A/N: Thanks for continuing. I'll keep my a/n short.

Chapter 2: Spewing in Peru; or was it Brazil?

February 14th, 1984

Lorelai weaved her way through the hallowed, yet crowded, halls of her prep school. Given a choice of where she wanted to spend her first Valentine's Day with a boyfriend, she would not have picked school. In fact, it would be lower on the list then Hell, because at least Hell would be warm. She also would not have picked her gray skirt and red sweater to wear. She would've tried to make herself adorable. There was always time to do that tonight, though.

She was not having a great morning. She woke up feeling sick to her stomach. She got into a rousing match with Emily when she didn't eat breakfast. It was freezing outside. She slipped in a patch of ice outside of school and ripped a hole in her tights. Good riddance. Lorelai was sure that once she got to school, things would be better. Christopher would be there. It was Valentine's Day. He would be especially sweet today. Christopher had that ability to make her feel better.

Jammin' to Madonna in her headphones, she stuck her head in her locker and began pulling out her first book for the day. Suddenly, she felt arms wrap around her waist and a pair of lips press against her neck. She grinned and turned. Christopher kissed her lips and took off her headphones.

"Hey there, stranger."

"Hey yourself. Happy Valentine's Day," Christopher said, kissing her again.

"You too." Christopher grinned and let her go. She turned her back to him and stashed her walkman in her locker. She attempted to will her stomach to get better, but so far, it wasn't working. When she turned around, Christopher was holding a cup of coffee and a heart-shaped box. "Aw, what's that?"

"A little birdie told me you like coffee and chocolate." Lorelai hoped Christopher didn't see how nauseating coffee and chocolate looked to her right then. She accepted the gifts with a forced smile. "Open it up," he said and she did. Chocolate dipped cherries. Her spirit fell. Definitely not a big fan of chocolate dipped cherries. Her stomach churned.

"You okay?"

"I'm not feeling so hot."

"I'm sorry," he kissed her cheek, "Better?"

"Yeah," she said feebly, "These gifts are great, though. And, I'm sure I'll feel better tonight."

"Good," Christopher said, "Because, tonight, I want things to be…special." He kissed her. Christopher never flat out said sex. He always used other words. Almost like he was embarrassed to admit what they were doing or didn't want anyone else to know. Lorelai knew it was blatantly obvious around school. It's not like they were the only couple sleeping together. The only people oblivious were their blind and trusting parents. She wasn't up for sex right then. She felt like crap. She wanted to throw up. The bell rang. Christopher kissed her again. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah, later." She tried to smile. She watched Christopher walk away. She waited an entire three seconds before making a beeline for the bathroom. Anything that was in her stomach was now floating in the porcelain bowl. Lorelai couldn't shake the feeling that maybe something else, other than the flu, was wrong with her.

Luke's was packed. Apparently, he was more crowded on holidays than normal days. Every table was taken by a couple. The only seats available on the counter were not together. This did nothing to better Lorelai's dark mood. When did she become this bitter person? Christopher pissed her off, but he didn't make her bitter. She was single, but that wasn't new news. It could be that the one man that she always held on the back burner was living with Little Miss Perfect. Okay, she didn't hate Sherry. She was a little irritating, but she wasn't unlikable. Lorelai could see what Chris saw in her. She didn't hate Christopher either. Lorelai thought she was a bigger person because she wanted Chris to be happy. If she hadn't had that discussion with her mother on Friday night, perhaps she wouldn't be feeling like crap right now. In some ways, she agreed with Emily. Christopher should have gotten his act together with her. In some ways, she agreed with Chris. It wasn't fair that she blamed all her past failed relationships on him. But, a larger part of her wanted to act immature. She wanted to wallow and be miserable for one day, maybe even one week, for a change. She wanted to mourn her past with Christopher and try to look forward to the day when she would have it all. The whole package. So, what better day to mourn than the seemingly most romantic day of the year. Today, Lorelai wore black.

"Time to hover?" Rory questioned after accessing the situation. They didn't want to sit a part. What was the point of even coming Luke's if they couldn't be together? Oh, that's right. The happy coffee.

"You got it. You take the old couple in the corner and I'll take Kirk."

