Chapter Four: Nighttime Sucks.
"Dr. Richards, please report to ICU. Dr. Richards, ICU."
Luke stared at the ceiling, glaring at it for causing a disruption to her sleep. He was alone with Lorelai, she sleeping and he worrying. Miss Patty had left when Lorelai's parents had come. They raised a stink about the room quality, fretted over Lorelai, cradled Rory, and then took the girl home. They would be back tomorrow. Sookie had gone as well, needing to take care of something at the Inn, and knowing she had to be to work super early the next day. She, too, promised to stop by the next day.
Now it was just Luke to stand vigil over their friend. He didn't mind. He wasn't going to go anywhere anyway. So far everything had been going okay. Lorelai had been woken up on the hour, and she had responded to the Doctor's liking each time. So far so good.
"What do you think you're still doing here?"
His head lifted to see a pudgy nurse standing in the doorway, hands on hips, glare on face, waiting for an answer to her question. Getting up from his seat he crossed to the door, shoed her out and shut the door behind them. Standing in the hallway he turned his best glare onto her.
"I'm not leaving," he told the nurse. It was the same one he'd spoken to earlier, the one who had told him the hospital rules.
"You don't have a choice in this. Hospital policy is strict in these matters. You can't stay."
"I don't care about your hospital policies, I'm not leaving and unless you can manhandle me out of the way don't expect to get rid of me."
"Now you listen here," she began.
"No, you listen to me. I almost lost her today. She could have died and I never would have gotten the chance to tell her anything. Never told her how beautiful she is in the morning when she hasn't had her first cup of coffee yet; how she wrinkles her nose when she thinks or what a great job she's done with Rory during the whole break up thing with Rory and Dean. I have to tell her that and so much more and I am not leaving her, not taking the chance that she won't wake up one of these times. I can't leave her side until I know she'll be okay, that she'll be up in a few days, sitting at my counter begging me for one more cup of coffee, knowing that all she has to do is smile and I won't refuse her."
Luke took in a deep breath after his speech to refill the oxygen to his lungs, expelling it with a sigh.
"I can't leave her."
The nurse was silent for his speech, listening to the words he wasn't saying as well as the ones he was. Glancing at the door and then back to him she pursed her lips. "They're gonna kill me if they find out I let you stay."
Blinking Luke realized what she had said and smiled at her, weak and weary but it was a smile all the same. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Ever." Looking at him with serious eyes she shook her head. "I just hope that girl realizes what a great guy she's got by her side."
Nurse Marie, head nurse on the second shift, moved away to make a note on Lorelai Gilmore's file for the next shift of nurse's. She couldn't make any guarantees that they would heed it, but she was going to make sure they knew Luke had her permission to stay.
Watching her walk away Luke wished her words had been as true as she had spoken them. He would always be by her side, no matter what. Even if she married that Max-Jerk he'd still stay by her side, re-filling her mug, filling her stomach with greasy cheeseburgers and fries, lecturing her on proper eating habits, cheering her when she was sad, simmering her down when she was mad. Luke couldn't imagine a life without her; he didn't want to.
Entering her room again she took up his bedside vigil.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luke awoke with a start, at first confused about where he was. The smell of rubbing alcohol and flowers hit him and he remembered he was in the hospital with Lorelai. It was she who had woken him up. She murmured in her sleep, tossing her head side to side, legs kicking off the blanket as she tried to run from her dreams. Leaning forward Luke took her hand in his and watched with a worried eye as she continued to toss and turn, mumbling incoherently.
Her thrashing increased, restless, frantic, until she sat up, bolting up away from her pillow with a force that ripped her from Luke's hands. A scream tore from her throat, shattering the eerie silence of midnight at a hospital. Struggling to his feet Luke wrapped his arms around her, using his hands to push her back down onto the bed while at the same time smoothing her hair away from her face. His voice soft and comforting he spoke to her, calming her as best as he knew how.
"Lorelai, it's okay, you're safe. Nothings going to happen to you, I swear it. You're safe. I'm right here and nothings going to happen."
Though she settled back to the pillow again her eyes were wide, unfocused, filled with fear. Luke continued his soothing nothings, coaxing her out of her fear bit by bit until she began to relax. Her eyes filled with tears as Lorelai looked over at him.
"Rory?" she whispered.
Luke nodded. "She's fine. She's asleep right now. She's perfectly fine."
The tears began to roll down her cheek but some of the fear left her eyes. They were still haunted by it but now Luke could see the beginning of Lorelai poke through from the back. He continued to stroke her hair, smoothing it back, rubbing her arm, the good part, lightly, whispering to her to get some sleep. Moments later she was back to sleep.
"What happened? Is she all right?"
