A/N: Well, to start off, this story takes place in Episode 2.22 "I Can't Get Started". Basically, this is my take on what would have happened had Lorelai realized Christopher would never be able to get his act together and be there in the way she and Rory needed then.

Disclaimer: If I owned it, Christopher would have been killed off in a creative way back in the Pilot. (See my story "The Many Deaths of Christopher Hayden" for details).

Other random thoughts: This story has been a long-time coming. Thanks to all the people who have (unknowingly) provided inspiration for it, and to all the teachers who have (also unknowingly) allowed me to work on it instead of paying attention during their classes. I'm not one of the writers who sets review quotas that have to be filled before they post another chapter, but input and constructive criticism is always appreciated. Quotes from the actual episode are in italics, and they should (theoretically) be word-for-word. happy reading!

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"Hey." Lorelai Gilmore said to the flannel clad man who had appeared behind the counter she

was currently standing in front of.

"Hello." He replied, not looking at her.

"Oh, good donut selection this morning, really. Good variety, good color, good goodness, good...well, so the choices are there. It all comes down to what I'm in the mood for. Sprinkled or chocolate or jelly or glazed, maple or kiki or apple or, uh, raised. Little donut rhyme there. Never mind. Can I have a chocolate and a sprinkled please?" She attempted.

"Okay." He answered, monosyllabically as possible.

"So, this is how it's gonna be with us now, huh?"

"No idea what you're talking about."

"You're pulling a Mr. Freeze on me."

"I'm not pulling a Mr. Freeze on you." He countered.

"Please. I'm gonna need snow chains just to get out of here."

"I assume you want coffee with your donuts."

"I'm sorry, Luke. It was a bad night. I completely freaked out. I said some things...did you get my note? I wrote you a note." She rambled.

"Got your note."

"You got my note. Did you read my note?"

"Read your note."

"And?"

"It was very well-written"

"That's it?"

"I also enjoyed the Garfield stationary. That's one funny cat."

"I said I was sorry, Luke."

"Yes, you did."

"I said it like a million times."

"You said it four times, but I understand you're embellishing for dramatic effects."

"Stop." She tried to hide the hurt in her voice. She knew he could hear it though.

"Stop what?" He wasn't making this easy.

"Oh, stop this robot talk. If you're mad, just act like you're mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you." He sounded like he was talking to a toddler.

"You're being really, really unfair. Rory was in the hospital."

"Lorelai, what is it exactly that you want me to do? I'm not mad, I'm not holding a grudge, I heard your apology, I feel I'm being polite, I listened to your donut bit, I got you your coffee. What would make you happy?"

"I want Luke back."

"He's standing right here." He was starting to seem a little mad now.

"No, he's not." She walked out of the diner, trying to hide the tears that were forming in her blue eyes.

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Lorelai was greeted by her daughter's voice as she entered her house.

"You're home early." Rory remarked.

"You've got a doctor's appointment, remember? Getting that gorgeous cast off."

"I know. I figured I'd just drive myself."

"Are you actually suggesting that I would abandon my daughter to face the cruelty of a doctor's office alone?"

"Well, considering you pretended that you had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen so that you wouldn't have to come with me when I got shots, I'd say it's a justified suggestion."

"If I had gone in with you, my arm would still be purple from the squeezing!"

"I know, and I would have thought your self-defense mechanism would have kicked in again this time."

"Getting your cast off doesn't hurt. Plus, I've grown rather attached to Casty. I need some closure."

"Crazy."

"Happens to the best of us."

"So," said Rory, look on her face raising an instant alarm in Lorelai's mind, "I assume you and Luke made up."

"What...oh, yeah." Said Lorelai, not catching herself quite fast enough.

"Mom?" Rory knew her too well.

"No, we did." Lorelai attempted. "I went in, we talked, he gave me doughnuts and coffee, I went to work."

"That sounds more like 'We acknowledged each other's presence'."

"Listen, Luke and I are fine. Really. Hurry up, we're gonna be late for the doctor's."

"Your thinglet has officially been upgraded to a thing." Rory informed her mother, grabbing her purse on the way out the door.

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"I really hate doctor's offices. They're so bland and ugly. I mean would it kill you to paint once in a while? And look at that picture. If I was sick and dying, that would not be the last thing I wanted to see in my lifetime." Lorelai rambled. A moment later, she was interrupted by the doctor.

"How you doing?" She asked Rory.

"Dr. Sue, thank God." Answered Rory, looking pointedly at Lorelai, who made a face and a dirty gesture.

"Okay. So Rory, let's get this thing off your arm, huh? What do you say?"

"Not a word." The moment was interrupted by a voice from the hallway.

"This one here? Wait, which one? Hey, you in the white, come on, point a finger."

"Dad?" Rory wondered.

"Christopher?" Lorelai opened the door.

"Aha, there you are. Is it still on?" He entered the room.

"What are you doing?" Questioned Lorelai.

"Oh, great, I didn't miss it. Hey, doctor, I'm the dad." He ignored the question.

"Hey, nice to meet you, Dad." Dr. Sue commented.

"I can't believe you're here." Lorelai continued.

"Why? I told you last week I wanted to come down for the big unveiling."

"I know, but I didn't think you would drive all the way from Boston again. You were just here."

"You getting sick of me?"

"Frankly, yes." Lorelai answered, smiling. She hoped that this time, he'd really stick around. It was a good thing for Rory to know her father.