After the diner closed he went up to his apartment with a salad sandwich and a bowl of soup. He ate his dinner quickly then reached for the phone and dialed Rachel's cell. After only two rings it went to her voicemail and he released he had been screened. He hung up the call and dialed it again but this time it went straight to voicemail. He left her a message to call him back as soon as she could then mentioned the camping trip and reason he was calling then dropped the phone on the coffee table and slumped into the chair. When it rang five minutes later he picked it up and immediately spoke into it.

"Rachel?"

"No…Lorelai."

"Oh hey Lorelai. What's up?"

"Not much, though I was doing much better until my boyfriend answered the phone by stating his ex's name."

"Sorry, I just called her and left a message, I thought it was her calling me back."

"Don't worry about it Luke, I'm only teasing." She chuckled at the sound of his anxious reply. "So do you want to call round tonight?"

"Actually, would you mind coming round here instead? I kinda want to stay close to the phone."

"Okay that's fine. with me. Want me to bring anything?"

"Just yourself."

"See you in a bit."

"Come right up I'll leave the side door open for you."

He hung up then went down to open the side door before returning to his apartment to give it a once over before she arrived. There were a few dishes in the kitchen but for the most part it was clean enough for visitors. He hurried into his bathroom to brush his teeth and freshen up but just as he was finished the phone rang. He hurried out to answer it but this time decided not to make any assumptions as to who might be on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Luke, I got your message."

"Rachel, I've been trying to call you-"

"Yeah I know, I got your message. This is something about the camping trip myself and Ellie are taking this weekend?"

"Yeah, what's going on, Ellie didn't have all the details."

"We're going camping Luke, what more details do you need?"

"I need to know where you will be, and who you will be with." he said, his tone angry and demanding no matter how much he tried to keep calm.

"What? since when do I have to check in with these details to you?" her tone matched his.

"Since my daughter is with you."

"You never gave me any details like this."

"Rachel, you never asked." That shut her up he released with a smug smirk. "So, where will you be?"

"Sycamore park. We've booked in for the Friday and Saturday night then on Sunday we're going to a spa in Milwaukee."

"And who is going?"

"Me and Ellie." she said but even if he didn't have more information from Ellie he would have known she was lying.

"Rachel, for starters I've known you for about 16 years and not once have I ever known you to be someone to voluntarily go camping."

"Luke you don't know me as well as you think you do."

"Ellie already told me you are going with some people from work."

"She did?"

"Yeah so why don't you cut the shit and just tell me the truth."

"There is a friend from work who takes his kids up there every summer. I told him Ellie was staying with me for a while and he invited us."

"So a guy?" Luke was annoyed and didn't even try to disguise it. "You want to take Ellie camping with a strange man?"

"He's not a stranger Luke, he's a friend."

"You just started that job a few weeks ago Rachel! How well do you even know this guy?!"

"Well enough to know I can go camping with him. Jesus do you think I am that helpless?"

"It's not you I'm worried about, Rachel."

"Well thanks for the trust…"

"Trust?!" he yelled out with a barking laugh. He was so focused on the call that he didn't hear Lorelai's footsteps climbing the stairs, nor did he hear the apartment door opening and closing. "What reasons have you given me to trust you?"

"Luke you have to give me a chance."

"I've given you so many chances already Rachel, I'm all out. This chance is from Ellie, not me." He started to pace and when he turned he spotted Lorelai standing just inside the door trying to look like she wasn't listening. He gestured her into the living room and waited in the kitchen area to finish his call. "And now that she is in your care I expect you to look after her properly."

"Look after her? She's fourteen for god's sake!"

"I swear to god Rach if you tell me right now that you think she is old enough to look after herself I'll be on the next flight out there to bring her home."

"That wasn't what I meant."

"So if you intend to take my daughter on a trip out of the city I'm going to need some details. Contact info for the camping park and spa. As well as the name and contact info for the stranger you are choosing to travel with."

"Luke-"

"I need this info Rachel. If you don't provide it I'll take steps to get Ellie home."

"Get her home?" Rachel chuckled cruelly and even before she spoke he knew what she was going to say. "You mean back to Stars Hollow right? Because she has been feeling right at home here in Chicago." Expecting her words did not make them hurt any less.

"Rachel…"

"Fine! I'll email you the details tonight."

"Thank you."

"Anything else?"

