Disclaimer: Not mine. I owe nothing.
Author's Note: My first story so I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to my beta Kirsteen.
In the next few days his trips to the hospital were frequent. Every day brought a new test and every day the level of uncertainty rose. Being in a place that he hated so much and taking tests without knowing what was wrong with him was killing him.
Finally, the tests were over and he had an appointment with the doctor. Luke sat in the office waiting to hear what the doctor had to say.
"Mr. Danes I'm afraid that the results have confirmed our fears."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Is there someone who can be here with you?"
"No, I'm a big boy doctor; I can handle it, so let's get it over with."
The doctor hesitated for a second before continuing. "The tests showed that you have a tumor on your left lung."
Luke was dazed and didn't know how to respond to the news. "How bad?" was the only question he could form.
"Well, it looks like you're lucky. The tumor hasn't spread to the lymph nodes yet, so by removing the tumor and with the right treatment, your chances of recovering are pretty high."
Luke didn't speak, but kept staring at him. Seeing the lack of reaction from Luke, after several minutes the doctor spoke again. "I would recommend that we admit you and proceed with the operation as soon as possible."
"And what if I don't go ahead with the treatment?"
"What? Mr. Danes, I know that the news was a shock to you, but you are far too young to give up on life. If the operation and the treatment are successful, you will be able to live a normal life again. Don't make any irrational decisions now, discuss it with the people you care about and then decide. You were lucky enough to have it diagnosed at an early stage."
"I have seen what these treatments do to you, doctor. My father died of cancer. I saw how much weight he lost and how he lost his hair…."
Luke couldn't finish, because he was interrupted by the doctor. "There are side effects, such as the ones you just mentioned, but you are forgetting a major benefit - you will be able to live, Mr. Danes. You can be with the ones you love and care about. Please consider it. Don't give up so easily."
Luke nodded his head. "Ok."
"Good, I will schedule your operation for Wednesday."
"But that's in two days!"
"The sooner the better, Mr. Danes. I will see you again on Wednesday."
Luke left the hospital, still in daze from the news that the doctor had just given him. He thought about what the doctor said to him about being with people he loved and cared about. That was so true; he wanted nothing more than to go to Lorelai to comfort him. To hug his worries away and tell him that they would get through this together. The problem was that he couldn't. They weren't together anymore, and furthermore he didn't want any reconciliation (if there was still a chance of that) to be because she felt sorry for him.
He went back to Stars Hollow and closed the diner. He informed Lane and Caesar that it would be closed until further notice. At first they were upset but when Luke told them that they were on leave with pay they calmed down and accepted his decision. Next on his agenda was Anna. He called her to tell that he had to be out of town for an unknown length of time. She protested, telling him that it was not good for April, but he told her that he didn't have a choice. She wasn't very pleased, but accepted the situation.
Sitting there alone in his apartment, he started thinking about his life. By now he could have been married to the love of his life and in the process of making kids. Their kids. He tried to convince himself that no matter what, married or not, he could never make Lorelai go through something like this with him. He had been in the same situation with his dad. It was really painful to watch the person you love fade away and not being able to help. He didn't want Lorelai or anyone else to see him like that. He had convinced himself that no matter what the doctor said, the possibility of recovery was slim.
He decided to write a letter to April in case he wasn't able to see her again. When he finished he just stared down where town's people had started gathering for the weekly meeting, and there she was, along with Rory. His two favorite girls. A tear escaped his eyes when he saw their puzzled looks at the closed sign on the diner door.
He spent the next two days inside his apartment, not wanted to meet with anyone and especially not wanting to answer any questions. One night, when his most depressing thoughts took over, he wrote a letter to Lorelai, saying that he had forgiven her and that he would always love her because she had made the last two years the happiest of his life. He proceeded to explain about his illness and how she shouldn't be sad for him, but should find happiness again. He put the letter in a drawer, not having the courage to send it to her.
On Wednesday he woke early and snuck out the back door. He was really nervous and he was all alone, but that had been his choice. He didn't want to see the people he loved to suffer because of him. He didn't want to force anyone to stay by his side. He knew it was going to be tough, because he was facing his greatest challenge, the fight for his life.