I was just thinking about this episode so I decided to write a different ending featuring Luke.

"Luke, Luke, coffee, coffee, coffee," Lorelai chanted as she made her way into the diner and over to the counter. She sat down on her favorite stool, "Coffee and make it fast. Ooh and put it in a to-go cup."

Luke wordlessly grabbed a to-go cup from the counter behind him and poured her coffee. He snapped the lid on before sliding it across the counter towards Lorelai. She picked it up and began sipping without moving from her stool.

Luke looked at her, "You do realize that putting coffee in a to-go cup usually means that the person is leaving with the cup, right?" he asked.

"Are you saying that you want me to leave?" Lorelai asked turning her head to the side. She spoke again before Luke could respond, "I was going to check in on Rory and Dean's dancing lessons but I'm waiting here for Christopher."

"Oh," Luke responded dejectedly. He never liked Christopher.

"Yeah, I mean he's actually fulfilling his fatherly duties for once. He's in town so he can help present Rory at her debutante ball. All of this is my mother's idea but Rory decided she wanted to go along with it. I think she just didn't want to disappoint her grandma," Lorelai replied.

"Sounds like Rory," Luke said.

They both turned as the bells above the door jingled announcing someone's arrival to the diner. Lorelai smiled when she saw Christopher walk through the door. Luke turned and walked away as Christopher made his way towards Lorelai.

"Hey," Lorelai greeted, "Coffee?" she asked waving her coffee cup around.

"Actually there's something I need to talk to you about," Christopher replied.

"What is it?" Lorelai questioned.

Christopher glanced up and noticed Luke watching them intently. He shifted around nervously, "Actually can we go outside and talk?"

"Um sure," Lorelai said sitting down her coffee cup, "Luke, feel free to freshen up my coffee while I'm gone," she called as she made her way out of the diner. Once they were outside, Lorelai turned to face Christopher, "What's going on?"

Christopher sighed, "Lor," he said as he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Lorelai's face fell at the tone of voice she heard time and time again right before he let her and Rory down. She knew exactly where this conversation was going but wanted to hear him say it, "What's going on?" she repeated.

"Something came up at work, I have to go. I'm not going to be able to go tomorrow. I have to go back to Boston today," Christopher replied.

"You can't do this," Lorelai said raising her voice slightly. "You promised that you would be there."

"I know I promised but…"

"Rory is really looking forward to this, you can't let her down," Lorelai interrupted.

"I know she was, but I have to get back to work," Christopher stated.

"You know before I called you she was freaking out about how you were not going to come and I tried to reassure that you would. So when you promised to be there, promised to do this one little thing for her, it meant so much to the both of us," Lorelai said. "She was thrilled when you actually showed up in town and seemed to be making an effort for once in her life. You said you would clear your schedule."

"And I did but there's an emergency and I have to get back, it's important that I'm there," Christopher replied.

"More important than keeping a promise you made to your daughter?" Lorelai asked harshly crossing her arms. Her feet were planted firmly on the ground.

"It's not like that. You know I love Rory," Christopher replied. "It's just I'm finally doing something with my life and if I'm not there I could screw everything up. I finally have a job that I'm good at and I can't just not show up when they need me."

"Rory needs you," Lorelai replied softly. "Your daughter needs you here. I need you to be here for her."

"I want to be there for her but I do have to get back to work."

"You know I managed to juggle taking care of a baby and maintaining my career but you can't even seem to juggle one event with your daughter and career. It's just one day Chris."

"I really do want to be there for her, it hurts me that I can't do this one thing for her," Christopher replied. "It really does Lorelai. I wish that I could be there for her more than I have been but I just can't."

"Fine," Lorelai huffed knowing that no matter what she said, he was not going to change his mind. He was set in his way, "What am I supposed to tell Rory now?"

Christopher sighed, "I don't know."

They stood there silently for a few moments before Christopher spoke up again, "I should probably go. I need to be back in Boston today."

