Chapter 1 Top of the Tower
A/N: Somewhere in the neighborhood of Season 4, no Jason, no Nicole, just a mysterious handsome stranger.
He shifted nonchalantly from his right to his left foot as he stood near the window, glancing down at his paper occasionally, skimming the headlines. His lithe muscular body was enhanced by the expensive suit he wore, the fine, soft wool outlining his long legs when he leaned back against the door frame. Scanning the room one more time looking for an empty seat, he dropped his eyes to his paper again as the lascivious stare of the woman made him uncomfortable. How could she be so patently obvious when she's sitting at the same table as a rabbi and a preacher?
The diner was slammed as usual during the lunch hour. In addition to the man waiting for a spot at one of the tables, there were several groups of four and five waiting, blocking the view of Stars Hollow out the large store windows. It being November, blustery and cold, there wasn't much of a view anyway. Thanksgiving was already a memory.
Miss Patty had stretched her salad, oil and vinegar on the side, as long as possible, first exchanging chitchat with the town's religious leaders, then catching up with Lorelai when she joined them at the table. Now she was literally clutching at the straw of her iced tea so she could keep enjoying the eye candy standing less than six feet away from their table.
"Lorelai, honey," she whispered, "I'm going to send a little hot stuff your way. You can thank me later."
Miss Patty stood up just as Luke brought Lorelai's lunch to the table. Patty handed him her check and the money, saying, "Here you go, honey," and walked past him without trying to pinch his butt.
Luke, always prepared to be fast on his feet when it came to Patty, furrowed his eyebrows briefly at her unusual behavior.
"Bye, Patty," he said with a touch of confusion in his voice as he picked up her dishes and cleaned her space at the table quickly but thoroughly.
Turning back to Lorelai, he gave her his usual half-smile, said, "Enjoy your lunch," rapped his knuckles on the table near her and went back to work.
The tall man at the door took Patty's advice when she pointed out the empty chair next to Lorelai.
"Do you mind?" he asked the three sitting at the table.
"No, not at all, please join us. We love to meet new people," said Rabbi David Barans.
"We met already," said Reverend Archie Skinner, shaking the man's hand. "Mr. Gibson, isn't it?"
"Daniel Gibson," he replied, looking at all three.
Lorelai smiled at him, saying simply, "Hello." Instantly attracted to him, his whole GQ-ed body exuded something. Not just a scent, but also a vibe, of masculinity and strength. A 'scibe,' that's what he's got. Daniel Gibson, the man with a scibe.
"How is that house working out for you?" asked Archie.
Daniel looked at David and Lorelai, then said, "I've rented a house over on Mountainview Road," he said. "I'm thinking about moving here permanently."
Luke appeared at that moment. "Do you know what you want?" he asked curtly, with a glance at the other three. He didn't miss Lorelai's eyes on the newcomer. To him at least, it was obvious that she was attracted to the guy. He closed his eyes momentarily, steeling himself for another round of Lorelai's boyfriend hamster wheel. The rounds he hated the most were the ones that he had to watch here in the diner. He knew he was going to hate this one before it even started.
"Oh, sorry," Luke said, having missed both the guy's and Lorelai's comments. Daniel placed his order; Luke ignored further comments from Lorelai and disappeared as quickly as possible into the kitchen.
"Huh," said Lorelai, wondering briefly why Luke was so surly, then forgot him instantly as she turned back to Daniel.
"So you're the latest inmate in Stars Hollow," she confirmed. "Welcome to the sanitarium."
"Welcome to where time stands still?" he responded.
"A Metallica fan!" She grinned at him and he flashed his pearly whites right back at her. "No one leaves and no one will. The perfect description of Stars Hollow."
David and Archie rolled their eyes at each other, choosing to not enter into a debate about Metallica and metal music in general. They left Daniel and Lorelai alone at the table, as Lane brought Daniel's food to him.
Lorelai turned the best of her flirts and smiles on Daniel, getting intelligent and witty responses. She was an extraordinarily attractive woman, he thought, it was beginning to look like Stars Hollow was going to be very good for him.
"You're seriously going to commute to Hartford from here?" she asked. "What's the draw, beyond the craziness? Crazy is something we excel at here."
"I've never been a city guy," said Daniel, "and I'm thinking it's time I settled down and built as happy a private life as I've created a good business."
