Presenting … Lucas Danes?

by gilmoregirl1979

LL ship! little of father daughter Rory Luke but mainly JAVA CHAPTER 50 of the epic saga. What if Luke had taken Rory to her Debutante Ball instead, and the domino effect it would have on Season 2!I hope you can forgive my absence long enough to RR.

13. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

My InBox has dropped dead of exhaustion…

BACK BY POPLUAR DEMAND!

Presenting … Lucas Danes?
By GilmoreGirl1979 (the Reigning Quote Queen)

Rating: haven't done this for a while... let's say PG-13 with an ish…

R/R: yes please I love reviews, I wanna marry them (as previously stated, I have strange passions.)

friendly disclaimer: Chapter 1
-once again, I don't own(DAMN IT!), No Harm No Sue. WE just use the Gilmore Girls dolls during our slumber parties…. It's fun (shirtless Luke: with coffee pouring action, and the "Fry it and Buy it" Luke's Diner Play Set sold separately!) dialogue BORROWED from 2.07 - Like Mother, Like Daughter
written by Joan Binder Weiss
directed by Dennis Erdman
Some Dialogue and intentions have been altered by me, Gilmoregirl1979 (It's more Fun THAT WAY!).

Luvz: What can I say, you are my pixie, and my life line how the HELL ARE WE GONNA MAKE IT TILL SEPT? one fic at a time, I mean day, I meant day… right lol loves ya my pixie pal…

HELLO, MY LITTLE CRACK WHORES! (And other shout outs):
jeepgirl259 and ProFfeSseR: I do understand, but you both owe me heeheehee and ProFeSseR Keep your strength up for the Job!
gidget89: I corrected the grammer miss gidget thank you I was really tired…
fandomsareloveGG: why thank you!
Winnifred Smith: uhhhhh … I love you too, as any author can love a fan you know… Ahem… uhhhh on with the CHAP!
oywidapoodles:A great name, B thanks C here you GO!
leopiper4ever-SV-GG: some of your fave parts are my fav parts too!
krazykrazykt: Here's your hit my little crack whore!
beautifulbutterfly: okay, let me clarify! Unpack your Adjectives.
"Adjectives are words you use to really describe things,
Handy words to carry around.
Days are sunny or they're rainy
Boys are dumb or else they're brainy
Adjectives can show you which way." PS you know I dig your reviews really I do, they ROCK! PPS I'm so honored that I am your ONLY fav author! That means a lot! (it's not that I'm stalking you it's a matter of public record!)
Labyrith: Alcatraz is a good movie too, Seriously, rent it! My sis and I got hooked on it one day, and Clint always makes me think of my Daddy, (he does like the dirty harry).
The Daftest: awww shucks… thanks

OY, WITH THE INCESSENT A/Ns ALREADY:
A/N:YEAH I'm still in character! WOO HOO! Please if they do something "way out there" let me know, this one has slowly become my version of season 2, but we love what ASP and co. have done with it.
A/N: unfortunately my movie choices had to be ones that were already released prior to nov 2002, when this story takes place, I'm accurate that way! It's why I had such trouble picking out their first date movie.
A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took so long I was having continuity issues… my first chapters were so … DETAILED… and now I'm winging it… (how come other girls get planned dinners and I get wing it!)
A/N:Also I was having withdrawl of my own, but am better now…

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Chapter 13:
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Movie night was for the most part a success It had opened up Luke a little more to both Gilmores. Rory enjoyed seeing her mother so happy with Luke and getting to know her fatherly escort better. Luke felt a little more at ease about being alone in a room with Rory and actually being able to carry on a conversation, as friends do. Lorelai felt as though everything was on track with her relationship, and pleased that comfort levels with the situation were in place so soon.

However, for all the attraction and passion of their one night together, ever since the Ball, it seemed things kept getting in the way of that aspect of the adults' relationship; Especially, the two teenage things. The two factors that could never be predicted and that each consenting adult was responsible for.

Well, Rory at least had a routine, a schedule for the most part, but Jess was the real variable. They never knew where or when he'd show up. Being Luke's responsibility, Jess made sleeping over at either place impossible. Luke could never spend the night at Lorelai's cause then Jess would be unsupervised and who knows what trouble he'd get in. Plus, Luke still wasn't comfortable telling Jess about him and Lorelai. Not to say he didn't try, but the words never could just come out. And Luke still was uncomfortable with the whole idea of sleeping over with Rory being there. Holding a conversation was one thing, but going up stairs with her mother…. all night, was another. Above the diner was out of the question because not only was the diner at the center of town, but the apartment was only one room. Not much room for adult privacy from Jess or Gossips.

The teens were not only to blame. Ever since the Dean mystery of the 'coming out ball' people had been watching the young couple, never realizing the real dirt was with the older couple and the rumor that Luke had participated in the ball festivities.

All variants considered, Luke and Lorelai's stolen moments were rare and far between, and they found the few chances fruitless and unbearably frustrating.

"Did you pick Love Story as a way for me to come clean about dating Luke?" Lorelai asked her daughter as they walked through town, and passed the stores whose inventory they knew better than Kirk, despite the fact he worked at half of them.

"Hey you picked it! Maybe on some subconscious level you are sending a message to yourself."

