Presenting … Lucas Danes?
By GilmoreGirl1979 (the reigning Quote Queen)
WINNER of the Gilmoregirl1979 EPPY WORTHY AWARD (it's my award I do with it what I will, and LUVZ TOLD ME TOO- insert pouty lip….)
Rating: haven't done this for a while... let's say PG-13 because we CAN CAN CAN! (yes, Moulin Rogue)
R/R: yes please I love reviews, I wanna marry them (as previously stated, I have strange passions.)
friendly disclaimer: Chapter 1 -
WARNING: apparently reading this fic induces BARBIE SYNDROME! I quote the first VICTIM… bloodymary2 " I was grinning so hard my face was aching- GET WELL SOON!
Luvz:eager to read your reviews on 3-4 thank you for my spoils… keeps me sane.. heheh heheheeh you're existence is a HUGE HELP! loves your fairy friend...
And other shout outs(THEY'RE TAKING OVER , … A DANCE REVOLUTION! ):
gcmel: Sadly the tees are backorder! DAMN IT they must have an awful lot of room in that warehouse ! I do appreciate the toaster. DUDE I've been hunting Lorelai's purse for like a year! And I want all their clothes… every week my sis is beside me and I'm like "I want that, I want that, oooooo I want that, (then LUKE comes on the screen ) I WANT THAT!"
-"sting bean dean" –you see I initially didn't think that was funny, but I liked how it it kinda rhymed? You know.. and that my friend is why I like specific reviews cause…. Different things stand out to different people.
-button doing-up thing with LL, OH SO CUTE... – Thank you, once again I love the smell of sexual tension in the morning!
make the kiss connect-wait for it! I will deliver I promise you, know me, I will deliver like Luke's bread guy! (hot and fresh…? DIRTY!)
Jeepgirl: A black jeep named SUE? Uhhh How about LUKE? No, J/K ummm how about .. (what sex is your Jeep? Did you ever look or did you respect it's privacy! It is awfully hairy down there- WHAT THE HELL WAS WITH THAT LINE? I mean really! That is a SIGN They NEED ME there in burbank! )
-I shall call him Squishy and he will be mine, and he will be my squishy!(I don't wear the crown for my balance, FOLKS …) SERIOUSLY POSSIBLE jeep names: Midnight, Onyx, Raven (Poes get it still GG related. L/L sleepover…wink), the BLOB (beware of the blob it leaps, it creeps, it slides, and glides across the floor, right through the door, and all around the walls, a blotch, a splotch, be careful of the BLOB), the shadow (knows? Hopefully Alec Baldwin will slim down for the role… or to fit in your seat's setting …); if these are unacceptable(EMAIL ME) maybe we should (heaven for bid) go on to other interests, do you have an addiction we can work with (if you did though, maybe you shouldn't be operating heavy machinery!) … I named my sister's car too(it's a talent)… her car is named Buttercup after the powerpuff girls CAUSE that is her fav PPG(she's a full on Tom boy; my sis and buttercup/the car is a sports model.. you know..) and she has a buttercup figure hanging from the mirror… FUN and no HER CAR is not chartreuse,it's SILVER (When I get my car it will be named Bubbles) Also, they use the "MOCHA MOBILE" for Coffee runs right… can't ya just picture it… Lorelai all caffeine craving "Quick to the Mocha mobile " (insert batman, the 60's series, theme song here) duna duna duna duna duna duna duna duna COFFEE!
-Dukes of hazard-I love John Schneider on SMALLVILLE! And all those Home depot commercials –LOL
Llmeantb: THE WAIT; It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it, It's worth it!
inspiration proclamation? MAYBE –feel honored WINK…
-and just for the record…. It's repetitive. And redundant. It's repetitive. And redundant. We certainly are entertaining, Mac. / Indubitably, Tosh. (see how the crown sparkles… oooo ahhhhhh)
Scubaluver: how is Emily going to react to the escort? Hm.- WAIT FOR IT! and email your dance theory let's see if they match! No wait… don't, just tell me after the fact… okay… WINK! Don't want to be tainted DIRTY!
ObsessedwGG: stupid stupid stupid DEAN-Oh I agree he is stupid Luvz and I have a theory, we think with ALL THAT HAIR, Dean uses brain damaging shampoo that seeps into his scalp and thereby killing his brain cells. It makes him STUPID… very docile and obedient puppy like.(and also stupid enough to forget that he was MARRIED! GGGGRRRR)
Freecityy-When I read Anti-Christopher, Anti-Christ actually popped into my head... jesus CHRIST i hate him... he is a bastard.-TESTIFY!
- I'm depending on you to get me over their breakup-THAT is a responsibility I take seriously… BRIEFLY BREIFLY BROKEN UP!(it's the only way I stay sane!)
screaming truth: Wondering if Chris should call and be all like I can come now- hee hee hee hee I HAVE A PLAN… do you trust me? (I only hope it's in character)lol it WAS very well done by Lauren I always hated when he called her LOR, she has such a pretty name… Lorelai(Luke always calls her by her full pretty name), and CHRIS has to ruin her life, love, her daughter, even her damn name IS NOTHING IS SACRED WITH THE BASTARD! GRRRRR
Jack: You got the dynamics between the two perfectly.THANK YOU! I've only been watching for 5 years!
bloodymary2: I was grinning so hard my face was aching- I hope the feeling comes back soon, so WARNING to all reading this fic may cause BARBIE SYNDROME! Lol I am not a DEAN fan-neither am I as explained in my he's stupid/mophead observation. Emily will cave in and admit to herself that they are perfect as a couple- HEY I thought you wanted me to keep em true to character!LOL (Emily's a bitch! GGGRRRRR)
Franala: I always loved that Synthesizer solo (final countdown)
Ruli: I'm gonna hug you now! ( HUGS )
pokey: didn't we all!
THERE's WHERE I PUT MY STORY! I was beginning to wonder!
