Lorelai and Rachel embraced in silence; the only sounds being that of their light breathing and the faint chirping of crickets outside the car. After several moments, her cheek still resting against Lorelai's shoulder, Rachel said quietly, "I want more of this. Just being together and holding each other."

"Mmm, me too," Lorelai said. She placed her hand on Rachel's head and ran it down her hair. She brought it back to the top and did it again, a smile resting upon her lips.

A few seconds later, Rachel lifted her head up and stared into Lorelai's eyes. She kissed her softly on the lips before pulling back from their embrace. "Well, um, it's getting late. We should probably get going." She leaned back against her seat and fastened her seatbelt.

Lorelai sighed. "I guess so." She stared at Rachel for a minute wanting to say more, wanting to tell her how much the night had meant to her. But she couldn't -- as she tried to form the words in her head, she got nervous about the seriousness those words would mean. Her lack of confidence overpowered her and she remained silent. She just smiled at Rachel before she put her seatbelt on and started driving them home.

* * * * *

Back in Stars Hollow, they pulled up to the diner with the dashboard clock glowing slightly past 10:30. Lorelai glanced through the window and saw Luke inside cleaning up. "He's not gonna care that it's so late, right? I mean, if we had dinner and went to a movie, this is how long that would take," she said, trying to justify their lateness.

Rachel nodded. "Right. He probably won't even care. Don't worry about it." She removed her seatbelt and smiled at Lorelai. "I had an incredible time tonight."

Lorelai smiled. "Me too. It was perfect." She paused, wanting again to say more about how she felt. Instead she just said, "Uh, I'll see you tomorrow."

Rachel opened the door and stepped out. "See ya," she said before closing it. Lorelai watched her walk into the diner and start talking to Luke. As she pulled away, she scolded herself for not saying more, for not telling her what she was feeling. "This is the first relationship where you've ever felt a hundred percent connected to someone and actually enjoyed every single minute you've spent with them. Don't screw it up." Her voice echoed through the Jeep as thoughts of past relationships ran through her mind. None of them could compare to what she felt with Rachel. Even after just a few days, Lorelai knew that that this was that special relationship she'd been seeking for so long.

* * * * *

The next day, Lorelai and Rory walked into the diner and sat at an empty table by the door. Several minutes later, Luke walked over with the coffeepot and, after greeting them with a nod hello, filled the two empty mugs that sat in front of them. He set the coffeepot on the table, pulled his pad out of the front of his jeans, and looked at them expectantly. "Ordering?"

"Um," Lorelai said. "Two orders of French toast please."

"With bacon," Rory added.

Luke nodded and scratched the order down on his pad, then replaced it back in his waistband. He picked up the coffeepot and walked back to the counter. Lorelai made a mental note that he seemed to be upset about something, and wondered if it had something to do with Rachel. She glanced at Rory, who was staring at something out the window. She followed Rory's gaze and it landed on Dean walking outside across the street. Lorelai frowned, then quickly tried to get Rory's mind off of him. "Hey Rory. Earth to Rory." She snapped her fingers near Rory's ear.

Rory turned back towards Lorelai. "What?"

"Uh, so what's going on this week at school?" Lorelai asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Oh, not too much." Rory sighed. "Except for a group biology presentation on Friday."

Lorelai groaned. "Ugh, group work. How's that going?"

Rory shrugged. "Pretty good, I guess. They're all doing their parts."

"Well, that's all you can ask for," Lorelai said. She glanced up and saw Luke heading their way. She rested her hands in her lap as he set their plates on the table. He gave them a partial smile and half a head nod, then walked back to the counter. Lorelai and Rory glanced at each other questioningly.

"Geez, I wish he'd stop talking so much, he's giving me a headache," Lorelai said.

Rory let out a small laugh. "I wonder what's up with him."

Lorelai shrugged. "I'll be right back." She stood up and walked over to the counter where Luke was writing something on his pad.

He glanced up at her, then back at his pad. "Something wrong with your food?"

Lorelai shook her head. "Uh, no, not at all. Um, something wrong with your...you?"

