Sorry I'm not updating as often! Been busy this weekend! Thanks for the reviews! Keep them coming! :) Just to warn you, this one may be a bit dramtic so sorry! :p

Chapter 28

April had gone back to New Mexico and it was the following weekend. Rory insisted that she came over and babysit Beth. She knew Beth hadn't been sleeping well so she thought her mom and Luke deserved a day to themselves relaxing.

"Just go mum! I'll be fine!" Rory rolled her eyes over her mom fussing. "I have babysat her before!"

"I know! Just call us if you need anything!" Lorelai said. "Or Luke!"

"I know. I will." Rory reassured her.

"She's right. Come on Lorelai. They'll be fine." Luke said. "Bye Rory." He smiled.

"Bye!" Rory smiled watching them leave.

Lorelai and Luke went to the diner first. After about an hour, Lane ran in. "Doose's Market is on fire!" She said worried.

"What?" Lorelai said, her and Luke getting up.

"Rory's in there..." Lane said concern all over her face.

"What?" Lorelai froze. "And Beth?"

"Rory came over to mine for a bit. She left Beth with us while she went to get something from the store. I don't know what happened. I just heard a huge smash of glass and when I looked out I saw smoke."

Luke and Lorelai ran outside to the store. There were flames and smoke everywhere. Taylor and a lot of people were out.

"Rory!" Lorelai shouted, not seeing her.

Meanwhile, in the shop, Rory was trapped at the back of the shop. She was coughing because of all the smoke. She made her way to the store room when she saw Dean. "Dean?" She said quietly and scared.

Dean was about to run through an opening in the flames to get himself out when he saw Rory. He knew if he helped her, that chance for him to escape would be gone but he didn't hesitate. He ran to Rory. "Rory? Are you ok?" He asked concerned.

"I'm scared. There's so much smoke!" She said quietly.

Dean opened the store room door and they both went in there and shut the door. "The fire engines should be here soon." He comforted her.

Rory clung to Dean tightly, terrified.

Meanwhile, Luke couldn't just stand and do nothing. He looked at Lorelai. "Promise me you will stay out here." He said softly.

"Luke..." Lorelai said tears streaming down her face.

"I know." Luke said gently. "I'll get her. I promise."

"It's dangerous!" She said.

"I don't care. Just stay here." Luke said running into the store.

"Rory!" He called in between coughing.

Rory heard Luke. "Luke?" She tried to call but she was coughing so much. Dean took his coat off and wrapped it round her and over her mouth and nose. "Keep this there." He said gently and opened the door a bit. "Luke? We're in here!" He said.

Luke was surprised to hear Dean but followed his voice to the store room. He went in to find Dean and Rory sat on the floor. Dean with just a t shirt on and Rory with Dean's coat over her. He ran to them. "Are you ok?" He asked Rory.

Rory just hugged him. "I'm scared..." She cried.

"I know. I'll get you out I promise." He said softly. He then looked at Dean. "And you too. Thank you for helping her." He said sincerely.

"I couldn't leave her." Dean said.

Luke nodded. He then took his coat off and gave it to Dean. "Put this round you to protect you from the smoke." He said.

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. Come on." Luke said gently, leading them out.

Everything was up in flames now. Luke could see the ceiling was about to collapse. He rushed them through the store and managed to find an opening to get them out. They were all coughing now.

"Oh my god Rory!" Lorelai cried seeing her and running and hugging her. "Are you ok?"

"I...I think so." Rory said shaken, coughing.

"Thank you Luke." Lorelai said hugging Luke too.

"I wasn't going to leave her." Luke said. "She's our kid."

Lorelai smiled and hugged them both. Rory saw Dean a little away from them and went over. "Thanks." She said quietly.

"For what?" He said.

"For staying with me and protecting me." She said and hugged him. "I felt safe with you there."

Dean smiled slightly. "I'm just glad you're ok."

"What about you?" Rory asked.

"I'll be fine." He smiled, reassuring her.

Lorelai looked over at them and looked at Luke. "Was Dean in there too?"

"Yeh he and Rory were in the store room. He had given her his coat to protect her from the smoke." Luke said.

Lorelai went over to them and surprised Dean with a hug. "Thank you." She said.

"It was nothing. I couldn't leave her in there." He said.

"You had time to get out but you didn't." Rory said.

Luke went over to. He held out his hand. "Thank you for protecting her." He said sincerely.

Dean shook it. "It's ok."

The fire engines and ambulances then appeared and put the fire out and checked over Luke, Dean and Rory. They were advised to rest and gave them something to help with the cough.

The whole town was in a state of shock, not quite knowing what had happened.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Wanted to add a bit of drama that didn't involve Emily! :) Let me know what you think! :)