A/N:Is THAT baby's breath? No, IT'S SEXUAL TENSION! WOO HOO!
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Chapter 4:
HAVE A BALL Y'ALL
It wasn't how Luke imagined it. It was much, much worse. Flowers everywhere, candles, crystal glassware, I don't want to think about how long it took to carve that banister. Jewelry and gloves for the ladies. Bow ties and cuff links for the men. Hello room, it's me the sore thumb."Wow!" As he took in the ornate room.
"Luke, try not to be so country bumpkin,… " Lorelai whispered, giving him an suggestive squeeze to his arm.
"Sorry," he was already feeling like a fish out of water, Be myself, but Don't be myself, queen of mixed signals. Hey? When did she linked her arm with mine?
Lorelai, was keeping an eye out for her parents, and scolded the non-present Dean. "I can't believe Dean wouldn't let the valet take his car." Dean insisted on going with the valet to see where he parked his father's car, to make sure it wasn't scratched, because if anything happened to it, … Dean was grounded.
"His dad was very specific with his instructions." Rory said distantly, she too was in awe of the enormous room "this place is huge." Then she saw them; THE STAIRS. Looming and foreboding, and someone famous probably carved 'em, or sneezed on 'em. "Do I have to walk down those stairs?"
Lorelai was trying to be helpful, but wanted to lighten her daughter's mood. "Oh, I'm afraid so. Unless you wanna make a really memorable entrance and just sliiiiiide down the banister." She let go of Luke's arm, to gesture her hand grazing down her opposite arm. "Which I totally encourage, by the way." and Lorelai grinned at Luke beside her, he shook his head smiling. Yeah, that loosened him up. Lorelai couldn't help but admire her date, … uhh escort, Dirty, in his tux. He is not my Luke. However, he was just so, Handsome, and seeing him like this, not in flannel, not in his usual surroundings, was nice. ummmm It's good for him to get out every once in a while.
A woman walked up to them with a clipboard. " You are… "
"Lorelai Gilmore." Rory offered.
"Late. " the stern woman corrected.
"Sorry, my fault. Took me awhile to get pretty." And freak out and calm back down again. "Not all of us are sixteen anymore, you know what I mean?" the lady just stared blankly at Lorelai " … No, apparently not."
The stern woman addressed Rory again. " You are to head up the stairs. The preparation room is on the right."
"Look for the toxic cloud of Chanel and Aqua Net. " Lorelai whispered.
Rory followed the stern woman toward the stairs. She looks back at her mother and Luke. Lorelai mouthed, "Slide," as she repeated the gesture. And Rory waved good-bye. Then Lorelai took Luke's arm again, both adults wearing the same proud expression as they watched her ascend the staircase. They do make a cute couple.
Luke was still grinning at Lorelai's slide suggestion. This might not be so bad, I have the peanut gallery commentary, right here. Then he cleared his throat. "You gonna be alright by yourself for a minute?"
"Where are you going? You are not abandoning me!" you can't bail NOW!
"I'll be right back."
"No way, I demand to know where are you going?" Lorelai insisted.
He leaned close to her ear, "Men's room, is that alright with you or should I just let loose here on the flowers?"
She gave him a look, "that would definitely make you popular with the ladies." Okay that was definitely flirting "… Alright, you are excused, … but hurry back."
"I will, I promise."
As he walked away, she smiled. Things seemed to be back to normal again. Except I keep flirting, and I can't keep my hands to myself! Oy! She hadn't really thought about her dream since operation: Escort Escape began. Until now!
Alone with her thoughts, Lorelai decided something then and there. Obviously these thoughts… these Luke thoughts, … well they are distracting. Overwhelming at times. Ignoring them is getting me into bigger trouble. Soooo what do I do?….I mean it's unintentional right?
She thought of how she couldn't take her eyes off him as he drove here, and how he had just leaned into her ear, Maybe … he feels it too? Could the town be right? Does he see me as more than a coffee addicted, iron stomached, annoying, crazy customer?
Ummmmmmm okay once again, this is not the time to think about this, …I will think about it… I just ...need to focus on Rory! We will just … let "the thoughts" happen… observe, make a note of it… and we will analyze later. Deal with my confusion as it comes. I just have to get through tonight. It's just one night! Oh God, that's just what Luke said! Does that count as a Luke thought? Umm GEEZ! Okay, it's okay, mental post-it!
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In the Prep area upstairs, Rory followed the organizer lady into a crowded room. Other girls were walking around getting dressed and doing their makeup, and chit chatting.
The organizer instructed Rory, "Hang your dress there, put your makeup on over there. You'll have to make do with a non-lighted mirror. The lighted ones went to the girls that were here before dawn." Her tone seemed to imply that Rory didn't care as much as the other girls, because she had arrived sooooo late. "Listen up ladies,' the woman announced for the group. "Everyone must be beautiful and ready to go by 7:30."
An wave of panic over took the high strung rich girls, as Rory sat down at a unlighted mirror. Casually making conversation with the girl next to her. "I can't believe we have an hour and a half. "
"I know, I am never gonna be ready in time. God only knows if the swelling on my nose is gonna go down. I had to go and inherit my father's nose. I'm Libby. "
"Rory." She smiled; Wow, I thought Mom talked fast.
"Uh, which one should I wear? I've thought about this all month, and I cannot decide."
Is it because you are a blond? Rory failing to see the big deal, It's lipstick… for pity's sake. " Oh, well, that's a tough one," she offered politely.
"I know." Libby said seriously. "This is red red, and this is orange red. The wrong one and I will end up looking like a hooker. Or a teacher."
"That's a lot of pressure. "
"The two minutes you are standing on those stairs tonight will determine the social status for the rest of your life. "
Heavy. "Wow, what if you trip?" seeing she said something wrong. " …. I mean, not that you would. You wouldn't. I might. Probably will actually. Could be a real Cirque du Soleil kind of night."
"You should not even joke about stuff like that."
