Kiss! LUKE!
By GilmoreGirl1979 (the Reigning Quote Queen)
Part of the ORIGINAL WOULDA SHOULDA COULDA SERIES
(ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUES!)
The Q: What if Nicole didn't show up to go skiing with Luke?
Friendly Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
-FOR THIS CHAPTER- Dialogue was borrowed from 3.20 - Say Goodnight, Gracie (teleplay by Amy Sherman-Palladino & Janet Leahy; story by Amy Sherman-Palladino; directed by Jamie Babbit) & 3.21 - Here Comes the Son (written by Amy Sherman-Palladino ;directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino) Some Dialogue and intentions have been changed by me Gilmoregirl1979 it's more fun that way!
Luvz: you no good two timing, horny toad Varmit, (WHAT?) I Thank ya PARTNER for that Rip Roaring review! SHEEEEEEE YOOT! I only wish I could ride DinerMan, he seems like a mighty fine steed. Lots of endurance ya hear. can go that extra mile. Very handy on a long hot trail.
Was that dirty enough for you? somewhere in there I think I was Yosemite Sam. Well since I am a living cartoon! I loved your review, … all 8Ks of it… been holding out on me ehhh. Sorry that's another cartoon there you go do a gangster I dare ya to do a gangster,(watch untouchables if need be, watch it with enthusiasms ... enthusiasms.. that's what he says! ask deniro)
Hello my little Crack WHORES! (and other shout outs):
Jeepgirl259: as always your attention to detailed reviews is appreciated. I thank you for taking the time to review each chap… to truly savor each one's essence.
-the tension, as previously stated I love the smell of sexual tension… well any time of day really.
- Luke holding her close only served to turn her on?- oh how you see the subtle clues that are my play on words, Good JOB HON! Nicely caught!
-First off this is already AU-y and secondly, READ ON! MORE JJ /LL Goodness to be had!
ProFfeSseR: Mary anne giligan's Island. I am sorry for your dissatisfaction, BUT I promise to make it up to you, just like when Luke has early delieveries… I PROMISE you will LOVE ME AGAIN after this one… hehehe
irish-surf-chick: it is a nice picture! Just wait more kodak moments to be had! WINK AND A DIRTY SMILE! hehehehehehehehehe
gidget89: I'm sorry for the confusion, but you got it sorted and enjoyed your hit I hope!OOC? I'm hurt, tell me what you think after this CHAPTER… okay?
ocdwithlhg: thank you! honey, that means a lot from you I love your stuff.
gilmoreaddict: tell me your guesses after the fact then, and feel free to suggest ideas
Willow825: I believe that font is called CREEPY, and GREAT IDEA let's make t-shrits! LOL Luvz and I usually call Nicole NASTY McBITCH Attorney at Law.
SailorMoon2882: The mental picture of Luke and Lorelai snuggling in each others arms while they slept makes me all warm and fuzzy.-ME TOO!
JediPirateElfyDude: a Jedi must learn PATIENCE! My young apprentice(who am I Donald TRUMP?)
JediPirateElfyDude: a Jedi must learn PATIENCE! My young apprentice(who am I Donald TRUMP?)
It was: Keg! Max!
Is now: Kiss! LUKE!
A/N: why am I giggling like a little girl? Cause I know what happens LOL
77777777777777777777777777
Chapter 5:
We Have A Man Down
Due to the Keg aftermath and the teenagers they each had to deal with, there was no time to talk about their little sleep over at the Inn; or "Lorelai's cuddle fest", as she had renamed it.
Rory had been a little vague on the details about the party and how exactly the cops ended up putting in an appearance. At Least the keg didn't explode. Rory, usually so good at story telling, was now mute. Ironically, Monosyllable man, who was striding down the street on his way to Kyle's, was the one willing to fill in Lorelai on the details as he vented.
