Luke drove up to the Dragonfly that evening, grabbed the bag next to him and got out.

He breathed in before striding up to the front porch. Spring was definitely coming and that felt good. Felt like a relief. Felt like things could get better.

Lorelai's jeep was parked out front but no one else was around, he noticed. It was Sunday and getting late, though the sun had not yet set.

He stepped over the threshold of the open door and into the Inn. The smell of paint thinner and freshly sanded and varnished wood filled his nostrils.

He looked around.

No Lorelai.

She'd mentioned papering a bathroom earlier, so he went upstairs and looked through four suites before he found the bathroom she was obviously planning to work on that evening. She'd already set up work lights, and the rolls of paper and pans for water were all ready to go.

But no Lorelai.

After poking around some more, he went back downstairs, through the dining room, and into the kitchen.

"Lorelai?!" he called.

No answer.

Then he noticed that the back door to the kitchen was ajar. He knew it led to a service porch which overlooked the freshly tilled plot intended for Sookie's kitchen garden.

When he stepped through the door and looked out, what he saw there shot the adrenalin right through him...

Lorelai, prone on the steps before him, eyes closed, and still.

He quickly dropped down next to her and felt her pulse.

It was there, he breathed in relief.

Her hand felt cold and clammy in his, though.

He put a hand on her shoulder and shook her a little.

"Lorelai!"

She opened her eyes, "Luke?" she smiled thinly.

"Lorelai, what happened?"

"Attack of the Killer Paint Thinner, I think..."

She tried to sit up. He reached an arm around her shoulders to help and pulled her close as they sat on the porch step together.

He felt her waver a little, probably dizzy.

"Did you faint?"

Lorelai snorted, "I do not faint. Who am I, Queen Victoria? But... I think I do need to just put my head down for a minute."

She leaned forward, resting her forehead on Luke's knee and closed her eyes.

He leaned down then and, without thinking, kissed the top of her head.

"You scared the hell out of me," he said into her hair.

"Sorry."

They were quiet a minute while Lorelai breathed in the fresh air. Luke could feel her warm exhalations against his thigh. He stroked her back absently.

"Did you just kiss my head?" she asked finally, her head still down.

"Yes," said Luke.

Another pause.

She raised her head up and looked at him then.

She was pale and there were dark circles under her eyes.

"Luke, who are we?"

"I don't know," he admitted.

"I am seeing someone."

"I know."

"You are not even officially separated yet."

He sighed, "I know that too, Lorelai."

"Who the hell are we? This isn't us. What are we doing?"

Luke just looked at her. He had no answer. A wish, perhaps. An unspoken hope just barely articulated even within himself. But no answer.

She brushed her hair from her eyes and looked away.

"I was cleaning brushes in the service pantry off the kitchen," she began. "I've been sanding and staining the rocking chairs for the front porch all day... then suddenly... I don't know... I felt dizzy, so I came out for some air. The next thing I knew, I needed to lay down."

"On the steps?"

"Why not?"

"You fainted."

"I am not one of those women who faints," she told him stubbornly, noticing that his arm was still around her.

"Okay," no point in fighting over it. "When was the last time you ate?"

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Luke."

"So breakfast this morning, then?"

"Yeah, pretty much." she looked away again, smiling this time. He knew her too well.

"Come on," he said helping her up. "I've got dinner in the kitchen."

Luke walked Lorelai into the kitchen and sat her down where Sookie had already set up a table and chairs and coffee pot as well. Luke switched the overhead light on and began unpacking the hamburger and fries he brought with him from the diner, then slid them toward her.

"Eat," he commanded.

She did as she was told while he filled the pot to start coffee.

He sat down opposite her then.

"Feeling any better?"

She nodded. "You've got to stop saving me this way."

"Maybe I will if you keep working yourself so hard and not eating. Doesn't seem much point."

"Not worth it? Easier to just let me go?" she teased.

"I wish," he sighed meaningfully, his turn to look away now.

Lorelai sighed herself and finished eating, then reached a hand up to rub her forehead.

"Those fumes gave me a headache."

"Do you have any Tylenol?"

"Yeah, I do. In my purse, out in the jeep."

"I'll get it."

She took her keys out of her pocket then and handed them over.

"Thanks. Just get the Tylenol, please. Leave my purse there, or I'll forget it again."

And she rubbed at her temples again.

Luke walked out to the jeep thinking how Lorelai really needed more help. Clearly, she was taking too many tasks upon herself. He knew Sookie had a baby now but, seriously—Was she helping at all?

