Author's Note: Thank you so much to those who reviewed the last chapter! I did review reply to the first chapter, but due to my schedule these past few days have been unable to reply personally to the last one...I'm sorry. Anyway, with that said, there's more LL in this chapter, and it moves on a little for them. As always, any suggestions are welcome and will be taken into consideration. Thanks for reading, now...enjoy!
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own. Even if I did, it wouldn't have ended they way it did when it did. :(...
Chapter Three: There's Nowhere Left to Hide
"Two orders of pancakes, one with a side of hashbrowns..the other with fried eggs..."Luke said, settling two orders on a table. He looked up to see Lorelai walking through the door, and nodded in her direction. "And I'll be right back with the coffee..."
"You're good with that."Lorelai said as she approached the counter. She offered a smile as she sat on the stool. "One for me, too."She asked as she saw him grabbing the coffee.
Luke nodded, quickly going to refill the customers' cups before coming back to her. "Sorry, it's busy in here this morning...what can I get you?"
Lorelai seemed distracted, staring down at the counter rather than paying attention.
He seemed concerned, and placing a cup of coffee in front of her, Luke noted how she didn't react. "Lorelai?"He said, hand reaching towards her.
"Hmm?"Lorelai offered, suddenly noticing the cup Luke had placed in front of her. "Oh, yes...coffee. How did you know?"
Luke sighed, leaning against the counter that was between them. "What's wrong?"He asked, concerned.
Lorelai brought the cups to her lips, inhaling the scent. "Seven days. It's been seven days since she's called me. I guess I'm supposed to think that's okay, I guess that I should have expected periods of time in which I would hear nothing and days when I couldn't hang up at all, but..."Lorelai shrugged, a sigh exiting her lips. She looked up at Luke, not at all surprised to find the look mirroring in his eyes.
"Have you tried calling her?"He asked, knowing how the seperation was getting to Lorelai.
"I've called a few times, I even sent this wierd text message once...but she's busy. It's fine, though. Thanks for the coffee."Lorelai said, perking up a little. Over the past week, she'd managed to stop by at least once everyday, though her visits weren't all that long. They'd talk a little, and she'd manage to eat or at the very least drink a cup or two. It was the talking to Luke that helped the day pass and help Lorelai think that maybe she'd be able to be happy, as she was already beginning to feel.
Luke shook his head, drawing in a breath. "Lorelai, you don't-"
"-have to thank you? I do though, Luke. For putting up with me, for giving me coffee and listening to me when I go on and on about how Rory hasn't called or about the fact that life is changing and everything...I mean, you aren't a shrink. You're a diner owner...person. And well, we...aren't exactly on one level or the other at the moment-"Lorelai laughed, hoping she could slide that comment in. She took a deep breath before looking into his eyes again. "I don't know the rules right now, so until then, I guess you'll be forced to either listen to my useless rambling or well...for lack of a better word, throw me out the door."
It took Luke a moment to process everything Lorelai had said but as he watched the way she fiddled with the necklace he had given her, he began to understand what she was going through. "I would never throw you out."
"Yeah, well Luke the choice is up to you..."Lorelai said, drinking from her cup. "I mean, it's really up to you."
"Trust me, if there was a list of people I'd want to throw out, you wouldn't be anywhere near the top."Luke defended, his hand resting near hers on the counter top.
"I'm taking that to be a good thing? You never exactly said if the list was best to worst or worst to best, so assuming it's worst to best I'd say that's a good thing."Lorelai rambled, before tapping her nails against her cup.
Luke smiled, nodding. "It's a good thing. Listen, I know that we haven't...well, you know..."Luke said, sighing. He'd been struggling with how to say it for a week, and he still hadn't found the right words. "...talked...much about everything. So, like you said, I don't exactly know the rules either, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to try and at the least find...something..."
Lorelai knew exactly what he was referring to, but rather than saying anything she simply nodded.
"So..."He said, knowing customers needed to be taken care of. Luke cleared his throat before looking back at her. "Come back for dinner...you know, if you want."
