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Chapter 8: Love, Your Love

The dance marathon had always been Lorelai's favorite time of year. Yes, the firelight festival made her heart flutter. And she couldn't stop grinning during the end to summer festival Taylor had made up. She also liked Thanksgiving and Christmas and St. Patrick's Day. But there was something about the dance marathon that always excited something in Lorelai.

For years she had dreamed about the trophy. Literally dreamed. She once had a dream where she was 3 inches tall and was bungee jumping off of the trophy.

One time, only one time, Kirk had let her hold the trophy. She let her hands travel over the smooth metal. She had breathed in the fresh scent of sparkling gold. She had held it close to her, feeling how it had fit, perfectly hugged against her body. And then Kirk had ripped it out of her hands and never let her near it again.

The dance marathon always set off an adrenaline rush within Lorelai. Competition, that was her thing and she had a willingness to do anything and everything just to win. One year she had allowed herself to wear flats (flats!) just to stay dancing the whole time. She had dealt with Harry 'Ho-Ho' and even allowed the young Steward kid be her partner because he seemed spry, even though it would seem that she was pulling a Mary Kay Latourneau. And the first year that she had been dating Luke, she had let him out of accompanying her to the dance just so she could win. She had known he would never be willing to dance the entire time, no matter how many hairflips she did or how slutty her dress was.

But the last year before she left Stars Hollow had been different. It was the first dance marathon she would be attending without Rory. For some reason, she still wanted to go. And Luke was being the man he had been the entire time during Rory's disappearance from her life. Before she even had to ask, Luke had told Lorelai he would be her partner. She was never so grateful for his existence in her life. To attend her favorite event of the year without Rory was incomprehensible, but Luke had known she would still want to go.

Without Rory, everything had been different. Even dancing with Luke didn't hold as much excitement has it once had because her heart was broken in pieces. The only thing that had kept going through her mind the entire time she danced with Luke was the conversation she had once had with Rory about Luke's dancing.

And then we danced.

Danced how?

We pop-locked.

Was it a fast dance? A slow dance? A group dance?

It was a slow dance. What is a group dance?

The hustle. The hora.

No hustle. No hora. It was a slow dance, a waltz. Luke can waltz.

Luke can waltz!

Luke can waltz.

Look how you just said 'Luke can waltz'.

What I'm saying, I'm surprised Luke can waltz.

That sounded more like 'I'm surprised I still have my clothes on'.

And as she had waltzed with Luke that night at the dance marathon, him holding her close in his arms, all she could see was Rory. Her beautiful daughter grinning at her mother's foolishness, teasing her until she was embarrassed, but still excited at the thought of possibly dating Luke. Somehow the dance marathon hadn't seemed that magical anymore. Yet, Luke was there, and she had been thankful every moment for his presence.

In the early hours of the morning, Lorelai walks her sleepy children up to the dance marathon. "Mom, if I weren't so tired, I'd go find myself a lawyer because this is cruel and unusual punishment," Lucy whines, leaning her head on Lorelai's shoulder. Lorelai wraps and arm around her daughter.

"Want to tell me what I'm punishing you for?" Lorelai asks. Lucy raises an eye up to Lorelai who smiles down at her daughter. "You'll thank me later, I promise, when that trophy is settled safely in our arms, you'll thank me." They walk up to the table where Patty stands.

"Hello there Lorelai, so good to have you participating in this again," Patty says.

"You know I wouldn't miss this for anything. That chance to finally hold that trophy above my head and say 'haha Kirk you suck' is something that I've always looked forward to," Lorelai replies.

"Oh Lorelai, then you should know that Kirk hasn't participated in a few years," Patty informed her. "He has to run the marathon." Lorelai's mouth drops open.

"No!" she gasps. She covers her mouth with her hand.

"I hope that won't keep you from participating," Patty says. Lorelai pouts.

"Mom, you got us up at 5 in the morning to get ready for this. If you expect us to just go home and go back to sleep because you're being crabby, you've got another thing coming," Lucy tells her. Lorelai nods Lucy.

"Okay, well, fine," Lorelai grumps. "Sign Lucy and me up as a pair and Nicolas…" She glances over at her son, who's looking away as if searching for something. "Nicolas?" He glances up at her and then notices Patty and Lucy staring at him.

