A/N: Wow...killer delay on this chapter. My apologies! I was in Italy for a while with really shitty internet connection. Nevertheless. Here ya go. I may or may not add an epilogue but this as it stands is the ending.

Friday morning Luke turned off his alarm before she woke up and he was showered and dressed when she rolled over with a soft groan. He came back from the kitchen and sat on the end of the bed as she came to.

"You're up, and dressed."

"Early start with the diner."

"I should get up."

"Stay a while, I'll bring you up breakfast in a couple of hours."

"Pancakes?" she said with a smile.

"Sure."

"Okay, you convinced me."

Luke kissed her forehead as she snuggled back into his bed then left to go down to the diner. Lorelai must have fallen asleep pretty quickly because it seemed like minutes later when he reappeared with a small stack of pancakes and a glass of orange juice.

"Breakfast in bed?" she said as he carried the tray over. "You're really spoiling me."

"Don't get too used to it."

"Boo!" she said and swatted his arm as she cut off a bite size amount of the pancakes and ate it.

"Rory is home today right?"

"Yep. Meeting her at the airport after lunch."

"And you guys are having christmas this weekend?"

"Yeah, with the tree and everything."

"Oh right, that'll be nice." He scuffed his toe on the corner of the bed side locker and focused on the worn carpet that no longer showed the pattern is used to.

"Whats going on here?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes at him and waved her fork in a menacing fashion.

"What? Nothing." he said quickly. Too quickly, she noted.

"What? Tell me what's going on under that cap of yours."

"I was just seeing if you were busy this weekend, if I might get to see you is all."

"See me?"

"Yeah. And maybe take you out."

"Like on a date?"

"Yeah."

"To where?"

"I dunno…" he scuffed his toe against the locker some more and chanced a glance up at her. "I heard there was a ball on at the square."

Lorelai gasped as the words came out of his mouth and her fork slipped out of her hand and clattered on her plate loudly. She never dreamed in a million years that he would be asking her to the ball. Hell even if they had been in a full blown relationship it would have taken about a week of cajoling to get him to agree to go to any town event. And now, here he was, nervously asking her is she would go with him. "Are you asking me out to the ball?" she said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I was thinking about it."

"Thinking huh."

"But I guess you'll be busy with Rory."

"Not that busy."

"So you want to go?"

"With you?"

"Yes, with me." He rolled her eyes.

"And me, you and me will go to the ball." He nodded. "Together."

"Lorelai!"

"What! I'm just trying to be clear so there will be no confusion."

"Yes, You and me will go to the ball, together, like a date, because it will be a date." He mouth opened but before she could ask he covered her lips with two fingers. "And yes, I'll wear a suit."

"A tux?"

"A suit." He frowned. She stared at him, her mouth agape, her eyes wide. "So, is that a yes?" She nodded her head, still unable to believe that he had asked her. "Close your mouth Lorelai, you'll trap flies." He curled his fingers under her chin and closed it for her then leaned in to press a kiss against her pursed lips. "I gotta get back down there." He stood up and shucked his jeans. "You going into work before picking up Rory?" She nodded. "Will you guys be in later?" Lorelai nodded again and Luke smiled. It wasn't often he left her speechless, so when he did, he enjoyed it. "Okay, well see you later then."

He turned and went out of the door and it wasn't until she heard his steps go down the stairs did she release the breath she was holding with a deep and excited laugh. Lorelai finished her breakfast and dressed quickly. She hurried home and went to work then left at lunch to pick up Rory. At the gate they both ran to each other screaming for joy, hugging, tears, and laughter made them the centre of attention of everyone else at that gate but neither of them cared. They walked to the car with their arms locked together and once in the jeep on the open road Rory started to ask about her father.

Lorelai had battled over and over about what to say to Rory when she asked, not wanting to taint her against her father but at the same time, not wanting to lie. she had decided against outright telling her what had happened but also decided if Rory had figured it out, though she doubted she would ever guess it, then she would not lie. She told them they fought and it was irreconcilable so they split up. She explained how her mother was trying her damnedest to get them back together but she was adamant that it was over. Rory seemed to take this explanation easier than Lorelai thought and for a few moments as they drove in silence she wondered if her daughter didn't already know they were not meant to be.

