Title: Three's a Crowd, Chapter 4
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Late Fourth Season (post "Girls in Bikinis")
Rating: PG - 13
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.
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Around seven that night, Lorelai breezed into the diner in a pair of jeans, a dark silky blouse with her pink coat on top, with her long curls flowing down her back. Luke watched her come in and it struck him just how beautiful she was. He was tempted to tell her how much he liked her longer hairstyle, that there was something sexy about it. He imagined running his hands through those curls...
"Earth to Luke."
"Oh, hey Lorelai."
"What were you daydreaming about?" She asked, taking her seat at the counter.
"I wasn't daydreaming, I was just trying to remember when was the last time I placed an order for sugar packets."
"Right, sugar packets. Well, I just heard from Jason, and he's running late – some client emergency. But the movie starts at 8:45, so we've got be out of here by eight at the latest. I've already secured our tickets online, so we don't have to worry about it being sold out."
"You really think the movie will sell out?"
"Luke, all the eighth grade girls in northern Connecticut will be at this screening so they can lord it over their dorky friends that they were able to see the movie before the rest of the class does. Don't you know anything about tween culture?"
"Apparently not. So you're saying that the three of us will be the only adults at this movie?"
"Well, there will be the aforementioned dirty old men."
Luke rolled his eyes. "Great, so do you want to order?"
"Yeah, I'll have a cheeseburger and fries, and coffee. Oh, did you eat yet?"
"Yeah, just had something on my dinner break, why?"
"Well, if Jason doesn't show to dinner, I was hoping you could keep me company."
"Sorry Lorelai, I have a diner to run until Lane comes to relieve me, so I'm afraid you'll have to go solo on this one or just hope that your boyfriend shows up soon."
"Some date you are." She pouted.
"Jason's your date, I'm just tagging along." Luke explained as he poured her coffee. "Excuse me but I've got some orders to take."
Lorelai wondered if she had seen a hint of jealousy in Luke's voice. She shrugged it off, she was probably just imagining things.
Just then the bell jingled and Jason came through the door, still dressed in his work clothes. He scanned the small diner for Lorelai and saw her at the counter. As he approached her, he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh my god, Jason you startled me." She exclaimed, jumping in her seat.
Jason leaned over to kiss her on the mouth, but she turned her head so he got her cheek instead.
"Nice kiss hello." He said sarcastically.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that I don't think we should be PDA-ing it up in front of Luke."
Jason looked around for the flannel clad owner but didn't see him.
"Lorelai, I don't even think he's watching us. Do you see him?"
She scanned the dining area. "Oh, he must be in the kitchen, I guess it's okay."
She gave him a full kiss on the lips just as Luke returned from the kitchen with her order. He felt a twinge of jealousy upon witnessing this. Well at least there's no tongue, he thought.
"Here you go, Lorelai," he announced. "Here's your cheeseburger, just the way you like it."
"Thanks, Luke. Okay here comes the big introduction. Jason Stiles, this is Luke Danes. Luke this is Jason."
Jason held out his hand to Luke. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Luke nodded. "Uh, nice to meet you, too." He noticed Jason's hand. "Oh, sorry I'd shake your hand but it's got some grill grease on it."
Jason pulled back his hand. "It's okay, we can shake hands later."
Luke stared at Jason, taking him in. So this definitely was the guy he spotted her with that day in her jeep. He was also pretty sure he was the jerk in the tailgating car. He was well dressed, in an expensive suit and overcoat, which contrasted greatly to his very casual usual uniform. So he was right when he told Lorelai that she liked her men all GQ'ed up.
There was a bit of an awkward silence until Lorelai broke it. "Oh, Jason why don't you order something, we need to get out of here soon to make the movie."
"Do you need a menu?" Luke asked.
"Oh no, I'll just have what Lorelai's having, minus the cheese. I'm lactose intolerant, you don't want to know what happens to me if I eat dairy. It's not pretty...I'm rambling, aren't I? Yeah, just a burger well done, with fries and a glass of water."
Luke nodded. "Coming right up." He disappeared into the kitchen.
Lorelai turned to Jason. "So that wasn't so bad, huh?"
"I guess."
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know, I feel kind of intimidated by him. He's got this, oh I don't know, weird stare. I feel like he's judging me or something. Maybe he just reminds me of the guys who used to beat me up at Exeter, without the school uniforms."