"No fair! You put me with old people last time."

"It's either Kirk or the old fogies."

"Good point. Kirk is a challenge."

"And I am in the mood to make him cry like a little girl."

"Go easy on him, Mom."

"Hey, I make no promises," Lorelai placed her hand out. Rory slid hers on top. "Ready…BREAK!" Rory casually slipped in behind the old woman and Lorelai hovered near Kirk. She could hear Rory putting on her best flu act, equipped with slight coughs and little sneezes. She knew Rory's table would bolt before hers, but Lorelai wanted to annoy Kirk this morning.

"Good morning, Kirk!" She announced, trying to sound extra cheery. That was a lot of effort for today. She should be given a prize. Like pie!

"Oh, hewo Wowai," Kirk responded, mouth full.

"Whacha eatin'?" Kirk swallowed.

"Luke made me pancakes today. He even made one heart-shaped for me."

"Well, that was very nice of him."

"Yesh, id wads," Kirk spouted out between chews.

"I hate to bring this up when you are eating breakfast, but did you catch that exposé on 60 Minutes last night."

"No, my mother made me go to bed early."

"Oh, too bad. You missed a good one. Yep…a good one. I am glad I saw it. Very insightful." Lorelai knew she had Kirk's interest then. It was time to attack.

"What was it about?"

"Oh, you probably don't want to hear about it. You're eating. It might gross you out."

"Nothing could gross me out today. I've been working on strengthening my intestinal fortitude."

"Good thinking, Kirk. You sure you want to hear it?"

"Why not?"

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," Lorelai took in a deep breath. She had a lie worked out in her mind now that only a man like Kirk would believe. "There was this diner in…I think it was Peru or Brazil. Well, anyway, there was a man eating pancakes in a café and four hours later…he died, Kirk."

"Really?" Kirk's eyes were wide now.

"Oh yes, very tragic. The doctors in Peru, or Brazil, or maybe it was Columbia were baffled and didn't understand what could have killed this man. He was healthy as a horse. He was a beloved member of the community. He liked to change jobs frequently to pursue all his interests. So, they called and asked for a team of American doctors to come and see what they could find. And, you are never going to believe this…"

"What?"

"They did an autopsy and he had hundreds of parasitic worms in his liver!" Kirk was sweating now.

"You don't say," he tried to say calmly. He put his fork down.

"Oh yes. It was very strange. So, the doctors and scientists did work on the worms and found that they came from the pancake mix from a local mill. And, that local mill sends pancake mix to the US. Man, I wish I could remember that name. It wasn't Spanish. Hm, anyway, they said to look out for little white specs in the mixture that could be the parasitic worm, uh, eggs." Kirk gulped. It was right then that Luke walked up with a coffee pot in hand.

"Stop hovering," he grumbled to Lorelai.

"I was doing nothing of the sort. Kirk and I were just chatting about the 60 Minutes episode I watched last night." Luke raised an eyebrow, interested in where this was going. "Say Luke, what kind of pancake mix do you use?"

"Bisquick." Lorelai gasped and widened her eyes, putting her hand to her mouth and nodding her head to Kirk. Luke rolled his eyes and refilled Kirk's mug. Kirk looked like he was about to choke.

"Oh my God, oh my God," he said in a high, panicky voice. Lorelai had to suppress a grin.

"Mom! Table!" Rory yelled from across the room. The timing couldn't have been better.

"But, I'm sure you are fine, Kirk. It only effects the slim. Nice talking to you." Then she darted over to Rory.

"You didn't make him cry, did you?" Rory asked when Lorelai sat down.

"Not yet. Give him about five more seconds to dart out the door. 4…3…2…1…"

"Ahhhhhgggaaaahhhh!" Kirk screamed and ran outside. Lorelai couldn't hide her grin any longer.

"You are so cruel."

"Ha, well I'm in that kind of mood today."

"I wish you would just cheer up."

"Not likely, sweets."

"Should I be worried that Kirk asked if I had white specks in my pancake mix? The whole thing is white." Luke came up to the table, pad in hand.

"Nah, he's just paranoid," Lorelai said.

