Lorelai had long since given up hope of ever finding out the "truth" that Richard and Joan had been talking about. She knew Richard would never tell, and she didn't like to upset Joan and obviously this was something that upset Joan. Life with Cecelia and Karl was getting worse than Lorelai had previously imagined. Karl, being the pansy that Lorelai so rightfully labeled him, was constantly running to Richard and telling on Lorelai for this and that.

"Lorelai said a curse word."

"Lorelai smacked me in the back of the head!"

"Lorelai, Lorelai, Lorelai…"

Cecelia always came to her darling son's rescue. It was never a joint effort when Karl and Lorelai had a problem, it was always Lorelai's fault. Grounded had lost all meaning to Lorelai. It didn't seem to matter any longer, her life was miserable anyway. She sat back and watched as Richard and Cecelia would go to their fancy dinner parties, their "oh so lovely" trips to the country club, their Sunday afternoon picnics in the park. And Karl would always tag along with them, pursuing his brown nosing.

"Lorelai!" Cecelia screeched. "Come here, now!"

Lorelai rolled her eyes when she heard the cry of the pompous middle aged bitty. What was it going to be this time, Lorelai wondered as she trudged down the stairs.

As soon as Lorelai came into view Cecelia began "I have put up with a lot of things, but a thief in my house, never!"

"Excuse me?" Lorelai asked as she reached the bottom step.

"Don't you play innocent, Lorelai. I know exactly how you work. You don't pull any wool over my eyes."

"Are you accusing me of stealing something?" Lorelai asked, offensively.

"The school called today." Cecelia huffed. "They found a gold watch in Karl's locker. Someone stole it from the headmaster. My Karl would never steal… I know that you did this. Well, it's not going to work. I won't stand for it."

"You're cracked…" Lorelai spat. "I would never steal… and even if I did how could I put it in Karl's locker?"

"You've figured out his combination. He's already told me you know his combination, you think you're so smooth and so clever… you've met your match you little snot." Cecelia took a deep breath. "Richard!"

Richard quickly came into the sitting room. "My goodness, what is all this yelling about?"

"I hope you're satisfied…" Cecelia glared. "She's qualified for Juvenile Hall now."

"What?" Richard asked not understanding such an obscure statement.

"She stole a gold watch from the headmaster of her school… then she planted it in Karl's locker."

Richard glanced over at Lorelai. "Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, in my study, now.."

"Dad, I didn't…"

"My study…" Richard repeated.

Lorelai let out a long aggravated sigh and walked into the study. Richard followed close behind and closed the door.

"Do you really think I would steal?" Lorelai asked before Richard could begin his preaching.

"I don't know, Lorelai. I don't know what you are capable of doing anymore. I see no cut off line with you. You're always picking on Karl and trying to get him in trouble. You're grades are slipping, your attitude is unacceptable…."

"Karl is a liar… and a thief… and a manipulator. " Lorelai said calmly. "But I know you're going to take his side… and I know that you're going to believe Cecelia and him over me, so go ahead… ground me." Lorelai folded her arms.

"No… I am not going to ground you, Lorelai." Richard replied. "Grounding is pointless."

Well that was one thing Lorelai could agree with Richard on, she thought to herself.

"You've forced me to a punishment I hoped I would never have to face…" Richard began to undo his belt.

Lorelai's eyes widened as she watched her father. "What are you doing?" Lorelai asked.

"I'm sorry, Lorelai, but you've left me with no other choice." Richard pulled off his belt and folded it neatly. "Turn around… put your hands there on my desk."

"You're not serious…" Lorelai said her voice becoming higher. "You're going to hit me?"

"It's not hitting… it's spanking."

"Daddy…" Lorelai replied her voice filled with sadness. Lorelai had never been "spanked" in her life.

A few minutes later, Lorelai opened the door to the study and walked out. Cecelia watched as the girl walked immediately upstairs. She smiled and walked into the study. Richard was sitting at his desk with his head lowered.

"Richard…" Cecelia said softly.