"You built your own business? Doing what?" She was fascinated by his brown eyes and he liked her baby blues. She leaned forward, almost but deliberately not quite touching his designer wool suit.
"I'm an architectural consultant," he said. "I make reviews of designs, and help the architects improve the buildings. It's a lot more fun than working on just one project. I love seeing many projects built around the world and knowing that I was able to help make them better."
"Not too many of those projects around here," she smirked, "although I've got a house that could use some help." She closed the small distance, laying her fingers on his arm.
Lane's ears pricked at Lorelai's words. She scoffed inwardly. Lorelai had no clue how cruel this would be if Luke stepped back into the room. This guy, this 'suit,' looked remarkably like Luke Danes. Similar height, similar build, although Daniel had narrower shoulders, but they had the same dark coloring. The brown eyes were the only difference at first glance. No wonder Luke had disappeared first into the kitchen, then upstairs after the lunch rush had settled down. Lorelai, who never missed a chance to throw a quip or tease Luke, had missed the whole event.
Lorelai continued, "So you still haven't confessed what made you choose Stars Hollow," she flirted. "Our festivals. It must be our festivals. Our party punch really packs a punch."
"You know, Lorelai, the city isn't a place to raise a family. Stars Hollow is. Since I'm not getting any younger, I figured I'd better find a place to settle down while I look for the right partner."
"So you're not attached? No girlfriend?" This is looking more promising all the time.
"Nope. Broke up from a pretty serious relationship a couple of years ago, and I've been dating since then, but there's too much society bull going on in Hartford. I hate that stuff."
"God, yes. I left Hartford years ago and settled here. I love it; this will always be my true home. The people here may be quirky, but they're real. Always willing to help out a neighbor."
He sighed. "You're going to think this is goofy coming from a grown man, but I want the whole package: home, wife, kids, something to really build a future on."
"No, not at all. It's hard for anyone to find that," she commiserated. "I know from experience. That's why I ended up raising my daughter all by myself. I couldn't risk bringing the wrong guy into that relationship."
"You have a daughter? Is she at school?" Daniel asked.
"She's at Yale," said Lorelai proudly.
"Wow. That's impressive. Looks like it worked out for you."
"It did, especially with the help of the people here. Miss Patty, the teachers, my neighbor Babette, my best friend Sookie. If you're a single parent, having a village to help raise your child is a godsend."
Lane had to resist both face palming and the urge to rush over to their table to remind Lorelai about all that Luke had done for her. This moment, this one conversation in which she completely ignored the countless things Luke had done for her, was the worst that Lane had ever seen her treat Luke. A quick scan of the room showed that a couple of other townies had heard the same things. At least Luke was still upstairs and would be spared the worst of her behavior.
Daniel looked at his watch. "Lorelai, I'm really enjoying this conversation, but I have an appointment before I leave for Hartford. Would you be interested in dinner tonight?"
"Sounds great!"
"OK, I keep a table reserved at the Top of the Tower in Hartford for business, but we could eat there if you like," he said, as he paid Lane for his lunch.
"I'd love it. It's supposed to be a great restaurant. It will give me a chance to compare it to the restaurant I'm going to open in the inn I'm building."
"Seriously? You're building your own inn? That's ambitious," he commented. He handed her his business card after adding his cell phone to the back. "If 9.30's OK with you, I need to get some work done at the office because of the paperwork I'm doing for my rental."
"Sure," she grinned. "I'm a night owl."
"Good," said Daniel. "See you then. The reservation is in my name, so they'll seat you as soon as you arrive. Feel free to order a drink if I'm not there before you."
"Great, Daniel, I'll see you then." She walked him to the door as if she owned the place, then waved goodbye as he headed to Taylor's to sign the lease for his house.
"Lorelai, that was really bad," blurted Lane. "How could you do that?"
"Do what? Get a date with a great guy? Apparently pretty easy," she preened.
"No, I mean treat Luke like that. That was just mean."
"I didn't do anything to Luke!" Lorelai protested. "He wasn't even here."
Lane gave into the face palm at that comment.
"He was here, Lorelai. He served you, watched you come on hard to that guy while you completely ignored him. Then you dissed him behind his back when you talked about all the people who helped you raise Rory, but didn't even mention him. Remember, I was there by Rory's side! I know how much he did for you."
