What Came Before – ("No Excuse!")Lorelai had forgotten about helping Luke paint the diner, hurting his feelings when she admitted it was because of . . . someone. But even after she painted it by herself, he still was upset with her. Not understanding why, she talked to Sookie about it, who advised her to take it slowly, don't push it, and eventually he would come around and they would be friends again.

Lorelai nervously looked through the window into Luke's Diner. Several times she started to go inside, but couldn't muster up the courage. She deliberately waited until the lunch rush was ending. Maybe if he wasn't too busy he would have time to talk to her. But, on the other hand, after the stress and aggravation of the last couple of hours he might be in a bad mood and would be even less inclined to be civil to her.

Several tables were empty, but maybe she should sit at the counter where he spent more of his time. But she only sat there when no tables were available or if she wanted coffee to go. Would it seem like she was pushing things if she sat at the counter instead of a table?

Taking a deep breath, Lorelai went inside, and after a brief hesitation, sat at the only empty table that hadn't been cleaned off, then hurriedly moved to another one. No sense in making him feel like he HAD to come over to clean it up.

She waited patiently, or she hoped it would look like that. But she found herself drumming her fingers on the table, then tapping her foot against the table leg.. It was hard not to yell out at him as she used to do when things were okay between them.

She almost decided to leave when Luke walked over with a cup and coffee pot.

"Hi!" She said, almost too brightly as he poured the coffee.

"Hi, yourself," he replied, not particularly friendly, but not unfriendly either. "Cheeseburger?"

"Sure. The usual, as usual."

"Cheese on the chili fries?"

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"Want me to leave the pot?"

"If you want to."

"It's up to you."

"You can leave it."

Luke set the pot down on the table and left to turn in her order.

Lorelai let out a sigh of relief. It could have gone worse she decided. Give it some time Sookie had told her. He'll come around she said.

Well, he didn't throw her out, so it was a start.

'So, now what do I say when he comes back?' She thought to herself. She was still trying to decide when the brought her food to her.

"How've you been?" she asked.

'God! How lame does THAT sound?' she thought even as she said it.

"Okay. You?"

"Okay."

"Well, good."

Lorelai wanted to say something else, but before she could, he walked back to the counter. Looking around, she got up and followed after him.

"Ketchup," she said, picking up the bottle when he looked at her.

"Oh, sorry."

"No problem."

Lorelai hesitated, she HAD to say something.

"Something else?" he asked.

"No. Yes!"

Luke waited to hear what she had to say.

Lorelai desperately tried to think of something but only stood there with her mouth open. Then the phone rang and Luke left to answer it.

"Luke's," he said, then started writing down the order.

Lorelai's only option was to go back to her table with the bottle of ketchup. Maybe he would come over to see what she wanted.

But it wasn't to be. She waited, eating as slowly as she could without it looking too weird, but it was obvious she would have to go to him again. She took her check up to the register but before she could say anything she heard Taylor Doose behind her.

"Lorelai, there's a rumor going around that Luke made you paint the diner by yourself. I think that's terrible!"

"No, Taylor" she replied. "You heard wrong."

"Now, don't try to cover up for him. Everyone knows how much he fights even the smallest change, even when it's for the better. You should have made him pay you. That's the least he could have done."

"Taylor! Get the hell out of here!"

Luke was glaring at Lorelai as he yelled at Taylor.

"You stand your ground, Lorelai," Taylor said as he left.

"Luke . . . ." Lorelai started to say, but he yelled to Caesar before she could finish. "I'm going out, I'll be back later!"

And he stormed out of the diner.

Lorelai took a defeated breath, laid the check and five dollars on the counter, and left.

"Strike one," she said sadly as the diner door closed behind her.

TBC