Chapter 10 – I Think I Love Him

So, I wish I could explain why I've been updating so much, but I can't. All I can say is that I do kind of have a lot of spare time here and the recent episodes have made me want to write because I need happy LL in these times of sadness and worry. So yay me for updating :)

And also…thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. Your reviews are definitely making me want to write more. Keep up the good work ;)

"Michele are you gonna answer that?" Lorelai asked as she walked up to the desk.

"No." He said in his usual French tone.

"Yeah, but it's kind of your job."

"I answer the phone when I want to answer the phone."

"No, you answer the phone when it rings."

She paused, assuming he would answer the phone. He didn't.

"Independence Inn, Lorelai speaking."

"Lorelai, it's your mother."

She cringed. "Hi mom."

She turned to face Michele. "You're fired."

"Mmmm hmmm." He said as he continued to read his magazine.

"So, I just heard some rather interesting news."

"Really? That's great mom but I really gotta…"

"You destroyed that man."

"What? Who?"

"That teacher from Chilton. Max Medina."

Lorelai was beginning to feel that this would never go away no matter how much she wanted it to.

"How did you…who did you…"

"Bitty Charleston called me today."

"Right."

"She said that Hanlen is having trouble finding a qualified new English teacher to replace Max Medina."

Lorelai frowned. "He quit?"

"Yes. He's moving to California. Didn't you know that?"

Lorelai hated how her mother was so condescending. Especially when she had knowledge that you didn't.

"Well, no…"

"She thinks he's leaving because of you. You hurt him so much that he can't even teach at Chilton anymore."

"Mom…"

"I can't even imagine what Rory has been going through. Seeing this man everyday. It must be terrible for her. Honestly, Lorelai do you ever think things through?"

"Mom!" Lorelai yelled. "You will not call me at work and tell me that I wrecked a guy I broke up with. Because I didn't. It didn't work out. That's all there is to it. We broke up and now he's moving. It's just a coincidence."

"He was such a good man. Well educated. Not like that…"

"Mom, don't even say it. Do not say it. I swear to god…"

"But of course since it was something good so you managed to ruin it."

"Goodbye mother." She slammed the phone down.

She put her face in her hands. How did her mother always know? Oh yeah, she's an alien. Or a vampire. She did never get that garlic.

Max is moving to California. So? Maybe be wants to. Maybe he got a really good job offer. It couldn't be because of her. She grabbed her purse and coat and ran out the door to her jeep.

---

Lorelai ran into Chilton and tried to find his classroom. She had a vague memory of where it was. It took her fifteen minutes to find his room and when she did he wasn't even there.

"Dammit." She muttered to herself. "Glad I did all that wandering."

"Lorelai?" A voice said from behind her.

"Max. Hi. I'm glad you're still here."

They just stared at each other. Neither one sure what to say.

"So, I talked to my mother today." She started.

"Oh?"

"And she told me that Headmaster Charleston was having a hard time finding a replacement English teacher."

"Yeah…"

"So, you're leaving?"

"Ummm….yeah. I am."

"Why?"

"Well, I got a good job offer."

"It's not because of me is it? Because of what happened? Because you're such a great teacher and the kids here really like you and …"

"Lorelai." He said to stop her rant. "I'm going because I want to. I want a change. I need a change."

"Who was that guy who came to my house the other day?"

"What do you mean?"

"It wasn't you."

He looked down at his shoes. "I know. I'm sorry. I was a jerk."

"It wasn't fair for you to come and put all that on me."

"I know. I was…kind of…desperate."

"But, I didn't want you to think that you didn't mean anything to me. Because you did. It just wasn't it. I just had this feeling. I wanted it to work, but I couldn't. I couldn't ignore this feeling I had."

"I know. I understand."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I mean when we ate at Luke's diner I could definitely see something between you two. But I thought it was just a friendly thing. I had no idea your relationship was like that."

"It wasn't. At first."

"You've had a thing for him for awhile. Haven't you?"

"Well…I mean no. I…"

"That's what I thought."

"What are you trying to say, Max?"

"You went out with me and got serious with me even though you had feelings for Luke."

"What? No. That's not true, Max. We almost got married!"

"I know. I was there. You led me on."

Lorelai's anger was increasing. "Oh I'm sorry, I guess I must have missed that part because I don't recall leading you on."

"Did you love me?"

