A/N: This has been rattling around in my head for a while. Let me know what you think. Should I go on?
All of the usual disclaimers - I own nothing but a pile of debt.
Lorelai and Sookie strolled to an empty table at Luke's. Lorelai collapsed into her chair with a dramatic sigh as they waited for Luke to come over to take their order. "I have got to tell you, Sook, I am getting a little tired of the running commentary about my date with Paul." Lorelai began to rant. "The guy asked me to dinner, I said yes, we ate, we chatted, and that was it! Totally casual! I never thought that I would be taking this much grief over one stupid dinner!"
"Aw, Honey. Don't let them get to you. The town likes to tease, and you know that Patty is just jealous that you bagged a young one." Sookie replied, patting Lorelai's arm.
"I bagged nothing!" Lorelai exclaimed. "I just went to dinner with a guy in my class. Besides, he isn't that much younger than me!"
"Well, he looked pretty young." Sookie said gently.
"You didn't even see him!"
"Kirk snapped pictures!" Sookie replied.
"I'm getting coffee. I'll be right back." Shaking her head, she strolled up to the counter where Luke was busy clearing dishes and ignoring Lorelai's presence.
"Hey you! What's up with you?" she called to him.
"Nothing is up with me." Luke replied with and turned away to carry the dishes to the kitchen.
"What, so now you're walking away from me? Hey, how about some coffee on your way?" she called to his retreating back.
"Lorelai," Boosty called from his seat at the counter, "I hear you're dating a kid."
Lorelai dropped her forehead to the counter "Please, let something big fall on my head," she moaned.
"When I was 18," Bootsy continued, "I was dating an older lady. Broke my heart."
"Well, Bootsy," Lorelai replied, "I'm sorry that you got dumped, but I am not dating a kid."
Luke walked out of the kitchen and snagged the coffee pot and a mug as he passed by. He stopped in front of Lorelai and began to pour her cup.
"I didn't get dumped," Bootsy gestured toward Lorelai, "she died. Heart Attack. She was quite old."
Luke shook his head and turned to walk away again.
"Hey." Lorelai called to him.
"I'm working," Luke replied in a surly tone, "us older guys do that."
Lorelai began to follow him to the other end of the counter. "Why are you being so mean to me?" she asked, exasperated.
"I'm not being mean." Luke replied shortly.
"Why are you so mad at me?" Lorelai persisted.
Luke turned to her and spoke in a harsh whisper. "I just think it's embarrassing!"
"What is so embarrassing?" Lorelai asked, confused by his intensity.
"You running around with that kid!" Luke said raising his voice a little.
She felt the anger building inside of her. "I wasn't running, he's not a kid. We had dinner. He asked me out and I said okay. What's the big deal?" Lorelai yelled, "Why do you care? Why are you so mad about it?"
"You're right!" Luke yelled back, "It's never a big deal for you. You're engaged, then you're not! Rory's dad is here, then he's not! I just sit here watching you flit from man to man. Then, this kid walks in, and I find out that you're dating someone who makes Doogie Howser look like a geezer. And, I can't help thinking to myself my God, get a clue Danes, she's going to date anyone else in the world before she'll date you, so get over it!" Luke bellowed as he slammed the coffee pot on the counter.
The entire diner was still. Lorelai was riveted to her spot. Suddenly, Luke realized what he had said aloud. He shook his head a bit to clear it, spun on his heel and disappeared behind the curtain.
Loreali stood with her mouth agape as she heard his heavy footsteps quickly climbing the stairs. She felt a hand on her arm and turned to find Sookie looking at her wide eyed.
"Come on, Sweetie." Sookie whispered softly, "We should take a little walk, get out of here for a bit, huh?"
Lorelai allowed herself to be gently pulled from the diner. She took a deep breath of fresh air and turned to her friend. "What the hell just happened in there?" she asked bewildered.
tbc