Author's Note: I still don't own the songs nor the Gilmore Girls. This one is kind of long, but I hope worth it once you get to the end. Enjoy!

Babylon by David Gray...

If you want it

Come and get it

Crying out loud

The love that I was

Giving you was

Never in doubt

Let go your heart

Let go your head

And feel it now

Lorelai met Luke behind the diner at 6 p.m. It wasn't exactly romantic, but they had to be sure no one saw them. They had both agreed that the whole of Stars Hollow didn't need to know about what was going on between them.

"Hey, the black crow flies at midnight," Lorelai whispered when she saw Luke appear in the alley.

"What?" Luke asked confused.

"Nothing, just a little clandestine affair humor," Lorelai replied walking over to him.

"Oh so is that what this is? A clandestine affair?" he asked good- naturedly as he placed his arm over her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

"Of course," Lorelai replied wrapping her arm around his waist. "Now all we need are code names like Boris and Natasha!" she said excitedly.

"It was bad enough when you called me Duke, I refuse to be called Boris," Luke said matter-of-factly.

"Mary-Kate and Ashley?" she ventured.

Luke just shot her a look. "Hey, Ashley can be a guy's name. Haven't you ever seen Gone with the Wind?" Lorelai stated in her defense.

"Okay, how about Pam and Tommy? Or Ricky and Lucy?" Lorelai tried. Luke just continued his less than amused stare.

"Romeo and Juliet?" she meekly tried again.

"Yeah 'cause they ended well," Luke rationalized.

"Okay, fine, Ken and Barbie it is then," she caved.

They were walking out of the alley and toward Luke's truck. "Hey, Ken, I think we better ditch the public display of affection, we're getting near the car." She smiled at him so gleefully that he had no choice but to grin at her and play along.

"Okay Barbie, I'll get in the car first and then you meet me," Luke finally played along with her.

"Got it!" she replied giving Luke the thumbs up sign. Lorelai was, it could be argued, positively giddy. She was on an official first date with Luke. It was kind of weird because it was Luke, but in a way it was the most normal thing in the world, minus the code names of course. They hadn't really discussed their feelings or relationship status, but it didn't seem to matter. They just fit comfortably when they were together.

Lorelai saw Luke get into the truck and she quickly followed and hopped into the passenger's side hoping Babette, Miss Patty, or anyone else around didn't notice them. It wasn't the first time Lorelai and Luke had gone somewhere together in Luke's truck, but this time felt more real. She knew she was just paranoid because now there actually was more going on than they knew, but it almost heightened the excitement of the night.

They pulled out of town and both breathed a small sigh of relief. Luke glanced over at Lorelai sitting next to him. She'd been in his truck many times before, but never on a date. He smiled slightly and continued to drive along in comfortable silence.

"So, I have a question for you," Lorelai started. "At the inn you mentioned something about a book."

Luke continued to drive hoping that if he ignored her comment she would let it go. But because he knew Lorelai so well he was fairly certain that would never happen.

When it was clear that Luke wasn't going to respond Lorelai continued. "So I've been thinking about books lately. You said the book said to bring me flowers and I recently recall seeing a book about desiring love or deserving love and I was wondering--"she fully intended to finish the thought but Luke cut her off before she could finish.

"Fine, I'll tell you, but no teasing, promise?" he asked.

"Promise," Lorelai said trying to suppress a grin.

"The book you saw in Jess's bag was mine. I got upset at the wedding because you were making fun of it and I actually read it," he grudgingly told her.

"Why?" Lorelai asked suddenly not in the mood to mock, but to actually understand why Luke would get a self-help book. "You hate that kind of stuff."

"I know," he agreed gripping the steering wheel a little harder. "The day you gave me a tour of the inn and that guy was there and you started talking about being alone and you asked if it made me sad. Well it didn't, but then I couldn't get what you said out of head and on impulse I bought the stupid book," he sighed.

"So what did the book tell you?" Lorelai asked interested.

"You don't really want to hear this," he said.

"Yes, yes I do, really. I'm not out to mock you, about this anyway," Lorelai said sincerely.

"It was mostly garbage. It told me all the crap about self-love and blah blah...but then it starting talking about your ideal mate. It said to picture the person you always want to see and tell stupid things too, like how your refinancing went or how you got a new fabric softener, I don't know," Luke said getting embarrassed.

"I don't get it," Lorelai said.

"It said to picture the person you want to tell all that junk to and then I realized, it was you," he finally admitted. They pulled up to a stoplight and he looked at Lorelai. He suddenly felt very dumb and very venerable.

"So this book made you realize you wanted to tell me how you felt about me?" Lorelai asked.

"Yeah, stupid, huh?" Luke replied.

