Title: The Universe Corrects Itself (Chapter Five of Tea and Sympathy)
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Third Season, future fic based on spoilers
Rating: PG
Summary: The bowling match continues.
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing.
Luke joined Lorelai on lane thirteen for the first time that night. She immediately started in with the pep talk.
"Ok, Luke, don't mean to put any pressure on you, but it's up to you to preserve my honor."
"What honor? Lorelai, it's just a game."
"Just a game, are you kidding? Bowling is an American institution, like apple pie, baseball, and the super-sized menu at McDonalds. It's the salvation of beer guzzling working man. If you don't win, you'll be letting your country down."
"What does patriotism have to do with your over-inflated ego?"
"Luke, America is all about ego, you know competition, success, individualism."
"And that's why two-thirds of this planet hates us."
Lorelai watched as Alex bowled a strike. "Nice move, Keaton! Try beating this!"
She sashayed up to the line and let her ball fly - she hit eight pins and then got the spare. Unfortunately for the next few frames, Luke was only able to hit only a few pins. Although Lorelai was able to compensate for his shortcomings, she wasn't happy and continued to goad him on.
Meanwhile Alex and Lisa were starting to lead them by a few points and their lead grew with every frame. They were laughing and high fiving each other with every strike or spare. If Lorelai didn't know them, she thought they might make a cute couple. What was she thinking, Alex was her boyfriend!
After bowling another strike, she returned to sit beside Luke. They only had a few frames left and he was starting to get that crestfallen look he had at the end of game one. She decided to stop haranguing him and tried another approach.
"Hey, Butch, I have a proposition."
He grimaced. "What do you want?"
"Sorry, couldn't resist. Hey, if you are able to hit more than five pins at a time, I promise you that I will drink decaf every day for a week."
"You're joking."
"Am not, I'm desperate."
"And what will you do for me if I bowl a strike?"
"Whatever you want."
Luke pondered the possibilities. "Well that's motivation enough."
He stood up and picked up his bowling ball. He decided to change his hand position slightly and for the first time that night he felt in complete control. He let the ball fly and held his breath as it sailed down the alley, knocking down nine pins.
Luke couldn't believe it, he felt like a huge weight had been lifted from him. He pumped his fist in the air, and did one of those stupid dances he had watched everyone else in the alley do.
Lisa stopped flirting with Alex long enough to notice Luke's personal victory. She crossed over and gave him a quick kiss.
"Oh, Luke, I knew you could do it."
As Lorelai watched them she felt a twinge of jealousy. Lisa wasn't the reason that Luke had done well. And besides, it wasn't over yet. He still had to attempt the spare.
"Hey, Luke, not so fast, you still have another pin to knock down."
"Lorelai, as far as I'm concerned, I've won. You're drinking decaf for a whole week!" He looked like a kid at Christmas.
Luke picked up the ball and rolled again. He missed the spare.
"Ah, see? That's what you get for being all cocky."
Alex had momentarily excused himself to go the men's room, so Lisa watched Luke and Lorelai's mock-hostile flirting match. She was so distracted by them that when she took her turn, she only hit one pin. If she hadn't known them, she would've thought they were a married couple.
When Alex returned, he noticed that Lisa hadn't advanced their score much.
"Hey Lisa - what happened?"
She smiled shyly at him. "My good luck charm wasn't here."
He smiled back at her. "Well, I'm here now. Don't worry, we'll beat them."
Lisa really liked Alex, too bad he was wasting his time with Lorelai. His eating habits were disgusting, but there was something about his smile that just got to her. As much as she liked Luke, his smile never melted her heart.
Finally it was down to the deciding frame. Alex and Lisa were leading by three points. Lorelai got up and bowled her final turn, she missed the strike, but picked up the spare.
She returned to her seat and looked defeated. Luke was surprised that she was quiet.
"What no pep talk, no pestering?"
"Luke, I'm trying to be unpredictable."
"Does your proposition still stand?"
"What proposition? You mean the decaf thing?"
"We need a strike to win this thing. You promised me you would do whatever I asked if I got a strike, does it still stand?"
"Well, there's no way you're getting a strike, but yeah, a promise is a promise."
Luke got up and felt more confident than he had all night. He was going to win this. He released the ball and it went straight down the center of the alley. All ten pins went flying.
"YES!" He pumped his fist in the air again, turned around and saw Lorelai's mouth drop. They won!
Lorelai got off her seat and ran straight into Luke's arms. He picked her up and spun her around. They were both so excited, they nearly lost their balance on the smooth alley surface. They caused such a scene that the patrons in surrounding lanes started to applaud.
Meanwhile, Alex and Lisa couldn't believe what was going on. Not only had they lost the game, their respective dates were making a spectacle of themselves. They gave each other a knowing look, perhaps Lorelai's plan to switch sides worked all too well.
When Luke and Lorelai finally came back down to earth, they returned to Alex and Lisa.
