Author's Note: It's me again, with a short A/N. Thank you so much to the reviewers of the first chapter! I'm glad people are taking the time to read this. And if anyone has any constructive criticism, I'd be glad to hear it. Any thoughts at all on where you'd like this to go, or what to avoid would be a huge help as well. This story was inspired by the songs 'Here Without You' by 3 Doors Down, and 'When I Look to the Sky' by Train. To someone who asked how Luke died, your question should be answered very, very soon.

Disclaimer: The characters are in no way mine, they belong to the genius AS-P.

Here Without You Chapter 2

When I look to the sky, something tells me you're here with me, and everything's all right when you are here.

The swing swayed back and forth in the breeze, as she curled herself up on it, wrapped in one of his blankets and an untouched carton of ice cream. It was an odd scene to the people of Stars Hollow; the crazy, outgoing Lorelai sitting quietly on a swing on a chilly evening without eating the ice cream in front of her. They were worried, every last one of them, but were afraid to confront her. She didn't like being spoken to, directly or indirectly. It was too hard.

Brightly colored leaves fell one-by-one from their branches, their home. Once they fell there was no going back, no way to find themselves back on top again. Lost and forgotten for an eternity. She watched as if in a trance, silently counting them as they hit the ground. A shiver ran through her body as the breeze blew through her. Icy coldness filled her as she felt the tears return to her eyes. Angrily she wiped the tears away. She didn't want to cry anymore. She didn't want to feel anything anymore. She wanted to wrap herself up in the blanket that smelled of him and forget everything that happened in the past week. Forget it all ever happened.

It was just so… unexpected. Every last part of it. The accident, the surgery that the doctor's promised was safe, seeing the doctor walk towards her and their family, his sad, gloomy face as he gave the speech he was accustomed to. But she couldn't remember any more after that. It was all a blank until she awoke on one of the hospital chairs, being told she had passed out.

She sighed as she shook her head, ridding it of the memory. She couldn't help but think that it should have been her, she should have been the one with all the injuries, the severe damage; but instead she was left with a few bumps and bruises, nothing major.

They were bickering; she remembered, over something small, something stupid. They were on their way home from Friday Night Dinner when the rain started pelting against the windshield. So hard to see, people were slowing down, puddles were forming rapidly, but then appeared that one car. The one car that was speeding in the rain and had their high beams on, causing Luke to swerve. She remembered screaming, grabbing onto Luke's hand with her own, putting the other on the wheel to try and steady the car, but it was too late, they were off the road and heading towards the small ditch that had formed over time. Then she was out, only awakening to the sound of someone, very far away, calling her name, and telling her to wake up.

The sun was setting, colors cascading across the sky: pinks, yellows, and purples. A beautiful sight to see on a fall evening as beautiful it was. Tears were filling in her eyes again as she watched it, leaning back into the swing, looking out over the lawn. She smiled slightly, remembering the last time that she saw a sunset as beautiful as that moment.

The gentle swish of the river calmed her as she sat on the porch steps, leaning up against Luke's arm. Tree's surrounded them, the smell of summer in the air. It was like there was more oxygen up in the mountains than there was back home, more space to breathe and relax. That's what it was too, relaxing.

She understood why he took the fishing trips up in his cabin when something bad happened or when he needed a break. It was his Oasis, his place to just sit back and be a carefree Luke Danes, one that she hadn't gotten to know until he invited her with him.

At first she declined, saying that fishing wasn't her thing, it was his. But that Luke Danes could sure be persistent, and finally got her to cave after promising her she wouldn't have to spend any time fishing if she chose not too.

Sunset time rolled around again, and it took her breath away. It was more beautiful than any back in Stars Hollow and she found herself being consumed in the deep colors of the sky, the way they blended together.

Luke smiled as she turned to face him. She shook her head.

"You've been holding back on me, mister. All these years, this is what you come too! This! Who knew that Luke Danes had a spot for sun-sets."

"You like this? Wait until sun rise comes, its just as beautiful, if not more," he retorted with a small grin, something he'd been doing a lot of lately.

"You expect me to wake up in time for sun rise? And all this time I thought you knew me!" She gasped playfully, smacking him lightly on the arm as he pulled her closer to him, so her back was resting against his stomach.

"You're right, I'm sorry…" he said softly, rolling his eyes, knowing he made a mistake.

"What did you say, Luke? Did you just say I was-" she gasped, her eyes lighting up as she turned in his arms.

"Right? Yes, I did. Don't act so shocked," he said with a smile but before she could reply he pulled her into a kiss, something she couldn't refuse. She sighed contently as he whispered, "What time do you want your wake up call, Miss Gilmore?"

"Does it really matter, Mr. Danes?" she whispered back, staring into his eyes as he pulled her down on top of him, kissing her intensely.

Lorelai woke up from the dream that felt so real and looked around, startled. It was like she was thrown back into the past and relived that very moment, a happy moment between herself and Luke.

She pouted slightly and she wiped her eyes on the blanket, looking across the lawn to see Babette looking at her through the kitchen window. As soon as Lorelai caught her eye, she turned away, retreating into the next room. Presumably going off to call Miss Patty with Lorelai's whereabouts.

She couldn't take it; the staring, the whispers. It was like she didn't have any privacy and she hated that. Before, she loved that about the town; everyone knew everything about each other. That's what made the town so close, so special. But now, it was a nuisance.

Lorelai finally got up and quietly walked into the house, as not to wake Rory. Rory had decided to stay over for a few nights and Lorelai happily agreed, until one day she found Rory wasn't alone in her room. In the state that she was, mother started fight with daughter and all hell broke loose. In the end, Rory and Logan stormed out of the house, Rory returning a few hours later with an apology. They snuggled up on the couch like old times and watched a movie until both fell asleep. Only thing was that it wasn't like old times. Things were different, and Lorelai had no clue how to fix them.