Thanks a million for the reviews guys I'm lovin them like a two dollar whore!! Keep em coming! - Now prepare to be enthralled by the latest chapter in my fantastically witty and charming story!!

- Lorelai and Rory dedicated a large part of their evening toward preparing themselves for the grandeur of the Captain's Ball that awaited them. It was nearing 7pm, precisely when the Ball was to commence. Fortunately, the girls were far too occupied with hair and wardrobe to acknowledge their incessant hunger. Well, almost...

"God, I'm starving!" protested Lorelai. She had finally caught a glance of the clock in their room. It was indeed dinnertime and therefore, the munchies were kicking in.

"Me too! I could eat a horse... I could eat two horses!" Rory had undeniably noticed the clock as well.

"I could eat a horse-drawn carriage!" Lorelai had definitely gone overboard - no pun intended.

Rory could only roll her eyes in defeat – her mother could never lose in any battle concerning food.

"Well, I think it's time for final inspection!" Lorelai proclaimed. "How do I look?"

Rory carefully looked her mother over, from head to toe, then stood back in admiration. "Mom, you look incredible! You've really outdone yourself this time – and the dress is fabulous!"

Lorelai was genuinely flattered by her daughter's approval. "Thanks hon, you look pretty amazing yourself!"

Rory was wearing a strapless dress in a delicate shade of blue. Lorelai was uninformed as to where the dress came from, and Rory liked it that way. It added an element of mystery to the plot!

Finally, as the clock struck 7:30, the gorgeous and famished ladies were officially headed towards the Ballroom. Lorelai was the first to enter, with Rory close in toe. The spectacle that surrounded them was breathtaking. The room was marvellous in size, with sunbursts and marble halls and winding staircases made from the finest oak. The lavish decorations were astounding, so too were the tables arranged perfectly around the dance-floor. Many guests had already arrived and were busily selecting tables and feasting on the many delights. Wait a minute... feasting – why, that means there's food! Lorelai and Rory were so enamoured with the scenery that they nearly overlooked their pressing hunger.

Rory was the first to speak, "Wow, this is so... I mean, wow!"

"You've never been so eloquent honey!" Lorelai sarcastically responded, although she too was in awe. "Ya know, I think it's about time we acknowledge our hungry tummies, what do ya say?" Lorelai suggestively nodded her head towards the buffet.

"I say, giddy up!" Rory was undoubtedly alluding to their previous repartee involving horses and carriages and other such nonsense.

"Ha hah, clever child! You shall be rewarded – follow me." And with that, Lorelai eagerly led the way towards the heavenly aromas. She may have been making some horse sounds along the way.

After literally piling their plates sky high, the girls made their way towards a corner table – it seemed a little more intimate, away from all the hustle and bustle.

And then, as if the fates were once again at hand, Patty, Guido, Babette and Morey abruptly sidestepped them.

"My, my, don't you girls look wonderful! Lorelai, that dress looks positively elegant on you!" Patty didn't waste a moment to get her two-cents in.

"Thanks Patty, I love the dress and thanks again for your generosity, and you too Babette!" Lorelai was acting quite civil; she must have been in a good mood!

"Oh darling, you are so welcome, it's the least we could do! Now wont you and Rory join us? We already have a table right next to the dance-floor, a prime location!" Patty expected no less than Lorelai's full cooperation.

Damn, Lorelai thought. It never fails! "Alright Patty, that sounds great." Lorelai was becoming quite a good actress – perhaps she had entered the wrong field of business.

Together, the six of them walked to their conveniently located table. Sookie and Jackson were already seated. Oddly enough, there was no sign of Kirk – well maybe not so odd.

Everyone was happily chatting and eating, enjoying their surroundings...

Meanwhile, In Luke and Nicole's cabin:

Nicole was nervously pacing about the room. She was dressed for the ball, yet was having second thoughts about attending.

"Luke, I think we should stay in tonight – you know, and have a romantic evening, just you and me."

"What do you mean? You spend two hours getting all 'dolled up' and NOW you want to stay in? What's with you Nicole?" Luke was indeed frustrated.

Nicole too was irritated. "Nothing's with me Luke! I don't feel like going to the Damn Ball! So what?! You never wanted to go in the first place!!"

"So what?! That's all you have to say! What about all the money I spent on the dress that you just had to have? I never said I didn't want to go to this thing – you never asked!" Luke was ready for battle.

"Oh, and I'm so sure that my asking would have influenced your decision! We both know the reason why you're going!" Nicole was prepared to meet Luke's challenge.

"God damn it Nicole!" Luke boomed, "You are your own worst enemy! Believe what you want to believe – there's no getting through to you!" And with that, Luke stormed out of the room.

Where's Luke headed? What's Nicole going to do about it, AND why am I so hungry?

All this and more in the next spellbinding chapter!!!

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