I got this idea about a different way that Lorelai and Rory meet Luke for the first time. This is another pre-GG story so Rory's 12 in this and they already live in the Crap Shack. I love writing young Rory stories so I hope you enjoy this! :)

Chapter 1

"So we go in, we eat, we socialise to an extent and then we leave. Deal?" Lorelai said as her and Rory walked along the streets of Hartford towards the Gilmore Mansion for another annual Gilmore Christmas party.

"Deal." Rory said. "Oooh there's a bookstore down that road! Can we go look before we go to Grandma's and Grandpa's?" She asked.

"Aw hon, you know I'd say yes and that I'd give anything to be late to the Gilmore Christmas shindig but the quicker we get the, the quicker we can leave? Plus your Grandma will hold it against me the rest of my life." Lorelai said. She saw her daughter's disappointed face and sighed. "I'm sorry sweets. Maybe we can pop by on the way back?"

"But it won't be open then." Rory said.

"Rory..."

"I know..." Rory said. "I just...I just wanted to go and look. We must have time to go and just look at least?" She asked hopefully. "We left early today."

Lorelai smirked. "You don't give up, do you?"

Rory grinned. "Nope! So is that a yes?"

"Fine. Come on." Lorelai said.

Rory grinned and started to rush off.

"Whoa, Rory slow down! I don't want you running off in the dark!" Lorelai called but it was too late as Rory disappeared round the corner. "Rory!" She called. She sighed knowing her daughter wouldn't turn back now. When she was about to browse books, nothing would stop her. However, her heart dropped as she suddenly heard an ear piercing scream. "Rory!" She shouted terrified, running round the corner. She found her daughter frozen to the stop, trembling. "Rory!" She shouted rushing up to her daughter. "Don't ever run off like that again please!" It was when she reached her though that she noticed she wasn't alone. There was a man on the ground bloodied and bruised. "What happened?" She asked.

"Th...There were some p..people attacking him..." Rory said quietly.

"Oh my god..." Lorelai said, realising that Rory had obviously witnessed the attack. She looked at the scruffy looking man who was on the ground trying to stop his nose from bleeding. "Are you ok?" She asked cautiously.

"I'm fine." He said gruffly.

"You're bleeding." Rory said quietly, taking hold of her mom's hand for comfort.

Lorelai noticed the man's demeanour soften slightly when Rory spoke.

"I'm ok." He said. "Thanks to you startling them, it could have been worse." He saw that Rory was obviously still shaken. "I'm sorry you had to see that. No kid should witness something like you did."

Lorelai put her hand round her daughter's shoulders. "Are you ok hon?" She asked softly.

Rory nodded. "I...I think so." She said quietly. She glanced back at the man. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"I'll be fine." He said starting to get up.

"Wait!" Lorelai suddenly said, getting out her cell. "I'll call for an ambulance. You should get checked out." She said.

"No!" He said suddenly a bit too brusquely which made both Lorelai and Rory jump slightly. He sighed. "Sorry. I just...don't like hospitals. I'll be fine. I just need to get home."

"Well ok..." Lorelai said. "Do you need a lift?" She asked hesitantly.

"It's fine. My truck's just round the corner." He said.

"You can't drive in this state." Lorelai said. "Come on, I'll give you a lift."

"No honestly, you don't need to." He protested.

"I insist." Lorelai said.

The man sighed and just nodded, giving in. "Are you sure?" He asked. "It looks like you were heading somewhere."

"It's not important." She said. She glanced at Rory. "I think I should get my daughter home anyway."

He nodded. "Well...thanks."

"I'm Lorelai by the way." She said.

"Luke." He said.

"So where do you live?" She asked leading him over to where she parked her jeep.

"This small town about 20 minutes away. It's called Stars Hollow." He said, attempting to get into the jeep without wincing.

"Stars Hollow? Seriously?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"Yeah..." He said.

"Huh small world. We live there too." She said frowning trying to place him.

"Really?" He asked. "You new to the area?"

"No, I came when this one was 1." She said gesturing to the back seat where Rory was sat quietly looking out of the window.

"Oh right." Luke said.

"I work at the inn there. I spend most of my time there so I guess that's why our paths haven't met" She said. "Where do you live?"

"I own the diner in the square. I live in the apartment above it." He said.

"There's a diner?" Lorelai asked surprised.

"Yep." Luke said.