"I was actually planning a movie night, but yeah...that sounds good."Lorelai replied, not wanting to overstep any line that they had drawn. "Actually-"She said as she stepped off of the stool. She turned to face him, not knowing how well he would take it. It was obvious how he had wanted to ask her something earlier, but had backed down for whatever reason. If she needed to push to help it move along, Lorelai was willing to try. "I could you know, order a salad with the pizza. For well, you...because you know, I haven't really touched the stuff but I'm assuming that you still do, and it would give us an oppurtunity to figure this...rules...thing. Maybe?"She winced, hoping he'd say yes.
Luke nodded, glad Lorelai had put a foot forward. "Sure. I'll see you there."
Lorelai went to the Inn that day, working as much as she could. She tried to think that if she kept herself working that she wouldn't have time to think. Time to think about the way Luke had agreed to come over that night, and even though it was only to watch a few movies, she knew she wasn't going to have anyone there to back her up if something went the wrong way. She was in the kitchen with Sookie when she heard someone snapping fingers in her face. "Hmm? Yeah...I'm listening."
"No, you're not. You had that look on your face."Sookie replied defensively.
"I was listening. Carrots, chopping...slices...Wait, what look?"Lorelai asked, looking at her in confusion.
Sookie tilted her head, shrugging. "It's just a look you get when you're distracted and pretending to pay attention. So what's new?"
"New? Um...oh, these shoes."Lorelai laughed before seeing the look on Sookie's face. "Nothing. It's...nothing. Really, I swear. Okay, well, Luke...I went to the diner, and it was no big deal. Just like any other day, really. Until we started talking, and there was like this big cloud just hanging overhead, I mean I could actually sense something you know?"
"Wow, sounds big. So?"Sookie asked, setting the knife down. She could tell by the way Lorelai was acting that she wouldn't be using it for a few moments. "Come on, what happened?"
"Well, it's morning rush you know, so we can't just have some big, open conversation right there. Kirk actually wasn't there yet, but Patty was...Anyway..."Lorelai said, frowning as she saw the way Sookie was standing, almost as if she were ready to jump excitedly, as she could tell she probably was. "You're really enjoying this too much, aren't you?...So as I'm leaving he asks me to come back for dinner, you know..thinking there won't be as many people. I said that I was gonna order a pizza and watch some movies, movie night. And-not even thinking...I invite him over. I...smile like everything is okay, because I know how Luke is with things and we're friends again and I think everything is okay. But...he said yes. He said yes, and now all I can think about is the fact that Rory isn't here to push junkfood in my face if things get rough, and the fact that he's coming over to my house..and..."Lorelai paused, shaking her head. "You're happy."
"Happy?"Sookie asked, her voice cracking. "Of course I'm happy. Do you have any idea what this means?"
"Do you?"Lorelai asked, eyes in a panic. "He's...He's...Luke. Luke. As in-"
Sookie nodded, smiling. "I know who Luke is. Look, if you're that nervous, I could call you if you want. Or I could come over...maybe make an excuse-"
"No, no excuses. This...this could be it. The big, looming cloud? The conversation that we've been needing to have for a long time. I just want to be myself. I mean, I'm Lorelai...I always have been. But when Luke's around, I just..."Lorelai said, picking up a tomato that was resting on the counter. Her hand started to wrap tightly around it when she felt Sookie's hand grasp hers.
Sookie pulled the tomato from her grasp, gently setting it back down. "I know, sweetie.I'm happy for you."
Lorelai shrugged, tapping her nails against the counter. "What am I supposed to say? I mean...oh, wow...the-there's the town meeting today on that whole biography thing, and whether it's some invasion...what was it Taylor-"
"Honey, honey calm down...you'll have time to think before then. It's no big deal."Sookie insisted.
"Yes, it is. Because Stars Hollow is-well, Stars Hollow. And they're going to want to know what's new with Rory, or for that matter, me...and well, I'll have to make some story up because obviously saying nothing at all won't cut it with them."Lorelai paused, shrugging. "But I guess I'll be okay. I mean, I'll order a salad for him..you know, incase he wants to eat. And I'll pick some movie...I don't know, what's a good movie to watch with the guy who you've known for years, almost got married to then didn't and are now in the process of reconciling with all over again?"
Just as Sookie opened her mouth to answer, Lorelai's phone rang. "Oh, hey...she might know."
"She who?...Oh, Rory? Is it Rory?"Sookie asked excitedly.
