A/N: This takes place after the season 2 finale. I'm thinking about making it a Luke and Lorelai story but right now it's about Lorelai getting stronger after Chris leaves yet again. Enjoy!

It had been three days since Sookie and Jackson's wedding and all Lorelai could think about was how Christopher was finally growing up and becoming the man he should have been so many years ago except now he was going to be that man with his girlfriend. No, Lorelai wasn't jealous of Sherry, she just didn't like her. Lorelai just wished that she could be the one for Christopher. That's what her mother wanted so many weeks ago when he came to dinner in Rory's place. She'd always dreamed of a life with him but she wanted him to get his act together before that happened. She woke up that Tuesday morning after having yet another dream about being pregnant with Christopher's baby. She looked at her Hello Kitty alarm clock and groaned. She woke up late yet again. She got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom where she took a shower and then put on her makeup.

Woke up late today and I still feel the sting of the pain

But I brush my teeth anyway

Got dressed through the mess and put a smile on my face

I got a little bit stronger.

She finished getting ready for work and on her way out the door poured a cup of coffee to go. She wanted to go to Luke's so badly because she missed their daily banter about her coffee drinking and eating habits. She missed his coffee and she had to admit she missed him. She got into her Jeep and started the car. Like always the radio came on and an old song that had been a favorite of her and Christopher's came on. She backed out of her driveway listening to it but she couldn't listen to it for long or she'd start crying. She switched to another of her favorite stations and found a song that she and Rory loved.

Riding in the car to work and I'm trying to ignore the hurt

So I turned on the radio stupid song made me think of you

I listened to it for a minute but then I changed it

I'm getting a little bit stronger, just a little bit stronger

And I'm done hoping that we could work it out

I'm done with how it feels spinning my wheels

And letting you drag my heart around

Oh and I'm done thinking that you could ever change

I know my heart will never be the same but I'm telling myself I'll be okay

Even on my weakest days I get a little bit stronger

The weeks went by and Lorelai started having breakfast at Sookie's house every morning. One morning Sookie asked the inevitable question. "Lorelai, honey, I'm not trying to be rude or anything-" began Sookie.

Lorelai interrupted. "Sook, nothing you say could be good if you begin a conversation that way."

"I'm sorry," she said apologizing. "But I was wondering if you and Luke were ever going to make up. I know how you complain about the coffee at the inn and you always say that Luke's coffee is the best in town."

Lorelai felt crushed. Was her best friend trying to say she didn't want Lorelai to come back for breakfast? "Sookie, are you saying that you don't want me to come over for breakfast anymore?"

"What! No! Of course not sweetie!" exclaimed Sookie, surprised that Lorelai could even think that. "I love having you coming for breakfast, you know that! But I've heard that Luke apparently misses you."

Lorelai laughed bitterly. She was getting over Chris day by day but she couldn't get over the fact that she was in a fight with Luke. "Oh, please. If Luke misses me then why won't he call me and ask me to come back to the diner. He started this by letting Jess come here and live with him. I have this horrible feeling that Rory is falling for Jess just because he likes all the same books and music that she does."

Sookie patted Lorelai's arm sympathetically. "Oh, hon, it'll be okay. You know, every girl needs a bad boy in her life every now and then. Listen, for dinner why don't we go to Luke's that way you don't have to go alone. And maybe you two can make up and be friends again. Or maybe even more than friends if you know what I mean."

"Sookie, how many times do I have to tell you?" asked Lorelai. "Luke does not see me in that way. If he did he could have asked me out yet he never did." Lorelai gathered her things and stood up. "I should head to work. See you in a little while." And just like that she was out the door and on her way to work.

