Author's Note: I still don't own these characters. It's a shame really because they're so fun to play with! Thanks for the reviews. This section if bases on a few songs I find interesting. I also don't own the songs in case you wondered.

By Your Side by Sade

Oh, when your cold

I'll be there to hold you tight to me

When your on the outside baby and you can't get in

I will show you, your so much better than you know

When your lost, when your alone and you can't get back again

I will find you darling I'll bring you home

Lorelai tossed and turned all night finally deciding to get out of bed at 4:30 a.m. because sleep was futile. Her mind raced all night with thoughts of what had happened. She was excited and happy over her newfound relationship with Luke, but her happiness was marred with disgust and unhappiness over the situation with Rory and Dean. She still wasn't sure what to do or say.

Rory and Lorelai had never seriously fought. Sure, there had been times when they were mad at each other, but this was different. Rory was mad at Lorelai for destroying her "happiness." Lorelai was appalled at Rory's behavior on top of the fact that once again a moment of true happiness for Lorelai had been overshadowed by Rory's actions. It reminded her of her graduation from college. The boy had been Jess, but the disappointment Lorelai felt over Rory missing it was profound. For a brief moment Lorelai wondered if Emily had felt the same crushing disappointment in her when she was pregnant and missed her coming out party. The anger was something Lorelai could deal with, but it was the disappointment in Rory that was slowing eating her away inside.

Lorelai continued to dwell on all her thoughts and feelings while she got ready to start the day. Part of her just wanted the day to be over. She just wanted the prying eyes of Stars Hollow to go back to their lives so Lorelai could deal with hers. Lorelai trudged down the steps and set out to make herself some coffee. It was so early that Sookie wouldn't be up for at least another hour. She pushed the door to the kitchen open and noticed a familiar and comforting smell.

"Excuse me sir, but what are you doing?" she asked the figure standing in the kitchen.

"I'm making you coffee," Luke replied simply. "What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep," Lorelai stated simply. "I figured I might as well get something done instead of tossing and turning." She walked over to the coffeepot and waited with her mug in hand for the coffee to finished brewing. "How'd you know I'd be up?"

"Just a guess," he said. "You okay?"

"I'm as well as can be expected I guess," she smiled meekly. "You do know Sookie is going to kill you for touching her kitchen equipment right?" she asked pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"You're worth it," he said giving her a little wink.

"So, about tonight," Lorelai started. "I was thinking about it this morning and I was wondering if we could postpone the movie date?" she asked sheepishly. "I really want to go out, but given the circumstances I'd kind of like to wait." It was honestly the last thing in the world she wanted to do, but she figured she needed to get things straightened out with Rory before she started her relationship with Luke.

"Yeah, okay," Luke nodded. He was disappointed but he knew Lorelai's life was anything but normal at the moment. "I guess that full body armor goes back in the closet," he added trying to lighten her mood.

"Reeaally? Just don't hide it too far in the back, if you've got it I intend to make good use of it," she said with a sly grin. Lorelai's blushed slightly. Even thought she felt completely at ease with Luke it was a little weird to flirt with him in her usual way because this time she actually meant it.

"I have no doubt," he said with a small eye roll. He moved forward and pulled Lorelai into a hug. He gave her a tight squeeze and she leaned into him almost as if he was supporting her weight. "You're gonna be okay you know," he said.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"Because I just know," he replied.

"Have you noticed we have this conversation a lot? Are you omniscient or something?" she asked looking at him. Lorelai found it ironic. Luke was always her biggest fan, telling her she could do something or that everything would be okay. She always asked him how he knew and his answer was always the same, he just knew.

"Well you always ask the same question," he reasoned with her. "If you'd just listen to me then we wouldn't have to have the same conversation over and over again." He said planting a small kiss on her head.

"This is nice," she said taking his hand and breaking the hug.

"Yeah it is," he agreed with a grin.

They stood there for a moment and just took in the sight of each other. Lorelai never looked more beautiful than in the early morning light he thought. The sun was just beginning to rise and the dim light glistened in her eyes. Lorelai thought Luke had never looked sexier. She wasn't sure if it was the morning or if it had always been there and she was just too dense to notice. He was back in his usual flannel uniform and backwards baseball cap, but he had an air about him.

"Look I hate to do this but I should get to the diner," he said squeezing her hand.

"You do realize half the town is here right?" she asked.

