A/N Here is a longer chapter.

The Big Game

Although the hotel was just a few blocks from the Yankees stadium it was over an hour before they finally found their seats. Luke complained about the long lines to get in and crowds of people but he knew it came with the territory when going to a big game. Lorelai also complained as Luke insisted they walk since it was a nice day so why waste money for a few minutes in a taxi. Money, which could be used to buy more junk food, this won Lorelai over.

"Good seats," Luke commented, following Lorelai he carried the tray of junk food.

"You can't see part of the field that's blocking the view," she said pointing.

"It's called the dug out, Richard must have paid a fortune for these seats," handing Lorelai her food. "I still can't believe you're wearing a Mets Jersey behind the Yankees dug-out," Luke said checking to see how many of the surrounding Yankee fans had noticed.

"Luke this is not some sitcom, they're not going to drag me out of here for wearing the wrong jersey in the wrong part of the stand," she brushed Luke off with her usual charm.

They settled into their seats and waited the first pitch to be thrown, before the game got underway.

"So let me see if I have this, the pitcher tosses the ball. The batter hits it and runs to the first base," Lorelai was trying hard to learn the rules of the game Luke enjoyed so much.

"You've got it," Luke answered with a smile.

"And they do this for how many innings?" she asked.

"Nine unless there is a tie or rain."

"And were in the first now," Luke nodded, "Geez this is going to be a long day," she added as Luke finished off his beer, "Do you want another?" she asked.

"No you stay, I'll go get two more beers," Luke said standing.

"And some more Red Vines Sweetie," Lorelai added with a friendly smile.

"Red Vines, be right back."

Lorelai turned to watch Luke leave, keeping her eye on him until the next batter hit a fly ball and he turned to see what was happening. Lorelai quickly turned but not quick enough for Luke to see her head as Lorelai pretended to focus on the game once again.

On his way to the concession stand Luke again wondered what this trip meant to Lorelai, was she making a move or was he reading too much into the trip. Lorelai had done crazy things before like painting his diner and begging him to bid on her basket years before. But she ended up engaged to another man and it didn't go any further.

Walking back to the seat Luke noticed someone sitting in his seat, as he got closer Luke could hear Lorelai giggle and say the guy touching Lorelai on her arm as they laughed.

"Oh Luke," Lorelai said looking past the guy as Luke loomed over them.

"Here's your Red Vines," he said passing the bag.

The guy turned as Lorelai made the introductions, "This is Jeff, he's a big Mets fan as well,"

Luke put out is hand to meet Jeff's, "It's a good game."

"Yes," Jeff agreed seemingly intimidated by Luke's presents.

There was an awkward silence for a moment, "Well Jeff it was nice to meet you," Lorelai said as he stood up.

He was shorter than Luke, even thought Luke was one step lower. Jeff gave Lorelai a small wave before returning to his seat.

"That was Jeff?" Luke asked.

"Yes I was just minding my own business watching the home run and he came right over," she explained.

"Ah-uh," Luke said trying not to sound jealous that someone had sat in his seat.

"He was telling me this story about a friend…"

"A friend," Luke said skeptically, politely nodded still not liking the new friend Lorelai had made.

"Yes his friend, well he went to a baseball game just one year ago…"

Like this one," Luke added.

"Yes like this one, his friend went right up to the lady wearing a Mets jersey…"

"Just like yours?" Luke asked.

"I guess so," Lorelai said continuing, "His friend went up to this lady and just asked her out…"

"You don't say," Luke said still skeptical.

"Can I just finish my story?"

"Yes of course, so his friend went up to this lady at a game like today's and asked her out," Luke recapped.

"Yes they fell in love and two months later they were married," Lorelai waited for an interruption, "Nothing to add Luke?"

He shook his head, "No, was that it?"

"No. Well last month they had their first baby…" She ended.

"The story included a baby," Luke said looking at Lorelai as her voice petered out and she turned back to the game.

A few moments of silence passed as he took in the story, before he turned back to Lorelai again, "You know he made it up, don't you?"

"What?" Lorelai asked.

"Jeff, he made it up."

"What do you mean?" Lorelai repeated.

"There was no friend, no game and no baby," Luke clarified.

"How can you say that Luke!" Lorelai said a little tongue-in-cheek.

"It's a story to break the ice with a stranger, or to try and get you into bed," Luke added.

"It was not, "Lorelai protested.

"Lorelai there is always a friend."

Lorelai thought for a moment before smiling with the realization Luke was probably right, "So have you used the 'friend' story to get a girls number?"