He unlocked the jeep and found Lorelai's purse on the seat. He grimaced slightly at the thought of going through her bag—definite no-man's land—but sighed at the necessity, unzipped it and started digging through...

...Wallet, hairbrush, lipstick, lifesavers, a twinkie–Okay nothing too scarring so far. Oh, Jeez: Birth Control Pills? She must have just gone to the pharmacy. Stop thinking, keep digging. A framed picture of Rory, pen, notebook, a small book--The Brothers Grimm?--What the hell? Was Lorelai reading fairy tales? Luke shook his head. No use trying to figure her out at this late date. Aha, Tylenol, at the bottom. Naturally.

"Drop that purse right now!" he heard a voice bark behind him.

He turned around to meet his accuser.

"Oh! Luke!"

"Emily," Luke acknowledged.

"I thought you were robbing Lorelai. You looked so shabby."

"Just getting her Tylenol."

"I see." Emily seemed unconvinced.

"She sent me." Luke explained.

"Oh."

"She's inside, if you'd like to see her."

"Thank you. I would."

They walked into the Inn together, Emily still eyeing him suspiciously.

"It's dark in here," observed Emily as she looked about.

Luke looked around himself. The sun was going down now. He walked around the great room, turning on the various work lights stationed about on poles.

"Hey, Luke!" Lorelai called, walking in with a cup of coffee in her hand then stopping short.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I've left your father. I've left him and don't wish to discuss it," stated Emily. "I've decided to stay with you for awhile."

Lorelai dropped open her jaw soundlessly.

Luke looked on as the two women stared at each other over this news, then snapped open the Tylenol bottle and handed Lorelai a couple of capsules.

Lorelai looked dumbly down into her hand, and then up at her mother again.

"Close your mouth, Lorelai. That is very unattractive,"said her mother.

Lorelai complied.

Until she found her voice...

"Come again?" she asked stupidly.

"I've decided to take a break from your father," said Emily airily as she began walking the room, inspecting the woodwork. "Just for the week, I think, to begin with, anyway. I'll have to see about that later. We are still having family dinner Friday night, though, and you and Rory are expected. So don't think this will get you out of that."

"Mom, what happened?" Lorelai moved closer to her mother, deeply concerned.

"Nothing happened, Lorelai. This has been building for awhile. I need some time to reflect on things."

"Does Dad know where you are?"

"I left him a note, though I doubt he's seen it. He's too busy dealing with that social climbing lawyer his cousin Marilyn has hired to contest the will. Let me tell you, butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Cool as a cucumber, that one."

"Marilyn?" Lorelai felt her sanity slipping.

"No! Her lawyer! Honestly, Lorelai, pay attention!" snapped Emily.

Luke looked on in amazement.

"But Mom, what about you and Dad?' asked Lorelai, trying to get a grip.

"That's all I really want to say on the subject at present."

"But, Mom..."

Emily turned her attention to the room again.

"Lorelai, this woodwork is very finely done. You must have your staff never use anything but Murphy's Oil on it. Do you hear? Any other products will build up and dull the wood's natural sheen."

"Okay..."

Lorelai looked over at Luke in befuddlement.

He could only shrug his shoulders in return.

"And you're still having the opening on May sixth?" continued Emily as if the world were still spinning completely normally.

"Yes, and I hope you and Dad will be at the party—Together."

"Hmm... Black tie?"

"What?"

"Is it a black tie event? Really, Lorelai, it's a simple question."

"I hadn't really thought..."

"Well, is it after six in the evening?"

"Yes."

"Well, then it should be black tie," stated Emily simply.

"Mom, a lot of the people who will be coming, like my contractor Tom and his crew, probably don't own tuxes."

"You're inviting your contractor?" Emily's eyebrows rose.

"Yes, Mom, a lot of people worked very hard to get this Inn ready. I want to thank them with a nice party."

"I see. And what will you be wearing?"

"Mom..." Why were they talking about clothes?!

"It's another simple question, Lorelai. And since this event has such a nebulous description regarding dress, I want to know what you are going to wear so that I might gauge my selection. I'll want to look appropriate."

"Fine, Mom." No point arguing. "A pewter matte jersey halter dress."

"How high in the back?"

"Just below my shoulder blades."

"How low in the front?"

"A deep V-neck."

"Length?"

"Just below the knee. Slit up one thigh."

Luke watched this exchange like a tennis match.

"I see. A cocktail dress, though the men not necessarily in black tie," Emily concluded expertly.

"What about jewelry?" she went on.

Lorelai glanced at Luke quickly and then away.

"Um...I have some new earrings. Silver beads with crystals."

Emily frowned, "Not the diamond studs Gran gave you?"

"No."