"Yeah?" Lorelai smiles, clamping a hand on Nicolas's shoulder.

"Nicolas is going to be partnered with Martha Belleville, right Nicky?" Lorelai teases.

"Mo-om," Nicolas whines. He finally sees Sookie, Jackson and Martha walking up. Martha gives Nicolas a flirty smile. Patty gets that knowing smile on her face as she glances between the two of them and Lucy wakes up just enough to sneer.

"Oh, good choice there young Gilmore," Patty says. Nicolas glares at her.

"It's O'Donnell," he snaps. Patty's eyes fly open as glances up at Lorelai, who looks saddened by Nicolas's harsh response.

"Nicolas!" Lorelai admonishes him, but he just shakes his head staring at the ground. The Bellevilles walk over.

"Hey, what's going on?" Sookie greets them. Lorelai shakes her head, points to Nicolas and mouths that he's in a crappy mood. Sookie's mouth forms an 'O' and she nods. "Hi, Patty, did you register Nicolas and Martha?"

"Just doing that now, Honey. You know, you two make a beautiful couple," Patty tells them. Martha grins, glancing at Nicolas, who hides his head in shame. "I always say it's a good idea to go for the younger man, they always keep that little bit of innocence about them." Lorelai watches Nicolas try to sink into the floor.

"Oh Patty, leave the poor kids alone before he takes off faster than Jesse Owens," Lorelai says, patting Nicolas's shoulder.

"Come on," Martha says to Nicolas, taking his hand and leading him away. Lorelai and Sookie both watch them go and then share a smile.

"Oh no Sookie, you have that look in your eyes," Jackson realizes. Sookie gives him an innocent look. "Oh don't play that with me, I know when you're up to something. I can already see the wedding ideas forming in your mind."

"Wedding!" Lorelai exclaims. "He's 15. Jackson, Sweetie, I think that you've gone 'round the bend."

"I know you two. It would just be so perfect. Your son. Your daughter. Together. Would be the happiest moment of your lives," Jackson complains.

"Oh Jackson, you know the happiest moment of my life was when Bruce Springsteen decided he was doing one more final tour," Lorelai tells him.

"Oh you girls are so cruel," Patty scolds them. "Here you go, all set, just go get your physical and I'll see you on the dance floor."

"Thank you Patty," Lorelai says, looping her arm through Lucy's and leading her over to the table to get their physicals done.

After Lorelai and Lucy are done with their physicals, they head over to the gym to get ready for the marathon. Spying Luke's coffee table, Lorelai grabs Lucy's hand, pulling Lucy along after her. "Hey Burger Boy!" Lorelai exclaims, excited for her coffee. Luke just folds his arms over his chest and stares at her. "Coffee," Lorelai reminds him, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot.

"How did you ever make it for fifteen years without my coffee?" Luke wonders.

"I still can't believe I did. I used to dream about it at night. The beautiful warm brown liquid. Ah, I could almost taste it," Lorelai says dreamily, her eyes closed. When she opens them to find Luke still glaring at her, Lorelai grins. "And you thought I just left and forgot you." Luke presses his lips together, slowly drawing in a breath. Lorelai's smile disappears as she grimaces. Luke grabs a cup and fills it with coffee and hands it to her. She smiles softly with gratitude. "Just what I needed." Luke nods and glances at Lucy.

"Coffee?" Luke asks her. Lucy nods voraciously. "Of course." He fills a cup for her and hands it to her. "I would tell you that coffee's going to stunt your growth but obviously you're too tall for that. I would tell you that coffee's going to kill you soon, but your mother is somehow still alive. So I'll just warn you that coffee is the root of every one of the world's problems." Lorelai snorts.

"You're hilarious," Lorelai responds.

"I'm just saying, drugs in South America because coffee wasn't selling well, problems in the UN too many people too hopped up on caffeine," Luke grumbles his response.

"Wow, you literally are Anti-Society Man," Lorelai states. "Come on, Luce, I wouldn't want you to lose your faith in the world." Lorelai grabs Lucy's hand and drags her out on the dance floor. Luke shakes his head and goes back to making coffee.