"Oh, Luke never notices those things. Anyway, he knows we're best friends. He knows how much I appreciate what he does for me," she said dismissively.
"That guy was Luke in a suit, Lorelai. He looked like him, he built his own business, he's doing what he loves, the only difference is Luke loves you!" Lane hissed the last part, hoping no one else was listening, even though Luke's feelings were an open town secret.
Lane began wiping the countertop, with the dawning realization why Luke wiped it so much. Better a clean counter than exploding in frustration.
But Lane didn't have Luke's discipline, so she began again, this time more calm and deliberate. "Lorelai, I know that Luke is your best friend. But are you his? Have you ever even thought about that?"
"That's not …" began Lorelai before Lane practically face palmed her to stop her talking.
"I don't want to hear it. We've heard it all before, you've denied it all before. I'm done." Lane turned away.
"Well, at least say goodbye to Luke for me!" cried Lorelai, rapidly building her wall of denial inside her head.
"Why? You can't say goodbye yourself?" asked Luke as he came through the curtain.
Lorelai flushed red, then stammered, "I, uh, um, …" Catching herself, she quipped, "No, I'm a helpless kitten with no voice. I need someone to say goodbye for me!" She batted her eyes at him. "Could you say goodbye to Luke for me?"
Lane's jaw dropped in astonishment. Lorelai's tactless and inconsiderate behavior knew no bounds. She stalked off to the kitchen.
Luke smirked mirthlessly. "I'll do that the next time I see him," he said dryly, as Lorelai gratefully escaped the truth once more.
For once, Lorelai was early for her date. It wasn't that she was all excitedly in love and couldn't wait to see him, although he was hands down the most handsome guy she'd ever dated. Rather, it was the fact that she couldn't stay at home a moment longer.
Lane's words haunted her.
She toyed with her martini glass as she stared out the window, watching the view change as the restaurant rotated slowly. She could see the various roads leading out of Hartford, and once every few minutes, the road to Stars Hollow appeared, resetting her thoughts again.
Of course she was Luke's best friend. Wasn't she there for his uncle's funeral? Didn't she offer advice on raising Jess until she told Luke to go to Hell? Didn't she … Suddenly her list ran out. No, wait! She shopped for him. That counts, doesn't it? No, probably not, since he didn't want the things she bought for him, and it was all on his own credit card anyway.
A list was needed, a two-column list. On the left, the things I've done for my best friend Luke, and on the right the things Luke has done for her. The list on the right was getting long as she sat there thinking of all the things Luke had done for her, while the other side stayed pitifully short.
The denial machine was just starting up inside Lorelai's brain when Daniel arrived, five minutes before the appointed time. He smiled broadly, taking her hand and holding more than shaking it, while he looked in to her eyes.
"It's nice to see you again, Lorelai. I'm glad you could come," he said warmly.
He picked up seamlessly from their lunch conversation as he drew Lorelai out to talk about her inn, her plans for the future, and her daughter.
When the conversation shifted from her life to his, she had a chance to really look at Daniel. He was very handsome, with his wide smile and perfect teeth. He had slightly more hair than Luke, but smaller shoulders and a lighter build. Where Luke's hands were large with amazingly beautiful slender fingers, Daniel's were smaller and his fingers were almost stubby.
There was really no comparison when it came to the eyes, though, Luke's had a light inside them that even an enthusiastically talking Daniel couldn't match. Daniel looked at her, but Luke SAW her. Must be blue eyes, they're always prettier than brown eyes. That's all that it is. Lorelai picked up that brick and mortared it into her denial wall.
Over coffee and cognac, they began testing the relationship waters. Daniel's previous relationship had come to the edge of getting engaged, but she backed out, deciding to move to Washington state and live in Seattle.
"What about you, Lorelai? Ever get close?" he asked as he placed his hand over hers.
The extra Martini and the cognac was working its magic on Lorelai as she stared at Daniel's fingers resting on her own, giving in to the memory of the last time Luke had her hand in his. Fighting over the coffee pot, as usual, she remembered the warmth as his admittedly beautiful fingers pried hers off the handle. She shook her head to bring herself back to the moment.
"I got within spitting distance," she said. "Three days before the wedding."
"What happened?"
Pulling her fingers out of Daniel's gentle grasp, Lorelai had the good grace to look a little ashamed. "I recognized very late that I was in love with the idea of getting married, but not in love with the guy." She took another swallow of cognac.
