Fix You
What if Stars Hollow didn't accept Luke and Lorelai breaking up (the second time) and decided to fix the broken couple? Starts at 7x01 and then it's totally AU – just my attempt to write JavaJunkie.
Enjoy your reading (and review if you like it).
Notes: First of all, this story is dedicated to Foxes' Dreams: you always support me through everything life throws at me and encourages me to keep going. And Austennerdita2533: thank you for always fangirling with me and being my personal story consultant. By the way, you guys should check the stuff these two have written.
I do not own GG. It belongs to the wonderful Palladinos, who are too good for this world, too pure.
Chapter One – I'm giving up on you (say something)
Sookie stared at her friend in disbelief and saw her own world fall apart in front of her eyes. She took a deep breath and continued, as calmly as possible: "That's good. That's good. Uh, okay. Uh, look – things happen. People...people do things. It's not pretty. It's not Disney, but it's the real world. And you don't have to tell him. Luke doesn't have to know, and things don't have to be over." Lorelai really wanted to believe what Sookie was saying and, for a second, her brain tried to tell her heart to shut up, as long as she didn't tell Luke everything would be fine. Unfortunately, her brain wasn't that good in making arguments: "No, you don't get it. I need it to be over. I need it to be over because I can't take this anymore. Yes, I love Luke, and, yes, I wanted to marry Luke. But I didn't want a life separate from Luke, and that's all he could give me. I don't want that. If I'm gonna be with Luke, I want to be with Luke, and he didn't get it, and I waited. I mean, god, I waited. It's like Luke is driving a car, okay, and I just want to be in the passenger's seat. But he's locked the door, and so I have to hold onto the bumper, you know? I'm not even asking him to open the door for me. Just leave it unlocked and say, "come in." But no, he didn't do that, so I'm hanging onto the bumper, and life goes on, and the car goes on, and I get really badly bruised and hitting potholes. And it hurts. I mean, it hurts. So yesterday I had to let go of the bumper because it hurts too much. It hurts too much."
Lorelai Gilmore was a miserable woman. But she wasn't always like that. She kept replaying the awful events from the night before, or, as she decided to call it, "The Hardest Day's Night". It all started in the back seat of a car, during a talk with Carolyn Bates. She shook her head; no, that was not when it started. This was an internal conversation, so there was no need for lying. The Hardest Day's Night started the day April showed up and took a stray of Luke's hair. The girl, of course, wasn't the problem. Luke not telling Lorelai about her was. And then he kept them apart. And then the wedding was postponed. And then Lorelai Gilmore received a visit from a guest she really hated: unhappiness. Talking with Carolyn Bates that night and actually finding strength to admit Luke was the only man she ever loved just gave her the last kick. It was now or never. Unfortunately, Luke chose to stand still when he should have taken a step forward.
Luke was a slow thinker. He needed time to get to conclusions. It took him eight years to ask Lorelai out... but it only took him four words to realize he had lost her.
"Uh...a car crashed into my diner yesterday. There's a giant hole where my wall used to be. It's gonna take a couple of weeks to fix. It's a disaster, but I don't care. I mean, I care, but... you know what, no. I really – I don't care. It's like it's not even real to me. It's like my life isn't even real to me unless you're there, and you're in it, and I'm sharing it with you. And, uh, I don't know what I was waiting for, and I don't know what I was scared of, but I'm not. I'm not scared, and I'm not waiting. I'm here. Let's go. Let's do this. Let's get married right now. Let's go."
"I slept with Christopher." That was all Lorelai managed to say. And then he left.
Luke Danes was a miserable man. But he wasn't always like that. For him, it all started in a weird day when a girl showed up to his diner and turned out to be the daughter he didn't know he had. And then for some stupid reason he thought Lorelai wouldn't understand. But she did. And then he thought she would think less of him if he couldn't be half the parent she was. But she didn't. And then he failed to see the pain in her eyes when he wanted to postpone the wedding. But she kept going. And then she asked him to elope. But he just stood still.
The answering machine recorded a message, and that's how the nightmare started for Rory Gilmore. Her mother, Lorelai Gilmore, the reigning Lorelai, former fiancee of Luke Danes, had slept with the one and only Christopher Hayden – also known as her dad, also known as the guy who messed up her life over and over.
Rory's feet took her for a walk, and after what felt like a hundred blocks, she found herself in front of what was left from Luke's Diner.
"Wow, that Thiago Pethit guy really knows his stuff." Rory whispered to herself before looking up and seeing Luke's shade staring at her. She nodded to the shade and headed to the back entrance.