Rory focused on getting ready, and tried to cling to Luke's words of encouragement. You will never have to see these people again. It's one night, then everything will be back to normal.
She wishes she could have stayed with her Mom and Luke. At least she'd be entertained by the "couple's banter", in some cultures known as flirting, and Rory's attempt to lighten the mood would have been appreciated by the adults.
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Back downstairs in the ballroom, Lorelai was waiting for Luke to return. She was also keeping eye out for Dean, but in a room this size it was like where's Waldo. She was looking for that tall shaggy head, but instead came face to face with Emily. "Hmm. Mom, you're here. " Luke stay away, for now stay away… please..
"Where should I be, Spain?"
Good one! "Oh. I tried calling you all night last night. "
"I was very busy. "
"And then we got here before you. "
"What is your point, Lorelai?" Emily's tone even.
"Nothing. It's just … weird. " Still curious how things were in the Gilmore manor if Emily and Richard were fighting. Have you killed Dad, where is he?
"Well, I'm here now, so it's not weird anymore." And Emily scoffed in disgust, "Look at these flowers. Baby's breath. What is this, County General?"
Lorelai scanned the room to see if she could warn Luke before her mom spotted him. Now was as good a time as any to tell her. Let's see, we need to butter her up first. "You look very nice Mom. I like your dress."
All compliments were lost on Emily. "Cotton tablecloths, folding chairs. It's not supposed to be like this. In my day, people sat in real chairs. "
"Mom, what's the matter?" As usual she never listens to me.
"I wanted my granddaughter to be presented to society in a beautiful elegant ballroom, not a Shakey's."
Are you crazy? "The room is beautiful Mom. You're being too critical. " Lorelai offered softly, not wanting to upset her mother, but knowing she's would be as soon as she saw Luke.
"There's Nan. I'm going to have a little talk with her about the proper height for a taper," and Emily was off, her mood stern and serious.
"Mom ... wait." She sighed.
"Was that your mom?" Luke asked from behind.
"Yeah," Lorelai frowned after her mother.
"She looks fine." Trying to calm her worried expression, handing her a drink.
"You have no idea." And Lorelai absently accepting the vodka martini with a twist Luke got for her. She recognized the glass, Her head shot in his direction curious; how did he know? Focusing on the original subject again she doubled taked. "That's right you have no idea?"
"What?"
Lorelai sighed, "My Mom doesn't know you're … filling in."
"Oh, … is that why you've been so on edge today?"
He noticed? Of course, how could he NOT notice? He's Luke; he always notices. That does sound like a great excuse for my weird behavior before doesn't it? "Yeah, … hey if you want to get on her good side, tell her the room looks like crap… or maybe we could try that peeing on the flowers idea, well wait, that could back fire on so many levels, let's not."
Like I would really attempt that stunt! "You're the boss, I'm following your lead," he offered dryly.
"So it's reversed ballroom."
"Sure,"
How does he know how to dance? She still couldn't believe Luke was here, willing to get dressed up and dance in front of people, and mingle with these people for the sake of Rory. "Hey, have I said 'thank you' in the last five minutes?"
"No."
"Thank you," she smiled brightly.
"Well, where to?" offering his arm. She took my arm before, if she wants it again, I'm not gonna argue. He was just trying to get used to whatever protocol would be accepted here, to blend in.
She did take his arm. "To the bartender, let's get you a real drink," noticing the wimpy club soda in his hand
Gesturing with his glass "Club soda is fine, I'm driving, remember."
"AW, Come on, one beer, its imported, expensive and probably German." She enticed with her smiled.
"No," he refused.
"Luke, trust me! You haven't even met my mother tonight, you are gonna need to fuel up! One beer!"
"No, I'm gonna get you girls home safe. And that's it."
"Fine, club soda for the responsible one." Which means I can get smashed, wait, these Luke thoughts and alcohol might not be a good idea to mix. Still, this is nice, he is out of his element, but seems relaxed, calm, rant-less. How long will that last? Just keep him grinning, Gilmore, keep him laughing.
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Rory was officially freaked out. Not only was this Libby a head case, not only was she getting drunk while underage, but all her hopes and dreams were pinned on marrying one of her 5 escorts from these ridiculous coming out parties. Then Libby was interrogating her about if Dean was the one, and where they would live; how many kids they would have. She and Dean had just made up and gotten to say "I Love you " for the first time. And this bimbo is trying to marry us off? I'm not even out of high school yet! I've got to back pack through Europe and Harvard and … wow, okay Rory took and deep breath, and recalled those fatherly sounding words again.
One night… it's only one night. And she tried to get lost in her book again.
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Lorelai was only mildly interested in the gossip these rich biddies were engaged in. She was taking mental notes so she could mock her "mother of the debutante" experience with Rory later. A snob in red nursed her drink, clearly tired of the evening already. "These things will be the death of me."
A short woman agreed, "Oh I know. And we've had no time to prep. Janet just got out of Rainbow Hills two days ago."
"Rehab?" Lorelai questioned, to the nice lady on her left.
"Fat farm. " the nice one clarified.
"Ah." However Lorelai wondered what was keeping Luke. She had finished her drink quickly and Luke offered to get her another one, respecting her need to" fuel up to deal with my mother". This way, he didn't have to hear about "Muffy's batch nose job" or whose dress was "off the rack." And now he was missing. OH no, What if my mother found him… and had him carted off! Rory!
"Something wrong dear?" the nice one asked, when noticed Lorelai's surveying of the room.
Lorelai answered "oh, I'm fine, Ann, I'm just trying to see where Luke's gotten to…."
Ann, the nice one, smiled "I must say, Lorelai, your husband is so attentive, Martin and I arrive at these things together and go our separate ways almost immediately."
Lorelai's head shot toward Ann, Husband? "Oh, yeah, well " Lorelai laughed nervously, and instinctively covered her left hand, "When your in love… honeymoon period and all." Is there a neon sign with my thoughts in IT!
