Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I still don't own Gilmore Girls.

"Morning," Christopher said as Lorelai entered the kitchen on Sunday. "You look like hell."

"Gee, thanks," she smiled sarcastically. "Remind me again why we aren't together anymore?"

"Sorry," Christopher laughed. "I just mean it doesn't look like you got much sleep."

"Well I didn't," she replied irritated. She yanked a coffee mug from the cabinet and slammed the door shut.

"Still don't want to talk about it?" Christopher asked.

"Nope," Lorelai replied crabbily.

"Fine," he said. "But for what it's worth I think you still love him."

"I don't love him," Lorelai lied to him.

"Okay," Christopher replied slowly. "Then I think we should go out."

"What?" Lorelai turned around shocked by Christopher's proposition.

Christopher stood up from the kitchen table and approached her. "I think you and I should go out," he said simply. "We'll get Georgia a babysitter and we can go out for a nice dinner."

"You're crazy," Lorelai said filing up her coffee mug.

"It's not so crazy," Christopher said.

"No, it's certifiable," Lorelai replied walking passed him.

"Why, what's so crazy about us going out?" Christopher asked. "Sherry unceremoniously dumped me. Luke left you. We're both hot, single people, in the prime of our lives," he baited her.

"So since we're both single we should go out," Lorelai laughed. "Uh, I think Miss Patty is still looking for husband number six. Why don't you go out with her?"

"Because I wanna go out with you," Christopher said seriously.

"Be serious Christopher," Lorelai sighed.

"I am," he replied sincerely. "You just need to get out and get your mind off everything. I'm not saying this has to be a real date, but if it turns out that way I can't say I would complain."

"This isn't a good idea," Lorelai replied.

"Why?" Christopher shot back quickly. "Give me three good reasons and we won't go."

"Uh okay how about I just broke up with Luke?" Lorelai started.

"Yeah, a month ago and you said you didn't love him," Christopher said. "Next."

"And you're still on the rebound from Sherry," Lorelai countered quickly.

"I'm over it," Christopher replied.

"And, this just isn't a good idea," Lorelai protested.

Christopher just gave Lorelai a look that told her that her arguments didn't hold up. He didn't say anything. He just let his gaze bore a hole through her.

"And I'll be ready at seven," she sighed.

"Good," Christopher smiled brightly. He walked out of the kitchen happily and Lorelai was left standing there confused.

"Another martini with a twist," Lorelai said to the waiter.

"Hey Lore, you might want to slow down," Christopher said. "We haven't even gotten the salads yet."

"Party pooper," Lorelai smiled at him. "I'm fine. I think this was a good idea actually. I needed to get out."

Lorelai surveyed the restaurant Christopher had taken her too. It was a new up-scale restaurant in Hartford. Since it was a Sunday night it wasn't too crowded and the atmosphere was a little stuffy, but relaxing. Of course the relaxation may have been because Lorelai had already had two large martinis since they arrived 15 minutes ago.

"Well I'm glad you're having a good time," Christopher said puzzled. He knew there was something going on in Lorelai's head, he just couldn't figure out what.

"Oh did I tell you that Davey has a little crush on Gigi?" Lorelai made conversation. "It was so cute, Davey gave Gigi his favorite bear because she was crying. Sookie got a picture I think."

"That lothario," Christopher joked. "I'm gonna have to keep my eye on that kid."

"Relax Daddy," Lorelai teased him. "I think I saw Gigi shoot Davey one of your looks before he gave up the bear."

"One of my looks?" Christopher repeated.

"Yeah, you know the patented Christopher gaze complete with unaffected eye lash batting and killer smile. Poor Davey didn't stand a chance."

"Ahh, I taught her well," Christopher chuckled. It seemed like Lorelai was more at ease and in turn it made Christopher relax.

"So are you looking forward to the commute tomorrow?" Lorelai changed topics.

