Aaron knew his daughter wasn't okay and he was really worried about her. He decided to take a long lunch and went home to check in. When he got home he didn't see her car.

He texted her. 'Where are you?'

She texted back 'At home. Why?'

'Where is your car if you are home?' Aaron asked

'How do you know its not here?' She asked

'I am outside Lorelai.' He texted

'Oh. Well, come inside I will explain where the car is.' She told him

Aaron went inside. Lorelai went to the door.

"Hi." She said

"Did you get in an accident?" He asked

"No. I'm fine. The car is fine." She said. "Come sit." She added

Aaron came in and sat on the couch. Lorelai sat across from him in her favorite chair.

"I screwed up." She told him.

Aaron nodded. "Okay. I need more than that."

"Last night with Jack really triggered me." She started. "I don't know how you figured it out, but I guess you did. I didn't sleep well because of it. The last time I felt like this was the tear down." She continued.

Aaron nodded and listened. He knew that had been a really hard weekend. For both his girls.

"And I handled it the same way…" She said

"Lorelai. Don't beat around the bush." He said

"I went to a bar and drank and because the world likes to play jokes on me, Will came into the bar with his partner." She said. "Car is at the bar as he wouldn't let me drive. Which was probably a good idea." She finished.

Aaron took a breathe. "Do you have another fake ID?"

"Will took it." She said

"Any other fake ID's" He asked

"No Sir." She said

Aaron nodded. He sat there clearly thinking. Lorelai learned early on that means you sit there and wait.

"Do you think this is your genetics taking over?" He asked

"No. I've done this twice and each time I intended just one drink." She said

"Okay. I am disappointed with the fact that you got a second fake ID. When I took the one I expected that you understood you don't get another one." He said. "And why do you need one of you don't drink regularly?" He asked

Lorelai leaned her head back in the chair. This was not where she was hoping this conversation would go.

"So, there is a reason." He said

"There is a couple girls that I connected with online in university the first time who live in the area. They are a few years older, and we have gone clubbing a couple times." She said

"Where do you tell me you are going?" He asked.

"Late therapy…" She said

"So, you -can lie to me." He said

"I tell you over text… you cant see my face or whatever I do that is my tell." She pointed out

"You don't drink when you go clubbing?" He asked

"No. I just go to dance." She answered

"You know there are all ages clubs for that." He said

"They are usually pretty boring." She said

"Okay. Well, there are laws for a reason. You are law enforcement Lorelai." He told her

"I understand that. I'm sorry." She said

"I also understand that you see me have a drink or two occasionally to de-stress. You are an adult and if it really is just an occasional drink. I will allow you to drink here. Occasionally and small amounts." He said

Lorelai was stunned.

"Don't for one second thing you are not in trouble. Because you are. But I don't want you to feel like you have to hide this. That can make a possible addiction much worse. And I know your genetics could make you one." He said

Lorelai nodded.

"But no more fake ID's for -any reason" he told her. "You have all age clubs for dancing so suck it up and deal with that till you are twenty-one." He said

"Yes Sir." She said

"I understand that you were triggered and I kind of figured that out on my own, but I also asked Rachel and she confirmed it." He said

Lorelai nodded

"And I was and am willing to give you some leeway with the attitude last night, but -this isn't acceptable. You broke the law." He told her

"Yes sir. I understand." She said

Aaron was at a loss. He didn't know what to do. She was eighteen. Yes he had dealt with her at work since she turned 18 but that was different. He was trying to think back, and he had never dealt with her for anything outside of work. She had never given him reason to. He looked at his watch and took a breathe. "Well, we need to get this over with before I have to get back to work." He said

Lorelai nodded.

He stood up and instructed her to do the same. He led her to her room where he told her to bend over the bed.

Lorelai let out a defeated breathe and did as she was told.

Aaron took his belt off. And folded it in half. He didn't let much time pass before he started to punish his daughter. He gave her twelve with the belt. She was sobbing by the end. Aaron tossed the belt on her bed and helped her up and gave her a tight hug till she calmed down.

