Author's Note: See Disclaimer and Title in Chapter One. Ok, surprisingly I am really happy that I got some reviews that were less than thrilled. I mean, I don't like frustrating people, but at least it means you care or you wouldn't take the time to review. Anyway, I want to say that I am not trying to stall or frustrate anyone. I promise. I have had the rest of the story planned out for a couple of weeks now. I know pretty much everything that will happen in every chapter, except for a few details but the main events are all there. It is taking a long time because once I get to writing, my chapters seem really long, with too much going on so I break them up. I am doing it again with this chapter. I meant for more to happen with Rory and Lorelai at the end but it ran long so it will be in the next chapter, so I am a liar and the next chapter will not be Luke and Lorelai. That will be pushed back a chapter. Sorry, I am long-winded but fret not. There is lots of Luke and Lorelai goodness in this chapter. So much that I had to break up chapters for it. Let me know what you think and remember, I mean for them to be moving slowly.

P.S. I can't remember who suggested it, but I have a couple of movie nights already planned. Just have to pick the movies.

On with the story . . .

Chapter 13: The Hero

A few days later, Luke was talking to Kirk inside Miss Patty's dance studio when he saw Lorelai walk in. She stopped just inside the door and looked around. She looked a little lost so Luke crossed the room.

"Lorelai? You ok?" He asked a little worried.

"Yeah, I just can't find a place to sit," she said sounding distressed.

"Lorelai, there are six people here. There's plenty of seats."

"Yeah, but I always get here late, then I have a very limited choice of seats. I can't deal with the pressure of this many choices." Luke realized it was better to accept this insane logic than to argue.

"Ok. You can either sit 3rd from the end over there, in that back corner or the middle of that row over there" Luke said pointing out each one. Lorelai looked at him amazed and threw her arms around him.

"My hero!" she exclaimed in a high voice. The few people in the room turned around to see what the commotion was and chuckled when they saw it was Lorelai and Luke. They were used to her antics, especially when it came to him.

"Lorelai!" Luke said through gritted teeth. "You're making a scene!" Lorelai laughed.

"Sit with me and Rory?"

"I thought she would be at Yale on a week night."

"She is." When Luke looked confused, she whipped out her cell phone and dialed. Lorelai chatted away to Rory as she and Luke took their seats. When they sat down, Lorelai turned and pushed the phone at Luke.

"Rory wants to talk to you." Luke looked scared for a minute then slowly took the phone from Lorelai. As Luke caught up on a few things with Rory, Lorelai sat back and watched him. She loved the way he spoke to Rory. Stern but tender, his face softening just enough to be noticeable. She was still lost in thought when she realized Luke was holding the phone out and staring at her. She smiled bashfully and took the phone back. She let Rory know the meeting was about to start and set the phone down on the empty seat next to her. Luke gave her a dirty look.

"You're going to take up a whole seat?"

"It's for Rory."

"What if someone comes in and they can't find a seat?"

"Then they'll just have to stand. They should've gotten here on time," she said smirking. She loved bugging Luke. He shook his head, but Taylor pounded his gavel to get everyone's attention, so Luke couldn't argue.

Lorelai usually enjoyed the town's craziness but she found she was having trouble concentrating on Taylor's opening announcements. She was more focused on Luke's arm brushing against hers. She tried to ignore it. She had sat by Luke thousands of times. Why was she noticing his arm so much now? Noticing how much warmth he gave off. Noticing how soft his flannel was. Luke chose that moment to shift in his seat, as if he could somehow hear her thoughts. He had shifted slightly toward her, so now his side was completely against hers.

At the same moment, Luke was having his own thoughts. He had sat next to Lorelai thousands of times and the feel of her arm brushing against his still made his temperature rise. He shifted in an attempt to concentrate on Taylor's babbling but he only succeeded in moving closer to her. He wanted more than anything to look at her. She was more beautiful than ever up close, but he knew his glance wouldn't go unnoticed.

About that time, Taylor pounded his gavel again. The townspeople had become bored with his announcements and had begun whispering to one another.

