A/N: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know it's been a terribly long time since I've updated, but I've been super duper busy with school and such, so that's my excuse. This chapter would not exist without Mags. She helped me to plant the seed, she nurtured it, she fed and watered it, she hugged it, she tickled it, and then she joined me in celebrating its birth, which I invite you all to do now. :)

P.S. There are still two chapters to go. I thought I could do it in 8, but it just ain't possible. Enjoy!

Lorelai climbed from her jeep and examined Jason's car more closely, expecting him to be waiting inside of it. Her heels clicked on porch steps. The door was unlocked and she pushed it open, frowning when she heard the buzz of her television set. She tossed her coat over the hook, slipped off her heels, and rounded the corner to the living room, her frown deepening when she noticed Jason sprawled out on her couch, a bottle of beer in his hand.

He seemed completely unfazed by her arrival. "Oh, hey," Jason said, finally tearing his gaze from the TV. He sat up a little and patted the cushion next to him. "I'm watching World Championship Darts," he explained. "You have no idea how riveting it is. It's like the Roman Coliseum in there. Those fans are nuts."

Lorelai cocked her head to the side and stared at him quizzically. "Did I give you a key to my place?"

Jason smiled sheepishly. "Uh, yes."

"Was it a talking key?"

He turned the volume down and leaned forward. "Mr. Turtle wasn't very talkative, no."

Lorelai's mouth opened in shock. "You stole my key?"

"Just for the record, that is a really bad hiding place."

"You stole my key!"

Jason held up his hand. "I borrowed your key. A key that I think should have beengiven to me," he added boldly. "That's usually the way people do things. You give me yours, I give you mine."

"I can't believe he stole my key," Lorelai murmured to herself, ignoring the fact that Jason was still in the room.

"Lorelai, you're not an anonymous citizen anymore. You can't be so blithe and carefree. The minute you posed for that picture in Rocky Hill, you became a public figure. People know you, which means they can track you and find out where you live. Hiding a key inside a turtle, although amusing, is not such a bright idea."

She scoffed in utter disbelief. "You steal my key, break into my house, and now you're lecturing me?"

"Stuffing hundred dollar bills inside your pillow case is another issue we can discuss later," he continued, undeterred.

"Jason!" Lorelai cried, stomping her foot. "What the hell were you doing in my bedroom?"

"I was tired." He shrugged. "I took a nap."

"How long have you been here?" she demanded.

Jason glanced at his watch. "Um, about six hours and … forty-two minutes."

Lorelai sat on the arm of the couch and shook her head. "Please tell me what you've been doing in my house for nearly seven hours," she said with as much patience as she could muster.

"Well, for the first hour there was a lot of channel surfing. I had no idea there were so many channels."

"You need to watch more TV," Lorelai interjected.

"And after I'd been here for an hour, I figured that was a commitment, so I just stayed. Then the darts came on, and I'm sorry, but I get more than a little excited when those large, perspiring men hit a triple 20."

"You are a sick man," she said, suppressing the urge to reward him with a grin when she felt like strangling him at the same time.

"I really didn't expect you to be out so late on a Sunday. I mean, it's a Sunday. Who does stuff on a Sunday?"

"Uh, the world," Lorelai shot back. "You should know. I've witnessed you making business calls to … um … Singapore and, uh, Slllllovenia on a Sunday."

"Yes, I save all the 'S' countries for Sunday," Jason agreed, playing along.

"This is so not the point," Lorelai said, looking at him seriously. "We need to make some things clear. You do not waltz into my house, take over my TV, and drink my beer without my permission. Is that understood?" Jason nodded. "And if I want to give you a key, I will give you a key. I will not be key bullied."

He readjusted himself and turned to face her completely. "I just have one thing to say." When Lorelai nodded in encouragement, he continued. "I am a great key master. Honestly. I have excellent references to support that claim. I don't lose them, I don't copy them, and I don't give them to strangers. I walk with them, I talk with them, and I keep them nice and polished."

"You might be the key master, but I'm the gate keeper here, got it?" She punctuated her point with a poke to his chest.

"Can I call you Zuul?"

She smiled, rolling her eyes. "Just give me the remote, you weirdo."

He relinquished it, patting the cushion next to him again, this time with her compliance. They watched TV in silence for several minutes before Jason said, "May I see your storage facility?"

