Chapter 27: "Hey, how's it going?"

"Rise and shine, Burger Boy! It's Halloween week," Lorelai called loudly as she came into the diner.

Picking up the rag next to him, Luke rolled his eyes and began to scrub the counter. "What was that? I don't think the people out on Oak Street could hear you…" he deadpanned.

"Aw, come on. Be happy, Luke. It's almost Halloween! It's the one day you can be anything you want, and no one can say anything!"

"Yeah, well, I'm just gonna be a diner owner if that's alright with you."

"Actually…"

Hearing the tone in her voice, Luke looked up and immediately frowned. "No."

"Come on… You should dress up and come trick or treating with me and Rory! I would say that we could go to the party later in the night, but I've got to get Rory in bed because Halloween just had to fall on a school night this year."

Shaking his head, he looked at her with a stern glare. "No to the party, no to the trick or treating, and hell no to the costume."

"You know," Lorelai spoke with a playful glimmer in her eye, "You say that now, but you and I both know that by Thursday night, you are gonna be walking the streets of Stars Hollow with me and Rory, and you will be in a costume."

"Yeah, right…" When the pot of coffee behind him finally finished brewing, Luke grabbed it and held it up in front of her. "Mug or cup?"

"Cup, I've got to get in early this morning for a meeting with Mia."

"Here." Grabbing the tongs from the counter, Luke questioned further. "Donut or muffin?"

"Both… chocolate donut and cinnamon sugar muffin."

Quickly placing both in a bag, he handed it out to her. "There… anything else?"

Smiling at his gruff, but obviously caring actions, Lorelai shook her head. "I think I'm good. Sookie and I will probably be in for lunch. We've got some errands to run on break."

"Sounds good."

Placing her hand on top of his, she added playfully, "And be thinking about what costume you want to wear."

"Dream on, Gilmore."

"I don't know, Danes. I get a feeling that this will be a good week for me, and you dressing up is something that will make it good." She grinned mischievously and offered up a kiss. "Bye, doll. I'll see you later."

After seeing her out, Luke went back to work by starting a new batch of decaf coffee. Just as he pressed the start button to the machine, he heard an oddly familiar greeting.

"Hey, how's it going?"

When the voice finally registered, he froze, afraid to look. Noticeably, the diner grew silent, waiting for his reaction. Slowly, Luke turned around, his eyes wide. "Rachel?"

"It's me."

"What are you… I mean, I thought you were in the Congo or Philadelphia or something," he stuttered.

"Actually, though very similar to both the Congo and Philadelphia, I was in the Mideast." Rachel reasoned with a smile.

"Oh, I guess that post card must've gotten lost."

"Yeah, yeah. Well, things are pretty crazy over there, not a lot of writing time. But I finished up my assignment, and I flew back to Chicago, and I was walking through O'Hare, and I look up, and there's a plane leaving for Hartford in like 20 minutes, and all of a sudden, I'm on it."

"Nice story."

Shaking her head, Rachel sighed. "I should have called."

Suddenly unsure of what to do with his hands, Luke adjusted hat and cleared his throat. "No… you… it's fine." he answered, not exactly sure of what he was supposed to say.

"You look good."

"Thanks. You, um, you look, you, you uh, look… yeah." Uncomfortable, he ran his hands nervously across the back of his neck.

"So, uh, can I crash here for a while? I'll help with the diner and all to earn my keep."

"Oh, uh, sure. Why not." As soon as the words left his mouth, Luke cringed. With Lorelai immediately popping into his mind, he realized that she probably wouldn't be too happy. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to dwell on that thought before someone needed something. Deciding that he would explain everything to her later when she came in, Luke grabbed the coffee pot and went back to work, trying to stay out of Rachel's way as much as possible.

"I'm telling you, Sook, I'm gonna figure out a way to get him to dress up."

"Well, if you do, make sure you take a picture. I don't think I've ever seen Luke dress up for Halloween."

"I'll make it happen… If anything, I'll get Rory to ask."

"Ooo, that's playing dirty. He'll do anything for Rory… Who knew Luke Danes was such a softy." Sookie laughed.

Laughing along with her, Lorelai grinned. "I know, but don't tell him that. I already give him enough of a hard time about it as it is."

Passing by the magazine stand on the way to the diner, Lorelai overheard the ladies of "Hello Magazine" having their daily chat.

