This one is going to take me a while, so bare with me. DON'T READ IF RORY/LUKE ROMANCE FREAKS YOU OUT! Starts in season one.
Chapter 1
Rory sat in front of Luke's diner, just staring at the town. She really did not want to think about what just happened with Dean. She didn't want to think about how much she screwed that relationship up. He just wanted her to say she loved him, what was so wrong with that?
Rory sighed and looked at her hands. She knew what was wrong with that. She refused to say something she didn't feel. Sure she liked Dean, even loved him as a friend, but she could never love him the way he wanted her to. He was a great guy, but…there was something missing. It was something obvious that she couldn't quite put her finger on. Maybe it was the lack of sparks. Oh sure, at first it was fireworks, but Fourth of July ended real quickly. Shaking her head she was about to stand up when she saw Luke sat down next to her. He was quiet for a moment. Finally he said, "Great night."
"Yeah," Rory replied nodding her head, "Real pretty."
"Have a good night with Dean?" Luke asked. His voice choked on Dean's name and she couldn't help but smile. For some reason Luke hated Dean. Rory used to fantasize that it was because Luke was secretly in love with her, but of course that was way off.
That's when it hit her, the real reason why she couldn't love Dean.
He couldn't make her forget about her crush on Luke. How could she ever love a guy she would dump in two seconds if Luke ever showed the smallest amount of interest in her?
"No," Rory replied wiping away a tear, Luke would never love her, "We broke up."
"Oh man," Luke said trying not to let Rory see just how happy that made him. He couldn't place it, but man did he hate that kid. Suddenly a horrible thought struck him, "He didn't try something did he?" When Rory refused to replay Luke jumped from worried to furious in two seconds flat, "That little bastard! I'll kill him!" Luke jumped to his feet and was about to take his first step when Rory finally got out, "He told me he loved me."
Luke turned around and Rory said, "Dean told me he loved me, and I couldn't say it back." Luke sat down next to her and she asked, "Is there something wrong with me?
Rory looked at Luke with her big, blue eyes and Luke felt his heart go out to Rory.
"Do you love him?" Luke asked quietly.
Rory shook her head and said, "No, but why can't I. He's a great guy, so what is stopping me?"
Luke shrugged and said, "You can't help that you don't love him. Just because he's a great guy doesn't mean he's your match." Cautiously Luke reached over and took Rory's hand gently in his. Rory's heart began to beat fast and she couldn't stop herself from laying her head on his arm. Then Luke wrapped his arm around Rory's shoulders. She began to cry. She really didn't know why she was crying. Maybe it was for Dean, but she felt certain it had something to do with her unrequited love for Luke Danes.
Luke just held her. They were there for sometime.
Luke held Rory in his arms and watched as she slept. She really was a beautiful girl. He felt sorry for her, not being able to love some boy and feeling horrible she crushed his heat. He really wanted to hate Dean, but he could relate to the boy. He knew what it felt like to have his heart stomped on. Though he had to say he was glad that relationship was over, now maybe she would spend more time at the dinner.
Luke stopped walking towards her house and frowned. Where had that thought come from? He resumed walking still thinking. He was unaware of his budding feelings for the girl in his arms. He was unaware that to some very perceptive people, namely Patty, he was starting to become a little more aware of Rory Gilmore then prudent. Still no one, not even Luke himself, knew half of what he was feeling towards the slip of a girl in his arms.
Kicking at Lorelei's door, Luke cursed under his breath and glared at the door, of all the times for Lorelei to lock it! Finally the door opened reviling Lorelei Gilmore in all of her glory, and for the first time Luke did not lose his mind. Sadly, he was a little preoccupied with Rory to notice.
"What happened?" Lorelei asked panic evident in her voice.
"I found Rory sitting on the dinner steps," Luke explained, "She was crying."
"Did her and Dean get in a fight?" Lorelei asked brushing Rory's hair from her face. She then led Luke to Rory's room.
"I don't know if I should tell you," Luke began. Lorelei gave him a warning look and he said, "It's nothing awful. If it were you would not be catching me here. I would be at Dean's house getting the police called on me for murder."
Lorelei snored, amused and asked, "Then why won't you tell me?"
"Because Rory will want to," Luke replied laying Rory on the bed and smiling gently at her. The look did not go unnoticed by Lorelei, but she didn't say anything. She knew Luke was fond of Rory. Yet…. she was going to ignore that look. It was nothing.
