Title: The Space Between

Author: CafeConLeche (Lexy)

Disclaimer: None of it's mine . I'm just a huge fan of Gilmore Girls.

Dedications: To all the great fan fic writers . I love reading your terrific stories. Also to my reviewers. Thank You.

The titles of the chapters are from The Calling's terrific CD - Camino Palmero

Chapter 1 : Could It Be Any Harder

You left me with goodbye and open arms/ Could it be any harder to say goodbye and without you / Could it be any harder to watch you go to face what's true (Snippets of The Calling's -Could It Be Any Harder)



Rory : "I think I'm going to Washington."

Lorelai: "Oh."



*Later (Reception)*



Rory :" Where's dad? I haven't seen him around."

Lorelai: "So how about those Yankees. I bet they'll make it to the superbowl this year."

Rory:"Mom , the Yankees are a baseball team. Football teams go to the superbowl. What happened?"

Lorelai:" Why do you think something has happened?"

Rory :"You're being very evasive about my question about dad.You brought up the Yankees and you don't even like baseball.

Lorelai:*sigh* He went back to Sherry in Boston."

Rory:"He did what?! Why? I thought you guys were going to ...I don't know get together."



Lorelai:"I thought so too."



Rory:"I can't believe it .I thought he was serious . I told him we take disappointment very badly. How could he do this to you . To us. He always does this ..he says one thing and doesn't keep his word .It thought he changed....

Lorelai(interupting) "She's pregnant "



Rory :"What?"

Lorelai:"She's pregnant. He said he didn't want to make the same mistake he made with you so he's going to be their for Sherry and the baby."



Rory:"Oh my god. Oh my god.I ...I'm so sorry mom."



Lorelai:"Don't be .It's not your fault . It's fate . I love him but I'm not sure we were ever meant to be together."



Rory:"Wow."(still in shock)



Lorelai:"It's definately one of those wow moments."



Rory:"It certainly is ."(thinking back to her kiss with Jess)



Dean:"Hey. You guys were great."



Rory:"Oh , uh , thanks ...."(averting his eyes)

Dean:"You ok ?"



Rory:"Oh yeah It's just ..It's .. been a while since my last caffiene fix."



Dean:"I'll go get you a mug. You too Lorelai?"



Lorelai:"That'd be great "(Dean goes to get the coffee)"What was that ?"



Rory :"What was what?"



Loralei:"Rory ...."



Rory: "Mom...I don't want to talk about it"



Lorelai: "We'll talk about it later."



Rory:"Later?"



Lorelai:"Later, but for now we put on our happy faces and go congratulate Sookie."



(They walk over to Sookie who looks very happy.)



Lorelai:(begins singing) "Sadie, Sadie , married lady"

Sookie :(beaming with joy) "I know . I'm someone's wife . I can say "Hello, this is my husband."(giggling)



Rory:"Congratulations. I'm so happy for you guys. You make such a cute couple."



Sookie:"You think?"



Lorelai:"Definitely. You were great up there .You looked beautiful."(with tears in her eyes)



Sookie:"You guys are so sweet."(Gives Lorelai and Rory a hug. Then goes to find Jackson singing Sadie, Sadie)



Dean:"Hey . I've been looking for you."(Hands her a mug and gives Lorelai the other)



Rory: (face flushing to a deep red when she again thinks of kissing Jess)"Oh ,we just went to talk to Sookie . Sorry about that."



Dean: Don't worry about it. Well, I've gotta go .I'll see you later ok?"(Gives her a quick kiss)



Rory:(Continues to guiltily avoid his eyes)"Yeah , of course. Bye."



Lorelai: "That's exactly what we're going to talk about"



*Later at home*



Lorelai:"So?"



Rory: "So what?"



Lorelai :"So what was with the face . I'm guessing you guys aren't in a fight 'cause he was being perfectly normal."



Rory :"Mom , everything's fine ok ."( coming out a little harsher than she intended)



Rory:" Look , I'm sorry, it's just you're making a big deal out of nothing"



Lorelai :(not buying it) "Ok fine. So I'm starving. Let's head to Luke's"



Rory: "How could you possibly be starving . There was more food at Sookie's wedding than at Henry the VIII's house."



Lorelai:"Well, I didn't really eat much . I kinda had other thngs on my mind."