As they crossed the border into Stars hollow Rory clapped her hands with glee. "Can we go to Luke's for food? I'm dying for a cheeseburger!"

"Don't they have them in London?"

"Not like they do here."

Lorelai smiled as she parked up across the square from Luke's but before Rory could get out of the car she tugged on her daughter's arm. "Before we go in, I want to tell you something." Lorelai glanced over at the diner and smiled at the image of Luke fighting with Kirk. "Luke and I…me and Luke…well you see…"

"Mom…" Rory covered her mother's hand with her own. "You and Luke are trying again?"

"Yeah. Kinda."

"Kinda?"

"I mean yes, we are." She said more forcefully. "Is that ok?"

"Was this…was he…the reason you and dad split?"

"No!" Lorelai said vehemently. "Nothing happened with Luke until after Christopher left. Nothing."

"Okay, okay…" Rory patted her mother's hand. "I think it's wonderful. You know I really care for Luke."

"I know. Me too."

"I know that as well. I'm happy for you. For both of you."

"Good." She opened the door and climbed out then met Rory on the sidewalk and they linked arms again. "It's great to have you back kid."

"Great to be back."

They walked through the square arm in arm more for the connection than protection against the cold and when they reached the diner Lorelai held the door open and ushered Rory in before following her close behind. They both stomped their feet on the floor to rid the excess snow then grabbed a table by the heater and snuggled close.

Luke, who watched them cross the square kept his head low until they were seated and giggling then grabbed the coffee pot and two mugs and casually, as casually as he could, strolled over. He put both mugs onto the table and poured out their coffee.

"Welcome back Rory. How was London?"

"Cold."

"Colder than Connecticut?"

"No, but a different cold. It was a wet cold, damp, and it got everywhere!"

Luke arched an eyebrow and grabbed his order pad from the front of his jeans. "You guys eating?"

"Yep!" Rory said and she leaned forward on the table. "I want a cheeseburger. With the works. Don't hold anything back!"

"Fries?"

"Chilli fries!" she said with a grin. "With cheese!" she added waving her hand at his notepad to be sure he took it down.

"Okay, I got it." He looked over at Lorelai who was strangely quiet. "How about you? Hungry?" She arched a questioning eyebrow at him. "Sorry, stupid question. What'll it be."

"Cheeseburger."

"Works?" Lorelai nodded. "Chilli fries?" She nodded again. Luke rolled his eyes, tucked his notepad away and grabbed the coffee pot then turned and went into the kitchen.

"He's adorable when he's mad at us," Rory said as she lifted her drink and sipped it.

"He's just adorable." Lorelai said and she looked after him with a wistful smile on her face.

"So, you want to really tell me what happened with Dad?"

"I told you."

"What was the fight over?" Rory probed gently. Lorelai picked up her drink and held it in front of her face. She closed her eyes against the steam then sipped it, and looked at Rory who was waiting patiently for her response.

"We fought Rory. We were always fighting. It's always been like that with us."

"You always fight with Luke." Rory said pointedly. "Is it going to be like that with him too?"

Lorelai looked over at the kitchen where she could barely make out Luke as he moved about in there making their dinner. She shook her head and smiled then turned back to her daughter who was looking on with concern etched in her features.

"No, with Luke it's totally different."

"Mom?" Rory said after a moment when they had been sitting in silence.

"Hmm?" Lorelai sipped her coffee and looked up at Rory who was watching her with wide eyes.

"Tell me what happened?"

Lorelai stared at Rory and just then she realised that she knew. She knew what had happened, she knew why Chris had left.

"Did you talk to Sookie?"

"Jackson."

Lorelai frowned then remembered how worried Sookie was after she had told her. She imagined she had talked to her husband that night and it didn't take a detective to break the rest down. Lorelai averted her eyes to hide her tears from her daughter then they fell over her long lashes and pale cheeks. Rory came off her chair, kneeled beside her mother and engulfed her into a tight hug. Her own tears spilled out through her eyes that were screwed tightly shut and Lorelai lost the power to hold anything back.

