Sorry for the delay folks, real life is finally settling down. I should be on a good writing schedule from here on out. I'd better: folks are beginning to pester me about the second Stars Hollow Trivia story! I have to finish this one first so hang tight folks! I'm getting there.
Feedback was interesting on the last chapter. Hopefully you will like this one too.
Reviews please only if you are so inclined. You guys know the drill—if you feel strongly enough about it, good or bad, let me know! They are also an inspiration for me to write and post faster!
The Dating Game
"Emily, we need to talk," Richard said striding into the bedroom after his wife. "What you did to Lorelai and Luke tonight was downright vindictive and malicious. You blindsided all three of them with this little stunt. What were you thinking?"
"Richard," Emily turned on her husband. "That man made her miserable when they were together. He has caused her enough pain. I will not allow Lorelai to go through that again."
"Emily," Richard said patiently, "don't you think they are aware of their issues and can work them out by themselves? I am sure we don't know the whole story of what happened between them."
"I know enough," Emily sniffed. "That justifies my intervention."
Richard gave her a pointed look. "Somehow I'm pretty sure they don't see it that way."
"Richard, he is not good enough for her. You said it yourself when they first began dating years ago."
"That may be the case," Richard admitted, "but regardless of our feelings, Lorelai loves him. Surely that is apparent to you."
"Her feelings can change with the proper persuasion," Emily said decisively.
Richard shook his head. "Emily, you're not listening to me. Are you forgetting what happened the last time you tried to break them up? Lorelai will cut us out of her life again. Do you want that?"
"Of course, I don't want that. I only want what's best for her."
"Who is to say that Luke is not the best thing for her? You thought she would be happy married to Christopher but the marriage immediately collapsed."
"And I believe Luke was responsible for that as well." Emily accused.
"Well it's apparent that even Christopher knows he and Lorelai are not meant to be together," Richard observed.
"Christopher is weak but I am sure I can find some else more suitable for Lorelai with a good social standing."
Richard held up his hand "Emily stop this now I beg you. If you don't you run the risk of losing both Lorelai and Rory." Emily was about to speak when he forestalled her. "I suggest you bide your time. Lorelai and Luke have had a tempestuous relationship in the past. They could break up again."
"And if they don't?"
"Then Emily," Richard conceded, "as long as she is happy, we'll just have to live with it."
"I can't do that Richard," Emily declared. "There is nothing that man can do to get me to accept him."
Richard sighed and shook his head sadly as he watched his wife prepare for bed. There was no stopping Emily when she got like this.
When Lorelai's cell phone rang on the ride home, she didn't need to look at the caller id to know it was Rory. "Hi hon," she greeted her daughter.
"What the heck happened at dinner tonight?" Rory asked without preamble. "Why was Dad there?"
"Your grandmother is testing her new boundaries now that I am coming to Friday night dinner without the Rory buffer," Lorelai replied tiredly.
"How is Luke?" Rory queried.
Lorelai looked over at him. He gave her a quick sidelong glance before looking back at the road. She noted he was still tense.
"Shell-shocked," Lorelai answered truthfully. "He went above and beyond the call of duty tonight," she said with admiration in her voice as she reached over and patted his hand. "And I am never going to subject him to that again," Lorelai vowed.
"I'm not going to call next Friday," Rory stated throwing in her support. "As much as I love Grandma and Grandpa, I want to send them a message. They can't treat Luke this way. You either. This has been going on for too long and it has to stop."
"Hon," Lorelai argued gently, "I appreciate the show of solidarity but you love your grandparents. I don't want my issues to jeopardize your relationship with them. They do love you and miss you terribly. Call them next Friday. I won't be there but you can still talk to them."
"No," Luke said firmly.
"What?" Lorelai asked, lowering the phone.
"I want you to keep going to Friday night dinner," Luke said, his eyes still glued to the road. "You keep going to dinner. Rory keeps calling on Friday nights."
"Mom?" Rory asked confused. Lorelai knew she had overheard what Luke said.
"Luke?" Lorelai's brow was knit in bewilderment. "Why on earth would I keep going after what happened tonight? Emily is in rare form. There is no telling what tricks she has up her sleeve."
"You said it yourself: you have grown accustomed to them being back in your life," Luke replied. "Rory has a good relationship with them. I don't want to be the cause of any rift between you. We'll get through this."
"But Luke," Lorelai argued, "I can't let my mother treat you that way. You are too important to me."
Luke smiled and reached over to squeeze her hand. "You're important to me too," he responded. "But I can't let you cut your parents out of your life until we have done everything we can to convince them that we are meant to be together. Please don't give up on them yet?" he pleaded. "Either of you? For me?"
