That last chapter ended with the 'mother' of all cliffhangers, eh? No pun intended. Thanks very much for the reviews - I'm glad I had ya'll laughing a bit. Well, I suppose it's time to clear up some loose ends. Grab some popcorn and let your minds wander back to the Dragonfly. Things are about to get interesting…

"Hello?" Emily's shrill voice reverberated throughout the Inn. The freshly painted walls peeled in response. Rolling her eyes impatiently, she took a deep breath and focused her attention on the room in which she stood. She wouldn't dare let on how impressed she was. The progress her daughter had made in transforming this establishment was commendable.

A rustling of footsteps could be heard from above. Emily started towards the staircase.

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"Who the hell was that?" Babette referred to the voice from downstairs.

Sookie wore a horrified expression. "Oh my god. I think it's Emily Gilmore! But why on earth is she here…unless someone told her about today." She looked to Patty for an explanation.

"I certainly did not!" Patty sternly defended herself. "Besides, I don't have her phone number."

"Like that's ever stopped ya'!" Babette poked.

Patty beamed, "Phonebooks truly are one of life's precious gifts."

"So it was you!" Sookie accused the gossiping guru.

"Sookie, my dear, you give me far too much credit. Even I know when not to toil."

"If you say so," Sookie sighed. "Don't you suppose we should be heading downstairs now?" she sensibly suggested.

"Yes, I think we should. Come along then ladies." Patty led the way.

The three busybodies passed quickly through the hall and caught sight of Emily as they rounded the staircase.

"Mrs. Gilmore!" Sookie shouted.

"For goodness sake, there's no need to shout, Sookie. I'm within hearing distance." Emily unpleasantly returned.

"Emily, so nice to see you," Patty cooed as the elder Gilmore reached the top stair.

"That's a nice outfit, Emily. You're one classy broad." Babette tried her hand at flattery.

Emily scowled at the three women. "What's going on here? What are all of you doing here?"

"There's nothing to be worried about Mrs. Gilmore," Patty secured. "We're merely pitching in to help get this place off and running. It's a whole town effort. I don't suppose you saw any of our crew outside?"

Emily seemed uninterested in Patty's sap story. "The walls in the front foyer need repainting. And you might consider applying a different finish to the wood on the outside veranda."

"Yes, Mrs. Gilmore. Those are really great ideas," Sookie giggled awkwardly.

Emily looked quizzically at the chef, "I certainly don't think this is a laughing matter, Sookie."

Patty abruptly changed the subject, "So, Emily, what brings you here to Stars Hollow?"

"Well I'm definitely not here for the scenery. I 'm looking for my daughter. She was supposed to meet me in Hartford today for lunch. But as usual, something prevented her from keeping an appointment. I tell you, that girl is flighty as a feather."

"How'd ya know where to look for her?" Babette inquired.

Emily shook her head in frustration, "I didn't know where to look. I might better have read a 'Where's Waldo Book.' She wasn't at her house, or that insufferable diner. This was the last place on my list. I don't suppose she's even here, is she?"

Such a simple question inspired an internal struggle within all three women. Exactly who was going to tell Emily where Lorelai was, whom she was with and what she might possibly be doing with him? Should they keep their nosy noses out of trouble and divert Emily's attention until they rectified a potentially messy situation? Or, do they commit to the unthinkable and lead Emily into the lion's den? More aptly named, the loins den.

"Well, is she or isn't she?" Emily shattered their contemplative silence.

Sookie and Babette were as tight lipped as mimes. I guess it was up to Patty to make the right decision. Bad idea.

"Um, yes, Emily. Lorelai is here…uh, that is to say she was here. You see, we're not exactly sure where she is at this precise moment. It's been somewhat chaotic around here…people running this way and that. She could be just about anywhere." Perfidious Patty had mended her ways.

Before Emily could contemptuously retort, she was distracted by a familiar sound. It appeared to be coming from room seven.

"What was that?" Emily asked, bewildered.

Babette choked on her saliva. "Oh, that? That was the uh, the uh, painters. They're just doin' some touch-ups. One of em' has a real nice ass, eh girls?" Babette's imagination was something worthy of a Nobel Prize. A dirty Nobel Prize.

"Oh, yeah. He was a real looker. And I was looking," Sookie giggled. She was too cute to be impure.

"I thought I heard a woman's voice," Emily interrupted the love fest. "It sounded a lot like Lorelai."

"Nah, one of the carpenters is gay. He's got a high-pitched voice." Nice save, Babette.

"I thought you said they were painters." Emily was too sharp for her own good. Time to fess up kids.

Babette would never live this one down. "Ah crap," she croaked.

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"Oh my god!" Lorelai jolted upright in a panic. "Did you hear that?"

Luke was visibly stunned. "Hear what?" He assumed Lorelai was up to her usual antics.

There was fear in her eyes. "I know that voice…that disapproving voice. That was my mother's voice."

Luke shook his head in disbelief. "Lorelai, you're imagining things."

"I don't know, Luke. A voice like Emily's is terrifyingly distinct."

"Lorelai, can we please drop the subject? It's a little weird talking about your mother in bed. I mean, the very fact that having sex with me makes you think of your mother in the first place is a little discouraging."

Lorelai laughed. "No, I think that having sex with you is so mind-blowingly good that it causes hallucinations.

Luke smirked, "It was that good, huh?"

"You should write a book," Lorelai winked.

Luke moved closer to the woman he loved, wrapping his arms snuggly around her perfect frame. The downy comforter cloaked their naked bodies. Their feet were entangled in the mess of sheets. Comfort had a new definition.

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"Honestly, ladies. I simply don't understand what all the secrets are about. Emily walked abruptly towards the door of room seven "I'm about to open this door," Emily informed the others. "I'm not going to be greeted by some sort of drug ring on the other side, am I?"

"No, no, nothing like that," Sookie assured.

"Yeah, this sure as hell ain't a crack shack, Emily," Babette unnecessarily added.

"Very well then." Emily wiggled the knob. It wasn't cooperating. She gave a frustrated sigh. "I think the door's jammed."

The three women stood there, indifferent.

"And suddenly I'm talking to a brick wall. For god sakes, don't just stand there, help me with this damn door! I've had maids that reacted faster than this," Emily fittingly insulted her subordinates.

Patty apologized on behalf of her comrades. "Sorry Emily. Of course we'll help you."

They formed a line in front of the door and prepared to push.

"Ready. Aim. Push!" Babette instructed.

With a huff and a puff, a creak and a crack, the door violently flew open…

T.B.C…

I know, that was mean. Stay tuned.