"Are you sure he's not happy about him and Lorelai like last time," Tilly questioned rather loudly, obviously not worried about trying to keep their conversation a secret.

Noticing the use of her name, Lorelai stopped Sookie by placing her hand on her shoulder, and they listened.

Shaking her head, Miss Patty frowned. "Oh, no honey. He's definitely not happy. The poor boy looks like he doesn't know what to do."

Taking a step closer to them, Babette added, "Yeah, you should have seen his face when Rachel walked in."

Hearing the dreaded name, Lorelai's heart sunk and her eyes widened. "So much for my good week."

Sookie, seeing her reaction, became the voice of reason and whispered, "Lorelai, don't freak out until you talk to Luke."

"I know," she whispered back harshly. In her heart, Lorelai didn't actually think that Luke would do anything, but her mind was afraid to hear anything else. Holding on to hope, she listened carefully to hear if Luke wasn't happy with his ex's return.

"I also heard that he's letting her work there and stay at the apartment," Tilly added with shock filling her voice, "Patty, is that true?"

"I don't know what Luke was thinking, but he definitely said he would let her stay there… And we all know that if she's staying there, she's going to work there. That's what happened last time she came back, and we all heard him agree to it."

"I can only imagine what Lorelai's gonna say," Babette rasped with a sigh, "Rachel is Rachel! If I was her, I wouldn't be too happy with my man inviting his ex to stay with him."

Unable to stand back any longer, Lorelai interrupted. "Well, you guessed right… She's not very happy."

Embarrassed they had been caught, the ladies stood in silence, none of them knowing what to say. Deciding to press for more information, Lorelai questioned, "How long has she been here?"

Patty, seeing the worry etched in her eyes, shook her head. "Oh honey, don't worry. She's only been here for a couple of hours. I'm sure Luke was going to call you soon."

"Of course. And you said she was staying with him? In his apartment?"

"That's what we heard, but we could be wrong," she answered unconvincingly.

"Yeah, I'm sure…" Deciding not to stew and instead go to Luke's straightaway, Lorelai sighed. "If you'll excuse me ladies, I think I'm gonna go see Luke." Turning back to Sookie, she frowned. "I will meet you back at the inn later. Are you good with that?"

"Of course honey," Sookie smiled unconvincingly, "Just call when you can."

As Lorelai went on her way, Sookie stepped closer to the group of ladies. "Oh my gosh, Rachel at the apartment! What the hell was Luke thinking?"

With a shake of her head, Patty answered, "I don't think he was…"

"Well, he's in for it now… I only hope that Lorelai doesn't do anything too rash."

Walking into the diner, Lorelai immediately noticed Luke standing awkwardly behind the counter, his order pad hanging limply from his hand. Meanwhile, a woman, who she assumed was Rachel, moved quickly and efficiently around to each table.

Looking up when he heard the bells, Luke saw the look on her face. Without saying anything, he turned to walk behind the curtain and into the apartment and she followed.

Closing the door behind her, Lorelai didn't even give Luke a chance to speak before she spoke harshly. "Luke… do you want to tell me why I heard through the grape vine and not from you that Rachel was back in town and she's working in your diner?"

Sighing, Luke took a seat at the table. "I figured you would find out tonight when you came for dinner and I'd explain then."

Ignoring his answer, she breathed an exasperated groan. "Gah, Luke. Just when I'm starting to have full confidence in our relationship, she has to come back in and try to screw things up!"

"Lorelai, it's not that big of a deal."

All the doubt and worry she accumulated on the way to the diner came out in one angry burst. "Not that big of a deal! Luke, how would you like it if Chris magically showed up and started working with me at the inn, and the way you found out was through Miss Patty and the gossip mill?!"

"I would hate it…"

"Exactly, you would hate it. Going along with that, I also found out that you told Rachel to stay here at the apartment! What am I supposed to think when I hear that not only is my boyfriend's ex back, but that she is staying in his tiny apartment that only has one bed?"

Not in the mood to be attacked, Luke stood from his chair and raised his voice to meet hers. "I know! It wasn't my best decision ever, but I didn't think! She's an old friend, and she needed a place to stay!"

"And I get that she's a friend, but she's not just a friend, Luke! She's an ex! How am I supposed to trust that she won't try anything while staying here? Does she even know you're taken?"

"I didn't have a chance to tell her yet, but once I do, she won't try anything! She's not like that! But either way, don't you trust me?"