"Don't tell my parents about us or Luke will die of Leukemia?" Lorelai mockingly pondered.

"Hey, Luke … Leukemia… weird."

"So uhhh, Rory?"

"Yeah"

"You really are okay with it if … " she lowered her voice, "if Luke spent the night?"

"Hasn't he already?"

"Well, not the whole night, I mean, … I know you like 'us' together, I just… didn't know if… you'd be okay with, well, seeing him there in the morning… "

Luke making breakfast at home, … cool! "Mom? I'm fine with it, "

"Really, really?"

"Yes, I was already used to the idea with… well with Max," The players may have changed but the sentiment was still the same. "But, you should feel comfortable bringing your man over."

"Well, thank you," stinging a little over the mention of Max, but happy that Rory segued past it quickly "but you know we are gonna be … doing more than sleeping.."

"The less I know the better…"

"Okay?"

"However from the looks of things…. Luke is still not comfortable with the situation. How are you gonna convince him?"

"I have my ways," thinking of her new purchases from Victoria's Secret.

"You really like him", Rory teased.

"Well that's obvious and has been well established."

"Mom? Can I tell Lane? I need someone to talk about this with… or I'm gonna bust."

Lorelai nodded, "Sure, actually I already told Sookie"

That's news! "You did?"

"Well, she sort of figured it out…."

"When?"

"After our first date."

"Awwwwww"

"What?"

"I just like the sound of it , your first date, and you had to tell your best friend about it…. Wait? Fiasco and all?"

"Yeah, Well I needed the moral support."

"But what if she tells Jackson? Then your little charade is over!"

"Ooo Ooo, Charade, we should totally make Luke watch Charade."

"Mom I'm only trying to protect your little secret."

"We discussed all that and she has promised to be good. And Lane better make the same promise or we will put her on CD probation…"

"I will have her swear on Neiko" to put her mother's fears at ease.

"Thanks Hon…"

"Why do we bother shopping around here? We know they won't have what we want.."

"Don't tell Taylor that. Now just window shop with the illusion of the intent to buy…"

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Luke really didn't know how to approach this situation. He never really sat Jess down to have a talk before. It was usually a few gruff syllables to acknowledge the other's presence, or a nod that some dinner would be in order. They didn't talk, not when Jess first arrived, not about how school was, not about … anything really. Fair was Fair. She told Rory right away, he should tell Jess … as soon as he could get the words out. Luke had to take this seriously, this was important to Lorelai and it important to start having some semblance of a relationship with his sister's kid. So Luke was gonna give it a go.

"Jess,"

"Yeah"

"Sit down here, I wanna talk to you a minute." Luke pulled out a chair of his own to sit at the kitchen table.

Jess was as droll as ever. "I'd love to Uncle Luke, but I promised to help raise the new school house, so …"

"Just sit down."

With a heavy sigh and a roll of his eyes Jess reluctantly sat down, "Yeah. What?"

Luke took a deep breath, and tried to start a sentience, but thought better on it. He just couldn't find the wording, the way to approach this subject with his nephew. "uhhhhh, I … ummm how's school?"

"Fine,"

"They treating you okay, none of that new kid stigma…"

"Well I've got the bad ass stigma so I'm all good."

Luke was dumbfounded. If he had swore in from of his father at Jess' age, William Danes would have had no trouble popping Luke one, and telling him he should know better. Luke knew that wouldn't get him anywhere here. Jess' skull was too thick, "Well okay, that's … good, I suppose."

Jess offered a "peachy" in his usual dry tone, obviously already bored with the conversation.

Luke knew he had to do this, for Lorelai, but would Jess really keep the secret? Would he even care? Would this be a springboard for them to actually have an uncle/nephew relationship?

"Is this gonna take long?" Jess finally animated at being held hostage.

Probably not, "Well it's just… I have some news."

"Did Liz get knocked up, or something?" still bored and callous.

"What?"

"You know is the stork coming to visit?" in his best sarcastic tone.

"What, no?" Appalled that he brought up the subject and even more so that he didn't seem to care.

"Well okay, then, I'm going out."

"Jess, no I'm not done here."

"Unless Lizzy is dead, or I'm getting a sibling, or you tell me I can leave this town, then I don't need to know."

"Jess, come on…"

Jess grabbed his jacket and was out the door, "I'm out."

Luke sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. He had to think about this, A way, a time, a place to get through to Jess; On the subject of him and Lorelai, but also in general.

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Batteries are evil, batteries Suck, we should find an alternate way to power cars, lights, and radios, … and things. Wait, wasn't Darrel Hannah going on and on about vegetable oil? Grassoline? Now that's just silly, thanks for playing Darrel.

The Mocha Mobile was sick and Luke was the perfect doctor. Apparently he's been repairing cars since he was 14, learn something new every day. Lorelai and Rory were sitting on the front porch, while Luke was half way into Lorelai's Jeep, investigating what Lorelai did to make the battery "mad", her words not his.

Lorelai and Rory were having a heart to heart on what the Chilton Guidance counselor had pulled Rory into a meeting for. "So what does she expect you to do?"

"She said mix it up."

"Mix it up, what does that mean? Buy a blender? Make pudding?"

"I guess that means going up to strange kids at school and say, 'Hey, mind if I awkwardly butt in where I don't belong and don't want to be?'"

