Thanks again for the reviews guys – you can NEVER grow tired of a good thing!!! Now hold on to your seats and prepare to be enthralled by the latest chapter in my obsessively captivating story!

In the Ballroom:

Lorelai was sitting idly at the table, stealing momentary glances at the entrance. Not even food could provide the distraction she so longed for.

"Lorelai sweetie, you've hardly touched your food! You feelin alright doll?" Babette was noticeably worried.

This sudden attention broke Lorelai out of her trance, "Huh, oh no, I mean - yes Babette, I feel perfectly fine, just tired I guess."

"Nonsense dear, the party hasn't even begun yet!" Patty chimed, as she stole a glance at the entrance herself, a smile widening across her face. "On second thought, I think it just started!" Patty winked at the others. Lorelai hesitated before turning around, her heart slightly a flutter.

Luke cautiously entered the Ballroom like a nervous schoolboy. He too was blown away by the spectacle before him. Luke was looking rather dapper indeed. Cleanly-shaven and dressed very respectably in a suit jacket and tie, he was more than prepared for the night's festivities.

Lorelai couldn't help but stare at this tall, dark and handsome figure from afar. God, if he looks this good from a distance – I can only imagine...Whoa, Lorelai stopped herself mid-thought. What a night to have raging hormones!

Sookie noticed Lorelai's fixed attention on Luke and smiled warmly to herself. Patty wasn't as subtle, "Lorelai dear, stop drooling!" she smirked.

She snapped out of it for the second time that evening, her face unreasonably flushed. "And just what exactly are you insinuating Patty?" Lorelai slyly retorted. She didn't wait for a response as she abruptly rose from the table. She walked purposefully, toward...the ladies room.

Just as Lorelai made her quick exit, (perfect timing by the way,) Luke suddenly acknowledged the familiar Star's Hollow crew and started towards them. He seemed somewhat displeased as he approached; perhaps he had finally noticed a certain person's absence.

"Luke you're a regular fox!" Babette and Patty agreed in unison. "Break me off a piece of that!" Babette added.

Luke rolled his eyes, desperately seeking relief. He looked to Sookie and Jackson for just that.

Jackson politely offered Luke his seat as he made his way to the buffet a third time. Sookie smiled devilishly at the diner owner now turned GQ model. Luke felt like a piece of meat thrown to a pack of starving wolves.

He turned to Rory next and found some relief. The two talked briefly before Sookie interrupted them,

"She's in the ladies room." Simply stated, but she made her point.

Luke merely nodded in return. At long last he had achieved complete relief.

He allowed himself to think about Nicole then, but deep down his mind was occupied with thoughts involving Lorelai, those eyes, that hair – those lips that he had nearly tasted and yet he tasted them now. Luke was hungry... for food – he decided to pay a visit to the buffet himself.

"Leaving so soon?" Patty inquired, this time Guido rolled his eyes. Who was this woman anyway? Luke continued on his way, still lost in thought.

By the time Luke had filled his plate, Jackson had returned to the table leaving only Lorelai's empty seat. Luke didn't want to intrude; in fact he wanted to go far, far away from all the crazy kooks. He found an empty table in the corner, away from all the hustle and bustle. Great minds think alike.

Try as he might, Luke couldn't eat a morsel of food – his stomach was in knots...the anticipation was killing him. What was taking her so long? Why did women always choose the most inopportune moments to freshen-up? Luke assumed that was what Lorelai was doing – what the hell did freshen-up mean anyway? He needed to stretch his legs, he needed to get some air – the balcony was calling.

Lorelai was just finishing up in the ladies room. She felt ill and nervous and excited all at once, but mostly ill. She needed some air – the balcony was calling.

Luke passed through elegant glass doors and walked out into the night. The air was cold and crisp, yet incredibly inviting. My but Alaska was an enchanting place. Luke leaned over the balcony and stared at the ocean below. He embraced the solitude. Lorelai slowly made her way through the glass doors; now she too could experience the peaceful beauty of Alaska. Luke felt stinging warmth on the back of his neck that made him shiver. He felt a presence behind him and turned around immediately. He was stunned by his discovery. Lorelai caught her breath as Luke looked her over from head to toe – just as Rory had, but he was examining her in a lustful way.

He attempted to break the silence first, "You, you're...you look – my god, you're beautiful!"

Lorelai had become a shade of red as striking as her dress – the one that Luke hadn't been able to take his eyes off. "Luke – thanks...you look, you, you - look pretty good yourself." She struggled to speak; her breathing was laboured.

Luke laughed a little. Lorelai rarely ever strained to speak – well, she never did. This was a rare occasion. His laughter seemed to break the tension.

"What's so funny?" Lorelai asked curiously. She received so much enjoyment from the sound of his laughter.

"Oh, its just – the Lorelai I know is never at a loss for words. This is certainly an exclusive occurrence." Luke was still smiling as he spoke.

"Well you caught me off-guard, that's all – I mean, I thought I was going to be alone out here." Lorelai was speaking softly.

"You'll never be alone." Luke surprised himself with this sudden revelation. Even more surprising was Lorelai's reaction, like she expected him to say those words.

"I don't want to be alone," she returned. The space between them was becoming thinner.

"You're not alone. I'm right here. I'll always be here." Luke was inching closer to her by the second.

"Luke...I, I can't breathe." His hands were cupping her face and his eyes were staring deep into her sole.

"Lorelai, I want you – I want you so bad it hurts." Luke leaned in and the inevitable was about to happen.

"You've got me," was all Lorelai could manage between breaths. She too leaned in.

Their lips touched, softly at first as he slowly grazed over her mouth. Luke slid his hands around her back and pressed his body against hers. They both moaned and opened their hungry mouths to each other. Their tongues and their bodies were beautifully intertwined. Everything else in the world at that precise moment failed to matter, failed to exist.

Wow! – I'm getting a little hot and bothered here myself! I better cool down – perhaps I'll take a polar plunge!

Things are heating up my friends!! Keep the reviews flowin and I'll keep the boat rockin!!

P.S: REVIEWS RULE!!!