Author: My newest Gilmore girls fanfiction. It was supposed to be a oneshot, but me and my beta, Nimblnymph, have come to the conclusion that it shall be a chaptered story. This Time picks up after the season 6 finale, Partings, so if you haven't watched that then don't read this, please.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls, just the fifth season boxset!

This Time
Prologue
Sleeping With The Enemy

Lorelai sighed as Rory walked away from her. Roy was right, although at the time she wouldn't admit that to even herself. She had held out for Christopher, and Lorelai was afraid that a part of her always would. A few years back, she had held the illusion that they could be a true family: Rory, Christopher, and herself. Her daughter would have her real parents and no one else, that's what Lorelai had imagined. Then Max Madina came into her life and suddenly everything seemed better, but even then she still longed for Christopher. He was part of the reason she didn't marry Max, although she would never tell herself or anyone else that. There had been men since him, and still... she always wanted Christopher, and then, there was Luke.

Luke, everything she had ever wanted in a man. He was sexy and gentle, and he was always there for her. He had been like a father to Rory, and for that Lorelai was grateful. He was a man that could make her weak in the knees with a single glance. Hell, Luke had kept that horoscope in his wallet for nine years now... nine long years. They were great together; she knew that. She hid the fact that she had had lunch with Christopher until after it had happened. Lorelai had neglected to tell him about staying with Christopher the night his father died to talk until the last moment. She had almost ruined her chances with such a wonderful man, but now she was sure that he would never take her back.

After everything Luke had done for her, she had still ended up in Christopher's bed. Lorelai felt numb as she realized what was going on. She heard Christopher's voice just as she felt the cool sheet on her bare skin. Her mind went blank as her heart pounded in her chest. The closing of a door registered in her mind, followed by the bed dipping behind her and Christopher's arm pulling her close. Lorelai tensed as it all finally clicked into place within her mind. Quickly, she pulled away from Christopher, pulling the cover with her as she quickly looked around for her clothes.

"Lorelai, what are you-"

"I shouldn't even be here, Christopher!" she exclaimed as she picked up her dress, followed by her bra and panties. Lorelai dropped the sheet as she started to dress frantically, wanting out of here. Christopher stood up and walked over to her, grabbing her wrists and stopping her hands from moving as he looked at her.

"What do you mean? You came to me last night, Lor."

"I came here for comfort, Chris! Not to sleep with you!" she yelled as she jerked her wrists away from him. Lorelai pulled her dress on and searched for her purse and shoes. She just had to get out of here and too Luke. Oh no... Luke... she thought to herself in pain. He'd never take her back after this, not after all the times she had assured him that he didn't have anything to worry about when it came to Christopher. Lorelai pulled her shoes on quickly, finding her purse on the small table. She started to rush out of the door just as Christopher stopped her.

"Lorelai, please-"

"It's not you anymore, Christopher. I waited and waited for you to get things straight, but then I found Luke. He's who I want, and no one else. He's always been there for me and Rory, not you. Luke would never bail on us... on me. No more, Christopher, I won't do this anymore." Lorelai moved his arm as she left the room quickly. She could feel the tears on her cheeks even as she got into her Jeep and started toward Luke's Diner.

---

Luke stared at his bed, his blue eyes troubled. He had tried to get a hold of Lorelai all night after she had left him standing in front of the diner. She hadn't answered her house or cell phone, so he had left messages on top of messages. It was now eight in the morning and she still hadn't returned his calls. He'd already went by her house, noticing that the Jeep was gone. Luke had called Rory to see if she had talked to her mother lately. He had ended up staying on the phone with her for a little while, talking about how things were going to be now that Logan was gone, but it didn't last too long.

Luke tried Sookie too, but she hadn't heard from Lorelai either. He then called, god forbid, Lorelai's parents as a last resort. They hadn't talked to Lorelai since last night when they had their usual dinner. Luke hated to admit it, but he was really worried about Lorelai. He'd been an idiot last night, and he needed to fix what he had most likely broken. A sigh escaped him as he started down to the diner to open up. Hopefully Lorelai would come by soon so they could talk.