Luke came out of the kitchen and spotted them. He immediately deposited the sandwich he was holding onto the counter and crossed the room over to them in a few easy strides. "Watch out Rory," he said softly as he guided her back from her mother then with his arms around Lorelai, he all but picked her up and walked her through the diner. Rory grabbed their coats and bags and hurried after Luke who had taken her up to his apartment. He was gently putting her onto the couch when Rory reappeared at his side and sat down next to him.

"Stay up here as long as you like." he muttered and Rory smiled up at him with watery eyes. Luke nodded then returned to the diner. Rory placed an arm around her mother's shoulders and gently rocked her from side to side as she whispered soothing noises and stroked her hair. Her mother's tears were silent but steady and it was a long time before they started to slow and eventually stop.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Rory whispered when he mother sat back and covered her face with both hands.

"I didn't want you to know this, about me, about Chris." Lorelai let out a mirthless laugh. "I didn't want to admit it was real."

"Tell me what happened."

"Oh Rory, I don't know…"

"Mom, tell me."

Lorelai took a deep breath and sat back into the soft leather of Luke's couch. Slowly, carefully, thinking for long silent moments about her words as she spoke she explained what happened. Rory remained silent throughout and Lorelai wondered if she believed her. She explained how Chris came back to the house after, how he had brought her mother the second time and Rory simply nodded, her mouth a grim line.

"I called Luke." Lorelai said eventually. "He has been amazing."

"He always was." Rory admitted softly but before they could continue talking there was a soft knock on the door and it opened up. Luke walked in carrying a tray of food and coffee. He came over to the coffee table and put the food down. "Speak of the devil."

"I thought you guys might be hungry," he said with a shrug as he stood up and slipped his hands into his back pockets. "I'll leave you to it."

"Thanks Luke," Lorelai called after him.

He offered her a smile and a half wave as he left and Lorelai couldn't help but smile back. Rory and Lorelai ate in relative silence. They talked about London and the inn, they talked about the lack of divorce, the restraining order. Lorelai tried to keep her voice steady but overtime as Rory looked at her she felt her heart breaking all over again. Rory tried not to show her anger but it was so near the surface that she was sure it was plain on her face.

"Why-"

"I don't want to go to the police."

"Mom."

"Rory, I'm not going to talk about it."

"You need to talk about it."

"Not to the police."

"Or me apparently!"

"Rory-"

"Mom! No!" Rory shouted and she brushed her mother's hands off her lap and stood up to begin pacing the room. She crossed her arms over her chest as she picked up some pace. "You need to talk about this. You should have gone to the police, the doctor, but you should definitely go to a professional."

Lorelai dropped her hands between her knees and hung her head low as her daughter crossed the room over and back in front of her. Rory words stung, more so because she knew she was right. But she didn't have the energy to fight back. That fight was gone out of her. Rory talked about the different ways of handling the situation. How to handle her parents, how to handle Chris but the more she talked and the less Lorelai responded, the slower and slower her ranting became. Until finally she stopped.

Rory ended up in the middle of the kitchen area, her back to her mother and her arms hanging loosely by her sides. Slowly she turned on her heel and faced the couch only to find Lorelai watching her with watery eyes and fallen features. Within seconds she crossed the room and they engulfed in a tight hug that all but cut off the air they needed to breathe. And this was how Luke found them.

The diner closed and he went through his clean up routine with a speed he didn't often possess. He took the stairs up to his apartment in twos and threes and only hesitated when he got to the door. He lifted his hand to the handle then hesitated. He moved his hand to knock his knuckles against the glass and hesitated again. Luke took a deep breath, hitched his jeans up and puffed the air out of his cheeks then grabbed the handle and slowly pushed the door open. he peered around it and spied them both on the couch. Lorelai lay across it with her head in Rory's lap and Rory was draped over her mother and stroked her hair back from her face.

As he approached Rory looked up and offered him a wan smile. She sat up a little and urged him to come closer. Luke perched himself on the edge of the couch and gingerly reached out to rest a hand on Lorelai's shoulder.

"You guys doing ok?"

Rory nodded. She looked down at her mother then back up to Luke. "We will be anyway."

"Shall I take you home?" Rory nodded.