"You okay?" He asked

"Yeah. "She said

"How long have you been home is the alcohol out of your system?" He asked

"If it wasn't it is now." She said

Aaron shook his head. "I can take you to get your car." He told her.

The two of them went and he dropped her off. "Do I need to go in and talk to the bartender and tell them the truth?" He asked

"Nope. Will took care of that. Oh, and maybe let him know I told you or he will call you to tell you." She said

"Did you try to get him to not tell me?" He asked

"Um. Obviously" She said

He shook his head. "Stay out of trouble." He told her.

Lorelai got out and went to her own car and went back home.

Aaron called Will and thanked him for getting his out of there and making her tell him.

Will told him it was no problem and hoped that any father would do the same if it was Henry or Kelsey when they are older.

Aaron went back to work.

Lorelai got a text a couple hours later saying that they had a case, and he was going out of town and asking if she wanted him to call Jessica to take care of Jack. Lorelai sighed. She knew her dad didn't like doing that if he could avoid it so she said no that she could handle him. Aaron told her okay but if she got overwhelmed to let him know. Also let her know that Jack was grounded from the TV for the week.

Jack got home a little later. "Hi Jack." She said

"Hi." He said looking around. "Is daddy home?" He asked

"No. He's away for work." Lorelai told him.

"Okay." He said. He took his bag to his room without being asked and helped Lorelai hang his coat up.

"You have homework?" She asked

He nodded and he did his homework without any complaints.

Lorelai let out a breathe. It seemed like it was going to be a better day. After he was done he went towards the family room.

"What are you doing?" She asked

"Going to watch TV." He said

Lorelai shook her head. "You're not allowed."

"Why?" He asked

"Did you really think dad wouldn't tell me you're grounded from the TV?" She asked

Jack ignored her and went and turned on the TV.

Lorelai sighed. She got up and went and turned it off and took the remote out of the room with her.

Jack started to throw a fit as Rachel came into the house. She ignored Jack for the time being and went to Rachel. "How was your day?" She asked

"Good. Science test went well. I think I aced. What's up with him today?" She asked

"He's grounded from TV." She said holding up the remote.

Suddenly the crying stopped, and they could hear the TV was on.

Rachel smirked. "He's to smart for his own good."

Lorelai raised an eyebrow "Really?" She said. She went into the family room. Turned off the TV that he had turned on with the buttons on the TV. She than reached behind the TV and unplugged it.

Jack was angry and he kicked her in the leg.

"Ouch! Jack! What the heck!?" She asked rubbing the spot

"I WANNA WATCH TV!" he screamed

Lorelai suddenly just reacted she didn't know what else to do and she swatted his butt. Instantly regretting it. Jack suddenly stopped yelling and tantruming. She clearly hadn't done anymore than shocked him. She shocked herself too. The room went silent. Lorelai looked up and saw Rachel standing there she was stunned too.

Lorelai took a breathe. "Jack. Go to your room." She said

Jack went quickly.

Lorelai went and sat on the couch and put her head in her hands. "What did I just do?" she said into her hands. Rachel went and sat down with her. "I-I wont tell dad." She said

Lorelai shook her head. "No. He has to be told." She knew she had to tell him. "Besides you really think he wont tell him?"

"Well, I mean we could bribe him not to?" She suggested.

"No Rachel that would be wrong." Lorelai told her.

"But he's going to be so angry…" She said

"Yup. At me. Not you." Lorelai told her little sister.

A few hours later she got a text saying they were already on their way back because the police had solved it while they were on their way there. This kind of thing -never happened. Lorelai started to panic. She thought she had at -least 24 hours to figure out what she was going to tell him. Now she just had a few.

She had to talk to Jack first. She went to his room and knocked. She heard a little "yeah" before she went in.

"Jack. I'm sorry. I should not have done that." She said

Jack looked surprised that -she was apologizing.

"I'm your big sister not your parent." She said

"Uncle David isn't my parent." He said confused

"Right well he's not your sibling either he is your uncle. The point is -I shouldn't have done it." She said

"I wont tell daddy if you don't tell him I kicked you." He said

Lorelai sighed. "Buddy that wouldn't be right. We have to tell daddy the truth."

