Notes:

Wow, some people need to learn to trust me a little. Haha. I should admit that actually this was written long before Partings, these chapters were written back in March, so it was interesting that the last bit of the last scene was so similar, especially since I didn't know the spoilers. Actually when I saw Partings, I was a little surprised at how similar the two scenes were, I must have been channeling ASP or something (wow, scary thought). But remember the circumstances are very very different, Lorelai's not in the same situation in this fic as she was on the show.

Babs25 - I"m so glad you commented on the "I love you Dad" and response. Slowly but surely Rory's warming up to the idea of Luke as her dad.

Robinpoppins - Yes, rely on your trust. Always. You and me both, and Lorelai, we all give Chris too many chances. I liked him as a person too, right up until that last scene. You're totally reading my mind in that whole review. Glad I provided a good outlet for your rant, let me tell you I feel exactly the same way.

Christopher's Condo

"Lorelai?" Christopher says with surprise as he opens the door to his condo. Lorelai takes a deep breath, gazing at Christopher. She licks her lips, still frozen in place. "Lorelai?" Christopher repeats, with concern and uncertainty. He never expected her to show up at his place again.

"Hi," Lorelai says finally. Chris furrows his eyebrows in confusion.

"Hi," Chris responds, still waiting for her to make the first move.

"Can I come in?" Lorelai asks.

"Oh, uh, yeah," Chris responds, stepping aside. Lorelai nods to him and walks past him into the condo. She pulls her coat tighter around her even though she's just stepped into a warm house. She glances around, somehow unfamiliar with her surroundings. Christopher closes the door, not taking his eyes off of Lorelai. "Can I take your coat?" Chris asks, giving Lorelai a chance to tell him why she's there. Lorelai glances back at him, a faint smile plays on her lips.

"No," Lorelai says softly. "No, that's okay. I'm okay. This is fine." Chris nods, still unsure.

"Do you want…?" Chris at the same time Lorelai tries to ask. "Can I just…?" They quiet staring at each other for a moment, each remembering how familiar it is just to be in the other's presence, but yet at the same time both are quite on edge. Chris motions for Lorelai to talk.

"Can I just…?" Lorelai motions to the couch in the living room.

"Oh yeah…" Chris responds. He lightly touches her shoulder, motioning for her to lead into the living room. Lorelai sighs, settling herself on the couch but Chris doesn't sit down. "Lorelai are you okay?" Chris finally brings himself to ask. Lorelai looks up at him with alarm.

"Why do you ask?" Lorelai asks cautiously. Chris sighs, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I may joke about it, but I never actually expected you to come back here. After…" Chris shrugs. Lorelai nods, looking away, running her tongue over her upper lip. "Lor…" Chris sits down next to her, cocking his head to let her know he's waiting for her to open up to him. Lorelai finally returns her gaze to Chris, pressing her lips together.

"I left," she states simply.

"You left," Chris repeats, not exactly understanding her meaning.

"Luke. The twins. I left. I left it all." Chris raises his eyebrows in surprise.

"Really?" Chris leans back, processing this.

"I just couldn't – it was all… You remember how it was after Rory was born?" Lorelai asks.

"You mean…?" Lorelai nods. "Yeah, course I remember." Lorelai bites her lower lip. "But you were so happy at the hospital the other week."

"If you believed that, Meryl Streep oughta be handing over one of her Oscars." Christopher chuckles. Lorelai folds her arms over her chest. "I lied to you. I never realized it." She gives Chris a pointed look.

"You mean you never told Luke that you love him." Lorelai nods. "But you do," Chris maintains.

"I don't get it, how do you know that and I don't know that?"

"You do know it, you do," Chris insists. Lorelai shakes her head, glancing away. "Deep down, Lor." He touches her arm lightly but even that makes Lorelai tense, so he removes his hand quickly. "You know." Lorelai unfolds her arms, laying her hands in her lap. She stares down at them. Chris watches her, letting her consider his words.

"I'm not sure why I came. I was on my way to New Hampshire and I saw the sign for your exit. My car just kinda made its way over here," Lorelai explains distantly.

"Smart car," Chris notes. Lorelai shoots him a look, trying not to smile at his joke. "What was in New Hampshire?" Lorelai shrugs.

"I just needed to get away. Away from everything. I couldn't take care of the twins. I was fighting with Luke. I couldn't get a hold of Rory. I couldn't make the payments on the inn. And everything was just falling apart." Lorelai scratches her forehead. "And I thought that this is what I've been working towards my whole life. The whole package. Luke. The kids. The inn. But I'm not happy, this isn't working out." Chris rubs her arm. "I mean I want it, I do, but I just can't make it work."

"Yes you can. You've just got to have faith in yourself." Lorelai absently plays with the ring on her finger. "You used to. The old Lorelai was full of self confidence," Chris reminds her.

"Are you sure about that?" Lorelai asks. "Are you sure it wasn't all an act? Joan Kennedy seemed to have it all together and now look at her. She had everything. The perfect family. The perfect husband. The perfect kids. The Kennedy name. But really, it wasn't perfect at all."

"Well the moment I find out you're drinking into oblivion…" Chris teases.

"It's not a joke Christopher!" Chris puts his hands in the air.

"You're right," Chris gives in.

"I just can't handle everything. And everyone wants something from me. And I'm only one person. I just…" Lorelai trails off, covering her face with her hands. Chris sits still, not knowing what he should do. And all Lorelai can do is wish that Chris was Luke because she knows that he would have his arms around her and would be holding her. He would know what to do.

