Rory had decided to come home because she couldn't think of anything better to do with herself. Logan had left rent on the appartment, but it seemed too empty without him there. For the first time in her life Rory felt lonely. It seemed someone was always there for her to be around. But now Logan was half-way across the ocean, but he might as well be on Pluto. And her mom was being so strange lately, Distant. Rory wondered if her mother had still not completely forgiven her for their months of silence and her yacht theft. She had thought they were over that, but lately her mom just wasn't herself. And being Lorelai she wouldn't let on to anything. But Rory could tell. She knew her well enough to know not everything was okay. But still, being with a distant mother was better than being in the huge, now desolate, apartment without Logan. She couldn't even deal with Colin, Finn, or Steph, right now. She needed to go home. So she packed up some stuff and went home, not really quite sure for how long.

Exaustion was starting to seap into Rory's system. She hadn't slept much the night before. It was hard to go from sleeping with a warm body next to you, to being all alone in a king sized bed. Rory never adjusted to change well. She decided to stop in a give Luke a visit and get some coffee before going home. She missed Luke's coffee. No one else's coffee could even come close. Plus, she actually missed Luke. He really had become like a father to her. Hell, soon he was going to be her step-dad. She admired Luke more than she let on to. Sometimes she found herself wishing that Logan had a bit more Luke in him. April was a pretty lucky girl to have a dad that would put her before himself. Christopher had never done that for her. For the thousandth time in Rory's life, she thought about how her life would have been different if Luke was her father. She had never told anyone that she would think like that, but she did. She figured it was probably natural since Luke had such a big role in her life. She was a bit jealous of April really. But she seemed to be a nice girl, from the one time Rory had met her.

Rory pulled into Lukes, just as she saw Luke himself tapeing a "gone fishing" sign on the window. Rory quickly jumped out of the car hoping to catch Luke before he left. Rory yelled, "Hey Luke hold up"! For a split second she thought she noticed a glimpse of pain cross his face before it turned to a smile. She was sure she had just imagined it.

"Going fishing huh Luke? Do you think I could just get some coffee before you go? Would I be holding you up too much, I just really miss your coffee"

Luke looked puzzled for a second before he responded, "Sure come on in, I have a bit of the pot left over anyway. Someone needs to drink it, otherwise it's just going to waste. That stuff will kill you someday though, Rory"

"Thanks. I'll just get it to go so I'm not bothering you too much"

"You're never a bother to me. Please sit down, and drink your coffee. I'm in no hurry. I've still got some last minute cleaning before I leave anyway"

Rory couldn't place it but there was something different about Luke. Conversation seemed forced. Which was weird that she thought that since Luke was never chatty, but it was different now. She had no way of knowing that Luke was trying to judge whether or not Rory had talked to Lorelai yet. He was starting to figure she hadn't. He doubted she'd be here right now if she knew. She'd be at home with Lorelai, like she should be now. Lorelai needed her, and yet here Luke was trying to convince Rory to stay. He was welcoming the chance to try and tell her how much he cared about her before she wouldn't talk to him. He really did love her too. He'd never told her that, but he did. He hadn't realized before this minute that he hadn't only lost Lorelai, but Rory too. And as crazy as it was, that hurt just as much.

"Luke, what's up? You're acting different"

"Different, I have no idea why"

"Bullshit.

The swearing took Luke by surprize and shocked him into admitting. "I don't know what's going on between me and your mom. I think it may be over"

Rory went into total shock mode. Her mom loved Luke. She had for quite a while. And why hadn't her mother told her. Was their best friend vibe finally failing? And why would her and Luke be breaking it off? They were as perfect for each other as people came. If Luke and her mom couldn't make it, could anyone? Could they really be over? Rory couldn't even wrap her mind around the idea. Couldn't find any logic to support it. But she was sorry. She loved them both. It was kind of like hearing your parents were getting divorced, she thought. Only, they weren't even going to get married in the first place. Is that even possible? Luke and Lorelai belonged together. "Really? Oh my gosh Luke, I'm so sorry. Really, I am. I'm sorry, you just completely threw me for a loop. I don't even know what to say. I should be home. Mom. She needs me. Thanks for the coffee Luke. I've got to go"

"Rory, wait. I know your mom needs you, just hear me out first. I didn't mean to hurt either of you. This was not the way things were supposed to turn out. I don't want to lose either of you. I know it's a package deal, but please, don't become a stranger"

Rory was surprized by how much this was affecting her. Sure, she knew that Luke was special to her, but she never realized the extent to which he was. She found her eyes tearing up. She really felt like she was losing him. Her mom must be falling apart right now. If this was affecting her like this, her mom must want to die. No wonder there had been such distance. "Luke, I'm not going anywhere." Rory found herself walking up to Luke and placing her arms around his side. Ironically, it wasn't akward this time. Completely heartbreaking, but natural. Luke rubbed his hand up and down her back and Rory felt tears run down her face. "Luke I'm so sorry." Rory unwrapped herself from Luke's arms.

"I've got to get home. Mom needs me"

Luke nodded his head. "Take her some coffee." Luke handed her a to go cup and watched Rory walk out of his life. He was sure she was being genuine when she said she wasn't going anywhere, but even still it wouldn't be the same. Seeing Rory would be bittersweet from now on. She was always going to remind him of what could've been his. He could've had it all. He had lost his Gilmores.

Rory stopped at Taylor's before going home to stock up on ice cream, and other wallowing items. She wasn't sure how much it would help. Food couldn't replace Luke. Rory was completely sure that nothing could. She walked into her house to find her mom curled in a ball in the bathroom just sobbing. One look at her mother and Rory's heart broke all over again. It almost made her hate Luke. But she knew. He didn't want this anymore than her mother did. When Lorelai finally saw Rory standing there, all she did was mutter one, shaky-heartbreaking sentence. "I slept with Chris."

A/N: It will get happy I promise. But on a better note, this chapter almost doubles the size of the whole story. Almost, I tried. I was on a time crunch. Review please!