"Ah, I remember those days," Ann said wistfully.
"Uh oh!" the bored snob in red noticed someone.
"What?" Lorelai was looking for only the best gossip to recount to Rory, and wanted to take the attention off her and her… Husband?
The snob in red, explained, "Kitty Munroe, the biggest sk …"
"Rita!" the nice one scolded, knowing the insults would fly.
"What?" Lorelai was out of the loop, desperate for the juicy information. Kitty Munroe? I know that name why do I know that name?
"Let's just say she comes on to any male, in a 5 foot radius, married or not!" the lady in red grumbled.
The short one teased "Your just mad that your second husband had an indiscretion with her at the museum benefit."
The snob defended her grudge. "Well, she was engaged to my cousin at the time!"
"But you weren't married to David at the time."
Ann clarified for Lorelai's benefit, "The second husband?" Lorelai had figured.
Then, Lorelai remembered, Kitty Munroe, Lydia Munroe's daughter. Lydia and Emily went to College together. Kitty was a few years older than Lorelai, and they had met at a few "high teas". At the time, in the immature high school hierarchy, Kitty was Lorelai's hero. Kitty had all the boys wrapped around her finger; She new just what to say and do around the opposite sex. Lorelai learned the hair twirl from Kitty. To now see that her talents hadn't changed, all grown up she was just a common…
"Whose she got her sights on now?" the short one strained to see.
"Oh no," Ann gasped, and informed. "Lorelai, she's latched on to Luke."
Luke? Across the large room, Lorelai saw Luke caught between a pillar and Kitty; he was clearly uncomfortable with this forward woman's advances. She watched as he valiantly tried to talk his way out of her company, but Kitty was persistent. A knot grew in Lorelai's stomach; her cheeks began to feel warmer. Trying to hide her jealousy, and failing, Lorelai excused herself, "I'm just gonna… go save him, pardon me."
Lorelai tried to keep her cool as she approached the horny harpy who was hitting on her Luke. "HONEY!" Lorelai exclaimed for the benefit of anyone within 10 feet of her. She walked up to Luke, putting herself between Luke and the harpy. She kissed Luke on the cheek, and her arms around his waist "There you are!" as if for the first time, noticed Kitty, "oh hey, aren't you Kitty Munroe?"
The leggy blond was taken aback, at first by this man resisting her charms, second by actually being challenged by the wife, "Yes, I am."
"Wow, it's been so long. Lorelai Gilmore, Emily's daughter."
"Of course, …" the harpy was clearly uncomfortable at being caught in one of her pursuits, by an old "friend".
Once again hiding her left hand behind Luke's back, Lorelai gave Luke a possessive squeeze, "and I see you've met my Luke." She smiled warmly at him. Luke's eyebrows looked as though they would have disappeared into his receding hairline.
"Oh, well I … " the harpy didn't know how to handle this situation.
"Hey isn't that your husband?" Lorelai eyed someone behind Kitty, that is why we have pre-nups, Dear.
"Oh why yes it is, thank you for helping me find him, " and the harpy was off, "oh Rodger!"
Luke leaned against the pillar he was practically pinned to a moment ago. He exhaled a "Thank you," then realized his arm had wrapped around Lorelai's waist on pure instinct.
"You looked like a deer in the headlights. It was the same look I had when I was named to homecoming court."
"You knew her?" referring to Kitty.
"No love lost!"
Still recovering, Luke groaned, "Geez, she was like my sister's friend, Crazy Carrie!"
Naturally curious, Lorelai raised a single eyebrow, "Crazy Carrie?"
Was that out loud! crap! Now he had to explain "Yeah, … she had a thing for me in high school. She would just sit in the bleachers, and watch track practice, wait outside the locker room, try to sneak into the locker room; It was like having a stalker. When ever she talked to me she always would stand a little too close … "
Surprised and pleased that Luke was opening up, and actually talking about his mysterious past. I wish I knew Luke in high school, Lorelai swallowed her envy, "So whatever happened to … Crazy Carrie?"
"A willing participant went by!"
"Ahh Crazy as in boy crazy? "
"Take your pick," he chuckled.
Lorelai didn't seem to mind that they were still so close. And once more, neither did Luke.
Luke was lost in her eyes for a moment, I'm holding her, and then he remembered the glass in his hand. "Oh, yeah, I got this for you… "
"Why Lucas Danes, are you trying to get me drunk? Cause going home with you is a pretty sure thing." OH MY GOD SHUT UP! Sometimes her mouth was just too fast.
"Jeez," He just rolled his eyes, like he usually would to such a comment, only this time he wore a shy smile.
She took the glass and grinned at him. "Thank you. … How are you holding up?"
"Much better now that … Kitty is gone. I swear, these folks talk all high society. But most of the personalities you could find at any bar."
"The only difference is the price tag, huh?" taking a sip, her arm still around him.
"Yeah, I guess people are just people." Then Luke seemed to notice the group of women Lorelai had been with before, pointing and staring at him and Lorelai. "Jeez, how did I get here?"
"In a Jeep?" Lorelai put the glass down at a near by table. "Hey we have a few minutes before you need to … disappear, you …" say it Lorelai, " wanna dance?"
OH man, to dance, or not to dance. I hate dancing; opening myself to dancing would only invite Kitty back. Well I don't hate dancing; I hate strange women coming onto me asking me to meet 'em in the coatroom in 15 minutes. But dancing with Lorelai? Lorelai is asking me to dance. Dance with her in front of all these people. Well, I don't know any of these people, I'm never gonna see 'em again, right? andI have to do it for Rory anyway, might as well … practice. "Sure, let's dance."
