Interlude: Luke's Opposite Ends Rule, a gilmore girls fanfic

Interlude: Luke's Opposite Ends Rule

Summary: A deleted scene from I Love Loving You. Luke and Lorelai talk with Jess and Kate after they get together.

Disclaimer: I own only Kate.

Song Credit: The Alchemy by Taylor Swift

Some of Jess and Luke's conversation is from Let the Games Begin

There was something about music that made Kate even bolder than she was. She could make a song that could have sports references for the Stars Hollow High Alumni Sports Day, even having a little more mature sound and lyrics to it and still sneak in references to her relationship.

This happens once every few lifetimes
These chemicals hit me like white wine

What if I told you I'm back?
The hospital was a drag
Worst sleep that I ever had
I circled you on a map

I haven't come around in so long
But I'm coming back so strong

So when I touch down
Call the amateurs and
Cut 'em from the team
Ditch the clowns, get the crown
Baby I'm the one to beat
Cause the sign on your heart
Said it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?

Jess smiled and rolled his eyes fondly as Kate sang. He was grateful she let him look at the song before, polishing it up with the references. She had no clue what most of the sports terms were but it made for a fun song.

And the fact that she was basically singing about him without anyone knowing?

Hey you, what if I told you we're cool?
That child's play back in school
Is forgiven under my rule
I haven't come around in so long
But I'm making a comeback to where I belong ...

These blokes warm the benches
We been on a winning streak
He jokes that it's heroin but this time with an "E"
Cause the sign on your heart said it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?

Absolutely amazing.

Shirts off, and your friends lift you up over their heads
Beer sticking to the floor
Cheers chanted, cause they said
There was no chance, trying to be
The greatest in the league
Where's the trophy?
He just comes running over to me

She winked at him as she sang the bridge and he shook his head, chuckling as she danced away from one of the players who tried to grab her. He gave the guy a warning look as he leaned against the bleachers.

Touch down
Call the amateurs and
Cut 'em from the team
Ditch the clowns, get the crown
Baby I'm the one to beat
Cause the sign on your heart
Said it's still reserved for me
Honestly, who are we to fight the alchemy?

This happens once every few lifetimes
These chemicals hit me like white wine

He was comfortable enough with their relationship, new and still fresh as it was, to know that Kate could handle anyone who tried to get handsy with her. Jess promised himself that he would never get jealous over the fact that Kate would occasionally dance or sing with other guys while performing. He knew how it worked and he also knew that Kate would always come to him right after.

Like she was doing now, her set over, bad 80s music taking the place. Kate giggled at the apparent look of disdain on his face as she sat next to him.

"You don't like Madonna?" She asked.

"Not unless you're doing karaoke," he pointed out.

Kate laughed and shook her head. She spied her mother and Luke talking. Lane and Rory were dancing and Dean was trying. Jess raised his eyebrows at the sight and Kate smiled a little at him.

"You know I know you know how to dance," she said.

"Can we pretend like I don't?" He asked.

"You don't want to dance with me?" She asked.

Jess smirked at her. "I don't think our relationship will be secret if we danced out in the light," he said.

Kate smiled a little, ruffling his hair a little. He scowled at her and she smirked, getting up. She crooked her finger and he shook his head, biting his lip. It was only a week since they danced in the rain, no one putting two and two together. They have been able to get away a couple of times but it was still a razor's edge.

The Spanish guitar of Santana filled the square and Kate grinned. Jess sighed and looked at her as she tilted her head to invite him.

"Taylor's not here. What the hell?" He muttered as he rolled his eyes and got up, taking her offered hand.

Kate cheered and they went to the center. He grinned and spun her, allowing her dress to fan around her knees. He had to remind himself not to kiss her when he pulled her back to him because he loved seeing her unbridled joy and smile as they danced.

If anyone saw them, no one paid any mind. If they noticed Jess trailing his hand up Kate's arm as they swayed closer together, closer than they ever were even before their first kiss, Kate's eyes blown wide with desire under the joy, the way they basically moved as one person, no one in the nosiest town ever made a comment.