"Congratulations, you two." Alex tried to be a good sport. "Hey, we losers are going to return our shoes, we'll meet you by the shoe rental."
"Yeah, congratulations, you both deserve to win." Lisa trailed after Alex.
"Sore losers." Lorelai said as they left.
After they had returned their shoes and paid their bill, the foursome met up at the exit and returned to their original pairings.
Lisa spoke first. "Well, it's been an interesting night, and fun. It was nice meeting you Lorelai and Alex." She smiled pointedly at him.
Alex smiled back. "Yeah, it was fun meeting you, Lisa. Good to see you again Luke."
Lorelai waved good-bye to Luke and Lisa. "See you tomorrow Luke."
Luke watched as Lorelai and Alex left the alley.
Luke turned to his date. "So, Lisa, my truck is parked outside. I know you drove here tonight, but I was hoping you'd want to come back to Stars Hollow with me. My nephew is out of town."
Lisa looked at him, her face sober. "I don't think so, Luke."
Luke was disappointed. "Why, do you have an early yoga class tomorrow?"
"Yeah, but that's not why I'm saying no."
Luke could tell by her tone that he was about to be dumped.
"Are you dumping me?"
"I hate using that word, but yeah. Luke, I don't think we should see each other anymore. I really like you, but I think we both know that your heart belongs to someone else."
Luke sighed. He was having déjà vu. He had heard this speech before from Rachel, but this time he was tired of the denial. He remembered how it felt to hold Lorelai tonight - it was a high like no other. She was still under his skin, and no other woman could truly distract him.
"I'm so sorry Lisa. I shouldn't have gotten you mixed up in this."
"It's ok. I had a great time getting to know you, Luke. And tonight, I didn't have such a bad time. I don't know if you noticed but Alex and I really hit it off."
"Yeah, a little. Are you gonna see him again?"
"Well, he's probably breaking up with Lorelai as we speak, so yeah. I gave him my card."
"Wow, you move fast."
Lisa chuckled. "I'm a lawyer, I have to be aggressive."
Luke felt a strange sense of relief. "Well, send me an invitation to your wedding."
"Yeah, I hope you and Lorelai can make it. And send me one to yours, too."
Lisa gave Luke a hug, kissed him goodbye and left the bowling alley.
Luke returned to his truck and started the drive back home. He reflected on what had just happened with Lisa. As breakups went, this one wasn't too bad. He hoped Lorelai's wouldn't be too painful.
TBC
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Third Season, future fic based on spoilers
Rating: PG
Summary: The bowling match continues.
Disclaimer: Gilmore Girls and all characters are property of The Dubba Dubba Dubba WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Amy Sherman- Palladino. They don't belong to me, just borrowing.
Luke joined Lorelai on lane thirteen for the first time that night. She immediately started in with the pep talk.
"Ok, Luke, don't mean to put any pressure on you, but it's up to you to preserve my honor."
"What honor? Lorelai, it's just a game."
"Just a game, are you kidding? Bowling is an American institution, like apple pie, baseball, and the super-sized menu at McDonalds. It's the salvation of beer guzzling working man. If you don't win, you'll be letting your country down."
"What does patriotism have to do with your over-inflated ego?"
"Luke, America is all about ego, you know competition, success, individualism."
"And that's why two-thirds of this planet hates us."
Lorelai watched as Alex bowled a strike. "Nice move, Keaton! Try beating this!"
She sashayed up to the line and let her ball fly - she hit eight pins and then got the spare. Unfortunately for the next few frames, Luke was only able to hit only a few pins. Although Lorelai was able to compensate for his shortcomings, she wasn't happy and continued to goad him on.
Meanwhile Alex and Lisa were starting to lead them by a few points and their lead grew with every frame. They were laughing and high fiving each other with every strike or spare. If Lorelai didn't know them, she thought they might make a cute couple. What was she thinking, Alex was her boyfriend!
After bowling another strike, she returned to sit beside Luke. They only had a few frames left and he was starting to get that crestfallen look he had at the end of game one. She decided to stop haranguing him and tried another approach.
"Hey, Butch, I have a proposition."
He grimaced. "What do you want?"
"Sorry, couldn't resist. Hey, if you are able to hit more than five pins at a time, I promise you that I will drink decaf every day for a week."
"You're joking."
"Am not, I'm desperate."
"And what will you do for me if I bowl a strike?"
"Whatever you want."
Luke pondered the possibilities. "Well that's motivation enough."
He stood up and picked up his bowling ball. He decided to change his hand position slightly and for the first time that night he felt in complete control. He let the ball fly and held his breath as it sailed down the alley, knocking down nine pins.
Luke couldn't believe it, he felt like a huge weight had been lifted from him. He pumped his fist in the air, and did one of those stupid dances he had watched everyone else in the alley do.
Lisa stopped flirting with Alex long enough to notice Luke's personal victory. She crossed over and gave him a quick kiss.