Lorelai had been expecting a huge fight to convince him to get him out on the dance floor. Now he took her hand, and led her out onto the floor as the live band started to play an old Frank Sinatra song for the crowd. Luke took her in his arms a safe, respectable distance. Then Lorelai suggested, "Umm, I think we should… you know maybe, be a little closer, you know, to fend off the other 'Kitties'." It was a slow one, so of course you would dance close, and she got to put her chin on his shoulder. And closed her eyes, and his scent filled her lungs again. This is nice. And for the first time she noticed, she didn't scold herself for the bad Luke thoughts. They weren't bad, some of them were really nice, and well they were just… new. She put her cheek against his, and she smiled. She could almost feel his stubble starting to grow back.
Luke was holding Lorelai, dancing, in public, with Lorelai Gilmore; and not a camera in sight, thank God. He became distracted by her bare shoulders, her skin looked as if it glowed. She was so beautiful tonight. She was always beautiful.
When he first saw her come down the stairs at the house, carefully treading each step in her huge, purple strapless dress; he was literally breathless. Luke Danes, with the wind knocked out of him by the mere sight of a beautiful woman. Luke didn't even notice the crowd outside the house, until the Gilmores were relaying their break out plan.
Now her cheek was against his and his heart rate began to speed up. This was closer than they were in the kitchen earlier. Tonight had been about Rory, and for Luke to have this moment with Lorelai; it was all worth it. Lorelai in his arms, however briefly, was thanks enough for him.
He has to feel this too! Maybe he's having crazy, awkward thoughts about me. Maybe he's awkward cause he wants this thing over with as soon as possible. Still, he is dancing with me. I mean, he HAS to dance with Rory, not this close mind you, but he doesn't HAVE to dance with me. And then, Lorelai had to know. "So how do you know how to do this?" she said to his shoulder.
"Do what?" still getting use to how close she was letting him be, pulled out of his own selfish thoughts.
"You know, dance, waltz,"
That's like the third time I've been asked today! "My sister," he stated simply. It was Lorelai, of course he was gonna cave.
She pulled her head back to meet his eyes. "Your sister? … Care to elaborate?"
He couldn't deny those curious blue eyes. Luke sighed, "Liz wanted to take dance lessons, but their weren't enough boys in the class," he stated sheepishly.
"So?" Lorelai knowing she was going to thoroughly enjoy the rest of the answer.
"So," he continued "My mother made me take the lessons with her."
"Luke Danes had dance lessons?" then a thought struck her, "Were they with Patty?"
"No, that was before her time; when Patty was still off off Broadway. It was the old teacher, Ms. Julia."
"You never cease to amaze me." He took dance lessons for the sake of his little sister. He wore a tux for the sake of Rory. That told Lorelai that this was a pattern, Selfless Luke had always been selfless. He was already in a good routine for those closest to him. Unlike those who shall not be named, back to pumping information. "How old were you?"
"About… 8," He shrugged.
"And it stuck with you all this time?"
"Hey, we had an agreement, no one in Stars Hollow is ever to know of this. Everything at the ball; stays here at the ball."
"At midnight you are a mouse, got it." She settled against his cheek again, and whispered in his ear this time. "I am a little hurt you doubt my loyalty to our agreement. We successfully snuck you out of the house, with the mob outside none the wiser."
"Yeah, Thanks for that," a little unnerved by the intimate whisper.
"You're welcome, secret agent man."
"Here we go again with the James Bond jokes."
The song ended and he escorted her off the floor like any gentleman would, hand in hand, and a frantic Emily met them at the edge of the dance floor, " Lorelai, have you seen your father?"
Jarred out of her warm-fuzzy state with Luke, Lorelai confessed " Uh, no."
"He promised me he'd be here by now." This sounded urgent.
Surprised, Lorelai asked, "Wait, you didn't come together?"
"I swear, if he misses this… "
"Well, Mom, did you call him?"
"Yes, I called him. Of course I called him. I wouldn't go this long without calling him." She was on the verge of tears. Then, Luke saw Richard, recognizing him from pictures at Lorelai's house
"Mrs. Gilmore, he's here."
Emily was so distracted she didn't even notice Luke. "Where?" and she was off in the direction Luke pointed to. Leaving Luke and Lorelai, she went to her husband's side relieved." Richard, where have you been?"
"Where have I been?"
"Yes, where have you been?"
"I'm here, aren't I? "
Lorelai turned her back, and winced at Luke, "I can't look. Does she beat him with the baby's breath?"
Luke couldn't believe it, they were making a scene, like spoiled children, Yeah good breeding, My Ass! And here I thought I would embarrass Rory. "I think they are attempting some of those modern dance moves."
"Oh God." and she put her forehead on his shoulder, why, why, why now? After 35 years together you pick now to be dysfunctional?
Luke wished there was some way he could stop time to keep the elder Gilmores from fighting and upsetting Lorelai. "It's Okay, we are in the homestretch" he reassured her.
"Oh please you can't get me home fast enough." Okay that sounded dirty…? "Umm Thanks, though," She met his eyes again, "for everything, for doing this … for coming to my corner of the asylum."
"Will you stop saying thank you?"
Lorelai looked in his eyes, and she wasn't afraid of what she saw there. He's looking at me that way again. She couldn't analyze it further because her mother was back at her side.
Whatever argument Emily and Richard had seemed to have concluded for now, however Mrs. Gilmore was still for another fight; "Who are you?" she barked at Luke.
WOW, okay that was really rude! "Umm Mom you remember Luke Danes, my friend from the diner." Not wanting to give her mother a clue to the happy Luke moments she was having in her head, Lorelai took a step away from Luke as she "presented" him.
Luke cleared his throat and offered his hand to Emily "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Gilmore." He didn't blame her for not recognizing him, he didn't feel like himself in this get up, so why would he look like himself?
THE ICE MAN? The man who could hear the helpless cheep of a chick in trouble. The male lead in every single story Lorelai tells. Emily was now confused and bordering on irate. OH my God she IS with him. "I don't understand, where is Christopher?"
"Mom," this is the moment, "Chris is not coming."
Emily looked at Lorelai as if she began to speak Japanese. "What? But he has to be here?"
"Well, … he's not here, I tried to tell you before…" not very hard, mind you.
