" So it should be interesting to see Rory and Lorelai play today." Richard
announced as the approached the field.
" That could be one word for it. Hilarious could be another."
" Now be nice Emily. It's the effort that counts." Emily raised her eyebrow at him and Richard smiled. "Well, here we are." He pulled the little Mercedes coupe into the parking lot, looking for a suitable spot.
"Really!" Emily exclaimed suddenly, frowning.
" What's wrong?" Richard was slightly distracted, trying to back in between Jackson's truck and Lorelai's jeep.
" Those two, over there by the truck, rolling around on the ground. Do people have no respect for decency these days! Honestly, who in the name of-" Richard turned off the car and went to take a look, but Emily had stopped short.
" What's wrong."
" Nothing. Never mind."
" Is that Lorelai?"
" Of course it's Lorelai. Who else rolls around on the pavement in public places but our daughter." Emily sighed.
" Who was she rolling with?" Richard asked curiously. The two had already stood up. Emily noticed a blonde woman walking towards them and frowned.
" Luke, Danes."
" The man from the diner? I thought that they were just friends." They climbed out of the car and watched as the couple was startled by the arrival of Nicole.
" Hmf." Emily sniffed, looking at the blonde woman wrap her arm around Luke's waist.
" I'm confused. Who is that woman."
" It must be that Nicole woman Lorelai was talking about."
" Oh."
" Yes.....Well." She noticed that Lorelai was looking more and more awkward, and she glared at Nicole's back.
" Grandma!" Emily turned around, startled out of a good glare, and smiled. Rory was approaching with Marty beside her.
" Rory! You look very prepared." Emily smiled at the uniform and the glove that Rory was holding. " Marty. Nice to see you again too."
"Mrs.Gilmore, looks like we have a weird connection going with sporting events." Marty looked back at Rory unsurely, who smiled at him.
" So it would seem." Emily smiled kindly back at Marty as well.
" Why don't I give your grandpa a hand." He looked around to where Richard was unloading several items from the trunk.
" That would be very much appreciated." Richard called out from behind the car.
" I'll help too." Rory followed to the trunk, leaving Emily to watch what was going on between Lorelai and Luke. The pushy blonde had already started to drag Luke away, but he turned around, tossing his keys to Lorelai, who dropped them of course. Emily felt a surge of righteousness when they grinned at each other and Lorelai skipped off to the truck. She had been right about them. It was a shame that neither of them would do anything about it, mind you, with the Stiles boy and the blonde in the way it didn't seem much like anything would be possible. So it would seem, Emily thought to herself as the Lorelai came over, still grinning, with her four full Luke's coffees.
" Hey Mom. Where'd you two come from?" She looked at Emily's impeccable suit.
" From our house. Why?"
" It's just you knew, bleachers, nice clothes...you know you're probably the only woman in he world who can pull off a Chanel pant suit at a small town softball tournament. Just don't blame me when you get gum stuck to your-"
"There's nothing wrong with dressing well Lorelai." Emily sighed haughtily, looking at Lorelai's nickname emblazened across the seat of her pants. " Did you ever get that 'tasty' brassiere that matched your other sweatpants." Emily retorted sharply.
" No," Lorelai returned, raising an eyebrow. " But I did buy a thong that says 'Don't forget to floss.'"
" Honestly Lorelai, people will think you were raised in a trailer."
" I raised Rory in a shed and she turned out fine."
" I just think you should try to be more ladylike. Talking about your underwear and rolling around indecently with men in the parking lot is hardly a proper example for Rory."
" What? Who was I rolling around with?"
" Luke."
" Luke."
" Yes, Luke. I, and probably the rest of your town, saw you two rolling around on top of each other behind his truck."
" Mom! We were just fooling around." Lorelai shook her head unbelievingly.
" Exactly."
" Okay, I set myself up for that one....We were just playing arou-playing with each oth- having a little fu- it was nothing okay?"
" Fine Lorelai." Emily said, signaling that she obviously didn't believe.
" Ugh." Lorelai sighed rubbing one of her temples. The others had returned from behind the car, loaded with packages and baskets.
" Want to lend a hand Mom?" Rory asked from behind her pile.
" Nope, sorry hun, hands are full." Lorelai pointed to the tray of cups.
" Is that Luke's?" Rory looked at it hungrily.
" Special delivery."
" Alright, quick set up everyone. Let's go." Rory hurried off to the sidelines to set up the Gilmore camp.
*******************************
" So what exactly is this Dad?" Lorelai was unfolding a big plastic...something.
" I found it in a catalogue from a friend. It's expandable outdoor furniture. All you have to do it open this valve," Richard pulled open a valve on the big plastic sheet. " And wait a few minutes and voila, you have a couch."
" That's really cool Grandpa." Rory commented, watching the couch slowly inflate.
" And it has a matching set of armchairs, slipcovers and folding table set" Emily continued, opening the valves on two chairs and laying the slipcovers in Lorelai's arms.
" Emily, would you give me a hand, I believe I left the all weather carpet in the backseat." Lorelai watched them go back to the car, then looked over at Rory.
" They're inflating and unfolding a sitting room on the sidelines."
" They want to be comfortable."
" My mother is bringing back a vase of orchids."
" And homey."
" And they wonder why I'm screwed up. They're expanding a room at a softball game."
" I found the service set." Emily announced, returning.
" Did you hear that Rory. They found the service set. At the softball game. Silver, and softball."
" Relax mom."
" If they break out crystal beer mugs I swear...."
***********************************
Most of the team was gathered around the bench just before their first game, which was starting at 9:30.
" We've got three games, against each of the other teams and then two best teams go into the finals." Luke explained. " We're playing Doose's first."
" Are those the ringers." Kirk asked warily, looking over at the opposite bench.
" Those cannot be women. Those are too...big to be women." Rory exclaimed.
" Maybe they're former East German Olympian women. You know, the ones who took so many steriods they became momans." Luke stared at Lorelai, confused and a little afraid.
" Momans?"
" Half man-half womans."
" Why did I bother to ask."
" Or maybe Taylor got the Red Shoes team to dress in drag." Lorelai schemed. Luke rolled his eyes in exasperation.
" Red Soxs."
" Whatever," Lorelai waved it off. " What do you think their names are?"
" Bertha." Rory suggested
" Gert." Lorelai returned
" Frankie."
