A/N: Giving credit where credit is due to Neil Diamond for singing the song that inspired me to write this story. The song is "Sweet Caroline". I don't own it. I don't even have the CD, I bought the song off of iTunes. That's all I own. I'm sure the Red Sox media people have a copy of the CD, because they play the song in the middle of the eighth inning every home game... on with the story!

Lorelai returned with the cotton candy (pink and blue, because she couln't decide between the two) and the beer. She sat down again, watching the game and attempting to figure out what had gone on since she left. She returned to find that the score was the same, and not much had happened because of the aftermath of the brawl. Lorelai slipped her Red Sox sweatshirt onto her arms and began thinking about Luke. She hoped he was having a good time. Then her mind started to wander and her curiosity was getting the best of her.

"Luke?" she asked suddenly.

Luke looked at her. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Who's your favorite player?"

"Ever? Or just right now?"

"How about both?" she asked, stuffing a piece of cotton candy into her mouth and licking her fingers.

Luke shrugged. "Now, I think it's probably Schilling. He's a good pitcher, a workhorse kind of guy that will give you innings and has some really nasty stuff. Ever? I'd have to say Yaz. He was my dad's favorite."

Lorelai nodded. "Hey! It's the seventh inning stretch after this, right?" she asked.

"Unfortunately," Luke mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Yeah, it's after the next out," Luke said.

"How about Sweet Caroline? When does Sweet Caroline come up?"

"Middle of the eighth," Luke started, but was interrupted by the organ.

Lorelai jumped up from her seat, not needing to stretch at all, and began singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" extremely loudly. She held up her peanuts and cracker jacks at the proper time, and held the notes for much longer than the rest of the crowd. She tried to get Luke in on the action by poking his arm, but Luke stood still, ignoring her efforts. Lorelai was having a great time.

"You know, I think Rory would appreciate my commentary on that song," Lorelai said as everyone took their seats again. "It's quite amusing, I'll tell you after the game. It's almost as good as a bit."

As the Red Sox fell further and further behind in the game, Lorelai began to lose focus. Her mind was wandering to Luke and what he was thinking of all of this. She was upset that the Red Sox weren't doing well, and she didn't want Luke to see a game when they lost. That would be really upsetting. As the eighth inning approached, she found herself thinking about the words to "Sweet Caroline" once again.

Rory had a guy in her class that was from Boston, and knew exactly what to chant in the chorus, and when to do it. Rory was kind enough to ask him for some tips on Lorelai's behalf. Neil Diamond's voice got annoying after awhile, but Lorelai insisted on learning two songs for the trip. One was "Sweet Caroline" and the other was "Dirty Water". If nothing else, she wanted to look like she knew the songs, even if she didn't. Something told her that Luke would somehow be impressed with the fact that she knew those songs, and she was hoping Luke would appreciate the effort.

The top of the eighth was over and Lorelai nudged Luke once more. "Aw, it's Sweet Caroline," Lorelai said. "I love this song!"

Luke stood up with the rest of the crowd. "You love this song? How do you even know this song?"

Lorelai giggled. "It's a good song, Rory and I enjoy it very much. We found the words on Google. We also frequently sing it at Friday Night Dinner to annoy my mother."

Luke watched as Lorelai stood ready to sing along with the words.

Where it began,

I can't begin to knowin',

But then I know it's growin' strong.

Lorelai swayed and sang along with the music, smiling at Luke the whole time. Luke stared at Lorelai, shaking his head and trying not to laugh as she over-sang every word. Her gestures as well as her facial expressions were so overdone, but the entire act was so Lorelai.

Was in the spring,

And spring became the summer,

Who'd have believed you'd come along.

The more Lorelai sang the words, at home and at Fenway, the more she thought about Luke. The song seemed so cheesy, yet so fitting to a friendship that Lorelai had finally decided wasn't just a friendship. The next part of the song caused Lorelai to be impulsive, more so than usual.

Hands touching hands

Reaching out

Touching me

Touching you…

The lines were so corny, and she and Rory linked hands dramatically during her many times practicing. But something possessed her to grab Luke's hand at that moment. She was embarrassed, yet again, but hid it quite well. She just hoped he didn't take his hand out of hers. And he didn't. He instead took her hand and rubbed it gently, and he didn't need to say a word in order for Lorelai to know he wasn't going to get upset about the hand holding. All it took was the look he gave her when he comprehended what had just happened, and Lorelai was convinced he liked her, too.

Sweet Caroline,

Good times never seemed so good,

I've been inclined

To believe they never would…

Lorelai shouted "Oh, oh oh," after the first line, and "So good! So good! So good!" after the next, just like anyone who had been to Fenway Park a dozen times would have done. She looked up at Luke, who smiled back at her, and he seemed to be enjoying himself.

But… now… I…

Look at the night,

And it don't seem so lonely,

We fill it up with only two,

And when I hurt,

Hurtin' runs off my shoulders,

How can I hurt when holding you?

Lorelai swore Luke must have known the song, too, because he pulled her in at just the right moment. It was ironic, sweet, and silly, all at the same time. It was almost like something that would happen in one of the stupid movies she loved so much, but this time, it was happening to her… and it wasn't so stupid to feel so in love after all.

Lorelai leaned her head against Luke's chest, so happy to finally have everything out in the open. She could tell Luke felt the same way. As the chorus played again, and Lorelai chanted again, she somehow knew "Sweet Caroline" was going to be her new favorite song.

The bottom of the eighth inning came and went, and so did the top of the ninth. Everything was happening so fast after "Sweet Caroline"… and Lorelai definitely didn't see what was coming next.

Before she knew it, she was standing, chanting "Let's Go, Red Sox!" with the rest of the Fenway Faithful, and all of a sudden, a home run ball cleared the bullpen. Lorelai stood for a moment, shocked at what had just occurred. Bill Mueller's walk off home run (against the best closer in baseball) had secured a comeback victory for the Red Sox. Luke must have been really, really happy… because he leaned in and kissed Lorelai.

The walk back to the hotel was a long one. Lorelai sang "Dirty Water" about six times to make up for not singing it at the end of the game, and sang "Sweet Caroline" again just for kicks. Lorelai zipped up her Red Sox sweatshirt and looked up at Luke.

"You don't care that I held your hand, do you?" she asked.

Luke shook his head. "If you don't care that I kissed you. I mean, if you don't want to…"

Lorelai grabbed Luke's hand once again. "I like things post-eighth inning," she said with a smile.