Lorelai stared at his profile trying to fathom why he was being so generous to her parents when she knew they would not be so to him. It made no sense to her but there was no denying that he was dead serious about this. Lorelai knew him well enough to know that.
After a minute, Lorelai let out an exaggerated breath. "Fine," she conceded, "but you will let me in on the plan here? I gotta admit you've got me totally confused."
"And how is that different from how you are normally?" he countered, deflecting her question.
"Hey!" Lorelai remonstrated as she swatted him on the arm.
"Just kidding," Luke held up a hand in surrender. His tone grew serious, "Please just don't give up on them yet, either of you."
Lorelai put the phone back up to her ear. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes," Rory affirmed, "but I still don't get it."
"That makes two of us," Lorelai said.
The next several days passed smoothly. Though they both were extremely busy, Luke and Lorelai were able to find the time to have a couple of quiet dinners away from the prying eyes of Stars Hollow and even managed to squeeze in another movie. They talked easily with each other and grew even more comfortable, enjoying each other's company. Both of them knew eventually they would make that final leap and become lovers once again. It was only a matter of time, but for now, they were content to take things slow and wait until the time was right.
Lorelai had finished her burger and was fidgeting on her stool waiting for Luke while he wrote out a delivery order. The diner was completely empty.
"C'mon, we'll be late for the town meeting," she urged.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Luke replied.
"Says the man who called an emergency town meeting himself just a couple of weeks ago," she pointed out. "I already heard from Sookie how you ran the meeting, overruled Taylor's objections and bent the town rules to throw Rory's party."
"Any day I can stick it to Taylor is a good day," Luke commented.
"Admit it, you enjoyed it."
"I admit nothing," he stated but Lorelai was sure she saw a glint of amusement in his eyes. He put the order in a drawer. "Fine, let's go."
Luke followed her out, locking the door behind him and they headed towards Miss Patty's studio. Without thinking Luke took Lorelai's hand. She smiled at him as he led her up the back stairs and into the meeting which had already started. Taylor glowered at them from the podium.
"Lorelai, you are always late to town meetings," Taylor complained. "I think you do this deliberately to irritate me."
"No it's just an added perk," Lorelai joked. She sensed Luke's amusement.
"Young lady, you need to take this seriously," Taylor warned her.
"You knew we'd show up," Lorelai argued good-naturedly, "if for nothing else, to stop you from putting us on the agenda again."
"Actually you are on the agenda," Taylor admitted. They both gaped at him, dumbfounded. "We were just about to discuss your latest reconciliation."
"Taylor…." Luke growled threateningly. Lorelai took him by the arm and led him to a couple of empty seats.
"Don't worry, Luke, Sugah," Babette piped up. "It's all good."
"Huh?"
"There isn't a person in town who isn't convinced that you two are meant to be together," Miss Patty added.
"Well…" Taylor interjected.
"So we are all going to just sit back and let nature take its course," Patty continued silencing Taylor. "No contingency plans. No ribbons, and although we can't promise, no interference."
"Right, Taylor?" Babette challenged.
Taylor saw he would be outnumbered, reluctantly nodded his head and sighed. "Agreed."
"So nice to have your blessing, Taylor," Lorelai said sarcastically. "We wouldn't have kept dating otherwise."
"Fine," Taylor concluded. "Now, on to the next order of business: Kirk is will take the floor to present an exciting proposal."
Kirk approached the podium, his arms filled with rolls of paper and charts.
"Give us the cliff notes version, Kirk," Lorelai piped up hoping to speed the meeting along.
Kirk stopped in front of the podium.
"I'm presenting my plan to raise money so I can take a ride on the space shuttle."
"Oh god," Luke groaned as covered his face with his hands.
"You have to come in," Lorelai insisted as she backed through her open door. She had a handful of Luke's shirt and was gently tugging him over the threshold.
"You know I have to meet the bread guy early in the morning," Luke said but he was not putting up any resistance and allowed himself to be pulled inside.
"I know, but just a little while," Lorelai wheedled. "The town meeting lasted longer than I anticipated."
"You were the one who wanted to go," he reminded her.
"Had I known it would cut into our alone time…." Neither of them wanted to discuss how much time was wasted discussing Kirk's latest hair-brained scheme. Instead, she maneuvered him over to the couch then gave him a playful shove and he tumbled on to it, flat out on his back.
"Lorelai," he remonstrated half-heartedly. She could hear the laughter in his voice. "Someone's awful feisty."
"Feisty, frisky, potato, po-tah-to," she replied as she stood back. Luke saw the evil glint in her eye and had about a second to prepare himself before she pounced on top of him. He grunted as he caught her. "Am I being too obvious?" she inquired batting her eyes at him.