Lorelai snorted. "No." Her eyes moved back to the television. "And don't even think about sliming me."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Luke closed the door behind him, muffling the click of the latch with his hand. The tinkle of Nicole's laughter echoed from upstairs, and he had to force himself not to cringe.

He unlaced his boots and left them by the door, then climbed the steps, pausing on each one to shake the memory of Lorelai's sparkling smile from his mind. He was beginning to think that all those people who said 'money can't buy happiness' were a bunch of liars, or they'd never met Lorelai Gilmore. Luke found himself looking forward to each and every day, something he'd never done in the past, just to see what new and exciting exploits she could rook him into.

Once he hit the landing, he waited outside Nicole's door – he still couldn't call the room his own – and knocked lightly.

She squeaked out another laugh and said, "Oh, come on in."

Luke rolled his eyes and entered the bedroom, stopping by the foot of the bed with his arms folded over his chest.

"I will. You too. Goodbye, Preston," Nicole murmured softly and ended the call. Her eyes flew up to Luke's. "That was Preston."

"Yeah, I got that part," Luke grumbled. "Who the heck is Preston? Not another one of your designer guys, is he?"

"No, Luke," Nicole replied patiently. "Don't you remember Preston? From the cruise? He's been giving me some wonderful financial advice. He's such an intelligent man. I've just been picking his brain."

"I'm sure you have."

Nicole pursed her lips. "Well, not that it's any of your concern. You're too busy blowing off our lunch engagement to spend hours in New York City, a place you supposedly hate, with her."

Luke opened his mouth to speak but no words would come out.

"What's the matter, Luke?" Nicole hissed. "Cat got your tongue?"

"I don't go there for the atmosphere," Luke argued.

"No, for the company," she interjected. "Besides, I'm sure you don't see much of the city anyway when you're holed up in a hotel room."

He shook his head in utter disbelief. "We're helping people out; we're doing good things! I can't believe you would accuse me of that!" His hands balled into fists and fell to his side.

Nicole kept a wary eye on the movement. "Was your generous donation to the Dragonfly not 'good' enough?"

Luke squeezed his eyes shut. He felt the room closing in on him.

"You go running all over the city, spending money left, right, and centre, and you have a the gall to lecture me when I spend a little money on some furniture."

"A little money? I'm sure you've doubled whatever I've spent!" He paced the floor, breathing heavily.

"Not only are you spending all our money," she continued, but you're spending far too much time with a woman you claim is just a friend! By the time I see you, you're much too spent to spend any time with me!

"She is just a friend!" he barked.

"And I don't want you seeing her anymore," Nicole asserted, leaving no room for misinterpretation. She stalked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

The walls pressed in on him further until he couldn't breathe. Luke whipped the ball cap from his head and tossed it angrily at the wall. She was making him choose, but little did she know there was no choice in the matter.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The pavement shook as the giant, marshmallow-y blob thundered through the tiny town of Stars Hollow. The gazebo crumbled beneath his sticky feet. He let out a hungry growl, his round cartoon eyes glued to a figure below. With his chubby, little hands, he scooped up the stick-like object and brought it to his awaiting mouth, munching greedily and grimacing at the less than pleasing flavour.

"Nicole!" came a desperate shout from below. "Noooooo!"

Mr. Stay Puft reared back, soundly rejecting his meal. A pool of marshmallow fell from his lips, a body encased in its gooey confines.

"Nicole!" Luke shouted again, racing to her aid but drawing up short when he realized the substance that surrounded her. "Oh god," he choked out, turning away in disgust. "I'm sorry, Nicole. You know I can't handle sugar."

Lorelai rushed to Luke's side, wrapping a warm blanket around his shoulders while she practically dragged him away from his marshmallow-fied wife. "It's okay, Luke," she murmured, still pulling him along. "She'll find love again. I hear Lucky the Leprechaun is in the market."

They entered the diner. Luke habitually circled the counter and grabbed a mug for her.

She held up her hand to stop him from pouring the coffee. "I feel like hot chocolate instead," she insisted, ineffectually hiding her smirk.

Outside the bonfire hissed and crackled as the Stars Hollow residents gathered around its warming glow. Kirk passed out the marshmallow roasting sticks to all the children, keeping the biggest and the best for himself. His eyes widened in amazement upon spotting the mountain of marshmallow towering where the gazebo once stood. He dove for it, jabbing an absurd amount onto his stick. Nicole's screams of protest were drowned out by the thick, gooey substance coating her body and the boisterous children who followed Kirk's lead. Soon, nothing remained but a few tattered pieces of clothing.