"Luke's not going to beat you up. He only kicks cars and the only person he ever tried to beat up was my daughter's first boyfriend. And that wasn't even a fight - it was more like bitch slapping."
"Wow, that's comforting." Jason said nervously.
"Just relax. Be your charming self. It'll be okay." She reassured him.
A few minutes later, Luke returned with Jason's dinner.
"You want anything else?" he asked gruffly.
Jason looked at Luke. "Um, no we're okay here. Right Lorelai?"
"I'd like some more coffee, Luke."
After he refilled her cup, Jason and Lorelai continued their meal at the counter while Luke took care of his other customers.
A few minutes later, Lane came into the diner. "Hey boss, I'm here," she announced.
"Great, thanks for filling in for me on short notice."
"No problem. I need the money. Zack, Brian and I are buying a refrigerator tomorrow. Now I can actually eat real food at my place."
"Real food is good." Lorelai said. "Although I'm all for the wonders of takeout. Hey Lane, have you met Jason? Lane, this is my boyfriend Jason Stiles."
"Jason, this is Lane. She's the best waitress that Luke has ever had and she also happens to be Rory's best friend. She's also a kick-ass drummer."
"Hello, Lane. It's a pleasure."
"Nice to meet you. I'd hang around and chat but I gotta get ready for work. Have a good time tonight."
Luke watched the exchange, feeling uncomfortable hearing Lorelai describer Jason as her boyfriend. It was okay when he used the term but he just didn't like hearing it from Lorelai. He went into the back to give Lane some instructions as the couple finished their dinner.
After talking to Lane, Luke decided there was something he needed to do. He went upstairs to his apartment and put on his date outfit. He hadn't planned on changing clothes but seeing Jason in his suit made Luke feel like a poor relation. He looked in the mirror and combed his hair, and decided it was time for a haircut. He also needed a shave but didn't have the time. The scruffy look would have to do but at least he had on his leather jacket.
Luke came downstairs just as Jason was helping Lorelai on with her coat. He noticed that he was pulling some of her curls away from her neck so they wouldn't get caught in her collar. He cleared his throat.
"Are you two ready to go?"
Lorelai looked up and took in the sight of him in what she called his "Nicole outfit." She mentally chastised herself for thinking that, it was just Luke dressed up.
"You changed?"
"Yeah, it's no big deal." Luke shrugged. "So, am I riding with you or should I take my truck?"
"Um, why don't you take your truck? My car really only seats two comfortably." Jason explained.
He didn't want to say that his plan was to bring Lorelai back to his place after the movie and he didn't want to have to give Luke a ride back home.
The threesome walked out of the diner and Luke decided to have a little fun.
"Oh, so what kind of car do you drive Jason? So I can follow you guys to the movies?"
Jason started to get nervous again. "Um, it's the Audi over there." He hoped Luke wouldn't recognize him as the tailgater.
"Hmmm, that car looks familiar. We don't really get Audis in Stars Hollow – this is more of a Jeep and GMC truck kind of place. We have the occasional minivan or SUV, but not many sports cars. I seem to remember one morning a couple of months ago, some guy was tailgating me in a car that looks just like yours."
Jason gave in and put up his hands. "Okay it was me. You got me. I'm really sorry about that. If I had known it was you I wouldn't have done it, I swear."
Luke smiled. "It's okay. I know the speed limit is probably not what you're used to. But let's not speed on the way to the movies, okay? I want to get there in one piece."
Lorelai watched this with fascination, she had a feeling that Luke was trying to put Jason in his place. She also found this exchange to be vaguely familiar.
"Okay guys, let's stop the chit chat and let's go, otherwise we will have to speed to make the movie."
Jason and Luke agreed and they got in their cars. Luke rolled his eyes when he noticed that Jason didn't hold the door open for Lorelai as she got in the passenger seat of his car.
As he followed them to the movie theater, Luke smiled to himself. Jason really was no competition. So he wore fancy clothes and drove an expensive sports car. Underneath he was just an insecure guy who probably still couldn't believe his luck that he was dating a woman like Lorelai. She still wondered what she saw in him though. Was it the wealthy trappings or did she really love this guy? Luke was hoping to find out tonight.