Luke and Lorelai watched, shocked as Kate and Jess danced. They basically flaunted their relationship under everyone's noses and no one paid them any mind.

"You know if Taylor were here, they wouldn't do this," Lorelai pointed out.

"Oh yeah. Jess wouldn't chance it. No matter how entertaining it is to see Kate rip his head off," Luke nodded.

Lorelai gawked as she saw Jess dip Kate perfectly and she spun around, hooking her ankle around his and following him into a mambo.

"Where did he learn those moves," she asked.

"Beats me. I wouldn't be surprised if Kate gave him lessons. They would spend a lot of time together before getting together," Luke muttered.

Lorelai nodded. "You don't think they were together before they told us last month do you?" she asked.

"I think they told us the truth but they also were waiting a while to let it happen," Luke said.

Lorelai nodded and smiled as Kate giggled into Jess' shoulder as he said something. Her girls were both happy. She did have a feeling in her stomach when Jess motioned to the diner, Kate nodding.

"Have you and he talked?" She asked.

Luke looked at her and then the couple, who walked through the crowd to go to the diner.

"I'll be right back," he said.

Lorelai chuckled and followed him.

Kate wished she could take Jess's hand as she walked with him to the diner. He opened the door for her and led her up to the apartment. Kate pulled him and kissed him.

"I wanted to do that all day," she muttered against his lips, licking her lips as she tasted tea, a hint of mint from his gum and a little cigarette smoke.

"Yeah?" Jess asked, opening the door. He pulled her close and kissed her again. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close as he tasted coffee, her cherry lip gloss, and vanilla from her perfume. "The song sounded great by the way," he said.

"It did? The references worked?" She asked.

"It was perfect, Katie," he replied, smiling at her, tucking her hair behind her ears. She smiled at him and he was struck with how adorable she looked.

Kate leaned in again to kiss him when Luke and Lorelai came in. Kate laughed and shook her head, leaning her head on his chest.

"I can set a watch by you," Jess muttered.

"Jess," Kate said, putting her hand on his chest. "You wanna talk to me or him, Mom?"

"Oh I'll get him when he least expects it," Lorelai said.

Kate chuckled and motioned downstairs. "We're helping ourselves to coffee," she said.

"And pie," Lorelai added.

"Fine," Luke sighed.

"But don't use that green mug you like. It got chipped by Kirk and you'll cut your lip," Jess added.

"How did…nevermind," Kate threw her hand up as she and Lorelai went downstairs.

Luke raised his eyebrows as he closed the door. "When he was making that pyramid thing we told him not to, right?"

"That man needs more and more help," Jess nodded. He sat at the table. "You want to read me the riot act?"

"I should. I should tell you that that girl has been through it and she deserves to be treated like a queen. But I also know you know a little of that," Luke said.

"And what I don't know, she'll tell me," Jess pointed out. "I'm not pretending like this isn't a big deal here. Hell, I expected Lorelai to give me the stay away from my daughter talk a long time ago," he said.

"How well do you think that would have gone over with Kate?" Luke asked.

"The same as if someone told her Yale was off the table. We'd still be picking pieces off the floor," Jess said.

"Look, I'm not telling you that I don't want you two together but I am also still your guardian and as your guardian, I do not want to find her up here wearing one of your godforsaken Metallica shirts," Luke said.

Jess bit his lip and a chuckle slipped out. "I can't picture her willingly putting one of them on," he said. He cleared his throat at Luke's exasperated look. "Look, if I can't find the humor in that, we're really doomed here. But seriously, I am not going to do anything that jeopardizes any part of her dream. Or mine, as insane as it sounds to me," he told his uncle.

Luke sighed and nodded. "Jess," he started.

"Luke, don't. Kate being with me is enough right now for me. When I'm ready to talk about what I want to do, I'll tell her and you but right now, I want to just be there for her. Now, no her in just my shirt anywhere except a retirement home because I'm sure that's the only acceptable place Lorelai and you would like us to sleep in the same room. Anything else?"