He wanted to ask her how Ellie was really doing, how she was settling in, get an honest answer to what his daughter was actually going through and not just the platitudes she had been offering him so far, but he didn't trust Rachel to be that source of information.

"No, nothing else. Just the contact details as soon as you can please."

"You'll get them tonight."

She hung up the phone before he could, then he took a moment to steel himself before replacing the handset on the receiver and walking into the living room. Lorelai had kicked off her shoes and was curled up on one side of the couch leafing through a sports magazine she had taken from beneath the coffee table.

"Hey," he said as he sat next to her, placed a hand on her knee and leaned in to kiss her.

"Hi."

"So you heard?"

"Some. Wanna catch me up from the start?"

He sighed, stretched his legs out before him, and let his head roll back onto the cushions behind him. He told her about Ellie's call, how she had referred to the apartment, how excited she seemed and how it seemed less and less likely that she would be returning to Stars Hollow. His voice almost broke at that final point and she snuggled up closer to him, to offer him what comfort she could. Then he told her about the call to Rachel. His demeanor changed instantly from sorrowful to bitter. His muscles tensed and he sat up to rub his hands through his hair.

"Well I guess you heard most of that call but dammit… she makes me mad."

"I can see."

"Sorry." He dry washed his face then turned to her and tried to smile. "How was your day?"

"Exhausting." she smiled wearily and stroked the side of his face. "Just remnant frustration build up from last night."

"I shouldn't have made you come out here, if you are tired, you should have said."

"You didn't make me. Anyway I wanted to see you."

"You did huh?" he sat back into the couch, wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him.

"Course I did."

He sighed as she relaxed against him and he reached for the remote. "You wanna watch something?"

"No, I'm good sitting here just like this."

She curled her legs up over his knees and settled her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head, rubbed her back with one hand and her thigh with the other.

"I had a dream about you last night." he said suddenly and she smiled as she tipped her head up to look at him.

"You did?" her finger drew circles on his chest over his heart. "Was it a dirty dream."

"Almost."

"Almost?" her fingers stilled on his chest and she looked up at him with a crooked smile.

"Well you were…working away and before it could really go anywhere I woke up."

"HA! No Way!" she laughed and tossed her head back as her mirth took hold. Luke sat still and waited for it to subside.

"Finished?" he said when her laugh finally stopped and she smiled up at him.

"Sorry, that was mean."

"No meaner than dream Lorelai not finishing."

"Oh, feeling unloved?" she teased him as her fingers circled his heart again.

"No actually," he said suddenly serious. "Feeling more loved than I ever have before." he kissed her forehead then rested his against hers and smiled with her. "So do you want to stay tonight?"

"That depends…what time do you need to get up in the morning?" she poked his ribs.

"Same time as i get up every morning."

"Five twenty?" she said shocked. "Every morning?"

"Yeah."

"Okay I'm gonna go ahead and pass."

"Aww really?" he protested and lowered his lips to nuzzle her neck.

"Yeah, and not because I don't want to, believe me, I do. But I'm shattered. And I know, if I stay here it will not be sleeping we'll be doing in that tiny bed of yours and then all of a sudden it will be five twenty and I'll have to get up."

"You don't have to get up when I do."

"Well it's no fun being in that bed without you," she pressed his head away from her neck and planted a quick kiss on his lips before pushing him back more fully and getting off his lap entirely.

"Oh, you really are going huh?" he watched as she smoothed her hair back as she stood before him.

"You thought I was just teasing?"

"I guess I hoped." he smiled ruefully as he stood with her and walked her to the door.

"I just know if I stay I won't get any sleep, and I have a few doozy days at work coming up."

"Oh?"

"First full house of convention goers since Mia left and I want everything to go perfectly."

"So you are working late tomorrow?"

"And Thursday."

"Oh, how late?"

"Only til about nine."

"That's not so bad, come round after and I'll have dinner ready for you."

"You don't need to do that," she protested.

"Let me."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow so." She leaned up on her toes and kissed him but he pulled her against him and slid his tongue into her mouth. She protested weakly for a moment then let him take her on this journey but when he pulled back a bit and started to lower her back to the couch she planted her hands on his chest and pushing him back further. "Luke Danes you are chancing your arm!"

"It was worth the shot." he kissed her cheek and watched her go.

The rest of the week flew by in a blur. Luke made dinner for Lorelai on Wednesday and Thursday at her place. They kissed and chatted on the couch but she pulled a brake on all his ministrations before they got too heated. He protested and tried to convince her to let him continue but both nights she managed to ward him off and he left.