Luke helped Lorelai up and guided her down to his truck and Rory brought home the jeep. He all but carried her into the house and led her up to her room and was pulling the duvet back when Rory came in.

"Oh, sorry, I'll leave you to it." He squeezed Lorelai shoulder and stepped back but Rory grabbed his arm and stopped him from leaving.

"Stay Luke." She said softly and she pulled him back to stand beside the bed where Lorelai was sitting. "She needs you."

"You…are you sure?"

"Yes. Please stay."

Luke looked down at Rory's pleading eyes and over to Lorelai's shrunken form and nodded. Rory squeezed his arm, leaned over and kissed her mother's cheek then slowly left the room. For a moment Luke didn't move. He heard Rory move about down stairs, and after a moment more of silence he turned to Lorelai. Slowly he helped her undress and guided her back into the bed then quickly finished his routine in the bathroom and joined her. He left his shirt and jeans in a pile at the end of the bed and climbed in then tugged her curling body close to his. He cradled her head on his chest and made sure her whole body was pressed against his, from head to toe. He kissed her head, whispered soothing words into her hair and stroked her body until her sleep claimed her.

In the morning Lorelai woke up surrounded by a soft warmth. One of her legs was caught between two of his. Her arms encircled his waist and her head rested on the front of his shoulder. She felt his arms hold her close. One around her back, the other holding her torso against his. His chin rested on the top of her head and the soothing rise and fall of his chest matched hers. She kissed his chest and tilted her head to look up at him. He slowly blinked and watched her behind long lashes as her eyes adjusted and she focused on his face. As a small smile curled her lips her hand came up to caress his cheek and her eyes watered.

"Hey now," Luke whispered and he rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Don't."

"Sorry."

Luke pushed himself up on his elbow and leaned over her. "Don't apologize Lorelai." He wiped her eyes. "Everything that's happening now, everything you are going through, is not going to beat you. You're too strong."

"I'm not strong."

"Lorelai…" Luke scoffed with a small laugh. "You are the strongest person I know." He kissed her forehead. "You've done so much with your life. You've gotten so far. This will not beat you."

She looked up at him and fresh tears fell from her eyes. She blinked rapidly to try to get rid of them but he leaned down and kissed her closed eyes. Moved his lips against her cheeks and kissed his way down to her jaw, over to her earlobe and gently suckled on the velvety skin before moving across to her other ear and repeated the motion. Eventually his lips found hers and with a slow sensual rhythm he kissed her thoroughly, carefully parted her lips and slipped his tongue in to caress hers.

Her hands moved up his chest to his shoulders and she gripped him closer, opened her mouth up wider and arched her back to press her chest against his. She moved his head aside and kissed her way across his jaw to his neck, gently biting the steadying pulse she felt there and relished in the soft guttural moan she felt him emit. "Luke…" she gasped as she arched her back again and he responded with his hips.

"Lorelai, wait…" He pushed her back into the bed and hovered above her. She looked up at him with nothing but desire in her eyes and he waited a moment more. Their eyes connected, and with a fleeting smile Lorelai nodded her head just enough for Luke to drown his hesitation. He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Lorelai responded with some urgency but he ignored her, and kept the maddeningly slow pace of his lips moving against hers.

He moved his hand down her sides and slowly drew them up her thigh under her tee shirt. He gripped her hip tightly letting one finger slip under the band of her panties and she rolled her hips towards him but he held her at bay and continued his hands journey up her side to her chest. Gingerly he cupped her breast as his tongue still found new depths in her mouth. She responded with a soft sigh and just melted against him. Luke pushed her tee shirt higher and she lifted her arms to allow him to pull it off. She left her arms hung over her head thinking he would push up her bra too but he had other ideas. Luke cupped her breast and kissed her neck, she rolled her hips towards him and only then did he reciprocate by rolling his own towards her. His fingers found the band of her bra and slowly he pushed it up over her breasts then captured one nipple in his mouth as his hand cupped the other breast.

Lorelai moaned and arched her back towards him then when his hips connected with hers, his hard ridge pressing into her crevice, she gasped his name out causing him to release her nipple and look up at her. He took in a sharp breath when she rolled her hips towards him again and she opened her eyes to see him looking down at her. "Say it again."

