The Gilmore-Grey Union

By Michael Weyer

POV: Donna

I know I'm accused of being a little "out of it" sometimes (no idea why) but I can feel something a little different in the air as I march to the courtroom. I've got a case before Judge Grey this morning, typical kid accused of shoplifting thing but I think I can get him off. However, I just heard it's being bumped back a bit and I want to find out why.

I know it's a bit of a leap going from being Judge Grey's clerk to a lawyer appearing in her court regularly. It took me some getting used to having my mentor verbally slap me down at times but that's her job. It's why I've always respected her and use her as my beacon to carry me through my career.

As I come up to the courtroom, I see Bruce coming out, making some notes on a pad and I hurry to him. "Bruce! Bruce, I just learned I got pushed back, what happened?"

"Just rearranging the schedule," Bruce stated. "Nothing big."

He's looking away but I know something is wrong. Bruce has the schedule down to…well, a schedule. I had to work his job a couple of times, I know how hard it is. For him to just rework everything means something big is going down. "Bruce, what's wrong?"

"It's…personal with Judge Grey," he replies.

"Is she okay?" I press, pulling at his arm. "Is she sick? Bruce, come on, it's me!" I give him my best disarming smile.

He stares back and me and then takes a deep breath, looking up. "Well, I guess you'll find out anyway soon." He rubs a hand over his bald head. "Vincent got married last night."

My eyes bug out of my sockets. "WHAT!" Most of the people in the hallway stop and stare at me so Bruce takes my arm and moves me to a corner.

"From what I can tell," he says softly. "He got drunk in Atlantic City and woke up married to some girl named Rory."

"Oh my God," I whisper, reeling from it. "Judge Grey must be…I need to see her." I start to move but Bruce grabs my arm and pulls me back.

"Donna, I don't think that's a wise idea."

"Bruce, she needs someone to talk to! I know Vincent, we were roommates, after all. And Judge Grey is my mentor so she needs me to talk to!" I move again and again, he pulls my arm back.

"Donna," he says in that stern tone that always gives me chills. "She's not in a mood to talk now, trust me. I'm working the schedule around to give the defendants a break. You're not going to see her now."

"But Bruce…"

"Donna…" He almost seems to be grasping at something before his eyes brighten. "You're an opposing counsel. It could be seen as improper to be talking to the judge about something so personal right before your client goes on."

My face falls. Damn, he's right. It would be improper. And I'd hate to put Judge Grey in a position like that on top of this family crisis. "You're right…you're right. Okay…I'll talk to her later then."

"That would probably be best," Bruce says as he backs away. I turn and head back down the hallway to try and figure this out. Wow, Vincent married again. That must have been something to see. I wonder who the lucky girl is. I wonder how the Greys will welcome her. I wonder if I should get something.

That's it, I'll get a card and a cake, maybe some nice wedding present. I'll wrap them all up and bring them to Judge Grey tonight, after hours. I'm sure she'll appreciate it. I perk up as I imagine the style of cake to get.

Wow, Judge Grey must feel so lucky I picked her to be my mentor.