"Yes, but if I'm not open what will the other half do for breakfast?" he replied.

"Good point," she said. Lorelai leaned in and took Luke's face in her hand. She planted a soft, slow his on his lips. "Thank you for coming and for the loan and the flowers and for everything else," she said pointedly.

"You're welcome," he said. "I'm at the diner if you need me," he said letting go of her hand.

"Bye," Lorelai said with a smile. She watched him walk out the door. Guiltily she made it a point to get a nice, long look at Luke's butt as he walked out the door. "Boy can that man fill out a pair of crummy old jeans," she thought as she saw the door swing shut.

Perfect Love Gone Wrong by Sting...

To have found this perfect life

And a perfect love so strong

Well there can't be nothing worse

Than a perfect love gone wrong

It was 5 a.m. when Rory was jarred from her slept by the sound of knocking on her window. She glanced at Lane and noticed she was soundly sleeping and so she got up and went to the window. Dean gave a little wave and Rory motioned for him to go to the porch. She threw on a robe and opened the front door. She wasn't sure what to think or feel or say, but there was something comforting and yet completely unsettling about Dean being there with her.

"Hey," he said. "Sorry to wake you."

"No, it's fine," Rory said with a small wave of her hand. She bundled her robe tighter and held her arms around her waist.

"Rory, about last night," Dean said, "it was very unexpected."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Rory said.

"Does your Mom want to kill me?"

"That's a pretty safe bet, but I'm not too high on her list right now either," Rory explained. "She had to go back to the inn so you don't have to worry about it for the moment anyway," Rory said.

They were both uncomfortable and their body language proved it. They stood three arm lengths away from each other. Rory's arms wrapped around her and Dean's hands shoved firmly in his pockets. He kept glancing at from the ground to her face, not sure what to say next.

"Rory, I know the circumstances are really crappy, but I just wanted you to know that I love you. I never stopped loving you," Dean unburdened himself. "I told Lindsey last night that I can't be with her. I told her I loved you and I wanted to be with you."

Rory was horrified. "You told her you loved me? Did you tell her about what happened last night?" Rory asked terrified.

"No, I just told her that I never stopped loving you," he said walking toward her to put his arms around her. Rory didn't know what to think and she let him wrap his arms around her. Last night Dean's arms around her felt comforting. In the harsh light of day it felt foul and unnerving. Dean said he loved her. He told his wife he loved her. Rory didn't know what to think or feel. She wasn't sure she even loved Dean. Slowly she wriggled out of his grasp.

"Dean, this isn't right," Rory said turning her back on him. "What we did last night isn't, it wasn't right."

"You didn't feel this way last night. You wanted to be with me." Dean said starting to panic that she didn't return his affection.

"I know," Rory acknowledged. "But it doesn't make what we did right Dean. I let myself forget that you're married. I can't believe I did that," Rory explained.

"Rory I'm not gonna be married for long. It was mistake. I told Lindsey we can't be together because I want to be with you," Dean tried to make her see.

"I don't think you should have told her that Dean," Rory said. Lorelai told her that she was emotionally invested with Dean now. But, Rory felt quite the contrary. Seeing Dean before her and hearing him tell her he left Lindsey for her only made her feel dirty and uncomfortable.

"What are you saying Rory?" Dean asked. He was beginning to get angry now.

"I'm saying I need to think about this Dean," Rory exclaimed. "You just told your wife you were in love with me and you're leaving her. That's a lot of pressure."

"Are you saying you don't love me? You don't want to be with me?" Dean was furious.

"I don't know," Rory responded feebly.

"You don't know? That's just great Rory. How can you not know? You've been calling me for weeks. You said you still wanted to see me even though Lindsey didn't approve. You called me from Yale for help. You made me think you loved me again. Why would you sleep with me if you didn't want to get back together?" Dean was upset and he let Rory know it.

Suddenly Rory realized how Dean could be so confused. She had called him, multiple times on many occasions, just to talk. She weaseled her way back into his life. Why had she done that? Was she that lonely? Was she that desperate?

"Dean, I'm sorry," Rory said. "I don't know what to say, this is all happening so fast."

"No Rory, it's not," said Dean. "I can't believe I let you do this to me again. I love you and you're telling me I'm still not good enough. First it was because you didn't love me, then it was because of Jess, now I don't know what the hell this is. You think I'm too immature to be married but it's not me that can't that's immature Rory, it's you. I don't know what's the matter with you but you can't love. You're incapable," he spat.

