Disclaimer: These characters are owned by the WB, Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, and Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Author's Note: This is chapter two of what will be a six-part story.

Pain and Loneliness

Lorelai knew Luke would be hurt by her rejection of his offer or help, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. Even though Jason's accusations were preposterous, she couldn't help but hear partial truths in some of the things that he said. "I don't think that she is capable of having a meaningful relationship. But if what you're looking for is a good roll in the hay, she's your gal." The words rang in her head and she cringed when she thought about what Luke must think of her. She just needed to get away from here and go home. Hopefully Rory would be there and she could just cry. She wouldn't be able to tell much of what happened to Rory either, but it would be easier to be comforted by someone who hadn't just seen her ripped to shreds. She found her keys and slipped out the back door, hoping to escape without seeing anyone.

When she reached her car, Lorelai just sat there for several minutes, sobbing and wondering what had happened to make this night turn out so awful. One minute she had been sharing a spectacular (and yes it had been spectacular) kiss with Luke and the next minute her dignity had been spread out on the ground and stomped on repeatedly. Gradually the tears slowed and she turned on the car and headed home.

Once home, she was eager for the safety and comfort of her own space and a caring shoulder. She quickly got out of the car and ran into the house, calling "Rory? Are you here? Please Rory I need you? Are you here?" When she didn't get an immediate answer, she continued, "Please be here Rory. Mommy is having a crisis, please -"

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Dean came over to borrow something."

"Hey. Let's just talk."

"No," Rory said as she got up and walked back into the house.

Lorelai heard Rory's door close and suddenly felt totally and completely alone. The house didn't feel comforting or safe anymore. Rory had said that she hated her. Rory had never said that before, even in the height of her teenage years. That, in addition to Rory's remark about Christopher combined with Jason's accusations to paint a very ugly picture of her. She fell onto the couch, curled up and let the tears come again, gasping through her sobs.

Rory heard her mom sobbing from her room and was furious. What did she have to be sad about? It was Rory's night that had been ruined. Then just as suddenly, it came back to her, what her mom had been yelling as she came into the house. She had forgotten during the argument about Dean, but she had said something about a crisis. Her amazingly strong and independent mother had come running into the house pleading for her help from her daughter and now she was in the next room crying.

Rory came out of her room quietly and headed toward the living room. Her mom was lying on the couch crying uncontrollably. "Hey, you said something about a crisis. What's going on?"

"What's going on?"

There was that question again. The one that had caused so much confusion in her brain. The one that she had not been able to answer. She closed her eyes and cried even harder.

"Mom, what is it? Tell me what is wrong? Please?"

"Nothing, forget it. I need to get back to the inn anyway."

"Those were not nothing tears. You came home for a reason. Why won't you talk to me?"

"You just said you hated me. I'm not feeling much like sharing right now."

"Mom, I didn't mean -"

"Since when did you start saying things that you don't mean? I'm sorry, but you don't get to take them back that easily." Her tears had slowed as the pain was pushed away by anger and frustration. "I do need to get back to the inn. I'd like you to come with me. It should at least look like a normal night, even if it isn't. It should be safe to go back by now."

"What do you mean by that?" Rory asked, more and more perplexed about what could have happened to make her mother so upset, besides the obvious disappointment in her daughter.

"Never mind."

Lorelai drove back to the inn without speaking. She had to admit that the crying had helped. She just needed to get it out of her system, so that she could come back and be the happy innkeeper, at least until the guests left. Then she could deal with everything. There was so much that thinking about it was too overwhelming. Jason's rant and hurtful accusations, Rory's stupidity with Dean, and, oh yeah, she had kissed Luke. It was much easier to think about the practicalities of running the inn.

Rory watched her mother in silence. It hurt that she wouldn't confide in her, though given the circumstances, it wasn't surprising. At least it was easier to think about how to help her mother than deal with her own actions. The magnitude of what she had done had not struck her until Lindsay had answered Dean's phone. It was too much to think about and so, like her mother, she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind to be dealt with another time.

When they arrived at the inn, it was totally quiet and the only light was in the main entryway. Lorelai noticed with relief that Jason's car was gone. At least she didn't have to worry about him. She glanced at the window for room seven and was glad to see that the light was out. She just wanted to climb into bed and wake up in a different reality. She followed Rory up the stairs to their room. Rory entered the room and noticed a folded piece of Dragonfly stationary on the floor. She picked it up, saw Lorelai written on the outside, and passed it wordlessly to her mother. She watched her carefully as Lorelai read the note and sighed sadly. It almost looked like she was blinking back tears, but she remained stoic.

"Mom, what is it? Who's the note from?"

"It's nothing. I don't want to talk about it anymore." She tossed the note on the bed as she headed to the bathroom.

As the door shut and Rory heard the water begin running, she picked up the note and read:

Lorelai,

I just wanted to make sure that you are OK.

I am here for you no matter what.

I would like to talk when you are ready.

Luke

A few minutes later, Lorelai came out of the bathroom, got dressed for bed, and got into bed. She was curled up and faced away from her, but Rory could swear that she saw tears glistening on her mother's cheeks.