Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I wish I could live in their world, but I don't own them. :)

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Lorelai sat on her couch, waiting. Outside she heard the low, mocking call of the cats. But their song wasn't for her tonight. She almost wished it was. She also heard the screech of a car turning down her street. She sighed, stood and walked over to the window. She peered outside, and her gaze rested upon a flashy car that was pulling into her driveway. Lorelai closed her eyes and touched her cheek tenderly, where the swelling was just going down from his last visit. But maybe it won't be so bad this time, she told herself. Maybe he's in a good mood.

She remained at the window and watched him emerge from his place in the car. Her blue eyes followed him all the way to her door. She closed her eyes and braced herself for the knock. Lorelai strode to the door and opened it hesitantly.

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She walked the familiar route to Luke's, she knew it by heart, even in the dark. Lorelai looked at her watch. 9:00. This had been happening for weeks, but she still found herself particularly shaken after his visits. Lorelai was in desperate need of some coffee. She wasn't sure if it was the right thing, going to Luke's. He would probably be able to see right through her.

She heard the familiar song of the bells over the door as she entered her house of worship, the place with the happy coffee. She took a deep breath, and her olfactory glands were filled with the beautiful scent of caffeine. But even that couldn't make her smile. Things had been worse then ever tonight.

The diner was empty. She chose a seat at the counter. Luke was no where to be seen.

"Luke?" She called into the back. Crap, her voice was shaking. She hoped he hadn't heard.

"Lorelai?" He answered. He emerged from the back with a coffee pot in hand. His voice was filled with worry, and his face was vandalized with concern. And she knew there was no hiding it from him. She looked into the window connecting Taylor's Shoppe and the diner. It reflected onlythe shell of her former, happy, bouncyself. What she saw could only be described as tired, sad,afraid even. There was a bruise forming on her puffy cheek. She blinked quickly, settling her gaze on the countertop. He poured her a cup of coffee, and she hastily drank half.

"What happened?" He asked gently. He was hoping she slipped on a patch of ice outside and fell on her face, and that's where the bruise came from. But he seriously doubted it.

She looked up at him. His exterior was calm, like vanilla, Lorelai decided. But underneath she could tell he was readying himself to go into Luke-protector mode. She sighed, her answer barely audible.

"Jason."