A/N: And here it is! A bit longer than the last two, I hope you enjoy it. It'll probably be a week or so before I can get the next chapter up, but when I do Chloe's identity will finally be revealed, so you can all look forward to that :)
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to whoever owns Gilmore Girls these days. I own nothing but Chloe.
"Hey Sook," Lorelai asked her best friend, as she walked into the kitchen of the Dragonfly a few days later. "Exactly how evil do you think my mother is?"
"Emily? Maybe somewhere in between Cruella DeVil and the Devil himself? Why?"
"Hmm," Lorelai sighed. "Well, I know this sounds...insane, but..."
"Lorelai, every other thing that comes out of your mouth sounds insane, what's going on?"
"Well, the thing is, Rory was telling me how all of the sudden this year, people keep mistaking her for someone else. Apparently a particular someone else, named Chloe. And the names Chloe and Rory are not really that similar, so she figured they must have similar hair or something."
"Makes sense." Sookie continued stirring something on the stove.
"Then, apparently, she was at the coffee cart last week, and turns out that this girl Chloe not only is a coffee addict like Rory and I, but even takes her coffee exactly the same way."
"Wow, not many people can say that."
"I know, right? Then, today, Rory actually ran into this girl, and she said it was a total Parent-Trap-esque 'hey wow you look like me' moment. She said if she didn't know better, she would assume they were related, they look that freakishly alike."
"Bizarre."
"I thought so too."
"Wait, what does this have to do with Emily being evil?"
"Like I said, I know it's insane, but. . ."
"No!" Sookie gasped. "You don't think? Even Emily couldn't possibly be that cruel. I mean, she ADORES Rory, I can't believe she would..."
"I know, that does seem too evil even for Emily. And apparently Chloe is a freshman. Still though."
"Yeah, I can't blame you for wondering."
"Coffee though. I've never, ever met anyone who drinks coffee the way Rory and I do."
"No, me neither," Sookie agreed, shooting her friend a concerned glance. "Don't do anything rash,
Lorelai."
"What do you mean?" Lorelai asked, confused.
"I know you. You aren't going to be able to let this go. You're going to keep thinking about this girl Chloe, and the possibility, and you're just going to let the thoughts fester and fester until suddenly they erupt all over the place in this huge, festering mess!" Sookie said dramatically, waving around the ladle in her hand for emphasis.
"I promise," Lorelai said. "No festering."
"Good." Sookie calmed down. "So how's Luke?"
"Oh ya know," Lorelai began. "He's Luke. Same great, flannel-clad, backwards baseball cap wearing guy he's always been. I think I'm gonna head out for awhile though, Sook, clear my head. Make sure there's no festering."
Sookie just chuckled. "Okay, I'll see you later hun."
XXXXXXXXXX
After gathering some things from her purse, and informing and very displeased Michel, Lorelai headed out to her car, and began driving around. Eventually it dawned on her that Sookie was right, she would never be able to let this go. As she was contemplating how to avoid the festering, her cellphone rang,
playing the tune that told her it was Rory calling.
"Favorite daughter of mine!" She answered cheerfully.
"Hey Mom."
"Hey kid, what's up?"
"Not much. On my way to class. I ran into Chloe again last night, you know that girl I was telling you about, who looks like me?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"She's actually really nice. Reminds me a lot of me and you. Besides the coffee thing, she eats like us too, and she definitely seems to be able to hold her own bantering."
"Wow, impressive," Lorelai said. Trying to keep her emotion in check. She knew she was reading too much into this, but she just couldn't help it.
"Yeah, I know. I was so surprised I actually asked her what her last name was, thinking we might be like, distant cousins or something. Her last name is Cullen, but she said she was adopted as a baby, so I guess it's always possible."
In a state of bewildered shock, Lorelai forgot to respond. There were way too many coincidences here. She took the next turn, leading her on the way to Hartford. She had to know. Meanwhile, Rory was trying to get her Mom's attention.
"Mom?...Mom?...Are you still there?...Mommy dearest?"
"What? Oh, sorry Ror, I just got distracted. Look I'm driving, can I call you back tonight?"
"Okay...you sure everything's okay Mom?"
"Yup. Just dandy."
"Mom?"