Just as she's about to get up and leave, Chris stands and says, "Can I get you some coffee?" Lorelai looks up at him in wonder. "Lorelai?"

"Yeah… coffee…" she agrees distantly. Chris nods.

"Okay, well I'll be right back." Chris stares at Lorelai for a moment, making sure it's okay to leave her. When she doesn't respond, he turns and walks into the kitchen. As he closes the door behind him, Chris glances at Lorelai, who is flipping through his CD collection. He takes a deep breath, gets the coffee going and then picks up the phone and dials.

"What do you want?" Rory answers snottily. Chris frowns, but surprised that she bothered to pick up.

"I just wanted to let you know that your mom's here." Rory turns off her car and leans back in her seat, relieved.

"Oh God, I'm glad you called."

"So you didn't know where she was?" Chris asks.

"No, I didn't. I was worried. We all were. Is she okay?"

"Yeah. I mean she's not hurt." Chris winces, wishing he had picked a better choice of words. "But she's shaken. She's not herself."

"Yeah, she hasn't been in awhile," Rory admits.

"I thought something was up when she-" Chris stops talking having heard Lorelai calling to him. Chris walks over to the door and opens it a crack, forgetting the phone against his ear.

"I just noticed you have the new Sparks CD," Lorelai comments and then glances over at him. "Oh, sorry, didn't see you were on the phone. I didn't hear it ring."

"It only rings in the kitchen and you can't hear it with the door closed," Chris lies. Lorelai narrows her eyes, trying to figure out if he's telling the truth. "It'll just be a second." Chris moves to close the door again.

"Linda from marketing?" Chris stops and glances over his shoulder at her.

"Excuse me?" Lorelai grins.

"You don't want me to hear because it's Linda from marketing?" Lorelai teases. Chris chuckles.

"No, it's not Linda from marketing. It's my new girlfriend Trixie and she suggests that I get back on the phone before she dumps me." Lorelai nods, going back to the CD. Chris closes the door walking back over to the coffee pot that's almost done. "Sorry, Ror, I'm here."

"Who's Linda from marketing?" Chris groans.

"Not you too!" Rory giggles and then sobers, remembering who she's talking to. "Anyways, I just wanted to let you know she's here, she's all right and she's planning on heading to New Hampshire. Do you know where she's going?" Rory frowns, thinking about that for a moment.

"I have an idea," she replies vaguely. "I'm glad you called," Rory admits. Chris smiles to himself.

"Rory, give her a break, this happened last time too," Chris warns. Rory stares at the phone.

"When last time? You mean when I was born?"

"Yeah…"

"I didn't know that." Rory seems a little surprised she never heard about this.

"Well in those days it wasn't something you talked about, and for Lorelai Gilmore, it really wasn't something you talked about."

"How did you get her to come back?" Rory asks.

"I – uh – I didn't have to, it didn't get that bad last time. Mostly because she knew if she left you, she'd never see you again. It was a completely different situation last time, she didn't have someone she could depend on. All she has was me… and clearly that wasn't enough." Rory sighs, wishing she had known. "Ask her about it when you see her, she'll tell you the truth."

"Yeah… I'm glad you at least warned me," Rory tells Chris.

"No problem, I'm as worried as you are."

"Then you should just see Luke, he's out of his mind," Rory responds and then bites her lower lip, wishing she could take that back. She sighs. "Anyways, I'll keep you updated," she quickly adds and hangs up. Chris nods, hanging up the phone.

"Coffee's ready!" Chris shouts to Lorelai as he pours the coffee into a mug and then brings it out to her. "I told Trixie you said hi." Lorelai smiles faintly and takes the mug from him, drinking quietly. Chris watches her. "Oh! I should get you the gift!" Chris realizes and walks up the stairs.

Lorelai picks up a few CDs and glances at them. "Here," Chris says, running down the stairs. He hands her a small package in baby wrap with a bow on top. Lorelai gives him a curious look as she accepts the gift. "Actually, open it when you get home to Liam and Olivia." Lorelai nods.

"Okay…" Lorelai walks back over to where her purse sits on the couch. "Thanks Chris." The door to the condo opens and closes.

"Chris, hun, I…" Lorelai looks up into the front hall to see a woman standing there. The woman stares at Lorelai. "Oh I didn't realize…" Chris chuckles nervously.

"Hey Rosanna, this is Lorelai, she's my…" Chris trails off glancing at Lorelai, unsure what to say to explain.

"I'm Rory's mother," Lorelai finishes, watching to see if Rosanna recognizes Rory's name.

"Oh Rory, your daughter. Well, it's nice to meet you Lorelai," Rosanna says a little brighter, glad to find that Chris isn't home having an affair.

"Rosanna's my girlfriend," Chris explains to Lorelai, actually relieved that she didn't reveal their previous engagement. Lorelai nods.

"Well I should be going…" Lorelai says, giving Chris a faint smile. "Thanks for the…" She waves the gift. Chris nods.

"No problem, I'm sure they'll love it." Lorelai swallows, a tense look coming over her face again. She bites her lower lip nervously. "Give yourself a chance, it'll happen." Lorelai nods. She picks up her purse and walks out.

As she closes the door behind her, Lorelai leans back against the door, closing her eyes tightly. She takes a deep breath glancing up at the sky. Shaking her head, she quickly wipes tears from her eyes and walks to her car.