Author's Note: Keep reviewing, there's way more!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls. If there is something that you don't recognize from the show, it is original and it is mine.
Rory hung up and tossed the phone to the edge of her bed. She glanced down at her hands, then heard the back door open. She walked out of her room and saw Greg carrying in a bag with Sookie behind him, also carrying some supplies.
"Hey, Sook," Rory said, smiling.
"Hi sweetie. Your dad told me you guys were getting low on leftovers, so I thought I'd whip you up some spaghetti this week."
Greg kissed her cheek. "What would we do without you? How was your day, kiddo?" Greg asked Rory as he hung up his and Sookie's coats.
"Fine. Um, remember that mentoring program I was telling you about?" Rory said.
"With the Hartford businessmen?"
"Yeah. I'm meeting my mentor tomorrow at three thirty."
"That sounds like fun, who is he?" Sookie asked as she cooked.
"It's a woman actually. She's an attorney," Rory explained as she sat down.
"Do you need me to pick you up?" Greg asked.
"No, I can drive."
"Rory, one of the conditions of letting you keep that car is that you can't drive in the city at night," he reminded her.
"I know, but-"
"I'll pick you up. We can have dinner in the city afterwards. Just call me when you're done."
"Okay," Rory mumbled. She was tapping her fingers slowly. "Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Tell me about how you and Mom thought of my name."
Greg hesitated. "You know how."
"Well, tell me again."
He sighed as he poured some wine for him and Sookie. "Your mother read it somewhere and thought it was a very pretty name. I agreed, so we named you Lorelai."
"Where did you read it?"
"I don't remember, it was seventeen years ago. Probably in the newspaper."
"Why did you call me Rory if you thought Lorelai was so pretty?"
"We had started calling you Lory. But your cousin Alex couldn't say his Ls very well, and when he called you 'Rory,' your mother thought it was adorable."
"Oh."
"Kiddo? What's wrong?" Greg asked.
"I have some homework to finish," Rory said as she went into her room.
Lorelai was walking into the office after a day in court. She hadn't even thought about Adam or the girl coming to see her that afternoon.
"Aaron, get me the Westmen file!" she yelled toward her assistant as she stormed into her office.
"Bad day?" Aaron asked with his nose up.
"Coffee." He tossed a file on her desk, then turned on his heels to walk out.
"Are you nervous?" Maria asked as she walked in.
Lorelai was rubbing her temples. "About what?"
"Those students. They're coming up today."
"What? Oh crap!" Lorelai began searching her desk for the fax from Chilton.
"Lorelai, they'll be here in ten minutes," Maria chuckled.
"Oh shut up. We all can't be organized to the point of insanity."
"We all have systems, Lorelai. You just have to find yours."
"I have a system. It's called working under pressure."
Aaron walked back in. "There are two young girls in school uniforms at the front desk asking for you two." He set Lorelai's coffee on her desk.
"They're early, that's a good sign," Maria deduced as they walked out.
"Why am I doing this? I can't mentor anyone, would anyone really want my life?" Lorelai was groaning.
"Good afternoon, ladies," Maria said, smiling. "I'm Maria Portsmith."
"Paris Gellar, I'm looking forward to working with you," Paris said formally as she shook Maria's hand.
"As am I, Paris. And you are?"
"Rory. Hansen," she answered quietly. She glanced up at Lorelai to take a good look. She was so young. But old enough to be an established attorney. And the similarities were obvious, especially in their fair skin and blue eyes. And then there were their names.
"Lorelai? Lorelai!" Maria exclaimed and Lorelai broke her stare of the young woman in front of her. The girl who looked exactly like Lorelai when she was a teenager. Down to the Chilton uniform.
"Hmm?"
Maria smiled. "You'll have to forgive Lorelai, she's only had two pots of coffee today. Well, Paris, would you like to look around the office?"
"Yes, that would be quite effectual, I'm sure." Maria started off, with Paris a few steps behind talking notes.
"Well," Lorelai said slowly.
"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Gilmore," Rory said as they shook hands.
"Lorelai, please. Um, what should I call you?"
"Rory is actually my nickname."
"Oh yeah, what's it for?"
Rory hesitated. "Lorelai."
"Oh right. That's quite a coincidence, huh?" Lorelai tried to laugh off.
"I guess."
"Well, let's go to my office."
"This is a really nice place," Rory said politely as they walked.
"It functions. Um, Aaron could you get Rory-"
"Is this your sister?" Aaron asked as he stood up.
"No, Aaron, you know I don't have any siblings," Lorelai said shortly. "This is Rory, she's a Chilton student I'm going to be mentoring."
"You two do realize you look exactly alike," Aaron offered.
"More coffee, please," Lorelai grumbled as she walked into the office and shut the door behind Rory. "Sorry about him. He needs glasses. No one wants to hear how much like a thirty-three year old they look."
Rory paused. "Well, you look great so, that's a compliment."
"Oh, you're good. You'd make partner in no time," Lorelai said as they sat down. "So, what do you want to know about being a lawyer?"
"Well, could I ask you some personal questions first?" Rory asked.
"Oh. Sure..."
"Um, how long have you worked here?"
"Six years, since I graduated, from Harvard Law. I hear you want to go to Harvard. How come?"
Rory shrugged. "It just has always been the place for me."
"Well, I am sure you'll get in. Chilton students are always given priority."
"Did you go to Chilton?"
"Um, for two years."
"Why not four?"
"I transferred there my junior year. I wasn't very ambitious my first few years of high school."
"What changed your mind?"
Lorelai smiled. "Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Okay."
"What does this have to do with my career?"
"You're supposed to help me with my education too."
"Who are your parents?"
"Greg and Dana Hansen."
"Where do they work?"
"My dad runs an inn in Stars Hollow."
"What about your mom?"
Rory glanced down. "She died almost a year ago."
"Oh. Sorry."
"It wasn't your fault."
"I know but when someone tells you something sad you apologize to make up for sticking their foot in their mouths."
Rory smiled. "You didn't know."
Lorelai sat forward. "Can I ask you one more thing?" Rory nodded. "Are you-"
"Coffee, ladies?"
"Aaron, could you knock?"
"You told me not to waste time with knocking when there was coffee involved."
He handed them each a cup. "The staff meeting started without you."
"What? Bastards!" Lorelai grabbed her briefcase. "Come on!" She and Rory ran, with their coffee, to the boardroom where Lorelai interrupted and settled down for the meeting.
"So was that educational?" Lorelai asked as they walked out into the hall.
"I've never seen a grown woman make a grown man cry before," Rory giggled.
"It's a gift." They hesitated. "Do you need a ride home?" Lorelai asked.
"Oh, I can call my dad."
"Don't be silly, I can drive you."
"It's almost a half an hour-"
"I don't mind."