Looking to the door he saw Nurse Marie enter the room and check the monitors next to Lorelai.
"She's okay. She just woke up from a nightmare that's all. She's asleep again."
Satisfied with the status of the monitors, the IV's, and his explanation she moved to the door, pausing for a moment to stare at them, he with his hands still in her hair and on her arm, before shutting the door behind herself as she left.
Closing his eyes Luke leaned his head down on the bed next to her shoulder. He could still see her eyes, the fear, primal fear that had filled them. Pain. Sadness that had come from the very core of her soul. He felt tears sting at his eyes for the second time that night. His breath ragged, chest heaving, Luke needed air. Standing up he crossed to the door, yanking it open and shutting it tightly behind him. Leaning against it he bent over, putting his head almost between his legs to keep from hyperventilating. She'd scared the living daylights out of him. Still bent over he tossed his hat to the floor, running his hands through his hair in frustration. Luke stayed there for a few moments trying to calm his heart and erase the image of her eyes from his mind.
From the nurses station Nurse Marie watched him trying to regain control of himself. She had no doubt about how much Luke loved Lorelai, Marie could see it in everything he did, every step he stepped and every breath he breathed. That was one lucky girl.
"Excuse me!"
Snapping her head to look at the dark hair-ed beauty that stood before her Marie re-focused her attention to him. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Lorelai Gilmore, she was brought in earlier today. I got a message on my voice mail from some guy, saying that she was here, that she was in an accident. Is she okay? How badly was she hurt? Please tell me something!"
"Yes there is a Miss Gilmore here. Who are you?"
"I'm Max Medina, her fiancé. May I see her? I know I can't stay but I really need to see her!"
Looking just over his shoulder Marie saw Luke facing them, the look on his face both angry and sad. Closing his eyes he nodded and turned away, rounding a corner, not wanting to meet up with Max. "Room 318. You have ten minutes and don't wake her up."
Not even bothering with a thank you Max ran to Lorelai's room and entered it, leaving a confused Marie behind. She wondered at this new man, Max, and Lorelai. Where did Luke fit into it? Did Lorelai know what she was missing? Did she even know how Luke felt? Shaking her head Marie hoped she did. Luke was just too much to throw away for any reason. Looking once more at the door she glanced at the clock. She had said ten minutes and she meant ten.
Max stood over Lorelai, his hands shaking as he took hers in his, gently so as not to hurt or disturb her. His eyes were teary as he looked at her bruised arms and scarred cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Lorelai! I should have been here sooner. I just got in when I got the message; I came straight over here. I'm so sorry, honey."
He sat in the seat next to her bed, holding her hand in his, until the nurse that had given him ten minutes came to tell him his time was up. With a kiss and a promise to return in the morning Max left to go home, get some sleep and return to make good on his promise. As he stood in the doorway, turning back for one last look he missed Luke come around the corner and duck back behind, waiting until Max was gone to emerge and return to Lorelai's side. The last thing anyone needed was a scene between the two men.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A low beeping roused Luke from his slumber and, rubbing the kink from his neck, he opened his eyes to look at his watch, silencing the alarm before it could rouse Lorelai as well. Getting to his feet Luke leaned over Lorelai to look at the monitors on the other side of the hospital bed. They seemed normal. Placing a gentle hand to her forehead Luke smiled when he felt no fever, always a good sign. Glancing at his watch he saw that Rory and the folks would be back soon. Wanting to avoid their questions Luke gathered his coat and left. After he'd climbed into his truck he realized he'd forgotten his hat.
Quickly walking back to the room he rounded the corner to see Max draw Rory into a hug. Staying where he was Luke studied the girl. Her eyes were still red and had little puffy bags under them. It was easy to see that she had little, if any sleep last night. His heart went out t her. Lorelai was all she had. Forgoing his hat Luke slipped back out to his vehicle. Let Rory be with her mom while she was awake. They needed to talk to each other. Climbing into his truck Luke started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
It was a short ride back to Stars Hollow; upon parking his truck, Luke discovered his café was still unlocked and open. At least the place was still in relative order. Making short work of the remaining chores to do he was about to close the door and get some sleep when the first morning customers came in. With a groan he realized he'd have to stay open. He couldn't close up shop, that would raise to many questions. The last thing he needed right now was to be the center of the town gossip, which would be inevitable if they knew he'd been at the hospital last night.
So he kept drinking the coffee and keeping the customers happy until, finally, the café was empty again. Luke knew he'd have an hour until the lunch shift would begin. Walking down the hall he sat behind his desk placed his head on it and meant to doze for a few minutes. The next thing he knew was the smell of perfume that overpowered the smell of his own scent. Bringing his head up Luke blinked at looked around his office to see Miss Patty standing in the doorway.
