A/N: To the people who made my day: Thanks! / I get Luke, but Lorelai...oh man, let's just say that the reception b/w her brain & mine is somewhat fuzzy. I really appreciate the input though. / I hope I'm keeping your interest. / Hee! Crazy Stalker Man...funny! / Your wish is my command...sort of.

Disclaimer: I only desire to borrow the characters, not claim them.


3. Luke Danes: This is Your Life

"Luke!" Lorelai let out a desperate yell as she finally caught sight of the dark mare standing in a little clearing, sides heaving with exertion. "Luke? Where are you? Luke!" She brought her own horse to an abrupt stop and quickly slid from the saddle. Her pace quickened to a run when she spotted a flash of flannel lying on the ground not far from the horse's feet. "Oh my god, Luke! Are you okay?"

"Lorelai?" Her steps faltered slightly as she sent a silent thank-you to whoever or whatever had listened to her pleas. Luke was laying spread eagle on the ground with his eyes tightly closed, but he appeared to be completely intact.

"Luke! What happened?" Her voice contained a mixture of fear and amazement. He'd put on quite the performance for her with his wild horseback riding skills.

Daring to open his eyes for the first time since his ordeal began, he was surprised to find himself staring directly into her wide, blue eyes. Her beautiful, expressive, clear blue eyes, which he'd been avoiding looking into for years.

"Luke?" The look of concern in her eyes deepened. He seemed okay, but what if he'd hit his head or worse?

"I'm..." He struggled to sit up in the tall grass. "I'm fine."

"Whoa there buddy! Not so fast!" She pushed him gently to the ground. "You fell off a horse and I'm not letting you move until I know you're okay."

He gave her a puzzled look. "I didn't fall off."

"You're sprawled on the ground beside the horse, Luke. I think you fell off."

Shaking off the hand that was trying to restrain him, he sat up quickly. "I did not fall off the damn horse. I got off it when it finally decided to stop its mad rush through the countryside."

"But Luke, the ground..."

He returned her query with an icy glare and repeated, "I did not fall off."

Relief washed over her features. "So, you're okay then?"

"I'm okay in terms of not falling off the horse, if that's what you're asking."

"O-kay. Got it. So, um... Need a hand up?" She stood and stuck her arm out towards him.

He hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether to let her help him or not. Finally, he took the proffered hand and rose to his feet. "Uh, thanks."

She smiled shyly and then took a step back, crossing her arms. "Now that I know you're okay, would you mind telling me what you thought you were doing back there? You could've hurt a very expensive animal with all that stunt riding! And I thought you said you've never ridden a horse before? I mean, do Barnum and Bailey know about you? I think they're missing a star bareback rider!"

"What do you mean, what was I doing? That horse could've killed me! You said its name is Desdemona? Demonic would be better!"

"You mean you..."

"It just took off! One moment I was sitting there watching you ride away and the next, the scenery is flashing by and I'm flying over fences and small streams. Do you know that I was almost decapitated by a branch on that detour through the forest? What was I doing? What the hell were you doing putting me on a horse like that! I saw my life flash before my eyes, and let me tell you, it's not something I really wanted to relive in the first place!"

"Oh Luke!" She laughed, breaking through his increasingly irate rant. "You mean you didn't do that on purpose? Oh man, when I saw you take off like that I thought you must've been lying to me about not knowing how to ride." She gasped and then quickly covered her mouth, seeing the black look on his face. Struggling for control, she took a step towards him and looked straight into his eyes. "I am so, so sorry for this. I would've never put you on that horse if I thought... Cletus seemed to be the skittish horse and.... I'm sorry."

His dark expression didn't change with her apology and he turned and stalked away, only to stop when he came nose to nose with his new nemesis, who snorted and tossed her head in response to his presence. Quickly, Luke retreated to Lorelai's side. "I am never getting on another horse again." With that he crossed his arms and sat down on a nearby log.

Thinking better of mentioning that they still needed the horses to get back to the inn, she sighed and sat down beside him. She appeared deep in thought for a moment, but then her whole face brightened. Turning toward him, she cocked her head and asked, "So...um...what's for lunch?" At his sour look, she giggled and went off in search of the picnic basket.