Missing The Bus

A long time before Jess was sent to live with Luke in S2/3, him and his mother moved in with Luke for a few months when Jess was 10, as she had just divorced yet another husband and wasn't coping. In this 'lil fic, Jess and Rory end up missing the bus together, causing Lorelai and Luke a lot of panic, and inadvertently landing the kids in New York. Rory/Lorelai, Rory/Jess, Lorelai/Luke.

Note: 7th Heaven fans may recognise the similarities to an old Ruthie/Peter storyline :)

I don't own Gilmore Girls, or anything even remotely valuable. I don't even own this computer. The lyrics are 'Don't Leave Home' by Dido.

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Like a ghost don't need a key

Your best friend I've come to be

The flimsy door creaked open, and behind it Rory saw her first familiar face in hours. It was Luke the diner man. And a policeman.

'Luke?" Her voice came out in a raspy sort of whisper. 'Is my mom here?'

Luke took a step into the cold apartment, or, rather, was almost pushed aside by Lorelai. She locked eyes with Rory, and a sob escaped from her throat. Then she was across the room.

Please don't think of getting up for me

You don't even need to speak

She sank onto the ground in front of the couch, pulling Rory down with her, her arms around her daughter like she'd never let go. Luke moved over to sit next to Jess, who had awoken when his resting post had been roughly torn away.

'You alright?'

Jess nodded, and Luke patted his shoulder.

When I've been here for just one day

You'll already miss me if I go away

Rory clung to her mother for dear life, all her tears that she'd kept back throughout the day finally released. The pair stayed like that for what seemed like hours, sobbing and clinging to each other for dear life. It was only now, in this cramped apartment, that Lorelai had come to realize just how close she could have been to loosing her child. Eventually her sobs subsided, and she stroked Rory's back, kissing her several times, as her daughter whimpered quietly.

'Shhhhh, baby. Mommy's here. I'll never leave you again. Shhhh. Mommy's here.'

Oh don't leave home

Oh don't leave home

Jimmy and Star had busied themselves making endless pots of tea, talking in low tones to the officer, whilst Luke and Jess sat quietly watching the television. Calmer now, Lorelai moved to sit on the couch, cradling Rory like a baby, All she wanted now was to be safely in her bed at home, with Rory at her side. She leant to whisper to Luke. 'We should go, Luke. It's getting late.'

Luke nodded, and turned to Jess. The exhausted boy had fallen asleep again, his head at an awkward angle. After a pause, Luke stood and scooped him up effortlessly, causing Lorelai to smile slightly at his paternal display.

If you're cold I'll keep you warm

If you're low just hold on

'We'd better be off, Jimmy.' Luke made his his way towards the door, but paused at the threshold.

'Thanks, Jimmy. Thanks for everything.'

'No worries, mate. I may be regarded as a looser of a father, but I do still care about the kid.'

Luke nodded in understanding. Lorelai, cradling Rory against her shoulder, made her way to follow Luke, but stopped unexpectedly to give Jimmy a kiss on the cheek.

'Thanks' she whispered.

Luke laughed softly to himself and made his way slowly out of the apartment, followed by Lorelai and the policeman, letting the door shut quietly behind the group. They made their way down the stairs and into the cold New York night.

Cause I will be your safety

Oh don't leave home

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Several hours later found Lorelai lying next to her daughter in Rory's bed.

'Mommy?'

'Yes baby.'

'Can you stay with me tonight?'

Lorelai hadn't exactly been planning on sleeping without her little girl tonight anyway, but she nodded and kissed Rory's hair.

'Of course angel.'

Rory smiled and turned towards her mother, content.

'I love you, Mommy.'

'I love you too, babe.'

'More than the mountains are tall?'

'More than that.'

'More than the oceans are wide?'

'More than that.'

'More than the sky is blue.'

'More than that, too.'

It was a game they played sometimes, and tonight it was especially poignant to Lorelai.

Rory yawned tiredly and began to drift off to sleep, snuggled against her mother.

'Mommy?'

Rory's voice was barely a whisper.

'Can boys be friends with girls?'

Lorelai laughed, thinking of her own 'friend' she had made today.

' Of course hun. As long as they don't smell to bad.'

Rory laughed, which turned into a yawn.

'That's good. But you're still my bestest friend in the whole wide world, right?'

'Right.'

And before long, the Gilmore girls were sound asleep.

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That's all, folks! Thanks for sticking with me through the story :)