Luke knew she was busy at work, knew she was tired and going straight to sleep as soon as she got home but part of him couldn't help but feel the sting of rejection. On Friday when his bed arrived he got the guys to carry it up to his room and take away his old bed. He waited until after the lunch rush then spent the rest of the afternoon putting his bed together and rearranging the furniture in his room to make it fit. He made a quick trip to the mall to buy bed clothes then added the finishing touches. Once it was complete he looked down at his handiwork with a smile.

Back in the diner he focused on the dinner time surge of customers and by 7pm he was clock watching, waiting for her to arrive. By 8 he was worried. He tried her cell, but she didn't answer. He rang her home but it went to her answering machine. When he called the inn and they told her she had left a few hours ago he got nervous. Another hour ticked by and when she still wasn't answering her phones his nerves evolved into terror.

He called out to Caesar to close up and raced out to his truck. He wanted to drive the route she normally took him from work but first wanted to check her home. When he turned onto her street he could see her Jeep in her drive and immediately his heart skipped a beat with relief. His worry was no less though and he knew it wouldn't be until he had her in his arms.

He parked haphazardly behind her Jeep and hurried across her lawn to the porch. He jumped up the stairs in one leap and knocked on her door.

"Lorelai?" he called out and knocked again. "Lorelai it's me!" he tried the door and found it was unlocked. He saved his tirade on safety for later and pushed the door open. Both the kitchen and living room were empty so he started to climb the stairs, still calling out out to her. "Lorelai?" At the top of the stairs he could see a soft light under her bedroom door. He took a breath and knocked on the door then paused for a heartbeat and opened it.

Even with the dim light from the bedside lamp he could see her strewn across the bed, half dressed, hair mussed and covering her face, her mouth slightly open as she snored softly. The shirt she was wearing was one of his and other than the pair of cotton panties she also had on, she was wearing nothing else.

"Lorelai…" he crossed the room and crouched low in front of her, then reached out to brush her hair off her face. "Hey, Lorelai."

Her eyes fluttered open and she licked her lips as she started to wake up some more. "Luke...hey." she said sleepily and started to roll over onto her back.

"Lorelai, you scared the crap outta me."

"Hmmm?" she started to wake up more, and rubbed her eyes as she sat up. "Wait, what time is it?"

"Just after 8."

"Oh...Oh god! I'm so sorry!" she covered her face with both hands and looked at him from between her fingers.

"What happened?"

"I just lay down for a minute, while I was waiting for the water to heat up."

"What time was that at?"

"Just after 5."

"Lorelai that was three hours ago!"

"Power nap!" she giggled then reached over to grab the lapels of his shirt. "Sorry, I'll make it up to you!"

"You will, huh?"

She kissed his mouth but before he could slip his tongue into hers she moved her mouth and started to nip on his jaw. "Oh yeah, I'm full of energy now."

"I can see."

She pulled him with her onto the bed and pushed him back into the mattress then straddled his torso and leaned down to kiss him. His hands fell to cup her ass and he massaged her cheeks as she deepened the kiss. She moved her crotch against his, light touches at first but soon she was pressing harder, grinding into him and matching the rhythm with her tongue. She smiled in triumph at the sensation of his cock hardening in his jeans and she circled her hips to increase the pressure in all the right places.

He moaned into her mouth when she found his sweet spot and she couldn't help but moan with him when he grasped her hips and pulled her against him. Lorelai sat up abruptly and started to undo the buttons on the shirt she was wearing then let it hang open to expose her breasts. But before Luke could reach up to touch her she stood up off him, on the mattress and dropped her panties. She kicked them aside and straddled him again, but before she could lower herself fully on his torso he pulled her higher so she was sitting on his upper chest. His hands cupped her ass and he urged her a little higher. His breath tickled her already damp skin and he lifted his head enough to let his tongue dip into her enough to circle her clit.

"Oh god…" she moaned, inched a little higher and let him ravage her. His tongue stroked her slowly as his fingers massaged her ass then he pulled her a little closer and plunged his tongue into her. She braced herself off the wall in front of her and moved her hips in time with his hands. He could look up her body at her moving breasts and he felt himself get even harder. His nose nuzzled her clit and when he pulled his tongue out of her to suckle her clit into his mouth she cried out and trembled as her orgasm shattered around her spine.

