AN: So I'm back. It feels like only yesterday. This is part one of my new series. Takes place around Sookie's wedding in, "I Can't Get Started".
The reception was being held behind The Independence Inn. The layout was simple, yet elegant. A large tent was set up with table and chairs, holding most of the wedding guests. Others congregated around the bar, the tables with food, under the trees by the barn. There was a slight breeze, and the sun was slowly beginning to go down. The soft music was nearly drowned out by the incoherent wave of chatter settling on the crowd.
Lorelai makes her way to a table filled with food. She grabs a strawberry off of the tray and pops it into her mouth.
Suddenly, strong arms wrap around her from behind startling her. She giggles as she realizes its Christopher. He smiles and places a small kiss on her shoulder. His curly hair brushes her cheek.
"Where'd you run off to?" she asks, turning around in his arms.
"Trying to find my phone. Why? Did you miss me?" he asks smugly.
She grins at him, shaking her head, "Anyone ever tell you you're conceited?"
"Hey, I don't blame you. I'm 'Pretty Fly For A White Guy'." He smiles playfully.
Her eyes widen at his reference, and she leans back from him disbelieving. "Please tell me you did not just quote The Offspring."
He laughs and shakes his head, preparing himself for their usual battle.
"And their worst song at that!" she continues, smiling.
He pulls her in tighter, "It's 'Sad But True'."
She raises her eyebrows and leans back into him, "There you go!"
He shakes his head laughing, "You're so easy."
She slaps his chest and scoffs, pretending to be offended. He just kisses her temple and she gives in easily, sighing contently.
She breaks the comfortable silence, "So, any luck?"
He raises his eyebrows, "With?"
"Your phone."
"No. Haven't seen it since last night. It'll turn up though." He brushes a piece of her hair off her shoulder, fingers lingering on her skin. "Let's get out of here."
She looks at him amused, "Chris, it's Sookie's wedding."
"She won't even notice we're gone." To further punctuate his point he motions over to the table where Sookie and Jackson are sitting, smiling at each other. Jackson says something and Sookie laughs.
Lorelai focuses her attention back to Chris and smiles wickedly, "What'd you have in mind?"
He smiles, victory playing on his features. "Come on."
He grabs her hand and pulls her around the corner of the inn.
"Where are we going?" she laughs, as he tugs her towards the parking lot.
----S----
He immediately turns the radio on obnoxiously loud as they pull onto the road. She smiles as he grabs her hand, holding it as he drives.
"Turn down the radio!" she nearly yells, so he can hear her.
"What?" he asks innocently, a devious grin on his face.
Lorelai smirks and reaches over with her free hand and turns the knob down. "You'll never grow up will you?" she asks smiling, the tone finally at a normal decibel level again.
"Oh come on Lore. We used to listen to music twice that loud when we were younger. Remember, back when we were the coolest kids in school."
She shakes her head, grinning, "I'm surprised we're not deaf."
He squeezes her hand. "You wanna go get some coffee?"
Lorelai freezes, but Chris seems oblivious. She hadn't spoken to Luke since she had walked out of the diner a few days ago.
"Let's just drive."
Chris smiles and turns towards the highway.
----S----
The road is empty and Christopher had somehow managed to convince Lorelai to turn the music back up. She watches out of the window thoughtfully. The sun had set a few minutes ago and the dim moon now struggled to light the skies. Christopher hums along with the song and Lorelai lightly drums her fingers on her leg.
The serene moment is suddenly disrupted with a loud noise, and then a rhythmic, dull thud comes from the right back tire. Lorelai lets out a surprised gasp and Christopher immediately disengages their entwined hands, struggling to pull the car off onto the side of the road.
"Shit!" he exclaims.
"What happened?" Lorelai asks, worried.
"I think we have a flat tire." Christopher successfully parks the car on the side of the road and sighs loudly. "Damn."
Lorelai lets out a nervous laugh, "Triple A?"
He shakes his head unenthusiastically. "Do you know where we are?"
