The chapters of this story will be told in the past. Spoilers up until Jews and Chinese Food. Also, I am not a Logan fan. He's just not good for Rory and I see nothing but heartbreak on that end. That said, on with the show.
"Hey Luke," Jackson came in and sat down in front of him.
"What's up," he asked brusquely. He wasn't in a social mood lately.
"This is for you," Jackson slides a check over to him. "Payment for the loan."
"Right," Luke said glancing at it before him put it in his pocket. Then he took it back out and looked at it again. He looked at Jackson, "This is your check."
"Yeah I know."
"Why are you giving me a check for the loan I gave to Lorelai from your bank account?"
"Part of the deal."
"What deal?"
"The buyout deal."
"Buyout?"
"Yeah. See, since Lorelai still owes you money she figures it'd be easier if I just gave you the money I'm using to buy her out to you until the debt's paid since she'd just be giving you the money anyway."
"Jackson, what the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm buying Lorelai out of the Dragonfly."
"What?"
"Yeah. She finally managed to convince me last night when she and Rory were over for dinner."
"Well, what does she plan on doing once you do that?"
"I don't know. I guess she'll find something wherever she lands."
"Wherever she lands? Jackson, what are you talking about?"
"She's leaving. She put her house up for sale yesterday. I'm surprised Patti or Babette didn't tell you," Jackson said looking at a menu. Then he looked back up, "Hey, can I get an iced tea to- Where are you going?"
"Caesar, you're in charge. I'll be back," Luke said as he flew out of the diner. He headed for his truck intending to drive to the Dragonfly. He stopped when he caught sight of Lorelai going into the dance studio. He knew it was empty at the moment so he figured she wanted some time alone. Fine. She could have all the time she wanted as soon as she explained what the hell she was doing.
She looked up at him when he entered and then back at the magazine she was looking at, "I assume you've talked to Jackson today."
"Yeah but you know Patti or Babette or one of the many other residents of this town probably would've told me if he hadn't. My question is why didn't you tell me?"
"We haven't really been making polite conversation lately."
"Lorelai-"
"I'm busy Luke."
"Doing what?"
"Looking for a new place to live," she said looking up at him.
"What?"
"That's usually what happens when you sell your house Luke. You get to live someplace else."
"You're leaving? You're leaving Stars Hollow altogether?"
"That's the plan."
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Yeah, why? Why now?"
Luke watched her carefully as she considered her words.
"Because this place just doesn't feel like home anymore," she said quietly, looking down as she played with the pen in her hand. She wasn't looking at him.
Luke felt like a jerk. He'd been pissed, thinking she was trying to punish him but here she was doing her damndest to punish herself. "Lorelai, I-"
"You should go," she interrupted him.
"What?"
"You should go. I'm busy and the diner's probably on fire by now."
Any other time, the reminder of that day in the gazebo might've made him smile but now he was just concerned about what the hell Lorelai thought she was doing. "Diner's fine. This isn't. We need to talk some more."
"There's nothing left to say. You're out and I'm outta here," she gave a short laugh, keeping her eyes glued to the magazine in her lap.
"Look at me."
"Go away Luke."
"Look at me," he insisted.
She finally looked up and his heart clenched when he saw the tears in her eyes. "What are you doing Lorelai?"
"Getting the hell out of Dodge."
"Why?"
"I told you."
"I don't believe you."
Lorelai shook her head, "I don't care. Believe me or don't. Talk to me or ignore my existence. It doesn't matter anymore Luke. It's over. You were very clear about that."
"Lorelai-"
"You know why I didn't tell you? Because it's none of your business anymore," her eyes turned to ice.
"That's not fair."
"You can't have it both ways Luke! You can't tell me that you can't be in this relationship anymore, take your boat out of my garage, come to my house and yell at me for some minor infraction, and still expect me to keep you in the loop of what's going on in my life."
"What about coming to your house because I was scared outta my mind you were gonna hurt yourself in some way?"
"You don't have to worry about that anymore. I told you. It was the last crazy thing I do that involved you."
"Lorelai, I'm worried about you," Luke told her honestly.
"You don't have to be. I can take care of myself. I have been since I was sixteen."
"But-"
"Just go."
"I-"
"Please," she begged quietly. "I can't do this with you right now."
"Fine." Luke turned around and started his walk out of the dance studio. He turned around as he got to the door, "So this is it?"
"I think this was 'it' at the market, Luke."
He nodded. "Don't leave without saying good-bye." He was gone before she could offer up a response.
Lorelai scrunched up her nose and squeezed her eyes shut before she took a couple of deep breaths and lay down on her back, her feet on the floor, and her legs bent at the knee.
She put her hands on her stomach and closed her eyes again, "That, little one, was your daddy and I don't care what your big sister says, I am no where near as stubborn as he is. He's also a big chicken. Do you know it took him eight years to ask me on a date?" She sighed. "But he's also an incredibly kind, giving, and smart man. A good man and the kind of man I either want you to be or end up with. You know, I didn't know his folks but word is that he's a lot like your grandpa was. His name was William." Lorelai smiled, "And I think I just came up with my first boy's name: William Richard Danes. That's right, little one. You get your dad's last name. Your sister's dad would probably tell me I'm being unfair because I didn't give her his name but it's different. He and I were different. And you and I will be different. I've done this once before, so no tricks, okay? But the one thing that will be the same is that no matter what, you and Rory will always come first with me. And I promise not to date your teachers," Lorelai smiled.