Author's Note: Okay, quite a few things to say this time. First of all, sorry for the long, long, long delay in the updating. I got the flu and then other things came up and it was just a mess. But I'm back on track now. And you never have to worry about me giving up on this story. I will finish it, even if everyone hates it and no one reads it, which is thankfully not the case.
Next, I am planning on the chapters in the sequel being sort of episodic, so of course they will be longer. So I am trying it out a little. This chapter is really the next 2 or 3 that I had planned put together. It literally took me all day to write and I was getting a little weary through the middle so if there's something I need to change or re-write, let me know. It is however longer than all the other chapters, so hopefully you'll forgive me for the long hiatus.
Lastly, I have decided to suck it up and admit that I need a beta. I can't check it on my own because I read what I meant to type rather than what I did type. I am looking for 1 or 2 dedicated people, who are on fairly regularly, to check for mistakes, tell me when it's bad and needs to be rewritten and sort of be a spring board for ideas. I think this will help with my getting frustrated and not writing for days. Anyway, if you're interested email me at FroggyChic84@aol.com That's about it for now.
On with the story . . .
Chapter 24: The Long Day
Lorelai crept slowly toward Luke's Diner. It was still dark out, but she was sure Luke was already awake and downstairs. As she neared the window, she slid sideways, with her back against the wall. She reached into her purse and pulled a mirror out and used it to look into the window. She watched as Luke finished pulling the chairs off of the tables and went back into the kitchen. This was her opportunity and she seized it. She ran, on her tiptoes, looking like a fool, and hurried in the front door of the diner. She marveled at her own cleverness, in thinking ahead and having Lane put cotton in the bell over the door when she closed the previous night. The only noise was the light squeak of the door and her soft footsteps toward the stairs.
In all reality, Lorelai could have walked in dressed head to toe in lights and bells and Luke wouldn't have noticed. Lane told Lorelai that Luke had been distracted the past few days. Based on the few phone conversations she overheard, she could tell Nicole was making the divorce difficult. Lorelai planned to get all the details on that later, but right now she was having too much fun. She felt like a spy. Realizing that she had succeeded in getting past Luke, she could barely contain her giggles as she hurried up the stairs.
Luke finished setting up the kitchen and came back into the main dining area. As he wiped down tables, he looked out the window, squinting into the darkness. It was nearing the time that he opened and Lorelai should be here any minute. He was still surprised that she would want to get up that early, but for the week that she had worked for him before, she had shown up at opening every morning, eager to get a head start harassing him. He finished and walked over to the window. She should be here by now. As he peered hard out at the streets, a familiar voice startled him.
"Looking for me?"
Luke whipped around and blinked several times in disbelief. Lorelai stood looking at him, wearing jeans and an oversize blue plaid flannel shirt. Topping it off, she wore a grey baseball hat, backwards on her head. When Luke recovered enough to close his mouth, he fixed her with his patented glare.
"What are you doing?" he growled.
"In life?" she asked in a chipper voice.
"Why are you dressed like that?" he corrected. A large smile spread over Lorelai's face. She just couldn't help it. Luke's reaction was priceless.
"I thought I'd wear the company uniform for a day" she said casually. Luke rolled his eyes before peering more closely at her attire.
"Is- Is that mine?" Luke asked, recognizing the worn cap and tattered shirt. Lorelai gave him a withering look.
"Do you really think I own anything like this?"
"Just get to work" he grumbled, stalking off toward the kitchen, leaving Lorelai giggling at the counter.
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A few hours later, the scene was much livelier. Outside, preparations for Emily's fundraiser were bustling along. The town square was a flurry of activity. Taylor yelling through his megaphone. Lane and her band, arguing as they unloaded a van full of stereo equipment. Rory running away, with Kirk hot on her tail. People carrying tables, chairs, and other various things this way and that.
The inside of the diner was equally as busy. All morning, volunteers from outside had come inside to rest and eat, meaning an ever revolving crowd to serve. Caesar was in the kitchen, Luke behind the counter, and Lorelai was dashing between tables. Lorelai's outfit had been hot gossip for the first few hours, but now the daily specials on the chalkboard were replaced by, "She snuck in and stole my clothes. NOTHING HAPPENED." Lorelai returned to the counter after a round of coffee refills and sighed heavily.
"I need a Jack Benny, a bun pup, and a cowboy with a shimmy and a shake" she told Luke.
"Ooh, that last one sounds quite nice. I'll take one, if Luke's the cowboy" Miss Patty piped up from a nearby table. Luke grimaced and hurried into the kitchen, while Lorelai tried to quiet her laughter.
