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Kiss! LUKE!
By GilmoreGirl1979 (the Reigning Quote Queen)
Part of the ORIGINAL WOULDA SHOULDA COULDA SERIES
(ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES!)

The Q: What if Nicole didn't show up to go skiing with Luke?

Friendly Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Luvz: the SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME! GAH!

Hello my little CRACK WHORES( and other shout outs):
For those who loved the opening of 6: I'm insightful that way.
jeepgirl259: "Curse my metal body I wasn't fast enough", It's alright about the review, people were clamoring for the next chapter I had to publish. I'm sorry I can only hope this chapter makes up for it. it's a common fact judgment is the first thing to go if one indulges too much. Bette Midler, in say good night Gracie, Lorelai sings did you ever know that you my hero…" when she finds out that Rory was the reason for the fight… thank you my dear,
Justmeforever: one of those body suite GOT IT, excuse me while I do crunches..
gidget89: May I just say I love your reviews, they are like a well written hug thanks….(and don't get wet… my litte gremlin)

For all those who laughed out loud in public places and got funny looks: You're Welcome!
For all those concerned about Luke's feelings: trust the puppet master!
For those who didn't like Tipsy Luke(and he was only tipsy, I'm the writer I know!) or the last chapter: …(shrugs) well okay then.

It was: Keg! Max!
Is now: Kiss! LUKE!

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Lucky Chapter 7:
I've Never Done That With You Before

They sat in bed, waiting for the other to speak. Luke hated how casual this seemed to Lorelai.

'It's okay, you can look at me.'

This is not how this was supposed to happen. Luke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees; clasped his hands together praying for what to do next, as he gnawed on his thumb. He wasn't sure how to handle this. He was flashing back to what he was doing with Lorelai an hour or so ago. What he saw, where he touched her, where he kissed. That's one way to tell her how you feel, make love to her. Luke felt so exposed, and not just because he was naked. Was it the beer? It loosened him up enough to finally act on his feelings for her. … But she only had one? Which means she was willing? Or… and more likely, … she took pity on me. And that angered him even more, she did it out of pity because I was so weak, so pathetic. Lonely Luke drowning his hopes for Jess in beer, and she sleeps with me to make me feel better. This keeps getting worse!

Lorelai just wanted to lean over, stroke his bare back, kiss his shoulder. To tell him this was amazing, and she was happy about this. Maybe convince him to try it again, but his silence stopped her. His silence wasn't making her feel confident in her feminine wiles. Lorelai watched him chew on his thumb, … just thinking. Lorelai could tell he needed to process. He was dealing with a lot already. And now THIS.

"Ummmm you want tea? I'm gonna make some tea," Lorelai announced. She felt stupid for crawling back into bed with him, … naked! She grabbed the flannel again, quickly put it on, and went to make tea in the kitchen. Giving Luke his much needed space.

Lorelai found the kettle and filled it in the kitchen sink, shaking her head. As the water rushed from the tap she began to think of ways to convince Luke that this was a good thing.

Good Meeting everyone, same time tomorrow?
Hey, we both suck at dating, Lets practice with each other.
You know, what just happened, we're really good at that, you wanna do it again?
I've never done that with you before, we should do that more often.
Her sarcasm wasn't going to save her this time. She closed her eyes tight to hold back impending tears.

He regrets it.

He doesn't want me.

Lorelai slammed the faucet handle down to turn off the water. Frustrated with herself for not stopping it when she had the chance. She was the sober one after all, but she wanted to be with him so much. She was crazy about him now. All these years right under her nose. Her perfect man was right there, in the diner she went to every day. She closed her eyes again, still able to feel his breath on her skin. She recalled where his hands had been only an hour ago, wishing he would touch her like that again.

She put the kettle on the stove to heat the water. Lorelai stared down at the quiet Town Square of Stars Hollow. Her only amusement at the moment was what the town gossips were missing as they slept.

After a while, Lorelai heard a throat clear behind her. As she turned, only wearing his flannel shirt, she couldn't look at Luke. She glanced up only long enough to see that he had put on a t-shirt and sweat pants. So not fair, as her eyes fixed on her cold, bare legs.

"Lorelai…" and that was as far as Luke got.

Both just stood there, at opposite ends of the kitchen table; uncomfortable and silent, each with a million questions for the other.

Lorelai decided to give it a try, "That was… ummm … unexpected."

Her tone suggested to Luke that she was nervous too. Luke didn't know if that was good or bad. "ummmm, … yeah." Brilliant response, as he rubbed the back of his neck, not really sure what to do with his hands.

Lorelai shrugged, "I mean, … it was … great" The greatest of great. She wished she had picked a better word; a word that better captured she was happy about the greatness.

Then came another pause, only broken when the kettle finally whistled. Lorelai then distracted herself with mugs and tea bags, surprised she knew where they were in his kitchen.