"Hey there honey. I didn't see you out front so I figured you'd be back here. Rough night?"
"No one in the office," he growled pointing for her to leave. "Back out front."
Eyeing him Patty did as he commanded, knowing from the bags under his eyes that the night was rougher than he'd ever admit. Sitting herself at a table in the corner she was content to examine him as he worked, filling the orders for the people whom had been waiting for him to appear. He was exhausted, she could tell just from the way he walked and stood. His attitude was nor worse than usual, but his eyes were half-dead from exhaustion. This boy was tired. And he was worried.
Waiting until he approached her table Patty opened her mouth to speak when he cut her off. Leaning his hands on the table he met her eyes and hit tone left no room for reply. "I don't want to hear it Patty. Yes, it was a bad night. Leave it there or get out."
Silent she watched him walk away and return a few moments later with her usual order. He turned to leave when she caught his hand. She was Miss Patty and by God she would have her say. "We're all worried, Luke."
Luke met her eyes for a brief moment and Patty didn't dare breathe, his eyes filled with more than his words could ever have said. "You didn't see what I saw," he told her before freeing his hand and moving away.
It was then that everything Patty had ever wondered was confirmed. Luke did have feelings for Lorelai! He loved her, she was sure of it. And something had happened after they'd left the hospital last night. Hurriedly Patty finished her meal and left the café. She was going to find out what happened.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"We'll sue I tell you! My daughter wouldn't even be here if that maniac hadn't a license to drive with. I want his license revoked!"
The officer sighed and put his tablet away. He'd gotten all the information he needed from the woman and her girl, though it was mostly from the girl, the woman didn't remember much, but the grandmother wouldn't let him leave.
"My husband is at his office right now, working on getting that mans license revoked, I'll have you know! How could something like this happen in such a small town! Doesn't anyone monitor young drivers anymore!"
"Grandma..."
"Don't 'grandma' me, Rory Gilmore. I will not rest until that young man has paid for what he has done to my daughter."
"Mom..."
"I can't believe something like this can happen! Does the government just hand out licenses willy-nilly these day?"
"Mom!"
"What? Oh! Lorelai, did you need something? What is it? I'll make sure you get it."
"Could you get me some aspirin? I think I have a headache."
"Of course! I can't believe this hospital hasn't given you any aspirin yet! What kind of hospital is this to not..." Her voice disappeared as the door shut behind her.
"If you run now, I think you can make it officer." Rory smiled at the man in uniform.
Tipping his hat he opened the door just as Miss Patty was reaching for it. Nodding to her then officer scanned the hallway and then disappeared.
"Well, at least one of us managed some freedom," Lorelai quipped. "Hello there, Patty."
"Hi there, Darling. How are you feeling?"
Carefully leaning over Patty kissed Lorelai on the cheek and patted her hand. Sitting down she noticed something sticking out from under the table next to the bed. With quick hands and a racing mind she picked up the object, recognizing it immediately. Luke's hat. A smile grew in her mind, knowing enough to keep it inside for now, as she realized why Luke had been so tired. But he'd said it was a bad night. Surely he didn't mean he'd just been tired.
"Lorelai honey, how did last night go for you, being stuck here and all? I know if it was me I'd probably be afraid or something."
Lorelai looked at Miss Patty with wide eyes. "How did you know?"
"Mom? What happened? Were you okay?"
"I..." Lorelai closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I had a nightmare, a bad one. I... I don't want to go into it but it was really, really scary. But then all of the sudden it wasn't. It was like all of the sudden it wasn't a nightmare anymore but it was a really great dream. I was floating in a pool of hot coffee, strong coffee, very yummy, like in a Jacuzzi. It was so soothing. The bubbles were whispering to me, telling me everything would be okay."
"Wow..."
"Yeah. Wow," Lorelai said, repeating Rory's exclamation. "Weird huh?"
This time Miss Patty couldn't contain her smile. Tossing the hat onto Lorelai's lap she said, "Oh I don't know. Sounded nice to me."
Furrowing her brow Lorelai picked up the hat. "Hey. This is Luke's hat! How did it get here?"
"He must have forgotten it last night when we left," Rory said. "But I could have sworn he was wearing it when he walked us out to the car."
"Lorelai," Emily said as she entered the room. "The nurse's said you had a visitor late last night. Who would stop by here at such a god awful hour?"
"That was Max, Mom, remember? He said this morning that he had gotten the message when he got back to the hotel room from teaching his class in Toronto and came back as fast as he could. They let him in for a few minutes but then made him leave. He told us this morning when you all got here."
"Oh yes. I remember. He said he didn't know who it was that left the message, some man on his voice mail. I wonder if it was the same one who called us?"
