Title: A Perfect, and Somewhat Dysfunctional, Family

By: bokayjunkie

Summary: Luke and Rory has always had a special father/daughter bond that no one can break. But what happens when someone comes along to ruin that bond. Set in Season 1. Luke and Lorelai are not together…YET. Implied RD also.

Disclaimer: I'm pathetic.

A/N: Ok, I'm get the feeling that you guys don't like Max that much. Don't worry, I don't like him either. He's just like Dan in One Tree Hill. I HATE him!!!! Just ask confusedgirl313 how much I hate Dan (Bull Crap Dan!!!). I hate Dan just as much as I hate Christopher, Max, Jason, Nicole, though I liked Rachel a bit cause she was nice, but I still hate her too!!!

Anyways, this chapter contains mildly of Max. Hope you like it.

CHAPTER 19: Dark Day

The next morning was like the one before. Rory got up at six. Took a shower, got dressed for school, made coffee, then left the house without waking her mother up. She went to the diner and helped Luke open up.

"Two days in a row?" he commented as they took down the chairs off the table. She shrugged. "You really have been spending too much time with me."

She smiled. "And yet I still miss you."

"Then something must be wrong." he joked. Rory left her backpack behind the curtain, next to the stair case and started helping Luke with the opening process.

"So what are you really doing here?" Luke asked after a while.

"What do you mean?"

"You never wake up early in the morning just to hang out with me." he said knowingly.

"I do too." she said defensively.

"Only when you sleep over at my place and I wake you up."

"But I like waking up early to hang out with you."

Luke stared at her. "Rory is this about your mom and Mr. Medina?"

"Why does everything always have to be about mom and Mr. Medina?" she said exasperated. "I mean, there are other things to talk about you know?"

"Rory?"

"I'm fine with it. Ok?" she insisted. "I'm fine. I just need time getting used to…them" hopefully I wont really have to. "And it doesn't have to be about them you know? There's also Lane and Dean that I could be worried about. Not everything is about mom and Mr. Medina."

He looked at her. "Is there anything wrong with Dean and Lane?"

She sighed. "No." stubbornly, "But I'm fine. Ok?"

"Ok." then the bell rang and in came Kirk.

Rory went to school just as Lorelai came in for breakfast. Which Lorelai thought was odd. She gave Lorelei a brief good-bye then left. Luke too, didn't stay with her too long for a conversation. But assumed that he was just grumpy cause Kirk was there. When Rory got home from school, she immediately went to the diner, changed there, and went to work.

From time to time, Rory would sneak away to do homework, or study, upstairs. When Dean had his breaks from the market, he would spend it at the diner. And when they had to buy some food that they didn't have for the diner, Rory would be the one to go to Doose's, and when she's there she would talk to Dean. Lane was still grounded due to the hair touching incident. Rory barely saw her mother, except for the time Lorelai came into the diner. Or when Rory would go home, late at night after six hours she spent at the diner.

People may say that Rory was avoiding her mother. Lorelai would say so too. But to Rory, she looked at it as, spending time with her boyfriend, focusing on her education, and making hard-earned money, plus spending time with Luke as well. Though, she may be avoiding Lorelai. She just didn't want to hear anymore about Max. not yet. Maybe not ever.

Lorelai got more and more worried about Rory's behavior. Thinking it was because of the fact that she's dating. Her teacher non the less.

"I don't know Sookie, maybe she's not ready for me to date yet. Maybe I shouldn't date." Lorelai said as she sat at the inn's kitchen while her best friend was cooking that's for sure to be something delicious.

"Honey, give it some time." Sookie soothed. "She's just not used to you dating yet."

"I have dated other guys before. Back then, there was no hesitation." well back then, It was only one date. Nothing really. But with Max, it seemed like it could be more…if I put my heart to it.

"Well, did Rory know about it? You dating?"

"No."

"There you go. Rory knows this time, so you have to be delicate. Specially since this is her teacher we are talking about."

"All the more reasons not to date him."

"But Lorelai, you need this. You deserve this. You have been a mother for sixteen years. You've always put Rory first. Now it's time to put you first."

Lorelai sighed.

"So," Sookie said, "what did you guys talk about last night?"

Lorelai began to smile as she told Sookie about her conversation with Max.

The next day was the same as the last. Rory woke up, went to Luke's. left for school before her mother could talk to her. Came back from school, went to the diner and stayed there until ten. Lorelai had not only became worried, but also became depressed and lonely. Her daughter seemed to be avoiding her. She rarely even see her. And her best friend wasn't making any effort with the conversations either.