The door was open and Luke was sitting in the couch, playing with an empty beer bottle.
"You want one?" He asked Rory.
"Uh, no thanks." She shifted uncomfortably outside the door, before deciding it was better to come in. "Soooo..." she continued slowly moving towards the couch: "you are not going to be my step-dad, after all. I mean, not that makes any difference since you have April now and..."
"Don't say that, Rory. I love you like a daughter. Just because it didn't work out between your mom and me it doesn't mean anything has to change between us. You need me, you call. You want coffee, you come by. You buy more books… well, I don't think I can find more space to fit another bookshelf at your room, but we can work something out." He gave her a weak smile, as if nothing had happened.
"It didn't work out? Luke, mom loves you and I'd say you love her right back. I know what she did was terrible, but does it really have to be over?"
"Rory, listen to me: your mom and I don't belong together and I was a fool to think we could make it work. She deserves so much better than me." Luke's voice caught in his throat and he swallowed what felt like a thousand swords before continuing: "she should be with someone else; someone like… him."
Anger took over and Rory got up immediately, closing her hands into fists. "So you're giving up on her? Just like that?"
"What do you want me to do here?" Luke was also hit by anger and started to pace around the kitchen.
"Say something!" Rory yelled at him in exasperation.
But Luke didn't say anything. He just stared at her, his eyes looking as empty as his soul felt. Rory took one last look around and she felt like she should smash something for effect, so she picked up what was nearest to her hand: a pillow. Luke looked confused as he saw Rory lifting the pillow and considered whether or not to duck. Before he could make any decision, she dropped the pillow down and muttered "this is just ridiculous" before leaving the apartment.
"Hey, popcorn, we were just waiting for you." Sookie said waving Rory into Lorelai's office at the Dragonfly.
"You're late." Michel said, the thickness of his voice showing the annoyance he was feeling.
"Chill, Michel, I only called her fifteen minutes ago. Don't just stand there, come in, sit down." Sookie said pointing to an empty chair. Rory carefully and slowly walked in and took a seat, crossing her legs and placing her folded hands on top of her knees.
"Okay, now that everybody had the kindness to show up, I finally call this meeting to a start." Michel started to say before Sookie cut him off: "Michel, this is not a town meeting and you're not Taylor Doose. Just tell us your plan so we can move on."
"Plan? What plan?" Rory asked confused.
"Honestly, Rory, how did Yale accepted you? Are you or are you not aware that your mother has ended her relationship with the dirty diner man who wears those distasteful flannel shirts?"
"I am aware of that, Michel. What I want to know is why I'm here."
"See, Rory, we love your mom and Luke very much, but they are way too stubborn sometimes and can't see what is right under their noses. After all those years of pining, almost weddings, real weddings, stupid fights (and real ones) and lost daughters, they can't just break up and expect us to do nothing about."
Rory stared at Sookie trying to figure out if there was any chance she was being serious because that whole thing just sounded too absurd. She chuckled softly and said: "So, you guys are planning on locking them together until they make up or something?"
Michel narrowed his eyes and his lips formed a little smile. "Actually we were thinking about hiring a big guy named Moose to beat up Luke until he came to his senses."
Rory's eyes grew and Sookie immediately jumped to the rescue. "Of course we would never actually do that. It was just a thought that crossed our minds. But your idea is better."
"My idea? Oh my God, Sookie. That wasn't an idea. That was a joke; it was actually something mom tried to do when my grandparents were separated. The day we did the test run she put them on room twelve and said something about them leaving re conciliated or in body bags." Rory let out a little laugh at the memory and quickly shook her head, as if dismissing the thought. "But there is no way we could that. Right guys? I mean, that would be wrong."
"Just like it was wrong to call Jason and tell him his condo was on fire." Sookie whispered more to herself than the others.
"I'm sorry, you did what?" Rory asked incredulously.
"That annoying man with the Mercedes showed up that same night and wouldn't leave for anything. And Luke was there looking all hurt. It was depressing, so I told Sookie we had to get rid of him. That was it." Michel said and fixed his eyes in a spot in the wall, avoiding Rory's gaze at all costs.
"Wow, Michel Gerard doing something altruistic. That's really impressive." Rory stated matter of factly.
"It was no big deal. Your mother had been acting all weird about Luke being here and that Jason person was here and I knew I would end up having to witness yet another of your mother's weird interactions with a man. It just seemed like the easiest way to avoid all that drama."
"Sure." Sookie said. "Anyways, we could lock them up somewhere. It can't be your house because Luke would find – or most likely make – a way out. What about Miss Patty's studio? I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
"Are we really doing that? Uh, okay. Let's just think this through one more time: we are going to lock Luke and my mom in a room together in order for them to re conciliate."