"What? Who called you mom?"
"Oh I don't know. You're friend, the one who brought the ice, I believe. Here's your aspirin Lorelai."
Taking the aspirin Lorelai looked at the hat on her lap. "Luke?"
"Oh yes, that was his name. I'm going to go get some tea. Would anyone like some?" Seeing that no one did she left again in search of a strong cup of tea.
"Luke called my parents and Max?" Rory nodded. "What else did he do?"
"Everything mom," Rory said softly as she laid her head on her mothers shoulder. "He saw the car and he tried to get to you but he was too... he couldn't. Then he kept yelling for someone to get help and he tried to stop the bleeding until the ambulance got there. There was... he... your..." Rory stopped as her tears began again. "There was so much blood mom, it was all over him. They wouldn't let him ride in the ambulance so he drove me to the hospital in his truck and stayed with me all night. I mean Miss Patty and Sookie were there too, and eventually Grandma and Grandpa, but Luke took care of everything."
Dazed, not knowing what to think Lorelai was silent, absent-mindedly stroking the cap in her lap. "Wow."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She was falling, not floating or flying, but falling. She could see the ground getting closer and closer but she couldn't stop; she was going to hit the ground. Lorelai tried to scream but she couldn't open her mouth to make the sound come out. The ground, it was so close. She was almost there, she was going to hit it, and she was going to die. This much she had not doubt about. Just as she felt the grass brush her arm...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
With a jerk Lorelai woke up, breathless from her nightmare. It wasn't as bad as some of the others, but this time there was no happy ending like last night. Before she could close her eyes again the door opened and Max popped his head in.
"Hi, how are you feeling?"
"Okay," she said, glad her breathing was back to normal. "What brings you here?"
"You, silly." Smiling at her he approached and kissed her, mindful of her wrist and other wounds. As he sat down he saw something in Lorelai's hands. "What's that?"
Looking down Lorelai realized she was still holding onto Luke's hat. "Oh just a hat. What do you think?" she asked, putting the hat on backwards.
Max grimaced. Reaching up he turned it forwards and nodded. "Much better."
Reversing it again Lorelai grinned at him. "I like it better this way. Truer to the wearer." She didn't know why she didn't just tell him the hat belonged to Luke, but something in her made her keep that fact to herself. Curious.
"So I was talking to the Doctor, he said you'll be able to go home tomorrow, so long as you take it easy. So I can come by tomorrow and we'll get you settled at home. I have to be back in Toronto by Wednesday."
"Actually Rory said she already had it all worked out. I wanted to let her do this, it means so much to her."
"Oh sure. I'll drop by later then."
"Okay."
The door opened and Nurse Marie stepped in. "Times up young man; time to go."
"I'm being evicted," he whispered to Lorelai. "I'll see you tomorrow, call me when you're settled in." Kissing her once more Max rose and left under the watchful eyes of the nurse.
Settling back into the bed, after taking the medicine from Nurse Marie, Lorelai fell asleep before she realized that her night watcher had arrived. Opening the door Luke peered in and saw that she was sleeping. A grin slid onto his face when he saw his hat sitting backward on her head. It looked nice on her. Slipping all the way into the room he sat down next to her, settled back as comfortably as possible, and opened his book. Tonight he'd read for a little while. It beat staring at the walls until he fell asleep.
He was almost done with it when Lorelai began tossing and turning again, moaning and whimpering in her dreams, her nightmares. The blankets almost hit the floor again, but this time he caught them and pulled them back into place, tucking them carefully in around her beautiful frame. Her good arm shot out, catching him in the eye with her fist. Cursing he grabbed it and held it down gently. Whispering to her, the words having no meaning but the tone comforting, Luke held her again, his hands once more smoothing her hair back and caressing her cheek.
She calmed down and once again she was sleeping peacefully. Watching her sleep, so innocent with her long lashes and creamy smooth skin framed by dark tendrils of silk, Luke's eyes were drawn to the scar that ran the length of her cheek. It might leave a scar, the doctors weren't sure, but they doubted it. Her wrist would bear a scar, that they knew, but eventually the bruises would fade away.
His mind wandered back to Rory's visit to the café on her way to the Gilmore Parents home. She asked him to help her bring Lorelai home tomorrow. Like he would have said no. He'd agreed and tomorrow the shop would be closed. Luke didn't care what the town wanted to think. He'd had enough of caring. They were already gossiping about what her parents were trying to do to the driver who'd hit Lorelai. Frankly Luke wanted to beat the crap out of him. However suing the rich snob and getting his license revoked was what he'd have to settle for.
Still with his hands in her hair and the other resting on her shoulder, Luke fell asleep, his book forgotten.
