Title: Three's a Crowd, Chapter 6
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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On the drive home, Lorelai chattered on about the movie while Luke half- listened to her, distracted by the throbbing of his heart beneath the leather. It was funny, he didn't feel nervous all night while Jason was there. But once he had left Lorelai "in his hands" he felt like they were really on a date and he was taking her home.
It's just Lorelai, he kept reminding himself. You see her everyday and she's been in your truck before. Hell, she even drove it to Yale and back, once she learned how to work his "misogynistic" stick. Stop being so nervous, he told himself.
Soon enough, he drove into the town center of Stars Hollow.
"Do you want to come to the diner for some coffee or do you want me to drop you at home?"
"You said the magic word. Coffee! And some pie, too?"
"Lorelai, you had about a tub and a half of popcorn at the movie and you still have room for pie? Where do you put it all?"
"Oh I carry little fat eating gremlins with me in my purse – when you're not looking I give them my food!" She joked. "I guess I'm blessed with an iron stomach, as you say, and the infamous Gilmore metabolism."
Luke pulled his truck in front of the diner. It was almost eleven and the diner was dark.
He got out of the truck and quickly walked around to the passenger side to let her out. Lorelai thought that was a little odd, but appreciated the chivalrous gesture, noticing that he had also held the car door for her after the movie.
"Thanks, Luckinbaugh."
Luke unlocked the front door to the diner, ushered her inside and turned on the light. He headed over to the coffee machine noting it was still warm. Lane must've forgotten to clean out the pot, but it was still half-full and maybe she knew that Lorelai would want coffee. In any case, he tuned on the machine to heat up the coffee for her.
"Your coffee should be warmed up in a minute. I'm going to boil some water for my tea."
"Thanks." She said as she took off her coat and went to the pie plate to see if any was left. She was in luck - there was one slice of apple.
"Hey, Luke. Can you get me a plate for the pie?"
"Sure," came his voice from the kitchen.
"Hey, do you ever eat dessert, Luke? I mean I know you think that sugar is the root of all evil, but don't you ever indulge?"
"I like fruit, that's my dessert."
"What's your favorite fruit?"
"Depends on the season."
"What do you like now?"
"Berries are good – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries."
"Yummy, me too. Huh, I'm learning all these things about you tonight."
"Like what?" Luke asked.
"Well, for one that you like the Olsen twins. Oh and that you're a considerate date – with the chivalrous door holding thing and all."
"I do not like the Olsen twins."
"You said they were cute, Luke."
"I said the movie was cute."
"Yeah, whatever. Who is your favorite - Mary Kate or Ashley?"
"Couldn't tell 'em apart."
"Yeah, me neither."
Just then the kettle whistle blew and Luke went to retrieve his tea and Lorelai's coffee. He noticed that she was calling him her date again but this time he didn't argue. She also liked that she hadn't mentioned Jason since he left them in the parking lot.
He returned with her coffee and came around the counter so he could sip his tea.
Lorelai was not used to sitting side by side with Luke at the counter and stood up.
"Hey, let's sit at a table so we don't crane our necks, like Rory did on her date with Trevor."
Luke smiled, remembering the night they watched "Casablanca" and Rory called her mom in a panic over her bad date. There she was, using the word 'date' again. He brought their dessert over to the table and joined her.
"So tell me, Luke. What did you really think of Jason? I respect your opinion and I really want to know what you think."
"He seems like an okay guy." Luke sighed, he shouldn't have jinxed himself before.
"So is that Luke-speak for you didn't want to disembowel him?"
Luke chuckled at the image. "Yeah, he seems nice enough, and aside from the cell phone thing, he seems to care about you. And of course we have the Nicole two-timing thing in common."
"Yeah, I guess you have the same taste in women." She paused. "Hey, you don't happen to know a bimbo named Crystal, do you?"
"Can't say that I do. Who is she?"
"Oh, just some woman Jason takes to functions or something."
"He sees other women?"
"Not really, he was when he and I started dating. You see, my parents didn't know about us and Jason had to bring someone to a charity event, so he brought Crystal."
"Wait a second. Your folks don't know about Jason? I thought you said that he works with your dad and that they get along?"
"He does, but it's complicated. And I don't know - I don't like my parents to know too much about my personal life. I kind of like to keep it separate."
"That must be tough for Jason, if he works for your dad and he can't talk about you. What if he lets it slip?"
"He'd better not." Lorelai said emphatically.
"Well, at some point, you'll have to tell them. I mean, it's getting serious, right?"
"I don't know, Luke."
"So you're not serious about him?"
