Author's Note: This story has been in the works for quite a while, ever since the sixth season fell into that downward spiral that it can't recover from. But that's another time and another place. So the original spark came from the mess that was written, and how it could have been resolved. But in order to tell that story I have to tell this story to set the background. I've got a very large, very epic storyline in my head, so things might get a little complicated because I won't always be able give the entire story in one sitting. It's crucial to pick up on details, so things might make more sense if you read the chapters a second time. By the way, still looking for a beta that could help me with things like clarity and continuity and overall story management duties. Plus you would get a sneak-peek at new chapters—just thought I'd throw in a little incentive.

The setting for the story is: the development of the relationship between Luke and Lorelai, and Rory by extension, through the eyes of those close to them. Each chapter is in one or more character's POV of event(s). The character that the event is seen through will be the chapter name. So, chapter one is Lorelai's POV.

Etc… Etc… I've got several chapters already written, but that being said this story leaves itself wildly open to suggestions and reader input. If there is an idea burning in your mind then by all means, leave a note in a review. Reviews are appreciated but not demanded. Italics are thoughts or emphasis, Bold is emphasis, the quotes in the chapters set the mood…

Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls or the characters therein. I did, however, develop this fanfiction. All rights reserved. Title XXVII, sec. 2 par. A. C/O the law offices of Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe.

"And I've got presents to send you,

I've even got money to lend you.

But honey I can never ever pretend,

Your not there on my mind."

'Presents to send you,' Jimmy Buffett

Lorelai

She started the list the second time he offered to fix a couple small things at the Independence Inn. She didn't write anything down, but in the back of her mind she started keeping track of the things he had done for her—that he had done for the both of them. At that point in time he was still 'Duke' and she came to the diner alone because she hadn't told him about Rory. It wasn't that she was afraid of what he would think; she just didn't know how he would respond to the fact that she had a kid. She'd only known him for about three weeks, and even then she only talked to him while she was waiting for her cup of coffee or eating a quick lunch at the counter before going back to the inn. If she had to use a single word to describe it would have been 'disgruntled.' Which made the fact that he ran a diner all the more mysterious. It was a job that required social contact and people skills; patience and a reasonably cool head. And while he did make the best coffee and a damn fine burger, she didn't know why he would choose to have a job that required so much more human interaction than he seemed to want. So the offer to help out at the inn became the fourth thing on her mental list, right behind his coffee, his food, and that shy smile she'd only seen once.

She finished her lunch and decided that if he was offering then she was going to accept. It was a nice gesture and she would save some money, plus she didn't mind having a handsome man to order around for a couple hours. Dirty. When she got to the register she paid for her meal and cleared her throat after Luke had closed the till. She smiled at him and used her 'in charge' voice. "So, Duke, why don't you come by the inn at three and I'll hand you your list of chores."

Luke looked up from his order pad. "My name is not 'Duke,' and I probably won't be able to make it until three-thirty. And I'll have to be back here at five so don't give me any of your epic projects today." He went back to reviewing his order pad, but stopped when he noticed she was still staring at him. "What?" he grunted.

She feigned indignance. "What's with all the conditions, and why can't you actually stay long enough to do the important jobs? It's pretty rude to make an offer and then not be able to follow through."

"Then I take it back," Luke said. "I've got a diner to run and I gotta be back for the dinner rush. But I'm sure your regular handyman will come through for you eventually."

"I don't have a regular handyman. That's why I was complaining about all the handy-work I've got to find a way to fix."

"How can you run an inn and not have a handyman?" Luke bunched his eyebrows.

Lorelai let out a sigh. "That's not the issue—and I believe we already covered that topic when you offered to help me out."

"I can come by at three-thirty, take it or leave it." Luke leaned on the counter and looked at her.

"I'll take it." Lorelai grumbled and turned to leave.

"Good." Luke agreed. "I'll see you then."

"I'll be the one with the whip." Very dirty! Lorelai called over her shoulder as she left. She walked back to the inn mentally prioritizing the handyman list she had made for him. Must have the door knobs on rooms five and eight fixed, they're booked for tomorrow. The loose windows in the lobby can probably wait; it's been warm all this week, but the squeaky step and the electrical outlets need to be done today. What else is there…I'll look at the list when I get in. She quickened her pace.

