A/N And now we begin, no, the secret has yet to be revealed. Thank you again for all who read and reviewed and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Again, I own nothing,

Ch 10 The Return

Luke couldn't believe what a jackass that guy on the motorcycle was, usually the fall festivals always brought out idiots, but this one ran in front of his truck and almost made him swerve into the diner. Well, we're well into November so the festivals should be gone soon and so should this jerk.

Luke was having his mini rant while he was wiping down the counter during the mid-afternoon lull. On top of everything else that was going wrong this day it was Friday. That meant dinner with the Gilmore's, yippee. Well, the bright spots were the fun before they left the house and after dinner Lorelai usually liked to cuddle on the couch and have him hold her until she felt human again. It was the small bonus to what was always a horrid night .On occasion Rory would stay at Lane's. Those were almost as good as the free Friday night they had last month. He knew her parents didn't like him, he was 'too common', like he'd never heard that phrase before.

Suddenly the door swung open and his beautiful girlfriend, he loved that word, burst through the opening frantically looking around. Lorelai ran up to the counter and asked, "Have you talked to Babette or Miss Patty today?"

"Hello to you too."

"Have you talked to Babette or Miss Patty today?" Lorelai was getting impatient.

"Not since early this morning. Why?"

Luke saw her look over her shoulder and Miss Patty is scurrying across the square towards his diner, which in itself is quite a sight.

Lorelai asks, "Is Caesar here?"

"In the back. Why?"

"Caesar you have the floor!" Lorelai called out as she dragged Luke behind the curtain.

"Lorelai, while I normally enjoy you dragging me up to my apartment, why do I get the feeling I'm not going to be enjoying myself this time?"

"Probably because you're very perceptive, I've something to tell you before anyone else does and it looks like Patty has gotten the scoop today."

"Lorelai, I don't really care about town gossip."

"Trust me this one you will." Lorelai said as she stood in the kitchen chewing on her bottom lip. "Christopher's here" she whispered.

"Christopher as in Rory's dad? The guy who I've never seen in the five years I've known you because he's never been in Stars Hollow? The guy who can't seem to keep a phone number or address long enough for his daughter to keep in contact so she can get to know him. That Christopher?"

"Yes, he just showed up, no call, no note, just, Surprise."

"The only other thing you can say that will make this day get even better is that the jerk rode in on a Harley."

"So you've already seen him?"

"Shit, Lorelai I nearly put in a sidewalk café because of that idiot, he pulled right in front of my truck and I had to swerve to miss him. Keep him out of my way for however long he's in the area this time."

"Well, that may be a bit difficult seeing as he called Emily for directions to the house because he wanted to surprise Rory, so Emily invited him to dinner tonight."

Luke groaned, "Lorelai, you're telling me that I not only have to be cordial to your parents who think I'm way beneath you, but I have to share a meal with a guy who treats you and Rory like an afterthought? How do you think I'm gonna to get through the evening?"

Lorelai moved suggestively towards Luke, "Well, how about we come back here after dinner and have a pajama party? Pajamas optional?" she grinned.

"You could get me to do anything couldn't you?" Luke sighed as he wrapped her in his arms. Lorelai kissed him deeply and started to guide him to the bed but Luke pulled back and said, "Caesar is downstairs alone, as much as I want this, and I really want this, I can't keep leaving him on his own. Tonight, yes?"

"Tonight," Lorelai smiled as she anticipated waking up with Luke. Even with Rory's consent for Luke to stay over, it wouldn't do to scar her baby with the uninhibited sounds of their love making, so these nights away from the house were few and far between and she treasured each one.

"Oh," Luke asked, "is Christopher staying in Hartford with his folks?"

"Well," Lorelai was really hoping he wasn't going to ask this question, damn that he knew her too well. "Rory has sort of asked if Christopher could stay on the couch."

Luke stared at her, clenching and unclenching his jaw and adjusted his ball-cap. "Lorelai let me ask you how you would feel if I let Rachel or one of my other ex's stay at my apartment overnight?"

"Not good I guess."

"You guess? Well, magnify that not good by a hundred and you might get how uncomfortable I'd be if Christopher stayed in your house with you in it. I don't want to ask you to have him stay somewhere else, I guess I hoped you knew that it would upset me and you wouldn't want him to stay."

Luke finished his thought more than a little defeated, he thought they were making such headway and now he had doubts about how committed to this relationship Lorelai was. He knew she would always be a bit immature, though he was hoping for some understanding from her and a clear indication that she wanted him permanently in her life.

"See," Lorelai grinned, "this is another reason I suggested an al night pajama party tonight, Rory will have one grown-up in the house, I don't see the need for her to have two, right?"

Luke sighed and returned her grin, although a much dimmer wattage, "Thank you." Then a thought occurred to him, "So you're going to be my bedtime buddy if this jerk stays more than one night?"

"Until you're sick of my company" she would've overshadowed Vegas with that smile.