Tears quickly formed in Rory's eyes. "How can you say that? Dean I do care about you," she said reaching out to touch his arm, but he pulled away from her.

"You care about me? That's great Rory, but you don't love me. You didn't love Jess either. You don't love anything but your precious books and your high and mighty attitude. You want things to be perfect and when they're not you get upset and throw it all away."

"What are you talking about?" Rory asked offended and upset.

"I mean everything Rory. I wasn't good enough because I wasn't smart enough. I work construction. I don't go to college. Jess was smart but he worked at Wal-Mart. He had no ambition. Jeez, you're more like your Grandparents than I thought," Dean shot at her.

"That's a hell of thing to say!" Rory shouted. It was five in the morning, but she didn't care. "I'm sorry if I don't want you to leave your wife for me. I'm sorry I need time to think. Most of all I'm sorry you think I'm this stuck up, bratty girl. Obviously you don't know me at all!"

Dean couldn't take it anymore. There was no winning this argument with her. It was obvious that she would never see his side. He had been harsh, but he felt she deserved it. He walked off the porch and turned his back on her.

"No, I think I know you better than you know yourself," he got in one last parting shot as he walked away.

"Go to hell Dean!" Rory yelled as he walked away from her. He never even turned his back to acknowledge her. Rory stood on the porch shaken and upset. Dean had no right to say the things he said, but it sure made Rory think.

Perfect by Simple Plan...

Now it's just to late

And we can't go back

I'm sorry I can't be perfect

Luke was driving his truck back to the diner when he noticed a long, lanky figure emerge from the street Lorelai lived on. He immediately recognized the figure as Dean. Something overtook Luke and possessed him to pull up next to him. He didn't know what it was but he really had an overwhelming urge to find out what the hell he could have been thinking.

"Dean," Luke shouted out of the window of his truck. Dean looked to his right and saw Luke in his old beat up truck. He sighed. He was in no mood to talk to anyone right now.

Luke parked his truck and got out. He walked over to Dean. "What the hell is wrong with you Dean?" Luke asked.

"Excuse me?" Dean asked taken aback. Dean suddenly got a very sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wondered if by some chance Lorelai had told Luke everything that happened. She wouldn't do that would she? Dean had always liked Luke. He felt like they were kindred in a way. They both loved a Gilmore deeply and they both lost out. But Luke didn't look like he was in the mood to chat idly.

"I mean, what the hell is wrong with you? How could you do this to your wife? How could you do this to Rory?" Luke said getting into his face.

"So I'm guessing Lorelai told you what happened," Dean said.

"You're damn right she did," Luke said angrily. "How could you take advantage of Rory like that?"

"I didn't take advantage of her," Dean said pushing Luke out of his space. "I love her. I left my wife for her."

"You left your wife for her? How noble. Maybe you should have told your wife first." Luke was angry and he wasn't sure where it was coming from. He suspected that Dean was getting all the pent-up frustration he had for Nicole and the Sockman. Ultimately he was happy that he was out of his marriage, but he still wished Nicole had told him it was over instead of having an affair. It was the affair that was the ultimate betrayal.

"Oh please spare me your speeches Luke," Dean said walking away. "You know what's it's like."

"No, Dean, I don't know what it's like. Why don't you tell me," Luke said matter-of-factly.

"You know what it's like to be married, but be in love with someone else," Dean said. Luke just stared at him incredulous. "Don't tell me you didn't love Lorelai while you were married. You and I are a hell of a lot more alike than you'd think," Dean said.

"Dean, you really don't get it do you?" Luke replied. "You're married. Whether or not you had feelings of any kind you shouldn't have acted on them!" Luke exclaimed.

"Oh please," Dean replied tired of talking about it. "Yeah I cheated on my wife, but you never even gave your wife a chance. You didn't physically cheat on her, but you were in love with another woman while you were married to her. I'd say that's just as bad."

"Dean, you have no clue what you're talking about," Luke said. "You can't treat people like this."

"Well I'm not anymore okay? I just talked to Rory. She doesn't love me. So I threw everything away. It's gone. I told Lindsey I was leaving her to be with Rory, but she doesn't want me. So I got what's coming to me all right? You can't make me feel any worse than I already do," Dean said as he stomped off into the early morning light and left Luke standing with a look of disbelief in the middle of the street. TBC