On Wednesday, Lane was officially out of grounding and was back to working at the diner after school. Which Rory was thankful for, cause she missed her best friend. Rory told Lane about the previews days. What happened on Saturday, Sunday, up until Wednesday. Lane thought that Rory was a bit harsh towards her mother. Rory explained that she just needs to get used to it.

"How could you get used to the idea of them if you wont spend at least one minute alone with your mother?" Lane pointed.

"I have spent a minute alone with my mom." she defended.

"Talking?"

"Yes."

"Without avoiding her eyes?"

"What's your point."

"Rory, I know you don't want your mom to date anybody else besides," tilting her head towards Luke, who was busy with a customer at the moment. "But don't you think you're being unfair."

Rory looked down. What's unfair is Mom not giving Luke a chance. Rory looked over at Luke, looking a bit restless. Why wont mom give Luke a chance?

"You have to let your mom in your life a bit." Lane explained in a hushed tone. "If their relationship gets serious-"

"You think it's gonna get serious?"

"I-"

"What makes you think their gonna get serious?"

"Well-"

"They're just dating. There's no wedding ring yet." then gasped. "Oh no. what if he proposes."

"Rory."

"What? You think they're getting serious. Maybe it will. And then he'll propose and mom will say yes and-"

"Rory!" Lane yelled. Rory stopped her babbling and looked at her best friend. Then calmly, quietly explained, "I didn't mean to imply that they will get serious. Ok? Just hypothetical. I'm sorry for making you worry. You shouldn't worry. They've only had one date. They may go on another. But unless your mom starts giving you a heart-to-heart talk about marriage and kids, then there's nothing to worry about. So…don't stress yourself out. Ok?"

Rory nodded and went back to work.

This routine went on for the rest of the week. Except for Friday Night Dinners where Rory wore an enthusiastic face for her grandparents. The Gilmore's didn't suspect anything. Though, once the girls got back home, Rory went straight to her room. Lorelai sighed.

The next night, Lorelai and Max had a date. And Rory planned to sleep over with Lane, on account of she didn't want to stick around when her mother was being all mushy about Mr. Medina. Lorelai didn't question anything about it.

"Coffee please." Lorelai said as she sat down on a stool.

Luke placed a cup in front of her and poured her a cup of coffee. She gave him a small smile.

"So." she said after taking a sip from her coffee. "haven't talked to you in a while."

He shrugged.

"How are you?"

"Been good." he said gruffly.

She nodded. "So…um…are you gonna be staying at the house this week?" she asked casually. Knowing what this week will entail.

He looked up and met her eyes for a moment, then looked down. "Don't think so."

Lorelai slouched and a little taken back by his response. Feeling a bit disappointed. "Oh. Ok."

He could hear the disappointment in her voice, and mentally slapped himself for making her feel like that.

"I just…don't feel like leaving the apartment right now." he said gruffly.

Lorelai gave him a small smile and nodded. She didn't push him any further. Specially on this subject. Even though it hurt her that he wouldn't spend the night over, and more so that he's closing himself to her. He usually does spends his nights over at their place. Specially at this time of year. Its already starting to show to everyone. Their moods changing. Specially Luke's. Rory hasn't been talking much. And Lorelai had been quiet herself too.

Lorelai finished up her cup of coffee. She left a tip for him then left the diner without saying good-bye. Luke looked after her and sighed. He hated the way he's acting around her lately. But it hurt him.

When Lorelai got home that night, she found Rory in her room, with her duffel bag on her bed, filled with her clothes.

"Going somewhere?" she said as she entered her daughter's room.

"I'm gonna stay over at Luke's for a while." Rory said, not looking at her mother. She walked back and forth from her bed to her vanity, taking all of her essentials and packing them up.

"Oh." her voice down.

Rory sighed. "You know why I'm going over there."

"I know." she said. "It's just, I thought he'd want to stay over for the week. He always does."

"Well its different this year." she shrugged.

"I know." because of Max. "Rory, I really want to talk to you."

"What's there to talk about?"

"Rory." she said desperately.

"Mom, I'm packing here." taking her Chilton uniform out of her closet and put it in her duffel bag.

"I think you're not being completely honest about me dating Max." she blurted.

"Mom-"

"And I deserve to know whether or not you are! Cause this affects you too you know."

"Mom-"

"And if you're not, then tell me. Cause I don't want to be doing anything that will upset you! Just tell me what you want!"

