Fool for Love
by
javakamp
Chapter 29: Fancy meeting you here.
The entire diner watched as Lorelai, Luke and Colin stood staring at each other for a long moment. Finally, the silence was broken when Colin tried to look meek, and said, "Hi, Lorelai. Kinda thought I might find you here. How ya been?"
A thousand responses flashed through Lorelai's mind. However since 996 of them were unfit for a PG-13 rating she remained silent. Undeterred by her silence Colin continued, "Things have gotten really messed up, and I needed to explain."
Lorelai felt Luke stiffen next to her. Fearing that he might do something, she stopped him by putting a hand on his arm, and saying, "Luke."
Luke's head snapped around bring a smoldering gaze on her. She looked him in the eyes, and softly said, "Don't. I'll handle this."
Luke stared back for a moment, and then he nodded and softly said, "Okay, but if you need me..."
"Thanks Luke. This is something I have to do."
With an understanding nod, Luke turned, picked up the coffee pot, and headed behind the counter.
"Yeah, thanks, Luke," Colin said, "And while you're at it could you get me a cup of coffee."
Luke pulled to a stop, and sat the coffee pot onto the counter, with a hard thump. He turned around and started striding towards Colin.
"Stop!" Lorelai exclaimed. Pointing a finger between Colin and Luke she said, "Both of you, stop it right now."
"Lorelai, we need to talk," Colin said as he stepped closer to Lorelai.
"Not here," Lorelai said, stopping Colin in his tracks. She turned and grabbed her coat from the back of her chair. She tucked the coat under one arm while she used her free hand to reach into her jeans and pull out some bills that she laid onto the table.
"Here, let me get that," Colin offered.
Lorelai rounded on him and said with a touch of venom, "Not on your life."
When Colin held up his hands in surrender, "Lorelai turned to Rory and said, "I'll be back sweetie."
Unsure what to do Rory remained quiet and nodded her head.
As Lorelai started to put on her coat, Colin looked at Rory, and said, "Hi, Rory, nice to see you again."
Once Lorelai had her coat on, she grabbed Colin by the sleeve and pulled him after her, as she said, "Outside."
Lorelai was soon out the door, with Colin in tow. She looked around for somewhere to talk in relative privacy. Seeing nothing, she decided to stop on the sidewalk in front of Luke's. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw all the occupants of the diner get out of their seats and step up to the window to view the action. Pushing the thoughts of their onlookers to the back of her mind, she turned to Colin, and as she started to pull on her gloves said, "Okay, talk."
Colin turned on the charm with one of his lady-killer smiles. In Lorelai's mood, it only served to make her madder. He spread his hands out in a reconciliatory gesture and said, "First off, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I should have never treated you like that."
Lorelai crossed her arms and asked, "Like what?"
"I don't understand."
"Its' really simple Colin. What is it that you're sorry for?"
Still looking confused, Colin replied, "For everything."
"For everything?" Lorelai asked. "You mean like tulips? Are you sorry about tulips? Or maybe its second hand smoke that you've got the guilts over."
"No that's not what I mean."
"Then what Colin? What is it that caused you to drive all the way here to apologize to me for?"
"For the things that have you upset."
"The things that have me upset. Okay so you mean the price of microwave popcorn, because that has been really getting out of hand. Or maybe you wanted to apologize for stirrup pants going out of style when I had a whole drawer full, cause I still lose sleep about that some nights. Or maybe it the situation in the Middle East, cause it really bothers me that those crazy kids just can't seem to work things out." Lorelai paused for breath while out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Luke herding the crowd away from the window.
"Well," Lorelai continued, "Thanks for the concern, that was very nice." Lorelai's voice dripped sarcasm as she concluded, "I'm so glad you stopped by. Buh-bye."
Lorelai started to walk around Colin, to return to the diner. As she passed by Colin reached out a hand, grabbed her arm, and said, "Lorelai, wait."