He looked up at her with a curious look. "My 'me'? No, my 'me' is fine, thanks."

She stared at him for a second, unconvinced. She knew something was wrong, and she had a feeling it was Rachel-related. She glanced around at the customers at the counter. She lowered her voice and said, "Luke, come on, do you want to talk about something? Is it about Rachel?"

As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she knew that it was. Luke's face seemed to tighten up uncomfortably. He started to protest that it wasn't, but then he just sighed. He paused for a moment and stared at Lorelai. Then he exhaled loudly and leaned towards her. "You know all those times you guys said you were hanging out together?"

Lorelai swallowed nervously. "Uh, yeah. What about them?" She glanced down at the counter, not wanting to look him in the eye.

"Well," Luke said, "were you guys really hanging out together?"

Lorelai raised her eyebrows and forced a laugh. "Of course, what'd you think we were doing?"

Luke stared at her for a second. "Nothing, I just thought...nah, I guess it's crazy." Luke pulled back from Lorelai and started fidgeting with his pencil, tapping it against the counter.

"What? You thought what?" Lorelai asked, worried that he was getting suspicious.

He exhaled and glanced around the diner. "I have that feeling again that she's maybe into someone else. So I guess I maybe thought that she was telling me she was with you but was really with some other guy, and that maybe you were covering for her."

Lorelai was taken aback that he'd shared his skepticism with her, as Luke doesn't usually go that into detail with her. Then she realized that Rachel's plan to ease him out of their relationship was working well. "Oh," she said. "Nope, we were hanging out." She crossed her fingers and held them up. "I promise."

Luke smiled. "Thanks." He looked down for a moment, then sighed. "I mean, if she's into someone else then, you know, I can understand that. But sneaking around would just be...well, that'd be kinda low. I mean, I'm a big boy, I can take it. I just...I don't know. Forget it."

Lorelai stared at Luke for a moment, suddenly wishing she had a baseball bat or hammer or other heavy object in which to hit herself with, as she felt guiltier with every passing second. She swallowed hard and nodded her head, stammering, "Oh yeah, wow, man, that'd be . .yeah. I see." She paused. "Where is Rachel anyway?"

"She's upstairs developing some pictures," he said. Luke glanced past Lorelai and noticed a customer trying to get his attention. He looked back at Lorelai and said, "I gotta get back to work, but uh, don't mention this stuff the next time you see her, okay?"

Lorelai nodded. Luke smiled appreciatively and walked past her to take an order. Lorelai slowly walked back to her seat. Rory was practically finished her meal while Lorelai's cold French toast sat there untouched. She wasn't even hungry anymore as a cold feeling of guilt filled her stomach and made her feel sick. She was confused, scared, worried, guilt-ridden, and a myriad of other emotions that were flying through her body. She could hear Rory talking to her but she couldn't really hear the words. The only thing she could think about was Luke, and the fact that the dreaded time had finally come: they had to tell him.

Lorelai couldn't bring herself to ask Luke to heat up her French toast for her, so she just picked at it for awhile before finally giving up on it. Rory had been watching her with a concerned look. "Everything okay Mom?"

Lorelai forced a smile and nodded. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Um, listen...why don't you head on home, and I'll meet you there in awhile. I have to talk to Rachel."

Rory rolled her eyes. "Geez Mom, you see her everyday."

"Hey, leave me alone," Lorelai snapped, and she immediately clasped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened, shocked that she had reacted like that.

Rory gave her a surprised look, "Mom, I didn't mean it in a bad way, lighten up. Geez."

Lorelai softened her voice. "I'm so sorry. I've just got a lot on my mind right now, and I need to talk to Rachel about something. I'll meet you at home, okay?"

Rory nodded. "Okay. Sorry." She started to get up.

Lorelai reached out and grabbed Rory's arm. "Sweetie, I'm really sorry. Don't be mad at me. Please? Remember who birthed you." She gave a small pout.