"I'm not sure." She sighed. "I really like him but there's something holding us back and I'm not sure if it's me or him."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he didn't want to come to Gran's funeral and he's got this really strange dog that was trained by monks or something. It's creepy, the dog doesn't bark or roll over or sit, he just sits there and stares! And tonight, I was supposed to go home with him after the movie, but even if I did he still doesn't let me sleep in the same bed with him! But instead he had to go take care of business and you wound up taking me back here. Sometimes I think he's more committed to his damn cell phone than he is to me, even though he gave me a talking key!"
Luke took in her rant, sensing that she hadn't meant to reveal all of that. He wasn't even tempted to ask why in the world Jason wouldn't sleep in the same bed as Lorelai. If he were lucky enough to have her with him in his bed, he would never ask her to leave.
"You sound a little conflicted about your feelings."
"Conflicted? That's the story of my love life. You see, I want a relationship in my life - a real relationship. But with Jason I feel like I'm playing at it. It's fun, it's a distraction but it doesn't feel real. I want to feel something, I want to fall passionately in love and be swept away by it all. Is it wrong to want that?"
Luke looked at her wistful face. "No, it's not. I think deep down, that's what we all want."
"Is that what you want?" She asked.
Luke put down his tea cup and looked up at her. "I think so."
Lorelai smiled. "Wow. Who would've thunk it? Luke Danes, closet romantic."
"Don't tell anyone, okay?" He said sheepishly.
"It'll be our secret." Lorelai whispered.
As she always did when things were getting a little too intimate between them, she looked for an escape. She looked at her watch.
"Oh, it's getting late. It's a school night, you know."
"Yeah. Hey, do you want me to walk you home? After all, I told Jason I would get you home safely."
Lorelai was about to say 'no,' but for some reason tonight she didn't mind an escort.
"Sure, Stars Hollow is dangerous this time of night." She joked.
Luke brought their cups and plates into the kitchen and by the time he returned, Lorelai already had on her coat and was standing by the door. He had missed an opportunity to help her on with her coat and maybe getting a chance to touch her hair. You're pathetic, he told himself.
As they started down the street, both were uncharacteristically quiet. Well Lorelai was at least. Luke felt nervous again. Part of him liked that they didn't necessarily have to fill the air with meaningless chatter, but he wondered what she was thinking. He felt like he was on a first date with a woman he really liked, or in this case had already fallen in love with.
Lorelai enjoyed the silence of their walk. If she were with Jason, she would probably be babbling about her shoes or something just to fill the quiet. But this was Luke, the monosyllabic man and for once she relaxed and let the quiet of the town surround her.
Soon enough, they reached her front door.
"Well here we are." Lorelai said, breaking the silence. "Thanks for getting me home safely."
Luke enjoyed the sight of her bathed in the soft glow of the porch light.
"You're welcome."
Lorelai chuckled. "You know, Luke. It's funny, I feel like we're on a real date here."
"Yeah?" He said hopefully.
"Well, you're in your Nic- I mean date outfit. And you've just walked me home and we're on my porch. All that's missing is the 'I had a great time' 'me, too' exchange and the awkward good-night kiss."
Well, since she was putting ideas in his head....
"I had a great time." Luke said, smiling.
"Me too." Lorelai laughed.
Luke took a step closer and Lorelai stopped laughing upon the realization that he was in fact, going to kiss her. Well, it was her own damn fault, she thought, but she didn't move.
It's now or never, he thought. Luke leaned in and gave Lorelai a gentle kiss on her mouth. Lorelai felt his soft lips on hers and the thrill she felt earlier that evening when Luke brushed against her in the dark theater came back to her. She reached her arms around his waist and he pulled her closer, finally running his fingers through her long curls. As he was about to deepen the contact, she pulled away.
Lorelai saw his disappointment but smiled at him. "Sorry, but I don't tongue on the first date."
"So this WAS a date?" Luke asked.
"Afraid so." Lorelai nodded.
"But what about Jason?"
"Oh, he was just the third wheel."
"So does this mean we can do this again sometime, without Jason, I mean?" Luke asked.
"Sounds like a plan." Lorelai smiled at him. "Goodnight Luke, sweet dreams."
"Right back at ya." Luke replied, as he watched her go inside. He practically walked on air back to the diner. This was definitely the best date he had been on in his entire life. He would always think fondly of the Olsen Twins.
Meanwhile, Lorelai couldn't stop grinning, thinking about her goodnight kiss with Luke. She never anticipated this evening's conclusion when she suggested that Luke join her on her date. But sometimes life delivers a nice surprise once in a while. Now she only had to take care of that pesky Jason problem....