"Thanks Luke," Lorelei said, "You are so good to Rory."
"No thanks are in order," Luke said gruffly, "Tell Rory I said good night."
Luke walked back to his closed dinner and sighed. He hated seeing Rory upset.
Lorelei had let Rory sleep in, and had gone for some breakfast. Upon seeing that Rory was not with her Luke had became instantly concerned. Lorelei had laughed and said, "Luke you don't have to worry about her. She is going to be fine, whatever the reason she was crying."
"I know," Luke replied with a sheepish grin, "But…I've never seen Rory like that. It just worries me."
"You're a good friend," Lorelei replied, giving him her best smile. Luke smiled back half-heartedly. He wouldn't feel better until his Rory was sitting in her customary seat. Wait…his Rory? Luke shook that thought away, but it kept coming back. So much so that he began to get annoyed and violent with his customers. Lorelei had seen the drastic change in him that had taken only minutes, and she was floored. The fact that he was this upset that Rory wasn't there disturbed her.
Needless to say she ordered food for Rory and a take home box for herself. Then grabbed two cups of coffee and headed for the house. Luke had asked her to tell Rory hi from him. Lorelei looked at Luke through the window and frowned. He still seemed upset about something. Maybe it wasn't Rory related after all. She hoped so, though she couldn't really place why she wanted Luke to pay less attention to Rory.
"Hey Rory," Lorelei said as she dumped their food on the kitchen table, "The dead has awakened."
"Shut-up," Rory said with a little smile. She sat down at the table and grabbed the coffee mug. She inhaled Luke's coffee and a happy sigh escaped from her mouth. Lorelei gave her a strange look. Sitting across from her she asked, "What happened last night?"
Without thinking about it Rory said, "Dean and I broke up," She picked up the Danish plate and asked, "Danish?"
"What?" Lorelei asked in dismay, "why?'
"He told me he loved me," Rory replied with a small sigh and a frown.
"And?" Lorelei prompted.
"And I don't love him," Rory said like it was obvious.
"Why not?" Lorelei was floored at this turn of events, and strangely upset.
"I don't know," Rory replied with a little sigh. She had so lied then, "I just don't. He's a great guy, but I don't love him."
"Rory," Lorelei said in a quiet voice, "Is it because of me?"
"What?" Rory asked confused.
"Because I can't commit to a man," Lorelei replied in a rush, "I'm not the most dependable person when it comes to my feelings. I don't want you to be like me."
"Trust me mom," Rory said with a small smile, "This has nothing to do with you. This is all me."
Lorelei nodded and sighed, "I really liked Dean." Then Lorelei remembered what Luke told her to say, "Luke told me to tell you hi."
Rory's face lit up and Lorelei's eyes narrowed, but she shook it off, "What was Luke up to?"
"Well he was upset," Lorelei replied while eating, "Every since I walked in…without you."
Rory felt her checks become rosy and said, "Oh come on mom. You really don't expect me to believe that Luke was unhappy that I wasn't there."
"He surely was," Lorelei replied with a frown, "At least I think so, and Patty gave him a look too so I think she's with me."
"Whatever," Rory said trying to show how much that statement did not effect her. When in reality her stomach was now tied in knots and the only thing running through her mind was, "Luke's worried about me. Luke's worried about me."
When they finished breakfast Lorelei said that she was going to Sookies. Rory nodded and said she was going for a walk. Lorelei eyed her daughter and shrugged. It wasn't like she was lying. After all she was going to walk…right into Luke's dinner. Lorelei frowned again and wondered why Rory would lie.
Rory shuffled her feet all the way to the dinner. She felt guilty for lying to her mother, yet she knew she had to cover her tracks, badly. She already felt like she was giving herself away. She bumped into someone and without seeing who it was she mumbled,
" Sorry," She walked pasted the guy only to be stopped by his voice, "Rory?"
It was Dean.
Straightening she turned around and said, "Hey Dean. What are you up to?'
"I just wanted to see you," Dean began but Rory held up her hand and said, "I'm really sorry about last night Dean. I freaked. I am very grateful that you love me, and I should have thanked you."
"But?" Dean asked cocking his eyebrow. He had intended to give Rory another chance; after all he felt that he had pushed her.
"But I do not love you the way you love me," Rory finished, "It would be unfair to you if we were to get back together."