"No," Christopher said flatly. "I really appreciate you helping me with Gigi Lore, but I do not enjoy the daily commute from Stars Hollow to Boston. They can take the motorcycle out of the man..."

"But that can't put the Volvo in him?" Lorelai finished as the waiter handed her another drink.

"Something like that," Christopher chuckled.

Lorelai took a long sip of her martini. "Just keeps getting better," she smiled.

"Right," Christopher said. "So tell me how you feel about self-medicating?"

He tried to tease her and make it sound like he wasn't concerned. It didn't work.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lorelai said. "You wanted me to go out dinner with you and I'm here. Now you're going to begrudge me a drink?"

"No," Christopher replied. "I just didn't think you'd need to get drunk to spend a little time with me."

"I'm not getting drunk to spend time with you," Lorelai said setting her drink down. "See?"

Christopher shot her a look and Lorelai just smiled at him. His resolve to scold her crumbled and he smiled back.

"I'm totally fine," Lorelai said.

"Lore, I'm not the alcohol Nazi okay? I just want to make sure you're okay."

"I'm great," Lorelai replied. "I couldn't be better." She pushed her drink to the corner of the table in an effort to please Christopher and to slow down her drinking. Suddenly she felt like the vodka was getting to her.

"Well I'm glad to hear it. I wanted to take you out as a thank you for letting me stay with you. I know it hasn't been easy and I know I probably don't deserve your help," Christopher said.

"You don't," Lorelai smiled at him. "But you're welcome. It's actually been kind of nice to have noise in the house. I never did get used to the quiet after Rory went to college."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Christopher said nostalgically. "After Sherry left it was really quiet and then Gigi would laugh and I'd feel better knowing someone was still around."

"Yeah," Lorelai agreed. "When Luke used to stay over I liked the sound of him moving around in the morning. It was nice to hear the shower running, even if I yelled at him for making noise so early."

"I know," Christopher said. "Sherry used to hum in the bathroom in the morning. And it was always some horrible song like Hello by Lionel Ritchie."

"You're kidding?" Lorelai replied.

"No, I'm not," Christopher said leaning in. "I was afraid I'd wake up one day and there'd be a clay bust of Lionel in the bathroom!"

Lorelai laughed as she contemplated Christopher's story. "Luke used to hum, but then deny that he was humming because apparently mountain men don't hum or something. One day I walked into his apartment and I caught him singing--full out singing--into a broom handle while he was sweeping!"

"What song?" Christopher asked.

"You Are So Beautiful," Lorelai laughed remembering it.

"Kenny Rogers?" Christopher said incredulously.

"No, Joe Cocker, thank god! He looked shocked that caught him. I thought he might kill me just to stop the story from spreading."

"That's classic," Christopher said. "I once caught Sherry—"

"Wait," Lorelai interrupted him. "What are we doing?"

"Huh?" Christopher said.

"We're talking about Luke and Sherry," Lorelai said a little disgusted. "Tonight is supposed to be a fun night for us."

"You're right, so no more talking about Sherry and Luke," Christopher agreed.

"No talking about exes," Lorelai said. "In fact, let's make it interesting. Every time you say the name Sherry I'll buy you a shot. And every time I say the name Luke you buy me a shot. What do you think?"

"I think it sounds like we're getting drunk tonight," Christopher laughed.

Sure enough neither Christopher nor Lorelai could prevent their thoughts from running to Sherry and Luke, although Lorelai had imbibed many more drinks than Christopher had. It seemed easier for him to focus his conversation in her. However, by the time the main course was served Christopher was starting to slur his words and Lorelai erupted in fits of laughter for no reason. Christopher realized that he needed to drive home and he tried to avoid bringing up Sherry's name, but even when he accidentally said it Lorelai was too drunk to notice.

"I love your laugh," Christopher chuckled as Lorelai was cracking up over something she found insanely amusing.

"Thank you," she giggled.

"I miss it," he tried to say seriously.