Throwing her hands out to the side in exasperation, Lorelai began gesturing wildly. "Yes, of course I trust you! I just don't trust her!" Turning back to him, her eyes were filled with fire and fear. "You've even told me yourself that every time she came back her, it's because you wanted me back! That's most likely why she came here today! What if she finally decided that she doesn't want to be rootless anymore? What if she's finally ready for you?"

"I don't care if she's ready for me! She could promise me the world, and I would still say no! I don't want her; I have you!" Pointing an accusing finger at her, Luke fired back, "If Christopher came to town again and made promises to be a good dad and said he was finally ready for you, would you take him back?"

"This isn't about me and Christopher! This is about you and Rachel!"

"Well would you?" He questioned indignantly.

"Of course not!"

"Well, alright then! I will not leave you for Rachel either! You just have to trust me! I love you, Lorelai, not her!"

"Then I'm going to have to trust you, because I love you too!" Taking a deep breath, Lorelai stopped pacing. Looking at him dead in the eye, her voice took on a coldness he hadn't heard before. "I'm going to trust you, Luke… But I swear on everything that is holy, if you screw me over, there will be hell to pay."

"I won't; I promise."

At the finish of his words, the room was silent except for the sounds of their labored breathing as they both tried to catch their breath. Walking slowly over to the counter, Lorelai hopped up and hung her head. After a few minutes, she sighed softly. "Boy, we really know how to hash it out, don't we?"

Shaking his head, Luke laughed a short chuckle. "Yeah, we do."

With a lowered voice, she spoke barely above a whisper. "So, what are we going to do?"

Finally realizing the hole he dug himself into, he groaned. "I don't know." Removing his cap, he stood up to pace, running his fingers nervously through his hair as he tried to come up with an idea.

"Just to let you know, there's no way in hell that I'll ever be okay with you staying here with her." Kicking her feet back and forth and tapping the cabinet at her feet, she took a minute to think and continued, "I know that you're a grown man and all and you can make your own decisions, but Luke, I really don't like the idea of it."

"Well where else am I supposed to go?"

Shooting out the only idea she could come up with, Lorelai spoke. "I guess you can just stay at my place until she leaves."

Shaking his head vehemently, Luke frowned. "I can't do that. I don't want it to affect Rory."

"Rory will be fine. You have already spent the night a few times. She's used to you being around by now."

"Are you sure?" He questioned, his eyes searching her face for any form of doubt.

"Absolutely… Luke, I can deal with you working with Rachel. Even though that makes me slightly uncomfortable, I'll deal with it. But you have to understand, I really don't like the idea of you sleeping in the same room as her."

"I know… I don't want to sleep in the same room with her either. I guess we can do that." Satisfied with the result, Luke sat down heavily back in the chair, placing his cap back on his head.

"Thank you." After a moment of looking at him hunched over the table in front of her, Lorelai spoke hesitantly. "Can I be honest with you?"

Sensing the fear in her voice, Luke looked up and spoke a calm, "Always."

"Hearing that she was back scared me to death."

"Why?"

Looking anywhere but his eyes, Lorelai shrugged her shoulders.

"Lorelai," Luke spoke with a sad sigh. Knowing how he would have felt if Christopher showed up, he chose his words carefully. "I told you, you mean so much more to me than she ever did. That sounds awful, I know, but it's the truth. What I have with you… It's different. I'm not going to change my mind all of a sudden."

"I know… I know you've told me. I was just worried that you would realize that your memories were wrong or something and decide that you did actually love her more."

"My memories aren't wrong… I thought wrong when I didn't tell you she was here, and I thought wrong when I stupidly invited her to stay at the apartment, but I know I'm in the right mind when I say that I choose you."

Something about not only what he said but the way he said it made her hear jump in her chest. Wearing a bright smile, she looked at him lovingly. "And you say you're not good with words."

Seeing the regret still etched on his face, Lorelai smiled sympathetically. "Hey…" she called softly, waiting for him to look up. When he finally did, she waved him over. "Come over here."

Standing up, Luke walked over to her slowly. When he finally reached her, she wrapped her arms around him and looked up at him with a grin. "You know I'm not really mad at you, right?"

Chuckling, he shook his head. "Not anymore."

Laughing along with him, Lorelai said, "Definitely not anymore." Growing serious, she tiled his face down so his eyes would meet hers. "You're a good guy, Luke Danes… sometimes you make stupid decisions, but you're a good guy. My guy."