Later after the run around, Lucy goes off in search of sandwiches as Lorelai notices Sookie and Jackson talking to Luke. She walks over to where they stand. "I just can't believe how excited you are that they're dating!" Jackson exclaims. Lorelai raises an eyebrow at Luke.

"Who? Paris Hilton's new boyfriend?" Lorelai asks.

"Yes, that exactly what Jackson is talking about. Paris Hilton's new boyfriend," Luke replies sarcastically. Lorelai glares at him.

"I just think you need to give the kids a break. Don't plan their wedding the moment they start dating!" Jackson exclaims. Sookie rolls her eyes.

"I'm guessing you're talking about my son dating your daughter?" Lorelai concludes.

"Ladies and Gentleman, let me introduce you to the newest member of mensa," Luke grouses.

"Thank you for your commentary Luke, but I'm trying to have a discussion with Sookie and Jackson," Lorelai snaps at him.

"Funny, but I was the one originally in this conversation. You're the one who butted in as if it's your business every time I have a conversation with Sookie," Luke responds. Lorelai scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest. Sookie and Jackson share a tense look.

"I'm just wondering what's going on, do I have to ask your permission to join in a conversation, Luke?" Lorelai retorts.

"It would be nice for you to realize for a moment that you're not the center of every universe, that sometimes people can have a conversation that doesn't include you."

"I wasn't saying that!" Lorelai cries.

"That is exactly what you were meaning, Lorelai!"

"Ug!" Lorelai groans, throwing her arms in the air. "You would think that after all these years you would understand that you don't always know what I'm meaning!"

"Okay, Lorelai, Luke," Sookie says softly, quickly grabbing each of their arms. "People are starting to stare, which is surprising that they can concentrate on anything after being awake since 6 in the morning and surviving on Mrs. Kim's egg salad sandwiches alone." Lorelai looks away, feeling bad about getting into the fight in front of the entire town. Luke sighs, his hands going to his hips as he stares down at the ground.

I can admit it. I have no trouble telling someone something, no matter how uncomfortable that might make them.

Wow. They'll be debating the subtle complexities of that comment for years.

Okay, did I miss something?

Lorelai and Luke are fighting.

We're not fighting.

No, we don't fight in front of company.

It's rude.

And we wouldn't want to be rude.

It's fine just eat. What's that?

Chicken and dumplings.

Who the hell made chicken and dumplings?

Sookie! Our guest, who we wouldn't want to be rude to!

Lorelai draws in a deep breath, still remembering the last time Sookie and Jackson witnessed an argument between her and Luke. She knows she's argued with many people in her life: her parents, Rory, Christopher. But fighting with Luke had been so much harder, drained more energy out of her than any other fight before or after. And it had always been the hardest ones to get over. The argument after Jess crashed Rory's car. The argument when Lorelai found out Luke had moved in with Nicole. The argument after Luke found out about Lorelai spending time with Christopher before their break up at her parents' vow renewal. The times they were fighting were some of the worst memories that Lorelai could remember.

"Sorry Sookie," Lorelai says softly. Sookie rubs Lorelai's arm giving her a sympathetic look.

"It's fine, sometimes you gotta blow off steam. But starting a fight about Paris Hilton's boyfriend is a little unusual," Sookie remarks. Lorelai looks at Sookie, her pouty face slowly forming into a smile as she realizes how stupid the argument must have sounded. Lorelai peeks a look over at Luke, who is also trying to hide a smile. He nods to her, letting her know it's okay.

"So no one is going to answer my question?" Jackson asks. Lorelai turns her full attention back to Jackson.

"You mean about Nicolas and Martha?" Lorelai questions. Jackson nods. "Well I think that they're a little young for Sookie and I to be thinking about the future. I mean it is kinda cute though."

"That's exactly what I'm saying!" Jackson exclaims. Sookie giggles.

"Well that's exactly what I've been saying, Honey," Sookie says. Jackson looks confused. "You're so funny, Jackson. You worry about the craziest things. Sometimes it's fun just to pull your leg."

"Well I'm not sure whether or not I should appreciate that," Jackson responds, almost pouting.

"Look Jackson, I know that Martha and Nicolas are young. He's younger than she is!" Sookie says.