"Like a Mack truck," he replied as his hands slid down her back and cupped her rear end pulling her even closer. "I guess I'll just have to put up with it," he sighed with mock-reluctance.
"Huh," she pretended to be affronted and tried to get off of him but he tightened his grip.
"Hey," he said as she stopped struggling.
"Hi."
Luke slipped his hand into her hair, cradled her head and drew her lips down to his. After a minute, she drew back.
"Hmmm," she wriggled against him, feeling his growing arousal beneath her. "I think we just might have consensus here. Judges," she declared, her eyes darkening with desire, "I think I need a line call on this one."
He grinned at her wolfishly, his eyes communicating his total agreement and pulled her down again another kiss. The kiss grew deeper and more passionate as their hands explored each other.
The phone rang.
"Don't answer it," Luke begged, nibbling at her neck.
"I have absolutely no intention of answering it," she declared breathlessly.
The answering machine clicked on and a voice filled the room.
"Lorelai, this is your mother—"
"Awk!" Lorelai started. Guiltily they both reacted, Lorelai trying to hop off Luke, Luke trying to move Lorelai away. With their frantic fumbling, Lorelai lost her balance and fell onto the floor next to the couch. She yelped as she hit the floor.
"—I was just calling to confirm that you'll be attending dinner on Friday night—"
Luke peered over the edge of the couch at Lorelai sprawled on the floor. "Are you okay?"
"I swear she must have this place rigged with cameras," Lorelai speculated. "She always knows the most inopportune time to call."
"—and I was wondering if Luke will be joining us," Emily's voice droned on politely.
Incensed at her mother's gall, Lorelai heaved herself up and rushed to the phone.
"Mom? Yeah, I just walked in," she lied through gritted teeth. She turned and looked at Luke as he sat up on the couch.
"Yes, I will be there," she said into the phone. "No, he isn't coming this week. He's working late on Friday." She gave him a thumbs-up at the plausibility of the excuse. "Okay…yeah…bye."
Lorelai hung up the phone and turned back to the couch. She let out a deep breath letting her irritation fade away. "Where were we?" she asked with a smirk.
Luke stood up. "I need to get going," he said regretfully.
"You can't leave now!" Lorelai exclaimed. "I thought we would continue with what we started before the phone rang."
"You want to mess around after that phone call?" Luke asked incredulously. "She pretty much killed the mood."
"Argh," she growled in frustration. "If not now, when? We both have full schedules next week so our chances are slim to none," she pouted as she moved closer to him. "You know this getting the big things settled first is getting pretty old."
"I know," he admitted, "but we need to do this right this time. We aren't going through this again. Agreed?"
"Agreed," she sighed
Lorelai hesitated before she rang the bell of her parents' house. She wished she hadn't agreed with Luke to persevere in establishing a more stable relationship with her parents. Her father, she was not worried about; their relationship seemed to be improving over the years. Her mother…she shook her head. She knew her relationship with her mother was a classic conflict of a mother-daughter relationship. But for Luke she would try.
Lorelai rang the bell. After a moment the maid opened the door and ushered her in. She proceeded to the living room, stiffening her spine, resolving to do her best to have a pleasant evening with her parents.
Emily stood up as Lorelai walked into the living room.
"Is that what you're wearing?" Emily questioned as she took in the dress Lorelai had on.
"Well, my Daisy Dukes are in the wash," Lorelai quipped, "and I didn't bring any of my other trailer trash outfits so yeah, this is it."
"Really, Lorelai," Emily rolled her eyes at her daughter's response. "Must you be so tiresome? I only asked a simple question. I just want you to look presentable."
"I AM presentable, Mom," Lorelai replied fighting down her irritation. "It's just Friday night dinner."
"Ah, Lorelai," Richard greeted his daughter as he appeared on the landing and came down the steps. "You look lovely this evening."
"Thanks, Dad." Lorelai shot her mother a triumphant look as Emily glared at Richard. Richard looked between the two, wondering what he had missed, then shrugged his shoulders and moved to the drink cart.
"The usual?" Richard queried.
"Yes, please and keep 'em coming," Lorelai said as she settled herself on the couch.
"Lorelai, please do not overindulge tonight," Emily implored her as Richard handed Lorelai her drink. "I'd appreciate it if you were on your best behavior."
"Best behavior?" Lorelai echoed. "Why?" She eyed her mother curiously as she sipped her drink.
Emily opened her mouth to reply and at that moment the doorbell rang. Emily rose and moved to answer the door.
