Disclaimer: I owe nothing.
Author's Note: I'm glad you like the story so far. Thanks for the reviews and thanks to my beta Kirsteen.
Once they were alone, Lorelai slowly approached Luke's bed and sat in the nearby chair. He didn't look at her. Internally he debated whether to tell her the truth or pretend to still be mad at her and make her leave. When he turned and observed the worry in her eyes, it took all he had not to break down. He took a deep breath and tried to compose himself, feeling nauseous as he tried to speak.
Lorelai watched him turn green and reach for a bowl by his bed. She wanted to touch him, to rub his back, make him feel better but she didn't know if she was allowed to do so, so she just sat there watching him. When she saw him lay his head on the pillow and close his eyes obviously exhausted, she decided to speak.
"Please tell me what's going on. I'm probably the last person you want to share it with, but please talk to me."
Hearing her broken voice he decided to speak. "First of all you are not the last person I want to share the news with," she heard him say in a voice just above a whisper. "It's just too painful for anyone else to be here".
Looking at him, she knows he is telling her the truth. Several moments pass before he spoke again.
"I've been here for a while, but until today no one knew. I had been diagnosed with cancer. I've had an operation and started my first chemo treatment today, which has had some side effects as you can see."
He watched her as her eyes welled up, unable to say anything. "Please don't… That's why I didn't want anyone to know."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not being here when you needed someone."
"I already told you, I didn't want anyone to suffer with me. This sickness is pretty bad; I witnessed it with my father. One day you're feeling fine, and the next they tell you that the tumor is back or whatever."
"You will beat this thing and you will be back, as grumpy as usual," Lorelai said, trying to break the tension, but leaving no doubt how serious she was.
"Please don't. I don't know how you found out, but you are not obliged to stay and make me feel better. Go back home, tell Rory not to worry and forget about me. Maybe one day you'll see me again."
"STOP IT!" Lorelai screamed. She knew she shouldn't yell at him, but she was determined to make her point.
"I know what you're trying to do here. You are trying to push me away, but there is no way I'm going to let that happen. Answer this; if it was me lying in this bed would you be able to leave me all alone?"
Luke didn't look at her but she could clearly hear his answer "No."
Lorelai flashed a smile that sent shivers through his body, but he tried one last time, even if his words hurt more than the illness itself.
"Don't worry about me. Go back to Rory and Christopher. We caused each other enough pain. You deserve to be happy. You don't have to sit in a hospital room. Go."
As if to prove her point she moved the chair closer to his bed, and just sat there looking at him. He sighed because once again her persistence triumphed.
"And just for the record, Chris is not an option anymore. We broke up. I wasn't happy with him, Luke. Everyone could see it but me."
Luke wanted to start dancing around, but he refrained, both because he was too weak to do so and because he didn't want to let her think that there was still a possibility for them. It's not that he didn't want to, it was just unfair for her. Getting her hopes up and letting her down is one thing that Luke didn't want to do again.
As he was about to speak a nurse came into the room.
"I've brought your food. You should try and eat something." Turning to Lorelai she said, "Visiting hours are over, but it's good that he finally has some company."
Lorelai gave him a gentle smile and got up. "Eat, and I'll come back tomorrow to check on you."
"You have your inn to take care of. You don't have to come every day. Really."
"I want to." And with that statement she left the room.
Luke continued to stare at the door for a good five minutes after Lorelai left. That's when he broke down, tossing the food tray to the floor and starting to sob uncontrollably. He cursed his luck for being in this hospital in the first place. They were supposed to be married by now. Starting a new family together. But he had been too stupid to tell her about April, and then he didn't introduce them. He cried so hard that it brought back the nausea, and he was forced to reach for the bowl for the second time that night. A nurse, hearing the noise, came in. When she saw the state he was in, she gave him a sleeping pill, which finally calmed him down.
Lorelai managed to get home safely, but as soon as the door closed behind her, her knees gave in and she sank to the floor crying. She still couldn't believe that Luke had to suffer like that. She couldn't believe that she might lose him. Her coffee Luke, diner man Luke, friend Luke but most of all fiancé Luke. She knew she couldn't leave him to fight alone. He needed her and that's where she would be. By his side, fighting.