"Why not? Surely they would be more appropriate."

Lorelai sighed.

"I like these earrings, Mom. They are new. Luke's sister made them for me and I bought the dress to go with them specially."

Emily looked over at Luke appraisingly.

"I see." she said, and then, "Is that all the jewelry you'll be wearing? You should really have a good silver bracelet to go with a dress like that. Something wide and simple. Your arms are one of your best assets, Lorelai, you should emphasize that."

"I don't have a silver bracelet, Mom."

"But you agree it would look nice?"

"Yes, perfect! I've always wanted one! Mom, why are we talking about non-existent bracelets? What about you and Dad?"

Emily ignored this.

"I'll look for one for you."

"What?"

"A silver bracelet, of course."

"No, Mom, please don't."

"And, I imagine you'll be wearing one of those citrus perfumes you like?"

"Mom, please! You're driving me crazy! Couldn't we talk about you and Dad? You've really got me worried."

Emily ignored this as well.

"I would like to have the complete tour of the Inn tomorrow when it's light. Your neighbor gave me very poor directions to get here and now it's dark out...But, this is clearly going to be a beautiful Inn, Lorelai."

"Well, thank you, Mom,"

It was all she could say really.

"I think I'm ready to go back to your house now," stated Emily then.

"Oh... Um, I was about to wallpaper a bathroom upstairs..."

"You're kidding!"

"No, you heard me right," sighed Lorelai.

"Lorelai, that is something you hire people to do for you!"

Wow, thought Luke.

"I like doing these things, Mom. And it saves money."

"What else have you done?" demanded Emily in disbelief.

Crap. Don't go there, Lorelai... "Painted and stained, made curtains..." shrugged Lorelai.

"And you actually enjoy doing all that?"

"No, Mom, it's just a cover for the affair I'm having with the plumbing guy at Home Depot!"

"Well, I wouldn't put it past you," snapped Emily, "All the men you've been through."

Luke blinked at this. Lorelai noticed but pressed on.

"Okay, Mom. Not where we're going to go tonight," she warned.

"Show me, " Emily commanded then.

"Show you what?"

"Show me the bathroom you are going to paper."

"Mom, I don't think you..."

"Show me!"

Lorelai sighed.

"Okay, come on upstairs.."

The three walked to the fifth bedroom suite together, switching on additional work lights along the way. Once in the bathroom, Lorelai showed Emily the accent wall she planned to paper that evening.

"Seems to me that a nice Toile would work better in here," sniffed Emily. "But only if hung by a professional, of course."

Luke winced and looked over for Lorelai's reaction.

She chose the high road.

"Well, as I'm just an amateur, I'll not be toiling with Toile tonight!" Lorelai quipped.

"These large floral patterns can be so vulgar, Lorelai. Especially on a small wall. Couldn't you find anything nicer?"

"No, vulgar is what I was going for."

"Be serious, Lorelai! This is a business. You have to think about such things. You'll want to attract the finest clientele. People of a certain ilk with fine taste. With them, it's the little things that matter. The details.!"

"Okay, Mom. 'Details' for 'ilk'. Got it."

And then the barely held dam within Emily broke wide.

"You're impossible, Lorelai! Just like you're father! Has absolutely no idea of what goes into an elegant home either. The work. The details! Does he think tulips just fly themselves in from Holland for spring arrangements? Does he think that the finest hollandaise comes from a packet? Just add water and mix? No, it does not! It's the..."

"Details?" offered Lorelai quietly.

"That's right, young lady. The details! They don't say 'God is in the details' for nothing, I can tell you that. You and he are just alike! Always were. Skirting over the importing things Not valuing them. He, ignoring family bonds and running around with inappropriate women! And you're the same. Well, it would be inappropriate men, in your case. Fickle, the both of you. No gratitude whatsoever. No appreciation! If either one of you could settle down and realize the value of steadfastness. Of attention to..."

"Detail?" offered Lorelai again, stung to the core.

Emily blinked at her and fell silent.

And the three just stood in the small unfinished bathroom then. Lorelai biting the inside of her lip to prevent the tears. Emily still quivering in her hurt and rage, yet keenly aware at the same time that she had gone too far.

Luke looked at them both, appalled.

"Well," sniffed Emily, trying to reconnoiter. "I only tell you these things to help you, Lorelai. I don't want you to turn into your father, ungrateful and cold. Impervious to what his family deserves..."

"Running around with inappropriate women. I get it, Mom."

And then she bent to re-roll some of the wallpaper, thinking it best that she look away.

Quiet again.

And, in retrospect, it should have just been left alone like that.