" Frank."
" Frank the tank."
" Hello ladies, Luke." Taylor appeared behind them, interrupting their spiel.
" Gah! Taylor.... Hey. That's quite a team you got there." Lorelai nodded, recovering from the shock of having Taylor's face pop up next to her.
" Yes, well, I invited some family down from New York for Thanksgiving and they decided to play."
" That's your family?" Luke raised an eyebrow and tried not to laugh, and Lorelai hit him in the ribs, even though she was trying not to herself.
" Oh, not all of them of course. Just the four on the left. Cousins."
" Well I'm sure it will be very pleasant to meet them." Lorelai tried to smile, but looked back at Rory, who was still trying not to laugh at Taylor.
" Well, I'll just tell you their names now, because I don't think that they'll be talking to you much later. They're a little competitive, and they get a bit...focused on winning."
" Focused like 'Hey I'd really like to win this' or focused like a starving pit bull on raw meat."
" The second one I'd suppose." Taylor remarked calmly
" Good to know." Rory frowned, and shifted slightly so that she was hiding behind Lorelai.
"Suzanne, Karen, Francine and Philip." Taylor announced. " Well, I really have to be going. I'll see you folks on the field." They waved goodbye, and took another glance at where he had joined his cousins. Luke, Rory, Lorelai and Marty looked at each other.
" Alright," Lorelai spoke up. " Who wants first crack? Cause I'll go...No one?....Alright, I gave the chance, but here it goes...............alright, Francine?" Lorelai looked around at them.
" Frankie." Rory returned.
" Frank."
" Frank the Tank."
" We were right."
" I'm afraid." Rory shivered and Lorelai clutched her arm in fake terror.
" Who's next?" Lorelai looked around, expecting Rory, or maybe even Marty. Luke surprised them.
" Look, I don't agree with this, but I gotta know. Was he going from right to left?"
" Left to right." All four of them glanced over and shuddered.
" Poor Suzanne."
" Poor Suzanne? What about poor Philip?"
" Touche."
"We should go warm up."
" Lukey, what positions are we playing?" Lorelai hugged his arm and tugged on it. Luke scowled.
" Don't call me that." He pulled his arm away and moved beside her. He put one hand in the small of her back and pointed out towards the field with the other. "See out there?"
" That's second base?"
"......Third....."
" Right."
" Okay, so go over there, but once you get there, turn north and walk 100 paces. You'll be in deep, deep left field."
" I'll be in the parking lot."
" Exactly. Then get in your car and drive home because you have no idea how to play this game." Lorelai's mouth dropped open in indignation and she smacked him in the chest. Luke flinched a little, but just smirked at her.
" Maybe I would have learned a bit more if our lesson had gone a bit longer." Lorelai teased. " Or maybe a lot more." She continued softly, glancing down at where Luke's hand was still resting on her back. She could see his face flush a little and could feel his thumb moving softly and subtly back and forth. She wasn't even sure he knew he was doing it. But, glancing up and seeing his eyes, she did know that they were both wondering about what she had almost said and how disappointed Luke had sounded when-
" Taylor needs the team captain so they can flip for who's up first." Nicole interrupted Lorelai's thoughts, causing her to jump. Luke's hand dropped and Lorelai felt her back fall uncomfortably cold.
" Oh, alright then, yeah. Hey, why don't you come with me." Even he could feel the tension that was rising between the two women on either side. Nicole glanced over at Lorelia, who was whispering to Rory. She sniffed, and reached down, grabbing Luke's hand. Luke saw Lorelai look over, and it almost looked like she was hurt or something. He suddenly felt annoyed at Nicole over something, and decided it would be best if he kept her away from Lorelai for a while. "Heads or tails?" Luke asked, leading Nicole quickly away towards the pitcher's mound, hoping she wouldn't notice the flush that wouldn't disappear even after he had taken his hand off.
" Tails. And a kiss for good luck." Nicole pulled into a stop and kissed him. Luke kissed her back, but for some reason, he didn't really feel like it very much. He felt like he didn't have the right to be kissing someone else when his hand was still tingling from Lorelai's back.
*****************************
" I swear she's got radar or something." Lorelai looked incredulously at Rory.
" I think you got caught trying to steal second, or was that third?" Lorelai glared at her.
" Honestly though. Have you not noticed her uncannily bad timing. There has to be a regulation on use of supernatural powers or something."
" I thought that there was no competition."
" There is not competition."
" Then you're just upset about the moment again."
" What did I tell you about the moments."
" Blending of souls."
" Give me a hand here Marty." Lorelai pleaded.
" Don't look at me. I'm confused."
" Well, then join the club. I'm not just the president, I'm a member too."
" Old reference." Rory frowned
" Can nothing go right today?" Lorelai remarked sighing. She glanced up at Luke and saw Nicole pulling him into a kiss. " OH come on! Rory!"
" What?" Lorelai grabbed her arm and pointed across the field.
" Come on! She's frenching him on the field!"
" Eww! I'm all for public displays of affection, but he serves my food."
" I know! And that has got to be against the rules."
" Of softball?"
" If I can't use kissing then she shouldn't be able to either." Lorelai cried indignantly.
" I thought there was no competition." Rory teased.
" Ach, you and your youthful memory."
" I guess it's just her homecourt advantage."
" Court?"
" Field?"
" Field."
" Ugh." The two of them sighed.
***********************************
Emily sat down on the inflated, slipcovered couch. Richard had moved one of the armchairs underneath a tree and was reading the paper, looking up every few minutes to watch the progression, or rather digression of Luke's against Doose's Market. Emily was sipping some of Luke's coffee in a china cup, and privately thought that it was nearly as good as Lorelai raved it to be. She was startled when a voice came up behind her.
" You're Emily right? Lorelai's mother?" Mrs.Patty asked curiously. Emily looked up sternly, then smiled politely.
" Miss...Patty I believe? We met at Rory's party, and Mrs. St. James's wedding if I remember."
" Of course honey. Now, is anyone sitting here, or would you mind if I joined you. Only those bleachers weren't meant for a lady."