"Hey, Luke", Lorelai smiled brightly at her nap buddy; who is looking very handsome today, with that certain fire in his eyes. Down GIRL! Focus! Yes, Monosyllable man, he was no doubt already in a bad mood, because of the Nicole situation, because of his ski trip being canceled, and now this …
"The phone rings this morning, And on the other end of the phone is someone named John who says he's Kyle's father, and Kyle threw a party last night without permission. And two guys got into a fight and tore the place apart, so John wants me to come down and take a look at the damage and discuss some sort of solution to the problem of the damages. Now, I don't know John, and I certainly don't know Kyle, but I do know someone who would get into a fight at a party and leave the place completely trashed. It's a wild guess, but I think his name rhymes with Tess. So here I am, heading in there to talk to John about Kyle and discuss what is to be done about the Hummel."
"The what? " Lorelai cocked an eyebrow as she grinned, amazed at the run on sentence.
Luke punctuated with a pointed finger, "Exactly"; and he was off to meet with John.
Lorelai tried not to stare after his posterior, again, as he stalked up the walk to the house in his tight jeans, but he does that so well.
"Is there something I should know?" Rory asked.
"What?" turning back to her daughter.
"You were totally just checking Luke out."
"I was not!" she scoffed, and proceeded to grill her daughter on connecting all those dots Luke had just threw out there.
After singing a portion of a Bette Midler ballad, Lorelai would admit, only to herself, she was totally checking him out, but Rory didn't need to know that yet. Lorelai was in Limbo at the moment in regard to the Diner man. She couldn't stop thinking about the cuddle fest. Why? Why did I have to see him again last night? I just saw him at turndown, I knew he was heading off for a weekend with the Lawyer. Somehow Max's suggestion sparked new interest in the diner man. Thoughts that Lorelai wished she had considered a long, long time ago. Before the lawyer messed up everything.
The rare voice of reason was back to scold her. Now, Lorelai, you are the one who messed everything up. Luke was happy, he was dating, no doubt getting laid. And you just waltzed in with your movies and your candy and ruined the first real relationship he's had since Rachel.What kind of friend are you?
Did all the sugar Lorelai consumed the night before make her have these crazy Luke thoughts? Were her red vines laced with love potion #9? Did her sugar high subconsciously make her plot to break up the lawyer and the diner man?
But how was I to know Nicole would show up like that?
Lorelai was worried about Luke. He was a good friend, an amazing, generous man. He said he'd be fine with the break up. He probably felt like it was his fault, being unable to say "No" to Lorelai last night. He never says "No" to me. Well, … he does, but I always wear him down, Why is that?
I wonder when she saw us?
It was a strange state of mind to be in. A few days ago, she was pining for her non existent love life, and now she wanted a man who just got dumped, and it was totally her fault. She was happy they had broken up. Lorelai never liked Nicole, and vice versa, I'm sure. However, She still felt bad for Luke. Even worse that the break up was her fault, Luke blamed himself. Luke cared about Nicole, whatever his reasons, enough to date her all this time.
I wonder if he's tried to call her again.
7777777777777777777777777
Luke had waited a few days before attempting this. Besides, He had enough to deal with over Jess, the Keg party, and a "fascinating" discussion with John about Hummels. The misunderstanding at the Inn just had to wait. Plus, Luke figured a few days for Nicole to think was only fair.
Luke still felt stupid. He was pacing the sidewalk outside Nicole's apartment in Lichfield, mustering the courage to face her, and the right words to say.
He was having no luck on either task.
"Luke?" Nicole said from behind him.
He was caught by surprise, she was walking towards him with a grocery bag in her hands. "Oh, Hey, Nicole." He could tell she was surprised to see him, as well.
Nicole was short with him, "What are you doing here?" not hiding her frustration.
Luke took a deep breath, "I came … to apologize."
"Oh save it," and she pushed past him, not wanting to waste her time with his lame excuses.
Luke stopped her by forcing himself in her path, "No listen, that night was completely innocent."
"Oh Please…"
"Nicole," He gently warned, "I have never lied to you."
"Except when you said you wanted to be with me!" She was hurt. She thought she was falling for this man. He's met my parent's, for Christ's sake. She really thought this was going somewhere, … more permanent.
