Chapter Two: Everything That Was

Rolling over Lorelai opened her eyes to see daylight illuminating her surroundings, filling the room with light. For a moment she laid there, then hearing a noise she glanced down to see Paul Anka stretched out on the bed next to her, his big eyes looking at her as his head rested on his front paws.

It was a sight she had grown accustomed to this last month. Since Luke's death he had taken watch by her side, rarely leaving her, it was a constant she had grown to expect and to appreciate.

Of course none of this went through her mind. Nothing much did now days except the odd random thought, mostly she was filled with a state of complete numbness, her body going through the motions with very little thought in it. It was in this state that she reached out her hand to stroke Paul Anka behind the ear before she sat up.

Paul Anka jumped off the bed, sitting on the floor as he watched Lorelai throw back the duvet and swing her legs out of the bed. Standing up the two of them headed downstairs, Paul Anka running ahead making a direct line to the kitchen, Lorelai walked more slowly, each step measured and a little unsteady. Walking down the stairs she didn't notice the pile of clean, folded laundry that was sitting in a basket on the sofa or that the living room curtains had been pulled opened or that the flowers which had filled the living room and had been slowly dying were now gone.

Once in the kitchen she let Paul Anka outside so he could do his business, leaving the door ajar for him to come back in when he was ready. Opening the fridge she stared at the covered food that was there. There was enough to feed a house full but Lorelai knew it was all meant for her, courtesy of Sookie, Miss Patty and Babette. Taking out a plate she peeled back a corner of the tin foil to see what looked liked a casserole, the rich aroma of beef, vegetables and herbs hitting her nostrils. Recovering the plate she placed it back in the fridge, taking out a bottle of OJ which she brought up to her lips taking several big gulps then return it to its place, shutting the fridge.

For the next few minutes she went about doing a few tasks, filling Paul Anka's bowl with food, topping up his water bowl. Finished she went back upstairs, taking a suit out of the closet.

It was time to go back to work.

~*~*~*~

The Dragonfly Inn

Working at the front desk computer Michel's attention was only half focused on Sookie who was busy expressing her concerns.

"... there's the bill for the laundry and one for Jackson's fruit and veg...."

Hearing the inn's front door open Michel looked up to see Lorelai walk in and then pause to stand in the open foyer, not moving.

"Lorelai. Thank God you're here. Sookie was just saying...."

Michel stopped in mid sentence as he noticed Sookie shaking her head at him quickly, her eyes wide. Giving her a questioning look he mouthed "What?" at her.

Ignoring him Sookie went over to Lorelai taking in her appearance.

At first glance Lorelai appeared dressed and ready for work but giving another look one could see that several details weren't quiet right. Her hair which was in an up do looked liked she hadn't put a brush through it and her suit though clean and pressed was open to reveal that her shirt was buttoned wrongly so that one side hung longer than the other and finally she had on one black shoe and one brown shoe. All in all she looked disheveled but it wasn't that, that was the most disconcerting thing. What really was unsettling was the way Lorelai just stood there, not saying a word, her eyes glazed over as if she wasn't fully aware of where she was.

"Lorelai, honey. We weren't expecting you. Not that it's not great to see you, I mean it's not like that I... we haven't seen you in a while, it's just that since... well...."

The words tumbling out of her mouth Sookie went quiet not knowing what to say, knowing that anything she did say would sound stupid.

"Mmm, what?" Lorelai blinked and looked down at Sookie in confusion.

Seeing the blank look on her friend's face, taking in the depth of sadness that she could see in her eyes Sookie gently reached out her hand, touching Lorelai on the arm.

"Sweetie, are you sure you should be here? Because you don't have to be if you don't want to. Michel and I have got everything covered. Haven't we Michel?"

Still holding on to Lorelai arm Sookie turned to Michel signaling to him with her eyes to agree with her statement, hoping for one of those rare times that he would get the message.

Michel looked at Sookie for a moment in confusion but glancing from her to Lorelai and back he could see that Lorelai was in no condition to be here. Plastering on a cheery smile he replied, "Of course, take all the time you need. Sookie and I can take care of everything."

Giving Michel a grateful smile Sookie turned her attention back to Lorelai putting a big smile on her face. "You see everything here is fine, so you can go back home, if you want to that is?"

Lorelai stared blankly around for a moment then looked back at Sookie. "Uh, home.... yeah, I'll think I go home."

With that Lorelai turned around making her way back to the door.

"I'll come with you. Cook up some breakfast, how do waffles sound...," said Sookie moving towards the door also, trying to take of her chef's apron at the same time.

"I'd like to be on my own for awhile. I'm really tired. I'm just going to go to bed," replied Lorelai, giving a glance at Sookie.

"Okay. Sure honey, I understand. Give me a ring if you want anything."

"Huhhuh," Lorelai quietly answered, opening the door and walking out.

Sookie looked on her face filled with concern.

"What are we going to do? She's in no condition to be here. Who's going to take care of all the paperwork? And what about all the bills that need paying?..."

"I'll think of something," said Sookie quietly cutting off Michel's tirade.

~*~*~*~