Thanks a bunch for the reviews folks! Things may seem slightly odd or off kilter at the moment, but I love happy endings, so worry not my friends! Now, back to the story…

So it was decided. Lorelai was going to play Luke's game, BUT she was going to make the rules! Round 1: Allure and Evade.

Lorelai rushed home and immediately began scouring her closet, trying to select the perfect outfit.

"Eureka!" She shouted to an empty house. Luke was in for a big surprise!

The Diner, 2:00pm A.K.A: The Afternoon Lull –

Luke was wiping the same spot on the counter that he always seemed to wipe in times of boredom, anxiety and/or stress. He didn't even notice Lorelai as she approached the door in a rather scandalous ensemble.

"Hello Mr. Danes." Lorelai purred in a most flattering way as she sauntered in.

Luke nearly jumped out of his skin upon hearing her voice inside the barren walls of his eatery. Poor soul hadn't even felt the worst of it yet. Luke looked up to face his female caller and nearly fainted at the sight of her.

"Lorelai! Uh, what, er – how, how are you?" His tongue was rather distastefully extending from his mouth.

Lorelai could barely suppress her laughter. "I'm just fine. You on the other hand...I think you're drooling!" Oh the power of seduction!

Luke hid his face in embarrassment, returning his tongue to its holding cell. "I, I am not drooling, I just – well you… coffee?" Luke wanted desperately to distract himself, so he directly attended to the coffee maker.

"I'd love some," Lorelai happily responded. She was wearing a very revealing red and purple flowered blouse, and an incredibly short black skirt. Very alluring.

Luke was finally able to regain his composure as he took a few deep breaths and obligingly filled Lorelai's awaiting mug. "Listen Lorelai, I hope you aren't still disappointed about the way things turned out yesterday. I meant no harm by it." He found it easier to speak to her if he stared at the counter.

"No, of course not Luke. It was wrong for me to ask you in the first place. Forgive me?" She was playing it as cool as a cucumber.

"Oh, uh – yeah sure. I forgive you." Luke was tremendously confused by this revelation.

"You know, I really don't have time to date anyway. I'm so busy with the Inn and such. I'm so glad you opened my eyes Luke. I just don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled sincerely.

Luke was downright dumbfounded by the display before him. What on earth was happening here? This was not going according to plan at all.

"You know something else Luke, I think I just might drop men altogether. I mean, who needs em? I am an independent woman who is perfectly capable of achieving happiness without the aid of any testosterone-toting male!"

"Lorelai! Have you lost your mind? Don't you think you're overreacting?" Luke was certainly losing his mind, that's for sure.

"No! For the first time I'm seeing things clearly. And it's all because of you Luke. I don't know how to thank you!" She was a great actress.

"You've gone nutty! You're crazy! If there's one thing you do need, it's a man! Someone to set you straight!" Luke abruptly rounded the counter and headed for Lorelai.

"Luke! What are you doing?" Lorelai nervously asked as the impassioned man approached.

"Something I should have done a long time ago," he answered simply.

Oh god, thought Lorelai. He's going to do it…he's going to kiss me. Brace yourself girl. Lorelai closed her eyes in anticipation. To hell with the game!

Luke lunged forward and aggressively seized Lorelai's…coffee mug. "I'm pulling the plug Lorelai! I think this caffeine has finally put you over the edge!"

And once more, he had thrown her for a complete loop. "Luke, what are you doing? Have you gone insane?" There must be something in the air, or the water. "Give me back my coffee!" She demanded.

"No!" He snapped.

"Please Luke," she pouted. He always gave in to that pout.

"Never!" Well, maybe not always.

"Fine! Fine! See if I care!" Lorelai turned away, pretending to be disinterested.

Luke began pouring the remainder of the coffee down the sink and started for the kitchen. As soon as his back was turned, Lorelai launched herself up the stairs toLuke's apartment. "Ha, fool! You underestimate me! There must be some coffee up here!"

Luke had to laugh at the scene before him. Never had he known as determined a woman as Lorelai. Luke followed suit and barged unnecessarily into his own apartment just as Lorelai had lowered herself to a particular cupboard in the kitchen. "Ah, so what's in here?"

"Nothing in there but trouble!" Luke warned.

Lorelai retrieved a bottle of champagne and some candles from the mystery cupboard. "You're right, this is trouble. Expecting someone?"

"Maybe."

"Oh, well don't let me keep you then!" She replied coldly. "I should really be going anyway, I left the Inn uncharacteristically early today and I must return."

"That sounds like a good idea," Luke agreed.

"Good then. Enjoy…" And off she went without a second glance.

Luke simply shook his head. This was a lot harder than he thought it would be.

Lorelai was baffled. Was Luke seeing someone else? Had the world stopped spinning on its axis? Luke 2 : Lorelai 0.

Oh, but the game was still young…the game was still young!

Lorelai wandered solemnly back to the Inn. The poor kid wore her heart on her sleeve, or revealing blouse for that matter.

"Sookie?" Lorelai called for her best friend upon entering the Dragonfly.

"Lorelai! How'd it go?" Sookie giddily approached.

"It didn't," she sighed, defeated.

"What? You're kidding! Were you wearing 'the outfit'?"

"I've lost it. I've lost my appeal, I'm washed up…I'm a has been!"

"No, Lorelai – don't be crazy!" Sookie embraced her weathered friend.

"And I'm crazy too! Everyone thinks so!" Lorelai crashed on the couch in the lobby allowing Sookie room to accompany her. I guess that left Michele to run the Inn. Good luck with that.

The two girls talked for a good long time, Sookie having once again worked her magic. She wasn't entirely sure what Luke was up to, but things would all work out in the end – she had no doubt of that.

Lorelai was fired up. She wanted some answers. She was damn well going back to that diner! Sookie wouldn't have it any other way!

And so concludes yet another chapter! Only a few to go – And the 'good stuff' is coming, let me tell ya!

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