She thought of how she busted her ass to get to him that night. Late night on the road, after a week in New York dealing with demanding clients and sycophants. She just wanted a weekend away with her boyfriend.
"Nicole, that is not fair. You didn't call, you didn't show …"
"But I did show!" And what did she walk in on. Luke with his arms around another woman. Not just any woman.
HER.
Nicole had no idea how long she stood there watching them. She wanted to turn on all the lights, make a fuss, tell both of them off, break something if possible. But she wasn't one of those women to just fly off the handle. She was a lawyer, she needed to step back and analyze what all this meant. And Lorelai could sue me if I tore up her Inn. Although it did already have a fire, not much left to damage.
Nicole didn't move. She couldn't speak. Nicole saw how content Luke was with Lorelai in his arms. She knew what it meant. In the back of her mind she knew Lorelai was the one he had always wanted. Rather than do something she'd regret later, she just let them be, and went to her place in Litchfield.
Luke continued to explain, "She's my friend, she was only trying to help, …"
"By stealing you?"
"She did not steal me. She knew you were running late and wanted to keep me company."
"Oh yes, I saw how she did that!" Nicole tried to reason with him. "Look, I thought this might happen. I tried to ignore it and to trust you, but since our first date, all you could talk about was her! and when I called you on it you stopped."
"That is what you wanted. Not to hear about her."
"Yeah, well it's a little suspicious when you stop mentioning her cold turkey. I know she's a close friend, I know she comes into the diner ever day. Then I'm wondering in the back of my head 'is he still thinking about her? Is he just waiting for her to see him? When he makes love to me does he see her?'"
"Nicole!" Stunned at the accusations, "I told you, it's not like that."
"But you would want it to be?"
Luke couldn't deny it, so he didn't answer, and looked at his boots.
I rest my case. Nicole knew she'd never win, never have all of him. She had to let him go. "Then why are you still here? Go, … be with her," she turned to go inside.
"Nicole, please," something in his pleading tone stopped her, " … I never … I never meant to hurt you."
Nicole was a lawyer, she could tell he was being sincere, and conceded, let go of her anger, too tired of the subject to fight anymore. "Yeah, I know," Offering one last kindness to the man she cared so much for. She put the groceries down, and sat on the steps of her building. "Luke, I care about you. I really do. I want you to be happy. I don't think you're going to be happy unless you find out how she feels once and for all."
Luke sat down on the steps with her, "So? … What now?"
"Well, I'd say that cruise we were talking about is out of the question."
"Yeah, I guess."
"And I say, … you should go after her."
"Lorelai?"
"Yes."
"I told you, it's not like that."
"Not from where I was standing."
"What exactly did you see?" he asked hesitant, but still curious.
Separating her self from the situation, she was a lawyer, she could do that; Nicole honestly stated, "I saw … two friends, who have known each other for years, who should just stop kidding themselves." Nicole was a lawyer she was blunt.
"She's not interested in me that way." Luke dismissed, a little uncomfortable with his Ex Girlfriend trying to secure him a new one.
"Have you ever asked?"
"I don't need to ask."
"Okay, … what do I know, I just make my living off reading people." She stood up and picked up the large brown bag. "It doesn't hurt to find out what you're missing." And Nicole left him on the stairs.
There was something all too familiar about this scene.
'So, don't wait to long … To tell her?'
"I am sorry," he called over his shoulder.
"I know." And Nicole went inside.
It was the second time he was dumped over the same woman, he couldn't think about that right now.
7777777777777777777777777
Lorelai hadn't seen Luke much since the "cuddle fest." Which was weird, since she went to his diner every day! Of course, she saw him, but she couldn't spend any quality time with him, talk to him. She didn't know where he was at the moment; of course you do he's right there behind the counter. I meant, in his head, smart ass. Since the hummel discussion, she noticed there was an uncomfortable change in his mood, in his body language. Lorelai couldn't tell if he was more upset about Nicole or Jess's Keg fiasco. He seemed preoccupied with something else, and there was no proper opportunity to ask how he was doing.