"The whole thing's ridiculous. Chilton is a cult."

Becoming a little self-conscious. "I don't know. Maybe there is something wrong with me."

"Oh, don't say that."

"Maybe I am a loner. I mean, you were mocking my backpack today. I might just be one step away from carrying a mysterious duffel bag."

"Oh no, no you don't. Don't you go doubting who you are or how you should be. How dare that woman do this to you! "

"It wasn't just her. The whole meeting was Charleston's suggestion."

"Well, good. It's time I called on old Schnickelfritz Charleston to tell him to stop messing with my kid's mind."

"Mom."

"No, I'm sorry. I don't like this. Schools like Chilton try to stamp out every vestige of individuality and I'm not gonna let that happen. "

"Mom?"

"I'm going down there, No arguments!" and Lorelai turned her attention toward Luke who was finishing up with the Jeep.

"Okay, well I'm gonna go and say goodbye to Andrew, before turning myself into a social butterfly, while you … stare at Luke's butt."

"It has a nice shape to it!" Lorelai whispered, with a giggle.

"I so don't want to hear this!" and Rory retreated to the center of town to bid the beloved bookstore goodbye, while trying to figure a way to mingle without changing too much! I'm sure the adults need the alone time.

Lorelai got up to approach Luke. "How's the patient?"

"Okay, It's all fixed. I found a loose terminal. I reconnected the battery and jumped it, so it's set to go."

"Thank you, … you want some … tea or something?" she offered a little shy.

"Or something." Taking note that Rory had gone into town, and followed Lorelai into the house.

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It was the first chance Luke and Lorelai had to be truly alone since the night of the ball. Their first and only night. No Phone Calls I'm not even answering the Door! As soon as the front door snapped closed Lorelai's arms were around Luke' waist. "I've missed you."

"You see me everyday," he teased.

"Not like this I don't," and she kissed him, sliding a hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

"You mentioned something about tea?"

"Yeah, Tee." as her right hand now played with the hem of his shirt, her left hand pulled on his belt loops to lead him. I think we know this move… and they made their way to the stairs. Luke lost his ballcap with his flannel on the landing. His T-Shirt was not far behind, as his hands slipped beneath her shirt. He was about ready to just carry her up the stairs …

"Lorelai" the sudden rasp of Babette's voice came from the kitchen.

The almost happy couple froze where they stood. Of course, if someone just invites themselves in, "Don't move," Lorelai whispered.

"Lorelai? Doll you here?"

I've got to start locking that door. Lorelai handed Luke the wad that was his clothes, "Just stay here, and I'll keep her in the kitchen."

Too Late. As Lorelai's foot touched that first step, Babbette had already found her way into the living room to see Lorelai standing with a shirtless Luke. "Do you have … a flash … light?" Babette's voice faded.

"Oh, … hey Babbette!" Lorelai smiled broadly with lips that she hoped weren't too swelled from the interrupted affection. Her tone went into a lying high pitch that seemed to say "this so is not what it looks like".

Almost ignoring Lorelai, Babbette first grinned at Luke, "Hey Gorgeous," then looked back between Lorelai and Luke. It was a disaster… Babbette, one of the biggest gossips in town, second only to Patty, wandering the house, and Luke caught in the living room with his shirt off. "Sorry to interrupt," her scratchy voice adding volumes of innuendo.

Luke couldn't help but stutter, dumbfounded by the predicament, "Oh Ummm I just …well"

"There's a stain on his shirt?" Lorelai blurted out.

Babbette raised an eyebrow, "wha?"

Luke stumbled, obviously embarrassed. "Ummm yeah big stain … I … got the stain out … of my shirt … " holding up the wadded clothes in his hands, he cleared his throat, hoping this story had wings, and that she doesn't see this is dry.

"He was working on my car , … and you know… grease and oil and … stuff.."

"Sure, sugar … " Babbette now grinning at Lorelai.

"Ummmmmm Babbette you needed a flashlight," Lorelai tried changing the subject and drawing attention away from Luke.

Suddenly recalling why she came over in the first place, Babbette started looking for the flashlight herself. "Oh yeah, it's the darnest thing! Apricot's gone under the porch again and Morey's trying to get her out."

Lorelai opened the closet, and retrieved the item. "Umm here's the flashlight, Babbette" as she tried to shoo Babbette back outside. Luke put his t shirt back on, and kept the "stained" flannel wadded in his hands. He went to the foyer, still in ear shot of the girl talk.

Babbette exclaimed "OH MY GOD, Lorelai! Did you see those arms.. their like Tree Trunks."

"Uhhhhh yeah he does have nice arms doesn't he…."

"I tell ya, if Morey wasn't the love of my life, and I was 20 years younger he wouldn't have a prayer.."

"Ummmmm," trying to block that disturbing image from her mind, " Oh … Well sure, …"

Babbette wanted to dish in hushed tones." Lorelai, when did this happen?"

"What? Nothing's happened," she lied.

"I walk in here and you got Luke saddled up and ready to go"

Hardly, "Babbette you saw him working on my car, he just got his shirt dirty and he was washing it out …"

Babbette was obviously disappointed thinking she had stumbled on the scoop of the century. "Oh, alright," but still she was tempted to tell Patty anyway, "but you enjoy the view while you can… ya hear."