"It might take a few centuries for that to happen. Pick Rory and you up at five-thirty?"

"Knowing that we'll be leaving at six-fifteen? Oh, and Christopher needs a ride since he only has his bike."

"Lorelai!" And she was down the stairs before he could react further.

At five-forty-five Luke pulled up to Lorelai's and went to the door. He felt out of place already in his camel hair overcoat and one of the suits Lorelai picked out for him. He rang the bell out of courtesy and the jerk answered the door with a big shit-eating grin on his face and looked as though he owned the place. Luke wanted to take him out right there.

Rory came rushing in and gave Luke a hug, "Luke this is my father, Christopher Hayden, Dad, this is Luke Danes, mom's boyfriend and staple in our lives for many years." She saw that the two men eyed each other warily so she said, "Luke why don't you go up and see if you can get mom moving?"

Luke was pleased to see the other man's face drop as Chris said, "Rory, I don't think that's such a good idea…"

"Luke is the only one I've seen who can get mom out the door quickly and still in a very good mood on Friday night. Before Luke started to come to Friday night dinners it took the threat of no coffee for the next week to get her out the door. Now no threats are needed. Go on up Luke and do your magic." Rory urged.

As Luke ascended the stairs he noticed the pout on the other man's face, seriously what male over the age of four pouts? He stood outside Lorelai's bedroom door and knocked gently.

"Go away! I'm not going! I've nothing to say to any of you and if you don't leave me alone you'll be very sorry."

Downstairs Christopher is feeling very satisfied as he hears Lorelai yelling through the door. Rory is smiling next to him because she knows this is all part of the little play that takes place each Friday night.

Luke tries the door and is actually pleased to find she had locked it, but it means Rory may hear the next part of the drama that usually takes place in Lorelai's bedroom.

"Lorelai, I know you're having trouble picking out something to wear, do you want me to help you?" Luke smiles for the first time tonight, this is one of his favorite parts of Friday night dinners.

The door is flung open and Lorelai grabs him by the lapels and drags him into her room and slams the door. A very heated make out session takes place as Luke runs his hands over a scantily clad Lorelai. They break apart and he asks suggestively, "So what're my options this evening?"

Fifteen minutes later and at exactly six-fifteen, they all pile into Lorelai's jeep with Luke driving, Lorelai beside him and Chris and Rory in the backseat. Again the man has a pout on his face, jeeze!

They pull up in front of the mansion and see a stranger's car in the drive. Christopher says, "That looks like dad's car" and Luke cringes at what is to come. The ex and the ex's family, could Emily be more transparent?

Surprisingly the maid who opens the door has been with Emily for three weeks now so Luke hands her their coats with a "Thank you Marie."

They enter the living room and see Richard and Emily entertaining another older couple, Luke assumes it must be Christopher's parents. Lorelai's groan confirms for him. "Man, Francine and Straub, great."

Luke reacts a bit, "Did you say Straub, that's a very unusual name, is that Christopher's dad?"

"The very one"

Introductions are made and Luke can see Emily isn't pleased to have to introduce him she doesn't even use his last name. He knows she barely restrains herself from calling him 'the diner man.' The odd thing is he notices that Straub treats Rory in a similar manner and Luke is not pleased.

They aren't even into their drinks before Straub starts criticizing Lorelai and Rory of all people.

"If it wasn't for that girl Christopher would've gone to Princeton and he'd be a success in my business today. Every male in the Hayden family has gone to Princeton until Christopher. But because you decided that you had to have that girl his entire life is ruined. I don't care how smart you say she is, Christopher lost the life he was meant to live because that girl's mother was too selfish to get rid of her."

Luke had been sitting on the sofa listening to this and more from Straub incensed that no one was saying anything and that Rory was hearing all of this from her own grandfather! Luke clenched and unclenched his jaw, his left leg twitching is the only visible sign of the pent up anger he was barely controlling. Finally after what seemed like an eternity he launched off the sofa, "Lorelai take Rory into the kitchen please." He wasn't even going to try and make an excuse he just needed her out of hearing range.

Lorelai was also in shock and only came out of it when Luke barked at her. She hurried Rory out of the room.

Luke turned his full anger on Straub, "Look, Mr. Hayden, I really am one of the last people to interfere in family fights, but you've crossed into my family and I'm not going to have you speak to Rory or her mother in this manner. I won't allow you to denigrate this beautiful soul with your poison. She's smart as a whip that's true, but even more importantly she cares about all the people around her, even those who don't deserve it. She's gentle and compassionate and has gained a resiliency from her mother that your son would do well to imitate. I hate to tell you, but Christopher wasn't the only one whose life was changed the day Rory was conceived. Lorelai was the one who actually had the physical changes occur to her body, she's been the sole provider for Rory the past fifteen years and yet she's been able to see the gift that child has brought her everyday of her life. Even though she didn't have a high school diploma, she managed to provide Rory a nice house, she's the General Manager of one of the most profitable inns in Connecticut and she's getting her business degree."

