Title: Her Second Chance

Summary: Never in a million years did he expect to find her on his doorstep. Her, of all people. And truth be told, she never expected that it would be him she was running to.

Disclaimer: Don't own the characters. Credit for that mess goes to AS-P and The WB.

Notes: Thank you so much for your reviews. I'm really proud of this so far, and I have many ideas for future chapters. I'm very excited.

One person was confused, and I hope I can clear that up real quick. The prologue was a glimpse into the future; what will happen. A hint, hint. Chapter one started right after the finale. I probably should have clarified that.

Chapter Two: Those Damned Sheets

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Rory didn't get out of bed for days. Lorelai periodically checked in on her. Asked her if she wanted something to eat. Something to drink. Something....anything?

She couldn't bring herself to move. She couldn't bring herself to care. She could barely bring herself to respond to the tedious questioning of her mother.

Lorelai still hadn't looked her in the eye.

She noticed.

Rory threw out the sheets. As soon as Lorelai went back to the inn four nights ago. She came inside, tore them off of her bed, and put them in the dumpster outside. 'Not far enough away' she thought.

The garbage pick up was today. She actually left her room.

She actually left her house.

She stood on the porch and watched as the contents of the can were emptied into the truck.

Pizza boxes.

Physics notes.

And those damned sheets.

Gone.

Away.

Forever.

She went back to her room almost hopeful.

It still felt the same.

It still felt wrong. Shameful. Dirty. Like there was a thin layer of dust covering everything, covering her. Dimming the shimmer and shine. There used to be a shine to her room. To her personality. To her. But the dirt wouldn't go away.

The sheets did.

She somehow thought it would help. The shine would come back. She would be able to see clearly. To think clearly. The dirt would magically disappear. It would vanish with those sheets.

It had to, right?

But now she knew it wouldn't. She could scrub the floor, the walls, the windows, herself.

She could scrub her skin until it bled.

But that feeling, that dirt, would still be there.

That's when she knew she had to get out.

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She couldn't focus. She hadn't been able to focus for the past four days.

This was suppose to be one of the happiest times of her life. Her dream had come true. Not only had she opened her inn, but her two best friends were her business partners. And Luke, the Luke, her Luke, had finally made a move.

Yes, everything was supposed to be perfect.

Why did Rory have to do this?

Not that she didn't hold Dean partially responsible. He was the married man, and it does take two to tango.

But, as horrible as it sounds, she couldn't help but be slightly miffed at her daughter for ruining this for her.

Well, not miffed.

Upset.

No, angry.

Yes. Angry. That was a good word.

She was angry at Rory. She was angry at her for making such an irresponsible decision. She was angry at her for being so naive to think that he leave his wife. For thinking that having that sex would change everything. For ruining her day.

But not pissed off.

Not quite.

But here's the kicker. As if being angry at one person wasn't enough. As if being so disappointed in you best friend, your daughter, your own flesh and blood, didn't take enough time and energy.

She hated herself for thinking that. She hated herself for being so self centered. For being so judgmental. Everyone makes mistakes. Hell, she's the poster child for "Oops, I did it again".

But not Rory. Rory wasn't like her.

Correction: Rory wasn't supposed to be like her. And that was a good thing.

So it turns out her daughter was like her. Oh well; it must be that whole 'genetic' thing. This was not the time to be angry. This was not the time to be disappointed. This was not the time to be self centered, damn it!

She was supposed to be there for her daughter. She was supposed to comfort her and tell her it would be okay, and that everyone makes mistakes, and that they would get past this - together.

Apparently, she was supposed to do a lot of things.

"Lorelai. Lorelai. Anyone in there?"

Lorelai shook from her reverie, willing the vestiges of the situation to the corners of her mind.

"Yeah Sook?"

"You totally checked out there for a few minutes. You okay?"

She tried to use as much conviction as she could muster.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

Sookie eyed her skeptically. "You sure?"

"No, but I can't really talk about it."

That was the most honest answer she could come up with.

Sookie decided not to push the issue, "Come on. Happy time. We are the brains behind the most successful inn in Stars Hollow!"

"Since the Independence burned down, we're the only inn in Stars Hollow."

"But that also means we're the best. Silver lining, Lorelai. Work with me."

Sookie smiled brightly. Lorelai couldn't help but laugh at her optimism. Maybe things would be okay after all. They had to get better eventually, right?

"Dean, stop it. We need to pick up your paycheck."

She knew that voice. She knew that voice. That bubbly, high-pitched voice.

Oh no.

Lorelai turned to see the owner of that voice with none other than her husband. Her husband, the husband.

Oh no.

They were here, in her inn. Here, together. In her inn. Together. Laughing and giggling and tickling and nauseating.

Absolutely nauseating.