"Did you call him?"
Hello Déjà vu "Of course I tried, for a whole week I tried…"
"What about Rory? What will people say? They will think he doesn't care."
Well, DUH! "Some might get that impression", and Lorelai exchanged an awkward glance with Luke, recalling his previously admitted feelings on the subject, but Luke cares, Luke is here.
"This is a disaster, first with this tacky room, and Richard being late, and now Christopher is missing, … who will present Rory?"
"That is why Luke is here, mom?"
Emily's eyes went wide, then narrowed, clearly not amused. "You must be joking."
Lorelai needed to correct her mother. "No, mom, I'm not. Christopher was a no show, Luke is filling in" there I said it it's out.
"What? You think a father can be so easily replaced?"
Here we go, begin scene two… Lorelai trying to stay even and calm for the sake of her daughter upstairs, and for all the people around her; But Luke spoke up, tired of being talked around. "With all due respect, Mrs. Gilmore, Christopher didn't think enough of his daughter to be here. He hasn't seemed to take his fatherly duties that seriously in the last 17 years. Maybe he is not as perfect as you make him out to be."
Lorelai appreciated Luke's words, and was surprised how complaisant he was when he delivered the civil insult about the no show father. It was uncharacteristic for him not to bark in a rant. Just a simple matter of fact statement; He's playing the part so well.
Emily was unable to believe the diner man actually spoke to her. "Christopher didn't come for Rory?" as if hearing the information for the first time.
Yes, mom, nothing has changed in the last 17 hours, or 17 years! Before Emily could attack Luke, Lorelai argued. "Luke, on the other hand, is not only a willing participant in this little shin dig " using Luke's words, shin dig, she liked that. "… But he is closer to Rory than Chris ever has been."
"So of all the people you could have chosen, you picked your… diner friend? To bring to a DAR debutante ball, really, Lorelai!" Emily admonished.
"Mom, he was the best choice."
"No, he wasn't, you could have asked your father!"
"In case you haven't noticed, Mom, Dad has been in a bit of a funk lately."
"That is no reason to let a stranger …"
"Luke is not a stranger! He is Luke, he is important to me and to Rory." Bringing her tone back down, Lorelai explained, "Mom, Chris let us down, again! Rory needed someone, Luke offered, she accepted. Rory picked him. Okay, it was Rory's call and here he is, all cleaned up and nice for just her."
I'll bet just for her! I'm not stupid Lorelai, you two are together and you didn't tell me. Emily was weighing the social ramifications, seeing there was nothing to be done about it now, we'll make do, "All right," her lips pursed tight with her displeasure.
Like we needed your permission. "Alright?" Lorelai was suspicious.
Emily expressed her conditions "…But if anyone asks, you two are married and he is Rory's … Step father." She choked on the words at it came out. God forbid! "Whatever you do, just keep up the illusion. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to see someone about the music they are playing. It's dreadful!" we'll just say they got divorced later! Or annulled. now for that saxophone player…
Luke and Lorelai were stunned as Emily walked away.
"What the hell just happened?" Luke was lost. Never seeing this particular pair of Gilmores spar before.
Lorelai stared after her mother. " I think my mother just pronounced us… husband and wife." A few days ago I was merely "engaged" to Luke, earlier people just assumed we were married, and now we have Emily's … blessing?
The "happy couple" exchanged another awkward glance. All the feelings and thoughts Lorelai was having were driving her crazy. Was he feeling it too? Are all these hints and assumptions just for me? She almost wanted to take Luke somewhere; somewhere they could be alone and sort all this out. the Coat Room perhaps? She didn't know what to make of all the suggestions that were popping up in reference to her and Luke. Now my own MOTHER! Was there really something there? Something to be built on? Was it that obvious?
Luke didn't know what he was thinking; he had just automatically started talking to Emily Gilmore. As soon as he entered the conversation, he was dismissed, and now Emily was ordering him to treat Lorelai as his wife. How far does she want me to go with that little charade?
Then the announcer's voice interrupted all thoughts. "All fathers please report to the debutante staging area upstairs; Fathers to the staging area."
"Uumm that's you." Lorelai pointed out.
"Right, right, … you gonna be okay… with," nodding in Emily's direction.
"Don't worry, please… take care of Rory …"
"Rory is low maintenance."
"Yeah well I got the short stick." She kissed his cheek again. Just kissing my husband good luck, that's all, and she stroked his cheek, "Curtsy pretty."
Luke narrowed his eyes at her, "Shut up."
"That is no way to talk to your wife," Almost verbatim from my dream.
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In the staging area, Rory was waiting in a line with the other girls. Every last one of them was just as deluded as Libby. This is not a big deal, one night, one night! Okay breathing helps.
Dean walked up to her. "Hey. I just wanted to see you before you became a proper lady of society." He teased.
Relieved at the sight of him. "So what do you think?" posing in her dress.
"I think you look like a cotton ball." He was almost blinded by the pure white.
"Why, thank you Jeeves."
"But a really cute cotton ball."
Rory laughed, and then she spotted Libby coming towards her. "Oh No."
"Oh my God, is this your escort?" she wobbled on her heels.
"Yeah, it is," Rory was shy now; please don't freak him out!
Libby let out a slightly slurred, "You are totally getting married." And walked away, damage done.
Too LATE!
"What did she say?" Dean's brow furrowed under his shaggy hair.
"Oh, well...uhhh," she was saved from explaining by Luke, "Luke, great, let's go."
"I'll, uh, I'll meet you downstairs." Dean kissed her cheek "Good luck." And went back to his staging area.
Luke could sense something was up with Rory. "You wanna make a break for it?" he whispered.
Rory smiled at the joke, then she had to ask, "Do me a favor?"
Luke smiled "Anything."
"Just don't let me fall." Her blue eyes filled with genuine worry.
"Right back at ya, " he winked.
Rory smiled, she saw some girls ahead begin to go down the stairs. This is it. Quietly to her self the consoled "one night, it's only one night."