"I want you to give Luke a chance." she yelled. Then froze as soon as the words came out of her mouth. She didn't mean to yell it out. It was meant to be a thought. She never usually let her mother know what she thought of her relationship with Luke. Platonically or romantically. But she kept on pushing her and she just snapped. She didn't mean to.

"What?" she thought she heard her wrong. She was so wrapped up in trying to get Rory to admit her discomfort with her dating Max, that she only half paid attention to what she had said.

"I-I gotta go." Rory stammered, and hurriedly finished packing and then left. Lorelai still stood in her daughters bedroom, now seeming to be paralyzed at their blurt outs.

Later that night, Lorelai sat in her bed, changing the channels on the TV. But wasn't really paying attention. Her mind was so wrapped up with the recent conversation, more like out burst, she had with her daughter. And plus, what this week would entail.

She felt lonely. Rory wasn't there. Nor was Luke. If this were any other year, the three of them would be downstairs right now. Trying to fall asleep. Rory snuggled up with Luke even tighter, and Lorelai snuggling with her daughter. This time of the year, her and Rory would make it a point to be there for Luke. To make him remember that he's not alone. But this year was different. This year, Lorelai had Max. she sighed.

Luke had finished washing the dishes. When Rory came that night, at nine, he closed up early. He made dinner for them and they ate in silence. Now, Rory set up the bed as Luke set up his on the couch. Luke had recently bought a full size bed, cause the old one hurt Rory's back. And he admits, it hurt his back too.

Rory was about to get into bed, when she heard a knock on the door. Luke was in the bathroom. She wondered who could be knocking on Luke's apartment door at this time. Specially since the diner was closed. Curiously she opened the door to reveal her mother. Who was wearing a sad face. A pillow under one arm, and her duffel bag on the other.

Lorelai dropped her stuff and hugged Rory and they both cried quietly.

The rest of the week was mostly spent at the diner for the Gilmore girls. Lorelai and Rory rarely went home anymore. They have been spending their nights with Luke. Wanting to be with him during this time. Also, their moods have changed. to those who have only known Rory and Lorelai for a while had noticed a change in their moods. They're always cranky, grouchy, and so distant. They didn't talk much. They wore frowns a lot.which was weird, seeing as how they were the most cheery people in town.

Everyone in town was already used to the trio's behavior. It was the same thing every year. They've learned not to bother them about it. Nobody really knows why they were acting like this. All they know is not to ask. The only people that knew were Lane and Sookie.

Everyone at school noticed Rory's change in mood. Specially Mr. Medina. Dean noticed Rory's avoidance of him. And wondered what was wrong. As far as he knew, they were going great. Rory balanced her time with him and Lane. Plus work and homework. But recently, she's been avoiding him. Or if he went into the diner, cause she's always there, or just try and being close with him, she'd be in a cranky mood. He's beginning to worry.

"For your homework tonight, I would like you to read chapters 6 through 8." Max said to the class. He looked up towards Rory, who was focusing her attention out the window. He had noticed her behavior had change recently. "I would also like for you to write a brief summary on what you have read. At least two paragraph per chapter." the bell rang. "That's it for today. I'll see you all tomorrow."

Rory got up from her seat and carried her book bag. Max wanted to catch her before she left, but was stopped by one of the students who wanted to talk to him about something.

Rory walked out of the class and went to her locker. She opened it and put all her books inside.

"You're cheery." Paris commented, who's locker is next to hers.

Rory jumped. "God. What are you trying to do? Scare me to death?" she mumbled. "Stupid question, of course you were." she sighed.

Paris rolled her eyes. "Sorry. Just," she shrugged, then hesitated, "wanted to know if…"

Rory looked at her expectantly.

She sighed, "I just wanted to know if you're ok. There, you happy?"

"Really?" Rory asked in disbelief

"Don't get used to it."

"Uuumm…I'm fine?"

"Good."

"Why?" a small smirk playing on her lips.

"I don't know." she said. "You were just, acting differently. That's all."

"Ok?" she said a bit freaked out. "Um. Thanks."

"Whatever." then Paris left.

Rory closed her locker and carried her bag over her shoulder. She turned around and started to walk but was stopped by Max.

"Miss Gilmore wait." he called out to her.

"Mr. Medina?" she said, turning around, "is there anything wrong?"

"No, I uh…just wanted to know if you were ok."

"I'm fine." she said.

"Are you sure, cause you seem to be…distracted."

"I'm fine. Honestly." she said quickly. "I have to go."

"Rory…you know you can talk to me, right?"