"I'm not mad," Rory said. "I'll see you at home." She gave Lorelai a smile, then stood up and walked out of the diner. Lorelai rested her face in her hands and sighed. A few seconds later, she walked up to Luke at the counter to pay. As he handed her the change, she said, "Um, Luke, would you mind if I go up and see Rachel?"

Luke looked at her for a moment. "Uh, yeah, I guess," Luke said. "But you're not gonna mention... ?"

Lorelai smiled. "Oh, no, it's not about that, don't worry." She walked past the counter and up the steps, then down the hallway to Luke's apartment.

She knocked on the door and a few seconds later, Rachel pulled it open. Her face broke into a huge smile as soon as she saw Lorelai. "Hey," Rachel said. She looked past her down the hallway checking for other people, then gestured for her to come inside. She pushed the door closed and leaned in to kiss her.

Lorelai kissed her back tenderly, and for a moment forgot the reason she had gone up there. She soon remembered, and stepped back from the kiss. "About Luke -- we have to tell him."

Rachel raised her eyebrows. "Tell him?"

Lorelai nodded. "Tell him."

Rachel grimaced. "Oh boy." She turned and walked towards the sofa.

Lorelai followed her. "I know it'll be hard, but I cannot do this anymore. I can't treat Luke like this." Rachel had sat down on the couch, and Lorelai now joined her.

Rachel stared ahead silently, and Lorelai could see the thoughts going through her head, thinking of how to approach the situation.

Lorelai sighed. "Listen, this has been hard for me treating Luke like this, but I know that it has to be 100 times harder for you since you have to deal with him closely every single day. Don't you want to be able to stop lying to him?"

Rachel nodded. "I definitely do, but it's just... I'm just not ready to tell him about us yet."

Lorelai took Rachel's hand into her own and squeezed it. "When will you be ready?"

Rachel shrugged. "I don't know. I just...I wish I could tell him that it's over, but not tell him about me and you yet. I mean, he's not gonna be as upset about us breaking up as he is about the fact that you're off the market."

Lorelai narrowed her eyes with confusion. "What does that mean?"

Rachel looked at her with an amused look on her face. "You mean you really don't know?"

Lorelai shook her head, still confused.

Rachel smiled. "Lorelai, Luke loves you, and I mean, he really loves you. He's not in love with me anymore. He doesn't think I know, but I can tell."

Lorelai stared at Rachel with an open mouth. Then she suddenly laughed. "Good one, Rach. You had me for a minute there."

Rachel shook her head. "Lorelai, I'm not kidding. Luke is in love with you. Trust me, I can tell."

Lorelai's smile faded. "Oh my..." She bit the inside of her mouth nervously. "God, why didn't I ever notice that?"

Rachel shrugged. "Well, he's not real good at showing his feelings to most people, but I know him pretty well so I can see them. But I mean, this complicates the situation even more. He's gonna be devastated. So that's why I think I need to break up with him, but we should hold off on telling him about us just yet."

Lorelai nodded. They both sat in silence for a few minutes on the couch, their hands clasped together. Lorelai suddenly looked at Rachel. "Hey, move into the inn."

"What?" Rachel said. "Move into the inn?"

Lorelai smiled. "Yeah. When you break up with Luke you'll have to move out. You can just move into a room at the inn for awhile."

Rachel pondered the idea. "That actually doesn't sound half bad. It'll give us time to work out everything."

Lorelai smiled. "Yeah, it'll be good. And you can stay for free, of course. You get special benefits for sharing intimacies with the manager." She leaned forward and kissed Rachel softly.

Rachel smiled through the kiss. "Oh yeah? What other benefits do I get?"

Lorelai whispered, "Oh, we'll work something out." They resumed their kissing, opening their mouths and allowing their tongues to gently glide over one another.

As they pulled part, Lorelai asked, "So when do you wanna do this? Tomorrow?"

Rachel nodded. "Yeah. I'll tell him tomorrow morning, and then bring my stuff to the inn. You're sure there's room?"

Lorelai nodded. "Yeah, there's room. Don't worry. This'll be good...it'll all work out good."