"Thanks… gah, look at all the stupid decisions I've made," Luke spoke self-deprecatingly.

"But I still love you anyway…" Stroking his stubbly cheek, Lorelai continued. "I mean, I'd like to show you, but we'll just have to settle for the words for a while while Rachel stays here, since you don't like doing things with Rory downstairs at the house." She spoke, raising her eyebrows naughtily near the end.

Smiling, Luke planted a soft kiss on her lips. When she tried to pull away, he placed his hand on the back of her neck, holding her to him. Mumbling against his lips, Lorelai spoke slowly, "What are you doing?"

Dropping his attention to her neck, Luke attached his lips to her smooth skin, nipping and nibbling his way down. "Rory's not here, and Rachel is downstairs. Might as well take what I can get now."

Letting out a satisfied sigh, Lorelai basked in the feelings he was giving her. "It might be a while before you get to do this again."

"I know… that's why I'm doing this now."

Unable to take it any longer, Lorelai pulled his lips back to hers and wrapped her legs around his waist, forcing him to her. The room was silent, except for the soft sounds of their sighs and moans filling the air.

Suddenly, the door opened. "Hey Luke, I…"

Pulling apart at the sound, Luke dropped his forehead to Lorelai's as her legs fell from his waist. "Aw jeez," he whispered.

Lorelai, wiping her lip gloss form his lips, looked over at Rachel with an embarrassed yet victorious smile. "You were saying?"

Shuffling her feet nervously, Rachel took sudden interest in the floor. "Uh, I was just coming up here to get Luke because it's getting busy downstairs… But I guess he is… occupied."

At her words, Lorelai could feel Luke tense. Unconsciously, she began to stroke up and down his back, a motion not unnoticed by Rachel.

Still not having gathered himself, Luke turned halfway around to look back at the doorway. "I'll be down in a minute."

"Yeah, thanks…"

As soon as Rachel could be heard going down the stairs, Lorelai busted out laughing.

Groaning, Luke took a step back from her, trying to settle himself. "It's not funny."

"Of course it's not… That is one of the most awkward situations I've ever been in," she answered, still laughing slightly.

"I don't even want to go back down there."

"I don't want you to either." Though he was further away, Lorelai was still just able to reach Luke. Locking her ankles behind his back, she called, "Come back here a second."

Shaking his head, Luke frowned. "I don't think I can do this now."

"That's not what I want… Come here."

Taking steps back to her, he came into her embrace.

Tilting her face up, Lorelai captured his lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. "As much as I still want to be here with you, I've got to get back to the inn. Since I missed lunch, I'll come back with Rory later tonight and we'll eat dinner here."

"Okay… I'm okay with later," he agreed.

Hopping off the counter, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Nuzzling into her hair, Luke gave the top of her head one last peck. "I'll see you for dinner."

"See you tonight," Lorelai smiled. When she got to the door, she opened it but stopped and turned back to him. "Hey, Luke?"

Looking over to her, he answered, "Yeah?"

"I love you…"

"I love you too, Lorelai."

Finally ready to go back downstairs, Luke slowly trotted down to see Rachel moving efficiently around the dining room, just as she was when he left. After making rounds of his own and after the crowd died down, he moved back to the store room, hoping to buy some alone time.

Unsurprisingly, Rachell soon appeared in the door frame. "So… you have a girlfriend?"

Not taking his eyes off of the box, Luke cut it open and answered simply, "Uh huh."

"Does she have a name?"

"Her name is Lorelai."

Rachel began to question again, but was stopped by Luke raising his hand at her. "And before you ask, yes, it's very serious, and we've been together since April."

"Okay, so this isn't new."

"No it's not."

An awkward silence developed between them. Stepping further into the room, Rachel cleared her throat. "Uh, so I am sorry about upstairs."

Sighing, Luke looked up and gave her a knowing look. "Lorelai hasn't realized it yet, but you and I know that the walls in this place are paper thin. I'm sure you heard us arguing and then heard us stop. You knew something was going on."

Looking at the shelf behind him, Rachel frowned. "Yeah, but I didn't know that was what you were doing."

Taking a seat on the stool by the table, Luke crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at her. "Rach, what are you doing here?"

"I told you. I've missed this place… It's been a while since I have been home."

Grumbling, Luke rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no kidding."

"Luke," she spoke with a slightly warning tone. Seeing the second stool, she perched herself on it across the table from him.

