Disclaimer: Still don't own them…
Back in the diner…
(No one's POV)
Lorelai turned to Luke and walked over to the counter, "So, what was that about?" Luke looked up, "Well, I just let her have her food for free is all, it's really no big deal." Lorelai smiled, "Why Luke, you big softie," Luke rolled his eyes, "Lorelai, it's really not a big deal, I just thought since it was her first night in town and all, plus she had to put up with you all night." Lorelai leaned over the counter and kissed him, "I don't care what you say, I still think you're a big softie and I love you for it."
Luke went over to lock up the door and start to close down the diner, Lorelai turned on her stool, "So, what did you make of her? I mean, she seemed nice enough, besides the whole not liking coffee thing, but something seemed a little off."
Luke continued setting the chairs on the tables as he talked, "What do you mean?"
"I don't know, there was just something very familiar about her, and she was very vague about her plans."
Luke moved behind the counter, grabbed a broom and started sweeping the floor, "You only talked to her for 5 minutes, did you except her to tell her life story, maybe she's just, I don't know, shy or something." Lorelai thought about this for a minute, "Yeah I guess, she just reminds me of well me, when I first came here."
Luke continued sweeping as Lorelai gathered her stuff, "I've got an early morning at the inn tomorrow so I better get going,"
Luke came over to her, "You mean that you've got to get the inn early to watch for the girl," Lorelai came over and kissed him, "Of course not, I have many important meetings with, uh, very important people."
Luke laughed and opened the door for her, "See you tomorrow." Lorelai walked out the door, "Bright and early! And you better have my coffee ready!"
The next morning at the Dragonfly…
(Grace's POV)
I woke up and felt more rested and free than I ever had, after getting ready I decided to try and make a plan for the day. I needed to find a more permanent place to stay, I decided I would stay here, for awhile at least, something about this town really intrigued me. Since I would be paying for a place to stay I needed a job, I had some money saved up but I knew it wouldn't last me forever. I decided I should do some exploring and see what types of places to work were in this town.
I headed down to get some breakfast and to see about getting into town, I enjoyed being able to do what I want, when I want, and not having someone telling me what to do every second of the day. I entered the lobby to hear a very frustrated Lorelai on the phone with someone while messing with the computer. I didn't want to bother her, but I decided to head over to see if I could help.
"I already told you, it's making some weird noise and is doing some weird flashing color thingy. Yes, I tried that… And that… And that… Oh yes, it's very important for my computer to be working, that's why I've been on the phone with you for the last hour. Ok well, thanks for all your 'wonderful' service." She hung up the phone and began pushing random buttons which only made the computer make more noises.
I laughed to myself and walked over, "I don't think that's going to help."
She looked over, "Oh, Grace, I didn't see you there, I'm afraid you're not exactly catching me at my best moment." She moved her hands away from the keyboard as if to give up.
"Do you mind if I look at it?" Lorelai moved out of the way so I could get into the computer, I quickly looked at and realized what the problem was, I didn't even have to stop to think about how to fix it, I just went into autopilot and within minutes I was done.
Lorelai stood there in shock, "Wait a minute, what did you, how did you?"
I smiled at her shocked expression, "It was no big deal, you just had a virus and it was one I knew how to fix." I was glad to have helped her, but it seemed like such a small thing, Lorelai apparently thought differently.
"I just spent over an hour on the phone with the stupid tech people who told me nothing, and you managed to fix it in minutes! How did you know what to do?"
I smiled, one of my favorite memories, "I spent this past summer with my brother who runs a computer repair business, part of it deals with viruses and I spent a lot of time helping them out."
Lorelai smiled, "Well you really did save the day," I started to shrug it off when she continued, "No really you did, if the computer hadn't gotten fixed all of our reservations would have been lost, the no one could come and the inn would have to close, and everyone would be out of work and we'd all be living on the streets."
I laughed at her rambling and smiled shyly at the compliment, I wasn't used to getting compliments. "You should probably back up your computer, just in case you would lose reservations, we wouldn't want you living on the street."
Lorelai said she would then started leading me somewhere, "Since you've saved the day, how about I get you some breakfast?"
"Oh, I can get breakfast myself, it's no problem."
We sat down at a table, "I insist, if I don't then you'll be able to forever be able to say that I 'Owe you one,' and that may ruin our friendship."
"Well we wouldn't want that, now would we?"
Lorelai and I ordered some food and had a great time talking, I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this content, or if I ever felt this appreciated. Eventually the conversation turned to my plans, "Have you decided whether or not you'll be staying in Stars Hollow?"
I don't know why, but I suddenly didn't mind talking about it, "I think I will, it's an interesting place."
"And you haven't even met Kirk yet, you might change you mind after you do, and that reminds me, there's a few other people you need to watch out for, I'll try and point them out later."
I stopped mid-bite, "Later?"
Lorelai didn't miss a beat, "Well yeah, since you're staying here you're going to need some place to live, I thought we could go look for some later."
I couldn't believe it, "Really!" Lorelai smiled, "Yes really, and I was thinking since apartments aren't free that maybe you could work here at the inn, and before start protesting, yes really, and yes we need your help. You saw me on the computer and guess what, I'm the best one at fixing it. I'm sure you could quickly pick up the front desk work and if you don't like it we'll find you something else."
I realized that I had stopped moving completely, Lorelai was looking a little worried and I think she was telling me to say something, or at least blink.
"That um, that sounds great! But I can I ask you something?" Lorelai nodded her head, "I don't mean to sound unappreciative, because I'm not, but why are you doing this? You don't even know me, how do you know I won't rip you off or something?"
Lorelai sat and for the first time I saw her being completely serious, "Many, many years ago I came to this town a lot like you did, I didn't have much, except a 1 year old daughter, I had no references, skills, or anything. But people didn't care and the still took a chance with me, and I know I wouldn't be where I am know if it wasn't for them."
I knew without a doubt that this is where I wanted to stay, "Lorelai, I'm glad to accept the job, and gladly invite the help," Lorelai stood up, "Great! Then let's get to work!"
A/N: I'm looking for a beta for this story, if anyone is interested please e-mail me and put Full Circle in the subject. Thanks! And as always, please review and let me know what you think!