Luke glanced at the teen on his arm, hearing her talk to herself. His words had stayed with her. That meant a lot to him. He thought of Lorelai defending him in the ballroom to her mother. Luke is not a stranger! He is Luke, he is important to me and to Rory.
"Rory?"
"Yeah Luke?"
"Just so you know, you're mom and I are married."
"WHAT?" Rory's head shout to him as she got a few glances form the girls ahead of her. How long was I gone?
Realizing what that sounded like, Luke clarified. "No, no, if anyone asks… your Grandma wants you to say I'm your Step- dad."
"Oh, ...Grandma said that?"
"Apparently for the illusion."
"Oh, okay, … DAD."
It was strange to hear it from her. Luke knew she'd play along, for her Grandma's sake. He was just unsure how comfortable Rory would be with the idea. If Lorelai and I got together, NO, no, we're not together; it's just an act. Though, frankly he couldn't help but consider the convincing performance he and Lorelai were giving before Emily' s blessing. Entering arm in arm, staying within 5 feet of each other all night, rescuing him from Kitty, and that dance; He tried to cleanse his mind of all the little moments they had tonight. You are just friends Danes, nothing more. It's just for tonight!
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Lorelai was sitting by herself, bored with this woman's speech, the historical The ball began with the Mistress of Ceremonies, Dirty, addressed the posh audience from a podium on the staircase. "Good evening. On behalf of the Daughters of the American Revolution, I would like to welcome you to our annual debutante ball. Oh this brings back so many memories. I myself came out in this very hall in nineteen…well, let's just say, a number of years ago. Now the word debutante comes from the French word debuter, which means to lead off . . ." Lorelai might have fallen asleep right there, had her attention not been taken by Emily and Richard at the bar; She decided to intervene, I must be stupid.
"Just come sit down. " Emily pleaded with her husband
"I am going to finish my drink."
"You won't be happy until you've spoiled this entire evening, will you?"
Tonight's referee is Lorelai Gilmore." Um, guys, hi, there's a lady up there with a rock the size of Neptune around her neck talking about the debutantes of ancient Greece. It's a lot easier to fall asleep if you're sitting down, trust me.
"I will sit down when I'm ready to sit down."
"Richard, lower your voice." Please I don't need this tonight everything has gone wrong.
"No, I will not lower my voice. I paid a fortune to be here, and I will speak just as loudly as I like. "
"You're embarrassing us. You're embarrassing Rory." It's bad enough what Christopher and Luke have done.
"Embarrassing Rory? This wasn't Rory's idea. This was your idea. This whole ridiculous evening was your idea, Emily." Always having to get your way Mrs. Gilmore.
"You don't want your granddaughter presented to society?" Please don't ruin this chance for Rory to be in worthwhile company.
"To hell with society." He noticed the snobs glancing his way "Yes, I'm talking about you!"
"Come on, that's it," and the ref was ejecting these players for unsports man like conduct. Lorelai led them into the hall outside the ballroom.
Lorelai couldn't believe she had to scold her parents for acting like spoiled children. "Are you two completely out of your minds? There is a ceremony going on in there. Young girls in ugly dresses and stupid fans are parading around in circles for God knows what reason, and you two are ruining it."
"I didn't want to come here." Richard pointed a finger at his wife. "You knew I didn't want to come here."
"Well, that's too bad. We have a social responsibility, Richard."
"I am so tired of hearing you say that." Damn social obligations.
"People expect us to be certain places and do certain things and we can't just withdraw from all of that."
"Do you know what I'm going through at work?"
"Your whole life isn't that damn company, Richard."
"I have told you what I'm going through, but somehow, you just don't seem to hear it. You don't listen to me. You don't listen to anybody."
"That is not true."
"It is true." Wanting his daughter to back him up "Isn't it true? Has she ever listened to a word you've said?"
Lorelai so did not want to weigh her true feelings on subject at the current time or place. "Oh, well, hey, people listen in different ways, right? I mean, some people listen with their ears, and some people listen with not their ears, but that doesn't mean some actual listening hasn't happened in some form." My God did Luke just walk by….?
Emily tired to make peace and clear the air with her husband. "I have listened to you Richard. I know exactly what is going on with you."
"Really, what?"
"You lost an account. " she shrugged.
Lorelai was now beginning to see the problem, "What?"
Richard explained, "No, I didn't lose an account. I was taken off an account. I was taken off an account that I personally brought into this company ten years ago. "
"There are other accounts, Richard."
"I have been in charge of that account for ten years!"
"How can you be so angry? Yes, they took you off that account, but they also gave you a promotion."
"Oh, Emily." You are so naïve.
" You said they moved you upstairs to a larger office and gave you a new title and a better parking space. "
Why can't I make her understand! "Emily, dammit, I am being phased out."
"You are not," And he says I over react to things.
"What do you mean I'm not? I know whether I'm being phased out. I invented phased out for this company. Don't you think I did the exact same thing to Alan Parker?"
"Alan Parker retired."
"Alan Parker was phased out. I now have his office; I now have his parking space. Do you know what happens from here? I lose more accounts, slowly but surely. They will put a younger man on them with me to be trained by the best. And then, one day they'll call and ask me to let that young man take a meeting without me, just to see how fast he's learning, and then suddenly that young man is given that account. And this happens again and again and again until I'm nothing, but a symbolic figurehead that they roll out for banquets and group pictures. And then one day, Emily, I will be asked to leave."
No wonder Dad hasn't been his jolly old self!
Maybe this was all true, would it be so bad, you've got to retire some time! "Well, so what? " Emily challenged.
"Excuse me." Richard was offended.
Flag on the play, "Dad, I don't think Mom meant exactly… "
"So what if that's true?"
"Or maybe she did." Okay, never mind, Play on.
"There are other options."