Lorelai stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the hand on her arm. After a moment, she slowly turned her gaze up to stare daggers at Colin. After a second, he removed his hand, holding both hands in front of him in a gesture of concession. Once she had again turned to face him he said, "Lorelai, why are you making this so difficult."
Lorelai's head rocked back in an expression of disbelief. After a moment Colin looked away and said, "Your right, I deserve that and worse."
Lorelai expression did not soften a millimeter, as she said, "No argument here."
Colin nodded, "You're right, what I did was horrible, and you have every right to be mad." He looked at her with his brown eyes that used to touch her heart, but now only made her nauseous, and said, "But, I want you to know that am truly sorry." He gave her a slight smile, as he continued, "and, I was wondering what I could do to make it up to you."
"Sure, there's something you can do," Lorelai said sounding as if she was beginning to crumble.
"Just name it."
"Good. I want you to drop dead." Lorelai said with no trace of a smile. "Do you think you can get right on that?"
"Lorelai," Colin pleaded, "I said I was sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Lorelai challenged.
"Like I said, I'm, sorry for everything that happened."
"You know, Colin, all I keep hearing is this vague apology, but it just sound like words," Lorelai said. "But I'm not hearing anything that says you are really sorry, or that you have even an inkling of what you have done that you need to be sorry for."
Colin's mouth hung open as he stared at Lorelai. After a moment, he looked at the ground, and said, "I'm sorry for the terrible things I did to you. You didn't deserve any of it."
Lorelai uncrossed her arms, placing her hands on her hips. "You mean that you're sorry you lied to me?"
Colin nodded in response.
"And you're sorry you took advantage of me."
"Yes."
"What about cheating on me. I mean even if the only person you slept with while we were dating was your wife, since I didn't know about her, that would be considered cheating. Are you sorry for that?"
In his most sincere voice Colin answered, "I am very, very sorry."
"That's assuming that there was no one besides Rebecca and me."
When Colin refused to meet her eyes, Lorelai crossed her arms again. "You mean there was someone besides the two of us!! I… I… You are just unbelievable. I… I just don't even want to talk to you anymore. Just leave me alone." Lorelai turned and began stalking back to the diner.
When he realized that she was walking off, Colin started after her, "Lorelai, please wait." He caught up to her and tried to stop her with a hand on her arm.
She shook off his hand, and said, "I said leave me alone!"
She reentered the diner with Colin close behind. "Lorelai, please you don't understand."
Lorelai turned back around and said, "I think I understand all too well. You are a lying, two-timer who cares nothing for his relationships, and you demonstrate that constantly by not keeping your fly zipped. You are just a sad selfish little boy. So leave me alone, and go back to your wife. Not that I can imagine why she would take you back."
Colin's shoulders dropped in the attitude of a defeated man. Lorelai shook her head and turned back towards her seat. She was half way there when Colin said, "I can't go back."
Lorelai turned around and asked, "What?"
Colin looked up and said, "I said, I can't go back, Rebecca's thrown me out."
"Well good for her," Lorelai said. "It's about time. You know I liked her. If things had been different, we might have been friends, but I doubt that will ever happen because I slept with her husband. So then what, you going to move in with your other girlfriend?"
Colin shook his head. "I've got no where to go. I don't even have enough gas to get back to New Haven, because her father had me fired."
"Hum," Lorelai smiled. "I guess that karma stuff works. Sounds like you have a big problem." Lorelai paused while she appeared to consider the situation. She turned to Colin and said, "Well, good luck with that."
"Lorelai, please."
Ignoring his pleas Lorelai continued for her chair.
"Lorelai I need you."
Refusing to look at Colin Lorelai removed her gloves and sat them down on her table.
"Lorelai, Please. I lov…"
"Stop right there," Lorelai interrupted. "Do not think that you can say that you love me, and expect me to fall at your feet, because if there is one thing this whole episode has proven, it is that you have no concept of what love means. Now please just leave me alone."