"Which is kinda strange," Lorelai remarks. Jackson raises an eyebrow.

"I never thought you were one to be against unusual couplings, Lorelai. Just because he's younger doesn't make it a bad thing," Jackson notes.

"I'm not saying that!" Lorelai cries. She shakes her head. "Why do I not seem able to explain myself today?" she mutters.

"I mean, among us we've seen our share of unusual romances. Kirk and Lulu for one," Jackson comments.

"Michel and anyone," Sookie adds.

"You and Mandy," Jackson asserts, pointing to Luke. Lorelai furrows her eyebrows as she glances at Luke, who responds by sighing and shaking his head. "You didn't know that Mandy was quite a bit younger than him?"

"Jackson," Luke warns. Lorelai glances between the two of them.

"Quite a bit? How young?" Lorelai inquires. Sookie and Jackson stare at Luke waiting for him to answer.

"25," Luke mumbles. Lorelai's mouth drops open as she gasps.

"Excuse me, what?" she asks, bewildered. Luke glares at her with one eye. He clears his throat and straightens himself up.

"She was 25 when she had Loren," Luke answers.

"Oh. My God," Lorelai reacts, emphasizing the 'my'.

"It's not a big deal, you were 16," Luke mutters. Lorelai scoffs, her hands going to her hips.

"Yeah but Christopher wasn't 40!" she cries. "Who are you, Tom Cruise?" Luke shrugs. "Luke, Rory was 23 when Mandy had Loren!"

"Rory's not my daughter," Luke replies evenly. Lorelai looks almost disgusted with his response.

"Yeah, I know that," Lorelai says. She looks down, unsure of why she's reacting like that.

"Hey, Moms, I brought you an extremely tasty egg salad sandwich," Lucy says walking over and handing Lorelai the sandwich wrapped in a napkin. Lorelai wrinkles her nose in disgust.

"It's healthy, why would she eat it?" Luke asks Lucy, who grins. Lorelai gives him a defiant look. Then she opens the napkin just a bit and takes a bite of the sandwich. Luke folds his arms as he watches her slowly chew and swallow, her face expressing extreme distaste. He smirks. "Tasty?" he asks.

"Oh, the best," Lorelai lies. Luke chuckles.

"I can't believe you just ate that," Luke says with disbelief in his voice.

"You dared me!"

"Yeah, but you didn't have to take me up on it."

"I am Lorelai Gilmore. I show no fear. Someone dares me to do something, I'll do it," Lorelai answers. Luke laughs. Lucy is enjoying the banter between the two but notices Loren walk in the gym.

"I'll be back," Lucy says quickly and runs over to Loren. Lorelai waves to her daughter but continues her banter with Luke. "Loren!" Lucy exclaims, grabbing Loren's arm and pulling her away from the grownups.

"What's up Luce?" Loren asks.

"What do you know about my mom and your dad?" Lucy asks. Loren glances over at Lorelai subtly flirting with Luke. She shrugs.

"Not much, nothing that I didn't read in Star magazine," Loren quips.

"I'm serious Lorie!" Lucy exclaims. Loren raises her eyebrows in surprise. "I think there might be something there."

"Something like…?"

"Something like, you know, something. Maybe. Has your dad ever dated anyone while you were growing up?" Lucy asks. Loren shakes her head.

"Not that he would tell me though, I think he wants me to think he's a monk," Loren answers. Lucy giggles.

"Mom was really upset when my dad died. I don't think I ever saw her truly smile until we came here, until we started spending time with you guys. And now look at her. Smiling. Laughing." This even makes Lucy smile as she observes her mother from a distance.

"You think that our parents should get together?" Loren wonders. Lucy shrugs.

"It's a thought. I mean, they get along well. And there does seem to be something there." Loren nods.

"There does," Loren agrees.

"And just think, we could be sisters!" Loren grabs Lucy's arms.

"Hold it a sec, don't get your hopes up. I mean, would you be okay with your mom dating so soon after your dad?" Loren asks. Lucy shrugs.