…

Their relationship had developed into easy banter and one-liners traded across the counter. It was only natural that it would carry over when Luke showed up at the inn with his toolbox in one hand and an electric drill in the other. Lorelai made the expected reference to Bob Vila and then handed him the list. Luke glanced at it and she saw his eyebrows rise, "You need a bookcase by tomorrow?"

"No, the ones with the stars need to be done by tomorrow." Lorelai said.

"That's everything on the list except the bookcase and re-shingling the shed." Luke glanced up at her and then went back to the list.

"I know." Lorelai tried to sound innocent.

Luke shut his eyes for a moment before refocusing them on her. "I know you probably think the Bob Vila joke was funny, but I didn't expect to actually be working on 'This Old House.'"

"I thought you said you could help?"

Luke sighed. "Point me to the rooms."

…

Sometime later Lorelai heard a very surprised Mia in the hallway upstairs. "Lucas Danes, what are you doing here?" There was a crash and the rest of the conversation was too low for her to hear. A few minutes later Mia came down the stairs and stopped at the desk where Lorelai was working. "You didn't tell me you had wrangled Luke into doing all this work." She smiled.

"What's the matter?" Lorelai asked a little worriedly.

"Nothing, dear," Mia chuckled. "I just want to know how you got him to agree to this."

"Actually he offered to help when I was in his diner for lunch."

"He offered?" Mia asked, and Lorelai nodded her head. "I didn't know you knew Luke."

"I just met him a few weeks ago. He's a little grumpy but he makes a good cup of coffee." Lorelai smiled.

"Don't let the attitude fool you, honey. He's a good man." Mia said.

"I'm sure he is." Lorelai replied distractedly as she was sorting through a stack of letters.

"I mean it, Lorelai." Mia smiled. "Don't take advantage of him. He'll do whatever a pretty girl like you would ask."

"Actually, he already told me he wouldn't re-shingle the shed." Lorelai quipped.

"Well, it's late afternoon, he'd have to start that at the break of day to get it finished." Mia reasoned.

They heard a thud at the stairs and saw Luke set his toolbox down in the corner. He adjusted his hat as he walked over and smiled half-heartedly at the two women. "What am I going to have to start at the break of day?"

Mia said, "The shed."

"Are you busy this weekend?" Lorelai blurted out with a grin. Luke raised one eyebrow and Mia looked a little shocked. That could be taken the wrong way. "To, uh, fix the shed." She finished awkwardly.

But Mia saved the moment. "She's just kidding Luke. How far did you get tonight?"

Luke blinked and remembered why he had come down in the first place. "I got most of it done, but I got to get back to the diner for dinner." Luke wasn't exactly sure who to address. Mia owned the inn but Lorelai was the one he had made the offer to. Mia took charge for the moment. "Thank you, Luke. I'm just glad we've finally got someone who knows what they're doing." She looked at Lorelai and smiled. "I'll see you later; I've got to make some calls." She went to her office.

Luke cleared his throat and was about to leave when Lorelai spoke. "Sorry about the shed joke." She smiled shyly.

"You don't really need me to shingle the shed, do you?" Luke cocked his head at an angle.

"No, we got roofers coming on Monday. I just wanted to see what you would say when you saw it on the list." Lorelai tried to laugh it off.

"Good, good." She could see Luke was trying to convince himself. "…So, I need to go." He pointed over his shoulder toward the door.

"Okay, bye. Thanks for the help." Lorelai said as Luke turned to leave. "Oh, don't forget your toolbox!"

Luke pulled the list out of his pocket. "I'll be back later tonight. I've only got a couple things left and they won't take too long." He was out the door before Lorelai could thank him again. She added the fact that he finished what he started to her mental list

And that was the first of those semi-sweet, slightly awkward moments between them. Those times when it seemed that they would be good together if they ever got together. The almost ask-outs, the dropped opportunities and missed signals on both sides. To be honest, neither one was completely oblivious to the other, but Luke was jaded by Rachel's recent departure and Lorelai had been wary of any man since Christopher had left her.