"Will do. Bye bye, now." Lorelai shut the back kitchen door and met Luke in the hall.

"You have to start locking those doors."

"It's fine, I think we're good," wanting to take him in her arms again.

"Till she calls Patty." He growled.

"Geez, then the whole town will be banging on the door," Lorelai sighed.

"I guess, I should go." He played with his wadded up flannel, not sure what to say, "Lorelai …"

"You're right, … " trying not to sound hurt, and disappointed, " if we are keeping it on the down low, we can't draw attention to ourselves."

"Except when we fight in public for the town's benefit." he argued.

"Luke ..."

"It's like we aren't even dating ..."

"But that's the point." She shot back.

"Well, I want to see you, we haven't had our second date and our paths don't seem to cross lately. You've got Business school …"

"Well, you have the diner, …" Lorelai shrugged.

" … you have the Inn, … "

"… And there's Jess, …" Lorelai rolled her eyes.

"And Rory."

Both sighed at the frustration of their situation. Luke put his hat on again when Lorelai spoke again. "I promise, we will tell everyone soon. I just want to enjoy this for a while."

"There is nothing to enjoy? I can't see you alone, I can't pick you up here cause Babbette will see, you can't come into the diner. It's like mission impossible."

"Well, don't you want to avoid the town gossips hitting you up for information? Or whole rumor mill with the cancelled wedding and you and me …?"

"Is that what you are afraid of? That they will think I'm the reason you called off the wedding?"

"I don't know,"

"Look, fine, whatever you want …"

"Luke!"

but he left.

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She hasn't told her parents, I'm not the kinda guy she usually goes for. Maybe she's … I don't' know embarrassed? I don't know…

He thought that now they were together things would be easier. He was finally with the woman he loved, but for some stupid reason they had to pretend not to be together. They had only one date, which had been a bit of a fiasco, and only one night together. It's not that sex was all their relationship was based on, after all they have had years of friendship, they knew each other very well, but now that sex was a factor, both wanted to make up for wasted time.

Luke would think back to the night of the ball, praying they'd find a way to be alone together again. The little details becoming more apparent now, sticking out better than when they had originally happened, for some reason. How in one graceful motion she had removed his tails coat and tux shirt. The way she smiled as she undid his belt and pants. How he wiped that smug smile right off her face, … twice in one night.

Here they were, over a week later, It feels like longer, fighting over the very thing they both wanted. Before the ball, it had been maybe … 4 months since the diner man had, … shall we say, "relations" with a woman. Rachel and him, cramped on his sad single bed. Oh how things had changed. Before that it was even longer, ... like years, … probably with Rachel again. If anyone should be a sex fiend in this relationship it was Luke. Lorelai at least was engaged recently, only a few weeks ago, though Luke always hated to think of Lorelai with anyone else. Still, it wasn't like Lorelai was having regrets about calling off the wedding, or choosing to be with Luke so suddenly. She was just more verbal about her current frustration than Luke was. There was no doubt that she wanted to be with him, which is why she tried so hard for them to find a moment alone. And there was no doubt that he wanted to be with her, she was his dream girl, even more now that he knew what he had been missing all these years.

Luke entered the diner and did what he always did, threw himself into his work to keep from thinking about his troubles and her.

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"Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My GOD!"

Rory couldn't help but laugh at her friend, "I know."

"But we've been waiting for this to happen … and now it's finally happened? And I'm … I'm stunned, I'm shocked, I am so excited! I just can't believe it!"

"I know."

"So the rumors of him going to your coming out were true?"

"Yes, and you should have seen him. Clean shaven, in a tux, waltzing."

"Luke? Waltzing?" Lane playfully hit her best friend, "Why the hell didn't you take pictures?"

"OW, " rubbing her bruised arm, Rory countered, "It was part of the agreement."

"But wow, they just…" Lane lowered her voice incase Mrs. Kim would over hear her little girl talking about sex. "you know ..."

"I guess they just couldn't stand being apart any more. … Mom said it was because they had been spending more time together, you know hanging out, shopping, and what not to prep for the ball. And maybe she saw what a great guy he was and is … and before we left, I think Luke was going to kiss her in the kitchen, …"

"Wow, Oh My God! Wait, Max?"

"I know."

"How is this .. I mean,… did they…? How will they… is Luke the other guy?"

"There is no other guy, this just sorta … happened… those other guy stories were started by Patty and Babbette…"

"Wow but this is huge!"

"So huge we can't tell anyone."

"OH My God, I'm just so happy for them!"

"Me too!"

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Lorelai returned home from her meeting with Headmaster Charleston to straighten out any kind of trouble Rory was in. As it turned out, Lorelai was in trouble herself; With no hope of comfort from her boyfriend who was mad at her at the moment, too. What do you do when you fight with your fella? Get lost in work. Lorelai sat at the kitchen table going through payroll and Bridezilla Wedding details when Rory came home. "Hey. "

Lorelai answered " Hey." distracted, with her glasses at the end of her nose.

"Hey," more pointedly.

"Yeah, look Fat Albert. Get me a soda, will you?"

"Mom, what are you doing here? You were supposed to meet me in my Latin class after meeting with Headmaster Charleston. "

"Oh my God. I was. I totally forgot. Ugh, I'm so sorry."