"Mom," Lorelai asked with trepidation, "please tell me you didn't invite Christopher over again." She didn't want to have to tell Luke that she had dined with her ex.
"Of course not!" Emily exclaimed as she quickly left the room.
Lorelai looked at her father as he settled in his chair to see if he knew the identity of the mystery guest. He shook his head indicating he was as much in the dark as Lorelai was.
"I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to have dinner with us," Emily was saying as she re-entered the room. She was escorted by a tall, well-dressed man. He was attractive, with sandy hair and hazel eyes.
"This is my daughter whom I was telling you about," Emily said indicating Lorelai. "Lorelai, this is Preston Shaw, son of my dear friend Louisa. Preston, this is my daughter Lorelai."
Lorelai gaped at her mother momentarily, her mouth hanging open in an unattractive fashion before she collected herself. "It's nice to meet you," she said feebly.
"Oh, it's a real pleasure to meet you," Preston said enthusiastically. "I've heard so much about you." He turned and grasped Richard's hand as he stood up. "Good to see you again, Richard."
"Er…yes, good to see you," Richard said noncommittally. He glanced at his wife.
"Why don't you sit down next to Lorelai, Preston," Emily suggested and gestured to the seat next to Lorelai on the couch. "Richard, please get Preston a drink."
"I need another one too, please," Lorelai interjected quickly as she tossed off the remainder of her drink. Emily shot her a disapproving look.
"What will you have Preston?" Richard inquired politely.
"Martini is fine," Preston replied. "I only drink occasionally and well this is an occasion," he declared trying to be witty.
Lorelai just inclined her head in response. She was too busy contemplating her mother's latest attempt to separate her and Luke.
"Here you go Preston," Richard handed him a glass.
"Uh, Dad?" Lorelai reminded him. "Refill?" She was going to need a lot of liquor to get through this dinner.
"Yes, Lorelai," Richard assured her. "I haven't forgotten."
Richard returned a few moments later and handed Lorelai her drink. She took a big sip and nearly choked. The drink looked like a martini but it was definitely much stronger. She peered up at her father wordlessly. Richard surreptitiously rolled his eyes at Preston and winked at her. Lorelai hid her smile behind her glass happy she had an ally to get her through this dinner.
"So Preston, how are things in the world of mathematics?" Emily queried.
"Exciting as usual, Emily," Preston replied. "Lorelai, do you have any interest in Applied Mathematics?"
Lorelai took another swallow of her drink, hoping to dull the agony of spending an evening with an egghead. No, she corrected herself, a socially acceptable egghead.
"Nope, no interest whatsoever," she answered him glibly, moving to the side of the couch and away from him. "I even hated story problems in Algebra."
Preston laughed condescendingly, "I could explain the problem-solving steps to you if you'd like."
"Ah, no thanks," Lorelai was amazed that he hadn't picked up on her tone or her actions which clearly declared her total lack of interest in this bore and his career.
It was a relief to two of the occupants of the living room when the maid came in and announced dinner.
"Wonderful," Preston gushed, holding out his arm to escort Lorelai into the dining room. "I can regale you all with the details of my latest project of using Mathematics in Material Science Applications."
"Oh, joy," Richard deadpanned as they left the room.
Lorelai was never more grateful for the wine served with dinner nor could she ever remember drinking so much. Unfortunately for her the alcohol had no effect. Preston had droned on incessantly throughout the entire dinner, expounding on the extremely detailed equations developed in the thrilling field of Material Science. When he wasn't talking about math, he was talking about the boring society functions. Lorelai correctly assessed he was occupied with his career and social standing and nothing else mattered.
So now, an hour later she was still sober and contemplating puncturing her eardrums with the butter knife just to relieve her suffering.
"Well," Emily interjected, finally able to get in a word edgewise, "how are things with your family?" Lorelai noted with a mean satisfaction that Emily's eyes had glazed over a few times and was just as bored by her dinner guest.
"Fine, fine," Preston waved his hand. "You know Mother," he told Emily. "Still trying to get me to settle down and find a suitable wife, someone who will enjoy the social season and will devote her time to me only." Preston looked over at Lorelai as she sipped her wine and gave her what she was sure he thought was a debonair smile.
Lorelai realized Preston really saw her as some empty-headed Barbie doll, centering her life around her man. She choked on her wine and hastily set the glass down. Then inspiration struck her. "I know what you mean Preston," she simpered at him. "My mother has been trying to marry me off for years. She is hoping I will finally find that perfect man who won't mind marrying me and having an instant family."
"Uh, family?" Preston's brow wrinkled.
"Yes, didn't your mother or mine tell you I have a daughter?" Lorelai questioned him. She shrugged. "You know how it happens. A youthful indiscretion, which gave me the most wonderful daughter."