"Luke…" she called out his name but he continued to suck on her until she moved back down his chest, out of his reach. She quickly undid his jeans and pulled them low enough to let his cock spring out. He watched as she grasped his shaft and lowered herself towards it so she could drag the tip of his penis from her clit to her entrance and back again. She moaned when his fingers tightened on her hips and when he tried to lift himself to push into her she moved away to continue teasing him.

"Lorelai…" he warned her.

She rubbed her clit with his cock then pushed it between her folds and when it met her entrance she spread her knees wider and he pushed his hips up as he plunged into her. They both gasped and moaned at the sensation but she gave him no time to bask before she lifted off him and came back down on him hard.

"God, yeah, keep going!" he urged as if afraid she might stop. she bounced on him in fast motions, sat back as she moved and covered both of her breasts with her own hands. Luke watched her fingers circle her nipples, pinch her stiff peaks as she pushed her breasts together. She moaned and bit her lip when he drove himself up into her harder and faster, then with one hand on her hip to keep her balance he moved his other hand to her front to massage her throbbing clit.

"Luke!" she cried out.

"Now Lorelai...I can't…"

He felt his orgasm building to a crescendo and knew he was about to finish so he wanted to pull her down with him. She gyrated against him, using her fingers to hit points his cock couldn't reach, squeezed her nipples and twitched her inner muscles against him.

Luke lost it when she massaged his cock with her inner muscles and exploded inside her. He cried out and kept moving in and out of her until he felt her spasm around him. Her orgasm rippled through her body from where they were connected to the ends of her hair and she fell like jelly on top of him, sated.

It felt like hours but was mere moments later when she moaned and rolled off him. she sprawled on the bed and let out a long throaty breath. He rolled his head to the side and looked at her then sat up enough to balance on his elbows and look down at her.

"Hey…" he said, his hand reaching out to stroke soft circles on her belly.

"Mmmm…"

"You ok?"

"Oh buddy, I'm more than ok," she said and her head rolled towards him, eyes still closed but her lips curved into a wide sated smile.

"You've been so tired lately."

"I know," she opened her eyes and sought out his, finding concern there. "I'm sorry I haven't been around."

"It's not that Lorelai, I know you are busy at work but you need to take care of yourself too."

"That's what I have you here for," she purred and rolled over to face him then draped her leg over his hip and pulled him towards her.

"Lorelai…"

"Don't worry Luke...I'm fine." She kissed his shoulder and snuggled against him. He lowered himself into the mattress and accepted her snuggle but after a moment felt a chill. "You know…"

"What?"

"I'm betting the water will be warm enough now."

He felt her smile against his shoulder and before he could turn to look at her she pressed him into the bed and raced over into the bathroom. Luke sat up and watched her bare bottom disappear behind the door and smiled. He looked down at the jeans pooled around his ankles and shook his head with a chuckle. He toed off his shoes and pulled his jeans and socks off too then followed her, discarding his shirt and top as he walked through her room.

He stepped into the bathroom to find her standing under the shower spray. One hand braced on the tiled wall in front of her, her head bent forward to the spray was hitting the back of her neck. her other hand idly rubbed the water over her torso, beneath her breasts and across the top of her pubic bone. The mere sight she presented pull the air out of his lungs and his steps faltered. He braced himself on the sink as he moved towards her then stepped in behind her. He took a moment before reaching out to her, not wanting to break the spell.

His hands rested on her shoulders and he dragged them slowly down her back to the curve of her ass then circled her hips and pulled them up over her ribs to rest just below her breasts, then pulled her back to rest flush against him. He lowered his head and kissed the back of her neck and felt a shiver rippled through her body.

"Cold?"

"No."

Luke chuckled and kissed her neck again. He spent the next 20 minutes or so massaging her body. He pooled some shower gel into the center elf his pam and proceeded to lather it against her where ever he could reach. She sighed and moaned appreciatively, arched her back, protruded her breasts and squirmed against his couch, encouraging him to cover certain areas over others. One of his hands came up to cup her breast, palm her nipple into a stiff peak as his kissed changed to nips and he moved his attention towards her shoulder. He moved his hand to her other breast and repeated the same motion but almost lost his footing when she slowly clenched her butt cheeks against his groin.

He took her movement as an invitation to change pace and lowered the hand that pressed her against him to the apex of her legs. His fingertips brushed through the soft curls there, lower still and one finger slipped between her folds to slowly circle her clit.

