Title: Judging Lorelai

Chapter: Four

Chapter Title: Meeting Amy

Improv: sorry, forgot, stupid, trick, shine

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Gilmore Girls, that's Amy Sherman Palladino. I do not own anything from Judging Amy, that's Amy Brenneman.

Summary: Lorelai finds herself drawn into a custody case that hits close to home for both her and the judge, Amy Gray.

Authors Note: This is a crossover with Judging Amy. I should have said this in the last two chapters but I forgot until now to edit it in. Thanks very muchly to Miya for betaing me. J'adore tu, Miya.

Meeting Amy

Lorelai was panting when she rushed into the court building and ran smack into Maxine, "I am so sorry I'm late, there was this problem at the Inn and though it was really stupid it seemed I was the only one who could take care of it. There was water everywhere but I called my friend Luke and he came and did this thing with a wrench and whatever he did it did the trick and now everything's okay and I'm here but I'm late and I'm really sorry."

Maxine smiled at the young woman's rambling, "It's just fine, they haven't even called for us yet."

"Great," Lorelai said, visibly relaxing and giving Maxine a relieved smile. "So, is there anything I need to know? And hey, where is May?"

"One of the paralegals is talking to her in another room."

"Oh."

Just then a man came up to Maxine, "Maxine, they're ready, is this Lorelai?"

"Yes," Maxine said. She gestured as she introduced them, "Rick this is Lorelai, Lorelai this is Rick. We work together and he'll be helping you today."

Lorelai looked startled, "Oh, you won't be?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't," Maxine said apologetically, "My daughter's the judge."

"Oh, I see," Lorelai said.

"I'm sorry," Rick interrupted. "We need to get heading into the court room now, Lorelai."

"Oh, okay," she said nodding, "is there anything I should know?"

"Just tell the truth, be polite, and answer Judge Gray's questions."

"Right," Lorelai said. "Bye Maxine." Maxine nodded as Lorelai followed Rick into the court room.

~*~

As Lorelai gazed out over the room she noticed that May wasn't in the courtroom. It was probably for the best. "So tell me Ms. Gilmore," a voice cut into her thoughts, "Why would you like to be granted temporary guardianship of May?"

Lorelai looked up at the judge, whom she's just met, Amy Gray, "Well, when I found her I was of course very concerned, as we waited for the authorities to show up I found I liked the girl, and I would hate to see something horrible happen to her. I'd feel guilty, though I'm not the one who forgot or left her, it was my job to know what was going on in the inn and it'd just eat me up."

Amy nodded, "Do you have any children?"

"Yes, a daughter."

"How old is she?"

"She's just turned 18."

"I see, which would mean you had her when you were 16?"

"Yes," Lorelai said, "That's not going to hurt me is it?"

Amy looked at her levelly, "It could, I'd like to speak with the girl before I make a decision, is she here?"

"No, she had school today, but she will be getting out in about two minutes. Chilton's not that far of a drive, I can go and get her and bring her back."

Amy looked at Lorelai in surprise, "She goes to Chilton?"

"Yes, this is her third year, well not really since her first year she was enrolled late."

"Really? Why is that?"

"They hadn't accepted her until late."

"I see." Amy glanced around the courtroom quickly. "Well, we'll recess this case and reconvene in fifteen minutes, is that sufficient time Ms Gilmore?"

"Yes, that should be fine."

Amy nodded, "Well good, see you then."

~*~

Lorelai stepped out of the courtroom with Rick and squinted against the sun shining brightly in her eyes. She pulled on a pair of sunglasses and looked at Rick, "I'll be back in just a little bit."

"Okay."

Lorelai nodded and made her way through the parking lot to the Jeep. She climbed in, started the vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot. She turned towards Chilton as she dialed Rory's number on her cell phone.

"Hey mom," her daughter's voice came.

"Hey honey."

"How was court?"

"Um, it's not done yet. Are you out of school yet?"

"I'm at my locker, why?"

"Don't catch the bus, Judge Gray would like to speak with you and I'm on my way to pick you up."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why does the Judge want to speak to me?"

Lorelai shrugged then realized Rory couldn't see her, "She probably wants to see if I'm a fit mother."

"But you are!"

"I know that, and you know that, and she needs you to tell her that."

"Okay."

"So meet me out front, I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay Mom, bye."

"Bye honey."