Dean hung his head. They were silent and Rory began to grow uncomfortable. She just wanted to see Luke, maybe even convince him to let her organize his shelves or something. Organizing something always made her feel better.
"Why not?" Dean asked, not making eye contact "Is there someone else?"
Rory thought about lying. Telling him there wasn't, but she couldn't do that to him. Taking a deep breath she said, "There is, and I'll only ever love the guy that makes me forget about him."
Or Luke himself. Rory thought inside her heart.
Dean nodded and said, "Well…I got to go. See ya around." Rory watched as Dean walked away, hand's shoved in his pockets, shoulders slumped. Rory felt her eyes go misty and she made her way to Luke's. She needed him now more then ever.
Luke looked up when the door chimed. He was still disturbed from this morning, but that feeling left once he laid eyes on Rory Gilmore. She looked lovely. Not as put together as she normally was. She had a bit of a lazy air about her. Her hair fell around her shoulders; she wore sweats and a baggy Harvard shirt with purple sneakers. Luke thought the look suited her. She looked sad.
Rory walked up to the counter and sat down; giving him her hundred-watt grin. Luke grinned back and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Okay," Rory replied with a sigh, "I saw Dean right before I came here."
"Oh," Luke said starting to clean the counter. He really did not like that guy.
"He seemed sad," Rory shook her head and said, "He'll get over it. I just don't want him to hurt more then necessary."
Luke smiled at her and asked, "Coffee?"
"Please," Rory said with a twinkle in her eye.
Luke gave her a resigned smile and poured the coffee.
"How are you?" Rory asked as she watched him pour. He really was sexy when he poured coffee. It made her tingle.
"Fine," Luke replied with a warm smile. Patty and Babette were giving Luke a weird sort of look, but he never noticed.
"If your definition of fine is scaring your patrons to death because your favorite customer wasn't here," Rory replied with a smirk on her face. Luke growled, "Your mother sure has a big mouth."
"The biggest," Rory agreed sagely. She sat her cup down and grabbed his hand. Luke looked her in the eye and she said, "But I think it was sweet that you were worried about me." Luke blushed a bright red and gave her his best smile. He was on cloud nine.
Rory's grin widened and she said, "I made you blush. I feel powerful."
Luke growled again and shoved a doughnut at her. She smiled and took a bite, then a sip of her coffee. At that moment Luke happened to turn back around to face her and almost dropped the coffee pot that he was holding. She looked incredibility sexy drinking that cup of coffee. She was glancing at the doughnut as she took a sip, her eyes were twinkling, and she had a very sweet smile gracing her lips. Due to the steam from the cup her face had a smoky sheen to it. She sighed when she sat the cup back down. Like there was nothing more pleasing in the world then that cup of coffee. It was incredibility erotic. Luke's blood was boiling. She smiled at him and said, "What's up?'
"Nothing," Luke replied almost faintly, and Rory frowned. There was a bit of coffee dribbling down her chin and Luke had the almost painful urge to lick it off, coffee or not. Still looking floored, Luke said, "I forgot something…" He ran up the stairs to the safety of his apartment. Luke slammed the door and violently locked it, then backed away from it.
Oh. My. GOD!
That's all his mind could scream as he paced the length of his kitchen. He was a sick, dirty, little man. A very dirty, dirty, dirty man for thinking inappropriate thoughts about that beautiful and innocent creature sitting in his dinner. That creature who wasn't even legal. Hell she was still a child, and he was thinking dirty thoughts about her.
Oh. Good. LORD!
Luke was starting to panic at that point, but he stopped himself. It was probably a fluke. He wasn't the type of man to prey on innocent schoolgirls. No! He would go downstairs and get a grip. He was probably just tired; he didn't sleep well the night before. His subconscious screamed Rory's name as the reason but with a mighty force of will he shut that thought down and calmly came back to the dinner. He smiled at Rory and said, "Sorry, I forgot I left the water on."
"That's alright," Rory replied with a bright, innocent smile. They were silent for some time. Luke counted his money, and wrote some things down. Rory just ate her doughnut and drank her coffee, slowly. It didn't help that her attention was not really on it. She was far more interested in the man that gave them to her.