"Mom, come on, what happened. Did you talk to him?"

"Who? … Luke?"

uhhh no, but more on that later! knowing snippets of their fight. "Head master Charleston."

"Oh right, … I did. I told him that he was completely out of line with this treatment of you, that you are not a loner freak, you have plenty of friends, and you don't own a long black leather Matrix coat, and they should fall down on their kneesocks everyday that you deign to show up at that loser school."

Happy her mother stuck it to schnickelfritz, wanting to know what happened she asked, "And?"

"And then he yelled at me, " Lorelai winced.

"He what?"

"He pulled out a file and told me I was a bad Chilton mom."

"He did not."

"And that I don't participate in school activities."

"Well, you work. "

" And I don't make posters. "

"You have no artistic capabilities."

"And I don't chaperone school dances. "

"Does he know that you got pregnant at sixteen? "

"Basically I'm not doing my part to help further your educational future."

"So we both got busted. "

" Yes. "

"Great." Rory offered dryly.

"Now I have to pick a group or a cause or sponsor a club or something. "

"This sucks. "

"But hey, I've been thinking. I mean, the whole reason we did this Chilton thing is for you to get into Harvard, right? "

"Right."

"And these fanatics that run your school, they're the ones that write the letters to the fancy colleges saying things like, 'Hey she's keen, look at her' or 'Have you seen the L tattooed on her forehead, 'cause it sure is a big one.'"

"So you're saying we should just go along with this?"

"Yeah, go along with it. Talk to some kids, I'll hang out with their moms, and we'll get into Harvard, take over the world, then buy Chilton and turn it into a rave club. What do you say, deal?"

"Deal."

"Oh, look, the Chilton Cheer Society wear matching hats. Eh? " with no reaction from her daughter… "Go Harvard." Ws dry.

"Love the enthusiasm"

"Well I've had a bad day,….."

From Lorelai's earlier Freudian slip, Rory deduced, "Still no word from Luke?"

"Well, the whole coffee will kill you seems intact, but I'm not sure how receptive he is at the moment with the whole second date topic."

"So, … Babbette huh?"

"Yup, it's like the fates are just screwing with us"

"As opposed to letting you… you know…"

"HA HA…. Don't you have homework or something?"

Wow, not having sex makes her crabby.

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Rory walked into Luke's and sat at the counter. "hey Luke."

In a low voice he asked "you're talking to me?"

"Hey, whatever is going on is between you and Mom. We, kind sir, are still friends. so on that note, Coffee, please?"

"You're not gonna smuggle it out for her are you?"

"No, she understands that if she wants it she should come and get it," realizing what she said after the fact. "Ummm sorry, but hey I'm selfish enough to enjoy the coffee and the company of my favorite diner owner …" and well, father figure, but Rory didn't want to freak Luke out by saying that out loud.

Hiding the smile that comment brought him, Luke put a mug In front of her. "I'm watching you."

"You always have." And Rory took a sip, and enjoyed Luke's struggle with the smile that so wanted to appear. Rory kept her voice low, "you know she misses you. She's got a lot on her plate at the moment, … work stuff, a Bridezilla wedding, and she got shanghaied into some Chilton stuff which is totally my fault …"

Luke sorted his receipts as Rory tried to help. "I'm not saying you need to call her… but … you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

"This is a diner I don't want flies in here."

"You know what I mean…"

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Stupid Chilton, with its stupid clubs, and stupid fundraisers. The plus side was she was probably the youngest in the Booster Club, well except for Aubrey. The bad news was in a span of five minutes she had singled handedly offered to organize an entire function, in less than a week. I haven't even gotten my matching sweatshirt yet! And the wedding is still on and… Time she didn't have to spare, time away from her fella. Time they could be making up.

The good news was this little fight quieted any speculations that Babbette and Patty had come up with from the "Luke has no shirt in Lorelai's living room" problem. Plus, she was able to sucker the high and mighty Emily Gilmore into sharing the humiliation of becoming a model for this stupid fundraiser as a trade for no Friday night dinner. You said you wanted me to be involved. Well, I'm involved, now don't you want to do your part to ensure Rory's future? Priceless.

For Harvard, it's all for Harvard.

Despite their fight, and under Rory's insistence, she had to make "the call".

"Luke's"

"Luke, I need you."

He nearly dropped the plates he was carrying to the counter. Luke knew it was Lorelai's voice, but he couldn't believe she'd be so bold to proposition him over the phone. "Excuse me?"

"This guy is here and he can't figure out how to put the ramp together," she was sounding more and more frazzled.

Guy? "the Ramp?" for what?

"Geez, Luke, the stupid Fashion Show Ramp, the one Chilton suckered me into."

That's what Rory was talking about. "It's not wise to yell at your help."

"I know, I'm sorry, I just … .Please, please, please can you come down here and fix this … thing… I'll make it worth you're while."

"Promises, Promises"

Her tone hushed, suggesting she was in a crowded place where they couldn't really get into great detail. "Luke please, let's not get into that now. I need you to come and make everything better."

She was obviously at her wits end with this "ramp guy", and countless other details no doubt. When she was in need, she would turn to Luke, and he was happy to be there for her.

"Give me 10 minutes."

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Lorelai's new favorite past time was to pester the man attempting to fix the runway till Luke arrived. If he arrived, but he said he would come.

