"Leese, sweetie, are you okay?" Lorelai murmured, gently patting her forehead with a dampened cloth. Lisa groaned and pulled herself to a sitting position on Lorelai's bed.
"I'm fine, now," Lisa sighed. "I don't know what came over me."
"I think you had a minor psychotic breakdown, that's all," Max said, entering the room laden with a glass of water and some aspirin. "Something I said, I'm afraid, must have spurred it."
Lisa looked at him abashedly. "Are you a doctor?"
He shook his head. "No, English teacher. That's how I met Lorelai."
Lisa was shocked. "You taught Lorelai?" He laughed.
"No. I taught Rory. How old do you think I am, anyway?" Lorelai laughed simultaneously.
"I'm sorry," Lisa replied absently, shaking her head. Max set a gentle hand on her arm.
"I don't know you all that well," he admitted. "But you seem to be having some problems. Perhaps you should see a doctor?"
"My problems aren't health related," Lisa said bitterly. "Nope, they're completely flesh and blood and go by the name of 'Jackson'." She stopped. She'd already said too much.
"Jackson?" Max frowned. "Jackson. Sookie's Jackson?"
"No," Lorelai interjected hurriedly as Luke entered. "Max, this is-I really can't tell you anything else. We've already said too much."
"Just one thing," he persisted. "Is this something that could get any of us, myself included, dead or in serious trouble?"
Luke, Lisa, and Lorelai all exchanged glances.
"Only if we tell you," Lisa finally said. Max sighed. "Maybe you just...shouldn't...affiliate with us anymore. That seems best."
"Thanks," Max scowled. Lorelai jumped in.
"No, Max, she's right. I mean, what she means is, we all like you and having you around. But we don't want you to get hurt, too."
"I'm not leaving," he replied shortly. "I think I should stay here in case something happens...whatever happens...that's going to happen...to you. Besides, my flight isn't booked until the day after tomorrow."
Lisa felt guilty. "When its clear, I promise...I'll tell you."
He nodded and shrugged. "Lorelai usually doesn't keep secrets, so...I guess I'll trust her this one time." She shot him a small smile. "But seriously...are you okay?" he pressed Lisa.
"Really, I'm not insane," she laughed. "I just had several traumatic experiences a while back and I haven't quite recovered." Yeah, one of which was still living in town.
"What time is it?" she asked, suddenly aware of the lack of sunlight outside. Luke glanced at his watch.
"Ten-thirty."
"Wow! I was out awhile, huh?"
"Yeah, it was weird. You were fighting against Luke and me, as we tried to get you inside, or at least sitting down. And then your cries got less and less and you just collapsed against me. It scared us a lot, you know, Leese."
"I'm so sorry. I feel like I ruined the whole night."
"It's not your fault," Lorelai replied kindly.
"No, it's that fucking son of a bitch basta-"
"Luke," Lorelai patted his shoulder. "Not gonna help, sweets."
"Sorry."
Lisa sighed. "Is the festival over?"
"'Fraid so, yup. At nine."
Lisa grumbled. "I feel so..."
"Leese, listen, you come first," Lorelai encouraged. Lisa fed her a small smile.
"I'm sorry I wasn't exactly Miss Dream Date tonight," she told Max apologetically.
"Its no problem," he assured her, then looked uncomfortable. "Youcanstillcometotheweddingtomorrowifyouwant," he added quickly. Lisa looked shocked.
"Youdon'thaveto," he added next. "I mean, I-"
"No, I want to, I'm just surprised after the Emily Rose I pulled on you," Lisa blinked. Max looked into her eyes and had Lorelai and Luke not been there it would have been the perfect romantic moment.
"Is it your fault you had a bad past? I think not. And I'd like to get to know you more, Lisa."
"Well, okay," she smiled.
"I can pick you up at noon?"
"Of course."