"I thought your daughter was grown and was out on her own," his smile was polite but forced.
"Well for now she is," Lorelai pretended like she was sizing him up, "but she'll be back. My daughter and I have a freakishly close relationship. Unfortunately neither of us enjoys math except for adding up the money we spend on clothes. You'll love living in Stars Hollow. We don't attend many society functions but you should fit right in with our down-home lifestyle. The three of us will have fun! I have to tell you though, I tell Rory everything and I do mean everything. She will be calling us shortly. I am sure she will love to meet you and can't wait to start calling you Daddy!"
Emily's mouth dropped open in surprise at Lorelai's tactics.
"Er…um…yes. I mean no, I mean maybe," Preston definitely seemed uncomfortable now. "Actually it's getting late and you probably would prefer to have family present for your daughter's call. I should be going."
Lorelai was about to reply when suddenly she heard a soft snore. She looked to the head of the table; her father had removed himself from the conversation earlier on and had been bored to sleep by Preston's monotonous conversation. Lorelai couldn't help but smirk at her father's inadvertent genius.
"Let me see you to the door," Lorelai insisted.
As she got up from the table, Preston jumped up. "No need, I'll see myself out. Emily, Richard," he hadn't noticed her father was sound asleep, "I'll be seeing you around."
Lorelai followed him to the door and watched him get into his car and drive off. "Drive safe dear!" she waved from the door. "Call me!"
She shut the door and turned to face her mother. Surprisingly she laughed.
"Go ahead. Keep setting me up with these insufferable boors," Lorelai told her. "You're just making Luke look even better and better than he already is. Soon even you will know so too."
Emily turned on her heel and headed back to the dining room. "Richard!" she said in a strident tone, "for heaven's sake wake up!"
Richard managed to rouse himself and blearily looked around the table. "Did he leave?"
"Yeah, Dad, he just left," Lorelai sat back down.
"Thank god."
"Richard!" Emily protested.
"Emily the man was a boor," Richard stated, silencing her. He looked at Lorelai. "How did you get him to leave?"
"I played the instant family, hick from the backwoods card," Lorelai told him. "He was so self-involved I knew he wouldn't be able to share the attention and lose his center seat in Hartford society."
"Hmm," Richard nodded. "Good thinking." He looked at his watch. "Rory should be calling shortly. Shall we adjourn to the study?"
Emily stalked away from them and led the way to the study. Lorelai followed, holding her tongue until they were settled.
"Mom, why are you doing this?" Lorelai finally asked. "I'm happy with my life. I'm happy with Luke. After all these years you must realize that I know what's best for me."
"After seeing some of the choices you have made, you should understand why I feel the need to get involved."
"Interfere would be a better word," Lorelai said darkly.
The telephone rang and called a momentary halt to the discussion. Richard hit the speaker button. "Rory?" he asked.
"Hi Grandpa," Rory answered. "How is everyone tonight? I hope dinner went well."
Lorelai snorted.
"Mom? Are you there?" Rory queried. "Is everything okay?"
"Right here hon," Lorelai replied. "Everything will be fine once your grandmother stops playing the home version of The Dating Game."
"I don't understand," Rory said confused.
"Grandma is trotting out the supposed cream of the crop of Hartford snobs. You should have been here tonight to meet bachelor number one."
"Grandma!" Rory's voice took on a stern tone. "You really need to stop interfering like this! Mom can get her own dates."
"Maybe she would if she would look past the local diner," Emily muttered.
"Alright, just hold it," Lorelai ordered. "First Mom, thanks but no thanks on the fix-up. I'd be up on murder charges in six months if I got together with Preston." Emily sat silently not saying anything. "And Rory, you don't have to fight my battles. Grandma and Grandpa and I will get through this. Remember what Luke said."
"What did he say?" Emily asked quickly.
"Nothing, Mom. He just wants us all to get along. He's the Rodney King of Stars Hollow."
"Fine, Mom. I'll back off…for now," Rory allowed.
Emily narrowed her eyes at her daughter. She was worried about affect Luke was having on not only Lorelai but Rory as well. One cryptic reminder of a conversation and both of them had backed down. In her mind, Luke had too much influence on both of them.
She didn't like that at all.
A/N: I am not completely happy with this one but here it is. I may do a re-write.
I have to give a shout out as both a thank you and an apology to Sunny. You gave me the inspiration to make the Preston character a mathematician because it sounds so boring (let me clarify—to me only). I did not choose geometry (your field) but did a bit of research to try and come up with enough boring terminology (again to me you math whizzes) to make this guy duller than ditchwater.