Lorelai spotted Chris as she was leaving Spanish. He was walking briskly down the hallway. She called after him but he didn't stop. Finally, she caught up with him.

"Chris." She said breathlessly. "Would you please stop?"

"I can't I have to get home." Chris replied.

"I thought you were coming to my house after school?" Lorelai asked as she kept trying to stay beside him.

Suddenly, Chris stopped. "Why, so we can sit around and talk about Luke?"

"What?" Lorelai asked.

"I saw the look on your face today." Chris bitterly said. "You still like him."

"His father died, Chris." Lorelai replied "I feel horrible."

"Why should you feel horrible?"

"Because of what I said to him." Lorelai folded her arms. "I know what it's like to lose someone really close to you. I never should have been so mean to him. Why are you acting like this? I thought you weren't a jerk like everyone else?"

"I'm not." Chris quickly answered. "It's just…"

"What…?"

Chris sighed. "If you still like Luke, then I don't want to intervene."

"You're not intervening. There's nothing between Luke and me. Except maybe an apology the next time I see him."

"So, you don't still like him?"

"I barely liked him to begin with." Lorelai replied. She saw a smile quickly streak across Chris' face and then just as quickly disappear. "Now, are you going to be a man and stand up to our bet or not?"

"Well, when you put it that way…"

"That's what I thought." Lorelai smirked. "Come on, I only live a few blocks away."

Chris and Lorelai took off down the sidewalk together. Within a few minutes they reached the front door. Lorelai opened the door and walked in.

"Wow, killer apartment." Chris replied as he gazed around.

"Thanks."

"Hello." Joan greeted as she stepped out of the kitchen. "You must be Christopher."

"Chris." He replied with a smile.

"Right… Chris." Joan smiled. "Welcome."

"Thanks… you have an awesome apartment." He's attention focused on a large Chinese vase sitting in the corner. "That's so cool. I've always been into Chinese culture. The symbols and stuff mostly." He added.

"I'm afraid the spaghetti won't be ready for about half an hour." Joan smiled. "I hope you don't mind waiting."

"Of course not." Chris said as he sat his backpack on the floor.

"We could watch tv." Lorelai offered. "Or, I could show you my room. It's so cool."

"Sure."

Lorelai headed off in the direction of her bedroom and Chris followed. Joan laughed quietly to herself, and then returned to her spaghetti.

"This is my dog Anna." Lorelai showed Chris a picture. "She's three years old."

"Oh, where is she?" Chris asked.

Lorelai paused. "She's… in Hartford. My father is keeping her for a little while till we get set up for her here."

"Oh…" Chris gazed down at the floor for a moment. "Are your parents divorced?" he asked politely.

"Not exactly." Lorelai replied. She honestly didn't want to get into this conversation.

"Just separated?"

"Hey, I could put in one of my Van Halen tapes." Lorelai quickly grabbed a tape from her desk. "I love their version of Wild Thing."

"I'm sorry, did I say something I shouldn't? Earlier, you mentioned you knew what it was like to lose someone close. I'm sorry… I didn't mean to pry." Chris looked her sympathetically in the eyes.

Oh, those eyes. Lorelai thought to herself as she stared back into them. Suddenly, she felt a feeling like she had never felt before come over her. Nervousness, mixed with excitement, fear, anticipation, and a burst of happiness all rolled into one.

"It's okay." She finally replied. She let out a deep sigh, she knew that she had to come forth with the truth at some point and time. She might as well get used to telling it. "When I was a baby, I was taken away from my real mother. I lived with Richard and Emily Gilmore for eleven years. I never knew that I was adopted. I just found out recently. My real mother had been the maid the entire time. She came and asked for a job after she found where I was. My adoptive mother died when I was eleven. It was devastating… then, my adoptive father got remarried to the most horrible woman I've ever met and my life. She had a son about my age, and he's nothing but a menace. When I finally found out that Joan was my real mother, my adoptive father had fired her from her job and she moved here. A few months later, he allowed me to come stay with her. So, that's my story."

Chris took in all the information. Lorelai started to wonder if she had been too forward with him. "That's the most I've heard you say since I have met you." He finally replied.

"I've not told anyone that story."

"I understand." Chris said softly. "I won't repeat it. I promise."

"You don't think I'm abnormal?"

Chris chuckled. "Lorelai, I think you're the most amazing girl I have ever met. You're strong, beautiful, and self confident. You are above normal, without a doubt but abnormal… no way."

Lorelai smiled. "I guess I never looked at it that way."

"Well, you should from now on." Chris pondered for a moment. "Doesn't it get confusing having two sets of parents?"

"Yes." Lorelai stressed. "I keep wanting to call my adoptive mom and dad my mom and dad, but I know it's not true. Joan is my mom. And I haven't met my real father yet. I don't even know if I ever will."

"Well, seems to me if your adoptive mother passed away and your adoptive father allowed you to move here, you should just stick to calling Joan your mom. After all, she did give birth to you."

Lorelai was becoming more and more comfortable. She had never gotten to speak with anyone aside from Joan and Richard about this. It was so nice having another point of view.

"I thought so too." Lorelai agreed. "But when I look at her, I see Joan. I don't see my mother."

"Never?" Chris asked surprised.

"Well…" Lorelai smiled. "When she kisses me good bye or good night… and when she plays with my hair. Anytime she shoes affection towards me, I feel this incredible warmth. And when she looks at me, I know she sees her daughter. I suppose I can see her as my mother, just not as much as I wish I could."

"Maybe you haven't let go of your adoptive mother? You still see her as your mom."

"You know, I really think that's it." Lorelai was very impressed with Chris' listening skills and his sensitivity. "I've not been able to see her as my mother, because I've been denying myself the right. Out of guilt I suppose. Joan says to just let it work itself out and give everything time. But I'm tired of giving it time, and I don't think anything is getting worked out."

"Then take control." Chris concluded. "If you want something, go for it. Make it happen."

"You're right." Lorelai replied. "I can't just sit around and wait for a perfect life to fall into my lap."

"Exactly." Chris nodded.

"Thanks, Chris." Lorelai smiled.

"Hey, anytime."

Joan poked her head through the door that she had made sure stayed open during Chris' visit. "Hey, you two. Ready for the best spaghetti you've ever eaten in your life?"