Lorelai nodded her head keeping silent. Her gaze was kept focused on the ground as Christopher started to walk away from her. She squeezed her eyes shut feeling the tears threaten to spill down her cheeks. Remembering she was standing in front of the diner and in clear view of most of the town, she quickly wiped at her eyes and turned to walk back into the diner. She noticed Luke's concerned look as she walked back over to the counter. She knew he had probably watched everything from inside the diner. Luke grabbed the to-go cup as she reached for it pulling it just out of her reach.

"It's probably cold, let me get you some more," Luke said. Lorelai stayed quiet as Luke poured her a cup of fresh coffee and placed it in front of her. "Everything okay?"

Lorelai sighed, "Just Christopher being Christopher. He's leaving town tonight. He has to get back to work."

"Didn't you say he was supposed to be there for Rory's debutante thing?" Luke asked.

Lorelai nodded, "Yeah and I believed him when he promised that he would be there. He just told me that he can't be there tomorrow for her."

"What are you going to do now?" Luke asked.

Lorelai shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the stool, "I don't know. I guess I could ask my dad to present her. He is her grandfather after all."

"That could work."

"Yeah but my parents have been fighting more openly recently and he acts like he doesn't even want to go tomorrow. I don't think asking him would be the best option, not right now."

"Well…" Luke started to say.

"Rory was just so looking forward to this," Lorelai said ignoring Luke. "She was excited that her father agreed to do this. Now I have to go tell her that he won't be there and that I have no idea who is going to present her. I would do it, but that's not the tradition. The tradition is supposed to be her father presenting her. I mean I know I don't always follow traditions but I think this one thing that I cannot do."

"You know…"

Lorelai interrupted, "I mean he promised me, he swore to me that he would be here," she said now feeling a few tears roll down her cheeks, "Rory's never asked him for anything, ever. She knew not to ask him anything because it would only end in disappointment. He has never really been there for her, he owes her. I just thought for once that he would actually come through for her; that he could actually be her father and be there for her just for this one small thing."

Lorelai sniffled as she laid her head down on the counter, shielding her tear-stained face from Luke, "And now I have no idea what I'm going to do. I have to tell her that she was no one to present her tomorrow."

Luke leaned down on the counter, "What if I were to do it?" he asked.

Lorelai lifted her head up from the counter, "What?" she asked in disbelief.

Luke shrugged his shoulders, pushing himself back up from the counter, "I don't know. She wants to do this thing and she needs someone to present her. I'm not her father but I could present her. I could do this for Rory."

"Oh Luke," Lorelai sighed. "I couldn't ask you to do that, it's not right. It's not really your scene."

"And it is your scene?" Luke asked.

"No," Lorelai said shaking her head. "But I'm used to things like this, you're not. I really couldn't ask you to do this, it's too much Luke."

"You're not asking, I'm offering."

Lorelai pondered the thought of Luke walking Rory down the stairs and presenting her. She looked up at Luke, "I still don't know Luke."

"Look Rory means a lot to me and this obviously means something to her, I want to be there for her."

"Do you own a tux?" Lorelai asked.

"Um, no," Luke replied.

"You need a tux," Lorelai said. "You need a tux if you're going to do this."

"I can get a tux. I know a guy."

Lorelai stifled a laugh, "You have a tux guy?"

"I just know somewhere where I can get one before tomorrow," Luke replied.

"This isn't some like illegal black market type of thing is it?"

"Black market for a tux?"

"Hey, I don't know what you do in your free time," Lorelai said. "So you'll really do this? And you won't absolutely hate me when you're dying of boredom and ready to get the hell out of there tomorrow?"

"I won't hate you," Luke replied. "I'll be there tomorrow."

Lorelai smiled, "Thank you for this Luke really. It means a lot."

"No problem," Luke replied.

Lorelai gave Luke the information he needed for tomorrow. She informed him to just meet them at the ballroom tomorrow since Rory needed to get there a little earlier. Luke said he would have to figure out something to do with Jess since he didn't want to leave him alone but that he would definitely be there tomorrow for Rory.

Later that night, Dean was struggling to fix his bow-tie while Rory sat on the couch painting her nails. Lorelai walked out of the kitchen holding a Chinese takeout container simultaneously eating from it while balancing a book on top of her head.