"Luke thought for a moment, adjusting his cap before leaning in to answered Lorelai, "Maybe in high school," he teased before pulling back.

Lorelai gasped but didn't say a word as she turned back to the game.

-----

"This is driving me crazy!" Lorelai exclaimed in to her cell phone.

"Just talk to him," her daughter replied, distracted by the schoolwork, she was trying to do.

"Are you studying? I thought we talked about this."

"I've got this paper due in Monday, it's so good you chose to be out of the house this weekend," she mocked her mother.

"Glade I could help. Now back to me and my little Luke problem," she said getting the topic back on track.

"We'll you know my thoughts, if you like him then tell him and get it out in the open," Rory repeated to her mother.

"So do the grown-up thing then?" Lorelai mocked.

"Yes people, I think she finally has it."

"Or I could feel him out, maybe use the dress I packed and go out to dinner and dancing after the game," Lorelai said making plans in her head.

"Don't tease Luke, we like Luke remember and I still want to be able to go to the diner next week," she reminded her mother.

"He'll be fine, he's a big boy and can take care of himself, I'm sure," Lorelai smiled as she looked over to Luke in the crowd as he enjoyed the game.

"Okay I've really got to go so I'll leave you with this. He's your ride home so be kind as, I'm not driving to New York to pick you up in the morning," Rory said her piece.

"Okay, call you tomorrow, love you," Lorelai told her daughter.

"Love you too," Rory replied as they hung up together.

Lorelai took in a deep breath before walking back down the steps to Luke and their seats.

"How was she?" Luke asked.

"Fine, the house is still in one piece."

"It's only been a few hours," Luke replied looking at Lorelai.

Lorelai looked back, knowing just how much he cared for Rory she wanted to kiss him right there and then but the words didn't come out and the moment was lost as the Yankee batter hit the ball hard and the crowd erupted in cheers.

The game progressed and some normality returned, Lorelai listening to Luke as he told her statistics and details about the players. Lorelai was mesmerized as she watched Luke cheered when the Yankees hit a home run, it was a rare side to Luke.

In the last innings they were tied, the Yankees were batting and needed a home run to win, the tension was high as Luke felt a welcome touch on his arm, different from the previous hugs and touches he had felt in the past.

Lorelai put her hand in his, their fingers intertwined. Most times Lorelai would take hold of his sleeve or wrist. This was a first for them. Luke liked it, giving Lorelai a little squeeze in return. Moving forward in their seats the pitcher let go of the ball. A clean hit sent the ball flying across the ground, past the left fielder and into the fence.

They jumped out of the seats with the rest of the fans, cheering before Luke gave Lorelai an impromptu hug and kiss, pulling back after just a second. "Thank you," Luke said like nothing had just happened, "Thank you for the tickets, I really needed this," he added happier than Lorelai had even seen him.

A short while later they made their way from the seats, Lorelai needed to say something but couldn't so instead told Luke she needed to go to the ladies before they left.

"I'll be a minute, you wait here and don't drink my coffee," Lorelai said quickly walking off to the ladies room.

"I'll try and restrain myself," Luke said dryly as he looked at her fresh to-go cup.

Once inside she flipped open her phone and dialed her daughter.

"Hello Gilmore residence…"

"Luke kissed me!" Lorelai blurted out as she closed the stall door and sat down.

"Mom?" Rory questioned.

"Yes it's me, who else would be calling you with news like this, unless Nicole has our home number?"

"Okay sorry, so Luke kissed you, how, where, when? And remember I'm your daughter so go easy on the details, keep it PG," she reminded her mother.

"Yes it's PG, it was in front of thousands of Yankee fans," She giggle.

"Okay now I'm confused," Rory replied turning away from her studying.

"The Yankees had just won the game, he hugged me and them planted a kiss on my lips, PG enough?"

"So what did he say?" Rory asked.

"That's just it," Lorelai said, "He acted like it was nothing, granted it only lasted a second."

"Maybe it was a thank you kiss, for the tickets?"

"That's what he said," Lorelai added with surprise.

"See it was just Luke, okay maybe the kiss is new but friends kiss right?" Rory reasoned.

"Yes friends with benefits, but I have no benefits. I've not had any benefits for a very long time…"

"Okay time for me to go and add another entry in my diary," she joked.

"Yeah better go before Luke comes in her looking for me, I told him I needed to go and couldn't wait until we got back to our room," Lorelai explained.

"Mom just talk to Luke, it's the only way you'll get the answers you want," Rory said before the ended with their usual goodbyes.

-----

As Luke waited for Lorelai he held on to her handbag and assorted paraphernalia she had bought, his arms full and with a lack of visibility he almost collided with several other fans.