"I've never raised a hand to Lorelai." Richard mumbled. "Thirteen years and I never raised a hand to the girl."

"Perhaps that's been the problem." Cecelia concluded.

"Have you ever spanked Karl?" Richard asked looking up his wife.

Cecelia fluttered. "Well, of course not… he's never deserved a spanking."

"I see." Richard replied solemnly.

"If he ever did, don't be mislead, I would give him one." Cecelia added. "But Karl is one of the most well behaved children I have ever seen."

"He's not perfect." Richard replied. "He's a child, he makes mistakes just like any other child."

"Richard…" Cecelia came over closer to him and sat down on his lap. "You're doing what's best for Lorelai." Cecelia playfully fiddled with Richard's collar. "Why don't you come up to bed? We can let out some of this stress that's all bottled up."

"Cecelia, it's 6:30 in the evening…" Richard objected.

"So?" Cecelia smiled. "I promise you won't regret it. We could even do it here if you'd like… that would be a change."

"I …" Richard's lips were suddenly attacked by Cecelia's. She breathlessly kissed him several times. Before Richard realized what was happening, Cecelia had removed nearly all of her clothing and most of Richard's.

"The children…" Richard sputtered between kisses.

"They're both upstairs." Cecelia replied. "Besides, I shut the door."

Meanwhile, upstairs, Joan was walking through the hallway dusting off all the shelves and tables. It amazed her that so much dust could settle in so little time. She had just dusted the upstairs hallway a week ago. As she came closer to Lorelai's room, she could her sobs from behind the door.

Something told Joan that Lorelai needed her, but split between herself, Joan felt that she should keep her nose out of it, enough was going on already. As the sobbing continued, Joan's heart began to ache for the young girl. She couldn't resist any longer. How could she continue to stand in the hall way and dust when she distinctly knew Lorelai was crying? Joan could never be so cruel.

Joan slowly opened the door. "Lorelai?"

Lorelai was laying on her stomach with her face buried into her pillows. She rose slightly from the bed when she saw Joan walk in. "Go away…" Lorelai replied through her sobbing.

"What's wrong?" Joan asked, ignoring Lorelai's comment. She walked closer to the girl.

"Leave me alone…" Lorelai sniffled.

Joan had never seen Lorelai cry this much. This was by far the worst shape she had ever seen the girl. "Sweetheart, what happened?"

Lorelai turned over and faced the wall. "I don't want to talk about it, okay…" she curled up into small ball.

Joan slowly moved closer towards the sobbing girl. As she became closer, and the light from the bedside lamp became brighter, Joan could seen marks on Lorelai's upper leg. Quickly, Joan leaned down to get a better look. Lorelai quickly turned over.

"Stop!" Lorelai whaled.

"Lorelai, what is this?" Joan demanded.

"Nothing…"

Joan lifted up Lorelai's shirt to reveal more lashes. "How did you get these?" Joan asked trying to piece together what could have happened. A thought quickly crossed Joan's mind… but no, it couldn't possibly be true… Richard would never raise a hand to Lorelai.

Joan's eyes locked with Lorelai's. Without saying a word, Joan knew exactly what had happened. The connection between them at this moment was so strong it was like Joan could read Lorelai's mind.

"He hit you…." Joan repeated in a low whisper. Awestruck, Joan sat down on the bed.

"Please don't tell anybody…" Lorelai said as she tried to regain control of her emotions.

Joan quickly wiped at her eyes, refusing to let any tears be shed. "I won't." Joan replied.

"I didn't deserve it…" Lorelai continued. "they accused me of stealing a watch and fixing it so Karl would get the blame, but I didn't do it, Joan… I swear I didn't do it!" Lorelai collapsed into Joan's arms.

Joan's attempt at fighting back her tears was quickly failing and before long she could feel the warm salty water trickling down her face. "I know you didn't Lorelai." Joan soothed. "I know you didn't." Now, more than ever Joan wanted to burst forth with the truth. It was one thing to keep a secret from Lorelai, but to stand by and watch someone hurt her physically, no mother could do that.