A/N: I didn't intend for this fic to be more than a one shot, but I kept getting ideas on how to continue it, so here it is.

Part 2

Lorelai and Rory trudged into Luke's the next morning per usual. Lorelai hadn't slept very well, mostly because she hadn't been able to bring herself to tell Rory about Max, but a little because of how Luke had reacted. Luke thought they both looked pretty solemn so he offered chocolate chip pancakes. Rory perked up. "Really? You just had those last week."

"Shh," Lorelai warned. She looked up at him innocently. "Are you sure you're Luke? You're not some alien form and the original's stuffed away in a closet somewhere?" Lorelai's eyes danced as she peered over her menu. He felt a smile playing at his lips; at least, until Lorelai pinched his side.

"Ouch! Lorelai!"

"Sorry, had to check," she replied, serious.

"Be nice or no pancakes."

"Yup, it's you. No worries," she pretended to soothe Rory.

"I wasn't worried."

"Can we get some coffee in this joint?" Lorelai whined.

Luke eyed her as he tucked his order pad back in his pants. "You're in an awfully good mood today. Any reason?"

"Just your smiling face."

"Now you sound like Babette." Lorelai made a face at this comment. "Really? You're doing okay?" Luke checked.

"I'll be better after coffee," she pressed. Luke gave up and filled their mugs.

"Luke seems a little punchy today, doesn't he?" Rory frowned after him.

"Oh, he's just concerned. You know how he is." Shit, Lorelai thought.

"Yeah, but what has he got to be concerned about? You seem him everyday and yet he was hovering around like you were-" Rory's mouth dropped into an O. "Mom, are you sick?" Lorelai shook her head as she sipped her coffee. "You're pregnant, that's it!" She practically shrieked.

"God no!" Lorelai sputtered. "Keep your voice down. And no," she patted Rory's hand. "I'm my usual healthy self."

"Eating some oatmeal wouldn't kill you." Luke had appeared again. "And is something else wrong? Who's sick?"

"No one. Just—I'll explain later." Lorelai was flustered, inwardly cringing. Rory was watching her carefully and Lorelai knew the subject wouldn't be dropped anytime soon.

Lorelai was right. Rory pressed on like the investigative journalist she aspired to be. "Luke asked if something else was wrong, what did he mean? What's wrong?" Who had taught her daughter to be so nosy? Never mind, she thought.

"Nothing." Lorelai stuffed her mouth with pancakes. "Eat." She tapped Rory's plate with her fork. Rory's fork clattered to her plate.

"No," she said forcefully. "Tell me."

"Rory," Lorelai warned. "Now is not appropriate."

"Yes, it is." Rory gritted her teeth. "Especially since Luke knows and I don't."

"Well, maybe I didn't know how to tell you!" Lorelai realized belatedly that she was too loud. The diner fell quiet.

"Tell me what, mom?" Rory asked in hushed tones. Lorelai wasn't paying attention, however, her gaze had floated to Luke, who pointed upstairs. She nodded and took Rory's hand, dragging her up to Luke's apartment. Luke followed.

"What are you doing?" Lorelai asked, slightly irritated when she saw him in the doorway.

"Moral support," he shrugged, slightly stung.

She sighed. "Thanks. But I need to do this on my own."

"Well, come on then!" Rory cried impatiently.

"I'll be downstairs." If you need me, he seemed to imply.

"Thanks." She turned to face her daughter. "It's Max," she breathed, not knowing what else to say. Luke was halfway down the hall but could hear her breathless tone. He stopped, half listening for crying. He wasn't eavesdropping, he just wanted to make sure Lorelai was okay. He knew she would tell him a million times over that she was, but by now, he could see through that. He admired her for being so strong but oftentimes he wanted to tell her to stop being so stubborn.

"Oh God, mom, did something happen?" She gasped. "Are—did you—are we moving to California?"

"No, we're not moving. I couldn't do that to you. Max is fine. I mean, I guess so."

"You don't know? Mom, what's going on?"

"Oh sweetie, Max and I were having problems before he left and-" Lorelai's voice cracked. "We think its best if we end things. It just wasn't working out."

"But you were so happy!" Rory exclaimed.

"I know. I thought I was, but this isn't what I want," Lorelai replied solemnly.

"What? A marriage?"

"No, I do, just not like this. It's hard to explain, Rory. He was away and then if he was here, he was doubting and questioning me like the Spanish Inquisition. I know you don't want that for me, babe."

"Is it because of Luke?" Another thought seemed to sneak up on her.

"What?" Lorelai was flabbergasted at Rory's question. "Is what because of Luke?"

"You and Max…your problems," she continued carefully.

"Rory, oh my God, no." You're just as bad as Max, she thought. Max had always been jealous of her friendship with Luke. She had been beyond frustrated that she couldn't convince Max that her relationship with Luke had been one of customer and owner. It was not in any way romantic like Max had envisioned it. There had been a time that Max found out Luke had been over to make repairs while Max was away. And man, had that turned ugly.

So I hear we had a guest while I was gone.

What? What are you talking about?

I hear that Luke still fixes things around the house.

Oh. Yeah, he does. Is that a problem?

I just don't like the idea of him being here when I'm not.

Max, Lorelai had sighed. Luke and I were friends a long time before I met you.

Exactly.

What's that supposed to mean? He does repairs to be nice and so I won't have to pay an arm and a leg and get ripped off by someone. I'm sorry that you can't see past your jealousy to realize he's a nice guy.

"I just, I hate this for you," Rory sighed.

Lorelai squeezed her daughter's shoulder. "Thanks, babe." I just hope you make better decisions than I do, she thought. Rory got up to leave, but Lorelai stopped her. "You know I never wanted this to happen. I wanted you to have a family, some stability, a mom and a dad."

Rory nodded. "I know," she whispered. "I love you, mom."

"Love you too, babe." Lorelai breathed, relieved that the conversation had ended there. She was afraid Rory would want to go into a deep discussion of what had caused their problems and how it led up to her mom's decision, but she probably knew Lorelai was tired. She didn't want to think about it for awhile.

"Are you coming?"

"In a minute," Lorelai sighed. She heard Rory go down the stairs. She went in Luke's bathroom for some tissue and noted how neat it was. She figured Luke as a neat person, but the bathroom was always the test. As she came back out, her heart stopped as she noticed a framed pair of photographs on his dresser. One was of Rachel and the other was of him with her. With Lorelai on her wedding day. Lorelai had forgotten all about that photo—she hadn't included it in her wedding album, but kept it hidden away. She fingered the frame, but jumped away as she heard the tread of Luke's shoes on the stairs. She blinked back her tears and took a deep breath. He knocked softly and opened the door.

"Hey, you okay?" Luke asked from the doorway, his face concerned. Lorelai managed a weak smile, before dropping back down in her chair and shaking her head. "Hey," Luke soothed, sitting down on the couch next to her. Lorelai rubbed a hand across her brow, not looking at Luke, her tears threatening to spill over. "Rory loves you. She just wants you to be happy. She worries about you."

Lorelai nodded. "I know," she managed.

"I worry about you too," Luke said softly. Lorelai caught his glance for a moment but he turned away. "Your pancakes are ready."

"Thanks," she said simply. She moved past Luke and he followed her out of the apartment, letting out a deep breath.