Fool for Love

by

javakamp
Chapter 31: The King and Queen of Denial.

It was an hour later, when Lorelai, sitting on one of the chairs in Luke's apartment, heard a knock at the door. Surprised she looked around wondering if she should answer Luke's door. Finally, with a shrug she stood up and opened the door.

"Oh, its you," Lorelai said, when she saw Luke standing there.

"Ah, yeah, Rory said you wanted to see me."

Lorelai stepped back so Luke could enter, "Yeah I'm just a little surprised you'd knock at your own door."

"It seemed like the polite thing to do."

They stood silently for a few moments. Lorelai the first to break the silence, "I just wanted to thank you, and to apologize for everything that happened, earlier."

Luke shook his and replied, "You don't have anything to apologize for."

"I disagree with that but I've had enough arguing for the next week."

"Yeah, I can imagine."

Lorelai looked up and said, "You know, I feel I really do want to apologize. I want to say that I'm sorry for getting you dragged into my problems, for disrupting your business," Lorelai pointed at Luke's lip, which was showing the slightest hint of a bruise, "And for getting you punched in the face. How's that feel by the way?"

Luke touched his lip, and then said, "It really isn't that bad. Don't be offended but you exboyfriend there kinda hits like a wimp."

"But not you, you sent him flying, "Lorelai said swinging her fist through the air. "That was real impressive."

"It wasn't that that big of a deal," Luke shrugged.

"No big deal! It was amazing." Lorelai gushed. "I mean one punch. Wham. People are going to be talking about this for years. It was way more exciting that the annual reenactment of the Battle of Stars Hollow." Lorelai paused for a moment while she appeared to ponder. "You know I bet if I talk to Taylor Doose, we could have an annual reenactment of the fight at Luke's Diner."

"You do that and I'll cut off your coffee," Luke threatened.

"Okay scratch that idea." Lorelai turned serious and said, "But I really did want to thank you. Usually, you know, I don't believe violence solves anything. But I can't tell you how glad I was when you thumped him. That was nice. Thank you."

Luke reddened slightly. He looked at the ground as he said, "Its' nothing. Its' what friends do you know. Besides he really deserved it."

"I also wanted to tell you that I understand what you were saying earlier about being afraid of butting in. Cause you were right, I would have said it was none of your business, and ignored you. I mean Rory tried to tell me something was wrong with Colin, and I ignored her. Heck even my mom tried to tell me that he was hiding something. I was such a fool."

"Don't be so tough on yourself. Love can be tricky, you know."

"I know that all too well," Lorelai replied. "But next time, I want you to feel free to poke your nose where it doesn't belong. That way when I ignore you you'll at least be able to say that you told me so."

Luke took a deep breath then said, "Well there is something I've been wanting to tell you."

"What's that?"

"Well… You see… That is…" Luke stammered. He fell quite for a moment staring at Lorelai, who only silently stared back. Finally, Luke said, "Oh what the hell." Totally catching Lorelai off guard, he stepped up until he was inches away. Then before she could react, he grabbed her by the arms, pulled her to him, and kissed her deeply.

The kiss lasted for several extraordinary seconds, but all too soon, Lorelai brought a hand to his chest and pushed him away. With a shocked expression on her face she gasped, "Luke…"

Luke stared at the expression on her face, and then suddenly said, "Oh, Jeez, Lorelai. I am so, so sorry. I, I shouldn't have. I don't know what got into…"

Lorelai cut Luke's apology short when she reached out and grabbed Luke's head between her hands, and swiftly pulled him into a kiss. Luke responded quickly wrapping his arms around her waist, while her arms snaked around his neck.

Eventually they split apart for air, both with huge grins on their faces. After a moment, Luke spoke, "That was…"

"I know," Lorelai replied.

"I've wanted…"

"Me too," Lorelai grinned.

"You did? I had no idea."

"Me neither," Lorelai grinned, shaking her head.

"This is just so…"

"Amazing," Lorelai nodded.

"Do you think?"

"I sure hope so." Lorelai nodded still grinning eagerly.

Luke leaned down and kissed her quickly on the lips, then pulled her into a tight embrace, and off the ground, while he spun around in a circle. Lorelai's response was a screech of gleeful laughter.

At least that was what Luke wanted to say and do in his fantasy world. Instead, after Lorelai said, "That way when I ignore you you'll be able to say that you told me so."

Luke responded in the real world by saying, "I'll do that."

Luke chided himself for once again letting an opportunity slip by as he watched Lorelai pick up her coat and purse, and start towards the door. She stopped next to Luke, smiling up at him. "And thanks for letting me use your place to get myself back together."

Luke looked down into her baby blues and replied, "No problem, any time. You know what they say, Mi case, su casa."

"What does that mean anyway?" Lorelai inquired.

"I have no idea," Luke said with a shake of his head.

They remained quiet for a moment, until Lorelai, said, "Rory's waiting for me, so I better get going."

"Okay," Luke nodded.

"Thanks again for everything, Luke."

"Glad to be of help."

Lorelai opened the door to leave, but before she pulled the door closed behind her, she said, "So hopefully the next time we see each other, things will be back to normal."

Luke spread his hands and said, "Hey, we can only hope."

A moment later Lorelai was gone. Luke took a moment to experience the lingering feel of her presences. Then he let out a heavy sigh and headed down stairs.