She Always Takes Me Back

Chapter 5: You Can Learn a Lot From a Shrubbery

Luke Danes hated kids, at least that was the party line to the residents of Stars Hollow. People saw his gruff exterior and figured kids weren't in the cards for him. He was also famous for his "kids" rants, where he could lay out everything that was wrong with kids in 30 seconds or less.

But, in reality, Luke liked kids, well, some kids anyway. He had liked Rory and Jess, on some occasions. And secretly, he was having a good time building sets with the Damon and Bradley and the other kids on the stage crew. They were fast learners, and they had built quite a nice house for Tevye.

He really wanted to know where Lorelai was. Lulu said more grownups were going to be there, but it was already the dress rehearsal, and he still hadn't seen another adult. Except for Kirk and Crazy Carrie, and he was doing to his best to avoid her since she kept trying to get him into empty classrooms.

She was probably with Christopher, he thought, then wished he hadn't. He had to have a little faith that the woman he had fallen in love with would not take back someone who had brought so much sadness to her life. Thinking about Christopher was making his head hurt.

Then, Yente tripped, and the anger bubbled inside him. Why wasn't Lorelai here? Little girls shouldn't be falling as they walk on stage. She signed him up for this crap assignment and then didn't even bother showing up? He couldn't wait for her to appear. He had to take action.

Christopher didn't recognize himself when he looked in the mirror. His skin was red and covered in blotches. His face was swollen, and covered with tiny cuts that ached with every facial twitch. His fingers were scratched and bandaged to keep him from making his condition worse. His muscles were sore from trying not to move while Lorelai had made costumes and sang songs in the attic.

He tried to block out the memories of the extreme pain. He made a mental note to cover up all the insulation in any home he owned. He didn't think he'd be able to look at cotton candy again without wincing. This feeling was even worse than the time he got beaten up on the Sunset Strip after yelling an inappropriate comment to a woman who happened to be walking with her very large boyfriend.

After gingerly getting off the couch, Chris realized he couldn't check on Lorelai while wearing only a pair of boxers. He found his black sweatpants and a long-sleeved black shirt, that would provide protection for his wounds and from the cold. He would have to track down Lorelai and see what she was up to. He was pretty sure he could catch her tonight at the elementary school, since he heard her say the costumes had to be ready by six. That was three hours away.

He looked around his apartment and noticed the apartment's blank walls were getting on his nerves. The creamy beige walls were mocking him. He needed to cover them with something that would make him happy. The only thing that made him happy was Lorelai. He could call his mother and get his box of pictures from his teen years. Lorelai had loved taking pictures as a teenager, and he had kept all of them.

But I need some new photos, he thought. She is so beautiful now. I should take a few new ones.

When he left his apartment, Christopher now understood how The Elephant Man felt. He felt uncomfortable stares and whispers all around him. When he went into the drugstore for more lotion, a little kid laughed at him.

While there, he also bought a cheap camera and six rolls of film.

Although it was not yet spring, it was mild in Stars Hollow, and there was no snow on the ground. He made his way down Plum Street to Lorelai's house. Once her driveway was in view, he moved a little slower and pulled closer to the foliage. The house was just in sight, when he heard a vehicle tearing up the drive. He jumped as quickly as he could, landing on a stick. He caught the back of a green truck rushing past him.

The pain he felt was immense as his tender skin reacted to the hard ground and the pointy stick, which also ripped his sweat pants in the back.

"Shit," he said under his breath. "Just what I need today."

Shouting could now be heard from the direction. It was definitely Lorelai's voice and most likely Luke's. He was too far away to make out what they were saying, so he started slowly moving closer to the garage, spotting a large bush near some wooden lawn ornament to hide behind.

"What the hell am I looking at?"

"It's my new special alone space."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Well, you got a whole house of special alone space."

"Not like this."

"So, what, are you going to hang out in your garage, now?"

"I don't know, maybe! I mean, why not? It's not like I have a boat that needs storage, or anything!"

Christopher had never watched Lorelai really argue with anyone else besides Emily. She looked so angry, but also sad. She was dressed down and wore little makeup. Apparently, she had done something God awful to her garage because it practically glowed pink and blue now. He pulled out his camera and took a few photos, making sure Luke was not in them.

"You didn't even call me, Luke. You didn't leave a message or a note or anything. You just snuck in and took it, and I got to come home and find it gone. Although, I didn't come home and find it gone! I drove by the diner and assumed it was gone! You know what, it doesn't matter. 'Cause it's done. We're done. It's fine. I'm not mad."

"I can tell."

"Well, I have dresses to make, so I'll see you at the theater."

Did she say they were done, Christopher thought. She is beginning to accept it. This was a good sign.

He watched Lorelai stomp back to her house, while Luke put down his head in frustration and went back to his truck. Once he was gone, Chris came out from behind his bush, and walked to her porch. He looked in the window, and saw Lorelai crying on the couch, holding a photograph in her hand. He couldn't see it, but assumed it was of her and Luke or maybe just Luke.

"Stop this Lorelai," she said loud enough for Christopher to hear. "It's over. You've got work to do."

She got off the couch and headed up the stairs.

Christopher stood there for a few minutes trying to gather his courage. He needed to take the first step if he stood a chance of winning her back.

He knocked on the door.

A/N: Keep enjoying and sending in your comments. This is not a C/L love story. It will follow the events from Wedding Bell Blues to Pulp Friction, except where Christopher is concerened. I'm allabout L/L (even if the show hasn't been lately).