Refusing to leave Colin started to towards Lorelai. "Lorelai?"
Up until this time, Luke had been standing near the far end of the counter, trying to respect Lorelai's request that he let her handle things. Finally, he had had enough. In two quick strides, he interposed himself between Colin and Lorelai. "Okay, this has gone on long enough. As the proprietor of this establishment, I'm asking you to leave."
Colin looked up at Luke and sneered, "You and what army, fry boy? So you think you can throw me out and maybe she'll finally notice you. Well neither one will ever happen."
"All I know," Luke started, "Is that you're going to be leaving this diner one way or another."
"And if I refuse?" Colin challenged.
"Like I said, one way or another," Luke replied. "So why don't you make it easy on yourself, and just leave."
The two men stared at each other for a long tension filled moment. Finally, Colin shrugged and started to walk away. When Luke began to relax, Colin lashed out with a punch that landed firmly on Luke's jaw, causing his head to snap back.
When Colin threw his punch, a collective gasp sprang spread around the customers in the diner. Lorelai and Rory shot up out of their chairs, Rory stepping back against the shelves, while Lorelai held her place, asking "Luke are you okay?"
Luke ignored her, while he wiped the back of his hand across his lower lip. He pulled the hand away, and then glanced at it for traces of blood, but there were none. Still controlling him emotions he glared at Colin and said, "You get that one, but that will 'not' happen again."
"Right," snorted Colin. "Like you could stop me." Colin glanced around the diner, and then appeared to come to a decision. "You know what? I'm through here." He looked at Lorelai over Luke's shoulder. "I hope you're very happy here with your small time town, your small time life," He glanced at Luke and said, "and your small time man." He turned his glare on Luke and said, "And you fry boy. I hope your small time plans work out." Colin pointed over Luke's shoulder at Lorelai, and then continued, "And that you are very happy with your, Whore."
"The words were barely out of Colin's mouth when Luke's fist struck out hitting Colin square in the middle of the face. The lightning fast blow sent the man sprawling onto his backside.
by
javakamp
Chapter 29: Fancy meeting you here.
The entire diner watched as Lorelai, Luke and Colin stood staring at each other for a long moment. Finally, the silence was broken when Colin tried to look meek, and said, "Hi, Lorelai. Kinda thought I might find you here. How ya been?"
A thousand responses flashed through Lorelai's mind. However since 996 of them were unfit for a PG-13 rating she remained silent. Undeterred by her silence Colin continued, "Things have gotten really messed up, and I needed to explain."
Lorelai felt Luke stiffen next to her. Fearing that he might do something, she stopped him by putting a hand on his arm, and saying, "Luke."
Luke's head snapped around bring a smoldering gaze on her. She looked him in the eyes, and softly said, "Don't. I'll handle this."
Luke stared back for a moment, and then he nodded and softly said, "Okay, but if you need me..."
"Thanks Luke. This is something I have to do."
With an understanding nod, Luke turned, picked up the coffee pot, and headed behind the counter.
"Yeah, thanks, Luke," Colin said, "And while you're at it could you get me a cup of coffee."
Luke pulled to a stop, and sat the coffee pot onto the counter, with a hard thump. He turned around and started striding towards Colin.
"Stop!" Lorelai exclaimed. Pointing a finger between Colin and Luke she said, "Both of you, stop it right now."
"Lorelai, we need to talk," Colin said as he stepped closer to Lorelai.
"Not here," Lorelai said, stopping Colin in his tracks. She turned and grabbed her coat from the back of her chair. She tucked the coat under one arm while she used her free hand to reach into her jeans and pull out some bills that she laid onto the table.
"Here, let me get that," Colin offered.
Lorelai rounded on him and said with a touch of venom, "Not on your life."
When Colin held up his hands in surrender, "Lorelai turned to Rory and said, "I'll be back sweetie."
Unsure what to do Rory remained quiet and nodded her head.
As Lorelai started to put on her coat, Colin looked at Rory, and said, "Hi, Rory, nice to see you again."