"Yes, Rory. You are really slow. Are you sure your grandfather didn't bribe someone at Yale in order to get you in?"
"Michel! Be nice! Yes, Rory. That sounds about right. How long do you think it's gonna take them to make emends – or kill each other?
"With those two, one can never know. Maybe Miss Patty's place is not the best idea. It's where she works and where we have town meetings. And everybody would try to help or just want to know what was going on. We need a more isolated place. Any ideas?" Rory asked them.
"You said your mom used room twelve for your grandparents." Michel started to say.
"Maybe we should lock them in there." Sookie chipped in.
"Who are we locking where?" Jackson asked from the door.
"Luke and Lorelai." Sookie said as if it was the most obvious response in the world, then she turned to Michel and continued: "Twelve is more isolated, thus giving them the chance to yell at each other as much as they like – and those two enjoy the yelling a lot."
"Oh sure. Good idea." Jackson said sarcastically and turned his head to look at the sleeping Davey in his arms. "Did you hear that, Davey? That was your mom going insane. I think that I'm already a lost cause since we've been married for almost five years and I've known her way longer than that. But maybe for you and Martha there is some hope." Davey stirred a little and snuggled against his father, who sighed and said: "Yeah, that was what I thought."
"I'm not crazy, Jackson!" Sookie protested loudly. "Lorelai is miserable and I just can't have that. She is my best friend."
"I know that, honey, but if they broke up don't you think it should be their choice to get back together?"
"Normally, yest, but Lorelai doesn't know what she is doing. She loves Luke more than she ever loved any guy and she is his whole world. The problem is that they spend way too much time over thinking and being stubborn to realize just how much they need and complete each other." Sookie pleaded to her husband.
He sighed in defeat: "Are you sure that's the only way?"
"Well, we can always give Moose a call." Michel snorted and adjusted his tie.
"Moose? Who the heck is Moose?" Jackson asked Rory.
"I have no idea, but my mom has mentioned him before." Rory said with a smile.
"No one in particular, Jackson. Honestly, is there anything other than floating vegetables in your brain? We would probably get more lucky if we asked Rory to call one of her acquaintances." Michel said in a sarcastic tone.
"Acquaintances? Look, Michel, I know Logan doesn't have the best record but he never got involved with that kind of people." Rory said offended.
"Logan? I thought the rich boy was in London. Who cares about him? I was talking about the people you met during your time inside." Michel said and pursed his lips.
"My time inside?" Rory felt a sting in her gut at the memory of those dark months after she stole that stupid yacht and shook her head in frustration. Sookie saw Michel hit a nerve and decided to intervene. "Michel, to your corner. Now! And if I hear you mention the J word to her again I'm going to bring up the Celine Dion concert disaster of 1992. Rory, hon, we all know you made a mistake back then and no one – I said no one – is judging you for it. Let's all forget the Moose thing and plan our lockdown. So, what are we gonna need?"
"You wouldn't dare." Michel said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Just watch me." Sookie hissed with the slightest hint of irritation.
"That's enough. Let's just get back to the plan. Are we really going to do that?" Jackson asked pleadingly. Sookie gave him the death glare and he shifted Davey on his arms. "Okay, okay. I was just asking. So, the plan is to lock Luke and Lorelai on a room and then what?"
"Well, I think we should tell them why are we doing it and be sure to send food and tons of coffee. I feel like someone should take notes. Give me pen and paper, I'm writing this down." Rory said and reached for a clipboard sitting on the desk.
Operation L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N.
"I thought it would be fun if we did a KND kind of thing." Rory said sheepishly.
"I'm afraid you lost me here, sweetie." Sookie said frowning.
"KND, the cartoon. Each mission is an acronym. Operation L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N. meant Lurking Otherworldly Childhood Kalamity Delivers Ouchies When Naughty, but I think we can come up with something that makes more sense for us." She shrugged and kept writing.
"You really are you mother's daughter." Sookie said and shook her head laughing.
"What about Lorelai Ought Come Kick Diner Owner With Nutmeg?" Rory asked excited.
"Nutmeg? She is gonna kick Luke with a nutmeg?" Jackson asked.
"Maybe she should kick him in the..." Michel started to say, but Rory cut him off. "Don't finish that sentence, Michel. It is what it is. Let's just finish our list."
"Great idea! We're gonna need tight security. I can get the kitchen staff to take turns and Michel can threaten a few employees." Sookie said.
"Security? You don't think they would actually kill each other, do you?" Rory asked worried.