Author: Gluglug
Spoiler Warning/Timing: Late Fourth Season (post "Girls in Bikinis")
Rating: PG - 13
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.
----------------------------------------------
Around seven that night, Lorelai breezed into the diner in a pair of jeans, a dark silky blouse with her pink coat on top, with her long curls flowing down her back. Luke watched her come in and it struck him just how beautiful she was. He was tempted to tell her how much he liked her longer hairstyle, that there was something sexy about it. He imagined running his hands through those curls...
"Earth to Luke."
"Oh, hey Lorelai."
"What were you daydreaming about?" She asked, taking her seat at the counter.
"I wasn't daydreaming, I was just trying to remember when was the last time I placed an order for sugar packets."
"Right, sugar packets. Well, I just heard from Jason, and he's running late – some client emergency. But the movie starts at 8:45, so we've got be out of here by eight at the latest. I've already secured our tickets online, so we don't have to worry about it being sold out."
"You really think the movie will sell out?"
"Luke, all the eighth grade girls in northern Connecticut will be at this screening so they can lord it over their dorky friends that they were able to see the movie before the rest of the class does. Don't you know anything about tween culture?"
"Apparently not. So you're saying that the three of us will be the only adults at this movie?"
"Well, there will be the aforementioned dirty old men."
Luke rolled his eyes. "Great, so do you want to order?"
"Yeah, I'll have a cheeseburger and fries, and coffee. Oh, did you eat yet?"
"Yeah, just had something on my dinner break, why?"
"Well, if Jason doesn't show to dinner, I was hoping you could keep me company."
"Sorry Lorelai, I have a diner to run until Lane comes to relieve me, so I'm afraid you'll have to go solo on this one or just hope that your boyfriend shows up soon."
"Some date you are." She pouted.
"Jason's your date, I'm just tagging along." Luke explained as he poured her coffee. "Excuse me but I've got some orders to take."
Lorelai wondered if she had seen a hint of jealousy in Luke's voice. She shrugged it off, she was probably just imagining things.
Just then the bell jingled and Jason came through the door, still dressed in his work clothes. He scanned the small diner for Lorelai and saw her at the counter. As he approached her, he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh my god, Jason you startled me." She exclaimed, jumping in her seat.
Jason leaned over to kiss her on the mouth, but she turned her head so he got her cheek instead.
"Nice kiss hello." He said sarcastically.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that I don't think we should be PDA-ing it up in front of Luke."
Jason looked around for the flannel clad owner but didn't see him.
"Lorelai, I don't even think he's watching us. Do you see him?"
She scanned the dining area. "Oh, he must be in the kitchen, I guess it's okay."
She gave him a full kiss on the lips just as Luke returned from the kitchen with her order. He felt a twinge of jealousy upon witnessing this. Well at least there's no tongue, he thought.
"Here you go, Lorelai," he announced. "Here's your cheeseburger, just the way you like it."
"Thanks, Luke. Okay here comes the big introduction. Jason Stiles, this is Luke Danes. Luke this is Jason."
Jason held out his hand to Luke. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Luke nodded. "Uh, nice to meet you, too." He noticed Jason's hand. "Oh, sorry I'd shake your hand but it's got some grill grease on it."
Jason pulled back his hand. "It's okay, we can shake hands later."
Luke stared at Jason, taking him in. So this definitely was the guy he spotted her with that day in her jeep. He was also pretty sure he was the jerk in the tailgating car. He was well dressed, in an expensive suit and overcoat, which contrasted greatly to his very casual usual uniform. So he was right when he told Lorelai that she liked her men all GQ'ed up.
There was a bit of an awkward silence until Lorelai broke it. "Oh, Jason why don't you order something, we need to get out of here soon to make the movie."
"Do you need a menu?" Luke asked.
"Oh no, I'll just have what Lorelai's having, minus the cheese. I'm lactose intolerant, you don't want to know what happens to me if I eat dairy. It's not pretty...I'm rambling, aren't I? Yeah, just a burger well done, with fries and a glass of water."
Luke nodded. "Coming right up." He disappeared into the kitchen.
Lorelai turned to Jason. "So that wasn't so bad, huh?"
"I guess."
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know, I feel kind of intimidated by him. He's got this, oh I don't know, weird stare. I feel like he's judging me or something. Maybe he just reminds me of the guys who used to beat me up at Exeter, without the school uniforms."