Her eyes traveled up and down his form lingering on his strong arms, his broad shoulders, and his stubbly face. She did not understand why her mother hated his stubble. She thought it was endearing and yearned for the feel of his beard on her lips. Neither really noticed Patty and Babette in the corner, completely shocked at the story that was opening up before them. Babette looked at Patty, and Patty looked at Babette. Neither could say a word. Finally they stood up, silently paid their checks, and left the dinner. Rory vaguely wondered why they were so silent. Luke was just glad they didn't tease him about Lorelei. Not with Rory so close, that would feel wrong.
He almost groaned in frustration. He thought he had convinced himself out of the particular emotion.
Damn it!
Luke looked at Rory who was beginning to get a glazed expression. Finally he said, "Uh…Rory?" Rory jumped and blushed a deep red. Luke found that he enjoyed that blush. It was the cutest thing.
Don't think like that!
"Sorry," Rory said not looking at Luke, "Went into my own little world for a moment." She blushed violently again and stared at her empty coffee cup. Luke saw her look at it and filled it up. Silently glad that it was nice and hot. If he were lucky he'd get to see the steam on her face again. He wasn't lucky, and for that he found himself grateful.
"Luke can I ask you a question?" Rory asked with a sigh.
"Sure," Luke replied with a little grin, "Even if you have already asked me one."
Rory giggled as he leaned on the counter, closer to her. She found that his aftershave was intoxicating.
"Well…I was wondering if you needed anything organized," Rory replied. At Luke's puzzled look she said, "Organizing things helps me get my mind of my troubles."
At Luke's amused grin she said, "Yes I know it's weird. Mom has already informed me of that."
"It's no weirder then watching soup operas when your board," Luke said with out thinking. Rory's jaw dropped and an evil twinkle invaded her beautiful eyes. Luke panicked, "Don't you dare tell your mother."
"But…" Rory began up Luke growled a stern, "Don't even think about it."
Rory smiled at him softly and said, "Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank-you," Luke replied looking sheepish. Luke looked around and said, "Now…if you want to organize the back room…I might let you."
"Thanks Luke," Rory squealed. Luke smiled and motioned for her to follow him to the back room. He tired not to think about what he could do to her alone, in that very room.
After three hours of cataloging Rory was reasonably sure she had everything down, but she would need at least another day to recheck herself. She had told Luke, but he just smiled and shrugged, "It'll be perfect when you're done." The way he had smiled at her had made Rory's legs weak.
Now she was sitting in front of the counter eating a hamburger when Lorelei and Sookie came in.
"Hey Rory," Lorelei said kissing her daughter on the forehead, "what have you been doing?'
"Organizing Luke's storage room," Rory replied like it was no big deal, but Lorelei and Sookie just stared at her.
"You want more coffee Rory?" Luke asked. Rory and Luke had been the only two in the dinner, so he was a little startled when he saw Lorelei and Sookie, and more then disappointed. They were having a spirited discussion about how Bram Stokers Dracula had been raped by the movie. Rory had been all excited when he had told her he was something of a book addict. It was something he had learned to control over the years. He no longer needed to carry one around with him, but he always had a book lying around, waiting for him to become board.
"You are offering Rory coffee?" Lorelei asked in mock horror, "Is the world coming to an end."
"I owe her for the back room," Luke grumbled, "She won't let me pay her."
"Hey," Rory said with a sigh, "We are not getting into this again. You are a friend. Friend's help friends. Remember that's why you fix the house all the time, even without our asking?"
Luke gave Rory a sour look, but kept his thoughts to his self. No, he fixed Lorelei's house because he didn't want Rory living in a shack.
Sookie frowned and looked between Rory and Luke. They were acting so…at ease around each other. She had never seen that before. She noticed Lorelei was frowning too.
"So that's all you've been doing?" Lorelei asked looking between the two.
"Yep," Rory replied with a sigh, "I just needed something to get my troubles off of my mind, and walking wasn't helping. I ran into Dean."
Yes, make this about Dean so Lorelei can't see how totally into Luke you are.
Sometimes she really hated her inner voice.
"Do you want to go shopping with Sookie and I?" Lorelei asked a little energetically.
"Not really," Rory replied, "I thought about catching up on some homework." Looking at Luke she asked, "You wouldn't mind if I spread out my stuff here would you?"
Luke looked taken aback for a moment, but finally swallowed the lump in his throat and said, "No go ahead. It's just you'll have to go upstairs when the dinner rush hits," A wicked grin spread across Luke's face and he said, "I'll have no room for the customers with the amount of homework you'll have spread about."