" Of course not. Please." Emily gestured at the other half of the couch and the armchair. Miss Patty smiled gratefully, then waved over her shoulder and several others who were waiting by the bleachers came to join her. Soon she, Emily, Babette, Sookie and Jackson were relaxing comfortably. Emily found herself becoming interested in the game, as well as talking politely with Sookie about Davey, who they had of course brought along. However, Babette and Miss Patty were otherwise engaged, watching what was happening on the bench. Nicole was up to bat, hitting a single and getting on base. Meanwhile Luke and Lorelai were fooling around, nudging each other, whispering and laughing, and occasionally Lorelai would smack him playfully on his shoulder.
" Those two. It makes you reminisce about being young and in love." Miss Patty sighed.
" It's such a shame that they won't do anything about it."
" Afraid I'd say. They've been friends too long. Nothing ruins a good relationship like a good friendship."
" I don't know about that. They seem to have been getting a bit more frisky lately. A lot with the touchy feely. I saw them practicing over here a couple days ago and they were looking pretty comfortable, his arms all around her. Until that Nicole showed up. Ruined a perfect moment. I bet if it weren't for her that they're about ready to do something about it."
" Oh really? You think that she'll wait until Nicole's out of the picture? I wouldn't wait this long for that. I'd be jumping right onto that, so to speak. Not to mention Lorelai's going out with that Jason Stiles."
" Yes, but it's not serious. I'd bet you that as soon as Nicole's out of the picture, Lorelai makes her move. And if I were a betting woman, which I am, I'd say that wasn't too long from now. That Nicole hasn't seemed too happy with all the attention Luke been giving Lorelai's way, and Luke hasn't seemed mind too much. Yes, very soon I'd say."
" Really, how much are you willing to support that with."
" I have fifty dollars that say one of them makes a move before the end of the tournament at this rate." Miss Patty looked over at the bench, where Lorelai had grabbed Luke's hand and was tracing some of the lines on it, chattering away explaining something about them. Emily had overheard their comments, looking at Luke and Lorelai at the same time. She turned to them suddenly and interrupted.
" Excuse me, are you talking about Lorelai and that Luke?"
" But of course honey, you must know all about them. The perfect little love birds. He absolutely adores her, and Rory of course, and she appears to have finally openly fallen for him quite well lately. Then again, who wouldn't." Babette nodded in agreement.
" What about this Nicole person?"
" I wouldn't worry about her much longer. As soon as Lorelai shows that man any serious interest, he'll drop her like a load of bricks." Babette exclaimed.
" Really, and you think that it's alright to bet on matters of your friends' hearts." Emily demanded haughtily, feeling resentful at being shut out of another part of Lorelai's life. But then again, they way that the other two had been talking, maybe there really wasn't anything tangible between the two yet. And she was apparently the only one who Lorelai had said anything about having feelings for Luke to, even though it had nearly been under an interrogation lamp.
" Well, " Miss Patty, looked a little uncomfortable. " I suppose...." Emily looked over at the bench. Luke had bent down to whisper something in Lorelai's ear and she stopped tracing the lines of his palm. He leaned back up and she grinned at him, leaning against him, then cast her eyes down. She saw Lorelai glance furtively up at him and she looked at Luke. Emily saw him smiling down at Lorelai softly as he leaned back against her. Lorelai said something back to him and they both laughed. She pursed her mouth.
" Is this wager exclusive?"
" Emily!" Sookie cried indignantly. Miss Patty and Babette grinned at each other.
" Of course not honey. What would you like to wager. 2 to 6 odds."
" $200 on Lorelai by the end of dinner tonight." She said in the most dignified manner possible.
" Fine. $40 for me." All three of them and Jackson turned around and stared at Sookie.
" Oh, so her mother can bet on her love life but her best friend can't." Sookie rolled her eyes and took two twenties out of her wallet. " I need everything I can get for the inn, so I sure hope she does it."
" So do I." Emily said quietly, watching the Luke tighten Lorelai's helmet and laugh before she went up to strike out.
*************************
" Hey Mom?" Rory looked at her watch. They had just finished their second game, against Al's and it was 12:30.
" Yeah?" Lorelai looked up from her glove, which had been decorated, much to Luke's dismay, with pink and gold glitter glue.
" Where's Jason?"
" Um.....he had an emergency business meeting."
" He works for Grandpa."
" Oh, uh..... right."
" Did you call him and tell him not to come?"
" Would it make me a horrible person if I did?"
" That would have to depend on why."
" I'll plead the fifth."
" I have an inkling."
" The bathrooms are over thataway, but they're public, so I'd try for those bushes if I were you......" Rory looked at her skeptically. "......... I just said that maybe he should go talk things over with his father."
" That was nice of you."
" And then just join us for the dinner after."
" When Nicole will be around Luke all the time. You're sneaky you know that?"
" Where do you think you got it from? I am the master of sneakiness." Lorelai proclaimed, but she looked a bit sheepish afterwards.
************************
Nicole walked up to Luke. Taylor, who had just finished the last game before the final between Doose's and Gypsy's, had just stopped talking to him, much to the relief of Luke.
" Luke, I have to make a call to one of the partners, but my cell phone just died out. I forgot to charge it."
" You can use the phone at the dinner." Luke reached into his pocket and reached around for a minute before remembering.
" Lor!" Lorelai turned around on the bleachers and smiled. " Keys."
" Oh, right, um, one sec, I just gotta...one more sec....." She was searching through her purse for the keys. Nicole sighed both impatiently and highly audibly, and Luke gave her an annoyed look. "I've almost....I just have to....got em!" She tossed the keys over towards Luke, but they landed short and far to the left. Luke just laughed to himself and went over to pick up the keys. Lorelai glanced back and saw him bend down to pick them up, biting her lip, then looked at Nicole, who was glaring at her. She turned around suddenly and stared the baseball diamond.
" You okay Mom?" Rory said after a few moments, noticing Lorelai was strangely quiet.
" She caught me."
" What?"
" Nicole caught me. Looking at Luke when he went to get the keys."
" What kind of look was it?" Rory tried to see inconspicuously over Lorelai's shoulder.
"I think I just felt a thousand tiny little arrows of hate stab me in the back of the head. Can you see them?"
" Nope, too much hair. Hey mom?"
" Yeah?"
" Maybe you should tone down the competition."
" But-"
" I know, I know, there is no competition. But for health and safety purposes-"
" No Rory. That's not the problem."
" Then what's wrong..." Lorelai looked around and leaned in, whispering.