"See now, only a lady can gracefully walk around a room with a book on her head while eating Kung Pao chicken. And a great lady can even spit the peanuts back into the container without anyone noticing," she said.

Rory looked up, "Wow."

"Yeah, well, don't be intimidated. You have to practice and practice to get to my level," Lorelai replied.

"Anyone want the last eggroll?" Rory asked.

"Uh, no," Dean answered as he grew more and more frustrated with his bow-tie.

"Heh. Where are you going?" Lorelai asked as she noticed Rory getting up from the couch and walking towards the kitchen.

"To get the eggroll," Rory answered simply.

"You're getting the eggroll yourself?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes."

"No! Ladies never get their own eggrolls. Ladies never get their own anything. They don't even get their own ideas," Lorelai replied.

Rory groaned, "Oh boy."

Lorelai continued on, "They just sit helplessly and wait for some young strong man to come by and assist them. They don't step in puddles, they don't step over puddles. They can't even look at puddles. They actually need to be blindfolded and thrown in a sack and carried over puddles."

"Isn't there a moratorium on how long ladies are supposed to talk?" Rory asked.

"Uhh, no. Now repeat after me, I am completely helpless," Lorelai said.

"Hey Mom," Rory called ignoring her mother.

"Yeah?" Lorelai answered.

"Where's Dad?" Rory asked.

Lorelai knew the question was coming but it still startled her. The book fell from her head and clattered onto the hard floor. "Well…" she said.

"I mean I didn't see his car outside and I haven't seen him since earlier this afternoon," Rory said. "Where is he?"

"He had to go back to Boston, some work thing came up," Lorelai said bending down to pick the book up from the floor.

"But he's going to be there tomorrow right?" Rory asked. "He's going to present me tomorrow, right?"

"Actually he's not," Lorelai replied straightening herself up. "But don't worry," she added quickly, "I found someone to fill in. Someone that actually offered to fill in."

"Who?" Rory asked.

"Our favorite backwards baseball cap wearing coffee supplier," Lorelai said.

"Luke?" Rory asked. "Luke actually offered to fill in? Does he even own a tux?"

"He offered, I tried to turn him down but he wasn't having it. He doesn't own a tux but he will have one before tomorrow," Lorelai replied. "Don't worry; this is going to be fine."

"But Dad was supposed to do this," Rory said. "He was just here, he promised."

Lorelai sat down next to Rory, she grabbed Rory's hand and held it in hers, "I know sweets and he said he wanted to be there for you but he had to leave. And I know Luke isn't your father but he knows that you want to do this and he knows you need someone there for you so he's going to be that someone."

"Are you sure he's okay with this?" Rory asked. "This doesn't seem like something Luke would be comfortable doing."

"I think Luke is only comfortable in his flannel and baseball cap. You know that Luke would do anything for you and he's doing this," Lorelai replied.

"Okay."

"Um do you think Luke knows how to do this?" Dean asked referring to the bowtie he was still struggling with.

"I don't think so," Lorelai replied.

Dean sighed, "All right. I should get going. I'll see you at three," he said looking at Rory.

Rory stood up from the box, "Okay. Oh wait," she said handing him a box.

"What's this?" Dean asked.

"Your gloves," Rory answered.

"I thought you were kidding," Dean replied.

Lorelai shook her head, "No no. Ladies never kid."

"Bye," Dean said as he left.

"So have you told Grandma that Dad isn't going to be there tomorrow?" Rory asked. "Does she know that Luke is going to be there?"

"No, she doesn't. It will just be a surprise," Lorelai responded.

"Shouldn't you tell her?" Rory asked, "Or at least tell Luke that she doesn't know so it doesn't cause some huge thing tomorrow?"

"I tried Rory, I tried to call her but she didn't answer so really her not knowing about Luke will just be her fault," Lorelai replied. "None of this is my fault."

Rory laughed, "Okay then, you can be the one to deal with her tomorrow then."

"I can handle her," Lorelai said.

"I think I'm going to bed," Rory replied.

"Do you need help?"

"No."

