A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update life has been hectic personally, work related, and then I also had total writer 's block had my friend Donna help me finish the chapter so I could get it posted.

When You Need Me I Will Be There

Chapter 23

After confessing her love to Lucas, Rory looked at him with shock and shame and took off running in the opposite direction and away from what she was feeling. Lucas knew where she was headed, but decided to give her some time and then follow. He knew this was the way she would react.

After finding Rory at the cemetery, Lucas had taken her to their spot in which they discovered at the age of seven. It was a huge oak tree in the center of the Tree Hill City Park. As they sat down not a word was spoken between them. Lucas knew what was going through Rory's head, so he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close to him, and whispered in her ear.

"Rory, please talk to me babe, I really want to help you."

Rory was facing away from him; she just could not look at him not after confessing her feelings even though he felt the same way, this one confession had changed everything. Rory was so lost and confused.

"Rory, please talk to me."

Lucas pleaded with her, but Rory would still not look at him.

"Sweetheart, I know that you're scared, but please know that I was telling you the truth when I told you I loved you, because I really do."

Rory had tears in her eyes, but she refused to let Lucas see them. However, she knew he deserved to know how she felt even if the truth would hurt him. She finally got the courage up to face him; she looked right into his eyes, which reminded her of an ocean.

"Lucas, please understand that I do love you, I really do, but everyone that I have ever cared about has left me, I just can't open my heart again. I can't deal with more pain in my life."

Lucas looked at her with so much love that it broke her heart. Then, he began to talk.

"Rory, I know lately it feels like everyone you have ever love has left you, but I promise you that I won't. I won't leave you, I will never go."

"Lucas, I know you love me as I love you too, but I just need sometime to deal with everything."

"Sweetheart, I promise I won't push you, but please know I'm here. Forever, I am."

"I know that you're here for me, that you're here. I just need this time to think of everything, to process it."

"I do understand that, I understand how you're feeling, I do. Please do not shut me out. I want us, I really do. I will give you the time and space that you need, I promise."

"I know that you will. I will be thinking and going through everything and once I know my decision, I will either call or text you, I promise. I do. God, why is this so hard?"

"Because we make it that way." He smiled. "I will let you have all the time in the world for you to decide everything."

She smiled and left Lucas standing there. He knew deep in his heart and his soul, that they would be together soon and very happy, he would do anything for Rory and him to be a couple.