This is a quick fix for 'Double Date', episode 1x12. You can see Lorelai stewing over Luke saying he'd 'beat her ass in poker', instead of just asking her out in the diner at the end of the episode - but then nothing happens and I felt the need to mix it up a little. This is my first bit of writing which is why it's so short, so if you have any comments feel free to hit me with them!
As Rory ran out of the diner, she glanced over to see Luke sigh and walk away from her table.
Left alone to her thoughts, Lorelai looked over to the counter to watch him as he poured coffee for the last few customers left after the morning rush.
Was that what I think it was? Did Luke Danes just attempt to ask me out on a date?
The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Despite her constant stream of pop-culture references (that usually went over his head as far as she could tell), and her insistence on pushing every one of his buttons, Luke Danes had always been there for her. Whether it was dropping everything and closing the diner to drive her to the hospital to see her father, or even just simply keeping her company with a pack of cards on one of the worst dates she had experienced, he had always been there for her. And as much as she hated to admit it, this consistency was not something she often experienced with any kind of man in her life. So she decided to take a risk.
"You know, I think there is a very good chance that I would in fact beat your ass at poker, Luke", she said, sauntering up to the counter in an attempt to stay casual. He looked up from the papers he was now sorting with a curious expression on his face.
"You think so?" He replied, unsure of how best to respond.
"Yep. And I think we need to prove it because I will not be satisfied until I have in fact, beaten your ass in a game of poker."
They looked at each other for a moment, all awkwardness of the previous interaction gone as they started their usual back and forth.
"Fine. How about you come by the diner later for your dinner, and we'll see about that?"
"Oh you're on!" she said, backing away and heading towards the door. "Prepare to get you butt kicked!"
And with a last ring of the bells above the door she was gone, leaving him stood there with a smirk across his face.
Trust Lorelai to take matters into her own hands, he thought.
Later that evening, Lorelai rushed into the diner just as he was getting ready to close up.
"Luke I am so sorry, I got held up at the inn and there was this couple and they were fighting in the lobby and I had to break it up and then there was a leak in room 4, and the plumber wouldn't come out and I swear I was trying to get back in time for dinner because I didn't want you to think that I had forgotten about you and our date and -"
"Date?"
"Well, that's what I thought it was… was it not a date that we had agreed to?" When he didn't answer straight away, she started to lose her nerve, and began rambling again, "I mean that's what I thought but I know it seemed pretty casual so we can just forget I said anything -"
"Lorelai."
"- because I don't want to make it awkward between us I just thought -"
"Lorelai."
She took a deep breath, "Yes Luke?"
"I'm glad you said 'date' because, well, I was really hoping it was." He looked up at her, to see a smile slowly tugging at the corners of her mouth. "And to be honest if you didn't say it I don't think I would've had the guts to either, so you've done us both a favour really."
They stood there for a moment, smiling shyly at each other until he finally spoke again.
"So how about that game of poker then? Feeling brave enough to bet your coffee privileges on those skills of yours?"