7777777777777777777777
Jimmy! Of all the stupid lame brained things to do! Luke rarely noticed customers, unless it was Lorelai and Rory, or Taylor complaining about something, or Patty hitting on him. Anyway, he had a lot of patrons, a lot of strangers who were just passing through come in his diner. But this one guy caught his attention, he seemed, … familiar. The guy apparently had some smart ass exchange with Jess, which Jess won. And the guy was off.
As Luke bused the table, he found the guys wallet. Jimmy Mariano. DAMN. The last thing he needed was a scene out of Star Wars, Jess I am your Father, to screw the kid up right before graduation. As he stalked around the diner, he fumed at the nerve of the dead beat. And he told the Dead Beat so when he returned the wallet last night.
"I am trying to keep this kid from falling off the face of the Earth. I'm trying to get him through school. I'm trying to give him a future. And I gotta be totally honest with you, Jimmy - I am not doing too well. …. the last thing he needs is a special appearance by his father who can't be here for any good reason. "
He exhaled coming back to the present again, trying to solely focus on the diner and the tasks at hand. As he surveyed the room he noticed Lorelai, at a table by the window, staring at him. She looked concerned, but gave him an encouraging smile. He returned the small smile and nodded to signal he was okay. The hits just keep on coming. As Long as Jess doesn't find out about Jimmy, everything will be fine.
77777777777777777777777
A few days later, a nervous Luke told a clueless Lorelai Jess left Stars Hollow. Luke was concerned for Rory, not sure how she'd handle her boyfriend skipping town just before graduation.
Luke bluntly stated "Jess is gone."
"What?"
"And I don't think he's coming back."
"What do you mean gone? Like gone gone?"
"Exactly like gone gone."
"But when?"
"Last night, this morning, I don't know. I went up there to get some money out of the safe and I noticed that all of his stuff was gone."
Wow, Poor Luke."Oh, Luke, I'm so sorry." She couldn't stop herself from touching his arm.
He hid his feelings, but not that well. "Yeah, … well, … forget it. I'm through with him. He's eighteen, he can do whatever the hell he wants. He's on his own, I'm through. "
"Luke," Lorelai knew he didn't mean it.
Trying to convince himself more than Lorelai. "No, it's a relief. That kid was driving me crazy. Let him make his own way from now on. Let him see how far that smart mouth of his gets him without someone watching his back. I couldn't be more relieved." His tone then softened " I'm just worried about Rory. I assume she doesn't know. "
Always thinking of other people before himself. "She hasn't … said anything."
"I can tell her if you want me to."
"No, it's okay. I can do it. I just have to figure out when. She's got a lot of things on her mind right now. " Closing her term with Student Government, Crazy Grandma demands, Finals, Graduation.
"Well, don't wait too long. She'll notice eventually. "
"Yes, okay. … Well, thanks for coming over. " You sweet, wonderful man.
"No problem. " He turned to walk away but stopped in his tracks.
Hoping he'd say more, she encouraged, "Luke?"
Luke turned to face the only friend he had left, leaning on her porch rail, and admitted "I failed him."
Lorelai's heart ached for him, now more than ever. The all week she wanted to talk to him about everything; the sleep over night, on life without Nicole. NOW this! He needed his friend of 6 years, because now he was blaming himself again, he felt like he failed his family. She went to him and had to hug him. "You did not fail him," She whispered in his ear, after wrapping her arms around him.
Luke was surprised. It's not that he minded her hugging him, far from it. He just didn't expect a hug from the mother of the girl his nephew just skipped town on; possibly breaking the heart of said daughter, and creating a new awkward tension for the parental friends.
Lorelai offered more words of comfort and wisdom. " … You supported him, you defended him, you gave him a chance, and if he chose not to take it, there's nothing more you could do. "
"Yeah. Well," Luke pulled away, taking her the sea of her blue eyes again. Thoughts selfishly going back to the night at the Inn. Thoughts of Nicole telling him to just go for it. Knowing full well where those thoughts might take him at this close proximity. Knowing he didn't deserve such thoughts. He didn't deserve her. "I should go, " he got out quickly, and was on his way down the porch steps.