"That's a western omelette with jelly toast, Patty." Miss Patty looked disappointed and went back to the recital plans she was working on. Just then, Rory and Lane burst into the diner. Lorelai looked out and saw Kirk running up to the diner. "Let's go" she said, putting her arms around both of them and ushering them into the kitchen.
"Hey! They can't be back here" Luke hollered.
"Hush you. What is going on?" Lorelai asked. Rory and Lane looked at each other and Lane motioned for Rory to explain.
"Well I was out there working on the decorations," Rory began. "And then Kirk came over and said he felt his role in the fundraiser was not prominent enough of one."
"He just wants to impress Lulu" Lane interjected. Rory nodded and continued.
"So I said he could help me hang the streamers between the light poles." Lorelai nodded. "We got all the way around the square once and he fell off the ladder." Lorelai looked worried, so she added, "He was on the bottom rung, but he didn't let go of the streamer and since it was his brilliant idea to leave it at one long streamer, he pulled it down halfway back around the square." Rory was breathless, getting angry all over again. Lane took over.
"He kept moaning about his injuries. He ran home- "
"To his mommy" Rory pouted.
"But he was still tangled in the streamer, so he ripped it down the rest of the way. When he got back Rory said he couldn't help anymore" Lane finished, looking at Rory sympathetically.
"It didn't stop him from following me around" Rory grumbled. Lorelai looked at her skeptically.
"That's it?" she asked. Rory shook her head.
"He's followed me around, begging, ever since. I've had to redo the streamers twice, he broke three lanterns and even Taylor tried to hit him with the megaphone." Lorelai laughed at the image but hugged Rory.
"Let me see if I can get rid of him" she said. She left the kitchen just in time to see Luke, who had snuck out when they weren't looking, throw a whining Kirk out the door. He turned around and saw her standing there, staring. She cocked a questioning eyebrow at him, but he just shoved the coffee pot at her and mumbled something about getting back to work. "It's safe now" she called through the kitchen window. Rory and Lane peeked out the door. Once they saw that it was indeed safe, they sat at two stools at the counter. Lorelai set the coffee pot down on the counter and walked over to the girls. Luke came back out of the storage room and saw the abandoned pot on the counter and Lorelai at the other end talking with Rory and Lane.
"Lorelai, people want coffee." Lorelai looked at him as if he was a bit slow.
"You work here too," she huffed. "Besides, I am busy with other customers." She gestured toward Rory and Lane. Luke groaned loudly, grabbed the pot and head toward a table, while Lorelai turned back to the girls smiling. "What can I get you?" she asked.
"Just some coffee and fries to go" Rory answered. "We've got to get back out there and fix what Kirk messed up."
"A pair of drawers and sweepings ready to walk" she said. Rory and Lane laughed. Lorelai grabbed paper cups from under the counter and looked around. "Luke's got the coffee so I'll just go get the fries while we wait." She turned to go in the kitchen but Rory stopped her.
"Mom, I thought Luke didn't let you in the kitchen." Lorelai pretended offended.
"Let me? I work here. That means I am an employee and am entitled to go in all the employee areas, whether that is the storage room, the kitchen, or Luke's apartment."
"Luke's apartment?" Lane asked. "He never lets me up there."
"Well today I made it the uniform changing area, so today it counts." She stuck her chin out and walked straight into the kitchen ignoring the girls' protests. They looked at each other with the same amused expression. Luke and Lorelai could always be counted on as a good source of entertainment. A few seconds later, they heard a crash come from the kitchen, followed closely by unintelligible yelling. Luke hurried toward the kitchen, but just as he got to the counter the door swung open. A guilty looking Lorelai came out, being pushed from behind by an angry Caesar.
"I believe this belongs to you" he said, giving her another push toward Luke. Luke looked at her like a parent would a naughty child.
"What did you do?"
"I just went to get their fries" she pouted. "The basket was a little hot, so I dropped it and that's when the yelling started."
"Fry cookers tend to get that way" Luke said sarcastically. "You're behind the counter privileges have been revoked."
"What! That's not fair" she shrieked. "You can't go adding insult to injury."
"What?" Lorelai looked down at her reddening hand. Luke looked at it too and sighed.
"Come on" he said taking on a softer tone.
"Where are we going?"
"To put some ice on it. It doesn't look bad. It'll just sting for a while. Let's go." He took her wrist and began to pull her toward the stairs. Rory and Lane, who had been watching this exchange as if it were a tennis match, smiled at each other.
"Mom, we're going to get back out there. I'll see you later." Lorelai waved quickly before Luke pulled her completely behind the curtain.
