Summary: JJ. She said it was over, but it wasn't. Not for them.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Author's Note: I promise a happy ending, but it will take a while to get there. Please let me know what you think!

Chasing Cars

Chapter One: Failed Attempt

Taking a last swig of his beer, unscrewing the last screw, taking down the last shelf; he was going to forget her. Somehow, he was going to move on.

First step; ridding his apartment of all of her things.

That was a year ago.

It was hard sleeping without her scent on the pillows, without the sweet aroma of her shower gel making its way inside of him. His bed felt enormous without her body snuggled against his. He felt alone without the sound of her breathing. He missed the way her exhilaration would kick in just before bed time, the sound of her chuckles as she watched late-night television.

But her constant nagging for him to stay up was not the cause of his sleepless nights anymore. It was now her absence.

He tried to forget about her. Had even dated a few times. But no other woman could take her place.

She had managed to move on, though. He was sure of it. And once he spotted Babette holding the wedding invitation, he was certain of it. Lorelai Gilmore was marrying Christopher Hayden. What a shot to the heart that was.

She claimed to love him, then slept with another man. And, now, she was marrying that man.

- - -

He looked out the diner window, staring across the street.

Luke scoffed at the sight of Sookie carrying a pile of bridal magazines in her arms. They were for Lorelai, no doubt. He allowed that familiar pain to emerge, but only for a moment, and he then turned to refill the coffee pot. Today was going to be a good day. He had promised himself.

He was counting his tips when he heard Babette whispering to Patty,

"I swear 'ta God! I saw his car drive by just a few minutes ago! Trunk was full of luggage!"

"He wouldn't have the nerve to move into town. Not after what he caused..."

"I'm telling 'ya, it was him!"

"Who?" Gypsy chimed in.

Both Babette and Patty stole a glance at Luke, he pretended not to notice, before they whispered, "Christopher."

He looked away, closing his eyes as he tried to gain control of his anger. This was really happening. She was really going to go through with this.

That was the day he began packing his bags.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Lorelai stands up, rubbing her hand across her forehead, "I feel guilty about this. Should I feel guilty about this?"

"No, mom. It's not your fault. You had no control over it..."

"I should be moving to Boston with Chris. I can't make Luke move, he was here first. This is his town!"

"I don't think being here before you makes this his town."

"You know what I mean. He's been here all of his life, and now I'm forcing him out."

"You're not forcing him out, it's his decision."

"I can imagine what he's thinking, 'The world always revolves around her...'" She slumps back on the couch, a frown visible on her face.

Rory joins her, speaking genuinely, "It's sad, you know? I haven't talked to him since... well, you know." Lorelai's face saddens. "I still had hope though, when I would pass the diner... see the sign..."

"What?"

She sighs, "I don't know. I just - I thought you would get back together. It's stupid, I know, I just - I thought you were good together."

Lorelai smiles weakly, still feeling guilty over Rory being effected by everything.

Rory sits up, "Well, I'm gunna go pick something up at Doose's, you need anything?"

"Nah. I'll manage with what's left in the fridge."

"You sure?"

She looks down, still affected by her daughter's words, "Mhm."

She walks over to the banister, grabbing her sweater, "When's Dad coming back?"

A new subject, she could do that, "Oh... he forgot a box of his famous CD collection at his apartment. Everything between 'L' and 'P'"

"Edwin McCain... Pearl Jam..."

"The Pink Spiders..."

"All the goods." Lorelai chuckles, nodding. "Okay... I'll be back soon."

"Bye, hon." She calls out, as Rory leaves the house.

- - -

She is walking down the street, purposely walking by the super-market she never intended to enter. She stops in front of the diner, staring through the window at the man she once saw everyday. He is scribbling something down on a pad of paper. His eyebrows furrowed, his hand moving fast. He looks older now. Amazing, what a year of depression can do to you. He then looks up, catching her gaze, and giving her an awkward smile. She returns the gesture and then walks in.

She hears the familiar chiming of the bells, and then his voice,

"Hey... Rory..." She can sense the uneasiness in his tone.

"Hey."

He stands there, uncomfortably for a moment, before speaking, "Coffee?"

"Please." She takes a seat at the counter. "So, how are you?"

"Oh, I'm... good. I guess."

"That's good. I'm glad."

He fills her cup with coffee. "How about you? You just graduated from college, huh?"

"Yeah..." You were supposed to be at the ceremony. "I uh - I've been writing some articles in the Boston Globe. A few of them have been published."

He smiles, "Wow, good for you." She smiles. "It's amazing, how fast it went by. You...growing up... graduating..."

"Tell me about it."

Luke swallows hard, averting his gaze. He's not sure of what to say next. She then takes him by surprise,

"You're moving."

His struggles to keep his voice steady, "... yeah."

Rory nods, slowly, sadly, "She still loves you, you know?" He looks at her, but doesn't say anything. "I don't think she ever stopped, really."

He hesitates before speaking, "She's engaged."

"She's been engaged before."

He again, looks down, this time slightly shaking his head.

"Talk to her." He begins to speak, but she cuts him off, "She misses you."

"Rory... she's the one who ended it."

"Well, she made a mistake." He stays silent. "You were good together. You were. She made a mistake..." Luke sighs. "She didn't mean what she did to you, and if she could, she'd take it back in a heartbeat. I know it."

"Rory..."

"She never wanted this to happen. She regrets it everyday, I'm telling you!"

"Just... stop. Please?" Her face saddens at the look in his eyes. She know's this engagement is killing him.

"Will you at least... say goodbye? To her, I mean."

His voice is soft, "Alright."

Rory nods her head, "Okay."

To be continued...