Wanting to be of more help to him, she quietly asked, "Hey, … Do you have any idea where he went? "
He looked back briefly, resentment in his eyes, "Yeah, … I got a pretty good idea." Following the Hot Dog King!
As Lorelai turned to go back inside, she could have sworn she saw Babbette's curtains close suddenly. Lorelai began to wonder how much the town knew about his break up; and how would they feel if Lorelai could win the heart of the diner man.
77777777777777777777777777777
' I got a pretty good idea.' What did that mean? …
His expression when he said it alarmed her. It had now been a week since Lorelai's Cuddle Fest at the Inn, and Lorelai still hadn't found time to be there for Luke. She had been busy helping Rory close the Chilton chapter of her life, and to deal with the broken heart Jess left Rory with, weather Rory admitted it or not; and graduation was in a few days. For the past week her daughter's needs were put before her own. Lorelai tried not to daydream of Luke, tried not to be worried about him. Wishing he would come to her, so she could help, but finally breaking down, she knew she had to see him.
In spite of her crazy schedule, and crazy Rory, Lorelai made time to see Luke. To help deal with the broken heart of a proud uncle, who had also been abandoned, twice in the same week. Once by a no good lawyer girlfriend, entirely my fault, by the way, and once by an ungrateful punk nephew. She didn't know if Luke had been purposefully avoiding her, because of Rory and Jess, or because of his breakup or if not seeing him was just a terrible coincidence.
777777777777777777
Luke didn't feel like socializing, nothing new there. His girlfriend, broke up with him, not big loss, he did care about her, and he would miss her. but she wasn't Lorelai. and they ended amicably after their "go after Lorelai" talk.
Jess was his real disappointment, however. After all he'd done, how many times he stuck his neck out and defended the smart ass delinquent. Luke wanted so much to help him out, for the sake of Family, to get Jess on the right path. Now he was out on his own, God knows where, doing God knows what. And what words did I send him off with.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"I'm the one who's saving your ass constantly. I'm the one who just wrote a check to Kyle's father so he wouldn't press charges against you. I'm the one trying to knock some sense into that thick head of yours about the future … You don't take anything seriously. That's why you're doing so crappy in school. You're smart enough, you read more than anyone I've ever seen. There's no reason why you should be barely graduating. "
"I'm not graduating."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are, because we had an agreement that if you were gonna live here, you were gonna go to school and you were gonna graduate. "
"Well, I didn't and I'm not. "
Realizing Jess was serious, "What is wrong with you? What, did you do this just to spite me?" After all I've done, the friends I've hurt, the people I've pissed off! For you! My family?
"Look, forget it, it's done. "
"What's your life now? Wal-Mart full time, that's your great future? Gonna take the plunge and buy yourself a second blue vest? "
"Maybe, why not? What's wrong with it? I mean, it's no diner. "
At that smugness, Luke got really defensive, "Hey, I own this business, kid! I built it, this is mine! I'm not at the mercy of some boss waiting and hoping to be chosen employee of the month for a couple extra hundred bucks and a plaque. I'm always employee of the month. I'm employee of the year, of the century, of the universe! You should be so lucky to have a job like mine. " Luke took a step back, to gather up a new game plan. "Okay, here's what we're gonna do. You're gonna live here one more year, you're gonna quit you job, you're gonna take twelfth grade over again, and you will graduate. "
"No. "
"I'm not playing with you here, Jess." Luke was gravely serious. "You quit your job, you go to school."
" I am not going back to school! "
Then, that's it! "Then you gotta go."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
All Luke wanted was for Jess to aspire to be more, to really apply himself. Luke never thought he'd runaway, just leave like that. Not a note, a goodbye or a singing telegram; Nothing. Luke hated he didn't see the signs, pay more attention, notice something! Anything!
