The next morning Lorelai got up early. She wanted to leave the house before anyone else got up, so she didn't need to answer the question of where she was going. She got dressed and headed over to Derek's apartment. When she pulled into the parking lot and parked she texted him.
'Hey. You awake? I need to talk to you about something in person. I'm outside your apartment. I don't know if Penny is with you, but I need to talk to you alone.' She texted
Derek was just waking up when his phone dinged. He looked at it and tilted his head. He texted back
'Must be serious this early in the morning. Penny's not here. Come on in.' He said
Lorelai got out of her car into the brisk cold air of the November month. She went and buzzed up and she was let in.
Derek had thrown some clothes on and opened the door.
"Morning." They both said as Lorelai came in and was led to his table. They both sat
"What's up?" Derek asked
"Okay. Um. I'm telling only you this. Its not about me its about a friend. She doesn't want everyone knowing about this, but she needs help." Lorelai told him
Derek nodded. "As long as that friend isn't a minor and I have to tell their parents than I can keep it a between us." He said
Lorelai nodded. "No. Not a minor. Its Rebecca."
Derek nodded. "Okay. What's going on?"
"She was dating this guy. They broke up right before she came here because he is an alcoholic who wasn't doing what he promised her he would to work through the problem and apparently he can be mean when he's drunk. She called him out when she found out he was lying about getting help and he grabbed her and threw her against a wall. She has the bruises on her arm to prove it and she went to the hospital to get checked for a concussion she doesn't have one. He has also been financially abusive and controlling. And verbally abusive. She just wants him to leave her alone. She wants a restraining order. I don't have the pull the rest of you do to make it happen quickly." Lorelai told him
Derek listened and clenched his fist when he found out she was being abused. "Financially abusive how?" he asked
"He convinced her to move in with him, quit her job to focus on school, and have her cheques from the government deposited in his account. I've already got her to switch that back to her own account last night." Lorelai told Derek
Derek nodded. "What's this guys name?"
Lorelai gave him his name and address which she had gotten from Rebecca. And also, where he worked.
Derek took it all down before looking back up at her. "I will handle it. When does she go back? Does she have a safe place to go?" He asked
"She goes back on Wednesday. I will loan her the money if I have to for a hotel." She said
Derek nodded. "Make sure she has my number. If she can get a new phone with new number I would also suggest she does that before going home so he cant trace her."
Lorelai nodded. "I will make sure she does."
Derek nodded. "Lorelai. I am proud of you for not trying to do this on your own."
Lorelai smiled. "I couldn't if I wanted to."
"But the old you would have tried." He said
Lorelai chuckled. "Yeah. Probably."
"Do you need a restraining order against your biological father?" He asked
"Spencer is handling that." Lorelai said
"Okay. You know he was pretty hurt yesterday." Derek said
"Yeah. I know. We talked." She said
"I also heard why you didn't tell anyone, and I get it." Derek told her
"Thanks. I would have told everyone if I though that would have happened." Lorelai said
"I know." Derek said. "Do you want a coffee or anything?" He asked
"No. I left my house early, so I didn't need to explain where I was going. I didn't want my dad asking questions as I want to respect Rebecca's privacy so I should go." She said. "But thank you for this."
"Anytime Lorelai. I don't know her well, but I know she is important to you, and you are important to me so I will always help her. Or any women who is being abused." He told her
Lorelai smiled and left going home. She got home before anyone else got up, so she was thankful. She didn't need to explain anything to anyone.