Rachel exhaled loudly. "Yeah, I hope so."

Lorelai stood up and smiled. "Okay, I have to go home to Rory." She started walking towards the door.

Rachel stood up and followed her. "You're gonna tell her after we tell Luke, right?"

Lorelai stopped in front of the door and turned around. "Yup, definitely, right after we tell Luke. Okay, I'm gone." She gave Rachel a kiss goodbye, ending it with a smile. "Bye."

Rachel pulled open the door and flashed one of those bright smiles that made Lorelai feel tingly inside. "Bye."

* * * * *

The next morning, after Luke went to down to open the diner, Rachel started packing up her things. Not usually one to let her emotions get the better of her, she couldn't keep from getting teary eyed as she walked around the apartment for what was probably the last time.

When she had everything packed and ready to go, she carried it down the steps and left it in the back hallway near the storage closet. She walked into the diner to find Luke. The 8 am breakfast crowd had started to arrive, and Luke was busy going from table to table taking orders and pouring coffee. Rachel decided she should help him. She grabbed an apron from the kitchen and played waitress for awhile.

When the rush died down and she finally had a spare moment, she walked up to Luke behind the counter. "Luke, we need to talk."

Luke, having heard those words many times before, didn't respond. He folded his arms across his chests and glared at her momentarily. "So talk."

Rachel glanced around. "Not here." She led him down the hall to the storage room.

Upon seeing her baggage outside the door, Luke stopped walking and sighed. "I knew this would happen Rachel. You're so predictable."

She turned to face him. "Luke, it's not what you think," she started.

Luke raised his hands in the air to stop her. "It's exactly what I think, Rachel! The minute you got here, I knew that this moment would come eventually. I can't believe I was actually starting to believe you would stay this time." He smirked and shook his head, disappointed at himself.

"Luke, please listen to me," Rachel said quietly. "You know as well as I do that neither one of us really had their heart in this relationship."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, with obvious resentment still apparent in his tone.

"I'm talking about... " She sighed deeply. ". . exactly what I just said. It's not the same feelings it used to be, Luke. I mean, we tried to make it work, but let's face it -- it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. The sparks are just not there anymore." She put her hand on his arm. "Huh?"

Luke was silent for a moment before he inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. "Yeah, I know. I was just, you know, trying to..." He didn't complete his sentence.

She nodded. "I know, Luke." She took a step forward and hugged him. He slowly brought his arms up and embraced her. She pulled back and smiled. "See, it'll be better for the both of us."

He nodded and folded his arms across his chest, uncomfortably shifting his feet. He glanced down at her duffel bags. "So, are you going back to Chicago?"

Rachel bit her lip. "Um, no actually. I'm gonna be staying at the Inn for awhile."

Luke raised his eyebrows. "The Independence Inn? You're not leaving town?" Luke's voice conveyed much surprise.

Rachel shook her head. "No, uh, I'm staying here... in Stars Hollow."

Luke's mouth dropped open. "What? For how long?"

Rachel smiled uncomfortably. "Uh, indefinitely."

Luke stared at her with curiosity, trying to decipher her motives for wanting to stay. If she wasn't taking this opportunity to get away from the small town life that she used to hate, then there must have been something -- or someone -- else that was making her want to stay.

Rachel noticed the pondering look on his face and sighed. "Luke, please don't read too much into this whole thing, okay? I'm staying in town, let's just leave it at that."

He held up his hands innocently. "Fine. You're staying. I get it."

She leaned and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you. I'll see you around." She bent down and gathered her bags, and Luke watched her silently as she walked down the hallway.

* * * * *

Meanwhile at the inn, Lorelai was scolding Michel. "Michel, saying 'I hope I never have to see the face that comes with that voice' is not the appropriate way to end a phone call, okay? These are future guests you're dealing with."

"Well, that woman's voice was particularly squeaky, and she kept making stupid jokes and giggling at them, leaving me with an annoying high pitched laughter ringing in my ears," Michel said.

