Kirk lunged at Lorelai and Lorelai quickly moved out of the way, moving Rory with her.
"Stand still..." Kirk demanded.
"Why don't you stand still Kirk." a voice from behind him called.
Kirk slowly turned around. He smiled. "And here he is ladies and gentleman, the hero of the story, Luke Danes." Kirk applauded.
"Drop the knife." Luke replied.
"No, Luke. I don't wanna." Kirk smiled. "How's Jess, by the way? I heard he tried to escape, got shot in the back... that must of hurt."
"He'll be fine." Luke answered shortly. "You wanted your attention now you've got it. We'll tell everyone that you murdered Taylor. You don't have to worry about that."
"You're missing the point Mr. Backwards Baseball Cap. I'm not finished yet."
"No you're missing the point!" Luke yelled. "It's over. You're finished. Drop the knife."
Luke started to walk towards Kirk. Kirk began to panic. Frantically, he reached over and grabbed Rory. He placed the knife at her throat.
"Kirk! You bastard! Let her go!" Lorelai screamed as she grabbed Kirk's arm. Kirk tried to shake her off, but couldn't. Rory wiggled her way free of Kirk's clutches. Suddenly a struggle between Lorelai and Kirk broke out. Luke ran over quickly and pulled Lorelai aside. When he pulled her back, Kirk swung with his knife and cut Lorelai on the shoulder. Luke looked at Lorelai then quickly turned back to Kirk.
"You son of a bitch!" Luke punched Kirk with all his might knocking him down onto the ground. "Are you okay?" he asked grabbing hold of Lorelai.
"Mom!" Rory called as she fled to her mother. Lorelai hugged her daughter.
"I'll be fine." Lorelai replied over Rory's shoulder. "It's okay."
Luke stared down at Kirk who was laying coldly on the street. "I can't believe it was him this whole time."
"I'm so sorry." Rory sobbed.
"I know, sweetheart." Lorelai soothed. "I'm sorry too."
"I love you." Rory replied.
"I love you." Lorelai repeated. Suddenly blue and red lights flashed around them."Who called the cops?" Lorelai asked confused.
"Sookie" Luke confessed. "When we saw Kirk standing on the street she ran back and called."
"For some reason I'm not surprised to see you two here." Detective Cook replied as she walked over to them.
"Just doing our job." Luke replied teasingly.
Cook noticed the blood seeping through Lorelai's jacket. "Are you okay, Lorelai?" she asked concerned.
"Yeah." she replied. "It's just a little scrape."
Cook smiled. "Mm Hm. Looks like you'd better get some stitches." Her focus fell on Kirk who was being lifted from the ground by a couple of police officers. "My goodness that's a scrawny little man. Never would have expected him."
"That's what kept him so motivated." Lorelai remarked.
"Hey, Detective.." Luke started. "Does this mean that Jess and Dean can be set free now?"
Cook sighed. "Well, they'll stand trial again. This time with all the new information we have and if we get Kirk to confess to everything then that will help a lot."
"Stop using the beat around the bush explanation, are they going to be set free or not?" Luke pushed.
"Dean will more than likely be loosed within the next 72 hours." Cook paused. "Jess on the other hand will be facing another charge, due to his attempted escape. But we can work out something I'm sure." She smiled.
"What's going to happen to Kirk?" Lorelai asked.
"Looks like he just bought himself a one way ticket to the psych ward." Cook replied. "Come on, let's get you stitched up down at the hospital."
"I"ll take her." Luke offered.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure." Luke smiled. "She's my partner."
"Alright. I'll be in touch soon." Cook grinned and turned to leave.
"Come on, let's get you two warmed up." Luke guided them towards his truck which was parked a couple of streets over.
"I'm so glad you showed up." Lorelai began. "I really thought Kirk was going to ..."
"Hey, don't even say it." Luke interrupted.
"But.."
"I'm just sorry he cut you."
"It doesn't even hurt." Lorelai replied. "When I saw him grab Rory, I didn't care anymore. I wasn't going to let him hurt her."
"Yeah, I know. When you love someone you feel like you can do anything in order to protect them." Luke smiled.
He started the truck and drove off towards the hospital.
( a week later at the Gilmore house)
"Rory..." Lorelai called. "Come in here please."
Rory walked out of her room and into the kitchen. She was taken aback by the boy sitting at her kitchen table.
"Hey." he smiled.
"Hey." she returned.
"You want to go for a walk?"
"Yeah, I'll grab my coat."
Lorelai followed after Rory.
"I can't believe he's here." Rory replied when her mother stepped into her room.
Lorelai smiled. "He just showed up at the back door." Rory put on her jacket. "You owe me details when you get back."
"Deal." Rory smiled as she headed back into the kitchen. "You ready?"
He nodded his head yes, and they headed out the back door. They walked a few paces before they began their conversation.
"I'm really sorry about all of this." Rory apologized.
"It's not your fault. I'm just glad I'm out of prison. Man, who would have thought Kirk had it in him, huh?" he half laughed.
"That was the whole problem. No one thought Kirk had it in him." Rory replied. "You seem to be taking things well."
"Yeah, I mean why stress about it? It all worked out, right?"
"Right."
"I mean I'm a free man, and I'm walking beside the most beautiful girl in Stars Hollow, so how can I complain?"
"Well, there's the bullet hole in your back."
Jess smiled charmingly. "Yeah, but you fill every hole inside me, Rory." he leaned over and kissed her softly on her lips.