"On weekdays, you will have her home by nine. On weekends, you will have her home by eleven. Any evidence of alcohol, cigarette smoke, or anything else that Nancy Reagan would find unacceptable and you will not be allowed near her without an adult present. Are these rules clear?" Luke asked.

"Crystal," Jess nodded. "I am quitting that one habit though. Not conducive to be dating a singer and have second hand smoke around," he added.

"Good," Luke nodded. "I was thinking of trying a "if you're here, she's there" rule," he added.

"A what rule?" Jess asked.

"You are not allowed on either end of this apartment. You are, instead, to remain here in the middle portion of the room. You may sit on the couch or on the chair, as long as you two are sitting on separate seats, i.e. when you're on the couch, then she's on the chair. When she's on the couch, then you're on the chair. That type of deal," Luke said.

"Ahh, yeah no," Jess shook his head. "She's the one who initiates all that contact by the way. Day one," he added.

"You two are like magnets. Sweet in some instances but also annoying as hell magnets," Luke muttered.

Jess laughed and shook his head. "She likes to do that trick where you stretch and put your arm around the other person's chair," he said.

"Sure, okay," Luke said, rolling his eyes.

Jess smirked. His face softened as he stood. "Luke, look, I think I love Kate and I want this to work. I'm not going to do anything stupid. I'm not going to ruin your trust or Lorelai's like that. I wanted to be with Kate the second I met her but I got she was hurt and you care for her. I can't promise I won't screw up but I will try my damndest not to hurt her intentionally," he said.

Luke took a breath and smiled at him. "I know you won't," he said. He put his hand out and Jess shook it. "Besides. When you're here, there's me. When you're at her place, there's Lorelai. And out there, when you two finally do make it public, there's Taylor. So you wouldn't be able to do anything,"

Jess shuddered. "Taylor's going to be unbearable," he said.

"Oh, after that mess with the outline, Kate shut him up," Luke said.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I never thought they would gang up on you like that," Jess said as they walked towards the door.

"Don't worry about it. We handled it and Kate has a plan to get you to do it next year with Taylor's approval," Luke said.

"Dear God," Jess uttered.

"Yeah…good luck with that one," Luke laughed. He stopped and looked at his nephew. "I'm happy for you guys," he told him.

Jess smiled. "Thanks Luke," he said, clapping his shoulder as they walked back downstairs.

Kate laughed as Lorelai took in the empty diner and the full pot of coffee with glee. Lorelai grinned and grabbed the two largest mugs and poured the pot in them.

"Cherry or apple?" Kate asked.

"Cherry all day," Lorelai replied, going to sit at the table next to the door. "You know dating Jess has its perks," she said.

"Such as?" Kate asked.

"Well, for you, a muse for your songs. For me, endless coffee," Lorelai replied.

Kate laughed again and cut two slices of pie for them. She added whipped cream and grabbed forks, going to the table.

"Very true but Luke will never deny you coffee," she pointed out.

"True," Lorelai nodded. She sipped her coffee and looked at her daughter. "So, I want you to be honest with me. You and Jess. It's only been a couple of weeks, right? When Louie died?"

Kate nodded. "I mean, I feel like it's been longer because I fell that long ago. But officially, it was that day," she replied.

Lorelai nodded again. "Look, sweets, I have to be honest, when he first came here, I thought he was going to be nothing but trouble and there were moments where I thought he was going to prove me right but watching you two…it's insane. It's like watching a functional version of my parents," she said.

"I'm Grandma, right?" Kate asked, smirking.

Lorelai snorted as she nodded. "Oh yeah," she said. "I mean, Jess…he just fits you know. I saw it when he was at the house. I see it here. I get it," she said. "But I'm still…."

"Mom, Jess and I…we're not rushing anything. We might sneak away to kiss after a fun performance or I might pull him away so I could get some comfort after being in my head and with Paris all day but he isn't going to risk jeopardizing anything I have planned. And when we do want to take that step, I'll talk to you about it. And I've been on the pill since that morning after that whole thing with Rory and Dean," Kate told her, putting a hand over hers.

