"So it's official, Rory's not coming," Lorelai said into the phone as she grabbed more things from her drawers.

"Aw, really? I hope it's not because of me," Luke answered genuinely.

"Oh Hon, you're so sweet," she smiled as she folded a few more t-shirts to add to her suitcase. "No, it turns out that three people at the paper are sick so she has to work on their articles. Plus her regular school work, it's a lot for her. I offered to pay for her to fly in and out on the same day and she just told me that was a waste of money."

"She's always been responsible that way."

"Really? Always? When she was stealing a yacht we didn't think she was so responsible."

"I choose to forget that."

"You would. You still want to see her as the little ten-year-old who was able to con you out of cookies and cocoa for her and Lane just because a caterpillar died."

Luke zipped up his toiletry bag and tossed it in his suitcase, "Okay, I'm done packing. I can be at your place in ten minutes, when will you be ready?"

"Oh I can be ready in ten minutes," she responded while throwing more things in her bag.

Luke laughed, "I've fallen for that one before."

"Hey! If that's a shot at my ability to be on time, well okay." She conceded easily.

Fifteen minutes later Luke arrived at Lorelai's door with an extra large coffee in hand. When he knocked and heard her yell that it was open, he walked into the house and scoffed at the pile of bags. He could hear her rushing around upstairs and smiled when Paul Anka rushed down the stairs to greet him. He sat on the couch, leaving her coffee on the table in front of him to use both hands to rub the dog who jumped up beside him.

"How's it going, Pup? Are you going to miss us? I gave Sookie a list of all your favourites, just like I promised I would. You be a good boy and don't do your business inside."

Lorelai stopped on the stairs when she saw Luke on the couch, he had her beloved dog's face in his hands, scratching his ears. Paul Anka was looking up at him with loving eyes and his tail was wagging at full speed.

"I knew you loved him!" She smiled as she came down the stairs.

"You talkin' to me or the dog?" Luke shook his head.

"You," Lorelai said matter of factly. "He has never been shy about admitting his love for you."

Luke rolled his eyes, gave Paul Anka another pat and stood up to kiss Lorelai, "How many bags are up there?"

"Just two more." she smiled before giving another peck on his lips.

"You have three down here already!"

"Two of the bags down here are for Paul Anka, he needs his stuff or he'll be out of sorts."

On his way up the stairs Luke shook his head, "When is this dog not out of sorts?"

"Too late, I know you love him!" She called after him.

"You're ready, right?" He called from upstairs.

"Ready for what?"

"To go! I want to get on the road so we can get past the halfway mark. I figure as long as we drive past Washington we'll have less time in the car tomorrow."

In a stealthy move, she clipped the leash onto Paul Anka's collar and looked up at Luke excitedly. "Let's go."

A few hours later, Luke was driving Lorelai's Jeep, they were listening to music and watching the miles fly by. She was amazed at how quickly they had fallen back into being so comfortable around each other. They would each steal glances at the other, smiling at seeing the person they love calm and happy.

But finally Lorelai couldn't take the quiet anymore.

"I have to tell you something," she blurted out.

"Okay, I'll look for a place to stop," he said absently.

"We can talk in the car, it's nothing bad."

"Oh sorry," Luke came out of his focused driver mode and tuned into what she was saying. "I thought you were going to tell me you need a pit stop."

"I found something out and I wasn't going to tell anyone at all, but I have to tell someone."

"Okay, tell me," he smiled because as much as he fought it, her excitement was contagious.

"Well you remember Max Medina, right?" She shifted her body to be facing him, adjusting the seat belt slightly.

"That putz? Yeah, I remember him."

"Well he is married to a woman who works at the New York Times," she said, completely ignoring his attitude. "He called me the other day to let me know that they were talking about this year's recipients of the Reston fellowship aaaaaaand -"

Luke kept his eyes on the road and shrugged. "What are you talking about?"

"Rory got it! The dream job, although it's not a real paying job, that she has been dying to land. She got it! She'll be working at the New York Times!"

Suddenly Luke perked up and wore a huge smile, "Wow! That's great! Oh man, she must be thrilled."

"She doesn't know yet," Lorelai giggled.

"She doesn't?"

"No, the letters haven't gone out yet. I'm so glad that she couldn't come on this road trip because I wouldn't be able to keep the secret. She totally deserves the experience of stressing about the news, getting the letter, taking a deep breath and opening it and then reading the words 'Congratulations Ms Gilmore' and I don't want to take that from her."

"So why did Max call? Have you kept in touch with him over the years?"

Lorelai chose to ignore the hint of jealousy in Luke's voice. "No, the call was so out of the blue. The last time I saw him was the Chilton graduation. I read in a newsletter that Rory left around that he got married. He said that when he heard his wife talking on the phone with coworkers he jumped when he heard Rory's name. He called me to tell me because he was so happy for her and it made him want to catch up."