"Sorry," He said again moving the large foam hand out of the way to see two young girls in cheer leader outfits, no more than twenty years old.

"That's okay Sir," the blond said, "I'm Cindy and this is Mindy," she added turning to the red head next to here.

"Cindy, Mindy," Luke said looking at the girls and wondering about their names.

"We're looking for the ladies room," Cindy added with a giggle.

"Yes, ladies room," Mindy, the red head chimed in crossing her legs.

"Well it's…"

"Are you one of the players?" Cindy asked still giggling.

"No, but I used to play," Luke smiled with a blush.

"Thought so, you look fit," Mindy said clutching her friend's arm.

"For your age," Cindy added,

"Thank you," Luke said a little deflated, "The ladies is over there," Luke said pointing door as Lorelai exited.

"Hi," Lorelai said greeting Luke and the girls.

"Thanks Mister," Cindy said as the girls turned and left arm-in-arm giggling.

They watched them leave before Lorelai turned to Luke, "friends of yours?"

"No. They were looking for the ladies room," Luke said turning to Lorelai.

Lorelai reached for her handbag as they started towards to exit. Joining the flow of pedestrians they were quickly outside Lorelai joining the line of fans waiting for a Taxi, "What are you doing?"

"Taxi," she said wondering what the problem was.

"It's just a few blocks to the hotel Lorelai."

"It's night and about to rain, plus this is not Stars Hollow," Lorelai added quietly.

Luke looked at the arm full of things he was carrying and gave into Lorelai again.

The wait for the taxi was worth it as the rained came down. Lorelai paid the driver as Luke got out, following him moments later, "So Luke," She said catching up to him.

"Yes Lorelai."

"Those girls, are they your type?" she asked.

"What!" he replied with surprise, "They were kids."

"But legal," Lorelai added.

"Doesn't matter, they were not my type and they called be 'Sir'," Luke said wanting anything to end the topic.

"But you looked when they walked away," Lorelai teased.

"Lorelai they might be too young for me, but I'm still a man."

"With man parts I'm sure," she added with a giggle.

Lorelai pressed the elevator button and they entered, "I'm so hungry," she complained.

"How is that possible? I must have gone to the concession stand six times during the game."

"Don't know how it happened just telling you I'm hungry, can we go out for some pizza?" she asked with a smile she had used on him a hundred times.

"But its late," Luke sighed.

"Its only eight thirty, we can have some pizza and get you in bed before your coach turns back into a pumpkin."

"Why can't we order in?" Luke asked as the doors opened.

"Because I doubt they deliver to the Days Inn," Lorelai found the room keycard in her handbag and opened the door, "I'll just be a minute," she said tossing her things on to the bed and going to her clothes bag.

"You're not having another shower are you?" he asked closing the door with his foot, before tossing the things Lorelai had bought on the bed.

"No. I just want to change, I'll be thirty seconds," Lorelai said disappearing into the bathroom.

Luke thought since they were apparently going for pizza he might as well change also, well at lease put on a clean shirt and refresh his deodorant. So he went to his bag pulling out the shirt he planned to wear the next day. Stripping down Luke also removed his t-shirt before spraying on the deodorant. He put on the shirt leaving the t-shirt off for the night.

As he started to button up Lorelai rushed out of the other room, stopping at the sight of Luke's bare chest, she was unwilling to look away.

Luke froze, like a deer caught in the headlight but not from being half dressed. He couldn't stop looking while he took in what Lorelai was wearing. The short knitted dress clung to her body, stopping half way up her thighs and the low scoop neck left little to the imagination. The dark blue looked great on her, Luke had not seen the dress before.

After a few moments they both knew they had been staring just a little to long, "Sorry," Lorelai started turning her attention to finding the heels she had packed.

Luke turned away facing the other wall as he did up the last of the buttons, "Nice dress," he commented.

Lorelai felt her cheeks redden as she fund the pumps, "Thanks, it's new," she replied lifting her foot to put on the right one.

"Navy Blue?" he asked feeling like some teenager on his first date, full of nerves and not sure how to act around Lorelai. Seven years of friendship accounting for nothing.

"Royal Blue," she replied turning after slipping into the matching shoes.

"Right, though it looked a little more…"

"Royal?" Lorelai finished his thought, "You look nice," she added now able to concentrate on the cloths and not Luke's chest.

Luke picked up his leather jacket, "So shall we…"

"Yes, and I'll get you in bed before midnight," Lorelai joked collecting her things as she followed him out the door.

TBC…

A/N Feed back is always welcomed.