Lorelai nodded, heading to her office. "Where have you been? Have you concocted some huge excuse for not having called or written me? Because if you haven't..."
"I know, I know...I really know and mom, I swear I am so sorry. I have been incredibly caught up with meetings, and conferences and writing and planning..."Rory paused to take a deep breath. "I miss home."
"Home? You miss home but not the woman who gave it to you?"Lorelai replied sarcastically.
"Of course I do. Mom..."
"I'm kidding, hon. What's going on?"Lorelai asked, sensing there had to have been a reason for the call.
Rory bit her lip, twisting in her seat on the bus. "I...needed to tell you something. Well, more like ask you...something..."
"That doesn't sound good."
"Well, maybe. So I was checking my e-mail...you know, there were the usual 'hey, I miss you' from friends at Yale...there was this really elaborate explanation on why Paris and Doyle were still together, but if I heard from him to explain the need to have a career seperate from that life...there was an offer for male enhancement...and well..."Rory scrolled down the page on her laptop. "Logan."
Lorelai frowned, staring at the wall. "Logan? As in-"
"Yes, mom. I just...I couldn't open it. I'm taking a break, and I felt so horrible about not calling you...and I couldn't open it."Rory said, sighing as she stole a glance out the window. "Should I?"
"What do you think it says? If you don't know what it says, it could be any number of things."Lorelai surmised, feeling uneasy about the whole ordeal.
Rory let the arrow hover over the link, simply saying 'no subject'. "I have no clue what it says. I haven't heard from him since I said no, so logically it can't exactly be anything good."
"Well..."Lorelai said, searching in her purse for something sugary. "What do you want it to be?"
"Nothing! That is exactly what it should be. An accident caused by some...glitch."
"A glitch?"Lorelai asked. "A glitch that can send an "I'm sorry I tried to pressure you into changing everything you've believed in but for what it's worth I still love you' kind?"
"You do realize how long that title is, right?"Rory asked, laughing a little. "I miss you, mom. I have no idea about anything going on in Stars Hollow. I mean, I got a few messages from you, including something about an autobiography Kirk is writing, Luke, and well...the one that said you really, really, really, really missed me."
"I said really that much? Wow, I don't know what happened."Lorelai laughed, pulling off the wrapper of a blow pop. "Mmm..okay, so have you read it?"
Rory sighed, staring down at the screen. "No. But I'm asking about you...about your life. I want to know what's going on."
"Well...Taylor thinks this book might be some invasion on privacy seeing as Kirk is trying to get correct quotes. Wierd, I know...but it's Taylor. I bought a new pair of shoes, they're actually comfortable, cute, too. And..well, not much else."Lorelai shrugged, propping her feet up.
"And Luke?"
"Luke...Luke, I think I know him..."Lorelai said, searching for the right thing to say. "He's...movie..salad...I..."
"-Can't form a correct sentence? Wait...movie...salad?"Rory asked, knowing the way her mother worked. "He's coming over? He's coming over and you weren't going to say anything?"
"Hey, easy on the ears..."Lorelai said, pulling the phone away as her voice got louder. "I was...going to tell you. Planning to tell you. Even though it means...well, I don't know what it means...and even though it will include a conversation that at the moment I am mulling over in my head, of course I wanted to tell you."
"Good. Well, I'm going to read...wish me luck."
"Will do...I love you."
"I love you too, mom. Bye."
Lorelai checked her cellphone again for any messages from Rory, then glanced back up at Taylor who at the moment was apparently taking a vote. She leaned close to the person sitting next to her. "Were you paying attention?"
"Those not in favor-"
"Taylor, it's freedom of speech. As a citizen of Stars Hollow I have the right to write about what I believe is a long and interesting life..."
Taylor raised his hand in defense. "Fine, I see your point but any further conversation about the subject shall be held until the next town meeting."He said, looking down at his papers. As he looked back at the crowd he began to speak. "The last item for the night is in regards to a well-loved citizen of our town, who's recent departure has both swelled and saddened our hearts-"
"He's talking about Rory."Lorelai whispered to Patty, who simply nodded, shrugging.
"How is she, by the way? When you came to the diner this morning you seemed kind of upset. It has nothing to do with her, does it?"