" That wasn't part of the competition."
" Hunh?"
" It was an unregulated check-out."
" What?"
" This wasn't flirtoff material . This was an unregulated, illegal, non authorized, sneaky sneaky checkout. I copped a glance. I shoplifted a look at Luke. It wasn't part of the competition, I don't know what came over me. I just..."
" Oh my- You checked out Luke for real?"
" And she caught me."
" Not good."
" Should I flee the country?"
" Maybe just the state."
" She's a lawyer, she has connections to the legal system and the police and the FBI."
" I'd catch the next flight to Manila."
" Where did this all go suddenly very wrong and confusing?"
" I'd guess where the exhibition game stopped and the real competition began."
" Stop with the sports analogies."
" When you stopped flirting for vengence and started for serious."
"The shoplifting?"
" The five fingers of that discount are forming into a vengeful fist as we speak."
" A vengeful fist named Nicole." Lorelai narrowed her eyes.
" Exactly."
" This cannot be happening. I did not check out Luke. I do not check out Luke."
" I guess you do now."
" This is very bad."
" Or maybe very good." Rory pointed out.
" Your not helping."
" Or maybe I am."
" Are you looking to explore whole new meanings of the word painful?"
" Message received. Prodding is done."
"Thank you."
" I'd choose you over Nicole any day, if I was Luke." She added. Lorelai glared at Rory and gave her arm a pinch.
" HEY! OW! Okay, I get it, officially done prodding....but I'm changing my vote to Nicole."
" My own blood, a traitor." Lorelai cried dramatically.
" She never pinched me."
" You never prodded her, thus giving her a justified reason to pinch. Anyways you have to choose me. Your obligated."
" By what?"
" By fourteen hours of labour."
" How long are you going to hold that against me. It's not like I decided to have a giant head. It's your genetics, it's your fault."
" Why don't we blame Chris?"
" Cause you're the one with the big head and therefore the big head genes."
" So it's my fault?"
" Yes."
" Can I blame my big head on my parents?"
" No, that's not nice."
" You blamed fourteen hours of excruciating pain on me." Lorelai complained.
" You blamed me first.
" Only because you blamed me."
" Only because you blamed me."
" Only cause you blamed me."
" And around and around and around and around."
" I feel like a corn dog."
" You don't look like a corn dog."
" Good one."
" I try."
" Don't." They both turned around to where Luke was talking to the team.
*******************************
" I'll tell the rest of the team. You go make your call." Luke passed her the diner keys.
" I'll be right back." Nicole kissed him, looking back at Lorelai, who was whispering with Rory, then hurried off to her car. Luke sighed. She had been kissing him a lot today, but it didn't seem like she was doing it cause she wanted to. It was almost like she felt she had to or something. Luke wandered over to the bleachers.
" I just talked to Taylor. We're in the finals."
" What? We lost every game." Dave exclaimed.
" Al's had to pull out."
" What's wrong." Marty asked, while uncomfortably trying to console Kirk, who was still distraught over the tournament results.
" Turns out they had a team meeting over dinner last night."
" At Al's."
" Yeah."
" So food poisoning?"
" Oh yeah. It's disgusting. No one use the bathroom. Or those bushes over there." Lorelai cursed then looked back at Rory.
"They stole our back up."
" What about Gypsy's?" Caesar interrupted.
" The fire engine broke down and she had to go fix it right away, just in case."
" I hope that the ambulance is okay." Rory commented, looking at her mother.
" Why does that matter?" Luke asked, knowing he didn't really want to know the answer.
" Well, she's going to have to get to the hospital after she gets crushed somehow, cause I don't think those lifts she's got are going to support a fire engine very long." Lorelai explained.
" Fire engines don't need to go on the li-" Luke looked at Lorelai and saw that she was teasing. He shook his head. " Right. So we've got fifteen minutes before the game starts."
" Time for tea?" Lorelai asked with a fake British accent.
" Indubitably old chap." Rory replied, linking arms with her.
" Away, to the expandable chesterfield." Lorelai turned around to the rest of the team.
" Coming? We brought enough food for twenty."
" So that's enough for you two. What'd you bring for everyone else." Luke scoffed. Lorelai turned around and gave him a teasing smile.
" HA! Good one! Did you hear that Ror, cause we eat a lot! Classic Luke, that was a classic."
" Shut up." Luke frowned and nudged her with his elbow, catching up to Lorelai and Rory. Lorelai did a quick scan, and not seeing Nicole around, linked arms with Luke too. He started to complain, but ended up just rolling his eyes and following them over to the jet puffed living room the Gilmore's had set up, and were now entertaining most of the town in. He tightened his arm very slightly. Both of them smiled quietly, glancing over at each other. Lorelai reached her fingers back and rubbed his wrist lightly. Without even thinking about it Luke's arm relaxed, sliding his hand down to meet hers. Lorelai barely noticed as her fingers slipped into his, weaving naturally together. For some reason it didn't seem a strange enough feeling to even notice, so natural they seem less noticable apart than they did together. Suddenly Rory coughed loudly and Lorelai glanced at her, startled. Rory raised her eyebrows. Lorelai at her quizzically, then looked back at Luke, then down at their hands and her eyes opened wide . She glanced back up at Luke, who looked at her strangely, then down at their hands as well . They both pulled away, putting them awkwardly at their sides.
" Sorry about that..." Luke muttered, looking at the ground.
" No, no that's...okay." Lorelai stuttered.
" It was just a-"
" Mistake?" Lorelai said, not really wanting Luke to agree. Luke shook his head.
" Accident."
" An accident."
" Exactly." Luke said. Lorelai nodded in agreement, then smiled up at him nervously.
" I should.... go get the food now. Come on Ror." Lorelai pulled Rory away towards the car, glancing back at Luke and grinning. Luke smiled back, a little confused, rubbing his fingers together. This had definitely past vibe stage. But Nicole. Nicole. What about Nicole. They were still going out because they loved spending time together. Then why did he want that phone call to last forever. Maybe this wasn't going to work out with Nicole. Maybe Lorelai was....He looked across the parking lot to where Rory was loading her up with a huge stack of boxes and silver catering trays, not noticing Emily watching him intently from the couch. He looked down and ran his fingers across his palm again. Maybe Lorelai was........Maybe Lorelai would.......Maybe Lorelai?
