Diner and Decisions

"Hey you," Lorelai smiled at Luke as she entered the kitchen to find him making dinner. "That smell delicious, but if you think I'm going to eat that salad, you've got another thing coming."

"Suit yourself." Sam shrugged as he finished tossing the salad, completely missing the knowing look that Lorelai sent his way. Before long the sauce had been added to the pasta and chicken, food had been plated, beer had been retrieved from the fridge, and the couple was seated at the table tucking into their meal.

This is really good, Lorelai thought to herself, But most definitely not Luke's cooking. Whoever this body snatcher is, he is not Luke. "So who are you?" She finally asked.

"What do you mean?" Sam asked, surprised by the question but trying not to let it show.

"I think the question is pretty self-explanatory." Lorelai countered, "You may look like Luke, and sound like Luke, and know some things that only Luke and I would know, but I know you aren't Luke. Is this an 'Attack of the Body Snatchers' kind of a thing? Did you really think you could fool me? If you did, you have another think coming."

"Jeez, Lorelai, would you give it a rest?" Sam huffed, a little of Luke's persona leaking over, "You know who I am, you've known who I am for nearly 11 years. I'm Luke, your Luke, Diner Man, Burger Boy, and Fiancé Extraordinaire."

"No, you're not." Lorelai stated, her deep cerulean eyes bearing into his own. "I know you're not, you don't move like Luke, you don't kiss like Luke, and those eyes are too green to be Luke's. So I'll ask again, who are you?"

"You want proof that I am who I say I am?" Sam challenged, "I'll give you proof I was born November 12th 1963, my parents were William and Marie Danes, I have a younger sister Liz from whom I have a nephew named Jess and a niece or nephew on the way. We met in my diner when you demanded coffee and I refused until you gave me a horoscope promising to go away if I only served you what you asked for. My mother died when I was seven of breast cancer, my father had a heart attack when I was 18 that caused me to have to come home and take care of him and the store instead of continuing at University of Connecticut where I had scholarships for baseball and track. He died November 1, 1984 of congestive heart failure, a mere two and a half weeks after Rory was born, not that I knew it at the time. I went to your daughter's caterpillar funeral, I made mashed potatoes for her every day when she had the chicken pox; I even threatened every boyfriend Rory has ever had, including my own nephew. My daughter April is 13, her mother Anna is preventing me from seeing her because she's bent out of shape about you helping with April's birthday party. Need I continue?"

"No," Lorelai sighed, he knew all the right things, but there was something nagging at her, something telling her that he wasn't who he said he was. "Anna is really preventing you from seeing April because of me?"

"Yeah, she was pissed enough about the party." Sam shrugged, "I guess you going to talk to her was the straw the broke the camel's back, so to speak. I don't blame you, I completely understand your reasoning behind it, but my relationship with Anna and April isn't like your relationship with Christopher and Rory. You left the door open to Chris all this time, I watched him for years free to come and go as he pleased, walking in, out, and all over. I wasn't given that same opportunity; if Anna had her way, I never would have known about April. I think I am going to have to sue for custody if I want to be able to see my daughter."

"You may just have to." Lorelai nodded, taking another bite of her pasta and chewing thoughtfully, "Do you want me to ask my dad if he knows anyone?"

"If you think he could help," Sam shrugged. "I would appreciate it."

"You know what bothers me about this whole situation?" Lorelai asked.

"Hmm?"

"Like you said, Chris has had an open door to see Rory, and he could care less. He took advantage of the situation and used her to try to get back with me every time." She shook her head, "But you, someone who genuinely wants a relationship with his child, can't see her because her mother is refusing to let you see her. I mean I know you weren't really pro-kid when you were younger, but even a blind man could see that you are an honorable man and value family; why would anyone in their right mind keep you from your child?"

"I don't know." Sam shook his head. "All I know is that I probably have a long fight ahead of me. Anna didn't even put me on the birth certificate when April was born, so not only do I have to sue for custody, but I have to prove that she is mine."

"Well whatever lawyer you get should know about where to find a qualified lab that does paternity tests." Lorelai smiled slightly at him, "Although I think you might be in the minority, usually it's the mothers trying to get the fathers to step up, I doubt they get many fathers trying to get the mothers to let them have access to their kids."

"Probably," Sam nodded. They sat in silence for a few moments before the silence was broken by Sam's yawn. "Oh boy, I didn't realize how tired I was; probably should head home"

"You know," Lorelai looked up shyly, "You could stay here. I think I still have a pair of your sweats here."

"I know," Sam smiled at her offer, "But I think with everything that's happened, we should take things slow, at least until things are more settled."

"So nothing dirty, at least for now?" Lorelai checked.

"Nothing dirty tonight." Sam gave her a half smile. "I'm too tired to do you any justice anyway."

"Okay," Lorelai nodded with a wan smile as she cleared the plates and put the remaining pasta in an empty container before putting it in the fridge.

"You're mad." Sam stated.

"No," Lorelai sighed, "A little frustrated, but not mad. Did you realize that it's been over two months since we made love? I mean that's not normal, especially for an engaged couple. We should be running for bed every chance we get."

"Normal is overrated." Sam stood and pulled her into his arms, dropping a kiss on her head, "We're not your typical engaged couple either; we have the girls to think about. We have to be careful about when and where we get intimate."

"I know," Lorelai nodded, resting her head on his shoulder, "But Rory has been living at Logan's for the past few months."

"I know it's really not my place to say," Sam sighed, "But are you sure that's the best place for her? I mean he did cheat on her, multiple times over."

"It is your place to say, you have been her father in nearly all ways but one for most of her life." Lorelai protested, "And I agree, I'm not exactly okay with it, but she's an adult and can do as she pleases. I'm not a fan of her shacking up with a man who clearly has commitment issues, but again, it's her choice."

"All the same, if you need him taken care of, let me know." Sam half-joked, "I've got a fairly decent tarp in the back of the truck."

"That's sweet of you to go all Godfather, but not necessary." Lorelai assured him, "Rory's smart, she'll see that he's not the one sooner or later, I just hope is the former rather than the latter."

"Yeah," Sam nodded before indicating toward the door, "Well, I'm gonna…"

"Yeah," Lorelai nodded, catching his meaning. "I'll call Dad first thing in the morning and let you know. Make sure you have coffee waiting when I come by."

"Alright," Sam agree. With a chaste kiss pressed against her lips, he left out the front door and out to the truck to return to the diner. "Oh boy," he sighed, "That was almost too close." With that he put the truck in gear and headed back to the apartment.

Lorelai watched as the truck backed out of the drive, hand pressed lightly to her lips. He'd nearly had her convinced, up until he kissed her. She knew that was not her Luke, but at the same time had the feeling that whoever now inhabited Luke's body was not a malevolent sort. Maybe he was a good spirit, or an angel like Clarence from her favorite holiday movie, sent to help the ones he was charged to protect to see the value in their lives. She smiled at the thought, "Alright Angel Boy, do what you gotta do to get my Burger Boy back to me." She spoke softly into the warm night before turning on her heel and heading up to her own bed, praying that it would all work out in the end.