It doesn't happen overnight but you turn around and a month's gone by

And you realize you haven't even cried I'm not giving you an hour or a second or another minute longer

I'm busy getting stronger

And I'm done hoping that we could work it out I'm done with how it feels

Spinning my wheels and letting you drag my heart around

Oh and I'm done thinking that you could ever change

I know my heart will never be the same but I'm telling myself I'll be okay

Even on my weakest days I get a little bit stronger

Just a little bit stronger

When Lorelai got home that afternoon she played her messages on the answering machine just like any old day. And like every day since Sookie's wedding Christopher had left her not one, not two, but three messages. Granted there were a couple from Rory telling her about Washington D.C. and how she was enjoying it. She erased the messages telling herself that she would call Rory later that night before she went to bed. The phone rang as she walked to the kitchen to make some coffee. She knew who it was and didn't answer the phone. She just let it ring until the machine picked up and his voice came one once again saying how sorry he was that things were this way and that if he could change it he would because he loved her and always had. "Oh, Chris," she said to the machine, shaking her head. "You don't love me, you never did. I am so much better off without you here in my life. Besides I never loved you, I love Luke..." Okay, where did that come from? she thought to herself pouring herself some coffee and sitting at the table. She couldn't believe she just said that she had feelings for Luke.

That night, Lorelai and Sookie were standing outside Luke's Diner. Sookie was trying to persuade Lorelai into going in but Lorelai was too afraid. "Sookie, I can't not after what I told my answering machine when Chris called this afternoon."

"You're talking to inanimate objects?" asked Sookie. "Honey, you really do need a man."

"I don't need a man!" Lorelai practically shouted. "I'm finally getting over Christopher and the last thing I need is a man."

"Sorry. What'd Chris say?"

"Oh the usual. That he was sorry and blah blah blah," said Lorelai. "He said that he loves and I decided to talk to my machine telling him that he doesn't love me and I don't love him. I love Luke."

Sookie gasped and started jumping up and down excitedly making everyone in the diner stare at them including Luke. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed hugging Lorelai.

Lorelai had realized what she'd said after she said it but instead of admitting it she pretended she didn't know what Sookie was excited about. "What?" she asked trying to act innocent.

"You're in love with Luke!" said Sookie excitedly. "Oh this is so great! You two are perfect for each other!"

"Uh, Sook, I don't love Luke," said Lorelai.

"Yes you do! You just said that you love Luke, not Christopher!"

"Sookie, I think you heard wrong," said Lorelai. "I said that I love Rory, not Luke."

"I know you love Rory, she's your daughter. And I know what I heard. You said that you love Luke!" said Sookie again.

"Come on, Sookie, let's get you something to eat," said Lorelai, leading Sookie into the diner.

Sookie kept trying to say that she heard Lorelai say she loved Luke but Lorelai wouldn't hear it. And of course, Miss Patty came over and said how nice it was that Lorelai was back and then she asked if it was true Lorelai did love Luke. Lorelai had had enough. Yes she knew she had said that but she didn't want anyone to know and luckily Luke hadn't been in the room so he hadn't heard Miss Patty talking to her. "Why does everyone keep asking if I'm in love with Luke?" she asked. "I don't love Luke. I mean, I do, but I love him as a friend. Besides he doesn't like me that way. I annoy him constantly with my drinking and eating habits and how much I talk."

Luke walked back into the diner right as Lorelai said that. He was happy to see her there, but why would she say that she didn't like him? He had the strogest feeling that she liked him at least a little. There were even a few moments where he thought something was going to happen between them. Like the time they picked out paint samples to repaint his diner the year before. He sighed and went to the kitchen and told Caesar to get Lorelai and Sookie's order. He just wasn't ready to face Lorelai again.

I'm getting along without you baby

I'm better off without you baby

How does it feel without me baby

I'm getting stronger without you baby

And I'm done hoping that we could work it out

I'm done with how it feels spinning my wheels and letting you drag my heart around

And I'm done thinking that you could ever change I know my heart will never be the same

But I'm telling myself I'll be okay even on my weakest days

I get a little bit stronger

After that first night back at Luke's Lorelai didn't see Luke but she knew he cooked her and Sookie's food. But after that first night she couldn't work up the courage to start going regularly so she started going to Weston's. The townspeople left alone about her feelings for Luke but yet she avoided the diner again. She was finally over Christopher, or that's what she told herself, but that helped lessen the pain when she thought about him, which wasn't often. So far she was happy with the progress she was making on forgetting Chis. Now all she had to do was work up the courage to apologize to Luke and start eating at the diner again. Boy did she miss his coffee.