" That could be one word for it. Hilarious could be another."
" Now be nice Emily. It's the effort that counts." Emily raised her eyebrow at him and Richard smiled. "Well, here we are." He pulled the little Mercedes coupe into the parking lot, looking for a suitable spot.
"Really!" Emily exclaimed suddenly, frowning.
" What's wrong?" Richard was slightly distracted, trying to back in between Jackson's truck and Lorelai's jeep.
" Those two, over there by the truck, rolling around on the ground. Do people have no respect for decency these days! Honestly, who in the name of-" Richard turned off the car and went to take a look, but Emily had stopped short.
" What's wrong."
" Nothing. Never mind."
" Is that Lorelai?"
" Of course it's Lorelai. Who else rolls around on the pavement in public places but our daughter." Emily sighed.
" Who was she rolling with?" Richard asked curiously. The two had already stood up. Emily noticed a blonde woman walking towards them and frowned.
" Luke, Danes."
" The man from the diner? I thought that they were just friends." They climbed out of the car and watched as the couple was startled by the arrival of Nicole.
" Hmf." Emily sniffed, looking at the blonde woman wrap her arm around Luke's waist.
" I'm confused. Who is that woman."
" It must be that Nicole woman Lorelai was talking about."
" Oh."
" Yes.....Well." She noticed that Lorelai was looking more and more awkward, and she glared at Nicole's back.
" Grandma!" Emily turned around, startled out of a good glare, and smiled. Rory was approaching with Marty beside her.
" Rory! You look very prepared." Emily smiled at the uniform and the glove that Rory was holding. " Marty. Nice to see you again too."
"Mrs.Gilmore, looks like we have a weird connection going with sporting events." Marty looked back at Rory unsurely, who smiled at him.
" So it would seem." Emily smiled kindly back at Marty as well.
" Why don't I give your grandpa a hand." He looked around to where Richard was unloading several items from the trunk.
" That would be very much appreciated." Richard called out from behind the car.
" I'll help too." Rory followed to the trunk, leaving Emily to watch what was going on between Lorelai and Luke. The pushy blonde had already started to drag Luke away, but he turned around, tossing his keys to Lorelai, who dropped them of course. Emily felt a surge of righteousness when they grinned at each other and Lorelai skipped off to the truck. She had been right about them. It was a shame that neither of them would do anything about it, mind you, with the Stiles boy and the blonde in the way it didn't seem much like anything would be possible. So it would seem, Emily thought to herself as the Lorelai came over, still grinning, with her four full Luke's coffees.
" Hey Mom. Where'd you two come from?" She looked at Emily's impeccable suit.
" From our house. Why?"
" It's just you knew, bleachers, nice clothes...you know you're probably the only woman in he world who can pull off a Chanel pant suit at a small town softball tournament. Just don't blame me when you get gum stuck to your-"
"There's nothing wrong with dressing well Lorelai." Emily sighed haughtily, looking at Lorelai's nickname emblazened across the seat of her pants. " Did you ever get that 'tasty' brassiere that matched your other sweatpants." Emily retorted sharply.
" No," Lorelai returned, raising an eyebrow. " But I did buy a thong that says 'Don't forget to floss.'"
" Honestly Lorelai, people will think you were raised in a trailer."
" I raised Rory in a shed and she turned out fine."
" I just think you should try to be more ladylike. Talking about your underwear and rolling around indecently with men in the parking lot is hardly a proper example for Rory."
" What? Who was I rolling around with?"
" Luke."
" Luke."
" Yes, Luke. I, and probably the rest of your town, saw you two rolling around on top of each other behind his truck."
" Mom! We were just fooling around." Lorelai shook her head unbelievingly.
" Exactly."
" Okay, I set myself up for that one....We were just playing arou-playing with each oth- having a little fu- it was nothing okay?"
" Fine Lorelai." Emily said, signaling that she obviously didn't believe.
" Ugh." Lorelai sighed rubbing one of her temples. The others had returned from behind the car, loaded with packages and baskets.
" Want to lend a hand Mom?" Rory asked from behind her pile.
" Nope, sorry hun, hands are full." Lorelai pointed to the tray of cups.
" Is that Luke's?" Rory looked at it hungrily.
" Special delivery."
" Alright, quick set up everyone. Let's go." Rory hurried off to the sidelines to set up the Gilmore camp.
*******************************
" So what exactly is this Dad?" Lorelai was unfolding a big plastic...something.
" I found it in a catalogue from a friend. It's expandable outdoor furniture. All you have to do it open this valve," Richard pulled open a valve on the big plastic sheet. " And wait a few minutes and voila, you have a couch."
" That's really cool Grandpa." Rory commented, watching the couch slowly inflate.
" And it has a matching set of armchairs, slipcovers and folding table set" Emily continued, opening the valves on two chairs and laying the slipcovers in Lorelai's arms.
" Emily, would you give me a hand, I believe I left the all weather carpet in the backseat." Lorelai watched them go back to the car, then looked over at Rory.
" They're inflating and unfolding a sitting room on the sidelines."
" They want to be comfortable."
" My mother is bringing back a vase of orchids."
" And homey."
" And they wonder why I'm screwed up. They're expanding a room at a softball game."
" I found the service set." Emily announced, returning.
" Did you hear that Rory. They found the service set. At the softball game. Silver, and softball."
" Relax mom."
" If they break out crystal beer mugs I swear...."
***********************************
Most of the team was gathered around the bench just before their first game, which was starting at 9:30.
" We've got three games, against each of the other teams and then two best teams go into the finals." Luke explained. " We're playing Doose's first."
" Are those the ringers." Kirk asked warily, looking over at the opposite bench.
" Those cannot be women. Those are too...big to be women." Rory exclaimed.
" Maybe they're former East German Olympian women. You know, the ones who took so many steriods they became momans." Luke stared at Lorelai, confused and a little afraid.
" Momans?"
" Half man-half womans."
" Why did I bother to ask."
" Or maybe Taylor got the Red Shoes team to dress in drag." Lorelai schemed. Luke rolled his eyes in exasperation.
" Red Soxs."
" Whatever," Lorelai waved it off. " What do you think their names are?"
" Bertha." Rory suggested
" Gert." Lorelai returned
" Frankie."