Lorelai scooted down the bench seat so she was sitting right next to him. "Actually I think I love that book. I think we should frame it," Lorelai said placing a light kiss on Luke's lips. The car behind Luke noticed the light changed and gave him a friendly reminder to hit the gas in the form of slamming on their horn. She pulled back and snuggled next to him as he concentrated his attention back to the road.

Lorelai rested her head on his shoulder as he drove and placed her hand on his leg. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Mortgage, 0% APR, Downey, Snuggle," she said seductively.

"What the hell? You're not funny," Luke said getting agitated that she was making fun of him. He swatted her away from him lightly.

"C'mon," Lorelai laughed. "I was trying to seduce you," she giggled.

Luke didn't look amused. He concentrated his full attention on the road and ignored her. Lorelai was trying to suppress her giggles. She was truly happy that Luke had found some sound advice in the book. She was grateful that the book had given him the shot of courage he needed to finally kiss her, but it was just too funny.

"Monthly payments, mutual funds, capital gains," Luke finally said after a moment of silence. He quickly glanced over at Lorelai and saw her burst with laughter.

"Woolite for darks," Lorelai laughed.

"Have I sufficiently seduced you yet?" he said wryly.

"I think we might have to pull over I'm so turned on," Lorelai joked.

Even Luke couldn't keep a straight face. He had to chuckle at the absurdity of the book. Just the thought of people being turned on by laundry and business transactions was highly amusing. They had finally reached the theatre and Luke pulled into a parking space. He was getting ready to get out of the car when Lorelai scooted close to him once again. She took his hand.

"Seriously Luke, I don't care what the book said I'm just glad that it worked," she said with a smile.

"Me too," Luke said. "It was the best hundred dollars I ever spent," he added getting out of the car. He had intended to go to the other side of the car to open the door for Lorelai, but Lorelai being Lorelai, she was already out of the car and at his side.

"A hundred dollars?" Lorelai asked slipping her arm through Luke's. She wasn't sure what it was, but when they were together now she had a compulsion to touch him and be close. She was never really the touchy-feely girlfriend, but Luke brought out her cuddly side. "That book cost a hundred dollars?"

"No," Luke admitted, enjoying the feel of Lorelai so close to him. "I gave Andrew a hundred bucks not to look at what I was buying," he informed her chuckling.

"Smooth," she laughed as they walked into the theatre to buy their tickets.

They got their tickets and Luke bought out the concession stand to satisfy each and every one of Lorelai's sick cravings. They were finally seated and the movie began.

Two hours later Luke and Lorelai emerged from the theatre. Luke was carrying the remains of Lorelai's little movie theatre buffet.

"So what did you think?" Lorelai asked as she slurped the last of her frozen Coke.

"It was pretty good," Luke admitted.

"Aw, you just liked it because all the boys were fighting with each other," Lorelai replied.

"Yep, that's it," Luke agreed. "But you only liked it because Brad Pitt was half-naked for a good portion of the movie."

"Not true," Lorelai said and playfully slapped his arm. "Speaking of Brad Pitt, I thought I was promised a certain suit of armor for this very occasion?"

"Yeah well maybe some other time," Luke placated her.

"Really?" Lorelai said surprised. "You're dirty!"

"I try," he said dryly.

"So, it's still early," Lorelai said. "Is there anywhere around here to get coffee?"

Luke and Lorelai wandered around for a bit and found a cozy café not far from the movie theatre and they got a table. Lorelai sat sipping her coffee and Luke his herbal tea. Lorelai sat staring at Luke intently.

"What?" he asked paranoid.

"Nothing," she replied as she looked at her coffee cup, which was suddenly very interesting.

Luke didn't really believe that answer but he let it go. Instead he sipped his tea and watched Lorelai as she averted her gaze from him and studied the table, chairs and her coffee mug once more. She tucked her hair behind her ear and placed her other hand on the table.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," Luke grinned innocently.

"Seriously, why are you staring me?" Lorelai asked.

"I don't know. Why were you staring at me?" Luke asked.

"I don't know," she smiled. Luke just looked at her for a moment.

"Is this weird?" he finally asked.

"Is what weird? You and me?" she replied. Luke nodded.

"No," Lorelai said. "It's different, but it's good."

Luke reached across the table and placed her hand in his. "Good," Luke said. "I think it's good too," he agreed.

"So I was actually going to ask you something," Lorelai said as she absently rubbed her fingers over Luke's. "I know the book made you realize you wanted to ask me out, but I was wondering..." she trailed off unsure of whether to continue.

"What were you wondering?" he lightly prodded.

"I don't know why I'm getting shy about this," she said. "I was wondering how long this had been going on? I mean, how long have you felt this way about me?" "Honestly?" he asked.