"People we have very important issues to discuss," he was saying. Everyone looked at him skeptically. He pressed on anyway. "The Stars Hollow Business Association and the Stars Hollow Tourist Board have had a meeting of the minds, so-to-speak . . . "

"A meeting of the minds? What did you do, Taylor, talk to a mirror?" Luke interrupted. His attention was finally diverted from Lorelai. He was wondering what scheme this kook had up his sleeve now.

"We had a meeting of the minds," Taylor continued, ignoring him. "And we have decided that in order to boost tourism and our town's image the town's eateries need to be better mandated." Luke groaned and Lorelai could sense him tense up. She snuck a glance at him and noticed his jaw was clenched. His very strong jaw. She looked away before he noticed and listened as Taylor continued.

"I-- We think it would be beneficial for a few new regulations to be placed in order."

"Regulations?" Pete called warily.

"Yes, Three actually. First, we think it would be a good reflection on the town if all eateries were to institute uniforms for all employees and owners." Luke was so tense that Lorelai could feel the muscles in his arms tightening. She had never realized how nice his muscles were under all that flannel. She felt slightly naughty that she was thinking this way about her best friend. Here he was, ready to explode, and she was enjoying the feeling of her arm being pressed against his. Luke, however, was solely focused on Taylor. He didn't give the old man a chance to suggest the last two new rules. Lorelai flinched when he jumped up and began yelling.

"Taylor, give it up. This is aimed at me and you know it. I won't bend to what you think are good ideas for the diner. Forget it. No uniforms, no decorations, no cute animals on the menus."

"Now Luke . . . " Taylor started.

"No!" Luke growled. "I own the building so what I say goes in my diner. You had better back off or I will make up some new rules for The Soda Shoppe, which is in my building." With that, he climbed over Lorelai and stormed out of the studio. Lorelai jumped up, grabbed her cell phone and ran out after him. On the other end of the line, Rory was listening intently.

Luke hurried into the diner. He wanted to slam the door, but he was sure Lorelai had followed him and left it open. Sure enough, a few seconds later Lorelai hurried in and slammed the door for him. He looked up at her and let his breath out in one large puff. She looked at him apologetically. He motioned for her to sit at the counter and turned toward the coffee machine. She sat and after he put a pot on he turned back around and stood at the counter leaning on his palms. He closed his eyes and cocked his head, stretching his neck. Lorelai could see how frustrated he was and placed a hand over one of his. He opened his eyes and looked down at her. She squeezed his hand and they both smiled. They stared at each other for a minute before they heard a tiny voice yelling "Hey!"

Luke frowned at Lorelai in confusion until she yelled.

"Rory! Oh, I forgot." She picked up the phone. "Hey babe. I'm so sorry." Luke looked for a moment like he was going to remind her of the cell phone rule but she made a face and he stopped. Lorelai listened to Rory for a moment. "Ok, as soon as we hang up." She rolled her eyes and got up. Luke watched her curiously as she walked around to his side of the counter. "Rory says she misses you" she told him. He nodded and she said "This is from Rory" before she threw her arms around him. He was getting used to her doing that and knew right away this time to hug her back. He was surprised, however, when she didn't let go. Instead she spoke to Rory again. "Ok, hug in process." Lorelai listened for a moment, leaning against Luke.

Luke didn't really care if she talked to Rory all night like this. Lorelai was warm and her face was soft against his. Her hair smelled like strawberries and it was tickling his nose in a very good way. Rory asked to talk to Luke and Lorelai held the phone to his ear. She realized how much she liked this too. She felt more of the arms she had been marveling at and this time it was Lorelai who wondered why their bodies fit together so well. Between her shock that they were so comfortable like this and her adoration of Luke and Rory's relationship, Lorelai was a jumble of emotions.

"Thanks, Rory. I do feel better. Yep, here's your mom again." They both pulled back and Luke handed Lorelai the cell phone. They smiled at one another and Lorelai walked back around the counter.

"We need some mother-daughter bonding" she whispered to Luke, pulling her coat on. He nodded and handed her a cup of coffee. Their hands lingered briefly and they both smiled. She walked to the door and balanced her phone on her shoulder. As she backed out the door, she gave a little wave. Luke sighed heavily. That was an interesting night, he thought.