" Frank."
" Frank the tank."
" Hello ladies, Luke." Taylor appeared behind them, interrupting their spiel.
" Gah! Taylor.... Hey. That's quite a team you got there." Lorelai nodded, recovering from the shock of having Taylor's face pop up next to her.
" Yes, well, I invited some family down from New York for Thanksgiving and they decided to play."
" That's your family?" Luke raised an eyebrow and tried not to laugh, and Lorelai hit him in the ribs, even though she was trying not to herself.
" Oh, not all of them of course. Just the four on the left. Cousins."
" Well I'm sure it will be very pleasant to meet them." Lorelai tried to smile, but looked back at Rory, who was still trying not to laugh at Taylor.
" Well, I'll just tell you their names now, because I don't think that they'll be talking to you much later. They're a little competitive, and they get a bit...focused on winning."
" Focused like 'Hey I'd really like to win this' or focused like a starving pit bull on raw meat."
" The second one I'd suppose." Taylor remarked calmly
" Good to know." Rory frowned, and shifted slightly so that she was hiding behind Lorelai.
"Suzanne, Karen, Francine and Philip." Taylor announced. " Well, I really have to be going. I'll see you folks on the field." They waved goodbye, and took another glance at where he had joined his cousins. Luke, Rory, Lorelai and Marty looked at each other.
" Alright," Lorelai spoke up. " Who wants first crack? Cause I'll go...No one?....Alright, I gave the chance, but here it goes...............alright, Francine?" Lorelai looked around at them.
" Frankie." Rory returned.
" Frank."
" Frank the Tank."
" We were right."
" I'm afraid." Rory shivered and Lorelai clutched her arm in fake terror.
" Who's next?" Lorelai looked around, expecting Rory, or maybe even Marty. Luke surprised them.
" Look, I don't agree with this, but I gotta know. Was he going from right to left?"
" Left to right." All four of them glanced over and shuddered.
" Poor Suzanne."
" Poor Suzanne? What about poor Philip?"
" Touche."
"We should go warm up."
" Lukey, what positions are we playing?" Lorelai hugged his arm and tugged on it. Luke scowled.
" Don't call me that." He pulled his arm away and moved beside her. He put one hand in the small of her back and pointed out towards the field with the other. "See out there?"
" That's second base?"
"......Third....."
" Right."
" Okay, so go over there, but once you get there, turn north and walk 100 paces. You'll be in deep, deep left field."
" I'll be in the parking lot."
" Exactly. Then get in your car and drive home because you have no idea how to play this game." Lorelai's mouth dropped open in indignation and she smacked him in the chest. Luke flinched a little, but just smirked at her.
" Maybe I would have learned a bit more if our lesson had gone a bit longer." Lorelai teased. " Or maybe a lot more." She continued softly, glancing down at where Luke's hand was still resting on her back. She could see his face flush a little and could feel his thumb moving softly and subtly back and forth. She wasn't even sure he knew he was doing it. But, glancing up and seeing his eyes, she did know that they were both wondering about what she had almost said and how disappointed Luke had sounded when-
" Taylor needs the team captain so they can flip for who's up first." Nicole interrupted Lorelai's thoughts, causing her to jump. Luke's hand dropped and Lorelai felt her back fall uncomfortably cold.
" Oh, alright then, yeah. Hey, why don't you come with me." Even he could feel the tension that was rising between the two women on either side. Nicole glanced over at Lorelia, who was whispering to Rory. She sniffed, and reached down, grabbing Luke's hand. Luke saw Lorelai look over, and it almost looked like she was hurt or something. He suddenly felt annoyed at Nicole over something, and decided it would be best if he kept her away from Lorelai for a while. "Heads or tails?" Luke asked, leading Nicole quickly away towards the pitcher's mound, hoping she wouldn't notice the flush that wouldn't disappear even after he had taken his hand off.
" Tails. And a kiss for good luck." Nicole pulled into a stop and kissed him. Luke kissed her back, but for some reason, he didn't really feel like it very much. He felt like he didn't have the right to be kissing someone else when his hand was still tingling from Lorelai's back.
*****************************
" I swear she's got radar or something." Lorelai looked incredulously at Rory.
" I think you got caught trying to steal second, or was that third?" Lorelai glared at her.
" Honestly though. Have you not noticed her uncannily bad timing. There has to be a regulation on use of supernatural powers or something."
" I thought that there was no competition."
" There is not competition."
" Then you're just upset about the moment again."
" What did I tell you about the moments."
" Blending of souls."
" Give me a hand here Marty." Lorelai pleaded.
" Don't look at me. I'm confused."
" Well, then join the club. I'm not just the president, I'm a member too."
" Old reference." Rory frowned
" Can nothing go right today?" Lorelai remarked sighing. She glanced up at Luke and saw Nicole pulling him into a kiss. " OH come on! Rory!"
" What?" Lorelai grabbed her arm and pointed across the field.
" Come on! She's frenching him on the field!"
" Eww! I'm all for public displays of affection, but he serves my food."
" I know! And that has got to be against the rules."
" Of softball?"
" If I can't use kissing then she shouldn't be able to either." Lorelai cried indignantly.
" I thought there was no competition." Rory teased.
" Ach, you and your youthful memory."
" I guess it's just her homecourt advantage."
" Court?"
" Field?"
" Field."
" Ugh." The two of them sighed.
***********************************
Emily sat down on the inflated, slipcovered couch. Richard had moved one of the armchairs underneath a tree and was reading the paper, looking up every few minutes to watch the progression, or rather digression of Luke's against Doose's Market. Emily was sipping some of Luke's coffee in a china cup, and privately thought that it was nearly as good as Lorelai raved it to be. She was startled when a voice came up behind her.
" You're Emily right? Lorelai's mother?" Mrs.Patty asked curiously. Emily looked up sternly, then smiled politely.
" Miss...Patty I believe? We met at Rory's party, and Mrs. St. James's wedding if I remember."
" Of course honey. Now, is anyone sitting here, or would you mind if I joined you. Only those bleachers weren't meant for a lady."
