Summary: Set after "Help Wanted" from S2. Lorelai goes see Luke to fix things after their fight in "Teach Me Tonight".
Disclaimer: I'm a poor person who owns nothing. So sad.
Note: So this idea came to me when I went back to watch old DVDs while writing Loved and Lost (which if you haven't read, please do!). This is for all who wanted a happy, or at least happier, story for Luke and Lorelai. I think I'm going to make this into a much longer story. All reviews are welcome!
When Hearts Collide
After finally getting all his fishing gear back in the apartment, Luke goes back downstairs to finish setting up the diner for tomorrow. He grabs a wet sponge and heads over to the tables to wipe up. As he looks up and out the window, he sees her. She's just sitting there on the stoop, wrapped in her coat, drinking coffee. Sighing, Luke turns on the light, startling to her to turn around and stand up. Luke opens the door.
"I'm not opening again until tomorrow," he says coldly.
"You just gave my kid coffee and a donut a few hours ago." Luke stares at her, not stepping aside to let her in. "I'm not here for coffee. I already have some," Lorelai says, waving the mug cutely. Lorelai sighs. "Look, Luke. I know you're mad. I know we're not on the best of terms right now, but I – I just wanted to talk."
"Can this wait until tomorrow?"
"No," Lorelai responds, looking at him sadly, knowing full well he's unable to remain angry when she makes that face. Luke watches her for a moment, like he's thinking. "Luke, I…"
"Come on in," he says, stepping aside. Lorelai nods to him and walks in. Luke closes the door behind her. "I've got an early shipment in the morning so make it fast." Lorelai nods.
"Luke, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. This isn't how I meant it to turn out. I mean I was frantic. Frantic. You don't know what comes over me when something happens to Rory. She's my kid, she's part of me. And she was in the hospital."
"Yes, I know," Luke says. He's wiping off tables, not really looking at her.
"I shouldn't have taken it out on you. No matter what, you didn't deserve that. I know how much Rory means to you. I just, freaked or something." Luke glances at her, but says nothing. "Luke, I apologize. Really." Luke nods. "Say something."
"I don't know what you want me to say. You came, you spoke your piece, I listened. I thought you put a lot of thought into it."
"I did, Luke. I did." Her eyes are misty. She presses her lips together, trying to think of the right thing to say. Luke sighs, pausing his work.
"So, Rory said you were at some thing for your parents tonight," Luke comments, breaking the ice just a bit. Lorelai smiles softly, a little relieved.
"Yeah," she breathes. "Yeah, my dad's starting a new company and my mother was throwing some shindig with really crappy food, so Rory and I were forced to attend."
"But Rory came back without you." Lorelai rubs her forehead, trying to think of how to respond.
"Yeah, she's not that happy with me right now. Everything's so messed up. Rory's mad at me and almost everyone. She won't accept that I just need to deal with this my own way. And you can't either, I guess." Lorelai walks over to a stool at the counter, sits and turns around to face him. "You both want me to stop blaming Jess and I can't. It just scares me, her being with him. He's really messed up emotionally and I don't want her to ruin what a great thing she's got going with school and Dean." Luke walks over to stand in front of her.
"Lorelai, it wasn't Jess's fault." Lorelai stares at him for a moment, considering his words.
"Then why did you send him away? If you think he's doing so great in Stars Hallow, then why would you send him away?"
"I don't – I don't know." Lorelai watches Luke walk behind the counter and throw the sponge in the sink in front of her, turning her stool as she follows him with her eyes.
"You're lying." Luke gives her a one-eyed stare. "Did you do it for me?"
"Lorelai." Luke walks to the other end of the counter and begins going through the cash register.
"Did you do it because we fought? Because I got mad? Because I told you – what I said?"
"The world…"
"Doesn't revolve around me," Lorelai finishes. "Yeah, heard it before. Thanks." Luke nods, and goes back to his work. "Luke." She gets up and walks around the counter to stand by him. After a moment, he pauses and looks at her. He nods his confirmation. Lorelai smiles softly and nods. "Thank you." Luke nods again.
Lorelai turns and walks towards the door. She pauses and looks back at him. "So, I'll see you tomorrow?" she asks, almost hesitantly.
"I'll be the one with the coffee." She smiles and he visibly relaxes as well. "We're okay." Lorelai leaves. Luke watches her go for a moment and then sighs. He walks over and turns out the lights, watching her fading figure through the window in the door.