"Wrong! The correct answer is yes. Ladies need help with everything," Lorelai replied.

Rory shook her head, "Goodnight," she said walking into her room and shutting the door.

Lorelai picked up the phone once again and tried to call Emily to at least tell her that Christopher was not going to be there tomorrow. When no one answered she placed the phone back down and headed up to bed.

"Wow, this place is huge. Do I have to walk down those stairs?" Rory asked as they walked into the ballroom the next afternoon.

Lorelai nodded, "Oh, I'm afraid so. Unless you wanna make a really memorable entrance and just sliiide down the banister. Which I totally encourage, by the way."

"You are?" A lady asked as she approached them with a clipboard.

"Lorelai Gilmore," Rory replied.

"Late," the lady said sternly.

"Sorry, my fault. Took me awhile to get pretty. Not all of us are sixteen anymore, you know what I mean?" Lorelai asked, "No," she added when she received a blank stare.

The lady looked at Rory, "You are to head up the stairs. The preparation room is on the right."

"Look for the toxic cloud of Chanel and Final Net," Lorelai instructed.

Rory turned away from her mother and headed towards the stairs. As she approached the stairs, she turned back to look at Lorelai.

Lorelai smiled, "Sliiide," she mouthed.

After Rory headed upstairs, Lorelai headed over to where the bar was set up. She chatted, flirted, and charmed the bartender until he handed over her drink.

"You are a wonderful, wonderful man. I have a feeling we're going to be very close tonight," she spots Emily, "Hmm. Mom, you're here."

"Where should I be, Spain?" Emily asked.

"Oh. I tried calling you all night last night," Lorelai said.

Emily sighed, "I was very busy."

"And then we got here before you," Lorelai added.

"What is your point, Lorelai?"

"Nothing, it's just weird," Lorelai said. "I just had something to tell you."

"Oh what is that man doing here?" Emily asked harshly.

Lorelai looked up in the direction Emily was looking in and noticed Luke walking in. Lorelai was speechless for a moment as she studied him. He looked damn good in a tux. There was no backwards baseball cap in sight. His hair was a little shorter, like it had recently been cut. Although she wasn't sure considering this was one of the very few times she was actually seeing him without a cap on. He was definitely going to give the other dads here a run for their money. He looked handsome. She had to remind herself that this was her friend Luke who was just simply doing a favor. Her friend Luke that she couldn't possibly develop feelings for because it would complicate things, no matter how great he looked in his tux. She ignored her mother's question as she made her way over to Luke.

"Hey," she said, "You're here."

"I told you I would be here," Luke replied.

Lorelai smiled, "I know. Okay so one quick thing, my mother doesn't know that Christopher couldn't be here. She doesn't know that you're going to be here today."

"You didn't tell her?" Luke asked.

"Believe me, I tried but she didn't answer her phone. I was just going to tell her but you just walked in," Lorelai said as she noticed Emily walking towards them, "Let me handle her."

"What is this man doing here?" Emily asked.

"Mom, you remember Luke, you met him at Rory's birthday party," Lorelai replied.

"I remember. The ice-man. Now what is he doing here? Where is Christopher?" Emily asked.

"Christopher headed back to Boston. He told me yesterday that he couldn't be here for Rory today. I was upset, Luke asked me what was wrong, I told him and he offered to fill in today. I didn't ask him but he did this for Rory," Lorelai explained.

Emily grabbed Lorelai's arm and pulled her away from Luke, "He is not her father Lorelai."

"Oh really Mom? I didn't know that," Lorelai retorted.

"What is everyone going to think? They are going to know that he is not Rory's father," Emily replied.

"They're going to think that her father didn't even care enough to put his daughter ahead of his job. Luke runs his own business but was willing to set aside a few hours to do something for Rory," Lorelai said, "Because he cares."

"I don't have time for this," Emily replied walking away.

Luke walked over to Lorelai after he watched Emily stomp away, "You okay?"

Lorelai turned to face Luke, "I'm fine. Thank you again for doing this."

"No problem," Luke replied. "It's important to Rory and to you."

Lorelai smiled, "Right. So you figure out something to do with Jess?"