With all this crap at once, Luke didn't even want to open the diner, but he had to, he was employee of the universe. He'd force his way through breakfast and the lunch crowd, Caesar and Ben taking over at night so Luke could … "enjoy" his new found solitude.
Luke was left alone again, just as before. Lorelai had to comfort Rory, no doubt. Nicole had her "partners", Jess had his attitude.
But what did Luke have?
Well, there's always beer.
7777777777777777777777777777
Lorelai approached the dim diner. Lorelai knew if she was going to be any help to Luke, she had to put her more romantic thoughts of him aside and focus on the real priorities.
Caesar let her in after close, thankful she had come to check on Luke. Caesar reported he knew something was off with Luke, but Luke had never been one to talk about his troubles, especially with his cook. Caesar was a witness for Lorelai; since Jess left, Luke had buried himself with work in the stock room or upstairs with the books. Lorelai thanked her informant for the tip, wished him a goodnight as he left, and then climbed the stairs to check on Luke herself.
Lorelai knocked on the glass. When Luke answered the door, it was as if she was given knew eyes. Despite the layers of flannel and denim, she found herself attracted to him once again. So now what this is about. Seriously! Down Girl! Focus!
"Lorelai?"
"Yes?" her tone was distracted, forcing her eyes to his face. Lorelai could see his eyes were tired and cloudy. She's never seen him like that before. "Luke?"
"Yes?" he said annoyed, but it wasn't his usual tone.
She noticed his posture and limp arm as he leaned against the door frame. "Are you… drunk?"
"No!" he scoffed at the accusation, shaking his head as he turned away from her to go back to the couch, forgetting about the open door. I do not get drunk, tipsy maybe, …He still had his faculties he could still walk a straight line. He just wanted to be numb, just for a little bit. What's the first thing to go? Judgment? He wanted to stop judging Jess. Stop caring about Jess. Not sure if it works that way, man.
Lorelai followed his silent invitation, and entered his dark apartment with sympathy, only sorry she didn't come sooner. "Oh Luke," Shutting the door behind her, "… how many did you have?" Figuring Beer to be his alcohol of choice.
"Two."
"Two? " She felt the need to challenge. "Only two?" and you're like this? doesn't take much, huh?
"Two, four five, I don't remember anymore…"
Lorelai was worried at what this meant; this past week upset him enough to drink.
He turned back to her one more time, "What's your point?" already annoyed with her pestering.
She sighed, "Never drink alone, Scarlet, people always find out about it."
Luke was abnormally talkative in his mild inebriated state, " I know that line. Why do I know that line?"
Lorelai felt the need to help him the rest of the way to the couch, "Ummm It's Gone with the Wind…." surprised he'd even picked up the reference.
With a grunt he plopped on the couch, he sank into the cushions and sighed, "Oh yeah, … My mother liked that one."
Lorelai sat a safe distance on the couch, cursing herself for not coming sooner. "You okay? … with everything?"
"I'm fine." He sighed again with his mellow tone, as he slouched in his seat, as if to say "can't you see how fine I am?"
"You've had a rough week," Lorelai observed.
Luke surveyed the room, then focused on Lorelai again. "How's Rory?"
Always thinking of everyone but himself. "She's fine, " Lorelai reassured.
"Good, … that's good. She didn't like… you know… eat a bucket of ice cream did she?"
"No, she didn't" a pint maybe, cause I made her!
"Good, … that's good, cause that crap will kill ya, you know, … and Rory is…" he searched for the right words, "… so young."
"Luke."
"Yeah" he said brightly, as if he just came back from day dreaming.
So not sober Luke, "Talk to me?"
"What about?"
"About the Dodgers, of course!"
"They should have never left Brooklyn."
"Luke! I'm your friend, if you want to talk about… this past week. I'm here."
Luke only offered "My Bread Guy was late."
"Luke!" This was getting her nowhere. It has often been said that people are opposite of their regular personality when drunk. Luke usually so gruff and to the point, was now friendly and unfocused. It was like Luke had A.D.D. when he was tipsy.