"Hey, how's it coming?" she stingingly sweet to the man in coveralls.

"Working on it. "

"This cannot tilt." As if he didn't understand the objective.

"I know this."

"Women in heels will be walking on it. Make it not tilt."

Sookie bustled out of the kitchen exasperated with her choice of vegetation. "The lettuce is dry."

"What does that mean? "

" How attached are you to salad?"

"It's free to see anyone it wants."

"I don't want to make a salad with dry lettuce."

" What's the alternative?"

"I can make soup."

" Fine."

"Okay, great. " Sookie's usual enthusiasm returned.

Before Lorelai walked away, "Ah, Sookie?"

"Yeah?" torn out of her daydreaming over which soup she would prepare.

"Did we pay for the lettuce already? "

"Yes, we did." Thinking she may be stuck with a dry salad again.

"See if you can put it in the soup. "

"Gotcha."

"Okay."

Luke walked in carrying his toolbox and it took everything Lorelai had not to hug him. She missed him. Since Babbette walked in on them it had only been the old gruff banter with coffee at the diner. They never really finished their discussion about how logistically they could have alone time … together. It was clear they were still together, well it was to Lorelai, she'd have to check with him on that later. We are still a couple right? I mean he did come? But now she had other logistics on focus on.

Lorelai couldn't help it, she had to touch him, so she grabbed his jacket as if she was going to lead him to his project for the day. "Ah, thank God! and you brought Bert."

She was talking to him like not fight had happened, a tone Luke returned, "Right here."

Lorelai felt better by stating, "My men," to clue him in this could still work between them, "follow me."

"By the way, you do tell people that you're the one that named my toolbox, right?"

"Toolbox, dirty." In her usual teasing tone, but with a wink only Luke could see.

"Aw, geez."

Lorelai pulled Luke toward the man "attempting " to fixing the runway. "Okay, um, move."

"What?" the not so handy man was confused.

"I want Luke to look at it."

"Hey, I put this thing together," the not so handy man was of course insulted that he wasn't given the chance to finish.

"Yes, and I loved your work in Pisa, now get out of the way, please." And through Lorelai's natural insistence the man gave up the fight.

"Okay, so what seems to be the problem?" Luke was happy to return to the familiar light sarcastic teasing of each other.

"Uh ha! The problem is. . ." seeing the grin on his face her eyes narrowed, "That's not funny. "

"I like it when you're stressed, " thinking of what her frazzled ball state of mind brought about. Maybe… we could… no focus on what she needs now man. Luke examined his project for the show. "Oh man, he put this thing up all wrong."

"Can you fix it?"

"I don't know, I'll see."

"You can fix it." Simply will it to happen with me Luke.

"You can say it all you want, it doesn't make it true."

"You can fix it. "

"Not with you hovering, I can't."

"Okay, I'm leaving. You can fix it." Lorelai walked away admiring her beautiful beau as he set to work, in tight jeans, and was a bit surprised when she nearly walked into "Oh, Ava, hi."

"God, the place looks wonderful."

Always ready for a compliment, "Thank you. Let me show you to the room where we're all getting ready."

"All right."

"Fix it yet? "Lorelai teased her man, happy to be in the same room with him again, the banter making it feel like old times. Like verbal foreplay.

"The moron used the wrong supports."

"Please, tell me you can fix it."

"If I told you I couldn't fix it, would you accept that? "

"No."

"I can fix it." He had missed how they sparred.

"Thank you." Turning her attention back to Ava, "So we're right back here…" Lorelai was a little put off when Ava stopped to stare at Luke, "Uh, Ava, the room's right back here." Let's get a move on missy!

"Him." Ava pointed.

"Who?" please say you mean "Pisa boy".

"There, man with tools, who is that?"

"Oh, that's … Luke," Lorelai reluctantly answered.

"Luke, I like Luke." Her tone not hiding the dirty thoughts she was having.

Oh no you don't! "What?" still trying to hold on to polite.

"Oh, he's adorable. And he looks strong, is he strong?"

OH GOD!"Oh, … I don't know…. I don't think he's gonna be in a sideshow anytime soon, but … he can get the lid off a pickle jar."

"Is he single? "

Oh man, How to answer…tricky… if she acted indifferent who knows what this Ava would do with that information, and try to do it with Luke. Lorelai could say that Luke was her boyfriend, or "hey back off Bitch, that's my man you're drooling over!" or "I'll be the only one canoodling with him thank you very much!"; but if she did it may somehow get back to the rest of the town ,… or worse Emily. So Lorelai reluctantly stuttered out, "Well, … uh yeah, … he is … single."

"What kind of women does he like?" Ava persisted.

"Oh, I don't know, … ones with … heads." Ones who like Coffee, ones with a keen wit and intellect, ones who are gonna kick you ass if you don't stop gawking at him! "You know, I don't really know what Luke's taste in women is," with feigning disinterest.

Emily walked into the dining room, "Lorelai."

Great! "Oh, um, Ava, why don't you go on in the back," Away from my man, " go to the right, you'll find the dressing room, I'll be there in a sec." Ava went into the dressing room still staring after Luke, Lorelai had to greet her mother. "Hi Mom."

"The place isn't nearly done yet."