"Oh…" Her other hand moved to brace on the tiled wall and she pressed back into him.

"Hold on…" He gripped her hips, moved one of his legs between both of hers and lifted it to step on the edge of the bath, her leg draped over his, giving him all the access he needed.

His cock was hard but slick from the shower and rubbed tortuously against the crevice of her ass. She clenched and pushed back into him making him moan. He bit her shoulder and she yelped so he soothed the spot with his tongue and a series of soft kisses. His hands worked on her breasts and stroked her clit in slow soft circles then he pulled away from her, ignored her whimper and grabbed his cock to place it at her entrance.

"Now Luke...now…"

He gripped her hips and held her steady then with a slow languorous stroke he filled her right to the base of his cock. They both stilled caught up in the sensation and Luke wasn't sure if he could move again without losing his control but when she used her inner muscles to pull him in deeper he grunted and pulled out, almost completely.

"Witch…" Lorelai chuckled, her body shaking with her mirth making Luke tremble with more need. "Think it's funny?"

"A little…"

"I'll show you funny."

"What?" She looked over her shoulder at him and her curved smile all but enraged him. "You're gonna do a skit? Some stand up?"

"No, I'm more of a silent comedian."

"You mean like a mime?" She rolled her eyes and clenched her muscles around the tip of his cock that was still nestled just inside her.

"Slapstick."

Lorelai laughed this time and her body started to shake but this time Luke gripped her hips and plunged into her but before she could get used to it he pulled out and pounded back in. All the mirth was gone now, and the sound of her laughter was replaced by the sound of their bodies. His crotch hitting against her ass as he plunged into her over and over a steady rhythm to build up a bubble of pleasure. His fingers gripped her hips, leaving white crescent moon marks in their wake as he pulled her against him with every thrust he pushed into her.

As he started to feel himself tremble, a sure sign that he wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer he moved one arm to wrap around her, hold her against him and the other slipped lower to slip between her folds and found her clit.

"Yeah…" she moaned at the sensation of his thumb circling and pressing into her.

"Good?"

"Great."

"Lorelai…" His thrusting quickened, she clenched around him with every stroke until finally her bubble burst and she moaned breathlessly then melted. Luke held her up against him and feeling her pulsate around him was enough to let him follow suit. He kept moving inside her, shallower strokes as his cock twitched with his release until finally he could stop.

He leaned forward against her, his chest on her back and kissed her shoulder. He moved the hand from between her legs to turn off the water then ever so slowly stood up straighter and lowered their legs from the side of the bath.

"You're incredible…" he muttered against her.

"I try." she turned her head and he kissed her cheek then they both stood and she turned in the circle of his arms.

"C'mon…"

He stepped out of the bath and grabbed a large towel from the rack then helped her out and wrapped it around both of them.

"Not gonna get dry like this," she said as she circled his waist with her arms and hugged him close.

"Who cares." He held her against him, one arm low on the curve of her ass, the other across her shoulders, holding the towel closed against them. He started to sway side to side and lowered his forehead to rest on her shoulder. His breath was warm against her skin and his hands gripped her tightly against him.

"Luke Danes… are you dancing with me?"

"Swaying."

"Feels like Dancing."

"Everything feels like dancing when you're in love."

"Oh god...really?" she chuckled and leaned back from him to see his face.

"That was pretty corny huh?" He smiled and ducked his head to hide his blush.

"That's ok, everything is corny when you're in love."

"Shut it Gilmore." He leaned forward and kissed her lips then pulled her into a hug. After another minute swaying back and forth Luke started to feel goosebumps on her back and knew it was time to dry properly. "C'mon let's get dry."

He opened the towel and she hunched her shoulders from the draft but before she could whine he put the towel back around her and rubbed her arms. He grabbed another towel and slipped it around his waist then took her hand and led her back into the bedroom. He went grabbed a pair of her jeans and a tee from the stool at the end of the bed and tossed them over to her.

"Put these on."

"On? Why? Its pretty much bed time, may as well just…" she started to let the towel dip but he grabbed it and held it in place.

"Get dressed, let's go back to mine."

"Back to yours? But we're already at mine?"

"I can't stay here, I need to be home." He looked at his watch. "Ellie is going to call in about half an hour and I want to be there when she does." He looked down at her face and kissed her lips quickly. "And I want you with me tonight. I'm sick of not waking up with you in my arms. Come home with me Lorelai. But before you protest let me add that tomorrow is Saturday, Caesar is opening for me and I don't have to be up at dawn."

