Note/Disclaimer: Although I own a wide variety of things including a dancing ostrich, a softball, and a very pretty toothbrush, I think it goes without saying that I don't own Gilmore Girls or any of the brilliant characters or ideas that have come from none other than the great Amy Sherman-Palladino. After I've finished with this story, the characters will jump right back into her pocket or wherever it is that she keeps them. (And yes, I really do have a battery operated dancing ostrich. It also whistles.)

This is a short story, meaning that it is finished and I will not be adding any more to it. It's just something I sat here and typed up. I'm a definite Java Junkie, no doubts there. But in life, things don't always turn out picture perfect for everyone and this is just an example of that. Thanks for reading.

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After standing outside the door of Luke's Diner for several minutes, Lorelai finally reaches out and opens it, continuing inside. Instead of taking a seat at a table as usual, she heads straight to the counter.

Luke looks up as he hears the bell jingle above the door- or jangle, whatever the hell it is that bells do. He's never really been the descriptive-good-with-adjectives kind of guy, but some days after hearing the little bell sound a million times, he wonders just exactly which word is right. When his eyes land on Lorelai, he stops what he is doing and stands still.

She doesn't take a seat at one of the stools, but stops in front of him at the counter. "Hey," she says. She isn't sure where to begin, but she's found that 'hey' is generally a good way to start.

A quick glance outside tells him that she appears to be alone. "I guess you're getting ready to leave, huh." He automatically pours a steady stream of coffee into the largest to-go cup he has, and slides it across the counter to her. She accepts it.

"Yeah, almost. Chris is at the house helping Rory load a few more of her boxes, but then we'll be all packed."

He nods as nonchalantly as possible. He still can't believe that Lorelai and Rory have actually agreed to move back to Boston with Christopher after he broke up with- what's her name? The one from that ridiculous Journey song- Sherry. She hadn't been pregnant after all, and Lorelai and Christopher had pursued their relationship for several months before deciding to take it to the next step. Which meant that Lorelai and Rory were moving, leaving Stars Hollow. "Should I fix any more cups of coffee?" He's really only concerned with whether or not Rory would like a cup- he couldn't care less if Christopher wanted one or not. But Lorelai is his best friend in the entire world; so he tries to show a little bit of compassion.

She shakes her head. "Rory said she'd stop by before we leave. I just ... wanted to said goodbye alone."

Goodbye. Something in his throat closes up as he realizes his chance with Lorelai is finally over. He's known for weeks now that two of the most important people in his life were leaving, but he hasn't yet faced the reality of it. Now he was forced to. He offers as much of a smile as he can, and looks at her. "Good luck." He means it. As painful as it was watching her leave, he hopes she finds happiness. He wouldn't want anything less for her. He wishes she could find happiness with him, but it was clear that would never happen. In Luke Danes' opinion, wishes didn't come true. They were a waste of time.

Lorelai bites her lower lip, wanting to say more but not knowing what there is to say. She's never been very good with goodbyes. "We'll be coming back to visit when we go to Hartford," she says lamely. Visiting wasn't going to be the same, and they both knew it. She feels good about her decision to move in with Christopher- Rory really wants to live with her dad, and Lorelai respects that. And she's been waiting years for this opportunity to have her daughter and Christopher all in one family. A nice neat package. And she's almost forgotten that she'd had to talk herself into it, and is now convinced this was the right thing to do. That it is for the best.

Luke nods again in response. "I'll be here," he tells her. Wanting to say more than that, but knowing it wasn't possible. It was too late now, too late to tell her what he'd always wanted to. He's let his chances slip by plenty of times, and now he has to face the consequences and watch her walk out of his life to be with someone else. And Rory. He was really going to miss that kid. So much like Lorelai but with a slightly leveler head.

She starts to set the change for the coffee on the counter but he holds up his hand to tell her not to worry about it, so she slides it back into her pocket. Luke figures it's the least he can do.

Coffee in hand, Lorelai walks out the door of the diner, pausing once more on the steps outside. She glances back in to see that Luke is looking back out at her. They hold their gaze for a moment, and she finally walks away. Excited about her new life, but sad for the one she's leaving behind.

The diner is crowded, but Luke hears an echo after the door closes behind her. Or feels it, if it's at all possible to feel an echo. Trying not to think about the fact that Lorelai wouldn't be coming in everyday for coffee, often with Rory in tow; and that he wouldn't have to listen to her wacky schemes or lecture her about eating habits, Luke grabs a plate from the counter and methodically delivers it to a customer. Trying to appear as if he was moving on, no matter what he was feeling on the inside.

Too late.