Lorelai rolled her eyes. "Good. You need more laughter in your life anyway. New rule, be nice to everyone here and on the phone, okay? Thank you."

Lorelai finished the last of her coffee and started walking towards the kitchen to get a refill when Rachel walked into the lobby laden with bags. Lorelai placed her mug on the front desk and quickly walked towards Rachel. "Hey," Lorelai greeted her. "How'd it go?"

Rachel shrugged. "It went okay. He seemed shocked that I'm still staying in town, but I didn't tell him why. I didn't mention another person at all."

Lorelai nodded. "Okay, well, this is a good step. We'll take it from here. Uh, let me help you to your room." She took one of Rachel's duffel bags and led her towards the staircase. Rachel followed her up the stairs and down a long corridor, finally stopping in front of room 18. Lorelai pulled a key from her blazer pocket and unlocked the door.

They walked into the room and dropped the bags on the floor, shutting the door behind them. "So, this is it," Lorelai said, waving her arm around.

Rachel smiled and glanced around. "Looks good." She walked to the bathroom and peeked inside. She walked back over to Lorelai and hugged her. "Thank you."

Lorelai smiled. "You're welcome." They embraced a few more seconds before Lorelai said, "So tell me what happened with Luke."

Rachel pulled back from the hug and said, "Oh, well nothing really happened. I basically told him that things weren't working out, and that neither one of us was really into the relationship to begin with."

Lorelai nodded. "And he agreed?"

"Yeah, he knew it," Rachel said. "I mean, he wants to be with you, not me. And I want to be with you, not him." She laughed. "So basically, everyone wants you."

Lorelai laughed. She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and said, "Well, what can I say? I'm incredibly desirable."

Rachel smiled. "Yes, you are." She leaned forward and pushed her lips against Lorelai's. Rachel could taste the flavor of coffee on Lorelai's lips, something she'd become quite used to. Lorelai started walking backwards towards the door, and Rachel moved with her, not letting her lips break apart from Lorelai's. As Lorelai's back hit the door, she ended the kiss by breaking into a smile. "Okay, I really have to get back to work."

"Mm hmm," Rachel said, leaning in to kiss her again.

Lorelai kissed her back briefly before playfully pushing her back with a laugh. "Okay, now I really have to go. But listen, I'm only working until 2 today so I'll stop by after, okay?"

Rachel nodded. "Sounds good. I'm gonna develop some pictures, and maybe run to the market and buy some snacks."

"Ooh, here." Lorelai handed Rachel the room key, and Rachel slipped it into her pocket. Lorelai pulled open the door and stepped into the hallway. "See you later."

"Bye," Rachel said with a smile. She watched Lorelai walk down the hallway before shutting the door.

* * * * *

A few hours later, Lorelai knocked on the door of room 18. Rachel answered the door wearing a short silk robe that went halfway down her thighs. Lorelai smiled and said, "Oh, you didn't have to get dressed up for me." She stepped inside the room, and locked the door behind her.

Rachel laughed. "Sorry, you're early. I was about to take a shower."

Lorelai tossed her purse onto the bed and glanced around the room. "I see you're pretty much squared away, huh?"

Rachel nodded. "Yup, unpacked everything into the drawers. Bought some snacks in case I get hungry at night."

"Good, good," Lorelai said. She pulled on the loosely tied belt of Rachel's robe, causing the robe to fall open. "Oops," Lorelai said as Rachel's breasts fell into view. Lorelai slid a hand into the robe around Rachel's waist, just feeling the softness of her skin. "So, you gonna take that shower now?"

Rachel smiled. "Why, you wanna join me?"

Lorelai smiled. "Well, if you insist."

Rachel kissed her. "I do." She walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower as Lorelai started undressing near the bed. As Lorelai pulled off each article of clothing and tossed it on the floor, she felt her heart racing faster and faster. A few seconds later, she walked into the bathroom completely nude and found Rachel already in the shower. Lorelai stood back and admired the view, this being the first time she had seen Rachel naked. She smiled as she stared at the perfection that stood in front of her.