Rory :"Oh , right, sorry. I didn't really either but let's order in pizza or chinese or something."



Lorelai:"I have this huge craving though for a nice juicy Luke burger."



Rory:"But do you really want to go out again."



Lorelai:"Not really but for a Luke burger I'm willing to exert the energy."



Rory:"Well , you go , I'm kinda tired . I don't really want to go out "



Lorelai:" Right(suspiciously). Luke and I aren't speaking still . I need moral support."



Rory:(sighing) Fine, I'll go."



Lorelai:"Yea!"





(At Luke's )



(Lorelai walks in first . Rory walks timidly behind her scaning the diner for Jess. She relaxes when she sees he's not in there.)



Lorelai :"Hey Luke. Coffee?"



Luke :"Hi"( Thens pours the coffee no objections. He's still being very cold toward her. Lorelai sighs)"What'll you have?"



Rory :"Can we have two burgers and fries ,please?"

Luke: (In a softer voice , because he's talking to Rory) "Sure. Coming right up .)



Lorelai: "Ugh. Did you see that ? He was perfectly nice to you and Mr.Freeze to me ."



Rory:"I wish you guys could ....."(Jess walks down the stairs , makes eye contact breifly with Rory and gives her a half smile . Rory blushes friecely. Lorelai notices but says nothing)."I ..I uh wish ...you could...um...make up"



Lorelai:"So do I"



Jess:"Uncle Luke .I'm out."



Luke :"Fine"



Lorelai:"He's back!"(As if it just registered in her brain.)



Rory: "Yeah .Looks like he is."

Lorelai:" You already saw him didn't you. "



Rory:"Yeah ..I saw him earlier.i just figured it might not have been to greatest idea to bring it up considering everything that happened with dad . You already seemed to be in a sad mood . I didn't want to add to it."



Loralai :" Well , thanks ." (Luke places their food in front of them . They eat in silence.)



* On their way home from Luke's* (Both not talking. They are both thinking about the shocking events of the day.)



Rory:" Hey mom ,I wanted to pick up My Antonia at the book store before it closes so I'll meet you at home ok?"

(Lorelai seems to have fallen into a dazed state)



Lorelai"Ok."



(Rory walks slowly towards the bookstore until Lorelai is out of sight then turns and walks to the bridge. Jess is sitting there with a cigerette looking straight out, as if in deep thought. Rory awkwardly sits down ,purposely keeping distance between them . She sits thinking about what she's going to say.)



Rory :" Hey" *nervously *



Jess:"Hey " *he turns to look at her and she becomes even more flustered*



Rory:" I shouldn't have done that ."



Jess :" Done what?"

Rory :" You know ... kissed you"



Jess : "Ah."



Rory :" Yeah , I shouldn't have done that . Dean doesn't deserve that . It's just I was so surprised to see you and my emotions took over. *looking away * It didn't mean anything."



Jess :" Are you sure ?"



Rory:*lying* Yes, I have Dean. I love Dean. Dean's great. He's..."



Jess:*interupting* "Alright I get it .You love Dean. The kiss meant nothing . I get it."



Rory :"Yeah , so , still friends?"



Jess:" Yeah , still friends."



Rory:*smiling * "Good, good , I'm glad. I've gotta get home. I'll see you later ok?"



Jess:"I'm sure you will." *She got up to leave . They locked eyes for a moment then she turned and walked away *





I did the right thing, didn't I? Of course , I love Dean. He's the perfect boyfriend. I love Dean . He's right for me.

She repeated this over and over again in her head and soon she began to believe it was true.



(At the airport.)

Lorelai :"Bye sweetie I'm going to miss you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo.."



Rory: *interupting* "I'm going to miss you too."



Lorelai :"Not as much as I will"( Lorelai gives Rory a bear hug .)



Rory: *after a few moments * "I really have to go . I can't miss the flight."



Lorelai :" So I've been thinking 'who really wants to look at a bunch of old buildings and listen to a bunch of speeches when you have fun adventures with Lorelai , huh huh ?



Rory :"Honestly I would rather stay but I have to go .I love you"( She gave her mom another hug and went throught the gate).



Lorelai: *sadly* "I love you too. Bye sweets.( She looks over and sees Paris waiting impatiently) Bye Paris. Have Fun!