"So I'm sorry if I don't think you have a plausible excuse as to why Christopher is a disappointment to you. My mother died when I was ten, my dad died when I was twenty two. Life throws you curves and a strong person uses these to become better, a weak person will use these difficulties to avoid taking responsibility for their actions."

Luke's attention shifted from Straub to Christopher and the younger man felt the full force of his anger, "What I cannot ignore or disallow is how a man can sit by while his daughter is torn down in front of him. I don't care if this man is your father Christopher, that little girl in there is your daughter and deserves a father who will stand up for her."

"So grow a spine, find a pair, but don't ever let anyone talk to her in that manner again. What you taught her here tonight is that she should question her very worth as a human being. A father should never allow his daughter to question that she is without a doubt the most important thing in his life or the fact that he would be less of a man without her."

Gaining control of himself Luke called for the maid, "Marie, get the ladies and our coats we're leaving. There will be three less for dinner."

Christopher actually spoke up and said, "Wait, I drove here with you."

As the girls entered the room Luke fixed his gaze on Christopher, "Are you telling me you actually want to be in a confined space with me right now?"

"I could stay with my parents tonight."

"Good answer," Luke helped Lorelai on with her coat and addressed the Gilmore's, "Richard, Emily I apologize for my outburst, but things needed to be said. I hope to see you next week."

Both Richard and Emily barely nodded, still in shock over the disaster that had been the evening.

Outside Luke helped Lorelai and Rory into the jeep and headed home in silence. The girls could feel the anger radiate off Luke and it started to diminish the closer they got to Stars Hollow. When he pulled into their driveway no one moved. Luke sat with both his hands gripping the steering wheel looking straight ahead. Very quietly he said, "I'm sorry Rory, I 'm sorry you heard all those things that man said, I'm sorry I sent you out of the room and I'm sorry for losing my temper. I can't take back what you heard, I only hope you know that what Mr. Hayden said isn't true by any means of the imagination. You, are a beautiful, loving, compassionate young woman who I'm proud to call a friend and I do consider you a member of my family."

Rory looked at him with tears in her eyes, "Luke, you know what you said about a father tonight? You're right, and because of mom and you and the people of Stars Hollow I know I am loved even after Straub said all those things. I've always felt I was the most important thing in mom's life and I love you because you made me important in your life too and not just because you're with mom. So thank you."

Luke smiled a bit and got out of the car to let Lorelai and Rory out of the jeep. Lorelai was still watching Luke carefully. She knew he was angry, she wasn't sure it was all at Straub and Christopher, she felt a little guilty that out of the six adults there, the only one to stand up to Straub was the one person with no genetic ties to the families.

Rory looked at her mom and said, "Definitely the pro column," and gave Luke a hug before she ran into the house. Lorelai snaked her arms around Luke's waist and said, "I was so looking forward to our pajama party,"

Luke looked down at her and had a small smile, "I'm aware that even if Rory didn't need you, there's only one adult here tonight. Besides, I know I won't be any fun this evening, so I'm going to head home. I'll see you in the morning?"

"You do have the coffee. So, are we good?"

"Yea, you're great, it's your boyfriend I'd like to knock some sense into."

"Well, not too much, he's a very good protector you know."

"Hmm, so how much of that rant did you hear?"

"Well, let's just say that I think it would've been nice if Christopher had found a pair earlier too."

"Ah. Well, with that thought I'm going to go, I've a phone call I should make this evening."

"Delivery or investment?"

"What're you talking about?"

"Well, for a while I thought that when you left me to make a phone call you were calling your other girlfriend to come over to your bachelor's pad because you ditched the mom girlfriend who couldn't stay over. But I've come to realize that it's usually something about your deliveries or your investments." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. He could see that she was really a bit insecure and he still marveled that she would think he would want anyone else when he could have her.

"Lorelai, if you heard my rant you know I'm very happy with you and I'd be an idiot to do anything to jeopardize that. I still wake up wondering if this is all a dream and if you're going to come to your senses and dump me for a more romantic guy?"

Lorelai pulled Luke closer and kissed him with the same intensity he had kissed her with in the alley all those weeks ago. "Actions speak louder than words?" she asked.

He smiled and said, "I think I got the memo. Now I have to go. Sweet dreams." He kissed her forehead and walked down the sidewalk.

Luke got into his truck and backed out the driveway. He had to call Tom; he wanted more time but tonight proved that he didn't have as much as he wanted.

Slipping into the apartment he picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number. "Tom? I need you to contact the lawyers and add a rider. I'll be around Sunday if you can get this done. We can go over the details then and be ready for next week. Oh, and I want to be there. I've a few things to take care of here tomorrow; I'll see you on Sunday. Thanks."

Luke sank onto his bed and sighed. He was going to have to talk to Lorelai tomorrow and pray she understood.