A/N: I'm warning you now that it's short. But it had to end here. I will try my best to get more up tonight. Thanks for all your reviews! I love your reactions; they really make writing this story and blowing off my math homework totally worth it.

And it technically isn't blowing it off if you do it ten minutes before class, right?

Chapter Seven: Midnight Awakenings

Lorelai sipped her coffee appreciatively, wrapping her cold fingers around the warm teacup. Outside it was still raining, and it showed no signs of stopping.

Luke sat across from her at the worn worktable, drinking a cup of black tea.

Between them sat a half eaten casserole and a dwindling stack of Sookie's rolls.

The clock over the stove read 2:52; the entire house was still.

"How's Rory?" Luke asked, sticking to neutral topics of conversation. The woman across the table was looking especially beautiful in the soft kitchen light.

"She's fine," Lorelai answered, a little more coolly than she intended. Luke caught her tone and put down his tea. She sighed, knowing that Luke would not let her change the topic. "We aren't exactly getting along right now," she answered with a sigh.

"Did you have a fight?"

Lorelai shook her head. "Not exactly. It's complicated."

Several moments passed between them, but Luke did not press her for information. The clock struck three. Lorelai glanced up at it as if for affirmation, and finished the last sip of coffee. Luke was watching her intently.

She sighed once more, and ran her hands through her thick hair. "She just doesn't understand," Lorelai said softly. "I just can't see her make the same mistakes I did. She deserves better."

"Is she already having problems with Logan?"

Lorelai shook her head. "That's just the problem," she answered, looking at Luke levelly. "She's completely blinded by romance. Young romance. The type that I had. The type that never lasts."

Luke got up and poured more coffee for Lorelai. She took a sip without acknowledging his actions. He refilled his teacup as well, and as he sat Lorelai spoke again.

"I loved Chris so much," she said, playing with the roll in her hands. "At least I thought I did. At first we weren't going to marry. Our fathers were completely opposed to the idea. I think I loved him because I couldn't have him. Do you know what I mean?"

Luke let out a short laugh. "I do."

"I just don't want Rory to lose that love. It hurts so much, watching the person you loved slip away. I didn't even try to stop it from happening. And now I just don't want it anymore. Chris and I walk around like our marriage doesn't exist. We're ghosts to each other. We never really see each other, not truly. I hate being looked through like that."

"I see you."

Luke's statement startled Lorelai. She had never heard Luke so sincere, so honest. Lorelai's eyes locked with his, and she felt a quiver run down her spine.