Lorelai let her smile curve her lips and stepped up on her tip toes to kiss him. "Ok.'

She stepped back, dropped the towel and watched him gape with satisfaction. Luke closed his eyes and took a deep breath then turned his back towards her and proceeded to dress himself. When he was ready he glanced over his shoulder to see her pulling a tee over her braless chest. He watched with appreciation for a moment then sat on the bed and slipped on his shoes.

"Ready?" he slapped his thighs and stood .

"Wait, I need some stuff for the slumber party." She hurried into the bathroom to grab some toiletries then raced around the bedroom packing some clothes. "Ok. Ready."

He held his hand out, and she placed the bag handle into it, which he slung over his shoulder and held out his hand again. She slipped her fingers in between his and he pulled her close and they left.

The diner was closed and Luke took them in through the back door. He paused at the bottom of the stairs up to his apartment and nodded towards the diner.

"Have you eaten since lunch?" she shook her head. "Hungry?" she nodded her head. "Fancy a turkey melt?" She nodded again, this time more enthusiastically. Luke dropped her bag on the bottom step and led her into the diner. He left the lights off and put her onto a high stool then went about making some food. By the time it was ready and the coffee was brewed Luke was looking at the clock and waiting for Ellie to call.

"Don't worry she'll call." Lorelai patted his thigh as he sat next to her and he nodded with a soft smile. They had just finished eating when the phone behind the counter rang. Luke jumped up and raced to grab it.

"Luke's."

"Dad!"

"Ellie!"

Lorelai smiled and started to clean up their dishes.

"How have you been Dad?"

"Missing you kid."

"I miss you too."

"All ready for your camping trip?"

"Um, yeah," she said but Luke caught her hesitation.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, it's going to be fine. Hell it's not even like real camping, not like you and I would do."

"Yeah I got the details from Rachel."

"It's a fully functional park with showers, toilets and fire pits."

"Well maybe it's for the best."

There was a moment of silence and Lorelai who had cleared up their mess was lingering at the end of the counter trying not to listen in. She waved her hand for his attention then gestured upstairs and backed away through the curtain. She grabbed her bag and went up stairs.

"So what have you been up to? Have you been to all the museums yet?"

Ellie laughed. "Not all of them, not yet."

"How about the libraries?"

"Oh I've been to most of them."

"Whats the flat like?"

"Its great. So big, so much room, I have my own bathroom. And there is a balcony with patio chairs!"

Luke swallowed painfully around the lump in his throat as he thought about the meagre offerings of his own apartment. "It's pretty hot though," she added as she sensed her father's discomfort. Another awkward silence fell between them and Luke struggled to think about what he wanted to say to her. "How is it going with Lorelai?"

"Lorelai?" Luke took a moment to let his memories flash through his head and smiled. "Lorelai is amazing."

"Everything is going well?"

"Really well. I um...I…" Luke wanted to tell her how he really felt about Lorelai. Tell her how he had said he loved her, but something was stopping him.

"What is it?"

"I'm enjoying spending time with her," he said eventually.

"Me too."

"So what time do you guys leave in the morning?"

"Eleven I think."

"Eleven?"

"Yeah, mom isn't much of an early riser."

He heard the lilt of anger in her voice. "Ellie, is everything ok?"

"Um, sure dad, its, um, its great."

"You know I…" he wanted to tell her he'd love to have her at home. Love to come up and collect her, drive her home if he had to but he felt like if he said that she'd feel pressure to come home so he swallowed his perceived selfishness. "I love you kid."

"I love you too." This time he heard a smile in her voice and it made him feel a little better.

"Can I talk to Rachel?"

"Oh, um, she's not here right now."

"No?"

"She's still at work."

"At work?" he glanced at his watch. "It's kind of late for her to be at work isn't it?"

"Oh...is it?"

"Does she normally work this late Ellie?"

"Not every night."

"Ellie…"

"Really Dad, it's fine."

Luke took a deep breath to steady his anger. "If you say so honey."

"Anyway Dad, I better go, I have to pack for the trip tomorrow."

"Okay honey. Be safe."

"I will."

"And call me when you get home."

"I will."

"You're home on Tuesday right?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, goodnight honey. I love you."

"Love you too Dad."

Luke waited for her to hang up, then listened to the dial tone for a moment more before hanging up himself. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath then turned to walk through the curtain and up to his apartment.