Once Lorelai had her coat on, she grabbed Colin by the sleeve and pulled him after her, as she said, "Outside."
Lorelai was soon out the door, with Colin in tow. She looked around for somewhere to talk in relative privacy. Seeing nothing, she decided to stop on the sidewalk in front of Luke's. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw all the occupants of the diner get out of their seats and step up to the window to view the action. Pushing the thoughts of their onlookers to the back of her mind, she turned to Colin, and as she started to pull on her gloves said, "Okay, talk."
Colin turned on the charm with one of his lady-killer smiles. In Lorelai's mood, it only served to make her madder. He spread his hands out in a reconciliatory gesture and said, "First off, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I should have never treated you like that."
Lorelai crossed her arms and asked, "Like what?"
"I don't understand."
"Its' really simple Colin. What is it that you're sorry for?"
Still looking confused, Colin replied, "For everything."
"For everything?" Lorelai asked. "You mean like tulips? Are you sorry about tulips? Or maybe its second hand smoke that you've got the guilts over."
"No that's not what I mean."
"Then what Colin? What is it that caused you to drive all the way here to apologize to me for?"
"For the things that have you upset."
"The things that have me upset. Okay so you mean the price of microwave popcorn, because that has been really getting out of hand. Or maybe you wanted to apologize for stirrup pants going out of style when I had a whole drawer full, cause I still lose sleep about that some nights. Or maybe it the situation in the Middle East, cause it really bothers me that those crazy kids just can't seem to work things out." Lorelai paused for breath while out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Luke herding the crowd away from the window.
"Well," Lorelai continued, "Thanks for the concern, that was very nice." Lorelai's voice dripped sarcasm as she concluded, "I'm so glad you stopped by. Buh-bye."
Lorelai started to walk around Colin, to return to the diner. As she passed by Colin reached out a hand, grabbed her arm, and said, "Lorelai, wait."
Lorelai stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the hand on her arm. After a moment, she slowly turned her gaze up to stare daggers at Colin. After a second, he removed his hand, holding both hands in front of him in a gesture of concession. Once she had again turned to face him he said, "Lorelai, why are you making this so difficult."
Lorelai's head rocked back in an expression of disbelief. After a moment Colin looked away and said, "Your right, I deserve that and worse."
Lorelai expression did not soften a millimeter, as she said, "No argument here."
Colin nodded, "You're right, what I did was horrible, and you have every right to be mad." He looked at her with his brown eyes that used to touch her heart, but now only made her nauseous, and said, "But, I want you to know that am truly sorry." He gave her a slight smile, as he continued, "and, I was wondering what I could do to make it up to you."
"Sure, there's something you can do," Lorelai said sounding as if she was beginning to crumble.
"Just name it."
"Good. I want you to drop dead." Lorelai said with no trace of a smile. "Do you think you can get right on that?"
"Lorelai," Colin pleaded, "I said I was sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Lorelai challenged.
"Like I said, I'm, sorry for everything that happened."
"You know, Colin, all I keep hearing is this vague apology, but it just sound like words," Lorelai said. "But I'm not hearing anything that says you are really sorry, or that you have even an inkling of what you have done that you need to be sorry for."
Colin's mouth hung open as he stared at Lorelai. After a moment, he looked at the ground, and said, "I'm sorry for the terrible things I did to you. You didn't deserve any of it."
Lorelai uncrossed her arms, placing her hands on her hips. "You mean that you're sorry you lied to me?"
Colin nodded in response.
"And you're sorry you took advantage of me."
"Yes."
"What about cheating on me. I mean even if the only person you slept with while we were dating was your wife, since I didn't know about her, that would be considered cheating. Are you sorry for that?"
In his most sincere voice Colin answered, "I am very, very sorry."
"That's assuming that there was no one besides Rebecca and me."