"Yeah," Lorelai answered.

"Years," he replied simply.

"Years?" Lorelai asked half-shocked even though she was pretty sure she knew the answer anyway.

"Yeah," Luke admitted shyly. "Come on Lorelai you had to have known. The whole town knew."

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Lorelai asked.

"I don't know. You know I'm not Dr. Phil-into sharing my thoughts and feelings. What if you had said no?"

"What if I had said no now? What changed?"

"I guess I was tired of being alone just like you said. I've known for a while my feelings for you were way beyond friendly. And then there was my whole farce of a marriage. It made me realize what was important. It was more important for me to take a chance. Even if you said no I would have had some closure. It's always just been hanging there between us," Luke grudgingly stated.

"I know," Lorelai admitted much to Luke's surprise.

"You know?" he was hoping she would elaborate.

"Yeah," she said cover their hands with her free one and drawing lazy circles over Luke's hand. "A while ago I thought there might be something going on, but then things just got so messed up."

"When?" Luke swallowed hard. He was suddenly nervous. He was fairly certain he knew when she was talking about, but he wanted to hear it from her lips.

"A few years ago," Lorelai said. "I was with Max and then we broke up and I was supposed to help you paint, but then Christopher came to town, and then Rachel came to town and then I just kind of stopped thinking about it," Lorelai let out.

"That's when you got engaged to Max," Luke said simply.

"Yeah," Lorelai admitted and her face felt hot. "That was a huge mistake. It was partly your fault you know," she said.

"My fault?" he said surprised.

"Yeah you were with Rachel and she was talking about settling down and you wanted her to stay. I asked you that day in the store room if there was any reason why you wouldn't want her to stay and you said no," Lorelai admitted.

"Was I supposed to say I wanted you instead?" Luke asked.

"I don't know." Lorelai said. "Did you?" she asked hesitantly after a moment.

Luke leaned in over the table. He placed his free hand into the pile they had already formed in the middle of the table. "Lorelai," he said looking her in the eyes. "Of course I did. I didn't know what you were asking me. You were pushing me toward Rachel so I figured you weren't interested."

"Well you told me there was no reason not to be with Rachel so I decided being with Max was good. He was a nice guy and we had fun and you were taken," Lorelai finished.

"Yeah, well the funny thing is, Rachel left me because she knew I wasn't in love with her anymore. She knew there was something going on with us and she told me to tell you," Luke finally told her.

"She did?" Lorelai was surprised. "Why didn't you?"

"You ran off and got engaged to Max, who was never good enough for you by the way. Who reads three newspapers in the morning?" he asked rhetorically.

Lorelai giggled and rested her forehead on their hands for a moment before looking up. "So, that's all over now. And now we're dating?" she asked hoping to get Luke to define their new relationship further.

"Definitely," Luke said. They just looked at each other for a moment. "Except," Luke added. "I hate dating."

"Right, I forgot about that," Lorelai said. "And really we already know basically everything there is to know about each other." Luke nodded in agreement. "So, we're more than dating then?"

"Yeah, I guess we are," Luke said. "If you want," he added still unsure of himself.

"Yeah, I do," Lorelai said. "I think we probably already wasted enough time already," Lorelai said.

"So is this a gut thing?" Lorelai asked changing the subject.

"Huh?" Luke raised a confused eyebrow in her direction.

"That one night you told me you felt things in your gut about people," Lorelai explained.

"Oh. Yeah I remember saying that. It just sounds so romantic when you call it the 'gut thing.'" He teased.

"Seriously though," she asked.

Luke leaned forward a little close and pressed his forehead lightly to Lorelai's. "Yes," he said. "I had the gut thing with you," he said leaning back.

"Really?" Lorelai asked. "Because I thought you didn't like me when we first met."

Luke laughed and pulled his hand back to brush it through his hair. He wasn't sure how to answer this question.

"I didn't like you," he said. "I hated when you'd come into the diner and call me Duke," he admitted with a smile.

"You hated me?" Lorelai almost shouted.

"I didn't hate you, I hated when you'd come to the diner because you annoyed me," he said with a laugh. "You were so demanding."

Lorelai looked at him with a dejected face as she pouted across the table. She had let go of his hand when he said he couldn't stand when she came to the diner. Luke saw her face and knew she was going to pout until he fixed the situation.

"Come on, you hated me too," he said trying to lighten her mood.

"I did not hate you," Lorelai stated.

"Fine, but you didn't like me," he said. "Just admit it. You called me Duke just to annoy me."

"Maybe," she gave a little, but still pouted.