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Later, when Lorelai's hand felt better, she was back to running around the diner filling orders and bugging Luke. As it neared sunset, the diner quieted. Most of the townspeople were helping with fundraiser preparations. The free time gave Lorelai down time, which she spent watching the activities out the window. Every few minutes she would mumble something to herself, worrying about something going wrong outside. Luke had tried several times to get her to just go out and oversee everything, but, she argued, she had said she would work for Lane and that was what she was going to do. Luke knew she was nothing if not brutally stubborn. Luke had just gotten her to come away from the window and help him wipe down tables, when Taylor rushed in.
"Lorelai, we have a problem" he said loudly.
"What's wrong, Taylor?"
"They sent me over to talk to you. I mean, I am just trying to do my job and organize the parking and that neanderthal, Bootsy, won't move his magazine stand out of the street. Also, Andrew is having problems with the stage, Miss Patty and Lane are arguing over costumes, and Kirk has almost electrocuted himself a few times. But, Bootsy is the main issue." Luke rolled his eyes at Taylor.
"Go on" he said to Lorelai.
"No, I can't. I'm working."
"No, you're not. We're closed." He looked at her with what he hoped was a blank expression, but Lorelai got the meaning.
"Well at least let me stay and help you close up."
"I'm coming with you. I'll see what I can do about the stage" he said, turning off the lights. Lorelai looked at him in awe.
"Really?" He had never seen her look more shocked and grateful at the same time. It scared him.
"Yeah well, if I don't you'll just come in here and drag me out, so the sooner I look at it the sooner I can go to bed." Lorelai frowned. She knew he didn't really mean it, but that was Luke, ruining a perfectly sweet moment. He saw her frown and as they walked out the door whispered, "I wouldn't mind seeing Kirk electrocute himself either." Lorelai laughed and they walked toward the center of town.
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An hour later, Lorelai had convinced Kirk to unplug the lights while he changed the bulbs and fuses. She had convinced Miss Patty that the fundraiser was not the right event for her to resurrect her old burlesque costumes. She had made Bootsy agree to move his stand five feet back onto the sidewalk and made Taylor promise to quit trying to pass his street vendor ordinance. Now she was on her way over to Luke, who was working on the stage. He was bent down on all fours looking at something underneath the stage. Lorelai remembered a conversation her and Sookie had once before, pertaining to Luke's back end. Sookie, through a series of mishaps that could only happen to Sookie, had touched Luke's butt and her and Lorelai had proceeded to discuss it in front of him. Sookie was right. It did have a nice shape to it. Lorelai smirked to herself.
"How's it looking?" she asked, when she felt she had stared long enough. Luke jumped, causing Lorelai to giggle.
"I can fix it, but it's gonna take about a half an hour." Lorelai clapped her hands together.
"Thank you, Luke. I'm sorry you have to do this too. You did a beautiful job on the dance floor." She smiled and Luke looked away shyly. Lorelai looked around. The sun had set and only a few people were left, working in the twilight. "I'll help everyone finish up for the night, while you do that." Luke nodded and Lorelai walked away.
When she was satisfied that everything that could be done was, she headed over to Luke. It was completely dark by now, so she only spotted him when she saw the beam of his flashlight moving around.
"I'm almost done" he said, having heard her approach. Soon he heard pounding on the boards overhead. "What are you doing?" he yelled, driving in the last nail. He crawled out from under the stage and looked up to see Lorelai trying to tap dance on the stage. "What are you doing?" he asked again.
"Testing it out" she said simply. He shook his head at her.
"When you're through, come inside. I have something for you." He turned and walked back toward the diner.
"Ooh! A present? I'll come now" she yelped, leaping off the stage. She ran to catch up with him. She grabbed his arm and dragged him back to the diner and up the stairs to his apartment. Once inside, she ran and jumped onto the couch chanting, "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry." Luke took his time putting away his toolbox and digging through some things.
"It's just something Jess left behind. I don't really want it."
"I get a hand-me-down present? Bah!" Lorelai sulked.
"Here." Luke tossed a box at her. Lorelai looked at it. It was a video.
"Ever After" she read out loud. "We have this already." She turned it over. "Or we had it already. This is ours."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, see the little hearts." Luke looked at them and raised his eyebrows.
"I don't want to know" he said.
"Rory and I have a girl crush on Drew Barrymore."
"I said I didn't want to know." Luke finished putting everything away and came around to sit on the couch. Lorelai didn't seem like she was leaving right away, so he might as well join her.
"Rory must've brought this over once to watch with Jess. She loves this movie." The way that Lorelai was staring at the cover, Luke guessed Rory wasn't the only one.
"Never seen it" he said shrugging his shoulders. Lorelai looked at him as if he had just told her his dog died.