"Dr. Richards, please report to ICU. Dr. Richards, ICU."
Luke stared at the ceiling, glaring at it for causing a disruption to her sleep. He was alone with Lorelai, she sleeping and he worrying. Miss Patty had left when Lorelai's parents had come. They raised a stink about the room quality, fretted over Lorelai, cradled Rory, and then took the girl home. They would be back tomorrow. Sookie had gone as well, needing to take care of something at the Inn, and knowing she had to be to work super early the next day. She, too, promised to stop by the next day.
Now it was just Luke to stand vigil over their friend. He didn't mind. He wasn't going to go anywhere anyway. So far everything had been going okay. Lorelai had been woken up on the hour, and she had responded to the Doctor's liking each time. So far so good.
"What do you think you're still doing here?"
His head lifted to see a pudgy nurse standing in the doorway, hands on hips, glare on face, waiting for an answer to her question. Getting up from his seat he crossed to the door, shoed her out and shut the door behind them. Standing in the hallway he turned his best glare onto her.
"I'm not leaving," he told the nurse. It was the same one he'd spoken to earlier, the one who had told him the hospital rules.
"You don't have a choice in this. Hospital policy is strict in these matters. You can't stay."
"I don't care about your hospital policies, I'm not leaving and unless you can manhandle me out of the way don't expect to get rid of me."
"Now you listen here," she began.
"No, you listen to me. I almost lost her today. She could have died and I never would have gotten the chance to tell her anything. Never told her how beautiful she is in the morning when she hasn't had her first cup of coffee yet; how she wrinkles her nose when she thinks or what a great job she's done with Rory during the whole break up thing with Rory and Dean. I have to tell her that and so much more and I am not leaving her, not taking the chance that she won't wake up one of these times. I can't leave her side until I know she'll be okay, that she'll be up in a few days, sitting at my counter begging me for one more cup of coffee, knowing that all she has to do is smile and I won't refuse her."
Luke took in a deep breath after his speech to refill the oxygen to his lungs, expelling it with a sigh.
"I can't leave her."
The nurse was silent for his speech, listening to the words he wasn't saying as well as the ones he was. Glancing at the door and then back to him she pursed her lips. "They're gonna kill me if they find out I let you stay."
Blinking Luke realized what she had said and smiled at her, weak and weary but it was a smile all the same. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Ever." Looking at him with serious eyes she shook her head. "I just hope that girl realizes what a great guy she's got by her side."
Nurse Marie, head nurse on the second shift, moved away to make a note on Lorelai Gilmore's file for the next shift of nurse's. She couldn't make any guarantees that they would heed it, but she was going to make sure they knew Luke had her permission to stay.
Watching her walk away Luke wished her words had been as true as she had spoken them. He would always be by her side, no matter what. Even if she married that Max-Jerk he'd still stay by her side, re-filling her mug, filling her stomach with greasy cheeseburgers and fries, lecturing her on proper eating habits, cheering her when she was sad, simmering her down when she was mad. Luke couldn't imagine a life without her; he didn't want to.
Entering her room again she took up his bedside vigil.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luke awoke with a start, at first confused about where he was. The smell of rubbing alcohol and flowers hit him and he remembered he was in the hospital with Lorelai. It was she who had woken him up. She murmured in her sleep, tossing her head side to side, legs kicking off the blanket as she tried to run from her dreams. Leaning forward Luke took her hand in his and watched with a worried eye as she continued to toss and turn, mumbling incoherently.
Her thrashing increased, restless, frantic, until she sat up, bolting up away from her pillow with a force that ripped her from Luke's hands. A scream tore from her throat, shattering the eerie silence of midnight at a hospital. Struggling to his feet Luke wrapped his arms around her, using his hands to push her back down onto the bed while at the same time smoothing her hair away from her face. His voice soft and comforting he spoke to her, calming her as best as he knew how.
"Lorelai, it's okay, you're safe. Nothings going to happen to you, I swear it. You're safe. I'm right here and nothings going to happen."
Though she settled back to the pillow again her eyes were wide, unfocused, filled with fear. Luke continued his soothing nothings, coaxing her out of her fear bit by bit until she began to relax. Her eyes filled with tears as Lorelai looked over at him.
"Rory?" she whispered.
Luke nodded. "She's fine. She's asleep right now. She's perfectly fine."
The tears began to roll down her cheek but some of the fear left her eyes. They were still haunted by it but now Luke could see the beginning of Lorelai poke through from the back. He continued to stroke her hair, smoothing it back, rubbing her arm, the good part, lightly, whispering to her to get some sleep. Moments later she was back to sleep.
"What happened? Is she all right?"