Luke darted outside, Lorelai on his heels, but he was too late.

Kirk hummed in pure elation as he took a healthy bite of his thoroughly charred marshmallow, exposing a gooey smile.

Marshmallow debris shot off the other roasting sticks. A chunk landed on Luke's face and he groaned in protest.

"Oh, be quiet, you big baby," Lorelai admonished, licking the dissolving sugary remnants of his wife from his scruffy cheek.

Taylor circled the bonfire, scalping Hershey's bars to the children at two bucks a pop and waving boxes of graham crackers in the air.

Patty shook her head. "That's highway robbery, Taylor! You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Andrew shrugged. "It's supply and demand. Taylor is a businessman – maybe not a moral one, but a businessman nonetheless."

Gypsy glanced upward and stared pointedly at the Marshmallow Man's still looming presence. "If you want a tip on where to get your next meal, start with the guy in the vest," she called up to him in a no-nonsense voice.

"It's mine, all mine!" Taylor crowed, clutching the dollar bills to his chest.

"He's mine, all mine." Lorelai happily sighed, pressing closer to Luke's side and tucking her arm into the crook of his.

Lorelai's head snapped up and her fingers gripped the bed sheets. Her heart rate gradually slowed as she came back to the present. "Whoa," she whispered, the events of the dream still clear in her mind. "God, I'm starving."

She tiptoed quietly down the stairs, being careful not to wake Jason whom she'd left sprawled on the couch last night. What she saw when she walked past him made her giggle. He was flat on his stomach, his teeth sinking into the snowy-white pillow case while he moaned.

"Marshmallows for breakfast it is," Lorelai quietly determined, marching into the kitchen.

About an hour later they were pulling out of Lorelai's driveway on their way to the diner for a more substantial breakfast. Jason insisted on tagging along, but that wasn't the only thing that was nagging at Lorelai. There was no doubt in her mind that her dream had meant something. She knew she had feelings for Luke, and those feelings had been coming dangerously close to the surface of her consciousness from the moment they struck it rich. The donation to the Dragonfly, the dance along the dock, the deep, meaningful gazes they'd be sharing on a regular basis – all these signs pointed to a clear shift in their relationship. But there were obstacles….

Lorelai glanced at Jason out of the corner of her eye and sighed. His cell phone was pressed tightly to his ear while he animatedly attempted to communicate in Japanese with his caller.

There was no sense delaying the inevitable.

"Sayonara," she whispered, pulling into a parking spot outside of the diner.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Luke ducked out of the kitchen with two plates in his hands, smiling widely at Lorelai as she entered. His smile soon became a scowl when he noticed her male escort. Lorelai's pulse quickened at the sight.

"Here, grab that table there," Lorelai directed Jason. "I'll be right back."

She walked up to the counter and leaned her weight against it, waiting for Luke to return.

"Who's the guy?" his deep voice bellowed from behind her, causing her to jump. He rounded the counter with a smirk on his face.

Her hand still pressed to her heart. "That's, uh, Jason. He was really, really hungry," she added, as though that explained everything. "You know, the marshmallows didn't really, you know … They're nothing but air … Delicious, sugary air that, uh, people eat, and sometimes shouldn't eat…." She continued to ramble, unaware that she'd lost Luke's interest.

Luke's eyes moved from hers to Jason's to the object that was occupying Jason's attention. His eyes narrowed.

"Uh oh," Lorelai murmured as realization dawned. She raced to the opposite end of the counter to head Luke off, but there was no way she could stop this bull when he saw red.

"Out," he ordered Jason, jerking his thumb toward the door.

Jason glanced up, a panicked expression on his face. "Tetsudatte kudasai," he said urgently into the phone, repeating himself several times.

"What did you say?" Luke barked. "What the hell's he sayin' to me?" he asked Lorelai.

She shrugged. "Uh, something in Japanese? You have a lovely hat, maybe?"

Jason rose from his chair, holding his arms out to the side in surrender. "Did I choose the wrong seat? Is this the Mafia table?" Luke continued glowering at him. "No? Okay, I should be … wearing flannel, then?"

"Get him out of here now," Luke growled.

Lorelai inserted herself between the two men and promptly plucked Jason's cell phone from his outstretched hand, closing it and hiding it behind her back. "Give Mr. Chu my apologies," she said to Jason.

Luke blew out a breath and retreated, stomping back to the counter.