Ladies and Gentlemen we have a new world record! "Ugh. Mom, why don't you just go on in the back and get ready."

"Did you see the clothes? What am I wearing?"

"I don't know. I just had them hang them up in the room"

"God, I hope they're not tasteless or zebra striped or spandex."

" Well, one good way to find out is to go on back and take a peak."

"You have to get ready too."

"I'll be there in a sec." Unlike the other's I'm running this entire show!

"If I'm doing this, you're doing this. I mean it."

Emily walked into the designated dressing room, Lorelai walked over to Luke to check on his progress.

"Oh! You fixed it!" Oh God, I wish I could kiss you, right now.

"Yup, for the time being, but I'm gonna stick around for awhile just to make sure nothing happens." And to be with you.

"Oh. Okay," that means Ava will gawk at you again. Damn it!

"What?"

"What?" Lorelai was pulled out of her green eyed thoughts.

Luke desperately wanted to take her to a secluded corner, she was warm and friendly before, and now she was giving him the cold shoulder. "You don't want me to stick around?"This is the most time in the same room we've had in three days!

"I didn't say that." Of course I want you to stick around.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't stick around?"

"Are you listening? It's fine." It came out a little more curt than she had intended.

"Because I'm just doing this for you. I mean, if this thing goes and someone breaks their neck… "

"Luke, stick around." And Lorelai walked away needing to get ready herself.

"All right, if you insist." Just when he thought they were on the road to making up … Geez What's with all the mixed signals?

No, we haven't had a second date yet… he can't be stolen from me already…especially by some freakishly tall Chilton mom…. As she headed toward the dressing room, Lorelai noticed the utter scrutiny Emily had on her face as she was waiting in the dressing room door way. She had been watching the exchange between Luke and Lorelai, as if she was taking notes.

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Once the show and dinner had concluded Lorelai, Emily, and 2 other Booster women were sitting at a table and chatting about the success of the evening. Lorelai naturally enjoyed the attention her hard work got her. Nothing like a nice ego rub, it's good for the skin. Would she do this again? Maybe with more notice, one week was just too short, but she wanted to start building up a fat good Chilton mom file for Rory. Lorelai also was surprised at how much fun she was having, considering she was with her mother. Then, as is Emily's way, she had to go and ruin the nice moment they were sharing.

"What are you looking so ha-ha about?" Lorelai teased her mother, foolishly thinking the fun quipping could continue.

"I'm not looking ha-ha."

"Yes you are."

"All right. Whatever you say."

"Come on Mom, fess up. "

"Big success tonight."

"Seemed to be." Earning points in that Chilton folder for Harvard!

"The ladies were thrilled. They adore you."

"Yes, well, that's because I'm adorable."

"Funny isn't it? "

"What's funny? "

"How nicely you seem to be fitting into the world that you ran away from. Well, goodnight Lorelai. Congratulations."

Lorelai didn't know what stung more, the fact that she fit in to the vapid world she ran from, or the fact that she finally earned a back handed compliment from Emily. It should have been you up there, nothing is turning out the way it was supposed too. Lorelai began to wonder, is this the type of stuff she would have been doing if she had married Chris. Or even accepted a nuance of her parent's world. Lorelai got praise from her mother, and after last week's comments, she needed Luke. He would make her feel better. She remembered seeing him taking apart the ramp. As she searched around the room for him, she saw Luke … talking to Ava.

Lorelai's face fell, Luke, My Luke, was talking to Ava. Ava was clearly hitting on My Luke, and he didn't seem as squirmy and nervous as he was with Kitty at the Ball. She then recalled when she was waiting in the wings to go on as the mother daughter pair WITH Emily, how Ava had played it up on the ramp no doubt to catch Luke's eye. She remembered thinking in that moment if only the ramp gave way then. But it didn't, Luke was a wonderful crafts man. However, Lorelai recalled hearing Luke whistle when she was on the ramp with her mother, which made her feel good. God, what could they possibly have to talk about that would talk this long? Lorelai had to do something… but what? What could she do while people were cleaning up and chit chatting their goodbyes? Then Lorelai suddenly remembered an important tid bit of information, about Rory's schedule that could be used to her advantage, and smiled at her brilliant idea. That will show Ava.

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"Oh my God!" Rory couldn't stop the grin or the jokes from popping in her head.

Lorelai pleaded, "Be nice."

"You look like Nancy Reagan."

Lorelai was truly wounded, "Oh, now how is that nice?"

"I don't believe this. You look so completely different. Elegant, understated."

"Yes, well I was wearing underwear with propellers on them if that makes you feel any better. I'm going to bed. "

"I'll send the Secret Service up."

Lorelai turned on the landing of the stairs, thinking of her brilliant master plan, "Oh, uh, by the way, I would put on your good pajamas, you know, the cute ones with the cakes on them. And brush your hair and put on a little lip gloss.

"Why?"

"You're being kidnapped tonight." And Lorelai deviously ran up the stairs to her room.

"Excuse me?"

After an Explanation and some convincing Rory decided to try this

"I can't believe that you are going to let a group of strange girls come traipsing in here and take away your only child, your precious baby girl, and off to God knows where in the middle of the night."

"If it's someplace with doughnuts, bring me one, okay?"

"Fine."