"I'm fine, really." she said. "I really have to go."

"Is this about me and your mom?" he said in a low voice.

Rory's head snapped. "What?"

"Are you still a bit uncomfortable with me dating your mother?"

If I'm not telling my mom, why would I tell you? "No." she defended. "I'm fine really."

"Rory-"

"Rory." somebody called. The two looked over and saw Luke walking up towards them.

"Luke." she smiled and gave him a hug. Max drew in a nervous breath.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as she pulled back.

"I'm picking you up." he shrugged.

"But you never picked me up before." as she handed her backpack to Luke.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure that you get home ok." he said quietly. Rory smiled at him and knew what he meant. She hugged him again, trying to hold back the tears that's trying to escape. "And besides, Kirk was bugging me." she giggled as she pulled back, wiping away a small tear.

Luke looked at her and gave her a small, sad smile. He wiped away a few more tears then brushed a small lock of hair behind her ear.

Max had been watching the whole interaction uncomfortably. And tried not to stare. He felt a bit jealous when Luke's concerned. He knows that he's important to the girls' lives. Specially to Rory's. and he had no right to tell him off. Specially since he was a bit scary. But, he just couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

"Mr. Medina." Luke said, acknowledging his presence.

Max nodded in reply.

"Let's go?" he said to Rory. Rory nodded. She waved good-bye to Max then followed Luke towards his truck.

"Hey Lane." Dean said as he entered the diner. He walked up to the counter, where Lane stood behind.

"Dean, hey." she gave him a small smile. "What can I get you?"

"Uh…is Rory here?" looking around. It was Friday, she would be going to Friday Night Dinner soon. And she usually spends her last minutes at the diner with Luke. But she was nowhere in sight, nor was Luke and Lorelai.

"Um, she's upstairs."

"Oh." he said deflated. "I can't go up there, can I?"

"Sorry," giving him a sympathetic look. "Luke's rules."

He sighed. "Could you tell her I'm here?"

"Uuuhhh…she's not really in the mood to talk to anyone right now." she said gently.

"Well, maybe she'll want to talk to me?" hopeful.

Lane shook her head.

He sighed again. "Lane, is she mad at me?"

"What?"

"Did I do something or say something to make her mad at me? Cause if I did, then I am very sorry. And I want to-"

"Dean." she cut him off. "Don't worry. You didn't do anything."

"I didn't?"

"No. as far as I know, she's good with you."

"Then why is she avoiding me? Why is she always in a mood around me?"

Lane sighed. "It's not just around you, you know."

"What?"

"She's always like that this time of year. Not just her but Luke and Lorelai too."

"I don't get it. Why?"

She sighed and explained to him.

"Oh." not really knowing what to say to that. She felt sad for his girlfriend. "That must have been hard on them."

"Very. It was hard on everybody close to them." she said in a sad tone.

"I didn't know." he sighed, a bit ashamed of himself.

"Well you're new. You haven't been here long. Nobody else knows the reason, they haven't really put it together. They just guess its bill month or something. But Rory told me about it so." she said. "I kind of figured Rory didn't tell you about it. It's kind of touchy subject for her."

"I can only guess. Is there anything I can do?"

"Just give her the space that she needs. Let Lorelai and Luke take care of it." she advised. "For this subject, its best to leave it to them."

"Ok." that was all he could do.

"You to are awfully quiet this evening." Emily commented.

Rory and Lorelai looked up to her. "What?" they both said in unison.

"Is there something the matter?"

"No mom." Lorelai said then went back to looking at her food. As did Rory. The two have been quiet since they arrived. They both drank water for drinks. And when dinner came, the two have been looking at their food, pushing the food everywhere on the plate with their forks, only taking a few bites.

"Are you sure the two of you aren't sick?" Richard asked.

"We're fine grandpa." Rory said quietly, giving him a small smile, then went back to her food.

Emily and Richard looked at each other for a moment. "Rory," Emily said, "We're having a luncheon, with Asher Fleming tomorrow afternoon. He's a dear friend of your grandfather you know. And we'd thought that you'd like to join us. I know you'd want to know a great author such as him. What do you say? Tomorrow, say around, noon-ish?"

Her face fell. "Tomorrow?" her voice beginning to crack.

"Yes. Tomorrow." in the same excited tone, not noticing Rory's fallen face. "What do you say?"

Rory looked up at her mother, she looked back. Tears in her eyes. She tried to blink them away. Tried to control her body from breaking down. But couldn't.

"May please be excused?" she asked suddenly, her voice shaking.