Lorelai walked to the tub and reached her hand into the water to feel the temperature. Grabbing onto Rachel's arm so she wouldn't slip, she slowly stepped into the tub. She stood still for a moment as she got used to the hot water against her body.

Lorelai closed her eyes and looked up, allowing the water to run over her face. She wiped the excess water out of her eyes, then turned around to face Rachel. They smiled at each other through the cascading water. Rachel picked up a bottle and squeezed some of the strawberry scented shampoo into her hand. She rubbed her hands together and lathered it up, then worked it into Lorelai's hair. Lorelai closed her eyes and relaxed as Rachel's fingers gently massaged her scalp. A minute later, Rachel lifted Lorelai's chin up and used her hand to direct the water down Lorelai's hair, washing away the shampoo. Rachel ran her fingers through Lorelai's hair, making sure it was rinsed well.

Lorelai opened her eyes and placed her hands on Rachel's shoulders, gently turning her around. She lathered up the shampoo in her hands and repeated the process on Rachel, gently working the lather through Rachel's hair. She leaned Rachel's head back and rinsed it. She watched as the soapsuds slid down Rachel's back, over the curves of her bottom and down her legs. When the shampoo was fully rinsed out, Lorelai turned Rachel back to face her. They leaned into each other and kissed passionately as the hot water fell upon their faces.

Lorelai grabbed the bottle of body wash and poured some into her hands, rubbing it into it a sudsy lather. She applied her soapy hands to Rachel's shoulders, moving them down her arms. She slid them over Rachel's breasts, encompassing one in each hand and squeezing gently. Lorelai leaned forward and kissed Rachel's left breast. Rachel closed her eyes and let out a small moan as Lorelai took the nipple between her lips and started lightly sucking on it. She moved to the other breast as Rachel reached her hands above her head and grasped onto the shower rod.

Lorelai lifted her head up to Rachel's face and gave her several kisses on each cheek before finally resting her lips against her mouth. She stepped back and poured some more body wash onto her hands. Lorelai rubbed her hands together and placed one of her soapy hands between Rachel's legs. Rachel moaned at the touch, and Lorelai started rubbing her hand over Rachel's sex, working the soap into a thick lather. Rachel's groans were constant as Lorelai's fingers occasionally penetrated Rachel's slit while they applied the soap. Rachel rocked her hips in a rhythmic motion with Lorelai's rubbing. The look on Rachel's face was one of almost-desperation; Lorelai could tell Rachel needed to be touched.

Lorelai fulfilled her by inserting two fingers into her, and the look on Rachel's face changed to one of thankful satisfaction. Lorelai's fingers moved swiftly inside of her, flicking rapidly against Rachel's clit. Rachel tightened her grasp on the curtain shower rod, and she started jerking her body against Lorelai's hand. As the pleasure built up inside of Rachel, Lorelai used her other hand to caress Rachel's breasts. As Lorelai squeezed her erect nipples, Rachel's heavy breathing increased dramatically. It was only a few moments before Rachel hit her peak, and she fell back against the wall as her legs weakened. She leaned her face into the falling water as she moaned loudly. As the moaning quieted down, Lorelai pressed her lips against Rachel's, darting her tongue into her mouth aggressively. Rachel hungrily kissed her back as she put her hands around Lorelai's waist and pulled Lorelai closely against her, the hot water cascading down their naked bodies.

Rachel turned Lorelai around by her shoulders so she was facing away from her. Rachel pushed Lorelai's hair over one shoulder, then reached up and grabbed the washcloth that was hanging over the curtain rod. She held it under the water for a moment, then poured some body wash onto it. She lathered it up and applied it to Lorelai's neck and slowly moved it down her back. She washed Lorelai's back with circular massaging strokes that allowed Lorelai's muscles to relax. Lorelai extended her arms in front of her, placing her palms against the wall for support. Rachel squeezed the washcloth and watched the soapsuds run down the small of Lorelai's lower back and beyond. Rachel suddenly pulled the washcloth back and swung it lightly against Lorelai's bottom, creating a smacking sound. While Lorelai twitched as she felt the surprising sting against her body, it was a feeling that she enjoyed, and a surge of arousal shot through her. Rachel did it again on the other side, and Lorelai responded with a pleasurable moan as her arousal intensified. Rachel slapped the washcloth against her a few more times as Lorelai arched her bottom towards Rachel, anticipating each electrifying smack.