Lorelai opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. She couldn't bring herself to say it. She had always thought she loved Max, but since she has been with Luke she realized that she had never really loved anyone.

"Max..I-I…"

"I've got a lot of packing to do." He said as he grabbed his coat and briefcase.

"Max, I'm…I'm sorry." She whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"Goodbye Lorelai."

Lorelai sat down at a desk and just stared straight ahead. Maybe Rory was right. Every relationship she had ended badly. Chris was exhibit A and Max was now exhibit B. She couldn't let her and Luke end that way. If it had to end, it couldn't end badly.

Lorelai shook her head. She didn't want to think about that. She wanted to go see Luke.

---

"Rory?" Lorelai called as she walked in to the house.

"Kitchen!" Rory replied.

She sat down across the table from Rory, who was currently buried in papers and books.

"Wow."

"I'm studying."

"I know. I got that."

"So, where were you? I went to the inn and you weren't there. And Michele just said something about he'll answer the phone when he wants to answer the phone."

"I was…out."

"Ok…"

"I went to Chilton."

"Oh."

"I had to talk to Max. Did you know he's leaving?"

"Oh, what? No." Rory said with an extremely guilty look on her face.

"Kid, you suck at lying. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I dunno. I just thought I would be better if I didn't."

"Well, anyway, I just went to talk to him."

"And…"

"Nothing."

"Mom, come on."

Lorelai sighed. "I just felt…I don't know. He asked me if I loved him. And…I couldn't say it. I thought I did, but I realized that never loved him."

"Oh mom…"

"I know. I felt horrible. He just standing there waiting for me to say of course I loved you, and…I said nothing."

"At least you were honest."

"I guess."

"So, do you love Luke?"

Lorelai could feel her face turning pink. "I don't know…"

Rory smiled. "You do."

"Maybe."

"You so do!"

Suddenly a huge smile spread across her face. "I do. I love him, Rory. I can't believe it."

Rory clapped her hands and giggled. "Yay! That is so great, mom. Really."

"I know." She stood up. "Let's go get some free food."

Rory was confused. "What? Where?"

"Uh, Luke's duh."

"Oh right. We've been getting free food there for ever."

"Yeah, but now he's my boyfriend."

"Yes that does make it better."

---

When they got to Luke's Rory sat down at a table and Lorelai went in the back to find Luke.

"Hey." She said as she sexily leaned against the wall.

"Lorelai you can't be back here! What if something fell on you? I'm not insured to cover you."

"Awww, so sweet that you care if something falls on me."

"Lorelai…"

She walked over to him and softly pushed him against the wall. She placed her hands on his unshaven face and kissed him hard. Luke instinctively placed his hands on her hips and deepened the kiss. She slowly opened the mouth and invited his tongue to touch hers. When the need for oxygen appeared, they reluctantly came apart.

"So, that's what you came back here for."

Lorelai smiled. "Obviously."

"So, what are you doing tonight?"

"You." She giggled softly.

Luke rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't be opposed to that."

Lorelai raised her eyebrows. "Well, Luke Danes I might have to take you up on that."

He kissed her softly again. "So, you want something to eat?"

"Yes I do. Rory's out there too."

"You left you're daughter to come back here to find me?"

"Well, yes I did. You're right I can't leave my sixteen year old daughter alone she doesn't know how to take care of herself."

"Let's go."

"I can't wait to tell my daughter how I made out with the diner man in the storage room."

"Don't tell her that!"

"Why not?"

"That's…because it's our business."

"What's my business is Rory's business. Besides, it's girl talk."

Lorelai sat down at the table next to Rory.

"What can I get you?" Luke asked.

"I think you know what you can get me." Lorelai said.

"Right. And for you, Rory?"

"Cheeseburger and fries please." She said.

"And where do I pick up my order? Upstairs I assume." Lorelai said.

"I'll be back with your food."

"I guess he's learned to ignore your inappropriate comments." Rory said.

"Damn."

"But you're not gonna stop saying them."

"Never." Lorelai said as they both started to laugh.

I know you thought Max was done. But now he is. I just wanted to show that Lorelai hasn't loved anyone until she met Luke. Ya know the whole "I never loved anyone until I met you." Kind of corny but I like it :)

Also, I wasn't sure how to spell Bitty or Hanlen. So I'm sorry if anyone is upset if I spelled it wrong. I hope you liked it:)