Kirk could see it


Kirk is sitting at his favorite table in Luke's. Well, his favorite table of the week, that is. He tends to find a new spot appealing in the diner each time he goes there. This day, though, he wanted the one in the corner. It is far enough away from people that they don't have to witness his sulking but close enough that he can still eavesdrop on most of their conversations. The light is also a little darker in the corner. And today – today Kirk is feeling a bit dark. He had just been fired – FIRED! – from his most recent job at Weston's.

This is so not fair, Kirk thought. The menu said RUM balls. How was I supposed to know that I shouldn't use that much rum in each one? And apparently pouring rum over each one at the end is not customary. You would think they'd have some kind of step by step manual for these things. Of course, my boss said that is what recipes are usually for, but seriously, who has the time to go through an exact recipe when they have people shouting at them for orders. I mean

"Kirk!" Luke shouted, snapping Kirk out of his deep train of thought.

"Yes?"

"I have been standing here for over a minute! That is about 59 seconds longer than I wanted to be. I have a full house and I am short staffed so order or get out!" Luke told him.

"Oh, sorry Luke. I am just - hey, did you say you were short staffed?"

"Caesar called in sick today so I am stuck cooking and serving everything. Stop asking questions and just tell me what you want."

Kirk saw an opening.

"You know Luke, I think you could use some more help around here. I am quite handy in the kitchen. Just ask my former employer at Weston's."

Kirk suddenly remembered why he was out of a job.

"Oh, wait, scratch that. He may not be the best person to check with when it comes to me and cooking. Hm, there has to be someone better to attest for my skills – "

"Kirk, seriously, I don't have time for – "

"Oh! I know! Mother would give me a very strong recommendation. Just last night she was in the middle of her weekly "Dawson's Creek" marathon, and she asked me to whip her up a snack to go as a side to, as she terms it, 'that hunky dark-haired boy Pacey that always acts as my yummy main course.' Well, I cooked her all kinds of snacks. I made bite sized pizza squares, cookies, and I even fashioned her favorite, ants on a log. You know, it's where you put peanut butter on a stick of celery and – hey Luke! Where did you go?"

Kirk noticed Luke had given up on getting his order and walked back to the kitchen.

Hm, how long have I been talking to myself? he wondered. He went back to brainstorming ideas of where he could get a job. About five minutes later a woman came running through the door and buzzed by Kirk on her way to the counter.

"Hi Kirk," Lorelai said as she passed.

"Hi," Kirk answered as he watched her sit at the counter.

"Coffee, please," she begged.

"I am swamped right now with orders that have to go out to tables. Give me a minute," Luke told her.

"Why the backup?" Lorelai asked.

"Caesar is out again. This is the third time this week!"

"Well, looks like you could use some help and I could use some coffee, ASAP. I know how I can solve both our problems at once."

She went behind the counter and grabbed two orders.

"What table?"

"You are not supposed to be back here. How many times do we have to go through this?"

"Hey buddy, do you want to keep your business afloat today or not?" She gave him a warm smile, asking again, "W-H-A-T table?"

Luke sighed. She had won. "That one goes to that guy and the other to the family by the window."

"Thank you. Now, where's my coffee?"

Kirk watched as Lorelai played waitress around the diner.

Argh, he thought, frustrated. So she comes in here and two minutes later she gets to be a waitress but I need a job and Luke won't even consider me as a chef. This is so unfair! Is it just me? I mean, Luke was never exactly what you'd call my buddy in school. In fact, most times he would just hit me into the locker when he walked by and I tried to talk to him. But, even so, I have always thought Luke had a soft spot for me, even though he'd never admit it. I remember this one day when a group of bullies were trying to lock me in the equipment closet. Now, I couldn't see anything because they had covered my head with my cape and flipped me sideways. Boy, did that cape backfire at school sometimes. Anyway, all I remember is hearing a voice yell at the bullies to leave me alone. It was a strong, powerful voice that I recognized right away. It was Luke! Now, being the star athlete and chick magnet that he was, people rarely yelled back at Luke. So the boys dropped me and ran away. I thanked Luke for weeks after that. He told me he was regretting helping me because I now felt the need to shadow him everywhere like a homeless puppy dog. Still, I think deep down somewhere, Luke saved me because I am like the little brother he never had – or as he terms it, never wanted.

Kirk halted his reminiscing for a moment to look back at the counter. Luke was handing Lorelai a plate to go out to another table. He couldn't understand why Luke would let Lorelai, who already had a job at the Independence Inn, help him but wouldn't hire Kirk.

Look at those two. Luke pretends to be just as grumpy around her as he is around me. But it is a different kind of grumpy. Lorelai brings out a side of Luke I never could. I mean, if I went behind the counter and tried to deliver food he would probably stuff me in the oven. I guess I can understand, though. I mean, I suppose in an obvious way Lorelai is a lot prettier than I am. And she sure does seem to know just the right way to talk to Luke to get what she wants. I wonder if I learn to flirt like that if he would let me work here. Hm,…nah, I don't think I can quite pull of the feminine charm that Lorelai instinctively exudes. I just don't get it. Look at them…

Kirk saw Lorelai prance back up to the counter.

"All done. All orders up and out. See how much easier life is when you let people actually help you once in a while?" Lorelai winked.

"Here is some more coffee, on the house. And…thanks," he responded. Luke flashed Lorelai a smile Kirk rarely saw come across his face in all the years he had known him. It was wide and open mouthed, teeth showing and all. Kirk had seen Luke smile like that before but for very few people. Liz, his father,…but not anyone in recent times since Liz left and his father died.

He won't smile like that towards me or for most people in this town, hethought. He only smiles…for her.

Kirk could see it.

A/N: That is all for now. I am thinking of doing Taylor next but if anyone has suggestions, I will take them!