A/N- Happy Thanksgiving everyone in the US! I hope your day was filled with friends, family, and good food! I was super nervous trying to write Luke, but I ended up loving it, especially the scene in the diner with Kirk and Babette. I hope you enjoy this third and final chapter!

Chapter 3- Luke

Luke was in a bit of a daze as he pulled his truck away from Lorelai's house. Surely that didn't mean anything, he thought. His hand still burned from where she grasped it moments before. What the hell, Lorelai. What the HELL! He impatiently slammed his hand on the steering wheel, willing the memory of her soft hand touching his out of his mind. He tried to replay their conversation in his head, her babbling a bunch of stuff about John and Yoko, when all he wanted to do was tell her that HE was supposed to be the one she was with, not that teacher guy. Instead he just rambled on vaguely about finding the right person, not changing people, something about French food. He shook his head to himself, resigned the the fact that he was just some dumb jerk who, like a fool, had spent weeks making her a hand carved chuppah. He spent literally all of his free time for the better part of a month making a gift for the woman he loved, who was getting ready to marry another man. You are pathetic Danes, he thought to himself. Totally pathetic.

Logically, he knew nothing would ever change between him and Lorelai. He was grateful for her friendship, and over the years he had learned to quell his longing for her into a dull ache in the pit of his stomach. Still, there were moments when his feelings for her rose to the surface of his consciousness, and then it became a searing pain that could not be soothed, would never be soothed, because she had never seen him that way. And now it had come to this, in just a few days she was marrying Max Medina.

What is the deal with that guy, anyway? He thought to himself, although he knew he was just being bitter. To be honest, Luke was never going to like any man in the Gilmore girls lives, both Lorelai's and Rory's. He could barely even stand that Dean kid, he'd just about killed him when they had broken up earlier that year. In Luke Danes mind no boy would ever be good enough for Rory, especially that bag boy who had already broken her heart once. But Lorelai approved, so he figured the kids couldn't be all bad, so he kept his opinion to himself.

Max, on the other hand, he just didn't get it. What kind of guy reads three newspapers every day? Talk about high maintenance. Reflecting on that morning the girls had come into the diner with Medina, the smug look on his face made Luke snort with disgust. He could almost feel that guy looking down on him, he had this patronizing way of talking. He remembered with disdain the night he met Medina at Lorelai's house. he had been about to tell Lorelai how he felt, after Rachel's departure, and then that guy interrupted, with his smug grin and way of talking about Lorelai, like he was marking his freaking territory.

(Well sure, you've got the coffee)

(And she needs the coffee)

(I'd count on a little later)

Smug son of a bitch. He didn't just talk down to Luke, he was like that with Lorelai and Rory too, which was even worse. And the way the girls catered to him and his high maintenance bullshit, it made him angry. Luke thought that the guy looked like he never really worked hard a day in his life. Hell, he didn't even think to mow his girlfriend's lawn for her. He chuckled a little at this thought, he could almost hear Lorelai call (dirty!) if he dared say that out loud.

He had to face it, he and Max Medina were nothing alike. Luke frowned at that thought. Medina was someone that could slip right in to Hartford society, Lorelai's parents would love that. He remembered meeting Richard and Emily Gilmore at Rory's birthday party, and again when Richard had been in the hospital. Emily Gilmore, frankly, was terrifying. He recalled the waiting room of the hospital, Emily's icy stare on him as she grilled him about Lorelai.

(So what exactly is going on between the two of you?)

(Nothing. Really. We're friends, that's it.)

(You're idiots; the both of you)

Yeah, he felt pretty sure the elder Gilmores would approve of a guy like Max Medina. He worked at a prestigious school. That sort of thing was important to people like the Gilmores, but what about Lorelai? Is that really the kind of guy she was into? Maybe that's what Lorelai wanted, a smooth, educated guy. Someone all GQ'd up with a lot of fancy books in his library, Luke guessed he probably listened to jazz too. He rolled his eyes, and shut his mind as he parked the truck in the alley behind the diner.

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Luke returned to work in the diner just in time for lunch service, giving Cesar a much needed hand. Waiting on customers and moving throughout the dining room was his safe space, he could operate by muscle memory and not think, and was just what he needed. Toward the end of the lunch rush, he made his way over to the table where Babette had just plopped down, fanning herself absentmindedly.