Rory : "Bye mom"



Paris: (In a somewhat frustrated voice.)"Bye"



(At the Diner)



Lorelai: "Luke , she's gone , she's really gone"( Said in a very dramatic way)



Luke :"She's coming back you know."



Lorelai :" I know but 42 days that's like an eternity."*sighs*



Lorelai :" Hey Luke "



Luke :" Yeah?"



Lorelai :"I miss you ."



Luke : " I didn't go anywhere."



Lorelai :You did though . Luke left and Mr. Polite came as a replacement."



Luke:"You'd prefer me be rude?"



Lorelai:" I just want the Luke I know and love back . I'm sorry , truly sorry , you'll never know how sorry .I wish I could go and take it back but I can't so I'm asking you again 'please forgive me'. I was upset . My baby , my life , my everything was in the hospital . I freaked and it was wrong to take it out on you. So I'm sorry . Really , really sorry . I know it wasn't your fault and ...and Jess he's changed since the day he first day he came to Star's Hollow and I think it's because of you . You're doing a great job Luke. So please would you accept my apology ."



Luke:(Looks at Lorelai and his face softens.) "Yeah , I accept your apology."



Lorelai :"No more Mr. Freeze?"



Luke :"No more Mr. Freeze."



Lorelai *beaming* "So, now that we got that outta the way . Let's talk coffee."



Luke: "No."



Lorelai *smiling even wider* "But Luuuuuke , I neeeed coffee it keeps me alive "



Luke: "It will kill you."



Lorelai :"I'll die happy."



(Luke pours her coffee)



Lorelai:" Eeeeee. Happiness , I'm Lorelai."



* A few days later*



( The diner is experiencing a strange lull. Luke is satnding behind the counter. Jess is cleaning a machine. Lorelai is sitting at the counter eating and an older lady is also sitting at the counter . Other than that the diner's empty. The older lady is Ms. Redding . She has known lorelai since she was about twenty so they're friends.)

Ms. Redding :"So Lorelai, anything new happening in your life? Any love interests?"



Lorelai:"No , no not at the moment. Everything's pretty quiet without Rory around."



Ms. Redding :"I'm sure it is . Everone misses that dear girl. "



Lorelai:"So what about you? "



Ms. Redding :"Well my granddaughter has come to stay with me."



Lorelai:"Wow. I haven't seen anyone new around. How long has she been here."



Ms. Redding: "Well, she just got in this morning."



Lorelai :"So tell me about her."



Ms. Redding:"Well , she's seventeen ,she's from New York.( Jess looks up but his expression of indifference doesn't change.) Oh, let me tell you she's absolutely beautiful . Like a model . She's 5'10" , perfect figure , creamy complexion and such a beautiful face. "



Lorelai:"Wow. So where is she?"



Ms. Redding:"Well she should be meeting me here now . She wanted to take a walk around the town ."



( Just as she said this her granddaughter walks in. She's just as pretty if not prettier than her grandmother described. She has long , wavy dark brown hair and startling eyes surrounded by think lashes. Her eyes stand out because they're blue with violet rims. She's wearing cute jeans that aren't tight but not loose and a dark blue capsleeve tee.)



Ms. Redding :"Hello there. So what do you think of the town?"



Granddaughter: "It's very...small."



Ms. Redding:"Oh yes, but it's great town . "



( The granddaughter simply nodded.)



Ms. Redding: "Let me introduce you to a few people.* points toward Lorelai * This is Lorelai . She has a daughter about your age that I'm sure you'd like."



Lorelai :"Hello."



Granddaughter: "Hi."



Ms.Redding :" This is Luke . He owns this diner. *pointing toward Luke who gives a small wave* And this is his nephew Jess . You're from New York also , right?"



Jess:"Yeah .Hey."



Granddaughter :"Hello."



Lorelai :" So , uh , we've been introduced and we still don't know you're name."



Granddaughter : "Giselle. My name is Giselle."



A/N I hope you enjoyed this chapter . I'm aware that it's already been posted earlier , but there were many spelling and grammatical errors so I've reposted both chapters. I also, as suggested , spaced out the story so it's easier to read and fixed a few small inconsistencies. I would greatly appreciate it if you would review . I really enjoy reading them even if it's just a short note. Thank you.

My Antonia is by Willa Cather and is a wonderful book.