Max sheepishly opened the door to Luke's Diner and was grateful for the lack of customers.

"Hey, Max," Luke looked up from the table he was wiping down. "What's up?"

Max shyly pulled up a stool to the counter. "Well, as of five minutes ago, my ego. I feel like an idiot, Luke."

Luke grunted and leaned on the counter across from him. "Spill."

Max quickly re-iterated his argument with Lisa. Luke sighed, removed his cap, and ruffled his hair. Then he gingerly replaced the hat and straightened his flannel shirt. Max moaned impatiently.

"Once you're finished primping," he prompted.

"I think, in all honesty, Max, that you were a royal jackass," Luke finally said honestly. Max blinked.

"Well, thanks."

"No, I mean, aren't you being a little controlling? If Lisa wants to endanger herself like that, its her decision and she has the right to make it. You may not like it, but you have to deal with that because its her life and you love her."

Now it was Max's turn to be dumbfounded.

"Wow, man," he shook his head. "That was deep. Where'd you get it?" Luke shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh, gosh," Max laughed. "You're not telling me that you read a self help book."

"Of course no-" Luke groaned. "Fine. But its besides the point. You need to apologize to her."

"If she'll accept it," Max agreed. "I can't believe I let my temper get so out of hand, especially with the wedding so soon, and her already being so sensitive because of the baby..."

"What baby?" Luke frowned, then brightened. "Leese is pregnant? Oh, man. That's great!"

"I know," Max smiled, then rose and pulled on his jacket. "Thanks for everything, Luke."

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Lisa wiped her eyes as she finished her story. Lorelai spoke.

"Well, I think you're overreacting just a smidge, Leese," Lorelai said mildly. "I mean, he just loves you and doesn't want to see you get hurt."

"I guess." Lisa looked away, and the hurt still shone miserably in her eyes.

"Leese?"

"He said I was just like Jackson," she replied softly. "Just like...him."

Lorelai sighed sympathetically and placed a hand on her friend's arm. "You know what would make you feel better?" Lisa shook her head. "The Fourth of July festival. We'll go to the fireworks, be girls, you know the drill."

Lisa cracked a weak smile. "Thought you had a date tonight."

Lorlelai hesitated. "No," she lied. "I'm all yours."

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Rory was crawling into bed when she heard Janice calling to her from the suite living room.

"Uh, Rory?" she called nervously. "You might want to get in here." Rory swung her legs over the edge and ran out. Janice had the news playing on the television.

"...and in news today, two wanted men have escaped from a high-security Hartford jail. They are known by the names of Jackson Rippner and Jess Mariano..."

"Oh, god," Rory sank to the couch and watched in horror as their pictures flew across the screen.

"...information on their whereabouts please call..."

Janice looked worriedly at Rory, who was changing colors at breakneck speed. Rory finally numbly opened her cell phone to call her mother.

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Max hesitated at the door as Luke's phone rang.

"Yeah? Rory, slow down. They are? Damn. Call Lisa. Not there? Your mom? No? Uh...I don't know where they'd be this time of the night. Yeah, we'll go find them. Just stay put and lock the door. Kay. Bye." He hung up and turned to Max.

"They're out."

"Jess and Jackson?" Luke grabbed his jacket.

"Yup. And Lisa and Lorelai are missing." Max blanched and paled, looking sick and panicky.

"We have to find them."