Cause and Effect: Chapter 3: If it makes you happy...then why the hell are you so sad?

Disclaimer: I do not own Gilmore Girls.

A/N: Thank you, everyone for all the great reviews!

Susan17, thank you very much, she's doing a lot better now.

Sacara, it's really up to you why Luke was drinking that night...no it wasn't Nicole because this is set sometime in the first season. When I wrote this, I was thinking it was mainly because it was a festival of love, and he was thinking of well, the one we all know he loves.

JediPirateElfyDude, interesting username, and thank you so much. Your words mean a lot to me, considering no one in my family every said anything like that to me. Thanks.

"I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight."

"Lorelai, honey, tell me what's wrong. I can't help you by sitting here watching you cry."

"No...can't...what you'll think of me..." Lorelai choked out between sobs.

"Lorelai. You know I love you, no matter what happened, I'm here for you. I'm not gonna judge you honey, I just want to help you."

Lorelai continued weeping as Sookie passed her the box of tissues. Lorelai blew her nose and tried to even her breathing. The more she tried to fill her lungs with air, the more suffocated she felt.

"I...last night...oh God, Sookie, I slept with him."

"Okay Lorelai. Who did you sleep with?"

Lorelai burst into fresh tears, her face hot with embarrassment.

"Lorelai. It can't be that bad. Unless it was Jackson. Or maybe Taylor." Sookie, trying to lighten the mood, grimaced at the pain evident on Lorelai's face.

"Luke. Sookie, I slept with Luke."

"Wow, okay honey. I already got the who and the when down, but, where, and why?"

"At his apartment...Firelight punch...beer..."

"Oh honey."

Sookie caught her friend in a tight embrace, wishing she could wipe away all the pain she knew Lorelai was feeling.

"How could I have been so stupid, Sookie? He's my best friend, and I've probably ruined everything we've ever had."

"You were drunk, and from what I gather, he was too. Do not blame this on yourself, Lorelai, I won't let you."

"Sookie, that's not even all of it, yet. We weren't...uh...we weren't...safe."

Lorelai broke down again, bitter tears streaming down her face.

"Okay hon, I'm going to call your doctor and make you an appointment."

"Sookie, I'm so ashamed. What am I going to say, 'Hi, I just had a drunken one night stand with my best friend and now I need to find out if he knocked me up?'"

"Don't worry, Lorelai, I'll come with you, and Rory too, if you want."

"Oh God. Rory. Rory. I am such a terrible mother. What is she going to think of me?"

"Lorelai, don't ever let me hear you say that again. You are a fantastic mother. You raised that girl on your own, when you were still just a child yourself. You've taught her so much, how else could she turn out to be the sweet, intelligent, beautiful young woman you know she is?"

"But Sookie-"

"No buts. So what? You made a mistake, you're human, we all do it. Rory loves you unconditionally. She'll understand and help you through this."

"Thank you Sookie. God. What happens if I am...you know..."

"Think about it, hon. Would it really be that bad? Rory was a surprise and look how fabulous she turned out. Plus, I know Luke would be a great father. But honey, first we have to get you to the doctor. I'm going to go call now, okay?"

"Okay. Thanks Sookie. For everything."

Sookie smiled and left the room, leaving Lorelai alone with her thoughts, currently a very dangerous place to be.

'Luke would be a good father. He'd be a great father. Look at how he is with Rory. He's practically been her father her whole life.'

Lorelai tried to imagine what it would be like to tell Luke she was pregnant. Under different circumstances, it could be a very happy announcement. Lorelai had sometimes thought about Luke, in that way. She'd thought about what it would be like to kiss him, to make love to him, and to have a family with him. It was impossible not to think of him that way, she saw him everyday, and there was always the town gossip about Luke having some kind of 'thing' for her.

But this was completely different. They weren't married, hell, they weren't even dating. If she was pregnant, the whole town would know their baby was the result of a few too many beers and a low cut top. She began wishing, a wish she knew all too well. She wished to God...the coffee star...whatever, that she wasn't pregnant. Not now. Sure, she had entertained thoughts of maybe having a family with Luke, but they were only meant to stay that way, as thoughts.

Lorelai sighed, realizing she should have been more specific in her thoughts.

A/N: This chapter is shorter than usually, mainly because I already had it written, but cut it in half because it was too long. Meaning that the next chapter is already written and should be up within a few days!

Please review! Thanks.

Rachel