"What can I get for you Babette?"

"Oh, an iced tea would be great sugah, I gotta cool down. I just got outta Patty's adult yoga class, let me tell ya, oh the stretchy things I could do right now…. I gotta call Morey before it all snaps back into place, ya know?" Luke flushed red at this and quickly escaped to get her iced tea.

"So Luke, sugah, what's the deal with that arch thingy I saw you dragging off that big man truck of yours over at Lorelai's a little while ago?" Babette asked when he returned to her table with her drink.

"Oh, well, it's a chuppah. Just…. for her wedding you know…. it's no big deal" He looked down, not wanting to get into a big conversation about it with one of the town's biggest gossips.

"Well sweetie, that's a hell of a wedding gift! I walked over and took a look at thing up close and I gotta tell you, it's gorgeous!" She gushed as she fanned herself with her menu. "All those flowers and stuff! My god, there was even a goat! It musta taken you forever!" She paused, "What's with the goat, anyway?"

"Umm ….well, I don't know... there was this picture…" Luke mumbled his response, eager to end this converation.

At the mention of the goat, Kirk turned from his seat at the counter, napkin still tucked in his collar, and barged into the conversation. "I do believe I can be of some service in explaining the significance of the goat on a traditional wedding chuppah." He deadpanned in typical Kirk fashion.

"No thanks Kirk, no one asked you!" Luke growled.

"You see, traditionally, goats were often parts of a bride's dowry, to make the bride more attractive to her prospective husband." Kirk explained. "But many folklore tales attach a greater significance to the goat, symbolizing virility, reproduction, and abundance."

"Aw geez..." Luke squinted and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. They don't make butterfly nets big enough for all the crazies in this town.

Kirk continued, ignoring Luke's glare. "That's why Mother forbids me from going to petting zoos, she says it could be to potent and she worries I might not be able to control my urges. It's roots come from Greek mythology where the goat suckles the God Zeus and his horns become the cornucopia…."

"SHUT UP KIRK!" Luke shouted at him.

Babette raised her eyebrows at this and grinned. "You trying to tell her something, sugah? I mean, you look like you are pretty virile they way you wear those jeans of yours. I mean, I'm sure Lorelai has noticed that your…"

"STOP! Enough, both of you! It was just a stupid picture!" Luke exploded. He had turned six shades of red by now. "Are you gonna order something?" He was impatient to escape back to the kitchen, away from the embarrassing madness playing out in his dining room.

"Sure, sure, honey. Just a turkey sandwich. But...ya got any goat cheese to put on that?" She laughed as Luke flushed even deeper and stomped away. Babette shook her head. "Crazy kids ain't using the sense God gave 'em" she muttered and turned her attention back to watching the goings on in the town square through the diner window.

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Luke worked the rest of the afternoon and through the dinner rush, sending Cesar home early so he could close up by himself, enjoying the peace and quiet. The sameness of his routine was calming to Luke, he meticulously scrubbed the prep surfaces in the kitchen, cleaned the grill, and then set about cleaning up the dining room. He had tired to think up an excuse to call Lorelai or stop by all evening, but Rory had called asking for her, so he knew she wasn't home. As he worked methodically from one table to the next wiping them down and turning off the little lamps he used at dinner, he felt a prickling sensation, as if he was being watched. He looked up and through the diner window he could see Lorelai standing across the street in front of her jeep, watching him with a strange expression on her face that he could not quite read.

His mind wanted simply to give her a nod and continue his work, but as was the usual when it came to Lorelai Gilmore, he moved involuntarily to the door to invite her in.

Luke stepped out onto the steps of the darkened diner, a dopey half smile on his face. He was tired and that made it harder to hide how happy he always was to see her. "Hey, you want to come in? I still have some coffee on…" He gestured toward the counter, hoping that he could have just a few more moments with her before she became another man's wife.

"I… ummm…. yeah sure, of course. I never say no to coffee." She made her way across the street and past him as he held the door for her. He flipped the sign on the door to 'CLOSED', just in case Kirk or any of the other town nut jobs tried to make an unwanted appearance.