"Yeah, I mean, if she's happy, that's all I want. I mean Rory wanted Mom with her dad, Christopher, but that didn't work. All she wanted was for Mom to be happy, that's what she always told me when I asked if she was okay with my dad." Loren nods. "I just think if we helped, you know, pushed them together a little, maybe they'd see what we see." Loren is quiet watching Lorelai and Luke for a moment.

"Yeah, I think you're right, there's something there," Loren says softly, a smile slowly coming over her face. She glances over at her friend. "We'll just have to play a little game of Cupid."

It's now getting into the last few hours of the dance marathon and there are very few couples left. Martha and Nicolas gave up. She left with Sookie and Jackson and he has climbed onto the bleachers to sleep. Meanwhile Lucy and Lorelai still remain. Loren is chatting with Luke over by the coffee stand. "I'm not sure how much longer I can stand up Lucy," Lorelai complains.

"Mom, I thought winning this trophy was important to you," Lucy responds, surprising herself with her lack of exhaustion.

"It is, but so is being able to walk when I'm 80," Lorelai whines. Lucy smiles. She lays her head on Lorelai's shoulder and looks over at Luke and Loren.

"You want a break?" Lucy asks.

"No, I take a break, I'm done. I'm cooked. I'm through," Lorelai mumbles. "Just hold me up there Sweets."

"Can I take a break?" Lucy asks. Lorelai moans.

"I'll fall over. You've seen the commercial. 'I've fallen and I can't get up'. That's me. I'll be Lorelai Fletcher." Lucy giggles.

"How about I get someone else to hold you up?" Lucy suggests. Lorelai doesn't respond at first. "Mom?"

"Okay, but if it's Kirk, I'm going to retaliate as soon as I can move again," Lorelai warns. Lucy laughs.

"Can you stand up for a minute by yourself?" Lucy asks. Lorelai nods and moans an affirmative. "Okay." She waves her yellow card and stands Lorelai up, but Lorelai's eyes stay mostly closed as she sways slightly. "Stay right there," Lucy tells her. She runs over to the coffee stand.

"Hey, Luke, I need a break, can you make sure my mom's still standing when I get back, thanks. Come on Loren," Lucy says quickly. She grabs Loren's hand and drags her off.

"Lucy, I – " He stops as he realizes he's getting no response from them since they're already gone. Sighing Luke looks over at Lorelai, who looks very shaky in her heels. He walks over to her, placing a hand on her waist and taking her hand in his.

"Luke?" Lorelai mumbles and slowly lifts her face to look up at him, confusion spreads over her face.

"Lucy took a break," Luke tells her, not knowing if she realized that.

"Oh," is all Lorelai can manage as she stares up at him, remembering a first dance from years ago. She can still hear the music that played as they dance.

And now that I've worn out, I've worn out the world
I'm on my knees in fascination
Looking through the night
And the moon's never seen me before
But I'm reflecting light

"You've been practicing," Lorelai mumbles. Luke cocks his head. "Dancing, you still do that well."

"Oh, well, I get out my Paula Abdul videos every once in awhile just to make sure I can still do it," Luke jokes as a hint of a smile appears on Lorelai's face.

"I remember that you used to dance very well," Lorelai tells him. Luke shrugs.

"I don't know about very well," he says modestly.

"Oh, it was to me. I even told Rory that." Luke smiles, embarrassed.

"I thought you said it was spazzy," Luke remarks. Lorelai grins.

"Yeah, spazzy but nice. We fit well together," she answers and then swallows. "I mean, we used to dance well together." Luke nods.

"I remember," he responds, his voice low and gruff.

This was fun.

Yeah, it was.

So, hard to figure out which part of the evening was my favorite.

-

And it might be the dance.

Really?

Have you been taking lessons?

That was all God-given talent.

It was fun.

Yeah it was.

Lorelai looks up at Luke, staring into his eyes as they dance, somehow finding the energy to dance once again. "We still seem to dance well together," she whispers. Luke nods, not taking his eyes off of her. Lorelai smiles to herself, laying her head on his shoulder, too tired to hold it up any longer. Luke rests his head against her hair, holding her close, just hoping to keep her upright. Both too tired to consider what else might be going on between them.

Across the room, Loren and Lucy watch their parents dance together. "Lucy, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship," Loren says, grinning.

"Or something more than that," Lucy adds. They look at each other and giggle.