When Colin refused to meet her eyes, Lorelai crossed her arms again. "You mean there was someone besides the two of us!! I… I… You are just unbelievable. I… I just don't even want to talk to you anymore. Just leave me alone." Lorelai turned and began stalking back to the diner.
When he realized that she was walking off, Colin started after her, "Lorelai, please wait." He caught up to her and tried to stop her with a hand on her arm.
She shook off his hand, and said, "I said leave me alone!"
She reentered the diner with Colin close behind. "Lorelai, please you don't understand."
Lorelai turned back around and said, "I think I understand all too well. You are a lying, two-timer who cares nothing for his relationships, and you demonstrate that constantly by not keeping your fly zipped. You are just a sad selfish little boy. So leave me alone, and go back to your wife. Not that I can imagine why she would take you back."
Colin's shoulders dropped in the attitude of a defeated man. Lorelai shook her head and turned back towards her seat. She was half way there when Colin said, "I can't go back."
Lorelai turned around and asked, "What?"
Colin looked up and said, "I said, I can't go back, Rebecca's thrown me out."
"Well good for her," Lorelai said. "It's about time. You know I liked her. If things had been different, we might have been friends, but I doubt that will ever happen because I slept with her husband. So then what, you going to move in with your other girlfriend?"
Colin shook his head. "I've got no where to go. I don't even have enough gas to get back to New Haven, because her father had me fired."
"Hum," Lorelai smiled. "I guess that karma stuff works. Sounds like you have a big problem." Lorelai paused while she appeared to consider the situation. She turned to Colin and said, "Well, good luck with that."
"Lorelai, please."
Ignoring his pleas Lorelai continued for her chair.
"Lorelai I need you."
Refusing to look at Colin Lorelai removed her gloves and sat them down on her table.
"Lorelai, Please. I lov…"
"Stop right there," Lorelai interrupted. "Do not think that you can say that you love me, and expect me to fall at your feet, because if there is one thing this whole episode has proven, it is that you have no concept of what love means. Now please just leave me alone."
Refusing to leave Colin started to towards Lorelai. "Lorelai?"
Up until this time, Luke had been standing near the far end of the counter, trying to respect Lorelai's request that he let her handle things. Finally, he had had enough. In two quick strides, he interposed himself between Colin and Lorelai. "Okay, this has gone on long enough. As the proprietor of this establishment, I'm asking you to leave."
Colin looked up at Luke and sneered, "You and what army, fry boy? So you think you can throw me out and maybe she'll finally notice you. Well neither one will ever happen."
"All I know," Luke started, "Is that you're going to be leaving this diner one way or another."
"And if I refuse?" Colin challenged.
"Like I said, one way or another," Luke replied. "So why don't you make it easy on yourself, and just leave."
The two men stared at each other for a long tension filled moment. Finally, Colin shrugged and started to walk away. When Luke began to relax, Colin lashed out with a punch that landed firmly on Luke's jaw, causing his head to snap back.
When Colin threw his punch, a collective gasp sprang spread around the customers in the diner. Lorelai and Rory shot up out of their chairs, Rory stepping back against the shelves, while Lorelai held her place, asking "Luke are you okay?"
Luke ignored her, while he wiped the back of his hand across his lower lip. He pulled the hand away, and then glanced at it for traces of blood, but there were none. Still controlling him emotions he glared at Colin and said, "You get that one, but that will 'not' happen again."
"Right," snorted Colin. "Like you could stop me." Colin glanced around the diner, and then appeared to come to a decision. "You know what? I'm through here." He looked at Lorelai over Luke's shoulder. "I hope you're very happy here with your small time town, your small time life," He glanced at Luke and said, "and your small time man." He turned his glare on Luke and said, "And you fry boy. I hope your small time plans work out." Colin pointed over Luke's shoulder at Lorelai, and then continued, "And that you are very happy with your, Whore."
"The words were barely out of Colin's mouth when Luke's fist struck out hitting Colin square in the middle of the face. The lightning fast blow sent the man sprawling onto his backside.