Lindsay turned to her husband, "Let's go ask Lorelai."

His face suddenly paled. Before he could come up with an excuse, a reason, an objection, they were in front of the reception desk.

"Hi Lorelai."

There she is. Bubbly and annoying.

Wait. She doesn't hate Lindsay. It's the other one. The bean pole cowering next to his pretty blonde wife.

"Hi Lindsay, Dean," There was a bit of venom in her mouth as she spat out that syllable. He flinched. If Lindsay noticed, she didn't let on.

"We were just here to pick up Deany's check. Do you know where Tom is? We're going away for the week, and the sooner we leave, well, you know..."

So, going away for the week, huh? Boff the ex, then take a vacation with the wife. While aforementioned ex is at home, depressed, unable to leave her bed, let alone her room. Nice, Dean.

She smiled sweetly, "Actually, I haven't seen Tom today. But, then again, I've had a lot on my mind. He could have walked right by, and I wouldn't have noticed him."

Dean flinched again.

Lorelai added, "Might want to check with Michel."

Lindsay smiled brightly, "Thanks Lorelai."

Poor thing. Completely oblivious. He slept with someone else! Don't you see? He and Rory-

Oh no.

Rory.

Lorelai turned to Sookie.

"I need to go."

"Now?"

"Is that okay? It's important." She was already gathering her purse and jacket.

"Sure. Just, call me later; let me know if everything's okay."

"Promise."

And with that, she was across the foyer and out the door.

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She showered and packed as lightly as she could. As soon as Babette left for her aerobics class at Patty's, she took her bag out to the car.

Babette is the only one who would have asked questions. If anyone else noticed, they wouldn't think twice about it.

She was filling a thermos of coffee when Lorelai came home.

Early.

Shit.

She entered the kitchen aimlessly, not expecting there to be another body already occupying the space. She jumped, startled.

"Wow. It's nice to see you up."

Rory turned to face her mother.

"Yeah. I thought it was time."

"Good. That's good."

"You're home early." She tried to act as casual as she could. She was never good at lying, but Lorelai didn't seem to notice.

"Yeah." Lorelai shifted uncomfortably, "Actually, we need to talk."

"Mom, I don't think I'm-"

"I know, you aren't ready to talk about it, and that's fine. But, I still need to tell you something pertaining to...it."

Relieved, Rory tried to continue to say as little as possible, "Oh, okay. Shoot."

"Well, there's no easy way to say this honey. And the last thing I want to do is see you hurting like this."

Rory stared at her blankly, waiting patiently for her to continue.

"Well, I saw Dean today. I didn't talk to him, but...well, he was with Lindsay. And, well hun, they looked very much together. They were very much together."

She paused, unsure of how much she should reveal to her daughter. Then again, she didn't want her holding on to hope. As horrible as that sounds, Rory needs to let this go.

So, she continued, "They're going away together."

Rory nodded, and...was that a smile?

"Oh. That's good."

And that's actually how she felt.

Lorelai was taken aback at her daughter's calmness.

"That's good?"

"Yeah. I'm glad I could help."

Lorelai looked at her, in the eye this time, shocked and dumbfounded.

"It was a joke." Rory looked away, not sure how Lorelai would react.

"I know. I...know. I just didn't know we were in the 'Joking Phase' yet. This is not really a funny-haha situation."

"I'm going to have to move on eventually."

Lorelai closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them again, her gaze had softened.

"Did I mention that it's really good to see you up?"

Rory tried her best to smile, "I was actually going to go see Lane."

"Okay. That's good. Get out of this house. It's probably driving you crazy being cooped up in here." Lorelai smiled back, somewhat forced, like her daughter.

Rory nodded and took her coffee. She was half-way out the back door when Lorelai spoke up again.

"Rory? No one knows. I mean, he hasn't told anyone as far as I can tell."

She nodded again and shut the door.

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She was sitting in her car.

Just sitting there.

He went back to Lindsay. Of course he did. He is her husband.

Husband. There it is again. That sure is a scary word, especially when you're not the wife of said husband.

And they were going away together. She actually laughed at that. An honest, no holds barred laugh.

She specifically said, "Maybe you could, um, go see a counselor or go away together."

"...go away together".

Specifically.

"We're not happy. She's not happy, and I can't make her happy."

So, now he's decided to give it one more go?

"...it's just -- it's over. We both feel it. I know we both feel it."

What a load of crap!

But she wasn't upset. It was funny to her.

Was it suppose to be funny?

She wasn't sure.

Maybe she was going insane.

Hell, look at what she had decided to do.

Look at where she was going.

She must be.

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Notes: Chapter three should be out soon. And (ahem) someone might enter this crazy mix. Please review!!!! I'm desperate for your opinion of this.