"No, of course not, Rory. Don't be silly. But one of them is definitely gonna try to pull a Michael Scofield." Sookie said.
Jackson took his wallet out of his pocket and removed a ten dollars bill. "My money is on Luke. He is pretty handy. Someone is gonna break out of any place, it's him."
Michel took a twenty dollars bill and placed over Jackson's money. "I'll take that bet. But I'm sure Lorelai will be the one to break out. Once she sets her mind to something, there is no stopping her."
"Guys, how dare you? These are our friends we're talking about. Help me out, Rory." Sookie said incredulously.
"Yeah, you're right. Luke is totally gonna do it. Whenever Wentworth Miller is on the screen, mom is either staring at his eyes or trying to figure out his tattoos. If it was Litchfield, maybe she would have a chance, but the Dragonfly? No way. I bet five bucks on Luke as well."
Michel was about to collect Rory's money when Sookie waved her spoon in the middle of them. "Where did that come from?" Rory asked.
"Never leave home without one. You never know when cooking is gonna happen. Anyway, put that money away. No betting in our friends' lives."
"Ugh, fine. Let's continue, then." Michel said annoyed.
After a diaper change, two coffee breaks and three hours the plan was ready to go.
"So, everyone is clear on their part, right?" Rory asked as she put her jacket on.
"For the most part, yes. There is only one really small problem." Sookie said holding her thumb and index finger really close together. Rory nodded so she would proceed. "How do you suggest we convince Luke to come here?"
"That's an easy one." Jackson said. "We call him and say Lorelai is sick and needs his help. He will come running."
"Maybe not. It has to be something better than just 'sick'". Sookie informed her husband.
"We can always say her leg is haunted." Rory said and grinned.
Michel rolled his eyes and simply said: "You didn't trust me with any part of the plan. Let me be responsible to bring Fred Flinstone in."
"Fine. But you have to stop calling him that." Rory said.
"But they are both grumpy men who wear the same clothes everyday, don't know the concept of shaving and I can't stand neither."
"Are you sure you even want to be here, Michel?"
"As a matter of fact, I don't wish to be here at this particular moment. However, if I refused to..."
"No one cares, Michel. You're in charge of Luke. Just shut up and go home." Sookie said threateningly.
"Well, I know when my presence is no longer wanted. I'm out of here. Good night." And with that he left, not before slamming the office's door shut.
"And you're going to make sure room twelve will be ready and clear for when we set the plan to motion, right Sookie?" When Sookie nodded her heard affirmatively, Rory crossed off an item from her long list, kissed Sookie goodbye and hurried back home.
"Wow, it's been almost half a day. Are you really that mad at me, Rory?" Lorelai asked from the couch, where she was chewing some red vines.
"Oh mom, General Hospital? Again? I thought we agreed to stop watching it when you had the meltdown after Laura Spencer left."
"But Rory, both Vanessa Marcil and Tracy Quartermaine returned after that. I'm a big girl". She took the remote in her hands and added in a sing song voice: "And big girls don't cry, don't cry". Lorelai patted her daughter's hand reassuringly.
"You say that now, Fergie. But anything else happens, go cry on someone else's shoulder." Rory said decisively and plopped on the couch next to her mother.
"I know what I'm doing. But that's not all; I also know what you are doing."
"What are you talking about?" Rory asked innocently as she reached for a red vine.
"You, missy, are trying to change the subject and keep me away from the truth." Lorelai swatted Rory's hand away before saying: "No way. First you tell me where have you been, then you get a red vine."
Rory rolled her eyes and said: "Uh, I don't know what you're talking about. I told you I was going to Lane's just before I left."
"I remember that. Funny thing happened after you left: I ran out of ice cream and I tried calling your phone to ask you to bring some with you, but you didn't pick up. So I called Lane and she said you weren't there. In fact, she told me she didn't even speak with you today. I know Logan is in London – although he is filthy rich, maybe you went to London and came back. Come closer, let me sniff you."
"What? Are you insane? You want to sniff me? What for?"
"Well, if you went to London, you are smelling British." Lorelai stated matter of factly.
"And how exactly does British smell?" She asked curiously.
"Cut grass, chip shops, tea, rain, greasy spoons, roast, petrol and curry." Lorelai said decisively.
"I'm not even gonna ask. No, mom, I was not in London for the past twelve hours." Twelve hours. Twelve. Room Twelve. I hope that bathroom window has already been fixed, otherwise they will have a very easy way out. I gotta check with Michel.
Lorelai startled Rory by pulling her closer and literally sniff her like she was a police dog looking for drugs. After processing the collected information for a few seconds, Lorelai seemed convinced Rory wasn't in London.