"Ladies-"Taylor interjected. "-if your conversation pertains to the subject at hand, which I would like to assume it does, then please speak louder so we all can hear."
"She's fine."Lorelai piped up. "I spoke to her earlier, she's eating...drinking. Well, not drinking...but water, coffee. You know. The regular girl on the go."
Taylor looked out to the crowd, as if he were addressing anyone who didn't know. "Of course she is speaking of Rory Gilmore. The matter of this campaign she is taking part in. What about that?"
Lorelai rolled her eyes, knowing the subject would be approached eventually. As she checked the time on her phone, she wondered if she'd have enough tim to hurry to the video store before going home. "Um...well, I don't know much about it. I know that she's writing...she's successful. I really don't know much more."
The meeting came to an end, and as Lorelai hurried home,she thought about how she was feeling;what it could possibly mean. She knew she shouldn't talk too much, not joke too much, but above all just be herself. It was Luke, afterall, and they were friends. But as the walked up the steps, she was filled with something new-readiness. No more hiding behind some exterior, because she missed him. She decided that when he did come, she'd let him know-because this time, there was no hiding from it.
Crouched on the floor in fron of the TV, Lorelai was staring at DVD cases, debating between which one to watch. Obviously things such as The Way We Were or How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days were out of the question, but as she was busy with making the decision, a knock came at the door. Jupming off of the floor, Lorelai quickly ran to answer. "Hey, can you hold on just a sec, I have to go and get my purse from..."She said as she opened the door. Offering a smile to Luke, she shrugged. "You're not the pizza guy."
He laughed a little, shaking his head. "No, I'm not."
"But here you are, on my porch..holding pizza boxes."Lorelai said, staring at the cardboard boxes Luke held in his hands.
"I ran into him on my way in. He said he tried to knock, but apparently you couldn't hear him."Luke said, hearing the music coming from inside. "Anyway, I already gave him the money, so..."
"You gave the pizza guy money? You're not supposed to do that when you're the guest. That has to be a rule somewhere. But since you already did...thank you."Lorelai replied, opening the door wider to let him in. As he set the boxes on the table, Lorelai ran to turn off the stereo.
She turned to stare at him, shrugging. "Sorry."
Luke shook his head in return. "It's okay, really. And I figured since you went out of your way to order something like a salad for me-"He said, picking up the plastic-wrapped bowl from the top of stack. "-I didn't mind."
Lorelai clapped her hands together, decidely trying to come up with her next move. "Oh, there's drinks in the fridge. I'm not sure what you want, I do have a few beers...bottled water. You know, Rory bought them for our trip that we didn't take. I knew I should keep them for some reason."
"Whatever you have is fine."Luke replied, exiting a sigh of relief. He was beginning to believe that maybe the night would be easier afterall.
"Good, so I'll go get you something to drink. You can-well, you know..sit down. Make yourself comfortable. I guess you already are, seeing as you went through the effort to get over here. But um..."Lorelai said, clearing her throat. "Right, kitchen."
After she returned, the began eating in a comfortable silence. They would exchange a glance every now and then but other than that neither said anything for several minutes. "So."Luke said, picking at a piece of lettuce. "Did you pick of movie?"
Lorelai laughed, waving to the pile scattered on the floor. "There's probably about fifteen lying there that I was trying to decide between. I knew you wouldn't want to sit through some sappy, romatic comedy..and then I'm not exactly in the mood for some gladiator type movie...which actually ends up leaving maybe two movies down there...both classics, but-"Lorelai stopped, finding Luke staring at her. For a moment, the awkwardness of having to keep speaking stopped. She was content in simply watching him as he looked at her. Luke didn't appear upset or annoyed, or even the least bit afraid. If anything, he looked relaxed, and Lorelai decided that she had never wanted anything more than to feel the same.
"Well, I'm just glad to be here. Thanks for inviting me."Luke said, picking up a case that was resting on the table. "Casablanca?"
"You know movie night doens't even have to...you know, be about movies. It's more of a theme. But since you're the guest, you should pick."Lorelai said as she watched Luke go back to eating his salad. "Hey, Luke?"
Luke's head popped up, his blue eyes locking with hers. "Lorelai?"
She simply smiled, nodding as her hand rested against his arm. "I'm glad you came, too."