"He's supposed to be working in the diner all day. Whether or not he'll actually stay there is the question," Luke replied. "Patty and Babette offered to keep an eye out for him."

"I'm sure they will," Lorelai said. "Oh wait these are for you," Lorelai said pulling a pair of gloves from her clutch.

"Gloves?" Luke asked taking them from her.

Lorelai nodded, "It is part of the look."

"What did I get myself into?" Luke asked.

Lorelai giggled, "Hey, you're the one that offered. Just remember this is all for Rory," she said patting his arm. She smiled up at him, "You know Luke you look really good in a tux."

"Really?" Luke asked surprised by the compliment.

Lorelai nodded, "Just be careful some of these women might be trolling for their second or third husband."

Before Luke could respond, Emily walked back over to them, "Lorelai, have you seen your father?"

"Uh, no," Lorelai responded.

"He promised me he'd be here by now," Emily informed them.

"Wait, you didn't come together?"

"I swear, if he misses this…"

"Well, Mom, did you call him?" Lorelai asked.

"Yes I called him. Of course I called him. I wouldn't go this long without calling him," Emily snapped.

"Isn't that your father?" Luke whispered to Lorelai.

Lorelai looked in the direction Luke was pointing, "Mom, he's here."

"Where?" Emily asked before looking in the direction they were both pointing. She begins walking over to Richard, "Richard, where have you been?"

Lorelai turned away as Emily and Richard started fighting. "Okay, I think I need a refill," she said holding up her empty glass. She turned towards the bar to find no one there. She walked behind the bar to start fixing her own drink. She looked up at Luke, "Do you want anything?"

"Lorelai, what are you doing?" Luke asked.

"Steve won't mind," Lorelai replied simply.

"You're on a first name basis with the bartender?" Luke asked.

"It's the only way to get through these events. Now do you want anything?" Lorelai asked. Luke shook his head. "Are you sure, you might need something."

"I'm fine," Luke replied as Lorelai made her way out from behind the bar and stood next to him. Getting a surge of confidence Luke looked over at Lorelai, "You look beautiful."

Lorelai smiled bashfully, "Flattery will get you everywhere my friend." She couldn't help but feel like a giddy schoolgirl with her first crush as Luke complimented her. Something about the compliment he gave her combined with the way he was now looking at her stirred up some feelings inside of her that started to confuse her. Feelings that she couldn't possibly act on, could she?

The announcer spoke, "All fathers please report to the debutante staging area upstairs. Fathers to the staging area."

"Showtime," Lorelai said looking at Luke.

"I'll see you later," Luke replied as he started to walk away.

"Curtsy pretty," Lorelai yelled after him.

"Hey. I just wanted to see you before you became a proper lady of society," Dean said walking up to Rory.

Rory smiled, "So what do you think?"

"I think you look like a cotton ball," Dean replied.

"Why, thank you Jeeves," Rory said.

"But a really cute cotton ball," he added.

Libby walked over to Rory, "Oh my God, is this your escort?"

Rory nodded, "Yeah, it is."

"You are totally getting married," Libby said before walking away.

"What did she say?" Dean asked.

Rory spotted Luke, "Oh well, hey there's Luke. I have to go," she said walking over to Luke. "Hey," she said quietly.

"Hey Rory," Luke replied.

"Thank you for doing this," Rory said.

"No problem," Luke replied.

Rory looked up at Luke, "Do me a favor?"

"Anything," Luke said.

Rory smiled, "Just don't let me fall."

"I would never let you fall," Luke replied sincerely.

After trying to mediate a fight between her mother and father and being told by her daughter that her time was coming up next, Lorelai made her way back into the ballroom followed by her mother and daughter; they stood around watching as the announced called out Rory's name.

"Lorelai Gilmore, daughter of Christopher Hayden and Lorelai Gilmore."

Lorelai smiled as she watched her daughter being led down the stairs not by her father but by the man that had pretty much been a father to her all these years. She watched as Luke kissed Rory's hand, she watched as Rory curtsied, as Luke walked away, and as Dean walked Rory down the aisle. Maybe people were right, she thought, maybe Luke had been right in front of her this whole time and she just never noticed. That thought was quickly interrupted as Emily started to speak.