Jason released a similar breath, only one of relief as he slid back into his seat. "Was this a test? Is this my initiation into the diner?"

Lorelai grinned and sat across from him. "Luke hates cell phones." She cocked her head to the side. "So what were you saying, anyway?"

"I think it was 'Help me, I'm in danger.'"

Lorelai giggled. "I've never seen Luke hit quite that shade of red before. You should be proud."

"If a swarm of angry Japanese men with guns actually come to my aid, then I'll be proud," he told her seriously. "My Japanese is atrocious."

Lorelai patted his shoulder. "Oh, here comes Luke." She casually tossed his cell phone back to him, and Jason hurriedly stashed it in his pocket.

"You ordering anything?" Luke grunted.

Lorelai nodded enthusiastically. "I'll have scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. And throw in a pancake or two if you've got any lying around," she added with a wink.

Luke turned his attention to Jason and cleared his throat.

He smiled nervously and held up his menu, silently pointing to the items he desired.

Luke rolled his eyes, jotted down the order, and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Duke's not the type to, you know, spit in your food or anything, is he?" Jason asked once the coast was clear.

"Luke," Lorelai automatically corrected him, "and no. He might 'accidentally' char it a little more than you're used to, though."

"Are you sure you willingly shared your winnings with him, or did he…." He trailed off, slapping the back of his right hand into his left palm a couple times. "…influence you by force?"

"Yes, I willingly shared with him," she said, smiling in amusement. "I don't think Luke has spent any of that money on himself yet, either. Well, that all depends on what he has in mind for today."

"Today?" Jason sat up straighter. "Are you two doing something today?"

Lorelai bit her lip. "Uh, yeah. We made plans yesterday. I didn't realize you were–"

"Oh no, yeah, that's fine," he interrupted. "That's great. I have quite a few phone calls to make, and I need to get home in time for World Championship Darts."

She smirked. "Yes, you don't want to miss when those sweaty men hit the bullseye."

They were both quiet for a moment. Suddenly the bells jingled and half a dozen Japanese tourists entered the diner, toting travel brochures and cameras as they chattered noisily.

Jason's eyes widened in amazement. "Look! They came! Where's Duke? I'm ready for him now!" he warned in a menacing voice, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Luke was adamant that they take his truck for their third trip to New York City in as many days. If Lorelai didn't know any better, she would have thought the lure of the city had gotten a hold on Luke. The truck bed was covered with a large green tarp that was tied down on all sides, and more than once Lorelai took a backwards glance, hoping that an edge would fly up and reveal the hidden contents. They drove through the now familiar streets of the city and came to a stop outside of the Bleeker Street Shelter.

Lorelai looked at him curiously. "Do we have unfinished business here?" she asked, smiling in excitement.

"You could say that," he answered, climbing from the cab. He waved at the three cars parked in the distance and started walking over to them. "Go inside and round up all the kids," he instructed Lorelai after she opened her door and hopped to the ground. "Betty knows all about it. Meet me back out here in ten."

She grinned. "What exactly are you up to, Luke?" she said to herself as she followed his command and headed into the building.

Jackson, Morey, and Andrew exited their vehicles and walked the short distance to meet up with Luke.

"I can't thank you guys enough for doing this," Luke said, shaking their hands.

"We're happy to help," Jackson replied.

Morey nodded. "Doing this for the kids is way cool, Luke."

"I rented two Hummer limos which should be here shortly. All the kids should be able to squeeze into those." Luke glanced over his shoulder to the truck. "The equipment is in the back, so we're all set there." He rubbed his hands together. "I think this is gonna work out." A grin slowly spread from one corner of his mouth to the other.

Jackson patted Luke's back. "How about we head over to the field and start setting up?"

"Yeah," Andrew agreed. "I can take your truck over, Luke. I don't have any extra equipment in my car."

"Okay, sure, that sounds great," Luke said, tossing him the keys. "I'll go in one of the limos and Lorelai can take the other. We'll meet you guys over there."

Like clockwork, the moment the vehicles disappeared, the Hummers showed up, and out of the shelter doors came Lorelai with a couple dozen beaming kids in tow.

Lorelai's was the loudest voice in the bunch as she took in the sweet scenery. "Whoa! I am lovin' this idea already! I call shotgun!" she cried, sprinting for the nearest limo. Several giggling children chased behind her.

Luke smiled after them, taking the more responsible approach and quietly leading the remaining eager participants in the direction of the second limo.