"God, that must have been hard for you," he said soothingly.
"He was pretty forgiving, too, and I'm grateful for that," she admitted. "Also that my friend Sookie was doing the catering. Instead of the wedding, we just had a big party in the town square."
Daniel's eyes widened and he took the opportunity to drain his cognac glass.
"You were going to marry the teacher?" he asked suddenly.
"Max? Yes, Max is a teacher, and we were going to get married." Lorelai looked at Daniel, a little perplexed. "What's the matter?"
"You're the man-eater," he mouthed the words slowly as if he needed to burn them into his brain.
Lorelai gasped. "M- m- man-eater? What do you mean?"
Daniel laughed nervously. As a chill came over the table, Lorelai shivered. "What's going on, Daniel?"
"They warned me about you," he said.
"Who?! Who warned you? What did they say?"
Daniel scratched his head, then decided that the cold hard truth would be his easiest way out.
"Several different people told stories about you. Apparently you have a nickname."
"Man-eater? My nickname is Man-eater? Oh my God, I thought people liked me!"
"They do, at least some of them do. Miss Patty, the bookstore guy, the guy who seems to work in every business, lots of people like you."
"Well then, who calls me a man-eater?" Her face grew angry, each moment increasing Daniel's belief that she could indeed be a man-eater.
"Other people, like the people I ran into in the stores and offices."
"Taylor?" growled Lorelai.
"Taylor knew about the nickname, but he was too polite to actually use it in reference to you."
"Why would anyone call me that?"
"Yeah, it was kind of odd. Lots of people seem to have heard about your, er, exploits."
"My EXPLOITS? Name one."
"Well, you're known as the girl who can shoot down a guy's come-on line in 30 seconds or less."
"That's not enough to earn me the title of man-eater."
"Well there's the manipulating you do to get special benefits, like at the pizza parlor, or the shoe repair. Then there's the dry cleaners and the garden shop, and something about a basket auction."
"Oh come on," she scoffed. "A little flirting helps grease the skids."
"Sure," agreed Daniel, "but not everyone all the time."
"I thought people realized I was just being cute," she said miserably.
"Cute's good once in a while, but all the time is manipulative." Daniel looked at her critically, then went for broke. "And then there's the guy."
Lorelai sighed. "OK, kill me now. Which guy? When? What did I do?"
"The most colorful phrase anyone used was 'she's devouring him, heart and soul, one bite at a time.'" He watched her color rise and hoped she would contain herself here. He'd hate to lose his standing reservation over a single date.
"Keep talking," she said cautiously, although she knew what was coming. Luke.
"I think I heard the most stories about him. Something about repairs, and that basket auction, and a fight about his nephew. Did you know he's in love with you?"
"That's what they tell me," she said, "but he's never said anything."
"Are you sure?" asked Daniel kindly. "There were several people claiming to be eyewitnesses to one thing or another."
"I don't know, Daniel, I just don't know. He never asked me out like you did this afternoon."
"Some guys show their love with actions instead of words. By the way, what's a chuppah?" Daniel asked.
"It's a thing he made for me, for my wedding. It's kind of an arch. He carved it by hand and decorated it with a goat," said Lorelai sadly.
"For your marriage to another man? Wow, he really is in love with you."
Lorelai stared at the dregs in her coffee cup before raising her eyes to look at Daniel. Tearfully, she said, "I think I'd better go now." She began gathering her things.
"Aw, Lorelai. You do know you can change your reputation, right? Make things right with this guy, that's all it will take. If he really loves you, it may even turn out for the best."
"I don't know if he'll be able to forgive me," she sniffed, angrily wiping away the only tear that escaped.
"At least you will have tried," consoled Daniel. "Make sure you look at his actions as well as listen to his words. I think you'll be surprised."
He stood up and hugged her before she left the restaurant. He returned to his seat and ordered another cognac, making a mental note to take advantage of the three-day waiting period written into his house rental contract. Maybe Litchfield would be a better place, he pondered.
The Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman rolled on the screen inside Lorelai's head as she slept. The only changes were she was the fifty foot woman and instead of getting revenge on a cheating husband, she was plunging her hand into innocent men's hearts and feasting on them, laughing insanely the whole time.
++++ end chapter 1