"That should've been you up there. Nothing's turning out the way it was supposed to," Emily said before walking away.

Lorelai smile's fell from her face when her mother spoke to her. Of course she would bring up the fact that Lorelai never came out to society like Rory had. Of course she would bring up how Lorelai got pregnant at 16 and embarrassed her family to their society friends. She let it go, knowing that her mother would always bring up something like that and the only reason she was bringing it up today was because her parents were fighting.

Later that night, Lorelai, Luke, Rory, and Dean were back in Stars Hollow walking down the sidewalk. Rory looked up at Luke.

"So did you know that you're considered a hot dad?" Rory asked.

Lorelai laughed when she noticed Luke blush, "Aww you're making him blush Rory."

"I just kind of fibbed and told everyone you were my step-dad. Libby said that it's good that you're my step-dad because I could steal you away from mom," Rory explained.

Luke shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't sure how to respond to that.

"That Libby's got a good life ahead of her," Lorelai said. "Well, I was very proud of all of you. You made it through the entire ceremony with a completely straight face. Even you Luke."

"Do you guys want anything?" Luke asked. "I could make you guys something."

"I could go for a burger," Lorelai replied.

"Me too," Rory said. "Dean?"

"Honestly, the only thing I can think of is taking off this tux," Dean replied.

"Hey, watch it, you're talking to a lady now," Lorelai said.

"Well, how about if I do it at home?" Dean questioned.

Lorelai smiled, "Better."

Rory looked at Dean, "Thanks again for going with me."

"Tomorrow you start paying. Bye," Dean said walking away.

Lorelai looked up at Luke, "So burgers now?"

"Sure," Luke replied walking into the diner. Lorelai and Rory followed him inside. "I'm just going to change then I can get you some burgers."

Before Luke could walk upstairs, Jess walked down the stairs dressed in flannel and a backwards baseball cap. He walked over to the counter and began wiping it down. Lorelai nudged Luke and pointed in the direction of Jess.

"What do you think you're doing?" Luke asked walking over to Luke.

"Working," Jess replied.

"So you think this is funny, huh?" Luke asked.

"I'm sorry. I thought this was the uniform," Jess replied sarcastically.

"Okay, you know what, that's fine. Have your little joke, you know. It doesn't bother me at all. You just go over there and clean off that table, okay? I'm ignoring you. You do not exist," Luke said turning to walk up the stairs to change.

"Okay," Jess replied walking around the diner.

Luke grumbled, "That's it, you're changing too," he said shoving Jess in the direction of the stairs.

Jess smirked, "Whatever you say Uncle Luke."

"It's Luke, just Luke. Mister Luke. In fact, don't address me at all," Luke called after him as he followed Jess up the stairs.

Rory looked at Lorelai as they sat down at the table, "So what are the chances that we are getting our burgers soon?"

"Well that all depends on if Luke decides to murder Jess for wearing the same outfit. I never knew Luke was so testy about his clothes," Lorelai replied. "So tonight, what's the consensus?"

"The fan dance was humiliating, I'm never doing a curtsy again, and I kind of wish that Dad could have been there but Luke was really great. I really liked having him there," Rory said.

Lorelai smiled, "Me too," she said as she watched Luke walk back down the stairs and into the kitchen. "He looked really good in his tux too."

"Where's that coming from?" Rory asked.

"What?" Lorelai asked. "Just pointing out a simple fact, plus how often do we get to see Luke in something besides flannel and a baseball cap?"

Rory smiled, "Whatever you say."

After a little while, Luke brought over their burgers and fries. He brought them coffee after Lorelai pointed out that they had been sitting there with no coffee since they walked in. As they were eating, Rory turned towards Lorelai.

"I feel kind of bad for Grandma though. She was so into this night and then she ended up being so miserable," Rory said.

"Don't worry. She'll have more fun at the next one," Lorelai replied.

Rory narrowed her eyes, "Excuse me?"

"Yes, we have you signed up for the next six balls."