"What?" Luke not seeing what she was getting at. "What was so special about this week?"
"Jess for one." Our sleep over for another, Nicole for yet another.
"Oh," Luke ignored the line of topic, "You wanna beer?"
Lorelai rolled her eyes at his polite gesture, "Sure." Anything to get him talking.
Luke trudged to the kitchen and opened two more bottles and returned to his spot on the couch.
Lorelai put her purse on the coffee table, and accepted the bottle, not interested in its contents. "So, Jess left." Lorelai persisted.
"Yeah," Luke stated a solemn matter of fact, with a bobbing head.
"How are you handling that?"
"Okay," Luke tried to sound indifferent, "I mean I've got the place to myself again. … I don't have to buy special food for anyone, none of his "music" blaring at all hours of the night."
Luke actually did air quotes? With a beer bottle in his hand. He's cute when he's drunk. She couldn't admire him long, she had to keep pressing."Why did he leave?" Also hoping she may get some answers for Rory.
"Oh, that's the best part, his dad dropped by." Getting mad at Jimmy all over again.
"His dad?"
"Yeah Jimmy, the hot dog king, dropped by to see him. … and of course Jess and I had a fight. About me not telling him his father was in town, and about Walmart, and his grades and school." Luke rubbed his right temple with the palm of his hand, tired of reliving the incident, since it was all he could think about now a days.
"How could he just take off like that, so close to graduation?"
Luke reluctantly revealed, "He … wasn't going to … graduate," taking a swig of his beer.
"What?" How could Rory not know about this? Then again, she's been so busy, how could she have noticed?
"At first I thought he just said it to piss me off, but I called his principal and it was true." And Luke rested his heavy head on the back of the couch.
"Oh Luke?" putting down her own bottle, Lorelai slid closer to him, and took his relaxed hand in hers. Knowing how hard Luke tried to get through to the little hoodlum. How much Luke had done already, and now much of a positive influence Rory could have been on Jess.
"I failed him. I should have known. You were right, I should have been … more involved. I should have helped him looked into scholarships, at schools … colleges. What's the difference between colleges and universities?"
"The money?" she said stroking the top of his hand with her thumb.
"Oh, yeah, figures,"yeah, figure," He sighed dryly.
She tried to reason with him, "Luke, this is not your fault. You said it yourself. He wasn't going to school. He was working at Walmart way too much. I mean his car even got stolen. And still…"
Luke's head came up from the couch as he confessed "I stole his car." He looked like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"You stole his car?" I didn't know he had it in him.
"It's in my dad's garage. I stole it so he had to go to school; but no, too little, too late. He still found a way ... and now…"
"Luke, you couldn't make him do the right thing, he made his own choices, and you tried to warn him."
"I should have tried harder." And he rested his head back down, and closed his eyes.
"You did everything you could." Lorelai wanted to be near him, to comfort him, and well just to touch him again. She closed the space between them, and slid her arm between him and the couch. She hugged him, resting her head on his shoulder, her feet tucked under her bottom. Luke absently put his arm around her and enjoyed the human contact.
"It will be okay." I ran away, and got to meet you. "… I mean, Rory and I turned out alright?"
Luke chuckled, "He should be so lucky."
Lorelai sat like that with him, in the dark, for a solid 15 minutes. The only light was refracted into the apartment from the street. Lorelai listened to his heart, studying the rhythm of his breathing. She was hesitant to speak again. She wanted to ask about Nicole, but he seemed more upset about Jess at the moment.
Luke finally spoke, "I'm glad you're here," now resting his head on hers.
"Me too," Lorelai didn't mean to rub his stomach with her left hand, but she did. "… and I' m sorry I didn't come sooner."
"Well, you had Rory … to take care of." Understanding that he wasn't on Lorelai's list of priorities.
"Yeah, but you needed me too." Her left hand then slid up to his chest as if to sooth his aching heart.
"Yeah," he admitted, now more than ever. "… Thanks," and he rubbed her back in return.