"I know," Lorelai sighed. "I trust you guys. You have waited too long for me not to," she said.

Kate nodded. She took a bite of the pie and looked at her Mom. "Mom, I think I love him. Like really, really big, let him have the last muffin, skywriting it all over town, love him," she whispered.

"Oh sweets," Lorelai said, hugging her. "How do you feel about that?"

Kate smiled a little. "Happy. Really, really happy," she replied.

"And that's all I want. For you and Rory to be happy and safe and loved," Lorelai told her, kissing her forehead.

Kate smiled and hugged her mom. Lorelai hugged her back and pulled back after a thought came to her head. "And when you do sleep with him, please for the love of God, burn those Metallica shirts," she asked.

"Just that one really gross one," Kate laughed. "He actually has a Pink Floyd shirt that I have been dying to have him wear when he is over for movie night because when I accidentally spill something on it, I can take it. It's from the All Saints Benefit concert," she added.

"Ooh! I love that one," Lorelai squealed. "Steal it and let Mommy have it. You can have that Hendrix one," she added.

"Ooh, that one is cool," Kate agreed.

"Uh-huh," Lorelai grinned as Jess and Luke returned downstairs.

Kate smiled and took Jess's hand, tangling their fingers together. "How bad?"

"Weekdays home by nine. Weekends 11. No wearing my clothes. And Taylor and I are never going to be friends," Jess said.

"That one is a gimme," Kate replied.

"Shame. I was going to get you one of those matching shirts," Lorelai said.

"No," Jess said.

Luke chuckled but saw the coffee pot and the size of their mugs. "Oh come on," he said.

Jess raised his eyebrow and then looked. "Geez, babe," he said.

"Oh don't act like you didn't know," Kate laughed. She batted her eyes and he rolled his.

"You're not as cute as you think you are hyped on caffeine," he said, going into the kitchen. "You want cheeseburgers?"

"And fries," Kate called out as Luke followed him. "And more pie," she added.

"And ice cream," Lorelai called out.

"No," the diner men called back.

"Keep it up and I'm implementing that opposite ends rule," Luke added.

Kate looked at Lorelai and mother and daughter shared a smirk as they went to the counter to annoy the diner men.

4 Years Later

"You broke the opposite ends rule," Luke teased as he saw Jess watching over Kate as she slept in the hospital bed and he held their daughter.

"I keep telling you to blame Kate. She's more deviant than you think," Jess smirked.

Luke chuckled and shook his head. He took the baby as Jess offered her to him. "Well, at least she's a cute result," he said, looking at the baby.

Jess grinned as he leaned against the window. "Oh definitely."

He looked over to see Kate grinning in her sleep.

"She's not dating until she's 40 though," he said.

"Try 50," Luke smirked.

Jess pitied the person his little girl would bring home one day. He was going to be tough and protective. He just knew it.

After all, he learned from the best.

End

As I was writing Chapter 13 (which is still in progress), I was inspired to write a scene where Luke gives Jess his rules with modifications to fit Jess's behaviors in the main story. Only because I wanted him to say the line "when you're out there, there's Taylor." He looked so proud to say that in Let The Games Begin that I had to give it a spin here. I also wanted to have Lorelai and Kate talk because I didn't want to brush aside the fact that Lorelai rightfully freaked out when Rory and Dean accidentally fell asleep at Miss Patty's and Kate and Jess didn't get an eye blink.

Also, I couldn't figure out how to end it until I wrote a scene in Chapter 13 and then another scene in another document for a later chapter and it smacked me in the forehead so I hope you enjoy the brief look into the future.

I toyed with the idea of making it part of the main story but I like the idea of having it separate for now. I am working on another set during the events of Chapter 12 with Lorelai, Luke, Emily and Richard and I want to finish up by the weekend and add it in. They will be separate stories but I will also try to link them as best I can.