She looks around. "I think we're still pretty close. Daddy taught you how change a flat tire right?" she asks jokingly.
Christopher almost laughs and he rolls his eyes, "Just the image of that man on his back doing anything-"
Lorelai cuts him off smiling, "Dirty!"
Chris ignores her, "Well we could call Rory to come pick us up,"
"Yeah! Good. I knew I liked you for a reason. You're smart. Can't change a tire, but you're pretty."
"But-"
"Oh, don't like that but."
"But," he continues, "My phone's great disappearing act of 2002."
Lorelai's face falls. "Right."
"And yours?"
"Is back at the inn."
"Oh."
"Yep."
Christopher sighs, "Okay, now don't get too hopeful, but-"
"Oh I like that but!"
He smiles continuing, "But, I've seen someone change a tire. I could try."
"Oh! Entertainment while we wait for someone to drive by and save us."
"Such little faith."
"Christopher, I've seen you try and change a toilet paper roll."
"It was defective and you know it."
She smiles and hops out of the car. He pops the trunk and gets out as well.
"What are you doing?" She looks at the trunk. "You aren't going to stuff me in there are you? I promise I won't laugh."
He chuckles, "No. Rumor has it spare tires can be found back there."
"Oh whew. Good. I'm slightly scared of enclosed places."
He smiles and starts rummaging through the various items. He pushes them all back and pulls up the flooring revealing the tire. They both smile at the discovery.
"So far, I must say, I'm impressed."
"Don't get too excited. That's the easy part."
He removes the jack and various other tools, looking at them all skeptically trying to decipher what they do, and then takes out the tire. Lorelai let's out a few "Woo-hoo"s as he carries the items to the side of the road.
"Look at my man work!" He smiles and removes his suit coat handing it to her. She places it over her shoulders. "You are very chivalrous tonight."
He laughs, "I didn't want to get it dirty."
"You had me at hello," she deadpans.
He rubs his hands up and down her arms. "Here we go."
"You know what you're doing?"
"No idea," He smiles. "But I think this thing," he picks up the jack, "Is supposed to lift up the car."
Lorelai looks at him skeptically. "That thing is tiny."
"Sometimes size doesn't matter." Lorelai smirks, but Christopher cuts her off, "Dirty, I know. It was too easy, even for you."
She smiles, "Okay, get to it big, strong, capable man. I'll just stand here and swoon."
Christopher takes the jack and lays back on the ground looking under the car with a flashlight that had been also stored with the tire. "Umm, I'm not sure where it goes."
Lorelai carefully squats in her dress to help him look. She points to a spot under the bumper. "How about there?"
Chris shrugs, "Worth a shot." He takes the jack and places it under the spot. He begins to crank it until it is even with the car, Lorelai smiles giddily. He continues cranking, but the car doesn't seem to be moving, and he struggles to continue. He grunts in defeat as the car refuses to rise.
"Aww man," Lorelai whines.
Christopher looks at her, "Your spot did not work."
"This is like a major déjà vu."
"Huh?"
Lorelai smiles, "Nevermind. I don't think it was the spot. I think it was the man behind the crank! I'm making a mental note that I need a man who can change a tire!" she exclaims playfully.
Christopher pulls himself from under the car and grabs her waist playfully. "I can change your tire," he says suggestively.
She smiles, "Oh yeah?"
"Anytime."
She raises her eyebrows, "Yeah?"
He pulls her close and takes her lips with his kissing her fervently. Disregarding her dress, her squat turns into a kneel; level with him, collapsing in his arms.
Suddenly a pair of headlights light up the two brightly. They part quickly, and turn their faces away from the bright lights. Christopher stands up and pulls Lorelai up with him. They fall into each other laughing at their predicament.
"Busted," Christopher jokes.
The headlights turn off and a door opens and closes.
Lorelai looks up and stops laughing immediately. Chris follows her gaze, startled by her reaction.
"Luke."
TBC