"Okay, I believe you. But if not London, where did you go?"
Rory sighed heavily before opening her mouth again: "Okay, but you have to promise me not to get mad." She searched in her mother's eyes for agreement, but Lorelai blinked three times and said: "Uh, I'm not gonna promise that and you're starting to scare me here, kid. Just spit it out."
"I went to the inn to see Sookie. She called me and she was really upset and she said I had to come over."
"Oh my God, what's wrong with her? She should have called me. Wait, did I turn my phone off again? Damn, I have to call her." Lorelai got up to look for the phone, but Rory stopped her: "That's not all, mom. Please sit down."
"She asked for my help because she is worried about you. She doesn't think you're thinking straight and that you're gonna regret just letting Luke walk away."
"Letting him? Rory, he chose to walk away. We already talked about this. It was over way before my ultimatum, I just didn't want to believe. And we're done with this conversation" Lorelai finished angrily.
"Mom, please. You promised you wouldn't be mad." Rory pleaded with Lorelai.
"No, I didn't." She yelled. "Next time you talk to Sookie, you let know that as well. I'm going upstairs." She stormed out of the room and Rory heard one last shout from her mother's bedroom: "and stay away from my vines."
"That went well." Rory muttered to herself.
Luke got up and hopped in the shower, like he always did. Then, he put on his jeans, boots and a flannel, like he always did. But when his eyes landed on the blue cap, his hands wouldn't obey his brain's command; he couldn't bring himself to put it on. He closed his eyes for a second and pulled a box from his closet.
"I can't believe you actually have a box full of baseball caps, Luke. That's just hilarious. Especially for someone who keeps complaining about the amount of shoes I buy."
Luke looked at Lorelai and shrugged saying: "I don't have to bring them with me. I can leave them here in the apartment."
"What?" She said surprised. "No way." Lorelai hugged him from behind and whispered in his ear: "I want ALL of Luke to come live with me." He smiled and turned around, placing a sweet kiss in her temple.
He rummaged though the box's content and reluctantly picked a black cap to wear. He stopped in front of the mirror and shook his head in disbelief. So this is what heart broken looks like. Pathetic. Luke looked around his apartment and his eyes landed on his wallet. He felt sick to the stomach thinking about the folded horoscope inside and considered whether or not to throw it away.
Lorelai came home one night and found Luke sitting in the couch sipping a beer with a box sitting on the coffee table.
"Finally", she said excited. "I thoughtyou would never bring your stuff here."
"This is not mine", he said.
"What do you mean 'not yours'?" She eyes the box suspiciously for a moment before opening it and recognizing the content. It was her Max Medina Box. "Luke, please share your thoughts with me. Out loud." She sat next to him and saw hurt in his eyes. Lorelai intertwined her hand with his and turned to face him. "Listen to me really carefully", she started softly, "I love you, Luke Danes and I want to marry you and I want you to live with me in this beautiful house you have fixed for me over and over again."
"Why do you keep his stuff? I mean, Christopher I get it. I don't like, but he is Rory's dad so I can live with a couple of his pictures around. But Max? I know I have some of Rachel's pictures in my drawer, but even you said you liked them and there's that amazing one she took of us a couple of years ago. And I told you I could get rid of them if you wanted."
Lorelai laughed and got up, pulling him towards the hall closet. She picked a couple of boxes and dropped them to their feet. She opened one by one and proceed to show her fiancee the contents of each and everyone of them. "This is my Patrick Harper Box. He was the first relationship I hadafter Rory was born. I was 21, he was around 27. It only lasted a few years, but it was enough time for me to receive a few letters, gifts and tons of chocolate. This one is my Sam Houaiss Box and this tiny one is my Jason Stiles Box. I keep this boxes because they are my past; all the choices I've ever made, all the paths I've ever chosen are what brought me right to this moment, so I don't wanna forget it ever happened."
Luke's lips formed that huge smile only Lorelai got to see. Once again, Luke Danes was amazed by Lorelai Gilmore.
"What about those?" Luke asked pointing to the other boxes, still in the closet.
"Those are Rory's boxes. The Dean Box and… The Jess Box." She finished in a whisper.
Luke nodded and pulled her close to him. He leaned forward and stopped just a few centimeters from her lips. "I love you, Lorelai Gilmore. And I can't wait to be married to you." She smiled and closed the gap between them. It was a long and sweet kiss, full of love and dreams.
Luke shook his head. No matter how much it hurt to carry that piece of paper, he couldn't let go of it. He sighed and went downstairs to open his diner.
