After Richard's health scare, Frankie began retreating from her family and friends. She stopped hanging out with Kayla and Lane, would barely say anything to Luke when she went to the diner, and was not fully present during her lessons with Ms. Patty. Frankie would wake up, go to school, go to Ms. Patty's, and then go straight back home. She wasn't eating much, and was sleeping way more than she usually did.

Frankie hid in her room one night when Lorelai and Max had a date. She didn't come out until long after they had left, only going into the kitchen to get water so she wouldn't get dehydrated. She stayed under her blankets well into the following day, not even answering when her sister asked if she wanted to get coffee at Luke's together. Frankie also didn't join her mother and sister ice skating, which was one of her favorite winter activities. Lorelai and Rory were worried about the girl, but didn't know what was wrong, what to do, or how to help. So, they let her be.

Friday night dinner after the disastrous Parent's Day at Chilton, where Paris had caught Lorelai and Max kissing in a classroom, was the last thing any of the Gilmore's wanted to do. But, they nevertheless arrived, only for the twins to be ordered upstairs so Emily could scold Lorelai about the affair. While the mother and daughter argued, Rory took the opportunity to try and reach her very desolate and withdrawn sister.

"Are you okay?"

Frankie looked up, eyes glazed. "Hm?"

"Are you okay?" Rory asked again, gently. "You've been really quiet recently."

"I'm fine," Frankie said, unconvincingly.

Rory nodded, watching as her sister went back to biting her nails. "I don't believe you."

Frankie rolled her eyes. "Okay."

"You've barely come out of your room since Grandpa was in the hospital. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you."

"I don't know! Okay? I don't know!" Frankie exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "I don't know what's happening. I don't know what's going on. I just feel empty. I feel empty and useless and numb."

Rory walked over to her sister and wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly as Frankie cried.

A few days later, Lorelai and Max broke up. Frankie was in her room, lights off and curtains drawn, when Rory came in and told her what had happened. Frankie pushed aside the heavy weight she felt and helped Rory comfort Lorelai. It wasn't easy, but she managed to make it into town to get cookie dough and bad movies for her mother.

Weeks later, Lorelai was feeling more like herself again, but Frankie was feeling worse. When Rory said yes to a double date for Lane, she invited her sister, hoping that it would get her out of the house.

"You should come," Rory said, trying to encourage her sister to step out of her room.

"No," Frankie groaned from under her blankets.

The older twin sighed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "You know, Tristin keeps asking me about you. He says you guys haven't talked in weeks."

"Okay."

"Why haven't you talked to him?"

Frankie sighed and pushed the blankets off her face. "Because I have nothing to say to him."

"Did something happen?"

"No."

"So, what's the problem?"

"There's no problem."

"Then why haven't you talked to him?"

"Because I don't want to. Because I can't look at him right now," Frankie exclaimed, frustrated.

"Why?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Frankie groaned, getting out of bed and walking to the kitchen.

"Because I'm worried and I want Tristin to stop pestering me about you," Rory replied as she followed her sister.

"If I call him, will you get off my back?"

"If you call him and invite him on this group date, then yes."

Frankie sighed, grabbing the phone from Rory, who had a triumphant smile on her face. "Fine."

"Yay!" Rory bounced happily as Frankie dialed Tristin's number.

Tristin had agreed to the group date, and had driven to Stars Hollow, meeting up with Frankie, Rory, Lane, Dean, and Lane's date Todd, at the bookstore for a movie night.

"Hey," Tristin greeted the group with a smile.

"Hey, Tristin," Rory said with a wave.

"Hi." Frankie looked down at her feet, her hands in her pockets.

Tristin wasn't sure what to do, so he stood next to Frankie, keeping a bit of distance, not wanting to spook her. They stood in line with Dean and Rory, giving Lane and Todd space so they could get to know each other.

"Do you maybe want to walk around a little bit?" Tristin asked Frankie as the line began to move, letting everyone into the bookstore.

"Right now?"

"Yeah."

"What about the movie?"

"I'd rather talk to you." Tristin had a hopeful smile on his face.

Frankie sighed slightly and looked towards Rory, who gave her a thumbs up in return. Turning back to Tristin, she nodded, and the two stepped out of line. "We'll meet up after?" she asked her sister. Rory nodded in response and disappeared into the store.

The couple walked in silence for a while, rounding the town square, before Tristin finally spoke up.

"How are you?"

Frankie shrugged, hands still firmly jammed into her pockets. "Okay."

"Frankie," Tristin sighed, gently grabbing her arm and spinning her towards him. "I know you're not fine. What's going on?"

She shrugged again, looking down at her feet, not wanting to make eye contact. "I don't know."

Tristin nodded then walked off. Frankie watched as he made his way up the steps of the gazebo, sitting down on a bench. He turned towards her and motioned for her to join him.

Once settled on the bench, Tristin sat facing Frankie, not saying a word. He just let her take her time, not wanting to rush an explanation, and wanting the words and sentiment to be genuine when she was ready to talk.

After a long silence, Frankie finally took a deep breath. "I guess it all started after my grandpa went to the hospital. I don't know why. I don't know what happened. But I haven't been the same."

Tristin reached out and put a hand on her knee, comfortingly stroking it with his thumb. Frankie smiled at the small gesture before continuing.

"I just feel empty. And like there's a massive weight on my shoulders that I can't seem to get rid of, no matter what I do. I'm barely eating. I sleep a lot. Dance isn't making me happy right now. I don't know what's wrong with me." A tear slid down her cheek as she spoke. Tristin wiped it away with his thumb, causing Frankie to finally look up at him, her eyes glassy with tears. "What's wrong with me?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong with you," Tristin said quietly, bringing her into his body, holding her tightly.

"Then why do I feel like this?"

"I wish I knew."

The couple stayed in the gazebo for a while, holding each other, not wanting to let go. They pulled apart when they heard Lorelai calling out to them, telling Frankie it was time to go home.

"I'll see you soon?" Tristin asked, hopeful yet anxious for the response.

Frankie nodded. "I'll call you."

"Yeah? You won't leave me hanging for weeks again?" he joked, poking her ribs.

She giggled, flinching at the feeling. "I promise."

Tristin smiled and leaned in slightly, testing the waters to see if she would let him kiss her. She didn't pull away, so he kissed her softly, letting her know that he was there for her without words.

Lorelai called out again, and Frankie backed away, smiling slightly as she waved goodbye to her boyfriend, before heading home with her family.

"You guys okay?" Rory asked.

Frankie nodded. "Yeah, we're good."

"Are you okay?" Lorelai questioned, hoping that seeing Tristin would help pull Frankie back out of her funk.

"We'll see."