" Of course not. Please." Emily gestured at the other half of the couch and the armchair. Miss Patty smiled gratefully, then waved over her shoulder and several others who were waiting by the bleachers came to join her. Soon she, Emily, Babette, Sookie and Jackson were relaxing comfortably. Emily found herself becoming interested in the game, as well as talking politely with Sookie about Davey, who they had of course brought along. However, Babette and Miss Patty were otherwise engaged, watching what was happening on the bench. Nicole was up to bat, hitting a single and getting on base. Meanwhile Luke and Lorelai were fooling around, nudging each other, whispering and laughing, and occasionally Lorelai would smack him playfully on his shoulder.
" Those two. It makes you reminisce about being young and in love." Miss Patty sighed.
" It's such a shame that they won't do anything about it."
" Afraid I'd say. They've been friends too long. Nothing ruins a good relationship like a good friendship."
" I don't know about that. They seem to have been getting a bit more frisky lately. A lot with the touchy feely. I saw them practicing over here a couple days ago and they were looking pretty comfortable, his arms all around her. Until that Nicole showed up. Ruined a perfect moment. I bet if it weren't for her that they're about ready to do something about it."
" Oh really? You think that she'll wait until Nicole's out of the picture? I wouldn't wait this long for that. I'd be jumping right onto that, so to speak. Not to mention Lorelai's going out with that Jason Stiles."
" Yes, but it's not serious. I'd bet you that as soon as Nicole's out of the picture, Lorelai makes her move. And if I were a betting woman, which I am, I'd say that wasn't too long from now. That Nicole hasn't seemed too happy with all the attention Luke been giving Lorelai's way, and Luke hasn't seemed mind too much. Yes, very soon I'd say."
" Really, how much are you willing to support that with."
" I have fifty dollars that say one of them makes a move before the end of the tournament at this rate." Miss Patty looked over at the bench, where Lorelai had grabbed Luke's hand and was tracing some of the lines on it, chattering away explaining something about them. Emily had overheard their comments, looking at Luke and Lorelai at the same time. She turned to them suddenly and interrupted.
" Excuse me, are you talking about Lorelai and that Luke?"
" But of course honey, you must know all about them. The perfect little love birds. He absolutely adores her, and Rory of course, and she appears to have finally openly fallen for him quite well lately. Then again, who wouldn't." Babette nodded in agreement.
" What about this Nicole person?"
" I wouldn't worry about her much longer. As soon as Lorelai shows that man any serious interest, he'll drop her like a load of bricks." Babette exclaimed.
" Really, and you think that it's alright to bet on matters of your friends' hearts." Emily demanded haughtily, feeling resentful at being shut out of another part of Lorelai's life. But then again, they way that the other two had been talking, maybe there really wasn't anything tangible between the two yet. And she was apparently the only one who Lorelai had said anything about having feelings for Luke to, even though it had nearly been under an interrogation lamp.
" Well, " Miss Patty, looked a little uncomfortable. " I suppose...." Emily looked over at the bench. Luke had bent down to whisper something in Lorelai's ear and she stopped tracing the lines of his palm. He leaned back up and she grinned at him, leaning against him, then cast her eyes down. She saw Lorelai glance furtively up at him and she looked at Luke. Emily saw him smiling down at Lorelai softly as he leaned back against her. Lorelai said something back to him and they both laughed. She pursed her mouth.
" Is this wager exclusive?"
" Emily!" Sookie cried indignantly. Miss Patty and Babette grinned at each other.
" Of course not honey. What would you like to wager. 2 to 6 odds."
" $200 on Lorelai by the end of dinner tonight." She said in the most dignified manner possible.
" Fine. $40 for me." All three of them and Jackson turned around and stared at Sookie.
" Oh, so her mother can bet on her love life but her best friend can't." Sookie rolled her eyes and took two twenties out of her wallet. " I need everything I can get for the inn, so I sure hope she does it."
" So do I." Emily said quietly, watching the Luke tighten Lorelai's helmet and laugh before she went up to strike out.
*************************
" Hey Mom?" Rory looked at her watch. They had just finished their second game, against Al's and it was 12:30.
" Yeah?" Lorelai looked up from her glove, which had been decorated, much to Luke's dismay, with pink and gold glitter glue.
" Where's Jason?"
" Um.....he had an emergency business meeting."
" He works for Grandpa."
" Oh, uh..... right."
" Did you call him and tell him not to come?"
" Would it make me a horrible person if I did?"
" That would have to depend on why."
" I'll plead the fifth."
" I have an inkling."
" The bathrooms are over thataway, but they're public, so I'd try for those bushes if I were you......" Rory looked at her skeptically. "......... I just said that maybe he should go talk things over with his father."
" That was nice of you."
" And then just join us for the dinner after."
" When Nicole will be around Luke all the time. You're sneaky you know that?"
" Where do you think you got it from? I am the master of sneakiness." Lorelai proclaimed, but she looked a bit sheepish afterwards.
************************
Nicole walked up to Luke. Taylor, who had just finished the last game before the final between Doose's and Gypsy's, had just stopped talking to him, much to the relief of Luke.
" Luke, I have to make a call to one of the partners, but my cell phone just died out. I forgot to charge it."
" You can use the phone at the dinner." Luke reached into his pocket and reached around for a minute before remembering.
" Lor!" Lorelai turned around on the bleachers and smiled. " Keys."
" Oh, right, um, one sec, I just gotta...one more sec....." She was searching through her purse for the keys. Nicole sighed both impatiently and highly audibly, and Luke gave her an annoyed look. "I've almost....I just have to....got em!" She tossed the keys over towards Luke, but they landed short and far to the left. Luke just laughed to himself and went over to pick up the keys. Lorelai glanced back and saw him bend down to pick them up, biting her lip, then looked at Nicole, who was glaring at her. She turned around suddenly and stared the baseball diamond.
" You okay Mom?" Rory said after a few moments, noticing Lorelai was strangely quiet.
" She caught me."
" What?"
" Nicole caught me. Looking at Luke when he went to get the keys."
" What kind of look was it?" Rory tried to see inconspicuously over Lorelai's shoulder.
"I think I just felt a thousand tiny little arrows of hate stab me in the back of the head. Can you see them?"
" Nope, too much hair. Hey mom?"
" Yeah?"
" Maybe you should tone down the competition."
" But-"
" I know, I know, there is no competition. But for health and safety purposes-"
" No Rory. That's not the problem."
" Then what's wrong..." Lorelai looked around and leaned in, whispering.
" That wasn't part of the competition."