"Luke, people are hungry here." Kirk demanded from his stool at the counter.
"I'll be right there, Kirk. Stop yelling."
Luke seemed more on edge than usual and that didn't go unnoticed by the people from Stars Hollow. The moment Kirk spotted the owner of the diner that made him (open) and shut down Kirk's Diner, he knew something was wrong, but failed to see what. That's when he called for back up. Not very long after Kirk made the call, Babette and Miss Patty were sitting at their usual table looking around and making mental notes of everything around them.
"Good morning, ladies. What can I get you?" Zach asked, paper and pen ready to work.
"I don't think you want the actual answer to that question, darling." Miss Patty said in a naughty tone and Babette burst out laughing. Zach stared at them, his eyes blank and his feet planted at the spot.
"Just bring that handsome boss of yours over here." Miss Patty said and waved her hand dismissively.
Zach nodded and turned to leave when Babette held his arm. "And don't forget the oatmeal, okay sugar?"
He smiled at the woman and said: "Wouldn't dream of it. Be right back with the meal and the man." Zach winked and walked away.
"You want me, Patty?" Luke asked annoyed.
"All day long." She purred placing a hand on his arm. His face turned all fades of red and the women saw that he was in no mood for jokes.
"We just wanted to check on you, sugar." Babette said softly. "Lorelai hasn't left the house and then the accident with the diner..."
"I'm fine, thanks." He cut in sharply and went back behind the counter.
"Oatmeal and another refill. Anything else I can do for you?" Zach asked the ladies.
"No, we're good for now. Thanks, handsome." Miss Patty said.
"You saw the cap?" Babette asked jerking her thumb towards the counter.
"I did, indeed. What do you think that means?" Miss Patty wondered out loud.
"I have no idea, but I know someone who does." Babette said with a decisive nod.
"Lorelai? We can't ask her that. It's too soon. You just said she has barely left the house."
"The other Lorelai." Babette barely finished her sentence when the other Lorelai, or Rory as she preferred to be called, walked by the window outside the diner, waving at the two women. They waved back excitedly and motioned for her to get in.
"Hi Babette, hi Miss Patty. How is it going?"
"Couldn't be better, doll."
"You're not gonna grow any taller, honey. Please sit down."
The women talked, laughed and made Rory uncomfortable before getting to the point.
"So, Rory, tell me something. What's the deal with the blue cap?" Miss Patty asked.
Rory nearly choked on her coffee before staring at the dance teacher with her giant blue eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Honey, this innocent look might work on Luke, but we old broads are already immune to you." Babette added with a big laugh.
"I don't know what you mean. Mom gave Luke a blue cap a couple of years ago. Nothing more."
Just when Miss Patty was about to continue her interrogation, Luke started to approach and she decided to stop. At least for the time being.
"Blueberry muffin." Luke announced before putting the plate in front of Rory.
"Thanks, Luke." He gave her a weak smile and started making his rounds to refill his other costumers' cups.
"Good morning, Michel." Rory said when she reached the front desk at the Dragonfly.
"Morning." He spitted back.
"Wow, quite a good mood this morning, huh?"
"You should know. Your mother decided to not show up for work. Again."
"Right, of course. That's why we have to rush the plan. Tell the window guy to fix room twelve and this whole thing is gonna be over. Is Sookie in the kitchen?"
"Yes. Go ahead. Leave me here, alone. Working like a dog."
Rory rolled her eyes and made her way to the kitchen ignoring Michel's complaints.
"Hello, popcorn. Coffee will be ready in a minute. Sit down, I'll bake you something."
"Thanks Sookie! I should come over more often."
"You definitely should. But something tells me you're not here only for my baked goods."
Rory sighed and confessed: "Yeah, you caught me. I've been to Luke's today. He is not wearing the blue cap."
"The one your mother gave him? But he always wears it."
"He had a black one on." She reported.
"Are you sure? Maybe the light reflected and..."
Rory cut her off with a sad "no" and continued in defeat. "What if we are too late?"
"Don't say that. He still loves her, I'm sure."
"We've got a problem." Michel announced from the kitchen's entrance.
Both Rory and Sookie stared at the french concierge waiting for him to continue, but he just stood there, hands on pockets and lips pursed.
"So? You said we have a problem. What is it?" Sookie asked nervously.
"Not here. Follow me."
Reluctantly, the two of them followed Michel into Lorelai's office and waited for him to speak up.
"Room twelve is not available anymore."
"What? But I thought you had reserved it." Rory said confused.
"I did, but apparently your mother had someone check it and found out it was empty. Last night someone called the inn and they'll be arriving later today." He informed the girls.