The tone she used registering with him, Luke shook his head quickly. "No… don't try to defend yourself. I've heard the speech before."

"Well, Luke, what else am I supposed to say? I needed to get out of here… there was just too much…"

"No…" Luke cut her off. "That's a conversation for another day." Standing up, he walked to the door and leaned against the door frame. "Listen, you can have the apartment and work here as long as you want, but I won't be staying here. I'm staying at Lorelai's"

"Is there a reason you're being so gruff with me? I know you're grumpy as is and that we're exes, but I always thought you'd treat me like a friend. Does Lorelai not like me or something?"

"That's not it… Lorelai doesn't even know you, so she can't hate you, and she isn't even that angry that you're here. She's more pissed that I wasn't the one to tell her you were here…"

"Then what's the problem, Luke?"

Sighing, Luke spoke confidently, "Rachel, you'll always be my friend, you know that, but I'm not going to be the same Luke you have visited in the past. Things have to be different because I'm different. Please, don't try anything that's going to affect Lorelai."

"I won't."

Later that evening, as promised, Lorelai walked into the diner. Seeing that she was having a conversation with Babette, Lorelai allowed Rory to stay out on the side walk, knowing that Babette would come in with her shortly. Much to her dismay, her diner man was nowhere to be seen, and in his place at the counter Rachel stood refilling the coffee machine. As much as she wanted to be completely okay with Rachel's arrival, she couldn't help the twinge of jealousy that arose in the pit of her stomach. Trying to ignore it, she approached the counter with a neutral look on her face.

"Hey, is Luke here?" she questioned.

"Um, yeah. He's been in the kitchen since earlier this afternoon." Hesitantly extending her hand across the counter, Rachel spoke politely. "I'm Rachel, by the way. I know you probably know that, but I thought I'd properly introduce myself."

"Uh, yeah. I do know that." Taking her hand loosely, Lorelai continued. "But I'm Lorelai. Nice to meet you."

"Listen, I'm sorry about earlier… If I had known, I wouldn't have gone up there and interrupted."

"It's okay. I had a meeting at the inn to get to anyway."

Not knowing why she was surprised, Rachel looked at Lorelai peculiarly. "The inn? You work for Mia?"

"Yeah," Lorelai nodded along. "I'm the front desk manager. I just got the position a few months ago. I was a maid a while before that."

Looking Lorelai over, Rachel pondered her thoughts. Knowing how she felt about the intimacy of a small town, she wondered why anyone not from Stars Hollow could end up there. "So… You didn't grow up in Stars Hollow? What brought you here? It''s a small town, and there's not really that much to do."

"Well, when I came here, a small, quite town was what I was looking for."

Before Lorelai could continue, Luke came out of the kitchen wiping his hands with a towel. Rachel couldn't help but notice how the immediate smile that appeared on his face when he saw Lorelai disappeared when he realized she was standing nearby.

"Hey. I didn't know you were here yet."

"I just got here." Tossing her head towards the storeroom, Lorelai questioned, "Can we talk for a sec?"

"Sure. You got this?" Luke questioned Rachel.

"Yeah, I'm good."

Rachel watched as they reached the end of the counter and saw how Luke slipped his hand quickly into Lorelai's. Stopping her jaw from dropping at even the slightest bit of PDA, Rachel couldn't believe the actions of the man she had once been engaged to.

After they entered the storage room, Luke closed the door behind them. "So, what's up?"

"Hold that thought." Closing the gap between them, Lorelai kissed him hard.

Finally pulling apart, Luke smirked. "Okay, then."

"Sorry," Lorelai smiled, ducking her head. "I didn't get it out of my system earlier." Loosely, she draped her arms across his waist. "So, I told Rory that you're gonna be staying with us, and she is over the moon. You have nothing to worry about."

"Okay, good," Luke answered, releasing the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "And you're still okay with it?"

Grinning, Lorelai shook her head. "Of course. I like having my Luke pillow… You're much better than my regular one."

Rolling his eyes, Luke frowned teasingly. "Oh great…I can't wait."

Bringing herself up against him, Lorelai rose to her tip toes, making her face level with his. "What? You don't want my body pressed up against yours? I seem to remember a few times where you couldn't seem to get close enough to me. In fact, if I remember right, that's what you wanted earlier this afternoon."

Out of instinct, Luke found his hands falling on the small of her back, tracing circles. "Yeah, but usually I can take advantage of it. This time, you're just going to be an unfair temptation."