Looking to the door he saw Nurse Marie enter the room and check the monitors next to Lorelai.
"She's okay. She just woke up from a nightmare that's all. She's asleep again."
Satisfied with the status of the monitors, the IV's, and his explanation she moved to the door, pausing for a moment to stare at them, he with his hands still in her hair and on her arm, before shutting the door behind herself as she left.
Closing his eyes Luke leaned his head down on the bed next to her shoulder. He could still see her eyes, the fear, primal fear that had filled them. Pain. Sadness that had come from the very core of her soul. He felt tears sting at his eyes for the second time that night. His breath ragged, chest heaving, Luke needed air. Standing up he crossed to the door, yanking it open and shutting it tightly behind him. Leaning against it he bent over, putting his head almost between his legs to keep from hyperventilating. She'd scared the living daylights out of him. Still bent over he tossed his hat to the floor, running his hands through his hair in frustration. Luke stayed there for a few moments trying to calm his heart and erase the image of her eyes from his mind.
From the nurses station Nurse Marie watched him trying to regain control of himself. She had no doubt about how much Luke loved Lorelai, Marie could see it in everything he did, every step he stepped and every breath he breathed. That was one lucky girl.
"Excuse me!"
Snapping her head to look at the dark hair-ed beauty that stood before her Marie re-focused her attention to him. "Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Lorelai Gilmore, she was brought in earlier today. I got a message on my voice mail from some guy, saying that she was here, that she was in an accident. Is she okay? How badly was she hurt? Please tell me something!"
"Yes there is a Miss Gilmore here. Who are you?"
"I'm Max Medina, her fiancé. May I see her? I know I can't stay but I really need to see her!"
Looking just over his shoulder Marie saw Luke facing them, the look on his face both angry and sad. Closing his eyes he nodded and turned away, rounding a corner, not wanting to meet up with Max. "Room 318. You have ten minutes and don't wake her up."
Not even bothering with a thank you Max ran to Lorelai's room and entered it, leaving a confused Marie behind. She wondered at this new man, Max, and Lorelai. Where did Luke fit into it? Did Lorelai know what she was missing? Did she even know how Luke felt? Shaking her head Marie hoped she did. Luke was just too much to throw away for any reason. Looking once more at the door she glanced at the clock. She had said ten minutes and she meant ten.
Max stood over Lorelai, his hands shaking as he took hers in his, gently so as not to hurt or disturb her. His eyes were teary as he looked at her bruised arms and scarred cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Lorelai! I should have been here sooner. I just got in when I got the message; I came straight over here. I'm so sorry, honey."
He sat in the seat next to her bed, holding her hand in his, until the nurse that had given him ten minutes came to tell him his time was up. With a kiss and a promise to return in the morning Max left to go home, get some sleep and return to make good on his promise. As he stood in the doorway, turning back for one last look he missed Luke come around the corner and duck back behind, waiting until Max was gone to emerge and return to Lorelai's side. The last thing anyone needed was a scene between the two men.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A low beeping roused Luke from his slumber and, rubbing the kink from his neck, he opened his eyes to look at his watch, silencing the alarm before it could rouse Lorelai as well. Getting to his feet Luke leaned over Lorelai to look at the monitors on the other side of the hospital bed. They seemed normal. Placing a gentle hand to her forehead Luke smiled when he felt no fever, always a good sign. Glancing at his watch he saw that Rory and the folks would be back soon. Wanting to avoid their questions Luke gathered his coat and left. After he'd climbed into his truck he realized he'd forgotten his hat.
Quickly walking back to the room he rounded the corner to see Max draw Rory into a hug. Staying where he was Luke studied the girl. Her eyes were still red and had little puffy bags under them. It was easy to see that she had little, if any sleep last night. His heart went out t her. Lorelai was all she had. Forgoing his hat Luke slipped back out to his vehicle. Let Rory be with her mom while she was awake. They needed to talk to each other. Climbing into his truck Luke started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
It was a short ride back to Stars Hollow; upon parking his truck, Luke discovered his café was still unlocked and open. At least the place was still in relative order. Making short work of the remaining chores to do he was about to close the door and get some sleep when the first morning customers came in. With a groan he realized he'd have to stay open. He couldn't close up shop, that would raise to many questions. The last thing he needed right now was to be the center of the town gossip, which would be inevitable if they knew he'd been at the hospital last night.
So he kept drinking the coffee and keeping the customers happy until, finally, the café was empty again. Luke knew he'd have an hour until the lunch shift would begin. Walking down the hall he sat behind his desk placed his head on it and meant to doze for a few minutes. The next thing he knew was the smell of perfume that overpowered the smell of his own scent. Bringing his head up Luke blinked at looked around his office to see Miss Patty standing in the doorway.
