Author's Note: See Title and Disclaimer in Chapter 1. Sorry this update took so long. I only got two reviews in the last two days so I wasn't sure how much people were really reading this. I want to thank my best friend for reading it and enjoying it, so I was able to get back into it. I know these first few chapters have been a little actionless when it comes to JavaJunkie stuff but I promise its coming. Ok, I don't know exactly how Richard operates his business, but before I get all sorts of email about this not being correct, Richard retired in Season 2 and started up his own business toward the end of Season 2. In Season 3 he had his secretary set up a meeting with Lorelai so I am guessing that means that he does not work from home. Also, I read the transcript and the secretary's name is Karen. Most people probably don't care, but I did research it so I would be accurate.

Please Read and Review to let me know there is still some interest. I have the events of the next few chapters in mind but any suggestions are helpful too. Also, the comedy will pick up.

On with the story . . .



Chapter 5: Plan B



Monday morning Lorelai was out of bed by 6:00 a.m. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen 6:00 a.m., but on this morning it felt late. She hadn't slept well at all the night before. When she had finally gotten out of bed, it was because she couldn't lay their trying to be calm anymore. She showered and picked out an outfit that she thought would make her feel strong. She didn't feel strong. She felt nervous. She wanted to go to Luke's. She wanted him to do what he had done yesterday. She wanted him to convince her that telling Richard was the right thing to do. But she didn't. Something Rory had said the night before was stuck in her mind. Did she really want Luke to take care of her all the time? She had taken care of herself for 18 years. Why would she possibly need anyone to do that for her? She hadn't noticed him taking care of her yesterday. Now that she thought about it, she realized that Rory was right. That was what he was doing. But it just felt so natural, so right. Like it was exactly what she needed at the time.

She shook those thoughts from her head and instead concentrated on seeing her dad that afternoon. Rory had called Richard late last night, instead of his secretary early this morning. She knew that the sooner Lorelai could talk to him, the better. Rory also knew that he would gladly see her even on such short notice. She had told him she was having a problem with a professor and needed to talk to him privately. That wasn't completely a lie. Paris and the affair were driving her insane, but she decided to let Paris make her own mistakes.

Lorelai dug through papers on her kitchen table looking for the one with the details of the meeting. Rory had called her back last night to tell her it was all already set up. Lorelai had balked at the idea of seeing him so soon, but knew that it was for the best. She had searched all night for the words to tell him about Jason. She still had no idea what she was going to say. But right now she wasn't thinking about that. She was thinking about everything that could go wrong. She knew each was silly but each scenario chipped away at her confidence. Richard could be disappointed to see her. He could refuse to believe her. What if her mother showed up, expecting to have a chance to see Rory?

Her dad believed he was meeting Rory at 11. It was barely eight and Lorelai had already paced the house a dozen times. She decided on a new plan and grabbed her coat and purse before running out the door.

Lorelai turned the radio up as she drove. She blasted it and forced herself to sing to every song, whether she knew the words or not. She didn't want to think. She just wanted to get there and do. She sped up as she forced her brain to shut up for a bit.

She parked quickly and rushed to her father's office. She ran past his objecting secretary and burst into his office. He was on the phone, but was only shocked for a moment before he went back to the call he was on. Lorelai waited impatiently for him to hang up.

"Well Peter, I expected those papers this morning and I don't see them. Now if you'd like to continue working with us it would be in your best interest to have them delivered by the time I get back from lunch. Good day." Richard hung up the phone. "Lorelai, what are you doing here?"

"I couldn't wait until lunch" she said out of breath.

"I couldn't see you at lunch anyway. I have an appointment with Rory" he said shifting through some papers.

"No, you don't. Rory called you for me." she said trying to get his attention.

"What are you talking about?" He got up and walked out the main office area. Lorelai followed him.

"The appointment was with me. Rory called so that I could meet with you privately without mom knowing." Richard still didn't look at her. "I need to talk to you" Lorelai said urgently.

"Well talk. Karen, where did I put that fax from Howard?" Richard said still walking around.

"Dad!" Lorelai yelled. He finally looked at her. "I NEED to talk to you."

Richard was about to tell her it wasn't necessary to yell, but when he looked at her face he saw how upset she was.

"Come into my office. Sit down" he said closing the door behind them. "Now what's wrong?"

"Dad, there's something I need to tell you."

"I gathered that, Lorelai."

"Look, don't ask how right now, but I overheard Jason on the phone. He was talking to his father." Lorelai stared at her hands in her lap.

"Jason Stiles?" Richard interrupted.

"Yes" she said quietly.

"Well I am sure Jason talks to him. It is his father." He was clueless as to what she was so upset about. Lorelai could see his interest waning.

"No, Dad, he was talking to him about you."

"Why would he be talking to Floyd about me?" Now Richard was just plain confused.

"He was talking about your business" Lorelai said in just above a whisper. She looked up nervously. Richard sat still for a moment, thinking.

"So" he began slowly. "What you're saying is Jason is giving Floyd information about our business." Lorelai nodded. "So he has been working for his father the entire time?"

"That would be my guess" Lorelai shrugged.

Richard sat quietly for a moment. Lorelai watched him apprehensively. She had rarely seen her father yell, but she expected that this was a very appropriate time. Richard looked at her thoughtfully. Then, he began to laugh.