Disclaimer: Seriously, if I owned it, Chris would be dead.

Authors Note: I know, it's been forever. School's been evil and I've had a lot of trouble getting this chapter written. I can't really think of any more ideas for Rory as a little kid. So, I'm leaping forward a couple years. She'll be twelve in this chapter, and to make up for the lack of updates, I'm going to post another story that I've been thinking about writing. I really am sorry for not updating, but unfortunately, the updates will probably be few and far between until school is out. I'll try to update every other week, but for some reason, teachers tend to want me to do homework instead of write new chapters. Yeah, I don't get it either. So, after this ridiculously long author's note, here's your new chapter.

Chapter 6

"Hey sweetie." Lorelai said as Rory walked into the Independence Inn after school one day. "Could you possibly ask Lane if you can spend the night at her house Saturday night?"

"Lane's grounded until next Saturday. Her mom found a Snickers wrapper in her backpack. Why?"

"I was going to try to go out with a friend for a few hours. But it's no big deal."

"What friend? Sookie?"

"No. I don't think you know this friend."

"Well, if it's only going to be a few hours, I could stay home by myself. I'll keep all the doors locked, won't open the door to strangers, and I won't go anywhere." Rory said, with hope in her eyes. She'd been dying to have the house to herself for a night. Most of the other kids at school got the opportunity to stay home alone and Rory wanted to see what it would be like.

"I don't know babe. It's a Saturday night. I don't know if I like the idea of you being home alone at night. It could be dangerous."

"Mom, it's Stars Hollow. The last time anyone called the cops, Babette thought someone stole her lawn gnome, but Cinnamon had just knocked it over. We know everyone in town. Please Mom. I'll just order some food and watch a movie. Please."

"Okay. I'll just be gone for a few hours. I'll be back by midnight at the latest. I'll leave you some money if you want to go to Luke's. That's the only reason I want you out of the house. I'll talk to Babette and see if she'll check in on you occasionally. If you go to Luke's, I want you to tell her. I'll probably call a couple of times to check in on you, and if you don't answer, I'll call Babette, and she better know where you are. Got it?"

"Deal. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

"Okay, Rory. I'm leaving. Luke's money is next to the phone. If you go, tell Babette. I'll be back by midnight. Be good. No parties. I'll call to check in. Bye. Love ya." Lorelai said as she was walking out the door.

"Bye Mom. Have fun." Rory said, half listening to her mom while she watched Sixteen Candles for the gazillionth time.

At about eight o'clock, after Rory had watched Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and The Breakfast Club, she walked over to Babette's to tell her that she'd be at Luke's in case her mom called.

"Hey Luke." Rory said as she walked in the diner, which was completely empty, except for Luke wiping off the counter, yet again. "Were you closing? I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was so late. I got into the movies I was watching, but then I got really hungry, so I just walked over here. But I'll just go. I think there's some Pop Tarts or something I can eat."

"Rory, wait. I was closing, but it's no big deal. I'll make you something to eat. What do you want?"

"Cheeseburger, fries, and Sprite, please."

"No problem. So, what are you up to tonight?"

"I was just watching some movies. My mom went out for the night, so I got the house to myself."

"Your mom left you home alone. You're twelve years old, it's dark outside, what was she thinking?" Luke said, starting to go into a rant.

"She was thinking that Babette would check in on me, it's Stars Hollow, and I begged her to go. She never gets to go out with other adults and it's not fair. She's only twenty-eight. She shouldn't have to just sit at home while everybody else her age goes out and has fun. It's just not right."

"She should have at least had you stay at Lane's house or something."

"Lane's grounded until next week."

"What food was it this time?"

"Snickers. She really needs to remember to take the wrappers out of her backpack. She's a pro at hiding her CDs. I don't know why she can't get the candy hiding down."

"Oh, she will. She's definitely getting good at being a con artist."

"Yeah. I would hate to have to hide stuff my mom. I never understood kids who didn't trust their parents, and I don't think I ever will."

"Well, you lucked out. You got a great mom. And she got a great kid."

"What about you? I mean, I know your mom died when you were really young."

"My mom was the greatest woman I've ever known. She never lost her temper with my sister and me. She had the most patience I've ever seen. She never raised her voice, even when I drew a mural for her on the living room wall with fingerpaint. She always had a smile on her face, even when she knew she was dying."

"She sounds great. I wish I could have met her."

"She would have loved you and your mom. She used to run the nursery at the church and all the kids would tell me that I had the best mom on earth, and I couldn't argue with them. At her funeral, I remember looking around and seeing all these kids, and half of them I'd never even met. They were all just bawling their eyes out. I don't think I realized until then how many people loved my mom."

"I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost my mom. I don't even know who would take me. She's really all I have. I mean, we see my grandparents on holidays, but my dad lives out in California, and he tries to call now and then, but doesn't very often."