…

Two weeks later, Lorelai came into the diner and ordered two cheeseburgers with fries to go. Luke bunched his eyebrows. "I know you're hungry, but don't you think that's a little overboard?"

"They're not both for me." Lorelai said

"Sure." Luke laughed a little as he filled out her ticket.

"One is for my dau—" Lorelai stopped. She still hadn't told him about Rory.

"For who?" Luke looked up.

May as well tell him now. "Luke." It was one of the few times that she used his actual name, and he had learned that usually meant something serious was coming. "One of them is for my daughter. Her name is Rory." Lorelai kept her eyes focused on the counter, knowing what was coming next.

"You have a daughter?" Luke sounded only a little surprised.

Huh? "Yes, I have a daughter."

"Where is she now?" He asked.

"What?"

"I mean, I'm sure she's with her father." Luke answered. She wouldn't just leave her daughter alone. I didn't even know she was married.

"No. Why would you think that?" Lorelai began to get a little angry. "Her father left us. He's in California last I heard."

"Sorry, I just assumed…" Now Luke seemed genuinely surprised. "I thought if you had a daughter then her dad would be here too. I mean, I didn't see a wedding ring, but not everyone wears one these days."

"Her dad has been gone a while, and I'm not married, and Rory is with Sookie." Lorelai cleared up.

"Sookie St. James?" Luke asked with a chuckle, as if he couldn't believe that Sookie could be trusted with a kid. Lorelai nodded. "Oh." He said. After a few moments, he grabbed the coffee pot to check on the other customers.

Lorelai was a little thrown off. "Hey!" she called after him. "Is that it? Our conversation is over?"

"I thought it was." Luke said. "You didn't say anything else, and I'm not going to pry about it. I'm sure you don't like other people asking about your personal life any more than I do."

"What does that mean?"

"You just seemed a little tense when you mentioned her father, and unlike most of this town, I can respect privacy." Luke cleared a nearby table. He looked up and noticed she was still watching him. "What?"

"It's just," Lorelai thought a moment. "You don't seem very surprised by all this."

Luke returned to his spot behind the counter and looked at her. "I'm more surprised I didn't know about it. I mean, this is a small town, and I know most everyone in it. I guess I thought I would've heard something." He set the coffee pot back on the warmer and hesitated a moment before saying, "You know, she can come in the diner too. Most people do bring their kids in here."

Lorelai laughed. "You hate kids. The other day, when that baby was crying during lunch, you went on for five minutes about how messy and loud they were."

"I don't hate kids." Luke growled. "I just don't like it when they are loud and obnoxious and make a mess."

"They're kids, Luke." Lorelai said in a 'duh' tone. "That's all they do."

"That's not true. When I was a kid I would never do things like that." Luke said. "My dad would've whipped me for the things parents let their kids get away with now. If people would discipline their kids, they wouldn't be loud and obnoxious and messy."

"You honestly believe that?" Lorelai asked with a smile.

"They wouldn't be as loud and obnoxious and messy." Luke amended.

"I can agree with that." Lorelai said. "And I guess you'll have to meet her eventually, she's been asking about all the take-out cups in the trash."

"How old is your daughter?" Luke asked.

"Eleven." Lorelai answered. She watched as he paused a moment. That's right, do the math, dude.

"Well then she's probably over that whole crying in public phase." He commented dryly. "She's a good kid, right?"

"Of course," Lorelai responded indignantly.

"Okay then, bring her in some time." Luke boxed her meal up and poured a take-out cup.

"Maybe tomorrow," Lorelai said. "She's having a sleepover at her friend's house since it's Friday." She paid for her meal and picked up the boxes. "Thanks Duke." She said with a smile as she left. Luke just sighed.

…

Lorelai was a little nervous the first time she brought Rory to the diner. She didn't know why, Luke had been nice to her, and hadn't freaked out when he found out about Rory, but Lorelai had never introduced Rory to a man before—not a man like Luke, anyways. Before they went in Rory asked, "Is he nice?"

"Of course he's nice, honey." Lorelai smiled.

"What if he doesn't like me?" Rory sounded nervous.

"Not possible." Lorelai dismissed her daughter's concern. "Just smile when you meet him and he'll love you."