"Mom is also in a bad mood and thought irritating Kirk would make her feel better."

"Ah, that explains it," Luke commented. "What can I get you? Coffee?"

"Sure," Rory said, "And I want French toast."

"Nothing else for me," Lorelai said dully. Luke looked over at Rory, who shrugged in response.

"Nothing?" He asked incredulously.

"Not hungry."

"You're kidding."

"Nope. Not in a food mood."

"Says the woman who believes in pre and post breakfast," Rory muttered under her breath. Lorelai's hearing was never bad and she gave Rory the evil eye. She quickly averted her eyes and looked out the window.

"Wonders never cease," Luke stated, then left the table.

"Okay, I've had it. What is the matter with you?" Rory asked.

"Nothing."

"Uh huh," Rory said dryly. "You got in a fight with Dad, didn't you?"

"I'm sorry, but did I just imagine myself saying that I didn't want to talk about it?"

"You did get in a fight with Dad!"

"Rory, please."

"Well, you've been in a pissy mood since Dad left on Saturday and you aren't giving me much to go off of."

"That could've been intentional."

"Come on, Mom! You can tell me."

"I just want to have a bad day. I don't think I need your permission for that."

"Yeah, but you've had more than a day. You had a bad weekend. Being in a sour mood is not good for you in the long run."

"Hey, its doing wonders for my complexion!" They were practically yelling now, attracting the attention of many of the diner patrons. It was at that moment that Dean decided to show up and surprise Rory with a single red rose. Not the best timing on Dean's part.

"Hey," he said hesitantly.

"Well, look Rory, its Dean."

"Hi," Rory said, trying to warn Dean about Lorelai's mood with her eyes.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," Dean said a bit more boldly, "Here, this is for you." He handed the rose to Rory, who grinned back.

"Yep, nothing says romance like a flower that's the color of blood," Lorelai mumbled.

"Mom!" Lorelai took that as a cue to leave.

"Oh, is that an empty chair at the counter? I should go investigate."

"Mom's in a bad mood," she heard Rory explain as she left the table. She muttered to herself all the way to the counter. The man by the empty seat saw her coming and quickly left money on the table. Ha! She loved having that power. Lorelai plopped down on the stool and slapped her hand on the counter twice. Luke turned around.

"Coffee, Seabiscut?"

"Just give me the damn mug!"

"Aren't we jolly today."

"Yep, I was thinking about getting up on a table and doing the chicken dance, because that is the kind of mood I'm in. Just happy as a clam. Yes sir. But that really shouldn't be done until after a few cups of coffee."

"Or a few tequila shots." Luke filled the mug and handed it over. Lorelai lifted the heavenly brew to her lips and took a long, drawn out sip, nearly draining the contents.

"God, I needed that."

"Thought I would do you a favor and hand it over without the negative caffeine comments."

"You truly are an angel. Bless you."

"So, what's up with you?"

"What ever do you mean?" Lorelai quipped.

"The sarcasm, running Kirk out of the diner, yelling at Rory, not wanting anything to eat, the black…" He trailed off, waiting for her response.

"I'm having a dark day."

"Ah."

"I figured you might understand."

"The wardrobe tipped me off. Any reason?"

"Just had a bad weekend. And, it's Valentine's Day."

"Don't even get me started on that commercialized, Hallmark crap holiday."

"You should write greeting cards," Lorelai said with the first hint of a smile all day.

"There it is."

"What?"

"Your smile. It would've been weird going the whole day without seeing it." That was a very strange comment coming out of Luke's mouth. When had Luke ever made a reference to her smile? Very weird, but then again, incredibly sweet. Yes, believe it or not, Luke could be sweet. Luke, on the other hand, was wondering where the hell that statement came from. "That sounded weird, didn't it?"

"Incredibly, but it was a nice thought. Thanks."

"Drink some more coffee."

"I meant every one of those angelic comments."

"Good to know."

A/N: Look, another short a/n. That's so unlike me. Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry they are both rather short, but I originally planned this story to be a oneshot all clumped together but since I'm not quite done yet, I decided to post what I have now and finish maybe this weekend (a very tentative maybe). Please review, because I thrive on feedback!