Scoffing, Lorelai narrowed her eyes at him. "Hey there, Bucko. You can't blame me. You're the one that's shy about this whole thing. If I had it my way, we would have christened my room a good many times by now."

Grumbling, Luke frowned. "Aw, jeez. I hate that word."

"What, christened?"

"Yes… that word should never mean anything else but a baby's baptism."

A playful glimmer appeared in Lorelai's eyes. "Well, there are plenty of other words that I could use… I could say f-…"

Placing his finger over her lips, Luke shook his head. "I'd rather you didn't."

With a smile on her face, Lorelai pressed a kiss to the pad of his finger and pulled away. "Awe, you're no fun."

"And you're a crude."

"But you love me anyway." Planting a short peck on his lips, Lorelai pulled his hands from her back and placed one of them in hers. "Come on. Rory's probably done talking to Babette by now. I better get back out there to get her before Patty gets to her too."

As they walked out, Luke and Lorelai looked over to see Rory on a stool, having a clearly animated conversation with Rachel.

"You've been to New York," Rory exclaimed smiling. "My mommy said we could go there when I'm bigger."

"Well, it's a very fun place," Rachel smiled. Seeing the couple approaching, she met them at the end of the counter. Tossing her thumb over her shoulder, she questioned, "Who does she belong to? She said her name was Rory Gilmore… the last name doesn't ring any bells."

Smiling, Lorelai took her seat by Rory. "Actually, she's my daughter. Rory is short for Lorelai."

Unsurprisingly, a look of shock overtook Rachel's face. "You have a daughter?"

Having seen the look many times before, Lorelai shook her head and spoke plainly. "Yeah… and before you try to do the math, I was sixteen when I had her. Hence the need for a quiet town…"

"You came here at sixteen?" Seeing the look on Rachel's face, both Luke and Lorelai could tell she was trying to connect some dots. "Wait, you work at the inn. You're the girl that Mia took in right before I left the second time?"

Nodding, Lorelai smiled. "Yep, that's me… Mia took us in, and we've been here ever since."

"Okay…"

"Rachel, are you my Daddy Luke's friend that is staying here?" Rory questioned innocently.

Luke didn't, but Lorelai saw the flash of surprise and some other emotion on Rachel's face after hearing Rory's name for Luke. "Uh, yeah. I've known Luke for a very long time. I just came to town to visit for a while."

"Cool!"

At the lull of the conversation, Lorelai decided to take her attention to Rory. "Hey, sweets. Are you ready for dinner?"

"Mhmm." Turning to Luke, Rory smiled brightly. "Daddy Luke, can I have a cheeseburger?"

"Sure, Rory. Did you want fries?"

"Can I have mac and cheese?"

Scrunching his face in disgust at her cheesy order, Luke sighed. "I can't interest you in some fruit instead?"

"Nope," Rory smiled, her lower lip poking out just slightly for good measure.

Unable to help smiling at her antics, Luke nodded. "You got it, kid… For you, Lorelai?"

"Just give me my usual burger with fries."

"Gotcha… I'll have it out in a few." He called, and walked back into the kitchen.

As soon as he disappeared behind the wall, Rachel turned to Lorelai with a furrowed brow. "Is he always like that?"

Lorelai, confused by her meaning, questioned back. "Like what?"

"I don't know… Nice to Rory."

"Yeah. I've always heard that he's not the best with kids, but he's great with her."

"Huh." From Lorelai's view, Rachel was seemingly dumbfounded. Seeing new customers taking a seat, she shook her head to clear it. "Well, I guess I better get serving. Enjoy your meal."

"Are you guys doing okay," Rachel questioned as she walked up and refilled Lorelai's mug.

"Um, yeah… We're fine. Thanks for the refill."

Tapping on her mother's shoulder lightly, Rory spoke hopefully when she looked at her. "Can we have pie?"

"Sure, why not." Looking back to Rachel, Lorelai smiled. "Actually, can we get a slice of boysenberry and a slice of apple"

"Yeah… We're out of cherry, so those are the two we've got." A few seconds later, she came back with their plates, and sat them on the table. "Here you go. One apple, one boysenberry."

Not wanting to be awkward, Lorelai smiled and answered. "Thanks… You know. It's a lot easier to get pie from you than it is Luke. I normally have to hear a health rant and beg really hard to even get a slice half this size."