The End
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.
-----------------------------------------------
On the drive home, Lorelai chattered on about the movie while Luke half- listened to her, distracted by the throbbing of his heart beneath the leather. It was funny, he didn't feel nervous all night while Jason was there. But once he had left Lorelai "in his hands" he felt like they were really on a date and he was taking her home.
It's just Lorelai, he kept reminding himself. You see her everyday and she's been in your truck before. Hell, she even drove it to Yale and back, once she learned how to work his "misogynistic" stick. Stop being so nervous, he told himself.
Soon enough, he drove into the town center of Stars Hollow.
"Do you want to come to the diner for some coffee or do you want me to drop you at home?"
"You said the magic word. Coffee! And some pie, too?"
"Lorelai, you had about a tub and a half of popcorn at the movie and you still have room for pie? Where do you put it all?"
"Oh I carry little fat eating gremlins with me in my purse – when you're not looking I give them my food!" She joked. "I guess I'm blessed with an iron stomach, as you say, and the infamous Gilmore metabolism."
Luke pulled his truck in front of the diner. It was almost eleven and the diner was dark.
He got out of the truck and quickly walked around to the passenger side to let her out. Lorelai thought that was a little odd, but appreciated the chivalrous gesture, noticing that he had also held the car door for her after the movie.
"Thanks, Luckinbaugh."
Luke unlocked the front door to the diner, ushered her inside and turned on the light. He headed over to the coffee machine noting it was still warm. Lane must've forgotten to clean out the pot, but it was still half-full and maybe she knew that Lorelai would want coffee. In any case, he tuned on the machine to heat up the coffee for her.
"Your coffee should be warmed up in a minute. I'm going to boil some water for my tea."
"Thanks." She said as she took off her coat and went to the pie plate to see if any was left. She was in luck - there was one slice of apple.
"Hey, Luke. Can you get me a plate for the pie?"
"Sure," came his voice from the kitchen.
"Hey, do you ever eat dessert, Luke? I mean I know you think that sugar is the root of all evil, but don't you ever indulge?"
"I like fruit, that's my dessert."
"What's your favorite fruit?"
"Depends on the season."
"What do you like now?"
"Berries are good – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries."
"Yummy, me too. Huh, I'm learning all these things about you tonight."
"Like what?" Luke asked.
"Well, for one that you like the Olsen twins. Oh and that you're a considerate date – with the chivalrous door holding thing and all."
"I do not like the Olsen twins."
"You said they were cute, Luke."
"I said the movie was cute."
"Yeah, whatever. Who is your favorite - Mary Kate or Ashley?"
"Couldn't tell 'em apart."
"Yeah, me neither."
Just then the kettle whistle blew and Luke went to retrieve his tea and Lorelai's coffee. He noticed that she was calling him her date again but this time he didn't argue. She also liked that she hadn't mentioned Jason since he left them in the parking lot.
He returned with her coffee and came around the counter so he could sip his tea.
Lorelai was not used to sitting side by side with Luke at the counter and stood up.
"Hey, let's sit at a table so we don't crane our necks, like Rory did on her date with Trevor."
Luke smiled, remembering the night they watched "Casablanca" and Rory called her mom in a panic over her bad date. There she was, using the word 'date' again. He brought their dessert over to the table and joined her.
"So tell me, Luke. What did you really think of Jason? I respect your opinion and I really want to know what you think."
"He seems like an okay guy." Luke sighed, he shouldn't have jinxed himself before.
"So is that Luke-speak for you didn't want to disembowel him?"
Luke chuckled at the image. "Yeah, he seems nice enough, and aside from the cell phone thing, he seems to care about you. And of course we have the Nicole two-timing thing in common."
"Yeah, I guess you have the same taste in women." She paused. "Hey, you don't happen to know a bimbo named Crystal, do you?"
"Can't say that I do. Who is she?"
"Oh, just some woman Jason takes to functions or something."
"He sees other women?"
"Not really, he was when he and I started dating. You see, my parents didn't know about us and Jason had to bring someone to a charity event, so he brought Crystal."
"Wait a second. Your folks don't know about Jason? I thought you said that he works with your dad and that they get along?"
"He does, but it's complicated. And I don't know - I don't like my parents to know too much about my personal life. I kind of like to keep it separate."
"That must be tough for Jason, if he works for your dad and he can't talk about you. What if he lets it slip?"
"He'd better not." Lorelai said emphatically.
"Well, at some point, you'll have to tell them. I mean, it's getting serious, right?"
"I don't know, Luke."
"So you're not serious about him?"