A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. "Luke," she said, breathless.

His lips curved into a predatory smile and Lorelai couldn't help the breathy laugh when he recaptured her other breast in his mouth. Lorelai squirmed against him and the leg that was nestled between his moved to caress his groin and Luke moaned against her breast at the sensation that coursed through him. He tugged on her bra and she lifted her arms and shoulders for him to take it off her. Then his hand moved down to her waist and slowly pulled her panties down until she needed to lift her ass up then he pushed off the mattress away from her and pulled them off her completely.

"And these," she said and she snapped the band of his boxer briefs against his hip. "While you're up, so to speak," she said with a smirk as she eyed the tented fabric below his waist. Luke didn't hesitate and he kicked his underwear off then came back to hover over her again. His hands were either side of her head and his arms were locked so there was plenty of space between them. He looked at her face, watched her for any sign of hesitation, any sign that she wanted him to move away as he slowly lowered his body to rest against her. Lorelai sighed with relief as she felt his warm soft skin engulf her and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders to hold him in place once he was fully on top of her.

"Lorelai…is this ok?"

"Luke, this is more than ok." she moved her legs to encircle his hips and they both groaned at the sensation of their bodies connected even this much.

"Just say the word…"

"Any word?" she said with a crooked smile."

"Lorelai I-"

"Luke," She cupped his face with both hands and pulled him down for a kiss then pushed him away enough to look into his eyes. "I want this." She kissed him again. "I want you."

"I want you too." She gripped his hips with her thighs a little tighter and his cock which was rested against her folds felt her clench against him, causing him to groan and push his hips against her. "Oh shit…"

"I want you," she said again, her voice whispered and breathy against his ear and it was all Luke could do not to pull back and pound into her right then. He lifted his hips and felt his tip press against her folds then left enough space between them to reach his hands down and guide himself to her entrance.

"Lorelai," he uttered through gritted teeth and she squeezed his thighs against him as he slowly pushed into her. "I'm here with you…" he said his words coming out but not quite sure if she understood.

"I'm here too Luke," she said and she rolled her hips towards him to make him go deeper. They both groaned at the sensation, the familiarity, the calm but wild desire that came with the feeling of being entirely secure. He pushed in right to the hilt of his cock and dropped his entire weight onto her as he held still in an effort to save his dignity. She gripped his shoulders, sank her teeth into his skin then pushed his hips with her own and he drew right back.

They found a slow soft rhythm and Luke did his very best to keep it up but there was a pressure that had been building up in his very core for a long time. Too long. He tried not to speed up, tried not to stroke harder and harder into her but her soft moans, her fingers gripping his back, her lips and teeth connecting with his shoulder all cumulated into tingling ripples that covered his whole body, until finally he felt her inner walls pulse against his cock and her breathless pants against his ear, he lost all his resolve. He lifted up with one arm, gripped her hip and pushed into her two more times before finally allowing himself to release his control and come hard and hot inside her.

Lorelai rode the wave of his release and gripped him tighter as he pumped into her then held him against her when he collapsed on top of her. She kissed his cheek and rubbed his back as his breathing came back to normal rate and when he lifted his head to look at her she captured his lips in a searing kiss. Luke responded immediately. He cupped her head and lifted it towards him to deepen the kiss and make sure they stayed as connected as possible and just as he softened the kiss and started to pull away she flexed her inner muscles which were still engulfing his cock, he grunted and reflexively pushed into her.

"Lorelai…" he said with a breathless chuckle. "I-"

"I love you, Luke," she said quickly. Luke pulled away from her a little and looked down at her with a small frown. "I love you," she said again, this time more determination and focus in her voice.

"Lorelai," he said but before he could continue she cupped his face and kissed him again but he broke the kiss and leaned back. "You love me." It wasn't a question, merely a statement and just when she felt a frown creasing her brow a slow languid smile curved his lips and he started to laugh. He dropped his head and buried it in her neck as his arms circled her and held her tightly against him.

"You're laughing?" she swatted his shoulder but all he did was hold her tighter. He kissed her neck where it met her shoulder and lifted his head up enough to kiss her cheek.

