Title: Judging Lorelai

Chapter: Five

Chapter Title: Rory in Court

Improv: daisy, dapple, daughter, delight, descend

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.

Rory in Court

The cardboard back of Rory's notebook was dappled with daisies she'd been doodling to pass time by the time Lorelai arrived at Chilton. Upon seeing her mother's jeep pull in she stood up and descended the stairs outside of Chilton. She climbed into the passenger seat beside her mother and they headed for the court house. "How are things going so far?" Rory asked.

"They seem to be going okay," Lorelai responded. "I guess we'll know soon enough."

The rest of the ride to the court house was pretty silent, with each Gilmore engulfed in their own thoughts. At the court house Lorelai parked the jeep and they made their way into the building. It wasn't long before they were called back to the room and Rory was sitting up next to Amy. "So," Amy started, looking at Rory, "You're Ms. Lorelai Gilmore's daughter."

"Yes Ma'am."

"What's your name?"

"Lorelai Leigh Gilmore."

"I see, and how long have you lived with your mother?"

"All of my life, 18 and a half years."

"Your mother had you when she was 16?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Where is your father?"

"My father lives in Boston."

"Do you see him?"

"Occasionally he comes and visits, especially if I have a special event going on in my life. He calls every Wednesday too."

"Has your mother ever forbid you to see him?"

"No."

"Has your mother ever done anything that would put you in harm's way?"

"Like what?"

"Leave you alone at a young age, leave you in the car while she shops, things like that."

"No, we've always done everything together."

"Has she ever abused you?"

"No! She's my best friend, she'd never hurt me."

"Tell me a little more about your life."

"Like what?"

"Well, what's a day like?"

"Well, usually we wake up and have some coffee, then depending on how much time we have we either grab a pop tart to eat on our way to work or school, or sit down and have breakfast. We usually go to Luke's."

"Luke's?"

"It's a diner in Stars Hollow. Luke Danes is the man who owns it. He's about Mom's age, he practically helped her raise me."

"Really?"

"Yes. He's very nice. He's always trying to get us to stop drinking coffee and eating junk. He's a health nut."

"What sort of things do you usually eat?"

"Eggs, pancakes, french toast, Burgers, Fries, Hot Dogs. I like Thai food too, but mom doesn't. We order Chinese and Pizza sometimes. Plus every Friday night we have dinner at my Grandparents here in Hartford."

"I see. Your mom works at an inn right?"

"Yes, didn't she tell you? She manages the Independence Inn."

"Do you do anything for work?"

"Sometimes I help out at the inn when they have a big function, like a wedding."

"So mostly you go to school"

"Yeah, I go to Chilton."

"That's a private school right?"

"Yeah, my grandparents pay for it. I want to go to Harvard, and Chilton will help me accomplish that."

"What does your mother think of all that?"

"She supports me."

"I see. Well, I've made my decision." She paused and it seemed like the entire courtroom held their breath. "I'm delighted to grant temporary guardianship to Lorelai Gilmore on just a few conditions." Lorelai nodded. "One, you will keep in contact with someone at Child Services." Lorelai nodded again. "Two, you will be subject to visits from someone with Child Services to make sure I didn't make a wrong choice." Lorelai nodded again. "Three, you will bring May in for any court appearances she may need in the future when we find her parents." Lorelai nodded. "Four, you will eventually be giving May back to either her parents, or Child Services. I would like that time to go as smoothly as possible." Lorelai nodded again. "That's my conditions."

"That sounds perfectly fine to me," Lorelai said.

"Okay then, congratulations. Donna will meet you outside with the proper paperwork."

Lorelai and Rory thanked Judge Gray and left the court room. Outside Maxine was waiting. "Well?" she asked.

"She agreed to let me have temporary guardianship."

"Congratulations."