Rory stuck her tongue out at him and said, "That is very funny." She finished her burger and went to pay Luke when he said polity, "Your money's not good here."
"Luke…" Rory warned, but he just smiled and shook his head; ignoring her as he walked into the kitchen. Rory growled in her throat, but put her money up. Looking at Lorelei she said, "I hate it when he does that."
Lorelei nodded and said, "Come on. Let's get your stuff. I'll help you drag it down here." Once they were out of sight of the dinner though Lorelei stopped Rory and said, "What in the hell was that?"
"What was what?" Rory asked all innocence. Had she been obvious?
"You want to study at Luke's?" Lorelei asked puzzled.
"Sure why not?" Rory asked, "I used to all the time when I went to school here."
"Yeah, but that was only for the food," Lorelei began as they began to walk to their house. Sookie was really quiet.
"It just wasn't for the food mom," Rory replied with a sigh, "I like spending time with Luke. I didn't know how much I missed just hanging around the dinner until last night." Lorelei looked puzzled so Rory elaborated, "Where was the one place Lane and I hung out all the time when we were younger?"
"Luke's," Lorelei replied, "It used to drive him crazy."
"Yea," Rory replied with a fond smile, "That's what he would say, but when Lane would leave and I would start to finish up my homework. He would always give me a free cup of coffee, and then he would sit down and talk about my day. I always enjoyed that."
Lorelei didn't say anything, but she was a little shocked about how much she didn't know about Luke and Rory's relationship.
"Then he would help me with my homework, whenever he could," Rory replied, "He was always good at history," She gave Lorelei a smile and said, "He had all of these tricks on how to remember the different people and events." Rory giggled as she remembered a funny story he had told her once pertaining to a historical event, "He really helped me get into it. Luke always seemed to just "know" history. It was cool"
Looking at Lorelei she said, "That's why I want to hang out there. I like spending time with him, and I'm having trouble focusing in my history class. Maybe Luke could help me out?"
Lorelei nodded and said, "I didn't know he was like that with you."
"Yeah," Rory replied her stomach doing flip-flops, "He was great."
"Almost like a dad," Lorelei supplied. Rory felt sick, and said faintly, "No not like a dad, like a friend."
Lorelei nodded and unlocked the front door. Sookie was still saying nothing. She was still puzzled about that look Luke had given Rory when he poured coffee into her coffee mug.
Luke watched as Rory hauled all of her school stuff into his dinner. She smiled faintly and watched as she put two tables together. Then Lorelei came up to the counter and ordered her and Sookie a coffee. He was pouring when Lorelei said, "She seems really attached to you."
"Huh?" Luke asked spilling a bit of coffee.
"Rory," Lorelei supplied, "I never knew she was so attached to you."
"I didn't know she was attached," Luke said cleaning up his mess.
"Well…yeah," Lorelei replied watching him clean. His face was unreadable, but Lorelei couldn't help but feel mother senses tingling. There was something going on.
"I'm glad she feels comfortable her," Luke said glancing over at Rory, "She's a good girl."
"Yeah," Lorelei said, "One of the best." They were silent as he put the two go lids on the cups. She paid him and he handed the cups to her. Looking at him she said, "You'll watch out for her? Make sure no body hurts her won't you?"
Luke ignored the lump in his throat. Lorelei didn't know his feelings, but he suspected that she might have a feeling, a feeling that she wanted him to refuse.
Smiling at her Luke said, "Don't worry. Rory's safe with me."
A relieved smile spread on Lorelei's face and she left with Sookie. Luke looked at Rory who had just started her homework when he bit back a groan. Grabbing a cup he poured her a cup of coffee and sat it down beside her. Looking at her he asked, "What are you studying?"
"History," Rory replied with a smile. Looking up at him she asked, "You want to help me dinner man?"
Luke smiled and nodded his head. He sat down next to her and they began discussing the French Revolution.
It was late when Luke began straightening the dinner up. Rory had spent the better part of the entire day with him and he felt happy. Like this life was going smoothly for once. He was just about to grab the broom when he heard the door jingle.
"We're closed!" Luke hollered, grabbing the broom and closing the closet door. He came back into the dining area and stopped dead in his tracks. The last person in the world he wanted to see right now was smiling at him.
"Rachel," Luke said in shock.
"Hey Danes," Rachel said dropping her bag, "Happy to see me?"
Luke held back a groan.
So what do you think? Hit the review button and tell me.