"Well, we can always wait a couple more days." Sookie suggested.
"No way!" Rory protested. "We are running out of time. Let's pick another one."
"Here is the list, let me check… No, I'm sorry, we're completely booked."
"Check again." Sookie said.
Michel looked at least from top to bottom, but came back empty again. "We're completely booked."
"Michel, you can't be serious. Let me see this." Rory took the list out of Michel's hands and ran her eyes through it.
"We are completely booked." She whispered in disbelief.
"I already told you that." Michel hissed annoyed.
"Yeah, but the people from room number seven are leaving the day after tomorrow, which fits our timeline perfectly.
"Great. Crisis averted. Michel, just one last thing: why couldn't we talk in the kitchen?" Sookie asked.
Michel shrugged and said: "I just thought this was more official."
"Thanks for staying with us. I hope you enjoyed Stars Hollow." Lorelai said to the guests checking out.
"Oh we just loved, right John? The city is really something else. We're looking forward to bring our kids here next year. Give our compliments to your chef."
"I'll be sure to do so. Have a nice trip. Bye." She wave and the happy couple left.
While Lorelai kept her gaze on the couple, she didn't notice Sookie watching the whole scene from the hallway and running towards the kitchen just after the guests left.
"Jackson? It's me. The plan is a go. I repeat: the plan is a go." Sookie closed her phone and started humming "At Last" while chopping some vegetables.
"Mom?" Rory asked from the top of stairs at the Dragonfly. "You gotta check this out."
"What's up, hon?" Lorelai asked. "Can't you come down? I'm old and tired."
"You are gonna want to see this." Rory said decisively.
"Okay, I'm going." By the third step, Lorelai blinked and muttered "shoot" before going down again.
"What's wrong?"
"I gotta let Michel know I'm coming up. Be right back."
"Okay, I'm in room number seven."
"Michel! I need you to watch the front desk for a few minutes." Room sever. Lucky number seven. The same room Luke stayed in the night of the test run.
"Lorelai, stop yelling. I'm coming."
"Well, hurry. I have to go to room number seven really quickly. I know it's your break, but Rory said is urgent. And I have reasons to believe it is The Lost related. We might finally be getting a trailer for the movie. And the book was just sooooo good." She batted her eyelashes at him and waited for any kind of response.
"Fine. Go." He muttered under his breath.
"Michel? Aren't you forgetting something?" Sookie asked desperately after Lorelai left.
He looked around the kitchen searching for a hint, but came up empty. "No, I don't think so."
"Operation L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N.? You were supposed to call Luke the minute Rory got Lorelai to room seven."
"Uh, sure. As soon as my break is over."
Sookie shook her head and ran to the front desk.
"Luke's." The diner owner barked into the phone.
"Luke? This is Sookie."
"Hey Sookie. Is everything okay? You sound kind of worried."
"No, Luke. Something has happened. I need you to come to the Dragonfly."
The pen Luke was holding fell from his hands and worry took over his blue eyes. Sookie could hear he swallow a lump in his throat before asking "is it Lorelai?" and felt really bad for the lie. It's for the greater good. Just like that Machiavelli guy said: the end justifies the means. Right? Right.
"Yes, Luke. I need you to come here right now."
"What happened?" He asked fighting to get the words out.
Wrong. I can't do this. This is wrong. It was too late. Guilty took over Sookie and she hung up.
Luke heard the clicking sound and knew Sookie wasn't there anymore, but he couldn't let go of the receiver. His head kept replaying Something has happened. I need you to come to the Dragonfly over and over and over and his mind went insane with terrible scenarios and all of them involved Lorelai getting deeply hurt. Luke Danes didn't think twice: he looked around and saw his diner packed, but there was no time for that. He patted his jeans' pockets in look for his keys but came up empty. Luke shut his eyes really hard and tried to make his minds tell him where the he last saw them. I left them in the truck. He ran around back and started the engine immediately.
A hysteric Lorelai looked out the window and noticed how fast the other cars were going. No, wait. "We're being passed by senior citizens." She said annoyed.
"I'm going as fast as I can." Luke said trying to remain calm.
"Bye Grandma, bye." Lorelai said sarcastically and waved her hand for effect.
"There's ice on the road, those people aren't being safe." He tried to argue.
"Well maybe they're not being safe but at least they're getting somewhere." She shot back at him.
Lorelai was being annoying, and a bit rude if Luke was gonna be honest. But her father was in the hospital, so Luke didn't take it personally. He knew exactly just how terrifying it was to have a parent sick.