Lorelai's limo – a.k.a.: the party-mobile – headed the convoy down the streets of New York City. She had no idea where they were going, but the excitement and the energy in the air was electric. They could have been taking a trip to the Gilmore mansion for all she knew, but not even that could kill her buzz. Her suggestion that they stop for ice cream was enthusiastically seconded, thirded, and twelfth-ded. Even Luke had a scoop, which served to propel Lorelai's buzz into uncharted territories.

When they finally pulled off and entered a parking lot, Lorelai sucked in a breath. A huge banner over the entrance to Yankee Stadium proudly displayed a welcome message to all the children of the Bleeker Street Shelter. "I don't believe it," she whispered. "How did he ever pull this off?"

Before the limos had fully stopped, the kids were climbing out the doors, racing through the lot and into the front gate. Luke and Lorelai pulled up the rear, chuckling at the scene.

"You have officially kicked my ass in the good deeds department, Danes," Lorelai told him, smiling.

He shrugged modestly. "Well, I can't take credit for the ice cream." He ushered her ahead as they entered the gate. "Jackson, Andrew, and Morey are already inside getting the equipment set up."

"Wow," Lorelai said, impressed. "Were they hiding under the tarp too, or was it just the equipment? 'Cause those boys sure didn't make a peep."

Once inside the stadium, they climbed down and then up a set of stairs that led them to the field. A loudspeaker welcomed them, but even louder still were the group of Stars Hollow citizens that had gathered on the infield.

"Oh jeez," Luke muttered, shaking his head.

Lorelai giggled. "I'm telling you, Luke, when you get Jackson involved in any scheme, you're doomed. He's got looser lips than Babette and Miss Patty combined."

"Now she tells me," he grumbled.

She nudged him in the ribs. "Look around. Do you see anything but smiling faces?"

He finally allowed himself to fully appreciate their surroundings, and he couldn't fight the smile that unfolded on his own face.

It didn't take long for two teams to be formed. Luke pitched for both sides, and Lorelai unsuspectingly volunteered to be the back catcher which amused the majority of her friends and neighbours, not to mention every kid on the field, especially after she was decked out in the obligatory gear.

Miss Patty was the third base coach, mainly because it came with an exceptional view of Luke's backside. Gypsy was the umpire, Morey, Bootsy, and Andrew covered the outfield with three of the kids, Kirk was in charge of the peanuts, and even Taylor stepped up, reading off the batting order. The remaining townspeople cheered loudly on the sidelines as the game progressed.

During the second inning, after laughing off Lorelai's absurd hand signals, Luke tossed a steady pitch that landed squarely in the strike zone. He made the mistake of admiring that pitch for a second too long.

"Ball!" Gypsy shouted, breaking through Luke's temporary haze.

"What?" he demanded. "You're kidding! That was a perfect strike!"

Dropping her oversized glove, Lorelai jumped to her feet and jogged out to Luke. "Easy there, ace," she consoled him, lifting her mask. "The idea is for the kids to actually hit the ball."

He frowned. "But that was a strike."

"I know," she soothed. "You're such a good baseball player man. Now slow it down, Nolan."

Luke's eyebrows raised in surprise.

She smirked. "I know things."

A pop fly in the fourth inning livened things up even more. It peaked halfway between Luke and Lorelai, and they both began moving for it at once. Their eyes were focused skyward, so neither were aware of the other's position until they gently collided, completely missing the ball. Luke loosely hugged Lorelai to him, and Lorelai tightly gripped his back, only letting go when he tipped her chin up and slowly raised her mask.

"Kinda hard to catch a ball when you can't see it," he said in a deep, husky voice.

She swallowed. "Good tip."

Miss Patty, Sookie, and Babette were glued to the action, all three women failing to contain their elation at the closeness of their favourite couple. A squeak slipped from Sookie, causing Lorelai to snap out of the spell Luke had put her under and abruptly pull back.

Patty and Babette moaned and groaned at the loss of contact, and Sookie apologized profusely, clamping a hand over her mouth.

Lorelai readjusted her mask – her safety barrier – and smirked at Luke through it. "Three more innings. Think that arm of yours can handle it?"

Luke chuckled as she sauntered away and called after her, "Hate to break it to you, but a baseball game has nine innings. There's still five to go."

Her eyes widened. Calmly, she turned to face him again and said, "Well, I'm afraid this is gonna cost you another round of ice cream." With that, she marched back to home plate and squatted down, waving him on.

TBC….