"Well it worked. I was completely annoyed by you," he stated. He thought for a moment and added, "But then that winter Rory had the flu and you didn't come to the diner for a week. I was unusually grumpy that week and I couldn't figure out why and then I realized you weren't there trying to get me to smile, or calling me a lumberjack or constantly pestering me about chocolate chip pancakes. That's when I felt it in my gut."

Lorelai smiled when she heard Luke's story. She remembered how Rory had been so sick that she wasn't able to leave the house for a week. She couldn't believe Luke remembered that.

"You brought us soup," she said affectionately and took his hand again.

"Yeah, I brought you soup because I needed Rory to get better otherwise my chronic bad mood would have lasted forever," he said.

"It hasn't lasted forever?" Lorelai teased him and he shot her a look.

"You came over to the house and that was first time you were there. You had chicken soup and you told me that Pop-Tarts don't count as food when you're sick. I think that was when I stopped hating you," she said with a smile.

"You hated me?" Luke asked playing hurt, mocking her.

"No," Lorelai admitted. "You were just a tough nut to crack," she said laughing.

"That was pretty dirty," Luke said leaning in over the table. He took her face in his hand and pulled her lips toward his giving her a light kiss.

"Wow," Lorelai said leaning back. "Maybe I don't know everything about you," she said. "That was a public display of affection right there."

"Yeah, I picked up on that too," he grinned. He hated to do it but he glanced at his watch. It was already 11 p.m. and they had to get back to Stars Hollow. "Should we be getting back?" he asked grudgingly.

Lorelai looked at her watch. She couldn't believe how fast the night had passed. She picked up her purse and they started walking back to the car. Lorelai once again had a firm grip on Luke's waist as they walked through the parking lot. His arm was slung comfortably over her shoulder as they walked.

They reached the car and this time Luke was able to open Lorelai's car door for her. Lorelai was surprised that Luke had such a chivalrous side to him. She hopped in the car and waited for him to get into the car. Luke was just about to put the key in the ignition when a thought occurred to him.

"Um, we're going back to Stars Hollow," Luke said.

"What you do after a clandestine date with the town diner owner, Alex?" she mocked him with a smile.

"Ha-ha," he said good-naturedly. "What I meant was we're still in Litchfield right now and no one from Stars Hollow is here," he said.

"Except us," Lorelai offered.

"Except us," Luke said turning his body to Lorelai. "So I was wondering how the end of the date is going to work?" he hinted.

"Oh, you want to know if you're gonna get lucky," Lorelai smiled slyly.

"No, no," Luke said turning red and trying not to put Lorelai on the spot. "No, I meant if I wanted to kiss you goodnight now might be the best time," he said slightly nervous.

"Well I can't argue there," Lorelai said leaning over to him.

Their lips met lightly at first. Lorelai still had to get used to kissing Luke. Most of the guys she dated were clean-shaven. She loved Luke's stubble but it tickled her face every time their lips met. Luke wrapped his arms around Lorelai and Lorelai did the same to Luke. The light kiss had turned passionate very suddenly. It was as if they had both realized their long denied attraction was actually something they could act on now. Both Luke and Lorelai wanted to take things slowly, but when their lips met it felt like an explosion of emotion and desire. They broke apart for a moment to catch their breath but Lorelai soon leaned in to lock lips again. Luke playfully pulled back as Lorelai leaned in and he smiled at her when she opened her eyes to realize his lips weren't where they had been. She wasn't going to let him tease her like that again and she moved her hands to his face and pulled his lips to hers forcefully. Their tongues tangoed like the best of Latin dancers. It was almost has if their bodies had been made to fit together. If they hadn't been in public and in Luke's uncomfortable truck who knows what might have happened next, but Luke knew the dangers of the Litchfield police and he didn't want to be taken in again, this time for lewd behavior. He broke the kiss with Lorelai and brushed her hair behind her ears.

"This was fun," he said still holding her.

Lorelai had to catch her breath. She ran her fingers down Luke's jaw line. "Yeah, it was a wonderful night," she said.

They just looked at each other for a moment. It was almost as if their brains were processing what happened after the fact. They held each other for another moment when Luke had to pull away.

"We should go," he said scooting back o the driver's side of the car.

"Yeah," Lorelai said in amazement. This wasn't the first time they had kissed, but it was more passionate than it ever was. She scooted back to her side of the car and put her seatbelt on. She ran her fingers over her slightly swollen lips.

They drove back to Stars Hollow and conversed about menial things, Lorelai never once bringing up the Rory-Dean situation and Luke not asking. He pulled up in front of Lorelai's house after they realized that Babette's lights were off and that she must be sleeping.

"Goodnight," he said.

"Goodnight, see you tomorrow," Lorelai said.

"Definitely," he replied.

Luke drove away and Lorelai entered the house. Both of them went to sleep that night with huge, child-like grins on their faces.

TBC