Sorry for the delay! I've just got back from a long weekend away to celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday so haven't had any time to write. Thank you for your continued support and I hope you're still with me. :)

Chapter 20

Luke squinted his eyes open and saw Lorelai already dressed for work. He glanced at the clock which read 6:00. "You're up early again." He said.

"Busy day." Lorelai said.

"You seem to have had busy days for three weeks." Luke commented.

"Yeah, well it's a busy time for the inn." She said. She suddenly winced and grimaced in pain.

"Are you ok?" He asked concerned.

"I'm fine." She said.

"It's not just you working at the inn, you know. You don't need to always work these long days." He pointed out.

Lorelai frowned. "Are you saying I'm not up to it?"

"No, I just don't want you stressing yourself out and wearing yourself out. It's not good for you." Luke said.

"I'm fine." She said.

"Ok, well give me a minute and I can make you some breakfast." He said.

"No, it's fine, I'll just grab a pop tart!" Lorelai said.

"That's not exactly..." Luke started to say but Lorelai was already out of the room. "...breakfast." He sighed.

An hour later, Luke was up cooking breakfast for Josh before school. He glanced up as Rory appeared from her room. "Morning." He said.

"Morning." Rory yawned. "Did I hear mom up early again?"

"Yeah. Early start again." Luke said.

Rory glanced at him. "She seems to have had a lot of those recently." She said cautiously.

Luke sighed. "Tell me about it."

"I wish she wouldn't work so hard. These long days can't be good for her." Rory said.

"I know. I've tried telling her that but...well, you know your mom." Luke said.

Rory smiled sympathetically at him. "Force of nature huh?"

"Something like that." He said.

"Well, I guess the inn is always busy around this time but it should quieten down soon. Then hopefully she can relax a bit." She said.

"Let's hope so." Luke sighed. He glanced at her. "Off to the newspaper?" He asked.

"Yep." She nodded. "Has Jess opened for you today?" She asked.

"Yeah, I need to take this one to school." Luke nodded towards Josh.

"Ah!" She said. "Well if you need to get off, I can take Josh on my way to the newspaper."

"That would help a lot actually. You sure?" He said.

"Of course." Rory smiled. "But make sure you don't work late as well." She said sternly.

Luke smirked slightly. "I won't, mom."

Rory grinned. "Great! See you later then."

"See ya. Thanks again." He smiled before heading off to work.

Luke looked up from the counter at lunch time to see Lorelai rushing in. "Hey." He said leaning over to give her a kiss.

"Hey." She said giving him a quick peck. "Burger and fries please and make it quick! And with ketchup! And coffee!" She said.

"You wouldn't prefer a salad? Or a sandwich?" Luke said. He saw her giving him a look and sighed. "Alright, coming up." He said.

"Thank you." Lorelai said.

Luke brought the food back after a moment and watched as she scoffed it down. "It won't run away, you know. Slow down." He said.

"Need to get back. I've still got lots of things to do and then I need to collect Josh from school and then race back to work." Lorelai said quickly.

"You're working late again?" He asked.

"Yes!" She exclaimed exasperated. "Luke, I told you, it's a busy time!" She said suddenly grimacing again.

"Ok fine! I was just asking." Luke said. "Are you sure you're ok? You look in pain."

"I'm fine." She shrugged it off. "Probably just ate too fast."

He sighed. "Look, I'm sure Jess would be happy to collect Josh if that helps." He said.

Lorelai glanced up. "You think he would?"

Luke saw Jess appear from the apartment upstairs. "Hey Jess, you're ok to pick Josh up from school right? It would really help us out."

"Sure." Jess nodded.

"You sure you don't mind?" Lorelai asked.

"No, it's fine. I can take him back to yours and start his dinner if you want." He said.

"Thanks Jess." She smiled gratefully. "Right, I have to go." She said getting up.

"At least promise me you won't be too late back tonight." Luke said.

"Ok I promise. Bye doll." She said giving him a kiss.

"Bye." He sighed as he watched her rush out.

"Everything ok?" Jess asked.

"Yeah. Just...busy time at the inn." Luke sighed.

"Oh.." He said.