"Have you ever even seen your dad?"

"He moved to California when I was two, and before that, he wasn't around a lot. I haven't seen him since he moved. I've seen pictures of him from when he was in high school, but I'm sure he's changed since then."

"My dad started to fall apart after my mom died. He spent all of his time at work and I would work here occasionally. He didn't talk much, but we understood each other. My sister moved away the minute she turned eightteen, and when my dad got sick, he really depended on me. When he died, I wanted more than anything to sell this place and move away. But I couldn't. I knew he'd want me to stay here and keep the place open for him. Plus, there were too many memories here, and I didn't want Taylor to buy it and ruin it."

"Yeah, I don't even know what my dad does. Last I heard he was working at a mall in LA. But that was a few years ago. He doesn't normally keep a job for very long."

"So, where's your mom tonight?"

"She's out with a friend. She thinks I don't realize she's on a date. It's not like I really care. She deserves to go out with guys."

"Huh, a date. Um yeah, do you know who it is?" Luke asked, obviously uncomfortable talking about Lorelai on a date and Rory could even see a little bit of hurt in his eyes.

"No, I don't know who. Mom tries to keep her dating life pretty secretive. Normally, she gets me to go to Lane's and tells me she just wants some alone time for a while, but I know she goes out on dates. I don't think a guy has ever been around for than one date, but oh well. I know it'd be a lot easier for Mom to have a boyfriend if she didn't have me."

"Rory, I know your mom doesn't regret for one moment having you. She loves you more than anything in the world. You can see it in her eyes when she talks about you. And if a guy doesn't want to date your mom because of you, he definitely doesn't know what he's missing out on. I mean, getting to know you."

"I know what you meant. Thanks. Sometimes I wish Mom would date you. You're just the kind of guy she needs. Plus, I know you really care for her."

"Well, your mom's my best friend. Of course I care for her. But I don't think we'll ever date."

As Luke said that, Rory could see that Luke obviously wanted to date her mom. If only Lorelai could see that, everything would be perfect.

"Wow, it's really late. I probably need to go home. Thanks for dinner, Luke. I'll probably see you tomorrow."

"Hey, it's dark. I'll walk you home."

"Thanks. What were you going to do tonight before I ruined all your plans? Sorry I stayed so long."

"Rory, you have nothing to apologize for. I was probably going to go upstairs, watch a baseball game, and go to bed early. Having you as company was much more fun."

"Do you want to come in and watch a movie? It's really lonely being home alone and I'm a little scared."

"Sure. What movie?"

"Have you ever seen Willy Wonka?"

"Not since I was about your age."

"Do you wanna watch it?"

"Sounds like fun."

Rory fell asleep shortly after Charlie had gotten his golden ticket. About halfway through, the phone rang. Rory started to stir a little, but just rolled over, so Luke answered the phone before she could wake up.

"Hello?" Luke whispered, trying to be quiet.

"Hello. Who the hell is this? Because unless Rory is now a grown man, this isn't my daughter. What are you doing in my house when she's supposed to be home alone?" Lorelai yelled, frantically.

"Lorelai, calm down. It's Luke."

"Luke? What are you doing at my house? What's wrong? Is Rory all right?"

"Slow down. Rory came to the diner for dinner. I walked her home, and she asked me to stay and watch a movie for a while, because she was a little scared."

"Oh. I knew I shouldn't have left. She's too young to stay home alone at night."

"She's twelve. She's just not used to it yet. Don't worry."

"Okay, well thanks. Can I talk to Rory?"

"She fell asleep about an hour ago and she's pretty much out like a light."

"Oh well. Can you possibly stay there until I get home? I'll be home in about twenty minutes."

"What time is it?"

"About nine-thirty."

"I thought you weren't getting home until midnight."

"Well, plans change."

"Sure, the movie's almost over and I wanted to see the end of it anyway."

Almost exactly twenty minutes later, Luke heard Lorelai pull into the driveway.

"Hey Luke. Thanks for staying with her."

"No problem. So, how was your date?"

"How did you know I was on a date? Rory didn't even know."

"Rory knew. She told me."

"Well, seeing as I'm home two hours early, it obviously didn't go very well."

"I'm sorry. What happened?"

"I told him I had a twelve year old daughter and he couldn't get out of the restaurant fast enough."

"Well, he's an idiot. Rory's the greatest kid on the planet and you're pretty fun to hang out with too."

"Thanks. Oh well, he was really boring anyway. I'm going to tuck Rory in and then I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow, Luke."

"Bye, Lorelai. And just remember he's a loser. He doesn't deserve you anyway. Good night."

Authors Note 2: So, this went a little differently than I had expected. I tried to make it a little longer. I'll try to update soon. Please review!