had no time to respond as he glided back up her body and placed a sweet kiss on her swollen lips. "I love you Lorelai."

"I love you too." She murmured, placing an encouraging hand on the back of his neck as he nuzzled her neck. She gasped at the fell of his hot breath and moist mouth on her skin and could only moan when his stubble gently scraped along behind the road his mouth was taking. A smile spread across her face as his left hand began to slide up her stomach towards her bra and it was as his hand took its plunge under her underwear did a motor begin to rev outside, immediately halting the sweet torture being performed on her neck.

"It's a sign." Luke sighed, flipping over onto the bed beside her.

"What…Luke, no, we can continue, all that means is that Chris is leaving."

"And while that's a very good thing," Luke agreed. "It's too soon."

"Too soon?"

"Yeah. Listen you and Max just broke the engagement…today. We just started dating today. Rory just now found out about us. Chris showed up. Rory told him off. I punched Max and then almost punched Chris. Like we said before, while I'd sure as hell do it again, it has been one hell of a day."

"I agree." Lorelai sighed.

"You do?"

"Yes. It has been a very dramatic day."

"Good." He replied, grabbing his flannel from the floor and throwing it to her. "Not that I don't want to make love to you, but…"

"Make love?"

"Uh…sex."

"I know what you meant Luke." She giggled. "It's just that no one has ever said that they want to make love to me before, it's always been sex, screw, fuck, or lay."

"Well I'm not like that." He grunted, turning his head as she removed her bra and pants, using the flannel as a night gown of sorts, Upon completion he pulled her to him and she snuggled up next to him.

"Thank God." She sighed, closing her eyes.

"I want to take you out on a date first anyway." He revealed.

"Luke Danes wants to go on a date?" She giggled, her eyes opening to stare warily at him.

"Yes." He said firmly, kissing the top of her head as she drew a blanket up around him.

"Where will you take me?"

"That's a surprise."

"I like surprises."

"I know."

"Did I mention that I love your tattoo?"

"Only twice." He smirked.

"Well, I'll show you how much after our date."

"Ok." He smiled, breathing in the scent of her as he closed his eyes as well. As he felt her breath begin to slow and even out he sighed contentedly and felt himself begin to drift to sleep.

Rory slowly climbed the stairs about an hour later, attempting to make good on her promise of earlier. Her father was gone, of that she was sure, she had known that he would leave the moment she had closed the door to her room. That's what Christopher Hayden had always done best, and he was not one for change. She was starting to believe her mother was right when she said he hadn't grown up for he had been the same since Rory knew him, and she knew little about him. As she mounted the stairs though she became aware of the possibility of what she may walk in on up here.

While she knew that today had been one of the most drama-filled days of her life, she also knew that both Luke and her mom had been waiting for each other for nearly six years, and there was no telling what they had or were still doing. Clarity hit her at the top step however because no matter how little she knew her real father, she knew Luke enough to know that he wouldn't expect anything tonight or attempt anything. She smiled at the fact and knocked lightly on her mother's door. After a moment and no reply she slowly opened the door, smiling at the sight before her as she poked her head in. Snuggled deep into Luke's arms (and flannel) was her mother, and with his arms wrapped protectively around her was a shirt and cap less Luke. Rory smiled at the image of the two in such a vulnerable state and noticed quickly that Luke ha d a tattoo on his arm. Although barely visibly due to the dim light from the moon outside her window, Rory knew that she had a conversation starter with Luke now and she would use the knowledge to her advantage. "Goodnight." She whispered and took off jauntily down the stairs.

A/N: Ok, so I hope that that was worth the wait, I let a co-worker read it, I wrote it on my break and with some minor tweaking it has become my baby. Oh and I haven't checked my reviews for almost three days now, I always check them at least once a day, so I don't know if anyone guessed right about where I'm from. But here's another hint. Patrick Swayze shot Next of Kin here and Steven Segal (God help his fans, sorry if I offended any1) shot Fire Down Below here. So does that ring a bell for any of you? Extra points go to any1 who tells me first. I'll have to come up with some sort of reward. And trust me my friends, no one does rewards quite like me. C-ya.

Cindy