"Oh, you're psychic now? You're suddenly getting visions while you're driving 20 mph in the oldest truck known to man? I'm sorry, you're killing yourself to get me there and I'm yelling at you. I don't mean it." Lorelai stared at the phone in her hands and hated herself for not fighting back with Emily on the un-invitement to the Christmas party.
Luke saw out of the corner of his eyes the struggle she was going through and couldn't take it: his foot lowered a little more and the speedometer went a little higher. Lorelai gave him a smile as a form of thanks and he nodded in response.
Just like that day all those years ago, once again, Luke Danes' speedometer went a little higher. When he finally reached the Dragonfly, he looked around searching for a direction, but everything seemed quiet. There was no sign of fire, so it was a good start. Maybe she fell; Lorelai is known to be a little klutz.
"Rory, hon, I see no sign whatsoever of the trailer."
"What?" Rory asked with genuine confusion.
"The Lost, based on Jack Ketchum's book? We've been waiting for this movie forever."
"There isn't a trailer, yet. Why would you ask me that?"
"Now I'm confused. If the trailer wasn't released yet, what could be so urgent?"
"Mom, take a seat please."
Lorelai saw the look in her daughter's eyes and didn't like the view. She approached the chair carefully and slowly sat down, folding her hands on her lap. "Okay. I'm here, I sat down. Now talk."
Rory looked around and went through the plan one last time in her head. She checked her watch and, if everything went right, Luke was due to arrive in about eight minutes. That's a lot of time to kill. Think, Rory, think. Rory's mind did a search of everything she could use as a stalling tactic, but came up empty.
Lorelai Gilmore knew for a fact she wasn't very good in being a daughter – or at least that's what her parents, especially her mom, always led her to believe. However, she was always proud of the fact she had motherhood pretty much down and a big part of being a mother was the ability to see when your kid is lying through her teeth. Just like Rory was doing now.
"Uh, Rory, I know you wanted me to come up here, but the excuse you're trying to make is not going to stick, so it's better if you just tell me. I mean, you've been acting pretty weird this past couple of days."
Rory knew there was no getting out now. She would have to tell her mom the truth and hope for the best. But just when she was about to open her mouth someone knocked on the door.
"Come in." Rory said relieved.
The knight in shining armor – or vegetable's grower in a green beanie – was Jackson Belleville, who came to the rescue along little Davey.
"Lorelai, I'm so glad I found you. Could you watch Davey for a moment? I have to check the zucchini patch and Sookie doesn't want this little guy walking around the inn unsupervised. I would leave him in the kitchen, but you know, too many knives."
"No problem. Let's go downstairs, I bet we can drive Michel to an early retirement in no time." Lorelai said excitedly.
"Do you think you could keep him here?" Jackson asked.
"You mean in this room?" Lorelai asked confused.
Jackson heard shouting coming from the entrance and considered his part done.
"On second thought, you have to work. Rory, why don't you keep Davey company for me? I promise I won't be long." He pleaded to the girl.
She pretended to consider for a moment and then got up to hold Davey's hand.
"But wait!" Lorelai said. "Rory, didn't you want to talk to me?"
"Uh, it can wait." Rory shrugged and left as fast as possible. Jackson followed her and Lorelai was just about to do the same, but she crashed in someone knocking them both to the floor. Luckily for Rory and Jackson, they fell inside the room, so they only had to lock it and run away as fast possible.
Luke saw Lorelai struggling to get up in her heels and quickly went to her rescue. She thanked him and they exchanged a simple smile, and that's when realization hit them both.
"What are you doing here, Luke?"
"Sookie called me and said you got hurt, so I came running and now I'm realizing you're just fine. I can show myself out, don't bother."
He tried the knob, but it didn't work. He tried two more times and then he tried to force the door open.
"Is something wrong with this door?" He asked Lorelai.
"I don't know, maybe it got stuck. Let me get someone to open. Just a sec." She picked up the phone next to the bed and dialed the front desk.
"Dragonfly Inn, Michel speaking."
"Michel, it's me." Luke heard her pause and grunt before continuing. "Lorelai." Another pause. "Gilmore. How many Lorelais Gilmore do you know besides me and Rory? Ugh, doesn't matter. Listen: Luke and I got stuck in room seven, so could you please come up or send Rory?"
"Sure. Your off-spring is on her way."
Rory took the key and a deep breath before going up. Show time.
"Finally. I don't know what happened to the door." Lorelai said when Rory came in.
"I locked it." Rory said nonchalantly.
"I'm sorry, you locked it?" Luke asked incredulously.
"Yes. This is a L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N." She said decisively.