"Hey there honey. I didn't see you out front so I figured you'd be back here. Rough night?"
"No one in the office," he growled pointing for her to leave. "Back out front."
Eyeing him Patty did as he commanded, knowing from the bags under his eyes that the night was rougher than he'd ever admit. Sitting herself at a table in the corner she was content to examine him as he worked, filling the orders for the people whom had been waiting for him to appear. He was exhausted, she could tell just from the way he walked and stood. His attitude was nor worse than usual, but his eyes were half-dead from exhaustion. This boy was tired. And he was worried.
Waiting until he approached her table Patty opened her mouth to speak when he cut her off. Leaning his hands on the table he met her eyes and hit tone left no room for reply. "I don't want to hear it Patty. Yes, it was a bad night. Leave it there or get out."
Silent she watched him walk away and return a few moments later with her usual order. He turned to leave when she caught his hand. She was Miss Patty and by God she would have her say. "We're all worried, Luke."
Luke met her eyes for a brief moment and Patty didn't dare breathe, his eyes filled with more than his words could ever have said. "You didn't see what I saw," he told her before freeing his hand and moving away.
It was then that everything Patty had ever wondered was confirmed. Luke did have feelings for Lorelai! He loved her, she was sure of it. And something had happened after they'd left the hospital last night. Hurriedly Patty finished her meal and left the café. She was going to find out what happened.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"We'll sue I tell you! My daughter wouldn't even be here if that maniac hadn't a license to drive with. I want his license revoked!"
The officer sighed and put his tablet away. He'd gotten all the information he needed from the woman and her girl, though it was mostly from the girl, the woman didn't remember much, but the grandmother wouldn't let him leave.
"My husband is at his office right now, working on getting that mans license revoked, I'll have you know! How could something like this happen in such a small town! Doesn't anyone monitor young drivers anymore!"
"Grandma..."
"Don't 'grandma' me, Rory Gilmore. I will not rest until that young man has paid for what he has done to my daughter."
"Mom..."
"I can't believe something like this can happen! Does the government just hand out licenses willy-nilly these day?"
"Mom!"
"What? Oh! Lorelai, did you need something? What is it? I'll make sure you get it."
"Could you get me some aspirin? I think I have a headache."
"Of course! I can't believe this hospital hasn't given you any aspirin yet! What kind of hospital is this to not..." Her voice disappeared as the door shut behind her.
"If you run now, I think you can make it officer." Rory smiled at the man in uniform.
Tipping his hat he opened the door just as Miss Patty was reaching for it. Nodding to her then officer scanned the hallway and then disappeared.
"Well, at least one of us managed some freedom," Lorelai quipped. "Hello there, Patty."
"Hi there, Darling. How are you feeling?"
Carefully leaning over Patty kissed Lorelai on the cheek and patted her hand. Sitting down she noticed something sticking out from under the table next to the bed. With quick hands and a racing mind she picked up the object, recognizing it immediately. Luke's hat. A smile grew in her mind, knowing enough to keep it inside for now, as she realized why Luke had been so tired. But he'd said it was a bad night. Surely he didn't mean he'd just been tired.
"Lorelai honey, how did last night go for you, being stuck here and all? I know if it was me I'd probably be afraid or something."
Lorelai looked at Miss Patty with wide eyes. "How did you know?"
"Mom? What happened? Were you okay?"
"I..." Lorelai closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I had a nightmare, a bad one. I... I don't want to go into it but it was really, really scary. But then all of the sudden it wasn't. It was like all of the sudden it wasn't a nightmare anymore but it was a really great dream. I was floating in a pool of hot coffee, strong coffee, very yummy, like in a Jacuzzi. It was so soothing. The bubbles were whispering to me, telling me everything would be okay."
"Wow..."
"Yeah. Wow," Lorelai said, repeating Rory's exclamation. "Weird huh?"
This time Miss Patty couldn't contain her smile. Tossing the hat onto Lorelai's lap she said, "Oh I don't know. Sounded nice to me."
Furrowing her brow Lorelai picked up the hat. "Hey. This is Luke's hat! How did it get here?"
"He must have forgotten it last night when we left," Rory said. "But I could have sworn he was wearing it when he walked us out to the car."
"Lorelai," Emily said as she entered the room. "The nurse's said you had a visitor late last night. Who would stop by here at such a god awful hour?"
"That was Max, Mom, remember? He said this morning that he had gotten the message when he got back to the hotel room from teaching his class in Toronto and came back as fast as he could. They let him in for a few minutes but then made him leave. He told us this morning when you all got here."
"Oh yes. I remember. He said he didn't know who it was that left the message, some man on his voice mail. I wonder if it was the same one who called us?"