"Why? We can both not get in trouble." He said

"Yes. If we didn't tell him we could avoid being in trouble, but it wouldn't be right. And if he found out some other way we would be in a lot more trouble." She told him.

Jack nodded a bit. "I'm sorry I kicked you."

Lorelai nodded. "Its forgiven. Do you want to tell me what I did that made you not listen to me and throw things at me yesterday, and lie to me?" she asked

"I didn't want to do my homework that's why I lied…" He said

"Okay. I mean that explains that part but everything else?" She asked

He shrugged. "I missed daddy I thought if I misbehaved he would be around more." He said

"And you took it out on me? That's not fair Jack. I miss not being able to work but do I take it out on you or Rachel?" She asked

Jack shook his head.

"You need to talk to daddy or me or Rachel or someone else you can trust when you're sad. We can help you through it but throwing things and not listening made me think I did something that upset you and that you didn't like me anymore." She said. "And I love you so much." She added

Jack nodded. "I'm sorry." He said as he gave her a big hug. "I love you." He said

Lorelai hugged him back. "Well daddy is coming home quickly seems the case is already solved so why don't you help me make dinner?" She suggest.

He agreed and went downstairs Lorelai said she would be right down. She knocked on Rachel's door.

"Yeah?" Rachel said

Lorelai went in. "So, two things one dad is coming home quickly apparently the police didn't need the help they solved it before they got there. I talked to Jack, and we have fixed things. I want you to know that I know what I did I shouldn't have done, and I don't want you thinking that its okay for you to do that okay?"

Rachel nodded. "Oh, trust me I know. What are you going to tell dad?"

"The truth. Exactly what happened." Lorelai told her younger sister. "But for now, Jack and I are making dinner and you are welcome to join assuming your homework is done." She said

Rachel joined them and the three of them made dinner. Aaron got home just as dinner was being served and the four of them ate. After dinner Lorelai took a breathe and gave Rachel a look.

Rachel looked at Jack. "Why don't we go play in your room?" she said to get Jack out of the room. And the two went

Aaron was not clueless. Through dinner he could sense the tension and he saw the look Lorelai gave Rachel so Rachel would get Jack out of the room. "Okay, what happened?" He asked his eldest daughter

"Apparently this is a day of screw ups for me." She said

"Did you drink again?" He asked

"No. I don't really know if this is worse or not its completely different." She said

"Okay. Just tell me." He said

"Jack came home did his homework put his stuff away and everything without complaints. Than he tried to watch TV. He ignored me when I said no and turned it on. I turned it off and took the remote so he couldn't get to it and let him have his fit while I talked to Rachel. Than he figured out how to turn the tv on with the buttons on the TV. I went into the room turned it off and unplugged the TV." She told him. "He obviously didn't like that, and he came up to me and kicked me in the leg. I got angry and reacted." She said

Aaron raised an eyebrow "Did you yell?" He asked

"Well, my voice did raise a bit but no I um…swatted his butt." She said looking down.

Aaron was stunned to silence.

"I know I messed up, I'm so sorry, I have talked to him told him I was wrong to do that, and we talked it out I apologized. Dad I'm so sorry." She sobbed

"Okay, Okay its okay." He said trying to calm her down. He wasn't angry at all, stunned but not angry. "You're not in trouble its okay." He told her.

Lorelai calmed down a bit when he said she wasn't in trouble. "I-I'm not?" she said still in tears.