"Hu," Luke nodded.

"You'll keep the secret, right?"

"Rory rarely calls me directly so I think we'll be okay," Luke teased.

"We're away together, she could call my cell or the hotel and you pick up. She could ask what's new, or trick you somehow. Or maybe you'll be too excited and just tell her. Oh, I knew I should have kept my big mouth shut."

Luke shook his head in amusement, "I'm not the one with a big mouth. Plus, I don't think she would suspect that I knew something like this so she'd have no reason to try to trick me. You really are a crazy lady."

"It's a good thing I found you then," she smirked.

"I consider myself pretty lucky too," he smiled.

Her breath caught in her throat. She reached over and put her hand on his arm, needing physical contact with him despite not wanting to bug him while he drove."

They drove for hours, she sang along with the radio and he pretended to be annoyed by it. She convinced him to stop for ice cream and smiled extra big when he indulged in a cone of chocolate chip. When they were just outside of Washington they started to look for a place to stay the night. Mia had told Lorelai about an Inn run by a British couple in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Luke pulled into a gas station to fill up the Jeep and Lorelai went inside to see if anyone knew where the Princess Margaret Manor was. After paying for the gas and some snacks, Lorelai returned to the car with directions to the Inn.

"So, um, when we get there -" Luke was stumbling over his words, obviously very nervous.

"Just one room, one bed." Lorelai interrupted trying to ease his nerves.

"Okay," Luke said casually. "If you're sure."

"Well I didn't pack any clothes to sleep in, so I'll need you to keep me warm," she smiled.

Instantly Luke was beet red and chuckling, "You're unbelievable." He then put the car in park as they were at the Inn Mia recommended. They left their stuff in the car and headed to the front desk.

"I'll meet you at the desk," Lorelai said, "I'm going to check out their washrooms."

Luke nodded and went to the front desk. He checked them in, got the keys and a small information packet about the Inn and the town.

Once in the room Luke wanted to shower before dinner and Lorelai called to check in with Sookie.

"How's the road trip going?" Sookie asked, wanting all the details.

"It's great. We get to be us, without apology or any feelings of guilt or weirdness."

Sookie sighed, "Honey, you know everyone here loves you and Luke. I don't think it would be as weird as you are imagining."

"So they all know already," Lorelai guessed.

"No!" Sookie insisted. "But they are hopeful. From the first day you went back into the diner they all have been hoping and gossiping about it."

Lorelai made sure the water was still running as she didn't want Luke to hear this. He hated how involved the town got into everyone's business. "Well, you just have to wait till we're back. It makes total sense that we would meet up at Mia's wedding and the spark would rekindle."

"Babette hasn't said a thing about you two leaving together. She's a sweetheart when she wants to be."

Lorelai nodded. "She really is. Any other fun news?"

"Well," Sookie drew out the word a bit, "I saw Taylor at Doose's and he's losing his mind because two hundred and fifty thousand dollars just showed up in the Stars Hollow's account at the bank. "He had poor Margie in tears because he was sure there was a mistake."

Lorelai laughed, "Did you tell him?"

"I didn't know if you wanted me to," Sookie giggled. "Listen, I gotta go and feed the kids. But I wanted you to know that I heard Taylor saying the Twickham house is going to be on the market again. Looks like Kirk and Lulu aren't going to use it after all."

"Really?"

"Yeah and I had an idea," Sookie started carefully.

"You think I should buy it to make the Dragonfly annex that Michel keeps begging us for?"

"Well, yeah. But I feel awful even bringing it up because we are partners and I really don't have the money to put in."

Luke came out of the bathroom, showered, dressed with his hair wet and tousled, "I think I forgot my comb. Do you have something I can use?" He asked. When he noticed she was on the phone he mouthed an apology.

Lorelai waved off the apology and pointed to a bag by the TV, Luke handed her the bag and retrieved a brush handing it to him. "Sook, I told you don't worry about the money aspect. We'll still be partners. Talk to Taylor about it, see what he has to say. He may be so nuts about the permits we would need to change it from a home to a business and all that."

"You think he'll talk to me?"

"Why not? Sookie, you need to have more confidence in yourself. You are a business owner in town, two actually since you are married to someone who owns a business as well. You are well respected and loved in our town. You help out at events, Taylor would be lucky to have you talk to him."

Sookie sighed, "Sometimes I wish I could see myself through your eyes. Okay, I'll talk to him. Should I say anything to Michel?"

"Not yet. Let's wait to hear what Taylor says. No need to get Michel's hopes up."

"True, nothing much worse than a disappointed Michel."

Lorelai laughed, "Okay Sweetie, I'm going to go. I gotta shower and get some food. Luke wants to leave at an ungodly hour tomorrow to start driving again."

"Nine AM is not an ungodly hour!" Luke insisted.