"You're welcome." Lorelai tried to stay focused. She was here to comfort and listen, not to seduce, but his touch was distracting.
"You're a good friend." He absently touched her hair and began playing with it.
"So are you," she returned, she pulled away to look him in the eye.
Luke was easily lost in her eyes. She was the one good thing he had left. "Lorelai?"
"Yes, Luke?" she was shy, yet excited at the way he was looking at her.
"This is nice."
"Yes … it is," she gave a small smile. All boundaries from the last six years were forgotten. Neither was sure who initiated it, but both reciprocated. It started off with gentle pecks, just to try it out, to see what it was like.
Luke put down his beer, for a new drug of choice … Lorelai.
Before she knew it, Lorelai had his face cupped in her hands and Luke led her to lay down on the couch. Breaths were rapidly becoming short and kisses became more urgent. Luke's mouth traveled down her neck, and began to joyously torment Lorelai.
Her best friend was lying on top of her, necking her, and she was wondering how far this would go. Lorelai enjoyed the magic he was doing to her collar bone, but his mouth was inching closer and closer to her breasts, where the "V" of her button up blouse had naturally led him.
Maybe we should stop this? While we're ahead? "Luke?"
That only made him come back to occupy her lips again, and his tongue invaded her mouth. Lorelai couldn't help but savor him. She was making out with Luke, and she liked it. She found herself arching her back to press against him, and slowly rubbing the back of his calf with her foot to encourage the behavior. Lorelai tightened her arms around him and slid her hands under his flannel, under his T-shirt to feel the muscles of his back.
Lorelai moaned into the kisses for the pleasure of it all, which made Luke groan himself. She pulled away again, and got out breathlessly "Luke"; knowing having him stop was the right thing, desperately hoping that he wouldn't.
"Lorelai," he responded. The way he said her name, the hungry look in his eyes made her see the last thing he was thinking of was Nicole, or Jess, or anything. Neither could be bothered with common sense at the moment.
No more words were needed. Lorelai sat up on the couch, and guided him to the bed with her kisses. Somewhere in the fury on the couch, Luke lost his ball cap. Both knocking into the coffee table, and his easy chair, just wanting to finish those lingering steps to the bed. Lorelai slipped off his flannel to the floor, as he fumbled with her blouse. She pulled him down on top of her and Luke pressed Lorelai down into the mattress.
Both let nature take its course.
77777777It's Getting VERY CINEMAX AT NIGHT in HERE!77777777
7777777777777777777777 YEAH BABY! 77777777777777777
777777777 SET YOUR CRACKWHORE DECODER RING TO MMS 77777777777
77777777777777777777 TBC? OH YEAH! 77777777777777777
A/N: Fav Parts
-loving the title!
- Lorelai smiled brightly at her nap buddy; who is looking very handsome today, with that certain fire in his eyes. Down GIRL!
- Lorelai tried not to stare after his posterior, again, as he stalked up the walk to the house in his tight jeans, but he does that so well.
- I rest my case.-how cliché lawyer is that…? but every time I read it I LMAO.
-"I am trying to keep this kid from falling off the face of the Earth. I'm trying to get him through school. I'm trying to give him a future. And I gotta be totally honest with you, Jimmy - I am not doing too well- LOVE THE WAY SP Delivers this line! Sigh could I love him more?
- He didn't deserve her.-poor insecure lukey pookie!
-COME ON Who doesn't love A.D.D. tipsy LUKE?
-I'm very proud of how this "LL end up in bed" one turned out
-LOVING THE MMS! Of course! HELLO IT's ME!
77777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
"That was all God given talent..." why thank you Luke...
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777
R/R: PLEASE, I like to better myself. To quote The Princess Bride,
"...Remember this is for posterity, ... so be honest."
Please be specific with R/R; name one (or as many as you can think of or want to mention..…) at least specific thing you liked
Please! It makes me feel good...inside (Dirty!)
Hence the Rant option below.
Insert Rant here V
A/N: if not completely satisfied with this chapter, please return unused portion for a full refund …