"Really Rory, it's fine. I'll talk to you tonight."
"Okay," Rory said with a sigh, knowing there was something her Mom wasn't telling her.
XXXXXXXXXX
Fifteen minutes later, Lorelai was standing before her own personal hell. Staring at the big, threatening door. She took a few deep breaths, telling herself this was necessary. And reminding herself to be calm, and not accusing, until she knew for sure. She closed her eyes, and pressed the bell.
"May I help you?" The maid answered the door, not surprisingly a new maid since the last time she been to the Gilmore Mansion.
"I'm Lorelai, the daughter. Is Emily here?"
"Mrs. Gilmore is in the living room."
"Thanks." She walked in to see Emily scribbling away in a notebook. Probably planning some event or other for the DAR.
Lorelai cleared her throat. "Mom?"
"Lorelai?" Emily said, startled. "What on earth are you doing here in the middle of the day? And what is that atrocious thing you're wearing? I hope you haven't come straight from work, that's not very professional attire. And speaking of work, shouldn't you be there?"
"Mom!" Lorelai snapped, all intentions of remaining calm out the window. She fixed her mother with a steely glare. "Did you lie to me?"
"No, of course not. I would never lie, Lorelai. What in heaven's name are you talking about?"
"Twenty-one years ago, in the hospital, did you lie to me?"
Emily look taken aback, she was clearly not expecting that. Although she quickly fixed an indignant look on her face, Lorelai didn't miss the flash of guilt that passed over first.
"You did," she whispered. "You lied to me. You lied to me! How could you lie to me about something like that?"
"It's not like I had a choice Lorelai, you could never have handled the situation. And I had to maintain what dignity our family name had left after news of your pregnancy got out." Emily said, exasperated.
"What?!" Lorelai was furious. "Of course you had a choice Mom! Well, no, you didn't. I had a choice! That was my choice to make, and you had no right to make it for me! Don't ever expect to see me in this house again. Or Rory, I would never want my daughter to associate with someone as cruel as you."
She turned to leave, fully meaning every word she said. She was furious, and she would never come back to this awful place.
"Now really, Lorelai, don't you think that's a bit dramatic?"
"No Mom, I don't. This isn't the kind of thing I could ever forgive you for. Good-bye."
And with that, she left, getting into her car. She drove back to Stars Hollow in a daze. Sure, she had wondered, maybe even been suspicious. But the reality of the situation was still hitting her hard. She often joked about Emily being evil, compared her to Adolf Hitler. But she still couldn't believe her own mother could be that cruel. And now, she had to figure out what to do about it all. And how to tell Rory! And Luke! And Christopher! Oh gosh, Christopher! She pulled out her cellphone, intending to call him straightaway. Then after a moment she thought better of it. She would figure this out first. She would tell Rory, and then Luke, and then Christopher.
XXXXXXXXXX
Before she knew it, she found herself back in front of the Dragonfly. Still in a bit of a haze, she barely registerd Michel's snippy comments, simply shrugging him off and making her way to the kitchen.
"Sook?" she asked, for the second time that day.
"What's up hun?" Sookie asked, without turning around.
"I..." Lorelai started, unsure how to do this. "Rory called...and then Emily...and...lies..and...what am I gonna do?" She finally managed to whisper.
"Lorelai?" Sookie said, finally turning around. "Oh, sweetie, what's wrong?" She asked, noticing her best friend's pale complexion. "What about Rory and Emily?"
"I..."She took a deep breath, knowing she need to speak in full sentences. "Rory called, and then I confronted my Mother. And she lied, Sookie, she lied. I can't believe she's really that cold-hearted."
There was a crash, as Sookie dropped whatever she'd been holding, rushing over to give Lorelai a hug.
"Oh man, I can't believe that. That's so, so..."
Lorelai silently nodded, before finally giving into everything she was feeling, and sobbing. She slowly slid to the floor, and Sookie sat down next to her, rubbing her back comfortingly while Lorelai mumbled incoherently about everything that had happened.
XXXXXXXXXX
Nearly an hour later, Sookie had passed off her chef duties, and Lorelai was still sobbing uncontrollably on the floor.