Lorelai frowned. "Whereabouts is it?"

"Near Dooses'. It's the one with the William Hardware sign above it." He said.

"Oh right yeah I know it! Huh I always thought that was a hardware store so I never really paid much attention to it." She said.

"Yeah it was my dad's." He said gruffly. "I changed it into a diner."

"Oh right." Lorelai said noticing the change in his demeanour as he mentioned his father.

"Just drop me off here." He said pointing to outside the diner.

"No way. We're coming in with you. I don't want to feel responsible for you collapsing or something before you get in." She said.

"I'll be fine." He rolled his eyes.

"Mom, I need the toilet." Rory said quietly from the back seat.

Lorelai raised her eyebrows at Luke who sighed. "Fine." He said.

Lorelai and Rory followed him in.

"There's a toilet through there." Luke said to Rory pointing to a door at one end of the diner.

"Thanks." She said quietly and she disappeared off in that direction.

Luke went behind the counter and got a first aid kit out and then sat down at one of the table and started wiping at his cuts. He glanced over at Lorelai who had sat down opposite him. "I'm sorry that your daughter had to witness what she did. It must have been scary for her." He said.

"It's not your fault." Lorelai reassured him. "She'll be ok."

Luke sighed. "Still it must have been a shock for her."

"So what happened?" Lorelai asked.

"I was on my way back from a bank meeting and these guys must have seen me leaving. Next thing I know they tried to mug me but I refused to give them my wallet. That's when they started on me..." He said. "I tried to fight back but there were like 5 of them. That's when your daughter appeared."

"Why didn't you just give them your wallet?" Lorelai asked surprised.

Luke was quiet for a moment. "There were personal photos in there. Of my parents and stuff." He said.

"Sorry I didn't mean to pry." Lorelai said.

"It's fine." Luke waved her off. He swallowed a lump in his throat. "My parents died when I was younger. My favourite photos of them were in my wallet."

"I'm so sorry." Lorelai said sympathetically.

"Thanks." He said gruffly.

Rory then reappeared and went over to them. "Are you ok?" She asked shyly.

Luke managed to smile at her. "I'm fine."

"Do you need some water or anything?" She asked.

Lorelai smiled at her thoughtful daughter.

"No I'm good. But thanks." Luke said softly.

Rory gave him a small smile.

"Well we better head home." Lorelai said. "Are you sure you'll be ok?" She asked Luke.

"Yeah I'll be fine. Just need to clean myself up." Luke said. "You get home."

"Ok." Lorelai said. She stood up and started to walk towards the door before hesitating and turning back. "Maybe I'll see you around? Come and try out your food."

Luke gave her a small smile. "First meal's on the house." He said.

"Now there's an incentive." Lorelai joked.

Luke chuckled. "Here." He said getting up and going over to the counter to put two doughnuts in a bag. "An apology for ruining your night." He said handing it over.

"Oh you didn't. Trust me." Lorelai said. She handed them to Rory. "Go put them in the car. I'll meet you there." She said softly.

Rory nodded and gave Luke a shy smile. "I hope you feel better." She said.

"Thanks Rory." Luke smiled at her.

Rory then went out and got into the jeep.

Lorelai hesitated for a moment and glanced at Luke. "So..uh I should get going. Thanks for the doughnuts. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thanks." Luke said. He watched her reach for the diner door handle. "Hey...uh...Lorelai?" He said.

"Yeah?" She turned.

"Thanks. For tonight. The lift and well..." He said awkwardly.

"You're welcome." She said softly. "I'm glad you're ok."

"You've got a great kid by the way." He said sincerely.

Lorelai smiled at that. Everyone usually judged her for having a kid but Luke hadn't even blinked. "Thanks Luke." She said softly. "I'll see you around."

"Yeah see you around." Luke nodded. He watched her leave and then drive away in the jeep. Something about Lorelai had intrigued him and he didn't know why. He let out a breath and then winced and he felt his body ache. He sighed and picked up the first aid kit and headed up to his apartment. His body was going to be in pain tomorrow. As he headed for the stairs, he felt something fall out of his pocket. He looked down and picked up his wallet. He opened it and smiled sadly as he looked at the faces of his parents tucked just inside his wallet. He blinked away tears, put his wallet back in his pocket and went upstairs.

So a new twist to how they met! Hope you liked it! Let me know if you'd be interested in me continuing this! :)