"No. I understand. In that moment you didn't know what to do anymore. You were out of options. Now I don't think spanking anyone should be done in anger, but it sounds like it was one swat and that was enough to settle things down." He said

"But you have told me so many times I'm not his parent…" She said

"Yes. And you're not. But Lorelai you were in charge he wasn't listening to you. I trust David and anyone else in the family to discipline Jack or Rachel or even you although I don't think anyone outside David or Derek would do that but that's besides the point. You are an adult now. I was considering telling you that you could if you didn't have any other options I just didn't know how you would feel about it. I mean just talking to him last night you were iffy on." He said

"Really?" She said calmed completely

"Yes. Lorelai. You love Jack very much I know you would never do anything to hurt him. I know you would go to your grave protecting him. I trust you." He said, "And that fact that you are clearly a mess from giving him one swat it proves that." He said. "Jack has been really hard on you and the sitter lately he needs to know that's not okay and if it took a swat to get his attention then so be it." He said

Lorelai nodded.

"How did he react?" Aaron asked

"He stopped what he was doing. The room went completely silent. Rachel saw it too she was there. I think we were all just so stunned that it happened…" She said

Aaron nodded. "I will go talk to him. I will let him know that you have the authority to spank him. If you ever need to again. Did you ever find out why he was acting out?" Aaron asked

Lorelai took a breathe. "Yes. But I think you should ask him If he doesn't tell you I will. But I just think its better if he tells you." She said

Aaron nodded "Okay." He gave her a hug. "I will also let Rachel know not to be surprised if you have to spank Jack. I don't think it would be appropriate with her though." He said

"Nope, that will never happen. And I wouldn't need it with her. I can give her one look and she does what she's told. I've been doing that since she was two…" She said

Aaron nodded. "I guess you really were a parent to all those girls."

"I had to be. -She was just abusive and yelled. We hid things from her. I taught them things like manners and doing homework and such and if they misbehaved I gave them time outs or whatever and just didn't tell her to protect them." Lorelai told him

Aaron nodded. "I understand why it was hard for you to step out of that role."

Lorelai nodded and started to clear the table.

Aaron went up to Jack's room where the door was open, and he saw his two younger kids playing. "Rachel can you go help Lorelai with the dishes please." He said

Rachel went. Aaron sat on Jack's bed. "Lorelai told me what happened today. I'm not happy you acted the way you did but Lorelai handled it so there is no punishment from me. But Lorelai and I have talked. And I am letting you know that she is allowed to spank you if you misbehave for her again." He told his son.

"But she said she's not." He told his dad

"She thought she wasn't allowed to. But I let her know that I am okay with it." Aaron told his son

"What about Rachel can she spank me?" He asked

"Nope. Not Rachel." Aaron told him "Lorelai is an adult she knows when is the right time to do so. Rachel is still a kid too." He told his son

Jack nodded.

"Now Lorelai told me you told her the reason you were acting out and that she thinks you should tell me why." He told his son

Jack looked down. "Cause I miss you…"

Aaron sighed. "You miss me? So, you act out for Lorelai and the sitter?" He asked

"I thought if they couldn't handle me you would stay home more often." Jack told his dad

Aaron sighed. He thought he was doing enough maybe he needed to delegate more… He picked up his son and hugged him tight. "Why didn't you just ask for more time with me?"

"Because you're a superhero and you need to protect the rest of the world." He said

Aaron smiled. "But no one is more important to me than you and your sisters." He said

"Really?" Jack asked

"Of course. How about we read some books okay?" Aaron asked. And the two of them read together

Downstairs Lorelai and Rachel were doing dishes.

"So. Um, what did dad say?" Rachel asked

Lorelai nodded. "I guess that's fair. Uh I'm not in trouble I've been given permission to do that if I need to…" She told her sister. "To Jack." She added

Rachel laughed. "Yeah you could try with me wouldn't get far." She said

Lorelai raised an eyebrow "Oh really." She said as she poked her sister in the side

"Yeah really." Rachel said splashing her sister with sink water.

The two of them started to play fight and ended up almost knocking over a stack of dishes.

The froze when that happened. "Um yeah. Lets just do the dishes." Lorelai said.

Aaron heard the noise from upstairs and went into the hall. "Everything okay down there?" He asked

"Yes Sir." They both said

Aaron raised an eyebrow. They called him sir, they were up to something, but he figured he'd deal with it later and went back to his son till he son went to bed.

Afterwards he went downstairs where the kitchen was spotless he found them watching TV and chatting.