Because then in the way of the finest of old WASP families, it would have festered just under the surface as it should. Lorelai was hurt, true. But she well knew her mother was hurt as well. That tonight she stood in her father's place in Emily's eyes. That Richard was the one Emily was lashing out at. And, that the Lorelai lashing habit was a hard one to break.

But, truth be told, Emily in her pain had come to her that night. To her. To Lorelai. Which was something. That's what she told herself, anyway.

It must be something.

Right?

But, damn, it hurt

If it had all just been left quiet it would be over now. And eventually Emily would have found a roundabout way to apologize, and Lorelai would have just chalked it up to yet another... whatever it was.

But it wasn't left quiet.

Because right then Luke let loose a sigh of contempt, or possibly a derisive snort, in more than a slightly forceful way.

Both women snapped their heads toward him as if they'd forgotten he was there.

"Did you wish to say something, Luke?" asked Emily coldly.

He grimaced and held back.

"No."

"Are you sure? Because I distinctly heard you sigh."

Luke looked Emily Gilmore in the eye.

"It's nothing, Emily. Nothing you want to hear, anyway."

Lorelai looked back and forth between Luke and Emily now.

Damn, they'd been so close to just moving beyond.

"What makes you so sure of that, Luke?" asked Emily, taking on the challenge.

"Trust me," he growled.

Hold on, Luke, Lorelai pleaded psychically. Restrain the rant, I'm begging you.

"No, Luke. I think I want to hear what you have to say. I assure you I am perfectly capable of dealing with whatever it is." Emily looked at him levelly.

"Fine..." said Luke, preparing to unleash his ire.

"No, no, Luke, let's not go there." Lorelai warned aloud now.

"Lorelai, stay out of this. Luke was about to tell me something," snapped Emily.

"Oh, God," Lorelai despaired.

Her two worlds were about to crash like trains meeting in a tunnel, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"Listen, Emily," Luke began, his hands on his hips, his glare fixed, "I have been hearing Lorelai's side of your little Forsyth Saga for years now. Years! I don't pretend to understand it. Never have. But I have seen her furious over it, and so sad over it that could break your heart. Now, I have a pretty screwed up family myself, but what you are doing here is just wrong..."

"I beg your pardon!" Emily's eyes blazed.

"Luke, please..."

"You judge and you belittle, Emily. As if Lorelai is nothing more than the failure who can't rise to your ridiculous standards, and not your daughter at all!"

Emily blustered an attempt to interrupt, but Luke was having none of it.

"That's right, that's what I said, Emily! Ridiculous Standards!"

"Luke..."

"Lorelai," he turned to her, "You left home at sixteen, and now I think I'm finally understanding why, by the way, and raised an amazing daughter on your own. At sixteen! You didn't even date until she was in high school. You got your degrees. You worked your way up. This is stuff she should be proud of. What kind of mother says crap like this to her own daughter?"

"How dare you!" Emily raised her voice.

Luke looked back over at her.

"I'll tell you how I dare, lady...!"

"Oh, God, Luke, please, stop!" Lorelai stepped over to him and placed a restraining hand on his chest.

He looked down at her and relented.

"I won't listen to anyone talk to you that way," he finished.

He turned from them then, breathing, trying to compose himself.

But air between the three still crackled with anger.

Until Emily drew her own deep breath and appraised the situation.

"Lorelai, does Luke know you are seeing Jason?" she finally asked calmly, a glint in her eye.

Lorelai snapped her head to look at Emily, "You knew?"

"Of course I knew," shrugged Emily.

"You never said anything."

"You always want me to leave you alone on these things," Emily replied. "It's true that I can't stand the man, but he is from the right sort of family and I just wondered if Luke here knew about him."

"Of course he knows, Mom, he is my friend."

"Hmmm...I see. And does Jason know about Luke?"

"What does that mean?"

"Oh nothing. You should probably take that Tylenol now, Lorelai," said Emily cooly.

Lorelai looked down into her hand. The pills were still there.

"I am going down to my car now," continued her mother. "I will wait so I can follow you to your house. Please don't be long."

She turned to leave, then almost as an afterthought turned back, "Goodnight, Luke," she said haughtily.

Luke looked up, a little stunned, "Goodnight, Emily."

He and Lorelai watched her leave then, and listened as her heels clicked down the stairs.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Lorelai demanded of Luke then.

"What's the matter with me? What's the matter with you? How can you take that from her?"

"Practice! Years and years of practice!" snapped Lorelai and followed her mother out.

Luke sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face for a few moments.

And then bent over and picked up a roll of wallpaper and began to unroll it.

It was going to be a long night.