Author's Note: Sorry this took so long. It's been written out, just not typed out or uploaded. I've started chapter 11 but it might be a couple of days. Please R+R!

Chapter 10; Silence is Silver

Lorelai and Luke stood in the kitchen. As he leaned on the counter, she hopped up on to the counter opposite him and began to sip her coffee.

She was trying to sort through her thoughts, not entirely sure of what to say next.

He knows that I'm sorry and that I know he knows I'm sorry. He knows I love him so how do I say what I have to tell him without repeating myself? Okay Lorelai, stop thinking and say something.

"I need this to work." she said, bluntly.

"Me too." was his response.

"Not just because I want it to or because you make my coffee," she said, gesturing to the mug in her hands, "which this, perfect by the way. But I need this to work because I can't lose you again."

"You're not going to, Lorelai. Not if I have a say in it which I presume I do."

"The last two months have killed me. I lost the man I've loved for longer than even I know, and my best friend. I can't do that again."

"Then it's agreed. No more break ups or going on breaks or anything with the word break in it." Luke said with a smile.

"Except coffee breaks."

"I come after coffee, nice." he said jokingly.

Lorelai smiled at him as she took another sip from her coffee mug. "No," she laughed after she swallowed, closing her eyes briefly to savor the taste. "You ran right with coffee a la Luke but not a la…anybody else."

"Nice to know. Thank you." Luke laughed.

"No problem." she replied as she hopped down off of the counter and took the last sip of coffee.

He walked up to her and put his arms around her waist.

"Now I talk." She nodded in acceptance.

"Everything I said in that hallway was true. It wasn't some desperate ramblings of a crazed man. Granted, I was desperate, crazed and rambling but I meant every word. I do love you, Lorelai."

She smiled. "I love you, too."

"That's settled. But there're some things that aren't."

"Such as?" Lorelai asked, puzzled.

"The moving truck in your front yard, for starters." Luke retorted.

"Oh, I forgot about that."

"Yeah, I thought you might've. How's this…I go return it, you start unpacking, I come back and we go to lunch. Sound good?" he suggested.

"Perfect…although we have more to discuss."

He looked at Lorelai blankly.

"Before, you said we had things that were still not settled. You named one. Where's the sssss?"

Luke placed one hand on her cheek and kissed her softly.

"Nothing more important than that. You get to unpacking, I'll get the truck unloaded and returned." He took his hand from her face and let go of her waist.

"That's doable. But after lunch I need to get to the Inn."

"Okay. I'm going to unpack upstairs, get to work you." She said as she set her mug on the counter.

"Yes ma'am."

"Say kiss." she said as she leaned forward.

"Kiss." he submitted as he grabbed her by the waist again and pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her and allowing their lips to meet in a fiery kiss. Her hands entwined themselves in his hair while his caressed her back as if he was exploring it for the first time.

They broke apart, breathing heavily.

"That's not the way to encourage me to get to work." she pointed out.

"Yeah? What is it then?" Luke smiled.

"It's a way to get me to ravage you and force you into bed."

"Oh really, I had no idea." he replied with sarcasm.

She smiled at him as she went in for a kiss, this time slow and passionate. She trailed a finger down his neck, followed by her lips, which ultimately ended up nibbling on his earlobe. His mouth opened in a barely audible gasp, he closed his eyes and let out a moan. Lorelai ran her hands down his sides, letting them linger at his hips. She took her opportunity to kiss him again, a short peck on the lips.

"Okay, work time." she said, perkily with a satisfied smile.

She turned and walked away. Luke watched in awe.

"Now that's just mean!" he shouted as he ran after her.

Turning around she let out a yip and began running upstairs to her room. He caught up quickly and tackled her to the bed.

"Mean." he whispered as he lay on top of her.

"Not me." she said as Luke leaned in and kissed her.

Lorelai woke up to the distinct sound of someone banging on the door. She had been trying to ignore it for the past 15 minutes, but whoever it was, was far too insistent. As soon as I find out who that is, they're dead. she thought to herself.

She got up, trying not to disturb Luke but failing miserably.

"Where are you going?" he asked as he sat up in bed, draping one arm on her back and gently massaging her neck.

"There's somebody at the door and I must kill them now. I'll be right back, I promise." she told him.

She slid out of bed and grabbed her robe from the chair in the corner of the room. She walked downstairs as she haphazardly tied the robe to her, muttering to herself.

"Stupid people, early in the morning, knocking, waking me up, grr argh."

She opened the door, surprised at who was standing at the door.

"Mom" she said, stunned.

"How dare you, Lorelai! After all that I did, how dare you not show up for our Friday night dinner!" Emily yelled.

"I really can't do this right now, Mom."

"Can't or won't Lorelai?"

"Both! Luke and I are back together because we wanted to, not because you did. It was us. Get over it, Mom!"

"After all that I've done for you, that's how you talk to me? This is outrageous, Lorelai! Absolutely unacceptable!" Emily screamed.

"The things you've done for me and for Rory will not be forgotten. We both thank you for that, but this is my life, mine. My relationship. Luke and I will make the decisions, not you!" Lorelai said as calmly as possible.

Luke was coming down the stairs.

"Lorelai, who…oh." he said, pausing on the steps.

"Well you spoiled selfish brat!" Emily hollered.

"Spoiled? Mom, how can I be spoiled? There's no one to spoil me! Or is it possible, you've forgotten the last 20 years that I've been fending for my daughter and I, alone?"

"You're no more than a small child throwing a tantrum at a supermarket."

"Oh my God, a child? Nice. What a low blow." Lorelai retorted, facetiously.

"It's the truth."

"I'm sorry, did you miss the sarcasm?"

"This is ridiculous, Lorelai. All you're doing is fighting me on this because I proved you wrong and you can't stand that."

"No, I'm fighting you on this because you're pissing me off by constantly interfering in my life. I love Luke, and you hate him for that. So you get yourself imbedded in it or at least tried to and this time it got to me, this time it nearly destroyed me so I'm telling you to shut up and get the hell out of my house!" Lorelai said.

Emily turned and left, a beaten down expression on her face. Lorelai sneered at her as she left and slammed the door behind her mother. She turned around and leaned on the inside of the door.

"I have to get out of here." she said through breaths.

"Want me to come with you?" Luke asked as he came down the steps and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Not this time. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm sorry about…that." she said.

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

Lorelai went upstairs and changed into her day clothes. She stood in front of Luke before she left.

"I love you." she said as she stared into his eyes, tears flowing freely now.

"I love you too. Be careful. I'll see you soon." Luke said as he hugged her and kissed her goodbye.