AN: Sorry about the last chapter being so short, I was just seeing how much you like this story idea. I'm glad you're liking it! But a continuing warning for all who don't like Chris, he's going to be around for a little while.

Anyways, keep reviewing and I'll keep updating!

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Early morning, the day after Sookie's wedding

Luke watches Lorelai walk into the diner. He glances at his watch and then looks at her strangely. "What!" Lorelai exclaims.

"It's seven in the morning."

"So?"

"Lorelai, in the seven years I've known you, you've never once been here this early in the morning."

"Not true, the morning after Rory and Dean broke up we were here at 6:00. I should know, I almost joined the ranks of Andrea Yates that morning." Luke shakes his head.

"Coffee?" Luke asks.

"Yeah, two, to go," Lorelai says nonchalantly. Luke looks at her like she's crazy. "Please?"

"To go? Where's Rory?" Lorelai smiles nervously.

"She's – she left for school early. Something with student council elections or something," Lorelai stammers.

"But two coffees."

"Yes, I am extremely thirsty and tired this morning," Lorelai says, hoping he'll go along with it. Luke knows Lorelai can't lie.

"Because you're up so early?" Luke replies sarcastically.

"Exactly," Lorelai says, hoping he's not joking. Luke nods. They stare at each other for a moment before Lorelai realizes the jig's up. She sighs. "One's for Christopher."

"Christopher?"

"Yeah, the one who impregnated me?" She winks.

"He's still here?" Lorelai grimaces. She nods slowly. "Ah." Luke turns around and grabs two to-go cups. Lorelai watches him as he pours the coffee and then hands them to her. She stands there for a moment.

"So, did you have a good time at the wedding?" she asks, sitting down on the stool in front of him.

"Lorelai, do we have to do this?"

"What?"

"You're feeling bad because you had to admit that your ex-whatever-he-is is still at your house. You think I care so you want to make small talk and get me to say I'm glad about your situation." Lorelai's mouth drops open. "It's okay. I'm glad for you," Luke manages. Lorelai nods. Jess walks into the diner from upstairs. Lorelai's mouth drops open again. Luke looks down, pretending to be busy.

"You sure needed me up at 7 this morning, this place is like a regular Studio 54," Jess comments, sarcastically as usual. There's no one else in the diner. Lorelai looks at Luke, but can't seem to think of something to say. Jess shakes his head and walks back up the stairs. Lorelai stares Luke down until he finally gives in and looks at her.

"What?" he asks. Lorelai flings her hand in the direction of where Jess just stood.

"Uh, jail bait just walked in. Or was that a figment of my imagination?" Luke doesn't know exactly how to respond. "Luke!" He shrugs. Lorelai narrows her eyes. "I thought you sent him back to New York."

"He showed up again," Luke replies. "He wanted to stay. We made a deal, he has to do what I say, work here, go to school, graduate, that kind of thing. He agreed. I wouldn't have taken him back otherwise." Lorelai looks shocked.

"I can't – I can't believe this," she says, getting up from her stool.

"Lorelai, he really wanted to stay here. How could I say no?"

"Exactly like that!" Lorelai exclaims, exasperated. Luke grimaces. She shakes her head, mulling this over. "You know why he wanted to come back." Luke looks at her for a moment before nodding. "I can't believe this." Lorelai's still shaking her head. She stops and looks up at him.

"Staying here is the best thing I could do for him."

"Yeah, forget how this affects me, or more so, Rory," Lorelai snaps back. Luke sighs.

"Lorelai, I don't want to get into this again." Lorelai opens her mouth to retort but closes it, eyes narrowing.

"Fine, I'll make sure he leaves Rory alone on my own. See you later," Lorelai responds coldly. With that she walks out. Luke sighs, shaking his head, knowing he's doing all he can. And hating that putting up with Jess means weakening his relationship with Lorelai.

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Back at Lorelai's House

Lorelai walks into the house to find Chris walking down the stairs with a suitcase. "I thought you went to work," Chris says. Lorelai looks at him like he's crazy.

"First of all, it's 7 in the morning, don't you know me at all?" Lorelai jokes. Chris chuckles. "And were you planning on leaving without telling me?" She asks. He puts down the suitcase and takes the coffee from her.

"No, I was going to stop by the inn on the way out of town." Lorelai nods, not quite sure that she believes him. "I got confused when you weren't here this morning."

"I went to get coffee."

"We could have made coffee here." Lorelai makes her 'I'm about to think up a really bad lie' face.

"Luke's is better," Lorelai says, actually telling the truth.

"So you've said. I could have gone with you," Chris comments. Lorelai scoffs, trying to come up with a good reason for this one. "Unless there's a reason you didn't want me to go to Luke's."

"I want to keep you all to myself," Lorelai flirts, suggestively arching an eyebrow. Chris smiles.

"Ah, well then." He holds out his hand to her and pulls her to him. "I'm all yours," he says as he kisses her.

"Perfect," she whispers, leaning in to kiss him again. They kiss deeply this time.

"Lor," Chris says, breaking them off before they get carried away. "I have to go." Lorelai looks a little disconcerted.

"I thought we were going to try to make this work."

"Yeah, we are, but I have to work too. And I have to find a new apartment in Boston."

"In Boston?"

"Yeah, I can't just quit my job." Lorelai seems defeated and walks away, although Chris tries to grab her hand. "Lor, I'm not getting back together with Sherry." She shakes her head, not looking at him. "Lorelai." He grabs her hand.

"Chris, just go."

"Lor, I have to go to work. You have to go to work. Remember the inn?" He leans down and looks up into her face until she looks up at him.

"Yeah, I know. I just hate that you have to go back to Boston," Lorelai tells him, making a pouty face.

"Yeah, me too. I mean I like my work, but I hate that it's so far away from you."

"Do you?" Lorelai grabs him by the collar, bringing his lips to hers once again.

"Lorelai!" Chris exclaims, stepping back just a bit. She raises an eyebrow suggestively. "How about I meet you and Rory your parents' on Friday and then we'll have the whole weekend together?"

"The whole weekend? I don't know what we'll do," Lorelai says innocently. Chris winks. They smile at each other for a moment.

"Okay, well, now I'm going to go. Tell Rory she better be done packing before Friday so we can have some bonding time on Saturday before we ship her off."

"Ay ay Captain." Lorelai salutes. He kisses her softly, grabs his suitcase and leaves. Lorelai watches him go, twisting her hands together. She smiles to herself and goes upstairs to change for work.