Lorelai started to think of ways to destroy the Polaroids evidence of her Nancy Reagan look but Rory grabbed them. "Uhh! Hey! "

"Christmas Cards." For letting strangers kidnap me.

"More like your grandmother every day! "

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"Mom, my kidnappers are here" Rory called from down stairs.

"Okay, have fun. "She offered half asleep … or was she? Lorelai listened intently as the kidnappers drove her daughter to her early breakfast. She reached for the phone knowing only one man would be up at this hour.

An annoyed gruff voice answered "this had better be good!"

"Rory's been kidnapped." She said playfully.

"WHAT?" Luke automatically went into protective mode, "Did you call the police?"

"No, no, not really kidnapped."

"Geez, don't joke about things like that," Forcing himself to relax again as he signaled the okay to his bread guy who had a puzzled look on his face.

"Rory's gone out to breakfast with some sorority group from Chilton…"

"They have sororities in high school?"

"Focus, the point is I'm at home … ALL alone, with nothing to do…"she feigned boredom with a sigh.

"You called me at 4:30 in the morning?" She hates mornings.

"That I did."

"I have to open in a few hours,"

"Or you could come over and make your girlfriend very, very happy."

Luke considered it. They hadn't been really alone together since the ball. She gave him a cold shoulder and mixed signals at the fashion show, and here she was very warm and inviting. He had responsibilities, he had a diner to run, Jess to keep out of trouble, but he had to make his girlfriend happy, right? and Jess was snoring away, out like a light.

"I'll show you what I bought at Victoria's secret just for you." Lorelai enticed.

Oh hell! "Give me 15 minutes,"

"15?"

"I have my bread guy here," and he hung up.

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20 minutes later Lorelai opened the back door and engulfed Luke with her arms and kisses. He had walked over so there would be no evidence of his being there, not matter how long he stayed.

"Hey, " he smiled at her warm reception.

"Hey"

"Good party yesterday."

"Yeah, not bad." She shrugged, and quickly threw his hat over her shoulder, and pulled him toward her. "I love it when we kiss and make up."

"I liked the new look." Luke teased, "It was very high-class substitute teacher. "

The devious smile was back on her face, "speaking of new looks."

"Where are you going?"

"Well the Chilton fashion show maybe over, but yours is just beginning."

"What?"

"I told you I bought stuff … just for you."

"Lorelai,"

"Luke, we have all the time in the world," and she disappeared up stairs.

"Famous last words." As he said down on the couch.

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"Okay you can come up now."

Luke climbed the stairs still unable to believe she went to all this trouble for him. Buying lingerie? Then he remembered. …Just for you…

Luke entered the bed room and she was on the bed waiting for him. Once again, his breath caught in his throat.

"I don't know why you bothered, it's not like it's gonna last long," referring to the miniscule blue fabric.

"It better last long…" wondering how she was ever gonna thank Francie for this opportunity.

Luke ran his hands over the vibrant blue material, "you didn't have to do this, you know."

"Yes I did, you're worth It." and she slid her arms around his neck, and drew him in for what they both longed for. "You're wearing too many clothes..." she smiled.

"Is it safe? No Babbette? No Patty? "

"Luke, you have my full undivided attention." Pulling off his t-shirt, pulling Luke on top of her, Lorelai felt like she could finally relax again. Kissing Luke was her reward for working so hard to be a good Chilton mom. This was her reward for pulling of two major events in the same weekend, at the same Inn. This was her reward... Luke.

But, as if on cue, phone rang. Luke and Lorelai froze, both shooting the phone a dirty look. Not good dirty, like bad dirty.

"Don't answer it," Luke pleaded, kissing her neck to keep her attention.

"Luke,"

"No, no good has come from answering that phone."

"I think Mr. Graham Bell would think differently," Luke kissed her again, and Lorelai pleaded, "It might be the kidnappers, wanting a doughnut ransom, … or Rory needing a ride, … I have to."

He let out a small grunt of frustration as he rolled off her. He sunk into the bed wondering why something always had to happen.

"Hello, Yes this is she , … What? I'm sorry could you speak up…… What? Rory? …. What about Rory?… ummm okay, I'm on my way." And she hung up. "Damn it!"

"What's wrong? Is she okay?" now forgetting his disappointment, now only concerned for Rory.

"Stupid static, Something about Rory at Chilton… I … I have to go."

"Is she okay?"

"I don't know" she grabbed a pair of sweat pants, and pulled them on quickly.

"Do you want me to come to?"

There he was again, her hero, the concerned father figure. "No you have the diner," she pulled a red shirt over her head. "and I don't know it didn't sound like a big deal,… I hope."

"I thought you said she was going to a breakfast thing…"

"Yeah me too, I'll fill you in later."

"You better."

Lorelai quickly kissed him goodbye. "Stay right here, I'll be back in a half hour, go back to sleep." And she was out of the room and down the stairs.

Luke called after her down the stairs. "Ask Rory whose butt I have to kick, okay?"

"Okay!" she replied.

And Luke debated if he should just go home, … or sleep here as she invited.

Less explaining if I just go home, Wait a minute …

I had a hat…

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A/N: I always wondered why in this eppy they didn't have Luke fix her car, he's more reliable than Kirk, more knowledgeable than Kirk, and he would have done it for free you know… cause he so loves her and he'd want "his" girls safe on the road …

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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 …