"Lorelai, stop," Luke rounded the kitchen table and placed his hands over hers. "We have to talk about this."

She pulled her hands away, taking a few steps away from him, holding back tears with careful steady breaths. "Luke, … it's okay I get it. I mean, you were upset, you weren't thinking clearly. You've had a rough week, … it's fine."

"No, It's not fine." Trying to figure out what she had to be upset about. "We can't ignore this. It happened."

"Yes, it did." Lorelai agreed. I was there, Oh boy, was I SO there!

Luke then asked, "Why did this happen?"

Cause I've been day dreaming about it for a week. "What do you mean?"she tried off handedly.

Luke had to know for sure. "Did you feel sorry for me? Is that why you …?"

ME! I was lips, you were tongue! "You think I took pity on you!"

"Well, I was pretty pathetic…", hating that she saw him so weak and vulnerable.

"Luke, I did not come here for pity sex! I was worried about you. I came because I care about you … a lot. I wouldn't do that to you."

The question remained, "Then why did this happen?"

"Maybe…" Lorelai really didn't want to shift blame, or bring up the lawyer, but it was a very likely possibility. "Maybe you wanted to get back at Nicole."

"What?"

"She hurt you, maybe you thought you'd get even by proving her suspicions right?"

"Do you really think I'd do that? Use you like that!"

Lorelai knew that was a ridiculous angle. "No, of course not, " It's Luke, for Coffee's sake. "…but you weren't in the best state of mind when I came over."

Both needed another minute to wrap their brains around their situation.
Lorelai had to do it, she had to tell him. "Luke,… I know you have a lot your plate but … I don't regret this."

Luke stayed silent trying to figure out what her words meant.

"I know you may need to wallow, or grieve, or whatever it is boys do when they are dumped by their girlfriend."

Luke sighed, "Nicole and I are … okay."

"What?" Lorelai was taken off guard, So not what I wanted to hear.

"I saw her the other day. I cleared … everything up."

"So… you're still with her?" and slept with me? Things just keep getting worse.

"No! That came out wrong." So Luke tried again, "We cleared up that nothing happened ... the other night, at the Inn, … with you and me; … but we decided to stay… broken up."

"Why?"

Luke released his held breath, "Well, …because of you."

"Me? Why me if nothing happened?"

Luke explained, "Nicole always has been … uncomfortable… with our…", referring between the two of them, "… relationship."

Lorelai did a double take. She knew Nicole didn't like her, but she was surprised that Luke called what they had, this Luke and Lorelai thing they had, … a relationship.

"… She always thought that I … wanted to be with you."

Lorelai casually asked, "Did you?", gaging his reaction to the poignant question.

Luke didn't even flinch. Here was his chance to finally be honest with her. "Yes."

It was too much to hope for or even believe.

"Lorelai, I know this is out of the blue, and after tonight,… you may have a lot to think about. I'm not the kind of guy to have a one night stand, with his best friend. I care about you … and Rory so much, you two … are my family."

Coming from Luke Danes, that is one hell of a compliment, and Lorelai's heart swelled because of it; healing some of the pin wounds from the last week.

"… I mean, I see you every day, I spend thanksgiving and other stupid holidays with you guys. I'm proud as hell of Rory for getting into Yale, thankful I was allowed to watch how that happened. I don't want to loose either of you, … because of tonight." Luke felt more naked than before, just rambling the way he did, but he couldn't stop himself. "Lorelai, I want to be with you. I've wanted this for years, so you may see that I'm a patient man. Take all the time you need ... but… if someday, when you're ready, … you'd want to … pursue this. I'm here."

Lorelai was now happy as she smiled at her bare feet, "Well, I'm not the kind of girl to have a one night stand … with her best friend." She stepped toward him, and slipped her arms around his waist.

"Lorelai?"

"I told you, I don't regret this. I'm glad this happened. Maybe not exactly the way it happened. … Maybe ... I wish it had happened sooner? …but you're the most permanent man in my life, Luke. I can't ignore that anymore."

He returned the hug, "This is one hell of a first date?"

"Oh no, this isn't our first date."

"You want me to take you out?"

"Yes," grinning at the thought of a patented Luke Danes date. "… and to the diner doesn't count."

"Okay? I know a place that has an all you can eat buffet."

"Hey, if that is crack at my gluttonous tendencies, ... well okay then."

She hugged him, happy with his arms around her, resting her head on his chest. Relieved that they could so easily slip back in to their banter, our thing. It was like it has always been, they could verbally spar, only now they could have sex, too. WIN / WIN.

"Luke?"

"Yes"

"You never told me you had a tattoo?"

"You never asked." He smiled dryly.

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"That was all God given talent..." why thank you Luke!
7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777R/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 …