Emily looked at her in concern. The tone in her voice was not lost on her. Nor on Richard and Lorelai. Lorelai sighed.

"Um. Sure." Emily said.

Rory quickly got up and left the dining room, wiping her eyes as she went.

"I better go check on her." Lorelai said a few minutes after Rory left. She quickly got up and followed Rory before Emily could say anything.

Lorelai found Rory in her own bedroom. She was laying on the bed, her back to Lorelai. Lorelai could see her shaking. She slowly walked up towards her and sat on the bed. She gently rubbed her daughter's hair. Rory turned around and hugged her mother, crying harder on her shoulder.

"I miss him mom." she choked.

"I know." her own tears shedding.

"Why did he have to leave? Why him?"

"I don't know honey." pulling back to look at her daughter.

"I didn't even get know him better. I was only a kid. He didn't deserve that. He hasn't lived long enough yet. He hasn't seen me grow up. I mean, I have boyfriend already and he's not here to see it." she squeaked as she spoke.

Lorelai cried harder as well. She wanted to comfort her daughter. She wanted to be strong for her. But it was hard. Specially on this subject. "Hon, nobody deserved that. He didn't and we didn't." she said quietly. "But it's just the way it is. It happened. And we have to move on."

"But I don't want to." she said quietly. "I may forget him. Mom. I don't want to forget him. I don't want to move on."

"Oh sweetie." hugging her daughter again. "You will never forget him. He will always be in our hearts. No matter what. Don't be afraid to move on."

Rory cried even harder on her mothers shoulder. And Lorelai did her best to stop, but couldn't.

"I didn't even get to say good-bye." Rory said quietly.

The two stayed in the room for a while, still crying. After a few minutes, they went to freshen up their faces and went back to the dining room, acting like nothing had happened.

"Thank you for dinner grandma." Rory said quietly as she hugged Emily in the foyer. "And sorry again for…dinner."

"Oh don't worry about it Rory." Emily assured. Then turned to Lorelai.

"Mom." she said and hugged her briefly.

"Rory, why don't you say good-bye to your grandfather. He's in his study." Emily said. Rory nodded and left.

"Lorelai, I would like to know what was going on." Emily immediately asked once Rory was gone.

"What mom?"

"Why was Rory acting like that during dinner?"

"Acting like what? Did she behave rudely? I never recalled."

"Lorelai." she sighed. "I am just worried. The poor girl looked as if she were about to cry."

"Mom-"

"And I am just really concerned about my granddaughter. Is that so bad?"

"Mom. It's nothing. Really."

"Lorelai. I just want to know what is wrong. Maybe I can do something? Is it school? Is it something that happen in Stars Mellow?"

"Stars Hollow mom." she corrected.

"Whatever the name is. I do have a right to know. I am her grandmother after all. Don't I at least get that much?"

Lorelai sighed and drew in a shaky breath. "Tomorrow," she started slowly, "is the death anniversary…of Luke's dad."

Emily stood there, stunned. She definitely wasn't expecting that. "Oh."

"And, Rory was pretty close to him. So was I. He was there when she grew up. He did so much for us. He took care of me. He took care of Rory. We loved him so much. And he loved us back as if we were his own. He really treated us like family. And it was pretty hard for Luke. For all of us."

"I didn't know." She didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry for that."

Lorelai nodded. "And, during this time of year, we kind of get…detached from everybody. It's just such a sore subject for us. This time of year, it just kind of reminds us of what happened and we just…don't want to go through that. And tomorrow, is the day we buried William. Luke's dad. And, on that day, Luke, Rory, and I go somewhere, far away. And we don't have any communication with anyone. It's our…" trying to look for the word. "Dark day."

"I understand. I'm sorry for pushing."

"It's ok. You didn't know."

That night, Rory and Lorelai had stayed in Luke's apartment. The next morning, they had woken up early. Even Lorelai had woken up without complain. They packed up their stuff, and closed up the diner. They got into Luke's truck and drove.
A/N: I tried to make it longer. I think this is the longest chater i've ever writen. I hope you liked it.
!!!JUST A REMINDER!!!
I will be changing the timeline a bit. Sorry if it'll confuse you. But if you want Max out as soon as possible, and Luke and Lorelai together as soon as possile, then I have to change the timeline.

REVIEWS!-yes, please leave a review. I'd just love to know what you think of this chapter/story. And any SUGGESTIONS, IDEAS, and/or, REQUESTS you'd like see, please do tell.
♠bokayjunkie♣