" Hunh?"
" It was an unregulated check-out."
" What?"
" This wasn't flirtoff material . This was an unregulated, illegal, non authorized, sneaky sneaky checkout. I copped a glance. I shoplifted a look at Luke. It wasn't part of the competition, I don't know what came over me. I just..."
" Oh my- You checked out Luke for real?"
" And she caught me."
" Not good."
" Should I flee the country?"
" Maybe just the state."
" She's a lawyer, she has connections to the legal system and the police and the FBI."
" I'd catch the next flight to Manila."
" Where did this all go suddenly very wrong and confusing?"
" I'd guess where the exhibition game stopped and the real competition began."
" Stop with the sports analogies."
" When you stopped flirting for vengence and started for serious."
"The shoplifting?"
" The five fingers of that discount are forming into a vengeful fist as we speak."
" A vengeful fist named Nicole." Lorelai narrowed her eyes.
" Exactly."
" This cannot be happening. I did not check out Luke. I do not check out Luke."
" I guess you do now."
" This is very bad."
" Or maybe very good." Rory pointed out.
" Your not helping."
" Or maybe I am."
" Are you looking to explore whole new meanings of the word painful?"
" Message received. Prodding is done."
"Thank you."
" I'd choose you over Nicole any day, if I was Luke." She added. Lorelai glared at Rory and gave her arm a pinch.
" HEY! OW! Okay, I get it, officially done prodding....but I'm changing my vote to Nicole."
" My own blood, a traitor." Lorelai cried dramatically.
" She never pinched me."
" You never prodded her, thus giving her a justified reason to pinch. Anyways you have to choose me. Your obligated."
" By what?"
" By fourteen hours of labour."
" How long are you going to hold that against me. It's not like I decided to have a giant head. It's your genetics, it's your fault."
" Why don't we blame Chris?"
" Cause you're the one with the big head and therefore the big head genes."
" So it's my fault?"
" Yes."
" Can I blame my big head on my parents?"
" No, that's not nice."
" You blamed fourteen hours of excruciating pain on me." Lorelai complained.
" You blamed me first.
" Only because you blamed me."
" Only because you blamed me."
" Only cause you blamed me."
" And around and around and around and around."
" I feel like a corn dog."
" You don't look like a corn dog."
" Good one."
" I try."
" Don't." They both turned around to where Luke was talking to the team.
*******************************
" I'll tell the rest of the team. You go make your call." Luke passed her the diner keys.
" I'll be right back." Nicole kissed him, looking back at Lorelai, who was whispering with Rory, then hurried off to her car. Luke sighed. She had been kissing him a lot today, but it didn't seem like she was doing it cause she wanted to. It was almost like she felt she had to or something. Luke wandered over to the bleachers.
" I just talked to Taylor. We're in the finals."
" What? We lost every game." Dave exclaimed.
" Al's had to pull out."
" What's wrong." Marty asked, while uncomfortably trying to console Kirk, who was still distraught over the tournament results.
" Turns out they had a team meeting over dinner last night."
" At Al's."
" Yeah."
" So food poisoning?"
" Oh yeah. It's disgusting. No one use the bathroom. Or those bushes over there." Lorelai cursed then looked back at Rory.
"They stole our back up."
" What about Gypsy's?" Caesar interrupted.
" The fire engine broke down and she had to go fix it right away, just in case."
" I hope that the ambulance is okay." Rory commented, looking at her mother.
" Why does that matter?" Luke asked, knowing he didn't really want to know the answer.
" Well, she's going to have to get to the hospital after she gets crushed somehow, cause I don't think those lifts she's got are going to support a fire engine very long." Lorelai explained.
" Fire engines don't need to go on the li-" Luke looked at Lorelai and saw that she was teasing. He shook his head. " Right. So we've got fifteen minutes before the game starts."
" Time for tea?" Lorelai asked with a fake British accent.
" Indubitably old chap." Rory replied, linking arms with her.
" Away, to the expandable chesterfield." Lorelai turned around to the rest of the team.
" Coming? We brought enough food for twenty."
" So that's enough for you two. What'd you bring for everyone else." Luke scoffed. Lorelai turned around and gave him a teasing smile.
" HA! Good one! Did you hear that Ror, cause we eat a lot! Classic Luke, that was a classic."
" Shut up." Luke frowned and nudged her with his elbow, catching up to Lorelai and Rory. Lorelai did a quick scan, and not seeing Nicole around, linked arms with Luke too. He started to complain, but ended up just rolling his eyes and following them over to the jet puffed living room the Gilmore's had set up, and were now entertaining most of the town in. He tightened his arm very slightly. Both of them smiled quietly, glancing over at each other. Lorelai reached her fingers back and rubbed his wrist lightly. Without even thinking about it Luke's arm relaxed, sliding his hand down to meet hers. Lorelai barely noticed as her fingers slipped into his, weaving naturally together. For some reason it didn't seem a strange enough feeling to even notice, so natural they seem less noticable apart than they did together. Suddenly Rory coughed loudly and Lorelai glanced at her, startled. Rory raised her eyebrows. Lorelai at her quizzically, then looked back at Luke, then down at their hands and her eyes opened wide . She glanced back up at Luke, who looked at her strangely, then down at their hands as well . They both pulled away, putting them awkwardly at their sides.
" Sorry about that..." Luke muttered, looking at the ground.
" No, no that's...okay." Lorelai stuttered.
" It was just a-"
" Mistake?" Lorelai said, not really wanting Luke to agree. Luke shook his head.
" Accident."
" An accident."
" Exactly." Luke said. Lorelai nodded in agreement, then smiled up at him nervously.
" I should.... go get the food now. Come on Ror." Lorelai pulled Rory away towards the car, glancing back at Luke and grinning. Luke smiled back, a little confused, rubbing his fingers together. This had definitely past vibe stage. But Nicole. Nicole. What about Nicole. They were still going out because they loved spending time together. Then why did he want that phone call to last forever. Maybe this wasn't going to work out with Nicole. Maybe Lorelai was....He looked across the parking lot to where Rory was loading her up with a huge stack of boxes and silver catering trays, not noticing Emily watching him intently from the couch. He looked down and ran his fingers across his palm again. Maybe Lorelai was........Maybe Lorelai would.......Maybe Lorelai?