"Ah yes," Rachel laughed. "The "too much sugar" rant. I'm familiar."

"Exactly," Lorelai genuinely laughed along with her. "That one and the one where he lets me know that apparently every bite I eat takes another hour off of my life."

"I guess that's a new one. I haven't heard him give that one before."

Just then, Luke walked up to the table and eyed their plates. "Seriously," he questioned, looking at Rachel. "Could you have given them a bigger piece of pie? Those things cover the whole plate."

"Oh can it, Señor Grouchy Pants," Lorelai said as she grinned at his grumbling. "You and I both know that you're just a pie hog and want to keep it all for yourself."

"For myself? I wouldn't let that come within two feet of my mouth." Luke replied gruffly.

"I don't know," Lorelai countered with a teasing lilt in her voice. "I think you're this grouchy and territorial about it because you like to eat it all after you close."

"Yeah, Luke," Rachel chimed in with a smile. Her face changed to a smirk as she looked to Lorelai and Rory. "I don't know about waiting until closing, though. I'm pretty sure he had a slice back in the storage room earlier."

Rolling his eyes at them teaming up on him, Luke sighed. "I did not have pie in the storage room."

"Are you sure, babe? Rachel here seems like a pretty reliable source… So was it apple or boysenberry."

Not even bothering to sigh or shake his head, Luke answered plainly. "Neither. Now is there anything else you need, or can I go back to the kitchen?"

"It was cherry, Mommy!" Rory interjected, her finger pointing at Luke. "His lips are red."

"It was not cherry, and my lips are not red."

Continuing undeterred by his comments, Lorelai nodded at Rory. "I bet it was, sweets! That's why there was no cherry!" With a grin, Lorelai turned to him with an accusing finger. "You're a cherry hog!"

"I'm not… I'm not a cherry hog," Luke sputtered, his hands dropping to his sides in defeat. "You know what, I'm going back to the kitchen. Call if you need anything."

Looking up at Rachel with a grin, Lorelai spoke. "That was fun."

"Yeah it was," she answered with a laugh. "You guys sure know how to rile him up."

Running her hand across Rory's back, Lorelai nodded. "It's one of our favorite pass times."

"Luke, we're leaving!" Lorelai yelled out, not catching the attention from anyone in the room but Rachel, as the regulars were used to her outbursts.

Stepping out of the kitchen, Luke met her at the edge of the counter. "Am I good to come out, or are you going to accuse me of eating all the donuts next."

Noticing his tense stance, Lorelai grinned and ran her hand down his arm. "You're good. Even I know that you couldn't handle pie and donuts in the same day."

"You've got that right," Luke grumbled, though there wasn't a trace of real malice "I'll be over after I close up. It will probably be around nine."

"Okay…"

Turning around, Luke stepped back towards the kitchen, but before he could enter the doorway, he heard Lorelai call, "Um, Luke?"

"Yeah?" He questioned as he turned back around.

"Aren't you forgetting something?"

Confused, Luke cocked his head to the side. "What?"

Gesturing for him to rejoin her at the counter, Lorelai tilted her face up. "Kiss."

"Oh, yeah." Smiling, Luke brought his lips down to hers quickly.

Not letting him pull too far back, Lorelai whispered, "Just because Rachel is here doesn't mean we have to change." Finally pulling back, she grinned at him. "Bye. We'll see ya later." Turning to Rory still perched on the stool, Lorelai called, "Alright hon, let's get going."

Waving wildly at Luke, Rory hopped down and hugged him. "Bye Daddy Luke!" Following Lorelai towards the door, she stopped near Rachel as she was serving. "Bye, Rachel!"

Surprised by the kid's warmness and politeness to her, Rachel smiled genuinely. "Bye, Rory. It was nice to meet you." Watching her skip out onto the sidewalk as Lorelai held open the door, Rachel looked up and met Lorelai's gaze. "That's one great kid you've got there."

Never tired of hearing that complement, a small smile played on Lorelai's lips. "Thank you. I definitely got one of the good ones."

"Yeah, uh… Have a good night, Lorelai."

"Thanks. You too, Rachel." She smiled, that twinge of jealousy finally subsiding as their night was reaching its end.

A/N: Sorry I missed my normal Wednesday update this past week, everyone! It was finals week, so I didn't have much time to write. On the bright side, I am out of school for over a month, so I should be able to get quite a bit of writing done. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know what you think!