Trading Hats

Summary: A little rewrite of s07e21 - Unto the Breach. Part 1 of 2. Lorelai goes to Luke's diner hoping to figure out what to do following her karaoke performance and she runs into Miss Patty and Babette.

AN: Thank you so much for the reviews on the first part. I've forgotten how amazing it feels getting reviews for one's writing. I hope you enjoy this and I hope to get the next part up soon. I've got a few more one shots planned. All set in s7 but not exactly related.

Lorelai made her way anxiously into the diner, her eyes quickly darting around the space to try to find him — not sure if she wanted to find him or not — still unsure if she was ready to go ahead with this, whatever this was.

With no sign of Luke, Lorelai made her way towards the counter where Miss Patty and Babette were seated. She'd tried her best to avoid the breakfast rush, timing her visit to when she knew the diner would be quieter. But unfortunately, she was not able to avoid Miss Patty and Babette.

"Oh, hey," Lorelai said as she took a seat.

"Hello!" Miss Patty greeted her melodically, both women smiling at her a little too enthusiastically.

"He's upstairs," Babette quickly said, not wasting anytime, "I'm sure you can go right on up."

Lorelai shook her head, "Oh, no, that's ok," she retorted, "I'm just here for coffee."

"Sure, you are," Miss Patty teased.

"Honey, we were there," Babette said.

"We heard the song," Miss Patty added.

"It gave me goosebumps," Babette said.

"No, it's—"

"And he's been walking around the diner grinning like an idiot all morning," Miss Patty said, "and I doubt it's because he got a good deal on hotdog buns from his bread guy."

Lorelai blushed, her gaze dropping into her lap for a moment.

"It's obvious your little serenade meant something to him," Babette said, "its did mean something to you too, didn't it?"

Lorelai bit he lip, twirling her hands in her lap. "I don't know… I mean…" she closed her eyes and shook her head, "Why it is so hard?" she whispered.

"Because it's important," Babette said, gently, noticing Lorelai was genuinely struggling with this, "it is important, isn't it?"

"Of course it is," Lorelai admitted.

"Then it's supposed to be hard," Miss Patty added, "now go," she urged her encouragingly.

Lorelai fixed her gaze towards the curtain to her right and took a deep breath. And then she stood. She took a look over her shoulder a she grabbed the curtain and walked through.

Walking straight into him.

"I'm sorry, Im'm so sorry," she quickly mumbled, taking a step away from him and the stack of cardboard cup holders.

She didn't give him a chance to say anything before she started rambling. The momentary burst of confidence she got from Miss Patty and Babette disappearing instantly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to— Miss Patty and Babette were going on and on. I can't believe they talked me— I mean— they said you were upstairs and I don't know," she finally looked up at him, "I'm sorry."

Luke chuckled slightly. "I don't have the faintest idea what you're apologizing for."

Lorelai sighed and shook her head. She was really making a fool of herself here.

"For coming back here, I guess," she said, "I have no right just assuming—"

He smiled and cut her off. "Let me just take these out and I'll be right back," he said calmly, "I'll meet you upstairs?"

She took a deep breath and nodded. "Ok."

Lorelai took the stairs up anxiously, with each step, the doubts in her mounted.

What the hell are you doing? She told herself. What are you going to say when you go up there? What are you hoping to get out of this? You shouldn't have come here. This is wrong. Last night was wrong.

She's one thought away from turning back around and bolting to the door, when she heard his footsteps closing in behind her.

"I got you coffee," she heard him say and she stepped to the side to allow him to walk past her and get the door.

He stopped at the final step next to her and handed her the coffee— in a mug instead of a takeaway paper cup.

She smiled as she took it from him, instinctually sighing as she breathed in the familiar aroma, and felt some courage finding its way back into her.

"I'm glad you're here," he said with his back to her as he unlocked the door, "I was hoping you'd pass by."

He opened the door and stepped aside to let her in. She took two steps and suddenly froze in the doorway.

The realization hit them both suddenly— painfully— she had not been in his place in a year.

"Lorelai," he said— not entirely sure what to say next.

She clenched her jaw and squared her shoulders. She made it this far. This was not going to be any more painful than everything else they'd endured since the break up.

She took a step inside and immediately noticed all the changes. And immediately decided she was not going to comment on any of it because she knew the reason behind all these changes.

He followed her in and closed the door. "Have a seat," he offered, giving her the option between the couch and the kitchen table.

She chose the latter. And for some reason his heart sank at that. She sat facing the door, avoiding the rest of the place, hoping that would stop the floor of memories— bittersweet memories— from overpowering whatever little courage she still had. He glanced at her briefly towards her as she brought her lips to the coffee mug and went to pour himself a glass of water.

With his back to her, she started talking. Quickly.

"Rory was not supposed to be here yesterday I came home and found her curled up in her bed. She had tanked one of her finals and was working about still not securing a job and was having a meltdown so I was helping her through it. We ended up at karaoke. I was not planning to sing but then she begged me to. Said it would cheer her up. So I got up there and it was supposed to be a joke—"

He'd slowly made his way to the table, sat across from her, as she kept her eyes fixed on the door.

His heart sank in his chest.

And as though she could sense that, she turned to look at him.

"But then you walked in. You walked in and I don't know… it was just suddenly all too much. The alcohol. The lyrics. You. The hat."

"The hat?"

"Your blue hat. You were wearing your blue hat again. And I didn't want to read too much into it. Maybe you'd misplaced the black one. Or it was dirty. Or… I don't know. But you haven't worn the blue one since… since before… and I thought maybe it meant something—" she rambled on, once again leaving him in her tracks as he tried to catch up with her.

"It did," he said— cutting her off — his voice hoarse and he tried to keep up with what she was saying.

"It did?" She blinked— his confession catching her off guard.

He nodded.

"Ok," she whispered, returning his nod and then looking back at her coffee, bringing the cup to her lips and taking a slow sip.

A quiet moment settled between them.

"Did the song mean something?" He asked nervously— not brave enough to assume anything.

"It did," she whispered, briefly looking at him before looking back at her coffee.

He nodded and watched her closely.

"The song was my hat," she said more confidently and allowed herself to look up and hold his gaze.

"The hat was my song… not as eloquent but…y'know," he said, this time he dropped his gaze and focused instead on the table.

There was another silent pause between them before he finally looked up and they locked gazes— for a moment that felt like an eternity.

They reach a silent understanding.

"Now what? " she asked nervously.

"Now… can you start coming to the diner more regularly? Maybe not order your coffee to go and we can skip the weather talk?" He suggested with a nervous smile.

"I'd like that," she replied cautiously.

"I'll make sure Kirk gives you your stool back," he said.

And the smile she gave him lit up his soul.

"Good."

"Good."