I've been on a character anyalzing spree recently, don't know why. But Luke seemed like a good character to use, epsically pre-season five, end of season four Luke.

Hope you enjoy!

The Romeo Complex
"All I know is, that you make me happier then I ever thought I could be"
(Chandler, "Friends")

He had never met to fall in love. In his opinion, he'd been there, done it, and hated it ten times over. The whole idea of depending on another person, for feeling the same way about another person for all of eternity and then some seemed idiotic in every sense of the word. Then again, love itself was idiotic. And every person she touched, she turned into an even bigger fool then the last.

So he'd be Luke Danes, bachelor diner owner for life.

And that worked for him.

Then the hurricane that was Lorelai Gilmore stuck Stars Hallow, leaving behind in her wake an entire army of love-sick puppies. Not that she noticed. She was to busy doing everything else. She was in her own words: wonder woman. But he had seen through the chaos.

And kicked himself ten times more for even thinking he had a chance in hell.

Those first few lustful months are the hardest to look back on. While she ignored every other advance from the other hopefuls, she would come into his diner every day. Drink his coffee. Flirt like the madwoman that she was, and he'd flirt back just as carelessly. He thought he was special. That she actually saw him, not just the rough edges that every other girl managed to focus on.

But as it turns out she was looking to the coffeepot attached to his hand instead of him. He was her supplier, and she was the junkie. It was as simple as that. Black and White.

Once he'd figured that out, he flirted a little less, lost a little of his previous glow, and sank back into line as another one of her idiotic followers, coffee pot in hand. But at least he was near the top. He'd been there for awhile, and planned to be there awhile longer.

After that, men floated in and out of the top slot, leaving in their wake an ever worse-off Lorelai then before. And each time he had been there to pick up the pieces once again, then, when she was ready, she'd run off into the arms of the next awaiting loser, a cup of his specialty coffee in hand, only to come scampering back just a little more hurt.

And then, yet again, he'd pick up those pieces and put back together a slightly less wonder woman-like Lorelai. Never doing anything more or anything less. He had accepted this pattern of events a long time ago, and he knew better then to act.

Because, so far, besides Rory, he had been the only constant in her life. And maybe, someday, she'd stop looking every where else and start looking at what was right under her nose. Maybe.

And he was okay with that.

Please Review.