Rachel dropped the washcloth to the floor and turned Lorelai around to face her. She kissed her on the lips, then slowly kissed her way down her chin to her chest, all the way down her stomach, until she was finally kneeling in front of Lorelai. Lorelai lifted one leg up and placed her foot on the edge of the tub, widening her legs apart. Her sex was brimming with arousal and was anxiously awaiting Rachel's next move. As Rachel kissed Lorelai's inner thighs, Lorelai stared down at the top of Rachel's head between her legs and could feel her juices already starting to escape down her leg. The vision of someone's face between her thighs about to satisfy her was almost as stimulating as the actual act.

Rachel slowly moved her kisses inward towards Lorelai's swollen lips, and finally, to Lorelai's approving moans, placed her mouth on them. She ran her tongue up the outside of the slit, then back down again, already getting a sample of Lorelai's juices. Rachel finally inserted her tongue into Lorelai's opening, and it was immediately met with a warm fluid that started trickling down Rachel's chin. Lorelai was already so aroused that she could already feel herself approaching orgasm, despite the fact that Rachel was just getting started. Rachel used her tongue to flick against Lorelai's clit, using the tip to apply pressure against the sensitive nub. Rachel did so for only a few seconds before she sensed Lorelai's body start to shake and heard her moaning with her orgasm. Rachel removed her tongue with a surprised expression, and stood up as Lorelai's moaning subsided.

Rachel wrapped her arms around Lorelai's waist. "Wow, that was so fast," she commented.

Lorelai, still panting to catch her breath, smiled. "Yeah. That's because I did you first so I had a longer time for the arousal to build up."

Rachel smiled. "Yeah, well, next time we'll have to do something about that." They kissed tenderly, then stood under the hot waterfall in a wet embrace with their foreheads pressed against each other.

A few minutes later, Rachel reached down and turned the water off. She pulled open the shower curtain and stepped out as Lorelai squeezed the excess water from her hair. Rachel grabbed two towels from the towel rack and handed one to Lorelai, who wrapped it around her body and stepped out of the tub. Rachel wrapped her towel around her hair and slipped into her robe, then they walked out of the bathroom.

Rachel took Lorelai's hand and led her to the bed. Rachel climbed on and leaned against the pillow, then patted her chest. "Here, lay down."

Lorelai smiled and climbed onto the bed next to Rachel. She rested her head against Rachel's chest and draped her arm across Rachel's stomach. Rachel started stroking Lorelai's shoulder as they lay there in silence. Lorelai smiled to herself as she realized that she hadn't felt like this in a relationship in a very long time. Rachel made her feel happy, made her feel special, made her feel loved.

Lorelai picked her head up off Rachel's chest and turned to look at her. Rachel smiled at her and continued to rub Lorelai's arm. They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before Lorelai finally spoke.

"Hey," Lorelai whispered. "You know what?"

"What?" Rachel asked.

 Lorelai turned over onto her stomach and leaned her face close to Rachel's. She bit her lip for a second, building up the courage to say the thing she'd always been afraid to say. Finally, she gave Rachel a kiss, then smiled and whispered, "I'm in love with you."

Rachel smiled and whispered, "Oh yeah? Well, that's good, since I'm in love with you too."

As the words came out of Rachel's mouth, Lorelai smiled as she felt her heart start racing. An excited feeling swept over her, and she leaned in to give Rachel a kiss. She pulled back and entwined her fingers through Rachel's. She rested her head back against her chest and closed her eyes, a content smile resting on her lips. Lorelai had never felt this way about anyone before. This was the feeling you only felt when you were with that one person that destiny had chosen for you. She had finally found that one person -- she and Rachel were meant to be.

To be continued...