"I don't want other options. I want to get up every morning and put on my suit, and go to my office, and do my work, like I've done everyday for the past thirty years. That's what I want to do. That's the only thing I want to do. "
Rory appeared from around a corner poking her head out. This exchanged could be heard all the way to the staging area, "Um, excuse me, hi, sorry to interrupt, but I'm next."
Their angel's brief appearance compelled them to walk back into the ballroom, silently.
The lady at the podium continued to read the names. "Elizabeth Dotie, daughter of George Edward Dotie the fourth, and Elenor Dotie." And Libby bounced down the stairs, obviously tipsy.
"Lorelai Gilmore, daughter of Christopher Hayden and Lorelai Gilmore."
Lorelai couldn't help but smile. She watched as Luke and Rory walked down the stairs together, and Dean waited at the bottom. Luke was usually so reluctant at being the center of attention; he and Rory had that in common. Luke looked so different with the spotlight on him. Yet, He seemed to beam with pride over Rory, and Lorelai's heart swelled for the man. Luke kissed Rory's hand, as he was instructed to, and Rory curtsied for society. Luke stepped back, giving "his little girl" away for Dean to escort down the aisle of the presentation platform.
Her moment over, Richard went back to the bar. Emily was standing next to Lorelai. Lorelai was about to make small talk with her mother about how beautiful Rory was. But Emily beat her to the punch. "That should've been you up there. Nothing is turning out the way it was supposed to," and Emily walked away embarrassed by this whole evening.
And what a punch it was. Lorelai was left alone while watching the Rory participated in the fan dance with the other debutantes. Emily's words had hurt all evening, but that was the knock out blow. To still be dwelling on sins of the past, to not acknowledge the life her daughter had built for herself on her own terms. Or the accomplishments, humble as they were for the last 17 years. That hurts mom, that really hurts. And her earlier treatment of Luke; to not even acknowledge Luke's gesture, to insult his existence in the Gilmore Girls lives. You have no idea all he has done for us.
As if reading the distress on her face, Luke came up beside her. "Almost over don't worry."
She smiled at him; it was only shadow of the one she usually beamed.
As always, he noticed. "What is it?" She's upset. Man I leave for 10 minutes ...
"Later, not here, not now," she was touched that he wanted to comfort her.
Jeez, what did her mom do now?
"You have to dance with Rory … go I'm fine, really."
He didn't want to leave her like this, "Lorelai,"
"Really, Luke I'll be fine, but umm, as soon as the dance is over… could we leave?"
Luke squeezed her hand, for the illusion of course. "Thought you'd never ask," his tone was so gentle.
She drew from the strength he infused with the contact in her hand. "Where's Rory? I need to tell her…"
"Sure, I'll get her… you want to let her ride back with Dean?" he confirmed
"Yeah, " Lorelai nodded.
Luke left to meet Rory as she left the platform. He pointed to Lorelai and Rory was over in an instant.
"Mom, what is it? Are you feeling okay?" she was concerned, but couldn't help but wonder, is it your "condition"?
"Yeah, umm, I'll give you the run down later… umm after the father daughter thing Luke is gonna take me home… but you stay ... enjoy … and don't forget even ladies have curfews; I want you home by midnight Cinderella."
"Special curfew?"
"Special night." Lorelai shrugged.
"You sure you're alright?"
"Later, … please, you have to go with Luke now …"
"Okay, I want details, … all of them"
"Oh, You'll get em… " I've got Rants for days.
Luke returned to the girls, "Ready?" he asked Rory.
"Yes," Rory smiled, and Rory walked to the platform arm and arm with her "step-father", to setup with the other pairs of fathers and daughters.
Lorelai considered, hmmm they do kinda… look alike, brown hair, blue eyes.
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fav parts: the parts that make my self laugh (OW OW OW OW)
-Which means I can get smashed, wait, these Luke thoughts and alcohol might not be a good idea to mix.
- Luke's eyebrows looked as though they would have disappeared into his receding hairline.
A/Ns! Here they ARE!
A/N: how many think my A/Ns should be my audition for the show! LOL
A/N: the ask three times rule: I work in retail, and "they" say that if you need to ask someone something three times and then they will cave… example: may I help you/no just looking thanks, May I help you/ aw I'm fine thanks, May I help you/ actually do you have ….blah blah blah…
You get it. you wear em down.. wink …
A/N: The best line in the original episode is "you saved me I love you I wanna have your Baby… oops to late…" delivered to the bastard…. Don't like him(understatement!), but I like the line?
A/N: does any one else find it weird that eppy 100 was on FAT TUESDAY? … like L/L go their separate ways, they gave each other up for Lent? .. they are fasting and abstaining from each other till the easter season is over? if it coincides with when they get back together… my theory may hold water… spec over! you're thoughts if you got 'em …
A/N: OFF TOPIC : OBSERVATION: related to mophead /brain damaging shampoo theory- Okay who else thinks that having sex made Rory STUPID..?(Hi Yale, I'm Trixie McBimbo) I'm serious.. it's like the loss of Chandler's nubbin (oh no , the source of all my powers) see I think she USED TO be SMART and VIRGINOUS (like that's a word!) it's like her purity was the source of all her Ivy league powers… but then swapping fluids with the EVIL MOPHEAD (Dean) made her revert and stupid and now she's all giddy 16 year old again.(maybe she used his brain damaging shampoo) … and NOW can only think of SEX … what is up with that? What happened to the strong amazing dynamic woman Lorelai raised(with no help from the dead beat!) To take over the world?
And what is she gonna be Logan's bed buddy (no strings) thinking she can change him into a boyfriend, that she is so special, that she is worth becoming a boyfriend for?….. THOSE ARE STRINGS, PINOCCHIO!
Sorry RANT OVER!
Hope you Enjoyed THIS CHAPTER!
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"that was all God given talent..." why thank you Luke...
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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 like please!
why I like specific reviews? cause…. Different things stand out to different people. I never know what is gonna hit who, so it's fun to see your fav parts… I share mine! and
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 …