"Lorelai hun, this isn't good," she started. But Lorelai just continued crying.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" She asked, her voice laced with concern. Lorelai managed to shake her head.
"Coffee?" Lorelai shook her head again, and Sookie began to get really concerned, Lorelai never turned down coffee. Eventually she decided that she had to do something, so went out to the desk, and called down to the diner.
"Luke's," a gruff voice answered.
"Hey Luke, it's Sookie," she began hesitantly. "If you have some free time, I was wondering if you could come to the inn?"
"It's the middle of the lunch rush, Sookie."
"I know," she sighed. "But Luke, it's Lorelai. She's really upset. She turned down coffee..." She trailed off, hoping he would understand.
"I'll be right there," he said, abruptly hanging up.
Ten minutes later, Luke breezed into the inn, a to-go cup of coffee in hand. "Where is she?" he barked at Michel.
"Where is who?" Michel asked innocently.
"Dammit Michel, where the hell is Lorelai?" Luke asked, quickly becoming irritated and impatient.
"Luke!" Sookie called, having spotted him. "She's back here."
Luke hurried back toward the kitchen, shocked at what he saw. Lorelai was sitting, crumpled against the island, sobs wracking her body.
"Lorelai?" He said softly, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Lorelai, it's me. I brought you some coffee."
When she didn't seem to be responding, he tried again. "Lorelai, please? Drink the coffee? Come on, never again will you hear me beg you to drink this stuff, you should take advantage of it while you can."
"At that, Lorelai reached out and grabbed the cup, downed it in two sips, and tossed the empty cup aside."
Luke stood with a sigh, and turned to Sookie. "So what happened anyway?"
"I, umm, well..." Sookie stuttered.
"Sookie..." Luke said, a hint of threatening in his voice.
"I can't Luke. This has to come from Lorelai. It's big, and it's bad, but she has to be the one to tell you. Maybe you could take her home?"
Luke nodded. "Lorelai?" he asked, bending down again. Think you can walk?" At Lorelai's continued sobs, he knelt down and scooped her up. She immediately buried her face into his chest.
"Shhh," he murmured. "It's okay. Everything is going to be okay. I'm here for you, whatever's going on."
XXXXXXXXXX
Lorelai sat on the couch, staring at the phone in her hand. She had sent Luke away a little while ago, promising to explain everything later, but insisting that Rory needed to be the first to know. After awhile Luke reluctantly agreed, but made her promise to call him any time of day if she needed anything or if she changed her mind.
She stared at the phone some more, knowing she should just get it over with. She wasn't sure what she was so nervous about to begin with, it's not like she had to actually tell Rory yet. This was definitely not over-the-phone news. She just needed to convince Rory to come home for the weekend tomorrow. And tell her not to go to dinner. She sighed, finally giving in and pressing the numbers.
"Hey Mom," her daughter's voice greeted her.
"Hey sweets. I've got some excellent news, and some...hopefully not terrible news."
"Sounds intriguing."
"Oh yeah," Lorelai sighed.
"So let's hear it. Start with the questionable news," Rory instructed.
"Okay. I need you to come home this weekend?" Lorelai raised her voice at the end, making it more of a question than a statement.
"Oh Mom, I don't know. I had plans with Logan..."
"I know sweets. But this is kinda important. Promise you'll at least think about it?"
"Sure, I'll think about it. Now what's the excellent news?"
"Oh, right!" Lorelai instantly brightened. "We never have to go to Friday Night Dinner ever again! In fact, we WILL never go to Friday Night Dinner again."
"What? But...why? And they're not that bad, I kind of like them."
"I know, but Rory, I have to ask you not to go anymore. In fact, I'd prefer it if you never even spoke to them ever again, but I know I can't control you that way."
"Mom what happened? Did you and Grandma fight? Where's all this coming from? And what about Yale?"
"I'll answer all your questions...when you come home tomorrow!"
"Mom!" Rory pleaded.
"Nope. Home tomorrow, or no answers for you."
"Mean."
"I try."
"I'll talk to Logan. I should probably be able to make it STars Hollow by about six, if theres no Friday Night Dinner."
"Which there isn't! So six it is!"
Rory laughed. "Okay Mom, I'll see you then."
"Bye sweets."
"Bye Mom."