"I'm not laughing, I'm...in love." he said simply and she smiled.

"You are?"

"Yes Lorelai."

She smiled. "With me?"

"Yes Lorelai."

They both shared relieved smiles and kissed for a long moment, separating only to breathe. When she opened her mouth and licked his lips Luke responded by slipping his tongue in and circling her warm wet heat. She responded by flexing around him again and he moaned into her mouth.

"You gotta stop doing that," he muttered against her lips.

"I never want to stop doing that," she chuckled.

"Well, you need to," He looked over at the clock. "Rory will be up soon and I want to make you guys breakfast."

"Pancakes?"

"Whatever you want."

Lorelai flexed her inner muscles around him again and Luke slowly closed his eyes over and his hips pushed into her reflexively.

"With chocolate chips?" she flexed again this time arching her back too to press her breasts against him.

"Lorelai…" His hand moved down to grip her hip and push her into the bed but when he tried to move back from her his hips betrayed his desire and sank back into her.

Lorelai grinned with delight as she felt him harden inside her and his eyes screwed tightly shut as he tried his damndest to resist the power of his own desire. Her lips came up to his ear and she bit his lobe as her panting breaths spurred him on.

"Don't wait for me Luke…"

"Lorelai," he uttered between gritted teeth. Her hands gripped his back and one went down to his ass to urge him on,

"You feel amazing." Her whispered words shot through him right to his cock and he twitched against her as his hips pushed into her and he slid in deeper. Immediately he lifted his head up to see if she was ok but her eyes were closed and she was biting her bottom lip in what he hoped was ecstasy. "Again," she moaned and he pushed into her this time with more intention. She opened her eyes to find him staring at her with an intensity she hadn't seen in a long time.

"I love you," he whispered feeling a sense of relief at letting those words pass his lips when they had been swirling around in his head for so long.

A whisper of a smile crossed her lips before she lifted her head up to kiss him gently, a complete contrast to the connection she felt from his cock as his urgency increased. She gripped his ass tighter, arched her back into him and flexed around him.

"Oh, god, Lorelai…" His words spilled out as his hips sped up as he lost the thin thread of control he had and pressed into her harder.

"Yes, Luke, don't stop," she whispered as her legs tightened around his waist to keep them connected as his frenzied thrusts pushed her into her bed.

"Tell me," he said, "Tell me again."

"I love you Luke," she said, knowing exactly what he wanted to hear and before she finished the second word she felt his cock spasm inside her triggering her own release.

"Oh god yes," he panted as his hips continued to move albeit slower and with more deliberation as he circled his hips and grinded against her clit to ensure her wave hit all the right spots.

She convulsed around him and he simply sunk into her, dropping his whole weight on top of her and she welcomed it. After a moment when he caught his breath, Luke lifted his head from the crook of her shoulder and kissed her neck. He slipped her arms around her and rolled over onto his back so she was now lying on top of him then he let out a long deep sigh of contentment as one hand brushed gentle strokes up and down her spine and the other caressed the curve of her ass.

After a few moments of silence Luke was sure she was asleep so when he lifted his head to look down at her he was surprised to see her looking up at him with a simple smile.

"You ok?"

"Ok?" she chuckled then lifted her head and dropped it onto her hands that she connected on his chest. "I"m doing a bit better than just ok."

"A bit?"

"A lot."

"Good."

"Though…"

"What?" Momentary panic fluttered across his face and both hands stilled against her skin.

"You mentioned something about pancakes."

Luke snorted with relieved laughter.

"I did."

"Was that just an empty promise to get to sleep with me?"

"I believe that was after the sleeping so if it was an empty promise, it was a bit late."

"So you're saying there will be pancakes."

"There will." his hands resumed their previous pattern of strokes and she sighed.

"Good."

"I don't suppose you have any of the ingredients I need here."

"Probably not."

"Then I should get up and grab them so I can make you and Rory breakfast."

"That would be the prudent thing to do."

He waited for her to roll off him but she made no move to do so. "Get off me woman so I can do some hunting and gathering."

Lorelai laughed and he took the opportunity to grip her against him and roll her over onto her back then pull away and step off the bed. "Hey!" she protested as he walked across the room to the bathroom, scooping up his boxers as he went.

