Chapter 11 – I Hear Your Voice

-oOo-

It's been two months since the break-up. Luke still called Lorelai at least twice every day, but she still wouldn't pick up his calls. He went back to Sookie a few more times to ask for her help, but she kept saying Lorelai wasn't ready to talk to him yet. The only good thing was that Luke noticed that Sookie has become less angry and more sympathetic towards him. It was probably because of pity, because he's starting to look a tad pathetic, but he didn't even care anymore.

One night, he tried to watch baseball at his apartment to pass the time, but he found himself unable to concentrate. He stood up and got a beer from the fridge before trying to focus on the game again. After two more beers, Luke gave up. He couldn't take it anymore – he needed to hear Lorelai's voice. Maybe it was the alcohol giving him liquid courage, but he decided to finally leave a voicemail for Lorelai. He didn't even know if she would listen or delete the voicemail as soon as she realized it was from him, but he had to try.

Lorelai had her final dinner at the inn she was checking out in Vermont for the Durham group. Unsatisfied with dinner, she decided to raid the mini-bar at her room for snacks while she decided what her final recommendation for the inn would be. Tomorrow, she was checking out and driving to the other inn in Vermont that the Durham group had their eye on.

There was a lot of room for improvement for this particular inn – staff morale was low, the guest rooms needed redecoration, the kitchen menu was uninspired. But these were things that could easily be remedied with proper management and sufficient funding.

After nearly an hour mulling over a pack of Oreos, she emailed her report to Mike Armstrong, before checking on her voicemails. She had a rambling one from Rory telling her about Paris' latest exploits, one from Sookie talking about a small kitchen fire (again) at the Dragonfly and some local gossip, and another one from her mother, asking if she wanted new drapes at the Crap Shack. But she was most surprised when she heard a familiar baritone in the last message:

"Uh…. Hi, it's uh, me, Luke. I know you don't want to talk, but, uh… I would… I would really like to talk to you. Please. I don't even know where you are, and it's driving me crazy… Please, just tell me where you are and I'll come. Just to talk, nothing else. Just one time. Please. After that, I won't bother you again, I promise. There are just some things I need to tell you. So… uh, call me back, please? Thanks. Bye."

Stunned, she played the message again. He sounded like he really needed to talk. Sookie mentioned the other day that he's been dropping by the Dragonfly regularly to ask about her. Perhaps it was time…

She started to wonder if her decision to run away from Stars Hollow and not talk to him at all was wise. Perhaps, what she really needed to get closure and be able to finally move on is to have a final talk with him.

However, she was worried that once she sees Luke, she'd just throw herself in his arms. If he told her he still loved her, or that he loves her again, she was afraid that she would want to get back together without even talking about their issues at all. But that can't happen. She had to be strong. She can't get hurt again. With a deep breath, she called Luke, half expecting him to be asleep already, but he picked up after the first ring.

"Hello?"

The rush of unexpected emotion almost chocked her. "Luke, it's me."

"Lorelai," he breathed. Now that he had her on the phone, he couldn't think of what to say.

She waited for him to say more and when he didn't, she spoke. "You said you wanted to talk?"

"Yes, yes, sorry… I, I blanked out for a second there. I can't believe you called me back. Thank you," he replied nervously. He knew he was on the verge of rambling, but he couldn't seem to help it. "I… uh, do you mind telling me where you are now? Can I come over… just to talk?"

"I'll probably be back in Stars Hollow in two or three weeks. My contract is almost up."

"Contract?"

"Long story," Lorelai replied. "So if you like, we can talk when I get back."

Luke cleared his throat. He can't wait three more weeks! "I, uh, I'd really like to talk to you sooner than that if you don't mind."

"Well, I'll be in Maine in three days. We can meet there if you like? I mean, I know it's a long drive and all, but…"

"Maine is perfect. Three days, so that will be on Friday, right? Can I… Can I take you out for dinner then? And we can talk after?"

Lorelai paused, thinking. She would love to have dinner with Luke – but it would seem too much like a date, and she had to get out of the dating mindset when it comes to her ex-fiancé. "I'm not sure that's a good idea," she hedged. "I'll get there a little after lunch, maybe we can meet around 3 in the afternoon to talk?"

Luke could sense her reluctance and decided not to push it. "Sure, I understand. Uh, where should I pick you up?"

"I'll have to check my itinerary first, then I'll give you a call with the address of the inn where I'll be staying. I guess we can meet at the lobby at 3 on Friday."

"Okay, I'll wait for your call with the details. Thanks for agreeing to see me."

"Yeah. Um… listen, I have to go now."

"Of course, of course. Um, Lorelai..." He wanted to say more, like how much he missed her, how much he looked forward to seeing her again, how much he still loved her – but this was not the right time. He took a deep breath. "I'll see you Friday."

-oOo-

The next day, Lorelai left a message in Luke's answering machine with the address of the inn in Maine where they would meet on Friday. She called him at his apartment at a time when she was certain he'd be at the diner, busy with the lunch crowd.

She told Sookie and Rory that Luke will be driving to Maine for their talk. What she didn't tell them was how nervous she was. She decided that whatever happens, she will not be getting back together with Luke after their conversation. She needed to stay strong.