Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Authors Note: Happy new year everyone. As always thanks to Kirsteen.

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Approaching Luke's room, the door is slightly open and she sees him wincing in pain while trying to eat. She stands by the door and it takes Luke a while to notice her presence.

"You didn't have to come."

"You're not feeling well."

"The side effects are lasting longer this time."

"You're in pain." It's more of a statement than a question.

Luke doesn't speak and just stares at his plate.

"Why didn't you call sooner?"

"What would be the difference? You can't do anything to change it."

"No, but I would be here for you. God, Luke, why are you so stubborn?"

A few minutes pass in silence and Lorelai is the one to speak:

"So tell me, what did the doctor say?"

They continued to talk for a long time until Lorelai realized the time.

"Thanks for stopping by."

Lorelai just smiles at him. She turns to leave but stops when she hears him call her name.

"I was wondering…. if maybe…" Luke was very hesitant and Lorelai noticed it.

"You can tell me you know."

"Well, see, till a couple days ago they had me wearing this hospital gown because of the stitches and the tubes. Now I can wear my own clothes again but I didn't think I would be staying this long and didn't bring many with me. So I was wondering if the next time you come, you could bring some sweat pants and t-shirts. I understand if you don't feel comfortable." Luke takes a deep breath waiting for her answer. Lorelai's expression changes as she does.

"I will bring you whatever you need Luke. But why would you think that I wouldn't do it?"

Luke is once again unable to answer and just looks down. Lorelai turns to leave but she is stopped by his voice.

"Thanks."

"Anytime Luke, anytime."

Lorelai had her plan set. She would go into the diner late at night so that no one could see her. She reached the steps and grabbed the key from its usual place. As she was about to unlock the door she hears a familiar voice behind her.

"Lorelai, dear, where are you going? Is Luke back?"

Although she had planned to avoid such questions, she knew that if she came face to face with anyone, she would tell the truth.

"No, Miss Patty, he's not back."

"Then what are you doing trying to get into the diner?"

Lorelai took a deep breath, "Luke is sick Miss Patty. He's been in the hospital for quite some time now. He didn't want anyone to know. I found out accidentally. You can spread the news, but please, no visits to the hospital. I'll keep you informed."

Patty was obviously shaken by the news.

"Ok dear, wish him luck and tell him that the town wants him back soon."

"I will Patty, bye now."

She enters the diner for the first time in months. All she could think was how different it looked without Luke in it. She had really missed the place. She heads up to his apartment. The moment she enters she realizes how untidy the place is: bottles of beer on the floor, the bed unmade. Luke had always kept the place clean. She realizes that he must have been very upset before he left for the hospital. She makes a mental note to come back some other time to clean this place.

While she is going through his closet to find some sweat pants and t-shirts, she spots the blue hat. The one she had given to him and he hasn't worn since their break-up. She didn't want to imply anything, not yet anyway, so she leaves it in the closet. She then proceeds to take some boxers from his drawer. As she did so, a piece of paper fell on the floor. She recognized Luke's handwriting immediately, so she starts reading.

Lorelai,

I know I hurt you a lot and you will probably toss this letter away, but in case you keep reading, there are some things I need to say.

I'm being admitted to the hospital tomorrow. Yes, me, Luke Danes, I have cancer. I guess it runs in the family. I don't know if I will make it through this, but I wanted you to know how sorry I am for what I have put you through in the last year. I loved you since the day you walked into my diner. For eight years I was watching from afar, waiting for you to see me as more than friend. I always told myself that if I had the chance, if you would give me a chance, I would never hurt you. It took a long lost daughter to make me forget all of that. I'm really sorry, Lorelai. You don't know how much.

The last two years were the happiest of my life. I will always love you.

Luke

Lorelai had now tears in her eyes. She sat on the bed and sobbed uncontrollably. She was now convinced that Luke had still feelings for her. He was just afraid to act on them, because he didn't know if he was going to recover.