"Michel, just do it! Please!" Lorelai exclaimed frustrated before heading through the dining room, picking up a couple of plates as she did, and heading for the kitchen. "Sookie, these empty plates have been on the tables for ages. Please make sure they're cleared."

"It's only been a few minutes. They were just about to go clear them." Sookie said.

"We have to be efficient, Sookie! This is a busy time for us. We need these customers to recommend us. And they won't if our dining room is a mess!" Lorelai exclaimed.

"Ok, sit down." Sookie said.

"I don't have time." Lorelai said.

"Yes, you do. You've been racing around for weeks now." She said.

"I'm fine. I just need more coffee and I'll be fine." Lorelai said grabbing a mug. She started walking off when she felt a shot of pain in her chest that caught her by surprise and she felt the mug slip out of her hand. It fell on the floor and smashed. "Sookie, I'm sorry. I...I don't know what happened."

"It's fine. Just sit down for a moment. Please." Sookie said softly, leading her to a chair and gesturing to one of their kitchen staff to clean up the mug. She noticed Lorelai breathing quite quickly. "Are you ok?" She said concerned.

"I..I don't know." Lorelai admitted. "I...I'll be fine. I just...need to catch my breath for a minute."

"I think you need to go home." Sookie said gently.

"What?" She said surprised. "No, I can't. The inn..."

"Will be perfectly fine without you for a day. You need rest, Lorelai. You've been doing double the hours of all of us. You're going to make yourself sick." She said.

Lorelai sighed. "Luke's been getting onto me about taking a break as well."

"Well, he worries about you too." Sookie said. "Lorelai, we all know you're amazing at your job. But it doesn't mean you have to handle it all by yourself. That's what me and Michel are for. Now I know Michel can be frustrating at times but he's good at his job."

"I know." She sighed. "Maybe...maybe I will call it a day and go and lie down for a bit. Are you sure you'll be ok?"

"Of course. Just promise me you'll take it easy." She said.

"Ok, I promise." Lorelai said.

"Good. Now go." Sookie smiled.

"Thanks Sook." She smiled softly.

Jess was walking Josh back to the Crap Shack after school and kicking the football with him. They reached the driveway and Jess frowned slightly when he saw Lorelai's jeep parked there.

"Is mom home?" Josh asked.

"I don't know. She wasn't meant to be." Jess said. "Come on, let's go inside." He said leading her up the porch steps. "Lorelai?" He called as they went inside. They went inside and Jess saw Lorelai come out of the kitchen, looking as white as anything. "Are you ok?" He asked.

"I...I'm..." Lorelai tried to say but doubled over in pain and let out a groan.

"Lorelai!" Jess exclaimed rushing forward and grabbing hold of her hand. "What's wrong? What hurts?"

"Chest...can't...breathe...pains..." Lorelai grimaced, letting out another groan and her legs came out form under her and she collapsed to the floor. "Lorelai?" Jess exclaimed, concerned. "Josh, phone now!" He shouted.

Josh grabbed the phone and took it to Jess, staring in horror at his mom who was clearing in pain on the floor.

Jess dialled a number immediately. "Yes, I need an ambulance. I...I think my aunt's having a heart attack." He said. "Please hurry!" He exclaimed giving the address before hanging up.

"Is mom going to die?" Josh said quietly.

Jess looked up at the nine year old and saw the fear on his face. "No. Your mom's going to be fine. I need you to be brave for me ok? I need you to go over to Babette and Morey's and ask them to call your dad ok? Tell them to tell him that your mom's not well and I'm taking her to hospital. Can you remember all that?"

Josh nodded slowly. "You promise she will be ok?"

"I promise." He said softly. "Now go." He said urgently. He looked back at Lorelai after Josh had left and felt her grip his hand tightly.

"D..d..don't...leave...me...please." She managed to get out.

Jess saw the fear and pain on her face. "I'm not going anywhere." He said softly. "You're going to be ok. Just focus on me ok? The ambulance is on its way." He said. "Come on..." He muttered. "Hurry up..." He said urgently and felt himself let out a breath of relief when he heard sirens outside.

So quite a dramatic chapter! Please don't kill me! :P I hope you enjoyed it and please keep the reviews coming as I love reading all your comments. :) Thanks again for all your support. I really do appreciate it! :)