"What? Who called you mom?"
"Oh I don't know. You're friend, the one who brought the ice, I believe. Here's your aspirin Lorelai."
Taking the aspirin Lorelai looked at the hat on her lap. "Luke?"
"Oh yes, that was his name. I'm going to go get some tea. Would anyone like some?" Seeing that no one did she left again in search of a strong cup of tea.
"Luke called my parents and Max?" Rory nodded. "What else did he do?"
"Everything mom," Rory said softly as she laid her head on her mothers shoulder. "He saw the car and he tried to get to you but he was too... he couldn't. Then he kept yelling for someone to get help and he tried to stop the bleeding until the ambulance got there. There was... he... your..." Rory stopped as her tears began again. "There was so much blood mom, it was all over him. They wouldn't let him ride in the ambulance so he drove me to the hospital in his truck and stayed with me all night. I mean Miss Patty and Sookie were there too, and eventually Grandma and Grandpa, but Luke took care of everything."
Dazed, not knowing what to think Lorelai was silent, absent-mindedly stroking the cap in her lap. "Wow."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She was falling, not floating or flying, but falling. She could see the ground getting closer and closer but she couldn't stop; she was going to hit the ground. Lorelai tried to scream but she couldn't open her mouth to make the sound come out. The ground, it was so close. She was almost there, she was going to hit it, and she was going to die. This much she had not doubt about. Just as she felt the grass brush her arm...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
With a jerk Lorelai woke up, breathless from her nightmare. It wasn't as bad as some of the others, but this time there was no happy ending like last night. Before she could close her eyes again the door opened and Max popped his head in.
"Hi, how are you feeling?"
"Okay," she said, glad her breathing was back to normal. "What brings you here?"
"You, silly." Smiling at her he approached and kissed her, mindful of her wrist and other wounds. As he sat down he saw something in Lorelai's hands. "What's that?"
Looking down Lorelai realized she was still holding onto Luke's hat. "Oh just a hat. What do you think?" she asked, putting the hat on backwards.
Max grimaced. Reaching up he turned it forwards and nodded. "Much better."
Reversing it again Lorelai grinned at him. "I like it better this way. Truer to the wearer." She didn't know why she didn't just tell him the hat belonged to Luke, but something in her made her keep that fact to herself. Curious.
"So I was talking to the Doctor, he said you'll be able to go home tomorrow, so long as you take it easy. So I can come by tomorrow and we'll get you settled at home. I have to be back in Toronto by Wednesday."
"Actually Rory said she already had it all worked out. I wanted to let her do this, it means so much to her."
"Oh sure. I'll drop by later then."
"Okay."
The door opened and Nurse Marie stepped in. "Times up young man; time to go."
"I'm being evicted," he whispered to Lorelai. "I'll see you tomorrow, call me when you're settled in." Kissing her once more Max rose and left under the watchful eyes of the nurse.
Settling back into the bed, after taking the medicine from Nurse Marie, Lorelai fell asleep before she realized that her night watcher had arrived. Opening the door Luke peered in and saw that she was sleeping. A grin slid onto his face when he saw his hat sitting backward on her head. It looked nice on her. Slipping all the way into the room he sat down next to her, settled back as comfortably as possible, and opened his book. Tonight he'd read for a little while. It beat staring at the walls until he fell asleep.
He was almost done with it when Lorelai began tossing and turning again, moaning and whimpering in her dreams, her nightmares. The blankets almost hit the floor again, but this time he caught them and pulled them back into place, tucking them carefully in around her beautiful frame. Her good arm shot out, catching him in the eye with her fist. Cursing he grabbed it and held it down gently. Whispering to her, the words having no meaning but the tone comforting, Luke held her again, his hands once more smoothing her hair back and caressing her cheek.
She calmed down and once again she was sleeping peacefully. Watching her sleep, so innocent with her long lashes and creamy smooth skin framed by dark tendrils of silk, Luke's eyes were drawn to the scar that ran the length of her cheek. It might leave a scar, the doctors weren't sure, but they doubted it. Her wrist would bear a scar, that they knew, but eventually the bruises would fade away.
His mind wandered back to Rory's visit to the café on her way to the Gilmore Parents home. She asked him to help her bring Lorelai home tomorrow. Like he would have said no. He'd agreed and tomorrow the shop would be closed. Luke didn't care what the town wanted to think. He'd had enough of caring. They were already gossiping about what her parents were trying to do to the driver who'd hit Lorelai. Frankly Luke wanted to beat the crap out of him. However suing the rich snob and getting his license revoked was what he'd have to settle for.
Still with his hands in her hair and the other resting on her shoulder, Luke fell asleep, his book forgotten.
