Title: Piece of My Heart

Author: Cassandra Mulder

Feedback: Very much appreciated, either here or dana_mulder32@yahoo.com

Rating: G

Spoilers: Little bit of season 4, nothing too specific.

Classification: Gilmore Girls; Luke/Lorelai

Disclaimer: "Gilmore Girls" belongs to Amy Sherman-Palladino, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and the WB. This is for entertainment only, and no infringement is intended.

Written: February 12, 2004

Summary: It's Valentine's Day in Stars Hollow. Luke/Lorelai

Distribution: My site, Bound, anywhere else, please ask.

A/N: Luke and Lorelai started having something of a conversation in my head as I was in bed, trying to go back to sleep. A ficlet just happened to come out of that. Even though I hate Valentine's Day, I used it as a catalyst. Which really makes me no better than the commercialist nazis, but oh well... I do hope you enjoy!

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Lorelai bounded into Luke's Diner, anticipating her first cup of coffee, and aggravating Luke while she waited for it.

She perched on a stool at the counter, setting her purse and a small, white paper bag beside her. She watched Luke wait on the two customers ahead of her, before he turned to her and the thousand watt smile she had aimed right at him. After he'd recovered from that, he began the game they played every day.

"Morning, Lorelai. What'll it be?"

"Chai tea," she said firmly, and with a straight face.

He just gave her the look. The Luke Look, as she liked to call it.

"Coffee, silly," she grinned, and he pretended to be exasperated just before he turned around to pour her usual drink.

Luke sat the huge mug down in front of her, and she wrapped her hands around its warmth, sighing happily.

"Do you know what day it is?" she asked, smiling like she had a secret.

Luke eyed her suspiciously. "Saturday?"

"Noooo."

"Yes, it is."

"It's Valentine's Day, Luke!"

"Oh, you mean the day that flower companies and candy and card makers invented to prey upon the lovesick, just so they'll buy more chocolate, roses, and teddy bears?"

"Uh, yeah. Romantic, Luke," she said sarcastically, with a frown. "I take it Nicole already knows you're the Valentine's Nazi?"

"She doesn't care."

"Uh... huh," she muttered, her frown deepening. She let it pass, like she did with most mentions of his so-called wife. She didn't know when they were actually having a marriage, since they were never together, but it was none of her business.

"Anyway..." Lorelai pulled the small, white bag closer, clutching the folded down top with both hands. "I thought since, you know, we're friends I would get you a little something. 'Cause let's face it, if it wasn't for you and the listening, and fixing my gutters, my porch, my roof, my windows, the floorboards, various appliances, and my doors, I wouldn't have my sanity. Or my house," she finished with a laugh.

Luke just looked at her, then the counter, and smiled.

"Plus, you're just... you're a really great friend, Luke, whether you know it or not, and you've always been practically a father to Rory... And, well..." She slid the bag across the counter to him, and he took it, pausing before he opened it.

"I just wanted you to know you'll always have a piece of my heart," she finished hurriedly.

He unrolled the top of the bag, and peered inside to see a heart-shaped cupcake covered in red frosting. It was always the little things with Lorelai.

His face softened as he looked back up at the woman who drove him nuts, but he couldn't help loving anyway, and finally admitted, "You've always had all of mine."

Fin