"Not funny."

"Hey, you're doing this until you bring home a prize," Lorelai replied.

Rory turned away from Lorelai and concentrated on her burger, "Ignoring you now."

They started chatting again as they ate their burgers. Once they were finished and had their coffees refilled at least twice, Luke came to clear their plates.

"Hey, I think I'm going to head home now," Rory said standing up from the table.

"Okay, I'll be right there, I just want to talk to Luke about something," Lorelai replied.

"About what?" Rory asked curiously.

Lorelai smiled, "I just want to thank him again for doing this."

"Oh okay," Rory replied. "See you at home then."

Once Rory left, Lorelai grabbed her now empty coffee cup and headed across the diner to where Luke was standing.

"Haven't you had enough coffee?" Luke asked.

Lorelai set her cup down, "That's not why I was coming over here. I just wanted to thank you for doing this tonight; you really didn't have to do this."

"You have already thanked me several times tonight, both you and Rory. You don't have to thank me again," Luke replied.

"See that's thing I do have to thank you over and over again. You have no idea how much this means to me and to Rory, to both of us," Lorelai paused. "You stepped in when you really didn't have too."

"It wasn't a big deal," Luke replied humbly.

Lorelai sighed, "It was a big deal Luke. Rory's own father cancelled on her and you swooped in like our own personal superhero."

"Superhero?" Luke questioned.

Lorelai smiled, "I'll make you flannel cape," she paused. "But really Luke, it was a big deal, a huge deal for you to be there. You've just always been there. Thank you."

Lorelai stepped forward and wrapped her arms Luke's neck hugging him tightly. This sudden action surprised Luke considering as friends they never showed any sort of intimacy towards one another. As soon as the hug started it ended. As Lorelai pulled away, she leaned up to plant a kiss on his cheek. Instinctively Luke turned his head as she leaned up causing the kiss to land on the corner of his mouth. Lorelai pulled away suddenly and stared at Luke. Her arms dropped to her sides. The look in his eyes startled her. That look, that indescribable look in his eyes. That same look that was there earlier when he told her she looked beautiful. Could that be the same look everyone else seemed to see whenever Luke looked at her? The look that had everyone convinced that Luke had a thing for. That look that, even if it sounded cliché, seemed to make her weak in the knees, the look that made her heart beat faster, the look that made her crave more but also scared her at the same time. That look that seemed to pierce straight through her making her feel absolutely vulnerable.

Her breathing became shaky as Luke's hand reached up and brushed a stray hair out of her face. As he brushed the hair behind her ear, his hand caressed the side of her face. Electric shocks seemed to flow through her body from just the smallest touches from Luke. She caught the small glance he made that trailed from her eyes to her lips then back up to her eyes. She eyes trailed down the same path to his lips. Those soft, full lips. Those lips that looked so damn kissable at this moment. She felt herself leaning up and meeting his lips in the middle. Their lips melded together in a soft kiss. Arms wrapped around one another pulling the other one close. Lips parted, tongues dueled as the kiss heated up.

Lorelai broke the kiss first. Unsure of what to do or say at this moment, she went with the simple, "Hi."

"Hey," Luke replied in a whisper.

Lorelai smiled, she knew it was getting late, she knew she needed to get home to Rory but right now she didn't want to leave the diner. And coffee wasn't the reason this time. Her eyes darted down as her hands ran down his chest feeling the soft worn flannel of his shirt. She looked back up at him.

"I should probably go, Rory's waiting," she gave as her explanation for needing to leave. She stepped away from Luke as she began walking towards the diner door.

Luke knew she had to go home to Rory. Besides Jess was upstairs it wasn't like this was going to progress any further than a kiss. He nodded his head, "See you tomorrow?" he said as more of a question than a statement.

Lorelai turned back to face Luke as she opened the door. She smiled brightly, "See you tomorrow," she confirmed.

So a one-shot or maybe beginning of another story? I might just leave this one as a one-shot though.

I may also do other one-shots with some episodes that could have benefited from a few small changes to get L/L together. (still not sure though.)

As always reviews are appreciated!