"You miss my laugh?" Lorelai asked trying to compose herself.

"Yeah, you don't laugh like you used to. You're more serious now," he commented.

"Not true, I laughed just last night when we were watching...what were we watching? Something with Muppets in it I think," she struggled to remember.

"Yeah you and Georgia were watching the Muppets last night," Christopher said. "But I just meant that you used to be so...I don't know, something is different."

"Yeah something is different," she said. "But right now I need another drink."

The conversation was getting much too serious for Lorelai and she needed an escape so she decided to use the Ladies Room to avoid Christopher's stare. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She did look different. She couldn't place it, but something wasn't right. She only hoped that by the time she got back to the table Christopher would stop looking at her with those eyes. She got the distinct feeling that he was hoping this was a date and it made her uncomfortable.

She returned to the table and Christopher stopped asking her questions that made her nervous. Of course maybe the nerves disappeared with the additional martini, she couldn't be sure. By the time they left the restaurant Lorelai could barely walk a straight line and the staff seemed happy that they were leaving. Luckily Christopher was sober again and he helped Lorelai to the car. He decided it would be best of he dropped Lorelai off at home and then picked up Gigi from Babette's.

Christopher pulled up in front of the house and Lorelai was asleep with her face pressed against the passenger's window. He laughed looking at her. He thought of all the times he and Lorelai had gotten into trouble drinking, but he never recalled seeing her this drunk. He walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the door. The movement of the door startled Lorelai awake and she looked around as if she was trying to figure out where they were.

"We're home," Christopher said putting an arm around Lorelai's waist.

"Right," Lorelai agreed groggily. "Home."

"You remember your house," Christopher said talking to her as if she were an amnesiac child.

"But a house is not a home," Lorelai said.

"What?" Christopher said.

"You know, a chair is just a chair and a house is not a home," Lorelai babbled on.

"Tell me you're not quoting Dionne Warwick," Christopher laughed.

"So what if I am," she leaned into him clumsily as he led her to the front door.

"Come on," he said unlocking the door and throwing her arm around his neck. "You need to get some sleep."

"I don't want to," she said.

"Why not?" Christopher replied carefully leading her up the stairs to her room.

"I dream about him," she sighed.

Christopher had successfully hauled Lorelai into her bedroom and he sat her down on the bed.

"You dream about Luke?" he asked.

Lorelai nodded miserably while Christopher pulled her coat off and threw it on the chair.

"What do you dream about?" Christopher asked. He figured if she wouldn't talk to him while she was sober maybe she would open up while she was drunk. He wasn't proud of it, but he wanted to know that she was okay.

"Just Luke," she mumbled leaning into Christopher's neck.

"What's he doing?" Christopher probed.

"Depends," she said nuzzling into his neck. "Sometimes he's kissing me or telling me he loves me."

"That's nice," Christopher replied letting her lean into him. He was getting a little uncomfortable with the way Lorelai was rubbing his back lightly with her hand. The touch wasn't unwelcome, but he got the distinct feeling it wasn't really meant for him.

"I love you," Lorelai whispered into Christopher's ear. "I'm sorry I couldn't say it before."

Lorelai's head was resting on Christopher's shoulder and she was breathing steadily, her eyes closed.

"I love you too," Christopher said sadly. "But you need to get to bed."

"Don't go," she said clutching his shirt but not opening her eyes.

"I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow," he said moving her hands and laying Lorelai on her side.

"At the diner?" she muttered.

It was then that Christopher truly realized she thought she was talking to Luke.

"Yeah at the diner," he said standing up.

"Good because I missed you," she sighed as she drifted off to sleep. "I do love you Luke," she added sleepily as Christopher covered her with a blanket and turned off the light.

Christopher scratched the back of his neck and sighed as he walked down the stairs. He had a lot to think about, but right now he needed to see Georgia. She was the one girl in his life that he knew loved him in no uncertain terms.

TBC