He reached for her favorite mug, sliding it over to her while he searched his mind for what to say. "So, everything ok? You, uh, seemed kind of anxious earlier, and Rory called over here looking for you. She said you had been gone a long time, she was worried." He said as he filled her cup.

"Yeah, I was getting caught up on some work at the inn and lost track of time, I called and left her a message a few minutes ago." He watched her closely as she held both hands to her mug, studying the contents carefully. Nervous and not able to read her face, Luke reached for a rag and began cleaning the counter, taking refuge in the routine motion.

"But… you're ok, right?" He was more than a little unnerved by her silence. Lorelai Gilmore's babbling was legendary. She could talk a mile a minute and usually convince Luke to do just about anything, he was constantly surprised by the things she could talk him into. But he also knew that a quiet Lorelai Gilmore was the most dangerous.

Lorelai nodded, not looking up. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ok." He steeled himself for whatever was coming.

"Why did you make me that chuppah? I mean, I know what you said, but why, Luke?" Her voice sounded small and uncertain to Luke, showing a vulnerability that he hadn't been expecting.

He took a breath. "I told you why." One part of his brain screamed at him, Now or never Danes, now or never! Christ she's right there in front of you! Tell her truth you stupid jerk!

He sighed and added softly, "I just like to see you happy." The other side of his brain tried to shut him up. Shit! Don't say anything else she getting married to another dude!

After what seemed like an eternity, she looked up at him. Her sparkling blue eyes seemed a more brilliant blue, if that even possible. Luke was filled with affection for her and sadness for himself as he moved around the end of counter to stand in front of her. He opened his mouth to try and backtrack, to say goodnight and walk her to the door, when she reached for him. He felt the warmth in her hands from her coffee cup as she took both of his hands in hers. His breath hitched, What is happening? Her smooth warm fingers felt small and fragile in his large roughed hands. He could not deny he heat he felt from touching her. She slowly lowered herself from the stool, and he thought she was getting ready to leave, but she didn't let go of his hands. Without realizing what he was doing, he slowly raised their joined hands as he stepped closer to her. This is all I've ever wanted, this moment. The four long years of desire for Lorelai Gilmore came down to this first kiss, if he could muster up the nerve to actually do it. He wanted to touch her skin so badly but worried if he released her hands it would break the spell. He took his chances, moving his hands to her waist, brushing the line of skin above the waistband of her jeans, a fire igniting deep within him. Oh my God... he wasn't sure if he said that out loud. He knew he was near the point of no return so he spoke to give her an opportunity to escape.

"Lorelai…." He whispered. She drew a sharp breath and paused. He was about to pull back, but then he heard her voice, breathless against his lips.

"Luke… do you…I mean…."

The sound of her whispering his name was all it took for any resolve he had left to shatter, he gave himself over to what he wanted so badly for so long. He leaned in just enough to brush her lips with is, testing her reaction, and he was completely lost. His mind exploded in disbelief as he felt her lean in to deepen the kiss. He lingered for just a moment, savoring the connection, Oh dear God, yes. Unsure of himself, he gently stroked her lower lip with his tongue to ask more more of her, and to his astonishment she opened her lips to him. He felt her tongue swirling around his, and fought to control himself. He felt her warmth as her torso pressed against him, his mind reeling as she slid her hands up his chest until her arms were around his neck. Her perfect skin felt hot under his touch as he moved his hands in circles up under her shirt, he moved up her rib cage. When his thumbs brushed the lace on the underside of her bra, he heard a soft moan escaped her lips. His need to feel her closer made him slide his hands to her back, then her shoulders and he pulled her in to him, and he felt her gasp. Her fingers played with the curls at the nape of his neck until….. the scratch of her diamond engagement ring on his neck yanked him back into reality. He pulled back suddenly, startling her.

"I'm… I'm sorry." He sputtered, stepping away from her quickly.

"What…. no! Oh my God, Luke! I'm sorry! What am I even doing here?" She sputtered as she backed away from him. He couldn't speak but could only watch as she wildly flitted about, gathering her wits, and her purse as she rambled on…. "I have to go…. I have to…. I have to go!" Lorelai burst for the door, the bells jangling loudly as she yanked it open.