"I'm not sure." She sighed. "I really like him but there's something holding us back and I'm not sure if it's me or him."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he didn't want to come to Gran's funeral and he's got this really strange dog that was trained by monks or something. It's creepy, the dog doesn't bark or roll over or sit, he just sits there and stares! And tonight, I was supposed to go home with him after the movie, but even if I did he still doesn't let me sleep in the same bed with him! But instead he had to go take care of business and you wound up taking me back here. Sometimes I think he's more committed to his damn cell phone than he is to me, even though he gave me a talking key!"
Luke took in her rant, sensing that she hadn't meant to reveal all of that. He wasn't even tempted to ask why in the world Jason wouldn't sleep in the same bed as Lorelai. If he were lucky enough to have her with him in his bed, he would never ask her to leave.
"You sound a little conflicted about your feelings."
"Conflicted? That's the story of my love life. You see, I want a relationship in my life - a real relationship. But with Jason I feel like I'm playing at it. It's fun, it's a distraction but it doesn't feel real. I want to feel something, I want to fall passionately in love and be swept away by it all. Is it wrong to want that?"
Luke looked at her wistful face. "No, it's not. I think deep down, that's what we all want."
"Is that what you want?" She asked.
Luke put down his tea cup and looked up at her. "I think so."
Lorelai smiled. "Wow. Who would've thunk it? Luke Danes, closet romantic."
"Don't tell anyone, okay?" He said sheepishly.
"It'll be our secret." Lorelai whispered.
As she always did when things were getting a little too intimate between them, she looked for an escape. She looked at her watch.
"Oh, it's getting late. It's a school night, you know."
"Yeah. Hey, do you want me to walk you home? After all, I told Jason I would get you home safely."
Lorelai was about to say 'no,' but for some reason tonight she didn't mind an escort.
"Sure, Stars Hollow is dangerous this time of night." She joked.
Luke brought their cups and plates into the kitchen and by the time he returned, Lorelai already had on her coat and was standing by the door. He had missed an opportunity to help her on with her coat and maybe getting a chance to touch her hair. You're pathetic, he told himself.
As they started down the street, both were uncharacteristically quiet. Well Lorelai was at least. Luke felt nervous again. Part of him liked that they didn't necessarily have to fill the air with meaningless chatter, but he wondered what she was thinking. He felt like he was on a first date with a woman he really liked, or in this case had already fallen in love with.
Lorelai enjoyed the silence of their walk. If she were with Jason, she would probably be babbling about her shoes or something just to fill the quiet. But this was Luke, the monosyllabic man and for once she relaxed and let the quiet of the town surround her.
Soon enough, they reached her front door.
"Well here we are." Lorelai said, breaking the silence. "Thanks for getting me home safely."
Luke enjoyed the sight of her bathed in the soft glow of the porch light.
"You're welcome."
Lorelai chuckled. "You know, Luke. It's funny, I feel like we're on a real date here."
"Yeah?" He said hopefully.
"Well, you're in your Nic- I mean date outfit. And you've just walked me home and we're on my porch. All that's missing is the 'I had a great time' 'me, too' exchange and the awkward good-night kiss."
Well, since she was putting ideas in his head....
"I had a great time." Luke said, smiling.
"Me too." Lorelai laughed.
Luke took a step closer and Lorelai stopped laughing upon the realization that he was in fact, going to kiss her. Well, it was her own damn fault, she thought, but she didn't move.
It's now or never, he thought. Luke leaned in and gave Lorelai a gentle kiss on her mouth. Lorelai felt his soft lips on hers and the thrill she felt earlier that evening when Luke brushed against her in the dark theater came back to her. She reached her arms around his waist and he pulled her closer, finally running his fingers through her long curls. As he was about to deepen the contact, she pulled away.
Lorelai saw his disappointment but smiled at him. "Sorry, but I don't tongue on the first date."
"So this WAS a date?" Luke asked.
"Afraid so." Lorelai nodded.
"But what about Jason?"
"Oh, he was just the third wheel."
"So does this mean we can do this again sometime, without Jason, I mean?" Luke asked.
"Sounds like a plan." Lorelai smiled at him. "Goodnight Luke, sweet dreams."
"Right back at ya." Luke replied, as he watched her go inside. He practically walked on air back to the diner. This was definitely the best date he had been on in his entire life. He would always think fondly of the Olsen Twins.
Meanwhile, Lorelai couldn't stop grinning, thinking about her goodnight kiss with Luke. She never anticipated this evening's conclusion when she suggested that Luke join her on her date. But sometimes life delivers a nice surprise once in a while. Now she only had to take care of that pesky Jason problem....
The End