"Hush, you'll wake Rory."

"I think if the last bout of sex didn't wake her, a marching band wouldn't wake her!" she called out to him half sitting up to be sure he heard

"Geez, hush will you!"

Lorelai laughed and fell back onto the pillows not bothering to cover herself up. "I can feel you blushing from here. Hurry up, I want my pancakes!"

"Hush!" he came out of the bathroom and she saw the traces of his fading blush as he grabbed his clothing and quickly dressed. "And cover yourself up, you're making it hard-"

"Already? Great recovery Danes."

"Hard to focus, was what I was going to say." he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the sheet up around her, trapping her arms beneath it. "I can't believe I'm leaving a warm bed with a half naked willing Lorelai Gilmore lying in it." He whispered as he leaned down and pecked her lips softly.

"But it's for a good cause."

"Chocolate chip pancakes is hardly a good cause."

"Me. I'm you're good cause."

Luke smiled at the simple statement and kissed her gently again. "You're my only cause." Lorelai beamed up at him and he shook his head. He never really knew how she got him all worked up and admitting silly notions but he also never minded either. "Okay, I'll be back in about 20 minutes with the ingredients."

"And the coffee."

"Of course the coffee." He stood turned away from her to slip on his shoes and Lorelai wasted no time in sitting up to lean against his back. "You'll um… be up when I get back?" he said over his shoulder when he finished with his laces and patted the hands she connected on his chest.

"Up, showered and dressed."

"Ok." He brought one hand up and kissed her fingers then turned and stood. "I'll be back in a while."

Lorelai winked and tossed herself back onto the bed in a way that let him know she would be jumping out of bed to hastily pull on random clothing when he returned. He closed the door softly behind him and carefully made his way downstairs only to find Rory sitting on the couch in her PJs sipping a coffee and reading the paper.

"Oh, morning Rory, you're up early."

"Jet lag from London I think,"

"I hope I didn't wake you…" he said but his words faded off as he realised she might well have heard everything that had just happened in Lorelai's room.

"No, I was reading in my room for a while then I came out just now to make coffee." She sipped her coffee again then placed the cup onto the coffee table. "How is she feeling?"

"She's...doing ok." Luke scratched the back of his neck. "She's strong you know."

"I know," Rory said with a smile and she nodded slowly. "You make her strong."

"Me? No, she was strong before me."

"Then you make her stronger." Luke blushed and scuffed his toe on the worn carpet of the first step. Rory let him stew in her compliment for a moment then decided to offer him a lifeline. "So you're making pancakes?"

"Yep, I just need to pop out and grab some ingredients."

"Great!"

"I'll be back in about 20 minutes."

"Thank Luke." Without much warning, Rory got up from the couch and took the three small steps to stand before him then gripped his shoulders and pulled him down to kiss his cheek. She hugged him tightly then pushed him away and quickly disappeared into her room.

Luke stood frozen for a moment then shook his head and hurried out to his truck. He was halfway to the diner before he realised Rory must have heard Lorelai talking about pancakes when they were in the bedroom and his face burned with mortification at the thought of her hearing them have sex.

He let out a small chuckle and tried to dismiss his dread as he gathered the necessary ingredients and equipment from the diner. He set up a pot of coffee to brew then hurried upstairs for a shower and a change of clothes. He poured the coffee into a large thermos then climbed back into his truck and gunned the engine.

Fake Christmas morning with the Gilmore girls. He would make them chocolate chip pancakes, feed them the coffee they so coveted, watch whatever Christmas movies it is they wanted as she shovelled candy and popcorn into their mouths. He would offer up a token protest so they would know he cared about their well being but ultimately he would drive to dooseys for a restock when they needed it, then he would take Lorelai to the new year's ball in the square and dance every dance she wanted to dance as long as it meant he could hold her in his arms. And tonight he would climb into bed with her without hesitation, without a black cloud of dismay hanging over both of them and he would hold her whole body against his as a new year dawned and they would start again.

Luke gripped the wheel tighter as his reverie faded and he glanced over at his packages to be sure they were secure then pulled out onto the road and made his way back to Lorelai. Where he belonged.