The sudden sound was enough to jerk Luke from the place where he stood, still breathing heavily, frozen by the realization of what had just happened. He followed her to the door but she was already halfway across the street by the time he reached it. "Lorelai… wait!" he called after her as she ran to her jeep, flinging the door open as she quickly climbed in and gunned the engine.

Luke could only stand there on the steps, watching as the jeep peeled out of the town square, the retreating red taillights fading into the darkness as he realized he had completely blown it. Shit, he thought as he retreated into the diner. Shit, shit SHIT, you've really stepped in it now, Danes.

He cursed himself over and over as he locked up, his footsteps heavy on the stairs as he made his way up to his apartment. He stood in the middle of the room for a long moment, breathing deeply as he composed himself. Well, you can consider THAT friendship officially over. Well done, you idiot.

He pulled a beer from the fridge, opening it as he sank down onto the couch, thinking about the unbelievable turn this day had taken. Luke knew that in all likelihood, his friendship with Lorelai was ruined. How could things go back to the way they were, after that? He wondered if Lorelai had felt the same fire in their brief encounter as he had. He was simultaneously berating himself for being so stupid, but also reveling in the memory of the smell of her shampoo, the feeling of the perfect skin of her stomach twitching under his touch, and the taste of coffee on her lips. He tipped his beer back for a long drink, knowing this was going to be a very long night.

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Luke didn't remember when he fell asleep, but it was sometime during his third beer and the seventh inning of the Red Sox game. He woke just after five AM, his neck stiff and his back sore from his position on the sofa, and a dull ache in his head from the beer Like many mornings, he had a fuzzy memory of dreaming about Lorelai again, and all things he did with her, to her. He had many dreams about her over the years, and some of them haunted him for days. Luke Danes prided himself on being a solid, stand up guy. But he was still a man, and this grown man betrayed his everyday controlled demeanor when he dreamed of Lorelai Gilmore. Sometimes, after a particularly vivid dream of the two of them together, she would come bouncing into the diner, and he couldn't even look her in the eye, especially if Rory was with her. He would just grumble something about coffee being terrible for them and escape into the storeroom to calm himself, his heart racing and his face flushed with the memory of her in his dream, in his bed.

His brain pulled further from sleep, and suddenly events of the night before came flooding back into his reality. My god, I kissed Lorelai Gilmore. I kissed her, and then she ran off. He groaned as he slowly pulled himself up, rolling his stiff neck and stretching. Glancing at the clock, he shook his head, clearing it as he readied himself to open the diner.

He made his way over to the sink, pouring himself a tall glass of water and shuffled over to the window, surveying the deserted town square as he drank his water in large gulps. This was Stars Hollow as few knew it, the calmness of the empty square, the quiet before the crazy. This was how Luke liked to start his day, quiet, alone, and with a routine. He just had to put this all behind him, go back to the way things were, it was safer this way. Alone in his apartment, alone behind his counter….. safe.

He started to turn from the window but caught the sight from the corner of his eye. That can't be….oh shit, yes it is. Lorelai's jeep rounded the corner of the square, stopping at the new ridiculous traffic light that Taylor had installed a few days earlier. He couldn't be sure, but from his vantage point at the window it appeared that the back of the jeep was stuffed to the roof with belongings. Where the hell would she be going at this hour? He thought to himself. Is Max with her? Where is Rory?

A thought occurred to him suddenly. He wondered if she would park the jeep and come in for coffee, he felt like she might if she saw him getting ready to open. He hurried down the stairs, smiling, hopeful to see her blue eyes shining at him as she begged for her for her daily fix.

But by the time reached the diner the jeep was nowhere in sight.

Luke sighed as he gazed over the empty square, and turned to start the first pot of coffee.

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A/N- So that was so fun to write! Although I meant for it to just be three perspectives on the same day, I sort feel like I left it on an ASP-like angsty note. Not sure how I feel about that. I hate ending it with Luke sad.

This was not intended to be a long multi-chapter story, but I have a short epilogue swirling around in my head to maybe end on a more hopeful note...so I'm not marking this as complete just yet.

Please review if you are so inclined, I do appreciate feedback. Remember it's my first published fic so be gentle with me ;)