Luke woke up to the sound of birds chirping. This whole town was too chirpy. He realized Lorelai wasn't there, then realized what time it was. He was supposed to be at the diner 45 minutes ago. He quickly threw on his purple and blue plaid shirt and headed downstairs. He noticed the door to Rory's room was closed. He became worried. She had classes to get to today. He opened the door quietly, to reveal Lorelai and Rory asleep in the bed, Paul Anka in the chair. He decided Lorelai knew what she was doing and headed off to the diner.

"Luke, you're late!" Ceaser said as Luke walked in.

"You're just early," Luke replied, not feeling like giving an explanation.

"Jess called, asked to have you call him back," Ceaser said.

"Okay, now get to work. Where's Lane?"

"Her mom got in a car wreck last night, she's at the hospital reading her bible verses."

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah, she's not dead."

"Oh well I guess I had nothing no worry about then."

"She broke a leg, that's all I know." Luke wondered if he should call and tell Rory……..nah later was fine. She had enough going on. Besides, Kirk was sitting there staring at him, saying, "Gee I wish I had some pancakes," Over and over again.

Lorelai opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. She was concerned about many things in Rory's life, including STD's. She should get up, to call the Inn, call Yale, call Luke. But most of all for coffee. She slipped out of bed and walked into the kitchen, Paul Anka following her.

"Hey buddy! Nice outfit you picked out, very color coordinated. I'll just have to put it to good use on Monday." She filled the container with water and poured the whole bag of coffee mix in. Then she called Luke.

"Luke's."

"Hey it's me."

"Hey, what's Rory doing there?"

"Ah, well add together boy drama and some desperate cravings for my home made mac and cheese."

"Was it that guy Logan? I swear I will hunt him down and…."

"Express your love for him? I know hon, but that would be a little strange considering your taking me to the dance this weekend. He might get jealous."

"Ya well….."

"Look let's just say there's been multiple cheatings involved, and Rory is okay, but just keep it on the D.L. if you know what I'm sayin'."

"Uh no, actually, the D.L.?"

"The download Luke, the download! You've been with me this long and you still don't know what that means? Man we have work to do."

"I look forward to it."

"Bye."

"Bye."

"Hey how late was it last night?" Rory asked her mom on the way to Luke's.

"Uh, I'd say around 3ish."

"I'm probably the only college student who runs to her mom when she breaks up with her boyfriend."

"So that's final, huh?"

"Well, the call has to be made, I have to get my stuff, I'm missing classes today, jeez I've got a lot to do."

"Taking 1 day off can only help. It's all taken care of. And come home anytime you want hon. You're my priority. You need me, we'll find a way to each other." Lorelai put her arm around Rory as they walked into Luke's. Rory smiled thinking of how even though many things had changed since she was 16, many hadn't.

"So, you up for Friday night dinner?" Lorelai asked as they sat down.

"Well I guess, I guess I'll have to tell them."

"Ya, good luck with that. They thought you were together forever, the perfect soon to be rich married future Emily and Richard couple."

"So much for comforting," Rory said.

"How about pancakes and doughnuts for comforting?" Luke said as he approached the table.

"Sounds great Luke." Luke couldn't help but look into the little girls eyes and see the pain, that made him want to beat this guy up and feed him to Rory for breakfast.

"And you Lorelai?"

"Double that, except add coffees please."

"No problem."

When Luke brought back their food, he sat down, feeling obligated to tell Rory about Lane's mom. When he sat they both looked at him strangely.

"We're not planning on sharing, just so you know," Lorelai said.

"I wouldn't eat that if it were the last thing on earth."

"Another thing we'll have to work on, though I'm not so sure this one will be that easy."

"Lane's mom got in a car crash," Luke blurted out, not knowing how to say it.

"When?" Rory asked franticly.

"Last night, broke a leg."

"Oh my God, maybe I should help out at the store, at least give Lane a call," Rory responded. "I'll be right back," she said retrieving her cell phone and heading out the door.

"She's trained that way under me….leaving to talk on the cell phone, I'm so proud," Luke said.

"Yeah, you should be," Lorelai said rolling her eyes.

"Is she any better?" Luke asked.

"Well she was getting there, but now I believe she's more worked up than before."

"Sorry, I'm not too great at announcing these things."

"It's okay, it's why I love you. Great, now I'll have to call my mother and inform her we're not coming to dinner."

A few hours later, Rory was at the hospital with Lane. "I'm so sorry Lane, can I do anything to help?"

"Well, I'm going to be running the store for a while, if you could drop by and say hi or something….."

"I'll do more than that. I'll help you out with it. The business. You know I've become quite a business woman myself."

"I never knew you had it in you."

"I'm breaking up with Logan."

"Really, why?"

"Because he's been cheating on me."

"Well I guess it's been a sucky weekend for both of us. I'm really sorry."

"Yeah well…… let's make it a girls' weekend. My mom and I can come over and help at the store some, and other than that I'll just hang with her and Sookie at the Inn."

"Sounds great, hey help me with this tea please?" Lane said as they entered the hospital room.

"Jess Mariano here," Jess said as he picked up his phone.

"Hey, it's Luke."

"Hi."

"Hi, so what's goin on?"

"Well, I just……it's just I've been working on finishing high school since I've been here and my graduation is coming up. I wondered if you, Lorelai and….Rory wanted to come."

"Well, congratulations buddy! When is it?"

Jess laughed as he heard his uncle say the word buddy. "It's a week from today, here in Philly."

"Well, you can count on me, I'll have to ask Rory and Lorelai."

"Okay, good. So it is formal and if you could just meet me here at the bookstore around 3:00, I have something to give you."

"Hey Jess?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm really proud of you, for pulling your life together. I've said it before, but you're just, amazing."

"Thanks, but I owe it most to you."

"Uh, thank you."

"Well, see ya." "Yeah, see ya."