"Luke's not going to beat you up. He only kicks cars and the only person he ever tried to beat up was my daughter's first boyfriend. And that wasn't even a fight - it was more like bitch slapping."
"Wow, that's comforting." Jason said nervously.
"Just relax. Be your charming self. It'll be okay." She reassured him.
A few minutes later, Luke returned with Jason's dinner.
"You want anything else?" he asked gruffly.
Jason looked at Luke. "Um, no we're okay here. Right Lorelai?"
"I'd like some more coffee, Luke."
After he refilled her cup, Jason and Lorelai continued their meal at the counter while Luke took care of his other customers.
A few minutes later, Lane came into the diner. "Hey boss, I'm here," she announced.
"Great, thanks for filling in for me on short notice."
"No problem. I need the money. Zack, Brian and I are buying a refrigerator tomorrow. Now I can actually eat real food at my place."
"Real food is good." Lorelai said. "Although I'm all for the wonders of takeout. Hey Lane, have you met Jason? Lane, this is my boyfriend Jason Stiles."
"Jason, this is Lane. She's the best waitress that Luke has ever had and she also happens to be Rory's best friend. She's also a kick-ass drummer."
"Hello, Lane. It's a pleasure."
"Nice to meet you. I'd hang around and chat but I gotta get ready for work. Have a good time tonight."
Luke watched the exchange, feeling uncomfortable hearing Lorelai describer Jason as her boyfriend. It was okay when he used the term but he just didn't like hearing it from Lorelai. He went into the back to give Lane some instructions as the couple finished their dinner.
After talking to Lane, Luke decided there was something he needed to do. He went upstairs to his apartment and put on his date outfit. He hadn't planned on changing clothes but seeing Jason in his suit made Luke feel like a poor relation. He looked in the mirror and combed his hair, and decided it was time for a haircut. He also needed a shave but didn't have the time. The scruffy look would have to do but at least he had on his leather jacket.
Luke came downstairs just as Jason was helping Lorelai on with her coat. He noticed that he was pulling some of her curls away from her neck so they wouldn't get caught in her collar. He cleared his throat.
"Are you two ready to go?"
Lorelai looked up and took in the sight of him in what she called his "Nicole outfit." She mentally chastised herself for thinking that, it was just Luke dressed up.
"You changed?"
"Yeah, it's no big deal." Luke shrugged. "So, am I riding with you or should I take my truck?"
"Um, why don't you take your truck? My car really only seats two comfortably." Jason explained.
He didn't want to say that his plan was to bring Lorelai back to his place after the movie and he didn't want to have to give Luke a ride back home.
The threesome walked out of the diner and Luke decided to have a little fun.
"Oh, so what kind of car do you drive Jason? So I can follow you guys to the movies?"
Jason started to get nervous again. "Um, it's the Audi over there." He hoped Luke wouldn't recognize him as the tailgater.
"Hmmm, that car looks familiar. We don't really get Audis in Stars Hollow – this is more of a Jeep and GMC truck kind of place. We have the occasional minivan or SUV, but not many sports cars. I seem to remember one morning a couple of months ago, some guy was tailgating me in a car that looks just like yours."
Jason gave in and put up his hands. "Okay it was me. You got me. I'm really sorry about that. If I had known it was you I wouldn't have done it, I swear."
Luke smiled. "It's okay. I know the speed limit is probably not what you're used to. But let's not speed on the way to the movies, okay? I want to get there in one piece."
Lorelai watched this with fascination, she had a feeling that Luke was trying to put Jason in his place. She also found this exchange to be vaguely familiar.
"Okay guys, let's stop the chit chat and let's go, otherwise we will have to speed to make the movie."
Jason and Luke agreed and they got in their cars. Luke rolled his eyes when he noticed that Jason didn't hold the door open for Lorelai as she got in the passenger seat of his car.
As he followed them to the movie theater, Luke smiled to himself. Jason really was no competition. So he wore fancy clothes and drove an expensive sports car. Underneath he was just an insecure guy who probably still couldn't believe his luck that he was dating a woman like Lorelai. She still wondered what she saw in him though. Was it the wealthy trappings or did she really love this guy? Luke was hoping to find out tonight.