"Oh, Luke, I knew you could do it."
As Lorelai watched them she felt a twinge of jealousy. Lisa wasn't the reason that Luke had done well. And besides, it wasn't over yet. He still had to attempt the spare.
"Hey, Luke, not so fast, you still have another pin to knock down."
"Lorelai, as far as I'm concerned, I've won. You're drinking decaf for a whole week!" He looked like a kid at Christmas.
Luke picked up the ball and rolled again. He missed the spare.
"Ah, see? That's what you get for being all cocky."
Alex had momentarily excused himself to go the men's room, so Lisa watched Luke and Lorelai's mock-hostile flirting match. She was so distracted by them that when she took her turn, she only hit one pin. If she hadn't known them, she would've thought they were a married couple.
When Alex returned, he noticed that Lisa hadn't advanced their score much.
"Hey Lisa - what happened?"
She smiled shyly at him. "My good luck charm wasn't here."
He smiled back at her. "Well, I'm here now. Don't worry, we'll beat them."
Lisa really liked Alex, too bad he was wasting his time with Lorelai. His eating habits were disgusting, but there was something about his smile that just got to her. As much as she liked Luke, his smile never melted her heart.
Finally it was down to the deciding frame. Alex and Lisa were leading by three points. Lorelai got up and bowled her final turn, she missed the strike, but picked up the spare.
She returned to her seat and looked defeated. Luke was surprised that she was quiet.
"What no pep talk, no pestering?"
"Luke, I'm trying to be unpredictable."
"Does your proposition still stand?"
"What proposition? You mean the decaf thing?"
"We need a strike to win this thing. You promised me you would do whatever I asked if I got a strike, does it still stand?"
"Well, there's no way you're getting a strike, but yeah, a promise is a promise."
Luke got up and felt more confident than he had all night. He was going to win this. He released the ball and it went straight down the center of the alley. All ten pins went flying.
"YES!" He pumped his fist in the air again, turned around and saw Lorelai's mouth drop. They won!
Lorelai got off her seat and ran straight into Luke's arms. He picked her up and spun her around. They were both so excited, they nearly lost their balance on the smooth alley surface. They caused such a scene that the patrons in surrounding lanes started to applaud.
Meanwhile, Alex and Lisa couldn't believe what was going on. Not only had they lost the game, their respective dates were making a spectacle of themselves. They gave each other a knowing look, perhaps Lorelai's plan to switch sides worked all too well.
When Luke and Lorelai finally came back down to earth, they returned to Alex and Lisa.
"Congratulations, you two." Alex tried to be a good sport. "Hey, we losers are going to return our shoes, we'll meet you by the shoe rental."
"Yeah, congratulations, you both deserve to win." Lisa trailed after Alex.
"Sore losers." Lorelai said as they left.
After they had returned their shoes and paid their bill, the foursome met up at the exit and returned to their original pairings.
Lisa spoke first. "Well, it's been an interesting night, and fun. It was nice meeting you Lorelai and Alex." She smiled pointedly at him.
Alex smiled back. "Yeah, it was fun meeting you, Lisa. Good to see you again Luke."
Lorelai waved good-bye to Luke and Lisa. "See you tomorrow Luke."
Luke watched as Lorelai and Alex left the alley.
Luke turned to his date. "So, Lisa, my truck is parked outside. I know you drove here tonight, but I was hoping you'd want to come back to Stars Hollow with me. My nephew is out of town."
Lisa looked at him, her face sober. "I don't think so, Luke."
Luke was disappointed. "Why, do you have an early yoga class tomorrow?"
"Yeah, but that's not why I'm saying no."
Luke could tell by her tone that he was about to be dumped.
"Are you dumping me?"
"I hate using that word, but yeah. Luke, I don't think we should see each other anymore. I really like you, but I think we both know that your heart belongs to someone else."
Luke sighed. He was having déjà vu. He had heard this speech before from Rachel, but this time he was tired of the denial. He remembered how it felt to hold Lorelai tonight - it was a high like no other. She was still under his skin, and no other woman could truly distract him.
"I'm so sorry Lisa. I shouldn't have gotten you mixed up in this."
"It's ok. I had a great time getting to know you, Luke. And tonight, I didn't have such a bad time. I don't know if you noticed but Alex and I really hit it off."
"Yeah, a little. Are you gonna see him again?"
"Well, he's probably breaking up with Lorelai as we speak, so yeah. I gave him my card."
"Wow, you move fast."
Lisa chuckled. "I'm a lawyer, I have to be aggressive."
Luke felt a strange sense of relief. "Well, send me an invitation to your wedding."
"Yeah, I hope you and Lorelai can make it. And send me one to yours, too."
Lisa gave Luke a hug, kissed him goodbye and left the bowling alley.
Luke returned to his truck and started the drive back home. He reflected on what had just happened with Lisa. As breakups went, this one wasn't too bad. He hoped Lorelai's wouldn't be too painful.
TBC