"That's terrible" she said, patting his shoulder.
"Put it in"
"What?"
"We can watch it now. Put it in." He bent down to untie his boots, hoping she wouldn't make a big deal.
"You want to watch a girly movie with me?" Apparently, she was going to.
"Lorelai" he warned.
"You do know that there is a handsome prince and lots of smooching in the movie. I mean nothing gets blown up. There's not even nudity."
"Put it in right now, or I take it back." Lorelai jumped up quickly and put the movie in. She ran to turn off the lights as Luke started it up.
They both sat near the middle of the couch to begin with. They weren't huddled together, but their bodies were touching and there was empty space on both ends of the couch. A little while into the movie, Lorelai scooted as far over to her end as she could. Luke was confused and more than a little disappointed, but quickly, she put a pillow where she had been sitting before and laid down. Now she was laying on her back with her legs over the arm of the couch. Her head was on the pillow turned toward the tv.
Lorelai had seen the movie lots of times, so a little later she decided to have a little fun. She stretched and moved her arm up to lie on the pillow over her head. Her lower arm rested against Luke's leg and her hand against his knee. She felt Luke tense and had to bite her lip to keep from giggling. After Luke had finally relaxed, she slowly worked her hand behind his knee and teased the fabric of his jeans. She expected him to squirm, but he didn't move a muscle. He was completely stiff.
Through all of this, Luke's was screaming inside. He didn't know what to do. He'd always wanted Lorelai to be close to him like this, but the closeness was setting his skin on fire. He was sure she could hear his ragged breath and he felt as if he was shaking from trying so hard to hold still. After she initially moved her arm, he'd tensed but when he saw she was still watching the movie, he thought it was just an accident and relaxed a little. When she'd started tickling the back of his knee, it was all he could do, not to jump up. These sorts of things didn't happen to Luke. Besides wondering what in the hell was going on in her head, he had to think about what was going on with himself. He wished he had a pause button, so that he could stop the assaults on his senses and stop the dizzying effect. Fortunately, the movie took a turn and Lorelai stopped her torment, getting engrossed in the film again.
By the end of the movie, Lorelai was the one sitting up and Luke was lying down next to her. She was afraid that her little game was too much for him because he had made sure not to touch her for the rest of the movie. He hadn't even moved really. She was just about to apologize when she noticed he was asleep again. This was becoming a very unattractive habit. She tiptoed around the apartment, looking for her latest weapon. She returned quickly with toothpaste from the bathroom. As she was passing the couch to get into position, an arm snaked around her thigh. Lorelai stopped dead in her tracks.
"What do you think you are doing?" Luke said with his eyes still closed.
"Who me?" Lorelai asked innocently. Luke finally opened his eyes. He rolled over onto his back but he kept his arm around her leg.
"Hand it over" he said holding out his free hand.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hand over whatever you were going to use to torture me." Lorelai glared and him and reluctantly handed the tube over. Luke chuckled at her as she stomped over to collect her things. He walked her to the door. "Thanks for helping out in the diner" he said.
"Thanks for fixing the stage" she returned.
"Thanks for watching the movie with me" he said, challengingly.
"Thanks for the idea."
"Thanks for using your movie for the idea." Lorelai arched an eyebrow at him.
"That was a lame one" she said.
"I still won" he gloated, leaning on the doorway. Lorelai rolled her eyes.
"I better get back. I've got to get up early and finish setting up. You're coming tomorrow right?"
"Do I have to dress up?" Too tired to argue, Lorelai gave him her meanest glare. Luke laughed. "Yeah, I'll be there." She smiled and leaned against the same doorway, inches from Luke.
"Good. Goodnight, Luke"
"Goodnight." They shared one last look and Lorelai turned to leave. Luke was smiling as he shut the door. They had shared many looks like that before and they had always resulted in Lorelai leaving, but this one seemed different. She didn't get the same look of fear on her face and run away. She had just smiled back at him and looked almost reluctant to leave.
For the first time since these little situations with Luke had been occurring, Lorelai slept well. He was still in her head all night, but this time instead of laying awake, tossing it around in her head, she dreamed of it. The dreams were strange. Disconnected images, sounds, smells. She dreamed of the smell of him in his clothing. She dreamed of his soft touch when he was gingerly rinsing her hand in cold water. The sound of his voice soothing her when she had complained about her hand stinging. The heat of his body against hers on the couch. The feel of his fingers on her inner thigh. Mostly she dreamed of his face. The same warm smile he had given her once at the sink when he was holding her hand in his and again at the door when they were saying goodnight. And this time, when she woke up, she wasn't panicked and seeking an analysis. This time when she woke up, she was content and didn't feel like questioning it.